Peekskill Professional Firefighters Local 2343

On duty members are currently operating at multiple incidents across the city. A callback for off duty members has been transmitted to place Engine 132 in service to cover the city for additional alarms.

On duty members of the 3&4 group are currently operating at a roof collapse on the 900th block of Main Street. No injuries reported. Avoid the area. : Beth Dee

Tragic news out of Los Angeles County earlier today. Our thoughts are with our brothers & sisters of the LA County FD and the family of the firefighter whose life was taken.

We proudly honor those service men and women on this Memorial Day weekend, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom! Take a moment during this much deserved, long holiday weekend to remember the true meaning of this holiday. We salute the heroes who never made it home protecting our freedom! Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the weather wants to cooperate, so it’s probably going to be a rather wet & dreary unofficial start to the summer. Sure, we needed the rai...n; but c’mon, it HAD to be Memorial Day weekend?! Hopefully , we’ll at least be able to salvage some sunshine and warmer temperatures for Monday! If it does dry out and you can get outside for a BBQ, exercise cooking safety by keeping grills clean of fats, oils, and keeping them a safe distance from any structures or combustible materials. As always, your professional firefighters will be on duty all weekend and ready to respond if you need us!

On duty members of the 1&2 group practiced operating 2 1/2 hose today. Members worked handling and advancement techniques. 2 1/2 hose lines are much more labor intensive than our typical 1 3/4 hose because of the weight and increased water flow rates. Generally, these larger diameter hose lines are deployed for large volumes of fire where a significantly higher volume of water is required.

EMS Week 2021 This week we celebrate National EMS Week! The members of Local 2343 are proud EMS providers as EMT’s & Paramedics. Emergency medical responses account for a significant amount of our call volume. Our firefighters provide pre-hospital medical care to patients in our community in conjunction with our brothers & sisters Peekskill Volunteer Ambulance Corps and all of neighboring EMS agencies. ... A Happy EMS week to all of our fellow EMS professionals! We’re proud to keep our community safe and as always, your professional firefighters are on duty & ready to respond if you need us!

Where were you at kickoff of Super Bowl LV? On duty members were out on the street answering a residential fire alarm on North Division Street at the start of the game! Our friends at 60 Control have impeccable timing!

Super Bowl Sunday Who’s ready for kickoff?! Before the big game starts, be sure to have a safe & sober ride home if you’ll be heading out for the game. ... If you’re cooking up a good football feast, be sure to be kitchen safe by keeping all combustibles away from heat sources & keep the little quarterbacks & wide receivers away from all cooking appliances and hot utensils. In case you haven’t looked outside, the snow has started, and we’re expecting anywhere from 3-5 by the time it’s supposed to end this evening. Head out early today if you need to pick up the essentials for the big game! Now to the important stuff...who ya rooting for, Brady or Mahomes? Will the G.O.A.T. win his 7th ring, or will the Chiefs pull it out? We’ll be watching! What kind of junk food are ya’ll having? Wings, sliders and queso on the menu for the 1&2 group tonight. As always, your professional firefighters are on duty and ready to respond this snowy Super Sunday if you need us!

Winter Storm Warning Winter Storm Orleana is headed our way, expected to begin sometime after midnight Monday morning. A winter storm warning has been issued for our region and we’re forecasted to get 12-18 of white stuff between early Monday and Tuesday afternoon. If you need to make the bread & milk run or pick up any other necessities, get out today and pick them up. Traveling during the storm could be dangerous to nearly impossible, deep snow and white out/blizza...rd like conditions are likely at some point on Monday. As with every storm, we ask that you take a few extra moments to clear your nearest fire hydrant with a 3’ radius on all sides. Keeping the fire hydrants clear of snow and ice saves us a few critical moments to establish a water supply quickly in the event of a fire. Be sure to take frequent breaks and stay hydrated while clearing snow. Be sure to follow all posted alternate side parking restrictions, this will allow DPW crews to get the streets cleared as quickly as possible, and ensure enough access for emergency vehicles on the city streets. Preparations are underway and additional staffing is being brought in beginning this evening to staff the fire station for the duration of the storm. Don’t hesitate to call us if you need us! Stay safe, stay warm!

On duty members of the 3&4 group are operating at the scene of a working fire on Poplar Circle in the Society Hill I complex. 10-75 has been transmitted for active fire on the 2nd floor. A recall for off duty firefighters has been transmitted.

Brrrrrrrr...here we go, into the freezer! We’re expected to be in a deep freeze for the next few days with temperatures in the teens, and real feels into the negatives! Exposure to temperatures that low without being properly dressed and layered can be very dangerous. Frostbite can occur on exposed skin in less than 30 minutes in temperatures as low as we’re expecting. So, layer and bundle up like Bernie if you have to spend any time outdoors in the next few days! May...be you’ll even get yourself on a meme!! With such low temperatures it may be necessary to use additional heat sources like fire places or space heaters to supplement furnaces. Be sure to use these devices safely by ensuring chimneys are clear, flues are open and that any particles of combustion are safely exiting the building. Keep space heaters a safe distance from combustible materials and ensure that they’re plugged directly into a wall outlet ONLY; not a power strip, surge protector, or extension cord. Space heaters use a tremendous amount of energy that could potentially overheat power strips or extension cords and cause a fire. Another issue with sub-zero temperatures is the potential for freezing pipes that are exposed to the elements. Plumbing equipment that is in unconditioned or uninsulated spaces, has the potential to freeze. The significantly increased pressure from the freezing can puncture a pipe and cause catastrophic damage if not detected. This can be prevented by dripping the faucets in the building which will keep the water moving, and relieve any pressure that could result from the frozen pipes. We typically respond to several incidents involving burst pipes after a deep freeze like we’re expecting. Be sure to take the precautions to stay safe over the next few days, and before we know it, we’ll be talking about the heat index instead of the wind chill! As always, your professional firefighter/EMT’s and Paramedics will be on duty (with an extra layer or two) and ready to respond if you need us! Stay safe, stay warm!

We’re saddened to hear of the December 24th passing of retired Firefighter Peter Volkmann. FF Volkmann retired in 2002 after 35 years of dedicated service to the City of Peekskill as a professional firefighter and proud member of Local 2343. Services for Brother Volkmann were private, information on how to memorialize Pete is detailed in his obituary in the link attached. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to his wife Jan, and the rest of the Volkmann family. https://www.hudsonvalley360.com//article_41dcda02-327a-506

HAPPY NEW YEAR After a long wait, we’re finally saying goodbye to 2020! ... In a few short hours we’ll be gladly welcoming 2021 in, and hopeful that it’ll be a much less challenging year than we’ve seen over the past 12 months! Let’s start the New Year off on the right foot by celebrating safely! There may not be many parties this year, but if you’re attending a small gathering, be sure to make a plan to get home before the bubbly starts flowing. Don’t get behind the wheel and put yourself or others in danger, plus, taking the chance of starting the New Year off behind bars, just isn’t worth it. Unfortunately, there’s no celebration in downtown Peekskill this year, which also means no fireworks . In the absence of the downtown fireworks, please don’t be tempted to have your own backyard pyrotechnic display. Fireworks are dangerous and can quickly start a fire if lit too closely to buildings or combustible materials. The 3&4 group is on duty to keep the city safe into the New Year! Don’t hesitate to call us if you need us!

Great honor to a fallen brother.

Engine 132 responded to assist Croton-on Hudson FD at this multi-trailer fire early this morning at Croton-Harmon Yard. We’re always glad to help out our neighbors when we can!

Wishing a Happy, Safe & Joyous Kwanzaa to all who celebrate!

The Christmas Day night tour is in! Day tour personnel have gone home for some well deserved time with their families to celebrate the holiday. LR: FF’s Howard, K. Ferris, Carter, Colandrea, and Odeyinde are on duty to protect the city for this Christmas night. Temperatures are expected to drop quickly overnight, so please use caution on the roadway and watch for black ice.