Skip to content

Archives for fdny

See all posts in the network tagged with fdny

110 Floors for 343…Never Forget. Honor, Respect, Tradition

9 comments

Yesterday in Baltimore at Firehouse Expo, I participated in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.

Honor, Respect, Tradition, and Never Forgetting. Finishing the climb for the 343 was difficult but bearable.

I did it knowing there was water on the 1st, 16th, and 20th floor of the Hilton in Baltimore. I climbed 22 floors 5 times in full turnout gear. I did it with Willie Wines Jr., Kevin Totten, Jody McIntosh, Cory Patton, and Chris King. We did it together.

The difference between us and them was that we did it in honor of them. We did it without an airpack, without fear, without trepidation.

We did it to help others never forget.

They are the 343. 343 members of FDNY who climbed in full turnout gear to fight the fires and rescue the people of the World Trade Centers on September 11th.

They climbed with tools. They climbed knowing that they were in their coffin…a cinder block stairwell. Every floor harder and harder on their knees. Sweating, second thoughts about their calling. Sporting events, school meetings, barbecues, and normal lives left behind because they were there doing it… Never to return to their lives.

On that day, September 11th, they became a statistic.

But not to me. Not to the American Fire Service. Not to the Brotherhood.

And I never forgot. I will never forget. I remember where I was. I was on the job that day…but I was in a safer place, far from Ground Zero.

It is my duty and my conviction as a FIREFIGHTER to never forget.

Yesterday, at the 9/11 Memorial stair climb at Firehouse Expo I climbed for Martin McWilliams of Engine 22…and on that last lap, the last 22 floors I climbed for another fallen brother. Upon the reach of the top of our second to last lap I grabbed for a cup of water. I saw the photo of Raymond York of Engine 285. His picture had fallen off of the member climbing for him. I instantly picked it up and tossed it in my helmet band.

I climbed for those guys…Martin and Raymond…and for their 341 brothers who died on September 11th.

They had it harder than me. My climb pales in comparison to their climb. I will never have a climb as difficult as theirs.

But I climbed. We climbed. 323 people climbed for the fallen. Some of them being friends or relatives of the fallen. We climbed together, in remembrance, in honor, for respect of what they did, part of the tradition, and to NEVER FORGET.

Team 19 before the climb. Cory Patton, Kevin Totten, Jody McIntosh, Willie Wines Jr., Me, and Chris King.

…

My feelings

During the climb I stayed mostly silent. I focused on what they did and what I was doing for them. I tried to understand what they were going through.

When my calves burned I wondered if they ever felt that.

When I felt like I didn’t have anymore to sweat I wondered if it crossed their mind.

I never felt as though I couldn’t make it and I doubt they ever had a doubt themselves.

If you ever have a chance to participate in a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb I suggest you do it.

If you don’t think you can complete it call me and I will walk with you.

Do it for the honor of completing the climb for the 343. Do it for the respect you have for the fallen. Do it for the tradition of truly NEVER FORGETTING.

Thanks to ALL of the individuals who made the 9/11 stair climb possible… The Baltimore Inner Harbor Hilton, Baltimore City Fire Department, NFFF, and all who volunteered.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to pay my respects.

Team 19 after the climb. Kevin Totten, Me, Cory Patton, Chris King, Willie Wines Jr., and Jody McIntosh.

Me and Tommy Warshaw with Willie Wines Jr. before the climb. Tommy was in team 3 and we have known each other for some time through twitter and facebook but met at the climb for the first time.

Posted by on July 23, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Must Read, News, Social Media, Special Operations, Training & Development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Dose of Motivation for New and Veteran Firefighters

2 comments

Getting it on video…That is the difference between making a great speech to 10 people and making it to thousands. Brian Brush recently talked to a recruit class about what the fire service should mean to them, what it means to him, and why we should take pride in serving.

Brian Brush has just recently delved into more social media usage and is posting articles over on the Fire Engineering Community.

Brian Brush as he participates in the 9/11 Stair Climb during FDIC...in full turnout gear and SCBA.

His post “On Firefighter Training: Being Your Best Is Their Best Chance” was followed up with “A message to the recruits, myself or maybe even you?”.

The mission will not stop for hurt feelings. The most common injury in the fire service is hurt feelings. Too often it isn’t even the act of hurting feelings but the fear that something could hurt feelings that delays a program, decision or action. You must temper yourself and your reactions to critique and criticism if you expect others to respond objectively in the name of progress. (Brian Brush)

Solid performance and writing!

Some of our best is not practiced, planned, or given a second chance…Brian delivered a great speech!

Brian has also been instrumental in the creation and spread of the 9/11 stair climb events for the NFFF.

More on the 9/11 stair climb event and how you can participate and get involved here.

Posted by on May 10, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Must Read, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Video: FDNY Firefighters Battle 4 Alarm Fire in the Bronx

No comments

FDNY Firefighters are currently working a 2 4 alarm fire in University Heights section of the Bronx.

The fire began at the Super Laundromat and spread. Many elevated streams are in service at the fire.

There are also reports of water pressure issues in the area.

More coverage here

Large Fire In The Bronx: MyFoxNY.com

Posted by on April 29, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

More Photos and Video: NFFF 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb at FDIC

2 comments

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has uploaded a video for the NFFF 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb held at FDIC. It is available below.

I look forward to participating in an event like this one some time soon!

Dave Statter shot the video for the NFFF…and I was their to assist. To be clear, I was being held against my will by Dave Statter. I only kept the smile on my face because the NFFF is such a great cause!

You can find the set of photos I took at the 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb over at the Fire Critic Facebook Page here…I am NOT a professional photographer, nor do I claim to be!

Posted by on March 28, 2011 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Captain Dugan’s FDIC Keynote Address: Right Message, Wrong Target

5 comments

FDNY Captain Michael Dugan was blessed with the opportunity to give the keynote address this year at FDIC. This keynote speech has the potential of being the most powerful fire service talk each year. Captain Dugan addressed the FDIC 2011 attendees about “Why we are here”.

This year, I think the target was missed. I think it should have been more about “Why aren’t THEY here?”.

  • “Why aren’t your Fire Chiefs here?”
  • “Why aren’t your coworkers here?”

Don’t get me wrong. Dugan was right in everything he said and it does need to be said. I just think he was speaking to the wrong people. A caged lion as Art Goodrich wrote? Not quite, but I can only imagine the pressure and stress there is in addressing the fire service of today at an event like FDIC.

Now before you think I am off my rocker, this isn’t so much of a critique of Dugan or his speech…it is more about what I think the fire service needs to hear.

No doubt that the “one-percenters” are the true leaders who GET the fire service. They NEED to be reminded to fight the good fight. They need encouragement, guidance, and a pat on the back. They need validation of what they are doing and why they are doing it. They already know “why we are here”, but they need their Fire Chiefs to know “Why they are there”. Why the “one-percenters” travel to conferences, take classes, learn, and teach… to make the fire service better. They need the Fire Chiefs to know that without the “one-percenters” their jobs would be even more difficult…

That is right, the ones who really need to be reminded that there are “one-percenters” are the Chiefs. The Chiefs need to be guided more than ever…but the keynote address was not about them.

The “one-percenters” need to know that Chiefs are in need of encouragement, guidance, and lessons to help the “one-percenters” make the fire service better.

Fire Chiefs need to know what we do and why we do it.

Dugan mentions how the fire service is moving towards a business plan because “the people who make the decisions about the fire service” are “not the ones fighting fires”, “they have never crawled down a hallway”, and “they don’t know what hot is”. Ironically, we have Fire Chiefs who fit this description. I believe Dugan’s finger was pointed more towards legislators, but we have these people in our own ranks. These people in our own ranks are a real problem in the fire service…and they are ruining the fire service and those “one-percenters” we have left.

Too many Fire Chiefs honor boot-licking and flattery over hard work and dedication. The “look at me” generation is here, they are the future of the fire department. It seems as though many Fire Chiefs have adopted that same mindset. Look at what I did, look at what I can do, look at how I am better than them…who cares.

We get the job done…we care but it seems like no one else does.

The “one-percenters” continue fighting, teaching, learning, and spreading their values and beliefs at a “one step forward, two steps back” pace because their leaders aren’t capable of understanding the true issues facing firefighters at the company level.

Firefighters are doing more with less, more often each day. If Fire Chiefs understood the values and beliefs of the ”one-percenters”, they might soon find a way to spread that mindset and encourage positive change in the fire service.

Captain Dugan even makes mention of Wooden Ladders & Iron Men…you think he reads ole Willie’s blog?

Posted by on March 27, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, News, Training & Development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

Several Videos of FDNY in Action this past Week

No comments

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 on February 22, 2011 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News, Rescues, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

LODD – FDNY Firefighter William (Billy) Henry Quick

1 comment

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

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

Billy’s Facebook Tribute page is here

Tributes.com:

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

Also check out FirefighterCloseCalls.com for more

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

Posted by on January 19, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, News • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

LODD – FDNY September 11th Hero Roy Chelsen Has Passed Away

1 comment

Firefighter Close Calls has the story on Roy Chelsen. He is a September 11th hero who risked his life to make it back to the North Tower amid bodies falling from the upper floors to warn other firefighters of the towers imminent collapse.

Roy is the 3rd LODD of 2011.

Roy Chelsen

Roy died of bone-marrow cancer that has been linked to his weeks of work at ground zero after September 11th.

Roy was 51 years and is survived by his wife Trish and son Christopher, 24.

He was stationed at Engine 28 in East Village and died peacefully at his home in upstate New York on Sunday.

More information on Roy Chelsen:

Sidenote:

One of the most famous photos of FDNY firefighters operating during the Terrorist attacks is of Mike Kehoe, also of Engine 28. He worked along side of Roy. His picture is below. More information on Mike and the famous photo here.

ANDRE LAMBERTSON/CORBIS SIGMA FOR TIME

Fire Critic Note:

I made a pact with myself that I would cover every single Line of Duty Death this year. Here it is the 10th of January and we have had 3 already. The thing about LODD’s is that they aren’t that easy to cover….physically and emotionally. I learn about each firefighter and I have the potential of interviewing the survivors at the NFFF Memorial Service in Emmittsburg, MD later in the year with Firefighter Netcast. That is the emotional side of things. Physically, it is hard to get this information out quickly and be correct everytime. I am sure I will screw something up. I have posted before the USFA has deemed deaths to be LODD’s. That is just part of the protocol for USFA. The LODD’s have to be identified and paperwork filed by the department. Therefore, what I deem an LODD may not be in the end. To each his own. I might cover some of the IAFF and non-USFA LODD’s as well. We will see how my coverage ends up.

Posted by on January 10, 2011 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, News • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

FDNY Responds to 500k Emergencies in 2010. Meanwhile, the Mayor wants to Cut Resources.

1 comment

FDNY responded to more than 500,000 emergencies in 2010. This is a new record for the department. FDNY continues to be the busiest department in the United States.

Meanwhile, the Mayor has proposed decreasing the manpower on engine companies and creating a 20 fire company brownout during the evening.

Listen in as Steve Cassidy, the President of the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater NY, discusses the cuts. Captain Al Hagan, the President of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association also talks on the issue.

NEW YORK’s BRAVEST SHATTER RECORD:
GREATEST NUMBER OF EMERGENCIES IN FDNY HISTORY
- – - – -
Firefighters Surpass 500,000 Emergencies for the 1st Time in FDNY’s 145 Years
Over the Christmas weekend New York City Firefighters surpassed their 500,000th emergency response for the year 2010, shattering a threshold that many emergency management professionals across the nation thought could never be reached. The FDNY is the busiest fire department in the United States.

With the 500,000th emergency this year, 2010 becomes the busiest year in the 145-year history of the FDNY. The previous record was 490,767 in 2007.

“In 2010 New York City Firefighters responded to more emergencies than any year in the history of the department. Additionally the last five years (2005-2010) have been the busiest in the history of the FDNY,” said Steve Cassidy, UFA President.

New York City Firefighters respond to fires, explosions, gas leaks, medical emergencies, building collapses, scaffold rescues, serious vehicle accidents and extractions and terror threats. New York City Firefighters are also trained as the city’s first line of defense responding to chemical, radiological, biological and nuclear threats (CRBN).

Cassidy added, “Since 2005 emergency calls have been up significantly and firefighters have gotten the job done even while the mayor has continued to slash the FDNY budget. The record number of emergency responses show that New Yorkers are more reliant on the protections provided by New York City Firefighters than ever before, and that the FDNY is the first place they turn to in an emergency.”

The surge in demand for FDNY protections also comes at the same time Mayor Bloomberg is proposing to shut 20 firehouses at night in 2011. These firehouses would be closed for the longest shift of the day for firefighters (15 hours) and when approximately 70 percent of fatal fires occur.

“Even as fire companies are working around the clock through one of the worst snowstorms in the history of the city, the Fire Department will set a new record of annual responses of more than 500,000 calls for help. There is a lesson for the city fathers to ponder. They can’t close 20 fire companies for 15 hours every night and expect the same level of critical, essential services that the city’s 8.5 million people expect and deserve,” said Captain Alexander Hagan, president of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association.

Posted by on January 5, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Fires, Blizzards, Rescues, and Maydays: Middle of the Week Review…Are you keeping up?

No comments

I’ll admit that I have slow days. However, I post when I am able to. I took the 24th and 25th off, but quickly caught up!

You should be keeping up with me at least…yes I am speaking to both of you (my readers)!

There are some other links in there from some other sites as well!

    Bonus Video of FDNY During the Blizzard

    Posted by on December 28, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Health & Safety, EMS Topics, Fire Prevention & Education, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, Major Incidents, News, Rescues, training-fire-rescue-topics, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

    Video and Audio: FDNY 5 Alarm Apartment Fire in Queens. Firefighters Hampered by Snow

    2 comments

    FDNY Firefighters battled a 5 alarm fire in Queens today. There was also a 3 alarm Fire in the Bronx around the same time.

    Firefighters were hampered by blocked streets due to the heavy snow and heavy wind. Maybe you didn’t hear about the blizzard that just pummeled the Northeast.

    Blocked Street Delays Firefighters (source)

    5 Firefighters and 3 civilians were hurt in the blaze at 41-72 Judge Street in Elmhurst.

    News Stories:

    Watch the videos below and listen to the audio to see and hear what the firefighters had to contend with.

    Blocked Street Delays Firefighters: MyFoxNY.com

    Posted by on December 28, 2010 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

    Video: 4 Alarm Fire in the Bronx. FDNY Firefighters Deploy Highrise Fire Blanket

    1 comment

    Backstep Firefighter was first up with this one here.

    140 firefighters battled a high rise fire in the Bronx today. The building is located at 1882 Grand Concourse, near East Tremont Avenue.

    You can see in the first video how the firefighters deploy the high rise fire blanket that is supposed to cover up the opening. You can view a high rise fire blanket here although I do not know if that is the type used in this fire.

    I wonder what the FDNY guys think about its effectiveness.

    Posted by on December 21, 2010 • Filed under: Fires, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

    The Daily Show: 9/11 First Responders React to the Lame as F@#k Congress

    5 comments

    The other day, I posted Jon Stewart’s Lame as F@#k Congress. The feature on the Daily Show was an eye opener for many and focused on the Republicans who killed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.

    The show below shows four 9/11 First Responders giving their thoughts on the Filibuster by Republicans.

    Hat tip to the @setla

    The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
    9/11 First Responders React to the Senate Filibuster
    www.thedailyshow.com
    Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog</a> The Daily Show on Facebook
    Posted by on December 17, 2010 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Humor, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

    FDNY: Putting it into Perspective with Exposures

    5 comments

    Update: Here are some links to the story…
    Children Escape Brooklyn House Fire By Jumping From Window
    Boy hurt jumping from window; 15 displaced by fire

    Thanks to Backstep Firefighter for the links!

    I just watched a video and I will share it below. The house is small, yet the amount of firefighters on scene is a lot. It is in New York. In order to get that many firefighters on scene, MY city would be looking at close to 3/4 of our resources. Plus there is a platform AND a stick in the air. That takes some keen apparatus placement.

    The description states that it went to a 2nd alarm and quickly to a 3rd alarm. Again, as I look at the house I think that it just so small…sure there is an exposure about a foot away, but it is brick.

    Then the camera man pans out to the exposure. Not only is it brick, but it has several windows on the side the house is. Oh, and the exposure is about 6 stories high and a block or two long. Then it puts everything into perspective!

    Posted by on December 8, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

    Plenty of Fire to go Around…Check out these recent videos of Fires around the US including New York City, Prince George’s County, Boston, West Virginia, California

    1 comment

    Here are a pile of great videos from the past several days. The fires span the US from New York, Pennsylvania, California, West Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts.

    Follow the links to the articles

    Photo by Paul Martinka

    FDNY Firefighters Battle Fire in Brooklyn at Associated Supermarket. The massive three-alarm blaze broke out inside a building on Fifth Avenue near 17th Street about 12:15 a.m. today and quickly spread throughout the three story structure, tearing through the Associated Supermarket, in the ground floor and gutting 10 residential apartments above, said officials.

    Video: Firefighters Battle AC Transit Bus Fire in Berkeley California. According to Sabina Imrie, assistant fire chief for special operations at the department, the first call reporting the blaze came at around 12:35 p.m. She said the back portion of the bus was on fire when firefighters from the department arrived.

    Stubborn Three Decker Fire in Boston Works its Way from the Basement through the Roof in this 4 Alarm Fire on Chester Street. This stubborn fire in a large three-decker residential structure in the Allston section of Boston. Eight residents were displaced, 125 firefighters were on the job, 20+ apparatus on scene, 1 firefighter injury.

    Video Shows Rankin Borough Rowhouse Burning in Allegheny County Outside Pittsburgh. Two Firefighters Injured. Lonell Horton, Anthony Carter and several of their neighbors lost everything they own Wednesday when a quick-moving fire swept through a rowhouse in Rankin, sending billowing smoke so high into the air that it could be seen in several Mon Valley communities.

    Early video: Prince George’s County house fire. Five firefighters hurt on Anaio Court in Clinton, Maryland. This is video from Morningside VFD  of Wednesday’s house fire at 8200 Anaio Court in Clinton, Maryland. You can also hear a little of the radio traffic in the background. The fire left five firefighters with minor injuries.

    Granville Firefighters Battle Well Involved House Fire in Maidsville. Well involved, decent video. This is a perfect example of the need for use of 2 1/2″ hose instead of 1 3/4″. Although the report says they had early water supply issues so it might not have been a feasible option.

    Video: Is this a Box Alarm? St. Luke’s Roosevelt Ambulance Catches Fire outside New York City Hospital. Who Said EMS Doesn’t need the Fire Service? Updated with another video at the bottom (hat tip STATter911.com) Who says Emergency Medical Services doesn’t need the Fire Service? It looks as though these guys needed firefighters!

    Posted by on November 12, 2010 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Fires, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

    FDNY Firefighters Battle Fire in Brooklyn at Associated Supermarket

    2 comments

    Photo by Paul Martinka

    Firefighters battle this fire in Brooklyn this morning.

    NYPost.com:

    An inferno in a Park Slope building gutted a supermarket and has left scores of people homeless.

    The massive three-alarm blaze broke out inside a building on Fifth Avenue near 17th Street about 12:15 a.m. today and quickly spread throughout the three story structure, tearing through the Associated Supermarket, in the ground floor and gutting 10 residential apartments above, said officials.

    Posted by on November 12, 2010 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

    Video: Is this a Box Alarm? St. Luke’s Roosevelt Ambulance Catches Fire outside New York City Hospital. Who Said EMS Doesn’t need the Fire Service?

    2 comments

    Updated with another video at the bottom (hat tip STATter911.com)

    Who says Emergency Medical Services doesn’t need the Fire Service? It looks as though these guys needed firefighters!

    Is this a typical BOX alarm in New York City? ha ha ha

    This ambulance caught fire outside St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Emergency Department and John Jay College of Criminal Justice this afternoon.

    FDNY Firefighters extinguished the blaze.

    DNAinfo.com:

    PHOTO CREDIT Joana Duroand

    UPPER WEST SIDE – An empty ambulance being loaded onto a tow truck burst into flames outside St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital’s 59th Street emergency room Wednesday afternoon, terrifying onlookers who feared that oxygen tanks inside might explode.

    No one was hurt, but the block was closed to traffic, said hospital spokesman Jeff Jabomowitz.

    “There’s oxygen tanks in the back. We were concerned about that,” Jabomowitz said.

    The hospital briefly stopped accepting people into its ER, employees said.

    Here is another view

    Posted by on November 11, 2010 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News, training-fire-rescue-topics, Vehicle Operation & Ambulances, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

    Remembering September 11th

    2 comments

    Every year I have aspirations of writing a post that will truly embody what firefighters think of September 11th.

    Every year the date shows up quicker and quicker and I fail. This year is no different.

    I remember where I was when it all unfolded. I was at the station working. We happened to have CNN or FoxNews on when they went live with the reports. As the reports unfolded, we watched and listened. The errant reporting of many events that were thought to have happened or were happening that luckily did not along with the history which was made of the senseless killing of so many people, police officers, and 343 firefighters at Ground Zero, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA.

    I stood watching as the second plane hit the South Tower. The crew at my station was speechless.

    Then the towers fell…I remember saying something about imagining how many firefighters had just perished.

    9 years later

    It is now 9 years later. Some of the firefighters in my department were in Middle or High School when the attacks occurred. It is hard to imagine their thoughts on the day. Does 343 mean the same to them as it does to me. It could be the difference between my thoughts and that of an actual FDNY firefighter who lived through the day.

    So many thoughts and so many memories.

    Do we still remember? Will we NEVER FORGET. How can some NEVER FORGET if they don’t remember it in the first place?

    Are we creating a legacy of REMEMBERING for those in the future who were not even alive for the events?

    Here I sit at the fire station on September 11th (trading time with a brother firefighter). We remember, it is hard to forget! What have we done to continue the legacy for those who died on September 11th? Nothing…

    Luckily for me there are so many memorial and tribute events, organizations, web sites, and venues to preserve the legacy of our Bravest 343.

    What about you?

    What are you doing to NEVER FORGET?

    Where were you on that day?

    What were you doing?

    For more news coverage of blogs and web sites mentioning September 11th, check out STATter911.com here.

    Here is a message from Bobby Halton:

    Posted by on September 11, 2010 • Filed under: News • Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

    Monday Morning Shoutout – The HouseWatch

    No comments

    This weeks Monday Morning Shoutout goes to a blog that I have followed for some time. The HouseWatch is a blog out of Milwaukee, the home of Paul Conway and BEER!

    The HouseWatch is a serious look at firefighting. The blog is full of no-nonsense, no bullshit, down and dirty articles by the author and by Ray McCormack (FDNY) on many topics.

    If you do not check out this blog on a regular basis you are missing it!

    thehousewatch

    Posted by on September 7, 2009 • Filed under: Monday Morning Shoutout, News • Tagged: , , , , , ,

    Video of Fire in NYC

    No comments

    This video is not exactly spectacular, however it does show a different view than what we are used to when watching fires. This footage was taken from an upper floor of an apartment complex. One thing I noted was how the FDNY took the block. Not everyone was parked on top of each other and multiple water sources were used or ready to use (you can tell by engine placement).

    Posted by on September 1, 2009 • Filed under: News, Videos • Tagged: ,

    Last Column is Returned to Ground Zero

    1 comment

    The last column has been returned to Ground Zero.

    The “Last Column” was dubbed that after it remained at Ground Zero until it was the last thing standing. The column served as the most memorable and the biggest memorial at the site. The Last Column was removed from the site about 7 years ago and has remained at Kennedy Airport. The beam is 36 feet tall and weighs 58 tons.

    The column is riddled with messages from responders who worked at Ground Zero. Most notably is “PAPD 37″, “NYPD 23″, and “FDNY 343″ written in spray paint.

    The beam is so large, it is being reinstalled at the site now and the museum for Ground Zero will be built around it.

    Read more about the column here and here. The photo below is from a 2004 article found here.

    The "Last Column", sitting here photographed for a story in 2004. Photo by Vincent Laforet/The New York Times

    The "Last Column", sitting here photographed for a story in 2004. Photo by Vincent Laforet/The New York Times

    Posted by on August 24, 2009 • Filed under: News • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

    Old School FDNY

    1 comment

    I got the heads up for this link from the boys at Engine9RFD. Check out the Old School Firefighting of the FDNY. Click on the picture below. Photos by Michael Dick. Warning: contains some graphic images.

    Photo by Michael Dick

    Photo by Michael Dick - FDNYsBravest.com

    Posted by on August 18, 2009 • Filed under: News • Tagged: , ,

    I Have That T-Shirt!

    3 comments

    The other day I was surfing the internet…this is not uncommon at all! I was going from site to site. When I get going I might end up with 5 windows open with 10 or 15 tabs each which is not very easy to keep track of.

    However, on this one particular day I was reading about one department going through competency drills for firefighting (some call them evaluated evolutions). Unfortunately I cannot recollect the site where I was looking, but it isn’t detrimental to my point either.

    While I was perusing the site something caught my eye. The t-shirt that one of the evaluators was wearing was eerily familiar. I recognized the shirt and instantly felt a connection. I thought to myself…”Self, I have that shirt”! The shirt is one of my favorites because it is a long sleeve t-shirt of which I do not have many. Can anyone guess the color? That’s right it is navy blue like most of my t-shirts (dept. shirts excluded although they are navy blue as well). The shirt spells out FDNY on the back and is the memorial shirt for Daniel Pujdak.

    I will understand if some of you are wondering who Daniel Pujdak is, but everyone should already know. Daniel died in the Line of Duty. He was 23 years old. You can read all about Daniel at DanielPujdak.com.

    Firefighter Daniel F. Pujdak, Ladder Company 146

    With regret, the Department announces the death of Firefighter Daniel F. Pujdak, L-146 (appointed September 25, 2005) which occurred on Thursday, June 21, 2007, as result of injuries sustained while operating at Brooklyn Box 247, transmitted at 1655 hours on June 21, 2007.

    pujdakThe profit from the sales of the shirt I bought go towards a scholarship in his name.

    We always talk about how our fallen brothers are not forgotten. That t-shirt has helped me remember a fallen brother that I otherwise would not have known and might have forgotten. I have other similar shirts like the Fathers Day LODD (Ford, Fahey, Downing), 343 on 9/11, and Charleston 9 for examples while I am not shuffling through shirts in my closet.

    My point is that we must remember the sacrifices of our fallen brothers. We must learn from their stories and tell those stories to the next generation.

    I assure you that I could ask my brothers at the fire station if they know who Daniel Pujdak is and they would give me a blank stare. I have talked about him before of what I know and tried to tell the story just like I do for a lot of LODD’s when I am given the chance.

    I almost always get a comment when I wear that t-shirt. Usually I get “who is that”? I tell the story again…

    We must never forget!

    Below is a slideshow of Daniel’s life and funeral. Never Forget!

    Below is a bonus video of Daniel’s body being escorted in an engine during his funeral. The video is short and ends when the cameraman puts the camera down to salute the fallen firefighter. Never Forget!

    Posted by on June 23, 2009 • Filed under: News • Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

    Four-story building collapses in Brooklyn

    No comments

    Doesn’t it seem as though a building collapses every day in New York City? Luckily only 4 people were injured this time and no one was killed. I just find it interesting at how often it seems as though this occurs. I wonder how many departments out there can actually say that they are ready to respond to this type of emergency? By respond, I don’t mean show up with trucks. I mean really show up and mitigate the emergency quickly and effectively. I don’t mean becoming the next case study on what NOT to do.

    Four-story building collapses in Brooklyn

    Photo from CNN

    NEW YORK (CNN) — A four-story residential building collapsed Sunday in the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn, and at least four people suffered minor injuries, according to the New York City Fire Department.
    A firefighter surveys the scene of a collapsed building in Brooklyn on Sunday. Four people received minor injuries.

    A firefighter surveys the scene of a collapsed building in Brooklyn on Sunday. Four people received minor injuries.

    The cause of the midday collapse of the building on Myrtle Avenue between Ryerson and Hall streets was not immediately known. All residents of the building were accounted for, authorities said.

    Read the entire story Four-story building collapses in Brooklyn – CNN.com.

    Posted by on June 21, 2009 • Filed under: News • Tagged: ,

    Keeping up with the Joneses

    8 comments

    Not all of us firefighters can tour the U.S. for all of the great fire service conferences, conventions, training events, etc. Most of us do have the capability of getting on the internet from time to time. For those of us who do not get to go to the events, we have websites who offer introspect that can be regarded just as important.

    There are many great websites out there which offer opinion, training, and editorial on the fire service. Some are updated daily, others updated from less but are still very important. Don’t get me wrong, the news sites are great for keeping up with what incidents are going on; some even showing what to do, what not to do, and close calls we can all learn from. The bonus for firefighters are sites which offer that some news with opinion, and others mostly opinion. Some of the sites I am referring to are Firegeezer, Firehouse Zen, Firefighter Hourly, Firefighter Behavior, The Housewatch, and even STATter 911 from time to time.

    These sites offer a variance of views and commonly elicit comments which offer even more viewpoints of issues. The commentary, whether you agree or disagree with the viewpoint, will make you think.

    This happens on websites all the time, it happens at conferences occasionally too. Probably the most visible case is Lt. Ray McCormack’s talk at FDIC this year. The HouseWatch spoke of it here and Firefighter Behavior hit on it here. Unfortunately, I was not at FDIC. Even more unfortunate is that as much time as I spend on the computer I missed the talk completely because Fire Engineering Editor Bobby Halton had it pulled from internet circulation just days after it appeared. By all accounts, from what I have read, the  speech was well deserved and the ones who “got it” were those who were able to look past some of the words and understand the meaning. I believe that it was a tremendous disservice to the fire service to have the talk pulled from the internet with little explanation. After all, don’t we deserve the right to formulate our own opinions. For those who came out with a harsh thumbs down on the talk, there were plenty in line to offer explanations of how they inferred the talk and how it made sense. I can only hope that one day we will all be able to read or watch the talk and be able to formulate our own opinion and learn.

    In this business, it is easy to play it safe and stay on course of talking about the “feel-good brotherhood” of the fire service. Who the hell is anyone to point out to cracks in our foundation? I think that is what we need…a better understanding of what problems have created cracks and the assistance we need to fill the gaps.

    One of the biggest band-aids in the fire service is how we still do our jobs understaffed as safely and as well as we have done in the past. We have to face the facts; we run more calls, we have more regulations, we have less staffing and fewer trucks. Yet we are expected to do it as well as we did before with a smile on our face. Not everyone gets to respond with the staffing levels of the FDNY or DC. Even those large departments have lost companies. Some lose minimum staffing, others lose entire companies.

    It is up to us to ask the serious questions. It is up to us to expose the cracks in the foundation that politicians and administrators don’t want the public to know about. It is up to us to bring our issues to the forefront. We need to stand up for what is right and demand what we deserve.

    Utilize the websites listed above to learn and review the fire service. Whether you agree or disagree with their standpoint I assure you that you WILL learn something.

    Posted by on June 14, 2009 • Filed under: News • Tagged: , , , , , ,