On March 4th the training division held one of its unannounced drills at Dogwood Lake.  Members were only told to report to their stations and were dispatched by Car 7 to an area on Turkey Meadow Road for the reported person in the water.  Members responded in on their respective apparatus and performed a simulated ice rescue of a person who had fallen through the ice approximately 50 yards from shore.  The initial rescue attempt was slow and members made their way through it.  3 more scenarios were done that evening with most members learning these skills for the first time.  The evening turned out successful with a very large contingent coming out and most stated that learning took place!  Thanks to those members who attended and a great job by the training division!

The month of February and the beginning of March have been very quiet in the Town of Trumbull and village of Nichols.  Other than a reported car fire yesterday on the Merritt Parkway, things have been dead!  Calls over the last week or two have been numerous alarm activations and carbon monoxide detector activations.  Don't let your guard down, continue training and keep your skills and vehicle inventories up for when we need them!

The annual St. Patricks day party for members and their families will be held on Sunday March 14th at station 1 from 1700-2000 hours.  All members and their families are strongly encouraged to attend.  Please reserve your spot for this great evening by calling firefighter Charlie Gillespie as soon as possible.  Last years event was well attended and a lot of fun, come celebrate with your firefighting friends at the firehouse!!!!

Last evening a large contingent of Nichols Fire department members, wives and significant others, attended the 5th annual awards and recognition dinner.  The evening started off with a small reception and then moved on to the main meal and was held in the fireplace room.  Immediately following dinner, a short video presentation created by Past Chief Robert Zitnay and Deputy Chief Plofkin was viewed by the membership.  It contained numerous photos from events, calls, drills and other department events held over the past year.  At its conclusion, master of ceremonies and event coordinator Lt. Gary Pugliese began the presentation portion of the evening. 

The first presentations given were to those members who completed their Firefighter 1 Certification which started last September and culminated with receiving their results in January.  The presentations were done by Asst Chief Kingsbury and Lt. McEnaneyThese members were highlighted just recently on our site where you can view additional photos

The next group to receive awards were the members of the 2Q driving class held during the early part of 2009.  Immediately following, members who completed their State of Connecticut Motor Pump Operator course were then presented their certificates.  Presentations were done by Past Chief Zitnay and Chief Engineer Jim Allan. 

The next presentations were by the board of fire commissioners, who presented Past Commissioner Wayne Szmyt with a plaque for his 21 years of service to the department.  Immediately following the commissions presentation, Past commissioner Szmyt was asked to stay at the podium to receive a plaque from the members of the fire department also recognizing him for his achievements over the past 21 years of service.

Our next presentation was one that was heartfelt and well deserved.  This plaque was given to recently retired Trumbull Center Fire Chief Wayne Schalich, who stepped down after 18 years as Chief of Department.  Gratifying words were exchanged by Chief Rice and Chief Schalich as they each took turns at the podium.

The evening then moved on to the annual fire department awards, which were as follows;

Top Responder for the year:           Firefighter Rob Silva

Top Drill Attendee for the year:        Firefighter Matt Perkowski

Member of the year                            Past Chief Robert Zitnay

Chiefs Award for the year                  Lt. Gary Pugliese

All in all, the evening was a huge success and we would like to thank Lt. Pugliese for putting together the event each year.  As we all know the hard work that goes into organizing an event of this magnitude and then pulling it off!  

We would also like to recognize Keith Muratori for providing his tremendous photography skills and capturing our members receiving awards and for taking still photos of our members.  To view his website go to www.firegroundimages.com .  Thanks Keith, you did another great job!!!!

Just after 2230 hours on Sunday evening the TRDC reported a structure fire at 160 Broadway Road in the Long Hill Section of Town.  The first arriving fire officer, Trumbull Center Car 2 reported a fire on the C side exterior and that he would get back to control with a further update.  Long Hill Engine 206 arrived on scene soon after, stretched a 1 3/4" handline after laying a supply line and suppressed the exterior flames.  crews entered into the basement of the residence and found extension.  Long Hill companies performed truck work and overhaul and never needed the assistance of the mutual aid or RIT companies with the quick knockdown.  All companies were released and the LHFD units stayed on scene with the fire marshal  who called in the state, since this was the second fire in a month at this residence.  Nichols responded in to this assignment as the RIT.

A few hours later at 0615, Nichols was dispatched for the report of a rollover in the area of 75 Merritt Boulevard in the Industrial park.  While enroute TRDC received multiple conflicting reports stating that the assignment was now a pin job and Trumbull Center was added to the initial alarm.  NFD car 2 arrived on scene and found that the PD officer on scene successfully helped remove 2 occupants from the car with no injuries.  R300 and Q303 reported in to the scene while the mutual aid was returned to service.  After realizing that not much could be done with the vehicle due to its precarious position, Q303 was released and R300 remained on scene for the vehicle removal.  Members from 300 obtained information and stood by with suppression equipment during the removal.  All companies then returned to service.

At 1040 this morning, all 3 Trumbull fire companies were dispatched to Chase Bank in Trumbull Center for a reported odor of natural gas.  Arriving units found no external odor and proceeded inside the structure.  Nichols Car 2 assumed command and Trumbull Center Engine 103 made the initial interior investigation.  Trumbull Center Tower 104 and Engine 102 were sent to the roof.  Long Hill Engine 209 set up to reverse lay to a nearby hydrant while Nichols Quint 303 investigated the building's gas meters.  After further investigation it was found that the original odor was actually gasoline coming from a nearby gas staion and not natural gas.  The situation was rectified and all companies cleared shortly.

At 1226 hours, Trumbull Center, with mutual aid from Nichols, was dispatched to an automatic residential alarm.  While enroute companies were advised that it was an accidental trip.  Trumbull Engine 103 confirmed and units returned.

At 1807 hours, companies were sent to TCFD's district for a reported chimney fire.  Nichols Car 2 arrived on scene and found 1 story ranch with embers coming from the chimney.  Trumbull Center Engine 102 arrived  and found oversized logs being burned in the fireplace.  Interior units removed the wood and put the fire out.  TC Tower 104 laddered the roof to check for extension around the chimney area.  Nichols Quint 303 took a water supply assignment while Trumbull Center Engine 103 staged for manpower.  TCFD Car 1 assisted with outside operations and assisted command.  No extension was found and companies picked up. 

February started off as a very quiet month!  The first few days, which always seem to be weekends, came and went without a call.  Then, at 1019 hours on February 5th, we broke the spell when dispatch transmitted the report of an activated fire alarm at 40 Merritt Boulevard, Unilever.  While units were enroute, dispatch reported a small fire in a lab with a lab technician suffering 2nd degree burns.  Nichols Car 1 arrived on scene, reported nothing showing, and established command.  Engine 301 arrived, followed by Quint 303, additional Nichols companies, Long Hill Engine 209 and Trumbull Center Tower 104.  An initial entry crew determined that the fire was extinguished by lab personnel and that there was no extension.  No other problems were found and the fire marshals office was brought in to investigate the cause.  Companies were then released from the scene and the last units cleared around 1200 hours.

At 1512 hours, Trumbull Regional Dispatch Center alerted all Trumbull fire companies to report to Wesley Drive in the Trumbull Center District to assist Trumbull Police in locating a missing person.  Fire department personnel assisted police officers in searching the area for an extended period of time.  The search was eventually called off at dusk.  As an update, this incident proved to be a false alarm and the missing person was found to be OK.

While companies were searching for the missing person, the NFD received a report of a Stove fire at a Longview Road residence.  As of this writing, no more details were available.

This evenings monthly meeting came to order at 2015 hours and the normal business activities took place.  One new member was petitioning for senior membership, one member was preparing to be sworn in for junior member status.  More importantly 4 propationary members were recognized for passing the State of Connecticut Firefighter 1 program and promoted to senior firefighters.  Approximately 40 members were on hand for the meeting and we would like to all congratulate our new "yellow lids"  Those members are Firefighters Justin Brown, Peter Carlson, Geovanni Flores, and Paulo Gomes.

Our second big event of the evening was the swearing in of Doug Doyle, the son of past Chief of Department and current Commissioner Doug Doyle.  A proud dad administered the firefighters oath to his son making him a junior member of the Nichols FD.  Congratulations and welcome to young Doug!

Members of the Nichols Fire Department have been able to relax lately since our call volume has been very low.  A carbon monoxide call yesterday followed by 3 calls today from a rain storm in the area has put us back into the swing of things.  

Just after lunch, the tones dropped for wires down in the area of Stoneleigh Rd and Cobblers Hill.  Units arrived on scene and found telephone wires across the road in front of 90 Stoneleigh Rd.  FD personnel checked the wires using our AC Hotstick to verify that there was no AC current, coiled them up, removed them from the road and barrier taped them to the pole.  Trumbull Dispatch was notified along with the homeowner at 6 Cobblers Hill that there phone was out of service.  

An hour later at 13:11 hours, a call came in as a tree down with wires down in the area of 34 West Lake Rd.  Upon arrival, NFD Car 2 reported a tree across all services with primaries snapped on 4 poles laying in the street.  The area was cordoned off by Quint 303, Service 307 and Car 2 with tape and signs.  Trumbull Public works placed barricades at all access points and Trumbull Police remained on scene awaiting the power company.  During this call, Long Hill was dispatched to the AYSO facility on Madison Avenue for the activated fire alarm.  Engine 301 took in the box and was returned en route by Long Hill Engine 209, reporting alarm technicians working on the system. 

At 16:56, Nichols with mutual aid from the Trumbull Center F.D. and Long Hill F.D. responded to 30 Nutmeg Drive, Stamford Wrecking, for an activated commercial fire alarm.  Arriving companies found a 300 x 300 non-combustible structure with nothing showing.  Quint 303, Engine 301 and and Truck 304 were all used to investigate numerous zones in alarm throughout the structure.  The problem was narrowed down to a leaking sprinkler head.  Engine 206 was staged at the hydrant during the investigation.  As units were clearing the scene, an additional alarm for the same location rang in and was found to be another zone and the cause was unfounded. 

Then again, just before 1930 hours, Nichols was alerted back to Stamford Wrecking for another alarm activation.  This time, Nichols Car 2 requested a representative from the Trumbull Fire Marshals office and a building representative to respond in an effort to rectify the problem.  Units cleared the scene and the rest of the night was quiet! 

Today started at 0840 with all 3 Trumbull fire companies responding to the report of an activated commercial fire alarm in Long Hill's first due at a business on Monroe Turnpike.  Long Hill Car 3 arrived first on scene and reported nothing showing and that he would report back.  Upon further investigation, units on scene determined the alarm was activated by smoke from burned popcorn.

Less than an hour later, all 3 departmens were dispatched to Westfield Shopping Park at Ruby Tuesday's for a commercial fire alarm.  Trumbull Center Tower 104 arrived on scene and proceeded to Ruby's while Long Hill Engine 209 reported to the fire control room to assume command.  After a thorough check of the facility, no system activation was located and the cause of the activation was unfounded. 

At 1735, again, all companies were dispatched to a strip mall on White Plains Road, Trumbull Center's district, for a commercial fire alarm sounding at Radio Shack.  Dispatch notified responding units that they were getting reports from the alarm company of additional smoke detectors in adjoining properties.  Six minutes later, the incident was upgraded to a possible structure fire as invesigating units found smoke in the structure.  Companies laddered the building and determined the smoke condition was caused by a malfunctioning HVAC unit.  The incident was placed under control at 1807 hours. 

At 0826 hours this morning, Nichols was dispatched to an unknown type of fire in the area of Strobel Road and Booth Hill Road.  While enroute, dispatch notified responding units that a police officer working a traffic detail in the area found a small fire on a construction site being used by workers to keep warm.  Nichols Car 2 arrived on scene and confirmed the officers report.  The fire was easily extinguished.

At 0923 hours, Trumbull Regional Dispatch Center dropped tones for a possible structure fire on Moose Hill Road in Trumbull Center's first due district.  While responding, units were updated by dispatch that the occupant complained of a heavy smoke condition in the structure and was unsure of the cause.  Nichols Car 2 was first on scene and reported a 2 story wood frame with smoke coming from a wall on the front porch.  Trumbull Center Engine 101 arrived next and stretched a line to the front door, while other members on scene began opening up checking for extension in a bedroom wall.  Additional arriving units were used for ventilation, overhaul, salvage and extension investigation above and below the affected areas.  The fire turned out to be an exterior fire on the front porch which had extended into a bedroom wall and under the bedroom floor.  Units operated on scene for approximately 1 hour and no injuries were reported.  The occupants of the structure were evaluated by Trumbull EMS for smoke inhalation and were released on scene. 

At approximately 12:18 hours Trumbull Regional Dispatch Center transmitted tones for Nichols and Trumbull Center to respond to the Merritt Parkway southbound in the area of the Huntington Turnpike a rollover accident.  Nichols Car 2 was first on scene and found a 2 car motor vehicle accident with all parties out of their vehicles and the wreckers and State PD already on scene.  Nichols Car 2 handled the situation as no fire apparatus were needed.

Just over an hour later, TRDC dispatched the Long Hill Fire Department, with mutual aid from Trumbull Center and Nichols as R.I.T, to Broadway Road for a reported structure fire.  Nichols Truck 304 and Quint 303 were both on this box.  Trumbull Center Engine 101 arrived on scene along with LH-21 who reported smoke showing from a cellar doorway.  With the help of Long Hill Engine 206, Ladder 204 and Squad 209, TCFD Engine 101 stretched a line and made a quick knock on the fire with.  The Nichols crews established their rapid intervention team and were staged on Sciortino Road.  Crews operated on scene for approximately 30 minutes and were then released by command. 

The annual Hose Bowl Flag Football game between the Old Guys (30+ years of age or married in Red jerseys) and the Young Guys (29 and under in Blue jerseys) was held behind the firehouse on January 6th.  The weather couldn't have been nicer, temps in the low 20's with a howling wind gusting 30+ mph.  As you can tell by the score, the young guys had their way with the elderly members of the organization who braved the elements but put up a good fight!  After taking such a beating, as in past years, the elder statesmen from the NFD were looking for Ben Gay to make the pain go away on Monday .  Congratulations to the young guys, next year is just around the corner!!!

 At around 19:00hrs Nichols was dispatched to a reported car fire on Pepperidge Road. Nichols 3 was first on scene and reported a car with the engine compartment well involved. Rescue 300 arrived and stretched an 1.75 line to make a quick knock down of the fire.  2nd due Quint 303 was instructed upon to grab tools and assist with overhaul/opening the vehicle hood.

Units cleared the scene in approximately 30 minutes.

At around 1030 hours this morning, Trumbull Regional Dispatch Center dispatched Trumbull Center as primary and Nichols for mutual aid to the reported pick up truck fire on Route. 25 northbound.  Nichols Car 2 arrived on scene and reported a pick up truck in the breakdown lane with the engine compartment heavily involved.  Trumbull Center Engine 102 arrived first and deployed their car fire line to began suppression.  Trumbull Rescue 100 and Nichols Quint 303 blocked traffic while members extinguished the fire and completed overhaul.  During suppression activities, a fuel line burst so personnel switched to foam operations.  No injuries were reported and units were back in service after approximately 45 minutes on scene.