Editorial

From the Editor’s Desk

Dennis Whittam, Editor Are You Ready for Winter Whoa’s?

The other day, I responded to a call, only to find that my car windows were totally fogged up and I was unable to safely drive. While I was waiting for my car windows to clear, I realized that before we know it, we will be dealing with horrendous weather conditions that affect our response to the firehouse. I thought it would be fun to share some of the remedies that firefighters shared with me over the years. So, let’s have some fun.

Reminiscing over my past 50 years of driving, I thought of some of the advice I received on the topic of dealing with the cold conditions of winter. Many of the experienced drivers I talked to had to deal with weather conditions in areas like Alaska, the Dakotas and the Adirondacks. My first real lesson on the adverse effects of weather was in the early 70s. I learned how members of the military in Alaska kept their cars from freezing. I learned that drivers had to install battery warmers, oil warmers, coolant warmers and interior warmers. Interior warmer? Yes, the vinyl seats in cars would crack into pieces if the seats were not kept warm. Thankfully, Long Island only must deal with frosted windows, weak batteries losing their charge and black ice.

In 1979, I learned that cold conditions, even on Long Island, created havoc for my Volkswagen diesel engine. Afew of my truck driver friends suggested installing coolant heaters to keep my engine block warm. Voila! The problem of starting my car was solved. The downside was that I had to plug my car in at night.

I joined the volunteer fire service in 1992. It didn’t take me long to figure out that my response in the wee hours of the morning was detained because my car’s windshield had to be defrosted before I could respond. Thankfully, remote starts came into play. When a call came in at 0300, I reached over, hit the remote start, got dressed and ran out to my car which was starting to warm up. I also kept a spray bottle of windshield washer fluid that I added a few ounces of dry gas to. Dry gas is an alcohol-based liquid that further lowered the freezing temperature of my windshield washer fluid. It worked well to rapidly defrost my windshield. I also learned not to turn on my windshield wipers right away. Turning the wipers on would remove the fluid and the windows would fog up again.

If you go to your local auto parts store, you will find windshield covers, spray deicer, and other items to help you overcome frosted windows. If you are in a cold area, do a search online to find all kinds of heaters that can keep your car warm at night.

Why am I sharing my stories of winter whoa’s with you? Over the years, I have seen members scrape a small hole in the frost that covered their windshield. Then, they would drive to the firehouse only realizing that the ice that was scraped off reappeared halfway to the firehouse. Be smart and safe. Don’t respond to the firehouse until your car’s windshield is clear. Have a safe winter. Think of winter whoa’s before they happen. - Dennis

Announcements

FRANK TROTTARE-ELECTED TO SUFFOLK FEDERALBOARD

Mr. Trotta is Publisher and Owner of Fire News, which serves fire, rescue and EMS departments since 1973 on Long Island as well as 12 states. He also is the Publisher of Suffolk Lawyer and the Legal Brief Magazine for the Suffolk County Bar Association. Mr. Trotta is a Principal in a family-owned real estate company and has served as an elected official of the Village of Bellport for 31 years, including 27 years as its longest-serving Mayor. Additionally, he serves on the Brookhaven Industrial Development Agency Board, as Chaplain of the Bellport Fire Department and as Chaplain for the Fire Chiefs Council of Suffolk County. “Frank contributes so much to the Long Island community and beyond, through his publications, his real estate enterprise and his political leadership,” said Michele Dean. “With an astute understanding of communications, business and government sectors, he offers a remarkable range of expertise to our Board.” uffolk Federal Credit Union is a local not-for-profit cooperative financial institution owned and operated by its members. It was chartered in 1967 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). The volunteer-directed credit union has assets in excess of $1.5 billion, 10 branches and over 63,000 members, including partnerships with Suffolk County employees and unions. Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or regularly conducts business in Nassau and Suffolk counties as well as immediate family members of current membership. Suffolk Federal Credit Union was named the #1 credit union on Long Island and the #2 credit union in New York State in a recent report from Forbes. To learn more, visit www.suffolkfcu.org or call 631-924-8000.

Fire News, November2021, Page 5 Firefighter1 Bootcamp

On July 21, 2021, a dozen of young people completed Firefighter I, Boot Camp. This firefightercourse was and intensive three-week long class from 0800 to 1600. At graduation the students were give a certificate of completion by theirinstructors and awards forall those who stood out in class. Last but not least, the Dutchess County VolunteerFiremen’s Association was there to provide the class and theirfamilies with lunch, a certificate congratulating them on theirwork and a yearmembership in the Dutchess County VolunteerFiremen’s Association. -Fire News photos by Vinny Galvin

Cover Story

Hillcrest FD Greeted with Heavy Flames

The Hillcrest Fire Department was dispatched to an “unknown type” fire early in the evening of September22, 2021. As they were enroute to the Conway Court address, they were advised of additional calls, now reporting a structure fire. The first chief arrived to heavy fire blowing out of the first-floorgarage doors and secondfloorbedroom windows, as well as an advanced fire in the attic. The initial hose lines were used to knock down the heavy visible fire from the exterior, and then crews went interiorto battle the blaze, which had gained headway into a good portion of the home. With crews from several area departments on mutual aid, they were able to control and extinguish the fire. The residents of the home escaped the fire without injury, and the cause of the fire was underinvestigation, but believed to be accidental. - Fire News photos by Kenny Flynn

Page 8, Fire News, November2021

Hardware Store Fire in RensselaerCounty

RensselaerCounty received a report of black smoke in a hardware store on Route 7. Arriving companies entered the building but were soon pulled out. Mutual aid brought several more companies to the scene. Firefighters re-entered the structure, but were again called out due to a lack of water. Portable tanks were set up to create a watersupply. The fire was safely brought undercontrol by firefighters. The cause of the fire was underinvestigation. - Fire News photo by Martin E. Miller

Smoke Shows in Mahopac

On September13, 2021, the Mahopac Fire Department was dispatched fora structure fire on Drewville Road. First arriving units called in mutual aid from the Carmel and Yorktown Heights. Mahopac Falls and Croton Falls responded with tankers. Multiple units from the Carmel Police, Medic 3 and Battalion 16 also responded. Mahopac Chief Jim Stasiak took the lead as Incident Command as Assistant Chief Andy Roberto handled Operations and Safety. On arrival, responders found a single-family dwelling enveloped in heavy smoke with occupants out of the home. Interiorcrews made entry with handlines as the laddercrew took to the roof. - Fire News photo by Jack Casey, PIO

Flames Rage in East Harlem

FDNYcompanies in East Harlem battled a raging three-alarm blaze in the rearapartments of a six-story occupied multiple dwelling on East 120th Street on September4, 2021. The fire originated in a third-floorapartment but quickly spread to the upper floors. Additional trucks were required due to a heavy smoke condition throughout the building. Atotal of 13 people suffered minor injuries at the scene. - Fire News photos by FirstOnScenePhotos.com

Page 10, Fire News, November2021

Monroe Joint

Handles House Fire

On September5, 2021, the Monroe Joint Fire Department responded to a fully involved structure fire. Afteran assessment of the conditions and with no life threats, it was determined that an exteriorattack would be placed into action. Atowerladder, along with two handlines were used to extinguish the fire. About 40 firefighters extinguished the fire within 90 minutes. Washingtonville assisted by providing a FAST. - Fire News photo by Rich Lenahan, Chief

Rochester Commercial Fire

As companies worked a house fire on the east side of the city, an engine and truck on Rochester’s West Side were dispatched to a report of a smoke in the area. Upon arriving, the crews had a light haze and smell and started to canvas the area forthe source, which was eventually found on Lincoln Avenue in a large three-story commercial building. Crews would take multiple attempts at finding and accessing the fire before locating it in the middle of the building in a maze type room. Asecond alarm was struck due to the size of the building and amount of hose that needed to be laid. The fire was knocked down shortly afterand crews worked to vent the smoke from the building. - Fire News photo by PuckStopperPhotography.com

MVAs Rotterdam Roll-Over

South Schenectady firefighters responded to a report of a roll-overof a tandem tractortrailertruck on the entrance ramp to Interstate 88 in Rotterdam. The driverreported his load shifted causing him to lose control. No injuries were reported. - Fire News photo by Peter R. Barber

Jeep SUVWinds Up On Front Lawn

Schenectady firefighters attempt to disconnect the battery to a Jeep SUVthat lost control at the intersection of Mynderse and Victory Avenues causing it to roll overand come to rest on the front lawn on Mynderse Avenue. The driverwas treated fora head injury and taken to Ellis Hospital fortreatment. - Fire News photo by Peter R. Barber

Sleeping DriverCrashes Into Church

Schenectady firefighters responded to the Zion Lutheran Church on Nott Terrace aftera motorist fell asleep at the wheel, careened overa curb and come to rest nearthe front entrance to the church. The driverself-extricated and was transported to Ellis Hospital for right side pain. - Fire News photo by Peter R. Barber

Page 14, Fire News, November2021 Three-Alarmerin Brooklyn

Firefighters battled anothermulti-alarm fire at the Preston Court Junkyards on Preston Court on September16, 2021. Units used several hoselines and three towerladders to bring the fire under control. - Fire News photo by Lloyd Mitchell

West Haverstraw FD Discovers Fire

Late in the morning of September13, 2021, a West Haverstraw captain was standing on the front ramp of the VolunteerHose Co.mpany 1 and saw what he thought was smoke in the area of a home on East Railroad Avenue. Upon furtherinvestigation, he discovered smoke and fire coming from a large, multi-family home and immediately reported the fire . As he investigated further, he found a well-advanced fire on the third floorof the building. As firefighters arrived, they made quick work of the fire via interior attack and were able to extinguish most of the fire within the first few minutes of the alarm. No residents of the building were injured and the cause was underinvestigation. - Fire News photo by Kenny Flynn

FireNews.com Fire News, November2021, Page 15 LancasterCommercial Fire

Town Line Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to Miller Environmental Group on Walden Avenue for auto mutual aid to Lancaster Village Fire for multiple heat detector activation. Before crews arrived, an update from the alarm company indicated additional heat detectors as well as calls from employees reporting a fire. Lancaster 9-3 arrived to smoke from multiple garage doors with heavy smoke toward the south end on the B side. Town Line 9-1 took over command with several mutual aid fire chiefs assistance.

The exposure on the C side was another commercial lot with equipment and a 250-gallon gas tank close to the fire building. All equipment was moved by the owners. On the B side there was overhead electrical wires and transformers hazards until electrical was disconnected. Because of work that Miller Environmental Group conducts Clarence and Brighton were called for hazmat concerns of large amounts of oil and other chemical on scene.

Lancaster established water supply from a hydrant. TLFD Engine 1, Ladder 6, Lancaster Engine 5 and Ladder 4 all positioned on the B side. TLFD Engine 1 used a 1-3/4 inch and 2-1/2 inch hose. The fire was contained to a dumpster inside the building and extinguished Lancaster Town highway brought a high lift out to drag the dumpster outside of the building.

- Fire News photos by Jim Lepard

Page 16, Fire News, November2021 Search Turns Up Empty

The Port ChesterRescue 40, Rescue 41, Marine 40, Engine 64 were requested mutual aid to Purchase, to search fora woman who went missing during Tropical Depression Ida. Crews searched the woods on foot and by boat along with the WestchesterCounty Police Department Aviation Unit. Members from the New York State Police Dive Team use theirassets to search as well. All efforts came up empty. - Fire News photo by Brandon Colon

CarFire at RepairShop

The Verdoy and Latham fire departments were called to Keeler MotorCompany fora vehicle fire. Atow service was delivering a BMWforrepairs to the business, which was closed at the time. As he was unloading the carhe realized it was on fire. He unloaded it in the parking lot where it became completely engulfed. One other vehicle was damaged due to the intense heat of the fire. No one was injured in the incident. - Fire News photo by Lori Washburn

Looking Back

Colonie – 2015

The Colonie Village Fire Company with the assistance of Fuller Road, Midway, Verdoy and Latham responded to a fully involved, single-family home on Roberts Drive in Colonie. - Fire News photo by Lori Washburn

Rotterdam – 2015

Orangeburg 2015

In 2015, firefighters responded to a four-alarm barn fire at Currybush and Scotch Ridge Roads in Rotterdam. Tankers from several area departments were utilized to battle the flames. - Fire News photo by Peter Barber

The Orangeburg Fire Department recently held a multi-department drill, concentrating on a friendly hoseline deployment competition. The winners, a crew from New City, would be responsible forhosting the fun, friendship-building event in the following year. - Fire News photo by FirstOnScenePhotos.com

4-Alarm Fire in Sunnyside

On August 12, 2021, FDNYEngine Company 325, LadderCompany 163 and the 46 Battalion transmitted an all-hands forheavy fire conditions in a single-story commercial building containing a Japanese delicatessen on 44th Street. All hands went to work and stretched fourhoselines to knock down the fire. The fire ultimately grew to fouralarms, as units battled heavy heat and humidity with temperatures in the high 80s. - Fire News photos by Lloyd Mitchell

Working Fire on North Goodman St.

In the evening of September7, 2021, Rochesterfirefighters were dispatched to North Goodman Street formultiple calls reporting a house on fire. On arrival, the first engine company found heavy fire showing from the second-floorrearof a large two-story wood frame dwelling. Upon making entry, companies found fire in the rearsecond-floor apartment and worked to put the fire out before it could do more damage. The fire was knocked down in under15 minutes. - Fire News photo by PuckStopperPhotography.com

House Fire on Epworth St.

In the afternoon of September2, 2021, Rochesterfirefighters were dispatched to Epworth Street fora report of a house on fire. The first company arrived to find heavy smoke showing from a large two-story dwelling. Upon doing a 360, firefighters found a heavy volume of fire in the rearof the house and quickly went to work to get a handle on the fire. Big lines were stretched and both exteriorand interiorfirefighters were able to get ahead of the fire and keep it from spreading throughout the home. - Fire News photo by PuckStopperPhotography.com

Mamaroneck House Fire

On September9, 2021, Mamaroneck Village was dispatched to First Street fora fully involved structure fire. Engine 38 and Car2241 were first to arrive to fire blowing out the second-floorwindows. Car2241 requested Town of Mamaroneck FASTto the scene. Multiple handlines were stretched and placed in operation. Fire was placed undercontrol at 2307. The fire is currently under investigation.

- Fire News photo by Brandon Colon

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Sinking Boat in Athens

The Athens Fire Department, along with Greene County Sheriff’s Department responded to the Hudson Riverfora boat taking on waterand unable to start. The vessel was located just south of Catskill. The boat was towed safely to the Catskill boat launch. None of the occupants were injured. - Fire News photo by John C Miller

Tech Rescue at Mamaroneck Sewer

Mamaroneck Village, along with units from WestchesterCounty and New Rochelle operated on Old White Plains Road and Madison Street, fora technical rescue operation. Aperson was trapped afterfalling three-feet down into a sewer. Mamaroneck Village Police were first on scene and confirmed that a person was indeed trapped in the sewer. Car2242 requested the Westchester County Technical Rescue Team and New Rochelle Rescue 4 and Collapse 54 to respond the scene to remove the individual. The individual was safely removed from the sewertransported to an area hospital. - Fire News photo by Brandon Colon

Brooklyn 2-Alarmer

FDNYfirefighters in Brooklyn made quick work of a second-alarm fire on Alabama Avenue on July 5, 2021. Engine 290 requested the 10-75 on arrival and ran a line into the first floorof a 2-1/2 story private dwelling while crews from Ladder103 and TowerLadder 170 vented the roof. Division 15 requested a second alarm due to hoarding conditions and excessive ambient heat, but returned all special units before theirarrival. Firefighters operated three lines on the fire, which extended slightly to the second floorbefore being knocked down. - Fire News photo by Kevin White

Boght Road Fire

Latham, Boght and Maplewood fire departments responded to a structure fire on Boght Road. Items were left in the oven when it was turned on and melted the plastic, catching the stove on fire, while filling the home with smoke and fumes. Crews removed the oven and helped ventilate the home. No one was injured and there was minimal damage to the kitchen. - Fire News photo by Lori Washburn