Note: The 90th annual Firefighter’s Ball and Awards Banquet was held on 2-11-12. Awards given:
Battalion Chief’s Award– This award is presented by the NFFD Battalion Chiefs to line personnel who have performed meritorious service on an emergency medical call. It can be difficult to single out one recipient as NFFD crews are involved in many EMS “saves” every year. For 2011 the award was bestowed on the crew of Engine 8 Platoon 2 –Captain Frank Guthrie, Firefighters Dave Seguin, Jerel Welch, and Joel Stephenson. Upon receipt of a call of a unconscious man in the alley of the 2700 block of Falls St., they discovered that the man had no pulse or respirations. Acting quickly, the crew began CPR and attached an automatic external defibrillator which prompted them to deliver an electrical shock  to the man’s heart . One more shock was needed to restore the patient’s normal cardiac rhythm . The patient’s vital signs improved dramatically and before the ambulance began transport to the hospital , the patient was conscious and talking.
Local 714 Presidential Award—-Risky Sanabria
Local 3359 Presidential Award—- Clifford Mayes
NFFD Mutual Aid Association President’s Award—Eric Barlow                                                                                                                                                                                                           Niagara Falls Firefighters Christmas Toy Fund Award—Gil Burke                                                                                                                                                                                                      George Optical Award—Vincent Orsi

Fire Prevention Note:  Life Safety Educator Al Hornung made 110 fire safety presentations to schoolchildren, senior citizen groups, block clubs and festival events during 2011, instructing more than 8000 people. If you have a group that would like to benefit from his services, he can be reached at 286-4729.

1-23-12— Platoon 2 responded to a report of a kitchen fire in the 2900 block of South Ave. at 3:27 p.m. Combustible items placed too close to a toaster started the fire. Engine 3 used a dry chemical extinguisher to put out the fire. Damage was estimated at $500.
1-23-12— A report of a building fire in the 600 block of Tronolone Ave. sent Platoon 1 to the scene at 7:15 p.m. A juvenile had started a small fire in a bathroom.
Extinguishment was rapid and Captain Tom Etopio of the Bureau of Fire Prevention called in a Juvenile Detective from the NFPD to interview the suspect.
1-25-12—Platoon 4 were dispatched to the 4800 block of Packard Rd. at 12:03 p.m. as a tractor trailer struck a utility pole. As the pole was resting on the vehicle, Niagara Mohawk was called to the scene and the pole had to be removed prior to the truck being removed. No significant injuries.
1-26-12— Engine 4 and Truck 1 were sent to the 200 block of 15th St. for a car fire at 8:46 p.m. The responding crews found a 2010 Chevy Cobalt fully involved in fire. The car was registered to a man in Buffalo who when contacted claimed to not know that it was missing. Damage was total–estimated at $12,000. The fire is suspicious and is under investigation by the NFFD and NFPD.
1-28-12—Engine 9 went to a field fire in the 9300 block of Reid Ave. at 9:08 p.m. After extinguishment, a cause could not be immediately determined.

Fire Prevention Note: Recent icy conditions required the NFFD to respond to numerous motor vehicle accidents in this period. Winter can present driving challenges to even the most experienced drivers. With preparation and good awareness, however, driving in rain , sleet , or snow can be less risky for drivers, passengers, and fellow travelers alike. All-season tires or winter-specific tires can improve traction and stability. Clearing accumulated snow from the windows, mirrors, and hood of your vehicle may help you avoid a temporary whiteout while driving. Keeping tire chains, ice melt or rock salt, and a snow shovel in your vehicle could make it easier to get back on the road if you get stuck.

Fire Prevention Note: At the fuel pump:  Even if your vehicle is fuel-efficient, you might feel like you’re always stopping to refill the tank. While you may often be in a hurry, following these safety tips will help make your fuel stop safer. Turn off your engine before fueling. Leave your cell phone in the vehicle or turn it off prior to fueling, to avoid static electricity that could cause a fire. If a fire does occur, do not attempt to remove the nozzle from your your vehicle or turn off the flow of gasoline; leave the area at once and call for help—dial 911 and also notify the gas station attendant. Always use Department of Transportation (DOT) approved portable containers if you’re getting gas for non-vehicle use; be sure to set the containers on the ground before filling and cap them tightly when finished.

Note:  Clothes Dryers— Under some circumstances, dangerous heat can build up in a dryer. Never leave home with the clothes dryer running. Dryers must be vented to the outside, not into a wall or attic. Clean the lint screen frequently to keep the airway clear. Never put in synthetic fabrics, plastic, rubber, or foam because they retain heat.

12-22-11— An intentionally set fire sent Platoon 1 to a house in the 1000 block of Center Ave. at 10:29 p.m. After Engine 3 extinguished the fire, Fire Marshall Carl Parker collected evidence of a flammable liquid pour in this vacant house. Damage was estimated at $1000 and it remains under investigation.
12-23-11— Platoon 2 responded to a possible structure fire in the 1700 block of Whitney Ave. at 4:15 p.m.  Upon arrival crews found a problem with the furnace that required them to call for City Building Inspections to come to the scene. A violation for not having a carbon monoxide detector was issued to the owner.
12-23-11— Engine 3 was dispatched to the 1100 block of Niagara Ave. for another furnace investigation at 6:40 p.m.  There had been an earlier blower motor fire and the furnace was not functioning properly. Numerous other New York State Fire and Property Maintenance Code violations were discovered at this residence and a City Inspector subsequently condemned the property.
12-24-11—At 2:54 a.m., a hotel guest at the Holiday Inn Express at 10111 N.F. Blvd. hung clothes on a sprinkler head and broke it off causing water to flow under pressure and  producing a significant flooding situation. LaSalle companies responding were able to shut down the water supply system . They remained on the scene for two hours assisting with water removal and clean-up, but an estimated $60,000 damage had been done. The sprinkler and fire alarm systems were restored to service before the last unit cleared.
12-24-11—Platoon 4 were sent to a structure fire in the 2900 block of Whirlpool Ave. at 12:21 p.m.  A resident had started cooking on the stove top and then left the house.  While the occupant was gone, one of the numerous dogs or cats present apparently knocked over a  cooking vessel–starting the fire. Heavy fire in the kitchen area presented to first arriving crews. Extinguishment was rapid, but not before four cats and three dogs had perished from smoke inhalation. $38,000 damage.
12-24-11–A vehicle fire was reported in the 100 block of 65th St. at 1:09 p.m.  Engine 7′s crew–Captain Joe Azbell, Firefighters Frank Casper, and Chris Bodenstein used an 1 3/4 inch hoseline to put out a fire in the engine compartment of a 2000 Chevy  Blazer.  The cause was found to be an electrical problem and damage was $1000.

12-12-11—Platoon 1 sent a full assignment to a scrapyard in the 4800 block of Packard Rd. at 8:01 a.m. for a report of a building fire. Two junked vehicles being cut up for scrap started a fire inside a structure due to a gasoline leak. Workers on the scene used a dry chemical extinguisher to put out the fire.
12-13-11— Fire Investigator Gerald Aderhold was responding to another call when he observed a large volume of smoke at the intersection of 72nd St. and N.F. Blvd. at 10:04 a.m. The proprietor of a Christmas tree lot was burning trimmed tree branches in his backyard. The owner used his own water supply to douse the fire and he was issued an open burning violation warning.
12-13-11—Battalion Chief Pat Brown’s Platoon 2 units were dispatched to the 400 block of 25th St. at 7:04 p.m. for a structure fire. The first arriving unit—Engine 8 with Captain Angela Gebauer, Firefighters Stephen Hess, Joel Stephenson, and Gordon Stewart III stretched a hoseline to the rear of the building where heavy fire was showing and quickly knocked down the main body of the fire. Investigators determined the fire was intentionally set and damage was estimated at $40,000.
12-13-11—Shortly after clearing from the previous mentioned fire, Engine 8 responded to to a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in the 2200 block of Pine Ave. at 10:14 p.m. The female patient was treated for neck injuries and a head laceration and transported to Erie County Medical Center.
12-18-11— High levels of carbon monoxide ( over 200 parts per million ) were found at a house in the 1000 block of Ontario Ave. at 3:22p.m. by Truck 1. The source was determined to be the furnace in the basement and it was shut off and both a repairman and National Fuel were called to the scene. It was determined that a bird’s nest was blocking the chimney, preventing proper ventilation of products of combustion.

Note: Children and Grandchildren: One-fourth of all fire-deaths of children are from fires started by children. Keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children. Never leave children unattended with fire or space heaters. Children are naturally curious about fire, so keep an eye on them. But if a child repeatedly plays with fire or seems to have a morbid fascination with fire, seek professional help at once. If youngsters live with you or stay overnight occasionally, be sure that they know how to escape from every room and are part of your emergency exit plan.

12-05-11—– Platoon 1 under the command of Battalion Chief Dan Boland responded to a structure fire in the 500 block of 10th St. at 1:40 a.m. First arriving crews found heavy fire blowing out the front first floor windows. Engine 8′s men– Captain Tom Jelen, Firefighters Gil Burke, Kevin Connolly, and Jacob Edwards rapidly hooked up to a hydrant and used their deck gun to knock down the main body of the fire. Fire Investigator Gerald Aderhold discovered evidence of flammable liquids poured on the floor and declared this fire intentional in nature. Damage is estimated at $9000.
12-06-11— Platoon 1 was sent to the 700 block of Spruce Ave. for a report of an attic fire which extended to a bedroom at 4:58 a.m. After extinguishment, it was determined that the fire originated in an electrical panel in the attic that was overfused. Damage is listed at $13,000.
12-07-11—Engine 7, Engine 8, Truck 2, Rescue 1 and Car 80 were dispatched to the 6600 block of N.F. Boulevard at 4:34 p.m. for a report of a motor vehicle accident with injuries. Despite the efforts of the personnel, one woman was declared dead at the scene and two other females were taken to trauma units for serious injuries. Crews remained on the scene for 1 1/2 hrs. performing clean up duties and assisting the NFPD with their investigation.
12-08-11— A garage fire was called in at 4:34 p.m. in the 600 block of Orchard Parkway. Arriving units found heavy smoke issuing from the loft of the garage. Truck 1 with Captain Gary Carella, Firefighters Frank Mantell, Joel Krupa, and Jason Cerrillo immediately vented the loft to allow other crews to bring a hoseline up the stairs and quickly extinguish the fire. A youth admitted he had been rummaging through the loft with a cigarette lighter and may have accidentally started the fire. The youth will receive counseling through the Fire Prevention’s J-FIRE program. $7500 damage.
12-11-11– Engine 9, Engine 7, Truck 2 and Car 80 responded to the 1200 block of 90TH St. for a possible house fire at 7:28 a.m. An improperly installed ventless fireplace had malfunctioned and proceeded to fill the house with smoke. Firefighters vented the house and discovered a marijuana growing operation present. NFPD and City Inspections were called to the scene. $2500 damage.

Note: During this period the NFFD responded to 49 emergency medical service calls, ranging from minor first aid to cardiac arrests. Due to the strategic placements of our 5 firehouses we usually arrive before an ambulance to begin treatment. The point is, if you have a medical emergency, call 911 and a fire rig and the ambulance will both be dispatched.