At 17:20 hrs (5:20 pm), St. 4 (Malvern) along with Ambulance 5 and Medic 2 (Berwyn) were dispatched to the intersection of Monument Ave and Sugartown Ave for a reported accident with injuries. Supplemental information from 9-1-1 callers indicated that a vehicle was overturned and that there was possible entrapment. Assistant 4 (K. Johnson) was the first unit on scene and advised that there were 2 patients down in the roadway, but negative entrapment. Ambulance 5 arrived shortly thereafter and started patient care, while Chief 4 (P. Wilkins) arrived and established command. Due to the severity of the injuries suffered by one of the patients, an Aero-Medical helicopter was requested to the scene.

With Malvern units tied up at the wreck, command requested St. 5 to handle the Landing Zone assignment. Engine 5-3 and Lt. 5 (J. Temple) arrived at the Monument Park Baseball fields and secured the site for a safe landing of Skycare Helicopter.

Skycare transported 1 patient to Crozer-Chester Medical Center, while Ambulance and Medic 4-1 transported the other patient by ground to Paoli Memorial Hospital.

Story by Mike Schon. Photos Courtesy of the Malvern Fire Company

Command: Chief 4 (P. Wilkins)

LZ Officer: Lt.5 (J. Temple)

Units:

• St. 2: Ambulance 2-1, Medic 2-1
• St. 4: Rescue 4, Squad 4, Ambulance 4-1, Medic 4-1, Medic 4-2
• St. 5: Engine 5-3, Ambulance 5-2

As the sun was rising and rush hour commenced, St. 5 along with Medic 4 (Malvern) was dispatched at 05:54 hrs (5:54 am) to the area of Phoenixville Pike and Yellow Springs road for an accident reported serious. Initial 9-1-1 calls stated that 2 vehicles hit head on and that there was at least one patient injured and struggling to breath, possibly choking. Ambulance Captain 5-20 (J. Badman) arrived on location within moments and advised that there was entrapment of two patients and established “Phoenixville Command.” Ambulance 5-2 and Enginge 5-2 arrived shortly thereafter along with Medic 4 and started stabilization and extrication. Due to the extreme entanglement of the vehicle with heavy entrapment and the severity of the injuries, additional resources were requested to the scene. Station 4 was added for Rescue 4, a Fire Police taskforce was called for traffic control, and 2 Aero-Medical helicopters were requested to the scene.

Squad 5 under the helm of M. Schon responded to the LZ and ensured that Pennstar 2 and Skycare 1 safely landed, and then transported both flight crews to the scene due to the patients deteriorating conditions and extended extrication time.

Crews from East Whiteland and Malvern worked hand in hand, utilizing a wide variety of tools including “the Jaws of Life” and other hydraulic rescue equipment, sawzalls, cribbing, and airbags to stabilize and free the patients. The first patient was removed from the car at 06:49 hrs (6:49 am) and extrication was complete of the 2nd and final patient at 07:01 (7:01 am).  

St. 5 would like to thank everyone who assisted with this call. Special thanks to the fire police from Stations: 3 (Paoli), 4 (Malvern), 5 (East Whiteland), 6 (West Whiteland), 54/56 (Goshen), 61 (Kimberton), and 67 (Phoenixville) for their efforts in mitigating traffic around the scene to keep rescue crews safe.

Story and Photos by Mike Schon

Command: 5-20 (J. Badman)

Operations: Capt. 5 (C. Stauss)

LZ Officer: M. Schon

Scene documentation: M. Schon

Apparatus:

·         St. 3: Traffic 3

·         St. 4: Rescue 4, Ladder 4, Ambulance 4-1, Medic 4-1, Medic 4-2

·         St. 5: Engine 5-2, Squad 5, Ambulance 5-2

·         St. 54/56: Traffic 54

·         St.  61: Traffic 61

The East Whiteland Volunteer Fire Company will once again be hosting the annual fair and fundraiser. The fair will once again be on Rt. 30 (Lancaster Ave.) just west of Rt. 401. Please come out and enjoy a night of games, rides, food, and fun, all while supporting your local volunteers!
 
Hours are Tuesday (6/23) through Friday (6/26) 6 to 10 pm, and Saturday (6/27) 1 pm to 10 pm. Thank you in advance for your support!!

On  Wednesday, June 17, Chester County unexpectedly lost a respected and dedicated volunteer from its rank's. Nick Kolokithas, a member of West Chester and Downingtown Fire Companies, and a supervisor at Good Fellowship Ambulance, was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident.  

East Whiteland sent a 4 man detail to the viewing of Nick to mourn his death, but celebrate and remember his life. St. 5 Volunteers were joined by hundreds of others gathered to pay their respects to this dedicated and caring husband, friend, and volunteer. 

We ask you to join us in keeping Nick, his family and friends, and especially his wife and unborn child, in your thoughts and prayers.

Exit Drills in the Home (E.D.I.T.H.) was a great success again this year at the State Representative Duane Milne Kids Fest.  

This year the kids went through a course that involved getting out of bed when the smoke detector activated and crawling through a smoke filled room to the bedroom door. The course was set-up so that the bedroom door would be warm to the touch prompting the child to use the bedroom window as an escape route using an emergency escape ladder. There were approximately 200-250 kids of all ages that went through the drill with numerous compliments from parents about the drill. 
 
Thank you to the Malvern Fire Company for the usage of the E.D.I.T.H display and to the Paoli Fire Company for the use of their smoke machine.  We would also like to thank Representative Duane Milne for inviting us to participate in the 2009 Kids Fest.

While St. 5 crews were cleaning tools and restocking supplies from the earlier accident on Rt. 30, Station 4 (Malvern) was alerted at 18:54 hrs (6:54 pm) to the area of Forrest Ln. for an accident reported serious. Chester County Fireboard advised incoming units that the wreck involved a vehicle into the side of a bridge with a subject possibly ejected. The police arrived first and advised that there was a patient laying in the roadway, and requested the medic to expedite. Medics 4-1 and 4-2 along with Deputy 4 (C. Gastwirth) arrived and found two patients in the roadway and immediately started patient care.  Deputy 4 requested Rescue 5 to respond for assistance, placed 2 aero medical helicopters on standby, and established "Forrest Ln Command."

Rescue 5 responded within a minute of dispatch with a full crew and assisted with patient care and debris management.
Due to the patient’s severe injuries, both helicopters were flown to the scene and landed at the corner of Hickory and Forest Lanes.  1 patient was transported to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia by Pennstar 1, and the other was transported to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania by Pennstar 2.
All East Whiteland crews were taken up and available by 19:28 hrs (7:28 pm). East Whiteland extends thoughts and sympathies to the victims and their family.
Story and photos by Mike Schon
Command: Deputy 4 (C. Gastwirth)
Operations: Chief 4 (P. Wilkins)
EMS Command: 4-20 (N. Campbell)
Scene Documentation: M. Schon
Apparatus:
·         St. 4: Engine 4-5, Rescue 4, Ladder 4, Ambulance 4-1, Medic 4-1, Medic 4-2
·         St. 5: Engine 5-2, Rescue 5
·         St. 54/56 (Goshen): Traffic 54

At 17:53 hrs (5:53 pm), Station 5 Fire/Rescue/Ambulance were dispatched along with Medic 4 (Malvern) for an accident with reported entrapment on Rt. 30 underneath the Rt. 202 underpass. 3 minuets after dispatch, Chief 5 (K. Hurley) arrived on scene and reported the accident to be at the intersection of Rt. 30 and the 202 onramp with 2 vehicles, 1 overturned. Chief 5 confirmed entrapment, requested an additional ambulance to the scene for a second patient, and established “Rt. 30 Command.”

Engine 5-2 arrived on location and crews stabilized the vehicle with cribbing and rescue struts, and utilized the “Jaws of Life” and other rescue tools to remove the side door. EMS Crews from St. 5, St. 4, and St. 87 (Uwchlan) cared for 2 patients. Paramedics requested a helicopter to the scene for one patient, and Pennstar 2 Aeromedical handled the flight.

Extraction of the first patient was complete at 18:02 hrs (6:02 pm) and the second patient was freed at 18:12 hrs (6:12 pm). 1 patient was taken by Ambulance to Paoli Memorial Hosp. (PMH) by Ambulance 5-2 and Medic 4-1, while the other was airlifted to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP).

Due to rush-hour traffic and the location of the accident, additional fire police were requested to the scene to help mitigate congestion and traffic flow. Fire police from Stations. 4, 5, 6 (West Whiteland) and 54/56 (Goshen) responded.

All fire units were taken up and available by 18:32 hrs (6:32 pm).

Story and Photos by Mike Schon

Command: Chief 5 (K. Hurley)

Operations: Deputy 5 (J. Brown)

EMS Command: Battalion 5 (E. Nowaczyk)

Traffic Command: 5-30 (J. Skymba)

Apparatus: 

• St. 4: Medic 4-1, Medic 4-2 
• St. 5: Engine 5-2, Ambulance 5-2 
• St. 54/56: Traffic 54
• St. 87: Ambulance 87-1

 These are the top ten firefighters for the month of May 2009

1. Bill Humphreys III 72

2. Glen Morgan 71

3. Eric Nowaczy 52

4. Joe Badman 49

5. Latta White 39

6. Ken Hurley 37

7. Chris Strauss 37

8. Bob Lotz 36

9. Stacy Catren 34

10. Kevin Skymba 34

At 16:34 hrs (4:36 pm), Station 5 along with Station 4 (Malvern) and St. 54/56 (Goshen) for Ladder 56 were dispatched to Madeline Drive for a reported house fire. Within moments, Chief 4 (P. Wilkins) and Deputy 5 (J. Brown) along with Engine 5-2 hit the streets. Chester County Fireboard advised incoming units that the home owner saw flames from the basement and the entire house was filled with smoke. With this information, Deputy 5 decided to upgrade the assignment to a working fire to bring additional resources to the scene.

The Working Fire Dispatch re-alerted the initial companies and added Stations 2 (Berwyn) for the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT), Station 6 (West Whiteland) for Engine 6-1, MICU 87 (Uwchlan), the Chester County Fire Marshals, and PECO Electric and Gas.

First in units arrived on scene within 4 minuets after dispatch and confirmed the report. Deputy 5 established “Madeline Drive Command.” The Crews from Engine 5-2 streched an 1 ¾” attack line into the basement of the house and made a quick nock on the fire, saving the house from significant damage. Subsequent crews from East Whiteland, Malvern, and Goshen assisted with salvage of the homeowner’s possessions and overhaul of the fire room.

The fire was placed under control at 16:53 hrs (4:53 hrs). All units were taken up and available by 18:25 hrs (6:25 pm). There were no firefighter or civilian injuries.

East Whiteland would like to thank our Mutual Aid companies, and St. 68 (Valley Forge) for standing in our firehouse during the fire to cover our local

Story and Photos by Mike Schon

Command: Deputy 5 (J. Brown)

Operations: Chief 4 (P. Wilkins)

Safety officer: Safety 4 (B. Johnson)

Traffic Command: 5-30 (J. Skymba)

Apparatus:

·         St. 2: Rescue 2

·         St. 4: Engine 4-5, Rescue 4, Ambulance 4-1, Medic 4-1, Medic 4-2, Medic  4-5

·         St. 5: Engine 5-2, Engine 5-5, Rescue 5, Squad 5, Ambulance 5-2

·         St. 6: Engine 6-1

·         St. 54/56: Ladder 56

·         St. 87: MICU 87-6

Shortly after Midnight, East Whiteland Fire/Rescue/EMS was alerted along with Medic 4 (Malvern) for a reported motorcycle accident involving fire along Rt. 202 Northbound by Rt. 29's overpass. Shortly after dispatch, Ambulance 5, Medic 4, and Battalion 5 (E. Nowaczyk) made their respective responses, with Chester County Fireboard advising that the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) were on location with a motorcycle into the back of a car on fire.  

Ambulance 5 arrived on location and confirmed the report and started patient care. Engine 5-2 and Squad 5 responded to assist with hazard mitigation and traffic control.
Ambulance 5 and Medic 4-1 transported 1 patient to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) in stable condition.
While on rt. 202, Chester County fireboard advised Battalion 5 of a reported second motorcycle accident on Rt. 29, North of Mathews Rd. Supplemental info supplied by fireboard advised that there were no injuries and that the driver of the motorcycle had fled the scene. Battalion 5 proceeded in and confirmed the report, turning the incident over to "42 PD" (East Whiteland Police Dept).
All St. 5 Fire apparatus was taken up and available at 01:08 hrs (1:08 am)
Apparatus:

• St. 4: Medic 4-1, Medic 4-2
• St. 5: Engine 5-2, Squad 5, Ambulance 5-2

Story and Photos by Mike Schon