REMINDER: If you or anyone you know has flags no longer fit for display, please bring them by our Flag Retirement Box posted outside our headquarters on 366 Elm Street. A ceremony to honorably retire these flags will be held on Saturday, December 9, at 10AM.
ENGINE OPs. While it’s true that some fire engines have specialized functions, such as wildfire suppression and aircraft rescue and firefighting, in our case, the primary job of our Engines 21 and 25 is to deploy hoselines and water at a fire. The secondary job of our engines is operating as a rescue and paramedic service. With several different tools and medical gear, the Engines are dually equipped to handle incidents such as structure fires, accidents, or medical emergencies.
The brief and critique. Before every live fire training evolution there is a safety brief. Everyone needs to know what the training objectives are, what the scenario is, what is simulated, and what is real. After the evolution we pick it apart. What went well? What could have been done better? What problems did we encounter and how did we overcome them. Then we pack up and do it again. And again. And again.
Firefighters are often called upon to enter burning buildings to save lives and property. However, sometimes the situation can become dangerous, and firefighters need to exit the building quickly. This is where bailout training comes in handy. In this training, we learn how to safely exit a building using a variety of techniques.
The brief and critique. Before every live fire training evolution there is a safety brief. Everyone needs to know what the training objectives are, what the scenario is, what is simulated, and what is real. After the evolution we pick it apart. What went well? What could have been done better? What problems did we encounter and how did we overcome them. Then we pack up and do it again. And again. And again.
We now have a U.S Flag retirement box posted directly outside our Center District headquarters. All are welcome to bring flags no longer fit for display and place them into this box. A ceremony to honorably retire these flags will be held at our headquarters located on 366 Elm Street, Saturday, December 9, 10AM.
Spotlight On: Charles “Chuck” Durant began his firefighting career as a volunteer member of North End Hose Company #3 on April 18, 1981. He was later hired by the career department on September 19, 1984. His mechanical expertise was put to good use by the department. You could aways find Chuck under an apparatus helping out the Superintendent. He was also instrumental in the refurbishment of our 1935 Mack. Upon his retirement on July 9, 2004, Chuck moved to Florida with his wife Jackie and went to work for Pierce, once again using his knowledge of fire apparatus. In 2010, Chuck became Fire Commissioner in Bradenton, Florida.
DID YOU KNOW: Traditionally, our ambulances have been called rescues. Why? Originally, because they carried rescue equipment such as extrication tools, and life safety nets amongst other essential tools. We started with a bread truck purchased by the department, and gradually, our rescues evolved into emergency medical response units when the paramedic program was first introduced to West Haven. That bread truck paved the way for what are now two rescues in the Center District, Rescue 27 and Rescue 51.
IN REMEMBERANCE: George Batchelder was one of 7 men hired in 1950 by Chief Johnson to create a third shift. The department then went to a 56-hour work week. The men would work three days followed by two days off and then three nights. In 1964 George was moved off the line to Day Personnel and assisted the Supt. Of Alarms until his retirement in 1968. He died on January 25, 1976.
George’s son-in-law, Tony Esposito would join the department on May 24, 1957, retiring in 1984 at the rank of Lieutenant. George’s Great-grandson, Jason Stacoffe, was a WHFD Volunteer and is currently a member of the Milford Fire Department.
#ThrowbackThursday In 1911, the West Haven Fire Department purchased four pieces of motorized apparatus from the Knox Automobile Company of Springfield MA. Three of these were Chemical Combination Engines but the fourth was a three-wheel tractor that was used to pull West Haven Hook & Ladder’s ladder wagon. Pictured here is Chief Charles Cameron (on right) pulling out of the second Avenue Station, and a nice shot of the apparatus from the side.
