Tribute to a Fallen Soldier

December 27, 2006 - a Mass of Christian Burial for Connecticut National Guard Staff Sgt. Joseph E. Phaneuf II was today at the St Patricks Cathedral in Norwich. Staff Sgt. Joseph E. Phaneuf was killed Dec. 15 when his armored vehicle struck a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. Military, police and fire personnal from Eastern Connecticut were in attendance to pay tribute to a fallen solider. Also in attendance were the Rhode Island chapter of the Patriot Guard Riders. a group of riders whose mission is to "shield the mourning family and friends from interruptions created by any protester, or group of protesters." After the mass of christian burial Staff Sgt. Joseph E. Phaneuf will be buried at Arlington National Cemertary in Virginia. Staff Sgt Joseph E Phanuef was also a member of the Eastford Independent Fire Company No. 1. A full firefighters funeral was given

Norwich Truck 1 and Tafville Tower 25 make an arch
An overview of the scene
Staff Sgt. Joseph Phaeuf is brought into church
Friends and family follow
Connecticut National Guard proceed into the catherdral

New London Pipes and Drum moves in position

Members of the Patriots Guard Riders

Patriot Guard Riders demonstrate what patriotism is all about!!!

Taftville's Tower 25 bucket with American flag

Bradford/Westerly Search

Dec 19, 2006 - The Bradford FD with assistance from Westerly, Ashaway,Richmond-Carolina, and Old Mystic Fire Departments were involved in a large search and rescue operation along the Pawcatuck River. A man was reported missing to local police. When the local police starting searching the area they found the man car near the Pawcatuck river. a 3 day long search started in the river bring in additional resources from RI DEM,RI EMA,RI State police,CSP,USCG, and the Providence canteen. After 3 long days of searchers, crews found the body of the man down stream, entangled in a tree that had fallen in the water. crews removed the body of the man. The RI medical examiner has the body for an autopsy.

Westerly Ambulance, Westerly Rescue 3,Westerly Ambulance, & Ashaway Ambulance
Personnel awaiting for instructions
Caroline Dive truck with boat and Westerly Rescue 2
Carolina Boat being launched
Westerly Rescue 4 with RI Trooper Zarella with his cadaver K-9

2006 Year in Review Video!

Here is a collaboration of photos from NL County Fire Photos, Q's Firegorund Photos, and Eastern Ct Fire Photos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujjVNlNX7ig

Yantic/Occum Car Fire - Scotland Rd

December 3, 2006 - At 19:15 hrs the Yantic and Occum Fire Departments were duel dispatched to a structure fire on Scotland Rd. The caller stated a car was on fire in a detached garage. Yantic Chief arrived to report a working fire. It was a car in a tent-like garage. Yantic Eng-32 arrived and stretched (2) 1.75" hoselines. The fire was knocked down and the car overhauled. The Norwich FMO is investigating.

Yantic Firefighters await water


Yantic firefighter attack fire
Occum ET-42 supplies Yantic Eng-32

Taftville Apt Fire, 1 civilian rescued

December 1,2006 At 10:07hrs the Taftville and Occum fire departments were dispatched to a fire alarm at the Wequonnoc Village apartments on North Fifth Ave. ET-21 and Tower 25 responded immediately since crews had just returned from a previous EMS run. ET-21 & Tower 25 crews found a fire on the 3rd floor. Due to about 98 residents still being in the building, a 3rd alarm was requested to assist in evacuating all 98 residents. Bringing in Yantic, Norwich Eng-2, Eng-3, and Tower 1. While ET-21's crew were conducting a size up and primary search of the fire floor, a victim was found in the fire apartment. Tower 25 crew arrived and assisted 21's crew. The victim was removed and brought to awaiting EMS. The fire was held in check by the sprinkler system and the remaining 97 residents were evacuated, 2 others were transported for injuries that occured during the evacuation. The Norwich FMO is investigating.

Taftville ET-21 with Tower 25 in the background

Taftville firefighters Jim Marciano & Dwayne Johns

ET-21 connected into the FDC

Fire damage in the fire apartment

A view of the scene from the fire apartment

Latham St - Groton 2nd Alarm

November 20, 2006 - Just after noon the City of Groton Fire Department with mutual aid from Electric Boat, Poquonock Bridge, Sub base, Center Groton, and Mystic Fire departments responded to the corner of Latham St and Thames St for a fire on the #2 floor. City of Groton and Electric Boat units arrived to find a fire and heavy smoke from a 2 1/2 stry wd dwelling. Crews put a 2 1/2" line in operation to knock down the fire.

Firefighters operate at a 2nd alarm on Latham St in Groton

City of Groton G-15 operates on Latham St

City of Groton FF check on conditions in the attic

PBFD & EBFD firefighters help repack City of Groton G-11

Not to often seen Electric Boat D-11

Franklin - Rt-32 - Propane Incident

November 16,2006 - At around 15:10hrs Franklin Fire Dept with mutual aid from Bozrah responded to the Quiet Corner Resturant on Rt-32 for a propane tank fire. Lebanon Car 206 was at the scene and reported that a 1000lb propane tank's cap had been broken and the gas company was on the scene venting the tank in an attempt to repair. No fire was visible. The gas company reported the tank was 35% full. An additional tanker from Lebanon was added to the assignment. The road was shut down until the gas vaporized and the area was safe. A vapor cloud was scene over the building for the first 20 minutes into the incident. CSP-Troop K & DEP also responded.

A shot of the scene from the upwind side

Franklin Command Car-125 communicates with WW on progress

The gas company working on the tanks

New Fire Video

I have recently completed a new fire video for the Taftville Fire Department. This is my first video and I hope to create more as time from my busy schedule allows. Click on the link below to access this video from the Taftville site. The video should start automatically, sit back and I hope you enjoy the 12 minutes video.

www.taftvillefire.org

Thank you for stopping by Eastern Connecticut Fire!

Baltic House Fire Mid-2002

Since fire activity in the area is slow, I figured I would post this fire that happened sometime in 2002. This fire was originally a bedroom fire on Lucier Ct in Baltic off Rt-207 by MS Chambers Mill. At the time Willimantic dispatched Baltic, Franklin and Occum to this address. Upon arrival of Baltic ET-124, an interior attack was started but 5 minutes into the attack, the room flashed and crews had to back out. Mutual Aid was requested from Lisbon,Bozrah, Scotland and Mohegan Tribal FAST. Water supply was limited in this area of town. Scotland HT-116 laid a 5" line from the scene to the Shetucket River and Lisbon Chief Robinson had a great tanker shuttle going but it was not enough for this Baltic Mill House. Photos are in chronological order

Heavy Fire from #2flr

A hoseline knocks down fire on "C" side porch

Firefighters making entry to #2flr
Good shot of fire progression
Heavy Fire from #2Flr "D" Side

Rt 32 Dump Truck vs Auto - Minor Door Pop

October 5, 2006 - This Afternoon the Mohegan, Montville and MoheganTribal Fire Departments responded to an auto accident at Rt-32 just North of Sandy Desert Rd. (note: Tribal Fire also responds due to a duel response procedure in place) Medic 55 arrived first to find a loaded dump truck had T-Boned a car just north of Sandy Desert Rd. Mohegan and Montville units arrived shortly after and Mohegan Dep Chief (M-20) took command. Luckily no injuries were reported but firefighters from the tribe used their Halomatro spreaders to pop the drivers side door to get the driver out. EMS units obtained refusals. The tribe and Montville units went into service while Mohegan held the scene.

An overview of the scene

A State offical getting ready to move the car

A close up look of the damage to the vehicles

Community House Fire 10/02/06

October 2, 2006 - At 05:09hrs QVEC received a 911 call for a reported house fire at 50 Buckley Hill Rd in the North Grosnerdale section of Thompson. Initial response was Community Fire Co with Mutual aid from Thompson Hill and West Thompson Fire Depts. Community Asst Chief Seney arrived to find heavy fire on "A" side of the building. The first attack line was trained on a 500 lb Propane tank in the rear of the building. 1 civilian was transported by Community Amb for smoke inhalation. The house was completely destroyed and it took firefighters 3 hours to bring the fire under control. Crews alternated interior and ladder pipe operation to contain the fire. The following departments responded Community (Sta81), Thompson Hill (Sta84), West Thompson (Sta-82), Quinebaug (Sta83), East Thompson (Sta85), Muddy Brook (Sta75), East Putnam (Sta79), and Dudley MA E-1. State FMO is investigating the cause.

Heavy Fire on arrival of Eng-181 and ET-181

Heavy Fire Showing

Note the location of the propane tank

Week of September 3rd thru the 9th

This week has been slow for the area on fires but I have a couple of shots of some local incidents I attended.

Town of Montville FF Shawn Ryan and Rich Dole pop a door on this MVA on 395 on Thursday

Mohegan Tribal Firefighters investigate a car fire on wednesday morning

Norwich Firefighters stand-by after this MC vs School Bus Accident on Central Ave on Wednesday

Mohegan Tribal Firefighters sharpen their firefighting skills in this training house on Thursday evening

Salem, Ct Garage Fire

August 26, 2006 - On Saturday evening the Salem and Gardner lake fire departments with mutrual aid from Colchester, Oakdale,Lyme, and the Mohegan Tribal FAST team responded to 72 Witchmeadow Rd for a garage fire with explosions. Salem Ladder-121 arrived and found heavy smoke and fire from the "D" side of a 1 1/2 stry detached garage with an apartment on the 2nd floor. Exterior operations were conducted to knock the fire down. Once the fire was knocked down an interior operation was conducted from the unburned side of the garage. Extensive overhaul was needed to get the fire that had raced thru the eaves of the garage. mutual aid units went into service in about 90 minutes. while Salem and Gardner Lake firefighters overhauled.
(I didn't have my Olympus camera with me, these shots were taken with my HP635 photosmart, which I keep with me at work. I do not recommend this camera, it eats alot of batteries and kills rechargables in a short amount of time. I was only able to take 5 shots before it died, this has been a common accurance with this camera, I'm starting to think it is afraid of fire!)

Salem firefighters ascend Ladder 121 to vent the roof
Salem and Gardner lake firefighters attempt to open the garage door
A Salem firefighter starts a power saw to make an opening in the garage door