Wednesday, September 30, 2009

More on this weekends NFFF Memorial

Firefighternation.com has posted a video on the “Behind the scenes NFFF memorial service”

Here’s a reminder that Firehouse.com will have a Live Memorial CoverageSee Video of the memorial here Oct 3rd at 6:00 pm EST Candlelight Vigil and October 4, 2009: 9:30 am EST of the NFFF Memorial Service

Bad day in Chicago

What's happening in Chicago, what’s it coming to? What happened to the kids, beating each other up? The news says that it wasn’t even gang related.

Three Beating Suspects Still at Large Fox news has the story here http://www.myfoxchicago.com/#

In case you missed it

Conan O’Brian fell and hit his head taping his show, here are some links and a video on YouTube of the fall. (ouch!) Reminds me of some of the horseplay that goes on in the work place and fire stations.

O'Brien Mocks Stunt Mishap On Tonight Show Return

Conan O'Brien FALLS, Hits Head, Injures Himself (VIDEO)

Monday, September 28, 2009

Uncle Jay Explains Sept. 29, 2009

Here's another weekly installment of Uncle Jay Explains the news from YouTube and uncle-jay-explains-the-news Ex-politicians dance on TV, while REAL politicians tango with tyrants! The world's leaders met in New York and Pittsburgh, and they proudly promised to do something someday about something. Maybe. Uncle Jay explains it all!

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Neat new invention

Saw this article, neat idea, if the flu bug takes off they should really sell. This idea if it work should help with worker safety and make disposable mask work better. Some little thing to protect firefighters.
Innovative Baxter company in a position to grow From the Brainerddispatch
Breathe Safely, which created a patented flexible tacky adhesive that is skin-friendly, is marketing the product to the public as a way to make face respirator masks universally fit faces. The idea is to create greater protection for the wearer as the masks create a form-fitting seal along the edge of the filtering face piece respirator mask.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

USFA Releases Annual Report on Firefighter Fatalities in the United States

Reminder to stay safe out there - The USFA has release the data on the 2008 line of duty deaths.
Emmitsburg, MD. – The United States Fire Administration (USFA) today released the report Firefighter Fatalities in the United States in 2008. The report continues a series of annual studies by the USFA of on-duty firefighter fatalities. The USFA is the single public agency source of information for all on-duty firefighter fatalities in the United States each year. Full text of press release here 
They give a full overview of the 118 firefighters that died while on duty in 2008: The total break down included 66 volunteer, 34 career, and 18 wildland agency firefighters.

Full report can be downloaded here: Firefighter Fatalities in the United States in 2008 (PDF, 3.1 Mb)

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Reminder of Fallen Firefighter Memorial Weekend

The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend will be held October 2 – 4, 2009 more infromation can be found at Firehero.org for information on the memorial weekend being held October 2 - 4, 2009 . Having had the opportunity to attend the academy over the years I have seen the memorial take shape from what it once was. If you ever get out east you should defiantly take the time to visit this memorial. The memorials in Washington are great and well worth seeing, but being firefighter this memorial is very moving and a reminder of our brothers lost.

» Download: The National Release | Releases by State (Includes Details on Firefighters Honored)
» More: Download the Full 2009 Memorial Weekend Press Kit (PDF)

Emmitsburg, MD - The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Fire Administration announce that the 28th annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend will be held October 2-4, 2009. A plaque with the names of 103 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2008 will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, located here on the National Fire Academy campus. The names of 19 firefighters who died in previous years will also be added. The plaques surrounding the Memorial, which was established in 1981, will contain the names of more than 3,300 firefighters.

U.S. Fire Administration Home Page 

28th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend ·

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Oregon's Jackson County Fire District No. 3 faces a $5,000 fine

From Firefighterclosecalls.com
In a live fire training CLOSE CALL, Oregon's Jackson County Fire
District No. 3 faces a $5,000 fine for a spring training exercise
where 3 Firefighters suffered minor burns and melted some of their
gear. The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division cited the
fire district for having what it termed "serious violations" at a
training exercise April 25 at a house. The FF's were exposed to the
risk of flash over, the citation said, but the room did not flash.
(Scroll down for links and reports)
Among the points cited by state OSHA:
=Training objectives weren't followed correctly.
=Communication with the attack team was inadequate at times.
=The chain of command wasn't adhered to properly.
=The exercise wasn't stopped immediately when hazards were observed.
The reports stated: "If the training objectives had been followed,
communication with the attack team had been maintained, if the chain
of command had been followed during the training exercise and/or the
exercise was halted when hazards were observed by supervision, this
accident would not have occurred"
The district, which had voluntarily reported the injuries, is
appealing the citation and penalty, arguing that it had responded
vigorously to the incident to ensure the safety of their
firefighters.
A decision on the appeal is expected soon. Fire Chief Dave Hard said
the district temporarily suspended live-fire training until a team
that included outside experts could evaluate the accident. Then it
updated and reinforced policies and training, and upgraded equipment
before successfully staging three more burning exercises this summer.
"We made some mistakes and that's why we called in outside experts,"
said the Chief.
The house was scheduled for demolition and was donated to the district
to burn for training. Wood pallets were stacked in a room to simulate
furnishings, then lit, but crews initially thought the fire was too
small, Hard said. They added more pallets.
An OSHA report said an attack team consisting of volunteer FF Matt
Brite, FF Eric Merrill, volunteer FF Brexson Engle and Instructor Jon
Brite, a district employee and Matt Brite's father, had gone into the
house and put the fire out once.
As they repeated the exercise, the team crawled down a hallway filled
with thick, black smoke. The report indicated that a thermal camera
gave readings of temperatures in the smoke topping 800 degrees, so
interior Safety Officer Stephen Ede ordered the fire knocked down
immediately. But the team didn't get that message and watched the fire
grow for about a minute as smoke filled the room to within about 2
feet of the floor and roiled down the hallway.
Jon Brite told the OSHA investigator that he had the team wait and
watch and stated, "They need to feel the heat," the OSHA report said.
(My note:  How often do we still hear this ridiculous statement from
on ignorant trainer?)
Merrill felt the air in his breathing apparatus growing warmer and
decided to grab the nozzle from Matt Brite to extinguish the fire. The
movement caused Matt Brite, who told investigators that he had been
waiting for instructions from Jon Brite like those given in the first
exercise, to put out the fire.
When the fire extinguished, the team went outside and noticed that the
face shields of their helmets were melting and warping and their
protective clothing had charred. Later examination by experts
indicated the firefighters had prolonged exposure to temperatures
between 500 and 600 degrees.
Matt Brite had redness and several small blisters on his right arm and
hand where his protective coat had touched his skin, Hard said.
Merrill had redness of a first-degree burn on his arm and Engle had
red first-degree burns on the back of his neck. All three went to the
hospital to be examined.
Hard said the district launched an investigation April 27 by its
safety committee and officials from fire departments in Medford and
Josephine and Clackamas counties. It also notified OSHA, even though
the incident didn't meet the legal definition of a catastrophe - three
or more employees admitted to a hospital - in which reporting is
required, he said.
The OSHA investigation identified communication problems, including a
voice amplifier that was not turned on and one that had dead
batteries, heavy smoke that kept people from seeing, and changing
objectives. The investigation pointed out that the team deviated from
the objective of putting out the fire by waiting and watching it. The
report also indicates instructor Jon Brite didn't attend a pre-burn
briefing, though the district contends that he did.
Hard said the district reaffirmed policies related to training with
live fire, including not allowing people to supervise relatives and
requiring everyone involved to go to pre-training briefings and
complete standard checks of equipment. It held meetings to reinforce
those procedures and new ones were adopted, such as moving the
instructor closer to the front of the team working a hose. It also
sent district officials to additional training on teaching crews with
fire.
The district spent $3,432 on new communication gear mounted on
breathing apparatuses even though it claimed that the amplifiers
weren't needed for communication, which generally is done over radios,
according to documents submitted to OSHA.
When the district resumed live-fire training two weeks after the
accident, crews were careful to follow all rules, and have had three
safe exercises this summer, Hard said.
"I was pleased with what I saw as everyone was more attentive to
procedure," he said. "The biggest thing is don't get complacent," he
added. "This could have happened to anybody."
An excellent point and good leadership shown by the Chief. It can and
has happened to many, many FD's. Their burn was a CLOSE CALL and one
where there are some lessons of value to all Firefighters. Some may
blow this off but those who do need to become familiar with past
training burns that went worse-when Firefighters were killed-READ
below. Firefighters absolutely need good solid no nonsense and tough
hands on training - the standards help minimize unnecessary risk and
injury.
HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES WHERE FIREFIGHTERS WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED AT LIVE FIRE TRAINING:
Feb 09, 2007-Prob. FF dies while at a live-fire training evolution at
an acquired structure-Maryland
Oct 23, 2005-Fire officer injured during a live fire evolution at
academy dies two days later-Pennsylvania
Oct 17, 2003-Live-fire exercise in mobile flashover training simulator
injures 5 FF's-Maine
Aug 08, 2003-Live-fire training exercise claims the life of 1 recruit
fire fighter and injures 4 others-Florida
Jul 30, 2002-Lieutenant and FF die in a flashover during a live-fire
training evolution-Florida
Sep 25, 2001-FF dies and two others are injured during live-burn
training-New York
Apr 30, 2000-Assistant chief dies during a controlled-burn training
evolution-Delaware
READ ALL OF THE ABOVE FIRE REPORTS HERE:
http://www2a.cdc.gov/NIOSH-fire-fighter-face/state.asp?state=ALL&Incident_Year=ALL&Medical_Related=ALL&Trauma_Related=0024&Submit=Submit
HERE IS HOW TO MINIMIZE THE RISK WHILE STILL HAVING NO NONSENSE, HANDS
ON TRAINING:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/wp-solutions/2005-102/
(Preventing Deaths & Injury to Firefighters during Live-Fire Training
in Acquired Structures)

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Wow - Interesting Comparison

Wow - Interesting Comparison

This is the most profound political analysis I have read in a while . . ..

THE COW AND THE ICE CREAM ONE OF THE BEST EXPLANATIONS OF WHY OBAMA WON THE ELECTION

(From a teacher in the  Nashville area) "We are worried about "the cow"  when it is all about the "Ice Cream" 
     The most eye-opening civics lesson I ever had was while teaching third grade this year.The presidential election was heating up and some of the children showed an interest. I decided we would have an election for a class president. 
   We would choose our nominees. They would make a campaign speech and the class would vote. To simplify the process, candidates were nominated by other class members. We discussed what kinds of characteristics these students should have.
We got many nominations and from those, Jamie and Olivia were picked to run for the top spot. The class had done a great job in their selections. Both candidates were good kids. I thought Jamie might have an advantage because he got lots of parental support. I had never seen Olivia's mother. 
     The day arrived when they were to make their speeches. Jamie went first.
He had specific ideas about how to make our class a better place. He ended by promising to do his very best. Everyone applauded and he sat down. 

Now it was Olivia's turn to speak. 
Her speech was concise. 
She said, "If you will vote for me, I will give you ice cream."
She sat down. 
The class went wild. "Yes! Yes!
We want ice cream." She surely would say more. She did not have to. A discussion followed. How did she plan to pay for the ice cream?She wasn't sure. Would her parents buy it or would the class pay for it. She didn't know. The class really didn't care.All they were thinking about was ice cream.


Jamie was forgotten. Olivia won by a landslide.

Every time Barack Obama opened his mouth he offered ice cream and 
52 percent of the people reacted like nine year olds. They want ice cream. The other 48 percent know they're going to have to feed the cow and clean up the mess." Remember, the government cannot give anything to anyone --- that they have not first taken away from someone else.

Monday, September 21, 2009

House go Ka-Boom

Nampa House Ka-Boom Follows Plumbing Alterations

A NAMPA, IDAHO, HOUSE WAS BLOWN TO BITS Friday morning, severely injuring the owner who was in his kitchen at the time.  The mechanisms of the blast indicate that it was a natural gas explosion that also caused structural damages to the houses on either side and could be felt a 1/2-mile away. nampa a statesman

Shocked neighbors came out to see what happened and found Larry King, 62, buried up to his neck in debris as a “snowstorm” of insulation continued to fall on the area.  They started to pull debris off of him as they awaited the arrival of the medics and firefighters.  King suffered several broken bones along with 2nd- and 3rd-degree burns on 20% of his body.

The fire investigators removed several sections of gas pipe from underneath the house because there were indications that some sort of modifications had been made to them.  They also discovered that more than one month’s worth of usual gas consumption had passed through the meter in the past seven days.

KTVB-TV Boise filed this video report from the scene:

Uncle Jay Explains September 21, 2009

The news lately has been filled with very rude people, so this week Uncle Jay has become extremely civilized. He's just trying to set a good example. And as long as you don't watch the final ten seconds, you'll think he succeeds! 

Friday, September 18, 2009

Who’s in charge here, the Whitehouse or the State?

Seems to me that the government is trying to tell the state what they should do, and of course it’s in the present administration best interest. If was the other way they would be calling foul, wouldn't they? Just another evident point that the Democrats are trying to change the rules as they go along. I posted a blog on this sometime ago - Typical Democrats & the Kennedy’s 8/20/2009 Seems like someone is trying to tell a state what to do, and to go against their state constitution?

Massachusetts Governor Says White House Pressing for Quick Kennedy Replacement

A month after a White House spokesman labeled the issue a state matter, Deval Patrick said he and Obama spoke about changing the law as they both attended Kennedy's funeral Full story here - Fox News Report

Republicans in the Massachusetts Senate temporarily blocked a bill allowing Patrick to name an interim appointment. "Public policy questions important to everyone in America shouldn't be decided by a tragedy of death or some other non-electoral factor," Frank said.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Ohio County Issues Safety Alert after Hazmat Suicide

Ohio County Issues Safety Alert after Hazmat Suicide

Following the death of a 29-year-old man found in his car, the Ada County (Idaho) Sheriff’s Office issued a safety bulletin regarding a “detergent suicide,” named so for the mixture of ingredients that produces deadly hydrogen sulfide gas. The detergent recipe is available on the Internet and uses chemicals that are available readily.
 
 LMPD :: Louisville Metro Police Department (News) 

Ohio County Issues Safety Alert after Hazmat Suicide.
www.lmpd.com/ -

image

Tricks of the Trade: New Hazmat Threat Comes to the US - Firehouse ...

Last year it set a goal of cutting the suicide rate by 20 percent in 10 years through steps ... as a safety margin, IDLHs were based on the effects that might occur as a ... At 150-250 ppm the olfactory nerve is paralyzed after a few inhalations, ... Rescue School, Suffolk County Fire Academy and around the county. ...
cms.firehouse.com/.../Hazardous-Materials/...Hazmat.../18$61765 -

Monday, September 14, 2009

Responding Kentucky Firefighter Killed in Crash

MONTEREY, Ky. --

A firefighter is dead after responding to a crash site in Owen County.

Officers said Terry Sharon, 60, was heading eastbound in a 1978 Ford F350 fire truck along Sawdridge Creek Road in response to a crash.

Police said the first crash happened at about 12:33 a.m. just south of Monterey at 340 Sawdridge Creek Road.

Investigators said that while driving to the scene, Sharon lost control of the truck, and skidded about 150 feet off the road before crashing into an unoccupied fifth-wheel camper trailer parked on the property neighboring the fire station.

Sharon was taken to New Horizons Medical Center by the Owen County EMS where he was later pronounced dead.

The Kentucky State Police is investigation the crash, along with the Owen County Sheriff Department, the Owen County Life Squad and Monterey Fire Department. Story by wlky.com

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Owenton, KY

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Terry Sharon of the Monterey Fire Department in Owenton, KY has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-09-13 00:00:00.0.

Uncle Jay Explains the News - September 15, 2009

Serene, ah? Not this week. And that wasn't the only racket in the news: everybody in Congress turned when Joe Wilson shouted "You lie!" because they each thought he was talking to them. Uncle Jay explains this and more!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Bit & Pieces of the News

arrwrule

Alabama - Decatur firefighters spent nine hours Saturday battling a fire that leveled half of a business on Indian Hills Road Southeast. Four city fire stations initially responded to the fire at Mastercraft Woodworks around 4:43 a.m. Station 8 firefighters across from the business were there instantly, according to Lt. Steve Barnett.

The fire was one of the largest the department has battled this year, Barnett said.

Barnett said he later called in units from more stations, including the fire department's HAZ-MAT team.

"There were two big metal buildings," Barnett explained. "The firefighters managed to keep the fire from the front building and it was not touched. The one in the back burned down."  http://www.firefightingnews.com/article.cfm?articleID=70621

121

 Girl Critical After Minnesota Explosion - An apparent natural gas explosion destroyed a home in South Minneapolis on Saturday afternoon, leaving a 10-year-old child in critical condition, a hospital spokeswoman said.

The explosion at 5613 32nd Ave. S. blew out the sides of the house and shot glass from the windows to the opposite curb.

"It was terrifying, and it happened just so fast," said Erica Myking, 29, who lives directly across the street. "We have our air on so all our windows and doors are shut, and even in the shut-up house it was extremely loud -- boom!" Firehouse News 

Dogs Shot Amid Middletown House Fire

Pit Bulls Charged Officer, Police Say

3 News MIDDLETOWN, Conn. -- Two dogs were shot amid a fire at Middletown home Saturday night.

The blaze was reported at a home on DeKoven Drive at about 6:30 p.m.

As the first officer arrived at the fire, police said he was charged by three dogs.

Police said the officer retreated from the home and the dogs, believed to be pit bulls, charged at the officer.

The officer fired his weapon at the dogs, striking two of them. The third dog fled the area. Police said the conditions of the dogs were unknown Saturday night.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze on the home’s second floor. No injuries were reported in the blaze.

Police said a youth was arrested on charges of interfering with an officer at the scene.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

LONG ISLAND FIREFIGHTER DIES IN THE LINE OF DUTY AT STRUCTURAL FIRE-CARDIAC ARREST

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

It is with deep regret that we advise you that a 58 year old  Huntington Manor (Suffolk County, Long Island, New York) Firefighter  died in the Line of Duty at the scene of a fire this morning. Initial  reports are that this was a witnessed arrest and immediate life saving  efforts were attempted. More details will be posted later. As always, our sincere condolences to all affected.

Friday, September 11, 2009

From The Secret List

FFCC Banner 08

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR DEPT TO DISPLAY A PIECE OF WORLD TRADE CENTER STEEL

Hey,

As we approach 9/11/09, we have been asked to share this information with you. It is a rare opportunity to allow ALL fire departments, police departments, EMS agencies and related community based organizations to further insure their community never forgets 9/11-and do so not just in "words"- but in action.

The following message is from FDNY FF Lee Ielpi (Ret), the Father of FDNY FF Jonathan Ielpi who was murdered in the Line of Duty on 9/11/01.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is accepting requests from organizations that would like to request a piece of World Trade Center steel.  The steel was recovered from the World Trade Center site after September 11, 2001 and secured at JFK Airport by The Port Authority of NY and NJ until now.  
The September 11th Families Association is proud to be part of this great effort to distribute steel to organizations interested in creating memorials. The steel withstood the most horrific attack on American soil that took the lives of 2,973 innocent people - one of whom was my son Jonathan Ielpi a Firefighter with FDNY Squad 288.  This is an extraordinary opportunity to obtain a piece of World Trade Center steel.  
The steel MUST be used in a memorial open to the general public such as in parks, fire/EMS/police stations, emergency service training grounds for uniformed personnel or places of public assembly.  The steel is not intended for and may not be used in personal collections, sold or used for fundraising.  All requests for steel MUST be in writing on official letterhead from an officer of the requesting agency, or a not for profit organization and will be verified. 

Requests from departments outside the United States are welcome.
This is a rare opportunity to create a lasting memorial IN YOUR COMMUNITY honoring the lives lost and educating future generations about the events of September 11, 2001.  Everyday, your service as a Firefighter, Police Officer, EMT or related emergency personnel demonstrates the power of good.  A public memorial in YOUR community to the victims and heroes of 9/11 is a powerful way to insure their memory lives on. 

READ CAREFULLY:

INSTRUCTIONS HERE: http://www.911families.org/WTC%20Steel%20Public%20Memorials.pdf

SAMPLE LETTER HERE: http://www.911families.org/WTC%20Steel%20Sample%20Letter%20Form.pdf

As we are just days from 9/11/09-take the emotions and energies you feel and take advantage of this opportunity to honor those who gave their lives on 9/11/01-and remember WHY 9/11/01 must be remembered in every community, in every possible way. There are few better ways for your community members to connect to 9/11 than this. Frustrated that some have forgotten?

This will help your community ALWAYS REMEMBER.

9-11 Remembered

fdny-flag-helmet_200.jpgHere are some interesting links of 9-11 history. It’s near history in time, it’s what your grandkids will study. The effects of 9-11 will be felt personally for a few generations to come. Let us never forget that day and where you were when you heard. Do you remember what it was like after? I can still remember it being so quiet at night with no planes flying overhead, kind of weird. My first plane trip after 9-11 made me very apprehensive, and I kept looking at all the other passengers as if could they be another one?

Please remember the 343 firefighters that gave all on that date. There is plenty out there on this, books, video etc. May we never forget! I was at work at Caterpillar, and at almost the same time a close friend and co-worker was in a near fatal motorcycle accident on his way home that morning which happened at almost the same time.

Make history national 9-11 memorial

911 History

September 11 news 

343-firefighters

September 11: Bearing Witness to History - National Museum

YouTube September 11 2001

FDNY - The Official Fire Department, City of New York, Web Site

9-11-never-forget.jpg

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

More news & removal of LAFD's Engine 60

 

Click here for the view from KCBS-TV

The KABC-TV view of the fire engine extraction from other side

According to various news reports it took about seven hours to engineer the removal of LAFD's Engine 60 from the sinkhole that swallowed it this morning. Pulling it just from the rear didn't work and heavy equipment was need to pull the front. The KABC-TV video gives you the best view of the removal, the damage to the rig and a look at the hole at low tide.

Here's the story from the AP:

Crews using a crane have pulled a fire engine from a large sinkhole that opened as it was responding to a broken water main on a Los Angeles street.
Four firefighters escaped injury as mud and water poured into the vehicle's cabin Tuesday in the San Fernando Valley.
The firefighters were attempting to back the 22-ton engine out of the street when the collapse occurred.
The sinkhole was caused by a broken, 6-inch cast iron pipe. A Department of Water and Power official says it's unlikely the burst pipe is related to another one that broke two miles away over the weekend and flooded homes and cars.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

WTF – Fire Apparatus fall into sink hole

Fire Engine in the Hole

Fire Engine in the Hole  A Los Angeles fire engine has been swallowed by a huge sinkhole caused by a new water main break in the San Fernando Valley. As the 42,000-pound engine was reversing, the roadway swallowed the vehicle nose-first. The break is only a few blocks from where a 64-inch steel water main broke Sunday, flooding a section of an LA neighborhood and washing away an important thoroughfare. (photo courtesy of KTLA)A fire truck on its way to the site of a water main break fell into a sinkhole Tuesday morning in Valley Village

The truck's cab was submerged, but the crew members were able to escape before the truck fell into the hole.

A tow truck arrived at about 7 a.m. At about 12:30 p.m., crews pulled the vehicle from the hole.

City fire units and Department of Water and Power repair crews were at the scene of the water main break Tuesday morning. The water main gushed water near the intersection of Hartsook Street and  Bellingham Avenue, located east of Laurel Canyon Boulevard and south of  Magnolia Boulevard in North Hollywood, according to city fire Capt. Rick  McClure.

Where am I ??? Wild Ride

 

THE SOLE SURVIVOR OF A PICKUP TRUCK CRASH was able to make a connection to 9-1-1 Saturday morning around 3:30 am.  The truck was carrying four passengers, all of whom are believed to have been drinking, when it blew through a stop sign and then crashed through a gate leading into a rock quarry.  After crashing the gate, the speeding truck went up an incline and was temporarily airborne before landing on two large boulders that had been placed as barricades to prevent vehicles from driving into the quarry.  After teetering on the boulders for a few seconds, the truck fell off and plunged approx. 170 feet to the bottom of the pit.

quarry b tulsa world

Tulsa World photo

Three of the four were killed immediately, but the survivor, a 19-yr.-old girl, was able to get a cellphone signal.  Unfortunately she didn’t know where she was, but the dispatcher was able to discern that she was in the north area of the city before they lost the signal.

Police, fire and EMS spent about an hour searching in vain for the wreck until 5 am when the survivor got another call through.  After 45 minutes of careful questioning, the dispatchers narrowed the location down to the rock quarry where  the rescuers eventually found her.

KOKI-TV Ch. 23 filed this video report from the crash site in the quarry:

The caller seems to be the person who was driving and she is hospitalized in critical condition.  She is expected to survive, however.

Tulsa dispatch has released four 9-1-1 tapes in which you can hear the dispatcher talking to the woman and finding out the necessary information.  She did a good job, you’ll agree.  You can listen to the tapes HERE.

The Tulsa World has more of the STORY HERE.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Obama's Talk to the youth on Tuesday, are yours going to watch???

This was shown in an elementary school to our children in Utah. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqcPA1ysSbw

This started out to be harmless sounding but when they started pledging to serve Obama, that was somewhat reminiscent of the Hitler Youth...

Here is a good read. Some Parents Choose Not to Allow Their Kids to Hear Obama's National Address

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/03/parents-object-obamas-national-address-students/?test=latestnews

Uncle Jay Explains September 7,2009

Socialism! It's a rerun, but with new footage apologizing for the inaccurate parts! Uncle Jay explains (inaccurately!) what socialism is, and what to do if you get any on you.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Emergency Vehicle Visibility and Conspicuity Study

Over the past decade, numerous law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services (EMS) workers were injured or killed along roadways throughout the United States. In 2008, as with the prior 10 years, more law enforcement officers died in traffic-related incidents than from any other cause; National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial (NLEOM, 2008) over the past 12 years, an average of one of­ficer per month was struck and killed by a vehicle in the United States. (FBI, 2007) Preliminary firefighter fatality statistics for 2008 reflect 29 of 114 firefighters killed on duty perished in motor vehicle crashes, (USFA, 2009a) similar to figures posted in previous years. According to a 2002 study (Maguire, et al.) that aggregated data from several independent sources, at least 67 EMS providers were killed in ground transportation- related events over the 6 years from 1992 to 1997.

Go here to download the full text:

  http://www.usfa. dhs.gov/download s/pdf/publicatio ns/fa_323. pdf

Emergency Vehicle Visibility and Conspicuity Study

Over the past decade, numerous law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services (EMS) workers were injured or killed along roadways throughout the United States. In 2008, as with the prior 10 years, more law enforcement officers died in traffic-related incidents than from any other cause; National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial (NLEOM, 2008) over the past 12 years, an average of one of­ficer per month was struck and killed by a vehicle in the United States. (FBI, 2007) Preliminary firefighter fatality statistics for 2008 reflect 29 of 114 firefighters killed on duty perished in motor vehicle crashes, (USFA, 2009a) similar to figures posted in previous years. According to a 2002 study (Maguire, et al.) that aggregated data from several independent sources, at least 67 EMS providers were killed in ground transportation- related events over the 6 years from 1992 to 1997.

Go here to download the full text:

  http://www.usfa. dhs.gov/download s/pdf/publicatio ns/fa_323. pdf

Friday, September 4, 2009

Some interesting News

STATION FIRE - ARSON - HOMICIDE

Investigators had determined that the Station Fire in Los Angeles County was started by arson. No other facts have been released. The fact that two firefighters died in an incendiary fire makes this act of arson a homicide. Because the fire Started in the Angeles National Forest, look for the USFS to lead the investigation, joined by CalFire and LACoFD. Because a homicide has occurred, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has primary jurisdiction.

164,000 acres burned, 38% containment

Fifteen-days for chief who slept through call: A Chicago battalion chief has received his punishment or sleeping through what became a two-alarm fire. Click here.

Firefighters shot at as they respond to house fire. Rigs hit. Suspect dead. Police officer wounded.

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The images on this page come from KVBC-TV. Click here for the station's video.

Firefighters responding to a house fire in West Las Vegas just after noon on Wednesday were met by a man with a shotgun. That man opened fire striking two fire engines and narrowly missing the firefighters. Police exchanged gunfire with the man, killing him. A police officer was wounded.

Investigators say the fire was deliberately set in the bedroom of the home. The fire destroyed the home as firefighters were forced to keep their distance.

The rigs struck were Engine 3 and Engine 203. The most detailed account comes from Billy Goldfeder at FirefighterCloseCalls.com. Here are excerpts from his report:

As Engine 3 pulled up in front of the house, flames and smoke was showing. As the captain radioed in his report, a male adult came from around the house with a gun and fired two times at the engine hitting it, one shot broke out the right rear cab window where two firefighters sit. The captain ordered the engine to take off and leave the area and he radioed that the crew was being shot at. At the same time Engine 203 pulled up and saw the man with a gun and proceeded to leave the area behind Engine 3, but not before that engine was also shot. It was hit just under the captain’s door window and once in a window on the right rear where the two firefighters sit. Windows in both cabs were shot out. The two engines left the scene, no one was injured.

Still going at 91: Check out this interesting story Allentown, PA's The Morning Call. It is about Firefighter Anthony DiPierro who was at the 100th anniversary of Roseto's Columbia Fire Company No. 1. It begins this way - He is 91, has been a firefighter for 72 years and has driven and maintained every vehicle the department has ever owned. In his house is a framed series of photographs demonstrating this, including a black-and-white snapshot from 1959 when the department celebrated its 50th anniversary and DiPierro led the way behind the wheel of a 1928 Hahn truck.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

LODD

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Los Angeles, CA

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Tedmund "Ted" Hall Hall of the Los Angeles County Fire Department in Los Angeles, CA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-08-30 00:00:00.0.

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: East Charleston, VT

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Kenneth Frizzell Jr. of the Charleston Volunteer Fire Department in East Charleston, VT has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-08-30 00:00:00.0.

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Los Angeles, CA

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Arnaldo "Arnie" Quinones of the Los Angeles County Fire Department in Los Angeles, CA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-08-30 00:00:00.0.

Odd News, There’s your sign award

5 hurt, 8 Displaced where a blast was blamed on insect bombs

 

A pilot light probably ignited vapors from aerosol cans being used to kill bugs on the second floor of a Lebanon apartment, authorities say.

From Friday, August 28, 2009

LEBANON PA - Thomas Meyer was sitting outside his Lehman Street apartment building a little after 10 a.m. Thursday when he heard a huge bang.

"I heard a big explosion and there was smoke. Everything was flying," said Meyer, who lives on the first floor of the two-story building. "I never seen anything like this except in movies."

What he saw and heard was an explosion caused by vapors from as many as 31 cans of aerosol bug bombs that are believed to have ignited from a pilot light of a gas stove in a second-floor apartment, authorities said.

The explosion blew out a balcony wall and injured five tenants, said authorities, who were not allowing the eight residents of the three apartments to return until the building is inspected. Two firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation.

Seventeen cans of bug bombs were found on the second floor, 12 cans on the first floor and two in the basement, said David Eggert, a deputy fire commissioner.

The bug bombs were being used because landlord John Light had been issued code-violation notices for roach and bedbug infestation, Eggert said.

Tim Balsbaugh, a second-floor tenant, said he was getting ready to set off the bug bombs when another tenant, Dennis Morgan, grabbed some and took them into his apartment.

"He was not supposed to be setting them off yet," Balsbaugh said "I told him, 'Don't do anything' -- I hadn't gotten up there yet."

When the explosion occurred, Balsbaugh said, "I came flying out the side, getting hit with stuff."

He was released after treatment for breathing difficulties at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Karen Light, a second-floor tenant, was on the ground, Balsbaugh said. She was listed in good condition in Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center on Thursday, and Morgan was in fair condition, a hospital spokeswoman said.

"We're all lucky," Balsbaugh said. Zuleyka Torres, who lives next door, said she was awakened by the house shaking from the explosion.

"They took us all out because of the smoke," which she said was coming into her house from the attic.

Residents of adjacent buildings were allowed back in their homes Thursday afternoon after the air was tested.

Barry Fisher, Lebanon's fire commissioner, said one person had fallen from the balcony and one was on the balcony when firefighters arrived.

The aerosol vapors in bug bombs are flammable, Fisher said, and instructions on the cans tell users to make sure there are no open flames.