| By Firefighter/EMT Bill Wohl | |
| May 13, 2013 | |
| On Saturday, May 11, 2013, the West Grove Fire Company formally dedicated its third station. Station 32, located in London Britain Township, went into service officially on April 2, 2012, and has already made a difference in protecting lives and property as part of the overall WGFC operation. In front of a crowd of about 75 community members, officials and fire company members, President John Chambers, Past President Bill "Radar" O'Connell, Chief Eric Felker, Deputy Chief Justin Gattorno, and Assistant Chief Bob Hannan, along with London Britain Twp. supervisors Aileen Parrish and Dave Owens formally separated two sections of hose signifying the dedication of the station. Supervisors Owen and Parrish told the onlookers of their admiration for the hard work and dedication of the fire company's members and leadership. Chief Felker spoke to the crowd about two calls -- the Good Hope Road fire and an 896 entrapment calls -- where Engine 32 had made a real difference in property and lifesaving operations. Despite the threat of poor weather, a break in the rain allowed the dedication to take place on the ramp of the new station. Our large American flag was flying overhead, courtesy of Ladder 22 and support of the Union Fire Company of Oxford who provided Ladder 21. Members of the WGFC Building Committee were thanked for their service over the many years of the project, which began with first site work late in 2007. Committee members included Dave Talley, Radar O'Connell, Steve Flegal, Danny O'Connell, Dana Simpson, Dan & Carol Eichinger, Craig Miller, Robert Weer, Ted Paras and Ron Weer. Past President Radar O'Connell and Past Chief Robert Weer were praised for their tireless support and dedication to seeing the project come to life as was Past Chief Jeff Simpson. Past President Steve Flegal and Past Chief John Chambers were called out for their vision to create sub-stations, as they played a critical role in starting Station 12 in New London in 1993 and pushing for a similar approach in London Britain Township. The fire company also took time to thank all of the companies and individuals that supported the construction. In particular, there was praise for McComsey Builders of Parkesburg who designed and constructed the building, and served as General Contractors and Project Managers. Each of these organizations were also recognized: Hillcrest Associates, Inc.
President Chambers and Chief Felker presented a plaque to the London Britain Township Supervisors Glenn Frederick, Aileen Parrish and David Owens -- and the township staff and road crew -- for their support of the project. The supervisors also presented a similar plaque to the fire company in honor of the new station. News coverage in the Daily Local can be found at this link: http://www.dailylocal.com/article/20130511/NEWS01/130519914/west-grove-fire-company-dedicates-its-second-outpost#full_story One special visitor to the event was the father of WGFC Captain Ted Paras. Ted is the primary officer running out of Station 32, and his father James came to the event, dressed in his Class A uniform from the Salem Fire Department (New Jersey). James is 92, and is celebrating 75 years of volunteer fire service. Station 32 is the WGFC's third fire station, and is designed to bring emergency apparatus into the communities surrounding the intersection of Route 896 and Flint Hill Road in London Britain Township. Station 32 is equidistant from the existing WGFC stations in West Grove and New London, approximately 6.5 miles from each. The address of Station 32 is at 1517 New London Road, Landenberg, PA, 19350. A full accounting of the story of the Station 32 can be found on this website at this link: http://www.wgfc.org/content/station32/ Additional stories about the history of this project can be found at these links:
Tax deductible donations to support the project and the fire company can be made electronically on this website at http://www.wgfc.org/content/donations/ or can be mailed to the West Grove Fire Company at PO Box 201, West Grove, PA, 19390. |
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| Units: | Engine 22, Ambulance 22-3, Ladder 22, Rescue 22, Tanker 22, Engine 12, Rescue 12, Squad 22 |
| Mutual Aid: | Rescue 23, Ladder 21, Chief 21, Chief 19 |
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