July 19th- As severe thunderstorms rolled into the first due, crews started to assemble for the routine calls that accompany them. As M-578 began to load up for a flooding condition, the tones were dropped for the reported house fire on McLoughlin Way in the village. Engine 582 and Car 1 hit the road in a matter of moments with Car 1 (VanRiper) going on scene with nothing evident from a 2 ½ story wood frame, attached, private dwelling but a strong odor of smoke and the homeowner advising of a fire on the 2nd floor. 582 hit a hydrant and laid in to the address, with its search crew heading to the second floor and its line crew deploying the cross lay to the front door. Upon entry, crews encountered a moderate smoke condition on the 2nd floor and quickly checked the attic. With the attic negative, 582 search made entry to the basement where a heavy smoke condition was found began opening up to expose hidden fire along the ¾ wall of the basement. Truck 579 went on scene and began opening up on the first floor while its split crew laddered the building. 582’s line crew stretched into the basement and began extinguishing fire running the ceiling of the basement. All visible fire was knocked down in quick order and crews from the truck and Engine 583 along with mutual aid began extensive opening up of the basement and first floor of the fire building along with similar operations in the attached, similar exposure which had moderate to heavy smoke conditions upon entry to its basement. No significant extension was found in the unit of origin and none was found in the adjacent exposure.
As crews made a knock on the basement fire, Washingtonville and transfer department units were alerted to a second reported fire, located in the Weathervane Apartments on Cartwheel Court, as Orange 911 advised they were receiving multiple calls for heavy smoke in the building. Washingtonville Car 3 (Skelly) along with Rescue 581 (Diverted from McLoughlin Way) Maybrook Engine 218 and Tanker 577 went on scene with heavy smoke showing from the 2 ½ story, wood frame multiple occupancy dwelling, with command quickly established a separate fireground channel and transmitting a 2nd and 3rd alarm. Crews began to search the building finding heavy fire in the ceiling of the first floor apartment and extension into the unoccupied upstairs unit. Multiple lines were stretched and operated by mutual aid units arriving on scene and multiple truck companies placed towers and sticks to the building. Extensive overhaul was needed before command placed the Cartwheel Court incident under control. Washingtonville Fire Department would like to thank all the mutual aid companies and transfer companies that assisted at both jobs including Salisbury Mills, Vails Gate, Coldenham, Campbell Hall, South Blooming Grove, Cornwall, Cornwall-on-Hudson, Cornwall-Mountainville, New Windsor, Chester, Monroe, Lakeside and Maybrook.
Photos provided by Ryan Osborne, Craig Pilat and Vails Gate FD
CREWS STAY BUSY
With a higher than usual call volume rounding out the winter and spring this year, the arrival of the summer months, which annually represent a “down time” of year for crews in Washingtonville, have also gone against the grain. Training drills, car fires, MVAs, Medivacs, large brush fires and the regular regiment of automatic alarms have kept crews busy.
Photos provided by Mark Rosen, Paul Neimann and Dan Hearn
STATE ROUTE 94 EXTRICATION
April 27, 2010 - At approximately 1011 hours, units were alerted for a rollover in the area of East Main Street and Bernadette Way. First units arrived on scene at the correct location of State Route 94, just east of Ahern Boulevard, to find a jeep rolled over down the embankment and into a tree with 1 trapped. Rescue 581 and Rescue-Engine 583 arrived on scene and began removing sections of the tree involved for access, stabilizing the vehicle and taking the passenger side door and roof. With the correct location being in the Salisbury Mills Fire District, subsequently a full assignment was dispatched bringing an additional heavy rescue and 2 engines to the scene. Together, crews removed the roof, popped the passenger side door and rigged a rope system to facilitate the quick and safe removal of the patient up the steep embankment to the roadway for transport. Within 30 minutes the victim was removed, packaged and handed over to EMS for transport to a local trauma center with serious injuries.
MEMBERS TACKLE BLAZE ON 208
April 9, 2010 - Just after 0730 Washingtonville firefighters were dispatched to a possible furnace fire on Rt. 208 south. Shortly after the initial dispatch the call was upgraded to a basement fire. While units were responding OC911 reported they were taking numerous calls for a working fire. Car 4 (Hearn) arrived on scene to report fire showing from the basement windows. Upon arrival of Car 1 (VanRiper) a 2nd alarm was requested. E-582 arrived and stretched 2 separate 1.75" hose lines. One line went in the front door to hold the interior stairs, while the second line was stretched to the garage entrance to make an attack on the fire. While lines were being placed a large volume of fire was venting from the garage door and up the side of the house on the #4 side. Once the fire in the basement was knocked the crew on 1st floor proceeded up to the 2nd floor to find heavy fire in the attic area caused by auto-exposure up the #4 side and into the attack. The fire in the attic area was knocked down in short order. Washingtonville firefighters were assisted on scene by members from Salisbury Mills, South Blooming Grove, Monroe, Maybrook and Chester. Units remained on scene performing overhaul and assisting investigators for over 4 hours.
ICE WATER RESCUE DRILL
March 7th- On Sunday morning 2 crews manned Rescue 581 and Engine 582 to drill on ice water rescue procedures on a lake in the district. Crews drilled for just under 2 hours before returning to quarters.
MASSIVE SNOWSTORM HITS REGION
February 25th-February 28th- As dawn broke on Thursday the 25th, a steady snow began to fall across the region. By nightfall the following day, the first due was covered in upwards of 30 inches of heavy, wet snow, as Orange County took the brunt of a storm dubbed by media as the 2010 “Snowicane”. With the worst snowfall experienced in nearly a decade, it came of little surprise that crews were alerted to dozens upon dozens of emergencies and service requests during and after the debilitating snow. During the storm’s height members manned apparatus overnight responding to numerous EMS assists, wires and trees down and other storm related calls while running off generator power at the station. As the storm finally moved out and citizens began to cope crews ran calls ranging from multiple automatic and CO alarms, smoke in the building , a FAST team run to Maybrook and a standby in Chester. Crews struggled to gain access to locations and worked to gain access to hydrants immediately after the storm. All in all, crews logged well over 20 runs to add to an already busy year so far.
STORM BRINGS MORE SNOW, RUNS
February 16th-Yet another round of snow hit the region today, generating runs for crews throughout the day. After assisting Campbell Hall units at daybreak for an MVA on State Route 208 North, Crews were alerted just before noon for a 2 car MVA on State Route 94 West in the area of Meadow Avenue. Cars 1 and 3, Rescue 581 and Rescue-Engine 583 arrived on scene to find a compact SUV into a tree after colliding head-on with a sedan. Rescue 581’s crew stabilized the heavily damaged SUV and rendered aid to its driver suffering a head injury while 583’s crew checked fluids and handled batteries on both vehicles. The patient was packaged and handed off to the EMS units upon their arrival. Shortly after 1 PM units were back on the road for the rollover located on Horton Road. Car 3, Rescue 581 and Rescue- Engine 583 arrived to find a pickup down the embankment with the lone occupant unscathed. Crews closed out the storm running an automatic alarm during a SCBA drill in the evening.
Photos from Recordonline.com
UNITS GREETED WITH SMOKE CONDITION/FIRE IN THE WALL AT AUTO ALARM
February 15th- At 0835 hours Washingtonville units went out for an automatic alarm sounding at a home on Hulsetown Road. Washingtonville Car 4 (Hearn) arrived on scene and advised of a 2 story wood frame private dwelling with nothing showing and waiting for word on a key holder for the location. Engine 582 arrived on scene and prepared to force entry when Captain Hearn began to note a strong smell of something burning from within the residence. 82’ search forced entry into the home to find a smoke condition throughout and a moderate smoke condition on the 2nd floor while 82 attack stretched to the front door. Automatic mutual aid from Salisbury Mills along with additional units from both Washingtonville and Salisbury Mills began to search for the origin, inspecting and clearing multiple wood stove flues and fireplaces as well as canvassing walls with thermal imaging cameras. With an odor and smoke condition still present on the 2nd floor, crews noted an area of heat in a common wall between 2 bedrooms close to an interior fireplace. Crews opened up to find fire and considerable charring on both side of the wall, and checked for further extension. A can kept the small fire in check. Units began to take up and return to service shortly thereafter. Chester and South Blooming Grove units stood by in Washingtonville during the incident’s duration.
FIRE CONTAINED IN WEST SIDE HOME
February 11th- At 1907 hours units were alerted for a structure fire on Farmingdale Road. Car 3 (Skelly) arrived on scene and established command finding a 2 story single family dwelling with fire having burned up the exterior in rear of the home via wood burning stove flue. Engine 582 arrived on scene and split its crew. 582 search entered and began to search for reported extension on the upper floors and attic area while 582 attack stretched a line to the front door. Truck 579 arrived shortly after, threw ladders to the roof and rear and opened up from the exterior. 582 search encountered a smoke condition in the first floor living room and began opening up, finding a localized fire in the “3” side wall and high ceilings. Crews performed considerable overhaul and cleared the wood stove flue with the ball and chain before returning close to the 2 hour mark. Salisbury Mills stood by in quarters to handle calls during the duration of the incident.
WASHINGTONVILLE MEMBERS STAYING BUSY
Feb. 9, 2010 - This year continues to be busy for our members. Tuesday would have units respond to 3 separate active incidents.
At 1547 units were alerted to the Washingtonville Middle School for a car fire. Car 1 (VanRiper), Car 3 (Skelly) and RE-583 arrived on scene to find a jeep with an active fire in the engine compartment. The fire was knocked down in little time and units returned to service.
Just under a half hour after returning from the car fire units were dispatched to a brush fire in the area of Menayas Ct and Round Hill Road. Car 1 and Car 3 arrived to find a large area of brush burning deep into the woods. M-578 and M-576 made it as far in as they could prior to crews accessing the fire area on foot. RE-583 and TA-577 remained out on the road with their crew accompanying 578 and 576 into the woods. SMFD was requested to the scene with 2 ATVs and brush trucks while they also stood by in their own quarters with an engine to cover calls for Washingtonville. It is not likely we will see a rekindle of this fire today with the region getting hit with over a foot of snow.
During evening drill Washingtonville units were on the street again at 1940 with a report of a head-on MVA at Rt. 94 and Tuthill Rd. Car 3 arrived on scene and reported a 2 vehicle collision with one driver unable to exit the vehicle. R-581 arrived cribbed the car and put the Hurst tool to work. The driver was extricated within 10 minutes of arrival and turned over to EMS. RE-583 handled the fluids on the roadway and units returned at 2030.
Photos below of Middle School car fire.
ANOTHER CHIMNEY FIRE
Feb. 6, 2010 - On Saturday night Chester FD had their annual installation dinner. RE-583 set out at 1745 to cover the Chester Fire District so their members could enjoy their evening. At 1839 units back in Washingtonville were alerted to a chimney fire on Toleman Road just out side the village. Car 3 (Skelly) arrived on scene with an active chimney fire. E-582 arrived on scene to find a chimney fire with minor extension to a decorative area above the roof line of the house. E-582 and T-579 operated on scene for just under an hour. SMFD stood by with TA-557 while Washingtonville units operated on scene. RE-583 had no responses while covering for Chester.
CHIMNEY FIRE IN LARGE HOUSE
Feb. 2, 2010 - Members were alerted to a reported structure at 1310 on Fox Hollow Dr. This development holds some of the largest homes in the fire district. As units were responding an update was given that the caller believed there was a chimney fire and possible fire in the attic. Car 1 (VanRiper) arrived on scene and reported nothing evident. E-582 arrived on scene and split its crew. The search crew found a light smoke condition on the 2nd floor and attic, while the line crew extinguished the fire in the fire place. No heat was found in the walls on the upper floors. T-579 and SMFD TA-557 crews accessed the roof and dropped the ball and chain finding large amounts of creosote in the chimney. Units remained on scene for over an hour clearing the clogged chimney. No extension was found into the house.
MEMBERS HANDLE WORKER DURING DRILL
Jan. 26, 2010. Washingtonville firefighters began the evening with a gas emergency drill given by Orange and Rockland Utilities. At 1940 drill was interrupted by a CO alarm activation on Revere Circle in the village. Car 2 and E-582 quickly handled this run and returned to drill.
Shortly after returning from the CO call units were alerted at 2010 for a reported house fire on Rt. 94 west of Washingtonville. Car 2 (Zaccaro), E-582, T-579, RE-583 and TA-577 were on the road moments after dispatch. Car 2 arrived on scene and reported smoke showing from a 1 story single family dwelling. Crews from E-582 and T-579 made entry and found heavy smoke conditions with moderate heat throughout the house. Due to many bird cages and clutter in the house members had a difficult time locating the fire. E-582's hose line was held at the front door until the fire could be located. After searching for a short period the fire was found in the kitchen and a family room addition off the rear of the kitchen. The line from E-582 quickly knocked the bulk of the fire, while T-579's crew opened up. Crew remained on scene conducting overhaul and assisting investigators until 2230.
HAZMAT INCIDENT IN THE VILLAGE
January 9th -In the afternoon hours, numerous agencies converged on 32 North Street in the village for a hazardous condition. What started as a fuel oil leak cleanup in the basement snowballed into an investigation of a homegrown bio diesel manufacturing operation on the property involving village code officers, New York State DEC, Miller Environmental Group and Orange County Haz-Mat. Haz-Mat units arrived on scene and upon sizing up the situation, sampled drums inside the location which numbered several dozen. Washingtonville Rescue-Engine 583 and M-576 stood fast during the operation as a precaution for several hours until crews were able to confirm that the drums inside posed no immediate risk and contained materials consistent with bio diesel manufacturing.
YET ANOTHER AUTO FIRE
January 7th -At approximately 7:34 AM Washingtonville units were alerted for the MVA with fire at 314 Toleman Road. Rescue-Engine 583 responded with 6 and was advised enroute of a working fire with all occupants out of the vehicle. 583 arrived on scene and stretched its bumper line and began extinguishment of the fire while the rest of its crew and the crew from Rescue 581 opened up. Due to heavy brush and downed trees, crews initially had a hard time accessing the engine compartment to complete a knock on the fire. Chainsaws were used to gain access to the area of the woods the vehicle had driven into. Crews picked up and went back in service a short time later.
Picture courtesy Vails gate FD Asst. Chief Thomas Lucchesi
EXTRICATION ON STATE ROUTE 208
December 21st -At approximately 1:30 PM, Washingtonville units were alerted to a 1 car rollover MVA located in the area of State Route 208 North and Moffat Road. As Rescue 581 rolled out of quarters with a crew of 6, control updated the status of the run and advised of the entrapment. Rescue 581 arrived on scene along with Cars 1 and 3 (VanRiper and Skelly) to find a vehicle into a utility pole and overturned. The crew went to work stabilizing the vehicle through the use of wood cribbing and the unit’s rescue-jack system while the arrival of Rescue-Engine 583 brought about the stretching of a precautionary handline and additional manpower. With the vehicle secure, crews went to work removing the roof for patient access. After several cuts utilizing both the cutters and sawsall, the roof was peeled back and secured allowing for Blooming Grove EMS to attend to the patient. The patient was packaged and taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Crews returned to service shortly after.
PICKUP TRUCK OFF ON THE FRONT RAMP
December 20th - In the afternoon hours, Washingtonville crews need not travel far for a pickup truck on fire within the district. Initial dispatch placed the vehicle fire in front of the firehouse on State Route 94, however, first arriving firefighters to the firehouse found the working truck fire just off the ramp. Rescue-Engine 583 was pulled out of quarters and the bumper line was stretched to knock down the fire in short order.
TRUCK AND TANKER RUN SMALL HOUSE FIRE
December 16th - Around midday, the Campbell Hall Fire Department was alerted to a reported structure fire in the area of Tuthill Road and State Route 208 North, just north of the Washingtonville Fire District line. Multiple calls indicated smoke and fire coming from a farmhouse in the area. Campbell Hall requested Washingtonville Tanker 577 followed in short order for Truck 579. Washingtonville units arrived on scene to find 2 lines stretched into the interior of the home by Campbell Hall crews and smoke evident from the roof. Fire had extended beyond a chimney fire but was held in check by first arriving units. Crews searched for extension in the attic and Truck 579 went to the roof to perform chimney fire operations on ¾ corner of the house. Within an hour, both units were clear and back in service.
CREWS DRILL AT OLD RECTORY, TACKLE SNOWSTORM MVA/CAR FIRE
December 5th - Recently, crews have been fortunate enough to drill on fireground evolutions and carry out hands on training that is hard to replicate at training centers, following permission from St. Mary’s Church in Washingtonville to utilize its former rectory home located on the church’s grounds prior to demolition.
Thursday night and Saturday morning, crews drilled at the 3 story, balloon frame home for several hours each drill. During this time members trained on advancing lines, vent/enter/search, throwing ground ladders, primary and secondary searches, overhaul procedures, roof ventilation and forcible entry. With fire duty minimal over the year, hands on training such as this is essential in keeping crews on the ready. The Washingtonville Fire Department would like to once again extend its thanks to the St. Mary’s Church of Washingtonville for providing the department with this valuable opportunity for training.
Shortly after the fireground drill at St. Mary’s concluded Saturday morning, the region’s first substantial snowfall began to pickup, leading to the familiar calls that accompany the inclement weather. As road conditions deteriorated, units were dispatched for a car into a tree on Mountain Lodge Road with the cross of State Route 208. While enroute responding units were advised of no injuries and no leaks present. However, upon the arrival and staging of Rescue 581 in the area, Car 1 (Van Riper) notified 581 to continue in for the car fire. Rescue 581 proceeded in to find an SUV with heavy fire in the engine compartment and beginning to intrude on the interior of the vehicle. The crew pulled several cans and extinguishers and began to knock down the fire. Rescue/Engine 583 arrived on scene shortly after, stretched its bumper line and knocked down all remaining fire. Units returned to service shortly after.
