Help from above for the West Hartford Fire Department

The West Hartford Fire Department will now be able to raise their game, with high tech. The fire department just received a drone to help them fight fires and tend to hazmat situations. The drone was gifted to the West Hartford department by NPS-DDP.org, which aims to provide free drones to assist first responders —The National Public Safety Drone Donation Program started a few years ago and has donated 20 drones to departments across the country. “Our tag line is an eye in the sky for every department in need,” said Mark Langley, the CEO at Airbourne Works, based in Hebron, and a founding member of the Drone Donation Program. “These folks are risking their lives, day and night,” said Langley, “and they need the best possible tools.”
WTIC-TV Fox 61 Hartford

Crews still working to extinguish Windham brush fire

PHOTOS: An elementary school in North Windham was forced to close on Thursday as crews are still working to extinguish a brush fire. According to school officials, North Windham Elementary School went to virtual learning as a result of the air quality from the fire, which is in the Natchaug State Forest in Windham. "Unfortunately, we have to close North Windham today due to the forest fire that’s occurring not far from the building," the school posted to its website. "The air quality inside the building is not conducive to learning. We are going to try to offer all of our students virtual learning today. Please be patient with us as our teachers from North Windham did not know they were going to be doing this today from their homes. We appreciate your patience and will keep you posted as to how well the town is doing with containing the fire."
WFSB-TV CBS 3 Hartford

3 displaced by fire at Hamden’s Broadmoor Apartments

Hamden firefighters extinguished a kitchen blaze at the Broadmoor Apartments on Mix Avenue Thursday, according to the department. Fire Marshal Brian Dolan said crews were dispatched to the apartment building at 660 Mix Ave. at 6:09 p.m. for the activation of a smoke alarm. Residents were evacuating the building as Squad One arrived on scene at 6:15 p.m., he said. “The residents stated that the third floor hallway was filling with smoke. Firefighters encountered a heavy smoke condition and a kitchen fire in a third floor apartment,” said Dolan. “The fire was quickly extinguished and declared under control by Battalion Chief Richard Otlowski at 06:28 PM.” The fire “started when a pot with cooking oil boiled over and ignited nearby combustibles and the kitchen cabinets,” Dolan said.
New Haven Register

Torrington firefighters temporarily displaced

The city’s North End Fire Station on Main Street is undergoing reconstruction of the apparatus ramp and associated parking areas. Fire Chief Peter Towey said the site preparation work is scheduled to be completed by the end of business Thursday. Paving is scheduled for Friday. The paving project will require relocating all response personnel and apparatus from 6:30 a.m. Friday through 7 a.m. Sunday. During this time, all personnel and apparatus will be responding out of Torrington Fire Department Headquarters located at 111 Water St.
Connecticut Post

Scotland firefighter badly injured in accident at fire station

A local volunteer firefighter was critically injured in an accident at the Scotland Volunteer Fire Department on Monday. The accident at the fire station, located at 47 Brook Road, was not related to an emergency call. “A longtime and respected member of the Scotland Volunteer Fire Department was seriously injured while performing duties at the fire department headquarters,” said Scotland Fire Chief Jason Beaumont in a statement released to the Chronicle Tuesday. “The family of the injured firefighter has requested that the public respect their desire for privacy at this difficult time.” Beaumont’s statement indicated the accident occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. Monday. Beaumont said the victim was immediately transported to The William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich and, from there, was transferred to Hartford Hospital via Life Star. Scotland fire officials did not identify the firefighter or release information about what exactly happened at the firehouse.
The Chronicle

Shelton Aldermen OK $1.3M loan to purchase fire trucks

The Shelton Fire Department could soon be sporting some new trucks. The Board of Aldermen Tuesday approved borrowing up to $1.35 million from Newtown Savings Bank to purchase fire trucks and equipment. While the city and department continue to evaluate needs, Mayor Mark Lauretti said his plans are to buy two new trucks possibly within the next 60 to 90 days. Deputy Fire Chief Paul Wilson said the department hopes to replace the tower truck at Echo Hose Hook and Ladder Company 1. Wilson said the present tower is a 1996 KME 95-foot platform tower that has “experienced many significant mechanical failures over the past five years. “The new tower the department is looking to purchase is a 2020 Pierce Accendant with a 100-foot platform,” Wilson said.
Connecticut Post

Fire department: Twigs, brush ignite in Weston woods

Volunteer firefighters received a call about a fire in the woods at Smith Ridge Road Wednesday morning. The fire was extinguished before it spread, officials said. It was a controlled burn and no one was hurt, according to the Fire Marshal John Pokorny. The fire started from a few twigs and brush burning in a resident’s backyard. The fire was a little tough to get to because it was 50 feet from the street, according to Pokorny. The volunteer fire department reminds residents that “there is no open burning in town due to high fire danger,” including fire pits.
Connecticut Post