After an absolutely demanding first week of April, the volunteers were afforded a few days of slower calls for service. However, starting bright and early on Monday April 13th the break was over and the barrage of calls started coming again. Monday we were met with 3 calls all within 2 hours that had us in service at each run. A construction accident and subsequent fire at the King of Prussia Mall expansion project started the morning off. 3 workers were injured in an electrical incident, which also caused a small fire in a conduit system. Crews tended to the fire as well as providing support to EMS. The fire was easily contained and no extension was found, although a small smoke condition was evident in the Court Mall, nothing could be done with that until power was eventually restored.
Shortly after picking up from the mall, we were summoned to the Freedom Business Center for gas odor in building 2. Upon arrival crews found a heavy odor of natural gas in the block and were also told of gas in building 3 of the complex. After a thorough investigation, it was believed that the odor was from a Mercaptan discharge from a local plant not far from this site. Again as crews picked up we were sent to a vehicle accident with rescue. A tractor trailer pulled wires down on the rig and they were believed to be live. Fire crews ascertained that the wires were in fact Verizon FIOS lines and there was no hazard. The crews assisted the driver in getting his truck back in a safe position.
As we continued with a long weather dry spell, we were summoned to 7 more mulch fires during the week, one of which was cover by our good friends from the Radnor Fire Co. The weekend brought 9 more runs with a wildland fire capping off the weekend. At 11:30 AM on Sunday, April 19th the brigade was summoned to the Valley Forge National Park in the area of Mount Joy for a woods fire. Shortly after crews entered the park, smoke and fire could be seen as we made our trek along Outer Line Drive. Crews would split up to attack the fire from two fronts to get the wind driven fire contained. Squad 47 along with crews from Valley Forge Fire Co. would take the upper side of the fire and stage on Inner Line Drive as the remaining KPVFC units would attack from S Outer Line Drive. Crews would get the upper hand on the fire after about 40 minutes and then would spend the next 1.5 hours mopping up. Thanks to Lafayette EMS for providing a Medical Unit and some cold water for the troops. Fires in the VFNP are not new, but they can be challenging and quick thinking by the park rangers in relaying access points to us was critical in our efforts. The rangers provided critical information on access and topography that helped us immensely.
Once again, our volunteers set aside their personal time with family and friends on what was a beautiful spring day, to answer the bell and to continue to train. Speaking of training, 19 of our Volunteers along with our rescue task force, attended the first night of a Basic Vehicle Rescue Refresher course held during this busy week.
