The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Capsized boat, chimney blaze among Oct. calls
HADDAM — Haddam Volunteer Fire Co. crews were summoned to 50 emergency incidents in October.
October calls
The company’s first chimney fire of the season was Oct. 28 on Parmelee Road, according to fire officials. Dispatch reported there were flames coming from the chimney, however the flames were out upon arrival. Firefighters extinguished the burning debris inside the fireplace and removed the contents, according to a post on Facebook.
“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,” according to the post.
On Oct. 6, the station responded to a marine call near Haddam Meadows State Park, where a “rogue wave” flipped and capsized a 12-foot boat, fire officials said. State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection marine units helped get the patient and the boat to the boat launch, where the individual was evaluated by EMS personnel, and refused medical treatment, officials said.
On Oct. 21, HVFC was dispatched to Tinker Road for an injured hiker. The commanding officer contacted the hiker by cellphone and was able to determine the best way to reach his location, according to the post. Crews used an allterrain vehicle to rescue the victim.
On Oct. 23, HVFC responded to Parmelee Road for an unconscious person trapped under a vehicle. Crews extricated the patient and assisted Hartford Hospital Life Star medics with caring for the patient, the post said.
HVFC was dispatched to multiple utility pole fires and wires down calls in October. On Oct. 12, a branch that had broken off a tree near the Walkley Hill and Saybrook Road intersection fell on the primary wires, which tripped a fuse, authorities said. 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, the post said.
At 3:20 a.m. Oct. 6, crews responded to a motor vehicle accident involving tangled power lines and entrapment with unknown injuries. Once power was secured, the driver and passenger escaped unharmed, HVFC officials said.
On Oct. 10, HVFC and Chester Hose Co. responded to a vehicle fire on Route 9 South between exits 7 and 8. Both lanes of traffic were shut down and Haddam firefighters stretched a line from Engine 6-13 and quickly extinguished the firein the vehicle’s front engine compartment, according to the Facebook post.
Firefighters also removed two victims involved in a head-on collision Oct. 11 on Killingworth Road near Hubbard Road. One patient later died, the post said.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered two patients with serious injuries pinned inside their vehicles. Both drivers were wearing seat belts and air bags were deployed. Life Star was requested, but was unable to respond due to poor weather, officials said. The patient, who was in traumatic arrest, was sent to Hartford Hospital. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, officials said.
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, according to the HVFC post. The road remained closed for several hours following the incident.
On Oct. 17, HVFC responded to a motor vehicle accident near the Bridge and Saybrook roads intersection. A tractor trailer involved in the incident had a punctured saddle tank and had leaked approximately 15 gallons of diesel fuel, which possibly had entered a waterway, local officials said. DEEP was notified, 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 taken to Middlesex Hospital via Haddam Ambulance Service.
Community service
During the week of Oct. 8, crews visited five area schools to raise awareness about fire prevention and safety. The National Fire Protection Association’s 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, according to Facebook. Firefighters taught the students about the importance of calling 911; 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, the post said.
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, officials said.
Membership
HVFC is searching for volunteers to fulfill the roles as firefighter and fire police. All training is provided.
For information, visit haddamfire.com.