Quick Takes: July 30, 2012.
Raw video from New Bedford, MA arson: A building that used to house a funeral home burned on Thursday evening at Wing St. and Purchase St. in New Bedford. An arrest has been made charging a “local youth” with setting this and another nearby fire. Click here for the story and here for part 2 of this video.
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FDNY CSU helps Aurora firefighters. You can help FDNY CSU: When you participate in this week’s 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb at FRI, or any of the other climbs around the country on September 11, your money goes directly to help the Counseling Services Unit of FDNY. In a sense, with the CSU’s assistance in Aurora the stair climbs are helping firefighters in Colorado, where the state where the climbs began. Click here to register for Wednesday’s climb in Denver and here for other climbs around the country.
Dream boat is a PR nightmare: A million dollar fireboat funded by federal grant money is at the center of the latest controversy involving the Union Fire Company and the town of Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Some of the firefighters blame jealousy on the part of the police department for this battle that has forced the fire department to change leadership three times in a little more than a year. Response failures are another problem facing the fire company. Take the time to read this one.
A 26 percent failure rate may result in Maryland department’s suspension: The Fairplay VFC in Washington County, Maryland has been down this road before. Julie E. Greene at herald-mail.com reports the Washington County Commissioners will take up the suspension issue tomorrow.
DC lieutenant accused of theft is back on duty waiting for trial: DC Fire & EMS Department Lt. Kellene Morgan Davis is back serving the public while she awaits trial on what are now misdemeanor charges of breaking into a barn and stealing hay. The Washington Examiner’s Liz Farmer talks to a number of people, including another lieutenant, who question allowing Lt. Davis to have contact with the public until this case has been resolved. Here’s the story.
Passaic, NJ captain off-duty with pay for eight-months on internal charges: Since December, Captain Stephen Geosits has been getting his salary to sit home over allegations he made crank phone calls. The Record’s Richard Cowen says the 27-year-veteran is accused of “official misconduct on charges of impersonating another Passaic firefighter and making the crank calls.” Passaic is not only paying Geosits but has to pay a lieutenant to act in his place. Read more.
Carolina Brotherhood 2012 presents check to Capt. Jeff Bowen’s family: The ride pulled into Asheville on Friday with a $25,000 check for the widow and mother of the fallen Asheville firefighter. Read more about this great effort.
Burned pumper replaced: Glenn Usdin’s FireTruckBlog.com has the story of a Connecticut fire company that has replaced a rig it lost in a brush fire.
Helmet-cam shows RIT at mayday: Seven firefighters were injured at this four-alarm apartment fire in Bucks County, PA earlier this month. One of the RIT members had a camera running after a collapse prompted two mayday calls. Check it out.
Helmet-cam convergence: Not one, but two helmet-cams in split screen at an East St. Louis, IL house fire.
This helmet-cam is a hit with the KICs: Almost all thumbs up from the legion of keyboard incident commanders over a recent video of an apartment fire in Atlanta, Georgia. Watch the video.
Female firefighter’s photos online bring scrutiny: The College Park Fire Department in Fulton County, Georgia is dealing with controversy over a firefighter’s photos showing up online and as an advertisement for a neighborhood bar. Chawanda Martin says it has no impact on her role in the fire department but officials say they are investigating the images. Watch the story.
House fire with evacuation order in Mt. Vernon, NY: Click here for raw video from Friday night’s fire.
Garage fire in Whitehall, PA: Video of the initial attack from a weekend fire.
Fire companies in NJ and NC battle over title to brush truck: Quite a complicated mess Curt Varone is trying to sort out for FireLawBlog.com over who owns a 2012 American LaFrance Brush Truck.
Firegeezer finds an active firegeezer: Mike Croteau, 82, joined his department in New Hampshire during World War II. He still drives the tanker on calls. My friend Firegeezer Bill Schumm, who is 107, gave up being an active firefighter long ago. But he’s still an active blogger. Check out Bill’s profile of Firefighter Croteau.
A staff infection: Ironfiremen.com’s Willie Wines Jr. looks at the staffing issues facing fire departments across the country.
Video roundup from Brooklyn fire: Apparently The Fire Critic is still in the blogging business. Who knew? He gathered up a bunch of videos from Thursday’s seven-alarm fire in Brooklyn.
Ambulance flips at intersection crash: Check the video and pictures out from this wreck in Middletown, CT.
Weekend evacuation over recycling plant fire: A decision comes today on whether residents can return home in Summerville, Georgia.
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And finally, some must NOT see video: Oh, the humanity. Watch the tension build in this exclusive helmet-cam video.
