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LODD – Germany

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Furniture Warehouse Roof Collapse

A 41-YEAR-OLD FIREFIGHTER IN CHEMNITZ, Germany, perished Sunday morning when the roof of a burning furniture warehouse collapsed.  The unnamed firefighter was working along with 45 colleagues at the fire when it fell in.  A second firefighter was hospitalized with smoke poisoning.

Freipresse

The fire began around midnight and it took several hours for the four fire departments working the blaze to knock it down.  They were able to contain it and prevent the spread to close exposures including a gas station.

There is no indication yet of what caused the fire.  An investigation has been started.  A spokesman for the city stated that this is the first LODD for the town that they know of.

Sachsen-Fernsehen  has the early REPORT.
Chemnitz News has an updated report HERE.

Thanks to Christian Lewalter of Feuerwehn Weblog.
Firegeezer notes that German law prohibits anyone from identifying the name of recently-deceased people until the family releases it first.  Sometimes they decline to do that.

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Posted by on May 20, 2012 • Filed under: fire, Fires, Line of Duty • Tagged: , ,

LODD – Brooklyn, New York

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17-Year Veteran Firefighter

FDNY LIEUTENANT RICHARD NAPPI, 47, of Engine 237 collapsed while fighting a 3-alarm warehouse fire in Brooklyn Monday afternoon and died while en route to the hospital.

Lt. Nappi and his crew were working on the 2nd-floor of a box-crammed warehouse on Flushing Ave. when he complained of dizziness and then collapsed.  Ladder 112 crew rescued him from the building and reportedly, while he was being put into the ambulance he was conscious and talking.  While on the way to the hospital Lt. Nappi  suffered a severe cardiac event and died.

The New York Daily News added:

(Fire Commissioner) Cassano and Mayor Bloomberg consoled Nappi’s widow, Mary Anne, as she grieved next to her husband’s lifeless body and agonized over how to break the news to their two children — Catherine, 12, and Nicholas, 11.

The deadly blaze, which left five other firefighters with nonlife-threatening injuries, broke out at 1 p.m. on the second floor of the two-story warehouse at 930 Flushing Ave. A pile of cardboard ignited in a space leased by an import company, officials said.

Building superBernard Joseph told The News that about 30,000 square feet of the building — all packed with boxed appliances — was consumed by flames. "It was hard for the firemen to move around because it’s so crammed. The boxes went up 20 feet," Joseph said. "They had to cut holes in the roof to get to it. All you could see was smoke."

Read the full Daily News report HERE.

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Posted by on April 17, 2012 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Line of Duty • Tagged: ,

Technician Kyle Wilson and the lessons we can never forget

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Five years ago today

Last night Dave Statter shared his experience about the 2007 line-of-duty death of Technician I Kyle Wilson in Prince Wiliam County. (Dave's article HERE). Dave is concerned that the Virginia Tech massacre overshadowed the tragedy at 15492 Marsh Overlook Drive.

The after-action analysis and discussions were painful, emotional and worthwhile. I closely followed the process and spoke to with many of the participants. They are my friends and colleagues.

My "bully pulpit" is a textbook that is used by many for their Fire Officer I and II training.

In Chapter 16, "Fire Attack" this is how the section on Smoke, Wind, Size and Fire Flow looks in the second edition (2010).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let's start the Fire Department Instructor's Conference week with an in-station drill on one of these topics:

  • Burning Type V residential structure behavior in high wind conditions
  • Determining initial attack fire flow in high wind conditions
  • Austere crew (thin staffed) fire attack procedures
  • Why the NFPA 1710 single family dwelling does not match your first due (you can find an analysis starting on page 188 of the Prince William report.)

NIOSH LODD report

Fire departments should develop SOP’s for incidents with high-wind conditions including defensive attack if necessary. Weather can be considered as critically important when at the extreme, and relatively unimportant during normal conditions.

Wind has a strong effect on fire behavior which includes supplying oxygen, reducing fuel moisture, and exerting physical pressure to move the fire and heat. Wildland fire fighters are very familiar with these effects of wind on the rate at which fire spreads.

According to Dunn, “When the exterior wind velocity is in excess of 30 miles per hour, the chances of conflagration are great; however, against such forceful winds, the chances of successful advance of an initial hose line attack on a structure fire are diminished. The firefighters won’t be able to make forward hoseline progress because the flame and heat, under the wind’s additional force, will blow into the path of advancement.

Fire fighters should change their strategy when encountering high wind conditions. An SOP should be developed to include obtaining the wind speed and direction, and guidelines established for possible scenarios associated with the wind speed and the possible fuel available, similar to that in wildland fire fighting. When the interior attack line has little or no effect on the fire, the line should be withdrawn and a second hoseline should be advanced on the upwind side of the fire. This method may require the use of an aerial ladder or portable ladder, if safety permits.

Prince William County report  (385 pages)

The major factors in the line of duty death of Technician I Wilson were determined to be:
• The initial arriving fire suppression force size.
• The size up of fire development and spread.
• The impact of high winds on fire development and spread.
• The large structure size and lightweight construction and materials.
• The rapid intervention and firefighter rescue efforts.
• The incident control and management.

Thanks to Dave Statter for making an important observation.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on April 16, 2012 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Line of Duty, Major Incidents, Training & Development, Urban Commander • Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

Double LODD – Philadelphia

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5-Alarm Blaze at Vacant Factory Spread to Other Buildings

TWO FIREFIGHTERS WERE KILLED AND THREE MORE Injured Monday morning at a large fire that started in a vacant factory building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The 6-story brick factory was discovered burning at 3:15 am and before it was brought under control, it spread throughout two full blocks and destroyed at least four other buildings and damaged as many as six homes.

The doomed firefighters were at a furniture store/warehouse that had been set alight by burning embers from the original fire.  While the crew from Ladder 10 were working inside the structure, the rear wall collapsed on them.  The three injured FF's were rescued by the R.I.T. and taken to the hospital.  Fire Commissioner Lloy Ayers made this brief announcement from the scene:

 

The fire was marked under control around 5:30 am but the tragic event took place about a half-hour after that time.

Channel 6 News has some fire footage in this video report:

 

Update:  Victims identified.
The two firefighters who perished in this morning's fire have been identified as Lt. Robert Neary and FF Daniel Sweeney, both of Ladder 10.

STATter911 has full details on the victims HERE as well as an excellent update to the fire story HERE.

PhillyFireNews has more details plus their usual, excellent photo gallery of the fire taken by their own photographers HERE.

PhillyFireNews.com

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Posted by on April 9, 2012 • Filed under: fire, Fires, Line of Duty, Videos • Tagged: ,

LODD – Tennessee

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Roof Collapse

A PRE-DAWN FIRE IN DECATUR COUNTY, TENNESSEE, Saturday claimed the life of the District 3 Fire Chief, Kenny Fox.

Fire Chief Kenny Fox

The Jackson Sun reports:

Kenny Fox, fire chief of District 3 in Decaturville and sergeant for the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office, died Saturday morning after saving the lives of two other volunteer firefighters by pushing them out of the way before a roof collapsed in a fire.

Decatur County Sheriff Roy Wyatt said the call for the fire came in around 4:24 a.m. Saturday from the Oak Hill Cafe Bar and Grill on U.S. 412, west of Parsons. He said the firefighters arrived on the scene at 4:45 a.m. Wyatt said the roof collapsed on Fox.

The two firefighters that he pushed to safety are brothers.  Jeremy and Randy Inman were taken to Decatur County General Hospital and then later transferred to the burn unit at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville for treatment to 3rd-degree burns that both suffered.

Channel 5 News prepared this video report:

 

Chief Fox was age 39 and is survived by his wife and three sons.  One of his sons, age 19, was also working the fire and remained until his father was located and removed from the destroyed building.

Jackson Sun

The restaurant was a total loss and the investigation into the cause and results is continuing.

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Posted by on April 8, 2012 • Filed under: fire, Fire Rescue Topics, labor, Line of Duty, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , ,

LODD – Belgium

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Backing Accident

A BELGIAN FIREFIGHTER FROM WILLEBROEK was fatally injured Tuesday night when his own fire engine accidentally drove over him.  It is believed that the 57-yr.-old man was standing on the back or side of the pumper while it was backing up, and he somehow fell off and under the rear wheels where he was crushed to death.  They had been working a vehicle accident on the highway and were leaving.

The driver went into shock immediately on finding out what happened
and had to be transported to the hospital.  (RTL-TV image)

The accident which occurred around 10 pm is still under investigation.

RTL-TV1 filed this brief video report:

 

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Posted by on March 28, 2012 • Filed under: apparatus, Line of Duty, Videos

LODD – Houston, Texas

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HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT SENIOR CAPTAIN Thomas "Bill" Dillion, 49, collapsed while working a kitchen fire Wednesday morning and was pronounced dead a short while later at the hospital.

Captain Dillion had 22 years service on the FD and is
the 64th Houston firefighter to die in the line of duty.

Reports say that the fire on a cooking stove was almost out when the FD arrived.  Capt. Dillion was just entering the premises when he collapsed.  The fire itself is not a factor in his death, but the department and the union are both saying that it appears to have been a heart attack.  An autopsy is being performed today to determine the cause.

KUHF-FM has the details HERE.
KHOU-TV has a photo gallery HERE.
Houston Firefighters Local 341 WEBSITE.

Firefighters and paramedics lined the roads and freeways of Houston Wednesday
to honor a HFD Captain Thomas Dillion, of Fire Station 69, who collapsed and died
at the scene of a kitchen fire after complaining of chest pains.
An ambulance, accompanied by a police and fire escort, carried Dillion’s body
from the hospital to the medical examiner after he passed away. (KHOU-TV)

all photos via KHOU 11

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Posted by on March 15, 2012 • Filed under: Fire-ology, Line of Duty • Tagged: , , ,

LODD – Wisconsin

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Roof Collapse Traps Four FF's

A MID-DAY FIRE IN AN ABBOTSFORD, Wisconsin, movie theater Sunday afternoon led to the death of a Colby FD firefighter when the snow-laden roof collapsed as the crews were evacuating the building. 

Abbotsford Fire Chief Apfelbeck addresses the media  (WEAU-TV image)

The owner of the Abbey Theater had gone to the site at 10:30 am and fired up the furnace to begin warming the building for the matinee showing.  After he did that, he left to return home for a while but got a call around noon that his theater was on fire.

About 35 firefighters from four FD's responded to the 63-yr.-old theater where they found a fire well in progress inside.  Initially, hose lines were taken inside to attack the fire but it was to far advanced to knock it down.  Abbotsford Fire Chief Jody Apfelbeck told the press there was "a lot of heat and a lot of smoke" and he had just ordered the crews to evacuate when the roof came down trapping three Colby firefighters and one from Abbotsford underneath.

Three of them were transported by ambulance to the hospital and the fourth was airlifted out.  Later Sunday afternoon the Clark County coroner confirmed that one of the firefighters had died from his injuries.  His name has not been released yet, but the fire chief did confirm that he was with the Colby FD.

WEAU-TV posted this video report Sunday evening:

 

The fire was knocked down by 3 pm, but crews remained on the scene for several more hours working the hot spots.  Later in the afternoon the FD had the remains of the front wall torn down for safety reasons.  The theater is a total loss.

This report will be updated later today as more information is released.

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Posted by on March 5, 2012 • Filed under: fire, Fires, Line of Duty, Videos • Tagged: , , ,

LODD Indiana – Fire Engine Overturns

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Returning to Quarters Non-Emergency

JEREMY TIGHE, 18, A MEMBER OF the McCutchanville Volunteer Fire Department died Wednesday evening when the fire engine he was riding in left the roadway, partially overturned and "violently" struck a utility pole.

Courier & Press / Clark

The Evansville Courier & Press reported:

Lt. Brandon Cason, the driver, "was not injured seriously" in the accident, (Fire Department PIO) Gibson said, but the 24-year-old was taken to Deaconess Hospital. Gibson said he belived Cason has since been released from the hospital. "They were returning from a run when for some unknown reason their truck went off the side of the pavement," said Gibson in a phone interview Wednesday night.

The single-vehicle wreck occurred about 8:25 p.m. as the firetruck was traveling north on St. Joseph Avenue. It occurred only about a half-mile from the McCutchanville station on North St. Joseph Avenue.

"Our preliminary investigation indicates that the truck left the roadway and onto the shoulder for unknown reasons," Vanderburgh County Sheriff Eric Williams said in a news release.

Williams said there's no indication that drugs or alcohol were a factor in the wreck, but a sample of Cason's blood was taken.

Gibson said the McCutchanville Fire Department is shut down until further notice.

Today (Thursday) would have been Jeremy's 19th birthday.

Thanks to Mark Donovan.

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Posted by on February 23, 2012 • Filed under: current events, Line of Duty, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus, Videos

Morning Lineup – February 14

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Tuesday Morning

LODD – VIRGINIA

A young volunteer firefighter from Gore, Virginia in the state's far northwest corner, died yesterday of injuries he received when the firetruck he was riding on slid off an icy highway and rolled over.

Zach Whitacre, 21, was onboard Gore VFD Tanker 14 that was running a water shuttle at a house fire in nearby West Virginia.  The tanker was empty and returning to the water source for a refill when the truck hit an icy spot on U. S. 50 and slid off the road onto an embankment.  It is believed that Zach was on the back step of the tanker and was tossed off when it went off the road.  He died of his injuries later at the hospital in Winchester, Virginia.

Adding to the tragedy of the incident is the fact that the tanker was being driven by Zach's father, Donald Whitacre.  The elder Whitacre's injuries were minor and he was treated and released.  It is impossible to imagine the grief that Mr. Whitacre is going through following the accident.

STATter911 has posted a thorough report on the entire situation along with a video interview with the distraught father in two postings HERE and HERE.

On that somber note, we will adjourn and get our own equipment checked out for today.  I will get some more coffee going and we'll meet back in the day room in a little while.  We can discuss any lessons there are to be learned from this sad event.

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Posted by on February 14, 2012 • Filed under: Line of Duty, morning lineup • Tagged: , , ,

Morning Lineup – February 10

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Friday Morning

LODD Update

Sadly, we have to pass along the news that Alexandria, Virginia, Paramedic Joshua Weissman succumbed to his injuries yesterday that he received while working a car fire on Interstate 395 on Wednesday evening.

STATter911 has been staying on top of the story since its inception and has all the details and latest updates including yesterday's press conference HERE.  It is being reported that this is Alexandria's first LODD in over 100 years.

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Mike Legeros, the publisher of Raleigh/Wake Firefighting Blog always has something novel on his front page.  Yesterday he posted a photo of a large electric sign being installed on a shopping mall storefront.  What makes this one unique is that the sign company, instead of using the standard sign crane, this outfit uses a 35-yr.-old American LaFrance aerial to do their work.  CLICK HERE to check out the story and follow his link to more photos of the unique rig.

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Is your cellphone contract coming up for renewal this year?  Usually when you go into the shop to sign up for an extension, the service provider will sweeten the deal if you buy a new, replacement phone at the same time.  Best Buy is offering their own sweetener this year by tossing in a $50 gift card that can be used toward the phone purchase if you choose.  The offer is good until December 31, BUT you have to pre-register by Sunday.  No commitment until you use the offer, but you must be signed up.

Go to their website – http://www.bestbuy.com/ - and you'll see the offer right at the top of the front page.  My contract is up next month, so this comes just in time for me.  Just last week I was noticing the good prices they were offering on their full line of smartphones.

We had better get our own equipment checked out now, so while you get started with that I am going to get a fresh pot started.  Then I'll register with Best Buy before we meet back in the day room.  See you there.

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Posted by on February 10, 2012 • Filed under: current events, Line of Duty, technology

LODD – New Jersey

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Unwitnessed Arrest Delayed Treatment

BRUCE TURCOTTE, 58, FIREFIGHTER AND FORMER CHIEF of the Hopelawn, New Jersey, Volunteer Fire Department passed away Thursday on the scene of a fatal house fire in Woodbridge.  It was later determined that he had a heart attack while operating a pumper and died at the scene.

Star-Ledger file photo

The citizen who found him related her story to the Woodbridge Patch:

She parked her car a distance away, and saw firefighters scurrying to and fro, aiming fire hoses at the thick black clouds of smoke that obliterated the house from view.

That was when Sweeney passed one of the fire engines that, she thought, for a moment had a mannequin in the driver's seat. "That's strange. It's not real. The color is so odd," she thought for a moment.

"I almost wanted to touch him to see if he was real," she said, but in a second that thought fled as she worked her way to some of the firemen whose sole attention was on battling the blaze in front of them.

Sweeney pointed to the engine, hidden behind an ambulance whose EMS workers were treating some firefighters overcome by the smoke. "There's a man in there. He looks unconscious," she said.

The firemen looked at one another and in seconds, they had located Turcotte, dragged his body from the cab of the fire engine, and were furiously working to revive him.

Sweeney stepped back and watched in horror.

"They didn't know [that he was injured.] You couldn't see him from where they were fighting the fire. The ambulance blocked it. You had to be where I was," she said.

Star-Ledger

During the fire a body was discovered in the basement.  Neighbors identified him as the former resident who had been evicted in November by a foreclosure notice.  They believe he had been surreptitiously living in the house since then.

The Star-Ledger has more details HERE.
The Woodbridge Patch has MORE.

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Posted by on January 20, 2012 • Filed under: fire, Fires, Line of Duty • Tagged: , , , ,

LODD – Germany

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Responding to Firehouse

A PAID-ON-CALL FIREFIGHTER IN UPAHL, Germany, died early Satuday morning from a vehicle collision while responding to his firehouse.  The alarm was dispatched at 2:30 am for a monitored alarm in a coffee roasting firm in an industrial park.

The firefighter who has not yet been publicly identified, was traveling in his personal car en route to the fire station when he met head-on with the fire engine that was responding to the alarm.

Feurwehr News

The crash killed the firefighter who was dead before he was extricated by another fire company.  Two firefighters in the firetruck were injured and had to be transported.

photo:  Ostsee-Zeitung / KES

There is no further information yet, but this report will be updated later when more is learned.

Update:  It has been disclosed that the victim was 27 yrs. old.

Feuerwehr News has the early REPORT.

Thanks to Christian Lewalter of FWNetz

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Posted by on January 14, 2012 • Filed under: current events, Fire Rescue Topics, Line of Duty • Tagged: ,

LODD – Italy

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Vehicle Accident Inside Firehouse

Updated:  Photos from Wednesday funeral added.  Scroll down.

A PAID-ON-CALL FIREFIGHTER IN CUGLIERI, Italy, suffered fatal injuries in his firehouse Sunday.  Luca Pinna, 38, was getting ready to perform some routine maintenance on one of the station's three engines when the truck suddenly began rolling and crushed him against the wall.  Pinna was quickly freed by his colleaues and transported by helicopter to the hospital, but the injuries were too severe and he died soon after.

FF Pinna is transferred from an ambulance
to the waiting helicopter.  (La Nuova photo)

Pinna was married and the father of a 3-yr.-old child.  The investigation has begun seeking the reason for the truck's unplanned movement.

La Nuova has the STORY.

Update:  FF Pinna's funeral was held on Wednesday.  These photos are from L'Unione Sarda:

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Posted by on January 9, 2012 • Filed under: current events, Line of Duty, News • Tagged: , , ,

LODD – South Carolina

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Collapsed at the Pump Panel

DAVID CRENSHAW, A LONG-TIME VOLUNTEER firefighter and former fire chief died suddenly Monday morning at the scene of an auto wreck in Anderson County, South Carolina.

Crenshaw had driven a Pendleton Fire Department engine to the crash scene at 6:30 am Eastern and was found collapsed at the pump panel, apparently unwitnessed.  He was transported already in cardiac arrest and pronounced dead at the hospital.  The coroner stated that initial findings indicate a probable heart attack.

Mourning members immediately began gathering at the firehouse.  (WYFF-TV photo)

He had been a member of the PFD for 50+ years and served as their fire chief for 21 of them.  He was a retired deputy sheriff who also served one term as County Sheriff from 2004 to 2008.  He had just recently been elected to the Pendleton Town Council. 

WYFF-TV has the early REPORT.
The Anderson Independent Mail has MORE.

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Posted by on January 9, 2012 • Filed under: current events, Fire-ology, Line of Duty, News • Tagged: , , ,

LODD – Florida

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During Training Exercise

A POMPANO BEACH, FLORIDA, FIREFIGHTER died Friday afternoon after falling from an aerial ladder during a training exercise.

Channel 10 News photo

William Elliott, 50, was at the top of the fully-extended ladder, about 90 ft. above the ground, when he inexplicably fell off and plunged to the ground dying instantly.  The fire company was holding an afternoon drill with the aerial and a second firefighter who was midway up the ladder witnessed Elliott's fall.  Firefighter Elliott had been on the job since 1989.

The Broward County Sheriff department is conducting the investigation of the accident.

WSVN-TV posted this video report from the scene:

 

The Sun Sentinel has the full story and more details HERE.

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Posted by on January 6, 2012 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Line of Duty, training-fire-rescue-topics, Videos • Tagged: , , ,

LODD x 6 – Chile

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Wildfire Runover

A CREW OF TEN WILDFIRE FF's WERE overun at a fire Thursday  that is believed to be purposely set.  Of the ten, six perished as they all huddled together after being surrounded.  The London Telegraph explains:

The 10 firefighters, private contractors for forestry company Mininco, were trapped by a blaze raging in a mountainside forest in the Araucania region. A helicopter succeeded in pulling the four injured to safety.

"The fire suddenly surrounded them because of the wind, they drew closer together, one against another, and saw the fire pass above them," local governor Miguel Mellado told Canal 13 television.

For more than a week firefighting teams have been tackling a series of blazes in Araucania and the neighbouring Biobio region, rural areas located some 500 to 700 kilometres (310-435 miles) south of the Chilean capital Santiago.

"We have reliable information that makes us presume there is criminal intent behind these fires," President Pinera said. "I believe that we ought to combat not only the fires, but also the criminals behind the fires." The president, who pledged his government would do everything possible to find those responsible, evoked anti-terror laws that could allow for tougher punishments.

Rescue crews remove two of the victims.  (Andrade / Reuters photo)

So far, nearly 50 fires have started in the woodlands along the Pacific coast, fueled by unusually dry conditions during a drought and whipped up by El Nino winds.

Firefighter Nation has MORE.

The Telegraph has also posted some raw video from the fire line:

 

BBC News image

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Posted by on January 6, 2012 • Filed under: fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Fires, forestry, Line of Duty, Videos, Wildland

Updated: LODD – B.C., Canada

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Small Farming Community

Updated:  Photo and additional information posted.

A POST-FIRE EXPLOSION RIPPED THROUGH an industrial building in Enderby, British Columbia, Thursday morning killing a volunteer firefighter and injuring another one.  The victim has been identified by the B.C. coroner as 29-year-old Daniel Botkin, one of 24 paid-on-call members of the Enderby and District Fire Department.  The Vancouver Sun reports:

At around 4 a.m. this morning, firefighters were called to Sperlich Log Construction — a log home building business on the north edge of the small community, situated about 30 kilometres north of Vernon.

Botkin was killed when an explosion ripped through a burning shed near where the original fire erupted in a building that was under construction, according to RCMP.

A recent photo of Daniel Botkin and his bride.

Up until the explosion, "everyone felt they had [the fire] pretty well under control,” said Vernon RCMP spokesman Gord Molendyk. He said police were on hand to deal with traffic in the area while firefighters fought the blaze, but “firefighters told [police] officers they could leave."

The blast blew the roof and walls off of the building.  CBC News photo.

The explosion occurred a little more than an hour after arrival and when the fire was knocked down.  The second victim was treated for his injuries on the scene and was not transported according to one report.  treated for non-life threatening injuries and transported to a local hospital in stable condition.

Investigation is just beginning into the cause of the initial fire and what brought on the subsequent explosion.

Update:  The Canadian Press is reporting:

Posts on social media websites say Mr. Botkin was married just two months ago and had recently been elected to the position of captain and training officer with the local volunteer fire department

"(He was) pretty well respected in the community," said Mr. Botkin's cousin, Glenn Botkin, who lives in Oliver, B.C. "He had just gotten a promotion in there. He was a very hard-working, clean-cut kid."

Dan Botkin was married in October, said his cousin.

 The Globe & Mail adds:

At the Enderby fire hall, a firefighter who identified himself as Shane was shaken by Mr. Botkin’s death. "He was a really good guy," the firefighter said in a phone interview.

Mr. Botkin had been volunteering with the Enderby Fire Department for around five years and had plans to go "up North" to pursue work as a firefighter, Shane said. While volunteering, Mr. Botkin had also worked at a number of local businesses in recent years, he added.

The Vancouver Sun has this REPORT.
Enderby and District Fire Department WEBPAGE.

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Posted by on December 29, 2011 • Filed under: explosion, fire, Fires, Line of Duty • Tagged: , , ,

LODD – Ontario

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Truck Crash While Responding

A NIPISSING TOWNSHIP (Ontario) VFD FIREFIGHTER died Wednesday morning when the fire engine he was driving went off the road and rolled over, trapping him in the wreckage.

Firefighter Paul Nelson, 21, of Callander was the only passenger in the truck that was responding to a working house fire.  Ontario police say that the road conditions at the time were icy and covered with snow slush.

The North Bay Nugget reports:

Nipissing Township Mayor Pat Haufe said the 21-year-old joined the fire department little more than a year ago. He said Nelson was eager to get involved and was a member of the community's fire committee.

Haufe said the township's thoughts and prayers are with Nelson's family. He said the tragedy has had a devastating and shocking impact on the entire community, particularly Nelson's fellow firefighters.

Nelson, who was alone in the pumper truck, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, about 35 kilometres west of Powassan. A portion of the highway was closed for most of the day.

The investigation into the cause of him leaving the roadway is still ongoing.  The structure fire that had four FD's on the scene was a vacant house.

Hat tip:  Mark D.

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Posted by on December 28, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, Fire Rescue Topics, Line of Duty • Tagged: , , ,

“Everyone Goes Home…”

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Released Wednesday Morning

THE NATIONAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION released their anticipated video to the public this morning.  It was produced in cooperation with the Chicago Fire Department and was embargoed for two weeks until all the personnel at the Chicago Fire Department and the families of their fallen members had the opportunity to view it first.  After watching it you will understand why.

It is being released with the hope that many of you will encourage your local politicians and civic leaders to also take the 38 minutes needed to view it.  It carries a lot of impact and is a remarkable report.

 

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Posted by on December 28, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Fire-ology, Line of Duty, public relations, safety, Videos • Tagged: , ,

Paramedic Dies During Canyon Rescue

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Helicopter Rescue Goes Awry

AN AUSTRALIAN PARAMEDIC WAS KILLED ON CHRISTMAS EVE during a rescue attempt of two "canyoners" who were trapped at the foot of a cataract in New South Wales.  Michael "Mick" Wilson, 41, was lowered on a helicopter cable to the stricken hikers and had successfully lifted one of them into the helicopter.  He had been lowered back down for the second victim and had him attached to his person as the helicopter began winching them up.  For a reason not yet known, the pair were slammed against the canyon wall just as the ascension began.  The pilot immediately lowered them the few feet back to ground and cut the cable.  Wilson was fatally injured in the incident.

Several additional helicopter rescue teams were then dispatched to the scene and four more rescuers were ready to go down to retrieve the victims, but the weather was too treacherous to immediately bring them back up.  Paramedic Wilson and the surviving victim had to be left together on the ledge overnight until daylight and better weather conditions returned.  Wilson died during the time they were waiting.

At 7am Christmas morning the rescuers were able to bring the two victims back to the ground above.

Rescuers prepare the body of their colleague to be lifted up
to the helicopter.  (Ten News image)

Mr. Wilson was a member of the highly-skilled Special Casualty Access Team and had received many commendations for his heroic rescues.

The Daily Telegraph reported:

An experienced paramedic of more than 15 years, his death has rocked the NSW Ambulance Service and left his wife of 16 years Kellie and their children Eliza, 14, Grace 12, and Hugo, 5, facing a life without him.

"We are so proud to have loved him and to have been loved by him," Mrs Wilson said outside the home the family shared. There are many people out there that owe their lives to my beautiful husband.

"His death has left an immeasurable void. He would come home from work and tell me the stories of his day and as a family we would gather around and listen to the extraordinary things he had done.

"Michael was an amazing clinician and he saved countless, countless lives. They take their work very seriously and they work very hard to mitigate risk but I was also aware that Michael did what he did because he truly wanted to help others."

According to The Australian,

It is the first time in 30 years a NSW paramedic has been killed on duty. A team of investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been set up, but indications are the probe could take up to 12 months to complete.

The team will interview the helicopter crew, retrieve flight data, inspect the helicopter and gather operational and training records from the operator.  Police will also interview the two canyoners.

Ten News prepared this video report that includes footage of the final rescue:

 

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Posted by on December 26, 2011 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Line of Duty, rescue, Rescues, Videos • Tagged: , ,

LODD – Massachusetts – Updated

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Three-Alarm Fire

Updated:  Videos and additional information added.  Scroll down.

A PEABODY, MASSACHUSETTS, FIREFIGHTER perished Friday afternoon at a 3-alarm fire in a wood-frame apartment building.

Boston Herald

Firefighter James Rice, 46, collapsed inside the fire building from what is initially believed to be "toxic fumes," but no firm cause has been determined.  The fire was dispatched at 1:25 pm Eastern and just a few minutes after the FF's went to work in the building, the call for a firefighter down was made.

FF James Rice

The Boston Globe reports:

At an evening press conference, a somber (Fire Chief Steven) Padson said the cause of Rice’s death is the subject of an intense investigation by multiple agencies. He said no firm explanation has been established for the fatal incident.  However, he added that Rice "did take in some toxic fumes and he did succumb.’’

Padson said the fatal incident happened when Rice was somewhere between the first and second floors of the three-story building at 5 Hancock St. The chief said he did not know if Rice had exhausted his air supply.

He said Rice was provided emergency medical assistance by firefighters and emergency medical technicians at the scene. However, Rice was later pronounced dead at the North Shore Medical Center in Salem.

The fire was brought under control in 90 minutes.  At least 13 people were living in the 6-unit building.  The state fire marshal is on location and the investigation into the cause is ongoing tonight.

Update:  WBZ-TV covered the fire chief's press conference in this video report:

 

WHDH-TV reports:

One woman spoke to 7News about watching firefighters bring James Rice from the building. She said the firefighters performed CPR on Rice. The woman said she cried as she watched.

Another woman said she not only lived in the neighborhood but was familiar with Rice because he often held fire safety classes at the area schools. She said she had seen him last week giving fire safety tips in her son’s class.

The woman described Rice as a great person, that he loved his job, loved his family and always had a smile on his face.

WHDH-TV also filed this video report:

 

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Posted by on December 23, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fires, Line of Duty, Videos

Firefighter Davies Funeral Schedule

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Posted by Local 1009

WORCESTER FIREFIGHTERS IAFF LOCAL 1009 has posted the announced schedule for the funeral honoring Firefighter Jon Davies who died in the line of duty on December 8:

Worcester Firefighters Local 1009 sadly reports the L.O.D.D. of FF Jon Davies, Rescue 1. FF Davies perished while operating at a multiple alarm fire at 49 Arlington St. FF Davies was a 17 year veteran of the Worcester Fire Department and leaves behind his mother, brother, sister , three sons and a fiance.

An account has been set up for the children at the Worcester Fire Department Credit Union. Contributions can be made out to: The Jon Davies Children’s Fund, 34 Glennie Street, Worcester, MA 01605

Calling Hours:

Wednesday December 14 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Mercadante Funeral Home
370 Plantation Street
Worcester, MA

Funeral:

Thursday December 15 10:00 am
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
24 Mulberry St
Worcester, MA

Local 1009 WEBSITE.

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Posted by on December 10, 2011 • Filed under: current events, Line of Duty • Tagged: , , ,

LODD – Massachusetts

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Firefighters Buried in Wall Collapse

Note:  WCVB-TV is running a live-thread with continual updates HERE.

A WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, FIREFIGHTER has perished in a fire this morning (Thursday) and a second FF is hospitalized following a wall collapse at a triple-decker fire.  The fire was dispatched around 4 am and went to three alarms.

WHDH-TV

Several firefighters were inside the house conducting primary searches with the building full ablaze, when part of the rear wall of the building suddenly collapsed.  The two firefighters were inside and buried in the debris.  RIT was immediately instituted and the two men were located quickly, but it took a few minutes to free them.  CPR was begun right away on the unnamed firefighter but he was unable to survive.

FossilMedic was posting the dramatic, live time-line Tweets this morning and you can follow the FD's activities during the fire and the collapse rescue efforts HERE.

When the FD units began arriving on the scene they had reports that as many an 12 residents could still be inside, so a full search and rescue effort was begun.  After the initial search, a resident said that  a friend was still inside.  So more FF's went back into the fire building to look for him and that is when the collapse occurred.

WHDH-TV Ch. 7 posted this video report:

 

One resident is still unaccounted for and crews are searching the rubble for any remains.

Boston Herald

The Worcester Telegram & Gazette has MORE.

STATter911 has additional videos HERE.

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Posted by on December 8, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Fires, Line of Duty, Videos • Tagged: ,

Worcester firefighters trapped in collapse of residential building. UPDATED. Incident timeline as tweeted by @Boston_FF_L29.

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As tweeted by @Boston_FF_L29

UPDATE (6:33 am):

Pictures tweeted by @ProvFireVideos

Sad morning.

Incident timeline by @BOSTON_FF_L29

BOSTON & Needham, Ma., USA Boston Ma.Firefighter (L29). Tweeting Local, National Fire News & MY Opinions, NOT those of L29, L718 or Boston Fire. For Wx tweets follow me @L29_SNEWeather

BOSTON_FF_L29 Normally I would have gone to sleep, but this fire seemed different from the start…and got worse by the minute (7:15)

Pictures posted by Matthew Gregoire, Providence Fire Videos, @ProvFireVideos

Thanks to James for catching our headline typo.

STATter911 with additional video and media reports

Fox 25: Worcester firefighter dies in blaze (live helicopter feed ended)

ABC 5: Massive Blaze Destroys Apartment House

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on December 8, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, Major Incidents, News, Rescues, Twitter, Urban Commander • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,