Quick Takes: March 14, 2011.
House fire in Schaumburg, Illinois: Larry Shapiro’s video from a fire early Sunday morning at 808 Holyoke Court in Schaumburg, Illinois. Click here for Larry’s still pictures and here for more info from ChicagoAreFire.com.
Friday night on the Ohio River turns into an unexpected dinner cruise: The Covington Fire Department had to go after a run-away building when a waterfront floating restaurant decided to spread its wings and cruise. A nearby bridge kept the building from going too far. Click here to watch as firefighters brought almost 100 people to safety.
Fire videos from the weekend: Early video from St. Mary’s County, Maryland house fire; House fire in Cumberland, Rhode Island with two firefighters hurt; Moma’s Pizza burns in Lehigh Township, Pennsylvania; Neighborhood kid captures video of Miami-Dade apartment fire.
Deal reached in Deale blown engine controversy: Glenn Usdin provided some interesting insight a few weeks ago on blown engines during pump testing after a 1991 pumper owned by the Deale (MD) VFD suffered such a fate while in the hands of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department shop. Deale and the county went back and forth for a while over who was financially responsible in this case. Now an economical solution has been found. FireTruckBlog.com has the story. Click here.
Threats & other verbal attacks are now a way of life for Clark County, Nevada firefighters: The long and nasty battle over compensation for firefighters in Clark County that resulted in a probe of sick leave abuse has taken its toll. Scott Wyland in the Las Vegas Review-Journal spent time with firefighters, including some named in the probe, and describes the less than warm reception firefighters are often receiving. Here’s the article.
More image problems as the Bee stings Sac Metro FD: An editorial in the Sacramento Bee on Sunday has the title “Sac Metro salaries are a disgrace”. Overtime seems to be responsible for the high salaries. And the Bee thinks this is the problem – “Either by contract or policy, set staffing levels are maintained. If a firefighter calls in sick, another is called in on overtime. Generous overtime boosts already generous salaries.” The Bee fails to discuss or seem to care why those staffing levels are in place. Then there is this shocker – “It’s worth noting that a part of the firefighter’s work day is spent sleeping, watching TV, cooking or relaxing in the firehouse.” It should also be noted the chief of the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, Bill Sponable, announced his resignation on Friday citing the current economic woes. Click here to read the editorial.
Fireworks cache takes out home: Firegeezer has the story from Blue Springs, Kansas of a man handling some of the large amount of fireworks he stored in his home. The Fourth of July came very early and the man is lucky he was left with only minor injuries. The house is a different story. Click here for the story.
Firefighters dressing in drag, showing their butts & dancing with college girls, all in the name of charity: Of course that headline can only mean one thing. Cincinnati firefighters are back in Fort Myers Beach, Florida for spring break. News-Press.com’s Chris Umpierre looks at this 28-year tradition that has on occasion raised some eyebrows. The picture to the right is by Amanda Inscore, News-Press.com. Click here for the story.
Is help on the way for crumbling Cleveland fire station?: The situation was described as dire last fall at Station 36– “There was standing water and exposed wiring in the dungeon-like basement. A large metal plate had been placed in the fire truck bays because the floor was collapsing. A plastic garbage can collected water dripping from a leaky roof.” Now Cleveland.com’s Mark Gillispie provides an update on a promised new station.
Martha’s Vineyard house fire: Firefighter Spot first posted this fire from the evening of March 5 in a house under renovation on Linton Avenue in the Town of Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts.
