Seventeen Firefighters were injured in a fast moving fire in the Bronx today. The fire swept through 4 buildings and went to 4 alarms bringing 200 firefighters to the scene. Two of the firefighters were injured when the ceiling collapsed on them.
The fire occurred at 726 Van Nest Ave. in the Bronx.
This is a unique video. The video is very clear, videoed by a frantic neighbor, and shows pre-arrival fire spread. What is also pretty neat is how the single engine gets some serious work done before others show up…and on tank water!
The house is apparently vacant…yet it WAS potentially occupied by the arsonist when the fire was set. Remember, vacant does not mean unoccupied!
The suspect in setting the fire was seen by neighbors as he tried to leave the scene. Neighbors told a Sheriff’s Deputy who showed up and he went after him. The suspect is being treated for burns…hmmm.
As for where it happened…I did a little searching, but couldn’t quite figure it out. The fire engine says “D2FR” on it. The fire occurred in Bexar County. I believe this is near San Antonio, Texas.
Video below of FDNY firefighters battling a high-rise fire in lower Manhattan. The videos offer two angles of the fire which started on the 16th floor and extended to the 18th. According to reports, it is a 21 story building. Firefighter Nation beat me to this story…they have a little more on it here. The fire occurred at 69 Columbia Street yesterday, March 28th around 11:18am.
I am gearing up for FDIC as many of my friends are as well. This year, Willie and I will be traveling with Mike Elston (Salem FD), and Andrew Catron (Kingsport FD). We look forward to many of the events. I will be posting our itinerary soon to let you all know where we will be.
My wife and I are planning on doing the Hero Rush in Maryland on April 28th. We just need to solidify someone to watch our children. We have a wedding to attend that evening in Norther Virginia as well.
Hopefully, Willie and I will have the patches and challenge coins by FDIC. The patches should be here later this week. We will let you know how to get yours soon! The patches were made by NM Coin LLC.
The pic on the right is our new patch!
This weeks “Best of the Rest” is a little short. Today, I decided to ride my bike (as in bicycle) to the gym and back. Did I mention it was “leg” day at the gym which is about an 8 mile ride one way. It was fun though!
VAFireNews.com: Help VAFireNews.com spread the word about the Gore VFD needing a tanker. They are in desperate need of a donated tanker after they lost theirs in a wreck that claimed the life of one of their firefighters. Read more hereand help by sharing on Facebook!
FireGeezer.com celebrates 5 years as a blog. He also has some stats, like over 12,000 posts! That is an achievement! Read more here
Fire Critic Chicken Salad: You guys asked for it…Here is the recipe that my guys love at the firehouse. Ok, maybe they like more, but this is one of them. Check out the recipe here.
FireLawBlog.com has the update on a local story for The Fire Critic. A lawsuit was dismissed by the judge in the case of a firefighter supposedly having sex in a station. The latest lawsuit alleged sex discrimination against Dennis Croft. Read more here
Boron Extrication continues to teach us about vehicles…and what we need to know to keep us safe!
Backstep Firefighter offers some insight and a few links on Transitional Attack. Read more here
STATter911.com originally shared this bit below of two firefighters trying to occupy the same space while heading to an alarm.
I had seen these a while back. I posted one a while back. We watched them again when the guys brought them up at the firehouse. We laughed like hell.
I knew right then that I couldn’t go on through the day without making sure everyone saw them.
Even though there might be a little terminology that is different area to area, the sentiment hits home…we have all had these kind of days. We have all taken part or listened to these types of bitch sessions…
Go ahead and laugh… WARNING: Language
Here is a bonus video. This one starts out kinda slow but gets pretty good!
New addition to “Best of the Rest” is the “Random Tweet of the Week”! Scroll down to see this one.
Willie and I are getting geared up for more traveling in 2012. We are looking forward to hanging out with the MN8 FoxFire team at FDIC. In September, Bob Gard is planning one helluva a good time in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. If you are anywhere in the vicinity you will want to be at this event. Willie and I will be speaking, and there will be plenty of other stuff going on as well! We will post more information soon.
In May, Dave Statter and I are presenting in Ohio at the Ohio Fire & Emergency Services Foundation’s 2012 Leadership Conference…Dave has been looking forward to this to some time. He gets to share the stage with his hero err idol (ME). Join us in Newark, Ohio for May 23 & 24.Click here to sign up
If you want to have Willie and I, or Dave and I, or all three of us speak at an event near you just let us know! FireCritic@FireCritic.com
Voting for the 2012 Blog of the Year Contest, hosted by EMS1, FireRescue1 and FireCritic.com, and sponsored by the American Military University, will begin tomorrow (March 14th). There are some great blogs on the ballot in both Fire and EMS categories! There were almost 400 nominations for 55 blogs.
Brotherhood Cuts – Willie Wines Jr. has an update from this past weekends inaugural “Brotherhood Cuts” fundraiser. The event raised around $2400 for local departments.
I visited the Shoals Volunteer Fire Department. I was there for the 1st ever Brotherhood Cuts Event.
“Brotherhood Cuts” is a fund raising event specifically designed for the fire service. It raises money through the National Firefighters Endowment who in turn, provides much needed funds and equipment to Departments in need all across the Country. Read more here
BostonFireGear.com
MN8 FoxFire is looking for your designs…and you could win!: MN8 Foxfire, you know…the photoilluminscent company, wants your help designing their new shirt! The new shirt will feature the MN8 FoxFire logo on the front and your design on the back. The winner will recieve a $100 MN8 FoxFire credit and a t-shirt. The winning design will be available at FDIC. Check out details of the contest.
There might be a FireCritic/IronFiremen/MN8FoxFire shirt in the near future!
Boston Fire Gear: I just got my St. Patrick’s Day long sleeve t-shirt today from Boston Fire Gear. I love Boston, St. Patrick’s day is one of my favorite days to drink holidays, and as a good friend of mine told me yesterday…that is where Irish people are from! NICE! Get your Boston Fire Gear here
4Factor: Matthew Ritter, one half of the now known writers at ELAFFHQ.com, has branched out. Welcome 4Factor to the mix. Right now they are offering hand painted “Thin Red Line” door chocks. Check out the site here. Like them on Facebook here. I haven’t got my hands on one yet…but I will soon. They retail for $4….however read below.
**Current donations, for EACH wedge purchased , are going to Team ELAFFHQ.com bucket brigade for the National Firefighters Endowment! What this means to you is as follows: For EACH wedge you purchase, we make a donation to the bucket brigade in YOUR name. Each donation in YOUR name enters you into a DRAWING for a Phenix TL-2 Leather Fire Helmet! The more wedges you purchase, the better your odds in winning that helmet! Good luck Brother and Sister Firefighters!
FDNY Supports World Record Attempt: A SCARBOROUGH firefighter’s plans to enter the world record books are gathering pace as his fundraising challenge gets the green light in New York. Justin Rowe, who lives in Scarborough and is watch manager at Malton Fire Station, is planning to run to every fire house in New York in seven days. He will be joined in the challenge by Ryedale station manager Andrew Blades, Whitby station manager Mark Naylor and York firefighter Terrence Gregg. Read more here
FireRescue1.com: Are cellphones that important? Worth your life? FireRescue1.com has the story of a woman rescued from a trash compactor after trying to retrieve here cellphone she accidentally threw away. Read about it here
Magnesium Fire in Bellevue, Ohio
Magnesium Fire in Bellevue, Ohio: FireGeezer.com has this story which hits close to home for The Fire Critic. My Mother’s side of the family lives in Bellevue including my Grandparents. I was just up there for a short visit not too long ago. Paul Hasenmeiershared this photo to the right from miles away.
A MAGNESIUM FIRE PRESENTED THE BELLEVUE, OHIO, firefighters with an unusual challenge Tuesday morning when they responded to the MagReTech factory across the road from the Bellevue Hospital. Read more here
Busy…that is the only word to explain it. There is so much going on right now my head is spinning. I coach lacrosse in the spring and our season just started. I coach U9 and U11. My son is on the team. My daughter started playing as well…along with cheerleading. How do we do it all? Back in the day…were days longer? What the hell is going on here?
Did you guys notice the DCFD I added to the Fire Critic banner? Word is that Ellerbe gave me 3 days off for it.
High quality, custom made gear for your professional needs. Whether you are a Career Firefighter, a Volunteer, EMT or Medic. We can provide you with the gear that you can depend on and that will look great for years to come. We strive for quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. Made with pride in Northern California’s Central Valley. Become a FB friend to view our photos and track our progress. Thanks for your support! Be safe, and “Run With The Pak…”
Brotherhood Cuts is off to a slow start down in North Carolina…The event is this week. I just donated $100. Can I get everyone to donate $5-$25 please?
In case you missed it: Rescue Me was inducted into the Smithsonian, bitch! http://t.co/Rr2ises7
Backstep Firefighter - It is common in our culture and operations to expect engine companies to get as close as safely possible to the seat of the fire in order to make the most efficient attack possible (or most efficient as scientific research and field application have proven). The problem in this approach is that the experience of being tactically close is that the tell tale signs of this have led to “experience makeup.” The “salty” look is equated with aggressiveness and runs counter towards “too safe”. Read more at: THE AREA OF REFUGE AND “EXPERIENCE MAKEUP”
Firefighter Nation – Massachusetts Firefighter Has Strong Words for Mayor after Fatal Fire. Haverhill firefighter says mayor should be charged with murder. Read it here
STATter911.com - DC Fire Chief faced sexual harassment claim in Sarasota County Floriday. Washington times questions why Kenneth Ellerbe wasn’t fully vetted by Mayor Vincent Gray. Read it here
County Fire Tactics - a new blog to me…they ask “When do you wear your mask on the roof? When do you get down?” Check out the video here!
ELAFFHQ.com – The guys behind the increasingly popular fire blog ELAFFHQ.com have finally revealed their identities. Willie and I met up with the pair, Pete Sulzer and Matt Ritter, when they visited Roanoke a couple of months ago. They are great guys. They managed to keep their anonymity much longer than I thought. They revealed their identity in this post with video (also below) and they gave away some of the coveted “Lemon Wedges” as well as some freebees from MN8 FoxFire!
Green Beret Dies Trying to Save Kids in Fire - A decorated Green Beret soldier who recently returned from Afghanistan died a hero’s death at home in North Carolina. After Edward Cantrell and his wife jumped from the second floor of their burning home, he wrapped himself in a blanket and ran back inside in an attempt to save their two daughters, AP reports. “He never made it back out,” said a sheriff’s department spokeswoman. The body of the 36-year-old soldier was found near those of his daughters Isabella, 6, and Natalia, 4. Read it here
Memorial Thursday for Posen firefighter killed in New Lenox accident - A memorial service for the Posen firefighter killed in an apparent drag racing accident over the weekend will be Thursday, officials said. The service for Zachary Orel is scheduled at 7 p.m. at Parkview Christian Church, 11100 Orland Parkway in Orland Park. Before the service, firefighters will pay their respects privately, according to a Posen Fire Department news release. Orel, 25, of New Lenox, joined the department in June.
Evanston paramedic calls reach record high -Evanston’s population hasn’t budged much in the past 20 years, but paramedic calls in 2011 were up 35 percent over two decades ago. Demand for paramedic assistance set a record in 2011, with the Evanston Fire and Life Safety Services department logging 5,467 calls for Emergency Medical Service.
FireGeezer.com -Hale Products moving to Florida. Hale Products, Producers of the best-known pumps for fire apparatus, informed the workers in their home plant in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, Monday that they will be shutting down the century-old factory and relocating their manufacturing to Ocala, Florida, by the end of the year.
Poor Willie…I’m afraid the strain was more than he could bear.
Willie Wines Jr. (IronFiremen.com) has been writing about a local fire department. Read the articles here, here, here, and here. Willie’s unique humor on a very serious topic has uncovered some interesting and debatable topics.
The issues aren’t unique to our area and Willie speaks of them in generalized terms that have reached far and wide.
But the fact remains that we have a local Chief bucking the hiring of a County-wide Fire/EMS Director. The unfortunate part is the Chief’s choice of words in news articles. He made the department (not our department) look like a bunch of idiots. I am sure not all of them are the caliber of the Chief…but then again they wouldn’t except his resignation when he tried to resign either.
Read Willie’s articles for the big picture.
After writing each article, Willie went deeper and deeper into hiding. He is scared that the Chief is going to kick his ass.
Apparently the stress was more than he could bear.
Word is that the Buckaroo is on a 24 hour watch…sitting in a rocking chair on his front porch with a red tipped pistol, his knife (with zip securing it), some bug juice, and a tonka truck. Rest assured that the Buckaroo has things under control.
Willie, on the other hand, has me working for him today. Luckily for me, the last word on where Willie was holed up was in my bunkroom at firehouse #3…which is unfortunate for Lt. Bradford who is on duty tonight. Don’t worry, he sleeps sound and won’t know what got him.
As for me, I am sleeping in Willie’s bed tonight. We have had a decent day today. Ole Big Head Todd (Harris) is wheeling and Max Meadows Armbruiser is riding backwards.
Chief Adkins stopped by and we caught up. Todd and Chief had some good stories about “back in the day” which were well worth the listen.
Randy (Arm Bruiser) has been haggling with everyone today. Apparently he is supposed to move into his apartment in the morning and everything has gone to hell. His furniture was last seen at a flea market in Kentucky and he can’t get Dish network to install anything.
I am no stranger to #13. I have put in about 6 years out here on the Peters Creek Express. Actually, I was there when they put the new Engine 13 in service.
If anyone <cough…cough> needs directions to Willie’s house just let me know. Working double shifts is killing me.
A quick note about comments on FireCritic.com. Don’t cuss, your comment will not be approved. Other than that, I don’t appreciate or approve assaults on others. That is all.
Feature post: The latest review completed is on the Bowring tool. I (I am one of the reviewers and the site administrator) am seeing how benificial this site can be with letting others rate the products too. I gave the Bowring a 7. The user score is a 3.1 (7 votes total) as of this writing. The site gives users and visitors the ability to rate the products themselves. You don’t have to login to offer your thoughts. If you want to login, you can register or use Facebook to connect. It is as simple as that!
It seems as though there are 3 kinds of people when it comes to the Bowring. Those who love it, those who hate it, and those who have never heard of it.
The Blog of the Year Contest for 2011-2012 will be starting on March 1st. This will be the third year for the contest. This year, FireCritic.com teamed up with FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com for the contest. The sponsor this year is the American Military University. Look for more information on the contest, how and when to nominate, and when voting begins in the next two days!
9/11 Memorial Stair Climb - Why We Climb: Taking the Step to Honor and Heal - When five firefighters from Colorado first gathered in the spring of 2005 to climb the stairwell of a local office building, they intended to do it for conditioning and camaraderie. They never thought that, within six years, they would be coordinating a series of nationwide climbs to honor the lives of the 343 firefighters from FDNY who died on September 11, 2001 and help their survivors heal. As we approach the 2012 9-11 Memorial Stair Climbs with the inaugural event at FDIC on April 20 at Lucas Oil Stadium, we look back at a recent event that explains why we climb. Click here to register for the FDIC climb and here to find other climbs this year.
Brotherhood Cuts – I have been mentioning this for weeks. It goes down on March 10th. MtAirynews.com picked up the story and I am even mentioned in the article. Firefighters Shave the Day - “I have decided to join friends and firefighters to shave our heads and mustaches to raise money to help protect each other. The funds raised will go to purchase bail-out kits for fire departments in Surry County,” said Gillett. Read more: Mount Airy News – Firefighters to shave the day
Speaking of Shaving Heads… Check out 9 Year Old Jordan!
Jordan and her brother at their father's firehouse on 9/11/11
Jordan B. is 9 years old. Her father is a long time reader of The Fire Critic.This year, Jordan is shaving her head for St. Baldrick’s. Read more about this little girl here. Read it here
Jordan is hoping to raise $3000. She has already raised $1780. Help her out! Her message: I’ve answered the call to be a hero! I’m having my head shaved to stand in solidarity with kids fighting cancer, but more importantly, to raise money to find cures. Please support me with a donation to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. This volunteer-driven charity funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U. S. government. Your gift will give hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers. So when I ask for your support, I’m really asking you to support these kids.
A lesson in Social Media - Site Unseen: Red Sox Spring Training Park Gaffe: Boston’s beloved baseball team is moving into JetBlue Park this spring in Ft. Myers, Fla. The new crown jewel of the Grapefruit League cost an estimated $78 million to build … but they probably wish they’d spent a few more bucks. A resident not far from the new ballpark owns the most likely web domain name for the Red Sox new spring home. Eric Engelman purchased the site last year. Read it here
The Hose Jockey has an excellent awareness article and video on MAYDAY scenarios. Check it out here
One of the best articles I have read all year resides on FireEngineering.com. The article titled “Thirty Five Years: An Open Letter to My Father”: I barely knew what a screwdriver did when he taught me to tie knots, told me handcuff knots are good for dragging a lifeless firefighter and he taught me a snap bowline and winked, said, “Impress them with that one, kid.” He gave me a prussic and a couple of carabiners and showed me 20 things to do with that loop of rope, like hanging onto a 2 1/2 for an hour despite squad telling me I am a wuss. Read it here
IronFiremen.com – America’s Fire Captain Willie Wines Jr. has been following a local story of a volunteer Chief who has been outspoken against the hiring of a County wide Fire/EMS Director. Willie shoots it straight and offers some quotes from the misinformed Chief. The latest is here. Read previous posts here and here.
Jerry Perdomo is still missing in Maine. I posted here and here on the story. Firefighter Nation has been keeping up with the story and its latest here.
ELAFFHQ.com – The guys at ELAFFHQ are giving stuff away. Word is that they will soon be giving up their identities. Willie and I couldn’t be more proud of this couple for coming out of the closet! Get your swag here!
Statter911.com has the latest on our brothers in Bladensburg here
By now, I am sure you guys have seen the video from the Daytona 500 last night when Juan Pablo Montoya crashed into a jet dryer truck. If not, the video is below
Hilarious. So true, yet so damn funny. I think it is safe to say that we have all worked with guys/gals like this…and that each of us has acted this way at one point or another when we have to ride the box.
It starts out a little slow, but then you won’t be able to turn away!
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation hosts events all over the Nation all year long. This years calendar is beginning to fill up with some of their great events. From 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs, to NASCAR races, to Golf tournaments, and a survivors conference which was just held. The Memorial Weekend will be in October.
Supporting the NFFF is supporting your family. Through supporting their events, participating in their events, to financial contributions it all helps our family members who have lost a loved one.
Below are just some of their events. You can read what the NFFF is all about by visiting their main web site FireHero.org.
There will be another stair climb at FDIC this year on April 20th. Willie and I will be there. We have not decided if we are going to climb or not. If you have never climbed and will be at FDIC, plan on climbing.
This year, there are somewhere around 70 stair climbs taking place. Get to one and challenge yourself with the climb. Do it for the Pride of being a firefighter, Honor of our service, and Respect for our Fallen.
In 2004, the first Fallen Firefighters Memorial Golf Tournament was held to raise awareness and to help sustain the programs of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Now in its eighth year, the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Golf has grown to include over 35 regional golf tournaments.
There are 35 regional tournaments. See if there is one near you and get out and hit the links: http://golf.firehero.org/
Survivors Conference Recently Held
From February 12 – 17, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) sponsored the Annual Fire Service Survivors Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Now in its seventh year, the conference attracts more than one hundred survivors each year. Attendees include both those who have recently suffered a loss and those from years before.
The FDNY’s application process is under scrutiny by the Vulcan Society of the FDNY. Watch the video below for the entire story.
Apparently, the application process was too difficult for some applicants and incomplete applications were turned in.
Some black applicants will be getting house calls by the Vulcan Society to help them complete their incomplete applications. This was approved by a Court Monitor. We are talking about over 2000 house calls! Keep in mind that 52% of the applicants are black.
HUH? Should incomplete applications warrant house calls? Should incomplete applications be given extra time to get it right?
Isn’t part of the application process…following directions?
I understand the need for recruitment and a focus on recruitment towards minorities. I remember learning a lot at an Affiliate Leadership Training Seminar and Human Relations Conference put on by the IAFF. It was an eye opener for me. The way I understood it was that there are fewer minorities on the job as firefighters because for years they were unable to get the job due to a multitude of reasons including prejudice and racism. Only by efforts in recruiting certain minorities have departments been able to increase the number of minorities on the job. That being said, I do believe there is a right and a wrong way of doing things.
Do we need to draw a line somewhere? I mean for all applicants. What do you all think? Is this special treatment warranted?
I just can’t think of a single company willing to hire anyone who can’t even correctly fill out an application.
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 profile.
This weeks is short because I am travelling…I am just getting to finalizing this post tonight…enjoy!
Shoutouts
Facebook Page:
Web Site:EverydayEMSTips.com. Here are some recent Everyday EMS Athlete profiles:
Fire Service Warrior – Last week I posted an article from January on The Fire Service Warrior. Chief Ron Siarnicki commented on the post directly on FSW and apparently the two caught up to discuss it. This week, Chris Brennan talks about why he wrote the article and his discussion with Siarnicki. Read the original post here and the newest post here.
S.A.F.E. Firefighter offers a post titled I “Get It”… And I’m Gonna Give It To You. The post is short and sweet. It offers introspect to an issue that many bloggers, writers, and firefighters have been trying to put their thumb on.
”The Cure” is a response to “The Sickness”. Both are written by Jason Hoevelmann on FireEngineering.com and both are worth a read.
FireRescue1.com – Mississippi Chief cracks down on Social Media use…what do you think about the new policy? Read it here
Whats going on at FDIC this year? A lot. I will be there and will have plenty of information coming up on the happenings, what I will be involved in and what you shouldn’t miss at the largest firefighting conference of the year. However…I was checking out the Facebook page for the event and saw this photo that was apparently tagged with FDIC. Yes, this is one of those loopholes and shows the need to keep an eye on your social media sites. Or, I could be wrong and I will be posting on the class where you can see more of her soon!
What is going on at FDIC this year? I want to sign up for that class! Check out the pic of the lady! It seems as though someone has been very liberal with tagging FDIC in this pic!
In our travels, Willie (IronFiremen.com) and I have talked about getting into speaking together. Over the past year, we have discussed it and began plotting our course. We realized that this isn’t something that would be a piece of cake, yet we were willing to get started. Months of dragging our feet while we were busy doing other things had us putting off the effort to getting started.
Willie and I with the SVFC
In short, our speaking would be “motivational” but we had only identified a brief outline of our core values Pride, Respect, Honor, Tradition, and Brotherhood. We identified these words as what we are about and they help in our motivation to be better firefighters and individuals. We placed them on the edge of our brotherhood chips.
Then two things happened. I attended Rick Lasky’s “Pride and Ownership” and a firefighter I didn’t know invited me to speak at a department I had never heard of.
Willie and I with the plaques the SVFC presented to us.
It took me a couple of weeks to ensure that my wife wouldn’t disown me for wanting to do speaking gig on my birthday and the course was set. I told the firefighter, Chris Botkin, that I would speak at the Swoope Volunteer Fire Company’s annual banquet with one stipulation…Willie would be speaking as well. Chris said we were welcome to come as a team.
Now we had to create some semblance of our thoughts in a matter of weeks. To be honest, due to our schedules, we did most of our outline and talking points on the way up the road last night. The notes and emails back and forth weren’t even used in the end. It was a matter of those core values. Don’t get me wrong, we had prepared several rough drafts of talking points, but we hadn’t collaborated our thoughts face to face. We were prepared except for the one thing we had no control over…would we be able to pull off speaking together.
This must have been ONE HELLUVA story!
This could be make it or break it to see if Willie and I can share the same stage and talk…and make sense. I am an optimist, so my thoughts were that we would get up there and everything would work itself out. Luckily, speaking several times over the past year had enabled me to learn how to get comfortable and not be nervous. I am not sure about Willie, but he did just fine.
The men and women of the Swoope Volunteer Fire Company were very warm and welcoming. We got to meet many of the members before dinner. After dinner, we enjoyed the awards and some words from their Deputy Chief.
After the awards, we did our thing. I think we did a great job. From the feedback we got, we did a decent job as well. I couldn’t have asked for a better venue for Willie and I to get started.
We talked about what we are passionate about…the job. Whether you are a volunteer or a career firefighter, we don’t really care. “The Job” as
They actually invited our wives...luckily our wives invited us!
we call it by default is what we do. It encompasses firefighting in a simplistic format that firefighters can understand. We shared our passion and explained how we remain passionate. We used examples of how we keep learning and moving forward. We were also able to use examples simply from what we saw that night. They get it! Don’t get me wrong, Willie and I have a lot of work to do to polish our material and delivery!
We will be able to expand on our speaking topics in the future. Until then, enjoy my musings on “Owning the Job” right here on The Fire Critic.
To be honest, we owe a lot to the Swoope VFC. They made us feel welcome, they treated us like one of their own, and they were more than hospitable.
Willie and I with Swoope's Deputy Chief Kevin Wilkes.
What a great group of firefighters they have at Swoope. The department was incorporated in 1980 after being started about a year prior. They are just one of the many departments located in Augusta County, Virginia. I got to meet other members of departments from the area including the Fire Chief of the City of Staunton and the former Fire Chief of Augusta County. As a matter of fact, one of Roanoke’s own is now the Deputy Chief of Augusta County. Mike Armstrong retired from Roanoke just this past month and began in Augusta County. I worked for Mike when he first made Captain. I wish him the best in Augusta.
Needless to say, the event was a huge success for the SVFC. I foresee great things for the department in the future. They have made significant improvements in the past several years including just recently adding storage racks for their gear at the station.
They get Pride, Respect, Honor, Tradition, and Brotherhood. And, if this whole speaking gig works out for Willie and I, they can say they popped our cherry!
We are proud to call them Brothers!
The Swoope VFC Annual Banquet Video is below!
It was my birthday. They got me a cake!
Chris Botkin and I. Chris is the one who got Willie and I to speak.
A South Bend Firefighter has been demoted for taking a video of a recent fire with his cell phone.
The report does not state whether or not the “impromptu video” took away from a task the firefighter was completing. When I teach/present on social media, I always remind the guys/gals that they are firefighters, not reporters. They should leave the reporting up to others. I am also a huge proponent of taking pictures of your crew when the job is done.
I wonder at what point this video was taken. Was it really worthy of demotion?
I would also love to see the Facebook Policy for South Bend.
“As far as the punishments, the union doesn’t dole those out, that is an administration thing. Our job is to make sure that it is fair and equitable from member to member,” Kottkamp.
Through documents obtained by ABC 57 News and through close sources with the fire department, that is not the case. Several firefighters have gone unpunished for violating the same Facebook policy, including an instance back in 2010, where a firefighter posted an internal email to his Facebook page, followed by snide remarks. Yet, no action was taking against him.
Back in September, South Bend’s Facebook policy was in the news:
The South Bend Fire Department was supposed to implement a new Facebook policy Today but the local firefighters’ union has stepped in voicing serious concerns over the new social networking policy.
The union says the new policy is violating the firefighters’ First Amendment right to Freedom of Speech. Read more
Apparently a firefighter needed some assistance with directions for incoming units. He got answers from the guy holding the video camera. Nice teamwork!
According to George DeLaTorre, Spokesman for the El Paso Fire Department, a tenant was smoking outside on the balcony of a second-story apartment and did not put out the cigarette correctly. The cigarette fell onto empty cardboard boxes nearby and caught fire. The flames spread to surrounding units and resulted in heavy fire and smoke damage to three other units, and smoke damage to 4 others. The unit where the fire originated is a total loss.
Dallas fire and police were called to the scene of a vehicle, parked in a parking lot, with dogs apparently in the trunk. The firefighters forced entry to the trunk to find two yorkshire terriers.
The temperature was 61 degrees. The call came in from two brothers who were concerned when they heard the barking coming from a car parked.
The owners were celebrating a birthday.
They are being charged with animal cruelty and up to a $10,000 fine.
Dallas Firefighters (either the dept. or the City) are being sued by the couple $5000 for damage to their vehicle.
The dogs, Penny and Copper, are just fine.
Were the firefighters justified? What would you have done?
“I put them back there because I didn’t want them in the cabin, because they will unlock the door,” Shipman said. “Those pups cost about $1,000 each. I don’t want somebody to just reach in there and steal them.”
As the “Best of the Rest” column continues to grow, I have added a Facebook Fan Page of the Week and two Quick Drills by FirefighterCloseCalls.com. More regular content to be added in the future. As always, if you have something to share, send it in!
I just got finished watching Food Inc. It left me wondering what the hell I am eating. I shall continue my ways of eating healthier foods. My wife and I eat healthy at home, but I think we shall make the move to organic. I might have puked in my mouth a little when watching the documentary. Read more about it here.
Rescuing Myself – Check out this newer blog that has been online since September 2011.
Now, on to a more serious topic. One of the biggest reasons I am looking forward to being at FDIC, the 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb. I signed up today and can honestly say just submitting my information kind of choked me up a little. This will be my first stair climb, hopefully not my last. I will be climbing in honor of Captain Terence Hatton, Res1cue. Read it here
The site is run by Trevor: I’m a 19-year-old second generation fireman. The fire service has always been a big part of my life. I started writing this blog to pass along things I see and feel. Good and bad. I expect no one to take any of this as a gospel, but I expect myself to learn a lot.
Keep up the great work Trevor! I will see you at FDIC.
California High School student devises possible cancer cure - Angela’s idea was to mix cancer medicine in a polymer that would attach to nanoparticles — nanoparticles that would then attach to cancer cells and show up on an MRI. so doctors could see exactly where the tumors are. Then she thought shat if you aimed an infrared light at the tumors to melt the polymer and release the medicine, thus killing the cancer cells while leaving healthy cells completely unharmed. Read it here
Hero Rush – Do you have what it takes to complete? Hero Rush gives you the chance to put your mettle to the test. You’ll run an intense 5k+ race with multiple fire-related obstacles. Climb ladders and slide down poles, crawl through windows and break down doors, scramble through HAZMAT slime and locate trapped victims — but be careful — you might get the fire hoses turned on you! Don’t just play in the mud — be a Hero! Read more here
1st Generation Firefighter- Another blog from Southwest Virginia? Apparently so, although I have no clue who it is. Two posts have been written. We will give them some time to see if they last. Latest post: Experienced Based Training
FireGeezer – The self proclaimed Geezer has a story of a pre-historic tree that burned in Florida. We think at the very least, he is still young at heart! Read it here
Leatherhead 109 - A skilled, attentive fire officer is much like that with his company. Observing, critiquing, suggesting, …disciplining, but all the while remaining a “Brother”. Like a file taking the burrs from an axe blade. What kind of officer are you? Do you “hone” the firemen you lead? Or are you like a grinding wheel, gouging, burning, removing too much steel? Read more here
Backstep Firefighter – Complacency can KILL YOU.Treat every alarm as the real deal… your life as well as the lives of your Brothers and Sisters may very well depend on it. Read more here
Mike Elston and Smitty attended the Pride and Ownership class and expanded on their experience on the 2 House Blog
2 House Blog – A local blog near me talks about the Pride and Ownership class we attended. Read it here
Average Jake FF – Why Aren’t You? The big question I have is WHY AREN’T YOU? Why aren’t you writing articles, reading up, drilling? Why don’t you care? I know putting yourself out there for all to critique can be hard, but for me even if one person comes up and says “I really liked your article” then it was all worth it. Read more here
FireCritic.com – I have written two parts of an in-depth look at Pride and Ownership in relation to my department. Check out part 1 here, and part 2 here.
STATter911.com – Dave Statter typically stays in front of the big news even before Fire Engineering, Fire Rescue1, Firefighter Nation, and Firehouse.com… Check out these articles:
Fire Rescue 1 - Chicago brotherhood embraces fallen NC firefighter’s family. When Fire Capt. Will Caviness of North Carolina died running the Chicago Marathon, the brotherhood of firefighters took care of his family. Read it here
Firefighter Nation- Rescue Operations on Italian Cruise Ship Halted. Costa Concordia ran into a reef Friday night and capsized into the port area of Giglio. Read it here.
Fire Engineering – Ray McCormack asks if the fire service should have an Annual Attack Certification for Firefighters. My biggest question is: Would there be a Volunteer Certification and a Career Certification? Read it here
Firehouse.com - Study Finds Firefighters Have Higher Rates Of Obesity Than Public. This is just embarrassing. Hey LAZY ASSES, get off your asses and do something about this. Talk about black eye for the fire service… NO EXCUSES. Read it here
Kenneth Michael Hedrick is remembered with a service 20 years after his death in the Line of Duty. Watch it below. Another perfect example of Never Forgetting.
After writing the first part “PRIDE AND OWNERSHIP. PART I – SELF EVALUATION” I have had a lot of time to think. The eyes are looking this way (this is a good thing). Hopefully, I can pull off what I am hoping to do. I need feedback! I need to know that you are thinking the same things, or different things. I need to know what is working for you, or isn’t working.
One note, While I use “Pride and Ownership” in the title, these articles are about what I took from the class and how I am using what I have learned. There is no official affiliation with Chief Rick Lasky or Pride and Ownership.
Pride and Ownership – Past, Present, and Future…
In order to understand what is missing, we must understand what was here before us. None of this is about placing blame. Do you know your departments history?
As I said in the “self evaluation”, I know our history. I wrote a book about it. Our department was formed from 4 volunteer fire departments (actually there were a couple more, but 4 major players). Volunteers is part of our heritage, but it is more than 100 years removed. Basically, we are a fully paid fire department and have been since 1903 (March 1, 1903 to be exact).
These men were here way before me. Roanoke Firefighters pose in front of their engine...very proud. When was the last time you took a photo of your company in front of your apparatus?
I have pictures of our Firefighters doing everything from building props at our Zoo to collecting money for MDA, from fighting 100 year fires downtown to fighting for our citizens needs.
Our firefighters gave up their vacation to implement the 3rd platoon back in 1972. I cherish the work schedule I have now, and it didn’t cost me a thing.
Our firefighters fought for many of the benefits ALL of our City employees take for granted. I may have had some battles since I have been here, but the ones before me are the ones who fought so hard!
To what do we owe the men who founded our department? The honor, respect, dignity, integrity, pride, tradition, loyalty, and brotherhood that created it? Why am I sitting here almost 125 years after the first fire department in Roanoke was created seeking ways to bring back the best of what it has been? What has been lost? Where can we find it?
This is going to be a long uphill battle…yeah, I am used to that. I don’t like failure, but realize that this thing is bigger than what I am capable of. I need help. Will others get it?
Walk into one of our firehouses and ask them how things are…
You will hear all types of stuff, not much of it will be good. However, I know that each of them loves what they do. They just want it to be better. They want it to be the way it should be. Are they willing to make changes?
Our firefighters don’t believe in our management, our IAFF Local is broke, and our leaders accept mediocrity. Our firefighters are our best asset. You put our guys in front of anything burning and they will put it out. They can figure out and fix anything…except their fading department. What we lack is a blueprint. We have leaders, we have some great leaders. They just aren’t focused on saving our department.
We have had numerous bumps in the road…and championed them with being excellent stewards in our community…in the past. We still have battles, but we don’t champion them with being stewards anymore. We are paycheck collectors through and through.
We have excuses. That is all…excuses why we don’t do this or that, why this is that way, why we aren’t who we should be.
We are not involved. We should be. We should be seen here there and everywhere doing great things.
Hell, even the ones who take the time to lead or try to create change are beat down. I have never understood it.
So where do we go from here?
Unfortunately I do not know. I am going to start with my company. I know of another Brother who did the same in my department. I understand it was well received. That is a great start.
I know it needs to start with me…Whatever I do, I have to start it with me. It isn’t about me, I just have to begin the change within myself to effect change in others.
Wish me luck
What about you? Does any of this hit home with you in your department?
What will you do?
The video below is of Retired Captain Pete Price. He passed away a couple of weeks after I filmed this at one of our retirees breakfasts. He had great stories and shares some of them in the video below. This is some of our history…
Part 1 of 8 by bmxking1504 on Youtube. Part 2 & 3 are below and the rest will be uploaded this evening. The fire was reported around 10:50 this morning and firefighters will be battling the blaze through the night.
150 firefighters from 14 are fire companies are battling the stubborn fire. The flames are working their way through the large series of connected buildings that once housed the Firth mill company of Cornwall.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend “Pride and Ownership” presented by Chief Rick Lasky.
My head hasn’t stopped spinning since. I don’t know what to think. I have been reflecting on what I heard and my feelings are all over the place. Where do I go from here?
At the very least, I believe that I am on the right track. My fire department…not so much, but hopefully I am wrong. How do I get it back on track? Am I even capable of being part of the solution to some of our problems? Is the solution right in front of me? I only wish my entire department had gone to the class.
Low morale, bad attitudes, lacking leadership, loss of traditions, lack of pride, no honor, too little integrity, loss of camaraderie, too little respect, no discipline…I could go on. Hopefully the building blocks are still there and I can help salvage the hull of what is a great fire department.
The Fire Critic Rhett Fleitz with Chief Rick Lasky
Let me be clear, Chief Rick Lasky’s class isn’t a one stop shop for how to save America’s fire service. It is a blue print on some of the things he has done and seen done that has worked. My fire department will never be Lewisville, but it can be better than what it is now.
To me, the class is more about what isn’t working, what can work, and creating an attitude that will make change. A cultural shift in attitude about what we know is right and making us do the right thing.
I plan on writing several articles on this subject. I am not sure the exact direction I will go. It will be more of a layout of issues I see in my department and the fire service as a whole to help provide critical thinking in making things better through attitude change.
You simply cannot quantify what I got out of the class. The hard part will be me putting my thoughts into positive ideas that will effect change.
I am not perfect, but I think I “get it”. I think I have a positive impact on my department and elsewhere.
Here are my initial thoughts (some of which I have been reflecting on for a long time). Consider it a self evaluation…do it for yourself. This is more of me thinking aloud.
Pride: Yeah, I am proud to be a firefighter. Do I exude my pride to others?
Honor: I have honored those firefighters we have lost. I have attended the NFFF Memorial Weekend. I was a past member of our Honor Guard and have stood at the casket of many. I have remembered, and I never forget. I have shared others sacrifices with firefighters who don’t pay attention. I have tried to instill honor in members I have worked with.
Ownership: I need to work on this. I need a better understanding of what I need to do to take more ownership in MY Department. Some of that work will be educating others that we all need to take ownership!
Integrity: I need a lot of work in this area. Not that I don’t get it, but I have some work to do. Part of what makes it difficult (not an excuse) is the area in which I serve and how WE are treated by others. I understand that by treating others better (the way they should be treated), we will be treated better!
Brotherhood: I get this…in my mind. I have worked on this my whole career. However, there is still so much more work to be done. Fences need to be mended, egos need to be hung up, and we need to be united.
Respect: I am an asshole (in a kinda good way I think)…I give respect, and I am respected. However, I need some polishing up to be more effective. I respect everything about the fire service. I just need to act like it more!
Tradition: ah, tradition…I think I have a handle on this, but like everything else I need to work on it!
History: Ok, finally somewhere I exceed in. After all, I did take almost a year to research, collect, and write a book on the history of my fire department[Firefighting in Roanoke by Arcadia Publishing]. I think I can check this one off my list…but not so fast, I have to continue to share the history of the department. No resting on my ass!
I know there is much more to reflect on, these are just some initial thoughts!
If you have not seen the presentation or read the book, you MUST!
Here is a decent video showing a complicated, involved, and presumably very well choreographed rescue of a woman and her two daughters. The three family members were rescued, ages 36,10, and 10 months. The driver of the semi died in the collision. The incident happened in Buellton, California.
The amazing part of this rescue is that the vehicle was teetering on the side of a bridge 100 feet above the ground. Seriously, watch the video to see the site.
This, my friends, is what it is all about. Training, diligence, determination, experience, knowledge, and teamwork.
I listened to Chief Rick Lasky’s “Pride and Ownership” today. I am pumped. If you have not heard it, you are missing out.
Maplewood Richmond Heights Family Dentistry burned on Thursday night. The fire went to 4 alarms. The office is located in the 3000 block of Sutton Boulevard in Maplewood, Missouri.
Heavy smoke and fire from a 3-Story Victorian Style House converted into a dentistry practice @ 3004 Sutton. Fire originated in the basement. Defensive operations. Extensive Mutual Aid response.
Rapid Fire Extension caused an Evacuation of firefighters and the fire had already come through the floors. It finally reached the attic and took off.
Recent Comments on FireCritic.com