Charlestown Township, Chester County, PA

 
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Established June 2, 1997
by citizens for citizens
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March 16, 1998

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August 13, 1997
   

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Fire Marshal Reports to the Board of Supervisors

August   September   October   November   December
 
September 8, 2003

 
During the month of August, the East Whiteland Township Volunteer Fire Association, Kimberton Fire Company and I responded to four automatic alarms, one washout, eight vehicle accidents and two inspections.

The emergency calls were as follows:
   Automatic fire alarms on:
  • Merlin Road
  • Ravenhill Road (2 alarms, same location)
  • Maryhill Road
   Washout on James Thomas Road (East Whiteland)
   Inspections on Phoenixville Pike and Charlestown Road
   Vehicle accidents on:
  • State and Charlestown Roads
  • Charlestown Road (3 locations)
  • State and Buckwalter Roads
  • Charlestown and Pickering Roads
Our precipitation was 1/2" below the average for the month. We are only 1 3/4" above normal for the year.
Additional items completed during the month include:
  • A walk-through inspection of the Charlestown Elementary School with the Township Engineer
  • A re-inspection of the First Student Transportation offices on Phoenixville Pike, also with the Township Engineer.
  • Meeting with Toll Brothers regarding the hydrants along Newcomen Road Located the shutoff valves for our hydrants in the Charlestown Park
We have received all of the permits necessary to install the remote emergency preemption detectors at Rt. 401 and Valley Hill Road. That work will be finished before the road completely re-opens.
I attended an EOC picnic sponsored by Excelon Energy Company.
School is back in session. Watch for stopped school buses and students on or near the roads.
Respectfully submitted,
Frederick C. Alston
Fire Marshal / Emergency Management Coordinator
 
 
October 9, 2003

 
During the month of September, the East Whiteland Township Volunteer Fire Association, Kimberton Fire Company and I responded to six automatic alarms, one hazardous material incident, five vehicle accidents, one trash fire, one electrical fire inside, one CO detector alarm, three inspections and twelve trees/ wire fires. These do not include the scores of trees down in the roadways and flooded roadways during and after the Henri and Isabel storms.

The emergency calls were as follows:
   Automatic fire alarms on:
  • Spring Meadow Farm
  • Ravenhill Road
  • Howells Road
  • Charlestown Road
  • Stewarts Court
  • General Warren Boulevard
   Hazardous material incident on Buckwalter Road
   Vehicle accidents on:
  • Charlestown and Hollow Roads
  • State and Union Hill Roads
  • Coldstream and Maryhill Roads
  • Charlestown and Pickering Roads
  • Morehall and Yellow Springs Roads
   Trash fire on Benburb Road
   Electrical fire inside on Hollow Road
   CO detector activation on Eastwick Drive
   Inspections on Glenview, Marian and Benburb Roads
   Trees and wires all over the township

Our precipitation was 3/4" above the average for the month. We are now 1 1/2" above normal for the year.
I rearranged part of the EOC in preparation for a Desktop exercise and the biennial Limerick Generating Station drill.
The remote emergency preemption detectors at Rt. 401 and Valley Hill Road has been completed and tested.
As fall approaches, be very watchful for deer that are on or near the roadways. They can do a considerable amount of damage to your vehicle.
Respectfully submitted,
Frederick C. Alston
Fire Marshal / Emergency Management Coordinator
 
 
November 3, 2003

 
During the month of October, the East Whiteland Township Volunteer Fire Association, Kimberton Fire Company and I responded to four automatic alarms, seven trees / wires fires, one rescue, one appliance fire, one electrical fire, five vehicle accidents and one controlled burn. These do not include many trees down in the roadways and flooded roadways during and after the October 15th storm.

The emergency calls were as follows:
   Automatic fire alarms on:
  • Union Hill Road
  • Hollow Road
  • Charwyn Lane
  • General Warren Boulevard
   Trees / wires fires on (please see related Roadmaster Report):
  • Rees Road
  • Charlestown Road
  • Bodine Road
  • Union Hill Road and Tinker Hill Lane
  • Hollow Road three locations
   Rescue on Hillsover Lane
   Appliance fire on Howells Road
   Electrical Fire on Newcomen Road
   Vehicle accidents on:
  • Charlestown and State Roads twice
  • Whitehorse Road / Warner Lane
  • Coldstream Road twice
   Controlled burn on Benburb Road

Our precipitation was 1.75" above the average for the month. We are now 4.25" above normal for the year.
We held a tabletop exercise on October 2 in preparation for the full scale biennial Limerick Generating Station exercise to be held November 18. I patrolled with the Townwatch for ÔDevilÕs NightÕ and Halloween.
Cooler weather is coming - now is the time to check and have you chimney cleaned - BEFORE you have a fire. Please continue to be watchful for deer that are on or near the roadways. They can do a considerable amount of damage to your vehicle.
Respectfully submitted,
Frederick C. Alston
Fire Marshal / Emergency Management Coordinator
 
 
December 1, 2003

During the month of November, the East Whiteland Township Volunteer Fire Association, Kimberton Fire Company and I responded to four automatic alarms, one trees/wires fires, one vehicle fire, two vehicle accidents and one controlled burn. These do not include the several trees down in the roadways during and after the November 13th storm.

The emergency calls were as follows:
   Automatic fire alarms on:
  • Buckwalter Road
  • Hollow Road
  • Huntingdon Court
  • Stone Lane
   Trees / wires fires on:
  • Green Lane
   Vehicle fire on Maryhill Road
   Vehicle accidents on:
  • Coldstream Road
  • Charlestown and Hilltop Roads
   Controlled burn on Green Lane Road

Our precipitation was 0.5" below the average for the month. We are now 3.75" above normal for the year.
We held the full scale biennial Limerick Generating Station exercise on November 18. Our portion of the drill went very smoothly due mainly to the professionalism of the EOC members. They did an outstanding job and deserve our thanks.
I attended a seminar on Terrorism Awareness. I also attended an Emergency Management training class in Coatesville.
When decorating your home for the holidays, be sure to check for damaged wiring and do not overload your circuits. Also, test the GFCIs for all of your outdoor wiring for proper operation.
Respectfully submitted,
Frederick C. Alston
Fire Marshal / Emergency Management Coordinator
 
January 5, 2003

During the month of December, the East Whiteland Township Volunteer Fire Association, Kimberton Fire Company and I responded to six automatic alarms, one gas leak, one forcible entry, one vehicle accident and one open burn.
The emergency calls were as follows:
   Automatic fire alarms on:
  • Great Woods Lane
  • Sawgrass Lane
  • Avon Court
  • Union Hill Road
  • Maryhill Road
  • Howells Road
   Gas leak on Phoenixville Pike
   Forcible entry on Benburb Road
   Vehicle accident at Pikeland and Church Roads
   Controlled burn on Whitehorse Road
Our precipitation was 2.1" above the average for the month. We are now 6" above normal for the year.
In Emergency Operations Center news, the Resources Annex of the Emergency Operations Plan, which includes resources available within the township and identifies areas of special needs such as schools, handicapped persons, etc., of the Emergency Operations Plan was delivered to the Chester County Department of Emergency Services.
It looks like the coldest part of this winter season is just about upon us. Remember to place the ashes from your fireplace or stove in a metal container and store that in a safe area for at least two weeks before disposing of the ashes.
Reflecting on 2003 there were 148 incidents to which emergency services responded. Most notable were: 52 automatic fire alarms most of which were false, 42 vehicle accidents, 4 buildings, 25 trees/wires, 2 hazardous materials incident and 7 open/controlled burns. The year 2003, in comparison with 2002, showed an increase in automatic alarms but a decrease in vehicle accidents. All other incident categories showed very little change.
All of these incidents represent thousands of volunteer hours, both in operations and training. The women and men who responded to these calls, and the ambulance and medic unit services that cover our township, most of whom are volunteer, should be recognized and thanked.
I have again enjoyed serving as your Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Coordinator for 2003. It remains a positive experience for me and I feel that we are continuing to increase the fire safety awareness of our businesses and citizens. I hope that I may continue to serve you for 2004.
Respectfully submitted,
Frederick C. Alston
Fire Marshal / Emergency Management Coordinator
 
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