January Report

Members of the Haddam Volunteer Fire Company responded to 43 calls for emergency services in January:

Medical Emergencies – 23
Fires, alarms etc. – 13
Motor Vehicle Accidents – 6
Marine – 1    

Three of last month’s fires originated in chimneys.

The first chimney fire occurred Jan. 8 on Candlewood Hill Road. On Jan. 27, members responded to a chimney fire at a residence on Little City Road. Interior firefighters disconnected a stove from the chimney and removed the wood ash. Two days later, on Jan. 29, a chimney fire sparked at a residence on Hidden Lake Road. Interior crews hauled several buckets full of the debris out of the home. In all cases, firefighters on the roof dropped chains down the chimney to clear creosote and other flammable build-up.

The Fire Company strongly urges residents to have their wood-burning appliances checked regularly throughout the winter.

In an unusual bit of news, an approximately 1,000-gallon propane tank missing since Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 was located in Haddam.

On Jan. 15 the tank was seen floating down the river near Middletown. Coast Guard pollution responders, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection personnel and Coast Guard Auxiliary aircraft searched the area but did not find anything. The tank was finally spotted two days later on Haddam Island during a Connecticut National Guard helicopter training flight.

Coast Guard pollution responders and members of the HVFCo. worked with response personnel from Moran Environmental Recovery, LLC to safely move the tank from the island to shore. It does not appear that the tank had any negative environmental impact.

East Haddam firefighters battled a house fire Jan. 12 on Long Pasture Lane, with support from multiple area departments including Haddam, which drafted water and filled tankers with Engine 6-13 at the Moodus Reservoir. News sources say that two people along with a cat were inside the home when the fire started, but escaped without injury. There is extensive damage to the roof and attic of the home. The cause of fire remains under investigation by East Haddam Fire Marshal’s Office.

The Clinton Fire Marshal continues to investigate the cause of a structure fire on Jan. 14 that gutted a three-story single family home on Fritz Road in Killingworth. No one was injured, but the home suffered heavy damage by fire, smoke and water.

The HVFCo. assisted Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company with attack and overhaul. Firefighters from North Madison, Durham and Clinton also assisted with the fire, and Deep River Volunteer Fire Department provided station coverage.

In the early morning hours of Jan. 25, Life Star was called to the scene of a traumatic injury at a residence on Grapevine Road. The injured person was unresponsive and bleeding from the ears after a fall down the stairs. The Fire Company requested Life Star and an Engine to set up a Landing Zone on Candlewood Hill Road, approximately a half mile from the scene. Patient care was turned over to a Haddam Ambulance tech and Middlesex hospital paramedic, then to the flight crew. The patient was transported to Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford.

In January, Probationary Member Chet Crocco was sworn as an official member. Chet served with the Junior Fire Company and is a certified Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) studying to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Photographer Olivia Drake and Chaplain Jay Cooke also came off their probationary periods.

In training news, Firefighter Jed Morrissey was certified as a Fire Service Instructor.

At an awards banquet held in early February, the Fire Company honored its Top Responders for 2013: Lt. Peter Brown, Firefighter Robert Norton Jr., Capt. Dan Sullivan, Capt. Zach Tiezzi and Firefighter Jed Morrissey, who responded to 431 of 538, or 80 percent, of total calls.

Lt. Richard Zanelli received a special Chief’s Award for his help in constructing a new firefighter training facility at Station 1.

Members were also recognized for their years of service. Five-year members include Firefighter Aaron Rigono, Capt. Dan Sullivan and Capt. Zach Tiezzi. Ten-year members include Firefighter Jeff Doskos and First Assistant Chief Gene Melanson. Firefighter Scott Larson has been with the Fire Company for 25 years, and Firefighter Robert Kadrle has served for 45 years.

Green Cross Awards were also handed out. The Green Cross is the symbol of recognition for those who have used Hurst Jaws of Life products to save lives. Recipients included Capts. Zach Tiezzi and Rob Lenois, and Firefighters Ron Annino and Jed Morrissey.

In addition, retiring Fire Marshall Scott Brookes was given an award recognizing 22 years of service. Brookes swore in former Deputy Fire Marshall Bill Robbins to the position.

Congratulations to all.

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.