The big winner

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Article Launched: 08/13/2008 09:42:45 AM EDT


Wednesday, August 13
Jim Bua, left, gets tickets to a Fenway Park game between the Red Sox and Yankees from Clarksburg firefighter Don Boudreau. Bua, of Monroe, won the raffle, which raised about $4,600 for the Clarksburg Fire Company. The money will be used for equipment, primarily dress uniforms, one of which Boudreau is proudly wearing in the photo.

2008 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week:

2008 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week:
Committed to Long-Term Results
June 22-28, 2008

Committed to Long-Term Results encourages long-term investments by chiefs and firefighters to enhance their health and safety. The ultimate goal is to institute a strong culture of health and safety within the fire/EMS service.

This year’s theme reflects the need for organizational action that supports and encourages a safety culture. Recommended activities and materials will incorporate three key areas where standard operating procedures, policies and initiatives—along with the training and enforcement that support them—can limit fire/EMS personnel’s risk of injury or death:

Fully implement NFPA 1500, especially sections addressing PPE:
Provide compliant PPE.
Train and enforce use of PPE, including respiratory protection.
Fully implement the Wellness-Fitness Initiative:
Provide annual medical and physical evaluations.
Provide equipment and time for exercise.
Provide nutrition information.
Initiate an emergency vehicle policy, to include:
Always buckle up.
Always stop at red lights and stop signs.
Always drive at speed limits and defensively.

Focusing on these 2008 key safety areas from Sunday to Saturday provides maximum flexibility, allowing for all duty shifts—both career and volunteer—to participate in your department’s selected exercises at some point during Safety Week.
To be notified of Safety Week activities, subscribe to the email list today.

Sponsored by IAFC, IAFF and IAFC's Safety, Health and Survival Section

The Fire Company Remembers Their Decease Members

On Sunday, May 18, 2008 The Clarksburg Volunteer Fire Company's Flag Committee placed firefighter flags and grave markers for past Chiefs and firefighter flags for past Members of the Fire Company. For the upcoming Memorial Day Holiday weekend.

Red Flag Warning / Fire Weather Watch

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
THURSDAY EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ALBANY HAS ISSUED A FIRE WEATHER
WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
THURSDAY EVENING FOR ALL OF EAST CENTRAL NEW YORK AND ADJACENT WESTERN
NEW ENGLAND.

A COLD FRONT WILL PASS ACROSS THE REGION LATE WEDNESDAY WITH
LIMITED SHOWER ACTIVITY. IN THE WAKE OF THIS FRONT...DRIER AIR AND
INCREASED NORTHERLY WINDS WILL DEVELOP THURSDAY AFTERNOON. WITH AVERAGE
RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES BETWEEN 15 AND 25 PERCENT AND WIND GUSTS
IN EXCESS OF 20 MPH THURSDAY AFTERNOON...THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE
WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL INCREASE.

A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE
RED FLAG WARNINGS.
BGM

Early end called to burning season

By Amy Carr, Berkshire Eagle Staff
Article Last Updated: 04/21/2008 04:28:33 AM EDT

Officials have declared an early end to burning season, following a series of brush fires, one of which scorched more than 200 acres over the weekend.
The largest blaze began Saturday at 122 Silver St. in Lanesborough when burning yard waste coupled with dry, windy conditions caused a brush fire that evolved into a forest fire that stretched almost two miles.

The incident sparked the decision to halt burning season, which officially ends April 30.

"Until we get rain, there will be no more burning," said Lanesborough Fire Chief Charles Durfee, who worked with more than 120 firefighters from three states to battle the blaze, which was 80 percent contained last night. "This is the biggest brush fire we've had in over 20 years. A Department of Conservation and Recreation guy told me yesterday that 375 acres were burned in the whole state yesterday, and 200 of them were in Lanesborough."

Four brush fires in Pittsfield Saturday have prompted the city to stop issuing burning permits. The fire department said yesterday the ban will persist on a day-to-day basis until weather conditions improve.

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation is


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asking local municipalities across the commonwealth to stop issuing open burning permits immediately. Burning season typically extends until the end of April, but this year, warm, dry and moderately windy weather, coupled with dry forest fuel, has resulted in a high fire danger throughout the state.
The DCR also is urging residents to be extremely careful with cigarette smoking and disposal of cigarettes, campfires, and cooking over fires of any sort, which can lead to brush fires.

Yesterday, small brush fires were reported in Pittsfield and Adams, while New York crews worked to battle a 3,000-acre brush fire in Minnewaska State Park on the Shawangunk Ridge in Ulster County.

According to the DCR, 189 fires throughout Massachusetts burned more than 375 acres Saturday, some threatening nearby private homes and property.

Durfee said Lanesborough residents were fortunate to have winds blowing north over the weekend.

"It was a huge blessing to have the wind blowing up hill," he said yesterday, standing outside the Silver Street residence. "You can see a house nearby this one and the wind took it right up the hill into open space."

Maragret Carnevale, DCR district fire patrolman for Berkshire County, said brush fires in open space can be beneficial.

"Fire is a tool they use across the U.S. to clean up different areas," she said. "(The Lanesborough) area will be greener. The underbrush will be knocked down and add to the soil so big trees can be healthier. So, it's not all a bad thing."

To reach Amy Carr: acarr@berkshireeagle.com, (413) 496-6233.

2007 Santa Run Slide Show

Click view the Slide Show of 2007 Santa Run

A Season for Sharing in Fire Safety

Each year fires occurring during the holiday season claim the lives of over 400 people, injure 1,650 more, and cause over $990 million in damage. According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), there are simple life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy holiday. By following some of the outlined precautionary tips, individuals can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a holiday fire casualty.

Preventing Christmas Tree Fires
Christmas Tree Fire Hazards - Movie segments demonstrating how fast a live Christmas tree can become fully engulfed in flames. Special fire safety precautions need to be taken when keeping a live tree in the house. A burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly gases.

Selecting a Tree for the Holiday
Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.

Caring for Your Tree
Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.

Disposing of Your Tree
Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or woodburning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.

Holiday Lights
Maintain Your Holiday Lights
Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.
Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets
Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires - they should not be warm to the touch.
Do Not Leave Holiday Lights on Unattended

Holiday Decorations
Use Only Nonflammable Decorations
All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents.
Never Put Wrapping Paper in a Fireplace
It can throw off dangerous sparks and produce a chemical buildup in the home that could cause an explosion.

Artificial Christmas Trees
If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

Candle Care
Avoid Using Lit Candles
If you do use them, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning.
Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree
Do not go near a Christmas tree with an open flame - candles, lighters or matches.
Finally, as in every season, have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times. Know when and how to call for help. And remember to practice your home escape plan.