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Cashion Cashiers Entire Fire Department

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Six New FF's Replace 14 Old Ones

THE CASHION, OKLAHOMA, CITY COUNCIL voted last Thursday night to dismiss their entire 14-member body of volunteer firefighters and the part-time paid fire chief.  Immediately they were instructed to turn in their keys, equipment and pagers, and leave.  Two of the volunteers were told that they could remain, but both of them chose to quit and walked out.

The move caught the entire town by surprise and to confuse matters further, the council has refused to give any explanation for their decision.  The former fire chief has no idea on what the motive was, telling tv station KOCO-TV:

(They) asked us to turn in our keys and our pagers, told me to leave my truck at the station. They had a locksmith at the station as soon as the meeting was over," said former fire chief Chance Robinson, referring to the Thursday night decision.

Robinson said he has no idea why he and the others were let go.

"It's obvious some personal agendas are coming out now," he said. "No, it was not a financial decision."

The council had already secretly hired six paid firefighters to staff the station beginning immediately.

Cashion Fire Station  (Google Street View)

KOCO-TV has more plus a video HERE.

The next day when members of the press descended on Town Hall to find out what was going on, they found the entire building vacant and locked up.  The mayor said that she shut the offices because "officials were tired of reporters questioning them."  (Statter-alert, Statter-alert, ….. ed.)

Last night, Tuesday, the council held a special meeting to address the citizens about their actions vis a vis the fire department, but it turned out to be another stonewalling session with nobody learning anything new. 

Again, KWTV had a camera crew at the meeting:

 

It is obvious that the council had no idea of what the consequences of their action would be.  All six new-hires are untrained and have to become qualified while on the job.  The neighboring fire departments are grumbling already because they are being called for mutual aid assistance on every single call-out.

This is not the first time that the tiny city has had first-responder problems.  In late 2009 the previous fire chief was arrested on charges of embezzling city funds and the former police chief was arrested on unrelated fraud charges.

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Posted by on July 6, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, Fire-ology, labor, Videos

Around the Fire Web

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Some Good Postings From Around the Web That We Recommend

*  Dave Statter's documentary progress on STATter911 about how home video is gradually bringing that moment where the rescuer and the victim become the same person recorded for posterity made the next step over the weekend.  CLICK HERE to see the man with his videocam in one hand and his (ineffective) garden hose in the other.

*  In another one of those "missed the dog, but got the firefighters" maneuvers, a California forestry van went off the road and rolled over Monday.  FirefighterNation has the story and photo HERE.

*  FireTruck Blog is looking at a Tennessee VFD that says the 18-yr.-old who rolled and destroyed their tanker last week has a better driving record that many "department veterans."  Really?  Check out the STORY.

*  The Fire Critic has a strange story about a fire crew who shifted their attention from the burning house they were visiting to try and silence a shorted-out car horn.  Things just went downhill from there.  Check it out HERE.

*  FireNews.net has a story about a fire department wondering where their rescue boat was when a bullet went through the engine cover.  Here's the STORY.

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Do you know that your surge protector should be replaced every two years?  They are constantly absorbing minor power surges that you don't notice because your lights aren't dimming.  But they're there.  Now…for a limited time:

Belkin Surge Protectors on Sale – Up To 60% Off

Several dozen choices available.

CLICK HERE to view the selection and order yours.
(Firegeezer is ordering one.  This just reminded me that I'm overdue.)

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Posted by on July 6, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Blogs

Morning Lineup – July 6

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Wednesday Morning – Can You Walk to the Ambulance?

More and more, we're seeing some self-reflection on the part of EMS agencies on what to do about people who call the ambulance for any and every minor ailment.  Some places have even gone ahead and dedicated a couple of EMT-operated  cars or vans to help sort out the non-emergencies and steer the people into alternate routes into the health system.  Most of them, though, just moan and groan and tell an uninterested public that they're being overused.  But all this milling around and towel-twisting is wasted effort and nothing will be changed until the HMFIC's get the courage to give the medics the authority to tell the people, "You don't need an ambulance… call this number, we're leaving."

Many of you weren't around then, but back before we had things like medical control officials and four other layers of authority shining down on every potential transport, we did do things like that.  It didn't happen very often, but we did have that option and occasionally used it.  When I was a young firefighter and pulling rotations on ambulance duty, it wasn't unheard of to tell somebody who had a cold to use an alternate means of transportation.  But we didn't abandon them, we'd make sure to find somebody in the household or neighbor to agree to drive them to the doctor.  It wasn't done carelessly because we were aware of our responsibility to see that the "patient" was taken care of and if there was any smidgeon of a chance that we might be wrong, then we transported.  It was our call.

The trouble now is, even if such a policy were to be introduced to an EMS agency, it would never be "the medic's call" on whether to transport.  That's because those multi-layers of authority are still there and the agencies have been pasted into the medical field's boundaries of patient responsibility.   First of all, you will need a specific written set of procedures that spell out when you could decline service and there would be no room for the guy who's seeing, feeling and talking to the complainant to make that  determination.  Then you'd be second-guessed all the way up the chain of command and somebody in that chain would feel the urge of avoiding responsibility and cop out by saying "transport him."

Too many people are involved in the chain of command now to expect something like that to work until, like I said earlier, somebody has the courage to hand down that authority.  Until it does, we will continue to lay off firefighters so that we can hire more people to drive non-emergency patients to overcrowded hospital waiting rooms.  It's a matter of priorities.

Right now our priority is to get this equipment checked out.  And…. get more coffee going.  So, let's get started and I'll see you later in the day room.  Don't hurt yourself.

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Posted by on July 6, 2011 • Filed under: morning lineup

Double Multi’s in NW Pennsylvania Town

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FD's From Several Counties Called In To Help

THE ENVIRONS OF MEADVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, a small city outside of Erie, saw two 4-alarm fires within a few hours of each other on Tuesday.  The first was a church fire that completely destroyed the Bible Baptist Church in a remote, rural area.  The church is so isolated that the fire went undetected for a long period of time and when the first units arrived, the roof was already in the basement.

Meadville Live photo

About 15 fire departments sent units to the fire where water supply was the main concern as they worked to extinguish the buried fire.  The State Police Fire Marshal has been on the scene all day but has made no public release of information yet.

Meadville Live has the story, more photos and a video of the fire HERE.

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LATER IN THE DAY ANOTHER FIRE broke out around 11:30 am in the ceiling of an industrial building in nearby Grove City.  The 111-yr.-old complex of connected buildings presented a challenge for the firefighters due to the high outside temperatures and the heavy labor needed to get through the tin roof covered with rubber.

The business deals in new and used overhead cranes, steel mill machinery and industrial supplies.  The FD's were on the scene for four hours getting all the hidden insulation extinguished.  WKBN-TV Ch. 27 filed this video report:

 

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Posted by on July 5, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fires, Videos • Tagged: , ,

High-Angle Rescue in Italy

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"High" is the definitive word on this one.

LAST WEEK ON JUNE 28 ten Vigili del Fuoco firefighters of the regional SAF (high-angle rescue team) responded to an electric plant in Porto Empedocles, Italy, where a worker on a scaffolding had taken ill.  The young man was working on a chimney and was about 200 feet above the ground.

All photos via Vigili del Fuoco website

By utilizing a commercial long-reach crane, they were able to successfully lower the stricken workman to the ground where he was transported to the hospital.

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The story and photo gallery were posted by the National Vigili del Fuoco HERE.

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Posted by on July 5, 2011 • Filed under: rescue, Rescues, Special Operations • Tagged: ,

Flying Flag Sets Fire in Rooming House, Chases 6 Out

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Electric Fan Starts Chain of Events Leading to Blaze

AN OTTAWA, ONTARIO, ROOMING HOUSE lost one of its rooms early Sunday morning thanks to an electric fan and a candle.

The Ottawa Fire Services officials say that the candle was burning inside a room that had a flag hanging on the wall and a fan whirring inside on a hot summer's night.  It is believed that the fan blew the flag off of the wall and then the flag-in-transport blew over onto the candle where it was set on fire around 12:30 am in the 2-story building.  The occupant tried throwing pans of water on the fire but was unsuccessful and then alerted the other residents.

Ottawa Fire Services photo

Twenty-seven firefighters responded to the blaze and had it knocked down in about 25 minutes.  The fire was contained in the one room that was burned out, but the others are temporarily uninhabitable until they get cleaned up.  Reportedly six residents have been displaced and the cause has been ruled accidental.  Estimated damages are $75,000 to the building and $25,000 for contents.

Metro News has the STORY.
CTV-Ottawa has MORE.

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Posted by on July 5, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fires • Tagged: , , , ,

2-Bagger Working in Long Island

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Appears to be a Retail Store

A 2-ALARM FIRE IS WORKING in Uniondale, New York this morning.  The alarm for an outside fire was dispatched around 5 am and the FD found what may have been a rubbish fire that had spread into the Thrifty Beverage store on Nassau Rd.

WNYW-TV

As the firefighters were knocking the blaze down, it would continually flare back up, leading to a 2nd-alarm dispatch at 8 am.

WNYW-TV Ch. 5 has this video report taken from their helicopter just after the 2nd was hit:

 

It's still a working fire, so no more information is yet available.

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Posted by on July 5, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fires, Videos • Tagged: , ,

Car Into House – Fire Burns Both, Kills One

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This is Happening a Lot, Lately

Update:  TV Channel 10 is reporting that a 2nd body was found in the incinerated car.  No further.

IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, TUESDAY MORNING a car went out of control and crashed into a house, setting it afire.  The blaze completely destroyed the house, and the car, killing the driver.  All five occupants of the house were able to escape safely.

WPVI-TV

Police say that the driver lost control of his vehicle around 2 am this morning, struck a pole and then careened into the house.  He may have also hit the occupants' car just outside and the gas tank on one of the cars ruptured immediately starting a large fire that quickly consumed the house.

WPVI-TV

It's still early on into the investigation of what happened and no further information is available yet.

Early reports are posted by the Daily Times HERE and WPVI-TV Ch. 6 HERE.
The Upper Moreland-Willow Grove Patch has a 21-image photo gallery HERE.

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Posted by on July 5, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fires • Tagged: , ,

Morning Lineup – July 5

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Tuesday Morning – Back to Normal (Whatever "Normal" is)

From what I could tell, it looked like almost everybody had favorable weather for their parades and fireworks shows yesterday.  It's always hot in July, but not as much of that "blistering hot" that we've seen the past couple of years.  So I hope everyone enjoyed themselves.  Now it's back to the routine, but you folks who are on day work get a short workweek as a bonus.

A few days ago, one of my Facebook "Friends" asked me why my FB Wall was hidden…. nothing showing on it.  I didn't know it was hidden, let alone know how long it had been that way.  When I'm logged on to my own FB page, naturally I see everything and was unaware of my seclusion.  That explains why I wasn't getting any comments or Likes, etc., on my entries.  Well, to get to the point, I poked around the account settings and found the problem, then reset it to make the Wall accessible to everybody again.  So feel free to nudge and comment again.  I'll never fully understand that thing anyway, but it's fun trying.  I have a lot of interesting Friends on there and I enjoy the interaction.

It's only a couple more weeks until the Firehouse Expo begins in Baltimore.  Those of you who are registered for the many seminars and classes during the weeklong event don't need reminding, but for those of you who make the day trip to visit the Exhibition Hall, I'll plug it again.  The Firegeezer crew along with Dave Statter of STATter911 fame, and the Firefighter Netcast team will be there at booth #743 where we will be looking for you to drop by for a visit while you're filling up your goody-bag with handouts.

All of us really enjoy seeing you and chatting about what's happened since we last saw you, or especially meeting many of you for the first time.  We have a lot of fun during those three days, July 21, 22, and 23.  And….. this year we have plenty of free passes to give out.  That's right, you can get in without paying if you're a Firegeezer fan.  But you have to register online to get it.  Here's what you do: 

  1. CLICK HERE to enter the Registration page.
  2. Fill it out using the Promo Code EX 79 in the appropriate box.
  3. Finish out the registration form and pick up your pass at the registration center in the exhibit hall when you arrive.

If you are traveling with your family or a carload of other members from your department, everybody is eligible for a free pass, BUT each of you have to fill out your own registration form.  So let's get that taken care of this week and make plans to see us there!

Now let's make plans to get this equipment checked out.  I need to get some more coffee started, so I'll get going with that.  See you back in the day room in a little while.

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Posted by on July 5, 2011 • Filed under: morning lineup • Tagged:

Freedom, Independence, Taxation, and Service

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From Jim Maule, a Villanova Tax Law professor

Today is Independence Day. … The United States is not a free country.

When I claim that it’s not a free country, I don’t mean that the United States is not an independent country. There is a huge difference between free and independent. Free means to be without cost.

The United States was not created, nor has it been maintained, without cost. Many people have paid, in blood, in service, and in sacrifice, in order for this country to exist and to continue existing. It is misleading to use the phrase “it’s a free country” as some sort of blank check for unbridled behavior and willful refusal to contribute to the nation’s health and well-being. There are those who claim that because we live in a “free country,” they should be “free” to do what they want and “free” to refuse to pay taxes. …

Somewhere along the line the notion that the freedoms enjoyed in our independent nation need to be protected through the participatory service of citizenship was corrupted.

Though a brave few continue to put their lives on the line, the proportion of Americans willing to pitch in has diminished, while the chorus of cries for self-centeredness has grown larger and louder. Once upon a time, when it was necessary to defend the nation’s freedoms, everyone pitched in, one way or another. Some served in the military, almost everyone was subjected to rationing, almost everyone paid taxes, many stepped up to perform volunteer services, and almost everyone bore the burden of lifestyle restrictions.

Today, claims that letting the poor get poorer, the sick sicker, the unemployed more desperate, and the rich richer will strengthen the freedoms on which this independent, and expensive, nation has been built resonate among those whose ability to see beyond the horizon and into the future is weak or missing.

Too many seek ways to avoid paying taxes, very few volunteer for military service, and too many turn their attention to how assets can be hidden off-shore.

Perhaps Independence Day should be a time not only to celebrate what was done several hundred years ago by people willing to pay the price, but also an occasion to examine the extent to which some people take freedom for granted, and others misunderstand what freedom means and what it requires. Freedom is not free. Independence is not free.

Trend lines suggest that there may come a day, perhaps sooner than later, when not enough people will be willing to pay what needs to be paid for freedom.

The cost in that event will be loss, not only of freedom, but of independence.

Jim Maule, Villanova faculty page

Thanks to TaxProf Blog for posting the remarks.

Tidbit from Dave Shiflett, in his July 2, 2011, Wall Street Journal essay: While My Son Serves:

fewer than 1% of Americans wear the uniform these days.

That tiny percentage includes my nephew and Mike "Rescuing Providence" Morse's brother.

Enjoy the fireworks tonight.

Do not forget our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, serving in hostile, dangerous and isolated places protecting our freedom.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on July 4, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, Funding & Staffing • Tagged: , , , ,

The News Ticker

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Some Good Stories Off the News Ticker

WHERE THERE'S NO SMOKING, THERE'S FIREWORKS.  A long-closed tobacco store in Milton, Washington, caught fire Saturday afternoon and spread to a nearby fireworks stand that was very much in business.

KING-TV

The East Pierce Fire and Rescue Department had no chance to save the vacant building, but they did manage to keep the shipping container where fireworks were stored from exploding.  However, the heat from the fire did cause some of the packaged fireworks to go off inside the container.  The Indian Smoke Shop has been on the site for over 30 years, but has been closed for the past two.

The fire marshal has little hope of finding the cause due to the extensive destruction.  Both buildings occupied land that is part of the Puyallup Indian Reservation.  KING-TV Ch. 5 filed this video report:

 

TAUNTON, MASSACHUSETTS, FIRE CHIEF Timothy Bradshaw temporarily closed two of the city's five fire stations Saturday after the city council adopted a new budget that cut his overtime allowance in half.  The mayor had earlier threatened to lay off as many as 26 firefighters (political weasels always threaten to cut public safety if they don't get their way) unless the council approved a tax increase for trash collection.

The new budget slashed the overtime from $840,000 to $400,000.  The chief tells the Taunton Gazette, the temporary closings are "definitely an increased risk to the public and an increased workload on my guys," but he says they will continue.  Chief Bradshaw adds that the city's failure to hire firefighters to replace the several retirements that have occurred during the past four years is creating the shortages that generate the overtime needs.

Read the full story in the Gazette HERE.
Local 1391 WEBSITE.

AN 83-YR.-OLD MILLIONAIRE FROM NEVADA pleaded guilty in a Minneapolis federal court Friday for misdemeanor assault on a flight paramedic by grabbing her breast in his private jet.  The Minneapolis Star-Tribune explains:

Robert M. Lee, of Reno, pleaded guilty in federal court in Minneapolis to misdemeanor assault for grabbing a paramedic/respiratory specialist.

According to the indictment, the woman said to Lee: "You do not touch me like that. Do not do that again." He responded, "I can do whatever I want. … This is my airplane."

The indictment said Lee then made a pinching gesture toward a registered nurse who also was on the Sept. 21, 2010, flight from eastern Arizona to Rochester, saying, "That's what I'm going to do with you."

He was being taken to the Mayo Clinic to be treated for stroke symptoms that turned out to be false.  The dirty old man faces a possible sentence of 6 months in jail.

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Today Only…
Up to 60% off Milwaukee Power Tools

CLICK HERE to view the selection and order.

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Posted by on July 4, 2011 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Videos

“Melons Bursting In Air”

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A FireEMS blogger "team-building" event?

Rachel Emma Silverman, writing for The Wall Street Journal posted a fascinating article with video about Steve Wolf's Stunt Ranch.

(2011 July 02) Melons Bursting in Air (probably need a Wall Street Journal subscription to access entire article)

Silverman notes the changes required due to the severe drought:

The five-hour, $250 class offers a glimpse of the secrets behind fireballs, squibs, other cinematic explosions and holiday fireworks.

But with a severe drought here, and a ban on most open fires, Mr. Wolf's Special FX International classes this summer feature "aquatechnic" effects.

Cue the exploding watermelons. The class rigs the melons with blasting caps, small explosives that typically help to trigger larger explosions but are quite potent in their own right.

Oops, we may have a snag ..

Students must be willing to submit to a federal background check before enrolling.

They have to fill out a questionnaire from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives including such queries as "Are you a fugitive from justice? "

Mr. Wolf requires that they wear safety goggles, hearing protection, closed-toe shoes and natural fibers, such as cotton, rather than flammable synthetics.

Big finale

Capping off the class is another aquatechnic effect, using high-energy liquid explosive, or Helix. The agent, a reactive powder mixed with a liquid catalyst, is rigged to the bottom of a large ditch that is then filled with about 500 gallons of water.

Students stand about 150 feet away and detonate the explosive with the Holatron, sending a 100-foot plume of water into the air and a rumbling shock wave beneath the class's feet.

Cool!

Stunt Discovery Day promotion:

Stunt Ranch on FaceBook

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on July 4, 2011 • Filed under: current events, explosion, Fire Rescue Topics, fun, HazMat, News, Special Operations, Training & Development • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

Weekend Ambulance Crumples

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Drive Carefully – Stay Alert

A MILWAUKEE AMBULANCE CARRYING A PATIENT was struck by a car driven by an intoxicated driver Friday night.

WDJT-TV

The crash took out a traffic signal box, caused extensive damage to the ambulance, totaled the car injured the patient and medic.  The two people in the car were only slightly injured.

WISN-TV Ch. 12 reported vis this video:

 

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IN MALAYSIA THE NEW STRAITS TIMES is reporting from Kuching:

A 33-year-old pregnant woman died after the ambulance which was taking her to Sarawak General Hospital crashed into a tree at Jalan Penrissen, yesterday.

New Straits Times

A police spokesperson said the ambulance driver lost control after trying to avoid a stray dog.  Mura Rungor, from Kemantin, Sri Aman, died together with her unborn twins, at the scene.

The driver, Sapuan Ain, 37, suffered from broken right ribs and is now in critical condition, while staff nurse, Sunny Ngadei, 40, broke her right leg. Both were warded at the hospital.

The victim was transferred to another ambulance, but despite
the best of care, she and her twins perished.  (Borneo Post photo)

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INDIAN EXPRESS IS REPORTING TODAY:

An ambulance carrying a patient overturned near Sector 29-30 roundabout, killing him and injuring three occupants early today.

Dhanvantri, a 45-year-old resident of Jind in Haryana, was under treatment at Hisar Civil Hospital. Doctors had referred him to PGIMER. While he was being taken to PGI, the driver of the ambulance, which was in high speed, lost control and crashed into the roundabout.

Dhanvantri’s wife, Sunita, and their family friend Darshan Kumar were also in the ambulance and along with driver Pardeep Kumar suffered injures. "As the driver applied the brakes, it overturned," said investigating officer Raghubir Singh.  Dhanvantri succumbed to his injuries, while others were discharged.

Pradeep was arrested but released on bail.

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Posted by on July 4, 2011 • Filed under: ambulances, EMS Topics, Vehicle Operation & Ambulances, Videos • Tagged: ,

Morning Lineup – July 4

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Happy Birthday, America!

"Signing of the Declaration of Independence"
…………… Jonathan Trumbull

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Holiday routine today, so let's get the equipment checked out while I get the coffee started.

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Posted by on July 4, 2011 • Filed under: morning lineup • Tagged:

Funeral Service Held For Double LODD in France

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Entire Town in Attendance

ON THE AFTERNOON OF JULY 2, the entire community of Meailles, France, gathered in the the town plaza to pay tribute to two firefighters who died at a fire on Wednesday night.

Maj. Alain Brun (left) – - – Sapeur Sebastien Fedou

The town fire brigade was at a farmhouse fire in a remote area when Major Alain Brun, 60, and Sapeur (Firefighter) Sebastien Fedou came in contact with a metal sheet that had been charged from a downed power line, killing both of them. A third firefighter was injured, but survived.

La Provence

At 3:00 pm, framed by the entire staff of the Annot fire station, as well as the staff of the SDIS 04 departments and delegations of the Mediterranean area, from Nice to Perpignan, including the white uniforms of Marseille marine fire, a touching service was held in a ceremony with silence so heavy that it spoke volumes about the sadness of all participants. The silence wasn't broken until the service ended and the crowd disbursed.

Both fallen firefighters were posthumously awarded promotions.

La Provence has the story on the funeral service HERE.

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Posted by on July 3, 2011 • Filed under: current events, Line of Duty, News • Tagged: , , ,

Rural Metro acquired by global equity firm

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A pattern of acquisitions

SCOTTSDALE, AZ–(Marketwire – 06/30/11) – Rural/Metro Corporation (NASDAQ:RURL – News), a leading national provider of ambulance and private fire protection services, today announced the completion of its acquisition by affiliates of the global private equity firm Warburg Pincus, LLC.

Pursuant to the terms of the previously announced Agreement and Plan of Merger dated March 28, 2011, the Company's stockholders will receive $17.25 per share in cash, without interest, less any applicable withholding taxes, for each share of Rural/Metro common stock owned.

Michael DiMino, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are delighted to join the Warburg Pincus family of portfolio companies and to recognize the value that our stockholders have realized through this transaction."

"We extend our thanks to our Board of Directors, our stockholders, and the 8,000 Rural/Metro employees throughout the nation who are committed to our success as the industry leader for ambulance and private fire protection services," Mr. DiMino added. "We look forward to partnering with Warburg Pincus to implement the strategies that will support our growth for the future."

Sean Carney, a Warburg Pincus Managing Director, said, "Rural/Metro is an expert operator in a healthcare services industry that has tremendous growth potential. We believe the enterprise and its experienced leadership team have what it takes to execute on its organic and strategic growth plans, to leverage the strength of its national platform for the benefit of the communities it serves, and to deliver world-class care and protection to its patients and customers."

Rural/Metro Corporation provides emergency and non-emergency ambulance services and private fire protection services in 20 states and approximately 450 communities throughout the United States. For more information, visit the Company's web site at www.ruralmetro.com.

Warburg Pincus is a leading global private equity firm. The firm has more than $30 billion in assets under management. Its active portfolio of more than 125 companies is highly diversified by stage, sector, and geography.

Warburg Pincus is a growth investor and an experienced partner to management teams seeking to build durable companies with sustainable value.

Founded in 1966, Warburg Pincus has raised 13 private equity funds which have invested more than $35 billion in over 650 companies in more than 30 countries. Since inception, the firm has invested approximately $7.5 billion in healthcare companies, including investments in American Medical Systems (NASDAQ:AMMD – News), Bausch & Lomb, Coventry Health Care (NYSE:CVH – News), Euromedic International (acquired by Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity and Ares Life Sciences in 2008), Harbin Pharmaceuticals (SHA: 600664), InterMune (NASDAQ:ITMN – News), Lepu Medical Technology (SHE: 300003), RegionalCare Hospital Partners, ReSearch Pharmaceutical Services and Tornier (NASDAQ:TRNX – News).

The firm is headquartered in New York with offices in Amsterdam, Beijing, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Mumbai, San Francisco, Sao Paulo and Shanghai.

For more information, please visit www.warburgpincus.com

< <<<<<<<<<<<<< >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Louis A. Witzeman Jr. was the founder of Rural Metro in Scottsdale, Arizona. He died in 2004 at the age of 79.

From "National Private EMS Archives" on Facebook

Rural was founded more than 60 years ago by Lou Witzeman (a newspaper reporter) to provide fire protection in his neighborhood on a subscription basis.

In 1948 Lou watched as his neighbor's home in an unincorporated area near Phoenix, AZ burned to the ground because there was no fire protection in his community.

Remembering the efforts of Benjamin Franklin to organize fire protection over 200 years ago, Lou secured pledges from households in the community to pay $10.00/year and began a small 4-man department with one truck.

By 1951 Rural had grown to 3 stations and several vehicles, and had signed their first municipal fire service contract with Scottsdale, AZ.

In 1969, Rural began providing ambulance service separate from fire operations covering several hundred square miles in Arizona. (Primarily in Maricopa, Pima, and Yuma counties – Including the cities of Tuscon and Yuma). Shortly thereafter Rural Metro expanded to West Knoxville, Tennessee.

Since the company was now providing Fire/EMS to both rural and metropolitan areas, in 1972 the company changed it's name to "Rural Metro".

In 1978 Rural Metro became an employee owned company, and in 1993 Rural Metro became a publicly traded organization with the employees maintaining majority ownership.

In 1987 Rural Metro purchased Arizona Medical Transport (AMT) becoming the largest ambulance provider in Arizona.

By 1995 Rural Metro was the 4th largest US ambulance provider, and from 1996 to 1998 Rural Metro made nearly 50 more acquisitions.

Rural Metro and American Medical Response are the 2 remaining survivors of the "Big 5' Consolidators.

Game Changer?

Teresa McCallion, writing for EMS Insider, thinks this is a game-changer for ems.

Changing Hands: Is the move to private equity firms a bad thing for U.S. ambulance companies?

Mark Bruning, president of American Medical Response Inc., believes this is an extraordinary time that provides a distinct opportunity for EMS to redefine itself.

“Our practice of medicine in the out-of-hospital environment is going to evolve,” he said. “EMS is uniquely positioned to solve some of the healthcare challenges our country faces.”

At the same time, he said, EMS must continue to provide value in a cost-effective way.

Read the rest of McCallion's article HERE.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on July 3, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, ambulances, EMS Topics, Funding & Staffing, News • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Your Independence Day moment of Zen … with an Arizona Bonus

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What 5000 pounds of confiscated fireworks do when ignited.

More than 5,000 pounds of fireworks were detonated in one big pile at the New York Police Department firing range in the Bronx on Friday, July 1, 2011.

What it used to look like on FDNY's busiest day:

Rescue 3 July 4th, 1991, an Alan Simmons/Firestorm HD Production

Vintage footage of Rescue 3 shot during the week of July 4th, 1991. Featured are station scenes, receiving alarms, responding, and working at numerous fires in the Bronx and Manhattan.

This seven minute presentation contains selected scenes from the one hour feature available at www.firestormvideos.com

Picked up from Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FirestormHD

1990 was busier!

R1SmokeEater has posted FDNY audio from July 1, 1990. Has about 11 YouTube posts, can start HERE with Brooklyn dispatch at 9 pm.

1989 had Rescue 911 and Bill Shatner!

UPDATE 1!

How could I forget! 

Dave Statter buffed FDNY July 4th in 1993.

Here is his compelling video …. or you can skip down to his self-deprecating remarks.

A lot of sitting and waiting and listening to M-80s exploding during a relatively slow Fourth of July weekend in 1993.

Vito Maggiolo can be heard blaming me for the lack of activity. Though we did take in a couple of fires and a blimp crash.

The blimp incident can be found on this clip – http://tinyurl.com/kv2xpg .

UPDATE 2:  ARIZONA BONUS!

Fireworks are legal in Arizona this year. 

Adele Hampton, writing for Phoenix New Times, provide YouTube video examples of "Five Best Ways to Ruin Your 4th of July"

  • The Sledgehammer Technique
  • In a bathtub
  • Lighting fire with fire
  • Know when enough is enough
  • Don't be a Jackass (may look familar to our Maryland readers)

Go HERE to enjoy.

Hope that your 4th is great!

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on July 3, 2011 • Filed under: arson, Fire Prevention & Education, Fire Rescue Topics, HazMat, Major Incidents, News, Urban Commander, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Sunday Emergency !

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Season Two – Episode 17

Honest

 

Paramedics Gage and DeSoto feud over whether the truth should always be told.

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Posted by on July 3, 2011 • Filed under: Sunday Emergency, Videos • Tagged:

6 Die in Minnesota B & B Fire

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Three Rescued by Firefighters

New Ulm Journal / Sweeney

A NEW ULM, MINNESOTA, BED & BREAKFAST HOME burned down early Saturday morning taking the lives of six of the ten people who were sleeping inside.  Three of the fatalities were the owner of the hotel and her two children ages 15 and 3.  The other three victims have not been identified publicly yet.

Four people escaped the fire, one getting out on his own and the other three rescued from the second floor by firefighters.  In addition, two families that were lodged in the carriage house also escaped safely.

The alarm for the Bohemian B&B was transmitted at 1:44 am Saturday and brought a response of 33 firefighters from New Ulm FD plus a company from neighboring Sleepy Eye.  The New Ulm Journal reports:

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The state fire marshal and the Fire Investigator from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are working with New Ulm Fire to investigate the scene. (New Ulm Fire Chief Paul) Macho said the next press update will not be until after the holiday weekend, after the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's office has had a chance to identify the bodies.

Macho said the fire appears to have started on the porch facing German Street, and it quickly climbed the side of the exterior of the building before moving inwards. "It was fast," said Macho, "I'd guess it took 15 minutes before it was engulfed."

When New Ulm Fire arrived, the majority of the German Street side of the building was covered with fire. Working in two teams, firefighters made multiple attempts to pull people from the second and third floor. Four people were rescued, but firefighters were unable to rescue the other people still in the building because of the intense heat.

Journal / Muscatello

The 112-yr.-old building had smoke detectors installed, but no statement has been made whether they were operating or not.  However they were operational in December when the fire marshal inspected the facility

KSTP-TV Ch. 5 has this video report from the scene:

 

The New Ulm Journal has the STORY.
The Mankato Free Press has MORE.

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Posted by on July 3, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fires, Videos • Tagged: , , ,

Morning Lineup – July 3

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Sunday Morning – Let's Keep it Quiet Today, Stanley

Sunday morning is a good time for the warm and fuzzy human-interest story, so that's what I'll lead off with today.  Hockey fans know that the Boston Bruins won the NHL Championship this year and thereby got their names on the famous trophy, the Stanley Cup.  Over the course of the summer, the league transports the trophy to the hometowns of each of the players where it is on display for one day and all the friends, relatives, and local fans get to see the cup in person and congratulate their hometown hero.

But prior to the round-the-world travels of the cup, it was in Boston for a few days and the team publicly asked for some suggestions about where it should go to be seen during its travels around New England.  One of the suggestions that arrived came from a member of the Shrewsbury Fire Department.  The Worcester Telegram & Gazette picks up the story:

With one simple tweet, Adam Towner brought the Stanley Cup to Shrewsbury.

"They just showed up," said Mr. Towner, a 30-year-old firefighter who said he tweeted the team's Twitter account Wednesday, after the team solicited suggestions on where to bring the cup.

"They were saying that morning they were going to bring the cup different places in Massachusetts, so I tweeted them on a whim," said Mr. Towner, who described himself as a lifelong Bruins fan. "A lot of guys at the station love the Bruins."

The team's SUV showed up unannounced at 8:30 pm Tuesday night to the surprise of a firefighter who was there alone while the company was out on a call.  The team and the league did not tell anyone in advance if they were chosen to be a stop and their visit is only supposed to last about 15 or 20 minutes before they set out for the next appearance.  But this time they made an exception and waited until the engine returned from the alarm and all the guys got to see and touch the cup, then have their picture taken with it.

Boston Bruins photo

A nice remembrance of appreciation displayed by the Boston Bruins, champions in every way.

The Shrewsbury Patch has MORE.

Ok, let's get our own championship equipment checked out now.  I'm going to start some more coffee.  See you back in the day room in a little while.

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Posted by on July 3, 2011 • Filed under: culture, morning lineup, News • Tagged: , ,

Holiday in Highland Park – Cont’d.

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Fireworks Begin Two Days Early

FOLLOWING THE 3-STORY APARTMENT BUILDING fire on Saturday morning (See the Firegeezer report HERE) in Highland Park, Michigan, another vacant apartment house went up in flames in late morning.  This fire had severe exposure hazards and it was extending to a dwelling when the units arrived.

FGNS / Dan Jasina

On this fire HP's standard 2 engines, 1 truck were assisted by Detroit Eng. 44, Ladder 18, Squad 5 and Chief 8.

FGNS / Dan Jasina

As the units were getting the fire knocked down, still another alarm came in for a commercial fire at Pasadena St. and Woodward Ave.  The Highland Park units responded from the apartment fire to the new alarm while the Detroit companies wrapped up the apartment incident.

On arrival, the HP units found a vacant commercial building with several stores involved and spreading into a furniture shop.

all photos FGNS / Dan Jasina

On this call they were assisted by Detroit Eng. 40, Ladder 28 and Chief 5.  Hamtramck Tower 1 also assisted.

FGNS / Jasina

WXYZ-TV Ch. 7 filed this video report on the day's activities:

 

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Posted by on July 3, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fires, Videos • Tagged:

Problematic Fire Chiefs

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They're Having a Rough Patch Lately

THE FIRE CHIEF OF THE NOW-DEFUNCT volunteer fire company Liberty Hose Co., in Stockertown, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to six years probation after admitting to five criminal charges. 

Express-Times photo

Joseph "Tiny" Catino, 39, was originally charged with felony theft and receiving stolen property following a state audit of the fire department books in 2009.  The Harrisburg Express-Times reports:

(Catino) was originally accused of stealing nearly $25,000 from two fire company bank accounts starting in November 2005.

But Catino produced receipts for some of the missing money, showing that some of the funds went toward bills for the fire company, Assistant District Attorney Constance Nelson said.

Nelson and defense attorney Charles Gordon agreed that Catino must pay $9,200 in restitution.

Catino, who showed up in court carrying an oxygen cylinder, convinced the judge that the discrepancies were just due to sloppy bookkeeping.  Read the  FULL STORY.

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THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE REPORTS: 

Joliet’s former fire chief, who went to prison in 2007 for bilking more than $212,000 from an elderly woman, is scheduled to be released from prison today (Friday July 1).

Joseph Drick and his wife, Cheri, were each sentenced to eight years in prison after a judge found them guilty of stealing money from Gladys Farrington, a woman they picked up on her way to church. The court also ordered restitution to the victim.

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THE BRIMFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, BOARD OF SELECTMEN placed the town's part-time fire chief on administrative leave back on June 20.  They never publicly disclosed the reason for the suspension and when the fire chief's term of office expired Friday they chose not to reappoint him, instead promoting a lieutenant to acting fire chief.

The Republican has the STORY.

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IN RANKIN COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, charges against the fire chief of the Star Volunteer Fire Department were dropped Friday.  Chief Lee Boggs had originally been charged with "gratification of lust" with a minor, but District Attorney Michael Guest confirmed yesterday that Boggs is no longer facing prosecution.

 WLBT-TV Ch. 3 is reporting:

In a statement to WLBT, Guest said "The decision not to go forward with this case was made following two lengthy meetings with the victim and the victim's family in preparation for trial. After these meeting a decision was made based upon numerous factors including the stress and emotional trauma to the victim that would have resulted by her testifying in this matter. It was determined that the harm to the victim of emotional trauma and stress outweighed the uncertainty of conviction in this matter."

Chief Boggs told the press that he will officially be back on duty this Tuesday, one year after he was first charged.  He reiterated that he never did what he was accused of, and thanked everyone for supporting him.

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THE MECCA, INDIANA, FIRE CHIEF who drove his car into a house killing a man and critically injuring his wife who were sleeping in their bed at the time, appeared in court Thursday.  (See the Firegeezer video report HERE on the tragic accident.)

Michael Collom pleaded not guilty on the felony charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicted resulting in a death that had been placed against him.  At the hearing it was brought out by the Parke County prosecutor that Collom has two prior convictions for DUI. 

WISH-TV Ch. 8 has the update HERE.

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Posted by on July 2, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, current events, Fire Rescue Topics

“More Ambulances, More Training, Less Fear” New Detroit Fire Commissioner Donald Austin reaches out to medical community, says 22 new transport units will start arriving in January. Not writing up guys for minor uniform infractions

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Quiet Enthusiasm

Detroit EMS: Don Austin Makes Real Progress on a Real Problem: MyFoxDETROIT.com

One month on the job.

Fingers crossed for Detroit native and retired LAFD chief Donald Austin.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on July 2, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, EMS Topics, Funding & Staffing, News, Urban Commander, Vehicle Operation & Ambulances, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , ,

Highland Park Handles a Hot One

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Another Day at the Office for Highland Park Firefighters

HIGHLAND PARK, MICHIGAN, AN ENCLAVE OF DETROIT, is noted for its lack of tax revenue, high numbers of vacant buildings, and a seriously underfunded fire department that is down to one station.

Saturday morning around 5:30 am an alarm came in for a vacant apartment building on fire and the full respose of two engines and one ladder arrived to find a 3-story building fully involved.

FGNS / Daniel Jasina photo

Putting two deck guns in service along with two hand lines, they worked to contain the fire as it burned down.

Google Street View from same vantage:

Hat tip:  Daniel J.

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Posted by on July 2, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fires • Tagged: ,

Gettysburg Weekend Starts Hot

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2-Alarm House Fire Begins Commemorative Weekend

AS THE CITY OF GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, was beginning the first day of the 148th anniversary of the battle that became known as the turning point of the Civil War on Friday, a local paramedic spotted a house fire not far from where he lives and called in the alarm shortly after 8:30 am.

911 Photography / Bryan Felix

Gettysburg Engine 1-2 arrived on the scene in the Lake Heritage gated community with fire showing through the roof.  The assistant chief called for a second-alarm bringing several more nearby fire departments to the incident including two from Maryland.

The fire was brought under control at 9:29 am.  The Gettysburg Times adds:

Adams County Fire Marshal Glenn Herring said the fire was caused by a security lamp on the back of the house, and that a bird’s nest on the light housing may have provided the initial kindling.

Herring said that a 500 watt quartz bulb had been used in the light blamed for the fire, burns “very hot.” He said if a nest had been built near it could have ignited from the heat generated by the bulb.

Destroyed lamp fixture indicates probable point of origin.
911 Photography / Bryan Felix

Two teen-age boys were home at the time and were alerted to the fire by a passerby.  With the fire confined to the attic and roof, the smoke never came down into the living spaces to set off the smoke detectors.

The FD contained the fire to the attic, but the lower floors had some water and collateral damages.

911 Photography / Bryan Felix

Read the full account in the Gettysburg Times HERE.
911 Photography has a 199-image photo gallery HERE.

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Posted by on July 2, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fires • Tagged: