Winter storm Jonas delivered quite a wallop to the West Grove area – the storm quickly escalated into blizzard conditions and left behind 25 inches of snow. Life was not easy in the Avon Grove area. High snowfall rates, high winds and cold temperatures hampered snow removal for both road crews and residents – and for much of Saturday and Saturday night, roads were nearly impassable, and conditions were difficult.

Despite these conditions, the West Grove Fire Company provided unprecedented service to the area during the storm. The fire company responded to nearly 20 emergency calls for assistance, including two active fires and a structural collapse.

The storm response actually started before the first snowflakes were in the air with crews at each station getting ready by applying chains to fire trucks and ambulances. Once the storm began, the first call – a chimney fire on Lewisville Road had units responding on snow covered roads, and climbing ladders to the chimney top with snow falling.

Just back in quarters after the first call, WGFC units were sent to the Franklin Township building for a truck fire, arriving in a driving snow to find a snow plow fully involved. See: http://wgfc.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=742

Here is a breakdown of some of the calls during the height of the storm:

--Chimney fire, Lewisville Road, New London Township
--Snowplow fire, Municipal Lane, Franklin Township
--EMS call, Columbine Drive, West Grove Borough
--EMS call, Violet Lane, New London Township
--EMS call, Hilton Road, Londonderry Township
--Building collapse, New London Township
--EMS call, Chambers Rock Road, London Britain Township
--Gas leak, Liberty Circle, West Grove Borough
--Gas leak, Mystery Rose Lane, Penn Township
--EMS call, Route 841, Franklin Township
--Wires call, Rosehill Avenue, West Grove Borough
--EMS call, Sycamore Drive, Penn Township
--EMS call, Jenners Pond Road, Penn Township
--EMS call, Hodgson Circle, Penn Township

Due to the anticipated conditions, the West Grove officers asked members to put their own needs aside and man in-house crews at the stations. As always, without a thought, members arrived by the numbers to stand alongside fellow career staff and assure that fire and EMS calls would be answered as quickly as possible. There were two ambulance crews staffed throughout the storm. These crews handled 10 EMS calls as well as providing medical coverage for fire calls. Fire crews at West Grove’s main station provided continuous coverage throughout the weather event. The New London and London Britain stations housed additional crews during the peak of the storm, which handled six fire calls. Due to poor road conditions, fire department four wheel drive vehicles were sent on all EMS calls to assist ambulance crews. We were pleased that most residents headed driving warnings and that there were no serious auto accidents.

The fire company is grateful to the members that put their community first and provided much needed services. Their assistance with snow removal and other projects around the fire houses is much appreciated. Not only did crews clear snow, prepare the vehicles, respond to calls, and stay at the stations – they also had meals at the firehouse away from their families – a special thanks to “Chef Gary” Vinnacombe, the department’s EMS manager, who provided well deserved meals for the crews. The stations are quiet now, with most members retreating home for rest and the daunting task of their own driveways.