Quick Takes: May 23, 2011.
Firefighter drowns saving kids: From13WMAZ.com– "A Central Georgia family is mourning the loss of Macon-Bibb County firefighter Michael Dewayne Jones.The 24-year-old drowned at Lake Tobesofkee Saturday evening.He jumped into the lake to rescue his sons, 5-year-old Joshua and 7-year-old Jarell, as well as a little girl who was also playing in the water."
TOP STORY: We have posted up close storm chaser video of the tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri early yesterday evening. Also, there is chilling audio from inside a convenience store as people crowded into a freezer when the tornado hit. The number of deaths is at 89 and expected to rise today. A hospital was among the buildings hit. Fire station damage is reported. We have emergency radio traffic from the first hour and a link to the live radio traffic to listen in on the search operation today. Click here and here for our coverage.
New Detroit commissioner impressive in round 1 with LeDuff: Former LAFD Assistant Chief Donald Austin is supposed to take over the Detroit Fire Department today. Chief Austin sat down with reporter Charlie LeDuff on Friday. There are not a lot of public officials who come off as poised and confidant in front of a camera as Chief Austin did. Based on that performance, I am guessing there is a very good chance the chief doesn't need my advice on going forward with dealing with LeDuff once the questions get quite a bit tougher. But that doesn't stop me from giving it anyway. Check it out.
Waiting for the real story from North Randall, Ohio: Something doesn't seem quite right when the reason for closing the local fire department starting yesterday is maintenance of fire & EMS equipment. A lot more questions than answers. Click here.
New truck goes in service early: FireTruckBlog.com with the story from Pittsburg, Kansas, where a major fire downtown has the fire department's brand new tower going in service a little early. Click here for the story and lots of video from the fire.
Early video & green line in action from Los Angeles: LAFD takes over from a neighbor during an overnight fire in multiple garages. Watch the video.
Multiple homes burning: Exposure problems in Vancouver, BC at a home already familiar to firefighters. Check out the video.
House fire in Wheeling, Illinois: Larry Shapiro video and pictures. Click here.
Push is on to get federal benefits for fire police: Currently fire police are not covered under the Public Safety Officers Benefit program. There is a bill in the House to correct that. Click here to learn more.
Citizen helps avert tragedy at the pump: Firegeezer has the story from Overland Park, Kansas of a very close call for a woman pumping gas and a man who forgets what gear he is in. Here's the story.
Firefighter waits for rapture: New York Magazine spent Saturday with a firefighter from Long Island who waited for the end that never came. Read more.
Magnesium shower for PGFD firefighters: A vehicle fire from May 16 in the Laurel, Maryland area on Mt. Pleasant Drive. The sparks fly at around 2:40 on the video.
