To celebrate Memmorial Day 2008  16+ members of Excelsior No. 1 attended the annual memmorial day parade held in Bellwood. Each year all available members dress up in full uniform. We hit the street, showing our pride and honor to serve such a great community and surrounding area.

Monday started with Township units being dispatched for a structure fire on Hollens Ln in the 22-2 box area.  Asst. Chief McCloskey arrived on the scene and reported a working shed fire with 1 vehicle on fire and possible extension into the structure. Incoming units were advised the fire location was on Grandview Rd not Hollens Ln.  Engine 2313 arrived on the scene and took an adjacent driveway. Quint 2251 took the address. Crews from both units deployed handlines and extinguished the burning shed and truck. While crews were extinguishing the fires, the crew from RE 2231 checked the residence for heat damage and possible extenison. None was found. Units working on the scene were  Quint 2251, RE 2231, Tanker 2221, Engine 2313, Tankers 2321 & 2322 along with Tanker 2121.  Rescue 3338 stood by in station 22 until released by returning units.

Excelsior No. 1 finished out the day with a total of 4 alarms which included a shed fire, tanker assist, engine transfer and a small brush fire.

Saturday crews were busy with numerous calls. During the early afternoon hrs Station 22 dispatched for a reported vehicle fire on I-99 south of the Bellwood exit.  RE 2231 first out of the station with a crew of 6. The RE was followed closely by Tanker 2221.  Command 22  (2203 Whiteford) riding OIC of the rescue arrived on the scene reporting a working vehicle fire.  Crews quickly pulled 2 lines from the RE and extinguished the fire. Units remained on the scene along with Excelsior Fire Police until the vehicle was removed by the towing company.  Later saturday evening Excelsior No. 1 was then again dispatched for a vehicle fire.  RE 22 w/ 8 arrived on the scene with a working vehicle fire.  Tanker 2221 arrived on the scene shortly after 2231. Units cleared the scene within the hr.  

Rescue/Engine 2231 dispatched along with Station 21 (Tipton) and Dept 31 (Tyrone) for an mva on I-99. Additonal reports were of 2 vehicles being involved, 1 of them on fire with possible entrapment. PSP on the scene advising companies to step it up. RE 2231 arrived on the scene and recieved orders from 2104 to assist with traffic control and fire suppression of the second vehicle. The crew from the rescue worked with members from Hookies and Tipton. Once the scene was secured and all patients were in ems care, the crew turned there attention to cleaning up the roadway and continued to monitor traffic.  Command 21 cleared the box with hrs.

  Saturday afternoon Excelsior No. 1 was dispatched for a mva with injuries. RE 2231 responded with 5. While an additional crew was staffing the firehouse a man entered the firehouse reporting there was smoke coming from the Mackey Building. Within minutes Quint 2251 was one the street with a crew of 4. While enroute county started to dispatch the box. 2251 picked up the hydrant on Main & Cambria and laid into the scene. Captain 22-4 Johnson extablished command and advised of 2 story multi-family, working fire. As crews pulled lines  Chief 22-1 McCloskey arrived on the scene and took over command. Crews then stretched lines to the 2nd floor, as an additional crew threw ladders and went to the roof. Fire was held to the room of orgin, though extensive overhaul operations were needed due to the buildings using the same common wall.  Excelsior No.1 was assisted by  Hookies co33, United co18, Tipton co21 and Pinecroft co23.  Greenwood co16, Neptune co34 and Bald Eagle co36 held crews in station to cover any additional alarms in the northern end of the county.  

Early sunday morning units were dispatched for a Building Fire in the 22-2 Box area. Additonal reports advised fire units of a working garage fire. The glow could be seen throughout town as the volunteers responded to the station. Telesquirt 2251 first on the street with 6 followed closely by Rescue/Engine 2231. Chief 2202 McCloskey went on the scene with a working garage fire and assumed 22 command. 2251 backed down the alley as 2231 picked up a hydrant on North 1st and completed the lay into 2251. The wagon pipe on RE 2231 was placed into operation along with a 2 1/2 from 2251 until the aerial was set up and in operation.   2331 arrived on the scene followed by their tanker, the crew from 23 stretched an additional handline down the alley from Cambria St. to assist with fire suppression. Engine 2111 assisted with manpower. Rescue 3338 and Ladder 3351 transfered the Station 22.  Once the fire was controlled command started to release units from the scene and replaced stand-by equipment. Box 22-2 was cleared around 600hrs.  Excelsior members returned to the station and treated to a hot breakfast prepared by the ladies of Excelsior No. 1             Check out the video page..

Excelsior No. 1 dispatched during the evening hours of Saturday Feb 9th for a reported mva with injuries. RE 2231 arrived on the scene with one pt. walking wounded and one pt. still inside a vehicle. Crews worked to secure both vehicles. Once cribbing was complete, the drivers door was displaced and crews assisted ems with patient extrication. Once extrication was completed, the members of Excelsior worked to control traffic and assisted PSP with additional duties. Units cleared the scene within the hour.

 Shortly before noon Excelsior No. 1 was dispatched for a reported motor vehicle accident with air bag deployment on Old 220 near the Angus Farm. Chief McCloskey responding direct and advised the accident to be closer to the Oswald Farm with negative entrapment. Rescue/Engine 2231 arrived on the scene and the crew was advised to stabilze the vehicle and assist EMS with patient removal. Traffic control was established by St. 22 fire police.  Tanker 2221 also responded on the alarm to assist with additional manpower. Units cleared the scene within 1 hour.  Early in the afternoon Excelsior was once again alerted for a motor vehicle accident. Reported on I-99 1/4 mile north of Exit 39. Chief 2301 arrived on the scene and placed  the Rescue/Engine in service. Units returned to the station, preparing for the friday night fish fry.

Early friday morning Department 31 ( Tyrone), dispatched for a reported building on fire w/ heavy flames showing. PD arrived on the scene with the same. Within momments a 2nd alarm was struck, adding Rescue/Engine 2231 to the box for the RIT team. 2231 left the station full with a crew of 8 with additional members on stand by. While enroute  "Blair Ave Command" established by 3302 (Wagner) added Quint 2251 to be alarm as the 2nd due truck co. Units arrived on the scene with command requesting 2251 to set up on the B/C corner of the structure, while the crew from the rescue established the RIT team on side A.  Quint 2251 worked the fire along with Ladder 3351.   The Rescue/Engine and Quint were back home by 9am.

 Wednesday afternoon Quint 2251 was dispatched along with Station 23 (Pinecroft) on a reported high occupancy AFA. Chief 2301 arrived on the scene with nothing evident. Upon further investigation, smoke was found within the building as residents were being evacuated. Chief 2301 upgraded the box to a second alarm. Quint 2251 arrived on the scene and staged on side A of the structure. Rescue/Engine 2231 responded upon the upgraded alarm and also staged on side A. Crews assisted Station 23 personnel operating within the structure. Units returned to service within the hour.

Sunday evening 100+ members, family and friends of Excelsior No. 1 met at the firehouse for the yearly Christmas Party. Great food and fun was enjoyed by all. During the evening, Santa Claus made a suprise visit to the Excelsior Fire House. Both children and adults enjoyed visiting with Santa Claus. The Excelsior Family would like to wish a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone..

The members of Excelsior No. 1 wish to send our condolences to the Family, Friends and Members of the Friendship Vol. Fire Co. No. 1 of Roaring Spring. Firefighter Charlie (Chuck) Piper was injured during an emergency incident at his place of employment. After a extended battle Chuck succumbed to his injuries on December 10th 2007. Chuck was a great friend of  Excelsior No. 1. Chuck taught many rope rescue classes at Excelsior.  He will always be remembered as a great friend and instructor to the members of Station 22.

During the evening hours of tuesday Dept 31 "Tyrone" was dispatched for a reported structure fire with an additional of flames showing. Within momments of their dispatch, the volunteers of Excelsior No. 1 started arriving at the firehouse. The first arriving officer from 31 arrived on the scene with smoke and flames showing, within minutes he requested the RIT team from station 22. Due to the crew already formed in the station,  Rescue/Engine 2231 w/8, was enroute within seconds upon the dispatch. 2231 arrived on the scene and staged on side A of the strucuture. 2231 OIC Whiteford talked to command while the RIT team assembled their equipment and awaited further orders. Command requested additional manpower to assist with fire suppression. The crew from 2231 split to assist with fire suppression while the remainder of the team stood by for RIT assignment.  Unfortunately the RIT team was called upon twice during the incident. Once when a firefighter fell into a cellar way due to a thick smoke condition, then again when a firefighter suffered a ankle injury.  The Rescue/Engine returned to Station 22 before the midnight hour.

On October 4, 2006, the Excelsior Fire Co. No. 1 of Bellwood PA received its recognition letter from the Fire Certification Advisory Committee of the State Fire Commissioner's Office as a Participating Department of the Pennsylvania Fire Service Certification Program at the 50% Level (Bronze). Excelsior No. 1 is one of the few VOLUNTEER Departments to receive the 50% level in Blair County. We are very proud of our members who worked so hard to achieve such an upstanding certification.

Excelsior No. 1 online since  Feb 2006

All photos and contents of this website are property of the Excelsior Fire Co. No. 1 of Bellwood Pa. All copyright laws will be enforced.