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February, 2018

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

February, 2018

MAINE

Game Meat FORK & HOSE CO. a Food Blog by A.J. Fusco

Game meat...just the name alone is enough to scare people off. All too often you hear “I don’t like the gamey-ness” or “it’s always dry”. Fair enough, I mean, we all have had a beef steak cooked to oblivion which was dry and tasteless, right? But that hasn’t stopped us from pursuing the perfectly cooked ribeye, has it?!

But I digress…

The definition of game meat is the meat from an animal that is hunted for food and not raised on a farm, the most common being venison, rabbit, duck and turkey.

Obviously these animals need to be hunted and processed, but not all of us hunt, so what do we do?!

Well the first and easiest way is to make friends with someone who does. Many times, these hunters, especially in the case with venison, end up with more meat than they can use so they will be more than happy to give some away….hopefully. The other option is online, but be aware that these are not true “game” meats because due to FDA regulations, these animals are raised on farms.

These won’t share the same characteristics as the hunted variety, mainly due to their diet and activity levels, thus usually less “gamey” tasting and less lean.

Ok so now we have figured out where to source the meat, but how do we go about cooking it?!

Game meat is much leaner than traditional, supermarket varieties.

This is because animals in the wild are much more active than the sedentary ones found in mass commercial animal farms. They are constantly walking fields grazing or flying to get to their next source of food. And when muscles get used more often (i.e. legs and thighs), they contain more myglobin, which results in more dark meat and less fat. Because of this,

we have to approach game meat a little differently when it comes time to cook. Here are some tips...

-Cook the meat with the appropriate technique! A cut with more connective tissue, like something from the venison shoulder, is best cooked low and slow. This cut will often be labeled as “stew meat,” long braises such as stew and chilis are ideal. The ever-popular venison “backstrap” and tenderloin (no, they are not the same) are super lean cuts with virtually no connective tissue that needs to break down. These do best with dry techniques such as grilling or sautéing.

-Add fat! A classic French technique where lean meats are wrapped, usually in bacon, help prevent it from drying out. You must have seen the ever-popular “bacon weave” haven’t you?!?!

Another way to add fat is to incorporate it into the dish on its own, such as adding pork sausage to a stew or braise. You can also stuff certain cuts with bacon, sausage, prosciutto….you get the idea.

-Marinate. Marinate. Marinate.

This will help you in a few ways, with the first being the obvious...Flavor! A quick marinade can make a world of difference by adding flavors that will help “mask” the gamey-ness that many people don’t like. It also helps by breaking down tougher cuts so that they are more tender and enjoyable. Try my marinade recipe for “Venison Stir-fry” below!

PAGE 3

ERIN THOMAS

Berwick Ladder Truck and South Berwick firefighters responded in Lebanon for a first-alarm fire that was started by a suicidal man.

House Fire in Lebanon Ruled a Suicide Lebanon, ME - At approximately 11:44 A.M. on December 20, 2017 a passerby reported a possible fire inside a home on Shapleigh Road in Lebanon.

A first-alarm was called for mutual aid agencies to respond.

Lebanon Firefighters and a ladder truck from Berwick, Maine responded on scene and the fire was knocked down within approximately 15 or 20 minutes. Rochester,

JUMP TO FILE #122717102 Milton and Somersworth, New Hampshire, as well as South Berwick and Acton, Maine also responded to the scene.

The body of a man was discovered in the second-story apartment above the garage during the primary search of the residence.

Maine State Police have now reported that the 58-year-old sole resident that was living in the home used a flammable liquid to set the inside of the home on fire before shooting himself with a firearm on Wednesday morning. Cause of death was confirmed by an autopsy on December 21, 2017. The fire gutted the entire home.

- ERIN THOMAS

VENISON STIR-FRY MARINADE INGREDIENTS: -2 Cups Low-Sodium Soy Sauce -½ Cup Rice Wine Vinegar -½ Cup Mirin (sub 1 tsp.

Sugar, dissolved in vinegar) -2 Garlic Cloves, crushed -Small knob of fresh Ginger, sliced thin -2 Tbs. Sesame Oil

Combine ingredients in a bowl, use half as a marinade and half to use as a sauce to finish the stir fry.

ERIN THOMAS

Rochester, NH and Berwick and South Berwick, ME assisted Lebanon at a structure fire on December 20, 2017.

PAGE 4

February, 2018

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Advertising Index

Vehicle News

A guide to finding great companies

Company

Page

Autotronics

13

Armor Tuff Floors

34

Choice Clean Gear

29

FDIC

37

EJ Boughton Co.

Firematic

Five Star Fire

Greenwood Emergency

38

40 5

2

Kimtek

14

LI Productions

23

Lifesaving Resources

11

Mid Atlantic Rescue

19

New England Marine

27

Minuteman Fire & Rescue

39

New York Chiefs Show

25

PVC

24

Shaker Auto Group

31

PL Custom

Quick Med Claims

7

27

Spotted Dog Technologies

33

Yankee Equipment

17

Utility Communications

Waterous Zodiac

9

LACONIA FD

Working House Fire in Laconia Laconia, NH - Laconia, Gilford and Belmont fire departments were dispatched to 223 Union Avenue on January 11th at 9:48 P.M. for a building fire. Captain Shipp arrived within five minutes and reported a two-story barn attached to a two-story apartment house with smoke showing from the barn. He requested a First Alarm, which brings in cover trucks to our empty stations, as well as offduty firefighters.

The crews from Central Station quickly deployed a two-inch attack hose and went straight into the barn. Gilford arrived and connected a supply hose from the hydrant near Winter Street. They then deployed a second hose to assist the attack crew. The Belmont crew went into the house section to ensure that everyone was out and check for any extension of

JUMP TO FILE #011218107 fire. Weirs crew assisted the Central crew with fire extinguishment.

The fire was brought under control quickly with damaged limited to the barn. There were two snow mobiles inside that were destroyed along with numerous other items. Total damage is estimated at $50,000. Property saved is estimated at $160,000.

Laconia Police shut down Union Avenue during the fire for just over one hour. Crews cleared the scene at 11:30 P.M. The cause is under investigation and appears to have started near one of the snow mobiles.

Jackson, NH Fire Dept. recently took delivery of Engine 7's 2016 HME Ahrens Fox SFO 4X4 1750/1000/140. Engine 7 was built by Lakes Region Fire Apparatus.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? If you have photos you would like to see in our Where are they Now? feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

PROVIDED

Snow Machine Destroyed in Fire on Trail in Wolfeboro

3

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1st Responder News (ISSN 1525-1683) - New England edition - Vol. 22, No.2 - is published monthly, 12 times a year for $36 per year by Belsito Communications, 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 of reprinting that part of the ad which was omitted or in e r r o r .

A division of: Omissions or errors must be brought to the attention of the newspaper during the same month of publication.

Madison, NH Fire Dept. recently took delivery of Engine 3's 2016 HME 1500/1000. It was built by Lakes Region Fire Apparatus.

JIM FORTIN JR

Ex-East Providence Chemical Carrier 1, a 1952 GMC 6X6, is now resting peacefully in Hollis, NH.

JACK STAWASZ

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Wolfeboro, NH - No injuries were reported, but a new snow machine was destroyed in a fire on a local trail in Wolfeboro, NH on Wednesday, December 27th.

Wolfeboro Fire-Rescue was alerted to the incident at 12:57 P.M. Crews arrived at 1:01 P.M. to find a fullyinvolved snow machine.

The operator told Fire-Rescue that he had just purchased the machine the day before and it was brand new. He left from the downtown area, headed north on the Cotton Valley Rail Trail. The incident occurred between River Street and Mast Landing. The fire was declared under

JUMP TO FILE #010218121 control at 1:36 P.M., with all FireRescue personnel leaving the scene at 2:09 P.M. The 2018 SkiDoo Renegade was a total loss.

The cause of the incident appears accidental in nature and remains under investigation.

Wolfeboro Fire-Rescue was assisted at the scene by Stewarts Ambulance and a Forest Ranger from the NH Division of Forests and Lands.

- TOM ZOTTI

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

February, 2018

PAGE 5

PAGE 6

February, 2018

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In memory of those who gave all

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

1st Responder Newspaper honors and remembers emergency responders lost in the line of duty

Indiana: Scott A. Compton, 55 Rank: Firefighter/EMT Incident Date: November 10, 2017 Death Date: November 11, 2017 Fire Department: Greenfield Fire Territory Initial Summary: Several hours after working on the scene of a three-alarm commercial structure fire at an auto body and glass company, Firefighter/EMT Scott A. Compton fell ill at home and died from a nature and cause of fatal injury still to be determined.

Indiana: Kendall James Murphy, 27 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: November 10, 2017 Death Date: November 10, 2017 Fire Department: Montgomery Volunteer Fire Department Initial Summary: Shortly after arriving on the scene of a motor vehicle crash, Firefighter Kendall James Murphy was struck and killed by another firefighter who was responding to the same accident scene in his privately owned pickup truck. The second firefighter, who was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol registering a blood alcohol level of 0.21 percent, was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing death, and reckless driving.

California: David Todd Moorman, 50 Rank: Captain II Incident Date: February 5, 2017 Death Date: February 5, 2017 Fire Department: Los Angeles City Fire Department Initial Summary: On February 5, 2017, Captain II David Todd Moorman worked a 36 hour shift during which he fell ill. Captain Moorman's last call was a vehicle fire at 0530hrs. After this incident, his duty shift ended and he went home. Within an hour of Captain Moorman arriving home, he suffered a medical emergency and collapsed. A family

member witnessed the collapse and immediately began to render first aid, including CPR, until responding units from the Ventura County Fire Department arrived on scene and initiated medical care. Captain Moorman was transported to Los Robles hospital in Thousand Oaks, California, where, despite all of the valiant efforts to save him, Captain Moorman was pronounced deceased a short time later.

New York: Robert A. Fitch, 60 Rank: Firefighter/Safety Officer Incident Date: November 27, 2017 Death Date: November 28, 2017 Fire Department: East Herkimer Fire Department Initial Summary: Firefighter/Safety Officer Robert A. Fitch responded with his fire department to a technical rescue call for a person who became stuck on some cliffs while attempting to rescue their pet.

After the call, Firefighter Fitch returned home and during the night succumbed in his sleep to a cardiac related injury.

Massachusetts: Stephen Frye, 59 Rank: Fire Chief Incident Date: December 5, 2017 Death Date: December 5, 2017 Fire Department: Montgomery Fire Department Initial Summary: Fire Chief Stephen Frye collapsed while operating on an initial attack line at the scene of a late night two-alarm chimney fire that destroyed a residential structure. Fire Chief Frye was treated immediately on scene by fellow responders and transported to the hospital by a Hilltown ambulance crew where he was pronounced deceased a short time later. The nature and cause of fatal injury are still to be determined.

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

February, 2018

PAGE 7

CONNECTICUT

Heavy Fire on Arrival at House in Brookfield Brookfield, CT - At 10:19 A.M. on January 18th, the Brookfield 911 Center received a call for a house fire at 7 Muirwood Court.

Upon arrival, units found a large contemporary house with heavy fire issuing from the attached garage, and spreading to the rest of the house.

Chief Wayne Gravius took command with Assistant Chief Andrew Ellis JUMP TO FILE# acting as Opera- 011818103 tions. First-due Engine 1, which is a Quint, was ordered into the driveway to mount the attack.

Meanwhile, Command requested a Second-Alarm assignment be filled out to bring additional resources to the scene.

Firefighters led off with a twoand-a-half inch line off the Quint and attacked the main body of fire.

As additional firefighters arrived, a second line was deployed to side "A" and into the house to help cut off the fire from spreading to the main portion of the building. Mutual aid was summoned from Stony Hill, Danbury, Newtown, Hawleyville and New Milford to the scene, while Bethel and Bridgewater covered the Brookfield station.

As these mutual aid companies arrived, more tasks were accomplished with that manpower. The Quint's ladder was deployed to the roof in order to facilitate ventilation. A tanker shuttle was employed for water source, with a folding tank placed in the Cul-DeSac and Candlewood Engine 22 pumping to Engine 1.

The fire was knocked down in short order and most companies remained for overhaul. Brookfield EMS stood by at the scene, and the Brookfield Fire Marshals are being assisted by the State Fire Marshal's Office.

- BERNIE MEEHAN

On arrival.

P.FRENGS

Engine 1 in position.

BERNIE MEEHAN JR

PAGE 8

February, 2018

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

From Fire Victim to Fire Defender: A Story 50 Years in the Making What triggered my relentless hunger for anything fire service related? Many of us old-time firefighters get that question a lot. I have served in many capacities in the fire service, UMP TO FILE# from firefighter to J011118100 emergency medical services, rescue captain, and chief of my local volunteer fire department. I am also a fire “buff” (enthusiast) and the official fire photographer for the nation’s largest fire conference—FDIC International.

I am currently a fire department dispatcher and 911 call taker.

Fifty years ago, on January 11, 1968, it was a cold, brisk, gloomy winter morning much like it has been recently. The night before, on my 13th birthday, some relatives came over our house in Hasbrouck Heights for a small birthday party. My mom, Josephine, managed to bake my favorite cake even though she was recuperating from a cancer operation. I went to bed with a smile on my face and some gift money, with no idea what the day ahead would have in store for me and my family.

The next thing I remember was my dad waking me up early; I was an altar boy and had to serve at the 7:00 a.m. mass at my local Catholic church. Dad dropped me off in his 1963 Chevy Corvair, which had little or no heat with the engine in the rear.

Father Paterson was the priest that morning, which was great: Not only was he friendly, but he had the record for the shortest mass! As the daily service started, Father Paterson waved me over and whispered: “Do you know where the electrical box is?” He instructed me to go turn on the rest of the church lights, since it was too dark with partial lighting.

I found the panel and threw the switches to the position the rest of them were in. I ran back to the church and was met with laughter and complete darkness! I had shut all the switches to the OFF position! Father Paterson was laughing along with the rest, and we couldn’t make eye contact the rest of the service for fear of laughing.

Little did I know I would see the priest later that day under much different circumstances.

After church I went off to the adjacent parochial school to my eighth-grade classroom. Meanwhile, my older brother, Peter, was at home, getting ready to go to his high school, which was one block from our home and afforded a view of our house because of an open baseball field in between. He went to the kitchen and smelled natural gas. He went to tell our recuperating mother and she rushed Peter out the door to school and called the utility company at 8:15 a.m. By 8:50 a.m., the odor was getting worse, and she called a neighbor, Fred Moll. As he exited

his house to come over, he saw the roof of our house lift off like a flying saucer, followed by a fireball and a deafening noise. Our mother was in that house!

My brother heard the explosion as well and could see our house on fire. He ran home. The fire chief of neighboring Lodi pulled up and saw our mother on the ground. Another neighbor, Frank Ercolino, noticing her hair was on fire, threw her down and used snow to douse her flaming hair. The Lodi chief took her in his vehicle to Hackensack Hospital.

Our mother had been standing in the center of the house on the ground floor. The house had exploded around her. She fought her way to the front door and smashed through the storm door. She had beaten death’s door twice—once with the cancer and now a second time.

As my class started, I remember hearing the volunteer fire department’s horn tower blowing madly. Neighboring fire departments were responding, and the police were inundated with calls of a terrible explosion on the Hasbrouck Heights-Lodi border. With all the screaming sirens, you didn’t have to be a firefighter to know something terrible was happening.

I went to the window and saw an ominous black cloud of smoke rising from the vicinity of our house.

Later someone reminded me that I said, “Man, that looks like where my house is.”

Our teacher shooed us away from the window to resume class, and the PA announcement interrupted with: “Will student Anthony Greco please report to the principal’s office with his coat and his bookbag?” I was thinking, “Oh no, what did I do now? My parents are going to kill me!” When I got to the principal’s office, my uncle Dominick was there. I thought, “Oh, this looks bad.

What is my uncle doing here? Did my mom take a turn for the worse?” My uncle explained that there had been a fire at our house and took me to the scene.

127 Ottawa Avenue. My house. There were fire trucks everywhere. Hoses on the street.

Lots of noise. The gas utility company was fervently digging up the street. When I got closer to the house, it appeared to be gone except for one staircase. Parts of the structure had been blown next door. Our refrigerator was lying in the backyard. I had a hard time comprehending what I was seeing.

My mom’s new 1967 Ford Fairlane 500 was in the driveway with live wires down on it. I found out later my dad narrowly missed serious injury when he went to move the car—he was in shock on his arrival at the scene and did not notice the live wires.

The gas utility had dug a hole about 20 feet down in front of the house and found a cracked pipe feeding gas into the house. A young detective at the scene, also a volunteer firefighter, ordered the pipe handed over to him before

the utility could take it away. It was evidence that the leak started outside and filled the house with gas.

Later I remember walking into my mom’s hospital room and seeing her all bandaged up. She was going to be okay. That image still gets to me 50 years later.

Then reality set in: We were homeless, with just the clothes on our backs. We would split up and stay at my uncle’s and grandmother’s houses for the time being. Then, Father Paterson and Father Kukura showed up and told my father they were taking me and my brother out for a few hours.

They took us to a shopping mall and a salesperson at Gimbel’s completely outfitted us from new underwear to shoes to coats and hats. I was confused: Was I living through a tragedy or was it Christmas?

The townspeople also pulled together, with fund drives through the VFW, the mayor’s office, and the Catholic church. I remember sitting in church when they announced: “The second collection is for the Greco family” and 500 people were staring at us.

A week later, my dad got a call from Leroy Fisher, the pastor of a Baptist church in Englewood who owned a large excavating company. He volunteered to remove all the debris from the fire scene with his equipment at no charge. A lit-

tle wary, my dad agreed, and the man showed up with some serious heavy equipment to do the job.

The only thing he asked in return was for my dad and uncle to attend one service at his church. They gladly did.

My mom recuperated from her injuries, beat cancer, and lived to age 84, dying on Christmas Day 2011. My dad died three years after that. They got to see grandchildren and great grandchildren and rebuilt their home on the same lot of their former home—all electric, no more gas for them!

You never quite forget an event like my family experienced.

To this day it makes me think about fire victims and their losses.

Will they be okay? Is there anything else we can do for their family?

PROVIDED

### Anthony Greco is a fire department dispatcher, a 911 call taker, and a longtime volunteer firefighter. He can be reached at hfd911guy@gmail.com.

- ANTHONY GRECO

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

February, 2018

PAGE 9

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PAGE 10

February, 2018

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

HE HE ER ERO EROES ROES RO OES ES

CONNECTICUT

INK INK

1st Responder Newspape er features EMERGENCY SERVICES RELA ATED TATTOOS

Day two briefing.

BERNIE MEEHAN, JR.

Hundreds Search for Missing Police K-9 in Danbury

"This is my husband, Josh Ramsdell's, EMS tattoo. He has been involved in EMS for 12 years, working for Missisquoi Valley Rescue in Vermont. He has worked his way up from a junior member during his senior year of high school, to his current position as Vice President of the company! Before retiring, his father was on the rescue squad, and his mother was a dispatcher. As a hobby, his father, Greg Ramsdell, often submits pictures and articles for 1st Responder News. EMS runs in his blood! 99024 is his Vermont State EMS number."

Would you like your emergency services related tattoo featured here? Contact Lindsey at

Lindsey@1strespondernews.com

DID YOU K NOW

?

Firemen enter buildings with temperatures greater than what you cook meat at in your oven. A burning building typically reaches 600 degrees on the bottom floor and can get up to typically 1500 degrees in the ceiling! Most people don't cook their food at more then 450 degrees.

Danbury, CT - On the evening of December 20, 2017 a land search was initiated by Danbury Police, and Fire units were deployed to search for a autistic man who had run into the woods off Sugar Hollow Road (Rt-7) JUMP TO FILE# in the Wooster 122217104 Mountain area. During the search, which was late at night, one of the Connecticut State Troopers was deployed with his bloodhound, K9 "Texas".

Texas, a spirited 3-year-old police search dog, went into the heavily wooded, rugged area with the handler in tow on a 20-foot leash.

On the way up a rocky hill, the Trooper fell, the leash fell free, and Texas kept going. The Trooper, while uninjured, was not able to get up the ridge quick enough to see where Texas went. A bloodhound, unlike other dogs, doesn't have a lot of concern for anything other than searching for the scent. The dog kept going.

After a few hours of searching at night in very rough terrain, the search was suspended. At dawn on Thursday, the search resumed. A few CT State Troopers went into the woods, along with the handler and another K9. Meanwhile, the Danbury Fire Department deployed its DJI Drone from the north end of the woods, with close coordination from nearby Danbury Airport.

Without FLIR, the drone did not provide a detailed enough image of the area.

A helicopter from Danbury airport was deployed by a retired Carmel, NY police officer. This helicopter had no imaging capability, and again its ability was limited.

The Danbury Fire Department then geared up to be the lead in the expanding search. Deputy Chief Steve Williams arrived and set up a command post, meeting with the onscene officers from the CT State Police, EnCon Police and Danbury Police. A search plan was developed and deployed, and resources

Reunited at last!!

began to flow in.

Three more helicopters showed up on station; CT State Police (Trooper 1), as well as a Helo from the NY State Police and Westchester County. The search continued throughout the afternoon and into the evening. The nearby Elks Lodge was opened by that organization to help shelter rescuers from the elements.

As the night wore on, it was decided to suspend the search again, and begin at daybreak on Friday.

Overnight the temperatures dropped even more than previously, and now there was snow in the forecast.

Approximately 100 searchers from various agencies showed up to accept assignments for the search.

There were First Responders from across Connecticut as well as New York lining up to help out. Approximately 20 teams went into the woods, on foot, on ATVs, and even on horseback. Meanwhile, a helicopter from the Department of Homeland Security arrived on scene to

BERNIE MEEHAN, JR.

assist with their advanced imaging capabilities.

A downlink screen was set up at the command post and the helicopter took to the air. As the helicopter searched, finding searchers, deer, rabbits, and even a large bear, word came to the CP at about 10:20 A.M. that the dog had been located. A federal agent, on-scene on his own time, was riding an ATV and came across the bloodhound tangled up in a fence in Ridgefield on Limestone Road.

He freed the dog from the predicament, and a passing motorist driving a van offered to drive them to the command post three-miles away. Texas arrived at the CP/staging area to a cheering group of people.

Within minutes, the Trooper/Handler came out of the woods and a very emotional reunion occurred. After a quick check up by the Trooper and Vet tech, K9 Texas was taken home for a well deserved rest.

- BERNIE MEEHAN

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

CONNECTICUT

PAGE 11

February, 2018

ICE RESCUE

February 15 - 18, 2018 Portland, Maine

RYAN FLAHERTY

Insulation Truck Burns in Baltic

Baltic, CT - At 4:59 P.M. on Wednesday, January 3rd, the Baltic Fire Department was dispatched to the area of 183 Willimantic Road (Route 207), for a vehicle fire. Baltic's Chief arrived to find a box truck carrying insulation burning from the storage box. Engine 224 arrived shortly after and stretched a 100foot/one-and-three-quarter inch line and darkened down the fire. Members then began offloading the truck and wet down hot spots. The driver of the vehicle said he began experiencing mechanical issues so he pulled over and that's when he noticed the smoke. The temperature was about 15-degrees during the incident, so a CT DOT Truck assisted with the hazardous condition after the fire was extinguished.

2018 INTERNATIONAL TRAIN-THE-TRAINER ACADEMIES Register Online!

LIFESAVING RESOURCES www.lifesaving.com 207/967-8614

WATER RESCUE May 17 - 20, 2018 Portland, Maine

MICHAEL CARENZA JR

Fire Damages Portuguese Club in Newington

Newington, CT - On December 23, 2017 around 2:00 P.M., the Newington Volunteer Fire Department responded to the Portuguese Club of Hartford at 730 North Mountain Road to find heavy smoke banking down around the building. A secondalarm would soon follow and the Task Force would be activated to provide station coverage. The fire is believed to have started in the basement in the rear of the building before working its way to the first-floor and into the attic where firefighters made a good stop. The cause is under investigation at this time.

KARIN M. HALSTEAD

Resident Suffers Burns at Early Morning Fire in Sandy Hook

Sandy Hook, CT - Sandy Hook firefighters were dispatched at 2:40 A.M. on January 8th for a fully involved house fire at 5 Bungalow Terrace. Chief Bill Halstead arrived on scene and confirmed heavy fire showing. Newtown Hook & Ladder, Botsford Fire, Hawleyville Fire and Dodgingtown Fire assisted. Newtown Ambulance also responded to the scene and took care of a patient. Fire was knocked down quickly with an attack line to the front door. The fire started when embers from a fireplace caught a chair on fire. The resident tried to move the chair outside but couldn't get it out of the door. The resident sustained burns to his hands as well as smoke inhalation.

All units worked well in the 15-degree temperatures. Sandy Hook cleared at 5:04 A.M.

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February, 2018

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

CONNECTICUT

MICHAEL CARENZA JR

Two Fires Hit Same House on Same Day in Newington

Newington, CT - On January 4th around 11:00 A.M., during a strong Northeast blizzard, firefighters responded to 35 Stuart Street for an attic fire. With a quick response by firefighters in very poor weather conditions, crews were able to hold the fire to mainly the attic. Later on the same day around 10:15 P.M., the Fire Department was dispatched to the same location with fire showing on the second-floor. This fire would cause more damage to the house than the first. It is believed that burning embers from the first fire traveled down the walls to the first-floor where it smoldered for hours until igniting in the balloon-frame constructed house. The fire then traveled up the wall into the second-floor where flames were visible to neighbors who then called it in. Both fires are still under investigation by the Fire Marshal.

RYAN FLAHERTY

Christmas Party Held for Norwich Firefighters

Norwich, CT - On Wednesday, December 13, 2017 current and retired members of Local 892 gathered together at Chief Scandaratio’s Annual Christmas Luncheon, hosted at fire headquarters. Members enjoyed a traditional Polish lunch catered by the Divine Providence National Catholic Church of Norwich, CT. On behalf of the Norwich Firefighters Local 892, we would like to thank the Chief and his secretaries for all they do to bring the members together. Pictured is retired Captain Tom Lafreniere addressing the crowd with an annual funny joke.

The left side of the house collapsed shortly after arrival of the first companies.

RYAN FLAHERTY

Fatal House Fire in East Haddam East Haddam, CT - Around 2:36 P.M. on Monday, January 8th, the East Haddam Fire Department with automatic aid from Colchester and the Salem/Bozrah FAST were dispatched to 51 Ackley Cemetery Road for a house fire. Engine 415 was first-due and JUMP TO FILE # reported heavy fire 010818118 from a two-story, wood-frame with an attached two-bay garage.

Engine 415 laid a supply line down the driveway and then put three lines into operation.

Members stretched a two-and-a-half inch hose line with a blitz fire and a one-and-three-quarter inch hose line to the "Bravo" side. Following that, a crew stretched another two-and-ahalf inch hand line to the "Alpha/Delta" corner and worked in a defensive posture.

Firefighters had to use caution because power lines burned off the front of the house and were laying in the snow. Colchester's Engine 128 backed into the driveway and became the water supply engine. Three drop tanks were set up which were being filled by tankers from East Haddam, East Hampton, Colchester, Haddam, Salem, Gardner Lake, Lyme and Chester.

The house was down a long split driveway and began collapsing shortly after arrival. A body was found while sifting through the rubble, so the East Haddam Fire Marshal's Office and the State of Connecticut Fire Marshal's Office are now investigating this as a fatal fire.

- RYAN FLAHERTY

GEORGE PAPP

Visit us on the web! www.1rbn.com

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

February, 2018

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February, 2018

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CONNECTICUT

KARIN M. HALSTEAD

Second Structure Fire in Sandy Hook in Three Days Sandy Hook, CT - Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue Co. was dispatched to 27 Charter Ridge Drive at 6:59 P.M. on Wednesday, January 10th for a possible structure fire. Botsford Fire, Newtown Hook & Ladder and Hawleyville Fire for RIT were also dispatched. While enroute, firefighters were advised that per the caller, the fire was spreading. Chief Bill Halstead was first on the scene and confirmed a structure fire.

Sandy Hook's Quint-440 was the first apparatus on scene and backed into the driveway. Lines were pulled and stretched to the front and rear of the structure. The first crew made entry through the bilco doors to the basement to attack the fire. The fire was knocked

JUMP TO FILE #011418102 down quickly and firefighters spent time checking for extension and ventilating the 3000+ square-foot home.

Approximately 50 firefighters responded to the scene. Stevenson Fire also responded to the scene to provide a second RIT. Southbury Fire covered Sandy Hook's main station while Stepney covered Botsford Fire station.

Sandy Hook was cleaned up and back in service around 10:00 P.M. - KARIN HALSTEAD

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

February, 2018

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CONNECTICUT

Cigarette Ruled as Cause of New Britain House Fire New Britain, CT - Around 10:30 A.M. on December 28, 2017 firefighters responded to 140 Black Rock Avenue for a reported structure fire. The first company on scene reported smoke showing and declared a working fire. The fire was on JUMP TO FILE# the third-floor and 122817104 entered into the attic. The temperature at the time was 7-degrees with a strong wind, making conditions on the firefighters even harder. Firefighters did a good job knocking down the fire despite the harsh conditions. Discarded smoking material was ruled as the cause.

- MICHAEL CARENZA JR

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PAGE 17

CONNECTICUT

Oil Truck Crashes, Goes Airborne in Marlborough Marlborough, CT - During the morning hours of Monday, January 8th, the Marlborough Fire Department was dispatched to South Road for an accident involving an oil truck. Crews arrived to find an oil truck that had gotten away from the JUMP TO FILE# driver. The truck 010818120 went down the driveway and through a stone wall, ending up partially airborne. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection responded, as well as Colchester Ladder 128 and a heavy duty wrecker. Crews remained on the scene for a couple of hours and also responded to a smoke in the building call on North Main Street.

- RYAN FLAHERTY

Colchester's aerial was used for members to work from a high point above the truck.

TIM JOSEPH

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CONNECTICUT

Truck 1 in position.

BERNIE MEEHAN, JR.

Danbury Fights Fire in Frigid Temps Danbury, CT - At 4:25 P.M. on a frigid New Year's Eve, the Danbury Fire Department was dispatched to 12 Fleetwood Drive for a reported fire in a house. While enroute, DC Joe Halas (Car 30) could see a large column of smoke and requested the second-alarm to be transmitted.

As Car 30 arrived, he found a Cape Cod style house, which was built into a steep slope, with heavy fire issuing from the rear. Companies arrived and began to attack the fire, and set up a water supply.

Within a few minutes of the operation, it was found that the nearby hydrants on the dead end street were frozen and would not operate. At that point, Car 30 requested tankers dispatched to the scene.

It was determined that all occupants were out of the house, and while a secondary water supply was set up, the fire attack turned to a defensive mode. At the beginning of the fire the temperature started out around 11F, and dropped to around 0F as the night wore on. The tanker shuttle was set

JUMP TO FILE #010118104 up at the intersection of Shelter Rock Road and Fleetwood Drive, with a five-inch line run up to the scene to feed Engine 22 and 23.

Truck 1's water tower was then employed to make a safer operation since the yard dropped off very steeply, making it difficult to access all four sides. Danbury EMS units set up a warming/rehab center at the nearby Shelter Rock School, where firefighters were rotated through to keep them from becoming hypothermic.

Units operating included Engine 24, 23 and 22, Squad 1, Truck 1, as well as Volunteer Companies 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12 and 13. While these units were operating, cover companies were Volunteer 8, Ridgefield, New Fairfield, and Brookfield with Tower 100. There were no injuries and the Danbury Fire Marshals are investigating.

- BERNIE MEEHAN

D ID YOU K NOW

?

Benjamin Franklin is responsible for the first fire company in Philadelphia. These firefighters were sometimes known as Benjamin Franklin’s Bucket Brigade. They would meet monthly to discuss different techniques to fight fires.

CORAL RUGGIERO

IAFF Local S-15 Presents the Colors

Hartford, CT - On Friday, December 22, 2017 members of IAFF Local S-15 presented the colors at the XL Center in Hartford prior to the hockey game between the Hartford Wolfpack and the Providence Bruins. The Color Team was comprised of Tony Ruggiero (University of Connecticut Fire Department), Stephen McDuell (Bradley International Airport Fire Department), Kate Coupe (Bradley International Airport Fire Department), and Scott Moro (Southbury Training School Fire Department).

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

February, 2018

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MASSACHUSETTS

PETER LOBO

Seven-Vehicle Accident in Waltham

Waltham, MA - An SUV traveling southbound on Newton Street plowed into six other stopped vehicles on December 21, 2017, causing a chain reaction. Four of the vehicles were heavily damaged and sent four people to area hospitals.

Waltham Engine 3, Squad 5 and several medic units responded. The injured drivers taken to the hospital had unknown injuries.

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

February, 2018

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MASSACHUSETTS

PETER LOBO

Ice Causes Wires to Burn in Waltham Waltham, MA - Icy branches took down power lines in three different places along Totten Pond Road on December 23, 2017. Waltham Engines 7 and 10 responded as the fires occurred along a one-mile stretch of Totten Pond Road. The key road in Waltham was closed down for about two hours.

Heavy fire consumed the large commercial property on Brockton Avenue.

PAT TRAVERS/NEFIREPHOTO.COM

Five-Alarm Blaze Hits the City of Champions Brockton, MA - Around 1:15 P.M. on the afternoon of Saturday, December 30, 2017 the Brockton Fire Alarm office received a central station alarm for a general fire alarm at 1 Brockton Avenue. Squad-A, Engine-7 and Ladder-1 responded.

There was a follow up call from the central station alarm company reporting a fire in the building, as well as another call for smoke in the area.

Box-4531 was filled out to include Engine-2. Ladder-4 and Engine-4 were both tied up on a multiple-vehicle accident which came in just prior to the box.

Squad-A arrived and found fire showing from an approximate 150'x200', one-and-a-half story wood-frame, attached to a one-story wood-frame, which was attached to a two-story barn. The building was formerly used as a wood working shop. Car-56 arrived and struck a working fire, bringing Engine-4 and Ladder-2 to the scene. All occupants were reported out of the building when crews arrived.

A few minutes after the working fire was requested, a second-alarm was struck. Heavy fire had con-

JUMP TO FILE #123117104 sumed the one-and-a-half story wood-frame and was extending into the single-story section of the large commercial building. Incoming apparatus were placed on the "A" and "C" sides of the building.

All companies were pulled out of the building around 20 minutes into the incident and crews went to a defensive exterior attack. The deck gun of Squad-A was put into service, along with the ladder pipes from Ladder-1 and Ladder-2, along with several hand lines around the building. Additional hand lines, as well as ladder pipes from Ladder-4 and Abington Tower-1 were put into operation later into the incident.

Crews not only had to battle the flames from the building fire, but also bitter cold conditions on-scene with temps in the teens and occasional snow flurries. Brockton's Public Works Department made several trips to the scene, dropping sand and salt for the icy conditions on the roadways.

Around 30 minutes into the incident, Chief of Department Michael Williams struck a third-alarm. Fire spread throughout the large commercial building and consumed the two-story barn at the end of the complex. Ultimately, the fire went to five alarms and crews remained on-scene for most of the evening knocking down the blaze and hitting hot spots.

Mutual aid from Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Easton, Holbrook, Randolph, Stoughton, West Bridgewater and Whitman worked on the scene and covered stations in Brockton during the incident. Incident support was provided on the scene from the Boston Sparks Association, Brockton Emergency Management, Providence Canteen, the Salvation Army, and the Massachusetts DFS Rehab Unit.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. No injuries were reported on the scene. Firefighters remained on-scene into the morning, continuing to douse hot spots in the large burned out building.

- PAT TRAVERS

ERICK BENOIT

Early Morning House Fire in Boxborough Boxborough, MA - The Boxborough Fire Dept. was dispatched to 450 Stow Road for a structure fire on December 21, 2017 at 6:41 A.M. Engine-64 arrived to find heavy smoke showing and requested a second-alarm. Crews encountered high heat and fire on the second-floor and requested a thirdalarm for additional manpower. Multiple handlines were stretched and the fire was knocked down in about 45 minutes. Mutual aid came from Acton, Harvard, Littleton, Maynard and Stow. Nobody was home at the time of the fire and a cause is under investigation.

Ladder-2 operating on the "C" side of the building.

PAT TRAVERS/NEFIREPHOTO.COM

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

February, 2018

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MASSACHUSETTS

Where is Cold New Year’s Day Working Fire in Pembroke the Joy? Chaplain's Corner Didymus McHugh

I spoke to someone who was telling me how to get better. He told me that all I had to do was concentrate and work and get myself healthy. The thing that he forgot was that no matter what we do in life, we need to make sure that we have something in life that brings us joy.

What is life if we do not have something that makes us happy?

It's mundane, boring, frustrating, depressing.

What are things that can bring joy to us? How about spending time with our children or significant other? We get pleasure spending time with friends, or working on hobbies. I know people who have model trains, play baseball or basketball, coach children in sports. One thing that brings me joy is helping people.

I have seen people who have gone a negative way in life because they have lost all the ideas about joy. Since there was no joy, they turned to using substances to make them happy or to help them just cope with life. But they needed to be reminded what brought them joy when they were younger. Some people like to draw or paint when they were a child, so maybe they can express themselves through art now. Some people play musical instruments. I know some people in emergency services who perform professionally.

There is so much that can bring us joy. How many firefighters enjoy doing fire prevention with the children, or doing the Santa run? How many parents have joy just by watching their children sleeping quietly in bed? There is nothing like seeing a child at peace, no matter the age.

We also know a song that states "Joy to the world the Lord has come". Many firefighters do not actively go to church but we should remember that He has given us joy. We have a personal relationship with God. He loves us so much that He sent His son to die for our sins. God delights in our existence. We bring Him joy. And hopefully you thank Him for the joy that you have. If you do not have any joy in your life, ask Him to show you, to remind you the times in life where you did have joy, or ask Him to bring Joy into your life.

Stay safe, Didymus McHugh

Pembroke, MA - Around 11:40 A.M. on New Year's day, the Pembroke Fire Department responded to a reported building fire at 22 Furnace Lane.

Companies arrived to find heavy fire in a one-and-a-half JUMP TO FILE# story wood-framed 010118105 dwelling.

A working fire was requested, and a mutual aid engine from Hanson responded to the scene. Crews stretched multiple hand lines and advanced into the structure but heavy fire soon took over the first and second floors of the house.

All companies were eventually pulled from the building, and crews went to defensive operations.

Multiple hand lines were stretched on each side of the approximately 20'x40' dwelling.

Pembroke's ladder pipe was utilized to try to extinguish heavy fire on floor-2. Crews remained on-scene for several hours continuing to check for and extinguish hot spots.

In addition to the heavy fire conditions in the home, companies also had to battle bitter cold temperatures in the single-digits, which fell below zero with the wind chill. The occupant of the house was not home when the flames broke out just before noon.

Mutual aid from Hanson was utilized on-scene as well as from the Massachusetts DFS Rehab Unit. Hanover and Kingston companies were utilized for station coverage. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Heavy fire tore through the one-and-a-half story wood-framed dwelling.

- PAT TRAVERS

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1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

February, 2018

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February, 2018

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1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

DRILLS/TRAINING

February, 2018

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MASSACHUSETTS

ICE RESCUE SUITS

To see your Drills in the newspaper upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com

The recent cold weather has created conditions not always seen in this area, large amounts of thick ice. The Harwich Fire Department took advantage of this to conduct ice rescue training for the entire department.

Firefighters trained at Wixon’s beach off of Cahoon Rd on Long Pond. Using survival suits and a variety of equipment and techniques, firefighters were put through multiple evolutions practicing both single rescuer and multiple rescuer scenarios.

“Members were trained in nationally accepted and proven methods for rapid, effective and safe rescue of victims and animals who have fallen through ice. A guiding principal in the training provided is that there is not one sure method or rescue device that will work for all incidents. Using a few proven techniques to maintain safety, being able to adapt and working as a team are the keys to a successful rescue effort.” Said Lieutenant Scott Tyldesley, who ran the training along with EMS Officer Rob Sanders.

While this training is done every year as part of a preparation for cold weather, this year

the department elected to have the drill done off duty, which allowed the firefighters to get the full training without having to respond to emergency calls.

In all, 27 firefighters were trained, each getting the opportunity to function in the various different roles required for an effective rescue.

The Department had several tips regarding the ice for the public: - No ice is safe ice. While clear ice is stronger, extreme care should be taken before going out on the ice for any reason.

- You should never go out on the ice alone.

- If you fall through the ice, don’t panic. Try and get your feet up and float to the edge to get out.

- If you get out, don’t stand up but roll away from the hole to stronger ice.

- If you can’t get out, get to the edge and try to rest your arms on the edge.

- One of the leading causes of people falling through the ice is trying to rescue animals. If an animal is stuck on the ice, call the Fire Department.

- HARWICH FD

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February, 2018

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

MASSACHUSETTS

PETER LOBO

Two-Alarm Fire in Waltham

Waltham, MA - Waltham firefighters responded on January 8th to a building fire at 333 Wyman Street. Engine 7, the first to arrive, reported fire on the roof of a large garage and said he was laying a line. Deputy Randy Mullin requested a working fire when he arrived. Several minutes later, he requested a second-alarm. It took firefighters about one hour to get it under control. This was the second two-alarm response Waltham had in eight hours.

Dead in Six Minutes ON THE BOOK SHELF

by John Malecky

DEAD IN SIX MINUTES The biography of Dr. Stanley MN Zydlo Jr, MD and the Creation of the modern Paramedic and EMS System

By Paul Ciolino Available from: FSP Books & Videos 188 Central Street, Suite #4 Hudson, MA 01749-1330 1-800-522-8526 E-mail: support@fire-policeems.com www.fire-police-ems.com Price: $20.00 This book is soft cover, measures six by nine inches and has 271 pages. It should go without saying that we know what paramedics are and the EMS system. It is probably not commonly known about when and where it started. This book will clear that all up. It is the story about the doctor who created them.

He started the movement in Chicago back in the 1970’s and it included several surrounding towns outside of the city. It is a biography written by a friend who is not in EMS but who admired Dr. Zydlo who was, in the least, an exceptional person and professional. It takes you not only through his life, but through his burdensome journey

to introduce this new concept for emergency medical care.

As with many new ideas, this was criticized and fought tooth and nail by countless doctors, nurses and even fire chiefs as an example.

The doctor, however, was relentless in his quest to provide yet another means of saving human life. It was by pre-hospital care.

There are twelve chapters and an epilogue, all titled. Each starts out with a passage made by a famous person whom I recognize, as well as people I did not know, but nevertheless spoke words of wisdom. Throughout the book you will read about tragedy and miracles.

You will read about a number of emergency service workers and firefighters who distinguished themselves for the ideal of saving lives.

You will read about Ambulance 15 of the Chicago Fire Department stationed in a poor, bad neighborhood that never stops producing medical calls. You will read about statistics regarding shootings, stabbings, drug overdoses and what have you all of which contribute to a never ending production line of patients.

It goes without saying that this book is a must for anyone who works in EMS and wants to know where it all started. For that matter, it is a book for anyone interested in what EMS is all about. It is also a salute to Doctor Zydlo and the men and women who dedicated themselves unconditionally to saving lives, many times at the risk of their own! Some of the chapters are a little longer than others, but nevertheless it is a book that is hard to put down!

Heavy smoke banks down.

K. LEGER

Fall River Firefighters Battle ThreeAlarm Fire on New Year’s Eve Fall River, MA - Shortly before 9:00 P.M. on New Year's Eve, firefighters were toned out for a still alarm at 1545 Rodman Street.

Car 3, under the command of District Chief Michael Clark, was advised while responding that police said they had a working fire. Based on that information, Command ordered an extra pump to respond.

Engine 4 arrived and reported heavy fire showing from the first and second floor. Engines 4, 5 and 9, along with Ladders 2 and 4, and Rescue 1 made an aggressive interior attack while battling seven-de-

JUMP TO FILE #010118100 gree, bitter cold temperatures.

Heavy fire broke through the roof and all members were ordered to evacuate the building. Command ordered dispatch to sound the evacuation tones and begin an accountability roll call. After all members were accounted for, Command called for a third-alarm, went to defensive tactics and ordered the ladder trucks to place their water towers into operation.

The on-duty Chief Executive Officer and the Chief of the Department arrived on scene and took over Command of the fire ground, ordering a recall of off-duty personnel and to activate a Mutual Aid response to cover the city's empty stations.

Firefighters had to deal with water supply issues as several hydrants froze over. Special Services was called to the scene to provide lighting and rehab to firefighters.

- KENNETH LEGER

Vehicle News

JIM FORTIN JR

Framingham, MA Fire Dept. recently took delivery of Tower 1's 2018 Pierce Arrow XT 2000/300 100' RMT. It is expected to go in service sometime in January. This truck replaces a 2005 American LaFrance Tower.

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

February, 2018

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MEMORIAL BOARD

If you have photos you would like to see in our “Memorial Board� feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

Stephen P. Frye December 22, 1957 ~ December 6, 2017 (age 59)

An adoring husband, amazing father, wonderful brother, gifted grill master and true friend to many. Steve loved his country and his community and spent many years caring for others at all hours as Fire Chief in Montgomery, MA. If anyone needed help, Steve was always there.

His caring for others was also shown during his many years on ski patrol at Blandford ski area.

Steve built a beautiful life in Montgomery and was happiest when surrounded by his family.

In November, Steve hosted a happy Thanksgiving dinner for over 50 family and friends. His sense of humor was unlike any other and we always walked away from conversations with a smile. Steve inspired countless young people as he had wisdom and surety that came from goodness and genuine caring for others.

Steve leaves behind his devastated but proud family; his wife and best friend, Laurie (Taupier), daughter Karlyn and her husband Brendan Patenaude, his son, Matthew and his partner Kelsey Provost, who

Steve thought of as a daughter, all of Montgomery. Steve leaves his mother, Marilyn Frye, his sister, Laurel and her husband, Steve Placzek of Westfield.

Also, his mother-in-law, Miriam Taupier, his sister-in-law Sharon and her husband David Hamel of Agawam, his brotherin-law Jim and his wife Nancy Taupier of Agawam, and many nieces, nephews and cousins, each of which he had special relationships with.

He was predeceased by his father Albert Frye of Chicopee and father-in-law James Taupier of Agawam. Steve also leaves behind an enormous number of close friends, especially Richard Deska of Chicopee and Peter Maziarz of Longmeadow.

He was a hero in every sense of the word. He died doing what he cared so deeply about and would be honored at the outpouring of love and support.

Special thanks to State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey, Chief Russ Anderson, his beloved Montgomery Fire Department, especially Deputy Chief Chris Galipeau.

May he rest in peace.

- PROVIDED

PROVIDED

Smoke vents from the "A" side of the structure at 14 Ash Lane.

NATE ARNOLD

Agawam Jakes Make Fast Work of Condo Fire Agawam, MA - A fire of undetermined origin damaged the second-floor of a garden variety condominium unit and sent the occupant to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation shortly before 2:30 A.M. on December 28, 2017.

Agawam firefighters responded to the reported structure fire at 14 Ash Lane, which was in the center of a large condo complex situated just North of the Massachusetts/Connecticut State

JUMP TO FILE #010118101 line, and arrived on scene within five minutes of dispatch to find heavy smoke venting from the secondfloor of the unit. Neighboring units were evacuated by Agawam Police Officers.

Companies went to work stretching hand lines to the secondfloor and darkening down the main

Bob Long

body of fire, but were dealt a temporary set back when a 100-foot section of LDH burst near the hydrant, forcing Rescue Co. 2 to shut down the hydrant to replace the burst length of supply line. In spite of this issue, crews managed to keep the fire in check with tank water and the remaining hot spots were knocked down shortly after the water supply was re-established.

- NATE ARNOLD

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

February, 2018

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February, 2018

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

February, 2018

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February, 2018

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

MASSACHUSETTS

Rockland Firefighters Battle Chimney Fire in Bitter Cold

BUDDY SHOTS

If you have photos you would like to see in our “Buddy Shots” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

FF Jason Kelly and FF Ashley Belanger assisting in the evaluation of several different SCBAs as part of Oxford FIRE EMS SCBA Committee.

CAPT RDL

Rockland, MA - Around 1:30 P.M. on the afternoon of Thursday, December 28, 2017 the Rockland Fire Department responded to 430 Concord Street for a reported chimney fire.

Companies arrived to find an active chimney fire in a one-story occupied wood-framed JUMP TO FILE# ranch dwelling. A 123117103 ground ladder was thrown to the roof and firefighters worked to contain the fire. No extension was found, and the fire was contained to the chimney.

Firefighters braved the extremely cold weather, with temperatures hovering just around 10-degrees. This was the first of two chimney fires that Rockland would battle on this day. The second fire was at 5 Daniel Teague Drive. Hanson Tower-1 responded mutual aid to that fire, as Rockland's ladder is currently out of service.

- PAT TRAVERS

Whitman Firefighters Matt Busch and Brian Trefry at a recent multiple-alarm building fire in the City of Brockton.

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February, 2018

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MASSACHUSETTS

NATE ARNOLD

JIM FORTIN JR

Fire Damages Dwelling in Springfield, Garage Fire Extinguished Injures One Civilian and One Firefighter in Sudbury Springfield, MA - A fire during one of the season's coldest days heavily damaged the second-floor of an occupied multi-family dwelling in the Liberty Heights section of the city and sent one occupant and one firefighter to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

City firefighters were called to the address of 39-41 Sterling Street at 9:45 A.M. on December 28, 2017 for the report of a structure fire.

Upon arrival, companies had heavy

JUMP TO FILE #010118102 smoke and fire venting from the second-floor of the dwelling and began an aggressive interior attack on the fire with multiple hand lines.

With air temperatures hovering in the single-digits outside, the fireground quickly became an ice skating rink as members inside tried to bring the fire under control. The fire, however, had already taken posses-

sion of the void spaces in the walls and made its way to the attic, necessitating a tactical retreat and forcing crews to deploy large caliber hand lines and apparatus mounted master streams to knock down the fire.

One resident was transported for treatment of burns and one firefighter was transported for treatment of a leg injury sustained while he was on an aerial ladder. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

- NATE ARNOLD

Sudbury, MA - The Sudbury Fire Dept. received a call for a house fire at 11 Stubtoe Lane on January 7th at 6:28 P.M. The caller reported that the fire seemed to be contained to the garage. Companies arrived to find fire showing from the attached garage and requested the working fire. Crews had to deal with single-digit temperatures and multiple frozen hydrants before the fire was brought under control. The fire was kept to the garage area and no extension into the house was found. Maynard and Wayland assisted at the scene and a cause of the fire is under investigation.

JOHN SJOSTEDT NATE ARNOLD

Fire Sends Family Out in the Cold on New Year’s Day

Springfield, MA - A fire that is being attributed to an electrical malfunction in a first-floor closet displaced four residents from their single-family home in Springfield on New Year's day. Fire crews where summoned to the address of 460 Chestnut Street at 3:45 P.M. for the reported structure fire and arrived less than five minutes later to find smoke showing from the occupied two-story, wood-frame dwelling. Lines were stretched to the second-floor while ladder companies 1 and 9 put their aerials to the roof. The main body of fire was knocked down within 15 minutes of the arrival of the balance of the assignment. Subfreezing temperatures played havoc with crews on scene as run off from attack lines was freezing immediately. Nozzles had to be kept partially open to prevent their water supply from freezing inside the hose. While no one was injured in the fire, damage to the structure is estimated to be $25,000 and the Red Cross had to be called in to assist the family with finding temporary shelter.

Car Versus Pole in Plympton Plympton, MA - On January 1st, firefighters responded to Main Street, in front of the Plympton Gas Station, for a vehicle that struck a telephone pole. One patient was transported to BI Plymouth with non-life-threatening injuries.

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MASSACHUSETTS

ERICK BENOIT

Sturbridge Battles Five-Alarm Fire

Sturbridge, MA - The Sturbridge Fire Dept. was dispatched to 23 Brookfield Road for a structure fire at 9:16 P.M. on December 20, 2017. A caller reported seeing flames on the second-floor and the building was full of smoke. Car-2 arrived to report heavy smoke showing from a multi-family dwelling and additional alarms were struck. Crews worked into the night to knock down the flames. A total of five alarms were struck before the incident was placed under control. It is unsure if anybody was injured and a cause is under investigation.

WORKING FACES If you have photos you would like to see in our “Working Faces� feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

A day after a blizzard slammed the area, Rockland struck two alarms for a fire in a taxpayer.

PAT TRAVERS/NEFIREPHOTO.COM

Two Alarms Struck for Rockland Apartment Fire Rockland, MA - Around 1:15 P.M. on the frigid afternoon of Friday, January 5th, the Rockland Fire Department received a commercial fire alarm for 333 Union Street. Engine-3 and Engine-1 responded.

Shortly thereafter, Engine-2 was requested for an outside odor of smoke. Companies found smoke of floor-2 and struck Box-33.

Crews found a fire in an apartment on the second-floor of the mixed-use property. Companies advanced a pre-connected hand line to the second-floor from Engine-1 while Engine-2 was tasked with grabbing a hydrant. A working fire was requested by Chief Scott Duffey, with a request for Abington Tower-1 to the scene, as Rockland's Ladder-1 is out of service. Engines from Whitman and Hanover re-

JUMP TO FILE #010518111 sponded to the scene and a Hingham engine covered the station on the working fire.

Crews found a malfunctioning gas fire place in an apartment on floor-2. Companies asked for the gas to be shut off as soon as possible. A backup line was requested as crews worked to extinguish the fire.

A second-alarm was requested, bringing additional engines from Hingham, Weymouth, a ladder from Norwell and a Pemrboke ambulance to the scene, with a Hanson engine for coverage. Soon after the second-alarm was requested, interior companies reported that the heavy fire was knocked down. In-

coming companies were put to work in the building for overhaul, as the Weymouth engine acted as the RIT team.

This fire came a day after a blizzard dropped over a foot of snow in the area. Frigid temperatures in the teens, coupled with gusting winds had a wind chill factor of between -10F and -25F degrees. The hydrant closest to the fire appeared to be shoveled out prior to the fire breaking out.

Primary and secondary searches in the building proved negative. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation. The Red Cross was requested for displaced occupants. No injuries were reported.

- PAT TRAVERS

PAT TRAVERS/NEFIREPHOTO.COM

Abington Fire Captain Brian Fogg works out of Tower-1's bucket during a two-alarm fire in Rockland.

Crews overhauling the apartment where the fire occurred.

PAT TRAVERS/NEFIREPHOTO.COM

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

February, 2018

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Members mask up at the "A/B" corner of the dwelling prior to making entry.

NATE ARNOLD

Fire Damages Vacant Structure in Agawam

PETER LOBO

Car Crashes Through Lobby in Waltham Waltham, MA - A report to the Waltham 911 center on January 11th stated that a car had crashed into the lobby of 930 Winter Street. Waltham Engine 2, Rescue 1 and Medic 1 responded to the scene. There, they found a car that had skidded into the glass wall and ended up in the lobby of the building. The driver was not injured. Deputy Randy Mullin special called Tower Ladder 1 so that they could clear all the glass from the area in order to remove the car safely.

Agawam, MA - A stubborn fire heavily damaged a vacant two-story balloon-frame dwelling in the early morning hours of Wednesday, December 20, 2017 and forced Agawam and West Springfield firefighters to spend several hours on scene.

The call for the fire came in shortly after 3:00 A.M. and the first Agawam firefighters to arrive on scene reported heavy smoke issuing from the dwelling at 69 Walnut Street. Crews began stretching lines to all floors of the building in an effort to cut off the fire's extension, but there was a larger problem out-

JUMP TO FILE #122217105 side.

Overhead high tension lines owned by the utility company Eversource prevented jakes from raising Tower-1's aerial to the roof to conduct vertical ventilation operations.

Eversource linemen were called to the scene but did not arrive until 30 minutes into the incident. By this time, the fire had taken possession of the void spaces in the home's balloon-frame construction and advanced up to the second-floor and

attic.

An additional engine company from the neighboring West Springfield Fire Department was called to the scene along with all remaining available AFD firefighters, but even with more manpower, crews spent the next several hours chasing the fire before getting it knocked down.

No injuries were reported due to the fact that the home was apparently vacant and under renovation. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the AFD and State Fire Marshal's Office.

- NATE ARNOLD

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.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

This patch belongs to Montgomery Fire Department, located in Hampden County, MA.

CHRIS GALIPEAU

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

February, 2018

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