Friday, March 30, 2012

Roof Operation gone bad

Michigan Firefighters' Close Call Caught on Tape From Firehouse
Three Dearborn firefighters had a scary moment while ventilating a roof.

Three Dearborn firefighters had a close call Thursday while attacking a fire from the roof a commercial building and it was all caught on tape.

The firefighters were trying to ventilate the roof of Fordson Cleaners when it began to give way underneath them, according to WXYZ-TV.

The news station's chopper captured the incident as the firefighters were able to scramble off the collapsing section and make their way off the roof.

There were no reports of injuries and the cause is still under investigation.

 

Firefighters Escape Injury in Collapse at MI Commercial Fire
Three firefighters experienced a near-miss when the roof they were venting collapsed during a commercial fire in Dearborn, Michigan.
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On the net and in the News

How NASA Rocket Technology Led To The Ultimate Fire-Fighting Weapon
A company that develops rocket engines for NASA has turned that rocket tech into an amazingly efficient method of extinguishing fires that can put out a flaming car in nine seconds. Called the Ultra High Pressure high-mobility fire apparatus, ...
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Those high-fashion firefighters from Sedan, Minn., are getting worldwide attention
Pioneer Press
Firefighters from around the world put out flames every day without getting much attention. But twofirefighters from the rural Pope County community of Sedan are getting worldwide attention for the attire they wore Saturday in Padua while putting out ...
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PHOTOS: How To Fight Fires Without Hydrants
Patch.com
Members of the Portsmouth Fire Department trained Thursday at Melville Pond on how to fight a blaze when a fire hydrant is unavailable. By Sandy McGee Portsmouth firefighters took part in a training drill Thursday at the upper Melville Pond.
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Volunteer fire fighters sought after tornados touch down
WOAI
That's why he is taking this time to look for more permanent volunteers to respond to fires and natural disasters. And he's doing so at the pumper games just up the street from the Divine Fire Station. It's where volunteer fire fighters from 14 fire ...
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Firefighter injured after tree falls on top of him
WQOW TV News 18
Chippewa Valley (WQOW)- Grass fires spread quickly today because of the dry, windy weather. One firefighter was injured. A volunteer for the Fall Creek Fire Department was hurt when a tree fell on him as he was fighting a fire in the town of Lincoln.
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Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Ice Out

Drove around to a few lake today and looks as the ice wet out with all the warm temperatures. The big rain the other night finally did it in. Open water fishing, are you ready?

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Very Dry conditions

Rain last night should help with the conditions that have been in place the past few weeks

Grass fire season is here

by Jennifer Stockinger From the Brainerd Dispatch

Grass and wildfire season came early in the Brainerd lakes area as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fought five grass fires in the area since Saturday — including a 75-acre wild fire located about six miles east of Hackensack.

DNR program forester Mark Mortensen said Monday that fire danger in Brainerd is high and he advises people to use extreme caution with any burning in wooded or grassland areas. Mortensen said the lakes area is dry and the soil does not have moisture in it, making it easy for grass and wildfires to spread.

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Civilian Fire Fatality Report from USFA

USFA Releases Civilian Fire Fatalities in Residential Buildings (2008-2010) Report

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) issued a special report today examining the characteristics of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings. The report, Civilian Fire Fatalities in Residential Buildings (2008-2010), was developed by USFA's National Fire Data Center and is based on 2008 to 2010 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).

According to the report:

  • Ninety-two percent of all civilian fatalities in residential building fires involve thermal burns and smoke inhalation.
  • The leading specific location where civilian fire fatalities occur in residential buildings is the bedroom (55 percent).
  • Fifty percent of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings occur between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. This period also accounts for 47 percent of fatal fires.
  • Thirty-six percent of fire victims in residential buildings were trying to escape at the time of their deaths; an additional 35 percent were sleeping.
  • "Other unintentionally set, careless" actions and "smoking" (each accounting for 16 percent) are the leading causes of fatal residential building fires.
  • Approximately 44 percent of civilian fatalities in residential building fires are between the ages of 40 and 69. Thirteen percent of the fire fatalities in residential buildings were less than 10 years old.

LODD

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Houston, TX

Thomas "Bill" Dillion of the Houston Fire Department in Houston, TX has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2012-03-14

Initial Summary:  
Senior Captain Dillion arrived with other firefighters at the scene of a residential cooking fire. As he approached the entrance to the apartment building he experienced a medical emergency and collapsed. Dillion was treated immediately and transported to the West Houston Medical Center Hospital where he passed away from a cause still to be determined. Incident Location: 7520 Cook Road, Houston, TX

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Time Change–Change your Batteries TOO

From USFA Focus on Fire Safety: Smoke Alarms

Links HERE - Smoke Alarms »

Every year, approximately 2,600 Americans die in home fires.  Over half of these deaths (52%) occur between the hours of 10:00pm and 7:00am, when residents are typically sleeping. Smoke and toxic gases from a home fire are as deadly as heat and flames.  Just two or three breaths of toxic smoke can render you unconscious.  The majority of fire victims die or are injured from exposure to smoke and toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide, not actual burns.  In addition, smoke obscures vision, decreasing your ability to escape.

Smoke alarms save lives, prevent injuries, and minimize property damage by detecting fires early and alerting residents, allowing crucial time to escape.  The risk of dying from a fire in a home without working smoke alarms is twice as high as in a home that has working smoke alarms.

What types of smoke alarms are available?

There are many different brands of smoke alarms available on the market but they fall under two basic types:  ionization and photoelectric.

  • Ionization alarms sound more quickly when a flaming, fast moving fire occurs. 
  • Photoelectric alarms are quicker at sensing smoldering, smoky fires. 
  • There are also combination (dual sensor) smoke alarms that combine ionization and photoelectric into one unit.

Because both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms are better at detecting distinctly different yet potentially fatal fires, and because home residents cannot predict what type of fire might start in a home, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends the installation of both ionization and photoelectric or dual sensor smoke alarms.

In addition to the basic types of smoke alarms, there are alarms made to meet the needs of people with hearing disabilities.  These alarms may use strobe lights that flash and/or vibrate to assist in alerting those who are unable to hear standard smoke alarms when they sound.

How long will my smoke alarm last?

Most alarms installed today have a life span of about 8-10 years.  After this time, the entire unit should be replaced.  It is a good idea to write the date of purchase with a marker on the inside of your alarm so you will know when to replace it.  Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for replacement.

LODD Notices

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Centreville, MS

Nolan Ervin "Goat" Pittman of the Centreville Volunteer Fire Department in Centreville, MS has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2012-03-04

Initial Summary:  
Chief Pittman and another firefighter fell ill while at the scene of a residential structure fire. Pittman went to the hospital and was ambulatory as he walked into the emergency room, but his condition worsened and he passed away a short time later from a cause still to be determined. Incident Location: 144 N Cosby ST, Centreville, MS

     

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Colby, WI

    Jamison Kampmeyer of the Colby Fire Department in Colby, WI has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2012-03-04

    Initial Summary:  
    During interior fire operations at a movie theatre and right after crews were called to exit the structure, the roof of the building collapsed trapping several firefighters and sending them to St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield. One firefighter, Lieutenant Jamison Kampmeyer, was reported to have passed away from injuries sustained. The other firefighters injured were treated and released from the hospital on Sunday. The incident and cause of the fire remains under investigation by local and state authorities. Incident Location: Abby Theatre, 216 North 1st Street, Abbotsford, WI 54405

    Monday, March 5, 2012

    LODD Notices

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Port Saint Lucie, FL

    Mark W. Morrison of the St. Lucie County Fire District in Port Saint Lucie, FL has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2012-03-04

    Initial Summary:  
    Lieutenant Morrison passed away while in quarters from a cause still to be determined. During his shift, Morrison had responded to several emergency response calls. After fellow firefighters discovered him unconscious in the firehouse and immediately rendered aid, Morrison was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injury. Incident Location: 480 SW Ravenswood LN, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34983

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Cottonwood, CA

    Mark G. Ratledge of the Cottonwood Fire Protection District in Cottonwood, CA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2012-02-29

    Initial Summary:  
    Incident Description: Fire Captain Ratledge was struck and killed by a vehicle while working at the scene of a traffic collision on Interstate 5. Incident Location: Southbound Interstate 5 near the Shasta Livestock Auction Yard

    Extreme Idiots Compilation

    Good training video? Stupid is as stupid does. Large compilation of videos of people doing this that keep Fire and EMS  busy. They will find a way. Enjoy!

     WARNING: VERY GRAPHIC

    Friday, March 2, 2012

    Cheap Resource for you

    National Fire Academy Begins Eighth Year of Coffee Break Training

    The U.S. Fire Administration's National Fire Academy recently began its eighth year of providing timely and useful instructional tips for first responders through its popular online Coffee Break Training series.

    Link HERE Coffee Break Training

    Thursday, March 1, 2012

    Three LODD to post

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Prudenville, MI

    Gerald "Jerry" R. Wetherell of the Denton Township Fire Department in Prudenville, MI has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2012-02-28

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Memphis, TX

    Matt Waller of the Memphis Fire Department in Memphis, TX has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2012-02-16

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Evansville, IN

    Jeremy Tighe of the McCutchanville Fire Department in Evansville, IN has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2012-02-22