All Day Training in West Chester
 
April 6, 2024
 

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 on March 30.

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 simulated an emergency 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 with everyone getting a chance to participate on multiple evolutions, and crews were always on standby for safety given the live fire situations. WGFC Line Officers rotated as well, serving as Incident Commanders, Crew Leaders and Operations Officers. A newer firefighters-in-training got experience in hose handling and nozzle operations, with newer operators getting hands on pump operations experience.

Safety reviews all day long followed a walkthrough and safety review at the start of the day. Our thanks to Springfield Fire Company -- Delaware County Station 44 -- for standing by at West Grove during the training day. The WGFC also thanks the West Chester Fire Department Training Center for the use of the facility. The West Chester Fire Department Training center is jointly operated by the First West Chester Fire Company, the Good Will Fire Company, the Fame Fire Company.
 
Units: Engine 22-1, Ladder 22, Engine 22-2, Rescue 22, Utility 22-1
 
Pump operators got plenty of time practicing skills during each training evolution.
Pump operators got plenty of time practicing skills during each training evolution.
 
Nearly 30 first responders from the WGFC spend their Saturday training at the West Chester Fire Training Center.
Nearly 30 first responders from the WGFC spend their Saturday training at the West Chester Fire Training Center.
 
Live fire scenarios featured ladder and engine crews responding to working fires.
Live fire scenarios featured ladder and engine crews responding to working fires.
 
Live fire evolutions provide realistic training for new and experienced firefighters under high heat and smoke conditions.
Live fire evolutions provide realistic training for new and experienced firefighters under high heat and smoke conditions.
 
After each training evolution, officers and firefighters review the drill and address learnings and questions.
After each training evolution, officers and firefighters review the drill and address learnings and questions.
 
Before entering the burning structure, the engine crew don SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus).
Before entering the burning structure, the engine crew don SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus).
 
A firefighter deploys an attack hose line before entering the burn building with his crew.
A firefighter deploys an attack hose line before entering the burn building with his crew.
 
Engine 22-1 in front of the training buildings.
Engine 22-1 in front of the training buildings.
 
New responders got a chance to get hands on to learn the various settings on the nozzles.
New responders got a chance to get hands on to learn the various settings on the nozzles.