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Hudson Heat Featuring Hudson New Hampshire’s Bravest February 2015

HUDSON HEAT

NEWSLETTER

Hudson Heat February 2015 � 2

Hudson Heat February 2015

HUDSON NEW HAMPSHIRE

FIRE DEPARTMENT’S

UNOFFICIAL NEWSLETTER

Featuring Hudson New Hampshire’s

Bravest

Inside The Heat

Group 2 Responds To Litchfield Crash

Fire Quickly Contained In Pizza Shop Companies Respond To Derry Blaze

Dispatcher Dani Jean Stuart Writing Monthly Column Multiple Crews Battle Litchfield Blaze

Two Alarms Struck For Litchfield Fire Med Flight Called For CO Poisoning Patient New Members Join The Ranks Of HFD

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Volume 20 Issue 2

Front Cover

Crews treat a trapped patient in this roll-over crash on Bush Hill Road.

Back Cover

Past Firefighter Mark Myers

Publisher D Morin

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Group 2 Responds To Litchfield Crash A single vehicle crash into a telephone pole in the area of 34 Charles Bancroft Highway on February 13th, sent Hudson crews to Litchfield to assist at the scene. At 13:24 Dispatcher Stuart toned Ambulance 1 with a crew of Lieutenant Mamone, Firefighters Bavaro and Hiffler and Litchfield crews to the scene. While en route to the scene Litchfield Rescue 1 requested assistance from Hudson. at 13:31 Squad 1 with a crew of Firefighters Sands and Conlon and Car 4 with Captain Grebinar were toned to the scene. On arrival crews found a single vehicle crash into a telephone pole the pole down blocking the road. Ambulance 1 treated and transported one patient from the scene with minor injuries to a Nashua Hospital. Squad 1 assisted Litchfield removing hazards from the vehicle with Car 4 assisting with command.

Engine 1’s crew of Firefighters Benner, Berube and Armand place ground and roof ladders to reach the chimney of the home located at 4 Meadowlark Drive on February 6th. The homes owner discovered flames coming from the top of the chimney.

Fire Quickly Contained In Pizza Shop A small fire in Wally’s Pizza at 189 Central Street was

quickly brought under control on February 16th. An employee at the Cumberland Farms Store located next door called 911 at 23:56 reporting an odor in the building. Dispatcher Castonguay toned Squad 1 with a crew of Firefighters Clearenbach and Haerinck to the scene. A police officer arrived on the scene before fire crews and reported smoke coming from Wally’s Pizza. A first alarm was struck bringing Engine 1 with a crew of Lieutenant Paquette and Firefighters Schofield and Perkins, Engine 4 with a crew of Firefighters Conlon, Graham and Rich along with Car 1 with Chief Buxton, Car 4 with Captain Hansen and Forestry 2 with Captain Morin to the scene. Both Engines 1 and 4 were operating at a car fire on Central Street and quickly responded to the scene. Squad 1 arrived at the scene and reported heavy smoke coming from Wally’s Pizza and forced entry to the front door. Car 4 arrived and assumed command. Engine 1 was directed to the rear of the building forced entry and stretched a line into the building. Squad 1 found a box of rags burning under a cooking unit and quickly had the fire knocked down. Engine 4 set up fans to clear smoke from the fire unit and convenience store. The fire was called under control at 00:08. Car 1 and Forestry 2 staged at the scene.

Fire crews discuss operations after knocking down a fire in Wally’s Pizza located at 189 Central Street.

Public Service crews work to clear the crash scene.

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Companies Respond To Derry Blaze Derry Fire Alarm requested assistance from Hudson on February 16th, for a 2 alarm fire on Alder Court in Derry. Firefighter Sullivan toned Engine 1 with a crew of Lieutenant Dube and Firefighters Rich and Mulcay along with Car 4 with Captain Hansen to the scene at 15:52. On arrival of Derry firefighters they found a two car garage fully involved attached to a large 2 story single family home. Multiple mutual aid from surrounding towns were called to the scene. Firefighters had the fire knocked down on arrival of the Hudson crews who staged for a time then were release from the scene.

All department members participated in in RIT training during the month of February. Crew were tested handling a simulated firefighter down using the SCBA conversion and removal from the basement of Central Station.

RUN TOTALS: February - 318 2015 Year Total - 644

Explorers Dylan Conway and Phil Justvig put good use to their Presidents Day school day off by assisting Nashua Fire shovel hydrants. They were assigned to the Crown Hill section of the city and shoveled out 65 fire hydrants.

One person suffered minor injuries after this vehicle struck a DOT Loader clearing snow in the area of 161 Lowell Road on February 17th. Ambulance 4, Squad 1 and Car 4 operated at the scene.

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Dispatcher Dani-Jean Stuart Writing Monthly Column Dispatcher Dani Jean Stuart was invited a few months ago to write a regular column for APCO’s Professional Communications Human Resources Taskforce Committee (Pro-CHRT)  web section. Jon Goldman the Communications and IT Supervisor at Derry Fire, saw a few of her past articles on dispatcher health related to weight, sleep deprivation, stress eating, and the effects of sitting for long periods of time.  This is not her first time being published. The NH Emergency Dispatchers’ Association (NHEDA) has a monthly newsletter.  In the past she wrote a couple of pieces health concerns on the dispatcher. She dove into these topics because when she told her doctor that she was making a career change to fire/EMS dispatch he said, “Every dispatcher I know is on the spectrum from overweight to morbidly obese.  The APCO’s Professional Communications Human Resources Taskforce Committee scope is to  “champion the professionalism of the public safety tele communicator in all disciplines (Law Enforcement, Fire-Rescue and Emergency Medical Service).”  And they have created a separate space for Dani Jeans column in their Pro-CHRT Toolbox of resources for public safety communications professionals.  The following is Dani Jeans latest column and watch for future columns on the APCO Site..

It’s About Balance AND the Calories Back in 2012, after diagnosing me with high blood pressure and prescribing meds for the same, my doctor suggested a fasting-type weight loss program run by the local hospital. Eight shakes a day, then reintroducing a meal at a time over several weeks until the participants were eating three meals a day again. I scoffed at the idea. Me? I knew how much a person was supposed to exercise, and I did. I ate a lot of salads and not the kind based on a bowl full of iceberg lettuce. For the most part I didn’t eat processed foods. And after spending 26 years in broadcast news I was all too familiar with the statistics on the “yo-yo effect” of extreme dieting...losing weight then gaining back what you lost and then some. I believed the program would get results but I didn’t think the results would be sustainable. I also know myself well enough to know that I probably couldn’t handle fasting for days on end either emotionally or psychologically.In August 2013, when I told my doc I was going to be a dispatcher he said, “Every dispatcher I’ve met is either overweight or obese.” Then I heard the term, “Dispatcher’s Disease.” Welcome to your new career. Yikes.Now... it’s confession time. I am as seduced by instant gratification as anyone else! Not a lot was happening with my weight despite the addition of periods of basic step aerobics on my shifts as I was able. (We’re solitary dispatchers at my agency, important if you’re going to rock out to Salt ‘n’ Pepa to do step. Yeah, Push it Good.) So I caved. I signed up for a modified fasting program run by the local hospital. Five shakes a day and a 400 calorie dinner. And that’s it. No Starbucks chai, no chocolate, no beer, no wine, no nothin’! That went for four weeks and then we started adding back the other two meals of the day.Four things. It was easier than I thought it would be. It got results. I learned something important. And I’m still whittling away at my weight.The most important item in that list is what I learned. It’s not just about the calories...although it’s a LOT about the calories, make no mistake about that...it’s about balance within meals, too. The right proportions of protein, starch, and vegetables. I certainly didn’t learn that growing up, I’m a member of the “clean plate club,” with food piled on my plate, no proportions in sight. And I didn’t think to learn it when I changed how and what I was eating as an adult.Here’s the deal: each meal has 4-6 ounces of protein, a serving of starch...which is less than I thought it would be... and a half a plate of vegetables. To the tune of 1200 calories a day. Bingo! Nearly fifteen pounds off in the ten week program and another nearly two pounds in the past two weeks. No, I’m not hungry all the time although for the first time in years I actually get real feelings of hunger instead of never feeling hungry and eating anyway. Yes, I miss eating chocolate whenever I want it. And some days I fall off the wagon and eat whatever the heck I want. With no guilt because I’m a grownup. I own it when I do that, just as I own the results I get when I stick with my new eating behavior.Yes, new eating behavior. I’ve started thinking about the extras, Starbucks chai, chocolate, Dairy Queen Blizzards, in the way financial experts say you should think about buying something with credit. Youknow, what’s your plan to pay it off? (By the way, did you know a DQ large size Blizzard is 1300 calories? Plunk a couple of those in your week and you’ve got a hefty bill to pay!) I’ve started thinking, “What do I have to do to burn those calories today?” Because while it is about calories in, it’s also about calories out. Will I have time to run an extra mile with the dog? Will I have a crew in-house long enough to relieve me for my lunch half hour so I can use that time to walk laps around the complex? My options are “yes, I can do that,” “no and I’m not going to eat this,” or “Heck with it, I’m going to eat this anyway.” The more I choose the second option the better I get at resisting the “want” rather than reacting to the impulse.Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a fan of fad dieting. I’m a fan of eating. Enough so that I occasionally repeat this mantra to myself while sitting at a meal with the firefighters: “This is how I eat now. This is how I eat now. This is...” You get the idea!By the same token, it’s not solely about calorie management. A sedentary lifestyle leads directly to what we call “Dispatcher’s Disease” and what a leading obesity researcher at Arizona State University and the Mayo Clinic started calling “Sitting Disease” back in 1999. He says your chair will kill you.In the next column: Fighting the Killer Chair.

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Multiple Crews Battle Litchfield Blaze A house fire on February 17th, at 27 Nesenkeag Drive in Litchfield required the response of Hudson and multiple other surrounding towns to knock down the flames. Dispatcher Stuart received a 911 call at 15:37 reporting the blaze. She toned Litchfield crews to the scene and while companies were en route numerous 911 calls continued to be received and Litchfield C3 requested an additional engine from Londonderry to the scene. On arrival of Litchfield crews heavy fire showing from sides three and four extending from the basement to the attic and a working fire was struck. At 15:48 Engine 1 with a crew of Firefighters Mallen, Berube and Graham, Car 1 with Chief Buxton and Car 4 with Captain Morin and Firefighter O’Sullivan were tone to the scene. Litchfield crews stretched a 1 3/4 line into the building to attack the heavy fire. Chief Buxton on arrival was assigned as operations of the scene and directed Engine 1’s crew to the first floor to assist hitting the fire. Car 4 along with a Litchfield crew were assigned stretch a 2 1/2 line to floor two. Firefighters found heavy fire in the basement floors one and two and extending throughout the attic. At 15:53 command struck a second alarm as heavy fire took hold of the second floor and attic. Firefighters using two attack lines and pulling ceilings could not contain the flames and all crews were pulled out of the building. Large caliber streams poured into the building knocking the flames back and crews were allowed to reenter the building. Nashua Ladder 2 set up in front of the building and went to the roof cutting a vent hole. Crews on floor 2 continued to experience heavy fire that would be knocked down and as

soon as the water was directed in another area the flames roared back. Due to a downed power line on side three of the building the fire burning up the side of the building could not be contained and continued to feed the flames in the attic. Numerous crews rotated on the second floor trying to knock down the flames in the attic. Making no headway the building was again evacuated and Nashua ladder pipe was put in service. Eversource was called to the scene to disconnect the power to the downed power line allowing crews to stretch a 2 1/2” line to the rear of the building and quickly they had the fire on the exterior knockdown. Crews again entered the building and within a short time had the heavy fire contained. Deep snow hampered crews stretching hand lines and placing ground ladders. Several firefighters lost their balance falling into the 4 foot deep snow and had to be assisted back to their feet. Londonderry’s rescue was special called to the scene to fill their bottles as crews for over two hours rotated overhauling and knocking down numerous hotspots burning within the building. The fire was placed under control's 1813. Ambulance 2 with a crew of Lieutenant Rudolph and Firefighters Brideau and Armand stages at the scene as the medical and rehab units. Fire crews from Hudson, Nashua, Londonderry, Manchester, Gary, when he am, and Bedford all operated at the scene. No injuries were reported.

Heavy fire comes from the attic of the Litchfield home as crews set up to battle the flames. Photo by Al Boucher

Heavy fire comes from the vent hole Nashua firefighters cut into the roof during a 2 alarm fire at 27 Nesenkeag Drive in Litchfield on February 17th. Photo by Al Boucher

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Two Alarms Struck For Litchfield Fire For the second time in a week Hudson firefighters responded to the town of Litchfield to assist them in battling a two alarm fire. Dispatcher Castonguay received several calls at 08:47 on February 23rd, reporting the fire. The caller stated that heavy smoke was coming from the home at 20 Martin Lane. Litchfield crews were toned scene. With numerous calls being received Litchfield Engine 4 requested a working fire assignment bringing Engine 4 with a crew of Firefighters Rich, Graham and Bavaro, Ambulance 1 with a of crew of Lieutenant Dube and Firefighters Blinn and Levesque alone with Car 1 with Chief Buxton. On arrival Litchfield crews found a two-story single-family home with heavy smoke showing requested a second alarm. Crews stretched lines into the building and found fire in the basement, first and second floors. Ambulance 1 set up the EMS sector, Chief Buxton was assigned as operations and Engine 1 stretched the line to floor one. Hydrants in the area could not be located so additional tankers were requested for water supply to the same. A 4 inch supply line was hand dragged to Albuquerque Avenue to set up rural hitch operations to supply water to the scene. Numerous attack lines were stretched into the building. Crews attacking the fire found the fire had gained considerable headway on all floors and all companies were evacuated from the building. As numerous large caliber attack lines were being set up for defensive attack heavy fire shot from the first floor windows. A short time later the second floor and attic became fully involved. A Manchester engine located a hydrant on Albuquerque Avenue, hooked in and supplied the scene with water. Due to

the number large caliber streams operating on the fire additional feeder lines were laid to supply the water from the incoming tankers to the attack engine. This Engine 1’s screw was reassigned to stretch a 2 1/2 attack line to the rear of the building to knock down heavy fire coming from the roof. Flames shot 30 feet into air as the fire consumed the entire roof of the home. As firefighters continued to pour water onto the flames the building collapsed into a burning pile of debris. Heavy fire continue to burn in the collapsed remains of the home making it very difficult for firefighters to extinguish the blaze. The Town of Litchfield brought in a backhoe to assist removing the debris so firefighters could get the flames. The Londonderry Tower ladder was set up in front of the building to pour water into the pile that was once the home for final extinguishment. Firefighters remained at the scene well into the afternoon wetting down and overhauling the scene. There were no reported injuries at the scene the fire remains under investigation. Deep snow and very cold temperatures and wind chills below zero hampered crews. Fire crews from Litchfield Hudson Londonderry Gary Manchester Bedford Windham and Tyngsboro Mass responded to the scene.

Litchfield and Hudson Firefighter Jim Bavaro stretch a line to the front as the building becomes fully involved.

Firefighters Graham and Bavaro stretch a line into the front door of the home. Very cold temperatures and wind chills below zero hampered crews.

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Med Flight Called For CO Poisoning Patient On February 24th, Firefighter Rich received a 911 call from the wife of a man suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning after finding him unresponsive at 75 River Road. Toned to the scene at 19:08 were Ambulance 4 with a crew of Firefighters Crane, Clarenbach and Hearinck, Engine 1 with a crew of

Lieutenant Paquette and Firefighters Bradish and Perkins along with Car 4 with Captain Hansen. Crews quickly removed the victim from the building and began treatment. Engine 1 checked the building and found CO levels in the hundreds and set up ventilation fans to clear the building. Car 4 assumed command. The patient was operating a propane fired forklift with a closed building without ventilation for an extended period of time and became overcome by the fumes. Medical Control at St Joe's Hospital was alerted and advised crews the needed treatment in a hyperbaric chamber and patient would be flown out. Command requested a helicopter and a landing zone setup at Sam's Club. Engine 4 with a crew of Firefighters Lappin and Lamber and Car 2 with Captain Morin were dispatched to the landing site. On arrival Sam's Club it was determined due to snow banks a new landing site was needed and a companies moved to the Presentation of May School where a landing site was setup. A DART helicopter while en route to the landing site suffered mechanical issues and canceled. Boston Med Flight was notified and responded. The helicopter landed and the patient was transported to Mass General Hospital in Boston for further treatment.

Firefighters Ben Crane and Brian Clarenbach assist the crew of the helicopter load the CO patient for the flight to Boston.

Members of Engine 4 and Tanker 1 placed ground ladders to reach the chimney at 71 Bush Hill Road on February 25th, to knockdown a chimney fire at the location. Photo by Al Boucher

Lawrence Mass firefighters struck 2 alarms for this fire at 38 Bowdion Street on February 20th. Photo by Brian Alley

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New Members Join The Ranks Of HFD Two new members joined the ranks of the department on February 22nd. Justin Tracy became the newest

firefighter.Justin Tracy. Justin grew up in Hopkinton New Hampshire were his desire to be a firefighter began when he joined the fire explorers post at 16. In collage he participated in a live in student program with the Chichester Fire Department while

pursuing his Associates Degree in Fire Science. After completing Associates Degree in Fire Science entered into and became a live in student at the Swanzey Fire Department while pursuing his Bachelors Degree in Occupational Safety. Towards the end of his schooling he applied to the Hudson Fire for full-time employment. He feels privileged to being able to join our team as a Probationary FF/EMT. He currently is living in the City of Manchester. Our second new member is Dispatcher John Collins. John, a native of the Jamaica Plain section of Boston, attended

Boston Latin High School and Colby College, before working as a media news journalist for many years at radio stations WERZ, WGIR and WSMN in New Hampshire, and reporting for the Lowell Sun. Since 1998, John has resided in Hudson with wife Beth and two children who are currently attending Alvirne High School. In his off hours, John enjoys reading, and coaching and playing baseball.In the 2004 movie “Fever Pitch,” John appears on-screen as the Red Sox second baseman. All of us at wish them both the best of luck with their future endeavors with HFD.  

Group 4 Responds To Pelham Working Fire A fire in Pelham that was quickly brought under control on February 28th, required mutual from Hudson and Windham. Dispatcher Glenn received a call from Pelham Fire Alarm at 10:20 requesting and engine to the scene at 1 Michelle Ave. Engine 4 with a crew of Firefighters Graham, Rich and Sullivan along with Car 4 with Captain Gannon were toned to the scene. Pelham crews quickly had the fire under control but continued mutual to assist with overhaul. Engine 4 remained at the scene as short time then was sent to cover the Pelham Station.

Department Anniversaries

February Al Dube 2/11/2001

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Tail Board

Deputy Chief John O’Brien (right) and his son Everett Mass Lieutenant Mike O’Brien together at a 2nd alarm in Everett on February 25th. Photo by Tim Gorman

Firefighters Brian Patterson and Ben Crane work at a car fire on February 25th.

After one of the heavy snow falls Firefighter Bob Haggerty began shoveling his roof. During his work he injured his arm leave the job un-finished. On February 20th, Firefighter Andrew Perkins Toby Provencal, Brian Schofield and past member Brian Alley work together to finish clearing the snow from Bob’s roof.

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