The West Grove Fire Company operates three fire stations - with stations in West Grove, New London, and in London Britain townships.

Originally, when the fire company had a single station in West Grove, it was identified as Station 22. Fire station numbers are set through a cooperative process between Chester County Emergency Services (the county government that operates the emergency dispatch and 911 center) and the Chester County Fire Chief's Association. For the most part, the station numbers reflect general geographic locations -- those fire companies in the southern end have similar numbers (west to east): Oxford 21, West Grove 22, Avondale 23, Kennett Square 24, and Longwood 25.

When West Grove added a second station in New London in the 1990's, it was deemed helpful to identify units coming from that station with a different number, and the number 12 was utilized. When the third station, in Nichols Park in London Britain township, was established a few years ago, the number 32 was utilized. Since then, WGFC has operated as Stations 12, 22, and 32.

However, under the leadership of Chief Eric Felker and President John Chambers, the company has been exploring bring back a single numbering system. The primary driver of that has been the symbolic but important goal of operating as one unified organization, as well as a simplistic approach operationally.

To that end, the WGFC will return to be only Station 22 effective November 18. The 12 and 32 numbers will no longer be used. This creates some apparatus and station designation changes:

Engine 22 will be Engine 22-1
Engine 12 will be Engine 22-2
Engine 32 will be Engine 22-3
Ladder 22 will remain Ladder 22
Tanker 22 will remain Tanker 22
Rescue 22 will be Rescue 22-1
Rescue 12 will be Rescue 22-2
Brush 12 will be Brush 22
Squad 22 will remain Squad 22
Squad 32 will be Utility 22
Chiefs' vehicles will remain unchanged
Ambulances logged on in West Grove will be Ambulances 22-1,2 and 3
Ambulances logged on in New London will be Ambulances 122-1, 2 and 3
Units not listed above logged on in London Britain will carry the 222+ designation.

The stations will be known for their geographic municipality: West Grove, New London and London Britain. (Technically they are Stations 22, 122 and 222).

The West Grove Fire Company is proud of its reputation as a strong, unified, community-minded, combination (volunteer + career) department. This station number change, effective November 18, will only serve to reinforce and emphasize that.