Indiana Fire Association

We made it to State College. Time to finish the quest. We Are….
Congrats to another amazing season.

Earlier today we mentioned that crews had already handled three calls before lunch and that we'd tell you about the third one later.

Well, here it is.

Call #359 of the year was dispatched at 11:50 this morning, and it turned into one of the more interesting incidents we've seen in quite some time.

As thunderstorms moved through the area, lightning found a target and we were dispatched for a reported residential structure fire in White Township off of East Pike road along with our normal response assignment from Homer City, Creekside, and Marion Center.

Assistant Chief Ron Moreau and Chief Lee Thompson arrived on scene to find no smoke and no fire, but it didn't take long to realize something unusual had happened. With no immediate signs of fire, the response was reduced while crews began investigating.

The first clue was a section of soffit at the front corner of the house that had been blown apart. A walk around the property revealed additional damage to a detached shed and a nearby tree that had clearly lost an argument with several million volts of electricity.

What firefighters found next was fascinating.

The tree in the rear of the property appeared to have taken the initial lightning strike. From there, the electricity seems to have traveled to a detached shed, blowing out sections of siding and even exploding portions of the concrete pad in front of it. Pieces of concrete were thrown nearly 100 feet from where they started.

The lightning then appears to have followed an old underground electrical line toward the house. How do we know? The ground erupted in multiple locations along the path, exposing the buried wire in each spot.

Once it reached the house, the lightning continued its journey.

The surge entered through a satellite dish, blowing the receiving head completely off. It then traveled through the coaxial cable into the basement, melting portions of the cable and blowing covers off splitter boxes.

Not satisfied yet, it continued upstairs where firefighters found charred light switches in two bedrooms and sections of plaster blown off walls where it was attached to metal lath. One of those damaged areas lined up almost perfectly with the soffit damage found on the exterior of the home.

Crews spent approximately an hour checking the attic, soffits, electrical system, basement, and other affected areas for hidden fire extension. Multiple breakers had tripped, but thankfully no active fire was found anywhere in the structure.

Penelec was requested to the scene as evidence suggested the electrical surge may have also traveled through utility equipment.

We've seen our share of lightning strikes over the years, but this one was remarkable. Watching the evidence tell the story of electricity traveling from a tree, through a shed, underground, into a house, through a satellite system, and into the home's wiring is not something you encounter every day.

The force involved was incredible. Concrete shattered. Siding blew apart. Wiring was damaged. Ground erupted. Yet somehow, there was no fire and nobody was injured. We can not say for sure what happened. Possibly 2 or more strikes? We aren't sure, but we know the experts were make sure to tell us their opions.

For firefighters, this was one of those calls that reminds you that Mother Nature can do things no training manual can fully explain.

We're thankful the homeowners were safe and hope the insurance adjuster enjoys putting this puzzle together as much as we did.

Just another day at the firehouse.

Another busy daytime shift. We are already 3 calls in today and it’s barely lunchtime.

Call #1 came at 7:49 AM for a single vehicle accident on Parkwood Road near Laurel Road. Initial reports had a vehicle over the embankment. 100 Chief arrived to find the vehicle… but no driver. Not in it, around it, or apparently interested in sticking around for the paperwork.

Crews checked the surrounding area with no luck locating anyone involved. Units cleared while Chief remained on scene awaiting PSP. Chief finally cleared at 8:36 AM.

Call #2 was the motor vehicle accident shown below involving a 2-vehicle T-bone style collision on Oakland Avenue just west of the mall entrance.

All occupants were already out of the vehicles and being evaluated by Citizens Ambulance. IFA crews reduced Oakland Avenue to one lane in each direction, secured the vehicles, and assisted with fluid and debris cleanup.

Once again, modern cars proved they are apparently made of plastic confetti, scattering pieces everywhere. Both vehicles were towed by Mohney’s Towing. Thankfully, injuries appear to be minor and no one was transported from the scene.

Call #3 today will get its own post… because trust us, this one deserves its own story.

Busy day at the firehouse today. Crews have already answered three calls, squeezed in an OIC page, and somehow still managed to drink coffee and argue about absolutely nothing important.

The good news? Every call today ended exactly the way we like them to.

The first call came in for a fire alarm at a church in Indiana Borough. Chief Thompson arrived and was informed that a painting crew was working inside and accidentally activated the alarm. After confirming there was no emergency, responding units were canceled and sent back to their regularly scheduled activities.

Approximately 20 minutes later, round two. This time it was a residential fire alarm in White Township. Chief Thompson arrived to find the resident had extinguished a candle and the lingering smoke had activated the detector. Once again, no fire, no emergency, and everyone could return to pretending they weren't disappointed they didn't get to stretch a hose line.

At 1:30 this afternoon, the alarm gods decided we weren't done yet. Another church in Indiana Borough activated. Chief Thompson arrived and found yet another accidental activation. Three alarms. Three investigations. Three times putting on gear for absolutely nothing on fire.

Believe it or not, we're perfectly happy with that outcome.

We run a lot of fire alarms every year. While nobody wakes up in the morning hoping to chase alarm activations all day, we do appreciate seeing these systems work exactly as designed. Whether it's smoke from a candle, dust from construction, painting crews, or somebody who looked at the detector the wrong way, the system detects a condition, calls 911, and gets help moving.

The challenge for firefighters is avoiding complacency. After you've gone to your 47th "nothing showing" alarm, it's easy to assume the 48th will be the same. Unfortunately, fires don't care about statistics. The one alarm everyone assumes is accidental is usually the one that reminds us why we respond the way we do.

So yes, today was three accidental alarms.

No fires.
No rescues.
No dramatic ladder operations.
No heroic movie scenes.
No opportunities for firefighters to point at smoke and say, "Yep, that's smoke."

Just three alarm systems doing their jobs, three quick investigations, and three buildings that remain exactly where they belong.

We'll take that kind of busy day every time.



Picture is just for attention. Anyone know what the ESS area is? Apparently its on the 2nd floor. This is a commercial structure in Indiana Borough that we frequent about every 2 months.

Let's GO!!!!

IT'S THE PIAA SEMIFINALS! LET'S GO!!!⚾️

🆚: Archbishop Wood Vikings
⏰: 4:00 PM
📍: Greene Township Park - Chambersburg, PA
🎟️: https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/piaa/L2VtYmVkL2V2ZW50LzY0MzQ%3D
💻: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrdI5USAuh8

Last night at 11:33 PM, IFA was dispatched to a 2-vehicle accident at the intersection of Water Street and North 6th Street in Indiana Borough.

One vehicle ended up taking an unscheduled meeting with a fire hydrant, while the second vehicle suffered heavy front-end damage and decided it no longer believed in holding engine oil internally.

Before crews even arrived, two responding IFA members who are also IRPs were able to check on the occupants and determine there was no need for a Medic Unit, allowing Citizens Ambulance to return to service.

Upon arrival, crews found both vehicles still in drive with the keys on and secured them from going on any surprise second trips. IFA crews also assisted with stabilizing the vehicles, debris cleanup, and controlling oil and fluid spills. Modern cars continue their tradition of exploding plastic parts across three zip codes during crashes, so there was plenty to pick up.

Thankfully, there were no injuries reported. The hydrant was only slightly relocated from its assigned post, so PA American Water was notified to check on it at their convenience.

Indiana Borough Police handled the investigation and were initially assisted by IUP Police.

This marks the third accident in two evenings in Indiana Borough. Please slow down, drive with caution, and don’t drink and drive. The fire hydrants would appreciate staying where they were installed.

Call number 348 came in at 8:24 this morning as we were dispatched alongside our mutual aid companies from Homer City, Creekside, and Clymer for a reported duplex fire in Indiana Borough.

Now, we all know Borough PD likes to park in the way and put out our fires. Well today, they had backup. The “animal cop” (Game Warden) was on scene with a bear trap parked out front and was helping Borough Police attack the rear porch fire with a fire extinguisher.

To be fair, their quick actions likely kept the fire from spreading and saved the wood deck from more damage. But come on guys… we don’t arrest Dollar General shoplifters, write tickets for deer crossing outside designated areas, or whatever it is game wardens actually do — yet somehow they keep showing up trying to put out our fires.

All jokes aside, we appreciate anyone willing to step in to help protect life and property, even if there’s a little jealousy when someone steals our thunder.

The fire was contained to a small pile of tools and paint supplies on the rear porch. Engine 102 arrived and crews stretched a 1¾” handline to overhaul the remaining hot spots. A fan was also used to ventilate the structure. Mutual aid companies were canceled, and the incident was downgraded to an IFA-only response.

The fire appears to have started from a misplaced cigarette igniting a tool bag. A lithium battery then became involved, escalating the fire to nearby tools and part of the deck.

Fortunately, thanks to quick action by everyone on scene, damage was kept to a minimum.



More pictures in the comments. No not click bait, posts just do better with a single picture and we wanted to share the others as well.

We might head out and get a chance to flow some water.

Go see 260 crew and I bet you have a blast.

It was one of those days where the radio just kept finding reasons to call us.

**Call #1 – 2:10 AM – IUP Dormitory Fire Alarm**

We were dispatched for a reported commercial structure fire at an IUP dormitory. Anytime you hear "dorm fire" at 2:10 in the morning, your imagination immediately starts preparing for the worst.

Thankfully, this one was minor. An item left on the stove caught fire and created some smoke. Occupants used a dry chemical extinguisher before our arrival and knocked it down. Mutual aid companies were canceled, crews ventilated the apartment, and Phoenix confirmed there were no remaining hazards.

We were assisted on scene by the fine officers of IUP Police and Indiana Borough Police. Or as firefighters know them, "security guards with significantly more paperwork." We appreciate their assistance, even if they don't appreciate the title.

**Call #2 – 10:11 AM – Citizen Assist**

Our next call came for an oven making a strange noise in a multi-unit apartment building.

Look, we get it. If something in your house starts making noises it shouldn't and you don't know who to call, you call the fire department. We have somehow become society's universal troubleshooting service.

Fire Administrator Paul Koons arrived, investigated, and determined there was no fire hazard and no emergency. The tenant was advised to contact building maintenance.

A reminder that fire departments are often dispatched because we are the "all hazards" response agency. If a 911 call comes in and it isn't obviously criminal or obviously medical, chances are somebody in a fire truck is getting sent. That's just how the system works.

And yes, in many cases that means volunteers leave work, dinner, sleep, family events, or whatever else they were doing to make sure everything is okay.

**Call #3 – 11:58 AM – Motor Vehicle Accident, St. Clair Road**

Just before noon, crews responded to a single-vehicle crash on St. Clair Road.

The driver advised they had fallen asleep and left the roadway. Fortunately, injuries appeared to be minor. The occupants were evaluated by Citizen's Ambulance while firefighters secured the scene and assisted with traffic.

We then waited for PSP to arrive so a tow truck could be requested. Contrary to popular belief, firefighters don't get to pick who tows vehicles. Law enforcement handles towing through a rotating call list, so that's one thing we can't be blamed for.

We're thankful the occupants were not seriously injured and wish them a speedy recovery.

Three calls, three completely different situations, and further proof that the fire department gets called for just about everything. At this point we're one loose dog and a missing TV remote away from a full bingo card.

Just another day in the fire service.

Not much action for the call report lately, and unfortunately for our four-legged firefighter, none of the last three calls required a truck response.

Call one came in for a fire alarm activation at a local manufacturing facility. Crews discovered the alarm had activated after water to the building was shut off for pipe repairs. The drop in pressure tripped the system, and crews returned to service.

The next two calls were OIC-only responses.

One call involved a renter whose toilet supply line came loose, flooding the apartment after the shutoff valve couldn’t be reached. Luckily, a neighbor was able to stop the water before Assistant 1 Ron Moreau arrived on scene.

The second OIC call was for a smoking microwave. The caller reported everyone had evacuated and smoke alarms were sounding, but dispatch determined an OIC response was appropriate. Assistant 1 Ron Moreau confirmed an electrical issue with the microwave, and an electrician was called in.

Meanwhile, Fire Pup Phoenix has been patiently waiting for her next chance to ride the truck… but so far, the pager hasn’t cooperated. Judging by this photo, she’s starting to think someone forgot to put her on the response roster. 🐶🚒