Swarthmore Fire & Protective Association Report (February 17 - March 1, 2020)
Engine 14-1, the attack pumper (center), flanked by engine 14-2 (right) and tower 14. The photo was taken with a 12-mm fisheye lens. The photographer, Andy Shelter, writes, “The trucks were all parked normally. It’s just the lens that makes it look that way.” Photo: Andy Shelter
January 20 - February 2
In this two-week period, the ambulance responded to 39 calls for medical assistance, to Swarthmore, Rutledge, Morton, Springfield, Nether Providence Township, and Ridley Township. The calls were for a variety of emergencies, including cardiac emergency, seizures, fall with trauma, unconscious person, diabetic emergency, pediatric emergency, overdose, and assault.
In addition, the fire company responded to:
Eight automatic alarms.
Five building alarms, including one for electrical wires melting, one for smoke coming out of an upstairs window, one for a working basement fire with entrapment, and one in an assisted living unit.
Two hazmat alarms, one for an odor of paint thinner and one for a natural gas leak when a contractor hit a gas line.
One wires alarm at Yale and Brighton avenues in Swarthmore for an overhead wire sparking.
Eleven mutual aid calls to Nether Providence, Morton, Ridley Park, Prospect Park, Ridley Township, and Springfield Township.
Explainer: Fire Company Equipment
In the February 21 issue of the Swarthmorean, we asked Swarthmore Fire & Protective Association Chief Engineer Rich Cresson to explain what “alarms” mean when it comes to fires. What is a “one-alarm fire,” for example?
This week, we ask him to explain equipment.
We were surprised to learn that “a fire truck” is a meaningless phrase to a firefighter. The chief engineer explains, “Fire trucks are termed differently in the fire service . . . Each type of fire truck has a specific name to clarify what its function is.”
What are some of the different kinds of firefighting vehicles?
Engine: A firefighting vehicle with a pump, a water tank, some ground ladders, a water supply hose (3 - 6 inches in diameter) and an attack hose (1½ - 2½ inches in diameter).
Aerial Ladder: A truck chassis with a straight, extendable ladder mounted on it. The extendable ladder is usually 75 - 110 feet long. The vehicle also carries at least 235 feet of assorted ground ladders of various sizes. It may (or may not) have a pump. It will also carry hoses of various sizes. Any aerial ladder vehicle may be referred to as a “truck.”
Tower Ladder: This vehicle is nearly the same as an aerial ladder, except that in this case the ladder has a platform or basket at the end.
What vehicles does the Swarthmore fire department have?
The Swarthmore Fire & Protective Association has two engines and a tower ladder. Each of the engines is set up differently.
Engine 14-1 is set up as an attack pumper. It usually goes directly to the scene of a fire and begins firefighting and rescue operations immediately. It carries extra firefighting hose (1½ - 2½ inches in diameter) as well as forcible entry tools and other equipment. It has a 2,000 gallons-per-minute pump, a 750-gallon water tank, and 20-kilowatt generator.
Engine 14-2 has a lot of built-in flexibility. It can be set up as either an attack pumper, a hydrant piece, or a vehicle rescue piece. It carries more water-supply hose and equipment than an attack pumper, so it can handle vehicle emergencies. It has a 1,500 gallon-per-minute pump, a 750-gallon water tank, and a six-kilowatt generator. This engine is flexible, but its ability to perform any particular task is limited.
Tower 14 has a 110-foot-high ladder with a basket at the end for firefighting and rescue operations. It has a 2,000-gallon-per-minute pump, a 300-gallon water tank, a 20-kilowatt generator, assorted ground ladders, and limited lengths of both supply and firefighting hose.
Why do these numbers all start with 14?
Delaware County assigns a number to each fire department. Swarthmore’s is 14. (Norwood is number 1.) Swarthmore ambulances add the number seven to the department designation, so Swarthmore’s two ambulances are 14-7 and 14-7A.
