BY JOHN SPAULDING
On September 1, 2011, at 1503 hours, the most devastating call the Mumford (NY) Fire Department (MFD) could ever respond to erupted with an explosion at the local propane distribution plant. The department had planned for such a call for years, right down to the worst time of day and day of week it could happen. The firefighters knew the possible outcome if they didn't do everything correctly. The courage they showed was typical of that of firefighters; they knowingly put themselves in harm's way knowing that their village of 600 residents would be wiped from existence if they didn't act correctly and expeditiously.
The call for a man burned after an explosion at the Burnwell Gas Company, at 1104 Main Street, Wheatland, New York, was quickly upgraded to a structure assignment after dispatch received additional calls for a large fire.
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