Between March 2 and March 15 the Harvard Fire Department ventilated a home with elevated CO levels and responded to seven car crashes. Lt. Andrew Perry conducted 15 inspections.
Saturday, March 2
At 9:44 a.m. 13 firefighters and three recruits responded to a car crash on Still River Road. The car slid off the road and hit a tree. The firefighters cleaned up fluids and waited for the car to be towed. At 3:36 p.m. 12 firefighters and three recruits responded to a Woodside Road resident’s report of an electrical burning smell. The firefighters found a problem with the dishwasher. They checked the home with a thermal imaging camera but found no signs of fire.
Sunday, March 3
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Chief Rick Sicard taught the practical section of the vehicle extraction session of the EMT class. Fifteen firefighters and six recruits participated. An automatic fire alarm in a Stow Road home called out 15 firefighters and six recruits at 10:41 a.m. Smoke from cooking had triggered the alarm.
Firefighters and probationary members watch as Chief Rick Sicard lifts out a windshield during an automobile extrication training earlier this month. (Photos by Tim Clark)
Monday, March 4
At 8:40 a.m. Lt. Perry went to Littleton Road when a resident reported a sounding CO detector. Using a hand-held gas meter, Perry found elevated levels of CO and called for a full response. He was joined by five firefighters and one recruit, who ventilated the home until the CO reading was zero. The department believes the cause was a car that had been running in the garage earlier. At 11:22 a.m. the Harvard Fire Department was asked to provide mutual aid to Groton. Four Harvard firefighters covered the Groton station while another four covered the Harvard station. The firefighters were back in town at 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 5
Lt. Tony Shaw went to East Bare Hill Road at 4:53 a.m. after a report of a small fire in a tree. He found that the fire was out but the tree was rubbing against electrical wires. National Grid was notified. At 5:08 p.m. 10 firefighters and four recruits responded for a two-car crash on Route 2 eastbound between Jackson and Ayer roads. The Harvard ambulance took one passenger to the hospital. The Fire Department provided scene safety.
From left: Mike Devaney watches as Joe Miller uses the “Jaws of Life,” a hyrdraulic spreader, to pry open a vehicle with the guidance of Chief Rick Sicard.
Wednesday, March 6
The department held its monthly meeting and training from 7 to 9 p.m. Firefighter Paul Morris taught the 22 firefighters and four recruits about the national Incident Command System. Chief Sicard and Lt. Perry also conducted the annual, OSHA-required, air-pack mask fit testing for all firefighters.
Thursday, March 7
Four firefighters and four recruits responded to an automatic fire alarm at the Bromfield School at 8:36 a.m. All students and staff evacuated the building safely. The alarm had been set off accidentally.
Friday, March 8
A 5:01 p.m. two-car crash on Route 2 westbound at Exit 38 brought out the chief, eight firefighters, and three recruits. The Harvard ambulance took one passenger to the hospital. At 6:14 p.m. seven firefighters and three recruits were called back to Route 2 westbound, east of Harvard, for another two-car collision. The Littleton Fire Department also responded. The Harvard and Littleton ambulances each took one passenger to the hospital. The firefighters cleaned up fluids and provided scene safety.
Sunday, March 10
Eight firefighters and three recruits responded to a report of an accident on Route 2 eastbound but could not find the accident.
Tuesday, March 12
Lt. Perry attended an all-day seminar run by the Fire Prevention Association of Massachusetts Inc. He attended several sessions including one on fire code for marijuana facilities. Chief Sicard, nine firefighters, and three recruits responded to a 4:55 p.m. car crash on Route 2 westbound between Taylor and Ayer roads. The chief, first on scene, found that Littleton Fire had the situation under control and canceled Harvard’s response.
Wednesday, March 13
The six firefighters who serve as vehicle engineers met from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Lt. Perry taught CPR to six recruits from 7 to 10:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 14
Lt. Warren and firefighter Rob Williams trained seven recruits on how to use the department’s chainsaws and generators and how to connect fire hose to a hydrant from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Friday, March 15
At 5:28 p.m. five firefighters and four recruits went to a two-car crash on Route 2 eastbound between Jackson and Ayer roads. The Harvard ambulance took one person to the hospital; a second person refused transport from the Devens ambulance. At 11:26 p.m. Lt. Perry went to Candleberry Lane when a resident called for help with water in the basement. The water was not deep enough to pump. The Fire Department pumps water from basements only if the boiler, hot water heater, or electrical panel are in danger of being submerged.
Fire Department Factoid
The call signs for the department’s officers are:
- 13-C: Chief Sicard
- 13-C1: Deputy Chief Charlie Nigzus
- 13-M2: Lt. Shaw
- 13-M3: Lt. Perry
- 13-M4: Lt. Bill Barton
- 13-M5: Lt. Warren
Call sign 13-M1 would be for a captain; the department doesn’t currently have a captain. Each firefighter has a unique number; the call sign is 13-F and the number.
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