Haddam Volunteer Fire Company: February 2012

This year the awards were presented at the annual banquet held Saturday, January 28th. Years of service awards are presented in increments of every 5 years that someone has been a member. In order to maintain active membership, each volunteer must complete a number of mandatory training sessions, attend meetings, participate in committee work, and make a minimum number of calls. It is clearly quite an accomplishment when a member has maintained active membership for the number of years listed below.

This year, the following members were recognized for their years of service:

Firefighter Rick Williams – 5 years
Firefighter Malcolm Meyer – 35 years

Top responders are recognized for a high volume of emergency calls responded to. Members are called upon at all hours of the day and night, 365 days a year.

The following members are the top 5 responders for 2011:

Lieutenant Zachary Tiezzi – 344 emergency calls
Lieutenant Dan Sullivan – 324 emergency calls
Firefighter James Kuchyt – 222 emergency calls
1st Assistant Chief Sam Baber – 163 emergency calls
Fire Police Chief Fred Maynard – 163 emergency calls

The Firefighter of the Year award is given to a member who, selected by his/her peers, represents a tremendous contribution to the Fire Company during the year. The 2011 Firefighter of the Year award was presented to Firefighter Ron Annino.

Ron became a member in July of 1970. He has remained active for more than 41 years. He has held the rank of Captain and Assistant Chief, and has participated on numerous committees and projects. Ron was recognized for responding to a pediatric emergency this past summer where his professionalism and composure helped the family and patient greatly. The officers and members of the Haddam Volunteer Fire Company salute Ron for his years of service, and his ongoing contribution to save lives and property in the own of Haddam.

Training for the month included mandatory blood born pathogens annual refreshing, Automatic Emergency Defibrillator (AED) refreshing, and ice rescue. As a “defib” service, the Fire Company must refresh annually on the use of the AEDs. Classroom presentations as well as several life-like scenarios were used to test and improve the skill level of Emergency Medical Responders and Emergency Medical Technicians.

During the Ice Rescue Training, safety procedures were reviewed. The Fire Company is equipped with cold water suits, life lines, and a special sled type device to be used when performing rescues on ice. After some classroom discussions, the Fire Company utilized the skating pond at the Haddam Meadows State Park to practice using the suits, lines and sled. Safely performing an ice rescue is extremely complicated. All personnel know exactly what has to happen, and what type of personal protective equipment is required. Line tenders must be wearing personal floatation devices. Rescuers must be tethered and clipped in using a dual carabineer system. Good intentioned by-standers should stay on shore and await rescuers to aid in the location of victims and not cause additional persons requiring assistance.

The Firefighter I class being hosted by the Fire Company completed its state required live burn at the CT State Fire Academy. The 8 Haddam students, along with the rest of the class, practiced search and rescue as well as hose line evolutions inside a structure designed to produce heat and flame using high volume propane. Outside a car fire prop was used to simulate the hazards of fighting gasoline fueled vehicle fires. After course job performance requirements (JPRs) and a course final written exam, the class moved on to a month’s worth of Hazardous Materials Operations Certification training.

With the high cost of heating, many have begun to use alternative heating sources. When not properly installed, maintained and utilized, serious conditions can develop.

Kerosene heaters, when not vented directly outside, produce high levels of carbon monoxide. Never use any fuel not designed for use in the heater by the manufacturer. Never fill it when it is in use or hot. Be sure the device is in good working order and legal to use as a heating device within a residence.

Woodstoves should be installed by professionals and inspected. Chimneys should be cleaned and inspected annually. Only seasoned hardwood should be burned to reduce the chances of creosote buildup inside the stove pipe and/or chimney. Should there be any evidence of a chimney fire, dial 911 and leave the building. Firefighters with special training and tools can ensure that the fire has not extended outside the chimney and into hidden spaces within the structure.

February brings some of the best winter recreational conditions to our area. Be sure that the ice is thick enough before you venture out onto that lake. Stay in control when sliding down that hill on a sled, toboggan, skis or snowboard. Take care not to over-do it when shoveling that white fluffy snow – frequent breaks and proper hydration are keys. Be sure to dial 911 immediately should you or a family member feel any chest pains or discomfort while strenuously removing snow or performing other activities. Enjoy the winter as soon it will be Spring!