thedrifter
05-26-07, 07:37 AM
05/26/2007
Hamden, North Haven firefighters donate protective gear
Ann DeMatteo , Assistant Metro Editor
NORTH HAVEN — From the extreme cold of the Iraqi desert to the scorching flash of artillery fire, more American Marines will be protected, thanks to firefighters from Hamden and North Haven.
"Thank you. Thank you very much. Just thank you. It really does help," was how Navy corpsman Matthew Hannon, 21, of North Haven responded when presented with 45 fire-resistant hoods from the firefighters? union earlier this week.
He is home for a short time, visiting his mother, Sharon Hannon, and siblings Meridith, Clare and Kyle. He had spent a few days with his father, Daniel Hannon, in Yonkers, N.Y., before arriving in North Haven Wednesday morning.
Sharon Hannon had contacted firefighters two months ago to tell them that her son?s platoon only had five fire-resistant hoods to use among 50 soldiers. Those hoods came from Matthew Hannon?s uncle, a firefighter in New York City, Sharon Hannon said.
"I was hoping for some help, but I didn?t expect this. It?s phenomenal," she said, bubbling with emotion because Wednesday morning was the first time she had seen her son in eight months. "I tried not to cry."
Lt. Jeffrey Obier, president of Local 2987 of the International Fire Fighters Association, said Sharon Hannon contacted him, wanting to know whom she could call for help.
Obier told her he?d see what he could do, and he then contacted Hamden fire Capt. Dennis Harrison, who works part time as a sales representative for Firematic, a fire equipment supplier. The unions, working together, raised the money to purchase the hoods at cost, and Firematic threw in a few for free.
Also Wednesday, an employee of Hollywood Video was on hand to announce that the North Haven store had donated movies on DVD for the troops. "It?s an honor" to help, said Kathleen Pliszka, an assistant manager.
Sharon Hannon also thanked North Haven Middle School and Clintonville Elementary School and the Brotherhood of St. Andrew at St. Johh?s Episcopal Church in North Haven for responding to her call for supplies for her son?s platoon.
"We received a lot of things. Home is what keeps you going," Matthew Hannon said.
As a "hospital man," Matthew Hannon said his main job is to take care of the health and combat injuries of the 3rd Batallion, 4th Marine Lima Company. His position is similar to that of an emergency medical technician.
Matthew Hannon said that when soldiers get burned around the face and neck, swelling from the burns closes up their airways. "These can prevent that to a degree. This will help," he said of the hoods.
Harrison said the Nomex hoods are 100-percent flame resistant and can hold off 800-degree temperatures for 30 seconds.
Harrison pointed out that the IED?s on the battlefields are filled with diesel fuel or other flammables so when they go off, soldiers are not just getting injuries from the explosions but are getting burns as well.
Matthew Hannon, however, was looking forward to wearing his hood in the nighttime cold of the western Iraqi desert. "These have kept me warm on a roof many nights. For new guys coming in, this is something extra they will have."
He didn?t want to talk much about what goes on in Iraq. "It is what it is," he said.
Ellie
Hamden, North Haven firefighters donate protective gear
Ann DeMatteo , Assistant Metro Editor
NORTH HAVEN — From the extreme cold of the Iraqi desert to the scorching flash of artillery fire, more American Marines will be protected, thanks to firefighters from Hamden and North Haven.
"Thank you. Thank you very much. Just thank you. It really does help," was how Navy corpsman Matthew Hannon, 21, of North Haven responded when presented with 45 fire-resistant hoods from the firefighters? union earlier this week.
He is home for a short time, visiting his mother, Sharon Hannon, and siblings Meridith, Clare and Kyle. He had spent a few days with his father, Daniel Hannon, in Yonkers, N.Y., before arriving in North Haven Wednesday morning.
Sharon Hannon had contacted firefighters two months ago to tell them that her son?s platoon only had five fire-resistant hoods to use among 50 soldiers. Those hoods came from Matthew Hannon?s uncle, a firefighter in New York City, Sharon Hannon said.
"I was hoping for some help, but I didn?t expect this. It?s phenomenal," she said, bubbling with emotion because Wednesday morning was the first time she had seen her son in eight months. "I tried not to cry."
Lt. Jeffrey Obier, president of Local 2987 of the International Fire Fighters Association, said Sharon Hannon contacted him, wanting to know whom she could call for help.
Obier told her he?d see what he could do, and he then contacted Hamden fire Capt. Dennis Harrison, who works part time as a sales representative for Firematic, a fire equipment supplier. The unions, working together, raised the money to purchase the hoods at cost, and Firematic threw in a few for free.
Also Wednesday, an employee of Hollywood Video was on hand to announce that the North Haven store had donated movies on DVD for the troops. "It?s an honor" to help, said Kathleen Pliszka, an assistant manager.
Sharon Hannon also thanked North Haven Middle School and Clintonville Elementary School and the Brotherhood of St. Andrew at St. Johh?s Episcopal Church in North Haven for responding to her call for supplies for her son?s platoon.
"We received a lot of things. Home is what keeps you going," Matthew Hannon said.
As a "hospital man," Matthew Hannon said his main job is to take care of the health and combat injuries of the 3rd Batallion, 4th Marine Lima Company. His position is similar to that of an emergency medical technician.
Matthew Hannon said that when soldiers get burned around the face and neck, swelling from the burns closes up their airways. "These can prevent that to a degree. This will help," he said of the hoods.
Harrison said the Nomex hoods are 100-percent flame resistant and can hold off 800-degree temperatures for 30 seconds.
Harrison pointed out that the IED?s on the battlefields are filled with diesel fuel or other flammables so when they go off, soldiers are not just getting injuries from the explosions but are getting burns as well.
Matthew Hannon, however, was looking forward to wearing his hood in the nighttime cold of the western Iraqi desert. "These have kept me warm on a roof many nights. For new guys coming in, this is something extra they will have."
He didn?t want to talk much about what goes on in Iraq. "It is what it is," he said.
Ellie