Structure Fire                                                                                                                                                                On  February 7, at 1:38am E-401,E-402, and Erlanger 51 were dispatched for a structure fire at 463 Fox St.. On arrival crews found a two family, two story apartment building with heavy fire showing from Apt #1 first floor. Heavy fire was blowing from both front windows and front entrance door, advancing into the second floor windows and roof soffit areas.
The fire was controlled by E-401 crew with one - 1" 3/4 and one 2" attack line without incident.

Mobile Home Fire                                                                                                                                                    On January 10th EFPD crews responded to a structure fire in a mobile home with reported entrapment. The fire was quickly extinguished as crews searched for a possible victim. After no victim was found, relatives located the resident who was not at home at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire was determined to be food left on the stove, the mobile home sustained major damage to the kitchen area.

 

The students of Howell Elementary held a "Penny War" to benefit a fire department project. The classes that collected the most money in the "Penny War" were treated to a trip to the fire station and a pizza lunch served by our firefighters. This year’s top classes were a kindergarten class and a second grade class and they visited the fire station on October 11th and presented a check to Chief LaFontaine.                                                                               The money contributed by the school children will go towards purchasing a portable generator that can be used to power medical equipment in the event of a power outage. The children and staff of Dorothy Howell Elementary should be commended for their generosity and community service.

Memorial Unveiling                                                                                                                     To honor past and present fire department members the Elsmere Fire District unveiled and dedicated the Elsmere Fire District Firefighter Memorial on October 7, 2007. This monument located at the corner of Garvey Ave and Ash Street will be a lasting symbol of respect and admiration for the Men and Women who have unselfishly served the citizens of Elsmere over the last 100 years.

August 11, 2007                                                                                                                                               Elsmere Fire District Crews and a mutual aid crew from Erlanger responded to a report of a rail car fire on the tracks at the Main Street railroad crossing.  Railroad staff informed fire personnel that a railcar with railroad ties and wood was burning. Crews assessed the scene and found that two railcars were burning. Crews extinguished the fire using foam and worked to cool the exterior of the railcars. When the fire was under control, railroad personnel moved the cars to the rail yard for clean up.                                                                                                        The incident was exasperated by the dangerous heat the personnel endured when outside temperatures exceeded 97 degrees

May 28, 2007                                                                                                                                                            Fire District Members participated in the annual VFW Memorial Day Parade honoring Veterans who have served and are serving our country.

 

Training                                                                                                                                                           Members of the Elsmere Fire District are required to participate in a comprehensive on-going training program that includes weekly training sessions. Here personnel are being trained on Water Supply and the use of a Deck Gun for the supply of large water quantities.

 

Structure Fire                                                                                                                                                                                                              On May 19, 2007 personnel from the EFPD responded to 3747 Autumn Rd. for a possible structure fire. Crews found smoke in the structure. Fire had began and extended in the attic. E 401 quickly contained and extinguished the fire, however extensive salvage and overhaul was necessary. Due to damage to the structure, residents were displaced until repairs were made. Erlanger T 60 assisted EFPD with overhaul.

AutoAccident                                                                                                                                                                 On May 1, 2007, crews responded to an auto accident with injuries. The vehicle had apparently rolled several times and landed on its wheels off the road in the woods. The single patient was extricated from the vehicle and transported via Air Care to University Hospital.

 

District Awarded FEMA Funding                                                                                                                      Feb. 8, 2007                                                                                                                                                              The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced awards for the Fiscal Year 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Round 17. The Elsmere Fire Protection District was approved for funding in the amount of $46,075.00 for the purchase of a 35 LB washer / dryer extractor for the station and new hydraulic rescue tools that will replace current rescue tools. These items will be put into service in the near future.                                                                                       

Winter Storm Causes Many Emergency Calls                                                                                                           Severe winter weather on Tuesday and Wednesday February 16th and 17th, 2007 caused many emergency calls for crews of the EFPD. Crews responded to more than 50 calls during and after a layer of ice and snow covered the city.  Many residents experienced power outages caused by ice and downed wires and trees. Crews responded for calls ranging from citizen assists, downed trees, sparking wires, transformer fires to possible structure fires. Several homes and vehicles within the District sustained damage from falling trees.  In the picture below, a tree fell on this vehicle on Shaw Avenue. The two persons in the vehicle escaped without injury.

Howell Students show their Community Support                                                                                                      The students of Dorothy Howell Elementary conducted a fund raising project to help purchase a new Simi Automatic External Defibrillator for the Elsmere Fire District. Students participated in a “Penny War” and competed with other classes for the highest amount of funds raised. The winning class (shown in picture) collected the largest amount and was honored with a pizza party with the fire fighters and visit and tour of the Fire Station. Principal Sayler presented Chief LaFontaine with a check for $850.00 towards the purchase of the new EMS equipment that will be ordered and placed in service in January.                                                                               The Fire District has much appreciation and gratitude for our young citizens’ community involvement and commitment to this very important project.

Structure Fire                                                                                                                                                     October 21, 2006                                                                                                                                                       On November 21, 2006 personnel from the EFPD responded to 32 Park Avenue for a possible structure fire. Crews found a large amount of smoke in the structure and fire that had extended into the walls from a fire place. E 401 quickly contained and extinguished the fire, however extensive salvage and overhaul was necessary. Due to damage to the structure, residents were displaced until repairs were made.  

 

Single Vehicle Collision                                                                    December13,2006                                                                                                                          Fire and EMS crews responded to a MVC on Dixie Highway on December 13, 2006. The vehicle had struck a utility pole and had extensive front end damage. Crews extricated the driver from the vehicle and transported her to St Elizabeth hospital.  

 

Training Exercise                                                                                                                                          October 14, 2006                                                                                                                                                       On Saturday, October 14th personnel participated in a training exercise at an apartment complex due to be demolished. Training crews completed evolutions practicing techniques in forcible entry, ventilation, hose pulls and fire fighter survival in the multistory    structure.  

         

 

Fire Prevention Week                                                                                                                                     "Prevent Cooking Fires: Watch What You Heat" — that's the message of this year's Fire Prevention Week (FPW).

From October 8-14 and during the month of October we will be spreading the word that more fires start in the kitchen than in any other part of the home — and teaching families and kids how to keep cooking fires from starting in the first place. EFPD personnel take the month of October to focus on fire prevention and will be conducting fire prevention training and educational seminars at businesses, participating in a Safety Fairs with the schools and community and promoting fire safety and prevention in general with our citizens.

Citizens with questions regarding fire prevention or group educational opportunities, should contact Assistant Chief Brefeld at the EFPD. There is also interesting facts and information for kids in the NFPA website below.

www.NFPA.org

 

Simulated Terrorist Attack                                                                                                                     September 30, 2006                                                                                                                                                  On Saturday, September 30 the Department of Homeland Security and the Southwestern Ohio, Southeastern Indiana, and Northern Kentucky (SOSINK) Regional Collaborative conducted a full scale simulated terrorist attack training exercise at Great American Ball Park.

The mock disaster exercise was designed to test the regional terrorism preparedness and response to a terrorism attack. The exercise focused on the evacuation of fans from the ball park and on key local emergency responder coordination, critical decision making, and integration of Federal and State assets to save lives and protect the public following a terrorist attack. Personnel from the Elsmere Fire District and numerous other Northern Kentucky Departments participated in this exercise.

Personnel Trained On New Equipment                                                                                                                       September 2006                                                                                                         Through funds from the Department of Homeland Security and the Southwestern Ohio, Southeastern Indiana, and Northern Kentucky (SOSINK) region one of several Decontamination Trailers has been staged in Northern Kentucky and housed in Kenton County. EFPD personnel participated in training on the use of this trailer. This training was held at the Kenton County Training Facility and prepared personnel to utilize the decontamination trailer in the event it and personnel respond to an incident where decontamination is necessary.

Live Fire Training                                                                  August 19,2006                                                                                                                                                      EFPD participated with Fort Wright and Park Hills For Live fire training at the old Cassidy's on Dixie Hwy. Crews went through Various scenarios to enhance there firefighting skills. Thanks you to Ft. Wright and Park Hills For allowing us to Participate.  

 

Third Grade Completes Fire Safety Program                                                                                                          May 19, 2006                                                                                                                                                           The Children of the St Henry School third grade completed a week of fire safety training. The daily class was taught by fire department staff and covered topics such as, preparing a home fire escape plan and practicing it with your family, kitchen safety and burn prevention and the importance of working smoke detectors in every home. Children practiced making an emergency call on a 911 simulator and practice escaping the Children’s Fire Safety House. On Friday the children were tested on what they learned during the class and the EFPD Firefighters provided pizza and snacks followed by prizes for everyone’s successful completion of the program.

Structure Fire                                                                                                                                                            May 13, 2006                                                                                                                                                        Engine 401s crew responded to a report of a structure fire at 121 Park Avenue on May 13, 2006. The fire was found and partially extinguished by a contractor working at the home. Crews performed ventilation and overhaul at the scene. The damage was contained to the kitchen of the residence. The fire was caused by unattended cooking on the stove.

 

Structure Fire                                                                                                                                                            May 8, 2006                                                                                                                                                                On the morning of Monday May 8, 2006 crews responded to a structure fire at 414 Garvey Avenue. The fire was quickly extinguished and damages were contained to a bedroom. The Erlanger Fire Department responded to the scene and assisted with the incident. There were no injuries as result of the fire and the cause is under investigation.

 

Fire Officer Development Course Graduates
Lieutenant Pat Tanner, Firefighter Jeremy Sheehan, And Josh Willoughby have completed the first ever Northern Kentucky Fire Officer Development Training Course. These personnel were recommended and accepted into the class based on their leadership potential. The five month long class met bi-weekly and was taught by a select group of experienced Northern Kentucky fire service leaders. The class is designed for personnel working towards or are in leadership positions as officers in the fire service.

 

Structure Fire
May 3,2006                                                                                                                                                                  In the early morning hours of May 3rd crews were dispatched to a working structure at 1311 Central Row. When crews arrived on the scene flames were threw the roof of the one story, single family, unoccupied dwelling. Engine 401's crew made the initial attack with support from Engine 402, Ambulance 415, and Erlanger Truck 60. The fire was quickly knocked down. Crews were on the scene for several hours and performed extensive overhaul to completely extinguish the fire. The Kenton County Fire Investigation Team responded to the scene to assist in fire cause determination, which was found to to be a malfunctioning furnace.

 

EFPD Personnel Complete Drivers Training Class
 April 30, 2006                                                                                                                                                          EFPD personnel attended a driver's training class on April 30, 2006. The class consisted of personnel completing a controlled driving course designed to emulate common road hazards and driving situations. Personal also Completed a road course.

 

 

Motor Vehicle Accident
April 28, 2006
Ambulance 415 and Engine 401 responded to a vehicle accident involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle. There was one injury and the patient was treated at the scene and transported to University Hospital via Air Ambulance.

 

New Ambulance in Service
March 23, 2006
The Elsmere Fire District has received an placed a 2006 Ford/Horton F-450 Type I Ambulance in service.  This unit replaces the 1998 Ford/Horton Type III Ambulance.

 

 

Automatic Aid Response
March 4,2006
Units responded on a first alarm automatic aid call with the Erlanger Fire Department to a working structure fire at a business on Donaldson Highway in Erlanger. The fire was reported on Saturday March 4 at approximately 2000 hours in a closed business that formally housed Peels Palace Nightclub.  The vacant building, which was scheduled for demolition, was heavily involved with fire when units arrived. The south side of the 90,000 square foot structure was heavily damaged by the fire that was fought by crews from five different fire departments. The cause of the fire has been determined as suspicious by fire investigators.

Personnel Attend Incident Response to Terrorist Bombing Training
Through Kentucky Homeland Security four EFPD personnel were selected to attend specialized training at the New Mexico Tech Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center. The personnel, Chief Paul LaFontaine, Assistant Chief Doug Brefeld, Captain Tim Sheehan and Firefighter Anthony Castellano attended the week long course that was funded through the department of Homeland Security. The course, Incident Response to Terrorist Bombings, certified each participant as an instructor for the Incidents Response to Terrorist Bombings Awareness Level as administered by New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

 Flashover Fire Training
February 11, 2006
Firefighters participated in a Flashover Training Class on Saturday February 11, 2006. The class involved Live Fires using a Flashover Simulator Prop provided by the Point Pleasant Fire District. The class was instructed by Tom Ferguson and Jason Matthews of Pt. Pleasant. This was an excellent opportunity to learn about and better understand behavior of fire in a controlled atmosphere. Students had the opportunity to participate in several Live Fires throughout the day.

Structure Fire
February 7, 2006
Units responded for a reported structure fire on Orchard Street. Upon arrival units found light smoke conditions. The fire was found to be in the chimney flue and surrounding spaces. The fire was contained to the fireplace and chimney areas and quickly knocked down. Extensive overhaul had to be done in order to completely extinguish the fire. All persons were safely evacuated and there were no injuries. Erlanger T-60 responded with EFPD crews.  

Recruit Firefighter Training
December 12, 2005
The Kenton County Recruit Firefighter Class held graduation ceremonies at the Erlanger City Building. EFPD Firefighter Dave Netto was a member of the graduating class after  successfully completing the four month recruit training course. Each graduate was presented with a certificate of completion, and were issued their individual department’s firefighter badge by their respective fire chief during the ceremony. This is a county wide program sponsored by the Kenton County Fire Chief’s Association, Kenton County Fiscal Court and Kenton County Emergency Management for new recruit firefighters from any of the Kenton County FD’s.

November 28, 2005
Structure Fire
E-401 responded on automatic aid with the Erlanger FD to Margaritas Mexican Restaurant on Dixie Highway for a reported working kitchen fire. Upon arrival units found fire damage contained to the rear entrance foyer and mechanical room with heavy smoke conditions in the restaurant. Restaurant employees had extinguished the fire using make shift aids prior to our arrival. Fire crews performed overhaul, ventilation and checked for fire extension. The fire was caused when an employee was attempting to re-light a water heater in the mechanical room and a five gallon gas can being stored in the room ignited. The employee attempted to remove the can unsuccessfully and dropped it causing the fire to spread. Damaged was contained to the rear entrance foyer area and mechanical room. The restaurant was open and occupied at the time of the fire. All persons were safely evacuated and there were no injuries.

November 28, 2005
Busy Day at the Station
EFPD had a busy day on the 28th including three responses for automatic aid with the Erlanger Fire Department. Crews responded to a rekindle of a fire that initially burned on Sagebrush Lane in Erlanger. Upon arrival firefighters found light smoke in the residence, and after pulling ceiling drywall a moderate fire involving insulation was discovered. The fire was extinguished and overhaul was performed. There were no injuries.

Moments after returning to the station, crews were dispatched to a Kitchen Fire at Margaritas Mexican Restaurant on Dixie Highway (see story above). While cleaning up from the restaurant fire crews were dispatched to a possible apartment fire on Debbie Lane. Engine 401’s crew responded along with the Erlanger Fire Department and Edgewood Fire Department. Crews initially found light smoke throughout the three store multiunit complex and performed an evacuation of the building. After further investigation firefighters found an outside mulch fire caused the smoke. The fire was extinguished, ventilation performed and crews returned to service.

November 12, 2005
Structure Fire
EFPD responded to Merravay Drive for a reported fire in a detached garage. Upon arrival units found heavy fire involving the entire garage, extending into the house and adjacent neighbors house. The fire was quickly extinguished and no one was injured. The fire started after the homeowner spilled gasoline while refueling a leaf blower in the enclosed garage. E-401, E-402, A-415, CH-425, and Erlanger T-60, Medic 98 & 99, Kenton County Air-1, and American Red Cross all responded to this incident.  Point Pleasant E-1351 and Edgewood E-151 were moved-up to cover Erlanger and Elsmere stations during this incident.

Katrina Hurricane Relief
A group of Northern Kentucky firefighters, including Elsmere Firefighter Anthony Castellano, participated in the recovery effort in hurricane ravaged Biloxi, Mississippi. The Northern Kentucky relief team consisted of firefighters from Elsmere, Erlanger Fire/EMS, Union FD, Point Pleasant FD and Covington FD. These local firefighters also worked with firefighters from Georgetown, Bardstown, and Richmond Fire Departments. The Kentucky relief team manned a Biloxi fire station for 14 days. Please keep all the firefighters and people in that region in your thoughts and prayers!

September 10 , 2005
Auto Accident with Injuries                                                                                      Personnel responded to Autumn Road in the area of Cranberry Court for an auto accident with injuries. Upon arrival units found a small compact vehicle that had struck several parked cars and a large tree. One passenger received minor injuries and was transported to St Luke West, other passengers were not injured. The accident occurred when the crashed vehicle was being chased by another vehicle after a theft and criminal mischief spree.

August 24 , 2005
Industrial Fire                                                                                                                                   EFPD firefighters were dispatched to the Mubea Company on Industrial Rd for an automatic fire alarm. Responding units were advised of an interior working fire involving a large machine. On arrival crews found the manufacturing section of the building charged with smoke. The fire was easily contained to the machine and surrounding area by the sprinkler system. The plant was in full operation at the time of the incident and all employees made it out safely. Crews from Erlanger also assisted on this run.

August 13, 2005
Community Education                                                                                                         The Elsmere Fire District hosted a community CPR class on August 13, 2005 at the firehouse. Twelve citizens attended the class and learned more about emergency procedures. For future classes please contact Mike Wright or Doug Brefeld at the Elsmere Fire District (859) 342-7505.

June 26, 2005
Structure Fire
 EFPD units responded to Wells street for a structure fire. On arrival crews reported a working fire in an abandon single story house. The fire was confined to the structure and was quickly extinguished. The fire was intentionally set and is being further investigated by EPD. Erlanger T-60 responded on automatic aid.

June 10, 2005 
New Training Prop Constructed
 EFPD in conjunction with the Kenton County Fire Chief’s Association developed, designed and constructed a new Mobile Forcible Entry Training Prop. The unit is designed to enhance firefighter’s hands on skills in forcing doors, locks, windows, and walls, as well as ventilation and safety/survival training.  EFPD Lt. Sean Mulligan designed the prop and managed the construction done by EFPD firefighters. The unit was graciously funded by the Kenton County Fiscal Court and Kenton County Fire Chief’s Association.  

May 18, 2005
New Ambulance Approved
 The EFPD board voted to accept a bid of $118,586 from Horton Emergency Equipment for a new Type I Ambulance. Delivery is expected in about six months. The new ambulance is a scheduled replacement of an old vehicle.

 

Elsmere Fire Protection District • 401 Garvey Avenue • Elsmere, Kentucky 41018 • ph: 859.342.7505 • fx: 859.342.2292