Two LODD, still Two too many

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Belmont, NC

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Richard Adam Miller of the Belmont Fire Department in Belmont, NC has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-12-29

Initial Summary:  
Incident Description: Firefighter Miller collapsed while on duty at the Belmont Fire Department headquarters station, reportedly while participating in physical fitness training activities. Belmont firefighters immediately began resuscitative efforts and Firefighter Miller was transported to Gaston Memorial Hospital where he later passed away. Investigation continues into the cause and type of fatal injury resulting in Firefighter Miller's death. Incident Location: 301 Keener BLVD, Belmont, NC 28012 (USNG: 17S MU 9654 9910)  

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Plymouth, UT

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Craig C. Starr of the Plymouth Fire Department in Plymouth, UT has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-12-24

Initial Summary:  
Fire Chief Starr passed away from an apparent heart attack while working an EMS incident.  

Really- We are still doing this?

RESPONDING APPARATUS ROLLS OVER IN TENNESSEE  from Firefighter Close Calls

Monday, December 28, 2009  This is one more of MANY responding apparatus incidents over the last few days. In the latest incident, this one in Tennessee yesterday, 4 Firefighters were injured when their engine rolled over. The apparatus rolled over when the White House Community Volunteer Firefighters hit a ditch on their way to another crash. The truck lodged into a muddy shoulder before rollover over. No word yet on their use of seatbelts but the Firefighters suffered cracked ribs, cuts, bruises and scrapes. Our best for a rapid recovery.
SLOW DOWN - BUCKLE UP

SERIOUSLY!

More stories

HERE at Fire Fighter Close calls

 

LODD

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Douglasville, GA

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Paul D. Holmes of the Douglas County Fire Department in Douglasville, GA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-12-26

Incident Description: Firefighter Holmes was responding to a vehicle fire with injuries when the fire department rescue in which he was riding reportedly was struck by a privately owned vehicle that they were attempting to pass; according to news accounts, the rescue vehicle rolled several times, ejecting Holmes. Firefighter Holmes was transported by medivac helicopter to a Level-I trauma center where he was reported to be in stable condition, however, his condition worsened and he subsequently passed away from his injuries. Investigation into the incident continues by the Georgia State Police. Incident Location: Annewakee Road

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Wellsboro, PA

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Clair Melvin Pierce of the Wellsboro Fire Department in Wellsboro, PA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-12-26

Initial Summary: Firefighter Pierce passed away at home after responding to a series of EMS and fire calls. The cause and nature of Firefighter Pierce's fatal injury are still to be reported.

Thwarted Attack

Market Watch is reporting Aboard an Airbus 330 carrying 278 passengers, a suspected attacker identified as Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab set off an explosive mixture that was not powerful enough to force down the plane, Associated Press reported. Mutallab said he was acting on instructions from al-Qaida, which wanted him to destroy a plane in U.S. airspace, the AP reported. Also story atNew York Daily News

 

More UPDATE 12/27/2009

Link HERE -  DETROIT - Passengers on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 knew something was very wrong when they saw flight attendants running for fire extinguishers. Then they smelled the smoke.

LODD

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Dante, VA

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Bobby Joe Mullins of the Dante Volunteer Fire Department in Dante, VA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-12-20

Initial Summary:  
While working a vehicle fire, Assistant Chief Mullins became ill. He was treated and transported to the emergency room. Mullins was then transferred to a trauma center but passed away soon after arriving of sudden cardiac arrest.

Free Training resource - Recognizing 8 Signs of Terrorism

  A 9-minute video put out by the Denver-based Center for Empowered Living and Learning (CELL) is an excellent introduction to training staff about spotting the kinds of activities terrorists engage in when planning an attack. Called Recognizing 8 Signs of Terrorism, the video was produced with funding from DHS and is available at http://thecell.org/wp/8-signs-of-terrorism-video/  This video provides essential information on how to identify the warning signs and emphasizes the vital role of such assistance in state and local law enforcement’s counterterrorism efforts. With clear and succinct narration and dramatic enactment, the video describes the following eight signs:

• Surveillance: Types of activities terrorists engage in to determine security levels at a facility.

• Elicitation: Methods terrorists will use to acquire information about a facility.

• Tests of Security: Terrorist will stage tests, such as entering a restricted area, to determine how a facility responds.

• Funding: Awareness of unusual transactions such as large donations to fictitious charities.

• Acquiring supplies: In addition to weapons, transportation, and communication systems, terrorists may engage in less obvious activities, such as stealing uniforms.

• Impersonation: Impersonation of law enforcement personnel or facility staff should raise red flags.

• Rehearsal: Describes signs of terrorists conducting dry runs of attacks.

• Deployment: If none of the previous signs have been picked up, an ongoing terrorist attack can sometimes be spotted before the target is hit.

Managers should work closely with state and local law enforcement to be aware of any risks specific to their areas. But advice in the CELL video will hold true wherever you operate.

http://safety.blr.com/news.aspx?id=114887

CBS Early Show to Air Home Fire Sprinkler Segment

The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) has been working with the CBS Early Show and Danny Lipford to prepare a fire safety/fire sprinkler segment that will air this Wednesday, December 23rd, 7 to 9 a.m. This will be a live segment in a home in LaGrange Park, IL, with fire sprinklers protecting the living room. Two weeks ago, the HFSC taped a house fire without sprinklers in Brentwood, TN. That tape will be shown first, then CBS will go live to demonstrate how sprinklers would have made a difference.

Danny Lipford

Host Of "Today's Homeowner"

By Rome Neal

 

(CBS) Danny Lipford, the host of "Today's Homeowner," is a regular contributor to The Early Show. His down-to-earth approach and extensive experience in all aspects of remodeling makes him one of the most sought-after voices in home improvement.
Lipford's interest in home improvement began when he was just 9 years old. While in third grade, he bought his first electric jigsaw from a mail-order catalog with allowance money he had saved. He put his natural curiosity into building shelves for his room, a tree house and an endless list of projects around his parent’s home. As he grew older, Lipford even remodeled a log cabin that his father had built for him and his brothers as a playhouse when they were younger. The former playhouse soon became Danny Lipford’s first workshop.
He started his remodeling business when he was just 21 years old. His company, Lipford Construction, soon became one of the most respected remodeling companies in the southeast. In the beginning days of his business, Lipford and one helper did all of the work on his jobsites, from digging footings and pouring slabs to general plumbing and electrical installations. After years of experience and a proven track record, Danny became a Certified Graduate Remodelor, as designated by the National Association of Home Builders Remodelors Council. He has received numerous awards including, “Builder of the Year,” “National Remodeler of the Month,” and has been voted into the “Big 50” of the remodeling industry.

Ventilation – It goes where you let it

Posted to YouTube December 15, 2009 A more coordinated operation should have prevented this. This is a video of a structure fire in which a firefighter vented purportedly on their own which led to a room flashing with firefighters still inside the structure. Would make a good video of how not to do it for training. Pretty dramatic footage with example of what happen when the fire get a good foothold and then oxygen. I have no info on whether the FF inside were injured.

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.

ISO is not dead

It always seemed that depending on who you talked to in the insurance area that they may of may not use the ISO rating system, and that it seems that they were not following the ISO rating. The ISO, or Insurance Services Office as it’s commonly called, has started to give some thought to a new era of connection to the fire and emergency services and the communities it serves. They are in the process of completing a much-needed upgrade of its Fire Suppression Rating Schedule. Has it been too many years since the rating system had been revised? Having been though and involved in the testing I say it has, you had to attend a seminar and ask questions just to understand the basic rating schedule.

The new rating system recognizes accredited departments and will include recognition of a science-based standard of cover measuring a department’s operational performance in time-based fractile percentages, where sufficient data exists, or use of the traditional distance-based method of coverage. The system provides points of credit for fire prevention, an updated technology section and many other improvements.

It seems that there may a new level of cooperation with today’s fire and emergency service management. ISO has invited key players to review and provide feedback on the draft of the new rating schedule, they will conduct beta testing to ensure the changes can be practically implemented and are committed to improving and updating the rating system regularly. ISO has also been investigating easy access to fire chiefs’ to the immense ISO database to help the chiefs do their jobs in planning and response.

Seems that the change is finally coming to this sometime underrated system. Hopefully it will not again be fulltime department oriented, and give the consideration to small struggling departments too. Go to their  revisions web page to see Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS) updates proposals. There is a list of potential modifications and additions to the current FSRS. Good or bad you be the judge? You will be the one dealing with them.

Talk about Weird?

Fifty needles found in Brazil toddler

from BBC News

A Brazilian toddler has up to 50 sewing needles inside him, which doctors suspect were deliberately inserted. There were no signs of wounds on the boy, doctors said. The two-year-old boy was taken to hospital by his mother. X-rays revealed the needles, including one in his lung.

LODD

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Shreveport, LA

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Tommy Lee Adams of the Shreveport Fire Department in Shreveport, LA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-02-21 Chief Adams fell from a fire department ladder truck following the Crew of Gemini Mardi Gras parade earlier this year. At the end of the parade route, the fire trucks pulled to the side of the road to secure any loose empty boxes that held beads or cups. While clearing debris and boxes from the ladder truck, Adams fell approximately 10 feet, landing head first on the concrete roadway. Chief Adams' heart stopped and CPR was performed. Chief Adams was transported to Willis Knighton Pierremont hospital where he regained a heart rate, and his condition was listed as critical. He suffered fractures to his cervical (neck) spine and was placed on a breathing machine. In early March, Chief Adams was transferred to a rehab facility in Atlanta, Georgia. Chief Adams had been in a relative state of a coma since sustaining debilitating injuries as a result of this accident and passed away on December 12. Incident location: Pending

An aging Fire department

NVFC :: Home

NFPA Report Shows Dangerous Aging Trend in Firefighters Protecting Small Communities. For the first time since the National Fire Protection Association ...
www.nvfc.org/ 

NFPA Report Shows Dangerous Aging Trend in Firefighters Protecting Small Communities ... more »

Reported LODD from NC

Chief Jimmy Davis of White Oak Fire Department Dies in Line of Duty

from Firefighter Hourly web site. No link on the Federal LODD notice site yet

Jimmy Davis was serving the community when he left his house to respond to a fire call around 0655. He briefly returned home to get something before heading back to the call but collapsed. Family members found him next to his truck. He died in the line of duty.

White Oak operates in Onslow County, North Carolina. The department is located in the town of Maysville.

LODD

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Mount Carmel, PA

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Gary F. Neidig, Jr. of the Mount Carmel Volunteer Fire Department in Mount Carmel, PA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-12-04

Shortly after clearing the scene of a mutual aid call, a motor vehicle accident with confinement and injuries, Fire Police Officer Neidig fell ill from a cause still to be determined. Neidig was transported to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Incident Location: Coal Township on the Excelsior Highway near the Mount Carmel Township Border Line

LODD

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Dix Hills, NY

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Walter Hessling of the Dix Hills Volunteer Fire Department in Dix Hills, NY has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-11-21

Incident Description: On November 21, 2009, Firefighter Hessling responded to motor vehicle accident call at 1033 hours and subsequently, after clearing the scene, suffered a stroke at 1554 hours. Firefighter Hessling passed away several days later due to complications from that medical emergency. Incident Location: Deer Park Ave and Macniece Pl (USNG: 18T XL 3987 1745).

Late Again

We have been traveling and limited internet access, so that’s why you have not seen an post for the last week.  I will make it up, I have gotten some emails that are well worth passing along. So here is this weeks Uncle jay Explains. this week he  reports on Groups going gaga for Sarah! Globe goes green in Copenhagen! Gitmo goons go to Gotham! Tiger doesn't go anywhere. Uncle Jay explains it all!

 

And here is last weeks installment of Uncle Jay -

Those people sneaked into the White House and met President Obama, but now they have to return the 400 billion dollars he gave them. The system works! And Tiger Woods landed one in the water, which was unfortunately inside a fire hydrant. Uncle Jay explains it all!