On Monday, January 25, a little after 330 pm Station 36 (Po-Mar-Lin) with Rescue 25 (Longwood), Micu 25, Ambulance 24(Kennett), and Medic 94 (SCCEMS) were dispatched for an accident with entrapment on Route 1. Chief 36, Rescue 25, Ambulance 24 and Micu 25 made a quick response and were advised by Fireboard of a Propane truck rollover with possible leak.

Ambulance 24 with Chief 24 arrived on location first and confirmed the report. Engine and Rescue 36 with 10 volunteers made the response. Chief 24 updated the location on Route 1 North bound at the Mill Rd bridge. Fireboard advised the change in location placed the call in Kennett Fire Company First Due area. At this time Chief 24 established Route 1 Command and requested Chester County Hazmat unit to Respond. A fire police task force was also alerted to shut down Route 1 in both directions and mill road crossing under the bypass.

Rescue 25 took a blocking position up hill south of the accident in the northbound lanes while Engine 36, Rescue 36, Engine 25-2, Utility 25, and tanker 24 staged up hill and upwind from the accident and active propane leak. Ambulance 24-2 transported one occupant for minor injuries.

Fire Police from Stations 24(Kennett), 25(Longwood), 36(Po-Mar-Lin), 23(Avondale), 22(West Grove), 39(West Bradford), 27(Cochranville), 19(hockessin), and several companies from Delaware county coordinated the shutdown of route 1 and bypassing the rush hour traffic.

Hazmat 15-1 and 15-2 Arrived and established a staging area for equipment. Kennett and Po-Mar-Lin volunteers assisted the hazmat team with lighting, equipment set up and clearing snow in several areas for accurate air monitoring. After obtaining zero readings and visual inspection showed the Propane tank holding more than 2,400 gallons of propane was not leaking, the Hazmat team cleared the scene for Blittersdorf towing to roll the truck back on its wheels. Blittersdorf at the direction of Hazmat team would transport the tanker off of route 1 to offload the remaining propane to another tank.

While towing crews worked to lift and roll the tanker to its wheels, Engine 36 remained in the hot Zone to provide lights and water and foam protection for the crews in the event an incident. Blittersdorf towing was able to upright the tanker with no incident.

Crews from Longwood and Po-Mar-Lin were then requested to use K12 saws at the direction of PennDOT to cut and remove the 50 feet of guardrail that was across the roadway.