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Four Perish in Cabin Fire

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Victims' Bodies Charred Beyond Recognition

A PENNSYLVANIA FORESTRY WORKER is one of the four victims found in the burned-out rubble of a cabin that burned early Friday morning in the Rothrock State Forest near Petersburg in Hungtingdon County.

Altoona Mirror / Bock

The Petersburg FD responded to the fire call at 1:08 am Friday morning and they arrived to find the cabin fully involved with fire.  With the assistance of four other fire companies, they had it completely extinguished in two hours.

The fire was so intense that the county coroner says that recovering and identifying the bodies will be a long process.  The state police fire marshals are still working to identify the cause of the fire.

The Altoona Mirror has the STORY.

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Posted by on July 23, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fires • Tagged: , , ,

Thieves Stalking Texas E.R. Loading Docks

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I thought they all had CCTV out there by now.

WFAA-TV in Dallas, Texas, is reporting that emergency ambulances have been targeted by thieves at several North Texas emergency room loading docks.  They strike while the medics are taking their patients into the ER, stealing all kinds of drugs and equipment in less than a minute.  WFAA tells us:

Someone is walking right up to emergency rooms where ambulances are parked and taking what they can.

"One person jumps out and goes into the back of the medic and removes items from the back of the ambulance," said Capt Kevin Deaver. "Generally, it takes less than 30 seconds."

The Coppell Fire Department lost a defibrillator that cost $35,000. The Lewisville Fire Department had a bag full of medicines stolen and now at least five fire departments are reporting ambulance break-ins in the last few days,

Investigators say whoever the criminals are, they are casing the hospitals.

"It’s obvious they are sitting up on the hospital probably and waiting for the ambulance to pull up and go inside and then hit the ambulance," Deaver said.

WFAA-TV filed this video report on the problem:

 

Firegeezer wonders out loud:  After it happened the first time, why weren't measures taken by the crews to protect their equipment (like locking the doors)?

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Posted by on July 23, 2011 • Filed under: ambulances, crime, EMS Topics, Videos • Tagged:

Morning Lineup – July 23

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Saturday Morning – Expo Windup

The Lineup will be brief today as we get ready for the third, and busiest, day in the Exhibit Hall at Firehouse Expo 2011.  Yesterday (Friday) was busier than previous Fridays have been, so that's a good sign.  We've had so many people seek us out at the booth just to say hello and tell us that they read Firegeezer every day.  That really is pleasing every time that happens and we all appreciate it, believe me.

So far, the leader in the "Company Coming the Longest Distance" trophy is Barbara J. from Salt Lake City.  She works in a hospital there and I'm sorry that I can't remember which one, but she reads us every day.  So she said hello to FG Gnome and posed for this shot with FossilMedic:

And the Firefighter Netcast crew continues building up the audio archives with more interviews:

As we told you earlier (at least I think we did), the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation held a 9-11 Memorial stair climb on the first day, Thursday.  It was held in the Hyatt hotel next door to the convention center and had 343 entrants, one for each of the WTC casualties, and as it often happens, several of the entrants wore their running gear as they climbed the stair tower.  STATter911 Communications produced this video report on the event:

 

Just watching that makes me spontaneously tear up a little bit.  Great job, folks.

Ok…we've got to get this equipment checked out now, early start, remember?  I'll go make some more coffee and then  we'll meet back at the booth.

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Posted by on July 23, 2011 • Filed under: morning lineup • Tagged:

News Editor Joins A Firehose Barrel Contest

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On a Hot Summer's Night

Recently the editor of the Long Valley Patch, Jason Koestenblatt in Washington Township, New Jersey, was working on a story about the area's volunteer firefighters.  It's part of a human-interest series that  he's working on about different ways that the citizens work behind the scenes to make the area better for everybody.

Five Area Fire Companies Got Together For
Socializing and Multi-Company Drills.
(Long Valley Patch photo)

When he attended a drill he didn't know he was going to get wet, but he experienced the fun and exercise of a barrel fight, the hoseline equivalent of a tug-of-war.  He writes:

I had the opportunity to suit up and take part in one of the ‘fights’. When I arrived at the fire company, I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt, and I was still sweating. Now throw on the gear and hold a hose strong enough to push a single person to the ground (remember, there were teams of three), and compete for up to five minutes or until one team won, whichever came first.

When my team finished the drill (we lost on distance, but didn’t allow for the barrel to reach our pole), I was dripping sweat. I couldn’t get the gear off fast enough, and it took a few minutes to catch my breath.

The rules say that you can't squirt the other team, but apparently they don't say anything about the spectators.  Check out the VIDEO HERE to see what we mean.

There's more to his story than that, so take a few minutes to read the entire ARTICLE HERE.  It's a good example of how first-responders can cooperate with media people to get the word out about some of their activities with some background reporting.

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Posted by on July 22, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, public relations, Training, training-fire-rescue-topics

Fiery Bus Crash in New York

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One Dead and 30 Injured

A TOUR BUS TRAVELING FROM HAMILTON, ONTARIO, collided with a tractor-trailer on the New York State Thruway early Friday morning and caught fire.  The truck driver perished in the crash and about 30 of the 50 bus passengers were injured, two of them critically.

WHAM-TV

The State Police say that the bus had a mechanical problem and had pulled onto the shoulder for a brief time.  When the bus driver pulled back onto the Thruway shortly after 1:30 am this morning, the bus was rear-ended by the truck and then both vehicles caught fire.  The accident happened about midway between Syracuse and Rochester near Waterloo.

A soldier stationed at Fort Drum was passing by at the time and is being credited with helping in getting a number of passengers off of the bus.  A total of 17 people were taken to the hospital and 13 more were treated at the scene.  Both the truck and the bus were destroyed by the fire.

WTVH-TV

Investigation is just beginning and no further information is yet available.

WHAM-TV has the early STORY.

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Posted by on July 22, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Fires, rescue, Rescues • Tagged: , ,

Morning Lineup – July 22

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Friday Morning – Hello Balto

Well, we made it to Baltimore safely yesterday and got our booth furnishings offloaded and carted to the booth.  The Netcast crew and the STATter911 president and CEO met us and we had a booth party, starting with laying down the carpet.  No, I didn't say laying down on the carpet.  But we got all the tables and electric cords set up, the Netcast recording studio assembled, and the banners hung.  Before the doors opened for the public, all the guys ducked out for last-minute coffee and I got a chance to snap a shot while it was (mostly) empty:

I also took a moment to get a pic of GeezerDotter (Tami) and GrandGeezerDotter (Presley) in their new Firegeezer uniform shirts:

The first-day crowd is usually the lightest of the three days because most of the people at the convention center are still in classes and seminars, but after lunch time the visitors started picking up a bit.  This is the second year in a row that we have been across the aisle from The Fire Store, a huge retail operation for fire and EMS supplies, running gear, etc.  They occupy 1-½ "blocks" of exhibit space, about the most of any non-apparatus vendor.  One of the admin. people from The Fire Store, Katie Balla dropped by to say hello and hold FG for a minute while we got their picture.  The little guy was just thrilled.

It took me a while to get my laptop organized and logged into Verizon's cell network, but that's ironed out now, and hopefully will be able to do some live-blogging from the floor.  Four years ago we were the first ever to live-blog from the Firehouse Expo, so I'd better keep the string going.

Speaking of keeping going, we'd better make sure this equipment keeps going and get it checked out. I'm going to keep the coffee going, too.  See you back in the day room before the doors open on day two.

WBAL-TV ran this video report from the exhibit hall  last night:

 

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Posted by on July 22, 2011 • Filed under: morning lineup, Videos • Tagged:

Looking Back

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Fire Engineering – April 1957

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Posted by on July 21, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Looking Back • Tagged:

End of Mission

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The Last Shuttle Landing

A sad ending for those that embraced John F. Kennedy's vision in a September 12, 1962 speech at Rice University.

 

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on July 21, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, Funding & Staffing, News, Technology & Communications, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , ,

Morning Lineup – July 21

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Thursday Morning – Don't Leave Anybody Behind, Part 2

I thought I would add one more item to yesterday's Lineup (HERE) where we were talking about fire victims being found in burned-out homes several days later, often by a family member or a contractor.

It is just as important to make a thorough search after any incident involving a vehicle, whether it was a fire or a collision.  Adding to this problem is not knowing who or how many were in the vehicle, plus the possibility that someone may have ended up some distance from where the car is when you get there.  One thing that I would always do without fail on a vehicle fire or crash on a major highway is have the area searched for 100 ft. in every direction before we left the scene.  While I never found another victim in this manner, other people have, and you don't want to miss one of those either.

One of my colleagues, a paramedic, had an unfortunate incident that he really can't be blamed for, but is a good training point.  It was an Interstate highway wreck where the car carrying a family was rear-ended heavily during the action.  Everybody in this car were either dead or so seriously injured that they were unconscious.  But before the engine and ambulance left the scene, everyone checked around like they should.

Then about four hours later they get a phone call from the B.C. telling them that a family member that had gone to the hospital after learning of the accident wanted to know where the baby was?  Uh, oh.  The ambulance crew drove out to the yard where the car had been towed and with the help of an engine company, they went through the car.  It turned out that the infant was in the back seat and the rear of the car had been completely crumpled over the child to where it could not be seen.  Not until they did some destruction, that is.  Since the baby seat had also been buried in the wreckage, that possible clue wasn't there to trigger a question.

You just never know…..never know for sure.  So give everything a good look before you leave, or you just might leave somebody behind.

Now let's get this equipment checked out while I go start some coffee.  And then just as soon as I press the button to post this, I'll be out the door and heading up to the Firehouse Expo in Baltimore.  Hope to see you there.

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Posted by on July 21, 2011 • Filed under: morning lineup

Upcoming Events

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Some Upcoming Events to Plan on Visiting

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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 10 – 13
Raleigh, North Carolina

Conference, training, golf tournement, Memorial Service, parade.

The South Atlantic FIRE RESCUE Expo is the new name for the statewide firefighter’s exposition held in conjunction with the North Carolina State Firemen's Association and the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs Annual Conference that can trace its beginnings back to the late 1800’s.

Please feel free to contact us at the North Carolina State Firemen's Association if you have any questions or concerns in regards to the Conference or Expo.

North Carolina State Firemen's Association
323 West Jones Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603

800-253-4733 Toll Free
919-821-2132 Local

CLICK HERE for full information and registration.

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Toronto International Fire Buff Convention 2012

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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German-American Firefighters Association 28th Annual Fire Muster

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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59th Annual International Fire Buff Associates Convention

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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WPI Firefighters' Fund 7th Annual Stop-Drop-n-Roll Chili Cook-Off

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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Posted by on July 20, 2011 • Filed under: Upcoming Events

Updated – “Fire Chief Must Go!”

3 comments

Video Evidence Surfaces

Update July 29:  scroll down

THE WEIRTON, WEST VIRGINIA, FIREFIGHTERS have had it, and now they claim to have the video evidence to prove their claim that Fire Chief Dave Lashorn has been exhibiting "erratic and violent behavior, including repeated threats of murder and suicide."

IAFF Local 948's attorney said yesterday that the union has issued a vote of no confidence against Lashorn and are asking the city council to conduct a full investigation into his behavior that indicates that he "is not fit to serve" as fire chief.  The Wheeling Intelligencer is reporting this morning:

TeresaToriseva (the Local's attorney) said the union filed a petition Monday in Hancock County Circuit Court to obtain video footage from the Weirton Area Ambulance and Rescue Squad that allegedly shows Lashhorn threatening murder and suicide. She noted the matter has yet to be heard by a judge, but that the Weirton Area Ambulance and Rescue Squad – which operates independently of the city and its fire department – voluntarily turned over the footage.

She said the video, taken from a camera inside a WAARS ambulance, allegedly shows Lashhorn parking his vehicle near the ambulance, getting out and using his cell phone before approaching the ambulance and initiating a conversation with paramedics inside.

It was during that conversation, according to Toriseva, that Lashhorn allegedly threatened to "splatter his brains somewhere and take about 20 people with him when (he) is ready to go." Toriseva noted there are 20 (paid) firefighters in the department.

Toriseva said the alleged incident took place last fall, but claimed there have been multiple instances of "threats, violence and property destruction" going back years and taking place "as late as last week."

WTRF-TV filed this video report:

 

Read the full story in The Intellgencer HERE.

Fire Station 1

The Weirton Fire Department serves a population of about 18,000 and operates out of four stations, two of them staffed by career firefighters and two others that are all-volunteer stations.

Update, July 29:
On July 28 the interim city manager released the following letter:

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Posted by on July 20, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, labor, Videos • Tagged: , ,

Speedy Arson Arrest

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Might Be The Fastest One Yet

AN ALERT POCATELLO, IDAHO, POLICE OFFICER made a collar in an arson case before the fire started Tuesday morning.  Officer Jake Pokorny was on patrol at 2 am when he saw a driver acting suspiciously, so he stopped his cruiser, turned out the lights and watched the man's activity.  Within moments, Glenn Thor, 32, tossed a lighted road flare out the window of his car and drove off.

Arsonist Thor

Officer Pokorny immediately pulled Thor over and while he was questioning him, the flare started a grass fire in the front yard of the house where it was tossed.  After calling the  Pocatello FD, he then arrested Thor and has charged him with felony third-degree arson.  KIFI Ch. 8 has the STORY.

KPVI-TV has the video report:

 

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Posted by on July 20, 2011 • Filed under: arson, Fire Rescue Topics, Videos • Tagged: , ,

Upcoming Netcasts

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Busy Week in Baltimore

The Firefighter Netcast crew is in Baltimore for the Firehouse Expo and their packed schedule begins today, Wednesday.  They will be netcasting live shows and in between those they will be recording interviews to be played later.  Their recording sessions will be taking place in the Firegeezer booth in the Exhibit Hall  on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, so be sure to drop by and say hello to the gang.  Now for the early schedule of live netcasts that you can tune in and listen to:

Wednesday night’s show:

Imagine being a fly on the wall when several of the nation’s most respected and revered fire chiefs are all in the room with you.

Fire service leaders such as retired chief Alan Brunacini from Phoenix, Baltimore’s chief Jim Clack, retired Santa Rosa, CA fire Chief Bruce Varner, and retired Chief Dennis Rubin from our nations’ capital.

Well, be that fly on Wednesday night and listen in as Firefighter Netcast’s own Billy D. Hayes and John Mitchell sit down during a break from the Chief Alan Brunacini Leadership Conference this week in Baltimore as Firehouse Expo begins.

Join us for a special edition of Stop, Drop, and Roll with the Punches Wednesday night at 9pm ET and hear what they have to say about being a fire chief in our current trying times, the importance of fostering relationships and the necessity of mentoring all throughout your career.

Firefighter Netcast- this ain’t your Daddy’s fire service radio podcast!

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Thursday afternoon’s Stair climb

Live coverage from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb, held during Firehouse Expo on Thursday, July 21, beginning at 1:45pm ET. Participants will climb flights of stairs equaling 110 flights – the same number as the World Trade Center Towers.

Each climber, wearing turnout gear, station gear or workout gear will carry the photograph of a firefighter who was lost on September 11th. This is not a timed event or a race, it's a way for firefighters to honor and remember their comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001. Join host Dave Statter for a front-row seat to this incredible event!

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Friday afternoon’s newest Netcast show premiere

 

Some of the most important discussions take place at firehouse kitchen tables around the world. Whenever firefighters get together for a meal, watch a ball game, have a meeting, drill on something, remember a lost friend, relive the fire, tell stories, say hello or good bye, or just have a cup of coffee, the kitchen table is where the best chats take place.

Our premiere program comes to you live this Friday, July 22 at 2:00pm ET. It’s intended to be a virtual chat around your firehouse kitchen table. We will be sitting at the table just talking. We do not know what we will be talking about, we do not know who will stop by to talk. There is an open invitation to 1.2 million firefighters and we are interested in what you have to say.

So stop by, the coffee is on and the soda is cold; you never know who or what will be talked about at the firehouse kitchen table.

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Click on the links in each show description to tune in and join in with us in Baltimore.  Great to see ya'!

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Posted by on July 20, 2011 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, News, Technology & Communications, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: ,

Morning Lineup – July 20

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Wednesday Morning – Don't Leave Anybody Behind

The Gnome Handler, Steve passed along an article the other day addressing an occurrence that seems to arise about every six months in one place or another.  I'll just reprint one brief paragraph from it and you will get the gist immediately of what I'm talking about this mornng:

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said on Thursday that the body found in June 7 was that of 61-year-old Henry McMullen. The body was found after a May 27 fire, when the debris from the blaze was being removed.

It's always sad to hear about these things.  Not just because it's embarrassing for the FD involved, but especially for the distress it adds to an already-grieving family and the loss of dignity that the deceased person deserves.  As I mentioned, we hear about this once in a while and most of the time it's just one of those things that happened despite the firefighters' efforts to be thorough.  Most often it's because nobody knows  that someone is missing in the first place and a careful, determined effort to locate them doesn't take place.

But once in a while it does happen due to the lack of proper diligence of the fire department.  Not long after I started this blog, just over four years ago, I posted a story about a situation in New Mexico where a fire had destroyed a mobile home located in an isolated area in the desert.  The firefighters just knocked the fire down, cooled everything off and took only a cursory look inside the totally destroyed trailer.  It was about two weeks later when the victim's friend came by and started poking around that the body was discovered and it wasn't even hidden.  That was just inexcusable and careless.

Most of these situations happen despite the firefighters' best efforts, though.  And yet the body is still left behind, usually buried under the debris inside the house.  I'm bringing this up now as a means to remind you about the possibility of this happening anytime, any place, even though you take a reasonably good search around.  Always take time to check with neighbors, etc., to see if there is a chance that someone is unaccounted for.  And then take another look just to make sure anyway.  "Oh, the family's away on vacation…"  Yeah, but sometimes an older teenager stays behind to watch the house  and relish their first experience at freedom from the parents, for example.  I've seen that happen.  So please, always make the effort to make sure that you don't leave anybody behind.

Now let's make the effort to get this equipment checked out.  I am definitely in need of some more coffee, so I'll get that started.  See you later in the day room.

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Posted by on July 20, 2011 • Filed under: morning lineup

More Job Security

3 comments

What Does It Take To Get Into College These Days?

AT LEAST 12 BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY students were severely burned when they used too much gasoline in their gasbombs while playing "mineshaft bombing" Saturday night.  The stunt which is practiced by students in several Utah universities involves dropping a Molotov cocktail down an abandoned mine shaft and watching to see how high you can get a fireball to come back up.  The shafts are covered with a rebar grate that has spaces wide enough to let your legs drop through.

Utah County sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Cannon told the Salt Lake Tribune:

They make gas bombs and drop them down the mine shaft. A bomb hits the wall of the mine shaft and sends a huge fire ball up 200 feet in the air. … It’s pretty spectacular, but it’s incredibly, incredibly dangerous."

On Saturday, as the students dropped small bombs and fireworks into the shaft, a third group arrived with "large quantities of gasoline," Cannon said.  "Someone decides he wants to go a bit bigger, so they put two or three gallons of gasoline in a jug or cooler and put newspaper in it as a makeshift wick," Cannon said.

Several of the spectators were sitting on the grate with their legs dangling through the spaces when the jug of gasoline was knocked over.  "There were huge burning flashes and fireballs," Cannon said. "Two or three series of them came up. Then the wall of the mine shaft caught on fire."

In their panic to get out of the way, some of them got their legs entangled in the grate.  When they tried to call for medical help, they found out that there is no cell phone coverage there.  So they loaded the burn victims up into cars and drove them to the nearest hospital.  Seven of them were transferred to a burn unit.

Despite the sheriff's best efforts to catch and ticket the trespassers, the locals have been doing this for several years.  Five years ago one of them posted this demostration video on YouTube:

 

The seriousness of this latest stunt will lead to felony charges this time, Cannon said.

Read the entire article HERE.

Thanks to Mark D.

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Posted by on July 19, 2011 • Filed under: culture, fire, Fires, Job Security, Videos • Tagged: , ,

Buh-Bye, Borders Books

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Liquidation May Begin This Week

BORDERS BOOKS, INC., THE BANKRUPT RETAIL Booksellers, announced late Monday that they are concluding efforts to find a buyer and will ask the bankruptcy court on Thursday for permission to liquidate the firm.

Chain Store Age reports this morning:

The bookseller said that, with approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of New York, it could begin shuttering its 399 remaining stores as early as Friday, and it is expected to go out of business for good by the end of September.

Michigan Radio photo

"Following the best efforts of all parties, we are saddened by this development," said Borders president Mike Edwards in a statement. "We were all working hard toward a different outcome, but the head winds we have been facing for quite some time, including the rapidly changing book industry, e-reader revolution and turbulent economy, have brought us to where we are now."

Borders's best chance to stay in business fell apart last week when the $215 million bid by private-equity investor Jahm Najafi dissolved and the chain was unable to find other potential buyers to keep it alive.

The nation's 2nd-largest book retailer had filed for bankruptcy back in February and closed hundreds of stores while it tried to find a buyer to take over the company and restructure it by bringing new cash.  With this decision, the company turn their physical assets over to a liquidator and begin selling off their remaining stock this Friday.  During the upcoming month they will be discharging their remaining 11,000 employees as the chain dissolves.

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Posted by on July 19, 2011 • Filed under: current events, News • Tagged: , ,

Job Security

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D.I.Y. Doctoring Brings Arrest

A FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, MAN was arrested over the weekend after he tried to remove a cast from his son's hand with a 10-inch circular saw.  Nobody knows the reason why Lawrence Roberts, 33, felt the need to remove the 13-yr.-old's cast that was on his right arm and hand, but he went to the boy's home with the intent on taking it off.

Lawrence Roberts
(not a real doctor)

While attempting to remove the cast, he cut off the end of the boy's thumb and nearly severed his index finger at 7,000 rpm.  At that point, he stopped and somebody called the ambulance.  The unlucky lad was rushed to the hospital where surgeons sewed up the slice in the middle of his hand and attempted to reattach the end of his thumb.  It has not been publicly reported if that was successful.

Roberts, also known as "Squirrelly," was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse, a first-degree felony that can bring a 30-year prison sentence.

The Orlando Sentinel has the STORY.

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Posted by on July 19, 2011 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Job Security • Tagged: ,

Quarter-Century Overtime Fiddle Surfaces in Missouri

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Taxpayers Are Unhappy

IT CAME UNRAVELED WHEN THE BRENTWOOD, MISSOURI, CITY ADMINISTRATOR was caught gambling away some of the city's funds.  The end result are forced retirements for the fire chief, the assistant chief, and the deputy chief.  A captain and a lieutenant have been demoted, and the entire 20-man fire department will lose their annual pay raises for at least the next two years.

Post-Dispatch photo

Back in March an audit of the Brentwood, Missouri, city finances uncovered the embezzlement scheme of the (now former) city administrator, Chris Seemayor who had stolen at least $30,000 and blew it all on the gambling tables of a local casino.  While digging deeply into the accounts, the auditors uncovered a program in the fire department that has been in effect for 24 years where firefighters have been coming in on their days off and receiving overtime pay to perform maintenance work on the apparatus.

The program was above-board and known by the fire chief and looked okay on the surface, but it turns out that when a FF came in to work on the vehicles, he would be paid 10 hours overtime pay – a full shift – even though he finished the tasks in six hours, more or less.  Taking money for work not performed doesn't set well with auditors, or the city officials, either.

When the OT hit the fan, heads started rolling.  Even the IAFF Local 2665 is condemning the scheme and helped negotiate the settlement to repay the taxpayers.  In fairness to the firefighters, they were not aware that they were doing anything wrong because it has been an established part of the FD routine for over two decades.  The soon-retiring fire chief still defends the practice.

KTVI-TV Ch. 2 has a video report on the unfolding problem:

 

The simple fiddle has become complicated through age and expansion, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has a good, detailed report on this situation HERE.

Brentwood Fire Department WEBSITE.
Local 2665 WEBSITE.  (Note:  L-2665 is a regional local representing several fire departments.)

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Posted by on July 19, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, Funding & Staffing, labor, Videos • Tagged: , , ,

Morning Lineup – July 19

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Tuesday Morning – Let's start at Chapter 1

It has been a long, long time since I have read a "fire department" book.  But I broke the drought last month when I received a copy of a new, entertaining tome written by a Texas firefighter, Will Wyatt.

And A Paycheck, Too! is not a training manual or a new theory on hoseline practices.  It's just plain fun.  Will is a story teller and he has compiled some of his experiences from his job in the Houston area and added his unique viewpoint of them in a very entertaining way.

What's remarkable about his accounts are that they are so typical of the everyday things that we do, but never realized that other firefighters come across the very same unique challenges.  Throughout the whole book I was saying, "Oh, yeah….we had that once, too." and things like, "Golly, that's the same silly situation we had to put up with."  Except that Will has not only seen the same humorous side of the incidents, but he has a marvelous way of relating it in print and you are literally smiling the entire time you are reading the 17 chapters of the book.

I take that back.  There is not much smiling in the chapter where he reminisces about his time spent in New York  following 9/11 when a group of his co-workers went there for a few days of funeral details.  But it's probably the best chapter in the book.  Another advantage of Will's book is the way it comes across for someone who has never been a firefighter, such as your spouse or parents, etc.  It is a very true-to-form account of how the job is really done and what all goes on when you're not doing the actual extinguishment bit.

It's a "fun read" and not only recommended by Firegeezer, but is an excellent  choice for a gift for anyone.  If your local bookstore is still in business but doesn't have it on the shelf, you can order directly from the publisher by logging in here:  http://www.andapaychecktoo.com/ .  It's well worth the $19.95 (plus postage) that they're asking, so go ahead and get one for yourself.  You won't regret it.

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Last-Minute Reminder:

If you are in Baltimore for the Expo this week, don't forget the always-fun "Meet-Up" sponsored by Firefighter Nation and FireEMS Blogs (our home base) on Thursday night.  It begins at 8:00 pm at the Uno's Chicago Grill located just a couple blocks down the street from the convention center at 102 East Pratt St.  That's at the Inner Harbor fun zone.  Not only is a great time promised, but the proceeds from the evening's business will directly benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.  Don't miss it.

Now let's not miss our daily equipment check and get started with that.  I'm going to get another pot of coffee going.  See you back in the day room.

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Posted by on July 19, 2011 • Filed under: morning lineup • Tagged: , , ,

Bankrupt Borders Blames Firegeezer: Kindle Advocacy factor in declining book revenue in northern Virginia

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Borders Banished

They have been my on-the-road sanctuary and work spot. 

Covered their February 11th announcement here: A 12:30 phone call.

Was able to write that article with "insider" information from a manager who I know.  Who is now out of a job. Another is one semester away from graduation. For a newly-wed, it will be her THIRD layoff in two years.

This photo, originally posted in an April 04, 2011, article by MB Quick in The Consumerist, is from a Chicago area Borders that got the 12:30 phone call in February. 

They were in the first wave of closings. Sorta sums up the situation:

Firegeezer's excitement over Kindle is a prime reason for the decline.

I am no better.

Years ago I quit patronizing my local Borders for a small owner-operator coffeeshop 20 minutes away. One reason is technological.

When Borders went from TMobile service, that required an account or a day pass, to "free" wifi, they significantly narrowed the bandwidth.  Worthless service.

The owner-operator shop has a killer wi-fi, more electrical outlets and a nice atmosphere. Cleaner bathrooms as well.

Deja Vue all over again

Twenty years ago I helped my wife go to antique shows. She set up a booth to sell reference books on collectibles and antiques.  Also had space in a couple antique stores that we visited every other weekend in a three state tour around Washington DC.

Thin margin on books meant that we barely covered the costs. Stores were consistent, the shows were hit-and-miss. Mostly miss.

Did not help the relationship when I pointed out what working a 12 or 24 hour overtime shift would bring home.

Enjoyed interesting adventures, including a road trip to a bookseller conference in Nashville. During the span of her business venture we visited more than a hundred used book stores.

She stopped the road shows after a couple of years. Later closed the store spaces.  Amazon and collector specific websites came to dominate the reference market for antiques.

Today she provides content for a collector specific website. And my last post was for a completely online fire service trade magazine.

Hope to see you in Baltimore this week!

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on July 18, 2011 • Filed under: News, Technology & Communications • Tagged: , , , , , ,

Urban Firefighter Magazine Issue 5

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Table of Contents

Erich J. Roden and Ray McCormack start Year 2

The Long War, Jason Brezler, Firefighter Ladder 58 FDNY

23rd Street Fire, Joe Flood, author The Fires

The Battle for an Engine Company, James Carino, Firefighter Engine 205 FDNY (Brooklyn)

Fighting Fire Without Water, Jerry Smith, Firefighter Truck 15 Baltimore

Thoughts on Technical Extrication, Mark Gregory, Lieutenant Truck 111 FDNY

Vacant Buildings, Gabriel Angemi, Firefighter Rescue 1 Cambridge

The Life and Death of an Urban Vacant, Tim Anderson, Firefighter Engine 16 Philadelphia

VACANT PROPERTY SECURITY (VPS) SYSTEMS: training program

  • Forcing entry on VPS systems, Stephen Florian, Firefighter Ladder 19 Detroit
  • VPS Doors, Jim Sandas, Firefighter Rescue 2 FDNY

A Passion for Compassion: Koy Wilson

Lloyd Mitchell, accidental Brooklyn fire photographer

Get your copy HERE

Urban Firefighter Magazine on FaceBook

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on July 18, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Funding & Staffing, News, Urban Commander • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Twin Turbo Corvette Z06 Burns to the Ground

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1000 Horsepower and Zero fire suppression capability


1000hp Twin Turbo Z06 burns to the ground
 

Posted by OnePercent on  Streetfire.net on June 30th and picked up by Keith Cornett at Corvette Blogger .

No details on event that apparently occured on a highway served by Oklahoma City Fire Department.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on July 18, 2011 • Filed under: cars, Fire Rescue Topics, Fires, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , ,

Cremation Is Not For Amateurs

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Poor Thor Refused To Leave Gracefully

Update July 20:  Video added, scroll down.

A DALE CITY, VIRGINIA, MAN WAS CITED for illegal outside burning when he tried to cremate his dead dog on the outside patio last Wednesday.  While he was unsuccessful in consuming the dog, he was successful in generating $70,000 in fire damage to his house.

News & Messenger / Pierce

When Charles Harris' 11-yr.-old Rottweiler named Thor died a few days earlier, Harris was unable to pick up the large animal and tried to get a shelter to come pick it up, but they were all closed on the weekend.  So he tried some veterinarians and they all said that they could dispose of Thor, but only if Harris brought him in.

Running low on options, Harris piled a bunch of wood around Thor's carcass, poured some gasoline over it all for good measure, and lit it off.  When the Prince William County Fire & Rescue units arrived on the scene, they found flames covering the back of the house from the ground to the roof.  When it was all over, the animal shelter came out anyway and carted the charred dog's remains away.

Read the complete story in the News & Messenger HERE.

Update July 20:
The Associated Press filed this video report:

 

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Posted by on July 18, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fires, Job Security, Videos • Tagged: , , ,

Home Improvement Store Burns in France

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Heavy Loss in Major Fire

A LARGE HOME IMPROVEMENT RETAIL STORE was heavily damaged in a fire early Sunday morning in Antibes, France.

Nice-Matin / Lapoirie

The fire was dispatched at 2:30 am and the first-arriving engine found "a gigantic" fire involving 2,000 sq. m. of the Castorama retail establishment.  The fire was concentrated in the floor area containing paints, flooring, lighting and bathroom fixtures.  The store was built of sheet metal and was readily failing in the fire.  The fire attack of 130 firefighters and 36 engines was concentrated on cofinement to protect several commercial structures, warehouses, and a pine woods that closely borders the Castorama property.

The fire was contained by 5 am and was extinguished at 7 am.  At the peak, the FD was flowing 7,000 lpm on the blaze.

Nice-Matin filed this video report from the fire scene:

 

 

 

 

 

The police are still investigating the cause and reviewing whatever CCTV recordings survived.

Nice-Matin has the story  HERE.

Nice-Matin / Lapoirie

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Posted by on July 18, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fires, Videos • Tagged: , ,

Texas VFD Firehouse Burns Down

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No Indication of Cause Yet

A TRINITY COUNTY, TEXAS, VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT lost their entire fleet, equipment, and station Sunday morning when a fire broke out at the unattended 356 VFD firehouse.

356 VFD / Baker photo

A passerby spotted the flames shortly after midnight and reported it to the 9-1-1, but by the time the nearest fire departments were able to get to the scene it was too late to save anything.

KTRE-TV reports:

Fire Chief Jesse Baker said it felt like forever before they got there.  "It was heartbreaking to sit there and watch your fire station burn, and you can't do anything because you don't have water to put on it. There's no way to do anything to stop it," said Baker.

V.F.D. members say it took almost three hours to extinguish the fire. The chief says everything was destroyed with losses estimated around $400,000.

"We lost 2 brush trucks, a rescue truck and a tanker truck," said Baker.

KTRK-TV

The impoverished fire department does not have any insurance on their property except for the mandatory liability coverage.  All their trucks are hand-me-downs from other departments and the only financial means are donations.  Two other VFD's in the county have already provided two loaners so that coverage may be maintained and today (Monday) a portable building is expected to be delivered to the site.

A state fire marshal will begin an investigation today.

KTRE-TV has the STORY.
KTRK-TV has MORE.

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Posted by on July 18, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fire Rescue Topics, fire stations, Fires • Tagged: , ,