WGFC Trains at Habitat for Humanity Project in West Grove
Engine 22-2 crews repack hose after practicing in the new homes.
Engine 22-2 crews repack hose after practicing in the new homes.
 
Hose lines are pulled to the upper floors.
Hose lines are pulled to the upper floors.
 
Ladder 22 extends its 105' aerial.
Ladder 22 extends its 105' aerial.
 
Crews practice placement of the aerial ladder.
Crews practice placement of the aerial ladder.
 
WGFC Ladder 22 is positioned at the Habitat for Humanity construction site in West Grove as part of a training exercise.
WGFC Ladder 22 is positioned at the Habitat for Humanity construction site in West Grove as part of a training exercise.
 
Engine 22-3 tests the static pressure of the new hydrant system in the community.
Engine 22-3 tests the static pressure of the new hydrant system in the community.
 
The new community will feature eight groups of connected townhouses for a total of 40 four-bedroom homes.
The new community will feature eight groups of connected townhouses for a total of 40 four-bedroom homes.
 
 
June 2, 2020
 

Volunteer firefighters from the West Grove Fire Company visited a construction site last evening for training where 40 town houses are being built in West Grove Borough.

Training at new buildings as they are under construction gives the fire company an opportunity to understand the floor plans, construction types, and to practice hose lays and apparatus positioning. Crews stretched hand lines inside the homes, up stairwells, and into all areas and on all sides, learning how to best approach the buildings in case of a fire.

As examples, the fire company anticipates a very crowded roadway with parked cars on both sides once the project is complete, so crews practiced locating the first arriving fire Engine near the fire hydrants, leaving room in front of the buildings for the Ladder truck. Testing various length hose lays allows WGFC to anticipate how to best attack fires, whether they be on the far side of the building or on the third floor. In another example, crews used Ladder 22 to access the building from the front, and then placed Ladder 22 along Guernsey Road to see how much of the first building could be reached by the truck's 105 foot aerial. Crews also hooked up an Engine to the fire hydrants to assess water pressure.

The Habitat for Humanity of Chester County project is located at Willow Street and Guernsey Road, and will feature eight townhouse buildings, each with five connected homes. Each of the 40 homes have three floors with four bedrooms. Importantly, these buildings are equipped with residential sprinkler systems, a very important safety feature for new home construction.

WGFC has had in-person training suspended since early March due to the COVID-19 situation. This training in West Grove was the first in-person training since that time, and all members were in masks as WGFC continues to work to assure the protection of firefighters from the virus. Thirty five volunteers were on hand for the training.

Our thanks to Habitat for Humanity of Chester County and its contractor for access to the construction site.

For more information on the project see:
https://hfhcc.org/westgrovesite/
http://www.chestercounty.com/2020/01/21/295014/habitat-for-humanity-community-rising-in-west-grove
https://bit.ly/36VRNoQ
 
Units: Engines 22-1, -2, and -3; Ladder 22; Rescue 22; Squad 22; Utility 22