Personnel responded to sixty-seven calls for emergency assistance including 44 medical emergencies, 1 structure fire, 1 fuel boiler fire, 1 vehicle fire, 1 hazardous condition, 4 motor vehicle accidents, 0 service calls, 2 good intent calls, and 4 alarm activations. Two of the calls were simultaneous responses.

Trainings during December included: a live burn in Chichester, EMS training – review of Stair Chair; Combined Training – Ice Rescue; and an Officer’s training.

Six code consultations, 1 foster care home inspection, 1 Place of Assembly, 3 follow up inspections, 1 code inspection, 1 fire investigation and 2 oil burn inspections were conducted.

Several members participated at the H1N1 Point of Distribution at NHTI in Concord. Members of the Department assisted at the Chamber’s Annual Tree Lighting.

Safety Tip: Always use caution when venturing out on to a frozen lake or pond. As the temperature changes, ice melts and freezes at an uneven rate. Dark snow and ice are signs of weak spots. Avoid thin, clear or honeycomb shaped ice. Travel with a partner and stay away from deep areas.

November 2009

Fire Crier Newsletter

Department Calendar

November 2009

During the month of November, fifty-six calls for emergency assistance were received. Fire and EMS personnel responded to 39 medical emergencies, 2 structure fires, 1 outside rubbish fire, 4 motor vehicle accidents, 3 hazardous conditions, 4 service calls, 1 good intent call, and 2 alarm activations. One of the calls was a simultaneous response.

Congratulations to Dep. Chief Deane on completing the Fire & Emergency Services Instructor 1 program.

Members participated in monthly trainings including: EMS – Scene Scenario review; ICS Review; Fire Ground Hydraulics; and continuing in-service/on-duty staff training.

During November, 10 code consultations, 3 follow up inspections, 1 code inspection, 1 fire investigation, 2 woodstove installation inspections, 1 Haz-Mat consultation, and 1 oil burner permit inspection were conducted. Twenty-seven Permits to Kindle a Fire were issued. A monthly Department was held.

October 2009

Fire Crier Newsletter

October 2009

During the month of October, fifty-five calls for emergency assistance were received. Fire and EMS personnel responded to 39 medical emergencies, 1 structure fire, 1 chimney fire, 2 motor vehicle accidents, 5 service calls, 4 good intent calls, and 3 alarm activations. Four of the calls were simultaneous responses.

Our appreciation goes to Lt. Nick Abell and several members who planned and assisted with Fire Prevention Week programs and our annual Open House. Thank you to members of the community who joined us and to those who made contributions.

Members have recently participated in many trainings including: Forcible Entry Techniques; Pre-planning response; EMS Equipment Familiarization; Drafting Operations; and a weekend long EMT Refresher training. Chief Johnson and several members were active in the planning and implementation of a Point of Distribution (POD) drill held in Northwood.

During October, 8 code consultations, 11 follow up inspections, 2 code inspections, 2 fire inspections, and 3 oil burner permit inspections were conducted. Sixty Permits to Kindle a Fire were issued. A monthly Department was held. Annual pump test have been conducted on Engine 1, Engine 2 and Tanker 2, with all apparatus passing. Construction on an outdoor fuel storage shed has been completed with the assistance of the Merrimack County House of Corrections.

The proposed 2010 budget has been submitted to the Selectboard and Budget Committee. Should you have questions or concerns regarding the fire and rescue service proposed budget or to learn more about the department, please stop by the station or call Chief Johnson at 435-6807.

September 2009

Fire Crier Newsletter

August and September 2009

Seventy-three calls for emergency assistance were received during August and sixty-six calls were received in September.

We have recently welcomed several new Per Diem staff members to the organization – EMT-I Kristina Cole, EMT-I Brian Cottrell, and EMT-I Casluh Tourigny. Matthew Woodbury recently joined the department as an on-call firefighter.

Congratulations to Kenneth White and Peter Pszonowsky who recently obtained EMT-B certification! Tim Ahearn, Lyle Deane, Stephen LaPorte and Matt Woodbury are currently enrolled in the Fire Fighter I program and we wish them success.

Members have recently participated in many trainings including: Drafting Techniques; Water Rescue; Hose Leads/Deployment; CPR Refresher; and an EMS Review of Lifting/Use of Stair Chair and Cots. Several members are active in refresher trainings and have reviewed the use of SCBA, the Air Bag system, cascade breathing air filling system, and also had a tour of the dispatching center at Concord Fire Alarm.

During July and August, 17 code consultations, 16 follow up inspections, 6 code inspections, 2 oil burner permit inspections, 1 foster care inspection, and 1 fire investigation were conducted. Ninety-two Permits to Kindle a Fire were issued. Two Department meetings and 1 Officers drill were held. Many members assisted with providing coverage during Balloon Rally weekend, the PMHS Homecoming bonfire, and participated in the National Night Out. Chief Officers have represented the community by attending a Central NH Forest Fire Warden meeting, and planning for a Statewide Point of Distribution drill. Annual employee evaluations have been completed, progress is being made on a long-term 9-1-1 mapping project, and a State of NH DRED Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant has been submitted.

August 2009

Fire Crier Newsletter

July 2009

Fire Crier Newsletter

During the month of July, fifty-seven calls for emergency assistance were received. Fire and EMS personnel responded to 37 medical emergencies, 9 motor vehicle accidents, 1 structure fire, 3 service calls, 3 good intent call, and 4 alarm activations. Six of the calls were simultaneous responses. Mutual aid was provided to other communities twice and received for six responses.

Thirteen code consultations, 4 follow up inspections, 6 code inspections and 1 fire investigation were conducted during the month. Fifty Permits to Kindle a Fire were issued. One Department meeting was held. Chief Johnson continues to be involved in the Route 28 Study Committee and with the Barnstead Fire-Rescue Fire Chief Committee. A FEMA Fire Station Construction Grant was completed and submitted. Many members assisted with providing coverage during Old Home Day and the Balloon Rally weekend.

Members participated in the following trainings: Ladder Truck Operations and Ladder Training with Barnstead Fire-Rescue; Trauma Review; Drafting; and refresher trainings on the Thermal Imaging Camera and Hydrant/Supply Lines training.

Development of the proposed 2010 budget is underway. Should you have questions or concerns regarding the fire and rescue service proposed budget or to learn more about the department, please stop by the station or call Chief Johnson at 435-6807.

Safety reminder: Remember to have your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected before winter.

June 2009

Fire Crier Newsletter

See Below

May 2009

Fire Crier Newsletter

May and June 2009

During the month of May, seventy-nine calls for emergency assistance were received. This number of calls equals July 2006 for the largest number of calls responded to in one month. The month of June slowed a bit with sixty-two calls for emergency assistance received.

We’d like to welcome Peter Pszonowsky to the Department as an on-call firefighter and EMT. Congratulations to Peter, and to Arlen Norton, on recently completing an EMT-Basic class and receiving certification.

Congratulations to FF/EMT Kristen Ahearn and FF/EMT Tim Ahearn and big sister Taylor on the birth of their son Aaron in June. Congratulations also go to grandparents Laura and Fred Okrent.

Members have spent several weeks participating in the 16-hour Strategy and Tactics for Initial Company Operations (STICO) class. Chief Johnson was the course instructor for this NH Fire Academy class. The Department also hosted a Dartmouth-Hitchcock Advanced Response Team (DHART) ground safety training course with the Globe parking lot serving as a landing zone. Thank you to all at DHART and Globe Firefighter Suits. In-house training over the past few months have included: EMS backboarding techniques; 2009 EMS Protocol review and TB testing; Fire hose deployment; forestry training; and small group training/familiarization.

Safety Tip: Please make a note of the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) standard NFPA 1- 10.11.6 – For other than one- and two-family dwellings, no hibachi, grill, or other similar device used for cooking, heating, or any other purpose shall be used or kindled on any balcony, under any overhanging portion, or within 10 ft (3m) of any structure. This is good practice to follow for one- and two-family swellings as well!

April 2009

Fire Crier Newsletter

March 2009

Fire Crier Newsletter

During the month of March, sixty-five calls for emergency assistance were received. Fire and EMS personnel responded to 41 medical emergencies, 3 motor vehicle accidents, 1 structure fire, 3 hazardous conditions, 5 service calls, 7 good intent calls, and 5 alarm activations. Five of the calls were simultaneous responses where all units were responding to or operating at other emergency calls. Five mutual aid responses were given to other communities and eight mutual aid responses were received from other communities. Paramedic assistance was received from a neighboring department on four occasions and provided once to another community.

We’d like to congratulate Firefighter Donald Tyler on his appointment to the position of Lieutenant. We’d also like to welcome Firefighter Stephen LaPorte to the Department as a new on-call member and EMT-Paramedic Nick Stabile as a per diem member of the Ambulance Service.

Twelve code consultations, 4 follow up inspections, 1 Life Safety Code inspection, and 1 oil burner permit were conducted and issued. Eighty-five Permits to Kindle a Fire were issued during the month. One Department meeting was held. Representatives of the Department participated in a Career Presentation Day at PMHS.

Members have been active in participating in individual orientation/driver training on the new ambulance. Other training for the month included an in-house Ice Training training; Familiarization of the new ambulance; and a Support Unit training on Emergency Operations and documentation. Other members also attended an EMS training at Concord Hospital, Intro. to Pumps, and STICO training. Chief Johnson attended a Roads Safety Audits/Assessment training.

Reminder: A Permit to Kindle a Fire is required for all outside burning. Watch our “Fire Danger” sign at the station for burning conditions. Call the station at 435-6807 for more information or stop by the station at 33 Catamount Road to obtain a permit or for the burning conditions for the day.

February 2009

Fire Crier Newsletter

During the month of February, fifty-five calls for emergency assistance were received. Fire and EMS personnel responded to 44 medical emergencies, 4 motor vehicle accidents, 1 passenger vehicle fire, 2 hazardous conditions, 2 service calls, 1 good intent call, and 1 alarm activation. Four of the calls were simultaneous responses where all units were responding to or operating at other emergency calls. Three mutual aid responses were given to other communities, six mutual aid responses (including 3 for a structure fire) were received from other communities. Paramedic and/or mutual aid was received from a neighboring department on10 occasions and provided 3 times to another community.

We’d like to thank Jim Horan of NH Electric Coop for his presentation on electrical emergencies that many members of the department attended. Members also attended an Assistance to Firefighters Grant workshop. A monthly department meeting was held, as well as an Officers meeting. Coverage was provided during WinterFest and at the fishing derby. Seven code consultations, 2 follow up inspections, and 2 oil burner permits were conducted and issued. Members attended two work details for snow removal from the station roof. Exams for Lieutenant positions were taken and an oral board was held.

We are pleased to announce that we have received the new ambulance voted upon at the 2008 Town Meeting to replace our 1998 ambulance. Currently, equipment and radios are being transferred from one ambulance to another and soon the new “72Ambulance1” will be on the road. We are appreciative of the support from members of the community.

We would like to welcome Arlene Norton back to the Department. Arlene is working towards obtaining her EMT-Basic certification.

Reminder: A Permit to Kindle a Fire is required for all outside burning. Call the station at 435-6807 for more information or stop by the station at 33 Catamount Road to obtain a permit.