Don't Bogart that Hose

BLOOMFIELD, Iowa – Story by kcci.com From Firehouse.com

Davis County Sheriff's officials said they found 1,200 marijuana plants growing in a home north of Bloomfield last Thursday.

Officials said fire crews and deputies arrived at the home after someone called in a report of a fire at 5:14 a.m.

Firefighters found plants in pots in the attic where the fire started.

Authorities obtained a search warrant and entered the home and found 1,200 plants.

Police said the home's owners, William and Lavonne Purcell, as well as a man living on their property in a mobile home, Charles Van Keuren, were charged with manufacturing a controlled substance. Officials said more charges are pending.

Officials said the Purcells fled the scene during the fire and are wanted by authorities.

Anyone with information about the couple's whereabouts is aked to call the Dallas County Sheriff's Department at 641-664-2385.

News results for 1,200 Marijuana Plants Found in Burning ...

We Revisit the Wood Truss Issue – Something New?

I keep coming back from time to to time to this issue. Seems that there is a product out there that will slow the deterioration of engineered wood products in a fire. This story at Firehouse.com/paint gives the low down. I added a few links to products pages that are interesting. Seems that his would be a good place to start for increased building code issues to protect this type of  building product.

There's new information about a possible fix for a potentially deadly hazard in your home.

A recent 12 News investigation showed how lightweight wood floor beams can quickly collapse -- without warning -- in a house fire. Story by wisn.com 

Contego intumescent fire barrier products

Albi Clad TF

PPG Speedhide Intumescent Latex Paint

I won’t let it rest, Where is it ???

BORN IN THE USA?
Birth certificate campaign tops $45,000 in donations
'This is the way the truth will win in the end,' says organizer

---

World Net Daily

Revealed: 'The Obama birth certificate protection act'?

A bill approved by the House of Representatives and referred to the Senate would prohibit federal employees of executive branch from being compelled to release any document unless a court makes a specified determination by a preponderance of evidence – legislation at least one group suspects is designed to protect Barack Obama's elusive birth certificate from release.

Opencongress.org Free Flow of Information Act of 2009

To maintain the free flow of information to the public by providing conditions for the federally compelled disclosure of information by certain persons connected with the news media.

Firefighter Dies While Responding To An Emergency Run

Posted May 25, 2009 EST

Massachusetts - Chief Richard Pierce regretfully announces the Line of Duty Death of twenty one year veteran Firefighter Paul J. Roberts. Firefighter Roberts was a dedicated firefighter and family man. He will be remembered for his quiet, good nature and his unforgettable smile. Firefighter Roberts touched many lives during his time with the Beverly Fire Department and his presence will be sorely missed.
The thoughts and prayers of all of us at the Beverly Fire Department are with his family at this most difficult time.
The Beverly Fire Department is a career department located on the North Shore of Massachusetts. The Department employs 65 Firefighters and Fire Officers as well as 6 full time professional Fire Alarm Operators that staff the Fire Alarm Office.

Written and photos by Beverly Fire Department

Courtesy of Beverly Fire Department

Uncle Jay Explains May 25, 2009

The future and the past boldly go where I'll be back! If you're not sure what day, year or planet you're traveling through, the news will confuse you even more. But Uncle Jay explains it all!

More on the San Francisco Collapse From FF Close Calls

UPDATE: SAN FRANCISCO FIRE / STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE - NUMEROUS LINKS, VIDEO AND DOWN-LOADABLES

SF UPDATE:
A converter box had been installed at that San Fran warehouse to bypass the electrical meter which probably caused the fire...and they say that's a sign the building may have been used for marijuana growing or a clandestine lab. They are looking at the possibility that the converter box could not handle the electricity load and thus was the source of the fire. The fire in the single-story warehouse was first reported at 4:45 a.m. Thursday. As you know, a Firefighter was hospitalized with a broken leg and burns after being injured when a portion of a wall fell on him.
STRUCTURAL FIRE COLLAPSE---CLOSE CALL REMINDERS:

As found in the various "links" below as well as Chief's Dunn & Brannigans teachings, keep in mind what should be on the minds of any of us operating at commercial fires with similar conditions:
*Defensive fire
*Commercial building/probable engineered roof systems
*Parapet walls
*Extended operations (in the San Fran fire, the parapet fell 24 minutes after arrival) and it was a Type II warehouse (normally the building cannot withstand the total burnout of its contents).
WATCH THE ORIGINAL VIDEO CLIP HERE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI8RGcA61ww
CHECK OUT EXTENDED VIDEO & MORE NEWS COVERAGE FROM DAVESTATTER911:
http://www.wusa9.com/news/columnist/blogs/2009/05/must-see-video-of-another-very-close.html
WATCH AN EXTENDED VERSION OF THE ORIGINAL VIDEO CLIP:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82tbAGnTjSs&feature=channel_page
HERE ARE IMPORTANT RELATED LINKS ON STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE AT FIRES:
DUNN ARTICLE: http://cms.firehouse.com/web/online/Firefighting-Strategy-and-Tactics/Dunns-Dispatch--Recognizing-Wall-Collapse-Dangers/14$56571
DUNN SAFETY BULLETIN: http://vincentdunn.com/dunn/newsletters/Front_wall_collapse.pdf
COLLAPSE INDICATORS BULLETIN:
http://firefighterclosecalls.com/drills/FCC%20Vol%2012-136%20Structural%20Collapse%20Indicators.pdf
COLLAPSE INDICATORS BULLETIN:
http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/drills/FCC%20Vol%204-47%20Collapse%20Indicators.pdf
COLLAPSE ZONE BULLETIN:
http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/drills/FCC%20Vol%209-107%20FF%20Survival%20Tips%203-Collapse%20Zones.pdf
EXCELLENT NIST FIRE COLLAPSE BULLETIN AND VIDEOS:
http://www.fire.gov/collapse/index.htm
FF INJURY & DEATH / CONSTRUCTION FAILURES FROM NIOSH: 
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2005-132/
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2005-132/pdfs/2005-132Sum.pdf
SAMPLE FF NEAR-MISS REPORT: (Search for others as needed)
http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/nmrs-query//ViewReport.htm?sp=S09-0000096
VIDEO-DISCOVERY CHANNEL "LIVE" VIDEO OF COLLAPSE:
http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/destroyed-in-seconds-fiery-wall-collapse.html
VIDEO-L.A. BUILDING FIRE/COLLAPSE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee9hUynD4S8
VIDEO-FDNY BUILDING COLLAPSE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wfpRO9bTfo&feature=related

Just Jumped out and bite it?

Fire Apparatus Snaps Utility Pole

from www.firefighterclosecalls.com news

Fire Apparatus Snaps Utility Pole

Saturday, May 23, 2009

An ambulance attempting to transport a man to Frisbie Memorial Hospital after he fell from his bicycle Friday afternoon was delayed after a fire truck clipped a utility pole and brought down live wires across two streets.
Police, fire and Frisbie EMS responded to Dewey Street at around 5:15 p.m. for a medical call. A man had fallen off his bicycle and was reported to be unconscious.
Police Sgt. Eric Babine did not have the name of the man immediately available. He said police were called to the scene to assist EMS, who were tending to the patient upon the arrival of officers. The call originally came in that the patient was a young boy, but Babine confirmed it was an adult male who was not wearing a helmet and had fallen off the bicycle and lost consciousness.
The ambulance was ready to transport the man to the hospital by around 5:30 p.m.; however, as a fire truck driven by firefighter Nick Angelo prepared to leave the scene, it clipped a utility pole at the corner of Dewey Street and Riverside Drive. A loud crack emanated from the pole as it came down, causing wires all the way down the street to shake.
"The lines were shaking all the way down the street," said Dewey Street residents Jenny Smith and Lynn Costa. They, along with many others, crowded around the scene, which also drew a larger crowd of rescue officers.
One fire truck, ambulance and police cruiser responded to the original call. After the pole and wires came down, a second police cruiser, the critical incident response unit, another fire truck and two fire command vehicles — along with Fire Chief Norm Sanborn and Deputy Fire Chief Richard Giguere — responded to the scene as well.
A second ambulance also had to come to the scene to transport the patient. He was already loaded in the first ambulance, but it could not leave the scene because it was trapped by the downed wires.
Sanborn called it a "minimal delay" that was "nothing that would have compromised" the patient's health. He said they were already treating the patient in the ambulance when the wires came down.
Sanborn said the collision caused minimal damage to the fire truck. A "rub rail" on the side of the truck meant to lessen damage in case of an accident was what struck the pole, and was damaged as a result. Other than that, Sanborn said there was minimal damage but the truck would be out of commission until Tuesday because of the holiday weekend.
The major damage caused by the accident was to the pole, which was apparently rotten and home to large black ants.
"The rotten pole caused the big issue," Sanborn said, adding power would have to be cut to complete cleanup. He estimated it would be several hours before the road could be opened again because a new pole would be set up and wires had to be reattached. Since it was a pole on the corner of two streets, Sanborn said it was a junction point for cable and power lines.
"They've got quite a bit of work, unfortunately," Sanborn said.

Makes sense to Me - Engineered Lumber ID Program

The City of Greencastle, Indiana and the Greencastle Fire Department recently enacted and approved an Engineered Lumber ID Program consisting of a sticker that is used for quick recognition of potential Collapse Dangers associated with Engineered Lumber constructed buildings. The sticker is placed on every electrical meter of all residential & commercial buildings with Engineered Lumber construction built after May 13th 2008.

The news release states that; the use of this type of lumber in building construction presents a great danger to firefighting

personnel when those structures are involved in fire conditions. By design, the Engineered Lumber in floor and roof assemblies will collapse, without warning, after being exposed to heat or flame contact for a very short period of time.

Because of the inherent danger firefighters must face while operating within these buildings, an Engineered Lumber Identification Program (ELIP) has been instituted to alert personnel of the danger prior to beginning fire suppression operations.

The Engineered Lumber Identification Program is intended to alert the members of the Greencastle Fire Department with pertinent pre-plan information before firefighting forces are committed to an interior attack. The sticker is unobtrusive and is placed directly on a meter box, for example, and alerts the FD if either the floor joists and/or the trusses are made of and Engineered Lumber System and materials. The fire officers are already checking the utility boxes on all fires as part of their initial size-up. The ELIP shall be an ongoing program applied to all residential & commercial buildings inspected by the Greencastle Fire Department.

Continue Reading Enhancing Firefighter Safety: One Step at a Time

ORDINANCE 2008 – 4 states; AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING A REFLECTIVE SYMBOL ON STRUCTURES USING ENGINEERED LUMBER

WHEREAS, many new building structures currently use engineered lumber in their construction;
WHEREAS, some types of engineered lumber burn at a rate faster that other types of lumber; and
WHEREAS, in fighting fires, it would be helpful to know the types of materials used in the construction of a structure.

NOW THEREFORE be it ordained by the Common Council of the City of Greencastle as follows:
1. Definitions:
a. Engineered Lumber shall mean prefabricated I-joists, truss joists, and truss rafters, and laminated beams and studs.
b. Structure shall mean primary, secondary and accessory structures as defined in the Greencastle Zoning Code that have electrical meters that serve the structure.
2. All structures constructed with engineered lumber after the effective date of this ordinance must have a reflective symbol affixed to each electrical meter serving the structure.
3. The reflective symbol shall be in the form of a sticker, issued by the City of Greencastle that states that the structure is constructed with engineered lumber
4. Any person violating this ordinance by refusing to use the reflective symbol or by removing the reflective symbol shall be subject to a fine in an amount of $25.00 per violation. Each day that a violation occurs shall constitute a separate violation, subject to a separate fine.
5. The owner of any structure that was constructed with engineered lumber prior to the effective date of this ordinance is requested to place the reflective symbol on the electrical meter serving the structure on a voluntary basis.

This is another great example how local level insights, actions and legislation can go a long way in supporting fire service operational challanges as they relate to building construction systems, methodologies and materials. Remember, We can certainly work diligently AND cooperativley with local government officials to enhance incident operations and make our jobs safety, one step at a time....

For additional information on the Fire Department's efforts in Greencastle, IN contact Lt. John Shafer, Lieutenant/Training Officer HERE.

For additonal information on other efforts that have been instituted nationally in other jurisdictions, check out a previous posting of mine on Truss Systems Placards For Firefighter Safety from across the United States, HERE. It will provide you with a number of examples and links of different placarding and signage systems across the United States.

An invaluable free on-line training program on Structural Stability of Engineered Lumber in Fire Conditions - is available from UL, check HERE for further information.

The 2006 NIOSH LODD Report, HERE

Original video source (video-play.mp4)

Car Fire Pre- arrival

Watch at the 3:15 time small explosion, watch what they do before they get a line on it?

What's Happening

A lot of popping and hissing: Found this video on You Tube of a house fire early Thursday morning in Woodbridge, Virginia. The note with the video indicates fireworks and propane for camping stored in the garage are making all the racket. There are two other parts to the video and a many other videos at Rhett's VAFireNews.com.

I wonder how PGFD answered this survey: In anticipation of its press conference at DC's Engine 3 this morning, Fireman's Fund has already posted results of its survey of the American fire service. The survey takes a close look at the impact from the economy. Besides national results, there are details from nine different regions including the Washington, DC area. Check it out.

Explosion site tour in Texas: Dave Drummond went back to the tank farm in Lamesa, Texas to show what it looked after all the destruction from Thursday night's explosion. See his latest video.

Take the money and run?: That seems to be the option Victorian Country Fire Authority CEO Neil Bibby is taking after getting a $900,000 donation from an underworld figure. Mick Gatto is an Italian-Australian heavyweight boxer who was big in the 70s, a professional mediator within the building industry and a convicted criminal with ties to Melbourne's underworld. He held a fundraiser to assist the fire service after the Black Saturday bushfires. The event drew criticism from law enforcement. The controversy continues as Bibby says they will use the money to develop leadership programs. Click here and here for details.

Investigation delayed into sexual assault of firefighter on Cayman Islands: A firefighter received an 18-month jail sentence after being found guilty of "indecent assault" of a female colleague from incidents that occurred at the end of 2006. The victim has since quit her job and now a department investigation into the whole mess is on hold awaiting court transcripts. Read the details.

Sears Tower Edge to Open In June

…these new glass enclosures that extend 4.3 feet beyond the side of the building. Beneath peoples’ feet lies the sprawling Illinois city - 103 stories, or 1,353 feet, below. Just an inch-and-a-half of glass separates the visitor from the street underneath. The attraction is due to open in June.

CHICAGO (AP) - Visitors to the top of the tallest building in North America soon won't be able to avoid looking straight down.
The Sears Tower plans this summer to add four enclosed glass-bottomed balconies jutting out from the building's 103rd floor Skydeck - offering a view of 1,353 feet down.
Each of the balconies - all on the tower's west side - will be able to hold about five tons and the glass will be a half-inch thick.
Randy Stancik, Skydeck general manager, says he was inspired by glass-floored thrills at the Grand Canyon and Toronto's CN Tower.
The balconies will extend about four feet from the observation deck, part of a multimillion dollar renovation plan coinciding with a renaming to Willis Tower.

Uncle Jay Explains May 18, 2009

What is the "Deficit?" Some kids at school take Deficit to help their attention, is it like that? No, in the news it's about grownups who don't pay attention to their money. That is, OUR money. Uncle Jay explains The Deficit!

Gasoline Tanker goes up in Fire in Perth Australia

See pictures from the fire

LiveLeak version (video quality may be better)

This fire occurred on Friday in Maddington, Perth, Australia. The fire began as a gasoline tanker drive was filling the underground tanks at a service station. No one was injured in the fire.

Watch what happens starting at about 49 seconds into the video as a fire rapidly takes over the entire structure. Perth Now reporter Chris Robinson interviewed Fire and Emergency Services of Western Australia (FESA)operational services officer Paul Ryan about this. Here are excerpts:
“On arrival, the guys found some tyres had started to ignite and some of the fuel areas around the garage had started to burn, so they started to cool the tank,” he said.
“The tank started to bulge a little bit and started pressurizing, (and) the guys then backed off from that area.
“The side of the tanker which was facing the service station then ruptured.”

Mr Ryan praised the efforts of the fire crews at the scene in placing water on the side of the tank to keep the strength of the aluminium in place, preventing further damage.
“If they hadn’t have done that, there was a possibility it may have failed, and taken some of our crews… so it was very good fire fighting by our personnel,” he said.

Explosion Near Lamesa TX – Close One

***Some cursing on video***
While shooting some ENG/stock footage last night of a tank battery fire near Lamesa, TX that was ignited by lightning, an explosion took place that sent a foot and half long, 4" diameter pipe valve from 200 yards away arcing directly into the front of my storm chase vehicle causing extensive damage.
This is closer than you EVER want to be to an explosion!
Firefighters from Lamesa and Andrews, TX fought to keep the fire down and the tanks cooled off for an hour before it finally exploded. Miraculously, all managed to escape without injury!
Video aired today on NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, TWC
Videographer:
David Drummond
http://daviddrummond.com

In Slow Motion

ON AFG Funding

The recent news about Obama’s funding for the Safer and AFG grants seems against what he has said about “Yes we Can” speeches. Why would someone cut the findings main areas and place it into where it benefits career departments over the volunteer departments. In the last survey, the volunteer fire service is making a strong showing. About 87% percent of fire departments registered in the national census are predominantly volunteer (70.6% all volunteer and 16.2% mostly volunteer), according to Alex Furr,  director of the USFA National Fire Data Center. Furr said 8.5% of the registered departments are career departments and 4.7% are mostly career departments.  The safer grant is all fine and well for career departments with only 5% going to recruitment and retention for the volunteers.

Seems one sided. While there is no doubt that the safer grants will allow municipalities to staff jobs, then you have to remember they have to fund these jobs after the safer grant runs out. It that when the cuts will come again for those departments. Seems that if the majority of fire departments are volunteer than it would seem that the money should go towards perks for the volunteers by tax breaks, compensation for training etc.

Here is what the NVFC is saying President Proposes Dramatic Reduction in Funding for Firefighter Equipment, Training and Apparatus

Firehouse posted this story DHS Secretary Cites Firefighter Input in Reducing AFG Funding

On Vacant Buildings – In these times

The NFPA recently published thier Vacant Buildings Fire Report issued by the Fire Analysis and Research Division. From the Executive Summary, Fires in vacant buildings have become a matter of increasing concern as the economy has weakened. In 2003-2006, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 31,000 structure fires in vacant buildings per year.
These fires resulted in an average of 50 civilian deaths, 141 civilian injuries, and $642 million in direct property damage per year.
Based on annual averages for 2003-2006, the 31,000 reported vacant structure fires accounted for 6% of the 520,100 structure fires, 2% of the 3,125 civilian structure fire deaths, 1% of the 15,200 civilian structure fire injuries, and 7% of the $9.0 billion in direct property loss. These statistics are national estimates of fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments based on the detailed information collected in Version 5.0 of the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS 5.0) and the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA’s) annual fire department experience survey. Take the time to look over the Full Executive Summary and NFPA report on the web site HERE
Start thinking about your policies and procedures related to vacant or unoccupied structures. It's NOT business as usually in these continuing times of economic hardships and flux. It beckons and reflects to the fire service demands of the late 1970’s and the mid 1980’s. I previously discussed issues surrounding Vacant or Unoccupied Structures: Is it Business as Usual? HERE.
As the escalating adverse trend continues, and more and more buildings become vacant and unoccupied, now is the time to focus greater attention on adequate risk assessments and effective strategic size-up with firefighter safety considerations remaining clear and distinguished.
There may be a lot of reasons why a vacant building turns into a structure fire, that ultimately involves our services; don’t let that contribute to an undesired injury or worst. Start looking over the emerging or self-revealing patterns of business or building vacancies, begin pre-planning and refining your strategic and tactical protocols. Remember: Building Knowledge = Firefighter Safety.

The NFPA provides the following additional information: InterFire has a number of resources related to vacant building fires and fire prevention on its website at http://www.interfire.org/features/vacantbuildings.asp, including a draft ordinance to address blight. The best way to prevent vacant building fires is to prevent vacant buildings.
The National Vacant Properties Campaign’s website
http://vacantproperties.org/strategies/tools.html describes a number of strategies to address the problem of vacant properties and provides examples of how these strategies have been used.
Based on the findings of the Urban Fire Safety Project, NFPA recommends that local fire departments and the national fire service partner with financial institutions and other organizations to prevent home foreclosures and home abandonment.
Vacant building arson is also addressed in the Arson Prevention PowerPoint Presentation developed by NFPA and Columbus Division of Fire. The presentation, intended for use by local fire departments and community organizations is available at http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/Public%20Education/NFPAarsonpresentation.ppt.

I put stuff on the blog a while back here is an example of it “Working” Thermo-Gel

Thermo-Gel On The Job In Santa Barbara

Thermo-Gel was on the job in Santa Barbara last week. A homeowner protected his house from the advancing flames of the Jesusita Fire and left a note for firefighters indicating the home had been "gelled".
The images below were provided to me by the fine people at Thermo-Gel. Notice the sign on the porch entrance.

"This House Was Protected With Thermo-Gel"

The flames came right up to the home. This homeowner did many things right, tile roof, stucco siding and an application of gel. He gets a ding for allowing giant oak branches to hang over the house but overall he gets a high B for preparing a home for life in the wildland-urban interface.
Best of all no firefighter had to risk their life to save this home!

LODD

Firefighters Memorial

Nelson, Frankie P.

Age:51

Cause of Death: Stress/Overexertion

Rank: Fire Captain

Nature of Death: Heart Attack

Classification: Career

Emergency Duty: No  

Incident Date:
05/09/2009

Duty Type:
After

Incident Time: 22:40

Activity Type: Incident Command

Death Date: 05/10/2009

Fire Dept. Info:
Shreveport Fire Department
263 North Commons Street
Shreveport , Louisiana  71101
Chief: Brian Crawford

Initial Summary:  
On May 9, 2009 at 2240 hours, Captain Nelson responded to a motor vehicle collision. He carried out emergency response procedures that included Incident Command, EMS assistance, and traffic safety control measures while on scene. He cleared the scene and returned to service at approximately 2315 hours. He was relieved of duty at 1400 hours on May 10, 2009. Approximately eight hours after being relieved of duty at 2141 hours on May 10, 2009, he suffered a heart attack in which Shreveport Fire Department EMS responded to and transported him to the Schumpert Medical Center. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. Incident Location: Interstate 220 and Jefferson Paige Road. (USNG: 15S VR 2130 9317)  

I had a feeling this was coming

Each year it surprised me to learn the this Assistant to Firefighters Grant was funded again. I had a feeling that it was too good to last. I hope that all departments got the things that they really needed in the past grant offerings. It was good while it lasted. The problem with the Safer grants is that most department cannot afford to keep up the staffing after the grant term, and money runs out. So a lot of then never applied for this grant.

President Obama Details Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Increases to SAFER and USFA; Cuts to FIRE

On May 7, President Obama released his detailed proposal for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 budget.

This proposal would double the funding for the SAFER grant program to $420 million and increase funding for the U.S. Fire Administration to $45.59 million. However, the budget also proposes cutting the FIRE grant program to $170 million. Details about proposed funding for the fire service programs are below.

During a meeting on May 7, the IAFC Board of Directors discussed the proposed budget with the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano. Chief Larry Grorud, IAFC president, said afterwards, “We appreciate the president’s support for the SAFER grant program and the U.S. Fire Administration. However, we are deeply concerned with the cut to the FIRE grant program, which helps enhance the basic operational capabilities for career, combination, and volunteer fire departments. The IAFC looks forward to working with the other fire service organizations and our allies in Congress to restore funding back to the FIRE grant program.”

Department of Homeland Security Budget Request ($ in millions)

	FY 2009 Enacted by Congress	FY 2010 President's Budget Request
U.S. Fire Administration	44.98	45.59
FIRE Grant Program	565	170
SAFER Grant Program	210	420
Urban Areas Security Initiative	837.5	887
State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP)	950	950
Urban Search and Rescue Teams	32.5	28
Interoperable Communications Grants	50	50
Emergency Management Performance Grants	315	315

Fire News headlines May 14, 2009

Links to today's news items of interest

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Fire News

• At Least 50 Firefighters Battle Blaze At Lounge In Kern Place
• Fire War Is Raging Over O.T. - Commish: Union Axed Deal
• Would-Be Firefighter DeGuara Lands In Jail
• In The Firehouse, Things Are So Simple As Black And White

Union News

• IAFF Urges Lawmakers To Bolster Airport Safety By Improving Fire Fighting Standards

Wildland News

• Rain Could Aid Florida Firefighters
• Firefighters In Santa Barbara Brace For Winds

Line Of Duty Death News

• Shreveport Fire Department Firefighter Dies After Incident

Blunders News

• Volunteer Monaca Firefighter Charged In Super Bowl Couch Burning

Legal Issues News

• Decision Upheld In $1M W-B Firefighter Contract Dispute
• Driver Charged In Death Of Plains Twp. Firefighter

Safety News

• Tracking System To Boost Firefighter Safety

The “New” Star Trek Movie

We went to the new Star Trek Movie Last night. Two thumbs up, As being a fan from the television days I was both excited and skeptical of the this remake of the series. It was really a rebirth of the series, I should think that there will be a long string of movies based on these younger actor that they found to play the parts. They really got the old characters down very good. "It's a true reset to the franchise, and honors everything Roddenberry did with the original series, yet sets everything up for completely new stories. The characters we know and love are there, and some of the surprising casting worked amazingly well. Chris Pine does an outstanding job as a younger Kirk, paying homage to Shatner yet making the role completely his own. He's not alone; all the primary characters are revitalized. The only fault was with some of the story line, and they could have spent a lot more on the CGI effects.

Uncle Jay Explains May 11, 2009

Sometimes bad news can be good news. When? When everybody expected even worse news! Sorry, that's about as sunny as things are going at the moment. Uncle Jay explains even the gloomiest news with a cheerful attitude that's really annoying.

Apparatus Incidents VA & IL - AGAIN? WTF

WEST VIRGINIA FIREFIGHTERS CRITICAL FOLLOWING EJECTION FROM APPARATUS WHILE RESPONDING

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

4 Firefighters of the Bradley-Prosperity (W. Va) FD were responding to a crash around noon today in heavy rain conditions when they were involved in a very serious crash. Initial reports are that the FF driving lost control of the rig and ended up in the median....and 3 of the 4 Firefighters were seriously injured with at least 2 of them ejected from the overturning apparatus....with at least one suffering from serious head injuries. The Firefighters were responding to an area near North Beckley when the driver lost control of the pick-up-sized apparatus and ended up in the median. The apparatus hydroplaned and went into a sideways slide and then began to rollover. There were no injuries in the initial Turnpike crash.

Update: Hampshire, IL Apparatus Crash

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Rick Heine, a lieutenant with the Hampshire Fire Protection District, remained in a hospital Monday and the fire district is without one of its two pumper trucks after a weekend traffic crash.
Lt. Pat Gengler of the Kane County Sheriff's Department said a fire engine crashed into a utility pole along Kelley Road, a mile east of Harmony Road, at about 12:13 p.m. Sunday. The crash mangled the engine's front so badly that Heine had to be cut out of the wreckage. Heine, 50, of Hampshire, was flown by helicopter to St. Anthony's Medical Center in Rockford.
Fire Capt. Trevor Herrmann said Heine remained in that hospital Monday afternoon, suffering from back and neck injuries.
The only other person in the truck, Firefighter Jeff Becker, 21, of Hampshire, was taken by ambulance to Provena Saint Joseph Hospital in Elgin, where he was released after treatment for minor injuries, according to Herrmann.
Gengler said the crash was precipitated by a pickup truck driven by John R. Hanson, 74, of Hampshire. Hanson also had been eastbound along Kelley. But seeing someone he knew at the roadside to his left, Gengler said, Hanson stopped the pickup, turned it diagonally across the roadway and leaned out the truck's window to talk to his friend.
Gengler said that as the fire engine crested a hill that blocked long-range vision, Becker, at the wheel of the fire engine, suddenly saw the pickup truck part-way across the road in front of him. Becker steered the engine partly onto the right shoulder to avoid the pickup, "but there was really no shoulder there, just a dropoff," Gengler said. "He lost control and hit a pole. It's a wonder the fire engine didn't roll over."
Hanson was ticketed for illegal parking in the roadway.
Herrmann said the two firefighters were doing a driver training exercise at the time. Every firefighter who drives emergency equipment must take a certain number of hours of such training drives each year, he said. The truck was not using its flashing lights or siren.
Herrmann said the fire engine, a 1986 Mack, probably is a total loss. That leaves the district with just one pumper for now. But he said the district has made arrangements with Burlington Fire Protection District to back up the Hampshire district when needed with Burlington's extra fire engine.

Thoughts to think about

· I used to eat a lot of natural foods until I learned that most people die of natural causes..

· Gardening Rule: When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.

· The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.

· Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.

· There are two kinds of pedestrians: the quick and the dead.

· Life is sexually transmitted.

· Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

· The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.

· Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.

· Have you noticed since everyone has a camcorder these days no one talks about seeing UFOs like they used to?

· Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

· All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.

· In the 60’s, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.

· How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?

· Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, “I think I’ll squeeze these dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out?”

· Who was the first person to say, “See that chicken there? I’m gonna eat the next thing that comes outta its butt.”

· Why is there a light in the fridge and not in the freezer?

· If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song about him?

· If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?

· Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet Soup?

· Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog’s face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him on a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

· Why doesn’t glue stick to the inside of the bottle?

Amazing Stuff – Thermo-Gel

Amazing stuff, one of those gee wiz items that you see around. Problem I see is that you would need to get it on the surfaces soon enough, and not try and stay in the area if your house was over run. There is a link at the bottom for their web site.

Thermo-Gel Protects Your Home From Fire

Thermo-Gel should be in the garage of every rural home. I could write about the product all day but the video below tells the story of this remarkable product. Watch and see for yourself how Thermo-Gel works. After you do click this link for facts about Thermo-Gel.

Had to Pass this Along to all you Wizard Of Oz Fans

Death of a Munchkin

The man who uttered the infamous words, “Follow the yellow brick road” in the 1939 movie, The Wizard of Oz, has died in his hometown of St. Louis Missouri.  Mickey Carroll was 89 years old and died of natural causes.

In the movie, Carroll played the part of the Munchkinland “Town Crier,” marched as a “Munchkin Soldier” and was the candy-striped “Fiddler” who escorted the movie’s wide-eyed orphan, Dorothy Gale, played by Judy Garland, down the yellow brick road toward Emerald City.

Mickey Carroll website

DC loses another round in beard case. Is it over yet?

 

On Wednesday, DC Attorney General Peter Nickles found out his office lost in its efforts to get a federal appeals court to revisit the decision to rule against the city in the case over beards worn by first responders in the DC Fire & EMS Department.

“Unfortunately the court denied the rehearing,” Nickles told The Blog of Legal Times. According to Nickles, “Our views as to the health and safety of firefighters and paramedics haven't changed.”

Nickles expects to now fight the battle to prevent the city from having to pay damages to the plaintiffs.

The ACLU's Arthur Spitzer, representing the group of firefighters and paramedics proclaiming religious grounds for keeping their facial hair, is hoping the city is not going to waste its time pursuing this case further.
Click here for more details from Legal Times.

Finally did something – Peterson arrested

Beacon News Story

I have been following this story for a while. At times it seemed that they would have had enough to charge him before but now they must have gotten everything they need. We hope that they have done everything right so he doesn't walk. read the full story at Beacon News

State police took down Drew Peterson at a busy Bolingbrook intersection Thursday, charging him with murdering his third wife, Kathleen Savio. Peterson, who is being held on $20 million bond, is scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. today.

Oconomowoc gets some surprising bids on hydrant painting

Waukesha County Wisconsin

 

By Scott Williams of the Journal Sentinel Full Story Here

May. 7, 2009

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

So when Odling Construction heard that the City of Oconomowoc needed a contractor to paint 900 fire hydrants, the Delavan excavating firm decided to apply for the job.

Odling's bid: $549 per hydrant, or a total of nearly $500,000.

Another firm looking to diversify, Thomas A. Mason Co. of Milwaukee, asked for $465 per hydrant.

Fortunately for Oconomowoc taxpayers, an experienced hydrant painter, Appleton-based Davies Water, offered to do the job for $95 per hydrant.

Oconomowoc Utilities Director Dennis Bednarski said he never would have agreed to pay anything close to $500 per hydrant.

"That was just astronomical," he said.

Representatives of Odling and Thomas Mason said they were just searching for work - and were not trying to gouge Oconomowoc taxpayers.

Steve Macaione, president of Thomas Mason, said the depressed economy has many firms venturing into unknown territory, in some cases without really knowing how much to charge.

"Everyone looks at projects a little different," he said. "There are a lot of odd numbers out there."

Explosion hurts 8 firefighters and 1 gas company employee. Updated info from Prince Georges's County, MD. Fireground audio, News Video

 

Click here for helicopter video from the scene (or here)

Watch video of the explosion (or here)

Listen to fireground audio (May be slow to load)

Eight firefighters and a gas company worker were injured in an apparent natural gas explosion in Forestville, Maryland this afternoon. Four of the firefighters and the gas worker were taken to the Medstar Burn Unit at the Washington Hospital Center. Two of the firefighters have since been treated and released. Two others, including a captain seen in the white helmet in the video above, are being held overnight for observation.

The two still in the hospital are the career captain, who was aboard Engine 823, and a volunteer firefighter from Station 826. Four firefighters transported to the Prince George's Hospital Center have been released.

According to Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department Chief Spokesman Mark Brady, the fire department received a call around 12:55 PM for a report of a natural gas leak. They arrived at 3426 Donnell Drive and evacuated a number of businesses at the Penn Mar Shopping Center. Brady said 45 people were ushered out of the building.

At about 1:23 PM, with the gas company on the scene, an explosion occurred, causing the destruction of about 5 store fronts. A flash fire resulted. Firefighters and the gas worker were injured by both the fire and flying debris.
The building was so heavily damaged firefighters were not able to immediately go back in and search to make sure everyone got out safely.

The video was captured on a camera mounted on Engine 826.

On the firground audio you can hear firefighters report shortly after their arrival the gas company was already on the scene checking for an underground leak. Later there is a report from the rear of the structure that fire had broken out while firefighters were venting the structure. As command attempted to determine what was burning, the explosion occurred and maydays were called.
Check wusa9.com for updates

VIEW SLIDESHOW

Pucker factor here - Near-Rollover In Pennsylvania

 

A DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, FIRE ENGINE WENT OFF THE ROAD and stopped just short of rolling down an embankment this morning.

Philly Fire News staff photo

The pumper was responding to an auto accident on I-95 and was traveling down an on-ramp when it went over the guard rail around 10:30 am.  The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, but there was no report of any other vehicles being involved.

Three firefighters were on board, one of them is reported to have suffered lower-back injuries and has been transported.

WTXF-TV Ch. 29 has this video report:

At noontime the northbound traffic on I-95 was still being diverted to a detour while preparations are made to try and retrieve the pumper safely.

The Delaware County Daily News has the latest REPORT.
Philly Fire News has more and a photo gallery HERE.

Interesting Video, Good tribute

H1N1 Flu: Get Your Facts Straight

Good article on this site about the the H1N1 Virus. Is this all a lot of hype? Much to do about nothing? Only when this works it’s course will we know. Maybe it’s all getting blow out of proportion. Read this from The Kitchen Table Blog

Enough of the "swine flu" hysteria. The public wants answers. Fire/EMS providers are in a unique position to counter the seemingly endless stream of H1N1 influenza idiocy. Panic serves no one. It's time for the fire and EMS services to step up to the plate and calm our friends, families and community members by offering common sense, practical help to each other and our communities. It’s what we do best.

See this post on FireRescue1.com with the questions and answers you need to know.

Uncle Jay Explains – May 4, 2009

DO NOT DO THIS!  And for more about how to protect yourself against whatever they’ve named the flu this week, do not watch TV or go on the internet.  After all, Uncle Jay explains everything!

Buyer Beware

 

Who is to gain from the H1N1 Flu. Here in Brainerd the stores ran out of the flimsy disposable mask in all the health supply stores, pharmacies etc. The anti bacterial wipes and gels are next. If you are planning to get some of them do it when they are here. Also buy their stock it may be going up. Also the drug manufactures companies that will produce the swine flu are a good bet. The government will surly go overboard and buy enough does to protect us. We have know about this threat for years, were taught about pandemics why weren't we more prepared.  Everyone is getting all excited over something that most likely will not kill as many people as the statistics for automobile accidents, etc. in this country.

This From NPR site 

None of these pills can cure swine flu

It was only a matter of time before charlatans and fakers would start selling swine flu "cures" on the Internet.

One such site features a pig's face spotted with graphic tattoos of skulls and ringed with fire and a screaming banner headline promising a "swine-flu cure-all medicine that is only $19.99 per dose or $99.99 for 6 doses!"

But as the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission remind us, there are no cures for swine flu, so don't be fooled.

Here's what Michael Chappell, acting FDA Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs, had to say:

Consumers who purchase products to treat the novel 2009 H1N1 virus that are not approved, cleared or authorized by the FDA for the treatment or prevention of influenza risk their health and the health of their families.

And FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz adds:

The last thing any consumer needs right now is to be conned by someone selling fraudulent flu remediesThe FTC will act swiftly against companies that resort to deceptive advertising.

For more information about protecting yourself when buying medicine online, go here.

For more information on what CDC recommends about the use of the two drugs currently approved to TREAT the new swine flu, go here.

Could have been worse, Dallas Cowboys training facility.

Just goes to show that you do not want to be in an air supported structure during and storm!

From the AP:

Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis was among 12 people injured when winds just shy of tornado strength ripped through the roof of the team's indoor practice facility during a rookie minicamp Saturday in Irving, Texas.
The storm hit while 27 players were going through workouts. There were about 70 people in the facility, counting coaches, other team personnel and media, officials said.
Ten of the injured were taken by emergency vehicles. Two others went to hospitals on their own.

''This worked out very, very well from a medical point of view,'' said Dr. Paul Pepe, head of emergency medical services for Dallas County. ''Right now, I think we don't have anybody who is in a life-threatening situation.''
The white, tent-like building is large enough to be seen from miles away. It was built in 2003, for Bill Parcells' first season as coach.
Storms often make loud noises inside the so-called bubble, but this time overhead lights swayed violently. One of the team's video staff was the first out the door, followed by Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com. Eatman was hit by something and went down a few feet away, then heard someone screaming for help. He recognized it was Todd Archer of the Dallas Morning News.
Eatman and colleague Josh Ellis tried freeing Archer but the structure wouldn't budge. ''It was like a car,'' Eatman said. Then safety DeAngelo Smith and linebacker Brandon Williams were able to get it up just enough for Archer to squirm out.
''All I saw was blue jerseys,'' said Archer, whose right elbow and legs were scraped. ''I was trapped, I couldn't move. Then those guys lifted it up — not very far, but I was able to move from my side to my back. . . . Once I got out of there, I looked back and the whole thing was down.''

Not a good week for fire appratus

CA Engine Rolls into Creek

Thursday, April 30, 2009

An Angels Camp Fire District truck rolled down the driveway of the fire station, across Hwy 4 and into Angels Creek Tuesday morning.
Officials say no one was in the truck at the time of the accident, and what caused it to roll away is still under investigation. 

OH Apparatus Crash Leaves 3 Injured

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

A crash in Lawrence County, Ohio, involving a fire department emergency vehicle sent three people to the hospital.
The three-vehicle accident happened at the intersection of US 52 and Charley Creek Road in Burlington after 8:30 Wednesday morning. if (self['plpm'] && plpm['Mid-Story Ad']) document.write('');if (self['plpm'] && plpm['Mid-Story Ad']){ document.write(plpm['Mid-Story Ad']);} else { if(self['plurp'] && plurp['97']){} else {document.write(''); } }if (self['plpm'] && plpm['Mid-Story Ad']) document.write('');
The driver of a Burlington Volunteer Fire Department truck was injured and taken to the hospital. His injuries are reported to be minor.
Emergency workers say two people in a car were more seriously hurt; they were also taken to the hospital.
The driver of a pick-up truck was not hurt.
We’re told the fire department vehicle was on its way to a call, with its lights and siren on when the crash happened.
A witness said that the car didn’t stop as the emergency vehicle crossed the intersection.
The emergency vehicle ended up on its side. The car was heading west on US 52 at the time of the accident.

Camden Squad 7 Crashes with PD

Monday, April 27, 2009

Camden NJ Mt Ephraim and Kaighn Ave
Camden Fire Dept  Squad 7 was responding to a reported house fire when they collided at an intersection no injuries to the 4 firefighters or the 1 police officer. Police are investigating.