By Olivia Drake, HVFCo. Public Information Officer.
Haddam Volunteer Fire Company responded to 47 calls for emergency services in September 2018.
Fires, Alarms: 8
Motor Vehicle Accidents: 4
Medical: 24
Other: 11
On Sept. 3, HVFC was dispatched to Haddam Meadows State Park for an accident involving a personal watercraft. The operator was already on shore and was evaluated on scene by EMS personnel.
On Sept. 4, firefighters provided mutual aid to Middletown’s South Fire District for a fire at Kleen Energy Systems.
On Sept. 5, Haddam Fire responded to a residence on Little City Road, where a caller had reported that his neighbor’s shed was on fire. Upon arrival, crews encountered not a structure fire, but a large outside fire with exposure to tall brush. The homeowner was present and actively tending his fire. Firefighters, who deemed the fire reckless in size, also noted that the homeowner was burning construction debris, mattresses, and other household garbage. Crews extinguished the fire with a line off Engine 6-13. The Haddam Fire Marshal also responded to the scene.
On Sept. 9, crews were dispatched to Plains Road for a reported vehicle into a pool. A teenager, who was taking driving lessons from her father at the time, crashed into the pool gate and drove into the pool. Both the daughter and father were able to self-extricate and did not need medical attention.
On Sept. 18, HVFC responded to a rollover on Killingworth Road near the Washburn Hill area. The driver self-extricated and refused medical treatment. On Sept. 20, HVFC was dispatched to a two-car motor vehicle accident on Saybrook Road. Firefighters immediately shut down a section of Saybrook Road during the incident. The driver of one vehicle was transported to Middlesex Hospital, and the driver and passenger of the other vehicle were evaluated on scene and refused additional medical treatment.
More than 6 inches of rain flooded the Haddam area on Sept. 25, causing several roads to become washed out or inaccessible. Over the next two days, HVFC responded to seven flooded basement situations.
Crews were able to pump water out of multiple homes and the Higganum Village Market.
The rainstorm also caused a pole fire on Killingworth Road, where a tree was entangled in primary wires and was causing electrical arching, and a transformer fire on Saybrook Road, where primarily lines had fallen and were sparking and burning the ground. In both cases, firefighters blocked the roads from traffic until Eversource deemed the area safe.
DRILLS AND TRAINING
Drills this month included using new gas meters and hose line operations. Several members also participated in a live burn at the New Haven Fire Training Academy. All interior firefighters must participate in at least one live burn annually to retain his or her certification.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
HVFC provided more than 40 hours of fire coverage during the 99th annual Durham Fair, held Sept. 27-30. Every hour, members walk the fairgrounds looking for safety hazards, provide medical care to injured fairgoers, and standby with an Engine on site in the event of a fire.
MEMBERSHIP
On Sept. 10, Kenny Vallera, a Life Member who previously served with the company for 23 years, rejoined the membership as a Fire Police. Vallera’s three sons also have, or are presently serving, with HVFC.
Who will answer the call? HVFC is seeking volunteers for the role of Firefighter and Fire Police. For more information visit haddamfire.com.
Photo of Durham Fair by Kathy Brown. All others by Richard Zanelli.
