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Another Stunt Plane Crash

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No Spectators Involved

A T-28 AEROBATIC PLANE CRASHED Saturday afternoon during an air show at Martinsburg, West Virginia.  Less than 20 hours after the spectacular crash of an air racer in Reno, Nevada, the T-28 crashed away from the spectators while performing as part of a 6-plane stunt.  The aircraft crashed into the ground creating a large, unmistakable fireball and killed the pilot who was the only casualty.

Journal-News / Agnir

The Martinsburg Journal-News reports this evening:

The mid-20th century aircraft was part of a six-plane formation from the T-28 Warbird Aerobatic Formation Demonstration Team, which is the only such group in the world. The team, is based in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The crash occurred at 2:32 p.m. at the 167th Airlift Wing during a stunt where two T-28s were flying belly-to-belly. After the aircraft split, the plane that was heading west out of the maneuver wobbled and went straight into the ground, disintegrating into a ball of fire upon impact. The plane crashed between the taxiway and runway in front of the hangars.

Journal-News video

 

"Their performance is a patriotic 'Salute to the Armed Forces' choreographed to music. The aircraft are North American T-28 Trojans with 1425 HP radial engines, smoke systems, and sport authentic military paint schemes. The team consists of former military pilots, decorated veterans, instructors, airline pilots, and experienced civilian air show pilots. The team is affiliated with Veterans Airlift Command which provides free air transportation to veterans and their families for medical and other compassionate purposes," said Nicolas Diehl when announcing the act in June for the airshow.

The plane that crashed is registered to John Mangan of Concord, North Carolina, and it is believed that he was the pilot today.  According to the stunt team's website, Jack "Flash" Mangan, an alternate wing team member, is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. He spent 13 years in active duty, flying more than 2,500 hours in F-15 and F-4 aircraft. While in the service, he earned several awards, including three Meritorious Service Medals and the Tactical Air Command's Instructor Pilot of the Year award.

Journal-News Agnir

Investigation into cause of this crash has not had time to become fully mobilized yet.

Read more in the Martinsburg Journal-News HERE.
Warbird Aerobatic Formation Demonstration Team WEBSITE.

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Posted by on September 17, 2011 • Filed under: aircraft, fire, Fires, Videos • Tagged: , , , , ,

A Saturday Emergency !

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Season Three – Episode 13

Understanding

 

Gage and DeSoto rescue a horse from a burning stable.

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Posted by on September 17, 2011 • Filed under: Sunday Emergency • Tagged:

Norwegian Ship Fire Update

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Nordlys in Danger of Capsizing Dockside

THE NORWEGIAN PASSENGER FERRY MS NORDLYS was in danger of capsizing and sinking while tied up Friday.

The ship first came to our attention on Thursday when Firegeezer REPORTED HERE on the ship that was burning while at sea and being brought to port in Alesund to be extinguished.

NRK

The large collection of firefighting water inside the hull caused the ship to start listing Thursday night.  The Associated Press reported:

Police Chief Jon Steven Hasseldal said the ship had been tilting at an angle of 21.7 degrees, which is over what is considered a critical line of 20 degrees.

AP

Despite the list, a Dutch salvage team managed to place three pumps inside the vessel on Friday morning. "At the moment it looks promising," Hasseldal told reports at the dockside. "It's still a serious situation … but now there is a bit more stability in the ship."

Salvage teams worked through (Thursday) night but were forced to leave the ship as it continued to tilt. They resumed pumping operations from outside after holes were drilled into the hull to enable insertion of hoses. Hasseldal said that a floating crane was also being used to stabilize the tilting vessel.

The list has been reduced to 10 degrees now and the fear of capsizing has been greatly reduced.

The two deaths and nine injured were all crewmen who were stricken when an explosion wracked the engine room Thursday morning.  Police are saying that it was an accident and there is no evidence of sabotage or terrorism involved.

For coverage and video reports on the fire and passenger evacuations, read Thursday's Firegeezer REPORT HERE.

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Posted by on September 17, 2011 • Filed under: current events, News • Tagged: ,

Flight Day, Fight Night and the search for Lodging

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The business travel equivalent of a hard drive failure

Under the original plan for this morning I would be in Washington DC, participating in a panel on stroke care. A new activity at the university for Health Care graduates attending alumni weekend.

Instead I am sitting in a two-bedroom suite with kitchenette and a wheelchair accessible bathroom in Henderson, Nevada.

It was enevitable that a too-tight travel schedule would finally bite.

Going to NAEMSE

Dr. Walt Stoy, University of Pittsburgh, arranged a Friday afternoon work session at the National Association of EMS Educators conference with all of programs that offer a bachelor's degree in EMS. The last meeting was more than a decade ago, this was an important gathering.

I commit to attend the work session. The conference is in Reno, Nevada.  No direct routes from DC.

The alumni weekend schedule gets locked-in, the stroke panel has a 9 am presentation, be there by 8:30.

Not many travel choices going from Reno on Friday afternoon to DC. Need to be on campus by 8 am Saturday. 

Looks like US Airways for a Reno – Phoenix – DC trip. The Phoenix red-eye arrives at Reagan National Airport at 7:03 am. Just enough time to get on campus, take a quick shower, and put on a clean suit.

Getting to … somewhere

When flying out of a new location, I get cautiously compulsive.  I cross through Reno security more than two hours before boarding.

The trip home included a 2.5 hour layover in Phoenix.

The first problem is a faulty shore line from the terminal. It provides erratic power to the plane and keeps cutting out.

We wait in a dark and stifling regional jet while a portable power unit is located.

Amazing noise coming from the portable unit, sounds like a pressurized air start of a cold diesel truck motor in winter.

We learn during this hour delay that the flight attendant retires after this flight. Each sentence of her safety announcement is met with applause and cheers. She said that it was the most attention she received for safety demonstration in 33 years.

We do not leave the gate. One of the four navigation systems has been damaged by all of the electrical disruptions. Second Problem, Off the plane.

Rebook, reboard, remaining worried in Reno

During the second hour, the gate attendants at Reno were rebooking passengers that would probably miss their connections at Phoenix.

Because of the Reno Air Show, all of the hotels were booked.  US Airway only flies to Phoenix, the first available seats were on Wednesday.

Reboarding the plane, Now it is a tight time to change flights in Phoenix.

Pressurization "issue"

The flight from Reno to Phoenix is about 90 minutes.  About one hour into the flight we suddenly decend with the annoucement that, "… while we are safe, there is a pressurization issue. We will be landing in Las Vegas in a few minutes."

It takes about half-an-hour to get from the tarmac into the terminal. I should have immediately dashed to the LAS-DCA red-eye that was boarding at another part of the airport.

All of the hard work by the Reno gate attendants are for naught. The two Las Vegas gate agents are swarmed.

Fight Night in Vegas

The Reno Air Show has nothing on a Vegas Fight Night. Years ago I messed up a Vegas hotel registration, reserving for a Saturday arrival but landing Friday fight night.  After dozens of stops, stumbled upon a new hotel that had a room far from the bright lights.

Using laptop, cellphone and Joe Brancatelli road warrior tools, search for a room.  The seventh phone call snags the remaining room in a Henderson hotel.  About ten miles south of the airport.

The flight crew is still waiting for lodging.  I thank the captain for all of the advocacy she did for us – turns out her first career was as a psychologist.

She mentioned that we were close to having the oxygen masks deploy … which explains the sudden altitude drop!

Congratulate the flight attendant on her retirement, she spend 22 years at American and 11 years with Mesa, a regional airline that flys under the US Airways banner. (I completely missed what appears to be a story line with her change of employers.) 

At midnite, I am leaving the airport in a detective-quality Ford Crown Victoria.

By midnight tonight I hope to be in DC.

Just the facts ….

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on September 17, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, aircraft, culture, current events, Twitter • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Block-Long Apartment Bldg. in Detroit Goes Down

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Urban Renewal Continues in Detroit

A 2-STORY VACANT APARTMENT BUILDING THAT was a full city block long burned down Friday night in Detroit, Michigan.  The blaze brought a 2-alarm response to the blaze that was just one block away from the nearest fire station.

WDIV-TV

The fire broke out just before 7 pm Friday night and kept the crews busy for several hours as they worked to contain the fire.  The entire building was a total loss.

WJBK-TV filed this video report from the scene:

 

Detroit Firefighters Battle Two Alarm Blaze at Vacant Apartment Building: MyFoxDETROIT.com

Neighbors say that the building has been heavily targeted recently by scrap-thieves stripping metal and fixtures from the complex.  The fire marshal says that the fire could have been started by a blow torch, but he hasn't discounted arson for the cause.

WDIV-TV

Veteran Detroit-watchers will not be surprised to learn that the nearest fire hydrant was inoperable and one of the engines broke down on the way to the call.

WDIV-TV has a good raw video of the fire and a photo gallery HERE.

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Posted by on September 17, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fires, Videos • Tagged: , ,

Morning Lineup – September 17

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Saturday Morning – Weekend Reading Suggestions

We're going to make this a literary weekend by letting you know about some fire/ems-related books that are fresh on the scene.

One of our readers, Todd Platner is a Firefighter/EMT in Kentucky and is also a fitness trainer.  He has published two books for self-training fitness programs, Get Fit to Fight Fire Fitness Guide and Get Fit to Save Lives EMS Fitness Guide.  Both books are delivered with the carabiners that are utilized in many of the exercises.

You can read more and order them on Amazon.com HERE.

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Another recent publication is from the pen of the original firefighter-author Dennis Smith.  Published last month to coincide with the 10th anniversary of 9/11,  A Decade of Hope: Stories of Grief and Endurance from 9/11 Families and Friends is 384 pages and described by the publisher:

Dennis Smith, a former firefighter and the author of the bestselling Report from Ground Zero, addresses this important topic in a series of interviews with the heroes and families of those most affected by the tragedy either through feats of bravery in the rescue efforts or heroic bearing up in the face of unimaginable loss. Smith provides an intimate look at a terrible moment in history and its challenging and difficult aftermath, allowing these survivors to share their stories of loss, endurance, and resilience in their own words. A Decade of Hope is an honest and vitally important look at a decade in the lives of those for whom a national tragedy was a devastatingly personal ordeal.

This book is also available through Amazon and is offered in both hardcover and the Kindle edition HERE

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Our weekend wouldn't be complete without reminding you about Will Wyatt's excellent and enjoyable memoir And a Paycheck, Too!  We published a review of Will's book back in July HERE after I read it.  It's been selling well for what you will see is an obvious reason after you've read it.

You can order this book directly from the publisher here:   http://www.andapaychecktoo.com/ . 

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And of course, we need to include Mike Cyra's entertaining collection of stories, Emergency Laughter – True Life Medical Stories.

"It wasn't funny when it happened … but it is now!" is the sub-title of the book that explores how laughter helps the mind, heals the body, lowers blood pressure and is a critical survival tool for all who deal with death and dying up close and personal. And that's most of us. Mike's book is published in e-book format only, so the price is only $2.99 (no printing costs, remember) and can be instantly downloaded not just for Kindle, but for Nook and just about any other ebook reader out there. You can CLICK HERE to order for all formats, or if you have a Kindle you can CLICK HERE to skip a page and order direct.

Ok, that should keep your spare moments filled until the leaves start turning.  Now let's turn toward the apparatus and get this equipment checked out.  I'll make sure there's plenty of coffee.  See you back in the day room.

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Posted by on September 17, 2011 • Filed under: morning lineup, shopping

P51 crash at Reno Air Races, MCI with multiple fatalities, update

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Mass casualty at Stead Airport

Update:  Death count now at nine fatalities.  Scroll down.

 

Reno Gazette-Journal:  Reno Air Race spokesman describes crash as 'mass casualty situation'

According to the Reno Gazette-Journal, there were 30 serious and 30 intermediate injuries, Reno Fire Chief Michael Hernandez said.

KOLO-TV reports 12 people have died.      NEWS10 Link

Reno Air Racing Association

Photo taken after a crash at the Reno Air Races at around 4:40 p.m. Friday. / Gia Pettit, Facebook – posted on Reno Gazette-Journal

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Update, 10:30 pm Eastern:

There was no fire, but the pilot and several spectators were killed immediately. KOLO-TV reported:

 

 

 

 

Multiple fatalities at the Reno Air Races after an Unlimited plane P-51 crashed into the box seats directly infront of the master of ceromony soon after take-off.

According to the Director of Communications at Renown (Hospital), Kathy Carter, they are under 'code triage' which means extra available personnel will be called in and extra beds will be made available.

Renown has been told to expect 80-100 injured.

Unlimited plane has crashed at the Reno Air Races just after 4 p.m. Pacific that has killed 12 people and injured at least 30 Friday, hitting people seated in the box seats near the grandstand.

According to witnesses pilot Jimmy Leeward was flying the Galloping Ghost, that went down soon after take-off during the beginning of the Unlimited race. It was the third lap and he was in second position when he veered skyward and crashed suddenly.

The Unlimited plane slid into the grandstand, box seats injuring dozens of spectators.

KXRI-TV adds that witnesses describe the crash as a horrific scene, with multiple fatalities and body parts strewn across the tarmac at Reno-Stead Airport.

At the time of this posting there were 12 reported deaths and the injuries were given as 50 to 80, with about half of them in critical condition.

Update, Saturday morning:
The death toll has been revised down to three, the pilot and two spectators.  This is subject to further change since several of the injuries are extremely critical.
Update, Saturday evening:
The death toll has now climbed to nine fatalities including the pilot.

Dave Statter has more details and several additional videos in a good, in-depth report on STATter911 HERE.

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Posted by on September 16, 2011 • Filed under: aircraft, EMS Topics, Mass Casualty Incident, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

A Friday Emergency !

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Season Three – Episode 12

Body Language

 

A teen-age girl trips out after eating daffodil bulbs.

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Posted by on September 16, 2011 • Filed under: Sunday Emergency • Tagged:

Factory Fire Ka-Booms in Australia

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Toxic Smoke and Explosions Hamper Firefighting Efforts

Canberra Times

A MASSIVE FIRE HAS SHUT DOWN much of the area around the Canberra, Australia, northern suburb of Mitchell.  The fire started Thursday night in a factory located in an industrial zone and burned for 22 hours before the fire brigade had it extinguished Friday evening.

The fire was well involved when the firefighters arrived and then it unleashed a series of thundering explosions that sent fireballs 600-feet into the air.  This slowed the attack for a few hours and then finally the FD was able to lay a foam blanket over the fire to knock it down.

AUBC posted this raw video taken in the early hours of the fire that captured some of the explosions:

 

The factory recycles an oil product used in transformers and the fire involved a bulk storage area that contains a 300,000-litre storage tank and ten 45,000-litre tanks.

Canberra Times

The thick smoke from the product was feared to contain heavy toxins and the area around the industrial park was evacuated within a 10-km radius.

There hasn't been any more information yet as to what caused the fire or exactly how much of what was burning.  Investigations are just getting started. 

For more details read:
The Australian.
News.com has an inclusive time-line and many good photos HERE.
Sydney Morning Herald.

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Posted by on September 16, 2011 • Filed under: explosion, fire, Fires, Videos

From the Engineer’s Desk

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September Recalls

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Chrysler is recalling (NHTSA recall #11V-350) certain 2008 -2011 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 4×4 trucks; 3500 4×2 cab & chassis; and 2008 1500 Mega Cab 4×4 because the left tie rod ball stud may fracture. Additionally, some 2003 – 2008 2500 and 3500 vehicles may have received the affected tie rod assembly as a replacement part during normal service.

Dealers will inspect the tie rod ends for relative orientation and replace the left outer tie rod end as required, and perform a front end toe alignment as needed. This service will be performed free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler at 800 853 1403.

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Mack is recalling (11V-370) certain 2009 – 2012 MRU heavy trucks. The bolts used to mount the steering gear were not tightened to specification. Dealers will replace the bolts, tightened to the correct specification, free of charge. Owners may contact Mack at 800 866 1177.

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Paccar is recalling (11V380) certain 2011 – 2012 Kenworth T660, T700 and T800 vehicles and 2008, 2010 and 2011 Peterbilt 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388 and 587 vehicles, equipped with Paccar MX engines and Eaton Ultrashift DM or Allison automatic transmissions (without auto-neutral).

The fast idle control may be activated by the driver while the transmission is in gear. Kenworth and Peterbilt dealers will update the software for the affected chassis. This service will be performed free of charge. Owners may contact Kenworth at 425 828 5440 and Peterbilt at 940 591 4196. Kenworth and Peterbilt recall #E038R.

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Edmunds

Ford is recalling (11V-385) certain 1997 – 2003 Ford F-150, 2004 F-150 Heritage, 1997 – 1999 F-250 less than 8500 lbs. GVW originally sold or currently registered in all New England states plus Delaware, Maryland, Pennslyvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin and D.C.

Prolonged exposure to road de-icing chemicals may cause severe corrosion to the fuel tank straps. Ford will notify owners. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners may contact Ford Customer Relationship Center at 866 436 7332. Ford’s recall campaign number is 11S21.

That’s all for now, been a pretty quiet month for recalls……. Sam Yardumian

Firegeezer notes: All of Engineer Sam's postings including his recall notices are permanently archived in our web server. You can check back on them anytime by going over to the Categories box in the right sidebar and clicking on "Engineer's Desk."

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Posted by on September 16, 2011 • Filed under: Engineer's Desk • Tagged: , , , , , ,

More Montreal Mafia Madness – cont’d.

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Puzzling Change in Venues

THE FIREBOMB TARGETS IN MONTREAL, QUEBEC, appear to have shifted (or expanded, we don't know) recently.  If you noticed a decline in Molotov cocktails from the menus of Italian restaurants lately, it's not your imagination.

Now the focus of incendiary intimidation is falling on day care centers.  Over the past six months there have been several targeted in different sections of the city.  On Tuesday night around 10 pm the Garderie Bebe Einstein day care on Rivière des Prairies Blvd. was attacked for the second time in three nights and the third time in less than a month.  You will recognize the modus operendae and the signature ineffectiveness of the Molotov when you read this description from the Montreal Gazette:

The arsonists used a Molotov cocktail, said Montreal police Constable Anie Lemieux, which broke through the front window and started a small fire inside. The flames seem to have gone out on their own, she added.

A previous attempt to firebomb the daycare before dawn on Tuesday failed, with the flaming cocktail hitting the window and breaking the outside pane of glass, but failing to penetrate into the building. The incident was not reported until just after 6 a.m. Tuesday, when an employee at the daycare arrived and discovered the broken window.

In both incidents, no one was inside and the damage to the business was minor. Police say the same business was firebombed on Sept. 3 of last year. The damage in that incident was more severe.

It looks like our boys are back in town.

The FF's in the first-due house and the cops in the local precinct know the Bebe Einstein from September of 2009 when the nursery school was raided after being identified as the headquarters for a "print shop" that makes false ID's, credit cards and passports.  The raid was part of a larger operation targeting counterfeiting operations in Montreal and Ontario.  Several sophisticated printers were found in the shop and 30 people were arrested in the sweep.  The print shop was operated at night when the kiddies were gone.

Then known as the Garderie Bebe Lilly, following the raid it was "sold" and registered to a new owner who renamed it Bebe Einstein.  However the Quebec business registry shows that the new owner is the same person as the previous owner and they've never missed a day of child caring in the entire time.

The woman shown in the photo taken by the Montreal Gazette in November 2009
is leaving the Bebe Lilly Daycare following the raid.

Police say they are looking for three men spotted near the daycare who might have been involved in the attacks and their descriptions are being circulated.  It is thought that their presence was recorded on a nearby CCTV camera. Police also say that one of the three suspects could have suffered burns to his arms during one of the attacks.

The Montreal Gazette has this latest STORY.

You can review the previous reports in this occassional series covering the "Montreal Mafia Madness" HERE.

 

Posted by on September 16, 2011 • Filed under: arson, Montreal Mafia Madness • Tagged: , , , , ,

Chicago FD Fires 4, Suspends 43 from Prevention Bureau

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Follow-up To Controversial Audit by City Inspector General

CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT COMMISSIONER Robert Hoff announced Thursday that four firefighters will be dismissed and placed on the city’s do-not-hire list for padding their mileage reports.  In addition, another 43 FF's, all assigned to the Fire Prevention Bureau, will be receiving suspensions without pay ranging from 30 to 60 days.

Chicago Fire Prention Bureau Headquarters
(Google Street View)

These actions are the result of an internal audit that showed nearly half of the Bureau's 115 inspectors and supervisors had been padding their mileage records to improperly increase their pay.  The inspectors all use their personal cars for transportation and file mileage records for reimbursement of expenses.  The discovery was first brought to public in early August when the city I.G. Joseph Ferguson not only leaked the report, but also very publicly attempted to seize the disciplinary process and pronounce his own punishment on the firefighters.  Firegeezer reported on this bizarre bit of grandstanding HERE.  The Chicago Tribune reports:

Six other firefighters who were investigated chose to retire. One person is on vacation through the end of the month, which is when their disciplinary action will be decided.

The city’s legal department will look at the cases to figure out whether the city can recoup the money.

The four firefighters who were let go previously were fired in 2008 for accepting or facilitating cash payments in exchange for making weekend pump inspections at high-rises. The inspectors got their jobs back after their cases went through arbitration, but were told if they had another infraction they would be terminated, according to Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford.

Along with the 43 firefighters, Commissioner Hoff also demoted Nicholas Russell, deputy commissioner of the fire prevention bureau, and Sal Marquez, Russell’s deputy chief, for exercising lax supervision.

The Chicago Tribune has the STORY.
The Sun-Times has MORE.

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Posted by on September 16, 2011 • Filed under: current events, Fire Rescue Topics, inspections, News • Tagged: , ,

Morning Lineup – September 16

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Friday Morning – What Are We Going to Watch?

Is there anything more volatile these days than the turbulence roiling the dvd rental/download business?  We have been watching this Destruction Derby for more than two years now as Netflix has vaulted to the top of the heap and becoming the principal cause of the demise of Blockbuster and nearly every other video retail outlet.

Blockbuster went bust itself last year and has seen a restructuring after a bankruptcy sale landed it in the DishNetwork organization.  It's not yet evident what their long-term plans are, but it may have something to do with acquiring Blockbuster's valuable customer accounts to set up a downloading system through their satellite box.  There have been many attempts at rental kiosks set up at retail locations with one, RedBox, riding the top of that wave at the present.  More and more though, it looks like the industry is banking on digital downloading of movies and tv episodes via cable and broadband connections for the primary sales point in the future.

Now Netflix has shaken up the market further by shooting itself in the foot back in July.  Netflix literally owned the dvd rental business and has been setting up a stable and growing digital downloading system that complemented their rental program.  They were well on the way to controlling the entertainment recording business when they decided to slam their customers with a 60% price increase in July.  Their move was designed to create two customer bases, one for downloads and the other for rentals with appropriate monthly charges for each.  They were expecting most customers to choose one or the other with a few accepting the higher, combined charges for both.  At the time Netflix (raising their voice to be heard over the screaming protests of their customers) said their business model anticipated some shrinkage in their accounts to begin with, but the customer base would grow back quickly under the new format designed to drastically increase revenue.

Associated Press technology writer Michael Liedtke writes this week:

Netflix's decision to raise prices by as much as 60 percent is turning into a horror show.

The customer backlash against the higher rates, kicking in this month, has been much harsher than Netflix Inc. anticipated. That prompted management to predict Thursday that the company –the largest U.S. video subscription service– will end September with 600,000 fewer U.S. customers than it had in June.

It could get uglier if the worst-case scenarios play out. Netflix suffered another setback earlier this month when Starz Entertainment ended talks to renew the licensing rights to a key part of Netflix's video library for streaming over the Internet. The fallout from that decision will hit in March when Netflix will no longer be able to stream the popular mix of recently released movies and TV shows that it got from Starz, raising the specter of another onslaught of customer defections.

"Netflix isn't looking like it's as good a deal because their prices are getting higher and their content isn't getting any better," said Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter, "It's like they have taken the beef away from the buffet."

One thing that's obvious, and you can see it in Liedtke's words above, is that the Hollywood film and tv industry is waking up and using their muscle to reclaim their first rights to profit from their very extensive film and television archives.  Hulu, which is jointly owned by 8 or 10 of the major film/tv studios, is switching over to a paid download service and has publicly stated that they have put they have put themselves up for sale.  I wonder if they will still consider that following Netflix's self-imposed wounding?  But then again, six months from now it will all be changed around again.  This has turned out to be more entertaining than most of the drivel coming out of the studios these days.  And don't forget the sleeping giant Amazon Prime (Firegeezer HERE) that's all primed to race to the head of the pack.

Well, we'd better get ready to download the check sheets and get our equipment checked out.  I'll get some more coffee started and then see you back in the day room.

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

Ambulance Rollover in Italy

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Tiny Car Topples Big Ambulance

IN MILAN, ITALY, AN AMBULANCE responding on an emergency Monday afternoon, crashed with a little "SmartCar" at an intersection.  When they came to a stop, the SmartCar had its front cowling torn off:

Il Giorno photo

And the ambulance was laying on its side:

Giulio Lupo

The three ambulance workers all had minor injuries and had to be transported.  The SmartCar driver was uninjured.

A neighbor leaned out his apartment window and shot this raw video:

 

Cronaca has the STORY. 

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Posted by on September 15, 2011 • Filed under: ambulances, EMS Topics, Vehicle Operation & Ambulances, Videos

Looking Back

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Fire Engineering – February 1956

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Posted by on September 15, 2011 • Filed under: Looking Back • Tagged: , ,

The News Ticker

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Some Recent Stories Coming From the News Ticker

WATCH-RABBIT DIES AFTER SAVING Family From Fire.  A Ketchikan, Alaska, family's pet rabbit woke them up in time to escape a fire that was growing inside the house Tuesday morning.  The residents escaped ok, but the life-saving bunny died from smoke inhalation.  The Anchorage Daily News has the STORY.

 AN FIRE IN AN ELECTRICAL SUB-STATION in Clark County, Nevada, Wednesday night had 30,000 gals. of mineral oil involved.  The unique blaze brought in mutual aid assistance for a foam truck from Nellis Air Force Base.  The Las Vegas Sun reported on it HERE.

DO YOU REMEMBER THAT SPRINGFIELD, Missouri, firetruck that suddenly went out of control and rolled over?  It was last Wednesday September 7 and Firegeezer reported on it HERE.

News-Leader

While investigation is continuing, the police have said that they think the cause of the sudden wreck was because the driver had a "sneezing fit."  They haven't been able to talk to him yet because he is still in intensive care at the hospital.  The Springfield News-Leader has this latest update along with a fresh photo gallery HERE.

IN THE CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA TOWNSHIP of New Hanover the township supervisors completed a study and proposed a semi-merger of the two volunteer fire departments.  The Pottstown Mercury tells about it:

In the joint merger plan, which was proposed after a January fire services study, the two fire departments and their resources would be combined into one, having a single fire chief oversee the New Hanover Township Fire & Rescue Service, effective Jan. 1, 2012.

Township officials explained that although the companies would merge and function as one, they would still operate out of their respective buildings and utilize their own equipment.

But the two VFD's have vehemently turned the proposal down, despite the severe results from a state audit of one of the companies that would in many places cause a temporary shutdown.  The Mercury continues, Besides political dynamics and personality issues, many residents and fire officials said pride in their company was the main reason they did not want to see the merger go through, explaining they remember their family, friends and themselves working for the department for years.

Read the full STORY.

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, FIRE CHIEF TOM CARR announced yesterday his intention to resign effective next March 1.  Chief Carr took over the department following the tragic Sofa Super Center fire and has dramatically modernized the agency.  He has also encountered a serious health problem.  All of these topics are covered well by STATter911 with a good REPORT HERE.

Thanks to Mark D. and Ron Y. for assistance.

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Posted by on September 15, 2011 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, News

Ambulance Rollover in Texas

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Another Intersection Collision

A HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS, AMBULANCE WAS RESPONDING to an emergency call Wednesday morning when it was struck broadside by an auto while passing through a controlled intersection.  The impact knocked the ambulance onto its side and demolished the front end of the car.

KTRK-TV

The ambulance had three EMT's on board and the car carried the driver and two children.  All six people were transported for minor injuries.

KTRK-TV

The ambulance had its lights and siren on, but was going through a red signal when it was struck.

KTRK-TV Ch. 13 has posted some raw video from the scene:

 

All the other cars in the intersection had stopped to give the right-of-way to the ambulance except for the involved car that continued on.  The driver of the car has been cited for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.

KPRC-TV Ch. 2 has the story and additional video HERE.

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Posted by on September 15, 2011 • Filed under: ambulances, EMS Topics, Vehicle Operation & Ambulances, Videos • Tagged: , , ,

Passenger Ship Burning in Norway

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16 Crewmen Injured, Two Dead and Two More Missing

A NORWEGIAN PASSENGER FERRY, THE MS NORDLYS HAS A FIRE that started in its engine room this morning while at sea.  The vessel successfully made it to the nearby port of Alesund where the local fire department is working to put out the blaze.

NRK photo

Sixteen of the 55 crew members have been taken to the local hospital and early reports say that two others were killed and there may be two more that are missing or unaccounted for.  The 207 passengers were all safely evacuated at the port and are being accommodated at local hotels.

Norway International Network is reporting:

Around 100 passengers were evacuated in the vessel’s lifeboats before the vessel managed to make its way into the west coast city of Ålesund with assistance from emergency vessels.

NRK

Other passengers and crew were taken off the vessel on improvised gangways from the vessel to the pier and later to a local hotel. Two persons injured in the fire also had been taken to land before the ship docked, Hurtigruten spokesman Ragnar Nordrum told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK). Three more injuries were later confirmed and by noon the total number of injured was set at 12. By 1pm the number of injured had risen to 16. All were being treated at Ålesund Sjukehus, the local hospital.

The fatalities were confirmed after emergency crews were able to start searching the ship when it docked. The search was still going on Thursday afternoon.

The fire crippled the steering control of the ship, but a rescue craft came alongside and steered the ship into the quay where it was docked.  A citizen captured this video of the Nordlys being directed into port with the heavy smoke coming from the blazing engine room:

 

As she arrived at the pier, fire trucks and ambulances were already staged and waiting to go into fire and rescue activities.  The fire continued to burn after Nordlys docked, filling the entire downtown area with smoke.

NRK photos

NIN has the early report (in English) HERE.
NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting) has more along with a photo gallery and several more videos HERE (Norwegian language entry).

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Additional videos showing fire and rescue activities at the pier:

 

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The ship looks like a cruise liner, but it is more correctly described as a passenger ferry.  It is part of a fleet that sails a coastal route from Bergen to Kirkenes making dozens of stops along the way for passengers to get on and off like a transit bus on a six-day route.

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

Morning Lineup – September 15

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Thursday Morning – Today's Lineup Will Be Conducted by Patrick Mahoney

A friend of mine, who is the president of his Local, is working on a speech to give the city council denouncing the city manager's refusal to apply for a SAFER grant. Actually, his perpetual refusal to do so, since the beginning of the program. This is a one-station department running three-man-minimum for an engine and a utility/squad thing. That means they're running one or two guys to some calls. What he has been willing to put in for grants for, has been a new (driverless) 95-foot tower ladder and new CBRNE airpacks to replace the ten-year-old SCBA's they had. I guess they're prepared now.

This is something common in this post-9/11 era of "homeland security" where we have more radios than people and everyone needs a shiny vest in a command post that looks like a Crayola box. After 9/11 and Amerithrax my old VFD's chief wanted to demonstrate that we were "prepared" should he be questioned by city council over the matter. So he bought close to a $1000 of butyl rubber boots and gloves and some Tyvek suits. Nevermind that there were only two hazmat techs in the department, neither practicing on a team, and that the boots didn't fit either of them. But the council would've bought that line. Even the chief and some of the other members thought it sounded so nice it must be true.

Trying to fool the local government, the public, and the media is bad, even when they fool themselves by our silence. Fooling ourselves is even worse, though. I know it's politically unfeasible for some of the larger multi-constituency groups to make a terrorism guide that says without adequate staffing you cannot be prepared, but it is the truth. I suppose it's also at least uncomfortable for us to admit that we cannot do something. Have you observed this phenomenon?

It's time to observe the equipment-check ritual now, so let's get started.  Firegeezer's already heading to the Bunn-O-Matic to get another pot started.  Thanks.

……….. Patrick Mahoney

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Posted by on September 15, 2011 • Filed under: FireHat, morning lineup • Tagged:

Army Ammunition Ka-Booms in Croatia

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Triggered by Wildfire

24sata

A WILDFIRE NEAR KNIN, CROATIA, TUESDAY AFTERNOON encroached onto an army base.  Around 5:15 pm the fire started burning into some ammunition storage buildings and many major explosions took place, sending errant bullets and grenades flying into nearby villagers' homes.

This led to an overnight evacuation of residences in a 5-kilometer radius affecting 160 people.  The Croation Times reports (English language version):

A wildfire fire broke out in Padjani near Knin on Croatia’s south and soon spread onto the storage spaces of nearby Stara straza army barracks, causing detonations of explosive devices from World War II and Croatia’s war of independence from former Yugoslavia (1991-1995). The firemen kept guard throughout the night but were not able to deal with the flames without risking injuries from explosions.

24sata

Knin Mayor Josipa Rimac said this morning (Weds) that the fire is still burning but now at much lower intensity. The firemen are waiting for the green light from the military to go in and contain the flames. The military will also decide when it is safe for the evacuated residents to return to their homes.

One of the nearby residents posted a brief video of the fire (complete with ka-booms):

 

The Croation Times has the STORY.
Jutarnji has MORE.
24sata has a photo gallery HERE.

Assisted by Fireball and Nenad Ilisic.

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Posted by on September 14, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fires, Videos

Don’t Dream and Drive

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Was it Something She Ate?

A LLOYDMINSTER, ALBERTA, FAMILY ESCAPED serious injury Saturday afternoon, thanks to their seat belts, when their SUV crashed.

The Lloydminster Meridian Booster tells us:

Shortly after 12 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 Vegreville RCMP were called to a single vehicle collision eight kilometres east of Vegreville on Highway 16. The RCMP was joined by EMS and fire at the scene. Two of the three occupants were trapped inside the vehicle after the 2002 GMC Envoy rolled three times.

According to police the female passenger was asleep. She had a nightmare and screamed, which then startled the driver causing him to lose control.

It appeared the driver nearly drove off the road, pulled back onto the driving lanes, but drifted sideways and subsequently rolled three times coming to rest in the south ditch.

No other vehicles were struck during the rollover.

The Vegreville fire department had to use extrication tools to cut the 30-year-old-male driver and 31-year-old female passenger, both from Lloydminster, from the badly damaged vehicle.

Their 4-yr.-old son was in a child safety seat in the rear and was not injured.  No charges were placed against either the driver or the dreamer.

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Posted by on September 14, 2011 • Filed under: EMS Topics, rescue, Rescues • Tagged: , ,

Upcoming Events

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Some Upcoming Events to Plan on Visiting

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The 32nd Annual Michigan Firemen's Memorial Festival

Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday September 15, 16, 17, 18, 2011
Sponsored by the Michigan Firemen's Memorial Festival Committee!

 Parade Saturday Morning and Competitions All Day
CLICK HERE for detailed listing of activities for all four days!

Free Admission and Free Parking.
For further information:

http://www.firemensmemorial.org/

Michigan's Firemen's Memorial Festival Committee
P.O. Box 672
Roscommon, Mi 48653

Phone and Fax (989) 275 5880

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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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Cape Girardeau, Missouri, is Hosting Their Annual

To order you can contact one of the people listed above or you can email to: dkoerber1@gmail.com. Orders will be ready for pick-up at the fire truck rally anytime after lunch. Thanks for your support and we look forward to seeing everyone at this year's rally.

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info@fairfaxfireofficers.org

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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

Update:  Chili Team Registration is now open!

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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ANNUAL FIRE MEMORABILIA AUCTION

Novermber 5 – Southborough, Massachusetts

Handtub Junction, USA
508-786-0977; handtubjunction@aol.com

Hours and location TBA

http://www.handtubs.com/
 

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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 September 14, 2011 • Filed under: Upcoming Events

Don’t Forget These Major Players From 9/11

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I'm Afraid We Already Have – Listen Up

WITH ALL THE IMMEDIATE FRENZY TAKING PLACE ON MANHATTAN Island during the WTC attacks on 9/11,  people were confused and thinking of only one thing – evacuate.  The bridges and tunnels were all shut down for security reasons and the citizens had no idea what was going on, or why.  While the police and fire were doing their best, another industry sprung into action – the merchant fleet.  Every merchant vessel from miles around headed to the docks and terminals and began a massive operation.  

Landing at the Manhattan docks, they all filled up with fleeing citizens. Then they shuttled them over to New Jersey, Staten Island and Brooklyn.  On their return trips they carried relief squads of firefighters, fire engines, and police officers along with food and water supplies for the people who were stranded.  This procedure went on non-stop until they had evacuated over 300,000 people.  Do you remember that now?

As a measure of respect and honor for the merchant fleet's participation in the events of the day, the U. S. Department of Transportation has produced this very nice video illustrating their efforts:

 

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Posted by on September 14, 2011 • Filed under: history, News, Videos

Wisconsin Town Evacuated Wednesday Morning Following Explosions

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Evacuation Order Lifted  Short Time Ago

WISN-TV

PRACTICALLY THE ENTIRE TOWN OF ADELL, Wisconsin, was evacuated early this morning (Wednesday) when a fire broke out at the local farmers' Co-Op plant.  Just as the fire was being discovered, a series of explosions ripped through the facility leading the sheriff department to order a mandatory evacuation in a 1-mile radius of the fire.

Press Gazette

The fire erupted at 3:15 am Central bringing dozens of fire departments to the scene.  It was later determined safe enough to lift the evacuation order around 6 am.  Nobody was in the Co-op building at the time and there are no known injuries other than one firefighter with an ankle injury.

At the time of this posting the fire is not out yet and there is no indication of the cause.  Damage has been reported as extensive, however.  The Co-op is one the area's major employers.

The Green Bay Press Gazette has some early DETAILS.

Update:  WFRV-TV Ch. 5 has just reported that the explosions were caused by 120-lb. propane tanks.  Channel Five adds:

Officials tell Channel Five the fire began in a seed warehouse. That building is a total loss.  The seed warehouse was next to an agricultural chemical storage facility which caused concern and led to an evacuation order. That has since been lifted.

A total of 15 local fire departments responded to the scene.

WLUK-TV Ch. 11 has just filed this late report that also includes some fire footage:

 

Co-op fire in Sheboygan County almost out: fox11online.com

The fire is reported to be nearly out at this time (9 am Central)

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Posted by on September 14, 2011 • Filed under: explosion, fire, Fires, Videos • Tagged: , ,

Suspicious Fire Destroys Small Canadian Town’s Secondary School

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School Was Region's Pride

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OLIVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, IS A SMALL TOWN, (pop. 4,400) located near the U. S. Border and is considered to be the capital of Canada's wine industry.  The entire region is proud of their secondary school and especially the auditorium that provides the major concert and performance venue for the region.

The Southern Okanagan Secondary school, which was built in 1948, is undergoing a $29 million renovation and expansion, but that was set back early Monday morning when a "suspicious" blaze set in the construction zone destroyed the original wing of the school and the beloved theater.

Oliver Daily News

The fire was reported shortly after 2 am Pacific Monday and The Oliver VFD turned out 28 firefighters who were assisted by two neighboring FD's.  The fire burned for five hours before it was completely extinguished.  While the east wing where the fire began was sprinklered, the fire got into the roof area that was not protected and ran the entire section.

The total amount of damages hasn't been determined yet, but most of the classroom areas are undamaged and plans are to use them beginning next week.  Also the new gymnasium and the shops are intact.  There was heavy water and smoke damage in the cafeteria and the labs, with much of the gymnasium's hardwood flooring needing to be replaced.  School officials are hoping to get most of the facility ready for admission of students by Monday.

Oliver Daily News

Castanet News filed this video report:

 

Information collated from several articles in the Oliver Daily News.

The Vancouver Sun has a photo gallery HERE.

Hat tip to Mark Donovan.

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Posted by on September 14, 2011 • Filed under: arson, Fires, Videos • Tagged: , ,