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Best of the Rest – Moving Fires, Sweepstakes, America’s Fire Captain and much more!

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Product reviews are in the works. I have about 10 of them to complete. The hold up is the new site. Look for it in a couple of weeks. If you want/need a product review, let me know and I will set it up!

Shoutouts

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

National Firefighters Endowment. The NFE is giving away a bail out kit. You can enter the sweepstakes once per day. It ends Friday! The bail out kit was donated by JB Rescue, Inc. in North Ridgeville, Ohio. Click here to enter. Plus you get 5 entries for every friend who signs up through facebook!

Presenting Dave and I. Dave Statter and I will be presenting in Ohio in May. Dave is already thinking up dreamy names for him and I. Not to worry, I get it a lot. It just never works out for the other guy. They always seem to want to be the bad guy!…I quote

“Come see Superman & Lex Luthor together: Or maybe it’s more like Austin Powers & Dr. Evil. Dave Statter meets Rhett Fleitz. Somehow I ended up on the same bill with THE Fire Critic at the Ohio Fire & Emergency Services Foundation’s 2012 Leadership Conference. It is May 23 & 24 in Newark, Ohio. Lt. Steve Robertson from the Columbus Division of Fire will also be at the conference and may end up having to referee. Click here to sign up.”

Petaluma battalion chiefs appear in Chrysler Super Bowl commercial. Two Petaluma Fire Department battalion chiefs appeared in one of the acclaimed Super Bowl Sunday commercials. Phil Sutsos and Jack Schach appeared for about two seconds in Chrysler Group’s “It’s Halftime in America” narrated by Clint Eastwood.

Statter911.comMust see video of a fast moving fire: See the firefighter starting to run in the picture to the right? There is good reason. Firefighters in Australia had just pulled up on a box truck fire only to see the location of the fire suddenly move to the other side of a busy four lane road. Don’t miss this video.

Backstep Firefighter  So Much For That “It’s Not Vacant Until We Search” Ideology. Bill dissects a fire where a search occufred, a victim was missed, and a body was recovered during demolition.

IronFiremen.com (America’s Fire Captain) just wrapped up a 3 part post about our latest trip to New York City (Haw Dilly). Check them out here, here, and here.

FireRescue1.com:

MN8 Products is the leader in illuminating technology for firefighters. They also have a blog where you can keep up with their travels and new products! Check it out here

Firefighter’s Truck Stolen As He Battled Fort Gibson House Fire. A Green Country firefighter is fired up. The firefighter was the victim of a thief while he was out risking his safety on a house fire. When Virgil Walters got in his pickup and headed to the Ft. Gibson fire station for a house fire call, it was like most other calls he’s had during 16 years as a volunteer.

Check out these stories of rescues…Winston-Salem - Firefighters found a 3-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl unconscious at the house on 1809 Trellis Lane, off La Deara Crest Lane near 25th Street. INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Firefighters rescued a man from a house fire Monday afternoon in the 200 block of N. Glenwood in Independence, Mo.

This is firehouse antiqueing!

Video: Minor Oops Driving Through Smoke, Fire Engine Clips Mailbox

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Here is a short clip. Simply a reminder to pay attention to your surroundings. This could happen to any of us. Luckily it was just a mailbox!

 

Best of the Rest – Reviews, Chevy Volt, Volunteers, Firehouse History, and @Ochocinco on Twitter

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Best of the Rest this week…

Reminder: if you want to be included in the “Best of the Rest” just let me know!

Check out this Facebook page: J5 Firelids…this one is new to me. However, if you are in the market to customize your helmet these guys offer custom inserts for your helmet. They offer handcrafted professional accessories created by a firefighter for firefighters since 2008.

If you are looking for a decent example of how to build your community on facebook, check out MN8 Products Facebook Page. They are currently at over 11,000 fans! It is all about communication and building a buzz!

CharlotteObserver.com: Off-duty rookie firefighter alerts couple in burning home - As house fires go, the one early New Year’s Day wasn’t a doozy, but for rookie firefighter Henry Calle it was a big one. Calle, who is 24, had just finished his 24-hour shift at Station 31 on Ridge Road and was heading home with his car windows down. As he passed a small white-frame house on MallardCreek Road, he caught a whiff of smoke. Then out of the corner of his eye, he saw the smoke, pouring from the attic. Read more here

Chad Ochocinco got a reply from @FireCritic on Facebook. I am sure he cherished it and blogged about it!

Ochocinco offering condolences to the family and friends of Peabody FD's Firefighter James Rice.

Chad Ochocinco on Twitter – I have been sitting on this story waiting for the right time to bring it up. I thought it was kinda neat that Chad Ochocinco mentioned the Peabody LODD on Twitter. Ochocinco has over 3 million followers on twitter. It is great to see someone with his celebrity offering condolences for one of our fallen. Follow Ochocinco on Twitter @Ochocinco

Boron ExtricationGM Announces Safety Enhancements for Chevy Volt

TheTailboard.com – Written by Teague Kenny. Read an article on the DCFD..err FEMS…err DCFEMS, or whatever they didn’t agree on…Let’s Hear it for the D.C. FEMS!

Raising Ladders – Need more on DCFD/DCFEMS? This one is hilarious. RaisingLadders.com: Comment Cards

The Fire Critic Product Reviews: You might have seen my brand new helmet adorned with a custom shield from Box Alarm Leather. I am working on a product review for the shield now. Soon I will be wearing custom leather suspenders from Wolfpak LeatherWorks (only seen on Facebook, but a web site is in the works). I currently am wearing Overhaul Logo Nylon Suspenders from Black Helmet (review coming soon). There are so many great firefighter owned and operated companies out there. Be sure to hook up with Fire Critic on Facebook and let us know your favorites! I also have two book reviews coming soon. I just finished the books.

Brotherhood Instructors – Speaking of reviews, the Brotherhood Instructors offer a review of the Bam Bam Tool. Read about it here

Shortage of volunteer firefighters - WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WDTN) – They’re experts at putting out flames, but now they’re fighting something else. ”There is just not the interest there used to be out there,” says Washington Township Fire Chief William Gaul. Over the last decade Washington Township has seen a dip in volunteer firefighters. Continue reading

FireRescue1.com – The Domino Effect, a FireRescue1.com blog by Mark van der Feyst offers this one. Handicap firefighting: Water source issues - Whenever we respond to structure fire, having access to, securing water source is vital component of overall fireground operation

Firefighter NationTwo Dead, One Critical after Philadelphia Apartment Fire

TurnOut Blog – TurnOutBlog.com is a new blog on the horizon by Eric Lamar. Read his latest about Firehouses: History versus Safety here

Quick Takes on STATter911.com – Dave Statter offers his usual rundown every Monday of his biggest stories from the week prior as well as some other goodies that don’t require a separate article. This is always a great stop every Monday to see what is going on in the World of Fire. Check out Quick Takes for January 9, 2012

FireGeezer – Do you need more fire news? Check out the News Ticker over at FireGeezer.com. Read it here

And finally, I will let you all be the critics! What issues do you see in the video below? It doesn’t matter what department it is…just take a look and discuss how things might have been done better. Is that a red (booster) line?

Video: FDNY Battles 3 Alarm Fire on Broadway in Manhattan

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AllHandsGoingToWork Video by Ed Gray

01.03.12 – Third Alarm – 4945 Broadway – Manhattan, NY.

NYDailyNews.com:

Fire officials said the blaze erupted around 11 pm Tuesday night inside 4945 Broadway, a Chinese restaurant which had been closed since the summer. It took 138 firefighters from 33 units to bring the fire under control at 2:48 am.

Sources told the Daily News “illegal nighttime welding” inside the restaurant appeared to be the cause of the fire. A spokesman for the NYFD would only say its investigation is ongoing.

Video: Bystanders VES Exposure at Apartment Fire in Detroit

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Check out this video in Detroit. You guessed it, something is burning!

Bystanders try several times to kick the door in on the exposure of this apartment fire in Detroit. However, it isn’t until 2:05 into the video that bystanders are able to force entry into the apartment next to the one burning using a sledge hammer. The would-be-rescuers then enter the apartment for an impromptu search. After about :30 seconds, they reemerge from the apartment. Firefighters make it to the scene around the 3:00 minute mark. Whaddya Think?

Chalk up one VES, minus the V, for the bystanders…

Best of the Rest – Fires, Stair Climbs, Training, Best of 2011, a Huge FAIL and Much More

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Welcome to a new column here on FireCritic.com. I am shooting for having this column run on Tuesdays each week. If you have something you want to share whether you are a reader or blogger, have a video or photo, or anything else just let me know.

The Best of the Rest is a column featuring other bloggers, videos, news, and information you might have missed over the past week or so. Enjoy!

You can also follow along and connect with The Fire Critic via Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Youtube.

As seen on FailBlog.com

Addison Fire Protection District – Can this be real? FailBlog.com has this photo of the message board at Addison Fire Protection District Station #3. The message “Better to arrive late than never”..WTF? Who approved this? Maybe the Chief’s message was directed to firefighters and should have read “Better to arrive safe than never”…or maybe it is meant as a message to the citizens and should have been “Call 911 and we will get there whenever we can”.

Daily911Deals.com40% OFF MN8 Foxfire Illuminating and Reflective Helmet Tetrahedrons. EXCLUSIVE NEW PRODUCT! I think they are pretty decent tetrahedrons. Read my review here.

Firehouse Zen- Chief Mick Mayers continues to lay it down in his writings that occasionally have me seeking dictionary.com for a definition. Don’t let that dissuade you from reading though. He offers some great insight to the fire service. Check out: OKAY, IT’S 2012: NOW WHAT? and 2012: “WHAT IF?”.

Statter911.com – Dave offers a video of a house fire in Maryland. This is video posted yesterday of a December 23 fire in Upper Marlboro, Maryland (Prince George’s County) Raw Video: PGFD House Fire in Upper Marlboro. Switch to Defensive Operations

911 Memorial Stairclimbs – The majority of the stair climb events are now affiliated with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. One of the original climbs is a bit smaller scale and has a local feel. The Albequrque Stair Climb started in 2003. Read more about it here. If you are looking for a stair climb event check out http://www.9-11stairclimb.com/

Here is a lost photo I just found. This is a picture of Willie and I immediately after climbing 110 floors in Atlanta at FRI for the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.

FireGeezer.com - A FIRE LATE SUNDAY NIGHT in a downtown brothel in Mitchell, Australia, is still deemed suspicious by the fire investigators.  The Canberra area business was closed for New Year’s Day, as all the city’s brothels were when smoke was discovered coming from The Gentlemen’s Club on Grimwade Street around 11 pm. http://firegeezer.com/2012/01/02/brothel-fire-suspicious/

The Colorado Firefighter Facebook Page - This page continues to impress me on the sharing of links and information. Check them out here and click “like”!

ELAFFHQ.com – Their latest post “Raise money for a good cause, and get a chance to win a leather helmet” is just that…a chance to win a Phenix Leather Helmet. The chances are $1 a piece and the helmet will be given away once they reach $1000 for the National Firefighters Endowment. Click here to go directly to the donation page. They are currently 1/4 of the way to their goal! The Fire Critic gave $50…If I win the helmet I will give it away to pay it forward!

Fire Service Warrior – This site continues to impress me. The latest post “Brotherhood Insurance: A Pay for What You Get Policy” by Brother Brian Brush is a great post on the Brotherhood of the Fire Service and a must read!

IronFiremen.com – America’s Fire Captain Willie Wines Jr. outdoes everyone on his End of Year Review for 2011. Even though this post probably took three weeks for his little fingers to type, it is well worth a read. See what he has accomplished this past year!

Firefighter Nation – They have the story and the video of a huge fire at a former Illinois factory here.

Happy Medic – The Happy Medic is handing out his “Best of 2011″ awards. Check them out here!

IronsandLadders.com – This blog is great on content. Their latest post “Thru-The-Lock Time Trial (storefront doors)” is just one of many great training videos available.

Brotherhood Instructors – One of the leading privately owned and operated by firefighters instructing team offers “Forcing Doors in Zero Visibility – By Andrew Brassard” Check it out and continue your learning!

FireRescue1.com – They offer this story: Authorities probe fire attacks on 4 NYC sites “Blog post that may be linked to attacks: ‘Throw 10 Molotov cocktails into these mosques and burn them down’” Read it here

I love sushi and I love wasabi. I understand the use of wasabi and how it enhances the flavor with a little spice. I would never eat a spoonful of wasabi. I don’t think this next firefighter ever will…again! He might say this is a near death experience! Maybe this is the new cinnamon dragon challenge!

Crews battle flames and smoke at Westport Presbyterian Church

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -

As dozens of onlookers packed Westport Road Thursday evening, all they could do is watch as Westport Presbyterian Church burned.

“We were out in Westport and my wife got a message on Facebook saying ‘Westport’s burning,’” Luke Rocha said.

Rocha, like many others, went down to see the flames shooting from the roof of the historic church that stood at Westport and 40th street for more than 100 years.

Video of the fire is here

Audio: Tulsa Firefighter James P. O’Neal Brought Back To Life After MAYDAY at House Fire

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A similar occurrence happened to a firefighter in my department. He went down in a fire, was revived on scene, in the ambulance, and again at the hospital. He is back on duty and works at my station on another shift. We are happy to have gotten him back.

The exact details to what happened to this Tulsa Firefighter haven’t been disclosed. Read below and then listen to the audio.

NewsOn6.com:

TULSA, Oklahoma -

A Tulsa firefighter was brought back to life following a house fire Saturday night. The fire was deliberately set, according to an update by the Tulsa Fire Department.

James P. O’Neal, 35, is a 14-year TFD veteran. He is recovering from his injuries on Sunday.

O’Neal was responding to a house fire in the 4900 block of North Elwood Avenue at about 7:30 p.m. He was assigned to fire attack on a home that was showing heavy smoke and flames.

http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp?S=16425316

Raw Video: Heavy Smoke And Fire Showing at Gary, IN Store Front Fire and Truck 4 Starts On Fire

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Gary, Indiana firefighters worked a fire on December 28th. Truck 4 (Truck 7) catches fire towards 8:30 into the video.

Video Description from MABAS21:

Crews were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 1600 block of Broadway at approximately 1pm on 12-28-11. Crews reported a large header from quite a distance and a working fire was declared in a 25×60 2 story brick apartments over a store front. An aggressive attack was made and conditions deteriorated quickly. An exterior attack was executed from multiple angles. Crews from Lake Station, Lake Ridge, and Merrillville were requested to assist. The building did collapse towards the end of the fire. It has not been determined what happened as of yet to Truck 4 (Truck 7) when it caught fire. One firefighter was treated for exhaustion. Crews worked on the fire scene for over two hours.

Also on Firefighter Nation

Early Video: Nunan Street Fire Destroys Two Houses and Damages Another in Charleston, SC

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PostandCourier.com:

The middle house at 13 Nunan St. was fully involved when firefighters arrived and Ruppel praised them for stopping the flames from spreading beyond the two neighboring homes at 11 and 15 Nunan, which were severely damaged.

Photo from http://charlestonffsupport.blogspot.com

http://charlestonffsupport.blogspot.com:

Crews from Charleston, North Charleston, St. Andrews and James Island were called into town today for a fire on Nunan Street involving three houses. Fire began in an abandoned structure and quickly spread to the adjacent exposures before being stopped “dead in its’ tracks” with an aggressive attack by “C” Shift, 3rd Battalion personnel backed up by our brothers and sisters from the other departments. View more photos here and be sure to “like” the Charleston Firefighter Support Team on Facebook!

 

Hat tip to SConFire.com’s Facebook page for the video link!

News links:

A Perfect Example of Fire & EMS Recruitment from Wyoming, OH Fire & EMS

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You might remember that Willie and I traveled to the Cincinnati area for an Officer Seminar recently. I presented a class on social media in Covington, Kentucky and then we met up with and hung out with Zach Green in Wyoming, Ohio the next day.

Zach is a member of the Wyoming Fire & EMS Department, a proud member at that. Willie and I got to go to a flashover simulator at Cincinnati Fire Departments training grounds, we enjoyed it and learned a lot. It was our first time at a flashover simulator.

The Wyoming Fire & EMS has recently produced a recruitment video that was very well done. I have no clue of the budget for the video, but it seems professionally done.

The beautiful thing about this project is that any department can use it as a recruitment tool. It won’t matter that the video has Wyoming Fire & EMS in it, the message is the same. As a matter of fact, Wyoming firefighters encourage other departments to use it.

Check out the Wyoming Fire & EMS online and “like” them on Facebook as well.

Here is the video below:

Wyoming FD from ChiliDog Pictures on Vimeo.

Promoting recruitment for volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel of all ages and backgrounds to support their local community.

Video: LA County Firefighters Battle Fatal Christmas Day Fire in Valinda

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A house fire claimed one life on Christmas Day in LA County. The fire occurred in Valinda on Aileron Ave.

Video description (FlyingLionTV):

Valinda Investigators Call Fire Suspicious
A 73-year-old male resident of La Puente was killed in a fatal house fire that investigators suspect may not have been an accident. LA County Fire Engine 26 takes the lead in attacking a house fire on Aileron Ave in Valinda on Christmas Day. West Covina Fire Department assists but unfortunately there was loss of life in this blaze that is under investigation

Early Video Shows Fire Spread at Escondido Apartment Fire

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Firefighters arrived to a little bit more fire than was present when this amateur videographer first showed up. This apartment fire occurred at a complex on East Mission Aveune near Juniper Street in Escondido. No injuries reported.

The first video doesn’t show much until the end. The final video shows the videographer just out of range of one of the streams on the opposing side of the fire attack.

SanDiego6.com has a little more on the fire

 

Video: Mansfield, TX Christmas Day Fire

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Video Details from DFWPoliceScanner: Mansfield FD, along with mutual aid from Arlington FD, battled this 1 alarm house fire on the evening of Christmas day, December 25 2011. Upon arrival, MFD reported heavy smoke showing. Fire quickly extended to other parts of the house and went well involved over a small amount of time. This fire occurred in the 1500 block of Inverness Drive.

Related: Mansfield Fire Department

 

 

Ready Steady Cook Chef Matt Golinski Loses Family in House Fire

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Australian Chef Matt Golinski was burned and his wife and three daughters perished in a fire at their home in Australia’s Sunshine Coast. Golinski is a chef on the Australian cooking show Ready Steady Cook.

Matt Golinski is a man of few words, and those  he does use are fairly understated. If you ask him where he has worked he’ll tell you that he hasn’t worked “with the Roux Brothers, Marco Pierre White, Jamie Oliver or Gordon Ramsay.” Read more

http://www.news.com.au:

A blaze, which erupted at the couple’s Sunshine Coast home about 3.30am yesterday, claimed the lives of Rachael and daughters Starlia, Sage and Willow.

Mr Golinski was left in a critical condition with burns to 40 per cent of his body.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/national/chef-matt-golinski-lived-for-the-love-of-his-family-rachael-starlia-sage-and-willow/story-e6frfkvr-1226230880085#ixzz1hfSY3vLu

What is that Adage about Fires Doubling in Size? Watch this Unchecked Apartment Fire Grow in Russia…

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Fires double in size every minute…

Fires double in size every 5 minutes…

Fires double in size every 30 seconds…

I truly don’t think you can put a finger on anything exact since there are too many variables involved like fire load, area, types of materials available to burn, etc.

What I do know is that an unchecked fire will typically continue to grow in size.

I also know that if we put enough water on the fire, the fire will go out.

The video below shows an unchecked fire growing in size at an apartment complex in Russia. The fire appears to have started on the 4th floor and then spreads to up to the 5th floor and eventually down to the 3rd floor.

The video also mentions something about an explosion. I am guessing that was before the fire.

Video: Santa Claus Spotted Changing Air Bottles at Dickson City, PA House Fire

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You heard it right! Santa Claus was seen changing air bottles out at this house fire in Dickson City, PA on December 23rd. He hangs out a while watching over the firefighters as they hit hot spots on the fire.

Watch as at just :14 seconds in Santa Claus helps with the air bottle of another firefighter.

The fire occurred at 724 Carmalt Street right next door to two vacant lots where an explosion and fire occurred two years ago killing 2 people.

http://thetimes-tribune.com:

The blaze, which ripped through their 724 Carmalt St. residence, destroyed all the Christmas presents Ms. Branch bought for her 13-year-old daughter and more than likely killed their cat, Flicker, and parakeet, Birdie.

They escaped with only the clothes on their backs and Claudia’s bookbag.

“I have nothing for her now,” said Ms. Branch, who saw the fire flare in a computer room on the second floor. “It just happened so fast.”

Read more: http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/blaze-rips-through-dickson-city-home-i-don-t-know-where-we-are-going-to-live-victim-says-1.1248874#ixzz1hTgTY9XM

Video: 5 Alarm Fire in San Fancisco Western Addition. 60 People Displaced with Half of SF Firefighters Working

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A 5 alarm fire engulfed two buildings in San Francisco’s Western Addition. The buildings were residential apartments and displaced over 60 residents.

150 firefighters were on the call equaling about half of San Francisco’s firefighting force.

News links:

MercuryNews.com:

Heavy winds helped spread the fire until firefighters contained it by 2:26 p.m. Firefighters were initially pushed back by the intensity of the fire but managed to prevent it from spreading to other buildings in the neighborhood. A total of four buildings were damaged. Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White said the fire began in the back of a three-unit Victorian building at 1502 Golden Gate and swiftly blew through the roof.

… The fire quickly spread to a 25-unit apartment building at 1015 Pierce.

MN8 Foxfire Illuminating and Reflective Tetrahedrons 40% off here while it lasts!

Mayday Audio: Firefighter Injured in Springfield, Pennsylvania Two Alarm House Fire

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This is the third of three Maydays I know of today.

This fire occurred in Springfield Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania around 6:30pm. A Mayday was transmitted after a firefighter fell through the floor. In the audio, it sounds like another firefighter fell through the floor, the news coverage only mentions one.

Photo from ABCLocal.com

The firefighters were inside looking for a person unaccounted for.

Listen to the audio below

ABCLocal.com:

SPRINGFIELD, Pa. – December 19, 2011 (WPVI) – A firefighter suffered non-life threatening injuries while battling a two-alarm house fire in Springfield, Delaware County.

It happened around 6:30 p.m. Monday along West Woodland Avenue.

Audio and Video: Mayday Called at Claymont, Delaware Townhouse Fire

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Claymont Fire Company was assisted by many other departments at a townhouse fire today. The fire went to 3 alarms before destroying the house.

During the fire, a Mayday was declared. Listen to the audio for what the firefighters encountered when they arrived and what actions they took once they got there. Of course, this is just the radio traffic…you never know what was said on scene and not on the radio.

The news report offered nothing on the Mayday, but it is captured in the audio below.

If you have been paying attention, this is the third Mayday of the day (that I know of). I posted the audio of the Mayday’s on The Fire Critic Facebook page where you will also find plenty of other stuff that doesn’t make it to the blog. Be sure to “like” us to keep up on what is going on.

Coverage of the FDNY Mayday from today is here.

Photo by Jennifer Corbett - The News Journal

DelawareOnline.com:

A three-alarm fire destroyed one townhome and damaged at least five others Monday afternoon in the Brandywine Hundred community of Ballymeade, officials said.

The fire broke out around 2:30 p.m. in the 800 block of W. Boxborough Drive, said Assistant. State Fire Marshal Michael Chionchio.

The home that caught fire collapsed into a pile of rubble. Before it did fire shot out of the top floor window to a home next to it and caused external damage to the roof and side of the home, Chionchio said.

Video is below, the audio of the Mayday is below that.

Raw Video: FDNY Rescue 2 Firefighter Rescued from Brownstone in Crown Heights on Fire. 4 Others Injured

6 comments

Below is the amazing video of an FDNY Firefighter from Rescue 2 bailing out of a window onto an aerial ladder. The firefighter is in flames as he gets out of the building and another firefighter helps put out the flames. Check out STATter911.com for more details on this fire. In total, 5 firefighters were injured in this fire with some experiencing severe burns.

I will also be adding updates of this incident on The Fire Critic Facebook page

Captain Willie Wines Jr. sits at the table and talks shop with the firefighters of FDNY Rescue 2

Captain Wines, Zach Green, and I also recently visited Rescue 2 and other FDNY firehouses. You can view images here.

I do not know if any of the men we met during our trip were injured in this fire and it really doesn’t matter. I do hope our injured brothers heal quickly so they can get back on the rig to fight the next fire.

Update from The Secret List:

FDNY Firefighters rescued one of their own earlier, pulling him “on fire” from a Brooklyn brownstone. As members searched the Crown Heights dwelling for victims, the top floor of the 3 story dwelling on Prospect Place apparently flashed, trapping at least one Rescue 2 Firefighter inside. An aerial ladder was raised to the third floor window and another Firefighter at the top of the ladder helped get him out. The FF was burning and the FF on the ladder hit him on his back to knock down the fire.


Here is a video with some more information and a clearer look at the fire

Several Videos of Fires in the Atlanta Area

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Apparently, Atlanta and its surrounding areas have been busy recently.

Below are some videos of some fires from Atlanta and surrounding departments around the Atlanta area.

There was an apartment fire in Marietta as well. I don’t believe that this fire is the same as the one in the video below, but I could be wrong. News coverage here

 

I couldn’t figure out if there is news coverage of this fire, but it shows firefighters searching and getting a knock down on the fire in a two story apartment complex.

This might be a repost on youtube since I couldn’t find any news on it, but I wasn’t sure. It is worth a look anyways.

Here is a car fire at the Georgia Dome…

This one was fought by East Point firefighters. News coverage here

Close Call Video: House Fire in Ventura County

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Watch at :15 for when a firefighter walks right under the front porch and wires begin arching just above him. That is a “Close Call” if you ask me!

Description: December 16, 2011 (/GPTV) — The Ventura County Fire Department responded to calls around 10:20 p.m. Friday night of a vehicle on fire on a driveway of a home in the 2400 block of Cedarwood Circle in Simi Valley. Upon arrival, the vehicle fire had extended into the garage and home. It took firefighters about 20 minutes to knockdown the blaze. No word yet on the cause.

Early Video: 2 Alarms in Hackensack, NJ

2 comments

2 Alarm fire in Hackensack, NJ caught on video. Plenty of work being done by the handful of firefighters on scene.

More discussion on this fire at the Brotherhood Instructors Facebook page (scroll down 81 comments)

and on Backwards and Stupid here

Top Ten Christmas Gifts for Firefighters 2011

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The 2011 Christmas season is in full swing.

Willie Wines Jr. recently posted IronFiremen.com’s Top Ten Stocking Stuffers here. There are some great gift ideas on the list! While some of those items might have made it to this list, I decided not to duplicate in order to give you all some more options.

What a great start to buying for that significant firefighter in your life.

You can read the past years Top Ten Christmas Gifts lists:

This year will be no different. The best gifts for firefighters. Some of these are custom gifts and will require ordering…don’t worry they are worth the wait!

Here we go…

10. Ride Backwards Apparel

Ride Backwards is what it is all about. Apparel for the fit firefighter…or the one trying to get fit. If your firefighter is working towards being healthier or is already there, Ride Backwards gear is made for them. Let me be clear though…Ride Backwards isn’t just an apparel company, they are a community of like minded firefighters who train, exercise, and lead healthy lives. I can’t put my finger on exactly why I love this company, I have only met a couple of the people behind the company once. I just love following them on Facebook and keeping in touch with their fan base.

If you are trying to get fans on Facebook or build a community you should definitely be taking notes from them!

Check out their web site here. They have some great products!

9. Phenix Leather Helmet

I wish I could tell you mine fit great, but I haven’t received it yet. I have one on order, a gift from a friend (more on that later). Let me say that I have had one on my head and it felt awesome. I have had several leather helmets and as the times change, technology changes, regulations change the leather helmets have changed. Some of them have become very cumbersome. While I have not tested this helmet out, it felt very good to wear. One of the biggest things I liked about it is that it sits low on my head.

I cannot wait to have it in my hands! The picture to the right is mine in production.

Check out Phenix helmets online here.

8. Firefighter Calendar

Whether you are looking for a bunch of hot men or women firefighters we have you covered. You can view the hottest male firefighter calendars here and the hottest female firefighter calendars here. Most of these support a great cause and are organized by firefighters. Pick your poison and order a calendar for that special firefighter in your life. Better yet, order one for yourself too!

My personal favorite has to be the America’s Female Firefighters Calendar. Check out their site here and they are on Facebook as well.

7. Firefighter Apparel

I admit, some firefighting apparel is gaudy and over the top. If your firefighter is going to wear firefighting apparel they need to be wearing the right stuff. Trust me, there is plenty of stuff out their for different tastes.

I suggest you look at:

6. Leather Bunker Boots

Much like #1 on our list this year, too many firefighters are not provided leather bunker boots. It amazes me that departments waste their money on rubber boots. In my department, rubber boots merely take up space on the tops of our lockers. Although there are a few firefighters who still wear them because they don’t care about their feet enough to purchase leather boots on their own.

I cannot speak for all of the brands, but I will tell you that the Black Diamond X Boot, Black Diamond X2 Boot, and Lion Apparel Marshall boots (all links to product reviews) are great boots.

I also hear that the Globe leather boots and Haix leather boots are great boots.

You can buy the boots on TheFireStore.com

5. NFFF Merchandise

Supporting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) is the right thing to do. They take care of our Fallen and their families. Purchasing, gifting, and wearing their merchandise supports their mission.

They have cups, mugs, challenge coins, picture frames, posters, books, stuffed animals, charms, and so much more!

Support the NFFF, they are supporting us!

Check them out online. Their store is here.

4. MN8 Foxfire Illuminating Gear

I have been a long time fan of the illuminating gear from MN8. I have done some product reviews on their stuff and use it on a regular basis. The thing about their products is that it isn’t another product, it is a better spin on a current product. Instead of simply having a helmet band, you can have one that illuminates. Instead of having grip tape on on a tool, you can have grip tape that illuminates. They also have epoxy grip that illuminates for tools. Soon, we they will be unveiling a brand new tetrahedron for firefighter use. I can’t say much more, but it is impressive.

Check out MN8 on Facebook as well. Another company creating a community around their products.

View their products on their web site. Purchase their products on TheFireStore.com.

3. Custom Leather Accessories

No not the Excessive Leather Accessories for Fire Fighters (ELAFFHQ.com), I am actually talking about custom leatherwork by firefighters for firefighters. Might I point you in the direction of Box Alarm Leather. They do everything from helmet shields to radio straps and can custom make just about anything. Check them out here.

There are plenty of other great custom leather companies as well:

2. Brotherhood Chips

You may not know it, but that special firefighter in your life is sure to read both FireCritic.com and IronFiremen.com.

They can now carry us with them wherever they go. Introducing the FireCritic/IronFiremen “Brotherhood Chip”. It is smaller and weighs less than the typical “challenge coin”, but serves the same purpose.

Challenge Coins are a long held tradition within the Military, Fire and Police Service. Now, your firefighter can have one from 2 of the Nation’s top Fire Service Bloggers!

We designed the chips with the words “Tradition”, “Honor”, “Pride”, “Respect” and “Brotherhood” on the edge. That is what we are about and is exactly what we are trying to spread.

Get more details and purchase yours by clicking  HERE .

We got our chips made by TheChipSite.com. Check them out!

1. Personal Rescue Escape System

Too few firefighters have these!

I do not own and am not issued a commercially made personal rescue escape system, bailout bag, or whatever you might call it. I do have a pretty decent set up that I can use as a search line or rescue rope/webbing for victims or other firefighters as well as a bailout system for myself.

Here is the thing…every firefighter should own and carry some sort of setup. Whether it is a commercially made system or a made up system of caribeeners and rope/webbing they should have it.

If their department is like mine and doesn’t care about this need in our job, you can step in and get it for your firefighter.

TheFireStore.com offers several different setups. Check them out.

Video: Bread and Butter Job in Philly

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Check it out. Foam 18, Battalion 12, and other units on scene in Philly.