While most people believe that fire companies exist solely to put out fires and take people to the hospital in ambulances, many fire departments spend a great deal of time helping people prepare for and prevent emergencies. Such is the case with the West Grove Fire Company, which has for most of its history had fire prevention and safety education as one of its primary missions.

Many people in the southern Chester County community know the WGFC for fire safety education in the schools. Recognized across the Commonwealth for its school programs in fire safety, West Grove firefighters are omnipresent in area schools each fall reaching thousands of students every year.

Less known, but just as important, are efforts to bring fire safety education into area businesses. Recently, the WGFC conducted a fire safety training session at Dansko, one of the world's most interesting shoe brands. Based in Penn Township, Dansko employs over 150 dedicated people working in a corporate headquarters and state of the art distribution center near Jennersville.

Career Staff Supervisor Loren Nafziger conducted the program at Dansko, which included practical advice on fire safety. The class also included fire extinguisher training. And while the primary purpose of the session was on-the-job safety, our own Sergeant 22 provided advice for all class participants in home fire safety tips as well. Class participants covered important topics -- valuable for all whether in the office or at home -- like: knowing and practicing evacuation routes, when and how to call 911 (call as soon as possible), how to operate a fire extinguisher, and how to have a practical emergency plan at work and at home.

The West Grove Fire Company welcomes the opportunity to present similar training sessions for businesses and organizations in our district. To get more information and request a session, please click here: http://www.wgfc.org/apps/public/database/formAdd.cfm?Form_ID=6 or send an email to info@wgfc.org