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Thursday, September 2, 2010 By JOAN LOWY (AP) WASHINGTON — An accident this week in Arkansas has boosted to 21 the number of people that have been killed so far this year in medical helicopter and plane crashes, renewing concerns about the safety of such operations. An Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter crashed Tuesday near Scotland, Ark., killing the pilot, a nurse and a paramedic. It was the fourth fatal accident this summer: A medical helicopter crash in Tucson, Ariz., killed three people on July 28; a crash near Kingfisher, Okla., on July 22 killed two people and seriously injured a third, and an air ambulance plane crashed July 4 in Alpine, Texas, killing five. "This is very alarming," National Transportation Safety Board member Robert Sumwalt said in an interview. "The safety board continues to be very concerned about the safety of this industry." The number of deaths represents a sharp spike from last year, when only six people were killed in one plane and n... [ more ]
Wednesday, September 1, 2010 Several firefighters in High Point are concerned a toxic mold problem that was discovered at fire station on Barrow Road could be more widespread. A former firefighter who worked at Fire Station 13 off Eastchester Drive said he saw mold inside his fire station. The Fire Chief said officials are inspecting all other stations for similar mold problems. Fire Station 12 on Barrow Road in High Point was shut down late last week after officials discovered toxic mold in the ceiling tiles above a sleeping area inside the building. Firefighters first noticed the mold early last week and informed the city. Inspectors tested the mold and confirmed it was dangerous. The fire station was closed last week while crews work to remove the mold. "Their health and safety is our number one concern. When they noticed it, and informed us, we made a decision to take them out of this environment for a period of time," said Fire C... [ more ]
Fire Chief Apology
MyFox8.com Video
Wednesday, September 1, 2010 A Firefighter was hurt on the job this afternoon in Nashville. He was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center with second degree burns. The fire happened at a duplex in South Nashville. A mother and her young child were home at the time of the fire, but they were not hurt. When crews arrived, most of the roof was on fire. The firefighter was injured when a small part of the roof fell in on him.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010 The NFFF has advised that they have secured an exclusive $500,000.00 sponsor for the development of the "next critical step" in firefighters survival risk management: The Firefighter Vulnerability Assessment Tool (V.A.T.) . The tool, (an online and computer based system) which will be made available to EVERY FD in the United States in partnership with the USFA, will allow a fire department to scientifically (vs emotionally) determine their risk potential in firefighter injury or death. Honeywell First Responder Products (HFRP), a division of Honeywell Life Safety (HLS), and the makers of Morning Pride and Ranger protective clothing for firefighters, have stepped up and will be the exclusive corporate sponsor for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s new Vulnerability Tool. The USFA will also be providing significant funding as well. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (with support from ... [ more ]
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 Kristopher O'Brien and Fred Klotzer returned the Mint Hill Fire Station Sunday afternoon just one day after a different training exercise went horribly wrong. "Adrenaline rush - it was an adrenaline rush. I mean, I've never been in that situation before," Klotzer said. The two firefighters were inside the Old Idlewild Country Club building during a controlled burn Saturday. The fire was intentionally set as part of a demolition project at Queen's Grant Prepatory School. The school plans to rebuild and expand on the land. But in a flash, the fire grew out of control. "It was a very, very big structure and the room we were working in was very large. "There wasn't a lot of supporting beams," O'Brien said. "Out of nowhere, the ceiling just came down. And when it came down, the fire came down with it too." O'Brien's metal helmet became twisted from the damage. "This helmet saved my life," he said. O'Brien was k... [ more ]
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 CLOSE CALL 1 Do not be fooled by complacency or bad habits. No matter how much smoke there is it is dangerous. The photo's attached were taken at small kitchen fire that was actually extinguished before the arrival of the first due units. An elderly occupant that was unable to escape the structure was trapped on the second division in a bedroom. The ladder company quickly threw a ladder to the second division and brought the occupant down the ladder. The moderate smoke condition was ventilated and readings were taken using the HCN meter. At the time metering began the first division had a fair amount of natural ventilation that had occurred, so readings did not exceed 7ppm which is just about the department's action level of 5ppm. The second division saw higher numbers that were as high as 22ppm. These readings were taken once the fans were started and after natural ventilation had a chance to remove some of the smoke. Imagine what the levels were while the el... [ more ]
Close Call 1
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 A Detroit fire truck and a car crashed Tuesday afternoon on the city's east side. The crash happened around 1:30 p.m. on the corner of Edsel Ford and Van Dyke Avenue. Officials confirmed there were injuries but did not specify if it was civilians or firefighters -- or how serious the injuries were.
ClickonDetroit.com Photos
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 THANKS TO DAVE STATTER - www.Statter911.com for his work on this story Much of the Houston Fire Department spent Monday night on the scene of a 4-alarm fire at the JPMorgan Chase Bank building (formerly the Gulf Building). The location is the 700 block of Main street at Capitol Street in downtown. The fire was reported around 8:00 PM Houston time. The fire was on the 27th floor. This is now reported to be the older, smaller tower and not the 75-story newer structure that is the tallest building in Texas. Updates: At 9:40 PM, six additional pumpers were dispatched to the scene. At 10:14 PM, seven additional pumpers and two ladder trucks were requested. News reports indicate the fire is under control. From the Houston Chronicle: The fire is confined to the 27th floor of the historic building. Firefighters said it’s primarily offices u... [ more ]
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Video of the Fire
Monday, August 30, 2010 An Indianapolis firefighter was injured and another had a close call early today in a housefire on the Westside. Indianapolis Fire Department units were called about 3:30 a.m. to a vacant residence in the 2200 block of West Martha Street. According to an IFD news release, firefighters found heavy smoke and flames that spread rapidly due to the age of the structure "The first companies attacking the fire were also hindered due to a small explosion just inside the home that resulted in a hole being put in their hose line,'' the news release said. "After retreating to get another hose they then proceeded to attack the heavy amount of fire." One firefighter suffered burns in the explosion and was being treated at Wishard Memorial Hospital. Another firefighter fell about 10 feet through a hole in the floor into the basement, but was not injured. Damage was estimated to be $50,000. The cause of the fire had not been d... [ more ]
Monday, August 30, 2010 Two volunteer firefighters were sent to the hospital for heat exhaustion after battling a Sunday afternoon house fire on North Wheeling Avenue. The fire, which was reported around 12:45 p.m., was contained to one end of the rental home at 18710 N. Wheeling Ave., Gaston Fire Chief Mike Delaney said. A large portion of the house, however, was damaged by smoke. No one was inside the house at the time of the fire. Investigators said it appeared a malfunction in the electrical panel caused the fire. The fire department was on scene for about three hours, but Delaney said the fire was extinguished in about an hour and a half. The department was assisted by the Eaton Fire Department and Hamilton Township Volunteer Fire Department. The two firefighters who suffered heat exhaustion were both released from the hospital later Sunday afternoon. "It was just very hot and the heat was taking a toll on the firemen trying to get it put out," Delaney ... [ more ]
ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!
Monday, August 30, 2010 This morning, we were advised of some incredible and drastic cuts to one Indiana fire department. The 21 members of the Madison Twp. Fire Department, Morgan County (IAFF Local 4555) were informed this morning that effective today, the following will occur: 1. All Fire Fighter pay has been reduced to minimum wage. 2. Daily staffing is reduced to from 9 to 5. 3. Station 32 is closed (8-30-10) 4. Fire Fighter paid hours are reduced to one 24 hour shift per week. 5. Health insurance for members and dependents will cease Oct. 1 6. No overtime or training for the remainder of the year. For additional details, contact the Prof. FF's Assoc. of Indiana: http://www.pffui.com/
Monday, August 30, 2010 Early this morning an auto repair shop fire that caused an estimated $2 million damage sent 4 Firefighters to the hospital FROM EXTERIOR SMOKE & FUMES. While "exactly what" was in the smoke hasn't been identified, (cyanide, CO, are typical at all fires) this is an excellent warning for all of us that operating exterior operations (in addition to interior) in smoke affect all on the scene (see below). REMEMBER: Modern science has changed the way fires burn. Your fires are hotter, flashovers are quicker and the smoke is much more toxic. As we have seen, Firefighters have been injured and have died from toxic chemicals like HCN and CO....which are at every fire you turnout on. London (Ontario, Canada) Fire Services Platoon Chief Paul Carew said 4 Firefighters were sent to hospital within 10 minutes of arriving at the scene last night. Chief Carew said the Firefighters were st... [ more ]
Monday, August 30, 2010 An auto repair shop fire that caused an estimated $2 million damage and sent four firefighters to hospital FROM EXTERIOR FUMES is being called suspicious. Police were the first to respond to the fire in an industrial plaza at 300 Exeter Rd. when burglar alarms tripped at about 11:30 Sunday night. Police arrived to see smoke and flames coming from the Mr. Mechanic shop at the south end of the building and notified fire crews. The fire soon spread through an adjacent wheel repair shop and an auto body shop two doors north. London Fire Services Platoon Chief Paul Carew said four firefighters were sent to hospital within ten minutes of arriving at the scene. Carew said the firefighters were still setting up to battle the blaze when they were overcome by noxious fumes from the fire. Carew said there was auto paint and gasoline, along with highly explosive propane and acetylene present in the building,... [ more ]
Sunday, August 29, 2010 A roof collapsed during a live fire training in Mint Hill (N.C.) yesterday afternoon. 2 Firefighters and a Fire Instructor from Central Piedmont Community College were hurt during the live burn. The building was used for training to make way for a school to rebuild and expand. Idlewild Fire Assistant Chief Brian White said weeks of preparation and training beforehand helped to ensure all 3 Firefighters made it out with only minor injuries. "We had all the backup procedure rescue teams and so forth in place. They were able to evacuate all Firefighters out of building very quickly,” White said. The firefighters suffered minor burns, while another person suffered a sprained ankle. Several of the sites (school) teachers and families were also outside to witness the live fire training and incident. Nearly 70 firefighters and EMS from Matthews, Mint Hill, and Matthews participated in the live fire training detail. N.C. VIDEO - LOCAL NEWS REPORT: more ]
Sunday, August 29, 2010 A 2 alarm fire hit an Atlantic City rooming house late last night, displacing 37 people and putting a Firefighter in ICU for smoke inhalation. Before companies arrived, a woman on the 2nd floor threw her two children out of a window to bystanders below, then jumped herself. The children were not hurt, but the woman was taken to the hospital.
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