Quick takes
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4iRsA5k64Q&hl=en&fs=1]
Multiple cameras rolling: It is just a mini-van fire on Saturday morning, but there is good, clear video from different angles. On top of that, it is a rookie’s first fire. The video is from the Potomac Fire Company, Allegany County, Maryland’s Station 22.
Videos and pictures of ladder rescues in Chicago: Fire on the ground floor of a five-story apartment building sent many people rushing to their windows. Click here.
Tragedy in Missouri: From Kansas City, a fire engine responding to a call stikes and kills a 7-year-old boy who ran into the street. Read the story.
Light my fire: A bar owner is going to jail after a trick involving fire and alcohol burns a woman. Also, a video of a demonstration from a bartender who does similar tricks. Check it out.
Snakes alive!: In Arizona, budget cuts are forcing the Northwest Fire/Rescue District to scale back on the number of snake calls it takes. The calls will now have to meet certain criteria. This call would be an easy one for me. No snake calls would meet my criteria (just ask my wife and kid). Read the story.
Share your pain: FirefighterCloseCalls.com wants to hear about budget and staffing cuts at your department. Click here for a message from Chief Billy Goldfeder.
A close encounter of the Twitter kind: A reporter in Minnesota suffering chest pains gets treated by a paramedic who knows him. Now if I were the reporter, considering some of my stories, the chances are that might not be a good thing. In this case, the two were pals through Twitter. Firegeezer has the story.
They took the bait in Stafford County, VA: After we ran a picture of a hydrant decorated with a winter theme yesterday, Stafford County Chief Rob Brown, pleased that someone made an effort at clearing the snow, remarked that in this economy they will take any help they can get. The department’s PIO, Lt. Mark Stone, was momentarily concerned about the potential negative psychological impact on the canine population from the dressed up plug, but quickly got with the program and put out a press release reminding everyone about snow removal and hydrants.
Fire chief runs firegrounds from his wheel chair: A very interesting story from New Hampshire and how a fire chief handles his MS. Read the story.
Good video from Baltimore County restaurant fire: A fire in Woodlawn early Monday morning as high winds and snow moved through the area. Click here.
