Thursday, December 1, 2005: Three Firefighters
Graduate Essentials of Firefighting
On Thursday, November , 2005, Firefighter Ian McGann,
Dan Bibb, and Joe Carroll participated in the
Essentials of Firefighting Graduation.
Essentials of Firefighting is a Fire fighting course
taught by the Chester County Fire Academy that was
held October 1st till November 5th, Tuesday and
Thursday Night and Saturday and Sunday all day
training in the basic interior and exterior
firefighting skills that ready the cadets to get
their Pennsylvania State and National Firefighter I
Certification. McGann, Bibb, and Carroll also
received certificates in Hazard Materials Awareness,
CPR and First Aid, Introduction to Safety and
Training, Essentials of Firefighting, Structural
Burn, and NIMS Incident Command alone with the test
opportunity to Challenge the Pennsylvania State
Firefighter I certification. These
Firefighters have complete this class and are
awaiting the results from the State Firefighter I
certification. They are also in the process of
Completing the requirements to become a West Chester
Fire Department interior Firefighter.
Congratulations Ian, Dan, and Joe!!!
Wednesday, November 16, 2005: WCFD Holds
Annual Department Banquet
On Saturday, November 12, 2005 The West Chester Fire
Department held it's annual Department Banquet at
the Elks Club in West Chester. Members from
the First West Chester Fire Company (Station 51),
Goodwill Fire Company (Station 52), and Fame Fire
Company (Station 53) came together for a fun night
of dinner and dancing. The Department
Firefighter of the Year was awarded to each company.
Lt. Steve Pelna was chosen as the First West
Chester's Department Firefighter of the Year by the
Active Firefighters. Chief 51, Sean Mitchell
was also commemorated on his three year term as WCFD
Chief. Thanks to the Banquet Committee for
organizing a great night. Also thanks to
Lionville Fire Company, Ogden Fire Company, Berwyn
Fire Company and West Bradford Fire Company for
filling as our Stand-by's. (Pictures Coming Soon)
Automatic Fire Alarm Chili Wins Third!!
(Story and Pictures to come!!)
WCFD Fire Prevention Day
First Annual WCFD Fire Prevention Day was a great
success!! Thanks to all who supported and
participated in the event. Good Job to Steve
Pelna, Committee Chairman, and the West Chester Fire
Prevention Committee members. Check Back for
Pictures
Sunday, September 11, 2005: WCFD attends WCU 9/11
Tribute
On Sunday, September 11, 2005, members from the West
Chester Fire Department attended a tribute to honor
those lives lost on September 11th, 2001 in the
World Trade Center, Pentagon, and United Airlines
Flight 93.
(Pictures Coming Soon)
Sunday, September 11, 2005: Engine 51-2 first in,
on Indian King room and contents Fire
At 10:47 hours on Saturday, September 10, 2005 the
First West Chester Fire Company (Station 51), West
Whiteland Fire Company (Station 6) was dispatched to
387 Wells Terrace, West Whiteland Township for a
reported house fire. At the time, Engine 51-2 was
out on an automatic fire alarm that West Chester
Police Department confirmed to be false. The
crew of five firefighters was enroute to the job in
less than 2 minutes. Chief 6 (Turner) was the
first officer on the scene and reported smoke
showing from the second floor. It was soon
after this report that he added Goshen Fire Company
Substation (Station 56) to the assignment as the
Rapid Intervention Team.
(Full Story)
Sunday, August 21, 2005: Station 51 assists
Station 39
At 21:57 hours on Thursday, August 18, 2005 the West
Bradford Fire Company (Station 39), First West
Chester Fire Company (Station 51), and Good
Fellowship Ambulance Club (Station 55) were
dispatched to a mobile home fire in the area of
Northbrook Road and W. Strasburg Road in the area of
the gas station. Chief 39 (Butler) arrived on
location and advises Chester Radio that it was
upgraded to a house fire fully involved in fire.
Engine 51-2 went responding with a crew of 6 just as
Engine 39-2 arrived on scene. Minquas Fire
Company (Station 46) was added for RIT and Engine
46-1 made the response with a crew of 6. Chief
39 (Butler) took Command and Asst. 39 (Allison) took
CP and requested two additional tankers to the scene
for water supply and Asst. 51 (Ronayne) took water
supply command. Engine 51-2 arrived on
location and took a leader line to the the rear of
the building with an 1.75'' extender line.
Engine 51-1 and Tac-51 made the response and arrived
on location and helped set up a portable deck gun
that was going to be used when a adequate water
supply was established.
(Full Story
and Pictures)
Monday, August 1, 2005: Early Morning Room and
Contents Fire
At 05:04 hours on Monday, August 1, 2005 the First
West Chester Fire Company (Station 51), Fame Fire
Company (Station 53), and the Good Fellowship
Ambulance Club (Station 55) were dispatched to 804
Spruce Avenue for a Dwelling Fire. Assistant
51 (Ronayne), Assistant 52 (Cotter) and Assistant 53
(McCarthy) went responding at 0507 and Chester Radio
advised them, "that the neighbor knocked on the
callers door stating that his house was on fire."
Chester Radio then advised responding units that the
Police were on location with smoke showing from the
first floor. Engine 53 went responding at
05:09 and Engine 51-2 went responding at 05:10 with
five interior firefighters. Engine 53 and
Tanker 53 arrived on scene and started an interior
attack and water supply while Engine 51-2 went to
the closest hydrant in front of 814 Roslyn Drive. (Continue
to Full Story and Pictures)
Engine 51-1 Assists Station 53 on Rt. 52 Pin Job
At 6:19 hours on Monday, July 18, 2005, the First
West Chester Fire Company (Station 51), Fame Fire
Company (Station 53),
Good Fellowship Ambulance
(Station 55), and Medic 91 were dispatched to the
area of Route 52 north of
Birmingham Road for an auto accident with
entrapment. Engine 51-1 made the
response with a crew of
four along with Rescue 53, Engine 53, Tanker 53,
Ambulance 55-2, and Medic
91-4. Upon arrival Engine 51-1 split its crew,
one team pulled a 1 3/4”
attack line and the other
team assisted the crew of Rescue 53 with
extrication. Extrication was completed
at 6:49. Ambulance 55-2 and Medic 91-4
transported the victim to Crozer Chester Medical
Center. Great job by all!
Kitchen Fire at Brandywine Garden Apartments
At 21:15 hours on July 9, 2005, First West Chester
Fire Company (Station 51), Good Will Fire Company
(Station 52), Fame Fire Company (Station 53), and
Good Fellowship Ambulance (Station 55) were
dispatched for an apartment building fire at the
Brandywine Court Apartments. West Chester
Police were first on scene reporting a fire in
apartment, B9 on the second floor and the building
evacuated. Engine 51-1, 51-2, Squad 51, and
Ambulance 55-2 went responding at 21:17 with full
crews. A quick response from 51 was due to the
Pig Roast being held at the station at the time.
51 units went on scene at 21:19. Engine 51-2
positioned itself for fire attack while Engine 51-1
went to the fire hydrant less the 15 feet away.
Captain 51 (Joblin) took command at 21:19 while LT.
51 (Pelna) entered the building and took interior.
Ladder 53 and Engine 52-1 went responding at 21:20.
Interior reported heavy smoke in apartment, B9 with
fire in the kitchen area. Interior called for Engine
51-2’s crew to bring extinguishers to the apartment.
(Continue to full story)
Annual Pig Roast on July 9th, 2005
Pictures Coming Soon
Working Fire Above Kildare's Bar
At 3:03 hours on June 12, 2005, First West Chester
Fire Company (Station 51), Fame Fire Company
(Station 53), and Good Fellowship Ambulance (Station
55) were dispatched for building fire at 18 W. Gay
Street, Kildare’s Bar. The incident was
called in by an on-duty West Chester Police officer
who was on patrol and came upon the fire.
Ambulance 55-2 went responding at 3:06 with
Assistant 51 (Ronayne) responding a minute after.
Chester County Fire Radio advised Asst. 51 that the
police were on location with smoke and fire on the
third floor. Station 52 was added for Rapid
Intervention Team (RIT) at 3:07. Ambulance
55-2 arrived on scene at 3:10 and staged on High
Street. Engines 51-2, 52-1, 53, and Ladder 53
went responding at 3:11. Assistant 51 arrived
on scene shortly there after confirming the police
report of heavy fire and smoke showing from the
third floor. Ladder 53 arrived on scene at
3:13 and began a primary search of the third floor.
Engine 51-2 came east on Gay Street and laid in from
the hydrant at Gay and Church Streets. Engine
52-1 came west on Gay Street and laid from the
hydrant at Gay and High Streets. Assistant 52,
who was on duty for West Goshen Police Department
and Fire Fighter Rob Gilbert (51) who was working
for West End Towing, charged the supply line for
52-1 while Fire Fighters Justin McClure and Pat
Reilly charged the supply line for 51-2.
Engine 52-1 went into service with a 1 ¾” attack
line with Fire Fighter Keith Green (51) and Fire
Fighter Dave Morrow (52) led by Lieutenant 52, Chris
Good. The first attack team entered the
building via a ladder to a second floor window.
Engine 51-2 with Fire Fighter C.J. Jones and Kyle
Mathews went into service with a 1 ¾” attack line
and entered up the main entrance stairwell to the
second floor. (Continue
to full story)
First West Chester Attends Hershey Parade
The First West Chester Fire Company attended the
annual Hershey Firemen's' Convention on June 11th,
2005 in Hershey Pennsylvania. Engines 51-1 and
51-2 along with Brush 51 an the company's marching
unit went to compete in this annual event.
Engine 51-2 won best appearing Sutphen. Engine
51-1 took 3rd place for Over-All Best Engine 1989
and older, with a prize of $200. A great time
was had by all who attended. A cookout was
held at the station upon return.
Wednesday, June 8, 2005 : 2 Alarm Apartment Fire
In West Chester Borough.
Pictures
(Story coming soon)
Wednesday, June 8, 2005 : Station 51 assists West
Bradford in early morning Fire
On Tuesday May, 31, 2005 at 02:42 First West Chester
Fire Company Station 51 was dispatched to Station 39
as a stand-by fire company. At 02:49 their
assignment was upgraded to come into the scene for
manpower. Engine 51-2 responded at 2:50
and arrived on location at 03:05. The crew
supplied fresh manpower to relieve the manpower
already working hard on the building fire.
First West Chester cleared the fire at 05:43.
Sunday, May 1, 2005 : Engine 51-2 first in for
Early Morning Fire
At 04:24 on Sunday, May 1, 2005 First West Chester
Fire Company Station 51 was dispatched to 611 W.
Strasburg Road for an Automatic Fire Alarm.
Assistant 51 (Ronayne) arrived on scene at 04:30
with fire showing from the exterior and upgraded the
assignment. Fame Fire Company Station 53 and
Good Fellowship Ambulance Club Station 55 were added
to the assignment. Good Will Fire Company
Station 52 was added for RIT. Engine 51-2 went
responding at 04:33 and was given the orders to hit
the plug at Bradford Ave and Rt. 162 and lead off
with an 2.5" attack line. Firefighter B.
Ronayne hit the hydrant while Lieutenant McClure and
Captain Joblin laid out the line. After the
Hydrant was charged, Firefighter Ronayne joined
Captain Joblin at the door ready to go in.
Assistant 53 (McCarthy) arrived on location and
became operations and started to take out the front
windows to ventilate the dark black smoke that had
filled in the interior of the building. Engine
51-1 arrived on the scene. Lieutenant Pelna
and Firefighter R. Giunta helped Assistant 53 break
out the remaining windows. Firefighter Moore
helped advance the attack line with Ronayne and
Joblin and made a great stop of the fire.
Ladder 53 went to the roof for ventilation but were
called off when the fire was out and the large
windows were found to have vented the building.
Engine 53 and Rescue 53 staged on Rt. 162 and the
manpower was sent to the man power pull. Fire
Marshals were requested and FM's 100, 102, and 103
made the response. The fire is under
investigation. (Pictures and Full Story
Coming Soon)
Friday, April 22, 2005 : Dwelling Fire in West
Goshen
At 04:25 on Friday, April, 22, 2005 First West
Chester Fire Company Station 51, Fame Fire Company
Station 53 and Good Fellowship Ambulance Club
Station 55 were dispatched to a dwelling fire at
1102 Grove Road. Asst. 51 (Ronayne) made the
response and Chester Radio advised him that there
was smoke in the basement and the occupants were
evacuating. Chief 51 (Mitchell) went responding and
copied the report. Chief 51 arrived on scene
at 04:32 with Smoke for the roof eves. Good
Will Fire Company Station 52 was added for RIT.
Chief 51 (Mitchell) took interior and Asst. 51
(Ronayne) took Grove Road Command. Command
reported a "small working fire" in the attic and
first in engine to lead off with an 1.75" attack
line and an attic ladder.
(Full Story
and Pictures)
Friday, April 8, 2005:RIT Cover for Borough Fire
above Alberto's
At 17:18 on Thursday, April 7, 2005 Good Will Fire
Company Station 52, Fame Fire Company Station 53,
and Good Fellowship Ambulance Club Station 55 were
dispatched to a building fire at 118 East Gay
Street, Alberto's Restaurant. Chief 51
(Mitchell) went responding and was advised by
Chester Radio that there was smoke from the rear of
the building and that it was being evacuated.
Chester Radio then advised Chief 51 that West
Chester PD was on location with fire and heavy
smoke. Chester asked Chief 51 if he wanted
Station 51 added for Rapid Intervention (RIT).
Chief 51 concurred and First West Chester Fire
Company Station 51 was added for RIT at 17:23.
At the same time Engine 52-1 arrived on scene and
pulled a 1 ¾ " attack line to the second floor.
Engine 52-2 and Ladder 53 arrived shortly after.
Ladder 53’s crew went to the Roof and began
ventilation.
(Full Story)
RIT Response to Downingtown Paper Mill 3 Alarm
Fire
At 13:14 on Sunday March 2, 2005, Station 51 was
dispatched for a RIT response for Downingtown's 3
alarm Sonoco Paper Mill Fire. Engine 51-2 made
the response at 13:20 and Arrived on scene at 13:29.
Captain 51 then advised Sonoco Command (Chief 45)
for a second and third RIT assignment due to the
size of the Building. A crew from Station 38
(Thorndale) made up the RIT crew at the loading
dock. Engine 51-1 made the response to assist
the crew from Engine 51-2. Station 2 was
dispatched and arrived on scene and took RIT West
while Station 51's crews took RIT East.
Fortunately neither of the three RIT crews were
needed and everyone went home safe. Great Stop
by Downingtown Fire Companies.
(Pictures)
Home Burns Again
At 21:45 Stations 51, 53 and 55 were dispatched to a
Fire Type Unknown across from 435 Darlington Drive.
Chief 51 went responding and Chester Radio reported
that the residents of 435 Darlington Drive stated
that they didn’t know what was on fire and that
there were flames above the trees. They also
advised Chief 51 of another caller stating it was
the house next to 401. Chester Radio then
advised Chief 51 that it was the house from earlier
and there were flames coming through the roof.
Engine and Tanker 53 went responding and Chester
Radio advised Chief 51 that Station 51 Firefighter
Richard Keirsey had heard an explosion a couple of
minutes earlier and was on location with flames
through the roof. (Full
Story)
2 Alarm Fire In East Bradford
On Thursday, March 10, 2005 at 12:04 Stations 51,
53, and 55 were dispatched for a Building Fire at
400 Darlington Drive. A Verizon worker on location
stated that there was smoke coming from the eaves,
doors and windows of the structure and no one seemed
to be home. Station 51 Firefighter Richard Keirsey
was on location with a working fire, extension from
a wood stove. Chief 51 went on location with
heavy smoke showing and added Station 52 for Rapid
Intervention. Engine 53 was first on the scene
and laid 1700 feet of 5 inch hose from the hydrant.
Engine 51-2 and Rescue 53 entered the scene before
the supply line was charged.
(Full
Story)
Early Morning Kitchen Fire
On Wednesday March 9, 2005 at 02:14, Station 51 was
dispatched to an Automatic Fire Alarm at 6 West
Market Street, The Market Street Grill. At
02:16 West Chester Police Department upgraded the
assignment due to the first floor being charged with
smoke. Chester Radio added stations 52, 53,
and 55 ambulance to the assignment. Chief 51
arrived on location with heavy smoke on the first
floor. Ladder 53 arrived on location and went
to work on the second and third floors with a search
and rescue. Engine 52-2 and 51-2 arrived on
scene simultaneously. Engine 52-2's crew
pulled a line and Engine 51-2's crew forced entry
into the first floor and both crews entered the
building. Captain 52 reported a sprinkler
activation on the first floor. There was a
small fire in the kitchen that was caused by oily
rags which had spontaneously combusted.
Units working: Ambulance 55-2, Chief-51, Ladder 53,
Engine 51-2, Engine 52-2, Engine 52-1, Rescue 53,
Engine 53, Air/Light 52, FM 100, FM102.
Building Fire with West Whiteland Fire Company
On Sunday, March 6, 2005, at 18:47,
Stations 6, 51, Tanker 53 and 55 ambulance were
dispatched to 523 Oriole Drive in West Whiteland
Township for a reported Building Fire. Police
went on location with smoke showing and the resident
reporting a dryer fire with extension.
Assistant 6 arrived on location confirming heavy
smoke and added Station 56 for Rapid Intervention.
Engine 6-2 was first on location and started off
with 2, 1-3/4” attack lines into the structure.
Tanker 53 established a water supply to 6-2
and Engine 51-2 and Tower 6's crew went to the roof
and provided ventilation. The fire was located
in the basement and was put under control at 19:32
with all units working. Good work to all! |
