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Firetruck Crash With Fatality – Pennsylvania – Updated

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Updated reports - One Fatality

Update #1 -scroll down.
Update #2 – more details released.

A FIRETRUCK WAS INVOLVED in a collision with an automobile late Thursday afternoon in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

WGAL-TV

WGAL-TV is reporting:  The crash happened near Holly Pike/Route 34 and Old York Road/Highway 174. Traffic is affected and is being directed around the accident.  Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Michelle Davis said the truck collided with a car, killing the driver of that car. No one in the firetruck was hurt.

There has not yet been disclosure on what fire department's vehicle was involved, or what type of unit it is.

Update #1, 5:30 pm Eastern:
The firetruck was responding to a vehicle fire and passing through an intersection around 4 pm Eastern where the wreck occurred.  The driver of the car was an elderly woman who was killed in the crash.

Update #2:
WGAL-TV is reporting:

State police believe a Ford Freestyle was traveling west on Route 174 approaching the intersection of Route 34. A Mount Holly Springs fire (engine) was traveling north on Route 34 responding to a call for a vehicle fire on Interstate 81. As the fire truck approached the intersection with lights and sirens activated it collided with the Ford, hitting the driver's side of the vehicle and killing the driver of that car.

The driver of the fire engine was transported with unspecified injuries.  Everyone was wearing seatbelts in both vehicles.

WGAL-TV filed this video report:

 

Hat tip:  Carmine S.

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Posted by on December 8, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, Fire Rescue Topics, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus, Videos • Tagged: , , ,

Can you hear me now? Roxbury pumper used a fire house siren powered by generator

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When you need to let them know you are on the way!

Tom Rinelli posted an interesting New Jersey rig in his “This ‘N That” blog post:

Roxbury Engine Co# 1, Succasunna (Morris County) NJ – Engine 13

1980 Hendrickson/Continental 1250 gpm/500 gal.

The first (and only) Continental brand apparatus I have ever photographed, this rig features a rear mounted LDH hose reel. Known as “The Pipe Line”, this rig is shown here making its’ last appearance at a wetdown prior to be replaced with a 2011 KME Predator.

A closer look reveals that the rig has a Federal Signal siren (the kind you’d typically find on a firehouse) mounted atop the cab – powered by the onboard generator, the siren was fully functional (and quite loud!!) throughout the wetdown.

Roxbury (NJ) Chemical Engine Company #1

You should check out Tom's UnyqueFireTrucks

This website is devoted to many aspects of firematic photography with a particular emphasis on unique fire trucks (hence the name) whether it’s a unique color, a “one-off job” or a rig with a storied past.

Anyone have a video or sound clip of Engine 13?

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on December 7, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Technology & Communications, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus • Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

From the Engineer’s Desk

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November Recalls

Daimler Trucks is recalling (NHTSA #11V-465) some 2006 – 2012 Freightliner Business Class M2, Cascadia, Century, Columbia, Coronado and Sterling A-Line vehicles built with Meritor Wabco electronic stability control system (ESC).

Under certain road and driving conditions, vehicle body roll and road inclination characteristics may adversely affect the slip angle calculation of the ESC system. This might cause the ESC to perceive an over steering situation and therefore apply the outer wheel brake on the front axle until the vehicle is perceived to be stable. If the driver is slow to react during this ESC intervention, the vehicle may deviate from the intended line of travel increasing the risk of a crash.

Daimler Trucks will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ESC module with the appropriate software version as necessary, free of charge. An interim owner notification will be mailed on or about Nov. 1, 2011. The date for availability of the final remedy is subject to validation testing and parts availability. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about March 30, 2012. Owners may contact Daimler Trucks at 800 547 0712.

 

Daimler is also recalling (11V478) certain 2004 through 2008 heavy trucks equipped with EPA04 model MBE 4000 engines built with plastic low pressure fuel lines and fuel filters mounted near the center of the engine on the left hand side.

The plastic low pressure fuel line between the engine mounted fuel filter and the engine block may develop a substantial fuel leak.

Daimler Trucks will notify owners and the remedy will be performed by Detroit Diesel Corp. authorized repair facilities. Vehicles will be inspected and the plastic low pressure fuel line will be replaced with a steel low pressure line. This service will be performed free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule. Owners may contact Daimler at 800 547 0712.

Daimler is also recalling (11V-474) some 2011 and 2012 Business Class M2 and Coronado trucks equipped with Cummins ISX or ISL engines.

The V-band clamp assembly part numbers Q187684, Q187685 and Q187686, used to connect the inlet and outlet cone sections to the diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC)/diesel particulate filter (DPF) include a T-bolt which can fracture when subjected to stress or load. A fracture or failure of the T-bolt may cause the clamp to loosen and the inlet or outlet sections attached to the DOC/DPF housing to disconnect. If the inlet or outlet sections disconnect, hot exhaust gases can vent prior to exiting the tailpipe, creating the risk of combustion and fire. If both clamps fail there is a risk in some applications that the DOC/DPF housing may detach completely, creating a road hazard.

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KME has an identical recall (11V-471) out for certain 2010 and 2011 Predator pumpers and 2011 5500 rescue trucks.

Both Daimler and KME are working with Cummins to identify and notify owners of the recall campaigns. Repairs will be performed by authorized Cummins dealers free of charge. Owners may contact Cummins at 812 377 5000, Daimler at 800 547 0712 or KME at 800 235 3928. Cummins recall campaign number is C1154.

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Wheeled Coach is recalling (11V-470) certain 2004 through 2010 Ford E-350 Type II diesel ambulances originally sold or registered in all New England states, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, D.C., West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri for a potential corrosion issue on the secondary battery terminal. As the secondary battery terminal corrodes, the Wheeled Coach accessory power cable is affected and the siren, warning lights and interior patient compartment lights could be intermittent or fail to operate.

Wheeled Coach will mail retrofit kits along with installation instructions to customers, or repairs can be performed by a service center free of charge. The recall began on Sept. 30, 2011. Owners may contact Wheeled Coach Customer Service at 800 628 8178.

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Cold weather is upon many of us. Remember the tips that I and many others have talked about in the past for preventing freeze ups. Mine can be reviewed HERE, HERE, and HERE, or by going to “Engineer’s Desk.” There are many others to be found in other publications and web sites.

That’s it for now. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all. Stay safe….. Sam

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Posted by on December 5, 2011 • Filed under: Engineer's Desk, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus • Tagged: , , ,

Pickup Strikes Fire Truck – Driver Killed

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Watch Out at Those Accident Scenes!

AN PICKUP TRUCK SLAMMED INTO THE REAR of a ladder truck that was positioned at an accident scene near St. Louis, Missouri, early Thursday morning, killing the car's driver immediately.

KTVI

The truck had responded to a previous crash on I-70 near St. Peters when the car struck it shortly after midnight Thursday morning.  Police have not said if there were any other passengers in the auto.

KTVI

There were two firefighters who suffered minor injuries and there was apparently heavy damage to the rear of the ladder truck.

It is unknown why the pickup driver drove into the parked firetruck of if he even applied his brakes.

KTVI-TV Ch. 2 St. Louis provided this video report from the scene:

 

Hat tip:  B. Johnson

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Posted by on December 1, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus, Videos • Tagged: ,

From the Engineer’s Desk

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Navistar Emergency Vehicles Services Meeting

Navistar International has had an Emergency Services Vehicle Advisory Group for six or seven years now. It usually meets once a year. Bob Neitzel, Vocational Marketing Manager likes to tie the meeting date and place to a national fire service organization conference. For the last two years it has been before the start of International Association of Fire Chiefs Volunteer and Combination Officers Section in Clearwater Beach, Fla. The meeting was held on Nov. 9, 2011

One of the topics discussed was the Environmental Protection Agency’s diesel engine emissions standards.

Many people who post on Firehouse.com and other places are of the opinion that at some point, Navistar’s MaxxForce engines will have to be switched to Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and use Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) in order to meet EPA 2010 NOx emissions standards. Right now they use enhanced cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR). They are operating on credits gained from engines being under 2007 standards for some years.

Navistar says they do not have any plans to change. They state that some engines meet the 2010 standard already. The rest will soon. All engines can meet the standard now, but they would sacrifice fuel economy in order to do so. Navistar is not willing to make that tradeoff. They believe that with some additional tweaking they will be able to bring all engines into compliance long before they run out of credits.

They also point out that SCR engines convert the NOx into two byproducts: Nitrogen and carbon dioxide. Navistar believes that the next EPA standards will include reducing or eliminating CO2. MaxxForce engines aftertreatment does not produce any CO2 now.

Navistar also states that they do not have any problems with DPF plugging.

That's it for now.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving……. Sam

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Posted by on November 18, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, Engineer's Desk, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus • Tagged: ,

Firetruck Crash in New Jersey Injures 5 FF’s

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Narrow Road, Wet Road

A BURLINGTON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY, fire engine from the Lumberton Vol. Fire Company went off the road Wednesday night and wrecked, injuring five firefighters that were in the cab.

The truck was returning from a call around 7:30 pm and traveling along a narrow road in wet weather when it met an oncoming car.  As the engine driver eased over to pass the car, he went off the pavement and into a ditch while shearing the roof off of the pumper from tree limbs.

Pictured is Lumberton Engine 1311.  It has not been
confirmed if this unit, a 2004 KME, is the truck that
was in the accident.  (Lumberton FD website image)

The five FF's on board were all transported, but were soon released from medical care with only minor injuries.

The car that they passed continued on, but police say that the driver of the car is not considered to be at fault and they are not looking for him.

The Burlington County Times has the early REPORT.
Lumberton Fire Company No. 1 WEBSITE.

Hat tip:  Carmine S.

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Posted by on November 17, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, Fire Rescue Topics, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus • Tagged: , , , ,

Rescue Truck Rollover in Germany

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While Responding to a Call

A HEAVY RESCUE TRUCK FROM the volunteer fire department in Treskow, Germany, was responding to a fire call Monday morning when the 42-yr.-old driver inexplicably lost control of the truck and left the road.  It dropped down a shallow embankment and rolled over.  The truck also carried another FF in the front seat and both of them were slightly injured and transported.

The 12-yr.-old truck that weighed 18 tons was so heavily damaged that it will probably need to be replaced.  The estimated loss is 250,000 Euros.  It took three hours to remove all the equipment and get the truck towed out of the field.

Feuerwehr News has the STORY.
Neuruppin Fire Department webpage for the rescue truck HERE.

Hat tip:  Christian Lewalter.

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Posted by on November 8, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, Fire Rescue Topics, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus • Tagged: ,

Fire Department Tanker Destroyed in Single-Vehicle Wreck

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Driver Later Ticketed

A POTTERSVILLE FIRE COMPANY TANKER was destroyed Sunday when the Somerset County, New Jersey, truck overturned while responding to a brush fire.  The tanker was participating in a multi-company drill Sunday morning when a mutual aid request was directed to it for a brush fire in a nearby township.

PVFC website photo

The driver, Lewis Moore, 47, along with a 16-yr.-old volunteer member responded to the call.  The Courier News reports:

With the tanker’s overhead lights and siren activated, Moore said he was driving on Allen Road when he approached the intersection, ran a stop sign at a four-way stop and then "realized he was going too fast," the report indicated.

The tanker hit a bump in the roadway, causing the front end to become airborne, then started fishtailing out of control, ultimately tipping over onto the driver’s side in the opposite lane of travel, briefly rolling onto its roof and finally coming to a stop on the passenger’s side. A driver heading in the opposite direction at the time told authorities he managed to "narrowly drive around the truck" as it careened into his lane of travel, according to police.

Moore managed to radio a report of the accident to dispatch, and he and the juvenile passenger were transported to Morristown Memorial Hospital for treatment of multiple scrapes and lacerations to their arms, authorities said.

The police report says that roadway damage marks indicated the truck was traveling 44 mph in the 35 mph zone (presumably while going through the stop-sign …. ed.).  The police ticketed Moore for Careless Driving.  The tanker is wrecked "beyond repair" according to Fire Chief Thomas Anderson.  The two firefighters were treated for cuts and abrasions.

The Courier News has the full details HERE.
Pottersville Volunteer Fire Company WEBSITE.

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Posted by on November 8, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, Fire Rescue Topics, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus • Tagged: , , , ,

Firetruck Collision in North Carolina

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At an Intersection

A GASTON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, fire engine was involved in a collision shortly before noon Eastern today (Friday).  The Crowder's Mountain F & R engine 55 was returning from a call when it was struck on the right side by a passenger car.

Crowders Mountain F&R photo via FireNews.net

Police say that the engine was making a left turn when a car in the oncoming lane ran into it.  Two of the three firefighters had minor injuries and were transported.  Damage to the truck is estimated at $150,000.

FireNews.Net has more of the story and photos HERE.

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Only you can prevent first responder"

Posted by on November 4, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, Fire Rescue Topics, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus • Tagged: , ,

One Ambulance Crash Nets Two Drunk Drivers

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On-Scene Cop Reels 'em In

A GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, AMBULANCE was transporting a patient non-emergency late Wednesday night when a private vehicle ran a flashing red traffic signal and caused the ambulance driver to swerve to avoid a collision.  The Life EMS ambulance ended up crashing into a utility pole while the offending car, a Jeep, stopped at the scene.

WOOD-TV

While a police officer was investigating the accident, another car came breezing through the crash scene and nearly struck the police cruiser.  The officer detained that driver and arrested both of the auto drivers on drunk-driving charges.  The patient was uninjured and another unit from Life EMS completed the transfer.

WOOD-TV was on the scene and filed this video report:

 

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"Only you can prevent first responder"

Posted by on November 4, 2011 • Filed under: ambulances, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus, Videos • Tagged: , ,

Black Ice Sends Truck Into Fire Engine

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Driver Had No Control on Ice Patch

A SUDDEN PLUNGE IN TEMPERATURE caused roads to ice up in New England early Friday morning, leading to dozens of highway accidents.  On I-93 in New Hampshire a multi-car accident brought a Manchester fire engine to the scene along with police units.  While they were working the incident a patch of black ice covered the roadway and another accident unfolded.

WMUR-TV reports this morning:

Police officers and firefighters were on the scene of an accident on Interstate 93 between exits 7 and 8, near the Wellington overpass, when a tractor-trailer was unable to stop and slid into a fire truck. Two police cruisers were also damaged. The driver of the tractor-trailer said he was only going about 25 mph when he saw flashing lights and the vehicle in front of him start to slide. That's when the driver said he hit the brakes.

"Once I applied the brakes the truck just started driving out of control and I couldn't stop. The whole entire highway is black ice and pretty much I ended up sliding into the fire truck because I cut the wheel left to try to avoid the accident," said Joshua, the driver of the tractor-trailer.

Officers on the scene of the accident said it was difficult to walk on the road, let alone drive.

 

A Manchester District Chief said there were so many accidents on the Interstate that at one point every unit in the FD, 11 pieces of apparatus, were on calls.

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Posted by on October 28, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, Fire Rescue Topics, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus, Videos • Tagged:

Firetruck Runs Over Bicyclist

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Bike Rider Makes Fatal Decision

A WINTER PARK, FLORIDA, FIRE ENGINE was drawn into a fatal accident Monday night when a bicyclist whose bike had no brakes tried to outrun the engine before it made a right turn.  According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 18-yr.-old cyclist, Cullen Detamore came alongside the fire engine on the curb side and pedalled along with it.  When the engine approached the entrance to a hospital ER where they were to pick up somebody, the driver put on his turn signal.  Detamore was unable to slow down with his lack of brakes and instead of ditching on the grass verge, he attempted to speed up and go past the truck.

When he saw that was going to fail, he then tried to turn into the same driveway but was going too fast to take the sharp turn.  The bike skidded over and Detamore went tumbling under the fire engine where its rear wheels then ran over him.

WKMG-TV

The fire crew immediately got him into the ER which was just a few feet away, but the doctors were unable to save him.  The FHP says that Detamore was at fault in the accident and the 51-yr.-old engine driver will not be charged.

WESH-TV Ch. 2 Orlando filed this video report from the scene that includes a good eyewitness account of the sad event:

 

The Orlando Sentinel has the STORY.
Winter Park Fire Rescue Department WEBSITE.

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Posted by on October 25, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, Fire Rescue Topics, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus, Videos • Tagged: , , ,

Firetruck and Ambulance Involved in 4-Vehicle Accident

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Happened At An Intersection – Where Else?

JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI's EMERGENCY FLEET is a little smaller this week following an accident Saturday night that took a fire engine and an ambulance out of service.  The wreck involving two private automobiles as well, lead to ten people needing transportation to the hospital.

WLBT-TV

The chain-reaction accident began at 8 pm when an AMR ambulance that was responding to a call collided with a taxicab at an intersection.  A Jackson FD engine was caught up in the melee and ran into a private auto in the same crash zone.  The ambulance ended up on its side and the front of the fire engine had significant damage.  An unconfirmed report states that the ambulance and the fire engine were both responding to the same call.

WLBT-TV

Three firefighters, three AMR employees, and four civilians were transported with most of them kept overnight.

WLBT-TV filed this video report from the scene:

 

The Clarion Ledger has more details HERE.

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Posted by on October 24, 2011 • Filed under: ambulances, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Vehicle Operation & Ambulances, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus, Videos

The Comfort of Consistent Mediocracy

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And the warmth of familiar procedures

Will Wyatt shares a story of an early morning engine company run that may ring true for some. He was driving a reserve pumper to an auto fire and left his glasses at the fire station.

Squinting at the pump panel, he could not read the worn labels. Picked the label with two words – figuring that was the "Attack Line."  The gurgling above his head and the scattering of spectators indicated that lever was for the "Master Stream" as the deck pipe started spraying the crowd.

All This And A Paycheck, Too!

Tedious Taurus

A decade ago I had a part-time gig that involved travel almost every month. My rental vehicle of choice was a Ford Taurus with NeverLost GPS.

I was still learning how to be a road warrior. Many of the posters on the FlyerTalk forum trashed the fleet-quality Taurus as bland and bragged that they added "no Taurus" to their rental preference profile. I thought that was silly.

Often my trips started with an evening flight, arriving at a nearly-closed airport and a late hotel check in. (2007: Holiday Travels With Fossilmedic)  The last thing I wanted to deal with was an unfamiliar car.

The 2000 – 2007 Taurus became a fleet favorite. Requesting a "full size" car with Neverlost usually delivered a Taurus.

An Ugly Night in Florida

A late night arrival in Florida produced a 2006 Chevy Impala with open trunk, key in the ignition and rental agreement on the hang-tag. Jumped in and started the 40 minute drive to the hotel.

Start looking for the trunk release when I get to the hotel. Not on floor, not on door, not in glovebook and no handle below dashboard.  Hmm …

Discover that the ignition key does not include a key fob for remote opening of door or trunk. In fact, the only keyhole is found on the driver's door. Talk about a stripped-down fleet car!

By now my bladder is screaming and cellphone is dead.  Might as well check-in.

Maybe read the owner's manual

Go back out to the Impala, unlock the one door that I can, and pull out the owner's manual.

From this view you can clearly see the trunk release switch, conveniently located just right of the light switch. A view obscured when I am looking at the dashboard while sitting in the driver's seat.

Now I had fresh underware for the next day.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Hey, how about buying a copy of Wyatt's book.

Go to

http://www.andapaychecktoo.com/

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Posted by on October 23, 2011 • Filed under: cars, Technology & Communications, Urban Commander, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus • Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Firetruck Crash Kills FF in France

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En Route to Training Academy

A FIREFIGHTER DRIVING A PUMPER to a training academy on Saturday morning was killed in a head-on crash.  Lieutenant Frederic Jacob, 41, was alone and driving the truck to the class when the fire engine crashed head-on with a tractor trailer on a 2-lane highway near the town of Verosvres.

Lt. Frederic Jacob

The horrific crash completely demolished the entire front end of the firetruck and killed Lt. Jacob immediately. 

Le Journal

The tractor cab of the transport truck was mostly demolished as well and the driver is in critical condition.

Le Journal

The police investigation is still continuing and there has been no announcement of what caused the collision.

Le Journal

Lt. Jacob was the commanding officer of the Gueugnon Fire Station and leaves a family of 2 children.

Creusot has the STORY.
Le Journal has a 20-image photo gallery HERE.

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Posted by on October 22, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Line of Duty, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus • Tagged: , , ,

Regeneration Filters Still Fouling the Firetrucks

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Your (un)friendly EPA at work

THE SUBJECT OF REGENERATION FILTERS for diesel engines continues to dominate firetruck maintenance divisions across the country.  A full 18 months ago we saw a forceful and informative letter in STATter911 HERE from a Florida fire chief who was pleading with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency to waive the filter requirements for emergency services like they do for the military.

KGTV image

Since then, there have been many more calls for some relief from this onerous rule as firetrucks and ambulances are being suddenly shut down while on emergency calls and city shops are busting their budgets trying to maintain  the things.

Now the city of San Diego is going public too, and calling out their congressional delegation to do something as they have already had more than 350 breakdowns this year alone.  KGTV Ch. 10 ran this video report Monday:

 

While the calls for relief are mounting and our Congressmen are being peppered with complaints, the  EPA continues to ignore the impracticality of their scheme.  Firegeezer does not expect the EPA to alter their requirements, primarily because the current leaders of the agency have demonstrated that they are confirmed ideologues who are not concerned with the effects of their policies on municipalities.

We expect to be hearing even more of these sorts of stories as time goes by.

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Posted by on October 11, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, Fire Rescue Topics, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus, Videos • Tagged: , ,

The Cut-Through

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When Wagon Drivers Ruled the World

Long before GPS and Google Earth, Wagon Drivers held the secrets of quick response.

In my department they were the informal leaders of the fire station. They sweated the details and enforced the rules.

Woe be it to the the firefighter driving the pumper while the Wagon Driver had to cover as the acting fire officer. You could never be smooth enough.

From 4th expected to 2nd arriving

Part of their sweating was refining the details of a response route.  This residential road, off a main highway, held value to one group of Wagon Drivers 

To get to the far northeast corner of the fire company's box alarm district, the engine should be proceeding east on the highway another eigth of a mile to a major intersection.

Turn north and proceed up another highway that arcs west. Then turn east on a primary road.

Following those directions, the 3rd due engine would often be 4th arriving due to traffic and topography.

Cutting up this residential road would consistently result in arriving second to the box alarm.

It was more than the straighter road. The intersection was wide with excellent line-of-site. At the top of a hill.

Much easier to turn north here than down the hill at the major traffic-light controlled intersection.

The other side of the cut-through was also better, coming down a slight hill allowed drivers on the primary road to see the pumper sooner. You were turning on the primary road that took you to the incident.

Shaved more than a minute during rush hour responses. 

The cut through is not as valuable now, the maximim width 2010 pumper restricts manuverability. The cut through was great with narrow 1970 era rigs.

21st Century Wagon Drivers

A colleague from a large city was lamenting the over-reliance on technology. The city used map books that were created at each fire station. Each rig has a set of maps covering their box alarm district.

He noticed that the ambulance was taking longer to get out on dispatches. The rookies were entering the dispatch address into their smartphone and could not leave the station until the phone processed the address.

The kids said it took too long to look the address up in the map books. My colleague responded by increasing the number of street drills for the younger firefighters.

There are situations where technology makes a big difference:

Chicago Fire Department placed GPS devices on all of their front-line and reserve ambulances. Each device pre-loaded hospitals and fire stations into the database. They have prepared additional GPS units that are provided to EMS units that are coming into the city to assist with special event standbys.

How do newer members learn your response district?

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on September 25, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus • Tagged: , , ,

Firetruck Wrecks en route to Autobahn Pileup

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Another Sunday on the Autobahn

A CHAIN-REACTION PILEUP ON THE A5 Autobahn in Osthessen, Germany, Sunday afternoon left more than 30 people injured, several critically.  One was an infant that was revived on the scene and flown to the hospital.

HR-Online

The crash happened around 1:45 pm when more than 20 cars and 2 motorcycles driving on the rain-soaked freeway ran into each other, leading others to pile up behind.

One of the firetrucks responding to the scene, a tanker-pumper from Grunberg slid on the wet highway leading to the autobahn and rolled over injuring the three FF's on board, at least one of them critically.

photos via HR-Online

A second wreck around 2:30 pm when a breakdown that was pulled over to the shoulder was struck from behind by two other cars.  That added six more to the injury list.  At least six helicopter ambulances worked the accident along with several ambulances.

As of Sunday evening no fatalities had been reported.

HR-Online has the story and more photos HERE.
Osthessen News has MORE.
Grunberg Feuerwehr Tanker apparatus website PAGE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks and hat tip to Christian Lewalter.

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Posted by on September 18, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, rescue, Rescues, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus • Tagged: , , ,

Firetruck Rollover Injures 3 FF’s

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Not Responding on a Call

THREE SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, FIRE DEPARTMENT firefighters were injured, one seriously, shortly after 8 am Central this morning (Wednesday) when their apparatus rolled over in a single-vehicle accident.

News-Leader photo

The Springfield News-Leader in an early report says that the engine was not responding to a call at the time, but the driver lost control and rolled the vehicle on a 4-lane highway.  The unnamed driver was seriously injured,  but not life-threatening.  The two other firefighters suffered minor injuries.

The accident investigation is just getting underway.

Hat tip:  Tom P.

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Posted by on September 7, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, Fire Rescue Topics, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus • Tagged: ,

Fire Engine vs. Bus in Canada

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Luckily No Injuries

A VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, FIRE DEPARTMENT engine collided with a tour bus Sunday morning while responding to a working commercial fire.  The engine, which had its lights and siren activated, and the bus crashed into each other at an intersection at 9:07 am Pacific. 

CBC

Straight.com

The impact caused the bus to glance off and then crash into an occupied automobile.  The bus was carrying 20 German tourists on the final day of their visit, but outside of being shaken up none of them were injured.  The firefighters and the car's driver were also unhurt in the chain collision.

Straight.com

It has not been determined yet who was at fault in the crash, but several witnesses said that the bus had failed to yield to the fire engine.

CBC has the details HERE.
CTV News has posted a video report HERE.

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Posted by on September 5, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, Fire Rescue Topics, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus • Tagged: , ,

LODD in Germany

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Responding to Working House Fire

A vacant house fire in Borschemich, Germany, on Monday had a tragic consequence when a special-unit firetruck responding to the blaze rolled over, killing the 33-year-old passenger and seriously injuring the driver, age 56.

Wiebold TV

The firetruck from the Erkelenze Feuerwehr was an air unit with SCBA's and refilling equipment along with related special tools.

Weibold TV

The fire alarm was dispatched at 5:25 pm Monday for the house fire and the first units on the scene had fire showing. That triggered the special-call for the air unit. While en route with lights and siren on the country road, the truck ran off onto the right shoulder and then overcorrected causing the truck to flip over and land in the field on the other side of the roadway.

Wiebold TV

The house fire is initially considered to be an arson. Police believe that there may be some witnesses in the neighborhood who saw a car drive away from the premises just before the fire.

RP-Online

RP-Online has the STORY.

Article provided by Christian Lewalter of FWNetz.

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Posted by on August 23, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, Line of Duty, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus

Firetruck Crash in Germany

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Collision at Intersection

A HAMBURG, GERMANY, FIRE ENGINE was involved in a heavy collision late Saturday night with an Audi automobile.

SH Presse

The crash occurred at an intersection when the firetruck struck the car on the driver's side door and the impact sent the crumpled car across the road into some bushes.

The driver of the car had to be extricated and was then transported to the hospital with serious injuries.  The driver of the firetruck and the other FF in the front seat were both transported with minor injuries.

Nonstop News Service

The police have not yet determined what caused the crash.  The fire company was responding to a fire alarm at a hospital that turned out to be a working fire.

RTN News has the STORY.
SH-PresseService has more plus additional photos HERE.
Nonstop News has a 9-image photo gallery HERE.

Hat tip:  Christian L.

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Posted by on August 21, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, Fire Rescue Topics, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus • Tagged: , , ,

Tanker Rollover in Missouri

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Both Firefighters Injured

A TANKER FROM THE DOE RUN VFD in Saint Francois County, Missouri, was totalled Monday afternoon when it rolled over while responding to a fire call.  The two firefighters on board were both transported and treated for non-life threatening injuries.

KFVS-TV image

Missouri Highway Patrol investigators say the tanker crashed because it was driving too fast for the wet road conditions and ran off the right side of the road on a sharp curve.

KFVS-TV Ch. 12 posted this video report:

 

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Posted by on August 9, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, Fire Rescue Topics, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus, Videos • Tagged: , , ,

Fatal Firetruck Crash in Australia

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Cause of Accident Not Yet Determined

A DARWIN, AUSTRALIA, AIRPORT FOAM TRUCK was involved in a fatal accident Sunday morning while responding to a mutual aid call. 

ABC News

A major fire broke out in a warehouse in the suburb of Berrimah around 7 am Sunday and the fire officers on the scene requested a foam unit from the airport for assistance.  The responding fire-rescue-crash truck was en route to the fire when it collided with an SUV at an intersection with a side road.  Four people were in the car and two of them died on the scene, a man and a woman.  A third passenger was seriously injured and the fourth had only minor injuries. 

The major crash investigation team is onsite and still working to determine what caused the collision.  The warehouse was gutted in the blaze and had burned out by 3 pm.

ABC (Aus.) News has the early STORY.

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Posted by on August 7, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, Fire Rescue Topics, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus • Tagged: , ,

From The Engineer’s Desk

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August Recalls

August’s recalls just arrived, a bit earlier than I’m accustomed to:

Question: Are there any Hinos being used in the U.S. or Canadian fire service? I know that they’re pretty plentiful overseas.

In any case, Hino is recalling (11V-320) certain 2011 NE8J vehicles. The front axle outer wheel bearing cone rollers may not have been properly heat treated. The suspect bearing cones have the date code “ZJ” on the major face of the inner bearing race just following the “Canada” stamp. Without heat treating, a bearing may suffer premature failure which may result in a fire at the wheel or wheel separation that could lead to a crash.

Hino will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during August 2011. Contact Hino Motors at 248 699 9930.

Hino Ranger EH 700 water tender
in service in Philippines

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Sprinter is recalling (11V-323) certain 2011 Sprinter 3500 vehicles sold under both the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner brand names. The supplier of the rear springs rolled the spring eye diameter out of tolerance on a limited number of parts in its production, and then corrected the diameter without heating the parts. This could potentially lead to a crack of the spring eye over time.

Owners will be contacted and dealers will replace the rear springs as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in September. Contact Sprinter at 877 762 8267.

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Navistar is recalling (11V-325) certain 2011 and 2012 International DuraStar heavy trucks equipped with engine feature code 12UXJ and 12 UXH manufactured from January 21, 2010 and April 19, 2011.

The battery cable insulation may abrade on the front suspension spring shackle, possibly resulting in an electrical short circuit.

Navistar will notify owners and dealers will install a bracket to route the battery cables away from the front suspension spring shackle free of charge. The recall was expected to begin on or about July 15.

Navistar will notify owners and dealers will replace the suspect steering wheel free of charge. Contact Navistar at 800 448 7825. Navistar’s campaign number is 11509.

Navistar is also recalling (11V-326) certain 2011 Workhorse chassis manufactured January 1 through May 25.

The steering wheel components do not meet design specifications. As a result, the steering wheel inner piece may separate from the outer piece, which may decrease the driver’s ability to control the vehicle.

Navistar will notify owners and dealers will replace the suspect steering wheel free of charge. Contact Navistar at 800 448 7825. Navistar’s campaign number is 20111-C.

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Daimler Trucks North America is recalling (11V-330) certain 2008 – 2012 Freightliner Cascadia, Century Class, Columbia and Coronado. Also, certain 2008 – 2009 Sterling A-Line and L-Line, and certain 2009 – 2012 Western Star Constellation vehicles manufactured between January 14, 2008 – June 15, 2011, built with Detroit Diesel DD15 or DD16 engines.

The bolt attaching a rubber isolator to a support bracket may become loose and back out, potentially contacting an unfused starter cable and creating a short circuit.

Dealers will install a new bolt and isolator and repair the recreational vehicles free of charge. Ed. note: The text that I’m reading from, as well as the recall notice on NHTSA’s web site says “recreational” vehicles. It also says that as many as 53,847 vehicles could be affected. I’m a bit incredulous that that many, if, indeed, any RVs would be built on those chassis. I looked up DTNA’s letter notifying NHTSA of the defect, and it doesn’t say anything about RVs.

The recall is expected to begin about August 19. Contact DTNA at 800 547 0712.

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Paccar is recalling (11V-331) certain 2012 Peterbilt 587 tractors equipped with Meritor’s Maxton driveline assemblies.

The tubing may have a seam weld with insufficient bonding. The affected assemblies are RPL25 coupling shafts and slip shafts (main) driveline assemblies.

Dealers will replace the main driveshaft free of charge. Contact Paccar at 425 468 7400.

Paccar is also recalling (11V-334) certain 2012 Kenworth T660 tractors manufactured between April 18 and May 20, equipped with a safety latch attached to the hood strut which is designed to automatically engage when the hood is opened. If the hood strut were to separate, the safety latch may not engage when the hood is opened.

Kenworth dealers will inspect the hood strut for the specific lot code and if the strut is within the lot code the strut will be replaced free of charge. Contact Paccar at 425 468 7400.

That’s all I have for now. Enjoy the rest of the summer. I know it’s been hot as blazes in much of the country, but when I look back on or ahead to winter, I’ll take this, thanks……….Sam

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 August 2, 2011 • Filed under: apparatus, Engineer's Desk, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus • Tagged: