Untitled - Town of Windham

FIRE DEPARTMENT2012 was relatively quiet in terms of storm related events. However, our department was kept busy withseveral serious fires early into the year including ones on Mallard Road, Lowell Road and Rockingham Roadto name just a few. Of all the fires reported, we were happy to report that no injuries or loss of life occurred.It wasn’t until the later part of October that the east coast braced for Hurricane Sandy. As it made its way uptoward New Hampshire, Public Safety officials along with school officials began daily meetings to prepare fordamaging winds, heavy rains and power outages. Upon the storm’s arrival, Fire, Police and the HighwayAgent, assisted by volunteers of the town’s Emergency Management Team, worked collectively to answer andrespond to all calls for service during the event. The storm caused numerous trees and wires down, and a fewhomes received moderate to heavy damage due to falling trees. The damage here in New Hampshire causedthe Governor to declare a State of Emergency which allowed cities and town to seek out federalreimbursements associated with public safety response costs. As we have always done and will continue to doto ease the burden of the taxpayers whenever these types of emergencies arise, the town filed for federalassistance. Throughout this storm and many before it, the Fire Department along with Local EmergencyManagement Officials has reached out to its professionals, volunteers and citizens looking for suggestions tofind alternative ways of notifying the public before, during and after various emergency events. Whetherthrough dynamic messaging boards, pre-recorded phone messages and radio and television broadcasts, wecontinue to seek out means to alert our residents. Now, the Fire Department and Emergency ManagementOffice utilize Twitter as another way to reach out to residents during emergency events. You can follow us at@WindhamFD.As started in 2011, the department continued its efforts with a new program titled “Adopt-ACistern/Hydrant”. This program calls for assistance from residents who live close to one of the community'sfire cisterns or hydrants. While it is not your responsibility to do so, you could perform a valuable publicservice if, while clearing your driveways and walkways, you would take a few minutes more and remove thesnow from the closest cistern or hydrant to your home. Once the storm has passed, Fire DepartmentPersonnel do clear the cisterns/hydrants from snow. However, during the initial period of severe weather,emergency personnel are busy handling emergency calls and may ultimately be delayed. If you are interestedin participating in this program, you are asked to call Deputy Chief Martineau at 434-4907. Your assistance isgreatly appreciated.PERSONNEL: Management and Labor worked hard throughout the year again to manage employee absencesand budgetary concerns, all the while seeing calls for service and simultaneous calls continue to rise. In 2012,the department transitioned through several personnel changes. In February, Firefighter/Paramedic MichaelMistretta announced his resignation; having served the town for nearly 15 years. In April, Call FirefighterDon Worthington resigned to spend more of his retirement with his family and enjoy the warm weathers ofFlorida. In May, Firefighter/EMT-I Kenneth Whicker announced his retirement from the department. Duringhis 6 years with the department, Firefighter Whicker served as Fire Inspector before moving to the firefighterposition. Prior to his employ with the town, he served the town of Rindge for nearly twenty years. In all,these firefighters worked passionately diligently while serving the town and, on behalf of the department, wewish them and their families all the best in their future endeavors. The next few months were then spent onfilling the full-time vacancies that were created. In June, the department welcomed its two newest full-timemembers of the firefighting ranks. Firefighter Jason Sliver and Firefighter Daniel Doherty were hired andbegan their probationary period. Firefighter/Paramedic Sliver previously worked for the Town of Hudson,where he served for more than 10 years, and is also a member of the Massachusetts Urban Search and RescueTask Force (USAR) based in Beverly, MA where he has served since 2008. He and his wife Mandy currentlyreside in Jaffrey, NH. Firefighter/Paramedic Doherty served with the Dunstable, MA Fire Department andalso worked as a Paramedic with Patriot Ambulance of Chelmsford, MA. He, his wife Rebecca and their sonreside in Nashua, NH. Both of these individuals came highly recommended and the department is pleased tohave them aboard. We wish them well in their positions.2012 ANNUAL REPORTS 80 TOWN OF WINDHAM, NH