Car Crashes and CO Alarms Top Fire Calls

Fire Departments serving the West Harrison and Purchase areas remained busy this year, but report a higher number of calls for auto accidents and carbon monoxide over the past few weeks.

"We've had 250 calls so far this year and most years we average between 250 and 300," said Chief Pat Galluzzo of the West Harrison Fire Department on Dec. 22."We've been busy but nothing super crazy."

As of Dec. 22, the Purchase Fire Department responded to 434 calls this year, according to their Web site. In 2008, the department responded to 559 calls.

This year, the West Harrison and Purchase Fire Departments implemented a duel response system for certain areas where their coverage overlaps, Galluzzo said.

So far the system was working out well for the departments, Galluzzo said.

Although the need for emergency services has remained steady all year, the types of calls firefighters respond to vary by the time of year. Fire District Secretary for the Purchase Fire Department, Robert Makowski, said that for the most part, they respond to motor vehicle accidents and false alarms most frequently.

"They're not malicious false alarms. Most of them are called in by alarm companies," Makowski said.

Galluzzo said he's noticed an uptick in calls for motor vehicle accidents and carbon monoxide over the past few weeks, but that's to be expected this time of year. Carbon monoxide is often related to malfunctioning fuel burning heating systems. He advised residents to change the batteries in carbon monoxide detectors every time they change their smoke detector batteries.

"Carbon monoxide is odorless ... if the alarm goes off, you've got to take it seriously," Galluzzo said.

The Purchase Fire Department recomends an annual chimney cleaning to help keep carbon monoxide at bay.

As for recent motor vehicle accidents, Galluzzo said some seem to be related to winter weather, and cautioned drivers to leave enough distance behind the car in front of them.

Harrison EMS reports a busy year as well. They responded to 3,250 calls by Dec. 22, said Chief Joe Bilotto. Most years they top out around 2,800 calls, he said.

"We've had more car accidents the last few months," Bilotto said. "The most serious accidents have all been on sunny mornings and not weather related."

Although the departments had a busy year, Galluzzo said residents tend to take precautions for fire.

"Fire prevention is good around here," he said.

The Harrison Fire Department could not be reached for comment.