The New England Edition PUBLISHING SINCE 1993
HOME SUBSCRIPTION - $36/YEAR
BOSTON MOURNS
WWW.1RBN.COM
MAY, 2014
Heroes Wanted! If you or your family are members of the emergency services community, 1st Responder Newspaper encourages you to check out these companies that are offering great services to our readers. Turn to Page 34 for more information.
“To save that kind of money is a big deal, and the process was very straight forward. There were no catches. It was well thought out.” - Ron Salzano
“It’s a big step. I’m very excited. Everything my brother told me about the Heroes Reality was right. It was excellent.” - Melissa Villar ED CABRAL
BOSTON, MA - Thousands attended the funerals of Boston Lt. Edward J. Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy. Both succumb to injuries battling a wind-driven fire on Beacon Street. - See full story on pages 22 & 23
Join our Team of Dispatchers Paging with a Rewards Program! Visit our website to fill out an application.
www.1rwn.com
PAGE 2
May, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
May, 2014
PAgE 3
RHODE ISLAND
RICK BILLINGS
BRIAN HARDY
Two victims transferred from rollover accident Central Falls, RI. On March 14, 2014 at approximately 8:30 p.m., Central Falls Fire Department was alerted for an MVA rollover in Central Falls. Crews arrived at Roosevelt Avenue and Central Street to find two victims. Engine 2 requested a second rescue to the scene. The victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries.
Additional cartoons by Rick Billings can be found on our website at www.1rbn.com
AMERICA’S BEST-BUILT EMERGENCY VEHICLES A Rescue 1 is built to provide a lifetime of service. Each is hand-crafted with exacting precision by a dedicated team who take great pride in every vehicle they produce.
PL Custom is unique in many ways—from the safety-minded interior layouts to understanding your needs and exceeding your expectations. Ž
*VUNYH[\SH[PVUZ [V 5VY[O *V]LU[Y` *; -PYL +LWHY[TLU[ VU [OLPY YLJLU[ W\YJOHZL VM H 9LZJ\L Âť >HSR (YV\UK VU H :WHY[HU 4L[YV:[HY JOHZZPZ
*VUNYH[\SH[PVUZ [V ,HZ[ 7YV]PKLUJL 90 -PYL +LWHY[TLU[ VU [OLPY YLJLU[ W\YJOHZL VM H 73 4LKP\T +\[` ;P[HU VU HU 0U[ÂťS ;LYYH:[HY JOHZZPZ
NEW ENGLAND FIRE EQUIPMENT & APPARATUS :[PSSTHU 9VHK ŕ Ž 5VY[O /H]LU *VUULJ[PJ\[
203-239-5678 • 203-234-7398 • www.nefea.com
PAGE 4
May, 2014
RHODE ISLAND
Advertising Index
Abandoned buildings burn in Warwick
A guide to finding great companies
Company
Page
AB Inflatables USA
21
Air Vac 911
39
All Hands Fire Equipment
25
Apparatus For Sale
41
Autotronics
35
Classified Page
42
Comedy Works
29
C&S Specialty, Inc.
27
CT EMS Expo
8
Eastford Fire Rescue
9
EJ Boughton Co.
42
Emergency Resource
27
Fail Safe Hose Testing
13
Firematic
44
First Priority
1ST Responder Newspaper - NE
10,30
Five Star Fire
5
Greenwood Emergency
2
Kimtek Corporation
20
Medix Specialty Vehicles
31
Minuteman Fire Rescue
43
New England Chiefs Show
37
New England Fire Equip.
3
New England Marine
37
North Eastern Rescue Veh.
11
Ocean State Truck & Diesel
42
Professional Vehicle Corp.
12
Shaker Auto Group
33
Shipman’s Fire Equip.
15
Sprint
19
Task Force Tips
Two abandoned buildings were involved in a fire near Rocky Point in Warwick on Saturday, March 15, 2014. Firefighters were dispatched about noon time to the area of Ogden Road and Burnett JUMP TO FILE# for a building fire. 031514101 Firefighters had some difficulty reaching the fire, since a chain link fence surrounded the property. Initially, Engine 6 used their deck gun and Engine 4 used tank water and a two and a half inch line to control the fire until a water supply could be established. The fire was contained to the two buildings with one completely destroyed and the other suffering a large amount of damage. Initially, Engines 4, 3, and 6, Ladders 3 and 2, Rescue 3, Special Hazards, and Battalion 2 were dispatched. Engines 8, 2, and 7, Ladder 1, and Battalion 1 were special called for additional manpower and RIT duties during the incident. Surrounding communities were called to cover empty stations, and handled several medical calls. The Providence Canteen also responded for firefighter rehab. Neighbors reported several kids in the area before the fire was discovered. The fire is under investigation at this time. - NICK ZABAWAR
NICK ZABAWAR
APPARATUS IN ACTION If you have photos you would like to see in our Apparatus in Action feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.
7
Utility Communications
11
Waterway Inc.
19
CORPORATE INFORMATION 1st Responder News (ISSN 1525-1683) - New England edition - Vol. 19, No.5 - is published monthly, 12 times a year for $36 per year by Belsito Communications, Inc., 1 Ardmore Street, New Windsor, NY 12553. Periodicals Postage Paid at Newburgh, NY and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to 1st Responder News, 1 Ardmore Street, New Windsor, NY 12553. No financial responsibility is assumed by this newspaper to publish a display, classified, or legal ad or for typographical errors except of reprinting that part of the ad which was omitted or in e r r o r . A division of: Omissions or errors must be brought to the attention of the newspaper during the same month of publication.
845-534-7500• (fax) 845-534-0055 Info@belsito.com
NICK ZABAWAR
Car versus building NICK ZABAWAR
Engine 6 operating at the fire near Rocky Point in Warwick, Rhode Island
On the afternoon of March 26, 2014, Warwick firefighters were dispatched to 1197 Post Road for a report of a car into a building. Engine 7, Ladder 2, Special Hazards, Rescue 2, and Battalion 2 were dispatched. Companies arrived on scene to find a vehicle had driven through a metal railing and into a below ground access way. An approximately 70 year old female was taken to Kent County Hospital with a shoulder injury. The vehicle was removed by a local tow company, and the accident is under investigation by the Warwick Police Department.
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
May, 2014
Page 5
PAGE 6
May, 2014
1 ARDMORE STREET • NEW WINDSOR, NY 12553 845-534-7500 • (fax) 845-534-0055 • News@1stResponderNews.com
EXECUTIVE STAFF PUBLISHER
1ST Responder Newspaper - NE
In memory of those who gave all 1st Responder Newspaper honors and remembers emergency responders lost in the line of duty
Joseph P. Belsito (Joe@1stResponderNews.com) ••• GENERAL MANAGER
Kathy Ronsini (Kathy@1stResponderNews.com) ••• PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Ashley Ramos (Ashley@1stResponderNews.com) ••• MANAGING EDITOR
Heather Pillsworth (Heather@1stResponderNews.com) ••• WIRELESS OFFICE MANAGER
Michelle Belsito (Michelle@1stResponder.com) ••• DISPATCHER RECRUITMENT & RETENTION (Rich@1stResponder.com)
••• OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Nicole Roby (Nicole@1stResponderNews.com) EDITORIAL STAFF COLUMNISTS Rick Billings, Henry Campbell, Chelle Cordero, Lori Ann Hodgkinson, Bob Long, John Malecky, Gordon Wren
CORRESPONDENTS Nate Arnold • Patrick Belliveau • Brian Blackden Al Boucher • Thomas Brophy • David Bryce Sylvia Cancela • Jason Cole • Kevin Czarzasty David Danielson • Paul Dolnier Kenneth Erickson • Jim Fortin Thomas Galliford Tina Gianos • Jonathan Goldman Karen Halstead • Brian Hardy Ed Harvey • Rodman Jordan Erik Kalapir • John Kelahan • Rick Kulmann • Robert Ladd Kenneth Leger • Brian Lehane • Peter Lobo • Paul MacCallum Bernie Meehan • Keith Muratori • George Nigro • Andrew Noyes Jake O’Callaghan • Brian Owen • Greg Ramsdell Zack Schoone • John Sjostedt • Kevin Soucie • Robert Sprague David Stewart • Christopher Tracy • Pat Travers • Alan W Kevin Wiles, Jr. • Nick Zabawar
EDITORIAL INFORMATION Join our team of correspondents or columnists! 1st Responder Newspaper welcomes submissions by our readers. Send stories and photos to us at 1 Ardmore St. New Windsor, NY 12553. Or, give us a call or send us an e-mail. If using the mail, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for all submissions you wish to have returned. Publisher reserves the right to refuse any editorial or advertising material submitted.
845-534-7500 ext. 212 • (fax) 845-534-0055 News@1stResponderNews.com
ADVERTISING INFORMATION If you would like information about how advertising in 1st Responder News can benefit your company call our advertising hotline at:
845-534-7500 ext. 211 • (fax) 845-534-0055 Advertising@1stResponderNews.com
CIRCULATION INFORMATION 1st Responder Newspaper is delivered to all fire, rescue, ambulance stations and hospitals. If you do not receive your papers, please contact our circulation department. Home subscriptions are $36 per year.
845-534-7500 ext. 220 • (fax) 845-534-0055 Circulation@1stResponderNews.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN/MARKETING 1st Responder News’ graphics team will work with you on your adverA division of: tisement free of charge. Additionally, we offer a complete marketing department for all of your printed needs. Whether they are posters, or single sheet handouts, full color or black and white, no one else delivers the high quality work at our competitive prices. As a newspaper in the Belsito Communications Inc. family, 1st Responder News has a state-of-the-art production facility which utilizes the latest scanning technology available. Materials are processed using Power Macintosh G4s. Output is handled on our HP Color LaserJet 8500 to produce this highest quality black and white or color prints on the market.
845-534-7500 ext. 214 • (fax) 845-534-0055 Info@Belsito.com
Mississippi: Dwight Hilton, 57 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: February 1, 2014 Death Date: February 1, 2014 Fire Department: East Central Volunteer Fire Department Initial Summary: Firefighter Hilton suffered a fatal heart attack while fighting an outdoors fire that was threatening homes in the area. According to officials, the cause of the fire is under investigation and may have been intentionally set in several locations. Ohio: Bruce A. Stayner, 49 Rank: Lieutenant Incident Date: February 3, 2014 Death Date: February 4, 2014 Fire Department: Scioto Township Fire Department Initial Summary: Lieutenant Stayner fell ill at home within 24 hours of responding to a mutual aid structure fire call. Stayner was transported to the Grady Memorial Hospital where he passed away from an apparent heart attack. Indiana: James Joseph Knesek, Sr., 59 Rank: Fire Chief Incident Date: February 8, 2014 Death Date: February 8, 2014 Fire Department: Munster Fire Department Initial Summary: Fire Chief Knesek passed away at home from an apparent heart attack several hours after responding to a motor vehicle accident. Texas: William Scott Tanksley, 40 Rank: Fire Rescue Officer Incident Date: February 10, 2014 Death Date: February 10, 2014 Fire Department: Dallas Fire Rescue Department Initial Summary: As road conditions in Dallas began icing over and visibility was hampered by mist and fog, Fire Rescue Officer Tanksley was operating at the scene of an auto accident which occurred on a bridge in Southwest Dallas. Tanksley was setting road flares to warn motorists of the accident when he was reportedly struck by a passing vehicle and fell a significant distance off of the bridge to the ground below. Responding EMS personnel attempted resuscitation efforts en route to the hospital where Fire Rescue Officer Tanksley was pronounced dead. Arkansas: Dennis Channell , 54 Rank: Fire Captain Incident Date: February 9, 2014 Death Date: February 10, 2014 Fire Department: Poyen Fire Department Initial Summary: Fire Captain Channell fell ill during or soon after responding to a medical call. Captain Channell passed away in the hospital the following day from a reported stroke. New York: James C. Wilber, 58 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: February 9, 2014 Death Date: February 9, 2014 Fire Department: Franklin Fire Department Initial Summary: Assistant Fire Chief Wilber suffered an apparent cardiac event while responding to a motor vehicle accident call. Wilber was transported by the Unadilla Emergency Squad and Cooperstown Medical Transport to the Tri-Town Regional Hospital in Sidney where he succumbed to his injury a short time later. Arkansas: Jake Harrell, 34 Rank: Pilot Incident Date: January 31, 2014 Death Date: January 31, 2014 Fire Department: Arkansas Forestry Commission Initial Summary: Following almost two weeks of searching for a missing single-engine Cessna 210 Centurion, Civil Air Patrol located the crash site and a National Guard helicopter crew confirmed that the pilot, Jake Harrell, was deceased and likely killed upon impact. Harrell, an experienced pilot, went missing while flying a regularly scheduled fire detection flight throughout west Arkansas. Investigation into the fatal incident continues by local, state, and federal (NTSB) authorities. Florida: Roger Dale Tome, 71 Rank: Assistant Fire Chief Incident Date: February 10, 2014 Death Date: February 10, 2014 Fire Department: Kennedy Space Center Fire and Rescue Initial Summary: Assistant Fire Chief Tome passed away
from an apparent heart attack several hours after completing his shift which included department mandated physical training. New Jersey: Gregory D. Barnas, 57 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: February 28, 2014 Death Date: February 28, 2014 Fire Department: Wallington Fire Department Initial Summary: Firefighter Barnas died of injuries sustained when he fell from the roof of a burning commercial structure (restaurant) while, according to reports, he was working to ventilate the building. Investigation into the fatal incident continues by authorities. Tennessee: Jerry Campbell, 61 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: March 1, 2014 Death Date: March 1, 2014 Fire Department: Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry Initial Summary: While at a work center and preparing to deploy to a wildland fire incident in the Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee, Firefighter Campbell fell ill from an apparent heart attack. According to reports, Campbell's condition suddenly deteriorated and he passed away from his injury while being prepared for air transport to the hospital. Ohio: Steven Joseph Knaus, 47 Rank: Firefighter First Class Incident Date: February 28, 2014 Death Date: February 28, 2014 Fire Department: Willowick Fire Department Initial Summary: Several hours after coming off of a shift that included four emergency responses, Firefighter Knaus was discovered in his vehicle located in the driveway of his home and in cardiac arrest. Knaus was treated and transported to the hospital but succumbed to his injury. New York: Kevin J. Bristol, 48 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: March 3, 2014 Death Date: March 3, 2014 Fire Department: Peekskill Fire Department Initial Summary: Firefighter Bristol passed away at home from an apparent heart attack several hours after coming off shift during which he worked one or more emergency responses including a kitchen fire. Arizona: Bobby Mollere, 61 Rank: Lieutenant Incident Date: March 8, 2014 Death Date: March 8, 2014 Fire Department: Hellsgate Fire Department Initial Summary: While performing a Wildland Pack Test, Lieutenant Mollere collapsed on the Payson High School track. Fellow firefighters on scene initiated a medical assessment and found Mollere in cardiac arrest. The EMTs and Paramedics began advanced life support immediately on scene. Lieutenant Mollere was transported to the Payson Regional Medical Center where resuscitative efforts continued until he passed away. Alaska: Jeffery Bayless, 51 Rank: Senior Captain Incident Date: March 7, 2014 Death Date: March 7, 2014 Fire Department: Anchorage Fire Department Initial Summary: Senior Captain Bayless collapsed during Rules Of Air Management (ROAM) training. Crews on scene began immediate treatment and Senior Captain Bayless was transported to Alaska Regional Hospital where he later passed away from a nature of fatal injury still to be reported. Michigan: Jamie A. Peite, 43 Rank: Fire Chief Incident Date: March 4, 2014 Death Date: March 5, 2014 Fire Department: Ironwood Township Volunteer Fire Department Initial Summary: While participating in pumper training at the fire department, Fire Chief Peite began to not feel well but thought it was not serious. While attending classes at the University of Wisconsin-Superior the following morning, Peite suffered a heart attack. Fire Chief Peite was treated and transported to the hospital but succumbed to his injury.
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
May, 2014
Page 7
Low + Lo ow Profilee Design Low Loss-High Volume + Lo ow Loss-H High V olu ume Waterway Wateerway Warranty Corrosion + 10 0 YYear ear W a arranty y Against Ag C orrosion = TF FT’s New Low Prof file Jumb bo Intakee V alve TFT’s Profile Jumbo Valve Integrated Air Bleeder
Exclusive Ex clusiv Coating Provides Providees 10 Year Warranty Against Aggainst Corrosion
Maximum Maxximum Flows Minim Loss With Minimal
Choice of Top C or Front Mount Control
Model Shown AXD1ST-NX-F
12.5 in 318 mm 2.3 in 2 57 mm
4.1 in 104 mm
High Volume Fast Reacting Relief Valve
Unique Swivelingg U Inlet Prevents Unw wanted Hose Kin nks Unwanted Kinks ®
Panel
End of Pump Inlet
facebook.com/TaskForceTips fa acebook.com/TTaskF askForceTips
www.tft.com www .tft..com • 800 348-2686 34 48-2686
PAGE 8
May, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Bust your routine with the 15 minute medicine ball workout FIREFIGHTER FITNESS Lori Ann Hodgkinson
ROB STEIZ
Heavy fire in Bradford Bradford, NH. At approximately 6:50 p.m. on Sunday, March 23rd, the Bradford Fire Department was dispatched with automatic mutual aid for a reported building fire at 85 Cheney Hill Road in Bradford. The first officer on the scene found heavy fire coming from all side and levels of the two story home. Responding from his residence, one of the deputy chiefs noted a heavy column of smoke from about two miles away, and asked for a second alarm.
JUMP TO FILE #032614103
The first address given was wrong and quickly relayed to Concord Fire Alarm. Also, the residence was located across a small private bridge that was not certified. The Chief Mark Goldberg heard this report and asked for a third alarm Forestry response, so that they could get smaller/lighter apparatus across the bridge to fight the fire. The residence was a complete
loss, and the cause of the fire was undetermined due to the extent of destruction. No one was home at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. Mutual aid from the following towns assisted: Newbury, Warner, Henniker, Sutton, Hopkinton, New London, Hillsboro and Washington. The fire was brought under control at 8:30 p.m.and crews remained on the scene picking up until 10:30 p.m. - ROB STEIZ
These days, it appears more and more fire service personnel are becoming increasingly diligent with their exercise routines. That’s an awesome trend and I hope the numbers continue to grow. The majority of those I speak to are having success and plan to continue. I’d have to say one of the most common requests I am receiving from these individuals is for a simple routine buster. This is not a new topic for us. As we have previously discussed, remaining diligent is essential, but can lead to boredom and stagnation of results. We have covered many ways to change your exercise routine. As much as I’ve explained the importance of varying the frequency, intensity duration and choice of activities/exercises, it appears most people just want me to tell them exactly what to do. So here is a full-body workout to throw into your schedule once a week for the next month or so. Use it in place of one of your fullbody workouts weekly. If you don’t have a full-body workout (and are training different muscle groups each day) select the exercises from the workout that train those muscle groups and substitute the medicine ball in place of the free weights or machines. Select a medicine ball with a weight that allows you to perform all repetitions correctly and with proper alignment while still challenging yourself physically. Most of my clients use a ten lb medicine ball, but based upon your physical condition the ball may range anywhere from 5-15 lbs. Challenge yourself, but be smart! Chest-Medicine Ball Chest Press. This exercise replaces your typical chest/bench press. Upper back-Medicine Ball Bent-over Row. In standing position, flex forward 90 degrees at the hips so that your back is flat. Knees are slightly bent, arms are holding medicine ball and are extended downward. Pull medicine ball to chest. Shoulders-Overhead Shoulder Press. Can be done seated or standing. If standing, be sure knees are slightly bent. Start with the medicine ball in front of you at chest level (elbows bent – ball somewhat tight to your body) and extend overhead to near straight arm position. Bicep-Medicine Ball Bicep Curls. Stand with knees slightly bent holding the medicine ball in front of you with arms extended downward. Keeping elbows in at your sides flex at the elbow and curl the medicine ball to chest level (as you would in a barbell bicep curl).
Triceps-Medicine Ball Overhead Triceps Extension. Can be done seated or standing. If done standing, be sure knees are slightly bent. Hold medicine ball overhead. Keeping elbows up and shoulders stationary (close to your ears/head) flex the elbows to bring the ball down behind your head. Legs-(Quadriceps, Gluteals, low back) Medicine Ball Squats. Perform a squat with the ball at chest height, overhead or extended downward in front of you. Legs-(Hamstring) Medicine Ball Bridge. Lie on your back. Knees are bent and both feet are on top of the medicine ball. Arms are extended to the sides at shoulder height with palms facing downward. Lift the hips and low back off the floor and hold in the “UP” position for a second. Abdominals-Seated Medicine Ball (Russian) twist. Sit holding the medicine ball at chest level and somewhat close to your body (elbows bent). Keeping hips fixed rotate only at the waist as far as you can (keeping ball in front of your chest) and then to the opposite direction. You can pause in the forward facing (start) position between rotating to each side if you are more comfortable. Abdominals-Medicine Ball Crunch. Lie on your back, feet flat on the floor, knees bent. Hold the medicine ball overhead and perform a crunch (keeping low back on the floor). How to use it-After a 3-5 minute warm-up of light cardiovascular activity, perform each exercise for a total of 30 seconds. Do as many repetitions as you can during the 30 seconds without using momentum or sacrificing proper form or alignment. Remember to work at an intensity level suitable to your current fitness level. Progress to the next exercise with little or no rest. After completing all of the exercises – rest for 30 seconds then repeat the entire sequence a total of three (3) times. Be sure to stay hydrated, by sipping water. Conclude with a cool-down followed by stretching for each muscle group. Variations-Alternate the upper body exercises with a leg or abdominal exercise. (Do the routine in this order: chest press, squat, bent-over row, seated twist, shoulder press, bridge, bicep curl, crunch, triceps extension). You can increase intensity by gently releasing the ball (at the top of each movement) and catching it during each repetition. You are not throwing the ball, just opening the hands and releasing it so that it is briefly airborne). Additionally; you can alternate each medicine ball exercise with 30 seconds of cardiovascular exercise for greater variety, intensity and duration. Please Note. All exercises are not suitable for all individuals. Be sure to consult with your physician and receive medical clearance before beginning this or any exercise routine.
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
May, 2014
Page 9
Eastford Fire & Rescue Sales
VISIT US AT THE CT EMS EXPO AT MOHEGAN SUN, MAY 30-31, SPACES K, L, M, N, & O We will also have a vehicle on display outside and we are the Champion Sponsor!
Your one-stop shop for all your ambulance needs Life Line is the strongest and most reliable modular ambulance with the quietest interior available.
We specialize in New, Used, and Refurbished Ambulances, Paramedic Intercept and Command Vehicles, Custom Rescue and Specialty Vehicles. Full Service Repair Facility and Auto Body Repair and Paint Department. Crestline Exclusive Features: • Crestcoat Technology high bake power-coat finish with a LIFETIME Warranty • AeroBody Roll Cage Aerodynamic design • Innovative O2 to Go System
Call for a demonstration to see why so many EMS agencies choose Life Line & Crestline
For more info please contact us at: 1-866-974-1718 • info@efrsales.com
www.efrsales.com
PAGE 10
May, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
VERMONT
GREG RAMSDELL
GREG RAMSDELL
Two homeless after fire destroys home Richford, VT. On March 30, 2014 just before 3:00 p.m., the Richford Fire Department and EMS responded to Drew Road for a report of a fully involved house fire. Upon arrival of 9E1, heavy smoke was showing. An interior attack was made and mutual aid was called in from the Enosburgh Fire Department. There was no one home at the time of the fire and there were no reported injuries. The fire appeared to have started in a bedroom, but the cause of the fire is undetermined at this time. The American Red Cross also assisted. Firefighters were on the scene for several hours. The house was a total loss.
GREG RAMSDELL
Pickup truck destroyed by fire Swanton, VT. On April 1, 2014 at approximately 6:55 p.m., the Swanton Fire Department was dispatched to Elm Street in Swanton Village for a report of a pickup truck on fire. Upon arrival of 13E1, smoke and flames were showing from the engine compartment of the truck. Firefighters quickly knocked the fire down. The truck was a total loss. The fire appeared to have started in the engine compartment.
We Buy Used Ambulances! Unhappy with your trade in price? Downsizing your fleet?
GREG RAMSDELL
UPS truck and car collide Highgate, VT. On April 1, 2014 at approximately 1:25 p.m., Highgate Fire Department and AmCare Ambulance were dispatched to the intersection of Route 78 and Route 207 in Highgate Center for a two vehicle MVA. Both the UPS truck and the car had front end damage. There were two minor injuries with no transport. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Vermont State Police.
All makes and manufacturers considered, cash paid “on the spot.� Free pick up available. Call the Used Vehicle experts at First Priority Emergency Vehicles for a free, accurate and fair appraisal/offer on your preowned ambulance.
Call Today! 1.800.247.7725
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
MAINE
May, 2014
Page 11
North Eastern is proud to partner with Lucien Rainville 6764 Pickard Dr. Syracuse, NY 13211 and the team from Bert’s Emergency Vehicles for local
Distributors of Emergency Specialty Mass, RI, CT and NH sales andand service support! Vehicles
PATCHES
ToDemonstrators contact Bert’s EmergencyAvailable Vehicles call: 508-254-5008 for Immediate
If you have photos you would like to see in our Patches feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.
In Stock and Ready to Go ’13 Ford GAS 165” Unit #333026
(2) ’13 Ford T-2 Crusaders Unit #’s 342236-37
’13 Chevy T-2 Crusader Unit #332121
’13 Mercedes Sprinter Unit #335022
’13 Chevy T-2 Crusader Plus Unit #332352
’14 Ford Citimedic Unit #347014
2013 Wheeled Coach Ford GAS 165” Unit #333052
Numerous Vans and Sprinters on the way! NERV is looking to add Service & Sales team members in New England. Please contact Bob Reilly at 800-553-6094 for further details!
2014 Wheeled Coach Chevy 153” T-I 4X4 Unit #331195
Looking for Parts? Go online at www.nervinc.com or call Nicole at 800-553-6094
For a sales rep in your area, call 800-553-6094 Find us on Facebook to get all the latest news! or check out www.nervinc.com
For a full list of our demos with work orders and line drawings check out: www.nervinc.com VACUUM TANKER
JOAN SHELDON
Freedom Volunteer Fire Department in Knox, Maine
Sales & Service of Communications Equipment for over 40 years Factory Trained Technicians • 24 Hr Emergency Service
Reconditioned MOTOROLA HT1250 Portable Radios
! L A I C SPE
VHF, 128 Channel, Intrinsically Safe Include: Battery, Antenna, Speaker Microphone, AC Desk Charger, Custom Engraving, and Programming up to 16 channels. SPECIAL PURCHASE PRICE: $350.00 EACH or
Buy 6 radios & 6-Unit Rack Charger (instead of desk chargers) SPECIAL PRICE: $2,250.00 Two-Way Radios • Pagers • Scanners • Complete Motorola Product Line • Whelen Emergency Vehicle Lighting • Garmin GPS Navigation & Tracking Wireless Data & Voice • Microwave • Video Systems • Custom Engraving • Rentals • Consulting & Coverage Studies • Reconditioned Equipment • P25 Upgradeable Models
920 Sherman Avenue, Hamden Connecticut 06514
(203) 287-1306 • (800) 443-1306
www.utilitycommunications.com
D
PAGE 12
May, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
Safe Ladder Operations Part 2 Some common sense safety practices with ladders begins with don’t do anything on a ladder you wouldn’t do on the ground. Use the right length ladder for the task at hand. It should go to where you want it to without you having to hug the ladder or to lean back in fear that it will slide down the face of the building. Try to position the ladder on level ground whenever possible, dig out a little dirt if you have to, or reposition it. Remember the ladder basics for proper positioning and climbing, you should be able to grasp the rung in front of you at shoulder level with your arms fully extended with your feet at the butt of the ladder. Common sense should tell you if the ladder angle doesn’t look right, it most likely isn’t right, then reposition the ladder. The ladder should be firmly butted on the ground and, or secured at the top with a rope or nylon strap to insure it doesn’t slip. Remember, once you secure the ladder from the top, it will be out of service for use elsewhere should a ladder emergency arise. When there are only two firefighters deploying a ladder and making entry into the structure, one firefighter can butt the ladder as the other firefighter climbs the ladder. Once the firefighter climbing the ladder has reached his objective, entered a window or is on the roof, that firefighter can grasp the fly of the ladder, holding it secure while the other firefighter climbs to his position. Reverse the procedure when returning to the ground. Climbing of the ladder requires one to be looking straight ahead or up, and maintaining contact with the ladder, moving only one hand or one foot at a time. Don’t concentrate on the climbing, as it generally comes naturally. When unsure of the window or roof height, use extension ladders, they cover any mistake. Remember 24-footer for the second floor and the 35-footer for third floor and roof you should have it made. If you have to overreach or overextend when working off of a ladder, reposition the ladder or get a longer/shorter ladder; it saves falling off and becoming a casualty. Additional safety points to consider when working with ground ladders include the caution that metal ladders, and all other ladders when wet, conduct electricity. When placing ladders or climbing ladders, be observant of overhead wires and avoid coming into contact with them. Also remember, aluminum siding conducts electricity so be careful when using and placing
STAYING SAFE Chief Henry Campbell
ground ladders if there is an electrical problem within the structure. When placing ladders at a working fire, try not to place ladders above windows or door openings on lower floors where the fire may vent from and cut off your return route. Do not break overhead windows from a ladder placed below them. The ladder should be placed to the windward side of the window, and a little above so that when the glass is broken it will fall harmlessly to the ground. Prior to breaking any glass, make sure no one is operating where the falling glass can endanger him or her. Should windows have to be taken out by use of ground ladders, the ladder should be dropped into the glass window and the removing hand contact with the ladder. If your hands are on the ladder, there exists the potential of the broken glass sliding the beams and resulting injury to the firefighter. Whenever a firefighter is to work from a ladder, they must secure a “leg-lock” on the ladder or use a safety belt. A leg lock is taken on the side opposite from which you will be working. Till next time, Stay Safe and God Bless!
GREG RAMSDELL
Firefighters respond to kitchen fire Highgate, VT. On April 2, 2014 at approximately 1:15 p.m., Highgate Fire and Missisquoi Valley Rescue (MVR) were toned out for a kitchen fire on Carter Hill Road. Upon arrival of 14E1, smoke was showing. Mutual aid was provided by the Swanton Fire Department. The fire was knocked down and overhauling began quickly. One patient was checked out by MVR, but there was no transport. The cause of the fire is under investigation by local officials.
- HENRY CAMPBELL
Visit us at our website at www.1rbn.com
Professional Vehicle Corporation Serving New England Call today for more information
1-800-894-7788
Congratulations to Golden Cross Ambulance, View our website at www.provc.net for emergency vehicle parts & accessories.
Claremont, New Hampshire
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
May, 2014
PagE 13
MASSACHUSETTS
Resident assists with evacuations in Waltham Waltham, MA. On March 30, 2014, a fire in an electrical box extended to the basement of a two and a half story apartment building. A resident, Victor Cassie, ran through the build- JUMP TO FILE # ing warning other 033114106 residents of the fire that was spreading quickly. Engine 1, Squad 5, Ladder 2 and C2 from the Moody Street station, only two blocks from the fire, had smoke showing when they arrived. Rescue 6 arrived and did a search and rescue. A second alarm was soontransmitted, bringing Engine 2, 3 and Ladder 1. The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation by local officials. - PETER LOBO
PETER LOBO
PETER LOBO
rFi e o H se, rG ound a L dder & p Pum Tes Phone (860) ) 740-7105 740 7105nti g
WWW.FAILSAFEUSA.COM WWW .F FA AILSAF FEUSA.COM
FIRE FIR RE HOSE HOSE E TESTING TES STIN NG FIRE FI IRE PUMP P P TESTING TES STING G
GROUND GRO OUND D LADDER LADD DER TESTING T TESTIN NG PA & ISO NFP NFPA Compliant
Se Serving erving New England d
Want more informati iinformation or to schedule a test? Call us today for a free estimate! Your Y our o r Silent P In n Safety Ph Phone: (732) 728-0739 • Fax: (732)Partner 656-0110 • www.failsafeusa.com
PAGE 14
May, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
MASSACHUSETTS
JAKE O'CALLAGHAN/CWN
NATE ARNOLD
Jakes bring a hand line to the A side porch roof to extinguish fire on the exterior of 277 Broadway St.
Chicopee catches late night work A basement fire that extended up the walls of an occupied three story balloon frame Victorian style dwelling displaced one resident and did several thousand dollars in damage to the dwelling on Friday night, March 14, 2014. Chicopee companies were toned out to respond to the area of 274 Broadway Street shortly after 9:30 p.m. for a report of heavy smoke in the area and a possible structure fire. Due to multiple calls going on at the same time, Engine 1, Tower 1 and Engine 4 were dispatched to the call, with Tower 1 arriving first and reporting smoke coming from the
JUMP TO FILE #031614120
roof of 277 Broadway. Command requested an additional engine to fill out the assignment and companies began interior operations. Due to radio problems, communications between interior crews and command were difficult at best. With Chicopee Fire Dispatch relaying to command, it was learned that the fire had originated in the basement and extended up to the first floor, but due to the balloon
frame construction of the home, companies needed to open up areas of the second floor walls to contain the fire and prevent any extension to the attic. Roughly half an hour into the fire fight, a fourth engine company was called to the scene due extended overhaul operations. The main body of fire was knocked down within an hour and a half but a fire watch detail remained on scene overnight. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. - NATE ARNolD
JAKE O'CALLAGHAN/CWN
Truck into water in Harwichport Harwichport, MA. Around 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 6th, a man and woman attempting to remove their boat from Saquatucket Harbor lost control of the vehicle and it rolled back down the town ramp into the ocean water. The truck, a 2009 Chevrolet 2500 HD, and trailer ended up completely submerged. Harwich Fire and Rescue called for the dive team with units from Dennis, Yarmouth, and Eastham responding. Harwich firefighter Scott Tyldesley prepared to attach a tow cable so the vehicle and trailer could be removed from the water. No injuries were reported. Harwich police are handling the investigation. NATE ARNOLD
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
May, 2014
Page 15
PAGE 16
May, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
MASSACHUSETTS
April Fools swim in Chatham
JAKE O'CALLAGHAN
Fatal accident in Harwich Harwich, MA. Around 12:45am Sunday a young man was killed on Route 6 eastbound between exits 9 and 10. He is believed to have lost control of his BMW that left the road and struck a tree. Massachusetts State Police are handling the investigation.
Chatham, MA. The 7th Annual Chatham Fire Department April Fools Swim was held at Harding's Beach on Tuesday, April 1st. This is the day when the community comes together and takes to the icy water for a good cause. The mission of this event is to provide financial assistance and emotional support to a local family or individual as they battle JUMP TO FILE# an illness or injury. 040214113 This year, the swim is a benefit for Caroline McCutcheon. Caroline is a well known and well loved local youth services provider in Chatham and the surrounding communities. She is a loving wife and mother of two beautiful children. Caroline has recently been diagnosed with an aggressive and fast moving form of breast cancer. Needless to say, the months ahead will provide significant challenges for Caroline and her family. If you were not able to attend, cash and checks can be made payable to "April Fools" and sent to the Chatham Fire Department, 135 Depot Road, Chatham, MA 02633. Following the swim a BBQ and entertainment was held at the Chatham VFW. - JAKE O'CALLAGHAN/CWN
JAKE O'CALLAGHAN/CWN
Fall River fire victim succumbs to injuries Fall River, MA. Firefighters responded at 1:49 a.m. on March 24th to a reported structure fire on Fulton St., in the north end of the city. Dispatched were Engines 2, 3, and 12, Platform 1, Heavy Rescue 1, and Car 2. While en route, Car 2 was notified by dispatch that they had a reported working fire with an occupant trapped. Car 2, under the command of District Chief Scott Flannery arrived and established Fulton St. command. He reported to dispatch that he had heavy smoke showing with fire showing from the the first floor. The chief had one victim suffering from burns and smoke inhalation on the sidewalk in front of the fire building, and according to police officers on scene another victim was still inside the first floor apartment of the two story home. Command requested another engine company as a RIT team. Engine 2 established a water sup-
K LEGER
JUMP TO FILE #071513129
ply while Engine 3 laid two attack lines with the help of the crew of Engine 12. Engine 12 attacked the fire on the first floor while Engine 3 took their line above the fire. Rescue 1 backed up Engine 12 on the fire floor and encountered heavy fire. The engine crew was able to hold the fire in check and begin a primary search. Engine 12 located the victim and with the assistance of the crew of Engine 2 were able to remove the victim from the building. The victim was unresponsive, and was immediately brought to the medical rescue crew on the scene. The paramedics immediately began life saving measures.The victim was then transported to Charlton Memorial Hospital, but was then transferred to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence R.I.
The victim who had self-rescued was transported to St. Anne's Hospital. A third victim was removed by neighbors unharmed before the arrival of the fire department. A 41 year old female has succumbed to injuries from this house fire. The fire victim had been hospitalized at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. She died on Friday, March 28th after being in critical condition in the intensive care unit since the fire. Fire investigators believe the fire started in the living room from a candle too close to combustible furniture. The male fire victim was awakened by the smell of smoke, opened the bedroom door, and found the living room fully involved. He was able to make his way through the flames, but the female turned back to the bedroom where she was overcome before she could escape. - JEFFREY GOLDBERG
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
May, 2014
Page 17
MASSACHUSETTS
Rollover motor vehicle crash with entrapment and LifeFlight Sturbridge, MA. On Monday, March 31, 2014 at 8:21 p.m., Sturbridge Public Safety Dispatcher Scott Belanger received 911 reports of a single-vehicle rollover crash into a utility pole in the area of 238 Cedar Street, a remote area of town near the Brookfield town line. The vehicle was reported to be on fire and overturned. It was unknown if the occupant(s) remained inside. Sturbridge Fire EMS and Sturbridge Police Department units arrived minutes later and found that the vehicle was not on fire, but that there was a single-occupant/driver trapped inside the vehicle requiring a heavy rescue response with mechanical extrication equipment. Heavy rescue, a fire engine, and incident command staff also responded to the scene. The vehicle was made stable and secure, and then Sturbridge Firefighter/EMT Thomas Giordano entered the vehicle to assess and stabilize the adult male patient. He protected the patient from the cutting tools and personnel who would be operating on the vehicle to remove its roof so that the patient could be removed safely and without further injury. While rescue crews worked to
JUMP TO FILE #040114112
cut the vehicle, UMass-Memorial LifeFlight was summoned to land at the Hamilton Rod and Gun Club on Hamilton Road, Sturbridge for transport of the patient. Once the patient was extricated, he was treated by Sturbridge Fire EMS under the supervision of Sturbridge Firefighter/Paramedic Brian Towns, and then subsequently transferred to the awaiting LifeFlight helicopter for further treatment and rapid transport to the Trauma Center at UMass-Memorial Medical Center University Campus in Worcester. An engine from the Southbridge Fire Department provided mutual aid to Sturbridge in order to secure the landing zone for LifeFlight. No injuries to personnel were reported. The accident remains under investigation by the Sturbridge Police Department. All fire department/EMS crews were clear from the scene at 9:45 p.m. with the roadway reopened to traffic. - NicHolas J. DaDalt
NICHOLAS J. DADALT
Hydraulic cutters are used to remove the roof of the vehicle.
Father’s Day, The Forgotten Fire VIDEO REVIEW Video reviews by John Malecky
JAKE O'CALLAGHAN/CWN
Crash in Harwich Harwich, Ma. a female driver of a Honda cRV was taken to cape cod Hospital after a two vehicle crash at the intersection of Route 39 (orleans Harwich Road) and Pleasant Bay Road on March 20th. the accident happen around 10am thursday when the woman failed to yield at a stop sign and was t-boned by a Ford F-250 super cab. Her injuries appeared to be non life threatening. Harwich Police are handling the investigation.
Father’s Day The Forgotten Fire By Fire Line Video Productions Available from: FSP Books & Videos 188 Central Street, Suite #4 Hudson, MA 01749-1330 1800-522-8528 E-Mail: Support@fire-police-ems.com www.fire-police-ems.com Price: $29.95 (DVD) This DVD is 40 minutes in length. Though many of us still remember this fire, it is worth reviewing for those who may not. It was Father’s Day of 2001, June 17th. At 2:19 p.m., a phone alarm was called in for a fire in a store, followed by a verbal alarm to Squad 288, which was taking up from a minor hazmat incident not far away. It was a two story
commercial structure with dwellings above. The fire worsened as time went on with “popping” noises reported coming from the basement. The DVD picks up the scene after a collapse had occurred and a fourth alarm was sounded bypassing a third alarm. The scene is a mass of rubble and structure with handlines, ladderpipe and tower ladder operating. As the time progresses more handlines are stretched. Radio traffic saturates the background! An army of firefighters can be seen desperately trying to control the fire and support those who are in search of missing members. This force is mixed in with members of EMS and the police. The fire building was on Astoria Boulevard in Astoria, Queens. The tractor-drawn collapse rescue unit arrives and members go to work to assist in the search. One of the trapped members is located and removed during this footage. The scene is complete
devastation but everyone in attendance is busy! I have to commend the videographers who did an exceptional job in bringing the viewer every possible angle that could be achieved in covering the operation. At times smoke shroud the scene, but they wait it out until the smoke lifts. A number of high ranking officers can be seen here including First Deputy Commissioner Feehan and Battalion Chief Ray Downey both of whom lost their lives three months later on 9/11. In fact many of the members in attendance here lost their lives that day as well! Probably due to the heavy loss on 9/11, this Father’s Day tragedy was called “The Forgotten Fire.” But like 9/11, may we never forget the three firefighters who lost their lives this day, Harry Ford and Brian Fahey of Rescue 4 and John Downing of Ladder 163! May you continue to rest in peace!
PAGE 18
May, 2014
1ST Responder Newspaper - NE
MASSACHUSETTS
Fire displaces seventeen residents in Springfield A fast moving, late evening fire destroyed an occupied two and a half story wood frame dwelling in the Liberty Heights section of Springfield, displacing 17 residents and damaging a neighboring home. Springfield firefighters got the call to respond shortly before midnight on Tuesday March 18, to the home located a 29 Vinton Street for the reported structure fire. While still en route to the scene, Ladder 1 reported heavy smoke visible from a distance. Dispatch also advised all companies that there may be civilian entrapment as well. Arriving on scene, companies were presented with an occupied two and a half story wood frame dwelling, fully involved, with fire venting from all sides and exposure problems on sides Bravo and Delta. Residents on scene, confirmed for firefighters that all occupants were, in fact, out of the house. A defensive attack was set up
JUMP TO FILE #032214105
using multiple large and small caliber hand lines as well as Ladder 1's aerial master stream. The main body of fire in both the original fire building and the Delta side exposure building were knocked down within 30 minutes. All totaled, the original fire building at 29 Vinton Street was completely destroyed and 17 residents, including twelve adults and five children were displaced from this one building. The Delta side exposure building sustained upwards of $30,000 damage and the Bravo side exposure building sustained some $5,000 damage, mostly melted siding due to radiant heat. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but is not considered suspicious. - NATE ARNOLD
NATE ARNOLD
Jakes utilize 2 and a half inch attack lines on the A side of 29 Vinton St.
Correspondent Contest Sponsored by Fire & Safety Services The readers of 1st Responder Newspaper have helped make www.1rbn.com the fastest-growing Fire/Rescue/EMS site on the web. Information comes from our valued correspondents. Each time you post an entry on our website, your name will go into a drawing for a monthly prize. Only web entries are eligible. The prize for our May editions from Fire & Safety Services is a Pierce logo jacket. Our April editions winner of the from SAFE-T was a pair of Haix Fire Hero Xtreme Structural Firefighting boots is John Carr from New Jersey. If your company would like to provide a prize and sponsor our monthly contest, contact Heather at x212.
The winner will receive a Pierce logo jacket. The jacket will be available in the male or female version. Fire & Safety Services has been selling and servicing fire apparatus in New Jersey since 1964. We represent Pierce Manufacturing, Sealegs Amphibious Marine Craft, B.R.A.T., Frontline and segments of Oshkosh Corporation.
NATE ARNOLD
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
May, 2014
PAge 19
WOMEN IN FIREFIGHTING 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 Heather@1stResponderNews.com.
Mix M ix w wo work ork a and Framily. Share the Share the savings savings with with y your our coworkers c without On the Sprint w ithout sharing sharing a bill. bill. O n th eS SM
Framily F ramily Pl Plan, an, tthe he m more ore p people eop you add, a dd, the the lower lower your your rate. rate. Restrictions R estrictions apply. apply
Visit V isit your your Sprint Sprint store store o orr
sprint.com/framily s print.com com//fram ffor or d details. etails.
Plus, P lus, save save
22
%
IL d IL discount iscount on on sselect elect d ata buy buy u ps data ups
PAT TRAVERS/NEFIREPHOTO.COM
Hingham, Plymouth County, MA. Hingham MA Firefighter/Paramedic Nichole Pinkus.
Visit Visit a sprint store store today! today! Sprint.com/storelocator Sprint.com/storelocator or call (866) (866) 639-8354 639-8354
Offers for Public Safety and Emergency First Responders Mention this code to claim y your our IL discount. Corpor ate ID: ID: HCANT_FRG_PO_ZZZ HCANT_FRG_PO_ZZZ Corporate Corpor ate ID: ID: HCANT_FRG_ZZZ HCANT_FRG_ZZZ Corporate Must be a member of the F FireRescue ireRescue or Public Saf Safety ety GPO GPO.. Member ship is free. free. Visit Visit firerescue-gpo.com firerescue-gpo.com or call 8 77-329-8847 Membership 877-329-8847
Restrictions apply. Restrictions apply. See st store ore or sprint. sprint.com com for for det details. ails. IL Discount: Available Available for for eligible company company or org. org. employees employees (ongoing (ongoing verification). verification). Discounts ssubject ubject tto o change accor ding tto o the compan y’s agr eement with Sprint and ar ea vailable upon reque rrequest equest ffor or monthly da ta b uy-up uy -up ssvc vc charge char ges ffor or Framily Framily according company’s agreement are available data buy-up charges plans © 2014 Sprint. All rights rreserved. eserved. Sprint and the logo ar e trademark e the pr operty o espective o wners. plans.. ©2 ©2014 are trademarkss o off Sprint. Other mark markss ar are property off their rrespective owners. N145197CA N1 45197CA
PAGE 20
May, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
We’re only human EMS ISSUE CHELLE CORDERO
Emergency medical professionals go through hours of training in the classroom and field. It’s easy to snicker as we hear the “caclunk” from a CPR mannequin when we push hard and fast, laugh at gory moulage mimicking a distracting injury during training, and chuckle at bad inside EMS jokes. We mentally remove ourselves when we pretend, but when faced with real patients and real trauma, things get serious. As first responders we see things most people never do. Everything we do, see, hear, smell or feel makes a permanent imprint in our brains. The memory is always there no matter how flippant we are when we deny it. These memories have the potential to roar at the most unexpected times. We can wake from a bad dream that reminds us of the devastation we witnessed. Sometimes we think we’re above it all and suddenly there is a trigger and we can’t help but believe we’re right back at that horrible call and we’re seized by a “flashback”. Even with all of our training, we have never been taught how to do the impossible and shield ourselves from the emotion, loss and fear we may encounter during our response. There is no such thing as “you get used to it”. There is often no way to prevent the occasional personalization when you wonder “what would I do if that were my son, daughter, mother, father or… me?” It doesn’t have to be a building exploding, a car plowing through a street fair, a plane crash or any high volume mass casualty incident, even the single-patient call can haunt you. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) emergency response professionals “are at a greater risk of developing physical and mental stress-related disorders” and “high-risk alcohol and drug use rates among … emer-
gency response professionals were reported to be as high as 40%”. How can we do our jobs, keep ourselves safe from self-destructive addictions, protect our personal relationships and still provide the best patient care possible? We are not super-heroes or robots. As human beings we are not perfect, we can make mistakes. Even when we do everything the way we are supposed to exactly, we do not have control over every outcome. Understand that you have been trained and will do the best you can-you are not a deity who can decide who lives or dies– you do not control the patient’s body and how it responds to treatment. You will do your best, you will accept help from your crew, you will remember your training and most importantly, you will forgive yourself if things do not go perfectly right. Open discussion with your crew and medical professionals (ie: doctors) after a call is a positive and effective way to review and learn–it’s not a time to blame. As in any response, your first priority is your safety and the safety of your crew; if you are hurt or injured then you are no help to the people who called for your assistance in the first place. Keep yourself rested and nourished (not always easy when you are on call). Exercise. Manage occasional time off and take an interest in outside activities. Socialize and talk with both EMS and non-EMS friends and family. Enjoy your family, share affection, play with your children, and cuddle a pet. Focus on your successful calls and feel good about your accomplishments. If you find you are still experiencing difficulty coping, if you are reacting to the high stress (sleeplessness, loss of appetite, seclusion, extreme emotions, or reliance on chemical mind-numbing), you are not weak. Ask your agency managers about Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, speak to your agency chaplain, your own religious leader, or look at other mental health counseling. Be honest with yourself and never be afraid to ask for help.
More columns by Chelle Cordero can be found at www.1rbn.com
DEMANDER DARLEY DEMANDER.
KIMTEK isthe largest manufacturerof skid/slip-in units forUTV's in the country! KIMTEK strives to produce a top quality skid unit at an affordable price. To do this, we have partnered with RESPECTED companies and products that firefighters have come to know and trust. When it comes to pumps, KIMTEK chooses the Darley-Davey brand for their quality. They are also backed by one of the longest serving and best firefighting service companies in the country, W.S. DARLEY. With strong vendor partnerships like this, it is no wonder that the KIMTEK FIRELITE® Transport skid units are the best-selling fire/rescue skid units in the country!
FIRELITE® SuperMax FST-204
FIRELITE ® FDH-203
FIRELITE ® FD-202
follow us:
FIRELITE ® FDHP-300 Series Scan our QR-CODE with your smart phone
®
Proud Member
KIMTEK ®
CORPORATION KIMTEKRESEARCH.com
2163 Vermont Rt. 5A, Westmore, VT 05860 888.546.8358
May, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
PAgE 21
MASSACHUSETTS
Two alarm fatal fire strikes in Waltham At 3:09 a.m. on Friday, April 4th, Waltham 911 received a call from a passerby reporting a building fire at the corner of Crescent Street and Brown Street. Engine 1, Squad 5, Rescue 6, Ladder 2 and En- JUMP TO FILE # gine 4 (RIT) re- 040814100 sponded along with a Cataldo medic. Squad 5 on arrival reported smoke showing from the third floor and began stretching a line into the building while other companies secured a water supply. Residents reported there were still people in the building. Rescue 6 went in to do a primary search and found one person on the second floor and another on the third floor. Both were brought outside and treated by EMS. Deputy Macinnis put the RIT team to work and requested an additional Engine (Engine 2) as RIT. Ladder 2 vented the third floor window while Squad 5 advanced a line into the fire apartment. The fire had extended into the ceiling of the third floor and into
PETER LOBO
the attic. Deputy Macinnis ordered a second alarm bringing Engine 3 and Ladder Tower 1 to the scene. Companies quickly knocked
down the fire, but were tied up with extensive overhaul. A body of a male in his 50's was discovered in the third floor apartment, where the fire began.
MATTHEW CARTER
Eleven residents were displaced and are being assisted by the American Red Cross. The State Fire Marshal has determined the fire was caused by
careless disposal of a cigarette and the smoke detector in the fire room was dismantled. - MATTHEW CARTER
Now You Have an Alternative Professional Requirements: • • • • • • • •
Hard Bottom Heavy Duty Fabric Non-Skid Floor Maneuverable Safe Adaptable Maintenance Free Storage
PROFILE Features: • • • • • • • •
Reinforced Aluminum or Fiberglass Hull Heavy Duty 1670 D-tex ORCA (CSM) Fabric Flat Deck with Non-Skid Flooring Non-Skid ORCA (CSM) On Top Of Tube Life Line On Top Of Tube High Volume Drain Scuppers Double Solid Rub Rail Bow Locker
AB Inflatables all new swift water shallow V “AS-Series”. AB is constantly looking at the needs in the First Responder markets. This new versatile use series will get into shallow flood waters without fear of what is below as well as handling the swift waters of rivers or flooded streams. Safety is as important to us as it is to you. Combining the best of all worlds with marine grade aluminum and 1670 D-tex CSM fabric making them the most durable boat on the market. All while protecting your assets. Their open design and a variety of seats and consoles they can be customized for any use.
Professional Shallow Water Aluminum Hull Series - AS 12
AB INFLATABLES USA 57A Lafayette Avenue Suffern, NY 10901
Authorized Dealer:
Tel: 845-918-2100 Fax: 845-368-3760
MARITIME SOLUTIONS, INC. 1250 East Main Road Portsmouth, RI 02871
www.ABInflatables.com
Tel: 401-682-2244 Fax: 401-682-1632
PROFILE@ABInflatablesUSA.com Web: msi-1.com Email: dick@msi-1.com
PAGE 22
May, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
MASSACHUSETTS
Thousands mourn loss of Boston Lieutenant Edward J. Walsh
ED CABRAL
ED CABRAL
ED CABRAL
ED CABRAL
On April 2, 2014, thousands lined the streets in honor of Lt. Ed Walsh. The dedication and love of this firefighter was clearly seen in the eyes of all who attended and watched from afar. A wake was held at St. Patrick's Church in Watertown. The procession included Lt. Walsh's casket atop Engine 33, a symbol of his dedication to the department and fire service. Lt. Walsh was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor. The investigation into the cause and origin of the devastating fire is still being investigated. According to a statement released by Mayor Martin J. Walsh, "The men and women of the Boston Fire Department are the brave heroes who run towards the danger when others run away. A day like today makes us all to aware of what they are risking in
JUMP TO FILE #040214106
the course of doing their jobs. They are heroes simply by virtue of accepting this duty. They put themselves in harm's way so that others might be safe." He continued with, "Our thoughts and prayers are with their families tonight as they face this terrible loss. We also hold close their fellow firefighters, who have lost friends as dear as brothers." The Lieutenant Walsh-Firefighter Kennedy Memorial Fund has been established and donations can be sent to the Lieutenant Walsh-Firefighter Kennedy Memorial Fund, Boston Firefighters Credit Union, 60 Hallet Street, Dorchester, MA 02124. - HEATHER PILLSWORTH
ED CABRAL
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
May, 2014
PAgE 23
MASSACHUSETTS
Boston Firefighter Michael Kennedy mourned by thousands in West Roxbury
ED CABRAL
ED CABRAL
ED CABRAL
ED CABRAL
For the second day in a row, thousands lined the streets and attended services for a true hero. On Thursday, April 3rd, firefighters, first responders, and civilians along with Firefighter Michael Kennedy's loved ones paid their respects to their hero. As they did the previous day, firefighters were in attendance from New York City, Chicago, and cities much further away. Many hotels set aside complimentary rooms for the firefighting mourners to honor the two men,
JUMP TO FILE #040314113
who sacrificed everything. Firefighter Kennedy succumbed to injuries he sustained battling a wind-driven blaze at 298 Beacon Street the week prior. Firefighter Kennedy was a US Marine Corps veteran, who served in the Iraq War. In addition, he was fondly remembered as a Big Brother with the Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization. At the mass to honor his life ended, Firefighter Kennedy was awarded the International Association of Firefighters Medal of Honor. His father, Paul Kennedy,
accepted the award. According to a statement released by Mayor Martin J. Walsh, "Words cannot do justice to the grief that we feel tonight. Our hearts are heavy with the knowledge that these brave men gave their lives to protect the safety of our city and its people." The Lieutenant Walsh-Firefighter Kennedy Memorial Fund has been established and donations can be sent to the Lieutenant Walsh-Firefighter Kennedy Memorial Fund, Boston Firefighters Credit Union, 60 Hallet Street, Dorchester, MA 02124. - HEATHER PILLSWORTH
PAGE 24
May, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
MASSACHUSETTS
MUTUAL AID GORDON WREN
NATE ARNOLD
Springfield makes quick work of second alarm job An early morning fire displaced several tenants and heavily damaged a three story wood frame dwelling on Wareham St. in the Forest Park section of Springfield on Thursday, March 27, 2014. The call for the fire came in shortly before 4:00 a.m. as a report of smoke coming from the dwelling. Upon arrival, District 2 Chief David Colon along with members of Engine 3 and Ladder 3 had some initial difficulty determining which home on Wareham St. was actually on fire as the smoke from
JUMP TO FILE #032914100
the fire was banking low across the street and reducing visibility. Once inside number 14 however, companies found the fire was rapidly extending up the walls and into the attic. As a precaution, Chief Colon ordered a second alarm be struck for the fire bringing most of the remaining available companies in the city to the scene and requiring mutual aid station coverage from
Chicopee and West Springfield fire companies. The bulk of the fire was knocked down by the time the balance of the second alarm arrived on scene, but several companies remained on scene for three more hours conducting extensive salvage and overhaul operations. The fire did some $60,000 damage to the home and remains under investigation by the SFD Arson Squad. - NATE ARNOLD
Early one morning, a middle aged couple returned home from working all night, climbed into bed exhausted and immediately fell asleep, only to be awakened 20 minutes later by what they thought was their car alarm. When the wife got up to investigate, she determined that it was a smoke detector activating. She roused her husband, and they found flames consuming the dishwasher and the kitchen cabinets. They exited the building and dialed 911. The volunteer fire department responded very quickly, containing the fire to the kitchen, which was gutted, along with heat and smoke damage to the entire home. The homeowners were very pleased with the response and performance of the firefighters. They were expressing their appreciation to the Chief while the last apparatus was leaving the scene when they were approached by the adjacent neighbor. The neighbor said that they had received a call from the Chief 911 County Dispatcher, and he needed to talk to the family who suffered the fire. Knowing that in all likelihood this was not 911 calling but someone affiliated with the independent public adjustors' industry, I asked the couple if I could impersonate the husband and take the phone call on their behalf. They said "yes." I picked up the phone, and the individual on the other end identified himself as the Supervisor of the 911 Center. First, he asked if there was a lot of damage and expressed his concern for our loss. He then indicated he needed information for his records. He asked details about the family's homeowner's insurance and I gave him my own insurance agent and insurance company. He then asked if the family had an attorney - I gave him the name of one of the fire district attorneys.
He wished me and my pseudo-wife good luck and ended the call. I immediately contacted my insurance agent and the attorney, informing them that I had used them as contacts in what I believed to be a scam that has been plaguing this region for many years. Within an hour, both professionals had been contacted and played along with our own reverse scam. In a short period of time, the real homeowners were contacted by a public adjustor who implied that he was working with their insurance company and attorney in order to make sure that they were properly taken care of with their insurance and fire damage repairs. I took this information to the local District Attorney's Office, and they determined that the phone call originated from a company in the Bronx that monitors fire dispatch frequencies, makes these phone calls, and then passes the information along to independent insurance adjustors. I also filed a complaint with the New York State Insurance Department. Unfortunately, neither agency was successful in stopping these unscrupulous companies from taking advantage of homeowners who are emotionally vulnerable after having their lives turned upside down by fires. Since we have been unable to stop them, we have been advising homeowners and businesses that they are likely to be contacted and that they should be extremely careful about signing any contracts that they may come to regret. We obtained a supply of booklets called "After the Fire," which was printed by the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs. We distributed these booklets to the local Fire Chiefs and encourage the fire departments to hand them out to building owners after structure fires, along with advice on the public adjustors. I also became aware of a new publication which is available for sale, entitled, "The Red Guide to Recovery," which addresses this issue. The fire service may not be able to shut these characters down, but we can make it more difficult for them to do business.
More columns by Gordon Wren can be found at www.1rbn.com NATE ARNOLD
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
May, 2014
Page 25
PAGE 26
May, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
CONNECTICUT
Barn fire in Norwalk The Norwalk Fire Department responded to barn fire at 44 Fox Run Road on March 29th at 3:27 p.m. The two story barn, 50’ x 80’ housed a work shop and two jeeps along with various tools, JUMP TO FILE# 033114103 and storage. There were also six boats stored for the winter and a couple vehicles near the barn that sustained varying amounts of damage from the intense radiant heat. Thirty Norwalk firefighters
responded to the blaze as Westport, New Canaan and Rowayton engines covered the vacant Norwalk fire houses. The fire was knocked down within 20 minutes and crews worked for over an hour to fully extinguish hot spots. Norwalk Police blocked Fox Run Road between Ponus Avenue and Devonshire Road for a couple ofhours as fire crews worked the scene. Fire inspector Kirk McDonald from the Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the cause and origin of the blaze. - EDWARD PRESCOTT EDWARD PRESCOTT
Get your personal copy of
The NE Edition Name:______________________ Telephone:___________________ Address:____________________ City: ______________________ State:_____ Zip: _____________ __ $36 for one year subscription __ $60 for two year subscription
Payment method __ Check __ Money Order __ Charge card Card # _____________________ Exp:____________ Signature ___________________
Send payment to: 1ST RESPONDER NEWSPAPER 1 ardmore Street new windSor, ny 12553
Amount enclosed: ______
For Credit Card Orders: just fax this to (845) 534-0055 or subscribe online at
www.1RBN.com
Fairfield’s bravest extinguish commercial fire Fairfield, CT, On March27, 2014 at 11:38 a.m., the Fairfield Emergency Communications Center received notification of a fire at 1555 Post Road in Engravers World. Fairfield Fire Engines 1, 2, 4, 5, Ladder 1, 2, and Car 3 were dispatched, JUMP TO FILE# with Engine 1 re- 032814105 porting heavy smoke showing from a two-story commercial occupancy at that location. Engines 5 and 6, Rescue 1, Cars 1, 2 and 3, FM 1, 2, and 3, Maintenance 1 and 2 along with Stratfield Rescue 15, Southport Squad 14, Bridgeport Engines 4, 15 and Ladder 11, and Westport Engine 2 and Ladder 1 were called to the scene in the ensuing hour, while companies from Easton and Bridgeport covered Fairfield firehouses for other emergencies. Chief Richard Felner reported that all Fairfield companies were working to fight the fire under the command of Assistant Chief George Gomola. Hose lines were stretched into Engravers World, Fairfield Clothiers, and the second floor offices above both businesses to attack the fire, according to Felner. “The fire was pretty much knocked down and we put in a recall of alarm at about 12:45 p.m.,” said Gomola. At the time of release, Engine 2 and the Fairfield Fire Marshal’s office remained on the scene investigating the cause of the fire, which appeared to “originate in the first floor storage workroom in the rear of Engravers World”, according to Fire Marshal Bill Kessler.
CHRISTOPHER TRACY
Firefighter Erik McKeon preparing to join the fire attack
- CHRISTOPHER TRACY Initial fire attack
CHRISTOPHER TRACY
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
May, 2014
Page 27
CONNECTICUT
DAVID BOWEN
Propane tank ignited by roofer Meriden, CT. On March 19, 2014, firefighters responded to a call from a neighbor, who witnessed the accidental ignition of a propane tank by a roofer. Crews arrived at 194 Camp Street, a vacant restaurant, to find a small and a larger propane tank that ignited. The flames were knocked down quickly. Crews were then able to open walls at the former restaurant and check for further extension. No injuries were reported to the workers or firefighters at the scene.
C&S
C&S Specialty, Inc. Serving the needs of New England Fire Service for over 30 years!
www.csspecialty.com • 1-800-321-0325 1181 Old Smithfield Rd. N Smithfield, RI 02896
C&S Specialty is on the Mass FIR 03 and Plymouth County Bids
Fire Equipment & Supplies - Fire Apparatus Sales - Maintenance - Repair Congratulations to the Colchester VT Technical Rescue Team on their new EVI Dive Rescue Vehicle • Ford F 750 Chassis - Cummins ISB 340hp - Allison Automatic • 17’ EVI Custom Extruded Aluminum Walk-in Rescue • Roof Escape Hatch • ROM Roll up doors • Interior Squad Bench • Whelen Lighting Package • FRC 12V Tele Lights • Custom Equipment Compartments
Visit C&S at the NE Fire Expo Booths 600,601,602,603 June 20-22 at the Big E
PAGE 28
May, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
MASSACHUSETTS
CONNECTICUT
RICK KULMANN
NATE ARNOLD
Vacant home burns for second time in Springfield A vacant single story ranch style dwelling caught fire for the second time in less than twelve months in Springfield on March 30, 2014. This time, the fire spread to the neighboring two story duplex. Springfield jakes were toned out to respond to the area of Oakwood Terrace and Bay Street in the Bay neighborhood of the city shortly before 3:30 p.m. for a structure fire with dispatch advising companies they had already received multiple 911 calls. Arriving on scene minutes later, companies advised they had a vacant single story wood frame ranch that was fully involved with fire
JUMP TO FILE #040214102
threatening the D side exposure building, an occupied two story wood frame duplex. Members worked as fast as any understaffed, three man fire companies could, stretching hand lines to all sides of the involved dwelling and to protect the exposure building. Due to the fires advanced state and the close proximity of the D side exposure; however, the exposure building did suffer some $10,000 to $15,000 damage as well as having the electrical service to
the home damaged by the fire, requiring Western Mass. Electric Company to pull the meter for that building, rendering it uninhabitable for the time being. The original fire building at number 3 Oakwood Terrace was completely gutted by the fire and two families totaling six people were displaced from numbers 7 and 9 Oakwood Terrace, which were the exposure building. The first fire, last year, was considered suspicious in origin, but this fire remains under investigation.
Southbury has quick knock down at structure fire At approximately 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 27th, Southbury firefighters responded to 91 Hillside Road for a structure fire. On arrival, they had a fire in the back bedroom of a two story residential home that was quickly knocked down. The fire was contained to the room of origin. The fire marshal responded to the scene to investigate what the cause and origin the fire.
APPARATUS IN ACTION If you have photos you would like to see in our Apparatus in Action feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.
- NATE ARNOLD
RICK KULMANN
New Britain Ladder 1 on the scene of a structure fire at 183 Greenwood Street.
RICK KULMANN NATE ARNOLD
A jake pulls siding from the A side of number three Oakwood Terrace during the fire.
New Britain Engine 5 on the scene of a structure fire at 183 Greenwood Street.
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
CONNECTICUT
Lt. Roger Caisse and Firefighter Scott Iannucci being decontaminated after entry
Fairfield on the scene at Sacred Heart University Fairfield, CT. On March 26, 2014 at 2:48 p.m., the Fairfield Fire Department was called to Sacred Heart University to assist in what was reported to be a minor reaction of sulfuric and nitric acids in the Main Administration Building. Fairfield Fire dispatched Engine 3, Ladder 2 and Car 3. Upon arrival, Engine 3 assumed command and reported two students in SC 111 Chemistry Lab on the first floor with no complaints of injury, who had been working in the lab with a small amount of nitric acid when a foaming reaction occurred. Car 3 called for Engine 4 with the hazmat trailer and Car 5, along with the Fairfield Fire Department hazmat team, along with AMR and representatives from DEEP. At 4:47 p.m. Fairfield hazmat technicians made entry and found a small amount of 65% nitric acid on the floor, counter and sink and two open containers. The entry team replaced the tops on the containers and wiped up the product using chemsorb pads, placing all within the hood system, according to Hazmat Operations Officer A/C Schuyler Sherwood.
JUMP TO FILE #032814106
The entry team left the building at 5:19 p.m. and Connecticut Tank Removal was called by SHU officials to remove remaining product and absorbent materials from the lab. “Unfortunately we needed to secure the first and second floors of the SC Wing while entry was being made to ensure that the atmosphere was not contaminated,” explained Sherwood. Fire units were expected to clear shortly after 6:00 p.m. pending arrival of the private cleanup contractor, according to Incident Commander A/C George Gomola. “While classes can resume at this time, evening classes that start by 5:00 p.m. needed to be cancelled,” added Paul Healy, Emergency Management Executive Director at Sacred Heart University. “Classes will resume their normal schedule tomorrow.” - CHRISTOPHER TRACY
PAgE 29
Laugh your way to the bank with a stand-up comedy fund-raiser Who needs to laugh more than the Fire Companies ---the first responders who deal with dangerous circumstances each and every day? There’s an innovative concept for fund-raising developed by Joey Novick, who is a stand-up comedian and the Fire Commissioner in his hometown: Stand-up comedy shows. Fire companies can get much-needed laughs and profit financially as well. Novick's company, ComedyWorks, provides all-star headline comedians from HBO, Comedy Central, Showtime, Last Comic Standing, and the Tonight Show. Novick’s been producing comedy shows since 1977, and has experience producing shows with such comedians as Jerry Seinfeld, Rosie O’Donnell, Larry The Cable Guy, and Tim Allen. "The comedians were very funny, and very professional," wrote Mark Bruhmuller, Fire Chief of the Churchtown Fire Company of New York. “Joey Novick did an excellent job. Everybody loves to laugh, and it's a great deal of fun." ComedyWorks produces more than 300 shows a year, almost 150 of those for emergency service organizations. The money these shows can
CHRISTOPHER TRACY
May, 2014
VENDOR TIDBITS Notes from the emergency service business community
raise varies, depending on things like the number of tickets sold, how they're priced, the amount spent on promotion and whether food and drink are available. "Mostly companies produce shows in their own facilities, which may hold 300–400 people," says Novick. "We'll put together a show for them that will bring in comedians from major comedy clubs, with a headliner from HBO, Comedy Central, or the Tonight Show. The feature performer will be someone who's headlined the comedy circuit: Catch a Rising Star, the Improv, the Comedy Store. The host of the show will be a comedian who's very high-energy, like a gameshow host, to get the audience warmed up. A triple headliner show!” The Somerset Fire Company of New Jersey produces two fundraisers a year through ComedyWorks. "We've done about ten shows so far, and it's been great," says Mike Rein-
beck, who coordinates the shows for the 65-member volunteer department. "A friend of mine who had used Joey told me, 'This guy books really good acts.' So, we did the first show, everything was great, and we've been doing shows with Joey ever since." "I find their people to be very funny," agrees Adam Hubney, chief of the Atlantic Highlands Volunteer Fire Department in New Jersey, which books comedians through ComedyWorks for its annual dinner. "We have a professional comedy club in our county, and the quality is just as good." Comedy Works provides a 30-page ‘How-To’ guide that assists organizations through the comedy show production and warns of mistakes to avoid. "We make sure they follow everything in the guide," says Novick. "If a company has never done this before, it gives you everything from you need to know. We make sure that things get done right. Clients who follow the guide always do very well and tend to make money.” For information on Comedy Works, call 1 (888) 782-4589, go to www.comedyworks.org or e-mail joeynovick@earthlink.net.
Comedyworks Entertainment! Stand-up Comedy Show Fund-raising Comedians from HBO, Showtime, Comedy Central, Last Comic Standing, The Tonight Show
“Featured in the 1st Responder News, VolunteerFD.Org, EMSMagazine.Com, ABC News, and NY Times.” “Outstanding Comedy Show! Best fundraising night we have ever had!” Somerset Fire Company, NJ
Comedyworks Entertainment!
w w w. c o m e d y w o r k s . o r g call toll free: 1(888)782-4589 e-mail: JoeyNovick@earthlink.net
PAGE 30
May, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
CONNECTICUT
RICK KULMANN
Naugatuck firefighters battle house fire Just before 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 23rd, Naugatuck firefighters responded to 49 Beecher Street for a confirmed structure fire. On arrival, heavy fire was showing from the two and a half story home. Engines 4, 5, 6, Truck 1, Rescue 1 along with C-1 (chief) responded to the scene. Firefighters used a blitzfire and also two-one and three quarter inch lines to fight the fire. Waterbury Engine 4 was called in for mutual aid to the scene to assist crews. Beacon falls responded to headquarters for town coverage. The homeowners were not home at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the fire marshal.
RICK KULMANN
Car fire on highway in Cheshire Cheshire firefighters responded to Interstate 84 East prior to Exit 27 for a reported car fire just after 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 25th. On arrival, Engine 2 encountered a car in the breakdown lane fully involved. It took firefighters a few minutes to put the fire out and traffic was backed up for several miles.
Beat The Budget Blues! Stretch your valuable capital equipment dollars with the Northeast's leading Emergency Vehicle Center! RICK KULMANN
New Britain firefighters battle house fire Just after 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 26th, New Britain firefighters responded to 183 Greenwood Street for a structure fire. Upon arrival, they had fire showing from the rear of a two story dwelling on the second floor and the attic. Engines 1, 2, 4, 5, and Ladder 2 responded and an additional ladder was requested which brought Ladder 1 to the scene. The fire was knocked down quickly, but did severe damage to the rear porch and the second floor. The occupants escaped the fire with no injuries and the fire is under investigation by the city fire marshal.
*Sophisticated SUV Conversion Packages* *Specialized Emergency Vehicle Collision Repair* *Renaissance Remounting of your Ambulance or Rescue*
Fast, free estimates for repairs/upgrades of any type or magnitude. We work on all manufacturer makes and models. All services backed by our extensive warranties. A nationwide network of pick and delivery services available.
Contact us at 800-247-7725 www.emergencyvehiclecenter.com
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
May, 2014
Page 31
PAGE 32
May, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
ACTION SHOTS FROM AROUND THe STATe To see your action shots in the newspaper upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.
MATTHEW CARTER
Chief Paul Ciccone addressing the media at a two alarm fatal in Waltham, MA.
PAT TRAVERS/NEFIREPHOTO.COM
A firefighter from Boston MA Engine 7 at a recent seven alarm blaze
BERNIE MEEHAN, JR.
Mary Ambruso pinning the new badge on her husband, Westport Lt. Dan Ambruso
PAT TRAVERS/NEFIREPHOTO.COM
PAT TRAVERS/NEFIREPHOTO.COM
Members of Boston MA's Fire Investigation Arson Unit at a seven alarm fire on Massachusetts Avenue.
Boston MA Fire Department Public Information Officer Steve MacDonald
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
May, 2014
Page 33
PAGE 34
May, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
Local Heroes Taking Advantage of Program Benefits
Local hero glad he learned about the Heroes Mortgage Program With three children and another on the way in June, Ron Salzano and his wife contemplated buying a new home. However, after consulting with the Heroes Mortgage Program, he came to the conclusion that refinancing might work better financially. Saving him money on his monthly mortgage payment. Or, in this case, a lot of money. By refinancing with the Heroes Mortgage Program, Salzano said he saved about $700 per month on his mortgage. That’s a lot of extra income for a hard-working gentleman with a growing family. “To save that kind of money is a big deal,” Salzano said. “and the process was very straight forward. There were no catches. It was well thought out and very streamlined. It was to the point and I’m glad I found out about it.” The Heroes Mortgage Program is dedicated to serving the mortgage needs of the firefighter, police rescue and EMS community, providing discounted fees, first-rate customer service and low interest rates not available to the general public. At only age 31, Salzano is already a decorated veteran of the Bergen County Police
RON SALZANO
Department, with 11 years experience in the field. He serves as the deputy coordinator of the office of emergency management. Salzano also is a member of the Bergen County Police scuba team, working in water search and recovery. In addition, Salzano is a key member of Bergen County’s traffic incident management team, which works with traffic flow during accidents and emergencies. He served as a volunteer with the Wallington Fire Department from 2000-08. Talk about a
hero: Salzano certainly fits the bill. However, he remains humble about his various accomplishments, and burgeoning career. “I’ve been very fortunate in my career because of my background as a volunteer firefighter and experience in EMS an rescue,” Salzano said. “In my time with Bergen County, my horizons have been broadened. There are a lot of opportunities to advance yourself. Every day is a new adventure.” 1st Responder and Sun Home Loans teamed up to create the Sun National Bank Heroes Mortgage Program. To participate in the program, firefighters, police officers, rescue and EMS personnel must verify their active or retired status within the emergency services community. The program is open to both paid and volunteer members and provides the kind of first-rate customer service these brave men and women deserve. ------Sun National Bank Home Loans and 1st Responder Newspaper are not affiliated. All loans subject to approval. Certain conditions and fees may apply. Mortgage financing provided by Sun National Bank Loans, Equal Housing Lender.
Heroes Mortgage Program If you are a member of the emergency services community and are currently paying more than 4.25% interest on your mortgage, give us a call or email today for a free analysis to see if you can benefit from our program. Please act quickly before interest rates rise again.
973-615-9745
info@HeroesMortgageProgram.com www.HeroesMortgageProgram.com
Heroes Realty client more than happy to refer family member David Ciliento, a respected and experienced real estate salesperson with Heroes Realty, helped Carlos Villar purchase a home in Lodi, N.J. last October. The process was a seamless one, from initial inquiry through closing. Of course, Villar was pleased with Ciliento’s professionalism and customer service, and everything else Heroes Realty has to offer. Four months after working with Ciliento, Villar paid him a meaningful compliment: He referred his sister, Melissa Villar, to Ciliento and Heroes Realty. Ciliento helped her buy her first home. “I appreciated that gesture so much,” said Ciliento, who has worked as a realtor for 11 years. “The fact that Mr. Villar would do something like that was very rewarding for me and for Heroes Realty. He had told us we did a great job, but to give a referral to a family member, well, that means a lot.” Like her brother, Villar praised Heroes Realty, created to provide heroes who serve our communities every day with a variety of enterprising real estate services. Heroes Re-
MELISSA VILLAR
alty works with heroes and their families across the country with a variety of real estate transactions. These selfless men and women include firefighters and EMT’s, police officers, members of the armed services, healthcare professionals – including doctors, nurses and support staff – and educators. Ciliento worked closely with Melissa Villar, finding a home in her price range with impressive amenities. The mission at Heroes Realty is simple: To exceed client’s expectations, performing at the highest levels of ac-
countability, integrity, ethics and service. Villar, a clerical associate at Hackensack University Medical Center, utilized Heroes Realty to purchase a beautiful condominium in Passaic, N.J. She proudly closed on Feb. 10. “It’s a big step. I’m very excited,” Villar said. “Everything my brother told me about the Heroes Realty was right. It was excellent. I’m definitely excited that I was referred to the Heroes Realty program and I will refer Mr. Ciliento to my friends and family as well.” Whether you are looking to purchase a new home, sell the one you are in for the best price possible, or are even looking to rent or lease a quality home or apartment, Heroes Realty has opened its doors to provide personal real estate services to all of the Heroes in our community. Heroes Realty is dedicated to the longterm success and financial well-being of all of our clients. We understand how hard you work and the sacrifices you and your family make every day. That’s why Heroes Realty’s
Heroes Realty Heroes Realty specializes in representing members of the emergency services community during the course of their real estate transaction. Our experienced team prides themselves on providing you with the best opportunities and value possible. Whether you are purchasing a new home, selling your home, renting or buying a vacation property, or buying an investment property, our mission is to exceed your expectations. Heroes Realty performs at the highest levels of accountability, integrity, ethics and service - period.
877-541-HERO
info@HeroesRealty.com www.HeroesRealty.com
knowledgeable staff of professionals is committed to providing unmatched customer service. The proof is in our results, stellar reputation and, also in this case, a referral from a trusted and valued client.
Heroes Credit Repair Program ... HeroesCreditRepair.com The Heroes Credit Repair program is an initiative jointly sponsored by 1st Responder Newspaper and Continental Credit to offer credit repair services to members of the emergency services community. An industry pioneer, Continental Credit believes credit to be unique to each and every client and will work with you to develop a custom plan to help turn around your financial situation. Visit us today to get started at www.heroescreditrepair.com
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
May, 2014
PAge 35
CONNECTICUT
Torrington firefighters and surrounding towns battle massive fire in a tire warehouse
RICK KULMANN
FireďŹ ghters battled the ďŹ re from the nearby railroad tracks
RICK KULMANN
Multiple aerials were used.
RICK KULMANN
The aftermath
On April 3rd just after 8 a.m., Torrington firefighters responded to the Toce Brothers tire warehouse on 96 Albert Street for a fire in the building reported by an employee, who opened a door to find smoke inside the structure. On arrival, heavy smoke and fire was showing and the incident quickly went to five alarms, requesting mutual aid departments from throughout Litchfield County for ladder trucks and engines. Mutual aid was called from as far away as Waterbury, which sent Engine 2 and Truck 1 for station coverage. The fire was fought on a defensive attack and several tower and ladder trucks were used to fight the fire from above with several hand lines on the ground. The fire grew quickly due to all of the large tires that were stored inside the building. A foam trailer from Waterbury and one from Winsted were requested to the scene. A third one from Danbury responded due to a mechanical issue with the Waterbury foam trailer.
JUMP TO FILE #040314103
By later in the morning, the fire was still raging with over 1000 tires burning inside the 20,000 square foot building along with construction equipment owned by O and G Industries, who shared the building with Toce Brothers. With exposure problems, several more foam trailers were requested along with fire departments and three task forces from throughout the state. At one point, over 20 departments responded to assist at the scene and provide town-wide coverage. Due to the smoke condition and carbon monoxide levels, several neighborhoods in the area were evacuated displacing 50-100 people. At one point, the the roof collapsed as well as the walls on the A and B side of the building. An excavator was requested to the scene to assist firefighters.
It took several hours to bring the fire under control, and it was completely extinguished by 9:30 p.m. The residents, who were evacuated, were allowed back in their homes in the early evening. Most companies were released 21 hours after the start of the fire with only a few remaining for hot spots. It was estimated that over two and a half million gallons of water and 2000 gallons of foam were used to fight the fire. DEEP was called in due to the water runoff going into the nearby Naugatuck River. Booms were deployed. At the height of the fire, smoke was seen throughout a good part of the state. There were no injuries reported and the building is a total loss. The fire is under investigation by the state and Torrington fire marshals. The fire damage is estimated at three million dollars. - RICK KULMANN
PAGE 36
May, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
ACTION SHOTS FROM AROUND THe STATe To see your action shots in the newspaper upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.
JAKE O'CALLAGHAN/CWN
PAT TRAVERS/NEFIREPHOTO.COM
Scituate MA Fire Chief Richard Judge.
RICK KULMANN
Farmington CT firefighter C.Scott operates at a fire in Plainville.
PAT TRAVERS/NEFIREPHOTO.COM
Two firefighters walk towards a seven alarm blaze in the Back Bay section of Boston MA.
PAT TRAVERS/NEFIREPHOTO.COM
Rockland MA Fire Lieutenant John Sammon.
May, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
Page 37
ICE RESCUE SUITS
PATCHES
Mustang and Stearns
If you have photos you would like to see in our Patches feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.
Ice Commander Suits Size: Universal Adult IC9001-02 $707.55 IC9002-02 $860.94
I595 Ice Rescue Suit - $425.00 Oversize - $475.00
Call Shannon for special Fire Department Pricing!
MSD576 Water Rescue Dry Suit Size: M-XXL Call for competitive pricing
800-492-0779 or 603-436-2836
MSL600 Dry Suit Liner Size: M-XXL Call for competitive pricing
New England Marine & Industrial RICK KULMANN
www.newenglandmarine.com
Southbury, CT
New England Fire/Rescue/EMS 2014 Save the Dates Conference June 18 – 22
6KHUDWRQ 6SULQJÂżHOG +RWHO
Seminars at Expo June 20 & 21 Exhibits Friday, June 20 – Saturday, June 21 – Sunday, June 22 (DVWHUQ 6WDWHV ([SRVLWLRQ ¹ :HVW 6SULQJ¿HOG 0$
“Changeâ€? ZZZ QHZHQJODQGÂżUHFKLHIV RUJ
PAGE 38
May, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
CONNECTICUT
RICK KULMANN
One person injured in Waterbury MVA On Wednesday, April 2nd, Waterbury police officers and Waterbury firefighters with Engine 5 responded to Frost Road and Bonnie Lane for a two car accident with injuries. On arrival, officers had a mid-size car with heavy damage that hit an SUV. One person was injured and Campion Ambulance responded. Engine 5 cleaned up fluids in the roadway.
RICK KULMANN
Waterbury extricates one victim from car down embankment On Wednesday, March 26th at approximately 12:30 p.m., Waterbury firefighters with Engines 1, 7, Truck 2, and Rescue 9 were dispatched to 1068 Wolcott Street at the Rite Aid Pharmacy for a car accident with rollover. When crews arrived, they had a vehicle that went through a wood guardrail and a chain link fence in the rear parking lot of the Rite Aid store. The vehicle went down a 60
JUMP TO FILE #032614114
foot embankment into a ravine. The elderly driver was trapped inside the vehicle, so Car 5 requested an additional engine, which brought out Engine 5. Firefighters had to gain access to the vehicle from the parking lot of the haunted house building to get into the woods behind the
Monroe Muffler shop. It took about a half hour to extricate the victim, who was alert and conscious. The patient was transported to St. Mary's Hospital. The investigation concluded that the female driver hit the accelerator at the drive thru, causing the accident. - RICK KULMANN
APPARATUS IN ACTION If you have photos you would like to see in our Apparatus in Action feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.
RICK KULMANN
Waterbury responds to possible structure fire On the early afternoon of March 28th, Waterbury firefighters were called to 937 South Main Street for a reported structure fire. First due Engine 4 arrived and had a smoke condition in the three story apartment building. Upon further investigation, crews found there was an appliance that caught fire and was extinguished by the tenant of the apartment. Engine's 2, 11, Truck 1 and 3 responded along with Engine 4. Firefighters ventilated the building and there was no damage to the apartment. RICK KULMANN
New Britain Ladder 2 at the scene of a two story house fire on the morning of March 26th at 183 Greenwood Street.
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
May, 2014
PAGE 39
Vehicle News
No Hose Engine Exhaust Removal Industry’s most effective and hands free exhaust removal
See us at the “NEW ENGLAND FIRE CHIEFS” GREENWOOD EMERGENCY VEHICLES
Providence, RI. Engine 13. 2013 E-One Custom Cyclone II Pumper. This pumper is powered by a Cummins ISX 450 hp diesel engine with an Allison EVS 4000 automatic 5-speed electronic transmission. Additional features includes Roll Stability Control, PressurePro Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Zico Drop-Down Ladder Rack, Hale QMax 1,500 gpm single stage pump, FRC PumpBoss 400 Pressure Governor, 530 gallon poly water tank, 250 gallon Class B foam cell, FoamPro AccuMax 3060 Foam System, and an Akron Fire Fox Roof Turret.
FEATURES INCLUDE: • Fully automatic • Self contained • No hoses • Vertical or Horizontal Airflow • Address the entire apparatus area • Meet current NFPA 1500/Fema accepted/GSA • Complete system-address both gasses and particulate • 100% effective for a clean & safe environment
GREENWOOD EMERGENCY VEHICLES
Danville, NH. Ambulance. 2013 Ford F-450/Horton 4x4 ambulance. This ambulance is powered by a 300 hp 6.7L V-8 diesel engine. It also has the Horton Intelliplex System.
CONTACT US FOR A FREE PROPOSAL!
www.airvac911.com GREENWOOD EMERGENCY VEHICLES
Weston, MA. Engine 3. 2014 E-One Custom Typhoon Pumper. This pumper is powered by a Cummins ISL 450 hp diesel engine with an Allison EVS 3000 automatic 5-speed electronic transmission. Additional features includes Electronic Stability Control, E-One 1,500 gpm single stage pump, FRC InControl Pressure Governor, 750 gallon poly water tank, 30 gallon Class B foam cell, Hale Foam Logic 5.0 Foam System, and a Smart Power 15 KW Hydraulic generator.
Phone: 800-540-7264 • Email: sales@airvacuumcorporation.com
PAGE 40
May, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
May, 2014
PAGE 41
CONNECTICUT
Vacant house burns in Southington
RICK KULMANN
At 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 20th, Southington firefighters were dispatched to the area of 1403 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike for a structure fire. Upon arrival Car 3 and engine 31 came upon a fully involved two story vacant dwelling, which was next door to the Fishin' Factory business. Engines 11, 12, 21, 22, 31, 32, Ladder 1, Rescue 1 and Cars 2, 3, and 6 responded to the scene. Ladder 1 set up a master stream and firefighters went de-
JUMP TO FILE #032114109
fensive utilizing two and a half inch hand lines to fight the blaze. The fire was knocked down in a half hour. There were no exposure problems or any injuries reported. The building was slated for demolition in the near future. - RICK KULMANN
AppArAtus For sAle CHECK OUT ALL OF OUR USED VEHICLES ONLINE! VISIT WWW.1RBN.COM AND CLICK ON “VEHICLES” RICK KULMANN
Driver injured in Middlefield MVA On the afternoon of Saturday, March 22nd, Middlefield Fire Department and Hunters Ambulance responded to Route 66 for a two car MVA with injuries. Rescue 4 arrived on scene and had one car that t-boned into another vehicle in the intersection. One person was transported by ambulance with minor injuries.
2001 American LaFrance Eagle with LTI mid-mount 93ft platform 1000lb capacity 25,852 miles • 3095 hrs as of 12/2013 Cummins ISM 500 hp engine Allison HD4060P transmission Full Lighting Package, Maintenance records GVW 73,500 lbs , Overall length 47’3” • Overall height 10’0” Complete service manuals, Eight man cab Telma retarder, 10 kw ONAN on board generator Serious Inquiries ONLY Price and Appointments by E Mail request ONLY jrandazzo@syossetfiredistrict.org
Submitting photos and press
2012 Rescue 1 rescue demo is available for immediate delivery. 16’-3” Walk-Around/International 4400 four-door chassis, five-man seating, and MaxxForce 9/315 hp engine. PTO 35 kw generator, 9000 watt Will-Burt light tower, fold down ladder to (4) upper storage compartments, 9000 lb portable winch and much more. For additional details visit our Website: www.rescue1mfg.com or contact Mike Marquis at (800) 752-8786, (732) 223-1411 (in NJ), mmarquis@plcustom.com.
releases is EASY! Register at www.1rbn.com to begin posting directly. Prefer emails? Email your press release and photos directly to heather@1strespondernews.com
For Sale First Priority Renaissance Horton Type III Ambulance on a Ford E 450 Gasoline Chassis. New Electrical System, New Interior LED Lighting, New Exterior Emergency LED Lighting, Plus much more... Call us at 800-247-7725 for additional information. $95,000 Ford Government Pricing Concession discounts available on these units, as applicable.
IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE!!! 2013 Ford Expedition EL Oxford white, 4 wheel drive, high idle control, ignition override Running boards, auto eject shoreline, computer mount Whelen Lights, FPEV Command Cabinet. Call 1st Priority today at 800-247-7725 for more information and pricing!
PAGE 42
PAGE 4
August, 2009
May, 2014
1sT Responder Newspaper - NE
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
FLORIDA
Boynton Beach hosts record event to help NFL alumni charities BOYNTON BEACH, FL - It wasn’t supposed to happen at all. The crippled economy, the housing slump, the unemployment explosion, even the oceanic conditions threatened to beat down the 4th Annual Fishin’ & Firehouse Chili Grand Slam put on by the Boynton Beach Firefighter Benevolent Association on April 18th. It just wasn’t supposed to happen this year—the members looked at the state of the world and asked themselves, “How do we ask for sponsorship money, boat entry fees, donations and support at a time like this?” Somehow though, in a mighty confluence of tenacity and generosity, South Florida’s firefighters, fishing fanatics, chili connoisseurs and their taste testers pulled together for a full day of fun and excitement to set a few records and raise over $20,000.00 for some kids who really need it—especially during this economic crisis. The popular Boynton Beach fishing tournament and chili cook-off has grown like a wildfire since it’s first go-round in 2006 when it attracted a respectable 43 boat entries—not bad for a first year tournament in South Florida, the fishing tournament capital of the world. With hopeful expectations for the same in 2007, Boynton firefighters were shocked when 74 captains entered their boats. In 2008, that number fell to 63 entries, but understandably so as there were three other tournaments that same day, most with much higher payouts to draw some captains away. However, with the global economic abyss swallowing boats and every other luxury item folks have to unload just to stay afloat, a decision was made to forego the 2009 event. Then, suddenly, a title sponsor— Sutphen--offered up the $5000.00 sponsorship donation, and then, other large sponsors sent $1,500.00 checks, $500.00 checks, boat entries, chili teams, prizes, food! In the end, this “little engine that could” wound up beating its own records with 76 boats registered, the tournament’s recordbreaking fish weighing in at 63plus pounds, over 870 pounds of fish donated to the cause by their captors, and a new department single event donation record of over $20,000.00 for charity! It’s a story that speaks to the overwhelming generosity of Americans—people helping people who need it when they need it most, giving of themselves when
PAGES
the last thing that makes logical sense in such trying times is to give at all. The Boynton Beach Firefighter Benevolent Association and IAFF Local #1891 can not possibly express the heartfelt gratitude that each shares for everyone who stood up and threw down for this very worthy cause. Heroes all. - STEPHEN M. LEWIS
STEPHEN M. LEWIS
Kimtek Corporation 10 Ramsay Rd., East Yaphank, NY 11967 A Free Estimate! THE USA’SCall #1Today FIREForHOSE TESTING SERVICE Phone: 732-728-0739 WE DO IT• Fax: ALL!732-656-0110 • UNPACK AND REPACK ALL HOSE BEDS AND RACKS
www.failsafeusa.com
• NUMBER EACH LENGTH WITH DIAMETER BASED NUMBER SYSTEM • YEARLY COLOR CODE ON EACH LENGTH
• COMPUTERIZED HOSE TEST RECORDS PROVIDED
330-723-0000 www.firedex.com
Manufacturing Inc.
www.firematic.com
• NFPA 1962 COMPLIANT AND FULLY INSURED • HOSE TESTING IS AN ISO REQUIREMENT • SAVE AGGRAVATION AND TIME!
Want more information or to schedule a test? Call Today For A Free Estimate!
732-728-0739
Phone: 631-924-3181 • Fax: 631-924-5202
Kimball W. Johnson, President Tel: (888) 546-8358 E-mail: kimtek@pshift.com
Fax: 732-656-0110
or visit us online at: www.failsafeusa.com
HAYES SHIMP AEV Factory Direct Ct. Sales Design - Manufacturing - Consulting 1-800-722-0220 HGSEMS@nc.rr.com
www.aev.com
SHIPMAN’S FIRE EQUIPMENT CO., INC. 172 Cross Road • P.O. Box 257 Waterford, CT 06385 860-442-0678 • FAX: 860-444-7395 • 1-800-775-7332 •
Insurance Inspectors Wanted Our firm seeks experienced individuals for PT positions in the following states: ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA Candidates with previous insurance experience, home inspection or firefighting background preferred to perform commercial and residential insurance inspections. Forward resume to: NEIS, Inc., Attn: Zach Grant, 908 So. Meriden Rd., Cheshire, CT 06410. Fax: 203-271-7921 or email: zgrant@neis1.com.
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
May, 2014
Page 43
PAGE 44
May, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - NE