Swarthmore Fire & Protective Association Report (October 19-November 1)

Engine 14-1, the attack pumper (center), flanked by engine 14-2 (right) and tower 14. The photo was taken with a 12-mm fisheye lens. The photographer, Andy Shelter, writes, “The trucks were all parked normally. It’s just the lens that makes it look that way.” Photo: Andy Shelter

October 19 - November 1

In this two-week period, the ambulance responded to 20 calls for medical assistance, to Swarthmore, Rutledge, Morton, Springfield, Nether Providence Township, and Ridley Township. The calls were for a variety of emergencies, including respiratory emergency, laceration, choking, reaction to medication, change in mental status, fracture, and overdose.

In addition, the fire company responded to: 

• Six automatic fire alarms.

• Three building alarms.

• Two hazmat alarms.

• Two wire alarms.

• Nine mutual aid calls to Morton-Rutledge and Nether Providence Township.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, calls about both emergency medical and fire emergencies have been much reduced. On the EMS side, this may be because many people are reluctant to request aid or transport to a hospital for fear of exposure to the coronavirus. The reduction in fire-related calls is a bit harder to explain. But, since many people are now working from home, they may be performing investigations to determine the extent of an emergency before calling for help.