Our man in Chicago is in Detroit: Steve Redick just came back from one of his regular trips to Detroit and posted this video of three fires and fireground audio. Don’t forget Steve has some nice books that always make for good gifts.
Controversy over not sending the closest units: A double fatal crash from May in Greenbrier, Tennessee is making news because the two closest fire and EMS companies weren’t dispatched on the call. The article indicates the closest units were available and could have been on the scene within two to three minutes. But because the collision was on the wrong side of the Davidson-Robertson County line, Nashville dispatched apparatus that took more than 10-minutes to arrive. Read and watch the story.
Also from Nashville, a former bible factory burns: A three-alarm fire destroyed a warehouse. Martin Grube has video at Fire Rescue TV. Click here for more video and details about the fire.
Maryland fire company sued by woman who can’t get in: On the Eastern Shore, The Crisfield Volunteer Fire Department is being sued by a member of the local rescue squad who has been turned down three times for membership. The department has never had a female member. The lawsuit claims Juanita Nelson was rejected because of the feeling expressed at a meeting, “If we let a female in here, it will never be the same again”. Read the article.
Ad attacks politician for cutting rescue unit. Unit may be needed because commissioner threw fire chief under bus: The battle continues in Clark County, Nevada. An ad by firefighters blames Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid for mothballing the county’s rescue engine and relying instead on the heavy rescue unit from Las Vegas. Reid, who wants to be governor of Nevada, responded, “The ad is false. I have been informed by Fire Chief Steve Smith that this action will not negatively impact response times or public safety.” Read what a local columnist has to say about the battle.
If it isn’t one thing ..: Bad luck for a Warren, Ohio firefighter didn’t end with his recent lay off from the department. Now, his home catches fire. Read details.
Plugging Geezer: I figure it’s good PR to plug Firegeezer since I am going to spend three days with Bill (join us and a really, really sketchy group of players at Booth 738 at Firehouse Expo in Baltimore). Bill has lots of news including a body found in a burned out Florida restaurant.
Much more important stuff in Baltimore than our foolishness: At 2:00 Friday afternoon the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (where I do some work) will have a briefing at the Hilton next to the Baltimore Convention Center on a new behavioral health initiative. Please join us. Below are some details from the press release–
The way to help firefighters who have dealt with potentially traumatic events is changing. Much has been learned from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s work in New York after September 11th and following the loss of 9 firefighters at a furniture store fire in Charleston, South Carolina in 2007. A briefing on this new model at Firehouse Expo in Baltimore later this week will answer all your questions as to how-as a chief officer, family member or colleague-you can help firefighters deal with the stress, grief and trauma that often go along with this profession.
Scholarship reminder: The Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation (YLD) is accepting applications for its scholarship program. Here’s details from the website, YLD.org–
YLD is accepting applications for the 2010 scholarship award competition. The application deadline is September 30, 2010. The organization was founded in 1988 in memory of Deputy Fire Chief James G. Yvorra, who was killed in the line of duty. Since that time, YLD has awarded $103,000 in scholarships to members of the fire and emergency medical services.
They don’t make them like that anymore: At antique motorcycle races in Wauseon, Ohio on Friday one of the old bike’s caught fire. It is interesting watching people trying to put it out. But after the fire is extinguished look at how well the motorcycle survived.
