Ridge Fire Company - Fourth Annual Community Day - 9/12/2009

   There was a pretty good turnout, about 120-125 according to E. Coventry Police Chief Theobald, this despite the heavy rains shortly before the event started. At the last minute, the Ridge Fire members rearranged the event to be indoors. The rain did let up just as the event was starting and there were only a few drizzles during the event. Unfortunately the rain did keep the helicopter from being able to fly so it wasn’t there. To complicate matters 9 minutes before the scheduled event start time Ridge Fire had a fire call to a Barn Fire. This call turned out to be a major fire involving 23 fire companies. This meant that all but 2 trucks, the brush truck and rescue truck, left to fight the fire and there were only 4 Ridge Fire members who stayed to run the event. Luckily for those 4 members there were several friends and relatives there who stepped up to assist.

   As to the lack of trucks, that was partially taken care of when the “stand by” fire companies arrived. When there is a large emergency event, such as a fire, that “empties” a fire house, a crew from a neighboring, mutual assist, fire company sends one of their trucks to cover. That way if there is another emergency in the area there is a fire/rescue crew to respond. Due to the large scale of the fire there were a lot of fire trucks parked in the back section of the parking lot staging as part of the Northern Chester County task force.

   In spite of the wet and lack of Ridge Fire Company members everyone who attended had fun. There was free food, always a big hit. Phoenixville Hospital Community Outreach reported that a good number of people stopped by their booth to get information. The Safety Trailer ran non stop except during the “burn building”. Kids of all ages got to sit in fire trucks, police cars, and an ambulance. The East Vincent and East Coventry police had cars there. They were able to try on real fire gear and spare a fire hose. Sparky the Fire Dog spent time talking to the kids. As always the “burn building” went well. This year we had built a “kitchen”. The fire started in the oven. One of the “stand by” fire companies raced in and put out the fire.

   State Representative Tim Hennessey, District 26, was also there for the event as was a reporter, Peter James, from WPAZ 1370 AM who reported on the event. We thank you both for attending.