Quick takes
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3-alarm Queens explosion: This happened Friday. The person who took the video reports he began shooting a few minutes after the explosion occurred. Firegeezer has some earlier coverage. The Daily News has more on the blast that killed a woman.
5-alarms in Bethlehem (UPDATED): Exposure problems for firefighters in a Bethlehem, Pennsylvania neighborhood Sunday evening. Early raw video and links to news coverage can be found here. We have added the second portion of NewsWorking.org’s video.
Rosenbaums also tried to get MFRI results: It turns out reporters weren’t the only ones asking questions about the review last year of DC’s paramedics by the Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute. The family of the man whose death sparked the review and other changes wanted details. They couldn’t get them. Click here for the follow-up report by Matt Cella at The Washington Times.
More expected on possible NREMT cheating probe: The other big news out of DC last week involved the investigations underway into how outside material may have been brought into a testing site. City and NREMT officials are hoping to know more this week. On Friday Chief Dennis Rubin addressed the issue. Click here to see that interview and previous coverage.
Glenn to return to DC: We are hearing the John H. Glenn Jr. is now scheduled to return to Washington from repairs in Baltimore as early as Tuesday. The 72-foot fire boat was damaged on January 31 when the Spirit of Washington dinner cruise ship slammed into the police and fire dock in Southwest. The video of the collision can be seen here.
Discrimination and harassment lawsuits in Dallas: Dallas Fire-Rescue now faces two such suits from women employees. WFAA-TV has been looking into the complaints. One of the them gets pretty graphic and involves allegations that bodily fluids were left around the office. Watch and read the story.
Firefighting crew perishes in plane crash: They were headed from Montana to a fire in New Mexico. All three died. More details are here.
Concerns over threats in Illinois: An Alton firefighter on injury leave, ordered to work light duty, is accused of threatening to shoot fellow firefighters while they slept, shoot the chief and set the chief’s house on fire. Read more.
Three alarms in Rochester: Details, pictures, video and audio from a fire that spread to three homes in Rochester, NY. Click here.
Fire company president’s home set on fire: In Minersville, Pennsylvania an investigation is underway into a fire that damaged the home of Paul Kennedy, who is the president of Good Intent Hose Company No. 1, Llewellyn. There have been other fires in the area. Click here for the story.
BB found in lieutenant’s forehead: On April 16 a Newburgh, NY lieutenant was riding in the cab of a fire engine with the window partly down. Something small hit him in the head. It was days later when he went for a previously scheduled medical appointment that a doctor discovered a BB embedded into the lieutenant’s forehead just above the eye. Click here.
A walk down the stairs leads to a wider investigation: The hospital based EMS system in Worcester, MA is under fire after a state investigation finds serious problems. There is an interesting story into what prompted that probe. Click here to read it.
Flying garage door causes close call: In Clarksville, TN an explosion during a garage fire on Saturday gave a firefighter some cuts and bruises. Read the story.
Close call at fast food joint: In Cedar Rapids, Iowa a fire engine crew had just pulled up and about to make its initial attack when something exploded inside the burning Burger King. Click here for details and pictures.
Ten homes destroyed or damaged in Indiana fire: Click here for details and video of a fire early Saturday at Lake James.
Dispute over cause of Las Vegas fire: Remember the large fire at the Monte Carlo in Vegas 15-months ago. Officially it was blamed on molten metal coming from a cutting torch dripping from a platform onto the roof. The contractor is fighting this finding saying that’s not what was going on at the time of the fire. A TV station is taking a closer look as lawsuits have been filed in an attempt settle who is responsible for the loss. Watch the story. Read the story.
“Fill the Boot” leads to firefighter struck: In Waxahachie, Texas on Thursday afternoon firefighters were collecting money at an intersection when one of the crew was struck by a vehicle. He has been treated and released. Click here for more.
“Hybrid” model for CA departments: No, we aren’t talking energy savings here. This is how the latest plan for fire protection in and around Newark, California is being described. After it was determined a merger with Union City would cost more money, this new model is being studied. Here is how Ben Aguirre Jr. of the Argus explains it:
The Newark City Council agreed last week to allow City Manager John Becker to solicit proposals from Alameda County to be the primary provider of fire services to Newark, and then a proposal from Fremont to be an emergency backup.
Under the model, which still is being discussed, the Newark Fire Department would be folded into the county fire agency.
Taking a toll (or rather not taking one): Also in California, a bill would make it official that fire engines and other emergency vehicles don’t have to pay tolls. The bill is expected to make the process easier when automatic tickets are issued. Read more.
Early video from West Virginia and Kansas: Watch the initial attack on an auto body shop in Clarksburg, WV and a house in Olathe, KS.
The second time around: A building burns again in McKeesport, PA. Pictures are here.
