Warwick FD Holds Pump Drill on Ice Covered Pond 

By Michael Contaxis

1st Asst. Chief WFD

The Warwick Fire Department (WFD) has responded to 60 calls for service to date. During the week, the WFD officers and firefighters handled calls for service, vehicle apparatus truck checks, and fleet maintenance. They also hosted the Battalion 6 meeting at Warwick Station 1.  The Battalion is made up of Town of Warwick Fire Department’s including the Florida, Greenwood Lake, Pine Island and Warwick Departments.  

On Wed., Feb. 17, the Raymond Hose Company #2 held an Engine Company Operations Drill on Pump Operations from an ice-covered pond. Firefighters have to work in all weather conditions and in the winter can encounter ponds covered with ice when drafting from a water source is needed to obtain water to pump to a fire engine for the purpose of extinguishing a fire.  Great work to the firefighters on keeping up the knowledge and skill set needed to protect the community. 

Fire Prevention Information

Fire safety begins with all of us. Many home fires are preventable.   Over the weekend, a home in Dunkirk, MD was saved in a fire just from a closed door preventing a basement fire from spreading to the rest of the house. A great example of why you should #CloseBeforeYouDoze!

Everyone should have working smoke alarms inside/outside sleeping rooms on every level of the home, including the basement. Remember to always stay Warwick Fire Safe and learn more about #CloseBeforeYouDoze and find resources to share at closeyourdoor.org/first responders.  

  Fire Prevention information can be found at NFPA.ORG, community.nfpa.org or the children’s interactive site at sparkyschoolhouse.org. For more fire prevention tips, visit fpw.org or esfi.org and closeyourdoor.org/first responders. 

Join the Fire Department 

Those interested in joining the Warwick Fire Department, age 16 and older, call 986-3473; contact WFD via social media on Facebook or Instagram; email wfd634c@yahoo.com; or stop by any firehouses any evening to speak with a Fire Officer about joining. The best evenings are Mondays at 7 p.m. or the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. 

Warwick Fire Dept. Lieutenant Kevin Hughes (left) tendered on shore while Captain Kelly Brock cuts a hole in the ice with a saw to draft water from an ice-covered pond.