Quick takes

Check out DCFD.com. They have much better pictures than I do from a fire Tuesday afternoon on the third floor of Marbury Plaza at 2300 Good Hope Road, SE. A number of residents were helped to safety and three were transported to the hospital. Click here for the slideshow. The building has been the scene of numerous fires through the years, including a tragic one four-years-ago this week. On January 11, 2005 a mother and child were killed after a natural gas explosion. In that fire, Lt. Tony Carroll of Truck 7 fell 35-feet into an open elevator shaft. He returned to work about 7-months later.

The latest from Boston: The driver of Ladder 26 called his officer a hero who saved loves as the truck came barreling down Parker Hill Avenue on Friday. FF Robert B. O’Neill made his remarks as he attended the wake for Lt. Kevin M. Kelley. The funeral is today. Click here to read the story.

The three daughters of Lt. Kelley held hands as Susan, the oldest, talked about her dad. Susan Kelley smiled as she said one reason her dad loved the fire department so much is because it was an escape from being outnumbered by the women at home. Watch the raw video.

Boston’s Fire Commissioner Roderick Fraser admits the department’s maintenance schedule isn’t what it should be. Watch the story. The Boston Globe compares the maintenance to other big city fire departments. Click here.

We also have more links on that issue along with the public’s perception of the tragedy. Click here.

Chief Billy Goldfeder has some thoughts about Boston on The Secret List.

There is live coverage of the funeral, here.

Also in Massachusetts: A neighbor and an off-duty firefighter team up to save a woman from a burning home in Pembroke. Click here to watch the story.

Starting fires to earn $10 an hour: Authorities say 15-20 fires set in Western Arizona were the work of on-call firefighters. Four firefighters have been arrested along with two other men. Warrants are being sought for two former firefighters. Read the story.

FF falls into basement at VA house fire: We have pictures and the story of a house fire Monday night in Prince William County where a firefighter took a tumble into the basement. The firefighter is okay. It wasn’t the fire that caused the fall. Click here.

Louisiana peace talks: On Sunday we told you about the battle lines drawn over budget cuts by Jefferson Parish, LA. The IAFF local was taking their message directly to the people with signs and commercials. Both sides have websites painting very different pictures. Now word comes that the two sides are talking to each other and a compromise is being worked on. Read and watch the update.

Firefighters hurt in Elkton, MD: Three suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation at a Tuesday afternoon house fire. Click here for details.

If you are a child or a firefighter of the 60s this video is for you: Some well shot films of Long Island fire departments in action. Well worth watching. Just click here for a trip in STATter 911’s Way Back Machine.

What about us? Aren’t we part of the emergency medical system?: Those are questions being asked by the DC Hospital Association about planning for the Inauguration. The traffic plan calls for restrictions on all of the bridges from Virginia into DC on Inauguration Day. Hospital officials are having a tough time tyring to figure out how to get their workers into the city. I was at a meeting on Capitol Hill Tuesday as lawmakers, hospital leaders and the US Secret Service tried to find a solution to the problem. Click here.

Assistant chief enters not guilty plea: Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Glynn Demon Johnson heads for his day in court over animal cruelty charges in the beating of a puppy. Chief Johnson has called the incident that left a neighbor’s dog dead, self defense. Read and watch the latest.

A NY fire department now has a lot more problems than a naked assistant chief: Last year we told you about an embarrassing situation for the fire department in Johnson City, NY. Now the acting chief is calling their situation dire, saying they fighting for survival. This time the issue is money. Like departments all over they are dealing with potential cutbacks. Click here to read the details.

Geezer channels Goldfeder: FireGeezer is doing his Billy Goldfeder imitation in his Morning Lineup today.

Convicted arsonist again a suspect: A cell phone left at an apartment fire in Houston leads investigators to a suspect. That man just happens to be a convicted arsonist. Houston has been dealing with a series of arsons. Read and watch the latest.

This picture gives you a better view of how lucky the assistant chief of the White Mills Volunteer Fire Department in Wayne County, PA was when this engine wrecked on icy roads on Sunday. Assistant Chief Michael Hill was riding the front seat. Read the update from yesterday and an interview with Chief Hill. Earlier pictures.