DUNKIRK PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION

1/18/2010- 1305 HRS HOUSE FIRE - 130 LINCOLN AVENUE

At approximately 13:05 hours on Sunday January 18th, 2010, Dunkirk Police and Fire received numerous reports of a house fire at 130 Lincoln Ave. FF Michalski on Engine 4 reported a heavy smoke column from the area of East Fourth and Park. Some reports stated smoke could be seen from as far as Rt's 20 and 60 in Fredonia. Engine 4 arrived on location first reporting a working fire inside a 2 story residence. Crews received reports on arrival that there may be occupants inside and initiated a search of the structure. Many 1 3/4" and 2 1/2" lines were deployed to extinguish the house which was fully involved in the rear 2 story section and extending into the front portion of the residence. The fire threatened the neighboring house, but fortunately it received no damage. One firefighter was injured at the scene and sent to Brooks Memorial Hospital via Alstar EMS. Crews were forced out of the building due to heavy fire conditions in the attic. Engine 2 and off duty firefighters were sent to the scene, as well as Fredonia Engine 14, which while standing by at HQ was sent to a fire alarm at another city location, and responded to multiple EMS calls. The fire is under investigation and the occupants were not home at the time of incident. The #3 shift was working and the incident commander was Chief Keith Ahlstrom. The house is scheduled for emergency demolition. Crew on duty: C1-Chief Ahlstrom, R1-Acting Lt.Stern, E1-FF.Thomas, E3-FF.Wright, E4-FF.Michalski, L1-FF.Trippy. Off duty personnel: E2 Scene-FF.Kucharski, HQ/Dispatch-Lt.Hyland, Scene-Lt.Hanlon, Lt.Edwards, FF.Muscato, FF.Kirell, FF.J,Ellman, FF.P.Ossman, FF.Meyer, FF.K.Ossman, FF.Barter, FF.Thompson, and FF.Pencek. LINK TO OBSERVER ARTICLE (VIDEO BY PAUL SZACH AND PHOTOS BY KAREN TRIPPY, AND DAN MICHALAK)

2/27/2010- 0733 hours FATAL HOUSE FIRE - 26 CROOKED BROOK DRIVE

At approximately 0733 hours on Saturday morning, Fire HQ received a report of a structure fire at 26 Crooked Brook Drive. Lt. Gary Katta in Rescue 1 arrived onscene at 0735 hours reporting a working fire in a 1 1/2 story residence. Neighbors at the scene reported that they believe an occupant was still inside. An attack on the fire was initiated by advancing a hose line through the front door. The attack line immediately encountered heavy fire conditions as Lt. Katta and his search team squeezed past the attack crew to search for the victim. The search team encountered heavy smoke and heat conditions throughout the residence. Lt. Katta found the female victim unresponsive at the foot of the basement stairs. The victim was quickly removed by Lt. Katta assisted by Lt. Bob Trzaska, FF. Patrick Ossman, and FF. James Ellman.

CPR was initiated and the victim was rapidly transported to Brooks Memorial Hospital via Alstar EMS. The fire was controlled with (2) 1 3/4" handlines, and 1400' of 5" supply hose was laid from the nearest adequate hydrant at West Point Drive and Lakeshore Drive West. Standing by at Fire Headquarters, and responding to other calls was Engine 14 from Fredonia Fire. One ambulance was requested from Cassadaga Fire Department to stand by at the scene, but was canceled enroute. The Dunkirk Fire Department had a unit at the previous fire scene during this incident, but that did not hamper the response to this incident. The #2 shift was on duty for this incident, and the incident commander was Captain Allen Loeb. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental, caused by smoking materials. Crew on duty: C2-Capt.Loeb, R1-Lt.Katta, E2 (in service for E1 which was at previous fire)FF.J.Ellman/FF.Thomas, E3-FF.P.Ossman, E4-FF.Kujawa, L1-FF.Kevin Ahlstrom, Dispatch-FF.Michalski, On Scene: Lt.Edwards, Lt.Trzaska, FF.Muscato, FF.Kirell, FF.Wright, FF.Stern, FF.K.Ossman, FF.Kucharski, FF.Trippy, FF.Barter, FF.Thompson, and FF.Pencek. (PHOTOS AND VIDEO BY PAUL SZACH)

2/24/2010- 1715 HRS LARGE MULTI-USE BUILDING FIRE - MASONIC BUILDING - 323-325 CENTRAL AVE

MANY PHOTOS AND VIDEOS TO COME... CHECK BACK SOON.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ASSISTED US SINCE THE START OF THE FIRE. THE SUPPORT BETWEEN FIRE COMPANIES, CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING.

IF YOU HAVE ANY PHOTOS OR VIDEOS TO SHARE, PLEASE EMAIL trippy@pjrescue.com.

TO SEE THE 323-325 CENTRAL AVE PHOTO/VIDEO/ARTICLE PAGE

CLICK HERE

3/19/2010- 1334 hours HOUSE FIRE - 210 PLOVER STREET

At approximately 1334 hours on Friday, HQ and PD received multiple reports of a house fire at 210 Plover St. Crews found a 2 story residence with moderate smoke conditions, and neighbors attempting to extinguish the fire using garden hoses. An 1 3/4" line was used off Engine 3 to extinguish the fire inside the front doorway on the first floor. Crews were on scene for 60 minutes. The cause of the fire was accidental, combustibles too close to a space heater and there was extensive overhaul operations done to the house. Rescue 1 was transporting a patient to Brooks Memorial Hospital at the time of the incident, therefore had a delayed response. The #2 shift was working for the fire, and Fire Chief Keith Ahlstrom was in command. Crew on duty: C1-Chief Ahlstrom, R1-Lt.Katta, E1/R1-FF.Thompson, E3-FF.P.Ossman, E4-FF.Barter, L1-FF.Wright, Off Duty: E2-FF.Kucharski standby at HQ, Dispatch-FF.Meyer, Onscene- FF.K.Ossman, and FF.Muscato.

3/21/2010- 0619 hours HOUSE FIRE - 538 DEER STREET AT EAST SIXTH STREET

At approximately 0619 hours, multiple calls were received reporting a structure fire. First units onscene reported an garage fully involved extending into a 2 story residence. Crews attacked the fire aggressively, utilizing multiple 2 1/2" and 1 3/4" lines both from the interior and exterior of the building. The residence was occupied at the time of incident and thankfully made it out safely.

Ladder 1's aerial device was utilized to assist in overhaul operations, and all units were clear of the scene at approximately 0800 hours. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Incident Command was transferred from Lt. Michael Edwards to Captain Allen Loeb early in the incident. The #1 shift was working for the fire and many off duty personnel responded and assisted. Fredonia Engine 14 was on standby at Fire HQ, and Reserve Engine 2 was also at the scene. Additional photos coming soon.

Crew on duty: C1-Chief Ahlstrom, C2-Capt.Loeb, R1-Lt.Edwards, E1-FF.Muscato, E3-FF.Ahrens, E4-FF.Piglowski, and L1-FF.Kirell/FF.Thompson. Off duty crew: Dispatch:Lt.Hyland, E2-Scene:FF.Kucharski/FF.Meyer, Scene:Lt.Katta, FF.Kujawa, FF.Wright, FF.Michalski, FF.K.Ossman, FF.Trippy, and FF.Barter (PHOTOS BY ALLEN HOLLANDER, DAN MICHALAK, AND PAUL TRIPPY, YouTube VIDEO BY PAUL SZACH)

4/5/2010- 2058 hours MUTUAL AID - 4 STORY BUILDING FIRE - 5 EAST MAIN STREET FREDONIA

At 2058 hours on Monday evening, Fire HQ received a request for Ladder 1 to respond for a structure fire in Downtown Fredonia. Initially Ladder 1's aerial device was used to assist in the firefighting operation, setting up on the south and west sides of the fire building. 2 Dunkirk members were used early in the incident to perform an interior fire attack. The Dunkirk crew was able to make some significant progress utilizing a hand line in the 2nd and 3rd floors. The next Fredonia crew working on the 3rd floor was evacuated from the building due to the increasing fire conditions inside the 3rd floor. Master streams were then initiated from Fredonia Tower 18, Fredonia Engine 14, and multiple hand lines were deployed from the exterior. Ladder 1's master stream was set up, but not used.

At approximately 2300 hours, the decision was made to utilize manpower from Dunkirk, Fredonia, and East Dunkirk and re-introduce an aggressive interior attack utilizing 2 1/2" hand lines. Crews entered the upper floors and were able to completely extinguish the remaining fire in minutes. Prior to the second interior attack, the fire had burned a large hole in the flooring and ceiling extending from the second to the fourth floors. Engine 3 was also sent to the scene at 2141 hours, and supplied the 2 1/2" hose line utilized by the interior Local 616 crews from the south side of the building.

The fire initially was dispatched as a mattress fire, and Fredonia Fire crews found an uncontrollable bedroom fire rapidly progressing through the structure. Fredonia crews then initiated an interior attack. The cause of the fire was determined as careless lighting of a candle. The neighboring structures received minor smoke and water damage.

Crew on duty: C1-Chief Ahlstrom, L1-FF.Kirell, E3-FF.Ahrens, Crew onscene: Lt.Katta, Lt.Edwards, FF.Muscato, FF.J.Ellman, FF.P.Ossman, FF.Wright, FF.Meyer, FF.T.Ellman, FF.Kucharski, FF.K.Ossman, FF.Trippy, FF.Barter, and FF. Thompson. (PHOTOS BY DAN MICHALAK, MIKE EDMUNDS, YouTube VIDEOS BY DunkirkObserver, RBPing999, AND PAUL SZACH-tomcat30081) LINK TO ADDITIONAL PHOTOS ON FLICKR FROM etichy55

4/19/2010- 1136 hours HOUSE FIRE - 54 ARMADILLO STREET

At 1136 hours on Sunday morning, Fire HQ received a report of a house fire at 54 Armadillo St. in the First Ward. Engine 3 FF.Ahrens arrived minutes later, and found residents of that address removing a flaming mattress to the front yard. Minor fire extension was found inside the house, and quickly extinguished. (1) 1 3/4" hose line and 3 water cans were used and the house was cleared of smoke. One resident was transported to Brooks Memorial Hospital via Alstar EMS for minor burns and smoke inhalation. Firefighters remained onscene for approximately 40 minutes. The cause of the fire was children playing with smoking materials. Captain Allen Loeb was in command of the incident, and the #1 shift was on duty. Crew on duty: R1-Capt.Loeb, E1-FF.Muscato, E3-FF.Ahrens, E4-FF.Piglowski, and L1-FF.Meyer. Off duty crew:Lt.Hyland(Dispatch), FF.Kucharski, FF.Barter, and FF.Thompson. (PHOTOS BY PAUL TRIPPY)

7/19/2010 1358 Hours - HOUSE FIRE - 316 LAKE SHORE DRIVE EAST @ NORTH MARTIN STREET

At 1358 hours on Monday, while Engine 4 and Rescue 1 were at a report of a vehicle fire on Doughty Street, Headquarters received a call reporting a structure fire at the old Ruge's Bar. Engine 3 FF.Trippy arrived reporting light smoke and fire showing from the second floor. One 1 3/4" handline was laid in, and crews found a fire burning in a dormer area below a second floor window on Side A. The fire was extinguished with a water can, and crews overhauled the area checking for extension. Engine 4 supplied Engine 3 from a hydrant at Lake Shore Drive East and South Pangolin Street. The cause of the fire was careless smoking. All units were clear the scene at 1440 hours. The #3 shift was working for the fire and the Incident Commander was Fire Chief Keith Ahlstrom. Crew on duty: C1-Chief Ahlstrom, R1-Lt.Edwards/FF.Thomas, E3-FF.Trippy, E4-FF.Michalski, and L1-FF.Stern. (PHOTO BY ALLEN HOLLANDER)

7/24/2010- 1800 hours HOUSE FIRE - 21 ARMADILLO STREET

After a powerful thunderstorm passed through the city, At 1800 hours headquarters received a report of a house fire. FF.Stern on Engine 3 arrived with a 2 1/2 story residence with fire conditions in the C side roof and attic area. The house was apparently struck by lightning as the chimney blew apart, leaving bricks across numerous backyards. An aggressive interior and rooftop attack was used to extinguish the fire. The fire was under control in approximately 20 minutes, and crews were onscene for 75 minutes. The #4 shift was working for the fire and the Incident Commander was Lieutenant James Hyland. Fredonia Engine 14 stood by at Fire Headquarters, Alstar EMS was at the scene for rehab, and The Salvation Army provided cold drinks for the crews working on the warm day. Crew on duty: R1-Lt.Hyland, E1-FF.Thomas, E3-FF.Stern, E4-FF.Thompson, and L1-FF.T.Ellman. Off duty crew: Captain Loeb, Lt.Edwards, Lt.Hanlon, FF.Kucharski, and FF.Kirell (PHOTOS BY ALLEN HOLLANDER)

8/13/10 - 2219 hours GARAGE FIRE - 40 STANISLAUS STREET

On Friday evening, HQ received a report of a garage fire near South Roberts and Stanislaus. FF Meyer on Engine 4 after investigating found a garage on Stanislaus St. with fire conditions in the rear outside of the structure. One 1 3/4" hand line and a water can was used confining the fire to the corner of origin. Investigators believe the fire was caused by human involvement. The #2 shift was working for the incident, and Lieutenant Gary Katta was in command. (PHOTOS BY PAUL SZACH) Crew on duty: R1-Lt.Katta, E1-FF.J.Ellman, E3-FF.P.Ossman, E4-FF.Meyer, and L1-FF.Hanlon, Off duty:K.Ossman

8/21/10 - 1821 hours HOUSE FIRE - 76 LINCOLN AVENUE

On Saturday evening, HQ received multiple reports of a house fire. Lt.Hyland on R1 arrived first reporting a fire in the roof of a front porch in a 2 1/2 story occupied residence. The fire was extinguished with a water can, and ground ladders and hand tools were used. The cause of the fire was careless discarding of smoking materials. Crews were onscene for approximately 30 minutes. The #2 shift was working for the fire and Captain Allen Loeb was in command. (PHOTOS BY PAUL SZACH) Crew on duty: R1-Lt.Hyland, E1-Lt.Hanlon, E3-FF.P.Ossman, E4-FF.Piglowski, and L1-FF.Trippy. Off duty crew onscene: C2-Capt.Loeb, and FF.Thompson.

9/3/10 - 2221 hours CAR FIRE INSIDE GARAGE - 48 LEMING STREET

On Friday night, HQ received a call reporting a house fire at "Hank's House." Firefighter Hank Pencek was working at Engine 3, and was the first due engine. Upon arrival, Engine 3 requested a 5" supply, and Rescue 1 reported a vehicle fire inside a garage. 1 3/4" hand line was used and a 2 1/2" backup line was deployed as a backup line but not used. Engine 1 supplied Engine 3 with 150' of 5" hose from Pine and Leming. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the # 1 shift was working for the incident. The garage sustained minimal damage but 616 member Patrick Ossman's demolition derby car suffered severe damage. (PHOTOS BY TARA PENCEK from Facebook and ALLEN HOLLANDER) Crew on duty: R1-Lt.Hyland, E1-FF.Trippy, E3-FF.H.Pencek, E4-FF.Piglowski, and L1-FF.Kirell. Off duty crew onscene: C1-Chief Ahlstrom, C2-Capt.Loeb, Lt.Katta, FF.Michalski, FF.Muscato, FF.Thompson, and FF.Barter.

9/24/10 1620 HRS - 5 VICTIMS TRAPPED IN COVE OFF LAKE ERIE

At approximately 1620 hours on Friday afternoon, HQ received a report that there were people trapped in a cove off the cliffs of Lake Erie in the vicinity of Point Gratiot. After units were dispatched to that location, other reports stated the victims were near Wright Park. After investigating both locations, 1 person was found looking for help near the Wastewater Treatment Plant. This person was with a group of 5 others, that while swimming near the cliffs, water level and waves elevated trapping the subjects in a cove under a 40-50' cliff approximately 1/2-1 mile east of the WWTP.

Boat 1 was dispatched and deployed to the location. Due to unstable water conditions and large rocks in the water, the boat was unable to get to the victims. Dive Team Member FF. Jared Meyer swam approximately 100-200 yards to the cove where the victims were located. The victims were uninjured but cold and wet. FF.Meyer stayed with the victims until they all were rescued.

Engine 3, Ladder 1, Rescue 1, Car 1, and Car 2 responded from Dunkirk, and Fredonia Rescue 71, The Chautauqua County Dive Team, Alstar EMS, and The Chautauqua County Technical Rescue Team with Tech Rescue 71 were dispatched. Upon arrival of the Technical Rescue Team, their gear was carried to the site above the victims, which was a difficult path through woods and along narrow sections of the cliffs. Ropes and Rigging were set up and Tech Rescue members rappeled over the cliff to bring the victims up one by one. All victims were successfully brought to safety and all refused transport to the hospital. The #4 shift was on duty for the start of the incident, and was relieved by the #3 shift.

Crew on duty: C1-Chief Ahlstrom, C2-Capt.Loeb, R1-Lt.Hyland/Lt.Edwards, E3-FF.K.Ossman/FF.Wright, L1-FF.Muscato/FF,Stern, Boat1-Lt.Katta, Lt.Trzaska, FF.Meyer, OnScene Crew: FF.P.Ossman, and FF.Trippy.

(PHOTOS BY PAUL TRIPPY AND NOEL GUTTMAN from FACEBOOK, YouTube VIDEO by DunkirkObserver)

10/28/10 1814 HRS - HOUSE FIRE - 437 SOUTH ROBERTS ROAD

At 1814 hours, Fire HQ received multiple reports of a working house fire at 437 South Roberts Road between East Talcott and East Doughty. Engine 3 FF K.Ossman was first onscene reporting a working fire. (2) 1 3/4" and (1) 2 1/2" lines were utilized during an aggressive interior attack. Engine 4 supplied Engine 3 with 400' of 5" supply line from the hydrant at East Courtney and South Roberts. Heavy fire conditions were in the attic area, and crews worked hard opening ceilings and the various rooflines to extinguish the fire. The house sustained heavy water and smoke damage, and crews had to open the roof in multiple locations. Reserve Engine 2, many off duty personnel, and Alstar EMS were also onscene. Five residents and animals escaped the fire unharmed. The cause of the fire was accidental due to a possible lightning strike per the Chautauqua County Fire Investigation Team. The #4 shift was on duty for the incident, and the Incident Commander was Fire Chief Keith Ahlstrom. Crews remained on scene for approximately 2 hours.

Crew on duty: C1-Chief Ahlstrom, R1-Lt.Hyland, E1-FF.Barter, E3-FF.K.Ossman, E4-FF.Trippy, L1-FF.T.Ellman, off duty crew: E2-FF.Meyer, Captain Loeb, Lt.Hanlon, Lt.Edwards, Lt.Trzaska, FF.Muscato, FF.Kirell, FF.P.Ossman, FF.Thomas, FF.Stern, FF.Wright, FF.Kucharski, FF.Barter, FF.Thompson, and FF.Pencek.

(PHOTOS BY ALLEN HOLANDER AND PAUL TRIPPY, YouTube VIDEO by Paul Szach)

12/22/10 0433 HRS - STRUCTURE FIRE - 830 BRIGHAM ROAD - DUNKIRK SPECIALTY STEEL

At 0433 hours, an employee from Dunkirk Specialty Steel on Brigham Road called reporting a fire in an oil pit inside a building. When crews arrived, they found heavy smoke emitting from a large building inside the complex. The building's floorplan is approximately 600 feet x 500 feet, and 50' tall. FF.Thomas on E1 found an open door to the building with an employee in respiratory distress due to smoke inhalation. The victim was treated at the scene by the DFD Crew, and transported to Brooks Memorial Hospital via Alstar EMS. Multiple 2 1/2" and 1 3/4" hand lines with foam were used to extinguish the fire and prevent significant extension to the structural components. Over 2000' of 5" supply line was laid to access the municipal water system. Ladder 1's aerial device was used to access the roof. Engine 2 and additional manpower was sent to the scene as well. Fredonia Fire Engine 14 was on stand by at Fire HQ. The cause of the fire was accidental, The #3 shift was on duty, and Fire Chief Keith Ahlstrom was in command. All personnel cleared the scene just after 0800 hours. Crew on duty: C1-Chief Ahlstrom, R1-Lt.Edwards, E1-FF.Thomas, E3-FF.Wright, E4-FF.Barter, and L1-FF.Pencek. Off duty crew, E2-FF.Meyer, Dispatch-FF.K.Ossman, Lt.Hyland, Onscene-Lt.Katta, Lt.Hanlon, FF.K.Ossman, FF.Kucharski, FF.Trippy and FF.Thompson. (PHOTOS BY ALLEN HOLANDER AND PAUL TRIPPY)