CO Leak Prompts Nursing Home Evacuation
 
By Lieutenant Justin McClure
May 3, 2015
 

At 1933 hours, Station 51 was dispatched to the Brandywine Hall Nursing Home in East Bradford Township for a carbon monoxide (CO) incident. Medic 91-2 (Chester County Hospital Paramedics) reported that their personal CO meters had activated while on a medical call inside the facility. Assistant 51 and Engine 51-1 responded and upon arrival encountered high levels of CO inside the front lobby. Due to the occupancy of the facility and the high levels of CO, Assistant 51 requested a box assignment bringing the balance of the West Chester Fire Department, Tower 06 (West Whiteland), and EMS from Station 55 Ambulance and Medic 91.

As additional units responded and arrived, crews began to isolate different wings of the facility while looking for the source of the CO. After an extensive search, crews located a malfunctioning boiler on the first floor. The boiler was secured and the building was ventilated. Crews operated for approximately two hours before clearing.

 
Units: Engine 51-1, Engine 51-2, Engine 52-1, Engine 53, Ladder 53, Rescue 53, Air 52, Squad 51, Squad 53, Traffic 52, Chief 53, Asst 51, Asst 52, Asst 53
 
Mutual Aid: 55 Ambulance, Medic 91, Tower 06