Author: Mike Colon

December 6, 2023 in History

SPOTLIGHT ON: Day Captain Jacob Urban

SPOTLIGHT ON: Day Captain Jacob Urban is responsible for training, safety, and wellness here at the West Haven Fire Department. Captain Urban hails originally from Indiana and began his career in emergency response in Kentucky where he graduated with a degree in paramedicine from Eastern Kentucky University and worked as a firefighter/paramedic for the City of Winchester, KY. Coming to Connecticut in 2007, he first worked as a paramedic for an ambulance corps before being hired by our department on September 8, 2009. For the first 10 years, he worked as a firefighter before his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant on February 12, 2019.

He was later promoted to Day Captain on July 27, 2021, where in his current role, he heads the department’s training division, where he has and continues to work closely with both firefighters and fellow fire officers on various training initiatives.

December 6, 2023 in What We're Up To

The Lifesaving Lucas Devices

One of the several grants we were awarded last year allowed for the purchase of three cardiac defibrillators and two Lucas CPR devices.

While WHFD has had a single Lucas in service for many years on Rescue 27, and recently found funds for a second, studies have shown just how effective and important these devices are for maximizing the chance of surviving cardiac arrest. They free up a rescuer, they provide higher quality compressions than a person ever could, and most importantly, they never stop or get tired or distracted.

We are thankful that the funds awarded through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program allow us to put these critical devices on every medical response unit in the Center District.

November 29, 2023 in Announcements

REMINDER: Flag Retirement Ceremony at Center District HQ

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.

November 29, 2023 in What We're Up To

Engine Ops.

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.

November 21, 2023 in What We're Up To

What We’re Up To: The Briefing

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.

November 21, 2023 in What We're Up To

What We’re Up To: Bailout Training

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.

November 20, 2023 in What We're Up To

The Post Training Brief

November 16, 2023 in Announcements

Worn U.S. Flags Can Be Dropped Off at our Headquarters

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.

November 15, 2023 in History

Spotlight On: Charles “Chuck” Durant

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.

November 14, 2023 in History

DID YOU KNOW? The History of Our Rescues

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.