Quick Takes

Factory fire in SC: From Spartanburg on Monday evening, a fire at Martex Fibers. The fire destroyed about “3 million pounds of refined textile product” according to GoUpstate.com. This is a firm that has had previous fires and issues during inspections. Watch the story. Click here for a slideshow. Here is the Google Maps Street View that shows how big the place is. For more video and details on this story check out Grant Mishoe’s SCFIREWIRE.com, where you will find lots of other South Carolina fire news.

Mayor Matt Harter's surprise for firefighters. Click the image to watch the interview.

The must read story of the day: The mayor of La Crosse, Wisconsin thinks he has the answer to the city’s budget problems. Turn the 95-member La Crosse Fire Department into an all or partial volunteer force (a similar idea was discussed recently in Cumberland, Maryland). This isn’t sitting too well with the current career force and some stunned council members. A memo indicates the mayor wants the chief to provide a report on converting half the department in 18-months and finish the job in three years. Read the story.

Leave it to Firegeezer Bill Schumm to find the sex angle to this story. He points to this article about a recent PR blunder by Mayor Matt Harter.

Pay cut in half at firefighters’ request: In an effort to save a reserve firefighters program in Tracy, California, members of the group requested the drastic cut and will now be paid minimum wage for fire calls and training. Click here.

At the other end of the country- I had to read this one twice to make sure I wasn’t seeing things: In Gilford, New Hampshire, the new fire department budget has a 10-percent increase, including a 3.9-percent rise in pay. The town’s budget committee is saying okay for now, despite the tough economic times, because most of the money is going for safety needs. Had to check the calendar to make sure it wasn’t April 1. Click here for this refreshing story.

Close call in NC: FireNews.net has a report on a “mayday” in Scotland County with a firefighter pinned at a multiple alarm.

Update on NH “mayday”: FirefighterCloseCalls.com has the latest on Hooksett Firefighter Jesse Gayer who was burned when a garage door came down trapping him inside a burning building. FF Gayer is now home recovering.

The answer was just next door: An image from an 18-month-old fire video says a lot. Take a look.

West Virginia paper needs to read STATter911.com: The Register-Herald is reporting that Bradley-Prosperity Fire Chief Bruce James has been arrested on battery charges and has offered his resignation (so far, not accepted). But the paper says there’s no information on what led to the arrest. They might want to read our story from last Thursday describing a former member’s claim the chief started beating on him in a local parking lot. Or, they can do what we did and look at the local TV station’s website.

Another Maine firefighter charged with arson: For the second time in recent days a firefighter from Maine has been arrested. Click here to read and watch the story.

His probation period ends with firefighter committing to permanent probation: In front of family and friends six firefighters were given their badges Washington State’s East Jefferson Fire-Rescue. One of those firefighters decided to use the moment to go a step further. Click here.