Warwick Fire Department weekly report

The following is the Warwick Fire Department’s call report for the week ending Aug. 26, provided by 2nd Assistant Chief Mike Contaxis:

Highlights

• The Warwick Fire Department has responded to 287 calls for service to date as of Monday, an increase of 17 calls in the last week.

• On Monday, Aug. 18, the Warwick Fire Department was dispatched to a reported brush fire on Mt. Peter with the Greenwood Lake Fire Department. Upon arrival and further investigation it was determined that two Orange & Rockland Utilities Inc. contractors had succumbed to injuries sustained in an electrical industrial accident. The fire was extinguished and the victims were removed.

The Warwick Fire Department offers its condolences to the families, friends and coworkers of the men lost.

• On Monday, Aug. 19, the officers and members of the Warwick Fire Department completed weekly truck checks of all of the apparatus.

• Also on Aug. 19, the chiefs and past chiefs of the Warwick Fire Department attended the Fire Chiefs Association of Orange County meeting held at the Cuddebackville Firehouse.

• On Wednesday, Aug. 21, the Warwick Fire Department attended the Battalion 6 meeting at the Greenwood Lake Fire Department Headquarters. Congratulations to the GWLFD on the arrival of its new 80’ Quint Ladder Truck. The Battalion 6 departments are made up of the four fire departments in the Town of Warwick, including the Florida, Greenwood Lake, Pine Island and Warwick fire departments.

• On Thursday, Aug. 22, the Warwick Fire Department held a Parade Committee meeting for the upcoming parade on Sept. 28; the WFD color guard also held a drill to prepare for the upcoming department events.

• On Saturday, Aug. 24, the WFD responded to the Orange County Fire Training Center to conduct new members training to prepare new Warwick firefighters for basic exterior fire operations and then interior fire operations.

• On Saturday morning, Aug. 24, the Warwick Fire Department attended funeral services for past chief of the Goshen Fire Department Dave Quackenbush, who was the brother to Past Captain Rich Quackenbush and great uncle to Past Captain and Department President Melissa Stevens. As past Goshen Chief Elmer Budd said in his eulogy: “Chief Quackenbush was a good, good man. He will be missed by all who knew him.”

• On Saturday afternoon, Aug. 24, the Warwick Fire Department attended funeral services for FDNY Firefighter Robert B. Fitzgibbon, who succumbed to 9/11-related illness. The Warwick Fire Department offers its condolences to the family and friends of the Fitzgibbon family and to FDNY and Engine 47. Never forget.

• On Saturday evening, the Warwick Historical Society hosted an Under The Tent Party to honor the men and women of the Warwick Fire Department and the Excelsior Hose Company #1 for 150 Years of volunteer fire service to the Warwick community.

“We cannot thank you all enough for the accolades the certificates and the hospitality you offered to us on Saturday night,” 2nd Assistant Chief Mike Contaxis wrote in his weekly department report. “We are very grateful and humbled to you all for honoring the WFD on our 150th anniversary. We hope to see you all on September 28th for our 150th anniversary parade as we host the 104th annual Orange County Volunteer Firemen Association Parade at 1 p.m. lineup and 2 p.m. step off.”

Fire safe fire prevention tips

• Use a portable fire extinguisher when the fire is confined to a small area, such as a wastebasket, and is not growing; everyone has exited the building; the fire department has been called or is being called; and the room is not filled with smoke.

• To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS:

Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism.

Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.

Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.

Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.

• For the home, select a multi-purpose extinguisher (can be used on all types of home fires) that is large enough to put out a small fire, but not so heavy as to be difficult to handle

.• Choose a fire extinguisher that carries the label of an independent testing laboratory.

• Read the instructions that come with the fire extinguisher and become familiar with its parts and operation before a fire breaks out. Local fire departments or fire equipment distributors often offer hands-on fire extinguisher training.

• Install fire extinguishers close to an exit and keep your back to a clear exit when you use the device so you can make an easy escape if the fire cannot be controlled. If the room fills with smoke, leave immediately.

• Know when to go. Fire extinguishers are one element of a fire response plan, but the primary element is safe escape. Every household should have a home fire escape plan and working smoke alarms