Category Archives: Fire Prevention and Safety

BHC News, Fire Prevention and Safety

Beacon Hose Reports Record 2022 Call Volume

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2022 was the busiest year in the history of Beacon Hose. We responded to 1,233 emergencies, including 293 fire calls and 940 EMS calls (some of these calls were combined fire-EMS responses). The total volume of calls shattered our previous record of 1,099 in 2021.

Our fire responses included:

🚨 73 motor vehicle accidents
🚨 66 calls for service
🚨 11 fires
🚨 8 rescues
🚨 27 incidents involving hazardous materials

Thanks to all of our members for their continued dedication to Beacon Falls. Stay safe!

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BHC News, Fire Prevention and Safety

Beacon Falls Awarded $64,000 FEMA Grant for Vehicle Extrication Equipment

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Thanks to a substantial grant award by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the town of Beacon Falls, Beacon Hose will soon put into service new — and urgently needed — vehicle extrication equipment.

FEMA awarded to Beacon Falls on Jan. 6 an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) in the amount of $64,463. With the town’s match of about $3,200, Beacon Hose will soon be able to acquire state-of-the-art spreaders, cutters, rams, and stabilization equipment.

A substantial portion of Beacon Hose’s emergency responses are for motor vehicle accidents on Route 8. It’s no secret that the stretch of highway that runs through our town is a frequent spot for accidents, and the new equipment will not only improve our emergency capabilities, but it will lessen our reliance on some equipment that has been in service for more than 30 years. Metro North’s Waterbury railroad line also runs through town.

Continue reading Beacon Falls Awarded $64,000 FEMA Grant for Vehicle Extrication Equipment →
BHC News, Fire Prevention and Safety

Beacon Hose Reports Record 2021 Call Volume

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2021 was the busiest year in the history of Beacon Hose. We responded to 1,099 emergency calls, including 240 fire calls and 859 EMS calls. The volume of EMS calls shattered our previous record (766 in 2020).

Our fire responses included:

🚨 88 calls involving EMS (mostly motor vehicle accidents)
🚨 46 calls for service
🚨 43 false alarms
🚨 30 miscellaneous calls
🚨 18 fires
🚨 15 incidents involving hazardous materials

Thanks to all of our members for their continued dedication to Beacon Falls. Stay safe!

BHC News, Events, Fire Prevention and Safety

Beacon Hose to Participate in Operation EDITH on Oct. 8

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UPDATE: Thanks to everyone for participating!

Beacon Hose wants to remind all of our residents that Fire Prevention Week is this Oct. 3-9! This year’s theme is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety” — we recommend looking at this great tip sheet about what the sounds coming from your smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector mean!

Unfortunately, COVID-19 is still in the way of our usual Fire Prevention Week activities, but the fire department is inviting everyone to join Operation EDITH on Friday, Oct. 8!

Operation EDITH stands for “Exit Drills in the Home” and is intended to help families practice their home fire escape plans. All you need to do to participate is wait until Beacon Hose’s fire whistle sounds at 6 p.m., practice your home fire escape plan as a family, and wait outside at your meeting place. Beacon Hose’s firetrucks will be driving through many neighborhoods to see how many families have a secure plan and practiced it with us.

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Fire Prevention and Safety

Reviewing Snow Ordinances and Fire Hydrant Clearing

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It’s a good time for Beacon Falls residents to refresh themselves on the town ordinances involving snow and ice removal from their sidewalks, as well as rules about street parking during snowstorms. Here are the key details to remember:

  • Residents must clear snow and ice away from public sidewalks adjacent to their property in a timely manner after a snowstorm. The ordinance specifies this be done within 12 hours of the end of snow (after 7 a.m.).
  • Residents and private contractors may not clear snow from sidewalks or driveways into a public street.
  • Residents cannot park on public streets for more than one hour while town workers are clearing snow.

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