City of Milford Preparing for Tropical Storm Force Winds on Friday

The latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center is predicting that Earl will continue moving to the North today with a turn to the North Northeast late tonight, passing just east of the Outer Banks of North Carolina just after midnight as a Major Hurricane.

Earl is then forecast to accelerate to the North Northeast at 25 MPH on Friday and pass very close to Nantucket and Cape Cod as a Category II hurricane Friday Evening at 11:00 PM. Towns along the Connecticut coast from Milford to Stonington can expect Tropical Storm conditions Friday evening likely between 4:00 PM and Midnight. Also an expected 2 – 4 inches of heavy rainfall may cause urban and small stream flooding in Southeastern CT as the Hurricane passes to the Southeast. In addition, large sea waves can be expected along any exposed beaches in Southeastern CT.

The Milford Fire Department began several days ago to prepare for the event that the storm intensifies or changes course. Hurricanes by their nature are unpredictable and although we cannot predict to a certainty where Earl will make landfall, we continue to closely monitor this storm for any potential impact on our community. Currently we are in the monitoring mode and will re-evaluate our plans on Friday morning after reviewing the latest forecasted path.

The Milford Fire Department advises all residents to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. All residents should be prepared for severe weather no matter what time of the year it is. Residents should have an emergency kit and emergency food for three days. All residents are encouraged to visit http://www.ready.gov/ and http://www.redcross.org/ to learn more about how to prepare for an emergency and also how to take steps to keep their family safe.

Edgefield Avenue Fire Classified as Accidental

On June 22, 2010 at 2040 hrs, a third alarm fire destroyed one home and severely damaged two others at 55 Edgefield Avenue. The fire was so intense that over (50) 911 telephone calls were received and a dozen had come from the East Haven area where people saw the fire from across the water.

At the height of the blaze over 40 firefighters from Milford and West Haven battled to contain the fire. Units from Stratford, Bridgeport and West Haven were used to cover the remaining emergency calls.

Assistant Chief Alan Zingaro has classified the fire as accidental. The cause of the fire has been determined to be from careless smoking and started on the outside of the structure in the front porch area.

Fire Captain Chris Zak said, "All residents are reminded that about 3,500 Americans die each year in fires and about 20,000 are injured. Many of them might be alive today if they had only learned what to do if there is a fire. One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family is to have a working smoke alarm with a working battery."

Three Alarm Fire Under Investigation

The Milford Fire Department continues its investigation at 55 Edgefield Avenue where last evening a third alarm fire damaged three structures. At 2041 hrs, the Milford Fire Department Emergency Operations Center began receiving 911 phone calls reporting a house fire on Edgefield Avenue. In total over (50) 911 phone calls were fielded by dispatchers as well as (12) 911 calls from East Haven residents reporting a fire across the water.

When units arrived on the scene, they found (2) three story structures heavily involved in fire with (2) additional structures being threatened by the rapidly growing fire. The fire quickly grew to three alarms bringing all on duty units from Milford to the fire, crews from Stratford, West Haven and Bridgeport came to Milford to assist in covering additional emergency calls.

The fire was under control within an hour and crews remained on scene throughout the night.

Firefighter Jason Hall sustained a fractured ankle during the incident and was transported to Milford Hospital where he was treated and released. There were no injuries to any civilians.

Fire Department spokesman, Captain Chris Zak stated, "Although this fire was tragic, no loss of life or serious injury was sustained."

The fire damaged building is scheduled to come down today, because it is structurally not safe to remain standing. The Milford Fire Department Fire Marshall hopes to release the cause of the fire on Thursday.

Car Crashes into House

On June 14, 2010 the Milford Fire Department Emergency Operations Center began receiving 911 telephone calls for a reported car that had crashed into a house. Engine s 1, 5, 6, Tower 1 and Rescue 1 were dispatched to 78 Hillside Avenue. Within minutes Engine 5 arrived on the scene and began to assess the situation.

Department spokesman, Captain Christopher Zak said, "It appears that a elderly male had driven from Edgefield Avenue, lost control coming down a hill and crashed into the garage section of 78 Hillside Avenue. Fire Department Paramedics quickly stabilized him and checked him for injuries. He was immobilized, removed from the car and was transported to Milford Hospital for evaluation."

Zak went on to say, "Fire Department crews checked the structure for hazard and stability and determined that no emergency shoring needed to be erected." The City of Milford Building Department was notified and also responded to evaluate the situation.

Firefighters Rescue Driver after Tractor Trailer Crash on I-95

At 0448 hrs on June 14, 2010, the Milford Fire Department Emergency Operations Center received a telephone call from Milford Police Department reporting a major traffic accident on Interstate 95 Northbound near exit 40. Engines 1, 5, 7, Tower 1 and Rescue 1 were dispatched to the scene. When units arrived on the scene they found three tractor trailer trucks that had collided into each other.

One driver ( 55 y/o male) was trapped in the last truck in line. Firefighters from Engine 1 and Tower 1 began using the Hurst Tool “Jaws of Life” to open the doors and displace the dash board so that the patient could be removed from the cab. The extrication took approximately ten minutes and then the patient was transported to Yale New Haven Trauma Center.

The middle truck was a tanker carrying liquid latex. A small amount of product had come out of the dome covers because of the impact of the collision. The driver of the tanker was also transported to Yale New Haven Hospital for evaluation. No other injuries were reported.

Fire Department personnel quickly switched to a “Haz-Mat” mode and began to contain the leaking diesel fuel and the latex. The Department of Environmental Protection was called to the scene and also a commercial cleanup contractor responded to assist in the cleanup.

Worker Electrocuted When Ladder Comes in Contact with Electrical Lines

On June 1, 2010 at 1839 hrs. the Milford Fire Department Emergency Operations Center received a 911 telephone call reporting that 2 men had been electrocuted at 66 Point Beach Drive.

Engine 5, 6, Rescue 2 and the Shift Commander where dispatched to the scene and arrived within minutes of the original call.

Somehow workers were using a ladder to power wash the upper floors of the house when the ladder came in contact with the electrical wires. Both men received electrical shocks and were thrown to the ground. Crews from Engine 6 and Rescue 2 began to work on the men but determined that one of the individuals had succumbed to his injuries. The second worker received Advanced Life Support and was transported to Bridgeport Hospital Burn Unit.

Fire Department officials contacted OSHA who along with the Milford Police Department investigated the accident

Propane Tank Collection Day

The City of Milford and the Milford Fire Department will be conducting “Propane Tank Collection Day” on Saturday, May 15, 2010 to collect 20 lb propane cylinders (i.e. from gas grills). The collection is for Milford residents only and proof of residency will be required. There is no cost for this collection.
The collection will take place in the upper parking lot of Fire Station #7 located at 55 Wheelers Farm Road from 8:30 a.m. until 12:00 noon.

The following shall be adhered to:

• Have proof of residency ready.
• Tanks should be transported in an upright position.
• Tanks should be secured in place to prevent accidental tip-over.
• A safety plug must be in place.
• The valve must be in the closed position.
• It is preferable the driver only transport the tank(s).
• DO NOT vent the tank prior to transporting. Full, partially filled and empty 20 lb tanks will be accepted.
• Tanks should be transported with the vehicle windows open.
• No smoking during the transport of the tank or in the drop off area.
  

Propane tanks smaller than 10 lbs. in volume will not be accepted. City residents may dispose of “small 1 pound camp stove propane cylinders” at the Household Hazwaste Central located at Regional Water Authority Headquarters, 90 Sargent Drive, New Haven (203) 401-2712 or visit their website at: http://www.rwater.com/

For more information please call the Fire Marshal’s Office at 874-6321 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.