As the night shift already had a few calls in, at 1911 hrs Onondaga County Communications alerted DeWitt for a reported vehicle fire in front of 6811 Woodchuck Hill Rd. Engine-8 arrived within minutes to find a rear engine compartment and back seat of a 1971 VW Beatle well involved in flames.  The fire was quickly extinguished and the company was back in service in 35 minutes.

At 19:32 Hours DeWitt Truck-3 and several mutual aide companies were dispatched to a reported fire in the area of Brooklea Dr and Limestone Plaza in the Fayetteville Fire District, crews were out on training so Engine-8 responded in place of Truck-3. Police arrived and reported a fully involved house on Feeder St behind the Town of Manlius municipal building. Fayetteville Engines 7 & 5 arrived and confirmed the police report and transmitted a SIGNAL 99 and outside operations. First arriving companies dropped their initial water on the fire trying to make a hit, then had to wait for a water supply operation to be established as Feeder St was a non-hydranted dirt road that runs along the old Erie Canal. Engine-8 arrived and backed down Feeder St and finished a  split lay of supply line and laid it out to a waiting Manlius Engine that was drafting. Fayetteville Engine-7 got a draft out of the canal supplied by their Eng-5 and DeWitt Eng-8. Once water supply was established the fire was knocked down inside of 10 minutes using a master stream and a blitz fire. Companies were back in service in about 2 hours. Fayetteville Car-1 (Chief Hildreth) had the "Feeder St Command"

After a colder and longer than normal winter, New Yorkers aren’t waiting for Memorial Day; they’re firing up their grills now. According to the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), cooking on outdoor grills has become as mainstream as cooking on the stove top. “If something tastes good baked, fried, or sautéed, it probably tastes even better grilled,” said Steven Raichlen, host of Primal Grill on PBS and author of The Barbecue Bible. “You can cook a meal the whole family loves quickly and with little clean up, which is great for busy families during the week.” And propane is the barbecuing fuel of choice, according to a 2008 survey from About.com of more than 700 respondents. Furthermore, it is environmentally friendly. The Environmental Protection Agency recognizes propane as a clean-burning gas that releases 105 times less carbon monoxide than charcoal. The New York Propane Gas Association reminds everyone, even the most seasoned outdoor cooks, to beef up on safety first. “It’s great that so many Americans have incorporated grilling into their everyday lives, so as the warm weather arrives, we like to remind people about the importance of gas grill safety,” says Barbara Roach, executive director of the New York Propane Gas Association. “By following some basic precautions, grill owners can ensure that each cookout is safe and enjoyable,” she adds.

To reduce any risk of an unwanted fire or burns from propane, consumers should routinely follow some key tips for the safe operation and maintenance of their grills:  Ventilation • When lighting a grill, keep the top open until you are sure that it is lit.   • Keep the grill in a well-ventilated area.Recommended clearances are at least ten feet away from the house—and at least three feet away from trees and shrubs.   • Be sure to set the grill on a non-flammable surface like concrete or asphalt. • Never use a grill indoors or in any unventilated space. This is both a fire and carbon monoxide poisoning hazard.   • Always use and store propane cylinders outdoors in an upright position. Never store propane cylinders indoors.   • After filling or exchanging a cylinder, take it home immediately. While transporting the cylinder, keep your vehicle ventilated and the valve closed or capped. Never transport your propane cylinder in the trunk of your vehicle.   • Never use, store or transport propane cylinders near high temperatures. New York Propane Gas Association Gas Grill Safety Page 2 Firing Up The Grill Safely   • Never use matches or lighters to check for leaks. Never use starter fluid with propane grills.   • Before you grill, check all fittings to ensure that there are no propane leaks. When the grill is cold, turn on the cylinder valve or gas and spray the connections with a leak-detection solution (a 50/50 mixture of water and liquid soap) to check for tightness. If bubbles appear then you have leaks so tighten the connections where the bubbling occurs.   • Never pour an accelerant such as lighter fluid or gasoline on the grill.   • Keep all flammable materials away from the grill. If you detect a leak, immediately turn off gas and do not attempt to light the grill again until the leak is fixed.   • If the grill does not ignite within ten seconds, turn off the gas, keep the lid open and wait five minutes before trying again.   • When refilling the cylinder, always have the supplier check for dents, damage, rust, and leaks.   • Do not smoke while handling a propane cylinder.   • Trim excess fat and drain off excess marinade or oil from meats, replace greasy lava rock or ceramic briquettes, and keep the grill clean to minimize flare-ups.   • Regularly check the tubes that lead into the burner for blockage from insects or food grease.   • Use a pipe cleaner or wire to clear blockage, pushing it through to the main part of the burner. General Safety Tips   • Designate the grilling area a “No Play Zone,” keeping kids and pets away from the equipment.   • Always have one person in charge of the fire at all times. Never leave a hot grill unattended.   • When your grill is not in use, cover the disconnected hose-end fittings with plastic bags or protective caps to keep them clean.   • Always follow grill manufacturer’s instructions and keep written materials on hand.   • Never attempt to repair the tank valve or the appliance yourself. See a propane gas dealer or a qualified appliance repair person. Be sure to locate your model number and the manufacturer’s consumer inquiry phone number and write them on the front page of your manual.   • If you smell gas and you are able to, safely turn off the cylinder valve, turning it to the right (clockwise). Immediately leave the area and call 911 or your local fire department. Before you use the grill again, have a qualified service technician inspect your cylinder.

Propane is a safe, clean, versatile and highly efficient fuel that can be used for other outdoor products to help extend the summer season. In recent years, propane has become more than just an energy source for outdoor grills. Did you know that it is also the fuel of choice for other consumer friendly products such as pool and patio heaters and mosquito magnets? For more information on the value and uses of propane, visit www.nypropane.com. About the New York Propane Gas Association (NYPGA) NYPGA is a trade organization providing services that communicate, educate, and promote the propane industry in New York. The association, formed in 1948, offers training, peer networking opportunities, and assistance with legislative issues that contribute to operating a safe and successful industry.

The DeWitt Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners has begun to post the minutes of their meetings on www.dewittfire.org in order to make their proceedings more available to the public.  These documents can be found by clicking on the "DOWNLOADS" tab along the left side of the home page.  The Board of Commissioners meets at the fire station on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 pm and meetings are open to the public.

Firefighters from DeWitt will be playing in a power soccer game against the local team to raise money for the team and the Muscular Distrophy Association.  The firefighter will play in manual wheelchairs while the kids use there suped up power wheelchairs to compete.

Game Date: Friday May 15, 2009

Game Time: 18:00 hours (6 pm)

Game Location: Jamesville-DeWitt High School Gymnasium 6845 Edinger Dr  Fayetteville, NY 13066

Donation:$5 at the door

Your support at the event would be greatly appreciated by the Power Soccer team, the J-D Teachers, and the DeWitt Firefighters

This afternoon, Fayetteville and neighboring departments were alerted for a reported structure fire on Hoag Lane.  Fayetteville Car-1 (Hildreth) arrived to find heavy smoke showing, and transmitted a signal 99 (working fire).  Fayetteville crews knocked down the fire while the crew from DeWitt Truck-3 went to the roof and performed vertical ventilation and stretched the back-up line.  Crews were back inservice in under 2 hours. Fayetteville Car-1 (Hildreth) had the Hoag Ln Command

As the day shift crews were coming on duty the 911 center alerted Fayetteville, Manlius, DeWitt and Kirkville for a report of a chimney fire at 5701 Townsend Road.  The structure, located on the Gridley Farm is in one of the few non hydranted areas of the district.  Fayetteville Car-1 (Chief Hildreth) arrived to find a fire in the flue and cap area of the chimney of a 2 story wood frame residential structure.  Engine 7 arrived with a crew of 5 and began suppression efforts at the firebox and clean out the chimney.  DeWitt Engine 8 took the roof assignment.  Crews found a large amount of creosote burning in the chimney.  Crews worked for 90 minutes clearing the chimney and opening up walls to check for extention.  Manlius Truck 2 and Kirkville Engine 3 also arrived and operated on the scene.
 

Every second weekend in March, we turn our clocks ahead for Daylight Savings Time. This is also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. The peak time for fire deaths in the home are between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. when most families are sleeping. Smoke detector is a simple, inexpensive and effective way to reduce fire deaths in the home. Young children and senior citizens are most at risk and a properly functioning some detector can give them the extra seconds to get out safely.
 
Remember to change your batteries when you change your clocks!
 
Fore more information visit this website: www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus/smoke_alarms.shtm

At 0943 hours DeWitt, Fayetteville 20-Truck, and Manlius Truck-2 were alerted for a reported residential fire at 6753 Flametree Dr in the Town of DeWitt.  Dispatcher relayed notes of a fire in the garage with smoke and flames visible and the occupants were evacuating.  Engine-8 arrived to find nothing showing from the 2 1/2 story, Type V structure, with a snow blower and lawn mower in the driveway.  The occupants snow blower was on fire in the garage with extension to the lawn mower and some other contents, the owner doused them with snow and extinguished the fire prior to the arrival of the first companies.  Engine-8 checked for extension while Manlius Truck-2 ventilated.  The scene was turned over to the Dewitt Fire Investigators.  Manlius Car-1 (Whorral) had the "Flametree Dr. Command"

At 10:42 hours DeWitt was dispatched to a reported residential fire at 10 Landsdowne Rd along with East Syracuse Truck-1 and the 20-Truck from Fayetteville.  DeWitt Engine-8 arrived to find light smoke showing from the kitchen door on side "D" of the residence.  The Engine Lieutenant (Hogan) was met at the door my the occupant and reported that the fire was in the basement and that he had put it out. The engine found a pile of smoldering and melted plastic in the corner of the basement, with a decent smoke condition on the number 1 floor. Crews started opening up the first floor, DeWitt Truck-3 and ESFD Truck-1 set up fans and ventilated. Crews returned to service within 90 minutes. ESFD Car-1 (Cramer) had the "Landsdowne Rd Command"

Each year during October we observe National Fire Prevention Week, but the DeWitt Fire District reminds everyone that fire prevention is a year-round commitment. Given the holiday season it is easy to be overwhelmed in shopping and preparing for the holidays. This week we commemorate two large loss of life fires in American history. The Cocoanut Grove Night Club fire in Boston claimed 492 lives on November 28, 1942. On Monday, December 1 we will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of this nation’s third deadliest school fire. The Our Lady of the Angels fire in Chicago claimed ninety-five lives.
The Our Lady of the Angels School Fire broke out shortly before classes were to be dismissed on December 1, 1958, at the foot of a stairway in the Our Lady of the Angels School in Chicago, Illinois. The elementary and middle school was operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. A total of ninety-two elementary school pupils and 3 nuns lost their lives when smoke, heat, and fire cut off their normal means of escape through corridors and stairways. Many perished while jumping from second-floor windows (which were as high as a third floor would be on level ground). Another 100 were seriously injured.
During the early days of World War II, a major fire struck the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston, Massachusetts. On the night of the fire, November 28, 1942, the club had approximately 1,000 occupants, many of whom were people preparing to go overseas on military duty. A lighted match used by an employee in changing a light bulb has been considered the possible cause for this tragic fire, which took 492 lives. Almost half of the occupants were killed, and many were seriously injured. Flammable decorations spread the fire rapidly. Men and women were reported to have clawed inhumanly in an effort to get out of the building. The two revolving doors at the main entrance had bodies stacked four and five deep after the fire was brought under control. Authorities estimated that possibly 300 of those killed could have been saved had the doors swung outward. It should be noted that the capacity of the structure had also been exceeded.
The Cocoanut Grove fire prompted major efforts in the field of fire prevention and control for nightclubs and other related places of assembly. Immediate steps were taken to provide for emergency lighting and occupant capacity placards in places of assembly. Exit lights were also required as a result of the concern generated by this fire.
Although fire safety codes and standards have greatly improved since these fires, the potential still exists in all of our schools and other public occupancies for incendiary fires. One only has to remember the Station Night Club fire in 2003 to see that we are not immune from these types of tragedies. Please take a few moments to remember those students lost in Chicago and all of those lost in these devastating fires. Please practice fire safety each day at home, school, work and play to help prevent these tragedies.
 
 

At 1837 hrs crews from the Eastern Section were alerted to a reported structure fire at 4911 FM Road. Callers reported visible fire from an out-building. Crews arrived to find a working fire in a 20x20 carriage house approximately 30 feet behind a residence. The homeowner had converted the space and was using it to manufacture candles. Crews protected exposures and knocked down the bulk of the fire before moving in to mop up and overhaul the heavily damaged structure. Fayetteville, Manlius, DeWitt, Jamesville, Cazenovia and Minoa were on-scene or on move ups for the fire. DeWitt crews cleared in 2 hours.

Shortly after 10:00 this morning East Syracuse was activated for a structure fire in a garage at a commercial building located at 5952 Butternut Drive. Reports from the scene of heavy fire and ESFD Car 1 reported smoke from a distance. Upon his arrival ESFD Car-1 gave the signal for a working structure fire, which called DeWitt crews for a coverage move-up. Moments later East Syracuse command gave a second alarm which called for DeWitt Truck-3 and other move up companies to the scene. Truck 3 took placement on the "D" side of the structure and set up to assist with an aerial master stream operation. ESFD Engine-2 and Truck-1 along with DeWitt Truck-3 knocked a bulk of the fire down from above then ESFD crews finished extinguishing the fire. DeWitt crews were back in service at 12:41 hours. ESFD Car-1 (Chief Cramer) had the "Butternut St Command"

DeWitt, New York (WSYR-TV) - It is a breakthrough that could not only save the lives of firefighters, but ours too.

DeWitt firefighter Randy Griffin has been working with Homeland Security on a critical piece of equipment.  The department is the first in the country to get a look at a new air pack – and we took a look at it as well.

It doesn't take a firefighter long to notice the difference between slipping on the current bulky air pack and the sleeker new design.

"This is probably the first revolutionary move in self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs) in probably 50 years," Griffin says.

The new design has three key features; it's thinner and lighter than what firefighters are using now, plus it’s also flexible.

The current air packs extend about eight inches off their back.  It can be a deadly hazard for a firefighter trying to make their way through the maze of a burning structure where hanging materials can hook a firefighter, trapping them.

The new design is much easier to work with, and while they both carry the same amount of air, the new one will last longer because it puts less stress on firefighters, meaning they don't use as much air -- which can be critical when it comes to saving people from a fire.

Another advantage of this new thinner design is in tight quarters where a firefighter might have to slip through -- it's a lot easier getting through than it is trying to take the current air bottle and fit through the same tight quarter, which takes a lot longer -- and in a fire, every single second counts.

"SCBAs are probably the most important piece of equipment that a firefighter can have, so anything that we can do to upgrade that technology, I think, is critical," Griffin says.

In his role at Homeland Security, Griffin is working to help get this new breathing equipment from prototype to commercial production.  It still needs some approvals, but Griffin says you could start seeing this on the backs of firefighters in a couple years.

http://www.9wsyr.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=247611@video.wixt.com&navCatId=5

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.”