Fire Department News

by Tom Galeota

The Bolton Fire Department (BFD) is an all volunteer department. It is headed by Chief Jim Preuss. The Deputy Chief is Paul Philopena and the Assistant Chief is Jim Preuss, Jr. The department has two captains, Don Assard and Justin Preuss, and two lieutenants, Jason Preuss and Peter Morra. These officers have a combined experience in the department of more than 120 years.

Anytime you are driving by the firehouse and see the big front doors open please feel free to stop in and say hello. If we are not about to respond to an emergency we would be happy to give you a tour. The kids usually enjoy climbing “way up” in the drivers seat and love to ask questions (most of which we can answer). We are very proud of the equipment and the way in which we maintain it and would like to show it to the people who own it (you).

At this year’s annual dinner, Years of Service Awards for 2004 were presented to Pam Connelly (10), Bruce Davies (20), Derek Green (5), Bob Langton (10), Dominic Pascucci (5), Jim Preuss, Jr. (10), Jackie Rouleau (5) and Chip White (15). The awards for 2005 include Pete Morra (35!), Bob Morra (45!), Jim Preuss (35!) and Bob Vaughn(15). Firefighter of the Year was awarded to Don Martin. Don successfully completed the emergency medical technician (EMT) and Firefighter I training courses in the same year.

Speaking of dinners, on Saturday evening, October 22 the BFD will prepare and serve its Big Steak Dinner. Steak, pasta, potato, vegetable, salad, rolls, drinks and ice cream will be served. There will be two sittings, one at 5:00 and the other at 6:30. Tickets are available by calling Bruce Davies at 646-4717, Ray Soma at 643-9474 or W. H. Preuss Sons Power Equipment at 643-9492. There might be (no guarantees) tickets available at the door if they do not sell out by reservation. Tickets cost $14 for adults and $12 for seniors and children under 12. Children under 6 are free. Proceeds will go towards much needed emergency equipment. Please get you’re your tickets early since this event sells out year after year!

Congratulations to Captain Justin Preuss for securing a $51,015 grant from the Department of Homeland Security. This federal grant will pay for a vehicle exhaust extraction system for all vehicles in the firehouse. The system will be connected directly to each vehicle’s exhaust pipe using hoses. It safely expels exhaust to the outside air. The hoses automatically disconnect from the vehicle as the vehicle is driven out of the firehouse. The hoses are manually reattached just prior to the vehicle being backed into its bay. We anticipate that this system will be required by OSHA in the near future and, up until now, we did not have one. Justin spent many volunteer hours attending grant writing seminars and completing the 21-page grant application and associated essays. The Town is responsible for a 5 percent grant match which amounts to $2,685. This federal grant saves Bolton taxpayers the $51,015 for this safety equipment that will likely be federally mandated in the near future.

Three members of the department, Brian Goulet, Don Martin and Tom Galeota recently completed the Connecticut Fire Academy emergency vehicle driving program. The program included approximately 40 hours of classroom training and actual driving time on emergency apparatus. A lengthy exam was then administered by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Each passed the state exam and was issued a “2Q” drivers license. This license allows them to drive

the engine tankers and heavy rescue vehicle. However, before they can do so, they must also be tested by the BFD Training Officer and become qualified on each of the Bolton emergency vehicles.

Tip of the Month: Smoke alarms save lives. Most people that parish in fires are first overcome by smoke and then pass out. 85% of all fire deaths occur in the home and the majority occur at night when people are sleeping. Here are a few tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) that can save your life:

- For smoke alarms with batteries, change batteries at least once per year or when the smoke alarm chirps to warn the battery is dying.

- Change the batteries on a notable day to help you remember (daylight savings time, holiday, etc.)

- Test units at least monthly. Test units using the test button or an approved smoke substitute.

- Clean the units in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

- Do not use an open flame device to test the unit.

- In older homes, at a minimum, smoke alarms should be placed outside each sleeping area and on each level of the house, including the basement.

- In new homes, smoke alarms are required in all sleeping rooms, according to the National Fire Alarm Code.

- Smoke alarms shall be mounted according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

- Smoke alarms should be replaced every ten years or sooner if testing reveals failure.