Recently in VFD Category

The radar shows a few scattered thunderstorms southwest of here but they don't look like they are going to amount to anything here. Problems are still ahead since the head waters of all the local rivers and streams had heavy rain last night and the result is a lot of extra water flowing our way. Overnight, all the local fire and rescue companies had their hands full with loads of people driving on roads swiftly covered by heavy rains. I know that there are some people who need to be out at three in the morning, but I still can't figure how anyone thinks that their SUV can ford a roadway covered with several feet of water. Hello? It ain't the commercial, kiddies! Read the fine print - you know, professional drivers, closed course, with a fleet of tow trucks and crews around to pull their sorry butts out if something goes wrong! No, they are fall too busy talking on their cell phones and in far too much of a hurry to get wherever they are going. And then, the volunteer fire and rescue personnel have to put their lives on the line for your stupidity. Last night, there were dozens of water rescue calls with fire cops blocking flooded roads to keep those who didn't belong there away. Let's hope tonight is much quieter.

Simon and Garfunkel were right. People are in far too much of a hurry these days, usually driving their cars with their knees, going faster than the speed limit, wih a cell phone in one hand and a latte in the other. The effect of this behavior? The three accidents I was at today are examples. No, I don't know if the drivers were preoccupied, but I saw far too many people speeding today during our current monsoon-llike weather. Hello? Slow the hell down. The roads are slippery (two of the accidents today were flips) and there is a lot of flooding (don't be stupid - assume it is too deep to drive through). Remember, if you are distracted while driving, you might hit a poor fire cop like me trying to warn you that the road is closed ahead. You'd think that if someone saw me, dressed in lime green from head to toe, waving a flag while standing in front of an emergency vehicle with an illuminated arrow and every red light flashing on it, they'd pay attention. Stand a day in my boots - you'd be surprized...

Just got these quick snaps from Joel at Station 47 (thanks!) from the fire at Dane Decor in Downingtown this past Saturday morning.

Yesterday was a lost day for me, courtesy of a major fire early yesterday morning in neighboring Downingtown. In my past year and a half with the fire company, the two major fires I responded on were in Downingtown. This one which went to five alarms was by far the larger. I participated both in the protection of the water supply companies who were stretching lines in from the north of the fire, as well as pumping water from a large pond, and in crowd control south of the fire building. As a fire cop, I am usually blocks if not miles away from the scene, keeping traffic away. Last night, I was literally on the fire line, keeping onlookers out of the way of our firefighters. It never ceases to amaze me how stupid some people are, literally walking into harms' way. We also had several incidents of people attempting to drive over multiple charged water lines, going through the barracades and cones we had set up. The local police took the appropriate action towards those folks. Sixteen companies assisted Downingtown in the effort, along with a Fire Police Task Force from all the surrounding areas. I finally got back to the station around 7:30 am and then came home and collapsed for the rest of the day. On a fun note, tonight is the first of the Summer Concert Series in Albert C. Miller Park (link to Google Maps). Appearing tonight are the US Navy Commodores, the Navy Band's Jazz Ensemble. The concert begins are 6:30 pm and the weather looks like it will be cooperating this evening. So, bring a blanket, a picnic supper, and enjoy the music. We'll be providing traffic and parking control throughout the series. You can download the full concert schedule (a pdf file) from the township web site. Historical trivia note - the park is named after a former fire chief of our company.

Tomorrow (Saturday June 3rd), at West Chester University, the West Goshen Lions Club is sponsoring the first Chester County Firefighters Muster and Challenge.

A Firefighters' Muster and Challenge is a skills competition among firefighters and first-responders based on the firefighting and rescue tasks performed in emergency situations. The first Firefighters' Muster was held on July 4, 1849 in Bath, Maine. Five teams, using hand drawn pumpers, competed to see which team could shoot a stream of water the longest distance. During the second half of the 19th century firefighters' musters grew. Modern musters are very different from those early events. Today they are more complex, with serious competition among fire companies and individuals. The goal is to perform the challenge task perfectly, according to strict rules, and in the fastest time.

This is a great opportunity to see your local volunteer firefighters in action in friendly (like hell!) competition as well as view both modern and antique firefighting equipment. A portion of the proceeds of this event are going to the Chester County Hero Fund.

Every Monday night is Drill Night at Station 6. Members of the company are expected if they are available to come to the station for training and other functions. Tonight was my first night as a member of the company and I got my first opportunity to participate in a drill. After the usual announcements, all officer, firefighters, and fire police went on a very unique tour of a local mall. One of the keys to success in emergency services is knowing the place where you are responding to. A large mall presents challenges since it is a large enclosed area with many corridors and passageways, as well as a large and varied infrastructure - electrical, gas, water and security - to support a variety of stores and restaurants, their employees, and shoppers. One of the line officers conducted the tour, pointing out fire control rooms, fire exits, and entry points. It is amazing how quickly you can get disoriented in white walled corridors that all look alike. By having the entire company actually see where important facilities are located, it will help all of us do our job safely in case we have to do it less optimal conditions. It also gives the company the opportunity to note problems that must be corrected by the mall's management. Fortunately, the mall we toured is well maintained. We now have the added advantage of knowing where things are and procedures to be taken in case we need to respond to a fire or rescue situation.