The 473rd meeting of the Massachusetts Institute of Fire Department Instructors was held on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 at Merrimac Fire Headquarters.  MIFDI President Michael McLeieer and Merrimac Fire Chief Ralph Spencer hosted the meeting.  Chief Spencer welcomed the group to the Town of Merrimac and stated the he has “always had the highest regard” for our organization.  Ron Sher and Dave Conti of the Seabrook Station, (NH Nuclear Facility), presented the program. Collectively, they have over fifty years of service at Seabrook.

Sher, who has a degree in Marine Biology from University of New Hampshire, is employed by Seabrook Station due to his background in environmental science.  He gave us an overview of Seabrook Station.  He said he has “seen the station built from the ground up.”  Seabrook has been in operation since 1990.  It is one of over 100   nuclear power plants operating in the United States.  “It is a fairly quiet producer of electricity,” said Sher.  An 1160 megawatt power plant, it is one of the largest in the North East.  It has produced 114 billion kilowatt hours of electricity since it opened, producing 1 to 1.5 million kilowatt hours for fourteen years.

As to why the Seabrook site was chosen, Sher said it was because of its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and its cooling water.  Seabrook is surrounded by salt-water marsh and the ocean is nearby.  The decision to site it in Seabrook has caused some controversy in the past.  “Perhaps it is because of its visibility”, Sher offered.  It can be easily seen from major beaches and is in fairly close proximity to U.S. Routes 1 and 1A as well as I-95.  “It is not hidden in the woods like the Rowe, MA plant,” said Sher.  Originally designed to be a two-unit station, Unit 2 was cancelled in 1986.  The new owners of Seabrook station, Florida Power and Light, had Unit 2 (the brown unit) taken down last year under the terms of the agreement of the purchase.

Operation of Seabrook
The Reactor Coolant System turns water into steam and moves it to the Condenser Cooling Water System.  Seabrook station has to take advantage of the cooling ability of the surrounding water to continue to operate.  The fuel used is Uranium 235, which is radioactive.  Four steam generators and one reactor vessel are housed inside of the giant  200- foot tall dome.  It is a “double-dome” as the inner dome is covered by an outer dome.  “A fighter aircraft could crash into it and it would not weaken the dome,” said Sher.

Seabrook station is about two miles inland from the coast.  It has two tunnels connecting it to the ocean – one intake and one discharge.  They are located about 260 feet under ground, bored through bedrock.  The station needs about 400,000 gallons of seawater per minute to cool.  The discharge point is about 16,000 feet off shore and approximately fifty feet below the ocean floor.

At the point of intake, water is moving fast enough to trap harbor seals and other marine mammals.  Over 60 seals have been taken in through the suction since 1990.  In order to comply with the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Seabrook was required to install barrier panels with only five inch spacing in 1999.  No marine mammals have been taken in since that time.

Security and Fire Protection
David Conti, Safety and Fire Protection Supervisor, told the members that Seabrook “has doubled security protection since 9/11”.   In the next six-months, they are spending over $8 million to further fortify Seabrook station.  This is due to Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirements.  The station has in excess of 100 security personnel on site.   NRC requires “unannounced drills” several times each year.  The station also uses sophisticated technology for surveillance.  Conti referred to the “eyes in the marsh” and told us the there is satellite imagery technology that makes it possible to “read a book from 1000 miles.”  He went on to say that Seabrook is as impenetrable as a fortified prison.

There are ten full-time firefighters on staff at Seabrook.  They work eight-hour shifts.   Conti, the former East Kingston, NH Fire Chief, said firefighters are trained in WMD, EMS, confined space, and many firefighters are certified to New Hampshire’s  FF I/II Career level.  All firefighters are EMT-Basic, some are Intermediate and Paramedic.  They train regularly at Rockingham County’s Fire Training Academy – the Ernest C. Chick Fire School in Brentwood, NH..  The station has three, 1500 gallon per hour  stationary pumps and 36 fire hydrants on site.
 

Elections were held at the business meeting.  The following slate of officers were voted in:

•   Michael McLeieer   President
•   Scott Maker   1st Vice president
•   Mark Roche   2nd Vice president
•   David Jardin   Treasurer
•   Thomas Bogart   Secretary
•   George Churchill   Director
•   Donald Brown   Director
•   Kevin Breen   Director

The Treasurer’s Report:

Meeting - January                                            Bills paid
Beginning Balances for 1/2004                                   Mar. 04 Newsletter  $105.00 Mike
Checking       $    646.77                                           Total                     $105.00    
Savings          $ 1,669.52 
Total             $  2,316.29
 
50/50 Raffle =
Winner =
Deposit from 50/50 Raffle =
 
 

MIFDI Stickers & Pens Cost   $865.00                 MIFDI Clothing collected $ 364.00
               Collected                  $  98.00                                         purchased $ 354.00
 
 

Owed to treasurer for Mailings  $  18.00- thru March 2004 - includes clothing mailings
                              Labels         $  10.00
                                                $   28.00
 

Total members = 131                                              Mailings
     Dues paid thru 2005 = 3                                     E-Mail - 32         Home - 78
     Dues paid thru 2004 = 59                                                              Work  - 20
     Dues paid thru 2003 = 69                                                                            98
 

Balances as of 3/1/04                                            Membership Totals
Checking       692.77                                             96 - Active - 28 Retired - 4 Associate
Savings       1,670.93
Total         $2,363.70              Note:  Last Month Saving stated $1,970.23.  It should have been $1,670.23

Respectfully submitted   3/2/2004
David M. Jardin
MIFDI Treasurer
Deputy Fire Chief – Stoughton

Thank you to the membership for your support.

MFTC UPDATE: Steve Persson

• Steve reported that Richard Farrar is the interim Director of MFA.  Dick was most recently the Support Program Coordinator.
• MFA’s budget has been established, no figure has been announced as of yet.  It is not sure whether or not the budget was lowered
• MFA is advertising for a new Programs Manager, Certifications Manager as well as a new Director
• MFTC Chairman Chief Parr spoke of the difficulty of Metro Chiefs to get funding for training
• Expansion program – hinges on money.  It seems like sometimes the money is there and then its not ($40 million)
• They are trying to keep the process going, groundbreaking could be 3 – 4 years away
• MFTC discussed the possibility of bringing town/city managers to MFA
• They also discussed the possibility of manning a booth at the Massachusetts Municipal Association Trade Show
• Reserve list of new recruits still in effect.  There are some 600 “John Doe’s” and 78 people on the list of named individuals.  Each city or town must have a named individual within 30 days of start of the next class
• Single session still in effect until further notice.  MFA will shut down for 2 –3 weeks over the next winter
• Burn Building under construction.  Recruit Program will most likely burn at the Cape or Springfield.  No date for Burn Building opening set yet

COMMITTEES:
The Historical Committee - consists of Steve Perrson, Ira Hoffman, and Richard Gomes. Nothing to report.

The Bi-Law Committee - consists of Norm Aubert, C. Randall Sherman, Mort Shurtluff, Chris Kelly, Brian Ash, and John Cummings.  Nothing to Report.

Public Relations Committee  - consists of Mr. Ira Hoffman and Michael McLeieer.  Nothing to report.

Our program will be "Elevator Emergencies" provided by Assistant Chief John  O'Donahue of the Cambridge Fire Department. Chief O'Donahue has an in-depth knowledge of dealing with elevator emergencies and will provide us with an overview of changes with elevators in the past few years as well as an update on the use of elevators during fires. This topic is one that we can never get enough of, and the Blackout in New York last August 14 highlights the demand put on fire crews as hundreds of people were trapped in stalled elevators throughout the city.

SCHEDULE:
0900 Coffee (MFA cafeteria), 0945 Directors meeting, 1000 Presentation,
1130 Business meeting, 1200 Lunch (On site).

DIRECTIONS:
From Rte 128/I-95: Take Rt. 20 west to Rte 27 in Wayland. Turn right onto Rte 27 and continue until Rte 27 makes a right towards Maynard. DO NOT TURN RIGHT,  continue straight for aprox. 3 miles and the Academy will be on the right.

From Rte 495 North: Take Rte 85 (Exit 25) towards Hudson. At the traffic light, turn left onto Rte 85. Turn right onto Broad St. (First traffic light), and at the second traffic light, turn right onto Rte 62. Continue straight until Rte 62 takes a left toward Stow.  DO NOT TURN LEFT, continue straight for aprox 4 miles and the Academy will be on your left.

From Rt.495 South: Take Rte 62 (Exit 26) into Hudson Center. Continue halfway around the rotary and continue on Rte 62 east. Continue straight until Rte 62 turns left towards Stow. DO NOT TURN LEFT, continue straight for aprox 4 miles and the Academy will be on your left.

NOTE: There will be Green signs with gold MFA symbols to help point the way.

CANCELLATIONS:
During the winter months, check the MIFDI website for cancellations @ www.mifdi.org

I would also like to thank Ron Sher and Dave Conti for their informative presentations about the Seabrook facility at last month’s MIFDI meeting held at Merrimac Fire Department.  It was great to see new and old faces attend the meeting.

The March MIFDI meeting will again be held at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy in Stow on Wednesday March 24th.  This month’s program will cover "Elevator Emergencies" and will be presented by Assistant Chief John O'Donahue of the Cambridge Fire Department. Chief O’Donahue will discuss a broad overview of areas that have changed in the past and what we might expect to see in the field in the future. You won’t want to miss this meeting.

The April meeting will be held the third THURSDAY, April 22nd at Billerica Fire Headquarters (please note the date & day of week change).  We will have a representative from Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) speak to our group about the fire rating process for towns and cities and how important detailed training records are in establishing or updating a town’s ISO rating.  We welcome any and all Chief Officers as well as Training Officers to attend this important meeting.

Finally, if you haven’t already done so, please remember to renew your MIFDI dues today.  Dues may be mailed directly to MIFDI Treasurer Acting Chief David Jardin.

Remember, this is your organization.  Please let the Officers or Board of Directors know if there is anything we can do for you.  We appreciate your continued support.

Stay safe.

Michael

March 20, 2004, Statewide Exam for Fire Chief & Deputy Fire Chief.  Last day to apply is February 13, 2004 - www.state.ma.us/hrd

March 26, 2004, Mass Firefighting Academy Recruit Class # 162 Graduation.  DFS/MFA Fire Station, 1:30 pm.

March 29, 2004, Mass Firefighting Academy Recruit Class # 163 begins.

March 29 - April 15, 2004, Public Fire & Life Safety Educator class Milford Fire Dept. Station 2.  Contact DFS/MFA for more information.

April 24, 2004, Statewide exam for Firefighter Municipal Service.  Last day to apply is February 6, 2004 - www.csexam.hrd.state.ma.us/hrd

April 26-May 1, 2004, FDIC 2004 (Fire Dept. Instructor's Conference) Indianapolis, IN - vist www.fdic.org

May 1, 2004, National Fire Department Honor Guard Competition Indianapolis, IN - vist www.FDSOA.org for more information.

June 6-9, 2004, "FIRE 2004", NYSAFC Fire, Rescue, & EMS Expo Syracuse, NY - contact www.nysfirechiefs.com for more information.

June 12, 2004, Lynnfield Parade, Muster, & Firematic Flea Market Edgewater Office Park, Audubon Rd., 10am-4pm.

June 24-27, 2004, New England Fire/Rescue/EMS Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield.  For information contact www.newenglandfirechiefs.org.

July 13-18, 2004, Firehouse Expo Baltimore Maryland.  Contact www.firehouse.com for info.

July 21-24, 2004, I.F.B.A. International Convention, Quebec City, Canada.

August 12-15, 2004, Fire/Rescue International 2004, New Orleans, LA.  Contact www.IAFC.org for info.

August 15-20, 2004, I.A.F.F. 2004 Convention, Boston, MA.  Contact www.IAFF.org for info.

David M. Jardin will be the Chief of the Stoughton Massachusetts Fire Department effective April 2nd, 2004.

Editors note: This great rule for ground ladders was published in the February 2002 MIFDI Bulletin. We re-publish the article in honor of our late member John         McNamara).
 

• The 14' small extension is for interior use, usually to gain access to the attic. This   ladder should always be brought in to the building when ceilings are being pulled.
• The 16' roof ladder is used to open a roof or placed on a roof to support a firefighter.
• The 24' extension ladder is used to reach the roof of a one-story building, or the window sill of a second floor window.
• The 35' extension ladder is used to reach the roof of a two-story building, or the window sill of a third-floor window.
• The 40' extension ladder is used to reach the roof of a three-story building, or the sill of a fourth-floor window.
• The 50' extension ladder is used for everything else.
• The first number on the ladder tells you the number of firefighters needed to raise it, the limit of the number of firefighters allowed on the ladder, the number of firefighters needed to carry it, and the number of floors it will reach (residential buildings). For example: a 24' ladder would be carried and raised by two firefighters, climbed by two firefighters at a time to reach a second floor window.
• The choice of the ladder also depends on the distance between floors and the slope of the ground away from the building.
• If the ladder is raised to a window, it should not extend in more than one rung or it will block the window opening.
• If a ladder is raised to a roof, the tip of the ladder should be at least 3 to 5 rungs or feet above the roof. It makes it a lot easier to get on and off the roof using the ladder as a support.
• The best climbing angle for a ladder is 75 degrees. The pawls (or locks) should be checked and the halyard tied off before it is climbed.
• The fly section of a ladder should always be away from the building when placed against it. When carrying a ladder to a building, the firefighter at the butt end gives the commands.
• Ladders and the halyards should be checked on a regular basis and tested according to department and/or NFPA standards.

• Massachusetts Institute of Fire Department Instructors President Michael O. McLeieer regrets to announce the death of long time member and former 1st Vice President Deputy Chief John McNamara of the Worcester Fire Department, retired. John passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 18, 2004 at his home in Tampa Palms Florida where he had been living for the past few years since retirement, he was 65 years old.  After serving in the U.S. Navy during the early years of the Vietnam War, John was appointed to the Worcester Fire Department in 1963 and assigned to Hose Co. 4, which later became Engine Co. 16 at the old School St. Station. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1974 and worked at Ladder Co. 7 on Pleasant St., and Engine Co. 10 on Woodland St. In 1976 John was promoted to Captain and assigned as the commander of Ladder Co. 4 in Webster Square. He was promoted to District Fire Chief in 1982 and assigned to the Training Division for over 3 years, and later as Chief of the South Division. In 1992 John was promoted to Deputy Chief and Commander of the Fire Prevention Division for 4 years and then assigned as the Citywide Shift Commander. Deputy McNamara retired in 2001 after serving over 38 years on the Worcester Fire Department.  Some of the many other affiliations which John was a member include, Red Cross Board of Directors, Program Coordinator for the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, elected member of Worcester Firefighters Local 1009, N.F.P.A. member, Executive Board of the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, International Society of Fire Service Instructors, Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts, Coordinator for the Worcester Juvenile Fire Setter Program, and the Massachusetts Retirement System.  A Celebration of his life was held in Tampa Florida on February 21 and a Memorial Service held in Worcester on March 6. Donations in John's memory may be made to the Worcester Firefighters Scholarship Fund, 625 Chandler St., Worcester, MA 01602.  The officers and members of MIFDI offer our condolences to John's wife Judy, his sons Patrick and Even, and his colleagues from the Worcester Fire Department. May he rest in peace.

• It is with regret that the Massachusetts Institute of Fire Department Instructors announces the death of Deputy John R. Menz of the Quincy Fire Department. Deputy Menz passed away on September 1st, 2003, after a two week illness at the age of 85. Deputy Menz was a 33 year veteran of the Quincy Fire Department and also a World War II veteran.

• Deputy Chief William Martineau - North Andover Fire Department
• Captain Michael McCullough - Lakeville Fire Department
• Mass Call / Volunteer Firefighters Association - Associate Member

MIFDI
Attn: David Jardin, Treasurer           If you have not already done so, it's time to renew your dues.  Due Jan. 1st.
52 Willow Street
Stoughton, MA 02072-1027

*Dues are $25.00 per year for Active Members -

*$100.00 per year for Associate members (which includes a 1/4 page of advertising in the MIFDI Bulletin and on the MIFDI website).

*Retired members dues are $12.50 for one calendar year (January 1 through December 31).

This forum is an extension of the Guest Book on the MIFDI Web-site, and provides our members a way to ask questions and get answers about problems encountered in the Fire and EMS service. If you would like to reply to a question, pose your own question or submit an article for publication in the MIFDI bulletin, but have no internet capabilities, you may do so in writing to: Michael McLeieer, President - MIFDI, PO Box 507, Merrimac, MA 01860-0510.
Fax # (877) 327-4353.  Faxing or e-mailing of articles is preferred.  Please e-mail articles in MS Word format to michael.mcLeieer@merrimacfire.com

MARCH 24th:       DFS/MFA - Elevator Emergencies

APRIL 22nd:          3rd Thursday, Billerica Fire Department - Are you ready for an ISO Audit?

MAY 26th:             TBA

JUNE 16th:            TBA
 

CANCELLATIONS:  During the winter months, please check the MIFDI website for severe weather cancellations at www.mifdi.org.