2024 was a record breaking year for many aspects of the West Grove Fire Company -- and the end-of-year emergency response statistics for both fire and ambulance will reflect the busiest response year in the organization’s history...stay tuned for the details in early January.

As the year comes to a close, one strong performance to be proud of is the work of the fire company in promoting fire safety and education, particularly in efforts that target young children. The WGFC has been recognized for its proactive fire prevention programs for children, with an annual effort centered around October -- national fire prevention month -- but its also a program that runs continually all year long. With visits to dozens of schools, daycares, churches, and public events, WGFC firefighters and EMTs are constantly promoting fire safety to the Avon Grove community, with a particular focus on reaching kids to build a lifelong appreciation for importance of fire safety.

This year, yellow WGFC fire trucks and ambulances visited nearly every school in the area, and, with the cooperation of teachers and administrators, kids got an opportunity to get learning lessons from first responders, and get to see fire trucks up close. When kids see firefighters and their equipment, they are less afraid of firefighters in an emergency. And school programs emphasize safety topics like smoke detectors, "stop-drop-and-roll," and home evacuation plans. Even the youngest children can benefit from learning how to call 9-1-1 in an emergency.

This year, more than 6,000 children were reached by WGFC fire safety education programs. For years, the WGFC fire prevention programs have been coordinated by "Firefighter Lisa," who often presents in front of classes, putting on her turnout gear and airpack, and leading kids through various safety topics. Many generations of children in this community have grown up with Firefighter Lisa who not only does many of our presentations, but spends many, many hours coordinating with schools and community groups to set up four weeks of logistics to get Fire Prevention Month activities scheduled. We celebrate Lisa Glass for her leadership, but the program would not be successful without a team of volunteer and career first responders who bring the WGFC fire trucks and ambulances to school and community events, and assist in making the presentations and showcasing the equipment we carry on our apparatus.

At the WGFC, our first responsibility is to respond to emergencies - fire, EMS, and rescue -- across our response district. But we embrace and are proud of our commitment and responsibility to help prevent emergencies through public education especially those that reach young children. Our congratulations and thanks to all of the first responders who made the 2024 program so successful. Now, on to 2025!