Photo by Eugene Driscoll
Derby firefighters at the scene of a fire in June.
DERBY — Newly-installed Derby Fire Department Chief David Lenart sent along the following report detailing the department’s 2020 activity.
“As we move forward into 2021 and reflect back on 2020, I am extremely proud of the members for their dedication and compassion shown during this disruptive year,” Lenart said in a prepared statement. “Our members adapted to numerous situations throughout 2020 and during this time they have truly shown why they are Derby’s bravest.”
Total Incidents: 633
Total Time at Incidents: 3,784 hours
Total Time Training: 3,944 hours
Estimated Property Loss: $83,000
Fire Service Injuries: 3
Civilian Injuries: 2
Total Member Count: Interior Firefighters 105
Exterior/Drivers 18
Members on Military Leave 4
Notable Incidents:
Jan. 7, Ansonia: Companies respond to working house fire on Beaver St.
Jan. 20: Units assist in rescuing a civilian from a fall off the railroad bridge over the Housatonic River.
March 8: Companies respond to a fatal car accident on Roosevelt Dr near Pink House Cove.
March 13: Derby Fire responds to COVID-19 pandemic with changes to operations.
June 11: Captain Neuendorf (Co.#2) affects the rescue of an elderly victim from a fire at Guardiano Terrace.
June 14, Shelton: Units Respond to Star Pin factory on Canal St. for a multiple alarm fire.
Aug. 8: Tropical storm strikes Derby causing power outages for several days.
Aug. 29, Seymour: Members respond to multiple alarm fire on Main Street.
Sept. 28, Shelton, Howe Avenue: Members of DFD make an aggressive stop in a commercial building fire.
Training Activities:
Jan. 12 & 13: More than 100 firefighters from the Valley participate in a two-day aggressive command class presented by Battalion Chief Nick Martian.
Aug. 24: During the week firefighters from Derby, Ansonia, Shelton, and Seymour conduct training exercises in the Lifetouch building on Main St. Captain Nick Esposito of the Bridgeport Fire Department conducts training on ladder company operations.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic, our training was different this year with several web-based classes conducted by:
Fire Training Innovations: Company Officer Training & First Due Company Operations
Flash Fire Industries: Size Up training
Lt. Tim Klett (FDNY) Engine Company Operations
Public Relations Events:
Dinner for Elderly residents on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Sept. 11 Remembrance Service.
Due to Covid-19 Pandemic, the following events were canceled.
— Boot Drives – Banquets – Memorial Day – Annual Ball
— Popcorn Ball Sunday – Fire Prevention Week
Call Volume by Type:
FD ADMINISTRATIVE DETAIL DERBY FD 34
FD ANIMAL RESCUE DERBY FD 3
FD HYDRANT DETAIL DERBY FD 4
FD STRUCTURE FIRE DERBY FD 13
FD TRANSFORMER/POLE FIRE DERBY FD 4
FD TREE ON HOUSE/BUILDING DERBY FD 2
FD VEHICLE FIRE DERBY FD 5
FD VEHICLE LOCK IN DERBY FD 5
MVA EMS -HOT DERBY FD 33
DRILL/EXERCISE – EMS DERBY FD 1
FD APPLIANCE FIRE DERBY FD 7
FD BUILDING LOCK IN/OUT DERBY FD 2
FD CO Alarm DERBY FD 20
FD CO W/Symptoms DERBY FD 2
FD RUBBISH FIRE DERBY FD 1
FD STRUCTURE FIRE 2ND ALARM DERBY FD 1
FD WATER LEAK/CELLAR PUMP OUT DERBY FD 3
FD WIRES DOWN/ FIRE DERBY FD 10
MVA EMS -COLD DERBY FD 5
SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT DERBY FD 1
ELECTROCUTION/LIGHTNING -HOT DERBY FD 1
FD CONTROLLED/ILLEGAL BURN DERBY FD 14
FD FUEL\ FLUID SPILL DERBY FD 7
FD INVESTIGATION DERBY FD 17
FD MVA/OTHER HAZARDS DERBY FD 22
FD ODOR (STRANGE/UNKNOWN) INSIDE DERBY FD 2
FD ODOR (STRANGE/UNKNOWN) OUTSIDE DERBY FD 4
FD PD ASSIST DERBY FD 3
FD PROPANE/NATURAL GAS LEAK/ODOR DERBY FD 25
FD RESCUE RESPONSE DERBY FD 2
FD SEARCH DERBY FD 1
FD STORM DERBY FD 3
FD WATERCRAFT IN DISTRESS DERBY FD 1
FD AUTOMATIC FIRE ALARM DERBY FD 120
FD BRUSH/RUBBISH/OUTSIDE FIRE DERBY FD 23
FD ELECTRICAL FIRE DERBY FD 3
FD HAZMAT DERBY FD 5
FD ICE / WATER RESCUE DERBY FD 2
FD MUTUAL AID DERBY FD 37
FD MVA – EXTRICATION CONFIRMED DERBY FD 3
FD MVA – INJURIES DERBY FD 106
FD PUBLIC ASSIST DERBY FD 12
FD SMOKE IN BUILDING DERBY FD 12
FD STRUCTURE FIRE 0 CONFIRMED DERBY FD 3
FD TREE ON WIRES DERBY FD 1
PD ASSIST DERBY FD 1
Medical Response DERBY FD 47
Total Calls 633
Respectfully Submitted,
David Lenart
Fire Chief
Derby Fire Department
