All shook up in Columbus, Ohio where Engine 14 doubles as Graceland: Let’s start the day with a chuckle before we get to all the bad news and just watch the video above. And here is a bonus for you Elvis fans. Check out this story from yesterday looking back at the King’s meeting with the Prez.
They want your vote: At FireCritic.com they don’t believe in one man, one vote. You can have as many as three votes in one day from your computer. They are looking for the best fire/EMS blog for 2009 and Rhett has lost all credibility by including this rag as one of the 10 finalists. Click here to vote. By the way it looks like Medic 999 is leaving Schumm and Statter in the dust. And who says EMS is just the ugly stepchild of the fire service?
Our new video player: The video player near the top right of the blog was recently added. It holds all of the most recent WUSA9.com fire and EMS videos. You will find most of the local fire stories I do and those from other reporters at 9NEWS NOW in Washington, DC. It also will have some of the fireground audio and 911 calls that I post. Emily Cyr and Jillian Coyle are always on the lookout for other interesting videos from our Gannett websites around the country and other sources. Check it out. There are some interesting ones in there.
Further down we still have the player from our YouTube site. It has some other fire and EMS content (and a few repeats).
Unusual one in DC: Firefighters handling a fire under the Pennsylvania Avenue bridge on Rock Creek Parkway found a body nearby. Click here.
Chief disputes reports about 16-year-old fighting fire: Last week we told you about the controversy in Sonoma County, California after a 16-year-old Boy Scout Explorer was hospitalized for exhaustion at a house fire. There have been charges the teen was involved in active firefighting operations. Now, Chief Peter Van Fleet of the Glen Ellen Fire Department is disputing that claim. Check it out.
Add crossing guard to your all-hazards fire department list: That is what may happen very soon in Logansport, Indiana. The mayor’s budget cutting plan gets rid of 14 crossing guards, but do not fear, Mayor Mike Fincher has a plan. On-duty firefighters will join police in handling those duties. Click here for the article from firefightingnews.com.
Fireground audio roundup and some pictures: Click here for firesceneaudio.com audio from a two-alarm house fire on Middleton Court in Fairfax County yesterday.
Don’t forget we have both the fire department and sheriff’s department audio from the dumpster explosion that killed Firefighter Steven Koeser in Wisconsin. Click here.
FireSceneAudio.com has the fireground audio from Hartford, Connecticut’s three-alarm apartment building fire last night here, here, here and here (Parts 1 to 4, in order). Firegeezer has the pictures, video and details.
Also, there is the emergency radio traffic from the Wheeling, Illinois cargo plane crash. Larry Shapiro has a bunch of pictures from the scene. Check them out here.
One that will not put you in a good mood: Police in Palm Bay, Florida say a toddler suffered serious burns after his drunk father wrestled with the boy in front of a fire pit. We have the dad’s 911 call looking for what hospital his son was taken to. The call taker had a little advice for the man. Take a listen.
Firehouse fire helps move up moving schedule: Click here for the details from Rensselaer, New York where a kitchen fire in the old fire station is lighting a fire under moving plans.
Check out wrecked tanker pictures: FirefighterCloseCalls.com tells us the a Smith County, Texas chief came away with minor injuries after turning the rig on its side while avoiding a deer during a response. When you look at the pictures you will see he was pretty lucky.
Baltimore’s mayor is out: Not sure yet what impact it will have on the fire department but Mayor Sheila Dixon leaves office February 4 as part of a plea agreement. Here’s more from the Baltimore Sun.
Also, the Baltimore Messenger is making noise about rotating closures impacting Engine 44 and Truck 25 in Roland Park where the fire chief and a fire commissioner are scheduled to meet with residents tonight. This is the same community that raised more than $40,000 to help renovate the local firehouse.
One firefighter in Modesto released from the hospital: Click here for the update on the two firefighters burned in a New Year’s Night fire after falling through the roof of the burning home.
Fire chief takes on arrest of firefighters for drugs and alcohol: In Pittsburgh Chief Darryl Jones is addressing recent arrests of firefighters. Read the details.
Reputation management: A federal lawsuit is underway over an incident in Dunmore, Pennsylvania where a firefighter is claiming defamation after his suspension for not completing EMT was made public in 2005. Read more.
We have heard of dogs and cats alerting people to a fire, but how about a snake?: This sounds like a fable about someone nursing an ill snake back to health in China and the snake returning the favor. I am not sure I am buying it, but you be the judge.
