Between Oct. 14 and Oct. 27, the Harvard Fire Department responded to two reports of smoke, two automatic alarms, two requests for mutual aid, one request for help with a smoke/carbon monoxide detector, three car incidents, and a report of water in the basement. The firefighters also conducted annual testing of department equipment and welcomed kindergartners to the station. Lt. Andrew Perry conducted five smoke/carbon monoxide alarm inspections, one liquid propane inspection, and four oil burner/oil tank inspections. Chief Rick Sicard and Lt. Perry attended a fire drill at the Hildreth Elementary School to check that everyone got out of the building and that all went smoothly.
Saturday, Oct 14
The department pumps were tested by Fire Department Support Systems LLC to check that they run at the required capacity. Fifteen firefighters trained with the pumps during testing.
Sunday, Oct. 15
Lt. Tony Shaw and firefighter Wally Shaw responded to an automatic alarm at 2 a.m. on Ayer Road. They checked the building, found no signs of fire, and reset the alarm, which functioned normally.
Monday, Oct. 16
At 12:48 p.m. the Bromfield School reported the smell of burning plastic in the kitchen. Lt. Perry responded. He used a handheld gas meter to check the building; all readings were normal. No additional help was needed.
Tuesday, Oct. 17
At 2:27 p.m. Harvard was asked to provide mutual aid to Boxborough while Boxborough assisted Acton with a three-alarm fire. Four Harvard firefighters and Engine 4 covered the Boxborough fire station; three other firefighters waited at the Harvard station. At 4:24 p.m., just as the crew was returning to town, the Fire Department was called to assist with water in the basement of Town Hall. The three firefighters who responded shut off the furnace, shut off the water, and got the sump pump working. A plumber and the DPW were called. And at 7 p.m. the department was called to assist on Ayer Road after a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Lt. Perry went directly to the scene while seven firefighters assembled at the station; no additional assistance was needed.
Thursday, Oct. 19
An automatic alarm rang at 6:55 a.m. calling six firefighters to an Ayer Road business. A faulty detector was to blame. The building owner replaced the detector.
Friday, Oct. 20
Four firefighters and Chief Sicard welcomed Harvard kindergarten students to the fire station. The students visited the station, saw the firefighters’ protective gear, and talked with the firefighters. At 5:30 p.m. Lt. Bill Barton responded to a fire officer call on Stow Road; a second-floor detector was sounding. Lt. Barton cleaned the detector and replaced the batteries, but it continued to sound. He suggested that the owners buy a new detector.
Saturday, Oct. 21
Six firefighters responded at 12:27 a.m. to a report of smoke at the McCurdy Track. The firefighters searched the area for an hour, including checking Harvard Green and driving Lancaster County Road, Blanchard Road, Old Mill Road, and Ayer Road. No signs of a fire were found. At 11:13 a.m. the department was called to assist with a vehicle on the side of Route 2. Five firefighters responded and provided scene safety while the Harvard ambulance crew assisted the driver. Also on Saturday, the department ladders and Tower 1 underwent their annual stress test for safety. Deputy Chief Charlie Nigzus and Lt. Barton worked with American Test Center to check the equipment.
Thursday, Oct. 26
A deer ran into the side of a car on Still River Road at 7:22 a.m., cracking the windshield and breaking two passenger-side windows. Nine firefighters responded. The Harvard ambulance crew treated the driver for minor cuts; firefighters cleaned up the broken glass. The car was driven from the scene.
Friday, Oct. 27
At 2:54 p.m. the department received a request for mutual aid to Lancaster while Lancaster responded to a house fire. Seven firefighters, including Chief Sicard, responded. The fire went to three alarms; 11 towns responded. Harvard firefighters were ordered to the third floor to look for hot spots and ventilate the building. The home was heavily damaged; the residents were not home. The firefighters returned to the station at 5:30 p.m.
FIRE DEPARTMENT FACTOID
The annual Harvard Firefighters Association (HFA) Turkey Raffle is coming. Buy tickets for the Nov. 8 presale from any firefighter, including at the Transfer Station on Saturday and Wednesday. On Nov. 10, come to the fire station at 7 p.m. for the Turkey Raffle: a quarter a ticket for numerous prizes, including turkeys and gifts from 20 local businesses. The Turkey Raffle is HFA’s major fundraiser of the year; the funds are used for scholarships, equipment, and training.
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