On a beautiful Friday morning, members of the Clinton Heights Fire Department assisted with the Character Education Walk at our community’s elementary school. This was the 3rd annual walk for the Red Mill School. Throughout the year, the students learn about good character traits and the walk is a culmination of these lessons and a fund raiser for a chosen charity. The fire department leads the entire school group through Hampton Manor and around the lake. When the group returns to school grounds, they were greeted by Truck 8 flying the American Flag.

We are honored to participate in this very worthwhile event.

In the evening hours of Saturday April 22, the Clinton Heights Fire Department was dispatched to a potential hazardous materials incident. The resident of the home inadvertently mixed two different drain cleaning chemicals in an effort to unclog a kitchen sink drain. The resulting chemical reaction produced chlorine gas, a very hazardous chemical. This caused the homeowner to experience respiratory distress and was subsequently transported to the hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Under the command of Assistant Chief Racine, the scene was assessed by CHFD members and a determination was made to call the Rensselaer County Hazardous Materials Team. Members of the City of Troy FD and county HAZMAT coordinators responded. The hazardous condition was mitigated and the home was ventilated, restoring the home to a safe condition.

Residents are reminded to not mix different types of drain cleaners as the results can be incredibly hazardous. If you have questions regarding compatibility of these chemicals, contact the manufacturers of the chemicals for guidance.

Please help us help you in the event of a fire. If there is a fire hydrant near your house, please clear the snow 3 ft. in all directions. During a fire, every second counts. Precious time is wasted if our firefighters have to dig out the fire hydrant to connect our hoses to it. By helping us, you are helping yourself and your neighbors.

The Clinton Heights Fire Department recently held its Annual Installation Banquet at the Century House, Latham, N.Y. at which those newly elected to hold office for the year 2017 were recognized. Installed as Chief of the Department was William K. O’Connor who took the oath of office as administered by his father, William T. O’Connor, Past Assistant Chief of the Clifton Park Fire Department. Installing the new Assistant Chiefs was Past Chief Seth J. Tracy; taking the oath was Assistant Chief Christopher M. Racine and Stephen J. Bestler. The Line Officers for the new year were sworn in by East Greenbush Town Supervisor, Jack Conway. He administered the oath to Captains Aaron Jennes and Thomas Penk and Lieutenants Timothy Kirsch, Marcus Kravitz, Nicholas Petramale, and Joseph Faranda.

The Civil or Table Officers for the next twelve months were sworn in by Christopher Meyer, Deputy County Executive of Rensselaer County. Those taking office for the W. F. Bruen Hose Company were: President Tony Hazzard, Vice President Richard Hendrick, Secretary Dave Jordan, Treasurer Thomas Burns, Sergeant-at-Arms Stephen Moore and Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Glokler. The newly installed Board of Directors for Bruen Hose are Tony Hazzard, Stephen Bestler, Dave Jordan, Thomas Burns, Frank Fiato, Richard Hendrick and William O’Connor. For the Community Hose Fire Company: President Nicholas Petramale, Vice President Kevin DeRusso, Secretary Paul Bednarczyk, Treasurer Edward Pratt, Financial Secretary John Farrell Jr., and Sergeant-at-Arms Charlie Higgins. The members of the new Board of Directors for Community Hose are Paul Bednarczyk, John Farrell Jr., Marcus Kravitz, Theodore LaPlante, Dave Caneen, Timothy Kirsch, Nicholas Petramale, Edward Pratt and Ronald Stark. Chief William K. O’Connor oversaw the installation of the Officers of the Ladies Auxiliary; newly elected are President Bernadette Hazzard, Vice President Chrissy Phillips, Secretary Leigh Newell, Treasurer Helene Reed and Chaplain Joyce Smith.

Several Awards and Presentations were made during the course of the evening. The W. F. Bruen Hose Company and The Community Hose Fire Company both honored Past Chief Seth Tracy as did the Board of Fire Commissioners. On behalf of the Fire District, Past Chief Tracy presented the annual John Mitchell Sr. Award to recently deceased Firefighter Douglas Noble. Accepting this award and other honors bestowed in the memory of Doug was his wife Jessica Noble.

Representatives of neighboring fire departments were honored guests at the ceremonies including East Greenbush FD, Best Luther FD, South Schodack FD, Castleton FD, Bruen Rescue Squad and Defreestville FD as well as The East Greenbush Police Department and Chief of Police, Chris Lavin. Members of the East Greenbush Town Board were present: Supervisor Jack Conway, Board Members Tom Grant, Mary Ann Matters and Deb Di Martino. And as mentioned, Rensselaer Deputy County Executive Christopher Meyer. The Master of Ceremonies for the gathering was Past Chief Ted Mulberry Sr.

 

Photos by Dave Feiden

Saturday morning was quite cold at 17 degrees. Our members were out early for an ice rescue drill on Hampton Manor Lake. The recent warm weather made the ice quite thin in some places. This is not safe for activities, but made for some excellent rescue training. Members worked on both self-rescue and victim rescue skills. Everyone agreed the training was very beneficial.

As we observed, the ice on Hampton Manor Lake is not safe for anyone to be on. Please do not venture out on the lake.