Volunteers entering the ceremony behind the color guard.
Chester County Emerald Society
Color Guard detail was handled by members of the West Chester Fire Department.
After recieving training certificates, members thanks Coordinator Jeff Groves, Special Guest Fire Chief Robert Weer, and Deputy Director of Emergency Services Mr. Crowding
(L to R) FF Kloss, Instructor Carbo, FF Forde
(L to R) FF O'Connell, FF Predmore II, FF Kloss, Fire Chief Weer, FF Forde
FF Forde (Courtesy of Nozzle Nut Photography)
FF Predmore II (Courtesy of Nozzle Nut Photography)
FF Kloss (Courtesy of Nozzle Nut Photography)
FF O'Connell (Courtesy of Nozzle Nut Photography)
By FF Danny O'Connell
June 25, 2012
On Thursday June 14, four volunteer firefighters from the West Grove Fire Company graduated from the Chester County Spring Fire Class at ceremonies held at the Wagontown Fire Company banquet hall. The volunteers -- firefighters Norman Forde, Rob Kloss, Danny O'Connell & Mike Predmore II -- all graduated from the National Firefighter II course taught by Instructor John Carbo.
The course is an intensive advanced firefighting course in which students are prepared for PA State and National Firefighter II Certification Testing. Students particpated in classroom lecture and practical exercises, as well as completed required homework assignments. Subjects include advanced Fire Behavior, Building Construction, Foam, Flammable Gas Fire Fighting, Suppression and Detection Systems, Fire Department Organization, Incident Command System, Incident Scene Preservation, Fire Prevention and Inspections, Pitot Gauge Usage, and Fire Service Hose Testing. The class was concluded by a 100 question written exam and five practical skill evaluation stations.
These four volunteers gave up their weekends for a month to complete the requirements through well over 200 training hours. The efforts of these volunteers demonstrates the proactive and leadership position the West Grove Fire Company takes with respect to fire education and training for its members, and its dedication to better protect and serve the community.
