ANNOUNCING THE PASSING OF PAST DFD CHIEF JAMES R. McGOWAN, III

January 17, 2019

The memorial service for past Downingtown Fire Dept. Chief, James R. McGowan, III will be on Saturday, January 26, 2019.

Jim was a Social Life Member of the Alert Fire Co. No. 1 and an Active Life Member of the Minquas Fire Company No. 2, plus most recently he was EMS Chairman of the Minqaus EMS Division.

Below, are a few photos that we have at Alert of Chief McGowan, from Firefighter to Fire Chief.

The memorial service information can be found at the James Terry Funeral Home Website:

https://www.jamesterryfuneralhome.com/tribut…/James-McGowan…

Wed 23

Weekly Training – Vehicle Rescue

October 23 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Mon 28

Weekly Training – Vehicle Rescue

October 30 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Thu 31

Happy Halloween

October 31

Alert Fire Co. No. 1 is with Bob Good and 7 others at Reliance Hook and Ladder Co. #1.

2 days ago

TBT - 12 Years ago on October 13, 2007, the Alerts traveled to Upper Chichester, Delaware County to help celebrate the Reliance Hook and Ladder Co. #1, 75th. Anniversary and Parade.

The crew spent about three weeks preparing the Squad, Rescue and Tower for the parade. The hard work, dedication, teamwork and many long nights paid-off for the team as we earned four First Place awards at the Delaware County FireFighters Association Parade.

The four First Place awards were for Best Appearing and Most Functional Heavy Rescue, Best Appearing and Most Functional Tower/Platform 1995 and Older, Best Appearing Pierce Apparatus for Rescue 45 and Best Appearing Overall Company Outside of Delaware County. ... See MoreSee Less

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It was the only parade I was in where I was up on the top of the tower. SO awesome!

That how I rode to my first call at alert. Clean hands took my head off!

On that day, Rescue 45 was less than a year old. So, we ended up giving several tours of the truck, before the parade started!

I remember somebody looking at the tower and telling his buddies the we must have cleaned for months to get it that good. When he asked me, I told him that we only cleaned for two days because we weren’t even going to bring it. That blew their minds; they walked away in a daze.

Alert Fire Co. No. 1 shared a post.

3 days ago

During the month of October, the Downingtown Fire Dept. have been practicing their basic vehicle rescue skills, during our weekly training. This evening, the team used our HURST Jaws of Life system for our training. #helpfightfire #volunteertoday #hurstjawsoflife #heavyrescue ... See MoreSee Less

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Alert Fire Co. No. 1

3 days ago

The officers and members of the Alert Fire Co. No. 1 are sad to hear of the passing of our long-time friend and brother fireman, Robert "Hoofy" Doan.

We offer our condolences, thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Hoofy, in addition to the Good Will Fire Company #2 of West Chester family, where he was a member since 1972. Hoofy was also a member of Alert for a few years when he lived in the Downingtown area. ... See MoreSee Less