Fed Grant Allows Belmont Fire to be Fully Staffed Since 2010

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Just before the start of summer next year, the Belmont Fire Department will return to a position it hadn’t been in since 2010: being fully staffed.

Thanks to a federal grant aimed at increasing the number of “front line” firefighters to meet national staffing and response standards, “[the BFD] will be budgeted for four shifts of 13 personnel for fiscal year 2016 and 2017,” said Belmont Fire Chief David Frizzell told the Belmont Board of Selectmen on Monday, Sept. 29.

“This is good news for the department,” said Fizzell, who came with BFD Assistant Chief Angus Davison who wrote the grant.

The $285,020 SAFER grant award to BFD from the Department of Homeland Security will allow the department to cover the salary and benefits of a pair of “fire suppression” personnel for two years, said Frizzell.

While budgeted for 50 employees, the department currently has 48 firefighters on staff after a recent retirement and the departure of another.

The additional staff comes just in time as the department prepares for a “significant turnover” among its ranks in the coming years, Frizzell told the selectmen. While he can’t specifically say how many personnel will be departing as they only need to provide two weeks notice before retiring or leaving, Frizzell said several department members will become eligible for retirement.

“Because there is a lag of sometimes four to six months between the time we have an opening and when [new employees] complete the hiring and training process, it will be important [the department has] these two new members staffed when we go through our staff reductions,” said Frizzell.

Belmont Fire Log: Angry Bees Have Grandma On the Run

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Late night entry

Sept. 14: Just before 11 p.m., Engine 2 was sent to a Stewart Terrace (that’s near Belmont Acres Farm) house. Seems like someone forgot their keys and needed assistance getting inside.

Too hot for modern technology

Sept. 15: If anyone was wondering why the entire Belmont Fire Department was outside the Butler School just before 10 a.m., not to worry. It was due to a faulty heat sensor in the gym.

What’s the order? Child, keys, door, lock? D’uh!

Sept. 15: It was a quarter to 3 p.m. and a parent had just picked up their child from Belmont Nursery School on Belmont Street. The fire log doesn’t exactly say how what was about to occurred happened, but the parent apparently got their child in the car, flipped on the lock, closed the door and … remember that their keys where in the now locked car … with the kid. Engine 1 came by straight away to liberate the child.

Bee-ware: Not-so-friendly bees require a fire rescue

Sept. 16: Firefighters in the Belmont Center station on Leonard Avenue were surprised by a distraught grandmother who rushed into the firehouse just after 10 a.m. She and her granddaughter had just driven to the Center when, unknown to granny, she some how disturbed a bee hive as she was parking the car on nearby Alexander Avenue. As she alighted to take the child out, grandma was suddenly attacked by several now not-so-friendly bees. After slamming the door shut, the grandmother ran over to the fire station. Could they help? In a few seconds, one of the ladder truck crew got inside the car and drove the vehicle to a safer and bee free area.

Outside, looking in

Sept 16: Just after 2 p.m., yet another resident – this one on Gilbert Road – required the fire department’s help getting them back inside their house.

Where did I leave my keys? 

Sept. 18: At a quarter past 2 p.m., a motorist left the keys in their car in Belmont Center. At least Engine 2 firefighters didn’t have to travel far to open it; it was parked less than a block away outside the old Macy’s location on Leonard Avenue.

Collecting too much

Sept. 19: When Belmont firefighters and police arrived to conduct a well-being check on a Common Street resident just after noon, they couldn’t locate the homeowner but they did find his junk, and a whole lot of it. Apparently the person is a hoarder and the home’s condition has been reported in the past to the police and the town’s Health Department.

Keep your cooking INSIDE the Weber

Sept. 19: About 20 minutes past 8 p.m., fire crews arrived to a Thomas Street house for an emergency in the back. It was barbecue smoke. That’s OK. However, the crews came back shortly after 9 p.m. when the BBQ turning into an old-time campfire. That’s not OK. In fact, it’s a code violation in these parts.

The angry bee used in this article can be found on the website of children’s writer Chris (as in Christine) Cander. Check out her site at http://chriscander.com

Belmont Fire Log: Fire at the Chenery, Lightning Strike Fries Outlet

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Possible lightning strike uses lawn to get inside

Sept. 7 – At a quarter ’til 11 a.m., a resident who was returning from vacation to his Plymouth Avenue house discovered charring to an electrical outlet and the adjacent sprinkler control unit in basement. Firefighters told the man the charring pattern suggests the damage may have been result of electrical storm and a “surge” that likely entered the home through the sprinkler equipment wiring. The homeowner was advised to keep the power “off” at the breaker to the sprinkler and the outlet until a licensed electrician could inspect damage.

Stuck in the elevator

Sept. 11 – For the second time in a week, a person had to be sprung from a stalled elevator. This time it occurred just after 2 p.m. in a Leonard Street office building.

Chenery fire put out quickly 
Sept. 12 – Just before the end of the school day at Chenery Middle School, about 5 past 2 p.m., the fire alarm rang throughout the building. A fire was quickly discovered in a third-floor boys bathroom when it was put out by staff. The entire Belmont company – Engine 1 and 2, the Ladder truck and Rescue 1 – rushed to the building at the corner of Washington and Oakley. Fire personnel found a heavy smoke condition present and began ventilating the area. Belmont Fire notify the Fire Investigation Unit. With fire and police at the school, the parking lot closed and parents already on their way to pick up their children, it was a crowded scene.
Kitchen nightmare

Sept. 13 – At a quarter ’till 8 p.m. a Claflin Street resident reported smoke in the building, possibly coming from a fire in an electrical outlet. The Engine 2 crew investigated and found a shorted receptacle in the kitchen. The power was shut down and the owner advised to contact an electrician.

Belmont Fire Honors Those Lost on 9/11

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The Belmont Fire Department held its annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony marking the 13th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States at the FF Roland A. Weatherbee Fire Headquarters on Trapelo Road on Thursday, Sept. 11.

Firefighters remembered those who were lost in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, Pentagon and in Shanksville, Penn. Special tribute was paid to the 343 firefighters from the Fire Department of New York who were killed when the World Trade Center towers collapsed.

As a tribute to the FDNY, the Belmont Fire Department rung the department’s ceremonial bell, and held a flag raising ceremony. The flag was placed at half-staff by the Department’s Color Guard.

A floral wreath was presented by retired Chief of Dept. William H. Osterhaus and retired Firefighter Roy Sacco.

On and off-duty firefighters, along with several retired Belmont firefighters, participated in the ceremony.

 

Belmont Fire Log: Elevator Rescue on the First Day of School

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Did I forget to do something?
Sept. 1 – Just before 3:30 p.m., Engine 1 and the Ladder truck were dispatched to a Beech Street two-family for a report of natural gas inside the house. The second floor occupant said he could smell gas coming from the floor below. Fire crews could also detect the unmistakable odor. Since the downstairs neighbors weren’t in at the time, firefighters scrambled through an unlocked window. Once inside, they proceeded to the stove where they found the knob in the “on” position. The knob was turned off and the apartment was ventilated. The fire chief phoned the homeowner and left a message on their cell phone.
One final time

Sept. 1 – A minute before 8 p.m., Engine 1 was dispatched to a different Beech Street location for smoke coming from the back of a two family. Turns out it was a barbecue.

... and it all falls down
Sept. 1 – At a quarter to 10 p.m., a fire crew was sent to a Oak Street home after the homeowner called to say that the house was in danger of collapse. With firefighters at the ready, the town's building inspector determined that the structure - an old-style Colonial built in 1890 – was safe to be inside but two basement support columns needed to be repaired pronto.
Now that's hot
Sept. 2 – It was so hot on Monday that a smoke detector in a Country Club Lane garage activated simply due to the heat.

Summer sparks 
Sept. 2 – There was an impromptu light show at the corner of Lewis Road and School Street just after 8 p.m. when an electrical wire began shorting out and started a fire on the secondary wires. Belmont Light was notified.

Stuck on the first day
Sept. 3 – Just before 10:30 a.m., on the first day of school, the Ladder truck was sent to the Wellington School after two men became stuck in an elevator. How embarrassing! Fire crews rescued the men by shutting down the elevator and then rebooting the electrical system. The elevator company was notified.

Wild gas grill takes on wooden deckSept. 3 – At a quarter ’til 7 p.m.,  fire crews proceeded to Orchard Street for a gas grill gone bad. They arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the grill, located against the rear wooden porch. The grill was moved away from the house and the fuel source shut off. The remaining fire was extinguished by fire personnel.

Box truck totaled in blaze 
Sept. 5 – Just after 3 a.m., Engine 2 and the Ladder Truck made a middle-of-the-night run to Crestview Road where they discovered a box truck with its engine compartment completely on fire in a person’s driveway. Two water hoses were used to extinguish the fire which originate in the engine area and extended to storage area of the vehicle.

Good-bye summer
Sept. 6 – Just after 6:30 p.m., a final barbecue on Arthur Road produced so much smoke the fire department was called to investigate. Just the final throngs of summer.

Belmont Fire Log: Monkey Business at McLean

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Left on the stove top

Aug. 17 – Right at 7 p.m., Engines 1 and 2, the Ladder truck and Rescue 1 were sent to an apartment complex at 655 Trapelo Rd. for a reported fire. It turned out to be food left to cook a bit too long.

Leaving the stove top on

Aug. 19 – At a quarter ’til 11 p.m., Engine 1 and Ladder 1 were sent to a multi-family on Thingvalla Avenue for a gas leak. Turned out that someone left the stove top on so it smelled a bit gassy.

Forgot your keys?

Aug. 20 – At a quarter until 10 a.m., firefighters were sent to Clyde Street to help a resident who was locked out of his home.

Not mulch of a problem

Aug. 20 – At 1:22 p.m., Engine 2 traveled to the corner of Blanchard Road and Concord Avenue for a grass fire. In fact, it was a “small” mulch fire in the island between the east and wet bound lanes of Concord Avenue. It was put out.

McLean monkey business

Aug. 22 – Fire crews were sent to McLean Hospital off Mill Street for a possible biological hazard after a hospital employee pulled the fire alarm after smelling what was describe as a “rotten egg” odor that could be detected on all four floors of the effected building including the basement hallways and tunnels.

In conducting their investigation, firefighters determined the odor came from the work a plumber was performing using a chemical to unclog a floor drain in a laboratory where the primates are held.

Belmont Fire Log: ‘Friendly’ Fire and How to Cut a Gas Line

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Under a “friendly” fire
Aug. 3: A minute before 3 p.m., Engine 1 was sent to the corner of Beech Street and Wilson Avenue for a report of smoke in the area. The fire crew found a “friendly” fire – BBQ – in rear of a Beech Street house. The homeowner was told if excessive smoke not controlled then it needs to be extinguish.

Cut gas line 
Aug. 4: Engine 1 was sent to the corner of Hawthorne Street and Trapelo Road just four minutes before 4 p.m. to investigate the gas leak. Once at the location, the firefighters staged up-wind across from Sycamore Street where they met a road construction crew which admitted that they “accidentally” severed a gas line. The fire crew could see the cut gas line and could see the gas venting into the air. They soon went door-to-door to check building for any build-up of gas inside the structures. The fire command requested Belmont Police to re-direct traffic flow away from the hazard. The gas company, National Grid, arrived on scene and soon controlled the flow of gas. While they were at the scene, the crew pointed out to a Trapelo Road landlord the old cigarette butts in back hallway and the excess storage in his basement.
The wall came tumbling down
Aug. 6: A quarter past 7 a.m., a fire crew took off to the corner of Brighton and Cross streets for a possible gas leak coming from a Belmont Water Department trench which had a 16-inch gas line and an abandoned 6-inch gas line they dug to fix a water leak. Department workers noted that a part of the trench wall had collapse since they last worked on it exposing an opening in the 6-inch gas line. But once the department workers removed one of the two plates covering the trench, the gas could not be detected. National Grid responded and their representative informed of the on-scene condition by the Fire and Water departments.
Oops, we did it again
Aug. 7: At 9:23 a.m., Engine 2 was sent to a location on Concord Avenue due to an outside odor of gas. On arrival, the crew talked to Feeney Construction personnel that were on site and they said they accidentally ruptured a 3-inch gas line. National Grid was on the scene and and shut down the gas supply prior.
Smoke-like flavor
Aug. 8: About a quarter past 3 p.m., all companies and a Watertown Fire Department engine were dispatched to Eastern Lamejun Bakers on Belmont Street for smoke in the basement. The Engine 1 crew entered the building where they discovered an overheated conveyor motor located in the basement. The bakery’s staff used a chemical extinguisher to put out the fire prior to the department’s arrival. The motorized unit was shut down by Engine 1 and the residual smoke was vented by natural means. The conveyor was red tagged and the property representative was informed not to operate the unit until it has been serviced by a licensed technician.

Belmont Fire Log: Humming Sound Brings Out the Crew

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Defective part spoils dinner
July 20 just before 3:30 p.m., Engine 1 was sent to Longmeadow Road where a backyard chef could not close the valve on the propane tank of his grill. Fire crews successfully disconnected the tank from the grill without creating a leak. The cook was advised to exchange the faulty tank for a new one and notify the dealer of the malfunctioning valve.

Ummmmm, it’s nothing

On July 21 at a few minutes before noon, a crew from Engine 2 arrived at a two-family on Whitcomb Street to investigate what residents called a “humming” sound in the building. Checking all the household appliances and utilities that could create a “humming” sound, the company were unable to hear any “abnormal” sounds.

And there will be … fire

On July 21 at 8:22 p.m. firefighters arrived at a Clifton Street house for a reported “smoking driveway gate.” The homeowner told the arriving company that some debris had got caught under the lens of a landscape lighting which caught fire. She removed the offending debris and put out the blaze herself.

Smoker’s butt likely culprit 

On July 25 at a quarter past 2 p.m., an employee at the Starbucks Coffee in Cushing Square noticed that a small fire had erupted in the mulch near the establishment’s front door. The crew from Engine 1 brought the smoldering brush under control. The location is a favorite haunt for smokers to puff away before entering the store.

 

Belmont Blaze Damages Milton Street House

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A multi-alarm fire severely damaged a single-family home at 15 Milton St. on Monday afternoon, July 14.

According to the father of the home’s owner – who did not want to give his name – a workman painting in the garage of the two-story house built in 1930 heard the fire alarms and smelled a burning odor sometime after 2 p.m. He is reported to have found the finished attic full of smoke and reportedly saw flames. Despite using a fire extinguisher on the blaze, the conditions only got worse after which the worker shut down all the home’s systems and called 911.

According to Belmont Fire Chief David Frizzell, the department’s entire company arrived to find flames in-between the attic walls. A hole was cut into the roof to ventilate the smoke and firefighters pulled down interior walls to get to the fire. By 3:15 p.m., the blaze was out, and crews were searching for hot spots or any lingering flames in the structure.

While there is fire damage to the attic and water and smoke damage to the first and second floors, the 2,300 square-foot house is “very salvageable,” according to Frizzell.

The homeowner’s father said his son bought the house last October “and we just about finished painting and doing the house over.”

 

 

Marlboro Street Triple-Decker Destroyed in Three-Alarm Blaze

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A three-alarm fire that began just after midnight in a triple-decker at 58 Marlboro St. destroyed the century-old structure leaving the owner and two sets of tenants homeless, according to Belmont Fire Chief David Frizzell.

The nine residents of the building escaped the blaze uninjured.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and is under investigation, said Frizzell.

A 911 call came into BFD headquarters at 12:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 21, for a fire at the address near the Cambridge town line and Belmont Cemetery, Frizzell told the Belmontonian at the scene.

The blaze quickly turned into a inferno in the rear of the 3,850 square-foot building built in 1900 with heat so hot it melted the vinyl-siding of the house with the adjoining backyard and started fires in the adjacent structures.

At the height of the incident, seven engines and three ladder trucks fought the fire that was finally under control at 2:45 a.m.

“And we are still chasing hot spots now,” said Frizzell at 5:45 a.m.

The structure, in which the rear section has essentially burned away, “is a complete loss. There’s nothing that can be salvaged,” he noted.

Mutual aid in the form of fire apparatus from Cambridge and Watertown helped fight the blaze while Newton, Winchester and Somerville fire departments covered Belmont during the fire.

In addition, five private vehicles were destroyed in the flames.

“This was a pretty big fire,” said Frizzell who was still at the site this morning.