Fire news new york state 1 18

VOLUME 11, NO. 3

W W W .FIRENE WS .COM

Serving Fire, Rescue & EMS Heroes In NY State JANUARY 2018

Story on page 6 -Fire News photos by Tom Heffernan

Fire News Wishes Our Readers Happy Holidays and a Safe 2018!

– New York State Edition –

FireNews.com

Fire News, January 2018, Page 3

In this issue...

Active Fire in East Fishkill

East Fishkill firefighters, with the Village of Fishkill as FAST, operated at a structure fire at Barre Memorials.

See page 5

Explosion, Propane Fire in Verdoy Early on November 15, 2017, a fire alarm went off at the Pepsi Bottling plant in Latham.

See story on page 9

Total Loss in West Albany

The West Albany Fire Department was called to a structure fire on Harwich Drive.

See story on page 12

Amsterdam 3- Alarmer

The Amsterdam Fire Department responded to an early morning fire on Guy Park Avenue.

See story on page 15

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

Heavy Smoke in Schenectady

Schenectady firefighters were called to battle a two-alarm fire on Schenectady Street in the Hamilton Hill section.

See story on page 22

Multiple Injuries in East Greenbush

Crews responded to a rush hour four-car MVA on I-90.

For advertising rates and information, call (631) 776-0500 Press 3 Editorial: (631) 776-0500 Ext 281 Fax number: (631) 286-6866 Internet: http://www.firenews.com Email:nys@firenews.com

Six Editions Serving Long Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania Proud Member Of:

See story on page 26

PLUS: Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 4 Industry News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 18 Special Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 20 Business Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 28 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 29

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, January 2018

FireNews.com

From the Editor’s Desk Dennis Whittam, Editor

Set the Example in 2018 As I gave thought to the highlights of 2017, I asked myself what I planned on doing to make 2018 a banner year. I decided I wanted to make my New Year’s resolution something different than I have in the past.

Thinking ahead to 2019, I want to be able to look back on 2018 with a smile and to be able to say that I made a difference in the fire service.

All of us need to make a difference in the jobs that we perform daily. For the average first responder, it is easy to become complacent and accept the easy way out to make your required training and response points for the year. I was annoyed in 2017, when I heard members turn down extra training because they met the requirement for training for a certain discipline. Let’s face it, if you take a class on knots, most members may walk away from the knot class with a basic understanding of how to tie a few knots, but would they put their life on the line as FDNY Rescue 1 firefighter James Lee did to save a life as he went over the side of a building to rescue an 81-year-old man from a fifth-floor

window at an intense six-alarm fire in Manhattan? For 2018, look in the mirror and ask yourself would you, or could you, perform a lifesaving skill if you were placed in a precarious situation.

In 2018, push yourself to be the best of the best! Care about setting the example for others to follow. If you are a seasoned veteran or just starting your career, you must review and practice your basic skills on a regular basis. You must discuss all calls, especially those where things may have gone wrong.

For the seasoned veteran, realize your limitations. Veteran first responders still need to practice the skills they were taught years ago along with the younger members. I see so many mistakes that are made due to complacency. Do you always don your gear the correct way? Do you wear your chin strap, gloves and button your turnout coat the correct way? When you return from a serious call are you cleaning your gear, especially your protective hood? Make sure your department has a program in place to make sure your PPE is ready to protect you, when

the need arises. Take the time in 2018 to inspect your gear on a routine basis. Make sure it is clean. Dirty gear is not a badge of honor. Career firefighters generally perform a routine check of the equipment they will be using for their shift; volunteer firefighters perform this task on a regular basis as well, typically as part of scheduled work details.

But, are you really doing it? Make sure you lose the attitude that someone else inspected the equipment yesterday, so you can get away without doing it today.

When the ball drops on New Year’s Eve, hug your loved ones, remember the families of our fallen, say a prayer for world peace, and dust off your training manuals, so you can be the best at what you love to do. Happy New Year to all!

-Dennis

FireNews.com

Fire News, January 2018, Page 5

Active Fire in East Fishkill

East Fishkill firefighters, with the Village of Fishkill as FAST, oper- arrived on the scene and cut the power to the structure as firefightated at a structure fire at Barre Memorials on Route 82 near Lake ers made quick work of extinguishing the fire.

-Fire News photo by Bill Johnson Walton Road. Firefighters arrived to find an active fire with fire from the rear of the structure. Central Hudson Gas & Electric

Page 6, Fire News, January 2018

FireNews.com

Cover Story

Cohoes Conflagration

On November 30, 2017, Cohoes firefighters responded to a fire in a three-story brick building. The fire eventually went to four alarms as the fire jumped to exposures. The worst damage was confined to the fire block and the end of the block, where the fire ignited back porches. Nearly two dozen houses were burned or destroyed and some 20 people displaced. Mutual aid came from Waterveliet, Troy, Green Island, Menands and Albany. The fire was started by an amateur bladesmith who was trying to forge a knife blade in his backyard. Half of the opposite side of the street burned in 1988.

- Fire News photos by Tom Heffernan and Martin E. Miller

FireNews.com

Fire News, January 2018, Page 7

Smoke in Amsterdam

On November 19, 2017, the Amsterdam Fire Department respond- extinguished a fire in the kitchen. The business was closed at the ed to Brooklyn Pizza on Forest Avenue for a fire. Crews arrived to time of the fire, and the cause was under investigation.

- Fire News photos by MarkPerfettiPhotography.com smoke coming from the eaves, searched the building and found and

Page 8, Fire News, January 2018

FireNews.com

Quick Work in Bushwick

Brooklyn Mattress Fire

A three-alarm fire in a unoccupied wood frame building occurred on Halsey Street in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn on October 23, 2017. The fire was quickly brought under control.

-Fire News photo by Lloyd Mitchell

On November 11, 2017, the FDNY responded to an early morning mattress fire on Herkimer Street in Brooklyn.

- Fire News photo by Scott LaPrade

FireNews.com

Explosion, Propane Fire in Verdoy

Early on November 15, 2017, a fire alarm went off at the Pepsi Bottling company in Latham. Verdoy, Latham, Colonie Village, Midway, Boght, Fuller Road, Schuyler Heights, West Albany and Shaker Road-Loudonville were called to the scene of the structure fire. Maplewood, Menands, West Crescent, Niskayuna 2, as well as Stanford Heights, were called for covering. The fire began in the back of a warehouse area when a propane tank on fork-lift/scrubber caught fire. The explosion was heard by nearby homes. The driver of the forklift was uninjured. The fire advanced up the wall and into shelving storage. Crews laid in 1500 feet of five-inch hose to the rear of the building. No firefighters were injured and the fire was contained by the sprinkler system to a remote area of the warehouse until the firefighters were able to get to the fire.

- Fire News photos by Lori Washburn and Martin E. Miller

Fire News, January 2018, Page 9

Page 10, Fire News, January 2018

FireNews.com

Historic Synagogue Burns, Scrolls Saved A fire broke out on November 14, 2017, inside a historic synagogue on Patchen Avenue in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn.

The blaze went to two alarms, as FDNY firefighters battled flames and heavy smoke. Members of the synagogue were in tears as they arrived, but relieved that the sacred scrolls were saved. Several minor injuries were reported at the scene.

- Fire News photos by FirstOnScenePhotos.com

FireNews.com

Fire News, January 2018, Page 11

9 Injured in NYC 5-Alarm

On November 17, 2017, firefighters in the Hamilton Heights section of Manhattan arrived at a quick moving, wind driven fire raging on the sixth floor of a six-story building. Within minutes multiple units on the sixth floor were involved, with heavy fire spreading into the cockloft. Numerous tower ladders and ladder pipes were put into place as well as numerous handlines to prevent the fire from spread-

ing to other structures. Seven firefighters suffered minor injuries while a police officer and a civilian were treated for smoke inhalation. The fire took five hours to bring under control and ripped through the top two floors of the building and required over 250 firefighters to battle the blaze.

- Fire News photos by PuckStopperPhotography.com

Page 12, Fire News, January 2018

FireNews.com

Total Loss in West Albany

On November 4, 2017, the West Albany Fire Department was called to a structure fire on Harwich Drive. Chief Sullivan from West Albany and Chief O’Connor from Shaker Road both stated there were flames shooting 30 to 40 feet in the air. The fire, which originated in the rear of the building, quickly engulfed the entire structure. Fuller Road, Shaker Road-Loudonville and Colonie Village

were toned out. Fuller Road’s ladder truck was quickly extended to combat the fire from above while the other departments began interior and exterior attack. The occupant, an older woman, escaped but the family dog perished in the blaze. The building was a total loss. There were no injuries to any firefighters.

- Fire News photos by Lori Washburn

FireNews.com

Fire News, January 2018, Page 13

Oven Fire in Mahopac Falls Mahopac Falls Fire was dispatched to Emily Lane for an oven/possible fire in a structure.

Rolling out with a chief, two pumper tankers and heavy rescue, Assistant Chief Jeff Boyle was first on the scene and assumed command.

With the fire out, entry crews brought in large volume exhaust fans and made short work of clearing smoke.

- Fire News photo by Jack Casey

Disaster Averted on the Hudson On November 9, 2017, City of Rensselaer firefighters responded to a butane fire at the Port of Albany, which is located on both sides of the Hudson River. On arrival, they found flames coming from a broken valve on top of one of 12 above-ground tanks. Mutual aid was called from East Greenbush, Clinton Heights and Wynantskill.

What could have been a disaster was averted. Rensselaer laid about 1300 feet of five-inch hose down a narrow back road, as well as two lines in off Riverside Avenue.

- Fire News photo by Martin E. Miller

Page 14, Fire News, January 2018

Quick Work in Buffalo

On September 28, 2017, Buffalo firefighters were called to Crowley Avenue for a structure fire. Upon arrival of Engine Company 26, they encountered heavy fire showing from the third floor of a multi-occupancy apartment building. The fire was brought under control within 45 minutes.

- Fire News photo by Donald Kilianski

FireNews.com

Aircraft in Distress

New Hackensack firefighters, the Hudson Valley Regional Airport crash crew, the DCSO, and Town of Wappinger/EMStar Medics operated at an aircraft-in-distress call at the Hudson Valley Regional Airport. The initial call was for a jet that had lost one of its two engines 15 miles north of the airport. Fortunately, the aircraft was able to safely make it to the airport and land without incident.

-Fire News photo by Bill Johnson

FireNews.com

Fire News, January 2018, Page 15

Amsterdam 3- Alarmer

On November 28, 2017, the Amsterdam Fire Department respond- on duty called a second and third alarm. No injuries were reported, ed to an early morning fire on Guy Park Avenue. Crews arrived to and the cause was under investigation - Fire News photos by MarkPerfettiPhotography.com heavy smoke and flames at the rear of the house. The battalion chief

Page 16, Fire News, January 2018

FireNews.com

5-Alarmer in Soundview FDNY firefighters battled a stubborn five-alarm fire in an apartment house in the Soundview section of the Bronx on October 1, 2017. Units arrived to a blaze on the top floor of the three-story building on Watson Avenue. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries.

-Fire News photos by FirstOnScenePhotos.com

FireNews.com

Fire News, January 2018, Page 17

Page 18, Fire News, January 2018

FireNews.com

NEW YORK TACTICAL EMS EXPO AND TRAINING SYMPOSIUM The 1st Annual NY Tactical EMS Expo is coming to Long Island Zeins- NYPD Hostage Negotiation Team (ret).; Firefighter Bryan on January 6 and 7, 2018, at the Huntington Hilton Expo Center (598 Kelly, EMT-P-FDNY Squad 1/FDNY Fire Academy; and many more.

Walt Whitman Road) in Melville, New York. The expo will feature Special guest appearance by New Orleans EMS Captain Keeley Williams from the hit show Nightwatch on A&E. two events under a single roof, bringing together the best T h e N Y Ta c t i c a l E M S C o n f e r e n c e training and products in the fields of EMS, Fire is designed for all first responders and Law Enforcement. There will be 10,000(Fire/EMS/Law Enforcement/RN/MD/DO/ square feet of vendors, exhibits and public safePAs/NPs/Personal Protective Detail/Security ty trade show featuring products by Quick-Clot, and others). The training symposium is Rusch, Stat-Packs, EZ-IO, Rescue Essentials, Xdesigned to provide a different look at the inciStat/RevMedX and many more local and nationdents encountered every day and those that can al names. happen at any moment. The faculty members The Two-Day Training Symposium features will share their knowledge and experience to some of the top educators and providers covering help you respond and be as effective as possible some of the most relevant incidents to first when that critical moment strikes. responders, such as the Boston Marathon We all know that Long Island is a very dynamBombing, Pulse Orlando Shooting, Bourbon Street ic, multi-agency jurisdiction and has many hidden Shooting, and many other MCI, Operational hazards that can present themselves at a moment’s Medicine and Tactical Medicine case reviews, topics notice.

There is no excuse not to and hands-on scenario and skills training. be prepared and learn directly from those who Featured faculty such as Lt. Colonel Stephen Rush, have done it. Check out our faculty list at M.D.-USAF Pararescue Medical Director; Dr. Amado tacmedexpo.com/faculty.

Alejandro Baez, MD, Chairman Emergency Medicine-Kings Register today at tacmedexpo.com.

County Hospital, Chairman-Tactical Medicine, American Agency discounts are available for 10-plus members. Contact College of Emergency Physicians; Dominic Marino, DVM FBI/ATF K-9; Sgt. Arthur Kakis, EMT-P- Lead Tactical Medic- NY NYTEMSEXPO@GMAIL.com for group discounts.

State Police SORT. USAF Pararescue (fmr.); Detective Wallace

SAFETY, HEALTH & SURVIVAL TRACK FEATURED AT SAFETY FORUM The International Association of Fire Chiefs’ Safety Health & Survival Section (IAFC SHS), in partnership with the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA), announced a special five-track program that will be presented as part of the annual FDSOA Safety Forum, January 17-18, 2018, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The IAFC SHS and FDSOA have partnered the past couple years to offer programs focused on emergency responders’ health and safety. Among the 22 programs featured at the Safety Forum, the IAFC SHS’ Track will include: • Safe or Unsafe - Can You Prove it? David Daniels, IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section Director-at-Large, will focus on methods a safety professional can use to prove safety management systems are either functioning or not by focusing on performance management.

Learn the objective indicators or performances that can prove you’re doing the right things and help justify resources or prove you’re not and need to change course.

• We've got bedbugs! Now What? Kenneth Jenkins, battalion chief, Health and Safety Officer, Charleston Fire Department, will share how the department received national attention when an outbreak of bedbugs surfaced at several stations. While a new experience for the department, bedbugs are a scourge the hotel and medical industries have been dealing with for quite some time. This presentation will walk through Charleston’s experience, delivered by the HSO who was the tip of the spear for resolving the pesky issue.

• The Emergency Services Road Map to Health and Wellness: A Revision of the NFPA 1582 Guide. Todd LeDuc, Assistant Fire Chief, Broward County Fire and Rescue & IAFC SHS Secretary, along with Richard Miller, IAFC staff, will explain how FSTAR (Firefighter Safety Through Advanced Research) and the IAFC’s Safety, Health and Survival Section evaluated, updated and transformed the original NFPA 1582 guide into The Emergency Services Road Map to Health and Wellness based on firefighter medical survey results. FSTAR

Health and Wellness focuses on firefighter physicals, partnerships with medical providers specializing in NFPA 1582 and researchers working on advancements in firefighter health and safety.

• Near-Miss Reporting: A Tool Safety Officers Can Use to Prevent Injuries and Accidents. With John Russ program manager, National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System. Russ will walk attendees through the system and provide recommendations for how the system’s data can be converted to useful programs to reduce injuries, fatalities, and equipment loss.

• The First Five Minutes: A guide to what safety officers need to address as they establish themselves in the hazard zone. With John B. Tippett, Interim Fire Chief, City of Charleston. The incident safety officer (ISO) typically arrives at an incident after operations are well under way. Even though “safety is everyone’s responsibility” on the incident scene, ISOs know the momentum of operations can seem like that of a runaway train. Tippett incorporates real world scenarios and case studies to help the ISO get oriented and active. The goal is to provide strategies for developing a systematic approach to embedding in a dynamic hazard zone as the incident safety officer. “The First Five Minutes” will provide strategies to stepping into the fire ground whirlwind and becoming a dynamic participant in getting everyone home.

• The full 2018 Safety Forum program and registration information are available at www.fdsoa.org.

FireNews.com

Fire News, January 2018, Page 19

Arlington Handles Trailer Fire

Arlington Firefighters on Group 1 recently responded to a fire at the Shady Brook Trailer Park on Manchester Road Extension.

Firefighters arrived to find a trailer fully involved, along with a vehicle well involved in the front of the structure. Neighbors reported the occupants were still in the structure. Firefighters attempted to search the trailer but, fortunately, the occupants were located

safe at another location. Both the trailer and vehicle were a total loss and Arlington’s Fire Investigators along with the Town of Poughkeepsie Police investigated the cause of the fire. Mutual aid came from City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department.

-Fire News photos by Bill Johnson

Page 20, Fire News, January 2018

FireNews.com

Midday Blaze in Schenectady

Schenectady firefighters recently battled a two-alarm midday fire before flames were discovered. The house was a total loss and had on Wagner Avenue. The house was vacant, however residents to be torn down immediately after the fire.

- Fire News photos by Peter Barber reported seeing squatters and drug users in and out of the residence

FireNews.com

Fire News, January 2018, Page 21

Firehouse Kitchen

By Ray Cooney This month’s article hits very close to home. I am writing about Firefighter Joseph P. DiBernardo of FDNY Rescue 3. In 2005, a fire in the Bronx forced six firefighters to jump from the fifth floor of a burning building. Two lives were lost that day, yet four were spared.

Firefighter DiBernado (right) was one of the lucky survivors — or so we thought. Even though his life was spared in the fire, he sustained numerous debilitating injuries, causing him to go into early retirement.

As I can attest, having undergone this ‘early retirement’ myself, it is not something easily accepted for a firefighter.

Why am I am writing about him now? Last year, while attending FDIC, my path crossed with Firefighter DiBernardo’s father. Knowing that he had passed away from his injuries, I wanted to do something to help his cause — the Joey DiBernardo Memorial Foundation. This foundation helps funds fire departments to get bail out systems. For those not aware of what a bailout system is, it’s basically a harness and rope that would help firefighters in distress safely “jump out” of a burning building. The main goal of this foundation is to one day ensure that every firefighter has this system at his disposal during a fire.

With that being said, we did a show with Firefighter Brian Yost. He was Joey’s best friend and a volunteer at Setauket Volunteer Fire Department (as was Joey). He made a stuffed chicken breast that had ‘fire department’ written all over it. It included prosciutto, spinach, basil, tomato and Parmesan cheese wrapped up with chicken.

This show wasn’t so much about the meal as it was about how Joey cared about the fire department. One of the ideas Joey came up with in the Setauket Fire Department was called stand-by crews. A volunteer firefighter would sleep overnight at the house ready to go in case a call came in. Joey was always thinking of how he could improve the safety of others. The FDNY suffered a great loss upon Firefighter DiBernardo’s passing. We hope he’s looking down on us, because we are all surely looking up to him. If you would like to support The Lieutenant Joseph P. DiBernardo Memorial Fund, visit joeydfoundation.org.

Before I go, 2017 has been a blessed year for Firehouse Kitchen. I’ve

had the honor of being on the Dr. Oz Show and Fox and Friends three times each. We’ve raised thousands of dollars for various charities and brought safety tips to the public. I would like to thank all my fans and Fire News for their support. I am looking forward to 2018! Let’s make it a banner year!

To find out more about more about Firehouse Kitchen or how to become a sponsor, visit firehousekitchenshow.com and be sure to like us on Facebook.

Page 22, Fire News, January 2018

FireNews.com

Heavy Smoke in Schenectady

On November 14, 2017, Schenectady firefighters were called out to which could be seen for miles. Neighboring Niskayuna Fire District battle a two-alarm fire on Schenectady Street in the Hamilton Hill 1 and Scotia were placed on standby to cover the city.

- Fire News photos by Peter Barber section just moments after shift change. Heavy smoke poured from the vacant building, sending plumes of black and brown smoke,

FireNews.com

Fire News, January 2018, Page 23

Cronomer Valley Handles MVA The Cronomer Valley Fire Department was called out to a car-into-building MVA on Route 32 in the town of Newburgh. One person was taken to the hospital.

- Fire News photo by Vinnie Dominick

Truck Fire Near Gas Pump Mahopac Falls Fire Department responded to a call of a car fire next to gas pump. First arriving units found a pickup at the bottom of the parking area of the Red Mills Shell station on Route 6N with the engine compartment on fire.

Assistant Chief Jeff Boyle had the first-due engine handle the fire and had other responding units standby.

- Fire News photo by Jack Casey

Page 24, Fire News, January 2018

FireNews.com

Fire Prevention in Elsmere

On October 14, 2017, the Elsmere Fire Department held its annual open house with a live burn demonstration, a bounce house for the children, hot dogs, soda, popcorn, cotton candy, face painting, and educational safety material handouts for the parents.

Firefighters spoke to the parents and children about the dos and don’ts of fire safety.

- Fire New photos by Tom Heffernan

Page 26, Fire News, January 2018

FireNews.com

Multiple Injuries in East Greenbush On October 27, 2017, crews responded to a rush hour four-car MVA on I-90. The driver lost control on the circular ramp and hit a concrete post smashing the frame, sending a part of it through the floor and mangling the passengers leg. She then crossed the highway causing three other vehicles to become involved. As paramedics from Bruen Rescue tended the patients, East Greenbush crews removed the passenger door and the roof. East Greenbush Police handled the traffic.Extrication took about 45 minutes. The department had recently trained on removing a roof, so it was fresh in their minds.

- Fire News photo by Martin E. Miller

Cement Truck Rollover Coeymans Fire Department, along with Selkirk, Bethlehem EMS, and Albany County Paramedics responded to a semi truck rollover off Route 9W in the Town of Coeymans. The Patriot Tank Lines cement tanker rolled over as it was leaving the LaFarge North America Cement plant. The driver was transported to Albany Medical Center. The tanker was hauling 30,000 pounds of dry concrete at the time of the accident.

- Fire News photo by Tom Heffernan

FireNews.com

Fire News, January 2018, Page 27

Oops! Sorry About That!

The driver of a recycling truck failed to negotiate the height limit of the railway bridge over Weaver Street in Schenectady.

He was taken to Ellis Hospital for treatment. After further inspection of the bridge, it remained intact and in service.

- Fire News photo by Peter Barber

Vehicle Still in Gear

A call for an MVA on Dorset Lane, with possible extrication and an unresponsive person was dispatched for Mahopac Falls Fire, Rescue, EMS and Fire Police, along with multiple units from Carmel Police and a Medic from EMStar. First arriving units found a vehicle still in gear up against trees.

Chief Brian Sacher had all responding trucks stay on Baldwin Place Road to allow for ambulance entry. Assistant Chief Bob Trace took charge of victim removal. The person was transported to the Medical Center.

- Fire News photo by Jack Casey

Page 28, Fire News, January 2018

FireNews.com

Chili Cook-Off Fundraiser

On November 4, 2017, Niskayuna Co-Op played host to their first annual chili cook-off. Niskayuna Districts 1 and 2, Rexford and Stanford Heights Fire Departments made their best fall warm-meups to share with the public. Congressman Paul Tonko also stopped by to sample the yummy concoctions. Rexford also brought along 10-month-old Halligan, their Dalmatian, to help draw attention to

their delicious chili. With the votes counted, Stanford Heights was declared the favorite with bragging rights and a trophy. All of the departments made delicious entrees and were all winners in the end, as the event was able to raise $735 for the NYS Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Albany.

- Fire News photo by Lori Washburn

FireNews.com

Fire News, January 2018, Page 29

Winona Displays Equipment

On October 7, 2017, the Winona Lake Engine Company visited the Adams Fair Acres Farms for their harvest fest.

Firefighters brought over their rig to let the kids look at the equipment and to talk to the members.

- Fire News photos by Vinnie Dominick

Page 30, Fire News, January 2018

FireNews.com

Community Turns Out in Mahopac

Rain did not deter Mahopac Volunteer FireDepartment district residents from turning out and showing support for their firefighters and EMS responders. The first to be greeted by MVFD chiefs was four-year-old AJ Kaoukakis and his mom, Liz. The future firefighter was dressed in turnout gear and got a huge welcome from all in attendance. People kept coming through the bay doors to the sound of extrication, CPR demonstrations and fire extinguisher instructions. With lunch being provided, members of the MVFD acknowledged neighboring departments with specialties such as the

Mahopac Falls Dive team, Mohegan Fire Department and their Safety House, Putnam County HazMat Team, New York State Police and Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, which brought their crowd pleasing K-9 units, and the New York State Police rollover simulator. Other friends invited were folks from the Veterans Administration, Central Hudson, American Red Cross Disaster Relief Team, Town of Carmel Highway Dept. and Debbie and Anthony from WHUD 100.7 Radio.

- Fire News photos by Jack Casey

Parade in Spring Valley

The Rockland County Volunteer Fire Chiefs Association held their well as other departments invited by the hosting department. annual county-wide parade on September 9, 2017, in South Spring Congrats to all that participated and took home trophies.

- Fire News photos by JP Fortunato III Valley. All departments within Rockland County participated, as

FireNews.com

Fire News, January 2018, Page 31

Page 32, Fire News, January 2018

FireNews.com