After this recent snow storm, between snowfall and plowing, many fire hydrants are buried. This makes them much harder to find and difficult to dig out when it's needed.

Help us help you.  When seconds count, looking for then digging our way to a fire hydrant takes time and energy - something that distracts us from our first priority - you, your home, and your loved ones. 

If you have a fire hydrant on your property, please take a few minutes to remove a 3 foot area of snow around the hydrant as well as a path to the road so that we can easily find and access it if needed.  

This also helps reduce ice that often forms around the hydrant.

It is also important to clear snow from walkways, driveways and any exterior steps on your property. Should an Ambulance be needed at your house, snow and ice covered driveways, walkways and steps can inhibit our ability to help you.

Thank you!

At 09:25 hrs (9:25 am), St. 2 (Berwyn), St. 3 (Paoli), and Delaware County St. 15 (Radnor) were alerted to the 400 block of Strafford Ave at the Strafford Station Apartments for a reported building fire.  Initial 9-1-1 calls indicated that the callers could see smoke and flames. Police arrived within a minute and advised that there was an apartment “fully involved” with smoke coming through the roof. Residents also advised that some people could not get out of the building because of smoke, and other residents were unaccounted for. With this information, a “Working Fire Dispatch” with reported entrapment was struck, adding additional resources to the scene. This dispatch included St. 4 (Malvern) for Ladder 4 to act as a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) and St. 5.

Berwyn Engine 2-3 arrived on location and confirmed the report of fire on the third floor, and advised that the residents were being evacuated. Chief 2 (M. Norris) arrived and established “Strafford Command” and requested a 2nd alarm to be struck at 09:35 hrs (9:35 am). 

Firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions sweeping through the building and multiple attack lines went in service. East Whiteland crews assisted with primary and secondary searches of the building, fire suppression and attack, overhaul, and Rescue 5 provided Air Cascade (bottle refilling) services. 

At 10:02 hrs (10:02 am) a third alarm was struck, bringing in firefighters from the tri-county area of Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. A fire police task force was struck at 10:51 hrs (10:51 am) to assist with scene and traffic control. The Red Cross was alerted to assist with those displaced by the blaze.

All East Whiteland units and personnel were taken up and available by 12:56 hrs (12:56 pm).

There were no reported firefighter or civilian injuries, and the fire is still under investigation at the time of this posting. The East Whiteland Fire Company sends its condolences to all those affected by this tragedy.

Story by Mike Schon. Photos courtesy Tom Kelly IV, Jim DeStefano Sr., and Kevin Oreskovich.

 

Command: Chief 2 (M. Norris)

Safety Officer/ “A” Side Staging – Safety 2 (S. Savering)

“C” Side Operations: Capt. 2 (E. Brazunas)

“C” Side Manpower Staging: Battalion 5 (C. Strauss)

Apparatus:

• St. 2 (Berwyn): Engine 2-1, Engine 2-2, Engine 2-3, Tower 2, Rescue 2, Ambulance 2-1, Ambulance 2-2, Medic 2-1, Medic 2-2, Traffic 2
• St. 3 (Paoli): Engine 3-1, Engine 3-5, Tower 3, Traffic 3, Ambulance 3
• St. 4 (Malvern): Engine 4-5, Ladder 4, Squad 4
• St. 5 (East Whiteland): Engine 5-3, Rescue 5
• St. 55 (Good Fellowship Ambulance): Ambulance 55-2
• St. 56 (Goshen): Ladder 56
• St. 67 (Phoenixville): MICU 67-4
• St 68 (Valley Forge): Engine 68-2
• Delco St. 15 (Radnor): Engine 15-1, Engine 15-3, Squad 15, Ladder 15, Rescue 15, Ambulance 15-7, Ambulance 15-7A
• Delco St. 41 (Newtown Square): Engine 41-1, Ladder 41, Traffic 41
• Montco St. 23 (Bryn Mawr): Ladder 23
• Montco St. 24 (Gladwyn): Engine 24, Engine 24-1, Ladder 24, Air/Light 24
• Montco St. 47 (King of Prussia): Squad 47
• Montco St. 313 (Narberth Ambulance): Ambulance 313-1, Rehab/Ambulance 313-4
• Montco St. 317 (Lafayette Ambulance): Ambulance 317-3
• Fire Marshals: FM 100, FM 103, FM 104

News Articles:

• 6 ABC: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=7248213
• CBS 3: http://cbs3.com/topstories/Displaced.Tredyffrin.Township.2.1459824.html
• Fox 29: http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/fire-burns-tredyffrin-twp-apt.-complex

At 10:13 hrs (10:13 am), Station 5 was alerted to the area of Moores Rd and North Phoenixville Pike for a reported vehicle fire. Within minuets Engine 5-5 hit the streets. Fire Marshal FM-42C (Kerrigan) arrived on location and advised that there was an East Whiteland Township Pickup truck with a dump body well involved. Firefighters arrived shortly there after and used attack lines to extinguish the inferno.  

The fire was placed under control at 10:25 hrs (10:25 pm).

Story by Mike Schon. Pictures by William Steele.

Apparatus: Engine 5-5, Engine 5-2

At 16:44 hrs (4:44 pm), St. 5 Ambulance was dispatched to South Bound Rt. 202 just north of the Rt. 30 Bypass for a reported accident. Within moments of dispatch, Ambulance 5-2 hit the streets. Supplemental 9-1-1 callers indicated that one individual in the car was unresponsive. With this new information, dispatchers upgraded the nature of the call to a Serious Accident, which alerted St. 5 Fire/Rescue personal, as well as Medic 4 (Malvern). Lt. 5 (A. Fincuane) and Deputy 5 (J. Brown) arrived on scene and confirmed one vehicle into the median with injuries. Deputy 5 requested a helicopter on standby due to the severity of the injuries. The crew of Engine 5-2 assisted with patient care and mitigating hazards and debris. Traffic 5 diverted traffic around the scene to keep emergency personnel safe.

All units were taken up and available by 17:20 hrs (5:20 pm).
 
Story and pictures by Mike Schon
Command: Deputy 5 (J. Brown)
Operations: Lt. 5 (A. Finucane)
Apparatus :

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

 Just before midnight, St. 5 was alerted to the 1000 block of King Rd for a reported chimney fire. Within moments Engine 5-2 with a full crew and Chief 5 (K. Hurley) went enroute. Crews arrived on scene and confirmed the fireplace to be blocked with a smoke condition.

 

Crew’s split and Firefighters Mike Schon and Ethan Patton went to the roof and the rest went inside. Chimney chains were dropped to clear the blockage while interior crews protected valuables and cleaned up the ash.
 
All crews cleared by 00:40 hrs (12:40 am).
 
Story by Mike Schon. Pictures by Bill Humphreys

• Command: Chief 5 (K. Hurley)
• Interior Operations: FF Bill Humphreys
• Roof Operations: FF M. Schon
• Apparatus: Engine 5-2, Engine 5-3

On Wednesday, December 23rd, At 20:43 hrs (8:43 pm), the East Whiteland Fire Company was alerted to assist St. 61 (Kimberton) on a second alarm house fire.

Originally, St. 61 along with Stations 47 (Lionville) and St. 73 (Ludwigs Corner) were dispatched at 20:18 hrs (8:18 pm) to the 1700 Block of Art School Rd for a reported house fire. Initial reports indicated a heater malfunction with flames visible, and the resident attempting to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. Within moments of dispatch, the police arrived on location and advised of heavy smoke in the area. Chief 61 (D. Gable) arrived on location, confirmed a working fire, established “Artschool Rd. Command,” and requested a second alarm to be stuck to bring in additional resources. The Second alarm brought Engine 65 (Phoenixville), Engine 5-5, Rescue 68 and Engine 68-5 (Valley Forge), and Ambulance 87 (Uwchland).

Crews encountered fire spreading throughout the house, as the style of home was “balloon frame” construction, where long continuous framing members (studs) run from basement to roof.

The fire was finally declared under control at 22:00 hrs (10 pm).

The East Whiteland Fire Company wishes to extend it’s condolences to the family who lost their home during this holiday season.

Story by Mike Schon. Pictures courtesy of Lionville Fire Co.

 

Apparatus:

• St. 5: Engine 5-5
• St. 47: Engine 47-2, Tower 47, Squad 47
• St. 61: Engine 61-1, Tower 61, Rescue 61, Traffic 61
• St. 65: Engine 65
• St. 67: MICU 67-2
• St. 68: Engine 68-5, Rescue 68
• St. 73: Engine 73-1, Engine 73-2, Rescue 73, Tanker 73, Traffic 73

The members of the East Whiteland Fire Company are pleased to announce the operational officers for 2010.

The Fire/Rescue line officers are as follows:

• Chief: Ken Hurley
• Deputy Chief: Jeff Brown
• Asst. Chief: Eric Nowaczyk
• Battalion Chief: Chris Strauss
• Captain: John L. Temple II
• 1st Lieutenant: Aprille Finucane
• 2nd Lieutenant: Bill Humphreys III

The EMS Division:

• Captain: Joe Badman
• Lieutenant: Stacy Catren

Administration:
 

• President: Gary Sheridan
• 1st Vice President: Jim Skymba
• 2nd Vice President: Tom Cockerham
• Treasure: Jim Skymba
• Secretary: Suzette Lotz

Congrats to all!

Congratulations are in order for Firefighter Kevin McCarthy. He just completed the 150 hour EMT class and successfully passed the PA Department of Heath's written and practical exams.

With his certification, this firefighter will be able to provide care to citizens on the Ambulance or as a first responder on fire apparatus. EMT is an intense level of training that includes CPR/AED, splinting, bandaging, oxygen administration, Epi-Pen administration, maternity, immobilization and a variety of other life saving skills.

The East Whiteland Fire Company has a tradition of encouraging it's members to expand their knowledge and participation across more then one focus. This helps to best manage personnel at times of emergencies by having a diverse range of options. Training options include firefighting, rescue of all types, EMS, Hazardous Materials and Fire Police. Congratulations Kevin!

On Tuesday, December 15th, St. 2 (Berwyn), along with Delaware County St. 15 (Radnor) and St. 3 (Paoli) were dispatched at 15:59 hrs (3:59 p.m) for a reported building fire at the Main Line Berwyn Apartments 'C' Building. The initial call to 9-1-1 indicated a possible fire on the roof.

The crew from Engine 2-3 arrived on location and confirmed fire, requesting a "Working Fire Dispatch" to be struck to bring additional resources to the scene.At 16:05 hrs (4:05 pm), Station 5 was alerted for Rescue 5. Rescue 5 responded shortly thereafter with a full crew.

The fire was placed under control at 16:29 hrs (4:29 p.m.)

Fire and water damage affected two apartments and a section of the roof. The Chester County Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire, which is believed to be accidental.

No firefighter or civilian injuries were reported due to the quick actions of 60 volunteers and 6 paid personnel.

 

Story by Mike Schon

Special thanks to Evan Pioch and Luke Rafferty / The Spoke for the Photos


 Command: Asst. 2A (B. Brazunas)

Roof Operations: Asst. 2 (W. Riddle)

Lobby/Interior Operations: Deputy 3 (E. Adams)

Apparatus:

• St. 2 (Berwyn): Engine 2-1, Engine 2-2, Engine 2-3, Rescue 2, Tower 2, Ambulance 2-1, Medic 2-1
• St. 3 (Paoli): Engine 3-1, Engine 3-5, Tower 3
• St. 4 (Malvern): Ladder 4
• St. 5: Rescue 5
• St. 52 (West Chester - Good Will): Air 52
• Delco St. 15 (Radnor): Engine 15-1, Ladder 15, Squad 15, Rescue 15   

At 12:20 hrs (12:20 pm), Station 5 and Station 56 (Goshen) were alerted to Cottonwood Rd. for a reported house fire.

Captain 56 (J. Schallack) was the first to arrive on scene and advised of fire showing on the first floor. With this information, Deputy 5 (J. Brown) requested the "Working Fire Dispatch" to be struck, adding St. 4 (Malvern) for the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) assignment. Deputy 5 also clarified that the fire was in an attached garage, and established command.

Ladder 56 was the first piece of apparatus on scene and crews pulled attack lines to battle the blaze. Additional resources were requested to the scene in an effort to contain the blaze. St. 4 was added for the full company and St. 2 (Berwyn) was requested to make up the RIT assignment. Crews and were successful in containing the fire to the garage with minimal extension into the house. Unfortunately, 1 dog perished in the fire.

2 firefighter were transported to Paoli Memorial Hospt. (PMH) in stable condition with non life-threatening injuries.

Thank you to all companies that assisted, and special thanks to St. 3 (Paoli) and St. 6 (West Whiteland) for covering an odor investigation inside and an Automatic Fire Alarm during this incident.

 

Story by Mike Schon

Command: Deputy 5 (J. Brown)

Operations: Lieutenant 5 (J Temple)

Command Post: Assistant 5 (B. Lotz)

 

Apparatus:

• St. 2 (Berwyn): Rescue 2 (RIT)
• St. 4 (Malvern): Engine 4-5, Ladder 4
• St. 5: Engine 5-2, Engine 5-3, Engine 5-5, Rescue 5
• St. 47 (Lionville): Engine 47-2
• St. 56 (Goshen): Engine 56, Ladder 56
• St. 68 (Valley Forge):