USFA: Kentucky Firefighter On-Duty Death: Firefighter Dies of Burn Complications - LODD 10.27.2013

Fire Lt. Arlie "Pooh" Hill III, 37, of Whitley City, Kentucky burned in September, died Sunday evening.

Lieutenant Arlie "Pooh" HIll III and his brother-in-law, Lt. Adam Stephens who is also a firefighter with Whitley City Fire Department, on August 30, 2013 at 2230hrs, witnessed a fire in a residence near Hill’s home. After reporting the fire to which their fire department also responded, the two initiated a search of the home. While inside the structure, the firefighters were caught by rapid fire progress and injured. Lieutenant Stephens suffered fewer injuries and was able to rescue Lieutenant Hill from the burning home. Lieutenant Arlie "Pooh" HIll III  succumbed to his injuries, severe burns, after nearly two months in the hospital on Sunday evening, October 27, 2013.

Our condolences to the Hill Family & Friends, the Pine Knot Fire District, and to all affected Fire Lt. Arlie "Pooh" Hill III's passing.

To date, 87  firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is notconclusive in any shape or manner.) 

USFA: Ohio Firefighter LODD: On-Duty Death 10.20.2013

Firefighter Leroy Murphy Jr., 56, on October 18, 2013 at 2030hrs, responded to a fire call involving farm equipment while on duty with the Gettysburg Rural Fire Department. The following morning, Leroy Murphy fell ill while teaching at a local fire academy. Firefighter Murphy was treated and transported, on October 20, 2013, to the hospital but passed away a short while later from an embolism.

Leroy Murphy is survived by his father: Leroy Murphy of Greenville; his wife: Betty (Martin) Murphy of Greenville; son: Wyatt Murphy of Greenville; daughter and son-in-law: Amanda and Clayton Hans of Greenville; stepdaughters and sons-in-law: Betty and Brad Meade of Greenville, Nicole and Ronald Shellabarger of Greenville; stepson and daughter-in-law: Michael and Laci Reynolds of Summerville, S.C.; 12 grandchilden; brother and sister in law: Terry and Kim Murphy of Versailles; sister: Deborah Bailey of Greenville; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and all of his brother firefighters.

Our condolences to the Murphy Family & Friends, the Gettsburg Rural Fire Department, and to all affected Firefighter Leroy Murphy Jr.'s passing.

To date, 86  firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.) 

Alabama Firefighter, Tennessee Fire Captain, Michigan Fire Chief, North Carolina Fire Captain Line of Duty Deaths (LODD)

Alabama Firefighter:

Firefighter Jantzen Murrell Frazier, 28, on October 10, 2013 at  1439hrs, was responding to the scene of a structure fire when the apparatus he was driving ran off the road, flipped and slammed into a power pole. Firefighter Frazier, the only person aboard the apparatus, was killed instantly from injuries sustained as a result of the accident. Investigation into the cause of the accident continues.

Our condolences to the Frazier Family & Friends, Oden Ridge Fire and Rescue, and to all affected Firefighter Jantzen M. Frazier's passing. 

     

To date, 85  firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.

Tennessee Fire Captain:


Fire Captain Richard Floersch, 59, on October 2, 2013 at 0200hrs, suffered an apparent heart attack while on duty at the fire station. Although fire and emergency personnel administered life support measures, Captain Floersch succumbed to the injuries sustained.

Our condolences to the Floersch Family & Friends, Milian Fire Department, and to all affected Fire Captain Floersch's passing. 

     

To date, 84  firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.

 Michigan Fire Chief:


Fire Chief John Allison, 51, on October 7 2013, responded with his fire department to a personal injury auto accident as a mutual aid request. After assisting in extricating the victims and providing medical care, Chief Allison and the fire departments remained on scene to assist the Mason County Sheriff's Office in conducting an accident investigation. After clearing the scene, Chief Allison returned to the department and assisted other personnel in restocking the trucks to put them back in service. In addition, because an accident victim was the wife of a fellow firefighter, Chief Allison stayed at the fire department for a while with other members for a debriefing discussion. The following day, October 8, Chief Allison was at home and stated to family that he was not feeling well. That evening, Chief Allison suffered a cardiac event. Even though family members and fellow responders immediately took actions to revive Chief Allison after his collapse, he never regained consciousness. Chief Allison was transported to Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital before being transferred to a hospital in Grand Rapids, MI. Chief Allison later passed away on October 14, having never recovered from the cardiac event on October 8.

Our condolences to the Allison Family & Friends, Mason County Rural Fire Authority Fire Department, and to all affected Fire Chief John Allison's passing. 

To date, 83  firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.


North Carolina Fire Captain:

Fire Captain David Heath, 48, on October 10, 2013 at 1600hrs, while participating in a department training exercise, Captain David Heath collapsed from an apparent cardiac event. Although fire rescue personnel immediately performed CPR, applied a defibrillator and administered advance life support measures, Captain Heath passed away.

Our condolences to the Heath Family & Friends, New Hanover County Fire Rescue, and to all affected Fire Captain David Heath's passing. 

     

To date, 82  firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.) 

FIRE NEWS for October 10, 2013

Dedicated volunteer firefighter, 33, dies after medical emergency 

Published Wednesday, October 10, 2013

EATON, Ind. — Up until his last breath, friends say Mark Grove gave his all to the Eaton Volunteer Fire Department.

Grove, 33, died Tuesday, a week after he suffered a medical episode and was discovered “down and unresponsive,” according to Eaton police chief and firefighter Jonathon Snodgrass.

“The paramedics got there and they got him back on the way to the hospital,” Snodgrass said. “They just were unable to get him back all the way.”

According to his obituary, Grove served on the Eaton Fire Department for 13 years. Snodgrass said Grove would often show up to fire calls with his twin brother, Matt.

“Both boys have hearts of gold,” Snodgrass said. “It's a tragedy what's happened to him. That family is going through a lot.”

Snodgrass said Mark and Matt Grove “ate, drank and slept the fire department.”

“If there was something going on, they were there,” he said. “It didn’t matter what time of the day or night.”
Snodgrass said he expects Matt Grove to continue serving on the fire department in his brother’s honor.
Eaton Fire Chief Clay McDaniel said Grove’s communication skills, especially, were critical while battling a fire.

“You want something done? Him and his brother do it, no questions asked,” McDaniel recalled. “Mark was very, very important to our department.”

A message was posted on the Eaton Fire Department’s Facebook page Tuesday afternoon, shortly after Grove’s death.

“We will take it from here brother,” it reads. “We love you ... Continue (to) look over (your) brothers and sisters from the heavens. You will not be forgotten.”

“We’ll really, really miss him,” McDaniel said.

Full story: Dedicated volunteer firefighter, 33, dies after medical emergency



High-Angle Rescue Saves Spokane Worker in Auger

Surgeons on scene had to sedate the worker and remove part of his leg

Spokane, North Idaho News

Published Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Spokane Fire Department Press Release courtesy of KHQ.com

On October 4th, 2013 at 6:44 A.M. the Spokane Fire Department responded to a report of a worker from the Purina Mills Plant at 4714 E. Trent stuck in some machinery. Engine 8 from their station located at 1608 N. Rebecca was first on the scene and rapidly assessed the situation. They found an adult male patient that was pinned by one of the plant augers on the top of the roof, six stories high.

The patient had a serious leg injury so the crew placed a tourniquet to stop further hemorrhaging and continued with their life saving stabilization of the patient. Plans were immediately made to provide advanced life support care to the patient, the extrication of the patient from the machinery, the proper packaging of the patient and finally, the transport of the patient which included lowering the patient to the ground.

As the various plans were being put into place, a special request was made for a surgeon to respond to the scene. As a result of this request, three surgeons from Deaconess Hospital arrived on the scene and were involved with the extrication of the patient and patient care. They were supported by a nurse from Medstar and Fire Department paramedics. At this same time, blood from Valley Hospital was being rushed to the scene by a deputy from the Spokane County Sheriff's Office. While the machinery was confirmed to be locked out and isolated, extrication crews consisting of Rescue 9 and Ladder 1 continued to aggressively work providing patient care to stabilize the patient while the machinery was being dismantled to free him.

A contractor's crane was used to lift a basket to the level where the patient was. This same crane was responsible for lowering the patient to the ground. The Fire Department Technical Rescue Team from Station 4 worked hand in hand with the crane operator and made sure of the patient's safety and transport back to the ground. The patient was flown to Sacred Heart Hospital by Medstar.

The cause of this incident is being investigated by the State of Washington Labor and Industries.

Fire rips through Miami strip mall; firefighter falls through roof

Published Wednesday, October 9, 2013

A fire ripped through a Miami shopping center early Thursday, gutting several stores and putting a scare into a firefighter.

The fire broke out after 1 a.m. at the center, on Flagler Street between 67th and 69th avenues and took about 90 minutes to extinguish.

Firefighters are still on the scene and investigators will look into the cause of the fire later Thursday morning.

An unstable roof affected the crew atop the building.

“The roof became unstable and one fire captain did fall halfway through the roof,” Miami Fire Rescue spokesman Ignatius Carroll told reporters. The captain’s equipment caught him from a full fall and greater injury, Carroll said.

No one else was injured at the strip center. A hardware store, restaurant, medical officer and underwear shop were damaged.     

Full story: Fire rips through Miami strip mall; firefighter falls through roof

Dashcam Video of car crashing into fire station

Published Wednesday, October 9, 2013

LENOIR, N.C. — Police released the dash cam video of the police pursuit in Lenoir that ended with a car crashing into a fire department Tuesday.

Channel 9 learned that the whole pursuit was less than a mile long lasted only 61 seconds. In the video, the convertible that police were chasing could only be seen for a few seconds as it sped off down Harper Avenue toward downtown Lenoir.

The car ended up crashing through the front bay door at the Lenoir Fire Department knocking a 30,000-pound fire truck several feet. “It looked like the movies,” said Shebala Norwood, who was in the area around the time of the crash.


Full story: Dashcam video released of chase that ended with car smashing into fire station

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.) 

Putting A Lid On Cooking Fires - FPW 2013

Kitchen fires due to cooking oil or grease igniting into flames cause the fastest-spreading and most destructive type of residential fire. It's a statistic that may be surprising: two out of every five fires start in the kitchen.

In hopes of stomping out the growing trend, National Fire Prevention Week is focusing on the kitchen.

It is hope that people won’t have to learn the hard way. If just one fire warning could be given, it could be, “Keep an eye on what you fry!”



Why? Because cooking is the leading cause of home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The latest statistics from NFPA say U.S. Fire Departments responded to an estimated annual average of 156,600 cooking-related fires between 2007 and 2011.

This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme is “Prevent Kitchen Fires,” a reminder that leaving cooking unattended and other unsafe kitchen practices are a recipe for disaster.

Often when the local fire departments & firefighters are called to a cooking-related fire, the residents usally tells them that they only left the kitchen for a few minutes. Sadly, that’s all it takes for a dangerous fire to start. The bottom line is that there’s really no safe period of time for the cook to step away from a hot stove.

Some key points to remember:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave the room even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.

• When you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home, and use a timer to remind you.

• Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles (e.g. potholders, towels, rags, drapes, and food packaging).

• Keep children away from cooking areas by enforcing a “kid-free zone” of three feet around the stove.

• If you have a fire in your microwave, turn it off immediately and keep the door closed. Never open the door until the fire is completely out. If in doubt, get out of the home and call the fire department.

• Always keep an oven mitt and a lid nearby. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. (Make sure you are wearing the oven mitt.) Turn off the burner. Do not move the pan. To keep the fire from restarting, do not remove the lid until it is completely cool.

• Never pour water on a grease fire. If the fire does not go out, get out of the home and call the fire department.

• If an oven fire starts, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. If the fire does not go out, get out of the home and call the fire department.

A cooking fire can quickly turn deadly. Firefighters have seen too many homes destroyed and people killed or injured by fires that could have been easily avoided.

“Prevent Kitchen Fires!” 

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; this is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

3 Firefighters Injured Battling Blaze - Fire Destroys A Historic Church In Los Angeles

Two Los Angeles City firefighters were injured Tuesday, October 8, 2013, while battling a fire at a historic two-story church in South Los Angeles.

The fire at 1001 E. 27th Street, which was formerly known as the Crouch Memorial Church of God In Christ, was reported at 9:27 a.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

The attic was well involved in fire when firefighters arrived.





Fire roared through a 19th century wooden church and two firefighters had to be rescued when part of the historic structure collapsed while they were inside.

Two of the 150 Los Angeles City firefighters on scene were injured when the wooden church’s roof and second story partially collapsed while they were performing an interior attack, according to officials.

The two injuried firefighters were taken to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, Fire Department spokesman Erik Scott said. One of the men was in stable condition and would be held overnight for evaluation, while the other was expected to be released.

One firefighter was working on the second floor pulling hose for other firefighters when there was a loud cracking sound as the collapse occurred. The firefighter ended up down on the first floor among debris, Fire Capt. Laurie Stolp told reporters.





Fire Chief Brian Cummings said he was monitoring the fire by radio in his office when he heard of the structural collapse and that firefighters were unaccounted for.

"That's the worst thing that you can ever hear as a firefighter or a fire chief — to know that some of our own are in peril," he said.

Several hours later, a third firefighter working outside the church was taken to a hospital for treatment of an injury described as not life-threatening, according to Scott. There were no details on the cause.

Fire Chief Cummings said firefighters had mounted an aggressive interior attack when the collapse occurred.

After the rescue, firefighters continued the attack only from outside, shooting streams of water from hoses and cannons.

An LAFD arson team and the department’s House of Worship Task Force, which includes personnel from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, will investigate the cause of the fire.

The official cause of the fire was unknown.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Fire Prevention Week Focus on Kitchen Fire Safety Awareness

Oct. 6-12 is National Fire Prevention week, and this year's message is focused on preventing kitchen fires. More fires start in the kitchen than in any other part of the home and teaching residents how to keep cooking fires from starting in the first place is a key goal, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

The Tioga Fire Protection and Fire Prevention blog reminds the public to be aware of fire dangers in the kitchen.



According to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), two out of every five home fires and most home fire-related injuries are caused by unattended cooking,

Suggested are the following  family safety checklist and Fire Safety tips that will  help prevent a fire from starting in the kitchen or at home:

- Be alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.

- Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling, or boiling food. Keep an eye on what you fry! Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.

- If you must leave the room, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.

- When you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home, and while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.　

- Have a "kid-free zone" of at least 3 feet around the stove by keeping children and pets away from the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried. Use the stove's back burners whenever possible.

- When you cook, wear clothing with tight-fitting sleeves.

- Keep anything that can catch fire like potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper and plastic bags, towels, and anything else that can burn, away from your stovetop.

- Clean up food and grease from burners and stovetops.

National Fire Prevention Week lasts from Oct. 6 through Oct. 12.

"Prevent Kitchen Fires.”


(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; this is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

This Week Is Fire Prevention Week 2013

Kitchen accidents focus of National Fire Prevention Week
It's National Fire Prevention Week throughout the country. This year's theme is "Preventing Kitchen Fires."

Be alert, stay in the kitchen and keep flammable items away from the stovetop-these cooking safety tips may seem like common sense but cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and home injuries in the U.S..

"U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 156,600 cooking-related fires between 2007-2011, resulting in 400 civilian deaths, 5,080 civilian injuries and $853 million in direct damage," according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Out of those cooking-related fires, unattended cooking was a factor in 34 percent of home cooking fires.

Because of those statistics, from Oct. 6 to Oct. 12 firefighters across the U.S. are taking the time to remind the public about how to prevent kitchen fires during the 88th annual National Fire Protection Association's Fire Prevention Week.








Cook with caution!

Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.

If you have a cooking fire...

Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire

Call 911 after you leave.

For additional Fire Prevention Week information concerning & "Preventing Kitchen Fires"...  

... Download a flyer of these NFPA safety tips on cooking

Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record. The President of the United States has signed a proclamation proclaiming a national observance during that week every year since 1925, according to the National Archives and Records.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; this is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Remembering The Fallen 81 at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial - 2013

listen to ‘This Song Ain't For You. . . This One's For All The. . .  (Day 6)’ on Audioboo

Wreath Placed at National Fallen Firefighters Memorial...

Eighty-one firefighters will be honored during the 32nd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service on Sunday, October 6, at 10 a.m. (EDT) at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The Fallen Eighty-one Firefighters were also remembered during a special Candlelight Service held on Saturday, October 5 at 6:30 p.m..



(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)