Skip to content


Helmet Camera: Shinnston, WV House Fire on Rockwell Lane

No comments

Video uploaded by TheFireCritic. Video info: Firefighters from Shinnston, Marion County, and Harrison County in West Virginia battled a house fire at a rental home on Sunday May 19th. The view of the camera is that of Shinnston Firefighter Matthew Bartlett. The video was taken with the Fire Cam 1080 - http://firevideo.net

WBOY.com:

Witnesses reported that the fire started near the front of the home. No one was home at the time of the fire but the occupant was at the home prior to the fire to collect clothes, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The cause of the fire is still unknown but the State Fire Marshal’s Office is calling it suspicious.

 

Helmet Camera Video: Two Alarm Munhall, PA Apartment Fire

No comments

Video by: munhallfire. Video info: Helmet cam footage of response to working apartment fire and knock down and interior attack at the 2nd alarm fire. STATter911.com ran this video as well (link). More news coverage here and here.

 

Helmet Camera: Lafayette County, MS House Fire with Cat Rescued in the End

1 comment

Video by: MSfirenet. Video info: This is a helmet cam video of a house fire. If you watch through to the end you will see us save a small kitten that was inside.

Raw Video: House Fire in Lac La Belle, Wisconsin

No comments

Video by: wisn.

WISN.com: 

Neighbors on Monastery Hill Lane in the Village of Lac La Belle called firefighters around 10:30 p.m. Monday after they saw flames coming from a home.

By the time fire crews arrived, the home was fully engulfed.

Stephanie Zindl lives across the street and watched the fire spread quickly.

 

16 Firefighters Suspended in Bennington, VT For Fire at Mudders Day that was Larger Than Permit Allowed

No comments

What do you guys think? Is this suspension warranted or not?

WCAX.com:

BENNINGTON, Vt. – The Bennington Rural Fire Department has fewer than 40 volunteers, but at a meeting Monday night, nearly half those firefighters were placed on administrative leave, all because of a mud-bogging event.

Mudder’s Day is held on Mother’s Day each year in Bennington and draws a massive crowd from around the region. Spectators say there’s a grand finale, and this year’s was the biggest yet. An old trailer was doused in gasoline, set ablaze and a Cadillac was then driven through the burning camper.

It rallied the crowd, but also got the attention of the Department of Environmental Conservation. The DEC has launched an investigation. Mudder’s Day organizer Milo Campbell claims he had proper permits for the event, but the DEC says not for a fire that large. (Read more)

Helmet Camera Video: House Fire in Kansas City, Missouri

No comments

Video by: robbie Dill. Video info: quick knock down by pumper 24. This is Kansas City, Missouri according to STATter911.com.

French Firefighters Test New Technique at Fighting Fire WITHOUT Water!

2 comments

My working title was “European Firefighters Will Do Anything Not to Fight Fire with Water”. Obviously, I am kidding, yet I am sure that there will be many who won’t get the humor. The play is about how many European Firefighters believe that American Firefighters are too aggressive, take too many risks, and die when we shouldn’t.

The video was shared on SEPAF Facebook and came with the following text (translated):

Fire extinguishing demonstration car with firefighters from Saint Omer.
Coverage can be used by any public, car dealers, garages, parking, underground car park etc. …
coverage for a general public.?

The video and company who produces this product are from France.

To be completely honest, there might be a useful application for this technique…somewhere. Do they make one that fits over a house?

Has anyone used one of these? What did you think?

Some more information (translated from SEPAF Facebook page):

54M SQUARE COVER FOR FIRE CAR IS AVAILABLE AT 62 PREV SAFETY
8 March 2012, a massive fire left one vehicle ravaged the underground parking of the Place Vendome in Paris. Result: more than 100 firefighters mobilized for more than 6 hours, 25 vehicles involved, 30 vehicles destroyed, and other structures damaged by smoke and intense heat cars.

Youtube video below

 

Helmet Cam: Back-To-Back Fires in Highland Park, Michigan

No comments

Videos by HPZ1442. Highland Park, Michigan Firefighter Scott Ziegler offers these two helmet camera videos. The first being a garage fire off of Portage Street in Highland Park. The second video is a fire on Pilgrim St. that they responded to directly from the Portage Street fire. We responded to this garage fire off of Portage street. Fire was extinguished without incident. The house was set on fire the next night. Video shot with a firecam1080 from firevideo.net

Portage Street Fire

Pilgrim Street Fire (more on the fire below the video)

This video is sure to ruffle some feathers. We are not wearing out SCBAs. Over night our crew responded to a fire in a vacant dwelling on Portage street. They burned through almost all of our air bottles while fighting this fire. During this fire, they are called to THIS fire on Pilgrim st. They arrived to find a well involved dwelling. Using the 4 bottles they had left, they mad an interior attack extinguishing fire in the basement, 1st, and 2nd floors falling short of the attic when they ran out of air. At this point they took a defensive attack, protected the exposures and when the roof was burned off went back in to clean it up. I was called into my shift early that day along with the rest of my unit. We arrived and went to work overhauling the house. Air bottles were picked up by our arson van in the AM and were being filled.
Before you preach, and leave your keyboard chief comments (which I know you still will), remember that this isnt our first fire. Some FDs are not as well equipped as the next.
Video was shot with a firecam 1080 from firevideo.net
Photo at the end is compliments ofhttps://www.facebook.com/313FirePhoto…

Houston LODD: 4 Houston, TX Firefighters Dead After 5 Alarm Motel Fire. Others Injured

2 comments

Update:

More Information on the Fallen Firefighters in Houston, Tx

KHOU.com:

  • Captain EMT Matthew Renaud, 35, of Station 51. He began his career with the Houston Fire Department in October of 2001 and in addition to Fire Station 68, has served out of stations 51, 39, 83, 73, 37, 60 and 35.
  • Engineer Operator EMT Robert Bebee, 41, of Station 51. He began his career with the Houston Fire Department in August of 2001 and in addition to Fire Station 51, has served out of Stations 37, 40, 10 and 48.
  • Firefighter EMT Robert Garner, 29, of Station 68. He began his career with the Houston Fire Department in October of 2010 and has served out of Fire Station 68 since.
  • Probationary Firefighter Anne Sullivan, 24, of Station 68. She graduated from Houston Fire Department Academy this past April and was assigned to Fire Station 68.

Update:

Firefighters Identified in Deadly Houston Fire.

KHOU.com:

HOUSTON – Four Houston firefighters died Friday while battling a 5-alarm blaze in a motel near the Southwest Freeway at Hillcroft. Three bodies were found in the rubble of the Southwest Inn motel.

A fourth firefighter died after being rushed to Southwest Memorial Hermann Hospital.

The firefighters have been identified as: Captain EMT Matthew Renaud, 35, of Station 51;  Firefighter EMT Robert Garner, 29, of Station 68; Probationary Firefighter Anne Sullivan, 24, of Station 68; and Engineer Operator EMT Robert Bebee, 41, of Station 51.

Sullivan just graduated from the academy last month.

“Houston firefighters mourn the loss of our three brothers and our sister and will forever honor their sacrifices,” said Jeff Caynon, president of the Houston Professional Firefighters Association. “This tragedy underscores the inherent dangers of our profession. Please keep Houston firefighters in your thoughts and prayers.”

KHOU.com:

HOUSTON – Four Houston firefighters died Friday while battling a 5-alarm blaze in a motel near the Southwest Freeway at Hillcroft. The bodies of three were found in the rubble of the Southwest Inn motel. One apparently died at the hospital.

Firefighters gathered around one flag-draped casket at the scene.

Six firefighters were rushed by ambulances to area hospitals. Medics were performing CPR on one of them as he was put into an ambulance.

At least one of the injured firefighters is in very critical condition, according to an HFD captain at the scene. He is at Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. Two others were taken to Memorial Hermann Southwest, just blocks from the fire. Two more went to Memorial Hermann Northwest. They are reportedly in good condition.

More Coverage:

KHOU.com: Credit: Air 11
Four Houston firefighters died Friday while battling a 5-alarm blaze in a motel near the Southwest Freeway at Hillcroft. The bodies of three were found in the rubble of the Southwest Inn motel. A fourth apparently died at the hospital.

Helmet Cam Video: East St. Louis Vacant House with Fire on Second Floor (2 Views)

No comments

Video by: bobbybushae. Video info: This was a vacant house fire (no kidding). 1st due engine had a story and a half with the 2nd floor fully involved on arrival. Not a bit of smoke on the 1st floor since everything was vented. Quick knock down by the time 2nd due engine arrived. No injuries but a little trouble again with MSA PASS device malfunctions. Video filmed with 2 Fire Cam 1080′s from www.firevideo.net.

 

Video: North Bellmore House Fire with Evacuation Tones

No comments

Video by: chameleon277. May 21, 2013

Bronx.News12.com:

Officials say a North Bellmore family escaped a fire that ripped through their home last night. The fire broke out on Monroe Avenue around 8 p.m. Fire officials tell News 12 that two adults and two children made it out of the home.

Video: Passaic, NJ 4 Alarm House Fire on Lafayette Avenue (4 Videos)

No comments

ABCLocal.go.com: 

PASSAIC, N.J. (WABC) – Two firefighters were hurt while battling a large apartment fire in Passaic, New Jersey. The fire started at around 8 p.m. at 77 Lafayette Avenue and quickly spread to a third alarm. Mutual aid was called in from several surrounding towns. “I look outside and see ashes forming on my window,” said Michael Fortuna, a witness. Residents say the fire started in apartment 4B and then spread from there. It didn’t take long for the building to become almost completely engulfed in flames.

Video by: demonracer2

Video by: eng641

Video by: bmxking1504

Helmet Camera Video: Plattekill (NY) Fire Rescue Structure Fire Prospect Hill Rd

No comments

Video by: Jimmy Hopp. Video info: Plattekill Fire Rescue responded to a house fire on Prospect Hill Road in Wallkill, NY on May 14, 2013.

RecordOnline.com: Plattekill Fire Department, with assistance from area agencies were called to battle a fully involved house fire in a home at 50 Prospect Hill Road in Wallkill on Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. According to Plattekill Fire Chief Chris Mancuso, the fire was discovered when City of Newburgh Fire Chief Mike Vatter, who lives nearby, noticed smoke on his property and went to investigate. Departments quickly responded, and the blaze, which started in half of the house, was put out quickly. Damage is extensive, and fire inspectors were called in to investigate as to the cause of the fire.

STATter911.com also has info on the fire here.

 

Helmet Cam: Bobo, AL Volunteer Firefighters Battle House Fire

No comments

Video by: bubba stark. Video info: The video title mentions a rollover. The video is an interesting one. It seems like a total of two firefighters operating at this house fire searching for the seat of the fire…then they find it!

Video: The Ultimate Green Line Action from “Amateur Firefighters”

No comments

Video by: marsh31091. Video info: none.

These self-proclaimed “amateur firefighters” actually do a pretty decent job of keeping the fire in check. So what if there is some mild chaos and cussing. And so what if it resembled “Lord of the Flies” for a minute or two…Firefighters do finally arrive and take care of business.

 

Helmet Cam: Impressive Footage of Rescue and Fire Attack at Indianapolis Apartment Fire

No comments

Video by: Joel Harsin. Video info: Apartment fire with entrapment. Indianapolis Fire Department

More on the incident from WishTV.com here.

Hat tip to Backstep Firefighter for finding this video. They shared it here.

(more…)

Helmet Cam: Long Creek, IL House Fire a Total Loss. Water Supply Issues Hamper Firefighters Efforts

No comments

Video by: TheMTZFD. Video info: Assisted LCFD with a vacant house fire. Had water issues throughout. No injuries to anyone involved.

More info via Mt. Zion Fire Protection District web site: Mt. Zion was called to assist Long Creek for a report of flames coming from the roof of a house. Upon arrival found the house to be heavily involved in fire. Mt. Zion assisted in fire suppression, and overhaul. The house was a complete loss. One firefighter sustained minor injuries from a large diameter hose coupling striking him in the knee. However, was checked out at the ER and was able to return to the scene. Footage is from BC Paul Hartwig’s helmet camera.

(more…)

Helmet & Dash Cam: Two Views of West Plains House Fire

No comments

Videos by: WestPlainsFD. Helmet Camera and Dash Camera for West Plains FD responds to automatic aid with Howell County Rural Fire Dept on a structure fire.

Helmet Camera from Fire

Dash Camera from Fire

Helmet Camera Video: Quick Knockdown on House Fire

No comments

Video by: zachary willis. No description.

Best of the Rest – ESS Review, VES Helmet Cam, Terrible FF & Leader?, Promotions, and My New Thinking Cap

No comments

Right now is the busiest time of the year for me. It starts when Lacrosse season begins (I am the coach of a team of 23 U11 players). I do it because they don’t have enough coaches and because my son plays. I don’t even have an assistant coach. I am not the best coach in the World, but I think I get the job done.

On top of that, FDIC was just held in Indianapolis. Last year, FDIC was a blast and when I got back I felt as though I was stuck under a heap of work…that heap never let up. I have the same issue this year, and again I never dug myself out of the work last year.

I am managing though. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Currently, we are behind on about 8 reviews over at FireProductReview.com. The ESS Eye Pro review is complete and can be seen here. The 1st in Leather review will be up later today.

Keep me informed of what is going on. I try to keep up, but it isn’t happening. If you want information shared on “Best of the Rest”, email me or contact me another way.

The video below is VES Helmet Cam video out of Colorado Springs, CO. More info on it here: IronsandLadders.com offers a view and commentary on a Vent-Enter-Search (VES) Video in the latest post. Read it here.

News and Opinion

Jottings and Writings (a Firefighting blog) is looking for information to put in an article about budget cuts. If you have information to share or an opinion to share please check this out here.

Model City Firefighter continues his column “Blowin Smoke” with a newer blogger on the scene – TenSeventyFive.com. Check out the article here.

TenSeventyFive.com offers his latest post “I’m A Terrible Firefighter And An Even Worse Leader“. Read it and offer your opinion in the comments.

Box Alarm Leather has a new line of custom products out in collaboration with MN8 Foxfire. “Illuminated by Foxfire” gear can be ordered on their Facebook page. You might also check out their web site for more products.

Check out my new fire helmet straw hat with laser etched “Fire Critic” custom shield. The hat comes from Saint Florian Clothing.

FireGeezer.com is chock full of great content this past week or so. We send our condolensces to Bill on the loss of his wife. Mike Ward and the rest of the crew have been keeping the blog hopping with a ton of great stories.

IronFiremen.com’s Captain Wines wrote a great piece titled Promotions… “SILLY SEASON” is here, Recruitment, Retention and More!

BackstepFirefighter.com has several great posts up. Check them out here.

Out West, the Panther, Spring, and Summit fires have been burning. Check out Wildfire Today and Firefighter Blog for more information on these fires.

Dave Statter continues to keep it real…in true “retired guy” spirit, he shows the rest of us that he doesn’t sleep and continues to post around the clock. Check out all of the great stuff over at STATter911.com.

Firehouse Zen offers “No Trash Talking – Follow Up” in his latest post. Read it here.

Fully Involved offers another great article “Crossroads”. Read it here.

The video below was shared by a reader.

Have you ever thought about using the local park for training?

Helmet Cam: Interior at a House Fire with Decent Audio and no Soundtrack!

No comments

I’m not sure why they evacuated the house in the end…but I enjoyed this video for the audio more than the video.

Video by: firewolfranger. Info: helmet cam footage from a mutual aid structure fire on Saturday …. I have more footage, and will probably put up a longer video later, but this is from my actual time inside … no response footage from this one, we were already at the station returning from a rescue call when we got called to this one …

Helmet Camera Video: House Burns Twice in One Year. Caught on Camera Both Times!

No comments

Video by: . Video info: This is a 2 part video. The 1st part is of an occupied 1 story house fire with smoke showing / fire venting from rear bedroom. We had 2 probationary firefighters with us that day and WOW was that fun. Pass devices going off and getting blasted in the face with an open nozzle was fun. But we ALL have to learn at the beginning! The probies made a quick stop and all was good. Until 1 year later the same house came in and it was going a little better this time, especially thru the attic. We were going to make the same push thru the front but the heat conditions were deteriorating by the second and being it was a vacant house now with fire thru the roof in some spots, we knocked it down from the outside and then went in. No one was injured but this was our 4th structure fire within our 24 hr shift….we were beat. The cameras used were the Fire Cam MINI HD and the Fire Cam 1080 Fire Helmet Cameras from www.firevideo.net

“Get Off The F$@%ing Radio!”…I think we have all said this at one point in time, just maybe not on camera

1 comment

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.

 

Helmet Camera: Occupied Dwelling Burns in Highland Park, Michigan

No comments

Video by: HPZ1442. Video info: This video is from Firefighter Tikkanen’s helmet camera. He was responding on Engine 2, the 2nd due engine for this fire. Crews responded to a report of an occupied dwelling fire on Connecticut street. They arrived to find heavy smoke showing. Upon 1st due crews entry they found heavy fire conditions on 1 and 2nd floor. The crew was able to extinguish the fire before it made its way into the attic.
Not much fire footage on this video since the camera man was going in on the second line. You can see the heavy smoke in the beginning of it. I edited out most of his footage since it was just darkness. The guys described this one as an ass kicker, 3 bottle each fire. I was not personally on this fire.
Photos at the end are compliments of Steve Redick and can be viewed or purchased on his web site http://ksc711.smugmug.com/.
The camera used is a Firecam 1080. You can check them out at firevideo.net

 

FDIC FOOLS Bash, Baltimore FF Critical, Highland Park Rescue Video, NC Rescue, Chief Tom Carr Passes and More

No comments

This is going to be a long post, actually several posts in one…so bear with me.

Captain Wines and I are in Indianapolis for FDIC. We got in last night and headed over to the FOOLS bash. We didn’t make it to the FSW meetup, but I heard that it was enjoyable. Our full itinerary can be seen here. More on FDIC in a minute as you scroll through this post.

FDIC FOOLS Bash

Check out the photo album and more on the Fire Critic Facebook Page!

The direct link to the album (I will update throughout the week) is here.

Chief Tom Carr Passes

 Charleston, SC Fire Department’s Chief Tom Carr (Retired) passed away Wednesday. Dave Statter has the news here.

WCIV-TV:

A former leader of the Charleston Fire Department has passed away.

ABC News 4 has learned that former fire chief Thomas Carr died following a battle with MSA, a rapid form of Parkinson’s disease. He was 59 years old.

Chief Carr was hired as Charleston’s fire chief in 2008. He helped reshape and redefine the department following the 2007 Sofa Super Store fire that killed nine Charleston firefighters.

Baltimore County Firefighter Critical

Reisterstown VFC Firefighter Gene Kirchner in critical condition.  Firefighter Kirchner was found unconscious on the 2nd floor during a house fire. A 58-year-old man was found dead in the house. STATter911.com has coverage here and here.

North Carolina Rescue

FireNews.net: 

As other firefighters tackled the flames, Winter negotiated his way into the adjacent room in his search for 2-year-old Dylan Burkett.

“I couldn’t see him. It was pitch black with smoke,” he said. “After going in the second bedroom I kept hearing a small cry, and every time I heard a cry, I went in that direction and found him.

“He was in a corner on a bed just sitting there. Once I could tell he was still crying, it was a good feeling, and once I got him outside, it felt pretty good.”

Highland Park Rescue Video

Video by: HPZ1442. Video info: We responded to a report of flames showing from the side and front windows of a liquor store on the 1st floor of a 4 story apt building. We arrived to find smoke and flames showing, and that the Police Dept had already evacuated the occupants of the building. The liquor store was sealed up pretty tight and it took us a few extra minutes to get into it. While we worked on that, PD informed us that they may have heard screams on the 2nd floor while they cleared the building but that it was to smokey to go check. # of us responded to the main entrance and to the second floor where we found smokey conditions and limited visibility. PD and one of our off duty FF’s informed of the apt number the woman was believed to live in. The manager had said she was unaccounted for. We masked up and advanced in to find her. She was found in her unit, and carried out by Firefighter Eason. We were then informed of another possible victim. We went back in to search for him but while searching his apt we were informed that he had already made it out. My camera died at this point because I cannot seem to remember to charge it!
At this time fire had extended into the 2nd and 3rd floors. We advanced hose lines through the windows from units adjacent to those that were on fire. The fire was brought under control in a little more than an hour. We operated on scene for several more cleaning up hot spots. We contained the fire to damaging only the liquor store where it had originated, and 4 apt units.
Used a firecam 1080 from firevideo.net any sound you hear cut out is not from the camera, I actually edit some of the content out of it.