Beacon Hose Newsletter - December 2014 2q6254

From the Chief’s Desk

By: Chief James Trzaski

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and enjoyed much needed time with family. I am personally thankful to all of you for dedicating your time, skills and abilities to our residents. Beacon Hose Company No. 1 have always shown commitment to Beacon Falls residents and this year was no exception. From responding to incidents, fund raising, fire prevention activities, sponsoring families during their times of need and more, our display commitment, care and professionalism. THANK YOU!!! This time of the year proves to be busy, fun and rewarding. As we prepare for the Christmas season and the beginning of a New Year, we find ourselves occupied with preparing almost every day. Preparing lists for shopping, preparing our schedules of gatherings and fun, preparing for dinners and parties. Emergency services personnel spend the majority of our time "Preparing for the Response". Although our call load is not overwhelming, some of the incidents we have responded to have created some challenges. It is our responsibility to prepare for these challenges. So what can we do to prepare? First and foremost, are you prepared mentally and physically to respond safely to incidents? Have you taken the department physical? Have you completed your annual fit test? Have you attended training on a constant basis to keep your skills sharp? Have you gone to a truck check night to inspect and familiarize yourself with equipment? Is our equipment prepared for the response? Our equipment must always be in the "Ready Mode”. Equipment operational checks are key components to a successful outcome of any incident. Equipment inventory and check list are being updated and are available in the dispatch room. Stop down on the fourth Monday of the month and participate in a vehicle check and get familiar with the equipment Preparing for the response also includes our knowledge, skills and abilities. We take Firefighter I or EMT during our first year as a requirement. Have you attended any classes or training beyond your initial training? There are endless training opportunities available through out the State. Beacon Hose Company No. 1 will pay for your training and supply transportation as needed. Please make an effort to enhance your knowledge by attending a course and by attending our monthly training....the second Monday of each month.

On behalf of all the Officers of Beacon Hose Company No. 1 I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !!!

Fire Calls = 18 EMS Calls = 39

Christmas Time at BHC ~BHC CHRISTMAS TREE SALES~ You know you need one and we got em’!! Beautiful, fresh-cut Christmas trees will be on sale at the Firehouse every weekend from Saturday, November 29th until the last tree leaves the lot. No truck...No problem. We offer free delivery to all points in Beacon Falls. Our trees are priced to sell. And, although our quality trees sell themselves, we will still need help with sales and delivery. Michael McGee and Matthew Rau have very generously volunteered their time to organize this fundraiser. If you’re interested in lending a hand, give Mike or Matt a “jingle”. They’ll appreciate your help!!

~ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING & BONFIRE~

Help us get Beacon Falls ready for Christmas!! Our Tree Lighting & Bonfire will be this Saturday night, December 6th at 6:00pm FREE HOT DOGS, HOT CHOCOLATE AND HAY RIDES!!! Starting at the Town Hall and ending at the Tracy Lewis House

~BHC CHILDREN’S PARTY~

Our Annual Children’s Christmas Party will be held at the firehouse on Sunday, December 7th at Noon. Member’s children, up to and including 5th grade, are eligible for a gift from Santa. Please RSVP to Karen Bulinski or Kathy Kelly ASAP with your children’s ages and an idea of 3 items that your children may be wishing for. We will have The Video Game Truck, a Magic Show and…. A VISIT FROM SANTA!!! LOTS OF HOLIDAY FUN AND PLENTY OF GREAT TREATS TO EAT!!! ALL ARE WELCOME!!! As always, your help with set up and clean up is always appreciated. See you at the party!!

~MEAT-O & WINE-O~ Holiday “Fun For All” us for a night of Holiday Fun and Cheer!! Saturday, December 13th, 2014 from 7:00pm to 9:30pm at the Beacon Falls Senior Center $5.00 ission Fee includes 1 Drink Ticket and Appetizers Pay to play games of chance to win something special to serve at your Holiday Table TURKEYS ~ HOLIDAY HAMS ~ RIB ROASTS ~ PORK ROASTS CLAMS ~ SCALLOPS ~ SHRIMP ~ LOBSTER ~ WINE ~ BEER Please Ken George for more information. Adults, ages 21 and older, are welcome to attend!!

~BRING SANTA HOME~ What’s better than Santa and his sleigh??? Santa in a BHC Fire Truck!!! And he wants to come to your house for a Pre-Christmas Eve visit. On Saturday, December 13th Santa will be in Beacon Falls to make special house calls to all the good little boys and girls and BHC will provide his ride. If you are interested in Bringing Santa To Your Home, Raymond Buzgo would like to know. Please call Ray at 710-7917 or send an E-Mail to [email protected]. We are also looking for a few good elves to assist and escort Santa on his travels. Ray will let you know ~Where and When~

EMS WEEKEND CREWS December 6th ~ 7th Crew #4 December 13th ~ 14th Crew # 5 December 20th ~ 21st Crew # 1 December 27th ~ 28th Crew #2

Wednesday, November 26th, 2014 “Jack-Knifed Tractor Trailer Into The River” Pictured: (Left to Right)

Michael Rupsis, John Mis, Vehicle Driver and Andrew Leeper. Great work to all that responded to this call!! Photo by Ken George

What’s Up At BHC In December 1st ~ Department Monthly Meeting 6th ~ Annual Tree Lighting & Bonfire 6th & 7th ~ Christmas Tree Sales 7th ~ BHC Children’s Christmas Party 7th ~ Pearl Harbor Day 13th ~ MEAT-O & WINE-O 13th ~ B.F. Cong. Church Cookie Walk 13th ~ Bring Santa Home 13th & 14th ~ Christmas Tree Sales 19th ~ Christmas Lunch at the Firehouse 20th & 21st ~ Christmas Tree Sales 21st ~ 1st Day of Winter 25th ~ Merry Christmas 31st ~ Happy New Year’s Eve

Ahhhh….Success!!!!! Assistant EMS Director Ken George would like to thank all of our BHC , Family and Friends for helping with our Country Breakfast. We served over 250 breakfasts and certainly could not have done it without your help!! Also thank you to ALL for the outstanding work at the Cow Chip Raffle and to Thomas the ??Bull?? for stopping by and helping out!!

“Gooooooo-Bag” Are you PREPARED?????? Do you have a “Go-Bag” stocked and ready in your car?? You never know what you’re responding to so prepare yourself for the worst!! Pack a bag with a complete change of clothes including footwear, a towel, travel sized toiletries and any other necessities you may need if you are involved in a “Messy or Wet” call or just to be prepared during winter weather. Kurt’s Winter Tip: Use your car floor mats to cover your windshield at night to keep the frost, snow or ice from blocking your view!!!! Can you guess who this little Christmas Cutie with his dad is??? Did you guess last month’s couple?? It was…. Artie and Janet Norton!!!!!

Waterbury Exchange Club’s 1st Responder Award Our istrative Assistant Gretchen Carlson received recognition Thursday, November 20th at the Waterbury Exchange Club's First Responder Breakfast. Gretchen was nominated by Edgar Rodriguez and was chosen as the honoree. The Exchange Club will be having this event annually. It was great that Beacon Hose Company No. 1 was represented and congratulations to Gretchen and thank you for all that you do!!

For Sale Brand-new 3 Piece Cordless phone set Best offer!!!!! Gretchen At the firehouse!!

December Birthdays 1st ~ Janet Norton 17th ~ Jamie Linley

Happy Anniversary to Past Chief and Mrs. Douglas Bousquet

Visit us at www.beaconhose.com Like us on Facebook BEACON HOSE COMPANY NO. 1 MISSION STATEMENT

Beacon Hose Company No. 1 is dedicated to the protection of life, property and the environment from the effects of fire, medical emergencies and hazardous conditions

35 North Main Street Beacon Falls, CT 06403 Phone: (203) 729-1470 Fax: (203) 723-2209