Our condolences go out to our Brothers in the Rye Fire Department, IAFF Local #2029 in Westchester County for the loss of Brother Firefighter Bruce Kerr. Many of us here at Local #2623 had the pleasure of either knowing, meeting or learning from Bruce.
You will be missed Brother Kerr, Rest In Peace...
A link to the Rye Fire Department's website with a release on Brother Kerr;
On June 18, 2010 at 10am Firefighters Justin Bohlmann and Matt Pelak graduated from the Utica Fire Academy after 15 weeks of require firefighting training. This 15 weeks of training that Justin and Matt have completed is required training for all newly hired career firefighters and mandated by New York State.
During their time at the academy they learned skills in fire supression, fire behavior, fire safety education, pump operations, Haz-Mat, building construction and proper opersations of ground ladders and aerial devices to mention a few. The classes are comprised of both classroom and hands on sessions taught by Utica fire officers and New York State fire instructors.
Firefighters Pelak and Bohlmann were both presented their duty badges by Chief Tory Gallante at the graduation ceremony which was attended by several members of the local and the district administration. The firefighters were among 14 firefighters from various fire departments across the state that were recognized for thier hard work and dedication to the fire service by joining a great rewarding career. The ceremony was attended by the State Fire Administrator, Utica Mayor, Utica Fire Officers and class instructors as well as several Chiefs of the departments representing firefighters graduating, and their family members too.
We all wish Firefighter's Bohlmann and Pelak a rewarding, wonderful and safe career with the Fairview Fire District.
Bill Johnson, Director of the Dutchess County Traffic Safety Board, is a good friend of our Fire Department and our Local Union. By working with Mr. Johnson, Fairview's Firefighters have been able to assure thousands of children are traveling safely in Child Car Seats. Mr. Johnson's wife has ongoing medical expenses, and this benefit dinner, on June 27, 2010 from 1pm-6pm will aid the Johnson family in their time of need. Please see attached PDF file for details, and come on out for a great meal for a great cause!
National EMS week will be celebrated May 16-22, 2010. EMS Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to publicize public safety and honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of the medical "front line.” EMS Week is sponsored by the American College of Emergency Physicians. Fairview's Firefighters wish to extend our thanks and support to our fellow EMS providers in Dutchess County.
April 28, 2010 -- A landmark study released by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) shows that the size of fire fighting crews has a substantial effect on the fire service's ability to protect lives and property in residential fires. Click here to read the news release.
Conducted by a broad coalition in the scientific, fire fighting and public safety communities, the study results found that four-person fire fighting crews were able to complete 22 essential fire fighting and rescue tasks in a typical residential structure 30 percent faster than two-person crews and 25 percent faster than three-person crews.
The report is the first to quantify the effects of crew sizes and arrival times on the fire service's lifesaving and fire fighting operations.
This and other scientific data in the report will help educate public officials, fire chiefs and other decision-makers on the importance of adequate staffing and deployment with respect to fire fighter and public safety.
Study investigators from NIST and the IAFF announced the results of the study at a press conference at the Hilton Washington in Washington, DC, before the start of the annual Congressional Fire Services Institute meeting of top fire safety officials from the across the nation.
The study is funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters grant program.
04/28/2010- POUGHKEEPSIE, NY- Fairview's Firefighters were dispatched as a FAST (Firefighter Assist and Search Team) to the City of Poughkeepsie for a highrise fire in the Rip Van Winkle Apartments in the City of Poughkeepsie. Initial reports indicated a fire on the 5th floor, with occupants trapped. The FAST team was quickly put to work as an engine company, with FAST details turned over to Arlington FD.
Besides this FAST assignment, Firefighters were kept busy. Fairview Firefighters also responded to 3 Emergency Medical Calls, including a life-threatenting airway obstruction, as well as Malicious Fire Alarm in a high-rise.
04/26/10- POUGHKEEPSIE, NY- The weekend of April 23rd-25th proved to be extremely busy for Fairview's Firefighters. Between Friday and Sunday, firefighters answered nearly 30 alarms, including 5 Fires, 12 EMS calls, Multiple auto accidents, as well as fire alarms and other service calls.
Fairview, City of Poughkeepsie, and Arlington Fire Departments worked side-by-side. Roosevelt FD also provided standby duties at FFD. We thank our mutual aid departments for their help, and were happy to also help them this weekend.
Your firefighters are hard at work, 24/7 protecting life and property. When seconds count, you can count on your local professional firefighters.
04/25/2010- Fairview's FAST team ran to a 3rd Alarm fire in the City of Poughkeepsie. The crew of 41-11 was put to work, and searched for extension in one of the apartments that the renovated building housed. This marks the 4th fire in 2 days that Fairview Firefighters have responded to. In addition to these fires, Fairview Firefighters have been busy responding to EMS Calls, Rollover Auto Accidents with Entrapment, and other alarms.
4/25/2010 HYDE PARK,NY — An early morning fire caused damage to a Convinence Store/ Deli in the Town of Hyde Park this morning. Around 12:27 a.m., Fairview Fire District firefighters responded toNatalie’s Fried Chicken and Gyro House located at 495 Violet Avenue in the Town of Hyde Park for a reported fire. fairview firefighters were aided by firefighters from Arlington, Poughkeepsie, and Roosevelt Fire Departments.
Firefighters were able to gain quick control of the fire, however, extensive overhaul was necessary due to the construction and use of the building. The building was unoccupied at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported. the fire's cause is under investigation by the Dutchess County Fire Investigation Division.
4/21/10 - Poughkeepsie, NY - At 10:53 PM Fairview was dispatched for a structure fire on Winslow Gate Road in the former Hudson River Psychiatric Center grounds.Fairview 41-11 responded immediately, with one firefighter and one officer.Two firefighters were on a previous EMS call.City of Poughkeepsie Engine Two was also dispatched on the initial assignment.On arrival 41-9 reported a fully involved structure and requested an additional engine and ladder from the City of Poughkeepsie.A second alarm was transmitted at 11:01 PM, bringing in Arlington with an engine to the scene and Roosevelt with an engine to cover Fairview’s district.Pictures.
