USFA: South Carolina Line Of Duty Death 03.10.2013

Firefighter Michael L. Broz, 58, on March 10, 2013 at 1630hrs, passed away from injuries sustained when his personally owned vehicle, a 1977 Ford pickup, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, while traveling west on Horseford Road, the truck left the roadway and struck a tree while he was responding to an outdoor fire in the Francis Beidler Forest. Michael Broz was reported to have been wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. The cause of the accident remains under investigation. 

Our condolences to the Broz Family & Friends, the Dorchester County Fire Rescue  and to all affected by Firefighter Michael L. Broz's passing. 

To date, 13 firefighter fatalities has 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.)

USFA: Jericho FD, New York On-Duty Death 03.08.2013

The Jericho Fire Department is deeply saddened to announce the untimely passing of Captain George A. Turner, Jr. of Trident Engine Co. No. 3. Captain Turner passed in the performance of his duty while after the department was alerted for a motor vehicle accident on the Long Island Expressway. 

Captain George A. Turner, Jr. passed away from an apparent heart attack while responding to a motor vehicle accident on Long Island Expressway (I-495). 

Our condolences to the Turner Family & Friends, the Jericho Fire Department, and to all affected by Captain Turner's passing. 

To date, 12 firefighter fatalities has 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.)

5-Alarm Fire Harrison, New Jersey - With "Backflash Explosion" Injures 5 Firefighters

New York News | NYC Breaking News


Five firefighters were injured while battling a five-alarm fire at a northern New Jersey   industrial building when a massive explosion happened. At the Harrison, New Jersey five-alarm fire, the backflash explosion created a huge plume of smoke that could be seen for miles, and fire extended to some adjoining buildings.




None of the injuries were considered life-threatening, though a battalion chief was bleeding from cuts he received from broken glass. "When that glass blew out, he got it all in his face and his body," said Harrison fire Capt. Robert Gillen. "He was bleeding profusely." Harrison Fire Capt. Robert Gille also stated, "They were literally thrown out of the building by the smoke explosion." According to Harrison Fire Captain Robert Gillen, five firefighters suffered non-life threatening injuries in a backdraft explosion while fighting the blaze and were taken to Jersey City Medical Center. Four of the five injured firefighters had been released from the hospital by Monday.

The fire broke out Sunday morning at around 11:00 a.m. in Harrison, New Jersey and burned for several hours before it was brought under control. It's not yet clear what sparked the blaze, which apparently started in a restaurant on the building's ground floor and spread toward a nearby apartment building. No civilian injuries were reported.

The Red Cross said they are assisting more than 15 people displaced by the fire. The cause remains 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.)

USFA: Georgia On-Duty Death 03.07.2013

It is with great sadness that the Marietta Fire Department announces the tragic loss of one of its own. 

Firefighter Engineer Lonnie Nutt, 49, of the Marietta Fire Department, Georgia, on March 7, 2012 at 1620hrs, responded to a motor vehicle accident and was the driver of the apparatus accompanied by two other firefighters.  After arriving on the scene, the firefighters were performing aid to the injured motorist when Firefighter Engineer Nutt collapsed.  Aid was immediately given and Firefighter Engineer Nutt was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. 

Lonnie Nutt began his career with the City of Marietta in May of 1994. He has served Marietta as a firefighter, inspector, investigator and currently firefighter engineer.

Our condolences to the  Nutt Family & Friends, the  Marietta Fire Department,and to all affected by Firefighter Engineer Lonnie Nutt's passing.

To date, 11 firefighter fatalities has 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.)

Time To Turn The Clocks One Hour Ahead!

It's almost time to spring ahead, which means it's also time to test and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors. Daylight Saving Time starts at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 10.

Is your smoke alarm still working? Smoke alarms must be maintained! A smoke alarm with a dead or missing battery is the same as having no smoke alarm at all.

Tioga Fire Protection and Fire Prevention would like to remind everyone to not only set their clocks ahead this weekend, but to also test your smoke detector batteries and change them if necessary.

A smoke alarm only works when it is properly installed and maintained. Depending on how your smoke alarm is powered (9-volt, 10-year lithium, or hardwired), you’ll have to maintain it according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Tioga Fire Protection and Fire Prevention says even hard-wired smoke alarms should have their batteries replaced and tested monthly.

A working smoke alarm doubles your chance of survival during a fire by giving you the critical time needed to escape.

A lot of fires occur at night while most people are sleeping.

Actually, the smoke and toxic gases from the fire can cause you to fall into a deeper sleep, diminishing the chance of survival.

Tioga Fire Protection and Fire Prevention recommends changing the batteries every six months and testing them monthly.

General guidelines for smoke alarm maintenance:

Smoke alarm powered by a 9-volt battery
•Test the alarm monthly.
•Replace the batteries at least once per year.
•The entire smoke alarm unit should be replaced every 8-10 years.

Smoke alarm powered by a 10-year lithium (or “long life”) battery
•Test the alarm monthly.
•Since you cannot (and should not) replace the lithium battery, the entire smoke alarm unit should be replaced according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Smoke alarm that is hardwired into the home’s electrical system
•Test the alarm monthly.
•The backup battery should be replaced at least once per year.
•The entire smoke alarm unit should be replaced every 8-10 years.

A Sound You Can Live With: Test Your Smoke Detector!



(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.)

USFA: Hudson Illinois & League City Texas Firefighter On-Duty Deaths

"This is a very tragic loss for the family, the city and the entire community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mize family and the League City Volunteer Fire Department," said Mayor Tim Paulissen.

Firefighter Cadet Donald Mize, 62, of the League Volunteer Fire Department, League City, Texas, on March 6, 2013 at 1956 hrs, was cooling down after the training exercise at the department's training facility when he fell ill from a cause still to be determined. Firefighter Mize was treated and transported to the hospital but succumbed to his injury.

Our condolences to the  Mize Family & Friends, the League Volunteer Fire Department and to all affected by Firefighter Cadet Donald Mize's passing.

To date, 10 firefighter fatalities has 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.

"We are deeply saddened by the painful loss of one of our own, and we will do our best to support his immediate family as well as his firefighter families in both Bloomington and Hudson," said Bloomington Fire Chief Mike Kimmerling. "Thank you for all the support we have received so far and will continue to need in order to move forward.

Firefighter Christopher R. Brown, 39, of the Hudson Community Fire Protection District, Hudson, Illinois, on March 5, 2013 at 2145 hrs, was working with other responders on a multiple-vehicle accident on Interstate 39 when at approximately 2245 hrs a southbound semi-tractor trailer lost control and slid into the accident scene killing firefighter Brown and injuring six members of  the Hudson Fire Departments.

Christopher R. Brown leaves behind a wife and two young children.

Our condolences to the Brown Family & Friends, the Hudson Fire Departments and to all affected by Firefighter Christopher R. Brown's passing.

To date, 9 firefighter fatalities has 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.)

Three alarm house fire on Clinton Street in West Seneca, New York 03.04.2013

A three-alarm fire caused extensive damage to a West Seneca, New York home Monday night.

Grease fire sparks three-alarm blaze

Flames broke-out around 6 p.m. at the Clinton Street home. According to Fire officials and the homeowner the blaze started as a grease-fire in the basement. 

One person was home at the time of the fire, but individual made it out of the house safely. 
No injuries were reported for this fire response.

The fire remains 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.)

USFA: North Carolina Fire Chief On-Duty Death 03.03.2013

Fire Chief Scott Morrison on March 3, 2013 at 1614hrs, was operating at the scene of a brush fire with the Knotts Island Volunteer Fire Department, North Carolina when he collapsed from an apparent heart attack. Morrison was treated by fellow responders on scene and en route to a hospital where he passed away from his injury.

Our condolences to the Morrison Family & Friends, the Knotts Island Volunteer Fire Department and to all affected by Fire Chief Scott Morrison's passing.

To date, 8 firefighter fatalities has 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.)