Fire news nys 3 15

VOLUME 8, NO. 5

W W W .FIRENE WS .COM

Serving Fire, Rescue & EMS Heroes In NY State MARCH 2015

On February 3, 2015, Firefighter Charles V. Wallace of the Montgomery Fire Department answered his last alarm. He was 74 years old. See story on page 6.

-Fire News photos by Jeff Stedner and Vinnie Dominick

Fire News Welcomes Everyone to the Long Island Mega Show – New York State Edition –

Page 2, Fire News, March 2015

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Fire News, March 2015, Page 3

In this issue...

Chimney Fire in Delmar

A chimney fire does considerable damage to a Delaware Avenue home.

See story on page 9

Good Stop in Haverstraw

The Haverstraw Fire Department responds to a reported structure fire.

See story on page 11

Cold 2-Alarmer in Schenectady

Schenectady firefighters battle a two-alarm fire on Chrisler Avenue in the Mont Pleasant neighborhood.

See story on page 15

Spring Valley Fights Converted Dormitory Blaze The Spring Valley Fire Department responded to a working fire on East Funston Avenue.

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, EVELYN ALOISIO 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, 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, 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.

See story on page 16

Columnists: Bruce Johnson, John Salka COPYRIGHT 2015, THE FIRE NEWS LLC., LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Winter Woes

Firefighters from Brooklyn battled a fire in a city-block-long warehouse, working through cold and icy conditions.

See story on page 24

Winona Lake MVA

The Winona Lake Fire Department responded to a two-car MVA on Meadow Hill Road and Route 300.

For advertising rates and information, call (631) 776-0500 Press 3 Editorial: (631) 776-0500 Ext 281 Fax number: (631) 776-1854 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 27

PLUS: Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 4 Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 5 Industry News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 16 Special Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .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 LLC, with corporate offices at 146 South Country Road, Bellport, NY 11713.

Page 4, Fire News, March 2015

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From the Editor’s Desk Dennis Whittam, Editor

Working Together in the Winter Winter creates problems for first responders. You are expected to perform flawlessly.

I followed a few departments this month and was amazed how well departments performed flawlessly throughout the frigid Northeast. Firefighters encrusted in ice as they battle and contain flames is nothing new. Do a search on Google Images for “Ice Covered Firefighters” and you will see that battling fires under adverse conditions is nothing new to us. Despite horrendous weather conditions, responders throughout the country never let the weather stand in their way of doing a spectacular job to save John Q. Public. Firefighters in Brooklyn recently battled a seven alarm wind driven, below-freezing, blaze. The blaze was brought under control, but not before firefighters, equipment and the community was encrusted in ice. Rather than complaining, a firefighter stated that the fire could have been worse; “at least the wind was at our backs.” It is this

type of attitude that makes all first responders special.

EMTs have the same problem. As soon as the first snowflake falls, they are faced with the dangers of traveling down unplowed roads, carrying patients over snow banks and down icy walkways. You do what you do because you care about the people whose lives you are saving. A few months ago, Buffalo, New York, was pounded by lakeeffect snow. Responders from all over the state left their homes to help their brothers and sisters get through the storm.

Snowmobiles, trucks and, in the end brute strength, was used to carry people to safety.

Thanks to all the EMTs for your dedication and commitment to excellence in the emergency services.

I am amazed as I drive through my community and see fire hydrants covered with ice and snow, many not even visible. It is an impossible task for firefighters to travel

through a community to dig out fire hydrants, especially during the time of an alarm. The community must be made aware that we need their help to make sure we can help them in time of need. Many junior firefighters go out and work hard to clear hydrants, but they cannot be expected to maintain and keep the snow away. Since most schools are closed during storms, fire departments should encourage schools to give community service credit to students who clear away the snow around the fire hydrants on the streets where the students live. They must look after the hydrant as plows clear away the snow on the street and push in back on the hydrants.

Winter creates many problems for first responders. Overcoming these problems is a task that the community must participate in.

On a good note, spring is around the corner! …Dennis

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Fire News, March 2015, Page 5

ANNOUNCEMENTS 2015 LI FIRE, RESCUE AND EMS MEGA SHOW The 2015 Long Island Fire, Rescue and EMT Mega Show is coming to the Expo Center at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale on Saturday, February 22, 2015.

Show hours are 1000 to 1700 on Saturday and 1000 to 1600 on Sunday. Tickets are on sale at the door: $14 general admission.

Children under 12 are admitted free.

FIRE SERVICE WOMEN OF NEW YORK STATE Fire Service Women of New York State, Inc. is now accepting applications for its 14th Annual Training Weekend to be held at the NYS Fire Academy from September 18-20, 2015. In addition, FSWNYS is accepting applications for the 2015 Phoenix Firecamp.

Phoenix is a one week live-in camp for teenage girls held at the Utica Fire Academy from July 19-24. The camp offers both classroom and hands-on training. For more information about the classes being offered at the September Training Weekend or information for Phoenix Firecamp and all applications can be found at our website: www.fswnys.org.

CORRECTION We would like to give proper credit for our December NYS cover story. The cover photo of the New City structure fire, along with the photos on page 6 were taken by Phil Costa of the New City Fire Department. Sorry Phil!

“BUILD SAFE NY” CALLS FOR ADOPTION OF UP-TO-DATE, SAFE BUILDING CODE FOR NYS The Build Safe NY Alliance is calling upon New York State to adopt the 2015 version of the International Code Council’s (ICC) model building code, also known as the I-Codes.

Build Safe NY is calling for the Council to adopt a code that includes better safety standards, including the requirement that sprinkler systems be installed in all new and newly refurbished oneand two-family homes.

According to testimony provided by Jerry DeLuca, Executive Director of the NYS Association of Fire Chiefs, sprinklers, “are first and foremost a life safety system. The installations are designed to preserve and protect life.

Residential sprinklers give seniors and disabled people the additional time necessary to escape from a home fire.”

He noted that houses built in the 21st century are often bigger, brighter, more welcoming, and certainly more wired and connected than the homes of the past. While these homes are strong and sturdy, there are also more lightweight, manufactured woods and synthetic materials used in their construction. In the event of a fire these materials burn faster and hotter than lumber, brick and stone, and contemporary architecture often features wide open floor plans allowing fire to spread easily.

Also joining the Alliance at the hearing was Dan Gropper — a burn victim who was severely injured in an apartment fire more than 20 years ago. He has become a leading advocate for the

use of residential sprinklers.

A building code is a legal document that regulates the construction of new and existing buildings and structures. Building codes specify the minimum design and construction requirements to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of both building occupants and the general public.

Building codes also regulate the installation of fixtures, equipment and accessories.

The Build Safe NY Alliance is seeking the adoption of the 2015 I-Codes with no major modifications to the provisions of the codes.

These new 2015 codes were formulated to work together as a collective set of codes and should be implemented as such.

The I-Codes, are model codes published by the ICC and developed by experts from around the world. Based on building science, technical knowledge and past experiences, model building codes provide protection from man-made and natural disasters, guarding public health and reducing property losses. Safe buildings are achieved through proper design and code compliance. All 50 states and the District of Columbia have adopted the I-Codes at the state or jurisdictional level.

The Build Safe NY Alliance presently has over 25 member organizations from the across the construction industry, the insurance industry, the consumer advocacy movement and the fire service. Since a strong, modern building code protects the needs of all New Yorkers and ensures that our structures fit into our environmental and climate conditions, the coalition is also reaching out to advocacy groups representing at-risk populations, such as the disabled and seniors, as well as groups in the sustainability movement.

Page 6, Fire News, March 2015

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LODD

Montgomery Mourns Charlie Wallace

On February 3, 2015, Firefighter Charles V. Wallace of the Montgomery Fire Department answered his last alarm. He was fatally injured while operating at a motor vehicle acident. Charles honorably served his country in the United States Navy aboard the USS Forrestal. Charles served on the Montgomery Planning Board, Montgomery Master Plan Committee, General Montgomery Day Committee, Montgomery Fireman’s Fair Committee, Chairman of the Board of Commissioner for Montgomery Fire District and as a member of the American Legion. Charlie received the Fireman of the Year Award in 1978; Montgomery FD Life Saver Award, 2008; and Commissioner’s Award for Outstanding Service in 2012. He was a loving husband to Julianne Wallace; proud father to Dr. Diana R. Wallace of New Windsor, Bonnie M. Bennett of Modena, Susan K. Armstrong and husband, Gavin of Tacoma, WA; grandfather to Mark M. Armstrong and wife, Cassie, Janelle Bennett and Matthew C. Bennett; great grandfather to Jackson M. Armstrong; brother to John W. Wallace and wife, Mary of N. Andover, MA. A memorial service with firematic honors was held on February 7, 2015, at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Walden, NY. Contributions can be made to the Montgomery Fire Department.

-Fire News photos by Jeff Stedner and Vinnie Dominick

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Fire News, March 2015, Page 7

Chester FFs Save 125 Year Old House

On January 28, 2014, the Chester Fire Department along with the Town Of Chester Police responded to a house fire on Kings Highway. The unoccupied house was 125-years old and quick work by firefighters was able to save it.

Mutual aid from surrounding communities assisted.

- Fire News photos by Gary Hearn

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28 Displaced by Yonkers 3-Alarm

The Yonkers Fire Department used all their resources on January 14, 2015, to battle a three-alarm fire on Groshon Avenue. Units from around the city responded to the threestory frame building. About 28 residents were displaced by the fire and Red Cross representatives were on the scene to assist.

Fire News photos by FirstOnScenePhotos.com

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Fire News, March 2015, Page 9

Chimney Fire in Delmar

On January 22, 2015, a chimney fire in Delmar did considerable Bethlehem Police Department was investigating the cause and oridamage to a home located on Delaware Avenue in Delmar. First gin of the fire. No injuries were reported.

-Fire News photos by Tom Heffernan and Martin E. Miller arriving units reported heavy smoke condition. Mutual aid companies from Selkirk Fire, Slingerlands Fire, Onesquethaw Fire and Elsmere Fire Departments assisted in fighting the fire. The

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Page 10, Fire News, March 2015

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Yonkers Apartment Fire

Early on January 6, 2015, Yonkers 911 received a call reporting a ment with fire extension to the floors above and the cockloft. Six fire on Winnebago Road. Units arrived to fire in a set back unit of apartments were left uninhabitable after the two-alarm fire, with a garden apartment complex with limited access. Companies seven adults and one child displaced.

- Fire News photo by Mike Messar encountered Collyer’s Mansion conditions in the original fire apart-

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Good Stop in Haverstraw

The Haverstraw Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire on the night of January 5, 2015. As the chief arrived at the scene on Hudson Avenue, he discovered a working fire on the first floor of a large, three-story Victorian home. Firefighters quickly stretched lines and entered the home, extinguishing the fire, and keeping it from spreading. West Haverstraw and Stony Point assisted at the scene while Congers covered the Haverstaw.

- Fire News photos by Kenneth Flynn

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Ravena Aids Western New York On November 22, 2014, the Ravena Fire Department Engine 805, with five firefighters from Ravena Fire Department and one from the Coeymans Fire District, deployed to a staging area in Erie County in response to the massive snowstorm in western New York. They were then dispatched from the staging area to assist the Scranton Fire Department in the Town of Hamburg, who had been inundated with calls for assistance during and after the storm.

During the three-day deployment, the Ravena crew remained on call the entire period and, despite being from different parts of the state, both departments worked hand-in-hand and without difficulty to respond to numerous incidents ranging from fire alarms, motor vehicle accidents, emergency medical events, and hazardous conditions. In between incidents, both departments even took the opportunity to hold joint training drills to exchange ideas and tactics, providing the opportunity to learn from each others unique experiences. Also deploying from Albany County were Coeymans Hollow Fire, Delmar Fire, Elsmere Fire, Selkirk Fire, Westmere Fire, Guilderland Fire, Guilderland Center Fire and numerous other fire departments from Albany County.

- Fire News photos by Travis Witbeck

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Fire News, March 2015, Page 13

Fort Hunter FFs Battle Guilderland Blaze

Fort Hunter firefighters battled a house fire just blocks from their firehouse on Route 146 in the town of Guilderland. Firefighters had trouble finding the seat of the fire due to the heavy fire load in the dwelling. The occupant was not home at the time and the cause was under investigation. Rotterdam District 3 firefighters assisted at the scene.

- Fire News photos by Peter Barber

Page 14, Fire News, March 2015

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Quick Job in Schenectady

Recently, Schenectady firefighters were called out to fight a fire in a garage on Broadway. Upon arrival, heavy smoke was visible and access was difficult due to the content load of the structure. Flames were quickly put out after an interior attack. No injuries were reported.

- Fire News photos by Peter Barber

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Cold 2-Alarmer in Schenectady On January 10, 2015, Schenectady firefighters battle a two-alarm fire on Chrisler Avenue in the Mont Pleasant neighborhood.

Frozen hydrants and temperatures hovering in the single digits hampered operations. A second floor tenant was assisted by firefighters in exiting the structure. The cause was under investigation.

- Fire News photos by Peter Barber

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Spring Valley Fights Converted Dormitory Blaze The Spring Valley Fire Department responded to a working fire on East Funston Avenue just before noon on New Years Day 2015. As the units arrived, they were met with a heavy fire condition already venting from the first floor and rapidly extending up the exterior siding into the third floor and attic space. As crews stretched their initial lines, mutual aid was requested from the Nanuet, Monsey, Hillcrest and South Spring Valley. As the fire gained significant headway on the third floor, crews worked on opening up ceilings and walls to extinguish the fire. One firefighter was injured, receiving a minor burn. The cause of the fire is considered suspicious and is under investigation. The house, converted into a yeshiva, and then into a dormitory for the yeshiva students, was a total loss. Luckily, students in the building were able to evacuate safely when the fire was discovered.

Although a fire alarm system was present, it failed to sound. County officials are reviewing the use of the house as a dorm, and have issued several violations.

Several fires in the area in recent years have revealed an alarming rise in single-family homes illegally converted into multi family/illegal apartments. The county fire service, led by Fire Coordinator Gordon Wren, is making a push for more stringent codes and better enforcement.

- Fire News photo by Kennth Flynn

FIRE GROUND TECHNOLOGIES OFFERING WINTER/SPRING LECTURE SERIES Since 1998, Fire Ground Technologies has consistently had the reputation for some of the best hands-on and lecture series training in the fire service. With a staff comprised of professional firefighters and officers, Fire Ground Tech is able to provide modern day firefighters the opportunity to attend the most realistic, comprehensive training available today.

Whether it is a tactical lecture, engine ops class, ladder ops class or a bailout class, the information provided to the student is a combination of back-to-basics theory and tradition, combined with more modern day tactics and strategies.

While positive changes are necessary within our industry, it is important to remember the foundation of how we should operate continually falls back to years of proven firefighting tactics and strategies.

Currently Fire Ground Technologies is offering a Winter/Spring premier training company for the fire service. Lectures and handslecture series to sharpen the skills of both the firefighter and fire on classes are offered at your location, date and time. officer. It is not by accident that Fire Ground Technologies is the Contact us at: 201-206-9387; FireGround1@aol.com.

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Fire News, March 2015, Page 17

Arson Suspected in Yonkers

On December 14, 2014, numerous calls were received for a fire in and the fire was deemed suspicious. Sixty firefighters battled the the busy Nodine Hill section of Yonkers. The first-due engine com- two-alarm fire for about three hours.

- Fire News photos Mike Messar pany arrived to heavy fire from a vacant building with previous fire damage. Companies immediately conducted an exterior operation

Brockport Gets New Truck On December 11, 2014, Brockport firefighters were at the Market Street station to receive their new fire apparatus. The new truck is a Quint 230, Rosenbauer 105-foot aerial with a platform. It is equipped with a 2000 GPM pump. The truck committee of Gordon Bemis, John Alexander, Scott Wainwright, Michael LaDue, Laurence Vaughan and Charles Sanford has been designing the truck, drafting the specifications and investigating what is best apparatus for the future of the Greater Brockport community for over three years. They are pleased with the results of their efforts and the final product they accepted.

- Fire News photos courtesy of Christopher R. Martin

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1 Dead in Brooklyn 5-Alarmer

Seven people were rescued and one man was killed during a fast moving fire on Flatbush Avenue in the Prospect Heights section of Brooklyn. The fire was in a mixed occupancy four-story building and started in a hardware store.

- Fire News photos by Lloyd Mitchell and FirstOnScenePhotos.com

Page 20, Fire News, March 2015

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Clinton Hts. Ice Rescue Training

On January 24-25, 2015, the Clinton Heights Fire Department Station II in East Greenbush held a surface ice rescue technician training course on Hampton Manor Lake. Students were trained in what to do when first on the scene, what equipment works best, how to get to the person in need, and what to do to make a successful rescue from open water or off thin ice. The day was perfect for this training as the temperature was below freezing.

- Fire News photos by Martin E. Miller EGFD

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Fire News, March 2015, Page 21

Firehouse Kitchen

By Ray Cooney While going through my e-mails, one in particular jumped out at me. It was from Firefighter Scott Belguard from the Hightstown Fire Department in New Jersey. The e-mail spoke of Scott being a chef and how Hightstown Fire Department would love to host Firehouse Kitchen.

As soon as I read it, I gave Scott a call. Scott was surprised at my immediate reply because he had just sent the email two hours prior. I told him that I try to answer all my e-mails, but it wasn’t everyday I received one from a bonafide fireman chef (Scott went to the famed Johnson and Wales Culinary School).

We scheduled our shoot for January 24, 2015, but had to reschedule because it was the first of two snowstorms that would hit the Tristate Area. When I finally did get there, I was greeted with a huge marquee sign that read “Welcome Ray Cooney and Firehouse Kitchen,” as well as a group of Hightstown firefighters. We filmed two shows that day. The first was with Firefighters Bill Havens and Carl Dye, two salty firemen with over 40 years on the department. They made a delicious pork loin that I called “Pork, on pork, on pork,” because it was pork loin stuffed with pork sausage and then wrapped in bacon. It was to-die-for.

During this episode, I interviewed their chief, Scott Jenkens. He informed us on the background of Hightstown Fire Department, as well as telling us about their operations and procedures. A little side note: Hightstown has on of the largest aerial ladders on the East Coast with a height of 135 feet.

In the second episode, we filmed with Chef Scott, the main reason I came to Hightstown. He made these unbelievable “Beef Shank Tacos with Homemade Guacamole.” The homemade guacamole, or what I should call guacamole salad, really brought out the flavor. (To get Chef Scott’s recipe, visit our website at firehousekitchenshow.com. It was too extensive to include with this article).

Being a small town in New Jersey, the Hightstown Fire Department had that “real” fire department feel. From a chief with a passion for the department, as well as the men who serve under him, to the “chefs” that like to cook for them. I have a feeling you will see Hightstown and Chef Scott again on Firehouse Kitchen.

To find out more about Firehouse Kitchen or how to become a sponsor, visit us at firehousekitchenshow.com. Be sure to like us on our Facebook page at Firehouse Kitchen.

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Butterfly and pound the pork loin thin and then lightly season with salt and pepper. Set fat side down. In a bowl mix the sausage, pistachios, orange zest and 2/3 of the chopped herbs. Spread the stuffing evenly over the pounded pork loin. Firmly roll into a long log. Truss tie the roast and sprinkle remaining mixed herbs.

Wrap the stuffed pork loin with bacon and roast at 375 until 165 degrees internal temperature.

Page 22, Fire News, March 2015

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1 Injured in Cronomer Rollover

Car Into House in New Salem

Recently, the Cronomer Valley Fire Department was called out to a single-car MVA rollover on Gardnertown Road and Route 300 in Newburgh. One person was taken to the hospital.

- Fire News photo by Vinnie Dominick

On January 2, 2015, a Colonie man crashed into a home on Route 85, New Scotland Road after hitting a tree on the property. The man was transported to the hospital by the Voorheesville Ambulance Service with a head injury. The New Salem Fire Department checked the house to ensure it was stable - Fire News photo by Tom Heffernan

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Page 24, Fire News, March 2015

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Winter Woes Firefighters from Brooklyn battled a fire that was in a city-blocklong warehouse, which was filled with city records. Working through the freezing cold and ice conditions, day and night, firefighters operated to bring this fire under control. The extreme temperatures made for a long and difficult fight.

-Fire News photos by Lloyd Mitchell

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Networking: the Right Way

By Steve Austin Could a tried and true practice of learning and sharing be a thing of the past in the fire service?

If you are reading this article and a first thought is that networking has something to do with the Wi-Fi connection in your home you probably should read on.

Networking in the boomer generation is the preferred method of passing knowledge along in the fire service. Maybe this staple of past generations isn’t so much today.

The type of networking I am referring to is building personal relationships with others in the fire service that can be helpful to your career and potentially to the person you are interacting with.

I began thinking about this subject in a conversation with the late Harvey Eisner following the Baltimore Firehouse Expo last summer, only a couple months before he died. Harvey was and will always be “Firehouse.” He had a vast knowledge of the fire service, knew what kind of firefighters attended trade shows and why they came.

Tradeshow attendance in the fire industry has been tailing off for some time. The internet has a lot to do with this because it isn’t as necessary to attend shows to learn about new products.

Also (sadly) there may not be the interest in some cases as there once was to hear the various speakers.

I suggested to Harvey an additional reason might be the fact that millenniums may not understand nor appreciate how to develop networking relationships with peers and leaders. In

the past, fire trade shows were the place where people met face-to-face and often exchanged contact information and more. Part of the demise may be due to a different understanding of what networking is and what it can do for a person’s career.

Being connected electronically is not the same thing as having a level of trust with someone who you have known and interacted with for years. Alabama Football Coach Nick Saban who has won four national titles doesn’t text and has no e-mail address. In a recent article by Ben Cohen in The Wall Street Journal, Coach Saban was quoted, “If you can’t see someone face-to-face and look them in the eye the next best thing is to call somebody and have a conversation. It’s a lost art today.”

As someone who does text, Tweet and has a Facebook account along with running a couple of websites, I don’t know that I would go as far as Saban. I do think, however, that an over reliance on electronic communication may be diminishing the understanding of interpersonal relationships. Building a network is done the old fashioned way: by seeking out and even waiting in line if necessary to speak with someone who has the information and the contacts needed to help you become a better member of the fire service.

That’s done at fire shows and training opportunities. Arriving home with a stack of business cards with notes scribbled on the back is the beginning of developing relationships that could last a lifetime. Using social media and texting can enhance that experience but it can never replace true networking.

I’m often asked how I know so many fire service people. I began networking when there were no cell phones and the internet hadn’t been invented, so the only option was to get out there and shake some hands. It’s not a bad thing. The next time you are at a fire show try leaving your phone in your pocket for a while. You might be surprised who you meet.

Steve Austin is a 48-year member of the fire service. He serves as a Fire Police Officer with the Aetna Hose Hook and Ladder Company of Newark, Delaware, and is past-President of the Delaware Volunteer Firemen’s Association and the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association (CVVFA). He is the National Highway Safety Advocate for the NFFF. He also serves as the project manager of the CVVFA Emergency Responder Safety Institute (www.Respondersafety.com) and the Responder Safety Learning Network.

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Fire News, March 2015, Page 27

Winona Lake MVA

Serious MVA in Queens

Recently, the Winona Lake Fire Department responded to a twocar MVA on Meadow Hill Road and Route 300. There were no injuries reported.

- Fire News photo by Vinnie Dominick

On January 13, 2015, NYFD responded to an accident on Queens Boulevard at Woodhaven Boulevard. A red Mini was traveling south on Queens Boulevard and hit another vehicle at the intersection then slammed into a fire hydrant and protector pole which ended up inside the driver’s compartment where the driver’s feet would be.

- Fire News photo by Wayne Carrington

Page 28, Fire News, March 2015

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Latham 2015 Installation

Congratulations to the newly elected firematic line officers of the Latham Fire Department. The officers were installed at the 105th annual Installation of Officers banquet on January 17, 2015. (Left to right): Ramon Salinas, Captain Fire Police; William Childs, Sr., 1st Captain; David Austin, 2nd Captain; Jason Knott, 3rd Lieutenant; David Filarecki, 2nd Assistant Chief; Joe Sholtes, 3rd

Captain; Kevin Fronk, Chief; Gregory Holt, 4th Lieutenant; D.T. William Childs, 1st Assistant Chief; Gerald Shaw, Safety Officer; Theodor Huban, 1st Lieutenant; Kevin Krone, 5th Lieutenant; Dennis O'Brien, 2nd Lieutenant Fire Police; Thomas Bergin, Safety Officer; and Kathleen Raso, 2nd Lieutenant.

- Fire News photo by Lori Washburn

Page 30, Fire News, March 2015

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Fast Work Stops Queens Fire

2 Jump from Brownsville Bldg. Fire

FDNY units were on the scene of a basement fire at a home on 137th Place in the Rosedale section of Queens on January 11, 2015.

There was slight extension to upper floors but the fire was quickly brought under control.

- Fire News photos by FirstOnScenePhotos.com

Two residents of a Brownsville apartment on Eastern Parkway were forced to jump from a third-floor window in order to escape a fire that broke out on January 11, 2015. There were adjacent buildings close by and both were injured, but not seriously. The two-alarm blaze was under control within an hour.

- Fire News photos by FirstOnScenePhotos.com

Warehouse Blaze Goes to 3-Alarms

On December 2, 2014, the Queens Communications Office received collapse of one of the walls, members were never put back in and calls for fire in a warehouse on 180th Street. Units arrived and start- tower ladders operated for hours to extinguish the blaze. The fire ed an aggressive interior attack, but, due to conditions in the ware- ended up going to a third alarm.

- Fire News photo by Brian Grogan house and numerous boxes and stock in the way, firefighters were pulled from the building for a outside operation. Due to a partial

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