Kyle Wilson report; DE ambulance crash update; ALF, Chapter 11; Raw video of 2 DC multi-alarm fires; Ice rescue video; Anyone can do this job; NJ 1947
(Updated at 8:17 PM)
Lessons learned
Click here to read coverage of the Prince William County report along with links to all of the documents and videos As we first reported on Saturday an extensive report on the LODD of Prince William County’s Kyle Wilson is out. The investigative report itself is 382 pages long and that is only one part of what was released. The fireground audio, animations, fireground videos and still pictures are part of a video timeline of the fire’s early stages. Of course, the hardest part is listening to the two radio transmissions as Kyle Wilson calls for help.In a way I am glad I listened to the audio before beginning the reading (I’m still going through it). It helped me keep in mind why the report is so important.Bill Schumm at FireGeezer.com, a fire service veteran, calls the report “a model of how this type of inquiry should be done”. Rhett Fleitz at VAFireNews.com is urging every firefighter to read it.Chief Billy Goldfeder at FirefighterCloseCalls.com says Prince William County “is saving future lives by sharing their LODD Investigative report to honor Kyle, in an effort to reduce and prevent firefighter line of duty deaths at the local, region, state, and national levels.”An interesting question: Is the fire service doing enough to educate the public on providing information to arriving firefighters?After reading our coverage of the Prince William County report, Sandy Ross sent me this email:
Any suggestions?
Here is what the report says about the occupants:
Several of the occupants exited the house from Side A and others from Side C. The occupants dressed in night time clothing sought shelter and gathered in an adjacent house and in a vehicle that was parked between the involved and adjacent house on Marsh Overlook Drive.
Mrs. Ross makes a good point. Is enough emphasis placed on educating the public that as vital as it is to let arriving firefighters know someone is trapped in a burning home, it is also extremely important to inform them when everyone is out?
Sussex, DE ambulance wreck (update)
Chuck Snyder photo for the News Journal via delawareonline.com
A Millsboro VFC ambulance and an SUV collided this morning. Initial reports from Chief Billy Goldfeder at FirefighterCloseCalls.com was that a paramedic had died. Chief Billy just provided this (12:10 PM) update:
We were initially advised (and confirmed twice) by officials that hospital staff had advised that the Paramedic in Sussex County had passed away, but now the good news and updated information is that the Paramedic is still alive. We will keep you advised. Please keep all in Delaware and especially Sussex County, the Paramedics family and all affected, in your prayers and hope for the best following this very positive news.
From a Sussex County EMS press release:
Millsboro VFC EMT Mercedes Berry was treated and released with minor injuries.
Millsboro VFC EMT Frank Deford is in serious condition.
Sussex County Paramedic III John Schmitt is in serious condition and has been admitted to ICU with possible head injuries.
American LaFrance files for bankruptcy protection
From Summerville, SC this morning, American LaFrance is seeking help with the bill collectors. The Post & Courier in Charleston reports the fire apparatus manufacturer filed under “Chapter 11”. Read the story.
Raw video from 2 multi-alarm fires in DC
The picture above is part of a slide show on DCFD.com by DC Fire & EMS photographer Vito Maggiolo at Friday night’s four-alarm fire in a vacant apartment building at 5408 1st Place, NW. DCFD.com also has some other picture compilations from the fire.
Freelance videographer and photographer Bob Pugh was also at the fire. He has provided STATter 911 with his raw video of the fire. The fire burned for a number hours. I have condensed Bob’s video to about 10 minutes. While shots have been shortened and a few removed, it is all in chronological order. Bob’s video starts with the interior attack of the fire. At bout 5:45 on the video, you will hear the sirens and air horns sounding as the order comes to evacuate the building.
Watch Bob Pugh
‘s video of the 4-alarm fire at 5408 1st Place, NW
Sunday night, two-alarms were needed for a fire in the 3300 block of Martin Luther King Junior Avenue, SE. This one started as an exterior attack and there were severe exposure issues. 9NEWS NOW photographer Jeff Cridland was on the scene and we have his raw video.
Shuttered fire station impacts ice rescue
In Weymouth, Massachusetts a special rescue boat, donated by a family who lost a loved one to drowning, sat in a closed fire station one-half mile from where it was needed early Sunday morning. The rescue, caught on tape, was ultimately a success. In his coverage, FireGeezer asks an interesting question.
Double the pleasure, double the fun
From Woodbury, Minnesota, it was decided the way to save money was to have police officers double as firefighters. Read the story.
Amazingly, not one police car was damaged
Yes, it is a cheap shot (sorry to my police friends). Video from a bus smashing into a doughnut shop in Los Angeles on Sunday morning.
Old video of the day: Weehawken, 61 years ago
A pier fire in Weehawken, NJ on January 9, 1947.
Water rescue from Los Angeles
Helicopter coverage of the Los Angeles City FD rescuing two woman on January 17.
