Water Problem

A little after 1 pm units were dispatched to 113 Old Dyke road for the report of a water problem in the residence. Responding units isolated the problem and secured utilities.

Huntington Tpke and Shelton Rd MVA car fire w/extrication

At approximately 15:33hrs Monday June 29 Nichols along with Trumbull Center were dispatched to Huntington Tpke and Shelton Rd for an MVA car fire with possible extrication.  Nichols car 11, LT O'Keefe was first on scene reporting a multi car MVA with an engine compartment fire on one of the vehicles involved along with no entrapment. Several passerby's along with Trumbull PD attempted to knock down the fire with portable extinguishers

Quint 303 arrived first on scene stretching an 1 3/4 handline extinguishing the remainder of the fire along with Rescue 300 and Trumbull 103. All crews assited in stabilizing the vehicles involved.  Units remained on scene 30-40 minutes.

Huntington Tpke and Shelton Rd remained closed while while Trumbull PD conducted accident reconstruction



Route 8 South at Exit 8 reported car over the bridge

As units were clearing the Huntington Tpke incident Nichols along with Trumbull Center were dispatched to Route 8 south in the area of exit 8 for the car over the bridge possible extrication.

While responding Trumbull Regional Dispatch updated units advising they received reports from on scene of one vehicle in the median at the Penny Lane overpass with no entrapment.  Rescue 300, Engine 302 arrived simualtaneously confirming that report.Trumbull 103 was returned holding Nichols units only to stabilize vehicle.  Units remained on scene approximately 15 minutes.

Smoke in the area  

Just after 2130 hours units were dispatched to the area of 1940 Huntington Turnpike for the reported odor of smoke in the area.  After a thorough investigation units found a residence on Stowe Place with a backyard fire pit burning.  Units were then returned to service.

At approximately 1830 hours this evening, Nichols was dispatched to a reported kitchen fire at a residence on Cherry Gate Lane. Just after the initial dispatch, Trumbull Regional Dispatch Center added our sister companies, Trumbull Center and Long Hill, as mutual aid and the rapid intervention team, respectively, due to multiple reports of fire in the structure. The first arriving units encountered a massive 4,500 square foot house set back 300 feet from the road with heavy fire showing from the rear. As Quint 303 wrapped a hydrant, proceeded down the driveway and stretched a 1.75 inch line to the A-B corner entrance, Long Hill Car 3 assumed Cherry Gate command. The next arriving units stretched a 2.5 inch line and Blitzfire line off 303 to attack the exterior rear. At this point, there was heavy fire on all floors of the structure. Within 15 minutes into the operation, the rear porch collapsed and command requested Trumbull Regional Dispatch Center to sound the evacuation tones ordering everyone out of the structure. It was soon apparent that this fire required more water than the hydrant could give causing command to request tankers from surrounding communities, a very rare situation in Trumbull. Tankers from Newtown, Monroe, and Shelton setup a shuttle and assisted Trumbull units with supplying water. The last unit cleared the scene around 0230 hours in the morning. An official report to the origin of this fire has not been published, however, it is believed to have started by a lightning strike and partially fueled by a fireplace propane system. The incident remains under investigation by the Trumbull Fire Marshal’s Office.  Check out photo's of this event courtesy of www.firegroundimages.com

A group of Nichols firefighters standing by while others were on a call were startled this afternoon when they heard a loud crash outside Station 1.  To thier surprise, a large dead tree had fallen from it's worn out roots onto the side of the firehouse breaking the bathroom window, causing moderate roof and gutter damage, and demolishing the central air conditioning unit.  We are grateful that no one was injured during this event and here are some pictures of the damage. 

The Nichols Fire Department is pleased to announce the appointment of the following new members: John Delvento, senior member; Christian Horsch, senior member; Giovanni Flores, senior member; and William Collins, junior member. 

Recently, the Nichols Fire Department recieved a pair of news farm jacks.  These jacks are an addition to the compliment of rescue tools, specifically lifting equipment, that we carry and have been placed in service on Rescue 300.  In our most recent drill, members simulated a victim trapped (dummy) underneath a vehicle (Service 307) and utilized the farm jacks to remove the patient. 

It is with deep regret that the Nichols Fire Department announces the passing of Life Member John D Garasimowicz.  Even at his later age and confined to a wheelchair, John and his family members used to attend our annual Clam Bake, awards dinner, and an occasional monthly business meeting.  He was a great face to see around the firehouse and will be deeply missed.  The Nichols Fire Department extends our most sincere condolences to John's family and friends. 

After countless nights and hours of intensive training at the "Shelton Road Training House", it's use had finally come to an end.  This structure was donated to the fire department by a local resident and has been used extensively by all fire companies in town.  We started out by using the structure for search and rescue and rapid intervention team training using no live fire.  After a few weeks, we began live fire evolutions, burning the house room by room using hay and pallets to simulate a real structure fire.  As the house got more use, it's condition deteriorated and could no longer be safely used.  On Saturday June 6, the fire department and community joined together and burned the house to the ground.  Firefighter Debbie Bohling took some excellent pictures of the event, please check them out here!

Just before 10pm this evening, Trumbull Center was dispatched to a residence on Wesley Drive for a reported stove fire.  While en route to the scene, our dispatch updated the responding units that one victim had suffered from smoke inhalation and police unites on scene was reporting the fire to be out.  The first arriving chief (Nichols car 2) reported a 1.5 story ranch with smoke showing from the front door.  Trumbull Car 4 and LH-1 arrived simultaneously shorly thereafter and Trumbull Car 4 assumed  command.  The Chief's on scene as well as TCFD's LT. Pete Kostopoulos made the intial investigation and found a heavy smoke condition in the residence which was the result of a kitchen fire and to have some extension.  TCFD Engine 101 arrived on scene, stretched a line to the front door and proceeded to the kitchen to begin overhaul and evaluate the extension of the initial fire.  Nichols Quint 303's crew was assigned to the attic to check for extension.  After overhauling the kitchen and attic areas, interior members reported no extension and PPV was then started.  The fire was contained to the kitchen and cabinet areas with extension to the adjacent rooms.  The last units cleared the scene at approximately 11:45 pm. 

At 1900 hours this evening the Trumbull fire departments hosted the annual B.A.R.F. memorial mass at St. Theresa's Church on Main Street.  Members from surrounding area departments (Bridgeport, Stratford, Monroe, Fairfield, Westport, Trumbull) came to honor those members who had given their lives in the line of duty.  Also during the ceremony, the names of members who had passed away from each of the departments was read aloud and memorialized at the service.  A short reception was held after the mass and department members also took part in parking lot refreshments!

At approximately 1310, Nichols was dispatched to a motor vehicle rollover on Route 8 southbound just prior to the exit 7 off ramp.  White en route, Trumbull Regional Dispatch upgraded the responding units to an extrication adding Trumbull Center on the assignment.  The first arriving chief, Trumbull Car 4, reported a vehicle rolled over with all occupants out of the car.  The assignment was reduced to just Quint 303 to remain for stabilization and to await the wrecker for removal.  All other units were placed in service.

A little over an hour later, all 3 Trumbull fire companies were dispatched to 2750 Reservoir Avenue for the activated commercial automatic fire alarm.  Dispatch advised the responding units that personnel on site were reporting a fire in the laundry room.  Trumbull Car 4 arrived on scene and reported smoke coming from a vent in the rear of the building.  Upon further investigation, as reported by individuals on site, a small fire was found burning in a laundry room dryer.  Another chief arrived shortly and the two units used a water can to extinguish the burning materials.   A heavy smoke condition existed in the basement area and was cleared up using positive pressure ventilation.  On site units were Engine 101, Ladder 204, Quint 303, Trumbull Car 3 (command), Trumbull Car 4, LH-1 and 2, Nichols Car 2.

At approximately 1640 hours today, Trumbull Regional Dispatch toned out a reported motor vehicle rollover at the intersection of Strobel Road at Shelter Rock Road.  Engine 301, which was out driver training, responded from right around the corner.  301 arrived and reported a two car MVA with one Jeep upside town rolled into the woods.  As Rescue 300 was responding, Nichols Car 2 arrived and assumed command.  Upon arrival, 300's crew isolated the Jeeps' battery while 301's crew provided fire protection.  Units remained on scene until both vehicles were removed by a wrecker.  The last fire unit cleared at approximately 1740 hours

Chief Engineer Jim Allan and Safety Officer/Past Chief Bob Zitnay will begin the Nichols portion of the pump operators course on June 10th at Station one.  All members who participated in the state program are strongly encouraged to attend this program to begin getting certified as drivers on our various apparatus.  Additional pump training and "getting passed" to drive units to emergency calls will be done during these sessions.   We look forward to having the "dirty dozen" who passed the state certs move on to becoming drivers!  Good Luck!!!

Members participated in Trumbull's annual Memorial Day parade.  Each year the town's three fire companies take turns leading the pack of Trumbull's fire apparatus with Trumbull Center in front this year.  Engine 301 and Quint 303 were polished for many hours before hitting Main Street in front of Marissa's Restaurant at 2:00 p.m. and finishing a few miles down the road at Town Hall.  Thanks to Firefighter Debbie Bohling for pictures of this event. 

At 0128 hours Trumbull regional dispatch transmitted the tones for Nichols and Trumbull Center  to respond to Route 8 northbound in the area of exit 11 for the reported motor vehicle accident with a person reported trapped under the car.  Upon arrival, Nichols Car 4, Captain Franko reported a vehicle with several occupants which appeared to be out of the car.  After further investigation by Captain Franko, it was reported that no one was trapped under or inside the car.  Trumbull Center was cancelled and Shelton FD which had been also dispatched was told that they could return.  Rescue 300 and Quint 303 personnel assisted EMS personnel with patient packaging and transport.  FD personnel also applied speedy dry to fluids which were leaking from the vehicles motor compartment area.  Units remained on scene until 0450 hours to provide lighting for the Connecticut State Police Accident Reconstruction Team.

Trumbull's 3 volunteer fire departments were extremely busy with a myriad of various calls for service on Friday.  Three of the calls were for extrications with people reported trapped.  The day started with Long Hill being called to the area of Main street at the Westfield Shopping town where a driver of a vehicle suffered a medical emergency and the PD and EMS were requesting a door pop to gain access to the patient who had hit a pole. 

At 5:19 pm Trumbull Center and Nichols were dispatched to the report of a motor vehicle accident with a person trapped and the car on fire.  The location of the incident was Route 25 northbound approximately 300 feet north of the Daniels Farm Road overpass.  Nichols Car 2 and Trumbull Engine 102 arrived simultaneously to find a vehicle well involved with the occupant still in the vehicle.  On arrival, numerous PD and off duty firefighters from Monroe and Norwalk tried to quell the flames with extinguishers prior to the arrival of apparatus, but were unsuccesful in their attempts.  Trumbull Car 1 assumed the command shortly after arrival and FD personnel remained on scene for the investigation, while Nichols units were returned.  Engine 103 arrived on scene and provided overhaul and suppression assistance.

At around 2030 hours, the tones were again transmitted for another extrication located on Lake Avenue at Eliott Road for the report of a person trapped as the result of an MVA.  Nichols had been added as auto aid due to an event taking place for a Trumbull Center member.  Nichols car 4 and Rescue 300 started out to the scene which only required a door pop by Long Hill units and the NFD units were cancelled in route.

A few other insignificant runs were taken in during the day throughout town by the three departments.