National Weather Service Alerts for Chester County, PA
Welcome to the Official Website for the Friendship Fire Company No.2
Diving-Rescue Unit & UAV Search Team
The inception of the Friendship Fire Company Diving-Rescue Unit, Chester County Station 77, dates back to 1952 with the core mission of aiding those in distress. Since our establishment, we have tirelessly strived to deliver our specialized services whenever and wherever the need has arisen.
Our team is composed entirely of dedicated volunteers. Currently, we extend our specialized search, rescue, and recovery services to the police and fire departments within the tri-county area. These services encompass underwater recovery of drowning victims, water rescues, ice rescues, and underwater searches for evidence and items. While even the smallest assistance can make a significant difference, it demands committed men and women to offer that assistance.
This is why we are particularly thrilled to welcome new volunteers who share our dedication to making a positive impact on the world. Would you like to support our cause by contributing to our efforts? If so, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us. A helping hand is always warmly received!
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Congratulations Member Monica Vega
Assistant Chief Joseph Motzer, March 20
Yesterday, Friendship Fire Company's own Monica Vega successfully completed sixth months of training to become a certified Emergency Medical Technician. All the Officers and Members of Friendship send their congratulations to EMT Vega on a job well done!... (Full Story & Photos)
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Thermal Drone Search Assist in East Nantmeal Township
UAV Pilot Rick Rotondo, February 29
Last week, our Team was deployed to support the Ludwigs Corner Fire Company, East Nantmeal Police, and PA State Police in a search operation in East Nantmeal Township. Our team dedicated several hours to searching the area utilizing our DJI M30t thermal drone. The Pennsylvania State Police's Aviation Patrol Unit and Tredyffrin Township Police Department's UAS unit also participated in the search, ... (Full Story & Photos)
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Nighttime Drone Operations Training at Pennhurst Asylum
UAV Pilot Rick Rotondo, February 24
This past weekend, our UAV Team engaged in a collaborative training exercise with pilots from Pennsylvania Canine Search and Rescue (Pacsar), Upper Uwchlan Township Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police at Pennhurst. We tackled three distinct courses, scored according to the NIST quantitative standard. These courses were strategically designed to challenge us with various obstacles ... (Full Story & Photos)
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Monthly Company Drill - Diving & Dive Tending Skills
UAV Pilot Rick Rotondo, February 21
This past weekend, for our February monthly drill, we focused on diving skills, with our team practicing search patterns in the Schuylkill Canal at Lock 60 to locate “evidence.” Our experienced dive tenders provided valuable training to the newer members, enhancing our team's expertise. We also deployed our DJI M30t drone for aerial overwatch, ensuring the drill ran smoothly and safely. It was a productive ... (Full Story & Photos)
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Nighttime Drone Operations Training in West Goshen
UAV Pilot Rick Rotondo, February 02
Recently, our team of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) pilots collaborated with counterparts from the Chester County Haz-Mat Team, West Chester Borough Police Department, and Pennsylvania Canine Search and Rescue - Pacsar to conduct a night-time training exercise. This session focused on search operations using thermal imaging drones. Concurrently, we incorporated a National Institute of Standards and ... (Full Story & Photos)
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Friendship Diving-Rescue Unit Assists in West Brandywine Search
UAV Pilot Rick Rotondo, January 31
Our team was recently deployed to support the PA State Police in a search operation. We utilized our DJI M30t drone in coordination with units from the Pennsylvania State Police and the West Brandywine Police Department, each also deploying their own drones for the operation. The search was concluded successfully.... (Full Story & Photos)
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Members of our Team standby to launch our DJI M30t thermal drone.
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Friendship Diving-Rescue Unit Assists in Search for Missing Individuals in Wallace Township
UAV Pilot Rick Rotondo, December 07
Yesterday, shortly before 3 PM, Friendship Diving-Rescue Unit was dispatched to support Station 48, Glen Moore Fire Company, with a search operation for two missing individuals. Upon our arrival, ground crews from Glen Moore Fire Company, ATV units from both Station 49, East Brandywine Fire Company & Station 69, Twin Valley Fire Department, along with local Law Enforcement, were already conducting ... (Full Story & Photos)
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Monthly Company Drill - Ropes and Advanced Line Systems
Captain Joseph Motzer, November 19
For the November Company Drill our team took advantage of the circumstances of needing to retrieve a washed out buoy just above Blackrock Dam to practice how to safely approach a vessel or victim hung up on the top of a low head dam. Rescue scenarios involving low head dams are some of the most dangerous we can encounter in water rescue, due to the recirculating hydraulic located on the down stream ... (Full Story & Photos)
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