Vincent Dunn ON THE FIREGROUND SAFETY, SURVIVAL & STRATEGY-

BERKSHIRE COUNTY FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION PRESENTS


SAFETY, SURVIVAL & STRATEGY-
ON THE FIREGROUND

Vincent Dunn
Deputy Chief (Ret)
FDNY
www.vincentdunn.com

MARCH 22, 2008
WAHCONAH COUNTRY CLUB
ORCHARD ROAD
DALTON, MA. 01226

8AM – 9AM CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST SPONSORED BY ED LYONS FIRE EQUIPMENT AND QUAKER SAFETY PRODUCTS CORPORATION

9AM - 3PM PRESENTATION

SANDWICH BAR LUNCHEON $10.00 PER PERSON AT THE COUNTRY CLUB




Chief Vincent Dunn, FDNY (ret), will share his forty years of firefighting experiences in a seminar on firefighting STRATEGY-SAFETY-SURVIVAL. Chief Dunn will discuss in detail: flashover fires, backdraft explosions, case studies of lightweight truss floor and roof collapse, fire spread in structures, wood frame building fires and peaked roof dangers. Also include in the lecture will be firefighting strategies and tactics: such as, hose line placement, searching for victims, primary venting techniques, aerial and ground ladder placement, how fire spreads and causes collapse, at private dwellings; strip store; and row dwellings fires.

Fire station gets $100K

By Jessica Willis, Berkshire Eagle Staff
Article Last Updated: 02/28/2008 04:07:33 AM EST


Thursday, February 28
GREAT BARRINGTON — The Fire Department will use a $102,915 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Grant it received recently to purchase a vehicle exhaust removal system and protective clothing, Fire Chief Harry Jennings said.
It is the fourth federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant, or "Fire Grant," that the town has received in the past six years.

Summer 2009 completion

Jennings noted that the latest award comes at a time when the department is getting ready to build a $9.5 million fire station on State Road. The project, now in its design phase, is a month away from going out to bid. The new station is slated to be completed in the summer of 2009.

U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., helped secure the grant. The Fire Department is one of seven in the county — and one of 87 in the state — to receive Fire Grant funds during the 2007 cycle.

Two major requests

The grant, which provides equipment, protective gear, vehicles and training to firefighters and other first responders, will save money for taxpayers, Jennings said, adding that, in the past seven years, the Fire Department has made two major capital requests that


were funded by taxpayer dollars: a $40,000 Chevrolet Tahoe in 2004 and a computer system, also $40,000, in 2008. Taxpayers approved the funding for the fire station at a special town meeting last year.
Most of the department's purchases have come through the Fire Grants, Jennings added.

When the town received federal grants in 2002, 2003 and 2005, the funds were used to purchase air packs, clothing and a new fire truck, he said. The last grants totaled $117,000, $136,000 and $16,300, respectively.

"We've done very well," Jennings said.

Anthony Blair, chairman of the Select Board, and Burke E. LaClair, town manager, helped write the grant last March.

LaClair said the $68,000 exhaust removal system is a "much-needed item." The unit mounts to the fire trucks and removes dangerous diesel fumes from the air when the vehicles are running inside the fire station.

Moreover, the exhaust removal equipment won't have to be "retrofitted" when the station moves from its location on Castle Street to its spacious digs on State Road.

"It wasn't one of the largest grants, but it was ideal (timing) in terms of the budget process," LaClair said.

In an e-mail statement, Kennedy wrote, "These funds will enable the Great Barrington Fire Department to purchase state-of-the-art equipment and respond more effectively to fire emergencies.

"We're proud of the courageous and dedicated men and women of the Department for their extraordinary service, and they eminently deserve this federal assistance

WINTER STORM WATCH

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ALBANY HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FOR THE EASTERN CATSKILLS...SOUTHERN ADIRONDACKS...BERKSHIRES AND THE SOUTHERN GREEN MOUNTAINS. A WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM EST THIS MORNING.

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM EST THIS MORNING. VERY COLD TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH GUSTY NORTHWEST WINDS WILL PRODUCE WIND CHILL VALUES OF 15 TO 25 BELOW ZERO. THIS WILL RESULT IN FROST BITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN. IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS...MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A HAT AND GLOVES.

SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 7 INCHES OR MORE WILL BE POSSIBLE FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON INTO WEDNESDAY. A COMPLEX STORM SYSTEM WITH ABUNDANT MOISTURE WILL TRACK NORTHEASTWARD ACROSS THE APPALACHIANS AND INTO THE NORTHEAST. MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW IS LIKELY TO FALL WITH THIS SYSTEM. ALSO...SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN MAY FALL FROM THE CAPITAL DISTRICT SOUTH AND EAST WITH POSSIBLE ICING. SHOULD CONDITIONS BECOME MORE CERTAIN...A WINTER STORM WARNING WOULD BE ISSUED.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

New acquisition

Gillian Jones/North Adams Transcript

( Courtesy of the North Adams Transcript)
Thursday, February 7( Courtesy of the North Adams Transcript)
Members of the truck committee stand with the new emergency vehicle for the town of Cheshire. Clockwise, from left, are Shawn McGrath, Corey McGrath, Jason Mendonca, Shawn Martin, Kim Martin, Corey Swistak, Fred Balawender, George Sweet and Tom Francesconi.

NVFC Offers Scholarships for Junior Firefighters, Grants for Departments

NVFC Offers Scholarships for Junior Firefighters, Grants for Departments


The National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) National Junior Firefighter Program is offering ten $5,000 scholarships to junior firefighters nationwide who demonstrate commitment and dedication to their local junior firefighter program and the fire service. The departments of each of the winning students will also receive a grant of $5,000. The application and criteria for the competitive scholarships will be available on the NVFC web site at www.nvfc.org/juniors no later than April 1. The deadline for applications is May 15.

The National Junior Firefighter Program was created by the NVFC and Spartan Motors, Inc. to help fire and EMS organizations nationwide develop, grow, and promote programs that encourage youth participation within the organizations. In addition, youth can use the Program to find out how to join a local fire, rescue, or EMS organization, keep track of their hours of service, and earn exciting rewards after spending a set number of hours helping their department. Launched in July 2007, the Program was recently awarded a grant by the Dunkin’ Brands Community Foundation to expand the Program to include a scholarship and grant component, a more sophisticated web site with interactive database, stronger outreach efforts, and much more.

Stay tuned to the NVFC web site for additional information and to access the application. The scholarships and department grants will be awarded during Firehouse Expo in July. For additional information, visit www.nvfc.org/juniors, email nvfcoffice@nvfc.org. or call 1-888-ASK-NVFC (275-6832).

About the NVFC
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides invaluable tools, resources, programs, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org.
About The Dunkin’ Brands Community Foundation
The Dunkin’ Brands Community Foundation brings together a wide network of stakeholders, including Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins franchisees, crew members, and employees, to support the service and leadership of emergency response organizations – especially in times of crisis. The Foundation supports emergency responders by providing financial assistance, building capacity, developing partnerships, encouraging volunteerism, and honoring local heroes. To learn more about the Dunkin’ Brands Community Foundation please visit www.dunkinbrands.com/foundation.

About Spartan Motors, Inc.
Spartan Motors, Inc. designs, engineers and manufactures custom chassis and vehicles for the recreational vehicle, fire truck, ambulance, emergency-rescue and specialty vehicle markets. The Company's brand names – Spartan™, Crimson Fire™, Crimson Fire Aerials™, and Road Rescue™ – are known for quality, value, service, and being the first to market with innovative products. The Company has at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and South Dakota. For more information, visit www.spartanmotors.com.

Massachusetts Department of Fire Services - 2007- 2008 Senior Fire Officer Forum

Special Presentations for Massachusetts Senior Fire Officials

Battlefield to the Street - Understanding the Returning Public Safety Veteran
This presentation will provide an understanding of the readjustment issues for combat veterans returning from the battlefield to the street as first responders. The discussion will include how job-related incidents can "trigger" memories of combat as well as identify the resources and potential referral options for post-combat recovery for first responders.

Speaker - Hayden Duggan, Founder and President, Onsite Academy



Thursday, February 14, 2008
Boxborough Holiday Inn, Boxborough, MA

www.HolidayInn.com

directions

Deli Buffet Lunch cost $9.95 preregistration is required.

Register online or fax a MFA Forum registration form
to (978) 567- 3229

See the listing below for the correct Course #

There is no charge to attend and is open to all fire departments throughout Massachusetts, but
Advanced Registration IS required!

2007 - 2008 Senior Fire Officer Forum Schedule

This year the Department of Fire Services is proud to again present the Senior Fire Officer Forum, an educational series to develop leadership and command skills in the fire service. The Senior Fire Officer Forum includes six seminars for senior fire officials presented by nationally known experts starting November 2007 and running through May 2008.

Time: All of the forum presentations will be held from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Registration Required: Register online at www.mass.gov/dfs/mfa or fax a MFA registration form to (978) 567- 3229. Include lunch request with registration 7 days in advance.



Thurs., Feb 14, 2008
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Battlefield to the Street - Understanding the Returning Public Safety Veteran
Course# 200-039-672A

Speaker - Hayden Duggan, Ed. D, Instuctor at the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation
Location - Boxborough Holiday Inn, Boxborough, MA
Deli Buffet Lunch Cost: $9.95 (pre-registration required)

Thurs., Mar 13, 2008
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Taking the Mystery Out of Foam, Ethanol & Biofuels
Course# 200-039-673A

Speaker - James Cottrell, Cottrell Associates, Inc., National Foam, Eastern US Factory Agent
Location - Boxborough Holiday Inn, Boxborough, MA
Deli Buffet Lunch Cost: $9.95 (pre-registration required)

Thurs., April 10, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Preventing Command Dysfunction
Course# 200-039-674A

Speaker: Chief I. David Daniels, Renton, WA. FD
Location - Boxborough Holiday Inn, Boxborough, MA
Deli Buffet Lunch Cost: $9.95 (pre-registration required)

Thurs., May 8, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Real Time Rescue
Course# 200-039-675A

Speaker: Chief Fred LaFemina, Battallion Commander FDNY
Location: Devens Common Center, Devens, MA
Deli Buffet Lunch Cost: $16.00 (pre-registration required)


Register Online at or fax a MFA Forum Registration Form to 978-567-3229