HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Department Report for Feb 1972CAYUGA HEIGHTS FIRE DEPARTMENT
Report for February 1972
The department responded to 2 alarms of fire and 2 assists during February in
addition to the assists mentioned in the snow emergency report. Fire loss at
the fire in the apartment building at 220 Triphammer Road has not been completely
determined but it appears there was a substanial loss, due to smoke, to the
contents of the building. Actual structural damage was small. This fire proved
the value of the agreement between the Ithaca Fire Department and ourselves.
Ithaca received the alarm via phone first, since it was a border line location
they immediately responded with two engines and a ladder, our department was then
alerted and we responded with two engines and Car 1. In the interim Patrolman
Darling heard the alarm over the scanner in the police car and immediately responded.
His prompt arrival and subsequent prompt action with a fire extinguisher was
instrumental in control of the fire. All five of the people in the apartment
house who were trapped by heavy smoke were evacuated without mishap by firemen
and police.
There was one inspection made during the month at Acacia. This was a final
advisory inspection to approve plans to make fire safety improvements at that
location.
At 11:00 A.M. on February 19th Assistant Chief Vorhis declared a snow emergency
for the department since road conditions were at a point where volunteers could
not reach the scene of an emergency through usual means. This condition lasted
until 7:00 P.M. on February 20th. During that period 24 men put in 292 manhours
of voluntary standby duty at the fire station. (Car 1, our 4 -wheel drive emergency
vehicle, proved invaluable in picking up and delivering the volunteers to and from
the fire station under road conditions which made use of ordinary vehicles
impossible.) Duty consisted of being available for emergency responses and keeping
fire station drives and walks cleared of snow. Our new base radio was put to use
when the County Fire Control radio was out of service and we provided radio
communications for the entire county fire service. One medical assist was made
with the CHPD and a search was started for a missing child during the most severe
part of the storm. The Village Work Force was provided with a radio receiver so
that the plows could be called immediately in case of a fire emergency requiring
their assistance. A total of 54 meals were served during the period the total cost
of which was assumed by the fire company.
As the end of our Village year approaches I would like to mention the excellent
cooperation I have received from Rose and Helen. They have been especially good
about getting reports, letters, etc. typed and or duplicated. I'm sure that on
occasion my request for such services has crowded an already busy schedule but
the work has always been graciously and promptly done at any request.
Ned G. Boice
Fire Chief
0