Fire Marshal Report to the Board of Supervisors

January 4, 1999

During the month of December, the East Whiteland and Kimberton Fire Companies responded to one dwelling fire and nine vehicle accidents. Additionally, I investigated one incident of open burning.

• Dwelling fire on Tyrone Road
• Open burning on Benburb Road

• Route 29 near Buckwalter Road (two)
• Coldstream Road at the 'S' bend and at Township Line Road
• Charlestown Road at Hilltop Road, Hollow Road and Pickering Dam Road
• Bodine Road
• Valley Hill Road

Precipitation for December was 2" below normal bringing the yearly deficit to over 10". Because of this lack of rainfall plus the 9" deficit from last year, the ban on outside burning in the township remains in effect. Please note that the PA DEP 'Drought Warning' is expected to become a 'Drought Emergency' in January, 1999. This emergency is widespread and covers most of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

The blue hydrant markers have been received and are being installed. Approximately 20% of the hydrants have been marked and the remainder should be completed early in January. If you have a hydrant on or near your property, please try to keep it cleared of snow.

Both of our fire companies held their annual elections and each has a new Fire Chief. East Whiteland Volunteer Fire Company elected Darin Fitzgerald who replaces Steve Allen and Kimberton Fire Company elected Chuck Fields, replacing J. Pollinger.

I would like to review the emergency services provided to our township over the last year. For 1998, there were 108 incidents - 26 fire related and 55 vehicle accidents to which the East Whiteland and Kimberton Fire Companies responded. Most notable were: 5 dwelling fires; 1 barn fire; 7 fields and woods or leaves fires; 8 for trees and wires; 1 for smoke and odor investigation; 3 vehicle fires; 1 residential rescue; and 16 automatic fire alarms - mostly false. All of these incidents represent thousands of volunteer hours, both in operations and training. The women and men who responded to these calls plus the ambulance and medic unit services that cover our township, most of whom are volunteer, should be recognized and thanked.

The one item that stands out in this year's review is the sharp increase in vehicle accidents (55) which are up 40% from last year's total of 39. These are only the accidents that are serious enough for the fire apparatus to respond to and do not include the many ambulance-only, fender-bender and non-injury accidents.

Also, during the year, I have taken courses in: Hazardous Materials Operations; Incident Command System; Duties and Responsibilities of a Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator; and Emergency Preparedness, USA.

I have again enjoyed serving as your Fire Marshal for 1998. It is a positive experience for me and I feel that we are increasing the fire safety awareness of our businesses and citizens. I hope that I may continue to serve as your Fire Marshal for 1999.

Respectfully submitted,

Frederick C. Alston

Fire Marshal