Notice is hereby given that the Proposed 2009 Budget of the DeWitt Fire District of the Town of DeWitt, State of New York, as adopted September 23, 2008 by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the DeWitt Fire District, will be presented at this hearing for its consideration. A PUBLIC HEARING will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the DeWitt Fire Station, 4500 E. Genesee St. DeWitt, New York 13214, in the Town of DeWitt, State of New York on Tuesday the 21st day of October, 2008. Pursuant to Town Law #105, the Board of Fire Commissioners must hold a public hearing on the budget, make the budget available to the public prior to the public hearing, allow the public to comment on the proposed budget at the public hearing. This public hearing must be held to allow maximum public participation in the hearing. The purpose of the public hearing is to allow any person to be heard in favor of or against the proposed budget as it is submitted, or for or against any item or items contained in the proposed budget, and hearing all persons interested in the subject concerning same. That a copy of the proposed budget is available at the Office of the Town Clerk of the Town of DeWitt, 5400 Butternut Drive, East Syracuse, New York 13057, and the Fire District Secretary at 4500 E. Genesee St.  DeWitt, New York 13214 where it my be inspected by any interested person during office hours (Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.). Documents can be viewed by clicking the "DOWNLOAD" link to the left of the page.    

October 5-11 is National Fire Prevention Week.  While fire safety is a year-round endeavor, this particular week in October is an annual event which brings school children into the fire station and firefighters into the schools to reinforce those fire safety habits.

The history of National Fire Prevention Week has it roots in the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred on October 8, 1871. This tragic conflagration killed some 300 people, left 100,000 homeless and destroyed more than 17,000 structures. The origin of the fire has generated speculation since its occurrence, with the fact and fiction becoming blurred over the years. One popular legend has it that Mrs O'Leary was milking her cow when the animal kicked over a lamp, setting the O'Leary barn on fire and starting the spectacular blaze. How ever the massive fire began, it swiftly took its toll, burning more than 2000 acres in 27 hours. The city of Chicago quickly rebuilt, however, and within a couple of years residents began celebrating their successful restoration to memorialize the anniversary of the fire with festivities.

Intending to observe the fire's anniversary with a more serious commemoration, the Fire Marshals Association of North America (FMANA), the oldest membership section of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), decided that the 40th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire should be observed not with festivities, but in a way that would keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention. 

When President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the first National Fire Prevention Week, October 4 - 10 1925, he noted that in the previous year some 15,000 lives were lost to fire in the United States. Calling the loss "startling", President Coolidge's proclamation stated, "This waste results from the conditions which justify a sense of shame and horror; for the greater part of it could and ought to be prevented... It is highly desirable that every effort be made to reform the conditions which have made possible so vast a destruction of the national wealth". 

NFPA continues today to make National Fire Prevention Week a priority and counts on the participation and efforts of tens of thousands of fire and safety professionals, emergency volunteers, and other individuals working to reduce the risk of fire and the toll it takes on our society.  

Please stop by the fire station any time with questions about fire prevention and safety.   Also visit the following websites for more information:  US Fire Administration for Kids (www.usfa.dhs.gov/kids)  National Fire Protection Organization (www.firepreventionweek.org)   Sparky the Fire Dog Family Fun Site (www.sparky.org)

 

Lowering the U.S. Flag
 

Did you know that the law requires the U.S. flag be lowered in tribute on only a few days each year? Quite appropriately, one of these days is the observance of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.


On October 16, 2001, President George W. Bush approved legislation requiring the U.S. flag to be lowered to half-staff on all Federal buildings to memorialize fallen firefighters. Public Law 107-51 requires this action to occur annually in conjunction with observance of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.


Let your local media know that U.S. flags across the country will be lowered on Sunday, October 5, 2008. This includes the U.S. Capitol and the White House, as well as buildings in your local community.


Remember to lower the U.S. flags at your home, fire department, and business. Encourage your local community to follow the Federal Government's example. When you lower your flag this year, you will recognize the brave men and women who died protecting their communities from natural and manmade emergencies and disasters and those who carry on the proud tradition.


You may also want to ask your state and local officials to include lowering the flag in a proclamation recognizing the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

 

Members of the DeWitt Fire family are hitting the street all day for their annual boot drive to help Local 2733 raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The intersection of Erie Boulevard and East Genesee Street will be manned all day on Friday September 26.  DeWitt Firefighters began conducting their boot drive in 2005 and collected over $15,000 that year thanks to the generosity of contributors.   This year marks 54 years of partnership between the International Association of Fire Fighters and the Muscular Dystrophy Association in the fight against more than 40 neuromuscular diseases.  The IAFF is by far MDA’s largest sponsor, and the untiring efforts of fire fighters and paramedics have powered the MDA and research programs for decades.  The IAFF began its partnership with MDA at the union's 1954 convention in Miami, where the membership proclaimed it would support the voluntary health agency’s efforts “until a cure is found.” Since 1954, the IAFF has raised nearly $200 million for MDA.   In 2008, the IAFF has raised $27.5 million for MDA, helping to fund a worldwide research program, a network of some 230 clinics and 30 ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) centers, assistance in obtaining wheelchairs and other durable equipment, public health education, and summer camps for more than 4,000 youngsters with muscular dystrophy and related diseases.  The IAFF is the largest national sponsor of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and this year raised a record-shattering $27,530,000 for the MDA 43rd annual Labor Day Telethon. “Jerry’s Kids are extremely important to the fire fighters,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “We dedicate ourselves every year to standing on street corners and in intersections, filling the boot, so that children affected with muscular dystrophy and related disorders can receive crucial medical treatment and so that the search for a cure can continue.”

Wednesday night DeWitt was host to the Onondaga County Chief's Association monthly meeting, and a busy evening for the duty crew. At shift change DeWitt was activated for an outdoor fire next to P&C (Jamesville Rd/E.Genesee St). Crews found a small outdoor fire in the woods, the fire was extinguished and blanketed with foam and turned over to the Fire Investigation Team.  As Engine 8 pulled back in to the station, the station recieved a call for a Motor Vehicle Crash at Techumseh Rd and Peck Hill Rd. Engine-8 arrived to find a 2 car crash in the intersection.  No one was injured, the crew handled 6 patient refusals and took care of vehicle hazards. Also through the evening and early night hours Engine-8 ran an EMS call to LeMoyne College and a Car vs Motorcycle at 6789 E. Genesee St.

The meeting attendees enjoyed a nice dinner from Tony Restaurant  while tending to meeting business and toured the new fire station after.

The Board of Fire Commissioners and all members would like to welcome our new Chief of Department Jeff Cardinali.  Chief Cardinali started his first day in service today, replacing retired Chief MacLachlan.  Chief Cardinali joins DeWitt with 30+ years of firefighting expierence.  He is a retired Deputy Chief from the CIty of Oneida Fire Department and an active member of Wampsville Fire Department (Madison County). Welcome Aboard Chief Cardinali, we all look forward to working with you!!

DeWitt Fire hosted its annual observance of the September 11 terrorist attacks where 343 brother firefighters were killed in the line of duty at the World Trade Center.  Each year, neighboring fire departments gather in DeWitt to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. At 8:46 am three bell strikes marked the moment at which Flight 11 struck the north tower, followed by members reading the names of the FDNY members lost that day, each with a bell strike. Three more bell tolls at 9:03 mark the Flight 175 crash into the south tower, followed by a moment of silence for all of those killed that day.

In early 2002 the DeWitt Fire District and Dewitt Fire Department retired badge number 343 in honor of those brothers of the FDNY.

At approximately 23:56 on September 8, Manlius, Fayetteville and DeWitt stations were dispatched to a garage fire at 7406 Silverwood Dr in the Town of Manlius. Manlius Car-1 (Whorall) was the first arriving Chief and reported an active fire in the attached garage of the residence. DeWitt Engine -8 was the first arriving apparatus and quickly knocked the fire down. Fayetteville Truck secured a water source and completed ventilation along with  assisting Manlius crews with minor overhaul. Crews were back in service within 45 minutes. Manlius Car-1 (Whorall) had the Silverwood Dr command.

Today marked the final shift for Chief MacLachlan as he retired as the first career Fire Chief of the DeWitt FIre District.  Fire Control sounded a "Signal 59" at 1600 and Car-10 took the officer's seat of Engine-8 for his ride home.  Chief MacLachlan has served the DeWitt Fire District in many capacities since joining forty-six years ago.  Chief MacLachlan was appointed as career Chief in 2001, previously serving as a Fire Commissioner and as volunteer Fire Chief.  The department has experienced tremendous change and progress during his tenure.  We wish him and his family all the best in the future.

In the early hours of Friday morning crews from DeWitt, Manlius, Fayetteville, Cazenovia, and Minoa were alerted for a reported house fire at Cahill Rd and Churchill Ct in the Manlius Fire District.  The first arriving chief found a vacant structure, that had been under construction for over a year, well involved.  Engine-8 was the third arriving piece of equipment (first engine) and secured a water supply and fed into Fayetteville 20-Truck to use in their elevated master stream.  Engine 8's crew then pulled the Blitzfire and attacked the fire from the exterior.  DeWitt crews were back in service inside of 2 hours.

It was a very warm Friday afternoon and the D-Shift was wrapping up from the station chores when the bell hit for a "signal 80" on Route 481 Northbound at Jamesville Rd. Engine Co. 8 arrived, and took a blocking position, to find a Ford Explorer facing the wrong way on the Interstate with the pop up trailer it was towing rolled over. There were no injuries to the occupant of the SUV, so the crew from 8 Engine took care of vehicle hazards and secured a leaking propane cylinder that was ejected from the trailer. As the crew was taking up from that scene, they witnessed a rear end crash 100 feet behind the engine. The crew packaged one patient and turned them over to Rural/Metro for transport to a local hospital for evaluation. Engine 8 had cleared both crashes in just under an hour. Lt. Hogan had the "Route 481 Command"

At 0539 hours on Wednesday morning DeWitt crews were notified for a Sulfuric Acid spill in an apartment at 301 Nottingham Rd. Upon the Arrival of Engine Co. 8 they were met by an occupant of the apartment who said he was trying to clear his tub drain and spilled a 64 oz container of industrial strength drain cleaner. An Onondaga County Haz-Mat representative was notified to respond at 0546 hours and answered up several minutes later. In the mean time the crew from Engine Co. 8 evacuated all of the occupants of the building. Upon the arrival of hazardous materials rep EM-211 (Herrick), he determined that soda ash was needed to mitigate the situation. Syracuse Fire Department Haz-Mat #2 was notified to respond at 0631 hours, with the permission of EM-1 (Commissioner Alberti). SFD Haz-Mat 2 cleared the spill with Engine 8 crews assisted with ventilation. The box was placed back in service at 0710 hours. Lt. McGarrity had the “Nottingham Rd. Command”

At 10:34 hours on Tuesday morning DeWitt units were dispatched to a "Signal 80" at 4317 E. Genesee St. Units arrived within a minute to find 3 vehicles involved with 1 into a tree. The crew from Engine 8 stabilized the vehicle that struck the tree and removed the disoriented patient inside. The Engine 8 crew then immobilized a patient from one of the other vehicles and turned both patients over to Rural/Metro 198 for transport to a local hospital. The crew from Squad 8 assisted with traffic and vehicle hazards. The box was placed back in service at 11:11 hours. Car 10 (Chief MacLachlan) had the "Genesee St Command"

The new fire station facilities were pressed into action on Monday when the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office established a Command Post for a missing person.  An elderly man had wandered from his home in the Genesee Hills neighborhood at around 11 am.  Following exhaustive gound and air searches throughout the day, efforts began to intensify in the late afternoon.  Law enforcement agencies called upon the Wilderness Search and Rescue Team for assistance and the DeWitt Police Emergency Services Team also responded.  The DeWitt Fire District provides tactical EMS personnel to the DeWitt Police EST.  After coordination was complete units deployed and the victim was located at aproximately 9 pm.  Rescue-7 responded at the request of police agencies and after a size-up by the tactical medic, a request for additional fire department resources was made.  The victim had fallen from the shoulder of the steep grade on Quintard Road, landing aproximately ten feet down and becoming wedged beneath a fallen tree.  Engine Company 8 responded and quickly extricated the patient by using air bags to remove the tree, and a prerigged rope system to raise the immobilized patient to the road.

Lieutenant Randy Griffin has been busy aside from his full-time responsibilities as an officer with the DeWitt Fire District. Through an Intergovernmental Personnel Agreement, Griffin's fire service expertise has been shared with the United States Department of Homeland Security. Griffin has been employed by the DeWitt Fire District for over ten years and has over twenty years of fire service experience. Assigned to the Science and Technology Directorate, Griffin helps to provide on the ground knowledge and feedback directly to the Directorate. Griffin serves as the chief liaison to FEMA for his division, working closely with Director Paulison and his staff. In January 2008, Griffin delivered a presentation at the plenary session of the Department of Homeland Security's Stakeholders Conference to 300 people at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The presentation was on developing technologies to protect lives by protecting homes after the November 2007 wildfires in Southern California. Griffin along with colleagues from DHS were in Southern California during these devastating fires. One of the most recent endeavors he is collaborating on is a revolutionary new SCBA. The IAFF and Vulcore have plans to commercialize the pack within 1-2 years. Weight is less than 10 lbs, less than 2 inches in diameter, can flex with the wearer and operates at 4500 psi. n the photo are Richard Duffy, the Assistant to the General President of the IAFF for Health and Safety; DHS Science and Technology Undersecretary Jay Cohen and Lieutenant Randall B. Griffin. The photo was taken in the United States Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee room.