Carbon Monoxide forces evacuation of office building

On October 31, 2011 at 0753 hours the Milford Fire Department Emergency Dispatch Center received a 911 telephone call reporting a smell of gas inside of 326 West Main Street.  A full assignment was dispatched (3 Engines, 1 Ladder Company and 1 Rescue Company along with a shift commander) and responded to the location.

Upon arrival and investigation, high levels on Carbon Monoxide were found using detection equipment.  Levels close to 500 ppm were detected in the basement area and levels near 300 ppm were found on the upper floors.  The building was quickly evacuated and heating equipment was shut off while ventilation fans were placed into operation. 

Representatives from the Southern Connecticut Gas Company traced the source to the heating system and were working with building maintenance personnel to correct the problem.

Paramedics from the Milford Fire Department medically evaluated several occupants of the building but no one was transported to the hospital.

Fire Department spokesman, Capt. Chris Zak reminded everyone, "As the colder temperatures are upon us, we need to remember that all buildings need to have working smoke detectors as well as working carbon monoxide detectors.  Carbon Monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that is extremely dangerous and without proper detection equipment, it is often too late when high levels are found and people become symptomatic." 

"Also please remember to change your batteries in your detectors when you change your clocks.", Zak added.

Chemical Leak Prompts Haz Mat Team Response

At 1822 hrs. The Milford Fire Department received a call from the Department of Environmental Protection Haz Mat Response reporting that a drum was leaking in the back of a tractor trailer truck and he was requesting the Fire Department to respond.  Engine 5, Engine 1 and the shift commander responded to assess the situation.  The drum contained Naptha resin and was located behind several other drums.

A Haz Mat response was initiated bringing Haz Mat 1, Engine 4, Tower 1 and Rescue 1 to the scene.  The area was isolated and some nearby tractor trailer drivers where asked to relocate their vehicles.  Working with DEP and a cleanup contractor, Hazardous Materials Technicians from the Milford Fire Department worked to remove the drums so they could access the damaged one.  Once this drum was found it was placed into a plastic over-pack drum to contain any additional leaks.

The major concern from this product was its flammability hazard.  Haz Mat technicians used chemical detection devices to make sure they were not in a flammable atmosphere.  As a precaution, firefighters deployed two foam lines and 2 master streams in case there was an ignition.  There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters.  All fire department personnel had cleared the scene by 2230 hrs.

Milford emergency operations center details Irene response (video)

Check out this article from the New Haven Register regarding their visit to the Milford Fire Operations recent post-storm informational open house:

http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2011/09/15/news/milford/doc4e72a84f2a073744168496.txt

Homeowner's Propane Tank Disposal Day

The City of Milford and the Milford Fire Department will be conducting a “Propane Tank Collection Day” on Saturday October 1, 2011 to collect 20lb 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 at 55 Wheelers Farms Road, upper parking lot of Station 7. The collection time will be from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The following shall be adhered to:

· Have proof of residency ready

· Tanks should be transported in an upright position

· Safety plug must be in place

· Preferable driver only transporting the tank(s)

· Valve must be in the closed position

· We will take full, partially filled and empty 20lb tanks

· DO NOT vent the tank prior to transporting

· Tanks should be secured in place to prevent accidental tip-over

· Tanks showing signs of damage or deterioration can not be refilled

· 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: www.rwater.com

For more information, please call the Fire Marshal’s Office at (203) 874-6321 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Sept 2 - Fire Department Operations Update

As the weekend approaches, the Milford Fire Department is beginning to see a decrease of calls needing emergency assistance to normal levels. Since the storm began the Milford Fire Department has answered more than 390 calls for emergency assistance. The Emergency Operations Center Storm Line continues to receive call for assistance and information regarding recovery operations.

As of 3pm Friday Sept. 2, the United Illuminating Liaison reports that 3% of Milford is still without power (860 customers). If you have overhead service to your home you should be aware that UI is responsible for the wires from the street to your house. If this wire is down or the meter is damaged, please call UI immediately at 1-800-7CALLUI to report this for repair. The customer is responsible for the wires that connect from the house to the meter and the box containing the meter. If these appear damaged in any way you’ll need to call your own licensed electrician to repair damage before UI can reconnect service.

Fire Department personnel continue to work assisting homeowners in removing water from their houses and basements with portable pumps. Residents needing assistance with pump outs should call the Milford Fire Department Storm information center at (203) 874-6782.

On Friday, the City of Milford completed the initial evaluation of the shoreline area to evaluate structural damage to buildings. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) held another meeting at Fire Headquarters with City Officials and resumed its evaluation the areas with the most damage in the City. 

The City of Milford’s Health Department and Fire Departments continue to offer food and water distribution throughout the weekend. These areas will be open from 8am until 9pm (while supplies last) until Monday Sept 5.

Food and Water will be distributed at these locations

• Milford Fire Headquarters @ 72 New Haven Avenue
• Milford Fire Station 5 @ 128 Kings Highway
• Milford Fire Station 6 @ 204 Melba Street
• Milford Fire Station 7 @ 55 Wheelers Farms Road
• Milford Fire Station 8 @ 349 Naugatuck Avenue

These locations will provide Military style (MRE’s Meals ready to eat) and bottled water.

AT THIS TIME THERE IS NO ICE AT THESE LOCATIONS

There are still numerous downed trees that may be entangled with electrical wires. If you see downed power lines, stay away and contact 911. Do not touch fallen or low-hanging wires of any kind under any circumstances. Also do not touch any trees or objects in contact with power lines.

Any non-emergency requests for service or questions regarding post storm operations can be directed to the Storm Center telephone number at (203) 874-6782.

Fire Department Spokesman Captain Chris Zak said on friday, "I would like to express my sincere gratitude for all residents of the City of Milford for pulling together and assisting each one of our neighbors. I understand that this event tested many individuals and gave them hardship. One thing I want to stress is even though some of our homes were damaged and destroyed, not a single resident of Milford was killed or severely injured. We should be thankful of that."

Emergency Food & Water Available at Fire Stations in Milford

The Milford Fire Department has announced that any Milford Resident that is in need of Emergency Food or Water due to outages can stop by any of the Milford Fire houses between the hours of 8am - 9pm.  Bottled water and emergency MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) will be available while supplies last.

Milford Fire Headquarters - 72 New Haven Avenue

Milford Fire Station 5 - 128 Kings Highway

Milford Fire Station 6 - 204 Melba Street

Milford Fire Station 7 - 55 Wheelers Farms Road

Milford Fire Station 8 - 349 Naugatuck Avenue

Milford Fire Department Post Storm Update

As we move into the second day after Tropical Storm Irene struck the shoreline area, the City of Milford is pulling together and working as a community to get back to “normal” as quickly and as safely as possible.

As of 3pm today, the United Illuminating Liaison that still continues to operate out of the Milford Fire Department Headquarters reports that 43% of Milford is still without power. Crews from the Milford Fire Department have assisted the Utility Companies by doing door to door surveys of the structures in the affected areas to determine the damage to the electrical services in the buildings. This will now allow the Utility Companies to remove certain electrical meters from houses so they can restore the electricity to the undamaged buildings. Without this information, power cannot be turned on for fear of starting widespread electrical fires.

The United Illuminating Company has researched their records and determined individuals in their database that have filled paperwork requesting special medical needs in the event of an extended power outage. The City of Milford has asked the UI to let them know that if they should need medical assistance, to please call the City of Milford Emergency Operations Center at (203) 874-6782. FOR A TRUE MEDICAL EMERGENCY DIAL 911.

Fire Department personnel still are working day and night to assist homeowners in removing water from their houses and basements with portable pumps. Residents needing assistance with pump outs should call the Milford Fire Department Storm information center at (203) 874-6782.

Emergency calls still continue to come in at an above average amount. Many of these calls are storm related and continue to tax the first responders. 

As we move into another day with much of the City still without power we want to urge residents to be ever vigilant in making sure the safety of the citizens are maintained. During the evening hours we suggest that people without power refrain from using candles for illumination purposes. On the average there are 166 civilian deaths resulting from house fires started by unattended candles. We recommend that you use flashlights or portable lanterns to provide light. If candles must be used, please keep them 12 inches away from anything that can burn. Remember, your windows may be open and your curtains could come dangerously close to the candles.

Many residents without power have resorted to the use of portable generators to provide some of their electricity. Portable generators can be hazardous if used improperly. The two biggest risks are carbon monoxide poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust and electrocution from connecting the generator to the home electrical wiring system. Always observe the manufacturer’s instructions for safe operation and run your generator outdoors in a well, ventilated area. Keep combustibles away from generators and remember before refueling, turn the engine off and let cool for at least 2 minutes. Also all combustible and flammable liquids should be stored outside.

For those of you using propane or charcoal grills to conduct your cooking, please use the safely and set them up in outside and away from the building. At no time, should these grills be set up inside an enclosed area.

There are still numerous downed trees that may be inter- twinned with electrical wires. If you see downed power lines, stay away and contact 911. Do not touch fallen or low-hanging wires of any kind under any circumstances. Also do not touch any trees or objects in contact with power lines.

Any non-emergency requests for service or questions regarding post storm operations can be directed to the Storm Center telephone number at (203) 874-6782.