UPDATE: Lewis Anthony"Lou" Stumpo, the victim of the Crestview Terrace Apartment fire, later died (May14, 2016) from injuries sustained in that  fire. Daughter Jennifer Stumpo Duarte expresses her appreciation to firefighters for their quick action and sacrifice, giving her several more days with her dad before his passing.

 

Original post: Last weekend was anything but ordinary in the City of Bridgeport and without a doubt, our emergency services personnel handled it all in an extraordinary manner.

 

On Friday, April 22, a fire broke out at the Crestview Apartment complex. Within just a few minutes of the dispatch, Bridgeport Fire Department was on the scene, working like a well-oiled machine. The black smoke rolled out of apartment in which it originated. I had never really seen anything like it. It was an intimidating site. But Bridgeport firefighters – soon joined by an entourage of area departments for back-up – went into action like clockwork. Fire hoses were rolled out and connected and the ladder was extended as firefighters stormed the structure; some heading right to the point of origin and others being lifted about 60 feet into the air to attack from above. When that black smoke became as thick as possible, it suddenly gave way to a burst of flames which shot into the air as the firefighters continued their attack.

 

Not only did they successfully extinguished the fire, but they rescued a resident from the ground floor. I watched as members of Bridgeport Emergency Services fearlessly entered the burning building with a stretcher to retrieve the individual trapped inside and quickly reappeared in the already bustling scene, efficiently placing him into an ambulance. After rendering care, they transported him to North Central West Virginia Airport from where he was flown to the West Penn Burn Center.

 

Residents of upstairs apartments were able to self-evacuate.  Fire damage was confined to two apartments, but the six others in the building were left with smoke and water damage. Bridgeport Interim Fire Chief Phil Hart said directly after the fire that his guys did a great job confining and extinguishing the fire. And in addition to top-notch, dedicated firefighters – 10 men who were on duty and an additional six off-duty firemen who reported – Hart attributes that quality job to the extensive training his men do on a regular basis.

 

At their own on-site training center, located just behind the Main Street station, Bridgeport Firefighters train to fight fires in all kinds of circumstances.  Drills at the burn center train the guys in real fire situations. A fire is lit as firefighters watch it grow and develop into different stages, then take various approaches to fight that fire. Thermal layering and ventilation are among elements which can affect a fire. If a fire is enclosed in one area and a window or door is opened, the air will draw the fire in that direction, Lt. Keith Linger explained. The firefighters also practice “reading smoke” to know where in the building the fire is traveling. Fire temperatures can rise up to 1,000 to 1,200 degrees F. at the ceiling – the highest point – and as high as 200 or 300 degrees F. on the floor. Live burn training also encompasses rapid intervention training which deals with assisting a fallen firefighter and getting fresh oxygen to him.

 

Because of the smoke, the department receives some complaints when they are doing live burn training. Likewise, the Bridgeport Police Department receives complaints when they train at their shooting range facility on Lodgeville Road. Yet, both departments are sharpening their skills to protect our community.

 

The day following last week’s apartment fire, Bridgeport Emergency Services personnel found themselves in another unusual situation – at least for our city.

 

A 911 call indicated that a single shot had been fired at a Bridgeport residence and that the male subject was barricaded inside the home. When a call of that nature is received, a protocol is enacted, explained Police Chief John Walker.    

           

The Special Response Team is activated when a barricaded subject won’t come out of a structure or in the case of a narcotic raid or high-risk warrant service. The SRT is comprised of 12 members of Bridgeport Police Department, who work with six SWAT medics, members of Bridgeport Fire Department. Members of both units receive specialized training to work in what Walker referred to as “war zones,” for example, an active shooter or high-risk situations that are expected to last for some time. At a minimum, members of SRT train eight hours monthly. Walker said they just completed a 40-hour course a few weeks ago and learned techniques that they were able to utilize during last Saturday’s incident during which they evacuated the surrounding residences in case a shot was fired and penetrated surrounding structures. Even with all this in action, the units arrived, set up and activated very quietly and efficiently.

 

In situations such as a fire or barricaded subject – and many others including major traffic accidents – Bridgeport Emergency Services utilizes its mobile command center. In those cases, that vehicle can act as a communication center, networking city and state police departments, fire departments and the 911 dispatch center. If needed a search warrant can be generated and delivered right to the truck, Walker said. The mobile command center also utilizes a camera which can capture long-distance views and rotate 360 degrees. A lot of planning goes on inside the mobile command center, which is equipped with white boards and a smart TV.

 

During last week’s incidents, my foremost thoughts concerned everyone’s safety. My second thought was that our community is so fortunate to have these quality emergency units at our service.

 

The look on Firefighter Donnie Lindsey’s face told the story of avid determination and dedication, yet fatigue. I can’t imagine the drained feeling. Yet all of our firefighters and law enforcers know it well.

 

I salute you all. 

 

Julie Perine can be reached at 304-848-7200, julie@connect-bridgeport.com or follow @JuliePerine on Twitter. More "It's Happening" HERE.