30 WGFC Volunteers Train at West Chester Site
 
November 21, 2021
 

Demonstrating the ongoing commitment to continuous learning, more than 30 West Grove Fire Company volunteers gave up their Saturday to train all day at the West Chester Fire Training Center.

The all-day training session featured continuous live-fire drills, giving firefighters and apparatus operators opportunities for hands on experience and skills training under realistic heat and smoke conditions. With Safety Officers setting real fires with pallets and hay, conditions allowed fire crews to respond, don breathing gear, stretch hose lines, and fight fires inside the Fire Training Center's structure.

Each scenario included an Engine and Ladder truck response, with crews deploying lines, setting up ladders, performing ventilation, and conducting search and rescue. After each scenario, Officers discussed the response, answering questions and offering advice about how best to conduct the scenario. Crews rotated between the Engine, Ladder, RIT (rapid intervention team), and Rehab/Rest Scenarios. Due to the live fire situations, a RIT team was always in place in case of an urgent situation developing in training. WGFC Line Officers rotated as well, serving as Incident Commanders, Crew Leaders and Operations Officers.

Safety reviews all day long followed a walkthrough and safety review at the start of the day. Our thanks to Gap Fire Company -- Lancaster County Station 42 -- for standing by at West Grove during the training day.
 
Units: Engine 22-2, Ladder 22, Rescue 22, Engine 22-3, Ambulance 22, Utility 22, Squad 22
 
Ladder 22 in front of the versatile Training Building.
Ladder 22 in front of the versatile Training Building.
Members practice laddering the rear of the building.
Members practice laddering the rear of the building.
 
A member deploys a large diameter supply line off the back of Engine 22-2.
A member deploys a large diameter supply line off the back of Engine 22-2.
Live fire conditions enhance the training experience.
Live fire conditions enhance the training experience.
 
Crews ready to enter the burning structure.
Crews ready to enter the burning structure.
WGFC's commitment to training, and the organization's strong volunteer team is demonstrated in this photo of the 30 members who trained all day on Saturday.
WGFC's commitment to training, and the organization's strong volunteer team is demonstrated in this photo of the 30 members who trained all day on Saturday.
 
Newer firefighters operated hand lines on the exterior.
Newer firefighters operated hand lines on the exterior.
Junior firefighters were given an opportunity to experience fire conditions and hose line operations.
Junior firefighters were given an opportunity to experience fire conditions and hose line operations.
 
30+ volunteers of WGFC trained at the West Chester Fire Training Center all day on Saturday.
30+ volunteers of WGFC trained at the West Chester Fire Training Center all day on Saturday.
A safety briefing is held before training started.
A safety briefing is held before training started.
 
Ladder 22 sets up.
Ladder 22 sets up.
Crews prepare to enter the structure under the watchful eyes of the Fire Chief.
Crews prepare to enter the structure under the watchful eyes of the Fire Chief.
 
Crews enter the fire building.
Crews enter the fire building.