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Voting Continues and heats up for the Blog of the Year!

Voting continues for the Black Diamond Boot Fire & EMS Blog of the Year.

While Iron Firemen has continued leading the Fire blogs with more than a 350 vote lead, the EMS blogs have a little competition going.

I have been watching the votes carefully since the voting began. I do this because I enjoy seeing the competition and to make sure there isn’t anything fishy going on.

I assure you that everything has been fair!

What has been interesting is how on Sunday, Rescuing Providence has narrowed the almost 150 vote lead by A Day in the Life of An Ambulance Driver to less than 90 votes. Last year, we saw the majority of the votes in the last two days. Anything can happen. It all depends on who is pulling for who and how many votes you can get (obviously).

Even the lead that Iron Firemen is enjoying should not be taken for granted. You just never know.

I have enjoyed seeing the various posts by these bloggers and others drumming up support. I would love to share them, but I want to be sure not to show bias. If I showcase 1, I would have to share all of them and more than likely I would accidentally leave a couple out.

Voting continues until Midnight Tuesday February 1, 2010!

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 31, 2011 • Filed under: Blog of the Year, Contests, News • Tagged: A Day In the Life of an Ambulance Driver, A Firefighters own worst enemy, Black Diamond, Black Diamond Boots, Black Diamond Fire and EMS Blog of the Year 2010-2011, Black Diamond Footwear, Blog of the Year, Blog of the Year Contest, EMS 12 Lead Blog, EMS Blog of the Year, EMS Office Hours, Everyday EMS Tips, Fire Blog of the Year, Fire Critic, Fire Law by Kurt Varone, Fire/EMS Blog of the Year, FireCritic.com, FireGeezer, Iron Firemen, Life Under the Lights Blog, Rescuing Providence, Rhett Fleitz, STATter 911, The EMT Spot, The Happy Medic, Wildfire Toda

LODD – Parkton, NC Assistant Chief James Walters Sr.

1 comment

Assistant Chief James Walters Sr., 57, of the Parkton Volunteer Fire Department in North Carolina has passed away in the Line of Duty.

Walters was doing paperwork at the station when he collapsed. Personnel at the station immediately began CPR. Unfortunately, Chief Walters passed away at the hospital from an apparent heart attack.

Parkton is station 18 in Robeson County, NC.

More Coverage:

Assistant Fire Chief James Walters Sr. Photo from FireNews.net

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 31, 2011 • Filed under: In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, News • Tagged: Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, Firenews.net, In the Line of Duty, James Walters Sr., Line of Duty, Line of Duty Death, LODD, North Carolina, Parkton Volunteer Fire Department, Rhett Fleitz, Robeson County, United States Fire Administration, USFA

LODD – West Memphis Firefighter David Eason

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Firefighter Recruit David Eason, 38, died of an apparent heart attack at the Arkansas Fire Academy in East Camden, Arkansas. He was doing the hose trace evolution and went into cardiac arrest. He was a recruit for the West Memphis Fire Department in Arkansas. His death occurred on January 26th. Paramedics were on scene and came to David’s aid. David died at the hospital 30 minutes later.

More coverage:

Firefighter Nation
USFA
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Recruit Eason at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
West Memphis Fire Department

This is the 12th LODD of 2011 according to the USFA.

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 31, 2011 • Filed under: In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, News • Tagged: Arkansas Fire Academy, David Eason, East Camden, Line of Duty, Line of Duty Death, LODD, Recruit Death, United States Fire Administration, USFA, West Memphis Fire Department

LODD – Dixon Rural Fire Protection District Captain Leslie “Les” Clark

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Captain Clark,80, passed away on January 20, 2011.

According to the USFA:

Captain Clark passed away after suffering a medical emergency while responding to a reported structure fire. Captain Clark was operating a tanker when he advised a crew member that he felt as if he might pass out, and then lost consciousness. The other firefighter reached over and applied the air brake to stop the vehicle. He and firefighters from the apparatus following the tanker removed Captain Clark and began CPR. Ground and Air ambulances were summoned to the scene and treatment continued. Captain Clark, however, did not survive his injury and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Maries County Coroner.

More Coverage:

This is the 11th LODD of 2011 according to the USFA.

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 31, 2011 • Filed under: In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, News • Tagged: Dixon Rural Fire Protection District, Firefighter Nation, In the Line of Duty, Les Clark, Leslie Clark, Line of Duty, LODD, Missouri, United States Fire Administration, USFA

Where has The Fire Critic Been?

8 comments

Here is a little update as to what I have been up to besides the Black Diamond Boots Fire & EMS Blog of the Year contest.

You might have also noticed my lack of posting the past several days. My birthday was on the 28th and I spent the day doing some things I don’t normally get to do. I haven’t taken a break from the web sites like this in a long time! I think I deserved it!

Jayson Anuszkiewicz firing my 357

One of those things was going to the shooting range. Jayson Anuszkiewicz (you try pronouncing it…we call him alphabet), and I went to the local shooting range and shot some ammo. I took my Glock 23, Taurus 357, and Ruger LCP. I hadn’t shot the 357 or LCP yet and hadn’t shot my Glock in several years. Jayson brought his gun (I think it was a Smith and Wesson 40 but I can’t remember). We had fun and I think we fired somewhere around 500 rounds total. It was a blast. I hope to get out to the range a little more often, however it can be an expensive hobby. I am not a huge gun fanatic, but shooting is a blast! Thanks for letting me tag along Jayson!

I also got to go to the Monster Jam at the Roanoke Civic Center. Captain Wines got a hold of some tickets, so Preston and I joined him and the Buckaroo for the evening. I am not a huge fan of Monster trucks. They are loud as hell and you get to breathe a bunch of exhaust, but it is fun to watch. Plus, Preston and the Buckaroo had a blast! I might add that Captain Wines had a good bit of fun as well!

Preston and the Buckaroo at the Monster Jam

Here is another shot of me and Wines. Well technically, I am not in the photo because I am taking it. That is Wines in front of his Dodge in the background. This photo was taken when his truck broke down. Captain Lynn Flora and I sat their with our Chevy’s and watched retired Captain Peters tow the Dodge off…Captain Peters was also driving a Chevy. It felt good, especially since my entire crew at the station drives Ford….

One more update. We are working on the firehouse table at #3. We just got it back from being sanded down….We put the final coat of black paint on the frame and now we have to get busy with the inlays on the top. Here is a shot of it right now. If you have a firehouse table or other custom piece to share…send it in!

I will be back to regular posting once the contest is over! I have plenty of stuff to share and catch up on!

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 31, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Station Custom Kitchen Tables, News • Tagged: Buckaroo, Captain Willie Wines Jr., Chevy Truck, Custom Kitchen Tables, Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, Firehouse Kitchen Tables, Iron Firemen, Jayson Anuszkiewicz, Preston, Rhett Fleitz

Voting Continues and Listen to the Finalists Tonight on Firefighter Netcast LIVE!

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The Voting Continues for the Black Diamond Boots Fire & EMS Blog of the Year Contest.

Don’t let any early leads make you complacent. Last year we saw some early leads and strong comebacks. Just today we have seen several blogs getting a lot of votes!

Tonight (Wed. Jan. 26th), the finalists have been invited to be on Firefighter Netcast. The direct show link is here and it starts at 9pm EST!

Vote here every 6 hours

Voting ends on February 1st. The current tally as of 3:15 pm EST is:

Fire Blog of the Year:

Iron Firemen 319
The Happy Medic 170
FireGeezer 118
Fire Law by Curt Varone 108
Wildfire Today 100
Statter 911 65
Firefighters Own Worst Enemy 55

EMS Blog of the Year:

A Day in the Life of An Ambulance Driver 243
Rescuing Providence 121
The Happy Medic 99
EMS Office Hours 83
Life Under the Lights 77
EMS 12 Lead 36
The EMT Spot 29
Everyday EMS Tips 13

Total votes: 1634 (may be off from totals of numbers above due to time it took to compile the stats)

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 26, 2011 • Filed under: Blog of the Year, Contests, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics • Tagged: A Day In the Life of an Ambulance Driver, A Firefighters own worst enemy, Black Diamond, Black Diamond Boots, Black Diamond Fire and EMS Blog of the Year 2010-2011, Black Diamond Footwear, Blog of the Year, Blog of the Year Contest, EMS 12 Lead Blog, EMS Blog of the Year, EMS Office Hours, Everyday EMS Tips, Fire Blog of the Year, Fire Critic, Fire Law by Kurt Varone, Fire/EMS Blog of the Year, FireCritic.com, FireGeezer, Iron Firemen, Life Under the Lights Blog, Rescuing Providence, Rhett Fleitz, STATter 911, The EMT Spot, The Happy Medic, Wildfire Today

The Best of Motivational…or Demotivational Firefighting Posters

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UPDATE: Part II of the Best of Motivational and Demotivational Fire & EMS Posters is here!

The crew (me) here at Fire Critic Headquarters (my desk) are always seeking ways to motivate you (yes both of you readers!). I thought what better way to motivate you than to show you some motivational demotivational posters!

There are some good ones out there, but by and large you can tell that most of them were not created by firefighters. I say this because I think it is our duty to come up with better motivational and/or demotivational posters. Don’t ask, I don’t know what the difference is between the two. They are simply funny posters that mimic the original styling of posters someone came up with. The object is to be funny.

If you happen to come up with any of your own, just send them to me and I will feature them here on FireCritic.com!

And yes, there are some EMS posters in there as well…deal with it!

Also check out demotivational posters on Happy Medic and Raising Ladders.

Here are some of the best I was able to find on the internet!

Be sure to “like” Fire Critic on Facebook!

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 26, 2011 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Humor, Must Read, News, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: Demotivational Posters, Fire Critic, fire Demotivational Posters, fire engine Demotivational Posters, FireCritic.com, Firefighter Demotivational Posters, Firefighting Demotivational Posters, Firetruck Demotivational Posters, Fun, Funny Posters, hot female firefighter motivational poster, Humor, Motivational Posters, Photos, Rhett Fleitz

Keep Voting for the Blog of the Year

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Continue voting for the Black Diamond Boots Fire & EMS Blog of the Year 2010-2011 Contest!!

On Monday there were around 700 votes. You can vote every 6 hours.

Voting is here

Spread the word. That is all!

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 25, 2011 • Filed under: Blog of the Year, Contests • Tagged: A Day In the Life of an Ambulance Driver, A Firefighters own worst enemy, Black Diamond, Black Diamond Boots, Black Diamond Fire and EMS Blog of the Year 2010-2011, Black Diamond Footwear, Blog of the Year, Blog of the Year Contest, EMS 12 Lead Blog, EMS Blog of the Year, EMS Office Hours, Everyday EMS Tips, Fire Blog of the Year, Fire Critic, Fire Law by Kurt Varone, Fire/EMS Blog of the Year, FireCritic.com, FireGeezer, Iron Firemen, Life Under the Lights Blog, Rescuing Providence, Rhett Fleitz, STATter 911, The EMT Spot, The Happy Medic, Wildfire Today

Heavily Tattooed Compton Deputy Chief Marcel Melanson Interviewed by Inked Magazine

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Marcel Melanson in Inked Magazine photo by Russ Quackenbush

Last October, I did a story on “First In”, a reality tv/documentary shown on BET about the Compton Fire Department in California. Read that article here.

One of the featured firefighters was Battalion Chief Marcel Melanson.

Marcel is now a Deputy Chief at the age of 33. He has to be one of the youngest in the Nation…especially for paid urban departments.

Marcel was recently featured in an Inked Magazine by Chaucey Hollingsworth. The focus of the story is on his tattoos. The writer even rides along with Marcel and his crew. Marcel is sleeved and even has his neck tattooed…something you don’t see everyday in the fire service. Sure tattoos are common, but not to the level that Marcel has take it.

I don’t think that First In is scheduled to return anytime soon, but you can watch the previous episodes here.

Read the entire article on Inked Magazine here

Compton FD stats: 84 sworn employees, 4 stations, 4 engines, 1 truck, 2 ALS squads, 2 BLS transport ambulances. Population = 100,000. Yearly call volume = 10,000

Bonus…follow Marcel on twitter @cptkid

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 24, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, News • Tagged: BET, Black Entertainment Television, Compton, Compton Fire Department, Compton Firefighters, Danny Salazar, Docu-drama, Documentary, Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, Firefighter Shows, Firefighting Shows, First In, First In on BET, First In Show, First In TV Show, Jerome Goodall, Marcel Melanson, Marcus Wilson, Rhett Fleitz, Shon Halverson, Tyrese Gibson

The Fire Service Warrior – Monday Morning Shoutout

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This weeks Monday Morning Shoutout goes to The Fire Service Warrior.

Christopher Brennan offers up his thoughts on the blog and a refreshing take on aggressive, smart, and yet safe firefighting. WHAT? Certainly the Fire Critic doesn’t think that you can be aggressive AND smart AND safe! NO WAY…way!

The Fire Service Warrior offers this unique “mission statement” that has been dubbed the Ethos of a Fire Service Warrior. Ethos? Yeah, I had to look it up although I kinda figured what he meant by it. Ethos: English word based on a Greek word and denotes the guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a community, a nation or an ideology.

What I love about it is that in the same text we have “wear…all PPE, if we aren’t 100% sure…WE SEARCH, and …train everyday”

Yup, that about sums it up. I have a feeling that this blog will continue an increase in traffic and conversation.

Interesting fact: this blog has been online since 2008!

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 24, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Monday Morning Shoutout, Must Read, News, Training & Development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: Aggressive Firefighting, Blog, Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, Monday Morning Shoutout, Rhett Fleitz, Safe Firefighting, Smart Firefighting, The Fire Service Warrior

VOTE NOW For The Black Diamond Boots Fire & EMS Blog of the Year

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The time is officially 00:01 am EST on January 24th and voting has begun for the Black Diamond Boots Fire & EMS Blog of the Year 2010-2011.

You can vote once every 6 hours. The voting frequency was changed to 6 hours (the same as last year).

The link to voting is here

Bookmark the page, or you can find it under the menu bar contests>Black Diamond Boots Fire & EMS Blog of the Year 2010-2011>Finalists and Voting.

Email it, share it, tweet it, facebook share it, blog about it, and tell your friends!

The 42 nominated blogs were ranked by our judges. The top ranked 7 Fire blogs and 8 EMS blogs made the cut. There were 8 EMS blogs because of a tie.

Full rules and details are available here

Black Diamond Boots is sponsoring the event and the winners will receive a brand new pair of their newest boots!

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 24, 2011 • Filed under: Blog of the Year, Contests, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Wildland • Tagged: A Day In the Life of an Ambulance Driver, A Firefighters own worst enemy, Black Diamond, Black Diamond Boots, Black Diamond Fire and EMS Blog of the Year 2010-2011, Black Diamond Footwear, Blog of the Year, Blog of the Year Contest, EMS 12 Lead Blog, EMS Blog of the Year, EMS Office Hours, Everyday EMS Tips, Fire Blog of the Year, Fire Critic, Fire Law by Kurt Varone, Fire/EMS Blog of the Year, FireCritic.com, FireGeezer, Iron Firemen, Life Under the Lights Blog, Rescuing Providence, Rhett Fleitz, STATter 911, The EMT Spot, The Happy Medic, Wildfire Today

Audio: Detroit Police Station Shooting. 4 Police Officers Shot and Gunman Killed

4 comments

Police from the east side of the city stop by in support of Detroit's Sixth Precinct where a man entered in the early evening hours and opened fire wounding 3 officers including the Precinct Commander, Sunday, January 23, 2011. (KATHLEEN GALLIGAN/Detroit Free Press)

Below is audio from the police station shooting today in Detroit. 4 Police Officers were shot, all of the officers are expected to survive and were at Sinai Grace Hospital, according to Police Chief Ralph Godbee Jr.

FirefighterDispatch uploaded the edited audio.

FreeP.com:

It was just before 4:30 p.m. Sunday when the gunman came into the police station and started shooting.

A female sergeant in a hallway was hit first. Commander Brian Davis raced out of his office, exchanged fire with the gunman and got shot in the back.

Then the gunman rushed the horseshoe-shaped front desk with his pistol grip shotgun. Sgt. Ray Saati and Officer David Anderson also were shot before the gunman was killed.

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 23, 2011 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, News, Videos • Tagged: Audio, Commander Brian Davis, Detroit, Detroit EMS, Detroit Fire Department, Detroit Police Department, Detroit Police Station Shooting, Detroit Shooting, Detroit Sixth Precinct, Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, Fireground Audio, Michigan, Officer David Anderson, Police Chief Ralph Godbee Jr., Police Officer, Police Officer Shot, Rhett Fleitz, Sgt. Ray Saati, Shooting

Early Video: House Fire in Los Angeles

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Photo by Scott Fajack from here

This fire occurred on Friday, January 21st. The house was located at 1324 Sutherland Street in the Echo Park area.

News coverage here

LAFD posted this on twitter:

*Structure Fire – Now Out* 1324 N Sutherland St; MAP 594-E7; FS 20; 2 story home; 32 FF’s took 17 min; No injury; NFD; Ch:7,14 @ 6:39 AM -Brian Humphrey### link

Visit the LAFD Blog here

Follow LAFD on Twitter here

FC Note: LAFD has one of the finest examples of a fully functional and integrated social media concept for media and public relations. It is THE department to look at when creating yours!

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 23, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Fires, News, Videos • Tagged: Brian Humphreys, Early Video, Echo Park, Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, House Fire, LA, LAFD, LAFD Blog, Los Angeles Fire Department, Rhett Fleitz, Sutherland Street

The Finalists are Announced for the Blog of the Year Contest… Voting begins Monday!

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I am happy to announce the finalists for the Black Diamond Boots Fire & EMS Blog of the Year 2010-2011 contest.

The voting will begin at 00:01 EST Monday, January 24, 2011.

Black Diamond Boots Fire & EMS Blog of the Year 2010-2011 Contest Finalists

Voting will end at Midnight February 1st, 2011.
You can vote for 1 Fire blog and 1 EMS blog every 12 hours.
The winners will receive a pair of the X2 boots from Black Diamond Footwear.

THE JUDGES have done their job and ranked each of the blogs. Those scores have been compiled and the finalists have been named!

The Finalists:

in no particular order

Visit the Fire Blog Finalists sites here:

Visit the EMS Blog Finalists sites here:

Rescuing Providence
The Happy Medic
Life Under The Lights
Everyday EMS Tips
A Day In The Life of An Ambulance Driver
The EMT Spot
EMS Office Hours
EMS 12 Lead Blog

*there was a tie for 6,7, and 8th finalists so we ended up with 8

The voting page is here (voting is not open until 00:01 EST January 24th)

Congratulations to all the nominated blogs and all of the finalists!

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 23, 2011 • Filed under: Blog of the Year, Contests, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, News • Tagged: A Day In the Life of an Ambulance Driver, A Firefighters own worst enemy, Black Diamond, Black Diamond Boots, Black Diamond Fire and EMS Blog of the Year 2010-2011, Black Diamond Footwear, Blog of the Year, Blog of the Year Contest, EMS 12 Lead Blog, EMS Blog of the Year, EMS Office Hours, Everyday EMS Tips, Fire Blog of the Year, Fire Critic, Fire Law by Kurt Varone, Fire/EMS Blog of the Year, FireCritic.com, FireGeezer, Iron Firemen, Life Under the Lights Blog, Rescuing Providence, Rhett Fleitz, STATter 911, The EMT Spot, The Happy Medic, Wildfire Today

Raw Video: Apartment Fire in San Clemente

1 comment

Firefighters seem to get a decent knockdown on this fire. There doesn’t appear to be much access to the building around the flames due to the buildings on each side.

This fire occurred on January 21st at 242 El Portal in San Clemente, California.

San Clemente Times:

A swift-moving, two-alarm blaze at 242 West El Portal ravaged the four-unit building and threatened nearby structures before firefighters stamped it out.

No one was injured in the fire that broke out shortly after 1 p.m., but residents home at the time were forced to rush from the building with the barest of belongings.

Seven fire engines and three trucks — loaded with some 40 firefighters — responded to the fire, said Battalion Chief Kris Concepcion of the Orange County Fire Authority.

The fire displaced six adults, two children and one iguana carried out in an aquarium by firefighters. Neighbors in the adjacent buildings were evacuated, but their structures did not appear to suffer any fire damage, said Captain Greg McKeown, the authority’s public information officer.

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 22, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Fires, News, Videos • Tagged: 242 El Portal, Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, Firefighting, Fireground Video, House Fire, House Fire Video, Rhett Fleitz, San Clemente, Video

A Moving Tribute to U.S. Army Specialist and Firefighter Benjamin Moore

3 comments

While this is not a Line of Duty Death in Firefighting, this is no doubt a Line of Duty Death in the Military. United States Army Specialist Benjamin Moore was killed on January 12, 2011 in Ghanzi Province, Afghanistan from injuries after enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device (IED).

He was assigned to the 7th Engineer Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum. Benjamin joined the Army in 2009 and was deployed to Afghanistan last May.

Moore was also a volunteer firefighter and EMT with the Hope Hose Fire Company in Bordentown, New Jersey. Moore was posthumously named Chief of Hope Hose Fire Company and will be named honorary Mayor of the Bordentown at their next meeting of the City Commission.

Links: Bordentown FMBA - Coverage of his funeral – Hope Hose Company on Facebook

Watch this moving tribute to SPC Benjamin Moore below. I assure you it will at least make your hair stand on end!

Honor, Respect, Brotherhood

Godspeed Ben!

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 22, 2011 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, News, Videos • Tagged: 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 7th Engineer Battalion, Afghanistan, Ben Moore, Benjamin Moore, Bordentown, Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, Hope Hose Fire Company, New Jersey, Rhett Fleitz, SPC Ben Moore, SPC Benjamin Moore, United States Army

Update: Stolen Fire Helmet is Returned to Mike Urban’s Widow

4 comments

Credit: Allan Jung/for Daily News and Wicked Local

Previous Coverage here

I am pleased to announce that Fallen Framingham Firefighter Mike Urban’s fire helmet has been returned.

It showed up in a backpack at a Middleboro firehouse. It will be handed over to the family on Saturday.

There is no word on who dropped it of, and to me that is not important.

It is also not clear if anyone is claiming the $1000 reward.

News links here and here

Firefighter’s helmet returned to family: MyFoxBOSTON.com

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 21, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, News • Tagged: Fallen Firefighter, Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, Framingham Fire Department, Framingham IAFF Local, Mike Urban, Rhett Fleitz, Stolen Fire Helmet, Tim Campion

The Elmont FD in Long Island is Under Scrutiny for using the Stars and Bars

13 comments

The Elmont Fire Department in Long Island is under scrutiny for using the Confederate Flag (stars and bars) in their logos.

Apparently, the Elmont FD has a run territory that includes 35,000 people. Most of whom are black. (according to the report).

image from NBC New York

Questions are rising over the departments use of the confederate flag in their logos.

NBCNewYork.com is reporting:

…”I felt very uncomfortable when I saw that,” said an Elmont firefighter, who is black and wanted to remain anonymous for fear of repercussion.

…

We showed Elmont residents photos of Engine Company 3′s logo.

“It’s disrespectful. I thought we were over that. Didn’t Lincoln free the slaves,” said Andrea Cross

“It’s disgraceful, very disgraceful,” said Joyce Johnson

“Racism. It’s the flag people use when they want you to know they are either part of the Klu Klux Klan they believe in just slavery,” said Judy Djalo

I thought maybe the department just came up with new logos…hence the recent report. But it actually it appears they have been using the stars and bars for a long time.

What do you think? Should they scratch the use of the Confederate Flag? Is the meaning lost in translation.

Links:

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 21, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, News • Tagged: Confederate Flag, Elmont Engine 703, Elmont FD, Elmont Fire Department, Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, Long Island, New York, Rhett Fleitz, Stars and Bars

Fallen Firefighter’s Helmet Stolen. Memento was Meant for Widow

7 comments

Update: The helmet has been returned. More information here

Update: If you have any information on the helmet, please contact Framingham Fire at 508-532-5930, Fire Dispatch at 508-532-5940, Framingham Police at 508-872-1212 or Middleborough Police at 508-947-1212.

Update: $1000 reward posted by the Board of Selectman in Framingham. Read more here

Framingham Firefighter Mike Urban, 57, died on January 7th after a battle with lung cancer.

Framingham Fire Department and IAFF local online

Immediately after Urban’s funeral service, Urban’s helmet was stolen.

Framingham firefighter Tim Campion stands with the helmet of Mike Urban, a fellow firefighter who died of cancer, as his casket is placed on a 1970 Framingham fire engine for the procession to St. Stephen's Church for the Jan. 11 funeral. Credit: Allan Jung/for Daily News and Wicked Local

What? You have got to be kidding me right?

MetroWestDailyNews:

Delaney said the helmet ended up in his son Ben’s car after the funeral. Ben Delaney had to pull over in Middleborough later that day when his car broke down. He called some friends to take him to a friend’s house about a mile away, his father said.

About 10 minutes later, Delaney said his son got a call from another friend.

“He was asking if he was OK, because it turned out his (car’s) windows were all smashed,” he said.

What is this world coming to?

I certainly hope they can find this helmet and return it to Urban’s Widow.

I can’t think of too many things that might serve as mementos of our lives as firefighters that are even close to having the same value as our fire helmets. The helmet should be a family heirloom showing the service of our fallen brother.

More coverage:

Fallen firefighter’s helmet stolen from family

Family of deceased Framingham firefighter looking for stolen helmet

Fallen firefighter’s helmet stolen from family: MyFoxBOSTON.com

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 21, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, News, Videos • Tagged: Fallen Firefighter, Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, Framingham Fire Department, Framingham IAFF Local, Mike Urban, Rhett Fleitz, Stolen Fire Helmet, Tim Campion

Video: Fully Involved House Fire on South 3rd Street in Bethany Beach, Delaware

1 comment

Google streetview of the house...I think.

Below is a series of video from a house fire on South 3rd Street in Bethany Beach, Delaware. There are 10 videos in all.

South 3rd St. South Bethany Beach Delaware House Fire – January 20, 2010 – 6:00pm – Fire was in the first house on the left on the east side of Coastal Highway. The fire was initially dispatched for South 5th Street, however, the corrected address is on S. 3rd St.

Visit the Bethany Beach Fire Department online\

The videos were taken by Jeff Mould. Visit his youtube channel here.

(more…)

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 20, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Fires, News, Videos • Tagged: Bethany Beach, Bethany Beach House Fire, Deleware, Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, House Fire, House Fire Video, Rhett Fleitz

Mark Falkenhan Was the Ideal Firefighter, Paramedic, Husband, and Father

1 comment

Previous Coverage on Fire Critic Here

Update: Funeral Arrangements:

Viewings will be held Saturday and Sunday from 2-4pm and 7-9pm at the Ruhl Armory on York Rd. in Towson

His funeral will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.

Interment will follow at Dulaney Memorial Gardens.

Firefighter Mark Falkenhan was overcome in flashover conditions on the third floor at a 4 alarm fire in Baltimore County. He was rescued by fellow firefighters and died at the hospital. Firefighters rescued two occupants during the fire.

Mark Falkenhan was a firefighter, a paramedic, a husband, and a father.

The Essex-Middle River Patch offers an excellent view of Mark’s life in an article titled “Great Firefighter, Great Husband, Great Father”.

If you don’t do anything else, read the article here!

It is clear that Mark was a role model.

mark falkenhan

Essex-Middle River Patch:

Mark left his job with Baltimore County Fire to work for the U.S. Secret Service. He remained a volunteer firefighter with the Lutherville Volunteer Fire Company in Baltimore County.

Shorlty after he graduated from Mount Carmel High School in 1986, Falkenhan joined the Middle River Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Co. He rose to the rank of chief and is a lifetime member.

Falkenhan then joined the Baltimore County Fire Department as an emergency medical technician in 1990.

He married Gladys on Nov. 11, 1993, and became an EMT-Paramedic the following year. He served at various stations across the county before retiring in 2006 to accept a job with the U.S. Secret Service.

Most firefighters will learn something from every Line of Duty Death. Those lessons are typically learned once the reports are published and the findings are disseminated. It is already clear to me that Mark’s death, the 10th LODD this year, already has a positive message. Live, Learn, and Love… both in our families at the firehouse and more importantly at home.

Mark was 43 years old.

More coverage and links:

Below is the Press Release for the fire that claimed Mark Falkenhan’s life from Baltimore County (more…)

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 20, 2011 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, News, Rescues • Tagged: Baltimore County, Baltimore County FD, Baltimore County Fire Department, Baltimore County Volunteer Fireman's Association, Baltimore County Volunteer Fireman's Association Middle River Volunteer Ambulance Rescue Co, Baltimore Fire, Baltimore Fire Rescue Academy, Baltimore Firefighter, Baltimore Firefighter Injured, Dowling Circle, Dundalk, Eastview, Emergency, Essex, Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, Firefighter, Firefighter Close Calls, firefighter down, firefighter killed, Firefighting, Flashover, Fullerton, Golden Ring, Hillendale, In the Line of Duty, John Hohman, Line of Duty, Line of Duty Death, LODD, Lutherville, Lutherville VFC, Lutherville Volunteer Fire Company, Mark Falkenhan, Mark Faulkenhan, Maryland, MAYDAY, MFRI, Paramedic, Parkville, Rhett Fleitz, Sam Snyder, Towson Crossing, U.S. Secret Service, United States Fire Administration, United States Secret Service, USFA, USSS, Woodlawn

Blog of the Year Contest – The Nominated Blogs

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Nominations for the Black Diamond Fire & EMS Blog of the Year Contest have ended. There were 22 EMS blogs and 20 Fire blogs nominated from a total of 85 nominations via email, facebook, twitter, and comments.

Our judges are currently ranking the nominated blogs and voting will begin on January 24th.

Voting will open up from January 24th – February 1st.

Get ready to vote for your favorite…last year the competition really heated up!

The best part of this competition is learning about new blogs. There are many new blogs since last year. I had heard of most of them, but some of them were brand new to me. Take a minute to check out all of the nominated blogs below!

(more…)

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 20, 2011 • Filed under: Blog of the Year, Contests, News • Tagged: Black Diamond Boots, Black Diamond Fire and EMS Blog of the Year 2010-2011, Blog of the Year, Blog of the Year Contest, Blogs, EMS Blog of the Year, Fire Blog of the Year, Fire/EMS Blog of the Year

LODD – Firefighter Dies After Mayday at 4 Alarm Apartment Fire in Baltimore County

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Update: 10:19 pm EST: Fallen Firefighter Identified. Firefighter Mark Falkenhan, 43, died after being injured at a 4 alarm apartment fire in Baltimore County. Falkenhan had retired from Baltimore County as paramedic about five years ago and went to work for U.S. Secret Service and was a volunteer for Lutherville Volunteer Fire Company. Falkenhan was married and had two children.

All apologies for errors in information last night. I had misspelled the firefighters last name.

Update: 9:31 pm EST: There are confirmed reports that a Firefighter from the Lutherville Volunteer Fire Department has died as a result of injuries from this fire in Baltimore County.

The firefighter was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Towson, where he later died.

Update: 9:14 pm EST: There isn’t a lot of news on this fire yet…details are still emerging.

The fire was contained to one apartment building and was believed to have started on the second floor. Credit Doug Donovan SOURCE HERE

Four Alarms have been sounded for a fire at the Crossing apartment complex at 30 Dowling Circle in Baltimore County. The call came in around 7pm tonight.

A firefighter and two others have been transported to area hospitals for injuries sustained in the fire.

The firefighter was rescued by other firefighters after transmitting a Mayday.

Visit the Lutherville Volunteer Fire Company online here

Visit the Baltimore County FD online here

More Coverage links direct to the story:

Here is a quick and glimpse of the scene via youtube

Last Day to Nominate your Favorite Blog for the Black Diamond Fire & EMS Blog of the Year

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Today is the last day to nominate your favorite blog for the Black Diamond Fire & EMS Blog of the Year 2010-2011.

Full Rules and Details Here

Is your favorite blog already nominated? Check here for fire blogs and here for EMS blogs!

Currently there are 14 Fire blogs and 22 EMS blogs nominated!

Nominations end at Midnight Tonight!

Voting Starts on January 24th!

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 19, 2011 • Filed under: Blog of the Year, Contests, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, News • Tagged: Black Diamond Fire and EMS Blog of the Year 2010-2011, Blog o, Blog of the Year, Blog of the Year Contest, EMS Blog of the Year, Fire Blog of the Year, Fire Critic, Fire/EMS Blog of the Year, FireCritic.com, Rhett Fleitz

LODD – FDNY Firefighter William (Billy) Henry Quick

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Firefighter William (Billy) Henry Quick
Fire Department of New York

From the USFA: Firefighter Quick passed away from injuries sustained as a result of his response to the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11th, 2001. Incident Location: World Trade Center, New York City, NY

Billy’s Facebook Tribute page is here

Tributes.com:

Quick, William H., of East Atlantic Beach, NY, aka Firefighter, Mountaineer and Light Beer Drinker, on January 18, 2011. Retired FDNY and 9/11 Responder. Beloved husband of Lisa (nee: Stiles). Loving and devoted father of Ryan Mary & William Henry II. Dear Son of Virginia & Martin Ryan. Cherished brother of Kathleen & Patricia Ryan. Reposing Macken Mortuary, Island Park Chapel, 3930 Long Beach Road, Thursday & Friday 2-4, 7-9 pm. Funeral Mass St. Ignatius Martyr Church, Long Beach, NY. Saturday 9:30 am. Internment St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY. mackenmortuary.com

Also check out FirefighterCloseCalls.com for more

This is the 9th LODD for 2011 according to the USFA.