Timothy Gerald died in a vehicle wreck Saturday afternoon in York Maine. Paramedics determined that Gerald, 48, was deceased and there was nothing they could do for him. Gerald’s dog, Jakey, was also in the vehicle at the time of the wreck. Crews extricated Jakey from the wreck and transported him to the emergency veterinarian for care. The medics were also able to treat Jakey with IV and oxygen therapy due to blood loss from a bad laceration.
Jakey, a 9-year-old golden retriever, is recovering after surgery following an accident that killed his owner. Jenn Hilton of York, seen in back, is the niece of the driver who died, 48-year-old Timothy Gerald.
Paramedics were sure that there was coverage in the area while they transported Jakey to the emergency vet.
Due to Gerald’s untimely death, the family is seeking help in paying for Jakey’s emergency vet bills.
A lot of the firefighters went to school with Gerald or knew him because he was related to a volunteer firefighter, according to York Village Fire Chief Chris Balentine.
“A lot of guys knew who he was,” which made responding to the accident that much harder, said Balentine, who was at the scene.
Gerald’s niece, Jenn Hilton of York, said she is married to volunteer firefighter Nick Hilton.
Funeral information for Phoenix FD Firefighter Bradley Harper: (link to info)
Funeral Ceremony on Friday, May 24th at 2:30 p.m. at:
Christ’s Church of the Valley (CCV)
7007 W. Happy Valley Road
Peoria, AZ 85383
Procession and Internment to follow at:
Greenwood Memorial Cemetery
719 N. 27th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85009
Virginia Firefighter LODD Memorial is on June 1st this year. If you are planning on attending, have a question, or need more information, check out the Facebook event here.
FirefighterWife.com: Here is an article about the recent LODD’s and a view from a Firefighters Wife. Read it here
Vote for Hack: Brian Hackenburg is in the running for “Kona Inspired 2013″. Vote for him here (bottom left of video)
IronFiremen.com: Captain Wines headed to Harrisburg, PA for the Fire Expo 2013 without me. He did leave me a souvenir though…he burned up my van on the way! Read about his trip here.
Moore, OK Update:
The death toll has been adjusted from 51 to 24 at this time. There are hundreds of injured, and over 100 have been rescued from the devastation.
The tornado was over 2 miles wide and covered around 22 miles becoming an EF4/EF5 tornado with wind speeds between 166-200 miles per hour.
The City of Moore and City of Oklahoma City will hold a joint press conference at Noon, Tuesday May 21st, at Moore City Hall, 301 N Broadway. Information about recovery efforts and other details will be shared at this time.
Moore, Oklahoma was the scene of a horrific natural disaster today. Moore is south of Oklahoma City. A mile wide EF4 tornado decimated the area. The death toll is currently 51 (11pm) including 7 children at the Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore. There are 233 reported injured.
The preliminary rating of damage created by the tornado is at least EF4 (winds 166 to 200 mph) — the second-most severe classification on a scale of zero to five
I have read a lot about it being a “recovery” effort instead of a “search” effort. I am not sure that the firefighters have the same thoughts on the ground. Word is that Tennessee Task Force 1 is being deployed to the area to assist (news link).
Moore Fire Department
Just to give you a snapshot of the Moore FD, they operate with 72 firefighters out of 4 firehouses covering 22 square miles.
The area is no stranger to tornadoes. In May of 1999, there was another huge tornado that killed dozens and recorded wind speeds of 302 miles per hour (the fastest recorded on earth).
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.
Dallas Firefighter Stanley Wilson, 51, was found dead after radioing an emergency transmission that he was trapped in an apartment fire. Over 150 Dallas firefighters battled the 6 alarm blaze. Wilson, a 28 year veteran of the department, was stationed at firehouse 53. Wilson was married with two teenage sons.
The body of a Dallas firefighter who radioed for help after becoming trapped in a burning condominium has been recovered.
The firefighter, whose name has not yet been released, was among the 100 Dallas firefighters who responded to a six-alarm fire at the Hearthwood Condominiums at 12363 Abrams Road Monday morning.
When firefighters arrived shortly before 3 a.m., smoke was seen billowing through the roof of the complex. Dallas Fire-Rescue’s Jason Evans said firefighters initially started to attack the fire offensively, but moved to a defensive posture due to how fast the fire was growing.
At about 5 a.m., one of the firefighters radioed that he was trapped inside the building and that he wasn’t sure where he was. Evans said crews had not been able to reach the firefighter by radio since that message.
At about 9:15 a.m., the body of the firefighter was found. He was removed from the rubble, covered in an American flag and carried to an ambulance as dozens of firefighters and onlookers flanked either side, removed their helmets and saluted the procession.
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.
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!
Here is a great Fathers Day Gift, or better yet…just a great chance at winning some great guns while raising money for a great cause! The South Dakota Firefighters Benefit (also on Facebook here) is raising money to fund a grant program for Fire Departments. They are doing a calendar gun raffle and giving away 63 guns and a 28 gun safe over the course of 52 weeks. Guns can be shipped to anywhere in the USA. These calendars are selling for $40 cash/Check and $45 with a credit card. These make great Fathers day gifts as well as graduation gift. If you would like to purchase one please click this link or email sdffgunraffle@gmail.com.
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.
Botetourt, VA continues to take 1 step forward and several steps backwards as it attempts to create a Fire/EMS model that works. Their current setup is numerous (I believe 7) volunteer fire departments and rescue squads supplemented by paid staffing at some of the stations at certain times during the week. Last year, they hired forward thinking Carr Boyd from Charlotte, NC to oversee the County’s Fire/EMS as their Emergency Services Coordinator. I’ll call him Chief Boyd.
Captain Wines recent post on the Botetourt issue
This week, Chief Boyd resigned. The details are not out yet. Ever since word of hiring for the position, there has been dissension among a select few of the VFD Officers. That came to a head when former Buchanan VFD Chief Billy Joe Carter threatened Captain Willie Wines Jr.’s life. Captain Wines runs IronFiremen.com and updated regularly on the situation.
Willie and I have been very critical of the inability for the “select few VFD Officers” to look beyond their egos and realize how positive the hiring of Chief Boyd was going to be for them.
Due to Chief Boyd’s resignation, all of the dust is being kicked up again. Read the news on his resignation here and here.
Even before that article hit the internet, there was an distasteful and shameful comment left on IronFiremen.com. The comment is apparently from Troutville VFD’s Chief Scott Paderick’s wife Christine Paderick. It was almost as if she new Wines was going to write something about it. Read the comment below:
WARNING: He (Christine’s Husband) does not need his wife writing for him. It says so in the last sentence.
Then again, maybe they are all screwed up of who is who between Willie and I. After all, when Willie began writing about the Botetourt issue, I got word that someone from Troutville (guess who) wanted to kick my ass. I laughed. Apparently some poeple don’t realize the difference between IronFiremen.com and FireCritic.com. After all, I was the one who mentioned the Botetourt issue the other day:
However, I did mention that Willie was going to write about it soon. Maybe the suspense got the best of her?
The main reason for me writing this post is to drive traffic to IronFiremen.com so that you can read about the issues present in Botetourt, VA.
Although mostly, I really want everyone to read the comment above. Especially the first sentence. I am married, and I have enemies…but my wife would NEVER say anything like that about anyone. I fight my own battles.
Marcel Melanson, the 15 year veteran of the Compton (CA) FD, has been arrested for his supposed role in theft at the FD headquarters and subsequent arson used to cover up the theft. Reports indicate that he sold stolen radio equipment online and then set fire inside FD headquarters on December 11, 2011.
Marcel Melanson in Inked Magazine photo by Russ Quackenbush
In 15 years, Melanson rose to the rank of Deputy Chief at 37 years old. He stood out from the crowd due to his heavily tattooed body and his quick rise in ranks at a young age.
He has been terminated by the department as a result of the investigation.
Marcel, who was featured on FireCritic.com two times in the past, has actually been in contact with me via twitter in the past. His account is now disabled.
A former Compton deputy fire chief — who has also starred on a reality television series — has been arrested on suspicion of arson and grand theft in connection with a fire that destroyed hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of radio equipment in late 2011.
Marcel Melanson, 37, was arrested at his home Wednesday by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Compton had bought the radio and communications equipment in 2010, when the city was planning to end its contract with the Sheriff’s Department and reinstate the Compton Police Department.
News stories related to Melanson’s recent charges:
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.
Chris Gillett, quoted below in the story, informed me he is a few hundred dollars short of his goal. You can contact him on his Facebook Profile (Firefighter Chaplain) to donate. He is also trying to get a tshirt order together for the event.
Honor walk set for West, Texas, responders killed in explosion PilotMountainNews.com
by Wendy Byerly Wood
PINNACLE — Of the 14 people killed in the April 17 explosion at a West, Texas, fertilizer plant, 11 of those were firefighters and first responders. And a local group of firefighters will be spending May 25 walking in honor of those who lost their lives protecting their community.
Members of Shoals Volunteer Fire Department, as well as other members of the emergency response community, will host a five-mile honor walk to raise money and awareness for those fallen firefighters and EMS personnel who were killed in the explosion, many of whom were fighting the initial fire that started prior to the blast.
“The tragedy in Texas kind of got swallowed up by the Boston bombing,” said Lt. Chris Gillett of Shoals VFD. “I wanted to do something to raise money for the firefighters’ families who were killed as well as raise awareness.”
…
The honor walk, set to begin at 10 a.m. at Pilot Knob Volunteer Fire Department on Key Street/N.C. 268, with those participating wearing full turnout gear. “Most people can do it, it’s just under 6 miles, and we’re doing it in full turnout gear. They sacrificed, and it’s going to be a sacrifice to do that (in full gear),” Gillett said. “There is even a soldier who was wounded in Afghanistan driving up from Fort Bragg to walk in full military gear.”
Are you participating in a 5k, 10k, marathon or other endurance event coming up? Take the Firefighter Turnout Challenge and show the public what firefighters do every day. You can create your own fundraising page HERE and even recruit your own team to help reach a group fundraising goal.
If you raise $750 for the cause, you’ll receive a leather NFE presentation helmet as a token of your victory.
The Firefighter Turnout Challenge is a fundraising initiative born after Brian Hackenburg took it upon himself to compete in the Cedar Point Triathlon in full turnout gear. Yes, you heard that correct! Brian will be running the 26.2 mile stretch of the Cedar Point Triathlon in full turnout gear AND airpack.
Brian, 36, is an 18 year veteran of the fire service from Sandusky, Ohio.
But that isn’t it. He has numerous other events he will be completing wearing turnout gear.
In Brian’s own words:
“The National Firefighters Endowment is an important charity to me because it focuses on protecting the lives of firefighters all across the nation so they get to go home to their families. Every fire department needs the necessary equipment to protect themselves and their community in a moment of crisis. NFE helps underfunded departments get the equipment necessary to save lives.”
He has set a personal fundraising goal of $2,500 and a team goal of $25,000
I just finished up promotional testing for 1st Lt. and Captain in my department. We had practical testing yesterday and I feel good about it. It could have been much better, but I am pleased with my performance.
If you have information to share, be sure to get it to me.
The Fire Critic Facebook Page is constantly pumping out great info, sharing YOUR questions with “Mutual Aid Question from a Brother” posts, and more.
Michael Smith of Boron Extrication climbed with me at the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. He actually got to meet a family member of the man he was climbing for, Joseph Agnello. Michael didn’t get the contact information and is looking for John Agnello, Joseph’s cousin. Michael’s post is a moving tribute to Ladder 118 and Joseph Agnello. Read it here, and help him out in contacting John.
Progress Fire Expo Bash 2013
Harrisburg Fire Expo
Captain Wines will be on the road later today. He is heading to Harrisburg, PA for the Fire Expo. Unfortunately, I am unable to make the trip. I will be working for Willie on Friday so he can though. He plans on catching up with the Progress Fire Bash 2013. The Firehouse Dolls will be there too. Captain Wines is travelling with his wife and I think the Buckaroo…I have officially been replaced! Be sure to welcome him in PA. I have wanted to make the trip for this event for years, I guess it will have to wait until next year.
What’s Next?
Captain Wines and I plan on attending Firehouse Expo in Baltimore and Fire Rescue International in Chicago. On top of that, we have an engagement in New York State with the Capital Region FOOLS in September. Check out their Facebook Page here. We also have heard of tentatively being asked to speak at the Canadian Volunteer Firefighters Convention in Ottawa. We look forward to hearing more about that soon.
Botetourt County, VA
You might remember Captain Wines in-depth writing about issues within the Botetourt County, VA Fire & EMS…most notably some of the issues with the Buchanan VFD and their former Chief Billy Joe Carter. I am not sure, but I believe Carter is still incarcerated. Things are heating up again in Botetourt, this time with relation to their Fire/EMS Director Carr Boyd who is in the process of resigning. Willie and I are still working on the details, but it seems as though another one of Botetourt’s Volunteer Chiefs is behind forcing Boyd out. Troutville VFD’s Chief who is reportedly also a felon has apparently been a thorn in the side of the forward thinking Fire/EMS Director. Look for an article from Willie about this fiasco soon at IronFiremen.com.
22 Years ago, one of the most prolific rescues occurred in New York City.
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.
Guys, do me a favor and share this with your wife. I get a lot of questions on FB related to relations with our significant others. This site is your answer to share with your wife. It provides her a place to connect, reach out, or just sit back and follow along with other firefighter wives.
Myself, Lori of FirefighterWife.com, and Captain Wines
Trust me, I believe that your wives might enjoy the site!
I have been following the site for some time now. Captain Wines and I had the pleasure of meeting up with Lori, who runs the site, and her husband at FDIC 2013. We got to talk for a bit, and they even showed up at the party we put on at Hard Rock Cafe. I look forward to doing more work with them in the future.
If you have never heard of FirefighterWife.com, you should check it out and share it with your wife. It is a great source of information for our wives.
Another product review has been completed on our sister site FireProductReview.com. This time, we look at 1st In Leather’s Custom Leather Helmet Shield.
The body of a Wayne Westland firefighter has been recovered from a blaze at a pair of businesses in a Westland strip mall today.
Brian Woehlke, 29, was found today, said Deputy Fire Chief Rob Arbini. Woehlke had been a firefighter for 10 months, Arbini said.
Mayor William Wild said he received notification of Woehlke’s recovery at about 12:40 p.m. No additional information was released.
Statement from Westland Mayor William Wild courtesy WDIV.com:
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one of our Westland firefighters who died in the line of duty this morning. He dedicated his life to protecting the residents of Wayne and Westland and this is a terrible loss for the firefighter’s family and our entire community. This tragedy is a reminder to us all of the sacrifice that firefighters make along with their family and friends every single day. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends, as well as the first responders of the Wayne-Westland Fire Department, who are mourning the loss of fellow firefighter, Brian Woehlke. Woehlke, 29, a Dearborn resident who was married and the father of one, had been a member of the Wayne-Westland Fire Department for ten (10) months. We are forever appreciative for the brave men and women of the Wayne-Westland Fire Department who put their lives on the line every day.”
Crews have recovered the body of a Wayne-Westland firefighter who triggered his distress signal while battling flames inside a Westland poker hall Wednesday.
FOX 2′s Alex Wiley says crews discovered the body among the wreckage at the Electric Stick charity poker hall in the 6500 block of North Wayne Road.
A Firefighter is missing after a collapse at a strip mall fire this morning outside of Detroit, Michigan. Crews are on scene searching for the missing firefighter.
We will update with further information as it is available.
The story below is another one I am very happy to share with you about a young man making a huge lifestyle change to live a healthier life. This should serve as motivation for others to set out to make similar changes in their lives.
I referenced an article on Fire Service Warrior about philosophy and being a “fit firefighter” in the previous post and I would like to share it again with you. Take a second to read the article here.
Meet Joe Francisco
Joe Francisco is a local Firefighter in Roanoke County, VA. He volunteers at the Catawba Volunteer Fire Department #4 “The Fightin’ Fourth”. I had the pleasure of meeting Joe recently when Captain Wines and I stopped by for the evening. Catawba VFD is first due to Captain Wines homestead. Joe joined the department in 2008.
The reason why I am writing about Joe is not because he is a firefighter, it is because Joe has lost 152 lbs. since August of 2012. I think it is amazing. Hell, I only weigh 146 lbs…so he has lost the equivalent of one of me.
Joe is 26 years old and 6′ tall. At 25, he weighed 491 lbs. Today, just 9 months later he weighs 339.
His weight loss began on August 4, 2012 when his beloved Grandpa died. In the following two weeks, Joe lost 25 lbs that he attributes to stress over the loss. He was astonished by the sudden loss in weight so he told himself “well I might as well try to lose more”. Joe cut out soda and the only bread he ate was tortilla. He continued his weight loss over the next 8 months and lost 134 lbs WITHOUT working out.
He was so amped over his continued weight loss and progress that he joined Planet Fitness and Complete Nutrition here in Roanoke, VA. This would enable him to continue his journey, get fit, and make the most of it!
In his own words:
Joe and his father playing bluegrass at the swinging bridge restaurant in paint pank
I’ve lost a total of 152 lbs thus far and let me tell you I have never felt better! I haven’t been this weight since I was in 9th grade! Now I have ENDLESS amounts of energy! I sleep all throughout the night before I was waking up 4 or 5 times a night I had high blood pressure I was at the beginning stages of sleep apnea and now …. NONE OF THOSE PROBLEMS EXIST! Most importantly for once I am happy! I feel alive!
In his spare time, Joe enjoys playing the guitar and banjo…and long walks on the beach!
Guys like Mikey and Joe should be an inspiration to all of us. I know I use their dedication and commitment to motivate myself!
Leave a comment below to give a word of encouragement to Joe! If you know him, tell him what a great job he is doing!
I went to Family Day to see all the hard training my fiance and his brothers have endured in these past LONG Four months. I was so excited to see all the insanely and heroic things these guys have learned. Firefighter’s are true hero’s and I don’t think thy get the credit they should! In one of the exercises, My fiance’s Drill Instructor approached me and asked me to be a volunteer. Non-hesitant at all, I followed him up to the building (3rd floor). I did NOT EXPECT THIS AT ALL!
My face transformation says it all. This moment will forever play in my head. I got rescued by a Firefighter with an amazing message. A proposal that was perfect! And just as a little girl who sat on her window sill dreaming of who her Prince Charming would be and what her love story would read, my dream came true today! This video is intended to SHARE and SPREAD the LOVE. I always hear “Romance is dead” and it’s not. I am huge believer in true love and this is a glimpse of our love story. I know there has been negative comments and not everyone thinks alike. FYI I was safe, there was a net under and a LARGE GROUP OF PROFESSIONALS surrounding me who walked me through how I was supposed to come down.
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.
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.
Box Alarm Leatherhas 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.
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.
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 …
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