Fast accumulating snows caused roadways to become an ice skating rink this morning. Valhalla was dispatched to a motor vehicle accident with injuries on the Sprain Brook Parkway North Bound in the area of the Grasslands Rd Bridge. The accident turned out to be in Elmsford Fire's jurisdiction but Valhalla handled the scene due to it being minor. Soon after Valhalla's arrival a vehicle left the roadway and flipped on it's side just north of the original accident. Hawthorne Fire handled that scene along with Valhalla VAC and U-59. U-59 also came upon numerous spin outs and other accidents. Crews stood by at both scenes until the tow companies removed the cars from the roadway. There were only minor injuries at each accident scene.

Heavy rains and high winds caused numerous calls around Valhalla. Crews were dispatched to Fox Hill Rd on two separate occasions for power lines on the ground and burning. Rescue 9 and Engine 82 were on scene both times along with representatives from Con Edison. As soon as crews picked up from the second Fox Hill Rd call Valhalla was dispatched along with Hawthorne to 226 Linda Ave for an automatic alarm and no sooner to 26 East Oxford St for a water condition. Engine 82 and Tower Ladder 49 took in 226 Linda Ave, which turned out to be a malicious alarm box pull, and Rescue 9 and Engine 83 handled 26 East Oxford. The heavy rains and a downed tree caused water to divert into the garage of 26 East Oxford causing about 4 inches of water to accumulate. Crews assisted the home owner with pumping out his garage. The last call was a residential alarm at 19 Saxon Dr. The alarm was set off by smoke from cooking.

It is with deep regret we inform you of the untimely death of Anthony J Matranga former Treasurer and now Deputy Treasurer of the Valhalla Fire District. Flags will fly at half mast in his memory for thirty days. He will be remembered as a dedicated and faithful member of the Board of Fire Commissioners for the last fifteen years Viewing will be on Wednesday at the Hawthorne Funeral Home 2-4 and 7-9. Mass of Christian burial on Thursday at 10 a.m.

     It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of former member Ed Regan who passed away today  Ed was a former member of the Independent Fire Co and the funeral bunting will be displayed on the firehouses for ten days in his memory

Tower Ladder 49 and Rescue 9 were dispatched early New Years Eve morning to assist North White Plains Fire Department at the scene of a working fire with two people trapped. The address of the fire scene was 126 Nethermont Ave. Rescue 9 was used as a F.A.S.T. and Tower Ladder 49 was the second truck company to the scene. Members assisted with roof ventilation and fire suppression. The fire moved quickly through the two family duplex which hampered any rescue attempts. Unfortunately two people perished in the fire that morning. Other Departments on scene included West Harrison and Hawthorne Fire Departments. Units also assisted with overhaul and rehab.

A car traveling down West Stevens Ave lost control and left the road where it ended up into the corner house on Clovebrook Rd. When the car left the roadway it went airborne and ended up completely into the side of the house. The newly renovated part of the house was completely destroyed. Luckily no one was in that portion of the house at the time of the accident. The two occupant of the car were trapped inside with minor injuries. Crews went to work gaining access by partially removing the roof of the car. Proper cribbing of the vehicle and putting up temporary supports on the house was also done. The two elderly patients were removed through the back of the vehicle and care was transferred to the Valhalla V.A.C. and Transcare Medic. The Westchester County Technical Rescue Team along with Elmsford Fire Departments F.A.S.T were dispatched due to the severity of the crash and possible collapse of the house. Thornwood Fire Department was put on standby in our quarters to back fill. Fire Department units remained on scene until the vehicle was removed from the house after that the scene was turned over to the Mt. Pleasant Building Department. A good job was done by all there.

A two car accident caused a major traffic jam on the Taconic Parkway and Broadway on Christmas Eve Day. The accident which occurred at the Cleveland St. intersection was caused when the driver of one vehicle suffered a medical condition at hit the rear end of another then drove up onto a guardrail. Valhalla Fire along with Valhalla V.A.C. and Transcare Medic were dispatched to the scene. Members assisted with the removal of the one patient whose car was on the guardrail, occupants of the other vehicle were uninjured. Valhalla F.D. also assisted State Police with traffic control until the car was removed from the roadway.

Valhalla Fire was dispatched to 15 South Kensico Ave for an odor of gas in the street. When units arrived on scene they noticed an unfamiliar odor that was not gas. Units traced the source of the odor to the waste sewer main in the street. Residents also stated the smell was in their houses too. Gas Meters were reading high levels of hydrogen sulfide, which are toxic fumes, in the street and a low level in one house which was evacuated as a precaution. Mount Pleasant Water Department was notified and had the fire department flush the sewer main with water from Engine 84. The cause was due to stagnant water on a dead end main. The house with low levels was vented and the home owner was advised to contact there plumber to correct their situation.

Santa rode into town the week before Christmas to give out candy canes to the neighborhood kids. Santa and his firefighter helpers went around on a fire truck on three different nights to see the kids. The Valhalla Fire Department would like to thank those who gave a donation that night too. We hope everyone got a chance to see Santa. Merry Christmas to all.

Sunday's freezing rain caused numerous accidents through out the region. Valhalla was called upon to assist Hawthorne Fire Department at the scene of an eight car motor vehicle accident with injuries. While en route units encountered another multi-car accident on the Sprain Brook Parkway just at the Taconic split. Car 2482 and Engine 82 located at the scene on the Sprain where more cars were involved in accidents as they worked at that scene. An icy bridge was the cause for the original accident where Rescue 9 and Utility 33 assisted Hawthorne at. One vehicle rolled over while several others were heavily damaged. Crews at both accidents assisted with medical care and road clean up. While returning Rescue 9 crews located another vehicle up the road a bit, that was involved in the original Taconic accident , leaking fuel all over the roadway and into the storm drains. County Haz-Mat was than notified and the drains dammed off.