Volunteer firefighters leave their dinner tables, their children's ballgames, and family events to answer calls for help. They do this for no money. Their reward is the satisfaction of helping people in need. Their families allow them to do this without hesitation on one premise, they will return home. They rely on the unwritten rule of firefighters, that everyone who gets on the truck will come home on the truck. Firefighters go into danger knowing that the men and women behind them will do whatever it takes to get them out if something goes wrong.

Sixteen members of the West Grove Fire Company engaged in special training on a warm weekend in June to prepare for that moment when something goes wrong. The course, Rapid Intervention, was an intense two day class taught by instructors from the Chester County Fire Academy. It prepared teams of four firefighters how to gain access to and extricate other firefighters in distress. The teams were taught to react instinctively in a unified effort when those dreaded words of "Mayday" come over the radio. On Saturday, June 6, they practiced special techniques of locating injured firefighters, infiltrating the area where they are, and removing them. Also covered were uses of specialized RIT equipment and alternative uses of familiar tools. On Sunday, June 7, the firefighters returned, sore from the day prior but ready to go. Instructors presented real life scenarios with simulated fire conditions. Crews needed to work together to overcome the conditions and obstacles in order to extricate the downed personnel.

In the end, 16 firefighters left the training facility exhausted but ready to serve. The West Grove Fire Company is grateful to these members for their dedication to being the hand that reaches in to bring everyone home.

A special thank you to Collingdale Fire Company No. 1(Delaware County Station 6) and Longwood Fire Company (Chester County Station 25) for covering our local during this training. Engine 06-1 assisted on a first due house fire in West Grove Borough and an odor investigation in London Britain Twp. Station 25 assisted on a 3rd alarm building fire in Rising Sun Maryland.

Photos by Todd Mazur