| On a beautiful morning Saturday June 14th members of the Thorndale Volunteer Fire Company, administered by the Chester County Department of Emergency Services participated in part two of an Emergency Vehicle Operators (EVO) class. The purpose of EVO is to familiarize the first responder with the vehicles he/she will be operating and to help to prepare them for some of the challenges they may face while responding to incidents.
The operation of an emergency vehicle is one of the most common functions performed by today’s fire and emergency service organizations, yet it is also one of the most dangerous. During the 1980’s, 179 firefighter deaths were the direct result of emergency vehicle operations. Of course, this figure doesn’t count the hundreds of emergency responders injured in emergency vehicle accidents. Approximately 25 percent of on-duty firefighter fatalities occur each year while responding to or returning from incidents, with the majority of fatalities resulting from vehicle crashes. Vehicle collision is the second leading cause of firefighter fatalities. Part of the solution to this is the EVO class.
The Thorndale Volunteer Fire Company is committed to reducing firefighter fatalities and injuries by helping to create a safer operational environment for emergency responders. A seven part competency course was up that tested the ability of the operator to maneuver through tight situations they may face in the real world, from backing out of a narrow 200’ alley to making it through a serpentine in reverse. Members from the West Bradford Fire Company as well as the Honey Brook Fire Company were also involved in the class.
Thanks to all the county instructors who gave their time to help our company be safer and to all of our volunteers who gave up their beautiful Saturday morning to make sure that when they are called upon to respond to an emergency call in Caln Township or for any mutual aid call, they “arrive alive”. |
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