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Morning Lineup – March 16

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Wednesday Morning

It is always good to see young people who exhibit creativity and a willingness to do things on their own.  Especially when that includes actively putting an idea into practice and being productive.  Such is the case with 13-yr.-old boy Hart Main of Marysville, Ohio.  Our official Gnome Handler, Steve Marshal came across a news video featuring Hart and his new business, Man Can.  These are candles with more manly scents than you will find in the neighborhood gift shop.

Hart got the idea last year when his older sister went around selling scented candles to help raise funds for school  activities and he noticed all the scents were “girly” aromas, such as Lavender and Vanilla.  After checking the Web and a few stores he discovered that nobody was selling candles with a little more “macho” in the wick.  So in November he went into business for himself making and selling the Man Can.  He must be quite the scientist at such an early age because it seems like he can introduce almost any aroma into the candle wax that you could ask for.  Some of the unique scents are, Gear Head … a reminder of the auto repair shop, Sawdust, Grandpa’s Pipe, Bubble Gum … just like opening a pack of Topp’s baseball cards, Bacon (Yeh!!), and Fresh Cut Grass.

This video report from WCMH-TV and rebroadcast by CNN introduces us to Hart while he explains what he’s doing:

 

The Gnome Handler has a suggestion for a popular scent, “Smoky Running Gear.”  There’s some potential there.  Take a look at Hart’s website where he tells all about his budding business, new scents to be introduced, and where he gets all those cans from.  CLICK HERE to check it out.

Now we had better click on over to the apparatus and get this equipment checked out.  I’m going to start some more coffee (smells like a candle).  See you back in the day room.

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Posted by on March 16, 2011 • Filed under: morning lineup, Videos • Tagged: ,

Code 3 Hits the Road

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Code 3 For a Cure Engine Heads North

Kickoff Success

The Mission for 2011 is now officially underway.  Beautiful weather this morning in Ripon California for the kickoff, we would like to thank Chief Dennis Bitters and his department for another great kick off event.  Monday the 14th, the crew is Lorenzo Abundiz, Bob Silverthorne, and Jeff Heald.  They made their way from Ripon to Santa Cruz, and on to San Luis Obispo where they will be hosted by Chief Charlie Hines and his department.

Our brand new fire apparatus is supplied by Sutphen Corporation and they are very generous and also supply the fuel for our missions.  At the end of the journey this apparatus will be available for purchase at a Sutphen dealer, and if any one is looking for a good buy on a great fire truck…..

We have reserved a seat for Kevin Oldham and as we stated earlier this mission is dedicated in his memory.  We will let you know when his funeral service will be, and for those departments that are expecting us, we will try to let you know of any changes in the mission schedule.

We will let you know when we will be in your area, and would love to meet all of you readers and share our misson of honor and hope with all.

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Posted by on March 15, 2011 • Filed under: charity • Tagged:

San Francisco FD Premium Pay, Part 2

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What is $346,000 in excessive pay mean when looking at a $380 Million deficit?

John Coté, from today’s “City Insider” column in the San Francisco Chronicle (SFGate.com):

What budget deficit? Here’s a $346,000 accounting error for the Fire Department

The city paid $346,000 more than it had to during the last fiscal year “due to administrative errors and unofficial pay practices,” according to an audit the city controller released today.

The department used higher-than-required wage rates that inflated vacation and sick-leave hours to calculate final retirement disbursements for some employees, the audit found.

The department’s manual process to record time entries in the payroll system also caused an estimated $44,856 in overpayments to employees, according to the audit, which covered July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010.

City Services Auditor released a 64 page document with 31 recommendations to the fire commission.

You can read FIRE DEPARTMENT PAYROLL AUDIT: Undefined Pay Practices Increased Department Expenditures by clicking HERE.

This is a follow-up to our February 1, 2011 article: Premium $$ Pain.

Our Premium $$ Pain article was based on Peter Jamison’s SF Weekly January 26, 2011 feature: Your Money for Nothing: At a time of huge deficits, S. F. public employees get $70 million in bonuses for work that is often in their job description.

Mike “FossilMedic” Ward

Posted by on March 15, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, current events, Fire Rescue Topics, Funding & Staffing, News, Urban Commander • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Propane-Fed Garage Fire Spreads to House

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Farmer Loses All His Implements

A FIRE IN A THOMPSON, CONNECTICUT, FARMER’S GARAGE Monday challenged firefighters after they were informed that there were two 250-lb. propane cylinders inside.  When the first units arrived at John Minarik’s farm they found the garage already well involved.  After Minarik told them about the propane tanks and a large fuel oil tank that was also inside, they stayed outside to attack the fire.

Telegram & Gazette

Shortly after, one of the propane tanks vented and sent a fireball through the roof.  The ambient heat started setting the house on fire and hose lines had to be deployed to work that fire also which got up into the attic.

T & G

The house is in a non-hydrant area and a several neighboring departments were called to set up a tanker relay using water from a pond.

T & G

The Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports:

Firefighters held off on attacking the fire in the garage, unsure if the propane tanks would explode.

Chief Sheldon said it was inevitable that the fire would spread to the home.  “The propane tank was relieving itself, which in turn, caught the house on fire,” Chief Sheldon said.

If it wasn’t for the underlying safety issues, Chief Sheldon said, the fire would have most likely been contained to the garage.  Despite the initial safety concerns, Chief Sheldon said, the interior crew did an excellent job stopping the fire inside the house

He said the house incurred extensive smoke, fire and water damage.  “We got water supplies established immediately and they made the attack as soon as it was safe to do so,” Chief Sheldon said.

T & G

WTNH-TV Ch. 8 prepared this video report from the scene:

 

Read the full story in the Telegram & Gazette HERE.
WFSB-TV Ch. 3 also has a good video report HERE.

Posted by on March 15, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fires • Tagged: ,

Best Breaking Japan Information

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Nuclear Tidbits

Some of the clearest reporting on the science of the disasters in Japan is the Short Sharp Science blog by New Scientist magazine.

This take you to their running blog: Fukushima latest: Radiation around plant falls

Also focused topic articles like:

Japan’s nuclear crisis: The story so far

With muddled media reports of the ongoing crisis, we spell out exactly what has happened up to 15 March, and what might happen next

Japan’s failed attempt to hold back the sea

… the threat of nuclear meltdown began not because reactors were damaged by the quake itself – they survived intact – but when the tsunami overtopped sea walls and swamped diesel generators that power the cooling systems for the reactors at Fukushima Daiichi and Daini nuclear power plants.

In short, Japan’s seawalls failed.


Briefing: How nuclear accidents damage human health

Nuclear crisis: Radioactive fuel dumps pose new threat

Steve Herman provides real-time, in-country tweets [@w7VOA]

Herman is the Voice of America (VOA) Bureau Chief/Correspondent, based in Seoul, mainly covering NE Asia (Korean peninsula & Japan).

Has lived in Japan for 18 years. His tweets have provided the most accurate, first-person information on what is happening in Japan.

personal website

Fluent in the language, Herman provides perspective and nuanced assessment when receiving announcements and observing government/power company actions.

RT @chicoharlan: Complex nuke news + inherent Japanese language vagueness + NHK translation… So opaque. Like verbal Escher painting.

Herman arrived in Japan shortly after the first earthquake.

Mike “FossilMedic” Ward

Posted by on March 15, 2011 • Filed under: HazMat, Major Incidents, Mass Casualty Incident, News, Special Operations, Twitter, Urban Commander • Tagged: , , , ,

Around the Fire Web

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Some Stories on Other Websites That We Recommend

*  The USAR teams from Fairfax and Los Angeles Counties are in Japan now.  They teamed up in California and traveled as one unit.  Dave Statter has put together a group of video reports on these teams’ deployments on STATter911 HERE.

*  The Fire Critic has a well-organized essay on the attack that’s underway on firefighter’s pensions HERE.

*  The Happy Medic has a good lesson on how to control and use emotions, both your and the patient’s, HERE.

*  Wildfire Today has an excellent posting that concentrates on the structural firefighting challenges in Japan while the tsunami rescue problem occupy all the other news outlets.  He includes lots of photos that I hadn’t seen before.  Take a CLICK HERE and see what I mean.

*  Chicago Area Fire has an interesting picture story about a single-family dwelling fire in Schaumburg that required 12 ground ladders to be brought into service.  (Firegeezer digs ground ladders, you know.)  Check it out HERE.

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Posted by on March 15, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Blogs

An iTune To Help a Firefighter

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Firegeezer readers in Coweta County, Georgia, have passed along this information about one of their firefighters.  Please take heed and see if maybe you have room on your iPod for one more tune:

Corbette Jackson from American Idol and Stokes Nielson from The Lost Trailers have teamed up to raise money for a Newnan hero, Coweta County (Georgia) Fire Fighter Chris Landreau.  Chris is 26 years old and was recently diagnosed with Stage 4: T-Cell Lymphoma Lymphoblastic Cancer.  Chris and his wife have two young children.  Also, Corbette and Chris went to the same high school together.

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When Corbette got word that his friend Chris had received this life changing news, one of the things that stood out was that the doctor had told Chris that despite what he’s going through, he had the “Heart Of A Champion”. That phrase struck a chord and Corbette and Stokes got together and wrote this song in about 40 minutes.

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The YouTube footage was taken at a benefit show in Chris’ honor. The footage in the car is of the first time that Chris heard the song. It is a very emotional scene, and we hope you can appreciate and support Chris’ fight against cancer.

 

All they are asking is that you add one more song to your iPod or your computer.  You can find the song for sale on iTunes HERE.  The price is a mere 99¢

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Posted by on March 15, 2011 • Filed under: charity • Tagged: ,

Indiana VFD Fractured As Entire Membership Quits

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Oversight Board Reneges, Brings in Unsavory Member

THE RESIDENTS IN THE 36-SQUARE-MILE Poland Fire Territory in Indiana are relying on neighboring fire departments for protection following a mass walkout of P.F.T. firefighters.

The fire district covers townships in both Clay and Owen Counties and is operated by approximately 25 volunteers including the chief officers.  In February the Fire Protection Territory Board removed a member from the rolls at the request of Fire Chief Stan Frank.  While the specifics haven’t been made public, it was told that the former member had been dismissed for “conduct unbecoming.”  However, last week the Board reversed itself and placed the unwanted firefighter back into the department against the wishes of every member in the Poland Territory Fire Department.  At that point, Chief Frank, who had held the rank for six years, resigned immediately and was surprised to find that 22 members of the department, nearly the entire roster, quit and walked with him.  The Brazil Times reports on the turmoil:

Frank, who had been with the department for 10 years total, said he had been informed by the territory board the person would not be brought back. In February, during a board meeting, it was requested the former firefighter be removed from the organization.

“(The firefighter) was asked to resign, and did,” Frank said.

However, Frank said the person was re-instated this month against the wishes of the remaining firefighters.  As a result, 22 other firefighters resigned from their positions.  “I did not fathom that everyone would follow me,” Frank said.

Frank told The Brazil Times the firefighters gathered with members of the community Sunday in a sign of solidarity hoping to find resolution from the situation.  “The way it’s looking, I don’t look for it to be resolved,” Frank said. “We were hoping that something would come about. You’re giving up 22 well-trained firefighters for one. You’ve got to weigh the differences.”

In a press release sent out by the volunteer firefighters to the community, they say that they are now “appealing to the public for their assistance.”

“This is a sad situation for the firefighters and for the community,” the release stated. “The firefighters are volunteers who sacrifice their time and efforts, often at the expense of their own families and money.  The firefighters will return if the former member that the territory put back into the director’s position is removed permanently. If not, there will be no firefighters left.”

The Clay County Emergency Management Director, Bryan Husband told the Times that the situation could end badly and the possibility of the fire territory being dissolved is possible.

Read the entire article in The Brazil Times HERE.
Poland Fire Department WEBSITE.

Posted by on March 15, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, labor • Tagged: , , ,

Morning Lineup – March 15

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Tuesday Morning and Firegeezer is Streaming Again

As I have pointed out several times before, even though I don’t play with all of these digital toys, I am intrigued with how they work and the direction that the marketplace takes them.  One piece of electronic whiz-bang that I have been following for the past couple of years is the trend and methods of delivering movies and television programming directly to computers and hence to tv sets.

The big breakthrough was the swift adoption of broadband internet connections that was one of the fastest changeovers that I have ever witnessed.  Just prior to that came the affordable DVD format and players that everybody has now, including one built into your computer.  So it is no surprise that once the digital tv format became the standard mode of transmission, that watching DVD’s running on your computer and being displayed on your tv monitor was the logical next step.  Meanwhile, the broadband connections permitted the formerly-lengthy downloading of movies to be fast enough that they can now be streamed live and viewed in the same way as your cable tv pay-per-view feature.

Recognizing this potential and moving quickly, Netflix set up a streaming system that is compatible with “boxes” available to consumers that can receive the downloads.  Blockbuster, already on their heels from the Netflix phenomena, tried to set up something similar, but it was too little, too late.  It’s time to say “Buh-bye, Blockbuster.”  Recently, Hulu has set up a program to sell downloads of both movies and television programs.  And now comes a new player into the instant-movie game.

Amazon has just introduced a benefit for the Amazon Prime customers that provides unlimited, instant streaming of thousands of movies and tv shows.  Like Netflix (I believe) Amazon gives you a choice of paying a small fee for a 24-hour rental, or paying a price similar to a DVD purchase to download and keep the movie.  You’d better hope that whatever file you keep your purchases in doesn’t crash along with your movie collection.  The Amazon Prime also makes a lot of television series programs available for rental by the episode, but no provision (yet) to purchase a complete season.

Amazon has one advantage over the other downloaders, though.  They sell all the other parts that you need to make it all work, including the tv sets.   CLICK HERE to view their webpage that tells you what you need to purchase and how to sign up for the Amazon Prime.

Already the major tv networks are permitting you to watch current episodes of their programs for free on their websites, so there will be a little clash of cultures there.  I’m curious to see what direction that takes.  One format that is definitely threatened is the cable tv business.  For years people have been complaining about the high cost of cable service mainly due to being forced to subscribe to 200 channels when you are only interested in watching about ten or twenty of them at the most.  Cable is on the edge right now and if they don’t do something drastic about their pricing system soon, then they will go under along with the VHS cassette makers.  And not many people will be shedding any tears over that.

Ok, chin up and let’s go…time to get this equipment checked out for today.  I’m going to get some more coffee started before we meet back in the day room.

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Posted by on March 15, 2011 • Filed under: morning lineup, technology • Tagged: , ,

Brain Trauma follow-up

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Still not one of us, still recovering

Started following this I-75 motorcycle crash in Ocala, Florida, because the 2002 Suzuki that rocketed into this minivan had an IAFF sticker on the fuel tank.

The helmeted rider was wedged between two people in the second row of seats. The minivan was driving at highway speeds when the motorcycle rammed into the rear.

Star-Banner Photo/NYTRMG, Bruce ACKERMAN

September 24, 2010: Is he one of us?

Working through a Florida forum, corresponded with Robert Kelly’s father-in-law.

Learned that he recently bought the sportbike from a firefighter.

September 28, 2010: FossilMedic Followups: He is NOT one of us

Still in a medically induced coma with severe brain trauma and two broken legs. Married with an infant, the outlook appears uncertain.

December Fundraiser Follow-up

Austin L. Miller (December 4, 2010) Fundraiser helps crash victim’s family: Robert Kelley remains hospitalized after surviving a motorcycle crash that sent him head-first into a minivan. Ocala.com

[The 22 year old father of a 1 year old] broke both of his legs, ruptured his bladder, suffered severe head trauma and had multiple cuts and bruises.

[Mom] said his first speech came five weeks after the accident — in fact, just one day after a therapist had told her that he would never talk again because of injuries to his vocal cords.

“He reads, talks and does math,” she said.

Drake said her son does rehab work three hours a day, seven days a week. His rehab is to rebuild his muscles so that he can walk and talk.

Drake said her son knows he was in an accident, but he doesn’t remember it.

The 22 year old night bouncer has no insurance.

Will probably spend all of 2011 at Shands at the University of Florida in Gainesville

Mike “FossilMedic” Ward

Posted by on March 14, 2011 • Filed under: EMS Topics, News, Patient Management, Vehicle Operation & Ambulances • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Brave or fuelish?

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Not sure if this was such a good idea …

from newslite:

A driver in Turkey has been hailed as a hero after leaping into action when a fuel tanker he was unloading caught fire at a petrol station.

This CCTV footage shows the terrifying moment flames shoot up out of the top of the tanker and everyone runs away. Everyone except Koçak, that is.

Realising a massive explosion could take out the entire station, Koçak jumped back into the burning vehicle and drove it 1km to safety.

As he drives off, leaking fuel can be seen catching light and it took 60 fire fighters to extinguish the subsequent flames which caused much damage.

Several witnesses have since congratulated Koçak and say his heroic actions saved many peoples lives. We are not sure the word hero quite does him justice.

Speaking after the accident Koçak said: “The fuel tank went up in flames instantly. At that moment, I said, ‘Let something happen to me, instead of the people nearby,’ and got behind the wheel.

“The tank turned into a ball of flames, but I managed to take it to a secure place. But some cars were burned as a result of the flames jumping from the tank.”

Man drives burning tanker from petrol station

Picked up by The Daily What. as BAMF of the Day.

I saw it on Gawker.TV: Heroic Trucker Drives Burning Fuel Tanker Away From Gas Station

Mike “FossilMedic” Ward

Posted by on March 14, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Fires, HazMat, News • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Code 3 Kickoff Today

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Sad Announcement Precedes Today’s Kickoff

Capt. Bob Burton writes:

It is with a heavy heart that I write this update on the Code 3 for a Cure Mission 2011.  Kevin Oldham, firefighter from Waukegan IL has lost his battle with cancer. Kevin was a valued member of the Code 3 team.  Lorenzo and I had the opportunity to spend some time with Kevin on a short mission this January. Kevin is survived by his wife Katie, and two daughters Stella age 3, and Evelyn age 1.  Kevin was 34 and a 10 year veteran of the Waukegan Fire Department.

Kevin (center) joined us in a special 3-state mission this past January.

Pancreatic cancer is considered to be presumptive in some states now, and we need to continue to work to make it 100%.

The Code 3 Mission will be dedicated in his honor this year, and our itinerary will be adjusted to allow us to attend his service. Instead of Kevin riding with us, his name will be the first one to be placed in the Memorial Bell compartment, and his name will be on the door of our apparatus to reserve his seat. In his last phone call, Kevin told us he knew he would not be able to be with us physically this year, but that he would always be riding with the Code 3 Team in spirit.

Kick off remains scheduled for today, March 14th at Mistlin Sports Park in Ripon California.

Please visit the Code 3 web site to see more on this brave firefighter and his battle with a monster. www.code3foracure.org

Firegeezer adds:  If you missed the introductory postings explaining this project, click HERE and HERE to get acquainted with the Code 3 for a Cure mission.

Posted by on March 14, 2011 • Filed under: charity • Tagged:

Tsunami Videos

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Japanese News Videos  Begin Arriving

Update:  2 videos added, 3 pm Eastern

THE VIDEOS OF THE INVADING TSUNAMI that were taken by the professional news photographers in Japan are starting to show up on the internet now.  Some of then are truly astounding and should be seen.  We will be adding more to this posting as the more remarkable footage gets filed.  So check back once in a while to see what shows up.

Get yourself a cup of coffee and take a look now:

 

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Posted by on March 14, 2011 • Filed under: current events, News, Videos • Tagged:

Another Stolen Ambulance

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Thief Crashes, Goes Back to Hospital

A 43-YR.-OLD MAN FOUND AN UNATTENDED AMBULANCE sitting at the Highlands Hospital in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, Sunday night and decided to take for a spin.

Just before 10 pm he jumped into the ambulance driver’s seat and took off.  Within minutes he was spotted by the Fayette County police who gave chase.  WTAE-TV picks up the story:

According to county 911 dispatchers, the man who took the vehicle led police on a short chase in Franklin Township before the ambulance crashed on Route 201 in Vanderbilt.

Police arrested 43-year-old Michael David Wilson Sr., of Republic, after the crash.  According to police reports, Wilson appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and was transported back to Highlands Hospital for a blood test.  Police say that he had gone to the hospital for some unknown reason and when he was ready to leave, he got tired of waiting for a ride and took advantage of the ambulance.

WTAE-TV filed this video report:

 

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Posted by on March 14, 2011 • Filed under: ambulances, crime, EMS Topics, Vehicle Operation & Ambulances, Videos • Tagged: ,

Glue Factory Blast and Fire Create Sticky Situation for Haz-Mat Team

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4-Alarm Fire Creates Runoff Problem

AN EXPLOSION THAT TRIGGERED A LARGE FIRE in Middleton, Massachusetts, Sunday night created a potentially hazardous threat to the Ipswich River from firefighting runoff.  The blast hit an adhesive factory owned by Bostik, Inc. that was filled with large quantities of several chemicals used in the glue-making process.

WHDH-TV

Four people were injured by the event, but their conditions have not been released yet.  The Boston Herald adds:

The blast caused heavy damage inside Bostik, a company that manufactures glue as well as other chemicals for industrial uses, state police said. The state fire marshal declared a tier-three hazardous material response, due to the toxins in the plant.

“It’s a serious event from the fire marshal’s perspective,” said Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency spokesman Peter Judge. “Initially there was an explosion that many people thought was an earthquake. There wasn’t a significant fire, but there was some fire involved.”

He said firefighters are now accounting for the chemicals in the plant, checking to see if their containers have been damaged, and making sure none of them are in danger of contaminating the area around the plant.

This good video report from WHDH-TV includes some aerial views that show significant damage to the plant:

 

The explosion shook homes in the vicinity for several seconds causing some worry by the residents.  The Boston Globe reports:

Boston Street resident Beverly Peterson, in a telephone interview, reported hearing “a big bang’’ from the direction of the Bostik campus.  “We’re really concerned,’’ said Peterson. “We saw a bunch of ambulances head down toward the plant.’’

Another local resident, Amy Fuller, said she thought a tree fell on her house as she was putting her kids to bed.  She said her house shook for 40 seconds. “It shook [the house] like an earthquake,’’ she said.

AP

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Posted by on March 14, 2011 • Filed under: explosion, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Fires, HazMat, Videos • Tagged: , , , ,

Deep Water Rescue

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One of the Lucky Ones

WHEN HIROMITSU SHINKAWA, 60, WAS SWEPT OUT TO SEA after the tsunami struck his home in Japan Friday, he was certain that he was living his final day on earth.  But somehow he managed to grab a piece of the roof of his house before it took a quick trip 10 miles offshore.  After spending nearly 48 hours adrift, he was found Sunday by a Costal Self-defence Force ship that was on a search and rescue mission for survivors.

Hiromitsu Shinkawa was spotted ten miles offshore
waving his improvised red flag.  (AP)

The Guardian reports:

Hiromitsu Shinkawa must have resigned himself to his fate when he was swept away by the retreating tsunami that roared ashore in his home town of Minami Soma in Fukushima prefecture.  As the wave approached, Shinkawa took the fateful decision to return home to collect belongings. Minutes later he was out at sea clinging to a piece of the roof from his own home.

Incredibly, he was spotted by a maritime self-defence force destroyer taking part in the rescue effort as he clung to the wreckage with one hand and waved a self-made red flag with the other. He had been at sea for two days.

Reports said that on being handed a drink aboard the rescue boat, Shinkawa gulped it down and immediately burst into tears. His wife, with whom he had returned home as the tsunami approached, is still missing.  He was quoted as saying: “No helicopters or boats that came nearby noticed me. I thought that day was going to be the last day of my life.”

After being taken to a hospital for examination he was released showing remarkably good health after his mis-adventure.

Shinkawa, wrapped in an orange blanket,
was taken to the rescue ship in surprisingly
good health after two days afloat.  (Reuters)

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Posted by on March 14, 2011 • Filed under: rescue, Rescues • Tagged: , ,

Morning Lineup – March 14

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Monday Morning – Parade Season is Here

The annual St. Patrick’s Day parades around the country kick off the long-awaited parade season for the year.  In many areas it is still pretty chilly in mid-March, but that doesn’t stop the pipers as they march along celebrating the Irish heritage that is so prevalent in the fire and police departments.  The two “biggies” are the huge parades in New York and Chicago on the 17th with the Windy City continuing its novel practice of pouring thousands of gallons of green food coloring into the Chicago River turning it green for the entire day.

Most communities hold their parades on weekend days so that both marchers and watchers have a better opportunity to attend.  So you end up with about three weekends in March that are filled with the first parades of the year.  This was the case in Alexandria, Virginia, on March 5 when the Northern Virginia Firefighters Emerald Society pipe band gathered in front of fire station 201 for this group photo prior to the stepping-off of this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade in that city.

In Delray Beach, Florida, they hold what is claimed to be the largest St. Patrick’s parade in Florida and nobody doubts that.  They combine it with a sizeable participation of fire trucks, firefighters, and more pipers making it also one of the state’s biggest fire department parades.

A big part of all community parades through the Spring and Summer months are the firetrucks that are always crowd favorites.  The local FD’s send pumpers and trucks over to fill out the ranks and some areas are fortunate to have local antique firetruck clubs that can bring some old engines over to add to the gaiety of the day.  Yesterday (Sunday) the Raleigh (North Carolina) Fire Department Historical Society gathered some of their antiques for a photo shoot and it looks like they had fun doing it.  I’ll bet they’re looking forward to “parade season,” too.

 

Alright, it’s time for us to march over to our equipment and get it checked out for today.  Remember it’s Monday, so the long checksheet today.  I’m going to get more coffee started.  See you back in the day room later.

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Posted by on March 14, 2011 • Filed under: morning lineup, parades, Pipe Bands • Tagged: , , , , ,

Bronx Bus Crash Update

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Accident Investigation Changed to Criminal Investigation

THE DEADLY BUS CRASH IN THE BRONX SATURDAY MORNING (see previous Firegeezer report HERE) is now the subject of a criminal investigation. 

New York Post

While the police believe they have found the tractor-trailer that may have been involved in the wreck, they are also looking into the possibility that the bus driver may have been falling asleep while driving along I-95.  NY1 News reports this morning:

The driver told police he was trying to avoid a swerving tractor-trailer. But although state police seized a tractor-trailer that could have been involved, sources tell the Daily News at least one passenger saw Williams nodding off before the crash.  Passengers reportedly told investigators the bus hit the rumble strips three times.

A video camera on board the bus has also been taken as evidence.

“We have a number of reports, some of who are saying the driver was operating southbound at a high rate of speed,” said Major Michael Kopy of the NY State Police during a news conference last night. “We’re conducting at this point as if it is a criminal investigation. That said, it is in the very infant stages of the investigation and it will take a long period of time to determine what, if any, criminal act may have occurred here.”

It is also being reported that neither the bus nor the truck have any indications of recent contact with other vehicles.

Since yesterday one more passenger has died raising the toll to 14 killed.

The New York Post has an article today that has interviews with some firefighters that worked the wreck along with a description of how they handled the incident.  Read it HERE.

The Post also filed this video report:

 

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Posted by on March 13, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics

A Sunday Emergency !

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Season One – Episode 11

Crash

 

A plane disaster, the near-death of a four-year-old and a heart attack victim challenge the crew’s skills.

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Posted by on March 13, 2011 • Filed under: Sunday Emergency • Tagged:

Fireworks Handler Fails – Ka-Booms His House

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Kansas Man Loses Entire Home

A BLUE SPRINGS, KANSAS, MAN DESTROYED HIS house Saturday morning while performing some sort of activity with his cache of fireworks.  The Kansas City Star reports:

The owner, who suffered minor injuries, told authorities that he had stored a lot of fireworks in the house, said Eddie Saffell, assistant chief of the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District.

At the time of the fire, the owner said, he was “cutting into some or tearing them apart or doing something with them,” Saffell said. “We are still trying to piece that together.”

The blast occurred about 9:15 a.m., but by the time firefighters arrived at 2401 Glen Drive, the fire had destroyed much of the 3,000-square-foot home.

KMBC-TV

When the first units arrived the house was already fully involved with fire through the roof.  Suppression efforts were successfully directed to protecting the exposures.

KMBC-TV / Thomason

The FD has requested assistance from the ATF in their investigation.  The homeowner was treated for minor burns and released.  No FF injuries were reported.  The house with an estimated value of $170,000, is a total loss.

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Posted by on March 13, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fires • Tagged: ,

31 Injured in Brooklyn Apartment Fire

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Four-Story Building

Update, 4:30 pm Eastern:  Injury count refined to include 28 residents and 12 FF’s.

A FIRE SWEPT THROUGH A 4-STORY APARTMENT building in Brooklyn, New York, Sunday morning and sent 31 40 residents to the hospital.  Four of them are in critical, life-threatening condition and four others are in serious condition.  Update:  12 of the injuries were to firefighters who were transported and released.

WNBC-TV

The fire alarm was dispatched at 5:12 am and was marked under control at 7:27 am.

The fire is already classed as suspicious because it started in a public hallway, trapping many of the residents who had to use fire escapes or be brought down by tower ladders and ground ladders by the firefighters.

Update, 9 am: 
The injury count has just been increased to 40, according to FDNY sources.

WNBC-TV has the STORY.

Posted by on March 13, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fires • Tagged:

FF Union Local Missing $50,000

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They Know Who, They Just Don’t Know Where

THE BURLINGTON, ONTARIO, FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL 1552 has learned from an internal audit that $50,000 has  gone missing from the 200-member Local’s bank account.  The president, Dan Vanderlelie says that none of the funds came from their charity account, the Benevolent Fund, and they know who is responsible.

While he hasn’t disclosed the culprit other than saying he’s an executive board member, an unhappy member leaked to the press that it was the former treasurer.  The Toronto Sun reports:

Vanderlelie said a member  is now undergoing an internal disciplinary process as outlined in the union’s constitution.

Vanderlelie said a small undisclosed amount of money has been returned.

Halton Regional Police have not been notified and he’s waiting for the internal process be completed before deciding whether to call them, he said.  “We don’t know what the money was used for,” Vanderlelie said. “The point is that there was money that was misused.”

The Toronto Star has MORE.
Local 1552 WEBSITE.

Posted by on March 13, 2011 • Filed under: crime, labor, News

Morning Lineup – March 13

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Sunday Morning

You will have to excuse me, but I’m going to be an hour late for everything today.  This stupid daylightsavingstime thing has arrived here even before Spring has and I certainly didn’t ask for it.  One thing that  I won’t be late for, though, is broadcast time for today’s hockey Game of the Day on NBC network.  Everybody in the U. S. will be able to see what will probably be a good game between Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks.

Even though they are in different conferences, they each have a lot on incentive to play this game hard.  Chicago has been struggling to keep their playoff spot in the standing.  While they have lost their last two games, they had just come off of an 8-game winning streak.  Yet despite that run, while they are in 5th place in the Western Conference, they are only one point out of 9th place – and only 8 teams go to the playoffs.  So after dropping the last two (one in overtime, earning them a point), they are going to be desperate for a win no matter who they’re playing today.

The Capitals, on the other hand, are riding a 7-game winning streak and suddenly closing in of Philly for the Eastern Conference lead.  Before last night there was only one point separating them but the Flyers won in overtime last night moving back to a 3-point lead.  The Caps are at home today, too, so they have a double incentive to play well.  Even if you root for a different team – or no team – this will be a good one to watch.  It comes on NBC at 12:30 Eastern and earlier everywhere else…if you have your timepiece moved to the stupid daylightsavingstime.

Speaking of hockey, here’s a bit of Sunday levity for you.  It is not unusual for people who have seats next to the visiting team’s penalty box to tease the other team’s players who are sitting out a penalty and sometimes they downright taunt them in hopes of distracting them enough to go out and mess up their next play.  But the pair of imaginative fans shown in this video have taken the title of best penalty teasers in the league.  I got a good laugh out of it and I think you will too:

 

Ok, lets get the equipment checked out now, we’re already an hour late with it.  I’ll check on the Sunday breakfast and get some more coffee started.

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Posted by on March 13, 2011 • Filed under: morning lineup • Tagged: , ,

Floating Restaurant Floats Away – 85 Diners Rescued

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Bridge Pillar Prevents Full Runaway

A POPULAR FLOATING RESTAURANT ON THE OHIO River in Covington, Kentucky, broke its moorings Friday night during the height of the dinner hour.  The river is experiencing its normal spring flood, but the barge was secured as it always has been when the rapid current tore it from its mooring.  Jeff Ruby’s Waterfront Restaurant had 85 people on board, diners and employees, when it started floating away.

After drifting about 100 yards, it ran against an abutment for the Bailey Bridge that connnects Covington with Cincinnati and kept the barge from traveling any farther while tugboats raced to the scene and snugged the restaurant against the seawall. 

AP

The Covington Fire Department responded and set up an improvised gangplank using FD ground ladders.  They next removed the patrons one at a time by putting life jackets on them and safety harnesses to prevent them from being swept away if they fell over.

Notice how the FD used a 2nd ground ladder as a
“railing” for the improvised gangplank.  (AP)

The Associated Press has a full report via ABC News  HERE.

WKRC-TV posted this updated video report this morning:

 

STATter911 has more with additional video HERE.

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Posted by on March 12, 2011 • Filed under: rescue, Rescues, Videos

Bronx Bus Crash Kills 13

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Tour Bus Rolls on Expressway

A CHARTER BUS CARRYING PEOPLE HOME FROM A CASINO rolled onto its side just before 6 am Saturday, killing at least 13 passengers and critically injuring several others.

Early reports say that the bus was traveling on the New England Thruway, a part of I-95, in the northern part of the Bronx, New York, when the bus flipped over on its side and then slid for 250 yards along the roadway until it struck a sign pillar that sheared the roof partway off. 

The New York Post reports:  

As the bus went down, its roof was nearly sliced off by a highway signpost, killing some people instantly and trapping others in the wreckage.

Thirteen people were dead, six people were critically injured, two people were moderately injured and 11 people suffered minor injuries, authorities said. The bus was carrying 32 people.

This aerial image from WABC-TV shows the sign pillar sliced through
the roof as FDNY firefighters use the roof escape hatch to access
the victims in the rear end of the bus.

New York Daily News

They were returning to Manhattan Chinatown from the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut.  WCBS-TV is reporting:

Police began a hunt for the driver of a tractor trailer, which did not stop after the crash, New York Police Department spokesman Paul Browne said.

As it entered the city at around 5:30 a.m., the bus was struck from behind by a tractor trailer, Browne said. The bus began swerving, toppled and crashed into the support post for a highway sign indicating the exit for the Hutchinson Parkway.

WABC-TV filed this early video from their helicopter:

 

WNYW-TV  has this later video report:

13 Dead In Bronx Bus Crash: MyFoxNY.com

 

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Posted by on March 12, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Mass Casualty Incident, rescue, Rescues, Videos • Tagged: , ,