It is with deep regret that the Nichols Fire Department announces the passing of past Lieutenant, life member and fire district treasurer Raymond Franko Sr.  Ray began his journey with the NFD in January of 1974 and rose to the rank of Lieutenant while serving the department on the fire suppression side of the organization.  Upon completion of his 20th year, Ray was inducted into the roles as a Life Member of the NFD.  Ray served a total of 39 years with fire department with his final appointment being as the departments fire district treasurer which he only gave up about 18 months ago.  Ray Franko Sr. was a very dedicated member of the Nichols Fire department and served his community proudly.  Ray was also a member of the United States Marine Corps which he was equally proud of and reminded the younger members whenever he had the opportunity.  To those of us who served with Ray Franko Sr. he demanded your best and he praised you when you accomplished it!  Mr. Franko will be sorely missed around the NFD and our heart felt condolences go out to his family.  Ray Franko Sr. is also the father of our current Deputy Chief Ray Franko Jr.   Calling hours are May 16th from 1600-2000 hours at Abriola Funeral home in Trumbull.  Funeral services are being held at St. Catherine of Siena Church on Friday May 17th starting at 1030 hours.

This weeks drill consisted of portable and fixed master stream devices including the bresnan distributor and water curtain special application nozzles.  5 separate stations were set up for members so that they could have an opportunity to utilize and manipulate each of the devices at each station.  A sixth station was set up so that pump operators could get experience supplying all of the devices operating at one time.  Members learned how to use and operate the Elkhart Stinger ground monitor and TFT blitzfire along with the proper way to anchor the device using a ground strap and pry bar driven into the ground.  Another station consisted of a bresnan distributor cellar nozzle and a water curtain that each student was able to observe and understand how and why it operates as it does.  Members were then brought to Quint 303 where they were allowed to operate the ladder and move the aerial device and operate the stream from the turntable.  Finally anyone qualified as a pump operator was given an opportunity to run the pump panel while all of these items were flowing water allowing them to manipulate various pressures and gallonages.  The drill was well attended and members were able to pick up something which they have not done before at one of the stations.   Thanks for coming and this weeks upcoming drill is ground ladders, see you there!

At 542 pm the NFD was requested for Station coverage into the City of Shelton at company 3 while they were battling a fire in a wood chip recycling facility. While members were assembling, dispatch then transmitted the tones for a gas leak at Avalon in building 10.  Quint 303 was assigned to the coverage assignment in Shelton while Engine 301 was assigned to the gas leak in town at Avalon apartments.  Engine 302 and Rescue 300 were also staffed during this time by additional personnel.  The gas leak was placed under control in short order while the fire in Shelton raged on for a few hours.  At 8pm Shelton fire chief Fran Jones requested "Fresh Air and Sunshine" to fill bottles on scene at the fire location.  At approximately 820 pm Chief Jones released Quint 303 from stand by coverage at Huntington Company 3 and then members returned to quarters and immediately went to the monthly business meeting which started late.

The montly business meeting started at 845 pm and the normal course of business was discussed and various topics were covered.  Members are reminded that the Trumbull Memorial day parade is starting at 10 am this year and that the annual Bridgeport Area Firefighters memorial mass will be held on June 4th in Bridgeport.  All members are strongly encouraged to attend both of these events!  The last part of the meeting covered the presentation of a yellow helmet to Billy O'Keefe III for passing Firefighter 1 and now being considered an interior structural firefighter.  Immediately following Billy was Tyler Plofkin being sworn in as a Senior member of the organization since he had reached his 18th birthday recently.  Congratulations to both members on these important achievements with our department!

This evening just after 8pm employees from the Target store on Hawley Lane called in to report one of their workers trapped on a freight elevator between floors in their stock room.  Nichols Car 1 arrived on scene and reported one occupant trapped between the first and second floors inside the freight elevator.  Trumbull dispatch reported that the elevator response technician would be on scene in approximately 60 minutes.  NFD members shut down power to the affected elevator after trying the call buttons and the firemans recall key.  Members then utilized the adjacent elevator to observe the door lock mechanism and were able to release the affected elevators door using a fiberglass pike pole.  The same operation was done on the second floor by members and the occupant could be observed and conversed with.  Chief Plofkin then ordered members to bring in a Paratech TVS strut in an effort to stabilize and secure the freight elevator car to avoid any movement while removing the occupant.  Once members on the ground floor placed cribbing and the stabilization strut in place,  members then lowered a ladder from floor 2 into the freight car and had the occupant come out via the opening.  The entire operation lasted approximately 30 minutes with no injuries or issues.  Members on scene learned a great deal about the operations of freight elevators and how to stabilize them using the Paratech TVS struts.  A great job done by all who responded.

This evening just after 8pm employees from the Target store on Hawley Lane called in to report one of their workers trapped on a freight elevator between floors in their stock room.  Nichols Car 1 arrived on scene and reported one occupant trapped between the first and second floors inside the freight elevator.  Trumbull dispatch reported that the elevator response technician would be on scene in approximately 60 minutes.  NFD members shut down power to the affected elevator after trying the call buttons and the firemans recall key.  Members then utilized the adjacent elevator to observe the door lock mechanism and were able to release the affected elevators door using a fiberglass pike pole.  The same operation was done on the second floor by members and the occupant could be observed and conversed with.  Chief Plofkin then ordered members to bring in a Paratech TVS strut in an effort to stabilize and secure the freight elevator car to avoid any movement while removing the occupant.  Once members on the ground floor placed cribbing and the stabilization strut in place,  members then lowered a ladder from floor 2 into the freight car and had the occupant come out via the opening.  The entire operation lasted approximately 30 minutes with no injuries or issues.  Members on scene learned a great deal about the operations of freight elevators and how to stabilize them using the Paratech TVS struts.  A great job done by all who responded.

The day was clear and colder than seasonably normal, but it was again dry and clear.   At approximately 4:30 pm the tones were transmitted for a mulch fire in the rear of Homegoods on Hawley Lane.  Rescue 300 arrived on scene and reported an area of mulch burning and that they were going to work on it.  Engine 302 arrived and there members were assigned to use grub rakes to turn over the mulch to expose any deep seated embers.  The entire extinguishment process took about 20 minutes and companies were returned to service.

At approximately 6:45 pm Nichols Car 12, Lt. Craig Thompson called control via his two way radio and verbally transmitted the alarm for a woods fire impinging on a shed.  The tones were immediately transmitted and units were on there way in short time due to truck checks starting at 7pm.  Rescue 300 was first on scene and began knocking down the fire with a 1 3/4" hoseline.  Engine 302 arrived next and laid a supply line into the Rescue.  Quint 303 and Truck 304 arrived shortly thereafter and lended assistance with overhaul and hose work.  Eventually the assignment was reduced to only the Rescue to assist the fire marshals office with the investigation.  One firefighter reported a case of smoke inhalation when the wind changed directions and he was exposed to the smoke for a short while.  The member was transported to Bridgeport hospital and was released a short time later.  No other injuries were reported and the cause is under investigation by the Trumbull Fire Marshals office.

This evenings drill was held in Long Hill at the RIT training house with members being run through several different firefighter rescue evolutions.  From the photos you can view members creating and using a 2 to 1 system for firefighter removal from the second floor of a dwelling.  Members in attendance were able to re-acquaint themselves with the RIT equipment and how it is used.  A special thanks to Capt Greg Sanfanandre and Lt. Mike Rowan of Long Hill FD for assisting us with the house and training.

The regular monthly business meeting of the NFD was held on April 2, 2013 at fire headquarters.  The normal course of business was conducted in record time and at the conclusion of the meeting, Shane Gibson who had finished all of his background information was sworn in as a Senior Probationary member.  Shane will begin his training with AC Brian McGovern on regularly scheduled drill nights and then will be brought into the normal training exercises in about 10-12 weeks.  Welcome to our organization Shane!

The annual review of firefighter survival skills training for members was held this evening at the training houses in Long Hill.  Members were put through multiple self rescue evolutions in case they ever get "jammed up" during a structure fire.  These drills are performed in a controlled environment and are a way to familiarize our members with potential evacaution options should they need to protect themselves.  Head first ladder slides, bail outs of a second story window, drags and removals up stairs.   In all, members had a fun filled evening refreshing themselves on the skills needed to survive when things go bad.  To all of those members that were unable to attend, this is a mandatory skill class and there will be future dates.  A big thank you to our photo contributors FF Ron Butz Jr. and Junior member Austin Morano!

On Sunday March 24, 2013 members of the NFD were on hand for the annual St Josephs high school easter egg hunt and touch a truck.  4 members of the NFD took the time to allow the children of SJHS alumni the opportunity to see a fire truck close up and personal.  The members were also on hand to answer kids and parents questions as they related to fire safety issues.  A big thank  you to the members who took time out of their day to make sure that members of the public had a chance to see our truck and talk with our people.  Thanks guys!

At 414 pm this afternoon the all 3 of Trumbulls Fire companies were dispatched to the report of an automatic commercial fire alarm at 75 Merritt Boulevard.  Upon arrival companies reported nothing showing and performed an investigation of the premises.  There were no issues found within the property in regards to smoke or fire and the assignment was in the process of returning to quarters when at 435pm dispatch transmitted the tones for a car into a residence.

At 435 the NFD and TCFD were dispatched to a Huntington Turnpike residence for the car into the building with no reported entrapment.  Rescue 300 and Quint 303 arrived on scene within minutes and began evaluating the damage caused by a vehicle that went through a wall in the garage.  Members evaluated the structural integrity and also checked the hot water and heating systems along with utilities.  The building official was requested so that they could inpsect the residence to verify that it was still able to be occupied and members awaited their arrival.  No significant issues were found other than the structural damage and companies were returned to service.

Following tonights chimney fire members headed over to the Trumbull Center SCBA maze for some mask confidence training as part of our annual SCBA refresher training.  As usual many members are a little rusty at first and then after a few minutes in the confines of the trailer loosen up and get through it.  Not the most enjoyable evening, but definitely more fun for some than others!

A little after 7pm this evening the NFD was alerted to the report of a chimney fire on Stowe place.  Car 1 arrived on scene and reported a 1 story cape with nothing visible from the front or the chimney.  Upon arrival car 3 took command and car 1 became the interior operations reporting a moderate smoke condition in the living room.  Upon further investigation, the occupants reported smoke coming from the fire place and not going up the chimney.  A crew was sent to the attic and basement to check with thermal imagers for any extension.  Another crew checked the exterior of the house for embers.  No issues were found, the residence was ventilated using positive pressure and the homeowner was instructed to have the chimney cleaned due to creosote build up.  Units picked up and returned to quarters.

At 1114 pm on Saturday evening the Trumbull PD requested the response of the fire department to assist with fluids down as the result of a motor vehicle accident.  Rescue 300 and Engine 302 responded to the incident and put speedy dry down on fluids located in the roadway.  Upon completion of the clean up, command notified dispatch to contact state DEEP to give them the quantities and product that were released with no response being required.

This evening we spring our clocks ahead 1 hour and what has also become a tradition is to change your batteries and check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  Please make sure that you do this, this past year our department suffered its first fatal fire since our incorporation in 1917!  If the occupant had a working smoke detector there is a good chance that they would still be with us today!  Please heed this advice and take the time to make sure your devices work.  If you dont have these devices in your residence we strongly encourage that you go out and purchase them today.  Please be safe!