Quick Takes: April 11, 2011.
Memories: In and around the firehouse in Falmouth, Massachusetts in 1955. Glenn Usdin's FireTruckBlog.com found this treasure trove of 30 videos (so far) showing the fire service on Cape Cod in the 50s and 60s. Most of the film is in great shape. Click here to see a trio of clips showing two structure fires and a boat fire from more than a half-century ago.
Three DC firefighters in good condition, one still has a long recovery ahead: We hope to hear more today on Firefighter Charles "Chucky" Ryan who was in critical condition with burns over 40% of his body from Friday's fire in Northeast Washington. Click here for the weekend report.
Protecting exposures first in the Cherry Blossom Parade fire: People commenting on the videos of the SUV burning in the middle of Saturday's Cherry Blossom Parade are wondering why no one could come up with a fire extinguisher to handle what was initially a very small fire in the engine. But some people did think to unhitch the float just in case the whole vehicle went up. Engine 2 arrived in time to squirt a little water and save the day. Here are the videos.
Bear's beach vacation is interupted: Martin Grube's Fire Rescue TV has video of Virginia Beach Fire Department's Ladder 11 helping get a bear out of a tree on Friday. Check it out.
Recycling plant fire: The view from atop a railroad car as the yard of a recycling plant burns along the tracks in Phoenix. Click here.
Pineville, Louisiana helmet-cam: The Holiday Village Fire Department on a recent house fire.
New fireboat for Chicago: I saw the old one in action last summer, but Firegeezer has a preview of the new one on its way to Chicago.
17-minute response time for house fire being questioned: The fire chief in Cahokia, Illinois says they shoot for a seven to ten minute response time but that it can take more than that for the volunteers to get to the firehouse and then to the scene. Here's the story.
Personal escape rope saves FDNY firefighter: There were two maydays at a three-alarm fire in Queens on Saturday. One trapped firefighter used his rope to make a quick exit when conditions deteriorated and the second fell through the floor. You will find details here and more at Backstep Firefighter.
Man coming out of the closet attacks firefighter: Police in Mission, Kansas believe the man hiding in the closet of the burning office set the fire. He is also charged with attacking a firefighter. Read and watch the story.
Second-alarm in Irvington, New Jersey: I think this fire on 19th Avenue occurred on April 4th.
