Welcome to the Waterville Valley Fire Department News

Waterville Valley "One of Many" Agencies to Assist In Rare NH Tornado Aftermath

07/24/2008
"We could hear the radio traffic that something really big had occurred." Chief of Police David Noyes said. Just around noon on Thursday a later confirmed F2 class tornado had touched down in south/central New Hampshire. When the tornado dissipated, it had left a path of destruction over 50 miles long and nearly 1/3 of a mile wide. Hardest hit were the towns of Deerfield, Epsom, Pittsfield, Barnstead, and Alton. 

The hours following the tornado, emergency responders and crews from all over the state were traveling to the scene to help assist the people most affected by the damage. The call into WVDPS requesting the Kubota, chainsaw and operator came in early afternoon. 

Director Chris Hodges and Chief of Police David Noyes responded to the call, and prepared for the worst. With the truck and Kubota in tow, Director Hodges and Chief Noyes set out for Barnstead, NH with a full load of clothing, water, chainsaw equipment, thermal imager, flashlights and bunker gear. 

Once in Barnstead, they were assigned to one of the many task forces at work in the area. Their assignment partnered them up with Fire crews from Belmont, Campton-Thornton, Franklin, and Center Harbor in the northern portion of Barnstead. Their task, open a road to the Alton town line to allow emergency crews access to the many stranded residents. 

The crew worked utilizing several chainsaws, the Kubota, and assistance from homeowners in clearing the road from the hundreds of trees, downed power lines and debris. The crew was able to complete their mission by making it to the Alton town line before night fell. 

"The pictures and television images do no do justice to the scope of damage that we actually witnessed." Chief Noyes said. To see pictures of the damage from Chief Noyes' camera click here or visit the "DPS In Action" photo gallery.

Director Adds "Endurance Race Champion" to his Title 

07/12/2008
Director Christopher Hodges is the leader of many things and on the weekend of July 12th in Saratoga County, New York,  he added one more position to his title, winner of the Hudson River Ramble 12 Hour Cycle Race. Christopher Hodges  won the 12-hour race with 213.60 miles, an impressive 31 miles ahead of the next place finisher. Mike Kazmierczak, 33, from Ballston Spa, NY was second with 181.50 miles and Tim Carroll, 49, Cleveland Heights, OH took third (160.50 miles).

The Saratoga 12/24 is held on a rolling 32 mile course along the Hudson River in northeastern Saratoga County. It is a complete weekend of ultra activity that consists of the Saratoga Challenge 24 Hour Race, the Hudson River Ramble 12 Hour Race. Links to the race event and race results can be found by following this link: http://www.ultracycling.com/results/saratoga2008.html

Director Hodges Receives Leadership Award

Earlier this month, Director Chris Hodges was recognized for his leadership in the community by the Waterville Valley Resort Association. The leadership award was presented to Director Chris Hodges during the annual summer meeting of the WVRA. Board of Directors member Bill Cantlin, presented Hodges the award citing his ongoing progressive leadership in improving the community and embodying the associations goals for a better community. 

The Waterville Valley Resort Association is a unified organization of individual businesses, non-profit organizations, and sports venues located in Waterville Valley, NH. Our goal is to make the community a better place to live and visit by marketing the business community and the product and services that it provides. To this end they dedicate their efforts as an association to the benefit of the community.

WV "Fire Pigs" Get Roasted at Training Fire

12/30/2007
Three Waterville Valley "Fire Pigs" took the trip to Holderness, NH to participate in a live burn, structure fire training. Several departments participated in the training which simulated controlled live fire conditions that firefighters would realistically face.   It was the first training experience with actual fire that new officer Adam Trayner had been exposed to. "I really didn't get why we covered our face masks in training. It wasn't until I got inside the building and realized that, you really can't see!"  

The building was a turn of the century structure that was being destroyed to make room for new construction at the site. "It is great to take advantage of these training opportunities when they come up. We don't get a chance to train like this often enough." said Captain Jeff Dropkin. Captain Dropkin is a state certified instructor and supervised interior operations during the training. 

Click here to see the pictures of the training. 

New Kubota RTV Enhance DPS Capabilities. A Project54 First.

03/28/2007
The Waterville Valley Department of Public Safety is excited to introduce a new piece of equipment. The Kubota RTV900 is a 4x4 utility vehicle that is powered by a 3 cylinder diesel engine.  The rear cargo area has been modified to fit a backboard and stokes basket. This will allow us to transport and stabilize the injured from remote areas. We know that the addition of this vehicle will greatly enhance search and rescue capabilities.

In cooperation with Project54, they have outfitted the Kubota with the latest equipment, taking the Kubota one step further from your typical 4x4 utility vehicle. Project 54 provided emergency lighting 360-degrees, siren/PA, laptop computer, and GPS capabilities. The system works just like the police cruisers and gives the Kubota that extra edge when called into operation. The GPS function will allow rescuers to enter a GPS coordinate from a cell phone 911 call for example,  we can enter that in the Kubota's computer and it will give us direction and distance to that coordinate. 

We and Project54 are very excited to be the first to have a vehicle of its type in the state. "Certainly a show piece." Chief Noyes said. A set a tracks are on loan from the Coos County Sheriff's Department for evaluation purposes. The tracks add a winter response capability that has long been desired. Waterville Valley has a significant winter population that utilize every corner of the National Forest. "When emergencies arise in these remote locations, we are better prepared to respond to these emergencies." Chief Noyes said.

We are happy to show the Kubota off to all residents and visitors. Stop by or see us out and about. We'll be happy to show you what it can do!

E911 Enhancements Have Ben Made. What Do You Need To Do?

09/01/2006
E911 has been updated for the Town of Waterville Valley. What does this mean? Well, you may now have a new address. There have been over a dozen new road names added and some existing roads have been renamed. This change also updates the street numbering system. This change will allow emergency services to quickly respond to the correct location of the emergency. Due to the conflagration of condominium units in town, responding to these places has sometimes been confusing and time consuming. In an emergency, time is of the essence.  

Residents and business have been notified of their new addresses by Verizon and the town. If you are a property or business owner you are responsible for making sure that your building number is correct and displayed properly on the outside of your building. Numbers shall be a minimum of 6- inches in height for commercial buildings and 3-inches in height for residential.  

They may be routed in, painted on or of pressed vinyl, but must be of a reflective paint/material so as to be visible at night. All numbers shall be displayed in Arabic form (0,1,2,3,4, etc.}  Suggested number styles are Helvetica, Souvenir, or Palatino. (In accordance to WV Town Ordinance #19)

Owners that have residential or commercial alarms for fire and intrusion need to update their information with their alarm company. All owners are also urged to notify the Department of Public Safety if there is any change to their alarm system and contact information. 

We appreciate your assistance and understanding while this update takes effect. Any questions or comments about this process please feel free to call the office at 603-236-8809.  

Fire Department Related Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I Need a Fire Permit? 

EVERY person, firm, or corporation who kindles or causes to be kindled any fire or shall burn or cause to be burned any material in or near the woodlands, or where fore could communicate to the woodlands, except when the ground is covered in snow where you are burning SHALL obtain a written fire permit from the forest fire warden in the town or city where the fire will be kindled. 

FIRE PERMITS REQUIRED RSA 227-L:17, I & II

What About a Camp Fire?

Camp or cooking fires may be kindled only with written permission of the landowner or agent and a written fire permit from the forest fire warden, or his authorized agent in the town of city where the fire will be kindled. 

A camp or cooking fire is a suitable fire in a suitable place for the purpose of cooking a meal. A gas or charcoal grill in a container up and off the ground kindled by landowner or with landowners permission does not require a written fire permit. 

When Can I Burn?

Except for commercial permits, a fire can be kindled only after 5:00 p.m. unless it is actually raining. NOTICE! Permits issued during the rain are void if the rain stops, your fire must be extinguished at that time. 

If a fire is kindled or material is burned when the weather or conditions are unfavorable in the opinion of the issuing authority or the closing of the woodlands is in force no burning will be permitted. 

1. • If the fire alarm sounds, leave the building immediately. Take your room key with you, in case the exits are blocked by fire or smoke, you can return to your room.
2. • Test doors before you open them. If there is fire on the other side, it will feel warm around the cracks. If the door is warm, use your second way out or stay in your room and begin procedures for "If You Are Trapped." If the door is cool, open it cautiously and check to make sure your escape path is clear of fire and smoke.
3. • Always use the stairs, not an elevator, during a fire.
4. • If you must escape through smoke, crawl low under the smoke on your hands and knees to your exit.

1. • If you can't escape and there's not fire in your room, stay put.
2. • Call the fire department and let them know your exact location.
3. • Shut off fans and air conditioners because they can draw smoke into the room.
4. • Stuff towels or sheets in the cracks around all doors and vents between you and the fire.
5. • If you can, open the window at the top and bottom, but be prepared to shut it if smoke comes into the room. Do not break the window so that you are able to shut it if needed.
6. • Stay at the window and signal the firefighters by waving a light-colored cloth or flashlight.

Check Your Smoke Detectors Regularly!