Click here to follow STATter911.com on Facebook (hit “like”)
This is a fire on Rhapsody Path in The Villages in Sumter County, Florida. It apparently occurred on August 13 and went to a second-alarm. Listen closely to the comment about “firemen are slow” at 3:35 and another neighbor pointing out how they have to protect themselves.
Also on STATter911 …
- Must hear citizen commentary: They’re too slow. Too slow. Too slow. That was quick. – December 25, 2012
- Raw video & raw feelings: New video from the PA tanker fire that fueled many comments & the ire of the videographer. – September 3, 2012
- Raw video with citizen comments: ‘What are they doing?’ Neighbors worried about exposure scream for water at house fire. – September 20, 2012
- Early video: A pair of house fires from Decatur, Illinois. – December 14, 2012
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
Dave, I think it’s time that you gave a class on “Citizen Video Camera Handling”. I mean, something is really wrong when I’m yelling through the screen at the camera operator instead of the firefighters working the scene. Not to mention, it’s almost impossible to be an effective KIC with videos like this. I simply cannot work under these conditions.
Believe me I have thought about it. A few firefighters I know could use that class too.
I could of sworn I heard more than 1 Siren. Certainly there are more FF’s onscene at the 3:00 mark then the one that is flowing water from the ground doing a wiggle waggle with the nozzle, right???
Just asking.
Please tell me I am missing something… From when the Q starts to whine down I started the clock and it was 2 min and 44 seconds to get the line run and flowing… even see a firefighter in the frame. Then after they charged the line a piss poor example of a fire attack. Come on man basics basics basics. Strike Da Box ! and go train like your life depends on it!
At least 1 minute 30 seconds to get water on the fire after arrival is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.
Totally agree with the comments about the camera operator. Other than that there are issues on both sides, the comments about the firefighters. We don’t see the trucks arriving so we don’t have a good gauge (other than sirens) when they arrived. Best I can tell it was approximately 70-75 seconds from arrival, again based on the sirens, till they had water on the fire.
I’m all for hitting a fire like this from the outside to get an initial knockdown but you have to follow that up with the crew from the second due getting a line stretched inside to the interior garage door, pull ceiling and check that attic space. From the smoke the fire was already in the attic space and extending.
Initial engine had a couple of hiccups with water pressure. The second exterior hose was flowing some seriously dirty water wherever that was coming from needs to be addressed afterwards. And for crying out loud get that flipping overhead door out of there!! Yes get a knockdown with the initial line but then get to work on pulling the overhead door out of there so you can get to the seat.
Overall, had some good results from their actions but also identified items that seriously need to be addressed. Water supply, pumping, second line placement and what was up with all that nasty water.
No one did a 360. Say what you will, but someone should have done that right away. I’m on a two person engine, and we still manage to get that accomplished. Better to take a few seconds to do a 360 than think everything is OK only to realise you’ve got a big problem.
most counties in florida run 3 as minium manning so i’d bet they took the time to hit a hydrant because of the pressure losses. everybody makes a good point though and i allways enjoy civilian commentary
i’ve allways thought there should be narration on these like what you get with the blue angels espically when its gonna be on you tube
Forget that…. If I’m on the first in engine, that’s my fire. It’s a fire in an attached garage…. What in the world is the first in engine crew spraying water in the front garage door like he’s watering the damn garden. Go in through the front door find the fire and attack it, find the seat of the fire and protect the house. Basic bread and butter job.
“Go in through the front door find the fire and attack it, find the seat of the fire and protect the house.”
Found the fire from side A. I’m no psychic but by the way it’s venting out the garage, and no where else, i’ll take a stab and say the garage is the seat.
Read the following http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/offerings/industries/buildingmaterials/fire/fireservice/ventilation/
Two man engines. The dept. is a joke. It’s a far right wing anti union community. They say more with less. In the Villages, it’s less with less. 95% medical, fires are usally lightning strikes and it’s preferred to take their chances and the insurance will cover the losses. It is what it is.
Damn right-wing, anti-union morons. How will anything get accomplished without the union telling me what to do?
So if it’s the community’s fault that there are only 2 man engines, is it the union’s fault for not training these guys better?
Because based on the comments here–which I agree with–these guys did a pretty piss poor job of initial attack in a timely manner.
Just watched the video. 90% of the residents have at least one golf cart if not two in the garage. Golf carts charging and lightning are probably 98% of the causes of working fires in the villages. All new construction. Ya gotta love the people whining…. hey “You get what you pay for”. It was probably 95 degrees plus with 90% humidity and a driver and an officer. I wanna see you do better.
I got bored watching this. I don’t think they are really interested in doing any real firefighting.
Watch again. I saw a F/f in a red helmet head around the right side (or D side if that makes you feel better) and then return a short while later. He might not have made it all the way around but maybe he didn’t want to end up like the siding on the left side exposure. I have seen a lot more F/fs do a lot less then these guys on some these videos.
All of that community is 55 years and up. Sally you are correct those old geezers are like a lot of retirement communities in fla complain, complain and complain.
They must not have water on the booster tank. It took 2.5 minutes to flow water.
I’ll go totally the other way with what I see, I’m so tired of chief officers arriving on scenes and never putting a stitch of PPE on,where in the promotionary process does it say that you are no longer a firefighter. Your dept is short staffed put some gear on and lend an efffing hand! I’m a firefighter in CT and see it all the time, total BS
Joe, you’re right on the button with your comments. If your department is running short,Chief, lend a hand. And, put your PPE on. You’re supposed to be a LEADER. Act like one!
My dept is a combo dept with 1 station and 2 men a shift. I can guarantee that the 2 of us have extinguished many of fires before the next engine arrives with the volunteers. Standing 20 feet back and lobbing water into the garage is not firefighting. Knock the bulk of the fire down then get your arse in there an work. SCBA breathing while sitting in the driveway is not working.
When the FD arrived who/what had control of the LIGHT WEIGHT CONSTRUCTION home ? ANSWER = FIRE.
If you put out the advancing fire with a big line you gain the upperhand to make a decision on going forward. Check the vid. approx. 90 seconds after the big line starts flowing. The smoke movement and color in the attic space changes color and pressure/movement. DODSON=Reading Smoke.
If you choose to enter the dwelling with one 1 3/4 HL you very well are/could be behind the 8 ball with less GPM than needed. Using a big line does not remove you from entering the dwelling after control has been gained. You must still open up the cockloft from below.
Where i work we too have 3 on all. Remember, 3 can do a lot if you use your sences and know your job.
I do not know anything about this dept. and it is wrong to blast them when we were not on scene.
Never stop looking out side the box. Check out several of the metro depts.(MD,VA & DC) some very good operations to learn from.Please do not forget to review UL/NIST for operation/building construction information. PS == 2″ with a 1″ tip.210 gpm you will see more of this in use in the future! Be safe my friends
does that water look grey in the later part of the video? The initial attack (tank water – i hope) looked white/clear. Wonder if the hydrants ever get flushed??
You guys need to realize that Florida fire departments are not as aggressive as up north. If you don’t have enough persons to have a RIT team, no one goes inside. People seem to think that as soon as you call 911, we are there. That’s not how it works