2007

FIRST WEST CHESTER FIRE COMPANY NEWS ARCHIVE

News:

New Engine Arrives

Thursday, December 20: 1, 2, 3...RIT!

In the early evening hours of Wednesday, December 19, 2007, Stations 52, 53, and 55 Ambulance were dispatched to 1244 Ashbridge Road for a reported dwelling fire.  Initial reports to Chester County Fire Board stated that there was smoke and fire on the second floor and that the occupants were evacuating.  Chief 53 (McCarthy) arrived on scene and immediately requested a working fire dispatch.  Full Story...  Pictures...

Tuesday, September 11: WCFD Goes to Work in West Bradford

For the second time in 3 days, Station 51 traveled to the 39 first due for a working house fire.  Station 51 was dispatched for the RIT assignment to assist Station 39 at 729 Shagbark Rd in the Tattersall Development.  51-2 arrived on scene at 19:03 and, being that the fire was now a defensive operation, laid a 5 inch supply line from a nearby hydrant down around to the back of the development to the rear of the structure.  Full Story...   Pictures...

Tuesday, September 11: Engines Assist Station 39

Around lunch time on September 8th, Station 51 was dispatched along with Tanker 53 to standby at Station 39 while they were operating at the scene of a working house fire off of Glenside Road in West Bradford Township.  While enroute to Station 39, 51-2 and Tanker 53 were advised by Chester County Fire Radio that they were to respond to the scene as part as the 1st Alarm Tanker Task Force.

Full Story...

Monday, September 10: Local Apartment Building With Fire Through the Roof

Tuesday, June 26: Firefighter 1 Graduation

On Tuesday, June 26, members of Station 51 traveled to Station 35 (Wagentown) for Chester County Firefighter 1 graduation.  Station 51 provided the Honor Guard for the event.  As part of the ceremony, long time member Frank McCormick was presented with his Asst. Chiefs hat and congratulated by all in attendance for his years of service to the West Chester Fire Department, West Chester Fire Training Center, and Chester County Fire School.  Congratulations to Firefighters Justin McClure and Jason Painter for successfully completing Firefighter 1.  (Pictures...)

Monday, June 25: Don't Forget!

Don't forget this Saturday June 30th is the fifth annual pig roast!  It will start at 7pm and costs $20 per person.  The price includes DJ music until midnight, beer and soda, and of course the pig.  The full menu is the pig, cajun chicken, salads (broccoli, mushroom & tomato, red skin potato, and cucumber & onion) and texas style baked beans.  All the food is being provided by Hickery House Catering (Brandywine Picnic Park).  The DJ is going to be Mark from Moore Music.  Please contact Reenie McCormick Giunta if you have any questions.

Sunday, June 24: Members Attend Charleston Funeral Ceremony

On Thursday, June 21, members of the WCFD made the 10 hour trip to South Carolina to attend the funeral ceremony of the 9 Charleston Firefighters who perished in a sofa factory fire on Monday, June 18.  Firefighters Kevin Beans, Mike McLaughlin, and Dan Leyden of Station 51 and Steve Crum of Station 52 drove down where they met other firefighters from across the nation to mourn the loss of their fallen brothers.  Thousands of firefighters and other emergency personnel, as well as family and friends packed the stadium where the ceremony was being held.  Members returned early morning Saturday.  (Pictures...)

Friday, June 22: Charleston Firefighter Loss a True Tragedy

The First West Chester Fire Company would like to extend its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of the 9 Charleston firefighters who perished while fighting a sofa warehouse fire on Monday, June 22.  A fund has been established for the fallen firefighters. Donations can be sent to: The City of Charleston Firemen's Fund, P.O. Box 304, Charleston, SC, 29402.  More information can be found by visiting FireHouse.com.

Friday, June 22: New Engine Begins Construction!

First West Chester Fire Co. is pleased to announced that KME has began the production of the new Engine 51-1.  Engine 51-1 will be a KME Custom Pumper with 65' Snozzle.  Check back for continuous picture updates.  (Pictures...)

Tuesday, June 12: Brush Fire in Box 51-02

At 13:49 hours, Station 51 was dispatched for a mulch fire in the area of Grubs Mill Road between Sunset Hollow and Grove Roads in West Goshen Township.  Brush 51 and Lt. 51 (McClure) arrived in the area and were informed by 52 PD that the caller was now reporting the fire to be off of Macphearson Drive.  Lt. 51 arrived at the updated location to find 2 acres of field burning and spreading quickly.  (Full Story...)

Sunday, June 10: 2007 Tag Day

On Saturday, May 21^st, 2007 members of Station 51 held there annual Tag Day fundraising event. With 31 members on hand to help for the day, crews set out to various points in West Chester, West Goshen, and East Bradford to collect donations. Being a 100% Volunteer organization, every contribution made helps cover day to day operations and costs of the company.  Around 1300 hours, crews returned to the station to regroup and wrap up for the day.  The First West Chester Fire Company would like to thank Wawa, Acme, and Giant for allowing our members to stand outside their stores. Another, Thank You, goes out to all of the people who made donations throughout the day. Your continued support helped to make this Tag Day a success!  (Pictures...)

Sunday, June 10: Squad 51 Takes 1st Place

Squad 51 traveled to Westwood Fire Company's parade and housing on May 26. The Squad took 1st place for best Reading Body and 2nd place for best Specialty Equipped Unit.  (Pictures...)

Tuesday, May 15: House Fire Upgrade in East Bradford Township

...Story Coming Soon...(Pictures...)

Tuesday, May 15: Full Company Assist to Station 25

...Story Coming Soon...(Pictures...)

Thursday, April 26: Accident on Route 926

Shortly after returning from one of numerous calls on Wednesday, Station 51 along with Station 53, 55 Ambulance, and Medic 91 were dispatched for an accident at Rt. 926 and Sherbrooke Dr. in Birmingham Township.  Responding units were advised that a vehicle had struck an unknown object and rolled over several times trapping the driver.  (Full Story and Pictures...)

Tuesday, April 24: Small Brush Fire in Box 51-12

At 20:10 hours on April 24, Station 51 was dispatched for a brush fire along the road at Frank and Shenton Road's in East Bradford Township.  Brush 51 responded in 5 minutes quickly followed by Squad 51, Engine 51-2, and Tac 51.  Chester County Fire Board advised 51 units that FM 51 was on location with a small fire along the road.  Brush 51 and Squad 51 arrived to find a small brush fire had been mostly extinguished along the side of the road.  51 crews did a quick wash down and mop up and cleared in 20 minutes.  (Story and Pictures...)

Tuesday, April 4: Station 51 Performs Prescribed Burn

On March 24, the members of Station 51 performed a prescribed burn on the firehouse grounds.  The burn was intended to promote new growth on the property as well as give hands on training to certified wild land firefighters.  (Pictures...)

Tuesday, April 4: Station 51 Puts Quick Knock Down and Brush Fire

At 15:23 hours, on April 3 2007, Station 51 was dispatched for a reported brush fire at New Street and Fox Knoll Lane in West Goshen Township.  Asst. 51 (Ronayne) responded and was advised by Chester County Fire Board that the caller stated there was an area of brush on fire about 100' from the intersection and that it was spreading.  Brush 51 and Engine 51-1 went enroute at 15:30 and Asst. 51 arrived on location reporting a 50X50 area of brush/woods on fire, spreading. 

(Full Story and Pictures...)

Thursday, March 15: Vehicle Fire in Box 51-02

On Wednesday, March 14, at 7:31 hours, Station 51 was dispatched to Number 7 Sunset Hollow Road for a reported vehicle fire.  Asst. 51 (Ronayne) responded and was advised by the Chester County Fire Board of 1 vehicle in the driveway with fire in the engine compartment.  52-30 (Best) arrived on scene within moments of the dispatch and confirmed the report. (Full Story...)

Tuesday, March 6: Brush 51 Goes 4-Wheel'n at WCU Woods Fire

At 15:33 hours on March 6, 2007, Brush 51 was dispatched to assist the Fame Fire Co. (Station 53) to the Gordon Nature Center in West Chester University South Campus for a woods fire.  Brush 51 responded within 4 minutes with 2 wild land fire certified firefighters.  Upon arrival Brush 51 utilized its 4-Wheele Drive capabilities and proceeded into the woods 200 yards off the main road.  About a half acre of woods had been burning and was mostly extinguished due to the quick efforts of the firefighters from Station 53.  (Full Story...)

Tuesday, March 6: Engine 51-1 First In on Afternoon Building Fire

At 15:46 while Brush-51 and Station 53 were fighting a brush fire,  Stations 51, 53 second call, 52 and 55 Ambulance were dispatched to 9 North Church Street for the building fire. Tac-51, which was enroute to the brush call, returned to the station made the response with Engine 51-1.  Assistant 51 (Ronayne) arrived on location with what appeared to be a window planter on fire.  As Engine 51-1 arrived on location, Ronayne advised the Fire Board that the fire had extended into the building.  (Full Story and Pictures...)

Saturday, February 10th: New Squad 51 is Here to Stay

The new Squad 51 had it final paint work and stripping completed and arrived at its new home at Station 51 on Friday, February 2nd.  Squad 51 is a 2006 Ford F350 with a Reading body.  The final phase will consist of mounting equipment which will include hand tools, salvage pumps, and SCBA's.  Squad 51 will be placed in service within the next few days.  (Full Story and Pictures...)

Friday, February 9th: Hazmat Response in box 51-12

At 07:34 hours stations 51, 53, 15, 55 and 91 were dispatched to Chem Services Inc for report of a Hazardous Materials Incident.  Upon arrival, Asst.51 (Ronayne) took command and Capt. 51 (Pelna) took operations.  It was discovered that the sprinkler system was actively leaking with possible chemical spill. (Full Story...)

Saturday, January 27th: Second Working Fire of 2007

At 13:20 hours, Stations 52, 53, and 55 Ambulance were dispatched for a building fire at 661 E. Union Street in the Boro.  Engine 52-2 went responding at 13:23 and arrived on scene seconds later, finding a working apartment fire right next their station.  Chief 53 (McCarthy) responded and asked for 51 for the RIT.  (Full Story and Pictures...)

Thursday, January 18th: Station 51 Receives Early Housing Gift

Saturday, January 13th: Busy Day for the 51 House

January 9^th proved to be a busy day for the members of Station 51.  The day began with 3 automatic fire alarms, 2 of which were an assist to the Good Will Fire Co (Station 52).  At 19:57 hours, Station 51, along with the Fame Fire Co (Station 53) and EMS were dispatched to Market and Church Streets in the Borough for an accident reported serious.  51-1, Rescue 53, 55 Ambulance and Medic 91-3 responded and arrived to find a small pickup truck on its side.  The truck also had made its way onto the sidewalk, and in between and building and support post for its overhang roof.  After seeing no immediate danger or structural problems with the building, the assignment was held to Engine 51-1 who assisted a tow truck in removing the vehicle from the walkway.  Less than 30 minutes after clearing the accident, Station 51 was dispatched for yet another automatic fire alarm, which happen to be located 1 block north of the accident scene.  The alarm was found to be false and once again Station went available.  (Full Story...)