Raynor Garage Doors

JOHN PRIDEMORE Clayton Fire Co. Member Sworn In as Vice Mayor for the Town

CLAYTON, DE - During the May town meeting of the Town of Clayton, Past Chief/President and current director of the Clayton Fire Company, Skip Carrow, was sworn in as the Vice Mayor for the Town of Clayton. Vice Mayor Carrow was sworn in by the current president of the fire company, Kevin Wilson. President Wilson is a judge with the JP Court system and swore all three of the elected members of the town council. (Pictured L to R): Kevin Wilson, Nick Smith Mayor, Newly Elected Council Member Sean Valentine, and Vice Mayor Skip Carrow.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

DC FIRE AND EMS

Southeast Apartment Fire Displaces Residents

WASHINGTON, DC - There were no injuries, but three people were displaced as a result of an apartment fire in southeast DC on Thursday afternoon, June 17th. A Box Alarm was dispatched at 12:49 P.M. for smoke coming from the second floor at 912 Barnaby Street SE. A working fire dispatch was requested upon the report of fire showing from the second floor of an occupied three-story apartment building, with the corrected address of 914 Barnaby. Firefighters gained entry and were able to extinguish the blaze before it could spread beyond the apartment of origin. Fire investigators are working to determine the cause.

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW? WOMEN IN FIREFIGHTING

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KEN SNYDER

This 1981 Seagrave 1500/1000/30-GPM high pressure pumper once served the Sinking Valley Fire Company in Culp, PA. It originally came from the Mill Creek Fire Co. in Marshallton, DE. This rig is now privately owned.

DRILLS/TRAINING

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KEVIN L. WILSON, PIO

CLAYTON, DE - Ladder training was the focus of training on May 17th at the Clayton fire station. The class brought together engineers, firefighters, and a prospective new member to learn, review, and discuss ladder company operations.

Past Chief Jeff Hurlock, and Engineers Roland Timmons and Gary Faulkner instructed the class which revolved around more about the actual operation of the truck versus the role of a truck company. The qualified engineers were recertified on the turn table, members who have never run the turntable were given the opportunity to run the turntable to get them some hands on experience if something were to happen to the driver at an alarm.

Chief Pridemore stated, "It is important for everyone to have an idea how to operate the turntable, with limited staffing you never know when you may find yourself in need of someone to just operate the turntable." The training consisted of setting up the truck for operation, extending the outriggers, operating the turntable by raising it from the bed and touching the 4 cones that were placed on the roof of the nearby Atlantic Tractor facility, then returning the ladder to the bed and resetting the truck for normal operations. The instructors gave some tips not taught in regular training classes based on their experience.

If you have photos you would like to see in our Women in Firefighting feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com

ROCKY POINT, NY - Meet Caitlin Thrash, cheerleader by day, firefighter by night! moved up to the regular department around the same time she did.

Caitlin is not just your average young lady; she's an inspiration to many. Caitlin is a senior at Shoreham-Wading River High School, and in addition to her studies and being on the cheer squad at school, she also has other very important responsibilities. When asked about whether the guys treat her differently because she's a female, she said they don't. She did however admit that some of the training can be a little tough so she has to work harder, but her friends and fellow department members are super supportive.

Caitlin is currently a probationary member in the Rocky Point Fire Department Company #3. She originally joined the fire service around the age of 14 when one of her neighbors, who is a chief in the department, struck up a conversation with her about the department's Junior Firefighter program. Little did she know that this would lead to bigger things. Caitlin had her first working fire in April of this year and when asked if she was nervous about it, she said that though the heat was something to get used to, the training she had done prior in the Juniors Program and regular department definitely helped ease her nerves. The very next evening the department had another house fire and she saw some more action.

Now a few years later, Caitlin is one of just a handful of female members in the department, most of whom are EMTs. She joined the department as a probationary member in October of 2020. I was able to sit down with Caitlin recently to discuss her involvement in the fire service, as well as how she balances it all.

Caitlin said she was originally a little nervous when she first joined the Junior Program a few years ago, but that changed after she built great relationships with the guys in the program, some of whom had Though right now she is balancing her school, work and volunteer schedules, Caitlin plans on sticking with the fire service as a volunteer and eventually aspires to work her way up the ranks into being an officer.

Caitlin's advice for any fellow women who may want to join the fire service but are nervous is to just try it, and if need be join with a friend. “The more women the better!”, says Caitlin. For her, she said it was one of the best decisions she ever made, and she has made many great relationships because of it.

JOHN WALTHERS- SUFFOLK FIRE PHOTOS

Rocky Point FD Co. 3 Probationary FF Caitlin Thrash is a senior at Shoreham-Wading River High School where she's also a cheerleader, but on nights and weekends she can be seen battling fire! Caitlin's pictured here at a working fire on April 10th.