Car into a Pole

January 3, 2009

At approximately 12:30 am on January 3rd, Belltown units were dispatched to the area of 884 Newfield Avenue for a car that drove into a pole. Rescue 44 and Engine 41 were first to arrive and found a car had split a pole in half and stopped resting on the pole's base. Members stabilized the car and along with Stamford EMS removed the driver. A passenger had self extricated prior to fire department arrival. Units remained on scene for approximately two hours as CL&P executed a plan to safely remove the vehicle and replace the pole.

Still Fully Volunteer

January 2, 2009

On January 2, 2009, Belltown celebrated our first full year as a fully volunteer department since first hiring a paid driver in 1946. In 2008 Belltown responded to 474 calls, including many motor vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, fire alarms and much more. While the call volume has certainly decreased from previous years, Belltown has shown a commitment to serving the residents of our district and when requested, providing mutual aid to other fire districts in Stamford.

RIT Drill

December 30, 2008

During a regularly scheduled drill on Tuesday December 30th, Belltown members practiced essential RIT skills. Firefighters focused on skills needed when locating the down firefighter. Rapid Intervention Team or RIT (also known as FAST or RIC) is a team of two or more firefighters dedicated solely to search and rescue of other firefighters in distress at a structure fire incident. Twenty members participated in the drill.

Car Accident with Extrication

December 27, 2008

At nearly 5 in the morning on December 27th, Belltown units were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Turner Road and Newfield Avenue. Engine 41 and Rescue 44 were first on scene and found a newer model Ford Focus resting on a small hill after striking a traffic light pole and control box. The driver had self-extricated upon arrival, the passenger was conscious but trapped in the car. Belltown units began stabilizing the car and then removed the passenger side door. The patient was quickly extricated from the car and care was transferred to Stamford EMS.

The ABCs of Air Bags

December 19, 2008

Firefighter Paul J. DeBartolomeo of FDNY needed photos for a class he is running at the upcoming FDIC Conference. The class, called "ABC's of Air Bags," is focused on creating challenging rescue situations to teach proper use and set up of air bags. He needed photos for an article about the class in Fire Engineering magazine. Belltown members assisted him in setting up airbag scenarios, providing both students and equipment for the photos. For more information on the class and conference, click here.

A Busy Start to December

December 6, 2008

The first week of December kept Belltown volunteers busy responding to multiple incidents. On Tuesday evening units responded to an oven fire on Dartley St. On arrival Engine 41 crew found no fire, but a moderate smoke condition from a self cleaning oven. Crews shut down the oven and ventilated before returning. The next morning volunteers responded to a female not breathing outside of Grade A Market. Captain 414 arrived within seconds of dispatch and reported the female was actually conscious and alert. Thursday morning crews secured a downed wire on Newfield Court, and shortly after handled a vehicle fire on Donald Road, that afternoon members assisted a female who had fallen in her apartment at 500 Newfield Avenue.

Friday brought an additional medical call in the morning, as well as a fire alarm activation at Belltown Manor and additional medical call in the evening. Saturday was the busiest day of the week with a total of six calls in the 24 hour period. At 345AM members were dispatched to an motor vehicle accident with injuries on Pepper Ridge Road. Units arrived to a vehicle on its side and a utility pole which had snapped at its base. The patient had self extricated and was immediately attended to as other members stabilized the vehicle and spread absorbent on spilled fluids. Members who had already been up in the middle of the night were once again sent out at 7AM for a fire alarm activation on Donald Road. Upon arrival Engine 41 crew determined the alarm to be accidental. Around noon crews responded to an unconscious party on Turner Road, and later in the afternoon Truck 45 was special called to the Springdale fire district for a fire alarm. Saturday evening Belltown volunteers simultaneously responded mutual aid with Truck 45 to smoke from a building in the Springdale District (later determined to be steam) and a motor vehicle accident behind Newfield Green Shopping Center.

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