It was not exciting, but it was important, Fire Chief Bob Mignard said of his crew’s recent foray to the South Hadley Fire Station to cover for that squad, which was called out to respond to a hazardous material spill. Dick Powderly, Ken Harrod, Lt. Chuck Nigzus, Bill McElhaney, and Duane Barber rode out in Engine No. 1 to cover a 14-hour shift. “Nothing happened on that shift,” Mignard said, “But it’s vital that those guys know someone’s covering for them.”
Ambulance Director Alison Lierhaus was proud of her team, too. Sean Doocey, Lou Skinner, and Alex Dill were also called to respond. “It was a good experience for the crew,” Lierhaus said. “It goes beyond the call of duty to go to western Mass., but crew members were excited to do it.” She noted that the whole incident ended on a positive note, with the spill cleaned up without any injury or casualties. The whole event gave the crew good practice, she said. “It really added to our experience as a small-town municipal ambulance service.”
