Surry Fire Department

2007 KME Excel 1250 pump, 1500 tank, 10KW onboard generator, 1000' 4" hose and 25 gallons class A foam.

Photo by Dick Bartlett

Wardsboro, Vt

Pierce Contender on an International 4400 series chassis, with a stainless steel body. It has a 1250 gpm pump and a 1250 gal poly tank. A Harrison 6kw hydraulic generator, pre-piped deluge gun, 30 gal "class A" foam cell.

Barn Fire in Lyndeborough

The Lyndeborough Fire Department was dispatched to a fully involved barn fire at 0556 on March 30. A 2nd alarm was requested at 0602 with mutual aid companies from Greenfield and Francestown being requested. A 3rd alarm was struck at 0604 bringing mutual aid from Deering, Wilton, Greenville, Mt Vernon, Peterboro and Bennington. The fire was under control at 0810. Photos provided by Mickey Leavitt

LP Gas leak in Peterborough, NH

Peterborough Fire Department was dispatched to an LP gas odor in the area of the Peterborough Plaza on Wilton Road at 0818. A second alarm was struck at 0836 bringing Mutual Aid departments to the scene from Dublin and Jaffrey. Meadowood and Hancock covered the Peterborough Station. Rindge covered the Jaffrey station. All photos by George Brown

Heartline Stove Shop Fire

Jaffrey Fire Department responded to a reported building fire on North Street at 0450 March 22, 2007. 4 minutes into the call a second alarm was requested for a fully involved building fire. Additionally 5 extra tankers were requested.

Jaffrey was assisted at the scene by mutual aid companies from Dublin, Peterboro, Rindge, New Ipswich, Fitzwilliam, Meadowood, Hancock, Harrisville, Troy, and Winchendon. The Greenville Fire Department covered Jaffrey, and Ashby covered Rindge.

The fire was declared under control at 0658

Photo by Ron Clace

Photo by George Brown

Photo by George Brown

Photo by George Brown

2 alarms on arrival in Walpole.

At 0241 hrs dispatch took a call of a reported house fire across from 29 North River Rd. Units arrived on scene to find heavy fire in a 2 story house with attached garage and requested a 2nd alarm. Two 2 1/2 lines were streched to attack the garage, and 2 1/34 lines were stretched in the house. Crews on the roof found themselves dealing with a metal standing seem roof that had been put over a asphalt shingled roof with about a 8 inch gap between the two. The interior crews dealt with 4 different layers of ceiling which hampered the firefighting efforts for quite awhile.The fire was under control in just a little over an hour. Crews from Westminster,Bellows Falls assited on scene while North Walpole covered the Wapole station. Two firefighters received minor injuries while operating at the fire.

Keene reponds to CVS for a car into the building.

On Friday at around 12:27 dispatch began taking calls for a report of a car into the building at 268 West St the CVS Pharmacy. 19 Rescue 1 and 19A2 along with 19C3 arrived to find a mini-van about 3 feet into the building.

While the crew from the ambulance checked on the driver,the crew from the rescue began to evacuate the building and check on the structure. Crews found an odor in the building and requested that 19 Ladder 2 to the scene. Crews checked the building and the roof and determined the odor was from the tires of the van when it spun of the sidewalk. Units remained on scene for about an hour before clearing. Photo's by Dispatcher Collier.

Double Fatal in Charlestown,Nh.

On February 7th at 15:47hrs, Dispatch began receiving calls for a 2 car mva Rt 12 in front of Welen Eng with entrapment.

First arriving units found 2 cars with heavy damage and entrapment with a total of 3 patients ,2 critical and 1 DOA. At that time Command(Chief Stoddard) requested jaws from Springfield and Bellows Falls Fire Departments and both DHART helicopters.With all hands committed an engine out of North Walpole was requested to assit with the landing zone.

Dispatched has been advised that the driver of the other vehicle died a few days later.

Mayday Policy

Southwestern New Hampshire District Fire Mutual Aid System Standard Operating Guideline

Subject: Mayday ---Rescue of Lost/Distressed Firefighter

Purpose: To identify the procedures for the Communication Specialist to implement in the declaration of a MAYDAY incident, a report trapped or lost firefighters.

Scope: The rescue of trapped or lost firefighters in a burning or collapsed building is especially time sensitive. There is a very narrow window of survivability for a firefighter who is out of SCBA air supply and trapped by approaching fire or heavy structural members. Additionally, it is extraordinarily difficult to control the well intentioned actions of would be rescuers. However, the risks and disadvantages associated with not controlling the fire ground activity effectively during this time cannot only hinder the operation; it may actually contribute to firefighter fatalities. Therefore it is vital for dispatch to work as a team with Command to take appropriate actions and make concise decision to increase survivability. This policy is designed to prepare all personnel on what actions to take in case a MAYDAY is declared while they are on duty.

Policy: 1. Declaring a MAYDAY:

1.1 The radio message “MAYDAY” will be used by lost or trapped firefighters to report their status as being in trouble and needing rescue. This message will be transmitted from the distressed firefighter on the tactical channel to Command. Command will notify Dispatch on the dispatch frequency.

1.2 If the distressed emergency responder cannot communicate verbally, the portable radio Emergency button shall be activated.

1.3 By the company officer, group or division officer, or other member who cannot account for an assigned firefighter who is operating in the hazard zone. This “MAYDAY” would generally occur following a PAR that fails to locate/account for the suspected lost member. PAR stands for Personnel Accountability Roll, a procedure used in conjunction with the incident organization chart and the Personnel Accountability System to verify the accountability of all personnel on the scene of an incident.

1.4 By a member who witnesses or has confirmed that a firefighter is lost or in trouble.

2. Communication Specialist Responsibilities:

2.1 Command will advise that a “MAYDAY” has been declared and provide a brief progress report.

2.2 Dispatch will put an alert tone (#2 on console) out on tactical frequency (if possible) and advise all personnel a “MAYDAY” has been declared and only radio traffic pertinent to the incident will be permitted. The alert will also be broadcast over the dispatch frequency to advise personnel. Assigned an additional tactical frequency for all other radio traffic not related to the MAYDAY incident.

2.3 A communication Specialist will be assigned to monitor the tactical channel of the MAYDAY Event. If frequency is no in console use the Astro Radio in the center of console.

2.4 Immediately notify Command of radio emergency button activation and treat as a MAYDAY event until proven otherwise. Provide all pertinent information known about the unit I.D.

2.5 If the firefighter comes up on an unassigned channel, Command shall be advised and Dispatch shall remain with the firefighter on that channel. Never Ask the Firefighter to Change Channels.

2.6 Immediately dispatch the Next Greater Alarm Assignment including an extra ALS unit and RIT unit. RIT stands for Rapid Intervention Team.

2.7 Notify units when MAYDAY event has been concluded by Command.

Charlestown MVA with Entrapment.

On Jan 15,2007, at 1300hrs The Charlestown Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a motor vehicle accident RT12 in the area of the transfer station. Upon arriving untis they found a Ford Explorer that struck a flat bed wrecker head on with heavy intrapment. At this time The Springfield Fire Department was dispatched for their jaws.

Due to the patient's injuries DHART Helicopter was requested but due to the weather they were unavailable. The patient was transported by The Charlestown Ambulance.