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FEBRUARY,2 02 5
WIND-DRIVEN FIRE TEARS T H R 0 U G |L FRANKLIN DARN
JAY HEATH
FRANKLIN, NH - On Wednesday, January 15th, Franklin firefighters battled a fully-involved barn on South Main Street. The fire was dispatched just after 4:30 P.M., with automatic mutual aid for a reported barn on fire at 916 South Main Street. First due firefighters arrived to find a large barn fully-involved and spreading through the attached ell into the main house. -
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February, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
W ind-D riven Fire Tears Through F ra n klin Barn FRANKLIN, NH - On Wednes day, January 15th, Franklin firefight ers battled a fully-involved bam on South Main Street. The fire was dis patched just after 4:3 0 RM., with auto matic mutual aid for a reported bam on fire at 916 South Main Street. First due fire fighters arrived to find a large bam fully-involved and spreading through the attached ell into the main house. As wind blew heavy fire closer to the house, an aggres sive interior attack through the front door of the house to stop the spread of fire by the Franklin and TiltonNorthfield duty crews was able to accomplish that, despite the heavy smoke and heat conditions. A sec ond-alarm was transmitted that brought Bristol, Tilton-Northfield, Sanbomton, Belmont, Hill, Boscawen, Laconia, Concord, and Gilford firefighters to the scene. "We had a pretty quick and good response from our members and from our mutual aid partners," said Franklin Deputy Fire Chief David Hall. "The wind certainly af fected it, even though it wasn't as high as it has been." Despite significant smoke dam age, the fire never entered the main house. The fire is under investiga tion, and no injuries were reported.
-JAY HEATH
JAY HEATH
A second-alarm was transmitted for additional companies to assist Franklin in battling the fully-involved barn. Firefighters stretched a line through the main house to stop the spread of fire.
JAY HEATH
Numerous lines were stretched and operated onto the barn.
JAY HEATH
A hose line is played into the top of the barn to knock down fire in the roof area.
February, 2025
1537 Responder Newspaper - NE
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February, 2025
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CORPORATE INFORMATION 1st Responder News (ISSN 1525-1683) - New Eng land edition - Vol. 29, No. 2 - is published monthly, 12 times a year for $48 per year by Belsito Communica tions, Inc., 1 Ardmore Street, New Windsor, NY 12553. Periodicals Postage Paid at Newburgh, NY and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to 1st Responder News, 1 Ardmore Street, New Windsor, NY 12553. No financial responsibility is assumed by this newspaper to publish a display, classified, or legal ad or for typographical errors except of reprinting that part of the ad which was omitted or in error. Omissions a division of: or errors
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During the Christmas season, we hear a song that asks how your hearing is. In the song it explains what was supposed to be heard. It wanted to clarify that we heard what the main singer heard. There are many conversations that we have where the other party just does not pay attention, and that is where some the challenges start. We may not verify that the other person hears the point to we are try ing to convey to them and that may be where frustration starts. There are times when our spouse doesn't pay attention to us or we don't pay attention to them, and that is where some major chal lenges may start. We do not con firm what the other person says or what we want them to hear. How many times we may tune out when we are told that we need to take the trash out or something like that? In the same conversation, we may be told that a close friend has been di agnosed with a disease. If we do not pay attention to family, we may pay the consequences for a very long time. There are some people that are trained to listen. Some people can diagnose a problem just by listen ing. I know some mechanics that can tell you exactly what is not right with your car just by listening to it, as you pull up to the garage. A doctor uses the stethoscope to listen to you heart or lungs or other parts and can tell that there is a chal lenge. Do we listen or do we just hear? Do we hear a noise or know what it signifies? Many times people will text or email something but we cannot hear the influences or sarcasm, in the writing. This is why it is better to have conversations with people. You can ask the questions to clarify what the person means, right away.
instead of taking a day worth of communications to try to understand what is written. Do we hear the words coming out of someone's mouth or do we also watch the body language that is sending us messages that are differ ent from the words? How many times have you asked someone how they are doing and you got back the answer “fine”, and knew that their world was falling apart around them? There are times when listening to someone may be difficult because the person may have an accent or challenge speaking and it may be frustrating for us to listen but it is that point in time that we may need to ask follow-up questions so that we know, truly know what the person is saying. I have noticed that when there is a lot of background noise or very im portant information, I may need to spell things out or ask for the person on the other end to repeat it to me. If we do not follow instructions or hear something correct, it may mean that we or others can die. When I was on Haz-Mat, we would spell the chemical. We had to make sure that we were looking up the cor rect information, especially when we deal with chemicals, we need to make sure that we are on our "A" game. If we mess up, we can mess up with big consequences. In construction, if you mishear something, the error may cost mil lions of dollars to correct. If you take the wrong part and put it into a build ing, it may cause the building to fail. If we don't verify, we may write down the wrong phone number, per son's name or address where we are to pick someone up from. You may want to take lessons on active listening but remember that an important part of conversations is not what you want to say or what you think you said but what the other person thinks that they have heard. Do you know what I mean?
JAY HEATH
Andover Firefighters Battle Garage Fire ANDOVER, NH - On December 28, 2024, Andover firefighters were dispatched to a report of a barn fire on Hoyt Road at 8:27 P.M. The Andover Fire Chief arrived to find a 40X40 garage fully-involved. Afirst-alarm assignment was transmit ted, bringing mutual aid from Franklin, Tilton-Northfield, New London and other area departments for tankers. Over a thou sand-foot supply line was run along the ice-covered dirt road to the scene. No injuries were reported, and the fire is under investigation.
PATCH OF THE MONTH I f you have photos you w ould like to see in our “Patch o f the m onth “feature please upload them on our w ebsite, w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to L in d sey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .
Stay safe, Didymus McHugh Didy mus-mchugh. com
Visit us online to read more from all of our columnists! www.1rbn.com
EUGEHE WEBER JR.
This patch belongs to Ashland Fire Department, located in Grafton County, NH.
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
February, 2025
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PAGE 6
February, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
1 "R e s p o n d e r N ew spaper 1 ARDMORE STREET • NEW WINDSOR, NY 12553 845-534-7500 • (fa x) 845-534-0055 • N e w s@ 1 stR e sp o n d e rN e w s.co m
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In memory of those who gave all
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EDITORIAL STAFF COLUMNISTS Rick Billings (Cartoon) Bob Long (Cartoon) John Malecky (Apparatus, Bookshelf) Didymus McHugh (Chaplain's Corner) Fernando Villicana (Chaplain's Corner)
CORRESPONDENTS Nate Arnold • Sterling Beaucage • Jeffrey Belschwinder • Sayje Benjamin • David Bowen • David Biyce • Michael Carenza Jr. • Dylan Conway • Doug
Arizona: William Cody Treatch, 26 Rank: Firefighter Recruit Incident Date: August 14, 2024 Death Date: August 23, 2024 Fire Department: Rural Metro Fire Department Initial Summary: On Wednesday, August 14, 2024, Firefighter Recruit William Cody Treatch suffered a heat-related emergency during training at the fire acad emy. He was immediately transported to the Banner University Medical Center where his condition progres sively worsened. He passed away on Friday, August 23, 2024.
Fenichel • Sean Fesko • Ryan Flaherty • Karin Halstead • Jay Heath • Patrick Kerrigan • William King • Lee Krohn • Kenneth Leger • Peter Lobo • Chuck Lowe • Patrick Nlagyar • Phillip NlcCully • Bemie Meehan Jr • Keith Milton • Kevin Mlosio • Brian Owen • Edward Prescott • Greg Ramsdell • Frank Robinson • Coral Ruggiero • Dick Scialabba • Shaun Shattuck • Shane Shifflett • John Sjostedt • Ken Snyder • Robert Sprague • Jack Stawasz • Pat Travers • Peter Walsh Jr • Eugene Weber Jr • Diana White
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ EDITORIAL INFORMATION_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Join our team of correspondents or columnists! 1st Responder Newspaper welcomes submissions by our readers. Send stories and photos to us at 1Ard more St. New Windsor, NY 12553. Or, give us a call or send us an e-mail. If using the mail, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for all sub missions you wash to have returned. Publisher reserves the right to refuse any editorial or advertising material submitted. 845-534-7500 ext. 212 • (fax) 845-534-0055
Delaware: Thomas Wilson Berry, III, 23 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: August 13, 2024 Death Date: August 13, 2024 Fire Department: Georgetown Fire Company, Inc. Initial Summary: On Tuesday, August 13, 2024, Fire fighter Thomas Wilson Berry, III was dispatched to re spond to a motor vehicle accident. While on scene, a utility pole snapped, bringing down electrical wires. Firefighter Berry sustained life-threatening injuries and died on the scene.
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GRAPHIC DESIGN/MARKETING 1st Responder News’ graphics team will work with you on your adver tisement free of charge. Addition ally, we offer a complete marketing department for all of your printed . communications, inc. needs. Whether they are posters, or single sheet handouts, full color or black and white, no one else delivers the high quality work at our competitive prices. As a newspaper in the Belsito Communications Inc. family, 1st Responder News has a state-of-the-art production facility which utilizes the latest scan ning technology available. Materials are processed using Power Macintosh G4s. Output is handled on our HP Color LaserJet 8500 to produce this highest quality black and white or color prints on the market. 845-534-7500 ext. 214 • (fax) 845-534-0055 lnfo@ B elsito.com
Georgia: Christopher Eddy, 35 Rank: Battalion Chief Incident Date: September 4,2024 Death Date: September 4, 2024 Fire Department: Greene County Fire Rescue Initial Summary: On Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, Battal ion Chief Christopher Eddy responded to a tractor trailer fire on Georgia Route 15. When he opened the truck door, an explosion occurred killing him instantly. Inves tigation into the incident is ongoing. Kentucky: Darrell Helton, 49 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: September 4,2024 Death Date: September 4, 2024 Fire Department: Belfry Volunteer Fire Department Initial Summary: On Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024,
while Firefighter Darrell Helton was helping to shut tle water during a mutual aid call for a structure fire, he told a fellow firefighter that he was experiencing a flutter in his chest but that he was fine. After deliver ing the last load o f water, Firefighter Helton sat down to rest but then collapsed and fell face first to the ground. CPR was initiated and Firefighter Helton was transported to a local hospital where despite resusci tation attempts, he was pronounced deceased.
North Carolina: Thomas Ray Patterson, 74 Rank: Captain Incident Date: September 12, 2024 Death Date: September 12,2024 Fire Department: Louisburg Fire Department Initial Summary: On September 12, 2024, Captain Thomas Patterson responded to two emergency calls. The first response was at 1:12 p.m. to a vehicle collision. The second response was at 2:30 p.m. to a fire alarm ac tivation. After the responses, Captain Patterson returned home where, at approximately 3:25 p.m., he was found unresponsive and passed away. Missouri: Kyle Brinker, 33 Rank: Firefighter/Paramedic Incident Date: September 17, 2024 Death Date: September 17,2024 Fire Department: Kansas City Fire Department Initial Summary: On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, Firefighter/Paramedic Kyle Brinker suffered a medical emergency during a fire department training exercise. He was immediately transported to the North Kansas City Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
February, 2025
1ST Responder Newspaper - NE
PAGE 7
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February, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
THEN & NOW If your D epartm ent has photos you w ould like to see in our “Then & N ow ” feature, please upload them on our w ebsite, w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com o r em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com
The town of Henniker once operated a two-door, 1980 Mack R 1000/1000 pumper as Engine 2. The current apparatus with this designation is a four-door, 2004 KME Predator 1500/1000.
JAMIE KELLEY
Working Building Fire in Nashua
Former Engine 2's classic Mack-R
CHUCK LOWE
NASUA, NH - The Nashua fire alarm office began receiving calls for a building fire on Ridge Rd on the evening of January 3rd. Engine 3 arrived to find smoke showing from a dwelling with reports of fire in the basement. Companies stretched two hand lines to knock down the main body of fire in the basement while the truck companies performed searches and venti lated. The fire was knocked down in a short amount of time.
MEMORIES If you have photos you w ould like to see in our “M em ories” feature, please upload them on our website, w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to Lindsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com
CHUCK LOWE
Engine 2's current KME
Visit 1st Responder News on the web at www.1RBN.com to read more a rtic le s from around CHUCK LOWE
Londonderry operated this 1977 GMC as Tanker 2. It featured a 1985 Techweld tank that held 2000gallons of water.
New England!
1ST Responder Newspaper - NE
PAGE 9
February, 2025
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Exhibitor Fees & Additional Requests Aerial Space 15x50 Vehicle Space 15x35 Booth Space 10x10 (2 or more $855 each) Increased Voltage Electric (208V/30AMP) Additional One Day Exhibitor Pass (for exhibitor personnel only) Additional One Day Vehicle Parking Pass One Day General Admission Pass (pre-sale up to 5/15 @ 5pm) One Day General Admission Pass (after 5pm on 5/15 & at the door)
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PAGE 10
February, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
STILL IN SERVICE If you have photos you would like to see in our “Still in Service” feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
PAT TRAVERS/NEFIREPHOTO.COM
Tilton-Northfield Investigates Heating System TILTON-NORTHFIELD, NH - Around 5:00 P.M. on the evening of Friday, January 10th, the Tilton-Northfield Fire Department responded to the Park Place Apartments for a possible fire in a heating system. In addition to the Tilton-Northfield re sponse, the town of Franklin sent an engine to assist. Com panies investigated and were not able to find any issues with the heater in question. Companies cleared with no issues found, but later responded back to the same address for the issue happening again. The situation was identified and rec tified during the second incident. CHUCK LOWE
Alton Fire Department acquired this 1999 Spartan/Luverne/Aerial Innovations 1750/500/75' aerial in 2021. Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania, previously operated this 25-year-old quint.
JAY HEATH
Heavy Damage Sustained to Garage and House in Franklin FRANKLIN, NH - On December 5, 2024, a garage and house on Hutchinson Street sustained heavy damage after a 2Alarm fire that was dispatched at about 7:22 P.M. The garage and numerous cars were fully involved on arrival by first due Franklin companies and a second-alarm was quickly trans mitted as heavy fire spread to the home located at 10 Hutchinson Street. No injuries were reported as crews battled sub-freezing temperatures. The fire is under investigation.
CHUCK LOWE
Hopkinton Ladder 1 operates this 1997 Spartan/Saulsbury aerial with a 2000/500/75' aerial. The Basalt and Rural Fire District in Colorado previously used this quint, which was acquired in 2004.
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
February, 2025
PAGE 11
CONNECTICUT
Montville Home Well-Involved on Arrival
NORWICH FIRE
MONTVILLE, CT - At 3:23 AM . on the morning of December 20, 2024, the Town of Montville Fire De partments were dispatched to 20 Kitemaug Road for a house fire. At 3:25 A.M., a Montville Police Officer arrived, reporting the home to be well-in volved, so M -l re quested tlie second-alarm. Engine 21 arrived at 3:31 A.M., report ing a two-story, woodframe house about three-quarter in volved. They laid a supply line up the driveway and lead off with Hie deck gim. Ladder 15 ar rived next and set up for defensive op erations. Tribal Engine 1 then tied into Hie line at the bottom of the driveway. Engine 12 reverse laid from the scene to a hydrant on the comer of Route 32 and Massapeag Road. At 3:38 A.M., Engine 21 reported a partial collapse. Norwich Truck 1 set up for defensive operations from the street so New London FAST was added. Tankers responded from Oak dale, Chesterfield, Preston, East Great Plain, Gales Ferry, Salem & Gardner Lake. The Canteen responded with re freshments, and Hie Montville Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.
Norwich Truck 1 set up on the street below grade and shot through the trees.
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PAGE 12
February, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
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RYAN FLAHERTY
Ladder 25 arrived to find fire on the 'bravo' side threatening the exposure.
Ledyard Working Garage Fire NORWICH, CT - Around 11:58 A.M. on Monday, December 23, 2024, the Gales Ferry and Ledyard Fire Departments were dispatched to 18 West Drive for a building fire. Shortly after, a responding officer reported a header visible, so the working fire assignment was filled out, adding Sub Base Engine 62, the Mohegan Tribal FAST and tankers from Poquetanuck, Center Groton, East Great Plain, North Stonington and Laurel Hill’s hose Tender.
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it J ! ^ Ladder 25 arrived reporting fire showing from the 'bravo' side of a two-story, two-bay attached garage. The crew stretched a one-and-threequarter-inch hose line to the exterior while Tanker 24 tied in to nurse them. Tanker 14 laid in from the corner of Laurel Leaf Drive and their crew took a line from 25
through the front door and up to the second-floor. Sub Base Firefighters assisted with overhaul on the sec ond-floor. Engine 11 set up for a drop site operation, but was told to hold off on filling the supply line. The 'bravo' exposure sustained minor damage to the vinyl siding. R1 had command, and the Ledyard Fire Marshal’s Of fice is investigating.
- RYAN FLAHERTY
ANTIQUE APPARATUS
OUR CALENDAR IS EXPANDING
If you have photos for Antique Apparatus please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
W e N ee d Y our H elp! Post an event in your area at www.1rbn.com o ut fo r N a tio n a l E vents too!
CHUCK LOWE
North Coventry Engine 1 is a 1943 Chevrolet C50/Cayasler 500/150. This classic vehicle initially served as a US Army Class 500. When the town's departments merged, the Coventry Fire Department took ownership of this pumper.
February, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
PAGE 13
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House Fire, Center Ave. in Norwalk NORWALK, CT - The City of Norwalk Fire Department re sponded to a house fire on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 2:32 A.M. The fire was located at 10 Center Ave. in a two-and-a-half-story, multi-family house. The initial call reported a fire on the front porch. Upon arrival. Truck 1 and En gine 1 encountered fire on the front porch extending up the front of the house on the first-floor. The fire was extinguished in 20 minutes by a hrst-alann assignment consisting of three engines, two trucks, and one rescue; totaling 25 personnel. The fire was contained to the front porch and the first-floor exte-
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February, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
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RYAN FLAHERTY
Engine 3 grabbed their own hydrant in front of the neighbor's house. NORWALK FD
Boat Fire a t South Norwalk Boat Club NORWALK, CT - The Nor walk Fire Department responded to a boat fire on the dock at the South Norwalk Boat Club at 17 Mack Street just before 11:00 P.M., De cember 6, 2024. Upon arrival, a 40’ vessel was fully-involved and had quickly ex tended to an adjacent vessel of sim ilar size due to the moderate wind that was present. Additional ves sels docked in the area sustained heat and fire damage as well. The fire was quickly brought under control by a total of 38 fire fighters from three engines, two ladder trucks, a rescue company, three fire boats (from Norwalk, Noroton, and Stamford fire depart ments) with command staff from Norwalk and Stamford. The likeli-
T0 FILE # 121124117
an I » hood of a rapid spreading fire and risk of personnel falling into the water requires additional firefight ers to respond to fires of this type. The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Pro tection responded due to the possi bility of environmental impacts from the firefighting operation and/or a fuel spill. No injuries or concerning environmental impacts occurred. The Norwalk Fire Mar shal’s Office is investigating the fire.
- JONATHAN MAGGIO, DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF
Candle Causes Ansonia Second-Alarm ANSONIA, CT - At 9:32 P.M. on Friday, December 20, 2024, the Ansonia Fire Department, with a Derby Engine & Truck and Sey mour Rescue 12 as the FAST, were dispatched to 75 North Cliff Street for a candle that tipped over and lit a room on fire. A chief officer arrived at 9:35 P.M. reporting a large three-story, wood-frame occupied multiple dwelling with heavy fire from the rear of the third-floor and transmit ted the second-alarm. Truck 7 po sitioned on the Alpha/Delta comer and flew their bucket. Engine 6 laid in from a hydrant on North Cliff and took a one-and-three-quarter-
JUMP TOFILE#122124102
*4 3P inch hose line through the front door and up the stairs. Engine 3 hooked up to the hydrant in front of the house and also stretched a oneand-three-quarter-inch hose line. Derby Truck 15 positioned in a parking lot on the Bravo side and sent their crew to the roof for ver tical ventilation. Derby Engine 12 laid in from a hydrant and stretched a two-and-a-half-inch hose line to the rear where fire was blowing out multiple windows while extending into the attic. Engine 5 laid in from
a fourth hydrant and fed Derby’s Tmck. Crews searched and operated multiple lines inside until com mand evacuated them at 10:12 P.M. Shortly after, fire broke through the roof. After about 15 minutes of lad der pipes operating, crews re grouped and went back inside. An additional FAST responded from Shelton. Companies remained on scene throughout the cold night opening up while hitting hot spots. The Ansonia Fire Marshaks Office is investigating.
- RYAN FLAHERTY
BUDDY SHOTS If your departm ent has photos you would like to see in our “Buddy Shots” feature please upload them on our website www. 1RBN.com or email them to Lindsey@ lstR esponderNews.com
MEMORIES If your departm ent has photos you would like to see in our “M emories” feature please upload them on our website www.lRiBN.com or email them to Lindsey@ lstR esponderNews.com
CHUCK LOWE
This 1988 Ford F-800/FMC 1250/1000 served the East Putnam Fire Department as Engine-Tank 279.
NVFD
This group of dedicated young individuals had a fun-filled time building gingerbread houses, ex changing gifts and enjoying each others' company at their end of the year 2024 Holiday Party at the Newington Volunteer Fire Dept. Cadet Division Firehouse!
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
February, 2025
PAGE 15
CONNECTICUT
Two People Rescued from Structure Fire in Norwalk NORWALK, CT - The City of Norwalk Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Wednesday, De cember 4, 2024 at 5:35 RM. The fire was located at # 15 Forbell Dr. in a one-and-a-half-story residential. Initial reports stated the home was filling with smoke and there was a wheelchair-bound eld erly resident who could not exit. Upon arrival. Engine 1 and Truck 1 encountered heavy smoke coming from the front door with fire venting out the kitchen windows at the rear of the structure. The Captain o f Truck 1, along with his partner, entered via the front door where they found two occupants unable to exit. One was lying on the floor, the other on a couch. Both were removed and
Jump to file #121124116
39 brought outside to an arriving ambu lance. Two others had exited prior to the fire department's arrival. Simultaneously, a handline was stretched to the kitchen area where firefighters encountered and extin guished a fully-involved kitchen fire, which was starting to extend to the front o f the residence. Additional firefighters made their way to the second-floor to conduct a primary search while a backup handline was being stretched, the building lad dered, and the residence ventilated. The fire was extinguished in 30 m in utes by a first-alarm assignment con
sisting o f 3 Engines, 2 Ladder Trucks, 1 Heavy Rescue, and a com mand vehicle, for a total of 25 per sonnel. Currently, there are four occu pants displaced by the fire. All four were transported to Norwalk Hospi tal; three with smoke inhalation, and one for an evaluation. The three with smoke inhalation were being trans ported to the Bridgeport Hospital Bum Unit. The status of their condi tion is unknown. There were no in juries to any firefighters. The Norwalk Fire Marshal Division (Fire Marshal Scully) is investigating the cause of the fire.
- NORWALK FD
NORWALK FD
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February, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
CONNECTICUT
30 FIRES You M u st Know ON THE BOOK SHELF by John Malecky
30 FIRES You Must Know By Billy Goldfeder, Frank Leeb and Friends Available from: FSP Books & Videos 433 Main Street, Suite 2A Hudson, MAO 1749 1-800-522-8528 Email: support@fire-policeems.com www.fire-police-ems.com Price: $39.00 This is a soft cover book measuring six inches by nine inches, with 330 pages. Royalties earned by this book will be do nated to several organizations listed on the back cover. It is a Fire Engineering book. Billy and Frank are both chiefs who have dedicated their lives to promoting firefighter safety and improve ments in the fire service, namely through equipping fire depart ments to best protect their mem bers. For many years and in many ways they have contributed to this quest. They have chosen 30 hor rific and fatal fires of which al most all resulted in line of duty
deaths (LODD’s.) Photos of the deceased are found in each chap ter. Many of the fires are memo rable, at least to me, such as the NJ Telephone Exchange Fire in 1975, which although no one died at the scene, many died as time went on due to exposure to chemicals. The Hackensack fire in which five were killed is dear to my heart be cause I had tutored one of the fire fighters to take the entrance exam in 1972 (along with two dozen oth ers) in which he passed. He scored higher on the Hackensack list than the Bayonne one (our home town.) He tried twice to transfer, but could not get his seniority bridged so he stayed in the HFD only to die on July 1, 1988. Other fires in clude the Worcester, MA cold stor age fire. One Meridian Plaza in Philadelphia, the McDonald’s fire in Houston, the Father’s day fire in Queens, NY, the Buffalo propane explosion, the Charleston sofa su perstore and the Yarnell Hill fire in which 19 of the Granite Mountain Hotshots were killed. The fires are chronologically written according to the month of the year. In each story there is an introduction fol lowed by a contributor who knows the details of the event. There are lessons to be learned and a remem brance training drill at the end of the chapter. This is a must read book to learn from the past in order to help save the future. A second book is presently in the works of additional fires.
FIRE COMPANY LOGOS If you have photos you would like to see in our “Fire Company Logos “feature please upload them on our website, www .lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .
PROVIDED BY MIKE PLAVCAN
Echo Hose Hook &Ladder Co.1, Shelton Fire Headquarters, located in Fairfield County, CT.
PATRICK DOOLEY
Tower 541 (Snipsic Hook and Ladder Co.) operates their master stream to knock down the main body of fire.
Vernon Fire Battles 2nd Alarm in the Rockville Section of Town ROCKVILLE, CT - On the evening of November 20, 2024, just after 11:00 P.M., the Town of Vernon Fire De partment, Vernon EMS, and Vernon PD were dis patched for a re ported structure fire on Liberty St in the Rockville section of town, with mul tiple 911 calls. A second-alarm was struck while units were responding, as reports from first arriving VPD units indicated fire was through the roof. Car 741, followed by ET-541, were first to arrive and began to knock the visible street side fire down with ET-541’s deck gun. Tower 541 arrived and set up for aerial master stream op eration while other fire attack lines were placed. Additional TVFD apparatus and personnel arrived to assist with the suppres sion efforts. The fire was brought under control and crews remained on scene for several hours dousing hot spots. No injuries were re ported. The Ellington F.D. staged on scene as the Rapid Interven tion Team. The American Red Cross is assisting displaced resi dents, and the cause of the fire is under investigation by the Vernon FMO and Police Department.
-VERNON FD
VERNON FD
Fire rages from a single-family residence on Liberty St in the Rockville section of Vernon.
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
February, 2025
PAGE 17
CONNECTICUT
ACTION SHOT I f you have photos you w ould like to see in our “A ction Shot” feature, please upload them on our website, w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to Lindsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .
RYAN FLAHERTY
Crews stretched two lines inside while the truck company cut the roof.
Colchester Quickly Contains Fire MIKE ADAMCZUK
Berlin Fire Departments were sent to this house fire on 12/22/24, along with Southington Fire and New Britain Fire. The house was fully-involved on arrival.
COLCHESTER, CT - At 6:00 RM. on Thursday, January 2nd, the Colchester Fire Department with Bozrah Ladder 126, Hebron Squad 210, Marlborough Engine 117 and Yantic FAST were dispatched to 112 Amston Road for a house fire. Engine 128 was already on the air from a medical call and arrived within two minutes, reporting fire showing from the Alpha/Bravo cor ner of a single-story, wood-frame residence.
Jump to f iie # 010225104
m 30 I ^ Engine 1 stretched a one-andthree-quarter-inch hose line through the front door and began suppressing the fire. Engine 128 was fed by the hydrant on the cor ner of Village Court. Engine 228 arrived next and stretched a second line. Tanker 228 nursed Engine 2 while crews also performed the pri
mary search. Truck 128 threw ground ladders and performed ver tical ventilation. Middlesex Medic 3 staged on scene, but luckily wasn’t needed. At least one cat was removed from the residence. East Haddam's En gine and East Hampton's Ladder covered the town. Car 28 had com mand, and the Colchester Fire Mar shal’s Office is investigating.
- RYAN FLAHERTY
RYAN FLAHERTY
Garage Fire in Lisbon LISBON, CT - At 8:08 A.M. on 12/2/2024, the Lisbon Fire De partment with Jewett City Engine 156, Baltic Tanker 124, Gris wold ET-355, Voluntown Tanker 353, Taftville Engine 22 and the Yantic FAST were dispatched to 205 Newent Road for a building fire. Taftville Car 29 arrived at 8:15 A.M. to find a twobay detached garage well-involved. ET-154 laid 800’ of fiveinch hose up the driveway and stretched a two-and-a-half-inch hose line to the front of the garage. Tanker 154 arrived next and tied into the supply line. Jewett City then stretched a line to the Bravo side while Taftville stretched the third line. Crews surrounded the building while performing defensive operations, and the roof collapsed shortly after. Command requested additional tankers from Canterbury, Scotland, Plainfield, Moosup and Bozrah. Occum Engine 41 covered Lisbon’s station. Car 54 had command, and the Lisbon Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.
SALEM FIRE
Car Snaps Utility Pole and Rolls Over in Salem SALEM, CT - At 3:09 P.M. on 12/30/2024, the Salem & Gardner Lake Fire Departments, with an American Ambulance Paramedic and the CT State Police, were dispatched to the area of 302 Old Colchester Road for a car that struck a utility pole and rolled over. Ambulance 527 arrived at 3:17 P.M., reporting a car on its side and that the operator had self-extricated. Ambulance 527 began patient care while Engine 121 and Rescue 127 shut the road down and applied ab sorbent pads for the fluid that was leaking. Eversource remained on scene for a couple hours replacing the pole.
PAGE 18
February, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
MASSACHUSETTS
PAT TRAVERS/NEFIREPHOTO.COM
A ll C om panies W o rkin g in W hitm an WHITMAN, MA - Around 6:10 A.M. on the morning of January 7th, the Whitman Fire Department responded to a reported fire at 32 Fullerton Avenue. Engine-243, Ladder-246 and Car-3 re sponded. An East Bridgewater tower was started as the auto matic mutual aid ladder. Companies had light smoke showing from a two-and-a-half-story wood-framed dwelling. Firefighters found a small fire on the second-floor, and a hand line was stretched. Crews were able to quickly knock down the fire with the (one) one-and-three-quarter-inch hand line. Additional ar riving companies overhauled and checked for extension. A Hanson engine covered Whitman Fire Headquarters. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and no injuries were reported. This was the second fire of the New Year for Whitman, as fire fighters worked a working house fire on January 4th.
PETER LORO
Rollover Accident in Waltham WALTHAM, MA - On January 7th, Waltham Police received a call for a car that rolled over at the Route 20 rotary. Waltham Engine 4, Squad 5 and Medic 1 responded. The car had rolled over, but ended upright. Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to extricate the driver, who refused medical attention.
BROTHERS & SISTERS OF THE EMERGENCY SERVICES I f you have photos you w ould like to see in our “B rothers & Sisters o f the Em ergency Services” feature, please upload them on our website, w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com o r em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .
PATRICK KERRIGAN
3rd Alarm on Day St. in Fitchburg FITCHBURG, MA - Fitchburg firefighters battled a stubborn fire in a four-story brick apartment building in the early morn ing on January 5th. Companies arrived to find smoke show ing from the building and located an apartment fire on the 4th floor. Command struck a 2nd alarm, bringing in mutual aid to the scene. The fire extended into some void spaces and com mand struck a 3rd alarm. The fire was knocked down a short time later and companies remained on scene overhauling and checking for extension.
PETER LORO
Waltham Firefighters attended a demonstration highlighting holiday fire hazards and the benefits of sprinklers at Bentley University. (L to R): Lt. Don Hopkins, Gary Delusa, Bill Hines, Captain Ryan Sweder, JT Ford and Mathew Pinzone.
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
February, 2025
PAGE 19
MASSACHUSETTS
MEMORIES I f your departm ent has photos yo u w ould like to see in o u r “M em ories” feature please upload them on our w ebsite w w w .lRiBN.com or em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com
J0HHSJ0STEDT
Four Alarms Called at Structure Fire in Onset ONSET, MA - Firefighters responded to a commercial struc ture fire at 3086 Cranberry Highway, January 5th. Heavy fire conditions were found on the first-floor and a working fire was quickly called. The fire continued to a 4th Alarm, bring ing mutual aid from multiple towns to the scene and for cov erage. A Tier-1 Hazmat was declared and the Massachusetts State Hazmat Team responded due to multiple lithium-ion batteries compromised at the scene. CHUCK LOWE
Princeton once ran this 1958 Ford/Farrar 500/500 as Engine 5.
PAT TRAVERS/NEFIREPH0TO.COM
House Fire in Brockton BROCKTON, MA - Around 8:20 A.M. on the morning of Sun day, December 15, 2024, the Brockton Fire Department struck Box-3323 for a reported house fire at 44 Thompson Avenue. Responding companies could see a column of smoke in the distance. Upon companies' arrival, a working fire was requested. Heavy fire was found in the rear of a twostory, wood-framed dwelling. Companies were able to quickly knock down the fire with multiple hand lines.
CHUCK LOWE
Chelsea Ladder 2 responded to hundreds of fires with this 1983 Pierce Arrow 107' aerial.
PAGE 20
February, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
MASSACHUSETTS
West Springfield Crews Make Fast Work of Bedroom Fire WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA A bedroom fire caused significant damage to a single-family home just outside downtown West Springfield and claimed the lives of two pets early in the evening of Tuesday, December 10, 2024. Just after 5:00 P.M., West Springfield firefighters were sum moned to 511 Elm Street for re ports of a structure fire. Crews arrived on scene within four min utes to find heavy smoke and fire venting from the Charlie side sec ond-floor of an occupied twostory, wood-frame, single-family dwelling. While the human resi dents of the address had safely evacuated, two dogs were unac counted for. West Springfield struck a sec ond-alarm, bringing all available town apparatus to the scene and coverage into town from Springfield and Agawam. Companies
Jump to file # 121424100
i i stretched two attack lines on the fire and quickly knocked down all visible fire on the second-floor be fore starting overhaul operations. West Springfield fire crews then spent two hours overhauling the second-floor and checking the attic to ensure that the fire was completely extinguished. Sadly during overhaul, the two missing dogs were found deceased. Shortly after the fire, a Go Fund Me page was established to aid the family and, as of this arti cle's writing, was up to nearly $22,000. The cause of the fire re mains under investigation by the WSFD and State Fire Marshals Office.
-NATE ARNOLD
NATE ARNOLD
Companies operating at 511 Elm St.
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1st Responder Newspaper - NE
February, 2025
PAGE 21
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PAGE 22
February, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
MASSACHUSETTS
K. LEGER
NATE ARNOLD
Ladder 1 plays its stream into the pile on Palmer Ave.
Mulch Pile Fire Ties Up Resources for Hours in West Springfield WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA The first night of Christmas yielded neither Partridge nor Pair Tree for the on duty shift of the West Springfield Fire Department, though, to be fair there, were probably a couple of tree stumps somewhere near the bot tom of the pile. Just as members were sitting down to dinner on December 25th, Fire Alarm received 911 calls for smoke in the area of the K&W Ma terials handling facility on Palmer Avenue. This private contractor re ceives both bulk and yard waste from the general public while also allowing West Springfield residents to dispose of their yard waste for
K.LEGER
Five People Homeless A fter 3-Alarm Fire in Fall River FALL RIVER, MA - Five people were left homeless after a three-alarm fire ripped through their home on Monday, De cember 16, 2024. Around 11:00 P.M., firefighters responded to 243 Montaup Street for a still alarm. First due companies had heavy fire venting from the six windows and front door of the home. All occupants were reported out of the house from both the first and second floor apartments. Firefighters knocked down the heavy fire with a two-and-a-half-inch at tack line before chasing the fire into the house. Crews opened up walls and ceilings on both floors, but could not expose all the fire and Command ordered an evacuation when the roof began to collapse. Crews then went defensive with heavy stream appliances and a ladder pipe. Firefighters remained on scene until 7:30 A.M. the next morning.
TOFILE #123124114
an £ » free upon proof of residency in town. Because of this, there are sev eral large piles of mulch and yard waste on the property, and it was one of these two-story-high piles that was the cause of the smoke. Upon arrival, companies had a deep-seated fire in a pile that was roughly 30-feet-wide by 25-feethigh and almost 50-feet-long. This fire would prove to be the first test of the department's recently repaired 2007 ALF 100-fit. rear-mount tower, which had just returned to service a
week prior after waiting eight months for parts to be fabricated to fix an electrical issue with the main aerial ladder. While the old tower performed well, the real problem the on duty members faced was the weak hydrant pressure from the closest hydrant. The hydrant sup plied barely enough water for Lad der 1 to flow one of its two master streams. This resulted in a six hour long operation to extinguish the fire. Crews did not return to quarters until 1:30 A.M on 12/26/24. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
- NATE ARNOLD
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? If you have photos you would like to see in our Where are they Now? feature please upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.
CHUCK LOWE
West Barnstable recently placed this 2001 Freightliner FC80/Ferrara 1250/500 in service as Engine 297. This rig previously served Provincetown, Massachusetts.
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
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February, 2025
PAGE 23
PAGE 24
February, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
MASSACHUSETTS
IN SERVICE If you have photos you would like to see in our In Service feature, please upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.
PATRICK KERRIGAN
C om m ercial B u ild in g Fire Goes to 3rd Alarm in Tewksbury TEWKSBURY, MA - Tewksbury firefighters battled a stubborn fire in a large commercial building on December 21, 2024. Companies arrived to find heavy fire showing from one bay in a 200'x50' commercial building. Command struck a 2nd alarm, bringing in mutual aid to the scene and to cover. Com panies stretched multiple handlines and gained access to the other bays to start knocking down the volume of fire inside. Command struck a 3rd alarm, bringing in additional mutual aid to the scene and to cover. Multiple master streams and two-and-a-half-inch hand lines were used to knock down the heavy fire. Companies remained on scene overhauling for several hours.
CHUCK LOWE
Spartan ER constructed this 3000-gallon water tender on a 2017 Freightliner 114-SD chassis, which operates as Brimfield Tanker 1.
D R IIIS /TR A IN IN G To see your Drills in the newspaper upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
JOHNSJOSTEDT
Resident Escapes 2-Alarm House Fire in Kingston PETER LORO
On November 14, 2024, Waltham Fire conducted hard suction training on the Charles River. All engine companies participated in the exercise.
KINGSTON, MA - Firefighters responded to a residence at 7 Woodland Ave. for a reported struc ture fire on January 10th. The first arriving Captain had heavy fire in the rear of the building. The resident safely escaped the building. Firefighters used multiple hand lines and a ladder pipe to bring the fire under control.
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
February, 2025
PAGE 25
MASSACHUSETTS
PATRICK KERRIGAN
2nd A larm in Townsend TOWNSEND, MA- Townsend firefighters responded to a house fire on Bayberry Hill Rd on the night of December 9, 2024. Companies arrived to find heavy fire showing from the single family dwelling and command struck a 2nd alarm, bringing in mutual aid to the scene and to cover. Companies used a de fensive operation to knock down the main body of fire.
PATCH OF THE MONTH I f you have photos you w ould like to see in our “Patch o f the m onth “feature please upload them on our w ebsite, w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .
PETER LORO
Six-Car MVA w ith Injuries on 1-95 in Waltham WALTHAM, MA - On December 13, 2024, multiple calls were received by the Mass State Police reporting a six-car accident with multiple injuries on I 95 south, near Rt 20 in Waltham. Waltham Engine 2, Rescue 1, Medic 1 and Ambulance 1 were dispatched. The six cars were all up against the guardrail. Five people, including two children, were transported to Newton Wellesley Hos pital with unknown injuries.
LITTLE BIG GUYS I f you have photos you w ould like to see in our Little B ig G uys feature, please upload them on our w ebsite www. 1stR esponderN ew s.com o r em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .
PROVIDED RY TOM MESSER
This patch belongs to Engine 37 in Boston, MA. It was recently remade from an old patch design.
Visit 1st Responder on the Web at w w w .1R B N.com
CHUCK LOWE
Boylston Forestry 1 is a 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4x4, previously used as Car 2.
PAGE 26
February, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
MASSACHUSETTS
PATRICK KERRIGAN
Crews B attle Four-Alarm Barn Fire in Bunstable DUNSTABLE, MA- Dunstable firefighters fought a four-alarm fire on the morning of December 16, 2024. Citizens banging on the door to the fire station notified the on duty crew of the fire directly across the street from the fire station. The on duty crew arrived to find heavy fire showing from a large barn attached to a farmhouse. Command quickly struck a 2nd alarm, bringing in mutual aid to the scene. A 3rd and 4th alarm were struck for manpower and water supply purposes. Multiple handlines and one ladder pipe were used to knock down the heavy volume of fire. Companies entered the farm house and made an aggressive interior attack to keep the fire from extending further into the home. Companies remained on scene for several hours overhauling and checking for hot spots. No injuries were reported, and the fire remains under investigation by the Massachusetts Fire Marshal's Office.
NATE ARNOLD
Residual smoke pushes from the Bravo side as crews knock down the last of the fire.
Snake Dies in Kitchen Fire in Holyoke HOLYOKE, MA - Ever since losing their most recently closed engine company to budget cuts several years ago, the four remain ing engine companies and two truck companies of the Holyoke, MA Fire Department have been, literally, running back and forth across the city answering calls. On the evening of Tuesday, December 10, 2024, two alarm ac tivations and one structure fire called in within 10 minutes com pletely drained this city of 38,000 of all available fire coverage to the point where the second alarm acti vation was initially responded to by just one engine company. Crews on the assignment sent to 32 Pleasant
Jump to file #121424102
#4 39 St. arrived to find smoke showing from the Bravo side first-floor of an occupied two-and-a-half-story bal loon frame single-family dwelling, and residents suffering from the ef fects of smoke inhalation. To complicate matters, a well intentioned HPD patrol officer got tunnel vision when he arrived on scene and focused on assisting the victims out of and away from the home before then rushing inside with his dry chemical extinguisher to try and fight the fire himself, leaving his patrol unit improperly
parked on the Alpha side of the fire building. Despite this setback, Holyoke fire crews were able to make relatively fast work of the fire, stretching an attack line and a back up line to knock down the fire in the kitchen within 10 minutes of arrival. Crews then set about checking for extension and over hauling the building over the next hour. Sadly, the family's pet snake, whose habitat was in the kitchen, died in the fire, but all human resi dents made it out safely. The cause of the fire remains under investiga tion by the HFD.
- NATE ARNOLD
ACTION SHOT
COMMAND VEHICLES
If your Department has photos you would like to see in our "‘Action Shot" feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
If your Department has photos you would like to see in our ‘‘Command Vehicles" feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
JOHNSJOSTEDT
KINGSTON, MA - Firefighters responded to the area of Bavarian Way for a brush fire on January 7th. Mutual Aid was called from Carver to assist.
CHUCK LOWE
Cambridge Division 2 is assigned a 2022 Ford Expedition SUV. The deputy Chief and his "Tactical Aide" respond to uptown incidents. An identical vehicle operates in Division 1.
February, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
PAGE 27
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When the Williamsville Fire Department disbanded in 2017, the neighboring Newbrook Fire Department acquired WFD Engine 1, a 2006 International/Pierce 1250/1000. It continues to serve the town as NFD Engine 2.
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February, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
OUR CALENDAR IS EXPANDING W e N e e d Y o u r H elp! Post an event in your area at w w w .1rbn.com
m i N SERVICE If you have photos you would like to see in our In Service feature, please upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.
CHUCK LOWE
The Connecticut Fire Service Experience
Old Town Rescue 1 runs this 2022 Freightliner M2-106/Rescue 1 as Rescue 378.
Connecticut’s own Fire Apparatus Photographer Kevin R McKeon releases his brand new book.
‘The Connecticut Fire Service Experience Volume 3-Our Heritage and Our Future’ This is the third volume in the trilogy of the Experience and his sixth Connecticut Apparatus book overall. This book contains apparatus, firehouses, monuments, training and firefighter photos. There are stories, Connecticut trivia, and many new features! All the quality that you expect from Kevin’s Connecticut books!
CHUCK LOWE
Smithfield Engine 3 runs a 2019 International HV 3000-gallon tanker that was built by Deep South.
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Order you copy today!! Retail price $35.00 Call or go online to FSP Books and Videos. www.fire-police-ems.com
“ M y w ife and I m a d e a N e w Y ea r’s reso lu tio n never to go to bed angry. W e ’ve been aw ake sin ce la s t Tuesd ay!”
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
February, 2025
PAGE 29
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PAGE 30
February, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
DRILLS/TRAINING If you have photos you w ould like to see in our D rills feature, please upload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .
Radio Communications It has been said that experience is the best teacher. This state ment can’t be truer than in the fire service. More specifically, during radio communications. It is next to impossible for any firefighter, officer, instructor etc... to hone the skill of using a radio unless there is frequent use either during a drill or an ac tual call. This article is aimed mostly at company officers be cause it’s the company officers that have an obligation to not only properly teach how to com municate using a radio but more importantly provide the opportunities to use a radio. The bottom line is instructors (including company officers) can provide all the particulars about radio communication but without consistent practice speaking into a radio the likely result will end up sounding like mostly unnecessary, white noise. Remember that the young “blackhats” you are in structing may someday become officers and will have to be properly prepared not to men tion that in a volunteer company those same blackhats may be an acting officer on any given call depending on availability and will have to communicate clearly with dispatchers.
Using 1802 one of the more im portant requirements that most of us have seen completely botched is that any transmis sion begins with the caller first identifying who they are calling and THEN identifying them selves. You should also wait until the person or entity such as “fire control” or “dispatch” responds BEFORE proceeding with your transmission - this is especially important when call ing a MAYDAY. Said another way: when first talking on the radio you first identify who is being called and then identify yourself (the speaker). To illus trate: “Fire Control - Engine 406”. In this case, the caller (presum ably an officer) is calling “fire control (dispatch) and then identifying themselves as the officer in Engine 406. Once Fire Control responds the officer will then proceed with the transmis sion. Many training videos with re gards to radio use highlight the “Five C's of Fireground Radio Communications”
To start NFPA 1802 establishes requirements for portable com munications equipment used in the hazard zone. This new stan dard identifies the following:
Concise - Stick to The Point. Clarity - Speak Clearly. Confidence - Confidently Share Your Information. Control - Keep Your Voice Strong and Assertive Capability - Continuously Prac tice to Sharpen Your Skills.
Operating environment parame ters of RF voice communica tions devices (RF devices) and remote speaker microphones (RSMs) Minimum requirements for the design, performance, testing, and certification of RF devices and RSMs
The problem with all of that is what really constitutes “clar ity”? What exactly is “concise” communication? What informa tion is really important? These are all very subjective. To a new or acting officer what may be concise and/or important likely wasn’t and it is only time and
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experience that will narrow down those communications to sound more professional. From a more practical, everyday language standpoint radio com munications should be short and sweet. Don’t say five words when two will do. The reality is not talking (less is more) may be just as important and likely more useful than excessive talk ing. Also, in keeping with short and sweet communication don’t call the dispatcher several times for the same information. It is understandable if you didn’t hear a dispatcher’s initial re sponse but repeating the ques tion indicates you weren’t paying attention. A more accept able response would be “please repeat the transmission”. This is indicative that not hearing a transmission was the result of ambient and background sound. There is also what is called “white noise radio chatter”. An example: Dispatch this is Engine 2, con firmed two vehicle accident be tween a van and a car. There are no injuries, so you can clear am bulance. There is no entrapment so vou can cancel Squad 3 and Car 5. We are going to cut bat teries and clean some road de bris and will be here for awhile but we can take another call if you get one. Book us on scene available. (White noise is under lined) Revised concise version that says the same info: Dispatch, Engine 2. Two vehicle accident, no injuries. Clear Am bulance. Cancel Squad 3 and Car 5. Book us on scene avail able.
forth” argument. Don’t highlight any mistakes or grievances for the world to hear. Save any dis agreements or criticism for a de briefing after the incident. To drive this point home if you are a chief/officer and you are criti cizing firefighters on the radio (especially if the problem boils down to training opportunities that they didn’t provide) then you need to consider resigning your position. Not getting into arguments is especially true for anyone not on scene including chiefs and officers. Also, on this note is that only the officer on scene should be using the radio. Every firefighter has a job to do and al though most if not all should have a radio only the officer should be communicating with dispatch and/or the incident commander. Since the emphasis here is on hands-on training it is incum bent to discuss actual drills that provide radio communications practice. First and most obvious is any simulated fire at your training site. Assuming your en gines stage and then drive in to start the exercise give an aspir ing officer the opportunity to oc cupy the “front seat” and call in an arrival response and provide commands to the crew of that apparatus. If I had to guess many firefighters experience the equivalent of writer’s block but once they get going radio com munications will flow easily. A second drill would be similar to many firefighter classes where a picture is shown on a screen to the class while the of ficer is in a secluded room with the same image and provides what is commonly known as a CAN report (Conditions, Ac
tions, Needs) based on the cir cumstances seen in the picture. The key in this exercise is to just state what you observe, what you are doing and what you need. Don’t make assumptions or add unnecessary white noise information. This drill can also be used for Explorers and junior firefighters. Realistically, any drill should start by introducing the radio it self and all the parts. One point of emphasis should be waiting that split second for the beep sound when you first key up the microphone before starting your transmission. Nobody is going to hear what you said when that beeping sound occurs. Other key points would be to make sure firefighters are on the cor rect channel and lastly to avoid the orange button unless there is an actual emergency because in most if not all districts that or ange button is another mayday caller and so even in training pressing that button and your local dispatch center will be no tified as if there is a firefighter in distress. To summarize, proper radio communication is essential to the fire service and so it is in cumbent upon everyone but es pecially the chiefs and line officers to provide the opportu nities for everyone to use a radio because ultimately make sure your department drills on radio communications. Good radio communication is so im portant that in some cases as piring officers may not reach their potential and remain black hats due to not having adequate training on radio communica tions thus never developing the confidence and skill necessary. - JOSEPH CEA
If clear and concise radio com munication is so important then why do officers (acting too) talk so much? The answer is be cause they don’t have enough air time to practice especially on calls that aren’t critical or per haps long-winded officers just like the sound of their own voice but either circumstance is unac ceptable. One situation you NEVER want to do is get into a “back and
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February, 2025
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February, 2025
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