I was the driver operator on the first due Engine at a major fire. We had Semi trailers and piles and piles of electronics and bunks of wood all burning in about 3 feet of dry cheat grass (flashy fuel). We had a civilian that would not leave the fire ground and was hampering the … [Read more...]

We were dispatched to a report of wires arching beside the local used goods store. The Thrift Store is a steel bow trussed one-story masonry constructed building, with a heavy fire load, of clothing and other household materials. Upon arrival the Chief gave a size up of wires … [Read more...]

On May 8, 2004 my fire department was doing its yearly yard cleanup. I was raking leaves thinking I pulled a muscle in my chest. I had my the 9 year old son with me, the pains got worse and I traveled home with my son in the car. I reached home and told my wife that I have this … [Read more...]

I was at the Fire Station preparing for the big thunderstorms coming through. Shortly after the storm started the phones start ringing for lightning strikes and alarms going off, trees down, etc. All at once of course. I was standing out in the truck bays when the first in house … [Read more...]

While working on his third working fire in a 14 hr. period, a Lieutenant on our department walked around the back of a fully involved structure and stepped on live "downed" power lines. It had been announced by the I/C over the radio that there were power lines down at … [Read more...]

my right foot fell beneath the pumper..... I was in the Fire Department for about 1 year and was 18 years old, my company responded to a district call for a dumpster fire.  The dumpster was found to be directly adjacent to a taxpayer building so we tried to … [Read more...]

my right foot fell beneath the pumper..... I was in the Fire Department for about 1 year and was 18 years old, my company responded to a district call for a dumpster fire.  The dumpster was found to be directly adjacent to a taxpayer building so we tried to … [Read more...]

A weird close call happened on our shift yesterday. We had a single engine respond to a forklift leaking propane. Upon arrival, our E3 found heavy black smoke coming out of an open overhead door of a large commercial warehouse, type II construction. The occupant says We cant … [Read more...]

On a Monday afternoon in January of 2005, at 2:53 Harlan Township firefighters were dispatched to a reported explosion at near 8480 Achterman Road just outside the small Village of Butlerville in Warren County Ohio. Fire Chief Andy Mitten, first to arrive on the scene checked out … [Read more...]