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Quick Takes

House fire in Spring, Texas: The Bravest Online posted this fire from Saturday. You will hear the air horns around 2:15 in the video. Here’s more from the description posted with the clip - “Forced defensive when the living room flashed. Regained control of the fire and put a hole in the roof. Spring, Ponderosa, and Klein fire departments on scene. No injuries and no cause known.”

Firehouse burns: This photo by John C. Miller of The Daily Mail shows one of the four fire trucks damaged in Sunday's fire at Greene County, New York's Ashland Fire Department. The town hall was also damaged. Click the image for more pictures, video and details.

Voting ends tomorrow. Firegeezer is catching up, but this lame blog is in the middle of the pack: Clearly that picture of me on the masthead doesn’t help in this beauty contest. Not that this is anything real important, but just a fun exercise by Rhett Fleitz at FireCritic.com (notice how Dave downplays this now that he is getting his clock cleaned … what a jerk!).

Even though Rhett’s contest has ruffled a few feathers in the blogging community (this isn’t t-ball, everyone can’t be picked or win) there are some good fire and EMS blogs out there like FireDaily.com and a new one by Doug Walton covering Howard County, Maryland (don’t let this junk I write sour you on the rest of them). If nothing else the voting process will familiarize you with some other voices in cyberspace. So, click here and let them know your favorite blog from the ten finalists. You can vote as many as four times a day.

EMT ordered rehired takes on The Washington Post: An interesting statement released by the attorney for Selena Walker, the DC Fire & EMS Department EMT who was fired over the David Rosenbaum incident. We told you Friday the DC Court of Appeals affirmed previous rulings that Walker should get back pay and be returned to her job. The statement lashes out not only at the DC government, but makes a case against the editorial board of The Washington Post. Read the statement. Read the court ruling.

It is possible this is the last time we will be posting this image of Lt. Kelli Weeks of the Bourne Fire Department in Massachusetts. After a months long drama and lots of controversy Lt. Weeks has resigned from the department. Click the image for more.

Staying on course: We have run a number of stories about first responders who become last responders due to the inability to find an address. Fire service veteran and STATter911.com reader Alan Studt says it doesn’t have to be that way. Read his article on the U.S. National Grid.

He’s a fake: There is very clear surveillance video of an impostor fire inspector who has been hitting businesses in Maryland, DC and Virginia. Click here to view the video and watch the story.

Cop PIO goes out of his way to praise firefighters: It isn’t often I get an email from a police PIO telling me what great work firefighters have done. In fact, this may be a first for me. That’s exactly what United State Park Police Sgt. David Schlosser did last week. We took his hint about a recent ice operation in the District of Columbia and went even further, taking a look at how the DC Fire & EMS Department is handling the deep freeze. Click here for our coverage.

Must see video – is it a cop or a firefighter?: Just like David Schlosser I am trying to give credit where credit is due. The video caption says it is a firefighter in Brazil who rappels down the side of a building catching a jumper in his arms and bringing him to safety. A STATter911.com reader had some doubt. We have added another video that seems to answer the question. Check it out.

HD helmet-cam shows more than good fire video – it illustrates staffing problems: The video of a December fire in an East St. Louis, Illinois night spot is pretty awesome. But if you look around you will see lots of fire and few firefighters. Check it out.

Fireground audio from Fairfax County second-alarm and other multiple alarms: Our friends at FireSceneAudio.com are at it again. They have already posted audio from last night’s house fire on Cherry Drive in Fairfax County. Click here to listen.

They also have fires from Saturday in Chicago, Boston and Jersey City. Click here.

: The aftermath of a train – car collision in Beltsville, Maryland. This car actually fell onto the tracks early Sunday morning. PGFD’s PIO Blog has details and some more images from Beltsville VFD. Click above.

Update on Modesto, CA firefighters: Jason Clevenger is back in the hospital scheduled for skin grafts after is was determined his burns are a little worse than originally thought. Jim Adams remains sedated with burns over half his body. Both fell through the roof of a burning home New Year’s Night. The Modesto Bee has the latest.

Save in Quebec City: Read the story from Canada on the rescue of a 3-year-old boy from a fire on Friday night.

Lots of video of commercial fire in Millburn, NJ: Click here to watch Sunday’s multi-alarm fire in a row of stores.

This is exhibit number 1 on why you shouldn’t read this blog: In case you missed it, Dave had just a little too much fun on Friday with the story of a pipe dream that turned into a pipe nightmare for a man from the UK. Firefighters went beyond the call of duty to solve the problem and not turn the man into John Bobbitt. Click here, if you must.

Bullet hits firefighter: Exploding ammunition at a house fire hit a target but did not hurt a Denver firefighter. Read more from Firefighter Close Calls.

Posted by dave statter on January 11, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fireground Audio, Fires, Major Incidents, News, Quick takes, Videos • Tagged: Beltsville VFD, bullet, California, Cherry Drive, contest, Dave Statter, David Rosenbaum, Denver, Doug Walton, Fairfax County, FireCritic.com, FireDaily.com, Firegeezer, Howard County, Jason Clevenger, Jim Adams, Maryland, Modesto, Modesto Fire Department, PGFD, Quebec City, rescue, Rhett Fleitz, Selena Walker, Spring, statement, Texas, train vs. car, Virginia

Quick Takes

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All shook up in Columbus, Ohio where Engine 14 doubles as Graceland: Let’s start the day with a chuckle before we get to all the bad news and just watch the video above. And here is a bonus for you Elvis fans. Check out this story from yesterday looking back at the King’s meeting with the Prez.

They want your vote: At FireCritic.com they don’t believe in one man, one vote. You can have as many as three votes in one day from your computer. They are looking for the best fire/EMS blog for 2009 and Rhett has lost all credibility by including this rag as one of the 10 finalists. Click here to vote. By the way it looks like Medic 999 is leaving Schumm and Statter in the dust. And who says EMS is just the ugly stepchild of the fire service?

Our new video player: The video player near the top right of the blog was recently added. It holds all of the most recent WUSA9.com fire and EMS videos. You will find most of the local fire stories I do and those from other reporters at 9NEWS NOW in Washington, DC. It also will have some of the fireground audio and 911 calls that I post. Emily Cyr and Jillian Coyle are always on the lookout for other interesting videos from our Gannett websites around the country and other sources. Check it out. There are some interesting ones in there.

Further down we still have the player from our YouTube site. It has some other fire and EMS content (and a few repeats).

Unusual one in DC: Firefighters handling a fire under the Pennsylvania Avenue bridge on Rock Creek Parkway found a body nearby. Click here.

Chief disputes reports about 16-year-old fighting fire: Last week we told you about the controversy in Sonoma County, California after a 16-year-old Boy Scout Explorer was hospitalized for exhaustion at a house fire. There have been charges the teen was involved in active firefighting operations. Now, Chief Peter Van Fleet of the Glen Ellen Fire Department is disputing that claim. Check it out.

Add crossing guard to your all-hazards fire department list: That is what may happen very soon in Logansport, Indiana. The mayor’s budget cutting plan gets rid of 14 crossing guards, but do not fear, Mayor Mike Fincher has a plan. On-duty firefighters will join police in handling those duties. Click here for the article from firefightingnews.com.

Fireground audio roundup and some pictures: Click here for firesceneaudio.com audio from a two-alarm house fire on Middleton Court in Fairfax County yesterday.

Don’t forget we have both the fire department and sheriff’s department audio from the dumpster explosion that killed Firefighter Steven Koeser in Wisconsin. Click here.

FireSceneAudio.com has the fireground audio from Hartford, Connecticut’s three-alarm apartment building fire last night here, here, here and here (Parts 1 to 4, in order). Firegeezer has the pictures, video and details.

Also, there is the emergency radio traffic from the Wheeling, Illinois cargo plane crash. Larry Shapiro has a bunch of pictures from the scene. Check them out here.

One that will not put you in a good mood: Police in Palm Bay, Florida say a toddler suffered serious burns after his drunk father wrestled with the boy in front of a fire pit. We have the dad’s 911 call looking for what hospital his son was taken to. The call taker had a little advice for the man. Take a listen.

Firehouse fire helps move up moving schedule: Click here for the details from Rensselaer, New York where a kitchen fire in the old fire station is lighting a fire under moving plans.

Check out wrecked tanker pictures: FirefighterCloseCalls.com tells us the a Smith County, Texas chief came away with minor injuries after turning the rig on its side while avoiding a deer during a response. When you look at the pictures you will see he was pretty lucky.

Baltimore’s mayor is out: Not sure yet what impact it will have on the fire department but Mayor Sheila Dixon leaves office February 4 as part of a plea agreement. Here’s more from the Baltimore Sun.

Also, the Baltimore Messenger is making noise about rotating closures impacting Engine 44 and Truck 25 in Roland Park where the fire chief and a fire commissioner are scheduled to meet with residents tonight. This is the same community that raised more than $40,000 to help renovate the local firehouse.

One firefighter in Modesto released from the hospital: Click here for the update on the two firefighters burned in a New Year’s Night fire after falling through the roof of the burning home.

Fire chief takes on arrest of firefighters for drugs and alcohol: In Pittsburgh Chief Darryl Jones is addressing recent arrests of firefighters. Read the details.

Reputation management: A federal lawsuit is underway over an incident in Dunmore, Pennsylvania where a firefighter is claiming defamation after his suspension for not completing EMT was made public in 2005. Read more.

We have heard of dogs and cats alerting people to a fire, but how about a snake?: This sounds like a fable about someone nursing an ill snake back to health in China and the snake returning the favor. I am not sure I am buying it, but you be the judge.

Posted by dave statter on January 7, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Baltimore City Fire Department, Chief Dennis Rubin, Command & Leadership, Courts, DC Fire & EMS Department, Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fireground Audio, Fires, Funding & Staffing, Major Incidents, News, Quick takes, Videos • Tagged: Baltimore, body found, California, Chief Darryl Jones, Chief Jim Clack, Chief Peter Van Fleet, Columbus, Connecticut, contest, crossing guards, Dave Statter, DC, defamation, Dunmore Pennsylvania, Elvis, Engine 14, Explorer, Fairax County, federal lawsuit, fire, Glen Ellen Fire Department, Graceland, Hartford, Indiana, Jason Clevenger, Jim Adams, Larry Shapiro, Logansport, Maryland, Mayor Mike Fincher, Mayor Sheila Dixon, Middleton Court, Modesto, New York, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Rensselaer, reputation management, Rock Creek Parkway, Roland Park, Smith County, Sonoma County, substance abuse, Texas, The Fire Critic, washington

Quick Takes

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One we missed: This three-alarm house fire is from Belleville, New Jersey way back in 2009. December 28 to be exact. Paul Bassett sends it along. Paul writes this about the fire at 98 Division- “Fire was in a 2 1/2 story wood frame and appeared to start in the basement and race up the walls into the attic. Belleville was assisted on scene by Nutley, North Arlington, Bloomfield, Montclair and Kearny”. Paul’s still photos from the fire can be found here.

Click here to listen to the emergency radio traffic from the dumpster explosion that killed Firefighter Steven Koeser.

Emergency radio traffic from fatal dumpster explosion in Wisconsin: We have radio traffic from both the fire department and the sheriff’s department as they dealt with the dumpster fire on December 29 that killed St. Anna Firefighter Steven Koeser. Click here for our coverage.

Arbitrator rules for veteran captain after a near collision between a train & fire truck: This is a really interesting story from Billings, Montana. In November of 2008 a fire truck from Station 2 was responding on an EMS run. It was stopped at the railroad tracks to let a train pass. Once the train went by, the rig went around the gates only to find a coal train bearing down on them on the other track. It was apparently a close call, but there was no collision. Captain Ron Martin didn’t report the incident, but the railroad did. After having an assistant chief look into the matter, Chief Paul Dextras put a letter of reprimand into the captain’s file. Captain Martin and IAFF Local 521 fought the disciplinary action and won. The arbitrator sided cited a lack of fairness in how the investigation was handled. Read the details in the Billings Gazette.

You know something is wrong with the contest if this blog got nominated: The FireCritic.com Fire/EMS Blog of the Year 2009 contest showed just how low they could go. STATter911.com has been picked as one of the ten finalists. I am much like Groucho Marx and not sure I want to be a part of something that would have me. My money is still on Firegeezer. But the voting is now underway and lasts until January 12. Click here to vote.

Fire department radio traffic from Illinois plane crash: Fire crews had a tough time immediately finding the crash of a small cargo jet in Wheeling, Illinois. As more information came in, they found the wreckage in the Des Plaines River. Both crew members were dead. Click here for our coverage.

Boston firefighters catch burglar in the act at firehouse: On Monday night Boston firefighters had just returned from a fire to the quarters of Engine 42/ Rescue 2 in Roxbury when they found a visitor inside the firehouse. The man was not an invited guest and had a bag with property belonging to the firefighters. He didn’t get far and at last word was in jail. Read more. Thanks to our New England Bureau Chief Jimmy Daly for the tip.

Looking closely at the roof: In Modesto, California, where Engineer Jim Adams remains in a medically induced coma due to burns over 40% of his body, investigators were back at the scene yesterday of the New Year’s Night house fire. They are trying to figure out why the roof of the home collapsed so quickly sending Adams and Firefighter Jim Clevenger into the fire below. Here is the latest.

Arrest in deadly Northampton, Massachusetts arson spree: Firegeezer is on top of this story. While you are there check out the story that Jimmy Daly alerted me about as it was happening yesterday but I just couldn’t get to. Lynn firefighters revived a fellow firefighter who collapsed at a house fire.

And another city wrestles with overtime: Indianapolis is the latest of many places trying to figure out how to curb fire department overtime spending. Click here for the story.

Fireground audio from Detroit triple fatal: Three adults died in a Detroit house fire early yesterday morning. Click here to listen to the fireground operations.

Posted by dave statter on January 6, 2010 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: 98 Division, arrest, arson, Belleville, Billings, Billings Fire Department, Boston, California, Captain Ron Martin, Chief Paul Dextras, Engine 42, Indanapolis Fire Department, Jim Adams, Jim Clevenger, letter of reprimand, Lynn, Massachusetts, Modesto, Montana, near miss, New Jersey, Northampton, overtime, Paul Bassett, Rescue 2, Roxbury, three-alarms, train

Quick Takes

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3-alarms in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ: This house fire was late Sunday night at 27 Columbus Avenue. FirefightingNews.com has still pictures and details.

Lt. David Curlin, Pine Bluff Fire Department, is in serious condition after Sunday's wall collapse.

Prayers for Arkansas firefighter caught in wall collapse during commercial building fire: Firefighters and others gathered Monday night to offer prayers and support for Pine Bluff Fire Department’s Lt. David Curlin. TodaysTHV.com reports Lt. Curlin and others were on their way back out of the Clemments Office Center early Sunday morning when the wall of the second story collapsed, pinning Curlin under a heavy metal beam. The hose he manned is still trapped under the debris. Lt. Shauwn Howell told reporters, “Fellow firefighters had to come to his rescue using everything they could get their hands on, the jaws of life, shovels, scoops, hands, just doing everything they can to free him from the entrapment up under the debris.” Lt. Curlin is listed in serious condition with a broken leg and arm and several internal injuries. Watch the story here. Read more here and here.

Polls close at 3:00 PM: You read my choice yesterday (Firegeezer), now make your choice in FireCritic.com’s Fire/EMS Blog of the Year of 2009 contest. You can email your vote to firecritic@firecritic.com.

Mayor defends placing campaign manager in top fire department position: We first mentioned this issue from Rochester, New York back in late October. Yesterday, Chief John Caufield said he never really considered anyone other than Molly Clifford for the job of director of fire administration. The job used to be held by a sworn deputy chief. DemocratandChronicle.com’s Brian Sharp reports Clifford will have oversight of code enforcement, community outreach, administrative services such as budget, the supply depot and of planning and research. Fire investigations has been transferred to a deputy chief. The union is charging Clifford, with no fire service experience, is not qualified. Cifford had worked as assistant general manager at Rural/Metro ambulance service. Monroe County Fire Wire has the video from the press conference and a few documents.

Emergency radio traffic from Las Vegas shootout: It isn’t our normal beat, but we have the police radio traffic from yesterday morning’s deadly shootout at the federal courthouse in Las Vegas. Click here.

Sexpert advice for firefighters: A sex doctor indicates firefighters have a leg up in the fantasy world. Read more. A warning: the comments on this post may be more than some can handle.

Photo by Christopher Evans at BostonHerald.com. Click the image to see video of the fire from Evans.

Fireground audio & video from Boston 3-alarm house fire: Three firefighters suffered minor injuries last night at a three-alarm fire at a three-family home in Roxbury. Click here for Part 1 of the fireground audio and here for Part 2 (courtesy FireSceneAudio.com). Details and video are here.

Update from Modesto, CA: The Modesto Bee has been doing a good job of keeping tabs on the status of two firefighters who fell through the roof of a burning home New Year’s Night. Jim Adams has second and third degree burns over 40-percent of his body. Adams is currently in a medically induced coma and is expected to be at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento for as long as a month. Jason Clevenger, with burns over 10-percent of his body, could be released from Doctors Medical Center within a day or two. Read more.

Florida fire may be related to suicide attempt: Click here for details, video and pictures from a large apartment complex fire in Ocoee last night.

Fireground audio and video from Dallas fourth-alarm: Click here for the fire yesterday morning at a floor covering business.

Frozen hydrants: The problem delayed efforts during a restaurant fire in Indianapolis. Click here for the story and the video.

New Year’s Eve fire in Lower Towamensing Township, Pennsylvania: Jason Thomas has been coming back swinging after a few technical setbacks with Firefighter Spot. This fire from Carbon County is one of many videos he has been posting in recent days. Read more about the fire.