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Today’s Monday Morning Shoutout goes to The Bravest Online. The Bravest Online is one of those best of the best sites. They don’t post anything but the cream of the crop. By that I mean the best fires videos and photos. They also put together video compilations and offer them as DVD’s.
Check out The Bravest Online today!
I recently came across a forum post on Firefighter Nation by Christopher J. Naum. The post titled “Firefighter Safety at Vacant Structures” got me thinking. Does your department or more importantly you assume that vacant structures are unoccupied?
Don’t get me wrong, his information is great and I think everyone should read it. My mind wandered when I was finished reading it. I am not trying to take away from what he said but more so effect a semi off topic discussion.
I know that my department assumes that vacant structures could be occupied and therefore a search is competed asap. That being said, there is certain risk assessment done in the very beginning of the incident. Most of the things that Christopher talks about are taken into consideration.
My question to you is do you assume that vacant structures are unoccupied? It seems as though both the “vacant” and “unoccupied” terms are used hand in hand. Vacant should be used for houses that are boarded up or otherwise seem to be left by their main inhabitants. Unoccupied should be used for houses that no one is in. The only true way to make that determination is by doing a search. Many vacant houses are occupied by transients.
Whatever you do, check out his article.
By the way, you can find The Fire Critic on Firefighter Nation here. Be sure to hit us up for a friend request too!
This weeks Saturday Hotshot is a video rather than an image. I make the rules, I can change them anytime I want! Actually, I never said it had to be an image. For decent coverage of the fire with all the links you want to reports, video, and photos check out Statter911.com here.
A massive 19th century mill burst into flames Wednesday afternoon in Lewiston, Maine. There is a partial collapse at 1:14 in the video above. Police are looking for teenagers who may be behind the fire. Embers started fires in other buildings.
Below is a top ten list of things that should be in your turnout gear. While I did some research on this subject, I will mostly reference VentEnterSearch.com and TheFireStore.com on this one. VentEnterSearch.com has some great information on their site and TheFireStore.com has the largest selection of firefighter junk! I will link to specific content where applicable. The list has been made assuming that you have turnout gear, helmet, SCBA, gloves, a radio, etc. If this is your first top ten list you have viewed by The Fire Critic, they are done from 10 to 1. 1 being the best. Check out our other top ten lists here.
Remember, we don’t know what call we will run next. Therefore, this list was set up for everyday operations with any and every call in mind.
Non-Contact Voltage Detector
10. Electrical Tester – Electricity is invisible, unless of course it is arcing and then it is a no-brainer. Electricity can shock and/or kill firefighters when they come in contact with it. This tool can help you evaluate the threat of live wires. It can also speed up the investigation process when you are first on scene to rule out or confine the emergency. Remember to always treat wires as being live unless you can ensure they are not. This tool can be purchased for around $15. This model is offered by Lowe’s. This tool is lightweight and does not take up a lot of room.
Window Punch
9. Window Punch - Everyone knows there are so many tools to break a window. Using a window punch is less messy and a hell of a lot more professional than throwing a tire iron through the car window only to crush the infant you are trying to get to after her mother locked her in the car at the mall. This tool can be found in many types of kits for first responders. The window punch is another small lightweight tool that can be purchased for next to nothing.
The window punch pictured can be purchased for $6 here.
Tin snips w/ backup flashlight
8. Tin Snips – Tin snips or other wire cutters are becoming a very popular tool at many training classes. The various cutting tools in this family can cut through different types of metals. Tin snips can be found at most home improvement stores for around $10-$15. The photo is from VentEnterSearch.com “Whats in your Pockets” page. I recently attended a class and was able to utilize many various types of handheld cutting tools. While it is not likely that you would carry all of the various cutters, the tin snips is a good place to start.
The sheath for the tin snips is a great idea too. Otherwise, the snips will eventually wear away the pocket of your turnout gear and create a hole.
7. Screwdriver – Face it, you cant get a screw out with your bare hands. A 5 in 1 screwdriver is key here! If you have to get a screw backed out and you don’t have a screwdriver you are simply screwed. Air handler units, hinges, hard wiring a car, or assembling office furniture are no threat with one of these deals. Screwdrivers are a dime a dozen. Sorry I don’t have a photo but I am sure you can find one.
The Cherry Bomber
6. Door Wedge - Being able to ensure that the door you just opened stays open is a life and death matter. Another scenario is keeping a door open to ventilate. Door wedges can vary from the basic piece of wood to more elaborate plastic molded things with brand names on them to hand made and forged thing-a-ma-bobs. For various types of hand made ones you can check out VentEnterSearch.com. For the brand name more expensive ones check out TheFireStore.com. Hell, some guys only use a simple 16 penny nail to hold the door open. Shown in the photo is the Cherry Bomber from VentEnterSearch.com. Cost: $1 – $25.
5. Knife - Knives have soooo many uses. Most of my brothers cringe when I put my Benchmade through its paces. The unique thing is that they can be sharpened (just don’t tell them). Knives come in all shapes and sizes. They are kinda like sports cars. The guy who has the biggest knife is overcompensating. Throw-away models are perfectly acceptable, just make sure you throw them away when they have served their lifespan. One thing is for sure, you have to carry a knife ALL THE TIME. How else are you gonna open that can of skoal? Sorry I couldn’t narrow a photo of a knife down to just one. Just remember when you are choosing one, you probably aren’t going to have to beat your way through a sugar cane field with it. Feel free to spend anywhere from $10-$400 bucks on a knife, the more expensive ones having your name engraved in ivory handles!
Vice grips
4. Vice Grips - Vice grips have numerous uses. You can use it to loosen or tighten a bolt, clamp it on as a door wedge, or maybe clamp it on an overhead door track to keep the door from coming down. Check out the link here or here for ideas on use and customizing your vice grip.
One other use on the links included above is attaching some webbing and clamping the vice grips on a lock to hold it out of the way while you cut it with a saw. $10 should put you right on one of these.
Multi-tool
3. Multi-Tool - the beautiful thing about a multi-tool is that it has multiple tools in it, hence the name. That doesn’t mean you have to get the 300 tools in one swiss army knife. I am referring to a Gerber or Leatherman type multi-tool. Included might be a knife, screw drivers, file, pliers, etc. Basically, you can carry this tool instead of a couple others on this list. This is something you can carry in your turnout gear or on your uniform belt. Take your pick, just remember you will have to get to it when you need it. Think of how awkward it is to dig for your wallet at the grocery store when you have turnout gear on. Cost: $50 – $100. This is one of those items you should not skimp on.
2. Webbing – Webbing is very versatile. The main reason I carry two different types and lengths is in case I have to rescue a firefighter or bail out of a window. However, if that window is on the 8th floor I will only actually fall from the 6th floor because I only carry about 35 feet of it. I carry 15′ of 2″ webbing and 20 feet or so of 1″. Don’t quote me on that, but I am set up for a second story bail out. I figure that is pretty good and carrying 100′ is out of the question. I keep mine looped and have about 3 carabiners with them. Carry pink webbing if you dare, but I would leave that for the ladies. Other uses include carrying tools, lowering and raising tools, and towing the ambulance out of the ditch when they run off the road (just kidding don’t try this).Cost: a couple of bucks per foot max.
1. Flashlight - The number one thing you should have in your pockets is a flashlight. Carry two of them. One to use, and another to use when the first one dies, breaks, or is lost. Have you ever been in a fire? Yeah, they look nothing like the ones on Rescue me. You know the ones where you can see Tommy Gavin’s flowing blond hair all the way down the hallway. It doesn’t happen. Without a flashlight you are blind. If you are blind you are no longer any help but more of a hindrance. Be sure to check your backup flashlight daily! Don’t worry if you aren’t carrying 1.5 million candlepower, a simple garrity throw away light will do as a backup unless it is melted to your helmet from the last fire you ran. Cost: $2 – $100.
Feel free to leave your comments. I am sure many of you would place some of these in different orders or add a few here and there. I love the feedback so lets hear it.
Disclaimer: the photos above were used from Lowe’s, VentEnterSearch.com, and TheFireStore.com.
New Haven Lieutenants Ricci and Vargas have testified in Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation hearings. If you have been following along, the entire case hits home in nearly every fire department across the Nation.
Most firefighters don’t take promotions lightly. Vargas and Ricci both described what they went through during the studying process. I for one don’t study much for promotions. I know what I know and I usually come out above average. It works for me. However, firefighters put a lot of time into preparing for testing. To have it thrown out for any reason is a slap in the face.
I know these firefighters are already contemplating the use of this ruling for their benefit. I hope for certain reform in the shenanigans of promotional processes due to this ruling. After all, firefighters just want a fair chance.
Women in the fire service have demanded and deserved equality. In the following video, one firefighter finds out the hard way. Female firefighter 1 ; male firefighter 0. If you could have, you should have kicked her butt! Then we wouldn’t all be laughing at you right now.
Usually, a top ten list only takes a couple hours to a couple day s to complete depending on the category.
Below are websites and blogs in their respective categories. If you have one that you think should be on the list but is not please let me know.
Some websites are not included because of their demographic. For instance, State Fire News sites are not included, some websites use a “blog” format but are more like websites and have been included there. Some blogs are that great that they are in a couple of categories.
I have plans in the future to do top ten lists for State Fire and/or EMS websites, Local blogs, training sites and blogs, and local fire department sites. Feel free to get your link in for consideration today.
If you run a website, blog, or whatever and think you should be on this list or would like to be in consideration please let us know via email (firecritic@firecritic.com), comment, or contact us link at the top.
The following are in no particular order:
Fire website – Top ten all around Fire websites
Firefighter Blogs
EMS Websites
EMS Blogs
A tanker carrying a lot of flammable “stuff” wrecked and caught fire in Hazel Park Michigan. The fire occurred directly under an overpass. The bridge “overpass” later collapsed due to the heat and fire. You can watch the video here. I took a screen shot of the video at one point where it shows a single firefighter hitting the fire with some water. The image caption might be “pissing in the wind”. We have all been there though…The first in engine to a lot of fire and not enough firefighters on scene to do much about it. You gotta do what you gotta do and in this case it meant this lone firefighter manning the line. I am sure they had plenty of time to put bigger lines in place and put the fire out.
I would have rather had more water and reach from a solid tip on a deck gun or aerial waterway so I didn’t have to get so close to that fire though. You never know when a secondary explosion could occur.
Text below and photo (taken from video) from CNN.com
A tanker was traveling south on Interstate 75 about 8:30 p.m. in Hazel Park near the Nine Mile Road overpass when it exploded, Lt. Shannon Simms of the Michigan State Police Metro North Post in Oak Park told CNN.
The force of the explosion went upward, causing the overpass, carrying two lanes in each direction, to collapse, he said.
“We’re unable to determine the number of vehicles involved at this point,” he said. Nor, he said, had investigators determined the cause of the crash.
He said firefighters would have to bring the fire under control before investigators would be able to determine whether anyone was killed.
Never before seen footage of Michael Jackson’s hair catching fire during the filming of a Pepsi commercial have surfaces. The link is here to the video. The footage is from 1984, 25 years ago. I remember the hype around the injury and I remember the fact that there was very little to show on the news about the event.
Ok, I admit that I have tried to stay anonymous on this blog. The reason being not what is said by who but moreso I don’t want “who says it” to cloud “what is said”. Even though The Fire Critic is semi-anonymous, I have had a few people guess it was me and others I have told out of professionalism in keeping an open line of communication. I don’t really have anything to hide and those who know me would say that I say what I feel.
That being said, I am not outing myself in this post. I may in the near future though. I had plans to out myself when a future collaboration happened…hopefully soon.
Either way, I was interviewed by a newspaper reporter in a large City within 5 hours of where I live. The reason why he interviewed me was on comments made on the post about flash mobs. I basically gave him answers long the lines of what I put in the post…That I liked the visual aspect of watching the performances, but that I had concerns on where the flash mobs might take place and by how many people.
The interesting thing is that he called me on the land line of my part time job. That peeked my interest as to how he got my phone number. I later found out that he had called the station I worked at. I don’t use my work number as a contact. I am not sure why the reporter didn’t just email me, but he apparently was able to find out who I was really quick. Therefore, my identity as being anonymous apparently isn’t all that hidden. It isn’t a huge surprise, but I was interested in the fact that he found me so damn quick. Apparently I completely suck at being anonymous.
Once I find the article, which should post late tonight or tomorrow, I might properly out myself. Unless he completely butchers what I said and uses it out of context like reporters are known to do. Either way, my name is tied to it.
- The Fire Critic
Since we aren’t too far removed from the fireworks of July 4th, I thought I would share one more fireworks explosion. This guy made it away with his life…barely. NEVER stick your head directly over the top of a firework. That is like staring down the barrel of a gun in the hand of someone suffering from epilepsy.
Firework Accident – Watch more Funny Videos
The Houston Fire Department is having a bought of negative news. The Fire Critic has previously posted on the AC being broke at Station 25 and a recruit costing them $500,000 recently.
The latest news is not really news at all. The story from Click2Houston.com (with video) is titled “Apparent HFD Hazing Videos Posted On Internet”. My question is “apparent to who”? If you watch the video til the end you will see that there haven’t been any complaints that this was hazing. If you click on the link above you will also get to see the actions which are under question as being hazing. Unfortunately, the youtube user mfoster84 removed the videos from youtube so I will not be able to show you the raw videos.
Basically, we are talking about minor firehouse hi jinx. Nothing I haven’t heard about happening before and some that I have partaken in. Hazing? The Fire Critic says HELL NO!
This seems like the news channel is trying to exasperate the already stressed department and create more havoc. They will never know what it is like to be a firefighter.
These humorous actions usually build the team while having fun together. Having water dumped on you is part of becoming a member of the team. Once it is done to you, you then partake when the next new guy is brought on.
I noticed the following on Firehouse forums
GeorgeWendtCFI says:
Here’s the big deal…
Discipline.
If the FD has a rule againt ANYTHING, it is a rule that must be obeyed. It doesn’t matter what it is. The rules are there to be obeyed. Period. The FD is a paramilitary organization. If you don’t like it, don’t join.
All other discussion about any -ism starts there.
I could not agree more… Policies have to be followed! Am I missing something? Does the Houston Fire Department have a policy against having fun? Getting wet? Eating cinnamon? Maybe they have a policy against hazing that he is referring to, but this is not hazing.
I noticed this anonymous comment on Statter 911′s coverage of the story:
This behavior has no place in the modern firehouse. Does anyone think that a business or professional office would allow this behavior? What makes us so different. We stress professional training and education to our young people then bring them in and treat them like children. Dont give me the”we need to release stress B.S. if you need that get a massage.
Where the hell does this guy work? In an office? What is a modern firehouse? I heard my Chief use that term once. Are the old ones no good anymore? When was the cut off date? Yes we are professional but we can’t have fun? What a kill joy. I would hate to work for that guy. His attitude sucks. If you aren’t having fun go do something else. Do you really think that all the people working all those other professions in the world don’t have fun at their jobs? Let me guess? You aren’t asked to partake in this fun and in middle school you were the last one picked for dodgeball? Loosen up!
This installment of the Monday Morning Shoutout goes to Roanoke Fire-EMS Department Engine Company 9 (Engine 9 RFD Blog). The crew there runs an Engine and an Ambulance. The shifts blog about their days and include plenty of hijinx. The blog is several months old and it seems they are holding true to updating it regularly.
Check out the links they have as well. There are other stations within the City that have started their own blogs, however they are not updated as regularly.
Check out the blog here. The photo below is of one of the shifts out checking hydrants. Gotta love the pretty vests…Safety First!
Kudos to Firefighter Jerry Franks who hit us up back when we posted about looking for assistance in marketing The Fire Critic! Thanks for the link guys!
The Fire Critic is the quickest growing fire/EMS related blog on the Internet (OK…maybe self-proclaimed anyways). We still need you to help get the word out!
Some of you have already hooked us up like FireGeezer and The Happy Medic. They certainly helped get our feet on the ground!
Take a quick minute to shoot an email to your friends about us, link to us on your blog, post a link on facebook or myspace, or link wherever else. It only takes a second! We need to be sure we have EVERYONES attention before we start turning the heat up on this blog!
Feel free to let us know if you send us a shoutout and want to be incorporated in our links!
As always if you have any ideas for The Fire Critic let us know!
Suva Fire Station. This station boasts 11 fire apparatus including 1 ladder truck.
Welcome Sunday readers. Today I give you a treat – a look at the Firefighters in Fiji. While this is not a weekly type of post, I do plan on giving you some insight on firefighters elsewhere when I can. If you would like me to do a “Let’s take a trip” post about your department or firefighting in your Country, State, Province, or Region let me know.
Today we are visiting Fiji. I bet when you woke up you didn’t realize you were going on a vacation…but you are. A working vacation to the Republic of the Fiji Islands. Fiji is an archipelago of 322 islands (106 permanently inhabited). The National Fire Authority (NFA) is in charge of firefighting in Fiji. They started a blog here, but unfortunately it has not been updated since 2008. You can check out press releases on the Republic of Fiji’s government website. You can visit the NFA online here.
The NFA is made up of Career and Volunteer Firefighters.
You can view photos of the stations and apparatus here. Be sure to scroll through the various regions on the left menu bar!
Below is a video of a Fiji National Fire Authority (NFA) fire engine responding. The video was taken by a firefighter from New Zealand. Note how the firefighters are standing up on the back of the fire engine. I guess they haven’t been hit by the buckle up bug yet.
There is a video from a house fire at Damu Place, Namadi Heights in Fiji here. You can note the lack of SCBA although that might have just been exterior crews. I will give the benefit of the doubt and say that if there were interior crews in operation maybe they had on SCBA. The fire is from 2008. Forgive me, but I have scoured the Internet and not been able to find many videos of Fiji firefighters. However, this guy has a couple videos of training in Fiji.
Trainee firefighters take time out from their hectic schedule at Nadave.
As you can see from the video here that Fiji’s Bravest have large buildings and high-rises to contend with too. The fire in the video/story was in the Central Business District of Suva.
Back in 2007, a new fire station was opened in Sigatoka after the town was selected by the National Fire Authority (NFA) to pilot this new initiative. Story here with photos. Another photo gallery can be seen here of the event.
Fiji Times recently ran an article: “Celebrating 140 years: The great fire of Suva” which talks about “The entire block of building occupied by the leading commercial men of the town, together with their valuable stock, were a prey to the flames”
Firefighters in Fiji make $11,000 a year (not sure what that translates to in U.S.). Recruits go through a 10-12 week recruit school which from what I have read seems to be para-military. Text below and photo above right from story on FijiTimes.com
Tagilala mentioned in our conversation the huge number of applicants for firefighter recruits varied from 800 to 1000.
“Of these, only 30 firefighter recruits are chosen because this profession is very expensive in terms of training a firefighter,” Tagilala said.
“Even the venue for the training and accommodation costs about $40,000 to $60,000 and this includes the provision of training gear and equipment for the recruits.
“Usually, training was held at the NFA station in Walu Bay in Suva, but the Nadave surroundings and facilities were adequate for training.
One last note…An article titled “The life of a fireman” located here reads:
“Coming into the field is not new for me. I’ve been a volunteer at the Levuka Fire Station for the past four years so I’m not new to the service.
“Some colleagues found it difficult at first but it was alright for me. I had done this work before with the PAFCO and Sinuwasa fires.
“This profession has made me confident and responsible. Some people my age look for jobs that pay well and they only go for the money.
“But I joined this profession not for the money but because I like what the job stands for.”
First off, if you do not know what a flashmob is…
Wikipedia defines it as a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual action for a brief time, then quickly disperse. The term flash mob is generally applied only to gatherings organized via social media or viral emails. (link)
That being said, the first one I ever watched was exhibited inside the library at UVA. UNC did one during finals week as well inside the undergraduate library. The flashmobs can be all sorts of things. The UVA and UNC gigs (videos below) were flashmob raves. Basically they get hundreds to thousands of people to meet at a certain place and dance to loud music for a short period, then turn it off and leave quickly as if nothing happened. Other flashmobs have the participants freeze in place all at once for a set period of time and then unfreeze all at once. Non-participants walk around wondering what the hell is going on. Needless to say they are pretty cool to watch.
Flashmobs seem to be coordinated and orderly (as much as possible), however there are certain considerations for our line of work. I see the risk of too many people standing, jumping, or dancing in certain buildings all at once. Buildings which are rated for certain occupancies could see catastrophic failure if inundated with hundreds or thousands of people at once. Also, as seen in a couple of the videos, crowds running through the streets could pose an issue while responding. And of course there is the issue of people getting injured or trampled. I am sure there are other considerations that I haven’t thought of as well. Hopefully, organizers will take these into consideration.
The reason for this post is because today I was checking out some websites and watched a flashmob of a tribute to Michael Jackson. I thought they were pretty neat to watch. I have attached some of the videos below. For others, check out Flash Mob Videos or this link of 24 flashmob videos. Many of the videos are a part of Improv Everywhere, check out their site.
On July 8th, a flashmob was created twice in Stockholm as a tribute to Michael Jackson.
Michael Jackson Flashmob Tribute in Stockholm – Watch more Funny Videos
UVA Flashmob Rave
UNC Flashmob Rave
And one more for good measure…a flashmob in a highschool
This week we are welcoming the newest column (weekly post) titled Saturday Hotshot. Enjoy.
INFERNO: Firefighters battle a fire raging at Darwin River (above) and (below, right) the furious blaze bears down on a Berry Springs rural firefighters’ vehicle. Pictures: BRAD FLEET
As seen in the photo above (Story Here), Australia’s Bravest get to work on a fire in Darwin. I don’t know about you but I like to fight fires this big with a hell of a lot more water than that. Then again, I am an Urban Firefighter and don’t (fingers crossed) have to worry about woodland fires such as the one depicted in the photograph…lucky me.
See the Northern Territories Volunteer Bushfire Fighters online here.
RESIDENTS had to evacuate their homes yesterday as a raging fire ripped through their back yards in Darwin’s rural area.
Many were forced to watch the devastation from the safety of the roadside as flames “as high as the rooftops” came within metres of their homes.
Plumes of dark smoke quickly filled the sky as the blaze erupted in a paddock behind homes and businesses, including a service station, along the Stuart Highway at Coolalinga, about 30km south of Darwin, about 11am.
A man holds his two year old child out the window of an 8th story apartment building threatening to jump. Who are you gonna call. Where I live, more than likely the firefighters and EMT’s are going to wait while the SWAT team mitigates the emergency. I imagine that they would feel this is a call for them. After all, the man is threatening a life and we may or may not know if he is armed. While I would do what is necessary whenever the time arises, these types of calls are usually left up to the men in blue. Then again, we don’t wear fatigues either.
However, over in China the firefighters are the ones to thank. While firefighters drew the mans attention inside the apartment, another firefighter was lowered to the 8th floor outside and rescued the child. Great job.
Oh, and kudos to the mob of 100 who beat the shit out of the guy after the ordeal.
Firefighter Chen Long grabs a two-year-old girl from her father, Hu Binjun, who allegedly took drugs before attempting to commit suicide with his child by jumping from a window in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on Tuesday, July 7, 2009. Asianewsphoto
Story here (photo credit from that source as well)
The incident happened at a residential building in eastern Chengdu on Tuesday at 8 am, reportedly after Hu had quarreled with his wife, Wang Xingxin, about his alleged drug use.
Chen Long, the leader of a team of firefighters sent to the scene, said he urged Hu to be calm in the interests of the child before deciding to try to snatch the girl by force.
“But when I slid from the ninth floor to the eighth, the man was alerted. He jumped into the bedroom but placed the baby upside down outside the window,” Chen said.
The scene after a woman died in a collision in Lynbrook this morning. Picture: Trevor Pinder
You have seen them, I have seen them. It seems as though they are everywhere nowadays. A short drive on most interstates will yield plenty of them. They are roadside tributes. Flowers, photos, messages, candles, etc. placed at the site of a fatal crash for a loved one. I am sure they mean a great bit to the family and friends of a lost one, although I have never known someone who has a roadside tribute.
In Australia, a 21 y.o. female driver died yesterday and 4 others perished there on June 28th. The posted speed limit was decreased by 10 km/h today following the most recent of 5 deaths in two weeks.
The most recent death is attributed to the fact that the give way sign was covered up by the roadside tribute from the June 28th accident.
Read the story here (photo credit from that source too)
Flowers, photos and tributes were unceremoniously dumped into the back of a ute as police cleared the accident scene where a 21-year-old Wantirna woman died earlier today when her car and a truck collided.
Local resident Erica Maliki said: “I’m speechless. They have taken these flowers away. They should have moved them, not taken them away.”
Police told media at the scene not to film the removal of the memorial.
But within an hour and a half defiant friends returned to place flowers at the scene in memory of their friends.
Until yesterday, the give way sign at the intersection was covered with photos and tributes.
This morning around 10:50am, a tiller ladder truck overturned in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina. Three of the four firefighters on the rig were injured, two being in serious condition.
Photo from the WRAL.com
The wreck happened at about 10:50 a.m. at the intersection of Dawson and West South streets. Dawson Street was closed at Lenoir Street for more than an hour following the wreck. Read the entire report at WRAL.com.
I am working on the next installment of the top ten lists. The list will be the top ten fire and/or EMS websites. Although I might do one list for Fire and another for EMS. I am looking for feedback on what you think might be one of the top ten. No poll, no questionnaire, just what do you think is a good one to consider. Let me know via email at firecritic@firecritic.com, using the contact us form in the menu bar, or leaving a comment. They can be web sites or blogs as long as they have something to do with fire and/or EMS.
Things you might consider are:
Those are just some criteria you might consider. Feel free to submit your own sites. They can be local, regional, national, or International. They don’t have to be in English, but they do have to be translatable. Look for the list to be published in the next week.
Also, if you have an idea for a top ten list feel free to let me know.
Editors Note: On second thought, I might do 4 catagories…Top ten Fire websites, EMS websites, Fire Blogs, and EMS blogs.
Image from http://www.lethbridgefirefighters.com
Apparently, Harold Schaitberger has the National Right To Work Committee (NRTWC) shaking in their penny loafers. The committee, who is vehemently against the IAFF, has just posted a video to YouTube showing their disdain for Schaitberger, the IAFF, and the recent actions of President Obama. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), led by President Harold Schaitberger, asked President Obama and his constituents to NOT cross the picket line in Providence, RI. If you watch the video you will see just how effected the NRTWC is by the IAFF’s efforts.
Wouldn’t it just be easier and make more sense to utilize the IAFF to help you retain firefighters and prove their worth and need? This will help you (the mayor) in cutting unnecessary departments and programs which are nice but unaffordable with the economy the way it is. Think about it, your work is done.
More importantly, the video addresses H.R. 413 is very important to America’s Firefighters. I suggest that you get on the horn to your Representatives today to ask them for support in passing this legislation.
At least, watch the video. They point out some very enlightening things about the IAFF and what they are doing for me. For all of those IAFF members out there who cry “What has the IAFF done for me”, this is for you. Read it, check ou the link to the Providence Picket Line, and read about H.R. 413…least of all watch the video.
Check out the video below for a news story from Sacramento. A woman surrendered her newborn child to firefighters at the firehouse. The mother took advantage of a law that protects her from abandoning her child as long as she surrenders her baby at a firehouse or hospital emergency room. The “Safely Surrendered Baby” law allows for the mother to give up her baby anonymously and even gives her 14 days to change her mind. According to the news coverage, this is the second time this has taken place in Sacramento recently.
I know that in my State we have a similar law, however we have never had an occurrence in my City. What do you think? Is this something firefighters should be responsible for? This certainly is a better and more humane option than abortion!
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