Quick takes
Fire and explosion in the Poconos: A strip mall caught fire on Thanksgiving in Monroe County, PA. Firefighters report an explosion shortly after their arrival. No one was hurt. Three businesses were destroyed. Watch the story.
Fort Wayne pushing video: The video from a two-alarm apartment fire in Fort Wayne, Indiana has attracted a lot of attention. Click here if you haven’t seen it.
Captain fights order to take mental exam: This is a story related to the investigation of a 5-alarm fire in Washington, DC last March. The actions of the second due engine and its captain have been under much scrutiny. That captain, Vanessa Coleman, says she has been ordered to take a psychological exam. Capt. Coleman got help from a DC whistleblower protection agency. Read more and see the press release.
Marine division grounded: An unusual safety stand-down has the Alexandria Fire Department’s three boats not taking emergency calls until January. Read our story.
Consumer report: A look at a product called The Smokestopper. Click here.
Bar with FF connections given sprinkler waiver: A Boston paper shines a light on how a bar was allowed to avoid adding a sprinkler system. Read the story.
OT issue in PA: Concerns about busting the overtime budget in Easton, PA. Vacancies and military duty fueling the problem. Read the details.
Getting lost on way to local hospital: FireGeezer Bill Schumm was not just getting OT, but also some holiday pay when he found and posted this story on Wednesday. It is about the driver of an EMS unit in Wake County who couldn’t find the hospital. Click here.
