10/05/2026
TRAINED FOR BOTH. READY FOR ANYTHING. A RESPONSE MODEL THAT WORKS.
Following our October 3 response to the working house fire on Corn Crib Drive, we've seen questions and criticism about how our Bryn Athyn crew was deployed.
We believe our community deserves the facts.
Bryn Athyn Fire Company and IAFF Local 5608 have released a joint statement explaining exactly how our staffing and response model worked that day. The short version:
🔹 Our career members are trained and qualified to do both. They are cross-trained firefighters and EMS providers. The same on-duty crew staffs our fire apparatus and ambulance and responds to whatever emergency comes in.
🔹 On October 3, our crew arrived first, less than five minutes after dispatch, with fire showing. They immediately went to work on the fire. That rapid deployment allowed an interior attack to begin without waiting for another crew to arrive.
🔹 EMS capability was maintained. Our Advanced EMT remained outside the structure, prepared to evaluate and treat anyone who might need medical attention. Additional mutual aid ambulances were requested.
🔹 The outcome matters. One firefighter was evaluated on scene by our AEMT and Paramedics. No treatment was indicated, and no civilian patients required transport.
This is exactly why cross-trained career staffing matters. One crew can bring firefighters, EMS providers, equipment, and immediate action to the emergency instead of waiting for separate personnel to arrive.
Questions are appropriate. Criticism based on incomplete information is not.
The full joint statement from Bryn Athyn Fire Company and IAFF Local 5608 is attached. We encourage everyone to read it and understand how the response actually unfolded before drawing conclusions about the decisions made that day.
Thank you to every career and volunteer firefighter, EMS provider, and mutual aid agency that worked together on October 3.
Trained for both. Ready for anything. That is the response model our community deserves.
