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Late Add-On to the Schedule
The C. A. N. Report hosted by B.C. Art Doss
Tonight: Talking Auto Extrication, with Internationally recognized leader
in all aspects of the discipline, Randy Schmitz.
The Show Begins at 9:00 pm Eastern Tonight!
CLICK HERE to log in and join the discussion.
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Upcoming Events to Plan On
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July 9 – Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
10 am to 4 pm at River Park.
Mass pumping demo. at 11 am
36th Annual Antique Fire Apparatus Show & Muster featuring over 100 antique fire trucks pumping from the Susquehanna River and at static display. A few hand drawn fire apparatus will be on display also. All apparatus must be 25 years or older to participate. Fireman games include Barrell Spin, Barrell Bust and Bucket Brigade, participants / teams need not have apparatus present to participate. 30-40 Firematic Flea Market vendors present.
More information at Pa. Pump Primers Assoc. website: http://www.papumpprimers.org/index.html
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Squad 51 and both Engine 51s
from the TV show EMERGENCY! will be reunited at the "home of the show"
for the first time in more than 30 years!
Open House will be at Sta. 127 from 10 am to 4 pm
Day 2 Open House, July 10 at the museum in Bellflower
For more information: http://www.lacountyfiremuseum.com/
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The Cradle of Liberty Antique
Fire Apparatus Association
2011 Annual Muster
This year we will homage to the 100th Anniversary of motorized MACK fire apparatus. All makes are welcome. There will be over 50 awards given. See our website for more information and registration forms: http://www.CLAFAA.org
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August 14–18, 2012 • Toronto, Ontario
Guided Tours of Canada's Largest Fire Department (5th Largest in North America)
Guided Tours of Large Suburban Fire Departments
Apparatus Displays
Professional Workshops
Spouses' Programme
Area Fire Buffing
Web page (URL):
http://www.torcon2012.com/
Greater Toronto Multiple Alarm Association
416-231-3578; gtmaa@gtmaa.com
International Fire Buff Associates, Inc.
schaetzp@msn.com
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August 28, 2011 • Southampton, Pennsylvania
10:00 am to 3:00 pm
The muster will be held rain or shine. We are expecting about 100 fire companies, vendors and fire buffs that will display antique, modern, special, unusual and otherwise interesting fire fighting apparatus. There are prizes for antique and modern vehicles owned by departments as well as individually owned. All entries will receive a dash plaque and a muster booklet.
Website:
http://sites.google.com/site/germanamericanffs/
contact info:
German-American Firefighters Association
215-332-7538; igafa@igafa.com
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September 6–10, 2011 • Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey
-Seminars including 9/11 First Responders
-Antique Fire Muster and Display
-Hudson River Harbor Cruise
-Demonstration and Display of Neptune Large Caliber Foam System
-Urban Search and Rescue Demonstration and Display
-Fire House Tours
-Tour of Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Intrepid and other points of interest.
Web page (URL):
http://www.fbanj.com/
Contact: Paul Schaetzle, President
schaetzle@fbanj.com
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132nd Annual Firemen’s Association of the State of Pennsylvania Convention
September 21–24, 2011 • Kidder, Pennsylvania
Event hours:
Sept 21 11:30am onwards
Sept 22 8:00am-10:00pm
Sept 23 8:00am-11:00pm
Sept 24 8:00am onwards
One of our goals this year is to celebrate the proud history of the fire service by showcasing hand, horse and motorized antique fire apparatus. We will be displaying many of these units during the fire expo. More info. on website: http://www.2011pastateconvention.com/
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When? Saturday, October 15th, 2011 10 am – 5 pm
Where? Parking lot of Bass Pro Shop in Grapevine, TX
An October Texas tradition, the annual Stop-Drop-n-Roll Chili Cook-Off brings in thousands of rabid chili enthusiasts nationwide. Admission is free, and all-day chili sample cups are $5 a pop. Every dollar contributed or donated goes directly to the WPIFF: no expenses, no red tape, and no neglected firefighters.
$20 to register your chili team, prizes awarded to winners, vendor booths, kids activities, live music, raffle, and much more!
More info? Visit www.wpiff.org or call 888.616.7976 or email wpiff@williams-pyro.com
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Kansas Firefighters Museum Parade
October 15, 2011 • Wichita, Kansas
The parade features antique fire engines, modern fire trucks, antique cars, local ROTC groups,
the Kansas Firefighter Calendar contestants, food, drinks, games and more.
Website: http://members.cox.net/ksfm/
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Do you have a fire-related event, muster, antique show, flea market, etc., coming up? Send us the info. to: geezerguys (at) yahoo (dot) com. Be sure to include website links, graphics and phone contact, and we'll post it in our Upcoming Events listings. (Special thanks to Collectors Weekly for assistance http://www.collectorsweekly.com/ )
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Some Good Stories Just Off the News Ticker
DOUBLE LODD in France. It has just been announced that two firefighters were killed last night and a third one injured during the mop-up stages of a house fire in the town of Méailles when they came in contact with a downed electric line. The ages of the two victims, Sebastien Fedou and Alain Brun, were 30 and 55. No other information has been released, nor any photos. We will update when they are available. (prepared by Fireball)
YESTERDAY THE REPORT FROM NIOSH pertaining to the LODD in Chicago when FF Christopher Wheatley fell off of a fire escape while carrying equipment to the roof of the fire building. Chicago Area Fire has the background and links to the report and more HERE.
MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, IS UNDERGOING some serious firefighter reductions. They are laying off eleven firefighters effective tomorrow and in order to maintain proper staffing levels, they will take 3 of their six ladders out of service along with one engine. Each of their ten firehouses will only have one unit in service except for the main station. The Union-Leader has the details HERE.
THE ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, FIRE DEPARTMENT had a 3-alarm fire this morning with a complete burnout of an ethnic market in the south side. The roof and one wall collapsed early in the blaze that was discovered shortly after midnight this morning. The Post-Dispatch has the DETAILS HERE.
KTVI-TV Ch. 2 filed this video report from the scene:
THE CITY OF ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA, has hired the former state fire marshal to conduct an investigation into the events surrounding the drowning seen around the world on May 30. (Firegeezer report ) Ruben Grijalva has been told, "to go wherever the trail takes him in his review of what happened on Memorial Day." Planning, finances, operations, standards and training, human resources and past incidents will be reviewed. A report should be completed in late September and presented to the City Council in an open meeting. According to the San Jose Mercury-News HERE.
"The city has promised me full access to all their documents and employees. I intend to be fair but frank in my report,'' Grijalva said. "At the end of this process, Alamedans can decide for themselves which steps should be taken to rebuild public confidence in their public safety officers."
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Firefighter/EMT (3 positions)
Fire/Rescue Technician (1 position)
Firefighter/Medic (3 positions)
Fire/Rescue/Lieutenant (1 position)
The City of Lexington Virginia is currently accepting applications for the above positions. The job descriptions, applications, requirements and supplemental application are at: www.ci.lexington.va.us
The application packet must be returned to City of Lexington, Human Resource Office, 300 East Washington Street, Lexington, VA 24450 by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 18, 2011. EOE
Please contact our Human Resources office for additional information (540-462-3729), or e-mail: hr@ci.lexington.va.us if you have any questions.
Lexington Fire Department WEBSITE.
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Fire Engineering – February 1956
Firegeezer notes: Take a look at the Howe apparatus photo. I can't recall ever seeing a fire engine with a spare tire mounted on the running board.
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He Drove For Several Miles With the Dead Body Next to Him
Fadel Steadman, 32, was struck by a car early Tuesday morning as he was walking along a freeway in Houston, Texas. His car had broken down and he left it on the shoulder and started walking when James Onak, 49, came breezing along in his car and struck Steadman. The Associated Press continues:
The collision severed one of the victim's legs and sent the rest of his body through the windshield. It landed under the dashboard, on the passenger's side floorboard, authorities said.
Onak drove for about three miles before a Harris County Precinct 8 deputy constable noticed heavy damage to the front of his vehicle and pulled him over at about 12:40 a.m., said Capt. Jason Finnen, with the constable's office.
KTRK-TV
"The driver was somewhat nervous. It wasn't apparent to the (deputy) at first that there was a body in the car," Finnen said.
The damaged windshield lay inside the car, preventing the deputy from immediately seeing the body, he said.
"It wasn't until the driver stepped out that the deputy could see what had happened," Finnen said. "Because of the impact, the body was positioned up under the dashboard on the passenger's side floorboard."
Onak admitted to the officer that he had hit something on the highway, but didn't know what it was. He was apparently too drunk to even notice the dead body crammed into the car just inches away, let alone the missing windshield.
Another patrol car was sent to look for the missing leg and it was located along with Onak's license plate that had come off from the collision. A mandatory blood draw was taken and Onak was arrested. He is being charged with one misdemeanor count of DWI, a felony count of failure to stop and render aid, and felony accident involving injury.
James Onak
Fox News posted this video report:
Man's Body Found in Car after Struck: MyFoxHOUSTON.com
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At an Intersection …. Again
A MOTORCYCLIST DIED WEDNESDAY NIGHT after colliding with a Tallahassee, Florida, fire engine that was responding on an emergency call. The accident occurred about 8:20 pm at an intersection. Witnesses say that there were several cars in the intersection that had stopped already to let the fire engine pass through. They also relate that the engine had slowed down to cross carefully through the traffic and the motorcycle came along the cross street and collided with the engine.
WCTV
WCTV
WTXL-TV Ch. 27 posted this video report late last night:
WCTV-TV quotes a Tallahasse police officer, Susan Newhouse:
"Approximately 8:23, Tallahassee Fire Department truck was traveling west on Tennessee street, a motorcyclist was traveling south on White Drive. When the Tallahassee fire department truck went through the intersection, they struck the motorcyclist and the motorcyclist did succumb to his injuries on scene."
WCTV also filed this video report from the scene:
The investigation is continuing and no further information has been released yet.
The Tallahassee Democrat has more details HERE.
Tallahassee Fire Department WEBSITE.
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Thursday Morning - How Are You Feeling?
Updated, 10 am:
NIOSH report now available online. Scroll down.
Perhaps you recall the tragic day last July when two Bridgeport, Connecticut, firefighters perished in an afternoon house fire. Firegeezer reported the STORY HERE at the time it happened. Yesterday (Wednesday) the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) released the preliminary report on their investigation into the two LODD's. The Connecticut Post sums it up in the first paragraph of their article about it:
Bridgeport fire officials' failure on nearly every level led to the deaths of two firefighters battling a West Side blaze last July, a federal report has concluded.
That's pretty damning and right to the point. "Fire officials," "…every level," "…failure," "…led to the deaths." The Post then goes on to list the findings that were included in the report:
The deputy fire chief and his assistant at the scene of the Elmwood Street fire had a discussion about whether they heard a mayday call from the two fallen firefighters instead of taking immediate action to rescue them.
The 60-page report goes on, but no need to belabor it here. It is no surprise that an earlier state OSHA report cited a critical lack of proper training of the firefighters on SCBA usage and the failure to inspect the air supply equipment correctly. The NIOSH report has not been published yet, but has been released to the City and the fire department for review while the agency completes its review of its findings and recommendations. However, the Connecticut Post was also permitted to see the preliminary report and they published the information that we have just passed along in an article yesterday that you can read online HERE.
Included in NIOSH's long list of recommendations are several that address the issue of firefighter health and physical conditioning. The autopsy of one of them disclosed that he suffered from coronary artery disease. Again, from The Post:
In February, Rooney said the department plans to adopt the more widely used state Candidate Physical Ability Test, instead of its own test, to evaluate incoming candidates. Rooney said the department is working with the firefighters union to set up annual stress tests for new hires. He said he would like to see a physical ability test required for new hires and monetary incentives for those who meet fitness goals.
For me, this opens up more questions. Why has the department never had any stress tests for its firefighters after all these years of reports and advances about firefighter health and heart disease? And, why are they only setting up annual tests for new hires? Why not test the people who are on the job?
Also, the part that leaves me really befuddled: "….monetary incentives for those who meet fitness goals." Isn't that the same mindset that has been draining the treasuries of cities and states everywhere? How about this for an incentive: Keeping your job. Or, remaining eligible for promotion? Many fire/rescue and EMS agencies have minimal physical ability, agility, and health standards that they maintain as a "condition of employment." That has been amply demonstrated as an effective method to both reduce on-the-job injuries and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of fireground operations.
Now I realize that when a department has persistently ignored those areas, they will have several firefighters who are good, dedicated, and skilled employees that have slipped outside the preferred limits. There are both legal and compassionate reasons to take that into consideration when implementing a physical standard for a department. But whatever route is taken, it has to be done. I wonder how many other departments will learn from this report and start corrective programs before they lose their own firefighters to a terrible incident? Judging from the past, I'm not confident.
Now let's make sure our own health and efficiency is being taken care of and get this equipment checked out. I'll go get some good, healthy coffee started.
Update, 10 am:
The NIOSH report is now available online. FirefighterNation has more on this along with a link to the .pdf report HERE.
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26 minutes and 3 seconds
Gotta be honest, it is not as exciting, or as dangerous, as the 1976 C'était un rendez-vous by Claude Lelouch.
The soundtrack may be from a Ferrari, the film vehicle was a huge Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9, a top-of-the-line V-8 powered S class sedan.
Or as interesting as Jay Leno driving a 2010 Mercedes AMG SLS in Los Angeles.
"Every city has a hidden racetrack."
Digital tip of the monitor to Matt Hardigree and our friends at Jalopnik:
Click to the link to their article to get exclusive details on the Manhattan adventure, driving a Saturn Sky around Manhattan.
Driver sets new record for fastest lap around Manhattan
Mike "Motorhead" Ward
June Recalls
Readers may remember the recall for Gunite automatic slack adjusters that I reported on in the last two columns. Add Daimler Trucks to the list of companies involved. They are recalling (NHTSA Recall #11V-249) certain 2011 Freightliner Cascadias, Columbia Glider Kits, Coronados, M2s and Western Star 4900s that were equipped with those same ASAs as original equipment.
DTNA will notify owners and replace any affected ASAs free of charge. The recall was to start about June 20. Owners may contact DTNA at 800 547 0712. Campaign #FL-605.
DTNA also id recalling (NHTSA #11V-257) certain 2011 and 2012 Cascadias, M2s and Western Star 4900s with Meritor drivelines. The tubing used to assemble the affected drivelines has a non-conforming seam weld. Dealers will replace the drivelines free of charge.
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Pierce has two recalls in. One, NHTSA #11V255, is for certain 1999 – 2008 Arrow XT, Dash, Lance and Enforcer chassis and equipped with an electronic accelerator pedal. After repeated use with "excessive force" (ed. note: who, us?), the accelerator pedal arm may bend and cause the pedal to move closer to the floor. If the pedal arm bends far enough, the pedal may contact the cab floor without warning and stick in the full throttle position.
Dealers will remove the existing accelerator arm and install a redesigned pedal arm free of charge. Owners may contact Pierce at 920 832 3000.
Pierce is also recalling (NHTSA #11V-230) certain 2009 – 2011 Arrow XT and Velocity apparatus. The front axles of these vehicles were built with Michelin 365/70R22.5 XZA tires installed on 12.25 inch wide wheels. These tires require 10.5 inch wide wheels to comply with FMVSS #120.
Dealers will install new 10.5 inch wide wheels and new Michelin 365/70R22.5 tires free of charge. Owners may contact Pierce at the number above.
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Spartan is recalling (NHTSA #11V-240) certain 2010 and 2011 Furions, Gladiators and MetroStars. Certain telltales (dash indicator lights) do not illuminate when they are intended to (high beam indicator, turn signal indicators), or they flicker. In addition, the ABS lamp may not illuminate when the system is affected by a fault.
Dealers will reprogram the control panel for the telltales with logic that will ensure that the telltales will work as designed without interruption. Owners may contact Spartan at 800 543 5008.
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Ford is recalling (NHTSA #11V-246) certain 2011 E-150, E-250, E-350 and E-450 trucks for failing to comply with FMVSS #207, "Seating Systems." It may be possible that under unusually high loads such as during a crash, the driver power seat worm gear may fracture and allow the seat to shift unrestrained forward or backward.
Dealers will inspect the driver’s seat track assembly and, if necessary replace it free of charge. Owners may contact Ford Customer Relationship Center at 866 436 7332. Ford’s campaign number is 11C16.
That’s all for now. Keep those trucks rolling safely!
……… Sam
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Billy Hayes Steps Up to the Mike Tonight
This week's show of STOP DROP and ROLL With the Punches hosted by Billy D. Hayes will feature fire service legend Ron Coleman who served as California State Fire Marshal and IAFC President, as well as back by popular demand prevention guru Wayne Powell formerly of the National Fire Academy now serving with Marriott.
Wayne Powell
Our discussion this week will be a "journey to the future by way of the past." We will discuss the National Fire Heritage Center preserving our past and explore Vision 20/20 of fire prevention into the future. Be sure to tune into the only fire and life safety prevention show for the fire service.
The show starts at 9:00 pm Eastern, so CLICK HERE to visit Firefighter NetCast and listen in where you can also participate in the forum.
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Two Dead, Four Injured
A MUSKOGEE COUNTY (Oklahoma) EMS AMBULANCE was involved in a head-on collision Tuesday afternoon on a rural highway.
Muskogee Phoenix
The ambulance was carrying one patient on a non-emergency transport at about 3 pm Central time when an automobile traveling the opposite direction drifted over the center line and smashed into the ambulance. Of the three people in the car, a 32-yr.-old woman and a 6-yr.-old child were both killed. A third passenger was flown to the hospital.
The Muskogee Phoenix describes the accident:
Three were transported by helicopter to St. John Medical Center in Tulsa — Amanda Coffey, 32 of Muskogee; Karen Swimmer, 37 of Gore; and Elsie Mullen, 68 of Gore. A fourth, EMS paramedic Chance Bates, 34 of Tahlequah, was taken by ambulance to Tahlequah City Hospital.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Ron Watson said the ambulance, driven by Swimmer, was going north on Oklahoma 10 about 3 p.m. Tuesday, and the Corsica, driven by Cash, was going south and had apparently gone left of center. Collins and Coffey were passengers in the Corsica. The ambulance had been approaching a curve to the northwest. Bates and Mullen were passengers in the ambulance.
The Corsica, according to Watson, spun and smashed into a guardrail. Cash and Collins were pinned for 1 hour and 45 minutes before being freed by the Muskogee Fire Department, according to the OHP.
Read the full article HERE.
KRMG
KOTV Ch. 6 Tulsa captured some aerial video as the wreckage was getting cleaned up:
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Wednesday Morning – Get Your Camera
I don't know what it was that jogged my memory bank, but maybe it was the huge motel fire in Kissimmee the other day…. yes, I think that's what it was. What popped up was the old bit of advice to carry a smoke detector with you when you travel so that you can set it on a tabletop in your hotel or motel room at night. The reason for doing that is obvious, so I don't need to get into the "why" of it, but I got to wondering if anybody does that anymore?
Over the years, updated building codes have been mandating all hotels to install smoke detectors in their rooms and now we can be reasonably certain that anyplace we stay (in the U. S., anyway) will have one. But being in the fire business, we know that we cannot always be certain that the darned things are going to be in working order while we are snoozing away. Waaay back, I used to toss one into my luggage whenever I went on a trip, but since they've been showing up in every decent hotel now, I long ago discontinued the practice. But just the same, I began thinking about it. Do you, or does anybody you know still do this?
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There was a splash in the photography websites the other day when a press release announced the $50 million infusion of start-up money for a new type of digital camera technology called Lytro. This innovative lens and sensor capture all the light in the image and then permit you to focus the photo later when you bring it up on your computer. In other words, you don't need to focus your camera before the shutter fires to capture the image. It grabs what they call the "light fields" and saves it all for processing later.
TODAYdigital prepared this video report that gives an introductory explanation:
The online articles about this new technology have some fascinating examples posted where you (the reader) can click your cursor on any part of the image and it comes into focus while leaving the the other areas that are out of the focal range in a slightly blurry presentation.
Lytro has posted a picture gallery where you can play with the new technology on your computer now. Just CLICK HERE and have fun.
Now let's have fun getting this equipment checked out. I'm going to have even more fun and make some more coffee. See you back in the day room in a little while.
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Former Chinaware Plant
Update, Wednesday morning: Video and later information added. Scroll down.
A MASSIVE FIRE IS RAGING through an entire factory complex in New Castle, Pennsylvania, at this hour (10 pm Tuesday). The fire started sometime between 5:30 and 6:00 pm in the old Shenango China plant and has spread throughout the main building.
WTAE-TV
Firefighters from several departments are working to contain the fire and keep it from spreading into a ceramics buisness that occupies one end of the facility. The fire was still out of control as of 9 pm in the city located about 45 miles NW of Pittsburgh.
Update, Wednesday morning:
WKBN-TV filed this video report recorded before nightfall:
The fire was reported under control at 8:30 pm, but it continued to burn well into the night. About an hour after the FD began operations a shift in the wind drove the fire into some nearby woods and threatened a fire engine positioned there, but the truck was saved and the woods fire was successfully put out. The containment actions also saved the aforementioned ceramics company, keeping the fire from spreading into it.
The former Shenango China firm was world-famous, but they shut down operations about 20 years ago and the building has been vacant since then.
There were some initial difficulties in attacking the fire as reported by the Beaver County Times:
(Assistant Fire Chief David) Joseph said the blaze caused problems for firefighters from the very beginning. Initial reports had the fire breaking out at Reliable Lumber, which sent firefighters onto Sampson Street instead of Grant Street, which was the optimum site.
Before the firetrucks could even roll up to the building, they had to contact the property owner to unlock gates around the structure.
Then, once the firefighters got onto the property, the first hydrant they hooked up to was dry. Joseph estimated that his crews had to run hoses around several thousand feet to the nearest hydrants, a rarity in a city that has working hydrants every few blocks. "This is the longest lay (of hoses) that I can remember," Joseph said. "The guys did a good job. They jumped right in."
WTAE-TV Ch. 4 Pittsburgh posted this video taken from their helicopter:
During the course of the fire, the roof and portions of the walls collapsed. The building is a total loss. The fire marshal has not yet been able to get inside to begin investigating the physical evidence, but three workmen who were working inside said that earlier they had chased out some intrlopers who they caught using torches to burn off wiring insulation in an apparent attempt to steal copper wiring.
The Beaver Valley Times has the latest coverage HERE.
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Can't Run a Fire Department From a Jail Cell
MECCA, INDIANA, FIRE CHIEF Michael Collom, 38, is being held without bail in the Parke County jail today. Around 4:45 am this morning (Tuesday) he drove his car through the side of a house into a bedroom killing a man and critically injuring his wife.
WTHI-TV
Stacey Williamson, 43, was pronounced dead at the scene and his 46-yr.-old wife Mary is in critical condition at an Indianapolis hospital where she was flown for treatment. Four children were in other rooms in the home at the time and were not injured.
Collom is facing a felony charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicted resulting in a death. The sheriff department's accident reconstruction team has not completed its investigation into the accident.
WTHI-TV Ch. 10 has this video report from the scene:
WSJV-TV has the STORY.
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Intersection Involved (again)
NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK, WAS THE SITE of a fatal accident involving a private ambulance and motorcycle on Monday morning. The ambulance was on an emergency run with its lights and siren activated and carrying a patient when it collided with a motorcycle at an intersection.
East Meadow Patch / Michael Ganci
Newsday photo
The biker was transported by a police ambulance to the hospital where he died a short while later.
The accident took place at 6:48 am. The police have not yet determined the fault or cause of the collision.
East Meadow Patch has the STORY.
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D. A. Says a Crime Was Committed
Firegeezer previously reported HERE and HERE on the incident where Holyoke, Massachusetts, interim Fire Chief William Moran was accused of calling in a false alarm to his own fire department. As the affected engine company was responding, three cars that had pulled over and stopped for the fire engine were rear-ended by a fourth, causing property damage to all cars and requiring one driver to be taken to the hospital.
THE HAMPDEN COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY announced Monday that he is seeking a criminal complaint against interim fire chief Moran for making a "fictitious" call to his own fire department. District Attorney Mark Mastroianni has instructed the State Police to issue misdemeanor charges for "commicating false information to an emergency response facility" and for "being a disorderly person."
Chief William Moran
MassLive.com is reporting:
According to the criminal complaint, Moran, a deputy fire chief and a firefighter were having lunch at a restaurant at the small strip mall at the corner of Homestead Avenue and Westfield Road when they saw two firefighters from the neighboring station on Homestead Avenue walk by and go into another establishment to pick up lunch, according to a written statement from Mastroianni.
Shortly after the firefighters walked into the store, Moran called the Holyoke Fire Department on his cell phone and asked a dispatcher to send a truck from the Homestead Avenue fire station to the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside for an investigation. Firefighters respond to an investigation call by using emergency lights and sirens, the statement said.
"There was no need for investigation services at the Holyoke Mall and Chief Moran’s call was completely fictitious in nature," Mastroianni said in the statement.
When the call came over the radio, Moran told his lunch companions to watch for the firefighters running back to the station. Instead a truck stopped in the strip mall and picked up the firefighters. The accident occurred a few minutes later.
WGGB-TV filed this video report:
When the incident came to light, Moran was placed on administrative leave pending the investigation. The Fire Commission met this past Friday in executive session, but have not disclosed their actions taken other than to say they had a unanimous vote on an undisclosed subject. The commission has the sole authority to hire and fire all FD employees including the chief.
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Tuesday Morning – Got a Chainsaw?
Now here is some real community spirit: A spontaneous assembly of volunteer helpers has sprung up in Massachusetts following that day and night of wicked tornados traveling across the western and central portions of the state. (I think it was on June 1st?) Following the passage of the storms, the police and firefighters that were trying to restore order and keep things safe were confounded by the tens of thousands of felled trees that were everywhere….across the roads, over the power and phone lines, and on top of houses.
So after getting off duty the next day, a group of firefighters and police officers got together to help out the stricken towns. MassLive.com reported yesterday:
Justin Green, a University of Massachusetts-Amherst police officer, organized a group of cops, firemen and other public safety officials in the wake of the June 1 tornadoes to lend a helping hand. That loose collective blossomed into the Chainsaw Response Team, which has dedicated many hours to cleanup efforts in Monson and other tornado-ravaged communities.
Instead of fighting crime or fires, the team fights fallen trees — a whole lot of which came down in heavily forested Monson and still clutter some secondary roads in the semi-rural town.
Since June 4, the group of roughly 40 volunteers have been fanning out in teams around the disaster zone to clear away trees and clean up debris from the areas. They don't charge anybody for their services, but they are asking the public for donations to help offset the $1,500 per day that it costs them. They hope to have their mission wrapped up after a few more weeks. It's a big job.
Chainsaw Response Team photo
What a great response and invaluable help they are providing. You know that many, if not most, people are unable to remove large toppled trees by themselves, so these volunteers are truly "angels of mercy" when they show up. Big, hearty kudo's from us to the Chainsaw Response Team.
If you want to help out by donating any time or money, you can get information on how to do that on their Facebook page HERE.
Now let's make sure our own equipment is ready for the day and get it checked out while I start the coffee.
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Chief who implemented new deployment plan retires. 35 years with LAFD and 59 years old.
Los Angeles Times:
Just 22 months after he took the helm of the Los Angeles Fire Department, Chief Millage Peaks announced Monday that he is stepping down.
His departure comes about a month after the City Council approved his controversial redeployment plan, which calls for firetrucks or ambulances at about one-fourth of the 106 fire stations to be put out of service.
The redeployment plan, which Peaks crafted after the mayor asked him to trim more than $50 million from the department’s budget, was opposed by the firefighters union and generated outcry from some community members who said it prioritized the bottom line over public safety.
Go HERE for rest of article by Kate Linthicum at Los Angeles City Hall
From Daily News:
"Chief Peaks leaves a more flexible department, with a greater capacity, that is prepared to meet the opportunities and realities of the 21st century," department spokesman Capt. Jaime Moore said.
Moore said Peaks told staff he is retiring because it is "a good time for him." Moore added that Peaks is leaving the department with a balanced budget and believed firefighters are close to solidifying a multi-year contract with the city.
read more from Daily News Wire Services HERE
Chief Peaks has a wealth of experience and brings an innovative perspective to public safety in Los Angeles. Since his appointment to the department in January of 1976,
Chief Peaks has held the rank of Firefighter, Captain, Battalion Chief, and on September 11, 2009 was confirmed as the 16th Fire Chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department. His service record includes administrative experience in Recruit Training, Planning Section Chief, Operations Executive Officer, Department Safety Officer, and as the Department Chief of Staff.
Chief Peaks received a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from California State University at Dominguez Hills.
He lives in downtown Los Angeles with his wife Anne. He has four adult children and enjoys spending time with his family and participating in community based activities.
UPDATE LAFD.org: Chief Millage Peaks Announces Retirement
During a statement to his executive staff, Chief Peaks commended the sworn, civilian, cadet and volunteer men and women of the LAFD, who continue to work diligently to serve the residents of Los Angeles.
He thanked the Mayor for his confidence in allowing him to lead the Department; and expressed his appreciation to the City Council and the Fire Commission for working cooperatively in managing the Fire Department through this extremely difficult fiscal period.
Chief Peaks also acknowledged his gratitude to his family for their support throughout his tenure. Chief Peaks' personal integrity and unwavering dedication to firefighter and public safety facilitated a relentless focus on the Department’s mission of preserving life and property and the LAFD’s core values of service, professionalism, respect, innovation and trust.
Fire Chief Millage Peaks leaves a legacy of organizational evolution, collaboration, and innovation as a result of his vision and steadfast leadership.
The change that occurred under his watch is visible across the community as a 47% reduction in fire fatalities, greater educational opportunities for our youth and increased public-private partnership in support of the LAFD.
The full benefit of these changes will be felt for years to come. Serving during what many would consider the most fiscally challenging period in the Department’s history,
Chief Peaks made tremendous progress in evolving the Fire Department’s business model, strengthening the catastrophic incident command and control, and bolstering the department’s technology infrastructure.
Additionally, his accomplishments include:
- The professionalism and sacrifice exemplified by each and every LAFD employee, partner and volunteer;
- Increased community engagement in the public discourse on prioritization of public service; and
- Realignment of the LAFD’s resource footprint to reflect the emergency service needs of the community.
Chief Peaks's tenure has resulted in a more flexible Department. The new LAFD is prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
Chief Peaks replaced Douglas Barry, who spent two-and-a-half years as LAFD Fire Chief and retired with 34 years service.
Barry replaced William Bamattre, who spent a little over a decade as the chief and retired with 30 years on the job. All three started with LAFD in 1975/1976.
Mike "FossilMedic" Ward
The Best Eating Place in Town for 50 Years
ST. BONIFACE, MANITOBA, SAW ITS FAVORITE eatery burn down Sunday. The Palladin's restaurant has been providing home cooking served up by friendly staff since the 1950's and owns a part of every resident's memories.
Global News Service
The blaze started around 6 am when the open-up man, Don King was getting ready for the breakfast rush and found a fire burning in the area where the deep fryer was located. The fire was already too hot and growing too fast for him to handle, and the automatic sprinkler system failed to activate. King drove the four blocks to the fire hall to report the fire.
The fire department responded and found the fire well-entrenched with the roof burning. Staying outside the wood-frame structure, the FD used an aerial ladder to control the fire and protect the exposures with the unique tactic of allowing the roof to burn off in order to prevent a collapse into the ground floor.
MoeFromWinnipeg posted this video of the fire:
The fire was knocked down in about four hours, but the units remained on the scene until 7 pm.
The Winnipeg Free Press has the full STORY.
GlobalNews has MORE.
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Driver Later Apprehended
A ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI, MAN WAS ARRESTED this morning following a hit-and-run crash involving his pickup and an ambulance in Breckenridge Hills. The Christian Hospital ambulance had a patient inside, but it has not yet been disclosed if they were running emergency or not. As they were en route to the the hospital, the pickup truck ran through a red light and broadsided the ambulance, knocking it over onto its side.
Fox News
The medic and the patient were both injured from the collsion, but neither were considered to be serious. The other driver left the scene around 1:15 am, but was shortly apprehended by a Woodson Terrace police officer.
The as-yet-unidentified driver has been charged with DUI and leaving the scene of an accident.
St. Louis Today has the early report HERE.
"Brother, Can You Spare a Patch?"
AN ALBANY, OREGON, FIRE MARSHAL THINKS that he has more fire department patches in his collection than anybody else in the world. The official Guinness Book Record for that rare claim was set in 1992 by a Spanish firefighter in Madrid who had a certified collection of 4,513 patches.
Deputy FM Bob Brooks knows that he has several thousand more than that and he went through the procedure required by Guiness to have his collection considered for the title. Brooks has been actively collecting fire/rescue uniform patches for 27 years and has accumulated more than 8,000 of them.
Albany Democrat-Herald
This past Wednesday the big event was held to publicly display and verify his collection. Sixty-eight folding tables were set up at the Linn Fair and Expo Center, and three certified judges were assembled, Albany's mayor, the police chief, and a citizen. They spent about 90 minutes individually counting the patches while affirming that they were all fire patches and arrived at the total of 8,158. The required certifications along with photographic evidence were forwarded to Guinness and a judgement will be announced in a few weeks.
This video report prepared by the Albany Fire Department shows how they did it:
Guiness World Record Fire Department patch collection (press) from Albany Fire Audio Visual on Vimeo.
The Albany Democrat-Herald reported:
Brooks has at least one patch from a fire service agency in every state and the District of Columbia. With some 25,000 fire agencies nationwide, he figures he'll be collecting for another decade at least. All the badges eventually will be displayed by the Oregon Fire Service Museum when it has a permanent home.
Some of the agencies no longer exist. One of Brooks' favorite patches took him 15 years to obtain: from Sherwood, now part of Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue. The old patch bore a Robin Hood-style bowman in green.
Another favorite comes from Silver Lake, Wis. The badge shows a fire truck with its back wheels sinking into a pool of water.
Brooks speaks to fire chiefs personally when he calls to request a badge. This particular chief said the design documents a time when a rookie firefighter tried driving across a frozen lake as a shortcut to a call. The moral: Don't.
"They're using that as a mark of their community," he said. "I love when I see that."
This tv video report filed by KMTR-TV also talks to FM Brooks about his toughest "catch" of all his patches:
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Started Sunday Night …. Still Burning
Update, 8:30 am: Video added. Scroll down.
Additional Updates posted below.
A MAJOR FIRE IN A KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA, HOTEL is still burning at the time of this posting. The fire started in the Vacation Lodge hotel, a 2-story, wood framed structure around 10:45 pm Sunday night and quickly got into the attic area where it ran through one entire wing of the hotel.
News13
It appears from the videos that it eventually extended to another wing and according to a fire spokesman, has also destroyed a restaurant attached to the building.
More than 150 people had to be evacuated and at least 12 of them were transported for smoke inhalation. As of 7 am this morning (Monday) the firefighters from Osceola County still had not contained the massive fire.
News13
Nothing has been determined as to cause and point of origin yet as the fire is still uncontrolled. Check back later for any updates that we will be posting when available.
Update #1, 8:30 am:
WFTS-TV Tampa has filed this early video report:
The 40-year-old, 420-room hotel is now mainly a residential hotel and most of the occupants have lost all of their personal possessions.
WOFL-TV
WOFL-TV
Update, 12:30 pm:
As off 11:45 am the fire was still burning. Over 100 firefighters from Osceola and Orange counties were working the blaze.
It has been reported that eight people including two firefighters have been hospitalized for undisclosed injuries. The old building has lost its bloom several years ago, becoming a residential facility catering to poverty-level tenants. The Orlando Sentinel reports:
One resident told the Orlando Sentinel the building had a series of problems, including a broken sprinkler system, empty fire extinguishers and smoke detectors without batteries.
The fire investigation, which will likely start Tuesday, will look into the alleged problems with the sprinkler system.
Micheal White, who paid $135 a week to live in Room 1230, said he heard an explosion in Room 1305 before the fire broke out. He said the building had electrical problems, too, including a sparking outlet in his room. The motel capped the outlet instead of fixing it, he said.
He said the motel has been in news recently after the water was shut off for 27 days for nonpayment.
Osceola County Deputy Fire Chief Dan McAvoy said the fire spread from single room, got into the attic and raced throughout building, destroying nearly everything.
He thinks the complex was built for Knoxville World's Fair and later disassembled and trucked here in 1980s as tourist motel.
Kissimmee is in the center of the high-tourism area around the Disney World complex.
WOFL-TV
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Some Good Stories From Over the Weekend That We Recommend
* Two months ago STATter911 reported on a Philadelphia firefighter that was disciplined for posing for a calendar photo while wearing FD bunker pants. On Saturday morning that same FF was found dead in his home and Dave Statter has picked up the story HERE.
* Wildfire season is in full bloom now with literally dozens of major grass and forest fires burning around the nation. One of them is causing some angst in the government as one of the fires is threatening the Sandia Labs in Los Alamos, New Mexico. That's where all our atomic weaponry and other major tools of war are designed. Keep up with all the wildfire activity at our two favorite sites, Wildfire Today and Firefighter Blog.
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* Firehouse Zen talks about road rage, and other kinds of spontaneous rages, and offers an antidote HERE.
* Curt Varone's Fire Law blog has some information on fire department discipline, how much is enough?, and an upcoming training seminar on the topic HERE.
* Firefighters Worst Enemy has a discussion on under-stairs storage HERE.
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Seeking the Wino’s Approval
2 commentsThe State Capital Doesn't Think Much About Firefighters
Austin, Texas is a large fire department in a large city whose latest chief was hired on the basis that she understand that diversity is the fire department's highest priority. That was from the city manager (why a city of nearly 800,000 people has a city manager form of government is an issue for another day). So now, in one sentence, you might have an idea of what the city's political and administrative leaders think about their fire department and its purpose.
First, the failed plan to use community volunteers is reflective of two dumb ideas held dear by those in charge. The elected "leaders" of a lot of cities think that people should work for free when it comes to the government. (And an increasing number of citizens do, too.) A corollary to this is the belief that firefighters are amateurs and that firefighting is not only not a profession, it is an avocation. This is why so many think that call volume is a good indicator of workload and why so many more think they can rely on volunteers to cover what today constitutes the fire service's field of responsibility. Anyone who has sat on a properly empowered oral board knows that it is hard and tedious work that can have a profound impact on a department's future. So why would some random civilians with a lot of time on their hands (!) hold so much power over something that affects so many people? Because they are free and we don't have to be all that selective in hiring a bunch of hose humpers and stretcher fetchers.
This harebrained idea might have been supported by the bureaucracy in charge for another reason. A lot of public administrators are inculcated with the idea that, because the community owns the public service, it should have a participatory role in determining its future. Hogwash. When the question is whether or not to convert a playground to a spray park or if curbside recycling is the right way to go then participatory community decision making is great. When it comes to something highly technical and highly dangerous that affects everyone this is a bad idea. Community input is important and should be respected but it should not be the sine qua non of decision making. This is complicated, hard, important work; it takes many years to even recognize the questions it poses.
Second, the homeless people. That is just pathetic. It is a slap in the face to all firefighters everywhere and a complete failure to provide for the future safety of the members and the public in Austin.
Is there anything else to say?
….. Thank you, Patrick Mahoney.
For some background on the city's use of the "chronically poor and homeless" on the recent interview board, read the American-Statesman article HERE.
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