TSFRS fire and Fire Police personnel were busy during the snowstorm period from approximately 5 PM on Sunday February 22 thru 5 AM Monday February 23. The Department handled eight runs in the 12-hour period, including five vehicle crashes, two possible reported structure fires and one automatic fire alarm.

The first crash was on Hain Rd near Old Fritztown Rd, for two cars down an embankment. Fortunately, there were no injuries, and the units were released with the exception of Fire Police for traffic control. The second was further down Old Fritztown Rd shortly thereafter, for a car versus pole with unknown injuries. Ultimately this also did not require fire services and the units were recalled. In between these two responses, E85 was dispatched to Leisure Ct in Wyomissing for a possible structure fire from which they were cancelled while enroute.

Later, TSFR Fire Police were special called to assist Cumru Twp with traffic control on Rte 222 northbound at the Gouglersville exit due to accidents on the highway. E85 then responded to assist Cumru Twp with a possible structure fire on New Holland Road where they were staged until released by Command.

The most complicated incident occurred as E85 was returning on Rt 222 northbound from the New Holland Rd fire when they came upon another vehicle crash on 222 southbound just past the Adamstown exit. E85 parked on the northbound side and members crossed the median and accessed the site. Due to possible injuries Capt. 85 requested a full vehicle crash assignment. The injured party was relocated to E85 due to weather conditions and lack of any traffic blocking on the southbound lanes. Ultimately Lancaster Engine 11-1 (Adamstown) staged behind E85 for northbound blocking and Wyomissing E79 with Chief 85 set up blocking on the southbound lanes.

While this was ongoing, another accident southbound was observed by Chief 85 which was evaluated and determined to be without injuries. As a result of the worsening weather and road conditions, Spring Twp PD directed Rt 222 SB be closed at the Gouglersville exit. Station 85 Fire Police along with additional mutual aid Fire Police accomplished this until the vehicles were removed and the roadway re-opened.

Several calls in a busy period under trying circumstances, handled expeditiously. If not the result of the storm, they certainly were exacerbated by it.