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Three-alarm arson in Tampa: This appears to be video shot by Tampa Fire Rescue. It is from a fire yesterday morning at Waterman’s Crossing apartments. It is the second fire in the complex since July 9. Investigators say both were intentionally set. Read more.
Station that burned failed to respond to more than 80 calls in less than four days and questions why neighboring firehouse is put in the same position: Whether PGFD’s Station 805 (Capitol Heights) failure to respond to the fire at Station 817 (Boulevard Heights) early Monday morning had any impact on handling the blaze really isn’t the big story of what is going on in Prince George’s County. While the 8-minute response time for the next closest engine seems long, there is only two-tenths of a mile difference in mileage. What the fire did do is shed light on an interesting discussion about the staffing plan implemented Sunday by PGFD Chief Eugene Jones. It also put Boulevard Heights Assistant Chief Antwan Jordon on the record with almost exactly the same information the Capitol Heights VFD put in its press release complaining about the removal of all career firefighters from Station 805. Station 817 lost its career firefighters on nights and weekends back in April. Because of this, the station fails to respond on scores of calls each week. Most are ambulance calls (the volunteers say they have too many new members without EMT so they can’t run the ambulance). I was in the station Monday afternoon when they missed four or five runs for Ambulance 817 in just the 4:00 hour alone. What Chief Jordan and many other firefighters (volunteer and career) are asking is if this is already going on, why would Prince George’s County put the next closest station, Capitol Heights, in the same boat? On Sunday I watched the situation when neither station had staffing. On numerous calls three BLS units were dispatched simultaneously just to get one to respond. The engine from Station 808 (Seat Pleasant) came from three times the distance to respond to a first-due gas leak in Boulevard Heights. Where there was once three staffed firehouses (Hillside VFD closed a decade ago), there are now often none (depending on volunteer staffing). For its part PGFD says they have beefed up coverage at other nearby fire stations (Station 826 in District Heights) and believe the citizens are being served efficiently considering the budget constraints. Spokesman Mark Brady also says the plan is fluid and can be changed at any time, if needed. Click here to watch our story from yesterday and here to read more. It also appears county officials are quite unhappy with Chief Jordan’s comments and actions. We are told discussions are underway over how to handle that issue.
Fluid PGFD plan changes again: There are already some modifications to the staffing plan in other parts of the county. Station 841 (Calverton), which was losing all of its staffing, then keeping its staffing, but losing its paramedic status and possibly gaining a dedicated ambulance, is still a paramedic engine. Medic 830 (Landover Hills) is no longer. It is now Medic 822 (Tuxedo – Cheverly). Station 830 now has 6 career firefighters to run two BLS units and a fire engine. More when we know it.
Dead, not dead in Baltimore: A burglary suspect shot in the head by police at a Baltimore food market, declared dead by medics, was left on the floor of the store for a half hour before a cop realized the man was alive. Read the story from WJZ-TV. Watch the story. Read the Baltimore Sun version.
District chief’s sounding of the alarm in Fall River may have had some impact: Two councilors running for more are urging the restoration of some fire department positions in Fall River, Massachusetts. This comes just days after a district chief said operations at a recent fire were hampered by the severe budget cutting and loss of firefighters to layoffs. Read the latest.
Captain says he was canned for speaking out: There is a clearly some bad blood between the Mills Township, Wyoming fire chief and one of his captains. The captain spoke out against the chief at a town council meeting. The captain and 18 other firefighters also signed a no-confidence letter. The captain was given his walking papers on Friday. Read the details.
Clerical error sidelines VFD: In Kanawha County, West Virginia the Glasgow VFD ceased operations for a while on Monday. The department had been notified its workers comp insurance had been dropped. The chief says it was a clerical error on the carrier’s part and the VFD is back in service. Click here to read and watch the story.
Wisconsin county doubles the number of black firefighters: You may recall the survey the Journal Sentinel did about the lack of minorities working as firefighters in Milwaukee County’s 11 departments. One department just hired its first black firefighter, apparently doubling the number of black firefighters in the county. Here is the story.
I have no clue what its about, but I like the headline: Firegeezer has one titled Ambulance Aids “Broken” Marriage. Click here.
Hogs and Heroes: A reminder that September 12 is the 2009 Hogs and Heroes Poker Run. This is a charity event to raise money for the children of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty. It benefits HEROES, Inc. Click here for the details.
Pipe band fundraiser: The Northern Virginia Firefighters Emerald Society Pipe Band is holding a fundraiser at Ned Devines, 6208 Multiplex Drive in Centreville on Sunday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Udder chaos in our latest chapter of Who ya gonna call?: The cow didn’t jump over the moon, just a fence. Or at least tried to. Read the story from the UK of the firefighters who came to the rescue of the upside down cow lodged between two walls.
