General

Star City VFD Responds to Gas Leak on Maple Drive

Natural Gas Leak Forces Evacuations

April 29, 2019

The Star City VFD was alerted at approximately 1527 hours to a gas leak on Maple Drive in Morgantown, WV. Engine 209, Utility 202, and Medic 28 immediately responded to the scene to asses the situation. The first arriving Engine determined that a 4-inch natural gas line was ruptured while a construction crew was working in the area. This rupture resulted in a massive and uncontrolled release of natural gas into the area. Immediate actions were put in place to evacuate the surrounding area for the safety of those working and residing in close proximity to the incident. With the assistance of the Monongalia County Sherriff’s Department, the City of Morgantown Police Department, and Mon Health Medical Center security staff; full evacuations of the area were completed within minutes. Some residences and businesses were advised to shelter in place due to the route of evacuation would require driving dangerously close to the ruptured gas line.

At this time Maple Drive has been deemed safe for residents and businesses to return to the area.

We at Star City Fire and EMS are grateful beyond words for our telecommunicators at MECCA 911 who assist us on a daily basis and hold the Gold Line. We wish them as well as all Public Safety Telecommunicators a fantastic week of celebration for all they do!

The Thursday night duty crew spent the night showing their support for a fellow first responder Bryce Kesling who has been recently diagnosed and is battling T-cell leukemia. Bryce is an EMT from Brooke County, WV which is the home of one of our WVU student members Ty Sicurella. We are happy to hear that the diagnosis was made early and all of us at Star City Fire and EMS wish Bryce as well as all those battling cancer the very best and a speedy victory.

• 

• 

On 03/25/2019 at 0216hrs, Star City Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the area of Snake Hill Road for a reported working residential fire. Engine 201 responded within minutes of the initial dispatch. E-201 arrived on the scene behind Engine 141 with light smoke coming from the structure. Personnel were assigned to overhaul operations, checking for hotspots, and establishing a water supply. Crews worked the scene for almost 3 hours before returning to service. Upon investigation of the residence personnel noticed a difference between the rooms. Some of them had doors closed and others didn’t. The pictures provided are a real world example of the importance to ”Close before you doze”. Also we urge everyone to establish and practice your escape plan with those you live with today! Remember to close all doors in your residence before you go to sleep because it may just give you and us the necessary time to ensure your safe escape in the event of a fire!

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

On 03/01/2019 at 0731hrs. Star City Volunteer Fire Department along with Mon Health EMS was dispatched to a vehicle accident at MM159 of I-79. Engine 209 and Utility 202 responded, and while en-route the accident was upgraded to a commercial vehicle accident involving two trucks with positive entrapment. At that time, Westover Volunteer Fire Department and Mount Morris Volunteer Fire Department out of Pennsylvania were added to the assignment. SCVFD units arrived on scene and personnel began extrication of one patient. Due to severe intrusion into the cab extrication time was 19 minutes. After the extrication, two patients were transported from the scene to the J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital. Crews were also tasked with containing an extensive oil and fluid spill covering both lanes of I-79S. WVDOH and WVDEP were notified of the incident and upon their arrival command of the scene was turned over to WVDOH and WVDEP personnel. SCVFD units returned to service after working the scene for almost 6 hours.

WBOY NEWS COVERAGE HERE

Want to learn more about your community volunteer fire department and its citizen volunteers? Then check out our ABOUT STAR CITY VFD PAGE. Want to learn more about becoming a citizen volunteer and helping the residents of Monongalia County? Visit our RECRUITMENT page.

And as always, ‘LIKE’ us on FACEBOOK and follow us on INSTAGRAM by searching ‘starcityvfd’

In 2018 Company 20 had a busy year, the department was notified of 1,301 incidents.

Calls included :
Structure Fires – 54 (16 of the 54 were confirmed working fires)
Vehicle accidents – 196
Fire Alarm – 524
Gas Related – 22
Flooded Structure – 13
Vehicle Fire – 13
Brush Fire – 8

On behalf of the Star City Volunteer Fire Department we would like to thank our members for your dedication to the community and surrounding area and also our mutual aid departments for your assistance during the year.