On Friday, November 6, 2009, veterans dating back to World War II, representing all branches of service, gathered in downtown Columbus for their annual Veteran’s Day Parade and Box 15 was there to honor and assist them. We setup 3 hours before step-off to provide hot beverages and donuts for any parade participant. During this time, we met many interesting people and we were extremely well received. When we packed up to leave, we had served 4 gallons of Coffee, 1 gallon of Hot Chocolate and 4 dozen donuts. Discussions with the Military Veteran’s Association indicated that this should become an annual event for the Club.

Reports of a fire started coming in at 400am to the MECCenter in the area of Westerville Rd & Innis Rd.  E132 arrived 1st and reported a 1 story business with heavy fire. They requested a 2nd alarm for help fighting the fire.  Fire units from Clinton township, and the cities of Westerville and Columbus joined the incident. 

Box 15 was requested at 440am and arrived on scene by 530am.   80 firefighters were served a case and a half of water, 1/2 gallon of hot chocolate, 2 gallons of coffee and one case of granola bars.   Box 15 cleared the scene by 730am.  

Box 15 was requested back to the fire scene @ 1215pm today due to the large amount of arson investigation personnel. Box 15 cleared the scene again @ 415pm.

You can see photos of the incident in our flickr.com account here:   http://www.flickr.com/photos/7443653@N04/sets/72157622493726435/detail/ 

A quick video is posted here. 

After yet another long drought for runs Box 15 was requested 250am today to respond to 1098 Mt. Vernon Ave for a working fire in a 2 story brick taxpayer type structure. 

Heavy fire was seen throughout the building upon arrival by fire companies.   A working fire assignment was struck @ 215am and command made the fire a defensive battle only. 

Box 15 arrived on scene at 330am served 50 firefighters 3 cases of water, a gallon and a half of coffee and hot chocolate and a dozen granola bars.   We stayed on scene throughout the morning, clearing the scene at 615am. 

Photos can be seen in our extensive flickr.com account to the right or by clicking on this link:    http://www.flickr.com/photos/7443653@N04/sets/72157622485425743/detail/

Here is a short video from the rear of the building. 

When a truckload of bottled water was refused by the intended recipient, the supplier advised the carrier to donate the shipment. The carrier, US Express contacted the Columbus Division of Fire, who referred them to Box 15. Arrangements were made to offload the semi trailer (1586 cases, or 38000+ bottles of water) at Thompson Building Associates. Thompson has partnered with Box 15 to provide bottled water for rehab purposes, since 2003. As Box 15 would not be able to use that quantity directly, we are sharing the wealth. All water, beyond our direct needs, is being distributed to Central Ohio public safety forces, including Fire Departments, SWAT teams, Haz-Mat & Bomb response units.

Box 15 responded with Columbus fire units overnight to Smith Ct.  Fire crews were dispatched around 0230 and found a two story apartment building fully involved with fire.  The building had stood vacant since another fire about 15 months ago that Box 15 also responded on. Columbus Fire crews battled low water pressure throughout the incident.  Box 15 arrived on scene@ 330am and helped out with rehab.   Box 15 members served 70 firefighters.

Columbus Fire and Franklin Township fire crews responded to 1709 Frank Rd @ 315am this morning on a reported warehouse fire.  Crews arrived on scene and upgraded the fire to a 2nd alarm.  The fire was reported to be just inside an area that housed cleaning materials and paper.   Box 15 crews responded and were still on the scene till 8am.  Box 15 served 75 firefighters.

Photos can be seen in our flickr.com account

Just a couple of items here we would like to highlight to the Box 15 website.  1st you may have noticed a new tab up top called ” vehicle history”.  Did you know Box15 has a 60 year history in the central Ohio area?  Well with that 60 years comes lots of history, and a couple of our life members are working on a large project we hope to have up and running within the month! The first piece has now been published. We call it the vehicle history.  More newly found pictures have been added.

2nd item Box 15 depends on donations to operate.  This year we are having a raffle,  a football raffle.  We have a football signed by several past players “The Fridge,” Eddie George, Brian Holloway among others.  The drawing will be held November 20th.  Tickets are $5 or $10 for 3.  Click here to see more —-> Autographed Football Raffle

3rd item, since more and more people get news on Twitter, Box 15 has joined the masses and opened an account!  On the right hand column you will see “Box 15 Twitter”  Click that heading and you will be taken to our Twitter account.  Or you can see the last three items we have “Twitter” just below that!  Also we have a Facebook group.  That also has a link for you to click on just below the “Live Audio” feeds everyone is welcome to join and be a Box 15 friend.

Box 15 was requested to respond to Charlbury Dr  near Upper Arlington this morning.   This home was destroyed in a arson fire.   Box 15 was requested via NAS*T (Northwest Area Strike Team) at 930am and was on scene for 3 hours.  We served 15 investigators from NAS*T and 3 State Fire Marshall personnel.   Food was provided by Upper Arlington Fire and a local sub restaurant.

After an almost two month dry spell for responses Box 15 responded  to Hilton Ave for a 2nd alarm fire with Prairie Township. 

Fire crews were called out around 945am for a report of a fire and upon arrival found a 2 story apartment building with fire from the roof and windows showing upon arrival by E241.   Box 15 responded on the 2nd alarm assingment and arrived around 1030am.  Crews served 50 firefighters 4 cases of water plus Squwencher. 

Photos of the fire can be seen in our flickr.com account, with special on scene photos from Prairie Township Fire crews.

Box 15 crews responded with 2nd alarm companies to Wisconsin Ave on the near westside of Columbus.  Crews arrived on scene of a 2 story home with fire showing.  Shortly after the crews entered the structure one firefighter fell into a hole and a mayday was called.  RIC were sent in and a quick recovery was made. 

Box 15 crews activated on the 2nd alarm and were on scene within a half hour and served 40 firefighters seven cases of water.   Box 15 crews were on scene for an hour. 

Photos can be seen in our flickr.com account.