Firefighter Cancer
12
Aug

EMS LODD, Firehouse Gun, FF Critical, New Rules: Fire Act (The Secret List)

August 12, 2011
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INDIANA EMT LINE OF DUTY DEATH-Medical Emergency On A Run

It is with deep regret that we advise you of the Line of Duty death of EMT Charles Black of the Superior Ambulance.  EMT Black was assigned to the Highland, Indiana base. EMT Black suffered a fatal heart attack Wednesday, August 10th, while transporting a patient from St. Margaret Hospital – North Campus – in Hammond, Indiana.  Due to the patient’s size and difficulty getting him in the dwelling, a second ambulance crew was called to assist.  After the four EMTs got the patient inside, EMT Black suffered a fatal heart attack. He is 54 years old and survived by his wife, Miavria, daughter Jackie, 11, and son Joe, 18. Our sincere condolences.

 

 

KC FIREFIGHTER RE-ENTERS HIS FIREHOUSE WITH A GUN DRAWN

A Grim Historic Reminder

Kansas City police were called to a firehouse this past Wednesday morning after a firefighter waved a gun at four other firefighters during a dispute. The victims later said they didn’t want to prosecute. Fire Union representatives went to the suspect’s home after the incident and escorted him to a psychiatric hospital.

It started about 0650 hours, when the 47-year-old (suspect) firefighter arrived to start his shift at Fire Station 28, The suspect started complaining about the new guys never putting fuel in the fire trucks. A 29-year-old firefighter “wasn’t really listening to the suspect,” police said, because he was trying to get ready to go home. This angered the suspect, who said, “I’m talking to you, too!”

The younger firefighter asked “what his problem was…and why he was yelling,” according to police reports. The suspect then allegedly shoved the younger firefighter with both hands.

A Fire Captain intervened and told the suspect to go home and take a sick day. A few minutes later, the suspect showed back up in the firehouse with a gun and “began waving it back and forth and pointing it at” four firefighters who were sitting in a common area. The suspect “stated he was going to shoot them all".

The fire captain told the suspect to put his gun away. The suspect complied and left.

The younger firefighter declined to prosecute for the shoving, and the three firefighters and captain also declined to prosecute for the alleged aggravated assault.

“The issue is being handled internally,” said Battalion Chief Joe Vitale, a department spokesman.

 

NOTE:

While the facts of what happened this week in KC are based upon media reports, and thankfully no one was hurt, it reminded us of just how very serious this and related stress and mental health issues in this job can be….and how paying serious attention by members at all levels is critical.

—Some old timers will remember the horrific 1996 incident when a Jackson, Mississippi Firefighter killed his wife at home, then went to their central station and opened fire on his supervisors, killing Captain Meredith Don Moree, Captain John Richard Robbins, and District Chief Stanley Cleo Adams before being wounded in a shootout.

Tornes admitted to reporters that he was guilty. He was ultimately sentenced to death row, but he died in prison before the sentence was carried out.

Tornes had made threatening statements long before the shootings: "He was a perfect gentlemen except when you got him talking about the chiefs," a 14-year firefighter, Tim Dukes, said. "Apparently he was upset about his wife and he came here and did this. But he’s been talking about this for years."

 

RELATED LINKS:

The Role of Occupational Stress in The Contemporary Fire Service:

IAFF Behavioral Wellness Manual

IAFC/IAFF Wellness/Fitness

Firefighter Close Calls "PERSONAL SURVIVAL"

https://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/personal-survival.php

Fire Service Related Mental Health Articles/Links

A Military Perspective

North American Federal Workplace Violence Links

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

UPDATE ON BURNED FIREFIGHTER: CRITICAL BUT STABLE

FF Austin Whitney, the 20-year-old wildland firefighter injured in that South Dakota wildfire yesterday, is in critical, but stable condition in Western States Burn Center at the Northern Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, Colo. South Dakota Wildland Fire Suppression Division FF Whitney suffered second and third-degree burns on his legs, arms and neck. We’ll keep you advised as he progresses.

 

 

FIRE ACT GRANTS-INTERESTING CHANGES & SOME NEW RULES:

The 2011 open application period will run from this coming Monday, August 15 – September 9, 2011, so hurry. Seriously, hurry.

=WHAT’S NEW, CHANGED OR DIFFERENT THIS YEAR?

-Funding priorities have been categorized as: High, medium and low. Use their priority system to increase your chances of winning an award.

-They’ve added new items/activities eligible for funding in 2011: Behavioral health programs, boats under 20′ and extended warranties.

-Flashover simulators are not eligible for funding.

-Applicants may apply for more than one vehicle. However, driver/operator training/certification is required in order to receive a vehicle award.

=WHERE DO I APPLY?

Learn more about AFG and start your application online at http://www.fema.gov/firegrants .

=NEED HELP? TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AFG RESOURCES

They offer a variety of assistance to ensure that deserving applicants are successful:

View an AFG Application Tutorial – Coming Soon!

Review the AFG Program Guidance and Application Kit:

http://www.fema.gov/firegrants/afggrants/documents.shtm  

Download the Get Ready Guide: http://www.fema.gov/firegrants  

Call or email the Help Desk: 1-866-274-0960 or [email protected]  

Contact your Regional Representative: http://www.fema.gov/firegrants/program/contact.shtm  

Review applicable NFPA standards: http://www.nfpa.org/nfpaafg2011

=NEW THIS YEAR: GRANT RECIPIENTS MUST REGISTER IN THE CENTRAL CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION (CCR) SYSTEM

As of August 2010, prime recipients of Federal grants are required to register in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) system. As a potential grantee you are not required to register, but you may wish to do so now in case you receive an award. CCR registration will be required if you are selected for an award.

Take Care-BE CAREFUL,

BillyG

The Secret List 8-12-11 / 2227 Hours

Contact Info

Email BillyG
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