Busy 72 Hours for Croton Falls Firefighters
 
By Firefighter Jared Hirschberg
February 15, 2023
 

On Sunday evening, Croton Falls was dispatched on a working fire assignment to the Goldens Bridge Fire District for smoke from the eaves of a 2 1/2 story balloon frame multi-family home. Engine 148 arrived as the third due engine and was put to work, while Tanker 8 arrived and assisted with water supply. Engine 148's crew secured the utilities in the basement and opened up walls and ceilings on the first floor. Later in the evening, Tanker 88 was requested to assist with additional overhaul and knocking down hotspots. Cars 2072, 2073, 2074, E148, T8, and T88 operated throughout the evening.


On Tuesday morning around 3:00am, Croton Falls was dispatched to Old Salem Center Road and Titicus Road for a reported brush fire. Car 2072 arrived and found a 200 x 100 area burning with fire impinging on a structure. 2072 re-dispatched Croton Falls and added an Engine and Tanker from South Salem on the assignment. Shortly after, Bedford Hills was special called for their brush truck to the scene to assist with fire suppression. Cars 2071, 2072, 2073, E149, T88, T8, and MA17 operated from Croton Falls. Units operated for two hours before returning to service.


On Wednesday afternoon, Croton Falls Fire was dispatched to the Baxter Preserve for a possible heart attack victim at an unknown location in the Preserve. While en-route, 60 Control advised responding fire and EMS units that CPR instructions were being provided. Utility 48 was flagged down by a pedestrian and was advised of a possible location. Utility 64 arrived and began driving through the Preserve while being directed by other pedestrians aware of the emergency. After traveling about one mile into the woods, U64 arrived on scene with a patient down, unresponsive and not breathing. Croton Falls Firefighter/EMT's performed CPR and BLS interventions while packaging the patient for transport out of the Preserve. The patient was removed from the Preserve by U64 and transferred into North Salem VAC 72B1. While North Salem VAC 72B1 and WEMS 45 Medic 3 were en-route to the hospital, the patient regained a pulse. Cars 2072, 2073, 2074, Utility 48, Utility 64, Utility 28, MA-17, Rescue 28, 72B1, WEMS 4515, WEMS 45M3, & NSPD operated. Units cleared after about one hour.


While units were clearing the Baxter Preserve medical assist, Croton Falls was put on a department wide stand-by for the Mahopac Fire Department, as they were operating at a large area brush fire with numerous exposure issues. Once units got back to quarters, Tanker 88 was requested to the scene. Car 2072, 2073, and 2074 operated multiple hose lines while Tanker 88's crew assisted with forestry fire operations. Car 2076 handled water supply operations with Tanker 88. Cars 2072, 2073, 2074, 2076, T88 were on scene for over 90 minutes before clearing.


Croton Falls Fire is 100% volunteer and is one of the busier volunteer fire agencies in Westchester County. Are you interested in joining? Send us a message! We are always looking for new members.


Follow our social media for frequent updates and posts!
Instagram: @crotonfallsfire
Facebook: Croton Falls Fire Department

 
Units: Cars 2071, 2072, 2073, E148, E149, T8, T88, R28, MA17, U28, U48, & U64