IAFF Local 1426

What's New at IAFF 1426

Posted On: May 06, 2009 (13:04:17)

Bravest Battle Early Morning Fire

Fairfield March 20 2009

A 94 year old woman narrowly escaped and early morning house fire on Davis Road. Fire Fighters received the alarm at 7:56 AM and the first arriving unit reported smoke showing from the structure.

As Fire fighters attempted to enter the house they were met by thick black smoke and heavy fire in the home. Crews quickly knew that they had a serious fire on their hands. The ranch style house had an unusual layout and the heavy thick smoke made it difficult for the attack line crew to find the seat of the fire. Ladder two cut two strategic vent holes in the roof which quickly helped improve visibility in the structure. Crews used a number of hand lines to find and extinguish the fire. Crews had the bulk of the fire knocked down in less than thirty minutes. The major amount of fire damage was confined to the kitchen area but the whole house sustained major heat and smoke damage.

Crews from Engine 3, 2, 5 ,1, Ladder 2, Rescue 1 , Car 3, Car 5, Car 2, FM1 were on scene for a number of hours completing overhaul and salvage operations. The cause of the fire was believed to be a small space heater in the kitchen area.

Fundraiser for the Connecticut Fire Fighter Pipes and Drums

Posted On: Mar 23, 2009 (14:26:01)

A fundraiser for the Ct. Firefighter pipes and drums will be help on March 29th 2009 from the hours of 1PM - 10PM at the Black Bear Saloon in Norwalk.. If you are interested see the attached flier for more details.

Download:

09StPattyflyer_2final.pdf

Half Marathon Honored

Updated On: Feb 12, 2009 (15:31:00)

The Fairfield Half Marathon was recently honored by the Connecticut Burns Care Foundation as its 'Benefactor of the Year". Retire Brother Steve Lobdell, the events original organizer, was on hand at the Foundations 29th Annual Dinner Dance Gala to accept the honors on behalf on the Marathon.

The Half Marathon has become one of the premiere road races in the country and has donated over $400,000

Great job to Steve and the Many other folks who have helped with the race over the years.!!

The entire story from the CBCF's newsletter is attached for you reading.

Download:

CTBurncarenewsletter.pdf

Bravest Host Kettlebell Seminar

Updated On: Feb 13, 2009 (09:45:00)

Dateline Fairfield: February 7th 2009

Fire Fighters from accross the nation came together on the weekend of February 7th and 8th here in the Fairfield area for an opportunity to meet each other and improve themselves in the art of the KettleBell, a new and challenging form of physical training.

“The workouts make everything else I have done seem pointless, can’t wait to see where it takes me.”

“It would absolutely help with the way we operate on the fire ground.”

“It can be easily adjustable to your own home and the benefit from the program is exactly what is needed for today’s modern firefighter.”

“It was real life training that can be done anywhere.”

Those were just a few of the quotes from people who attended the RKC Kettlebell seminar the weekend of February 7^th and 8th

Local 1426 Member and Fairfield Fire Assistant Chief George Gomola was instrumental in organizing the event and wished a very special thanks to all who attended the first ever “Kettlebell Training for Firefighters” Seminar held last weekend at the ConnecticutT Tank facility in Bridgeport CT. We had over 41 participants. Firefighters attended from all over the State, representing Norwalk FD, Stamford Fire Rescue, Poquonnock Bridge Fire Dept., Milford FD, West Haven FD, Stratford FD, and Fairfield. Some brought their wives, and some brought their sons and daughters. The diversity of the class was amazing – from age 12 through age 63, from a few years on the job to retirees, firefighters through Chief Officers. The physical conditioning ranged from athletic to highly deconditioned. All participants performed EVERY exercise and participated in every training session. With the exception of sore hamstrings and one dropped bell there were NO reported injuries in 2 days of training in this eclectic blend of hard style Russian Kettlebell training, flexibility, strength training and yoga. The program was made possible through the generosity of ConnectictT Tank and it’s owners – Joe Palmeri and Rob Kellerman. Thanks for sharing your space with us. We are also extremely grateful to the Fairfield Firefighters Benevolent Association and it’s members – Frank DeAngelo – head cook and bottle washer – Jeff DeNitto – social director, Mark Harry and John Callandriello . As (Lead instructor) Zar put it so well on the ride back to the airport – we learned this hoping some day to be able to teach our brothers- now we have. Thanks for giving us that opportunity. Train hard, train smart.

Well Done to all those who attended !!!

Bravest Rescue woman after accident

Posted On: Feb 08, 2009 (18:46:28)

FAIRFIELD -- A 25-year-old woman escaped serious injury Thursday night after her car rolled over several times on Interstate 95 and firefighters had to cut her from the wreck.

The car rolled several times near exit 21 about 9 p.m. and landed on its wheels in the median between the southbound on and off ramps, said Assistant Fire Chief George Gomola. The roof had collapsed, trapping her inside, he said.

Firefighters removed the roof and the doors to extricate the woman.

She was taken by American Medical Response ambulance to Bridgeport Hospital, Gomola said. Her name was not available late Thursday night.

State Police are continuing their investigating accident.

Bravest battle Fire on Westport Turnpike

Updated On: Feb 08, 2009 (18:35:00)

FAIRFIELD, CT - On January 26, 2009, little before 4:00 p.m. afternoon a Fairfield Emergency Communication Center Dispatcher received a telephone call from the resident at 340 Westport Turnpike reporting a garage fire. Before the afternoon had turned to evening Fairfield Fire Department Engines 1, 2, 4 and 5, Ladders 1 and 2, Command Car 3 and Chief Richard Felner in Car 1 would be joined by Westport Engine 2 and Stratfield’s Rescue 15 in fighting the structure fire, with Bridgeport Fire Department sending mutual aid units to Fairfield Fire Station 2 while police officers from Fairfield, Westport and Easton Police Departments all worked at the scene to assist with traffic.

“I had recieved information from the ECC enroute that this was a working structure fire, and instructed the ECC to place an additional engine on the assignment and make the necessary notifications for a working fire,” said Incident Commander Assistant Chief Doug Chavenello. According to A/C Chavenello, Engine 5 arrived and reported heavy fire coming from the garage first and second floor left side of the house, adding “I arrived shortly afterwards and confirmed Lieutenant Jepsen’s report.”

Chavenello’s report details how Engine 5 stretched a hoseline to the front door and began attacking the fire, with the next arriving Engine 4 instructed to lay a water supply line from the nearest hydrant to Engine 5, which was positioned in the driveway. Chavenello then ordered incoming Engine 1 to report directly to him at the fire building, instructing the ladder companies to ladder the structure and ventilate the roof. “Engine 1 reported to me and I instructed Lieutenant Sherman to stretch a second line inside to hold the fire in the garage while the Engine 5 crew attacked the fire in the house,” added Chavenello in his report.

Engine 4 personnel arrived after laying the supply line and were instructed by the Incident Commander to stretch a larger diameter hoseline to the garage but not attack the fire unless ordered; fire fighters from Engine 5 and Engine 1 were able to extinguish most of the fire in the residence with their hoselines, after which Engine 4 personnel extinguished the remaining fire on the outside of the building. Ladders 1 and 2 completed ventilation after which Ladder 2 was directed to do a secondary search of the structure, while Ladder 2 was instructed to work with Engine 1 personnel opening up the walls looking for possible extension of the fire.

After Ladder 2 had completed the secondary search and reported all clear to the Incident Commander, they were then instructed to assist Engines 4 and 5 with overhaul of the second floor. Stratfield Volunteer Fire Department’s Rescue 15 arrive at this point and assisted by filling depleted air bottles. “After the operating fire companies had reported that the fire was extinguished and much of the opening up looking for extension was completed”, Chavenello placed a recall of alarm indicating that onscene resources could handle the substantial amount of overhaul which remained to be completed.

At this time Fire Marshal Bill Kessler arrived onscene and started the investigation of the fire. Companies completed the overhaul of the structure and were placed in service once they were able to gather their equipment and return to service. The scene was turned over to the Fire Marshal, who stated that “the fire cause and origin are currently under active investigation.” Engine 5 was last unit clear at 10:15 p.m.

Bravest Save La Salsa

Updated On: Feb 10, 2009 (09:02:00)

Fairfield Fire Department battles fire in snowy conditions

On 01/15/2009 at 03:23 AM the Fairfield Fire Department was dispatched to a report of an automatic fire alarm at 580 POST RD, the LA SALSA FRESH MEXICAN RESTAURANT in FAIRFIELD, CT 06824.

Upon arrival at 03:29 AM, Engine 1 and Car 3 found heavy smoke coming from the cooking ventilation system on the roof. Personnel performed an exterior survey of the building found heavy smoke conditions inside of building. Car 3 assumed command, and called for an additional ladder and engine company to respond to the scene. E1 forced entry into the building and advance a 1 3/4" hose line to attack the fire on the first floor. Engine 1 reported the interior smoke conditions provided zero visibility and personnel were forced to use thermal imaging cameras to locate the fire inside the building. Ladder 1 personnel forced entry and searched the 2nd floor areas for possible victims - light smoke conditions found upstairs and there did not appear to be any fire extension to the 2^nd floor. Engine 2 layed a 5” hydrant supply line across the Post Road closing the road for approx 1 hour – Fairfield Police requested to scene due to road closure. Gas company requested to scene to shut down utilities. Fire Marshall called to scene for investigation. Engine 1 reported main body of fire located low on 1^st. Engine 2 stretched backup line and was reassigned to search for basement access and possible fire. Ladder 2 assigned to place ground ladders for roof access and horizontal ventilation. Engine 4 assigned RIT Safety and positioned on A side of building. Engine 1 reported fire controlled with hose line, horizontal ventilation effective. Weather conditions did not impact operations.

Fire Cause is undetermined/under investigation by Fire Marshall’s office.

On The Road Again

Posted On: Dec 20, 2008 (08:41:38)

DATELINE - FAIRFIELD, CT

NEWSFLASH...

Despite bad weather, the 2008 MDA Santa Ride kicked off on Friday. The weather caused a shortened schedule, that forced stops to be rescheduled for Sunday. Santa has once again cleared his busy schedule to help out Fairfield's Bravest. More to follow......