(Updated at 7:39 PM)

Missouri firefighter sentenced to 3 years after POV wreck

Dominic Gillen received a 3-year sentence for the November, 2006 crash that killed a 17-year-old boy. Gillen, from the Goodhope Fire Department, responded to a brush fire in his personal vehicle. Police say he was traveling 84 mph when he passed a car in a no-passing zone, and hit Jacob Yeates car head-on. Read the story.

San Antonio chief now says protocol violated, 4 medics disciplined

Chief Charles Hood who said he didn’t expect anyone to be disciplined after an accident victim, still alive, was left for dead, now has some different words: “Medical protocol was definitely violated in this instance. It was an error in judgment.”

EMSresponder.com has the AP story on the latest from the December 16th crash.

Article from San Antonio Express-News

Editorial from San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Express-News Columnist Ken Rodriguez says “Paramedic’s error led to weeks of PR mistakes, but truth is out”.

Watch story from KENS-TV

Shoot first, handle the emergency later

That may be an exaggeration, but it is one of the concerns voiced about cameras in the hands of front line first responders. STATter 911 has been running a series of columns about the impact of YouTube and LiveLeak on fire and EMS. We have one today, that includes a couple of interesting response videos and the views of fire service veteran and Firehouse.com Assistant Content Editor William Carey. Click here to see and read it.

Police chief convicted of stealing beer from fire department

The Wilson, Kansas police chief has been fired after his conviction for stealing beer from the Wilson Fire Department. The theft occurred in August. Apparently the police and fire departments share an office separated by a door. When beer began disappearing from the fire department refrigerator (no explanation on why the beer was there) firefighters set up a motion-activated camera.

Here is the most recent story. A previous story has more details.

Lt. who reported threat against chief feels pressure

In Sandusky, Ohio a pre-disciplinary hearing was held yesterday for a firefighter accused of threatening to shoot and kill the chief and shoot up fire stations. No criminal charges have been filed. At the same time, the lieutenant who reported the threats says he is feeling “ill-will” from co-workers. Read and watch the story.

Fire in the Philippines

A fire in four homes on Sunday.

Fire in Moscow

Fire on Monday.

Fire in Belgium

Fire on Tuesday in Westende on the Belgian coast.

December fire in IL

This is recently posted video of a fire that we first told you about when it happened. The December 21 fire destroyed a Cicero furniture store. Watch for the collapse and the involvement of the power pole toward the end.

Ice training

This is training on Monday by the Providence, RI Fire Department. The caption reads, “Members from Ladder Co 5, Engine 2, Rescue 4, and Special Hazards took part in the drill”.

Watching this one, I get chills. Not because of the ice, but because it reminds of one of my lowest moments in TV. I am guessing it was about 1997. My bosses were hell-bent on doing an ice rescue story for the ratings period. Problem was, the winter was pretty warm. After no one in the DC area had much ice, I finally got the Baltimore County Fire Department to play with us.

We met them at a lake I used to visit as a kid, adjacent to the old Gwynn Oak Amusement Park. I got dressed in the Gumby suit and jumped in. The firefighters job was to rescue me. The problem was, there was precious little ice. It looked terrible and I felt stupid. And just like in the fire department, I have plenty of people I work with who love to remind me of this glorious moment in my career.

Around the web

WithTheCommand.com has the story of the Dallas firefighter who drove two heart attack victims to the hospital. He was one of them.

FireGeezer.com has the proposed ban on silly string at a Long Island town’s parades because it hurts the fire trucks. More seriously, FossilMedic Mike Ward looks at a mess in Philadelphia and a New Year’s Day tragedy.

Firefighter Spot has some training videos, including one on rapid intervention. There is also a look at the real live use of RIT in Delaware.

Thehousewatch.com also has some training tips and more.

The Washington-Metro Area Fire & Injury Prevention site sees a trend growing in requiring firefighters to take the National Fire Academy’s Self-Study Course for Community Safety Educators.

This scary picture above is from DCFD.com’s newest feature called “Around The House”. A great idea to show some of the nicer moments and celebrations. The picture is from an October event at E29′s quarters. The only thing positive to say about it is at least I have more hair than 2 of the guys and I may not have the biggest waist size.

Boredom

This one says this is what happens when firefighters get bored.

The video above and the one below appear to be the next step in firefighting in the YouTube generation. One of them begins inside a POV, during a volunteer firefighter’s response to the firehouse. The other starts with firefighters getting their gear and preparing to respond to an emergency. What is interesting is that positioning the camera appears to be a priority, even before the PPV is donned.

We have been doing periodic looks at the impact of the videos we run on STATter 911 (Click here, for our first column on the topic). We have referred to it as biting the hand that feeds us. But we find it an interesting topic, in that policy seems to lag behind the use of cameras by first responders.

My personal view is I like to see as much video as possible. I am a strong believer in the public’s right to know, and possibly see, as much as they can about the workings of public safety organizations. But I can also understand, from the views we have already published and articles I have read elsewhere, how this has the potential to conflict with the primary role of emergency crews (one veteran we talked to cautioned that the camera should not be the first piece of gear grabbed by firefighters, which may apply to the videos above).

Training is often mentioned as the motive behind the videos and other picture taking. There is no doubt, this generation of firefighters is blessed or cursed, to more often than not, be able to instantly see their triumphs and failures in full motion video.

Recently, Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department Major Chauncey Bowers voiced a number of concerns (our second column, that you can read by clicking here), including patient privacy. In recent days, a chief in Florida, who says he snaps pictures for training, is out of a job after emailing images of an accident victim whose breasts were exposed as crews unsuccessfully tried to save her.

One of those whose views on this topic STATter 911 solicited is William Carey. Bill is a Firehouse.com Assistant Content Editor, Contributing Author and former Prince George’s County volunteer fire officer. Here’s what he wrote:

Regarding fire service media, my opinions are of first, a firefighter and fire officer, and second someone whose work allows the viewing of almost endless forms of fire service “user submitted media”. I was a third generation firefighter, and from a small city local fire news was usually page 2, but often front page as well. It was enjoyable to see the department and friends, even myself, in the news after a fire or accident. Back home everyone knew everyone and so it was multiple fifteen-minutes of fame. The Salisbury Daily Times has a photographer who shortly after being hired, would show up at nearly every working incident we had. His photographs were nearly always in the next edition of the paper, and he would freely give copies of his work to guys who were at the scene. He has the utmost respect, as far as I know, of the men and women in the fire departments in Wicomico County, simply because he continually captures the work, and just the work alone and not the sensationalism that is out there today. Looking at it from the point of reporters (and I am not one), especially where I work, I am beginning to understand some of the reporter and editor train-of-thought when it comes to news and public safety news; however I’m smart enough to know that sensationalism and tabloid bring hits and page views even to Firehouse.com. I dislike that a great deal and believe that some of what is captured on video is reflective of what is being reported as news. Being in the Washington D.C. area local news, especially fire service news is more or less page 3. If it doesn’t disrupt traffic or kill many people, it might go unreported. Today, I see a gradual change in local fire service news and I believe that quite a bit of it has to do with the introduction of better video and photography equipment and easier technology for anyone to submit an incident to the local media and blogs. Nearly all the metropolitan Washington, D.C. media outlets allow and encourage John Q. Public to capture an event and submit it, even from his cellular phone. If there is a room and contents fire on some side street at 0200 hours, it is entirely possible for somebody, anybody, to visually document the whole incident, and submit it to the media. The only thing that is needed is the want or desire to do so.

Finally, when I think of the whole photography and helmet cam issue, I think of Guantanamo Bay and the abuse scandal. If you know its wrong or even think it might be, don’t do it. With some of the videos out there we see, especially those from firefighters and fire departments, you have to sit back and say “what were you thinking?”

(Updated at 1:39 PM)

Florida fire chief resigns after sending out photos of accident victim

City of Umatilla Fire Chief Richard Shirk says he didn’t know the pictures he emailed showed nudity, but he has resigned anyway. We first told you about the investigation of Chief Shirk yesterday. Shirk snapped pictures of an accident in November and sent them to neighboring fire departments. They showed pictures of the victim, who later died, with her breasts exposed. Other city officials said the woman’s privacy was violated.

Watch the latest story.

Read the latest story.

Miscommunication between FD & power company cited in Scranton electrocution. Paper reports on Scranton history of contact between trucks and wires.

A deputy chief says there appears to have been a failure to communicate between the Scranton Fire Department and the power company that resulted in the death of Captain James Robeson. Read the story.

An article in The Scranton Times-Tribune reports on incidents in 1996 and 1969 where Scranton ladder trucks have had similar problems. A neighboring community had a fatal contact in 1982. Click here to read the story.

DC officials move to solve retirement issue for FFs injured on the job

As we first told you on Monday, District of Columbia officials say they are moving to correct a situation that has angered firefighters for a number of years. In the short term, the City Council is planning to submit emergency legislation today to make sure that two firefighters burned in October aren’t forced into early retirement. Mayor Adrian Fenty and Chief Dennis Rubin want a long term fix that could also address the issue of firefighters injured on-the-job who may be able to perform duties other than active firefighting. Click here for the story.

Retirement issue among latest to put spotlight on Boston Fire Department

A Boston Globe columnist is taking on the fire department in today’s paper. Adrian Walker says he wants Mayor Thomas Menino to stand up and take control of the situation. The latest issue, claiming possible fraud in disability retirements, has Walker opening his column this way: “For anyone who may have wondered about the fate of good, old-fashioned corruption, we now know that it is alive and well in the Boston Fire Department”.

Here’s how Walker ends the column:

Just how much has to happen in the Fire Department before the mayor pulls rank? Isn’t it enough to be allegedly cheating on tests, short-circuiting the mayor’s reform commission, and blatantly ripping off the public? If not, what will it take?

Figuring out how to take back the Fire Department belongs at the very top of Menino’s to-do list.

Here is The Globe story that prompted the column.

Fire department turns around after finding fire outside its district

A home in Fairbanks, Alaska was destroyed last Wednesday. The Steese Area Volunteer Fire Department responded, but turned away from the burning home after determining the blaze was 180 feet outside its district. Here’s an excerpt from a January 4th article in the Daily News-Miner:

The Steese Fire Department responded to the call within two minutes of it coming in but turned back when they realized it was outside the service area. Callaway (homeowner Ace Callaway) said he saw them turn off their lights and head back to the station.

“When I saw the truck pull up and turn off its lights, it kind of hurt,” he said.

Deputy Chief Mike Holzmueller said it’s just the policy of all the volunteer departments in the borough to not respond to fires outside their range because they don’t pay taxes for the service.

“It’s unfortunate that it was outside the area,” he said.

In an editorial published today, the paper pretty much supports the policy:

Until the Fairbanks area has a more comprehensive fire protection system, if that’s what its residents want, large numbers of homes in the unprotected areas between the fire districts will, in most circumstances, be left to burn.

Knowing whether a house is in a fire service area or not is the responsibility of the home’s owner. Anyone considering buying a house outside of the city of Fairbanks or the city of North Pole, each of which have their own city fire department, needs to find out if that house is inside a fire service area. Seeing a fire station nearby doesn’t always mean the house across the street is protected.

The Fox fire tells us that in a stark way.

Update on NH department where chief forced out and FFs resigned

The latest from East Kingston, after the fire chief was told to leave on December 31 and FFs resigned in protest. Read the story.

Helmet-cam 82

From Lewes, DE on Sunday.

1974 Sao Paulo fire

Not exactly sure why, but someone just posted video from the February 1, 1974 high-rise fire in Brazil that killed 179.

Dog bites boy and still makes news

From Indiana, a dog repeatedly bit a boys foot to alert him that the house was on fire. Read the story. Watch the story.

(For the latest fire and EMS news from STATter 911, click here)

Watch my report from 9NEWS NOW at 6:00 PM

District of Columbia officials are trying to make sure that Sgt. Michael LaCore only has to focus on getting well and not worry about being forced to retire. LaCore has been watching the calendar since he was critically burned at a house fire on October 29. A 2004 law would require the veteran firefighter to retire after just 64 shifts away from the job.

The DC City Council is expected to submit emergency legislation on Tuesday to extend the deadline for LaCore and Firefighter Charlie Shyab, injured in the same fire. At a press conference on Monday, Mayor Adrian Fenty and Chief Dennis Rubin said they are working toward a more permanent fix.

Chief Rubin believes the law, enacted before he came to Washington, had good intentions, going after those who might abuse the system. But Rubin and Mayor Fenty said it has unfairly targeted some firefighters who have been legitimately hurt serving the city.

Michael LaCore says this really isn’t about him. LaCore talks about the plight of people before him, like Joe Morgan. Joe Morgan was critically burned in a 1999 fire that killed two firefighters. Morgan was given a 50% chance of survival. Morgan not only survived, he went back to work at the department’s training academy. Because of the law, Joe Morgan was forced to take a disability retirement which provides only about half of his fire department salary.

Chief Rubin and Mayor Fenty both said they hope to propose legislation that will also address those like Morgan, who are unable to work as active firefighters, but can still serve the city.

Mayor Adrian Fenty said the issue was made clear to him by Michael LaCore’s mother Madeline (Full disclosure: Madeline LaCore is a co-worker of mine at WUSA-TV).

Another woman has also been lobbying on this issue. Kelly Aldridge has testified before the City Council about her husband Floyd’s on-the-job injuries and eventual retirement. Aldridge says her family has been unable to live on income that is less than half of what Floyd Aldridge made as a firefighter.

(For the latest fire and EMS news from STATter 911, click here)

From the AP’s Michael Rubinkam via philly.com:

The Scranton fire department and an electrical utility apparently had a breakdown in communication prior to the death of a veteran firefighter, who was electrocuted Sunday while battling a house fire that killed two elderly residents, an official said Monday.

A huge turnout was expected at Robeson’s funeral on Thursday, with firefighters from around the nation calling the Scranton department to inquire about hotel accommodations. Also, fire departments in the region have offered to staff city firehouses to allow Robeson’s colleagues to attend his funeral.

(Updated at 2:00 PM)

Movement on the issue of forced retirement for DC FFs injured on the job?

We have been covering this problem ever since Joe Morgan was critically burned and then forced to retire following the May, 1999 fire that killed two DC firefighters. As we first told you on December 15, this is also an issue for Sgt. Michael LaCore and possibly Firefighter Charlie Shyab burned in the October 29 fire on 4th Street, NE.

This afternoon at 3:30 PM, Mayor Adrian Fenty, Chief Dennis Rubin and Sgt. LaCore are scheduled to discuss the “strategy to ensure that injured firefighters are able to return to work after recovery”.

I will have more, later, from the press conference at Engine 3.

Another picture problem in Florida

The fire chief in the City of Umatilla has some explaining to do. Pictures he snapped of a woman being treated at an accident scene in November are the focus of an investigation. The allegations are that Chief Richard Shirk shared the photos with area departments and that they show the woman with her chest uncovered. She later died. Watch the story. Below are excerpts from the Orlando Sentinel’s article:

In a Dec. 12 report, Umatilla police Chief Doug Foster said that Shirk showed a lack of concern for the victim and embarrassed the Umatilla Fire Department when he e-mailed a picture of the 26-year-old woman to fire departments in Mount Dora, Eustis and Leesburg. The woman died after the early November crash.

“To be quite frank, I haven’t talked to anyone who hasn’t been appalled by this entire situation,” Irby said. “Absolutely appalled.”

As many as 40 feared dead in warehouse fire in South Korea

27 are confirmed dead 12 or 13 others are reported missing in Icheon, South Korea this morning. The victims are workers at a refrigerated warehouse. One report claims 500 firefighters are working the blaze (another says 250). Here are excerpts from The Korea Times:

The fire in the city of Icheon, located 80 kilometers southeast of Seoul, started around 10:45 a.m. in the basement of a two-story warehouse owned by the logistics company Korea 2000.

Burning toxic chemicals, coupled with the fear of more explosions, made it difficult for firefighters to enter the building and extinguish the blaze, which gutted the entire warehouse.

Rescue operations hit difficulties as the 20,000-square-meter basement was filled with toxic gases. Choi Jin-jong, head of the province’s firefighting operations, said, “We are having hard time putting down the blaze due to a series of explosions at the time of the fire, which demolished all firefighting facilities in the basement.”

More on Sunday’s tragedy in Scranton

Captain James Robeson died Sunday morning while fighting a house fire. Robeson was in the bucket of the tower-ladder above when he was electrocuted. Investigators say electricity arced between the bucket and the wires. The picture from WNEP-TV. An elderly couple died in the blaze.

There is also video from WYOU-TV.

IAFF Local 60 has the funeral arrangements:

The funeral will be Thursday at 10 a.m. from the Thomas J. Hughes Funeral Home Inc., 1240 St. Ann’s St., with Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30 in St. Patrick’s Church, Jackson Street. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery. Friends attending the funeral are asked to go directly to the church. Friends may call Tuesday, 6 to 9 p.m., and Wednesday, 3 to 8 p.m.

If you are from outside the department and have any questions or concerns please contact Lt. Dave Gervasi at untouchabledave@msn.com or 570- 466-5137.

More on Montgomery County budget cuts

Here is a link to our TV story on the efforts to keep the Glen Echo, MD ambulance from becoming a part time unit. It is part of budget cuts in Montgomery County, MD to close a record shortfall. Here is the link from the weekend posting of Chief Tom Carr’s memo outlining this and other money saving measures between now and June. The plan needs County Council approval.

More weekend coverage

A lot of other news from the weekend. You can see it by clicking here. Included are a liquor store fire in Frederick County, MD and the burial of Loudoun Count
y, VA’s Lt. Alex Keepers.

2 killed, more than 40 injured in 100 car pile up

Sunday in Wisconsin, a fog covered highway set up this chain-reaction pile-up.

2-alarm apartment fire in Fairfax County

Fire on the top floor and through the roof of a 4-story apartment building overnight in Centreville, VA. A second-alarm was called for the fire on Newton-Patent Court. Some details from a press release:

Firefighters encountered heavy fire and smoke coming from the rear and side of the four-story apartment building upon arrival. Firefighters attacked the fire near a top floor balcony, attic, and roof area. A second alarm was struck and approximately 60 firefighters fought the fire. Smoke alarms provided early warning for residents of the 14-unit apartment building. The fire was brought under control in approximately 40 minutes.

Multi-alarm fire in Hoboken

Fire in a bar, with apartments above it, broke out around 1:30 this morning on 1st Street in Hoboken, NJ. Click here to see a report from the scene.

Man who first painted UK fire trucks yellow has died

Albert Leese died at age 93 on December 28. The chief of the Old City of Coventry Fire Brigade for 14 years, he was a recognized fire prevention authority. But he may best remembered for painting his fire trucks yellow in the late 1960s. FirefightingNews.com has the article from the Coventry Evening Telegraph:

The decorated fire officer was a firm believer that bright yellow should be the preferred colour for fire appliances, being more reflective in the dark than red.

The move was frowned upon by the Home Office and the vehicles reverted to red when the West Midlands Fire Service took over in 1974.

Infrared view of a flashover

This was posted today to LiveLeak.com, but not a lot of information with it.

A moving target

To put this fire out, you first have to get it to stand still.

CA water rescue

Man clinging to tree. Woman swept away in this video of a rescue on Saturday in Chino.

Toronto house fires

A four-alarm fire on Saturday in Toronto. Read more.

High winds

A fire Saturday in Colorado Springs destroyed a plumbing company. Wind gusts of up to 60 mph hindered firefighters. Read more and watch a report.

NJ fire

A very large house and a very large volume of fire. Thursday morning in Hopewell Township, NJ. More details.

IL house fire

House under renovation burns in Bensenville on Saturday.

Fairfax County video

Still pictures and video from Station 15.

(Updated at 8:18 PM, Sunday)

Captain electrocuted, two civilians killed, during Scranton house fire

From The Scranton Times-Tribune

(Note: Early reports had the captain’s last name as Robson, The Scranton Times-Tribune and IAFF Local 60 are using Robeson)

Scranton Fire Department Captain Jim Robeson was electrocuted while in the bucket of a tower-ladder during a Sunday morning house fire. An elderly couple died in the fire. The images from the fire, above, are from WNEP-TV.

The Scranton Times-Tribune is reporting that the bucket apparently did not have direct contact with the wires, but rather arced between the wires and truck. Here are excerpts from the paper’s latest article:

While fighting the fire at the converted home of 808-810 Ash St., Capt. Robeson and firefighter Jennifer Hawker ascended to a higher elevation in the bucket lift of a ladder truck.

The firefighters knew the fire had already claimed two victims, said Chief Davis (Fire Chief Tom Davis) but there was still a lot of concern of the fire spreading to neighboring homes.

A spokesman for PPL, Rich Beasley, said the company was conducting an investigation as well and wouldn’t comment further on the fire.

Other links: FirefighterCloseCalls.com; WYOU-TV; IAFF Local 60; FireGeezer.com; WithTheCommand.com

Montgomery County, MD budget cuts

Belt tightening in Montgomery County. STATter 911 has Chief Thomas Carr’s memo about the cuts. Click here to read the memo.

The Washington Post outlines County Executive Isiah Leggett’s overall plans. Here are excerpts relating to fire and EMS:

Fire Chief Thomas W. Carr Jr. has proposed $3.7 million in reductions, which would redeploy firefighters and equipment throughout the county and scale back overtime hours, prompting questions from the council and the community about how quickly the department would be able to respond to emergencies.

“It’s never a good time to cut back in service,” he said. “But this puts us in the best position to provide service with the resources we have.”

MD liquor store fire

Pictures from Brett Livingston

A fire around noon on Saturday destroyed a 60-year-old business in Ijamsville, MD. Firefighters from Frederick, Montgomery, and Carroll Counties responded to Franklin Liquors at 2913 Urbana Pike in Frederick County Station 23′s (Urbana VFD) first due. In addition to the first-alarm units, a safety task-force, 2 water supply task-forces were dispatched. Damage is estimated at $1 million.

Farewell to Alex Keepers

Firefighters said good-bye to Alex Keepers. The career lieutenant from Loudoun County, VA and volunteer with Frederick’s Independent Hose was buried Saturday. The picture above the Frederick News Post’s Graham Cullen. See more pictures. Read the story.

Weekend video round-up

We have a bunch of recently posted videos gathered over the past week. Click here to see them.

Stand-by me: New Pittsburgh 4-hour fire-watch policy to prevent rekindles fires-up union

Watching this story from KDKA-TV, I have more questions than answers (as I suspect many of you will … update: FireGeezer is already asking those questions in his Morning Lineup). But union officials are irate over a policy that will require a crew to be on stand-by for a rekindle after a fire.

Update 2: A fire service veteran familiar with the situation points out this policy has to do with how the department handles fires in abandoned buildings. It is an effort to make sure the fire is extinguished, even though it may have been deemed unsafe to enter and conduct overhaul. The source says this is just an effort to put in writing a practice unofficially followed by many departments.

See the story. Excerpts from KDKA.com:

Under the policy, which goes into effect on Monday, a group of firefighters would have to wait outside the structure for four hours after the fire is out to make sure it doesn’t rekindle, depending on the fire.

“We’re just requiring that a fire unit remain there in an effort to ensure that the building doesn’t rekindle and if in fact it does take the appropriate action,” he added.

13-year-old video causes assistant chief to be demoted and placed in charge of air unit

Capt. Todd Chandler from WAPT.com

Jackson, Mississippi Chief Vernon Hughes has made his decision. Despite calls for the firing of Assistant Chief Todd Chandler, Hughes has instead demoted him to captain and appointed him to supervise the air unit.

From WAPT-TV:

Hughes said the demotion is based on an internal investigation into the evidence of a recent video released. The video showed Jackson firefighters making racist statements about black recruits in 1994

In the video, a firefighter, dressed in gear labeled T.H. Chandler, is shown fumbling with equipment as he plays the part of a dumb recruit.

Hughes said Chandler denied participating in the video, but he believed it was Chandler on the video.

Chandler will work in the air supply unit of the fire department, which will take air packs to firefighters and supply them with air bottles.

Video from Feb. 11, 1994

More from ClarionLedger.com

Former fire chief dies in Iraq

From kypost.com:

Family members and Chester Township fire officials say a former fire chief who was in Iraq doing contract work has died.

Chester Township Fire Chief John Wargelin says Hanzel had an infectious smile and preferred that his men just call him “Eddie.”

Church arsons in Alabama

A TV station is reporting three church arsons in East Alabama, including at least one today. Read the story.

Lt. John Martinson

Update Friday afternoon – WNBC-TV reports a six year old boy started the fire where Lt. John Martinson di
ed:

The boy lit the packaging of his toy car with a gas stove that his family was using to heat the apartment, according to officials. Fire Marshals investigated and determined the cause.

Officials said the boy, fearing he’d get in trouble, hid the smoldering paper under his mom’s bed and that ignited the fire

Lt. John Martinson of Engine 249 died Thursday evening at a high-rise apartment building fire in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn. Here are excerpts from a New York Times article:

A fire lieutenant died Thursday evening fighting a smoky and blinding fire that enveloped a high-rise apartment building in Brooklyn at the site of the former Ebbets Field, city officials said.
At least four other firefighters and four residents of the apartment building were injured, but none of those injuries was considered life-threatening.

Lieutenant Martinson was the 1,138th firefighter to die in the line of duty in the department’s history, and the first since Joseph Graffagnino, 33, of Ladder Company 5, and Robert Beddia, 53, of Engine Company 24, died while battling a seven-alarm high-rise fire at the former Deutsche Bank building, at 130 Liberty Street in Lower Manhattan.

Newsday story

WCBS-TV story

WABC-TV story

WNBC-TV story

WNYW-TV story

Here is more from Chief Billy Goldfeder at FirefighterCloseCalls.com:

Lt. Martinson spent most of his career with Engine Company 80 in Harlem before being transferred to Engine 249 in Flatbush, where he spent the past year. A Staten Island resident, Lt. Martinson tragically leaves behind a wife, Jessica, and a baby son, John Patrick, age 22 months, and his wife is pregnant with their second child. 4 other firefighters were hospitalized, two with smoke inhalation and two with burns during the fire at the Ebbets Field apartments. They were expected to be released from the hospital by Saturday.

The 2nd alarm fire trapped residents on upper floors, filled hallways with heavy smoke and heat conditions and was reported to be wind driven. The residents of the apartment where the fire started had exited their apartment, but had left the door open, potentially contributing to the spread and conditions.

100+ FDNY Firefighters responded to the building fire, which has 400 apartments. The call came in about 1916 hours and was brought under control around 2030 hours.

Baltimore County arson

FirePix1075 was on the scene after 5 fires were set in an apartment complex near Reisterstown Road Plaza late Thursday afternoon. Click here to see more of his pictures and details on the fires. You will find the same on Pikesville VFC’s site.

Firefighters had to assist many of the residents down ladders from the upper floors. See WJZ-TV’s story.

Despite prosecutors doubts, medical examiner makes it official, citing alcohol as a factor for at least one of the students who died in beach house fire

On November 18, we told you that autopsies confirmed alcohol use among 6 of the 7 college students killed in an October house fire in Ocean Isle Beach, NC. You may recall, at the time, the Brunswick County District Attorney disputed the medical examiner’s suggestion that alcohol could have hindered the victims’s ability to respond to the emergency. Rex Gore said: “It’s a tragedy when they have those levels of alcohol. But I haven’t seen anything to indicate that was a major contributing factor to the fire or to the chances of survival.”

Now, the medical examiner has made it official in the autopsy report of an 18-year-old whose “blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit for driving a car”. The report says this contributed to Cassidy Pendley’s death. Read the story.

Smoked glass ceiling

Some women in the Houston Fire Department say altered rules are keeping them from being promoted. Read the story.

Sprinkler system shut down in VA fire

In Virginia Beach, it turns out the sprinkler system was shut off for repairs during a New Year’s Day apartment fire and the fire department says it wasn’t told about it.

CA condo fire

Good quality, but very short clips from a 2-alarm fire in Anaheim. Watch the rest
of the videos, here.

Read Washington Post story about budget cuts in Montgomery County, MD.

Click the images below to read December 27, 2007 memo:

Some fire videos and other video odds and ends that we’ve gathered over the last week or so. If you want to see a larger version of any of the videos, just double-click it.

Update on Baltimore County apartment arsons

Details on the 19-year-old arrested after claiming to have set 5 fires at the complex near Reisterstown Road Plaza.

Vintage video

This is a video history of IAFF Local 336 in Middletown, Ohio. Look at about 6:50 an 8:30 in the video for some film of a 85 foot Ahrens-Fox ladder truck in action.

Hose bursts

Not sure where or when, but what happens doesn’t need translation.

2006 explosion

Someone recently posted the dramatic video of the August, 2006 magnesium explosion at Fort Wayne, IN foundry.

Deputy chief’s final fire

Brockton, MA Deputy Chief Edward Murphy briefing a reporter during his final shift

Restaurant fire

A Golden Corral burns on December 26 in Burlington, NC

Helmet-cam in FL

From Ladder 1 in Jacksonville. No details on the fire.

More FL helmet-cam

Marion County Station 18 (firehouse18.com). Only described as Fisher Ranch House fire.

TX helmet-cam

From Houston Station 9.

Lobbying efforts

In Pocohantas County, WV, firefighters make the case for more money.

(Updated at 6:15 PM)

Multiple fires reported in MD apartment complex

Around the corner from the neighborhood where I grew up, firefighters have had a busy afternoon. In the 6900 block of Marsue Drive next to Reisterstown Road Plaza, WJZ-TV reports three separate fires in the apartment complex with residents in distress removed from upper floors. Watch the report here.

At the end you should see another fire on the west side of Baltimore County. This one was in a Home Depot on Baltimore National Pike.

Plane crash near Chesapeake Bay Bridge

A small plane crashed this afternoon near the Bay Bridge Airport in Queen Anne’s County. The pilot is reported to be injured. Click here to see the helicopter report from WJZ-TV.

Second Southern MD rescue squad overturns in two days

Photos by Seif Alramamneh for stmarystoday.com

Watch video from the scene

Less than 24 hours after Calvert County’s Squad 7 (St. Leonard VFD) overturned (scroll down the page), Squad 3 in Charles County (Waldorf VFD) has done the same. A report of 4 firefighters injured, with one flown out. All were treated and released.

From stmarystoday.com, this press release from the Charles County Sheriff’s Department:

Preliminary investigation has revealed a Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department truck, Rescue Squad 3, was traveling south on Old Washington Road with its lights and siren activated while responding to an emergency call. Another vehicle making a left turn from southbound Old Washington Road pulled into the path of the rescue squad truck. The driver of the fire truck swerved to avoid a collision with the vehicle but the fire truck overturned, skidded along the roadway and struck two electrical poles before coming to a rest. None of the four firefighters in the truck was seriously injured. The driver, Scott Alan Sefton, 43, of Waldorf, and two of the passengers, Benjamin Earl Jenkins, 23 of Baltimore and Michael James Fischer, 36, of Mechanicsville, were transported by ambulance to Civista Medical Center, where they were treated and released. A fourth firefighter, Justin M. Zdobysz, 23, of Waldorf, was flown by a Maryland State Police helicopter to Prince George’s General Hospital, where he was also treated and released.

2007 firefighter fatality stats

While there have been a lot of fire truck wrecks the new year that isn’t even three full days old, so far, none have been fatal (one home response fatality). It probably isn’t a bad time, as Chief Billy Goldfeder of FirefighterCloseCalls.com reminds us, to review how firefighters died in 2007. Click here to read the provisional statistics from the USFA.

Another wreck

In Butler County, PA, this afternoon an ambulance and fire engine collided. WPXI-TV reports the engine is from the Lickhill Fire Department. At least 3 injuries reported. Here’s the story and more pictures.

Firefighters killed in China

At least three firefighters have been killed and a fourth hurt in a fire in Xinjiang. The picture above and the story below from ChinaDaily.com:

URUMQI — A fireman missing in a building fire that is raging in the northwestern Chinese city of Urumqi has been found dead, bringing the death toll to three fire fighters, a municipal government spokesman said on Thursday. Another firefighter was reported injured.

The fire started from a mop stall on the first floor of the market building, a spokesman of the Xinjiang regional brigade of fire control cited an eye witness as saying.

Being social

That’s Dave Iannone’s mug gracing the front of the Baltimore Sun today. His Firefighter Nation is featured
in an article on “social networking Web sites”. Read the story.

Firefighter charged with arson

There has been a series of set fires in Nakina, NC, including a November 30 fire at the Nakina Fire & Rescue Squad. Now the 25-year-old son of a recent chief has been charged with arson of his aunt’s home. Still no charges in the other fires, but the investigations continue. Read the story.

Funeral arrangements for Lt. Alex Keepers

Loudoun County has announced funeral arrangements for Lt. Alex Keepers. Click here for details.

Fire engine and tractor-trailer collision

In Prince George, VA, Engine 110 and a big rig collided, injuring three firefighters on Wednesday. The photo above from Jeff Rose. Details and more pictures on VAFireNews.com.

Rescue Squad overturns

Responding to a house fire Wednesday afternoon, Squad 7 in Calvert County (St. Leonard VFD), flipped over while making a turn on Route 4. See our coverage.

VA fire

Very early New Year’s Day fire in Portsmouth. Read more on VAFireNews.com.

Texas fire

Neighbors pulled the camera out about 6 minutes before firefighters arrived at this burning home in Lewisville on Wednesday. Read about the fire.

Chicago house fire

Fire December 30 extends from garage to house.

From the US Fire Administration:

A PROVISIONAL REPORT
ON-DUTY FIREFIGHTER FATALITIES IN THE UNITED STATES
Date Range 1/1/2007 to 12/31/2007

3 Alabama 2.60%
1 Arkansas 0.86%
1 Arizona 0.86%
9 California 7.82%
1 Connecticut 0.86%
1 District of Columbia 0.86%
4 Florida 3.47%
1 Georgia 0.86%
1 Idaho 0.86%
5 Illinois 4.34%
3 Indiana 2.60%
5 Kansas 4.34%
3 Kentucky 2.60%
1 Louisiana 0.86%
4 Massachusetts 3.47%
2 Maryland 1.73%
1 Maine 0.86%
5 Michigan 4.34%
1 Mississippi 0.86%
8 North Carolina 6.95%
1 Nebraska 0.86%
5 New Jersey 4.34%
8 New York 6.95%
5 Ohio 4.34%
1 Oklahoma 0.86%
10 Pennsylvania 8.69%
11 South Carolina 9.56%
3 Tennessee 2.60%
3 Texas 2.60%
1 Utah 0.86%
1 Virginia 0.86%
1 Washington 0.86%
2 Wisconsin 1.73%
3 West Virginia 2.60%

(Updated at 6:40 PM)

Video of the day: Pretty dramatic stuff from the early stages as fires spread along a series of fireworks stands in the Philippines. Three people were hurt. Read the story.

Firefighter nearly drowns during training exercise

Here is what KTVB-TV’s Scott Evans reports about a near drowning during training by the Boise Fire Department:

Divers were taking turns going into the water that was topped with a thick layer of ice.

We’re told the victim, as well as all those out training today, are experienced divers.

Rescue squad flips in MD

We have pictures and some details of this afternoon’s wreck involving Squad 7 in Calvert County, MD. Click here to see our coverage.

Funeral information for Lt. Alex Keepers

This evening, Loudoun County has released information about the funeral for Lt. Alex Keepers, killed in a motor vehicle accident on his way to work on Monday. Here are the details:

Date: Saturday, January 5, 11 AM
Location: St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church
118 E. Second Street
Frederick, Maryland 21701

Additional information will be distributed Thursday, January 3 on the service and specifics on the procession.

Suspect in hospital shooting is shot and killed at cemetery

45-year-old Kelvin Poke was shot during a confrontation with police at a cemetery in Suitland, MD this afternoon. Sources tell STATter 911 that he was transported to Prince George’s Hospital as a “trauma-code”. Prince George’s County Police now confirm Poke has died.

A woman with him, has been transported as a “priority 2″ patient. According to police, she had not been shot, but received injuries during the confrontation.

Police say Poke fired shots this morning at Laurel Regional Hospital when he overpowered correctional officers and then wounded a man during a carjacking.

Poke had been serving life plus 40 years for kidnapping, carjacking and robbery. Maryland State Police spokesman Greg Shipley says Poke was brought to the hospital yesterday from the Maryland prison complex in Jessup claiming he had chest pains.

Check in with 9NEWS NOW and wusa9.com for more.

Another hospital problem

Recently posted live video of the fire burning in London at the Royal Marsden Hospital. FireGeezer is also on top of the breaking news of the fire at a world famous cancer treatment facility. The fire has burned off much of the roof of the hospital. At least 100 patients have been moved.

More bad news for the San Antonio Fire Department

The driver of the brush truck thought it was debris under his rig New Year’s Eve. When sparks started flying he got out and saw the empty wheel chair. On the sidewalk, back where he had stopped to ask directions to the brush fire, was Diane Rosenbaum, dead. The San Antonio Fire Department is keeping the 32-year veteran from driving equipment during the investigation.

This sad story comes just 2-weeks after the department was criticized for failing to realize an accident victim in the back of a vehicle was still alive.

Read and watch the story

MD FF asks fellow FFs help in finding his runaway daughter

An Anne Arundel County firefighter trying to fund his runaway daughter, has asked for help from his fellow firefighters in the region. Read the posting on thewatchdesk.com.

2-alarm fire in Virginia Beach

A cigarette is blamed for this fire in Virginia Beach, VA on Tuesday afternoon. Read more.

Alabama firefighter is critical, but improving, after falling out the back of a vehicle

56-year-old Darrell Williams, a volunteer firefighter in Bridgeport, Alabama, is reported in critical condition, but improving after being injured on a fireground Saturday night. He joined the department 8 months ago.

Here is what Bridgeport Fire Chief Jimmy Sexton told The Daily Sentinel:

” … Williams had gone to the scene of the fire in a van, which hauls turnout gear such as fire fighter coats, pants and other equipment.

The fire chief said as the van moved, Williams became unbalanced and fell out the back door of the van on his head, which stru
ck the shoulder of the avenue, Sexton said. He stated fortunately Williams’ head did not strike the pavement.

Same street, second fire

You may recall the fire we told you about on Saturday on Bragg Boulevard in Fayetteville, NC. It destroyed a number of businesses. Early this morning, a fire destroyed the House of R & B, also on Bragg Boulevard, but across the street.

The House of R & B apparently used to be the site of the second Putt-Putt course in US history.

Watch News 14′s story

Earlier fire from WTVD-TV

Marriage cited as reason behind the deadly 4-11 outside of Chicago

Prosecutors say the caste system is the motivation behind the arson in that killed 3 people and gutted a large apartment building on Saturday. Details from AP:

A suburban Chicago man is being held without bond, accused of setting an apartment fire that killed his pregnant daughter, her husband and their young child.

The fire gutted the 36-unit apartment building.

New Year’s Eve warehouse fire in Texas

From Houston, inspectors found a number of violations after fire broke out in the building used by local artists. Read story and watch video.

Evacuation area extended in gas well fire

The fire has been burning for more than a week in Frierson, LA. An attempt to cap the underground natural gas well failed on Tuesday. The picture above from The Shreveport Times. Read the stories here and here.

Still no arrest in month-old NY fire marshal murder

Douglas Merereau was found shot to death in his Staten Island home on December 2. Investigators said the wife of the FDNY fire marshal waited two hours to call 911, showering and washing clothes first. Citing law enforcement sources, the press reports Janet Redmond-Mercereau is the suspect in the killing, but no arrest has been made. Now, the New York Times gives the story the full treatment.

And finally … a new fire suppression method in UK, that is cheaper and possibly easier to use than the FIT-5 and works best for the un-fit

We told you about the recent success a fire chief had in Port Jervis, NY, tossing ARA Safety, INC’s FIT-5 through a window to help put out a fire. All well and good, but look below at this new suppression system that was used across the Atlantic. It is a lot cheaper, more readily available and does not require specialized training to deploy.

From Telegraph.co.uk

That’s Jenny Marsey’s size 18-20, blue, cotton knickers. When the contents of a frying pan at her home caught fire, threatening to spread to the rest of the kitchen, Marsey’s nephew went to work. Water alone just caused the fire to grow and the smoke was getting thick. Darren Lines grabbed the extra-large undies from a nearby pile of wash, doused them with water and used them to smother the fire. He was successful.

The cost of this unique suppression system is just £4.99 . Unlike the FIT-5, or even a residential sprinkler system, this system is already in many homes. It wouldn’t require any legislation or the always difficult challenge of changing existing codes.

But those who keep fit and trim may be out of luck and the government might have to consider supplementing those households with a giveaway (similar to efforts to provide working smoke alarms in each home). Jenny Marsey explained this potential problem very nicely to a reporter from the Telegraph: “I think if they had been my daughter’s skimpy knickers they wouldn’t have done any good.”

While it is bad enough that I am spending my valuable time writing about this, at least I am not the reporter who had to interview Jenny Marsey as she held up her underwear on live TV. See below.

Picture for STATter 911 from stmarystoday.com

Responding to a reported stove fire this afternoon, Squad 7, from the St. Leonard VFD in Calvert County, MD, overturned. Early word is that one member of the crew was flown to an area trauma center.

It happened as the rig was making a turn at the intersection of Route 4 and Cove Point Road.

Read more at stmarystoday.com.

Picture for STATter 911 from stmarystoday.com

Below is a picture of Squad 7 at a December 21, 2007 wreck on Route 4. St. Leonard’s website describes Squad 7 this way:

Squad 7 is the pride of the Company 7 fleet. It is our pride and joy and the pictures below will show you why. It is a Peterbuilt on a single axle chassis. It houses some of the newest and best equipment around to aide us in rescue and fire operations. We have extrication tools, thermal imaging cameras and red – dot laser thermometers to help us help you. A huge thanks goes out to the community for their support each year, if it weren’t for you, Squad 7 would not be possible.

From slvfd.com

(Updated at 5:07 PM)

LODD in NC

36-year-old Paul Lewis Ellington apparently is the first LODD for 2008. At 7:30 AM, witnesses told police the volunteer firefighter with Oregon Hill VFD in Rockingham County lost control of his POV while responding to a report of a trailer fire.

Read details from News 14

Watch News 14 story

FirefighterCloseCalls.com

Firefighter arrested on drug charges after driving fire truck to scene

Firehouse.com found this story from the ThePittsburghChannel.com:

A West Wilmerding volunteer firefighter who drove a fire truck to an early morning blaze on Sunday was arrested on charges of drug possession and driving under the influence.

According to police, cocaine was also found on Dixon.

Firefighter remembered on both sides of the Potomac

Lt. Alex Keepers, a career firefighter in Loudoun County, VA and a long-time volunteer in Frederick, MD is being mourned. He was killed on icy roads while driving to his New Years Eve shift in Virginia. We have set up a separate page for coverage, including pictures, press releases and a variety of links. There is also donation information from IAFF Local 3756. Click here.

Video of other MD drivers sliding

This was shot near Routes 29 and 40 in Howard County. Fire and EMS crews handling one wreck are threatened by more.

Rope saves firefighter in Brooklyn

The New York Daily News (picture above by ludici) reports a 24-year veteran firefighter escaped the 4th floor of this burning home thanks to his personal rope issued after the tragic fire of almost three years ago. Below is the Daily News article, but for a lot more details on the Petzl Escape System check out Firefighter Spot:

A firefighter trapped on the fourth floor of an engulfed row home in Brooklyn was able to save himself Monday with his personal rope, authorities said.

Fire marshals deemed the fire suspicious.

7-alarms in Boston close out the old year

BostonHerald.com photo by Stuart Cahill

FireGeezer is on top of the New Year’s Eve 7-alarm fire in South Boston at a 140-year-old building that is now condominiums and had been the Hotel Eaton. At least one man is dead.

Arkansas Sheriff says fire chief murdered by jealous husband

Chief Charles Boone of the Marianna/Lee County VFD was shot and killed Sunday morning. The sheriff says the shooting occurred when 47-year-old Harry Amos found his estranged wife in bed with the 43-year-old Boone. Read the story.

NJ women

One Ocean County, NJ department claims to have more female firefighters than any other in the county. Read the story.

NJ house fire

Two videos from a house fire on Sunday in Wallington.

The Vito Maggiolo of the West Coast?

Craig Rose apparently knows his way to San Jose and beyond. He is a high school teacher and a volunteer photographer for local fire departments (Vito’s real job is on a news assignment desk, which, when you account for the attention span of your average reporter and photographer, is more like running a pre-school class). Read the story of Craig Rose.