On Friday, April 24, 2015, KVFD crews started a busy day by assisting the Sadsburyville Fire Company with a motor vehicle accident at 2:13 AM in the 100 block of Octorara Road, Sadsbury Township, Chester County. Initial reports were of a one-vehicle crash with fire but upon arrival SFC responders found there was no fire, and our fire response was cancelled. Ambulance 8-1 did respond and assist Sadsburyville Fire.

At 6:23 AM, KVFD was dispatched to assist the Cochranville Fire Company, Station # 27 on Fernwood Road with a mulch fire and/or compost fire. Tanker 8 made the response and did assist.

At 9:30 AM, guests from the CCIU class at the Octorara Area School District visited the Central Station for a field trip. Firefighters provided the students a tour of the apparatus and demonstrated the appearance and voice of a firefighter geared up fully in turn-out gear and SCBA. Students were at KVFD for one hour and then proceeded to the Parkesburg Police Department for the second part of their field trip.

At 11:25 AM, KVFD was dispatched for a brush fire along the railroad tracks in the area of E. Bridge Street and Main Street in Parkesburg Borough. Ambulance 8-1, Chief 8, Brush 8 and Tanker 8 made the response. Upon arrival Chief Gathercole found a 40x40’ area of brush along the embankment on fire with it extending to a nearby property. Brush 8 went into service with Tanker 8 supplying water to Brush 8. Two hand-lines were deployed and the members extinguished the fire. Amtrak was asked to slow down in the area while the members working alongside the tracks.

At 11:54 AM, upon clearing our brush fire, Tanker 8 responded to another reported mulch fire assisting Station # 27 in Highland Township. However when Fire Marshal (FM 45) McKee arrived he found there was no fire and it was actually the same incident reported earlier this morning. No services were necessary and Tanker 8 was recalled.

Please note that the County of Chester issued a fire warning (Red Flag Warning) due to the winds and open burning from DCNR, Bureau of Forestry.

The Predicted FIRE DANGER for Saturday, April 25, 2015 and Sunday, April 26, 2015 is HIGH.

High fire danger means all fine dead fuels ignite readily and fires start easily from most causes. Unattended brush and camp fires are likely to escape. Fires spread rapidly and short distance spotting is common. Fires may become serious and their control difficult unless they are attacked successfully while small. Outdoor burning should be restricted to early morning and late evening hours. PLEASE NOTE THAT MANY MUNICIPALITIES PROHIBIT ANY OPEN BURNING. PARKESBURG IS ONE.