Units Responding to and Returning from the Middletown Explosion

[SageVigiles 1,194]

I'm posting this under apparatus photos, because I was far away from the scene and couldn't actually see anything. This was all taken from the Outer Command Post, where the media was kept.

First up is the Outer Command Post itself, consisting of Middletown Police Departments' Mobile Command and Marine Unit vehicle, as well as Newington's CP-8, called mutual aid to assist. This was the location of the Public Information Officer.

I honestly have no idea what these trucks do, but I can identify them as state vehicles, probably State Police due to the last 3 characters in the license plates. Two of these trucks showed up one behind the other:

Middletown Police Ford F-250

Quick shot of the media pool before most of the national networks started descending.

State Police Fire Marshal:

[SageVigiles 1,194]

Governor Rell arrives at the incident, the two Troopers on the Governor Protection Detail responded with lights and siren. So yeah, I beat the Governor there, haha.

Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH) FD, they were definitely the closest station to the scene. This picture is all cut off, but I was messing with my camera as they came in, so I couldn't get a great shot:

State Police, I believe this was a K9 vehicle, not sure if it was Arson, Explosives or Bloodhound unit

State Police, honestly, your guess is as good as mine with this one:

A FEMA employee, I think he identified himself as a USAR coordinator, or something to that effect:

Hunter's Ambulance Supervisor, on the return:

Initial Press Conference, yeah, I sorta jumped in there:

State Police Lieutenant Paul Vance, Public Information Officer:

LT Vance's team:

The Lion's Club arrives to provide food/drink for responders, family members and union members:

United States Coast Guard response vehicle:

[SageVigiles 1,194]

Meriden Police Department:

Cromwell Fire Utility 1:

Kensington FD:

Hunters Ambulance MCI supply trailer, being towed by Kensington Fire:

One of the newer AMR Dodge Sprinters, not sure if its from Hartford or New Haven

[Tanker 10eng 140]

The photo with the Middletown PD Marine Unit and Command truck ( black and white ) looks to be in great shape for an older truck.... anyone know what make it is, I love older rigs...

[99subi 121]

its a mack

[Tanker 10eng 140]

its a mack

thats a Mack ???? wow I thought it was a GMC OR FORD..

[FirefighterJr 2]

its a mack

That ain't no Mack...thats a Ford C cab...

[TAPSJ 30]

Nice pics, but what was the call??? Info on it???

Thomas

[dmc2007 17]

Nice pics, but what was the call??? Info on it???

Thomas

It was the explosion at a power plant that killed five people:

http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/middlesex_cty/middletown-power-plant-explosion

[lalautze 35]

For what its worth Mack had a Model N that used the same cab as the Ford C (cabs were built by the Budd Company) and had a Mack drivetrain. You don't see many of them around as the model ended being replaced by the Mack MR/MC after a few years.

[IzzyEng4 427]

The Middletown Police command unit is a refurbished 1980s era Ford C heavy rescue that was purchased from one of the local fire departments when it went out of service. As for the Mack "N" model that is similar to the Ford C, only about 6 were made into fire trucks during the 1960s (a very short run) and none exist in this country anymore I beleive.

CVH (Connecticut Valley Hospital) has two engines, the one shown is old Engine 2 from the Middletown Fire Department. CVH (which is a mental health facility) is located right on top of the hill from where the incident was.

Sage, the black pickups if you were able to tell that they were CSP rigs by the last three on the plate, then they should be with the SWAT / TAC team. Otherwise they may be for the USAR out of Brainard Airport in Hartford. I think they might have been carrying the "puppies". I'll find out on that one.

Also for anyone wondering why the Coast Guard was on scene at an inland explosion, the Connecticut River can be navigated all the way up to Hartford. It is very common to see barges, tugs and small boats come up that section of the river on a daily basis.

[v85 212]

That the pickup trucks were carrying the dogs is a pretty good guess, since I see what looks like an air conditioning unit or vent on the top of the back shell.

[PFDRes47cue 653]

Thanks for posting the pics!

[50-65 205]

That ain't no Mack...thats a Ford C cab...

Yeah, looks like a C-8000 maybe

[IzzyEng4 427]

I asked around, the black truck could be for the Bomb Squad of the CSP also. Trying to confirm.

[firebuff08 29]

For the record -- the Middletown Police Marine/Communications truck is a 1988 Ford C with a Pierce Body. Formerly was a rescue truck with the Middlefield Fire Department.

CVH Fire Department is in fact located closer to the blast site than the first response department, South District, BUT the CVH station is NOT manned. It is a volunteer department. Volunteers are state employees working at other jobs on the Hospital campus. CVH responds only to calls on the Hospital campus. Both of their apparatus are former Middletown FD trucks, 95 Spartan-Marion and an 88 Ottawa-Beck-Ranger.

[Tanker 10eng 140]

I did not think it was a Mack, but is still in great shape.... Thanks guys..

[SageVigiles 1,194]

Joe, I don't think it was USAR, I thought USAR operates the 2 Ford utility bodies that are marked and the roll-off "dumpster trucks" from what I understand. But the license plates DEFINITELY identified them as CSP.

[IzzyEng4 427]

I got an answer that they are not for the USAR, a friend of mine is a dog handler on the team so you are correct there Alex. They have to be either the bomb squad or SWAT / TAC team units for CSP. There are a few troopers on the USAR team so that is what made me think that they were possibly trucks used by them.