HVFCo. October Report

Members of the Haddam Volunteer Fire Co. responded to 39 calls for emergency services in October.
Fires, Alarms, etc. – 8
Motor Vehicle Accidents – 7
Medical – 23
Other – 1

On Oct. 12, Clinton residents Susan Casagrande and her son, Joe, visited Haddam Volunteer Fire Company to thank the company for their quick response and service during Joe’s motor vehicle accident. On Aug. 11, Joe lost control of his vehicle on a rainy evening and crashed into a tree near the intersection of Killingworth Road and Hidden Lake Road in Higganum. Haddam firefighters extricated him from the vehicle and with the help of Haddam Volunteer Ambulance personnel, Joe was promptly taken to Hartford Hospital. He suffered from a broken pelvis, hip and tailbone, and currently has minor nerve damage in his foot. Joe has no recollection of the accident. After a short stay in the hospital, Joe returned to school, where he is completing his senior year.

“Thank you. Without you, I don’t know if he’d be standing here today,” Susan said.

Chimney fire season began early for members of Haddam Volunteer Fire Company. On Oct. 21, Haddam Fire was dispatched to residence on Foot Hills Road. The family’s dog walker noticed smoke in the home and called 9-1-1. Upon arrival, firefighters determined the smoke was caused by a fire in a wood stove’s chimney. Firefighters knocked down burning creosote, removed all burning debris and ventilated the home. Haddam Fire recommends any homeowner using a wood fire place, insert or wood stove get their chimney cleaned and inspected prior to the winter season.

Firefighters responded to seven motor vehicle accidents in October, one which involved an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). At 4:40 a.m. on Oct. 10 at the intersection of Filley Road and Jericho Road, a driver operating an ATV with a passenger, crashed into a tree. The driver and his passenger were thrown from the ATV. They were not wearing helmets. The patients were treated by Haddam Volunteer firefighters/EMTs and were transported to a landing zone on Beaver Meadow Road where Life Star later transported two patients to Hartford Hospital.

In rainy, wet road conditions on Oct. 9, a driver lost control of her vehicle, struck a guard rail and went over the embankment on the Exit 9 northbound on-ramp. The driver was transported to Middlesex Hospital via Haddam Volunteer Ambulance Service with minor injuries.

On Oct. 19, a driver heading southbound on Killingworth Road, lost control of his vehicle and struck a stone wall and tree. The driver was transported to Middlesex Hospital via Haddam Ambulance Service. Later that evening, Haddam Fire responded to a gas spill, also on Killingworth Road, near the Route 9 onramp. There, firefighters assisted a driver who had a leaking gas line and covered the area with sand.

Haddam Fire also responded to several fire alarms and assisted with two electrical fires on utility poles.

TRAINING
Four members of Haddam Volunteer Fire Company participated in a 12-hour Hurst Qualification Program Oct. 10-11. The program included classroom instruction and hands-on exercises. Trainees received lessons on extrication scene safety, how to safely operate Hurst and extrication equipment, vehicle stabilization, securing a vehicle, and lifting and cutting techniques. Following the training, Mike Mancuso, Greg Duval, Dan Geary and Ben Tiezzi received Hurst Qualifications.

On Oct. 24, 15 HVFCo. members participated in a live burn at the New Haven Fire Training Academy. During the day-long training, firefighters practiced advancing hose lines, extinguishing a fire, searching for, and rescuing a victim from a burning building. The State of Connecticut requires all firefighters to complete a periodic live burn exercise in order to maintain Interior Firefighter status.

COMMUNITY SERVICE
On Oct. 16, members provided fire and medical support at the annual Haddam Elementary School Harvest Festival. Firefighters built and maintained a bonfire for the students and extinguished it after the festivities.

On Oct. 19-20, firefighters visited Burr Elementary School and Haddam Elementary School to teach children about the importance of fire prevention. The 2015 Fire Prevention Week theme was “Hear The Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm!” Members taught the students about smoke alarms and replacing batteries, how to safely remove themselves from a burning home or building, calling 911, and how to stop, drop and roll. Firefighters encouraged the children to talk to their parents about an escape plan in the event of a fire.

On Oct. 25, Haddam Fire attended a Parish Picnic at St. Peter’s Church. The event was sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Members brought Engine 1-13 and Tanker 2-13 to the event and spoke to attendees about firefighting.

MEMBERSHIP
HVFCo. welcomed two new Probationary Members to the company this month! Cahill Cronin and Derek Brutzman previously served with the Junior Division.

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/