Haddam Fire April 2012 Activity

Members of the Haddam Volunteer Fire Co. responded to 37 calls for emergency services in April.  The breakdown of calls is as follows:

Medical Emergencies -         18                 

Fires, alarms etc. -             10                   

Motor Vehicle Crashes -        5

Marine -                              3

Other -                               2                   

On Wednesday, April 18^th, the Haddam Volunteer Fire Co. responded with equipment and manpower to assist the South District Fire Department in Middletown with a large brush fire.  Hilly terrain along the river made locating and extinguishing the fire especially difficult.  Approximately 20 Haddam Firefighters and 4 pieces of equipment responded to assist.

April 16^th and 17^th were warm indicators of the water sport season beginning.  On the 16^th, Haddam Firefighters responded along with the Durham Fire Department and South District Fire Department Dive team to Millers Pond State Park.  After a very brief search, Divers recovered a person who had been swimming on the very warm day.  CPR was performed and Advanced Life Support measures used; however, the victim was pronounced dead at Middlesex Hospital.  Later also on the 16^th, Haddam Firefighters responded to the CT River for a reported canoe capsized.  After a thorough search assisted by the East Haddam Fire Department Marine Unit, no canoe was found.  On the 17^th, a fire on Haddam Island was extinguished using the Haddam Rescue Boat Marine 13. 

Students in the Firefighter II class participated in an advanced live burn activity at the CT Fire Academy, and completed their practical and written examinations.  Mike Sapia passed his Firefighter I exams. 

An Extrication Weekend was held April 28^th and 29^th.  Members participating received qualification on all equipment carried on the various engines and rescue to effectively remove victims from entrapment in cars or other machinery.  Students practiced on cars donated by New Image Automotive, who also arranged for hauling in and out of the vehicles.  In order to become qualified, Firefighters must be competent in the recognizing scene hazards, setup and operation cribbing materials, air bags for lifting heavy objects and/or vehicles, the rescue jack system, and the operation of all Hurst Tool (jaws of life) equipment.

The first drill night of the month saw trucks and lots of hose laid out at the Haddam Meadows as part of a relay pumping drill.  Truck operators practiced different techniques in drafting water and relaying large amounts of water, while Firefighters practiced using various hose lines.

At the next drill, Firefighters reviewed Firefighter Down – Calling the Mayday procedures, and reviewed the Fire Company’s Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) guideline.

On April 23^rd, a simulated mass-casualty drill took place at the Haddam-Killingworth High School Field House.  A simulated bleacher collapse with approximately 20 injured persons tested the ability of Firefighters and Haddam EMS personnel to effectively triage, treat and transport a large number of victims.  East Haddam Ambulance also participated in the exercise. 

As was mentioned in the most recent edition of the Haddam Events Magazine, the Fire Company is presently in a Spring/early Summer recruiting drive.  New members will be able to attend the State Certification Firefighter I program starting in late August.  For the second year in a row, the program will be hosted by the Haddam Volunteer Fire Co.  Thus if anyone was considering joining, now would be the time in order to have a state level class being hosted locally.

More information on the activities of the Haddam Volunteer Fire Co. and ways you can get involved can be found on our website – www.HaddamFire.com.