East Longmeadow Fire Department

Today is National Hot Dog Day! Enjoy the day, but please grill responsibly. Click on the link to access some safe grilling tips. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/grilling-safety

Trying to beat the heat in the pool or at the beach? Check out https://cdc.gov/drowning/about/ for some swimming safety tips.

Today is National , and this weather has us all in the mood for a dip! If you're heading to the pool this summer, remember that that children always need adult supervision in and around water. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1 to 4 years old: https://cdc.gov/drowning/about/.

June was a very busy month for our department. We responded to 408 calls last month, 6/21 being the busiest, with B Group responding to 23 calls for service. Great work by all our members for their service to East Longmeadow. See the call breakdown below:
- Fires: 4
- EMS: 314
- MVC/Rescue: 17
- Hazardous Condition: 11
- Service Call: 17
- Good Intent: 8
- Alarm Activations: 36
- Weather Related: 1
Calls Year to date: 2,085

Thank you to all paramedics who do what you do daily, and specifically to our paramedics. THANK YOU for your service to East Longmeadow and our Mutual Aid partners!

July 8 is International Paramedics Day, recognizing the depth and breadth of lifesaving work that these first responders perform every day. On , we join our colleagues around the globe to thank our for their professionalism, honor their commitment to patient care, and promote the difference they make.

Members of C Group quickly knocking down a dumpster fire before it extends to the nearby garage

Happy Fourth of July! Please take a minute to remember all our Military and First Responders who work today to keep us safe.

PUBLIC ACCESS AND PARKING ADVISORY FOR FIREWORKS

The East Longmeadow Police Department and the East Longmeadow Rotary Club are issuing a joint statement to address parking and vehicular access restrictions being implemented at the Fireworks celebration at the East Longmeadow High School tonight, July 3, 2024. These measures are being put in place to best ensure the safety of all attendees at and around the high school. We want to reassure you that these restrictions are in place to protect you and to respect the ongoing site work and heavy equipment that’s while also respecting the ongoing site work and heavy equipment on the grounds for the construction of the new high school.

No vehicles will be allowed to enter or park in the “horseshoe” main entrance area of the high school. Construction activities have already reduced the available space in that area, and it is imperative that it remain available for emergency vehicle access only.

No vehicles will be allowed to park at the eastern end of Norden Street, and there will be a gate blocking vehicle access to the school grounds at that point. The area in front of this gate must remain clear at all times for fire department and emergency vehicle access only.

The gravel construction roads in the fields around the high school will be open for pedestrian activity, but must remain accessible for emergency vehicles. Please do not set up any chairs, blankets, or any other objects on these roads that would impede access. Construction activities have taken away access to some portions of the field, so please be patient as the spot where you usually watch the fireworks you usually watch the fireworks from may no longer be available.

The main parking lot of the high school will be open until it is filled. Please be kind and patient with the officers directing traffic in the area. It may take an hour or more to get out of the parking lot after the fireworks end. Any vehicles left in the high school parking lot overnight may be towed at the owner's expense as the lot needs to be cleared for the Fourth of July parade staging the following morning.

We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and understanding, and we’re looking forward to a wonderful community event and celebration tonight.

The Fireworks tonight will go off at 9:30. Please note that vehicle access to the rear of the High School (Norden Street) will be prohibited except for emergency vehicles.

Congratulations to Firefighter Paramedic Ryan Sanschagrin on graduating from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy in Springfield. Ryan completed 10 weeks of training related to all aspects of firefighting. When he returns to shift, he will rejoin B Group. Nice work, Ryan, congratulations!!

IMPORTANT MESSAGE: There is a 9-1-1 outage in Massachusetts. If you have an emergency, please call (413) 594-1639 until the outage is resolved.

Stay Cool at the Pleasant View Senior Center, 328 North Main Street, East Longmeadow, MA 01028

This week is going bring some extremely high heat index numbers that may significantly impact you, your family & your neighbors. Please check on your vulnerable neighbors and family members.

Also, take a look at Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency's Extreme Heat Safety Tips:

Extreme Heat Safety Tips Exposure to high temperatures for excessive periods of time can be very dangerous.

Near record high temperatures are expected for the remainder of this week. Limit outside activities, stay cool, and stay hydrated. Know the signs of excessive heat exposure.

The 2024 Fire Prevention Week theme is "Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work For You." This is a great reminder that smoke alarms only work when tested monthly, 10 years old or newer, and placed in the proper location. Go to www.fpw.org for more information.

East Longmeadow Fire Department members responded to 342 calls in May, bringing our year-to-date total to 1,676! B Group gets the nod for the busiest shift with 19 calls on 5/23. Solid work by all our members! See below for a breakdown of calls:
- EMS: 281
- Service Calls: 3
- Good Intent: 11
- MVC: 7
- Alarm activations: 33
- Unauthorized Burning: 3
- Hazardous Conditions: 1
- Fire Mutual Aid: 3

The East Longmeadow Fire Department wants to remind you to "Stand By Your Pan" and never leave cooking unattended. Food left unattended on cooktops and ranges accounts for over half of all cooking fires in the United States. When cooking, stay alert and in the kitchen!

https://johndeforest.smugmug.com/East-Longmeadow-Ma-2nd-alarm

East Longmeadow Ma 2nd alarm - John DeForest East Longmeadow Mass firefighter’s were dispatched by Westcomm Regional Dispatch at approximately 20:43 to 15 Hunting Road for a structure fire. EL car 1 arrived to find heavy fire C side of the home. Command requested Longmeadow, Hampden, Wilbraham, and shaker pines from the town of Enfield. Crew...

Last night at approximately 8:45 pm The East Longmeadow Fire Department responded to Hunting Road for a structure fire. The home was well involved on arrival and mutaual aid was requested from Longmeadow Fire Department, Wilbraham Fire Department, Shaker Pines Fire Department, Hampden Fire Department, Somers Fire Department, and Action Ambulance Service Inc. Thank you to all those departments for their response. All occupants were able to get out safely. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Special thanks to East Longmeadow Police Department for their assistance.

While celebrating this weekend, please remember those who have served and sacrificed.

Friday 5/24: D Group is on duty today and ready to respond. Today's group includes FF/Medic Josh Rutola, FF/Medic Devon Drewniany, FF/Medic Chase Reisbig, FF/Medic Pete Shadbegian and FF/EMT Craig Presnal. Scheduled off, but no less a big contribution to this group, are FF/Medic Chris French and Capt. Bill Houle

Due to some issues with our account yesterday, we could not profile yesterday's Duty Crew. So today, we will introduce you to yesterday's and today's groups.
Thursday, 5/23: B Group. We could not get a photo yesterday because the crew was out most of the day. B Group responded to 19 calls for service during their 24-hour shift. Led by Capt/Medic Jim Goldrick, the shift includes FF/EMT Joe Giordano, FF/Medic Antonio Rosado, FF/Medic Brian Perreault, FF/Medic Gianna Driscoll, FF/Medic Paul Calawa, and FF/Medic Ryan Sanschagrin who is currently attending the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy in Springfield. Great job yesterday, B Group! Thank you for your service to East Longmeadow.

C Group is our duty crew today. Protecting East Longmeadow on this picture-perfect Wednesday is FF/Medic Matty Adams, FF/Medic Eli Yeager, Capt. Matt Turowsky, FF/Medic Justin Pouliot, FF/Medic Brody Allen, FF/Medic Bryan Drury, and FF/EMT Dan Loftus. Thank you C Group, and Be Safe today!!

Today through Friday, we will highlight the group working in appreciation of EMS Week. Today, we have A Group. From left to right, FF/Medic Ben Wright, FF Ed McCandlish, FF/Medic Bryan D'Angelo, Capt/EMT Ben Cote, FF/Medic Becky Jarvis, FPO Brian Daponde, FF/Medic Lauren Caprile, FF/Medic Christian Santaniello. Thank you for your service to East Longmeadow!!

May 19th through the 25th is National EMS Week. This is an opportunity to acknowledge our community's providers who respond selflessly to those needing medical care. On behalf of the East Longmeadow Fire Department, a heartfelt thank you to our providers for their hard work in our community.

Today is National Peace Officer Memorial Day in the United States. The annual observance dates back to 1962, when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day. Thank you to all law enforcement officers who serve and have served, with a special remembrance to those who have sacrificed for the safety of others. Thank you to all East Longmeadow Police Department officers who protect our community every day.

May 4 is , when we show appreciation for the men and women of the fire service and their selfless mission to preserve life and protect property. We recognize the bravery they demonstrate each day and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Master Streams. Last week, B Group used a troubleshooting excercise as an opportunity to flow some big water from Engine 2 and Ladder 1

Today, the Department took delivery of the latest tool to combat electric vehicle (EV) fires. The EV Emergency Plug can prevent vehicle movement during incidents involving EVs or Hybrid vehicles. Along with the EV Blanket, which will suppress flames, and the Transformer nozzle with extensions for longer reach, we now have several tools we can use to mitigate incidents involving these types of vehicles. All items were purchased through the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant.

The East Longmeadow Fire Department responded to 320 calls in April, bringing its total calls this year to 1,335. Our busiest day was April 12th when C Group responded to 18 calls for service. See below for a breakdown of calls.
Fire: 2
EMS: 269
Hazardous Conditions: 2
MVC: 2
Public Assists: 5
Unauthorized Burning: 7
Good Intent:9
Alarm Activations, No Fire: 21
Request for Fire Mutual Aid: 3

What happens when hydraulic extrication tools fail or are not available? Captain Cote worked with his crew to overcome that obstacle using traditional forcible entry hand tools. Giving up is not an option in emergency services.