April 18th and 19th- The combination of bone-dry underbrush and gusty winds have equated to several large brush fires throughout the region this week requiring Washingtonville Fire Department units to respond to 2 large fires in the Chester Fire District over the weekend thus far. On Friday April 18th, M-578 and M-576 responded along with a crew totaling 9 to a large brush fire near the Goose Mountain State Park. Crews made fire breaks, cut down trees and attacked the fire in several locations using lines off M-578, operating on scene for nearly 5 hours before being released by Chester command after the fire that destoryed 1 structure and threatened several others was placed under control.
On Saturday the 19th, units again responded to Chester for a large brush fire off of Prospect Road that quickly spread into our own district near Oxford Springs Road. M-578, M-576 responded to handle containment duties while Rescue-Engine 583 responded to Achilles Hill to protect an occupied dwelling in the path of the advancing fire. RE-583 stretched over 600 feet of 2 1/2 line to 2 Salisbury Mills brush units operating in the woods to establish a continuous water supply as it drafted water from a pond on the property of the dwelling it was sent to protect. Crews returned several hours later.
Photo from the Times Herald Record Online
ENGINE ASSIGNED TO MAYBROOK HOUSE FIRE
April 5th- At around 7:10 AM Washingtonville Rescue-Engine 583 was requested to respond on the 3rd alarm for standby duty in Maybrook as they operated at a working structure fire at 660 Heard Avenue inside the village. Within a few minutes the engine was on the road with a crew of 5. Upon arrival in the village, the fire could be seen easily from several blocks away as heavy smoke and fire were visible showing from portions of the house. 583 advised command it was available and willing to go to work and several moments later was bumped up to the scene. The crew quickly grabbed the needed hand tools and proceeded to the fireground. Once on scene, heavy fire was self venting through the roof located on the 3rd floor and in the attic space and a defensive operation was in place. Several minutes later however, 583's crew was granted permission to assume an interior attack, but was quickly halted as members prepared to make entry via the porch as evacuation tones were given. A defensive operation was again implemented. The crew was again presented with the oppurtunity to make an interior attack a short while later and quickly went to work, gaining excess to the 2nd floor via a 24 foot ground ladder placed against the porch roof. 583's crew cleared all remaining 2nd floor windows, opened up several holes in the 2nd floor to alleviate increasing amounts of standing water and opening up the ceilings and walls to expose the bulk of the fire. However, as the crew called upon a line brought up by Walden firefighters to attempt a knock down yet another evacuation tone was given by command, fearing a roof collapse. All members evacuated the 2nd floor via ground ladder before the defensive operation was again assumed until the fire's extinguishment. At around 10 AM Rescue-Engine 583 picked up and returned.
Photos Courtesy Dan Hearn and Bob Stoll
FAST TEAM TO APARTMENT COMPLEX FIRE
April 2nd- At 4:46 AM the Washingtonville FAST team was requested to the scene of an apartment fire in the New Windsor Fire District at 34 Cedar Lane. Rescue 581 responded and its crew stood fast on the "1" side of the building during operations. Around 6:30 AM the crew was released from the scene.
Photos courtesy Pat Hargrove
ROOF REMOVAL ON STATE ROUTE 208
March 31st - The final day of an otherwise uneventful month of March kept crews occupied as State Route 208 became the scene of 2 seperate motor vehicle accidents within a short amount of time during the mid-afternoon hours. Shortly before 3 PM crews were alerted to a MVA with injuries at the intersection of State Route 208 and Hudson Road. Rescue 581 arrived on scene along with Cars 2 (Van Riper), 3 (Zaccaro) and Car 6 (Hearn) to find a minor collision between a car and pickup truck. With the patient already being treated for minor injuries by EMS on scene, 581's crew took the battery and returned to service.
A short time later units were again alerted to respond to a MVA on Route 208, this time reported to be a rollover near the Round Hill Elementary School. Car 6 (Hearn) arrived on scene just past Barnes Road to find a car on its side with the lone occupant still within. Rescue 581 arrived on scene and began to crib the vehicle. At this time it was decided that the best way to remove the occupant was by removing the roof. The crew from 581 started to take windows and begin roof removal using 581's preconnected Hurst cutters as Rescue-Engine 583 arrived on scene. 583's crew stretched and charged its front bumper attack line before setting up and operating its portable hurst tool. The roof was removed a short time later and the occupant was evaluated and packaged by EMS for transport with what appeared to be only minor injuries.
ENGINE CREW GOES TO WORK AT FATAL FIRE
February 27th - Around 11:40 AM Washingtonville firefighters were alerted to respond with 1 engine to 39 Long Hill Road in the Cornwall Fire District for a working structure fire. Engine 583 responded with a full crew and arrived on scene a short time later to a 3 story home with heavy fire showing throughout. At the request of Cornwall command Engine 583's crew took a 1 3/4 attack line to the rear and gained access into the residence through a 2nd floor bedroom window. Once on the 2nd floor the crew began to make a knock on the fire advancing toward the rear of the home and into the attic level. The crew was hampered by a heavy smoke condition which finally dissipated when vertical ventilation of the roof was made by firefighters from Cornwall-On-Hudson. With a heavy fire load and the location of the residence being in a remote part of the Cornwall Fire District additional calls were made for multiple tankers to the scene bringing Washingtonville Tanker 577 as well. Washingtonville M-576 responded with a crew as well later in the incident to relieve first in companies and to assist with overhaul operations. By 4 PM, all Washingtonville units were back in quarters and back in service. Thanks to the Chester and Maybrook Fire Departments for back-filling our quarters.
FIRST DUE WORKING FIRE
January 17 - Shortly before noon Washingtonville firefighters were alerted for a structure fire on Toleman Road with a cross of Vineyard Lane. Washingtonville Car 2 (VanRiper) and Car 3 (Zaccaro) arrived to find a trailer with heavy smoke showing. The occupant advised that the trailer was being used as his shop. E-582 arrived on scene and stretched a 600' attack line due to the house sitting well off the driveway. Once entry was gained heavy fire was found consuming the entire trailer. E-582's crew had the bulk of the fire knocked down in 5 minutes. Units remained on scene for approx. 2 hours to complete over haul and assist investigators.
FAST TEAM AND TANKER GO TO MONROE FIRE
January 12th 2008- At 7:22 AM, the Washingtonville FAST team and Tanker 577 were requested to respond to the scene of a working structure fire at 17 Cromwell Road in the Monroe Fire District. Rescue 581 responded to the scene with a crew of a 6 and setup its equipment on the exposure "1" side of the structure. The FAST team stood-by and later reassigned to assist with overhaul. Washingtonville units were back in service at 11:15 AM.
TRUCK RUNS TO MAYBROOK BLAZE
January 10th 2008- On Thursday morning, Washingtonville Truck 579 was requested to respond to a multi-alarm fire in the Village of Maybrook at 301 Clark Place as the 2nd due truck. Truck 579 responded with a crew of 5 and arrived on scene to heavy smoke and visible fire and took up on side 1 of the structure. It's crew split, throwing up ground and roof ladders as well as setting up the truck for aerial ladder operation. The crew cut several vent holes in the roof before descending and aiding in overhaul once the fire was knocked down. Truck 579 was released from the scene around 11 Am by Maybrook command. Click here for short video of incident.
Photos courtesy John Hank and Pat Hargrove
EXTRICATION ON RT 94
January 4 2008, Shortly after 0730hrs Washingtonville firefighters were alerted to Rt 94 in the area of Oxford Rd for a 2 car MVA with extrication required. Car 1 (Smith) and Car 2 (VanRiper) arrived on scene to find a head-on MVA with one subject trapped. R-581 arrived on scene and began the extrication. The vehicle was cribbed, the driver's side door popped and the roof removed. RE-583 arrived and stretched a precautionary hose line and put their combi-tool to work to assist 581's crew in completing the roof removal. The patient was extricated and turned over to EMS in under 20 minutes.
2007 YEARLY REVIEW
In 2007 Washingtonville firefighters answered 427 runs, which is the most runs in a year since we stopped responding on routine medical calls. Our members also responded on 23 "working fires" for the year which we are sure has broken a record for our department. Our busiest month was April, answering 105 runs and 6 working fires in that month. We'll see what 2008 has to bring. Whatever it brings you can be sure that we'll be there to answer the call.
