Fairview firefighters answer multiple alarms at Marist College

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Lt. Ridley on left and his crew responding to a sprinkler issue at Marist College.

TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – The Fairview Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 2623, had a busy Friday.

After coming on duty, Lieutenant Robert Ridley and firefighter Terrell Baity were filming a short video to be used as a public service announcement (PSA) for the district.  The PSA, a collaboration between the union firefighters and the district, is the first of many designed to show various aspects of the fire department that also provides EMS service.

Friday’s filming was a demonstration of the Binder Lift, a device designed to help firefighters lift patients that are suffering from some type of distress.

Andrew Calamari, chairman of the Fairview Fire District Board of Commissioners, supports the union’s efforts to take a proactive approach to educate the public.  “Our professional firefighters are highly-trained and are dedicated to protecting the residents, businesses, and visitors in the Fairview Fire District.  Their new campaign provides a behind-the-scenes look at the firefighting and EMS services they carry-out every day and night of the year.”

The Binder Lift, demonstrated below, is one of the many tools available to Fairview firefighters.

Immediately after filming, the dispatch radio opened up sending one engine from the department to Marist College for an automatic alarm.  Seconds later, two additional alarms sounded at Marist, sending a second engine and the ladder truck to the school.

The crews were at the school within minutes.  The buildings were evacuated prior to Fairview’s arrival.  The first responders assessed the alarm indicating a problem with the sprinkler system.  Firefighters, with the assistance of Marist security, were able to locate the source of the problem at the cafeteria’s loading dock.  It was determined that a sanitation truck operated by Royal Sanitation had made contact with a sprinkler head while at the loading dock.  The drop in water pressure triggered the alarms in the other buildings on the same water line.  Once the damaged sprinkler was isolated, the firefighters were able to return to their station.

Calls for assistance continued throughout the day for Fairview.  As of 4 p.m., the crews had answered 10 additional calls, including a motor vehicle accident in which one woman was trapped in her vehicle and needed to be extricated by the fire department.

The PSA, filmed with Mid-Hudson News Reporter Todd Bender acting as the victim, can be seen here:




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