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Thiells Fire Department Leads Response to Haverstraw Chimney Fire with Multiple Mutual-Aid Crews

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The Thiells Fire Department, along with multiple mutual-aid agencies, responded to a reported chimney fire at a two-story split-level home in Haverstraw, where arriving units confirmed an active fire on the rear (“4 side”) of the structure.

Upon arrival, Chief Connolly (26-1) confirmed a working fire and requested the Stony Point Fire Department FASTeam to the scene. Command also notified all units that the home was equipped with solar panels, adding an additional safety concern for responding crews.

First Assistant Chief Jeff Kahn (26-2), assigned to interior operations, reported that the fire had extended inside the walls of the residence.

Engine 26-1501 stretched a 1¾-inch attack line to the rear of the home to knock down visible exterior fire, while a second crew secured power to the solar panels. 26-Tanker flushed the hydrant and stretched a second attack line into the structure.

Interior teams pulled ceilings and walls, locating active fire inside the living room wall. Fire was quickly knocked down and contained to its area of origin. Meanwhile, 23-99 set up in front of the residence and initiated roof operations.

Hillcrest Fire Department provided an engine and manpower to support interior crews, while the Haverstraw Fire Department stood by in quarters with an engine during the operation.

Officials thanked all mutual-aid companies, the department’s Ladies Auxiliary, Haverstraw Police, Haverstraw EMS, the Town of Haverstraw DPW, and Orange & Rockland Utilities for assisting at the scene.

The incident was logged as Incident #288. No injuries were reported.

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Police/Fire/EMS

Ramapo Police Halt Test of Advanced License Plate Reader Cameras

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Ramapo Police Chief Daniel Hyman announced that the department will not move forward with a planned test of a new generation of automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, citing privacy concerns and the need to balance law enforcement technology with constitutional protections.

Hyman said the technology being considered goes beyond the department’s existing fixed license plate readers. While current cameras primarily capture license plates to help identify wanted or stolen vehicles and assist with criminal investigations, the newer systems include advanced investigative analytics and vehicle-identification capabilities.

“Those capabilities can provide tremendous value to law enforcement, but they also raise legitimate questions about privacy and the appropriate limits of government technology,” Hyman said.

Hyman emphasized that the decision does not affect the traditional fixed LPR cameras currently used by the Ramapo Police Department and does not represent a rejection of license plate reader technology overall.

Instead, he said the department is exercising caution because of the expanded capabilities of the newer systems.

“Our responsibility is to protect both” public safety and constitutional protections, Hyman said.

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Police/Fire/EMS

Two Hospitalized After Crash on Kings Highway in Valley Cottage

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Emergency crews responded to a motor vehicle collision Sunday morning on Kings Highway, where two people were transported to the hospital.

Medic 5, RPS 8, Congers-Valley Cottage Ambulance and the Valley Cottage Fire Department responded to the scene.

Two patients were transported to Montefiore Nyack Hospital in stable condition.

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