Dayton, Ohio junkyard fire: Firefighters are still on the scene of the junkyard fire involving thousands of junked cars. It began around 3:00 Thursday morning. Here’s details and more video. This is just one of many daily videos WUSA9.com’s Emily Cyr adds to the player in the right hand column of the STATter911.com. There are lots of good fire and EMS stories and raw video from around the country here. Check them out. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!: Your comments here, on Facebook and by email about the news that I will be leaving Channel 9 after 25-years have been quite touching (even the one from Fire Critic Rhett Fleitz). I believe I replied to each of you either in the comments, on FB or by email (hope I didn’t miss anyone). Just to ease some who seemed generally concerned about me and the blog, let me clarify a few things. No one forced me out. While I am a pain in the butt shop steward for our union, our current management has been very kind to me and quite supportive of STATter911.com. This decision was based on a buyout deadline that is at the beginning of June. It is something I had been planning for since it was negotiated by my union in December 2008. A special thank you to Bill Shumm for his lovely column on my exit from television. STATter911.com wouldn’t have made it through three years if it wasn’t for Bill’s support and kindness. The blog will continue. Please don’t read anything into the fact that I have not been a prolific in my posting of items the last few days and haven’t gotten to some stories sent in by our regular readers. It isn’t my intention to slow down (just the opposite) but there is a lot to do in the coming days and temporarily you might not be hearing as much from me. Again, thank you all.
Much more from the foul-mouthed fire critics from Canada: We found two earlier tapes of the young couple who discovered a fire in Sylvan Lake earlier this week. The fire destroyed four homes. The new clips show when the two first discovered the fire and give a lot of insight into what they did and didn’t do about it. Check it out.
Photographer shoots a familiar face at fire scene: Photographer Steve Roth is a regular contributor to STATter911.com from Pennsylvania and his most recent story is quite interesting. Steve has a photo at the scene of a recent fire of a man who is accused of setting the blaze. The same guy, according to police, had stolen fire department radios. He also faced a prevous arson arrest. Here’s Steve’s pictures and our coverage.
Fire company suspends chief for speaking to police & IRS: Maryland State Police confirm there is a crimnal investigation underway of the Halfway VFC in Washington County. The company has suspended Chief Jeff Ringer because he spoke with investigators without a company lawyer present. Ringer’s attorney says the chief only talked about himself and not fire department business. County officials confirm the probe is focusing on the company’s bingo and tip jar fundraising. Read more from the Herald Mail’s Heather Keels.
Tampa firefighter makes her professional boxing debut: Read the store of Tampa Fire Rescue’s Christina Swanson.
Chief’s car stolen: The fire chief in Edinburg, Texas came out to discover his city issued vehicle had been stolen. Click here to read and watch the story.
Pennsylvania firefighter charged with arson: A volunteer in Jackson Township (Mercer County) is the latest of a recent string of firefighters charged with arson in Pennsylvania. Read the story.
Paying $74 million for firefighters to agree to come to work sober: That’s the take of Boston City Council President Michael Ross on the 19-percent pay raise an arbitrator awarded firefighters who will now have to undergo random drug and alcohol screening. Of course the firefighters don’t quite see it that way. Click here and here for the latest.
Chief responds to report: St. Anna Fire Department Chief Robert Thome gives his views on a Wisconsin fire marshal’s report on the December fire in a dumpster that took the life of Firefighter Steven Koeser. Here’s the story. Click here if you haven’t seen the state report.
Firefighter resigns town post because of potential conflict: In Newmarket, New Hampshire Town Councilor Daniel Dickens has resigned because of a law that prevents him from serving in the post and receiving pay as an on-call firefighter. Click here.
