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LYNN, MA - Late on the night of February 21st, the Lynn, MA Fire Alarm Office dispatched units to a reported building fire on Estes Street. Upon arrival, Engine 5 found smoke showing from the second-floor of a three-story occupied multiple dwelling (OMD) located behind other structures, set well off the street. They immediately called for a working fire assignment. As crews began their interior attack, command noted that strong winds were pushing the fire toward an exposure—a large two-and-a-halfstory church on Chestnut Street. -
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March, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
JAY HEATH
JAY HEATH
Pittsfield firefighters were called to this apartment house on January 28th.
Pittsfield Apartment Building Burns Twice
JAY HEATH
Franklin Fire Causes Heavy Damage to Building FRANKLIN, NH - On January 26th, a two-alarm fire caused heavy damage to a three-story single-family home. Around 11:15 P.M., a caller reported a house on fire at Chance Pond Rd. and North Main Street. Franklin, along with automatic mutual aid was dispatched, and Franklin companies arrived a short time later finding the rear of the three-story structure fully-involved. A second-alarm was transmitted and mem bers began a search for any missing occupants. Numerous hand lines were deployed and Laconia's Tower Ladder oper ated in the rear while Franklin's Tower opened up the front side of the roof. The fire had already burned through the rear section of the roof and interior sections as well. The fire was knocked done by 12:15 A.M., and the NH State Fire Marshal's office was brought in to investigate.
PITTSFIELD, NH - On Janu ary 28th, a large apartment build ing on Smith Street in Pittsfield was destroyed in two fires within 24 hours. The first fire was dispatched at 7:14 PM. as callers were reporting a house on fire at 18 Smith Street. The Pittsfield Fire Chief arrived a short time later and reported heavy smoke showing with a fire on the first-floor. He immedi ately requested a second-alarm. Pittsfield crews knocked the fire down on the first-floor and searches began to make sure all residents had escaped. Mutual Aid departments came in to assist with battling the fire, in cluding Concord's Tower 2, who's crew opened up the metal roof and Engine 7 & Ambulance 7 worked inside the building. The building was all chopped up and had many void spaces. Firefighters worked for hours to extinguish the fire, but a rekindle around 7:00 A.M. the next morning found the building on fire again with heavy fire through the roof. Mutual aid crews were brought, including Concord Tower 2 and the Bamstead Tower 1 oper ated for hours on the stubborn blaze. Heavy equipment was even tually brought in that morning and tore down the entire building.
- JAY HEATH
PFD PHOTO
The next morning the house was found fully involved around 7:00 A.M.
March, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
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1st Responder Newspaper - NE
RESCUE SQUAD, The origins of Rescue Co. 1, FD of the City of New York, 1915-1925 ON THE BOOK SHELF by John Malecky
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R E SC U E SQUAD, The ori gins o f R escu e Co. 1, FD o f the City o f N ew York, 1915-1925 By Paul Elashagen Available from: FSP B ook s & V ideos 433 Main Street, Suite 2A Hudson, M A O 1749 1-800-522-8528 Email: support@ fire-policeem s.com www.fire-police-em s.com Price: $19.99 This b o o k is soft cov er and m easures six inches by nine inches, with 292 pages w hich in cludes a glossary. It includes the first 10 years o f operations o f R escue 1, w hich was the first res cue squad established in the coun try. It was organized in 1915 for the purpose o f rescuing firefight ers. A s time went on, its duties expanded. It is written by a fire fighter w ho retired from the FD N Y with 25 years o f service, 20 o f w hich were spent assigned to R escu e 1. He has written tw o other b ook s about Rescue 1. His writing is truly a labor o f love. In this b o o k with the help o f many and what I w ou ld perceive as
countless hours o f research, he ch ron ologica lly writes about the many operations o f R escu e 1 laid out in individual chapters o f each year. Each chapter also is reported on ch ron ologica lly month by month. They are laid out in great detail, plus there are individual nam es o f each m em ber from b e ginning to end. Since respiratory protection was non-existent for other fire com panies for the m ost part, firefighters were hampered by sm oke and other gases w hich re sulted in prolonged fire extinguish ment, injuries and death. The rescue com pany was equipped with sp ecialized sm oke helmets, w hich allow ed them to get through dangerous conditions to rescue firefighters and others. They were equipped with a pulm otor (an early form o f a resuscitator) for reviving those who stopped breathing. The truck had other spe cialized tools and equipment. Their crew m em bers were also sp ecia l ists in the trade (electrical, plum b ing, carpentry, etc.), w hich increased the effectiven ess o f the company. And as with all firefight ers, they were fully enthusiastic in their work. They perform ed hero ics and made unbelievable rescues. This book, w hich is all taken from records, show s the m iraculous w ays that the squad saved many. Unfortunately, there was death o f firefighters and civilians recorded in the book, but it is another writ ing by a retiree who loved his work and his assignment.
JAY HEATH
M assive P ile o f Logs Burns in Weare WEARE, NH - On February 8th, a massive log pile burning kept Weare firefighters busy on a cold Saturday night. An out side fire turned out to be this massive log pile burning. Even tually, a second-alarm was transmitted for water supply and a tanker shuttle. Firefighters worked for hours to extinguish the fire with the help of heavy equipment to pull some of the pile apart. No injuries were reported.
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 .
OUR CALENDAR IS EXPANDING We Need Your Help!
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Revere, Massachusetts, Engine Co. 4 operates with a 2010 Pierce Arrow XT 1250/750 that previously served Nashua as Engine 5.
VEHICLE NEWS
CORPORATEINFORMATION 1st Responder N ew s (ISSN 1525-1683) - New Eng land edition - Vol. 29, No. 3 - is published monthly, 12 times a year for $48 per year by Belsito Com m unica tions, Inc., 1 A rdm ore Street, N ew Windsor, NY 12553. Periodicals Postage Paid at Newburgh, NY and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to 1st Responder News, 1 A rdmore Street, N ew Windsor, NY 12553. N o financial responsibility is assum ed by this newspaper to publish a display, classified, or legal ad or for typographical errors except o f reprinting that part o f the ad which was omitted or in error. Om issions a division of: or errors must be brought to the atten tion o f the newspaper during the sam e month o f publication. Printed in Canada.
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The New Hampshire Fire Academy has received a 2024 International/Rosenbauer 1250/750/20A, which will serve as Engine 1.
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
March, 2025
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March, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
1 "R e s p o n d e r N ew spaper
In memory of those who gave all
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1st Responder Newspaper honors and remembers
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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
California: Timothy Hall, 59 Rank: Fire Engineer Incident Date: September 23, 2024 Death Date: September 23,2024 Fire Department: West Sacramento Fire Department Initial Summary: On Monday, September 23, 2024, Fire Engineer Timothy Hall suffered a medical emer gency during a fire department training exercise. He was immediately transported to the hospital where he was
•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 o f correspondents or columnists! 1st Responder N ewspaper w elcom es subm issions by our readers. Send stories and photos to us at 1Ard more St. N ew Windsor, NY 12553. Or, giv e us a call or send us an e-mail. If using the mail, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for all sub m issions you wash to have returned. Publisher reserves the right to refuse any editorial or advertising material submitted.
ADVERTISING INFORMATION I f you w ould like information about how advertising in 1st Responder N ews can benefit your com pany call our advertising hotline at:
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CIRCULATION INFORMATION
apparatus. Both were pronounced deceased at the scene.
Massachusetts: Jason Gould, 46 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: June 19, 2016 Death Date: September 8,2024 Fire Department: Brockton Fire Department Initial Summary: On Sunday, June 19, 2016, Fire
trict.
fighter Jason Gould was rescuing a woman from an apartment fire when his mask was knocked off. When
Georgia: Leon Davis, 69 Rank: Assistant Chief Incident Date: September 27, 2024 Death Date: September 27,2024
his mask became dislodged, he took in a large amount o f
Fire Department: Blackshear Fire Department Initial Summary: On Friday, September 27, 2024, A s
complications from another lung procedure, directly re
smoke and suffered lung damage. After his retirement in 2023, Firefighter Gould received two lung transplants. On Sunday, September 8, 2024, he passed away due to lated to the incident that occurred in June o f 2016.
sistant Chief Leon Davis responded to the scene o f a downed powerline that was on fire. When he was leav ing the incident a tree fell on the cab o f his fire depart ment pickup truck, killing him instantly.
845-534-7500 ext. 212 • (fax) 845-534-0055 News@1 stR esponderN ew s.com
ricane Helene when a tree fell on the cab o f their fire
unteer member o f the Clarksburg Fire Protection Dis
pronounced deceased. Fire Engineer Hall was also a v ol
Fenichel •Sean Fesko •Ryan Flaherty •Karin Halstead •Jay Heath • Patrick Kerrigan •William King •Lee Krohn •Kenneth Leger •Peter Lobo
B odie were responding to a structure fire during Hur
South Carolina: Chad Satcher, 53 Rank: Chief Incident Date: September 27, 2024 Death Date: September 27,2024
North Carolina: Tony Ray Garrison, 51 Rank: Battalion Chief Incident Date: September 27, 2024 Death Date: September 27,2024 Fire Department: Fairview Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
Initial Summary: On Friday, September 27, 2024, Bat talion Chief Tony Ray Garrison was assisting in the res
Fire Department: Saluda County Fire Service Initial Summary: On Friday, September 27, 2024,
cue o f victims o f a landslide during the response to Hurricane Helene, when a second landslide occurred. He
Chief Chad Satcher and Probationary Firefighter Cale
passed away from the injuries sustained in this incident.
Bodie were responding to a structure fire during Hurri
Battalion Chief Garrison also served with the Garren
845-534-7500 ext. 220 • (fax) 845-534-0055
cane Helene when a tree fell on the cab o f their fire ap
Creek Fire Department.
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paratus. Both were pronounced deceased at the scene.
1st Responder Newspaper is delivered to all fire, rescue, ambulance stations and hospitals. I f you do not receive your papers, please contact our circulation department. H om e subscriptions are $36 per year.
GRAPHIC DESIGN/MARKETING 1st Responder N ews’ graphics team w ill work with you on your adver tisement free o f charge. A ddition ally, w e offer a com plete marketing department for all o f your printed . communications, inc. needs. Whether they are posters, or single sheet handouts, full color or black and white, n o one else delivers the high quality work at our competitive prices. A s a newspaper in the Belsito Com m unications Inc. family, 1st Responder N ews 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 C olor 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
South Carolina: Cale Bodie, 18 Rank: Probationary Firefighter Incident Date: September 27, 2024 Death Date: September 27,2024 Fire Department: Saluda County Fire Service Initial Summary: On Friday, Septem ber 27, 2024, C h ief Chad Satcher and Probationary Firefighter Cale
PAGE 7
March, 2025
1ST Responder Newspaper - NE
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March, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
1LITTLE BIG GUYS If you have photos you would like to see in our Little Big Guys feature, please upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.
JAY HEATH
A fire in the attic area of a Concord senior care facility required the evacuation of 61 residents. CHUCK LOWE
Henniker operates a 2015 Dodge 3500 4X4 400/250 as Forestry 1.
Fire Forces E vacuation o f Concord S enior Care F a c ility CONCORD, NH - On February 14th, city firefighters were con fronted with a fire at an assisted liv ing and memory care unit on Langley Park Way Friday evening. Concord fire alarm received a call for an odor in the building at 8:35 P.M. First due firefighters encoun tered a smoke condition on the upper floors and then discovered a fire in the attic. Battalion Chief 4 Jeff Stone requested a second-alarm and a MCI response as the firefighters stretched
J ump to file # 0 2 1 7 2 5 1 0 1
@ aP I ^
hose lines and started the evacuation o f 61 residents. The combination o f the build ing's size with the medical needs o f the patients intensified the required response. Battalion Chief Jeff Stone explained. "There's two big prob lems, we have a huge life hazard be cause we have a lot o f elderly folks here who can't really take care o f
themselves." The initial call reported a smell o f smoke, and firefighters located a fire in the roof area o f the upper floors. It took about an hour to knock the fire down, BC Stone said. An in vestigation later determined that the fire had been caused by the heat sys tem in the roof installed to melt snow. The residents were shuttled by buses to the Concord Flospital Cafe teria located next door.
- JAY HEATH
CHUCK LOWE
Fitzwilliam operates a 2010 Ford F-350/Darley 125/200 as Brush 1.
MEMORIES If your department has photos you would like to see in our “Memories”feature please upload them on our website www.lRiBN.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
CHUCK LOWE
Troy operates a 2016 Ford F-55Q/Truck Craft 250/200/1 OF as Brush 1.
CHUCK LUWE
Londonderry once ran this Mack R with a Howe body as Engine 3.
1ST Responder Newspaper - NE
PAGE 9
March, 2025
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PAGE 10
March, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
JAY HEATH
Canterbury Blaze Destroys Barn CANTERBURY, NH - On February 4th, a barn was destroyed in a fire on Shaker Road. The fire was dispatched at 3:00 A.M. for a report of a barn fire with automatic mutual aid from Bel mont, Loudon, Laconia, Tilton-Northfield, Epsom and Penacook Rescue. Belmont arrived first due and stretched a line onto the fire as the barn quickly collapsed. The fire was brought under control within the hour.
IN SERVICE If you have photos you would like to see in our In Service feature please upload them on our web site www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com .
JAY HEATH
Franklin and Tilton crews mask up to enter the duplex at the second-alarm on February 3rd.
Residents Escape House Fire in Tilton-Northfield NORTHF1ELD-T1LTON, NH On February 3rd, the Tilton-Northfield and Franklin fire departments were dispatched to a house fire on Chestnut Street. The fire was dis patched at 11:47 P.M., and since the Tilton-Northfield duty crew was al ready at another call working a car diac arrest, a first-alarm was dispatched. First arriving Franklin C hief found heavy fire showing from the basement o f a two-story duplex.
J ump to f iie # 0 2 0 6 2 5 1 0 2
Franklin crews advanced a hose line into the basement and searched for occupants. The residents and a dog had already escaped the fire. The building had balloon type construc tion, so fire had already traveled from the basement to the first and second floors. A second-alarm was transmit
ted, bringing additional companies from Laconia, Sanbomton, B el mont, Gilford, Concord, Gilmanton, and Meredith EM S to the scene. Firefighters worked for hours extin guishing fire throughout the duplex. The fire was brought under control at 1:52 A.M., and no cause has been determined. The Red Cross was called to assist the four residents, and no injuries were reported.
- JAY HEATH
JAY HEATH
Fire had spread all through the balloon-type construction. The Sanbornton Chief opens up the wall on the front porch.
March, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
PAGE 11
CONNECTICUT
FIRE COMPANY LOGOS If you have photos you would like to see in our “Fire Company L ogos “feature please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com .
MICHAEL CARENZA JR
Fire Destroys Storage Building Attached to Commercial Building in Newington CHUCK LOWE
NEWINGTON, CT - A storage building that was attached to a larger commercial building was destroyed by fire in the early morning hours on February 6th. The fire at 16 Rockwell Road was mostly held to the storage building. Firefighters were assisted by members of Task Force 51. The cause is under investigation.
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PAGE 12
March, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
CONNECTICUT
MICHAEL CARENZA JR
Great Stop by New B rita in F ire fig h te rs NEW BRITAIN, CT - Firefighters arrived at 425 Burritt Street with heavy fire on all three floors of the front porches on Jan uary 29th. Despite the very windy conditions at the time, fire fighters quickly knocked down the heavy flames and prevented the fire from spreading to the rest of the threestory home. Two firefighters received minor injuries. All res idents evacuated safely, and two pets were removed by firefighters. The cause is under investigation.
RYAN FLAHERTY
Well-Involved Barn Fire in Lisbon LISBON, CT - At 12:27 P.M. on Monday, February 10th, the Lis bon Fire Department with Jewett City Engine 156, Ladder 156, Gris w old ET-355, Voluntown Tanker 353, Taftville Engine 22 and the Yantic FAST were dispatched to 56 Town House Road for a barn fire. Car 54 reported a header while re sponding and added five tankers which came from Canterbury, Plainfield, Preston, Bozrah and East Great Plain. Car 54 and Engine 154 arrived
J ump to file # 02 18 2 5 1 1 2 *6 at 12:32 P.M., with an approximate 60' X 30' metal bam well-involved and beginning to collapse. The crew stretched a one-and-threequarter-inch hose line to the front and assisted with removing some animals. Tanker 154 arrived next and nursed the engine. Engine 156 arrived third and laid 800-feet o f five-inch up the driveway and tied
into the tanker. The crew from Engines 156 and 22 then pulled a two-and-ahalf-inch hose line to the rear. A third line was then stretched to the Bravo side while Engine 33 helped pull the pile apart. One firefighter was transported by Lisbon ambulance after an in jury sustained on the fireground. The Lisbon Fire Marshal’ s Office is investigating.
- RYAN FLAHERTY
1LITTLE BIG GUYS If you have photos you would like to ee in our Little Big Guys feature, please upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.
MICHAEL CARENZA JR
Shed Fire Spreads to Home in Newington NEWINGTON, CT - A shed fire extended to the attached garage of a home at 145 Starr Avenue on January 24th. The fire destroyed the shed and damaged the garage and breezeway of the home. The rest of the home received smoke damage. Firefighters were assisted on scene by an engine company from the West Hartford Fire Department. Task Force 51 companies provided coverage for the town. The cause is under investigation.
. CHUCK LOWE
Colchester Service 128 is assigned this 2020 Ford F-350 4x4/Reading brush/utility vehicle. It has a 250-GPM pump and can carry 160-gallons of water.
March, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
PAGE 13
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New Life fo r an Old Engine Engine 322, known fondly as "22," had a distinguished 32 years o f service in South Old Bridge and the surrounding towns. Pur chased in 1992 by the Board o f Fire Comm issioners o f Fire D is trict #3 in Old Bridge, it became a trusted workhorse for the local fire service. Flowever, in 2024, after three decades o f service, it was time for 322 to retire and make way for a new engine. A 2025 Spartan fire engine, 322. But as the old engine made its way out, a new chapter was being written for 322. After the devasta tion caused by Flurricane Flelene in September 2024 in North Car olina and Tennessee, the Board o f Fire Comm issioners felt a deep sense o f com passion and looked into the possibility o f donating 322 to a fire department in need in those affected regions. Though 322 had seen better days, it still had potential, albeit requiring some tender loving care and minor repairs. With the help o f the M iddle sex County OEM Director Jack Kramer, Old Bridge Fire District 3 was able to get in touch with Bill Killen o f the America’ s First Responders Foundation. Bill was able to get the two organizations together on conference calls and the arrangements were finalized. This is where Scott Campbell, President o f the Campbell Supply Company, came into the scenario. Campbell Supply, a family-owned business in South Brunswick, N ew Jersey, is a premier dealer-
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ship for commercial and emer gency vehicles. The Board o f Fire Comm issioners and Campbell Supply got together and came to an agreement to get the necessary repairs done to Engine 322 so it could continue its mission in the storm-ravaged areas o f Tennessee. With repairs completed by Campbell Supply, C hief David Strong and Assistant Chief Jason Flagreen o f the Clinch Valley Vol unteer Fire Department in Eidson, Tennessee, traveled to Campbell Supply in South Brunswick to pick up their "new" fire engine and drive it back to Tennessee. This collaboration ensured that the old 322 would carry on serv ing a community, though in a dif ferent state, continuing its legacy. Congratulations to the Clinch Valley Volunteers! A special thanks go to the Board o f Fire Commissioners o f Fire District #3 in Old Bridge for their thoughtful donation, and a heartfelt acknowl edgment to Scott Campbell and the entire team at Campbell Sup ply for their professionalism, gen erosity, and philanthropy in making this possible. Through this donation, 322 has found new life, showing that even in retirement, a piece o f equipment can continue to serve communities and save lives.
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PAGE 14
March, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
CONNECTICUT
F a m ily Dog D ies in New B rita in E a rly-M o rn in g House F ire NEW BRITAIN, CT - Fire fighters responded to 130 Austin Street early Wednes day morning on February 5th for re ports o f the rear porch on fire. Upon arrival, firefighters had heavy fire through out the two-story home. All occupants made it out safely, but the family dog perished in the blaze. The cause is under investi gation.
- MICHAEL CARENZA JR
MICHAEL CARENZA JR
Firefighters try to enter the home with heavy fire conditions.
MICHAEL CARENZA JR
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
March, 2025
PAGE 15
CONNECTICUT
N orw ich Crews C ontain W orking Fire to th e Porch o f Home NORWICH, CT - At 2:00 RM. on Wednesday, January 8th, the N orwich Fire Department with East Great Plain Ladder 5 and Laurel H ill Engine 62 were dispatched to 53 H edge Avenue for a reported house fire. Battal ion 1 arrived at 2:04 P.M., with a working fire on the front porch o f a two-and-a-half-story woodframe residential house. Squad A stretched a one-andthree-quarter-inch hose line into the porch area and knocked the fire. Engine 2 handjacked fiveinch to the hydrant, establishing the water supply. Two members
Jump to file #01 09 2 5 1 0 0
#4
3^
o f Truck 1 searched while the driver set up and threw ladders.
Engine 3 stretched a second line and went to the floor above to check for extension. Crews had the fire knocked in about 10 minutes and then performed overhaul and ventilation. Ladder 5 and Preston
Engine 11 staged out front while Rescue 5 filled cylinders. Car 1 had command while the Battalion was operations and Car 10 had safety. The Mohegan Tribal Fire Department provided the
FAST, and the Norwich Fire Mar shal’ s O ffice is investigating.
- RYAN FLAHERTY
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PAGE 16
March, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
CONNECTICUT
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.
CHUCK LOWE
West Haven Truck 22 runs with a 2021 Pierce Velocity 100' Ascendant platform.
RYAN FLAHERTY
Poquonnock Bridge Truck 35 heading to the roof for ventilation.
New London Second-Alarm House Fire CHUCK LOWE
Vernon Squad 441 runs with a 2021 Pierce Enforcer PUC1500/1000 rescue pumper.
CHUCK LOWE
The Allingtown Fire Company in West Haven operates this 2016 Pierce Velocity 1500/500/75' quint as Truck 1.
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. 1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
CHUCK LOWE
Wallingford operates this 1995 Pierce Dash as Rescue 7.
NORWICH, CT - At 3:58 A.M. on Monday, February 10th, the New London Fire Department was dispatched to 47 Eastern Av enue for smoke com ing from the second-floor. Bat talion 3 arrived at 4:02 A.M. with smoke showing and transmitted the working fire. After com plet ing a 360, the chief reported fire out three windows in the rear that was rapidly extending and transmitted the second-alarm. Engine 2 stretched a one-and-three-quarterinch hose line to the Delta side and knocked a large volume o f fire before stretching to the thirdfloor. Engine l ’ s driver secured the hydrant for Engine 2 to establish the initial water supply. Engine 1 also stretched a one-and-threequarter-inch crosslay, which went up a ground ladder into the sec ond-floor that Waterford Truck 15 assisted with. Truck 2 positioned in the front and vented the thirdfloor window. Ambulances 100 & 200 performed the primary searches, which were negative. At 4:13 A.M., command re ported a partial collapse o f the first-floor. Poquonnock Bridge Truck 35 threw an extension lad der to the r oof on the Bravo side and performed vertical ventila tion. Crews battled fire on all three floors until command re moved them from the building at 4:42 AM . Engine 1 laid in from a second hydrant on Lewis Street and sup plied Truck 2 for defensive oper ations. A two-and-a-half-inch
NEW LONDON FIRE
Crews arrived to heavy fire from the Delta side. hose line was also brought to the rear yard, which suppressed a good amount o f fire. Two firefighters sustained minor injuries. They were both treated and released from the hos pital. A1 had command while Bat talion 3 was operations. The Norwich Fire Department provided
the FAST and the N ew London Fire Marshal’ s Office is investigat ing. Waterford & Groton Ambu lance, as well as Oswegatchie En gine 42 provided coverage.
- RYAN FLAHERTY
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
March, 2025
PAGE 17
CONNECTICUT
BROTHERS & SISTERS OF THE EMERGENCY SERVICES If you have photos you would like to see in our “Brothers & Sisters o f the Emergency Services”feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.
NORWALK FD
Recycling Truck Fire/Rubbish Fire in Norwalk NORWALK, CT - The City o f Norwalk Fire Department re sponded to a report o f a Waste Management trash truck on fire at the intersection o f Woodward Av enue at Neptune Avenue at 11:19 A.M. on January 22nd. The truck pulled into the park ing area o f 145 Woodward Avenue and expelled its contents in the lot to protect the vehicle from further damage. Calls from the driver o f the truck and a third party re ported that the truck’ s load was actively on fire. Upon arrival. Engine 3 en countered smoke and fire from a pile o f recycling, made up o f pri marily cardboard and some plas tics. A hose line was deployed on the fire to suppress it. The size o f the fire, and the extra water needed to control it, required an additional engine company to the scene. Engine 1 responded and provided water supply and addi tional manpower to pull the con tents apart to get to deep-seated fire within the load. At the request o f Lt. Colem an from Engine 3, Norwalk DPW responded and de ployed two front loaders and a su-
td file # 012 32510 5
NEW LONDON FIRE
New London FFs Nick Bozym, Tim Joseph and Lt. O'Reilly, with FFs Kyle Krystofik and Kevin Fifield.
an I » pervisor to assist with pulling the pile apart to expose hidden pock ets o f fire within it. The fire was brought under control within a few minutes by two engine companies consisting o f eight personnel and a Safety Officer, for a total o f nine suppres sion personnel. There was exten sive overhaul and that took over an hour to complete. The contents were then transferred to a waiting dumpster container and taken to the transfer station by DPW crews. Norwalk Police assisted with traffic control in the area, and the Connecticut Department o f Energy and Environmental Pro tection (DEEP) was notified o f the water runoff from firefighting op erations getting into storm sewers. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters, and the roadway remained open to traffic during firefighting operations.
CHRIS PAIGE
Norwich Truck 1 Crew Firefighters Donahoe, Gagnon and Krukoff.
- JOSEPH COPPOLA
V isit us on web
www.1rbn.com CHRIS PAIGE
Norwich's Platoon 2 after a third-floor job on East Main Street.
PAGE 18
March, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
MASSACHUSETTS
Lynn Handles OMD Fire w ith Exposures in W indy C onditions LYNN, M A - Late on the night o f February 21st, the Lynn, M A Fire Alarm Office dispatched units to a reported building fire on Estes Street. Upon arrival. Engine 5 found smoke showing from the second-floor o f a three-story occu pied multiple dwelling (OMD) lo cated behind other structures, set well o ff the street. They immedi ately called for a working fire as signment. As crews began their interior attack, command noted that strong winds were pushing the fire to ward an exposure— a large twoand-a-half-story church on Chestnut Street. With conditions worsening, a second-alarm was struck, bringing the remaining Lynn companies to the scene and calling in mutual aid for citywide coverage. While interior crews aggres sively fought the fire in the origi nal structure, second-alarm companies worked to protect the church. Flowever, reports soon came in that fire had extended into the walls and was breaking through the r oof o f the primary building. Structural integrity b e came a concern, and command or dered a transition to defensive operations. A third-alarm was sounded, summoning additional mutual aid, including engines from Saugus, Swampscott, and Melrose,
Jump to file # 0 2 2 3 2 5 1 0 4
i t 3^
!
along with a ladder from Revere. Master streams were de ployed, with ladder pipes and a deck gun put into action to battle the fire in both the original build ing and the now fully-involved ex posure on Chestnut Street. As flames spread, a fourth-alarm was struck, bringing in engines from Salem, Marblehead, and Peabody, along with a Swampscott ladder. With more exposures at risk, addi tional evacuations were con ducted, prompting a fifth-alarm. Revere and Lynnfield engines, as w ell as a Chelsea ladder, were added to the response. During the height o f the oper ations, the second-floor o f the first exposure building failed, leading to a collapse o f the Alpha side. Fortunately, there were no injuries. Firefighters remained on scene well into the morning o f February 22nd, continuing defensive opera tions and overhaul. Later that day, the rubble pile from the collapsed structure reignited. A working fire assign ment was dispatched to extinguish the rekindled flames, ensuring the fire was fully knocked down.
SEAN FESKO/911 ERV
Lynn Engine 10 and Ladder 4 set up on the Alpha/Delta corner of the church exposure, fully-involved with fire.
- SEAN FESKO
SEAN FESKO/911 ERV
Lynn Engine 3 operates its deck gun on the church exposure. Shortly after this photo was taken the front wall collapsed.
SEAN FESKO/911 ERV
Mutual aid crews used multiple master streams to protect an ex posure.
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
March, 2025
PAGE 19
MASSACHUSETTS
BUDDY SHOTS If you have photos you would like to see in our “Buddy Shots”feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.
EVERETT
\cpgf9-H
SEAN FESKO/911 ERV
JOHNSJOSTEDT
Members of Bourne Fire Department at a 4-Alarm Fire in Onset.
Everett Ladder 2 attempting to get the stick up. Due to the position of overhead wires, they were not able to raise the ladder.
Everett Tackles Two-Alarm Blaze EVERETT, MA - At approxi mately 12:30 RM. on January 26th, the Everett FD responded to reports o f a building fire on Woodlawn Street. Engine 3 and Ladder 2, stationed just a t minute away, arrived Jump TOFILE# quickly to find heavy 0223 125105 fire showing. A work ing fire was immedi fn<b ately declared, bringing all staffed s e Everett companies and mutual aid to the scene. Firefighters stretched hand lines to the second and third floors in an effort to contain the blaze. Elowever, due to Hie intense fire load and strong winds accelerating its spread, com mand ordered crews to withdraw and shift to defensive operations. The of ficer in charge requested a secondalarm, summoning additional mutual aid, and later made a special call for Revere Ladder 2. Multiple aerial and master streams were deployed to battle the heavy fire from the exterior. Once conditions improved, crews re-en tered Hie structure to fully extinguish remaining hot spots, perform over haul, and conduct a search for two missing cats. Firefighters located one o f the cats and safely removed it from the building, wet but alert. Everett firefighters were sup ported on scene by Malden, Revere, Chelsea, and Somerville. Mean while, mutual aid companies from Melrose, Boston, and Medford cov ered Hie city, handling several other emergencies while Everett crews re mained committed to the fire.
I
JOHNSJOSTEDT
Members of Bourne Fire Department at a 4-Alarm Fire in Onset.
JOHNSJOSTEDT
Members of Middleborough Fire Department at a 4-Alarm Fire in Onset.
- SEAN FESKO
SEAN FESKO/911 ERV
PAGE 20
March, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
MASSACHUSETTS
MEMORIES If your department has photos you would like to see in our “Memories”feature please upload them on our website www. IRBN.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
PETER L0B0
Truck Fire in W altham WALTHAM, MA-Around 10:00 A.M. on February 3rd, Waltham Engine 4 and Tower 1 were dispatched to 69 Hickory Drive for a truck fire. Engine 4 reported that a truck carrying shred ded paper was on fire. It took firefighters about 45 minutes to extinguish and clear out the contents of the truck. Engine 2 was special called to help in overhauling. CHUCK LOWE
This 1964 Dodge Power Wagon was assigned to the Douglas State Forest as Patrol 7-5.
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1st Responder Newspaper - NE
March, 2025
PAGE 21
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PAGE 22
March, 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. 1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com .
PATRICK KERRIGAN
Occupants Escape Car Fire in Dunstable DUNSTABLE, MA - On January 26th, Dunstable firefighters were dispatched to a car accident with fire on Main St. Com panies arrived to find that a single vehicle had veered off the road and struck trees before catching fire back in the roadway. Two occupants of the vehicle were able to self-extricate prior to the FD's arrival and were not injured.
CHUCK LOWE
Ladder 1 in Essex operates with a 2023 Spartan FC94/E-One 1500/500/75' quint. This apparatus replaced the 1997 Seagrave quint, acquired second-hand from Berwyn, Illinois, in 2012.
CHUCK LOWE
Boston Ladder 26, the Huntington Ave Express, runs with a 2022 E-One Cyclone I1100' Metro aerial.
PATRICK KERRIGAN
2nd Alarm Quickly Knocked in Dracut DRACUT, MA - Dracut firefighters were dispatched to Nashua Rd. on the morning of January 23rd for a house fire. Compa nies arrived to find smoke and fire showing from the roof area of the single-family home. Command struck a secondalarm, bringing mutual aid to the scene and to cover the town. Companies stretched three handlines, and the Dracut Ladder company opened the roof for ventilation. The fire was knocked down in a short amount of time. CHUCK LOWE
Engine 37 in Boston operates a 2023 E-One Typhoon 1250/560/30F as "The Huntington Ave Express".
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
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PAGE 23
PAGE 24
March, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
MASSACHUSETTS
DRIIIS/TRAINING To see your Drills in the newspaper upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
PATRICK KERRIGAN
3rd Alarm S truck a t Lowell M u lti-F a m ily Dwelling LOWELL, MA - Lowell firefighters battled a fire in a large three-story multiple-family dwelling on January 18th. Com panies arrived to heavy smoke showing and command struck a second-alarm. Fire was found in multiple void spaces, as well as extending into the cockloft. Command struck a thirdalarm, bringing mutual aid to the city and to the scene. The fire was knocked down a short time later.
PETER LORO
The Waltham Fire Dept, held their annual ice rescue training at Oak Grove on the Charles River, January 27th. All Waltham firefighters go through this training, which takes about a week to complete.
THIS OLD HOUSE If you have photos you would like to see in our “ This Old House”feature, please upload them on our website, www. 1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@l stResponderNews.com
PETER LORO
3-Car MVA on River St. in Waltham CHUCK LOWE
Somerville still owns the former Central Fire Station located at 165 Broadway. The building opened in 1895 and is currently being used as a senior center and soup kitchen for the homeless. Fire companies operated from this building until the Reilly-Brickley Me morial Firehouse opened in the 1970s.
WALTHAM, MA - Waltham Police received a report at 2:00 A.M. on February 8th of a three-car accident at 172 River Street, with one car on its side with entrapment. Waltham Engine 3, Squad 5, and Medics 1 and 2 responded. Firefighters found one car on its side after it had hit a parked car and extricated the driver. One person was taken to Newton Wellesley Hospital.
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
March, 2025
PAGE 25
MASSACHUSETTS
Ludlow Tackles Fast-Moving Blaze in Apartment House LUDLOW, M A - A fast-mov ing fire destroyed a two-story apart ment house early in the evening o f Sat urday, February 22nd, in the Town o f Ludlow, displac ing half a dozen families and requir ing the help o f half a dozen depart ments to knock the fire down. Ludlow firefighters were summoned to 398 East St. just after 9:00 P.M. for a report o f a structure fire. Upon arrival, Lud low crews were met with a twoand-a-half story, mixed-use occupancy building with heavy fire on the Charlie side. The bal loon frame apartment house that contained six units was attached to a single-story ordinary co n struction office building on the A/D corner that housed a local real estate agency. The fire had taken possession o f the w ood frame porches on the Charlie side and was gaining a foot hold in the attic as Ludlow firefighters began their interior attack. Crews attempted to cut off the fire's extension using co m pressed air foam, but the fire had already gained purchase in the attic and was running laterally from the Charlie to the Alpha side. As conditions worsened, extra alarms were struck to bring manpower and equipment from Westover Air Reserve Base, Springfield, Chicopee, Wilbraham and Palmer to the scene, and Belchertown for station coverage. East St. command was forced to withdraw members from the building once the attic becam e fully involved and switch to a de fensive attack. Ludlow's tower and Springfield's Engine 5, a 75foot quint set up on the A/B and A/D corners respectively and played away with their master streams as fire broke through the roof. Crews spent the next two hours in a defensive attack before the main body o f fire was knocked down and members could re-enter the structure to chase hot spots and overhaul the second-floor. The cause o f the fire remains under investigation by the LFD/LPD and the State Fire Marshal's office. M ost o f the residents were not home at the time o f the fire, but are being as sisted by the Red Cross.
NATE ARNOLD
Ludlow's tower opens up as Springfield's quint waits for water at East St.
- NATE ARNOLD
NATE ARNOLD
PAGE 26
March, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
MASSACHUSETTS
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
CHUCK LOWE
Holyoke uses this 2002 Pierce Dash 105' aerial as Ladder 3, a de partment spare. This truck was originally in front-line service as Ladder 1.
PETER LOBO
Mass Casualty Incident in Waltham Involving School Bus WALTHAM, M A -A t 8:25 A.M. on January 17th, the Waltham 911 center received calls for a crash at Beaver and Lexington Streets involving a school bus. Further updates reported that another school van was on its side. Waltham Engine 2, Rescue 1, and Medics 1 and 2 were dispatched. When units arrived, they found a school bus mini van on its side up against a car. The female driver of the mini van needed to be extricated. Engine 7 was special called, in addition to Fire Chief Randy Mullin requesting a Mass Casualty Incident. A total of 34 students were on the bus; six children were taken to Newton Wellesley Hospital for evaluation. The driver of the mini van was taken to Lahey Medical Center. CHUCK LOWE
Norfolk operates this 1996 E-One Hurricane 110’ aerial as Ladder Company 1.
LITTLE BIG GUYS If you have photos you would like to see in our Little B ig Guys feature, please upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.
CHUCK LUWE
Lee Engine 1, a 1999 KME Excell 1500/750, has faithfully served the town for 25 years.
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CHUCK LUWE
Uxbridge operates this 2018 Ford F-550 4x4/CET 250/300/1 OF as Forestry 1.
March, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
MASSACHUSETTS
PAGE 27
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PETER L0B0
Three-Alarm Fire on Montvale Rd. in Weston
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WESTON, MA - On February 18th, crews responded to a fire that may have started on the first-floor of this home at 65 Montvale Road. Three alarms were transmitted in frigid cold, windy weather. Eight communities assisted the Weston Fire Department. The Mass State Police and Fire Marshal were re quested to investigate the fire.
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PAGE 28
March, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
NAVIGATING THROUGH CRISIS Seasonal Changes
MEMORIES If your department has photos you would like to see in our “Memories”feature please upload them on our website www.lRiBN.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
Chaplain’s Corner Pastor Fernando Villicana
The circumstance may be out o f your control, but how you transition is optional (your choice, your atti tude). The old saying: “ Attitude de termines Altitude”is so true. Each o f us w ill face situations which brings us to a place o f transition. Transition is the process or a period o f changing from one state or con dition to another. H ow can we thrive in times o f change and crisis? CRISIS = a time o f intense dif ficulty, trouble, or danger: Another definition o f a crisis is an an unexpected change or event over which we have no control over. Sound familiar? We have all been in situations where we had lit tle or no control over it. Life is all about seasonal changes. And the truth is, our success many times de pend upon our ability to navigate through storms and personal con flict. THE BENEFITS OF SEA SONS. 1. Nothing is permanent Ex cept G od and His promises. E cclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, a time f o r every purpose under heaven: God is saying: Every tiling has a season, nothing is permanent. Everything we go through is only for a time, it w on’ t last. And one thing you can count on is that God never changes. G od and His prom ises are permanent and can be de pended upon. 2. Seasons guarantee change. Seasons o f your life (good or bad) will introduce change. Change is inevitable. So, no matter how cold it gets in the winter, summer is coming. One o f the keys to living a victori ous life is knowing how to outlast
the season. I f you can stay warm long enough to survive winter, sum mer is coming. When winter com es you don ’ t throw away your swim trunks and t-shirts. You don ’ t drop them off at the Goodwill. You store them in a drawer. Why? Because you know that winter is temporary (a season). Every crisis offers an opportu nity. I know this may sound as through I am trivializing someone else ’ s pain or suffering, but the truth is that we can grow thought what we go through. There are positive les sons to be learned in every season o f difficulty. One thing we know about storms - they’ re always moving. We STAND, til it M OVES past us. That is why we should never respond per manently to a temporary problem. The Bible says: “Weeping m ay last f o r a n ig h t b u t jo y com eth in the m o rn in g ' In other words; there will be things in life that cause you to weep - but don’ t worry, the season o f laughter will return again. G enesis 8:22 “A s long as the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, Portland operated this 1993 Pierce Arrow with an 85' Snorkel as Ladder 1. co ld a n d heat, su m m er a n d winter, day and n ig h t w ill n ever cease. " 3. G od’ s blessing com es in every season. You may find yourself in the cold right now -G od’ s m essage to you: warmth is on it’ s way. Some o f you are in darkness right now - Day time is coming. E zekie l 34:26 I w ill rttake therrr and the p la ces surrounding m y hill a he blessing. I w ill sen d dow n show ers in seasons: there w ill be show ers o f blessing. Your shower is coming. Even G od’ s blessings com e in seasons. So, le t’ s have faith that “this too shall pa ss”. Whenever you experi ence something that in your mind com es under the category o f a crisis (a time o f intense difficulty, trouble, or danger) I want you to think and say - Opportunity. Always remember - what lies behind us and what lies before us is nothing compared to what lies within us.
Rick Billings C
COIP HARP TRUTH...
Pastor Fernando Villicana Fire Service Chaplain
V is it us on web
www.1rbn.com c 2025 by Rick Billings bear59dog@yahoo.com @jampony452
CHUCK LOWE
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
March, 2025
PAGE 29
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March, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
DRILLS/TRAINING If you have photos you would like to see in our Drills feature, please upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.
Leadership in the Fire Service There are literally dozens of roles within the fire service. There are firefighters, line offi cers, civil officers and instruc tors to name a few. One title that will likely never be found is “leader” and that is because leadership cannot be contained and defined in a label. There is no NFPA standard. Further, leadership might be a long-last ing concept such as an officer that has to consistently design and implement drills or it could be momentary on the fireground when any firefighter re gardless of rank can take the lead in knocking down the flames. In French “je ne sais quoi” translated literally means “I don’t know what” but is used to portray an indescribable, spe cial distinguishing feature. Leadership can be thought of in these terms due to often being intangible. Also that any firefighter can inspire other firefighters to follow his/her lead. Leadership may also come in a more tangible and indeed ad ministrative form such as lob bying for safer firefighting tactics and equipment, chang ing an employment policy to allow leave for firefighter to re spond to calls or ensuring that instructors have the necessary gear to teach with or pursuing legal remedies such as the vol unteer firefighter benefit law (VFBL). Not to complicate this topic even more but being a leader is sometimes natural but can also be developed. There are some firefighters that simply give off an aura that compels others to follow them into a burning building while other leaders in the fire service over the years put in the time, energy and ef fort to learn their craft and as a result ascended the ranks to leadership positions. A good example of developed leader ship would be the perfection of radio communications since this skill typically must be prac ticed consistently.
How leadership is attained is ir relevant when considering one of the common roots i.e. knowl edge of necessary skills. Fire fighters won’t simply follow a title and are far more likely to follow someone that has inti mate knowledge of firefighting and firefighting tactics to the point they make quick, decisive choices when necessary. One other intangible quality that defines leadership is con fidence. On the fireground that translates to having the confi dence to trust the firefighters around you and under your command. When comparing those officers/chiefs that trust their blackhats to do the job ex pertly, effectively and safely versus those that feel that they must control every aspect of the firehouse from the fire scene to rolling hose in the ap paratus bay and you’ll find the most efficient and successful is the former model. What then is the role of a fire service instructor relative to leadership? First and foremost, instructors are typically leaders themselves that consistently display leadership whether it’s in the classroom facilitating a discussion or demonstrating motor skills. Instructors are the first line in recognizing natural leaders (one could argue it takes one to know one) and certainly in developing others. In most cases, leaders display those skills consistently which from an omnipotent standpoint is easily recognizable. There are times when an instructor will have to have a simple con versation with a potential leader because that firefighter may not recognize their own potential. What then can an instructor do to beyond recognition. That an swer is also simple. Provide opportunities to shine. Provide opportunities to lead and in struct other firefighters within the class such as designating that firefighter as team man ager. This is not to say that an
instructor should ignore poten tial leadership abilities in other firefighters. Rather focus on the most promising students realistically, there are only so many opportunities in a given class. Since leadership also in volves having a more intimate knowledge of the fire service Instructors can also recom mend firematic books such as Seven Fires by Peter Charles Hotter. As an aside this is an excellent book about seven his torical fires that shaped the current fire service. Displaying leadership may also involve having the authority to discipline other firefighters under your charge. In this re gard there is a time, place and method to do so. Generally, it is wise to be critical but not criti cize. Remember that leadership involves improving the per formance of those around you. Being critical as a form of eval uation aimed at improving fire fighter skill sets is essential. Criticism on the other hand is typically unnecessarily nega tive and has the opposite effect breeding contempt and resent ment - two properties that any fire company can do without. In the quest to develop leaders and leadership there are defi nitely impediments. If ever there was an enemy of leader ship it would be bureaucracy and complacency. Standing tall based on principle is a neces sity even it means having to en dure some backlash. For example, not being complacent with current, unsafe practices or possibly following the chain of command above and beyond the first level bringing aware ness to an ongoing safety con cern. Displays of leadership can be described in this regard as the “Courage to be Safe”. Fire Learning Network’s online class in this regard can be ac cessed here: https://www.fireherolearningnetwork.com/traini ng_programs/courage_to_be_s afe.aspx To summarize: Brendan Boyle, a civil officer
for a capital region (NY) volun teer fire company, in a recent speech commemorating the in stallment of officers remarked the following in reference to leadership: The role of an officer is one that requires selflessness, and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of others. The well being of each other. It’s a call ing that goes far beyond just wearing a uniform —it's about showing up when it matters most... and serving with in tegrity and pride. It’s about abandoning your ego and put ting your commitments before all else. Leadership is a sacrifice. It is. To those stepping into leader ship roles, you’re not just offi cers— you are the leaders of
our community, the exemplar who set the tone, foster team work, and ensure that we are well prepared to meet the chal lenges ahead. Leadership is a privilege. As we move forward, let’s continue to work together to ensure that we remain a beacon of resilience, committed to readiness and service to our community. Leadership is the greatest honor. To our outgoing officers, we extend our sincere grati tude. Your hard work, dedica tion, and vision have shaped the direction of this department, and we owe much of our suc cess to your leadership. Your contributions will be felt for years to come. - JOSEPH CEA
PATCH OF THE MONTH If you have photos you would like to see in our “Patch o f the month “feature please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.
EUGENE WEBER JR.
This patch belongs to the Burlington Fire Department, located in Chittenden County, VT.
1st Responder Newspaper - NE
March, 2025
PAGE 31
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1st Responder Newspaper - NE
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