VOLUME 11, NO. 7
Serving Fire, Rescue & EMS Heroes In NY State
W W W .FIRENE WS .COM
MAY 2018
Story on page 6 -Fire News photo by Brian Grogan
Fire News Welcomes all to FDIC
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Fire News, May 2018, Page 3
In this issue... Hillcrest Garage Fire
The Hillcrest Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire in a detached two-car garage. See story on page 9
Save at Schenectady 2-Alarmer
Schenectady firefighters were called out for a structure fire on 5th Street in the Mont Pleasant neighborhood. See story on page 12
5 Die in East Durham Blaze
By the time police and fire officials arrived there was little that could be done. See story on page 17
All Hands in Laurelton
Firefighters from the Laurelton section of Queens battled an all-hands blaze. See story on page 20
A Service for New York State Firefighters and EMS Heroes 146 South Country Road, Bellport, NY 11713
FRANK C. TROTTA, Publisher TIM EDWARDS, Executive Editor DENNIS WHITTAM, Editor GARY P. JOYCE, Asst. Editor MARIE TROTTA, Vice President, Production/Sales LYNN SEDLER, Art Director CLIFF CHIESA, Production Manager Advertising Sales: BARBARA CONNOLLY Graphic Artist: GREGORY JONES CONTRIBUTORS: Andrew Aguilar, Chris Aldous, Jeff Ambroz, Peter Barber, Kevin Barry, John Bashaw, Bill Bennett, Tom Bierds, Jeff Couch, Chris Creighton, David Denniston, Rick Douglas, Brian Duddy, Stan Dybus, John Falcone, Ken Flynn, Joe Fortunato, Eli Gill, Mark Gillen, Carol Greene, Tom Heffernan Sr., Greg Herman, Matt Hodge, Steve Hodgekiss, Robert Holley, Daniel Imfield, Andy Jarchin, Bill Johnson, Mark Johnson, Chris Kalisak, Charlie Keller, Jon Kemp, Gordon Kotars, David R. LaRocco, Stephen Lenz, Joshua Long, Mike Messar, Ralph Miele, Albert Mignone, John Miller, Martin E. Miller, Lloyd Mitchell, Brian Natoli, Carleton Raab, Robert Reynolds, Lauren Rivera, Stephen Schaefer, Deborah Schweikert, Tom Shand, John Shaw, Sharon Siegel, Robert Simpson, Joe Sperber, Bryan Sypniewski, Karen Todd, Kyle Townsend, Joe Turner, Michael VanDerLieth, Lori Washburn, D.B. Weimer, Stephen White.
Columnists: Bruce Johnson, John Salka COPYRIGHT 2018, THE FIRE NEWS INC., LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Tsatsawassa Handles House Fire
The Tsatsawassa Protective Fire Company responded to a structure fire on Bliss School House Road. See story on page 21
High Voltage at Mahopac MVA
The Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department responded to a dump truck rollover with live wires and a pole down on the truck.
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PLUS: Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 4 Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 5 Special Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 18 Business Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 24 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 26
Letters to the Editor, byline articles, and columns represent the opinions of the writers and photographers and are not necessarily the views of the Fire News. We reserve the right to edit all of the above. We are not responsible for errors in advertisements beyond the cost of advertising space. Copy submitted is subject to editing for space requirements. The placing of an advertisement in this publication does not constitute endorsement. Contents are copyrighted. Editorial and advertising copy cannot be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Fire News is published monthly by Fire News Inc, with corporate offices at 146 South Country Road, Bellport, NY 11713.
Page 4, Fire News, May 2018
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From the Editor’s Desk Dennis Whittam, Editor
It’s Been a Tough Month A lot has happened over the past month that has saddened us all. We lost FDNY Lt. Michael R. Davidson in a Harlem fire, we lost seven military personnel in a helicopter crash that happened in western Iraq, four of whom were locals and included Master Sergeant Christopher J. Raguso, an FDNY firefighter and a volunteer firefighter with the Commack Fire Department on Long Island; and Major Christopher Zanetis, an FDNY Fire Marshal. We also added to the list of FDNY firefighters who passed away from cancer that was attributed to their service on 9/11 and the months following this attack on our country. As the month progressed, there was a fire at Trump Towers that claimed the life of a person who lived on the 50th floor of the building, and also injured several firefighters who were faced with the task of battling this blaze. If you are reading this editorial, you may know what it is like to push in on a violent fire. I ask you, would a sprinkler system have resulted in a different outcome for this fire? The upper floors of this building were not sprinklered. The building was completed in 1983, several years before sprinkler systems were mandated. Owners of older, residential
high-rises are required to add the systems when major renovations take place. Since June 2014, the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs have been asking for a change in the laws that effect home sprinkler systems. They have been asking our politicians to support laws that require home sprinkler systems. Every year in New York, more than 100 residents die as a result of a home fire and more than 1,000 are injured severely enough to require hospitalization. The lack of home sprinklers puts everyone, including firefighters, at risk. According to the NYSAFC, “the presence of a home fire sprinkler system has been proven to cut the risk of dying in a fire by 82 percent and reduce property loss by 70 percent. In addition, a home fire sprinkler system will stop a fire from growing and spreading out of control, preserving the integrity of the structure and preventing firefighter injuries and deaths.” Fire News has informed you of The New York Sprinkler Initiative. This is a group of fire and life safety advocates, urging the New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council (NYS Code Council) to adopt the most recent building codes. Lightweight truss construction and the use of engineered
lumber in construction are a danger to firefighters. Sprinklers could keep a fire in check until firefighters arrive on scene. If sprinklers are installed, residents will have time to escape the fire and firefighters will have more time to fight the fire before it grows out of control. The fire at Trump Towers is proof that the lack of a sprinkler system puts life at risk. I urge you to visit the NYS Association of Fire Chiefs website to read about Fire Sprinkler Initiative News. … Dennis
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Fire News, May 2018, Page 5
Announcements EMS COST RECOVERY The New York State Association of Fire Chiefs (NYSAFC), is working with its partners from FASNY, AFDSNY and NYSFCA to actively pursue legislation regarding “Cost Recovery for Fire Department Ambulance Service.” Some of you may have recently seen a memo from NYSVARA that opposes our efforts. Unfortunately, much of the information in their memo was incorrect. Below you will find a memo from Dr. Mike McEvoy that will provide you with the facts about the legislation and our efforts. We urge you to contact your Senators and Assembly Members to let them know that you support S.363-B Sen. Little / A A7717-B Assembly Member Jones. “From: Mike McEvoy To: NYSAFC Members A recent legislative change supported by the fire service in NYS would amend General Municipal Law 209b allowing fire districts to recover some costs for providing EMS service. Fire Districts (FD) and departments in NYS, who provide 37 percent of the state’s ambulance service, are the only ambulance services in the United States prohibited from billing. As a result, many fire based EMS programs are facing extinction. The real issue is an obscure Federal Law that allows commercial and non-fire volunteer services to bill Medicare directly for Advanced Life Support (ALS) intercept services — and only Fire
Departments are prohibited from billing. Were FDs permitted to bill, ALS intercepts would need to be billed not by the ALS service but by the FD (as they are in the rest of the US) and payment for the ALS portion for the service would be turned over to the ALS service. “The legislation, Senate Bill 363B and Assembly Bill 7717B was thoughtfully and carefully written (https://open.nysenate.gov/ legislation/bills/2017/s363/amendment/b). Despite this, it has come under unwarranted and heavy attack by volunteer and commercial EMS membership associations as, ‘removing the ability of rural residents to access ALS intercept services.’ This is a complete distortion of the truth. The NYS legislative change, as written in the bill would allow FD billing and REQUIRE fire departments to have an agreement in place with an ALS service to share the reimbursement. This assures rural residents continued access to ALS and, more importantly, assures that their rural volunteer fire departments can continue to respond to life threatening emergencies. “If this legislation passes, no seniors would lose a Medicare benefit and no one would lose access to ALS services. In fact, 37 percent of New York’s population is currently paying fire district taxes in addition to paying for health insurance, yet they cannot receive their insurance benefits because their FD ambulance cannot bill. Fire Districts and municipalities would have to rely less on tax revenue to support fire department-based EMS, saving money for taxpayers. I would
personally encourage anyone interested in protecting New York State citizen access to vital emergency medical services to support S363B and A7717B. Without the ability for fire district ambulances to bill for services, many New Yorkers will find themselves without ambulance service.” - Mike McEvoy, PhD, NRP, RN, CCRN
PHOENIX FIRECAMP APPLICATION TIME Fire Service Women of New York State (FSWNYS) is accepting applications for Phoenix Firecamp. Teenage girls, between 14- and 19-years old, are eligible to apply. No firefighting experience is required, but junior firefighters and explorers are always welcomed. FSWNYS Phoenix Firecamp is a weeklong live-in firematics camp, held in Utica, New York, from July 15 to July 20. Handson training, classroom lectures, friendly competitions, leadership skills and networking are all a part of this once-in-a-lifetime camp. For full details visit www.fswnys.org, but hurry, time is running out to apply for Phoenix Firecamp 2018!
DOES YOUR DEPARTMENT HAVE A PIO? Fire News is compiling a list of department Public Information Officers. Please send Fire News the PIO’s name, department, and contact information. E-mail us at li@FireNews.com. Thank you for your help.
Page 6, Fire News, May 2018
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Cover Story
FDNY Lt. Michael R. Davidson Laid to Rest
On Tuesday, March 27, 2018, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro and thousands of FDNY members, family and friends attended the funeral service for Lieutenant Michael R. Davidson of Engine Company 69 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Sadly, Lt. Davidson’s life was lost as he operated at a fire in Harlem. Lieutenant Davidson, of Floral Park, New York, is survived by his wife, Eileen, and their four children; Brooke, Joseph, Emily and Amy. Lieutenant Davidson is the son of retired Firefighter Robert Davidson, who served the Department for 26 years (primarily in the same firehouse as his son); and the brother of Firefighter Eric Davidson, an 11-year veteran, of Engine Company 88 in the Bronx. He is the 1,150th member of the FDNY to make the supreme sacrifice in the line-of-duty. Our prayers go out to Lt. Michael R. Davidson’s family, to the FDNY and to the City of New York, as we remember this hero. May he rest in peace as he watches over all firefighters from the floor above. -Fire News photos by Peter Barber, Brian Grogan, Lloyd Mitchell, and Jon Tenca
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3 Dead in Early Morning Rensselaer Blaze
On March 11, 2018, a young man jumped out the second floor window, ran across the street and alerted the neighbor that his family was trapped in their burning home. First arriving apparatus, from the Rensselaer Fire Department, were confronted with flames and not able to enter the home. Mutual aid arrived from Defreestville, East Greenbush and Clinton Heights. An eight-year-old boy, the mother and the grandmother were killed in the fire. The father was at work and the other son was treated and released. The home was destroyed. - Fire News photos by Martin E. Miller
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Fire News, May 2018, Page 9
Hillcrest Garage Fire KO’d
On March 7, 2018, As Winter Storm Quinn began hitting the Northeast, the Hillcrest Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire in a detached two-car garage. The garage was completely involved and collapsed just before units arrived. The burning twocar garage was owned by a group home on the property, which was also an exposure. All the residents of the home were evacuated safe-
ly. A single-family home next door was damaged due to the heat from the fire. One firefighter was slightly injured after suffering a fall. The fire is under investigation by the Clarkstown Police Department and the Clarkstown Fire Inspector's Office, but was believed to be accidental. - Fire News photos by Kenny Flynn
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Mohawk Helps Fonda
Smell of Gas in Mahopac
The Town of Mohawk volunteer firefighters are pictured at the scene of a structure fire in the Village of Fonda on March 24, 2018. - Fire News photo by Mark Perfetti
The Mahopac Fire Department was recently dispatched for a gas smell in a commercial structure, the Rite Aid pharmacy on Route 6 at the Mahopac Town Center. Chief Bill Nikisher, and an engine and ladder company, responded. As crews entered the front of the building, the ladder was raised to allow firefighters to check the mechanicals on the roof. With the building evacuated, crews entered with gas meters, came back with safe readings and cleared the scene. - Fire News photo by Jack Casey
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Derailment, Fire in Attica
Attica Fire Chief Jay Myers reported that on February 15, 2018, Attica Fire and Rescue was dispatched to a reported train derailment with cars on fire and subjects injured at the East Main Road crossing. Chiefs arrived to find heavy black smoke just north of the crossing. Flames could be seen, along with the railcars crashed in that area. Access to the crash site was limited to a farm lane, which led to a field near the crash site. The farm owner and one other man responded to the site to find two rail employees, who were able to self-extricate from a burning locomotive which had come to rest half way down an 80-foot embankment. Both were taken to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo. Approximately 900 feet of LDH was hand laid on the farm lane to the crash site. Upon arrival of NorfolkSouthern Railroad officials it was decided to let the fire burn out due to the remoteness of the site, the limited access and no exposure problems. Firefighters assisting included Bennington, Varysburg, Alexander, Wyoming Correctional Facility, Monroe Ambulance (Medic 80 and 81), Haz-Mat teams from Wyoming and Genesee Counties, Wyoming and Genesee County Emergency Management personnel and Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department. - Fire News photo provided by the Office of Emergency Services
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Save at Schenectady 2-Alarmer
On March 28, 2018, Schenectady firefighters were called out for a structure fire on 5th Street in the Mont Pleasant neighborhood. Deputy Chief Kurt Gerfin arrived and called a second alarm bringing the city’s four engines and two tower ladders to the scene. DC
Gerfin and a civilian pulled an occupant out of the front door with severe burns. He was taken to Albany Medical Center then transferred to the Westchester Burn Unit for treatment. The cause of the fire was under investigation. - Fire News photos by Peter Barber
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Adams, Lorraine Battle Lumber Yard Fire Firefighters from Adams and Lorraine were dispatched for a fire on Tonawanda Street. Engine 26 arrived to heavy smoke showing from a single-story storefront. B-56 (Division) requested an additional two engines and a truck . While fighting the fire, Engine 26 reported fire in the basement, and B-47 ordered defensive operations. Engine 26 was forced to declare a MAYDAY, due to being trapped in an alley by fire. Engine 26 made it safely out. - Fire News photos by Donald Kilianski
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Breakout Sessions:
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20th Annual NJ Emergency Preparedness Conference THURSDAY, MAY 3 CERT and Damage Assessment; Communications Interoperability in New Jersey; OHSP Toolbox: Programs and Resources to Strengthen State Preparedness; NWS Hurricane Update for 2018; An Emergency in a Healthcare Facility is NOT the Time to Exchange Business Cards; Earn Money Sleeping: Sleep Loss & Fatigue in First Responders; GPS and GIS: What Are They and Where Are We Going?; Terminal the Sequel - Re-Constitution of San Juan Int'l. Airport and the Port of San Juan Post Maria; Collaborative Response Graphics (CRGs) — Using Visual Planning for Public Safety Emergency Responses; Domestic Operations and the National Guard; FEMA’s Preliminary Damage Assessment and Individual Assistance Programs; The Coordinated Response to a Lost/Missing Person Incident; Is the Decision to Evacuate Far More Stressful than the Evacuation Itself?; Amateur Radio TUESDAY, MAY 1 Verizon; Overview of the La Nina Winter of 2017-2018 and National for Emergency Managers; Crisis Communications; Dam Safety in New Weather Service (NWS) Hazard Simplification; Striving for 25: Jersey: Preparing for and Responding to Dam Emergencies; Public / Developing Resilience for your Career; An Overview of Private Sector Partnerships — Electric Utility Partnerships. Communications Technologies; Building Relationships that Weather the FRIDAY, MAY 4 Storms. Crisis Counseling: Working with Faith-based Leaders in Patterson, NJ and St. Thomas USVI; Damage Prediction Models, Drones and WEDNESDAY, MAY 2 Texas Deployment; iSAT for Disaster Mental Health Responses; Mutual Assistance — Your Utility is Preparing; Hazardous Waste Parent and Student Reunification After a School Crisis: How Prepared Operations & Emergency Response; Managing Substation Fires; is Your Town?; Florida Deployment; Deadly Rip Currents: The Summer Modernizing New Jersey’s Triage System; NJ Statewide Utility Safety of 2017; Safeguarding the Dementia Journey; Puerto Rico Deployment; Team; Overview of Flammability Products via Rail and Pipeline. Register at www.NJEPA.com: $135. At the door: $150. Assessment of Winter Storm Impacts Using Real-Time Road Temperature Data; Emergency Communications and Sustainability; Engaging the Faith-Based Community in Disaster Response and Recovery Efforts; U.S. Virgin Islands Deployment; Crisis Response to Las Vegas Shootings; EMS Response to the Opioid Epidemic; Making Your Education Work for You; Tidal Total Water Level Forecasts, the Next Step.
April 30, 2018, begins the 20th Annual New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Conference at Tropicana Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. Throughout the week, conference-goers will experience and engage in a full range of Training, Breakout Sessions and events. The Breakout Sessions highlight some of the most important topics in Emergency Management. Don’t miss the four sequential sessions pertaining to the 2017 Hurricane Deployments. Likewise, two other critically important sessions discuss the Crisis Response to the Las Vegas Shooting and Parent and Student Reunification After a School Crisis; How Prepared is Your Town? Here is the full Breakout list (subject to change): http://bit.ly/2mWf2Jn
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Firehouse Kitchen
Cooking for Life As I was going through my mail, I came upon a letter from a teacher in Rocky Point, NY. It stated how her class was a big fan of the show, Firehouse Kitchen. Upon reading this I thought, “What would be better than for Firefighter Ray to give her class a visit.” I contacted the teacher and told her my idea. She was excited and we set the date! So began my trip to the northeast shore of Long Island. As one drives out this way, you cannot miss the feeling that you are in another place. The landscape goes from the suburbs to a more rural landscaping and it is breath taking. For a moment, I forgot I was only 30 minutes from home! The class, I was visiting, was a life skills class. The main objective in the class is to get them ready for the real world. What is more necessary in the real world than to know how to cook? Therefore, I showed them how to cook a meal. When I got there, they made me feel like a movie star. They were beside themselves with the presence of Firefighter Ray —woo hoo! We went through a little Q-and-A and then got right to work. I thought chicken skewers would be perfect. I did most of the cutting and they did most of the skewering. When they skewers were cooking in the oven, they thought it would be fun to watch an episode of Firehouse Kitchen. They chose to watch the one when I cooked with my wife, Lori. They thought it was funny how she was “busting my chops.” Lovely! When the episode was over and the berating stopped, we had a delicious meal with accompanied with many smiles. This life skills class is an important class and brings so much joy to the students involved. A very special thanks to Kyle, Kathleen, Valerie, Joey and Nikki. They are going to do great in life. To find out more about Firehouse Kitchen, or how to become a sponsor, visit to firehousekitchenshow.com.
Ray’s Chicken Skewers 3 pounds of chicken Onions Green peppers Grape tomatoes
Skewer sticks Teriyaki sauce Greek yogurt
Directions Cube up the chicken and soak in teriyaki sauce. Cube up onions and green peppers, onions and tomatoes. Skewer a piece of chicken, a green pepper, an onion and a tomato and continue in that order until skewers are full. Put in oven at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Let slightly cool before eating. Dip in yogurt sauce and enjoy!
Page 16, Fire News, May 2018
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Bag and Boot Fundraiser in Winona Lake
On March 25, 2018, the Winona Lake Fire Department. and the Ladies Auxiliary went to Stop & Shop on Palm Sunday and helped bag groceries wearing turnout gear. - Fire News photo by Vinnie Dominick
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5 Die in East Durham Blaze
Green County 911 started receiving frantic calls for a home fully involved in fire on Route 145 in East Durham. By the time police and fire officials arrived there was little they could do, as fire had already totally consumed the home. Inside the home were three children two boys and a girl ages 10, eight and six, as well as their grandparents, both 88 years old. The children’s father was able to get out of the inferno and was treated at the scene for burns by the Green County Paramedics and flown to the Clark Burn Center in Syracuse in critical condition. The fire was under the investigation by the New York State Police, assisted by the Greene County
Sheriff’s Department, and New York State Fire Investigators. The thoroughfare is a main artery through East Durham, a rural town and the heart of the ‘Irish Alps.’ The East Durham Fire Department was assisted by mutual aid companies from the Oak Hill, Freehold and Cairo, along with Durham Ambulance and Greene County Paramedics. The fire appears to be the deadliest in the greater Capital Region since 2004, when six people — five of them children — died in a house on Division Street in Schenectady. The cause of that fire remains undetermined. -Fire News photos by Tom Heffernan
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St. Patrick’s Day Across the State Albany Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day
NYC Celebrates St. Pat’s Day
The cold and windy weather could not keep the Irish from coming out for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Albany on March 17, 2018. Several local fire departments marched in the parade, including those from Fuller Road, McKnownville, Schuylar Heights, Guilderland, Averill Park, Fort Hunter, Westmere, Menands and West Sand Lake. - Fire News photo by Tom Heffernan
The FDNY participated in the March 17, 2018, New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. - Fire News photo by FirstOnScenePhotos.com
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Mamaroneck St. Pat’s Day Parade
On March 18, 2018, departments from across Westchester County gathered in Mamaroneck to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Members marched and drove apparatus in the town parade. - Fire News photo by PuckStopperPhotography.com
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All Hands in Laurelton
Bronx All-Hands
Firefighters from the Laurelton section of Queens battled an allhands blaze that was in the basement of a private dwelling on 224th Street on March 8, 2018. - Fire News photo by FirstOnScenePhotos.com
FDNY companies in the Throggs Neck section of the Bronx battled an all-hands blaze in a two-story, attached, private dwelling on East Tremont Avenue on the evening of March 14, 2018. - Fire News photo by FirstOnScenePhotos.com
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Tsatsawassa Handles House Fire
The Tsatsawassa Protective Fire Company, responded to a structure fire on Bliss School House Road in the Town of Nassau in Rensselaer County on March 24, 2018. Crews arrived to find the center of a single-story home engulfed. The house and garage were destroyed. The fire was thought to have originated in a wood stove. Assisting were crews from Nassau and Lebanon Valley. - Fire News photos by Martin E. Miller
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2018 Battle of the Bravest Charity Hockey Game
Five years ago, while playing a game of shinny on a frozen pond in Binghamton, a couple of firefighters decided to expand their standard weekend activity and put a friendly game of hockey together with teams comprised of firefighters from all over Broome County. Since then, the event has raised and donated over $20,000 to cancer research, and on Sunday, March 25, 2018, they added to that number. The Battle of the Bravest Charity Hockey Game was established and immediately coordinated with the non-profit 501(C)3 organization, The Retired Professional Fire Fighters Cancer Fund, Inc., with the synergic mission of raising funds specifically for cancer research. Funds are allocated to established programs that seek to impact those cancers that have higher occurrence rates among firefighters. Although their focus is on “Fire Fighter Cancers,” EVERYONE will benefit from the foundation’s efforts because, as we all know, cancer does not discriminate. The third annual Battle of the Bravest Charity Hockey Game took place at the Ice House Sports Complex and over $9,200 was raised, 100
percent of which was, once again, donated to the cancer fund. Cancer fund founder and retired Binghamton Firefighter Bill Newland was quoted in a post-game gathering as saying, “None of this could be done without you, your hard work and your support for this event.” Everyone, from the players, to the game coordinators, Mr. Newland himself, the corporate donors, event spectators and game day operation workers, make this event a success and have an equal part in raising this money, 100 percent of which ges to finding a cure for cancer and GIVING CANCER THE BOOT!!! The event is open to the public with a charitable donation to get in the door. Auctions and raffles will also be on hand starting at 1445. To follow and support the event on Facebook, search “Battle of the Bravest Charity Hockey Game Community.” To learn more, or donate to the cancer fund, visit www.letsfirecancer.org. - Fire News photos by Jesse Murphy
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What’s Been Missing in Mahopac Falls?
Over the past few months, residents of the Mahopac Falls Fire District have become more aware of something missing; the six o’clock siren from the MFVFD headquarters. In this day and age of the technology available, Mother Nature showed that she can play havoc by knocking out power and the ability to charge firefighters pagers. The siren, located at headquarters, was out being ‘refurbed’ with a new motor. With the help of members from the Mahopac and Carmel Fire Departments and their ladder trucks, the siren was removed, repaired and remounted. It was repainted and re-stenciled with the familiar “FDNY 343,” a tribute to those lost on 9/11. - Fire News photo by Jack Casey, MFVFD
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One Injured in Winona Lake
High Voltage at Mahopac MVA
On March 20, 2018, the Winona Lake engine company was called out to an MVA on Route 300 and Meadow Hill Road. One person was injured and taken to the hospital by Mobile Life Support Services. - Fire News photo by Vincent Dominick
On March 28, 2018, the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department responded to a dump truck rollover with live wires and pole down on the truck at Long Pond Road near Pleasant Road. The stillenergized 13,000-volt wires above the wreck, prevented crews from approaching or removing the lone driver. NYSEG crews were summoned and soon de-powered the section and cut away the damaged pole and transformer. The driver was then removed and taken to Danbury Hospital for evaluation. - Fire News photo by Tom Beatty, MVFD
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Mutual Aid Ladder Drill at Mahopac
Six departments attended a mutual aid ladder drill at the Mahopac Fire Department. These included departments from Brewster, Carmel, Croton Falls, Patterson No.1, Somers, Mahopac Falls and Kent. - Fire News photos by Tom Beatty
Page 26, Fire News, May 2018
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Verdoy hosts National Instructor Chief Tiger Schmittendorf
The Verdoy Fire Department hosted “Call to Duty: A Conversation with Chief Tiger Schmittendorf.” Members from fire departments throughout the Capital Region came together at Verdoy Fire Department on March 3, 2018, for an all-day training session. Chief Tiger Schmittendorf and his acclaimed programs, “Call to Duty” and “X-Box to the Box Alarm,” deals with recruiting/training and retention of new members. The program dealt with the variations between new and existing members and how to bridge the gap and learn from each other. - Fire News photos by Lori Washburn
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