On 10/25/21 at 09:34, Dept 5 and Dept 26 Sabinsville Ambulance were dispatched to Cowanesque Valley High School, 51 North Fork Rd Westfield Twp, to respond to a bomb threat. A note was found on the premises indicating there was a bomb in the school. School officials took immediate action to evacuate the building as Westfield Borough Police and Pennsylvania State Police responded to investigate. Dept 5 Fire Police provided traffic control while personnel assisted with evacuation and preparation of a remote evacuation site.
The student population was split by grade, with 10-12 being bussed to our Fire Hall/Community Building. Dept 6 (Knoxville) Rehab was dispatched to provide food and drink for our guests. Dept 5 personnel helped to manage the traffic and logistics as parents picked up their students. The evacuation was effective, pickup was managed well, and the students conducted themselves with order and maturity. The evacuation plan was fully executed by 11:42 and all Dept 5 units were made available.
Thank you to the Cowanesque Valley High School faculty and staff for doing an excellent job dealing with this situation, putting the safety of our children above all else. Thank you to Dept 26 Sabinsville Ambulance, Dept 6 Knoxville-Deerfield VFD, Sgt. Andrew Adams of the Westfield Borough Police, Pennsylvania State Police, the Westfield Borough Office staff (Lori Nelson and Theresa McCullen), and Tioga County Emergency Management Coordinator Doug Wicks.
Special thanks to Dept 5 Fire Police Captain Michael James and Lieutenant Gary Bisel for managing a quickly evolving, dynamic traffic situation, and to all of our volunteers who responded.
