On Tuesday, June 23 members of the Hamlin and Walker Fire Departments took part in a drill designed to review basic extrication skills using tools from each department. The Hamlin, Walker and Morton Fire Departments have a strong mutual aid agreement regarding MVA’s where a rescue from the next closest department gets called automatically to serious accidents. This allows the incident commander to have additional tools and skilled manpower quickly at all times of the day and night.

The June 23 drill was headed by Hamlin Chief Tom Sercu and involved a demonstration car, and one car each for the Hamlin and Walker firefighters to rip apart. The drill began with a review of the types and locations of the various tools needed on Hamlin’s 248 heavy rescue truck and Walkers squad. Then each department went to work on their car using the other department’s tools. Each department did simple door pops then a side blitz followed by a half then a whole roof removal.

Mid-way through everyone took a break to watch Capt. Gross and Firefighter Jessie Seeler perform a “Dade County” steering wheel removal. This was a technique that they learned at an advanced auto extrication class in Dayton Ohio.

The Hamlin and Walker Fire Departments have several more joint drills planned to increase our familiarity with each others equipment and practices so the mutual assist calls we have go safely and smoothly.

Story, some photo's and movie by John Deserto. Other photo's by Chief Tom Maier
 

On Tuesday June 30, the Hamlin Fire Department had a pumper relay – water supply drill. The following are some pictures taken during the drill.

On Tuesday June 30 the Hamlin Fire Department hosted about 20 young folks from the Town of Hamlin’s Summer Recreation Program. The morning started with Engine 243 and Heavy Rescue truck 248 going to the town hall to pick up the “rec. kids”. Then after a ride back up to the firehouse the tour begins with a short walk though the radio room and bunk room. The bunk beds were a big hit! Then to the meeting room for a presentation explaining what the fire department does, which jobs the different trucks do, fire prevention and general safety guidelines. Along the way everyone got a chance to participate in a bunker gear donning race (35 seconds was the record). Then after a short snack break it was off to the truck room to look at the equipment and get a closer look at all the trucks. The thermal imaging cameras and the hydraulic tools were the most popular items here. By this time the heat of the day was building so we cooled off with a fire hose demonstration. Then everyone got back on the trucks and got dropped off back at the town hall.

The folks from Hamlin Recreation had great questions and lots of them, which is outstanding, and had a fun time. The firefighters involved with the tour had plenty of smiles all morning. A great big thank you goes to Nicole Sercu and all the counselors from Hamlin Recreation who always do a great job with the kids. Another thank you to firefighter John Hohman for driving the campers back and forth and explorer Hannah Deserto for assisting with the whole tour.

Groups or individuals wishing to tour the Hamlin Fire Department should contact John Deserto, Hamlin FD Public Information Officer at mandurr@earthlink.net or call 964-2330.
 

During the morning of June 27 Hamlin’s heavy rescue truck went mutual assist to both Morton and Walker on back-to-back MVA calls. 248 was requested to go to Morton at 02:38 for a one car roll over MVA at the intersection of Brick Schoolhouse Road and Redman Rd. While in route to this call 248 was updated that there was no sign of any victims at the crash site. The Monroe County Sheriffs began a search of the area for the missing driver. After a short wait 248 was released and headed back to the firehouse. While returning on Route 18, 248 came up on a deputy searching a section of the woods and a field for the missing driver and offered to help. After lighting the area, the crew “beat the bushes” looking for the driver. After a short search a K-9 unit was dispatched from RPD and the crew of 248 continued to light the scene for the search.

At 03:58 while the search for the missing driver in Morton was winding down, another MVA occurred on Route 18 in the Walker Fire District. Hamlin Heavy Rescue 248 was also called mutual assist to this incident. On route to this call an updated report stated that it was a 2 car head on accident with one vehicle on fire and the driver of the other vehicle possibly trapped. Once on location an additional update confirmed that no one was trapped but there was a car fire. The crew of 248 and 2C-24 spent a little time trying to contain and suppress the engine compartment fire with dry chemical extinguishers while Walkers 284 and crew prepared a hand line. The Walker crew made very short work of the car fire.

The victims were transported to the hospital by Hamlin Ambulance with ALS support from Monroe’s Medic 42. It is unknown if the driver from the Morton MVA was ever located.
 

Photo's and movie by Jerry Clement and Tony Deserto

Story by John Deserto

On Saturday June 6, the Hamlin Fire Department responded to an MVA on Route 19. Squad 2418 called on location with a two car accident with five victims, two of them trapped. Hamlin Ambulance and the crew of 2418 began patient care. Heavy Rescue 248 arrived and the crew immediately deployed the Genesis hydraulic cutters and spreaders, the TNT combination tool from 2418 and stabilized both cars. Engine 243 provided fire suppression and manpower for the extrication operation. The most critical patient was the driver of the southbound car who had severe head injuries. The roof was removed and she was removed and taken to Strong Hospital by Mercy Flight. The passenger of the northbound car was extricated by removing the roof, making a third door and removing the driver seat. This patient had head and chest injuries and was taken to Strong ALS.

The driver of the northbound car was shaken by the impact but not seriously injured. Walker provided an engine for the Mercy Flight landing zone. There was a substantial crowd drawn to the scene due to it’s location and the Wheelfest celebration. Route 19 was closed for several hours while the Sheriffs Department collected information.

Story by John Deserto
Photo’s by Tony Deserto and several others

On Tuesday May 26 the Hamlin Fire Department burned 3 cars to review the techniques needed to safely extinguish car fires. This live fire drill gave many of the newer members and the explorers a chance to handle a line and practice on a real car fire.


Story by John Deserto

Photo's by Anthony Deserto

On Saturday May 23 the Brockport Fire Department invited the Hamlin Fire Department to join them in a live fire drill. The donated building was prepared and crews from all the participating departments had multiple opportunities to extinguish the fires and conduct room searches. When all the companies had rotated through the building, it was set on fire one last time and allowed to burn to the ground. Hamlin crews received additional training in tanker operations.

Story by John Deserto

Photo's by Jerry Clement

On Tuesday May 19 the Hamlin Fire Department spent the evening reviewing and practicing the equipment and procedures needed to free victims from entrapment following and accident. The department frequently reviews these skills due to the complex nature of these events.
 

Story by John deserto

Photo's by Anthony Deserto and Anthony Dinatali

On Monday May 11, the Brockport Fire Department invited the Hamlin Fire Department, along with Kendall and Holley, Explorers to a live burn training drill. The drill consisted of four stations that the four departments rotated. A landowner had donated a barn that had already collapsed for the live burn. The Hamlin Explorers started on a line with an Task Force Tip automatic nozzle and got to spend time learning it’s operation and practiced advancing lines. They next station was at the tanker/port-a-pond/fill site. The Explorers got some basic information on drafting operations and pump operations. The next station was on a Blitzfire nozzle where they again had time to learn its operation and could compare it to the TFT automatic nozzle. The last station was the smooth bore nozzle and the comparisons to the other nozzles were discussed. At this time Brockport command ordered the barn to be extinguished and the Hamlin Explorers got plenty of practice advancing a handline around and through the debris of the barn.

A great deal of thanks goes to the Brockport Fire Department for opening up this unique training experience to the Hamlin Explorers. They learned a great deal about firefighting equipment, methods and teamwork. The final teamwork effort was pushing the Hamlin FD van out of the homeowners front yard. They did great after I got it stuck.

Story and photo’s by John Deserto
 

On Tuesday May 12 an engine company from Hamlin participated in an Orleans County East Battalion drill. The goal of the drill was to test the water flow around the high school in Kendall. This drill was the first of many that will incorporate Hamlin personnel and equipment with departments in Eastern Orleans County to enhance interoperability.
 

May 3, 2009 – Early Afternoon

A person walking on Lake Road noticed smoke coming from a woods and called 911 to report a brush fire. Engine 242 and Grass Fire Jeep 247 responded to Beezers on Railroad Avenue, where the smoke could be seen. It was determined that the site could be reached down a long lane off of Lake Road and Engine 247, a brush rig on a jeep chassis, was able to reach the scene of the fire, which had spread from a smoldering camp fire.

Using 2 cans, and two tanks of water on 247, the fire was controlled and all hot spots were dampened down. Engine 242 was used to refill the jeep as Engine 243 stood by.

Photo’s and story by Jerry Clement
 

The Hamlin FD hosted an EVOC class on May 2-3. Assistant Chief Tom Maier took all these pictures.

Hamlin Captain Mike Gross and Firefighter Jesse Seeler graduated from Firefighter One class that was held in Orleans County. The class was also attended by other Monroe County firefighters from Morton and Brockport, as well as fire fighters from Niagara and Orleans Counties. Special thanks to Past Hamlin Chief Ralf Kurzkowski for taking these pictures and passing them on.
 

Mike Maier is in the middle of his Firefighter One class at the Monroe County Public Safety Training Facility. His father, Hamlin Assistant Chief Tom Maier was on hand when Mike’s class was doing a live fire rotation for car fires and propane tank fires. Mike has several more weeks to go before he graduates.

Photo’s by Tom Maier
 

Approximately 7:15 PM – May 1, 2009

At approximately 7:15 PM, an automobile, with a single occupant, skidded off the Roosevelt Highway as it approached the Redman Road, crossed two lawns, missed a pole and came to rest on its side. The Morton Fire Department and the Hamlin Ambulance were dispatched. The driver was trapped in the vehicle and reported to be unconscious.

2C11 arrived, assumed command and requested Hamlin’s Rescue 248 to the scene. Morton’s Rescue 218 arrived with the Hamlin Ambulance and patient care was started while the car was stabilized and extrication equipment set-up. 2C21 directed operations and 2C14 entered the vehicle to aid in stabilizing the patient during extrication.

Hamlin’s rescue arrived and the two companies removed the roof of the vehicle provided access to the patient. Also responding to the scene was Morton’s Engine and Squad and Monroe ALS.

The patient was transported to Strong by Hamlin Ambulance with medical assistance from the Barnard Fire Department while enroute.

Story and Photo’s by Jerry Clement