Quick takes
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Raw video from Knights of Columbus fire in Prince George’s County: PGFD crews are now back (7:30 AM) on the scene wetting down hot spots after fire destroyed the Knights of Columbus hall at 1501 Southern Avenue in Oxon Hill. Click here for the raw video and here for more details.
Big change in PGFD staffing story in just a few hours: Word this morning from Beltsville VFD Chief Al Schwartz that his membership voted last night not to take the additional career firefighters from Station 841 (Calverton) and instead will make Station 831 (Beltsville) all-volunteer, with the exception of Monday to Friday during day work. Schwartz believes this will allow Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department Chief Eugene Jones to keep Station 841 fully staffed. We have contacted PGFD and are waiting for official word on this detail,
Before this development Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Chief Eugene Jones told us yesterday that removing career firefighters from four stations does not mean the stations are closed or services are reduced. The new plan starts next weekend and calls for no fire engines or ambulances running out of the “open” Calverton station (maybe the chief has his ESP working) and only a medic unit responding out of Chillum. We have more details, reaction from Montgomery County, and the raw interview with the chief. Check it out.
Firefighter gives bicycle safety message and then shoots the man: That’s what police say happened in Asheville, North Carolina. An off-duty Asheville firefighter didn’t like the way a couple had their 3-year-old on a bicycle riding alongside the road. The firefighter pulled over to give his safety message and then fired a shot as he was leaving. Read this strange tale.
Close call in Gary, Indiana: A pair of videos of recent fires in Gary has brought out the comments. In one, a firefighter down call was transmitted. Read the details and watch the videos.
Van drives through firehouse the hard way: A man driving a van in Washington State opened up a firehouse like a can opener. The vehicle was found behind the station. The driver was found in the hospital. Read more.
Another big furniture store burns: This one was yesterday in Bremerton, Washington. A pretty massive complex. Video and before pictures can be found here.
Interesting simulation: Yesterday was the second anniversary of the crash of two news helicopters in Phoenix, Arizona that left four people dead. Our friends at Carolinas Fire Page alert us to these videos that simulate the crash. Check them out here and here.
Houston apology brings praise from NAACP and call for fire chief’s job: A fire captain in Houston went before the cameras to say he was sorry about the noose in his locker, unaware of what it implied. A local NAACP VP says the explanation is plausible and blames the command staff at HFD for botching the handling of this incident. Now the NAACP wants the chief to resign for “a climate of distrust in the system”. Interesting development that you can read here and watch here.
Rescue on the mighty Mississippi: A regular STATter911.com reader sends along a Sunday night river rescue of four people in St. Louis County. Click here to read and watch the story.
