HVFCo. December Report

Haddam Volunteer Fire Co. responded to 30 calls for emergency services in December 2015:

Fires, Alarms, etc. – 7

Motor Vehicle Accidents – 5

Medical – 16

Other – 2

The detailed report is below:

On New Year’s Eve, Haddam Volunteer Fire Company used a thermal imaging camera to locate a driver who fled an accident scene. Shortly after 8:50 p.m., firefighters responded to a motor vehicle accident near the intersection of Killingworth Road and High Street. Upon arrival, firefighters and paramedics removed an unconscious passenger and transported him to Hartford Hospital via Haddam Ambulance.

Firefighters then searched for the driver in the nearby vicinity using a thermal imaging camera. Firefighters located the driver behind a residence on Killingworth Road. The driver was unconscious at the time, but regained consciousness on scene and became combative. Connecticut State Police worked with Haddam Volunteer Firefighters to move the driver into an ambulance. The driver was taken to Middlesex Hospital via Hunter’s Ambulance Service. The accident remains under investigation by the Connecticut State Police.

Around 8:20 p.m. on Dec. 22, a driver heading down Beaver Meadow Road crashed into a utility pole, snapping it in half. The pole fell across the road and traffic was diverted for many hours as Eversource worked to clear the scene and restore power. The driver was taken to Middlesex Hospital via Haddam Volunteer Ambulance Service.

Slick road conditions were the cause of a motor vehicle accident on the Route 9 onramp Dec. 17. A driver, heading northbound from Killingworth Road, lost control of her vehicle and struck the concrete bridge. Haddam Fire’s EMTs evaluated the driver on scene and recommended she seek medical treatment. The driver was taken to Middlesex Hospital via Haddam Volunteer Ambulance Service. The onramp was closed for about 45 minutes.

Shortly after 7:10 a.m. on Dec. 15, HVFCo. responded to a gas spill at the Mercury Fuel Station in Tylerville. While pumping gas, a woman accidentally overflowed her tank and spilled approximately five gallons of gasoline. The gas quickly spread over the entire parking lot. Firefighters responded to the scene with a mobile hazmat trailer and spread absorbent material on the spilled gasoline.

TRAINING

December’s training included apparatus checks, thermal imaging camera operations, and a medical refresher. Volunteer firefighters/EMTs/EMRs are often first responders on a medical scenes and may administrate epinephrine for the treatment of anaphylaxis (i.e., an allergic reaction to a bee sting); Aspirin to prevent cardiac tissue death following a heart attack; and medication to reverse the effects of a drug overdose. They also reviewed basic CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) operations.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

On Dec. 12, Haddam Volunteer Fire Company’s Junior Division hosted a “Fill the Boot” drive in front of the Higganum Village Market and AJ’s Pizza. The Juniors raised $741 to benefit Killingworth High School’s 27th annual Holiday Show Telethon, which raised funds and awareness for the Children’s Tumor Foundation.

On Dec. 19, members of Haddam Fire’s Christmas Committee and the HVFCo. Auxiliary welcomed more than 75 local residents to the Annual Children’s Christmas Party. Children received a photo with Santa, hot chocolate, cookies and a gift. Santa arrived on a firetruck and greeted all families in attendance.

MEMBERSHIP

Volunteer Fire Company’s Junior Division is now at full capacity with 10 members! The Junior Division welcomes Haddam residents between the ages of 14 and 17 years of age. Juniors participate in meetings, training, drills, and community activities and assist firefighters at fire and medical calls. The Juniors include Charlie Kowal, Zach Ouellette, Adam Massicott, Ej Adametz, Leif Munzner, Kaleb Mislick, Wyatt Bates, Connor Monroe, Carmin Rubino and Hannah Stankiewicz.

Do You Have What It Takes? More information on the activities of the Haddam Volunteer Fire Company and ways you can get involved can be found on our website http://www.HaddamFire.com/