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
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.
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.
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.
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)
If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again to open it the same way! Yes, I found some humor in the fact that this guy never tries to open it the “other” way. As in the correct way. At least not in the video. Nor did anyone try to help him in the video.
It’s Counterclockwise people! Most hydrants offer the instructional arrow on the top. I am certain that once this firefighter realized what he was doing wrong he will never forget it!
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…
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
Yesterday marked the darkest day in the history of the Houston Fire Department. Four Firefighters lost their lives at a motel fire where they were searching for victims of a 5 alarm motel fire at the Southwest Inn Motel near the Southwest Freeway at Hillcroft. In 1929, three firefighters passed away after their engine was broadsided by a train, according to HFD officials.
Captain EMT Matthew Renaud (35) of Station 51 (not 68). He began his career with the Houston Fire Department in October of 2001 and in addition to Fire Station 51 has served out of Stations 39, 83, 73, 37, 60 and 35. He had recently been recognized for valor.
Matthew Renaud (Facebook photo)
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.
Robert Bebee was captured in this story back in September, 2012 about Houston’s new radio equipment. Photo by Johnny Hanson/Houston Chronicle (link here)
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. Garner played baseball in high school and went on to join the Air Force. He volunteered to accompany the Army during two tours in Afghanistan.
Robert Garner (Facebook photo)
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. She is reported to have graduated from Dulles High School in Sugar Land in 2007.
The Houston Fire Department has never seen four firefighters pass away from the same incident in the history of the department. In 1929, three firefighters passed away after their Engine was broadsided by a train.
Five firefighters were initially transported to the hospital for a range of injures from heat exhaustion to a critical injuries.
Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with not only those friends and family of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice today but also those who were injured and all members of our department.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 …
A ribbon is placed above the bay of Loganville Fire Department in honor of Chief Rodney Miller, who was killed early Saturday morning while directing traffic on Interstate 83. (Daily Record/Sunday News — Jason Plotkin)
A York County fire chief is dead after being hit while directing traffic overnight. Police have a suspect in custody.
Police say 32-year-old Matthew Diehl of Shrewsbury was driving on Interstate 83 near Exit 8 at Glen Rock, which was shut down because of a crash.
Police say Loganville Fire Chief Rodney Miller had his emergency vehicle parked with its emergency lights on when Diehl went around it, hitting Miller.
The lives of the firefighters and EMTs who died battling the West, Texas fire and explosion will be remembered during a memorial service on Thursday, April 25 at 2:00 p.m., Central Time. Thousands of firefighters from around the country will join President Obama and the First Lady to pay respects to the families, friends and co-workers of the fallen. If you would like to include live video of the memorial service on your website the NFFF has compiled a list embed codes from the local media sources. There may be additional resources that you may wish to use, these were just a few that we were able to locate.
Emmitsburg, MD – Thousands of firefighters from around the country will join President Obama and the First Lady to pay respects to the families, friends and co-workers of the 12 firefighters who died battling the West, Texas fire and explosion. The memorial service will begin on Thursday, April 25 at 2:00 p.m., Central Time, at Baylor University’s Ferrell Center at 1900 South University Parks Drive, Waco, Texas 76706.
All apparatus to participate in the procession should report to the staging area located at 2501 S. University Parks Drive, Waco, TX 76706 (the Old HEB Terminal) between 6 – 9 a.m. The procession of apparatus to the Ferrell Center will begin at 10 a.m.
Free shuttles will take members of the fire service from Lots C and D at Baylor University to the procession staging area between 6 – 9 a.m. The procession of uniformed personnel will begin at 11 a.m.
Department specific Class A or equivalent uniform can be worn with white gloves and black badge covers if available. If no uniform is available, business dress attire is appropriate. Fire service appliances such as axes, pike poles, ceremonial swords or knives are prohibited at Ferrell Center. There will be an area provided for Honor Guards to store their colors at Ferrell Center.
For others attending the memorial service, doors at the Ferrell Center will open at 11 a.m. All attendees will go through airport-like security and should bring as few personal items as possible. No bags, sharp objects, umbrellas, liquids, firearms, or signs will be allowed in the venue. Cameras and cell phones are permitted.
Live streaming will also be available on the Foundation’s website, www.firehero.org/westtexas.
Since last Thursday, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and our partners, the Texas LODD Task Force, have been on the ground in Texas offering assistance and support to the departments, families and friends through the Local Assistance State Team (LAST). Because of the large loss of life, the Foundation expects to be here for a lengthy period of time, providing peer counseling, and support in many other ways. To help those efforts, the NFFF has established a national fund to accept monetary donations to assist the survivors and coworkers of the fire and EMS personnel who died in the line of duty. All donated funds will be used to assist the survivors and coworkers to rebuild their lives and support the programs and services they will need.
Checks can be mailed to:
NFFF c/o West, Texas Fire and EMS Fallen Hero Fund
P.O. Drawer 498
Emmitsburg, MD 21727.
Donations also can be made by credit card at www.regonline.com/westtx.
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.
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.
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.
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