General Alarm Fire at 210-218 Wahconah Street

On Tuesday, April 13th, 2010 at 7:38 P.M.., a full assignment was dispatched for a reported Structure Fire at 210-218 Wahconah Street, a 2 1/2 story wood-framed row house containing 5 apartments. First arriving units found a light smoke condition showing from the exterior. Upon forcible entry to the front door of Apt. 218, heavy fire was found on the first floor. Once confirming all tenants were safely out of the building, firefighters began an aggressive interior attack of the fire on the first floor. After knocking the fire down, fire was found to have extended to the second floor and common attic space. Once in the attic space, the fire traveled the entire length of the building to above Apt. 210. The building's metal roof held the flames and heat in, proving difficult to fight. Operations quickly turned defensive when signs of roof collapse were realized, pulling all personnel out and fighting the fire from the outside. The fire went to a General Alarm, bringing a total of 8 apparatus and 30 firefighters to the scene and another 30 firefighters to provide relief and cover the City. Firefighters from Dalton, Lenox, Lanesboro and Williamstown Fire Departments responded with apparatus to Headquarters to assist in covering the City. Western Mass Electric and Berkshire Gas responded to shut off the utilities as did Pittsfield Police Detectives and a trooper from the State Fire Marshal's Office to assist PFD's Fire Investigators in the investigation. There were no injuries reported to any residents, however two firefighters suffered minor injuries. All 18 residents were left homeless.

The Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC), Pittsfield Salvation Army and the Berkshire County Chapter of the Red Cross responded to this location to assist the residents with food, clothing, shelter, and any other possible needs they could assist with to reduce the impact of this fire on the families. The cause of the fire was found to be from a problem with an electrical outlet.

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Pittsfield Fire recieves "SAFER" Grant

The Pittsfield Fire Department has been awarded more than $425,000 in a federal SAFER grant to hire 4 firefighters for a two-year period. Pittsfield was one of only four cities in Masschusetts to compete successfully in the first round of the grant program administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The SAFER Grants, or Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, is a program under the Department of Homeland Security to help professional and volunteer fire departments increase the number of trained, frontline firefighters in their communities.

The grant award of $427,198 will fully fund 4 firefighter positions for a two-year period with no local matching funds required. The City will be required to take responsibility of the salaries and benefits for the third year.

The Pittsfield Fire Department, at one point in time over 150 firefighters strong, currently has an authorized uniformed force of 87. The force will be increased to 91 throughout the grants period of performance.