Thursday, May 16, 2013 This Thursday night we were able to finally able to get back out after a long winter and many Thursdays spent working around the firehouse instead of going outside while the renovations progressed. Companies drilled with some forward lay scenarios where the water supply engine lays hose from the fire hydrant to the fire scene. Despite not having much recent fire activity the crews really had their "A" game on! York Beach had an Engine Company out conducting a drill around the corner from our operation and they came over and drilled with our hydrant assist valve.
Friday, May 3, 2013 A little after 1300hours Kittery Fire was dispatched to a report of a structure fire on Oak Terrace right near the Sara Mildred Long bridge over the Piscatiqua river between New Hampshire and Maine. While enroute, the companies were adviesd that multiple calls were being received. 27-C-1 was on scene quickly and reported a house heavily involved. A quick second alarm was requested bringing York Engine 4 among other companies mutual aid into the fire. Water supply was an issue early on in the incident as the closest hydrant was nearly 2000' away and was mediocre at best. A second water supply was soon established but the heavy fire conditions demanded even more water than could be supplied with the two LDH feeder lines. Our own C-1, Chief Balentine set up a tanker shuttle on the Route 1 by-pass to be the third water supply. A third alarm was soon sounded bringing more help and tank trucks to the fire for the tanker shuttle at least 7 tankers were shuttling water at the height of the fire. Special Thanks to Brian Starkey and Shawn St.Hilaire for the use of their photographs!!
Captains Paul Balentine and Scott Apgar work together in the front of the building
Captain Paul Balentine and FF Nathan Richard (YBFD) work together in the front of the building on a 2 1/2" line
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 Around dinner time companies were dispatched to I-95 Northbound near mile marker 11 for a vehicle fire. FIRE 15 (FF/Paramedic Zach Apgar) reported by radio a vehicle just south of the Mountain Road overpass and that it was heavily involved. Squad 2, Tank 4 and C-1 responded.
York Village Firefighters pose with York Police officer Shaun Darrow just prior to clearing the scene
Monday, April 22, 2013 York Village Firefighters responded to a report of fire showing from a chimney at 52 Route 1 recently. The homeowner had recently lit the woodstove located in the second floor apartment and it was a short distance to the roof line, thus a passerby reported fire showing from the chimney. There was no problem found and all companies cleared shortly
Saturday, March 30, 2013 On Saturday morning, the York Fire Department gathered with family, friends and area dignitaries to dedicate the new addition at the York Village Fire Station. The ceremony was kicked off with a warm "thank you" by the Ruben family of York Harbor. Recently, the Mr. Ruban suffered a Cardiac Arrest at his home and was able to tell his story to the audience. He shook the members hands who helped save his life and they presented the York Fire Department a wonderful gift. Chief Balentine had a plan to dedicate the building to the Past, Present and Future Members of the York Village Fire Department, but all along, since August of 2012, the membership had a different plan. Chief Balentine was surprised with a plaque, declaring the new addition as "The Chief Christopher Balentine Addition". With over 40 years of service, dedication and accomplishments, this was well deserved. Chief Balentine became chief in 1985, and as Corporation President Armand Gregoire stated in his speech shortly before the plaque was revealed, since 1985 the Chief has accomplished many things. Chief Balentine hired the 3rd career firefighter we have today, purchased a multitude of new firefighting apparatus to the fleet, created many new programs such as Haz-Mat Decon, Water Rescue and eventually completed the new addition to the fire station. That is just a small hand full out of a long list of other accomplishments the Fire Officers had compiled on a two page list. Following the Plaque presentation, a few tunes were played on the bagpipes, a few more speakers spoke some fine words and the box 3-3-3 was sounded, recalling all members of the York Village Fire Department to report to the new addition.
FF. Matt McTighe was the MC of the event.
Mr. and Mrs. Rubin giving their Thank You speech.
Thursday, March 21, 2013 Companies were toned out to respond to Pine Hill Road for a report of a structure fire. Engine 4 responded from the ER at York Hospital having just worked a cardiac arrest and went into the hospital with the crew from Ambulance 2 to assist with patient care. Tank 4 signed on a minute later. Engine 1 arrived first due as the fire was in the Beach district. They advised that they had a chimney fire with extension into the partition and that they would need the responding personnel to report in with air packs and tools. Engine 4 arrived and the chauffeur hand stretched a supply line between the two engines should a water supply need to be established. Crews stretched a dry 1 3/4" line to the front door but most of the fire was able to be knocked down with a water can. Crews noted that it appeared to be a faulty fireplace and some possible fire extension into some void spaces so the decision was made to open up the fireplace to ensure the fire didn't rekindle or extend further.
York Beach Lt. Josh Gammon at his first fire since being promoted
Monday, March 18, 2013 A little before 1000 hours York Village Fire was dispatched to Long Sands Road at Avon Ave. for a motor vehicle accident, reported to be head-on. Engine 4 and Ambulance 2 responded to the scene. On arrival they found 2 vehicles head-on in the road way with multiple patients. Ambulance 2 requested another ambulance to the scene and Engine 4 advised that they would be stretching a line for fire protection as there was a gasoline spill running down the side of the road. C-2 (Asst. Chief Marshall) arrived and assumed command while crews set to work with speedy-dry and manning a charged hose line. EMS crews tended to the injured. Ambulance 1 arrived as the second ambulance and packaged the second patient for transport to York Hospital. Once the hazards had been mitigated Engine 4 crew packed their line back on and returned to quarters.
Monday, March 11, 2013 Ok, lets face it.... We're a day late. but the message still holds true, late or not. You probably didn't forget to change your clock! so change your batteries if you didn't. It could save your life
Thursday, March 7, 2013 Congratulations to newly promoted Fire Captain Dave Butler! Dave joined the YFD in 2003 and immediately jumped both feet into the profession, obtaining his FF I, II, EMT-B, Haz-Mat awareness/ops/decon, and Water Rescue swimmer in rapid succesion. He was promoted to Fire Lieutenant by competitive examination in 2008. Dave has been an asset to the organization since day one. He is one of our most active firefighters/fire officers and is one of the first to dive head first into any assignment either in the firehouse or on the fireground. Congratulations, Captain!!
Lt. Butler before his promotion, instructs new firefighters on the finer points of roof operations.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 Just after lunch York Village Fire was dispatched to a chimney fire at 32 Brixham Road. This is in a remote area of the Town of York and is near the South Berwick and Eliot town lines. Lieutenant Dave Butler (W-2) was first-due via POV and advised that this was an active chimney fire with fire showing from the chimney. Lt. Butler donned his turnout gear and dashed inside with a fire extinguisher to knock down the fire in the flue. At the same time K-4 Captain Paul Balentine responding with Squad 2 requested a re-tone for personnel and Engine 5 (tank truck) from York Beach to respond to the scene. Other companies from York Village who responded included Truck 8, Engine 6, and Tank 4. York Beach Assistant Chief Jeff Welch (212) arrived and assumed command. Truck 8 laddered the roof, and Squad 2 extinguished the remaining fire in the flue and checked the basement, first floor, and second floor for fire extension. Crews found no extension but did have a smoke condition in the house. Lieutenant Nick Hilton (W-3) was put in charge of the ventilation group and a PPV fan was set up off Truck 8's generator. Companies went inservice within an hour.
Lt. Butler (W-2) gives instructions to FF Adam Cavanagh before taking their position on the roof with the chimney chain.
FF Adam Cavanagh gets equipment from Captain John Hunt
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