Quick Takes: November 21, 2011.
Dispatcher takes house fire call from son & cop dad hears his own address on the radio: In Columbia City, Indiana on Thursday evening a house fire was very much a family affair. Fifteen-year-old Wayne Smith called 911 to report his house was on fire. Wayne's mom was the call taker who answered the line. Wayne's dad, a police officer and volunteer firefighter, heard his own address on the radio. Watch the story above.
Reporter keeps digging into the files of the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department: Amy Leigh Womack has broken a lot of news for The Telegraph in connection with that prank gunman video that stirred things up in the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department. She continues to find out more about the disciplinary process and what appears to be inconsistent punishment for those who are arrested. I am hoping to have more to say about how things got to this point and some important lessons about dealing with reporters in the coming days. In the meantime, do your homework and read the latest from Womack.
See what well trained firefighters can do: An interesting video of a couple of firefighters in a Firefighter 1 & 2 class using some of their skills. See what you think.
A challenge from STATter911.com: A humorous turkey fryer safety video from State Farm starring William Shatner has me thinking that firefighters could redirect the creative energy that results in videos like the one above from the training class, and actually do something productive that is of value to firefighters and the community. But I know I'm just dreaming. Check it out.
New life for 34-year-old pumper: Glenn Usdin's FireTruckBlog.com has the story from Monmouth, Maine of a 1977 engine that will soon be put to good use at a local technical school. Click here.
Another green line critique: A multi-talented neighbor helps out at a fire and is able to shoot video of the fire, shoot video of himself, get a nice straight stream from the green line and calm the homeowner. Here's the video from Alameda County, CA.
Pre-arrival video: A house fire in Salem, Oregon.
Arrival video: Ride along with the crew from Kentland VFD to a house fire in Glenarden, MD. Click here.
It sure wasn't like this when I used to watch Divorce Court with my grandmother: Firegeezer has an interesting lesson about divorce and the digital age. Another example of what you write on Facebook, Twitter and elsewhere can, and likely will, come back to haunt you. Pay attention to this one.
Picture this: My friend and avid STATter911.com reader and commenter Mike Legeros has something for all of us to think about at his Legeros Fire Blog. It's a picture of police action, but it brings up some of the same issues we have discussed many times on this forum. Make sure you check it out.
Of cowards, firefighting and Penn State: PipeNozzle.com and the former president of Penn State share some history and it wasn't pretty. Check out the latest post at PipeNozzle.com for a rather intriguing story.
Read BackstepFirstResp … I mean BackstepFirefighter: Caught myself. Don't need Ray McCormack on my back this morning after I took the oath. Bill Carey has taken what Ray has written on the topic, a few words from me (and a recap of my sordid job history) and gives us a wider view of the identity crisis issue to include "Special Forces". Check it out.
2012 firefighter calendars: That kid who runs that Fire Critic blog from Roanoke s providing much needed critical commentary and review of the firefighter calendars, both male and female, for 2012. It seems a little adult oriented for someone still in high school who we've proven isn't really a firefighter. But if calendars are your thing, here's the place.
If your name is Russ Randolph this is for you: A special shout out this morning to a STATter911.com reader who is dealing with some serious medical issues. Russ Randolph, nothing but good thoughts and wishes your way and thanks for your support.
