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Lightning is true to form: Storms last night in Chicago and Atlanta had good examples of how lightning most often strikes the highest object. In Chicago, in the video above, it was multiple strikes for the Sears Tower. At Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport lightning hit the already evacuated control tower, causing smoke in the structure and adding to delays for lots of flights. Click here for that story.
More on Chief Danelle England-Dansicker: The Baltimore Sun looks at the career of Danelle England-Dansicker, the first female career firefighter in Baltimore County and the first woman to become a volunteer at the Pikesville VFC. Retiring as a division chief in 2005, she is the only woman to be promoted above the rank of captain in the Baltimore County Fire Department. Thanks to her brother Bill England for sending us the article. Click here to read it. Click here for our earlier coverage and funeral arrangements.
Responding to bad news by press release: A possible cheating scandal on the National Registry exam for EMTs. Leaked videos and test results from a department wide assessment of paramedics. That is some of the bad news hitting the DC Fire & EMS Department this week. As has been the case for a while, the response from the fire department (and most every other city agency) is directed by the press people in Mayor Adrian Fenty’s office. We are told by sources that is why you will see no one from the city is a part of either of these stories, responding to questions by reporters and giving the fire department’s perspective on the issues (at the same time the number of people responsible for handling the press in the DC Fire and EMS Department is larger than it has ever been). The response to these stories has been only by press release.
Expect though to hear from Chief Rubin today. He is at the National Press Club with a previously planned event on smoke detectors along with the US Fire Administration and other East Coast chiefs. I imagine the reporters will be looking for something more than change your clock, change your battery.
Read up on these stories and the press releases from the city.
Serious issues in report from Orange County, CA: From the AP-
A report by Orange County fire officials has found that firefighters disregarded orders and off-duty crews commandeered fire engines during last November’s devastating Freeway Complex fire.
The 128-page report from the county Fire Authority, which was released Thursday, says that firefighters put themselves and others at risk and hindered firefighting options when they failed to follow chain of command.
Read story from Orange County Register.
Layoffs aren’t saving money: Remember the the articles about the layoffs in Woonsocket, Rhode Island? The union said the cutting of 11 firefighters last month wouldn’t save the city money. Now an article in The Call indicates members of Mayor Susan D. Menard’s administration are acknowledging that’s the case. Click here for more.
Arsonist who killed firefighter up for parole: In 1986, at the age of 21, David Winebrenner set his parents house on fire because his father wouldn’t let David drive the family’s new pickup. The parents escaped. Lawrence, Kansas firefighter Mark Blair didn’t. Public comments are now being accepted as Winebrenner comes up for parole (last denied in 2006). Read the story.
Myrtle Beach fires continue: Emily Cyr and Jillian Coyle, who always look out for STATter911.com, have been keeping the wusa9.com site updated on the South Carolina fires with new pictures and copy. There is even video of a story I did yesterday with local golfers worried about their favorite courses (make sure you hear one comment from a woman with a camera and her grand plans for the video). Click here to see it all.
Arsons in Delaware: Homes under construction in the Milton area are bursting into flames. Two of them occurred overnight. For one of the homes it is a repeat performance. Click here for the story.
Sheriff’s deputies enter guilty pleas in beating of firefighter: This was from an off-duty incident involving two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies. Click here for the story.
Does a bear … ? Not this one. Not anymore: A story from Colorado Springs involving a bear and a pregnant woman ended well for the woman and her unborn child, but not so good for the bear. Click here to watch (or here).
