MEXICO'S DRUGS WAR - KEY STORIES
Arrests over Mexico clinic deaths
Gunmen kill 10 at Mexico clinic
Jaipur, Oct. 31 (ANI): As the massive fire that erupted at the Indian Oil Corporation’s fuel depot in Full Story HERE
Jaipur on Thursday night continues to be blazing, the death toll has reached eight, while over 150 people have been injured.Jaipur Fire,Jaipur : The fire at the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) depot near Jaipur is still raging, but contained within the premises. However, the fire may continue for another 24-36 hours.
Link HERE This video is taken from just 200m from the oil tanks from the back side of the depot. Fire that broke out following a blast at an Indian Oil petrol depot in Jaipur
October 28th, 2009 by Residential Fire Sprinklers .com
In today’s meeting of the International Code Council (ICC) in Baltimore, Maryland, proposals made to eliminate the requirement for residential fire sprinklers in the International Residential Code (IRC) were defeated. These requirements were included in the 2009 IRC, to become effective January 1, 2011. Proposals to modify the 2012 International Residential Code included RB 54, which would have removed the mandatory requirement and made it an optional provision, RB 56, which would delete sprinkler requirements for townhomes and one- and two-family occupancies and move P2904 back to the appendix, making the requirement optional; and RB 57, which would have completely removed the sprinkler requirements from these residential occupancies. Full story HERE at Residential Fire Sprinklers .com
NIOSH has issues a new publication concerning the Manual Adjustment of Automatic Slack Adjusters May Contribute to Unexpected Brake Failure on Automotive Fire Apparatus
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/SafetyAdvisory10202009.html
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that all fire departments operating fire apparatus equipped with automatic slack adjusters (ASAs) immediately take the following actions to reduce the risk of firefighters being injured in an apparatus crash due to brake failure:
The full text of the publication can be seen at NIOSH HERE 
Firefighter Close Calls has posted this update
Driver Who Hit Phoenix Fire Truck Cited For DUI. Fire Officer Not Secured In Seatbelt Monday, October 26, 2009
The driver of a car that hit a Phoenix fire truck in early August faces drunken driving charges, according to a newly released Phoenix police report.
The crash involved nearly a dozen cars and ejected a career fire captain out of the front cab. Ten people were either treated at the scene or taken to the hospital, Phoenix police officers said.
The engine truck was passing through the intersection at Interstate 17 and Dunlap Avenue when a sedan crashed into the side of the emergency vehicle.
Witnesses said the engine did have its lights and sirens activated.
The report said that while the fire truck failed to slow down at the intersection of Interstate-17 and Dunlap Avenue, blood tests show Jessica Varela, 23, had methamphetamines in her system that she says were from diet pills she got in Mexico. She was also cited for driving on a suspended license and not carrying car insurance. Police said Varela was speeding when she hit the fire truck.
Fire Captain Crystal Rezzonico was thrown from the fire truck. She suffered serious head injuries and is still recovering.
October 22, 2009 – Home fire sprinklers can be integrated with local water supply systems with ease according to a new study – Integration of Residential Sprinklers with Water Supply Systems (PDF, 842 KB) - released today by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The study, conducted by Newport Partners of Maryland, looked at detailed information for 20 US communities with a residential sprinkler ordinance and concluded that water supply integration requirements have been put into place, and there are no examples of insurmountable problems or issues. Neither design problems nor significant added costs were found in the communities surveyed. Full study can be downloaded here: Integration of Residential Sprinklers with Water Supply Systems (PDF, 842 KB)
PA LODD - Westover Borough from Firefighter Close Calls
Saturday, October 24, 2009 A Firefighter from Westover Borough (Clearfield County) Fire Station #45 has died in the Line of Duty while operating at a house fire in Westover Borough. Firefighters responded to a reported working fire early this morning and upon arrival, started their attack and related operations. Reports are that Command then decided to allow the fire to burn because it was a vacant abandoned structure.
From Firefighting News Firefighter Dies, Blaze Investigated Pennsylvania - A veteran volunteer firefighter died early Saturday at Miners Medical Center in Hastings after he collapsed while returning a fire hose to a truck in this southern Clearfield County borough. Firefighter Roy Everett Westover Jr. of Westover Area Fire Department, 41, who lived in Westover, was pronounced dead at 2:06 a.m. in the hospital emergency room,
Looks like a surround and drown for this incident. Thrift store, TL 58, snorkel 2, numerous handlines October 18, 2009, SRResquire Video
Strategic Priorities: What’s taking place here? What would you do?
More pictures here and video smugbug.com & Arlington cardinal
Chicago Fire Department responded to a fully-involved fire at 5617 West Belmont Avenue about 8:45 p.m. Firefighters carefully entered the building immediately after arrival, but at about 9:15 p.m., firefighters were ordered out of the building on radio and with the blast of fire engine air horns, which signals firefighters to evacuate a building.
Remember your Size-Up: The process of gaining information about the structure, fire severity, exposures, life hazards and the impact of weather and available resources.
The fall time change takes place on Sunday, November 1. Time to change your clock and your Battery. In your smoke detector that is. It’s also a good time to check it for spiders, dust and even see if it’s still working along with you carbon monoxide detector. Many fire department are taking part in the Change Your Clock Change Your Battery program. For the 22nd year, the International Association of Fire Chiefs IAFC, Energizer, and our network of 6,200 fire departments have partnered on the Change Your Clock Change Your Battery program to remind communities nationwide of the life-saving habit of changing the battery in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors when they change their clocks back to Standard Time. The United States Fire Administration has a lot of information concerning smoke detectors and is a good source for materials. Also Consumer Product Safety Commission has some info you can use.
smoke Alarms
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UPDATE: 13 Hurt when FDNY Apparatus Collide in Brooklyn
Saturday, October 24, 2009. Two firetrucks racing to a call of gas leak collided in Brooklyn this morning, causing one to flip over and the other to crash into a front yard, sending 12 firefighters to the hospital – some with serious leg injuries, authorities said.
Full story at Firefighter Close Calls
Passing this along from the Aurora Regional Fire Museum, Aurora Regional fire Museum. This is a great resource to visit and enjoy.
Please join us.
| The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 -- an evening lecture and open house. Sponsored by the Aurora Public Library, the Fox Valley Reads, and the Aurora Regional Fire Museum. Doors open at 6:30pm, program begins at 7pm. |
When: Tuesday, October 27th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Aurora Regional Fire Museum - Hayloft Theater
Why: Presentation by Curator, David Lewis
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871:
A Presentation & Tour of the Aurora Regional Fire Museum in cooperation with the Aurora Public Library and Fox Valley Reads.
Did the cow do it? What was so “great” about the Chicago Fire? Join us in the second-floor "Hay Loft Theater" of the Aurora Regional Fire Museum for a lively forty-five minute discussion/multi-media presentation on the history of the Great Chicago Fire. Following the program visitors will have an opportunity to see real artifacts that survived the Great Chicago Fire, and tour the Aurora Regional Fire Museum's interactive exhibit "Getting There, Getting Water, Getting Rescued."
Tuesday - October 27, 2009
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Presentation begins at 7:00 p.m.
This program is FREE! Registration would be appreciated.
For more information, download the attachment and visit our website for maps, directions, and parking information. www.AuroraRegionalFireMuseum.org
EMS LODD (TN) AMBULANCE HITS TN DOT TRUCK
Two people have been killed after an ambulance slammed into the back of a TDOT vehicle on Interstate 65 near Wedgewood Avenue. Officials said the Rural/Metro ambulance was travelling in the northbound lanes when it hit the truck.
The two fatalities are the driver of the ... [ more ]
N.C. Responder Killed in Ambulance Crash A first responder from the Fort Bragg military base was killed this morning (Oct. 22) in an ambulance crash while responding to a call, according to WTVD-TV. According to the National EMS Memorial Service, the responder was Param... [ more ]
Oct 22, 2009 Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Clinton, MS
from USFA Firefighter Fatalities
John Thurman of the Clinton Fire Department in Clinton, MS has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-10-21 Also link at Firehouse News
Died hours after working out while on duty, according to The Clarion-Ledger.
Capt. John Thurman was found unconscious at approximately 5 p.m. by someone walking through a park that sits next to Fire Station 3. He was transported to Jackson Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The 21-year fire veteran's cause of death is still unknown, the newspaper report said. Read More....
Emmitsburg, MD. – The United States Fire Administration (USFA) today released the report Firefighter Fatalities in the United States in 2008. The report continues a series of annual studies by the USFA of on-duty firefighter fatalities. The USFA is the single public agency source of information for all on-duty firefighter fatalities in the United States each year.
"The causes of death among firefighters are well known and the steps necessary to protect firefighters have been studied and reported in numerous forums,” United States Fire Administrator Kelvin J. Cochran said. “We must take the necessary steps to ensure, as much as possible, all firefighters return from every call, safely."
The unique and specific objective of Firefighter Fatalities in the United States is to identify all on-duty firefighter fatalities that occurred in the United States and its protectorates during the calendar year and to present in summary narrative form the circumstances surrounding each occurrence.
An overview of the 118 firefighters that died while on duty in 2008:
For 32 years, USFA has tracked the number of firefighter fatalities and conducted an annual analysis. Through the collection of information on the causes of firefighter deaths, the USFA is able to focus on specific problems and direct efforts toward finding solutions to reduce the number of firefighter fatalities in the future. This information is also used by many organizations to measure the effectiveness of their current efforts directed toward firefighter health and safety.
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, which worked closely with USFA on this report, also maintains a list of firefighters who die in the line-of-duty and are honored during the annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend held each October in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Visit www.FireHero.org for more information about the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and their assistance to the families of the firefighters lost in 2008 and beyond.
Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted on the USFA's Web site at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/ff_stats.shtm.
Firefighter Fatalities in the United States in 2008 (PDF, 3.1 Mb) http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/ff_fat08.pdf
from USFA Firefighter Fatalities
Gary D. Street 60 of the East Lake Sinclair Volunteer Fire Department in Sparta, GA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-10-17
Gary D. Street, was moving a fire department vehicle at the scene of an incident, according to Chief J. J. McClure of the East Lake Sinclair Vol. Fire Department. Firehouse.com has more info here.
Always a big worry when responder go a trench collapse to try and not become a victim themselves. Seems that this incident was a least safe for the responders. Looks like Atlanta FD handles the job well.
From Fox News Atlanta: There was a trench collapse in Atlanta near I-75 with one worker left dead. This incident was aided by the use of a vacuum truck, probably the best way to remove dirt from a a collapse. My Fox Atlanta has some videos and a report on the story
I have used this system and it really works. (I am in no way associated with Rescue Vac) From their web site, the Rescue Vac is the fastest and safest collapse, entrapment, and engulfment rescue system in the world. Info here at Rescue Vac Systems They also have some video on their site on how this system works.
| FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Indiana's NewsCenter) - A Fort Wayne police and fire truck collide as both were responding to an emergency call. Full Story HERE |
Is it just me or does it seem that are are entirely too many of these incidents. With all the safety initiatives that the fire service has in place it seems that this should be the exception and not the daily news?
RESPONDING VIRGINIA FIRE APPARATUS CRASH 2 hurt in Chesterfield crashFull story at FirefighterCloseCalls.Com - Home of the Secret List Chesterfield County E-14, responding to an apartment fire, collided with a car this evening, entrapping and injuring the car's two occupants. The crash victims were taken to a local hospital with non life-threatening injuries, said Chesterfield Capt. Robby Dawson. None of the three firefighters on the truck were injured, he said. The wreck occurred about 1825 when engine 14 from the department's Dutch Gap station was on its way to a reported kitchen fire at Winchester Green Apartments, Dawson said. The rig was heading northbound; it was not immediately clear what direction the car was traveling or how the two vehicles collided. "Typically when we're involved in any kind of a... |
TENNESSEE MOTORCYCLES VS FIRE APPARATUS-FF's OK, BIKERS TAKEN BY MEDEVACFull story at FirefighterCloseCalls.Com - Home of the Secret List Three Fort Campbell soldiers were injured in a collision with a Houston County fire truck at the intersection of Proctor Road and Tenn. 49, according to Tennessee Highway patrol Trooper Stephen Becker. Joshua W. Page, 19, Anthony P. Stanhope, 22, and Catlyn Danick, 21, were all transported to medical facilities, according to Houston County Volunteer Fire Department Chief and EMA Director David Hardin. Hardin said that the fire truck, driven by 18-year-old Justin C. Smith, and the motorcycles were all travelin... |
| October 12th 1918 The 1918 Cloquet fire was a massive fire in northern Minnesota in October, 1918 caused by sparks on the local railroads and dry conditions. The fire left much of western Carlton County devastated, mostly affecting Moose Lake, Cloquet, and Kettle River. Cloquet was hit the hardest by the fires. It was the worst natural disaster in Minnesota history in terms of the number of lives lost in a single day. In total, 453 lives were lost and 52,000 people were injured or displaced, 38 communities were destroyed, 250,000 acres were burned, and $73 million in property damage was suffered. $13 million in Federal aid was disbursed. |
More at some other links Here & Here
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From Firehouse.com
Later this month, advocates for and against mandating fire sprinklers in new home construction will gather in Baltimore, Md. for an important vote. Meeting Info Link
The International Code Council will consider proposals to remove language from the International Residential Code requiring fire sprinklers in new construction come 2011 during its annual meeting at the Hilton Baltimore Convention Center.
Looks like there is till unresolved issues with the ruling by the ICC on residential fire sprinklers. More information on this issue can be found at Home Fire Sprinkler and National Volunteer Fire Council or International Code Council See Older Post HERE
| Is this yet another instance of engineered wood construction, and failure to recognize it? The following story link shows that the occupants were at home when the fire was discovered and yet the fire progressed enough to have the floors fail. Seems like a very short time for this to happen. Remember what they taught you about the change in the fuel loads in modern housing? Again, Is it time we rethink how we fight fires? NFPA Report on Light Weight Construction, HERE |
The article also says that Firefighters reported that flames from the two-alarm fire went up through the walls of the home from the basement into the first and second floors.
Also From Firehouse
Ohio FF Falls Through Floor During Blaze
Two firefighters were treated for injuries while fighting a fire at a Green Township home.
Nothing from USFA yet - LODD –Carl Nordwall IAFF Local 3406 – Norfolk AirportOctober 7, 2009 at 8:49 am by VAFireNews.com Webteam Carl Nordwall It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Captain Carl Nordwall of IAFF Local 3406 – Norfolk Airport, Norfolk, Virginia. Brother Nordwall, 56, passed away today, Tuesday, October 6, 2009 of cardiac arrest while on duty. |
| Virginia Fire Captain Suffers Fatal Heart Attack Firehouse.com News A Norfolk Airport fire captain died while on duty yesterday (Oct. 6), according an announcement by IAFF Local L3406. Captain Carl Nordwall, 56, suffered a heart attack while on the job and was later pronounced dead. A funeral will be held on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. at the Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home, 601 N. Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462. |
Really, still not wearing your seat belt when responding? Maybe today, tomorrow or next week, your are going to get caught. Read this from firefighterclosecalls Wednesday, October 7, 2009
As you will recall, a responding Phoenix (AZ) FD engine company (E910) was involved in a serious crash where, among others, Captain Crystal Rezzonico was very seriously injured after being ejected. The facts related to the August 10, 2009 crash are as follows: Read full article HERE
Old issue, still not resolved see old post at Everyonegoeshome and visit |
This information has recently been updated and is now available.
Cooking is the leading cause of residential structure fires and injuries. Unattended cooking is the leading factor contributing to cooking-related fires.
For these reasons and many others, the theme for Fire Prevention Week, October 4-10, 2009 is Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned! In addition to cooking fires, a special emphasis is placed on burn awareness and prevention and keeping homes fire safe.
For tips you can follow to stay fire smart, visit this month's Focus on Fire Safety on the USFA's Web site.
Over the last several years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control has been working closely with the U. S. Fire Administration (USFA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to redevelop and enhance the resources and tools offered to the media and to fire service spokespeople on the FireSafety.gov website. FireSafety.gov is a federally operated website, co-sponsored by these three agencies, that serves as a clearinghouse for fire-related information.
One of the newest tools on the site is a “Fire Spokesperson’s Pocket Media Guide” that explains how Public Information Officers (PIOs) and other fire spokespeople can maximize the impact of a fire safety message in interviews with local and national news media. Doing so will help communities take preventive measures to reduce the tragic loss of life and injuries from residential fires.
In observance of Fire Prevention Week, October 4-10, 2009, we are pleased to promote these resources and offer the “Fire Spokesperson’s Pocket Media Guide” for ordering at no cost. We encourage you to share these resources and perhaps include information about them in your own announcements, thereby increasing their reach. All of these resources can be accessed and downloaded from the following Web page: www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Fire-Prevention/tools.html
from FIRE CHIEF | Every Department, Every Leader
The International Association of Fire Chiefs EMS Section is demanding that NBC cancel or modify its new drama series, Trauma. The association objects to the show’s portrayal of EMS providers.
You can judge for yourself at the networks web site and watch it HERE or HERE .
from USFA Firefighter Fatalities
Patrick Joyce of the Yonkers Fire Department in Yonkers, NY has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-10-02 00:00:00.0. Incident Description: Firefighter Joyce, along with two other firefighters, was forced by rapidly progressing fire conditions to jump from the third story of a residence. Firefighter Joyce did not survive the injuries he sustained as a result of the fall and the other two firefighters are reported to be in the hospital in critical condition. All residents of the home escaped the fire. The fire has been deemed "suspicious" and officials are continuing to investigate. Incident Location: 148 Waverly Street.
1 Yonkers Firefighter Killed, 2 Injured On Duty - wcbstv.comFire officials announced that Patrick Joyce, a veteran Yonkers firefighter, died after reportedly leaping from a burning house. ... Joyce has worked for the Yonkers fire department for 16 years |
Click to enlarge A Yonkers firefighter walks down a ladder at the scene of a house fire that left one firefighter dead and two others injured after leaping from the burning building on Oct. 2, 2009.
From time to time I stumble back upon a web site that I used to check all the time. Here is some training sources from the Underwriters Laboratories. At issue still, is the residential sprinkler requirement with the the National Association of Home Builders still resisting the IRC-2009 sprinkler requirement in RB66. You can get some free training that gives some insight into the issue at hand.
Jul 31, 2009 ... IRC requiring sprinklers, UL focuses on firefighter safety ... Still, the coalition argues, with 95 percent of homes having ...
| UL Main Site Link HERE |
| UL Online Learning Here Fire Behavior in a Single Family Occupancy |
| Structural stability of engineered lumber in fire conditions online course Structural Stability Course Here |
A mannequin simulates a crawling firefighter in the UL test of the structural integrity of various floor and roof assemblies during a fire test.
| Home Fire Safety Issues Land on the Front Burner By Douglas Gordon, Hon. AIA http://info.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek09/0731/0731p_lightweight.cfm How do you . . . stay up to date on residential fire regulations and best practices? Get informed! |
