Reid Family Makes Donation
To Epsom Fire Department
Submitted By
Chief R.
Stewart
Yeaton
Recently, the Epsom Fire Department received a generous donation from
the Estate of Mrs. Rachael Reid. With this large donation the fire
department was able to purchase 3 essential pieces of equipment.
The first purchase was a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Command Vehicle. With this
truck, communications, personnel accountability, and safety can be
managed effectively on any incident no matter how large or small. It is
set up with 3 mobile radios that permit uninterrupted communication with
multiple agencies. There are several detailed maps of the town,
including all the town roads, the forest and trail systems for quick
reference to support a search and rescue operation or brush fire. An
operations board is also another vital part of the truck. This board is
designed to assist the management of firefighter safety, location and
operations on an emergency scene. Another key piece of equipment that
was installed in the truck is a computer system. It carries vital
information such as a GPS program, contacts lists to the area businesses
and many other reference programs.
An oxygen generating station has been installed in the firehouse. This
system allows us to bottle our own medical grade oxygen to fill our
tanks at a fraction of the cost from an independent supplier.
The third piece of equipment purchased was a Holmatro hand operated
combination cutter-spreader tool, also known as the “Jaws of Life”.
While we already have a full set of auto extrication tools on our Engine
2, this tool was put in service on our primary ambulance, which responds
first to every motor vehicle accident. The tool is unique because it has
a hand operated pump, it’s light weight and can be set up in a matter of
seconds. The combi-tool has been proven to be quick and effective as it
has already been put to use.
On behalf of the members of the Epsom Fire Department and
the citizens of the Town of
Epsom, I
would like to extend a sincere thank you to the
Reid family. Your support
and generosity will help to ensure the safety of our firefighters as
well as assisting us with providing the highest level of service that
the community deserves.
Can You Dig It?
Pittsfield
Tunnel Shovel Ready
Long has been the debate as to what remedy would fix the congestion and
constant threat of accidental collisions at the intersection of Route 28
and Leavitt Road in Pittsfield. Apparently a solution has been found
that meets the criteria of using the new “stimulus” monies to be
funneled into the state of NH.
At the end of January and beginning of February, you saw
NHDOT survey teams up at
Leavitt Road
and Route 28. Anonymous sources have leaked the news that a tunnel is to
be constructed at the intersection in lieu of a traffic light. People
leaving Pittsfield
to go South on 28 will be able to drive under the highway and swing
around to merge with southbound traffic without interrupting the flow of
traffic on Route 28. Likewise, travelers going off
Leavitt Road
will be able to go beneath the highway and easily enter the flow of
northbound traffic.
Pittsfield’s
own Brown Engineering has been tapped to deliver the prospective plans
to undertake such a daunting task and
Kent
Brown
has been very kind in sharing the rough draft yet to be approved by
NHDOT.
Critics of the plan have already labeled it “The Big Dig Pittsfield”.
Our sources insist that federal stimulus money will finance the entire
project and it will greatly enhance the safety of drivers attempting to
enter Route 28. While the project has yet to be put out to bid, it is
estimated that it will employ 30 to 40 people. Preference is to be given
to local workers. It is hoped that the project will be completed before
November 1, 2009. It is highly anticipated that
President Obama
will be present at the groundbreaking ceremony set for some time in
early July as a lauding of “Yankee Ingenuity” in its truest sense.
Many plans were discussed to attempt to secure the
stimulus monies in Pittsfield
with a close second place finish being a Spring Training facility at
Drake Field utilizing the “green” geothermal heat source lying
underneath. Although the facility came in a close second, the need to
travel a possible 1,500 miles to play games within the Grapefruit
League, met with much unanticipated opposition.
Much of the work on this project was done in backrooms and undercover.
But we are now happy to announce that the prime mover and shaker was
none other than our good friend, APRIL FOOL.
