# DLA Susquehanna firefighters rescue two people from burning building

/ Published Jan. 4, 2022
NEW CUMEBRLAND, Pa., 
When the alarm rang at the Defense Distribution Center Susquehanna fire house shortly after 7:00 a.m. Dec. 30, firefighters assigned to Defense Logistics Agency Truck 69 were dispatched to 813 Bridge Street, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, for a four-unit apartment building fire.

Flames from a rapidly growing fire on the first floor at the front of the building left two victims trapped on a second-floor rear balcony. DLA Susquehanna firefighters jumped into action, using a 28-foot ground ladder to rescue the people and a pet from the balcony on the rear of the building.

                Defense Logistics Agency Installation Management Susquehanna firefighters assigned to Truck 69 dispatch to a four-unit apartment building fire in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, rescuing two people and a pet from the balcony on the rear of the building December 30, 2021.  (Photo by Fire Captain Samuel Keim, DLA Installation Management Susquehanna)                            DLA Susquehanna firefighters rescue two people from burning building                            Defense Logistics Agency Installation Management Susquehanna firefighters assigned to Truck 69 dispatch to a four-unit apartment building fire in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, rescuing two people and a pet from the balcony on the rear of the building December 30, 2021.  (Photo by Fire Captain Samuel Keim, DLA Installation Management Susquehanna)            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Samuel KeimVIRIN: 211230-D-D0441-0002

“I am extremely proud of the men and women of the Defense Distribution Center Susquehanna Fire Department. These firefighters are true professionals whose expertise, dedication to duty, and outstanding work ethic have earned them tremendous respect from their peers, the community, and their leadership team,” said Fire Chief Barry J. Shughart, DLA Installation Management Susquehanna.

DLA’s Truck 69 worked alongside firefighters from Fairview Township and New Cumberland Volunteer Fire Departments, arriving on scene simultaneously within four minutes of the alarm and immediately jumping into action. Like a well-oiled machine, firefighters arrived trained, equipped and prepared to initiate actions to rescue victims and stop the fire.

Initially, flames prevented crews from accessing the locked building. While this could have been catastrophic, off-duty DLA Susquehanna Fire Captain John Fogg, was driving by the incident and stopped to assist. Fogg used a pressurized water extinguisher to help slow the fire spread until crews could gain access to the locked building. In a matter of seconds, DLA firefighters forced entry into the structure, resulting in quick extinguishment and containment of the fire to the apartment of origin.

While the fire was extinguished within 10 minutes, one person was taken to the hospital and nine people are displaced from their homes. The Truck 69 crew also assisted with a salvage and overhaul operation, resulting in the recovery of several hundred dollars of personal items.

“My team and all of the firefighters involved in this incident did a great job. Their actions without a doubt saved lives and property,” said Shughart.

During 2021, DLA Installation Management Susquehanna firefighters responded to 694 emergency calls which included 399 fire related incidents and 295 emergency medical incidents. Of the calls, only 169 were on the Defense Distribution Center Susquehanna installation and 525 were mutual aid calls in Cumberland, York and Dauphin Counties.

                Defense Logistics Agency Installation Management Susquehanna firefighters complete annual controlled structural burn training, honing their firefighting skills for whenever the fire bell rings. (Photo by Ed Shank, DLA Distribution Public Affairs)                            Defense Distribution Center, Susquehanna Fire and Emergency Services takes advantage of unique training opportunity                            Defense Logistics Agency Installation Management Susquehanna firefighters complete annual controlled structural burn training, honing their firefighting skills for whenever the fire bell rings. (Photo by Ed Shank, DLA Distribution Public Affairs)            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: 190715-D-CK397-1001VIRIN: 190715-D-CK397-1001