PLUS

In this issue...

Flames Show in Leeds

Fire raced through a home in the Leeds Fire District on Green Lake Road. See story on page 5

Flames Show in Mamaroneck Village

The Mamaroneck Village Fire Department was dispatched for a structure fire.

See story on page 8

Snow and Ice Hamper Fight

The Continental Village Fire Department was dispatched for a reported structure fire.

See story on page 12

Van Fire Stopped Before Garage Goes

Schenectady firefighters battle a fully involved van fire.

See story on page 19

Dogs Bite But Are Rescued at Rochester Fire

Companies were able to rescue nine dogs from the home. Two firefighters suffered dog bites.

See story on page 24

Chatham Residential Fire

Engines from Chatham, Blair’s Fire, Greta Fire, Climax Fire, Chatham Rescue and Tower 21 responded to a fully involved residential structure.

See story on page 30

PLUS:

Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4 Up Close &Personal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 9 Industry News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 20 Business Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 29 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 29

AService for New York State Firefighters and EMS Heroes

146 South Country Road, Bellport, NY11713 FRANK C. TROTTA, Publisher TIM EDWARDS, Executive Editor DENNIS WHITTAM, Editor GARYP. JOYCE, Managing Editor MARIE TROTTA, Vice President, Production/Sales LYNN SEDLER, Art Director CLIFF CHIESA, Production Manager Advertising Sales: BARBARACONNOLLY Editorial Assistant: BRYAN LOPEZ Graphic Artist: GREGORYJONES

CONTRIBUTORS: Andrew Aguilar, Chris Aldous, Jeff Ambroz, Peter Barber, Kevin Barry, John Bashaw, Bill Bennett, Tom Bierds, Jeff Couch, Chris Creighton, David Denniston, Rick Douglas, Brian Duddy, Stan Dybus, John Falcone, Ken Flynn, Joe Fortunato, Eli Gill, Mark Gillen, Carol Greene, Tom Heffernan Sr., Greg Herman, Matt Hodge, Steve Hodgekiss, Robert Holley, Daniel Imfield, Andy Jarchin, Bill Johnson, Mark Johnson, Chris Kalisak, Charlie Keller, Jon Kemp, Gordon Kotars, David R. LaRocco, Stephen Lenz, Joshua Long, Mike Messar, Ralph Miele, Albert Mignone, John Miller, Martin E. Miller, Lloyd Mitchell, Brian Natoli, Carleton Raab, Robert Reynolds, Lauren Rivera, Stephen Schaefer, Deborah Schweikert, Tom Shand, John Shaw, Sharon Siegel, Robert Simpson, Joe Sperber, Bryan Sypniewski, Karen Todd, Kyle Townsend, Joe Turner, Michael VanDerLieth, Lori Washburn, D.B. Weimer, Stephen White. Columnists: Bruce Johnson, John Salka

COPYRIGHT2021, THE FIRE NEWS INC., LONG ISLAND, NEWYORK. ALLRIGHTS RESERVED For advertising rates and information, call (631) 776-0500 Press 3 Editorial: (631) 776-0500 Ext 281 Fax number: (631) 286-6866 Internet: http://www.firenews.com Email:nys@firenews.com Nine Editions Serving Long Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wildwood, NJ

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From the Editor’s Desk

Dennis Whittam, Editor Can You Handle the Challenging Call?

This past month has presented the fire service with several calls that have challenged our first responders. The calls made me think about our new officers, firefighters and EMTs, who may find themselves involved with a serious call that they think they could handle. My question to you is, “Are you prepared to handle the challenging call?”

Recently, a cemetery worker in my area was killed as he was working in a trench and the sidewall of the trench collapsed, burying the worker in 18 inches of dirt. As the first arriving unit, what would you and your crew do?

Immediately, you should be thinking, “trench rescue.” Are you aware, trench walls can collapse in 1/10 of a second? When the walls collapse, the earth moves at approximately 40 mph. Guess what? You do not have a chance of getting out of its way. Asingle cubic foot of dirt weighs 100 pounds. Acubic yard weighs 3000 pounds. As firefighters, we must discipline ourselves to back off and wait for a technical rescue team to arrive to the scene. Sadly, the buried worker lost his life and the scene quickly became a recovery effort.

This month, there was a serious propane incident on Long Island. Two workers were refilling propane cylinders when something went wrong. The two workers were seriously burned and needed to be quickly transported to a burn unit. On Long Island, we are very lucky to have two state-of-the-art burn units. Nassau County has the Nassau University Medical Center and Suffolk County has the Burn Center at Stony Brook University Medical Center.

Once you arrive on scene, would you know how to handle a seriously burned patient? I had one fire in my career that I still have thoughts about. It was one of those incidents that, when you close your eyes, you can visualize the patients uncontrollably shaking as their skin was falling off of their bodies. I was part of the ambulance crew that horrible night. Fortunately, our EMTwas experienced and knew how to prepare the patient for transport to Stony Brook Medical Center.

Every year, the Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighters Burn Center holds a recognition day. Several of the doctors talk about the newest equipment and innovations, the nurses of the unit are honored, and checks are presented to the unit from fundraisers held by our junior groups and various firematic organization. My advice to everyone —go to this event!

Finally, as firefighters, most of us feel confident that we can handle any job that comes our way. The truth is you may not be able to handle some calls as safely as you think. Please take the time to review the courses offered at your fire academy and enroll in Technical Rescue Courses and Rapid Intervention Classes. Take the time to investigate your Burn Center. Meet with the staff of well qualified personnel and ask questions on handing a serious burn victim. Who knows, the person you save, could be a member of your own company.

- Dennis

We Mourn the LODD of Peyton Morse

It is with a heavy heart and deepest regret we announce the passing of Peyton Morse.

Peyton, 21-years old, died on March 12, 2021, at the Guthrie Hospital in Sayre, Peyton Morse Pennsylvania, after suffering a medical emergency while training at the New York State Fire Academy on March 3.

Please keep Peyton’s family, friends, the City of Watertown Fire Department, the Lafargeville Fire Department and the Shaker Road-Loudonville Fire Department in your thoughts and prayers.

Fire News will have full coverage of Peyton’s funeral in the May 2021 edition.

Flames Show in Leeds

Fire raced through a home in the Leeds Fire District on Green Lake Road. First responding units arrived to a heavy fire load throughout the structure. The home interiorwas severely damaged. One resident evacuated the house before fire units arrived. Units assisting Leeds were West Athens Lime Street, Cairo, Town of Catskill Ambulance and Catskill Fire. Greene County Fire Investigation Teamalso responded. The cause of the fire was believed to be from a barbecue grill’s hot coals that were stored on an outside porch. No injuries were reported. - Fire News photo by John C. Miller

NVFC Mourns Passing of Longtime CEO HeatherSchafer

Heather Schafer, the National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) chief executive officer, passed away suddenly on March 15, 2021. Heather had helmed the organization, which also marked its 45th anniversary on March 15, for 27 years and the NVFC saw dramatic growth and success under her leadership.

“It is with a deeply heavy heart that we announce the loss of Heather Schafer, who has been an integral part of the NVFC for more than half its existence,” said NVFC chair Steve Hirsch. “She will be greatly missed by the NVFC staff, board, members, and the entire fire and emergency services community. She was a visionary, and we are grateful for all she has done to further the NVFC’s mission. Her legacy won’t be forgotten.”

Heather joined the NVFC in 1993 and took on the role of CEO in 1994. She managed the NVFC’s internal and external operations and played an integral role in developing and implementing the organization’s strategic plan. During her tenure, the NVFC grew immensely —from hundreds of members and a staff of two, to over 25,000 members and a staff of 11.

With Heather’s leadership, the NVFC secured federal grants that allowed the organization to offer groundbreaking programs and resources. She led the development of the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program, Fire Corps, Share the Load program, Make Me AFirefighter program, and more. She also formed many partnerships and collaborations that benefited the volunteer emergency services community. In addition, she oversaw the NVFC’s advocacy efforts, which resulted in many victories for the fire and emergency services over the years.

Heather’s contributions to the organization cannot be overstated. Her guidance and vision will have a lasting impact on the NVFC and the volunteer fire and emergency services. Heather’s commitment, innovation, and passion for the organization’s mission has helped to shape the NVFC into what it has become.

In addition to her work with the NVFC, Heather volunteered at her local fire department and loved to kayak and spend time with family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her loved ones as they navigate this very difficult time.

Information about arrangements will be posted to the NVFC web site at www.nvfc.org when they become available.

Cover Story 2nd Alarm Needed in Yonkers

Just before 0100, on February 28, 2021, Yonkers firefighters were dispatched to Odell Avenue afterYonkers dispatch received multiple callers reporting a dwelling on fire. First companies arrived to find a 2-1/2 story dwelling fully involved with fire on every floor. As companies stretched lines, the roof collapsed into the home and it was determined that this would be an exteriorattack. Low water pressure from hydrants in the area forced companies to make long stretches to provide waterto the scene. These efforts were severely hampered as numerous cars ran oversupply lines on Nepperhan Avenue ripping open and bursting lines. - Fire News photo by PuckStopperPhotography.com

Fire News, April 2021, Page 7 Valentine’s Day Fire in Queens

- Fire News photos by Lloyd Mitchell - Fire News photos by FirstOnScenePhotos.com - Fire News photos by FirstOnScenePhotos.com

FDNYEngine Company 294 and LadderCompany 143 arrived first due to heavy fire in the cellarof a DollarStore on Jamaica Avenue in the Richmond Hill section of Queens on February 14, 2021. Units were forced to evacuate the roof as fire vented through it. Several towerladders, a blitz nozzle and hoseline were put into operation to knock down the fire.