Early morning fire causes $1.25 million damage in Strafford.

At 9:25 am on Saturday, January 30, 2010 the Paoli Fire and Radnor Fire Companies were called to assist the Berwyn Fire Company at The Strafford Station Apartments, 419 Strafford Ave. Initial calls to the Chester County 9-1-1 center reported a large amount of smoke and flames emanating from the building; these reports were almost simultaneously confirmed by police units arriving on the scene. A “working fire dispatch” and second alarm was quickly transmitted, summoning units from Malvern, Newtown Square, East Whiteland, Bryn Mawr, and Gladwyn Fire Companies, along with EMS responses from Lafayette and Narberth Ambulance squads. A third alarm was later struck for manpower.

December 18, 2009 @ 12:22 hrs- FIRE ALARM/MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH; PAOLI HOSPITAL PARKING GARAGE

On Friday, December 18, 2009 at 12:22 the Company was dispatched to a fire alarm at the Paoli Hospital.  What Fire Chief Ira Dutter found upon his arrival was both miraculous and unexpected.  The fire alarm had been activated in the parking garage to summon help for a bizarre vehicle crash.  For reasons that may never be understood, the driver of mid-sized sedan careened out of control, struck a parked truck, and came to rest partially inside the elevator shaft in the north west corner of the garage.  Miraculously, there were no pedestrians in the path of the errant vehicle.  Quick action by a passing Trans-Care transport ambulance and an emergency response team from the Emergency Department had the injured driver of the demolished car on the way to the hospital within minutes of the crash.  The Paoli Fire Company ambulance was called back to the hospital about 30 minutes later to transport the patient from the ED to the helipad.  The patient was transported to the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital via JeffStat helicopter for treatment of multiple injuries.

May 21, 2009 @ 07:10 hrs.  ACCIDENT WITH INJURIES sr252 & HARROW LA

Paoli Fire Company was dispatched to a vehicle crash in the early morning hours of May 21, 2009.  Ambulance 3 arrived seven minutes later; finding a 2 vehicle “head on” collision.  A full company response was added for fluids/debris on the roadway and traffic control.  Incredibly, despite the high energy impact of this crash neither driver required treatment or transport to a hospital.  Clean up and investigation of this crash by police did, however, require sr252 (Darby Paoli Road) to be closed in both directions for nearly an hour. 

March 31, 2009 @ 17:15hrs assist Berwyn ACCIDENT-ENTRAPMENT

The Berwyn Fire Company was dispatched to a motor vehicle crash (mvc) at “Howellville & W. Swedesford Roads. Multiple calls to the Chester County 9-1-1 Center reported a vehicle rolled onto its side with two subjects trapped.  Almost immediately after the initial dispatch the incident nature was upgraded to an accident with entrapment which added a medic and rescue company to the assignment.  Arriving personnel from Berwyn quickly assessed the scene and requested additional resources from The Paoli Fire Company.  Having just returned from a fire call, and hearing the situation at the crash scene unfolding, Engine 3-1 and Ambulance-3 responded as the dispatch was being sent.  Arriving 4 minutes later, Paoli crewmembers immediately went into service with rescue air bags and stabilization operations.  The crew then turned their attention to removal of the vehicle roof in order to access and extricate the two victims.  Patient #1 was freed after a 40-minute extrication operation, patient #2 was removed from the wreckage 5 minutes later.  Both patients were flown to the University of Pennsylvania, via Sky FlightCare and PennSTAR helicopters.  In addition to the EMS and rescue response from Berwyn & Paoli Fire Companies, traffic control was provided by fire police from Berwyn, Paoli, Malvern & The East Whiteland fire companies.
Aerial photos courtesy of ChesterFire.com. 

March 12, 2009 @ 13:37hrs   OUT BUILDING/SHED FIRE

The Paoli Fire Company was dispatched for a shed fire in Easttown Township at just past one thirty in the afternoon.  Chief 3 arrived within six minutes of the dispatch and reported the shed to be fully involved in fire.  Engine 3-1 arrived right behind the chief and immediately stretched a 1 ¾ inch hand line to attack the fire.  The fire was extinguished within three minutes and crews began overhaul of what remained of the structure.

February 27, 2009 assist DELCO 41  FIELD/BRUSH/WOODS FIRE

A swift moving field fire in Willistown Township necessitated a call for assistance from three Chester County Companies.   The Paoli Company responded with Tac-3 for “urban interface” fire suppression and Engine 3-5 for water supply.  Also assisting from CHESCO were units from the Malvern and Goshen Fire Companies.  All told more than a dozen pieces of apparatus and nearly fifty firefighters fought for more than an hour to bring the 27 acre fire under control.  Thanks to Dannon Voight for the fantastic photos, more can be seen at http://community.webshots.com/user/firefotos.

December 20, 2008 - AEDs for Houses of Worship

The Paoli Fire Company kicked off their AED’s FOR HOUSES OF WORSHIP program on on December 20, 2008.  Congregants of The Paoli Presbyterian Church learned how to deliver CPR and use an AED (automated external defibrillator) to reverse the course of sudden cardiac death due to lethal arrhythmia.  The Fire Company is very excited to bring this program to the public.  The rapid initiation of treatment by citizens before the arrival of emergency services has been proven to increase cardiac arrest survival rates by an astonishing 50% to 75%!  For more information about the AED’s FOR HOUSES OF WORSHIP PROGRAM please click here.

November 10, 2008 @ 05:56 Fire Alarm Response

Station 3 was called to assist the Berwyn Fire Company with Tower-3 and Engine 3-5 after arriving units discovered a light smoke condition inside a light commercial building.  Paoli apparatus was released from the incident at 06:38.

November 10, 2008 @ 11:47 Constuction Accident

One male patient injured in a construction accident.  Flown to The University of Pennsylvania via PennStar.  Tac-3 established LZ at Mill Road Park, Tredyffrin Twp.

On Saturday November 8, 2008, at 22:27 hrs. The East Whiteland Fire Association was dispatched to a MVC with entrapment on Flat Rd. in East Whiteland Township. Units from Station 5 arrived within five minutes of the dispatch, finding a single vehicle crash with five victims, all of which required extrication. Two minutes later a “first alarm medical box” was struck bringing an ambulance from Paoli Fire Company as well as units from Malvern, Berwyn, West End Phoenixville and Goshen Fire Companies. In addition medical helicopters were requested from Skycare, PennStar, and MidAtlantic MedEvac. Having just returned from a medical call, Ambulance 3 made an immediate response, arriving on-scene in two minutes. Paoli EMS transported the first patient extricated to the nearby landing zone where the three helicopters were staged. After turning their patient over to SkyCare 1, Ambulance 3 rendezvoused with Ambulance 54-6, receiving one of their patients for transport to the Paoli Hospital while Ambulance 54-6 continued to HUP with the other patient. see the video

October 27, 2008 @ 14:45 ALS Accident with Entrapment

Single vehicle crash, no injuries.  Ambulance-3 & Medic-4 available on scene.

On Saturday evening October 18, Assistant Chief Thomas “Tommy” Robinson III’s fifty years of service to the Paoli Fire Company was recognized at a banquet held in his honor.  Fire company members, invited guests and Tommy’s family attended the event.  Through his career as a volunteer, Tommy has served as Fire Chief, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief and Chief Engineer.  Mr. Carl Jones, himself having 58 years of service, kicked off the evening with some witty comments.  After Carl had his way with Tommy, the microphone was turned over to State Representative Carole Rubley (R-157) who presented citations to both gentlemen.  Fire Chief Ira Dutter then presented Tommy with a ceremonial axe to commemorate the event.  Chief Dutter expressed his thanks for serving with Tommy for the entire 44 years that he has been a member of the company.  Tommy’s wife Elaine was honored as well for her many years as a “firehouse widow”, as Tommy and many others left home and family to answer the call of those in need.  Dinner, drinks & dancing was the final order of business for the evening.  Needless to say “a fine time was had by all”.  Special thanks to Andrea Testa and Lori Dutter for all of their hard work organizing the affair.

October 5 - 11, 2008 - Fire Prevention Week 2008

Fire Companies all over the country were busy during Fire Prevention Week, and the Paoli Fire Company was no exception.  Apparatus from the company was sent to open houses at Radnor, Berwyn, East Whiteland and Goshen fire companies.  Crews paid visits to the St. Norbert’s School, and the Preschool in the Valley; children from the Show and Tell Preschool visited the fire station.  All of the children had the opportunity to see the fire engines up close, shake hands with a firefighter in full protective turnout gear, and review important fire safety facts.
Remember, fire safety needs to be practiced year ‘round!  Plan two evacuation routes from every area of your home, use the shortest extension cord possible and exercise care when using any kind of space heater.  Change smoke detector batteries at least once a year, and test your smoke detectors at least once a month.  We recommend changing your batteries when you change your clocks back to standard time (this year on November 2).  The “change your clocks, change the batteries” program was started in 1987 by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), with support from Energizer batteries.
 
Visitors are welcome to stop by the firehouse any time!  To schedule a visit to your school or organization, simply send your request to info@paolifirecompany.org

The Paoli Fire Company was invited to the annual Maple Ave. block party.  Members brought Engine 3-1 to show the community the equipment we carry to fire & accident scenes.  Junior firefighters Bill Benner, Tim Schofield, and Jay Scorzetti explained and demonstrated how protective turnout gear & S.C.B.A is used to keep firefighters safe.  Firefighter/driver Jim Baker charged a “booster line” so kids (young and old) could have a hand at using a real fire hose. Unbeknownst to the Fire Co. members, a collection was taken in support of the fire company at the end of the visit.  The fire company would like to extend their most sincere gratitude to the Maple Ave. community for their generous contribution.

June, 2008

Through out the last month, the active crew has been conducting fire drills with a donated camper. Different sections of the camper were burned on different nights for training and practice. New members received vital training and gained experience using the hose lines, tools, and time using SCBA.

Terri Vilante and Scott Blane from TJ’s Everyday stopped by the firehouse to present a check for a generous donation! The funds were raised by TJ’s during a recent golf outing held to benefit the Paoli Fire Company. The members would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Terri & Scott for their hard work!

Station 3 was dispatched for a car fire in a driveway of a residence. Chief arrives on scene to find vehicle well off. Engine 3-5 arrived on scene and extinguished the fire.

Units on scene: Engine 3-5, Chief 3, Deputy 3.

09/29/07 - Pheasant Run Road – Deck Collapse

Station 3 was dispatched for a residential rescue. Initial reports were 10 people were on a rear deck when the deck collapsed. Many were initially reported injured. Chief 3 arrived on scene and assumed Pheasant Hill Command. Dr. Dickinson responded to the scene, directed Triage and initial patient care. All victims were removed, triaged, and ready for transport with in 24 minutes. Patients were transported to Paoli Memorial and Chester County Hospital. 1 victim sustained moderate injuries and 5 others were minor injuries.

Units on scene: Engine 3-1, Engine 3-5, Ambulance 3, Tac 3, Medic 2-1, Ambulance 2-1, Ambulance 2-2, Ambulance 2-3, Ambulance 4-1, Ambulance 4-2, Medic 4-2, DMED 109 (Narberth), D157 (Radnor)

06/11/07 - Car Fire

06/11/07 21:18 2154 Howells Rd
Station 3 was dispatched for a car fire at the above location. Chief 3 arrived onscene and advised a mini van fully involved. Eng 3-1 arrived onscene and quickly went to work extinguishing the flames using water and foam. Crews from Eng 3-1 and Tac 3 got the flames under control and a small hazardous materials issue was taken care of. Crews cleaned up debris from the roadway and were made available by Chief 3.
Units on Scene: Engine 3-1, Tac 3, Ambulance 3, Chief 3, Deputy 3, Assistant 3

05/24/07 - Car Fire

05/24/07 15:24 19.6 SB RT. 202
Station 3 was dispatched for a car fire at the above location. Responders were advised enroute that the car was well off. Chief 3 arrived onscene and confirmed a small vehicle fully engulfed in flames. Engine 3-5 arrived and pulled off the bumper line to begin extinguishing the flames. Engine 3-1 arrived and provided manpower.
Units on Scene: Engine 3-5, 3-1, Chief 3, Deputy 3

04/20/07      Tac-3 close to completion

Our new Tac truck has arrived at our fire house and is just days away from completion. Chief has been busy putting brackets for hand tools and other additions on the truck. Last week the gold leaf, lettering and distinctive reflective flames were applied to the side of the new truck. The radios should be added early next week. With the Chester County Chiefs Association Numbering Committee’s pass of the truck to be a Tac it should be in service late next week.

04/16/07      Electrical Emergency

A bizarre spring snowstorm ripped through the county, keeping emergency personnel busy with a multitude of “trees & wires” calls. Among them was this call for help to The Paoli Fire Company for a motorist whose car became entangled in downed electric service wires. Arriving personnel used the ambulance loudspeaker to instruct the driver to remain in his vehicle until a PECO emergency crew arrived. The roadway was shut down for about an hour, and fire and ambulance crews stood by until the lines were de-energized, and the victim was safely removed from his vehicle.

It is important that everyone remembers these important safety facts regarding downed power lines. (complete article may be found here)

• Never touch a fallen power line. Call the power company to report fallen power lines.
• Avoid contact with overhead power lines during cleanup and other activities.
• Do not drive through standing water if downed powerlines are in the water.
• If a powerline falls across your car while you are driving, stay inside the vehicle and continue to drive away from the line. If the engine stalls, do not turn off the ignition. Warn people not to touch the car or the line. Call or ask someone to call the local utility company and emergency services. Do not allow anyone other than emergency personnel to approach your vehicle.

More important safety information may be found by clicking this link to the CDC’s Emergency Preparedness & Response section of their website.

04/10/07      Assist Berwyn @ Trinity House

April 10, 2007 @ 11:44 hrs
Paoli, Radnor, and Newtown Square Fire Companies were dispatched to assist Berwyn at the Trinity House Apartments after crews arrived to find a smoke condition on the fourth & fifth floors. Companies went into service to extinguish a cooking fire, check for extension, ventilate the building and effect a limited evacuation of at risk residents.

04/08/07      Route 202 Crash

April 8, 2007 @ 17:38 hrs
Two vehicle crash on northbound 202; near North Valley Road in Tredyffrin Twp. Two injuries were transported to The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and The Paoli Hospital by East Whiteland & Malvern EMS units.

03/30/07      Grubbs Mill Road ~ Out Building Fire

March 30, 2007 @ 17:19
Paoli, Berwyn, & Newtown Square Fire Companies were sent to 2215 Grubbs Mill Road in Easttown Twp. for an out-building fire with exposure to the dwelling. The fire was quickly knocked down by Engines’ 3-1’s crew. Additional personnel were assigned to the roof of the house to extinguish a hot spot, and check for extension. Many thanks to the Berwyn and Newtown Square Fire Companies for their help with the sizable overhaul of burning straw.

03/28/07      TAC-3 Nears Completion

On Saturday, March 23, 2007, members of the Paoli Fire Company traveled to the KME manufacturing facility to review the progress of TAC-3. They were pleased to find the vehicle near completion, with delivery expected around the second week of April. TAC-3 will be used to respond to the multitude of small incidents such as automatic alarms, odor investigations, carbon monoxide alarms, and trash fires. The TAC will also replace Brush-3 by responding to grass and woods fires, as well as assisting the ambulance when responding to emergencies in bad weather.

We expect this new piece of apparatus to handle the majority of calls answered by the Paoli Fire Company, and are anxiously awaiting its delivery.

03/27/07      Auto Accident

On Tuesday March 27, 2007, at 22:47 hrs. the company was sent to a single vehicle crash on Wisteria Drive, in Tredyffrin Township. The operator of the vehicle was flown to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania via PennSTAR. Units responding: AMB03, ENG031, MEDIC041, PENNSTR2.

03/21/07      "Truck Fire"

March 21, 2007 15:18 hrs

On Wednesday, March 21, 2007 the fire company was dispatched for a “truck fire”. Supplemental reports advised that a tow truck pulling a “cube van” were involved. The tow truck was well involved with fire; however the driver was able to disconnect and pull away from the vehicle that he was towing. Engine 3-5 was first due on this assignment.
The fire was quickly extinguished using Compressed Air Foam.

02/03/07      Auto Accident with Entrapment

19:29 hrs- sr252 at Sugartown road.

Station 3 Ambulance was first dispatched to an accident at the intersection of Sugartown Road and Re. 252. The police and ambulance arrived on scene to find victims trapped in the car with serious trauma injuries. The station was re-alerted for the accident now with entrapment. As Chief 3 arrived on-scene he called for another ambulance, two ALS units and helicopters to go into the air for the trauma victims. Engine 3-1's hydraulic rescue tools were used to open the doors as the three victims were extricated. They were then quickly taken to the landing-zone at PMH for the three helicopters to take them to the trauma centers. Thanks to Station 2 (Berwyn) for EMS and traffic control.

Units on Scene:
Ambulance 3, Ambulance 2, Medic 2-1, 2-2, Engine 3-1, Traffic 3, Traffic 2

10/12/06      Auto Accident

00:01 hrs- southbound sr252 at Maple Ave.

Single vehicle crash, vehicle striking a utility pole.  Vehicle sustained heavy front end & passenger side damage.  Operator fled the scene, and was quickly apprehended by the Tredyffrin Police, who then transported  him to Paoli Hospital.

Responding units: Ens 3-1, Amb 2-1.

10/1/06     Auto Accident

11:33 hrs-  N. Valley Rd near Yellow Springs Rd.

Single vehicle rollover crash, vehicle landing on its wheels. 

Ambulance-3 transported 1 patient, ALS assist by Medic-4.  Eng 3-1 in service for fluids on the roadway & cleanup.  Responding units: A-3, M-4-1, Eng 3-1, Traffic-3.

September 19, 2006 04:38     Truck Fire

Station 3 was dispatched to Rt. 202 southbound for a truck fire on the side of the roadway.  First arriving units were met with a trash transfer trailer that was well off.  The fire was then knocked down with water and foam.  The trailer was then moved to the Great Valley exit ramp.  The trailer was then unloaded and the trash was pulled apart.  It was then totally extinguished and the trash was loaded back into the trailer.  The company was available at 08:53.  Thanks to the Malvern Fire Company (Station 4), East Whiteland Volunteer Fire Association (Station 5) for their mutual aid.  Independence Construction Material for loading the trash back into the trailer.  (Bubba at the wheel!) 

Units on Location: Engine 3-5, 5-5, 4-5, Tower 3, Traffic 3