Westport Firefighters

From News 12 CT.com

From News 12CT.com

Multiple injuries have been reported after a “major train derailment” was reported near the Bridgeport-Fairfield line Friday night. A Metro-North train, which left New Haven around 4:40 p.m. and was headed to Grand Central Station, derailed near the Fairfield Metro-North station around 6:10 p.m. The eastbound train collided with a westbound train, which was also out of New Haven, on adjacent track. Multiple cars from each train were derailed. Police said 22 people were transported to the hospital with four of them having serious injuries. There were no reported fatalities. Passengers told Eyewitness News there were some people complaining about neck and back pain. There is no Metro-North service between Stamford and New Haven. Trains are being stopped at the nearest station. Sources told Eyewitness News Metro-North service will likely be impacted for several days, will have to set up some sort of shuttle system. There is also no service on Amtrak Northeast between New York and Boston. Eyewitness News talked to at least one passenger that said the train was traveling around 50 mph. The collision was “loud” and “jolted” people out of their seats. ”Tracks looks like twisted ribbons of metal,” Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch tweeted. Passengers were held for about 15 minutes until smoke cleared. Metro-North officials said they will continue to update their customers as more information becomes available.

This afternoon at approximately 4:10pm, during rush hour, the Westport and Norwalk Fire Departments, Westport and Norwalk EMS and State police responded to a one vehicle accident down the embankment with reported possible entrapment on the Merritt Parkway between exits 40 and 41.  Upon arrival Westport Car 3 reported a Nissan Sentra that went down the embankment and had struck a downed tree causing the occupant to be trapped within the vehicle.  Norwalk firefighters arrived on scene, secured the vehicle using a winch system and then used a chain saw to gain access to the occupant in the vehicle.  The victim was back boarded and collared by Westport and Norwalk firefighters.  He was then removed up the embankment using a stokes basket, with the occupants injuries reported as minor. The patient was transported to Norwalk hospital by Norwalk EMS for additional evaluation. The last fire department units cleared the scene at 4:44 PM.

The Westport Fire Department responded to a fire in hay bales being used as a sound barrier between a construction site and a neighbor’s house. A spark from a power tool ignited the hay bales and construction workers notified the Fire officials of the situation. Initial response was one engine company and a Command Car. An additional rescue unit was called to the scene to assist with extinguishment and overhauling the fire. The barrier contained 100 to 150 bales of hay. Fire Fighters remained on scene for approximately one hour. There were no fire fighter or civilian injuries. The public is reminded to use extreme caution with the current low humidity and dry outside environmental conditions. Fires can start easily and spread quickly!

The Westport Fire department responded to a structure fire on Pond Edge Rd at 1104 hrs. Upon arrival there were flames coming from the right and rear side of the building. A health care worker that was on the premises had taken both occupants out of the house prior to Fire Fighters arrival. Both elderly occupants were physically disabled. The fire in the garage area was also challenging due to flammable liquids present. Dry chemical extinguishers in conjunction with hose lines had to be used to extinguish the fire.The fire spread quickly to the outside of the residence but fire damage to the interior upper floors was held to a minimum. Recall was at 1151 hours. The Westport Fire Department responded with four engines, one ladder truck and one command car. There was one injury to a fire fighter who was taken to Norwalk Hospital for further evaluation. Westport E.M.S. and police stood by at the scene. Fairfield Fire Department provided an Engine to cover Westport Fire Headquarters while the fire was in progress. There were no civilian injuries.

Early this afternoon, members of the Westport Fire Department used the pleasant temperatures to train on a small rock face on Greens Farms Road at South Compo Road. Firefighters set up rope systems to practice rappelling techniques. All on duty firefighters rotated through multiple evolutions, attracting curious glances from runners, pedestrians and drivers on Greens Farms Road.

At approximately 11:15 this evening, Westport Fire Department was dispatched to a reported motor vehicle accident with injuries on the Merritt Parkway between exits 42 and 44. Two engines, a rescue company and the shift commander responded to the scene. First arriving units found a late model sedan off the road and down an embankment. One passenger in the vehicle had self extricated but the driver remained trapped inside the vehicle. Firefighters accessed the area using ladders and the driver was successfully brought to the side of the road for treatment by Westport Emergency Medical Services personnel. Fire Department units remained on scene for an extended period while the car was removed from the area by a wrecker. The last fire department unit cleared the scene at 1245.

This morning at approximately 10:25am the Westport Fire Department received a call that a dog had fallen through the ice in a pond at the rear of 18 Hales Road.  Upon arrival at the scene, firefighters immediately donned their cold water suits and went out to rescue the golden retriever while tethered to a rope from shore.  The dog was rescued and turned over to an Animal Control Officer who then took the dog to a veterinarian for evaluation. The Westport Fire Department would like to remind you to never walk on ice unless you are absolutely sure it is safe.  If you see a person or animal that has fallen through the ice, immediately call 911.
The successful outcome of this rescue was due to the immediate call to 911 and not attempting to rescue the animal.  There is a national figure of 67% of would be rescuers who become victims themselves.

During the high winds that struck Westport this morning a tree sliced through a house on Timber Lane.

photo courtesy Dave Matlow

Nobody was home at the time but firefighters did find a dog inside the house that was moved to safety. This was just one of many numerous calls for service that emergency services received during the wind storm. Power outages, property damage and even trapped school buses were reported throughout the morning and early afternoon.

photo – Dave Matlow for westportnow.com

At 6:30AM today, the Westport Fire Department responded to 16 Catamount Road for the reported house filling with smoke.  Westport Firefighters arrived on scene to find smoke coming from the building and all the occupants out of the building.  It was quickly determined that there was fire burning in the basement.  Firefighters stretched 2 hose lines into the basement to extinguish the fire and used fans to remove the smoke from the building.  The fire was confined to a basement utility room and there was smoke damage throughout the building.   The Westport Fire Department responded with 5 Engines, 1 Ladder truck, 1 Rescue truck with a total of 26 Firefighters.  The Fairfield Fire Department provided an Engine to cover the Town of Westport during the fire.  The fire’s exact cause is still under investigation by the Fire Marshal’s Office but at this time the fire appears to be accidental in nature.  There were no injuries.  The Last Westport Fire unit left the scene at 9:13AM
With all the snow from last weekend’s blizzard the Westport Fire Department would like to remind everyone to help by shoveling out there nearby fire hydrant. With over 1200 fire hydrants in the town of Westport it is difficult for firefighters to get to every one of them and shovel them clear of snow.
The Westport Fire Department would also like to remind everyone to make sure they have working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in their homes.  Testing them only takes a minute to ensure they are working properly. This simple act could save your life.

This morning at approximately 10:00 am, the Westport Fire Department, Westport EMS and State police responded to a one vehicle accident with reported injuries on the Merritt Parkway between exits 42 and 44. Upon arrival units found a Ford Escape SUV that had struck a tree causing severe damage and air bag deployment. Firefighters assisted Westport EMS with the back boarding and collaring of the driver of the vehicle. The patient was transported to St. Vincent’s hospital with leg and ankle injuries. The vehicle’s battery was disconnected and a fluid leak was absorbed with speedi-dri. The vehicle was removed by Westport Center Service with traffic being stopped for a short duration during the removal process. The last fire department units cleared the scene at 10:34.