News

D Platoon FF- EMT Nick Cripps was recognized by The Claymont Fire Company where he is a volunteer Fire Captain for rescuing several victims from a house fire!

*12 Firefighters and 2 EMTs receive awards for the successful rescue of occupant from March 2024 house fire*

On March 29, 2024, @ 06:53 Hours, Claymont Fire Company and surrounding area departments were dispatched to a residential structure fire located at 3 Barberry Place, Valley Run Townhouses. While units were en route, communications had advised of a person trapped inside the residence. A few minutes later, units were advised of now possibly 2 occupants trapped on the second floor.

Engine 135 arrived on scene, forward laying a supply line from the hydrant located at Valley Run Drive / Barberry Place, and positioned a few houses past the address reporting smoke showing from a 2-story middle-of-the-row townhouse. Fire Chief Mark Harris arrived and assumed Claymont Command. Engine 135 crew split into two groups – Rescue ( Fire Captain Nick Cripps & FF Kofi Ofori-Agyekum  / Fire Suppression ( FF Antony Kline & FF Adam Golden ) – Support FF Anthony Santini hydrant layout.

While Stretching to the reported house, Fire Captain Nick Cripps and Firefighter Kofi Ofor-Agykem heard audible screams from inside the residence. Once entering, Fire Captain Nick Cripps looked inside and saw a semi-conscious person lying down at the top of the interior stairs to the second floor involved in heavy smoke and fire conditions. Nick immediately entered the structure without any protective breathing apparatus and removed the resident from the top of the stairs and out the front door to the awaiting EMS.   Firefighter Ofori-Agykem then donned his PPE and advanced ahead of the hand line to complete searches. Firefighter Antonio Kline (Nozzleman) and Firefighter Adam Golden (Back-Up) then advanced the line to the second floor and initiated fire attack.

Fire Captain Nick Cripps proceeded to the second floor behind the hose team and began their search of the room on the left adjacent to the hallway and bathroom. Upon entering the bedroom, FF Kofi Ofori-Agyekum located and reported a second occupant – unresponsive and unconscious, simultaneously Fire Captain Nick Cripps also reported finding a third unaccounted for occupant – unresponsive and unconscious. Fire Captain Nick Cripps immediately communicated with Incident Command and reported the crew found two additional occupants.

Delaware County Engine 66 arrived as the second-due engine and secured the hydrant from Engine 135. The crew from Engine 66 ( Fire Chief Mike Heacock, Mason Kletter, and Jarod Ethridge ) and Layout FF Anthony Santini ( Engine 135 ) were immediately assigned by command to assist with the rescues on the second floor.

Due to the collier mansions conditions on the second floor, it was communicated to command that both victims would need to be removed via ground ladders on the Charlie side to Ladder 25.
Fire Captain Nick Cripps and FF Kofi Ofori-Agyekum moved the first occupant to the window and assisted with removing occupant #2 to awaiting firefighter FF Mason Fitzgerald (Ladder 25). Mason Fitzgerald (Ladder 25) lowered the unresponsive/unconscious occupant to the ground to EMS. Fire Chief Mike Heacock (Delco Engine 66) and FF Jarod Ethridge (Delco Engine 66) assisted with moving and relocating occupant #3 to the window, and FF Anthony Santini (Engine 135) and FF Mason Kletter ( Delco Engine 66 ) assisted with removing the occupant to the window to awaiting FF Alex Shores (Ladder 25). Alex Shores ( Ladder 25 ) lowered the unresponsive/unconscious occupant to the ground to EMS.

From arrival to the removal of victim number 3 was 5 mins. This quick and effective rescue of the occupants provided the opportunity for one to attend our annual banquet and present the following awards to the members who went above and beyond.

Life-Saving Awards:

Engine 13 Officer - Fire Captain Nick Cripps

Engine 13 Support - Kofi Ofori-Agykem
Engine 13 Back-Up - Anthony Santini

Engine 66 Officer - Mike Heacock
Engine 66 Nozzleman - Mason Kletter
Engine 66 Back-Up - Jarod Ethridge

Ladder 25 Officer - Mason Fitzgerald 
Ladder 25 Outside Vent - Alex Shores

Merit Award:
Engine 13 Nozzleman - Antonio Kline
Engine 13 Back-Up - Adam Golden

Unit Citations:
Engine 13 Driver - Edward Hassel
Engine 66 Driver - Dan Kirkner

EMTs:
Maria Hartmeyer
Elizabeth Smith