| On Friday, February 25, 2005 at approximately 9:30 am, Potsdam Fire was dispatched for mutual aid to assist West Potsdam Fire at the scene of a working barn fire on the Pearson Road in the Town of Potsdam. Moments after the alarm, West Potsdam Fire requested St. Lawrence County Central Dispatch activate the Tanker Task Force for that area. West Potsdam Past Chief and Potsdam Fire Driver Bob Pierce, operating West Potsdam Engine 119, was the first to arrive on scene, encountering heavy smoke and flames throughout one end of the large dairy barn. Firefighters immediately went to work stretching 3 attack lines and began battling the raging fire.
Within minutes of being activated Potsdam Fire Engine 80, operated by Past Chief John Keleher, arrived on the scene and dropped the port-a-tank at the end of the driveway and began to supply the approximately 2,000' of 4" large diameter hose that was laid by West Potsdam E-119 and E-76 up the dead end road.
An aggressive attack, including interior operations, contributed greatly to keeping the fire contained in one half of the barn. A second lay of 2000' of 4" large diameter hose line was stretched by Canton Engine 6 but was never charged as the tanker shuttle operations provided an adequate water supply. Firefighters battled for almost 3 hours to bring the blaze under control.
One New York State Trooper was treated for smoke inhalation and transported to Canton-Potsdam Hospital by Potsdam Rescue after he entered the burning barn with two other firefighters to remove several horses and cows prior to the arrival of the first fire apparatus. Despite their heroic efforts, 30-40 cows perished in the blaze.
Firefighters remained on scene several hours after the fire was under control performing overhaul duties to ensure the blaze would not rekindle. Potsdam Fire returned to service at approximately 1800 hours. |
