The First West Chester Fire Company is available for birthday parties. We can host your birthday party in our engine room right next to the fire trucks. If you wish to hold your birthday party at your house, we can bring a fire truck, along with firefighters who will explain what they do. They will also give you information that could save your life.
The West Chester
Fire Department is made up of three fire companies, The
First West Chester Fire Company, Good Will Fire Company, and Fame Fire Company.
First West Chester Fire Company is the oldest of the three
with over 200 years of service. The fire company is located
at 70 South Bradford Avenue just outside of West Chester in
East Bradford Township and serves over 60,000 residents in
West Chester Borough, East Bradford Township, West Goshen
Township, Birmingham Township, Thornbury Township and
Westtown Township. First West Chester also gives mutual aid
to Longwood Fire Company, Downingtown Fire Companies, West
Bradford Fire Company, West Whiteland Fire Company, Goshen
Fire Companies, and Concordville Fire Company located in
Delaware County. Station 51 has five pieces of apparatus in
service and a great crew of members. The First West Chester
Fire Company is always seeking for new members to be
firefighters, to help with the maintenance of the building
and the grounds, fund raising and much much more.
FIRE POLICE
NEEDED!
Not interested in fighting
fire but still want to help your community?
The West Chester Fire Department is currently
looking for dedicated members to join the West
Chester Fire Police.
Thursday, June 18: First West Chester Fire Company Morns Loss
It is with a very heavy heart that the members of The First West Chester Fire Company, Good Fellowship Ambulance, and the Alert Fire Company announce the loss our friend Nick Kolokithas, who has been active with all three companies. Nick was taken from us on Wednesday, June 17, 2009. Nick leaves behind his wife Stephanie and their unborn child, our hearts and prayers go out to Stephanie and all of Nick’s family.
Services will be as follows:
Viewing, Monday, June 22, 2009 from 1800 to 2000 at the James J. Terry Funeral Home in Downingtown.
Funeral will be on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 and will be held in Broomall at the St. Luke’s Greek Orthodox Church. Visitation 1000-1100 and the church service will begin at 1100.
Interment will be at the Northwood Cemetery in Downingtown.
Any company looking to participate in services, please contact
LT. 51 @ ff362@aol.com
Saturday, June 6: Wessies Don't Come home empty Handed!!
On Saturday June 6th, The First West Chester Fire Company with a crew of 8 traveled to Quarryville for a parade with Engine 51-1, Engine 51-2, Brush 51 and Squad 51.
Engine 51-1 2nd Place
Brush 51 2nd Place
Squad 51 1st Place
Sunday, April 26: Station 51's Wildfire Crew gets Activated for First Time
Early Sunday morning, the First West Chester Forestry Crew was activated and responded to Luzerne County on a series of Large Brush Fires. Keith Green, Justin McClure, Jean Solecki, and Kyle Perkins made up the crew. The crew was on the mountian by mid-day Sunday and cut and held a 1/2 mile line on the 2100 Acre fire. There were series of Airplane water drops and a 600 acre backburn helped contain the fire. On Monday the crew went back on the montain to assit with mop up and return back to station late Monday night. Great job on our first activation.
Saturday, April 25: Members of WCFD Attend South Eastern PA Regional Task Force Drill
On April 25, Engine 51-2 and Ladder 53 attended the South Eastern PA Regional Task Force Drill held at the Philadelphia Fire Department. The Task Force is made up of Chester, Delaware, Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties. During the day the crews participated in a communications testing to make sure that all agencies have the ability to talk to one another. After lunch Philadelphia Fire Department made a presentation about their water supply system. At the end of the long day and a few bumps along the way the drill was a success.
Wednesday, March 25: Station 51 Conducts Table-Top Simulation
On March 25, members conducted a table-top simulation of a potential wildland fire in our response area. Everyone had an opportunity to fill many roles of emergency response to this type of incident. Thanks to everyone that helped out to make this practical scenario possible.
Wednesday, March 25: Station 51 passes Yellow Card Pack Test
On Wednesday, March 25, the First West Chester Fire Company's Forestry Crew participated in the annual Yellow Card Pack Test. The crew had to run/walk 2 miles with a 25 lb pack on their back. This had to be accomplished in under 30 minutes. All who participated completed the challenge. Great Job!
Tuesday, March 9: WCFD welcome home Private Malley
The First West Chester Fire Company along with Goodwill Fire Company and Fame Fire Company were pleased to welcome home Private Joe Malley from his 15 month tour in Iraq.
WELCOME HOME AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE!!!
Friday, February 20: WCFD runs three calls at the same time
As WCFD was mopping up at the House fire on Hanum Ave Chester County Fire Board advised Hanum command of a second call at 915 Old Fern Hill Road for an electrical fire inside. At 07:35 Ladder 25,Engine 39-3, Engine 47-2, Station 54 & 56, and 55 Ambulance were dispatched and responded. WCFD released all but Engine 51-2 and Ladder 53 from Hanum Ave and responded. Asst 52 went on location as command and responding units went on location investigating a electrical fire. While enroute, Engine 51-1 was redirected to Chester County Hospital for a Automatic Alarm with reports of an odor of smoke. Chester County Board advised that is was a broken belt from a washing machine. Engine 51-1's crew arrived on location investigated and clear just as 915 Old Fern Hill Road clear.
Friday, February 20: Engine 51-1 Quick stop on Boro Fire
At 07:00 First West Chester Fire Company (Station 51) as well as Stations 53 and 55 were dispatched to 319 Hanum Ave in the Borough for smoke in the building. Chester County Fire Board advised units the resident has a light haze in the house with an odor of wood burning and believes that it is coming from the neighbors house. At 07:10 Chief 52 asked for the working fire dispatch, adding Station 52, Medic 91, and Engine 56 for the Rapid Intervention Team. Engine 51-1 arrived on location went into service with 2 - 1.75" hose lines, while remaining WCFD units preformed searches and threw ladders. The fire was extinguished with no injuries. Cause is under investigation.
Thursday, February 12: Busy Day for Station 51
At 14:47 Brush 51 responded to a reported Brush Fire on the Creighbilly Farm complex at Rt 202 and Rt 926 in Westtown Township to assist Station 53. Asst 53 and Engine 53 went on location reporting a working brush fire requesting a second brush unit. Brush 6 (West Whiteland Fire Co) was dispatched and responded. Brush 51 and 6 went into service and the fire went under control at 15:12 and all units cleared at 15:44. While Brush 51 was cleaning up Chester County Fire Radio dispatched Station 51 to a Tree Down on a Truck with Wires Sparking on RT 926 East of Arrowhead Road. Brush 51 responded and at 16:50 went location with wires off the pole and a working brush fire. Engine 51-2 arrived on location crews went to service extinguishing fire while Capt. 51 took Street Road Command. While working Station 52 was dispatched to cover an Automatic Fire Alarm on North New Street. During mop up Station 51 was dispatched for an Carbon Monoxide Alarm on Garlington Drive in West Goshen Township. Engine 51-2 responded leaving Brush 51 to the mop-up on RT. 926. Moments before brush 51 was getting ready to clear Station 51 and Station 52 was dispatched to the area of Mackenzie Dr and Macelroy Dr. for the working brush fire with approximate 10 acres involved. Brush 51 with Engine 52-1 and Engine 51-2 responded and arrived on location confirming the report. The location was shared with Station 6, they were also dispatched and with the coordination of both Stations and many other responding mutual aid stations the fire was placed under control and the West Chester Units cleared at 18:40 ending Station 51's busy day.
Saturday, January 10: McIlvaine Smith hands over her pay raise to 5 emergency providers
By DAN KRISTIE
Daily Local News Staff Writer
WEST CHESTER — State Rep. Barbara McIlvaine-Smith, D-156th, of West Chester, donated her cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, on Saturday to five of the area's volunteer emergency services providers.
Actually, she donated slightly more than her COLA. The adjustment was valued at $2,200 before taxes, but she gave a total of $2,500 — $500 each to the Goodwill, Fame, Goshen, and First West Chester fire companies and the Good Fellowship Ambulance Company.
Saturday, November 29: WCFD quick stop on kitchen fire
At 1942 hrs. The Goodwill Fire Co. (Sta. 52) and Fame Fire Co (Sta. 53) and Good Fellowship Ambulance (Sta.55) were dispatched for a reported house fire at 309 Carlyle Road in the Pleasant Grove development of Westtown Township. Supplemental information was relayed from the Chester County Fire Board that the police were on scene with fire on the first floor and smoke coming from the residence.
Engine 53 arrived on scene, confirmed smoked coming from the house, and went into service with a 1 ¾” hand line and extinguished the fire in the kitchen. The Working Fire Dispatch was called for, bringing additional units from Station 51 and two engines from the Goshen Fire Company (Sta. 54/56). Engine 51-1 responded to the call, and upon arrival set up for the RIT assignment outside of the residence.
After firefighters from 53 and 52 had knocked down the fire, 51 crews assisted with salvage throughout the residence. The fire is currently under investigation by the Chester County Fire Marshals office. Thank you to the West Bradford Fire Company for our standby.
Thursday, November 27: Wessies Participate in 34th Annual Turkey Bowl
On Thursday, November 27th, The First West Chester Fire Co. held its annual Turkey Bowl Football game. It has been a tradition that the morning of Thanksgiving, members meet and play a game of Flag football. This year, members met at Kenmara Park in East Bradford at 10:00AM. Following the game, members met back at the station for refreshments. Thanks to all who came out and participated in this year’s game!
Saturday, November 22: Engine 51-1 quick knock-down on room and contents fire.
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