Editorial

From the Editor’s Desk

Dennis Whittam, Editor Are You Ready for2023?

The year 2022 brought reality to many firefighters with the Line of Duty Deaths of many of our colleagues. Cancer took many of our heroes from their families and co-workers in 2022. To all responders, there are measures that we can take to keep ourselves and our families safe from cancer. You have heard me talk about the things we can do to protect ourselves from this insidious disease. In 2023, please take the advice from the people who are working hard to convince all responders that wearing clean protective gear and SCBAis a good start to keeping yourself safe. The IAFF states that firefighter occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths in the fire service. At the 2022 IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial, almost 75 percent of the names added to the wall (348 out of 469) were members who had died from occupational cancer. Visit IAFF.org to learn about cancer among firefighters. January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness month. Take some time in 2023 to learn what you can do to be “safer” from this disease.

Thank you to the IAFF for making firefighters aware of cancer and what you can do to stay safe and lessen your chances of getting cancer.

For over 30 years, I was an Industrial Arts/Technology teacher. I taught middle school kids to use tools and machinery which, today, is considered dangerous. Sadly, many of the projects we did are no longer performed in schools. Industry and the fire service is now feeling the effects of not training kids to safely use machinery. The fire service is also noticing that many probationary firefighters are uncomfortable with using cutting tools. Thank you to our chiefs, officers and training committees for teaching our members how to use machinery and tools safely.

I also would like to thank our chiefs, company officers and senior members for setting up an intense program that teaches all members, new and old, to work safely as they battle the flames that greet them at a working fire. It is evident that all departments are doing a great job teaching our firefighters to operate safely. Many of my neighboring departments battled fatal fires in 2022. It was a tough year for many of you. Thank you to the chiefs that set up counseling sessions with the firefighters who experienced death on the fire ground. Thank you to the responders that took the opportunity to be part of these classes. Your professionalism came through by your presence at these sessions.

In 2023, give thought to what you can do to be a better firefighter. Your community needs you, 24/7! Stay active, train and share your knowledge and experiences with your new members.

As a firefighter dealing with cancer, I appreciated the comradeship that I received in 2022. I am hoping that in 2023 I will be able to get back to what I love to do; that is to assist in training firefighters. In the meantime, have a safe and wonderful News Year's Eve and New Year’s Day. Stay strong in 2023!

- Dennis

Cover Story

Déjà vu All OverAgain

In the morning of October26, 2022, Rochesterfirefighters were dispatched fora house fire on Remington Street. On arrival, crews found heavy smoke showing from a 1-1/2 story dwelling. Firefighters quickly noticed that this home had been the scene of a previous fire and command went defensive on the structure due to stability issues and heavy fire conditions. - Fire News photo by PuckStopperPhotography.com

Shed Goes in Boght 1 Saved at Brockport Fire

On November6, 2022, the Boght Fire Department, with the assistance of the Latham and Verdoy, responded to a late evening structure fire on Bergin Woods in Cohoes. Upon arrival, the structure, a large shed in the rearof the property, was already completely engulfed and the fire had spread to the adjacent large pine trees. Firefighters worked quickly to prevent the fire from spreading to the adjacent shed in a neighboring yard, who’s siding was melting. The shed collapsed and was completed destroyed within minutes of the fire departments’arrival. - Fire News photo by Lori Washburn On November7, 2022, at 0101, Brockport firefighters responded with Quint 230, Pumpers 234 and 235, Rescue 238 and mutual aid crews from Spencerport, Churchville, Murray, Hilton, Kendall and Bergen fora structure fire on Shumway Road in the Town of Sweden with the occupant inside suffering from trouble breathing. First arriving personnel indicated nothing showing from the exterior, howevera heavy smoke condition was apparent as crews entered the home. Chief Scott Wainwright assumed command and reported that the entry team consisting of Captain Adam Leggett, Lieutenant Matt Nauerth and Lieutenant Alex Cervini were advancing a line into the structure when they came upon the female resident on the floor. They immediately extricated herto the awaiting Monroe ambulance. She was transported to Strong Hospital where she was reported in stable condition and able to speak with hospital staff and fire investigators. - Fire News photo by Michael Henry, BFD Safety Officer

Page 8, Fire News, January 2023

Suspicious Fire Leaves 20 Homeless

Schenectady firefighters battle a two-alarm fire on Nott Terrace aftermultiple calls fora structure fire were received shortly after 0200. All occupants escaped safely and the building was deemed uninhabitable and was torn down the next day. - Fire News photos by Peter R. Barber

Harrison Apartment Fire

The Harrison Fire Department was dispatched to Calvert Street fora commercial fire alarm. First arriving units located an active apartment fire on the fifth floor. Car2162 requested an engine from Purchase to the scene and shortly afterrequested mutual aidfrom Port Chester, the Town of Mamaroneck and Mamaroneck Village to the scene. This was followed by a second alarm assignment, bringing departments from West Harrison and the City of Rye to the scene. Members contained the fire to the original fire apartment. Units had two lines stretched and placed in operation. The fire was placed undercontrol in one hour. - Fire News photo by Brandon Colon

Buffalo Battles Lake Effect Snow

On November22, 2022, members of Ladder15 spent the afternoon clearing hydrants in theirresponse area aftera record snow fall dumped overtwo feet of snow in metro Buffalo and oversix feet in the southern towns. They found this particularhydrant using Google Maps. - Fire News photos by Peter Barber

LODDS

Albany’s Edward Verhoff

It is with regret that the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Office of Fire Prevention and Control, announced the death of Firefighter Edward Verhoff of the Albany Fire Department on November 12, 2022. Firefighter Verhoff suffered a medical emergency within twenty-four hours after completion of an on-duty shift. He was 46.

He is survived by his significant other Kimberly and sons Edward Joseph ‘EJ’ and Liam. He is also survived by parents, siblings and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Ed was a proud member of the Albany Fire Department, class of 2006, serving for 16 years, most of those years at Engine 7 and Arbor Hill Rescue Squad. He served as Vice President of the Albany Permanent Professional Firefighters Association Local 2007 and also served as Scoutmaster at Boy Scout Troop 1083, where his two sons are nearing the rank of Eagle Scout. He was a Hibernian, the 14th ward leader in Albany, and was heavily involved in the Albany County Democratic Committee.

Ed’s passion and dedication to his family, friends and work left an everlasting impression that will never be forgotten.

It is with regret that the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Office of Fire Prevention and Control, announces the death of Firefighter Scott E. LaFlesh of the City of Plattsburgh Fire Department on November 21, 2022. Firefighter LaFlesh was 49.

LaFlesh was a member of the City of Plattsburgh Fire Department, and succumbed to cancer attributed to his efforts in the recovery immediately following 9/11 at Ground Zero.

Scott retired after 24 years at Plattsburgh City Fire. Scott enjoyed being outdoors; camping, hiking and fishing. He loved football, specifically being a die-hard Buffalo Bills and Star Wars fan. In his free time he often would take walks with his friend Terry and play disc golf together.

He is predeceased by his father and his grandparents and is survived by his wife, Tia, his children; Tegan, Oriana and her husband Ethan, Daulton and his fiancé Samantha, his grandchildren; Makade, Arleigh, Waverleigh, and Adaleigh, his mother Joanne and her husband Rick Patnode, his grandmother, Dot Merrill, his in-laws Debbie and Wayne Spinner and many friends and family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Ronald McDonald House, Albany NYor the John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital, Buffalo NY. Go Bills! - Thomas With, Chief Chaplain; NYSAFC

Plattsburgh’s Scott E. LaFlesh

Double Header in Rochester

In November2022, while Rochesterfirefighters were battling a house fire on Langham Street, the emergency communications department started receiving multiple calls reporting a house fire on a street off Lyell Avenue. Engine 3 arrived to find heavy smoke and fire coming from the attic of a large 2-1/2 story vacant dwelling. Lines were stretched as truck companies began to deboard the home, which delayed the fire attack. As crews made entry, command made the decision to pull everyone out and go defensive. Multiple large lines and one masterstream were put into operation to knock down the heavy fire. - Fire News photos by PuckStopperPhotography.com

FireNews.com

Fire News, January 2023, Page 13 Several Pets Perish in Menands Blaze

An early morning fire on November6, 2022, in Menands, brought the resources of Menands Fire Department, Watervliet Arsenal, ShakerRoad-Loudonville, West Albany, Latham and Boght. Upon arrival the two-story home had flames erupting from the second floor. The occupants all managed to escape with one being transported to a local hospital by Colonie EMS. The residents were unsure of the numberof animals left in the building. Firefighters scoured the building and rescued fourdogs and helped to resuscitate another. More than a dozen animals perished in the blaze. No firefighters were injured. - Fire News photos by Lori Washburn

Page 14, Fire News, January 2023

Monroe 2-Alarm Attic Fire

The Washingtonville Fire Department was dispatched fora second-alarm assignment to a house fire on Still Road in the Monroe Fire District, as the FAST. Upon arrival, the incident commander ordered the crew of Squad 580 to ventilate the roof and assist with opening ceilings on the second floor. Asecond FASTwas dispatched. The fire was in the fireplace chimney and extended into the attic. - Fire News photos by Joseph VanRiper

Rope Rescues Needed in Manhattan Hi-Rise Blaze

Multiple people were injured in a residential high-rise fire on East 52nd Street in Manhattan on November5, 2022. Fire broke out around 1030 on the 20th floorof the 37-story building with several people trapped in the fire apartment. FDNYfirefighters made several daring roof rope rescues of stranded occupants. The threealarm blaze brought companies from throughout the city. - Fire News photos by FirstOnScenePhotos.com and Lloyd Mitchell

3-Alarmerin Kensington

Firefighters fought a three-alarm fire on East 8th Street in the Kensington section of Brooklyn on November9, 2022. Units encountered heavy fire on the fourth floorof a seventh floor, occupied, multiple dwelling. The fire extended to the fifth and sixth floors. Units used fourhoselines and Hazmat Company 1 was called in to deal with the removal of an E-Bike. - Fire News photo by Lloyd Mitchell

Bellerose ManorFire

FDNYcompanies in the Bellerose Manorsection of Queens extinguished a small fire in a house underconstruction on 88th Drive near242nd Street on the morning of November16, 2022. The fire appeared to have originated in the basement and extended up the walls. - Fire News photo by FirstOnScenePhotos.com

Coxsackie Porch Fire Snuffed

Coxsackie Fire Department along with Earlton Fire, Athens Fire, and New Baltimore Fire, were dispatched to a house fire on Lafayette Avenue. Coxsackie Chief Shawn Burdick arrived and reported heavy fire in the rearporch area. Residents were home at the time, and were alerted by a passing motorist. The fire was quickly knocked down by Coxsackie units. The Greene County Fire Investigation Team was called to investigate and determined the fire to be electrical in origin. Two residents were displaced. Coxsackie Ambulance, Greene County Paramedic, Coxsackie Police, and Greene County Fire CoordinatorPeterAlberti also assisted at the scene. No injuries were reported. - Fire News photo by John C. Miller

Fire News, January 2023, Page 17 Perry Goes to Work

On November4, 2022, the Perry Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire with a person trapped on North Main Street in the village of Perry. An automatic second alarm was called due to the possibility of person trapped, which brought apparatus from Castile, Perry Centerand SilverSprings to the scene. Perry 50 was the first to arrive and confirmed flames showing from the roof and second floorof an unoccupied two-story mixed-occupancy building. Crews confirmed no one was trapped inside, and quickly worked to knock down the fire, which included Perry using their aerial, Perry 3, to ventilate the roof of the building. No one was injured, and the cause was determined to be due to construction work on the roof of the building. - Fire News photo by Matt Leo

Vails Gate 2-Alarm KO’d

On November26, 2022, the Washingtonville Fire Department was dispatched as the FASTunit, to a two-alarm house fire on Beakes Road, in the Vails Gate Fire District. Upon arrival the FASTunit stood-by and was then re-assigned to assist/relieve first-due Vails Gate personnel opening up the second floorwalls and ceilings. - Fire News photos by Gary Hearn, Washingtonville FD

Lieutenant Joseph P. DiBernardo 10th Anniversary Fire Department Training Seminar

On November4, 5 and 6, 2022, the Suffolk County Fire Academy and Joseph P. DiBernardo Foundation held their10th annual training seminarin honorof Joseph P. DiBernardo, who passed away on November23, 2011, as a result of his injuries received on Black Sunday. Firefighters participated in a variety of trainings including, but not limited to, residential fire operations, commercial fire operations, aerial and towerladderoperations, fire behavior, automobile extrication, and search and SCBAemergencies. One of the central materials taught was “Save Yourself! Bail Out Using Ropes and Ladders” relating to the tragic death of DiBernardo and his comrades. The program helps firefighters develop leadership, mindset and motivation, and tactics. On the first and second days of the event there were hands-on sessions. On the third day of the event there was a classroom training. As of 2022 the foundation has been able to provide 15 fire departments across the country a total of $166,078 forobtaining 278 safety systems, along with theirtraining. Also, as of 2022, the Joseph P. DiBernardo Foundation has given a total of $857,000 in grants to 65 departments, as well as acquired 1,598 safety systems, with their training. The grants have also gone towards the training forover 2,120 firefighters at the Suffolk County Fire Academy at the annual seminars located in New York and Texas. The Joey P. DiBernardo Foundation will be on firm financial footing to continue theirmission to ensure “Everybody Goes Home.” - Fire News photos by Ron Monteleone, story by Chase Millwater