Nearly 20 members of the West Grove Fire Company dedicated a full day to live fire training on Saturday at the Chester County Fire Training Center in Coatesville, PA. The WGFC values the opportunity to leverage the County’s training center, where realistic facilities let crews operate in real fire situations, and practice hose line advancement, as well as rescue and engine company operations. Crews arrived at the Center around 0900, with Engines 1, 2 and 3, Ladder 22, and a WGFC ambulance. Crews were rotating among several drill situations, and across various pieces of apparatus.

For live fire training, with high heat and smoke, crews advanced into a multi-story residence to search and locate victims and extinguish fires on multiple floors and in the basement. Outside, crews laddered the building, and handled water supply with hydrant operations. Across four different situations, crews could rotate assignments and experience multiple fire scenarios. Even apparatus drivers were rotated, allowing operators to handle first-in engine pumping, supply, and ladder truck operations. Across the street, crews were practicing hose line advancement, standpipe operations and water flow into a four plus story building.

Meanwhile, the ambulance crews were constantly checking vital signs and blood pressures on the firefighters, who were experiencing high heat and stress conditions. All crews were encouraged to hydrate often, as the training day took place on a hot sunny day.

We are fortunate to have a strong, modern training center in Chester County. West Grove crews trained until mid-afternoon. Our thanks to the Townsend Fire Company of Delaware for covering the WGFC district during this training session.