What We’re Up To

Just as important as responding to emergency calls is making sure our apparatus is always in the best condition to do so. In charge of that is Superintendent of Apparatus Tony Capuano seen here working diligently to maintain one of our engines. Affectionately known around the firehouse as Tony Cap, he has been our Superintendent of Apparatus since 2013 and has over 40 years of experience in working on fire apparatus, having previously served as Superintendent of Apparatus for the New Haven Fire Department from 1981 until 2013.

Scenes from last week as members of the Center and West Shore Districts operated at the scene of a 2-alarm structure fire. Despite the sweltering heat, members still performed exceptionally, knocking down the fire before any significant damage could occur. The fire remains under investigation and thankfully no one was hurt.

Members of the Center District preparing for entry during a call last week for a reported car fire inside an auto shop. Though thankfully the fire was small and quickly extinguished, our personnel as always remains prepared to help any way they can

Chances are if you’re a firefighter in a truck company, you will find yourself on the roof at some point during your career. In a structure fire, members have assigned positions to the roof. The reason? Often during fire operations, members will be sent to the roof to assess conditions and if needed, ventilate the roof by cutting a hole in the roof utilizing specialized saws, allowing for smoke to ventilate upward and greatly improving conditions for firefighters operating inside the structure. Just another of several prongs that comprise fire attack, roof operations serve a vital role in aiding fire suppression and member safety.

THE CAN:

During initial fire attack and overhaul operations, particularly in situations where a hose line is not yet deployed or necessary, the firefighter carrying and operating the water can, a portable fire extinguisher, swiftly addresses small fires, prevents the spread of flames, and provides support to the hose team by controlling hotspots and flare-ups. As operations at a box alarm progress, the value of an effective can operator increases. By tackling the small scale fires like B-Shift Firefighter Jake Gannon prepares to do here, overall operations go much quicker and smoother.

THE FIRE MEDIC:

In many fire departments across the country including the Center District, firefighters have dual responsibilities. Fire suppression and also emergency medical care. The exact roles are titled as either Firefighter/Paramedic or Firefighter/EMT. As can tragically be the case at times, firefighters arrive to scenes where there are downed victims or as can also unfortunately occur, firefighters are injured during these operations. Enter the Fire Medic. Besides their extensive training in firefighting, medics can also provide critical care on-site, addressing both medical conditions and trauma situations as A-Shift Firefighter Kyle Lang prepares to do here. In a field such as emergency response, being dual skilled is a must which is why we put just as much attention to detail into the medical component of emergency response as much as we do the firefighting component.

Members of the Center District C-Shift along with mutual aid from the City of West Haven-Allingtown and West Shore Districts operated on July 12 at a structure fire in the 90 block of Stevens Ave. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and thankfully neither firefighters nor civilians were injured.

Footage Credit: On Scene Media New Haven County

Our members were dispatched to a utilities emergency in the area of Platt and Sorensen. Later determined to be an electrical malfunction, our personnel nonetheless were quick to respond and ready to immediately spring into action. Though the temperatures were sweltering, our members still donned their fire gear and operated, ensuring to stay plenty hydrated throughout. With the current heat advisory, we encourage all of you to do the same. Stay hydrated, stay cool, and most of all stay safe everyone!