Quick Takes: June 4, 2012.
Early video from townhouse fire in Ajax, Ontario: This is from a fire on Sunday at Church and Delaney. A still picture from the other end of the street is here.
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Five firefighters hurt after duplex explodes: One Milwaukee firefighter is in serious condition and a civilian is critical after blast occurs while checking on gas odor. Here’s what’s known so far.
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PGFD swift water rescue: Good video from Friday’s rescue of three children in the water under the 38th Street Bridge in Mt. Rainier, MD.
LeDuff says the battle with Detroit’s deputy commissioner is not the real story: TV reporter/advocate Charlie LeDuff says the state is now looking into the state of Detroit’s firehouses. LeDuff told viewers on Friday the shameful conditions with raw sewage running through and out of some of the buildings is the real story and not the firing of Deputy Fire Commissioner Fred Wheeler who slapped LeDuff’s microphone away and shouted a few expletives. Here’s the latest.
Another video from Highland Park, Michigan: The latest offering from another one of the state’s overworked, understaffed and underfunded fire departments.
Attention South Dakota firefighters: There is a big event coming in September called the South Dakota Firefighters Benefit. It was created to bring firefighters from across the state together to raise money for organizations that are solely funded by donations, and work to better the fire service. In this case the organizations are the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the National Firefighters Endowment. Willie Wines Jr. of IronFiremen.com fame and Rhett Fleitz of FireCritic.com are a big part of this event. There is a raffle underway for a Phenix 9-11 Commemorative Leather Helmet. Click here to buy your ticket.
Regeneration reprieve: You may recall a little more than two-years-ago Boca Raton Chief Tom Wood sounding the alarm about EPA diesel emission regulations right here on the pages of STATter911.com. Chief Wood strongly believed that fire apparatus should be exempt from these rules that resulted in apparatus shutting down. The chief’s own firefighters must have been listening because the Boca Raton local joined with firefighters from Hollywood and Miami pushing the IAFF to make this issue. The IAFF and other fire service organizations did just that and now the EPA is granting relief for fire trucks and ambulances. The story from FireTruckBlog.com and one from Janet Wilmoth at FireChief.com.
Not sure how the pump test went, but it was a failure on the float test: Glenn Usdin’s FireTruckBlog.com has the story of a Maine fire engine that took an unfortunate dive during a pump test.
Chief talks about mayday after falling through floor: We showed you the video from the mayday during overhaul at a four-alarm fire at a gun shop in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania. Now listen to Cressona Chief John Woleshok tell you about falling through the floor.
Video prompts a discussion of rural firefighting: Guys in cowboy hats and overalls manning hoselines on a house fire in McNeil, Arkansas brings some interesting comments.
Fire in Archbald, Pennsylvania: The fire Saturday heavily damaged a four unit apartment building. Click here for the video.
Fire in the firehouse: Firegeezer Bill Schumm has the story of the rescue of the engine when Tennessee’s Southeast Rutherford Volunteer Fire Department Station 3 went up in flames after a training session Thursday night. Click here.
One firefighter settles suit trying get his reputation back while another one crops up: The case of Spokane Fire Department Lt. Todd Chism has made a lot of news since Chism’s arrest in 2008. The Washington State Patrol, thanks to a sloppy investigation, clearly had the wrong man on child pornography charges. Curt Varone has the story of the $2.4 million settlement that hopefully will help put Chism’s life back on track after a miserable four years. Curt also has the new defamation suit from Clark County, Nevada Firefighter Donald Munn who got his job back after being fired in that extensive sick leave investigation last year. Here’s that story.
As expected North Las Vegas declares disaster: In an effort to void union contracts the North Las Vegas City Council voted Friday to use a tool for a physical disaster to handle a fiscal one. The unions say they will be in court to prevent the disaster this would create for its membership. Here’s more.
Video of a Frisco, Texas house fire: A fire started by lightning last Wednesday morning.
Wichita apartment fire: Video from a two-alarm fire last week.
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House fire in South St. Louis: Looks like Ben Mazanec has a new camera. Much clearer pictures coming out of the St. Louis area now. This is a fire on Sunday at 3315 Missouri Avenue.
