All,
Here are just a few of them with video, webinar and related links:
=CHURCH FIRE:
For example, the OUR LADY OF ANGELS fire anniversary (Monday, Dec 1, 1958) in Chicago where 92 kids and 4 nuns lost their lives – a day in 1958 where the heroics of Chicago FFs were well documented.
EXCELLENT VIDEO OF THE FIRE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
=BUILDING FIRE:
And in that same city, Dec 22, 2010, Chicago Firefighters Corey Ankum and Ed Stringer were killed in a collapse – on the 100th Anniversary of the Union Stock Yards fire that killed 21 Chicago Firefighters.
FIRE REPORT: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/
Every Firefighter should well familiar with the multi LODD loss in Buffalo (NY) when 5 Buffalo FD Ladder 5 Firefighters (and 2 civilians) were killed in a propane explosion on December 27, 1983.
EXCELLENT ARTICLES:
https://buffalonews.com/2017/
=BUILDING FIRE:
And on December 20th in 1991, 4 Firefighters were killed when they were trapped in a partial floor collapse in Brackenridge, PA. Ever read that report? Here it is along with photos:
FIRE REPORT: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/
In December 1999 there were also 2 other very significant multiple Firefighter Line of Duty Death fires that we must remember.
=WORCESTER (MA) WAREHOUSE FIRE TAKES THE LIVES OF SIX FIREFIGHTERS
We all remember wonderful, but also (and sadly), tragic events that have occurred in our lives as well. On December 3, 1999, I was attending a community Christmas celebration in our town when beepers started to beep providing initial details about missing Firefighters in Worcester (MA) – and then more details – and then even more info and the final incredible details came out. The Worcester Fire Department responded at 1813 hours that night to Box Alarm 1438 for a fire at 266 Franklin Street. (NOTE: 266 Franklin Street is now the the address and location of WFD’s E-6, E-12, L-1, R-1 and Scuba-1 quarters)
2 members of WFD Rescue 1, Firefighter Paul Brotherton and Firefighter Jerry Lucey, entered the building searching for occupants. Fire conditions worsened in the building at a rapid and unexpected rate. FFs Brotherton and Lucey, on the fifth floor, became disoriented in the smoke-filled building. Lost and running low on air, they called for help.
Several crews began searching for the lost Firefighters. Two crews reaching the fifth floor also found themselves disoriented in the smoke and trapped by the maze of interior walls: Lieutenant Tom Spencer and Firefighter Tim Jackson from Ladder 2, and Firefighter Jay Lyons and Firefighter Joe McGuirk from Engine 3 were now trapped. Though many more highly heroic Worcester Firefighters attempted to locate their missing brothers, their efforts proved futile.
Be sure to read the link below, entitled “A Chiefs Perspective” about WFD District (Ret) Chief Mike McNamee, who made the beyond difficult decision to end search operations for the missing members – and saved more lives by doing so.
The Line of Duty Deaths of Worcester Firefighters Paul A. Brotherton, Timothy P. Jackson, Jeremiah M. Lucey, James F. “Jay” Lyons III, Joseph T. McGuirk, and Lt. Thomas E. Spencer devastated Worcester, the Fire service, the nation and the world. Their Line of Duty deaths marked the worst loss of Firefighters’ lives in more than 20 years in a building fire in America, and the third worst fire in Massachusetts’ history. R.I.P.
WORCESTER REPORTS & LINKS:
HERE is the USFA report as well as the “must read” Esquire Magazine/Sean Flynn article:
THE PERFECT FIRE:
http://www.esquire.com/
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/
HERE are more links that we hope will be of value and interest to you and YOUR members:
Excellent Collection of Stories, Photos, Audio:
https://www.telegram.com/
A Chiefs Perspective:
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Photos: http://www.capecodfd.com/
WFD Sites: http://www.iaff1009.org/index.
=6 KEOKUK, IOWA-THE LOSS OF 3 FIREFIGHTERS-AND 3 CHILDREN IN A DUPLEX FIRE
At 0824 hours on Wednesday, December 22, 1999, a fire was reported in a multifamily dwelling in Keokuk, Iowa. Several neighbors phoned the Keokuk 911 center to report smoke coming from a residence, and that a woman was outside screaming that there were children trapped inside.
Keokuk Assistant Fire Chief Dave McNally, 48, Firefighter Jason Bitting, 29, and Firefighter Nate Tuck, 39 were killed while attempting the rescue of 3 trapped kids in that fire – who also perished. The 3 Firefighters left 8 kids of their own behind. The Firefighters died when a flashover occurred while the 3 were doing their search. The fire started in the kitchen of an old wooden two-story b/f home that had been converted into apartments. Staffing is a major issue in Keokuk, and that morning, 4 of the 5 total (plus the Chief) on duty firefighters arrived on scene with heavy smoke showing, and upon hearing the mother screaming that her children were trapped inside, they immediately and understandably went in after them. When “Mom” screams that her kids are inside – we go in.
The 3 were inside, (the Asst. Chief and 2 FF/pump operators) a Lt. was on the hydrant couldn’t see the building and one Firefighter was on side “A”… starting to pack up, to back the interior members up. The Chief made the terribly difficult decision to leave the scene for 3 minutes to personally transport a non-breathing rescued child – there were no other resources available… none. The hospital was a minute away. When he returned, the flashover had already occurred with only the Lt. and the one Firefighter left outside. A/C Dave McNally, FF Jason Bitting, and FF Nate Tuck perished in that duplex. R.I.P.
There are several excellent reports out on the fire:
HERE is the NIOSH report: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/
HERE is the NFPA report: https://www.nfpa.org/-
KFD Link: http://www.cityofkeokuk.org/
=West Webster, NY…”It Could Have Been Any Firefighter … at Any FD”
It was a call on Christmas eve for a car fire, the sort of routine job that all of us turn out for regularly. But this time – once again in our history – it was a trap … there was a house and a car burning on arrival and they did what any Firefighter would do-go to work. What was initially un-size-up-able was a waiting psycho killer who had positioned his cowardly self as a sniper on a berm above the unknowing Firefighters.
Before they could begin to hit the fire, the Firefighters were met by blasts of gunfire. Four were hit by the bullets and two were murdered. Radio traffic demonstrates amazing heroism by surviving WW FF’s (see below).
The 2 Firefighters killed in the Line of Duty were Michael J. Chiapperini, 43, a local Police Lieutenant, and Tomasz Kaczowka, 19, a 911 Dispatcher for Monroe County. The two wounded Firefighters, Theodore Scardino and Joseph Hofstetter fortunately survived (see below).
WHEN a Firefighter dies in the Line of Duty – the least any of us can do is to learn from what happened. And while this incident was as unpredictable as any – what Mike Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczowka did, along with the WWFD Officers and members, thru their sacrifice is greatly heighten the awareness and education for Firefighters everywhere on the potential and preparedness training related to “active shooter” incidents. As we approach another year anniversary, we remember the friends and families of the late Mike Chiapperini, Tomasz Kaczowka, their family, friends and the officers and members of the West Webster FD. RIP.
HERE is a webinar related to ACTIVE SHOOTER incidents, featuring a West Webster Fire Officer: http://info.lexipol.com/fire-
HERE is the incredible radio traffic from that incident.
LISTEN as the injured Firefighters, Joseph Hofstetter, who is also a career Firefighter with the Rochester FD, and Theodore Scardino, are incredibly in control on the radio, despite their serious wounds, as they provide updates, protecting other FFs, EMT’s and Police Officers – saving more lives.
-so younger Firefighters understand our history.
-so we all are reminded of the losses.
-so we learn from the lessons learned.
-and so we can honor all Firefighters who gave their lives in the Line of Duty.
Take Care. Be Careful. Pass It On.
BillyG
www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com