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Public Memorial for Houston Firefighters on Wednesday. Funerals are Private.

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Previous Coverage of the Houston LODD’s here and here on FireCritic.com.

IAFF Local 341:

Any IAFF Locals and individuals wishing to send floral arrangements are asked to send them toReliant Stadium8400 Kirby Drive; Houston, Texas 77054

The Public Memorial Service will be held at Reliant Stadium, Wednesday, June 5 at 1000 hours(10:00 A.M.).  All uniformed fire department personnel participating in the Wednesday memorial procession must be at Reliant Stadium no later than 7:00 a.m.  Please enter the stadium area from Fannin at the Naomi entrance. Park in front of Reliant Arena in the “maroon” lot.  From there, firefighters are asked to proceed on foot to the “blue” parking lot to form march. March will start promptly at 8:00 a.m.

The Procession Route for the Wednesday march will begin in the “blue” lot at Reliant Stadium, then proceed on the westbound 610 feeder road to Kirby, then north on Kirby to McNee Road, and then turning right into the north side of the Reliant complex.

Funeral Services for the fallen have been scheduled.  The families have requested that all funeral services be kept private (family and HFD personnel only).  Members are encouraged to watch their HFD and personal e-mail accounts for details.

Fire Fighters and family coming from out of town are encouraged to contact the following hotels for special rates:

Marriott – Medical Center
$109.00 (Government) Rate
800-228-9290

Royal Sonesta
$75.00 Rate: “Hero”
www.royalsonesta.com

Holiday Inn – Houston Reliant Park
$109.00 (Government) Rate: “Houston Firefighters Local 341″ (32 rooms available)
Contact: Tye Hochstrasser or Maggie Cruz
713-790-1900

Crowne Plaza - Houston
$79.00 Rate (includes Breakfast): “Local 341″
Contact: Jerry Mathers
713-748-3221 or 1-800 number through web site

Wyndham – Medical Center
$95.00 Rate
Contact: Mary Jane Manshouri
713-577-1236

Best of the Rest – ELAFF, Quick Drills, LODD’s, Brotherhood Cuts, and an Appeal for EMS LODD Benefits

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This past weekend was one helluva good time. I clocked out from the computer on my 4 day break (for the most part) and headed skiing with the family. I haven’t been skiing for around 15 years. It was my children’s first time on the slopes, and the first time skiing with my wife. We had a blast. If I had more time, I would have swung in to the McGaheysville VFD located just down the road from Massanutten Resort where we were staying. Already this year, I have family or fire service trips scheduled for Nashville, Gatlinburg, Columbus x2, South Dakota, Aruba, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Chicago, DC, Denver, and New Jersey. Let me know if you want to meet up and I will tell you when I will be in town!

Be sure to follow Fire Critic on Facebook and click “like”

Shoutout

Today’s shoutout goes to some close friends of mine. The guys behind ELAFFHQ.com have emboddied the grassroots effort of creating a fire service community…backwards. Not that there is anything wrong with that! I found it interesting how they created a Facebook Page (albiet a joke at first), then a Twitter account, and finally ended it with a blog of their own. The truest tell of their ability is that they have been able to keep it going for 2 years now. I don’t know the exact timeframe, but most guys pack it up way before 2 years…These guys are still going strong!

Where is Chuck Norris when you need him? Word is that she was talking on the phone about something she was reading on FireCritic.com! Found on the net, not sure if it is a real photo or not.

Facebook: Excessive Leather Accessories for Firefighters

Web Site: ELAFFHQ.com

Twitter: ELAFFHQ

Their latest post “A New Frontier” talks about getting to 1500 “likes” on their Facebook page and then they are going to start giving away swag. Click here, click “like”, and sit back and see if you win!

Quick Drills

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

News and Opinion

FireProductReview.com - Firefighter Product Reviews is online. Right now, we are still working out the glitches and getting all of the previous reviews online. Next, we have a dozen new reviews to complete and publish. The new site allows readers to rate and comment on the products as well! Check it out now: FireProductReview.com

Two Virginia LODD’s – For those of you who don’t know it, I also run VAFireNews.com. This past week, we have had two Line of Duty Deaths.

Paramedic Weissman’s funeral arrangments are available here

Can anyone tell me what this "FD" mark is next to the front door. The photo was taken in Florida.

Quick Takes on STATter911.com – Dave Statter always has a pile of news saved up for his Quick Takes he publishes on Monday. Read all the latest news here. 

Brotherhood Cuts – We are open for business. This is a very cool event that is kicking off on March 10th in North Carolina. Read more about it here. Brotherhood Cuts is an initiative to support the National Firefighters Endowment. Myself and Willie Wines Jr. are looking forward to more events in the future!

Speaking of National Firefighters Endowment…The first sweepstakes winner from The National Firefighters Endowment is Dan Shuck, firefighter at Williamston Fire Dept. He won a Bail-out bag. Connect with the Endowment on Facebook to see when the next sweepstakes will be!

Leatherhead 109 - Remember when the new buzz going around the Internet was all about better ways to do the job?  Better tactics, little nuggets, the tips and tricks.  That wasn’t all that long ago.  I remember one of the websites that I really took a liking to was “Fire Nuggets”…continue reading Fire Service Writing and Blogging: We were on a roll…

On The Lamb Productions -  My cousin died in 9/11 and in his honor I created a super hero called Fireman. A young firefighter with soul of a viking warrior in him. It’s a great story. I just released the first issue last week and I’m looking to sell thousands to bring an awareness of the men and woman that sacrifice their lives for everyone. The first responders. There will be 8 issues in this series and all are filled with suspense and drama. Oh and action.

Legislative Appeal for EMS LODD Benefits – Danny was a paramedic, a cop, and a firefighter.  If Danny had been working as a law enforcement officer, his family would have been covered. If Danny had been working as a firefighter, his family would have been covered. Danny died in the line of duty, and the federal government denied his family the Public Safety Officer Benefit to his wife & two children because his employer, Bensalem Rescue Squad, is a non-profit. Read my post here

FireGeezer - MORE THAN 100 MONMOUTH COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS were called to a commercial blaze in downtown Long Branch, New Jersey, Monday mid-day.  A large and difficult-to-control fire ripped through a 3-story apartment building and several adjoining businesses. via Fire Geezer – The Digital Dayroom – Firefighting Blog.

FireRescue1.com - Medics’ alleged mistakes in Chicago girl’s death likely to cost $1.75M — Chicago taxpayers will likely spend $1.75 million to compensate the family of a 13-year-old girl who died of bronchial asthma in 2002 after a string of alleged mistakes made by Chicago Fire Department paramedics. via Medics’ alleged mistakes in Chicago girl’s death likely to cost $1.75M.

Controversy in Philly: Union says department is punishing heroes with burn policy. Commissioner says it’s about safety. | STATter911.com - From KYW-TV, firefighters are upset over a Philadelphia Fire Department policy about being burned on the job. The union says heroes are being punished instead of praised. The fire commissioner says it’s about safety. via Controversy in Philly: Union says department is punishing heroes with burn policy. Commissioner says it’s about safety. | STATter911.com.

Best of the Rest – Quick Drills, Shoutouts, FDNY Rescue 2 MAYDAY Fund, Jay Bettencourt, and much more

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Best of the Rest is a weekly column aired every Tuesday. If you have something to share, let me know! Our shoutouts (formerly the Monday Morning Shoutout) is now in this column and includes a Facebook fan page, blog or web site, and a Twitter user.

Shoutouts:

Facebook fan page of the week: The Fire Service Warrior – it is about being combat ready in the fire service. Need I say more?

Blog/ web site of the week: S.A.F.E. Firefighter Blog – S.A.F.E. stands for Smart, Aggressive, Fundamental, Efficient.

Twitter user of the week: Greg Friese has been a long time friend of mine who I met through various circles. He stays connected using social media. If you are into social media, EMS, or Education you should follow him. @GFriese

Quick Drills:

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

News:

FDNY Rescue 2 MAYDAY Fund – The Fire Critic, IronFiremen.com, and MN8 FoxFire have teamed up to raise money for the Rescue 2 MAYDAY Fund. Read more about it here, here, here, and here. Go Directly to MN8 FoxFire web site to donate/purchase. 50% of purchases go to the fund. 100% of donations go to the fund.

Captain Jeff Bowen

STATter911.com – Dave Statter is out first with this story about what Jay Bettencourt went through in the futile rescue of Jeff Bowen. We are turning STATter911.com over this morning and tomorrow to Firefighter Jay Bettencourt of North Carolina’s Asheville Fire Department. You may recognize Jay’s name from our coverage of the fire on July 28, 2011 at a medical office building at 445 Biltmore Avenue that took the life of Jay’s friend, mentor and captain, Jeff Bowen. Jay was seriously injured in the fire. This is a must read story!

The Fire Service WarriorQuit Telling Me To Change My Culture. Although this was written a year ago, the post has found some new life being passed around facebook. It is short, sweet, and to the point! Check it out.

Police Officer Saves a Dog Stuck in a Fence – The End Will Blow You Away - You will NOT believe the end of this video! It’s hilarious and amazing all at the same time. After the police officer frees a dog stuck in a fence, the dog shows his appreciation in the cutest way ever.

Fire Truck Blog - Many of you have been asking for an update on 11-year-old Kyle McGetrick, the Barnegat, New Jersey boy who has been battling cancer for seven years. Jim Duffy, who read about Kyle here on FireTruckBlog.com in December, will have Kyle as a guest tonight on the Internet radio showFireground Strategies & Other Stuff From the Street that Jim does with Deputy Chief Anthony Avillo on Fire Engineering Talk Radio. It starts at 7:30 PM Eastern Time. Here’s the link 

Hybrid MedicWhy it’s important to be nice - You as a provider have a fiduciary responsibility, that is, having the characteristics of trust. If you display behavior that is not consistent of being worthy of trust, then the patients will not trust you to deliver the best care and certainly not for their family. This is important in all cases, but even more so in cases that involve poor outcomes, because poor outcomes could equal lawsuits even if you delivered stellar care, simply on the assumption that because you acted poorly that you performed equally as poor.

FireGeezerSemi wipes out ambulance at accident scene - A TOLEDO, OHIO, AMBULANCE WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED Saturday morning after a tractor-trailer jacknifed and crashed into the unit that was stopped at an accident scene.

FireRescue1Zoe Saldana plays real-life hero after Calif. car crash. CULVER CITY, Calif. — A new celebrity hero has joined the ranks of real-life do-gooders. Zoe Saldana jumped to the rescue of an injured elderly woman this week in Culver City, Calif., after witnessing a car accident that left the driver with a scratched and bloodied face.

Surround and drowned in Detroit

This house fire happened on Hawkins Rd. off Hammond Lane in Centreach. No injuries. Great job by Centereach FD with a little help from Selden FD

Video Coverage: Firefighter Corey Shaw Killed in Collapse at Multi-Alarm Fire

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Firefighter Corey Shaw was killed in a collapse at a multi-alarm fire Friday morning. The fire occured at an antique mall which spread to the Opera House next door. Corey, 22, was killed when operating on a ladder and a wall collapsed on him.

The fire consumed the Pinckneyville Antique Mall and the Kunz Opera House.

Corey is the son of Du Quoin Fire Chief Bob Shaw.

photo from video

More coverage:

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

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

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

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

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

Firefighter Scott Davis

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

Funeral Arrangements are posted below the video.

From The Secret List:

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

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

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

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

Additional details will be posted on www.IAFF.org

Continued Coverage: Fireground Video of the Fatal Muncie Church Fire

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Update: Firefighter Scott Davis has been identified as the firefighter who died battling the Church Fire today. Davis was 40 years old and a father of of three children. He was also a former Yorktown Fire Chief.

A Muncie, Indiana Firefighter was killed today battling a church fire at the Tabernacle of Praise Church . Details are still coming in as to what exactly happened.

What we do know is that a firefighter has been killed. It is another sad day in the fire service.

In the 4th video, near the beginning, you can tell there are firefighters inside by the hose stream being sprayed up and out from the interior. You can also see what seems to be one firefighter exiting the structure by jumping through a window just after. This is about the same time that the roof collapses even more.

Images of the scene can be seen here. One includes the firefighter jumping out of the window. LINK HERE

Photo by Chris Bergin / The Star Press as seen on TheIndyChannel.com

The video series below is from the scene of the fire that began around 4pm today.

Previous coverage of the incident here

Video 1


Video 2


Video 3


Video 4

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

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

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

San Francisco Lt. Vincent Perez

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

This is the first LODD in San Francisco since 2003.

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

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

San Francisco Firefighter Anthony Valerio remains in critical condition.

Links:


Mark Falkenhan Was the Ideal Firefighter, Paramedic, Husband, and Father

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Previous Coverage on Fire Critic Here

Update: Funeral Arrangements:

Viewings will be held Saturday and Sunday from 2-4pm and 7-9pm at the Ruhl Armory on York Rd. in Towson

His funeral will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.

Interment will follow at Dulaney Memorial Gardens.

Firefighter Mark Falkenhan was overcome in flashover conditions on the third floor at a 4 alarm fire in Baltimore County. He was rescued by fellow firefighters and died at the hospital. Firefighters rescued two occupants during the fire.

Mark Falkenhan was a firefighter, a paramedic, a husband, and a father.

The Essex-Middle River Patch offers an excellent view of Mark’s life in an article titled “Great Firefighter, Great Husband, Great Father”.

If you don’t do anything else, read the article here!

It is clear that Mark was a role model.

mark falkenhan

Essex-Middle River Patch:

Mark left his job with Baltimore County Fire to work for the U.S. Secret Service. He remained a volunteer firefighter with the Lutherville Volunteer Fire Company in Baltimore County.

Shorlty after he graduated from Mount Carmel High School in 1986, Falkenhan joined the Middle River Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Co. He rose to the rank of chief and is a lifetime member.

Falkenhan then joined the Baltimore County Fire Department as an emergency medical technician in 1990.

He married Gladys on Nov. 11, 1993, and became an EMT-Paramedic the following year. He served at various stations across the county before retiring in 2006 to accept a job with the U.S. Secret Service.

Most firefighters will learn something from every Line of Duty Death. Those lessons are typically learned once the reports are published and the findings are disseminated. It is already clear to me that Mark’s death, the 10th LODD this year, already has a positive message. Live, Learn, and Love… both in our families at the firehouse and more importantly at home.

Mark was 43 years old.

More coverage and links:

Below is the Press Release for the fire that claimed Mark Falkenhan’s life from Baltimore County (more…)