| On Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 the Westwood Fire Company was requested at 1416 by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry to respond to the Chester County Airport to assist with filling "Air Tanker" planes with water for a large woods fire transpiring at the Nottingham County Park in the Oxford area.
With crews on station during the day, Engine 44-5 and Rescue 44 responded immediately.
When the apparatus arrived at the airport at 1419, Chief McWilliams and Assistant Chief Sly met with airport officials and representatives to advise them of the situation. Just several minutes later, the first air tanker arrived and Engine 44-5 began to fill the 500 gallon tank.
A second air tanker, with an 800 gallon tank, arrived shortly after. Both planes were filled with water from Engine 44-5's tank, and then took off to fly south to the raging woods fire.
Rescue 44 stood by at a hydrant on Lindburgh Boulevard on the Airport property to refill Engine 44-5.
Each time the planes landed, they were refilled water and each was refueled with jet fuel once.
A total of four trips and air drops were made by the aircraft, which are contracted by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry out of the Hazleton Airport.
Engine 44-5 supplied 5,200 gallons of water to fight the fire from the air. Numerous fire companies from multiple states were on the ground working to control the blaze at the scene.
Engine 44-5 cleared the scene at 1729. |
