June 5th

• Company 2 responds to a vehicle rollover on WV State Route 2 in front of the Army Reserve building.  The occupant was transported to the hospital by Wetzel County EMS.

June 2nd

• NMVFD members responded to Moundsville to assist with the river search for a missing swimmer.

May 28th

• Company 2 responded to a confirmed vehicle in the employee parking lot at WalMart.  Arriving firefighters encountered a fully involved automobile and quickly put the fire out.  It appears that mechanical failure was the cause of the fire.

May 24th

• NMFD firefighters responded to a tree down in powerlines on Doolin Run Road.  Arriving firefighters found a large tree across both lanes and powerlines stretched to the ground.

May 19th

• NMFD firefighters responded to a two vehicle automobile accident at the intersection of WV State Route 2 and North Street in New Martinsville.

May 18th

• Company 2 responded to the call of a Carbon Monoxide alarm at AAA north.  Engine 202 and Rescue 204 responded with 5 firefighters.

May 17th

• Company 2 firefighters along with numerous other agencies from the local area responded to New Martinsville to search for a missing person.  12 firefighters responded and searched the area until 2:00am before having the search called off.

May 16th

• Squad 206 and Rescue 204 responded to the New Martinsville Towers apartments on the request of the New Martinsville Police Department.  8 firefighters responded to the call.

May 15th

• NMVFD units respond to a two vehicle automobile accident with a rollover at the corner of North Street and WV Route 2.  Rescue Engine 209 and Ops 201 responded to the call.

May 14th

• Firefighters respond to Genos on WV Route 2 on the report of a burning electrical smell.  After a complete physical and thermal imaging search of  both the interior and roof areas of the building the all clear was given as nothing was found.  Engine 202, Engine 207, and Ladder 203 responded to the call with 9 firefighters.

• A truck rollover on Route 89 at the switchbacks sent Company 2 to Proctor.  The driver was transported by WCEMS while firefighters secured the scene and waited the arrival of state agencies and a heavy lift tow company. Engine 207, Rescue 204, and Ops 201 responded to the call with 7 firefighters.

• New Martinsville firefighters respond to assist Wetzel County EMS at the New Martinsville Towers Apartments.  5 firefighters responded to the call.

May 13th

• Company 2 responded to assist the WVFD setting up a Landing Zone for an EMS helicopter that was needed to transport one of their patients that was involved in a automobile accident on Hog Run.  7 firefighters responded to assist with the LZ preparations at the 4-H Grounds on Route 7.

May 11th

• Company 2 responded to the Hydro Road in New Martinsville for a single vehicle automobile accident.  The vehicle lost control and hit a light pole head on.  Firefighters had to extricate both patients who were then transported to the hospital by WCEMS.  7 firefighters responded to the call.

May 7th

• NMVFD firefighters respond to single vehicle accident in the Speedway parking lot on WV Route 2.  Upon arrival units found the vehicle wrapped around a utility pole.  7 firefighters responded to the call.

May 5th

• NMVFD volunteers responded to Pike Street to assist WCEMS with our stair chair.  Using this equipment, units were able to remove the patient from the home down a narrow stairway.

May 2nd

• Company 2 is requested to remove a tree blocking one lane of traffic on Whiteman Hill.  4 firefighters responded to the call including Deputy Chief Smith.

May 1st

• New Martinsville firefighters responded 1 1/2 miles out Doolin Road for a two vehicle T-bone style automobile accident.  No injuries were found and units secured the scene until  the vehicles were removed by the tow company.  11 firefighters responded to the call.

April 28th

A Resolution

National Arson Awareness Week 2009
May 3-9, 2009

“Arson for Profit”

WHEREAS, arson for profit is a criminal method of obtaining money from a fire loss policy. The losses for arson are staggering; and

WHEREAS, arson for profit, or economic arson, is when businesses or individuals set fires to reduce financial loss, recoup initial investments, or dispose of depreciated assets usually for a payout from insurance companies; and

WHEREAS, the Insurance Information Institute reports that arsonists destroyed nearly $900 million in insured property and killed 295 civilians nationwide in 2007; and

WHEREAS, In 2005, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimated there were 323,900 intentional fires which resulted in 490 civilian fire deaths, 3 firefighter onduty deaths, 1,500 civilian fire injuries, 7,600 firefighter onduty injuries, and $1.102 billion in direct property damage; and

WHEREAS, Public awareness is one of the specific responsibilities of the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA),

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Lucille Blum, Mayor of The City of New Martinsville WV, on behalf of its citizens do hereby proclaim May 3-9, 2009, to be Arson Awareness Week.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council pay special tribute to all fire and law enforcement investigative agencies for their dedicated and tireless service.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the Mayor, of the City of New Martinsville has hereunto subscribed her name and has caused the Official Seal of the City of New Martinsville WV to be hereunto affixed in the City of New Martinsville WV on this 4^th day of May 2009.

March 29th

• New Martinsville Fire Fighters responded to a fire at 58 Helen Street at 4:20 Sunday afternoon after neighbors began calling 911 reporting smoke and fire coming from the structure.

  The sole occupant, Ms. Nora J. Hood escaped injury in the blaze, which appeared to have begun in the middle of the home near the furnace room.  Neighbors reported seeing the fire coming from behind the woman as she was exiting the home.

  Click here for the complete Press Release

March 9th

• Company 2 responded to a 3 vehicle MVA on WV Route 2 at the WallMart light.  Engine 209 from Station 218 and Rescue 204 from Station 219 responded to the call.

March 7th

• Engine 209 responds to the report of a two vehicle MVA at the intersection of North Street and Route 2.  2 firefighters responded to the call.

• NMVFD firefighters respond the the New Martinsville High School on the report of a fire alarm activation.  The "kids Kollege" students that were in the school at the time were quickly evacuated by the staff and staged in safe areas around the school.  A complete walk through of the building revealed no fire or  smoke and students were then allowed to re-enter the school.  Engine 209, Ladder 203, and Engine 202 responded to the false alarm with 8 firefighters.

• New Martinsville firefighters respond to assist Wetzel County EMS rescuing victims of a horse and buggy rollover on Limestone Ridge.  One victim had to be carried by hand up the ridge to the awaiting ambulance.  Both victims were transported to the Hospital by WCEMS.  Engine 209, Ops 201, Brush 208, and Squad 206 responded to the call with 6 firefighters.

March 5th

• Company 2 responded to a vehicle fire in the enclosed drive-thru at the Gumbys on WV Route 2.  Both store staff and patrons quickly extinguished the fire and pushed the vehicle outside preventing the possible spread of fire the structure itself.  Ladder 203 arrived on scene within 1 minute of the call and secured the scene.  Ladder 203 and Engine 209 responded with 6 firefighters.

March 4th

• Company 2 responded to a two vehicle MVA at the intersection of Route 20 and Route 7.  There were no injuries and both vehicles were able to leave under their own power.  Rescue 204 and Engine 209 responded with 5 firefighters.

March 3rd

• The New Martinsville fire Department was alerted to a possible structure fire 2 miles up Tarpon Ridge.  Subsequent information revealed that it was a brush fire that was apparently started be a down powerline.  The Firefighters arriving on scene quickly brought the fire under control and prevented the fire from spreading.  Engine 207, Engine 202, and Rescue Engine 209 responded with a total of 9 Firefighters.

March 2nd

• New Martinsville Fire Fighters responded to a vehicle fire at the corner of Locust Street and Linden Avenue early Monday morning and found a Ford Bronco fully involved and nearly completely consumed by the blaze.  Not a devastating fire, but the fact that the Bronco was parked within one foot of the former Southern States feed store and positioned directly under the buildings overhang, fire fighters are perplexed as to why the Historical Feed Store didn’t ignite.

   

  The only things that we can really say may have kept the large building from becoming involved in the blaze were the very strong north winds and the cold temperatures, according to Larry W. Couch, Fire Chief. 

   

  Click here for the complete Press Release

February 27th

• The New Martinsville Fire Department would like to remind everyone that the Spring Forest Fire Season began on Sunday, March 1, 2009 and that it will run through the end of May, according to New Martinsville Fire Chief, Larry W. Couch.

   

  In 2008, the majority of wildfires was caused by people and their carelessness. People who allowed debris fires to escape into the surrounding woods caused 35% of the fires; people who deliberately set fires (arson/incendiary) caused 26%; and people using equipment near or in the woods caused another 19% of all forest fires. The other 20% of forest fires in West Virginia was caused by campfires, children, smokers, and railroads. Some of that 20% were attributed to miscellaneous causes and lightning, and others are still under investigation. 

   

  Click here for the complete Press Release

February 17th

• A fire alarm in a residence on 4th was reported by Brink Home Security.  Engine 207 and Engine 202 arrived on scene and found that a small stove fire activated the alarm.  The fire was extinguished by the resident prior to the arrival of fire fighters.  5 fire fighters responded to the call.

February 15th

• The report of the smell of natural gas on the north end of town sent unit's to investigate.  5 fire fighters responded.

February 12th

• NMVFD unit's responded the the AAA homes riverside on the report of a smoke alarm activation.  The smoke detector was found to be defective and all units returned to service.  7 fire fighters responded to the call.

February 12th

• NMVFD Rescue 204 responded to a rock slide on WV Route 2 just north of town.  A large rock slide was discovered along with one vehicle that came into contact with the debris.  2 fire fighters responded to the call.

February 11th

• New Martinsville Fire Fighters were kept busy both Wednesday evening and Thursday responding to at least sixteen calls from area residents for assistance, after a storms fierce wind gusts played havoc with utility and traffic service’s

  The calls began coming in at 6:45 PM Wednesday with the first call coming from 41 Anson Street, in the Steelton section of New Martinsville, this was a report of lines in the yard.  These were what appeared to be phone lines, according to Fire Chief, Larry Couch.

  Click here for the complete Press Release

February 11th

• A motorcycle accident at the intersection of WV Route 2 and Route 180 send NMVFD unit's out in Rescue 204, Rescue Engine 209 and Ops 201.  The patient was transported to the Magnollia Football Field as fire unit's prepared the Landing Zone for the Life Flight Helicopter.  7 fire fighters responded.

February 8th

• Rescue Engine 209, Squad 206 and Rescue 204 responded to a 2 rear end style collision on WV Route 2 in front of the BP Station.  7 fire fighters responded to the call.

February 8th

• Fire Department fire fighters responded to Route 2 near the Proctor Lounge to remove debris from the roadway.  4 fire fighters responded in Rescue 204 and Ops 201.

February 6th

• The NMVFD responds to a 3 vehicle rear end style collison on WV route 2 near  the WalMart light.  Rescue 204 and Rescue Engine 209 responded with 7 fire fire fighters.

February 6th

• Unit's were summoned to the WCCOA on the report of a fire alarm activation.  Engine 207 and Engine 209 responded with 7 fire fighters.

February 4th

• New Martinsville Fire Department was requested by WCEMS to assist with the lifting of a patient on Apple Street.  6 fire fighters responded to the call.

February 2nd

• New Martinsville Fire Department was requested by WCEMS to assist with the lifting of an oil worker on Blake Ridge.  5 fire fighters responded and were cancelled enroute.

February 2nd

• The NMVFD was summoned to set up a landing zone for an Air Evac helicopter at the request of Wetzel County EMS squad 31.  7 fire fighters responded to the call.

February 1st

• New Martinsville Fire Department EMS unit's respond in Squad 208 for a medical emergency.  3 fire fighters responded to the call.

January 19th

• Rescue 204 and EMS Squad 206 responded to North Street in New Martinsville for a medical emergency.  One patient was transported to WCH in squad 206.

January 17th

• Engines 202 and 207 Responded to Monty Ridge in Reader to assist Reader, Pine Grove and Jacksonburg VFD’s with a residential structure fire.  Personnel were used for Fire Attack as well as the two engine’s being used to shuttle more than 7000 gallons of water to the Rural Scene.  9-Personnel responded to the call for assistance.

•  NMVFD Responds Squad 206 to a report of an unconscious, unresponsive male in a vehicle on Wetzel/Tyler Ridge off-of Chiselfinger ridge outside of Porters Falls.  By-standers were finally able to awaken the man who left the scene but was then detained by Wetzel County Sheriff’s Deputies and taken into their custody.  NMVFD requested ALS assistance from Folsom VFD on this call.

January 14th

• Ops 201, Special Ops 208 responded to a request from Grandview VFD (Company 3) along with a thermal imaging camera, to assist in the Search for a missing elderly man along WV Route# 89 near Blake Ridge.  10-Personnel responded to the call for assistance.

• NMVFD responded to assist Wetzel County EMS with a Cardiac Arrest at New Martinsville Health Care Center, 225 Russell Avenue.  Squad 206, Ops 201 and a total of 12-Personnel responded to the call for assistance including; 6-EMT’s, a Paramedic and 5-Fire Fighters.

• Fire Fighters covered an EMS call for Wetzel County EMS at 7-Ross Street, New Martinsville.  The patient was transported to Sistersville General Hospital by Squad 206.  Rescue 204 and Ops 201 with a total of  7-Personnel Responded to the Medical Emergency.

January 13th

• Rescue 204 and Squad 206 responded to assist Wetzel County EMS with a Cardiac Arrest on WV Rt#7 East of New Martinsville.  NMVFD Personnel met with WCEMS #21 and boarded their unit to assist.  7-NMVFD personnel responded to assist.

January 12th

• New Martinsville Fire Fighters respond Squad 206 to an EMS call at 735 5^th Street in New Martinsville for a medical emergency.  The patient was transported to WCH.  4-Fire Fighters responded to the call with Squad 206 and Rescue 204.

• NMVFD Personnel responded to an EMS call on Huff Ridge off-of American Ridge for a medical emergency.  Squad 206 transported one patient to Wetzel County Hospital.  5-Fire Fighters responded to the call.

• Engine’s 202 & 207 respond to a report of a natural gas odor near the South entrance to the New Martinsville Plaza near Mayo’s Exxon.  Gas analyzers were deployed and detected the presence of natural gas.  Mountaineer Gas was notified and responded to the scene.  8-Fire Fighters responded to the scene.

January 10th

• Company 2 EMS responds to Railroad Street in the Littleton section of Wetzel County for a medical emergency.  The female patient was transported to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown in Squad 206.

January 6th

• The NMVFD responds to an early morning head on crash on WV Rt. 7 involving 3 vehicles.  Fire Fighters were required to extricate one victim who was trapped in their car.  Engine 202, Rescue 204, Squad 206 and Engine 209 responded with 15 Fire Fighters.

• Squad 206 responds to Clark Street for a victim of a fall.  The patient was transported to Wetzel County Hospital.  10 Fire Fighters responded to this call for service.

• Engine 207 and Ladder 203 responded to an internal fire alarm at the New Martinsville Health Care Center.  This alarm was the result of maintenance personnel attempting to repair a fire alarm pull station without  first notifying the 911 center of the repairs taking place.  12 Fire Fighters responded to the call.

WV Rt. 7
 

January 4th

• Operations 201, Rescue 204, Squad 206, Special Operations 208, Boat 2 and a total of 11 Fire Fighters responded to assist the New Martinsville Police Department with the search for an adult male.  The victim was located deceased in a ravine in the Steelton section of New Martinsville.  The victim was removed from the scene by NMVFD Fire Fighters at the request of the New Martinsville Police Department and the County Coroner.

• Wetzel County EMS requested the assistance of Company 2 with lifting a patient at the New Martinsville Towers.  3 Fire Fighters responded to the call.

January 3rd

•  Engine 207 and Ladder 203 respond to the New Martinsville Health Care Center on the report of a fire alarm activation.  The false alarm was the result of a resident activating a fire alarm pull station.  6 Fire Fighters responded to the call.

• ENGINE 202, ENGINE 207, ENGINE 209 RESPOND TO A BRUSH FIRE ON WV RT #89 NEAR THE HYDRO POWER TERMINAL.  THE 1/2 ACRE BLAZE WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED BY ENGINE 202 WITH ASSISTANCE OF THE OTHER 2 ENGINE COMPANIES.  IT APPEARED THE FIRE WAS A RESULT OF IMPROPERLY DISCARDED CIGARETTE.  11-FIRE FIGHTERS RESPONDED TO THE CALL.

January 2nd

• On Monday, December 29^th, 2008 the New Martinsville Fire Department took delivery of its new 2008 Ford Ambulance from US CoachWorks, Inc. of Kansas City Missouri.  This new unit marks the departments first new ambulance since it began offering EMS services to the community in April 2002, replacing a 1991 ambulance that the department purchased as a used unit in the fall of 2001. 

   

  The New Martinsville Fire Department began offering EMS services as a supplemental service to that which was already in place throughout the county after an incident in early fall of 2001 where fire fighters waited for 45-minutes with a burn victim on Doolin Run Road.  All of the area ambulances were already occupied on other emergencies, we had a gentleman who had accidentally cut into a natural gas line and was seriously burned, we had our own EMT’s on the scene providing treatment, but no means by which to properly transport the victim to the hospital, according to Larry Couch, NMVFD Fire Chief.

          Click here for the complete Press Release
 

January 1st

• Squad 206 and NMVFD EMS unit's respond to Pine Grove for a medical emergency.  The patient was transported to the Wetzel County Hospital.

• Squad 206 responds to assist the Wetzel County Sheriff's Department with a victim of exposure.  The WCSO cancelled Squad 206 as it was preparing to respond.  6 Fire Fighters responded to assist.

Total 2009 Calls

Totals: