HomeMy WebLinkAboutReport of the Fire Chief for Jan 1982CAYUGA HEIGHTS FIRE DEPARTMENT
194 PLEASANT GROVE ROAD
ITHACA. NEW YORK
February 15, 1982
To: Honorable Frederick G. Marcham, Mayor
Members of the Board of Trustees
Village of Cayuga Heights
Re: Fire Chief's Report for January 1982
The Fire Department responded to 9 fire calls, 7 investigations, and 9 rescue
calls during the month of January 1982. The fires broke down to a car fire,
mutual aid to Lansing, a chimney fire, 2 investigations, a house fire, a break
in a sprinkler system, a boiler overheating, and a light ballast. The investi-
gations broken down amount to 1 gas leak, 2 smoke odor investigations, 1
broken pipe, and 3 flooded basements.
The Rescue Squad calls were broken down to 3 motor vehicle accidents, 1 seizure,
1 not feeling well, 1 cardiac problem, 1 difficulty breathing, 1 severe
laceration, and 1 fall.
At the fire of January 18 at 572 Warren Road, we experienced problems with
all three of our pumpers because of the extreme cold weather. The fire
started at 1:45 AM on a night when the temperature never reached as high as
10 degrees below zero. One pumper had a broken cap on the primer to the main
pump which was probably broken by freezing water. The newest pumper had
the governor on the pump freeze. This meant the truck would still pump
water, but we could not change the amount it would pump. This caused no
real problems until we wanted to go home. The oldest pumper ran fine all
night until we wanted to move it. At this point we found the rear axle was
frozen to the ground under it by water. Also the cable which shifts the
vehicle from road gear to pump gear was frozen and had to be defrosted
before we could move the truck. We have done some investigating and are
looking into covers which can be built around the bottom of the pump to
hold in exhaust heat during cold weather.
The electric generator on Engine 203 refused to run after the first half
hour of the fire. This left one side of the structure without lighting.
This generator has been a problem since we bought it. The vibration of the
truck and the dirt from being in an enclosed compartment are too much for
the ignition of the generator. Instead of putting more money into the
repair of this generator, the Fire Council would like to ask for a
resolution to allow funds to be transferred from equipment maintanence
to equipment purchase to allow us to replace this generator on the truck.
The new generator will cost approximately $1200. The old generator will
be checked out and put in service as a stationary generator in the Fire
House for power failures there.
Respectfully submit. e
Francis L. Miller
Fire Chief
"HELP PREVENT FIRES"