Interesting – from FF Close Calls

This has always been a concern with fire apparatus manufactures. Has to do with loose equipment on the outside of the apparatus. This is why you see more hose bed covers, and safety straps on truck now a days. Nothing worse that laying a 1000 feet of hose on the street.

MASSACHUSETTS WOMAN DIES AFTER BEING STRUCK BY RESPONDING APPARATUS HOSE LINE

Thursday, January 28, 2010

An 82-year-old woman who was struck by a hose line from the back of a Cambridge (MA) fire apparatus has died. She died today after that hose on the side of the Cambridge engine struck her on Tuesday. 
The apparatus was responding to a call at about 1140 hours when one of the lines apparently slipped and then became dislodged - trailing behind the rig. When the engine company turned, the trailing hose struck the woman who was standing on the median island allowing the apparatus to pass.

What’s he or “we” doing? to the AFG?

Analyzing President Obama's state of the union address Full story at Washington post

Highlights: President Obama delivered the first state of the union address of his presidency, a 71-minute speech that ranked as the sixth longest in presidential history. (The famously long-winded Bill Clinton has four of the five longest speeches.) The White House posted its version of the highlights from the speech and you can read the whole thing for yourself; Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell delivered a solid if not spectacular Republican response that will likely cement his status as a rising star within the party. The gaffe of the night? That came from Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito who mouthed the words "not true" when the president condemned the recent Citizens United ruling.

On the fire side, is his halt to federal spending going to put a halt  to the assistance to firefighter grant program. It’s been a year to year funding for this program Could this be an end, better get your information in line for applying this year as it may be the last year for the AFG????

LODD

USFA Firefighter Fatalities (1)

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Batesville, AR Henry Sandy of the Northside Volunteer Fire Department in Batesville, AR has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2010-01-26

Firefighter Sandy was working water supply and pumper operations at the scene of a residential structure fire when he collapsed from an apparent heart attack moments after refueling one of the motors. Firefighters and other responders worked to resuscitate Firefighter Sandy, but he succumbed to his injury. Incident Location: 2516 E Main ST, Batesville, AR 72503

FIRE SPRINKLER INCENTIVE ACT INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-2947
On January 22nd, Senators Tom Carper (DE) and Susan Collins (ME) introduced the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act in the Senate.  This bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to classify automatic fire sprinkler systems as 5-year property for purposes of depreciation.  The bill, S. 2947, was referred to the Senate Finance Committee for consideration.  Both Senator Carper and Senator Collins are co-chairs of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. 
"Senator Carper and Senator Collins are to be commended for introducing the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act in the Senate," said CFSI Executive Director Bill Webb.  "Passage of this legislation can have a significant impact in reducing the number of deaths and injuries caused by fire."
On February 25, 2009, Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-2) introduced similar legislation, H.R. 1194, in the House of Representatives.  The House version currently has 111 co-sponsors and was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

111th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 2947

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to classify automatic fire sprinkler systems as 5-year property for purposes of depreciation.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 22, 2010

Mr. CARPER (for himself and Ms. COLLINS) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance

---

A BILL

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to classify automatic fire sprinkler systems as 5-year property for purposes of depreciation.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act of 2010’.

SEC. 2. CLASSIFICATION OF AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS.

(a) In General- Subparagraph (B) of section 168(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to 5-year property) is amended by striking ‘and’ at the end of clause (vi), by striking the period at the end of clause (vii) and inserting ‘, and’, and by adding at the end the following:

‘(viii) any automated fire sprinkler system placed in service after April 11, 2003, in a building or structure which was placed in service before such date.’.

(b) Alternative System- The table contained in section 168(g)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after the item relating to subparagraph (B)(vii) the following:

7’.

(c) Definition of Automatic Fire Sprinkler System- Subsection (i) of section 168 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

‘(20) AUTOMATED FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM- The term ‘automated fire sprinkler system’ means those sprinkler systems classified under one or more of the following publications of the National Fire Protection Association--

‘(A) NFPA 13, Installation of Sprinkler Systems,

‘(B) NFPA 13 D, Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One and Two Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes, and

‘(C) NFPA 13 R, Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies up to and Including Four Stories in Height.’.

(d) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to property placed in service after April 11, 2003.

(e) Waiver of Limitations- If refund or credit of any overpayment of tax resulting from the amendments made by this section is prevented at any time before the close of the 1-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act by the operation of any law or rule of law (including res judicata), such refund or credit may nevertheless be made or allowed if claim therefor is filed before the close of such period.

Updates Trade Site

The virtual trading post has been improved, see the below announcement and the link to the site. I have used this site for years for useful training materials.

VIRTUAL TRADING POST

“NEW AND IMPROVED”

The VIRTUAL TRADING POST SYSTEM now allows you to search for material by key word(so).  Check it out!  Go to Louisiana State University Fire and Emergency Training Institute's NAB TRADE page: http://feti.lsu.edu/trade/  and access it there.

NOTICE**********NOTICE*************NOTICE************NOTICE

This is a new web address for the Virtual Trading Post.  If you had it bookmarked, delete your old bookmark, go to this new page and bookmark the new page.

Click here to browse the TRADE CDs

Important Links:

1. *USFA/NFA TRADE Site

2. *Subscribe to TRADENET via an automated email subscription service

3. *Access the TRADE WebBoard

4. *For additional information or to submit questions for the weekly TRADENET: Email Robert.W.Campbell@dhs.gov

Interesting - Backdraft caught on tape

As posted to You tube - A Baltimore fire official says five firefighters were injured battling a blaze at a row house.
MD Baltimore N. East Ave Fire Department spokesman Chief Kevin Cartwright says when firefighters arrived at the row house on North East Avenue around 6 a.m. Friday they found heavy smoke and fire coming from the basement spreading to the first floor.
Cartwright says one firefighter suffered a first-degree burn and may have fractured his arm. He was taken to Bayview Burn Center, where he is listed in stable condition.
Four more firefighters with less serious injuries were taken to other hospitals and are also in stable condition.
Cartwright says it took about a half hour to control the blaze and the cause is under investigation. He says its not yet clear whether anyone was home when the fire broke out.

Update 1/20/2010 Very eye opening video in slow-mo

Posted on You Tube the video in SLOW MOTION

That will never happen, Reminder, know your vehicle

Responding Tanker Flips

You may think that this vehicle, (fire apparatus) is too heavy to roll, here is another example of how vehicle dynamic play a part in the response of the vehicle if it’s not operated in a proper manor. Speed verses curve = Watch video - another from Flashover TV

A 2001 fire at a rally car event in Argentina led a water tanker to respond, but the driver turns too quickly and crashes into a victim and two cars.

FlashoverTV is powered by FireRescue1.com

Remember Ladder placement can be important

California FD’s Love their wooden ladders, guess there are pulses and minuses on your use of either wood or aluminum. Aluminum can also fail when exposed to heat, as least with wood you can see how much of it has burned away. Close call here for two FF’s, ladder was placed upwind of the the window but the fire grew fast and still reached the ladder. Two lucky FF’s on the roof made a hasty retreat when conditions worsened at the this structure fire.  Video from Flashover TV

Ladder Burns - Close Call

Firefighters use a ladder to reach the roof and ventilate, but fire spreads to the ladder and starts burning it before they can get down.
FlashoverTV is powered by FireRescue1.com

LODD – Two reported from USFA

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Union, MS

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Jerry Thompson of the Linwood Volunteer Fire Department in Union, MS has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2010-01-14 While at the scene of a structure fire, Firefighter Thompson collapsed. CPR efforts were started immediately by firefighters on-scene and Firefighter Thompson was transported by LifeCare EMS to Laird Hospital where he succumbed to an apparent heart attack. Incident Location: Road 262 in Neshoba County

 

Joseph Mack McCafferty, Lancaster, Ohio 01/16/2010 Lieutenant McCafferty was incident commander at the scene of a residential structure fire when he collapsed on the fire ground and later succumbed to an apparent stroke.

House Lights Up Gary Indiana – Why do you need a charged line?

V.E.S.?

From You Tube Post Crews were dispatched to a reported still alarm in the 2300 block of Massachusetts, on arrival Battalion 4 advised of a working fire in a 2 story dwelling at the corner of 24th and Massachusetts. Engine 12 brought in the hydrant and Truck 4 started opening the building. As firefighters made entry the interior flashed and they made it out by the sin on their behinds. An aggressive attack was made and the roof was opened. Nobody was hurt at the fire scene. Excellent job and everyone went home. Much love to GFD 

Initial Fire ground Assignments for Structural Fires:

1. Establishment of a reliable water supply
2. Initiate an effective and hard hitting fire attack
3. Ventilate the structure for either fire attack or rescue
4. Conduct a primary search of the structure to find savable victims.

Fire in the United States Now Available from USFA

USFA Press Office: (301) 447-1853

WASHINGTON – United States Fire Administrator Kelvin J. Cochran announced today the availability of the fifteenth edition of Fire in the United States. This edition of Fire in the United States covers the 5-year period from 2003 to 2007, with a primary focus on 2007. The purpose of the report is to aid the fire service, local leadership, and the general public with fire loss information which may be used to set priorities, establish and evaluate specific fire programs, and serve as a guide for fire data analyses at state and local levels of government.

“Since the inception of the United States Fire Administration in 1974, we have endeavored to provide the fire and emergency services the data it needs to combat the fire problem which still exists in the country. This fifteenth edition of the Fire in the United States will emphasize the areas which still need improvement so we may continue to reduce the nation’s fire losses, especially deaths and injuries.”

U.S. Fire Administrator, Kelvin J. Cochran

The report focuses on the national fire problem and provides an overview of fires and losses in buildings, vehicles and other mobile properties, and other properties. The report also examines fire and fire loss trends, fire casualties by population characteristics, and fire cause profiles by property type. Detailed analyses of the residential and nonresidential building fire problems will be published as stand-alone reports.

Fire in the United States is a statistical overview of fires in the United States, focusing on the latest year in which data were available at the time of preparation. The primary source of data is the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), along with data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), State Fire Marshals’ offices, U.S. Census Bureau, and the Consumer Price Index.

Fire in the United States may be downloaded from the Statistics section of the USFA’s Web site. Printed copies are expected to be available at a later date.

Interesting - Backdraft caught on tape

As posted to You tube - A Baltimore fire official says five firefighters were injured battling a blaze at a row house.
MD Baltimore N. East Ave Fire Department spokesman Chief Kevin Cartwright says when firefighters arrived at the row house on North East Avenue around 6 a.m. Friday they found heavy smoke and fire coming from the basement spreading to the first floor.
Cartwright says one firefighter suffered a first-degree burn and may have fractured his arm. He was taken to Bayview Burn Center, where he is listed in stable condition.
Four more firefighters with less serious injuries were taken to other hospitals and are also in stable condition.
Cartwright says it took about a half hour to control the blaze and the cause is under investigation. He says its not yet clear whether anyone was home when the fire broke out.

Today is the the 115th anniversary of Butte`s Great Explosion.

It was about five minutes before ten o`clock on the night of January 15, 1895, that an alarm of fire was turned in from what has since come to be known as “Fateful Box 72,” located at the corner of Utah Avenue and Iron street. When the Central station appratus reached the scene of the fire the flames were bursting through the roof of the Kenyon-Connell warehouse. Then came the first great death dealing explosion. The exact time of its occurrence is given as eight minutes after ten, just thirteen minutes from the sounding of the alarm. More to read at Butte public library 

 

What?

Just goes to show you never know what kind of response you will be called for.

Southampton man cut free after getting penis stuck in steel pipe

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/4838562.Trapped_manhood_cut_free_by_grinder/
A MAN who got his genitalia stuck in a steel pipe had to be cut free by eight firefighters using an industrial grinder.

The heavy duty cutting gear had to be used to remove the three-inch long hollow pipe after medics were unable to release it.

The painstaking operation, which involved eight firefighters, took around an hour.

The drama began after the man took himself to the accident and emergency department of Southampton General Hospital.

Restricted blood flow had left the man in a state of arousal, and unable to remove the pipe.

Staff there were so concerned that they phoned the emergency services and a crew from Redbridge Fire Station were initially dispatched.

But they had to bring in backup from St Mary’s station which has a fire truck equipped with specialist cutting gear.

A disc gutter cutter, with a four-and-a-half-inch blade, was used to slice open the stainless steel pipe.

The man, in his 30s, offered no explanation for his predicament but was said to be “quite concerned and anxious”. He had been given an anaesthetic to prepare for the procedure.

St Mary’s crew manager Adrian Johnson said: “It was a very delicate operation. We did not want anything heating up.

The person who did it deserves a commendation for his nerve and steady hand.”

Meanwhile, watch manager Greg Garrett from Redbridge station added: “I’ve only come across this type of thing three or four times in my 17 years as a firefighter. It’s not a daily occurrence.”

The man’s private parts were left bruised and swollen.

In The News

For first time, no fire deaths reported in St. Paul last year  MinnPost.com - City officials say public education about fire dangers and safety techniques, along with inspections and better fire-fighting methods, helped in the effort. ...

Number Of Fire Deaths Drop In Minnesota KEYC - City fire marshal Steve Zaccard credits the department's rapid response time and aggressive firefighting tactics.He also credits the drop to a decline in ...

Closer Look: Firefighting training Fox11online.com - There are many unanswered questions about what caused a deadly explosion last week in St. Anna but other fire professionals are saying the St. Anna Fire ...

Firefighters find more than 700 pot plants when responding to house blaze San Jose Mercury News - When crews arrived, firefighters saw white smoke seeping out of the eaves and vents of the two-story home. The fire was burning in one of the bedrooms and a ...

VIDEO, STORY: Fire destroys Crafter's Village LaSalle News Tribune - "Although a response is not necessary, I applaud Ladd Fire Department for upholding the brotherhood of fire fighters and reminding the readers of the ...

Firefighters put out corn-cob-pile blaze in St. Joseph Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette - Darren Franzen of Franzen Construction, which owns the property, said he called 911 after noticing the 4000-ton corn-cob pile on fire. When firefighters ...

Fires in the News

Fire at Crafter's Village in Peru, Illinois.

VIDEO, STORY: Clients mourn loss of Crafter's Village‎ - Minutes later it was a raging battle between fire and throngs of firefighters and hoses. No one was inside Crafter's Village in Peru when it went up in ... LaSalle News Tribune - 5 related articles »

Man pleads not guilty to setting deadly Mass. fire
27 fire in Northampton that killed a man and his son. (AP Photo/The Republican, Mark M. Murray) (Mark M. Murray - AP) By STEPHEN SINGER The Associated Press ...

Chicago plane crash at Chicago Executive Airport‎ -

A LearJet cargo plane has crashed near Chicago Executive Airport in ... into a forest preserve surrounding the Des Plaines River just south of the airport. ...

3 die in fire at Detroit house where residents were illegally accessing ...
DETROIT (AP) — A fire swept through a two-story home early Tuesday, killing three people who had been illegally accessing electricity to power space heaters ...

Main St. buildings destroyed in Durand fire
The fire reportedly began in the Main Street Cafe and Grill at 11 pm Sunday and spread via the roof to Cottage Hill Floral and Frame and to Toni's Interiors ...

Fires cause increase in Red Cross need
By David Unze • dunze@stcloudtimes.com • January 5, 2010 Fires kept the American Red Cross Central Minnesota Chapter busy in December, and an apartment fire ...

State Fire Marshal urges extra fire precautions
Jordan Independent
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal Division is warning Minnesotans to be extra careful in light of two recent residential fires ...
See all stories on this topic

Fatal Fires Decrease In Milwaukee
WISN.com
MILWAUKEE -- One day after the first fire fatality of the year, Milwaukee's fire department announced a decrease in overall fire deaths in the city. ...
See all stories on this topic

Possible space heater fire signals danger
by Katie Moore / Eyewitness News NEW ORLEANS -- As temperatures drop below freezing, many fire up their space heaters to keep warm. ...

Three separate Sunday night fires cause more than $1 million in ...
Fires burned at three different homes in Columbus Sunday night, causing more than $1 million in damages, fire officials said.
Ledger-Enquirer.com: News - http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/index.rss

Ohio Fires Already Kill 9 In 2010 | WBNS-10TV, Central Ohio News
Spokesman Shane Cartmill in the Ohio fire marshal's office said the number is a concern. He said there were just two fire fatalities in the state during the first week of last year. Cartmill says all the fatal fires since New Year's Day ...
10tv.com: RSS - http://www.10tv.com/live/content/

Just goes to show

The Orlando Sentinel is reporting this fire ,and  WFTV  in Florida has this incident to report

Dozens of residents at an Ocoee condominium complex lost everything they owned in a fire that may have been sparked by a suicidal neighbor. Full Story ››
AT THE SCENE: Images Of Destructive Flames
VIDEO REPORT: Suicide May Have Sparked Fire

You never know what you will find on the scene. Every scene is a possible crime scene, Be aware of your scene, it’s like writing a report: Who, What, When, Where, and How set your mind on record, should add to the priorities, Life safety, incident stabilization, property conservation, and documentation CYA (cover your ass). http://www.wftv.com/video/22130634/ This goes back to the problem with helmet cameras, is what you recorded now evidence in a criminal investigation, is your cameras memory card going to be taken into evidence. Do you think that the helmet camera, along with pocket cameras may come to ahead in 2010? Will there be some definitive rulings this year for fire fighters helmet cams this year?

Fires in the news

Fire At Vacant House Spreads Next Door - Jackson News Story - WAPT ...
HINDS COUNTY, Miss. -- Firefighters in Hinds County were busy battling blazes overnight. Monday, January 4, 2010.
WAPT.com - Local New - http://www.wapt.com/news/

Firefighters at the scene of three business fires in Durand
Crews say the fire started at the Main Street Grill and spread to two other businesses.
WEAU - HomePage - Headlines - http://www.weau.com/?q=http://www.evilaliv3.org%2F

Fires deadly around Ohio: Toll at 9 four days into 2010 ...
By Associated Press
Cartmill says all the fatal fires since New Year's Day remain under investigation. He says there are few common threads, though in many of the cases there were no working smoke detectors. ...
Chronicle-Telegram - http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/

Red Cross: Holiday weekend fires displace 33 in Phila. | Philadelphia Inquirer ...
Philadelphia Inquirer
By Inquirer Staff At least 33 people were forced from their homes by fires in Philadelphia over the New Year's Day weekend, the American Red Cross says. ...

Neighbors: Deadly fire was 'murder,' ignited by bomb
Seattle Post Intelligencer
TACOMA - A raging house fire that killed a woman and left her husband fighting for his life began with a deafening explosion in the middle of the night that ...

9 are treated for injuries after Fort Belvoir, Lake Barcroft, Glen Burnie fires
Washington Post
By Martin Weil Three people were taken to hospitals Sunday after two fires in Fairfax County, one near Fort Belvoir and the other in the Lake Barcroft area, ...

Methanol Hazards

Here is another source for some info:

 

The Emergency Management and Response--Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) examined the Methanol Safe Handling Manual (PDF, 918.7 Kb) published by the Methanol Institute. According to the Methanol Institute, the manual was designed to be a resource for current information on methanol's properties, potential environmental and health and safety hazards, safe handling practices, emergency response procedures, fire safety, and risk communication. 
Known as "wood alcohol," methanol is a clear, flammable liquid with a faintly sweet pungent odor. Methanol occurs naturally and is produced synthetically. It is used in multiple products including plastics, paint, construction materials, as well as fuel in some race cars, monster trucks, go-carts, and model planes, boats, and cars. In addition, methanol is utilized for denitrification (i.e., nitrogen removal) in municipal wastewater treatment plants and can also be used as turbine fuel for electric power generation. 
Ingestion can cause irreversible injury to the nervous system, blindness or death. Methanol causes eye, respiratory system, and skin irritation. The manual explains that methanol fires generate less heat, have nearly invisible flames in daylight, and produce very little smoke. Considering the risks, first responders may find the Methanol Material Safety Data Sheet (PDF, 33.4 Kb) a quick reference and companion to the Methanol Safe Handling Manual. 
The EMR-ISAC confirmed that the Methanol Institute is offering a free DVD that can be another resource for training. The DVD discusses basic physical components, key risks of handling methanol, ways to minimize exposure, fire and release into the environment, and event response. For general operating procedures, first responders can also refer to the Emergency Response Guidebook, guide #131.

Didn’t take long to start off 2010 on a bad note 1st LODD for the year

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Wichita, KS

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Urban A. Eck of the Wichita Fire Department in Wichita, KS has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 01/02/2010 .

While operating at the scene of a working fire incident, Captain Eck was not feeling well and reported to the Rehab Sector where his vital signs were irregular and did not return to normal. Eck subsequently worked one more shift during which he responded to several incidents before going to a doctor after reporting that he still did not feel well. Although the doctor hospitalized him, Captain Eck later passed away after surgery from complications associated with an undisclosed cardiac problem.

Also from firefighter close calls

KS FF LODD (The Secret List)

Sunday, January 3, 2010

KANSAS FIRE CAPTAIN DIES IN THE LINE OF DUTY
It is with deep regret that we advise you of the Line of Duty Death of Fire Captain Urban A. Eck of the Wichita, Kansas FD. Captain Eck, who was a 27 year veteran of the Wichita (Kansas) FD was operating at the scene of a 2nd alarm working fire incident approximately one week ago. 
When Captain Eck reported to the Rehab Sector his vital signs were irregular and did not return to normal.  He subsequently worked one more shift, in which he responded to several incidents before going to a doctor after reporting that he still did not feel well.  The doctor hospitalized him.
Captain Eck later died after surgery from complications associated with an undisclosed cardiac problem. Our sincere condolences to all affected. Additional details will be available HERE: http://www.ksffa.com/
www.FirefIghterCloseCalls.com

2009, U.S. Fire Administration LODD Notices

In 2009 the USFA reported 93 deaths all the notices can be found here. Numbers down, but still too many.

Publications (Free Order)

Firefighter Fatality Retrospective Study 1990-2000

They walk among us...

Not mine, but interesting none the less, received via email, been around and started the new year off right. Makes you think?

IDIOT  SIGHTING:
We had to have the garage  door repaired. The Sears repairman told us that one of our problems  was that we did not have a 'large' enough motor on the opener. I thought for a minute, and said that we had the largest one Sears  made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower. He shook his head and said,  "Lady, you need a 1/4 horsepower." I responded that 1/2 was larger  than 1/4. He said, "NO, it's not..
Four is larger than two..."
We  haven't used Sears repair since.
IDIOT  SIGHTING:
My daughter and I went  through the McDonald's take-out window and I gave the clerk a $5  bill. Our total was $4.25, so I also handed her a quarter. She said, "You gave me too much money." I said, "Yes I know, but this way you  can just give me a dollar bill back." She sighed and went to get the  manager who asked me to repeat my request. I did so, and he handed  me back the quarter, and said "We're sorry but we cannot do that  kind of thing." The clerk then proceeded to give me back $1 and 75  cents in change..
Do not confuse the clerks at  McDonald's.
IDIOT  SIGHTING:
I live in a semi rural area.  We recently had a new neighbor call the local
township  administrative office to request the removal of the DEER CROSSING sign  on our road. The reason: "Too many deer are being hit by cars out  here! I don't think this is a good place for them to be crossing  anymore."
From Kingman , KS .
IDIOT SIGHTING IN FOOD  SERVICE:
My daughter went to a local  Taco Bell and ordered a taco. She asked the person behind the  counter for 'minimal lettuce.' He said he was sorry, but they only had iceberg lettuce.
From Kansas City
IDIOT  SIGHTING:
I was at the airport,  checking in at the gate when an airport employee asked, "Has anyone  put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?" To which I replied, "If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?" He  smiled knowingly and nodded, "That's why we ask."
Happened in   Birmingham ,   Ala.
IDIOT SIGHTING:
The  stoplight on the corner buzzes when it's safe to cross the street. I was crossing with an intellectually challenged coworker of mine. She  asked if I knew what the buzzer was for. I explained that it signals  blind people when the light is red. Appalled, she responded, "What  on earth are blind people doing driving?!"
She was a probation  officer in Wichita ,   KS
IDIOT SIGHTING:
We were  having a good-bye luncheon for an old and dear coworker, as she was leaving the company due to 'downsizing' Our manager commented  cheerfully, "This is fun. We should do this more often." Not another  word was spoken. We all just looked at each other with that  deer-in-the-headlights stare.
This was a lunch at Texas  Instruments.
IDIOT  SIGHTING:
I work with an individual who plugged her  power strip back into itself and for the sake of her life, couldn't  understand why her system would not turn on. A deputy with the  Dallas County Sheriff's office, no less.
IDIOT SIGHTING:
When my  husband and I arrived at an automobile dealership to pick up our car, we were told the keys had been locked in it. We went to the service  department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the  driver side door. As I watched from the passenger side, I  instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that it was  unlocked. "Hey," I announced to the technician, "It's open!" His reply, "I know. I already got that side.
This was at the Ford  dealership in Canton , MS  (NO WONDER FORD'S IN  TROUBLE!)
IDIOT  SIGHTINGS:
When I left Hawaii and was transferred to   Miami , Florida   , I still had the Hawaiian  plates on my car, as my car was shipped from Hawaii . I was  parking somewhere (I can't remember) and a Latino guy asked me "Wow,  you drove from Hawaii to here?" I looked at him and  quickly said "Yep. I took the  Hawaii/San Francisco Bridge". He  nodded his head and said, "Cool"!

STAY ALERT! They walk among us...