The Clinton Heights Fire Department has concluded its assistance with the family burned out of their Maryland Avenue home on the evening of December 12th.  The members of the Department and Auxiliary extend their gratitude to all who overwhelmingly responded to this family-in-need less than two weeks before Christmas.  The Department members and Auxiliary know how everyone is exceptionally busy at this time of year which makes this response even more extraordinary.  Besides the countless toy presents and clothing brought in to help this family of four, financial contributions to date have totaled over $2,000.  The family has asked us to publish their words of gratitude:


Dear Friends,


     On the evening of December 12th, a fire caused considerable damage to our home on Maryland Avenue in Hampton Manor [East Greenbush].  The fire was severe enough that it forced our family of four to the street and virtually in shock.  It has been over a month that we lived in a hotel and just this week, were able to rent a home where we will reside until the repairs make our own home habitable again.


      The purpose of this letter is to try to put into words our heart-felt appreciation for the overwhelming support we have received since the sounding of the alarm.  The Clinton Heights Fire Department responded immediately and did a remarkable job of limiting the damage.  Our dear neighbors immediately took us in and have continued to offer whatever help we would need.  The Clinton Heights Fire Department solicited help from near and far and we soon found ourselves the recipients of gifts and donations that made the holidays and this tragedy so much more bearable.  The generosity has simply been overwhelming; we did not realize people would care the way they did.
 

     We especially want to thank, then, our Maryland Avenue neighbors, the fire department and the ladies auxiliary, our children’s school communities, our co-workers, Melody—a very special little girl—from the Rensselaer Park Elementary School in Troy, the Marriot Residence Inn staff and so many more people who responded from near and far, some we know and so many others we will never know.  Our loss would have been so much worse without the help of everybody.

  
    All, please accept our gratitude for your thoughtfulness even during a very busy time in your own lives.  We will be back in our own neighborhood in time but with a renewed appreciation that there are so many caring people that have surrounded us with love. 


Walter, Sarah, Skyler and Madison

Several residents contacted communications after noticing a strong odor of gas in the area of Spring Avenue East. Companies arrived and upon investigation it was found that an RV was leaking the propane from a large tank. Crews were able to quickly shut off the source of the leak and ventilate the RV. After taking secondary reading with a 4-gas meter crews discovered high reading of Hydrogen Sulfide. Immediately the area was secured and crews made egress. While CHFD Hazmat Technicians suited up, the request was made for the Rensselaer County Decon Team to respond also. Members were able to locate and remove the hazard, a large battery which had exploded and was leaking acid without incident. Crews were on scene for a little over two hours.

A chilly winter night turned busy for CHFD when flames broke out at 9 Mainstee St in the neighborhood of Prospect Heights. Upon arrival heavy fire was showing from rear of the building and a full box was transmitted brining in additional departments for support. Engine Co. 8-5 arrived a immediately stretched a 2 ½” line to the 2nd floor with a coordinated ventilation from Truck 8. Crews were able to quickly knock down a fast moving fire. Members remained on scene for several hours and one firefighter was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. CHFD was assisted on scene by Defreestville, East Greenbush, Best Luther & West Sand Lake Fire departments. Several other departments provided cover assignments. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

Just after 9pm pagers for CHFD were activated for a reported fire at 223 Maryland Avenue East in Hampton Manor. Cars 2 & 3 arrived to find a 2 story 40x30 woodframe, with heavy fire from the 2nd floor, rear of the building. Engine 8-5 and crew stretched a line to the seat of the fire upon arrival, making quick work of the blaze with coordinated ventliation from Truck Co. 8. Defreestville Fire responded on the 2nd alarm with thier FAST Team along with Engine 11-9 from neighboring EGFD. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, all occupants were able to evacuate the residence after the smoke alarms alerted them.

Shortly after 2pm on Wednesday occupants at 213 Maryland Avenue East called 911 reporting a fire in a bedroom of the 2 story wood frame. Chief Officers’ arrived to find a moderate smoke condition and request the alarm be re-dispatched as a working fire. Upon investigation a small fire was found and contained to a bedroom. Crews operated for about 1 hour. The cause of the fire was determined to be an overloaded power strip.

Quiet evening hours were shattered when a fire broke out at 9 Pine Street in the City of Rensselaer. Upon arrival of first due companies a 2nd alarm was immediately transmitted for box 211. Soon thereafter Station 9 was on the street with a FAST Team as well as CHFD with 8-5, S-8 and R-8. On arrival members went to work assisting in containment of the blaze and the lengthy overhaul process. Crews operated on scene for a little over 2 hours. The cause has yet to be determined.

Shortly after 6pm calls began piling in for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle on Columbia Trnpk. in front of the K-Mart store. CHFD and BRS arrived and began securing the patient. Crews operated on scene for a little of 45 minutes. The scene was turned over to EGPD. CHFD responded to the incident with 8 EMT's.

Crews were alerted for a light smoke condition at the NBT bank at 501 Columbia Trnpk. Upon investigation members found a faulty light ballast. Companies were placed in service within 1/2 hour.

The midday lunch hour was interrupted when fire broke out at the old Teagan’s Steak and Seafood at 360 Columbia Trnpk. Companies arrived to find fire in the rear of the structure and soon thereafter requested an Engine from East Greenbush Fire and a Truck Co. 1 from the City of Rensselaer. In addition, EGFD Truck 11 was already on assigned, acting Truck 8, while maintenance was being performed. The fire was contained to the area of origin and a cause has yet to be determined.

Companies were alerted for a vehicle fire endangering a building. Upon further investigation, PD arrived to find a snowblower off. Companies, under the command of Bill O'Connor used a few "cans" to supress the fire. Asst. Chief O'Connor was supported by a crew of nine for the day job. Companies were in service within fifteen minutes.
 

At 0712, the alarm was struck for 3 Western Avenue for reported smoke in residence. Upon arrival 8C3 [O'Connor] confirmed the dispatch information. Upon investigation it was determined to be a misfiring furnace causing the smoke scare. Asst. Chief O'Connor managed the scene with 85, S8, R8, 87, and RFD Ladder 1 [Acting T8] and twenty-one members. Crews vented the building and rendered the unit safe prior to departing.

After heavy overnight rain continued into the morning hours pagers were activated for a car vs pole accident with injuries on Columbia Trnpk. at Madison Av West. Upon arrival companies found a single vehicle with (1) injures occupant and also a telephone pole, sheered, but still hanging by wires. EMT's assisted BRS with packaging the patient for transportation before turning the scene over the National Grid.

E. Greenbush FD was dispatched for a reported fire on Bloomingdale Avenue in the mid afternoon hours. Upon arrival a fire was confirmed by first due Chiefs. A 2nd alarm was transmitted for box 11-07. Eng Co. 85, Rescue 8, and 8C1 on the box with 10. Crews opened up while EGFD went after it hard. Great JOB 11C2, CPT Greg Forgea, and all of the EG men.

Pagers were activated for the CHFD‎ early Sunday morning, when neighbors noticed smoke coming from the chimney and eves of a unoccupied, single family dwelling AT 24 Rhode Island Av. Upon arrival, A/C Tracy established command and requested a full assignment. 1st due Engine 8-5 arrived and stretched an 1 3/4" hand line, which Truck 8 had to force entry to the building. Using the newly purchased "W-Tool" damage to the door & frame remained minimal. Once inside crews encountered heavy smoke, which led them to find a small fire in the furnace area of the basement with minor extension to the area of origin. Crews remained on scene for about an hour. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.