Westfield Fire Department

New Slate of Officers for 2012

2012-01-15T23:13:00.000-05:00

New Officers Appointed and Elected
The Westfield Fire Department held its annual elections at the January 3, 2012 meeting. The Westfield Fire District Board of Commissioners reappointed John Lockwood as Chief. Joe Augeri, who has previously served as Chief and Deputy Chief, returns as the newly appointed Deputy Chief. Bill Balch, who most recently served as Captain was newly appointed as Assistant Chief. The Westfield Fire membership elected the Captain and Lieutenant's positions. Joe Passamano, who most recently served as Lieutenant was elected as Captain. Mike Mosebach, Jason Lubee, Matt Holmes, Paul Heck, Dan Barone and Matt Caffrey were elected as Lieutenants. Mike Mosebach, Jason Lubee and Matt Holmes are returning Lieutenants. Dan Barone has previously served as Lieutenant and Captain and is a welcome return addition to the team. Matt Caffrey is in his first year as Lieutenant - we thank him for stepping up to the plate and wish him much success in his new position. Lastly, we thank all the officers in advance for the many sacrifices they and their families will make in the service of the residents of the City of Middletown.

Some Leave Office
Stephen Hughes and Darrell Ponzio served as Deputy and Assistant Chief through the end of 2011 but both resigned as officers to make more time for family and other commitments. Thanks to Stephen and Darrell for the significant sacrifices they made in the service of the Department and the public.

New EMS Schedule

2012-01-15T22:32:00.001-05:00

Notice to all WFD EMT's and EMR's: The new EMS Duty Schedule for January and February has been published and is available for viewing in the dispatch room. Please note that starting February 1, the duty crew for each Friday and Saturday night will go on duty at 18:00 and will remain on duty through 10:00 the following morning. It is the responsibility of each duty crew member to find a replacement of equal or higher certification if they cannot cover their assigned nights. Please see 10-5-5 with any questions.

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-23T20:27:00.000-05:00

The Westfield Fire Department wishes all its members as well as the residents of the City of Middletown a very happy holiday season! We hope everyone enjoys time spent with family and friends and remind you to be responsible as you travel to and fro.

Free Flu Clinic Coming to WFD

2011-11-23T20:58:00.000-05:00

The fourth in a series of free flu clinics will be held at the Westfield Fire Department on Wednesday November 30 from noon - 8:00 p.m. Click on the link below for more information.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B7Ag3OVqgHKzNWMwNDllZDctOGEyNC00M2MxLWIxZmYtMGRhZjk2M2FiNTNi

Courage - the Hero with the Red Bandana

2011-09-12T22:10:00.000-05:00

Words like hero, sacrifice and courage require some kind of revised definitional perspective in the wake of 9/11 and in relation to the actions of so many people who died that day or as a result of their participation in the subsequent rescue efforts. The following video is worth watching if you want to recalibrate your view of what a hero is, what sacrifice means or what courage entails. Nice work Welles Crowther - a true American hero.

A little overwhelmed...

2011-09-11T21:49:00.000-05:00

...Well, it's been quite a day. It started by watching the ceremonies at "Ground Zero" - or what I hope we'll all start calling "the World Trade Center" again soon. Like millions of others, I watched with my family and I have to say, I was pretty choked up at different times - to the point that I could not explain certain things to my two boys without having to pause for a few seconds to gain my composure. It struck me as strange to be feeling emotional about 9/11 a full 10 years after it happened, but I guess that's a good indication of how cataclysmic it was. Of course, everyone was inundated with 9/11 programming and events all week and all day today. I'm proud to say that the Westfield Fire Department was involved in several local events. For me, I liked the 4 hours or so that we hung the Middlesex County American flag from our Ladder 6 over East Street. Most people driving by honked and waved in support in the way that people did in the weeks following 9/11/01. Many people stopped to take photos and to visit. It was a nice, informal and subtle way of acknowledging the importance of this day in our history. Tonight, the barrage of coverage and programming continued and I felt compelled to watch some if it - more so as a way to honor those who suffered and died than anything else. Finally, I checked emails and such on the computer before heading to bed, and I came across this video. A crowd of school children stops by a Manhattan FDNY firehouse to sing. So simple and so beautiful. Take a look and enjoy it.

Family Picnic Relocated

2011-09-06T20:11:00.000-05:00

Due to the significant rain this week the Westfield/Cromwell Joint Family Picnic is being relocated to the rear of the Westfield Fire Department. The picnic will start at the normal time (12:00 p.m.) on Saturday September 10th. Please note that this event is open to Westfield and Cromwell Fire Department members and their invitees only and is not open to the general public. For any questions, please call the Westfield Fire Department at 860-632-2690.

City of Middletown - Post Hurricane Reading

2011-09-05T21:35:00.002-05:00

In the wake of Hurricane Irene the City of Middletown is providing the following in formation:

Click here to learn more about Food Facts.

Click here to read the Sewage Backup Fact Sheet.

Chix BBQ - Thanks to Those Who Made it Happen!

2011-06-20T20:35:00.000-05:00

This is about a month too late, but given the amount of work all the members of WFD put into the annual chicken barbeque I feel compelled to send out a few "thank you" notes:

To Peter Murphy for providing overall coordination of the event, including about 6 weeks of planning and preparation. Pete - no good deed goes unpunished! You're officially nominated to run next year's event!

To all the members, past and present, including Jeff Doskos, who were up and out at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday morning to work the pit. It's some really hard work that goes very under-recognized. Excellent job by Brian White coordinating the pit.

To all the members who got the fire house ready for our guests and who served the thousands of meals - whether they were eat-in or take-out. Great job presenting WFD as the professional organization that it is.

To Chief Lockwood and the Board of Commissioners for their support.

Lastly, to all those named below, who gave their time to do anything asked because.....well, I'm not really sure why, but it doesn't really matter - they were absolutely super!
Bailey Andrew
Owen Andrew
Nick Higgins
Krysta Holmes
Dan Palozie
Danielle Darley
Michelle Messer
Melissa Messer
Katelyn Augeri

2011 Memorial Day Events

2011-05-29T20:08:00.000-05:00

The Westfield District's 116th annual Memorial Day Parade was held earlier today, stepping off from the Westfield Fire House at 2:00 p.m. Westfield will participate in the Durham Memorial Day Parade which steps off from Durham Quarter Road and Route 17 at 9:15 a.m. on Monday May 30 and will then participate in the City of Middletown Memorial Day parade and service, which steps off from upper Main Street at 10:30 a.m., also on Monday May 30th. Westfield will cap the day off by participating in Cromwell's Memorial Day Parade, which starts from the WWI Memorial Green at approximately 6:30 p.m.

District 2011-2012 Budget Passes

2011-05-10T20:49:00.001-05:00

The Westfield Fire District held its annual budget meeting at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday May 10, 2011 at the Westfield Fire Department, 653 East Street in Middletown. Minutes of the 2010 budget meeting were read by District Secretary Leo Zeiller and were accepted. Chairman Ross Andrew read through each line item in the budget and then fielded a number of questions from those in attendance. After all questions were answered each qualifying resident voted yea or nay on a ballot. The budget passed with 42 yea's and 4 nay's.

The budget of $1,342,815 is supported by a mill rate of 1.179 on a grand list of $1,125,549,578. Questions regarding the budget should be referred to Linda DeManche, District Administrator or Ross Andrew, Chairman - Westfield Fire District, 653 East Street, Middletown CT 06457.

Lamont Benedict Passes

2011-05-10T20:31:00.001-05:00

It is with regret that the Westfield Fire Department announces the passing of Lamont Benedict. Lamont joined Westfield Fire in 1959 and was one of the most important members in the Department's long history. Lamont served as the Chairman of the Westfield Fire District Board of Commissioners and was Chair of the Building Committee that designed and built the Departments current headquarters at 653 East Street. Lamont passed on May 3, 2011. He will be missed.

Westfield Fire District 2011 Budget Meeting

2011-05-05T20:10:00.000-05:00

Westfield Fire District 2011 Budget Meeting

Call for the Budget Meeting of the Westfield Fire District of the City of Middletown;

The budget meeting of The Westfield Fire District will be held on May 10, 2011 at 8:00 P.M. at The Westfield Fire Department, 653 East Street, Middletown, CT .

All inhabitants living within the limit of said Fire District for six months and qualified as electors of the City of Middletown are members of said Fire District and are eligible to vote at said meeting.

The purpose of the meeting is:
1) To adopt the proposed budget and set a mill rate for fiscal year July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012.

2) To transact any and all business, which may properly come before said meeting.

Ross Andrew, Jr. - Chairman
The Westfield Fire District

Low Profile Method for Narrow Openings

2011-04-05T21:58:00.005-05:00

At our drill last Tuesday we sent 2 or 3 person crews through a search maze that included several obsticles - among them, the need to pass between two studs in a wall (a 14.5-inch opening) and the need to negotiate through a small hole in a plywood wall. With the narrow openings, it was necessary for the firefighters to remove their SCBA to create a low-profile. In the Fire Engineering video below, Mike Ciampo of FDNY (and my former fire department - Wyckoff (NJ) Fire Department) shows us how to create a low profile without unbuckling the SCBA and without removing it from your back. Check it out!

In a related video, see how to breach walls and navigate through if the low profile method is not sufficient....

Firefighter Drag

2011-03-24T19:08:00.000-05:00

At this past Tuesday's drill, among some other basic skills (using hose & coupling to navigate your way out of a building when visibility is poor and using the SCBA buddy breathing system or dual-bbs) we covered the use of SCBA to perform a firefighter drag. I found this very quick training video on http://www.firerescue1.com/ - in the video you'll see how the firefighter attaches her own SCBA to the downed firefighter's shoulder strap, thus enabling the rescuer to drag the downed firefighter without needing to use her hands....check it out!

FlashoverTV is powered by FireRescue1.com

What Goes Up....

2011-02-04T22:07:00.001-05:00

....apparently might come down, especially if it's a roof with 2 or 3 feet of snow and ice on it. It's been a truly crazy couple of weeks for the State of Connecticut, the City of Middletown and the Westfield Fire District. The number of snow storms has been brutal. The resulting cleanup, including the repeated shoveling of fire hydrants has been equally as back-breaking. And the daily job of responding to calls continues at an accelerated pace thanks to the snow, ice and now the many instances of potentially compromised roofing structures. Links to just today's news coverage is below.

505 Main Street

505 Main Street - Photo Gallery

Cromwell Hills

Moody Elementary School

70 Robin Court - Northwoods

Apple Tree Day Care

At this point, most people and property owners have or are planning to take action to clear roofs of snow. Here for example you see me standing on the roof of my kitchen gleefully (not) tossing snow down to the ground (photo taken from inside my son's 2nd story bedroom window). If you've been too busy shoveling your driveway (or nearest fire hydrant...) to considered clearing your roof or having someone do it for you, we strongly suggest that you do. The snow currently on your roof can easily exceed several tons in weight.

Westfield Fire District 2011 Annual Meeting

2011-01-21T21:11:00.006-05:00

DUE TO WEATHER THE ANNUAL MEETING HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO FEBRUARY 8, 2011 @ 8:00 P.M.

Call for the Annual Meeting of the Westfield Fire District of the City of Middletown;

The annual meeting of the Westfield Fire District, City of Middletown will be held on February 1, 2011

at 8:00 p.m. at the Westfield Fire Department, 653 East Street, Middletown, CT. All inhabitants living

within the limits of said Fire District for six months and qualified as electors of the City of Middletown

are members of said Fire District and are eligible to vote at said meeting.

The purpose of the meeting is:
1) To elect three (3) Commissioners for a term of three (3) years beginning on February 1, 2011,
Candidates applying for the position:
- Sidney A. Harmon
- James C. Reardon
- Jonathan L. Alderman

2) To transact any and all business which may properly come before said meeting.

Ross Andrew, Jr. - Chairman
The Westfield Fire District

How Can I Help?....

2011-01-16T13:16:00.003-05:00

Whenever I talk to residents of the Westfield District about the fact that we're a largely volunteer organization the most frequent question I get (other than "how do you do it?") is something like this: "....gee, I'd love to be be a volunteer firefighter, but I just don't have the time. But I'd love to help out here and there - how can I help?" Well, I'm pleased to announce that we have a very reasonable way for residents of the District (and pretty much everyone else in the country for that matter) to help their local fire department as well as themselves and their neighbors. It's a very simple thing that usually takes less than an hour and does not require any long-term or regular commitment. It has an enormous impact on the fire department's ability to do their job. And, when it's done by residents, we absolutely notice EVERY TIME.

If you live anywhere near a fire hydrant, CLEAR THE SNOW away from it. We've made this request before and we really need help on this one. This simple task will ensure that we are able to gain a water supply quickly in the event that a house anywhere within a 500' radius of the hydrant is on fire. A small trash can or couch fire can turn into a fully involved structure fire within 3 - 5 minutes. It would take a firefighting crew at least that amount of time just to clear the snow to access a hydrant, much less connect the 5-inch hose, lay it to the engine and then lay 1-3/4 lines into the house to commence fire suppression. A resident clearing the hydrant within 24 hours of the end of a snow storm may be the difference between the fire department making an offensive fire attack and a defensive (exterior only) attack.

Some may say that it should be the fire department's job to clear fire hydrants. That's what taxes pay for, right? Well, not really, and it's not that simple. First, there's "the right thing to do." Why wait for the fire department to get around to something you can take care of right now, and thus increase the relative safety of you and all your neighbors? Second, in most cities there are ordinances that REQUIRE the resident closest to a hydrant to clear it. Third, and especially in volunteer fire departments, members are extremely busy clearing their own driveways (so they can respond to calls), standing by at the firehouse for calls, responding to what is typically a higher volume of calls, and often plowing snow (either as employees of the city or as part of their own business).

When you see us out there clearing hydrants, we're really enabling bad behaviors on the part of our residents. People see us and figure "hey - they're doing it so I guess I don't have to." So here's how you can help - PLEASE do not make that very bad assumption. Get to it before we do. Clear that life saving hydrant as soon as possible. We really do appreciate it!

Annual Elections Held

2011-01-04T22:14:00.000-05:00

Westfield held its annual elections this evening. Congratulations to Matthew Holmes who was voted in as the 6th lieutenant (10-5-10) and to Bill Balch who was voted / promoted from lieutenant to captain (10-5-3). Dan Barone, who served as an officer for 7 years, and most recently as captain gracefully stepped aside so that he can spend more time with his family. We thank Dan for his many years of commitment as an officer. The election results are as follows:

Chief - John Lockwood

Deputy Chief - Stephen Hughes

Assistant Chief - Darrell Ponzio

Captain - Bill Balch

1st Lieutenant - Nick DeJohn

2nd Lieutenant - Joe Passamano

3rd Lieutenant - Mike Mosebach

4th Lieutenant - Jason Lubee

5th Lieutenant - Joe Augeri

6th Lieutenant - Matt Holmes

Secretary - Lisa DeJohn

Treasurer - Pete Murphy

Assistant Treasurer - Fred Jones

Mechanic - Dave Conant

Great Stop to Garage Fire!

2010-12-05T21:41:00.001-05:00

At approximately 5:45 p.m. on Saturday December 4, 2010, Westfield Fire was called to a structure fire at 40 Inverness Lane. Westfield 2 and Deputy Chief Stephen Hughes were first due and confirmed a working garage fire with extension to a nearby automobile. Crews from Westfield 2 handled initial attack while crews from Westfield 4 and 5 took a second hydrant and protected B-side exposures. Westfield 6 took the roof, providing ventilation while also checking for extension into the second floor of the attached house. Upon arriving, Chief John Lockwood took command. The fire was put under control in about 20 minutes. Providing much appreciated mutual aid at the scene were Middletown Fire, South Fire and Cromwell Fire while East Berlin Fire provided station coverage. The scene remained under investigation by Westfield's FMO and the State Fire Marshal's office past 1:00 a.m. on Sunday. All residents were able to escape unharmed. A family pet dog was rescued by interior search crews. No injuries to firefighters were reported.

WFD Mourns Passing of Clayton Mantie

2010-10-11T21:22:00.002-05:00

Westfield Fire regettably announces the passing of Life Member Clayton Mantie. Clayton joined the WFD in 1946 and was a member for 64 years. Funeral and calling hour information is being finalized and will be announced soon. See Chief John Lockwood with any questions.

UPDATE 10/12/10:
Wake is 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Thursday October 14, 2010 at Doolittle Funeral Home on Old Church Street in Middletown.

Funeral is at 10:00 a.m. on Friday October 15, 2010 at Third Congregational Church on Miner Street in Middletown.

Click here to see the Hartford Courant obituary for Clayton.

Go Joe!

2010-10-11T21:19:00.000-05:00

Dave Peterson recently stepped down as lieutenant for personal reasons. Dave, thanks for all your efforts! Filling the vacant lieutenant's spot is Joe Augeri. Joe has been around WFD since birth (pretty much) and has filled every role including Deputy Chief and Chief. So, you could say he's qualified. Last time Joe was 10-5-10, he was still sporting a mullet and riding dirt bikes down that old dirt country road that we now call Industrial Park Road. Just joking - for the most part....Joe, welcome back to the land of 3:00 a.m. medicals!

Comings and Goings at the WFD

2010-08-31T21:12:00.000-05:00

There have been a few changes in the ranks over the past couple of months and we're a little behind in recognizing them:

Bill Balch returned to the rank of lieutenant in July. Bill - great to have you back in an officer's position!
Bill Gregorio resigned his position as lieutenant as of July 1 and was subsequently hired as the Training Officer for the District and the Department. Congratulations Bill on this new role!

Also, Lt. Jason Lubee and Bill Gregorio both got married this summer. Congratulations to Jason and Jennifer, Bill and Nicole!

Burnin' Down the House!

2010-08-31T21:03:00.000-05:00

Below are just some of the photos of the final live burn on Middle Street held on August 21. Photos courtesy of EMT Lisa DeJohn and Life Member Ed Dypa. This was a "controlled burn" - Westfield Fire, along with East Berlin, Middlefield and South Kensington used the day to perform a tanker shuttle drill while we simultaneously destroyed the structure for the property owner to make way for the conversion of the site to a future commercial use. A real win-win situation, and a great job by everyone in keeping the drill safe and effective.

2010-08-17T19:08:00.010-05:00

CITY OF MIDDLETOWN AND TOWN OF PORTLAND

CT ALERT EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM

The City of Middletown, Town of Portland and the State of Connecticut want you to be safe and informed during emergencies in our area – including public health threats, dangerous weather, fires and public safety crises.

CT ALERT EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM sends important messages direct to your home phone in times of emergencies and public safety situations. If you want the system to contact you using other devices such as cell phones, e-mails etc. sign up at www.ctalert.gov/.

http://www.ctalert.gov/

To find out more about this program check both the City and Town web sites.

Any questions for both Middletown and Portland residents can be directed to 911@cityofmiddletown.com or by calling the Central Communications Center during routine business hours Monday – Friday at 860-343-8005.

Emergency Bailout!

2010-08-10T21:16:00.000-05:00

So, I jumped out a 2nd story window tonight. Voluntarily. Just to see if I could do it.

In fact, many of WFD's bravest have done the same over the past 3 weeks - all to regain a level of comfort with our personal bailout systems (to your left is Lt. DeJohn lowering himself by feeding the bailout line through the descender/friction device - photo courtesy EMT L. DeJohn). The process isn't particularly complicated when performed in the training environment. Hook one carabeener to an "immoveable object" or a locked-in haligan, hook the second carabeener to your integrated harness, grasp the bailout line along with the descender in your left hand and use your right hand to hoist yourself out the window. Yes, I had full turnout gear on (including firefighting gloves), but there was no smoke and there was enough light for me to see what I was doing. Oh yeah - I also wasn't actually breathing air on from my SCBA. But this is training - and in this case, a chance to make sure I was performing the entire process properly and in such a way that I wouldn't take the express train to ground level. After dealing with my descender getting jammed up a little on the window sill, it was pretty smooth and steady down to the ground. Going back up to run through the process another time, Lt. Passamano, D5 Andrew and I discussed how difficult it would be to perform the bailout when it's over 500-degrees with no visibility and flames licking on your tail. What are the odds that a firefigher would perform all the steps in this relatively simple process correctly and quickly? Hmmm. Well, it is a last-resort option - and a heck of a lot better than simply begging for help while you roast in the structure. But doing it and doing it wrong doesn't exactly leave you with a pleasant rest of your day, thank you very much.

Conclusions: 1) now that the "walk-through" training is done, we're going to smoke up our training building (read - limited or no visibility) and create some distractions to see how well firefighters execute (safely) a bailout, and 2) we absolutely must always focus on the fundamental practice of laddering every floor of the structure and notifing all firefighters of the locations of the ladders at all structure fires - to reduce the need to perform a bailout in the first place. This is especially true for those who may be serving in the RIT role on the scene of a working fire - it's in everyone's best interest to have the RIT team stand to the side and watch a firefighter climb out a window onto a ladder as opposed to dealing with one who is stuck having to galliantly attempt a bailout, or worse yet, having to search a building for an unaccounted-for firefighter because the ladder is resting on the side of the truck.

Remember - everyone goes home every time.

Focus on Fire Safety: Fireworks

2010-06-17T20:06:00.006-05:00

Every year in the United States, we celebrate the Fourth of July with community parades, picnics, barbecues, and fireworks - the things of which happy memories are made. But sadly, Independence Day also includes tragic events resulting from the use of fireworks. The safest way to enjoy them is through public displays conducted by professional pyrotechnicians hired by communities. Learning fireworks safety tips can help ensure that everyone has a happy and safe summer holiday.

By the Numbers: Fireworks

30,100 Estimated number of fires caused by fireworks each year

7,000 Estimated number of injuries caused by fireworks in 2008

7 Fireworks-related deaths occurred in 2008

$34 million Amount of direct property loss caused by fireworks

Sources: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

Who is at Most Risk?

In 2008, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 7,000 people for fireworks-related injuries. Seventy percent (70%) of these injuries occurred between June 20 - July 20. Of these:

46% of injuries were to the extremities and 36% were to the head.

56% were burns, while 21% were contusions and lacerations.

Two of 5 people injured by fireworks were under the age of 15.

62% of injuries were to males; 38% were to females.

Devices such as sparklers, fountains, roman candles, and novelties accounted for 40% of injuries; firecrackers caused 18% of injuries.

How and Why Do These Injuries Occur?

Availability: In spite of federal regulations and varying state prohibitions, many types of fireworks are still accessible to the public. Distributors often sell fireworks near state borders, where laws prohibiting sales on either side of the border may differ.

Fireworks type: Among the various types of fireworks, some of which are sold legally in some states, bottle rockets can fly into peoples' faces and cause eye injuries; sparklers can ignite clothing (sparklers burn at more than 1,000°F); and firecrackers can injure the hands or face if they explode at close range.

Being too close: Injuries may result from being too close to fireworks when they explode; for example, when someone leans over to look more closely at a firework that has been ignited, or when a misguided bottle rocket hits a nearby person.

Lack of physical coordination: Younger children often lack the physical coordination to handle fireworks safely.

Curiosity: Children are often excited and curious around fireworks, which can increase their chances of being injured (for example, when they re-examine a firecracker dud that initially fails to ignite).

Experimentation: Homemade fireworks (for example, ones made of the powder from several firecrackers) can lead to dangerous and unpredictable explosions.

What Can I Do?

The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home — period. Attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals.

Kids should never play with fireworks. Sparklers can reach 1,800° Fahrenheit (982° Celsius) — hot enough to melt gold.

Steer clear of others — fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction. Never throw or point fireworks at someone, even in jest.

Don't allow kids to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. Some may still be ignited and can explode at any time.

Think about your pet. Animals have sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened or stressed on the Fourth of July. Keep pets indoors to reduce the risk that they'll run loose or get injured.

For more information go to: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus/fireworks.shtm

All information provided by Quick Response Media Corps for U.S. Fire Administration.

Life Star x 2

2010-06-03T19:48:00.000-05:00

Westfield was busy on Memorial Day with, among other calls and 2 parades, a pair of incidents that required Life Star. The first was at a residence on Miner Street where a homeowner took a 12-foot fall from his roof while cleaning out the gutters. Due to the mechanism of injury and deformity of the spine, Chief John Lockwood requested Life Star for a patient transfer at the Westfield firehouse parking lot. The second was a 2-car motor vehicle accident at the corner of Industrial Park Road and Smith Street. The driver of one car sustained head trauma that also required a ride to Hartford via Life Star. Great work by everyone and special thanks to all those who gave up family time on the holiday to perform our duty.

Photos courtesy of Westfield Fire District Commissioner Rick Williams.

Touch-a-Truck Retrospective

2010-05-16T21:23:00.003-05:00

Saturday afternoon was, by most accounts, a beautiful spring day. A littlte breezy maybe, but still, the bright sunshine and low 70's was the kind of weather we all wait so patiently all week for. It's that kind of day that you try to do your favorite outside activities - biking, tennis, golf, hiking, motorcycling....whatever - as long as it's outside. So, after an abbreviated T-ball practice with my son, off I went to the Moody School PTA Touch-a-Truck event. Now, I must admit that I'm a little biased. After all, both my children attend Moody School, and I dedicate a reasonable balance (my wife might call it unreasonable) of my non-working, non-sleeping hours to the Westfield Fire Department. However, with all that read and accepted, I have to say that the Touch-a-Truck event run by the Moody PTA was a great event! For 3 hours, a constant stream of children and adults poured into the Moody parking lot to check out our trucks as well as a MPD cruiser, a Hunter's Ambulance, a Postal Service truck, and to say hi to Rocky (NB Rock Cats). Of course, the goal was to raise funds to supplement the school playground - which is currently in a sad state. I believe the Middletown school district has committed funds to build a new playscape. That, combined with the PTA's funding to provide some supplemental items (i.e. swings, ball toss game, etc) should remedy the situation quickly.

Given the success, I am compelled to thank those who gave up part of their afternoon for the greater good.

THANK YOU to:

Chief John Lockwood

Deputy Chief Steve Hughes

Lieutenant Joe Passamano

FF Matt Caffrey

FF Brian Waters

EMT Lisa DeJohn

EMT Erin Knoll

Prob. FF Corey Nemit

Also, a big thank you to our hosts, the executive members of the Moody School PTA:

Principal Yolande Eldridge

President Cara Williamson

Vice President Tateisha Bond

Treasurer Janice Drescher

Secretary Linda Heidorn

P.S. Against their instincts to remain on terra firma, the PTA executive team took a ride 100' into the air on Westfield's Ladder 6 as a way to cap off the day. Looks like we've got a few new potential firefighters on our hands...

Also, kudos to Principal Yolande Eldridge, who really was a great sport. Not only did she don a full set of turnout gear and Scott Pak ("...wow! This is heavy!....") and ride the ladder a couple of times, but she picked up the tab for lunch. Good times! Thanks Mrs. Eldridge! Our kids are truly blessed to have such a fine Principal, teachers and a PTA that really cares.

Great Stop to Early Morning Blaze

2010-05-16T19:36:00.001-05:00

Westfield Fire was called out to Afton Terrace at approximately 3:00 a.m. on Sunday morning with reports of smoke coming from a residence. On arrival, Lieutenants Nick DeJohn and Jason Lubee performed a primary search and were pushed back from a 2nd storey bedroom due to extreme heat and heavy smoke conditions. Lt. DeJohn quickly reported conditions to Deputy Chief Steve Hughes who requested a second alarm. Lt. Dave Peterson and his crew quickly vented the building to alleviate the heavy smoke and heat and allowed DeJohn and Lubee to attack the fire with an 1 3/4 hand line. Additional crews from Cromwell, Middlefield, Middletown and South Fire reported to the scene to assist. Click here to see the brief report from WFSB. No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported. Another great job by WFD and our mutual aid brothers!

Special Thanks...

2010-05-10T20:13:00.002-05:00

...to a few friends of the WFD who came out on Saturday May 1st to help us with our chicken barbeque fundraiser. Without the help of these fine folks, the barbeque would never be the successful event that it is.

Bailey Andrew

Owen Andrew

Kristin Brooks

Danielle Darley

Joann DeJohn

Matt Fraulino

Dale Higgins
Jeremy Higgins

Lynn Higgins
Nicholas Higgins

Krysta Holmes
Martha Holmes

Melissa Messer

Jen Monroe

Ann Marie Uliano

So, on behalf of all the officers and members of the Westfield Fire Department, THANK YOU!

Check Your Smoke Detectors!

2010-05-10T20:05:00.000-05:00

A properly maintained smoke alarm will work forever, right? Not so fast! IT’S A FACT: All hardwired or battery-operated smoke alarms, installed before May 2000, should be replaced now!

A smoke alarm’s lifespan is 10 years, which means any smoke alarm installed before May 2000 is too old and needs to be replaced. The smoke alarm is no longer reliable. Part of smoke alarm maintenance includes knowing when to replace the unit. The few minutes it takes to replace a smoke alarm can save the lives of roommates, family members, neighbors and firefighters.

More than 3,000 people die in home fires each year, and the majority of them have no working smoke alarms. To prevent these deaths, the United States Fire Administration (USFA) is sponsoring the nationwide Install. Inspect. Protect. Campaign, which emphasizes that “Smoke Alarms Save Lives.”

The USFA offers a few helpful tips on smoke alarms:

Every residence, and place where people sleep, should be equipped with both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms or dual sensor smoke alarms, which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors.
Place properly installed and maintained smoke alarms both inside and outside of sleeping areas and on every level of your home.
Interconnected smoke alarms are best, because if one sounds, they all sound.

Test smoke alarms monthly and change alkaline batteries at least once every year, or as instructed by the manufacturer. You can use a date you already know, like your birthday or when you change your clocks as a reminder. Write the installation date on the inside cover of the smoke alarm for future reference.

Homeowners, landlords and renters should check to verify exactly when each smoke alarm in the home was installed. If any smoke alarm was installed before May 2000, now is the time to have it replaced.

Touch a Truck at Moody School

2010-05-04T20:47:00.000-05:00

On Saturday May 15 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. the Moody School PTA will be holding a "Touch a Truck" event to raise funds that will be used to enhance the Moody School playground. The Westfield Fire Department will be supporting the event with Engine 5 and Ladder 6. Middletown PD, Hunter's Ambulance and a number of other fine organizations will also be there. Everyone is encouraged to come out to support the Moody School PTA!

Busy on Saturday...!

2010-05-02T19:52:00.001-05:00

The annual ritual that is the Westfield Fire Department Chicken Barbeque was held this weekend. While most people see it as a 3-hour event (4 - 7 pm), it's a two-day circus (a well-orchastrated circus mind you...) for the members of the Department. When guests comment on the fine food or hospitality, it really does mean a lot to us. The barbeque is as much about tradition and community as it may be about raising funds. So it's quite nice to see others put words to paper.

Click here to see an article from Sunday May 2nd in the Middletown Press:

MIDDLESEX TREKS: Having a blast at chicken BBQ
Middletown Press copyeditor Leslie Poster stops by the Westfield Fire Department's annual chicken barbecue. Read about her experience from her Saturday afternoon trip HERE.

Look for an upcoming article to properly recognize all those (esp. non-members) who gave of their time to make this year's barbeque a success.

Firefighter's Banquet a Success

2010-04-28T19:26:00.000-05:00

Westfield’s annual Firefighter’s Banquet was held on Saturday April 24th at the Pavilion on Crystal Lake. With beautiful weather, excellent food & music, and a great crowd of friends, the event was a huge success! Chief John Lockwood opened the event and then handed the microphone to Commissioner Ross Andrew for a few words on behalf of the Board of Commissioners and to Ed Dypa for a benediction.

At the event, a number of people were recognized:

Years of Service:
Dayton St. Peter – 45 years
John Trevisan – 35 years
Paul Dickes – 30 years
Dave Conant - 25 years

Hurst Green Cross (saving a life using Hurst extrication tools):
Joe Augeri
Ryan Jayne
Jason Lubee
Darrell Ponzio
Dave Ribnicky

Service as an Officer:
Bill Balch

Special Recognition:
Jeffrey Doskos

Firefighter of the Year:
Jason Lubee

Special thanks to the Events Committee for decorations & favors and to Burt Hale and Fred Jones, who served as committee chairs for the banquet – GREAT JOB guys! Pictures will be posted soon.

Ladder Bailout Training

2010-04-19T20:19:00.001-05:00

Starting on Tuesday April 20th, WFD members who are interior certified will be training on personal bailout equipment and on ladder bailouts. With all the training we perform to save others, it's time to do some refresher training on how to rescue ourselves. Use of our personal bailout systems (rope system attached to the SCBA frame, harness attached to turnout gear) requires mastery of the process and a full working knowledge of the equipment. Likewise, ladder bailouts require mastery of the process to exit a window quickly but in a reasonably confident, safe, technically sound manner. All interior firefighters are strongly encouraged to attend this training. Meantime, please brush up on ladder bailouts by reading this Firehouse.com article, as written by Jeffrey Pindelski, a Batallion Chief in the Downers Grove (IL) FD. It's an excellent article that provides step-by-step instructions on two ladder bailout techniques in conjunction with step-by-step video.

Chicken BBQ - May 1, 2010

2010-04-18T14:39:00.000-05:00

Come out and support your volunteers by enjoying a terrific chicken barbeque dinner; cooked and served by your Westfield Volunteer Firefighters! Saturday May 1, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. This is our only fundraiser of the year. It's also a great chance for you and your family to come out and meet your firefighters and check out the equipment your tax dollars pay for. Hope to see you there!

Annual Budget Meeting of the Westfield Fire District - May 11, 2010

2010-04-13T19:51:00.001-05:00

NOTICE: The annual budget meeting of the Westfield Fire Board of Commissioners will be held on Tuesday May 11, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. at the Westfield Fire Department, 653 East Street, Middletown CT 06457. The meeting is open to the public, however only residents living in the Westfield Fire District within the City of Middletown for at least 6 months and qualifying as electors in the City of Middletown may cast votes.

MRC, CERT & Emergency Management Looking for New Members

2010-04-06T22:07:00.001-05:00

The City of Middletown is seeking volunteers for our Medical Reserve Corp, CERT and Emergency Management. The next meeting of the Middletown Medical Reserve Corp will be on April 19, 2010 at 6:30 P.M. at the Middletown Emergency Management Headquarters located on 675 Randolph Road. The Middletown MRC seeks both medical and non-medical professionals. At this meeting there will be refreshments and a presentations on safety by our own Judey Harvey as well as a brief presentation on the history and mission of the MRC. If you have any question, you are encouraged to contact our MRC Coordinator, Janet Leonardi, at the Middletown Health Department at 860-344-3595.

Of course, we're also always looking for volunteers at the Westfield Fire Department as well. If you're interested, please email any officer, or stop by on any Tuesday night between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m.

However, If you've wanted to give back to your community but have hesitated to seek membership with the WFD beccause of the time commitment, then I strongly encourage you to attend the MRC meeting on April 19th. In the never ending conflict that pits increasing taxes against the many other demands on our personal income, one beacon of hope shines through as a potential solution to ensuring that our governmental institutions can continue deliver all the services we've come to expect without increasing our taxes - and that beacon is VOLUNTEERISM. Get out there and do something for your community. Sometimes, donating money (as much as donations are appreciated) pales in comparison to giving your time and labor to a cause.

Easter Egg Hunt!

2010-04-02T21:53:00.001-05:00

I'm a little late getting this posted, but the Events Committee deserves big-time kudos for a great job with the Easter Egg Hunt and party that was held last Saturday, March 27th. Members' children had a wonderful time dying eggs, decorating egg-shaped cookies, coloring, hearing a story and, most importantly, hunting for Easter eggs! Very special thanks to Sandy Lockwood, Tina Barone and Melanie Ponzio for putting all the activities together. Great job! To your left - all the kids sprinting for the eggs - and hoping to find one of two with a gold star! These are just a few of the photos I took. If you'd like a copy, or if you'd like to see the others that I took, please just shoot me an email (darrell.ponzio@westfieldfire.net).

Westfield Responds to Forklift Rollover

2010-03-24T20:12:00.000-05:00

At approximately midnight on Wednesday March 24, Westfield Fire was toned out to 111 Industrial Park Road for a man pinned under a forklift. On arrival, Lt. Nick DeJohn and Chief John Lockwood found 1 patient pinned under a rolled over forklift. Lifestar, which was placed on standby earlier by Lt. DeJohn, was called to the scene. In addition to injuries sustained by the weight of forklift, the patient sustained injuries from battery acid. Westfield crews used airbags to lift the machine off the patient who was flown to Hartford Hospital. Westfield crews were on scene until approximately 3:30 a.m. OSHA and Middletown Police are investigating. Click here to see the related article in the Hartford Courant.

Change in Management

2010-03-08T21:40:00.002-05:00

With Mike Giantonio taking a new job outside the District that will require him to be on-call during the evening, he regrettably resigned his post as lieutenant. Mike will continue to volunteer for the Department and will assist with fire marshal activities on an on-call basis. The open lieutenant's position was filled at the March monthly meeting by a vote of the members by Jason Lubee. Congratulations and best of luck to Jason in his new role!

Sense of Community - Moody PTA and WFD Working Together

2010-02-17T20:20:00.000-05:00

Synergy: syn-er-gy; noun: a mutually advantageous conjunction or compatibility of distinct business participants or elements (as resources or efforts).

As a volunteer organization, the Westfield Fire Department faces many challenges. Recruiting, retention, morale, member participation, training, "work/life balance", fund raising, etc. These challenges are faced by all volunteer fire departments and ambulance corps. In any given month, you're sure to find an article in Firehouse Magazine or a similar publication where the issues and potential solutions are discussed. Meanwhile, just down the street at Van Buren Moody Elementary School our friends and neighbors on the Moody PTA are experiencing similar challenges. So it was a not-so surprising sequence of events that really brought both organizations a little closer together over the past 5 months. Back in October, the PTA was running their annual Halloween party at the school. In order to address the parking concerns (including fire lane violations) experienced in the previous year's event, the PTA worked with the WFD FMO to arrange for a fire watch and for a few firefighters to help coordinate parking. Voila! The results were immediate and significant. Not only were there NO parking problems to speak of, but feedback from parents was overwhelmingly positive thanks, in part, to the coordinated parking provided by the WFD. With that initial success under our collective belts, the WFD approached the PTA in January to talk about ways the PTA could help in a recruiting effort. At the same time, we talked about ways that both organizations could help each other on a more regular basis. For anyone reading this who happens to live in the Westfield District of the City of Middletown, what you're benefiting from (as you should) is a synergistic relationship between two volunteer organizations that each provide significant benefit to you and your families with VERY little cost to you. Some upcoming planned events coming jointly from the WFD and Moody PTA include a "Touch a Truck" fund raiser for the PTA (April 2010 timeframe) using WFD fire apparatus and a WFD recruiting mailer to be sent home with each Moody student along with other PTA-related material.

Cara Williamson, President of the Moody PTA will be featured on the monthly Middletown Public Schools "Spotlight on Education" that will air on Comcast Channel 15 on February 24th at 8:00 p.m. Among other things, Cara will speak about the synergistic relationship that both the Moody PTA and WFD feel will provide greater benefits to both organizations than similar efforts would yield with each organization operating on their own. I strongly encourage everyone to tune in! Click here for more information.

Westfield Receives FEMA/DHS AFG Grant

2010-02-12T20:36:00.000-05:00

Westfield Fire was notified today that it has been granted $74,518 in FEMA/DHS Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) program funds to assist in the purchase of mobile and portable radio equipment. The Westfield Fire District will be contributing 10% of the total cost of the project. According to FEMA, "The primary goal of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards." In this case, grant funds will allow Westfield Fire to address a number of problems related to aging non-FCC compliant equipment and will also allow the Department to position itself for significantly improved interoperability with mutual aid departments as well as other local, state and federal agencies. Receipt of grant funds is a huge win for the Department and the District, which has had to manage a tight budget in light of the closing of the Aetna facility on Middle Street.

Special thanks to Lieutenant Nick DeJohn, who was primarily responsible for drafting the grant, determining the scope of the project and establishing specifically what equipment the Department sought to purchase with the grant funds. Additional thanks to the Westfield Fire District Board of Commissioners for their continued support of the Department as it relates to special projects of this kind.

Click here to read the related article in the Hartford Courant.

Kleen Energy Plant to Purge Cylinders

2010-02-12T20:10:00.001-05:00

Starting at approximately 8:00 a.m. on Saturday February 13, 2010, a team from Clean Harbors will be burning off acetylene and other gases stored in cylinders at the damaged Kleen Energy plant. The Cylinders were damaged during the fatal explosion that occurred last Sunday morning, and as such, they cannot be transported over the road until they are emptied. Westfield Fire will be assisting South Fire District in providing an engine for coverage as a safety precaution. Click here to read the related article in the Hartford Courant.

Westfield Fire Response to Kleen Energy Explosion

2010-02-07T19:34:00.001-05:00

Westfield Fire responded with Engines 2 and 3, Tanker 4, Rescue 3 and Ladder 6 to the Kleen Energy plant on River Road at approximately 1:00 this afternoon for a significant explosion and resulting casualties. Westfield units remained on-scene until approximately 7:00 p.m.. Crews from South District and Middletown Fire will remain on-scene through the night.

Through the Roof at Madison at Chestnut Hill

2010-02-04T20:53:00.007-05:00

At approximately 1:20 a.m. on Thursday February 4, 2010, Westfield fire was toned out to a structure fire at Buildings 6 & 8 of the Madison at Chestnut Hill apartment complex on Town Colony Drive. On arrival, Chief John Lockwood confirmed a working structure fire and promptly requested a second alarm response. As Westfield and Middletown units arrived on scene, fire was shooting through the roof of Building 6. Westfield 2 initiated fire attack with the deck gun, a 1-3/4" line and a 2-1/2" line while Westfield 6 set up for master stream operations. Middletown Engine 3 tied 5-inch LDH in from a yard hydrant to Westfield 6. The second alarm also included units from South District, Cromwell , Middlefield, East Berlin, and Portland Fire Departments to the scene along with an engine from Rocky Hill and a ladder from Cromwell to Westfield Fire headquarters for station coverage. Deputy Chief Stephen Hughes was assigned to Staging and Captain Dan Barone was assigned to Operations. The blaze was extinguished in approximately 20-minutes. Westfield 5, 4, and 3 were also on scene. Westfield 7 responded with EMTs Lisa DeJohn and Kelly Brunell for the rehab assignment. The Salvation Army provided refreshments for on-scene personnel and the American Red Cross arrived to assist impacted residents with alternate living arrangements. Great job by all Westfield members and mutual aid companies in keeping the fire contained to the initial fire building (Building 6)!

Special thanks to all responding mutual departments for all your assistance. Coordination between all departments was excellent! Although fire damage was extensive and temperatures were below freezing for the entire incident, no injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Westfield Fire Marshal's Office and the State of Connecticut Fire Marshal's Office. Pictures will be posted in the next day or so. Links to news coverage are below:

http://www.wfsb.com/news/22461979/detail.html
http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/middlesex_cty/fire-strikes-middletown-condo-complex
http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local-beat/Apartment-Fire-Displaces-40--83530387.html
http://www.wtic.com/pages/6285503.php
http://www.courant.com/community/middletown/hc-web-middletown-fire-0205feb04,0,4326777.story
http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2010/02/04/news/doc4b6b0cb9a5f43544175745.txt

Also, click on the link below to see some good photos by Sean Freiman's site:

http://hartfordonfire.smugmug.com/CONNECTICUT-Other-Incidents/2010-Incidents/MIDDLETOWN-CT-2nd-Alarm-617/11140182_ZCh3H#780704038_gJtnv

Roundabout Hose Lay

2010-01-28T21:27:00.000-05:00

FlashoverTV is powered by FireRescue1.com

Check this one out. The Carmel (IN) Fire Department started playing around with the Cleveland high-rise hose lay and came up with a new/improved way to pack the primary 1-3/4 attack line. It appears to be a significant improvement over the typical minuteman lay because it 1) it eliminates the need to flake the hose out at your point of entry, 2) it deploys easily, quickly and without getting tangled up, and 3) it is repacked on the ground. The Carmel FD uses 200' of 1-3/4 and packs a flat lay on one side and the "roundabout" on the other side of the hose bed and then connects the female end of the "roundabout" to the male end of the flat lay. We use 250' or 300' depending on the truck, so if we were to consider using this lay, we'd have to flat lay 150' - 200' across both sides of the hose bed, filling one side to the top and then filling the other side half up with a flat lay and the second half with the "roundabout" lay. Maybe somethng to try out once the weather warms up a bit...click here to see and read how they actually lay out the hose.

We Want You!

2010-01-07T22:46:00.002-05:00

The Moody School PTA will be graciously hosting Assistant Chief Darrell Ponzio this coming Monday night, January 11th, starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Moody School library (300 Country Club Road) to have a conversation with Westfield residents about volunteer opportunities with the Westfield Fire Department.

Like the PTA, the Westfield Fire Department is powered by volunteer residents within the District. We're looking for able-bodied men and women who would like to make a significant difference in their community by helping our neighbors. The comraderie and excitement come with the package. If you've ever thought about becomming a volunteer firefighter or EMT but felt that you couldn't commit to a schedule or had some other lingering concern, please come out and join the discussion. Even if you find that it's not really for you, there may be another family member or neighbor who you might recommend. While you're there, you can also see our PTA in action. Between the future playscape, the JCJ Feasibility Study and parking lot safety, the discussion should be lively!

Things of Note

2010-01-06T23:41:00.000-05:00

This past Tuesday was the January meeting night, and included the annual officers elections. Some notables:

1. Bill Balch, who has been a member since birth (actually, since 1994) and has served for the past 8 or 9 years as a lieutenant, was forced to step (or should I say limp) aside. Bill, a sincere "thank you" from all of us for all your hard work on-scene, behind the scenes, in the kitchen, and just about everywhere else.

2. Michael Mosebach, who has been a member for 8 years has stepped up to take the 6th lieutenant's spot. Mike - welcome to the ranks of officer, and best of luck to you as you take on the additional leadership responsibilties. You'll do a great job!

3. Dave Ribnicky stepped aside as secretary, relinquishing the role to Lisa DeJohn. Dave, thanks for your efforts and best of luck to Lisa!

and finally,

4. Tom Flynn turned 90. Tom has been a member of Westfield Fire since 1938 and served in WWII. When asked to say something the other night, Tom replies..."Dwight D. Eisenhower once said that old veterans never die, they just fade away. Well, I say that old firefighers never die, they just keep getting in the way!" Tom - you're the best! Congrats on 90 years!

Gone!

2009-12-31T22:09:00.001-05:00

And just like that, we can salute the passing of 2009. The first decade (or 1/10th, if you like) of the 21st century are gone. Amazing! Let's hope 2010 brings back a more stable economic climate and maybe one that even sees job growth. Let's also hope it delivers on a more stable world political climate - one where people in Iraq and Afganistan, as well as the rest of the Middle East, turn down the "anger" dial a little. Although I probably could, I won't go on and on. But I did scan FireRescue1.com's 2009 Firefighter Pictures Year in Review - it's pretty good. Take a look!

Happy New Year Everyone! In the words of 10-5-6, "be alert, stay safe!"

Fire Hydrants - Protectors of Life and Property

2009-12-22T22:29:00.010-05:00

Summary of this post:
Photo at left - how a hydrant should look within 24-hours after a snow storm. Please shovel out any hydrant located on or near your property!!

Now the full posting:
Behold the fire hydrant. The ubiquitous steel soldier - standing at full attention every 500 feet or so, quitely guarding our very lives and property. They're so common and unassuming that they tend to blend right into the surroundings. They've got quite a legacy however. And the difference they make in being able to quickly extingiushing fire is dramatic. The flow of water coming out of the "steamer connection" (the connection at the front of this hydrant) is typically 60 - 90 psi and anywhere from 500 to over 1,500 gallons per minute. They provide sufficient water flow to extinguish a room & contents fire in seconds. And more importantly, the water supplied from a hydrant is virtually unlimited. Property & casualty insurers - who provide homeowners insurance - view them in high regard. They establish insurance premiums based partially on your home's distance to the nearest hydrant (+/- 500 feet). Municipalities recognize their importance universally - parking in front of a hydrant is illegal in every town and city in the country. And, most people universally accept that parking restriction, knowing full well the need to ensure that firefighers have immediate and unimpeded access to this most important appliance. So why then do so many homeowners who have the privilege of hosting a hydrant on their property (and reduced homeowner's premiums to boot!) ignore their patron saint in their only time of need - WHEN IT SNOWS??? In fact, some homeowners and their plowing contractors go so far as to actually bury their guardian angels in the snow they're clearing from sidewalks and driveways.

The City of Middletown is working on an ordinance that would require the resident nearest any hydrant to shovel it clear of snow within 24-hours of the end of any snow storm. Can't come a moment too soon! I urge the Common Council and the Public Safety Commission to take action as soon as possible on this issue. In the meantime, I have to wonder - why would anyone wait for a city ordinance as a motivator to clear their hydrant of snow? Civic responsibility folks. Neighborly goodwill please.

Some of you may have seen one of our red engines out around the Westfield Fire District, shoveling out hydrants. And you may have thought that this was a service that the District provides - all part of the deal when you pay your taxes. Yes and no. Yes, we do get out there and shovel hydrants. Yes, we do it because it's critical in ensuring that we are well positioned to save lives and property. However, the people shoveling those hydrants are volunteer firefighers who are setting personal time and families aside to get the job done. It's no different than any citizen of the Westfield District getting out there with a shovel - except that shoveling out every hydrant in the Westfield District takes a VERY long time for a couple of crews of 3.

Okay. I know that the last thing anyone wants to do after clearing their driveway of snow is to plod down to the curb and shovel some more - especially the extra heavy snow that our fabulous Pubic Works Department has left there for us (actually, I really do think Mr. Russo and Public Works do a great job in keeping Middletown's streets clear of snow). But it's your moral responsibility to get it done. As Tom Cruise says in Jerry Maguire - "help me help you!" If you are unable to clear your hydrant, then please give us a call and we'll come out and clear it for you.

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-15T23:10:00.003-05:00

Following tradition, both the Men's and Children's Christmas / Holiday Parties were held on the first Friday / Saturday in December. I attended both and can attest that they were both very well done. I know that the Chief and Captain would agree, as proven in this photo - look how festive they both look! Clearly they turned up the "enjoyment" dial on Friday night! The food at the Men's party was excellent! The kids had a grand time at the Children's party! Looks like Kiki the Clown has become a standard at the Children's party - and with good reason - the kids LOVE her. Thanks all those who helped at each event, and a special thanks to those who put in the extra time to cook and clean. Also, special thanks to Santa Claus for taking time out of his busy day to stop by and say hello to all the kids.

As we roll into the last 2 weeks of the year, and on behalf of the officers of the Westfield Fire Department, I wish everyone a safe, relaxing and enjoyable holiday season! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!

Photos from Rasch Funeral

2009-11-23T20:47:00.001-05:00

Courtesy of Ten7tyFive.com...click here to see all the rest of the photos...

Like Family

2009-11-21T23:14:00.003-05:00

Today was one of those rare, almost spiritual days for me where in retrospect, everything seems to have fallen perfectly into place. Two events took up the entire day - Al Rasch's funeral and a turkey dinner for the families of the fire department, hosted by the officers. I was up at 6:00 a.m. (early for me on a Saturday) to get a turkey in the oven, and then off to the firehouse at by 8:15 in my class A's. Although the sign-up sheet had me playing the skeptic for the past few days, the number of firefighters who turned out to participate in the funeral ceremonies was rather dramatic. About 10 of us proudly served as pallbearers. As we carried the casket in and out of St. Pius X chrurch we had another 18 or so firefighers standing on either side of the walkway. It was really beautiful - maybe more so for me because I wasn't expecting that kind of turnout. Since they were there, I called them to attention and had them salute as the casket passed by on it's way back to the hosebed of the 1954 Ward LaFrance. Nice touch, and it was a wonderful statement about the brotherhood we all share, even after death. I rolled away from the church feeling very proud of the Westfield Fire Department and its members for pulling together in a very self-motivated sort of way. Each person shared the same compelling need to show someone like Al Rasch how much we respect him and his family.

At the cemetery, the firefighters lined up in double-rows on opposite sides of the casket with the family flanking us to one side. Al was a WWII veteran, and as such was accorded all the appropriate military honors, including a 3-gun salute and the always tear-jerking tri-folded flag ceremony. Mrs. Rasch accepted the flag solemnly and proudly. After about a minute of silence (a long, somewhat uncomfortable minute), all the firefighters were called to salute and the fire siren (back at the fire house) blasted 3 cycles. Standing there at full attention, I could see the family members as they murmured amonst themselves that the siren was part of the ceremony and that it was for Al. There was no need for anyone to say anything else. Just standing there, with the wail of the siren in the back ground and the calm silence within the cemetery, it was clear that we were giving the Rasch family our most sincere and honest form of respect. I''m proud to say that I knew Al. Not for very long in terms of his lifetime (89 years!), but long enough to appreciate his love of jokes and his passion for gardening ("hey, take a look at this tomato!") and family. He'll be missed. Those of us who participated came away with something special - an affirmation that the bond of brotherhood is stronger than life itself. I like to think that Al, and others who passed on ahead of him, people like Bob White and Stan Boneski, were standing right there with us.

Another big part of volunteer firefighting is holding family events. For me, and many in the volunteer fire service, aside from the personal satisfaction in helping others and carrying on the brave tradition, the sense of community you get is very real and very rewarding. So in that spirit, the officers of the Westfield Fire Department held a turkey dinner for all the firefigher families this evening. A number of us were at the firehouse for the better part of the afternoon (after having been there all morning) to prepare. Around 6:00 p.m., many of the rest of the firefighters and their families came rolling in. It was really a wonderful evening. Sandi Lockwood held a coloring contest for the kids with Gayle Peterson and Rose Jones serving as judges. The kids had a great time with that and just playing with each other. No fighting and no trips to the hospital this time (Joseph Darley...:-). There was plenty of hot food, plenty of good conversation and plenty of dessert. All too often, the firehouse is a place of politics and strong opinions. None of that was part of the scene today and tonight. It was really wonderful to enjoy good times with good people. Special thanks to Chief John Lockwood, Deputy Chief Stephen Hughes, Captain Dan Barone and Lieutenant Joe Passamano. The chef's hats are on order...

And to really ice the cake, I drove home and my two boys (6 and 8) dutifully got ready for bed and were out cold in no time. Awesome. Almost spiritual.

Al Rasch Passes

2009-11-15T19:12:00.003-05:00

The Westfield Fire Department regretfully announces the passing of former Chief Al Rasch. Al passed on November 14, 2009. Al joined the Department in 1939. He served in a variety of roles, including Chief from 1972 to 1977 where he oversaw the move from the 4-bay Miner Street Station to the current-day headquarters at 653 East Street. Al proudly served his country as a sergeant in the South Pacific theater of operations in WWII. Al was very proud (and rightly so) of his service in the military. He lived in Westfield for most of his life, moving to Washington in 2007 to live with his daughter. A wake will be held on Friday November 20 at Biega's in Middletown and a funeral will be held on Saturday November 21. Click here to see Al's obituary in the Hartford Courant.

2009 Fire Prevention Open House a Success!

2009-10-11T19:49:00.005-05:00

For once, the weathermen were right - it was going to be a gloomy, drizzly Saturday. But nonetheless, the Westfield Fire Department Open House was a big success! It's estimated that a few hundred people stopped in to get a sense for what firefighting is like and to understand a little more about fire prevention. The smoke room was a big hit this year, with a large number of parents going in to see what it's like to be in an unfamiliar space, fully charged with smoke (training smoke). Tied to this little "lesson," firefighters helped guests don a full set of gear and grab a set of irons and a water can. Quote of the day - "Wow! That's REALLY heavy!" Yes folks, the stuff we use is heavy. Many thanks to all the WFD members who came out to lend a hand for the event! Some photos below. Speical thanks to Lt. Nick DeJohn who captured the days events by taking over 250 photos.

Friends of Assistant Chief Ponzio enjoy the Open House. Yes Amelia and Andrew, you can come back any time you want.

FF Craig Butterworth takes visitors up for a ride in Ladder 6. Sweet.

Past Chief Joe Augeri trains one of the new recruits. Joe - don't let the balloon string get caught.

FF Matt Caffrey shows some guests what we look/sound like with all our gear on.

FF Caffrey - quite impressive in all that gear!

Two guests "take the knob" and attack the fire.

FF Aaron Boyce shows 10-5-3(b) a few things about handling a hoseline. Seems the future Captain was unimpressed.

2009 Fire Prevention Week Open House

2009-09-24T20:04:00.001-05:00

The Westfield Fire Department is kicking off Fire Prevention Week on Saturday October 3rd with an Open House. The event opens to the public at 11:00 a.m. and continues until 2:00 p.m. Westfield Fire encourages all residents within the Westfield District (and their children!) as well as others in the area to come visit the firehouse. While there, visitors can chat with firefighters about fire prevention, try their hands on a charged hose line, check out the apparatus, try on gear, experience the disorientation of a smoke-filled room and see what it's like to be immobilized on a backboard!

For the rest of Fire Prevention Week the Westfield Fire Marshal's Office will be holding a series of events at local schools, day care facilities and businesses. For information about anything related to Fire Prevention Week please call the firehouse (contact info to the right) or email FM Art Higgins and DFM Mike Giantonio in the Fire Marshal's office - fmo@westfieldfire.net or dfm@westfieldfire.net.

Also, on the afternoon of October 10th, Westfield Fire will be in their "Class A's" as we join Middlefield Fire at a parade celebrating their 75th Anniversary. Congratulations Middlefield Fire!

Busy Weekend!

2009-09-03T17:31:00.007-05:00

The last full weekend of August proved to be a busy one for Westfield Fire. Beyond the various medicals and false alarms, WFD responded 2 motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) - 1 requiring extended extrication - and 1 working structure fire in Cromwell.

Saturday

The 1st of 2 MVAs came in at approximately 2:00 a.m. on Saturday August 29. Connecticut State Police (CSP) on-scene reported 1 car off the road with a tree on top of it on I91 southbound between exits 21 and 20. On arrival, Chief John Lockwood confirmed the 1 car MVA and reported 2 trapped occupants, including 1 possible DOA. The vehicle was lying on its roof. With the arrival of Westfield Rescue 3, Assistant Chief Darrell Ponzio and his crew worked on intial stabilization of the vehicle followed by removal of the fallen tree and then by extrication of the passenger using spreaders, cutters, the omni tool and several rams. Westfield Tanker 4 arrived soon after with Lt. Nick DeJohn and his crew who assisted in extrication efforts on the passenger side. Given the obvious extended timeframe the extrication would take, Chief Lockwood called Rescues from Cromwell and Middletown to assist. He also called Engines from East Berlin and Middletown to Westfield's station for coverage. Cromwell's crew, led by Assistant Chief Don Quick provided additional stabilization of the vehicle and then set to work extricating the driver.

Middletown's crew, led by Assistant Chief Jay Woron aided crews on the passenger side. The extended and technically complicated extrication required a collaborative, well thought out process by all involved and that's extactly what was provided. The driver was extricated in approximately 1/2-hour and the passenger was extricated in approximately 1-hour. With LifeStar grounded due to the weather, patient care and transport was handled by Hunters Ambulance and the Middlesex Hospital paramedic.

While on-scene on I91, Westfield was toned out for another MVA at the corners of Westfield, Ballfall, Country Club and East. Middletown E3 crew responded with Westfield's Deputy Chief Steve Hughes. Poles and wires down required extra caution and resulted in a loss of power to houses in the neighborhood well into Saturday morning.

Sunday

At approximately 18:15 on Sunday afternoon, Westfield Engine 2 and Ladder 6 were called on a mutual aid response to Cromwell for a working structure fire. The house, set with it's backyard against the Connecticut River, was on a dead-end street that forced responding crews from South Fire, Rocky Hill, Westfield and Cromwell to position their apparatus in a line down the street. Westfield crews, led by Deputy Chief Steve Hughes and Assistant Chief Darrell Ponzio assisted with fire extinguishment and overhaul on the second floor of the residence. Photo above courtesy of the Middletown Press. Click here to see the related article by Jeff Mill. However, be warned - there is quite a volume of commentary by very poorly informed individuals below the article. All I can say is that a full structure fire that has extended into the attic, on a warm summer evening does indeed require mutual aid response from multiple towns to prevent firefighter heat exhaustion on scene, to ensure that property and lives (6:00 p.m. = people are probably home) are saved and to ensure that no single department is spread too thin should another call of any kind come in. To Chief Pendl, Assistant Chief Don Quick, the rest of the Cromwell firefighters and support personnel as well as all the mutual aid departments, great job!

Errr, do you take credit cards?

2009-08-23T21:23:00.007-05:00

Tighter budgets. Higher call volumes. Higher fuel costs. Lower tax bases. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place! Fire departments across the country - volunteer, combination and career - are all experiencing these challenges to one degree or another. As FireRescue1.com and the Chico Enterprise-Record report, the town of Paradise, CA is looking at billing its residents for non-fire calls as a way to generate the revenue needed to cover their costs.

On the plus side, it would certainly generate revenue. It would probably also narrow emergency responses to those events that really require it. On the minus side, it might cause some people to not call when they should. And talk about a PR downer! Doesn't it kind of fly in the face of what firefighters are all about?

What do you think? Navigate over to our poll ("Should fire departments bill for non-fire calls") on the right and vote!

So That's How it's Supposed to Work!

2009-08-23T20:25:00.003-05:00

With fall approaching (kinda crazy isn't it??) and WFD approaching 700 runs for the year, this weekend was a microcosm of the this August in general. With all the rain and cool temperatures we had through July, it seems that everyone is cramming all their summer activities into these, the waning days of August. This weekend, in spite of the threat of hurricane Bill, was the same - jam it all in!! Motorcycles everywhere. Kayaks on top of cars, headed to beach fronts or some river somewhere. Cyclists riding in big Tour de France-style packs. Lawn mowers humming along, hoping to get the job done prior to any of the potential flash storms. So, it was really no surprise that the WFD was out on runs seemingly every 2 hours this weekend. MVA's, CO calls, medicals, automatic alarms, blah, blah, blah. What did strike me as interesting though was the possible structure fire around 17:00 on Saturday at Ridgefield Apartments. The call came in from dispatch as smoke and flames showing. But, only 1 caller. Odd. Usually, the "big ones" result in multiple calls and an octave or two higher from the first on-scene personnel. Given the way that the apartment and condo complexes are nestled in and among each other, we had some giddyup in our step anyway. Having E30 from South District, E3 from Middletown, and engines from Middlefield and Cromwell responding also helps the Westfield volunteers move along briskly - gotta be a good host. Deputy Fire Marshal Holmes and Lieutenant Bill Balch were first on scene and reported smoke visible. Chief Lockwood was on scene soon after, and the 3 were quickly able to confirm smoke from cooking - no fire. Mutual aid units were returned, as always, with thanks. Westfield 2 and 6 were kept on scene to vent and secure. Rolling into the scene on the ladder, and knowing that we had only some ventilation to do, I was able to more casually observe the many residents sitting along the curbs watching the action. It was like rolling into the viewing area of a parade! On arrival, E2 already had ventilation handled with their PPV fan. Other than to secure the alarm panel, my crew on the ladder didn't have too much to do. So, being responsible for recruiting and retention, I shifted gears and starting talking with all the onlookers - helping a few kids up into the ladder and letting quite a few more gawk at the huge truck.

What was so interesting about all this, you ask? All the people! I guess you could call many residents of Westlake area "fair weather" citizens when it comes to properly responding to a fire alarm. On this nice warm summer afternoon, people seemed to actually welcome the abrupt and temprorary change in their plans. Most other times though (rain, cold, late night) we see only a handful of the most cautious. You'd think after seeing some of the fires that their neighbors have experienced, that these folks would all be safely distanced from their apartments well prior to our arrival. Now I don't mean to cut down the residents of our beautiful district. In fact, there is indeed quite a "boy who cried wolf" problem in all this. How many times do we get called out to Westlake Drive for the false alarm? And I would be hypocritical if I didn't admit that we, as firefighters can be prone to it ourselves. But if it's the real deal - and rest assured, it WILL happen again, who will heed the fire alarms and get to safety?

As a firefighters on the scene of a structure fire, one of our first priorities is getting traped residents out of the building. Obvious. But, there's quite a bit working against us in this tricky endeavour. For one, we're limited to only about 20 minutes of working time on our Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). For another, we don't know where the people we're trying to save are, or might be. And, for another, we need to allocate resources to extinguish the fire and ventilate the structure (really, those 2 things are part of the process to find and save potential victims).

OK - I'm probably preaching to the choir here. Sorry about that - but I do have a dual-audience message to deliver:

1. To all my brothers out there - encourage people to recognize fire alarms for what they are and to take appropriate actions EVERY time they go off. GET OUT while you can.

2. To all civilians who have made it this far into today's posting - please GET OUT while you can. Sure - if you don't, or can't get out, we'll do our very best to get you and your family out and to save your belongings. Remember though - there's a lot going on at the scene of a structure fire and the single most helpful thing you can do for us once the flames are showing is to be out of the building and positioned fully clear of the scene as well as arriving apparatus.

Be safe out there! Everyone comes home, EVERY time.

Feelin' the Love

2009-07-12T21:57:00.004-05:00

I've always viewed this blog as a truly grassroots effort that should reflect all that's of concern or note to the members of the Westfield Fire Department and to our larger community of brothers out there on the net. I check the "hits" to our site (I like to indulge myself) to see where people are coming from and how they're coming to visit our "little corner of Connecticut." I often find myself typing a new post late on a Tuesday night after the weekly drill - feeding off the then-current energy of our members. Sometimes I find great information on the web that is relevant to our department. One of my favorite sites for quite a while has been www.FireRescue1.com - so it was quite a surprise and honor to find out that they had included us in their launch of a section featuring firefighter blogs. It's well worth the "trip" to see some of the great blogs out there that our brothers have been running - go take a look by clicking here.

Welcome Back Dave!

2009-07-06T22:16:00.005-05:00

At our officer's meeting this evening it occurred to me that with all the "changes in management" this past spring, we took on a new/old lieutenant back in May without any formal recognition here on westfieldfire.net. Shame, shame, shame. Dave Peterson, seen here with his lovely wife Linda, had risen to the rank of captain back in the late 1990's and stepped down in the early 2000's to spend more time with his family and to run his business. Well, apparently Dave has this stuff in his blood because he stepped right back up this past May to fill an open LT position. Dave is one of our most experienced firefighter/EMT's and his hands-on knowledge will certainly make a big difference "on scene" and around the firehouse. Dave - great to have you sporting a white hat again! We'll see you at the "big one!"

No Place for Taz in Firefighting...

2009-06-21T19:30:00.007-05:00

June 14 - 20 was Fire/EMS Safety, Health & Survival Week. To be honest, I was so busy with a million other things that I totally missed it. I was taking a few minutes to read some of the content on http://www.firerescue1.com/ this evening and I stumbled across a few good articles. One, by Charles Bailey, addresses the typical "we need to change" theme in a whole new way. Drop the big banner declarations. Don't leverage scare tactics. Instead, look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself - from the moment the tones go out until the moment you return home, did you operate in a way that gives you, your brothers and the public at large the best chance for a safe, injury-free outcome? Then Mr. Bailey goes on to suggest, horror of horrors, that we SLOW DOWN.

Now, I've been through any number of fire-related classes. I've been through FFI and FFII. I've been on my fair share of fire, rescue and EMS-related calls in my 15 years in the service. Rarely do I ever hear anyone suggest that we should slow down. In fact, from our firefighting births, we are constantly timed on everything. 45-second SCBA drills. Search & rescue drills. Low-angle rescue drills. Get it done quickly - lives are at stake!! But, if you read Mr. Bailey's article (click here) you'll see what he really means. I won't reiterate the whole article (go read it, it's not too long at all), but I will make a few points for our guys...

1. When responding from home, blue lights or not, please go a little easier. I know the adrenaline is pumping. I know you want to "make the truck" - but I want you to make it HOME too. A professional learns how to manage and benefit from the adrenaline rush, not be a victim of it. Lastly, remember that you're a representative of the WFD, 24 hours a day. Gain the respect of our civilian neighbors by driving at a reasonable speed. (Note that a blue light affords you no additional rights when driving - you are required to observe the speed limit, all traffic signs and rights of way.)

2. When driving apparatus, also go a little easier. Lights and sirens (esp. the Federal) and pre-arrival radio chatter can jack up the adrenaline even more, but remember that we're no good if we don't get there safely, and we don't really shave that much off our response times by barreling down any district road at a relatively unsafe rate of speed. (Note that red lights and sirens DO allow you to maneuver through red lights and to pass other vehicles, but they DO NOT alleviate you of your responsibilities and potential liabilities as the operator of the vehicle.)

3. As a rider in the officer's seat, manage the radio and sirens and have your eyes peeled for any hazards. Give the chauffer every chance to focus on handling the apparatus ONLY. If you feel the driver is going too fast, just throw out a "Johnny - ease off a little, we'll get there...", but don't start an argument about it during the ride - save any necessary discussions for the post-mortum.

4. When performing an operation, if you're not sure about what you're doing, stop and get help. Nobody is perfect and nobody knows everything - better to take a few minutes and do it right than to get it done quickly, but incorrectly, and put lives at further risk.

5. Proficiency, which is the sum of speed + accuracy + consistency, is obtained via repetition. Drills can be less than exciting, but it's your responsibility as a member to attend ALL drills and to participate. Aside from formal drills and other classes, take time to drill yourself. Grab a rope and practice those knots. Stare at closed compartment, quiz yourself on the contents, open the compartment and grade yourself - then repeat. Make note of hydrant locations when driving around the district. Quiz yourself on things like pump capacity, hose bed lengths/layouts, ladder lengths, etc.

New Domain Name!

2009-05-15T22:41:00.005-05:00

For all those loyal readers who "dealt" with the "blogspot" url for these past 4 years, I'm very pleased to announce that we can now be found under www.westfieldfire.net. Now how's that for ease of doing business?? Of course, I don't want anyone to worry about the "old school" way of reading up on Westfield Fire news and happenings, so you can rest assured that both old and new url's will work. But now we've got a site that's much easier to remember how to get to. Hope you enjoy it!

Chicken BBQ a Success!

2009-05-14T19:31:00.008-05:00

Although ticket sales are still being counted, it was clear from the great weather and the large turnout that this year's chicken barbeque fund raiser was a huge success. First, a big "thank you" to Fred Jones and Harold Holmes who coordinated and co-chaired the event. Great job guys! Running an event of this size requires a huge time commitment from a large number of people, so thanks also...

...to Jeff Doskos of Haddam Fire for spending the better part of Saturday working in the pit.

...to Dana Andrew, Tim Dickes, Dave Peterson and Craig Butterworth for working in the pit all day and then really stepping it up by showering and returning to help serve dinners and clean up afterwards - in all about 14 hours of work in one day.

...to the following people for helping out in any way possible during the event:

Jennifer Trevisan

Mary Andrew

Bailey Andrew

Owen Andrew

Whitney Andrew

Joanne DeJohn

Jeremy Higgins

Nicholas Higgins

Dale Higgins

Cassey Osterhoudt

Danielle Darley

Mikaela Cody

Nicole Augeri

Zack Newton

Louis Zanette

Martha Holmes

Bridget Ernst

Marissa Aldieri

The WFD would also like to send out special thanks to Emma Rathbun and Rocky Collins at SERVPRO, Inc. (pictured with Chief Lockwood in front of Engine 2) who provided sponsorship to the barbeque. A SERVPRO francise is local to the Westfield District and is the specialist in fire and water damage cleanup. Guys - thanks for being such a great, supportive neighbor!

REMINDER:

2009-05-01T16:29:00.004-05:00

DON'T MISS IT!

Tomorrow, Saturday May 2 is the annual Westfield Fire Chicken BBQ. Everyone is encouraged to attend!

4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

$9.00 donation for adults

$5.00 donation for children

This is Westfield's only regularly scheduled fund raiser - please come out to say "hi" to your volunteers, check out the apparatus, and enjoy a home-cooked meal.

"Be Safe Out There!..."

2009-05-01T12:27:00.003-05:00

...says Lieutenant and Deputy Fire Marshal Mike Giantonio, who turned 50 today!

Happy Birthday Mike! Hope you enjoy your day as much as you enjoy wearing that hat!

Guidance for EMS Personnel - Swine Flu

2009-04-30T19:53:00.005-05:00

Guidance has been pouring in to WFD from a number of key resources, including Middlesex Hospital, regarding swine flu. Like all Fire/EMS organizations, Westfield is taking appropriate actions to prepare itself for encounters with potentially infected patients. The CDC provides some specific guidance - click here to read more information specific to EMS professionals.

Members of the public can click the links below for more generalized information and for information on how to prepare a household for a pandemic flu outbreak:

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/index.htm

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/individuals.pdf

Structure Fire with Fully Involved Truck and Boat

2009-04-28T20:02:00.015-05:00

This past Saturday afternoon at about 5:35 Westfield Fire was called out to a fully involved car fire with exposures at 836 Ridgewood Road. On arrival, Lieutenant Giantonio (10-5-6) confirmed the car fire as well as extension to the nearby house. Chief Lockwood (10-5), who arrived on-scene seconds later requested a full structure response. Westfield 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 responded along with Middletown and South District providing mutual aid to the scene. Cromwell and Middlefield Fire responded to Westfield's station for district coverage. Two 1-3/4 hand lines were used to extinguish the fire. Crews lead by Captain Dan Barone and Lieutenant Bill Gregorio went to the roof above the garage to cut a 4x4 vent hole. Deputy Chief Steve Hughes assumed command midway through the call and led remaining overhaul operations.

A neighbor was kind enough to provide photos:

Westfield Goes Mutual Aid to Middletown

2009-04-20T18:33:00.002-05:00

At approximately 11:45 p.m. on Sunday April 19, Westfield Fire responded along with assignments from Portland and South District on a mutual aid response to the City of Middletown's Central District for a 3-alarm structure fire at the Hall-Atwater Laboratories of Wesleyan University. The fire presented unique challenges given the many hazardous materials present in the structure. The State DEP was called in to assist. East Berlin provided coverage for Westfield fire for most of the evening while Engine 2 and Ladder 6 were committed to the scene and while Engine 5 provided coverage for the Central District at the Cross Street station. Click here for Hartford Courant coverage.

District Appoints New Chiefs

2009-04-15T18:49:00.003-05:00

This past January, a long-time fixture in the chief's ranks within the Westfield Fire Department, Deputy Chief Joe Augeri resigned his post. While the membership of the Department and the Board of Commissioners greatly regretted Joe's decision, we all understood that Joe had good personal reasons to end his 20+ years as an officer in the Westfield Fire Department. Joe - on behalf of the entire membership and Board of Commissioners, THANK YOU for your many years of progressive, hands-on leadership. It's been a pleasure serving under you. Of course, we look forward to seeing you inside the structure at the next "big one"....!

Following Joe's resignation in January, the Board of Commissioners appointed Steve Hughes to the post of Acting Deputy Chief and Mike Giantonio to the post of Acting Assistant Chief. Chief John Lockwood also appointed Brian White to the post of Acting Lieutenant.

Fast forward to this past Tuesday....

At the District Board meeting this past Tuesday April 14, the Board of Commissioners took action to fill the chiefs' positions on a more permanent basis. Steve Hughes was appointed to Deputy Chief and Darrell Ponzio was appointed to Assistant Chief. Mike Giantonio, who did a fine job as Acting Assistant Chief has resumed his position as Lieutenant. The Acting Lieutenant's position currently filled by Brian White will be filled at the next Department monthly meeting on May 5, 2009. Finally, The Board of Commissioners appointed former Deputy Chief Dana Andrew to the newly created position of District 5 - a Lieutenant's position, complementing the leadership provided by Lt. Giantonio and other volunteer officers during daytime hours.

Westfield Fire Banquet - Great Times!

2009-04-07T20:24:00.004-05:00

Westfield Fire held our annual banquet on Saturday April 4th at the Falcon's Pavillion. Special thanks to Burt Hale and Fred Jones for working to organize the event. After enjoying the buffet dinner, Chief Lockwood recognized several firefighters for their years of service:

50 Years:
Ross Andrew, Jr.
Sid Harmon

30 Years:
Dana Andrew
Ross Andrew
Art Higgins

25 Years:
Joe Augeri
Brian White
Harold Holmes

15 Years:
Bill Balch
Steve Hughes
Mike Trevisan

10 Years:
Nick DeJohn

5 Years:
Ron Organek

Following the Years of Service awards, Chief Lockwood recognized several firefighters for other significant service to the Department and District:

Ed Dypa for his 36 years of service as a District Commissioner.
Fred Jones for his 30 years of service as Department Treasurer.
Joe Augeri for his 20 years of service as an officer (Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Chief and Chief).
Mike Trevisan for his 5 years of service as a Lieutenant.
David Ribnicky for 2008 Firefighter of the Year.
Sid Harmon and Ross Andrew, Jr. for 50 years of service.

Before wrapping up, Chief Lockwood then recognized our mutual aid departments by presenting certificates of appreciation to Chief Ouellette of Middletown Fire, Chief Badamo of South Fire, Chief Shea of Portland Fire, Chief Quick of Middlefield Fire and Assistant Chief Quick of Cromwell Fire.

That Time of Year Again...

2009-03-22T12:47:00.005-05:00

Yes, it's almost May. And as always, the first Saturday in May is the Chicken Barbeque at the Westfield Fire Department. This is our only regularly scheduled fund raiser and it's a huge hit with people near and far. Be sure not to miss it!

Saturday May 2, 2009 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Donation: $9.00 for adults, $5.00 for children
All food is home-made and is served family-style by your volunteer firefighters. Take-out is also available.

WFD Goes Mutual Aid to a Ripper in Middlefield

2009-03-22T12:41:00.004-05:00

Westfield Fire's Tanker 4 was called, along with South District, Durham and Wallingford, to an early morning structure fire at 38 Garden Hill Road in Middlefield. Dispatch reported that flames were showing from the kitchen window. The Hartford Courant provided some brief coverage. Also, Truckie Productions captured some GREAT photos. Flames from the kitchen window INDEED. Click here to check 'em out.

District Welcomes Newest Firefighter

2009-03-11T19:48:00.004-05:00

Congratulations to FF Dave Ribnicky who was sworn in as a paid EMT/firefighter by the Westfield Fire District Board of Commissioners on Tuesday March 10, 2009. Dave joined the Westfield Fire Department in 2007 as a volunteer and has since become one of our most consistent responders. Best of luck Dave!

Dave fills the vacancy left by Captain Dan Barone who has been a volunteer in the Westfield Fire Department since 1993 and was one of the two original paid EMT/firefighters within the District. Dan - thanks for your 5+ years of service to the District and best of luck in your new job! Its great knowning you're still around as a volunteer!

Lots of Chatter...

2009-03-02T21:02:00.003-05:00

There has been a lot of "chatter" lately on www.ctfire-ems.com regarding an open/posted full-time firefighter position within the Westfield Fire District. Some of the comments posted there were true, some were false, and many were simply emotional responses that lacked any factual information. I believe the Forum Chauffer closed the thread to additional posts (thank you) but I'll try to clarify a few things here. I may not hit all the facts, but I'll try.

The Westfield Fire District is one of 3 in the City of Middletown. The Middletown Fire Department (Central District) and South Fire District are the other two. The Westfield Fire District and the Westfield Fire Department were formed in 1931 under a State of Connecticut charter that empowered each district in Middletown to tax its residents specifically for fire coverage. The Westfield Fire District and its Board of Commissioners is responsible for ensuring adequate fire, emergency rescue and EMS services - and does so through the Westfield Volunteer Fire Department. From 1931 to the present, the fire department has been a volunteer organization and the members work VERY hard at trying to keep it that way. However, like most volunteer fire departments, staffing to sufficient levels to ensure proper fire coverage during typical "business hours" (M-F, 8:00 - 17:00) has been a challenge. About 5 years ago, the Board of Commissioners decided to "hedge their bets" and hire two paid firefighters. Note the fine line here - the firefighters are employees of the Westfield Fire District, not the Westfield Fire Department. When the firefighers were hired, the Board of Commissioners made every effort to "hire from within" (meaning from within the Westfield Fire Department) and were successfully able to do so. Those two firefighters, along with a paid mechanic and two fire marhsals, operate under the direction of the Board of Commissioners as employees of the Fire District. However, when the alarm sounds, all 5 respond to the call and operate under the ICS (actually, NIMS) - reporting to the Fire Department Chief, DC, AC or whomever rightfully takes command.

Still with me? OK....

So, a few weeks ago, one of the paid firefighters found a better career opportunity for himself and resigned as a District employee. He remains as a member of the Fire Department. Once again, the Board of Commissioners posted the position internally. From what I understand, a few - but only a few internal candidates applied. Given the low turnout, the District elected to broaden their search to neighboring mutual aid departments. That's where we stand today.

I've heard rumors about the Board of Commissioners feeling that the "internal" applicants don't meet the stated qualifications. I have no idea if that's true but my suggestion would be that anyone impacted by such a rumor should address it directly with a commissioner. All others should find more important things to do with their time.

The thread of commentary on www.ctfire-ems.com also contains inquiries and responses about the District as employer - "doing whatever they want, whenever they want." While I think the District has done a great job over the years in providing the best equipment money can buy and in assessing taxes in a responsible way, I'd agree that the District has opportunities for improvement in terms of its role as an employer. The hope is that the Fire Administrator, a role that was introduced last June, will continue to work with the Commissioners at addressing the known issues. Yes, no guarantees - but show me an employer who guarantees anything these days. It is true that the Fire District is not a union shop, but it's not clear to me that a union would do much more than collect dues and provide advice - I don't think that the strike card is really that much of a threat.

Regarding the firefigher job: Its a 9.5 hour a day job, M-F, 6:30 - 16:30 with a 1/2-hour unpaid lunch break. No opportunities for overtime, no "alternate schedules." I believe it's still only open to members of the WFD and to certain neighboring mutual aid departments. Given the number of calls we respond to (exactly 1,100 in 2008 - an average of just over 3 a day), the job is often filled with maintenance-related tasks. Mopping, sweeping, cleaning, mowing, etc, as well as some fire-related work such as pre-planning, training, etc. As mentioned above though - at least for now, the ranks of lieutenant and captain are filled by volunteers. So promotions are hard to come by. Is it a good way to get going in the fire service? Sure. Is it a job that an ambitious, aggressive young firefighter will stay in for years and years? No.

I hope this helps clarify things a little. Anyone who has questions about the District, Department, or the job should contact us using the information on the right side of our front page.

Fire Marshal Higgins Speaks

2009-01-26T21:43:00.004-05:00

As noted in the Middletown Eye News today, our very own Art Higgins was hosted by the Westfield Residents Association to speak tonight to city residents about various fire safety issues. In the column, there is mention of the Common Council's recent approval of a committee to study costs across the 3 fire districts in the city. My response can be found there as well as below. Please note that this response is not necessarily the view of any other individual in the Westfield Fire Department or that of any of the Westfield Fire Board of Commissioners (although I'll be that most will agree)....

As Mr. Devoto mentions, residents of the Westfield Fire District pay the lowest tax rate in the city for fire coverage - by a wide margin. As shown on the City of Middletown web site (http://www.cityofmiddletown.com/Fire/fire_dept.htm), the mill rates are 5.00 for the Central District, 3.381 for South District, and 0.998 for the Westfield District. I don’t think there’s any question about the necessity for fully paid, career-staffed fire departments for the Central and South Districts. The call volumes are higher than could be supported by an all or part-volunteer force. In the Westfield District, coverage through a largely volunteer force is appropriate given the call volume, enthusiasm and professionalism of its volunteer members, and quality of its relationships with mutual aid fire departments like Middletown, South District, Cromwell, and Middlefield. I also don’t think there’s any question about how well the Middletown (Central) Fire Department, Westfield Fire Department and South Fire District are run – Chief Ouellette, Chief Lockwood and Chief Badamo, their officers and the firefighters of all 3 departments do a fine job. So, it’s funny/concerning to me that anyone on the Common Council would feel it necessary to commission (and pay for) a study to better understand costs relative to the 3 fire departments/districts. The largest contributing factors to the differences in mill rates are salaries and benefits for each districts’ employees. Secondary to that would (probably) be facilities and apparatus maintenance. I’m sure that the study will find a few cost-cutting ideas here and there, but let’s keep in mind that a fire department sets budgets, policies and procedures (all with associated cost) for very good reasons – some of which are understandably not readily apparent to civilians. I hope that the Common Council will give the 3 chiefs and the commissioners from each of the 3 fire districts their fair time to read and respond to the findings of the study before it is disseminated to the general public.

While we all wait anxiously for the cost study to be published, below are some tangible, realistic, everyday things we can all do to reduce our costs for fire and EMS coverage:

Do not call 911 for non-emergencies.
Use reasonable judgment in assessing when to call 911 – splinters, stomach aches, etc. can usually be handled through other channels (of course, when in doubt, call 911).
Do not park in no-parking / fire zones.
Post your house number in such a way that it is clearly visible from the street in the dark when traveling by the house at the posted speed limit.
Shovel the snow away from sidewalks, paths, steps and fire hydrants that are on or near your property. If you’re physically unable to do so, call the fire department non-emergency number for your district.
Address known problems with your house in advance – make sure the sump pump works before it rains, make sure smoke detectors are functioning, service your furnace/boiler regularly to prevent inefficient burning, make sure your fireplace and furnace/boiler flues are clear, store fireplace ashes in specifically designated metal containers, etc.
Keep your house clear of unnecessary debris – if you need fire/EMS help, it can only be provided as fast as the fire/EMS teams can find you, treat you and bring you to safety.
Signal, pull over to the side of the road and stop completely when you hear or see an emergency vehicle approaching. Coasting by slowly is often the most dangerous way to handle an approaching emergency vehicle.
Exit your residence if you hear a fire alarm sounding.

There are probably many more suggestions – but I hope you get the point. Reduce the number of responses, reduce the time per call, and improve the overall safety of civilians and responders.

Darrell Ponzio
Lieutenant - Westfield Fire Department and
Resident of the Westfield District of the City of Middletown

Cold Weather Tips from Middletown Water & Sewer Dept.

2009-01-15T20:33:00.004-05:00

Below is a copy of a document provided by the City of Middletown's Water & Sewer Department that provides some insights regarding our water supply system, the reasons for water main breaks, what to do if you run into problems with your water supply, and (near and dear to our hearts) some suggestions regarding fire hydrants. The publication recommends that homeowners who have a fire hydrant on or near their property band together with neighbors to "Adopt a Fire Hydrant" - the purpose being to keep the hydrant clear of snow in the winter and other debris during the other seasons. Anyone who has ever had a residential fire knows that rapid identification of and access to a fire hydrant is critical to the fire departments success in saving property and lives. Do us and yourselves a favor - clear the area around the fire hydrant. If, for any number of reasons cannot clear the hydrant yourself, feel free to call the fire house (non-emergency).

Special thanks to Guy Russo and Jay Sipperly from the City of Middletown for passing this information along.

COLD WEATHER HINTS AND TIPS REGARDING YOUR WATER
from the
WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT

WINTER WEATHER AND WATER MAIN BREAKS

There is approximately a 200 mile network of pipes, pumping stations and storage tanks that delivers water to our customers. The majority of the water pipes that were installed are over 50 years old and are constructed using cast iron pipes. Cast iron is a material that is relatively brittle and sensitive to external pressure placed on the pipe. Today we use ductile iron pipes that are lined with cement mortar and are not as brittle. Even a 10 degree change in the air temperature can increase stress on a pipe. Water temperatures below 40 degrees F can also cause pipes to become more brittle particularly if they have been subject to corrosion over time. Air temperature at or below freezing causes the ground above a pipe to freeze, therefore increasing the external stress on a pipe. Since the drop in water temperature lags behind air temperature changes, water main breaks usually occur one or two days after a severe cold snap.

Corrosion, inside and outside of a pipe decreases the thickness of the wall of the pipe and increases the chance of a break. Pipe diameter also is a factor in water main breaks. The smaller the diameter, the greater the risk of a water main break. Pipe age is the single largest factor, the break rate increases significantly after 60 years as a general rule.

If someone sees water along the road when it hasn’t rained or sees water flowing in areas where no water should normally be, do not hesitate to call us at 343-8085 during business hours and at 347-2541 for after hours. Our crews will investigate the situation and respond accordingly.

If a water main break does occur our crews will respond quickly to assess if the break is a municipal responsibility. Sometimes the water service to a residence or business is the source of the break. As a rule, the service from the curb stop or “shutoff valve” located at the edge of road “right of way” to the structure is the owners responsibility to repair.

As always our crews will work diligently until the water main break is repaired. As a precaution, during these severe cold snaps it is a good idea to store some water for home use, should a water main break occur or due to any other severe weather condition that may disrupt service in your area. Thank you in advance for your cooperation during these cold weather months.

FIRE HYDRANT USE IN COLD WEATHER – KEEP THEM CLEAR FROM SNOW

Fire protection is a critical piece of our work here at the Water and Sewer Department. As a precaution to the cold weather snaps that are prevalent in our region, the Middletown Water and Sewer Department has developed a fire hydrant winterizing program. Each fire hydrant is winterized so that it will not freeze in extreme cold weather. Our trained crews drain and inspect each hydrant so that it will not be subject to freezing. As a result, fire hydrants will work when the hydrant need to be utilized by firefighters.

It is very important that these fire hydrants are kept clear from snow and ice during these winter months. Please keep the hydrants near your home free from snow accumulation. This helps firefighters locate them quickly and provides access to immediate use. Please work with your neighbors to “adopt a hydrant” and make sure it is properly cared for during the winter months.

The firefighters from the Middletown Fire Department, Westfield and South District all send out crews to remove snow from hydrants as well. If you see a hydrant that is buried in snow please call the appropriate fire house at the following numbers: Main Street Fire 343-8004; Westfield Fire House 632-2690; South District Fire House 347-6661.

While fighting a fire every moment counts. Help save precious time, property and possibly even a life. Adopt a hydrant this winter in your neighborhood.

WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT OFFERS COLD WEATHER TIPS TO PREVENT FREEZING PIPES
from the WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT

“During the cold winter weather, water pipes need special attention and care to keep them from freezing and bursting so homeowners should take reasonable precautions to help protect their home or businesses from damage”, said Guy Russo, Director of the Water and Sewer Department. Here are some basic cold weather hints and tips that home owners can follow that are inexpensive and could save you time and money in the long run.

- Know what areas of your home, such as basements, crawl spaces, unheated rooms and outside rooms, are most vulnerable to freezing.

- Eliminate sources of cold air near water lines by repairing broken windows, insulating walls, closing off crawl spaces and eliminating drafts near doors

-Know where your main water shut-off valve is. If a pipe freezes or bursts shut the water off immediately

-Don’t attempt to thaw pipes unless the water is shut off. Freezing can cause unseen cracks in pipes or the soldering joints.

-Apply heat to the frozen pipe by warming the air around it, or by applying heat directly to the pipe. You can use a hair dryer, space heater, or hot water. Never use an open flame.

- Once the pipes have thawed, turn the water back on slowly and check for cracks and leaks and listen for a hissing sound.

-If the temperatures fall below zero and if you have pipes that are vulnerable to freezing, allow a small trickle of water to run overnight to keep the pipes from freezing. The cost of the extra water is minute compared to the cost to repair a broken pipe. This advice is controversial as some recommend that this should not be done because water is too valuable a resource to let run down the drain and it could be considered wasteful. You be the judge.

-Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses and shut off vales to outside water spigots.

If you have any questions call us at 343-8085. As always, we are at your service.

Tom Flynn Turns 89!

2009-01-15T20:31:00.003-05:00

Tom Flynn, a lifetime resident of the Westfield district of the City of Middltown, a 70-year veteran of the Westfield Fire Department (member since 1938 and past Deputy Chief) and a WWII veteran of the Atlantic and Pacific theaters turned 89 this past January 4th.

There's not a person in the department who doesn't enjoy a little sage advice from this veteran among veterans. Tom is also a regular when it comes to "Good of the Department" comments during the monthly meeting - something we all look forward to!

Congratulations Tom!

Just Cuz...

2009-01-03T21:22:00.003-05:00

I've been "flipping" through the many photos I have of the 2008 CSFA Convention Parade - held next door in Cromwell this past summer - in the hopes of printing and framing a few. I really love this one - a shot of our 1954 Ward-LaFrance. You can see DFM Harold Holmes in the driver's seat, driving past the viewing stand. Westfield 1 is technically still an in-service piece, although we only bring her out for parades and other special events. At the moment, she's OOS with Dana Andrew doing some work on the radiator. Let's hope she's ready for Memorial Day 2009!

Could It Be Any Worse Than This??

2009-01-02T19:26:00.005-05:00

Driving home from work this evening I was listening to some news radio and was horrified to hear about an Elizabeth, NJ firefighter who was killed at a structure fire last night - and while that news is always very sad to me (and any other firefighter), what was particularly disbturbing in this case was that the firefighter was not killed by smoke, flames, building collapse, heart attack or any of the other typical causes. He was killed by a fellow firefighter.

Gary Stephens, a 28-year veteran of the Elizabeth Fire Department was helping a driver (and 25-year veteran) back Engine 2 up to a hydrant. Stephens apparently turned around to look at the fire prior to ensuring that the engine had come to a full stop (and preferably, had applied its air brake). The driver, not aware that he should stop in the darkness of the 3:00 a.m. fire, did not stop in time. Stephens was pronounced dead at Trinitas Hospital. Click here to see Fox News coverage of the incident.

While we did not know FF Stephens personally, he was our friend in spirit, and the sympathies and prayers of the Westfield Fire Department go out to the Stephens family and the EFD family.

And, because I commit a reasonable amount of this site to firefighter safety, let me remind everyone of something that Lt. Mike Giantonio says at least once per month (at our monthly meeting). "Stay alert, be safe!" Most laugh at this ritual of Mike's. Well, it isn't really all that funny now, is it? I published a post back in June 2008 specific to scene safety and being careful not to get distracted by the all the goings on at a scene - but rather, to focus on your assignment with a keen sense for firefighter safety.

The inside of the bay doors of the Elizabeth FD say "Everyone comes home, every time." Can you image the confusion, sadness and guilt being experienced by EFD members today?

Seriously guys - be alert, be safe!

2009 Officer Nominations Posted

2008-12-02T22:17:00.002-05:00

The 2009 Officers Slate was posted by the Nominating Committee at tonight's monthly meeting:

Captain - Dan Barone
1st Lieutenant - Darrell Ponzio
2nd Lieutenant - Bill Balch
3rd Lieutenant - Mike Giantonio
4th Lieutenant - Bill Gregorio
5th Lieutenant - Nick DeJohn
6th Lieutenant - Joe Passamano

Secretary - Dave Ribnicky
Treasurer - Fred Jones
Assistant Treasurer - Pete Murphy
Company Mechanic - Dave Conant

Elections for the above positions will be voted by the Department at the January monthly meeting. Commissioner Sid Harmon reported that the Fire Commission has re-appointed the Chief's positions as follows:

Chief - John Lockwood
Deputy Chief - Joe Augeri
Assistant Chief - Steve Hughes

Field Trip!

2008-10-13T19:17:00.014-05:00

I was down in suburban Philadelphia this past weekend visiting my aunt, uncle, 8 cousins and a bunch of their kids. While there, I took the opportunity to stop in at their local volunteer fire department - the Jefferson Fire Company #1 in West Norriton, a borough of Norristown, PA. 2009 will be their 100th anniversary, so while there, I was able to score myself a nice t-shirt. But the best part of the visit was meeting with a couple of the guys and taking a tour of the station. Quite impressive. The station and apparatus were EXTREMELY clean and it was clear that these guys took pride in their house. Like WFD, they recently had their concrete floors epoxied - and they went a step further by coloring the "footprint" of each piece of apparatus in red with a yellow border. Pretty neat! The only problem there would be if they started to shuffle apparatus around (like we've done from time-to-time). They pulled out their squad car (a KME rescue-style pumper) - less than a year old and decked out with all the finest. One of the coolest setups was the Hurst tools - they've got the latest high-pressure system with 3 pre-connected tools, each on it's own 100' spool. Nice. They had two other KME pumpers in the station, a few years older, but equally as clean. Also of note for Dave Conant and our Fire Police was a pretty well kept Chevy conversion van - for the exclusive use of their very active fire police. Other nice touches were the relatively new gym, replete with flat screen TVs, a big hall in the rear for gatherings, and upstairs offices for the line officers, department president, etc. I wasn't allowed to leave without checking out their hand-drawn hose cart - originally built in the 1890's (an estimate from the Amish craftsmen who rebuilt the wheels). The department volunteers just finished the refurb last week in preparation for their 100th anniversary - it was quite a nice job and I'm sure it will be a trophy magnet! Check out their web site (I have it in our LINKS section as well) - http://www.jeffersonfireco.com/.

Chimney Fire Tactics

2008-10-10T20:08:00.004-05:00

With winter fast approaching and many residents getting themselves ready for what I'll call a "colonial" winter (wood stoves and fireplaces to heat the home), it's time to start refreshing ourselves on how to approach chimney fires. There are the basics - grab the all the chimney gear (for us, it's all on our Ladder 6), including overhaul tin cans, firebox gloves, mirrors, flue chains, dry chem "bombs" (small plastic bags filled with a dry chemical extinguishing powder), make sure your crew has a radio, make sure someone has done a good scene assessment (walk all the way around the structure!), make sure you've got a preconnect in place, make sure that any roof work includes roof ladders, etc. Then there are the tactical details regarding the chimney fire itself. There's a great Firerescue1.com article on chimney fire tactics that I found this evening. Click here to jump over to it. Also, let's not forget that we're serving the public. Unlike most structure fires, often times the homeowner (and maybe their kids!) are standing around watching us work on a chimney fire. Watch the language. Act professionally. And remember - this is their home, so put down some tarps, wipe your boots at the door, and for goodness sake, say please and thank-you! Lastly, as a a safety precaution and a nice finishing touch, once you're all wrapped up, monitor the home for CO and report your findings to the IC as well as the home owner.

Past Deputy Chief Bob White Passes

2008-09-29T19:16:00.004-05:00

This past Thursday September 25th, we lost one of the most prominent firefighters in Middlesex County - Past Deputy Chief Bob White. Bob lived his whole life in Middletown, growing up on his family's dairy farm - Pleasant View Farms. He was a member of the Westfield Fire Department for 57 years. During his tenure, he also served various roles in the CSFA, CT Fire Chief's Association, Middlesex County Fire Chief's Association, and the Middlesex County Irregulars. Bob was truly an institution in the WFD and in the fire service. We will miss him greatly. Click here to see the obituary.

Oct 6 Common Council Meeting - Pay Attention Everyone!

2008-09-21T20:18:00.006-05:00

10/3/08 UPDATE: The Common Council meeting was previously posted as being held on October 8. Blog reader Stephen Devoto provided a correction - the next meeting is Monday October 6. Information on the Common Council including the list of members can be found here. Thanks Stephen!

Here in the Westfield Fire Department, we're pretty sensitive to any encroachment - meaning, we don't like it when anyone in the city, especially those in office, start talking about "consolidation" of the 3 Fire Districts (Central, South and Westfield). Before I can provide some commentary on upcoming events, let me give a little background....

For those who may not be aware, back in the 1930's, the State of Connecticut approved the creation of 3 taxing districts within the City of Middletown specifically for fire coverage. Each district is an independent taxing agency and each district commission has full authority and responsibility for fire, rescue and EMS coverage within its district. So, even today, if you're a property owner in Middletown, you receive a separate tax bill for fire coverage.

The Central Fire District, known to all as the Middletown Fire Department, provides coverage (very generally) to the downtown area. The volume of calls and the diversity of infrastructure and types of calls they respond to mandates that they be a full-time career department. The Central District charges 5.00 mills for fire coverage.

The South Fire District provides coverage to the southern section of Middletown, along Route 9, bordering Haddam to the south. Up until about 20 years ago, The South Fire District was a volunteer fire department. Like the Central Distirct, they too have a volume and diversity of calls that really requires a full-time career department. The South Fire District charges 3.381 mills for fire coverage.

The Westfield Fire District, known to all as the Westfield Fire Department, provides coverage to the western section of Middletown, bordering Middlefield, Cromwell and Berlin. With increased call volumes and a population that now exceeds 20,000 residents, the Westfield Fire Department has a M-F day crew of 2 Fire Marshals, a Mechanic and 2 career Firefighters. The balance of our calls (M-F day, evening and weekends) are covered exclusively by volunteers. The Westfield District charges 0.998 mills for fire coverage.

In the October 6, 2008 City of Middletown Common Council meeting, there will be a discussion and vote on an ordinance to study the cost, structure and duties of the 3 fire districts/departments within the city. It may be a little hard to see at first, but if you shuffle the letters around a little you can quickly spell the word "consolidation".

I won't expouse on my own concerns regarding the path that the Common Council is going down, but I would suggest that if you're a resident of the Westfield district, you should look into this carefully and understand the impcts that "consolidation" would have on you.

Click here for a related article in the Middletown Eye.

2008 CSFA held in Cromwell

2008-09-21T19:39:00.003-05:00

Another year has come and gone. This year's Connecticut State Firefighters Association convention and parade was hosted by Cromwell Fire Department - their third time hosting the huge event. The weather for today's parade could not have been better! To your left is the host department, lead by Chief Steve Pendl. Click here to see the 107 photos I took of the event.

3 Probies Achieve Full Membership

2008-09-18T20:25:00.004-05:00

Congratulations to John Loosemore, Mark Louiselle and Lucas Kennedy who all became members in good standing of the Westfield Fire Department back in early August. John and Mark are both very active Fire Police members (something that makes Dave "Coney" Conant very happy) and Lucas is one of our most active EMTs. We've had a few pretty good years gaining new, active recruits and hope to see the ranks continue to be backfilled with new members.

For those who may be considering becomming a volunteer firefighter, here in Westfield or elsewhere, I strongly encourage it. Not only do you gain a terrific sense of pride and confidence, but you are truly doing something positive for your community everyday. Beyond that you quickly gain a very large number of friends and learn some things you'd never get to learn anywhere else.

To join the Westfield Fire Department, you must be at least 18 years old, a current resident of the Westfield district of the City of Middletown, pass a background check, a drug screening and a physical. Generally, members are required to attend drills on Tuesday nights from 6:30 until about 9:30, pass Firefigher I and/or an MRT/EMT class within 18 months of joining and are expected to make at least 25% of all calls (we take about 1,000 calls per year). That's it. No set schedule. No need to be "on duty" at the fire house. All training and equipment is paid for by the Department. For anyone who is interested, please give us a call, or stop by any Tuesday night between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m.

In addition, any residents of the Westfield Fire District who would like a closer look at the fire house, the apparatus and/or how we do things (or, from another perch on the tree, how your tax dollars are working for you) is welcome to set up a date/time for a visit. Coming by on a drill night typically works best. Just ask for any officer...

Chief John Lockwood
Deputy Chief Joe Augeri
Assistant Chief Steve Hughes
Captain Dan Barone
Lieutenant Darrell Ponzio
Lieutenant Bill Balch
Lieutenant Mike Trevisan
Lieutenant Mike Giantonio
Lieutenant Bill Gregorio
Lieutenant Nick DeJohn

...and we'll be more than happy to show you around and share a cup of coffee.

7 Years, Still Licking the Wounds...

2008-09-15T21:09:00.005-05:00

To anyone who visits here regularly, thanks. I've been pretty busy lately with some other things. We blew right past the 7th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks without so much as a mention here, which I view as a complete and shameful disgrace. As firefighters, we still say "343 - we will never forget!" and I would like to remain true to those words. I was browsing some of my favorite sites and came across this really nice, and reasonably short tribute on the Wyckoff FD site. By the way, I grew up in Wyckoff and started my career there, earning my FF1 at the Bergen County Fire Academy. A fellow firefighter, Dana Hannon, was a kid I coached in Little League. He started his paid firefighting career in Bridgeport CT with a life-long dream to get a job in NYC. He succeeded a few years later. He was in FDNY, on Engine 26 for only about 1.5 years before he responded to box 5555. Take a look....

Site of the Week

2008-08-19T21:13:00.002-05:00

I was doing some "site maintenance" tonight and noticed that we've been receiving some increased traffic from www.firstduefirephotos.com - and now I know why - we were named "Site of the Week". Thanks Anthony! We've had "firstdue" as a link on our site for a while and certainly encourage anyone who has reached our site first to navigate over there at some point.

New Video of the Northwoods Fire

2008-08-18T17:36:00.004-05:00

FF Matt Holmes stumbled across this video of the 2008 Northwoods fire while he was searching YouTube for some videos on plumbing for high-pressure natural gas. You can see Engine 2's crew working the hydrant while Ladder 6 and Tanker 4 roll in. Interesting that whomever posted the video offered up "Meth lab?" as a potential reason for the fire. Anyway, nice work Matt!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOsQHUpfZ3o

Can you see me now?

2008-07-14T20:19:00.002-05:00

If you're a member of a fire department that responds to calls on roads (er, yeah, I'm guessing that's you), then you've probably heard some scuttlebut about having to wear reflective vests due to some new federal mandate. What we're talking about is the Federal Highway Administration's updates to their Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The MUTCD updates will go into effect at some point in 2009 - however, contrary to popular belief, the requirement for firefighters to wear a reflective vest when responding to calls on highways (and probably any road) is NOT yet law - and, to the extent any of us may feel that our turnout gear is sufficient, we can provide comments back to the FHA for them to consider. The deadline for providing comments is July 31, 2008.

The proposed changes to section 6E.02, High-Visibility Safety Apparel, would require all first responders and any other roadside worker to wear ANSI 107-2004 compliant vests any time they work near roadways. It would also allow ANSI 207-compliant vests, which were designed primarily for law enforcement officers. Many in the fire service feel that the visibility requirements defined within NFPA 1971 are sufficient, and some studies do support that position. Click here to read the FireRescue1.com article. Information below on how to provide comments to the FHA come directly from FireRescue1.com.

At http://www.regulations.gov/, anyone can visit the "comments or submissions" section, and enter docket number “FHWA-2007-28977” to submit comments regarding the proposed change to section 6E.02. The FHWA also provides several copies of the MUTCD with the proposed changes highlighted at http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/proposed_amend/index.htm. The seven-month period to submit comments ends July 31.

Firefighters can submit comments citing the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) results and proposing an alternate wording that makes turnout gear an acceptable high-visibility garment. Copies of the UMTRI study can be requested by emailing mlmeff@umich.edu

Globe Manufacturing has prepared a word document with more information on the upcoming MUTCD regulations. It includes a comments form and mailing address for sending paper copies of comments. Download the document here.

MD Leading the Way in Cross-Agency Communications

2008-07-11T21:00:00.006-05:00

The State of Maryland is taking a big, and probably very interesting step forward into the land of cross-agency communications. MD Governor Martin O'Malley signed legislation yesterday that will require all the state's police, fire and EMS agencies to work together to build and implement a common communications infrastructure within the 700 MHz band. While costs are unknown at this point, the state intends to use a $22.9 million federal grant to supplement the program.

I mentioned "interesting" above for a few reasons. First, as the article mentions, the program should have a dramatic impact on the state's emergency services to interact and work together. Second, it should have a significant impact on awareness across agencies - gone will be the days when PD is responding to a stabbing victim while FD is dispatched to the same call, but thinks they're responding to an "unknown medical". But, before we get too deep to the good, lets consider some of the potential "issues"...

If you've ever served on a committee operate within an emergency services organization, you know there are at least three constants - nobody agrees, everyone is convinced they're right, and there's not enough money. And, that's when you're dealing with one agency in one town. Now, put some Irish/Italian/German police, fire and EMS senior officers from various areas of the state together (all having different response needs) in a room and see what happens. Yeah, good luck with that...

Hey Gov'nah - got yourself a padded room, do yah?

Now, after assembling what I'm sure will be a motley crew, ask them to find common ground with respect to radio tower locations, infrastructure design, radio brands, cost sharing, ownership of maintenance, etc. And oh yeah, when should a one agency be "stepping over" the chatter of another agency's call? Let's hope that ICS and unified command are clearly understood and utilized...

OK, let's bring ourselves back from that hellish picture for a second and consider that Governor O'Malley and some other forward-thinkers in Maryland are looking beyond the potential challenges and are really taking concrete actions to ensure the best possible emergency services for their citizens and for their emergency responders. It's really quite impressive.

Back here in CT we can't seem to agree on how thick the string should be between the two paper cups. And to "allow" PD to actually communicate on a FD frequency (or vice-versa)?? Oh the horror!

Paying Attention?

2008-06-18T20:08:00.011-05:00

Question - When is a bear a tractor-trailer, a building collapse, or a needle-prick?

When you're on-scene at an MVA or a structure fire, or for that matter, your "routine medical", you're supposed to be absolutely certain of one thing at all times - that you and your crew are safe. Every time you take an EMT refresher and you're performing the practical skills stations, what's the first thing you exclaim? "The scene is safe!" - right? And, at a structure fire, what's one of the direct reporting roles to the IC? The Safety Officer - right? And, at an MVA (especially on the interstate), what's typically in place? State Police and Fire Police (ideally with a traffic pattern and a piece of blocking apparatus) - right?

Why?

Because often times, the crews performing various operations are too busy to look out for themselves. Fair enough. But, what's to say that the safety officer, line officer, state trooper, fire police or command officer isn't being distracted by what YOU'RE doing? Afterall, you're right in the middle of all the exciting stuff.

Below is a little test (courtesy of FlashoverTV.com). Give it a shot and then read the answer to the question...

>

Answer - a bear (in this scenario) is the thing you don't notice (like an oncoming tractor-trailer, an impending building collapse, or a needle laying in wait to prick you) because you're too focused on the task at hand.

Lessons:
1. Make sure that you've got people assigned to watch out for you and your crews.
2. Make sure they're watching out for you, not staring at you.
3. If you're a line officer, consciously and deliberately pay attention to your surroundings - not just to what your crew is doing.
4. When you arrive on scene, give "scene safety" the due diligence it deserves.
5. Don't be afraid to call for additional resources - more firefighters, fire police, local or state police - to help you stay safe.
6. Be clear with safety personnel about what you expect of them.

Stay safe! Everyone goes home, every time.

Life Member Gerald Lavoie Passes

2008-06-15T18:51:00.003-05:00

Gerald Lavoie, a Westfield Fire Department life member and Korean War veteran passed away on Tuesday June 10, 2008. Gerald joined the department in the 1960's and was an active member through the 1980's. Click here for the Hartford Courant obituary.

Swapping out that propane tank? Hold on a sec...

2008-06-10T22:13:00.004-05:00

With summer outdoor cooking upon us all most people will be firing up their grills. Meanwhile, drug dealers cooking up Meth are getting propane tanks from the exchanges at Wal-Mart, Kroger, etc. and emptying them of the propane. Then, they are filling them with anhydrous ammonia (which they now have a recipe for by the way). After they are finished with them, they return them to the store. They are then refilled with propane and sent back for you and me to buy. Anhydrous ammonia is very corrosive and weakens the structure of the tank - notably the valve assembly. It also can be very dangerous when mixed with propane and hooked up to our grills, etc. You should inspect the propane tank for any blue or greenish residue around the valve areas. If it is present, refuse to purchase that tank, and please notify the retail manager.

Check out the following website for more details and some photos. http://www.npga.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=529

Northwoods Ripper - in 95+ Degree Heat

2008-06-08T20:11:00.008-05:00

6/10/08 - UPDATE: Click here to see some excellent photos captured by FF Rodrigo Caballero from Westfield Ladder 6 during the fire attack and overhaul.

Almost exactly one and a half years after the December 10, 2006 Northwoods fire, Westfield was called out at a little after 9:00 this morning to a worker at Northwoods, at 18 Dove Lane. First on scene was DFM Harold Holmes who reported a working fire on the porch of the 3rd floor with flames reaching to the roof. All Westfield units responded along with mutual aid from Middletown, South Fire, Cromwell, Portland, East Berlin, Rocky Hill and Middlefield. Chief John Lockwood took command with DC Joe Augeri assuming Operations. Westfield Engine 2 provided initial fire suppression using their deck gun. FF Kevin Geraci and his crew then used a two and a half-inch attack line to continue fire suppession. While intial attack and primary search were underway, Lt. Mike Trevisan and FFs. Dave Peterson and Rodrigo Caballero prepared Westfield Ladder 6 for action. Lt. Darrell Ponzio and Lt. Nick DeJohn along with FF Jason Lubee arrived on Westfield Tanker 4 worked with Middletown Engine 3 to bring hydrant water from across the road to Ladder 6. AC Steve Hughes provided fireground operational support and Captain Dan Barone managed interior crews on division 2 and 3. The fire was put under control about 25 minutes later with several hours of overhaul following. With the searing heat, rehab was a critical part of the fire scene. Crews from Westfield, including EMT Lisa DeJohn and EMT Scott Hall along with Hunters Ambulance took good care of all responding firefighters. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters. Click here to see the Hartford Courant article.

Aerial view looking down at the burned out porches

Aerial views of the (former) roof and 3rd floor apt.

Can you find him?

2008-06-03T20:04:00.005-05:00

6/18/08 UPDATE: Originally posted on 6/3/08 - the answer to challenge is: Jeff is front & center in the first row. Not sure if Jeff has navigated out to our blog to see this, but just in case he has - Jeff, thanks for all your years of service, thanks for continuing to help us out, and thanks for being a great friend.

To your left is a photo of the 1979 Class of Junior Firefighters for the Simsbury Fire Department. Anyone who has been a member of the Westfield Fire Department for more than 5 years knows that one of our most active former members was Jeff Doskos. Not only was Jeff very active as a member of the Department, but he has continued to serve as a firefighter in his new community. He also continues to lend a hand to our Department at a number of events, including this year's Chicken BBQ, where he worked the pit all morning. In honor of all his past, current and future efforts, I present to you the following challenge: Can you pick Jeff out of this crowd of fine young men? Answer will be provided in a week or so.

Memorial Day 2008

2008-05-22T19:44:00.005-05:00

Westfield will be typically active this coming weekend. Washing and waxing on Saturday morning. Then, on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. we will host our own parade in observation of this most important holiday. On Monday we will march in Durham's parade followed immediately by Middletown's Main Street parade. Click here for details on these and all other Memorial Day activities in the State of Connecticut.

As an aside, I was poking around the internet this evening looking for a photo that would be appropriate for this occassion. What was supposed to be a 5-minute scan using Google became an hours-long, very sobering exercise. How many photos of Marine Honor Guards handing folded flags to crying parents or wives do you need to see before you really understand how horrible this whole "Iraqi Freedom" debacle is? Anyway, I suggest you go to http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/ or http://www.usmra.com/farewellmarine.htm for a dose of reality. (photo above courtesy of arlingtoncemetery.net).

Odds are that you'll see a uniformed soldier this weekend. Be sure to take 5 seconds out of your relaxing, freedom-filled weekend to say "thanks."