February 3rd, 2019 Annual Required Ice Water Rescue Training
The Vestal Fire Department’s Water Rescue Team along with water rescue members from Endwell, Conklin, and Johnson City participated in the required annual ice water rescue training in Vestal. Three stations were set up on a pond were the team members could practice different rescue techniques used in ice water rescue. Below are the listed objectives, and the techniques to be used at each station.
Objective:
- Define the SANE approach to ice rescue
- Identify the two types of self-rescue techniques
- Identify and describe two uses of watercraft in an ice rescue situation
- Utilize ice rescue techniques in different field scenarios at an ice site
- Throw techniques
- Identify the proper way to handle a hypothermic patient and the steps that need to be taken to prevent further heat loss once the victim is rescued
- Describe how to develop an operational plan
- Go with Rescue Sling
Equipment used:
- RDC
- PFD
- Mustang & Dry Suit, Helmet
- Ropes, Ice Picks
- Sling, Rescue Stick
Scenarios:
Station 1:
At this scenario, the rescuer will demonstrate the proper throw bag technique. The rescuer must be Throw the bag 2x in a distance of 50ft within 40sec. then pull the victim ashore. Also, the rescuer will use the Rescue stick and pull the unconscious victim out of the water.
Station 2:
At this scenario, the swimmer must be able to perform 2 different types of self-rescue.
- Self-rescue using just their own momentum (using just elbows and feet).
- Self-rescue using the ice picks.
Station 3:
At this scenario, a victim has fallen into the ice and the rescuer must use the RDC to reach the victim. The rescuer must show the proper technique and approach with the RDC. Once the rescuer reach the victim; the rescuer will use the Sling to pull the victim onto the RDC.
Station 4:
At this scenario, each rescuer will perform a victim rescue. They will 1st coach the victim to; self-rescue. If the victim cannot self-rescue, the rescuer will perform the following skills:
- Reach - using a reaching object to extend to the victim
- Throw - if the victim is too far to reach throw a PDF, Life Ring, or some sort of floating device
- Row - if a boat is available, row out to the victim and use the paddle to pull the victim in
- Go - if you must swim take a floating device with you
2019 Fire District Budget
On Tuesday, October 16th, a public hearing was held at the Town Hall presenting the 2019 Vestal Fire District Budget. Click here to view the presentation.
Vestal Fire Prevention
Vestal Fire Prevention completed another round of fire prevention activities with the various schools within our district along with some outside of our district. Here are some pictures of a recent Fire Prevention activity held at BOCES with our Brothers and Sisters from Choconut Center Fire Department!
Parkway Plaza Car Fire
Vestal Fire recently answered a car fire call at the Parkway Plaza apartment complex
2018 Breakfast with Santa
Station #2 would like to thank all that came out and supported our Breakfast with Santa fundraiser. It is Greatly Appreciated!
2018 Awards / Banquet
The 2018 Vestal Fire Departments 62nd annual award dinner was held on November 10th honoring those members that had passed this year, along with our members who have reached service milestones. A special Thank You goes out to our current Station #1 Fire Police Lieutenant, Gene Wagner, who was awarded for 55 years of service, and to past chief Chris E. Lupold, for 50 years of Service. Congratulations to all that received awards! The Vestal Fire Department greatly appreciates your dedicated years of service!
5 years
- Larry Dailey
- Brett Noonan
- Christian Schrader
- Paul Atherton
- Michael Behr
- Austin Lavin
- Ben Schwartz
- Chris Steenstrup
10 Years
- Richard Austin
15 Years
- Scott Walter
- Matthew Martens
- Stefan Miller
20 Years
- Walter Rochester
- Gerald Konen
25 Years
- Robert Hamilton
35 Years
- Dale Frisbie
- Walt Schlundt
- David Harrington
40 Years
- Michael Petcosky
45 Years
- Charles Paffie
50 Years
- Chris E. Lupold
55 Years
- Eugene Wagner
Vestal Fire responds to the ITC complex at the State University of New York at Binghamton
To Operate a Fire Extinguisher
Keep'em Clear
New Tower Truck arrives in Vestal
On September 10th, Vestal Fire Department took delivery on its new Tower Apparatus (Tower 4). Vestal Fire gives a big Thank You to our residents once again for your support!
2018 Fire Expo
This year’s fire expo was a huge success! Despite the rain shower, we had a great crowd and awesome demonstrations! Thank You Lowes once again for the use of your parking lot, and thanks to all the agency’s, vendors, and volunteers that showed up and gave their time to make it such a success! Here are a few pictures from this year’s expo!
Click Here - To view our expo album on Facebook!
Tower 4 and Tanker 2 were initiated!
Vestal Fire welcomed our two newest pieces of apparatus at the expo this past Saturday doing the “Wet Down” ceremony initiating new equipment into the department. Tower 4 and Tanker 2 were initiated!
The Heating season is upon us.
Please be careful when using alternate home heating methods. Here are some Home Heating Safety Tips!
- Check your smoke alarms at least once a month
- Have Carbon Monoxide alarms installed and working in your home. Check your local code for requirements
- For more home heating and alternate heating source safety tips, go to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Home Page
Vestal Fire Safety Expo.
Vestal Fire Safety Expo, Saturday October 6th, from 10am – 2pm at the Lowes Parking Lot. Fire Trucks, Police Cars, Safety Demonstrations, Exhibits. Even Sparky will be there! Stop down and check it out!
Have you changed your battery’s lately?
You should be changing every 6 months.
Flash Flooding hits South Vestal, and Vestal Center 8/14/18
In the morning hours of August fourteenth, flash flooding hit South Vestal and Vestal Center. In monitoring the Choconut creeks level gauge in Choconut, and the degrading weather conditions, Vestal Fire went into emergency operations mode and went into stand by, activating our Emergency Operation center and Division Operation centers and answering numerous calls throughout the morning. Once again that evening we went back into stand by activating the EOC and DOC’s once again as the Choconut creek went above flood stage once again. Thankfully, it wasn’t as serious as the mornings event. Vestal Fire Department wants to thank all our mutual aid brothers and sisters, Vestal Police Department, Vestal Emergency Squad, Vestal Highway Department, and the various other Town of Vestal Departments that showed up to help during this event. We would also like to thank the residents of South Vestal, Vestal Center, and Vestal for their cooperation with us in dealing with this serious situation. The pictures and video provided were taken during the course of our operations ….
Vestal Fire responds to possible water rescue
The water rescue team deploys at Harold Moore Park with other local water rescue teams for a possible river rescue in July.
Car Fire Safety
With the height of the cooling season here, please be safe with your Air Conditioners, Fans, and extension cords
Five Common Causes of Electrical Fires
Use Extension Cords Safely
North Street Fire
Vestal Fire responded mutual aid to Endicott for structure fire on North Street
Castleman Road MVA
Vestal Fire responded to a one car MVA into a pole Castleman Road on June 2nd
Station #2 Sign Dedication
On Monday May 7th, Station #2 had a dedication ceremony dedicating their new sign to the deceased members of Station #2
Open House Recruitment Day at Vestal Fire Department
Click Here for Volunteer Fire Departments Host Open Houses For Recruit NY video
