The FDNY’s application process is under scrutiny by the Vulcan Society of the FDNY. Watch the video below for the entire story.
Apparently, the application process was too difficult for some applicants and incomplete applications were turned in.
Some black applicants will be getting house calls by the Vulcan Society to help them complete their incomplete applications. This was approved by a Court Monitor. We are talking about over 2000 house calls! Keep in mind that 52% of the applicants are black.
HUH? Should incomplete applications warrant house calls? Should incomplete applications be given extra time to get it right?
Isn’t part of the application process…following directions?
I understand the need for recruitment and a focus on recruitment towards minorities. I remember learning a lot at an Affiliate Leadership Training Seminar and Human Relations Conference put on by the IAFF. It was an eye opener for me. The way I understood it was that there are fewer minorities on the job as firefighters because for years they were unable to get the job due to a multitude of reasons including prejudice and racism. Only by efforts in recruiting certain minorities have departments been able to increase the number of minorities on the job. That being said, I do believe there is a right and a wrong way of doing things.
Do we need to draw a line somewhere? I mean for all applicants. What do you all think? Is this special treatment warranted?
I just can’t think of a single company willing to hire anyone who can’t even correctly fill out an application.
In our travels, Willie (IronFiremen.com) and I have talked about getting into speaking together. Over the past year, we have discussed it and began plotting our course. We realized that this isn’t something that would be a piece of cake, yet we were willing to get started. Months of dragging our feet while we were busy doing other things had us putting off the effort to getting started.
Willie and I with the SVFC
In short, our speaking would be “motivational” but we had only identified a brief outline of our core values Pride, Respect, Honor, Tradition, and Brotherhood. We identified these words as what we are about and they help in our motivation to be better firefighters and individuals. We placed them on the edge of our brotherhood chips.
Then two things happened. I attended Rick Lasky’s “Pride and Ownership” and a firefighter I didn’t know invited me to speak at a department I had never heard of.
Willie and I with the plaques the SVFC presented to us.
It took me a couple of weeks to ensure that my wife wouldn’t disown me for wanting to do speaking gig on my birthday and the course was set. I told the firefighter, Chris Botkin, that I would speak at the Swoope Volunteer Fire Company’s annual banquet with one stipulation…Willie would be speaking as well. Chris said we were welcome to come as a team.
Now we had to create some semblance of our thoughts in a matter of weeks. To be honest, due to our schedules, we did most of our outline and talking points on the way up the road last night. The notes and emails back and forth weren’t even used in the end. It was a matter of those core values. Don’t get me wrong, we had prepared several rough drafts of talking points, but we hadn’t collaborated our thoughts face to face. We were prepared except for the one thing we had no control over…would we be able to pull off speaking together.
This must have been ONE HELLUVA story!
This could be make it or break it to see if Willie and I can share the same stage and talk…and make sense. I am an optimist, so my thoughts were that we would get up there and everything would work itself out. Luckily, speaking several times over the past year had enabled me to learn how to get comfortable and not be nervous. I am not sure about Willie, but he did just fine.
The men and women of the Swoope Volunteer Fire Company were very warm and welcoming. We got to meet many of the members before dinner. After dinner, we enjoyed the awards and some words from their Deputy Chief.
After the awards, we did our thing. I think we did a great job. From the feedback we got, we did a decent job as well. I couldn’t have asked for a better venue for Willie and I to get started.
We talked about what we are passionate about…the job. Whether you are a volunteer or a career firefighter, we don’t really care. “The Job” as
They actually invited our wives...luckily our wives invited us!
we call it by default is what we do. It encompasses firefighting in a simplistic format that firefighters can understand. We shared our passion and explained how we remain passionate. We used examples of how we keep learning and moving forward. We were also able to use examples simply from what we saw that night. They get it! Don’t get me wrong, Willie and I have a lot of work to do to polish our material and delivery!
We will be able to expand on our speaking topics in the future. Until then, enjoy my musings on “Owning the Job” right here on The Fire Critic.
To be honest, we owe a lot to the Swoope VFC. They made us feel welcome, they treated us like one of their own, and they were more than hospitable.
Willie and I with Swoope's Deputy Chief Kevin Wilkes.
What a great group of firefighters they have at Swoope. The department was incorporated in 1980 after being started about a year prior. They are just one of the many departments located in Augusta County, Virginia. I got to meet other members of departments from the area including the Fire Chief of the City of Staunton and the former Fire Chief of Augusta County. As a matter of fact, one of Roanoke’s own is now the Deputy Chief of Augusta County. Mike Armstrong retired from Roanoke just this past month and began in Augusta County. I worked for Mike when he first made Captain. I wish him the best in Augusta.
Needless to say, the event was a huge success for the SVFC. I foresee great things for the department in the future. They have made significant improvements in the past several years including just recently adding storage racks for their gear at the station.
They get Pride, Respect, Honor, Tradition, and Brotherhood. And, if this whole speaking gig works out for Willie and I, they can say they popped our cherry!
We are proud to call them Brothers!
The Swoope VFC Annual Banquet Video is below!
It was my birthday. They got me a cake!
Chris Botkin and I. Chris is the one who got Willie and I to speak.
A South Bend Firefighter has been demoted for taking a video of a recent fire with his cell phone.
The report does not state whether or not the “impromptu video” took away from a task the firefighter was completing. When I teach/present on social media, I always remind the guys/gals that they are firefighters, not reporters. They should leave the reporting up to others. I am also a huge proponent of taking pictures of your crew when the job is done.
I wonder at what point this video was taken. Was it really worthy of demotion?
I would also love to see the Facebook Policy for South Bend.
“As far as the punishments, the union doesn’t dole those out, that is an administration thing. Our job is to make sure that it is fair and equitable from member to member,” Kottkamp.
Through documents obtained by ABC 57 News and through close sources with the fire department, that is not the case. Several firefighters have gone unpunished for violating the same Facebook policy, including an instance back in 2010, where a firefighter posted an internal email to his Facebook page, followed by snide remarks. Yet, no action was taking against him.
Back in September, South Bend’s Facebook policy was in the news:
The South Bend Fire Department was supposed to implement a new Facebook policy Today but the local firefighters’ union has stepped in voicing serious concerns over the new social networking policy.
The union says the new policy is violating the firefighters’ First Amendment right to Freedom of Speech. Read more
Apparently a firefighter needed some assistance with directions for incoming units. He got answers from the guy holding the video camera. Nice teamwork!
According to George DeLaTorre, Spokesman for the El Paso Fire Department, a tenant was smoking outside on the balcony of a second-story apartment and did not put out the cigarette correctly. The cigarette fell onto empty cardboard boxes nearby and caught fire. The flames spread to surrounding units and resulted in heavy fire and smoke damage to three other units, and smoke damage to 4 others. The unit where the fire originated is a total loss.
As the “Best of the Rest” column continues to grow, I have added a Facebook Fan Page of the Week and two Quick Drills by FirefighterCloseCalls.com. More regular content to be added in the future. As always, if you have something to share, send it in!
I just got finished watching Food Inc. It left me wondering what the hell I am eating. I shall continue my ways of eating healthier foods. My wife and I eat healthy at home, but I think we shall make the move to organic. I might have puked in my mouth a little when watching the documentary. Read more about it here.
Rescuing Myself – Check out this newer blog that has been online since September 2011.
Now, on to a more serious topic. One of the biggest reasons I am looking forward to being at FDIC, the 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb. I signed up today and can honestly say just submitting my information kind of choked me up a little. This will be my first stair climb, hopefully not my last. I will be climbing in honor of Captain Terence Hatton, Res1cue. Read it here
The site is run by Trevor: I’m a 19-year-old second generation fireman. The fire service has always been a big part of my life. I started writing this blog to pass along things I see and feel. Good and bad. I expect no one to take any of this as a gospel, but I expect myself to learn a lot.
Keep up the great work Trevor! I will see you at FDIC.
California High School student devises possible cancer cure - Angela’s idea was to mix cancer medicine in a polymer that would attach to nanoparticles — nanoparticles that would then attach to cancer cells and show up on an MRI. so doctors could see exactly where the tumors are. Then she thought shat if you aimed an infrared light at the tumors to melt the polymer and release the medicine, thus killing the cancer cells while leaving healthy cells completely unharmed. Read it here
Hero Rush – Do you have what it takes to complete? Hero Rush gives you the chance to put your mettle to the test. You’ll run an intense 5k+ race with multiple fire-related obstacles. Climb ladders and slide down poles, crawl through windows and break down doors, scramble through HAZMAT slime and locate trapped victims — but be careful — you might get the fire hoses turned on you! Don’t just play in the mud — be a Hero! Read more here
1st Generation Firefighter- Another blog from Southwest Virginia? Apparently so, although I have no clue who it is. Two posts have been written. We will give them some time to see if they last. Latest post: Experienced Based Training
FireGeezer – The self proclaimed Geezer has a story of a pre-historic tree that burned in Florida. We think at the very least, he is still young at heart! Read it here
Leatherhead 109 - A skilled, attentive fire officer is much like that with his company. Observing, critiquing, suggesting, …disciplining, but all the while remaining a “Brother”. Like a file taking the burrs from an axe blade. What kind of officer are you? Do you “hone” the firemen you lead? Or are you like a grinding wheel, gouging, burning, removing too much steel? Read more here
Backstep Firefighter – Complacency can KILL YOU.Treat every alarm as the real deal… your life as well as the lives of your Brothers and Sisters may very well depend on it. Read more here
Mike Elston and Smitty attended the Pride and Ownership class and expanded on their experience on the 2 House Blog
2 House Blog – A local blog near me talks about the Pride and Ownership class we attended. Read it here
Average Jake FF – Why Aren’t You? The big question I have is WHY AREN’T YOU? Why aren’t you writing articles, reading up, drilling? Why don’t you care? I know putting yourself out there for all to critique can be hard, but for me even if one person comes up and says “I really liked your article” then it was all worth it. Read more here
FireCritic.com – I have written two parts of an in-depth look at Pride and Ownership in relation to my department. Check out part 1 here, and part 2 here.
STATter911.com – Dave Statter typically stays in front of the big news even before Fire Engineering, Fire Rescue1, Firefighter Nation, and Firehouse.com… Check out these articles:
Fire Rescue 1 - Chicago brotherhood embraces fallen NC firefighter’s family. When Fire Capt. Will Caviness of North Carolina died running the Chicago Marathon, the brotherhood of firefighters took care of his family. Read it here
Firefighter Nation- Rescue Operations on Italian Cruise Ship Halted. Costa Concordia ran into a reef Friday night and capsized into the port area of Giglio. Read it here.
Fire Engineering – Ray McCormack asks if the fire service should have an Annual Attack Certification for Firefighters. My biggest question is: Would there be a Volunteer Certification and a Career Certification? Read it here
Firehouse.com - Study Finds Firefighters Have Higher Rates Of Obesity Than Public. This is just embarrassing. Hey LAZY ASSES, get off your asses and do something about this. Talk about black eye for the fire service… NO EXCUSES. Read it here
Kenneth Michael Hedrick is remembered with a service 20 years after his death in the Line of Duty. Watch it below. Another perfect example of Never Forgetting.
Part 1 of 8 by bmxking1504 on Youtube. Part 2 & 3 are below and the rest will be uploaded this evening. The fire was reported around 10:50 this morning and firefighters will be battling the blaze through the night.
150 firefighters from 14 are fire companies are battling the stubborn fire. The flames are working their way through the large series of connected buildings that once housed the Firth mill company of Cornwall.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend “Pride and Ownership” presented by Chief Rick Lasky.
My head hasn’t stopped spinning since. I don’t know what to think. I have been reflecting on what I heard and my feelings are all over the place. Where do I go from here?
At the very least, I believe that I am on the right track. My fire department…not so much, but hopefully I am wrong. How do I get it back on track? Am I even capable of being part of the solution to some of our problems? Is the solution right in front of me? I only wish my entire department had gone to the class.
Low morale, bad attitudes, lacking leadership, loss of traditions, lack of pride, no honor, too little integrity, loss of camaraderie, too little respect, no discipline…I could go on. Hopefully the building blocks are still there and I can help salvage the hull of what is a great fire department.
The Fire Critic Rhett Fleitz with Chief Rick Lasky
Let me be clear, Chief Rick Lasky’s class isn’t a one stop shop for how to save America’s fire service. It is a blue print on some of the things he has done and seen done that has worked. My fire department will never be Lewisville, but it can be better than what it is now.
To me, the class is more about what isn’t working, what can work, and creating an attitude that will make change. A cultural shift in attitude about what we know is right and making us do the right thing.
I plan on writing several articles on this subject. I am not sure the exact direction I will go. It will be more of a layout of issues I see in my department and the fire service as a whole to help provide critical thinking in making things better through attitude change.
You simply cannot quantify what I got out of the class. The hard part will be me putting my thoughts into positive ideas that will effect change.
I am not perfect, but I think I “get it”. I think I have a positive impact on my department and elsewhere.
Here are my initial thoughts (some of which I have been reflecting on for a long time). Consider it a self evaluation…do it for yourself. This is more of me thinking aloud.
Pride: Yeah, I am proud to be a firefighter. Do I exude my pride to others?
Honor: I have honored those firefighters we have lost. I have attended the NFFF Memorial Weekend. I was a past member of our Honor Guard and have stood at the casket of many. I have remembered, and I never forget. I have shared others sacrifices with firefighters who don’t pay attention. I have tried to instill honor in members I have worked with.
Ownership: I need to work on this. I need a better understanding of what I need to do to take more ownership in MY Department. Some of that work will be educating others that we all need to take ownership!
Integrity: I need a lot of work in this area. Not that I don’t get it, but I have some work to do. Part of what makes it difficult (not an excuse) is the area in which I serve and how WE are treated by others. I understand that by treating others better (the way they should be treated), we will be treated better!
Brotherhood: I get this…in my mind. I have worked on this my whole career. However, there is still so much more work to be done. Fences need to be mended, egos need to be hung up, and we need to be united.
Respect: I am an asshole (in a kinda good way I think)…I give respect, and I am respected. However, I need some polishing up to be more effective. I respect everything about the fire service. I just need to act like it more!
Tradition: ah, tradition…I think I have a handle on this, but like everything else I need to work on it!
History: Ok, finally somewhere I exceed in. After all, I did take almost a year to research, collect, and write a book on the history of my fire department[Firefighting in Roanoke by Arcadia Publishing]. I think I can check this one off my list…but not so fast, I have to continue to share the history of the department. No resting on my ass!
I know there is much more to reflect on, these are just some initial thoughts!
If you have not seen the presentation or read the book, you MUST!
Here is a decent video showing a complicated, involved, and presumably very well choreographed rescue of a woman and her two daughters. The three family members were rescued, ages 36,10, and 10 months. The driver of the semi died in the collision. The incident happened in Buellton, California.
The amazing part of this rescue is that the vehicle was teetering on the side of a bridge 100 feet above the ground. Seriously, watch the video to see the site.
This, my friends, is what it is all about. Training, diligence, determination, experience, knowledge, and teamwork.
I listened to Chief Rick Lasky’s “Pride and Ownership” today. I am pumped. If you have not heard it, you are missing out.
Maplewood Richmond Heights Family Dentistry burned on Thursday night. The fire went to 4 alarms. The office is located in the 3000 block of Sutton Boulevard in Maplewood, Missouri.
Heavy smoke and fire from a 3-Story Victorian Style House converted into a dentistry practice @ 3004 Sutton. Fire originated in the basement. Defensive operations. Extensive Mutual Aid response.
Rapid Fire Extension caused an Evacuation of firefighters and the fire had already come through the floors. It finally reached the attic and took off.
Check out this video about a brand new technology being developed by Tanagram Inc. They are developing Headmounted display (HMD) Augmented Reality (AR) technology. Yeah, I know…what the hell does that mean? Watch the video!
In my words: Think of it as fighting fire with the same types of heads up displays you have when you play Modern Warfare. That description probably sucks, watch the video and you will see what I mean. I just wonder how many fires you have to fight before you get to PRESTIGE!
Apparently this has been under development for a little while. Check out Tanagram’s site for more news and videos created last year about the technology. It seems as though we might be a little closer to seeing this stuff be available though.
The big question….will our fire departments be able to afford it?
Maybe they will pick The Fire Critic to do a product review and testing! I can hope, can’t I?
This technology is being developed for the military and public safety in mind.
From their site:
Tanagram, under a grant provided by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), developed a phase-zero self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) enhancement that leverages HMD / AR technology to display critical factors all-the-while not obscuring the firefighter’s field of view. Dubbed Helmet with Embedded Active Display for Emergency Responders or HEADER, our concept vision was researched with participation from the Champaign, IL Fire Department. (We even sent a few people to firefighter training!) In our literature review, we found little research has been done with regards to embedded, mixed media (augmented reality) display technology that focuses on unobtrusiveness and consumer acceptance (our fancy word for user friendly). Because of this we are sharing our work with you in hopes that it sparks a conversation that will be very relevant, very soon.
Reminder: if you want to be included in the “Best of the Rest” just let me know!
Check out this Facebook page:J5 Firelids…this one is new to me. However, if you are in the market to customize your helmet these guys offer custom inserts for your helmet. They offer handcrafted professional accessories created by a firefighter for firefighters since 2008.
If you are looking for a decent example of how to build your community on facebook, check out MN8 Products Facebook Page. They are currently at over 11,000 fans! It is all about communication and building a buzz!
CharlotteObserver.com: Off-duty rookie firefighter alerts couple in burning home - As house fires go, the one early New Year’s Day wasn’t a doozy, but for rookie firefighter Henry Calle it was a big one. Calle, who is 24, had just finished his 24-hour shift at Station 31 on Ridge Road and was heading home with his car windows down. As he passed a small white-frame house on MallardCreek Road, he caught a whiff of smoke. Then out of the corner of his eye, he saw the smoke, pouring from the attic. Read more here
Chad Ochocinco got a reply from @FireCritic on Facebook. I am sure he cherished it and blogged about it!
Ochocinco offering condolences to the family and friends of Peabody FD's Firefighter James Rice.
Chad Ochocinco on Twitter – I have been sitting on this story waiting for the right time to bring it up. I thought it was kinda neat that Chad Ochocinco mentioned the Peabody LODD on Twitter. Ochocinco has over 3 million followers on twitter. It is great to see someone with his celebrity offering condolences for one of our fallen. Follow Ochocinco on Twitter @Ochocinco
TheTailboard.com – Written by Teague Kenny. Read an article on the DCFD..err FEMS…err DCFEMS, or whatever they didn’t agree on…Let’s Hear it for the D.C. FEMS!
The Fire Critic Product Reviews: You might have seen my brand new helmet adorned with a custom shield from Box Alarm Leather. I am working on a product review for the shield now. Soon I will be wearing custom leather suspenders from Wolfpak LeatherWorks (only seen on Facebook, but a web site is in the works). I currently am wearing Overhaul Logo Nylon Suspenders from Black Helmet (review coming soon). There are so many great firefighter owned and operated companies out there. Be sure to hook up with Fire Critic on Facebook and let us know your favorites! I also have two book reviews coming soon. I just finished the books.
Brotherhood Instructors – Speaking of reviews, the Brotherhood Instructors offer a review of the Bam Bam Tool. Read about it here
Shortage of volunteer firefighters - WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WDTN) – They’re experts at putting out flames, but now they’re fighting something else. ”There is just not the interest there used to be out there,” says Washington Township Fire Chief William Gaul. Over the last decade Washington Township has seen a dip in volunteer firefighters. Continue reading
FireRescue1.com – The Domino Effect, a FireRescue1.com blog by Mark van der Feyst offers this one. Handicap firefighting: Water source issues - Whenever we respond to structure fire, having access to, securing water source is vital component of overall fireground operation
Quick Takes on STATter911.com – Dave Statter offers his usual rundown every Monday of his biggest stories from the week prior as well as some other goodies that don’t require a separate article. This is always a great stop every Monday to see what is going on in the World of Fire. Check out Quick Takes for January 9, 2012
FireGeezer – Do you need more fire news? Check out the News Ticker over at FireGeezer.com. Read it here
And finally, I will let you all be the critics! What issues do you see in the video below? It doesn’t matter what department it is…just take a look and discuss how things might have been done better. Is that a red (booster) line?
I do not have much information on this video, nor do I know when it occurred. I believe it occurred in Russia. However, I was on the edge of my seat as this firefighter was rescued at the last possible moment as he hung outside the 4th or 5th floor of this high rise and fire burned around him. Just before he is rescued by the aerial you can see his gear on fire. Seconds later, the window he was hanging from is fully engulfed in fire. The end of the video says 2006, so it could be pretty old but still worth a look. I apologize if you all have seen it already. I have seen a couple videos…but not this one so I thought it was worthy of sharing.
This is definitely a CLOSE CALL!
The translation of the title is Fire in Kvartire. I couldn’t find anymore information, nor do I know where that is.
The video is apparently available for training purposes. The translation of the description on youtube is:
A series of films for training to prepare personnel of fire protection.
Fire officials said the blaze erupted around 11 pm Tuesday night inside 4945 Broadway, a Chinese restaurant which had been closed since the summer. It took 138 firefighters from 33 units to bring the fire under control at 2:48 am.
Sources told the Daily News “illegal nighttime welding” inside the restaurant appeared to be the cause of the fire. A spokesman for the NYFD would only say its investigation is ongoing.
Shortly after 6pm on Jan 4, 2012 multiple calls came into fire alarm reporting a house fire at 235 Cass Ave.
Arriving companies found heavy fire in the basement rapidly extending to the upper floors. About 20 minutes into the fire, firefighters had to evacuate the building because of deteriorating conditions. They then quickly knocked the heavy overlapping fire down from the exterior and went back in and finished knocking it down.
It took about an hour to bring the fire under control. 4 families were left homeless.
Check out this video in Detroit. You guessed it, something is burning!
Bystanders try several times to kick the door in on the exposure of this apartment fire in Detroit. However, it isn’t until 2:05 into the video that bystanders are able to force entry into the apartment next to the one burning using a sledge hammer. The would-be-rescuers then enter the apartment for an impromptu search. After about :30 seconds, they reemerge from the apartment. Firefighters make it to the scene around the 3:00 minute mark. Whaddya Think?
Chalk up one VES, minus the V, for the bystanders…
Welcome to a new column here on FireCritic.com. I am shooting for having this column run on Tuesdays each week. If you have something you want to share whether you are a reader or blogger, have a video or photo, or anything else just let me know.
The Best of the Rest is a column featuring other bloggers, videos, news, and information you might have missed over the past week or so. Enjoy!
Addison Fire Protection District – Can this be real? FailBlog.com has this photo of the message board at Addison Fire Protection District Station #3. The message “Better to arrive late than never”..WTF? Who approved this? Maybe the Chief’s message was directed to firefighters and should have read “Better to arrive safe than never”…or maybe it is meant as a message to the citizens and should have been “Call 911 and we will get there whenever we can”.
Firehouse Zen- Chief Mick Mayers continues to lay it down in his writings that occasionally have me seeking dictionary.com for a definition. Don’t let that dissuade you from reading though. He offers some great insight to the fire service. Check out: OKAY, IT’S 2012: NOW WHAT? and 2012: “WHAT IF?”.
911 Memorial Stairclimbs – The majority of the stair climb events are now affiliated with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. One of the original climbs is a bit smaller scale and has a local feel. The Albequrque Stair Climb started in 2003. Read more about it here. If you are looking for a stair climb event check out http://www.9-11stairclimb.com/
Here is a lost photo I just found. This is a picture of Willie and I immediately after climbing 110 floors in Atlanta at FRI for the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.
FireGeezer.com - A FIRE LATE SUNDAY NIGHT in a downtown brothel in Mitchell, Australia, is still deemed suspicious by the fire investigators. The Canberra area business was closed for New Year’s Day, as all the city’s brothels were when smoke was discovered coming from The Gentlemen’s Club on Grimwade Street around 11 pm. http://firegeezer.com/2012/01/02/brothel-fire-suspicious/
The Colorado Firefighter Facebook Page - This page continues to impress me on the sharing of links and information. Check them out here and click “like”!
Fire Service Warrior – This site continues to impress me. The latest post “Brotherhood Insurance: A Pay for What You Get Policy” by Brother Brian Brush is a great post on the Brotherhood of the Fire Service and a must read!
IronFiremen.com – America’s Fire Captain Willie Wines Jr. outdoes everyone on his End of Year Review for 2011. Even though this post probably took three weeks for his little fingers to type, it is well worth a read. See what he has accomplished this past year!
Firefighter Nation – They have the story and the video of a huge fire at a former Illinois factory here.
Happy Medic – The Happy Medic is handing out his “Best of 2011″ awards. Check them out here!
FireRescue1.com – They offer this story: Authorities probe fire attacks on 4 NYC sites “Blog post that may be linked to attacks: ‘Throw 10 Molotov cocktails into these mosques and burn them down’” Read it here
I love sushi and I love wasabi. I understand the use of wasabi and how it enhances the flavor with a little spice. I would never eat a spoonful of wasabi. I don’t think this next firefighter ever will…again! He might say this is a near death experience! Maybe this is the new cinnamon dragon challenge!
Crews battle flames and smoke at Westport Presbyterian Church
As dozens of onlookers packed Westport Road Thursday evening, all they could do is watch as Westport Presbyterian Church burned.
“We were out in Westport and my wife got a message on Facebook saying ‘Westport’s burning,’” Luke Rocha said.
Rocha, like many others, went down to see the flames shooting from the roof of the historic church that stood at Westport and 40th street for more than 100 years.
A similar occurrence happened to a firefighter in my department. He went down in a fire, was revived on scene, in the ambulance, and again at the hospital. He is back on duty and works at my station on another shift. We are happy to have gotten him back.
The exact details to what happened to this Tulsa Firefighter haven’t been disclosed. Read below and then listen to the audio.
A Tulsa firefighter was brought back to life following a house fire Saturday night. The fire was deliberately set, according to an update by the Tulsa Fire Department.
James P. O’Neal, 35, is a 14-year TFD veteran. He is recovering from his injuries on Sunday.
O’Neal was responding to a house fire in the 4900 block of North Elwood Avenue at about 7:30 p.m. He was assigned to fire attack on a home that was showing heavy smoke and flames.
Gary, Indiana firefighters worked a fire on December 28th. Truck 4 (Truck 7) catches fire towards 8:30 into the video.
Video Description from MABAS21:
Crews were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 1600 block of Broadway at approximately 1pm on 12-28-11. Crews reported a large header from quite a distance and a working fire was declared in a 25×60 2 story brick apartments over a store front. An aggressive attack was made and conditions deteriorated quickly. An exterior attack was executed from multiple angles. Crews from Lake Station, Lake Ridge, and Merrillville were requested to assist. The building did collapse towards the end of the fire. It has not been determined what happened as of yet to Truck 4 (Truck 7) when it caught fire. One firefighter was treated for exhaustion. Crews worked on the fire scene for over two hours.
The middle house at 13 Nunan St. was fully involved when firefighters arrived and Ruppel praised them for stopping the flames from spreading beyond the two neighboring homes at 11 and 15 Nunan, which were severely damaged.
Photo from http://charlestonffsupport.blogspot.com
Crews from Charleston, North Charleston, St. Andrews and James Island were called into town today for a fire on Nunan Street involving three houses. Fire began in an abandoned structure and quickly spread to the adjacent exposures before being stopped “dead in its’ tracks” with an aggressive attack by “C” Shift, 3rd Battalion personnel backed up by our brothers and sisters from the other departments. View more photos here and be sure to “like” the Charleston Firefighter Support Team on Facebook!
It doesn’t get much closer than this in giving you the perspective of the rescuer. This video offers a first person point of view of Fargo, ND firefighters rescuing Jake, a black labrador from the icy waters of the Red River in the El Zagal Golf Course. The rescue occurred on Tuesday, December 27th.
Jake is making a full recovery and is back with his family.
I cannot think of any other ice rescue helmet camera video I have seen in the past. Great job guys! Thanks to David Carcich for sharing this one on Facebook. Be sure to catch up with The Fire Critic on Facebook as well!
In this photo provided by the Fargo Fire Department, Fargo firefighters save Jake, a black Labrador stuck on the ice by El Zagal Golf Course in Fargo, N.D., on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011. Jake’s owner stated that he got away from him after his invisible fence quit working. (AP Photo/Fargo Fire Department)
Read the following from Invisible Fence® Brand:
The recent coverage and video of the dog rescued from the Red River showed the courage of our first responders and their compassion for animals.
Reports did indicate that Jake wandered because his “invisible fence” stopped working. As the company whose brand name “Invisible Fence” is often mistaken as the generic name for the industry, we wanted to clarify that this was not an Invisible Fence® Brand system, and also explain the difference between Invisible Fence® Brand and other brands.
- Invisible Fence® Brand is the only electronic containment company with a 99.5% success rate
- Invisible Fence® Brand is the only form of pet containment recommended by four out of five veterinarians
- Invisible Fence® Brand solutions are sold and serviced exclusively through our international network of certified, authorized dealers and even more importantly, include expert training for both the pet and the owner
- Invisible Fence® Brand has kept over two million pets safe in their yards
As the pioneer of the technology nearly 40 years ago, Invisible Fence® Brand has continually advanced its technology and training to keep pets safe and secure at home. As part of our commitment to pets and their safety, we’ve taken our dedication beyond the home and committed to Project Breathe™, a program we initiated that provides pet oxygen mask kits to first responders in emergency situations. Donated masks have been used to resuscitate animals suffering from smoke inhalation and also from ice rescues, like Jake. Invisible Fence® Brand of Fargo is currently coordinating a donation with the Fargo Fire Department. For more information, visit: www.InvisibleFence.com/O2
This video is from the Chicago Fire Department and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. It provides insight to some of what Chicago’s firefighters have been through dealing with Line of Duty Deaths (LODD’s), close calls, continuing to learn, and adjusting to change.
I challenge you to watch this entire video. Then share the video with your Brother and Sister Firefighters.
YOU HAVE TO LEARN.
You have to train.
You have to be ready.
Wear your seatbelts.
Understand what you are doing and why you are doing it.
Some of the topics include seatbelt usage, situational awareness, health and wellness, calling a MAYDAY, PPE, and much more.
If you think you got some good reason for not wearing this or for not doing things the right way write it down. Because I need to read that to your widow. Cause I’m not going to know what to say. You say it for me. – Chicago Chief of Training Peter VanDorpe
If this video doesn’t make you sit and think about your job and how you do it, you just don’t get it.
Sincere thanks to CFD Commissioner Bob Hoff, the Chicago Fire Department, Chicago IAFF Local 2, and the entire crew at the NFFF especially Rob Maloney, director of this video, for a spectacular job.
You might remember that Willie and I traveled to the Cincinnati area for an Officer Seminar recently. I presented a class on social media in Covington, Kentucky and then we met up with and hung out with Zach Green in Wyoming, Ohio the next day.
Zach is a member of the Wyoming Fire & EMS Department, a proud member at that. Willie and I got to go to a flashover simulator at Cincinnati Fire Departments training grounds, we enjoyed it and learned a lot. It was our first time at a flashover simulator.
The Wyoming Fire & EMS has recently produced a recruitment video that was very well done. I have no clue of the budget for the video, but it seems professionally done.
The beautiful thing about this project is that any department can use it as a recruitment tool. It won’t matter that the video has Wyoming Fire & EMS in it, the message is the same. As a matter of fact, Wyoming firefighters encourage other departments to use it.
Valinda Investigators Call Fire Suspicious
A 73-year-old male resident of La Puente was killed in a fatal house fire that investigators suspect may not have been an accident. LA County Fire Engine 26 takes the lead in attacking a house fire on Aileron Ave in Valinda on Christmas Day. West Covina Fire Department assists but unfortunately there was loss of life in this blaze that is under investigation
Isn’t part of the application process…following directions?
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