By Michael Contaxis, 1st Assistant Chief Warwick Fire Department
The Warwick Fire Department (WFD) has responded to 172 calls for service to date.
On Wed., June 24, Daisy/Brownie Troop #688 stopped by Warwick Station #1 to donate cookies to our firefighters. A big thank you goes to Troop Leaders Gillen, Roe and Brady and to Troop members: Molly Brady, Taylor Gillen, Megan Roe, Lila Monti, Grace Brown, Mia Haysom, Olivia Bird, Brynn Hasbrouck, Pamela McKay, Elizabeth Westcott, Eva Sandfort, and Allie Torregiano.
On Thurs., June 25, the WFD, joined by Pine Island Fire Department, attended the virtual graduation ceremony of our 2020 Warwick Valley Central School District graduates at the Warwick Drive-In Theatre.
Thank you to Drive-In owners, Beth and Ernie Wilson, their staff and employees, the Warwick Valley Central School District, the WFD, the PIFD, the family, friends and especially graduates, and to WFD Past Captain John Woloszczak, who now privately owns our retired 1981 American LaFrance Ladder Truck that hoisted the American Flag for the graduation.
This past week the WFD responded to multiple calls for service including carbon monoxide alarm activations, multiple smoke alarm activations, a possible structure fire which was extinguished quickly by the business owner and firefighters on scene.
The WFD also responded to two motor vehicle accidents involving telephone poles, one motor vehicle accident with injuries into a tree and a contractor who struck a buried propane tank for an in-ground pool heater with his dump truck breaking off the blow off valve.
The WFD would like to continue to remind all drivers yield to responding emergency vehicles including our volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians with blue and green lights.
Every week responders are called to emergencies and need your help to get to the call safely; please pull over when you see a first responder. The WFD would also like to thank the Warwick Police and the Warwick Volunteer Ambulance Service for always providing the best professional service to our community.
Sparklers are Dangerous
Every year, young children can be found along parade routes and at festivals with sparklers in hand, but sparklers are a lot more dangerous than most people think.
Sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, sparklers alone account for more than 25% of emergency room visits for fireworks injuries. For children under five years of age, sparklers accounted for nearly half of the total estimated injuries.
Consider using safer alternatives, such as glow sticks, confetti poppers or colored streamers. While home with your children and family members, the WFD asks that you explore online Fire Prevention training activities with them to help keep them and your families Warwick Fire Safe by visiting www.sparkysschoolhouse.org.
Join the Fire Department
For those who are 16 years of age or older who want to give back to the community, join the Warwick Fire Department. For more information call 986-3473 or send an email to wfd634c@yahoo.com or warwickfire150@gmail.com.
Congratulations to Warwick Fire Department graduates Robert Pappas Jr, Destiny Reyes & Michael Velez-Cosgrove, who are firefighters.
