August 2008
During the month of August,
fifty-five calls for emergency assistance were
received. Fire and EMS personnel responded to 43
medical emergencies, 4 motor vehicle accidents, 1
vehicle fire, 1 service call, 2 good intent calls, and 4
alarm activations. Nine of the calls were simultaneous
responses. Three additional service calls not assigned
incident numbers to assist the public were responded
to. Five mutual aid calls were given to other
communities and six mutual aid calls were received from
other communities.
We would like to express our
appreciation to Firefighter Jeremy Patterson for several
years of service to our community. Jeremy has moved out
of state and we send our best wishes to him.
Members participated in a in-house
training on EMS/Splinting Techniques, as well as a
critique of recent structure fires responded to by
members of the Department. Several members attended EMS
training at Concord Hospital.
One Department meeting was held.
Ten code consultations, 4 follow up inspections, 2 Knox
Box inspections, 1 oil burner permit inspection, and 2
Life Safety inspections were conducted. Fifty-four
Permits to Kindle Fire were issued during August.
Remember to have your chimney professionally cleaned and
inspected before winter.
June 2008
During the month of June, sixty-four calls for emergency
assistance were received. Fire and EMS personnel
responded to 49 medical emergencies, 4 motor vehicle
accidents, 1 hazardous condition, 3 service calls, 3
good intent calls, and 4 alarm activations. Seven of
the calls were simultaneous responses. Three additional
service calls not assigned incident numbers to assist
the public were responded to. Twelve mutual aid calls
were given to other communities and nine mutual aids
were received from other communities.
We
would like to express our appreciation to EMT Josh Brehm
for several years of service to our community. EMT
Brehm has accepted a Firefighter/EMT position at the
Hooksett Fire Department. Best wishes, Josh, and thank
you!
Congratulations to EMT-B Lyle Deane who has been hired
as a full-time member of the Ambulance Service. Lyle
has been a member of the Department for the past
two-and-one-half years, serving as a volunteer and as a
Per Diem member of the ambulance staff.
Members participated in the following in-house
trainings: Review of forestry handtools and suppression
tactics using 72Forestry1 pumps; Zoll/Cardiac
Monitoring; and an HM Officers Drill training. Chief
Johnson conducted the weekend long National Fire Academy
program Leadership III at the NH Fire Academy in
Concord. Several members have been participating in
engineer training on driver and pump operations. EMT
Karen Brown has completed her Paramedic training and FF
Kevin Marquis continues with EMT-Basic classes.
One
Department meeting was held. Eight code consultations,
1 follow up inspection, and 4 inspections were
conducted. Several representatives of the Department
met with the ambulance vendor regarding the new
ambulance that has been ordered.
Sixty-four Permits to Kindle Fire were issued during
June. A Permit to Kindle a Fire is required for any
type of outdoor fire and may be obtained at the fire
station. Check out our new “fire danger day” rating
sign installed in front of the station!
Many homeowners and renters are looking ahead for
alternative sources of heat to reduce their heating
bills this coming winter. Unfortunately, many of these
options significantly increase the likelihood of fire
destroying your property and causing serious injury. If
you have any questions about fire safety regarding
alternate sources of heating, please do not hesitate to
contact us at 435-6807 or stop by the station at 33
Catamount Road. Remember to have your chimney
professionally cleaned and inspected before winter.
May 2008
During the month of May, fifty-two calls for emergency
assistance were received. Fire and EMS personnel
responded to 32 medical emergencies, 4 motor vehicle
accidents, 1 building fire, 3 outside fires, 1 hazardous
condition, 3 service calls, 6 good intent calls, and 2
alarm activations. Four of the calls were simultaneous
responses.
Members participated in the following in-house training:
Auto Extrication and Scene Management; Drafting/Pump
Operations; TEMSIS reporting; and Anaphylaxis
Emergencies and EpiPen use. Chief Johnson conducted the
weekend long National Fire Academy program Leadership
III at the NH Fire Academy in Concord. Many EMS members
attended a Burn Care Management training at Concord
Hospital. Members also attended a Town of Pittsfield
Code of Ethics Committee training on the policy, as well
as the Local Government Center’s Highway Flagger
training.
One
Department meeting and a Support Unit training were
held. Four code consultations, 4 follow up inspections,
1 oil burner inspection, and 2 fireworks permit reviews
were conducted. Many members attended the Memorial Day
observation. Several staff members participated at
Career Day at PMHS.
One-hundred thirty-three Permits to Kindle Fire were
issued during May. A Permit to Kindle a Fire is
required for any type of outdoor fire and may be
obtained at the fire station at 33 Catamount Road.
Safety Tip – Propane and charcoal BBQ grills must only
be used outdoors. Check the gas cylinder hose for leaks
before using it for the first time each year. Never
store propane gas cylinders in buildings or garages.
Position outdoor grills at least 10 feet from your home
and never use them on porches or in garages.
April 2008
During the month of April, fifty-eight calls for
emergency assistance were received. Fire and EMS
personnel responded to 38 medical emergencies, 5 motor
vehicle accidents, 2 building fires, 1 forest fire, 5
service calls, 3 good intent calls, and 4 alarm
activations. Several members assisted with the
extinguishment of the wildfire on Mount Major in Alton.
Compensation for forest fires in other communities is
paid by the New Hampshire Department of Resources (DRED).
Members participated in the following in-house training:
Forestry Pumps/Portable Pumps and TEMSIS training.
Chief Johnson conducted the weekend long National Fire
Academy program Leadership I at the NH Fire Academy in
Concord. Several members attended a Central NH Forest
Fire Warden training.
One
Department meeting and an Officers meeting were held.
Several members participated in the Chamber of Commerce
Business Showcase. Many members participated in a work
detail to remove stored equipment/items from the PSNH
garage to a storage trailer at the Waste Water Treatment
Plant. We would like to express our appreciation to
PSNH for the many years that we were able to rent the
storage garage next to the fire station.
Remember – A Permit to Kindle a Fire is required for any
type of outdoor fire and may be obtained at the fire
station at 33 Catamount Road.
March 2008
During the month of March, sixty
calls for emergency assistance were received. Fire and
EMS personnel responded to 42 medical emergencies, 3
motor vehicle accidents, 1 building fire, 2 chimney
fires, 3 hazardous conditions, 5 service calls, 5 good
intent calls, and 1 alarm activation. Three of the
calls listed occurred simultaneously. This means the
calls were received while fire department personnel were
responding to or currently engaged in another call for
assistance.
Members participated in the
following in-house training: Review of Basic Operational
Tactics; Fire Ground Hydraulics; Respiratory
Emergencies; and Radio Traffic Emergencies. Chief
Johnson conducted a weekend long National Fire Academy
program entitled Incident Safety Officer (ISO)
training. Several members attended a Pediatric EMS
training at Concord Hospital. A Department meeting, an
Officers meeting and a Support Unit training were held.
An Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) committee
continued to develop a grant throughout the month. Chief
Johnson invited members of the community to attend a
Citizen review of the 2008 Funding Request at two
presentations. We would like to thank our members who
assisted with a turn-out gear inventory and cleaning
project and with vehicle maintenance and inspections
throughout the month. Several members assisted with
shoveling the roof at the elementary school during the
period of heavy snowfall.
Through the efforts and assistance
of others within the community, we appreciate of the
opportunity to present information to the citizens of
Pittsfield through the website (www.pittsfield-nh.com),
Town cable TV channel 24, and in the Suncook Valley
Sun.
Remember – We can’t help you if we
can’t find you – please number your house or business!
February 2008
During the month of February,
fifty-six calls for emergency assistance were
received. Fire and EMS personnel responded to 30
medical emergencies, 2 motor vehicle accidents, 1
building fire, 1 chimney fire, 9 hazardous conditions, 2
service calls, 7 good intent calls, and 4 alarm
activations. One Life/Safety inspection, 4 code
consultations and 4 follow-up inspections were
conducted.
In response to the deaths of two
Boston firefighters in a fire fueled by accumulated
grease in a restaurant last summer, eleven inspections
of commercial cooking grease hoods were conducted during
the month by inspectors of our Fire Prevention Bureau to
establish a baseline of the conditions of this fire risk
to our town.
We would like to express our
appreciation to Todd Drew and Claire Drew for their many
years of service to the Department and community. Prior
to their resignation, Todd served as Captain and Claire
was a member of the Support Company.
Members participated in an
in-house training on Building Construction. Chief
Johnson conducted a weekend long NIMS-ICS training. A
Department meeting, a Ladder Truck Replacement Committee
meeting, an Officers meeting and a Support Unit training
were held. Representatives of the department attended a
Central NH Haz-Mat Oversight Committee meeting, an AFG
Grant Workshop, and the CAFMAC annual training meeting.
Members provided community event coverage during
WinterFest. Chief Johnson and several members of the
full-time staff participated in a career presentation at
PMHS.
We would like to welcome David
Marcotte to the department as a Per Diem EMT. Member
Jarrad Warner will also be serving as a Per Diem staff
member.
Congratulations to the following
members on receiving certification for classes that they
have recently completed:
Kevin Marquis – Firefighter I
Jen Tedcastle – Fire & Emergency
Services Instructor I
Capt. Fred Okrent and Lt. Jeremy
Yeaton – NIMS-ICS
Safety Tip: Always use caution
when venturing out on to a frozen lake or pond. As the
season and temperatures change, the ice will be melting
at an uneven rate. Dark snow and ice are signs of weak
spots. Avoid thin, clear or honeycomb shaped ice.
Travel with a partner and stay away from deep areas.
January 2008
During the month of December,
fifty-nine calls for emergency assistance were received,
bringing the year-end total to 726 calls. Fire and EMS
personnel responded to 35 medical emergencies, 5 motor
vehicle accidents, 1 structure fire, 1 cooking fire, 4
hazardous conditions, 2 service calls, 8 good intent
calls, and 3 alarm activations. Six of the 59 calls
were simultaneous calls. Mutual aid was provided for 2
incidents and received for 14 incidents, noting that
several communities assisted with the structure fire,
cooking fire and a multi-vehicle motor vehicle
accident. One Place of Assembly permit was issued and 4
code consultations were conducted.
Members participated in an
in-house Hazardous Materials training. Several members
provided assistance with a search and rescue operation
at Bear Brook State Park. Several members attended an
Electrical Emergencies Class at the NH Fire Academy in
Concord. Chief Johnson made a presentation at Career
Day at PMHS. Members participated in or provided
coverage for the Breakfast with Santa, the Annual Tree
Lighting and a Christmas Eve candlelight church service.
Safety Tip: Keep those chimneys
clean and properly dispose of fireplace ashes.
December 2007
During the month of December,
fifty-nine calls for emergency assistance were received,
bringing the year-end total to 726 calls. Fire and EMS
personnel responded to 35 medical emergencies, 5 motor
vehicle accidents, 1 structure fire, 1 cooking fire, 4
hazardous conditions, 2 service calls, 8 good intent
calls, and 3 alarm activations. Six of the 59 calls
were simultaneous calls. Mutual aid was provided for 2
incidents and received for 14 incidents, noting that
several communities assisted with the structure fire,
cooking fire and a multi-vehicle motor vehicle
accident. One Place of Assembly permit was issued and 4
code consultations were conducted.
Members participated in an
in-house Hazardous Materials training. Several members
provided assistance with a search and rescue operation
at Bear Brook State Park. Several members attended an
Electrical Emergencies Class at the NH Fire Academy in
Concord. Chief Johnson made a presentation at Career
Day at PMHS. Members participated in or provided
coverage for the Breakfast with Santa, the Annual Tree
Lighting and a Christmas Eve candlelight church service.
Safety Tip: Keep those chimneys
clean and properly dispose of fireplace ashes.
October and November 2007
During the month of October,
sixty-seven calls for emergency assistance were
received. Fire and EMS personnel responded to 46
medical emergencies, 4 motor vehicle accidents, 1
vehicle fire, 5 hazardous conditions, 3 service calls, 6
good intent calls, and 2 alarm activations, as well as
11 additional calls to assist the public and other
agencies. Mutual aid was provided for 6 incidents and
received for 9 incidents. Two oil burner inspections
and 7 Life Safety code and hazard inspections were
conducted. Ten code reviews were completed and 3 Place
of Assembly permits were issued. A child car safety
inspection was conducted.
We would like to thank Public
Safety/Code Enforcement Lt. Nick Abell for organizing
the annual Fire Prevention Week programs at Pittsfield
Elementary Pittsfield Middle High School and Blueberry
Express/Early HeadStart and our annual Open House.
Thanks to Lt. Abell and many of our members and staff,
our fire prevention and safety message reached
approximately 76 adults and 553 children. Several
members also represented the town at the the City of
Manchester Fire Prevention parade and at the NH Fire
Academy Annual Firefighters Memorial service.
Chief Johnson and department
members attended many meetings with other Town agencies
and within the Fire Department. Several members attended
tours of the Concord Hospital Emergency Department to
familiarize themselves with the facility during a
construction phase.
Members participated in in-house
trainings on Ventilation Techniques and Pump training.
Several members attended the 15th Annual NH EMS
Conference.
Annual pump tests were conducted
on 72Engine1, 72Engine2, and 72Tanker2. Repairs were
needed and completed to 72Engine1 and 72Engine2 to pass
inspection. Building maintenance tasks included the
completion of painting an above ground oil tank and
addressing plumbing repairs.
A big congratulations goes to Ken
White recently received the NH State Male Explorer of
the Year award! Ken served for several years on the
Explorer’s Post and joined the Department as a member
upon his eighteenth birthday.
Much preparation and consideration
has been given to the proposed 2008 budget – please do
not hesitate to bring your questions or concerns to
Chief Johnson about the budget and our Department in
general.
During the month of November,
fifty-two calls for emergency assistance were
received. Fire and EMS personnel responded to 30
medical emergencies, 4 motor vehicle accidents, 2
building fires, 1 chimney fire, 3 service calls, 7 good
intent calls, 4 alarm activations, and 1 mutual aid
drill. Mutual aid was provided for 10 incidents and
received for 1 incidents. One oil burner inspection, 2
Life Safety code and hazard inspections, and 5 code
consultations were conducted.
Members participated in an
in-house training on ground ladders. Several members
attended a search and rescue mutual aid drill in
Pembroke, and other members attended chainsaw operation
workshop sponsored by the Local Government Center.
Chief Johnson attended a Forestry Law workshop and the
annual Local Government Center Conference.
Members attended the annual
Veteran’s Day ceremony and Concord’s annual Holiday
parade.
Safety Tip: Heating fires account
for 36% of residential home fires in rural areas. Have
your chimney or wood stove inspected and cleaned
annually by a certified chimney specialist. Clear the
area around the hearth of debris, decorations and
flammable materials. Always use a metal mesh screen
with fireplaces. Leave glass doors open while burning a
fire. (Source: U.S. Fire Administration).
September 2007
In September, we welcomed new
member Jarrad Warner to the Department. Jarrad is a
Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician-Basic
and has received Firefighter I certification. A belated
welcome goes to Wanda Mullen who joined the Support
Company earlier in the summer. We would like to thank
Arlene Norton, who has recently resigned, for several
years of service to our Department and community.
Fred Okrent was appointed to the
position of Captain of the Support Company and
Lieutenant Nicholas Abell was appointed to the position
of Department Public Education/Code Enforcement
Officer. We congratulate Capt. Okrent and Lt. Abell on
these well earned appointments based on their
achievements within the Department and for their
knowledge of the fire service.
During the month of September,
seventy-two calls for emergency assistance were
received. Fire and EMS personnel responded to 39
medical emergencies, 5 motor vehicle accidents, 4 fires,
2 hazardous conditions, 5 service calls, 10 good intent
calls, and 7 alarm activations, as well as 4 additional
Haz-Mat consultations and 3 general fire-related
consultations. Mutual aid was provided for 12 incidents
and received for six incidents. Six Life Safety
inspections were conducted. Members provided community
event coverage during the PMHS Homecoming bonfire, Reach
the Beach relay, NHIS race, and the Pittsfield Economic
Development Committee United States Auto Club (USAC)
celebration. A 9/11 Memorial Service was held at the
station.
One Department meeting, an
Officers meeting, and a monthly equipment and apparatus
check was conducted. Members participated in an in-house
training on Ventilation Techniques. Several members
completed a 1st Responder refresher training and two
members continue with the Firefighter I course. Chief
Johnson attended many meetings including a Capital Area
Fire COMPCT meeting and a NH Fire Chiefs meeting.
72Ambulance1, 72Ambulance2, and
72Engine1 passed State Inspection, with repairs being
made to 72Ambulance1. A big thanks goes to Lt. Morgan
McCarthy for his ongoing in-house repairs to keep our
apparatus in great working order.
The proposed 2008 budget season is
upon us – please do not hesitate to bring your questions
or concerns to Chief Johnson about the budget and our
Department in general.
Safety Tip: Change your clocks,
change your smoke detector batteries! Daylight Savings
Time – November 4, 2007
August 2007
During the month of August,
fifty-eight calls for emergency assistance were
received. Fire and EMS personnel responded to 36
medical emergencies, 6 motor vehicle accidents, 1
electrical fire, 1 gas leak, 1 unauthorized burning, 1
authorized controlled burning, 2 smoke scares, 4 good
intent calls, 1 false alarm, and 5 alarm activations.
Mutual aid was provided for seven incidents and
received for two incidents. Two annual Place of
Assembly inspections were conducted, along with annual
Life Safety inspections at the elementary school and
high school. Three code inspections and two oil burner
inspections were conducted. Many members provided
community event coverage during the Balloon Rally.
Several members participated in the National Night Out.
Through volunteer efforts, the
clutch in the forestry vehicle was replaced by several
of our members, saving the town hundreds of dollars in
labor costs.
One Department meeting, one
Ambulance Replacement Committee and two Aerial Ladder
Truck Replacement Committee meetings were held. A
monthly equipment and apparatus check was conducted.
Members participated in several in-house trainings:
Incident Command System; Search and rescue Techniques;
Basic Water Rescue Techniques; and Engine Pump
Operations.
In August, we welcomed new members
Kevin Marquis and James Omundson to the Department.
Both Kevin and James are enrolled in a Firefighter I
class that runs through February 2008.
Save the Date! Annual Fire
Prevention Week educational programs will be conducted
within the community October 14 – 20. Please join us
for our Open House to be held Thursday, October 18 from
5:00pm – 8:00pm.
Safety Tip: Plan ahead while it’s
warm – have your chimneys cleaned and inspected by a
professional chimney sweep.
July 2007
During the month of July,
sixty-six calls for emergency assistance were
received. Fire and EMS personnel responded to 36
medical emergencies, 6 motor vehicle accidents, 1
building fire, 2 passenger vehicle fires, 4 hazardous
conditions, 6 service calls, 4 good intent calls, 6
alarm activations, and 1 mutual aid drill. Mutual aid
was provided for five incidents and received for four
incidents. Three code inspections, one annual Place of
Assembly inspection, one annual Life Safety inspection,
one Change of Use inspection, and one oil burner
inspection was conducted. Many members provided
community event coverage during Old Home Day
activities. Chief Johnson served as an evaluator as a
member of the Capital Area Fire Compact Training
Committee at a mutual aid drill in Loudon.
One Department meeting and an
Officers meeting were held. A monthly equipment and
apparatus check was conducted. A Central NH Forest Fire
Wardens meeting and training was attended. Members
participated in training to become familiar with a new
GPS unit and Thermal Management Tool. An EMS training
was held on spinal immobilization and extrication.
After completing the application
and testing process, the Board of Selectmen approved the
hiring of Paramedic Alyssa Bellavance. Please join us
in welcoming Paramedic Bellavance to our community.
Safety Tip: Area school children
are back to school. Parents and caregivers, remind your
children to not play in the street while walking to and
from school or while waiting for the bus; always walk to
and from school with a friend and pay attention to all
traffic signals and use crosswalks. Always wear a
bicycle helmet when riding a bike – it’s the law!
June 2007
During the month of June,
forty-six calls for emergency assistance were
received. Fire and EMS personnel responded to 26
medical emergencies, 6 motor vehicle accidents, 1
unauthorized burning, 3 lift assists, 6 cancelled calls,
1 authorized controlled burning, and 3 alarm
activations. One annual Place of Assembly inspection
was conducted.
One Department meeting was held
and a monthly equipment and apparatus check was
conducted. Several members of the Department represented
the community by participating in a parade celebrating
the 75th anniversary of the Deerfield Fire Department.
Several members attended the annual Fire Chiefs
Exhibition and Conference in Springfield, MA. Members
of the Department represented the community by attending
a Central NH HazMat Oversight Committee, a Central NH
Forest Fire Wardens meeting and training, a Housing
Standards Agency meeting, and a Flooding After Action
meeting held in Allenstown.
Members practiced large area
search and rescue techniques throughout the month. An
Engineers Drill included a demonstration and practical
application of friction loss calculation formulas. An
EMS training was held on spinal immobilization and the
application of hand transporting patients over rough
terrain.
Safety Tip: Thunderstorms – Follow
the 30-30 rule: When you see lightning, count the
seconds until you hear thunder. If that time is 30
seconds or less, the thunderstorm is within 6 miles and
is dangerous. Seek shelter immediately. The threat of
lightning continues longer than most people think. Wait
at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before
leaving your shelter. Stay off corded phones,
computers, and other electronic equipment that put you
in direct contact with electricity or plumbing. (Source:
National Fire Protection Association.
www.nfpa.org/diaster)
Pittsfield Fire Department |
Apparatus |
Volunteer! |
Explorer Post
Staff List |
Fire Crier Newsletter |
Fire Prevention Week
Fire Permits and Inspections |
Letter From the Chief
Fire Alarm Box Locations |
Approved Fireworks List
Ambulance Notice of Privacy Practices
Informational
Bulletins:
Required Number of Fire Exits for Apartments
Windows Used for Means of Escape
