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These Tunes Are ON FIRE!

A neighbor observed his 57-yr old neighbor listening to music in his BMW parked in the driveway of his home.  Shortly thereafter, the car was ablaze, and as was caught on police dash cam, responding officers noticed the man was still inside.  The Police officers are seen reaching into the vehicle and dragging him away from the intense heat and flames, clearly risking their lives .  The man, described as having been incapacitated, and he was transported to the hospital suffering only from minor smoke inhalation.  You gotta love the dash cam!

Injured CFD's Finest Rescue Carful of Criticals Who Pulled Out In Front Of Them

Alcohol is being investigated in the cause of an intersection accident in which Chicago Fire Department engine 62 struck an automobile on Monday night injuring ten including 4 firefighters.  3 children and two adults were critically injured.  According to initial reports, the automobile proceeded into the intersection after stopping, and the engine did not have enough time to avoid the crash.  Witnesses at the scene reported that firefighters injured in the collision immediately began to treat those in the automobile before other firefighters and paramedics arrived.  The 18-yr old driver has since been charged with DUI and other traffic offenses.  Check out the news report from MyFoxChicago.com :

9 Injured When Chicago Fire Truck Crashes Into Car: MyFoxCHICAGO.com

Patriots Send NH Fireighter to the Super Bowl

A New Hampshire firefighter will be unable to respond to calls this weekend because he is a volunteer.  Why?  The New England Patriots chose 10 “Super Persons” from around New England, police, firefighters, teachers, and military members, all a part of their Celebrate Volunteerism Campaign.  One of those winners is Somersworth NH firefighter Tim Wilder.  Tim is headed to the Super Bowl this weekend along with nine other public service workers.  Watch the video from WMUR TV :

Nom Nom Nom…..

Here's some secret recipes for firehouse snacks on this- the most glorious weekend to be on shift at the firehouse- the Super Bowl!  First up, an ultra simple idea that will make you look like you know how to make something- even though your partners will realize you can’t.  Get a brick of Philadelphia cream cheese, put it on a plate, pour some shrimp sauce over it.  Wallah- with a few triscuits, you’ve got a dipping delight! 

Now for a secret recipe from my firehouse that is sooo simple and soooo yummy, you’ll make it even during the off season.  Pop a blob of beef roast into a crock pot at the beginning o your shift and cover it with a big jar of giardinara peppers.  Cook it on low heat til game time, open the lid, shred the meat with a couple of forks and serve it on some fresh French bread with a little mozz or provolone- and you’ve got some of the best Italian beef sandwiches you’ll ever taste. 

If you want to show some true effort with a quick, easy, and healthy Super Bowl food idea check out the video below from TheFirehouseChef.  In this episode, Ryan celebrates one of the most hallowed days at the firehouse- Super Bowl Sunday- with his famous Chipotle Chicken Salad Crostini.  Although it’s great all year long, this finger food combination of chicken, garlic, and chipotle is sure to be a crowd pleaser.  And here’s a secret- The full video recipe enables guys like me to shine in the most valuable position in the firehouse- the shift’s cook. 

Bon Appetit!

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VERBOTEN!

Lantigua’s Constitution Lacks a First Amendment

Lawrence, MA Mayor William Lantigua has informed his non-school city employees that they are banned from making public comments including on internet social networking sites without clearance from his office.

The provisional fire chief until last month, Brian Murphy, is no longer employed at the Lawrence Fire Department.  Last month, Mayor Lantigua said that the chief’s criticism of cuts to the department’s budget were “causing unwarranted fear in our city,” and that any further comments “may lead to disciplinary action, including termination against you and/or members of your department.”

The issue of workplace speech by public employees has gone before the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts several times in recent years. Each time, the court has consistently distinguished between speech by employees who are on-duty and off.

So, back to the courts we go.  Oh to be a lawyer in Lawrence.

Or a mayor.

Artist rendering

I’ve got a minivan and I’ll use it!

An Arlington, Massachusetts man was arrested Friday and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon after he allegedly ran into firefighters who had been clearing hydrants.

59-year old Leo Najarian reportedly came out of his home to confront the firefighters about shoveling snow from the hydrants and leaving some on “his” sidewalk.  According to the Arlington Police report on the incident, Najarian was yelling and arguing with the firefighters.

When the firefighters told him to leave, Najarian allegedly got into his vehicle and backed into Lt. Brian Gerra, who was not seriously injured, according to a police.

Apparently not a good listener with firefighters, Najarian also decided he didn’t need to listen to police.  When they ordered him to stop, he fled the scene but was apprehended shortly thereafter.

Flying Robotic Firefighter

In the latest chapter of “Where the Hell is My Damn Jet Pack I Was Promised When I Was a Kid”, firefighters in Australia have bypassed the spectacle of a “Flying Mitchell” and opted instead for the CyberQuad.  This robot allows for firefighters to get an aerial perspective of a fire scene.  The Metropolitan Fire Brigade is currently deploying  it to detect hot spots in their war on wildfires which has been raging for weeks.

Note to everyone- this is by no means the end. I’m still impatiently waiting for my damn jet pack.

Stay stoked!

-J

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I know we’re only five weeks in, but my vote (so far) for Fire Daily’s “Person of the Year” goes to the citizens of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Virtually every other citizen -nay- “patriot” in our wondrous country is screaming at the top of their lungs for their governmental leaders to hold the line on spending and slash the tax burdens that weigh so heavily upon them.

Not Philadelphians.

Unencumbered by economic woes and apparently flush with manpower and resources, the leaders Philly taxpayers have elected to control their purses are preparing to step up to the plate and dole out their hard-earned cash to the red-headed stepchild across the Delaware.

In a different taxing body.

In a different state.

Read this report from a Philly fire captain in his blog, First In, complete with a letter from the Camden Chief to his troops.

In the letter, Camden Fire Chief Michael Harper writes about the current efforts between his city and Philadelphia to develop a “mutual aid package for extraordinary aid of fire department services.”  This Philly fire captain is not looking forward to taking his Pennsylvania certifications and Pennsylvania equipment into the hell hole that is now Camden and doing the work previously done by the Camden guys who now find themselves without a job.

Ahhh.  Now it makes complete sense how Camden officials could assure their citizens that public safety would not be compromised when they slashed personnel last month.

So to all the taxpayers in Philadelphia, thanks for having the wisdom to elect such generous leaders to share your vast wealth and resources!

Stay stoked!

-J

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The citizenry in FDNY’s East Village are being notified when their local apparatus is unavailable to respond to their potential emergencies.

According to a story out in the New York Post today, firefighters of Engine Company 28 and Ladder Company 11 have been tweeting these unsanctioned announcements.

“We’re just trying to let people know when we’re not around,” said a source familiar with the instant-messaging tactic, which has nothing to do with the FDNY’s official Twitter account.

The holiday staff at Fire Daily, after checking out yet another installment of Dave Statter’s new-found hilarity, “Animated Comments- Thanksgiving Edition”, quickly returned to reality long enough to scrub their eyes and ears clean of all they had just witnessed before checking into the reported tweetster.

Some of the tweets are coming from ManCB3FireWatch who offers up the following for a profile on his account on Twitter:

Manhattan Community Board 3  We serve as a method of letting the residents of Alpha City & LES know when their local fire companies are closed for the day or placed out of service.

FireDaily is now following ManCB3FireWatch on twitter, although there is no guarantee as to how long the account will remain active.

Until then, what we have NOT got here…is a failure to communicate.

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Have you noticed how acceptable it has become to be hateful?

In a day and age which screams out for sanity, we hear more and more from the loud, the angry, and the hateful.

It is so easy to hate.  Each week, each hour, each day as the rhetoric and the vitriol continues to escalate it seems to become ever more acceptable to volley the words of hatred- to the point where what used to be “ex-treme” is becoming “main-stream.”

In response to acidic verbiage I was reading, hearing, and witnessing on September 11, I shared a personal story about the opposite perspective of my thoughts on that day- love.  I received a lot of feedback from that story, most all of them positive.

Now comes along another firefighter who dares take what might be considered an “unpopular opinion.”  I want to turn you on to an article entitled “Homeless” by Brian from the fire blog “Switch 2 Plan B: the misadventures of a firefighter.”

In his short article, he dares to sidestep the tired opinion of ‘homeless equals laziness.’  Beyond that, he reminds us of our unique ability as humans to show compassion for those of us less blessed with the fortunes of money, the love of a family, the health of the body and brain, or a place to call home.

Further, it should come as no surprise that a fireman dares to speak out against lead the charge of compassion. Way to go, brother.

His article led me to read more of the stuff on the site.  After a bit of browsing, I knew this firefighter had a unique style of writing so I subscribed to his RSS feed.

I urge you to take a peek as well.

I hope we’ll be seeing more of this type of writing from others as time goes on.  Maybe so much has gotten so bad that the pendulum is beginning to arc back towards sanity.

What an idealistic breath of fresh air!

Stay stoked!

-J

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Ellen Kicklighter

Beat That!

Firefighters from the Macon- Bibb Fire Department competed in the Georgia State Firefighters Competition Events this past month in Savannah Georgia. This event was part of the Ga. Association of Firefighters/Georgia Fire Chief’s Association Joint Conference that is held in August each year.

43-year old firefighter Ellen Kicklighter won First Place in the “Individual Rapid Dress” becoming the first female firefighter ever to win this Georgia State Firefighters Joint Conference event.

It took Kicklighter just 38 seconds to gear up and pack up, after which she put on that huge smile.  Congratulations, Ellen!

“What if” Questions Are Sooo 90’s.

With his article September Training Prompt, Cut the blue wire – No! the red wire!, my good friend Bill Carey over at Backstep Firefighter addresses the point that this isn’t your father’s fire service anymore.

Building construction changes result in changes in fire behavior.

New automotive technology change the way we approach what used to be a “typical extrication.”

Smells of home-cooked meals wafting through our neighborhoods have been replaced- literally- by the small of meth cooking in multiple homes in the same block.

While the fire service continues its role as a front line responder, the fact of the matter is front lines continue to change.  Questions that used to begin with “What do we do if…” now start quite a bit differently- “What will we do when…”

Take the lesson Bill offers us and apply it to your own agency.  Begin the process of preparing for the new challenges that we face by answering the nagging basic question that keeps popping up:  “What will we do when….”

Free Firefighter Podcasts- Load Up Your iPod!

Art Goodrich interviews Rob Schnepp and Steve Pasquale. Producers Rhett Flietz and John Mitchell are also pictured.

Speaking of not your father’s fire service, how about “not your daddy’s fire service radio podcasts!”  I invite you to check out the newest of Firefighter Netcast’s programming from the floor at Fire Rescue International in Chicago last month.

Special guest Steven Pasquale (Sean Garrity) from TV’s Rescue Me was interviewed by Art Goodrich, and the Netcast team created their first video netcast of that interview regarding the roll-out of cyano kits.

Additionally, Fire-Rescue magazine Editor-in-Chief Tim Sendelbach hosted about a dozen high-quality interviews of nationally-recognized fire service leaders, fire chiefs, and keynote speakers on a wide range of timely topics important to firefighters, company officers, and fire chiefs across the nation.

Take a minute to check out the line-up over at Firefighter Netcast where you can download all of the past episodes.  They are also available on iTunes.

Finally, please pause for a moment and pray for the swift recovery of a Bowie (Prince George’s County (MD) volunteer firefighter Patrick Ivey.  Today, he will be undergoing the first of manu surgeries to his head for third degree burns he suffered when the helmet he had strapped on became dislodged by falling debris during an interior attack.  He is in good spirits, let’s keep the vibe going…

Also, you may have heard about Forest Ranger Tech Don Lamb of the Kentucky Division of Forestry.  While fighting a wildland fire yesterday, he was struck by a 10-foot burning log that had rolled off of a bluff down onto him.  He was airlifted to the hospital unconscious from the blunt trauma and with blistering burns. Please keep your thoughts with him, his family, and friends as well.

.

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“Enjoying Vacation, Wish You Weren’t Here…”

From Backstep Firefighter, my friend David LeBlanc shares a story about the current woes being suffered over at the fire department in Lawrence, Massachusetts.  As David writes, the Lawrence Fire Department finds itself faced with the challenges not unlike most every other department in the nation- doing more with less every day.

However, David relates, just as their mayor left on a Caribbean vacation, he made sure another 23 firefighters got slapped with pink slips on the way out the door.  A shift of 13-15 is left scrambling to protect 80,000 with the only help available as mutual aid.

What do you think the aid companies have to say about that?

Read what happened after the sun-drenched mayor returned at the article here.  Seriously, we can’t make this stuff up….

if it looks like ......

Philly Brown Stuff Bubbles to the Surface

FireGeezer pointed his spotlight upon an interesting video from Philly.  They, too, are suffering from staffing cuts which are being addressed by the fix-all cure of rolling brownouts which began at the beginning of the month.

Early on in the video, former assistant city comptroller Brett Mandel spoke plainly about the logic of brownouts:

“If you’re going to say that a fire station is not needed for Thursday night, well then, why is it needed for Friday night?  And if it’s not needed for Friday night, well maybe we don’t need that station.

On the other hand, if we need it for Friday night, why don’t we need it on Thursday night?”

The video ends with a contentious back and forth between the union president and the fire commissioner all played out on live TV.  With more of these types of interviews bubbling their way to the surface, maybe the public will gain more of an understanding of just how politics affects their local fire service.

it sure takes balls...

Gubbamint Discounts

As we wade our way through the economic mess with no end in sight, and the newly empowered attack upon the pensions of public employees, are we still thinking about the way the public perceives us?  What’s your take on these “fire department discounts?”  If your guys have been on the receiving end of half-price dinner or free coffee, and you didn’t get the same discount, would you ask for it?

Would you demand it?

Captain Schmoe over at Report on Conditions gives his view here.

Another Blogger from Hilton Head Done Good!

Tom Bouthillet, Prehospital 12-lead ECG

Finally, a warm welcome to my friend Tom Bouthillet, a Fire Lieutenant / Paramedic with Hilton Head Island (SC) Fire & Rescue.  Tom’s superb blog Prehospital 12-lead ECG is now up and running right here on FireEMSblogs.com, which should always be your first stop after FireDaily.com and FirefighterNetCast.com.  Give him a peek!

He is the second blogger that “done good” from HHI, home of B/C Mick Mayers (Firehouse Zen).

Let’s hope Tom has better taste in hockey teams…

Stay stoked!

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Third DeKalb Firefighter Reinstated after Dunwoody Incident

Can you see me now?

You may remember the sorry case in which DeKalb County GA firefighters responded to, but were unable to locate a house fire reported by the occupant.  Without exiting their apparatus and walking up the driveway, they instead returned to quarters only to be re-dispatched hours later to the fully engulfed home.  The homeowner, 74-year-old Ann Bartlett, was killed in the fire.

We detailed this incident in a Fire Daily article last February which includes a video report and audio snippets of radio transmissions at the scene.

According to a report in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a hearing officer ruled on Friday that Capt. Sell Caldwell was inappropriately terminated and did not neglect his duties as charged when terminated shortly after the incident.

The county indicated it will appeal the decision.

Pumper Valve Sprays Firefighter With… Searing Steam?

Newsday reports on the freak accident that sent a North Babylon NY firefighter on a helicopter trip to the hospital after being burned by steam released from one of the pumpers valves while operating at the scene of a landfill fire on Wednesday.  Not much information is available on exactly what would cause such an incident, but you can bet they are looking into it.  The firefighter, who’s name is being withheld due to federal privacy laws, received steam burns to his chest and arms.  His injuries are reportedly non-life threatening and he is said to be in good spirits.

Man Found Dead Sitting In Lotus Position

Obviously not the victim, just the position.

Another example of why I don’t use this position (despite the fact I couldn’t GET into this position):

A Sydney, New Zealand man was found dead inside his apartment after firefighters finished battling a fire there.

Officials speculate the man died of smoke inhalation while he was “zoned out” during a meditation session.  The fire is not believed to be suspicious.

Stay Stoked!  (that means no meditating)

-J

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It’s been awhile since my last post, so shame on me.  However you, the blog reader, has had no shortage of extremely interesting content from all the real bloggers out there.  I’ve been reading right along with you, and am amazed daily with all that is out there for us firefighters and emergency responders.  So I’m back today and already have another few ready to go.  It happens like this- sometimes articles come spewing out like ash from an Icelandic volcano.  So, without further ado, here’s my newest 360 Burn Size-Up of the Fire Webs:

The Voice of Reason

Let’s start off with the main reason Fire Daily has been squelched recently.  In addition to the new demands at home, Rhett Fleitz (FireCritic) and I have been busy contending with the incredible growth over at our collaboration, Firefighter NetCast.  The feedback and download activity has exceeded our wildest imagination of where we would be mere months after show number 1.

As Firefighter NetCast moves forward, you will notice an exciting change. We will be offering new programming with well-known hosts, each with their own show, their own opinions, their own takes on the fire service, and their individual offerings that make Firefighter NetCast the best place to catch timely and meaningful internet programming for firefighters.  Stay tuned as we begin to roll out several new shows already in production. We’ll be announcing their premiers very shortly!

Monday night, we introduced the newest member of our Firefighter NetCast family- Art Goodrich (ChiefReasonArt). Suffice it to say that this crusty old guy has been around for quite awhile and isn’t afraid to share his opinions and his take on what’s happening in the fire service.

But, here’s what makes Art so special: Although you may not always agree with what he says, you will always be treated with the respect you deserve as a fellow firefighter. Art demonstrates to all of us the “Art” of meaningful dialogue without the trash of disrespect which we see all too often. It is a valuable lesson to us in this day and age.

He calls it “The Voice of Reason”, and you can find it here, as well as on iTunes later today.  Seriously, this was a great show with many more to come!

The Weekly Weasel

If you are as interested in the leadership aspect of the fire service as I, you probably have already seen Mick Mayer’s new feature over at Firehouse Zen called “The Weekly Weasel.”  He encourages his readers to submit stories of firefighters unencumbered by leadership skills.  Know of any?  Not a very rare breed, unfortunately.

Anyway, he starts us off with his take on the type of leader best personified by Staff Sgt, Webster from Heartbreak Ridge. He goes on to offer suggestions on how to deal with this narcissistic megalomaniac.  Entertaining and educational.  Vintage Firehouse Zen.

Want to know what $40,000  of fire related damage looks like in a sprinklered apartment?

Finally, Captain Schmoe over at Report on Conditions shows us how a simple grease fire in a sink can cost forty large in restoration repairs when it is extinguished by residential sprinklers.  The pictures tell the story.

Anti-sprinklers? Hardly.  But like he says, maybe we all have the wrong side job…

Stay stoked!

-J

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The Dance of the Company Officer

We start out this week by pointing to one of my “favoritest” partner bloggers at FireEMSblogs, Mick Mayers of FirehouseZen.

You know, I really enjoy the dance that occurs between the top and the bottom in the fire service organization.  At the top, the vision and direction of the group are put into play.  Those at the bottom need to accept, or buy into that vision in order for the group to move forward in a unified and cohesive manner.

In the middle we find the officers and supervisors.  Their commitment to the success of the organization is demonstrated by the way they convey the direction and vision from the top to their subordinates.  If they are effective, the organization becomes a well-oiled machine.  However if they don’t buy into the message, there is little hope for their subordinates to do the same.

This is where the officer needs to be able to put the needs of the organization ahead of the need to be pals with their guys.  This is one of the most difficult issues facing company officers.

Therein lies the dance.

As usual, this issue of change and leadership is best addressed by Chief Mick Mayers over at FirehouseZen.  From his latest post entitled “Get Everyone on Board”:

“Regardless of your organization, you are going to have personnel who are resistant to change, and while the troops may or may not decide to go willingly, it is a requirement that your officers or supervisors are.  If your small unit leaders aren’t on board, don’t count on the personnel they supervise joining in to resist them.  It will be much easier on those troops if they can get along with their misdirected officer than if they embrace the change, so you can count on the message not getting through when it is most needed.”

Read his post as there is much more on this topic that is important for all your officers to understand.

Fire Rescue TV

Check out Fire Rescue TV- a new website for firefighters that brings breaking news,new product reviews, and a special weekly fire rescue TV news segment.  All the video is extremely professional and rivals anything found on your home TV.

When we spoke with Executive Producer Martin Grube last week on Firefighter NetCast, he revealed an additional exciting element they have planned.  They will be visiting various firehouses and accompanying their crews during all aspects of the cooking portion of their shift.  Starting with planning, then shopping, then cooking and eating, Fire Rescue TV will follow the entire process from start to finish.  If the station’s crew draws a call, the video crew tags along as well. It’s a unique way for non-firefighters to witness this daily station activity.

So if you are in the mid-Atlantic region and want some excellent exposure of your department, invite Fire Rescue TV to your station!  They also welcome video submissions as well.  Make this new site a regular stop when perusing the interwebs.

Pole-Dancing Fireman

Speaking of videos, here’s some dessert for making it this far in the 360 Burn today.  This came to me courtesy of a tweet from our friend Chester Kopco, AKA FatherCabbage on the twitters.  It reminds me of someone I know.  Howabout you?

Stay stoked!

-J

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