For the period of Friday March 6, 2009 to Thursday March 12, 2009 the Niagara Falls Fire Department responded to 109 calls for assistance.
Friday March 6 - The 1600 block of Cleveland Avenue was the scene of a bus versus automobile accident that occurred at 8:14 AM. Fire units arrived on the scene and found a total of 10 patients suffering mostly minor injuries. Department members began to assess and treat the injured parties while other members checked the vehicles for any leaking fluids. All but one of the victims refused transport to the hospital and another bus was summoned to the scene to continue the transport of the riders.
Tuesday March 10 – Shortly before 9 AM fire units were dispatched for an industrial accident at a commercial establishment in the 3800 block of Highland Avenue. Dispatchers were able to inform responding units that a 3-ton steel plate had fallen onto a worker who was now trapped by the heavy steel. Mercy Flight was immediately called to respond as the mechanism of injury had the potential to cause life threaten injuries. It was quickly determined that the victim was suffering from severe lower body injuries with possible internal chest injuries. Using on site equipment the plate was removed from the victim who was stabilized and transported to the nearby landing zone. On arrival at the trauma center the patient was immediately taken to surgery to control the internal bleeding and stabilize the leg fractures. Both OSHA as well as the NFPD conducted investigations into the incident.
Wednesday March 11 – A burglar alarm activation sent a police officer to a commercial building in the 6700 block of Buffalo Avenue. On arrival, the officer noticed heavy smoke coming from the one story structure and requested a fire department response. Firefighters arrived on location and found an active fire involving numerous vehicles within the building. Hoselines were deployed by the Engine Company while members assigned to the Truck forced entry into the building. The smell of burning plastics filled the air as firefighters began to attack the rapidly intensifying blaze. Multiple hoselines were used to apply enough water to give firefighters the upper hand in attacking the fire. The fire appeared to have originated in the interior of one of the vehicles in the facility for servicing. The exact cause of the fire is still undetermined and investigators continue to look at all possible causes. The fire caused an estimated $50,000 in damage to the vehicles as well as the structure.
