At approx 0142 hrs, Station 3,6,12 (Christiana), Engine and Ladder 7,8,9,10 (Newark) Engine and Rescue 23 (Minquas, Engine 21 (Millcreek), Ambulance 28 (WIlmington Manor) and New Castle County Paramedics were all alerted to a reported working Multi - Residential fire at Harbor Club Apartments. A few minutes after dispatch Rescue 23 responded with a crew of 7 under command of 2nd Asst Chief Ward. Command 12 arrived on scene reporting heavy smoke showing and requested the next ladder. This brought Ladder 17 (Five Points) to the scene. Rescue 23 arrived and was assigned to RIT. R-23s crew threw ground ladders, and vented windows. Probationary Firefighter Dom Mills noticed a female resident hang out a second floor window and advance a 16ft ground ladder to her window. Firefighter Mills assisted the trapped residence out the window and down the ladder to safety, She was later transported to Christiana ER for Evaluation. Crews from Engine 3-6 quickly extinguished the fire located on the first floor. Rescue 23 remained as RIT until relased by command.

Crews were in service for apporx 2 hrs. Grat job by all, and great grab by Probationary Firefighter Mills.

On the above date at approx 1030 hrs, stations 2/21 (millcreek), Engine and Rescue 14 (Cranston heights), Engine and rescue 23 (Minquas) and RIT 30 (Belevedere) were all alerted to a reported trailer fire. Deputy Chief 21 arrived on scene moments after dispatch advising he had a single wide trailer with heavy smoke showing. Engine 236 responded with a crew of 4 under command of Fire Captain Haines. Upon arrival of E236, crew laid 1100 ft of 4in supply line into Engine 14 which was the primary attack engine. Rescue 23 responded with a crew of 6 under command of 1st Asst Chief Lindell. Upon arrival of R-23 crew assisted with overhaul and extinguishment of hot spots. Crews were on scene for approx 2 hrs.

Pictures and video compliments of www.delawareonline.com

Just after midnight, Minquas Fire co along with New Castle County paramedics and Minquadale Fire co, were alerted to a MVC with entrapment on interstate 95 under W. Basin Rd. Three minutes after dispatch Rescue Captain Harvey Jr arrived on scene reporting 2 subjects trapped. Rescue 23 responded with a crew of 7 under command of Deputy Chief Elliott. Upon arrival of the Rescue, crews went to work immediately to quickly free the 2 trapped patients. Approx 20 mins after Rescue 23s arrival both patients were freed from the wreckage and were transported to Christiana ER. Crews remained on scene for approx 2 hrs to assist Delaware State Police investigate the crash.

Chief 238 (Dierolf) had the 95 command.

Attention all young and old, Minquas Fire Dept proudly announces  the one and only SANTA Claus will be visiting the West View neighborhood on Saturday Dec. 3rd starting at 1000 hrs. MR. Claus will be escorted throughout the neighborhood by firetruck for the young and old to see and wave to.

We are currently negotiating with Mr. Claus to see if he can squeeze other neighborhoods within the district into his busy time of year. Check back soon for further details of other locations SANTA can be found!

On the above date, at approx 1900hrs, Station 18 (GoodWill), Station 28 & 32( Wilmington Manor) Station 22 (Minquadale) and Station 20 (Terrace) were alerted to a reported garage fire on Washington Street in Old New Castle. Chief 188b (Robinson) went on location moments after dispatch reporting a working house fire. Station 23 (Minquas) was immediately dispatched to the fire for the RIT. Engine 124 (Christiana) was clearing up an accident close by and also responded. Rescue 23 responded under Command of Asst. Chief Lindell and upon arrival, crew threw ground ladders, vented a few windows for egress and assumed the task of RIT. Once the fire was knocked down, Rescue 23's crew was re-assigned to preform salvage and overhaul operations on the 2nd floor of the residence. The crew was released from the scene at approx. 2000 hrs.

Another great job by the Minquas Firefighters!!!

On the above date at approx 2230hrs, station 17 (Five Points), station 16 (Elsmere), station 30 (Belvedere) and Station 23 (Minquas) were alerted to a reported house fire on Maryland Ave, just outside the city of Wilmington. Chief 178 (Hayes) arrived on scene moments after dispatch and reported a working fire, this brought the Wilmington Fire Dept onto the scene. Rescue 23 responded under command of Rescue Capt Harvey Jr and upon arrival, crews were directed to preform ventilation and search of the residence. Engine 235 responded under command of Deputy Chief Dierolf and was directed to advance a second hand line into the fire building to extinguish fire on the 2nd floor. Both crews assisted each other with overhaul once the fire was knocked down. Great job done by both crews.

Special thanks to Engine 18 for covering our local while the members were out!

At 03:43hrs Co. 23 was alerted to the area of Cleveland Ave / Farwell Rd for an unknown type fire. E235 made the response With a crew of 4 under command of Lt23 (C. Ward). E235 arrived in the area of the reported location with a heavy smoke condition and after driving a few blocks over found the source to be heavy fire from the Bravo, Charlie, & Delta sides of a 1 1/2 story SFD. Lt23 requested fireboard to upgraded the assignment to a working residential fire and to have the next in Engine stretch from the hydrant & supply 235. The Working Box Assignment brought crews from Five Points, Cranston  Heights, Elsmere, & Mill Creek. 235's Engine Crew forced entry to the front door encountering heavy fire conditions & began an aggressive interior attack, advancing a 1 3/4" handline to begin knocking the fire while a back up like was being deployed. Deputy Fire Chief 23 (J. Dierolf) arrived on scene moments later and assumed command. After operating inside the structure for aprox 15 minutes an emergency evacuation was ordered due to loosing a water supply and deteriorating conditions. Crews backed out and an exterior attack was made. After a water supply was re-established and the fire was knocked down from outside, crews re-entered the structure for salvage/overhaul operations.  Crews operated for aprox 3hrs before returning to quarters.

At 16:30hrs Engine Co. 23 along with units from Five Points, Cranston Heights, Belvedere, & Elsemere were alerted to the Mill Creek Apts in 17's Local for a Multi-Residential Fire. Engine 235 made the response with a crew of 5 under the command of FF F. Martin. E174 AOS reported smoke showing from a 3 Story Garden Style Apartment Building. E235 AOS and went to work as the 3rd Due Engine Co. 235's crew was assigned to ladder the structure and perform search of Division 3. Crews encountered heavy smoke condition throughout the structure and while performing search operations, FF B. Hamm located 2 subjects inside a Division 3 apartment and assisted one to safety via the interior stairwell, while FF. D. Mills and the crew from RE30-6 assisted the other to safety via an extension ladder from the balcony of the apartment. Crews operated for aprox 1hr before returning to quarters.

On Thursday 16th and Friday 17th, Capt DeCento, FF/EMT DiVesta, and FF Rodriguez made their way down to Dover to further their education & skills in Big Rig Rescue II as a part of the 2011 Delaware State Fireman's Convention H.O.T.S. Training. Members sat in class for lecture during the first half of the day Thursday, before going to the training grounds for some hands on training for the remainder of the day Thursday and Friday. Members were faced with numerous different scenarios that they don't deal with on a normal basis involving a passenger vehicle vs a variety of big rigs. The members of 23 along with crews from across the state now have a better understanding on how to deal with and effectively mitigate situations involving big rigs.

Friday evening Chester County Engine 65 (Phoenixville) made their way down to Station 23 to cover Newport and the surrounding areas while members and area companies attended the De State Fireman's Convention Parade. Engine 65 arrived at Station 23 around 1800hrs on Friday and returned to the Borough Of Phoenixville at 1900 on Saturday. During their stay Engine 65-23 (staffed with 4 firemen) along with Rescue Squad 23 (staffed with 6 firemen) took in 8 calls which included numerous MVCs, an inside Gas Leak, and 3 Fire Alarms. Rescue Squad 23 also relocated to Salem County Station 7 "Deepwater" while they were battling a structure fire. On Friday night while crews were sitting down to dinner, RS 23, E65-23 and units from Christiana were alerted to I95SB / Churchmans Rd for a MVC involving a motorcycle. Crews AOS to find one motorcyclist in the roadway with a head injury and was transported to the CER as a trauma alert. While crews were getting ready to make breakfast Saturday morning, Rescue Co 23 was alerted for an MVC with Rollover and Entrapment on DuPont Hwy/I295. RS23 and E65-23 made the response and AOS to find one vehicle on it's side and 2 subjects trapped, with extrication in process by units that were covering Co. 22. Crews assisted with stabilization and extrication of both subjects and returned to quarters after aprox 20mins. The Minquas Fire Co would like to thank Station 65 for covering and look forward to joining forces again in the future!

At 03:45hrs Engine Co. 23 was alerted to 120 Hay Rd (IKO Manufacturing)  in 11's Local to assist on the Industrial Structure Fire. Engine 235 made the response with a crew of 4 under the command of DFC23 (J. Dierolf). E235 AOS and was requested to stretch a 1 3/4" handline up the aerial ladder of 25-7 to begin attacking the fire with Foam from the top of the burning tank. While fighting the fire an explosion occurred and an Emergency Evacuation was ordered and all crews re-grouped outside the collapse zone. After the OK was given and the structure was declared safe, crew re-established firefighting operations a top the burning tank. E235's Crew operated for 4hrs before returning to quarters.

At 05:33hrs Rescue Co. 23 along with units from Christiana, Aetna, and Mill Creek were alerted to the McDonalds Restaurant on Stanton-Ogletown Rd for a commercial structure fire. Rescue Squad 23 made the response with a crew of 5 under the command of FF/EMT A. Roush. RE126 AOS reporting smoke showing, and went to work as the 1st Due Engine Co, and placed a line in service to extinguish the fire. RS23 AOS and went to work as the 1st Due Special Service and assisted RE126's crew with overhaul and checking for extension. RS23's crew operated for aprox 1hr before returning to quarters.

At 23:21hrs Rescue and Engine Co. 23 were alerted to 198 Hay Ave (Delmarva Edgemoor Power Station) on the 2nd Alarm Assignment for the Industrial Structure Fire.  Rescue Squad 23 made the response with a crew of 6 under the command of DFC23 (J. Dierolf) and Engine 235 made the response with a crew of 6 under the command of 23Captain3 (N. DeCento). RS23 arrived on scene and were assigned to RIT responsibilities, and Engine 235 were assigned to stage with their unit until given an assignment. The Rescue Crew stood by in RIT until they were reassigned to run a leader line with a standpipe rack up to the catwalk on the "Alpha/Bravo" side that overlooked the roof the structure in order to attack areas which the aerial pipes could not reach, and The Engine Crew was instructed to do the same to another catwalk on the other "Alpha/Delta" side. Both units operated for 4hrs before returning to quarters.