Quick Takes
Early video of New Chicago, Indiana house fire: Edward Malik again beats the fire department to the scene. This time not in Gary, but to the east in New Chicago. The fire killed a a few pets.
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Firefighter says she slept with supervisor in an effort to stop the harassment: Kate Ellis is suing the U.K.’s Hampshire Fire and Rescue. Ellis, as the only woman at her station, claims she had to endure constant jokes, leering and innuendo. Ellis testified she tried put an end to it by becoming a notch on the bedpost of her supervisor. Here’s the story that appears to be getting prominent play by Britain’s tabloids.
Mayor says firefighters may be selling overtime shifts to help others inflate retirement: In Rochester, New York, Mayor Robert Duffy has notified Attorney General Andrew Cuomo that city firefighters may be padding pension payments. Duffy said it appears some firefighters were taking “kickbacks” to allow more senior members to inflate their wages in the final years in an effort to get a higher pension. The union says no proof of this was found in an investigation three-years-ago and calls the mayor’s actions retaliation. Click here for the details.
Two firefighters fall through roof of home: In Union, Missouri one of two firefighters who came crashing though the roof of a ranch style home in Union, Missouri is in a burn unit. They fell fifteen feet shortly after getting onto the roof to begin venting operations. Here’s the story.
After NIOSH urges a Massachusetts firefighter seat belt law, a look at policies outside Boston: Despite state law currently exempting firefighters from having to buckle up on the job, other Massachusetts chiefs say, unlike Boston, they require seat belts. Check it out.
Boston columnist says she wants to be a firefighter, mocking decision to give 19-percent raise over four-years: Despite her advanced age and “pathetic fitness level”, Boston Globe columnist Yvonne Abraham has written an open letter saying she wants to be a part of “Firefighterland”, “a beautiful place with no connection to the economy whatsoever”. Here’s an excerpt-
Elsewhere, the city is shutting libraries and giving school custodians the ax. But in Firefighterland, it’s all dollar signs and days off.
That’s because for four years, the firefighters union refused to give an inch during negotiations with the city. Instead, they attacked the mayor and tried to scare the public. It worked. That arbitrator in Albany just gave them a whopping 19 percent-plus pay increase over four years.
Award for Siarnicki: Former Prince George’s County, Maryland chief and National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Executive Director Ron Siarnicki recevied the Tom Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award at FDIC. During his acceptance speech Siarnicki announced military firefighters will now be included in the NFFF Memorial. Read coverage here and here.
Florida firefighter charged in home invasion: Investigators say Punta Gorda Firefighter Ernest Bowen is suspected of planning the robbery of a prominent family and getting more than 100k in jewelry and money. Here’s the story.
Florida planning chief gets disability payment from another fire department: Read the story about the controversy surrounding Pasco Fire Rescue planning chief’s disability payment from Tampa.
The volunteer shortage: Tom Lindtveit, who has contributed in various ways to STATter911.com, has a letter to the editor of Occupational Safey & Health magazine/online that is worth checking out. Captain Tom looks at the demands placed on volunteers and how it impacts recruitment and retention. Read the letter.
