Old Boys Will Be Old Boys

TWO GRUMPY OLD GUYS IN ATHENS, Georgia, had a dispute Tuesday over a $5 debt.  The 74-year-old man who was owed the money hopped into his wheel chair and rode it over to the trailer park where the deadbeat lives.  The Athens Banner-Herald picks up the story:

The 74-year-old who supposedly owed the money called 911 at about 5 p.m. to report the disabled man arrived with his small dog, named Benji, and threatened to shoot him. When officers responded, they found the door to the man’s trailer wide open with him sitting inside with no clothes on, police said.

Witnesses told officers they saw the two men arguing in the trailer’s yard, and that both men waved canes or walking sticks at each other, police said; one witness said the 74-year-old threw a crutch at the wheelchair-bound man.

Things had cooled down by then and the police chose not to arrest anybody.

Firegeezer speculates that maybe they have been watching too much YouTube:

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No Weapons or Nuclear Reactor Threatened.

FIRE BROKE OUT ONBOARD A NUCLEAR SUBMARINE Wednesday evening in the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine.

AP

The alarm was dispatched at 5:40 pm to the USS Miami SSN 755 that was in the shipyard for routine maintenance and repairs.  It has been reported that seven people were injured fighting the fire.  Fox News reports:

Rear Adm. Richard Breckenridge, commander of Submarine Group Two, said that three shipyard firefighters, two civilian firefighters and two crew members received minor injuries and were in good shape.  (They were primarily heat exhaustion….ed.)

Breckenridge called their efforts heroic, saying the extreme heat and smoke in the contained spaces made it very challenging for them. "Their efforts clearly minimized the severity of this event," he said at a brief news conference.

Breckenridge said the fire started in the four forward compartments, which include living and command and control spaces. The sub's reactor, isolated in another part of the sub, had been shut down for a few months at the time and was unaffected. Breckenridge said it "remains in a safe and stable condition."  No weapons were on board.

At 4 am this morning it was announced that the fire had been extinguished.  It has also been reported that a foam unit from Boston's Logan International Airport, 60 miles away, was added to the dispatch.

Fox News has shared this video report from the scene:

The cause of the fire and the amount of damage have not been determined, but considering the military security needed, there may not be much disclosed anyway.

The USS Miami was commissioned in 1990 and is based in Groton, Connecticut.  It has been in Portsmouth since March 1.  It normally carries a crew of 13 officers and 120 enlisted men.  It normally is armed with torpedos and Tomahawk cruise missiles.  The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard was established on June 12, 1800, and is the oldest continuously operating shipyard run by the Navy, according to Gary Hildreth, a public affairs officer for the facility.

The AP has provided some raw video of the fire:

Assistance provided by Mark D.

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These Bumblers Popped Up Last Year

THE CITY OF ALLEN PARK, MICHIGAN, is back in the news again.  One of the nation's most inept city councils voted last night (Tuesday) to balance their budget by completely eliminating both the police and fire departments.

Firegeezer readers were acquainted with these financial wizards in February of last year when they threatened their firefighters with elimination unless they renegotiated their salary structure way down.  (See the Firegeezer video report HERE.)  An agreement was made that included a tax increase on the citizens if they approved of it in a vote.  But that measure failed at the ballot twice, back in November and again this month on May 8.

You may recall that the primary act that bankrupted the city was the city council’s falling for the song-and-dance of a film maker who told them that if they would provide a suitable location for his big-time movie studios and film production school, then he would give the city $2 million to balance the city budget. The council then sold $24 million in bonds to purchase a property and industrial building that was only assessed at $14 million. The studio maven, Jimmy Lifton then took his act to Detroit without “donating” the $2 million and reneging on the deal to make Allen Park a motion picture home.  This all took place in 2009.

Allen Park's $24 million baby

The stunt led to a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation into the validity of the city's bond sale with the threat of fraud indictments.  Ever since then the city has been drowning under the debt load of having to pay off the bonds for near-worthless property and unable to provide basic city services.

Now the council has a $4 million deficit and has decided to balance their budget by eliminating the public safety services, police and fire, and contract with a neighboring municipality to provide the services.  They voted last night to pass that budget which includes the public safety layoffs.

There is only one tiny little problem… none of the other towns are interested in taking on Allen Park's emergencies.  All of them are struggling as it is just to cover their own calls.  WJBK-TV was at the city council meeting last night and prepared this video report:

The Detroit Free Press adds:

Adding to the appearance of disarray in City Hall, the council voted 6-1 to accept the resignation of the city's top staffer, Administrator John Zech.

And still to be resolved is how the city will pay its bills this year. Appointment of a state emergency manager remains possible, city officials have said.

The city's annual budget had been projected to be $19 million in the next fiscal year, 2012-13, but must drop to $15.8 million because of skidding property-tax revenues combined with $2.6 million in annual bond payments for the city's failed movie studio, according to budget documents. The studio sits largely empty next to City Hall. "Nobody knows what's really going to happen," Mayor William Matakas said before the meeting. None of the cities that Allen Park has approached about contracting for police and fire services has responded, he said.

News Herald photo

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Quick Rescue by Other FF's

A 3-ALARM FIRE IN MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, that destroyed an apartment house caused six firefighters to be temporarily trapped on the upper floor when a "flashover explosion" in the attic blew the ceiling down on them. 

WMUR-TV / Hastings

WMUR-TV reported:

The building is a seven-unit, multi-family building. Chief James Burkush described it as a wooden structure more than 100 years old.

The fire department said about seven minutes after their initial attack at the fire, a flashover explosion in the attic caused the ceiling to collapse. Six firefighters were temporarily trapped inside as visibility dropped to zero and heat increased significantly.

Firefighters who were not trapped were able to free their partners from the rubble, the fire department said.

One of the firefighters was treated for minor injuries but they all were taken out safely.

This home video posted by Jim Terrero catches some good fire footage that emphasizes how fortunate the six FF's were to be rescued so promptly on that top floor:

The FD estimates that the fire had been burning for about an hour before it was discovered and reported around 3:30 pm.

The insurance adjusters have already written it off as a total loss.  The owner of the building says it has been in her family for several generations.  It was currently being renovated.  Early investigation is considering that the fire started in the former stable attached to the rear of the house that you can see in the photo.

This Google Street View of the house illustrates the close exposure that the FD was able to protect.

Thanks to Mark Donovan.

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Another Great Tanker Operation From Chicagoland

A 2-ALARM COMMERCIAL FIRE IN BEACH PARK, ILLINOIS, Sunday was elevated to a 3rd when the town's limited hydrant flow was insufficient.  The fire was dispatched at 6:06 am after it was discovered by a police patrol.  The Chicago Tribune reported:

A Beach Park pet store was completely destroyed this morning after a blaze broke out in the basement and killed hamsters, gerbils, fish and reptiles, officials said.

photo by Larry Shapiro

Firefighters were alerted about 6 a.m. to the Happyland Pet Center located at 11432 W. Wadsworth Rd. and found heavy smoke, said Beach Park Fire Department Chief Paul Tierney.

The two-story building housed a pet store on the first level and residential apartments on the second level, Tierney said. No humans were injured.

Firefighters went into rescue mode and searched the upstairs of the structure when a flashover occurred. A water supply issue at the scene slowed down firefighting efforts and assisting companies were called in from 15 surrounding communities including Waukegan, Zion and Newport, Tierney said. About 75 firefighters were called to the scene.

Larry Shapiro photo

"The fire had been burning for quite some time before we were called," said Tierney. He added the fire originated in a concrete bunker-type basement that had only one entrance.

As mentioned earlier, a tanker shuttle was set up from the special-call for water supply and fire photographer Larry Shapiro was on the scene documenting all the fire operations and equipment dispatch.

Check out that lineup of Fold-a-tanks!  (Shapiro photo)

You can view Larry's 206-image photo gallery of the fire (and tankers in action) HERE.

Larry also took a breather to compile this raw video:

Firegeezer points out that this is not so much a fire story, but rather a tanker story – my passion.

Tanker dumps photos by Larry Shapiro

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Tanker staging line  (Shapiro)

Da' Guys  (Shapiro)

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2-Hour Rescue of Rare Survivior of Niagara Falls Plunge

Reuters

A MAN WHO CLIMBED OVER THE RAILING next to the top of the famed Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Monday jumped into the water just 10 feet from the head of the falls.  The Chronicle Herald reports:

Niagara Parks Police said witnesses reported seeing the man climb over a railing up to nine metres out over the Horseshoe Falls at 10:20 a.m. local time and "deliberately jump" into the Niagara River. Seriously injured, he surfaced in the lower Niagara River basin near the Journey Behind the Falls observation platform and managed to make it to shore on his own.

"He waded ashore," said Platoon Chief Dan Orescanin of the Niagara Falls, Ontario, Fire Department. "He must have gotten swept into an eddy, floated over there and was able to get out on his own.

"That’s another stroke of luck," Orescanin said. "If he was in the main current, he would have been swept down river."

Orescanin said the man was conscious and talking at first but got quiet. He appeared to have chest injuries, including broken ribs and a collapsed lung, Orescanin said.

The fire department was challenged in its efforts to retrieve the victim and get him back up on land.  He was waist-deep in water and unable to walk or climb and the location was not accessible from directly overhead.  The Chronicle Herald continues:

The man, believed to be in his 30s or 40s, was rescued about two hours later after fire department rescuers rappelled down the steep and rocky gorge and pulled him in a basket back up the cliff.

Reuters

"It was very difficult. Between the shale and the boulders, and everything is wet and slick. It’s slimy," Orescanin said.

About seven rescuers struggled to carry the basket up to a point where it could be lifted with ropes suspended from an aerial truck.

CBC

"We had to basically hand-carry him back up, a foot at a time, up the rope," the chief said.

The man whose identity has not been released by the police is only the 4th known survivor of a Falls plunge without wearing or riding in any safety device.

WNLO-TV Ch. 23 Buffalo has this good video report from the scene:

Read the full STORY HERE.

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Party Doll's Weekend Comes to Quick Conclusion

ANOTHER RURAL/METRO AMBULANCE was stolen Sunday morning in the Buffalo suburb of Amherst, New York.  It all began around 6:30 am when a policeman brought Heather Sullivan, 37 and drunk, into the emergency room of the ECMC hospital.  Once she was left unattended, she dashed out the ER entrance where she found the ambulance, also unattended and with  the keys in the ignition.  WGRZ-TV continues the tale:

She started heading east down Kensington Ave. with police in pursuit. Once she reached the first traffic circle, she lost control of the ambulance and went straight through the circle and continued towards the Walgreens. She slammed into a brick wall surrounding the parking lot, slowing her down before the ambulance came to a rest.

WIVB-TV

"Thank God she missed the building though. The brick wall stopped her, otherwise, she would have been definitely into the building," said Amherst Police Senior Investigator Scott Lawida.

The ambulance was heavily damaged due to the impact of the brick wall.

The woman has been arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, grand larceny, criminal possession of a stolen vehicle and other charges.

A Rural/Metro spokesman says that the ambulance will probably be a total loss with damages estimated at $80,000 to $100,000.  The police said that she was driving at an extremely high rate of speed.

WGRZ-TV filed this video report:

The Buffalo News has the STORY.
WIVB-TV has MORE.

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Another excellent music video from Farooq Muhammad (KingFarooq Productions)

from FireEMSRescue:

A music video showing the potential hazards EMS professionals face on a day to day basis. It emphasizes the importance of safety while working under these dangerous conditions.

Blauer provided the funding for this project and is a huge supporter of EMS, Fire and PD all around the country. Please visit www.blauer.com for more information on their wonderful products and services

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

How do WE get engaged?

This video shows how a population was motivated to participate in their first free elections.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Return of Ben Ali. On January 14th 2011, we chased former Dictator President Ben Ali out of Tunisia. Since then many had lost interest in politics.

After many uneffective attempts to push Tunisian people to go out and vote for the upcoming elections, a new campaign was set up in La Goulette, to the shock of residents.

Their reaction was filmed. Results: On October 23rd, there was 88% turnout when 55% were expected.

EMS: More than a job (??)

This year's theme selected by the American College of Emergency Physicians is: EMS: More than a Job, a Calling

If you have been following the posts by National EMS Management Association President Skip Kirkwood, you may have a different observation. He is not a snarky pundit, but someone who has been doing heavy lifting for EMS. I would say he is a little frustrated.

Working conditions for many paramedics are grim, near minimum wage.

The US Department of Labor identified 2010 median pay for 226,500 "paramedics and emts" at $30,360 per year ($14.60 per hour).

As a contrast, the 310,600 firefighters 2010 median pay is $45,250 per year ($21.76 per hour). Police and detectives make more than firefighters.  Registered nurses even more than police and detective, at $64,690 per year ($31.10/hour).

I appreciate that this year's theme is:

… reflecting the idea that EMS practicioners don't choose this field for big salaries, comfortable working conditions, or 9-to-5 hours; they have a true calling to help and care for others in their hour of need.

Over the same 38 years, physicians dedicated to the practice of emergency medicine have significantly improved their compensation and professional status within the universe of medicine.  Nurses have transformed their profession.

Why are medics still near minimum wage? Why are some single-role ems providers engaged in 9-1-1 service without the same worker compensation presumptions that fire and police have?

Celebrating working for free does not pay the rent

My three passions; teaching, writing and emergency service, are not known as wealth builders.

When I went to work full-time as a community college fire science program director, I was making less money than the rookie firefighters I was teaching … with a master's degree and a dozen years experience as a part-time college instructor.

At the beginning of every academic year, one of the college leaders would celebrate that a retired federal worker was teaching for free. After four years I left the college because of poor pay and threadbare resources.

This week we are going to look at issues affecting the profession of out-of-hospital care that will probably make you annoyed or uncomfortable.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Semester-Ending Celebration Gets Too Hot

A LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY Fraternity house in Ruston burned down Saturday afternoon, completely destroying the large home that was next to the university campus.

News-Star

The fire was first reported at 4:30 pm, but it may have been burning for quite a while before then.  The early speculation is that several residents were celebrating the end of the school year by burning some textbooks in the fireplace and the fire got into the void space around the chimney and spread through the walls.  Somebody on campus had called the police to say that they saw smoke coming from the house.  Why they called the police instead of the fire department has not been asked yet.

When an officer showed up to check on the report, the boys (perhaps unknowing of the hidden fire spreading) told him that everything was under control.  It wasn't long after that the fire suddenly broke out and the FD was called.  It didn't take long for the roof to collapse, thus dooming the entire structure.

WSLA-TV posted some raw video of the fire:

The Shreveport Times adds:

Lt. Tim Parker, spokesman for the Ruston Police Department, said the fire began in the fireplace or chimney of the Pike house, and quickly reached the attic where it grew rapidly.

He said one firefighter was injured when the roof of the building collapsed, knocking down a flight of stairs the man was standing on. He was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.  Two other firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion, Parker said.

Parker said officers with the Ruston police managed to awaken and evacuate one student who was still asleep in the apartments at the back of the fraternity home at the time of the fire. All six students who (were) in the house were evacuated safely with no reported injuries, according to Parker.

Read the full story in the Times HERE.
Ruston Fire Department WEBSITE.

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