Newsletter

Wednesday, September 7, 2011 Shrewsbury Volunteers responded to our station for a reported water rescue at 09:30 hours this morning.  Just about 24 hours later our members have responded to approximately 40 calls for service.

Today the remains of Tropical Storm Lee arrived in an already saturated York County and dropped at last count over 11 inches of rain.  York County began dispatching swift water incidents for people trapped in homes and in vehicles due to rapidly rising waters.  The York County ATR Team was dispatched for multiple rescues in York County.  Shrewsbury Fire Co. is part of the York County Advanced Technical Rescue Team which provides personnel and equipment trained in swift water rescue.  We respond with local fire departments and assist them in any way possible.

During the course of the next 12 hours Station 61 personnel assisted in rescuing over 13 people from the fast moving water.  Fire companies all over York County were inundated with reports of people trapped in the water.  Fire stations responded and investigated the situation.  If they did not need the York ATR Team they were placed in service for another call.  Rescue 61 from Shrewsbury put over 200 miles on the unit responding to approximately 40 incidents in York County.

Residents are reminded the water will be on the rise for the next two days and should consider all standing water dangerous.  NEVER drive your vehicles through flooded areas.  Even though you may think the water is shallow the swift moving water could have created channels in the ground and even swept the roadway away.  If faced with flooded areas call 911 for assistance in getting out.