Archives for major-incidents

New addition to “Best of the Rest” is the “Random Tweet of the Week”! Scroll down to see this one.

Willie and I are getting geared up for more traveling in 2012. We are looking forward to hanging out with the MN8 FoxFire team at FDIC. In September, Bob Gard is planning one helluva a good time in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. If you are anywhere in the vicinity you will want to be at this event. Willie and I will be speaking, and there will be plenty of other stuff going on as well! We will post more information soon.

In May, Dave Statter and I are presenting in Ohio at the Ohio Fire & Emergency Services Foundation’s 2012 Leadership Conference…Dave has been looking forward to this to some time. He gets to share the stage with his ~~hero~~ err idol (ME). Join us in Newark, Ohio for May 23 & 24.Click here to sign up

If you want to have Willie and I, or Dave and I, or all three of us speak at an event near you just let us know! FireCritic@FireCritic.com

Be sure to check out Fire Critic on Facebook and Click “LIKE”!

Voting for the 2012 Blog of the Year Contest, hosted by EMS1, FireRescue1 and FireCritic.com, and sponsored by the American Military University, will begin tomorrow (March 14th). There are some great blogs on the ballot in both Fire and EMS categories! There were almost 400 nominations for 55 blogs.

AltKilt.com

Shoutout – Alt.Kilt

Web Site: http://www.altkilt.com/

Facebook: Like them on Facebook: lt.Kilt

Twitter: @Alt_Kilt

Our purpose is to provide functional, stylish and well-made kilts that are individually designed and handmade custom for each client.

Alt.Kilt is making Willie Wines Jr. and I custom kilts. Hopefully, we will be wearing them at FDIC!

Quick Drills

You can view all of the weekly drills by FirefighterCloseCalls.com here. Try these two at the firehouse this week:

News and Opinion

Brotherhood Cuts – Willie Wines Jr. has an update from this past weekends inaugural “Brotherhood Cuts” fundraiser. The event raised around $2400 for local departments.

I visited the Shoals Volunteer Fire Department. I was there for the 1st ever Brotherhood Cuts Event.

“Brotherhood Cuts” is a fund raising event specifically designed for the fire service. It raises money through the National Firefighters Endowment who in turn, provides much needed funds and equipment to Departments in need all across the Country. Read more here

BostonFireGear.com

MN8 FoxFire is looking for your designs…and you could win!: MN8 Foxfire, you know…the photoilluminscent company, wants your help designing their new shirt! The new shirt will feature the MN8 FoxFire logo on the front and your design on the back. The winner will recieve a $100 MN8 FoxFire credit and a t-shirt. The winning design will be available at FDIC. Check out details of the contest.

There might be a FireCritic/IronFiremen/MN8FoxFire shirt in the near future!

Boston Fire Gear: I just got my St. Patrick’s Day long sleeve t-shirt today from Boston Fire Gear. I love Boston, St. Patrick’s day is one of my favorite ~~days to drink~~ holidays, and as a good friend of mine told me yesterday…that is where Irish people are from! NICE! Get your Boston Fire Gear here

STATter911.com: Dave “The Investigator and UL Tester” Statter is at it again with the vinyl siding. This time, two houses go up in Loudoun County…in broad daylight. Check out the pre-arrival video and Dave’s investigative reporting here.

4 Factor "Thin Red Line" Door Chock

4Factor: Matthew Ritter, one half of the now known writers at ELAFFHQ.com, has branched out. Welcome 4Factor to the mix. Right now they are offering hand painted “Thin Red Line” door chocks. Check out the site here. Like them on Facebook here. I haven’t got my hands on one yet…but I will soon. They retail for $4….however read below.

**Current donations, for EACH wedge purchased , are going to Team ELAFFHQ.com bucket brigade for the National Firefighters Endowment! What this means to you is as follows: For EACH wedge you purchase, we make a donation to the bucket brigade in YOUR name. Each donation in YOUR name enters you into a DRAWING for a Phenix TL-2 Leather Fire Helmet! The more wedges you purchase, the better your odds in winning that helmet! Good luck Brother and Sister Firefighters!

FDNY Supports World Record Attempt: A SCARBOROUGH firefighter’s plans to enter the world record books are gathering pace as his fundraising challenge gets the green light in New York. Justin Rowe, who lives in Scarborough and is watch manager at Malton Fire Station, is planning to run to every ﬁre house in New York in seven days. He will be joined in the challenge by Ryedale station manager Andrew Blades, Whitby station manager Mark Naylor and York ﬁreﬁghter Terrence Gregg. Read more here

FireRescue1.com: Are cellphones that important? Worth your life? FireRescue1.com has the story of a woman rescued from a trash compactor after trying to retrieve here cellphone she accidentally threw away. Read about it here

Magnesium Fire in Bellevue, Ohio

Magnesium Fire in Bellevue, Ohio: FireGeezer.com has this story which hits close to home for The Fire Critic. My Mother’s side of the family lives in Bellevue including my Grandparents. I was just up there for a short visit not too long ago. Paul Hasenmeier shared this photo to the right from miles away.

A MAGNESIUM FIRE PRESENTED THE BELLEVUE, OHIO, firefighters with an unusual challenge Tuesday morning when they responded to the MagReTech factory across the road from the Bellevue Hospital. Read more here

Random Tweet of the Week

Follow @FireCritic on twitter for more news 24/7!

Posted by The Fire Critic on March 13, 2012 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Best of the Rest, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Major Incidents, News, Rescues, Videos • Tagged: 4 Factor, 4Factor.co, Alt Kilt, AltKilt.com, Bellevue, Bellevue Fire Department, Boston Fire Gear, BostonFireGear.com, Building Construction, building lobby, built to burn, Daily 911 Deals, Daily911Deals, Daily911Deals.com, Dave Statter, EMS, EMT, Facebook, FDIC, FDNY, Fire, Fire Blogs, Fire Critic, Fire Department, Fire Service, FireCritic.com, Firefighter, Firefighter Kilts, Firefighting, Fireground Video, Fires, Haz-mat, HazMat, home builders, homebuilders, House Fire, House Fire Video, Humor, IronFiremen.com, Kilts, Lightweight Construction, lobbyists, Loudoun County Fire, Loudoun County Fire & Rescue, McMansions, MN8 FoxFire, MN8 FoxFire Products, Mn8 Products, Ohio, Paramedic, Random Tweet of the Day, Residential Sprinklers, Rhett Fleitz, Social Media, South Riding, STATter911.com, Tweet, Twitter, Video, Videos, Willie Wines Jr.

Peabody, MA Firefighter James Rice Dies in The Line of Duty at Hancock Street Apartment Fire

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Earlier report on Fire Critic.com here

Officials have identified James Rice as the firefighter who died at a fire today in Peabody, Mass.

The fire went to 3 alarms at 5 Hancock Street in Peabody. Firefighters from Danvers, Salem and Lynnfield also responded to the fire to assist. The initial call came in around 1:30pm.

Firefighter James Rice leaves behind a wife and 3 children. Reports are varied on his age between 38 – 46 years old. He was an 11 year veteran of the Peabody Fire Department.

Many were circulating the news very early on twitter. They used the nickname “Jim” when referring to James. I am not sure that he went by Jim or not.

More updates on Fire Critic Facebook Page

News Links:

Posted by The Fire Critic on December 23, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: 3 Alarm Fire, 5 Hancock Street, Apartment Fire, Daily 911 Deals, Daily911Deals, Daily911Deals.com, Danvers Fire Department, EMS, Facebook, Fire, Fire Critic, Fire Department, Fire Service, FireCritic.com, Firefighter, Firefighting, Fireground Video, Hancock Street, In the Line of Duty, IronFiremen.com, James Rice, Jim Rice, Line of Duty, Line of Duty Death, Lynnfield Fire Department, Massachusetts, Peabody, Peabody Fire Department, Rhett Fleitz, Salem Fire Department, Social Media, Video, Willie Wines Jr.

Video: 5 Alarm Fire in San Fancisco Western Addition. 60 People Displaced with Half of SF Firefighters Working

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A 5 alarm fire engulfed two buildings in San Francisco’s Western Addition. The buildings were residential apartments and displaced over 60 residents.

150 firefighters were on the call equaling about half of San Francisco’s firefighting force.

News links:

MercuryNews.com:

Heavy winds helped spread the fire until firefighters contained it by 2:26 p.m. Firefighters were initially pushed back by the intensity of the fire but managed to prevent it from spreading to other buildings in the neighborhood. A total of four buildings were damaged. Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White said the fire began in the back of a three-unit Victorian building at 1502 Golden Gate and swiftly blew through the roof.

… The fire quickly spread to a 25-unit apartment building at 1015 Pierce.

MN8 Foxfire Illuminating and Reflective Tetrahedrons 40% off here while it lasts!

Posted by The Fire Critic on December 22, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: Apartment Fire, Daily 911 Deals, Daily911Deals, Daily911Deals.com, EMS, Facebook, Fire, Fire Blogs, Fire Critic, Fire Department, Fire Service, FireCritic.com, Firefighter, Firefighting, Fireground Video, House Fire, IronFiremen.com, Rhett Fleitz, San Francisco Fire Department, Social Media, Video, Western Addition Fire, Willie Wines Jr.

Video: Ground Ladder Rescue at Large Commercial Fire in Marysville, CA

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Firefighters evacuated 25 residents at a large fire in Marysville, California and then rescued one more via ground ladder which is caught on video.

The fire engulfed Knockout Sports Bar & Grill and the Travelers Hotel next to the bar. The fire started around 1:45am on Saturday.

The beginning of the ladder rescue is caught on film, unfortunately it gets cut off at the end.

Linda Fire Department, Yuba City Fire Department, Wheatland Fire Department, and Butte County Fire Department assisted the Marysville Fire Department on the fire.

News links:

Posted by The Fire Critic on September 26, 2011 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News, Rescues, Videos • Tagged: Apartment Fire, Butte County Fire Department, California, Daily 911 Deals, Daily911Deals, Daily911Deals.com, EMS, Fire Critic, Fire Department, Fire Service, FireCritic.com, Firefighter, Firefighting, Fireground Video, Ground Ladder Rescue, Knockout Sports Bar & Grill, Ladder Rescue, Linda Fire Department, Marysville, Marysville Fire Department, Rescue, Rhett Fleitz, Social Media, Travelers Hotel, Video, Wheatland Fire Department, Yuba City Fire Department

Oklahoma Oil Rig Explosion and Fire, Fire Could Burn for Days

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An oil rig has exploded and caught fire in the City of Watonga in Blaine County, Oklahoma. The fire could burn for days before the well is able to be plugged.

Continental Resources, an oil and gas company based in Enid, are on scene trying to extinguish the blaze and have taken over operations. They have called in an oilfield firefighting team from Wild Well Control. That team is on its way to the scene.

An oil rig explosion near Watonga on Monday, Sept. 19, 2011. Contributed photo by Maria Slay

The City of Watonga is the county seat of Blaine County. The population was 4,658 in the 2000 census.

This all began Monday night.

Links:

Posted by The Fire Critic on September 20, 2011 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: Blaine County, City of Watonga, Continental Resources, Daily 911 Deals, Daily911Deals, Daily911Deals.com, EMS, Fire Critic, Fire Department, Fire Service, FireCritic.com, Firefighter, Firefighting, Oil Rig Explosion, Oil Rig Fire, Oklahoma, Rhett Fleitz, Video, Watonga, Watonga Fire Department, Wild Well Control

Video: Pilot and 3 others Dead in Plane Crash at Reno, Nevada Air Races with Mass Casualties

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A plane crashed at Stead Airport during the Reno air races this evening. The accident happened in the 8 o’clock hour ET.

The plane “Galloping Ghost” crashed near the grandstands at the air races. The pilot and 3 others are confirmed dead. 21 Many others were transported to the hospital.

About the “Galloping Ghost” (unofficial)

Pilot Jimmy Leeward – ~~age 80~~ age 74
Type: P-51D-15NA
Serial # 44-155651
Registry: N79111
Vintage World War II Fighter

Here is the video of the crash at the Reno air races (original youtube video)

KTVN.com:

photo taken from video

Authorities say race pilot Jimmy Leeward has died after a crash at the Reno Air Races. This weekend’s races are also canceled.

Three people are confirmed dead, and another 21 people were admitted to Renown Regional Medical Center.

Concerned family members should call 775.972.6663 and Air Race staff is working to locate and establish the status of all involved.

Witnesses say Leeward’s plane, the Galloping Ghost, was about 400-500 feet in the air when it nosedived and crashed at the Reno-Stead Airport around 4:30pm.

News links:

Virginia Earthquake Coverage

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For all the coverage you are looking for on the earthquake in Virginia please check out VAFireNews.com (another site I run).

I am updating there as more information comes in.

Currently, the coverage includes live streaming video, links, news, and data on the earthquake.

Posted by The Fire Critic on August 23, 2011 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Major Incidents, News • Tagged: Earthquake, FireCritic.com, Firefighter, magnitude, Mineral, Mineral Volunteer Fire Department, Rhett Fleitz, Richmond, Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services, VAFireNews.com, Video, Virginia, Virginia Fire News, Willie Wines Jr.

Videos: London Burns as Rioting Keeps Firefighters Busy

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For the sake of time and ensuring you get to the proper videos I have simply given you a link.

The link is good for the most recent videos on Youtube related to the fires in London.

Click here for the latest videos of fires burning in London.

The other reason I simply added a link is because a ton of the videos will be pulled and some are just trash.

Firegeezer has coverage of Night 1, Night 2, and Night 3

Ok, I couldn’t resist…here is one video!

Posted by The Fire Critic on August 8, 2011 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: Daily911Deals, Daily911Deals.com, EMS, Fire, Fire Critic, Fire Department, Fire Service, FireCritic.com, Firefighter, Fireground Video, London Burning, London Riots, Offensive Attack, Rhett Fleitz, rioting, Riots, Social Media, Video

Asheville, NC Firefighter Jeffrey Bowen Dies in Fire. Many others injured

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I will update as more information becomes available.

Captain Jeffrey Bowen, a 13 year veteran, is the firefighter who died in the line of duty today in Asheville.

Asheville’s Fire Chief also stated that two others have been transported to the burn center in Augusta, Georgia. Six other firefighters are being treated at Mission Hill for heat-related illnesses.

One Asheville Firefighter is dead and many others injured after a fire in a medical building near Mission Hospital. The current total is that eight other firefighters were taken to the hospital for various reasons.

The medical building is located at 445 Biltmore Avenue. The alarm came in just after noon today. The building houses numerous private medical practices.

At least 1, maybe 2 MAYDAY’s were called during the fire. Fire was seen blowing out of a window on the 5th floor.

The fire was under control around 3pm.

More news coverage:

Posted by The Fire Critic on July 28, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: Asheville Fire Department, Biltmore, Biltmore Center Fire, Daily 911 Deals, Daily EMS Deals, Daily Fire Deals, Daily Police Deals, Daily911Deals, Daily911Deals.com, DailyEMSDeals.com, DailyFireDeals, DailyPoliceDeals, DailyPoliceDeals.com, Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, Firefighting, In the Line of Duty, Jeff Harkey, Line of Duty, Line of Duty Death, LODD, Medical Building Fire, North Carolina, Rhett Fleitz, Video

FireGround Audio: Muncie, Indiana Church Fire LODD and Funeral Arrangements

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Fireground audio is below from the deadly Tabernacle of Praise Church fire in Muncie, Indiana. The fire took the life of Firefighter Scott Davis.

The fire was quickly made a 2nd alarm. After that you can hear something about firefighters taking in an 1 3/4″ line. Water was an issue as they had several tankers respond.

A homeowner near the Church advised that units could draft out of his pond.

At 6 minutes in, there is talk about backing out because they don’t have water supply set up….and then there is radio traffic about needing EMS because they have a firefighter trapped and not out of the building yet.

Firefighter Scott Davis

Previous Coverage including Fireground Video here and Initial Reports on the fire here

Funeral Arrangements are posted below the video.

From The Secret List:

The following is the funeral information for our fallen Brother from Muncie FD, IAFF L-1348,Firefighter Scott Davis.

Visitation: Monday June 20th from 3-8 PM and Tuesday, June 21st from 10-11 AM at the Horizon Convention Center (401 South High Street Muncie, IN 47305-2328)

Funeral: Tuesday, June 21st at 11AM at the Horizon Convention center, followed by burial at Elm Ridge Cemetery.

Lt. Mark Greenburg of the Muncie FD will be in charge of the Honor Guard. You may contact Mark at (765) 730-9577 if you have members that wish to stand honor guard, act as ushers or be utilized any way Lt. Greenburg determines.

Additional details will be posted on www.IAFF.org

Posted by The Fire Critic on June 16, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Fires, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: Church Fire, Collapse, EMS, EMT, Fire, Fire Department, Fire Service, Firefighter, firefighter dies, firefighter killed, Firefighter Missing, Firefighting, fuson road, In the Line of Duty, Indiana, Jim Clevenger, Line of Duty, Line of Duty Death, LODD, Muncie, Muncie Fire, Muncie Fire Department, Muncie Firefighter Killed, Paramedic, Roof Collapse, Scott Davis, Tabernacle of Praise, Tabernacle of Praise Church

Video: Difficult to Reach Rooftop Blaze Kept London Firefighters for Hours

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The video below gives you the aerial view of a blaze which appeared massive today in London.

The good news is that there was recently an access point built specifically fire firefighters to get to the roof. The other good news is that the blaze was primarily kept to the roof area and the internal structure was not affected.

The building was being remodeled and it appears that the fire started from the roofers using torches to heat the roofing material.

75-100 firefighters battled the blaze. According to the news it took 8 hours to get under control.

News coverage:

Posted by The Fire Critic on June 14, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, London, London Fire Brigade, Rhett Fleitz, Roof Top Blaze, Strand Fire, UK

Video: 6 Alarm Apartment Fire in Fitchburg, MA

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This is yet another great video brought to you by Providence Fire Videos.

This time it is a 6 Alarm fire in and Apartment complex in Fitchburg, MA.

The video information:
The top floor and roof were burned off in a spectacular fire that took place in Fitchburg, Ma at 520 Main St on June 13, 2011 around 9:30pm.

A 3rd alarm was requested on arrival after companies found heavy fire on the 5th floor and attic of the 5 sty apartments over commercial building. A 4th, 5th and 6th alarms were requested a short time later.

An interior attacked was initiated but companies had to withdraw and go to defensive operations due to the intensity of the fire.

Posted by The Fire Critic on June 14, 2011 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: Apartment Fire, Fire Critic, Fire Video, FireCritic.com, Fireground Video, Fitchburg, Fitchburg Fire Department, Massachusetts, Massive Fire, Providence Fire Videos, Rhett Fleitz

Video Coverage: 125+ Firefighters Battle 8 Alarm Mill Fire in Woonsocket, Rhode Island

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All 125 Woonsocket, Rhode Island firefightes are working a huge fire at a mill this evening. The large 4 story building caught fire Tuesday evening. Firefighters from nearby departments were also called in to help. Mutual aid departments from Bellingham and Blackstone in Massachusetts also responded.

The building was currently vacant and had most recently been occupied by Tech Industries. One firefighter was reported to have suffered minor injuries.

News Coverage:

Posted by The Fire Critic on June 7, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: 8 Alarm Fire, Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, Mill Fire, Multi Alarm Fire, Old Alice Mill, Rhett Fleitz, Rhode Island, Tech Industries, Woonsocket Fire Department

I Caught a Job…The Fire Critic AND IronFiremen.com on Scene!

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You heard it right! I caught a job today and Willie Wines Jr. was on the scene as well.

Willie was in command and I was riding the seat on the first in engine. I was paying back Lt. Bradford for a day he worked for me, and Captain Martin decided to give his medics a break and ride the medic unit.

Captain Willie Wines Jr. in command. Photo by Mike Overacker

A perfect storm!

Check out Captain Wines post on the fire here!

Pictures from the fire here + videos and here

Hell, I didn’t even have to give a size-up! Captain Wines took care of that and struck a 2nd alarm in the same breath.

I was riding Engine 3 on C-shift and we brought a hydrant in with us. We pulled in right behind Ladder 5. They forced entry and we made our way in to put some wet stuff on the red stuff.

So there we were…Willie in command and loving it! Me paired up with Ladder 7 to go in and find the fire (my firefighter was on the hydrant and driver was pumping).

AND…I got the nozzle! Happy Birthday to me!

You have to understand that Willie and I working a job together is not probable. We work different shifts and probably never be stationed together…unfortunately. You never know…it could happen!

You can't wipe that smile off my face! This is me in rehab...after 3 bottles. Photo by Mike Overacker

I got inside with zero visibility, found a staircase straight ahead and headed up the steps. I found a wall the hard way…took a left found some more stairs and then found another wall…again the hard way. I got up to the 2nd floor. The 1st floor had about 14 foot ceilings. The next thing I know there is fire behind me…and a lot of it! I didn’t see any when I went in. I knew there was smoke coming from side Charlie/Delta and the eaves on the roof.

I quickly had to move back down the stairs where the rest of my crew was humping hose and began extinguishing the fire. We found the bulk of the fire in a room behind the stairwell. The fire had already gotten through the second floor to the attic. We made a decent knock on the fire.

: Villa Heights Recreation Center Burning. Photo by Roanoke Fire-EMS PIO Tiffany Bradbury

The problem was that the fire in the attic was not easy to get to. There was very little visibility, no access, and 12-14 foot ceilings. While crews were inside trying to get to it, command thought it had gotten too much of a jump and we were working inside too long. We had to pull out.

We made a defensive attack on the attic and once that was knocked down we re-entered and finished the job.

The building was originally a house I believe…over 5000 square feet and built in 1925.

The fire was vacant and boarded up…it was ruled unoccupied after a primary and secondary search!

Since I was the officer on the first in engine I got to do all the reports and the press release.

The bonus…I am pulling a 48!

All that…and we started the day with ARFF training from 9-noon. The fire toned out after lunch around 1:45pm.

Tomorrow I get to do the ARFF training again…oh joy!

Did I mention it was hot as hell out and sunny!

One call so far this shift and it is almost midnight! One hell of a day!

No injuries.

More coverage:

Posted by The Fire Critic on June 7, 2011 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News • Tagged: Aggressive Firefighting, Aggressive Interior Firefighting, Fire, Fire Critic, Fire Service, FireCritic.com, Firefighting, House Fire, Interior Fire Operations, IronFiremen.com, Melrose, Rhett Fleitz, Roanoke, Roanoke City, Roanoke Fire-EMS Department, Villa Heights Fire, Villa Heights Recreation Center, Willie Wines Jr.

San Francisco Firefighter Dies After Flashover: LODD Video, Audio, and Links

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June 2, 2011 is a tragic day for San Francisco Firefighters. Lt. Vincent Perez was killed battling a blaze in the Diamond Heights area of San Francisco. Firefighter Anthony Valerio is fighting for his life in critical condition.

Firefighters were called to the fire at 133 Berkeley Way at about 10:45 a.m.

San Francisco Lt. Vincent Perez

Lt. Perez, 48, was a 21 year veteran of the fire service. Rest in Peace.

This is the first LODD in San Francisco since 2003.

Lt. Vincent Perez, 48, died trying to extinguish a fire at a four-story home in Diamond Heights. Anthony Valerio, 53, is in critical condition at San Francisco General Hospital’s intensive care unit with severe burns. Read more: http://www.sfgate.com

“Our hearts are heavy as we are reminded of the sacrifices firefighters and their families make each day to keep our City safe,” [Mayor]Lee said. “Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the two injured firefighters and their families for a safe and speedy recovery.” Read more: http://www.sacbee.com

San Francisco Firefighter Anthony Valerio remains in critical condition.

Links:

Posted by The Fire Critic on June 3, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Line of Duty, Major Incidents, Mayday, News, Videos • Tagged: Berkeley Way, California, Command Fire Apparatus, Dave Statter, Diamond Heights, EMS, Fire, Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, Firefighter, firefighter killed, Firefighting, Fires, Flashover, House Fire, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, Line of Duty Death, LODD, Mindy Talmadge, Paramedic, Rhett Fleitz, San Francisco, San Francisco Fire Department, Vincent Perez

Remembering The Coatesville 7 (Almost)… Article on Near Miss Report

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A report is about to be published on a three alarm apartment fire that injured 7 firefighters in Coatesville, PA.

We almost lost 7 firefighters that day. Luckily, they escaped with injuries only and no one died. This could have been a bigger tragedy than it was.

An article on the fire and upcoming report is blaming Incident Command, lack of communication, lack of doing a 360, and freelancing among other things that culminated with 7 firefighters injured. Some of those firefighters jumped from the second or third floor balconies.

In addition, firefighters had to go back in to search for a missing firefighter. That firefighter was later found safe at home after he simply left the scene. What the hell is up with that?

Dave Statter reported on the fire when it occured here.

There is video below.

The article by DailyLocal.com can be found here

Investigators found that Coatesville Fire Bureau Chief Kevin Johnson and other leaders failed their duties during the Sept. 10, 2010, fire at Millview in the 1800 block of Saginaw Drive. More than 100 firefighters responded to the blaze that caused roughly $1.5 million in damage to the 28-unit apartment building. Read the entire article here

The article later states:

“The false assumption of the exact location of the fire being the third floor caused others on the interior to also bypass the uncontrolled fire burning in the second-floor apartment,” the report states. “Responders’ reports and interviews indicated that everyone in the fire building was working for themselves. Read the entire article here

As I mentioned in the title, this could have very easily been a dark day for the fire service. We almost lost 7 firefighters that day and potentially more. Luckily, all lives were spared. However, some of the injured are still recovering.

One of the firefighters, Deputy Chief Pacana is also a firefighter in DC. He has been unable to return to work due to a hurt leg.

Lentz, the local union president for the city’s paid firefighters — the International Association of Fire Fighters — said in a prepared statement Monday that the Coatesville Fire Department has been working with administrators to update the department’s manual of Standard Operating Guidelines and an updated manual was finished April 4. Read the entire article here

Posted by The Fire Critic on May 17, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News, Training & Development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Videos • Tagged: Coatesville, Collapse, Dave Statter, EMS, EMT, Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, Firefighter, garden-apartment, Millview apartments, multi-occupancy dwelling, Paramedic, Pennsylvania, Rhett Fleitz, Saginaw Drive, STATter911.com, The Secret List

Video: Vancouver 3 Alarm Fire Caught from 3 Different Views

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A three alarm fire destroyed a historic house in Vancouver’s West end on May 2nd.

The house was one of Vancouver’s last remaining historic wooden houses. The house was built in the 1920′s and is right next to several taller buildings. The house was located at the corner of Beach Avenue and Bute Street. The house is reported to have been “vacant” but possibly occupied by squatters.

The fire was caught on video from three different vantage points by three seperate people. The video is below.

News Coverage is here with additional video

Posted by The Fire Critic on May 3, 2011 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: Beach Avenue, British Columbia, Bute Street, Fire, Fire Critic, Fire Service, Fire Video, FireCritic.com, Firefighting, Firefigter, Fireground Video, Rhett Fleitz, Vancouver, Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services

Several Videos of FDNY in Action this past Week

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Newsworking is a youtube channel that offers some excellent video coverage of FDNY in action. This past week they managed to capture several jobs in New York City.

Be sure to check out Newsworking on youtube and subscribe to their videos!

Video 1: February 18th

In this video, you will ride along with me while fire chasing in Brooklyn, NY on Friday night.

#1 – Box 2886 1873 Cropsey Avenue. Structural Fire with reported people trapped. The box went to “all hands” and within 20 minutes, crews had the bulk of the fire knocked down. Truckies opened up and all searches were negative.

#2 – W. 6th and Avenue U, EMS 911 box for an extrication. Engine 248 and Ladder 159 find a 3 vehicle accident in the intersection. Minor injuries.

#3 – Box 1652, 2280 Atlantic Avenue for a 2 alarm fire in an O/M/D. Fire on the first floor with extension into exposure 4.

Video 2: February 19th

5th Alarm Fatal Box 2439, 346 East 29th Street Flatbush, NY.

200 firefighters battle blaze in 7-story Multiple Dwelling. A 64-year-old lady was found in the rubble after the blaze was extinguished. The building had over 70 apartments.

Heavy fire throughout the top three floors. Firefighters battled the elements as well, dealing with high winds and freezing temperatures. The whole neighborhood was iced over along with firefighters and their apparatus.

Video 3: February 19th

22:50 Box 0860 was transmitted for a fire in a private dwelling at 91 Saratoga Avenue.

Heavy fire third-floor of the M/O/R with extension into the cockloft.

Video 4: February 19th

Box 4049 Working High Rise Fire at 1530 Pennsylvania Ave. Fire in 6th floor apartment of a 17-story O/M/D

Posted by The Fire Critic on February 22, 2011 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News, Rescues, Videos • Tagged: Apartment Fire, FDNY, Fire Critic, Fire Department of New York. Firefighting, FireCritic.com, Fires, High Rise Fire, Newsworking, Rhett Fleitz, youtube

Video: Deadly 6.3 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Christchurch in New Zealand

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Firegeezer also has coverage here as well.

A deadly earthquake has caused devastation in Christchurch, New Zealand. 65 people have been reported dead. There were hundreds of people rescued from the wreckage.

FoxNews.com has coverage here

Feb. 22: Rescue workers search for victims after an earthquake rocked Christchurch, New Zealand. Source: AP

Here is one rescue here:

Warning *graphic*:

Posted by The Fire Critic on February 22, 2011 • Filed under: Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News, Rescues, Videos • Tagged: Christchurch, Christchurch Earthquake, Earthquake, Fire, Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, Firefighting, New Zealand, New Zealand Earthquake, Rescue, Rhett Fleitz

3 Banger in VA, Pension Attacks, Albuquerque Helmet Stickers, Austin Applicant Issues, and More

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In case you are just tuning in….it has been a busy day here at FireCritic.com!

photo by Wells P. Wilson

3 Alarm Fire in Alexandria, Virginia including Videos and photos
VAFireNews.com (sister site to FireCritic.com) has early video and photos from a 3 alarm fire in Alexandria, Virginia today.

Hosed…This Satirical Show on Volunteer Firefighters is Hilarious!
Check out this hilarious look at volunteer firefighters! Is this good or bad for the volunteer fire service?

Major Fire at Fertilizer Plant in South Carolina
A big fire in South Carolina last night

The IAFF and MSNBC’s ED Schultz Take a Stand Against Attacks on Firefighters Pensions
Hopefully there will be plenty more to this debate. We won’t go down without a fight!

Albuquerque Firefighters Helmet Stickers Causing Controversy
Firefighters have a unique helmet sticker that they claim is not derogatory at all.

Firefighter Applicants Disqualified After Inability to Follow Directions
Should they have been turned away? Who is at fault?

And…

FireCritic.com is the place for Fire Service Product Reviews! The latest review is of the book Capitol City Fireman by Jake Rixner. Read all about Capitol City Fireman and how to order it here!

Some of the reviews in the works are: Boots: Lion Marshall 14″ fire boots and the Book: The Cavalry is coming by John Broyles. I am also waiting to hear back from two more products and awaiting my brand new Black Diamond X2 fire boots to review. Review the terms for product reviews by The Fire Critic here. Check out all of the product reviews here.

Plus…

Civil service commission upholds firefighter firing – This same thing happened in my department. He should have been fired. We don’t welcome thieves.

FireMom offers her thoughts on Ohio Senate Bill 5 - Quoted: “As a fire family, I staunchly oppose Senate Bill 5 (SB5; bill text here) which aims to remove collective bargaining from unions. Every time I think of this bill, sponsored by Senator Shannon Jones (R – Springboro), I get this mix of angry anxiety in the pit of my stomach. It’s not just the security of my husband’s job and thus our livelihood on the line. It’s the safety of the citizens of Ohio.”

House Fire in Westerly, Rhode Island

Posted by The Fire Critic on February 15, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Health & Safety, EMS Topics, Fire Prevention & Education, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Funding & Staffing, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: 4 Alarm Fire, Albuquerque, Albuquerque Fire Department, Albuquerque IAFF, Alexandria Fire Department, Alligator Rural, America's Newsroom with Bill and Martha, Apartment Fire, Applicants Turned Away, Arlington County Fire Department, Austin, Austin Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr, Austin Fire Department, Bill O'Reilly, Capitol City Fireman, City of Florence, Comedy, Condominium Fire, Darlington, Darlington County, decreased funding, Ed Schultz, Edsall Road Fire, Effingwoods, Employment, episode 1, episode 2, Fairfax City Fire Department, Fire Critic, Fire News, Fire Service Acronyms, FireCritic.com, Firefighter, Firefighting, Fires, FireTruckBlog.com, FMB, Forever My Brother, Forever My Brothers, Fox News Watch, Garden Apartment Fire, Gary Valentine, Glenn Beck, Glenn Usdin, Harold Schaitberger, Hartsville Fire Department, Hiring, Hosed, Hosed.TV, http://hosed.tv, IAFF, IAFF Frontline Blog, increased employee contributions to pensions, increased insurance costs, International Association of Fire Fighters, Jake Rixner, Justin McKinney, Juston McKinney, Large Fire, Lee County, Lenny Clarke, Major Fires, Mayor Richard Berry, Monroeville VFD Station 5, MSNBC, New Hampshire, News tagged 3 alarm Fire, Northern Virginia, NOVA, pay cuts, Prince George's County Fire Department, Product Review, Product Reviews, Rainbow Fertilizer, Rhett Fleitz, Rhoda Mae Kerr, Rhode Island, Richmond, Richmond Fire Department, rolling brownouts, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Sonoco's fire brigade, South Carolina, staffing cuts, station closures, vfc, VFD, Video, Virginia, Virginia Fire News, volunteer fire company, volunteer fire department, Volunteer Firefighters, volunteers, Wells P. Wilson, West Lanham Hills VFD, Westerly, www.hosed.tv

Major Fire at Fertilizer Plant in South Carolina

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Around 7pm this evening, a fertilizer plant in Hartsville, SC caught fire. The Rainbow Fertilizer plant in Darlington County is still burning. Firefighters from Hartsville Fire Department, Sonoco’s fire brigade, Darlington, Darlington County, City of Florence, Lee County and Alligator Rural have been called into the scene or are filling in stations in the area.

SConFire.com broke this story earlier.

Listen to the fire at radioreference.com here

photo from wsav

More Coverage:

SConFire.com

Multiple crews on scene to battle major fertilizer plant fire in Hartsville

“Catastrophic” fire still burning at Hartsville fertilizer plant

Fire Consumes Fertilizer Plant in Hartsville, SC

Massive Fire at Darlington Co. Factory

Explosion Rocks Hartsville Fertilizer Plant

Massive Fire In Hartsville, SC

Posted by The Fire Critic on February 14, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: Alligator Rural, City of Florence, Darlington, Darlington County, Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, Hartsville Fire Department, Large Fire, Lee County, Rainbow Fertilizer, Rhett Fleitz, Sonoco's fire brigade, South Carolina, Video

Live Video: Massive Fire at Mont Belvieu, Texas Petrochemical Plant

1 comment

CNN.com is running live streaming video here

A Texas Oil Refinery is on fire right now. The fire is in Mont Belvieu, Texas. The fire followed explosions heard at Enterprise Products on Sun Oil Road.

The Mont Belvieu Fire Department web site is here

More coverage:

According to Enterprise Products web site: Established in 1968, privately held Enterprise Products Company and its affiliates own significant equity interests in: Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE: EPD) and Duncan Energy Partners L.P. (NYSE: DEP), including the general partner of each. Combined, the partnerships have an enterprise value of approximately $49 billion. Enterprise Products Partners L.P. also has a significant equity interest in Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE: ETE) and owns Enterprise Transportation Company, one of the top ten tank truck companies in the country. enterpriseproducts.com

FireGeezer had a story on a 4 alarm fire in Texas earlier today here

Large Plant Fire in Mont Belvieu: MyFoxHOUSTON.com

Posted by The Fire Critic on February 8, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: Enterprise Products, Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, Mont Belvieu, Mont Belvieu Fire Department, Refinery Fire, Rhett Fleitz, Sun Oil Road, Texas, Texas Oil Refinery

Video: Massive Fire Tears Through Dallas Apartment Complex

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A huge fire tore through a Dallas apartment complex today. The building was three stories tall and located at 6050 Melody Lane in the Tealwood on the Creek community.

Still photo from video on NBC

The 40 displaced residents were kept warm in two DART buses.

More News Coverage:

View more videos at: http://www.nbcdfw.com.

Posted by The Fire Critic on February 3, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: Apartment Fire, Building Fire, Condo Fire, Dallas Fire, Dallas Fire Department, Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, Firefighter, Firefighting, Melody Lane Fire, Rhett Fleitz, Tealwood on the Creek, Video

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

4 comments

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

Video: Philadelphia Firefighters Battle Two 5 Alarm Fires in Two Days

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Can Philadelphia afford to continue cutbacks in the fire department? Yeah, Philly doesn’t need firefighters. Hell, the City might as well continue to cut positions, brownout, and close stations. I don’t see any need in them….then again, check out these two 5 alarm fires within 24 hours of each other and ask yourself that question again. There were around 150 firefighters on scene of each of these fires… I doubt even this could open some of the council member’s eyes!

More information on the City of Philadelphia’s plan on cutbacks:

From IAFF22.org:

SAVE OUR MEDICS FLYER click here

FIRE DEPT. FIREHOUSE CLOSING SCHEDULE-JANUARY 2011 click here

FIRE DEPT. CLOSURE MEMORANDUM click here

BROWNOUT FLYER click here

5 Alarm Fire at a 4 Story Apartment Complex on Monday

Firefighters battle a blaze in an apartment building in Philadelphia, Monday, Jan. 10, 2011. Firefighters said the building had been evacuated safely and there were no reports of injuries. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) (Matt Rourke - AP)

KSRO.com:

Scores of firefighters battled a blaze in a four-story apartment complex on Monday but said the building had been evacuated safely and there were no reports of injuries.

Light smoke was reported in the four-story Windermere Court complex in West Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, and the fire quickly worsened, with flames shooting from the roof, Deputy Chief Willy Williams said. About 160 firefighters aided by 50 pieces of equipment were battling the blaze, Williams said.

Hoses poured water on the fire from several sides of the apartment complex, which has three large residential sections that are connected, as crews tried to keep the flames from spreading to nearby buildings, Williams said.

“Whenever you have gusting winds, always a chance embers will be spread,” he said. “The fire is coming up through the roof, so that is one of the concerns.”

Emergency crews had gone through the complex to get residents safely away from the fire, whose cause hadn’t been determined, Williams said.

More coverage:

Check PhillyFireNews.com for Photos

5 Alarm School Fire on Sunday

Philly.com:

ED HILLE / Staff Photographer The Global Leadership Academy at 5151 Warren St. in West Philadelphia may not resume classes for the rest of the week after Sunday's fire, the charter school's chief executive said. A spokesman said the Philadelphia School District had offered the school a temporary home. Read more: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/20110110_Fire_rips_through_West_Philadelphia_charter_school.html#ixzz1Ag8mEA5a Watch sports videos you won't find anywhere else

A five-alarm fire that raged for more than an hour and a half early Sunday caused “substantial” damage to the 400-student Global Leadership Academy in West Philadelphia, Deputy Fire Chief Michael Wahl reported.

The cause of the fire, which started in the basement of the three-story building at 5151 Warren St., near 52d Street and Lancaster Avenue, is under investigation, Wahl said.

Naomi Johnson Booker, chief executive officer of the public charter school, said Sunday that classes might not resume for the rest of the week.

“Everything was lost in the fire,” Booker said. “There is not a pencil, not a book, not a crayon. And my teachers don’t have any instructional material, lesson plans.

More coverage: