VA FF killed on way to work; Keeping FIT?; GA chief retires; Recruiting medics; Videos from OK, PA, TX, DC, NC; Rescue 911 segment
(Updated at 9:50 AM)
Loudoun County, VA lieutenant killed in wreck on way to work
Lt. Alex Keepers, with the Loudoun County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services, died in a wreck on icy roads while driving to work from his Frederick, MD home early this morning. The picture above is from Sam Yu in the Frederick News Post and it shows the t-bone collision between a tractor-trailer carrying lumber and an the SUV belonging to the 31-year-old Keepers. It happened on the Route 15 bridge over the Potomac River just before 5:00 AM. Fire and EMS from Frederick County, MD and Loudoun County, VA handled the call. It was one of a number of motor vehicle accidents on the slick roads early today.
We are told Alex Keepers was also a volunteer with the Independent Hose Company in Frederick.
FIT for a fire department
Is it the future of firefighting? Port Jervis, NY Chief Joseph Kowal Sr. was impressed with his first use of the FIT-5, described by manufacturer ARA Safety, INC as, “an easy to use dry powder aerosol that quickly reduces heat and flame, allowing firefighters to attack a fire more effectively, more safely and with less water damage to property”.
Chief Kowal was first on the scene of a fire on the upper floor of a 3-story residential building last Thursday and launched the land-mine looking device into a third floor window from a fire escape. According to 1st Responder Wireless News, “Within 15-seconds of the unit’s deployment, thick, dark smoke that had been billowing from the building was reduced and noticeably faded lighter gray. Flames remained suppressed for approximately 15-minutes, allowing time and ease for interior firefighters to reach the blaze”.
See pictures and read the complete story.
Trail-blazing Georgia chief retires
There have been a lot of firsts in Rebecca Denlinger’s career. During 30 years with the Cobb County Fire Department, she was “the first female firefighter, driver, engineer, lieutenant, captain, director of training and, ultimately, chief for the past decade”. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution looks at Chief Denlinger as she prepares for her retirement this week.
Last weekend in 2007 quite newsworthy
If you missed STATter 911 this past weekend, you missed a lot of interesting stories: Special legislation puts Boston candidate at the top of the list; Deadly arson outside Chicago; Baltimore driver and officer of Truck 27 suspended without pay; The response to the San Francisco Zoo tiger attack questioned; NJ LODD; Retiring firefighter meets boy he save almost 30-years-ago; For the second time fire tragedy strikes NY family; The 1994 video that sparked the investigation into a Jackson, MS assistant chief; NH firefighters back-up chief in his exit.
See all of these stories, here.
It isn’t the starting salary, it’s what happens afterwards
Trying to recruit paramedics in Salisbury, MD, like many jurisdictions these days, is challenging. While the starting salary is competitive, the lack of guaranteed pay raises is not. Still, the action, compared to what may be a more leisurely pace elsewhere on the Eastern Shore, is attractive to some. WBOC-TV takes a look.
Last man standing
A look back at what once was a thriving volunteer fire department through the eyes of the last volunteer in Oak Lawn, IL. Read the story.
What that yellow line painted on the curb means
In the Mississippi Press, a bit of a back and forth on the opinion pages over whether police should park in a fire lane for a lunch break. Read details.
Water supply issues in OK house fire
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1fZUYUMdV4&rel=1]
Shawnee Fire Department Battalion Chief David Short told News-Star.com about the fire above, “Our guys made a good effort. It was in vain because of the lack of water.” The fire was Saturday afternoon.
Helmet Cam in PA
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWhpkKRiYIE&rel=1]
Christmas Night the Bowmansville VFD on the scene of a house fire in Berks County. Read the story.
NC fire
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR_JW-uYW14&rel=1]
A commercial building fire, Saturday evening, on Bragg Blvd. in Fayetteville.
Houston fire
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FInHEtqysc&rel=1]
Helmet-Cam from station 9 in Houston.
DC’s Engine 8
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVDKRnItpfs&rel=1]
A compilation of still pictures and music.
From STATter 911, some Rescue 911
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5cnwZzGaAk&rel=1]
This is a March 22, 1994 segment about a 1992 rescue from a burning home in Arkansas.
And finally, bring in the new year with some old rigs
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx7boP1IXaA&rel=1]
This is video taken at a Kingston, NY event in August of 2007.
