WGFC to Build Third Fire Station in London Britain
 
By EMS Lieutenant Bill Wohl
June 4, 2010
 

At the regular May, 2010 meeting of the West Grove Fire Company, the membership affirmed its long-term strategic plan to build a new fire sub-station in London Britain township by authorizing a budget for construction and buying a new fire engine.

Planning and work on this project has been in the making for years, as a core component of the WGFC long-term strategic plan has always been to have additional station locations to speed emergency response, rather than a concept built upon a central station. The plan had its first major success with the 1993 opening of fire company operations in New London.

Since then, the company has been carefully considering expanding in the area of Flint Hill Road and Route 896 in London Britain township. When London Britain township expanded its park several years ago, the supervisors set aside a two acre parcel of land for potential use as a fire station. That parcel of ground, available to the fire company long term for $1.00 per year, is about to become Station 32, the third of WGFC's locations - the main station is in West Grove and the second station is in New London.

At its meeting, the fire company membership affirmed the early planning on the project, setting aside a budget for site preparation and building construction. The company also authorized spending money to purchase a new fire truck that would expand the company's fleet so that a fire engine could be available at the new station. A finance committee was also formed to review options on how to pay for the overall project.

Work is already underway at the site, along Route 896, just north of Flint Hill Road. The township is building Phase One of the three-phase project. Phase One is the construction of an entrance road to the property, which will ultimately become the entrance road to the future expanded park. Phase Two is the construction of a storm water management system for the expanded park, which will also serve to handle the needs of the fire station. Phase Three of the project -- the construction of the station will come next.

The new sub-station will be approximately 60' by 80' in size, with two drive through apparatus bays, and office space. It is expected to take about six to eight months to construct the station, and nearly one year to take delivery on a fire truck. Ultimately, the station will house a fire truck and ambulance.

For more information about the history of this project see:
http://www.wgfc.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=180
http://www.wgfc.org/index.cfm?fs=news.newsView&News_ID=19
http://www.wgfc.org/index.cfm?fs=news.newsView&News_ID=172
 
The West Grove Fire Company has decided to allocate funds to build a third station at this location, along Route 896 at the London Britain Township Park. The substation will ultimately house an engine and ambulance.
The West Grove Fire Company has decided to allocate funds to build a third station at this location, along Route 896 at the London Britain Township Park. The substation will ultimately house an engine and ambulance.
 
This photograph shows the new entrance road in the foreground, looking north along Route 896 toward the intersection with Indiantown Road.
This photograph shows the new entrance road in the foreground, looking north along Route 896 toward the intersection with Indiantown Road.
 
This area will ultimately be the location of the fire station, with two drive through bays and and offices along Route 896.
This area will ultimately be the location of the fire station, with two drive through bays and and offices along Route 896.
 
This photo was taken from the approximate front door of the future fire station, toward Route 896, looking south toward the intersection with Flint Hill Road.
This photo was taken from the approximate front door of the future fire station, toward Route 896, looking south toward the intersection with Flint Hill Road.