Firefighter Mark Arezzi was promoted to Lieutenant Arezzi during a promotion ceremony held at the Fire Academy.  The officers and members of Squad 252 would like to congratulate Mark and wish him all the best as he becomes a boss.  We only hope that there will be plenty of reading material, old westerns, and meals to bully as he embarks on this new adventure. 

The officers and members of Squad Company 252 would like to congratulate Firefighter Tom Rogers and Firefighter Mark Schuler on their retirements.  We wish them and their families a happy and healthy, well deserved rest.

Squad 252 responded to fill the 10-75 at Box 4002, 519 Gateway Drive, Erskine Street to Vandalia Ave, for a fire in Target.  The shopping center where the store is located is just off the Belt Parkway and at the far south end of our district.  The fire involved stock in one of the aisles and was mostly contained by the sprinkler system.  Members of 252 completed secondary searches throughout the building. 

Just as the rig was backing into quarters another 10-75 was given for a fire not too far away from the first one.  Box 1944, 900 Shepherd Ave, Wortman Ave to Stanley Ave, was transmitted for fire in a commercial building.  Upon arrival Squad 252 was order to assist in searches and opening up.  Once again sprinklers kept most of the fire at bay, however, there was some fire located in the ceiling.  Due to a heavy smoke condition, the size of the building, and difficulty locating the fire, a 2nd Alarm was tranmsitted.

During both of these fires an intense thunderstorm was blanketing the area with heavy rains.  Between sprinkler systems and rain it safe to say the brothers had their fair share of water.

Squad Company 252 responded to fill the 10-75 at Box 4220, 66-16 58 Ave, 66 Street to Brown Place, for a fire in a church.  Because Squad 288 was the first due engine on this Box, 252 was assigned as the Squad.  Upon arrival Squad 252 found companies aggeressively attacking fire on the 1st floor of the church.  As members made there way to the command post a report was given for heavy fire in the basement.  252 was ordered to complete a size-up around the entire building and open up and gain other points of access.  As additional lines were being stretched heavy fire began venting from the basement windows on Exposure 1.  Fire began auto-exposing in the front as well as the rear of the building.  Heavy fire was also found at the ceiling level of the church and building materials began falling from the high steeple of the church.  Due to advanced fire conditions, command ordered companies out of the building and began setting up tower ladders for a defensive attack.  Unfortunately the entire church was consumed by fire.  At the height of the fire, a second alarm was transmitted.   

It is with the deepest regret that the officers and members of Squad Company 252 announce the passing of Firefighter Christopher Velez.  Chris has been a member of Squad 252 for the last three years.  He began his career with Engine Company 324 in Corona, Queens.  It has been a terrible tragedy to lose such an energetic firefighter so early in life.  Funeral arrangements are as follows:

Wake: Thursday, May 14, 2009 2:00pm - 4:00pm and 7:00pm - 9:30pm, Giove Funeral Home, 640 Middle Country Road, Middle Island, NY 11953 631-345-6700

Funeral: Friday, May 15, 2009 11:00am, St. Mark's Church, 105 Randall Road, Shoreham, NY 11786.  Interment to follow.

Please keep Chris, his family, and his friends in your thoughts and prayers.

At a recent first due box, Squad 252's chauffeur was forced to be innovative in hooking up to a hydrant.  Unfortunately the driver of the car probably figured the chances of a fire happening while he was parked on the hydrant was slim to none.  He quickly realized he was wrong.  When he approached the chauffeur he had the nerve to ask him how long the fire was going to take.  Just long enough to write out a few summons' and put the hose away.  DON'T PARK ON FIRE HYDRANTS.  IT COULD COST SOMEONE THEIR LIFE!!!!!

Squad Company 252 responded just out of their engine area to Box 0770, 137 Menahan Street, Central Ave to Wilson Ave, for a fire on the first floor of a 3 story frame.  Upon arrival members of the Squad found companies attacking a fire in the rear of the first floor apartment.  A report from the rear indicated fire auto-exposing into the second floor windows.  A second alarm was transmitted as 252 made their way to the top floor to condcut searches.  Searches throughout the building proved negative and the fire was quickly knocked down.   

Squad Company 252 responded as an additional unit on the all hands to Box 7304, 43-15 45th Street, 43 Ave to Queens Blvd, for a fire on the top floor of a 6 story mutiple dwelling (H-Type).  While responding, a 2nd Alarm was transmitted for heavy fire throughout the cockloft of the rear wing of the building.  At the same time another 2nd Alarm was transmitted in Queens for a fire in a taxpayer off of Hillside Ave.  Upon arrival, Squad 252 was ordered as a company to get to the roof and assist companies in ventilation.  Members of the Squad assisted truck companies in cutting and pulling several holes as well as a trench on the roof of the building.  The fire was kept to the rear wing, however, required a 3rd Alarm to be brought under control.     

The lieutenants and members of Squad Company 252 would like to congratulate Captain John Hopkins on his assignment to Squad 252.  We wish him the best of luck and welcome him into the great tradition that we pride ourselves on in this company.  Captain Hopkins was a firefighter in Engine Company 214 and Rescue Company 3 and a lieutenant in Squad Company 288 before being promoted to the rank of Captain.

The fourth 10-75 of the day tour for Squad Company 252 came just before the change of tours.  Box 2294, 1091 Willmohr Street, E 95 Street to E 96 Street, was transmitted for a fire in a multiple dwelling.  Upon arrival members of Squad 252 were ordered to perform searches on the top floor of a 4 story multiple dwelling.  The fire had involved an apartment on the second floor, but caused a medium to heavy smoke condition throughout the building.  The Squad was advised of calls coming from an apartment on the top floor reporting a women trapped.    Members proceeded to this location, gained entry, and found a disoriented woman in a smoke filled apartment.  They assisted this woman to the street and then continued searches.  All other searches proved negative.