The Night of Storm Ida
 
By Firefighter Joshua May
September 1, 2021
 

On the evening of September 1st to the morning of the 2nd, Po-Mar-Lin responded to over 23 emergency calls. Numerous swift water rescues, accidents, residential rescues, medical calls, and other fire related calls were conducted during the storm. Over 20 members staffed the station running non-stop, intense calls. The Brandywine River swelled to a record 21 feet and 4 inches causing an insane amount of flash floods in our first due. Our crews were assisted by water rescue teams from Longwood, Kennett, Goodwill, and Port Penn. fire companies. An intense rescue that Po-Mar-Lin responded to was when a large SUV was swept off the road by rapid water and pinned against a fence. The occupant was on the hood of the vehicle while the water rapidly rose. Po-Mar-Lin crews requested assistance from the West Marlborough Road Master, Hugh Lofting, and his front loader. Two members equipped with water rescue gear were tied to the front loader bucket while the machine went into the water to rescue the occupant. Once the two members rescued the occupant, they tied a safety rope around him. Mr. Lofting backed the machine up and successfully rescued the person from the rapids. That was 1 of 13 water rescues the Fire Company participated in throughout the night. Crews stayed at the station until 09:00 A.M. the next morning after the river flooding had peaked and was steadily decreasing. Our message to the community when another storm like this hits is to stay indoors and do not risk driving through the water! Many vehicles and lives were put in jeopardy by people thinking they could make it across the swelling rivers. Stay safe everybody.

 
Units: Engine 36, Rescue 36, Brush 36, Squad 36, Utility 36, and ATV 36
 
Mutual Aid: Chester County : Kennett Fire company and Longwood Fire Company Newcastle County : Goodwill Fire Company and Port Penn. Fire Company