New Exeter Township Emergency Services Building Proposal

At the request of the Exeter Township Board of Supervisors, the Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department (ETVFD) is proud to present the proposal for a new centralized emergency services building for Exeter Township!  The purpose of this posting to help inform the residents of Exeter Township and St. Lawrence Borough about our proposal.  If at any point, you have specific questions or would like to meet with the ETVFD to learn more, please email Deputy Chief Chris Jordan at cjordan@exetertwpfire25.com .  Please click on the story headline to download additional information and view our formal presentation to the board.

(Note: All drawings, figures, and informational items provided are strictly conceptual and are not finalized until approved by the ETVFD and Exeter Township).

The proposal is being presented to the board for two fundamental reasons:

1. To provide a faster and more efficient fire department response to emergency incidents to increase life safety of the residents and fire department members.

2. To solidify the future of our current in-station staffing and live-in programs to help avoid a more substantial tax increase.

In 2009, the Reiffton Fire Company and the Stonersville Fire Company formed the new Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department.  Since its inception, the ETVFD has developed aggressive programs to provide an immediate emergency response to the residents of Exeter Township, St. Lawrence Borough, and surrounding communities.  Please note that even with the new central station, the fire department plans to keep both the Reiffton and Stonersville stations open and operational at a minimal cost to the fire department.


The programs we have implemented have allowed the ETVFD to decrease its dependence  on the "traditional" volunteer fire company system, where firefighters at home must first respond to the station before they can respond to the emergency incident.  It takes a typical volunteer firefighter 3 to 5 minutes (or more) to reach the station from their home.  By having our on duty volunteers in station, we are able to have our initial response units on the way to the emergency in under 1 minute.  This time savings during the first crucial moments of a fire or rescue incident can significantly affect the ultimate outcome when lives and property are at stake.

The programs are very in-depth, take dedication from the members, and have been recognized both locally and nationally as "best practice" initiatives. The new emergency services building is critical in order to maintain these programs and keep the ETVFD's service at a level the residents deserve.

We appreciate the support of the residents of Exeter Township and St. Lawrence Borough and we look forward to providing superior service to the community for many years to come!   Please email Deputy Chief Chris Jordan at cjordan@exetertwpfire25.com with any questions, concerns, or comments.

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Busy weekend once again at the ETFD

Monday, February 6, 2012  Weekend crews continue to stay busy answering calls for service.  In addition to the high angle rescue, Company 25 responded on two structure fire assignments, two automatic fire alarms, two brush/miscellaneous fires, and two QRS calls between Friday afternoon and Sunday night. A few of these calls happened simultaneously, however the department''s in-house staffing program allowed for an immediate response to each of the incidents, with our at-home volunteers responding to staff additional apparatus and provide reserve manpower. The ability to handle multiple incidents quickly demonstrates the value of the in-house staffing program and the commitment the members of the ETFD have made to protecting our community.

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High Angle Rescue in the Township

Sunday, February 5, 2012   At 1205 hours, Company 25 (Exeter Twp Fire) and 7 (Birdsboro-Union Fire)  were dispatched to the 600 Block of Hall Avenue in Exeter Township for a high angle rescue. Additional information from Berks County 911  indicated that a male was trapped approximately 30 feet in the air in a cherry picker bucket. It was reported that the male was cutting tree limbs when the incident occurred.


Chief 7 (Bickings) arrived on location and advised that a tower ladder would be needed for the rescue. Tower 25 was added to the assignment. Deputy 25-2 (Chamberlain) arrived on location and established incident command. At this time it was determined that there were 2 individuals in the cherry picker bucket, one of which was trapped by the upper trunk of a felled tree. The cherry picker bucket had been heavily damaged by the falling tree. Rescue 7 and Rescue 25 were directed into the scene to establish a staging area for equipment and manpower. Tower 25 was backed into the location and positioned to work the high angle. Crews immediately put together a plan of action to stabilize the scene and make an assessment of the entrapment.


Tower 25 was placed in service and raised to the level of the stranded men. One man was not physically trapped, however could not escape from the bucket due to the height. The second man was trapped by his foot, which was wedged between the felled tree trunk and the cherry picker bucket. The team used chains and ratchet straps from Rescue 25 to secure the tree trunk and bucket. Once this was done, the uninjured man was assisted out of the cherry picker bucket, onto the tower platform, and down the ladder to safety. Once he was removed, a better assessment of the entrapment was made. A safety harness and rope were attached to the trapped victim. Crews then used a battery powered reciprocating saw to cut the section of the tree that was holding pressure on the man's foot, which freed him. He was then assisted onto the tower platform and lowered to the ground, where EMS units were awaiting him. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries.


Great job to the crews from 25, 7, and Southern Berks EMS in affecting an efficient and safe rescue. Personnel were able to safely respond to, stabilize, and mitigate this high angle rescue scenario in just over one hour.


Command: Deputy 25-2 (Chamberlain)


Operations: Captain 25-1 (Eshenaur)


Safety: Captain 25 (Trievel)


Tower Bucket: Cpt. M. Eshenaur, DC J. Shaffer, DC E. Lessig, Lt.  B. Rhein


(Photos - T. Lucca)

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Chimney Fire

Monday, January 30, 2012   Chimney Fire, 4617 Sylvan Dr. (Photos by T. Lucca)

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Exeter Crews Handle Close Call in Laurel Springs Development

Sunday, January 29, 2012  Today ETVFD was dispatched for a reported fire alarm on Christine Dr.  Crews were given additional that the sprinkler system had activated.  Captain 25-1 arrived on location and confirmed active water flowing and initial report of alarm set off from burnt food, checking further.  Engine 25 secured a water supply and went inside while the Tower crew controlled the utilities and sprinkler system.  Crews determined the fire was caused from cooking oil that ignited.  The sprinkler system kept the fire in check and saved the remainder of the building.

Units On Scene: E25, TW25, RE25

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Assist to Company 1

Saturday, January 28, 2012  Engine 25 and Tower 25 assisted Mt. Penn Fire Company at a reported structure fire on South 24th Street.

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Early morning accident with fire in Exeter Twp.

Saturday, January 28, 2012  Just before 1AM, the Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department (Company 25) was dispatched to the 100 block of West 33rd Street in Exeter Township for a reported vehicle fire.  With 11 members in station, staffing the township and the borough, Engine 25 and Rescue 25 immediately went responding with full crews.  Engine 25 and Rescue 25 arrived with Lieutenant 25-2 and confirmed a working vehicle fire after a motor vehicle accident.  Both crews immediately went to work and rapidly extricated one patient from the vehicle that was on fire.  With the vehicle involved in fire and the fire impinging on the dwelling, Lieutenant 25-2 requested the structure assignment be placed on stand-by.  The fire was held to the vehicle with minimal extension to the residence.  The incident ended up being one vehicle into two parked cars and the dwelling.   The Engine crew extinguished the fire while the Rescue crew attended to one person injured. Firefighters surveyed the damage to the residence and secured the scene.  The stand-by companies were released from their stand-by.  One member assisted EMS into the hospital.  The scene was turned over to Exeter PD and the restoration company.  Company 25 was available in just under 2 hours.

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Powerline lightshow

Thursday, January 26, 2012 22:15  Tonight crews responded to a report of wires down and burning near a garage and some vehicles in the 200 block of Wilson Avenue.. Upon arrival, the firefghters found a high voltage primary line that had apparently burned through the pole falling to the ground. The line remained energized after falling where it sparked and burned, creating quite a lightshow in the neighborhood. Crews secured the area around the hazard and notified Met-Ed crews, who responded and controlled the problem. Fortunately, there was no damage to nearby property. ETFD crews were on scene for just over two hours.

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Probie Training

Sunday, January 15, 2012  This morning at 1000 hours a group of Probationary Firefighters "Probies" gathered at Station 25-2 for introductory level training.  Under the watchful eye of Training Lt. Ross, crews fought the bitter cold learning to connect to hydrants and deploy the front bumper line on Engine 25.

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No Sleep for Night Shift

Saturday, January 14, 2012  Rescue 25 was sent to Cumru Township to assist on a vehicle accident with entrapment. Soon after returning the department was sent to Pineland Road for another MVA. The department responded to seven emergency responses throughout the early morning consisting of accidents, Medical calls, AFA’s and investigated smoke coming from the roof at the Reading Country Club.
  

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