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RIP Sam the Koala: You may recall this video that we ran in February of the firefighter who found the young Koala in the middle of the wildfires in Australia. The four-year-old had burns to her paws. But that’s not what killed Sam. According to CNN, “Her paws healed but soon she developed ovarian cysts associated with chlamydia, an ailment that affects 50 percent of Australia’s koala population”. Read the story.
DC staffs two water supply companies: Three days after the fire that destroyed the mansion belonging to the former school board president, the DC Fire & EMS Department changes how two of its six water supply companies will be staffed. The two companies will now respond on all box alarms in certain sections of the city and in some cases will operate as part of a two-piece engine company. Check out the details.
Also, a local newspaper columnist believes that Peggy Cooper Cafritz should sue WASA and the DC governments over her house burning down. Jonetta Rose Barras believes that may be the only way to get answers and action, similar to what the Rosenbaum family did with EMS. Here’s the column.
Capitol Heights chief makes case similar to suspended Boulevard Heights assistant chief: Capitol Heights VFD Chief Jim McClelland (PGFD Station 805) has some things to say about staffing that are very similar to the thoughts of Boulevard Heights VFD (Station 817) Assistant Chief Antwan Jordan. Jordan remains suspended as an investigation continues into how he handled a fire at his station involving a pumper. Jordan told reporters covering the incident that PGFD’s new staffing plan impacted how the fire was handled and that the removal of career firefighters from two adjoining stations is not serving the citizens very well. PGFD disagrees. Read Gazette.net’s version of the story here.
Mayor’s press conference delayed by emergency: Drama at a busy DC intersection is caught on video by multiple cameras. Reporters and photographers were gathered for a press conference by Mayor Adrian Fenty when a serious traffic accident occurred in front of them. Watch the video as bystanders and eventually firefighters work to rescue the trapped victims. Click here.
Life’s a beach: Since we have shown some recent nice work by Maryland’s Ocean City Beach Patrol, we have put our little toe in the water on this topic. So, that makes this story from the New York Post relevant. The Post has been all over New York’s Orchard Beach lifeguard station. Finding one of the guys in his stand wearing headphones and a bit of a fraternity house atmosphere at the HQ. Check it out.
Houston firefighter gives handwriting sample: Jane Draycott has now given her handwriting sample to investigators looking into the racial and sexual graffiti at HFD’s Station 54. She also talked to reporters. Watch the story here and here.
New York mayor to get grilling by lawyers: A judge says Mayor Michael Bloomberg will have to attend a deposition in the discrimination case brought by black and Hispanic firefighters. Read the story.
Second firefighter sentenced for bilking department out of pay claiming military service: The two friends were firefighters in neighboring Illinois departments and claimed military service even though they were actually working as private contractors. Read the latest.
New leadership in Caroline County, Virginia: Newport News Assistant Chief David Layman gets the job as chief in Caroline County. Check out the story in the Free Lance – Star.
