Sue Betrus, of Life Solutions of Hamlin just sent a few more shots from this years Santa Run.

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Click on the link below to view the original story and photo's

hamlinfire.com/fullstory.php

On Monday January 4 Hamlin was called to assist Brockport at a structure fire in a sorority house. The college was not in session at the time and the only remaining student was away from home at the time. Hamlin engine 243 responded, established a second supply line and performed a variety of tasks.

Thank You to Keith Gay for the photo’s.


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Photo’s by Keith Gay
Story by John Deserto
 

In the evening of December 31, 2009 the Hamlin Fire Department was alerted to a two car motor vehicle accident at the intersection of North Hamlin Rd and the East Fork. The sole occupant of the SUV was a sign off. The white car had three occupants, one was also a sign off, one went to Strong Hospital ALS, and the final occupant also went to the hospital BLS. Hamlin Heavy Rescue 248, Squad 2418 and Engine 242 responded.

Story and Pictures from Lt. Anthony Deserto
 

On Monday December 21 at 8 PM Hamlin Fire Department’s Heavy Rescue Truck 248 was requested by the Walker Fire Department to assist them at a 2 car MVA. A pick up truck and an SUV were involved in the accident at the intersection of Brick School House Road and Route 260. After the initial impact the truck spun off the road and hit a tree, crushing the driver side door. Because of this damage, the driver of the truck was trapped and had to be cut free. The hydraulic tool from the Walker squad and the Genesis hydraulic tools from Hamlin’s rescue truck were used to cut the roof off the pick up and the driver was removed and transported to Strong Hospital. The driver of the SUV was also taken to the hospital.

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Story by John Deserto
Photo’s by Keith Gay
 

On the morning of Saturday December 19 the Hamlin Fire Department Explorer Post volunteered to ring the bell for the Salvation Army Collection Kettle at the Tops Friendly Market in Hamlin. This has become an annual tradition for the entire Hamlin Fire Department over the last few years when groups of Firefighters, Fire Police or Explorers each take a shift. Hearing the Christmas carols over the store sound system, greeting all the customers as they walk by and thanking everyone for their donation really puts all the members into a great Christmas spirit.

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Story by John Deserto

Photo's by Ron Cottorone
 

A lady checking a smoke condition in the first floor of a raised ranch on Church Road last evening, called her husband to also check the increasing amount of smoke coming from the area of a wood stove. After considering alternatives, such as going out and buying additional fire extinguishers, and after checking an exterior wall and noting ambers, the homeowners wisely decided to call 911.

The Morton Fire Department was dispatched for a chimney fire along with a mutual assistance engine from Hamlin and a RIT engine from Holley. Morton Engine 215 was soon on the scene, took a plug for water supply and advanced a hand line to the rear of the structure. 2C31 completed a size-up and declared a partition fire involving a wood stove. 2C21 assumed command and 2C31 took operations with the assistance from 2C14. 

Morton firefighters manned the hand line and cleaned out the fire in the wood stove. Hamlin fire fighters were directed to open-up the exterior wall around the chimney, as the interior wall was covered with a brick facade. Holley staged in the front of the structure and Rescue 218 set-up lighting.

Upon opening the wall, active fire was found and quickly extinguished. The firefighters and homeowners all agreed that if the fire condition had occurred later in the evening, when the occupants were asleep, a major working fire would have been the result.
 

Story and photo's by Jerry Clement

On Saturday December 12 the Hamlin Fire Department teamed up with Life Solutions of Hamlin to spread holiday cheer to the Hamlin community. Jolly old St. Nicolas was escorted by two fire trucks as he delivered Christmas meals and trees to clients of Life Solutions.

The tradition started six years ago when a Hamlin firefighter learned that Life Solutions needed some help delivering the gifts and thought that the fire department could help. It is always difficult to tell who enjoys this more, the kids when Santa jumps out of the big red truck or the firefighters who carry the gifts in.

An added bonus is the opportunity to take advantage of this “teachable moment” to talk about having and maintaining smoke and CO2 detectors, electrical safety and escape plans with families on site.

While the firefighters get much of the glory, they all know the real hero’s are the members of Life Solutions who work untold hours all year to help the members of the Hamlin community.
 

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Story by John Deserto

Photo's by Hannah Deserto

Following the incarceration of Tim Slossar, the MDA is going to lock up Kathy Sercu. I guess there is no advantage in being the chief's daughter. The lock up will be at Cam's Pizzeria in Spencerport on December 15.

Link to Kathy's donation page

Our own Tim Slossar is going to jail. I know, it's about time. But this isn't for aggravating the line officers, or annoying EMS only people or even that confused stumble that he has around the firehouse. Timmy is going to jail to help the MDA raise money. As tempting as leaving him in jail sounds, we need to raise $850 to keep him from really bugging the nice people at MDA.

Follow this link to the website with more details about donating to free Tim.

www.joinmda.org/MyLockup/MyHomepage/tabid/112601/Participant/tims/SID/5805302/Default.aspx

From 10 AM until 2 PM the Hamlin Fire Department opened their doors to the public and provided a wide variety of interesting and fun activities for then young and old. This year the activities were connected with a scavenger hunt activity that encouraged attendees to participate more completely. Among these were, using an “attack line”, EDITH drills, using a fire extinguisher and fire truck rides. The truck rides were very popular with over 50 being done. The Walker Fire Department also provided rides on their quad. At noon a MVA demonstration was held which included both Hamlin and Walker firefighters, Hamlin EMS only members and Hamlin Ambulance. Crews from Hamlin’s Heavy Rescue 248, EMS Squad 2418 and Hamlin Ambulance 2459 were used to demonstrate the process of removing a victim from a car and then providing medical assistance.

This year, the open house was attended by approximately 200 people and has grown every year since becoming a regular event 5 years ago. A special thank you goes out to Hamlin Volunteer Ambulance and the Walker Fire Department for their participation. An additional thank you goes to all the members of the Hamlin and Walker Fire Department’s and Hamlin Ambulance who spent a big chunk of their Saturday at this event making it a success.

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Photo’s by Tom Maier
Story by John Deserto
 

Members of the Hamlin Fire Department participated in a variety of events that marked the 8th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. At dawn, members gathered at for a small ceremony to raise a flag given to Jason Bello. Jason is a Marine and his father, John, is a member of the fire department. The flag given to Jason flew over the US Capital building, his camp in Bagdad, Iraq and the Hamlin Town Hall. John and Jason wanted to fly the flag one last time before retiring the flag. John chose the fire house as the location for this and September 11, seemed like the most appropriate time. About a dozen department and family members witnessed the short ceremony.

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Story by John Deserto
Photo’s by John and Jason Bello, Jerry Clement, John Deserto and Kelly Slossar

 

Chief Tom Sercu, President Doug Brown and Firefighter John Deserto represented the Hamlin Fire Department at this years Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon. The 2008 and the 2009 boot drive contributions were combined into a check for $4345. The local portion of the telethon was recorded live at the School of the Arts auditorium. Pat McGoningle conducted the interview for the contribution and put everyone at ease. When the local section was over there was a few minutes for pictures with both Pat and Rebecca Leclair. Overall this was a very easy and positive experiance and we look forward to doing it again next year.
 

Story and photo's by John Deserto

For the second time in twenty years the Hamlin Fire Department held a boot drive to benefit “Jerry’s Kids” at the Muscular Dystrophy Association. On Saturday September 5 from 9AM until 1 PM 17 members of the department and the Muscular Dystrophy Association took over the intersection of Route 18 and 19 asking for donations. They collected over $2,185.60 in the four hour span. Everything went very smoothly, there was a great bunch of members helping out.

The enthusiasm shown by all our members was great and made this event enjoyable for everyone. Chief Sercu took the busiest spot which was on Route 19 North. Several members like Doug Brown, Caroline Miller, John Sulyma, Jesse Seeler and Explorers Cullen Hayes and Ron Cottorone, took double shifts. Many of the second shifter’s came early. Laureen Sicilano from the MDA was invaluable in organizing and coordinating the entire event. Her enthusiasm sparked everyone.

A great deal of thanks goes out to the community of Hamlin who willingly took time out of their day to reach for their wallets and into their change holders to donate to this very worthy cause. Many people made multiple donations, giving money each time they went through the intersection. Thank You

Several businesses also deserve recognition for their unquestioning support. Marks Pizza in Hamlin donated many pizza’s to the fire department so they were well fed for their collecting duties. A final thank you goes to Hamlin Sports who allowed the fire department to use his parking lot to stage Engine 242 near the intersection.

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Story by John Deserto
Photo’s by Cullen Hayes
 

A lady and her son-in-law launched a small catamaran into Lake Ontario at Hamlin Beach in rather rough water and soon flipped the boat over putting both into approximately 56 degree water. The boat and victims were soon drifting eastward away from the park.

Two lifeguards from the park began pursuit in the lake with a rescue board and a rescue kayak while other lifeguards pursued the victims on shore. The Hamlin Fire Department responded with Squad 2418, Rescue 248 and Engine 243, Morton responded with Rescue 218, Hamlin Volunteer Ambulance responded with two ambulances, Monroe responded with an ALS Team and a Border Patrol Helicopter responded in place of a Coast Guard unit.

Hamlin Chief 2C14 assumed command at the Hamlin Beach boat launch with 2418 and assigned 2C24 to establish an east sector with 248 and 243 at the end of Newco Drive, toward which the victims were drifting. Both sector firefighters donned water rescue gear and proceeded toward the drifting boat from the two directions. The lifeguards reached the disabled boat and using their rescue crafts brought the victims to the shoreline. The male victim was brought to the park sector where park public safety officers, lifeguards and firefighters brought the victim onto shore. The female victim was brought on shore by other lifeguards and firefighters at the east sector.
The male victim was very weak and cold and was evaluated and transported to hospital. The female victim was in better condition and was escorted back to the park on shore, provided patient care and released with a sign-off. The medical condition of several of the lifeguards was evaluated and all released with no complications. One lifeguard was given a firefighter’s wet suit to warm-up after being in the water for an extended period.
All agencies were pleased with the success of the operation and the cooperation of all involved parties. The incident was closed out a little over an hour from the initial alarm.

Photos coming soon:

Story by Jerry Clement

8-20-09 12:57 AM

The Hamlin Fire Department was called to assist Morton at a structure fire on the corner of County Line Rd. and Creek Rd. Engine 243 was the first out with a crew of 6. Lt. Rick Woods was the officer and Mike Marchetti driver. Heavy Rescue 248 was close behind also with a crew of 6. On arrival Morton Command had the crew of 248 become the FAST while the crew of 243 “opened up” the doors and windows on the first floor of the structure. The building was vacant and stuffed with possessions, which became obvious after 243’s crew removed the doors and plywood from around the windows. Command decided to make this a defensive operation. Once the first floor was opened, 243’s crew took a line from Morton’s 215 and protected the corner of the house that had the power line connection until National Grid arrived to disconnect it.

At about 4 AM command released Engine 243 but kept Heavy Rescue 248 until 7:30 for lights and manpower. The Hamlin Fire Police remained on duty until the house was demolished later that morning.

Click on title or a photo to see the complete article.

Click here for link to Monroe County Fire Wire article.
Click here for link to YNN News article.
Click here for link to Channel 13 article.

Story and some photo’s by John Deserto
Most other photo’s by Jerry Clement.