New members of the 3 Trumbull fire companies started a firefighter 1 training class in the beginning of January.  This weeks program covered SCBA and PPE training on care, maintenance, donning and doffing of the equipment. Last night all members performed the practical session of the training at Trumbull Station 2.  They were briefed on the proper way to check your SCBA, how to don it, doff it and finally the emergency operations that could be performed with the units.  Members performed numerous donning and doffing sessions in order to become more comfortable with their SCBA and their turnout gear.  There are 23 members participating in the class and we wish all of them the best of luck!  All instruction is being performed by the in house members of all 3 departments who are either Certified instructor 1 or 2 through the state of Connecticut!  Photos courtesy of Ron Butz Jr.

The action started at about 1840 Saturday evening when the NFD was dispatched to Pinewood trail for a problem with a pellet stove.  First arriving companies were met with smoke showing from the residence with an unknows source.  Deputy Chief Franko "struck the box" and added Trumbull Center and Long Hill for RIT while companies tried to locate the source of the smoke.  In the end, it was determined to be an issue with the stove, but companies checked the interior, exterior and attic of the residence with imaging cameras to verify no hidden fire. 

Bright and early on Sunday morning all 3 companies were sent to Elmwood Avenue for the reported structure fire.  Deputy Chief Rauso was first to arrive and reported a fire on the exterior of the garage extending into the residence.  Engine 209 arrived and stretched a line, squelched the flames while Ladder 204 picked up the truck work and checked for extension.  The rest of the assignment (TCFD auto aid, Nichols RIT) were dismissed.  The cause was fire place ashes in a plastic bucket

During the afternoon, LHFD responded to a chimney fire on Camelot, found no extension, but there had been and active chimney fire.

At 1555 in the afternoon Trumbull Center with auto aid from Long Hill and RIT from Nichols were sent to Pert Street for the reported structure fire.  Trumbull PD arrived on scene and reported the fire to be mostly out with the homeowner receiving burns to the hands from extinguishment.  Trumbull Center units suppressed the remaining flames and checked for extension.  This also was due to fireplace ashes placed in a cardboard box. 

All 3 fire chiefs and Fire Marshal Megan Murphy put out a press release at 1830 hours warning residents in Trumbull and the state of Connecticut to please be more careful with fire place ashes, especially after the horrible events of Christmas day in Stamford, CT which killed 5 family members.  A copy of the release is listed below:

On Sunday January 8th the annual HOSE BOWL was held behind Nichols Station 1 pitting the young guys (29 and under, not married) against the Old guys (married and out of shape) in a flag football game.  As is tradition, FF Craig "Big Casino" Entwistle had his outfit of the day for the annual game and also brought along some libation for the folks viewing the competition.  The game was hard fought by both teams, but in the end the young guys once again pulled away with the victory winning 28-12.  The old guys fought hard and few were heard to say "This is my last year, I cant even walk" including Deputy Chief Ray Franko!  We would like to thank FF John Clark for organizing the event and making sure that everything came together for this ongoing department tradition! 

At 0341 on January 7th, Trumbull Regional dispatch dropped the tones for Nichols and Trumbull Center to respond to Route 8 south at exit 7 for the MVA with entrapment.  Nichols Car 2 arrived on scene and reported one vehicle into a light pole with 2 occupants still trapped in the vehicle, he then established command.  Rescue 300, Quint 303 and Rescue 100 all arrived a short time later and began the process of removing the vehicles roof and made a 3rd door on the passengers side of the 2 door sedan to gain access to the occupants located in the rear seat.  FD personnel made quick time of the extrication and the patients were turned over to AMR ambulance, since Trumbull EMS had already taken 2 other patients.  Units remained on scene a short time illuminating the scene for State PD and then returned to service.  All units were back in quarters by 0445 hours.

Trumbulls 3 departments made many trips over the last few days to TSP for and odor of burning in building.  Arriving companies are finding that roofing work at the facility has been bringing them out for the same odor scare numerous times over the last few days.  Late in the afternoon yesterday, Trumbull Regional Dispatch dropped the tones again for TSP, but this time it was stated that smoke was coming from the roof and there was a haze and burning odor in Macys department store.  Arriving companies confirmed a strong odor of burning in the store and a haze in the building.  Numerous companies responded, FD connections were hooked into and ladder companies were sent to the roof to investigate.  After approximately and hour plus, operating companies found a burned out motor in a heating unit on the roof of Macys department store.  Stepney and Huntington company 3 from Shelton covered their respective move up stations during the alarm. 

December 29, 2011 turned out to be an extremely busy day for members of Trumbulls 3 fire departments.   A reported structure fire started the day in Long Hill with smoke coming from the garage, with Nichols as RIT.  The incident was placed under control quickly by first arriving companies who found a small fire from a wood stove in the wall of the garage.  The next few hours found companies chasing fire alarms at various locations along with vehicle accidents with fluid spills.  In the late afternoon Nichols was dispatched to a rollover on Route 8 south at the exit 7 off ramp.  Members found a rolled over vehicle into the woods and another car off the road approximately 100 yards beyond the rollover.  Just around 1730 Trumbull Center with auto aid from Nichols was dispatched to the reported car fire on Route 25 north on the exit 7 off ramp.  First arriving Engine 103 reported a pick up truck heavily involved with the appearance of it being an MVA.  Nichols Engine 301 arrived on scene and assisted 103 with suppression and water supply.  Nichols Car 2 had the command while Nichols Car 3 had the Public information officer assignment.  After suppression activities were completed, members realized that the lone occupant was still inside the vehicle and was deceased.  During this alarm, Nichols was also dispatched to the area of 400 Booth Hill Road for an unknown fire which turned out to be a large bonfire in a rear yard.  Rescue 300 and Quint 303 took in this alarm and Nichols Car 1 had the command.  The day finally ended with the report of another structure fire in Long Hill on Hickory Street, once again first arriving companies were able to take care of a problem with a fire place insert unit and auto aid companies were returned to service.  A very busy day in the Town of Trumbull and a job well done by the members of all departments!!!!

Holidays for the NFD seem to be a busy time of year for our department and this holiday season has been no exception.  So far it has been relatively quiet, but on Christmas morning members were dispatched to a Old Dyke Road residence for the report of heavy smoke from the chimney being reported by the occupants.  Nichols Car 1 arrived on scene first and reported nothing visible and that he was being met by the homeowner.  Car 1 entered the structure and began monitoring for carbon monoxide and found elevated readings.  The home had already been evacuated prior to FD arrival.  Car 2 arrived next and assisted with ventilation and monitoring followed by Engine 301 and additional personnel.  The occupancy was ventilated until readings were reduced to zero PPM C.O. and the oil burner service technician arrived on scene 20 minutes after the intial call to the FD.  The occupancy was turned over to the homeowner and the service technician and units cleared.

This story is a little belated due to the photos coming on a slight delay.  The annual NFD family Christmas party was held on Saturday December 10th at the Nichols United Methodist Church and hosted by our department Chaplain Pastor Joe Piccirillo.  The event this year was a luncheon and was attended by approximately 100 people consisting of members and their families.  Santa Claus this year was jollier than ever and was the hit of the party for both members and their kids!   A fun time was had by all and a special thanks goes out to the committee that organized, shopped and put together this momentus occassion!  Thanks for all of your time and effort.

The members of the NFD understand the real meaning of the season and have been ringing the bell for the Salvation army for over 30 years.  Members take up 3 posts around the Hawley Lane Mall beginning at 0800 and remain there until 1800 hours as the sponsor for the cause.  The event was once again organized by firefighter Brian Huribal with help from FF Matt Perkowski and overseen by Assistant Chief Brian McGovern.  The days collections were sporadic but members kept a positive energy while ringing their bells!  A special thanks to all of those members who took time out of their holiday season to help those in need!  Thank you for your service the betterment of mankind!!!

Members of the NFD are annually certified in CPR and AED training as part of their curriculum.  A large number of our membership attended this drill in order to freshen up on their skills or to learn them for the first time.  The program is taught by Eric and Jess Anderson (who are also members of sister company TCFD) who are certified to teach the program.  Each member sat through the classroom session of the program and then proceeded through the practical stations for certification.  It is great to see a large attendance by our membership so that we can possibly make a difference in the field during our every day lives!  Thank you for attending this drill and we hope that you never have to use it!

While members were out on a call for a car fire on Route 25, a motor vehicle accident took place in front of station 1 taking out our fire hydrant and PD/FD call box.  A vehicle was traveling southbound on Shelton Road and lost control just north of the fire house, proceeded across the road and then into the hydrant, call box eventually stopping on the station apron.  Members returned to find a large quantity of dirt, broken glass and parts scattered across the apron and lawn areas.  No injuries were reported and PD took down the necessary information to process the claim.  You just never know what can happen any day of the week!  FYI, the hydrant was just moved back by the water company during the summer so that it would be away from the street, go figure!

On Monday morning December 12th the NFD was alerted to a two car head on collision on Huntington Turnpike by North Street by Lt Craig Thompson on his way into work.  NFD members responded and found a mixture of oils and anti freeze in the roadway to which they applied speedy dry and notified DEP of the situation.  Just as members were cleaning up from the MVA, Trumbull Regional dispatch dropped the tones for Trumbull Center and Nichols to respond to  Seneca Drive for the reported problem with a wood stove.  Quint 303 immediately took in the assignment and arrived first to find a 2 story raised ranch with nothing visible from the exterior.  Upon entering the residence members were met with a light smoke condition and used their thermal imager to check for extension.  The homeowner had reported smoke coming from the chimney flue pipe in the residence and a crackling sound in the pipe that goes through the wall.  Shortly after 303's arrival Engine 102 arrived and set up for the reverse lay and assisted with removing the chimney cap and emptying the wood stove fire box.  Members found an excessive amount of creosote at the top of the flue and the bottom cleanout area.  The public is reminded to get your chimney cleaned every year if you are using it for an appliance that  heats your home or wood stove operations.  No extension into the residence was found and members of Engine 301 used positive pressure ventilation to remove the smoke condition.  Units then returned back to service

At 1700 hours on Sunday evening many members of the NFD were on hand to celebrate the holiday season by participating in the annual NIA bonfire and carol sing.  A couple hundred residents from the Village of Nichols gathered around a large pile of pallets that were set ablaze by members of the NFD while Christmas music played in the background.  The NIA served hot chocolate, baked potatoes and sold various other items to get folks into the holiday spirit!  Members of the NFD watched over the large crowd and monitored embers as they strayed away from the blaze.  A special thanks to those members of the NFD who took time out of their family schedule to make sure that this annual event took place!!!

On Saturday December 10, 2011 the members of the Nichols fire department hosted a party for all of the family members who support our volunteer firefighters.  There were various activities enjoyed by both the parents and children and then a special visit by Santa Claus was the hit of the party!  The kids received great gifts and the food provided by Sapore catering was delicious.  A great time was had by all and approximately 100 people attended the annual event.  Thanks to Pastor Joe and the rest of the committee for planning, shopping, setting up and wrapping all of the gifts for the kids and Santa.  A special thanks to our Santa Claus who was the hit of the party!  Happy Holidays to all!!! 

2011 Annual Jingle Bell Run

 

Saturday, December 3, 2011 – The annual Jingle Bell Run through the village of Nichols went off this morning with the NFD again assisting the sponsor, the Nichols Improvement Association, by hosting the registration for the Kids Run at Station 1 on Shelton Road and hoisting the American flag over the race route in front of the Station.  The Kids Run started in front of the Station and ended at the Nichols Green.  The main race passes the Station with about 0.2 miles left on the route and the runners know when they see the big flag over the street, that they are nearing the finish.  NFD’s own Billy O’Keefe III, and sister Cassidy participated in the race, finishing in good form.  Thanks to all the members that assisted in the flag raising detail and a special thanks this year to our Brothers from Trumbull Center who volunteered their tower ladder while our truck was out for service.