NEWS

WFD Hockey Team 2008, plays in fund raiser tourney - April

Chandra & Donny Velella (group 4 Moody St. Station) pictured here on their Wedding Day... Congratulations!!

And then pose with the whole family... (below)

Big month for the Ciccone Family

Jeff Ciccone graduated from the Brookline fire academy and is working on the Westwood Fire Dept.

Brian Ciccone - Bagdhad Fire Dept. has been promoted to Captain.

Mike Quinn Jr. in Maynard helping with the Giunta family's house "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"

photo by Peter Lobo

Tne NEW Engine 4 has Arrived

By Kerri Roche/Daily News staff

WALTHAM -

A donation from Brandeis University helped outfit the truck, which will replace Engine 4 with a premier piece of equipment.
As Chief Richard Cardillo examined the shiny E-One Rescue Pumper, the station crew dragged out hose lines to fill the 750-gallon water tank.
Opening the side compartments, adjustable shelves and pullout trays, Cardillo pointed out the work of Lt. John Castellano, who spent many hours of his own time at Greenwood Motors in North Attleborough designing and customizing many of the engine’s features.
The new truck cost $406,500, with an additional $12,000 for the customized storage units and shelving.
"The rescue pumper holds a lot more equipment (than the previous engine)," said Cardillo. The inside storage cabinet will hold the crew’s medical equipment, he said.
Also, said Cardillo, Brandeis University made a donation worth $40,000 in the form of a top-of-the-line piece of equipment.
The extrication device designed by Holmatro, said Cardillo, "in my opinion, it’s the best on the market today. We’re very grateful to Brandeis."
That tool, primarily used to free people trapped in cars after an accident, has more power than previous models and is easier to use because it weighs less, said Cardillo.
With Brandeis’ recent donation, the city now has three pieces of extrication equipment, said Cardillo. "Each one has different things they can do better than the other," said Cardillo. "Now, I think we have the best of all worlds."
The rescue pumper itself, said Cardillo, can pump 1,250 gallons of water per minute. Unlike the previous engine, it also can store and pump out foam used for petroleum fires, he said.
There are three hose line hookups at the front of the truck, said Cardillo. A fourth line runs from the truck’s front bumper, allowing firefighters to avoid stretching the hose lines around the truck when they pull up directly behind a car fire on the highway.
With nearly 20 years of service under its belt, the older engine will be used as a spare to replace others while they are in the shop. To have a complete engine with all the necessary tools as backup, most of the supplies aboard the new engine are also fresh out of the package, said Cardillo.
Based on his records, said Cardillo, the Prospect Street station is the busiest in the city. On average, Engine 4 makes 100 more runs each year than any other fire station.
Cardillo hopes to have the Prospect Street station crew trained and familiar with the new engine for its first shift Friday evening.

photos by Peter Lobo

Honor Guard wait for opening ceremony for the Boston Celtics at the Fleet Center.