In what was a tri-district training, members of the Center, City of West Haven-Allingtown, and West Shore Districts, gathered at our Elm Street headquarters as Neil Sweeting, Fire Chief of the MTA-Metro North Railroad presented on the key factors to familiarize ourselves with should we in the future need to respond to an emergency on the railway.
On April 23, 2024, our members in conjunction with numerous other agencies including but not limited to the New Haven SHARP Team, West Haven Emergency Dispatch, West Haven Police, West Haven Funeral Home, West Shore Fire Department, American Medical Response and West Haven High School conducted a mock crash meant for two purposes. First and foremost during this prom season, to dissuade students from reckless or impaired driving as the consequences of such a decision could as this drill demonstrated, be tragic and fatal. Second, it reinforced our department’s mission to always ensure our response tactics stay at top form by putting our extrication skills to good use.
Why Do We Call The Ladder Truck a ‘Truck’ But Not The Engine?
It dates back to the early days of the fire service when steam engines or pumpers were drawn by both hand or horse to and from structure fires. Though it would later evolve from steam engines to motors, the terminology would remain the same. The truck on the other hand is referred to as such because of its ladder onboard it whereas the engine does not have one. The truck carries specific technical rescue equipment such as forcible entry, ventilation, and specialized lighting tools meant for removing victims whereas the engine contains equipment exclusively for fighting fire such as water tanks or pumpers and hoses
Scenes from pump operations for our C-Shift members last month. You may notice there were two engines Involved in this training. One being our current Engine 21, the other being our grant funded new Engine 21, obtained through the Federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant which allows us to purchase equipment and apparatus, minimizing taxpayer burden. The new Engine 21 soon will go into service to serve Center District residents.
It was our pleasure to be invited as guest speakers at Amity Regional High School for their career day. On hand as special guests speakers to represent our department were Day Captain Jacob Urban, Firefighter/Paramedic Jeremiah Carrier, and Digital Services Specialist Mike Colón. Each member spoke on their respective roles and the many benefits a career in the fire service can provide. We once again extend our sincere thanks to the staff at Amity Regional High.
We’d like to congratulate Deputy Chief of Administration William Johnson on completing his 39th year with our department.
Chief Johnson began his career with us on March 14, 1985, and has served in several roles over the years including Lieutenant of which he was promoted to on November 7, 2001, Day Captain on May 5, 2020, and his current rank of Deputy Chief on March 23, 2021.
Chief Johnson is one of 8 members to complete 35 years with our department and stands to soon surpass the amount of time his father, late Chief of Department William Johnson Sr. (shown in the second photograph and on the left in the first photograph), served in the Center District at 40 years and 7 months (July 1, 1966 through February 22, 2007)
It was our pleasure to have interns Lane Jackson & Will Glenney aboard for a week as they got a first hand look at how our department operates day-to-day. Another layer of that was provided by D-Shift Firefighter Ed Cooke who showed the two how we utilize the irons forcible entry tool. Maybe these two will join our ranks someday, but no matter where there respective paths may take them we know this, it is an experience neither will ever forget.
The irons for decades has been an essential tool in the fire service, but what’s the history behind it? We detail it here in the latest edition of ‘Did You Know?’
It was a pleasure having Officer Alex Peck, Sergeant Rashae Verner, Thaelly Vargas, and Clinician Jessica Markure on hand for veteran outreach training. Though preparedness is certainly key in the fire service and trainings such as these reinforce that point, so is collaboration, which through this program, we’ve successfully done with the VA. We thank them immensely for their insight and partnership.
At headquarters we formally retired a U.S. Flag in our retirement ceremony for the colors of the nation. Ceremonies such as these have a rich history in America with the tradition dating back to the early days of the United States when flags were made then of natural materials like cotton or wool, making them prone to wear and tear over time. As a result, when a flag became worn, torn, or faded beyond proper use, it was considered necessary to retire it with dignity.
