Quick Takes

Trying to save what is going to be destroyed anyway: The plans call for the old BASF plant in Anderson, South Carolina to be torn down to make way for a tissue factory. A fire yesterday helped get the process started. Click here for more details and video.

Letter from PGFD union prez takes on editorial position that “The public will be safe and money will be saved”: The statement came in a Gazette editorial over Local 1619’s complaint about reduced holiday staffing (here’s our coverage of the issue). Andrew Pantelis makes the point that the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department is the only department in the region frequently staffing its rigs with two people. Here’s the letter.

Major fire in North York, PA: Firegeezer beat us to Steve Roth’s fine pictures as fire took hold of an attic connecting six addresses in North York Tuesday night. We also have the picture to the left from Jeffrey Waltman. Click here for the Geezer’s coverage, including Steve’s photos and some video.

Finally, a settlement in Boston: The battle between Mayor Thomas Menino and Boston firefighters is older than this blog. The average Boston firefighter will receive a check for $29,000 in back pay in the coming months after a compromise was reached on their contract. The City Council approved a 17% salary increase over five years (2006-2011). The deal means a savings of $45 million over the controversial award by an arbitration panel. It also means mandatory drug and alcohol testing for firefighters. Read more.

Health also an issue in Boston contract: According to Boston.com, “The contract will award a 1.5 percent annual increase in the base pay of firefighters hired after June 30 who undergo an annual physical”. This isn’t a requirement for those already on the job. Dr. Michael Hamrock, a former Boston firefighter who oversees medical issues for the department, wanted mandatory annual physicals and a wellness program for everyone. Here’s the story.

Bourne now battles over investigations that haven’t happened yet: For while last year the Bourne Fire Department in Massachusetts seemed to be in the news daily over a series of serious personnel problems. Now the union and town officials are fighting over how to go forward. Bourne wants to compel firefighters to testify under oath in future investigations. Read details. 

We have an all Massachusetts show going this morning: Remember the young firefighter who wrecked the Provincetown ladder truck while taking a friend for a spin? OUI charges have been dropped against Elias Martinez  because of problems with how the evidence gathering was handled. Read the latest.

How is that sprinkler argument holding up now? The place where Al Capone got his kicks is destroyed by fire: The Riveria Roadhouse on Route 66 in Gardner, Illinois is no longer. The former speakeasy and Al Capone hangout burned Tuesday. In recent years the owners have been in a battle against a required sprinkler system citing the historic nature of the building and that it was on the National Registry. Not sure how well that argument is playing right now. Here’s more.

No water training meant firefighters couldn’t help fishermen: In Scotland an inquiry is underway over the actions of firefighters the night three men died. Firefighters heard their last cries but were forced to stand on the banks of a loch because of a lack of water safety training. By the time a fire boat from 70-miles away arrived the men were dead. More details.

Seattle talks about cutting from four to three: The proposal by Mayor Mike McGinn would bring the minimum staffing for an engine company down to three. Here’s the story.