This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

HVFCo. April Report

Members of the Haddam Volunteer Fire Company responded to 50 calls for emergency services in April. Here’s a breakdown of calls:

Medical Emergencies - 33                     
Fires, alarms etc. - 8
Motor Vehicle Crashes - 7
Marine - 1
Other - 1                          

Of the eight fires in April, five were brush fires.  

The first occurred on April 7 at a residence on Saybrook Road. Two days later, Haddam assisted at a three-acre blaze that broke out in Trimountain State Park along the Durham/Wallingford border. It was the third brush fire in the area in as many days – on April 7, firefighters battled a brush fire on Higby Mountain in Middletown and on April 8, firefighters fought a sizable brush fire on Beseck Mountain in Middlefield.

On April 14, Haddam Fire responded to a brush fire along Route 9 South. During this dry time of year, even a tossed cigarette can easily ignite dry brush and bramble common along highways. On April 27, Haddam Fire responded to reports of a possible brush fire spotted from Turkey Hill Road. Members took Brush 9-13 part way up the rocky terrain, and a Gator All-Terrain Vehicle to the site of a remote campfire.  

Haddam Deputy Fire Marshal Bill Robbins reminds residents that the state usually experiences high forest fire danger from mid-March through May. A burning permit is required for open burning, and the DEEP and Fire Company reserve the right to limit open burning for public health and safety reasons.  

Other calls included an early morning single vehicle crash into a tree on Nedobity Road on April 3 and a two-car collision on Route 81 in Higganum Center on April 21. In both cases, the occupants sustained what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries.  

Drills included an extrication refresher that featured a simulated two-car accident, with one vehicle coming to rest on top of the other. Members used hydraulic rescue tools to disassemble the cars and extricate the “driver.” A search-and-rescue drill involved members being dispatched to an unknown location, acting on reports that a hiker discovered an injured person deep in the woods. Members broke into teams and used their medical skills, communication and manpower to treat and remove the victim – a plausible scenario in our densely wooded area.  

Haddam Fire also took part in large-scale “Got Big Water?” class on April 6 and 7. In all, 14 fire departments in the Valley Shore Mutual Aid Association practiced drafting water, filling tankers and performing tanker shuttles to a series of portable tanks. The class was conducted at several different locations, with central operations at the Haddam-Killingworth Middle School. With a large coverage area and many towns lacking a municipal water supply, area firefighters must be adept at rural water supply.  

Haddam sent a team to the American Lung Association Fight for Air Stair Climb on April 6 at City Place in Hartford. Seven Haddam firefighter made the punishing 34-floor climb – about 750 steps – wearing full turnout gear and air packs, which adds an extra 50 to 60 pounds. Haddam finished 9th out of 27 fire department teams while Jay Selmer and Jeff Doskos finished second in their respective age groups. The team raised more than $1,800 for their efforts.  

Haddam Fire is proud to announce that Dan Dachelet, Bill Buganski and Jed Morrissey are now certified Firefighter II, having passed the course’s written and practical exams. Joe Tomasso has successfully completed his Firefighter I course.

In addition, Firefighters Jed Morrissey, Rob Lenois and Dan Sullivan passed their Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). This grueling test simulates actual job duties on the fire ground along eight job-specific areas: stair climb, hose drag, equipment carry, ladder raise, forcible entry, search, rescue drag and ceiling breach and pull.  

Lastly, Haddam Fire welcomed its newest Probationary Member, Aaron Henkind. Aaron, formerly a member of the Chester Hose Company, was sworn in at the Fire Company's regular monthly meeting.

Do You Have What It Takes? Find more information on the activities of the Haddam Volunteer Fire Co. and ways you can get involved at our website www.HaddamFire.com, or connect with us on Facebook.          

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?