chiefhac

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  4. Posted · Edited by chiefhac

    1 Dead, 121 Injured in Train Crash in Mount Vernon

    By chiefhac

    And so read the headlines in all the newspapers the morning after the trains collided in Mount Vernon on the evening of June 8, 1973, forty years ago.

    The train collision would spark 10 days busy activity for the Mount Vernon Fire Department (MVFD) using all of its resources and with neighboring communities responding to the incident(s) or relocating to staff fire stations.

    It was 40 years ago on Friday evening June 8, 1973 at approximately 7:30 PM on a warm spring evening that 2 trains collided on the east bound express track on the New Haven line near Brookdale Place and East First Street. The relocated Mount Vernon East station platform was still under construction and the local track was temporarily out of service, thereby both local and express trains were operating through Mount Vernon on the express track. The local was in the station to disembark passengers when the express train, failing to stop for a red signal, ran head on into the rear of the stopped train.

    The fire department was dispatched and upon arrival was met by a thousand or so of people wondering about and attempting to exit both trains. Additional alarms were transmitted and additional manpower was readily available as it was the evening of the volunteer firefighter’s annual inspection and they responded in force. Almost all responding personnel were used in assisting passengers off the train and to those requiring medical assistance, to an aid station and then transported to the local hospitals.

    In the rear car of the local train 2 victims were trapped, one dead on arrival, and the other, seriously injured, was pinned in the lavatory of the last car. Rescue 1 and Ladder 1 were assigned to extricate these individuals. The individual in the lavatory was an Australian Consulate to the UN. The extrication required cutting through the floor under where he was located and then smashing the toilet and letting it drop through the opening made in the floor, allowing for his safe removal. A sloppy and time consuming job it was, ask me!

    Mutual aid companies responded for a variety of reasons, scene lighting being a major issue, and some companies self dispatched, adding to scene confusion when everyone wants to help. Most of the passengers requiring medical treatment were transported within the first hour or so. For each injured passenger there had to be 10 other passengers whose sole interest was in how they were going to complete their journey to Connecticut and home.

    Somewhere in the middle of the week there was a third alarm fire on South Thirteenth or Fourteenth Avenue which consumed 3 attached row apartments.

    On Saturday evening June 16 at approximately 7 PM a fire was reported in the Pioneer super market located on Park Avenue and Elm Avenue, just over the Park Avenue Bridge over the New Haven rail line and 2/10ths of a mile from the train crash. The fire would require a general alarm with all MVFD companies operating at the fire scene until after midnight.

    On Sunday morning, June 17, around 8 AM fire alarm box 1231 was pulled by a passerby for a fire in the A & P super market located on East First Street and First Avenue, on the other side of the Park Avenue Bridge from the previous night’s fire and 2/10ths of a mile from the train crash. This fire would also require all MVFD companies to bring it under control, with the last units picking up at 4 PM.

    I was the assigned driver of the rescue company for the train crash and, back working days, the A & P fire. At approximately 7:45 AM Sunday morning we were dispatched to meet Con Edison at a gas leak at Ninth Avenue and West First Street and en route passed the A & P and did not notice any sign of smoke or fire. When we were called by dispatch to respond on the initial alarm, we couldn’t believe the column of smoke in the air as we headed back down First Street.

    Each of these incidents required the full complement of MVFD companies and surrounding mutual aid companies to backfill in Mount Vernon fire stations.

    The good news was no fire station commissary was in need of coffee, condiments, etc. for at least 6 months.

    And so it was 40 years ago!

    chiefhac

    6/7/2013

    Slideshow of incident:

    post-1130-0-61616600-1371241013.jpg

    grumpyff, x635, x4093k and 6 others like this

  9. Posted

    Correction

    Some of the following information listed on the photos web site is inaccurate: "Sunday February 25th, 1990 was a cold, windy snowy day when fire broke out at 428 Sth 9th Street in Mount Vernon NY. The fire eventually took 3 buildings as firefighters fought to stop the spread of flames. During the overhaul process, firefighters found the body of Detective Bernie Kennedy, ironically the arson detective for the Mount Vernon police. I believe the case was never solved to this day."

    Detective Bernice Kennedy did not die in that fire. He was appointed by Mayor Davis and served for a few years as Deputy Police Commissioner and Commissioner before retiring in 2004.

  12. Posted

    To: Members of the Westchester County Fire Service

    From: Henry A. Campbell

    I urge you to be informed about the proposed Consolidation of the Westchester County Department of Public Safety and Department of Emergency Services.

    Read the Proposal, see attachment, and make your decision as to whether this will be a positive undertaking for the fire service, or detrimental to what you presently have.

    A few questions to ask yourself:

    Is it a consolidation, a merger, or a take over?

    How will it make emergency services better and at what cost?

    How will the broader chain of command impact overall operations? Who is in charge?

    Think about overtime and call back expenses that may not be figured into the proposal.

    How will grant monies and equipment be disbursed?

    Is the information provided in the report adequate, accurate or misleading?

    Where will the most positions be eliminated?

    Don't be afraid to discuss this with other members of your department, other departments, and Westchester Fire Organizations.

    Move slowly, ask questions, get answers, then make an informed decision as to whether the fire service should support, or not support the proposed consolidation.

    Read the attached report and share it and this e-mail with others.

    jack10562, wraftery and efdcapt115 like this

  14. Posted

    My wife and I offer our heartfelt condolences to the Kerr family. May God comfort you and guide you through your sorrow, and may you be left with nothing but fond memories of Bruce. His smile, his laugh, and his friendship were contagious. He was a good friend since Probie School and, though he has passed from this earth and has gone to the Father, he will not be forgotten. God bless!

    Anne & Henry Campbell

  15. Posted

    Huge Fire in Salamanca, NY (Western NY, Southern Tier) Friday May 7. Almost entire Cattaraugus County fire departments deployed to fight massive fire. See attached pdf file for department dispatches.

    Clik on the links below for news articles and plenty of pictures.

    Massive Fire In Salamanca-News Photo Gallery | WKBW News 7: ...

    http://www.wkbw.com/news/local/93163369.html

    Massive Fire In Salamanca | WKBW News 7: News, ...

    http://www.wkbw.com/news/local/93163369.html?corder=reverse

    Incredible pictures of Salamanca fire | WIVB.com

    http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/local/Furniture-store-engulfed-in-flames

    More Salamanca fire pictures page 1 | WIVB.com

    http://www.wivb.com/dpp/search/More-Salamanca-fire-pictures-page-1

    TAPSJ likes this

  24. Posted

    Bill,

    That life saving gun was a classic. The chief before me donated it to some doctor from a historical society. Barry has done his usually excellent job of describing it and the manufacturer.

    I only recall 2 incidents when it was fired. Once to connect a line across the Eastchester Creek when it scared the daylights out of all personnel on the scene, both MVFD and FDNY, during a fuel spill (20,000 gallons of gasoline) in the creek. The officer who fired it had taken vapor tests prior to discharging the weapon and readings were far above the UEL. Still everyone wanted a piece of him. The other time it was fired was in the rear of quarters when we were checking equipment and it was fired in the air and past the captains office and scared the daylights out of him. We heard about that dispicable act for weeks. The offenders shall remain annonymous, though both have passed from this world.

  25. Posted

    Two firefighters missing in huge fire

    Updated: Monday, 24 Aug 2009, 7:02 AM EDT

    Published : Monday, 24 Aug 2009, 5:44 AM EDT

    Zackary Kineke

    BUFFALO - Buffalo Fire Commissioner confirms two firefighters are missing in a huge fire on Genesee Street near Bailey Avenue, Monday morning.

    News 4's Jericka Duncan is live on the scene and will be there throughout the morning with the latest.

    Link to video: http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/local/Massive_early_morning_fire_on_Genesee_St_090824 ://http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/local/...ee_St_090824 ://http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/local/...ee_St_090824