By Olivia Drake, HVFCo. Public Information Officer.
AUGUST 2018 REPORT
Haddam Volunteer Fire Company responded to 38 emergency calls in August 2018 including:
Fire/ Alarms: 9
Motor Vehicle Accidents: 9
Medical: 16
Other: 4
This month, HVFC responded to nine motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) within 12 days.
Wet and slippery road conditions were likely the cause of two MVAs on Aug. 4, 2018. At 8:40 a.m., Haddam Fire and Chester Hose Company were dispatched to the first accident on Route 9N between exits 7 and 8. A driver had lost control of his vehicle in the high-speed lane, went off the road and flipped his car. He was taken to Middlesex Hospital via Haddam Volunteer Ambulance Service.
At 1:00 p.m., crews were again dispatched to an accident on Killingworth Road near Soobitsky Drive. A driver lost control of her vehicle and spun off the road. The patient was evaluated on scene and refused additional medical treatment.
HVFC responded to three MVAs on Aug. 6, one of which involved transporting a patient via LIFE STAR.
At 5:15 p.m., a driver lost control of his vehicle, struck a tree and spun into the north-bound lane of Killingworth Road. Upon arrival, firefighters noted that the patient was unconscious and called for LIFE STAR, a critical care helicopter service from Hartford Hospital. The patient was extricated and transported to Haddam-Killingworth High School where firefighters had set up a landing zone. The patient was transported with injuries. Firefighters closed a section of Killingworth Road during the incident and rerouted traffic.
At 4:10 p.m., crews were dispatched to Candlewood Hill Road at the intersection of Foot Hills Road, where they encountered a truck entangled in the power lines and the driver trapped inside the vehicle. The tractor-trailer was hooked onto the phone and cable lines, causing the top of the utility pole to snap. The driver indicated he was not injured and required no medical assistance. Once Eversource personnel arrived and secured the power, firefighters were able to extricate the driver through the passenger-side door.
HVFC responded to another accident at 2 p.m. on Route 9 South between exits 8 and 9. The driver was transported to Middlesex Hospital.
At 12:15 p.m. Aug. 9, Haddam Volunteer Fire Company responded to a MVA on Route 9 South between exits 7 and 8. A driver lost control of his vehicle, swerved off the road and flipped on the passenger’s side of the vehicle. Upon arrival, firefighters used tools to break the back window of the vehicle and gain access. Firefighters helped the driver out of the vehicle. The patient was transported to Middlesex Hospital via Haddam Volunteer Ambulance Service. Crews from Chester Hose Company and Colchester Fire Department provided mutual aid at the scene. The left lane of traffic was closed during the incident.
The final MVA of the month occurred at 4:10 a.m., Aug. 15 on Walkley Hill Road. A delivery driver lost control of his commercial vehicle and struck a utility pole, causing the pole to snap. Upon arrival, the driver was out of the vehicle and alert. He was evaluated on scene, but refused additional medical treatment.
On Aug. 10, Haddam Fire was dispatched for drowning with CPR in progress. Upon arrival, a private boat was pulling into the dock area at Haddam Meadows State Park with the patient. Two firefighters, who happened to be on the river at that time, assisted in CPR on and off for approximately 15 minutes prior to getting the patient to the dock. Once the patient’s boat was recovered and removed from the water, DEEP took over the scene.
On Aug. 25, HVFC responded to Seven Falls State Park for a reported brush fire near the power lines. Crews accessed the fire, which had an approximate 75-foot spread, from a nearby utility road. Firefighters used booster reels off Utility Vehicle 9-13 and 7-13 to extinguish the fire. The Haddam Fire Marshal was requested to investigate the cause.
In August, HVFC also responded to a bee sting reaction, sparking and burning wires, and multiple automatic fire alarms.
TRAINING
On Aug. 19, six members of Haddam Volunteer Fire Company participated in a tanker shuttle drill hosted by East Haddam Fire Department. In areas where hydrants are scarce, firefighters draft and deliver water to a site near the fire.
On Aug. 20, members of HVFC participated in a roof ventilation drill at the company’s training building at Station 1. Firefighters may ventilate a roof during a structure fire to expel smoke and heat from a building during a firefighting operation. By reducing these conditions, firefighters can more easily attack the fire or find and assist trapped individuals. During the drill, members worked in teams to erect a 24-foot ladder, climb onto a roof, and then use a rescue saw – similar to a small chainsaw – to cut through the roof and create a ventilation hole.
MEMBERSHIP
Who will answer the call? HVFC is seeking volunteers to serve the role of firefighter and fire police. The HVFC Junior Division also has five openings for members. E-mail membership@haddamfire.org for more information or visit haddamfire.com.