Quick Takes
BC house fire: From Surrey on Sunday at 96th Avenue and 154th Street. Read details.
Deputy chief gets what burned firefighter couldn’t: More on the Sarasota County, Florida fire chief who is still on the rolls of the District of Columbia Fire & EMS Department. No one is yet saying who made the deal to allow Chief Kenneth Ellebee to remained employed in DC while working in Florida. Also, a look at a critically burned firefighter, Joe Morgan, who couldn’t get such a deal. Read more.
Wrong parts for Ladder 26: The Boston Globe takes a look at the police report into the crash that killed Boston Lt. Kevin Kelley on January 9. Here is an excerpt from the article by Donovan Slack–
A detailed police report from a recent investigation of a fatal Boston firetruck crash concludes that a Fire Department contractor installed the wrong parts on the ladder truck’s brakes several months before the crash and that firefighters who were not licensed mechanics repeatedly adjusted the brakes in violation of national safety guidelines.
The contractor replaced a brake chamber and brake pads on Ladder 26 with “unsuitable’’ parts in spring 2008, which decreased stopping power significantly, according to a copy of the report obtained by the Globe.
Support for silenced union prez: There was a protest last night in Johnson City, New York over the suspension without pay of Captain Marty Meaney. Meaney is accused by the mayor of insubordination after speaking to the press and at a public meeting. Read the story.
A sad day in Grand Rapids: Twenty-two firefighters are losing their jobs. Plans are already underway to try and soon bring back at least some of them. Click here for the latest.
No drinking on the job for firefighters apparently needs to be legislated: It is in a charter amendment proposed in San Francisco along with one to increase a firefighters work week from 48.7 hours to 52. Read more.
Lots of stuff at Geezer: The Firegeezer and the Fossil Medic have been posting like crazy so far this week. Check out lots of interesting items.
Friendly comment reminder: I have had to kill a number of long comments in recent days because of expletives. I know you spent a lot of time writing to STATter911.com and I appreciate it Most of it was nice reading for me, but if you want others to see your comments, leave out the $%#3# four-letter words. Also, I promise I won’t pick up a hose or ladder (as if I could without ending up in traction) if you don’t do the reporting. State your opinion on the stories all you want. If there are new facts, send them in as tips and I will see if we can get to them. Thanks.
House fire in Turlock, California: WARNING!!! A warning that the neighbor/photographer narrates this one with some pretty salty language. A lot of expletives.
