Preface
At the start of 2009 I began a deeper look into the statistics that make up our line of duty deaths. One reason was to see in greater detail what firefighters are dying of and how. A second reason was to begin an honest and respectful look at what is both technically and culturally considered line of duty by the American fire service. To help understand the second half of the 2009 data, readers should review the articles from earlier this year. Readers should also note that the investigative reports do not exist for every 2009 fatality. Knowledge gained from those reports may affect the information interpreted below. (more…)
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Heads up folks, change is coming.
Boston, October 1998
CBS 48 Hours comes to town and catches a nine-alarm fire at 85 Essex Street, a six-brick vacant.
Leo Stapleton was the Commissioner at the time.
Two water mains were shut off for construction and oh yeah, there were fireworks inside as well. (more…)
The premier broadcast of Firefighter Netcast will be discussing line of duty deaths. In the little bit of time between idea conception and maiden flight, Fire Critic and Fire Daily have put together what promises to be a intelligent program, even if it didn’t include me. And as a disclaimer, if it bombs, I’ll take the blame; give the guys a second chance and listen to the next program when it comes out. (more…)
Firefighters untangle hoses in front of a three alarm fire on East Seventh Street in South Boston. (Photo by Jim Mahoney)
This morning (11 January) a three-alarm fire struck a apartment house in Boston’s South End on East Seventh Street. Fire on the second floor extended into the attic. A frozen hydrant caused a slight delay and three firefighters suffered minor injuries. (more…)
Salisbury (MD) firefighters prepare to advance a hoseline at this residential basement fire. (Cliff Shockley/FITHP)
The 30-Second Drill is to provide a brief drill/discussion subject that can take no more than 30 seconds to read and reply to. (more…)
Herbert Portillo ran out of his home with his mother and father. A neighbor gave him a jacket to keep him warm. (Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff)
On Saturday, fire out the rear basement of a three-decker in east Boston went to the attic and exposures, prompting the chiefs to strike four alarms. The homes on Princeton Street sit relatively close to one another. (more…)
I usually don’t post many news items, instead I save them for the pros (Geezer and STATter), especially when it involves subjects of a risque nature. However two news items came across the screen at Firefighter Nation that are worth sharing. The economy is tough all over. Many of you are facing furloughs, reduced staffing and station closures. Pinching pennies and trimming costs are causing all of us to seek new sources of income. As FireGeezer shared many months ago, advertising space on fire apparatus is beginning to be more apparent. Now, in Indiana, what started as a community improvement by the people behind Kentucky Fried Chicken, has evolved into a ad war with PETA. (more…)
The first multiple of the new year for Boston turned out to be a third-alarm in District 9, in Roxbury. (more…)
Two Modesto Fire Department firefighters were injured while fighing a blaze in the 2300 block of Colston Avenue in Modesto, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 1, 2010. (Brian Clark/bclark@modbee.com)
Late last night, two Modesto firefighters were burned after falling through the roof of a private dwelling while performing truck company operations. The two firefighters had gone to the roof for vertical ventilation during a fire that had started in the garage. A mayday was issued and the two firefighters were located, removed and turned over to EMS on the scene. (more…)
Damage to this three-decker under construction on Sigourney Street that was hit by fire yesterday was estimated at around $100,000. Two firefighters were injured, one seriously. (John Tlumacki/ Globe Staff)
Communication on the fireground has been an interest of mine for some time. It is a key subject when studying firefighter behavior, not only for what is said but how.
One of my favorite memories from my experience in Prince George’s County is a house fire in Adelphi. We were out on the squad earlier for a fatal accident and were on the scene waiting for investigators to finish their work. Communications put us on a box alarm for a house fire only a few blocks away from our location. Engine 441 was with us but had a line stretched, so we would be alone for just a minute or so. (more…)
Uncommon Valor
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