Plowed up from the internet–Monday June 27th 2011

Firefighter hurt during one of several recent fires
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
About 3 pm, firefighters were called to 31 Petrel Street for a garage fire. The initial fire spread to two adjacent garages, destroying the first and causing heavy damage to the others, Deputy Chief Martin McMillan said. The cause was determined to be ...

Fire towers noticeable, but not in use
Jacksonville Daily News
Dotting the forests of North Carolina like relics of a forgotten civilization, fire towers still catch the eye, but do little in spotting fires nowadays. “We don't man them any longer,” said NC Forestry Service spokesman Brian Haines. ...

Home-based pot growers face burning issue
The Detroit News
Firefighters found marijuana plants and a grow operation in the home's basement. Township Fire Chief Robert Phillips said the cause of the fire was faulty wiring. Last year, 145 out of 14918 fires in Michigan were determined to have been caused by an ...

Reporter gears up for a real-world look at being a firefighter
Chicago Sun-Times
By Matt Hanley mhanley@stmedianetwork.com June 25, 2011 8:56PM On Saturday June 11th Beacon News reporter Matt Hanley learned what it takes to be a member of Aurora's fire department's Truck Company. Taught the skills, first hand, of how to execute ...

Op-ed: Fire chief was an innovator
Fayetteville Observer
All Fayetteville firefighters are also emergency medical technicians. That's because firefighters respond to seven to 10 times more medical emergencies than they do fires. Managing a city department of more than 330 men and women working out of 16 fire ...

USFA Releases Large Loss Building Fires Report

USFA Releases Large Loss Building Fires Report

Emmitsburg, MD — The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) United States Fire Administration (USFA) issued a special report today examining the characteristics and causes of Large Loss Building Fires (PDF, 834 Kb). The report, developed by USFA's National Fire Data Center, is based on 2007 to 2009 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).

This topical fire report examines the characteristics and causes of the estimated 900 large loss building fires that occur each year in the United States.

Large Loss Building Fires (PDF, 834 Kb) is part of the Topical Fire Report Series. Topical reports explore facets of the U.S. fire problem as depicted through data collected in NFIRS. Each topical 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.

Four LODD’s to post

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Lake City, FL

Brett Fulton of the Suwannee Forestry Center, Florida Division of Forestry in Lake City, FL has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-06-20

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Lake City, FL

Josh Burch of the Suwannee Forestry Center, Florida Division of Forestry in Lake City, FL has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-06-20 :

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Du Quoin, IL

Corey Shaw of the Du Quoin Fire Department in Du Quoin, IL has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-06-17

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Muncie, IN

Scott Davis of the Muncie Fire Department in Muncie, IN has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-06-15

This and That

Newest thing in removing warts a shotgun

Sean Murphy was so desperate to get rid of a wart he decided to use a shotgun, blasting off half his finger and almost ending up in prison in the process.

The 38-year-old had tried a variety of creams and ointments in an effort to rid himself of the painful blemish, but when the stubborn wart refused to budge he decided some drastic action was required. Fed up with the wart, after a few beers Murphy took his shotgun and blasted off the wart, along with most of his finger at the same time. His unusual cure grabbed the attention of police, and Murphy also found himself up on firearms charges for illegally possessing the shotgun. Murphy admitted in court that he hadn't expected to lose his finger when he used the shotgun, but didn't regret his rather drastic course of action. He said: 'The best thing is that the wart has gone. It was giving me lot of trouble.'

Firefox 5 Now Available with 1,000 Small Improvements, Better Tab Closing [In Brief]

Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android: Mozilla has released Firefox 5, the first update for its new rapid-release three-month development cycle. Firefox 5's new features include support for CSS animations, do-not-track on Android, and faster canvas graphics. Perhaps our favorite Firefox 5 feature: You won't have to jump around so much with your mouse next time you start closing tabs. Firefox has adopted Chrome-like tab closing, in which tabs stay the same size while you're closing them. More »

Lakeland man digs a pool finds trash dump in back yard

Brian Dyer was tired of taking his wife and kids to water parks in Orlando. He thought it would be much easier to dig a pool in his backyard. When the pool company started excavating, it began bringing up load after load of trash. Metal, plastic, bottles, and who knows what else. It turns out that somewhere along the line someone had used their lot as an illegal dump site.
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It is unclear how big the problem is. The junk could be buried under the Dyer's home in the Oak Run subdivision in North Lakeland. It may even extend to other parts of their neighborhood. One of the biggest issues is: who is going to pay to clean up the mess? The company that developed the land is out of business. The builder and Polk County say they are not liable. That leaves Dyer holding the trash bag.

Uncle Jay

Jay is taking June and maybe July off for those who didn't see his tweet the other day but he's coming back!! http://www.youtube.com/user/UncleJayExplains?ob=5

Too good not to pass on

I don't write them... just pass them along

Men Teaching Classes for Women at

THE ADULT LEARNING CENTER
REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED
By Mon, June 30th, 2011
NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL
OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM .
Class 1
Up in Winter, Down in Summer - How to Adjust a Thermostat
Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hrs beginning at 7:00 PM..
Class 2
Which Takes More Energy - Putting the Toilet Seat Down, or Bitching About It for 3 Hours?
Round Table Discussion.
Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.
Class 3
Is It Possible To Drive Past a Wal-Mart Without Stopping?--Group Debate.
Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between a Purse and a Suitcase-- Pictures and Explanatory Graphics.
Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.
Class 5
Curling Irons--Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Bathroom Cabinet?
Examples on Video.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning
At 7:00 PM
Class 6
How to Ask Questions During Commercials and Be Quiet During the Program
Help Line Support and Support Groups.
Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM
Class 7
Can a Bath Be Taken Without 14 Different Kinds of Soaps and Shampoos?
Open Forum ..
Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.
Class 8
Health Watch--They Make Medicine for PMS - USE IT!
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 9
I Was Wrong and He Was Right!--Real Life Testimonials.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined.
Class 10
How to Parallel Park In Less Than 20 Minutes Without an Insurance Claim.
Driving Simulations.
4 w eeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.

Class 11
Learning to Live--How to Apply Brakes Without Throwing Passengers Through the Windshield .
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined
Class 12
How to Shop by Yourself.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Send this to all your guy friends for the best chuckle of their day...
And to all your gal friends who have a sense of humor!

Not the way to install a pool

A Shoreview homeowner was having a giant hot tub placed in his backyard. They weren't able to go around the house with it, so a company with a crane helped place it over the house. The crane toppled right on top of the roof over the garage.

myFOX Twin Cities News: Crane Topples onto Shoreview Home Jun 11, 2011 ... A Shoreview homeowner was having a giant hot tub placed in his backyard. They weren't able to go around the house with it, so a company with ...

Short version Video

Long version video happens at 2:03

LODD Notices

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Wenatchee, WA

Garet Rasmussen of the Chelan County Fire District 1 in Wenatchee, WA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-06-12

Initial Summary:  
Shortly after returning home from a motor vehicle accident response, Battalion Chief Rasmussen passed away from a cause still to be reported. Incident Location: Pending

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: San Francisco, CA

Vincent A. Perez of the San Francisco Fire Department in San Francisco, CA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-06-02

Initial Summary:  
Lieutenant Perez and Firefighter/Paramedic Valerio passed away from injuries sustained while operating at a house fire in the Diamond Heights district of San Francisco. Incident Location: 133 Berkeley Way (USNG: 10SEG49407706)

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: San Francisco, CA

Anthony M. Valerio of the San Francisco Fire Department in San Francisco, CA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-06-02

Initial Summary:  
Firefighter/Paramedic Valerio and Lieutenant Perez passed away from injuries sustained while operating at a house fire in the Diamond Heights district of San Francisco. Incident Location: 133 Berkeley Way (USNG: 10SEG49407706)

Hay Doc take a look at my arm - Broken Arm Untreated For 2 Years

News for Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program

Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program

2011 Workshop Schedule - Last Updated 06/03/2011

Related Content

• AFG Program Home
• Workshop Schedule Home

Workshop Months

• May Schedule
• June Schedule
• July Schedule

General Workshop Information

• Registration is NOT necessary
• Each workshop is approximately 2 hours in length
• AFG Regional Representatives should be contacted with any questions regarding workshops in their region.
  Regional contacts and telephone numbers are available at www.fema.gov/firegrants/program/contact.shtm
• Workshops will be conducted by AFG regional representatives.
  All workshops utilize the same PowerPoint presentation material which can be accessed by clicking on the link(s) below:
  • FY 2011 AFG Workshop Presentation, (PPT, 5955 KB)
  • FY 2011 AFG Workshop Presentation, (PDF, 3740 KB)
• If new/additional workshops are scheduled and confirmed, they will be added to the posted schedule
• All workshops are conducted free of charge

Regions

• Region 1 Serving CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT
• Region 2 Serving NJ, NY, PR, VI'
• Region 3 Serving DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV
• Region 4 Serving AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN
• Region 5 Serving IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI
• Region 6 Serving AR, LA, NM, OK, TX
• Region 7 Serving IA, KS, MO, NE
• Region 8 Serving CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY
• Region 9 Serving AZ, CA, Guam, HI, NV, CNMI, AS
• Region 10 Serving AK, ID, OR, WA

July 2011

Download FY 2011 Workshop Schedule (EXCEL, 77 KB)

*Please note, Excel download includes workshop schedules for all available months. Use tabs at the bottom of workbook to switch between each month.

Odd in the News

Man on phone says that he's wanted, is arrested

The Wicomico County Sheriff's Office says a man who talked loudly in his motel room about being a fugitive was arrested after other guests turned him in.

It happened at the Traveler's Motel in Delmar. Deputies say guests there heard a man yelling during a phone conversation that there was a warrant for his arrest and called police.

Thirty-two-year-old Richard R. Vermalyea of Rehoboth Beach, Del. was arrested and ordered held on two open warrants in Cecil County, Md. one was for failure to appear in a theft case and other for violation of probation.

Man fakes attack to avoid child support

Authorities in Hernando County Florida say a man made up a story about being robbed and stabbed in hopes of missing an upcoming court date.

Deputies say 51-year-old Michael Cherubino admitted he cut himself with a piece of glass. Earlier, he had told authorities two men attacked him at his home, stabbed him in the stomach and stole about $4,000.

Cherubino told authorities he had hoped the injury would send him to the hospital so he would miss a court date and have an excuse not to pay $4,000 he owed in child support.

Instead, he was issued a notice to appear on charges of giving a false report to law enforcement.

Man sold tobacco products to boys after spankings

Authorities in Lexington, South Carolina say they arrested a 50-year-old convenience store clerk who sold cigarettes and smokeless tobacco to boys after they let him spank them.

Lexington County deputies said that they started investigating Terrence Bryant after the father of a 12-year-old boy found him with a pack of Newport cigarettes earlier this month.

Detectives say Bryant sold the boy cigarettes at least five times from his pickup truck, spanking the child in the parking lot over his clothes.

Deputies say Bryant also sold tobacco to two 15-year-old boys after spanking them.

Bryant is charged with three counts of lewd act upon a child under age 16. He is awaiting a bond hearing and deputies say he doesn't have an attorney yet.

Burglar used a bike to carry a Big Screen TV

South Daytona Police says it wasn't hard to spot the burglary suspect. He was riding his bicycle, carrying a 59-inch television. A bike patrol officer says 23-year-old Steven Long had wedged the television between the handlebars and his lap as he pedaled along.

According to reports, he panicked when he saw the police officer; he ditched the bike and the stolen television. Police caught up with Long in a nearby backyard and arrested him.

Officers spoke with a resident who reported a burglary. They said they'd been asleep when someone pried open a side door and took the TV. They identified the one Long had been carrying as theirs. Long now faces several charges, including felony theft.

Rescue Tape

What ‘s in your pocket??????

Rescue tape is a brand name for silicone tape. I've been using it (and other brands) on and off for a decade now and if there's one thing I had to have and couldn't live without, it's this. I have a roll in my car, in my laptop bag, and virtually every else. I've repaired dozens of pipe leaks with it and have even used it when I badly cut my arm clearing brush miles from a hospital.

Supposedly it can even be used as an emergency fan belt. I've never had to try it, but I can say it will patch a radiator hose and it even worked (for a little while) on the high pressure side of my car's air conditioner! There are lots of day-to-day uses for it as well.

• Is Self-Fusing!
• Incredible 950 PSI Tensile Strength!
• Insulates 8,000 Volts per layer!
• Withstands 500° F Degrees of heat!
• Remains flexible to -85° F! (-60° C)

Rescue Silicone Repair Tape Available from Amazon or their web site

Link - Manufactured by Rescue Tape

Communities United Against Arson

USFA Focus on Fire Safety: Communities United Against Arson

Arson can devastate a community, resulting in the decline of the neighborhood through increased insurance premiums, loss of business revenue, and a decline in property values.

Arson is difficult to prosecute, but the effects are felt throughout the community: workers lose jobs, towns and cities lose tax dollars, burned buildings create blighted areas, and innocent people are injured or killed.

Uncontrolled arson, along with other serious crime, creates rampant fear among residents, business customers, and potential visitors. If the community’s streets seem out of control, people will be afraid to come into that area to visit or do business. These conditions can quickly lead to a second stage where residents who can afford to move out begin selling homes, even at a loss, to escape before the bottom drops out. Property tax collections plummet, giving the community less and less resources to fight back.

What Can You Do?

• Keep leaves, firewood, overgrown brush and shrubbery, and other combustibles away from buildings.
• Keep doors and windows locked when a building is unoccupied. Board up abandoned buildings.
• Store all flammable liquids such as paints, gasoline, and aerosols in an approved storage location, e.g., locked cabinets, locked storage units, locked garages (preventing access to kids), etc.
• Report suspicious activity near houses or other buildings to the local police and support Neighborhood Watch programs.
• If you know or suspect that arson was committed, contact your local fire department.
• Most importantly…be prepared for a fire!

One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family is to have a working smoke alarm. A working smoke alarm greatly reduces your chances of dying in a fire.Make and practice a home fire escape plan and set a meeting place outside. Be sure everyone in your family knows at least two escape routes from their bedrooms.

For more detailed information about arson, go to: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus/arson.shtm

You are subscribed to Quick Response Media Corps for U.S. Fire Administration.

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The United States Fire Administration recommends everyone should have a comprehensive fire protection plan that includes smoke alarms, residential sprinklers, and practicing a home fire escape plan.

Follow USFA updates on Twitter

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact support@govdelivery.com.

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U.S. Fire Administration · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Emmitsburg, MD 21727 · (301) 447-1000

Four LODD’s recently

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Flanders, NJ

Thomas Shields of the Flanders Fire Department Company #1 and Rescue in Flanders, NJ has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-05-31

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Cambridge, MN

Chip Imker of the Cambridge Fire Department in Cambridge, MN has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-05-23

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Pittsfield, MA

Thomas "Todd" Lange of the Pittsfield Fire Department in Pittsfield, MA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 1978-02-05

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Baldwin, NY

Michael Esposito of the Baldwin Fire Department in Baldwin, NY has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2011-05-18

From USFA–Info you can use

Smoking & Home Fires Campaign Enhances Your Department’s Outreach to Smokers and People Living with Smokers

People from across the country continue to die in home fires caused by cigarettes and other smoking materials. The victims in these home fires extend beyond the smoker; they’re also non-smokers, children and neighbors. Warmer weather allows smokers to comfortably smoke indoors and outdoors, thus increasing the areas in which people smoke and raising the risk of home fires that never have to happen.

Below is a listing of home fires, captured by USFA’s Quick Response program, that were potentially caused by cigarettes or other smoking materials in May:

• Sunday, May 1st – Orange City, FL – 47-year-old woman killed. Officials believe a cigarette may have caused the fire.
• Monday, May 2nd – Carrboro, NC – 40-year-old man killed. Officials believe cigarettes may have caused the fire.
• Friday, May 6th - Lansing, MI - 84-year-old man killed. Careless use of smoking materials.
• Tuesday, May 17th - Newton, NJ - 58-year-old man killed. Officials believe smoking near an oxygen tank may have caused the fire.
• Friday, May 20th – Muskegon Township, MI – 31-year-old man killed. Smoldering smoking materials in a couch caused the fire.
• Saturday, May 21st – Columbus, OH – Two-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl killed. Officials believe a discarded cigarette in a trashcan on the front porch started the fire.
• Saturday, May 21st – San Diego, CA – 75-year-old woman and her 48-year-old son were killed. A smoldering cigarette caused the fire.
• Wednesday, May 25th - Bellmawr, NJ - 60-year-old man killed. Smoking while using oxygen.

The fires listed above represent recent examples of fires caused by smoking materials that resulted in loss of life. Basic fire safety education can help prevent these fires from happening in your community. The USFA’s Smoking & Home Fires campaign can increase your department’s outreach by providing free campaign materials (available online or in a comprehensive CD toolkit in English and Spanish):

• Brochures
• Posters
• Fact sheets
• Talking points
• News releases
• Radio and print public service announcements (PSAs)
• Customizable community PowerPoint presentation

Incorporate these materials into your department’s community outreach program and use them at events such as community fairs, open houses and while canvassing neighborhoods during home safety inspections. The campaign’s website (www.usfa.dhs.gov/smoking) also features key fire safety action steps for smokers and people living with smokers.

Ask a Colleague: Are You a Member of the Quick Response Media Corps?

Is your colleague a part of the 3,200-member Quick Response Media Corps? Members receive valuable fire safety materials and are some of the first to learn about USFA's fire safety initiatives. The membership and materials are completely free. Invite your colleagues to become a member of the QRMC today!

Benefits of being a QRMC member:

• Some of the first to know about new USFA fire safety initiatives
• Receive 15 cause-based, USFA fire safety fact sheets for a general audience, in English and Spanish
• Receive 15 cause-based, fire safety fact sheets for use in media interviews
• Receive six, 30-second live-read radio PSA scripts on smoke alarms, escape planning, careless smoking and fire safety for children and older adults.

For more information about USFA’s Quick Response Media Corps or to enroll online, go to http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/subjects/fireprev/qr/index.shtm