Archive of: 2002
The Internet Source for news concerning the Alert Hose Company of Adams, Massachusetts.
Kids Christmas Party Held 12/08/02
Children of Alert Hose Co. members got together Sunday for their annual
Christmas party. Besides the usual feast of pizza and a visit from Santa, kids
this year got a performance of Caribbean holiday music. The two performers were
great, but it was when the parents got involved that things got really
interesting. See Photos from the party.
Members of the
Alert Hose Co. took part in a training offered by the Massachusetts Firefighting
Academy last Friday and Saturday. The training, Flashover Recognition, included
both classroom and practical experiences and culminated in a trip through the
state's Flashover Simulator. Firefighters from many North Berkshire towns
were represented in this most impressive class. The class will be offered again
in the spring for those that were unable to attend the first offering. See Photos of the simulator.
The Alert Hose Co. was called
to 65 Alger St. for a structure fire that is currently under investigation by
the state fire marshal's office. For more information see the Berkshire Eagle article.(Photo: Ben Garver) 
The
town's annual kid's Halloween Parade was held this Saturday. The ghosts,
goblins, and other costumed children were greeted by many onlookers. After the
escorted march down Park Street, the kids were treated to hotdogs and cider
compliments of the Adams Lions Club. The Fire Department once again decorated it
trucks to keep in the "spirit" of the festivities. See associated photos.
The Adams Fire Department and the Adams Forest Wardens conducted a
live burn Sunday on the Jaeschke home off Gould Rd. The house had been the scene
of a structure fire over a year ago, and although the fire was stopped, the home
was a total loss. Sunday's fire reduced the damaged structure to a cellar hole.
Click here for photos!
The Adams Fire Department has sent Engine One, a 1995 KME Renegade
midmount pumper, to Connecticut for maintenance and repairs on its pump. During
its absence, the department is using a loaned American LaFrance Telesquirt that
previously served Norwich, CT and East Great Plain Volunteer Fire Company.
With weather conditions the picture of a perfect
fall day, the Alerts participated in the annual Fall Foliage parade in North
Adams. The theme of "Hometown Heroes" was appropriate given the events
of last year and the large crowd in attendance gave enthusiastic applause to all
of the heroes on parade. Read the
related North Adams Transcript article. Click here for photos!
The Adams Fire
Department and Alert Hose Company's annual Open House was held Wednesday,
October 9 from 5-8PM at the Adams Memorial Middle School on Columbia
Street. This year's attendance was an estimated 500!. The Alerts welcomed
back David Grover and The Big Bear Band, a popular children's musical group that
headlined the entertainment for the evening. Other popular events were the Jaws
demo and a talking robotic "Sparky" the firedog. In conjunction with
National Fire Prevention Week, officers of the company visited the local schools during the week, giving
fire safety demonstrations and invited the children to attend the open house
with their parents or grandparents. Local businesses once again provided
raffle items such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and the like, while
others helped with food or publicity. For more information on
National Fire Prevention Week, visit the Education
Section. Click here for photos from the event!
The town's "Free Movie Fridays"
concluded this Friday as residents and the Alert Hose Co. participated in a
remembrance vigil for the victims on last year's terrorist attacks. Following
the vigil, the Concert for New York was shown. There will also be a remembrance
ceremony Wednesday morning at the fire station. Read the related North Adams Transcript
article. Click here for photos!
The Alert Hose Co. traveled north to Vermont to participate
in the Annual Bennington Battle Days celebration and returned with another award
for best appearing antique apparatus. The weather was warm to say the least with
temperatures leaving most members quite sweaty after pulling the cart through
the streets of Bennington but the applause of the receptive crowds kept the men
moving. Click here for photos!
Thousands of people attended the annual Susan B. Anthony
Street Fair formerly known as Hi-Jinx Night. Three bands played, numerous
dancers preformed, and countless vendors offered everything from trinkets to the
ever-popular fried dough. Members of the Adams Fire Department and the
Alert Hose Company took to Park Street to display its apparatus. The
trucks were given the once over by many young members of the community to
universal approval and the more than occasional comment of "cool...".
In addition to the apparatus, the company's sold mini hotdogs, soda, water and
the company's tee-shirts. Sales were brisk for everything with the hotdogs
selling out early. Tee shirts are still available though and at a reduced price
at that! Click here for photos from the evening
and here for tee-shirt information.
The Alerts recently awarded Fred Meczywor, Sr., owner and
President of Berkshire County Networks, Inc. (BCN)
a special recognition award for years of unqualified support of the Alert Hose
Company and its efforts in technology. Mr. Meczywor has provided internet
service for the Alerts' company computer as well as hosting the Alerts web site
and its domain name. Support from community enterprises such as BCN allow the
Alerts to provide the best level of service to the to members of Adams and the
Alerts sincerly appreciate the generosity demonstrated by Mr. Meczywor.
The Alert Hose Company recently participated
in two parades and received awards in both appearances. At the Pittsfield Fourth
of July parade, the Alerts received the best appearing fire department award. At
the annual firefighter parade in Unionville, Connecticut, the Alerts picked up
three trophies; Best Appearing Hand-Drawn, Best Appearing Out of State, and
Farthest Appearing. As always, these awards are made possible by the dedication
of the members who do a great job in representing Adams wherever the Alerts
travel. The Alerts will also be appearing in upcoming parades in Bennington and
North Adams.
Lt. Rick Kolomay was the guest instructor at the
latest weekly drill. A 22-year veteran of the fire service, Kolomay
instructed members in ladder and rescue tool techniques as well as emergency
ladder rescues. Kolomay is a nationally renowned instructor of firefighter
safety and survival, and has taught at the Illinois Fire Service Institute, the
Chicago Fire Academy, and the Fire Department Instructor's Conference. He also
has instructed at many major fire departments, including Milwaukee, Chicago,
Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix, Tucson, and many others, as well as the
Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. He also has published many articles in Fire
Engineering and Firehouse magazines. He presently serves with Rescue Company 1 of the Schaumburg, Ill. Fire Department. See associated photos.
As is the custom, the members of the Alert
Hose Company gathered Sunday to pay tribute to their departed brothers.
Members attended Mass at Notre Dame des Sept Douleurs church which was followed
by breakfast at the Adams
Elks Lodge #1335. At the annual breakfast, the Elks Exalted Ruler Leo
Pinsonneault and committee chairman Paul Lennon honored the Alerts for their
volunteerism. Foreman Tony Piscioneri presented the Elks with a plaque in
appreciation for their continued assistance with the annual memorial service.
The services concluded at Bellevue Cemetery Fireman's Memorial shaft where guest
of honor Lt. Rick Kolomay of the Schaumburg, Ill., Fire Department spoke.
Kolomay is a 22-year veteran of the fire service and is a a nationally renowned
instructor of firefighter safety and survival. At the conclusion of the
ceremony, Kolomay was presented with a plaque of the Heroes postal stamp, from
the Alert Hose Company. The stamp, commemorating the efforts of the heroes of
Sept. 11, depicts the raising of the American flag amidst the rubble of the Twin
Towers by rescue workers. See associated photos.
The annual Alert Hose Company Golf Tournament
benefited from spectacular weather Saturday as over 130 golfers competed in a
best ball format at the North Adams Country Club. As usual, the generosity
of the local businesses who sponsor the event contributed to overall success of
this fund raiser. We sincerely thank them for their contributions and
continued support. See associated photos. 
Special edition T-shirts
featuring our antique 1885 Rumsey parade cart are still available and for a
limited time you can save yourself $5. These shirts, printed by Mystic
Products from Pottsville, PA, have the company patch on the front left chest and
"The Pride of the Alerts" parade cart in great detail and color on the
back and are now on sale for $10.00!. For more details on these
truly unique fire department tees Click Here! Hurry,
these shirts will only be available at this price for a limited time.
It is time, once again,
for the Alerts Annual Solicitation.
The annual solicitation has been and continues to be the company's largest fund
raiser due to your generosity. All monies collected through this drive are
used to support the numerous efforts of the company and its volunteers who
donate their time and energy in protecting Adams. Residents should have
received their mailing during the first week of April and are reminded that all
contributions are tax-deductible. 
The Alerts and their families traveled to
Albany, NY's Pepsi Arena Saturday to watch the local AHL team, the RiverRats,
play the Providence Bruins. Although the Albany squad, mired in a losing season
promised a victory, a tie was all the local team could muster. However the games
outcome did little to discourage the amount of fun had by the adults and kids in
attendance. A similar trip last year garnered equal enthusiasm and the same tied
score. Check out pictures from the trip.The Berkshire Taconic
Foundation's Fund For Adams recently awarded the Alert Hose Company and the
Adams Fire Department a $2500 grant to fund the purchase of training equipment.
Each member of the company will receive pocket CPR masks and the textbooks,
Firefighting Essentials and Basic Life Support. CPR practice manaquins were also
purchased for company use. Specialty Minerals Incorporated also contributed
towards the purchase of these items which will help keep the Alerts well-trained
and prepared to help its community. The Alerts wish to thank these fine
organizations for their generous contribution.
A local
Adams artist, Shanna Meczywor, has donated a painting she created to the
Alerts. The painting depicts a firefighter in quiet contemplation at
"Ground Zero" after the September 11th terrorist attack on the World
Trade Center in New York City. Ms. Meczywor is currently attending art
school.
The Third Annual Alerts Kids Ice Fishing Derby was held today at
Plainfield Pond. The weather was good and the turn out once again
excellent. The kids didn't have much luck on the ice as the fish weren't
biting again for the second year but they managed to have fun sliding and eating
the endless amount of food cooked on the open fire. Thank yous are in
order for organizers P.J. Goyette, Dan Williams, Mark Therrien and Dana Labbee
and also for Racine's which provided the bait for the event free of
charge. Awards were presented to all the kids who
participated. See associated photos.
The
Alert Hose company was recently called to the scene of a automobile fire to find
one of the town's pickup trucks fully engulfed in flames. Although the fire was
quickly put out, the truck was a total loss. See
other photos.
Archives of the Alert Newsletter
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