Moore, Oklahoma was the scene of a horrific natural disaster today. Moore is south of Oklahoma City. A mile wide EF4 tornado decimated the area. The death toll is currently 51 (11pm) including 7 children at the Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore. There are 233 reported injured.
The preliminary rating of damage created by the tornado is at least EF4 (winds 166 to 200 mph) — the second-most severe classification on a scale of zero to five
I have read a lot about it being a “recovery” effort instead of a “search” effort. I am not sure that the firefighters have the same thoughts on the ground. Word is that Tennessee Task Force 1 is being deployed to the area to assist (news link).
Moore Fire Department
Just to give you a snapshot of the Moore FD, they operate with 72 firefighters out of 4 firehouses covering 22 square miles.
The area is no stranger to tornadoes. In May of 1999, there was another huge tornado that killed dozens and recorded wind speeds of 302 miles per hour (the fastest recorded on earth).
Below you will find the names of most of the top Fire/EMS smart phone applications (Apps) as shared by the readers on the Fire Critic Facebook page. I did not share the links, because most are found on either your iphone or Android marketplaces. All you have to do is use the terms below to search for them on your phone. Not all of them have a dedicated web site.
Feel free to add more in the comments! Which apps do you use?
Fire
IAFF Procal
FireEng. Field Officer Guide
Fire Rescue 1
Firefighter Log
NIMS ICS
Fire Officer
Fire officer field guide
CommandSim
Oncallff
Fire Academy
Fire alert
Fireground 360
Fire Command Worksheet
EZ-shift
Leaky nozzle firehouse scheduler
The Firefighter Pocketbook
iPAR Fire (iPAR Fire Lite)
Staffing/Paging/Scheduling
Firehouse Scheduler
Mass Incident Paging
fire shifts
fd shift calendar
Resgrid
Friction Loss/Pumping
FLcalc
firepump
Calculator for pump ops
911 Toolkit
Two Tone Detect: Not an app but a computer program called two tone detect. Records the page outs from my scanner and sends an audio file to my phone via text or email.
I think we have all said this at one time or another. This short clip below captures just that moment in time where we have something to say…but someone else apparently won’t shut up on the radio. I guess you could say that we just hope that it doesn’t get caught on video. It doesn’t matter who this is or where it happened…it is pretty funny.
The victims identities in the West, Texas fertilizer plant explosion are still being processed. I have still not seen any “official” word on exactly who died and what their role was at the scene. Below you will find that there are currently believed to be 9 firefighters dead after the tragedy. The 9 firefighters represent several departments.
Information below compiled from here, here and here
Their “role” will be important in the future…right now, it really doesn’t matter to me. These souls were lost in an enormous tragedy that will have a small community rebuilding for years to come. The toll it had on the West Volunteer Fire Department is amazing in itself. From reports, it seems as though they had 5 firefighters die in the explosion; 11 firefighters injured and hospitalized; and 3 fire apparatus destroyed.
There will be “official” word soon. Until then, I will repost the names I posted in this article with the addition of 1 name, Cody Dragoo. I did not read anything about his death until today.
The people listed below are believed to be 12 of the 14 confirmed deaths in the blast.
West Volunteer Fire Department Members
Morris Bridges, 41. Firefighter for West VFD. Fire Sprinkler Technician for Action Fire Pros.
Cody Dragoo, 50. Firefighter for West VFD. Foreman at West Fertilizer Co.
Robert Snokhous, 48. Firefighter for West VFD. Employee at Central Texas Iron Works.
Doug Snokhous, 50. Firefighter for West VFD. Employee at Central Texas Iron Works.
Joey Pustejovsky. Firefighter for West VFD. City of West Secretary.
In addition to those above, the people below also are believed to have died in the blast. Their role, response, and department they were responding for are not exactly known at this time. Some of the people below may NOT have been responding as Fire and/or EMS personnel. It is believed that some (possibly 4) of the people below were responding as EMS personnel even though they are volunteer firefighters.
Perry Calvin, 37. Firefighter for Mertens and Navarro Mills VFDs. Student at Hill College Fire Academy.
Jerry Chapman, 26. Firefighter for Abbott VFD.
Jimmy Matus, 52. Owner of Westex Welding in West, Texas.
Cyrus Reed. Firefighter for Abbott VFD. Worked at Waxahachie plant.
Buck Uptmor, 40′s. Owner of a fencing company and lived near West. *listed some places as a Firefighter for West VFD.
Kenny Harris, 52. Dallas FD Fire Captain.
Kevin Sanders is listed as missing. He is a member of Bruceville-Eddy VFD. He was attending the EMS class in West that night and was one of the initial first responders to the fire.
Off-duty Dallas FD Captain Kenny Harris was killed in the explosion. Captain Harris, who is a resident of West, went to help the volunteers of West with the fire according to reports.
Harris, a 52-year-old father of three, was among the multiple fatalities. Reportedly off-duty when the tragedy struck, Harris did what he was trained to do — help.
The Dallas Fire-Rescue captain lived in the community, but has worked for the city of Dallas for nearly 31 years.
Chief Billy Goldfeder (FirefighterCloseCalls.com) has offered “unofficial” news of 11 deaths related to Fire & EMS:
5 West FD Firefighters
4 West EMS Medics
1 Off Duty Fire Captain (Kenny Harris) *Confirmed
1 unconfirmed Firefighter (unknown agency at this time)
Official word has not been released on the numbers, but Goldfeder sites reliable sources from the scene in West, Texas.
Those numbers above don’t quite add up to the remarks of Mayor Muska below (or further remarks below that)…
West Mayor Tommy Muska said state responders, who have helped organize the search and rescue operation, told him that 80 percent of the devastated areas, including a nursing home and 50-unit apartment complex, have been searched so far. Teams have found eight to 10 bodies and expect to find at least a half dozen more at the West Fertilizer Co. facility when they can search those grounds.
WEST, Texas — Around 35 people, including 10 first responders, were killed in the Texas fertilizer company explosion Wednesday night, West Mayor Tommy Muska said in an interview with USA TODAY.
The dead include five members of the West Volunteer Fire Department who were trying to put out the initial blaze, four EMS workers and an off-duty Dallas firefighter who pitched in to help, Muska said. Not all the bodies have been recovered but all are assumed dead.
Two volunteers who showed up to help fight the blaze are also missing and presumed dead, he said.
The rest of the fatalities include residents from nearby homes in the devastated four-block area of this small north-central Texas town 20 miles north of Waco, the mayor added.
There still hasn’t been any update on the confirmed deaths. There are mixed reports on firefighter, EMT, and Police Officer deaths at this point. The latest estimate on the death toll is 15 total, but that is a rough estimate without any concrete information. 3-4 firefighters are being reported as missing. The injuries reported around 160 currently.
It is easy to understand that there are some first responder deaths. After all, firefighters were on scene battling the fire when the explosion occurred. All we can do right now is wait until the area can be thoroughly searched for survivors and those who have perished. Firefighters from all over the area are on scene helping out in the rescue/search efforts.
I will continue to update as new and “official” information is available.
Search and rescue teams were combing the crumbled sites in hopes of finding survivors. More than 160 injured people have been taken to hospitals, and emergency responders believe more victims might be trapped alive.
That “is good news to me,” Sgt W. Patrick Swanton, the Waco police spokesman handling media briefings in West, said early Thursday morning. Authorities have “not gotten to the point of no return.”
At a later media briefing about 10 a.m., Swanton added: “It’s a very slow, methodical search.”
Swanton repeated an earlier figure of five to 15 people killed but said that’s based on “very limited” information from “folks at the scene,” including local, state and federal officials. Three to four West volunteer firefighters who were at the plant when it exploded shortly before 8 p.m. Wednesday remain missing.
However, one emergency worker who had been reported as missing, a constable serving as a volunteer firefighter, was found hospitalized with “serious” injuries.
A major explosion occurred Wednesday night at a fertilizer plant in the city of West, near Hillsboro in north-central Texas – killing between five and 15 people and injuring at least 160 more. Three to four firefighters who were battling the fire that occurred before the explosion are unaccounted for.
Waco Police Spokesperson Sgt. William Patrick Swanton said a fire began Wednesday evening at the West Fertilizer plant. Fifty minutes later, an explosion was reported in a frantic radio call from the scene of the fire at the plant at 1471 Jerry Mashek Dr. just off Interstate 35. Authorities said there is no indication that the blast was anything but an accident.
Teams of first responders descended on the devastated town of West, Texas, early Thursday where a massive explosion at a fertilizer plant left scores of casualties and turned homes to rubble.
The number of dead remained unclear, with police saying it could be between five and 15. More than 160 people were injured and “three to four” firefighters were missing or unaccounted for, officials said.
Firefighters were battling the blaze that precipitated the explosion Wednesday night. And a storm system heading into the area brought helpful rain — but also heavy winds that might make it much tougher to contain the fire.
Rescuers were conducting another door-to-door search early Thursday for the living and the dead in areas damaged by a massive fertilizer plant explosion in West that left more than 100 injured and may have killed dozens.
As of 4:45, officials say five to fifteen people are believed to be dead.
Six firefighters and two paramedics are confirmed dead and seven nursing home residents were missing after the blast according to West EMS Director Dr. George Smith, who said earlier Wednesday night as many as 60 or 70 people may have died in the blast.
“I can’t confirm the number of casualties, but I can tell you that we do have casualties,” said Waco police spokesman Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton at a 4:35 a.m. news conference. “I can tell you that it is estimated anywhere from five to 15 at this point.”
At 4:15 a.m., West, Texas EMS director Dr. George Smith confirmed that two paramedics lost their lives in Tuesday night’s explosion at West Fertilizer Company. He said six firefighters remained unaccounted for.
“We do have confirmed fatalities, Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman D.L. Wilson said at a midnight news conference, “We have a tremendous amout of injuries… over 100 injuries at this time.”
Wilson would not confirm or deny an earlier report that the number of deaths could be in the range of 60 to 70.
Fire officials fear that the number of casualties could rise much higher — as many as 60 to 70 dead, said Dr. George Smith, the emergency management system director of the city.
Many of the major news agencies are reporting only 2 confirmed dead at this time. Below you will read about a local official claiming 60-70 reported dead. I will update with more information later.
More coverage available at STATter911.com as well as the links below.
A powerful explosion rocked the town of West, Texas, 19 miles north of Waco, on Wednesday evening.
“We’ve heard that figure of 60 to 70 dead that’s coming from the county’s emergency management office down here,” said WFAA reporter Todd Unger a short distance from the blast epicenter. “I can tell you that a couple of law enforcement soucres expect that number to go up.”
Several firefighters and others were injured in a fertilizer plant explosion in West shortly before 8 p.m.
Multiple buildings caught on fire, including West Intermediate School, 1212 N. Reagan St., after the explosion at West Fertilizer Co., 1471 Jerry Mashek Drive, and a dispatcher calling for ambulances said “we do have a lot of injured here.”
The explosion was reported at around 7:50 p.m. in a frantic radio call from the scene of the fire at West Fertilizer at 1471 Jerry Mashek Dr. just off Interstate 35.
The fire started in an anhydrous ammonia tank and spread to the building, authorities said.
LATEST 7:46 PM: Suspect dead. Four firefighters & police officer minor injuries. Superficial wounds to firefighters from flash-bang. Officer shot in hand or arm. Police moved in because they thought firefighters were in danger.
Police say firefighters will be back home with their families tonight. Below is the initial radio traffic from Engine 10.
Video by: bobbybushae. Video info: Our engine was dispatched to a structure fire on 56th St. We were the 1st due engine which found a 1 story house fully involved. The 2nd due engine was 3 minutes out which brought us a hydrant located @ 700 FT away. High wind conditions was spreading the fire to a nearby vacant structure so we opted to protect any exposures / weeds with a handline and wait till we had a stable water supply from the hydrant / 2nd due engine. If we activated our deck gun, our 1,000 gallons of tank water would have been gone in 30-45 seconds. As the fire was not near any occupied structures and winds were high, the decision was made to let it burn and put out the remains. This helped as we only had 6 firefighters on scene and also could have prevented injuries. The video was filmed with the Fire Cam 1080 from www.firevideo.net
Video by: BigD3243. Video info: Dallas fire station 5 “The Dirty Nickel” responds to a Box Alarm in pleasant grove. You can hear the size up in the video. First time to use Fire cam 1080.
Video by: WKEFandWRGT. Video info: DAYTON — Dayton Fire Capt. Barry Cron is in serious condition today after a spectacular series of crashes early this morning on a bridge along U.S. 35 near Gettysburg Avenue.Dash cam video shows a pickup truck crash into another vehicle that had already crashed. Cron approached the truck, which ended up overturned on its passenger side, when another first responder yelled at him to get back because of another vehicle that had lost control and was about to hit the truck.Cron tried to get away from the crash but the impact pushed the truck into Cron, which threw him onto the nearby guardrail.We will have much more about this developing story, including the road conditions and how the city had treated the roads. Check back online and and watch ABC 22 News tonight at 6 and FOX 45 News at 6:30.
I have been busy at the FireCritic.com Headquarters. I am remodeling the office and hope to have it done in the next couple of months. I have also been busy getting some great information and videos up on the site. Be sure to check out FireCritic.com daily for some great content. In addition to the web site, I supplement the site with even more content on The Fire Critic Facebook Page. Join over 23,000 friends/fans/readers on FB!
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As always, if you have something to share on “Best of the Rest”, email me at firecritic@firecritic.com.
Bill Carey writes about the need to discuss Line of Duty Deaths and how to do it respectfully. The topic is taboo to many of us, but we must not fail to learn from the loss of our Brother and Sister Firefighters. Read “Never Ask The Dead”.
Both pieces speak of Line of Duty Deaths. Backstep Firefighter recently ran a piece on the topic describing some differences in reporting Line of Duty Deaths titled “On Duty & Line of Duty: What is the Difference?“
Firehouse Zen discusses the recent events at Miami-Dade, Florida in his post titled “Listen to What You Are Saying“. He provides links to the whole story if you haven’t heard about it yet.
Dave Statter looks at a video of a mobile home fire that claims the Fire Department didn’t respond in Bradley, WV. Read about it here.
Speaking of Dave Statter, am I the only one who wishes Ellerbe would resign just so we can stop seeing his name on STATter911.com?
Thanks to Jeff at FireNews.net for the heads up. This appeared in the March issue of Fire Rescue Magazine. Very cool! Thanks
Virginia Firefighters converged in Albemarle County for a Truck School. View more about it here.
Accomack County, VA has had 73 arsons since November 2012. VAFireNews.com has a detailed report on the fires and what the community is doing about it. Read the report here.
Medic 22 is back on the scene with an article about ANOTHER EMS blogger, this one in Virginia. Medic 22 doesn’t like what he read and told the blogger about it…as well as Virginia EMS. Read about it here
Speaking of EMS…Dave Statter has the story on the Crybaby Anti-Semite FDNY EMS Lt. Timothy Dluhos who ranted on twitter about his boss (Mayor Bloomberg). When confronted by two female reporters about his tweets…you guessed it, Dluhos cried like a baby. WHAT A BITCH! Read it all here.
FireNews.net has a great story about a Junior Firefighter who built a heli-pad at his firehouse for his Eagle Scout project. The helipad was quickly put to use for an emergency! Read bout it here
Video by: murthad02. Video info: East side crews respond to a Structure fire called in by Buffalo PD. E-22 on scene with 2.5 story vacant dwelling. Heavy Fire in rear extended throughout. Crews attempt an interior attack with 3 lines. B-56 orders everyone out of Structure for Defensive Ops from Ladder 6. Emergency Head Count Conducted. ON Scene: Engines: 31, 22, 21, 33 – Ladders: 14, 6, 5 FAST, Rescue 1. Chiefs: B-43 & B-56 – Support Staff: F-20, 8, 11. Time Out: 21:09 hrs – Damages: $ 50k. Issues with Ladder 14, they became the FAST team once Defensive ops began.
If you can’t speak or it’s too dangerous for someone to hear your voice, requesting help in one Maryland county is easier now — send a text.
Frederick County emergency communications personnel are standing by ready to take text requests from Verizon wireless customers for ambulance, fire or police services.
The largest land mass county in Maryland became the sixth jurisdiction in the country to offer the life-saving initiative.
…
The FCC put a nationwide deadline on the texting capability of May 15, 2014.
York County, Va., the first communications center to accept 911 texts, receives several hundred a month, officials noted.
Video by: wildfirevideosWNY. Video info: Buffalo Firefighters responded this afternoon at 1320 Hrs for a report of a structure fire on Busti Ave with multiple phone calls.
Police were on location reporting an exposure problem and B-44 requested an additional 2 & 1 (E3, E21, L5) to the scene. B-44 went on location reporting a working fire in a 2 1/2 story dwelling. B-56 reported fire on the 1st & 2nd floor with reports of possible victims trapped on the 2nd floor. A primary search by Ladder 4 & Rescue 1 was negative & B-56 ordered an emergency evacuation of the building for defensive operations.
BUFFALO, NY (WIVB) – Buffalo’s bravest battled through dense smoke and heavy flames Saturday morning, to fight a stubborn house fire on Buffalo’s east side. Smoke from the fire was seen miles away from the scene.
Video by: newsworking. Video info: Northampton County sent Bethlehem Township companies 14 & 17 to 3135 Prescott Road for a house fire. Police arrive and report a fully involved house with possible entrapment. Command ordered all companies to a defensive operation and filled-out the first alarm. Companies 15, 53 and 27 were added to fill the box. Tower ladder 14 was set-up and put the ladder pipe to work, darkening down the bulk of the fire. Numerous hand lines were used on the ground.
Video by High Def Helmet. Info: Units were dispatched to a mid-morning house fire. Callers reported that the occupants and their dog were still inside the structure. The first arriving engine company made a quick stretch to cut the fire off from inside, while Engine 30 made entry to attempt to find the occupants. Ladder 30 quickly joined the search but neither company was able to find any victims. It was later discovered that they had made it out safely before the arrival of the first units. The fire was extinguished with three 1 3/4 handlines and one 2 1/2 inch handline.
This morning, my department’s training Lieutenant called me. He was looking for the video that he and I watched along with the rest of our recruit school 14 years ago today on our first day with the department. He wasn’t quite sure on the title of it, and unfortunately I can’t remember it at all. So I did what I always do…I asked you guys over on the Fire Critic Facebook Page…and as always, you guys came through for me. No matter the question, I can always rely on the knowledge and experience of the 20k+ friends, fans, Brothers and Sisters on the page to help me out. After all, contrary to popular belief I do not know everything.
Artwork by FireMedicArt.com (D. Fitch)
Our next recruit school begins on Monday, and the Lt. is looking for that video or another to show the recruits on the first day. I believe the one he is looking for is titled “To Hell and Back” and that is what he thought to, but he couldn’t find it. I believe that is the name of it, but I couldn’t find it online anywhere. I am guessing we have a copy at the training center.
Below are just some of the videos that were recommended by the FB Brothers. I will add that this article was a quick idea I had after all of the great examples shared…and then I sat down and watched all of the videos, one by one. I was holding it together until the Pipes started playing on the Kyle Wilson Tribute video…then I lost it.
Feel free to share more in the comments below.
Fire Fighter Anthem – This One’s For The Firefighters
Lt. Gregory Pickard has succumb to his injuries he sustained while attempting to rescue Lt. Eric Wallace in last nights fire in Bryan, Tx. Lt. Wallace died in the fire. Lt. Pickard died in the burn unit. Two other firefighters remain in the hospital.
Lt. Gregory Pickard (left) and Lt. Eric Wallace, Bryan Fire frDepartment.
54-year-old Lieutenant Gregory Pickard (32 years on the job) and 36-year-old Lieutenant Eric Wallace (13 years) have both lost their lives in what we have been told was an attempt to save other Firefighters. 30-year-old FF Ricky Mantey Jr. and 21-year-old FF Mitchel Moran remain in the hospital in stable condition. At some point Lt. Wallace’s team went into the structure, but was ordered to evacuate. Wallace didn’t come out and he called for help, saying he was low on air. Firefighters found Wallace, a 13-year veteran, inside and early reports indicated Wallace became trapped when a portion of the roof reportedly collapsed.
FUNERAL DETAILS FOR LT. WALLACE:
Funeral arrangements for Lt. Eric Wallace have just been set as follows. The funeral will be Thursday, Feb. 21, at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Bryan. The funeral procession will immediately follow the funeral service with burial at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Marlin, Texas. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home in Marlin. Much more to follow.
Earlier Coverage:
Lt. Eric Wallace died late last night at a fire in the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bryan, Texas. The hall is located at the 1500 block of Groesbeck Dr. Firefighters were called out around 11:20 p.m. Friday.
Three firefighters were also injured in the fire including Lt. Greg Pickard, 54; Firefighter Ricky Mantey Jr., 30; and Probationary Firefighter Mitch Moran, 21. They were transported to the hospital for injuries.
Lt. Eric Wallace, Bryan Fire Department
Wallace had been a member of the department for 13 years. He is survived by his wife, Brandi, and five children.
Bryan firefighters responded to a major commercial structural fire at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 1500 Groesbeck Street in Bryan at approximately 11:20 p.m., February 15.
Fire Lieutenant Eric Wallace, age 36, died in the line of duty. Three other firefighters were injured in the blaze and have been transported to burn units in other locations. Those three are Lieutenant Gregory W. Pickard, age 54, Firefighter Ricky D. Mantey, Jr., age 30, and Probationary Firefighter Mitchel S. Moran, age 21.
Fire officials report that a passerby saw the fire and called 9-1-1. Several Bryan units responded. College Station Fire Department helped secure the site after the Bryan firefighters were injured.
Bryan Fire Chief Randy McGregor said in a press conference at 6:00 a.m. that the State Fire Marshal’s Office will investigate the incident to determine the cause of the fire. It is reported that no activities were occurring in the KC Hall when the fire was reported to 9-1-1. Since the cause of the fire is under investigation, details cannot be released at this time.
Chief McGregor said, “There are no words to express our grief at the loss of Eric and our concern for Greg, Ricky and Mitch, and their families. These four courageous individuals represent the best of the profession and are true heroes in every sense of the word. “
Lt. Wallace protected the citizens of Bryan for almost 13 years with the Bryan Fire Department. He is survived by his wife, Brandi, and five children. Pickard, Mantey and Moran have served 32 years, 5 years, and 10 months, respectively, with the Bryan Fire Department.
The City of Bryan family appreciates the support of our neighbors in College Station and surrounding Volunteer Fire Departments. We would ask that the privacy of these brave men and their families be respected at this difficult time.
Video info: Holland Township, NJ– 138 Hawk Schoolhouse Road house fire with entrapment. Radio transmissions said four people were reported injured in the fire one had burns over 50% of their body, EMS requested two flown by air medical. Companies laid 5″ up the driveway and attacked the 2 story stone frame and placed large lines in service. Milford’s Engine used a pond across the street as the water source and supplied the 5″ most of the mutual aid tenders were recalled from the scene. One firefighter was reported to be transported to Warren hospital with unknown injuries check out NJ.coms article below for further details. 69 News is reporting a female in the house died in the fire 2 others remain in critical condition in Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest’s burn unit.
The full details of what happened and to who are still coming in. Firefighters were injured in a 4 alarm fire at Penn Lumber this evening in Baltimore City. The fire began at Penn Lumber in the 600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue around 5:40 p.m. today. The fire quickly spread to other nearby buildings.
The first responding firefighters entered the building but moments later, the incident commander determined it was unsafe and ordered the evacuation. As they were leaving, the building collapsed, briefly trapping five firefighters. They were injured but none had life-threatening injuries. They’ve been taken to Shock Trauma.
This house fire in Saddle Brook, NJ sent two people to the hospital on the 30th of January. There was a story on it here, but the url was bad when I checked it. If you watch the video, the fire seems to go from good to bad, but we don’t see what they had when they got there. At any rate, as with most fires, this one required a bit of overhaul.
Please do watch at the 6:24 mark when one firefighter almost really learns a lesson and nearly creates a close call with live wires. This is why these videos are so important…watch them to learn. Learn something from them. No fault on any of the firefighters, this business is chock full of learning and experiences.
Video by Chris Duncan. Info: Helmet Cam video of house fire in Corinth, Ms. On 1-11-2013, Corinth FD responded to a house fire with reported explosion and victims trapped. Upon arrival, found house heavily involved in fire. Neigbors had removed a nine month old child from bedroom. Upon arrival Lt. from E-401 was advised that father was still inside. Lt. made entry into bedroom, located and removed victim just prior to room igniting.
The Corinth Fire Department works out of 4 stations with 49 personnel. Station 1 located in city hall runs with one 1986 80′ E-One aerial and one 1994 E-One pumper. Station two serves the northeast section of the city with a 2000 E-One pumper. Station 3 serves the western section of the city with a 1997 E-One pumper. Station 4 serves the southeast section of the city with a 2002 E-One pumper.
Five firefighters were taken to local hospitals with injuries.
Two firefighters who entered the burning structure at 2249 W. Walnut St. suffered burns and were treated and released from St. Luke’s Hospital-Allentown. Two other firefighters were injured when an exterior wall partially collapsed on them, and one firefighter slipped on the ice rushing to their aid.
Capt. John Christopher said those three firefighters are being treated at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest and are expected to be released.
The New York Daily News reports that one person died on the fire escape and that a man was in custody after trying to keep firefighters from entering the building. They also report of an off-duty firefighter was there to help…from California:
Vincent Gutierrez, a Los Angeles firefighter on vacation with his family, had just left a pizza parlor down the block when he saw two men in heated discussion and a woman on talking on her cell phone.
The 44-year-old smoke eater said he looked up and saw smoke seeping out of a third-floor window. Then he rushed into the building.
I will update as more video ends up on the net. In the video below, hit mute and then check out the guys working the roof about a :45 into it.
FDNY officials said 168 firefighters were battling the five-alarm blaze at the five-story walk-up at 41 Spring St., between Mulberry and Mott streets. The fire was reported just after 6:30 p.m.
Previous coverage on the murders of two West Webster Firefighters on The Fire Critic here. The links and information below cover most of the coverage of the incident. For information on the killer who took his own life, you will find it in the links. I don’t feel the need to share it here.
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Firefighters Michael Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczówka were killed while arriving at a house fire in West Webster, NY yesterday. Firefighters Theodore Scardino and Joseph Hofstetter were also shot in the incident. Off-duty Greece police officer John Ritter, was also injured by shrapnel in the attacks.
Many of the videos related to the incident including audio from the scene is below in this article. I encourage all fire, police, and EMS personnel to take a listen to the chilling yet courageous audio from the scene. Dave Statter said it best when he dubbed it “Extreme Courage Under Fire”.
I will share the arrangements as they are available. Be sure to check out WestWebsterFD.org for official notifications from the department.
Our Fallen:
Michael Chiapperini and Tomacz Kaczówka
Lt. Michael Chiapperini, 43, had been named Firefighter of the Year just two weeks ago, and he led the fire department’s Explorer program for young people interested in becoming firefighters. He had recently taken vacation time to help recovery efforts after Hurricane Sandy, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported. He also was the public information officer for the Webster Police Department. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son, who also worked with the fire department.
Tomasz Kaczówka, 19, was a 911 dispatcher for Monroe County. He also was a member of the Explorers group that Chiapperini advised, had worked at a fast-food restaurant and had been a member of the fire department for about a year. One of three brothers, he was studying at Monroe County Community College. On his Facebook page, he said he could speak Polish and German.
In addition to our Brothers who died, three men were injured in the attacks as well including two firefighters and an off-duty police officer.
Firefighters Theodore Scardino and Joseph Hofstetter (l-r)
The two wounded firefighters, Joseph Hofstetter and Theodore Scardino, were in guarded condition in the intensive care unit at Strong Memorial Hospital, authorities said. Both were awake and alert and are expected to recover.
Hofstetter, also a full-timer with the Rochester Fire Department, was hit once in the pelvis, and the bullet lodged in his spine, authorities said. Scardino was hit in the chest and knee.
Off-duty Greece police officer John Ritter, was also injured by shrapnel.
The horrific event s this Christmas Eve has taxed the members of the West Webster Fire Department and entire Monroe County fire service community. It is events like this that bring us closer together as a fire service community dedicated to the preservation of life and property. As our department begins the healing process we ask for the community’s indulgence and prayers. Your expressions of love, concern and well-being for the family members of our deceased brothers is gratefully acknowledged. As we move forward in the coming days we look to the community for strength and guidance to carry on our mission.
also
For anyone inquiring the West Webster Fire Department has not established any donation or fundraising for our lost loved ones and their families at this time. If in the future there is any information on these we will put it on the website.
Moore Fire Department
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