1st Responder News New England April Edition

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The New England Edition PUBLISHING SINCE 1993

HOME SUBSCRIPTION - $48/YEAR W W W .1RBN.COM

APRIL, 2025

MICHAEL CARENZA JR

NEW BRITAIN, CT - Three families have been displaced, and three dogs have died in a fire at 183 Broad Street on March 7th. The fire was first called in as an electrical problem just after 12:30 A.M., but was soon upgraded to a fire on the third-floor.

-

See full story on Page 10

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PAGE 2

April, 2025

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

CONNECTICUT

SEAN FLAHERTY

T aftville Truck Fire TAFTVILLE, CT - At 10:29 A.M. on Sunday, February 23rd, the Taftville Fire Department was dispatched to Hunters Avenue near Hunters Road for a truck fire. Engine 21 arrived at 10:34 A.M. with an engine compartment fire and stretched their bumper line. Engine 22 arrived next and assisted with open­ ing up. The Norwich Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.

RYAN FLAHERTY

Firefighter Rick O'Connell pumping Engine 32.

Yantic Brush Fire Threatens Sheds PATCH OF THE MONTH If you have photos you would like to see in our “Patch o f the month “feature please upload them on our website, w ww .lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .

YANTIC, CT - At 10:41 P.M. on Sunday, March 2nd, the Yantic Fire Company was dispatched to the area 150 North Wawecus Hill Road for a brush fire. Engine 31 arrived at 10:52 P.M. and stretched their booster line into the field.

Engine 32 positioned in the drive­ way and initially stretched their booster line. Then they stretched a one-and-three-quarter-inch hose

J ump t o f i l e #03 03 2 5 1 0 0

o?P line to protect two sheds.

Engine 33 laid 200’ of fiveinch supply line up the driveway and nursed Engine 32 with a threeinch hose line. Engine 33 stretched their booster line over the rock wall and began knocking

fire.

Car 30 established command and requested East Great Plain ET-51 and Engine 52 at 10:55 P.M. Both of EGP’s rigs sent water up the hill and provided man­ power to assist. Crews were on scene cleaning up until after mid­ night.

- RYAN FLAHERTY

VEHICLE NEWS

PROVIDED BY DANIEL LACIVITA

This patch belongs to the Trumbull Volunteer Fire Company, located in Fairfield County, CT. This year marks their 100th anniversary, and they recently created the new logo to celebrate.

CHUCK LOWE

Middlefield recently placed a 2024 Spartan Metrostar/Gowans-Knight 1500/1000/30A in to service as Engine 2.

April, 2025

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

PAGE 3

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April, 2025

CONNECTICUT

Advertising Index

IN SERVICE

A g u id e to fin d in g g r e a t c o m p a n ie s

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1st Responder Newspaper - NE

Paae I f you have photos you w ould like to see in our In Service feature, please upload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com o r em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .

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The West Shore Fire District, in West Haven, runs this 2023 Pierce Enforcer 1500/750 as Engine 31.

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Springfield Truck 3 runs with a 2022 Pierce Arrow XT 100' aerial.

Smoke Detector Alerts Resident to House Fire in Norwalk NORWALK, CT - The N or­ walk Fire Department responded to a single-family residential struc­ ture at 4 Tonetta Circle, 47 min­ utes past midnight on Sunday, March 9th.

The single adult occupant ex­ ited the home safely after smoke detectors alerted him to a fire in the basement which extended into the first-floor living area. There was significant fire damage to the basement and two rooms on the first-floor, with extensive smoke damage throughout the dwelling.

Jump to fiie # 0 3 1 7 2 5 1 4 0

*4 39 The Norwalk Fire Department responded with a total of 28 fire­ fighters in the 1st Alarm assign­ ment consisting of three Engines, two Ladders, a Rescue Company and Command staff. No injuries were reported. The Norwalk Fire Marshal's office is investigating the cause of the fire.

- NORWALK FD

ON THE LITER SIDE Sutphen

3 If you have photos you would like to see in our "‘On The Liter Side" feature, please up­ load them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.

CORPORATE INFORMATION 1st Responder News (ISSN 1525-1683) - New Eng­ land edition - Vol. 29, No. 4 - is published monthly, 12 times a year for $48 per year by Belsito Communica­ tions, Inc., 1 Ardmore Street, New Windsor, NY 12553. Periodicals Postage Paid at Newburgh, NY and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to 1st Responder News, 1 Ardmore Street, New Windsor, NY 12553. No financial responsibility is assumed by this newspaper to publish a display, classified, or legal ad or for typographical errors except o f reprinting that part of the ad which was omitted or in error.

Omissions a division of: or errors must be brought to . communications, inc. the atten­ tion of the 1 newspaper during the same month of publication.

Printed in Canada.

8 45-534-7500 • (fa x) 845-534-0055 Info @ bel sito.com

CHUCK LOWE

Tolland operates this 2022 Spartan Gladiator/4 Guys 1500/1000/40F as Squad 240.

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One Connecticut Fire Department proudly operates this Freightliner M2-SB edition.

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

April, 2025

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PAGES

PAGE 6

April, 2025

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

1 "R e s p o n d e r N ew spaper 1 ARDMORE STREET • NEW WINDSOR, NY 12553 845-534-7500 • (fax) 845-534-0055 • N e w s@ 1 stR e sp o n d e rN e w s.co m

EXECUTIVE STAFF PUBLISHER Joseph P. BelsitO (Joe@Belsito.com) GENERAL MANAGER Kathy Ronsini (Kathy@1stResponderNews.com) MANAGING EDITOR Lindsey Palmer (Undsey@1stResponderNews.com) PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Ashley Ramos (Ashley@1stFlesponderNews.com) BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Joe BelsitO (Joe@1 stnespondemews.com)

In memory of those who gave all 1st Responder Newspaper honors and remembers emergency responders lost in the line of duty

ACCOUNTING Nicholas BelsitO (Nicholas@Belsito.com) DISPATCHER RECRUITMENT & RETENTION (Rich© 1stResponder.com)

EDITORIAL STAFF COLUMNISTS Rick Billings (Cartoon) Bob Long (Cartoon) John Malecky (Apparatus, Bookshelf) Didymus McHugh (Chaplain's Corner) Fernando Villicana (Chaplain's Corner)

CORRESPONDENTS Nate Arnold • Sterling Beaucage • Jeffrey Belschwinder • Sayje Benjamin • David Bowen • David Biyce • Michael Carenza Jr. • Dylan Conway • Doug Fenichel • Sean Fesko • Ryan Flaherty • Karin Halstead • Jay Heath •

Texas: Scott Glass, 43 Rank: Assistant Chief Incident Date: October 17, 2024 Death Date: October 20,2024 Fire Department: Perryton Fire and EMS Initial Summary: On Thursday, October 17, 2024, As­ sistant Chief Scott Glass responded to a residential fire.

As members were setting up a water supply a vehicle ran over the hose popping a coupling, causing 3 fire­ fighters to fall to the ground. Assistant Chief Glass sus­ tained serious head injuries and was airlifted to Northwest Texas Healthcare System in Amarillo. He passed away on Sunday, October 20,2024.

Patrick Kerrigan • William King • Lee Krohn • Kenneth Leger • Peter Lobo • Chuck Lowe • Patrick Nlagyar • Phillip NlcCully • Bemie Meehan Jr • Keith Milton • Kevin Mlosio • Brian Owen • Edward Prescott • Greg Ramsdell • Frank Robinson • Coral Ruggiero • Dick Scialabba • Shaun Shattuck • Shane Shifflett • John Sjostedt • Ken Snyder • Robert Sprague • Jack Stawasz • Pat Travers • Peter Walsh Jr • Eugene Weber Jr • Diana White

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ EDITORIAL INFORMATION_______ Join our team of correspondents or columnists! 1st Responder Newspaper welcomes submissions by our readers. Send stories and photos to us at 1Ard­ more St. New Windsor, NY 12553. Or, give us a call or send us an e-mail. If using the mail, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for all sub­ missions you wash to have returned. Publisher reserves the right to refuse any editorial or advertising material submitted.

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Connecticut: Robert "Sharky" Sharkevich, Sr., 66 Rank: Engineer Incident Date: October 22, 2024 Death Date: October 22,2024 Fire Department: Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department Initial Summary: On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, Engi­ neer Robert "Sharky” Sharkevich, Sr., was battling a brush fire on Lamentation Mountain in Berlin, CT, when the Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) he was operating rolled over a steep, rocky incline. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Three other firefighters were taken to local hospitals with non life-threatening in­ juries.

A dvertising@ 1stR espon derN ew s.com

CIRCULATION INFORMATION 1st Responder Newspaper is delivered to all fire, rescue, ambulance stations and hospitals. If you do not receive your papers, please contact our circulation department. Home subscriptions are $48 per year.

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GRAPHIC DESIGN/MARKETING 1st Responder News’ graphics team will work with you on your adver­ tisement free of charge. Addition­ ally, we offer a complete marketing department for all of your printed . communications, inc. needs. Whether they are posters, or single sheet handouts, full color or black and white, no one else delivers the high quality work at our competitive prices.

As a newspaper in the Belsito Communications Inc. family, 1st Responder News has a state-of-the-art production facility which utilizes the latest scan­ ning technology available. Materials are processed using Power Macintosh G4s. Output is handled on our HP Color LaserJet 8500 to produce this highest quality black and white or color prints on the market.

845-534-7500 ext. 214 • (fax) 845-534-0055 lnfo@ B elsito.com

California: Garret Miller, 44 Rank: Fire Captain Incident Date: October 8, 2024 Death Date: October 21,2024 Fire Department: Barstow Fire Protection District Initial Summary: On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, Fire Captain Garret Miller was on duty at Fire Station 366 when he suffered a medical emergency. He was immedi­ ately transported to the hospital where he remained for two weeks until his passing from a cardiovascular event.

Texas: Marcelo Garcia, III, 42 Rank: Firefighter

Incident Date: November 6, 2024 Death Date: November 6,2024 Fire Department: Houston Fire Department Initial Summary: On Wednesday, November 6, 2024, firefighters were at the scene o f a commercial struc­ ture fire. At approximately 11:05 p.m. a mayday was transmitted for a wall collapse. Firefighter Marcelo Garcia and another firefighter were immediately res­ cued and transported to the Memorial HermannTexas Medical Center. Firefighter Garcia passed away from the injuries he sustained in the collapse.

The other firefighter has since been released.

Pennsylvania: John Walsh, 60 Rank: Battalion Chief Incident Date: November 20,2024 Death Date: November 20, 2024 Fire Department: Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Initial Summary: On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, Battalion Chief John Walsh was in command of a house fire when he collapsed. He was immediately transported to the hospital where he passed away. The cause of his death has yet to be determined.

Pennsylvania: Stephen Michael Pavetti, 58 Rank: 3rd Assistant Chief Incident Date: November 20,2024 Death Date: November 21, 2024 Fire Department: Kiski Township Fire Department #1 Initial Summary: On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, starting at 5:33 pm., Assistant Chief Stephen Michael Pavetti responded to multiple calls for trees and wires down, with the last call at 8:03 p.m. After the calls were completed, Assistant Chief Pavetti and others from the department returned to the station, cleaned the appara­ tus, and put it back in service. They then had dinner to­ gether at the station. At approximately 3:30 p.m. the next day, Thursday, November 21,2024, Assistant Chief Pavetti was found unresponsive at his home where he was pronounced deceased from a cardiac event.

PAGE 7

April, 2025

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

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April, 2025

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

CONNECTICUT

FIRE COMPANY LOGOS If you have photos you would like to see in our “Fire Company Logos “feature please upload them on our website, w ww .lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .

NORWALK FD

Outside Fire Extends to Structure in Norwalk CHUCK LOWE

Colchester Engine 1 sports this creative logo featuring “The Duke.”

ACTION SHOT If you have photos you would like to see in our “Action Shot” feature, please upload them on our website, w ww.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@ lstResponderNews.com .

NORWALK, CT - The City of Norwalk Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Monday, March 3rd, at 2:10 RM. The fire was located at #7 Bartlett Manor in a one-and-a-halfstory cape cod style house. Initial re­ ports stated that the outside of the house was on fire.

Upon arrival. Engine 1 encoun­ tered heavy smoke coming from what appeared to be the rear of the

.

^

H jr

Jump to fiie # 031 72513 8

a# l &

home. As an attack line was being stretched, the first due engine officer stated that there was a large amount of home furnishings on the back patio on fire. The large volume of fire melted the siding on the back of the house which was beginning to catch fire.

The fire was extinguished in under 10 minutes by a 1st alarm as­ signment consisting of 3 Engines, 2 Ladder Tmcks, 1 Heavy Rescue, and the Deputy Chief, totaling 34 per­ sonnel.

There were no reported injuries.

The Norwalk Fire Marshal Division is investigating the cause of the fire.

- NORWALK FD

ROBERT BROWN

MERIDEN, CT - Meriden, Southington and Berlin fire departments responded to Rt 691 South in Meriden on February 28th for a re­ ported MVA.

NORWALK FD

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

PAGE 9

April, 2025

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April, 2025

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

CONNECTICUT

T h re e D ogs D ie , T h re e F a m ilie s D is p la c e d in N ew B rita in F ire NEW BRITAIN, CT - Three families have been displaced, and three dogs have died in a fire at 183 Broad Street on March 7th.

The fire was first called in as an elec­ trical problem just after 12:30 A.M., but was soon upgraded to a fire on the thirdfloor. The fire was in a third-floor kitchen and had spread to an­ other apartment before being knocked down in about 20 minutes.

There were very strong winds at the time.

No injuries were reported, and the cause is under investigation.

- MICHAEL CARENZA JR

MICHAEL CARENZA JR

MICHAEL CARENZA JR

MICHAEL CARENZA JR

Smoke pushing from the 3rd floor.

April, 2025

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

PAGE 11

PATRICK KERRIGAN

Working Structure Fire in Nashua

EMTJEIZA CHERRY

Northwood Home Destroyed by Heavy Fire

NASHUA, NH - Nashua fire alarm began receiving calls for a building fire on Ash St., February 15th. Engine 4 arrived first due and reported a fire on floor 1 of a two-and-a-half-story wood-frame multiple dwelling. Companies stretched two han­ dlines and the fire was knocked down in a short amount of time.

NORTHWOOD, NH - On December 10, 2024 at 5:56 P.M., Northwood Firefighters were summoned to the area of West street for an unknown type of fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found a well-involved structure fire and requested a second-alarm. In total, 11 area departments responded. As this home was not in a hydrant district, a tanker shuttle was established for water supply. The fire was con­ tained to the structure of origin. The fire was stopped prior to involving the attached barn, and a second barn approximately 10-feet away was also saved. Two firefighters were treated at the scene for minor injuries. The home was vacant at the time and no civilian injures were reported.

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PAGE 12

April, 2025

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

RHODE ISLAND

K. LEGER

K. LEGER

PATRICK KERRIGAN

Porch Fire w ith Extension in Providence PROVIDENCE, Rl - Providence firefighters quickly extinguished a fire in a wood-frame dwelling on March 16th. Companies ar­ rived to find a porch fire with slight extension. Three lines were stretched and the fire was knocked down in a short amount of time.

K. LEGER

69th Annual Newport St. Patrick’s Day Parade NEWPORT, Rl - On Saturday, March 15th, Newport held the 69th annual Saint Patrick's Day pa­ rade in the historic downtown. Fire and Police departments from throughout the area partici­ pated in this annual tradition. Crowds packed the sidewalks along the parade route and enjoyed the two hour parade.

April, 2025

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

Why do you do it?

Chaplain’s Corner Didymus McHugh

So why is it that you do what you do?

Years ago, I asked my father why he joined the fire service. My father was working two full time jobs and made time for the fire service. He told me that he needed to do something to get him away from his wife.

I would later think of why I joined the fire service and realized that for me, it was a way to get to know my father. Yes, later I joined EMS so that I could help people who may have been getting closer to their end of life.

I have heard people who said that emergency responders joined so that they could get in the news­ paper. I will admit that some emer­ gency responders find a way to be in the headlines or trying to control organizations, because they want to be in control or their personality had to be fed at all time.

I learned, from my uncles who raised me, I was a firefighter to help people. I was not into it to be in the paper or for any glory. I did the work and that was it.

I have seen many who wanted to be paid for their fire service but the people that I respect were the unpaid professionals, who shared their experience and knowledge. I know and have met many people that shared their knowledge for free. One of the things that stand out in my memories was when I was taking my Haz-Mat Technician course. We had a student sitting taking the course and they had a nu­ clear physicist teaching the chem­ istry part of the course. The physicist went teaching the course but he was incorrect on his infor­ mation. A gentleman in the class kept correcting the instructor. You could see that the instructor did not like that he was corrected. He looked at the person correcting him and said "if you think you know more than I know, you get up here and you teach the class." When the man came up to the front, the in­ structor asked him who he thinks he was. The gentleman politely intro­ duced himself as having a doctorate in chemistry and he was able to rat­ tle of chemical facts like me recit­ ing the alphabet. Did he join Haz-Mat to prove himself to an in­ structor? No, he found a place where he can use his expertise to help others.

I have noticed emergency re­ sponders who are in emergency serv­ ices for the rank. They tell you that you need to respect them because they have the horns, but they have no right to even talk with people be­ cause they have no subject matter knowledge or how to deal with any person.

People go through some experi­ ences that make them humble. I know a person who survived a backdraft and now he teaches the fire service and stresses safety and the difference that fire gear can make.

People do work many times for free because they want to help peo­ ple just for the sake of assisting peo­ ple.

As I was working with disasters and supervising people, I came across people who decided to bring a scrapbook with them to show how important they were. These people were sent home because it was obvi­ ous that they did not have the heart to help people but to build their re­ sume.

There are many people who are in emergency services to build their resumes also but the people who are really respected are those who give from their hearts. One of the people that I respect and that is respected by so many people gives from himself and shares his knowledge.

The one thing that gets me is when someone is asked to speak.

They may say that they don't really know that much about the subject matter but they are really the subject matter expert. I always find it amaz­ ing that the people that have humility may really be the smartest person in the room.

I love the story that a friend con­ veyed to me. He was at a party with his cousin, a beautiful woman that could pass for a model. A gentleman was expressing a challenge that he was having with a particular Apple product. The woman expressed that she may be able to assist and the man dismissed her as just a pretty dumb woman. Do you think that he was surprised when he found out that she was in charge of the think tank for Apple?

So doing a reality check, why do you do what you do? Is it to be a ser­ vant or do you do it so that others will serve you? You can still serve others and enjoy yourself.

I think we know a person that was here to serve His fellow man to the point of the supreme sacrifice. If you don't know Him and want to, I can help with the introduction.

PAGE 13

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April, 2025

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

MASSACHUSETTS

F ire in T h re e -D e cke r C laim s L ive s o f M u ltip le P ets in S p rin g fie ld SPRINGFIELD, MA - A sec­ ond-floor fire in a three-story, wood-frame, multi-family dwelling displaced three families on Monday, March 17th, along with nearly 20 pets, in the Liberty Heights section of the City of Springfield.

Springfield Fire Alarm dispatched companies to the three-decker lo­ cated at 746 Carew St. shortly before 9:30 P.M. for a re­ ported structure fire. Before companies even left the firehouse. Fire Alarm came back on the air and advised they were receiving multiple 911 calls for this address. First due Engine 4 arrived on scene and confirmed the fire with heavy fire venting from the second-floor. Delta side.

Crews stretched lines to all three floors and made fast work of the fire, knocking the bulk of it down within 15 minutes. While all the human occupants had made it out safely, multiple pets, upwards of 20 total between the three units, were unaccounted for. It was dur­ ing the overhaul phase of the fire that crews began to locate and re­ move both dogs and cats from all three floors.

One by one, the littlest fire victims were laid down by fire­ fighters in the side yard of the property where EMS personnel and firefighters did what the could to revive as many of the an­ imals as possible. Those pets that survived the fire were turned over to the MSPCA, as their owners had no way to care for them due to being displaced by the fire.

Several days after, some of the animals were still being treated at an Eastern Massachusetts veteri­ nary hospital. No humans sus­ tained serious injury at the fire, and the displaced families are being assisted by the Red Cross.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the SFD Arson Squad.

NATE ARNOLD

Light smoke drifts from the Bravo side of 746 Carew St. as crews work inside.

- NATE ARNOLD

NATE ARNOLD

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

PAGE 15

April, 2025

MASSACHUSETTS

Fire Strikes Large Dwelling in Woburn WOBURN, MA - Woburn firefighters arrived on March 2nd to find heavy fire showing from a large dwelling on the corner of Mt Pleasant St. at Fowle St.

1LITTLE BIG GUYS If you have photos you would like to see in our Little Big Guys feature, please upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.

Co mma n d

quickly struck a second-alarm, bringing in mutual aid to the scene and to cover the city.

Companies made an aggressive interior attack to knock down the fire. Companies re­ mained on scene for several hours overhauling and checking for ex­ tension.

CHUCK LOWE J A M IE KELLEY

- PATRICK KERRIGAN

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PAGE 16

April, 2025

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

MASSACHUSETTS

1N SERVICE I f you have photos you w ould like to see in our In Service feature, please upload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .

CHUCK LOWE

Ladder 1 protects Boston's historic North End with this 2022 E-One Cyclone 100' "Metro" Aerial.

PATRICK KERRIGAH

CHUCK LOWE

Springfield Engine 3 is a 2023 Pierce Enforcer PUC 1500/750.

PATRICK KERRIGAH

CHUCK LOWE

Milford's Engine 5 is a uniquely colored 2021 KME Severe Service 1750-GPM top-mount pumper that carries 750-gallons of water and 30-gallons of Class B foam.

Three Alarm s S truck a t Lawrence D w elling Fire LAWRENCE, MA - Lawrence firefighters arrived to find heavy fire showing from a large twoand-a-half-story, wood-frame, multi-family dwelling, March 22nd. Command quickly struck a second-alarm, bringing in mutual aid to the scene and to cover. Due to the heavy volume of fire, companies were forced to go defensive and command struck a third-alarm. Multiple ladder pipes and big hand lines were used to knock down the heavy fire and keep it from extending into the exposures. Companies remained on scene for several hours checking for hot spots.

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

April, 2025

PAGE 17

MASSACHUSETTS

T h re e -A la rm F ire K n o cke d in V a c a n t F a ll R iv e r S ch o o l B u ild in g FALL RIVER, MA - On Satur­ day, March 1st just before 3:00 P.M., firefighters responded to a still alarm at 82 Hartwell Street, a vacant school building. When command arrived from the west, he reported nothing showing, while En­ gine 4 responding from east notified command he had J ump to f iie # heavy smoke show­ 030 22510 6 ing from the C side.

Command

M9

called for a secondalarm based on the report from Engine 4. Firefighters made an aggressive interior attack for approximately 40 minutes when the roof began to collapse. Command called for an immediate evacuation of the fire building and to set up to go defen­ sive. Two ladder pipes were put into operation, along with portable deck guns to surround and drown this fire. Command called for a third-alarm and mutual aid to back­ fill empty stations and also began a recall of off duty personnel.

Firefighters remained on scene until the following morning when local and state investigators took over the scene to determine origin and cause.

S3

- KENNETH LEGER

K.LEGER

Heavy fire consumes the top floor.

K. LEGER

High Angle Rescue Conducted in Fall River JAMIE KELLEY

Boston Trash Facility Fire Goes to 8th Alarm BOSTON, MA - Boston firefighters spent all day Sunday, March 16th, battling a fire in a large trash facility on Gerard St. Companies arrived to find heavy smoke showing and heavy fire in­ side. Command quickly struck multiple alarms and eventually the commissioner struck the 8th Alarm. Companies used multiple master streams, as well as big hand lines to knock down the main body of fire.

FALL RIVER, MA - At approximately 9:20 A.M. on March 4th, firefighters responded to 198 Tecumseh Street for a reported worker down on scaffolding above the second-floor. Heavy Rescue 1, Ladders 2 and 4, Car 3 and Engine 4 responded.

On arrival, Command learned the worker had somehow come in contact with a power line and was unresponsive.

The crews went to work setting up for a high angle rescue using the aerial ladder to deliver the stokes basket to the scaffolding and carefully lower the worker to the awaiting paramedics on the ground to treat and transport the injured man. Unfortunately, the worker succumbed to his injuries while at a local hospital.

PAGE 18

April, 2025

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

MASSACHUSETTS

K.LEGER

PETER LORO

V e h ic le R o llo ve r w ith E ntrap m en t on R oute 20 in W altham WALTHAM, MA - At 5:00 A.M. on March 7th, Waltham Police and Fire responded to a vehicle rollover at Route 20 and Livingstone Lane. Engine 4, Rescue 1, Medic 1 and Ambulance 1 were dispatched. Units responding spent 15 minutes trying to locate the vehicle. In the meantime, the driver of the car stayed in contact with the 911 dispatcher, saying he was able to hear sirens and saw red lights. The driver had been traveling south on I 95 when he took the Route 20 exit too fast and ended up down an embankment. Eventually firefighters found him, and after having to be removed from the back seat, he was transported to Newton Wellesley Hospital with un­ known injuries.

BUDDY SHOTS If your department has photos you would like to see in our “Buddy Shots” feature please upload them on our website www.lRBN.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com

K.LEGER

Afternoon Structure Fire in Fall River FALL RIVER, MA - A late afternoon fire broke out in a threestory wood-frame tenement house at 116 Danforth Street, March 10th. When firefighters arrived on scene, they had heavy smoke and flames showing from the third-floor A and B sides. Firefighters made an aggressive interior attack, but were driven back when flames took complete control of the attic and third-floor. Command ordered an evacuation of the fire building and called for a second-alarm. Firefighters were able to knock down the fire and return inside to complete extinguishment.

JOHN SJOSTEDT

Members of Plymouth Fire Department at a 4-Alarm Fire in Onset.

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

April, 2025

PAGE 19

MASSACHUSETTS

V ehicle News

M EM ORIAL BOARD If y o u h ave photos you w ould like to see in our “M em orial Board “feature please upload them on our w ebsite, w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .

FALL RIVER, MA - On Thursday, March 20th, Firefighter Scott D. Casey was laid to rest. Firefighter Casey was a 22-year veteran of the Fall River Fire Department where he served on Engine Com­ pany 6. Brother Casey was a member of IAFF Local 1314 and a member of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts. He was a US Navy veteran and a Fall River Police Officer before transfer­ ring to the fire department.

CHUCK LOWE

Bolton's 2024 Kenworth/Fouts Brothers 1000/3000 has recently been put into service as Tanker 72.

________ K. LEGER

Preparing for the walk by.

CHUCK LOWE

Ayer recently placed a 2024 E-One Typhoon eMAX 1500/750/30B into service as Engine 2.

K. LEGER

Scott's final response.

V is it 1st Responder News on the web at w w w .1 rb n .c o m

WILL CUSHMAN

Rockland's Engine 11 is a 2024 Pierce enforcer with a 1500-gpm pump and this engine can carry 750-gallons of water.

PAGE 20

April, 2025

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

MASSACHUSETTS

FIRE COMPANY LOGOS I f you have photos you w ould like to see in our “Fire Com pany Logos “feature please upload them on o u r w ebsite, w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .

PETER LOBO

Mass State P olice Bomb Squad Removes Explosive Device in W altham

CHUCK LOWE

WALTHAM, MA - On February 24th, Waltham Fire received a report of some type of chemical issue at 210 Waverley Oaks Road. Engine 3, 8 Tower 1, Rescue 1, and Medic 1 were dis­ patched. A chemical or explosive device was found. The Mass State Police Bomb Squad re­ moved the device and transported it in a dump truck to Lexington to detonate it. The substance was determined to be Diethyl Ether.

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April, 2025

PAGE 21

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PAGE 22

April, 2025

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

MASSACHUSETTS

PATRICK KERRIGAN

3rd Alarm Dwelling Fire in Lunenburg LUNENBURG, MA - Lunenburg firefighters arrived to find smoke showing from the eaves of this single-family dwelling, February 26th. Companies discovered heavy fire in the rear attic of the dwelling and command struck a 2nd alarm, bringing in mutual aid to the scene and to cover. Due to the amount of fire and areas needed to be overhauled, command struck a 3rd alarm. Companies had the fire knocked down a short time later and remained on scene overhauling and checking for extension.

PETER LORO

Head-On Multi-Car Crash with Injuries in Waltham WALTHAM, MA - At 6:15 P.M. on March 2nd, Waltham’s 911 center received multiple calls for a head-on crash at Weston Street and Sibley Road. Engine 4 and Medic 1 were dispatched. Fire­ fighters arrived and found three cars scattered across the roadway. Two cars had heavy dam­ age, with one car smoking. All parties were out of the vehicles, but two people were transported to the hospital. Firefighters had to pull the BMW apart to extinguish a fire.

PATCH OF THE MONTH I f you have photos you w ould like to see in our “Patch o f the m onth “feature please upload them on our w ebsite, w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? If you have photos you w ould like to see in our W here are they N ow ? feature please upload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .

CHUCK LOWE EUGENE WERER JR.

This patch belongs to Franklin Fire Department, located in Norfolk County, MA.

Lynn operated a 1994 GMC Top Kick/E-One as Squad 1 until the city disbanded the company in 2002.

The rig then served as Lynnfield Squad 4 and later for the Essex County Tech Rescue Team. Now semi-retired, the old girl functions as Unit 107, a mobile kitchen for the Rehab 5 support group.

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

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April, 2025

PAGE 23

PAGE 24

April, 2025

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

MASSACHUSETTS

WORKING FACES I f you have photos you w ould like to see in our “Working F aces” feature, please upload them on our w ebsite, w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com

PATRICK KERRIGAN

3rd A larm Damages S to re fro n t in Low ell JOHN SJOSTEDT

Deputy Andersen in Command at a 4-Alarm Fire in Onset.

LOWELL, MA - Lowell Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke showing from a taxpayer on the early morning of February 24th. Companies found a deep-seated basement fire in a store­ front that had already extended to the exposure stores. Command struck a 2nd and 3rd alarm, bringing in mutual aid to the city. Companies stretched multiple hand lines to knock down the main body of fire.

COMMAND VEHICLES If your Department has photos you would like to see in our "‘Command Vehicles" feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindseyw! lstResponderNews.com

K.LEGER

Dump Truck Fire in Fall River FALL RIVER, MA - On March 5th around 1:00 P.M., 911 com­ munications began receiving calls for a dump truck on fire.

Three separate locations were called in for this fire. One caller reported the location as Route 24, another location was called in as the Dave's Beach boat launch area. Because of the lo­ cation confusion, two engines and a ladder were dispatched in an attempt to locate this incident. In the meantime, a call was received from 20 Development Way, a local contractor, reporting one of their dump trucks on fire. Companies arrived to find a large dump truck with the engine compartment and interior fully involved. Engine 4 attacked the fire while Engine 5 supplied their tank water to complete extinguishment.

CHUCK LOWE

Springfield recently placed three 2024 Dodge Ram 1500s in service. Two are assigned to Districts 1 and 2. The third will pull Station 8's boat, which has been designated ESU-8.

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

April, 2025

PAGE 25

MASSACHUSETTS

MEMORIES If your department has photos you would like to see in our "‘Memories'' feature please upload them on our website www. IRBN.com or email them to Lindseyw! lstResponderNews.com

JOHH SJOSTEOT

CHUCK LOWE

Southborough ran this 1968 Maxim-F 1000/500 as Engine 25.

MVA w ith Rollover in Plymouth PLYMOUTH, MA - On March 2nd, firefighters responded to the area of 61 Industrial Park Rd for a vehicle that struck a pole and rolled over on its roof. One victim self-extricated and was trans­ ported to Bi-Plymouth with non-life-threatening injuries.

CHUCK LOWE

Princeton operated this 1978 Ford F800/Farrar, which featured an LDH hose reel and a 750-GPM front-mount pump.

K. LEGER

177-Year-Old Victorian Home Destroyed by Fire in Fall River CHUCK LOWE

Upton operated this 1975 International Paystar 5000 as Engine 7.

The apparatus was acquired from military surplus. It carried 3800gallons of water and was also designated Tanker 2 during its time with UFD.

FALL RIVER, MA - On Monday, March 17th around 2:45 P.M., firefighters responded to a still alarm at 386 Locust Street. On arrival, command called a working structure fire and called for an additional pump to respond. The fire building was a 177-year-old Victorian built in 1848 that contained numerous void spaces and balloon frame construction, which allowed the fire to spread rapidly. Four adults and one child were home at the time, and three were transported due to smoke inhalation concerns. Five dogs and two cats were unaccounted for.

PAGE 26

April, 2025

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

PATCH OF THE MONTH If you have photos you would like to see in our “Patch of the month “feature please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.

Bob Long

“I took my suit to the dry cleaner but they wanted to charge me forty-five dollars, so I gave it to the charity sh o p next door. They cleaned and pressed it and put it in the window.

I bought it back for fifteen dollars!”

EUGENE WEBER JR.

This patch belongs to Montpelier Fire Department, located in Washington County, VT.

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1st Responder Newspaper - NE

When the Smoke Cleared: A Murder Mystery in Malden ON THE BOOK SHELF

by John Malecky

When the Smoke Cleared: A Murder Mystery in Malden

By Bill Powers Available from: FSP Books & Videos 433 Main Street, Suite 2A Hudson, MAO 1749 1-800-522-8528 Email: support@ fire-policeems.com www.fire-police-ems.com Price: $15.99 This is a soft covered book measuring six inches by nine inches, with 394 pages. It is a true crime story told by the author, who at the time it occurred (July, 2000), was the Commanding Of­ ficer of the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit. It is the story of an arson fire which took place in a community room of a

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condo complex in Malden, MA. The fire was set to hide a murder of a teenage girl who was lured into that room. In an effort to de­ tract from the crime, her body was kidnapped to another state where she was buried in a shallow grave after being decapitated. Most of the book addresses the crime scene, the investigation, the find­ ing of the remains, arrest and cus­ tody of the alleged murderer and the detailed case of prosecution.

Most of the book takes the reader through the relentless quest to build the case beyond a reasonable doubt to convict the defendant. I

must impress upon the reader that this book is an education about what it takes to plan, research and collect evidence to convince a jury to vote guilty. The prosecutor worked relentlessly to build this case with a host of witnesses to say the least. There are eight black and white photos supplied by the fam­ ily of the girl and her siblings. If you are interested in law and order, you will want to read this book. It is a story which brought her family together to a loving ending. The author has such an extensive bio that space would not permit all of it to be included here.

April, 2025

PAGE 27

STILL IN SERVICE If you have photos you w ould like to see in our “ Still in Service” feature, please upload them on our w ebsite, w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to Lindsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com

CHUCK LOWE

Newbook Engine 3, located in Newfane, operates a 1996 Pierce Saber 1000/1000. This 29-year-old vehicle was refurbished in 2014

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April, 2025

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

PATCH OF THE MONTH I f you have photos you w ould like to see in our “Patch o f the m onth “feature please upload them on our w ebsite, w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .

LITTLE BIG GUYS I f you have photos you w ould like to see in our L ittle Big G uys feature, please upload them on our w ebsite www. 1stR esponderN ew s.com o r email them to L in d sey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .

CHUCK LOWE

Brewer Maine Engine 303 operates with a 2009 GMC C5500 4x4/Pierce. This apparatus has a 500-GPM pump, a 500-gallon tank, and an onboard CAFS system.

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This patch belongs to the Hermon Fire Department, located in Penobscot County, Maine.

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IN SERVICE I f you have photos you w ould like to see in our In Service feature, please upload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .

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Hermon operates this 2023 HME Ahrens-Fox 1871W 1250/1020 pumper as Engine 401.

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1st Responder Newspaper - NE

April, 2025

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April, 2025

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

1IRILLS/TRAININIG I f y o u h a v e p h o t o s y o u w o u l d l ik e t o s e e in o u r D r i l l s f e a t u r e , p l e a s e u p l o a d t h e m o n o u r w e b s i t e w w w l s t R e s p o n d e r N e w s .c o m o r e m a i l t h e m t o L i n d s e y @ l s t R e s p o n d e r N e w s .c o m .

Fire Alarms IAN fire departments have what is commonly referred to as “smells and bells” calls. The term refers to basic calls that may involve frequent flyers such as local restaurants. Firefighters may also use the term “routine” although arguably no call is rou­ tine; complacency being the subject for another day. What­ ever these basic calls mean to your district one thing is certain and that is these calls will typi­ cally involve a fire alarm as the initiating device and the reason for boarding an apparatus.

Therefore, firefighters must have at least a rudimentary under­ standing of fire alarms and fire alarm systems. As with most re­ quired fire service knowledge and skills, instructors must first start with the basics and build upon how to apply that informa­ tion. NFPA 72 and 25 govern fire alarm systems while 110 and 111 oversee the power supply.

To start each fire alarm system has to have a fire alarm control unit (FACU). This would be the brain of the system that moni­ tors, controls and responds to disruptions. Obviously, the FACU is generally operating nor­ mally but there are three other conditions that can occur. The first is “alarm” which is an im­ mediate threat to life, property and assignment. An alarm con­ dition may be the result of a heat/smoke detector or a drop in water pressure. The second is a “trouble” condition which is in reference to an issue with the FACU itself as opposed to smoke condition such as a break in the circuitry. The last is a “supervisory” condition which indicates an issue with the sys­ tem and/or any component parts. Supervisory mode can in­ clude other systems such as kitchen suppression or fire pumps because a FACU may control more than just fire alarms. An example of supervi­ sory is when a FACU responds to a valve being stuck shut.

When a FACU has supervisory functionality, it may need to be temporarily shutdown in order to conduct any system testing. For example, weekly testing of a fire pump in accordance with NFPA 25 would require taking the FACU out of service while that

test is being conducted. Also, most alarm systems have a test mode that allows it to function while testing or even construc­ tion is taking place. In the case of the latter, it is always wise to let an emergency dispatcher know the situation prior to noti­ fying firefighters.

A fire alarm starts with initiation of device or circuit that signals the FACU into trouble or super­ visory mode. There are multiple types of initiating devices such as fire, smoke, carbon monox­ ide, heat detectors (including rate of rise heat detectors), pres­ sure devices and water flow de­ vices. Also included are any manual devices such as a pull station. In a conventional sys­ tem any of these devices will short circuit so that no other de­ vice in that “zone” can be acti­ vated thus leading firefighters to a general area. On the other hand, an addressable system sends a binary code (either a 0 or 1) that results in identifying a specific device.

This is an important aspect be­ cause when firefighters arrive at a location they want to quickly identify where a problem may be. Although it depends on the SOPs of the department fire­ fighters should always advise residents or commercial man­ agers to NOT reset an alarm sys­ tem for this reason i.e. because it makes identifying an issue all that more cumbersome. Fire­ fighters would rather search a specific zone or floor as op­ posed to an entire building.

Moving on to how alarm sys­ tems are powered? Obviously, there has to be not only a reli­ able primary source but also a reliable backup - we are talking about emergency situations after all. Typically, the primary power source is the local utility while backup sources are often an engine driven generator or acid/lead battery. Back up sources have to provide enough power for anywhere from 5-15 minutes in alarm and a full 24 hours in standby. This goes for not only the system as a whole but some components as well.

Emergency lights for example generally have a button that when pressed indicate the bat­ tery backup is operating suffi­

fore possible to be a proprietary and central depending on the functionality of the monitoring system.

ciently.

Once a fire alarm signal is sent to the FACU how are occupants notified that the alarm is acti­ vated? That can be either by sound, voice or a visual cue. Vi­ sually, flashing lights are the most common but jurisdictional building codes (usually at the state level) determine the num­ ber, placement and type of noti­ fication device. Relative to sounds the volume level must be 15 decibels above average ambi­ ent sound and 5 decibels above the maximum sound. It is a good idea for firefighters and safety personnel to test fire alarms to make sure all occupants can hear/see the notification devices.

One last note on notifiers is the type of sound. Temporal 3 is a three-tone sound (heard here: https://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=TfN5mpLdmys) that indi­ cates evacuation is necessary whereas temporal 4 (heard here:https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=BziW_vCC-aA ) is a four-tone sound that indicates carbon monoxide.

The last part of alarm systems discussed here would be the monitoring of any FACU. NFPA 1221 standardizes the installa­ tion, maintenance and use of emergency services communi­ cations systems. In short this is all about who is monitoring any issues with the alarm system.

This may be a public emergency system which is usually a munic­ ipality such as a police or fire station or even a private com­ pany. In both cases the on-site FACU acts as a transmitter that sends a signal that ends at the monitoring station which may be on site or operated remotely. In most cases both of these have 24-hour coverage which is obvi­ ously advantageous since the proper assistance can be dis­ patched to a given location.

To add to the definition of a mon­ itoring station the term “propri­ etary” means it is owned by the same entity as the alarm prop­ erty. College campuses are an example of this since most have a public safety building that is part of the campus property and staffed 24/7 to respond to any calls. Lastly, a central service station provides not only moni­ toring but also record keeping and periodic testing. It is there­

Instructors must not only em­ phasize some of the alarm basics in accordance with the NFPA standards but also impress upon firefighters to familiarize them­ selves with their departments SOPs to make sure when arriv­ ing at a location due to an alarm drop that they can properly eval­ uate an alarm issue and put in place a solution. Here are some basic steps upon arrival: 1) Contact the property manager/owner and ask about when the alarm went off and if there is any construction or other activi­ ties that may cause an alarm to trip.

2) Find the FACU to silence and subsequently the zone and/or device in question.

3) Either reset the alarm or ad­ vise the property manager/owner to contact the alarm company used to reset the alarm.

One last note would be that fire­ fighters would need to know enough about alarm systems to be able to identify a potentially dangerous situation presently and in the future. Although typi­ cally it is not in the prevue and training for firefighters to sanc­ tion a home or business owner it is their responsibility to call a municipal fire code compliance officer with reasonable suspi­ cions of a violation.

- JOSEPH CEA

JOSEPH CEA

Fire alarm control panel (facu)

Typical manual pull station

1st Responder Newspaper - NE

April, 2025

PAGE 31

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