To: Deering Board of Selectmen
From: Chief Andy Anderson
Date: 1 January 2009
Subject: Monthly Report
This month’s report will cover the period from 1 December to 31December 2008. The Deering Fire and Rescue experienced our busiest month ever by responding to 44 calls, ending the year with 234 calls, the highest response total in the Department’s history.
The Ice Storm of 2008 tested the response capabilities of the Department but the members of the Fire and Rescue left no doubt that they were up to the task. During the first day of the storm, December 12th, we were dispatched to eight calls in thirteen hours but actually responded to several more incidents than that. Crews worked to assist the Highway Department clearing roads and assisted residents along the way with service calls ranging from checking on residents to delivering drinking water.
For some time on the 12th only one road (Reservoir) was open from end to end. East Deering was isolated for several hours with only the Donovan Station apparatus and crew in a position to respond to any emergencies on that side of town. Twice the McAlister Station apparatus responded through West Main Street in Hillsboro to calls on Manselville Road and Old County Road. The three stations remained manned until the roads were open later in the day. Our thanks to the Highway Department for opening the roads as quickly as they possibly could so our apparatus could respond if needed.
All of our stations lost power due to the storm. The McAlister Station was up and running again by Monday the 15th but we required generators to power the Murdough and Donovan Station for nearly two weeks. The State Office of Emergency Management initially gave us three 3000 Watt generators to power the furnaces at the stations but they were only large enough to run the heating unit at the Murdough Station.
The National Guard delivered generators from FEMA on the 16th which powered the Murdough and Donovan Stations until PSNH could put the buildings back online. Because of this, none of the stations suffered damage to water pipes or to any of the equipment or apparatus.
The Murdough Station was on generator power until the 24th, the Donovan Station, thanks to assistance from Craig Ohlsen and Doug Lalmond, was finally back in service on the 26th.
The affects of the storm suggests that we purchase generators to keep the stations running in the event of another natural disaster.
Engine One and Ambulance One suffered minor damage responding to calls during the storm. Engine One has dents to the wheel well and marker light diamond plate; Ambulance One lost the cell phone antenna. Both apparatus remain in service. A falling tree destroyed the flag pole at the Murdough Station.
Our call volume for the month was record setting, and most concerning of all was that only ten of the 44 responses were a direct result of the storm. This continues a disturbing trend that many of us in the industry predicted: that this Winter heating season could be a very busy time for all of us. With the high cost of fuel numerous homeowners have turned to alternative forms of heating which will result in more calls for carbon monoxide alarms, chimney fires and structure fires.
Five of our members participated in their FFII Graduation Ceremony at the New Hampshire Fire Academy. Captain Jim Tramontozzi, Lieutenant Rene Boyer, FF Rhett Darner, FF Mark Voorhees, and FF James Wilcoxen received their certificates on December 10th.
With everything that transpired this month, we had to postpone training. However, we have a rigorous training schedule planned for 2009 which should catch us up on anything we may have had to put aside during the Fall of 2008.
One important item that has been left out of several reports: Firefighter Kris Saunders built and donated a granite bench for the Fire and Rescue. He completed this project in October and the bench has been placed near the flag pole in front of the Deering Community Church. Our 2008 Department photo was taken with the bench in the picture and our thanks to Firefighter Saunders for this contribution.
Engine One had the happy duty once again of delivering Santa Claus to the Town Hall for the Christmas celebration on December 6th. After Santa spent some time at the Town Hall he also visited the Longwoods and Johnson City Mobile Home Parks, His Mansion, and Robin Hill Farm.
The Fire and Rescue Call Summary and Apparatus Report for the month of December are attached.
Respectfully Submitted,
Chief Andy Anderson
Deering Fire and Rescue
Cc: File
Assistant Chief C. Ladue
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