Santa will once again be coming to the New Castle and surrounding areas by way of fire engine this year! On the following dates, Santa can be seen riding through the following communities… December 12, 2013-Penn Valley, Buttonwood, Boothhurst, and Rodgers Manor starting at 6:15pm December 17, 2013-Wilmington Manor Gardens starting at 6:15pm December 19, 2013-Washington Park, Dobbinsville, and Stockton starting at 6:15pm December 21, 2013-City of New Castle starting at 12:00pm For the following communities, Santa will arrive by fire truck at the local park to give children and adults the opportunity to meet and greet with Santa and his helpers. The Schedule will be as follows: December 15, 2013- 12:00pm to 12:45pm at Llangollen Park for the communities of Llangollen and Llangollen Estates 1:00pm to 1:45pm at Beaver Brook Park for the communities of Beaver Brook Crest and Wynthorpe 2:00pm to 2:45pm at the pond area in Bayview Manor for the communities of Bayview Manor and the Pines of Bayview 3:00pm-Riversedge estates December 22, 2013: 12:00pm to 12:45pm at the park in Van Dyke Village 1:00pm to 1:45pm at the park in Jefferson Farms 2:00pm to 2:45pm at the park in Castle Hills To find out about cancelations due to weather or other event, please check www.gwfc18.com

The Good Will Fire Company is listing the Utility Truck and Antique Trailer for sale. The Utility Truck is a 2004 Chevrolet C6500 that has a Caterpillar 3126 C7 7.2L 230HP motor and 6 speed Allison automatic transmission that is geared low for towing. The truck features an 8’ bed, dual 35 gallon steel fuel tanks, and driver and passenger air ride seats. Additionally, the truck features an all LED Whelen emergency light and siren package as well as a dual trumpet air horn on the roof. The Trailer is a 32’ long Wells Cargo Custom Trailer. It features a 9’ interior height and 7’ 6” interior space. Additionally, the trailer features a 9,000lb floor mounted winch, four storage cabinets and a work bench at the front, and reinforced floors and ramp as well as tri-axle electric brakes. The Good Will Fire Company is asking $40,000 for the package sale of the units. Any interested parties should contact Ben Oyerly at (717)-507-6770

The Good Will Fire Company has listed Engine 18-1 for sale. E18-1 is a 2005 Morean Fire Equipment brush unit build on a 2005 Chevorlet 2500HD 4x4 with 4,188 miles, 601 Engine Hours, and 292 Skid/Pump Hours. E18-1 features a Hale HPX200-B18 gas pump with 225 gallons of water and an 8 gallon foam cell. Engine 18-1 also holds current pump certification. The unit has tires less than one year old and all LED emergency lighting along with two fire research 12 volt lights. The following equipment will be included in the sale of the unit. . 50’ 1 ¾” Hose with Nozzle, 150’ 1” Forestry Hose with Nozzle, 200’ Booster Reel, Forward Facing Ground Sweeps, Various Appliances, Echo Chainsaw, Various Hand Tools, Wildland Firefighting Tools, 3 Indian Tanks, Warn 12,000lb Front Mounted Winch, Warn Accessory Bag, Dry Chemical Extinguisher, Field First Aid Bag, and 2 Streamlight Fire Vulcans. The GWFC is asking $60,000.00 for unit. Any interested parties should contact Chris Robinson at (302)-250-1925

The Good Will Fire Company has listed Engine 18-2 for sale. E18-2 is a 1988 Pierce Arrow Pumper with a 1250gpm pump and a 500 gallon tank. The truck is powered by a Detroit Diesel 6V92TA motor that has 34,362 miles, 3,021 engine hours, and 534 pump hours. Engine 18-2 also has a 6 kW Onan diesel generator that powers 2 telescoping quarts lights and a 200' cord reel. The engine holds current pump test and DOT certification. Engine 18-2 has had various upgrades including a new pump in 2007, an LED emergency light upgrade in 2010, and a new radiator installed in 2011. Engine 18-2 will come equipped with the following: 1000' 4" Supply Hose (Tested June 2013) 700' 1 3/4" Hose (Tested June 2013) 4 TFT Automatic Nozzles, 200’ Booster Reel, Apollo Deck Gun, Various Appliances, 14’ Roof Ladder, 28’ Ground Ladder, 10’ Attic Ladder, 8’ Pike Pole, 10’ Pike Pole, 2-6” Hard Suctions with Strainer, 4 Salvage Tarps (Various Sizes), Quick Vent Saw, Gas PPV Fan, Extinguishers (ABC and CO), 5 gal Foam Pail with Eductor, 200’ Cord Reel, Circle “D” Light, Various Pigtails, EMS Bag, 140’ Utility Rope Bag, Various Hand Tools, Tool Box, and an Electric Sawzall The GWFC is asking $30,000.00 for the engine. Any interested parties should contact Tim Moore at (320)-420-1008

Good Will Fire Company Open House Demonstration. One structure was protected by a residential sprinkler system, the other was allowed to burn as it normally would. The crowd was amazed by the rapid response of the sprinkler system.

On Saturday September 28, 2013 5 members of the GWFC traveled to the Lower Chichester Fire Company in Delaware County, PA for a cover up. Members were at Station 39 for 10 hours. While there, members responded to two alarms. One was an MVC on I-95 with NCC Station 13 (Claymont) and the other was a medical assist in the town. Thank you to the members who went and congratulations to the Lower Chi members on their awards.

On Sunday September 8, 2013 7 members of the GWFC attended the First State F.O.O.L.'s annual 343 Miles for 343 Fallen walk at Delcastle Recreational Park. GWFC members, along with members of Wilmington Manor, Minquadale and several other fire departments from Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania walked in full turnout gear, SCBA, and hand tools along a one mile track. Each mile was walked in memory of a fallen FDNY member. Before the walk started, GWFC Firefighter Ed Collins played the bagpipes while a Signal 5-5-5-5 was sounded on the bells, a signal that announced a line of duty death before the age of computers and instant communication. At the end of the walk, each FDNY members name was read off and a bell sounded. Good work to all who participated, and may we never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice that day.

On July 29, the Monday night duty crew took to the street to practice running lines with the cadet's as well as refining their own skills with hand lines. The crews worked for 2 1/2 hours with different length hand lines as well as hose handling and nozzle operations. At the same time, new apparatus operators were working on pumping the hand lines as well as the waterway on Ladder 18. At the end of the night, cadets were given the opportunity to climb the ladder. Overall, 12 members trained throughout the night on various subjects. Good work by all. Keep the the hard work and dedication.

On Thursday July 11, 2013 members of the Good Will Fire Company were honored by the New Castle County Fire Chiefs Association for their actions at an incident in the district. The following narrative was submitted to the association by Chief C. Robinson. On May 21, 2013 at 0811 in the morning, the Good Will Fire Co. was dispatched for a vehicle explosion at #4 Van Dyke Dr. in Van Dyke Village, New Castle DE. Good Will Fire Co. Engine 18-3 was under the command of firefighter/EMT Timothy Moore. The crew consisted of firefighter/EMT Frank Schoeffler and firefighter/EMT Joseph David Majewski, Jr. While responding to the dispatched address, New Castle County Fire Board advised Engine 18-3 that there was an explosion in a trash can near the home. Upon arrival of Engine 18-3, the crew was advised by New Castle City Police that an explosion had occurred and they were not sure what the cause of the explosion was. At that time, the crew noticed a male subject lying on his back in the front yard of #4 Van Dyke Dr. in need of emergency care. The crew, not knowing what possible dangers they might face, responded to the male’s side, where they noticed multiple traumatic wounds from head to toe on the victim. At that point the crew realized they needed to rescue this person from the area. The crew quickly bandaged the most traumatic wounds, placed him on oxygen and removed him from what was then being called The Blast Zone. The male victim was then transferred to an awaiting BLS & ALS unit. The victim was transported and treated at Christiana Hospital within the “Golden Hour”. The 54 year old male was seriously injured, after what was determined by Dover Air Force Base Explosive Experts and the New Castle County EOD Unit, to be a 40 mm shell that had exploded spraying the victim with shrapnel. He remained hospitalized for several days and was later released. Explosive experts combing the scene found 11 more unexploded 40 mm shells throughout the day. This lead to the evacuation of about 30 homes in the area through the evening. Crews remained on the scene for approximately 13hrs. With the 3 firefighter/EMT’s quick response and expert wound management, the life of the 54 year old male was saved. The three members of the engine crew received Meritorious Service Awards for their actions that day.

On Saturday June 8, 2013 the officers and members of the department took to the streets of New Castle as a part of the Separation Day Parade. Pictured are the marching members infront of the 1919 Ahrens Fox.

At 09:21 Hrs Station 18 was Dispatched to Ferry Cutoff and W. 6th Street for a Vehicle Fire. Engine 18-3 arrived with a vehicle Fully Involved. The Engine crew pulled an attack line and knocked down the fire. Due to leaking fuel from the vehicle a HazMat Response was requested bringing Hazmat 30 and DENREC to the scene. A foam line was pulled from Rescue 18 to extinquish any remaining fire. After determining the leak was not a Hazard to the Environment the scene was placed under control and Units Cleared at 11:03 Hrs. Deputy 18 had the command.

Units
Engines: 18, 20
Rescue: 18
HazMat 30 and DENREC

Photos By: Lee Robbins
Story By: Chris Riale

At 21:15 Hrs, Station 18 and 28-6 were alerted to respond to 955 River Rd for an Automatic Fire Alarm in a Plastics Recycling Plant. While units were responding Additional Calls to the Dispatch Center reported a water flow alarm in the building. 28-6 arrived with Smoke Showing and the response was upgraded to a working fire. 28-6's crew had a line in the building, and a Foam Line was placed in service to extinquish the fire underneath piles of Plastic.  Ladder 18's crew ventilated the roof along with L12's crew, and Rescue 18's crew split to make Force Entry and Search. The scene was placed under control and units returned to service at 01:28 Hrs. 18-8 (Robinson) had command. Station 18 had 19 members respond.

Units:  

Engines 18, 28, 32, 22, 15, 30, 12, 29
Ladders 18, 28, 12
Rescues 18, 22, 23
Command 18
Ambulance 18, 12, 29

Thanks to Engine 14 for covering our District during the fire. the cover crew responded to an outside fire while covering us.

Photos Credit to Christiana Fire Company.
Story By: Chris Riale
 

                                                                                                                                  

 
On Friday, January 25, 2013, Good Will Fire Company was alerted to a transformer on fire with fire on the ground. Rescue 18 and Command 18 responded to the scene to find a Primary power line on the ground with a small fire near the electrical pole. Command 18 called for zone fire police  from the surrounding fire companies and notified Delmarva Power and the Municipal Services Comission
 
The transformer fire caused power outages throughout New Castle and as far west as Penn Mart Shopping Center. 
 
A special thanks to the fire police officers and crew of Holloway Terrace’s Engine 20-5 for making the response to assist the members of the GWFC.   
Photo by: Chief Chris Robinson

It was a warm and sunny day for the Good Will Open house on Saturday, October 27, 2012, bringing many people to see the Fire Prevention Poster and Essay awards ceremony as well as to enjoy the many features available.
The Good Will Fire Company put on a vehicle rescue demonstration involving two cars during the Open House. Members performed vehicle extrication with an additional vehicle on fire. A-18 extricated the driver of the pickup truck while Rescue 18 firefighters extinguished the blaze. 
Ladder 18 conducted a presentation by fully extending the 105’ aerial ladder into the air with Firefighter C. Penland on the tip of the ladder. 
Guests also enjoyed a demonstration in the Arhens Fox trailer where a Thermal Imaging Camera was used by members M. Baily and C. Riale. Guests were able to see how fire fighters use thermal imaging to find victims in dark and smoky conditions. 
The Good Will Ladies Axillary served free hot dogs, pretzels, sodas and popcorn, and sold treats. 
A special thanks to Mill Creek Fire Company who brought their smokehouse, Elsmere Fire Company who offered the inflatable Stop, Drop and Roll for guests to enjoy, the New Castle City Police Department for providing finger-printing for the children, the New Castle County Police and the mounted patrol, Trooper 4 of the Delaware State Police, the Delaware State Fire School and Fire Marshall's Office. 
During the festivities, members of Good Will along with members of Garden City Fire Company responded to a house fire with Ladder 18 and 18-3. Crews quickly extinguishing the fire. A special thanks to Garden city Fire Company for providing coverage for the day.  Thanks to everyone that and participated and attended to make this day a success.
Story by: C. Riale, A. Brown

Photos by: A. Brown and K. Stockman

Good Will Fire Company Open House

On October 27th, the Good Will Fire Company will be hosting its annual Open House in honor of Fire Prevention Month from Noon until 3:30pm.

Come out and enjoy a day of live fire company demonstrations including a Marine Rescue Display, a Fire Safety House, a live search with a thermal imaging camera, fingerprinting courtesy of the New Castle City Police, as well as many other fire and safety demonstrations and activities put on by the Delaware State Fire School, the Delaware State Fire Marshal's Office, and the Good Will Fire Company. 

Location:

The Good Will Fire Company

401 South Street, New Castle, DE 19720