Chester County Rescue Task Force

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Chester County Rescue Task Force Formed in 2009 by Chester County Fire Chief's Association to provide an Advanced Technical Response

To help mitigate special rescue incidents, such as confined space, trench/excavation,
rope/low and high-angle, ice, swiftwater/flood, mass transportation and structural collapse rescues

The Team held its monthly training this morning. After a presentation by our EMS physician on medical management for pat...
07/03/2026

The Team held its monthly training this morning. After a presentation by our EMS physician on medical management for patients in technical rescue incidents, we then traveled to the training site where a simulated structural collapse was staged. Squads were established and tasks assigned. Squads had to detect and locate the “victims” and then gain access to and assess the “victims”. Crews determined that there were several non-viable “victims and one viable “victim” who required advanced care from our medical team while our rescue specialists worked to “free up” the victim and then package and extricate from the collapsed area. This challenging evolution required members to operate in cramped spaces while still providing expert care. Close coordination between the Rescue Group and the
Medical Group provides the victim with the best chance of survival.

Crews also reviewed a few new tools recently added to the equipment cache.

Rescue Task Force personnel assisted Union Fire Company No. 1 ~ Oxford, PA Station 21 with this late morning incident in...
18/12/2025

Rescue Task Force personnel assisted Union Fire Company No. 1 ~ Oxford, PA Station 21 with this late morning incident in East Nottingham Township. Additional USAR assets from New Castle County also responded. The victim was successfully rescued and transported as Chester County Rescue Task Force units arrived on scene.

Trench rescues happen infrequently, but can have devastating consequences. These high-risk, low-frequency events require...
08/12/2025

Trench rescues happen infrequently, but can have devastating consequences. These high-risk, low-frequency events require specialized equipment and highly trained personnel to obtain a successful conclusion. While we may not be able to save everyone, we will spare no effort to attempt to do so safely and effectively.

This weekend concludes the 80+ hour FEMA US&R Equivalent Structural Collapse Specialist course funded by the South Easte...
10/08/2025

This weekend concludes the 80+ hour FEMA US&R Equivalent Structural Collapse Specialist course funded by the South Eastern Pennsylvania Regional Task Force and taught by instructors from Spec Rescue International, Inc. Since late June, twenty four members from the Region have spent every other weekend learning how to safely operate at structural collapse incidents. Topics covered included building construction and collapse patterns, emergency building shoring techniques, crane operations, heavy rigging and lifting, characteristics of concrete along with hands on time with all of the specialized tools necessary to effect a rescue from a collapse structure. Students completed two written exams as well as numerous skill stations. The course culminated with Sunday’s scenarios, simulating a collapse where students were able to put it all together. The knowledge and skills acquired by these new specialists will greatly enhance rescue capabilities within each county, as well as the SEPA Region. We truly appreciate the time, dedication and hard work these members put in to accomplish this.

Students from the SEPA Regional USAR Teams completed the second weekend of the FEMA US&R Structural Collapse Specialist ...
17/07/2025

Students from the SEPA Regional USAR Teams completed the second weekend of the FEMA US&R Structural Collapse Specialist course being taught by Spec Rescue International, Inc. Students completed some advanced shoring techniques and covered heavy lifting, rigging and crane operations. The 24 students remained hydrated and motivated through the heat and humidity displaying their dedication to learn. Two more weekends to go!

This weekend is the first of several weekends of specialized training for Regional technical rescue teams. The FEMA USAR...
28/06/2025

This weekend is the first of several weekends of specialized training for Regional technical rescue teams. The FEMA USAR equivalent Structural Collapse Specialist course is being provided through grant funding from the South Eastern PA (SEPA) Regional Task Force. Spec Rescue International, Inc. is instructing the course being held at the West Chester Fire Department Training Center. Twenty-four students from Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County and the Philadelphia Fire Department are participating. The skills developed during this 80+ hour class will enhance the already robust collapse rescue capabilities in the SEPA region. Training Never Ends!

This month’s drill covered confined space rescue. Crews reviewed air monitoring, hardline communications and supplied ai...
07/06/2025

This month’s drill covered confined space rescue. Crews reviewed air monitoring, hardline communications and supplied air breathing apparatus as well as patient packaging and removal. These low frequency high risk incidents require special training and equipment to have a successful result. Want to learn more about our team, send us a Facebook message. Training Never Ends!

Additional information and photos from yesterday’s trench collapse in York County. These incidents are low frequency, hi...
01/06/2025

Additional information and photos from yesterday’s trench collapse in York County. These incidents are low frequency, high risk events, requiring specialized equipment and personnel with specialized training and experience. Requesting specialized technical rescue resources early greatly increases the likelihood of a successful outcome!

Complex trench collapse in York County yesterday. Strong regional collaboration resulted in a successful rescue.
01/06/2025

Complex trench collapse in York County yesterday. Strong regional collaboration resulted in a successful rescue.

Challenging incident in South Jersey today.
21/05/2025

Challenging incident in South Jersey today.

Address

351 Snyder Ave

19382

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