1st Responder New England October Edition

The New England Edition PUBLISHING SINCE 1993

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OCTOBER, 2017

NORWALK FIREFIGHTERS RESCUE OCCUPANTS FROM HOUSE FIRE

NORWALK FD

Norwalk, CT - The Norwalk Fire Department responded to a structure fire on August 12th at 12:17 P.M., located at 67 Fair Street. The city's combined communications center received a 911 call saying there was smoke coming from a white house at the corner of Tindall Avenue and Fair Street.

- See full story on page 12

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October, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

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October, 2017

MAINE

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.

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Call Shannon for More Information!

800-492-0779 or 603-436-2836

EUGENE WEBER JR.

This patch belongs to Brewer Fire Department, located in Penobscot County, ME.

New England Marine & Industrial www.newenglandmarine.com

NEVER FORGET

If you have photos you would like to see in our “Never Forget” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

ERIN THOMAS

Late Night Entrapment in Berwick JACK STAWASZ

Frye Island, ME Utility 1 has a sticker of remembrance to commemorate 9/11, a tragic day in history.

Berwick, ME - Just after 11:00 P.M. on Monday, August 21st, Fire and Police were dispatched for a vehicle rollover with ejection and entrapment in the area of 40 Pine Hill Road. First Responders arrived on scene to find one occupant trapped in a vehicle that was resting on its side. No second ejected patient was located. Berwick FD crews removed the vehicle's roof and freed the occupant quickly. American Ambulance was ready and immediately transported the patient to a local hospital. Injuries to the patient are currently unknown. The cause of the crash is being investigated by the Berwick Police Department. Officers on scene found a 35mph speed limit sign resting in a tree about 500-feet from where the truck was found on its side.

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October, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

MAINE

Advertising Index

A guide to finding great companies

Company

Autotronics

Page 13

Barnstable Conference

34

Choice Marketing

23

Biocell

EJ Boughton Co. FDIC

Firematic

Five Star Fire

Greenwood Emergency

37 42 44 5

2

27

Long Island Productions

39

14

Mid Atlantic Rescue

17

New England Marine

3

Minuteman Fire & Rescue NORCOM

43 25

Professional Vehicle Corp

24

Shaker Auto Group

31

Quick Med Claims

38

Shipmans Fire Equipment

35

Spotted Dog Technologies

33

Utility Communications

11

Spartan

Task Force Tips

White Eagle Motors

Berwick and South Berwick Fire Departments work together to free the driver of the rolled over vehicle.

41

Hoffman Radio Kimtek

ERIN THOMAS

21

ERIN THOMAS

FF Bob Couture operating a hose line off Berwick Engine-2.

Crews Save Home from Large Barn Fire Berwick, ME - On Sunday, September 10th at 11:23 A.M., Berwick Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a fully involved barn fire that was attached to a house at 103 Hubbard Road in Berwick.

The first arriving company found the barn to be fully involved with flames that were quickly approaching the main home and surrounding structures.

A second-alarm was requested immediately. Crews made an interior attack and prevented fire from spreading to the home and neighboring structures.

The thick smoke from the fire was visible from several miles away and observed by multiple arriving responders. Water supply operations were set up quickly for the rural property. Several mutual

JUMP TO FILE #091317100 aid companies were called in for manpower, including South Berwick Maine FD, and Somersworth and Rochester from neighboring New Hampshire.

The homeowner stated that when he came out of the shower, he observed smoke coming from the barn where he had tools and other items stored, and immediately called 911.

The cause is currently undetermined according to Berwick Fire Chief Dennis Plante. The home was saved, but the barn is a total loss.

- ERIN THOMAS

Another Vehicle Rollover with Serious Injuries in Berwick Berwick, ME - A second rollover accident with injuries occurred in Berwick within two days of a separate but similar incident on the other end of town. The crash happened on Wednesday night, August 23rd just after 10:00 P.M. on Route 236, near Blueberry Lane, and was reported as a rollover with serious injuries.

The driver, identified as 34year-old Mary Riley, was on Route 236 heading to Berwick just over the South Berwick town line when she lost control of her Nissan Altima, rolling the car onto its roof.

Dispatch reported a weak pulse with possible serious injuries. LifeFlight Emergency Medical Heli-

JUMP TO FILE #082417111 copter was initially contacted and then canceled. The patient was taken by ambulance to Wentworth Douglas Hospital in Dover, NH after being treated on scene by firefighters and EMS. Both Berwick and South Berwick Fire Departments responded to the scene. The road was shut down for several hours. The accident remains under investigation.

Speed and alcohol may be a factor, but no charges have been filed yet.

- ERIN THOMAS

DRILLS/TRAINING

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

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CORPORATE INFORMATION

1st Responder News (ISSN 1525-1683) - New England edition - Vol. 21, No.10 - 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.

845-534-7500• (fax) 845-534-0055 Info@belsito.com

SALLY PANSINI

ERIN THOMAS

Berwick Firefighters Jamie Fallon and Justin Menter at the 3-alarm barn fire.

Frye Island, ME Fire Department doing some porta tank work during a training session on August 27th.

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

October, 2017

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October, 2017

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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

New Jersey: Richard W. Leonard, 70 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: April 10, 1993 Death Date: July 30, 2017 Fire Department: Perth Amboy Fire Department Initial Summary: Firefighter Richard W. Leonard was operating a pumper at a fire on State Street in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, on April 19, 1993. The fire involved a recycling facility with plastics. Firefighter Leonard did not have breathing air and worked in the highly toxic plastic burning smoke for hours. Leonard never returned to duty and spent the last 24 years under workers' compensation care for continuous medical conditions caused from inhaling the smoke. Firefighter Leonard died on July 30, 2017 due to the effects of the smoke exposure.

Texas: Jay Hinkie, 61 Rank: Assistant Fire Chief Incident Date: August 2, 2017 Death Date: August 2, 2017 Fire Department: Silsbee Volunteer Fire Department Initial Summary: Assistant Fire Chief Jay Hinkie was struck in the roadway by a passing vehicle while he operated at the scene of a single vehicle rollover. As firefighters were cleaning up the scene, Hinkie was walking with traffic in the westbound lanes of FM418 near Ruby Lane when he was struck. Chief Hinkie was rushed to a hospital in Beaumont where he succumbed to his injuries. The fatal accident remains under investigation by authorities.

Montana: Brent M. Witham, 29 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: August 2, 2017 Death Date: August 2, 2017 Fire Department: U.S. Forest Service Initial Summary: Firefighter Brent Witham was

struck and killed by a falling tree while working on the Lolo Peak fire in Western Montana. Witham was given CPR and other emergency medical aid by fellow firefighters and was then airlifted to a hospital in Missoula, Montana. Despite all efforts, Witham passed away as a result of his injuries. Firefighter Witham was a member of the Vista Grande Hotshot crew based in Idyllwild, California.

Montana: Tom Martin, 61 Rank: Fire Chief Incident Date: August 18, 2017 Death Date: August 19, 2017 Fire Department: Black Eagle Volunteer Fire Department Initial Summary: Fire Chief Tom Martin attended live fire training on the evening of August 18, 2017.

Within 24 hours of this training, Martin passed away at his residence on August 19, 2017.

Kentucky: Thomas P. McBride, 60 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: August 24, 2017 Death Date: August 24, 2017 Fire Department: Campbellsburg Fire and Rescue Initial Summary: While participating in search and rescue training Thursday evening, Firefighter Thomas P. McBride complained of difficulty breathing. He removed his breathing apparatus, denied medical treatment, cooled down, stated that he felt better and requested to return to the training. Instead, he was assigned to pump operations. A short time later, he collapsed. Resuscitation efforts were started immediately and Firefighter McBride was transported to an area hospital where he later succumbed to his injury. The nature and cause of fatal injury are still to be reported.

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

October, 2017

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October, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

MEMORIAL BOARD

NEW HAMPSHIRE

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

1st Responder News is sad to announce the passing of our longtime columnist, Henry Campbell. Henry wrote a monthly column titled "Staying Safe," which was very much enjoyed by our readers.

Henry A. Campbell, 76, of Rhinebeck and formerly of Mount Vernon, NY, passed away on Friday, July 14th, 2017 at Westchester Medical Center.

Mr. Campbell was a 37 year veteran of the Mount Vernon Fire Department, rising through the ranks to serve as Chief of Operations from 1986 to 1996, when he retired. He served two years as acting Fire Coordinator/Commissioner for Westchester County Department of Emergency Services from 1999-2000.

He was an Adjunct Instructor at the NYS Fire Academy, a member of the NYS Department of Civil Service Fire Advisory Committee, an OSHA Safety Trainer throughout the Hudson Valley, and was the first Director of the Westchester County Career Chiefs Academy.

Mr. Campbell served on the Westchester County Arson Task Force from 1980-1996, Westchester County Local Emergency Planning Committee from 1987-1996, the Westchester County Fire Advisory Board from 1988-1996, as a NYS Fire Instructor for Dutchess County from 19831992, he was the Yonkers Command Post Coordinator after the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and subsequently NYFD Terrorism Training Instructor, and as the Emergency Management Coordinator for the Town of Rhinebeck.

He was a member of the International Assoc. of Fire Chiefs, the NYS Assoc. of Fire Chiefs, the Westchester County Fire Chiefs Assoc., the Westchester County Career Chiefs Assoc., the Westchester Firefighters Emerald Society, the Fireman's Assoc. of the State of NY, the International Assoc. of Fire Fighters-Local #107 Mount Vernon, the NYS Police & Fire Retirees Assoc., an Honorary Life Member of the Pleasant Valley Fire Department, and an active and faithful member of the Rhinebeck Fire Department.

In addition to his fire service and community involvement, Mr. Campbell was also devoted to his faith. He was a communicant of Good Shepherd Church and was a member of the Ushers Society of Good Shepherd Church for over 44 years. He also served as Head Usher for many of those years.

Mr. Campbell enjoyed his many friends and colleagues in the fire service, along with his pet dogs- Sparky, Muffet, Chowder, and Mollie. He also filled his days with family, friends, working on his computer, hunting, fishing, reading, and always learning each day.

In addition to his loving wife of 54 years, he is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Campbell; his son, Kevin Campbell; a brother, Robert Campbell of Franklinton, NC; a sister, Marion Campbell of New York City, NY; along with extended family, countless colleagues and friends.

May he Rest in Peace.

- PROVIDED

Henry Campbell, 1940 - 2017

PROVIDED

LACONIA FD

Fire Erupts in Large Storage Building Laconia, NH - On Friday morning, August 25th just before 10:00 A.M., an automatic fire alarm was received for the Laconia Transfer Station at 385 Meredith Center Road. The Central Station units (Engine 1, Ladder 1 and Ambulance 2) responded. Captain Shipp arrived on Engine 1 and saw smoke coming from the roof vent of a very large storage building.

As they drove up to the front of the building, he could observe a building that was filled with recyclables and there was a large area of fire on the right side of the building.

The Captain directed his crew to stretch a three-inch hose line and attack the fire. The Captain saw that there was a large volume of smoke and visible heat banking down from the steel frame ceiling area. He quickly realized that there was significant deep-seated fire in the building and requested a first-alarm.

The first-alarm brought an engine from the Weirs Station, a tank truck from Meredith Station 2 and an engine from Gilford. Belmont sent an engine to cover Central Station while Meredith Station 1 sent an engine to cover the Weirs Station.

Assistant Chief Beattie arrived on scene shortly after the firstalarm. Conditions had changed quickly. Fire was now venting along the roof line on the rear and right side of the building. The upper four-foot portion of the walls was fabricated from fiberglass and was designed as a fire vent. It would melt and release heat in order to protect the roof structure. The building is 125-feet wide and 100-feet deep. It is the equivalent of a threestory building in height.

Chief Beattie assessed the situation and requested a second-alarm.

The second-alarm called in off-duty firefighters and brought a Gilford tank truck, the Belmont Engine and Meredith Engine from cover, and a Tilton and Franklin Engine to the scene.

The Weirs Engine had hooked up to the fire pond on the property but quickly determined they could

JUMP TO FILE #082917102 get no water from the dry hydrant.

This was most likely caused by weed infestation. Laconia's Ladder truck set up behind the building and was supplied tank water by the Gilford Engine and Meredith Tanker. They quickly poured 3,000-gallons of water up into the ceiling area with the intention of cooling the steel roof structure.

The Laconia Engine poured an additional 2,000-gallons of water onto the main fire. Deputy Chief Newhall was assigned the job of getting a good water supply for the fire.

He started having trucks pump their water through a four-inch hose line up to the Laconia Engine. As more resources arrived, a portable dump tank was set up in the parking lot to expedite the off-loading of water.

Franklin's Engine set up drafting water from the dump tank. Chief Jones assisted with water supply and two separate operations were running; one for the dump tank and one using a rural hitch water supply operation.

A Command Post was established on site and Public Works Director Anderson and Police Chief Canfield arrived at the Command Post to offer assistance. Lakes Re-

gion Community Emergency Response Team was activated to assist with traffic control and to set up a food station for the working firefighters. This was going to be a long operation.

Staff from Waste Management were also on-hand. Director Anderson worked with Waste Management to set up a contingency plan to keep the flow of rubbish and recyclable in operation. Public Works employees set up traffic barricades on Elm St. so that fire trucks had easy access to the fire hydrant at Elm and Parade Road.

Additional water supply was needed, so Chief Erickson requested tank trucks from Belmont, Holderness and Center Harbor. A Laconia Engine staffed by off-duty firefighters set up at the hydrant on Elm St. to expedite filling tank trucks. The round trip to the hydrant was 2.6miles.

In the end, there were 13 fire engines, two ladder trucks and one ambulance at the scene until 3:30 P.M. A total of 40 firefighters worked for five hours. There were no injuries. A structural engineer will be assessing the heat damage to the steel structure. It is estimated that 300,000-gallons of water was used to extinguish the fire.

- LACONIA FD

LACONIA FD

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

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October, 2017

NEW HAMPSHIRE

The Making of a Mass-Casualty Training Exercise in Sunapee Sunapee, NH - On Saturday, September 9th, I scheduled a training scenario. As I started looking into doing the training, I contacted 'Reeds Towing and Recovery' out of Claremont, NH. They were excited and eager to assist us. As I was talking with the owner, Scott Reed, everything started to take shape, especially after realizing that Reeds Towing had participated in this kind of training before with many other towns throughout New Hampshire and Vermont. My next step was to get my department on board.

The guys from Sunapee Fire and EMS all thought it was a great idea.

At one point during the planning, I thought to myself, why not invite the neighboring towns? Reality is that if there was ever a bus rollover, it would take multiple resources from neighboring towns to cover the scene. The towns that answered the call/invite were New London Fire, Newbury Fire, Washington EMS, New London Ambulance Service and the Sunapee Police.

The next step I needed to work out were the logistics; where could I do a bus rollover that could handle the scene's safety, traffic, accessibility and apparatus, while also making sure that our kids (mock victims) would remain safe? After much thought, I contacted Mount Sunapee Ski Resort in Newbury, NH and asked to use their large dirt parking lot, known as Lot #3. My request was granted by Mt. Sunapee's General Manager, Jay Gamble.

Now that the wheels were spinning, I was getting both excited and overwhelmed, as I had never done anything like this before. As I was trying to coordinate the event, I realized I was going to need some help. Luckily for me, both my brother and father have been in the fire service for 20+ years. As I was talking to my father, Capt. William Sencabaugh of Littleton, NH FD about photographing the event, and also my brother, Derek Sencabaugh, Asst. Chief of Lexington, MA FD, my brother informed me that they (LFD) had just finished a similar training exercise earlier last year. He sent me video they had of the training, and what an inspiration it was!

As you might have guessed, I volunteered him to come help me make my own vision come to life. He graciously agreed, I might add.

What came next were the details: -Date: We had to coordinate with all the above parties and finally agreed on 9-9-17.

-Time: 8 AM, meet at the firehouse.

-Mock Victims: 14 Middle School/High School students were excited to come play.

-Driver: I am also a Sunapee School District bus driver, so it was easy to recruit two of my coworkers!

-And last but not least, we of

JUMP TO FILE #091417116 course had coffee and snacks.

As everything was being put together, I figured why not include all the bus drivers in the actual training?

We as school bus drivers go through the motions of showing kids where all the emergency exits are (two times a year, per state protocol), but why not give the bus drivers a reality of what an actual bus rollover would be like? I reached out to Sunapee and Newport drivers to come and partake; both departments accepted and were appreciative.

On 9-9-17 all my victims and bus drivers were instructed to come to Mt. Sunapee. The bus drivers came and got to view a bus on its side, walk through it and around it.

Each of the towns transportation supervisors gave some training and words during this time.

I then needed to dress the kids for their part in the drill. What I neglected to tell the Fire and EMS guys and gals was that we had a tackle box (that my brother brought), full of life-like wounds and blood bags to be activated by the kids. So while the bus drivers were doing their thing, we were getting the kids all bloodied up!

I might have also forgotten to tell the responding departments that I actually had TWO buses and a car for the drill. On one side of Lot #3, we had one bus rolled over with the kids inside, while on the other side of Lot #3, we had a second bus rolled over onto a car that had four victims trapped inside. For safety reasons, we used crash dummies inside the car and I made my senior Sunapee bus driver climb into the bus. The good news is that no crash dummies were injured during this exercise...

Now that everything was in place, we could begin the exercise!

It started with New London Dispatch putting out a tone for the following: In the 500 block of Route 103B, there was a report of a bus accident with no other information available. (All departments were instructed to actually go to Lot #3.)

The first department to arrive would be instructed to go into bus #1 and triage and tag patients (Red, Yellow, Green or Black), based on injuries. After this was done, we stopped, reset and removed the tags so that the next department could go through the same scenario. After this was completed, we reset and went live, again having the tones sent out.

Sunapee police arrived first on scene, reporting a bus on its side with multiple children inside. All deportments arriving worked together in a mutual aid drill. EMS went into the bus, tagged the kids and then we extricated them, cared for their injuries and prioritized which students

would be first priority for transport, all the way down to the walking wounded.

Oh yeah, and we of course needed the twists in place to work!

Remember I mentioned that the kids had blood bags and life-like wounds? Well looking at my pictures, you can clearly see the wounds and blood, which I can say definitely took some of the firefighters by surprise. I mean squirting blood, cyanosis, broken bones, gaping wounds...all very life-like! P.S., the bus driver did not survive...too much brain matter lost!

We also had two “moms� in the crowd that rushed the scene, screaming that their kids were in the bus.

This took the police officer by surprise, but he immediately jumped into action and stopped the moms from reaching the bus! (JOB WELL DONE.) The second scenario involved an empty bus taking a right hand turn at an intersection when the driver has a cardiac event and loses control, rolling his bus onto the car sitting at a red light. After putting our crash dummies in the car, Reeds Towing crushed the car, entrapping them in it. Firefighters and EMS had to extricate the driver of the bus after stabilizing it. They then had to get the bus off the car and extricate the four victims inside. They used Reeds to secure the bus and lift it enough to cut the victims out of the car. Although there was no blood and guts in this exercise, it was really taxing on the departments as it took quite some time to complete.

Summary: The departments got to learn first-hand what it would be like to handle a bus rollover with kids inside. The drill reminded them how to work as a team while also refreshing other skills, such as working under different levels of command, prioritizing patient injuries, conducting extrication, treating patients, handling crowd control and resource allocation. Even though it was only a training, everyone treated the drill as if it was a real-life event.

I would like to give a HUGE thanks to everyone that came out and helped make this drill happen: Reeds Towing and Recovery, all my victims and bus drivers, the Mt. Sunapee staff, and of course all my Brothers and Sisters on the job. All of you guys made this a successful day! Last but not least, I want to give a very special thanks to my brother, Assistant Chief Derek Sencabaugh of Lexington FD. Without his help, this would not have been as successful as it was.

To see more photos from the day's event, visit www.1RBN.com and jump to story numbers 091417116, 092117111 and 092117112!

Getting in and starting evacuation during Scenario #1.

PROVIDED

- DARRYL SENCABAUGH

Visit 1st Responder on the Web at

www.1RBN.com

Scenario #2 involved a bus rolled over onto a car with 4 victims trapped inside.

PROVIDED

PAGE 10

October, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Minor Injuries Reported in Boating Mishap on Lake Winnipesaukee Wolfeboro, NH - Two people suffered minor injuries after being thrown from a boat near Winter Harbor, Lake Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro on Sunday, September 3rd.

Wolfeboro Fire-Rescue was alerted to the incident at 6:01 P.M. and advised two subjects had been thrown from a boat. One subject, a 7-year-old, was wearing a life jacket and floating somewhere near the mouth of Winter Harbor.

The boat operator had made it to a home on Forest Road.

Wolfeboro Boat-1, Boat-2, Tuftonboro Fire-Rescue Boat-1 and the NH Marine Patrol all responded to the area where the child was last seen. Wolfeboro Police met up with the boat operator.

JUMP TO FILE #091317117 The operator was located at 6:15 P.M. and transported to Huggins Hospital.

The child was located at a residence on Thomas Point in Tuftonboro at 6:34 P.M. Tuftonboro Fire-Rescue responded to that location to evaluate the patient, who was complaining of hypothermia. The child was not transported.

The empty boat was found traveling in circles and was secured by the Marine Patrol.

- TOM ZOTTI

Vehicle News

The Lincoln, NH Fire Department has put into service this 2001 KME Aerialcat as Tower 1. This vehicle previously served Lancaster, PA. JIM FORTIN JR.

Fall Produce FORK & HOSE CO. a Food Blog by A.J. Fusco

Summer has come and gone, probably quicker than we all had hoped. Till next year, tomatoes!

See ya in twelve months, jalapenos! Wait...sweet corn!

Where are you going?!?!

But fear not because not all produce is dead! Fall is actually a great time of year for ingredients that thrive in the cooler temperatures. Think hardy butternut squash, sweet apples, crisp cauliflower and the all-mighty pumpkin. With the hot weather behind us, it is time to throw the cover on the grill and fire up the ovens again. I am talking long simmering

stews, super slow braises and yes, even baking!

The ingredients available at this time of year love this kind of cooking. Root vegetables, such as parsnips and carrots, shine in dishes like the firehouse classics, Pot Roast and Beef Stew. The sweetness from the natural sugars really develop with the extended cook times. One often overlooked ingredient this season are greens.

Kale and collards thrive in the cooler temperatures of the fall and winter and are sturdy enough to hold up to long slow cooking. And while kale may have already seen it’s “15 minutes of fame," it still makes an appearance on the firehouse table whether sauteed with garlic and chiles, or in a cannellini bean soup.

Fall may not make you think fruit, but nothing is better than a sweet crisp apple. And don’t think for a minute all you can do with

them is apple pie! Apples and pork are a match made in culinary heaven. I mean, you can’t go wrong with pork chops and homemade applesauce. Pears are also in season and another classic combo is to pair them with walnuts and bleu cheese, a simple salad that would go well with just about any fall dish.

Speaking of salads, this is the perfect time of year for chicories!

What are chicories you may be asking? They are a pleasantly bitter family of lettuces which include radicchio, endive (great with the pear, walnut, bleu cheese combo) and one of my favorites, escarole. One of the most memorable dishes from my childhood is escarole and beans. Simple, rustic Italian food, perfect for the fall weather that makes my heart warm. Check out the recipe below for my Escarole, Sausage and Bean Soup!

“Escarole, Sausage and Bean Soup” Serves 4 Ingredients:

-1 Onion, peeled and chopped -1 Carrot, peeled and chopped -3 Garlic Cloves, sliced thin -½ Head of Escarole, thoroughly cleaned and rough chopped -1 lb. Hot or Sweet Italian Sausage, removed from the casings -2 - 15 oz. Cans of Cannellini Beans, drained -4 Cups of Chicken Stock (more may be needed) Red Chili Flake -Parmesan Cheese -Extra Virgin Olive Oil -Salt, to taste

nellini beans to a medium sauce pan with enough water to cover and simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool. Add to a blender and puree the beans (be careful as hot liquid in a blender can be messy and dangerous!) Add this puree to the soup pot along with the escarole and reserved sausage.

-Cook the soup for about 1 hour partially covered. Taste for seasoning and serve with grated parmesan.

Procedure:

-In a deep pot over medium heat, add a glug of olive oil and then the sausage. Using a wooden spoon, break up the sausage and brown. Remove the sausage and set aside.

-In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed and add the onions and carrots.

When the onions are translucent, add the sliced garlic and a pinch of chili flakes. When the garlic is just starting to brown, add ONE can of the beans and saute for a minute or so.

Add the chicken stock and bring to a simmer.

-Add the other can of can-

AJ FUSCO

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

October, 2017

PAGE 11

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PAGE 12

October, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

CONNECTICUT

DRILLS/TRAINING

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

Norwich, CT - During the month of August, every platoon participated in a class taught by American Professional Educational Services. The instructor covered the different kinds of shock, how to properly control bleeding, and also discussed the use of tourniquets. Following that, he showed everyone the new machine that American Ambulance is using to deliver compressions for a person in cardiac arrest. Each member practiced setting the machine up on the manikin and learned about the different features.

NORWALK FD

Norwalk Firefighters Rescue Occupants from House Fire Norwalk, CT - The Norwalk Fire Department responded to a structure fire on August 12th at 12:17 P.M., located at 67 Fair Street. The city's combined communications center received a 911 call saying there was smoke coming from a white house at the corner of Tindall Avenue and Fair Street.

Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke pouring from the second-floor windows of the two-story home. An initial report from a bystander was that he could hear someone inside banging on the window of the second-floor. That report fortunately turned out to be wrong, but prior to FD arrival, he did escort the first-floor occupant out of the home. Firefighters

JUMP TO FILE #081417110 searched the home as hose lines were being advanced, locating two occupants in a basement apartment and quickly bringing the fire quickly under control.

At press time, a total of eight occupants were being relocated by the American Red Cross. The structure was posted unfit for occupancy and the cause of the blaze was under investigation by Deputy Fire Marshal Kirk McDonald. Twentynine firefighters responded to the fire with four Engines, two Trucks, one Rescue and a Command Car.

RYAN FLAHERTY

Instructor Mark Greczkowski discusses the different kinds of tourniquets, as well as how and when to properly use them.

- NORWALK FD

RYAN FLAHERTY

American Ambulance just began using a new chest compression machine called the "ROSC-U".

NORWALK FD

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

October, 2017

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October, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

CONNECTICUT

CHRIS PAIGE

Norwich Crews Handle Vehicle Rollover

Norwich, CT - At 8:40 A.M. on Tuesday, August 22nd, Norwich Squad A and Engine 3 were dispatched to Rockwell Street for a reported vehicle rollover with entrapment and live wires on the car. Truck 1 was in the area and arrived first to find a car stuck between a wall and a utility pole. Fortunately, the driver was out of the vehicle and there were no wires down. Crews handled patient care and mitigated a fluid leak.

CHRIS ZAUGG

Car Drives Through Park, Lands on Stage

Norwich, CT - On Friday, August 25th, the Norwich Fire Department was dispatched to Howard T. Brown Park on Chelsea Harbor Drive for a car accident. Squad-A and Engine3 arrived to find a van that had driven through the park and landed on the stage. Luckily, there were not any events going on at the marina during the accident. The driver was evaluated and refused treatment.

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

October, 2017

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CONNECTICUT

CRAIG MAERKEL

Fire vents from the front of the second-floor bedroom as Engine2 pushes into the apartment from the rear.

Working Fire for Norwich Norwich, CT - At 10:29 P.M. on Sunday, August 13th, the Norwich Fire Department was dispatched to 11 Orchard Street for a fire in a bedroom. Engine-2 arrived at 10:33 P.M. and reported smoke showing from the secondfloor of a two-story wood-frame.

The tenants met the crew out front and said that everyone was out of the house. Engine-2 stretched a one-and-three-quarter inch hand-line around the rear of the house and up the exterior stairs to gain access into the fire apartment. While the crew was masking up on the landing, the front bedroom flashed and the windows on the "A" side failed.

Engine-2 began knocking down two rooms of fire while Engine-3 stretched a back up line.

Squad-A hit the hydrant at the corner of Baltic Street and Orchard

JUMP TO FILE #081417122 Street and laid a supply line into Engine-2. Truck-1's crew threw two ladders and provided horizontal ventilation. Members from Squad-A and the truck then performed the primary search and pulled ceilings.

Taftville Engine-21 and Tower-25 staged manpower on scene while the Mohegan Tribal Fire Department provided the Firefighter Assistance Search Team. East Great Plain and Laurel Hill covered headquarters.

The fire did not result in any injuries and the Norwich Fire Marshal's Office is investigating.

- RYAN FLAHERTY

Apartment Fire Contained in Norwalk Norwalk, CT - The Norwalk Fire Department responded to reported structure fire at the Roodner Court Housing Complex on August 28th at 2:25 P.M. The fire was confined to a closet in Building 20/Apartment 1F and extinguished within minutes of firefighters' arrival.

Prior to firefighters' arrival, police officers and housing authority personnel helped to evacuate occupants of the first and second floors.

As the smoke became too intense, the firefighters finished searching the locked apartments and thirdfloor. Firefighters then used fans to

JUMP TO FILE #082917101 ventilate the building and after monitoring for toxic gases, allowed the residents to return to their apartments.

The occupants of the fire apartment were able to remain in their apartment as Housing Authority personnel assisted with cleaning up the apartment. Fire Inspector Phil D’Acunto is investigating the cause of the fire.

- NORWALK FD

KEITH ERICKSON

Vernon Firefighters Knock Car Fire Vernon, CT - Just before 6:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 29th, the Vernon Fire Department was dispatched to Clark Road, next to Bolton Road, for a car fire. Engines 141, 441 and 541 responded and found a Ford Explorer heavily involved without any exposure issues.

Bob Long

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October, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

“The Ripple Effect” Chaplain’s Corner Didymus McHugh

I have heard so much about the ripple effect, how what we do has impacts that we could never imagine. Well, how about what we do impacts so many people, and people that we will never meet, or know about?

A friend of mine passed away and we thought about what he did and who we had to coordinate with for his memorial. He served in the Navy, retired after serving in a fire department for 25 years, retired from being an instructor at the local fire academy for 25-30 years, he was a life member of a firefighter’s motorcycle club, a founding member of an ambulance

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corp., he served on a CISM team, he worked with AA and also with his local church. When you think of it, just belonging to one organization impacts many people.

My friend had to have taught thousands of firefighters and developed friendships with so many of them. Those firefighters may have taught other firefighters, taught fire prevention to people including children, saved lives through EMS or pulled people out of buildings.

Through a fire instructor, just teaching one class can have an immense impact that they will never know.

How many people are alive because someone responded as an EMT? If that person died in a car crash, from a gunshot, or of a medical issue, how many people would not have been born because the family’s blood line could have ended there?

We do not really realize the impact of our words or actions. In the Bible, because of the life that Abraham lived, he was told that he would have more children than the stars in the sky. Or how about Joseph? He was sold as a slave by his brothers, BUT later he ended up saving Egypt from a great famine.

Jesus only did ministry for three years on Earth, but how many people today are following his teachings from 2,017 years ago?

How many people are you going to impact? Who can you inspire, just by speaking words of encouragement to them? What lessons can people learn from you? My friend taught that you need at least four hugs a day to continue a happy and healthy life. He also taught that it is alright to cry. “It is through our tears that we are able to go on. You cannot have a rainbow without the rain and you need the tears to help you heal.”

Just one of us can help and effect so many. We throw one stone into the pond of life and the ripple of our existence will propel lives, like a wave effecting a boat. The words that we speak can put wind into someone’s sails and keep them moving on. The love that we share, in our service to our neighbor and fellow man, can impact a family, community, country.

Al, Thank you for being in our lives. You have helped so many people and touched so many people's lives. You were there for me as I was laying on my deathbed. You loved your family and friends. You served as an instructor and took care of so many. Now you have been called home by our Heavenly Chief.

You have reported for your new assignment, working in the heavenly station as our guardian. You have been told “Well done good and faithful servant”. We will see you again someday.

May the LORD bless you and keep you; May the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; May the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace and until we meet again, may the Lord hold you in the hollow of His hand.

Stay safe, Brother Didymus McHugh

CONNECTICUT

OLD & NEW

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

Storrs, CT - UConn Fire-Rescue, located on the main campus of the University of Connecticut, recently replaced its Tower 122. The old Tower 122 was a 1994 Pierce Arrow 100' rear mount aerial that had a 1500-GPM pump and 300-gallon tank. The new Tower 122 is a 2016 Rosenbauer 104' Cobra rear mount aerial on the Commander cab and chassis. The new apparatus for UConn FireRescue now sports the University of Connecticut's school colors. The new Tower 122 has a 1500GPM Rosenbauer pump, 300-gallon tank, and a Smart Power 8-KW hydraulic generator. The new Tower 122 has technical rescue capabilities, including below-grade reach. UConn Fire-Rescue is pleased to have its new Tower 122 in service to protect the campus and surrounding communities for years to come!

UConn Fire-Rescue's new Tower 122, a 2016 Rosenbauer 104' Cobra rear mount aerial.

PROVIDED

UConn Fire-Rescue's old Tower 122, a 1994 Pierce Arrow 100' rear mount aerial.

PROVIDED

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

October, 2017

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October, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

CONNECTICUT

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

New England

“Keep Safety in UTV Public Safety Rescue” Essential precautions for deploying side-by-sides with rescue skid units

NORWALK FD

Electrical Meter Erupts in Flames Norwalk, CT - The Norwalk FD responded to a structure fire at 5 Dairy Farm Court on Saturday morning, August 5th just before 8:00 A.M. The fire was located in the wall between the electrical service meter and the interior wall of the living room.

Firefighters used dry chemical extinguishers to hold the fire in check while opening up the walls until they were sure the power was off. Water was then used to extinguish the remaining flames. Eversourse disconnected the service to the home and the homeowners were contacting an electrician to make repairs.

A woman who was in the house with her dog called her hus-

JUMP TO FILE #080717110 band, who was on his way home from the gym and told him that the power had gone out in the house.

As the husband arrived home, he noticed the smoke in the area of the electrical meter and called 911.

Three engines, two trucks, a rescue and a command car brought 25 firefighters to the scene. The fire was quickly placed under control and the extra fire companies were released. Deputy Fire Marshal Kirk McDonald is investigating the exact cause of the fire.

- NORWALK FD

DRILLS/TRAINING

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

RYAN MOCEK

Norwich, CT - On Monday, August 14th, Norwich Engine 3, Battalion 1 and Car 10 took part in a joint training with the Yantic Fire Engine Company. Together, firefighters reviewed Master Stream Operations and a Hydrant Assist Valve used by Yantic and East Great Plains to boost water pressure for supply lines. This is particularly helpful when a hydrant has poor pressure, and also for moving water over long distances when the closest water supply is far from the fire. Engine 32 laid a supply line into the industrial park while Engine 33 made the hydrant with the assist valve and connected the lines into the pump. Engine 3 tied into the hydrant assist valve that was in the middle to practice relay pumping through the valve. Pictured is FF Maerkel operating the deck gun on Engine-32, a 2000 Pierce Dash.

UTV chassis side-by-sides outfitted with appropriate medical or fire skid units complement most any agency's first response fleet. Safety concerns surrounding their use, particularly when used for patient transport, warrant careful attention from rescue teams. A thorough understanding of the vehicle, transport apparatus, off-road terrain, and patient requirements must precede any use in public safety situations.

First, understand the vehicle: Before considering the advantages of using a patient transport skid unit for side-by-side UTVs, understand the design and limitations of the off-road vehicle in which it fits.

(Please reference Kimball Johnson's earlier article titled, "Not All UTVs Are Created Equal.") Most of the larger UTV chassis available today, such as John Deere Gator, Polaris Ranger, Gravely Atlas, and Kubota RTV, to name a few, can dependably accommodate the transport of a patient. Slip-on skid units for medical or fire rescue, such as KIMTEK's MEDLITE® and FIRELITE® units, are specifically equipped for safe transport of patients in compatible UTVs and in some pick-up trucks.

Next, understand the missions: Fire and EMS teams must clearly understand the likely mission objectives and what is expected of the equipment in the field. Types of terrain, for example, will help inform which UTV chassis is best for the mission. Sand or rock, flat areas or mountains, and other features of location are all important factors in the decision.

Choosing the right equipment also depends on what type of calls the department anticipates. Will the vehicle cover bicycle trails too narrow for larger ambulances? Will it cover wooded areas where hunting, fishing, and horseback riding are popular? Will the vehicle need equipment for the dual service of fighting wildfires as well as providing medical transport? Perhaps the coverage area includes beaches or vast stadium areas with large concentrations of people. The types of medical treatment likely for each coverage area also affect equipment decisions. Are heart attacks, heat stroke, and shortness of breath more likely than traumatic type injuries from bicycle riding, horseback riding, and motorcycle and ATV accidents? Consideration of all these factors is essential when

selecting the right UTV side-by-side chassis and the medical and fire rescue slip-on transport unit that best meets the needs of the call area.

command post.

In accordance with the rescue service mandate to "do no further harm to the patient," a complete understanding of the UTV, the skid unit, and how they work together is necessary to meet that goal. These units are not meant to transport patients at high rates of speed over rough and uneven terrain; rather they are designed and built to safely and professionally transport patients in a manner that would be relatively faster than transport on foot.

To assist rescue service teams in their training, KIMTEK provides a complete installation and safety manual with every skid unit sold.

The manual covers basic safety concerns and suggests solutions to particular coverage area challenges.

KIMTEK reminds its customers that UTV-based rescue vehicles fully deserve the same respect that larger ambulances and fire apparatus receive because serious injury to rescue personnel or patients can result if proper training and operation procedures are not followed. Even though these specially equipped public safety vehicles may not leave the fire or EMS bay every day, their unique purpose and custom design make them worth every penny to rescuers and their patients.

KIMTEK

Patient comfort and safety: How best to transport patients is the next decision. When immobilization of a patient's neck and spine is required because of suspected traumatic injury, a skid unit equipped with a long board or stokes basket should be sufficient. If a medical emergency occurs along paved or hard surfaces, such as a local road race or inside a stadium, consider a skid unit that carries a full-wheeled cot stretcher, such as a Stryker® or Ferno®, to transport patients in a position of comfort.

Training is essential: Once a team has identified the purpose and model for its new UTV side-by-side rescue vehicle and properly outfitted it with the appropriate skid unit, lights, and perhaps a radio, enacting several different training drills and scenarios is key.

Every department and agency should develop and incorporate a full set of standard operating guidelines or procedures (SOG or SOP) that encompass operation of the vehicle, loading and securing a patient onto the skid unit, and overall guidance on how teams will handle obstacles and incidents along the trail or through the rescue site.

Occasions may arise when removing a patient from the UTV skid unit mid-transport is required in order to safely traverse a particularly difficult or dangerous part of the trail, such as in a steep incline or deep water crossing.* The rescue team leader may decide to lift off and hand carry the stokes basket or long board with the patient over an obstacle, then securely remount the patient once safely beyond it for transfer to a waiting ambulance or

*KIMTEK recommends that patients never be transported through high water where a rollover could occur, risking further patient injury or drowning.

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

October, 2017

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CONNECTICUT

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.

MIKE DZIAVIT

Three-Car Accident in Norwich

Norwich, CT - On Monday, September 11th, the Norwich Fire Department was dispatched to Laurel Hill Avenue for a three-car motor vehicle accident with injuries. Engine-3 arrived first to find three cars with moderate damage, one of which had left the roadway. Engine-3 began patient care with American Ambulance while Squad-A blocked the road and provided scene safety. Pictured is Firefighter Timothy Wollman securing the car while Lieutenant Curtin takes down information.

BOB SJOGREN

This patch belongs to West Haven Fire Explorer Post 3, located in West Haven, CT.

NORWALK FD

Norwalk Firefighters Respond to One-Car Accident

Norwalk, CT - The Norwalk Fire Department responded to a one-car accident at the Walgreens Pharmacy located at the corner of West Avenue and Gardner Street, around noon on Sunday, August 20th. The car, a Chevy station wagon, lost control on Gardner Street, sideswiped a tree and came to rest two-inches from the side of the building. The lone female driver, in her late 50’s, appeared to be semi-conscious and had to be extricated from the vehicle. Firefighters removed the front and rear passenger doors to help remove the woman from out of the back door. The woman was transported to Norwalk Hospital by paramedics and Norwalk Police are investigating the cause of the accident.

PAGE 20

October, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

MASSACHUSETTS

JIM FORTIN JR. K. LEGER

Fall River Fire Museum Holds Open House on 9/11

Fall River, MA - The Fall River Fire Museum held an open house on September 11th, inviting the general public to view the Museum's steel artifact recovered from the wreckage of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Several residents of the area stopped by to see the display. Even though it's been 16 years since the attack occurred, visitors were still very emotional when viewing the artifact.

Second-Alarm Fire Damages Home in Hopkinton

Hopkinton, MA - The Hopkinton Fire Department received multiple calls for a structure fire at 221 Wood Street at 2:17 P.M. on August 31st. Companies arrived to find a two-and-a-half story woodframe under renovation with heavy smoke showing. Ladder-1 was set up to vent the roof while crews stretched multiple hand lines to the interior. A second-alarm was requested, bringing in Ashland, Milford, Southborough and Westborough to the scene. Heavy fire conditions were found in the rear of the building, but companies had the bulk of the flames knocked down in about 30 minutes. All companies were tied up with extensive overhaul for the next couple of hours. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

October, 2017

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MASSACHUSETTS

Ten Ways Social Media Works For Your Department

by Chief Joel Miller

1. Ensure your social media policies work for the department and do not completely restrict your social media platforms. Do not leave “gray areas” for interpretation such as making policies so strict or confusing that people are deterred from utilizing them.

2. Utilize your PIO (Public Information Officer) as your social media administrator. This is the person with the information that needs to be available on your social media. They can do this from the field as the action happens and even use social media for a press conference or mass notification.

3. Consider utilizing firefighters as volunteer PIOs for your social media accounts. This allows you to cover more areas than having one PIO. Volunteers can be given rules and guidelines for posting pictures and information or have all posts funnel through the official PIO for actual posting. Many fire departments have been very successful with this approach. Just make sure your crew understands, work first and social media second unless they are the official PIO. 4. Establish a following. Make sure your fire departments’ social medial information is on everything!

In today’s world, this is just as important as your phone number…….and I’m not talking about 911. So, from business cards to flyers for an event, be sure to include all your departments’ social media information.

5. Work smarter not harder. Let your social media accounts promote

your events and fund raisers. Use social media to direct people where to buy tickets or make donations to your events.

6. Always post the “great” things that are going on within your department such as fire prevention, feeding the homeless, or other public services in which your department participates.

7. Always post your departmental promotions and retirements on social media. This is a great way to let the community know about your departments’ accomplishments and recognize staff for their hard work and dedication.

8. As I stated in a previous article “A Picture is NOT Worth a Thousand Words," you must always tell the story behind the picture because if you don’t, people will assume the worst and reflect negatively on your department. Keep the story brief, as most readers only read the first two or three lines.

9. Use other groups and organizations’ social media pages to help promote your page. Tag other people with large sites relevant to your page and use their hashtag to help promote your pictures and get your information in front of the masses. (@chief_miller #chiefmiller , just saying… lol) 10. Start a hashtag for your department and use it consistently on all your posts. This is an important way for others to find your page in the social media world. Choose a hashtag that is relevant to your department while keeping it simple and easy to remember.

Both the SUV and the motorcycle were fully involved upon crews' arrival.

PAT TRAVERS/NEFIREPHOTO.COM

Fiery Motorcycle Accident Claims Life in Weymouth Weymouth, MA - At around 6:46 P.M. on the evening of Thursday, August 10th, the Weymouth and Rockland Fire Departments responded to a reported motorcycle accident on Shea Memorial Blvd., near Bill Delahunt Parkway in the Union Point area of the two towns, the former South Weymouth Naval Air Base.

Weymouth Police arrived first on-scene and reported a car versus motorcycle, with both vehicles on fire. Fire and EMS was requested to step it up. Fire crews arrived

JUMP TO FILE #081117118 and found a fully involved vehicle and motorcycle. Both Weymouth and Rockland had requested the availability of Boston MedFlight, but it was not requested to respond.

Weymouth and Rockland firefighters both worked to extinguish the fire. The motorcycle driver suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. A

female passenger of the motorcycle with serious injuries was transported from the scene by Rockland Ambulance-2 to Massachusetts General Hospital with an additional paramedic on-board.

The occupants of the vehicle were out of the vehicle upon crews' arrival, and were seen speaking with EMS and Police on the scene.

The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Weymouth Police Department.

- PAT TRAVERS

TYING THE KNOT If you have photos you would like to see in our “Tying the Knot” feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

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JOHN SJOSTEDT

Plympton, MA - Congratulations to Plympton Firefighter Andy Norton and his wife, Mary Norton, on their recent wedding!

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

October, 2017

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October, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

MASSACHUSETTS

FF Harry Matthews and FF Chuck Nudd attempt to secure a water supply.

JOHN SJOSTEDT

JIM FORTIN JR.

JOHN SJOSTEDT

Brush Fire Consumes Over Three Acres in Duxbury Duxbury, MA - On August 23rd, firefighters responded to the Tinkertown section of Duxbury, off Cherry St., for a brush fire that consumed over three acres. Companies found a structure in the woods that was well involved on arrival. Mutual Aid from Kingston, Plymouth and Pembroke responded to the scene to assist.

Visit us online for more news around the

Home Heavily Damaged by Westborough Second-Alarm Westborough, MA - A secondalarm fire damaged a house at 10 John Pratt Circle in Westborough on August 31st. Companies were clearing a brush fire when the call for a house fire came in at 5:04 P.M. Car-2 was first to arrive and reported heavy smoke showing from a two-story attached garage.

A second-alarm was requested at 5:08 P.M., bringing Grafton, Hop-

JUMP TO FILE #090117115 kinton, Southborough and Westborough to the scene.

Southborough Tower-21 was ordered to ladder the roof and Engine-4 stretched a hand-line to the interior. Crews encountered heavy fire conditions on the secondfloor. A Marlborough engine was

special called above the secondalarm.

Companies were on scene into the night chasing hot spots and overhauling. The cause of the blaze was not immediately known.

This was the second fire of the day for Westborough after responding to Hopkinton’s fire earlier in the afternoon.

- JIM FORTIN

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Congratulations to Mayo Regional Hospital of Dover Foxcroft, Maine

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

October, 2017

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October, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

MASSACHUSETTS

DICK SCIALABBA

Blaze Destroys Vehicle in Hinsdale Hinsdale, MA - At 12:22 A.M. on August 7th, Dalton Communications dispatched the Hinsdale VFD to a fully involved vehicle fire that was reported to be close to an apartment building at 279 Washington Rd. (Rt. 8).

Responding units were Engine-2, Squad-1 and Car-1 manned by 10 firefighters. Upon arrival, Chief Larry Turner with Car-1 confirmed the fully in-

JUMP TO FILE #082517108 volved vehicle, stating that it was near, but not next to the building.

Two men had been working most of the day to restore a Jeep Cherokee, but included in the work was a considerable amount of alcohol consumption. Just prior to 11:00 P.M., they proceeded to

weld the floor boards. They went inside for awhile and when they returned, found the vehicle heavily involved.

Engine-2 used a one-andthree-quarter inch pre-connect to extinguish the blaze. Units cleared the scene at 1:02 A.M. and the Jeep was a total loss.

- RICHARD SCIALABBA

MARK GRABOWSKI

Kitchen Fire Contained at Elmcrest Country Club East Longmeadow, MA - Multiple fire departments responded on August 18th to Elmcrest Country Club for reports of a fire inside the building. Firefighters from East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Hampden and Somers, CT responded to the scene and were able to knock down the fire and contain the damage to the kitchen area, with a minimum amount of smoke and water damage to the banquet area.

K. LEGER

Three-Car Hit and Run MVA in Fall River Fall River, MA - Shortly after 9:00 P.M. on August 21st, the fire department responded to Oak Grove Ave. for an MVA. On arrival, Engine-9 had a single car crashed into two parked, unoccupied vehicles and a third occupied vehicle. The female operator of the crashed vehicle fled the scene on foot, but was captured by neighbors and returned to the scene. The crew of Engine9 found the operator in the rear of a police car and began treatment. Medical Rescue-2 arrived on scene, continued treatment and transported the female to a local hospital. Although she was able to flee the scene, the female operator had obvious injuries and the vehicle sustained heavy front end damage with air bag deployment.

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October, 2017

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MASSACHUSETTS

Police and Fire Explorers Join Forces in Support of Charity Event Beverly, MA - On Saturday, September 9th, Explorers with the Danvers Law Enforcement Explorer Program, along with Explorers from the Stoneham Fire Explorer Program, teamed up and joined forces at the UMP TO FILE# Beverly Regional J091217111 Airport to provide a wide range of critical public safety support services for the airport's "Family Fun Days" charity event benefitting Cystic Fibrosis.

Operating out of a state-ofthe-art Mobile Command Post, the Explorers worked cooperatively to provide services ranging from parking management and traffic direction, to crowd control, flight line security and Emergency Medical Services.

In all, nearly 30 Police and Fire Explorers were deployed on both airport property and adjacent corporate properties for the allday event that attracted nearly 8,000 spectators. Explorers from both towns worked side by side maintaining crowd control and security posts on the flight line and airport property, as well as providing traffic control and parking services for the thousands of attendees.

Stoneham also provided its EMS Bike Team to provide EMS services for the event. The bike team, also known as the Rapid Access Bicycle Intervention Team (RABIT), patrolled the entire area, responding to all medical emergencies that occurred during the event. The Bike Team, staffed

by Explorers who are certified First Responders, was able to quickly and effectively respond to all areas of the event venue and provide emergency medical services in accordance with their training. The Bike Team treated several minor injuries throughout the course of the day, as well as assisting with a couple of children who became separated from their parents.

The joint operation was hailed as a complete success. The Explorers gained real world, handson experience while providing valuable public safety services.

The Explorers wish to thank the following for their contributions to the success of the event: Chief Donald Palma, Groton Police Department for use of their mobile command post, Stoneham Ford for use of a mini-bus, Northeast Two-Way Radio for their expertise and use of communications equipment, and Action Ambulance Service for use of their Kawasaki Mules and utility trailer. These partners make Explorer programs such as those in Danvers and Stoneham possible and significantly enhance the quality of both programs.

- MICHAEL SOPER

CHIEF RICHARD HASTINGS

Members of the Danvers Law Enforcement Explorers and the Stoneham Fire Explorers gathered for a group photo in front of the Mobile Command Post.

DAVID MELTZER

Stoneham Fire Explorer Lieutenant Matthew Sartori bandages a minor injury sustained by a small child who fell.

DAVID MELTZER

Police and Fire Explorers posted on the flight line for security and crowd control.

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2017 Malley Crossover Type II Demo Please call for appointment to see this amazing unit or see it at the following New England Shows: • Mass EMS Conference October 19 & 20th Springfield, MA • North Country EMS Conference October 27, 28 & 29th No Conway, NH • Vermont EMS Conference November 10, 11 & 12th Burlington, VT

Distributors of Quality Malley Emergency Vehicles

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October, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

MASSACHUSETTS

DICK SCIALABBA

Hinsdale Firefighters Handle Structure Fire Fire Chief John Lynch gives his remarks.

K. LEGER

9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Held in Fall River Fall River, MA - On the 16year anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Bristol County Public Safety officials and residents gathered for a remembrance ceremony at Battleship Cove, site of the Massachusetts Memorial to state victims of that fateful day. The ceremony began at 8:35 A.M. with the singing of our National Anthem, followed by the invocation by Fr. Jay Maddock.

JUMP TO FILE #091117133 A speaking program commenced, following with a wreath laying and a 21 gun salute fired from the big guns of the Battleship Massachusetts. Taps was played by the local High School band, followed by a dove release. The ceremony concluded with the playing

of Amazing Grace by the Celtic Honor Guard. Benediction was then given by Fire Department Chaplain, Fr. Michael Racine.

This year's ceremony was dedicated in remembrance of Monsignor Thomas J. Harrington, a Fire Department Chaplain who passed away earlier this year.

- KENNETH LEGER

Hinsdale, MA - On Sunday, August 27th at 4:01 A.M., the Hinsdale Volunteer Fire Dept. was dispatched to 40 Plunkett Ave. for a reported structure fire. Engine 2, Engine 3, Squad 1 and Rehab 9, under the command of Car 1, Chief Larry Turner, responded with 13 firefighters.

On arrival, Car 1 reported heavy fire on both the "C" and "D" sides of a one-and-a-half story Cape Cod style residence. He immediately requested a secondalarm, bringing in Dalton for station coverage and a Becket engine to the scene.

Engine 2 hit a hydrant and (two) one-and-three-quarter inch hand lines were deployed. One went to the interior first-floor to cut off further advance and one was used on the exterior of the "C/D" area where a one-story, 15x15 foot addition was fully involved and its roof had already collapsed into the structure.

JUMP TO FILE #091817109 The residence was for sale with a “sale pending” sign out front. A primary search revealed no furniture or possible victims inside. The blaze was under control within 45 minutes, at which point Dalton was ordered to the scene for crew relief from their standby assignment at the Hinsdale station.

Chief Turner requested the State Police Fire Marshal, and an investigation completed the next day determined that an overheated electrical circuit leading to the addition was the cause of the fire.

No firefighter injuries were reported. All units remained on the scene to complete overhaul and until the Fire Marshal’s initial investigation was concluded at 12:05 P.M.

DRILLS/TRAINING

- RICHARD SCIALABBA

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

Plympton, MA - Plympton Firefighters Andy Norton and Chad Kaplan recently drilled with airbags using the former C-2 vehicle.

Pictured, they both watch the process as the airbags fill during the drill.

JOHN SJOSTEDT

Firefighters gather beneath a giant American Flag.

K. LEGER

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1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

October, 2017

MEET ROVER

Meet His App “ROVER MOBILE”

Phone: (203) 445 6536 • www.spotteddogtech.com Built by firefighters, for firefighters

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October, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - NE

Buckboard Fire Apparatus ON THE BOOK SHELF

by John Malecky

Buckboard Fire Apparatus The Original Cab Forward

By Anthony G. Buono Available from: FSP Books & Videos 188 Central Street Hudson, MA 01749-1330 1-800-522-8528 E-Mail: support @fire-police-ems.com www.fire-police-ems.com Price: $29.99 This book is soft cover, measuring 8 ½ inches by 11 inches and has 243 pages. The author did a fantastic job of research to put this history together. Though I am an apparatus buff so to speak, I am not very learned in antiques, but I was very impressed in reading this book.

What I did not know is that the term “buckboard” was never used to describe any fire apparatus when these particular trucks were being built. The name was coined by Walter P. McCall, who in the opinion of many (including myself), is a famous historian of apparatus, most notably American LaFrance. He likened this design to the buckboards of the cowboy days when these wagons were used for transportation and the hauling of supplies.

The book is not broken down into chapters, but into topics and the different brands of apparatus that used the design. The author went to great lengths and detail to give the reader the most accurate information about these histories. There are over 300 references listed on the pages and eight pages of bibliography.

Much of these are from a host of apparatus experts from SPAAM-

Serving those who serve us.

HeroesMortgageProgram.com

877-541-HERO

FAA. The photos are all black and white, and there are plenty of them. Many major cities are represented and I was even surprised to see a photo of an aerial ladder tuck from my hometown of Bayonne, NJ on Page 192. All of the coverage of the manufacturers are like short stories in a sense and it makes an easy read because none of them take up a lot of pages.

It is safe to say that most of these manufacturers are not around today and that there are a few of the buckboard trucks in the hands of museums and perhaps private owners. So for readers that are up in their years, the book may bring back fond memories, and for the young readers, it will take them down through history, illustrating how fire departments of yesteryear used the best they had to fight fires.

MASSACHUSETTS

Vehicle News

The Berlin Fire Department has received this 2017 Spartan/LTC 110" aerial as Truck 6.

JIM FORTIN JR.

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MASSACHUSETTS

Tower Ladder-2 operating at the 2nd-Alarm fire.

TOM BROPHY

K. LEGER

Westport & Fall River Search for Serial Arsonist Fall River, MA - Fire Officials in Fall River and Westport are on the hunt for a serial arsonist after several suspicious fires occurred over the Summer. In Westport, fire officials have dealt with fires set in the early morning hours between 4:00 A.M. and sunrise in unoccupied homes under construction, that began in attached garages. The latest fire was fully involved when firefighters arrived, set in an abandoned clam shack that burned to the ground. Aggressive fire attacks have confined the damage to the attached garages on the homes under construction, but officials fear it is only a matter of time before things escalate. In Fall River, fires were set at two locations, including an occupied apartment building and a 40-yard construction dumpster between two multi-family dwellings. Firefighters were able to limit the damage to melted siding at the scene.

STILL IN SERVICE

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

Lynn Tower Ladder-4 operating at the rear of the building in Salem.

TOM BROPHY

Two-Alarm Fire Strikes “The Witch City” Salem, MA - A second-alarm fire erupted at Ideal Transmission Shop in Salem around 10:30 P.M. on September 6th. The fire is under investigation by the Salem Fire Investigators and Mass State Police Fire Marshal's Office.

JIM FORTIN JR.

Boston, MA - This 1987 GMC 1200-gallon tanker is currently stationed on Georges Island in Boston Harbor. It previously served Mass Forest Fire Control District 7 and Uxbridge Fire.

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MASSACHUSETTS

Ladder-1's aerial over the "A/D" corner of 22 Mattoon St.

NATE ARNOLD

Five Residents Displaced After Townhouse Fire in Springfield Springfield, MA - A fire that investigators attributed to an electrical malfunction displaced five residents from their three-story ordinary construction townhouse in the Metro-Center section of the City of Springfield shortly after 8:00 A.M. on Sunday, September 3rd.

A full first-alarm assignment of Springfield fire companies was on scene of the fire within eight minutes of dispatch to find fire and smoke pushing from the thirdfloor of the occupied townhouse.

All residents were outside the dwelling upon firefighters' arrival.

Companies went to work stretching two attack lines to the third-floor of the dwelling and made quick work of the fire in spite of the fact that, due to narrow

JUMP TO FILE #090917101 streets, the first arriving truck company was forced to short jack their apparatus in order to get their aerial to the roof, and later arriving apparatus had to park further down the street and walk into the scene.

According to Springfield Fire Department's Dennis Leger, Executive Aide to Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant, the fire did some $150,000 in damage to the structure. The Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross was assisting all five residents after the fire.

- NATE ARNOLD

Presents...

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

• Know the route your kids will be taking if you aren’t going with them.

• Make sure you set a time that they should be home.

Make sure they know how important it is for them to be home on time.

• The best bet is to make sure that an adult is going with them.

If you can’t take them, see if another parent or sibling can go along.

JOHN SJOSTEDT

Plymouth Firefighters Handle Car Fire

Plymouth, MA - Plymouth firefighters responded to Barnfield Dr. on August 12th for a report of a car fire. Engine-6 arrived and found heavy fire in the engine compartment. One line was stretched and the fire was quickly knocked down.

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective.

• Only trick-or-treat in well known neighborhoods at homes that have a porch light on.

• Candy should only be consumed after an adult has checked for tampering.

WE WISH YOU A SAFE & HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

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RHODE ISLAND

MEMORIAL BOARD

If your department has photos you would like to see in our “Memorial Board” feature please upload them on our website www.1RBN.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com

WATCH HILL FD

JAMESTOWN VOL. FD

Jamestown, RI - With great sadness, the Jamestown Fire Department announced the untimely recent passing of Firefighter William F. Kitts. Will joined the fire department in 2006 to serve the town with his "Old Man". Will's father, Lew Kitts, is a longtime and dedicated member of the Jamestown Fire Department. Please keep Lew and the rest of Will's family in your thoughts and prayers.

APPARATUS FOR SALE

WATCH HILL FD

Firefighters Grant 98-Year-Old Woman’s Birthday Wish Westerly, RI - In August, Watch Hill Fire Department firefighters were able to help a local woman check an item off of her bucket list! A local resident alerted them that her friend would be turning 98 and had always wanted to ride in a firetruck. On her birthday, the firefighters were happy and honored to fill that request. Happy Birthday Mildred, from all your friends at WHFD!

2009 Ford ALS Ambulance 33205.7 miles • 2989.9 Engine hours Accepting offers until Wed. Nov. 1, 2017 Minimum offer: $25000 Please forward all offers to: Laura Hinde, District Secretary Hicksville Fire District 20 East Marie Street • Hicksville, NY 11801 516-933-6445 x112

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VERMONT

ON THE LITER SIDE If you have photos you would like to see in our “On The Liter Side” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

Pittsford Fire Department's new quick response vehicle...

PITTSFORD FD

APPARATUS FOR SALE

Enjoy taking photographs?

Get the most out of your hobby!

1st Responder News compensates correspondents for their article & photograph submissions.

Contact Lindsey TODAY for more information!

Lindsey@1strespondernews.com

845-534-7500 ext. 212

The Board of Fire Commissioners of the Uniondale Fire District will accept sealed Bids until 2:00 pm, June 19, 2017, for the sale of one (1) Red 2005 International Ambulance. Add’l detailed info can be obtained. At 3pm, June 19, 2017, bid(s) will be opened and publicly read aloud. Vehicle is to be sold “as is”. The minimum accepted bid for the vehicle is $35,000 w/ firematic pkg.

Sealed bid(s) may be delivered in person to District Office M-F 9:00a-5:00p at 501 Uniondale Ave., 2nd Floor, Uniondale, NY 11553. Sealed bid(s) must be marked “Bid for 2005 International Ambulance”. Sealed bid(s) must be accompanied with a check in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the bid price submitted or the bid will not be accepted. Contact District Secretary at (516) 481-8411 8:30a-5:00p M-F. The final sale payment is to be by certified or bank check. The Uniondale Fire District reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

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