By Olivia Drake, HVFCo. Public Info. Officer.
HVFC responded to 50 calls for emergency services in October 2018.
Fire/Alarms: 7
Motor Vehicle Accidents: 7
Medical: 35
Watercraft Rescue: 1
Haddam Volunteer Fire Company responded to its first chimney fire of the season Oct. 28 on Parmelee Road. Dispatch reported flames coming from the chimney, however the flames were out upon arrival. Firefighters extinguished the burning debris inside the fireplace and removed the contents. They also used a thermal imaging camera to check the temperature of the wall near the chimney on the second floor and metered the home for carbon monoxide and found no high levels. The homeowners were advised not to use the fireplace again until it was properly cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional.
On Oct. 6, HVFC responded to a marine call near Haddam Meadows State Park where a reported rogue wave had flipped and capsized a 12-foot boat. The boat operator was wearing a life jacket. DEEP marine units assisted with getting the patient and the boat to the Haddam Meadows boat launch. The patient was evaluated by EMS personnel and refused medical treatment.
On Oct. 21, HVFC was dispatched to Tinker Road for a reported injured hiker. The commanding officer made contact with the hiker via cell phone and was able to determine the best way to reach his location. Crews used an all-terrain vehicle to access and rescue the patient from the woods.
On Oct. 23, HVFC responded to Parmelee Road for a reported unconscious person trapped under a vehicle. Upon arrival, firefighters requested support from Hartford Hospital’s LIFE STAR unit. Crews immediately extricated the patient and assisted LIFE STAR medics with patient care.
HVFC was dispatched to multiple utility pole fires and wires-down calls in October. On Oct. 12, a branch had broken off a tree near the Walkley Hill and Saybrook Road intersection and fell on the primary wires, which tripped a fuse. Power went out in the area until Eversource remediated the situation. On Oct. 18, crews encountered a pole toppled over with wires down and wires burning on Boulder Dell Road. Firefighters blocked traffic until Eversource secured the power. And on Oct. 27, a branch had fallen a power line on Hayden Hill Road, causing a power outage in the area.
At 3:20 a.m. on Oct. 6, crews responded to a motor vehicle accident involving tangled power lines and entrapment with unknown injuries. The commanding officer requested Eversource on a Priority 1. Once power was secured, the driver and passenger were able to self-extricate uninjured.
On Oct. 10, Haddam Volunteer Fire Company and Chester Hose Company responded to a vehicle fire on Route 9 South between exits 7 and 8. Upon arrival, crews immediately shut down both lanes of traffic. Haddam firefighters stretched a line from Engine 6-13 and quickly extinguished the fire, which was located in the vehicle’s front engine compartment. After the fire was completely extinguished, the scene was turned over to Connecticut State Police.
Haddam Volunteer firefighters worked quickly and diligently to extricate two victims involved in a head-on collision Oct. 11 on Killingworth Road near Hubbard Road. One patient later succumbed to his injuries and died.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered two patients with serious injuries pinned inside their vehicles. Both drivers were wearing seat belts and air bags were deployed. Each vehicle encountered severe damage with more than 1 foot of intrusion into the drivers’ compartments. LIFE STAR, Hartford Hospital’s critical care helicopter was requested but was unable to respond due to poor weather. The patient, who was pending traumatic arrest, was sent to Hartford Hospital via Haddam Volunteer Ambulance Service. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. The other patient, who was heading northbound on Killingworth Road, was trapped under the brake pedal. Crews carefully lifted, or “rolled” the dash to free the patient’s legs. She was transported to Hartford Hospital by Hunter’s Ambulance. The incident was turned over the Connecticut State Police for vehicle removal, accident reconstruction and further investigation. The road remained closed for several hours following the incident.
On Oct. 17, HVFC responded to a motor vehicle accident near the Bridge Road and Saybrook Road intersection. A tractor trailer involved in the incident had a punctured saddle tank and had leaked approximately 15 gallons of diesel fuel, that possibly had entered a water way. DEEP was notified and responded, and an environmental cleanup company suctioned the remaining fuel from the tank prior to moving the vehicle.
On Oct. 25, HVFC responded to a car vs. oil truck on Saybrook Road. The driver of the car was transported to Middlesex Hospital via Haddam Ambulance Service.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
During the week of Oct. 8, members of Haddam Volunteer Fire Company visited five area schools to raise awareness about fire prevention and safety. The National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) 2018 Fire Prevention Week theme is “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere.” Members visited children at Young Horizons Daycare, Cougar Cubs Daycare, Haddam Co-Op Nursery School, Haddam Elementary School and Burr Elementary School and provided lessons to all children up to fourth grade. Firefighters taught the students about the importance of calling 9-1-1; changing batteries in smoke alarms and CO detectors; how to stop-drop-and-roll; how to properly feel for heat against a door during a fire; how to call out for help. Members also dressed in full turnout gear and offered high-fives to the children.
TRAINING
This month, members participated in three vehicle stabilization and extrication drills at Station 3. Firefighters practiced using cribbing materials, glass cutting tools, vehicle stabilization and lifting struts, Hurst hydraulic tools and more.
MEMBERSHIP
Who will answer the call? HVFC is searching for volunteers to fulfill the roles as firefighter and fire police. All training is provided. For more information visit haddamfire.com.
