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UPDATE: Steelton, PA Fire Department bounces Emilio Hall, firefighter who claimed he was FDNY member trapped on 9-11. Hall is currently in jail.

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Read latest article from Press and Journal's Debra Schell

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Emilio Hall is no longer a member of Pennsylvania's Steelton Fire Department. Steelton Mayor Tom Acri confirmed Hall was voted out of the department in a letter to the Press and Journal. Debra Schell is the reporter who interviewed Hall last June when he made the claim that he was a former FDNY firefighter who was trapped in the rubble of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Schell revisited that story on December 28 after being contacted in November by a former girlfriend of Hall's who said his claim is bogus. Schell confirmed with FDNY that no one by the name of Emilio Hall had been a member of the department. Hall stood by his story for the December 28 article, but according to Schell's latest report, Hall can't currently be reached because he is in Dauphin County Prison on a criminal contempt charge (no details provided in the report).

Mayor Acri and Steelton Fire Chief Eugene Vance received a lot of criticism within the fire service for comments made to reporter Schell for the December article. Chief Vance, who according to Schell retired as planned at the end of 2011, was quoted as saying, “It has no bearing on this department.” Mayor Acri described Hall at the time as dedicated to the company and said, “If he is a story-teller, there is nothing we can do about that."

Mayor Acri has portrayed things somewhat differently for the latest article:

Mayor Acri said he, the Steelton community, including the Steelton Volunteer Fire Department and former Fire Chief Eugene Vance, “were sincerely shocked and appalled by these accusations and hold Mr. Hall’s actions with great gravity and sadness.”

Acri was clarifying to comments he and Vance made in support of Hall in December.  Those comments brought criticism from many in the firefighting community.

“We [Acri and Vance] were both certainly caught off guard by the accusations but do not find this matter trivial and have worked swiftly and decisively to address it,” Acri said.

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Posted by on January 10, 2012 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, News, Social Media, Reputation Management, News Media • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Pennsylvania volunteer’s story about being an FDNY firefighter trapped in 9-11 rubble questioned. Steelton mayor & chief questioned about comments to newspaper.

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Read Press and Journal article

In June, Debra Shell with the Press and Journal interviewed Emilio Hall with Pennsylvania's Steelton Fire Department about his experience as a FDNY firefighter on September 11, 2001. Hall told the reporter that he was trapped in the rubble of the collapsed World Trade Center Twin Towers for 32 hours.

Yesterday, reporter Debra Shell had a follow-up article where many, including the FDNY are saying that Hall was never a member of the FDNY. While Hall stands by his story, a former girlfriend calls him a fabricator. An FDNY member says he is representing himself as something he wasn't. And the press office for FDNY says they have never had a firefighter by his name.

In various Internet forums and the Facebook page for Steelton FD, people are not only expressing concern about Hall being a member at Steelton but are critical of the comments made to the newspaper by the department and town's leadership:

Steelton officials, including fire chief Gene Vace and Mayor Tom Acri, said they were not concerned about the allegations against Hall.

“It has no bearing on this department,” said Vance. “I could care less if he made it up, [or] if he wasn’t a fire fighter in New York. He went through training with us.”

Acri said he was surprised and saddened by the accusations, but stood by him.

“I can tell you that he works and is dedicated [to the fire company],” he said. “If he is a story-teller, there is nothing we can do about that. He is very respectful to everyone and is a good volunteer.”

But Steelton Fire Company Lt. Andy Mahalchick said last week the fire company’s board was investigating Hall’s claims. The board was awaiting hard evidence before making any decisions, he said.

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Posted by on December 29, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, FDNY, fire, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, News, Social Media, Reputation Management, News Media • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Empire State of Mind (Part II). Download this tune & support NFFF.

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More from NFFF

From State Farm:

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11, State Farm partnered with award-winning director Spike Lee to film a touching tribute to thank the heroes of New York. Nearly 150 school children (ages 8-11) from the New York City area visited four firehouses and thanked the firefighters through song.

Download the full-track of Empire State of Mind (Part II) from iTunes here: http://st8.fm/ON2. Proceeds from the download benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (http://www.firehero.org/).

Credits
Artist: James Davis Jr. & The Children of New York City
Song: Empire State Of Mind (Part II)
Album: Empire State Of Mind (Part II) 9/11 Tribute

Posted by on September 12, 2011 • Filed under: FDNY, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, must see video, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Must see Daily Show video: ‘I Thought We Already Took Care of this S@#t’.

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Read WTC health report on cancer

Jon Stewart's answer to the recent study indicating the evidence isn't there to cover cancer for Ground Zero workers.

Posted by on July 29, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, EMS Topics, FDNY, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

WTC health chief: First review does not link cancer to Ground Zero workers. Read report.

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Read report

As many of you know, the new James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act does not cover cancer. But the administrator of the World Trade Center Health Program is charged with making regular studies to see if the data shows that cancer can be linked to those who worked at Ground Zero. The first review was released today and it indicates that, so far, the evidence isn't there to put cancer on the list of covered illnesses.

Here's more from Huffington Post's Michael McAuliff:

Advocates for 9/11 responders were disappointed, but latched onto the promise of further review.

"They couldn't find the evidence, but we have the evidence and we have the statistics," said John Feal, a 9/11 worker who runs the FealGood Foundation.

He pointed to the most tragic proof possible: "We have the funerals," Feal said. "I've been to 53 funerals, and 51 of them were for cancer."

He's counting on several studies being done currently to confirm his belief, including at least one that he expected would be finished in the early fall.

Posted by on July 26, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, EMS Health & Safety, EMS Topics, FDNY, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Fires, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, News • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Coming to Baltimore: Better Angels: The Firefighters of 9/11.

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For the past six years Dawn Siebel has lived this project, Better Angels: The Firefighters of 9/11. The artist painted pictures of each of the 343 firefighters of FDNY who were lost on September 11, 2001. I could spend a lot of time telling you how moving this display is, but you should really see it for yourself. Better Angels will be at Firehouse Expo next week. Try to get there.

The video I shot (above) at the Maryland State Firemen's Association Convention as part of my work for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF with the DOJ's Public Safety Officers' Benefits Programs support the display) does not really do it justice.

After Baltimore, Better Angels will be displayed elsewhere around the country, including FRI in Atlanta. Click here for more information.

Posted by on July 12, 2011 • Filed under: FDNY, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Fires, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, Major Incidents, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Long Island fire department’s clear message to OBL. Plus, the view from a Manhattan firehouse.

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In my business I teach people the importance of a clear and consistent message. We are told the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department on Long Island has these four simple words in front of each of its five firehouses. I think we hear this one loud and clear.

Below, a more somber look at what the news of the killing of Osama bin Laden means. CBS News' Jim Axelrod visited with the firefighters at FDNY's Engine 54 and Ladder 4 today.

Posted by on May 2, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, EMS Topics, FDNY, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Firefighters step up for CFSI/NFFF 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb

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Last week, firefighters attending FDIC in Indianapolis made the climb (Previous STATter911.com coverage of the 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb at FDIC is here). Wednesday, firefighters stepped it up at Hilton Washington to honor the 343 honor firefighters who lost their lives on 9-11. The event was co-hosted by the Congressional Fire Services Institute and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

Among these doing the climb were Prince George's County Fire/.EMS Department Chief Marc Bashoor and a class of PGFD recruits.

Click HERE to learn how to host or participate in a National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb.

Scenes from Wednesday's climb:

Posted by on April 7, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Arlington County Fire Department, DC Fire & EMS Department, EMS Topics, FDNY, Fire Rescue Topics, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, PGFD, PGFD (MD) • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A 9-11 reader: Fire & EMS websites pause to remember.

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Above is a video reflection about September 11, 2001 by our friend Chief Bobby Halton, one of many remembrances and articles at FireEngineering.com. Below, we take a scan of the fire service media on the web to see how some other sites are honoring those we lost nine-years-ago today.

Some thoughts from Firegeezer and FossilMedic.

Firehouse.com has a tribute page.

At Firehouse Zen the focus is religion.

The Company Officer has a column titled Honor and Remembrance.

The Happy Medic looks at the work of Medic 49 Victor and the loss of Paramedic Carlos Lillo.

At Backstep Firefighter a reminder this day is not about us.

Firefighter Basics has a video tribute.

Another video at Command Safety.

The topic at A Day in the Life of an Ambulance Driver is heroism.

Firefighter Blog has an account of the day by FDNY’s Tom Dunn.

At ChiefReasonArt.com some words on observing 9-11.

Life Under the Lights looks at a relevant previous column.

Firefighter Spot has a 9-11 timeline posted.

Remembering Providence looks back.

Posted by on September 11, 2010 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Health & Safety, EMS Topics, FDNY, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tour of Duty Run reaches Emmitsburg. Group lays wreath at National Fallen Firefighters Memorial.

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Click here and here for more coverage of the Tour of Duty Run’s visit to Emmitsburg

Tour of Duty Run website

Many of you have been following the Tour of Duty Run in its travels from Santa Monica Pier to Manhattan. The group of firefighters and other first responders from Australia and  the United States left California on August 12 and are scheduled to arrive in New York on Saturday, September 11, having run through 20 states in 31 days. Very early on Labor Day morning  the town of Emmitsburg, Maryland welcomed them for a visit to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial.    

Click the image for Graham Cullen’s pictures in the Frederick News-Post.

After getting some rest at the Emmitsburg Volunteer Ambulance Company they had a late breakfast at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation chapel. NFFF Executive Director Ron Siarnicki, Interim United States Fire Administrator Glenn Gaines, Emmitsburg Mayor Jim Hoover, Frederick County Commissioner Blaine Young, Maryland State Firemens Association First Vice President David Lewis and IAFF Local 3666 President John Neary were all on hand to greet the group.    

As part of their efforts to honor the sacrifices made on September 11, 2001, the Tour of Duty Run members placed a wreath at the Memorial. Here are excerpts from Reporter Pamela Rigaux’s story in the Frederick News-Post:    

Their coast-to-coast journey is to commemorate emergency personnel and victims who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The group of 36 is raising money for a variety of charities including the Tribute WTC Visitor Center, the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, among others.    

“When you’re running through the desert, everything seems quite distant,” said Michael Jones, a firefighter from Melbourne, Australia. “Things are becoming a lot more closer, a lot more personal.”    

Jones said a team of American firefighters is with the Australians, but the concept of the cross-country run originated in Melbourne.    

His colleague, Paul Ritchie, put out a call to every fire station in Australia for participation. They got sponsors and teamed with American firefighters.    

The run is relay style. The firefighters are split into groups of 12 that go for six hours then break, Jones said.    

Runners are staying in mobile homes along on route, but the air conditioning in the mobile units broke down, Australian firefighter Ben Erickson said.    

“We were in 95 degree heat in Vegas, Phoenix, pretty much all the way to Texas.”    

The Tour of Duty Run is headed to Washington, DC today and tomorrow.     

(Full disclosure: I do work with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, including taking the video at the top of this story.)

Posted by on September 7, 2010 • Filed under: EMS Topics, FDNY, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, IAFF, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,