July 01, 2009 - Submitted by Nicholas & Brieann Rich (Wintergreen News)
Two hikers were rescued by the Albion Fire Department Off-Road Rescue Team Saturday morning after one hiker reportedly fell from a tree. Orleans County E-911 communications Center Dispatcher Wayne Litchfield answered the 911 call around 11:30am Saturday.

It was all a drill, but the skills displayed indicate a high degree of ability and preparedness. Approximately five second into the call the dispatcher informed the callers that he had pinpointed their location on the map and help was on the way while simultaneously providing the Albion Fire Department with turn by turn directions to within five feet of the hikers’ actual location. The Albion Fire Department splinted the hiker’s leg and secured him to a backboard then placed him into their Ski Sled, with a custom wheel kit for warm weather rescue, and transported the hiker out to the roadway where a waiting ambulance was able to transport him to the hospital. This was an actual training scenario practiced by the Albion Fire Department Off-Road Rescue Team, led by Albion Fire Chief Eric Bradshaw, along with the Orleans County E-911 Communications Center Dispatcher Litchfield in preparation for this summers outdoor recreational adventurers.

Bradshaw and Litchfield have the following recommendations for people enjoying the outdoors: Plan Ahead; learn about the area before you go out; study the latest guidebooks and maps to the area; check weather reports before you go out; don’t exceed your physical capabilities; tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return; know the rules and guidelines for appropriate behavior for the area you are visiting; and be sure to carry a small first aid kit, water, a small shelter and matches to build a campfire in the event you are forced to stay out overnight. The highly trained and skilled dispatchers of the Orleans County E-911 Communications Center are able to track GPS enabled cell phones with the centers high tech GPS tracking system. They recommend that outdoor enthusiasts always carry a cell phone with a fully charged battery and help is just a phone call away. PHOTOS

June 29, 2009 - Story and Photos by Jerry Clement
A series of fires in vacant buildings in Eastern Orleans County continued Sunday morning. Sometime after midnight, the Kendall Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire at 16576 Kenmore Road along with mutual assistance companies from Morton, Holley and Hamlin. The front section of a vacant dwelling was completely in flames with extension further into the structure. Kendall Rescue Engine 34 located just past the structure, took a plug at that location, and a blitz line and attack line were stretched a short distance to the burning building. Visible flames were darkened and the hand line was placed in operation to complete overhaul operations. Kendall’s tanker, and a second Kendall engine responded, but were not placed into service. Hamlin Engine 242 was the first mutual assistance company on the scene as they were in service in Holley, standing-by at the Holley Fire Station covering for the Holley Carnival. Rescue 218 and Engine 215 from Morton followed that Hamlin engine into the scene. Kendall command, noting the quick fire containment and size of the structure, released The Hamlin engine from Holley, the Hamlin engine responding as the RIT assignment and a Holley Quint that was also on the road. Hamlin released a Walker engine that was requested to fill-in Hamlin as both Hamlin’s engines were out of service on mutual aid assignments. Kendall and Morton Firefighters remained on the scene to complete overhaul and assist the Orleans County Fire Investigator in his investigation. PHOTOS

June 27, 2009 - Story and Photos by Jerry Clement
At 02:45 Saturday morning the 27th, An automobile traveling at a high rate of speed, failed to stop at the end of the Brick Schoolhouse Road, where it dead ends at the Redman Road, and crashed into a tree and overturned. The Morton Fire Department was dispatched to the incident and responded with Engine 215 and Rescue 218. Hamlin was also dispatched as the mutual assistance company and responded with Rescue 248. Hamlin Ambulance and Medic 42 were dispatched as the EMS portion of the call. No driver or passengers were at the scene when the emergency crews arrived.

As companies were picking-up, a Deputy Sheriff noticed a person walking along Route 18 approximately a mile from the scene. When this person noticed the Sheriff, he ran off into a wooded area. Morton Rescue 218 responded with lighting to aid in the Sheriff’s pursuit of the individual who was not apprehended. The auto was reported stolen from a Hilton address. PHOTOS

June 27, 2009 - from Pat Eick - EMO
COVA will be offering the CME based pilot course in the fall. Agencies will be receiving more information directly from COVA.

There will be an EMT-Basic Original and Refresher Class tentatively starting in August (at COVA) with test out in December.

If there is enough interest, an EMT-Intermediate would start in early September with a test out in January. Notify this office if you are interested in an Intermediate class.

June 22, 2009 - Story and Photos by Jerry Clement
The Brockport Fire Department was dispatched to a porch on fire on White Road at 01:45 this morning. 2C13 arrived on the scene at 01:49 and declared a working fire. Holley was requested to respond as a RIT Team and Hamlin was requested to fill-in at Brockport. 2C23 took command of resources and 2C33 was assigned operations.

Engine 232 was on the scene at 01:55 AM and pulled just past the structure, took a hydrant across from the structure and supplied four 1 ¾ hand lines for fire suppression. Ladder 231 followed Engine 232 into the scene and raised the aerial to the roof. Ground ladders were set around the structure. Engines 234 & 2325 and Rescue 238 also responded from the Village. Hamlin and Clarendon were called to the scene for additional resources and Spencerport and Walker responded to Brockport to cover the district. Brockport and Monroe Ambulances set-up medical and rehab operations and treated one occupant for chest pains.

The external fire was quickly knocked down and an interior attack on both floors soon had all visible fire eliminated. Considerable overhaul was undertaken due to the heavy extension into the structure. Crews went back into service at 04:42 AM. The fire is under investigation by the Monroe County Fire Bureau. PHOTOS

June 21, 2009 - Story by Ron Holzermer AFD PIO, Photos by Nicholas Rich
On Monday afternoon, at approximately 3 PM, Albion Fire Department responded to the report of a motor home fire, near a residence at 14885 Holley Rd, in the Town of Albion. Upon arrival, Chief Eric Bradshaw reported a fully involved motor home near a structure. The Holley FAST team was called, along with mutual aid assistance from the Barre Fire Department. The motor home, a 1999 Winnebago Grand Touring home, was parked adjacent to the garage and home, owned by Robert and Dawn Trolley, at that address. Due to the strong winds, at the time, the fire spread into a two car garage, which was attached to a home. Firefighters quick action, brought the fire under control, saving the home, from eminent danger, however the motor home was destroyed and extensive damage to the garage incurred. The residence and motor home, were not occupied at the time, and a passer-by reported the fire to a neighbor, who called 911. Smoke from the fire, was reported to have been seen, as far as Brockport. The motor home contained all of the Trolley's possessions. Two Siamese cats, were also lost in the fire. Fire investigators are currently investigating the cause of the fire. The Red Cross responded to assist the homeowners, with personal items. PHOTOS

June 21, 2009 - Submitted by Nicholas Rich (Wintergreen News)
Here are some photos of the Auto vs. Pedestrian accident at 1050 Gwinn Street Medina today (6-16-09). Medina Fire Department received the alarm at 2:47pm. The driver of the vehicle said that the cyclist just pulled right in front of her. The cyclist was transported to Medina Memorial Hospital by Medina Fire Department Ambulance for head injuries and later transferred (also by Medina FD Ambulance) to a Buffalo Hospital. PHOTOS

June 21, 2009 - Submitted by Rob Emerson
NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control and NYS Office of Homeland Security are offering $500,000 worth of grants to set up and improve regional technical rescue teams across New York State. The application deadline is July 15, 2009. More info is available here: http://www.dos.state.ny.us/fire/NIMS/grantinfo.htm