Conneaut Township, PA – Just after midnight, crews from the Cranesville Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 8900 block of Route 6N. Erie County Department of Public Safety advised incoming units that the blaze originated from a fireplace inside the residence. Upon arrival, firefighters also contended with challenging weather conditions, including heavy rain and gusty winds.

Cranesville’s A3 was first on scene and reported a one and a half story wood-frame home fully involved in flames. The crew confirmed that all occupants had safely evacuated and noted downed power lines near the structure, prompting a request for utility crews. Cranesville’s Engine 604 soon arrived, followed by Springfield’s Engine 643. Springfield’s Engine 644 established a water supply at a dry hydrant on Huntly Road near the Sportsman Club.

Two handlines from Engine 604 were quickly placed into service for an aggressive attack on the front and side of the residence, with Engine 643 providing water and additional manpower. Penelec utility crews responded shortly after, disconnecting electrical service to secure the scene.

To sustain operations, a tanker shuttle was established. Tankers dumped their loads into two portable ponds, shuttled back to refill, and returned in rotation to maintain a steady supply. An engine drafted from the ponds, ensuring a continuous water flow for suppression efforts.

After reports of the second floor possibly being compromised, and a well-established water supply was in operation, crews utilized Ladder 549 for water suppression efforts from overhead. Crews were able to direct the master stream to areas of concern and continued to work to put out the fire.

For area coverage, McKean transferred an engine to Edinboro on standby. Once Lake City units cleared the scene, their Engine 572 was reassigned to Cranesville for coverage.

The initial alarm included resources from Crawford County, Ohio, Edinboro, Girard, Platea, Springfield, Franklin, WC111, Springboro, and Conneautville fire departments. As the incident progressed, additional tankers were requested from Fairview and Lake City to bolster the water shuttle operation.

Fairview Township, PA – This morning at just after 8:30 AM, Fairview Fire and Rescue and Lake Shore were dispatched for a reported swift water rescue in the vicinity of Dutch Road. In addition, Lake City Fire Company and Engine 925 from Millcreek were also dispatched and supported operations on scene. Initial reports advised of a fisherman trapped in a log jam along the south side of the north set of railroad tracks. The individual was reportedly not wearing a personal flotation device.

Upon arrival, Fairview crews accessed the area by traveling approximately a quarter mile east along the tracks before reaching the creek, where one victim was confirmed in the water. For responder safety and due to the proximity of apparatus to the tracks, command requested that railroad traffic be halted. As crews worked their way in, they reported hearing screams, which helped them locate and make contact with the victim. It was later discovered that the 911 caller remained on the phone with Erie County Public Safety during the duration of the initial response. This helped first responders quickly located the individual which was found to be trapped by a large strainer (a buildup of logs, branches, and debris).

Rescue personnel quickly deployed a flotation device and rope to the victim while additional crews prepared technical rescue equipment. Mule-56 assisted by transporting equipment and personnel down the tracks. Lake City Fire’s inflatable boat was brought to the scene, inflated, and launched with two rescue technicians on board. The technicians reached the victim, extricated him from the strainer, and brought him safely to shore. Downstream safety teams were also deployed during the operation.

The victim was transferred to medical personnel and was then transported via Mule-56 to nearby ambulance for continued care and eventual transfer to nearby hospital.

Railroad traffic was suspended during the rescue and resumed once all emergency vehicles cleared the right-of-way. The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission is investigating the incident. The 911 caller, a companion of the victim, provided real-time updates that proved invaluable to the operation. No injuries were reported among responding personnel.

Special thanks to West County On Scene Correspondent Warren Anderson, whose support allows me to keep highlighting the great work of our local first responders while I’m at work or out of town.

Fairview Township, PA – Last night, just before 8:00 PM, first responders from Fairview Fire and Rescue were dispatched to a reported non-dwelling structure fire in the area of Hanna Drive, Fairview Township.

Dispatch advised incoming units that multiple callers reported a shed on fire in the backyard, with flames threatening nearby trees and fencing. WC 115 and Engine 534 arrived on scene almost simultaneously, confirming a fully involved shed fire with exposures to pine trees and fencing.

Crews from Engine 534 initiated the primary attack and quickly knocked down the bulk of the flames. Ladder 925 and Lake Shore’s Engine 509 arrived shortly thereafter to assist. Lake City’s Engine 563 secured a water supply by establishing a hydrant connection and laying a line into Engine 534.

On scene, crews performed extensive overhaul of the shed remains, nearby fencing, pine trees, and surrounding landscaping to ensure the fire was fully extinguished. No injuries or additional incidents were reported.

Assisting Fairview Fire and Rescue on scene were companies from West Ridge, Lake Shore, Lake City, and Millcreek Fire. West County 110 and 115 provided a fire scene standby.

Conneaut, OH – This evening around 6:30 PM, first responders from the Springfield Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to assist Conneaut Fire with a reported marine accident at the Pittsburgh and Conneaut Dock Company’s marine dock.

According to initial reports, a watercraft struck the southern end of the slip with occupants onboard the boat. The incident resulted in reported injuries and created a hazardous materials situation.

Emergency crews on scene deployed containment booms to prevent hazardous substances from spreading further into the waterways. Two individuals were transported from the scene to a nearby hospital.

Local authorities remained on scene through the evening to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Springfield Township, PA – Last evening, members of the Springfield Volunteer Fire Department conducted their weekly drill, focusing on a recent high-risk, low-frequency incident that occurred in Erie County. Crews gathered at Springfield Elementary School, where a training scenario was staged involving a bucket truck positioned next to a utility pole.

Two distinct rescue scenarios were explored, giving firefighters an opportunity to better understand bucket truck operations, practice pulley and harness techniques, and work through the complexities of these rare but dangerous situations. In each case, crews emphasized the importance of scene safety, including waiting for the power company’s “all clear” before approaching a possibly energized scene. To add realism, both scenarios involved a simulated electrical discharge that rendered the bucket truck inoperable, preventing the bucket from being lowered.


Scenario One: Medical Emergency in the Bucket
In the first simulation, the individual inside the bucket suffered a sudden electrical discharge that led to medical complications and rendered the patient unresponsive, though still with a pulse, and without the protection of a safety harness. Crews quickly positioned a ground ladder against the utility pole, allowing a rescuer to ascend and make initial patient contact. After assessing vitals, it was confirmed that the patient was unresponsive but had an intact pulse.

At the ground level, firefighters discussed safe methods for removal. Once a plan was established, a second rescuer climbed the ladder, entered the bucket, and secured the patient in a safety harness. Meanwhile, crews on the ground prepared a rope-and-pulley system anchored to stable points. This system provided the control needed to gradually support and transfer the patient’s weight.

With coordinated communication between the rescuer in the bucket and the ground team, the patient was carefully lifted over the edge of the bucket and caried down ladder step by step. Once safely on the ground, the patient was transferred to EMS for definitive care.


Scenario Two: Extraction and Recovery from the Bucket
The second simulation took a different approach, focusing on a scenario where the individual in the bucket was incapacitated and needed to be fully extracted. With the bucket rendered inoperable due to the simulated electrical event, crews once again relied on rope systems and manual techniques to complete the rescue.

Firefighters established a pulley system directly above the bucket, allowing rescuers to secure and lift the patient out vertically. This required precise coordination, as the victim had to be raised high enough to clear the edge of the bucket without compromising safety. Once free of the confined space, the patient was transitioned into a lowering system, which allowed ground crews to slowly and steadily bring them down to safety.

Unlike the first scenario, which required rescuers to work within the bucket, this evolution tested the crew’s ability to manage a technical rope rescue in midair. It reinforced the need for proper rigging, anchor points, and redundancy in case of equipment failure.


Through both scenarios, Springfield firefighters gained valuable, hands-on experience in technical rescue procedures. Though situations like these may only occur a handful of times during a responder’s career, they require absolute precision, teamwork, and preparation when they do. Training of this nature ensures crews are ready to act swiftly and safely should a real incident occur in the community.