Winner of Spain Formula 1 race, may be related to the KERS energy system.

Shortly after winning today's Formula 1 race in Barcelona, Spain, a fire erupted in the Williams garage.

Sky Sports document the early moments, from Alpha side:

Extensive damage is caused as a fire breaks out at the back of the Williams team garage after they celebrated winning the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya on May 13, 2012 in Barcelona, Spain.

Sixteen people were injured when a fire broke out in the Williams team garage at the Spanish F1 Grand Prix.

Click here to access Sky Sports pictures.

Statement from Williams:

"After today's Spanish Grand Prix a fire occurred in the team's garage which originated from the fuel area.

"Four team personnel were injured in the incident and subsequently taken to the medical center. Three are now receiving treatment at local hospitals for their injuries, while the fourth has been released. The team will monitor their condition and ensure they receive the best possible care.

"The team, the fire services and the police are working together to determine the root cause of the fire and an updated statement will be released in due course.

"The Williams F1 Team would like to thank all of the teams and the FIA for their support in today's incident."

BBC Sports report from Charlie side, including the speculation on the KERS energy management system:

Andrew Benson, BBC Sports Chief F1 writer, has more details here:  Spanish Grand Prix: Williams crew injured in pit fire.

Three members of the Williams team were taken to hospital, while four Caterham mechanics were treated at the track's medical unit. A Force India team member was also treated on the site after suffering smoke inhalation

Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS)

The acronym KERS stands for Kinetic Energy Recovery System. The device recovers the kinetic energy that is present in the waste heat created by the car’s braking process. It stores that energy and converts it into power that can be called upon to boost acceleration.

There are principally two types of system – battery (electrical) and flywheel (mechanical). Electrical systems use a motor-generator incorporated in the car’s transmission which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy and vice versa. Once the energy has been harnessed, it is stored in a battery and released when required.

Mechanical systems capture braking energy and use it to turn a small flywheel which can spin at up to 80,000 rpm. When extra power is required, the flywheel is connected to the car’s rear wheels. In contrast to an electrical KERS, the mechanical energy doesn’t change state and is therefore more efficient.

Read more here:  KERS

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

The Now Normal creates a new dilemma

Amanda Cuda describes the latest twist in police and fire relations:

Mike Apatow was minding his own business Wednesday, driving to an appointment for work in Washington Depot when a state police car appeared suddenly and signaled for the Milford resident to pull over.

…

"I asked the officer `What seems to be the problem?' " Apatow said. "He said `You've been flagged as a radioactive car.' "

…

State Police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance confirmed that many of the state police cars have the radioactivity detectors. "It's part of our homeland security operations here," Vance said. "It's just another layer of public safety that we have in this state."

Read the article to get the rest of the story.

Photo: Contributed Photo / Connecticut Post Contributed

see Radioactive man? Milford resident pulled over by state police (May 10, 2012) ctpost.com

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Finding electronic clues for the next hot-rod Chevy

Christopher Price is a knowledge worker that blogs about technology.  Posted this item on April 24:

Out of the blue, I decided to pull up my OnStar vehicle profile, and check its maintenance. I don’t know why. But, I did.

And afterwards, I was once again ticked that my 2009.5 Pontiac G6 V6 (with FlexFuel), could not take advantage of even the most basic of OnStar RemoteLink features. Generation 8.0 OnStar “won’t ever” support RemoteLink, sadly.

Just for fun, I decided to pull up the list of cars which did support RemoteLink. Sheer boredom, I was expecting nothing but what I knew. And then I saw it. A 2014 Model Year button.

Oh, this must be a mistake, I thought. Nothing will show up. Null entry, move on. Right?

GM Confirms the 2014 Chevrolet SS Performance & Cadillac ELR — Thanks to OnStar Mishap

Mike Colias, a reporter with Automotive News, picked up on this item, adding the following nuggets:

The list of 2014 models disappeared from the OnStar site this afternoon, after I called GM for comment.

Another clue: Last week, the Web site GM Authority reported that GM has filed for U.S. patent rights that would trademark the SS badge.

Trail of clues leading to Chevrolet SS nameplate

We reported on this speculation last month: “New” Chevrolet will be 2013 NASCAR racer

I missed the very brief window in 2011 when the Caprice "detective" versions were available for sale. 

Contract loophole = Street Caprices

Maybe I can buy a Super Sport next year.
 

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Saturday Morning – Cell Phones On

Out of the 30,000+ fire departments in the U. S., a goodly number of them have their own web pages by now.  But only a small percentage of them have what I would call an excellent or even effective website.  Many departments go out of their way to host a website that is truly informative and meant to engage the citizens by telling them useful things.  Over the past five years I have looked at untold hundreds of FD websites in the course of putting together this blog each day, and I have seen all manners of fire department websites….all the way from crap-ola to excellent.

So far, I haven't seen any that come close to the amazing interactive website hosted by the San Ramon Valley (California) Fire Protection District.  Rather than repeat here everything I have already noted about them, I will refer you to my previous postings HERE and HERE on their imaginative and innovative use of the internet and urge you to take the time to read them.  Another feature that they introduced just over a year ago is their citizen CPR program that sends alerts to registered volunteers about CPR incidents nearby that they might be able to respond to and initiate life-saving before the ambulance gets there.  We wrote about it in January of last year HERE and said in part:

Check out this latest addition to their citizen partnership policy, a CPR notification signal. This new app utilizes the GPS technology that is built into cellphones and is installed on the phones of people who are certified CPR performers. To just explain it briefly, if there is a 9-1-1 call for a cardiac incident in the San Ramon Fire District territory, the dispatch will also send an alert to people who are registered in the program and in the immediate area at that moment. It will tell them three things: Where the incident is and what it is, a map showing where the address is located, and a map showing where the nearest AED is available.  The whole idea of course, is to get life-saving help to the victim as soon as possible and perhaps start CPR several minutes before the ambulance arrives.

What brought this program to mind this morning was a press release that told about the developer of that CPR app being a finalist nominee for a major award for their program.  I didn't realize it, but it makes sense that the app itself is commercially available and can be used by any public service agency that qualifies.  And making this even better is that use of the program is FREE.  Click on over to PulsePoint's WEBSITE HERE to learn even more about it.  If your agency has a dedicated IT staff  of one or a dozen, this is a great way to provide a genuine service to your citizens.

Firegeezer notes that this is the type of activity  that goes a long way to protect the FD's reputation and budget from the onslaught of bent politicians.

Let's get started with our equipment check now.  I need to get some good, high-octane coffee going, too.  See you back in the day room.

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Mitch Allread creates rolling art

The first video from the "Big Muscle" series from Mike Musto.

It packs a 400 hp diesel out of a Ford F-350, a Dana 80 rear-end, and a look and feel that would make Max Rockatansky feel right at home. This is Mitch Allread's custom fabricated creation and it is, without a doubt, one of the coolest things on the road today.

This is a machine that transcends the traditional hot rod formula by breaking down borders and setting its own stage. Whereas most hot-rods are built by custom shops utilizing parts from mail order catalogs, Mitch took a different approach and fabricated just about everything on his ride by hand. Calling this a rat-rod would be an insult – a work of art however… that'd be just fine.

Kurt Ernst, writing for Motor Authority, describes the powertrain:

Under the hood lurks a “mildly chipped” Ford PowerStroke diesel V-8, pulled from a 1997 Ford F350. Allread figures it puts out in the neighborhood of 400 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque, which explains why he retained the dually wheels at the back end.

Ernst, also writing for Automotive Addicts, describes the Big Muscle host, Mike Musto:

Mike Musto is the car guy’s car guy. He’s run Bullrun, campaigned a vintage Dodge Charger called “Mr. Angry” in One Lap of America and has forgotten more about the pro-touring scene than you or I will ever learn.

Now he’s got his own weekly series on YouTube’s Drive channel called “Big Muscle,” and if the first episode is any indication, it will be worth tuning into.

The pace and focus of the first 10 minute video takes a different approach to the automotive feature, more speaking and less smoking tires.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

 Just stumbled across a review of this book.

The First Responders of Television

from the publisher:

From the first live telecast of an actual fire in 1938, to such weekly television series as Rescue 8, Emergency!, Saved and Rescue Me in the US and International favorites of England's London's Burning, Germany's Medicopter 117, and Japan's Burning Flame trilogy, this book offers detailed coverage of the many First Responders of Television.

They include Firefighters, Police Officers, Paramedics, EMT's, Lifeguards, Aeromedical, Forest Rangers, and the Coast Guard. Over 150 dramatic and comedic programs from around the world are discussed including the apparatus they rode on, helicopters, aircraft, and boats utilized as well as the hospitals they filmed out of.

Also included are reality programming, (Rescue 911, The Paramedics, and others), made for television movies (Firefighter, Pine Canyon is Burning), unsold pilots, and individual fire or rescue episodes from programs such as Perry Mason, Hunter, The A-Team, Law and Order, and others are covered.

about the author:

Richard Yokley was a member of the Bonita-Sunnyside Fire Protection District (San Diego, California) from 1972 to 1999. He received Firehouse Magazine's Heroism and Community Service Award in 1987. He has written several newspaper and trade journal articles, this is his third book. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to The Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Society.

Lee Goldberg's Review:

"First Responders" is a massive and ambitious undertaking, covering every U.S. TV series, unsold pilot, reality show, dcumentary and TV movie about first responders (mostly firefighters, but also lifeguards, medics, forest rangers,highway patrolmen, etc), produced from the 1950s to early 2011. If that wasn't enough, the book also covers major and minor TV series about first responders produced all over the world and has appendices on such things as firehouses on television, rescue vehicles on TV, and on technical advisors.

Yokley is particularly interested in how authentic the shows were, particularly the vehicles, equipment, and locations they used, and other details relating to how the rescues and fires were depicted. It's fascinating stuff, but for me, I would have appreciated knowing a lot more about the shows creatively, how they were developed and written, and how they ultimately went right or wrong. So, for me, the book was a little unsatisfying…but even so, I loved it. It's truly a great TV book. The depth of Yokley's research, his personal knowledge of the rescue field, and his apprecation of first responders (fire fighters in particular) comes through on every page. This is a major work of television scholarship, something Bear Manor Media specializes in publishing, and is a must-have for any television reference library.

Go to A Writer's Life to read more of Goldberg's review.  (HERE)

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

"State of Cool"

Tumbler silliness creates internet meme.

From M. J. Lee at Politico.com:

Adam Smith, who created the Tumblr account that has quickly gone viral with his friend Stacy Lambe – both communications professionals based in Washington, D.C. — told POLITICO soon after meeting the secretary of state Tuesday that he was “still in shock” about the invitation to the State Department.

“It was great. She came out, she was all smiles, told us how much she likes the site and that people have been telling her all about it,” Smith said. “She just thinks it’s great.”

Hillary Clinton likes ‘Texts from Hillary’ Tumblr

Texts from Hillary tumbler

Adam Smith @asmith83

Stacy Lambe @sllambe

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

161 ticket holders won $250,000 each

Nine people who bought tickets in Virginia and Maryland were a PowerBall short of the jackpot, but got enough of a prize to have serious fun.

I am planning to be one of the first owners of a four-door Mustang GT.

(c) Theophilus Chin / Chris Doane Automotive photo

Then have Kenny Brown Performance install a Class III package.

No buyer's remorse this time!

I was seriously considering buying a Kenny Brown Panther, a supercharged supercar that looked like an unmarked Crown Vic police cruiser. Inspired by the 1998 Car and Driver "Lounge Lizard" project car. (article HERE)

In a 2003 follow-up article by Larry Niven, Kenny Brown Marauder S: Ford lobs one into the aftermarket, and Kenny Brown hits it outta the park, we get a feel for the impact of the Lounge Lizard project car:

It's fitting that Brown is the orchestrator of this Marauder transformation. He was the original sculptor of the Lounge Lizard C/D project car (November 1998), a supercharged, blacked-out version of the Crown Victoria (Ford's version of the Mercury Grand Marquis) that we believe was the forerunner to the Marauder.

Since we published the Lounge Lizard story, Brown has built 35 similar cars …

For the Lizard and its SOHC 16-valve V-8 engine, Brown used a Roots-type supercharger that is sold by Ford—through Ford Racing—and sits in the vee of the engine.

Spent the Monday of 2003 FDIC week at the Indianapolis shop trying out their "work car."

It was almost a religious experience.

Went back that summer to check out a customer car that was similar to what I wanted. 

Met with an Indianapolis Ford dealer to order the proper base vehicle, a 2004 LX in Dark Toreador Red Clearcoat Metallic with a Medium Parchment interior.

Got cold feet – over $50,000 for a car.

Ten years and a lottery ticket later …

The four-door Mustang GT with a Kenny Brown Class III package is the closest I can get to recreating that experience.

thanks to Nick Kurczewicki at Road & Track online for the scoop on the new Mustang:

2014 Ford Mustang Sedan – First Look. New 4-door Mustang sedan may also be available as a Boss 302.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Update – the four door Mustang may carry the "Falcon" name plate

Wednesday Morning – Thanks!

First I want to thank all of you who sent us so many good wishes and congratulaions yesterday (see yesterday's Lineup).  They came in via emails, Facebook messages and website Comments, too.  It's very rewarding to know that our readers enjoy our product and make Firegeezer a regular part of their online time.  A few typical examples:

• Please, keep it going. You are part of my internet ritual every day….

• I'm not sure exactly how long I've been following you , but your site is the one I visit first everyday!

• It’s been a great adventure reading your site and allways lots of unusual, diverse and interesting articles.

• You always maintain my interest by your broad range of articles….  

All of the GeezerGang truly appreciate your sentiments and the fact that you took the time to write to us.  So, Thanks again!

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Do you recall that reference we gave you the other day to a fire-oriented website in Waterloo, Ontario, that showed a couple of ways that the local FD is integrating high-tech stuff into their operations?  (see Firegeezer HERE.)  One of the new tricks they're up to is putting their unique QRC (Quick Response Code) on the sides of their fire apparatus.

I have seen those maze-looking designs showing up here and there, but never really paid any attention to what they are used for.  I know that they are a type of symbol designed to be scanned, like a bar code, but hadn't thought about why.  I didn't even know they are called QRC's or what the letters stand for.  It turns out that these things have been around for years but are only just recently coming into use in North America.  Their purpose is to allow a unique block of information to be very rapidly scanned, as in "high speed."  Not only are they favorable to speedy scanning, but they can hold a tremendous amount of information compared to a bar code.

Toyota invented the thing way back in 1994 as a method to track parts and units in progress on their auto assembly lines.  Because of that, other uses have been explored and utilized in Japan for quite a few years now.  Europe has been way ahead of us in utilizing the codes, too.  Lately, the most common usage that we've been exposed to is largely for commercial ventures where the codes will connect you to a website or replace your ATM card for purchases.  Most smartphones now come with built-in QRC scanners that read the code via your camera function.  If you don't have one built-in, the usual apps are aplenty out there.

They also lend to innovative marketing uses like the company that will emboss your QRC on a piece of chocolate for you to use as handouts.  Customers can scan the chocolate to view your message and then they can eat it.

Leave it to the innovative thinkers at Facebook to dream up the project recently where a bunch of them went up to the roof of one of their buildings and painted a 40-ft. QRC that takes you to a Facebook information website.  It's large enough to be picked up on a satellite map.

That's really neat stuff, isn't it?

Our apparatus are really neat stuff too, and we need to get them checked out now.  I'm going to check the Bunn-O-Matic and get more coffee going.  See you back in the day room in a little while.

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Facebook Geeks Paint the Roof

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"We also feel its important to provide positive information to the public in an effort to support
fire service operations,especially when budgets are under constant attack. 
Thank you for all you do!"

Secrets of the Firegeezer

Congratulations to Bill Schumm!

Who knew?

I was a truck company officer when I first worked with Bill. At almost every line-up, Captain II Schumm would have a interesting or weird story that was fire related.

Most of the in-station training classes delivered by the Captain included an interesting story or factoid. Some reflected his interest in history or architecture, other items from his experience working at the busiest station in the county. 

Some of the factoids or recommended practices in the Fire Officer textbook came from Bill.

Checking the attic

For example, Bill always required that the attic be checked on every call, regardless of the nature of the emergency.

His goal was for the crews to understand the diversity and surprises found in attics, before we had to operate in a high heat, low-visibility situation. Based on a near-miss when he worked on The Highway.

A large part of the district was filled with houses built during World War II. Many had balloon frame features. By the 1980s almost  all of them were converted to living spaces.

Sweating the Details

Bill approaches his blog like a farmer.

Obsessive attention to daily page views. Experiments with different features. Tries to make it rain.

We are always amazed, and appreciative, of who regularly reads the blog.

photo by Mike Legeros (c) 2011

"Is this a marital aid?"

The first time Bill rented a booth at Firehouse Expo, most of the attendees thought we were selling some supplement for ancient firefighters.

By the third year, most of them were fans, almost more than those coming to serve STATter911 with a summons or threat.

Thanks to all that have made this journey memorable!

The next five years will be more exciting.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward