Click here and then scroll down for the latest fire and EMS news from STATter911.com
UPDATED – Must see video of another close call (full version): Yes, those are legs behind that sign post. That’s a San Francisco firefighter getting caught under the partial collapse at the front of a burning warehouse yesterday morning. The whole thing was caught on video. The video above is the version originally posted. Thanks to Doc, an alert STATter911.com reader, we have the recently posted longer version of the video showing three more minutes of what happened immediately after the collapse. The firefighter has a broken leg and broken clavicle. We have the video, more still pictures, a “before shot” of the building and additional details. Click here for the coverage
A special Friday evening recap of stories since our last rundown (considering I missed one this morning), plus a bunch of new stories. As you go into this holiday weekend, please be safe. Also, as my 9-year-old son Sam brought up the other day, remember what Memorial Day is really about.
And speaking of our men and woman in the military, if you missed it, please check out the comments from Defense Secretary Robert Gates over the pink boxer shorts “scandal”. It gives us an idea of the spirit of those who defend us and it will put a smile on your face.
Virginia volunteer saves neighbor: Bridgewater FF David Huddle didn’t have to go far when the pager went off Thursday night. The fire was just a few doors down from his Harrisonburg home. Huddle was able to get inside the house and rescue a neighbor. Read the story. Watch the story.
MD firefighter injured in BASE jump heading home. Boise firefighters give Scott Doyle a big send off with a fundraiser: By the time you read this, Scott Doyle may be back in the DC area. Here is the update about the Montgomery County firefighter who suffered a brain injury on Mother’s Day in Idaho. It came this afternoon from his cousin, Frank Snodgrass-
Ok, friends, family and supporters of Scott, I have some of the best news any of us could hear, which is that Scott is on his way back to DC!!!!! He will arrive in the DC area late tonight and will go straight to a local ICU where he will remain for the time being. The eventual hope is that he goes to the Washington Rehabilitation Center in DC. For the time being, his location is not being disclosed due to the fact that he can’t have visitors. We want to thank everyone for their continued support and soon enough he will be able to accept visitors. We’re not out of the woods completely, but this is VERY good news!
It isn’t that they don’t like Scott & Steph Doyle, but Boise firefighters did their best to help the couple get out of town. They came up with $2,700 during a Thursday fundraiser to help with the medical flight and other expenses due to FF Doyle’s critical injury. Click here for that story.
There is a local fundraiser on May 29 at 7:00 PM at the Urbana VFD. There is also a pub crawl in Baltimore on June 6. Click here for our original story and various sites supporting this effort.
Retired FDNY member sues over pothole: Actually it was the depression surrounding the pothole that tripped up Stanley Blaskey after he stepped off the rig in front of the quarters of Engine 60. The 2002 incident left Blaskey with a career ending leg injury. Now his $2.5 million lawsuit against the city has prompted a poll by the Daily News asking if it is frivilous. Check it out.
A seemingly never ending battle against arson in a small town: I believe the last time I visited Hinton, West Virginia was in 1998. The town along the New River was then in the middle of a rash of arsons. There was another series of set fires that began in late 2007. Now, the residents are in the midst of another arson spree with a church and two homes burning on Friday and three fires a week earlier. The locals have their theories and even a suspect in mind. Hinton, the county seat of Summers County, has a population of less than 3000 people and only 2.3 square miles of land. Read more.
Holy Toledo! Professors sue firefighters & cops for bad mouthing their study: Two University of Toledo economics professors who did a forecast of Toledo’s income tax revenue say they have become pawns in the battle between the city and its public safety unions. Now they are mad as hell and aren’t going to take it anymore. They are in court trying to do some reputation management via a lawsuit. Click here for the article.
Is the chief who sided with union in battle over layoffs still the chief?: Are Kokomo, Indiana Chief Scott Kern and his assistant chief still on the job? They threatened to resign as early as today after the layoff of 12-firefighters. They have told the mayor and other city officials they went too far. Read the latest. Watch the story.
Accusation that cheat sheets were used in medic testing: Collier County, Florida’s medical director says test scores gradually increased as more people tested on the use of ALS drugs over a few week period. He believes firefighters from two districts used cheat sheets in a coordinated breach of security. Read and watch the story. Apparently there has previously been strained relations between the doctor and the fire departments. Click here for the other part of the story.
Guilty as charged!: We didn’t stay on the story of murdered FDNY Fire Marshal Douglas Mercereau the way Bill Schumm did. Make sure you check out Firegeezer’s coverage and the guilty verdict against Mercereau’s widow.
4-alarm fire at furniture warehouse: We have video, links to still pictures and more from last night’s very large fire in Houston. Check it out. Also, the ATF has a big presence on the scene today at Gallery Furniture.
Plane lands on cars in lot: Check out the pictures and video from Martinsville, Indiana after a plane landed in a car lot, injuring the pilot, passenger and one on the ground.
Man killed as FD pickup backs into station: Read the details and watch the video from this morning in Webster, MA.
STATter911.com gets response from Baltimore’s Chief Clack: We had questions about comments from the department’s PIO over budget cuts. Chief Clack clarifies the answers. Click here (or is it Clack here?).
Read investigative reports from Seattle scandal: In case you missed it, we have the full reports from the investigations that resulted in a reprimand for Chief Gregory Dean and the resignation of a lieutenant. Check it out.
Raw video from Frederick County, MD fire: Our official Jefferson, Maryland photographer Kurt Brooks has some good video from Thursday’s grocery store fire.
Power lines hamper fire attack: Arcing electric wires blocked access to the closest hydrant at a house fire in Bellingham, MA. Check out the video.
New fire chief lays out his philosophy: Bay City, Michigan’s new chief sits down with a reporter and talks about his plans and the fire 28-years-ago that killed his brother. Read the interview. Watch the interview.
UPDATED – Another video from two-alarm fire at car wash in Leesburg, VA: We have added a series of pictures from a STATter911.com reader of Thursday’s fire at the Station Auto Wash located fire next door to the Loudoun County VRS. Click here for those photos, more videos and details about the fire.
Most Recent Comments