How they do it in Singapore: Good quality, close-up video of the fire department in Singapore in action late last Thursday morning at a commercial fire. Here’s part of the description – 3 Fire Engines, 2 Firebikes, 3 Red Rhinos, 3 Supporting Vehicles, 1 Ambulance were immediately dispatched to the incident site. Upon arrival, fire was found raging from the two-storey shop house. SCDF firefighters immediately set up water jets and pitched ladder to gain access into the shophouse. As the fire had partially burnt through the roof, water jets were used to tackle the fire from the top. Here’s the Street View of the building on Moonstone Lane and the surrounding neighborhood (look at the business and the clutter across the street). Watch more from the Official Singapore Civil Defense Force Videos on YouTube.
Radio traffic after firefighter struck: Firefighter Cory Broich, father of five, is in the hospital with two broken legs. The woman driving the car that hit Broich and the fire engine was also hurt. Listen to the incident from Clearwater, Minnesota and read the details.
Fireground audio from close call in Virginia: If you haven’t checked in with us since early yesterday morning the fire on Heming Avenue turned out to be a double fatal. The bodies of two men were found inside. Three firefighters from Fairfax County found the kitchen floor crumbling around them and needed help getting out. One firefighter was slightly hurt. We have the radio traffic and raw video. Click here.
Virginia Task Force 1 scheduled to return: As of yesterday’s briefing the USAR team from Northern Virginia is expected to fly to the Dominican Republic today and then back to the Washington area on Thursday. They have been in Haiti for two weeks.
More on shake-up in Prince George’s County: Mark Brady’s PGFD PIO blog takes a closer look at the 24-year-career of Lt. Col. Victor Stagnaro who was suddenly dismissed via a letter from the Chief Eugene Jones on Monday (the chief says Colonel Stagnaro expressed his intent to retire after 24-years). The comments section here is burning up on this issue and was by far our most read story over the last 36 hours.
The director speaks: Memphis Fire Department Director Alvin Benson finally talks to the reporter who has been featuring a rather unflattering side of his department in reports over the last 8 days or so. Click here for the latest.
Brownouts in San Diego: They start next week as a budget saving measure. Read more.
And what will it sound like if they win the Super Bowl?: We were sent a recording of the New Orleans Fire Department’s radio traffic immediately after the Saints won Sunday night. Check it out.
Officials have more to say about new volunteer accused of setting fires: We had previously told you about 24-year-old Adam Paul Carriere who was accused of starting two fires within days of joining a fire department in the Baton Rouge area. A press conference is scheduled for this afternoon where investigators are expected to point out that Mr. Carriere was a bit more prolific than originally thought. Here’s the story.
Firefighter hurt as two are grabbed from Alaska house fire: The woman was on the phone with 911 screaming shortly before firefighters pulled up to the Anchorage home. There’s a lot of detail in the article on how the firefighters got the woman and a man out yesterday morning. One firefighter cut up his foot on window glass. Click here.
Saved from the mighty Mississippi a woman says thanks in a big way: Kay Dickison knows it was a 911 call taker and firefighters who saved her after falling through the ice trying to rescue her dog on the Mississippi River in Dakota County, Minnesota last month. She didn’t just say thanks. She wrote a check for $2500 so firefighters can get additional cold-water suits. Click here for the story.
Dissension in Vermont: A volunteer firefighter in Wallingford says he was blindsided by his dismissal after bringing up concerns about safety and how the fire department is run. The board of directors says he didn’t follow the chain of command with his complaints. Here are the details.
