Eastern Connecticut Fire: June 2006

Downed Wire Safety

On Sunday June 25, 2006, Taftville was dispatched to wires down on Old Canterbury Turnpike. As most of you know I'm a BIG fan of wires down calls, "I just love them!!!" those that work with me know sometimes I make fun of some departments who respond to these types of calls calling them, "a waste of time" or "Bullsh*t" we (Taftville) don't respond to that many wires down but this one was of interest. As you can see in photo #2 a tree branch fell onto some primary electrical wires causing them to fall on the ground. A primary wire was down in the front yard of a house and every once in a while we would see flames coming from that down wired photo#3. I have always had alot of respect for electricity, I still do. If there is any chance of it being energized I'm out of there!! I let the professionals handle it! Once Norwich Public Utilities arrived at the scene,the crew shut off the power to the lines at the breakers and after examining the area we found these interesting marks left by the downed power lines. (Photos 4&5) Thanks to Eric Benoit for the last 2 photos.
The lesson learned is #1 Secure the area and deny entry #2 Stay the hell back as far as possible! (rule of thumb 2 telephone poles away, and #3 let the professionals handle the situation. We don't like it when some puts out our fires so why would we want to play with electricity

Taftville Firefighters keep their distance. Wouldn't you!!!!!

Smoke and some fire emits from the branch and the ground

The energized power line

Evidence of the destructive power of electricity

House Fire - 36 Leah Ave - Griswold

June 21,2006 - At 23:30hrs the Griswold FD with mutual aid from Jewett City, Voluntown, Lisbon and The Taftville FAST repsonded to 36 Leah Ave for a Structure fire. Griswold's Car-155 (Jeff Poitras) was first on scene and reported heavy fire on side's "C" and "D". The occupant was out of the dwelling upon FD arrival and was later transported to the Backus Hopsital for eval. The fire grew in such intensity due to numereous oxygen bottles located in the area of the fire ignited. The fire was brought under control in 2 hours with no firefighters injuried.

Note:These photos were taken late due to me being at a earlier fire at the casino. I do not have photos of that fire due to a strict tribal policy of photo taking during incidents on the property. Maybe someone else may have some photos to share of that incident.

Griswold, Jewett City, Lisbon,Voluntown and Taftville Firefighters work a house fire

A shot of the "D" side with R-455 in background

Community Lawn Mower Fire

June 13, 2006 - at 09:20hrs QV emergency communications dispatched the Community Fire Co. of Thompson to a lawn mower fire at 43 Buckley Hill Rd. Service-181 was broken in to it's first fire call. Upon Arrival of Service-181 under the command of Car-381 )James Seney) a handline was stretched and the fire was almost knocked down when the gas tank let go on the tractor intensifing the fire. A dry chemical extinguisher was used to control the Class "B" fire. Units went into service there after. Service-181 replaces Forestry 181. Service-181 is a 2006 Ford F-450 forestry/first response vehicle for Community Fire Co. This unit was placed into service on May 21,2006

Community Fire Co Service-181

Community Dep Chief Rocky Navarro (Car-181) and a Community Firefighter return the handline to service 181

Norwich Drowning 06/16/06

June 16, 2006 - A evening outing at the Yantic Falls turned tragic at around 18:00hrs when a Norwich man slip and fell in the water. At 18:05hrs Norwich's Eng-3, Truck-1, Service-1 w/Boat were dispatched for a drowning at the Yantic Falls off Yantic St. Squad-A was clearing an EMS run and Eng-2 were added to the assignment. Norwich Eng-3 arrived first at the upper falls to assess the situation. A male had fallen into the water and had gone under the water at the base of the upper falls. Norwich crews secured safety lines across the river and denied access to the river of rescue personnel due to rough currents in the river. The CSP dive team was dispatched to the scene and arrived at around 18:55hrs. 1 Victim was transported to Backus for evaluation of a unknown medical condition. At around 21:45hrs CSP divers recovered the victim and brought him to shore.

Norwich's Eng-3 and Eng-2 with an American Ambulance

Norwich Police officer Kevin Wilber,Firefighter Mark Sicuzo and Capt Brad Keltonic

A Norwich Firefighter throws a safety line across the river

Norwich Firefighters dressed out in cold water suits secure safety lines

Norwich - Car vs Fire Hydrant 06/13/06

June 13, 2006 - At around 12:15hrs Norwich's Squad-A was dispatched to IFO 140 Broad St for a car vs fire hydrant w/injuries. while enroute "the Squad" came across a car vs fire hydrant IAO 150 Washington St by Broad St. American transported the occupants BLS to Backus while the Squad check for hazards from the car. The fire hydrant was flowing water and Norwich public utilities were on scene to control the water.
Note: since Washington st is a highly traveled road by casino patrons, numerous times have 911 callers given the wrong location of incidents due to being unfamiliar with the area as most of us know!

Squad-A, NPD, and American work the congested scene on Washington St

Water flows freely from the broken fire hydrant

Squad-A crew attempt to open the hood to control the batteries

Plainfield Water Rescue 06/05/06

June 5, 2006 - The Atwood Hose Fire company in the Wauregan section of Plainfield was dispacthed for a water rescue on the quinebaug river at around 14:30hrs. 1 victim had walked out of the woods to summon help while another victim was still in the water traveling down the river towards Canterbury. The command post was established on Rt-205 at the bridge. Rescue boats were launched at the Quinebaug fish hatchery. The 2nd victim was able to get to shore and summon help near North Canterbury Road in Canterbury. Both victims refused treatment and all units were accounted for and went into service. Stations that responded were Atwood Hose, Moosup, Central Village,Plainfield, Mortlake, Oneco, Canterbury, South Dive Team, CSP-Troop D, and many other department who were cancelled enroute

Canterbury Firefighters stretches rescue rope across the river Connecticut State Police Air-7 searches the river for the victim
Canterbury Rescue-593 stands by at at the park by the river

The stretch of river is from RT-205 to RT-14

Colchester Live Burn 06/04/06

June 4, 2006 - Tha Taftville and Canterbury fire departments conducted a joint live fire training drill at a burn house in Colchester. Taftville and Canterbury firefighters sharpened their skills on fire suppression, search & rescue, thermal imaging techniques, an other fireifgting skills. On behalf of both the Taftville and Canterbury fire departments we would like to thank Colchester for their time and energy it took to let us conduct this live fire training opportunity.