WGFC Joins in Active Intruder Exercise at Avon Grove Charter School
 
March 19, 2025
 

On Monday, first responders from the West Grove Fire Company joined with Chester County Department of Emergency Services, state/local law enforcement & first responders to take part in a successful full-scale active intruder exercise (drill).

A scenario was presented, and all involved were expected to respond as they would in a real situation. Actors, including an intruder, were used to simulate the sights, sounds, and feelings an emergency could present. WGFC leadership established a unified command with the PA State Police and school officials, while a large cadre of WGFC firefighters and EMTs arrived to establish patient treatment, triage and transport, working smoothly with area first responders and partners to move through the 90-minute exercise.

This was an excellent learning experience, ensuring the school, state/local law enforcement, and first responder agencies are trained and prepared to keep our community safe. Thank you for all who participated and helped make this huge endeavor a success!

Chester County Department of Emergency Services
Staff & Teachers of the AG Charter School
Pennsylvania State Police Academy
Avondale Fire Company
Chester County Sheriff's Office
Longwood Fire Company
Southern Chester County Regional Police Department
Chester County Sheriff's Office of PA
Medic 94 - Southern Chester County EMS
Kennett Township Police Department
Kennett Square Police Department
London Grove Township

(Our thanks to the Charter School for many of these photos)
 
Units: Engine 22-1, Ladder 22, Rescue 22, Engine 22-3, Ambulances 1/2/3, Fire Police
 
Mutual Aid: Medic 94, Avondale 23, Longwood 25, Chester Co. Dept. of Emergency Services, PA State Police, and various law enforcement agencies
 
WGFC firefighters assisted with patient movement to and from a triage area set up in the school entrance hallway.
WGFC firefighters assisted with patient movement to and from a triage area set up in the school entrance hallway.
 
WGFC and PA State Police leaders operating together at the unified command as part of an active intruder drill at the AG Charter School.
WGFC and PA State Police leaders operating together at the unified command as part of an active intruder drill at the AG Charter School.
 
A pre-exercise briefing was held with all participants.
A pre-exercise briefing was held with all participants.
 
Chester County's Comm 1 communications unit was on scene.
Chester County's Comm 1 communications unit was on scene.
 
EMS crews from various agencies arrive as the exercise gets underway.
EMS crews from various agencies arrive as the exercise gets underway.
 
Crews from various EMS agencies worked smoothly together handling simulated patients.
Crews from various EMS agencies worked smoothly together handling simulated patients.
 
WGFC leadership at the command post with State Police and school representatives.
WGFC leadership at the command post with State Police and school representatives.
 
In the triage area, EMS personnel from the WGFC and Medic 94 evaluated simulated patients under the watchful eyes of area police responders.
In the triage area, EMS personnel from the WGFC and Medic 94 evaluated simulated patients under the watchful eyes of area police responders.
 
The PA State Police mobile command center was at the drill.
The PA State Police mobile command center was at the drill.
 
EMS units in front of the AG Charter School.
EMS units in front of the AG Charter School.