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LFD News – 2010
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Lancaster Fire Department takes delivery of 2010 Sutphen Monarch Custom Rescue Pumper
Lancaster Engine 1 features a Sutphen custom chassis with 435HP ISM Cummins, 10" raised roof and seating for 8. The Apparatus also has a HALE 1750 GPM QMAX pump, Foam Logix 2.1 system, 3 speed lays and deck gun. The generator is a Smart Power 15KW. The tank holds 750 gallons of water and 30 gallons of Foam. Stainless steel body, ROM roll up doors, LED compartment lighting, PAC tool mounting system and rear ladder chute complete this vehicle. Engine 1 is equipped with a full compliment of Holmatro rescue equipment.
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Lancaster Fire Department takes first place at Erie County Fair
August 13, 2010
Lancaster Fire Department was awarded first place for Cadence Units, Fire Department Class A with Bells and Drums during the Firefighters Day Parade at the Erie County Fair.
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Lancaster Fire Department offers home fire extinguisher guidance
August 5, 2010 - Lancaster Bee
A portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives, but portable extinguishers have limitations, according to the Lancaster Fire Department.
Because fire grows and spreads so rapidly, the number one priority for residents is to get out safely, said Assistant Fire Chief Scott M. Kuhlmey. He offers the following safety 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. Aim low, 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.
Read the instructions that come with the fire extinguisher and become familiar with its parts and operation before a fire breaks out.
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. Never turn your back on a fire.
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.
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Lancaster
Fire Department: Do not
re-enter burning building
June 10, 2010 – Lancaster Bee
One of the greatest hazards to
life that exists in a building fire of any magnitude is the lack of
sufficient oxygen, according to the Lancaster Fire Department. That is
why the department reminds residents that once they escape a fire and
find fresh air, they should remain outside the building.
Oxygen not only is essential
for human life, but also is key to supporting the life of the fire,
according to Assistant Fire Chief Scott M. Kuhlmey. Most fire
fatalities are caused by death from smoke inhalation, or death by
suffocation, he added.
“When fire and humans
compete for the limited amount of oxygen within a burning building,
fire always wins,” he said.
The dangers of oxygen
displacement in a burning building, as well as other hazards including
the presence of toxic gases, the fire itself, the risk of explosion,
building collapse and electrocution, make re-entering a burning
structure a dangerous, if not deadly, proposition.
After leaving a burning
building, residents are encouraged to go to a safe place far enough
away from the building in case of collapse or explosion and perform a
head count of those who were in the building with you. If someone is
missing, it is important to tell arriving firefighters. Tell them who
and how many people are missing and where they were last seen.
It also is important to
realize that once you have made your way out of a burning building, you
may already be suffering the effects of lack of oxygen. Seek medical
care if you or any others who escaped from the burning building are
injured. Keep in mind that the symptoms of lack of oxygen and/or
exposure to toxic gases can closely resemble those of alcohol
intoxication. Get anyone who exhibits symptoms immediate medical
attention. One of the major effects of a lack of oxygen is the
impairment of judgment. The possible lack of oxygen on the way out of
the burning building may impair one’s ability to think clearly
and rationally. Even if you are not personally affected, others who
escaped with you may display an impairment of judgment.
It is important to prevent
others from re-entering. Seek shelter from the elements in a safe
neighboring building especially in the cold, rain and extreme heat.
Burning buildings contain many
hazards, such as,
- Fire that can cause fatal or
severe burn injuries.
- Intense heat that is hot enough
to melt copper coins or aluminum pans.
- Flashover, where everything in a
room becomes instantly engulfed in flames.
- Low levels of oxygen, causing
difficulties in breathing or unconsciousness.
- Toxic gases such as carbon monoxide
that can cause unconsciousness and death.
- Exploding gas mains, propane
tanks and small-arms ammunition that can cause severe injuries.
- Ceilings, walls, stairways and
porches that can collapse, preventing escape.
- Electrical lines that can become
exposed and fall from outside connections to the ground outside
the building and may result in electric shock or death.
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Chaplain
Albert Rinow celebrates 60 years of Service with the LFD
June 1, 2010
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Members of the Lancaster
Fire Department gathered to recognize Firefighter Albert Rinow for 60
years of service. Rinow
who joined in June 1950 currently serves as Chaplain of the
department. He is the senior
member of the Citizens Hose Company and remains an active member.
Photo: Grandson and
firefighter Marc Rinow (left), Albert Rinow (middle), Son and
Lieutenant Dan Rinow
(right)
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Village of Lancaster firefighters have busy week
May 6, 2010 – Lancaster Bee
A truck is fully engulfed in
flames Friday on St. Mary’s Street in the Village of Lancaster.
The Lancaster Fire Department was kept on alert this week as three
fires in the span of a week destroyed a garage and two trucks and
damaged an apartment.
On Monday, April 26,
firefighters were called to a garage fire on Brady Avenue. Upon arrival, the
fire chief reported a truck on fire inside the structure. The fire was
contained with minimal damage, according to First Assistant Fire Chief
Scott M. Kuhlmey.
Late in the afternoon Friday,
firefighters responded to a truck fire on St. Mary’s Street in
the Village
of Lancaster. The
vehicle was fully engulfed in flames at the time of the initial call.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze with no damage to nearby
properties, Kuhlmey said.
On Sunday evening, the fire
department was dispatched to a residential structure fire on Central Avenue.
Arriving crews were confronted with smoke coming from the second floor.
Firefighters located and put out the fire in a bedroom in one of the
upstairs apartments. Fire, smoke and water damage was confined and did
not extend to the other three apartments, Kuhlmey said. No injuries
were reported.
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Lancaster Firefighters respond to truck
fire
St. Mary’s Street: April
30, 2010
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LFD
installs 2010 officers
The Lancaster Fire Department held its installation of
officers dinner on Saturday. The program commenced with
welcoming words from Firefighter Norman Piotrowski and an invocation by
Chaplain Albert Rinow.
2010 officers include Chief James N. Robinson, First
Assistant Chief Scott M. Kuhlmey, Second Assistant Chief James
Schaefer, Third Assistant Chief Joseph M. Ligammare, President Eric
Feldmann, Vice President Stephen Stribing, Secretary Douglas E. Lahnen,
Treasurer Norman Piotrowski, Records Officer Carl Adolf, Chaplain
Albert Rinow, Sergeant at Arms William Huff, and Executive Board
Secretary Brandie Hadden
Mayor William Cansdale
installed all newly elected officers. This was followed by John
A. Robinson Jr. who installed his son James as the 47th Fire Chief of
the Lancaster Fire Department.
Past Chief John Burke reflected on his term as Chief and
thanked everyone for their support. Burke's comments were
followed by an awards presentation to the top ten emergency
responders for 2009. They included Firefighters Nicholas Wetzler,
Joseph Graham, Spencer Repka, Rick Robinson, Robert Heimbueger,
James F. Volpe, Matthew Kennedy, Douglas Lahnen, Jeffrey Darcy,
and David Kozlowski.
Buffalo Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Lombardo
offered his congratulatory comments. He also remarked on the rich
tradition and 136-year history of the Lancaster Fire Department and
progress of the fire service since that time.
The program concluded with a benediction.
PHOTO COURTESY MIKE VANDERLAAN, ERIE COUNTY
FIRE WIRE
Picture, listed left to right
Vice President Steven Stribing, President Eric Feldmann,
Chaplain Albert Rinow, Records Officer Carl Adolf, Chief James N.
Robinson, Treasurer Norman Piotrowski, First Assistant Chief Scott M.
Kuhlmey, Secretary Douglas E. Lahnen, Second Assistant Chief James
Schaefer, Executive Board Secretary Brandie Hadden, Third Assistant
Chief Joseph M. Ligammare, Sergeant at Arms William Huff.
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Lancaster Fire Department elects new leaders
April 19, 2010
The Lancaster Fire Department held its annual election
of Department Officer’s on Monday, April 19.
Firematic Officers include Fire Chief James N. Robinson,
First Assistant Chief Scott M. Kuhlmey, Second Assistant Chief James
Schaefer, and Third Assistant Chief Joseph Ligammare.
Administrative Officers include President Eric Feldmann,
Vice President Steven Stribing, Secretary Douglas Lahnen, Treasurer
Norman Piotrowski, Sergeant at Arms William Huff, Chaplain Albert
Rinow, and Records Officer Carl Adolf.
An installation of officer’s ceremony will take
place on Saturday, April 24.
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Lancaster Fire Department offers more
appliance fire safety tips
April 15, 2010 – Lancaster Bee
Many homes have a multitude of
electrical appliances ranging from small kitchen items, such as
toasters and microwaves, to major appliances like clothes dryers and
dishwashers. While appliances make our lives much easier, they also
pose significant risks including fire if not maintained properly.
In last week’s Bee, the
Lancaster Fire Department focused on clothes dryer, washer, oven range
and microwave oven fire safety. This week, it takes a closer look at extension
cords and electrical system fire safety. To avoid the potential risk of
fire, the Lancaster Fire Department suggests checking the following to
ensure appliances don’t put anyone at risk.
Stop fire
before it starts
·
If an appliance has a three-prong
plug, never force it into a two-prong outlet or extension cord.
·
Use extension cords wisely, and
don’t overload them.
·
Regularly check extension cords to
make sure the plastic is not worn away or coming apart at the ends.
·
Never use an extension cord as
permanent wiring.
·
Instead of a simple extension cord,
get a laboratory-tested extension cord with built-in circuit breakers.
·
Check wiring on a regular basis. Look
for outlets that don’t work, light switches that are hot to the
touch, and lights that flicker. This could mean something is wrong and
should be checked by an electrician.
Extension
cords
When it comes to appliance
safety, one of the most commonly used and misused items is the
extension cord, Assistant Fire Chief Scott M. Kuhlmey stated. Extension
cords pose several risks:
·
Connections may not be secure.
·
Don’t overload extension cords
or wall sockets.
·
Power fluctuations may damage the
appliance.
·
Poor connections can cause sparks that
may start a fire.
·
Never force a three-prong cord into a
two-slot outlet.
·
To reduce the risk of fire from
extension cords:
·
Use electrical extension cords wisely
and don’t overload them.
·
Consider having additional circuits or
outlets added by a qualified electrician so you do not have to use
extension cords.
·
Replace or repair loose or frayed
cords.
·
Avoid running extension cords across
doorways, through ceilings or under carpets.
·
Don’t plug extension cords into
other extension cords.
·
Don’t use extension cords in
place of permanent wiring.
Electrical system
safety
·
Replace worn, old or damaged appliance
cords right away.
·
If power goes out a lot or the lights
in the home flicker, smell bad or make noise, have an electrician come
to inspect wiring.
·
The electrical outlet in the bathroom
should have a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). This is a tool
that protects you from a dangerous shock when water and electricity
come together. An electrician can install a GFCI for you.
·
All electrical outlets and switches
should be covered by “face plates.”
·
Inspect electrical cords to make sure
they are in good condition.
·
Don’t tie or knot cords.
·
Don’t let furniture sit on
cords.
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Lancaster Fire Department offers
appliance fire safety tips
April 8, 2010 – Lancaster Bee
Many homes have a multitude of
electrical appliances ranging from small kitchen items such as toasters
and microwaves to major appliances like clothes dryers and dishwashers.
While appliances make our lives much easier, they also pose significant
risks including fire if not maintained properly, according to the Village of Lancaster Fire Department.
Appliance fire safety is a
matter of keeping appliances in good working order, as well as using
them as they were intended, according to Assistant Fire Chief Scott M.
Kuhlmey. To avoid the potential risk of fire, the Lancaster Fire
Department suggests checking the following to ensure appliances
don’t cause risks of fire.
Stop an appliance
fire before it
starts
·
Immediately fix appliances or lamps
that sputter or spark.
·
Keep appliances away from wet areas,
especially in the kitchen, bathroom, basement and garage.
·
If an appliance has a three-prong plug,
never force it into a two-prong outlet or extension cord.
·
Check your wiring on a regular basis.
Look for outlets that don’t work, light switches that are hot to
the touch, and lights that flicker. This could mean something is wrong
and should be checked by an electrician.
·
Keep clothes, curtains, and other
potentially combustible items at least three feet from all heaters.
Clothes dryer fire safety tips
·
Clean the lint filter before or after
each use.
·
Have a dryer installed and serviced by
a professional.
·
Do not operate the dryer without a
lint filter. Clean the lint filter before or after each use. Remove
accumulated lint around the drum.
·
Rigid or flexible metal venting
materials should be used to sustain proper air flow and drying time.
·
Make sure the air exhaust bent pipe is
not restricted and the outdoor vent flap will open when the dryer is
operating.
·
Once a year, or more often if you
notice that it is taking longer than normal for your clothes to dry,
clean lint out of the vent pipe or have a dryer lint removal service do
it for you.
·
Keep dryers in good working order. Gas
dryers should be inspected by a professional to ensure that the gas
line and connection are intact and free of leaks.
·
Make sure the right plug and outlet
are used and that the machine is connected properly.
·
Do not leave a dryer running if you
leave home or when you go to bed.
·
Never dry items that have come in
contact with flammable substances, such as cooking oil, gasoline, paint
thinner, or alcohol.
·
Keep the dryer area clear of things
that can burn, such as boxes or clothing.
Washer fire
safety tips
·
Avoid overloading a washing machine.
·
Washing machines should be properly
grounded.
·
Make sure the right plug and outlet
are used and that the machine is connected properly.
Oven
ranges
·
Keep burners, the stove top, and oven
clean and free of grease and other flammable debris.
·
Never leave flammable items such as
hot pads or towels near burners.
·
Don’t leave food cooking
unattended.
·
Never spray aerosols near a flame.
·
Always turn pot handles inward to
avoid the possibility of knocking a pot off the stove.
·
Never wear clothing with long, loose
sleeves while cooking.
·
Periodically inspect electrical cords
and gas connections for wear and damage.
Microwave
ovens
·
Never operate a unit with a door that
is bent, warped, or otherwise damaged in a way that prevents it from
closing firmly.
·
Don’t stand directly in front of
the microwave while it is operating.
·
Avoid overheating liquids; they may super-heat
and erupt, causing severe burns.
·
Never operate an empty oven.
·
Keep the inside of the oven, the door,
and all seals clean and free of debris.
·
Never use metal pans and utensils in
the unit as arcing will occur.
·
Periodically check for microwave
leakage with an FDA-approved testing device.
Most importantly, be prepared
for a fire.
“One of the best ways to
protect yourself and your family is to have a working smoke alarm that
alerts you to a fire,” Kuhlmey said. “A smoke alarm greatly
reduces your chances of dying in a fire.”
He also said that making and
practicing a home fire escape plan and setting a meeting place outside
is important, as well as making sure every family members knows at
least two escape routes from their bedrooms.
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Village of Lancaster
firefighters attend training at National Fire
Academy
March
25, 2010 – Lancaster
Bee
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Nine members of the Lancaster Fire Department attended
the annual state weekend training program offered at the National Fire
Academy in Emmitsburg, Md.
Chief John Burke, Assistant Chiefs Scott Kuhlmey and
James Schaefer, Capts. Joe Ligammare, Jeffrey Moore and Kevin Herzog, Lt. Matthew Reitmeier and
firefighters Bill Huff and Doug Lahnen participated in the two-day
program Saturday and Sunday.
“The program offered members an opportunity to
grow professionally through a quality educational experience and
increased their knowledge and skills to provide a safe and effective
response to the Lancaster
community,” Kuhlmey said.
Members of the Lancaster Fire
Department focused their training on fire behavior, fire prevention,
leadership,
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Lancaster Fire
Department members William Huff, left, Matthew Reitmeier, Joe
Ligammare, James Schaefer, Doug Lahnen, Jeffrey Moore, Kevin Herzog and Scott M. Kuhlmey attend
training at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md. Missing from
the photo is John Burke.
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managing change and structural collapse. These courses strengthened
the department through education, personal networking and a shared
collegial experience, Kuhlmey said. Members collectively logged 126
hours of training.
The New York State Office of
Fire Prevention and Control sponsored the two-day program in
cooperation with the National
Fire Academy.
The NFA hosts the program and provides the instruction, course
materials and lodging at no cost to participants.
Also, 13 members of the
Lancaster Fire Department attended a three-hour seminar on flashover and
back draft sponsored by the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs
on March 10. This training included procedures and tactics to be
employed during dangerous situations, along with a review of case
histories and preplanning considerations. The training was presented by
firefighter Robert LaGrow of FDNY and Michael Healy of the Rockland County Fire
Training Center. Village firefighters
logged 39 hours of training.
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Lancaster Fire Department personnel
complete training
March
11, 2010 – Lancaster
Bee
One hundred twenty-two members
of the Lancaster Fire Department recently completed annual safety
training logging a total of 976 hours.
The Occupational Safety and
Health Administration and the New York Department of Labor Public
Employee Safety Health Bureau requires eight hours of annual safety
training for all firefighters.
Topics included general hazard recognition, fire station safety,
response safety, fire scene safety, protective clothing, self-contained
breathing apparatus, tool and equipment safety and recent developments
in fire safety.
In addition, Capt. Jeff Moore
and Lt. Mark Moore completed a course on basic structural collapse
operations.
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Carbon monoxide detector law
will save lives
February 25, 2010 – Lancaster Bee
It’s a device that could save your life as readily
as a smoke detector could, but this item alerts you to what is known as
the silent killer – carbon monoxide.
Monday marked the first day “Amanda’s
Law” took affect. It
requires carbon monoxide detectors to be installed in all homes
throughout the state. Previously,
the state required CO alarms only in newly constructed homes and upon a
home’s sale.
The law was named for Amanda Hansen of West
Seneca, who perished in January 2009 after being overcome
by carbon monoxide during a sleepover at a friend’s house.
Scott M. Kuhlmey, assistant fire chief of the Lancaster Fire
Department, explains why CO is known as the silent killer.
“You cannot see it, smell it, or taste it,”
he said.
Specifically, the new law requires CO alarms be
installed in all new and existing one and two-family dwellings,
multifamily dwellings and rentals having a fuel-burning appliance,
system or attached garage.
The requirements differ for new and existing residences and also
on when the buildings were built.
At a minimum, if there is a CO source in the home, then
you are required to have one carbon monoxide alarm installed on the
lowest story having a sleeping area. Additional requirements apply to
homes constructed on or after January 1, 2008.
Kuhlmey described the symptoms of CO poisoning as
flu-like, including headache, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and
confusion. Prolonged exposure can result in vomiting, blackouts, and,
eventually, brain damage and death. The amount of CO inhaled and how
long you are exposed to it determines the effect, he added.
If your CO alarm sounds, stay calm. If anyone in the house feels ill
or experience flu-like symptoms of headache, nausea, or dizziness
immediately evacuate the house and have someone call 9.1.1.
“Failure to get out immediately may result in
prolonged exposure, worsening effects from the CO,” Kuhlmey
said. “The best
initial treatment for CO exposure is fresh air.”
Now that the new rule has taken effect, purchase a CO
detector now if you haven’t already done so. If you rent a home or apartment,
remind your landlord of the new provision.
This new law will ensure that CO detectors become just
as commonplace as smoke detectors, and this will save more lives. The passage oif the law also is
increasing awareness of this issue, ensuring that information about the
problem is not as invisible as the problem itself.
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Heavy Rescue Truck For Sale
The
Lancaster Fire Department has a 1990 GMC Saulsbury Heavy Rescue Truck
available for sale.
Caterpillar
diesel, Allison automatic, air brakes, 20kw pto driven generator, (4)
kwik raze 1500w quartz lights, (4) 500w flush mount quartz lights, (4)
hannay electric rewind reels w/200' of 10/4, (1) Hannay 1500 series
rewind reel w/150' of 3/8 air line, command desk/bench seat with
storage, interior roll up doors, 160 amp alternator, walk-on roof, dual
heated mirrors, tinted window glass, tow eyes, front & rear a/c,
12&120v lighting systems in box, warning lights and lightbar. 13,207 miles
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Reduced!
Asking $50,000
Click
here for purchasing information.
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 January 24, 2010
Kitchen
Fire, Lancaster Towers, 1 Pleasant Avenue West
Lancaster
firefighters responded this evening to the report of a kitchen fire in
a 4th floor apartment.
An occupant was able to extinguish the fire which originated on
the top of a stove. The
fire department assisted with ventilation of smoke from the 4th
and 5th floor.
Several occupants were evaluated. The fire department checked the
apartment with a thermal imaging camera verifying no fire extension to
the building.
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January 16, 2010
Chimney
Fire, 30 Waltham Drive
Lancaster
firefighters responded this morning to the report of a chimney fire at
30 Waltham Drive. On
arrival crews were presented with flames coming from the chimney of the
single family home. The
fire was extinguished with minor extension to the residence.
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