A new “False/ Nuisance” Fire Alarm Policy is “seemingly effective”, according to New Martinsville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Larry Couch.

He has reported that false calls are down since the policy was enacted in October and the policy forms being left behind by the department are being complied with. No one has been invoiced for a defective alarm system and system owners appear to be complying guidelines for the repair of those systems.

The fire chief said, however, that there were two maliciously-activated fire alarm pull stations at the New Martinsville Towers, and that incident was handled “swiftly and with great efficiency” by the building’s administration.

The incident also was reported to New Martinsville Police Department for a follow-up investigation since it is a criminal act. Couch said that those found to be responsible will be charged in accordance with state law. The New Martinsville volunteers have once again been able to get a commitment from Santa Claus to make a special early visit to the families and children of New Martinsville.

Santa has agreed to be escorted by fire fighters throughout the town on Dec. 15-17 from 6-9 p.m. each day. For more information on the Santa visits, call 455-9115 on the nights of the visits. Couch cautioned residents not call the police department or 911 for information on Santa visits.

The NMVFD will hold its annual family dinner on Sunday beginning at 4:30 p.m. Department members, their families, and members of council are invited to attend. Guest speaker this year will be Brad Hartley, West Virginia Deputy State Fire Marshal.

In addition, Couch reported that members trained on several new items that have been added to the department’s complement of equipment during the past months, as well as reviewed the location of equipment on board the trucks. A review of the proper use of the four-gas analyzers and the “Mini CO” analyzer was also performed.

Couch also said that the US Department of Homeland Security has notified the department that its new hydraulic rescue tools will be shipped to the in-state dealer by Dec. 31. Once the dealer receives the tools, training dates will be scheduled and the new tools will be delivered to the department.

These new tools were awarded to the department through the Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program or CEDAP grant program. NMVFD was notified in October that its grant application was accepted and that the request for assistance was granted. These new tools will replace tools on the department’s Steelton Rescue truck.

The call report for November is as follows: motor vehicle crashes, 15; natural gas odor, two; ambulance transports, 10 (three from crashes); accidental fire alarms, two; malicious false alarm, one; carbon monoxide investigations, two; power/utility fire, one; assist Wetzel County EMS (lifting), two; first response to ems call, one; smoke/odor removal, one; assist in search for lost person, one (person found); assist person in distress, one; divers stand-by for Tyler County, one; total calls, 37; calls year-to-date, 431