Crime & Safety

Haddam Fire October Storm Activity

Jeep roll-over, electrical shocks, radio failure and carbon monoxide calls were some of the emergencies the Haddam Volunteer Fire Company dealt with during the freak October snowstorm and its aftermath.

Submitted by: Bob Norton, Public Relations Liaison for the Haddam Volunteer Fire Company

Members of the Haddam Volunteer Fire Co. began responding to emergency calls Saturday afternoon, October 29th, as the early snow started falling. Motor vehicle crashes on Old Cart Road and the Route 82 connector were the first calls of the storm. On Old Cart road, two occupants of a single car versus telephone pole received minor injuries. A single occupant of a Jeep that rolled over on the Route 82 connector was extricated from the vehicle, and transported by HVAS with a Middlesex Hospital Paramedic with non-life threatening injuries. 

Later Saturday evening, many reports of downed wires were investigated.  During one response, a complex electrical emergency on Killingworth Road resulted in a large area of the road and several houses becoming energized.  Three houses were affected, several sustaining significant damage, and were considered structure fires due to the smoke and fire reported initially.  Firefighters responding to the multiple structures received electrical shocks as they too  stepped off the trucks, even while being hundreds of feet away from any downed power lines. Several minor injuries to Firefighters were reported, and one member did go to Middlesex Hospital for evaluation.

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Members of the Haddam Volunteer Fire Co. manned Station #1 throughout the night as the primary radio system failed. Street closures were monitored in case an emergency response was required. Sunday morning, the Fire Company responded to a medical emergency on Gunger Hill Road. The street was impassible to any vehicle taller than 6-feet. Car 13, the Department’s Expedition, transported medical personnel to the house as the Ambulance could only get as far as the High School. 

Throughout Sunday, the Fire Company monitored streets, responded to emergency and non-emergency calls for service, and assisted tree/power line crews with lights and traffic control assistance. Members also assisted the Office of Emergency Management and the Selectman’s Office setting up emergency shelters. 

Find out what's happening in The Haddams-Killingworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sunday evening began a number of responses to calls for Carbon Monoxide emergencies. Throughout the week, the Fire Company has responded to all routine emergency calls for medical as well as fire emergencies, all the while tracking the roads that are compromised. This is the second storm in as many months that has stretched the Fire Company’s resources – but as always, it has responded to all requests when called.

More information on the activities of the Haddam Volunteer Fire Co. and ways you can get involved can be found on our website – www.HaddamFire.com.  


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