Quick takes
The second time around: Last Christmas we told you about a diner burning down in Balltown, IA. Breitbach’s Country Dining was rebuilt. It didn’t last long. It burned down again on Friday morning. This AP Photo/Telegraph Herald by Kori Newby came from KCRG.com where you can read more and see the station’s early fire video, here. It was last Monday that KCRG-TV profiled Breitbach’s and how well they were doing after rebuilding. Click here to watch that story.
On the budget cut beat: The IAFF in Milwaukee is fighting back against a consultant’s report that laid the groundwork for downsizing. Read the union’s own report.
In Wilkes Barre, PA, the mayor says staffing is “sufficient”. The union president calls what they have the “illusion of fire protection”. Read more.
Under the heading it hurts to laugh, a comic strip puts the slashing of budgets in perspective. Click here.
And in Mesa, AZ, the fire chief is talking about layoffs.
Now you see it. Now you don’t: A video poking fun at Topeka Fire Chief Howard Giles has vanished from YouTube after being featured in the local media. Called “Howie’s Great Adventure”, the Capital-Journal wrote about and linked to the video on Saturday. Chief Giles said at the time the video was under investigation by the department. By Saturday night the video was history.
Chief Giles and his firefighters have had a rocky relationship that was made worse when his award as Fire Chief of the Year in Kansas was recognized by the Topeka City Council. The same group that gave Giles the award also gave a top award to a Topeka lieutenant for rescuing a 4-year-old child during a house fire. Giles caused controversy when the lieutenant wasn’t recognized by the council. A newspaper columnist says the chief deserves the criticism.
Video roundup: We have fires in CA, IN, NY, NJ and an unusual sighting in New Zealand. Click here.
School building is one of three that burns in Waco: We have raw video of the largest of three fires in Waco, Texas early Saturday morning. Click here.
A prompt response from the complaint department. Maybe not so from the fire department: The IAFF in a New Brunswick community thinks the chief overreacted to one complaint about one response. Read about the controversy.
You just can’t get this kind of coverage elsewhere: One week after we were the first to show you the dramatic video from St. Louis, we’ve done it again. STATter 911 is the first fire service web site with dramatic rescue video from the other side of the world. Leo the dog shows he is lion-hearted and clearly not afraid to face the wrath of dogs everywhere for his selfless act. You’ll find the story here.
Ethanol issues: Another look at how the fire service and communities are dealing with ethanol. The article focuses on the experience of Alexandria, VA. Click here.
An all-hazards fire marshal: When you are the FM, it seems you have to know a lot more than you used to. How about being conversant in environmental laws and issues? In Michigan, Ypsilanti Township Fire Marshal Phil Stachlewitz struts his staff when questioned about leaf burning regulations. Click here.
911 overload: Cell phones and language barriers put the strain on 911 systems. The view from Fairfax County, VA. Read more.
New fire stations: A groundbreaking in MD and a dedication in VA. Political leaders speak at one, and a balding, overweight blogger at the other. You decide which audience got the better deal. Click here.
And finally, warming things up over cold feet: A man in Japan had second thoughts about getting married over the weekend. To get out of the ceremony he decided to set fire to the hotel where the wedding was being held. One motivation for backing out of the wedding is that he is already married. If you really care, you can read more.
