March 7 2011.... This evening at 7:21 PM the Westport Fire Department responded with Fairfield Fire Department, State Police and AMR ambulance service to a reported tree on a car on the Merritt Parkway southbound just prior to exit 42.  Upon arrival units found a large tree across both lanes and on a Toyota Avalon. The tree depressed the roof several inches, broke out several windows and also punctured the radiator.  A female driver and an infant were out of the vehicle and reporting minor injuries. Both were transported to Bridgeport Hospital by AMR ambulance service. Firefighters from both departments worked together using several chain saws to remove the tree and open up travel lanes that blocked emergency vehicles as well as passenger vehicles. Both lanes were reopened at 7:20PM, but traffic had backed up for several miles during the blockage.The vehicle was removed by Westport Service Center flatbed wrecker and the last Westport unit left the scene at 8:25 PM.

SERIOUS FLOODING ON WOODS GROVE ROAD

After heavy rain and snow melt on Sunday, the Saugatuck River overflowed its banks this morning in the area of Woods Grove Road and Canal Street. Both streets became flooded as did the basements of several area homes.  One vehicle was abandoned in the flood waters and several residents had to be evacuated from their homes. The Westport Fire Department and Westport Police Department responded to the location after several calls were received from concerned residents asking if they should evacuate due to the rising river.  After evaluation of the conditions additional firefighters were summoned to assist and responded in the department’s reconditioned military 2.5 ton vehicle that is able to traverse high water levels.Firefighters donned water rescue suits and went door to door assessing hazards and offering to remove occupants and take them to a shelter located at the Westport Senior Center.  A total of three residents were removed and taken to the shelter. CL&P was requested to shut off power to three houses which had major flooding conditions in their basement. The condition of the homes electrical service, furnaces and other appliances will have to be evaluated until before power can be restored. After checking all affected houses and removing those who wished to be removed, the last firefighters left the scene at 11:52 AM. The Westport Police Department remained on scene until the water receded and the roadway was opened at 1:45 PM.

MULTI VEHICLE MVA ON MERRITT PARKWAY EXITS 42-44

March 3 2011.... at 2:46 PM today, Westport Firefighters responded to a four car motor vehicle accident with injuries on the Merritt Parkway northbound, between Exits 42 and 44. Arriving units began evaluation and treatment of the two injured occupants of two vehicles. One man suffered a hand laceration and another man complained of chest pain. Both were transported to the hospital by American Medical Response. The left northbound lane was blocked for the duration of the incident while emergency personnel worked to remove debris and clean up fluids on the roadway. Three of the four vehicles had to be towed from the scene. CT State Police are in charge of the investigation. The last Westport Fire unit left the scene at 4:08 PM.

CAR VS TRACTOR TRAILER ON I95

February 21 2011.... at 4:43 AM today, Westport Firefighters responded to a tractor trailer/ passenger vehicle accident w/ injury on I 95 southbound, between exits 17 & 16. A 2003 Toyota Corolla, driven by a Pennsylvania woman traveling with a five year old child, was involved in a crash with a tractor trailer during the height of the early morning snowstorm. The child was treated by Westport Firefighters for a head laceration and then transported to Norwalk Hospital for further treatment. The driver of the tractor trailer was unhurt. CT State Police shut down the center and left lanes for the duration of the incident. The accident is under investigation by CT State Police. The last fire department unit left the scene at 5:27 AM.

MULTI VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON ROUTE 15 EXITS 42 - 44

February 20 2011.... at 1:52 PM today, Westport Firefighters responded to a reported multi vehicle accident w/ injuries on the Merritt Parkway, northbound, between Exits 42 & 44. CT State Police were first on scene. Upon arrival , Westport Firefighters went to work evaluating all occupants of the four car accident. One patient was turned over to Westport EMS for further evaluation and transport to Norwalk Hospital. Firefighters staged fire trucks in the left travel lane to protect all personnel and occupants of the vehicles until tow trucks removed all the vehicles. The last Westport Fire unit left the scene at 2:51 PM.

NATURAL GAS LEAK ON ROOF

February 4 2011.... at 3:21 PM Westport Firefighters responded to a reported gas leak on the roof of the strip mall located at 1543 Post Rd. East. Arriving crews were met by workers who were shoveling snow off the roof at that location. They said that they were shoveling when they heard a hissing sound followed by the smell of gas. They quickly evacuated the roof. Firefighters evacuated all the stores and laddered the roof to look for the source of the leak. Southern CT Gas sent a worker to the scene to assist with the incident. It was determined that a gas line servicing an HVAC unit on the roof had rotted away enough to cause the leak. Firefighters were hampered in their attempt to shut down the gas meter to the structure because of large piles of snow against the rear of the building. The meter was uncovered and shut down by the gas company worker. Firefighters dug out the other three gas meters in the rear of the structure. No one was injured and business occupants were allowed back into the building. Business owners are reminded to make sure that snow removal operations do not block clear access to utility shut offs to their occupancies. The last Westport Fire Department unit left the scene at 4:27 PM.

FIREFIGHTERS CONTINUE TO DIG OUT HYDRANTS

January 30 2011.... Westport firefighters have been busy since the first storm hit the area, digging out snow and ice-covered hydrants. With approximately 1100 hydrants in town, crews have been busy locating the hydrants and making them accessible for emergency use. Fire Chief Christopher Ackley has asked for residents help to get the hydrants uncovered quickly "It is requested that if you have a fire hydrant on your property, to clear it of snow. In the event of a fire this will save precious time." He also asked residents to make sure their house numbers are visible. "This is a problem year round but it becomes even more critical when the snow is piled high around mailboxes and entryways."

ROLLOVER ON MERRITT PARKWAY

January 27 2011.... at 11:30 AM today, Westport Firefighters responded to a single vehicle rollover on the Merritt Parkway near Exit 42. Arriving units found a 2000 Chevy S-10 pickup truck on its’ roof in the left median in the southbound lanes. The driver of the vehicle had crawled out of the vehicle and was uninjured. The driver stated that he was traveling in the northbound lanes when he lost control of the vehicle and hit a snow burm in the left hand lane and rolled over, ending up in the southbound median with the vehicle on its’ roof. Westport firefighters blocked the left northbound lane and Fairfield firefighters blocked the left southbound lane so the tow truck driver could flip the car over and transport it on his flatbed truck. The driver credits his use of seatbelts with keeping him in the vehicle and not sustaining injuries. The last Westport Fire Department unit left the scene at 11:57 AM.

FIRE IN RESIDENTIAL AIR HANDLING UNIT

January 27 2011.... at 7:17 PM tonight, Westport Firefighters responded to an automatic alarm at 2 Grouse Path. While en route, the fire dispatcher made phone contact with the resident, who stated his alarm was going off and he had a smoke condition on the second and third floors. The shift commander asked the dispatcher to add additional apparatus to the response because of the report of smoke in the residence. Arriving units, using thermal imagers checked all floors of the structure, including the furnace and air handlers. The imagers located a hot spot in one of the air handlers on the third floor. Firefighters opened up the front panel to the unit and found that a circuit board and wiring had burned. The circuit breaker in the electrical panel that controlled that unit had tripped, shutting down power to the affected unit. Firefighters ventilated the house to remove the smoke condition. A Fire Inspector was called in to investigate the cause of the fire. The homeowner also called his service company to respond and check out the unit. The smoke detection system played a key role in alerting the homeowners to the problem and a facilitating a quick response from the fire department. The last Westport Fire unit left the scene at 8:40 PM.

EXTRICATION ON GREENS FARMS ROAD

January 16 2011.... at approx 4.05 pm, two injured people had to be cut out of their car after an accident at the intersection of Greens Farms Road and Sherwood Island Connector. The initial dispatch sent Greens Farms Engine Company 5, Rescue Company 3 and The Shift Command Car to the scene. The extent of damage to the vehicle and the severity of the injuries necessitated another Engine Company to the scene for manpower. Engine Company 2 from headquarters arrived on scene and immediately went to work with the difficult and labor intensive operation.  Both victims were removed from the wreckage in 20 minutes and transferred to the care of Westport EMS who transported them along with a third person to the hospital. A maximum of 20 minutes for extrication is part of the goal for the “golden hour” of trauma management. This goal was met today only by having the tools, training and manpower to accomplish the task.

TRACTOR TRAILER FIRE ON I95 NORTHBOUND

January 7 2011.... at 5:41 PM the Westport and Fairfield Fire Departments responded to a reported trailer truck on fire on the Connecticut Turnpike northbound between exits 18 and 19. Engine 5 from the Greens Farms station was first to arrive on scene and reported that the cab of the vehicle was fully engulfed in fire and that the vehicles cargo was steel “I” beams.  Engine 2 from fire headquarters and the shift commander’s vehicle arrived on scene and blocked a travel lane to provide protection and joined the firefighters from Engine 5 who were extinguishing the fire. Fairfield Fire Department was cancelled while enroute to the scene after the fire was extinguished. No hazardous materials were involved in the incident, but Connecticut State DEP was notified for runoff from the extinguishment process that may have entered into a storm drain nearby. The driver stated that he was traveling in the right side lane on a journey that took 4 hours due to the snow storm starting from exit 2 in Greenwich, to where the vehicle came to a stop after he saw a red light appear on his dashboard. He then raised the hood and saw flames near the back side of the engine. The vehicle required a heavy wrecker to remove the burned cab and another truck to remove the trailer carrying the steel. Westport firefighters remained on scene until the vehicle was removed just after 7 PM. Two lanes remained closed for the duration of the incident causing a large traffic back up.

VETERAN CATCHES "JOB" FIRST DAY BACK

January 4 2011.... on his first day back to work at Fire Headquarters since returning from Afghanistan, military veteran and Firefighter Nick Marsan celebrated by catching a job at a house under construction. The debris in the drum stood no chance as Firefighter Marsan went to work with the booster line. Fortunately there were no injuries and Firefighter Marsan returned to HQ victorious...!!! Welcome back Nick.......!!!

ROLLOVER ON I95 AT EXIT 18

December 27 2010.... at approximately 1214 the Westport Fire Department responded to a single vehicle accident on I-95 South at Exit 18. Upon arrival the Ford Explorer was on it’s side and all occupants were out of The vehicle. Two young children in the vehicle appeared to have their seat belts on at the time of the accident and only appeared to be shaken up. Westport E.M.S. was called to the scene as a precaution to check out the passengers in the car. All patients refused transport to the hospital for further medical evaluation. The Westport Fire Department responded with one Command Car, one Rescue and one Engine Company. The last fire unit cleared the scene at 1314 hrs.

FIRST SELECTMAN ORDERS WESTPORT EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER ACTIVATED

December 26 2010.... Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff today ordered activation of the town’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at Fire Headquarters due to the storm. “We’re going to partially activate the EOC to better coordinate our storm response,” Joseloff said. “We’ve been through these before but you can never be too prepared.” He said the town’s Public Works Department had already pre-treated roads and a general callout of workers was under way this afternoon to spread salt and sand and begin plowing operations as necessary. Several minor accidents have already been reported, Joseloff said. Police, fire and EMS personnel were also readying for the storm, he said. Joseloff said with high winds anticipated and possible power outages, he has been in touch with Connecticut Light and Power Co. personnel to make sure crews have been put on standby. “Just to repeat what Westporters already know – stay off the roads unless travel is absolutely necessary,” he said.

ROLLOVER ON NEWTOWN TURNPIKE

December 26 2010.... Westport Fire and Police units responded to a reported rollover on Newtown Turnpike in the area of Heron Lake Lane this morning just as the severe snow storm began to pick up momentum. A Jeep Grand Cherokee failed to negotiate a curve, struck a snow bank and ended up on its side. The two occupants managed to self extricate with what appeared to be minor injuries. Fire and Police units blocked the road and awaited the tow truck's arrival.

CAR INTO HOUSE ON HILLSPOINT ROAD

December 18 2010.... At 11:58 AM today, a Westport woman was backing into her garage at 2 Lookout Lane when her car lunged forward, carrying her through hedges, down an embankment and crashing into her neighbor’s garage, causing significant damage to both the structure and her vehicle. She was shaken up but not injured. Westport Firefighters checked her for injuries and shored up the free standing garage to prevent further damage from collapse. Westport Police are in charge of the investigation. A representative from the building department was called to the scene to evaluate the structural stability of the garage. The building was deemed unsafe for use. The last Westport fire unit left the scene at 12:50 PM.

ONE CAR MVA ON ROUTE 15

November 28 2010.... This morning at 08:01 the Westport and Fairfield Fire Departments along with State Police, AMR and Westport EMS responded to a reported one car accident with injuries on the Merritt Parkway southbound between exits 44 and 42. Arriving units found a vehicle with front and rear end damage that had struck the center median and came to rest on the right side of the roadway. The driver reported that she swerved to avoid a coyote that was in the roadway casing the vehicle to go off the roadway onto the grass, then back across the road into the guardrail and then back off the roadway onto the shoulder. AMR transported the driver to the hospital with minor injuries. Westport firefighters remained on the scene until the vehicle was removed by Westport Service Center Flatbed wrecker. The last unit cleared the scene at 08:31.

MVA WITH INJURY - CAR INTO DITCH

November 27 2010.... at 1:10 PM today, Westport Firefighters responded to a motor vehicle accident with injury on North Ave. Arriving units found a 2010 Ford Fusion in a ditch off the right side of the roadway. Firefighters assessed the patient for injuries and along with Westport EMS, removed the driver of the vehicle on a log spine board. The driver door had to be forced open to get the patient out. Westport Police shut down that section of North Ave to all traffic for the duration of the incident. Firefighters assisted the tow truck operator in safely removing the vehicle from the ditch. Westport Police are in charge of the investigation. The last Westport Fire unit left the scene at 1:57 PM. 

THANKSGIVING NIGHT ACCIDENT ON KINGS HIGHWAY SOUTH

November 25 2010.... at approximately 10:00pm on Thanksgiving night Westport Fire, Police and EMS responded to a reported motor vehicle accident on Kings Highway South. Upon arrival emergency units found a single SUV that had struck a tree causing severe intrusion to the right side of the vehicle. The single occupant was removed from the vehicle by emergency personnel and transported to Norwalk Hospital for evaluation. Kings Highway South remained closed for a short time while police officers investigated the scene. Fire and Police units remained on scene until the vehicle was cleared from the roadway. The last Fire unit left at 11:25pm. The accident remains under investigation by Westport PD.

EXTRICATION ON POST ROAD WEST

November 24 2010.... at 2:31 PM today, Westport Firefighters responded to a two vehicle accident with injury on Post Road West at the intersection of Sylvan Road North. The driver of a late model Mercedes was injured in the crash and had to be extricated from her vehicle by Westport Firefighters. She was transported to Norwalk Hospital by Westport EMS. The driver of the second vehicle was not injured. Firefighters cleaned up the debris from the accident and removed spilled  fluids  from the roadway. Traffic on Post Road West was reduced to one lane for the duration of the incident. Westport Police handled the traffic and are investigating the cause of the accident. The last Westport Fire unit left the scene at 2:56 PM.

ROOF FIRE AT COMPO SHOPPING CENTER

November 23 2010.... shortly before 2 pm this afternoon the Westport Police Department received a call for a fire on the roof above the Little Kitchen Restaurant in the Compo Shopping Center at 423 Post Road East. The Westport Fire department responded to this incident with 3 Engines, a Ladder Truck and Shift Commander. Upon arrival at the strip type shopping center first arriving units found a smoke condition in the area. Firefighters quickly laddered the rooftop and determined the cause of the fire to be workers performing roofing. Further investigation determined that the workers, who were torching down roofing material, had ignited the base of an air handling unit, igniting its filters. These filters were made from natural sea grass sandwiched between metal screening and the filters are combustible in nature. The fire damage was contained to the air handling units and no stores in the shopping center were affected. The last fire unit left the scene at 2:27pm.

CAR FIRE IN DRIVEWAY ON OLD HILL ROAD

November 21 2010.... at approximately 2:18pm this afternoon Westport firefighters responded with Engine 2 and Engine 4 to a reported car fire in the driveway of an Old Hill Road home. Reports from police officers on scene indicated that the vehicle was fully involved and close to the home. Firefighters arrived, stretched an attack line and made short work of the fire. Fire units remained on scene for a short time to ensure the fire was out. The last fire unit cleared the scene at 2:58pm.

HEAD ON MVA ON SOUTH COMPO ROAD

November 20 2010.... at 2:19 PM the Westport Fire Department, Westport Police and Westport EMS responded to a reported motor vehicle accident with injuries on Compo Road South at the intersection with Baker Ave. Upon arrival a two vehicle accident was found with one of the drivers complaining of a possible broken wrist. Westport EMS provided patient care for the driver and firefighters secured the vehicles from further damage by disconnecting batteries and checking for fluid leaks. Injuries from the head on collision were minor due to proper use of seat belts and air bags. One driver was transported to Norwalk Hospital with the other driver declining medical treatment. Both vehicles were removed by flat bed by Westport Service Center and the last fire department units cleared the scene at 3:02 PM.

MULTI VEHICLE ACIDENT I95

November 19 2010.... at 3:04 PM today, Westport Firefighters responded to a multi-vehicle accident with injuries on I 95 northbound, between exits 18 & 19. Arriving fire units found a four vehicle accident w/ multiple injuries. Westport Firefighters attended to the injured parties and turned them over to Westport EMS and American Medical Response personnel for further evaluation. Three of the drivers were transported to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Bridgeport. Fairfield Firefighters also responded to the incident as part of our automatic aid agreement but were placed in service prior to their arrival on the scene. CT State Police shut down the left and center lanes, northbound, just prior to Exit 19 for the duration of the incident. Westport Firefighters cleaned up the spilled fluids on the roadway and assisted the tow trucks with clearing the vehicles from the scene. That section of the roadway was reopened by CT State Police and the last Westport Fire unit left the scene at 3:52 PM.

3 CAR MVA WITH MULTIPLE INJURIES

Oct 18 2010.... at 7:53 PM tonight, Westport firefighters responded to a reported multi-vehicle accident w/ injuries in front of 49 Weston Rd. Arriving units were joined by Westport PD and Westport EMS and all agencies went to work to remove and treat two of the three drivers of the vehicles involved in the accident. The drivers were removed from the vehicles and transported to Norwalk Hospital by Westport EMS.  Westport  PD shut down Weston Rd.,  in the vicinity of the accident,  for about two and a half hours while PD units were called in to investigate the accident. Westport firefighters provided support by lighting up the scene with tower lights on Rescue 3 and remained until the vehicles were towed. The driver of the first car was evaluated on scene and refused transport to the hospital. The last Westport fire unit left the scene at 10:17 PM.

CAR VS TREE ON MERRITT PARKWAY

Oct 18 2010.... at 12:44 PM Westport Firefighters responded to a reported accident with injuries and car fire on the Merritt Pkwy northbound, between exits 42 & 44. Arriving units found a single vehicle accident, a car into a tree with no fire. Firefighters treated the driver of the vehicle , a Stamford woman, for facial injuries. An infant, who was also in the car and restrained in a car seat, was not injured. Westport EMS placed the woman on a backboard and packaged her for transport to Norwalk Hospital for further evaluation. Seatbelts and air bag deployment were responsible for the prevention of more serious injuries. CT. State Police are in charge of the investigation and shut down the right lane of travel for the duration of the incident. The last Westport fire unit left the scene at 1:13 PM.

CAR VS TREE ON HYDE LANE

October 18 2010.... at approximately 3am Westport Engine Company 5, along with Rescue Company 3 and the Command car were dispatched to a report of a car into a tree.  Upon arrival they found a convertible BMW with the roof already down and 3 occupants trapped inside.  Westport Police officers were keeping the occupants calm and treating their injuries as the Rescue Company went to work setting up lights and preparing to extricate the victims.  Engine Company 5 rendered the car safe and assisted Police officers with triage and treatment.  The impact forced the engine and dashboard back into the passenger compartment trapping the front seat occupants.  Westport EMS and Norwalk Hospital EMS transported the victims to the hospital where their condition is unknown at this time. 

CAR FIRE ON MERRITT PARKWAY

Oct 17 2010.... at approximately 10am Westport Fire Department responded to the report of a car accident with fire on the Merritt Parkway south-bound between exit 42 and 41 with 2 Engines, the Rescue Company, and the Command Car. Rescue Company 3 arrived first on scene and found a car off the roadway in the woods on fire. They immediately placed a fire extinguisher on it as they determined that the driver and occupants were safely out of the vehicle. Engine Company 2 then arrived and placed a hose line in operation to fully extinguish the flames. The driver was checked out by Westport EMS and refused transport to the hospital. The driver stated he suddenly came upon a tire in the roadway and could not avoid running into it. He then lost control of the vehicle and struck the median where the airbag deployed. The car came to rest off the road into some trees where it caught fire.

THREE CAR MVA ON I95 BETWEEN 17 AND 16

Oct 10 2010.... tonight at approximately 1830 Westport Fire and EMS units were requested to I95 for a three car accident with injuries. Westport Fire responded with Engine 4, Rescue 3 and the Command car. First arriving units found a two vehicle accident in the left travel lane with three people needing treatment for what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries. Norwalk FD and Norwalk Paramedics provided assistance through an automatic aid agreement and assisted with patient care and vehicle stabilization. Two people were transported to Norwalk hospital for evaluation. The last Westport Fire unit cleared the scene at 1912.

STRUCTURE FIRE ON GUYER ROAD

October 6 2010.... at 0107 this morning the Westport Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 27 Guyer Road. Upon arrival the Cape Cod style house was fully involved in flames. The lone occupant of the house, a male in his mid 50’s was woken by a smoke detector sounding. Unable to escape from the second floor using the interior stairs because of the severe smoke conditions on the first floor he returned to the second floor and removed the sashes from a second floor window.  The occupant was then able to hang from the window sill and drop to the ground. Westport Fire Department responded with four Engines, one Rescue and one Command Car. Eight off duty Fire fighters responded to the call. Westport E.M.S. and the American Red Cross were called to the scene to standby. Westport Police were used for traffic control. Fairfield Fire Department sent an Engine Company to cover Westport Fire Headquarters for the duration of the incident. There were no Fire Fighter injuries. The last fire unit departed the scene at 0600.

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