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Morning Lineup – March 12

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Saturday Morning

Does anybody listen to the radio anymore?

Roughly 25 years ago the nation’s television viewing practices began a transformation from over-the-air signal reception to programming  being delivered via cable.  Up until then, cable tv was an innovation used in rural areas and expanses in the mid-west and west to deliver regular television signals to residents in isolated areas.  Before the “cable” part of the transmission came into use, the television providers erected these huge antenna towers on mountain tops to catch distant tv station’s signals, then they would clean up the signals and re-transmit them to their subscribers who received the programming through a proprietary “box” much like we do now.  In the 1970′s some of the  re-transmission companies took advantage of the advances in cable technology and started stringing up small towns that were too far away from television stations to receive signals. 

It was in the late 1970′s that a communications satellite was launched that was permitted to accept domestic (non-military) use when Ted Turner, an billboard advertising firm proprietor in Atlanta, took the signal from a small, local UHF station that he owned and “uplinked” it to one of those satellites.  He then sold the retransmission rights to those country cable systems, called it a Super Station, and from there it was Katy-bar-the-door.

Radio listening habits are entirely different, mainly because of the ability to receive the signal on cheap, portable receivers that don’t have to be stationary.  Moving vehicles can receive radio signals easily and clearly and you can now get a pocket-size receiver at Walmart for as little as $5.  But radio programming started sliding into the tank about 20 years ago when a few large companies started buying up local radio stations that were losing listeners primarily due to the now-expansive choice of tv stations offering a large variety of specialized programming.  These large radio operators thought that the future lay in targeted, researched programming and suddenly we ended up with 30 radio stations in each city that were all playing the same stuff.  It has evolved to the point where the only time anyone listens to the radio anymore is while riding in their cars to and from work.  The exception is the so-called talk radio format which is popular among people who have the time to listen to it, and that is the sole reason that many of the radio stations are financially viable anymore.

Recognizing this dearth of choices and variety in the “terrestrial” radio spectrum, two new fields of radio-style delivery sprang up.  One is the internet based stations and the other is a satellite based provider that is the product of a merger between two innovative firms, XM and Sirrius.  For a long while the satellite company had the edge because you could receive the signals anywhere including your car.  The only hitch was that you had to buy an expensive receiver and pay a monthly fee (a la cable tv) to get the signals.  The satellite radio offers a virtually unlimited number of program choices with no advertising and is a terrific way to listen to radio now.  But with the introduction of the iPad internet receiver, the computer stations have a chance to make an intrusion into the listening market.

But what I am wondering, is there still a market for “radio” listening?  When it comes to music, huge numbers of people are using downloads and CD’s to make their own playlists.  That only leaves live sports announcing and talk formats to support very expensive delivery systems.  My own opinion says that the satellite broadcasting is the most practical, and affordable, but the number of subscribers is still relatively low despite sales gimmincks like having receivers built into new automobiles.  I have to admit that I don’t have any plans on signing up, mostly because of the monthly fee obligation.  I just don’t listen to the radio anymore.  Who does?

We all need to keep our equipment at the ready, though.  So let’s get it checked out and I’ll get another pot of coffee started.

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Posted by on March 12, 2011 • Filed under: morning lineup • Tagged: ,

Nuclear reactor meltdown imminent?

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The Japanese Government has declared a nuclear emergency.

Japan’s quake-hit nuclear power plant Fukushima Number 1, about 250 kilometers northeast of Tokyo, “may be experiencing nuclear meltdown,” Kyodo News reported, citing the nation’s Nuclear Safety Commission.

source: Daily Telegram (AU) Live updates: 8.9 earthquake rocks Japan – Pacific on tsunami alert

Fukushima Power Plant


NHK World Japan reported that cesium elements have been found around the site (unable to capture audio segment)

Cesium is the material used in control rods.  The Cesium rods control the speed of a reaction adn the temperature of the reactor.

Finding elements of cesium around the reactor is an indication of the start of a primary or core meltdown.

Newsletter March 12 (Sat) 11:14 delivery (translation)

Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (NISA), the first nuclear power plant damaged by earthquake Toukyoudenryoku Hukuzima East (town Ookuma Fukushima Futaba town) in Unit 1, soluble in hot fuel rods “meltdown” has occurred likely announced.

According to NISA, No. 1 around the detection of radioactive cesium on NIRS team. Cesium is contained in nuclear fuel rods, because of its high melting point, it is estimated that the likely cause meltdown.

According to the Safety Agency, said nuclear power plant Unit 1 reactor water level decreased from 12 am. Temporarily exposed surface of the cooling water from nuclear fuel rods were damaged nuclear fuel is a concern.

Melting cesium control rods lead to the overheating and partial meltdown at Three Mile Island (1979) as well as the explosion of the Chernobyl reactor in 1986.

Mike “FossilMedic” Ward

Posted by on March 12, 2011 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, EMS Health & Safety, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, HazMat, Major Incidents, Mass Casualty Incident, News, Special Operations • Tagged: , ,

Pregnant celebrity struck by fire truck

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Found at TMZ, from Stephenville Empire-Tribune

Amanda Kimble, writing for Stephenville (Texas) Empire-Tribune, reports this:

Singer-songwriter Jewel involved in collision

The two-vehicle accident involved Jewel and Erath County Commissioner Jim Pack, who was operating a Harbin Volunteer Fire Department fire/brush truck and responding to a grass fire on US Highway 67.

Harbin Volunteer Fire Department is a new, rural department:

STEPHENVILLE (August 05, 2009)-A new Volunteer Fire Department was commissioned by Erath County for operation in the Dublin/Harbin area.

Erath County commissioners voted in a July 27 meeting to approve the new department.

The new agency will cover the small community located 4 miles east-northeast of the city of Dublin along F.M. 847.

The department will be added to the 911 call center between Monday August 3rd & Friday August 7th.

A BAR BQ Fundraiser is planned for Saturday August 15th at the Electric CO-OP in nearby Stephenville it’s open to the public and anyone who wishes to Volunteer is urged to attend.

from J.W. Brunson at KWTX: Harbin Community Volunteer Fire Department Commissioned by Erath County

Mike “FossilMedic” Ward

Posted by on March 11, 2011 • Filed under: Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, News, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus • Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

4-Bagger Takes 8 Homes in New Jersey

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At Least Six Others Damaged in Morning Fire

Manasquan-Belmar Patch

A FIRE THAT STARTED AROUND 5 am FRIDAY IN OCEAN GROVE, New Jersey, went quickly to four alarms as the flames raced through a row of Victorian homes in the seaside village.

Star-Ledger

The Jackson Township News described the initial attack on the fire:

According to Captain Dilello of the Ocean Grove Fire Department, firefighters were alerted to the call for a “possible structure fire” at approximately 0510 hours this morning.

The first arriving fire officer, Chief Deuchar of Ocean Grove arrived on scene in three minutes from the dispatch and discovered two fully involved structures on Surf Avenue between Central Avenue and Beach Avenue. Chief Deuchar assumed command of the incident. The first-in engine (Engine 3) arrived shortly after the Chief arrived and laid in to the scene. Due to the nature of Ocean Grove with homes literally feet apart, Engine 2 arrived just behind E3 and went to the next block over (Atlantic Avenue) to attack the fire from that block. According to Captain Dilello E2 also encountered structures on that block, to the rear of the original fire buildings already involved in fire.

Chief Deuchar immediately went to a third-alarm response upon learning of additional exposures lighting off.

Most of the homes seen on the other side of Atlantic Ave.
in this Google Street View were destroyed in the fire.

The fire spread rapidly as the ocean breeze carried the flaming embers through the block of closely-built dwellings including one former hotel that was being converted to a condominium apartment.  All the involved buildings backed each other on Atlantic and Surf Avenues.

Manasquan-Belmar Patch

Asbury Park Press

Units from ten fire departments and 50 firefighters worked the fire.

The fire was knocked down by 8 am and units remained on the scene for several hours more mopping up.

The Asbury Park Press has the story and a 19-image photo gallery HERE.
The Jackson Township News has MORE.
The Manasquan-Belmar Patch has more and an 18-image photo gallery HERE.

Posted by on March 11, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fires • Tagged:

Code 3 For a Cure Mission Ramping Up

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Firegeezer wants to remind you about our earlier posting last Saturday, March 5, about the Code for a Cure Mission 2011.  If you missed it, or need a reminder, CLICK HERE to review the event.  Today’s update was sent by Capt. Bob Burton of Yakima, Washington:

We would like to say thanks to the firefighters of Wichita, Kansas, station 17 for helping Lorenzo Tuesday.  He picked up the new engine from the Sutphen dealer and started his drive back to California .  Along the way he stopped to visit at Station 17 and the guys there helped him put on the graphics for Code 3 for a Cure and hung the banner on the back, then washed and cleaned the rig and gave it a good once over so he would be ready for the trip.  Thanks, Wichita Station 17!   

Wichita Fire Station 17

Today (Wednesday) Lorenzo is driving across Texas on his way and getting everything ready for the Kick Off on the 14th.

 No new word on Kevin’s condition at this time. We will keep you posted on him. He is one of the strongest, bravest, firefighters that I know. Here is the link to the caring bridge site for Kevin:  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kkse

And be sure to check out the Code 3 For a Cure website HERE.  If you are in Southern California, be sure to check it to see if you can help launch the 27-state tour that gets underway on Monday.

Thanks, Capt. Bob Burton

Posted by on March 11, 2011 • Filed under: charity, News • Tagged: ,

Weekend Caption Contest

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HERE WE GO AGAIN …. another photo showing intense firefighting activity arrived without a description or suggested caption.  I sure would like to know what it is that the firefighters found to be so interesting.  Even the white helmets are craning for a peek.

If you have any idea at all of what they are looking at, or saying about it, please let us know by posting your suggestion in the Comments section.  Remember that this is a family-friendly website, so be carefull if the word “naked” is part of the solution.

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Posted by on March 11, 2011 • Filed under: caption contest • Tagged:

Ambulance Struck As It Arrives On Scene

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Calgary EMS Unit Struck Partially Head-on

A CALGARY (Alberta) AMBULANCE WAS RESPONDING for a pedestrian struck on Wednesday night on a highway on-ramp when it was also struck as it approached the accident scene.  The 22-yr.-old pedestrian was walking along the highway ramp when he was run into by a van and seriously injured.  The responding ambulance approached the scene by driving up the ramp from the highway and going against the traffic.  While just 100 ft. from the victim, the ambulance was struck by another van that was coming from the opposite direction.

Calgary Herald

The three paramedics on board jumped out of the ambulance and took their equipment to the original scene and began lifesaving treatment.  A second ambulance was dispatched and the pedestrian was transported in serious, life-threatening condition.  (Note:  He was later upgraded to serious but stable… ed.)

The driver of the 2nd van was trapped in his vehicle and had to be extricated by the fire department.  He was transported in stable condition and later issued a citation for failure to yield to the emergency vehicle.  The three paramedics were treated for bruises and released.

The Calgary Herald had MORE.

Posted by on March 11, 2011 • Filed under: ambulances, EMS Topics, Vehicle Operation & Ambulances • Tagged:

House Fire Sends Mouseketeer Queen to Hospital

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Ailing Actress Suffers Smoke Inhalation

FAMED ACTRESS ANNETTE FUNICELLO, 68, WAS TRANSPORTED to the hospital Thursday suffering from smoke inhalation following a destructive fire at here 3,600 sq. ft. home in Encino, California.  The Grande Dame of the original Walt Disney Mouseketeers is bedridden from her debillitating bout with multiple sclerosis.

ABC News

The fire started shortly after 7 am Thursday and when the fire department arrived they found a large portion of the home ablaze.  They had the fire extinguished in 30 minutes.  Damage to the house was “extensive” and most of her collection of personal film memorabilia were lost.  This video report from KTLA-TV tells more:

  

Funicello’s nurse and her husband were also taken to the hospital for observation but none of the three were seriously injured from the fire.  However they were all kept there overnight.

The fire is believed to be accidental, but the cause is still under investigation.

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Posted by on March 11, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fires, Videos • Tagged: ,

Morning Lineup – March 11

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Fire Suppression’s New Look – Part Two

At yesterday’s Lineup HERE we talked about my speculation of the future of fire engine purchases and what I believe will be the trend in size and ordering for many, but not necessarily all, fire departments.  Today I want to make a prediction about how a new policy of the way aerial trucks are ordered and used could come about as a result of economic necessity.

We will begin by looking across the Atlantic to the European style of aerial ladder truck design.  These units are remarkably smaller and more utilitarian than those used in North America.

There are two main reasons for their decision to go this route in truck design.  First of all is their ability to access the buildings.  Most of the European cities and villages are built along streets that date to the Middle Ages and are very narrow, to say the least.  That Pierce 100-ft. tiller job wouldn’t even fit between the curbstones in some places.  But the short-wheelbase Mercedes in the picture can scamper into almost any location where an ladder or aerial stream is needed.  Score a Plus-One for access.

Secondly is the Europeans’ traditional strategy of work assignment.  It is only in relatively recent times that they have even begun obtaining trucks with aerial ladders mounted on them.  And when they did begin, one thing they did not do is assign another company of firefighters to ride along and operate the truck and its tools.  You can see in this photo of a modern aerial that there is only room for the driver and perhaps an officer to ride in the cab.  Instead of the unit being a “rolling tool box” like ours, the ladder itself is the specialized tool and is there for the firefighters to use.  Now the engine companies will use it for an alternative pathway to advance a hose line or effect an evacuation / rescue of a civilian.  Ventilation?  One of the companies is already assigned to that task before the truck even gets there.  They even have their own tools to use.

If that type of strategy sounds a little familiar, it’s because that is exactly the way that a large number of all-volunteer fire calls are run and performed now.  Except that they have their one or two truckies bringing along a million-dollar monster.

With the tight economy upon us, and the probablilty that it will be a very long time before funding is flush again, the firetruck builder who can get one of those European-style aerials to market already has a large customer base waiting for them.  With one of these, small towns that don’t have aerial coverage now can add that option.  Tight-budget departments, both paid and volunteer, will be able to put a new, trustworthy aerial into service where they couldn’t afford to before.

Hold on!  I know what you’re going to say.  No ladder complement on it … no way will that be recognized by ISO or the NFPA as a bona fide ladder company.  So what?  If you don’t have one now, what difference does that make?  But, you will be improving your ability to handle your fires and providing better coverage for your citizens.  Isn’t that better than nothing?  Of course we don’t expect Seattle or other large cities to even consider this alternative.  But there are 20,000 small departments out there, most of which could afford it, that are prime potential users of the “mini-truck.”

So let’s consider thinking about a different approach to fireground operations, especially in our more sparsely populated towns and counties.

Mini-truck or tiller truck, they all have to be checked daily, so we had better get started on ours now.  I need to get some more coffee going.  See you back in the day room.

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Posted by on March 11, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, morning lineup

Massive Earthquake Wrecks Japan – Tsunami Heads Across Pacific to America’s

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Entire Country in Shambles

The Largest Earthquake in Japan’s History Struck Shortly After 2 pm
Friday Afternoon Leveling Tens of Thousands of Buildings

The earthquake was centered just offshore to the east of the Japan and measured 8.9 Richter, the highest ever since records were begun over 150 years ago.  A stream of aftershocks are continuing with 35 recorded so far as this posting is being written.  Geologists say that there will probably be hundreds more over the next few weeks.

 

Coastal Destruction as Tsunami Sweeps the Entire Coastline

The coastal areas were swept with massive flooding shortly after the initial shock, tearing down buildings and flooding entire cities, sweeping thousands of people away in the wall of water that slammed into the coastal regions.

 

About a minute into this video report there is dramatic footage from NHK News as their helicopter follows the 20-ft.-high flood wall sweeping across a semi-rural area and carrying burning houses along with it:

 

Thousands of Fires Burning Out of Control

The resultant fires that were started are left unattended because of their numbers and the need of the firefighters  that are available to mount rescue efforts.  The electricity is off for millions of homes and businesses as most of the nation’s nuclear energy plants went into an automatic shut-down when the quake hit.

Refinery burns free and unchecked

 

Tsunami Traveling Across the Pacific
Will Eventually Strike Hawaii and West Coasts
of North and South America

A tsunami warning has been issued for 20 countries that have coastal areas on the Pacific rim including the U. S.

Estimated elapsed times until tsunami strikes coastlines

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Posted by on March 11, 2011 • Filed under: Major Incidents, Videos

Ambulance Crashes Into Backhoe

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Louisiana Ambulance Totals On Backhoe Bucket

AN EAST BATON ROUGE EMS ambulance ran off the road in Central, Louisiana, Thursday while responding to a medical emergency.  The ambulance hit a pickup truck, sending it off the road, and smashed into the rear end of a backhoe driving the bucket through the windshield into the cab of the ambulance.

WBRZ-TV / Barrow

Both of the paramedics and the driver of the pickup were injured and were transported to the hospital.

WBRZ-TV / Barrow

There is no report yet on what caused the ambulance to leave the roadway.

WBRZ-TV / Barrow

WBRZ-TV has this early report and more photos HERE.

Hat tip:  Mike Morton

Posted by on March 10, 2011 • Filed under: ambulances, EMS Topics, Vehicle Operation & Ambulances • Tagged: ,

The Bleeding Edge of Techology (part 3)

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Pre Spring break party night!

In January I bought a new laptop, since the 2007 Lenovo Thinkpad never fully recovered from it's electronic stroke in 2009. (Here and here)

I was disappointed with the Thinkpad screen brightness, poor broadband performance and overly complex (and ineffective) data recovery system. Ended up using a 2004 Dell laptop on the road, with the missing keys and travel scarred case.

Was enthralled with the Macbook Air. Squandered afternoons wondering if I should get the 11" (best in planes) or the 13" (up to 7 hours of battery power).

About half of my peers used iPads or Macbooks. They are the cool kids.

Time to Implement

I was also replacing my dad's eight year old desktop. It was a Dell with Windows XP.

Had projects that were not Macintosh friendly.

It would be easier and quicker for me to get two Windows 7 machines with Microsoft Office 2010 suites. Figured that I would lose less time dithering.

Jim Seymour’s On the Road was a 1992 book that provided pragmatic advice to business users of computers. The founding editor-in-chief of PC/Computing and an early laptop equipped road warrior, Seymour railed against dithering that occurs when you spend more time working to get the computer to work than using the computer to get work done.

2007, Dec 11: The Bleeding Edge of Technology

Buyer's Remorse?

Going from XP to System 7 was a little challenging.

Going from Microsoft Office 2003 to Office 2010 was a killer for my dad, who still laments moving from WordPerfect eight years ago.

I have spent a lot of time dithering to get all of the elements to work together.

On a plane two weeks ago, the guys next to me were using a MacBook Air and an iPad. I was envious.

Daydreaming about it tonight as I perform an emergency complete backup of my less than three month old laptop. What a nice message!

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

2007, Dec 11: The Bleeding Edge of Technology

2009, June 03: Bleeding Edge of Technology, part 2 (updated): FossilMedic suffers digital stroke

Posted by on March 10, 2011 • Filed under: Technology & Communications • Tagged: , , , , ,

Meadville Reincarnation

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Seized Fire Company is Being Reorganized

ON FEBRUARY 24 FIREGEEZER REPORTED on the volunteer fire company in Meadville, Pennsylvania, that was seized by the city council without warning and padlocked.  The city dissolved banished the volunteer company and later gave them a couple of days to remove the property that was rightfully owned by them.  The 1984 fire engine is owned by the city along with most of the emergency tools, equipment and real estate.

The first Firegeezer REPORT HERE told that the council voted on and passed, without comment or debate, a resolution to immediately shut down the volunteer fire company that had failed to maintain standards, training and the ability to respond to calls.  The city’s primary fire coverage is by a career department that continues to operate.  Click on the link to read the rest of the details on why this drastic action was taken.

Since then, the city council along with the career FD fire chief have assembled a nucleus of willing volunteers to form a replacement company that will take over the responsibilities of the former organization.  Approximately 12 qualified volunteers who are currently active in neighboring departments, or former members of the previous company, have convened to begin the process of getting the new company organized and running.

They have been working diligently since the day after the shutdown to create a set of by-laws and prepare the proper legal documents.  This past Monday, March7, they met with a committee formed by the city council to review the application process and were given the ok to continue.  Several fire chiefs from neighboring departments attended the session to give their endorsements to the personnel and activities of the new organization.

The new company will have a volunteer captain in command who will be responsible to and under the control of the city fire chief.  The group of charter members has chosen a name, United Fire Company and set up a website (HERE) where information on how to join is posted along with updates on their progress.

The United Fire Company is on schedule to go into service on or around April 1.  They are currently in negotiations to acquire a much newer pumper as a donation from another FD.  Firegeezer will post progress reports.

Posted by on March 10, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, current events, Fire Rescue Topics, fire stations • Tagged:

Fire Departments Taking a Beating

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We're the Whipping Boys (Again)
a commentary

We're all a bunch of union thugs and parasites; the new welfare queens.  Oh wait, that's just what I heard.  My observation teaches me that the fire service as a whole is a whipping boy and perennial doormat.  But what is experience when there are people LOUDLY TALKING on cable news?

What is happening in Wisconsin should be getting a lot more play in the fire service than it is.  As Wisconsin goes, so goes the IAFF's fortunes nationwide.  Are you paying attention?  Where do you stand?  Before you default to whatever side you were raised to support, consider your own department and all the departments you hear of regularly.  I think it is plain that the local-government administrators of this country cannot be trusted to provide for the public safety and the safety of our firefighters.  City after county after city after fire district has made the decisions that imperil our neighbors and our brother and sister firefighters.  Hare-brained schemes abound as politicians and city managers shift scarce funds to more immediately visible projects that they can stand in front of and put their names on.  Whatever the faults of organized labor, the IAFF and its locals have saved lives and property nationwide by minimizing the other side's abilities to carry out its dangerous publicity schemes.

FireRescue1

That doesn't even touch the surface of the benefits and restrictions that can be negotiated through collective bargaining.  It does touch each of us in the fire service, whether we are union members, non-union paid guys, or volunteers.  It is obvious to me that the IAFF has been the single greatest driver of the things we use to ensure minimum staffing, be it a contract article, an NFPA standard, or a state law.  This battle intimately affects every one of us in the fire service before it even touches on our pensions or paychecks. Pay attention and prepare yourself for what comes next.

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Posted by on March 10, 2011 • Filed under: commentary, Fire Rescue Topics, FireHat • Tagged:

Triple-Fatal Fire Deemed Arson

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New Haven Duplex Disaster Wednesday AM

A FATAL FIRE IN A NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, duplex rental home early Wednesday has been classed as an arson by the fire marshal.

The fire swept through the building that housed a total of 15 people in the two apartments and trapped three on the third floor who perished.  The first units were on the scene just four minutes after dispatch, but were immediately overwhelmed by the massive amount of fire.  The firefighters were able to rescue two people from the second floor, but were unable to make entry to the third before the entire upper part of the duplex became involved.

WTNH-TV image

STATter911 filed the story about the fire yesterday and includes dramatic video showing the rescue and the fire nearly getting the firefighters.  CLICK HERE to read the initial report.

The arson investigators using an accelerant-sniffing dog, found that the fire was started on the interior stairway thus blocking the egress from the upper floors.  There is evidence of a liquid accelerant being poured along most of the stair treads before being torched.

They have also learned from neighbors that a dark color mini-van was seen leaving the area just before the fire broke out and the police are asking the public to help locate it.

WTNH-TV has posted this video report on this latest discovery:

Accelerant found at fatal New Haven fire: wtnh.com

 

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Posted by on March 10, 2011 • Filed under: arson, Fire Rescue Topics, Fires, Videos

Morning Lineup – March 10

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Fire Suppression’s New Look – Part One

If you checked by the website yesterday, you saw the announcement from Spartan Motors about their purchase of Classic Fire LLC, a maker of small-sized firetrucks.  If you missed the story, read the ARTICLE HERE.

This was a sharp move by Spartan and I’m impressed with their acquisition.  Classic Fire makes things like mini-pumpers and small tankers that are more maneuverable and (note this!) less expensive than the modern standard pumper.  And this “modern standard” pumper is suffering mightily in sales for all the primary firetruck manufacturers.  Currently the nation is going through a recession and property values have plunged, dragging down their real estate tax revenues that are based on value.  This is leaving counties, towns and cities everywhere strapped for the cash needed to pay for everything, and most of them are delaying the purchase of new fire apparatus that would usually be used to replace older trucks that should be moved off the front line and into reserve.  Pressing an extra two years service out of an 8-yr.-old engine is an easy choice for most localities.

And when revenues begin to rise again, they will not be rolling in like they were four years ago.  Instead of laying out $600 thousand for a new pumper, they will be looking closely at the models that sell for $250 thousand.  And why not?  They have the same sized pump, can carry all the hose that you need, and have enough compartment space to hold the basic tools.  Missing are things like built-in refrigerated cabinets to hold drugs that an ambulance is bringing anyway.

Classic Fire photo

There are perhaps as many as a dozen quality firetruck builders that turn out small vehicles like Classic’s and they serve a purposefully- small region that can be easily serviced. And they provide a handful of good jobs for the small towns where they are usually based.  These small firms are going to be seeing potential buyers showing up at their shops looking for a firetruck for sale without having to send out a salesman to drum up the business.  Many of them are already working at their limited capacity and don’t have a lot of room to expand their output.  And while these potential purchasers are looking around, the industry giants like Pierce and Seagrave are having trouble finding these guys carrying the purchase orders around.  Perhaps the big outfits are already beginning to design and tool up to make more mini-pumpers, but Spartan has jumped out there and by purchasing a going business outright, they have put themselves right into where the action is …. ready to take orders and keep on keepin’ on.

Perhaps a couple of the biggies will follow Spartan’s path and try to find a ready-made mini-pumper factory willing to be purchased, but that’s not as easy as you might first think.  For one thing, most of these smaller firms are family-owned businesses and they have a strong attachment to the community and their workers, most of whom have been loyal to the company for many years.  And for another, the plant has to be able to expand to meet the expected increase in sales.  While that part might not be a problem with some of them, almost all of them don’t have the ability to expand their workforce because of their sparsely-populated areas that they are located in.

The Classic Fire plant has plenty of room for expansion.
(Google Street View)

Again, Spartan aced the others on this point, too.  Not only does Classic have lots of room to expand, but they are located in the same city as E-One where there is a supply of trained and experienced firetruck builders already there.  Don’t underestimate that advantage.  They have the ability now to instantly expand and gear up production as the orders come in.  Tomorrow I will talk about how this “new look” will affect aerial truck design and sales.

Today though, we will still use the same old checklist and get this equipment checked out for today.  I’m going to put the same old coffee maker to work and get another pot going.  See you back in the day room later.

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Posted by on March 10, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, morning lineup • Tagged:

Montreal Mafia Madness Update

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The Province Gets a Conviction

A MONTREAL MAN WAS SENTENCED YESTERDAY (Tuesday) to 3-½ years in prison for an attempted firebombing of an Italian eatery in the city.  The Montreal Gazette reports this morning:

André Beaulieu, 48, of Laval, appeared before Quebec Court Judge Pierre Labelle on Tuesday morning and received a 42-month sentence for his role in an attempt to set a fire to Beniamino, a sandwich bar and caterer on Langelier Blvd.

Montreal police, acting on a tip, arrested Beaulieu and two other people as they prepared to use Molotov cocktails to set the fire. This was during a period where several other blazes had been set in northeastern Montreal in Italian cafés, restaurants and other places of business.

With time served factored into his sentence Beaulieu, a chronic drug addict, has 38 months left on his sentence.

One of his accomplices Tony Abou Arrage, 53, pleaded guilty back in November and received an 18-month sentence plus probation and the third perp Nawal Al Haddad, 47, a woman who was the getaway driver, is still awaiting her preliminary hearing.

#17 is the incident referenced in this article.

Read the Montreal Gazette article on the original arrest at the bungled arson attempt on Beniamino HERE.

Firegeezer notes:  These and other recent arrests have two things in common.  First, the crimes are now being largely commited by non-Italians, and secondly the amateurish attempts in the past year have largely failed in their missions.  It appears that following the arrests in late 2009 of a couple of real pro’s, the feuding families have been hiring simpletons and drug addicts to do their deeds despite their obvious lack of skills in the firebombing trade.

Beaulieu is a career criminal and drug addict who has spent most of his adult life in jail.  He was once described as “very institutionalized” and “incapable of functioning in a community.”

Review our previous Montreal Mafia Madness reports HERE.

Posted by on March 9, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Law & Justice, Montreal Mafia Madness • Tagged: , ,

Infant Perishes in French High-Rise Fire

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Mother Saves Other Children

Paris-Normandie / Jaume

AN 18-MONTH-OLD INFANT DIED WEDNESDAY morning when a fire broke out in his family’s apartment in Rouen, France.  The fire began in the 2nd-floor apartment in a 5-story ”glass and steel” building shortly after 4 am this morning.  The building has a monitored smoke detector/alarm system that worked properly and all the other 60+ residents were able to self-evacuate safely.  “The alarm worked well because my wife has heard and that’s how we could escape quickly,” said resident  Jean-Claude speaking to Paris-Normandie.

The mother of the baby was able to pass her other three children through a window to people outside before she jumped out herself.  But she was unable to get back to the baby’s sleeping area and she witnessed the terrible death of her child.  She has been hospitalized with shock.

Paris-Normandie / Jaume

The fire department was dispatched at 4:13 am and the first units arrived ten minutes later.  By then the fire had spread to the upper floors of the building.  About 70 firefighters were at the scene and they had the fire extinguished in just under three hours.

Fire spokesman Capt. Margrit said, “Sixty people have been seen by our medical teams and those of the ambulance service.  Seven of them have undergone on-site care, (but) they were not transported to the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU).”

Paris – Normandie / Jaume

Paris-Normandie has the STORY.
There is also a 29-image photo gallery HERE.

 

Posted by on March 9, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fires • Tagged:

From the Engineer’s Desk

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Some More Recalls Just Arrived

 Spartan is recalling (NHTSA Recall #11V-006) some 2008 and 2009 Furions with Caterpillar C7 engines.  “The #5 and #6 fuel lines may crack at the fastening point to the common fuel rail and cause a fuel leak.”  Spartan is working with Caterpillar to notify owners and repairs will be performed by authorized Caterpillar dealers free of charge.  Owners may contact Caterpillar at 800 447 4986 or Spartan at 800 543 5008, Option 5. Spartan’s recall number is 11001.

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Daimler Trucks is recalling (NHTSA Recall #11V-008) some 2010 Business Class M2 vehicles manufactured between 8/25/2009 and 9/3/2009.  “These vehicles were built with out-of-specification inboard seat belt anchor plates that are not as robust as intended.”  Daimler Trucks will make needed repairs free of charge.  Owners may contact Daimler Trucks at 800 547 0712.  Their recall number is FL587.

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Volvo is recalling (NHTSA Recall #11V-050) some 2011 VNL trucks built between 3/23/2010 and 12/22/2010.  “There is a potential for the vehicle to start without warning because of an unintended path to ground that exists. This can occur when either the negative battery cable is disconnected at the battery/fusible link or if the fusible link opens as a result of a short circuit.”  Dealers will replace a wiring harness free of charge.  Owners may contact Volvo Trucks at 800 528 6586.

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There is also a recall by Baldwin Filters (NHTSA Recall #11E-001) for their oil filter P/N P7405 made between 11/2009 and 11/2010.  These filters are used on Detroit Diesel DD13 and DD15 engines.  Baldwin Filters will notify owners of record.

Note: Attention needs to be paid to this one because Baldwin may not know who all uses their products.  They are sold across the counter at truck parts jobbers and similar locations.  Detroit Diesel would not be expected to know who has any because their shops most likely would use DD branded filters.  If you service your trucks in-house and use Baldwin filters (I do), or if you use an independent shop to do it, you need to check and see what you have.  Baldwin Filters Service Engineering phone number is 800 822 5394, Ext. 79729.

That’s all for now.  Bring on spring!
………. Sam

Posted by on March 9, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, Engineer's Desk, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus • Tagged: , , , ,

Spartan Goes Mini

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Spotting a Trend in Firetruck Sales?

Spartan Crimson Aerial

SPARTAN MOTORS, THE CHARLOTTE, MICHIGAN-BASED manufacturer of truck chassis and the Crimson Fire Apparatus line announced Monday that they have purchsed Classic Fire LLC.

Classic Fire is located in Ocala, Florida, and makes mini-pumpers, tankers, brush trucks, and light rescue vehicles.  The Ocala Star-Banner reports:

“We don’t have any plans to move the operation or plant at this time,” said Joseph Nowicki, Spartan’s chief financial officer. “Our intent is to figure out how to build on what they do.”

Nowicki said there will be no changes in Classic’s existing management team or staff.  “We’re going to keep them in place doing what they are doing,” Nowicki said. “We have thoughts of how to make the business grow even faster.”

Classic employs about 50 people at its Southwest 46th Avenue plant.

“Our product is complementary to their existing product line,” Classic President Jim White said Tuesday about Spartan.  White, Ron Ewers and partners began the Ocala company in October 2003.

“Everyone is keeping their jobs,” White said. “We are not adding any at the present time, but we are expecting the company to grow when we are able to take full advantage of the sales distribution network.”

Classic Fire LLC website photo

In their press release that was distributed Monday, Spartan wrote in part:

“The acquisition of Classic Fire is a clear validation of Spartan Motors’ strategic intent. Our top-line growth strategy consists of three elements; growth through corporate alliances as demonstrated by our new Isuzu relationship, organic growth as illustrated by the recent launch of the Spartan Force, and growth through acquisitions as proven here by our acquisition of Classic Fire,” said John Sztykiel, Chief Executive Officer, Spartan Motors, Inc. (SMI). “This move illustrates our continued commitment to enhance our leadership position within the Emergency Response industry which will become even more evident in a few weeks at FDIC (Indianapolis, IN) at the largest ER show of the year,” added Sztykiel.

Firegeezer notes that Ocala is also the home to E-One fire apparatus and the community has an established, trained workforce of firetruck makers.

The sale to Spartan is expected to be completed by April 1.

Ocala Star-Banner STORY.
Read the entire Spartan press release HERE.
Spartan Motors WEBSITE.
Classic Fire LLC WEBSITE.

Posted by on March 9, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, Fire Rescue Topics • Tagged: , ,

The Fire Chief Who Won’t Go Away – 2nd Update

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City Council Stymied by Chief’s Refusal to Leave

Chief Hendricks

THE LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY, FIRE AND EMS CHIEF Robert Hendricks is still in his office and trying to do his job after being ordered to resign last week.  It was last Wednesday that Firegeezer reported HERE that the city council and the mayor had given Chief Hendricks an ultimatum to resign by March 1st.  Instead of quitting, he asked for more time to consider the unfriendly directive and went back to work.

A week later he is still on the job and has not indicated any desire to resign just yet.  Last Thursday, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council unanimously passed a resolution supporting Gray in “moving forward with a process to correct management issues in the Fire Department,” and setting up a future hearing for the embattled chief.  In other words, “How do we get rid of this guy?”

Yesterday Mayor Jim Gray announced that he will be holding a news conference at 11 am today (Wednesday) to address the issue.

Update, 6 pm:
The mayor held his scheduled news conference this morning.  At the gathering Lexington Chief Administrative Officer Richard Maloney stated that Chief Hendricks has been placed on indefinite, paid administrative leave.

The mayor announced that he has appointed current Assistant Chief Keith Jackson to position of interim-fire chief.  Jackson, 45, has been a member of the department for 20 years and has worked his way up the ranks.

WKYT-TV Ch. 27 had their camera at the news conference and filed this report:

 

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Posted by on March 9, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, labor, Videos • Tagged: ,

Farmhouse Fire Claims 7 Children

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One Child Survives Devastating Fire.

View several additional videos on STATter911 HERE.

WPMT-TV

A FIRE DESTROYED NEARLY AN ENTIRE FAMILY TUESDAY night in Perry County, Pennsylvania, at a dairy farm in the central part of the state.  The eight children of the family were sleeping when their mother was in the barn milking their cows and the father was in his truck delivering milk to customers at 11 pm.  WHTM-TV is reporting:

Police said a three-year-old child was able to run from the home and tell her mother there was smoke in the house. Police said the mother may have then tried to enter the house unsuccessfully. Police said she then ran to a neighbor’s home but could not contact anyone. They said she ran to a second nearby home and a neighbor was able to call 9-1-1. From there, police said the mother ran down the road about one mile to alert her husband.

Police said the father had left the home earlier in the night to deliver milk. They said he made a few stops before pulling over to take a nap.  Once the father was alerted, police said both parents ran back to the home. By that time, firefighters were on the scene but the house was completely engulfed in flames.

The fire victims include six girls and one boy. They ranged in age from seven months to 11-years-old, according to police. The girls, ages eleven, nine, four, two, and seven months, and the boy, age seven, were all discovered by investigators inside the home.

The surviving child is a girl also.  The preliminary report from the Perry County coroner says that all seven children died from smoke inhalation and there are no plans to conduct any autopsies.

WMAR-TV Ch. 2 Baltimore has posted some early raw video from the site:

 

The State Police fire marshals are just getting started with their investigation into the fire.  There is no early indication of what started the fire or where.

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Posted by on March 9, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fires, Videos • Tagged: , ,

Morning Lineup – March 9

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Wednesday Morning Lineup

Another shudder ran through the cable tv industry and Netflix’s stock dipped 6% yesterday after Warner Bros. film studio announced a movie distribution deal with Facebook.  The scheme calls for the film giant to downstream movies directly to Facebook users, bypassing the distribution services of companies like Netflix and Amazon who are also downloading films on order.

Even though I am not a movie downloader or live-streamer, I am always interested in what’s going on in the business, and it also opens the way for similar activities to take place that most of us will be able to utilize later on.  This deal between Facebook and Warner Bros. is especially remarkable because of some very imaginative ideas that they are going to be using.  The biggest surprise in this new deal is the payment method.  Downloaders will (initially) be paying $3 for a 48-hour rental and will be able to use ”Facebook Credits” for payment.  Those are virtual cash that members accummulate while playing some of those famous Facebook games.  From what I have been able to glean so far, regular legal tender will also be accepted so that non-gamers will be able to use the service.

Basically this is a pay-per-view service but Warner’s says that very quickly it will lead into being able to purchase and download the films directly to your set.  The other film studios are watching this closely and if it takes off you can bet that they will all join in.  It’s all numbers, folks.  Facebook has 600 million registered users world-wide.  Imagine being able to tap into that.

There’s another side benefit for both FB and the studio, when a customer starts watching the streaming video, a little announcement will automatically be sent to all his Facebook Friends as a posting.  Free advertising.  Facebook will be collecting 30% of the download fees in this partnership plan and the show goes on the road immediately with Warner Bros. offering “The Dark Knight” for the initial flick.

We had better download our checksheets now and get this equipment inspected for today.  I’m going to download some coffee into the filter and get a fresh pot started.  See you back in the day room later.

Posted by on March 9, 2011 • Filed under: entertainment, morning lineup, technology, Technology & Communications • Tagged: ,

Looking Back

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Fire Chief Magazine – December 1979

………. Fire Chief, December 1979

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Posted by on March 8, 2011 • Filed under: Looking Back • Tagged: ,

Foot-Snatching Paramedic Getting Sued

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It Was Going To Happen Sooner or Later.

THE FORMER FIREFIGHTER / PARAMEDIC IN FLORIDA who took an accident victim’s severed foot home instead of taking it to the hospital is being sued by the man who owned the foot.  Cynthia Economou was a firefighter in St. Lucie County when she responded with her company to a violent, afternoon single-car crash that severed the driver’s lower leg and foot.  About an hour after the wreck which required a lenthy extrication, she found the body parts and, instead of thinking about the victim’s welfare, took the foot back to the firehouse and called somebody from home to come pick it up and put it in her freezer.  Her purpose, she said, was to enhance training for her cadaver-seeking dog that she trained and kept at home.

The accident scene  (WPBF-TV)

Firegeezer covered this story extensively from when it happened in September 2008 on through the time she resigned, was arrested, tried and sentenced HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Cynthia Economou

Economou, who is now 41 yrs. old, was charged with second-degree petit theft and put on probation for six months.  Last week the foot’s original owner Karl Lambert has filed papers to sue both Economou and the St. Lucie County Fire District for unspecified damages for her actions.  The filing statement says that her actions were “outrageous and went beyond the bounds of decency … odious and utterly intolerable in a civilized society.”

TCPalm.com has the report on this latest chapter of this long story HERE.

Posted by on March 8, 2011 • Filed under: current events, EMS Topics • Tagged: ,