Friday, December 30, 2011

Lucky

Self rescue from this burning home caught on video on this YouTube video - - that had to hurt

Uploaded by jtbpnw on Dec 21, 2011

Two people were injured after jumping from the second floor of a burning home in Detroit as fire crews rushed to the scene.
Video shows the man and woman jumping Tuesday night as smoke filled the home.
The station reports that the man had minor injuries and the woman had serious injuries.
The front of the home was ablaze as the two people jumped.

Police were on the scene at the time and firefighters were en route.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

On arrival–pre-arrival videos showing up on You Tube

From YOUTUBE  Uploaded by murthad02 on Dec 23, 2011 - Depew Firefighters responded this evening at 1800 Hrs for a report of a structure fire on Muskingum St.
Depew 9-4 went on location with a working fire in a 2 1/2 story occupied dwelling. Crews were ordered out of the building and exterior operations were used.
Mutual aid companies were Lancaster (Ladder to the scene & fill in @ Southside Station), Bowmansville (fill in @ Northside Station), & Hy-View (fill in at West End Station). The fire was under control in 82 minutes.

From YOUTUBE Uploaded by firetruckenthusy33 on Dec 25, 2011 -- Paris, Texas structure fire 800 Block of SW 3rd

From YOUTUBE Uploaded by TerryVosot on Dec 22, 2011 - The fire destroyed the large shop building, 14 cars, along with all the equipment and tools in the shop.
"Nine technicians lost their toolboxes and they are valued from some 30 to 60 thousand dollars, it just depends on what they have in there. But the technicians are teamed up, working together sharing tools, the company is going to invest in more tools, we are just right back on track," said Gill.
The fire started when gasoline, being drained from a fuel tank, ignited.
Clovis Fire Chief Lee Kraft said it may not be possible to pinpoint exactly why it happened. "It was just an accident. Their procedures are fine. The mechanic was changing a fuel tank on a vehicle and fuel had dripped to the ground and hit an ignition source and caught the place on fire."

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Reposting of Everyone Goes Home Video

See that the Everyone Goes Home link quit working Here is another.

Uploaded by NFFFTV on Dec 18, 2011

Chicago Fire Department - Everyone Goes Home.

A film by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in cooperation with the Chicago Fire Department.

Directed by Rob Maloney. http://www.everyonegoeshome.comand http://www.firehero.org

Vacation for who, think of who doesn’t get a vacation or Holiday off because of this?

With More Vacation Days and Separate Travel, Price of Obama’s Annual Hawaiian Holiday Rises

BY MALIA ZIMMERMAN - KAILUA, OAHU - The U.S. Secret Service has arrived, street barricades are in place, and the U.S. Coast Guard has stationed itself in the waters surrounding Kailua, Oahu. That is a sure sign President Barack Obama’s security team is preparing for the first family to arrive in the small beachside community as early as Friday night for what is expected to be a 17-day vacation.
The President and his family are traveling separately to Hawaii because he wants resolve the payroll tax cut issue before leaving Washington – and his wife does not want to wait.
But the advanced trip and the cost that comes with it – as much as $100,000 (flight and security) – adds to an already expensive vacation for the taxpayers.
Hawaii Reporter research shows the total cost for the President’s visit for taxpayers far exceeded $1.5 million in 2010 – but is even more costly this year because he extended his vacation by three days and the cost for Air Force One travel has jumped since last assessed in 2000. In addition, Hawaii Reporter was able to obtain more specifics about the executive expenditures.

The total cost (based on what is known) for the 17-day vacation roundtrip vacation to Hawaii for the President, his family and staff has climbed to more than $4 million. Here's why.

TRAVEL: $3,651,626
The biggest expense is President Barack Obama’s round trip flight to Hawaii via Air Force One, a cost the GAO office estimated at $1 million in the year 2000. Contacted today, the GAO confirmed there is no report the independent office affiliated with Congress has prepared since 2000 to operate Air Force One and Air Force Two.
However, the U.S. Air Force provides the most current numbers of $181,757 per flight hour. Travel time for Air Force One direct from Washington D.C. to Hawaii is about 9 hours or $1,635,813 each way for a total of$3,271,622 for the round trip to Hawaii and back.
The cost for USAF C-17 cargo aircraft that transports the Presidential limos, helicopters and other support equipment is not available to the public. However, the flight time between Andrews Air Force Base and Hawaii is at about 20 hours roundtrip, with estimated operating cost of $7,000 per hour (GAO report) for a total of $140,000 per roundtrip. The United States Marine Corps provides a presidential helicopter, along with pilots and support crews for the test flights, which travel on another C-17 flight at $140,000 for a total of $280,000.
Mrs. Obama’s early flight to Hawaii costs about $63,000 (White House Dossier), but add security and personnel for a total of about $100,000.
HOUSING: $151,200
The President and his family pay for their own beachfront rental (they are not staying in the Winter White House this year but rather a house on the same street further to the ocean point).
The Kailua rentals are fronted by the ocean and backed by a canal. So, the taxpayers must cover the costs for housing U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Coast Guard and Navy Seals in beach front and canal front homes in Kailua.
That costs about $1,200 a day ($200 allocated per bedroom per day). Since security arrives one day early, homes are rented for 18 days.
That is about $21,600 per home for approximately 7 houses rented at a total cost of $151,200 for security to stay nearby.
HOTEL: $72,216
The President’s staff and White House Press Corps stay at one of Hawaii’s oldest and most elegant hotels, the Moana Surfrider. Hawaii Reporter confirmed they are again staying there this year. Besides its stunningly beautiful view of Waikiki, and its traditional architecture, it is one of the most pricey hotels in the state.
Government rates are $177 per night, but that only is available during certain times a year.
Rooms typically start at $250 but can cost on average as much as $450 a night, and are even higher during the holidays. A hotel spokesperson did not return calls to confirm the rate the White House received.
A conservative estimate with rooms at the government rate of $177 per day (excluding a 9.25 percent Transient Accommodation Tax and a 4.712 percent General Excise Tax on each bill, meals, internet charges and other charges) means the taxpayers are covering more than $72,216 in hotel bills for an estimated 24 staff.
LOCAL TAXPAYER COSTS: $260,000
Local police over time for the president’s visit has historically cost Oahu taxpayers $250,000 but may be more expensive this year with the extended vacation.
The city ambulance the accompanies the president 24 hours a day through his entire visit is $10,000, according to city spokeswoman Louise Kim McCoy.
UNKNOWN COSTS
There are several costs the White House annually refuses to release, citing security.

  • For example, the president’s security usually rents an entire floor of an office building in Kailua on the canal during the president’s stay.
  • There are security upgrades and additional phone lines to several private homes where Obama and friends are staying. That includes bullet proof glass installed, home security systems disabled, new security measures put into place and additional phone lines added.
  • There is the cost for car rentals and fuel for White House staff staying at Moana Hotel.
  • And there are additional travel costs Secret Service and White House staff traveling ahead of the President.

The total cost (based on what is known) for a 17-day round trip vacation to Hawaii for the President and his family and staff and security is an estimated $4,135,038.

Hawaii Reporter annually has requested details on the cost of the President’s trip, but the White House will not release any figures, citing security concerns. A spokesperson has maintained the costs are "in line" with other presidential vacations.
Hawaii Reporter has sought to determine the cost of vacations for the current president and last two presidents but the Government Accountability Office was able to provide those costs and referred Hawaii Reporter back to the White House spokesperson.
- SOURCE

*****

Their hotel bills alone are 18 months of my wages.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Santa - I want one

This and a pass worded file system and should be almost completely safe storage device for all you STUFF!

Cryptex Flash Drive

from MAKE Magazine by Sean Michael Ragan

Add a layer of physical security to your USB drive data with this beautifully designed and machined thumb drive inside a cryptex-style combination lock cylinder, from Russian Steampunk enthusiast Tarator (machine translation).

Practically speaking, of course, anyone who managed to steal the drive could probably defeat the lock without too much effort, and its striking beauty might actually create more of an incentive to steal it than would otherwise exist. As I recall, Dan Brown’s original cryptex (Wikipedia) included a self-destruct mechanism for the (paper) data in the from of a vial of acid that broke if the lock was opened incorrectly. Maybe that’s the n + 1 iteration of this idea?

More:

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Interesting tidbit out of North Dakota? Future or flash in the pan?

FROM: http://www.activistpost.com/2011/11/secret-revolution-in-north-dakota.html

The Secret Revolution in North Dakota

Charlene Nelson 
Activist Post

North Dakota citizens may abolish property taxes, allowing them more control over government spending. Nearly 30,000 signatures were collected to place the people's initiative on the ballot in June, 2012 that would constitutionally abolish all property taxes in North Dakota. This landmark measure supports property rights, small government and freedom advocates around the country. If the initiative is successful, North Dakota will be the first state to abolish all property taxes, both state and local, and will provide a model for the other states to do the same. North Dakota may be the first state to kick off the property rights revolution!
Since 1978 the state legislature has amended, altered or "reformed" property tax 134 times.
This tells us that the tax cannot be fixed.
Legislation to abolish property tax was introduced in the 2009 legislative session. The bill was defeated. There was even an attempt to turn the bill into a study to investigate the issue and that even failed.
Since the initiative qualified for the ballot, several city and county groups have come out in opposition to the measure, in direct violation of state law. The hysteria coming from government leaders include threats that this will be the end of public education, fire and police protection will be terminated, and there will be no more roads (remember that roads are funded through the gas tax).
If the measure passes, two very important issues will be addressed in order to pare down the size of government and spending: 
1. The initiative mandates that schools and local governments must be "fully and properly funded" before the state can address any other budgeting (like special interests).
2. The measure also states that all "legal obligations" must be funded. Legal obligations are:
A. Statutory -- the things that the state has directed local government to fund. 
B. Contractual obligations -- spending that the counties and cities have taken on through contracts like bonds, special construction, etc.
After schools, local governments and legal obligations are funded and the real debate begins! Does the city, county or state have the obligation to fund a museum or an art festival? Most people would say 'no'. Does that mean that the local government can't fund museums or art festivals? This is an issue of real self rule and local control. If the people really, truly feel they must have a museum or a new hockey rink, then they can vote themselves a new tax to fund it—a sales tax or user fee or special assessment or whatever. They just can't fund it with property tax.
These two points will spark a whole new level of public discourse on the proper role of government and citizen involvement. 
In addition to forcing the state to prioritize spending, it will also compel them to scrutinize current and future spending, especially if they want to avoid increasing taxes. 
According to the Beacon Hill Institute study on EmpowerTheTaxpayer.blogspot.com, there is no need to increase taxes to “pay for” the missing property tax revenues. By putting an extra $3000-4000 in each family's pocket, the state will enjoy an increase in sales and income tax revenues. Businesses will invest more heavily in our local economy, while the need for some government employees will vanish. The state's economy will improve without increasing any taxes.
The national mainstream media is not covering this story. The NEA has pledged $4-5 million to fight passage of the measure -- this in a state where a Senate race costs less than $1 million. They clearly see the national impact this measure will generate and want to stop it before any other states get any bright ideas. 
North Dakota is one of the cheapest places to run a campaign, so if we get good support not only will this measure pass in our state, but we will see it being promoted in other states as well. 
For more information, please visit our website: EmpowerTheTaxpayer.blogspot.com
Full text of the measure can be found HERE
Economic study of property tax abolition from Beacon Hill Institute can be found HERE (pdf)
Recent TV interview that explains the basics of the topic is HERE
Charlene Nelson has been a resident of North Dakota for 18 years. She was the State Chairman of the Constitution party for eight years and led the petitioning to get three presidential candidates on the ballot in North Dakota. In 2001 Charlene was the chairman of Protect Our Privacy, the citizen's group that successfully repealed SB2919. This bill allowed banks to sell people's personal financial information and in repealing it, we saw a major victory for privacy protection. In 2008, Charlene was the State Campaign manager for Ron Paul's presidential campaign. Under her leadership, North Dakota was the first state to win double digit percentages for Ron Paul in the February caucus—winning 22% of the vote and tying for second place. For the last three years, Charlene has been the State Coordinator for Campaign for Liberty. Campaign for Liberty is a citizen activist group that educates people on political issues and effective activism. It encourages people to change their country and restore freedom by taking a role in the political process. Charlene believes in leading by example and has run for office. She has been the Municipal Judge for Casselton since 2009.
http://www.activistpost.com/2011/11/secret-revolution-in-north-dakota.html

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Reminder from FEMA

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency

Midwesterners: Start Preparing Now for Severe Winter Weather

12/12/2011 10:38 AM EST

CHICAGO, Ill. -- With winter just around the corner, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region V reminds everyone to start preparing for the possibility of severe winter storms and extreme temperatures. Midwesterners can find helpful tips and recommendations to help them get prepared at www.ready.gov/winter.

Receive FEMA Updates During Disasters

PLEASE FORWARD THIS E-MAIL BULLETIN TO FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES WHO MIGHT BENEFIT FROM THE INFORMATION

Bookmark and Share

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

from MAKE Magazine - lightest material on Earth

Light

Scientists invent lightest material on Earth. What now? @ latimes.com.

Scientists have invented a new material that is so lightweight it can sit atop a fluffy dandelion without crushing the little fuzzy seeds. It’s so lightweight, styrofoam is 100 times heavier.

It is so lightweight, in fact, that the research team consisting of scientists at UC Irvine, HRL Laboratories and Caltech say in the peer-reviewed Nov. 18 issue of Science that it is the lightest material on Earth, and no one has asked them to run a correction yet.

That’s light!

The material has been dubbed “ultralight metallic microlattice,” and according to a news release sent out by UC Irvine, it consists of 99.99% air thanks to its “microlattice” cellular architecture.

Ok makers, what would you do with this material?

The next SCBA tank material? Will it show up in automobiles, and trucks?

Monday, November 28, 2011

History Lesson

NOW THIS IS A REAL EDUCATION

Where did “piss poor” come from ?
Older people need to learn something new every day..

Just to keep the grey matter tuned up.

Where did "Piss Poor" come from?

Interesting History.

They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee in a pot

And then once it was full it was taken and sold to the tannery...

if you had to do this to survive you were "Piss Poor".

But worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn't even afford to buy a pot...

They "didn't have a pot to piss in" and were the lowest of the low.

The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature

Isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be.

Here are some facts about the 1500s

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, And they still smelled pretty good by June. However, since they were starting to smell,

Brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married. Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, Then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the Bath water!"

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying, "It's raining cats and dogs."

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings Could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying, "Dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery In the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, It would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance-way. Hence: a thresh hold.

(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables And did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers In the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme:

“Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old”.

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, "bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat. Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the upper crust.

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom; “of holding a wake”.

England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift.) to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be, “saved by the bell” or was "considered a dead ringer”.

And that's the truth.

Now, whoever said History was boring!!!

So get out there and educate someone! ~~~

Share these facts with a friend.

Quickie from USFA

During the Holiday season remember r to relax and take some time. See the Coffee break short from USFA site

#MS-2011-9 Stress-the Silent Killer

Learning Objective: The student shall be able to recognize and have an understanding of the signs and symptoms of stress and their coping mechanisms.


Signs and symptoms of stress are screaming at us, but are
we listening?
Definition of stress:  A physical or emotional element that causes
bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation.
Do you think you’re stressed?  What about your coworkers?  Your
answer is probably, “Not me.  Other people are, but I can deal
with my stress.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

USFA posted several LODD

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Roselle, NJ

Jon Young of the Roselle Fire Department in Roselle, NJ has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-11-16

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Rothsville, PA

Edward Steffy of the Rothsville Volunteer Fire Company in Rothsville, PA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-11-10

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Fairfax, VA

Horace "Chris" C. Pendergrass of the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department in Fairfax, VA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-10-22

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Atlanta, GA

Harold Gregory Gibson of the Fulton County Fire Rescue in Atlanta, GA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 1993-06-19

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Lewisville, OH

Gregory S. Baker of the Lewisville Volunteer Fire Department in Lewisville, OH has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-11-20 .

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Turkey Day

5 Thanksgiving Disasters You're Probably Not Prepared For

www.cracked.com

Thanksgiving is like starring in porn. The lights are on, the camera is recording and everyone's good time rests entirely on your boner.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

East Houston TX -Pre-Arrival Video with Backdraft (smoke explosion)

New Backdraft Video Posted on You Tube East Houston, Texas Backdraft - FROM -  The Bravest Online 

Uploaded by TheBravestOnline on Nov 16, 2011

FYI For many years, the term smoke explosion was a synonym for backdraft. In fact, if you look up the definition of smoke explosion in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 921 (2007) Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigation, it says “see backdraft“. However, smoke explosion is actually a different, and in many respects more dangerous extreme fire behavior phenomenon.

Monday, November 21, 2011

New Documentary

Documentary Highlights Abandoned-Building, Arson Risks to Detroit Firefighters (with Related Video) By Mary Rose Roberts (maryrose.roberts@penton.com) FROM FIRE CHIEF

A documentary still in the production stage highlights the specific risk Detroit firefighters face in a city that has seen in an increase in abandoned buildings and arson cases. Executive produced by executive producers of Leary’s Rescue Me — BURN: One Year on the Front Lines in the Battle to Save Detroit highlights the lives of the firefighters who are charged with saving a city that many have written off as dead. Read Full Story HERE

BURN Trailer from BURN on Vimeo.

Get more information on abandoned building from the International Association of Arson Investigators,

click here

Abandoned Building Project
www.interfire.org/features/AbandonedBuildingProject.asp
Fire consultant and former project manager, Jon Jones, who helped develop the " Abandoned Building Project Tool Box" for the International Association of ...

LODD

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Roselle, NJ

Jon Young of the Roselle Fire Department in Roselle, NJ has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-11-16

Initial Summary: Captain Young was responding to a fire in his POV when he crashed. First responders performed CPR. He was then transported to the hospital where, a short time later, he passed away. The cause of death was an apparent heart attack while he was driving.

Monday, November 14, 2011

LODD

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Rothsville, PA

Edward Steffy of the Rothsville Volunteer Fire Company in Rothsville, PA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-11-10

Initial Summary: Fire Police Officer Steffy responded to a vehicle accident. While directing traffic at the scene, he began to feel ill and sat in the seat of his truck. A few moments later, he went into cardiac arrest and passed away at the scene of the vehicle accident.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Something to think about, when you are out Deer hunting this week

WORLD'S LARGEST ARMY - Just in case you haven't seen this before. True story and most people will never know it.

Here's an interesting side bar. After the Japanese decimated our fleet in Pearl Harbor Dec 7, 1941, they could
have sent their troop ships and carriers directly to California to finish what they started. The prediction from our Chief of Staff was
we would not be able to stop a massive invasion until they reached the Mississippi River . Remember, we had a 2 million man army and war
ships....all fighting the Germans. So, why did they not invade?

After the war, the remaining Japanese generals and admirals were asked that question. Their answer....they
know that almost every home had guns and the Americans knew how to use them.

The world's largest army...America 's hunters! I had never thought about this....

A blogger added up the deer license sales in just a handful of states and arrived at a striking conclusion:

There were over 600,000 hunters this season in the state of Wisconsin .

Allow me to restate that number. Over the last several months, Wisconsin hunters became the eighth largest army in the world.

More men under arms than in Iran .

More than in France and Germany combined.

These men deployed to the woods of a single American state to hunt with firearms, and no one was killed.

That number pales in comparison to the 750,000 who hunted the woods of Pennsylvania and Michigan 's 700,000 hunters,
All of whom have now returned home.

Toss in a quarter million hunters in West Virginia and it literally establishes the fact that the hunters of those four states alone
would comprise the largest army in the world.

The point?

America will forever be safe from foreign invasion with that kind of home-grown firepower.

Hunting -- it's not just a way to fill the freezer. It's a matter of national security.

That's why all enemies, foreign and domestic, want to see us disarmed.

Food for thought when next we consider gun control.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

What's wrong wrong this country?

What? Third year college student?

WTF

GIS for the Emergency Services

 

(Source: FEMA)

Having received recent inquiries, the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) reexamined the applicability of geographic information system (GIS) technology for the Emergency Services Sector (ESS). According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), GIS is a database system with software that can analyze and display data using digitized maps and tables for planning and decision making. It can assemble, store, manipulate, and display geographically referenced data, tying this data to points, lines, and areas on a map and table.

FEMA maintains that GIS is a useful tool for ESS departments and agencies because the technology supports emergency response, planning, exercises, mitigation, homeland security, and national preparedness. “In addition to its ability to manage and display data, GIS has robust modeling capabilities, allowing its users to adjust data and scenarios for prediction, planning, and estimation.”

For operational purposes, GIS facilitates work with tactical, location-based information such as floor plans, utility control points, response plans, hazardous material contents and locations, surrounding exposures, aerial imagery, and hydrant locations. Access to this information while en route to or on scene allows responders to deploy more quickly, effectively, and safely.

The Environmental Systems Research Institute (PDF, 2 Mb) listed the following ways by which GIS helps ESS organizations:

  • Prevent emergencies from occurring or reducing their consequences.
  • Provide the best information to make optimized safety decisions under stressful conditions.
  • Recover from emergencies quickly and providing operational continuity.

The FEMA GIS Tutorial, U.S. Geological Survey, Geospatial Information and Technology, and National Alliance for Public Safety GIS have additional information on this subject.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Odd–At the least embarrassing

Firefighters forced to stop handing out smoke alarms after one catches alight ...
Daily Mail
By Chris Brooke Fire services across the UK have been put on alert after fires caused by a popular domestic smoke detector. Two incidents were reported last week involving fires blamed on a new smoke alarm device which had been taken down from the ...
See all stories on this topic »
Right-click here to download pictures. To help protect your privacy, Outlook prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
Daily Mail

Fire services across the UK have been put on alert after fires caused by a popular domestic smoke detector.

Two incidents were reported last week involving fires blamed on a new smoke alarm device which had been taken down from the ceiling because of a low battery warning.

A family in Hull believe a stroke of luck prevented a serious blaze in their house after the Fire Angel detector apparently self-ignited in a newspaper rack in the utility room.

Householder Sharon Gray said her 16-year-old daughter had briefly returned home on the way to sixth form college after a doctor’s appointment and ‘heard a bang'.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2058922/Firefighters-forced-stop-handing-smoke-alarms-catches-alight-nearly-burns-house.html#ixzz1dJbfOyMp

Thursday, November 10, 2011

George Carlin–Kind of says it all!

Quote;
"“The Republicans” want to ban gay marriage, boo and hiss. “The Democrats” want to increase taxes and redistribute wealth, for shame. And if only we’d all see the evil of one party or the other, then the right people would gain power, and we’d see real change and Utopia, right?

The Occupy movement, much like the Tea Party before it, has been co-opted and turned into a partisan distraction. Popular anger is inappropriately redirected against the other half of the population, rather than against the ideas of government which have brought us to this state. By continuing to blame figureheads and people instead of institutions and ideas, we guarantee that the future will be as bleak as the present. I weep for future generations."
(Read More)
...Divided = Conquered.
Do you understand yet??

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Reminder–If you didn’t hear

FEMA, FCC Announce Nationwide Test Of The Emergency Alert System

Link HERE -Nationwide Test

Similar to local Emergency Alert System Tests, this Test is Scheduled to Take Place on

November 9, 2011  WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The nationwide test will occur on Wednesday, November 9 at 2 p.m. eastern standard time and may last up to three and a half minutes. The EAS is a national alert and warning system established to enable the President of the United States to address the American public during emergencies.  NOAA's National Weather Service, governors and state and local emergency authorities also use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts.

Similar to local EAS tests that are already conducted frequently, the nationwide test will involve broadcast radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and wireline video service providers across all states and the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa.

On November 9, the public will hear a message indicating that "This is a test." The audio message will be the same for both radio and television. Under the FCC's rules, radio and television broadcasters, cable operators, satellite digital audio radio service providers, direct broadcast satellite service providers and wireline video service providers are required to receive and transmit presidential EAS messages to the public. A national test will help the federal partners and EAS participants determine the reliability of the system and its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential dangers nationally and regionally. The rest of the release HERE

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Good old film from LAFD–times have changed or have they?

Love the old apparatus and gear, some of that was still in use when I started.

Uploaded by wdtvlive42 on Oct 23, 2011

"Your Fire Department" was a public education film released by the Los Angeles Fire Department in the late 1940's which showed the equipment, personnel and activities of the Fire Department, with detailed segments showing firefighters at work, various types of fires, and fire prevention & safety. The film also shows the many different types of fire fighting vehicles used at the time.
Detailed scene synopsis:
excellent color footage of firemen at work; all in the city of Los Angeles, California;
man sleeping in bed at night; smoke from a fire curling up from beneath a door;
man stumbling out of smoke filled room to call fire department;
montage of people talking on the phone, they all have expressions of concern on their faces as they are reporting fires; telephone switchboard;
emptying ashtray; child grabbing matches; changing fuses;
various fire stations; fire trucks; suburban fires;
attaching hoses to hydrants; men running with hoses;
ladder trucks; operation of hydraulic ladders; chopping holes in roofs;
gas masks; salvage companies save property from water damage;
brush fires; extinguishing fires; bulldozer constructing fire break; fire roads;
fireboats; looking down on boat passing by from bridge; giant water tower;
ferocious oil fires; manufacture of foam to extinguish fire;
airports; racing trucks between planes; rescue companies; artificial respiration; administration of oxygen;
fire chief; map of fire battalion of Los Angeles;
excellent footage of physical tests; doctor taking blood pressure; training of firefighters;
how box alarms are responded to; sliding down a pole; dispatcher communicating by two-way radio; Arson Bureau, burned out house; man is arrested by arson squad; jail cell; pyromaniac; people carrying belongings out of burning house; fire prevention inspectors;
Shell fuel truck; manufacturing plant with barrels of chemicals
Neon signs: The Palladium: Earl Carroll Theatre; Plantation Hotel (with flashing Vacancy sign); movie marquee "Words and Music: with Gene Kelly and Judy Garland; sign: West Haven Rest Home
school safety campaign; backyard full of trash being examined by a fire inspector;
fireman explains safety guidelines to housewife holding child on porch; radio broadcast at station KHJ
man (citizen) climbing down fire ladder pulling his pants on
CU telephone dial and finger dialing; breaking glass and pulling hook on street fire alarm box

Good reminder video from Fire rescue TZV

The Fire Rescue TV staff has created a safety video to remind you to be alert this weekend during Halloween. Children may be wearing dark colored costumes.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Interesting Article over at FF close Calls

Building Owner Sues FD For "Not Doing Enough" (The Secret List) www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

Tuesday, October 25, 2011 Hey, 
The owner of a former furniture factory that was destroyed by a fire in early December, has now sued the Union City (PA) Fire Department, claiming that "proper efforts" weren't made to save the 210,000-square-foot structure. Hmmmmmm.
In the suit, which was filed last Friday, Carl Boone claims that firefighters did not "act with a sense of urgency" in fighting the Dec. 2 fire at the former Cherry Hill Division of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.
Boone said that a fire-suppression system in the building, which the Union City VFD was made aware of during a tour in November, was not charged and operated by firefighters who responded to the fire. His lawsuit also claims the fire department's command also directed other responding departments to not provide "adequate fire protection services-despite their willingness to fight the fire".
"There was a pre-determined decision by the Union City FD that if the building ever caught on fire, Union City Firefighters would not attempt to extinguish the fire but would instead operate as a 'controlled burn structure fire,'" the suit claims. That isn't all that unusual - since many FD's are not provided with adequate resources to protect what they are expected to protect...amongst other issues....including FD leadership being able to explain what is needed, well before the building is on fire.
25 fire departments from throughout the area were called in to fight the fire, which is indicitive that command DID try to control the fire, which was reported at about 1140 hours on Dec. 2. Union City Fire Chief Robert Wolf said on the day of the fire that it had gotten such a head start by the time the first firefighters arrived that when crews made their first entry into the building, they encountered heavy flames and were pulled out. The massive fire was predictably fueled in part by decades of sawdust that packed itself into walls and between floors.
The fire burned for most of the day, leveling the building and producing heat that damaged some homes on a street along the south exposure of the 1.95-acre property.
The suit also alleges that the fire was set off by two people who were cutting metal with a blowtorch on the second floor of the building. The unnamed individuals were "not authorized" to be in the building, and it is believed that they were stealing metal to sell as scrap, according to the suit.
However, fire investigators said after the fire that workers using torches accidentally set off the fire. Much more on this latest fire related lawsuit to follow.
More now at www.TheRepublic.com
Take Care-Be Careful,
BillyG
The Secret List 10-25-11 / 0930 hours
www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

LODD

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Fairfax, VA

Horace "Chris" C. Pendergrass of the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department in Fairfax, VA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-10-22

Initial Summary:  
Firefighter Pendergrass was discovered deceased in bed by fellow firefighters at shift change, having passed away during the night in his sleep from a cause still to be determined. Incident Location: Station #41, 9610 Hampton Road, Fairfax Station, VA 22039-2813

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Atlanta, GA

Harold Gregory Gibson of the Fulton County Fire Rescue in Atlanta, GA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 1993-06-19

Initial Summary:  
Firefighter Gibson contracted Hepatitis C after coming in contact with blood while treating a patient injured in a traffic accident in 1993. Due to medical complications related to Hepatitis, Firefighter Gibson left the fire department in 1998 and passed away in July, 2011.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Good review–good class–Art of reading smoke

Could almost be a science – Copy of power point below at Firefighter Close calls.com
Art of Reading Smoke PowerPoint  www.firefighterclosecalls.com/news/fullstory/newsid/106558

Art of Reading Smoke PowerPoint. Share ·  Thanks to Dave Dodson for providing this download to FirefighterCloseCalls.com for .

Reading Smoke Practice - YouTube

This is an excerpt from Dave Dodson's video - "The Art of Reading Smoke". This segment allows you to practice some o

he Art of Reading Smoke DVD: Dave Dodson: Fire Engineering ...

www.pennwellbooks.com › Fire Engineering Books & VideosDVDs

The Art of Reading Smoke DVD. By David W. Dodson, former Battalion Chief and current Lead Instructor of Response Solutions.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

New look


Working around with the new blogger templates, also added a mobile view for those with smart phone and itouch devices.

Never know what you’re going to get

Body found by farmer harvesting corn

HECTOR, Minn. (AP) — Renville County authorities are investigating the discovery of a man's body by a farmer who was harvesting corn.

The farmer found the body around 5 p.m. Saturday, about 10 miles northeast of Hector in Brookfield Township.

Sheriff Scott Hable says the body appeared to be that of an adult male. He has not been positively identified and an autopsy is planned.

The Renville and Meeker County sheriff's offices and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension responded to the scene and are continuing the investigation.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Future of auto extrication?

Would, could, should this type of machine be used for auto extrication,

building collapse? Could be the future of rescue tools?

Raytheon-Sarcos Prototype Power Loader

from MAKE Magazine by Sean Michael Ragan

It rolls on tracks instead of walking, but this ditch-witch style tracked chassis retrofit with a pair of giant waldos is pretty much the power loader from Aliens. This video showing it in action is a great news segment from Ed Yeates of Utah’s KSL-TV, right up to the point where they start talking about the system as an “equalizer” opening up jobs to women “that might’ve otherwise been closed just based on strength issues.”

Last time I checked, guys, there aren’t a lot of men running around out there who can wave 200-lb steel I-beams around with one arm, either. Still, in all, an extremely cool toy developed by Raytheon-Sarcos (Wikipedia), the same folks who produced the XOS-series powered exoskeletons we’ve featured here before. [via Gizmodo]

LODD

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Cape May, NJ

Andrew "Andy" K. Boyt of the Cape May Fire Department in Cape May, NJ has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-10-03

Initial Summary:  
A few hours after working a twenty-four hour shift, Lieutenant Boyt's personal vehicle was observed parked on the side of a local road. Boyt was inside of the vehicle, slumped over the steering wheel. Police, EMS and medics responded, found Boyt unresponsive and started CPR. He was immediately transported to Cape Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. Lieutenant Boyt had responded to fire calls within 24 hours prior to his passing. The cause of his death is still under investigation.

     

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Hagatna, GU

    Vince Cruz of the Guahan (Guam) Fire Department in Hagatna, GU has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-09-28

    Initial Summary:  
    Firefighter Cruz passed away while onduty from a cause still to be determined. Cruz, posthumously promoted to Fire Lieutenant, was reported by authorities to have responded to a number of emergency calls the fire department answered the previous night. 

    On arrival video, Raw footage of a well involved structure fire

    Appears to be a under construction multiunit building.

    Uploaded by jck5055 on Oct 17, 2011

    Again the cost is the factor

    Emergency responders say more funding necessary as calls increase

    Thumbnail image

    SUGAR GROVE — Emergency medical service is becoming more routine than emergency and that is creating a serious crisis, according to presenters at the Emergency Medical Services House of Representatives Task Force meeting Monday at Waubonsee Community College. “We’re not so much emergency services as health-care services,” said Aurora Fire Chief Hal Carlson. About 30 firefighters, police officers, paramedics and other emergency personnel were invited to provide comments at the meeting, which is the fourth in a series of 14 scheduled across the state. The hearings run through Dec. 6, and will culminate in a report to legislators for possible …

    Saturday, October 15, 2011

    Guard Gator

    Cops: Cary man used gator to guard marijuana operation

    Sun-Times Media Updated: October 15, 2011

    Gator guarding pot?: A Cary man was keeping more than just a clandestine cannabis-growing operation inside his house, McHenry County Sheriff’s Police said. Nicholas Cosmano, 26, of 7203 Owl Way also had a 5-foot-long alligator in the home, they said. Deputies acting on a search warrant entered the home Wednesday and found 16 cannabis sativa plants, approximately 100 grams of processed cannabis, grow lights, ballasts, growing chemicals and various items of drug paraphernalia. along with the alligator. Sheriff Keith Nygren estimated the value of the drugs seized throughout the investigation to be in excess of $2,100. The alligator was turned over to the McHenry County Animal Control Office for safekeeping and review of possible ordinance violations. Cosmano was charged with possession of cannabis and possession with intent to deliver, manufacturing of cannabis sativa plants and possession of drug paraphernalia.

    Thursday, October 13, 2011

    National Fallen Firefighters Memorial 2011 Weekend Live on the Web

     

    Live Broadcasts: FROM FireHero.org

    National Fallen Firefighters Foundation www.firehero.org/

    The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is a non-profit organization that offers programs to honor U.S. fallen firefighter

    » Candlelight Service Broadcast: Saturday, October 15, 2011 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time
       (Telecast Begins at 6:15 p.m.; Service Begins at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time)
    » Memorial Service Broadcast: Sunday, October 16, 2011 9:00 am - 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time
       (Telecast Begins at 9:30 a.m.; Service Begins at 10 a.m. Eastern Time)

    » Download: Satellite Coordinates for Broadcast of the 2011 Candlelight & Memorial Services

    Broadcast the Candlelight and Memorial Services on Your Website - Interested in Providing 2011 Memorial Weekend Video on Your Site?Watch the 2011 Candlelight and Memorial Services Live

    Wednesday, October 12, 2011

    Only at Wal-Mart

    A Saturday morning of shopping turned into an emergency hazmat situation at a Baltimore Walmart where two patrons threw bleach and disinfectant at one another, officials said.

    Baltimore County Police responded to a call at about 10:48 a.m. Saturday and found two women fighting inside the store.
    The bleach and disinfectant created toxic fumes, forcing the immediate evacuation of the entire Arbutus store, officials told ABC News affiliate ABC 2. It closed for several hours.
    Fire, EMS and hazardous materials units were dispatched to the scene, as well as 10 medics.
    Nineteen people reportedly received treatment, including three Walmart employees. One person was taken to the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital for treatment, officials said.
    Three Walmart employees were being treated for respiratory problems, a Walmart spokeswoman told ABC News.
    Police have arrested Theresa Monique Jefferson, 33, after she turned herself in to authorities, according to the Associated Press.
    She has reportedly been charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, theft under $100 and malicious destruction of property. She is being held on $350,000 bail.
    The brawl was a result of an ongoing dispute between Jefferson and the victim because the victim's boyfriend is the father of Jefferson's child, according to the AP.
    Police spokesman Shawn Vinson told the Washington Post that Jefferson initiated the attack when she followed the victim into the store.

    Uncle Jay ?

    Where has he been? This short video from Uncle Jay explains his absence, please be patient, I am going though my Uncle Jay withdrawal too!

     

    Saturday, October 1, 2011

    Good article over at FireChief web site

    Prepare Fire Leaders Before Their 5 Bugles – From FIRECHIEF
    Full Article HERE -

    By Glenn Bischoff (glenn.bischoff@penton.com)

    Recently, FIRE CHIEF Editor Glenn Bischoff chatted with Jack Parow, immediate past president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and the retired chief of the Chelmsford (Mass.) Fire Department, about his year in office.

    What were your goals and aspirations when you began your term as IAFC president?
    One of my goals was to continue the work that has been done to change the IAFC from a five-bugle chief’s organization to more of a leadership organization. Two years ago, the IAFC’s membership categories were realigned in large measure to bring company officers into the organization, to give them a place to go. We now have a category now for company officers, at a reduced rate because a lot of departments won’t pay for the membership, so it’s going to be on their own dime. Today we have more than 400 company officers as members, and it’s our fastest-growing category. We also commissioned a task force to identify the true needs of company officers, so that we can better develop the future leaders of the fire service.

    What did the task force recommend? 
    One was to form a section for company officers so that they would have input into the IAFC throughout the year. Another was to provide some sort of leadership or mentoring program for company officers at division conferences. They also recommended that company officers be allowed to join the various task forces and committees, so that they would have input into how the IAFC moved forward. The idea is that including company officers in this way not only will help the IAFC to grow, but also will help to develop the chief officers of the future — and the fire service as a whole will be much stronger.

    What do you mean?
    In the fire service, we tend to do things backwards. We hire firefighters and then we send them to recruit school to train them. We promote officers and then we send them to officer training school. So we’re trying to flip the scales by developing and training these officers prior to them taking on the true leadership role of chief of the department or battalion chief. The fire service is notoriously behind in that.

    Comments worth a read

    Poor Leaders Are Like Noxious Gas?

    By Michael "Mick" Mayers 

    Mick Mayers | Firehouse Zen MichaelMickMayers is a Battalion Chief with Hilton Head Island (SC) Fire and Rescue and a Senior Advisor for the South Carolina Emergency Response ..

    From FIREHOUSE ZEN Blog

    The lack of real leadership surfaces in a number of the world’s problems. I don’t necessarily feel like people can’t handle the job, I just think that in a lot of cases, people are designated as leaders who have no business in that position. To me, they are like gases with asphyxiant properties.

    Some of these gases or mixtures aren’t necessarily harmful in and of themselves, but to us, their harm is that just by occupying space with their presence, they ruin what could be a perfectly suitable atmosphere. So to make the atmosphere tenable again, one effective tactic would be to replace these noxious materials with the materials we find suitable.

    Similarly, poor leaders displace good leaders.  By just being present and nothing else, they contaminate the atmosphere. As a result, good leaders are simply forced elsewhere.  Hopefully those good leaders can find places to create a better condition, but the loss of those individuals is intolerable to those left behind and the organization suffers.

    In reading and watching the news in recent days I am reminded just how damaging these “asphyxiants” can be to organizations and really, to society. I see my job as being one to facilitate good leadership. I try to encourage you to be better people, to use good judgment, to learn and understand, and to be “missionaries”, carrying the message of good leadership to others. I don’t consider myself to be a good leader – I see myself as a continual work in process and have plenty of faults – but I recognize good leadership and I have observed what it takes to promote good leadership in others.

    As much as I’d like to suggest to poor leaders that they should move out of the way to permit good leaders to fill that space, I think it is more realistic to say that perhaps we should convince those individuals to be more open-minded to learning, to engaging their people, and to promoting good practices. So you can see, instead of removing the problem, there is another tactic we can use in mitigating an asphyxiant atmosphere: by mixing the material in with a good atmosphere and making it much smaller in proportion to the whole, we can “safe” the atmosphere. While we may not always have the answers, if we can permit ourselves to be exposed to good practices and to see how things should work, we can make things better, incrementally, but just the same, much improved.

    Be an agent of positive change. Promote best practices. And let’s all go home in the morning.

    Friday, September 30, 2011

    Building Trust in the Fire Service

    How to Build Trust in the Fire Service Through Compassion

    From FireChief

    By Dave Horsager
    Who do people trust more firefighters or mortgage brokers? Why are some professions trusted more than others? One of the biggest reasons for trust is the perception that someone is concerned beyond themselves. Firefighters care for others by nature of their job. Even though this attitude is expected, do not underestimate the impact of compassion. The ability to show care and empathy is a heavy component of trust. As fire chiefs, you have the unique opportunity to assist people who are in a time of great emotional distress and need as well as support the firefighters who serve them. With this responsibility comes the need for compassion to both the victims and your crew. To build trust everyone needs to know that you as the leader care. This advantage is called The Trust Edge.
    There are four key ways to show we care. I call them the LAWS of Compassion. These four actions show care and compassion in the workplace and out in the field: Listen, Appreciate, Wake up, and Serve others.
    Listen: I understand budgets are tight and cities are cutting funds which leads to rising tensions. As fire chiefs, you need to show you care for your department by listening to their needs. The benefits of listening include greater trust, better understanding, and increased respect at work.
    Appreciate: An overlooked need in every person is the need for appreciation. Everyone longs to be recognized for his or her hard work and valuable contributions. You serve people in extreme situations, but do not forget that your firefighters are in the thick of the trauma too. The key to appreciation is sincerity. Personally thank your crew and publicly recognize a job well done. Consider giving hand written notes as a sign of appreciation.
    Wake up: Many people are asleep to opportunities and conversations every day. It is so easy to be focused on the future that we forget to be present with people today. It starts early. Kids can’t wait until they are 16 years old and can drive. Then they can’t wait until they are 21. Parents look forward to their kids growing up. Employees look forward to vacation and to retirement. Soon life is gone, and they were never really present with the people or opportunities that were in front of them each moment. Be engaged in the people and situations around you.
    Serve others selflessly: To build camaraderie within the crew, you as the fire chief need to serve sacrificially. You set the standard for all others to follow. As the leader, making it a priority to put others before you leads to increased trust amongst crew members and better care for victims.
    No matter your position, challenge yourself to start thinking like the firefighters you serve and the victims you aid. Think of their needs and their challenges. Care about THEM. Make them feel valued. Not only is it fun and self-gratifying, but it will also help you gain The Trust Edge.
    David Horsager is a St. Paul-based business strategist, professor, keynote speaker and author of the upcoming book The Trust Edge: How Top Leaders Gain Faster Results, Deeper Relationships, and a Stronger Bottom Line.

    Thursday, September 29, 2011

    Car bomb in Michigan ? Hard to Imagine that....

    MONROE, Mich. (AP) — A car bomb caused a powerful explosion on a Michigan street that seriously injured a father and his two sons, who are "very fortunate" to have survived the attack, which turned their vehicle into a blackened hunk of metal, a federal official said Wednesday.
    Investigators were poring over what remained of the vehicle after the Tuesday evening blast, looking for clues about how the bomb was made and who might have planted it, said Donald Dawkins, a spokesman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
    "There was a lot of power behind it. The victims are very fortunate, very blessed, to be alive," Dawkins said.
    Among the things investigators are trying to determine is whether one of the victims was targeted or whether the attack was random, Dawkins said. The vehicle exploded on a tree-lined street under a highway in Monroe, which is about 35 miles southwest of Detroit.
    Authorities declined to publicly identify the victims, but said they were in serious condition at St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio, about 20 miles south of Monroe.
    The victims were lucky to survive, said Dawkins, who described the attack as a "heinous crime."
    Read the rest of the story here at Yahoo News.

    Wednesday, September 28, 2011

    USFA firefighter fatality–Annual Report

    USFA Releases Annual Report on Firefighter Fatalities in the United States (PDF, 2.5 Mb)

    The United States Fire Administration (USFA) Reports Eighty-seven on duty firefighters from 31 states lost their lives as the result of 83 fatal incidents that occurred in 2010. This is the second consecutive year of substantially fewer firefighter deaths in the United States.

    Emmitsburg, MD. – The United States Fire Administration (USFA) today released the report Firefighter Fatalities in the United States in 2010 (PDF, 2.5 Mb). 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.

    Illinois experienced the highest number of fatalities with nine firefighters killed; New York and Ohio had the next highest totals with eight firefighter deaths each.

    Three more LODD notices

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Bausman, PA

    Keith Gregory Rankin of the Lancaster Township Fire Department in Bausman, PA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-09-25 00:00:00.0.

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Kinston, NC

    George W. Fisher III of the Sandy Bottom Volunteer Fire and Rescue in Kinston, NC has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-09-22 00:00:00.0.

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Shelby, IA

    Michael Collins of the Shelby Fire & Rescue Department in Shelby, IA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-09-18 00:00:00.0.

    In the news–Really? You just can’t make this stuff up

    BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A hunter attacked by a wounded grizzly in a Montana forest was killed not by the bear, but by a gunshot fired by a companion trying to save him, authorities said Friday.

    Lincoln County Sheriff Roby Bowe said an autopsy determined 39-year-old Steve Stevenson of Winnemucca, Nev., died of a single gunshot to the chest. The cause of death was determined by a medical examiner with the Montana State Crime Lab.

    The shot was fired by 20-year-old Ty Bell, also of Winnemucca, as he attempted to stop the bear's attack. No charges are expected, Bowe said.

    The autopsy found bite marks on Stevenson's leg caused by the bear.

    "We're fairly convinced it was obviously an accident," Bowe said. "But the county attorney will review the final report once we're done."

    Read the rest here at Yahoo News or Victim in Mont. grizzly attack was shot by friend - Houston Chronicle

    4 days ago – Lincoln County Sheriff Roby Bowe said an autopsy determined ... Bell and Stevenson were on a black bear hunting trip with two other ... BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A hunter attacked by a wounded grizzly in a Montana forest ... but by a gunshot fired by a companion trying to save him, authorities said Friday.

    Tuesday, September 20, 2011

    Fatalities in Residential Buildings Report

    USFA Releases Civilian Fire Fatalities in Residential Buildings Report

    Fires can strike anywhere - in structures, buildings, automobiles, and the outdoors - but fires that affect our homes are often the most tragic and the most preventable. Over 75% percent of all fire fatalities occur in home fires. This topical fire report focuses on the characteristics of these fatalities.

    EMMITSBURG, MD – The Federal Emergency Management Agency's United States Fire Administration (USFA) has issued a special report focusing on the causes and characteristics of fires in college and university residential buildings that include dormitories and fraternity and sorority houses. The report, University Housing Fires (2007-2009) (PDF, 788 Kb), was developed by the National Fire Data Center and is a part of the USFA's Topical Fire Report Series. An estimated average of 3,800 university housing fires occur each year. Annually, these fires are responsible for 25 injuries and $9 million in property loss. This report is based on data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).

    According to the report:

    • 95 percent of university housing fires occur in dormitories or dormitory-type residences, and 5 percent occur in fraternity and sorority houses.
    • University housing fires occur most frequently in the late summer and fall - peaking in September - and mainly in the early evening hours between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., when students prepare snacks or cook meals.
    • Cooking accounts for 88 percent of all university housing fires and is the leading cause.
    • Confined cooking fires, those confined to the container, account for 81 percent of all university housing fires.

    Topical Fire Reports are designed to explore facets of the U.S. fire problem as depicted through data collected in NFIRS. Each report briefly addresses the nature of the specific fire or fire-related topic, highlights important findings from the data, and may suggest other resources to consider for further information. Also included are recent examples of fire incidents that demonstrate some of the issues addressed in the report or that put the report topic in context.

    For information regarding other topical reports or any programs and training available at the USFA, visit www.usfa.fema.gov.

    Monday, September 19, 2011

    LODD Notices recently

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Britton, SD

    William Waldner of the Sunset Fire Department in Britton, SD has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-09-15 00:00:00.0.

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Britton, SD

    Jacob Waldner of the Sunset Fire Department in Britton, SD has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-09-15 00:00:00.0.

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Jonesboro, LA

    Christopher Peterson of the Ward Four Fire Protection District in Jonesboro, LA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-09-03 00:00:00.0.

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Cairo, MO

    Henry "Jay" Branscum of the R-IV Rural Fire Association in Cairo, MO has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-09-02 00:00:00.0.

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Bountiful, UT

    Steve Cox of the South Davis Metro Fire Agency in Bountiful, UT has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-08-26 00:00:00.0.

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Jasper, TX

    Anthony Quinten Meyers of the Angelina River Volunteer Fire Department in Jasper, TX has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-08-28 00:00:00.0.

    Economy Boost?

    Weather Helps Slow Growth of Boundary Waters Wildfire | KSTP TV ...

    Weather Helps Slow Growth of Boundary Waters Wildfire. Calmer winds, cooler temperatures and a few moments of sleet and light snow

    Boundary Waters wildfire boosts Ely area economy

    ELY, Minn. (AP) — The forest fire that has burned over 147 square miles in northeastern Minnesota has given a not entirely welcome boost to the Ely area economy.

    The roughly 600 firefighters fighting the Pagami Creek wildfire in and near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness have meant new business for restaurants and outfitters that have provided meals and canoes for crews heading out to battle remote sections of the fire.

    read more

    Thursday, September 15, 2011

    Gota see Video

    A traffic accident near Utah State University in Logan, Utah on Tuesday left a 21-year-old

    motorcyclist trapped underneath a burning car.

    http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2011/September/Utah-Car-Rescue-Video-Goes-Viral-/

    Monday, September 12, 2011

    Uncle Jay Explains Sep 12, 2011

    From: Uncle Jay Explains  Sep 11, 2011 

    Has America REALLY changed since that day in 2001? Or has it been more like the word "change"

    was tossed around in 2008? And has Obama changed since then? Uncle Jay explains!