Westwood Fire Co.
Read More
Organized in 1947, Westwood Fire Company serves Valley Township providing Fire, Technical Rescue and BLS level EMS protection. The company holds several distinctions including being the only remaining 100% volunteer EMS agency in Chester County, having 75% of their firefighters trained to the Firefighter 1 level and being certified at the Advanced level through the Voluntary Rescue Service program of the State Fire Commissioner (as one of less than thirty agencies in Pennsylvania to hold this advanced level certification).
So, why powder blue rigs? In 1984, the company decided to order a rig painted Midnight Blue after seeing one in a calendar. After three tie votes, a member who voted to keep the rigs red changed his vote after his request for a top mount pump panel was denied. Due to a clerical error with the paint code, the rig was delivered painted Powder Blue! Every rig since then (including their ambulances) has maintained this color scheme - Westwood embraces the "Smurf Blue" by incorporating the Smurf® character into their department patch.
Chester County Station 44
In 1948, Westwood Fire Co. purchased 14 acres of land upon which the original meeting and engine room was constructed. This firehouse was subsequently expanded with a larger engine room to house three apparatus. Replaced in 1980 with a modern three bay station, the original engine room was utilized to expand the Bingo Hall which has been a significant source of income for the fire company since the early 1950's. Present day, Westwood operates
their entire fleet from this four bay firehouse which has been renovated/expanded since it was dedicated in 1980 (in addition, they also operate a BLS level ambulance from the quarters of the Wagontown Fire Co.).
Rescue 44 - 2006 Pierce Dash 2000 gpm/750 gal./30 gal. A/B foam
Having replaced both a pumper-tanker and heavy rescue, Rescue 44 is equipped for both firefighting and rescue operations. Featuring an eight man cab (with six SCBA seats), it features a Husky® Compressed Air Foam System that can be discharged through three outlets, stainless steel plumbing, a 35 kw PTO generator, twenty four 1,000 watt floodlights and a 9,000 watt light tower. In addition, it features dual roll-off awnings (automatically retracts in high wind conditions), two 200' electric cord reels, nine reels powered by three Hurst® Trimo pumps and On-Spot® tire chains.
Its’ firefighting equipment complement includes 200’ crosslays, a 150’ “blitz line”, 400’ of 3” supply line, a thermal imager and gas/multi-meters. For rescue, it is outfitted with Hurst hydraulic extrication tools Including a spreader and combo tool in the front bumper as well as dual equipment set-up on both sides of the rig (32” spreader with arms for up to 40” spread, cutter and rams Dewalt® cordless hand tools, a 170 ton air bag system and rescue struts). This rig is state certified for water rescue and EMS Quick Response as well as the Voluntary Rescue Service program at the advanced level which mandates minimum manpower, training and tool requirements (Westwood is one of less than thirty agencies in Pennsylvania to hold this advanced level certification).
Engine 44-5 - 2012 Spartan Gladiator/4 Guys 2000 gpm/3000 gal.
This rig replaced a 1990 Spartan Gladiator/FMC 2000/3000 tandem axle pumper-tanker that had the distinction of being Westwood’s first apparatus featuring a four door cab.
TAC 44 - 1995 Ford F-450 Super Duty/American Rural 300 gpm/150 gal.
Featuring a 7.5 kw generator and 6,000 watt light tower, TAC 44 is equipped with forestry/1-3/4” attack hose, 3” supply line and a small complement of Hurst® extrication tools (for a “door pop”).
Traffic 44 - 2007 Ford F-350/Reading
Having replaced a 1994 converted ambulance, this rig was partially funded through a Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency grant. Outfitted for traffic control, it features a pop-up directional arrow board mounted in the bed.
Antique - 1937 American LaFrance 500 gpm/150 gal.
Purchased by Westwood in 1960 from the nearby Brandywine Fire Co. of Coatesville, this rig “blew a rod” in 1973 and was removed from service in 1978 after breaking down during a parade. Upon being removed from service, it was given to Dr. Brent Foweiller, a local anesthesiologist and fire apparatus buff who completed apparatus restorations. After a 31 year period at a cost of $110,000, the rig was returned to Westwood in 2009 in the pristine condition seen here.
