Chickensin Hudson
An Independent Weekly Newspaper
see page 6
Hudson~Litchfield News
Volume 21 Number 10 September 24, 2010 18 Pages Fire Engine 4: A Story of
Frustration, Misunderstanding, or Mismanagement?
by Doug Robinson “Hello, 911? I
have an emergency. Please send the fire department,” comes the call into dispatch. “I am sorry,” states the dispatcher. “Truck 34, also known as Fire/Engine 4, is out of service again, and is at the dealer in western Massachusetts getting fixed. Yes, it has been out of service (OOS) for 200-plus days in the last four years— sorry.”
While the above
scenario has not happened and will not happen, so goes the fear of the Hudson firefighters. Collectively, they call Hudson’s second-most newest fire engine a “Lemon” with a capital L. While some firefighters, such as Engine 4 mechanic and firefighter Mike Mallen and firefighter/mechanic Dean Sulin, have gone on record to voice their opinions and concerns of the truck, most of the entire department states “no comment” publicly when asked as to what are their opinions to the service record of Engine 4. The firefighters have taken the “no comment” approach for two reasons. The first is that Fire Chief Murray has effectively placed a gag order on all members of the Fire Department that “only I will speak with the press,” and have ordered the men not to comment on the fire engine. He quotes the Hudson Fire Department (HFD) policy manual as his reason for decision. Secondly, Chief Murray has also stated that only he will communicate with Bulldog Manufacturer, the company that performs the warranty work on Engine 4. Those closest to the problem, while offered the opportunity to discuss their concerns, feel as though their concerns are neither valued nor appreciated. “We are allowed to express opinions, but they aren’t always received positively,” comments the firefighters. Firefighters have stated privately that they “fear retaliation” from the Chief, should they go public with their opinions as well. “You don’t know him like we do.”
In speaking with Chief Murray, he stated that he has instructed the men to list their concerns of the engine in the binder that contains the records of the individual engines. He has also asked his firefighters to e-mail their respective Deputy with any issues, and the Deputy will e-mail the Chief. Records, e-mails, log entries, and numerous
anonymous discussions suggest that the Chief has known of the issues regarding Engine 4 since its going into service in 2006, and has either failed to follow up, failed to communicate, and failed to inform his superiors, the Hudson Board of Selectmen, with the seriousness of the safety issues of Engine 4. While he did provide Selectman Maddox a list of OOS dates in January 2010, the seriousness of the firefighters’ concerns date since the town took ownership of the engine. In discussing with firefighters their ability to
exercise the “open-door policy” and visit the Chief, firefighters simply laugh. “He just holds his hand up and tells us to get out of his office and write the information down on the log. He does not want to hear it. It makes us feel like he does not care about us or care about the safety of the department. Morale is low not because of the 24-hour shift being cancelled, morale is low because he is not involved and does not care. I am afraid of the outcome if I go and tell him the truth,” state several firefighters who wish to remain anonymous. “Safety is my biggest concern,” commented Chief Murray. “Every day when I put on my uniform, I pledge my service to the residents of the Town of Hudson. And I have the highest concern for the safety of my firefighters.”
In looking at the service record of Engine 4, as well as the documented e-mails, one would have to come to their own conclusion as to
KME Truck 34, also known as Engine 4
this story being a story of frustration, misinformation, or mismanagement on the part of the Hudson Fire Chief. All agree that this story is about frustration. The written facts regarding the service record of KME Engine 4 are quite explicit. The response by Chief Murray is quite explicit as well. As the saying goes, the “devil is in the details.” Hudson purchased the KME Engine 4 as a result of a positive
vote by Hudson residents for a $329,667 warrant article. The Engine was placed into service on July 2, 2006.
In a report provided by Deputy Chief Carter to Chief Murray on January 6, 2010, the report states that “As of 12/31/2009, the truck has been in possession of HFD for 1,260 days and OOS for 232 days.” This would mean that the fire engine was “out of service” for over 18 percent of its service time to Hudson residents. In other words, nearly two months out of every year, for the past four years, Engine 4 has been in the repair shop. The report continues to state that “Routine maintenance, pump testing and service, as well as other scheduled service, are not listed unless other repairs were completed under the same invoice.” On November 15, 2009, the engine was OOS for 36 days due to “cracked frame member” and “pumps engagement and pressure governor issues.” On July 6, 2009, the engine was OOS for 49 days due to “body work, windshield, reprogram generator, compartment switches, cab latch repair, cracked battery box, seatbelt replacement, mirror replacement, and air bag adjustment.” On June 30, 2009, the engine was OOS for 52 days for “brake and axle issues. KME Factory review at Bulldog.” “Rear Axle Failure” placed the engine OOS for 75 days on June 3, 2008. On April 23, 2007, the engine was OOS for 12 days due to “requested paint and service.” These dates are the major number of dates regarding OOS days. These times also mirror the letter sent from Chief Murray to Selectman Richard Maddox. The listed OOS repairs include repair to the cab latch (several times), as well as repair to “rear Axle Failure identified (6/23/09),” “Rear Brake Failure” (6/3/09), as well as issues to the “engine,” “stalling,” “air ride,” “unknown,” “inspection,” “pump repair,” “air intake hose replacement,” “cooling system repairs,” and “front tire replacement.” OOS repairs were also performed due to truck accidents caused by Hudson firefighters.
Eagle Scout Project Completed at GMS
submitted by Boy Scout Troop 11, Litchfield Boy Scout Troop 11 of Litchfield recently finished the installation and setup of an outdoor chess set at Litchfield’s Griffin Memorial School (GMS). After a successful fundraiser in May, Troop 11 Scouts and community volunteers spent several days in July at a local woodworking shop cutting out, assembling, and painting the various chess pieces. In August, the chess board itself was painted onto the playground surface at GMS.
The project was then presented to Principal Bo Schlichter in time for the start of school. Eagle Scout candidate Matt Rafferty would like to thank everyone involved for their help and support of his Eagle Scout project. He is very excited to have been able to do this project for the students at GMS, and is looking forward to them having many years of fun with their new outdoor chess set.
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AHS Marching Band and Colorguard Perform at Friday Night Game
submitted by Dave Lecraw The Alvirne Marching Band and Colorguard performed on Friday, September 10, at the Friday Night Home Football Game versus Keene. Blending music and motion, the 2010 Alvirne High School Bronco Marching Band and Colorguard presented the Latin/Jazz show You Look Marvelous. The musical features were “Everybody’s Everything” by Santana, arranged by Jay Dawson, and from the musical Pajama Game, Hernado’s “Hideaway,”
arranged by Ralph Ford. Leading the band onto the performance field were Senior Drum Major Lauren Kraemer and Junior Drum Majors Kelly MacKay and Matt Sidilau. The Colorguard Captain was Heather Gibson. Alvirne Marching Band and Colorguard’s next Halftime Show is September 24, Alvirne versus Timberlane. For more news, photos, and video, visit
www.ahsmusic.org.
Hudson Dog Rescue
Te cab rests within these two latches, which has a piston to secure the cab from raising
In a letter written from Firefighter Michael Mallen, Mechanical Division, to his supervisor, Deputy Chief Neil Carter, May 21, 2010, Firefighter Mallen stated that “I would like to express my lack of confidence with Truck 34’s (Engine 4) safety and reliability. The engine is continually going out of service and this has been occurring throughout its service life. My concern is not with the minor issues such as loose screws and paint, but with the critical components.”
continued to page 12- Engine 4
Hudson firefighters were called to Lenny Lane in early September for a barking noise in the storm drain. Te canine had walked into a drain, and then fell into a 10-foot catch basin. Firefighter Todd Berube is seen bringing
the Beagle up to the surface, and then offering a treat to a very scared dog
staff photos by Doug Robinson
courtesy photo
courtesy photo
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