Quick Takes
A story you will want to see: They moved out of North Providence’s fire station on Douglas Avenue yesterday. Part of the Rhode Island city’s budget cutting. Mayor Charles Lombardi wants to see the property make money for the city. Captain John Cagno, in uniform and standing at the door of a fire department vehicle, makes it very clear he trusts his judgment and 28-years of experience that closing Engine 3 is a bad move. The mayor cites a study saying things will be just fine and is moving ahead in restructuring the fire department. Late yesterday a judge has ordered a temporary reopening of the station so the court can hear arguments in the union’s legal bid to stop the closing. This all follows an emotionally charged council meeting that Firegeezer has covered.
The answer to the question most asked of Dave Statter over the last two days: Number 1. (If you don’t know the question, don’t worry about it or click here.)
Now don’t go out on a limb: Five house fires in detached homes in one Detroit neighborhood yesterday evening are being called suspicious. Read the story and watch the video.
Arrest in fire we showed you yesterday: We topped yesterday’s Quick Takes with a fire in some closely built homes in Pendleton, Indiana. Now a woman has been arrested for starting the fire. News reports indicate that despite a restraining order she returned to her former home and set it on fire. Here’s the story.
Cindy Schuenke still battling: It has been a while since we caught up with Cindy Schuenke and her efforts to ride a fire engine again in Overland, Missouri, four years after burns that almost killed her. She is appealing her second firing. Here is the latest. Click here for a previous story.
Remembering six in Worcester: On the tenth anniversary of the Worcester Cold Storage fire there is a lot to read about that night. Click here, here, here and here to read more about the loss of Thomas Spencer, Tim Jackson, Jay Lyons, Jeremiah Lucey, Paul Brotherton and Joe McGuirk. Also, here is the link we brought you earlier in the week of the material Firefighter Close Calls put together about the fire.
Firehouse.com has people on the scene and will be filing stories and video today from Worcester. Here is the link. They also have more with retired District Chief Mike McNamee about his difficult decision to stop the search and not risk more lives.
New Haven promotion ceremony set for next Thursday: It was made official at the Board of Fire Commissioners meeting on Tuesday and the firefighters are already getting paid at the new rank. They will receive their badges on December 10 at 3:00 PM. Click here for more.
Staffing goes to court: Click here for an update on the minimum staffing battle in Lockport, New York.
118 years of service: The Washington Post profiles Ray Lankford and Vernon Horsmon, two 83-year-olds who are still active in their departments in Calvert County, Maryland.
Raw video from Missouri house fire: This fire in the early morning hours of Tuesday was on Honeysuckle Lane around the corner from Battlefield Fire Protection District’s Station 1. According to the description with the video there were hydrant problems which delayed the fire attack. News reports indicate the fire started in the kitchen and there was enough water, but the closest hydrant was 1300 feet away.
