Services We Provide
24/7 Emergency Services for Baldwin Borough
Baldwin Fire Rescue provides a wide range of emergency and non-emergency services to the residents and businesses of Baldwin Borough. Our all-volunteer team responds 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to protect lives, property, and the environment.
Our Core Services
Fire Suppression
Vehicle Extrication
Technical Rescue
Hazmat Support
Mutual Aid
Fire Suppression
Our Primary Mission — Protecting Lives and Property
Fire suppression is the core mission of Baldwin Fire Rescue. Our firefighters are trained and equipped to respond to all types of fires, from small trash fires to major structure blazes.
Residential Fires
- Single-family homes
- Multi-family dwellings
- Apartment buildings
- Mobile homes
- Garages and outbuildings
Commercial Fires
- Retail stores and shopping centers
- Office buildings
- Industrial facilities
- Restaurants and businesses
- Warehouses
Vehicle Fires
- Automobiles and trucks
- Motorcycles and ATVs
- Commercial vehicles
- Heavy equipment
- Electric vehicle fires
Outdoor Fires
- Brush and wildland fires
- Illegal burn piles
- Trash and debris fires
- Mulch fires
- Dumpster fires
Our Capabilities
- Multiple engine companies across three strategically located stations providing rapid response coverage to all areas of Baldwin Borough
- Aerial ladder truck for elevated master stream operations, ventilation, and above-grade rescue from commercial and multi-story residential buildings
- Class A foam suppression systems that increase the effectiveness of water by reducing surface tension, allowing deeper penetration into burning materials
- Advanced thermal imaging cameras on every engine for locating victims in zero-visibility conditions, finding hidden fire in walls and ceilings, and monitoring structural integrity
- Comprehensive water supply operations including hydrant connections, drafting from static sources, and mutual aid tanker shuttle for areas with limited water infrastructure
Vehicle Extrication
Freeing Trapped Victims from Vehicle Accidents
Baldwin Fire Rescue provides vehicle extrication services for motor vehicle accidents throughout Baldwin Borough and surrounding communities through mutual aid. Our firefighters are trained and equipped to safely free trapped occupants using advanced tools and techniques, working closely with EMS to provide comprehensive care at accident scenes.
Hydraulic Rescue Tools
Our primary extrication tools — commonly known as the “Jaws of Life” — include hydraulic spreaders, cutters, rams, and combination tools capable of generating tens of thousands of pounds of force to pry open crushed vehicles, cut through structural posts, and displace dashboards.
Spreaders — Pry open doors, create access, displace metal
Cutters — Sever posts, hinges, and structural members
Rams — Push dashboards, steering columns, pedals away from patients
Support Tools — Saws, air chisels, glass management, stabilization struts, cribbing
Modern Vehicle Challenges
Today’s vehicles present unique challenges that didn’t exist with older designs:
- Ultra-High Strength Steel (UHSS): 3–4x stronger than conventional steel, requiring more powerful tools and alternative cutting strategies
- Hybrid & Electric Vehicles: High-voltage systems (300–600+ volts), lithium-ion battery fire risk, silent operation hazards
- Advanced Airbags: Modern vehicles have 8–10+ airbags that can deploy during extrication if not properly disabled
- Seat Belt Pretensioners: Explosive devices that can activate during cutting operations
The Extrication Process
1. Scene Safety
Secure scene, manage traffic, identify hazards
2. Stabilize Vehicle
Prevent movement with struts, cribbing, chocks
3. Patient Access
EMS makes contact, begins care through openings
4. Disentangle
Remove vehicle from patient using hydraulic tools
5. Patient Removal
Carefully extract patient with spinal precautions
6. Transport
Transfer to EMS for hospital transport
Technical Rescue
Specialized Rescue for Complex Emergencies
Baldwin Fire Rescue provides technical rescue services for situations requiring specialized equipment, training, and techniques beyond standard firefighting operations. For large-scale or highly specialized incidents, we coordinate with county and regional technical rescue resources.
Rope & High-Angle Rescue
- Rope rescue systems and rigging
- High-angle rescue from structures
- Embankment and hillside rescue
- Patient packaging for vertical lifts
Water & Ice Rescue
- Surface water rescue operations
- Ice rescue equipment and procedures
- Swift water awareness
- Water safety and prevention
Structural Collapse & Trench
- Structural assessment and shoring
- Victim location and access
- Trench rescue operations
- Coordination with heavy equipment
Confined Space Rescue
- Atmospheric monitoring
- Entry and rescue operations
- Ventilation and air supply
- Patient extraction from tight spaces
Machinery Entrapment
- Industrial and agricultural equipment rescue
- Lockout/tagout coordination
- Hydraulic tool displacement operations
- Patient stabilization during extended extrication
Building Collapse Search
- Void space search techniques
- Shoring and stabilization of unstable structures
- Debris removal and tunneling operations
- Coordination with county USAR resources
Hazardous Materials Support
Chemical Spills, Gas Leaks & Dangerous Materials
Baldwin Fire Rescue responds to hazardous materials incidents in a support role, working alongside specialized hazmat teams from Allegheny County. Our firefighters are trained in hazmat awareness and operations-level response.
Hazmat Incidents We Respond To
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
CO detector alarms, gas meter readings, victim evacuation
Gas Leaks
Natural gas, propane, utility emergencies
Chemical Spills
Small spills, unknown substances, containment
Transportation Incidents
Vehicle crashes involving hazmat, fuel spills
Our Hazmat Capabilities
- Hazmat awareness and operations-level training for all firefighters, ensuring every member can identify hazardous materials and take appropriate protective actions
- Multi-gas detection meters capable of monitoring carbon monoxide, combustible gas levels (LEL), oxygen concentration, and common toxic industrial chemicals simultaneously
- Scene isolation and perimeter establishment using hot, warm, and cold zones to protect the public and emergency responders from contamination
- Evacuation and public safety coordination with borough officials, law enforcement, and utility companies to protect affected residents and businesses
- Decontamination support operations including emergency decon corridors for victims and responders exposed to hazardous substances
- Coordination with Allegheny County hazmat teams, PA DEP, and specialized regional resources for incidents requiring technician-level intervention
Fire Investigation
Determining the Origin & Cause of Fires
After a fire is extinguished, trained fire investigators work to determine where and how the fire started. This process is critical for identifying fire hazards, supporting insurance claims, and detecting arson.
Common Fire Causes
- Cooking fires (the #1 cause of home fires)
- Heating equipment malfunctions
- Electrical failures and wiring issues
- Smoking materials
- Candles and open flames
- Appliance malfunctions
- Children playing with fire
- Arson (intentional fires)
Investigation Process
- Scene documentation and photography
- Origin determination using burn patterns
- Cause analysis following NFPA 921
- Evidence collection and preservation
- Witness interviews
- Coordination with law enforcement when arson is suspected
- Report preparation for insurance and legal purposes
Mutual Aid
Regional Cooperation for Enhanced Emergency Protection
Mutual aid is the foundation of the modern fire service — fire departments assist each other during emergencies to ensure adequate resources across jurisdictional boundaries. Baldwin Fire Rescue participates in mutual aid agreements with neighboring departments throughout Allegheny County, both receiving and providing assistance.
Automatic Aid
For certain call types — like structure fires — neighboring departments are automatically dispatched along with Baldwin Fire Rescue. This ensures enough firefighters and apparatus arrive for large-scale incidents without delay.
Mutual Aid Requests
When an incident grows beyond initial resources, the incident commander can request additional units from neighboring departments for extra manpower, specialized equipment, or additional apparatus.
Coverage Assignments
When all of Baldwin’s units are committed to a working incident, neighboring departments cover our stations so another emergency in Baldwin still gets a fast response. We provide the same coverage for them.
Regional Coordination
Mutual aid in Allegheny County is coordinated through Allegheny County 911 and the Allegheny County Department of Emergency Services (DES). Pennsylvania law supports mutual aid agreements between fire departments on a no-cost, reciprocal basis, with workers’ compensation covering firefighters responding outside their home jurisdiction.
Additional Services
Odor Investigations
Investigating reports of unusual smells — gas, smoke, electrical, chemical
Fire & Event Standby
On-site fire protection for community events, construction, and special activities
Storm & Weather Response
Downed trees, flooding, storm damage, power line hazards
Water Problems
Basement flooding, water main breaks, hydrant issues
Lockouts & Access
Emergency building or vehicle access when life safety is a concern
Elevator Rescues
Assisting occupants trapped in stalled elevators
Fire Prevention & Education
School programs, community presentations, smoke alarm installations, and fire safety outreach
Carbon Monoxide Response
CO alarm investigations, gas meter readings, ventilation, and evacuation when levels are dangerous
In an Emergency — Call 911
Fire • Medical • Rescue • Any Life-Threatening Situation
Always Call 911 For:
- Any fire (house, vehicle, brush, trash)
- Smoke or strong burning smell
- Medical emergencies (chest pain, breathing difficulty, severe bleeding, unconscious person)
- Vehicle accidents with injuries
- Gas leaks or strong gas odor
- Carbon monoxide alarms
- Anyone trapped or in immediate danger
- Downed power lines
- Hazardous materials spills
- Water rescues or ice emergencies
- Severe storms causing immediate hazards
- When in doubt — call us out!
How to Make an Effective 911 Call
Stay Calm — Take a deep breath. Speaking calmly helps the dispatcher send the right help quickly.
Dial 911 — From any phone. 911 calls are free and don’t require coins or cell activation.
State Your Emergency — “I need fire,” “I need an ambulance,” or “There’s been an accident.”
Give Your Location — Exact address, cross streets, landmarks. Floor and unit number for large buildings.
Answer Questions — Help is already being sent while you talk. The questions help responders prepare.
Stay on the Line — Don’t hang up until the dispatcher tells you it’s okay.
What to Do While Waiting for Help
For Fires
- GET OUT — evacuate immediately
- Close doors behind you (slows fire spread)
- Feel doors before opening (if hot, find another way)
- Stay low if there’s smoke
- Go to your meeting place outside
- STAY OUT — never go back inside
- Meet firefighters at the street
For Medical Emergencies
- Follow dispatcher’s instructions
- Keep the patient calm and still
- Do NOT give food or water
- Control bleeding with direct pressure
- Monitor breathing and consciousness
- Gather medications to show responders
- Send someone to meet the ambulance
For Gas Leaks
- EVACUATE immediately
- Do NOT turn lights on or off
- Do NOT use phones inside
- Do NOT create any sparks
- Leave doors/windows open as you leave
- Call from a safe distance
- Do not re-enter until cleared by fire dept
For Non-Emergencies
Questions, reports, tour requests, or general inquiries:
When in Doubt, Call 911
We’d rather respond to a false alarm than arrive too late to help. Baldwin Fire Rescue is here 24/7 to protect you.