The Ledyard Fire Company and the Amherst MA Fire Department will host a Firefighter Memorial Service on the request of the family, at the Ledyard Emergency Services Building on Saturday, December 20, 2008 at 1400 hours. Firefighters should be in uniform or normal funeral attire.

THIS MEMORIAL SERVICE SHALL BE HELD REGARDLESS OF THE WINTER STORM FORCASTED FOR THE REGION FOR FRIDAY!

Ledyard and Gales Ferry Fire Police will be on hand to direct visitors to parking areas. NO PARKING will be allowed on Fire Station Property except Ledyard Fire and Amherst Fire personell, Ledyard Ambulance Duty Crews, Town and State Dignataries, and the family of David Pollack.

Ledyard Police will be stationed at Colonel Ledyard Highway and Fairway Drive for Traffic Control.

Ledyard Emergency Personell should be at the station early on Saturday to set up with Amherst Fire Department. Mutual Aid Cover Departments have been arranged for the event.

Ledyard Emergency Services Building is located at 11 Fairway Drive. There is a water tower next to the building, you can see the water tower as you drive through Ledyard Center.

The Ledyard Fire Company has will not be able to perform the Santa Run on Saturday, December 20 due to the Memorial Service for our brother and friend David V. Pollack.

The Santa Run will resume on Sunday, December 21 and cover the entire Ledyard response area.

We hope this does not cause any inconvience to the residents during this day, these events do happen occasionally and are not scheduled months in advance like the Santa Run.

The Ledyard Fire Company mourns the passing of  Ledyard Firefighter David V. Pollack.

David had been a member since February1999. In 2005 he left the area to attend the University of Massachussetts at Amherst to study for his doctorate. While at Amherst he was a call firefighter for the Amherst Fire Department, and was a Lieutenant in this Fire Department at time of his passing.

The Ledyard Fire Company wishes sincere condolences to the Pollack Family.

Arrangements are not completed at this time.

David will be sorely missed by all that new him.

The Ledyard Fire Company will be bringing Santa Claus to the neighborhoods in the Ledyard Fire Company response area on Saturday, December 20 and Sunday December 21.

Santa Claus and possibly Mrs. Claus will be on hand throwing candy out to the children.

Ledyard firefighters responded to a possible Structure Fire on Lake Street. Upon arrival by Captain Steven Daggett (R-19) downgraded the assignment because it was a brush fire. Engine R-13 arrived on scene and firefighters extinguished the fire with a pressurized extinguisher. Fire Marshal James Mann investigated the fire.

Ledyard Fire Company was dispatched to reported outside/brush fire at the Lantern Hill Pond Boat Launch. First arriving personal found a fully involved car fire with extension into the surrounding brush. Mashantucket Fire Department and North Stonington Fire Department also responded.

First arriving apparatus pulled a 1 3/4 attack line and extinguished the fire with personal in SCBA's. Upon knock down of the fire, personal switched to a foam line for overhaul of the vehicle.

Units provided lighting and support to Ledyard Police and the Ledyard Fire Marshal while the investigation was conducted. Assistant Chief Jeff Gaccione (R-18)  had command for the incident.Vehicle was removed and units returned without incident.

Ledyard Fire Company was dispatched to the report of a brush fire behind a house. Upon arrival found the neighbor completing the extinguishing of the fire with a garden hose. Upon looking at the burned area found ashes from a wood stove in the area. Fire Marshal notified to respond. the size of the area was approximately 25 feet by 8 feet. The area appeared to be all surface burn with no extension to any structure. Call cleared at 1709 hours.

On 11/1/2008 at 0136 hours, the Ledyard Fire Company District No. 1 Inc. was dispatched to the report of a motor vehicle accident with five patients. Three patients were found out of the car upon arrival with two entrapped. A request was made by the Ledyard Police Department for multiple ambulances to respond.
    
Upon arrival of Assistant Chief Jeffrey Gaccione (R-18) found a blue colored BMW head on into a tree with five patients, 3 male patients were out of the car, and two were entrapped in the rear of the car. Upon assessing the injuries of the two females in the back seat of the car a determination was made to remove the roof of the car for access to the patients.

Gales Ferry Fire Company was requested to the scene for manpower. Upon arrival of GFFC, Incident Command was turned to R-20 Deputy Chief Ted Day for the short time. Extrication was started at 0151 hours by Assistant Chief Jeff Gaccione and Firefighter Tym Gray.

R-1 Chief Mckernan notified and responded to the scene.

The  roof was removed at 0203 hours and American Ambulance EMT J Merchant and other unidentified EMTentered the car and a held c-spine of the two entrapped. Both passenger's in the rear of the car had possible femur fractures and wrist fractures. The patients were removed from the vehicle at 0222 hrs and turned over to American and Ledyard Ambulances for transport to the hospital.

DEP notified of the contents of the engine on the ground no waterways involved.
 

Ledyard Fire Company responded to assist Gales Ferry Fire with a Tractor-Trailer rollover on Route 12, near the Groton-Ledyard Town Line.

The truck was traveling southbound and crashed into a tree and rolled over, the tractor caught fire. The lone occupant was transported to the hospital via Ledyard Ambulance.

Firefighters used foam to control the fire. Submarine Base Fire Hazmat on scene. Bulk tanker was carrying styrene pellets.

State Department of Environmental officials were at the scene. They were trying to determine what impact the spilled diesel may have on the water course and marsh areas.

Route 12 between Long Cove Road and Ohio Drive was closed to all traffic.

The Ledyard Fire Company responded for a car vs guardrail, and the car burst into flames. Firefighters arrived to find an engine compartment fire with advancement into the passenger compartment. The patients were coming out of the vehicle on arrival of fire department. The motor had a magnesium block so Foam was required to extiguish the fire.

Photo Credit: Cadet FF Jon Mann

The Ledyard Fire Company participated in the Town of Ledyard MCI/Hazmat Exercise at Dow Chemical recently. Engine R-13, Engine R-11 and EMS/Command R-16 with MCI Trailer was in attendance. Engine R-11 laid about 900 feet of 5" supply from a yard hydrant to Poquonnock Bridge Tower G-35. Engine R-13 was the LZ Zone Engine for the landing of Lifestar. Ledyard Firefighters particpated in the water supply operation, then assisted Submarine Base Hazmat Team by setting up the Technical Decon Line. The training commenced at 0900 by a 911 call from Dow Chemical reporting an explosion and fire in the plant. Approximately 10 mock victims were present. CT DEP was also on scene and monitored the local area for air samples. Ledyard Police also participated in the drill. The drill was a complete success. This type of training is required every two years to test the Town of Ledyard Emergency Operation Plan. The last drill was held in Ledyard Center in 2002.

Deputy Fire Chief Michael J. McKernan recently assumed the duties of the Fire Chief when former Fire Chief James Mann resigned to take the Town Fire Marshal's position.

Michael has been in the fire service since 1985, and with Ledyard since 1994. In Ledyard, he has been a Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant and Deputy Chief. Also, a short stint on the Board of Directors.

Fire Chief McKernan holds certifications as Fire Officer 2, EMT, EPA Hazmat Tech as well as other training.

Ledyard Fire Chief James Mann resigned to take the post of Ledyard Town Fire Marshal recently. Jim has been with this fire company serving tirelessly since 1992. Jim has held every line officer position in the Fire Company. Jim took over from Chief Alexander Mrazik in mid term a few years ago. Jim will be sorely missed, however he isn't moving far away. His new Office is in the same building as the Fire Department!

Per Fire Company Bylaws the Deputy Chief automatically fills the rest of Jim's Term as Fire Chief. Michael J. McKernan who has been in the Fire Service since 1985 and with this company since 1994. Michael also served every line officer position, has taken the reins as Fire Chief.

The Deputy Chief position is now vacant, no plans as of yet of filling the position.