The Golden’s Bridge Fire Department spent most of Saturday gearing up for the impending blizzard that forecasters say will drop heavy amounts of snow Sunday into Monday. As they did ahead of Winter Storm Fern less than a month ago, Golden’s Bridge firefighters are taking extraordinary readiness measures to be prepared for all emergencies during the latest storm heading our way.

Golden’s Bridge fire officials said they are once again coordinating with other local agencies, including the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Lewisboro Highway Department, to keep community residents and first-responders as safe as possible. Among the coordinated efforts, according to GBFD officials, LVAC is staging an ambulance at the Golden’s Bridge firehouse during the duration of the storm to enhance emergency response to medical emergencies in the fire district.

At the center of its storm preparations, the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department will have a full complement of firefighters on standby at the firehouse, according to Golden’s Bridge Fire Chief Albert Melillo, who said standby crews will alternate shifts so that the firehouse will be manned around the clock during the duration of the storm.

“Our preemptive and coordinated planning is designed to execute a rapid and effective emergency response to all types of emergencies – whether they be fire, medical, vehicle, ice and water rescue, or storm-related – such as downed power lines and trees, which could be an issue since dangerous gusty winds will accompany this storm,” Melillo said.

“Golden’s Bridge firefighters are working hard so that they can respond as safely and quickly as possible in your time of need. We hope this message brings some comfort to residents and calms their stress,” Melillo added.

A plow is installed on GBFD Rescue 25 to assist all fire engines and other apparatus with emergency response, according to the Golden’s Bridge fire chief, who noted that GBFD UTV Utility 38 and its off-road capabilities is fully equipped for emergency response on large acreage properties, backyards, and hiking trails. He said in addition to all regular rescue apparatus, GBFD fire trucks are equipped with cold water ice rescue suits in the event that the Department’s Ice Rescue Team has to respond to ice and water rescue emergencies.

Melillo has shared contact information of GBFD personnel with the head of Lewisboro’s senior program to expedite response to elderly residents in need of emergency assistance.

The Golden’s Bridge Fire Chief urged residents to take the following precautions:

• Avoid any unnecessary travel and stay off local roads so the Lewisboro Highway Department can safely and effectively clear roadways

• Don’t walk or drive over downed power lines.

• Burning wood in fireplaces and running emergency generators during power outages could cause increased levels of carbon monoxide to seep into your living space, so make sure your CO detectors have new batteries.

• Keep space-heaters on level, non-combustible surfaces and at least five to 10 feet away from drapery and bedding.

• The use of auxiliary heating sources, such as space-heaters, fireplaces and wood-burning stoves, increases fire risk, so place new batteries in your smoke alarms.

“The key during any storm is to avoid putting yourself in harm’s way. But if you find yourself in a life-threatening or emergency situation, rest assured that Golden’s Bridge firefighters are well-prepared and ready to respond. Always call 911 to report an emergency,” said Golden’s Bridge Fire Chief Melillo.