Erie Firefighters

Scooter Blakely on location with the 1st Platoon early Friday morning. At 1:08am DC341, Tower 2, Engines 8, 12, and 13 were dispatched to a reported structure fire at 4007 Genesee Ave. Engine 13 arrived on location and reported a fire on the exterior of the building with exposure to the neighboring house. The crew from Engine 13 pulled handlines and established their own water supply and began to extinguish the fire. Tower 2 along with Engines 8 and 12 assisted with manpower and overhaul duties. Crews were able to mitigate damage to the exterior of the house and minimal damage to the exposure house. Chief Fire Inspector 326 is investigating the cause. No injuries were reported. Great work by the 1st Platoon making a quick stop and preventing extensive damage to both houses!!

Erie Firefighters would like to congratulate two firefighters who retired on 3-31-2021. Dan Tufts started on the Erie Fire Department as a Fire Alarm Operator on June 26, 1989. He was assigned as a swing shift Fire Alarm Operator on the 2nd and 4th platoons. In 1994 Dan moved to the 3rd platoon as a FAO with the late Joe Hager. In 1997 Dan followed in his father's Art Tufts foot steps (retired as an Engine 13 driver in 1995) and moved into suppression. Dan started at Engine ...10 on the 2nd platoon. He then moved to Engine 12 on the 2nd platoon when Engine 10 closed. He then moved to Engine 11 and Engine 8 on the 2nd platoon before settling at Engine 6 on the 4th platoon. Dan was also one of the fire departments original divers, starting on the dive team in 1997. We would like to congratulate Dan on over 31 years of service to the citizens of Erie. Lieutenant Tom Wise started on the Erie Fire Department on August 16, 1995 at Engine 8 on the 2nd platoon. Tom then moved to Engine 10 on the 1st platoon and worked there until engine 10 closed in 1998. Tom then moved to Engine 12 and Engine 3 on the 4th platoon before moving to Engine 6 on the 4th platoon. Tom stayed on Engine 6 when it moved from South Central to West 26th Street. In 2008 Tom was promoted to Lieutenant and was moved to Engine 6 on the 3rd platoon where he remained until his retirement. Tom was also a diver on the Erie Fire Department SCUBA team for a majority of his time on the department. We would like to congratulate Tom on his retirement and thank him for his 25 plus years of service to the citizens of Erie. Thank you both and enjoy your retirement.

Busy start to the week for EFD as the 1st Platoon goes to work on a structure fire. At 9:13AM DC321, Tower 2, Engines 8, 11, 12, and 13 were dispatched to a reported structure fire at 519 E 7th St. Engine 8 arrived on location and reported smoke and fire showing from the rear of the structure. Engine 8 crew stretched a hand line and made access to the structure. Tower 2 arrived on location and started primary searches as well as laddering the exterior of the building. Engine ...11 established a water supply for Engine 8, Engine 13 hit a hydrant and pulled a backup line to assist engine 8 with fire extinguishment. Engine 12 assisted with manpower and was the RIT team. Engine 6 was relocated to south central and reserve crews were called in for Tower 2x and Engine 8x to maintain coverage of the city. The structure was determined to be vacant and primary searches were negative for occupants. No injuries were reported and Chief Fire Inspector 326 and FI1 are currently investigating the cause of the blaze. Another job well done by crews on the 1st platoon on a tough fire!! Thanks to EFD Photographer Scooter Blakely for the photos! See more

Rembering Late Engine 6 Firefighter and Lawrence Park Deputy Chief Mike Crotty, tragically lost on this date in 2008. Rest easy Brother.

4th Platoon going to work this afternoon with a structure fire. At 1:59pm DC324, Tower 2, Engines 8, 12, and 13 were dispatched to a reported structure fire at 1153 E 19th St. DC324 arrived on scene and reported smoke showing from the rear of the structure. Tower 2 crew made access to the rear of the structure and found the fire in a bedroom. Engine 8 pulled a hand line and began extinguishing the fire. Engine 13 hit the hydrant and established a water supply for Engine 8. Engine 12 crew assisted with manpower. All occupants were out of the building upon EFD crew’s arrival. One dog was removed from the building in respiratory distress. Crews were able to revive the dog. No injuries were reported. Chief Fire Inspector 326 and FI1 are determining the cause of the fire. Great work by the 4th Platoon with a quick knock down!!

Change of shift fire for crews on the 3rd and 1st Platoon yesterday morning. At 6:37am DC321, Tower 2, Engines 6, 8, 12, and 13 were dispatched to a reported structure fire at 1014 E 33rd St. Engine 13 arrived on location to find a fully involved shed. The crew from 13 stretched hand lines to extinguish the shed. Engine 12 established a water supply for 13’s and assisted with manpower. Tower 2 crews assisted with manpower and overhaul. Engines 6 and 8 were put back in-service. FI1 is currently investigating the cause of the fire and no injuries were reported. Great work by the 3rd and 1st Platoon crews on making fast work of this fire and preventing exposure damage!!

The city of Erie will be holding a Zoom webinar for women who may be interested in a career as a Firefighter or Police Officer for the city of Erie. Topics to be covered will be the application process and the benefits of a career in public service. Female Erie Firefighters and Police Officers will be part of the webinar to speak on their experiences. Please click on the link to preregister for the webinar. https://erie-pa-us.zoom.us//regi/WN_ypOlvVJhRy2Hrf9cupmjHA There is also information about the application process on the city web site at : https://cityof.erie.pa.us/recruitment/

On behalf of the men and women of the local 293 we would like to wish everyone a Happy Easter! As well as a safe and quiet shift for our 1st Platoon crews who are working during the holiday.

Third Platoon with another fire this past Tuesday. At 14:17 hours Erie Fire Dept responded to a reported house fire Engine 12,11,6 Tower 2,Chief 323 Fire Inspector 1. units found a fire on the side of house going up the siding. Photos and write up by EFD Photographer Ray Stender.

We are Sorry to announce the passing of Retired Firefighter/Driver Richard Mando. Dick retired June of 1998 after 33 years of service to the City of Erie. He and Dick Robb were the original creators of the Firefighters Historical Museum. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Today, Firefighters from Pittsburgh Firefighters Local 1 as well as all Professional Firefighters through out Pennsylvania have lost a great champion, Joe King. Erie Firefighter Local 293 offers their deepest condolences to the King Family and the Brothers and Sisters of Local 1. Pittsburgh Fire Fighters IAFF 4th District Vice President Andrew Pantelis Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters

We would like to welcome Colin McEldowney and Greg Tenney the newest members of Erie Firefighters Local 293. We wish you both a long and healthy career.

This morning, Erie Firefighters from the 3rd Platoon were dispatched to 655 East 8th Street for a reported structure fire. Engine 8 arrived to smoke showing from a two story residential structure. Engine 8 moved to the second floor and extinguished a fire in an upstairs bedroom. Tower 2 ventilated the residence and assisted crews from E13 and E11 in searching for and rescuing multiple cats and kittens. No injuries reported and the fire is being investigated by FI-1. Thank you to Ray Stender for the pics.

Our thoughts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters of IAFF Local 60 in Scranton for the recent passing of Fire Fighter Stephen Sunday.

At 7:33am this morning DC323, Tower 2, Engines 8, 11, and 12 were dispatched to 26 E 12th for a smell of gas. DC323 arrived on location and reported that the canopy over the gas pumps had collapsed and caused gas to leak from the pumps. Crews were able to shut the power off to the pumps and mitigate the fuel from spreading into storm drains. Thankfully no one was under the canopy at the time of the collapse and no injuries were reported. Great work by the Third Platoon!!

On behalf of the Men and Women of Erie Firefighters IAFF Local 293, we would like to take a moment to congratulate two of our brothers who have worked their last shift as an Erie Firefighter. Rick "Wash" Wasielewski worked his last shift as the driver of Engine 13 1st Platoon. Rick has faithfully served the citizens of Erie for 30 years. Kevin Troyer worked his last shift as the driver of Engine 13 4th Platoon after 20 years of faithful service. We are going to miss both of you and wish you long, healthy, and happy retirements. Thanks for all of your hard work over 50 years of combined service.

On behalf of the men and women of the local 293 we would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! We would also wish our First Platoon crews working during the holiday a safe and quiet shift!!

Nicely done Engine 8!

4th platoon going back to work this afternoon with another fire. At 2:06PM DC321, Tower 2, Engines 6, 11, and 12 were dispatched to a reported garage fire at 615 W 16th St. DC321 arrived on location and reported a heavily involved shed fire. Tower 2 and Engine 12 crews arrived on location pulled hand lines and extinguished the shed and performed overhaul duties. Engines 6 and 11 were put back in service while enroute. No injuries were reported and Chief Fire Inspector 326 is investigating the cause of the fire.

At 7:07AM DC321, Tower 2, Engines 8, 11, 12, and 13 were dispatched to a reported structure fire at 530 E 8th St. DC321 arrived on scene and reported a fully involved structure fire with an exposure house on the alpha bravo corner. Tower 2 crews arrived on location and set the aerial up for master stream operations and searched the front of the house for any victims. Engine 8 established a water supply and pulled hand lines for exterior operations and exposure protection. Eng...ine 11 also established a water supply for the tower and pulled hand lines for exterior operations. Engines 12 and 13 assisted with fire extinguishment and overhaul duties. Tower 2x, Engines 8x, and 13x were called back to keep coverage of the city while crews operated on the fire grounds. No injuries were reported and all occupants were determined to be out of the structure upon EFD crew’s arrival. Chief Fire Inspector 326 is currently investigating the cause of the fire. Thanks to Retired Fire Alarm Operator Ed Domowicz for the photos. See more

EFD Photographer Scooter Blakely on location with the First Platoon Yesterday afternoon. At 2:11PM DC 321, Engines 6 and 13 were dispatched to a vehicle into a house with entrapment at 827 E 44th St. Engine 13 arrived on location to find one vehicle into a house and were able to get the victim removed from the vehicle. Engine 6 arrived on location and assisted with man power and clean up of the scene. EPD is currently investigating the cause of the accident, and the driver was transported to the hospital for evaluation. Great work by EFD crews, EPD, and Emergycare!