March 2, 2010

Cronomer Valley Firefighters Battle Storm Responses

And Test New “FIT 5” Fire Extinguishing Device

Story by Bob Quackenbush & AC Leghorn

Cronomer Valley Firefighters responded to over 80 calls in the 24 hour period following Thursday nights snow storm which dumped over 20” of snow.. The majority of the calls were for electric lines down and transformer explosions due to trees falling with the weight of the wet snow. The storm left almost all of the Town of Newburgh without power for 4-5 days.

We responded to the full circle of events. It starts with motor vehicle accidents due to icy road conditions. That was followed by environmental conditions causing the wires down and explosions. Then the call for generators to power homes with oxygen dependent residents. That was followed with portable pumps to pump out basements full of water due to sump pumps being out of power. Manpower and resources were stretched to the limit.

Then people do things they wouldn’t normally do as they get desperate. Some bring grills into the home to cook, not realizing that they give off large amounts of Carbon Monoxide that can be fatal. Many use portable heaters and often place them too close to items that burn. Care should be taken to keep them at least 3’ from combustibles and wait for them to cool down before filling them outside.

Sunday morning with manpower exhausted, a homeowner started his home on fire lighting a woodstove with gasoline. He received minor burns, but was able to escape. To complicate matters, fire department alerting devices were not functioning properly due to generator mechanical failure and low pager batteries from all the calls. Our department recently purchased a new device called the “FIT 5” designed to buy responders some time when responding to such a call. Sunday was the “FIT’s” maiden voyage.

Weyants Ln Fire 2/28/10

Assistant Chief Jim Leghorn pulled up on the scene with heavy smoke and flames showing on a raised ranch wood frame residence. He put in a second alarm and ascertained that all were out of the home. With a delay in the first engine responding, and fire extending to the second floor, he retrieved the “FIT 5” from his command vehicle and deployed it into the room of fire origin and shut the door. Within a minute, the fire was knocked down. The engine and aerial pulled up on the scene shortly after and were able to easily knock down the smoldering room before it got a chance to light back up. Without the deployment of the “FIT 5”, the home would have definitely been a total loss.

FIT-5 Fire Extinguishing Device

FOR MORE INFO, CHIEF'S ARE INVITED TO ARA'S PRESENTATION

4/3/10  AT THE NEWBURGH HILTON HOTEL- 9AM

We want to remind everyone that gasoline is explosive and dangerous. It should never be used to light a fire or stored inside a residence. Gasoline vapors can travel quite a distance and once the find an ignition source- kaboom! Use kindling wood or a commercial starter log to light a woodstove or fireplace. When emptying ashes, use a metal can and dump them away from the home in an area that cannot burn. Don’t leave them on a wooden deck or on combustibles.

Another safety point to stress is Electrical Hazards. Downed lines can be fatal- stay clear of them and objects the have fallen on. Even if they appear to be “dead”, they may become re-energized by another circuit coming online, or someone running an improperly installed generator.

Remember- now is the time to plan for the next storm. Will you be ready? For tips go to Be Prepared: Hosted by the Ad Council and Ready Campaign