At approximately 0240 this morning, Long Hill was dispatched to 5065 main Street, Trumbull Shopping Park, for the report of a fire alarm.  Upon arrival, crews from LHFD made their way to the activated detectors location and found a moderate smoke condition in the American Eagle store on the first floor.  The incident commander immediately "filled out the box" with Trumbull Center as mutual aid and Nichols as the rapid intervention team.  Trumbull Center companies assisted LHFD members with performing truck work in the areas adjacent to the store searching for the source.  Nichols and other LHFD members stretched approximately 300 ft. of 3" with a water thief to the stores entrance and then placed standpipe packs in service off of the thief.   The RIT teams were set up in the common mall corridor and awaited order from the operations officer, LHFD Assistant Chief Bogen.  After an exhaustive search a small fire was located in the roof area adjacent to the HVAC unit for American Eagle.  The fire was extinguished and the incident was placed under control.  The Fire Marshals office was on scene investigating the cause.  The incident was placed under control at 0419 hours and units were released a short time later.  NFD members assisted Squad 209's chauffer by repacking all of the 3" stretched including the standpipe packs. 

A fundraiser was held this evening at Chili's restaurant on Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton in an effort to raise funds for the families of the fallen Bridgeport firefighters Lieutenant Steven Velasquez and Firefighter Michael Baik.  The fundraiser was organized by the Shelton Fire Department, who in turn invited Nichols members to assist with the event.  In support of the event along with a few NFD waiters and NFD busboys, a large contingent of Nichols FD members and their families came out .  Those members who waited on tables and cleaned up after the patrons reported having a great time!  Our brothers and sisters from the Shelton FD also enjoyed themselves and we all made a few new friends.  The Bridgeport FD members also attended and sold T Shirts and other memorabilia in support of the cause.  Approximately $2400 dollars was raised, $999 of it was in tips!!!!   NFD members who waited tables and cleaned up were Bob Zitnay, Brian Huribal, Matt Perkowski, Little Eagle Piper, John Sheehan and John Plofkin, Jr.  It was great to work with all of those who gave their time from the Nichols FD, White Hills Co 5 and Pine Rock Park Co 4!!! 

The 69th Annual Nichols Fire Department Clambake was held today behind Station 1.  The first clambakes were held behind what is now City Line Florist which at the time, was the property of one the departments long time members.  The event is sponsored each year by the fire departments commission and is done as a way to pay back the membership for their long hours of training, maintaining apparatus and equipment and responding to calls.  The event starts off with liver, bacon, onion, and egg sandwiches and some baked goods for breakfast.  Lunch is the mainstay of "THE BAKE" which is prepared by our elder members over an open fire which includes, steak, lobster, shrimp, clams on the half shell, baked and sweet potatoes, corn on the cob and other fixins.  Activities for the day include volleyball and a department wide horseshoe tournament that was won this year by "Team Slovakia" Captain Rob Tomas and Pastor Joe Piccirillo!  The day usually finishes up with a bonfire and members sitting around talking about calls during the past year, practical jokes and the "OLD DAYS OF THE NFD".  As usual a great time was had by all and a special thanks to the members who helped set up and break down, but most importantly hats off to FF Craig Entwistle and Lt. Bill O'Keefe who chair the event!  A special thanks to Hjalmar Norell who always takes great pride in setting up and cooking the BAKE for the membership!!!  Thanks for another great year!! 

At 0748 hours this morning Nichols and Trumbull Center were dispatched to the intersection of North street at Shelton Road for the man reported to be unconscious in a manhole.  Responding units were updated by PD already on scene doing traffic, that a worker was 25 feet down in a manhole and was unconscious in approximately 6 inches of water.  Prior to the arrival of FD personnel, a fellow worker entered the manhole in an effort to assist the fellow worker and immediately came back up do to respiratory issues.  The downed worker in the manhole regained semi consciousness and was able to physically climb out of the manhole prior to the arrival of FD units and was being evaluated by Trumbull PD on scene administering basic medical care.  Nichols Car 2 arrived on scene, notified dispatch of all victims being out of the manhole and had FD personnel immediately begin monitoring of the sewer space.  Readings in the hole showed an oxygen deficient atmosphere at the bottom of the chamber.   Nichols Car 2 was advised by Car 4 to contact federal OSHA of the incident and request a response to the site for follow up with the contractor.  The patient was transported by Trumbull EMS to a local hospital for treatment and evaluation.  The incident was then placed under control and FD personnel remained on scene taking photos and assisting with the investigation.  Units were dismissed from the assignment at the completion of the investigation.  The site was then turned over to Trumbull PD and the construction company representatives.

On Friday evening at 1941 hours, the NFD was dispatched to Huntington Road for the reported stove fire.  Upon arrival, units were met with a smoke condition and had to request EMS for the occupant complaining of smoke inhalation.  The situation was mitigated by companies on scene and they returned to service.

On Saturday morning at 1008 hours, Trumbull Center and Nichols were dispatched to Route 25 North, about a mile before Route 111 for the rollover with entrapment.  Trumbull Center units arrived on scene and were assisted by Nichols companies and had to remove a female occupant who was in a car on its roof.  Members had to raise the occupant, who was suspended upside down, in order to release her safety belt and remove her from the vehicle.  Units remained on scene until the vehicle was towed. 

A few hours later, Trumbull Center was dispatched to Barnswallow Drive, along with Nichols and Long Hill, for the reported vehicle on fire in a carport.  First arriving units found a car burning inside a detached portable vehicle tent alongside the structure with no extension.  FD personnel were able to protect the exposure and suppress the flames in the vehicle.  Units remained on scene for overhaul and the fire marshals office responded to investigate the cause.

On Sunday, at 1423 hours, all 3 companies were dispatched to the possible structure fire at a Japanese restaurant on White Plains Road.  Upon arrival companies found that the hood suppression system had activated from a fire that took place within the hood and duct system.  Companies responding, checked in the attic and adjacent areas for fire extension.  No additionial issues were located and the incident was placed under control.

At 1759 hours all 3 companies were dispatched to Avalon Gates for the report of an activated alarm in the 100 building on site.  A first arriving fireifghter notified dispatch that something had burned in a toaster oven creating a smoke condition within the structure.  Trumbull car 2 committed one apparatus and staged all other incoming companies and then released the assignment after verifying no other problems.

At 2100 hours, Nichols was dispatched to the report of sparks and fire coming from a pole in front of 79 North Street.  First arriving units found a fire on top of the pole and a small area of brush burning on the ground at the poles base.  FD personnel used a water can to suppress the small brush fire and the power company arrived on scene 20 minutes later.  All units then cleared the scene. 

Just after 1830 this evening, all 3 Trumbull fire departments were dispatched to 14 Briarcroft Avenue for the reported basement fire.

  At the time of this alarm, approximately 35 NFD members were attending the wake of Marie Franko, mother of Assistant Chief Ray Franko, Jr. and wife of Senior member Ray Franko, Sr.  Members immediately left the service and responded as the RIT to the alarm. 

LH 1 was first to arrive on scene and reported smoke showing from the D side of the structure with Squad 209 arriving right after.  The next due engine established water supply, while 204 and 104 performed searches and ventilation.   NFD truck 304 arrived on scene and provided RIT while 303 was detailed to additional ventilation and setting up fans.  LHFD members found a small fire in the A/B corner of the basement and suppressed it with their initial handline.   Units operated on scene for approximately 90 minutes and the Trumbull fire marshals office is investigating the cause.

The Nichols Fire Department would like to extend our sincere condolences to the Bridgeport Fire Department and the family and friends of Lieutenant Steve Velasquez and Firefighter Michael Baik.  Lt. Velasquez and FF Baik, assigned to Ladder 11, tragically lost thier lives yesterday in the line of duty while battling a blaze at a residence on Elmwood Ave.  Both members were working on the upper floor of the structure when a mayday was transmitted.  The Rapid Intervention Team was activated and minutes later, both members were removed from the structure and transported to area hospitals, but tragedy had already struck.

Wake and funeral arrangements have not been announced but will be posted as soon as possible.

At 1741 hours, Nichols was dispatched to 160 Hawley Lane, the Hawley Lane Professional building for the activated fire alarm.  During the dispatch, weather in the area treacherous with heavy rainfall, lightning and thunder.  Nichols Car 3 arrived on scene and reported a 3 story brick with nothing visible.  After the initial investigation, Car 3 requested that the assignment be reduced to Engine 301 after finding an activated smoke detector on the ground floor.  Units remained on scene for another 15 minutes assisting with the alarm reset and verifying no other problems.

At 1809, again the Nichols tone was transmitted for the report of smoke in a bedroom at a residence on West Lake Road after a lightning strike.  Quint 303 arrived on scene and reported nothing visible from the front and that they would be investigating.  Car 2 then arrived on scene, established command and had Engine 301 take nearby hydrant.  Engine 302 arrived and was assigned to position on the "B" side of the building and check the exterior of the residence for damage or fire.  Interior units reported some cracks in the drywall and found a computer and stove that were damaged from a lightning strike.  Members checked the entire structure for smoke and fire, finding none.  The town building department was requested to the scene.  Units were released after Car 3 gave the all clear from inside and Car 2 remained on the scene awaiting the Building department.

Finally, at 2309 hours a dive team deployment was requested for Long Hill and Trumbull Center Divers, with Nichols supplying 304 for air operations.  The incident was placed under control only 5 minutes after dispatch and were returned to service. 

At approximately 1620 hours all three fire districts were dispatched to the Trumbull Shopping Park for the report of a ceiling collapse with people possibly trapped.  First arriving units (Long Hill) found that a large section of the facade over the SBARRO restaurant in the food court had fallen and injured a several civilians.  There were no reports entrapment and the assignment was downgraded and auto aid (Trumbull Center and Nichols) were returned.  Long Hill units remained on scene awaiting the fire marshal and health departments for further investigation.  This is the second collapse of this type in 2 months, with the last event occuring on June 4th over the Taco Bell restaurant.

A thank you note was received only a few hours after members left the funeral coverage detail from Huntington Company 3 on Tuesday from Commissioner Marc Connelly.  Also, prior to departing, Chief of Department Fran Jones and Captain Justin Sabatino of Pine Rock stopped by and thanked all NFD members for covering during the 2 days.

Letter from Commissioner Connelly;

Chief,
 
I would like to take the time to formally thank your entire department and town for covering our city during the time of our Loss.  It was nice to know our department was able to attend both the wake and funeral and not have to worry about responding to alarms.
As Commissioner I am proud to say we work with the best departments in the state. To see 20 firefighters who gave up work to cover station 3 in Huntington was impressive.
 
Please let your membership know we appreciated their help.
 
Yours in service,
 
Marc A. Connolly
Commissioner HFC#3 
 

The Nichols Fire Department was requested to provide coverage at Huntington Company 3 in Shelton during the wake and funeral of Shelton Police Sergeant and Past White Hills Fire Department Captain Orville "Smitty" Smith.  While working a traffic post, Sgt. Smith was tragically killed in the line of duty by a drunk driver.  12 Nichols members on Rescue 300 and Engine 301 covered Company 3 during the wake and funeral.  Some photos of members doing equipment checks, drying off from a water accident and a group photo were taken during coverage on Tuesday.

A special thanks to Bob Novak Sr. of Hunnington Company 3, who was nice enough to hang out with the guys from Nichols and made sure that we were taken care of!  To Capt. Constantino and Commissioner Connelly, thank you for providing food and beverage to us during our coverage, it is duly noted!!!! 

Members of the Nichols Fire Department

At 1224 pm TRDC transmitted the tones for Nichols and Trumbull Center for the report of a motor vehicle accident at Nichols and Penny Avenues requiring extrication.  Units arrived on scene and found a multi car accident that required a door being popped open in order to gain access to one patient.  Members stabilized the vehicle and also disconnected power to ensure safe operations.

The following is a message from CT ALERT ENS (911):

This is an important message from First Selectman Tim Herbst and the Trumbull Office of Emergency Management.
The Trumbull area is experiencing a heat wave this week.
Trumbull residents are encouraged to take precautions. Limit strenuous outdoor activity. Drink plenty of water. Stay in the coolest possible place.
To cool off, Trumbull residents are encouraged to visit a cool place like Westfield Mall or Hawley Lane Mall, the Trumbull Libraries or you may want to catch a movie at Bow-Tie Cinemas. The pools at Beach Memorial Park and Tashua are open as are the sprinkler parks at Beach Memorial and Indian Ledge.
Seniors Citizens may want to visit the Senior Center to cool off between 9AM and 5PM. If seniors need a ride to the senior center they should call the transportation center at 203-452-5137.
This heat wave will continue through Friday. Heat advisories and Air quality alerts in effect. All residents are encouraged to use caution. Please check on your neighbors, particularly your more senior neighbors.
Thank you.

 

The final stats are in for the month of June and the Nichols Fire Department was quite busy.  Members responded to a total of 40 alarms which included 3 motor vehicle extrications, 2 stalled elevator entrapments and a ceiling collapse at the Trumbull mall.  The department was also requested to respond into the City of Bridgeport to provide assistance during their bout with a tornado while other members stayed behind answering calls during the same storm.  A very busy 30 days, with a job well done by our membership!

On 06/24/2010 at approximately 1410 hours, a storm ripped through the Bridgeport area including Trumbull.  The storm lasted a brief 20 minutes but brought with it devastating winds and heavy rain.  Within minutes of the storm reaching Trumbull, all three town departments started responding to wires and trees down calls.  At approximately 1425 hours, Trumbull Center and Nichols were dispatched to Daniels Farm Road at the intersection of White Plains Road for the reported tree onto a car with live wires down on top of it.  Rescue 300 and Quint 303 responded to the scene and stood by with Trumbull Center units until the power company was able to de-energize the power lines.  Nichols units then cut away tree branches and assisted Trumbull EMS with patient removal.  After apparatus cleared, Engine 301 and Rescue 300 were requested to respond mutual aid to the City of Bridgeport.  Units responded with 12 personnel and initially stood by at Bridgeport Fire Headquarters.  301 and 300 then assisted Bridgeport Fire units with handling several calls.  Brideport was probably hit the hardest from this storm and was considered a disaster area.