VIDEO: NEWS for 1.31.2012

At Least 10 Killed in Florida Crash

A long line of cars and trucks collided one after another early Sunday on a dark Florida highway.

Associated Press - A long line of cars and trucks collided one after another early Sunday on a dark Florida highway so shrouded in haze and smoke that drivers were virtually blinded. At least 10 people were killed, and at least 18 were taken to the hospital. (Jan. 29)

This Video Appears in:

Fiery Florida Highway Crash Claims 10 Lives

FDNY Battalion Chief: Bronx Basement Fire Details

Companies had to cut a hole in the first floor to remove smoke and heat.

1 Dead, 1 Hurt In Bronx Basement Fire: MyFoxNY.com

BRONX (MYFOXNY.COM) - The FDNY says one man is dead and one woman injured in a basement fire in a Bronx apartment early Sunday morning.

This Video Appears in:

Video: One Dead in Bronx Fire

Massachusetts Firefighters Injured as Ladder Hits Wires During Fire

Three firefighters were taken to the hospital.

Several firefighters hurt battling Cambridge blaze: MyFoxBOSTON.com

Maryland Firefighter Injured During House Fire

Large fire destroyed Glenn Dale home.

Electrical Problems Blamed for Glenn Dale House Fire: MyFoxDC.com

GLENN DALE, Md. (WTTG) - GLENN DALE, Md. - Investigators say a massive house fire in Glenn Dale, Maryland was caused by some sort of electrical problem. Flames were reported at the single-family house on the 8000 block of Wingate Drive just before 2:30 a.m. Sunday. Everyone got out safely, but one firefighter was treated for minor injuries.

This Video Appears in:

Maryland Firefighters Battle Well-Advanced Fire

(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.)

Pennsylvania Fire Captain On-Duty Death

Captain Walter C. Sumner, 49, of the Cranesville Volunteer Fire Department on January 24, 2012 passed away within 24 hours of responding to an incident. Captain Sumner suffered a heart attack. Captain Sumner passed away from complications related to that heart attack.

Fire Chief Christian Karotko of the neighboring Endinboro Volunteer Fire Department had these word to say about Fire Captain Walt Summer...

"Today, we lost brother firefighter and good friend Walt Sumner. Walt was a true brother to all in the fire service. Whether on the fireground or leading the torches in a live burn, he always had our backs. No matter how bad the situation, he was always right there. Our deepest heartfelt sympathy to the Sumner family and our Brothers and Sisters at Cranesville Station 60. You will be sadly missed but know you will continue to always have our back and watch over us. Rest easy my friend.

Hard times come and go but we stick together because we are one big family, brothers and sisters. It doesn't matter where your from or what color your bucket is, we're united as one. People depend on us and depend on each other. We get through it and when the bell goes off, we will still get on the rig and go, even on our weakest days. We are firefighters, a brotherhood of courageous people. Our apparatus roll with a full crew now, unseen Hero's riding beside us, guiding us to where we need to go..."

To date, eight (8) firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2012.

“Captain” Walt Sumner of Cranesville Fire Department, Rest In Peace Brother.

(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.)

USAF P-34 Rapid Intervention Vehicle (RIV)

The United States Air Force firefighters have a new firefighting vehicle to combat fires. The new P-34 Rapid Intervention Vehicle is the first vehicle in the Air Force's crash response fleet to use ultra high pressure firefighting technology and is made by Pierce Manufacturing.

With a capacity of 500 gallons of aggregate firefighting agent, the P-34 RIV will be smaller and more agile than the older vehicles currently in the Air Force's crash response fleet. Built on a Ford F550 chassis with an enhanced front axle, the cab is designed to accommodate three firefighters and their equipment. The UHP turret, mounted on the front bumper, is powered by a four-stage, high-pressure centrifugal pump that discharges 60 gallons of firefighting agent per minute. The turret is designed to be joystick operated by the driver in the cab. The RIV can deploy the UHP turret while modulating around the fire, or from a static position.

CMSgt Jim Podolske, USAF (RET), who I had the honor to server under & with back-in-the-day, and who is a Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency (AFCESA) firefighting subject matter expert now at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida had the following to say about the P-34 RIV...

"This will be the first firefighting vehicle in the U.S. Air Force to use new ultra-high pressure firefighting technology," said Jim Podolske.

Mr. Podolske explains, "For example, a 1,000-gallon vehicle that discharges 1,000 gallons per minute yields one minute of firefighting capability at the scene," Mr. Podolske. "With new UHP technology, that same 1,000-gallon vehicle is now equivalent to 3,500 gallons of firefighting capability."

"We can operate the turret and two hand lines simultaneously," Mr. Podolske said. "This new UHP technology can also penetrate a hidden fire or a 3-D running fuel fire without impacting the safety of our firefighters."

"In 2010, the average price tag to replace a 1,000 gallon P-19 was $564,000 each," Mr. Podolske said. "The new 500-gallon UHP truck has the firefighting capability of a 1,500 to 1,750-gallon vehicle at a cost that's significantly less. The Air Force is in the process of buying at least 207 RIVs, which will reduce the age of our vehicle fleet and also help us buy down our vehicle recapitalization rate. That means there is a potential cost-avoidance savings as high as $84 million."

"Over the course of this process, AFCESA will also provide two RIVs to the Special Vehicle Maintenance School in Port Hueneme, Calif., so our Air Force vehicle maintainers can effectively learn how to sustain and maintain these vehicles at the base level," Mr. Podolske said. "We will also develop curriculum to show firefighters how to properly inspect, operate and maintain the vehicle. This is serious business. This vehicle will be in the Air Force inventory for a minimum of 12 years, allowing firefighters to save lives and protect vital Air Force assets."

Here are some pictures of the P-34 RIV training at Tyndall Air Force Base...

The Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency, with headquarters at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., is a field operating agency that reports to the Office of The Civil Engineer, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.

The AFCESA Mission: Provide professional readiness, energy, and operations support, tools and practices to maximize Air Force engineering agile combat support worldwide

(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.)

Tanker Truck Fire, 1 Fatality: Elizabeth, NJ 1.24.12

A gasoline tanker, carrying 8,500 gallons of fuel, exploded after a car collided into it causing a fiery blaze at 1:45 a.m. early Tuesday morning in Elizabeth, NJ at the intersection of Bayway Avenue.

The car wedged underneath the burning gasoline tanker, trapping the driver inside the vehicle.

The driver of the car was pronounced dead at the scene, and the tanker truck driver escaped the burning truck without serious injury

Cause of the crash remains under investigation

Along with News video, here's video footage provided by Ed Gray, allhandsgoingtowork on YouTube, of the fire ground operations...

View more videos at: http://nbcnewyork.com.

(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.)

ARFF (less)...

lol, The Missis gave me the title for this TFPFP blog post and it pretty much sums it up. Today it became "OFFICIAL." Notice was given that I will no longer be on an ARFF Team.

"The Dream Of Second Opportunities, Ends Today." ~ @FiremanRich

Life Goes On & Life Is Still Good!

That Is All!

(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.)

Two-alarm fire in Jersey City 1.18.12

Firefighters quickly arriving at the fire ground, going into action, and after an hour had the blaze under control. The fire started on a first floor then burned through and extended over to an attached two story home. Although there were no reports of injuries, five people had to be relocated by the Red Cross. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

Here's some YouTube footage of the fire ground taken by Ed Gray, known as allhandsgoingtowork on YouTube, of the early 1 A.M. morning fire...

(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.)

Former Fire Chief Dies LODD

Firefighter Bruce Turcotte, 58, of the Hopelawn Engine Company No. 1 on January 19, 2012, responded to a residential structure fire with his fire company. Shortly after working to reestablish the water supply to firefighters inside of the burning structure, he returned to his rescue truck and fell ill where he was discovered a short time later by other firefighters. Firefighter Turcotte was treated at the scene and transported to the hospital but passed away due to a reported cardiac arrest.

Hopelawn fire chief suffers fatal heart attack at scene of Woodbridge blaze

(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.)

20 Year Firefighter Veteran LODD

Firefighter Duane Ibarra, 50, of the Maui County Department of Fire and Public Safety on January 18, 2012, was found unresponsive in the fire station workout room at 1822hrs. Efforts to revive Ibarra by his co-workers were unsuccessful. Our sincere condolences to the members of the MFD and family of Firefighter Duane Ibarra.

Maui Firefighter Death Unexpected

(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.)

Volunteer Firefighter In Fatal Crash

Firefighter Brandon Little, 19, of United Hook and Ladder Company 33, on January 18, 2012, while responding to a structure fire call, Firefighter Little passed away from injuries he sustained when his privately owned vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a tree. Initial reports indicate that Little was ejected from his car and that speed may have been a factor in the accident. Investigation into the fatal incident continues by local and state authorities.

Friends Remember New Oxford Firefighter Killed on his Way to Fire

(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.)

4-Alarm Fire Brooklyn Row House 1.17.12

A 4-alarm apartment fire in a three-story row frame in Brooklyn where heavy fire broke out on the second floor and extended into the three-story building on 368 Himrod Street shortly after eight o'clock this morning, 17 Jan 2011. The building was evacuated, but reported upon arrival by arriving fire department crews that there were people on fire escapes of building. It was reported that NYFD Ladder 124 arrived on the scene and rescued a mother and her 12-year-old son hanging out upper level window.

It took firefighting crews around 3 hours to bring the flames under control. There were nearly 170 firefighters and 39 units that responded to the firegruond for this fire.

Deputy Asst. Chief James Leonard stated, "At 8:20 a.m. this morning received a 911 call concerning this fire, simultaneously people were banging on the firehouse door which is about six houses down. So we were on the scene immediately, we had heavy fire on the first, second and third floor. Members of ladder 124 ... rescue two people out the second floor."

Row House Fire In Brooklyn: MyFoxNY.com

At least seven people suffering minor injuries, three of which were firefighters. All were transported to Wyckoff Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

The fire is under investigation.

(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.)

4-alarm Brookline Mass. Fire 1.16.12

The four-alarm fire in Brookline Massachusetts, at Box 35 on 1471 Beacon St was rung out at around 9:00 a.m. this very cold freezing morning at a brownstone apartment building complex.

It was shortly after 10:00 a.m. that firefighters on the fire scene were still battleing a very intense fire that extended up into the fourth floor apartment building. Because of fire and weather conditions firefighter were ordered out of the building after an hour of firefighting as the fire spread.

Brookline Fire Chief Paul Ford stated, Whenever we have conditions like this, icy temps, cold, hypothermia on the men, just freezing conditions make it difficlt and dangerous."

The damaging fire was contained to the original building, where firefighters brought the blaze under control just before 12:00 p.m..

All residents are reported getting safely out with no serious injuries reported, though one resident sustained what is called a minor injury and was sent to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Two firefighters were reported to have been treated for minor injuries also.

s

It was not clear what started the fire, but apparently it has been reported the probable cause could have started in the basement area from a cloths dryer where it quickly spread up into the fourth floor area.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation and ongoing.

(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.)

Six-Alarm Fire in Cornwall, New York 1.15.12

A raging 6th-alarm blaze was rang out at 10:50 a.m. today at an industrial park at 2 Mill Street, located in the Town of Cornwall, Orange County, New York.

The complex which previously housed the "First Carpet Mill Company" in the early 20th century was turned into an industrial park.

Thirty minutes after the initial response to the fire scene it was reported that a "defensive" firefighting operation was started, with firefighters pulling back as a third alarm was quickly sounded that developed into a six-alarm response. Incident Command quickly made the call to pulled all roof crews off the structures roofs, making accountability of all firefighters, and had Orange County Dispatch make the county wide radio transmission that all firefighting operation are a "all exterior attack." It was also passed on by Incident Command that there were no persons inside the structures on fire.

View more videos at: http://nbcnewyork.com.

Fourteen Orange County New York fire companies responded to the fire scene, with more than 150 firefighters battling the raging fire. It was reported that at around 4:30 p.m,. one fire fighter was injured and transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Cornwall FD Fire Chief Update:

The Cornwall Fire Chief Pat Hines stated that the fire is contained and that "There's no injuries yet."

Here is additional video of the 6-alarm fire...

Local authorities have not reported any injuries at this fire thus far. Orange County emergency personnel and firefighters were reported also continuing working the fireground site into Sunday evening, and that the cause to the fire is under investigation.

(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.)

Two-Alarm Fire: Queens N.Y. Warehouse

Here is the audio and video of a 2-alarm response to a fire that took place on Saturday, 1/14/12, in Queens, N.Y.. The New York City Fire Department (NYFD) performed a quick knock down & extinguishment to the fire at a two story warehouse located at the corner of 132 Ave / Rockaway Blvd.

No one was injured at this fire, and cause to the fire is under investigation.

Queens Warehouse Fire: MyFoxNY.com

2-Alarm Warehouse Fire at corner of 132 Ave / Rockaway Blvd

ADDITIONAL VIDEO OF FIRE GROUND:

(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.)

TFPFP Podcast [02]

(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.)

Videos of Working Fire - Newark, NJ - 01.06.12

Here is some YouTube video footage of a working fire that occurred last week on Friday, 6 Jan 2012, at 222 North & 6th Street, Newark New Jersey. Ed Gray, known as allhandsgoingtowork on YouTube recorded this video footage of firefighters working on the fireground operations.

(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.)

Loss of Life for Two Firefighters...

This past weekend there were two on duty firefighter fatalities as reported by The United States Fire Administration (USFA).

These two tragic loss of life represent the 3^rd and 4^th Firefighter Fatality for 2012.

Firefighter David Crenshaw of the Anderson Fire Department, South Carolina, on Jan 9, 2012, at 06:30 hrs., collapsed from a cause still to be determined while working at the scene of a motor vehicle accident with injuries at Porter Road and Highway 88. Crenshaw was treated at the scene and transported to AnMed Health Medical Center where he succumbed to his injury. Incident Location: Porter Road and Highway 88.

“Former Anderson County sheriff dies while trying to help others”

Fire Chief Samuel Butler of the Evens Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department, North Carolina, on Jan 8, 2012, at 22:55 hrs., while responding to a motor vehicle accident in his privately owned vehicle, Fire Chief Butler was struck and killed by a semi-trailer truck as he attempted a U-turn at the end of the eastbound I-74 onramp at Cabinet Shop Road. Incident Location: Onramp eastbound lanes I-74 & Cabinet Shop Road.

“Maxton firefighter killed”

(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.)

LODD Firefighter William “Bill” Elliott - A Fireman's Prayer

(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.)

Firefighter Dies in Training Tragedy

23 year veteran Pompano Beach Fire Department firefighter William “Bill” Elliott, died Friday, Jan 6, 2011 after falling 100 feet from the top of a ladder truck during a fire department exercise according to news reports.

The training exercise, which included four other firefighters, took place behind Fire Station 61 on 2121 NW third Ave, Pompano Beach, Florida at approximately 4:20 p.m. The other firefighters witnessed the fall, including one who stood on the ladder behind Elliott during the exercise. The report indicates that this was the first time a Pompano Beach firefighter has died in the line of duty.

View more videos at: http://nbcmiami.com.

Fire Chief Harry Small was quoted to say,“In order to do this type of work, which is very dangerous, you have to train a lot on your aerial units because that’s risky stuff to begin with. Training is a part of our lives and there’s a number of firefighter fatalities annually in the United States from training exercises. It’s sad but true.”

“We’ve had a death in the family here, essentially,” Small said. “He was an extraordinarily competent guy, one of our best, it’s just very hard to deal with.”

Elliot had no wife or children and had been with the department since 1989.

The Broward Sheriff's Office and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating.

(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.)