Annual Rabies Clinic
6:00 to 700 - PM at the Alexandria Fire Station
158 Washburn Road, Alexandria NH
$8.00 per pet. Benefit Alexandria V.F.D.
May 2001
05/4&5 - Hopkinton NH - HOSS Traders
ATTN: All Amateurs/New England
For Widest Distribution
From Al Shuman, N1FIK
New Hampshire Section Manager
American Radio Relay League
This just in from Norm Blake WA1IVB -
www.qsl.net/k1rqg
remember that the only official source of information on Hosstraders are from Joe, K1RQG, Bob, W1GWU, and Norm WA1IVB. And most of what you need to know is either here or on the K1RQG Hosstraders Website.
"Hosstraders is indeed leaving Rochester and moving to the Hopkinton State Fairgrounds at Hopkinton, N H at exit 7 off I-89. Our spring date will be May 4 and 5 (2001) which is one week earlier than the traditional Mother's Day weekend. But the facilities are much nicer.
Those of you who remember Deerfield probably miss the trees
and the country flavor as much as I do....It has some nice
amenities, but it has become apparent that our customers
wanted something better. After a couple years of quiet
research and negotiation, we have struck a deal with the
good folks at Hopkinton, and we are very excited for our
future. First of all, we're going to have TREES again.
And there is plenty of open space for the outdoor flea
market crowd, well served with lots of electrical and water
outlets. There are over 200 numbered RV campsites with
water and electricity in the flea area. (By the way, water
pressure is very high, so get a brass water pressure
regulator before you hook up!) The restrooms are plentiful
and modern, and fully ADA compliant. The access from
population centers is excellent. Only the last two miles
of the trip is on road posted less than 55. Hopkinton is a
nice country town with groceries, gas, hardware store,
banks with ATMs, and a few small eateries...
From the south, drive up I-95 to I-89 to exit 7. Ignore
all other exits, regardless of the signs saying Hopkinton.
At exit 7, go right at the bottom, then 100 yards and right
again onto Kearsarge Avenue. The B Gate is about a mile
and a half on your left. The village is less than a mile
beyond the Fairgrounds.
Joe, Bob and I are excited about the big move for
Hosstraders. When you see the location, I think you'll be
pleased.
...Remember that the only official source of information
on Hosstraders are from Joe, K1RQG, Bob, W1GWU, and me.
And most of what you need to know is either here or on the
K1RQG Hosstraders Website."
73, Norm
April 2001
April 29,2000 Alexandria NH
Annual Installation Banquet
Social, Supper @ 6:30 PM
Alexandria Town Hall
Catered again this year by Hart's Turkey Farm Restaurant
April 18 , 2001 - Manchester NH
The Manchester Union Leader Annual Hero Awards Dinner, will be held at The Event Center at C.R. Sparks, Bedford. 42 heroes will be recognized this year
Click here for Union Leader story
April 11, 2000 SWNHDFMA Annual Meeting
Keene NH - Wednesday at 1800
Guest Speaker - Former Boston Fire Commisioner
Leo Stapleton
04/07 - Interstate Repeater Society
Semi-Annual Flea Market
Interstate Repeater Society Amateur Repeater Club Flea Market at Londonderry Lions Halls Mammoth Road/Rte 128 at Pillsbury Road (near Macks Apples and Central Fire Station)
Admission from 8:00 to 13:00 is $3.00.
April 2001
April 6 & 7th, 2001 2001 EMERGENCY SERVICES TRAINING WEEKEND
Sponsored by MarlHarris Ambulance Squad, Marlborough, NH
Half Day Workshops ($25): Responding to Crime Scenes, Forensics,
Pr-Hospital Burn Management, Hypothermia
Full Day Workshops ($50): Cardiac Arythmias, Domestic Violence & Elder
Abuse, Auto Extrication, Art of Moulage
CEUs &/or State Certifications issued for all workshops. Registration
deadline is March 9th. Space limited & class assignments will be made
as registrations are received... on a first-come first-served basis.
For questions, additional fee & registration information email:
smcmahon911@yahoo.com or phylsfocus@yahoo.com or fax request to
603-876-3382."
The following represents our Spring Schedule of training programs for
Aquatic Recreation, Lifeguard and Public Safety and Rescue
professionals. Information on these programs is available within the
Educational Programs Section of our web site at www.lifesaving.com.
Registration may be done by telephone, fax, mail, or OnLine. To host or
sponsor a training program in your area, please contact us.
WATER RESCUE TECHNICIAN COURSES
April 07
Manchester, Connecticut
May 12
Greenfield, New Hampshire
May 19
Newport News, Virginia
June 02
Wenham, Massachusetts
June 30
Durham, New Hampshire
AQUATIC FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SEMINARS
April 25
Succasunna, New Jersey
April 26
Mamaroneck, New York
May 10
Marlborough, Massachusetts
May 24
Manchester, Connecticut
Both programs (Water Rescue Technician and the Aquatic Facilities
Management Seminars) are one-day, 8-hour training programs. The Water
Rescue Technician Course is specifically designed for Lifeguard, Public
Safety and Rescue Professionals and includes a 3.5 hour classroom
session, followed by a 4.5 hour practical in-water session. The Aquatic
Facilities Management Seminar is specifically designed for anyone with
management, supervisory or operational responsibility for any type of
Aquatic Facility including Aquatic and Recreation Professionals;
Lifeguard Instructors and Supervisors; Aquatic Facility Managers and
Operators; and Lifeguard, Public Safety and Rescue Professionals.
As always, we encourage you to continue using our web site as a resource
for Aquatics Safety and Water Rescue. Our award-winning site is
dedicated to drowning and aquatic injury prevention and emergency
management. It currently receives more than 4,000 hits per day from
professionals throughout the world.
Keep'm Float'n,
Gerry
03/27/01 - Conway NH
Conway gets new 95 foot ladder truck
The new ladder truck arrived at Conway Village station at 18:00 on Monday the 26th.
The former Las Vegas ladder truck was purchased by Conway FD for $125,000. The aerial/bucket is 95 feet long. North Conway currently has a 75 foot ladder truck.
03/19/01 - Bedford NH
Bedford Fire Chief Joe Clow is leaving the department in April after
almost four years of service to the town.
He will become chief of a 73-member department in Fond Du Lac,
Wisconsin.
03/15/01 - Alexandria
The volunteer fire department was allotted $10,000 for fire fighting and preventive services. Part of that money also goes towards the lease on their tanker
03/15/01 - Alton
$5,000 was budgeted towards forest fire fighting equipment and approved.
$186,000 for a new ambulance was passed.
$8,300 for fire station ventilation system passed.
$50,000 for fire department capital reserve fund passed.
03/15/01 - Ashland
Ashland voters approved $35,000 towards radio upgrades for the fire department. Lakes Region towns have until Dec 31, 2001 to upgrade their radios or lose dispatching service.
03/15/01 - Barnstead
Barnstead voters approved the building of a fire cistern
03/15/01 - Barrington
Town meeting authorized the purchase of a new fire truck. $200,000 from capital reserve and current year taxation will pay for the new apparatus.
03/15/01 - Belmont
Barnstead voters approved the hiring of six fire fighters to give the town full time coverage. In all the fire department has a $156,000 increase in budget.
03/15/01 - Belmont
Belmont voters allotted $95,000 to hire six full timers in July, adding to the existing full time staff of five. These will include three paramedics/firefighters and three firefighters/EMTs. The fire station will be now staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Also approved was a tanker and $60,000 worth of equipment.
03/15/01 - Bow NH
Voters approved a spending measure to buy a new fire truck, with $200,000 from capital reserve and surplus funds.
03/15/01 - Bridgewater NH
03/15/01 - Voters approved a budget that included $10,000 to complete conversion of fire departments radios to Lakes Region high band radio system.
03/15/01 - Bristol NH
Voters have chosen to spend $15,000 for a new ambulance. Also approved are $30,000 for a fire truck and $55,951 to update the radio system to Lakes Region high band two-way radio system. A new roof for the fire department costing $30,000 was approved
An article was passed to allow the Bristol Historical Society to lease the old firehouse for $1.00 a year for the next ten years. A fire engine will continue to be stored on the ground floor, with the society using floor two.
03/15/01 - Campton NH
Campton voters approve a budget that includes $105,00 for the Fire Department and FAST Squad
03/15/01 - Center Harbor NH
Approved was $59,000 budget for the fire department. Voters also passed a request for $16,300 dollars to replace the department boat. A 17 foot Boston Whaler with a 75 horsepower motor will replace the current inflatable boat with a 15 horsepower motor.
03/15/01 - Conway NH
A three-year contract for fire and rescue protection was approved 1,246 to 273
03/15/01 - Danbury
$14,500 was approved for new fire department radios.
NOTE: Deadline for all Lakes Region departments to switch over to new high band system is Dec 31,2001
03/15/01 - Deerfield
Voters approved $189,600 towards a new fire truck
03/15/01 - Deering
Voters approved the purchase of an ambulance for the rescue squad
03/15/01 - Derry
Approved: $70,000 for two full-time firefighters. Recommended by selectmen and budget committee.
Approved: Change the organization of the fire department to appoint fire chiefs for three-year terms.
Approved: $75,000 to be placed in a capital reserve fund for fire department equipment replacement. Recommended by selectmen and budget committee.
03/15/01 - East Derry
East Derry Votes "YES" for Station Two!
March 14, at the Annual Precinct Meeting the voters of East Derry voted YES on Article 7 (244 to 147 by secret ballot) to fund the construction, staffing and operation of proposed Fire Station Two.
03/15/01 - Exeter
Voters gave a yes vote for the fire department to expend $100,000 for self-contained breathing apparatus
$75,000 was approved to purchase new software for the police and fire dispatch center
Voters gave the okay for $69,000 to be spent for a forestry truck and related equipment
03/15/01 - Farmington
Voters failed to establish the position of Fire Chief for the town of Farmington. Articles to authorize the hiring of two full time fire and EMS personnel was passed over, due to the failure to approve the fire chief position.
Voters did approve $13,900 for fire equipment.
Voters also approved $6,200 for emergency medical equipment.
03/15/01 - Gilford NH
Voters ratified the inter-municipal agreement between Laconia and Gilford for the Lakes Region Business Park and the Laconia Airport Industrial Park. Gilford will provide all emergency services for these parks.
03/15/01 - Gilmanton NH
Voters approved $139,000 for a new ambulance.
A proposed budget for the fire department of $211,000 was amended to $240,700 dollars and approved after two hours of debate. Increased coverage and salary increases made up a portion of the increase.
03/15/01 - Hampstead NH
Article 12: $70,000 for two full-time firefighters. PASSED - Yes 1391 No 657
Article 13: Change the organization of the fire department to appoint fire chiefs for three-year terms.
PASSED - Yes 1560 No 444
Article 14: $75,000 to be placed in a capital reserve fund for fire department equipment replacement. PASSED - Yes 1321 No 702
03/15/01 - Hebron NH
$50,000 was approved to be placed in the fire department capital reserve fund
03/15/01 - Henniker NH
Voters approved $20,000 toward the restoration of the town's 1929 fire truck. Voters also elected to put $100,000 into a reserve account for a fire truck and $20,000 into a reserve account for an ambulance. In addition, $64,000 was approved for paid weekday paramedics for the rescue squad
03/15/01 - Hill NH
Warrant Article for $9,000 for fire equipment - Voters ended up approval $16,000 for fire equipment
Hill will now be getting ambulance service from Bristol, where previously service was provided by Franklin.
03/15/01 - Hopkinton NH Warrant Article of Interest
Warrant Article for $85,500 to hire a Firefighter/EMT and a Firefighter/Medic passed
03/15/01 - Jackson NH
The town was presented a $2,000 gift on behalf of Jackson Ski Touring Foundation for deposit in the capital reserve fund for a new fire truck
03/15/01 - Lee
Voters allotted $25,000 for a feasibility study for a combined police and fire public safety complex
Approved during town meeting was $12,000 to purchase four air packs.
$25,000 for hydraulic extrication tools was given a positive vote.
Voters approved $15,000 for fire station maintenance
Approved was $50,000 towards a new fire truck to be placed into a reserve fund.
03/15/01 - Londonderry
Approved $400,000 to acquiring land for a new South Fire Station
03/15/01 - Loudon NH
Loudon residents approved spending $150,000 to construct a metal-framed, two-bay station. This will replace the existing current Ridge Station that sits in the northeast corner of Loudon. The new station will be closer to town but still serve that corner of town.
03/15/01 - Madbury
$100,000 additional money to go into the public safety complex capital reserve fund was approved
$25,000 was added to the 7 year old capital reserve fund to purchase a new pumper
03/15/01 - Middleton
Not passed was a request for a $17,000 addition to the fire station
Approved was a proposal to study to move the fire station into the current highway department building, and to build a new highway department building
$199,000 was appropriated toward public safety operations (Police, Fire, RMS, Emergency Management, and dispatch fees).
$5,000 was placed into a capital reserve fund for a future purchase of a fire truck.
03/15/01 - Milton
Approved $20,000 for fire department capital reserve fund.
03/15/01 - Moultonboro NH
Voters approved at new fire truck and $122,000 to fund a third year of ambulance service.
03/15/01 - Newbury NH
Voters at town meeting approved a $92,500 addition to the Safety Services Building . This will allow the Police and Fire Departments will have separate storage space.
03/15/01 - New London NH
At town meeting, voters approved setting aside the first $50,000 toward an expansion of the fire station. The building would be used for necessities and creature comforts that could encourage people to join the department.
03/15/01 - New Durham
Voters approved $360,000 for a new fire truck to replace the four decade old ladder truck New Durham currently has. The new truck is expected in October of this year.
Voters discontinued Fire Department Communications capital reserve fund that had a balance of $116
03/15/01 - Newfields
$42,000 approved for Fire Department to purchase 16 air packs
$25,000 approved for fire apparatus capital reserve fund/
03/15/01 - Pittsfield
Voters approved the purchase of a new fire truck
March 2001
03/15/01 - Plymouth
Budget item approved for Fire Department to use $21,000 to purchase a used pickup truck.
03/15/01 - Sandown NH
Election: Fire Engineer
Carroll Bassett 1140
Fred Stafford 821
$9,500 for a rescue boat for Fire and Rescue Department. Passed
03/15/01 - Wakefield
Voters approved the establishment of a capital reserve fund wit h$10,000 to finish interior and 2nd floor work on the new public safety building.
185,000 was placed in fire truck capital reserve fund with plans to purchase a new truck within the upcoming year.
$30,000 added to ambulance capital reserve fund.
$1,000 approved install dry hydrants in East Wakefield district.
03/15/01 - Windham
Approved $4,910 to be added to the existing Fire Apparatus capital reserve fund.
03/15/01 - Warner NH
Warner voters approved $140,000 for a new tanker truck. It will replace a 1980 tanker
$1.15 warrant article reduced to $980,000 for a new public safety building failed 124-115 (two-thirds majority was needed)
03/15/01 - Webster NH
$1,150,000 proposal for new public safety building was defeated by voters, even after the dollar amount was dropped to $980,000
Voted elected to raise $2,246,200 for the design and construction of the water main system which will help to increase fire flows and elevate water quality
03/18 - CT Spring Photo Show and Flea Market
From: "Rick Burnham"
The Connecticut Fire Photographers Association is pleased to announce the
return of our Spring Photo Show and Flea Market. It will be held Sunday
March 18, 2001 at the Hartford Insurance Building on Hopmeadow Street
(Rt202) in Simsbury CT from 1000-1500. Cost of admission is $5, children
under 10 are free. For more information visit our website at
http://cfpa.freeservers.com or to become a vendor at the flea market
email us at president@cfpa.freeservers.com.
Rick Burnham
Member - CT Fire Photographers Assn, Hartford CT
HCRA Website: http://www.hartfordcitywide.com
HCRA Email: hartfordcitywide@juno.com
Hartford Citywide Celebrating 10 Years of Incident Reporting, 1991-2001
March 17,2001 Loudon NH Warrant Article of Interest
The Concord Monitor is reporting that the Loudon Fire Dept has proposed putting a new station near the intersection of Clough Hill and Lower Ridge roads.
Loudon wants to replace the station on Lower Ridge Road, a converted schoolhouse. Over the years, the weight of fire trucks has pushed the concrete floor down six inches. When the door is closed, there is not enough room to walk around the fire truck.
March 17,2001 Candia NH Warrant Article of Interest
The Hooksett Banner is reporting:
Land donated to the Candia Fire Department by the town three years ago has been turned back over to the town. The department never built a planned substation on the land. Warrant Article concerns Candia's American Legion Post 91, who would like to use it as their home.
There are Warrant Articles regarding Candia Volunteer Fireman's Association seeking $50,000 to be placed in capital reserve fund for future purchases of fire apparatus and equipment and $15,000 to replace the department's self-contained breathing apparatus.
The Candia Police Department have asked for $12,500 to upgrade their radio communications system.
03/05/01 - From Car 83, Statewide President
The Board of Directors has taken steps to solve the noise and
interference problems. We see no alternatives but to acquire our own repeater or install a duplexer set for the existing repeater. We have found a used Motorola repeater with a Zetron controller, duplexers and power supply that costs roughly the same as a good set of new duplexers. This should be installed
by the end of April. We will then use only one antenna (our current transmit antenna 81 feet up the tower) for both transmit and receive, getting us off
the house combiner that allows many users to share one antenna.
The combiner is the suspected source of our noise problems, and is not the most efficient device in the world. I speculate that we should see better receive and transmit coverage resulting from this move, but I won't make promises on unknowns.
I'd like thank everyone for holding on while we get through these problems. It has been a harsh reality for us to deal with, but this step we expect will fully resolve our problems. The other users will continue to use the repeater, and we'll be fine tuning the business arrangements to that end.
One last option we may explore is changing the PL away from the 118.8 cycle tone we now use, as this is so close to the electric power grid second harmonic (multiple) of 60 hz/ 120 hz. Keep in mind, we might do this anyway, as part of the system upgrade.
Performance capabilities of the new system are not known, but if the noise goes away, I will be a happy camper. It is disappointing to have to shut off our radios due to static. Or, worse, have no one answer when putting out a call for a job, because everyone turned off their radios or
switched to another channel.
I'll apologize for the long time it has taken to resolve this issue, but it is most complicated, with no one taking ownership of the situation.
Well,
this move should get some attention, and tho that isn't what we seek,
we
just wanted the thing fixed, and the only way to do that was to do it
ourselves! Once we get S-1 resolved, we'll go after S-2 and those
problems.
Again, same thing, no one knows anything, and no one wants to help,
even if
we throw money at them! It has been quite a disappointment for me, and
for
the Association in general.
The Board of Directors and I look forward to hearing you all on the air
again once we dig out of these snow storms. See you at the meeting
March
21!
Dave Barker
Car 83
March 2001 New Hampshire Elections of Public Safety Concern
Alstead - Fire Commissioner - 3 yr term - No candidates
Bennington - Fire Chief - 1 yr term - One candidate
Charlestown - Fire Chief - 1 yr term - One candidate
Chesterfield - Fire Ward - 3 yr term - Two candidates
Fitzwilliam - Fire Ward - 3 yr term - Two candidates
Greenfield - Fire Chief - 1 yr term - One candidate
Harrisville - Fire Chief - 1 yr term - One candidate
Hinsdale - Fire Chief - 1 yr term - One candidate
Marlboro - Two Fire Wards - 3 yr term - 3 candidates
Marlow - Police Chief - 1 yr term - 1 candidate
Nelson - Police Officer - 1 yr term - No candidates
Nelson - Fire Chief - 1 yr term - One candidate
Roxbury - Fire Chief - 1 yr term - One candidate
Stoddard - Three Fire Wards - 1 yr term - One candidate
Stoddard - Constable - 1 yr term - One candidate
Surry - Fire Engineer (Chief) - 3 yr term - One candidate
March 17,2000 Rollinsford NH Warrant Articles, elections of Interest
Foster's Daily Democrat Reports:
The sole candidate position of chief engineer is Harry S. Knowles, who is running for re-election as fire chief. Knowles is a full-time firefighter for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
Warrant Article: A warrant article seeking $190,000 for a new firetruck.
March 13/14, 2001 Bow NH Warrant Article of Interest
Budget item for $55,500 towards purchase of replacement fire department pumper
March 13/15, 2001 Danbury NH Warrant Article of Interest
$14,455 for fire department radios for Lakes Region Mutual Aid
March 13/14, 2001 Epsom NH Warrant Article of Interest
Budget of $1,600,000 includes funds to add a part time Emergency Medical Technician
March 13, 2001 Allenstown Warrant Article of Interest
Warrant articles for $257,525 worth of new equipment for the fire
department.
March 13, 2001 Epsom Warrant Article of Interest
Epsom residents will vote on the removal of two part-time police
department positions to be replaced with one full-time officer. Voters will also be faced with a similar option for the Epsom Fire Department, which will
replace the department's part-time EMTs with a full-time
firefighter/paramedic.
The Epsom Fire Rescue department is also requesting $83,451 to be taken
from existing funds in order to purchase a new ambulance.
March 13, 2001 Hampton Warrant Article of Interest
Fire Chief Hank Lipe is asking Hampton voters to approve
more than $1 million for a new ladder truck for the department. Federal
grant money in the amouth of $750,000 is being sought to aid in the purchase, the town raise only $363,395 for the million-dollar fire apparatus
Article for funds for improvements to Fire Station 2 on Winnacunnet Road.
March 17, 2001 Croydon NHCommunity Supper
Corned Beef and Cabbage Supper in Croydon sponsored by the First
Congregational Church: 5 to 7 p.m., Croydon Fire Station Hall. $6.50
adults, $3 ages under 12, preschoolers free; proceeds benefit the East
Village Church restoration fund.
March 17,2001 Middleton NH Warrant Articles of Interest
Foster's Daily Democrat Reports
Article 3 asks residents to appropriate $198,705 for public safety operations, including the Police Department, Fire and Rescue Department, Office of Emergency Management and the town's portion to Strafford County Dispatch
* Article 11 asks residents to put $5,000 into an existing firetruck reserve fund to save for the future purchase of a truck.
*
*
* Article 12 asks residents to approve the withdrawal of $16,989.50 to pay for an addition to the fire station. If approved, the money would be withdrawn from an existing reserve fund. The Board of Selectmen must approve the final plans for the project.
March 13/14, 2001 Wolfeboro NH Warrant Article of Interest
Budget of $2,200,000 includes funds to add a full time Fire Fighter
LAUGHTER AND HANDSHAKES were abundant when Derry fire personnel, family
and friends filled the VFW function hall Friday night to honor some,
congratulate one and say goodbye to another. The annual Derry Fire
Department Recognition Night brought one couple up from Florida to
surprise their son and be there for his promotion to lieutenant.
Chief Ron Stowers said Rick Payne had the intangible assets for the
position, and he did everything right from day one.
"He exemplifies what you need to do to be a public servant," Stowers
said.
Four team leaders were also recognized, Bruno Soucy, Walter Owen, Scott
Haggart and Carl Moorhead. Recently retired Gary Raymond made his way
through the crowd shaking hands with his former colleagues to the song
"My Way" after being recognized for his integral part in laying the
foundation for the fire union. Stowers said he was proud to say he has
worked side by side with Raymond for 24 years. "You'll always be part
of us," he said.
Ken Pelletier, who could not make the ceremony, was also recognized for
his service to the department; he retired at the end of last year.
Many people were recognized for their efforts and dedication to the
department during Friday's event. Service awards, holiday spirit
awards, recognition awards were among the certificates and pins given.
Battalion Chief Terry Doyle received the Fire Chief's Leadership award,
particularly for his work on getting two thermal imaging cameras for
the station. Doyle thanked Haggart and Lt. Rich Houle and 18 others who
pitched in on the project.
The department received the EMS Unit of the Year award from the state,
and Stowers recognized Capt. Richard O'Brien, who in turn said every
crew went above and beyond their call of duty.
Other EMS units have contacted O'Brien in order to model Derry's
program. O'Brien also thanked Dr. Joseph Sabato at Parkland Medical
Center, for his commitment to seat belt safety.
Lt. Mark Gagnon was honored for work on the safety committee, as well
as the other members. Lt. Jim Richardson was called upon to talk about
the firefighter combat challenge team, and Lt. Bill Gillis was
recognized for his Child Transport Safety Program.
Retired inspector Peter Brassard was honored with a certificate for an
outstanding fire prevention education program, and Lindsey Richardson
and Eric Watson were recognized for their work and effort to put
together a video of the department members in action over the years.
Stowers said over the 24 years he has been with the department, the
group that is working together now is better than he has ever seen.
03/03 - Concord NH Fire Dept
On 3/3/2001, Concord Fire will be placing a 3rd Rescue (Ambulance) in
full service and will also change all response patterns for the
Rescues. Currently, all rescues respond from Central Station and
alternate between Rescue-1 and Rescue-4 (55X1 & 55X4). In addition,
55X2 can be staffed by members of Ladder-1. On 3/3, the Rescues will
come out of Central and be placed at the outlying stations. Each
rescue will assume the callsign matching the engine company at each
station. Therefore Rescues 4,5 and 7 will go in service at Broadway,
the Manor and the Heights respetively. Rescue-1 will be deactivated
as a fulltime unit and placed in reserve status at Central. Rescue-1
will not respond on overflow calls (other 3 rescues working) but only
for storms, special events, etc. or if another rescue goes OOS. New
station assignments will be as follows:
Firefighters honored former Fire Chief Theron Morgrage, 91, who died Feb.
27 after a long illness. Morgrage served 35 years with the Goffstown
Fire Department, 27 years as chief.
MEREDITH - Flags at the town's two fire stations remain at half staff today following the weekend death of a veteran volunteer firefighter.
Cecil Smith, 76, of Hillrise Lane, died Sunday at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center after he was injured in a traffic accident while responding to a fire call.
"Cecil had a real zest for life and dearly loved the fire service. He was very dedicated and was always looking to help other people," said Deputy Fire Chief Andre Kloetz.
Smith was responding to a report of a house fire on Observatory Road about 4 p.m. on Saturday when his vehicle was involved in a collision with another vehicle near the intersection of Route 104 and Route 3.
Smith's wife, Dolores, was a passenger at the time of the accident which witnesses described as being minor. Bystanders said Cecil Smith appeared to have only suffered a bruise to his hand. He was checked by emergency medical crews at the scene, and declined to be transported to the hospital.
Moments after returning to his home, Smith reportedly began exhibiting signs of having suffered a head injury. Friends said they believed Smith who had weathered some significant health problems in recent years, bumped his head during the crash which caused a vessel in his head to rupture. When an ambulance arrived at Smith's home just minutes after being called, he was already unconscious. Rescuers rushed Smith to Lakes Region General Hospital where he was subsequently airlifted to Lebanon for treatment.
"Despite all his health problems he has a great attitude about life and really enjoyed it," said Kloetz.
In recent weeks, Kloetz said his family has been coping with his father-in-law's own health problems, explaining Smith had taken it upon himself to keep a watchful eye on his mother-in-law.
"He was just an all around wonderful person," said Meredith Town Manager Peter Russell. Smith's family will be entitled to life insurance benefits provided by the town.
Smith was within months of having served 50 years with the department, most recently acting as the department's radioman. His son, Don, also serves with the Meredith Fire Department, and son, Doug, had volunteered with neighboring New Hampton until he moved. His nephew is also a firefighter in New Jersey, and plans to travel to N.H. to attend the funeral.
"He did most of our dispatching duties because of his age and did a wonderful job. I'm going to miss him terribly. He'd undergone open heart surgery in the past year and was just a real scraper. It's a terrible loss," said Steve Bennett, the fire department's clerk.
Smith joined the department in August 1952 and was looking forward to reaching his golden anniversary of service.
"He was our most senior member in terms of years of service. I'm number two in comparison and have only got 23 years in," Bennett lamented.
Although the state's 911 system advised Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid Dispatch that they had received a call reporting a structure fire on Observatory Road, the incident turned out to be a flooded oil burner.
Smith's death underscores the potential risks firefighters are exposed to every time they respond to an emergency call, department members said.
The funeral is scheduled to be held on Thursday at the First Congregational Church on Highland Street in Meredith at 1 p.m. A procession which will include a fire truck is scheduled to make its way from the church to the Meredith Village Cemetery. Firefighters and auxiliary members from throughout Central New Hampshire are expected to line the funeral route.
Cecile Smith Photo Essay LinkCLICK HERE Remembering a Comrade (Laconia Citizen Photos/Daryl Carlson)
01/18 - Berlin NH
The Berlin Daily Sun is reporting that the fire chief selection committee will interview two finalist on Jan 31. City manager Robert Theberge is acting Fire Chief.
01/16 - Derry NH Barn raising' sought for fire station construction
THE EAST DERRY Fire Station Two building committee will maximize all of its department and community resources to build the station for close to half the cost of the going rate, Fire Chief Nadeau said.
Using talent within the department and the relationships the department has with the business community and residents, the station could be constructed for around $65 per square foot, Nadeau said.
"It's really a strong community effort," Nadeau said. He described the project as a New England "barn raising."
A comprehensive site plan is nearing completion, as are the final numbers for cost. Nadeau said TFMoran Inc. is working with them and has identified every component of the plan. Within the next few weeks the costs should be figured out.
Nadeau said they are currently making provisions for a trailer, given free of charge, for the outpouring of donations they have received - from nails to light fixtures, filing cabinets to furniture.
With budget preparations, a lawsuit over changing district boundaries, an education committee, a capital planning and the building committee, the department has a lot on its plate, Nadeau said. Having the community behind them and involved is a positive thing, he said.
After a four-month fundraising effort, the Colebrook Fire Department is only $3,500 short of its goal of outfitting itself with a snowmobile, ATV rescue sled and trailer.
First Assistant Chief Brett Brooks said that if the sled arrives as scheduled tomorrow, he will get the Skandic wide-track snowmachine from Herc's on Friday. If the department receives the remaining $3,500, that amount plus $5,000 in matching funds pledged by the First Colebrook Bank will be enough for an enclosed trailer and the rest of the gear-a radio system, cold weather gloves and insulated coveralls.
Along with the N.H. Fish and Game, the department's effort was launched with a donation from the Swift Diamond Riders in August, quickly followed by the First Colebrook Bank's pledge. Between donations and raffle ticket sales, the group has raised around $8,800.
Brett and Conservation Officer Wayne Saunders originally thought they would have to raise around $15,000 for the entire rescue unit. The sled, which they thought would cost about $1,500, ended up costing $3,602.20. It is paid for and was due to be delivered tomorrow (Thursday). If so, and if Brett gets the machine as planned, the unit will be stored indoors on his trailer until the department gets the necessary funds for an enclosed one.
To give the men training to go with the equipment, Brett said, the department hopes to start a First Responder course this month, along with members of the Pittsburg and Beecher Falls departments. The goal is for the firefighters to not only get ambulance personnel to the rescue scene, but to enable them to assist once they get there.
The following people won prizes in the rescue sled effort's first raffle: Norman DeLine Jr.-Ethan Allen cabinet; Bonnie Hurley-Ski-Doo helmet from Herc's; Brad Hann-$100 gift certificate from Co"s Auto; Anthony Young-dinner for two at the Balsams; Philip Therrien-$50 gift certificate from Ducret's Sporting Goods.
Story by Karen Harrigan, reprinted from Colebrook News & Sentinel with permission. http://www.colbsent.com
The Colebrook News & Sentinel also reports that the sled got put to use immediately by responding to a snowmobile accident on Saturday the 13th in Coleman State Park three miles into the woods on Big Diamond on Trail 133. Victim drove off a snowmobile bridge and struck a tree landing in the brook. Victim was in water nearly an hour. He was transported to Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital.
01/08 - Rye NH
Rye NH Board of Selectmen will hold a public hearing Monday at 6:30 p.m. regarding proposed renovations and additions at the Rye Center fire station. The proposal would cost the town almost $700,000.
WSMN Radio AM 1590 Nashua has announced that former Mayor Donald Davidson will be filling the recently vacated Nashua Fire Commission seat
01/03 - Nashua
Police Dept hires former Nashua fire commissioner
Longtime resident Ed Lecius has taken a new post with the Nashua Police Department.
Lecius, a city native and former radio personality, is required to step down from his elected seat on the Board of Fire Commissioners, which he did Friday.
COMPLETE STORY AT:
Nashua Telegraph
This is to advise you we've just posted our latest article, "Ice Rescue - The Preparation and Training of Public Safety and Rescue Personnel to Respond to Ice and Cold Water Emergencies" lifesaving.com/articles/IceRescue.htm which was published in the Dec. 2000/Jan. 2001 issue of Advanced Rescue Technology Magazine. The information contained within this article represents the foundation for our Ice Rescue Technician Courses (see Educational Programs Section of our web site at
lifesaving.com/seminars/irt_course.htm which will be conducted in NH on January 20, February 17, and March 17. We encourage our readers to review the article and post your comments within the interactive Bulletin Board contained within the Issues in Safety and Rescue Section of our web site. Meanwhile, we wish to thank everyone who has kept us abreast of recent water and ice rescue incidents so that we could post them within the Spotlight on Rescues section of our web site.
01/02 - Hanover NH
After 30 years with the Hanover Fire Department, Firefighter Robert Burns retired.
