TREDYFFRIN TWP., PA - On Saturday, June 24th, the Berwyn Fire Company was dispatched at 6:44 a.m. to the area of Glenhardie Road and Richards Road for a water rescue. Due to the high risk involved with swift water rescue, additional resources were dispatched from the Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Company and the Jefferson Fire Company for their rescue boat. This area contains the bottom end of Trout Creek, which has historically presented similar situations during major storms and flash flood events.

First arriving personnel encountered one vehicle in the water with the driver and sole occupant still in their vehicle. The water was just about up to the bottom of the car windows. As rescuers were gearing up, the car continued to move due to the force of the water. The Chester County 9-1-1 Center maintained voice contact with the occupant, while on-site crews prepared to enter the water.

A three-person rescue team entered the swift water to safely remove the subject by 7:10 a.m. At the same time additional personnel stood by downstream in the event the car kept moving. Fortunately the driver and all responders were uninjured during this incident. The flood waters receded by 8:00 a.m. and the roads in the immediate area re-opened after they were cleaned up by the Tredyffrin Township Public Works Department.

The Tredyffrin Township Police Department and the Tredyffrin Township Public Works Department responded to the scene and blocked all roadways leading into the area to provide for the safety of rescuers and to prevent any motorists from getting caught in a similar situation.

The Berwyn Fire Company strongly encourages that if you can't see the road in front of you due to flooding conditions, "Turn around, don't drown!" You need to seek high ground and wait to drive your car, or you will risk getting trapped in swift water. While we don't experience some of the significant flooding seen in other parts of the country, we do experience swift water flooding conditions that create high risk situations for those stuck in the water and the rescuers who respond to help them.

This response is a great example of the investment and training by BFC personnel coming to fruition when needed. Although the assistance of Valley Forge and Jefferson was ultimately not needed, knowing that they were on the way to help was a great relief.