Top Stories of 2008

Top News of 2008
While it might not be good news for some folks, we certainly enjoyed ourselves at their expense! Take a look at the most entertaining news stories of 2008 from Firelink.com.

Firefighters Break Down Wrong Door
FF Stops For Burger on Way to Call
FF Resuscitates Cat by Mouth-to-Mouth
Topless FF Busted for Flashing Badge

Todays Headlines

http://daily.firehouse.com/rmgo.asp?tid=869945&eid=744346&sb_id=298172,298172
LODDA longtime New York firefighter collapsed Tuesday while assisting at a crash scene, according to the USFA. The victim was identified as Fire Police Capt. Norm Koch with the East Pembroke Fire Department.
New York Firefighter Collapses, Dies

53 Die in Bangkok Night Club Fire
A fire in a club celebrating the new year has left 53 dead and over 100 injured. The toll could climb as workers finish going through the club. The fire grew quickly, trapping and killing many who arrived to celebrate the start of 2009.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7806658.stm

Murder Charges Filed in Delaware Firefighter's Death
A man allegedly involved in a hit-and-run crash last week that injured a motorcyclist and killed a Delaware City firefighter was charged with murder today.

Eight Brooklyn FF’s Injured A 3-ALARM FIRE IN THE BENSONHURST SECTION of Brooklyn, New York, on Tuesday injured eight firefighers including one seriously when he “rode down” with a collapsing rear wall from the 3rd floor. The firefighter, a member of Ladder 148 who has been with the FDNY for three years, was taken to the hospital for serious, but nonlife-threatening injuries, fire officials said.Initial investigation into the cause is not showing anything suspicious. WCBS-TV has the STORY

Campaign to Contain Blagojevich Hits Roadblocks
The case against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich grows more complicated as events demonstrate that he can't be cowed as easily as U.S. senators and the U.S. attorney prosecuting the case would like.http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2008/12/31/fast-campaign-weaken-blagojevich-hits-roadblocks/

Report: Somali pirates hold 300 mariners
MOSCOW (UPI) -- A new assessment of pirate activity off the coast of Somalia has found that more than 300 mariners are being held hostage, a Russian publication says. Click to Continue...

NIOSH has recently released the following Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation Reports:

NIOSH has recently released the following Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation Reports:
F2007-38
Nov 21, 2007
Fire fighter suffers sudden cardiac death after responding to two calls - Kansas


http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200738.html
F2008-06
Feb 29, 2008
Volunteer fire fighter and trapped resident die and a volunteer lieutenant is injured following a duplex fire – Pennsylvania http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200806.html

F2007-09
Feb 09, 2007
Career probationary fire fighter dies while participating in a live-fire training evolution at an acquired structure – Maryland http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200709.html
F2008-17
Jun 14, 2008
Volunteer assistant chief killed when struck by tractor-trailer while operating at a motor vehicle crash - North Carolina http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200817.html
F2008-27
Jul 23, 2008
Volunteer fire chief dies from injuries received when privately owned vehicle crashes into bay door pinning him against fire tanker – Wisconsin http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200827.html

New WISER

WISER 4.2 is now available!
You may download it from the WISER web site
WebWISER http://webwiser.nlm.nih.gov/Highlights of this version include:
* In WISER for Windows, a substance's protective distance data can now be overlaid on an interactive map: view a substance and press the Map Protective Distances button (Internet connectivity is required. Please see the User's Guide for more details on this feature).
* Transportation criteria (DOT placard, rail car, road trailer) have been added to unknown chemical identification: enter the Help Identify Unknown feature and select the Transport option (not included in WISER for Palm OS).
* Signs/symptoms imagery added to biological agents: view a biological agent and select Medical-->Imagery from the data menu (not included in WISER for Palm OS).
* General data updates and several new substances.
* Printing support added to the ERG tool (WISER for Windows).
* Many more miscellaneous enhancements; see the release notes on the download pages of the web site.

Please note that the dependency WISER for Windows has on the Microsoft .NET Framework has changed from .NET 2.0 to .NET 3.5 Service Pack 1. Additional details are on the download page of the web site. We apologize for any inconvenience this additional install implies, but this enhances our ability to provide you with new features like the protective distance mapping.See the News <http://wiser.nlm.nih.gov/news.html> page of the WISER web site for our future plans. If you have other suggestions or want to influence priorities, please let us know; your feedback is crucial to the future direction of WISER!

Please use the Contact Us <http://wiser.nlm.nih.gov/feedback.html> page of the web site to submit your feedback and ideas or anything else related to WISER.Thank you!
The WISER Team

Nims 700

IS-700.a NIMS An Introduction
EMI has revised and updated the IS-700 course materials.
Please begin using the IS-700.a materials immediately. If you have previously started the IS-700 course and need to take the final exam, you must complete the exam and obtain a passing score before February 13, 2009. After February 13, 2009, the IS 700 exam will no longer be available.
You may complete your exam online by clicking here. If you are completing your final exam for IS 700 via OpScan bubble sheets, they must be postmarked no later than Friday, February 13, 2009.
At this time there are no downloadable materials for IS 700.a but they are forthcoming.

Course Overview
This course introduces and overviews the National Incident Management System (NIMS). NIMS provides a consistent nationwide template to enable all government, private-sector, and nongovernmental organizations to work together during domestic incidents.
Course Objectives
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
Describe the intent of NIMS.
Describe the key concepts and principles underlying NIMS.
Describe the purpose of the NIMS Components including: Preparedness, Communications and Information Management, Resource Management, and Command and Management.
Describe the purpose of the National Integration Center.

Note: This course provides a basic introduction to NIMS. It is not designed to replace Incident Command System and position-specific training.
Primary Audience: Individuals with emergency management responsibilities including prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.
Prerequisites: None
CEUs 0.3
Course Length: The overall length of the course will vary for each individual. IS 700A takes approximately 3 hours.

NIOSH release two new reports

NIOSH has released two fatality investigation reports.
One involved a long-time chief who was killed after being pinned between the bay door and tanker.
The other probe involved an assistant chief who was struck and killed on a North Carolina highway.

On June 14, Verona Volunteer Fire Company Second Assistant Chief Colin Thomas was assisting deputies on a highway when he was killed. Fog combined with smoke from a controlled burn on a military base had reduced visibility to zero.
An Onslow County deputy also was struck and killed by the tractor-trailer.
NIOSH investigators suggested departments establish procedures for parking apparatus along highways. They included a timeline of events and actions of personnel on the scene.

The other recently released report involved the death of Pulaski Tri-County Fire Chief Frank Wichlacz, 76.
He was in the station following a call. A firefighter was attempting to move a pickup truck when it lurched forward and crashed into the bay door.
The chief was pinned between the door and the tanker. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
NIOSH investigators suggested departments develop policies regarding the wearing of rubber boots while operating vehicles.
They also suggested vehicles be parked only in designated spaces.
Related Links:
Wisconsin LODD Report
North Carolina LODD Report

World FF deaths and More

At least 8 firefighters killed during collapse at shopping mall fire in Pakistan
Here are excerpts from an article at dawn.com:The death toll in the devastating Ghakhar Plaza fire rose to 12 on Sunday after seven bodies, including that of a fire-fighter, were found in the debris.


Colorado ice rescue turns ugly.
Definitely a stressful call for the fire department and the police that responded. Glad to see that they do finally rescue the dog. WARNING, IF YOU ARE offended by bad language DO NOT WATCH THIS.
http://www.wusa9.com/news/columnist/blogs/2008/12/must-see-tv-man-and-his-dog-along-with.html

Do you recall the dramatic mayday in Houston on April, 2007 involving Capt. Eric Abbt?
That same fire is currently in the news.
Read the story full from the AP: An insurance company is arguing in court that a policy it issued that excludes payments for pollution prevents the families of three people killed in a 2007 Houston office building fire from being compensated because the deaths were caused by smoke inhalation and not the actual flames. Great American Insurance Co. has asked U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal in Houston to rule that the deaths caused by the smoke, fumes and soot will not be covered by the policy because there is a specific exclusion for pollution and it mentions smoke, fumes and soot. A court hearing in the case is set for February. The blaze killed 52-year-old Jeanette Hargrove of Friendswood, and Houston residents 46-year-old Marvin Wells Sr. and 38-year-old Shana Ellis. In October, Misty Ann Weaver, a nurse, pleaded guilty to three counts of felony murder and one count of first-degree arson. She was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Weaver admitted she set the fire to hide that she had not completed some paperwork on time for her boss, a cosmetic surgeon, and feared she might lose her job. Great American's potential liability in the case is $25 million.

Some interesting photos I found on the net!

Oops - It did not say when this happened

Ocala Florida

Gov. Rod

The Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevish is expected to speak to the public today. If you ask me he should have done this last week. This should be an interesting talk?

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6564209

Painted Helmet

This from the news, and I got to agree with the Chief on this one. Stickers of flags are more suited for this. This is, to me against the proper display of the US flag.

NEWTON, Mass. -- A local firefighter has spent three years fighting fires. Before that he was in Iraq fighting for our country. Now Richard Busa is in a battle with the Newton Fire Department.

Busa's fight was first brought to light in a column in the Newton Tab. He is being told that he has to remove the American flag design that is painted on his fire helmet, because the chief says it goes against uniform standards.

However, Busa says he won't do it and the threat of disciplinary action won't change his mind. He says if the majority of firefighters thought it was offensive or a safety issue, he would take it off. But that has not happened.

Chief Joseph LaCroix is a Vietnam war veteran. He says the request to remove the flag has nothing to do with patriotism or not wanting the flag, but a uniform is just that -- a uniform. If he allows one firefighter to paint his entire helmet, what is to stop others from choosing designs of their own.

LaCroix said small amounts of paint and stickers are okay on helmets, but Busa's design, he said, crosses the line.

I recently received this via email and knew I had to pass it along. Since I am retired from the fire service I can understand the words in this writing.

When a firefighter leaves the "job" and retires to a better life, many are jealous, some are pleased and yet others, who may have already retired, wonder. We wonder if he knows what they are leaving behind, because we already know. We know, for example, that after a lifetime of camaraderie that few experience, it will remain as a longing for those past times. We know in a firefighters life there is a fellowship which lasts long after the uniforms are hung up in the back of the closet. We know even if he throws them away, they will be on him with every step and breath that remains in his life. We also know how the very bearing of the man speaks of what he was and in his heart still is.

These are the burdens of the job. You will see what others do not see or choose to ignore and always will look at the rest of the fire service world with a respect for what they do; only grown in a lifetime of knowing. Never think for one moment you are escaping from that life. You are only escaping the "job" and merely being allowed to leave "active" duty.

So what I wish for you is that whenever you ease into retirement, in your heart you never forget for one moment that "Blessed are the firefighters for they shall be called children of God," and you are still a member of the greatest fraternity the world has ever known.

Civilian Friends vs. Firefighter friends

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Get upset if you're too busy to talk to them for a week.
FIREFIGHTER FRIENDS: Are glad to see you after years, and will happily carry on the same conversation you were having the last time you met.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.
FIREFIGHTER FRIENDS: Have cried with you.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back.
FIREFIGHTER FRIENDS: Keep your stuff so long they forget it's yours.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.
FIREFI GHTER FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd is doing.
FIREFIGHTER FRIENDS: Will kick the crowds' ass that left you behind.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Are for a while.
FIREFIGHTER FRIENDS: Are for life.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have shared a few experiences...
FIREFIGHTER FRIENDS: Have shared a lifetime of experiences no citizen could ever dream of.
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will take your drink away when they think you've had enough.
FIREFIGHTER FRIENDS: Will look at you stumbling all over the place and say,"You better drink the rest of that before you spill it!" Then carry you home safely and put you to bed.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will talk crap to the person who talks crap about you.
FIREFIGHTER FRIENDS: Will knock them the hell out for using your name in vain.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will ignore this.
FIREFIGHTER FRIENDS: Will forward this.

Gone

Been on a trip to home area. Had an early Christmas dinner and gift exchange, So that's why you haven't seen any new post this past week. I will get back into it today hopefully.
We had a Good trip, got to see a few friends and visit the old fire department. They are still waiting for the new truck to arrive, hopefully in January, guess I'll see it in the spring.
Had a good drive back home even with the winter storm warning. We ran into snow just before St Cloud and drove the rest of the way in blowing snow sign on the interstate said the it was closed west of Fergus Falls MN.

I was in Illinois just when Blagjovich was arrested.
http://www.arcamax.com/newsheadlines/s-461938-561423
I always knew he would get it. Just did not think it would take this long for him to do something like what he was arrested for. You will see me following that story for a while.

Only saw one line of duty death:

Wisconsin Fire Official Dies after Training Lt. Rick H. Borkin, a 16-year veteran of the Thiensville Volunteer Fire Department, died Monday evening after experiencing respiratory problems during a training exercise at the Milwaukee Area Technical College campus in Oak Creek, Ozaukee County Coroner John Holicek said this morning."He had a history of respiratory problems but wanted to participate in the exercise anyway," Holicek said.

What's Happening - Responding to a Meth Lab

Good article here on responding to a meth lab
http://www.firelink.com/training/articles/5124-how-to-spot-a-meth-lab?page=1&referral=fl_nlet_R1_20081204

O.J.
Dec. 5: Simpson is sentenced to a maximum of 33 years in prison. He will be eligible for parole in nine years.

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-oj-chrono6-2008dec06,0,7367806.story


Dems, White House Agree To Auto Bailout ( You see who they listed first)

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/12/06/business/main4651796.shtml

ON Franken Vs. Coleman If you live in MN and havn't noticed this fight is still going on if you've been following the news pretty closely. In the Franken vs. Coleman race, Coleman's strategy is basically the same as Bush's was in Florida, challenge everything but make sure your votes are the ones that stay in the public eye and in play. I'm not saying Franken has won, What I do think, however, is that there should be a run-off. It's basically a tie at this point as they are so close. So, let's have a runoff and get it over with!

Recession Effects on Emergency Services

It is common knowledge that numerous Emergency Services Sector (ESS) departments and agencies have experienced shrinking budgets resulting from the economic downturn. However, the current recession has prompted even more direct challenges for first responders. For example, spiraling foreclosures have triggered a significant increase in abandoned properties, which have always been dangerous environments for emergency personnel.

The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) learned from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that the adverse effects of the recession have become problematic for the operations and safety of ESS organizations for the following reasons in addition to other causes:
· More homeless people have surreptitiously occupied vacant structures.
· The structural integrity of empty buildings has often been compromised by squatters.
· Abandoned houses have increasingly been the source of criminal activities including arson.
· Destitute individuals have moved in with family or friends causing perilous overcrowding conditions.
· More basements and attics have been occupied and heated with unsafe appliances.

A 19 November Fire Rescue article discussed a strategy that can be implemented to mitigate the foreclosure problem. The article suggested ESS departments should partner with lending institutions as well as housing and community organizations to develop methods to prevent home foreclosures and the abandonment of homes. “It’s about working with organizations, letting them know the concerns of the fire department and how foreclosures and vacant homes generally may affect fire and arson rates,” said the NFPA director of high-risk outreach programs.Additionally, the chief of the Columbus Fire Department in Ohio recommended categorizing buildings certified as abandoned and vacant, and arranging for them to be tagged with appropriate signage. “This action should help to eliminate the risk of injury to responders unless they have reason to believe a rescue is necessary.”

The complete Fire Rescue article can be seen at the following link:

http://www.firerescue1.com/Firefighter-Training/articles/439214-Foreclusures-challenge.

Safety: Are We Doing Enough?

Note: I had the opportunity to go to a NFA class with this gentleman. He is one of those that really is taking an active role with firefighter safety and really one to follow on the issues.

Excerpt from today's article by Chief Ron Kanterman:

I personally believe (safety) is a three pronged approach. First and foremost, it starts at the top. The Chief of each and every fire department in this country must make a time and resource commitment to good safety programs and practices. I'm sure there's not a chief out there who would argue with "safety" but it's time to put up or shut up. One clip from the Everyone Goes Home - Courage to Be Safe (EGH-CTBS) program shows Chief Dave Daniels (Washington State) discussing that the chief's job is to insure that everyone goes home every day. "That's your job," Chief Daniels reiterates on the video. There is no specific reference to career or volunteer.

Prong number 2 is first line supervision. The guy or gal in the front seat on the right side of the cab is responsible for insuring that we get to the call and back in one piece. "Arrive alive and don't kill anyone on the way." (Not a bad motto to hang on the inside of the apparatus bay doors along with "buckle up every time.") The company officer must set the example for the rest of the crew. Chief Dennis Rubin (Washington, D.C. Fire/EMS) is quoted on the EGH-CTBS program video as saying "if the company officer buckles his seatbelt, the rest of the members will absolutely buckle their seatbelts." I believe he's right. Safety policies and procedures must be enforced at the line level. Again, there is no reference to career or volunteer.

Prong 3 is personal accountability. No one will "deliver safety" on a silver tray to our firefighters each time the bell rings. They need to bring safety to the game on their own. It's part of putting on a uniform or donning PPE. Personnel must be trained and engrained with the safety culture and told they must be responsible and accountable for their actions and that bad or "stupid, goofy acts will not be tolerated." (Chief Ronny Coleman, California).

Read More »
http://blog.usfa.dhs.gov/2008/12/safety-are-we-doing-enough.html

Rookies for R.I.T. ???

RIT Isn't A Rookie Function
One of the more popular topics in the fire service is Rapid Intervention. Used to get firefighters out of harms way which the entire concept is one that requires training and practice. While many basic skills go in to RIT training the operation itself is complex.

A crew of four is assigned as a RIT team at a one story single family dwelling. All hands are working and the fire is darkening down. Suddenly a mayday is heard over the radio. As command responds the order for a RIT deployment is given. The team moves into position.
Of the four person team three have less than a year on the job. Two aren't yet certified and neither of those have ever been in a fire other than a training burn. The fourth member realizes she must act as a leader but this isn't raising a ladder nor is it advancing a hoseline. This is advanced. She isn't an officer but she does what she is told.

As the team makes its way to the Delta entrance the senior firefighter is trying to rapidly go over what is expected of each person. She can see the confusion and fear but a firefighter is down and this is her team.
Entry is made and as the first RIT member makes entry contact is suddenly lost. Another pass device begins shrieking and as other firefighters move to where the RIT team was deployed they see a member being pulled out. Suddenly exposed to a dangerous situation the rookie firefighter pulled his SCBA mask off. Now there are two firefighters down.
Sound like a pipe dream? Don't bet on it. RIT isn't a rookie task. Any jury in America will look upon departmental leaders as deficient if they are overseeing this type of operation. Talk about being handcuffed-that is a real possibility.

USFA Release of Communications Guide

Voice Radio Communications Guide for the Fire Service Released
Emmitsburg, MD. – The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has completed a project with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) to study what important areas of safety and technology discussed in the USFA manual Fire Department Communications Manual - A Basic Guide to System Concepts and Equipment (FA-160) needed to be updated or revised, as well as what topics and technology related to fire department communications not discussed in the manual needed to be added since its development in 1996. This joint USFA and IAFF study was conducted with support from the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) SAFECOM Program Office.
"The need for an understanding of today's modern communications concepts and technology for firefighter and citizen life safety and operational effectiveness remains as valid, if not more so today, than it did when this USFA document was first produced in 1996,” said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade. "USFA was pleased to work with DHS SAFECOM and the IAFF on this study to provide critical information to the fire service."

The new manual, Voice Radio Communications Guide for the Fire Service (PDF, 3.8 Mb), provides updated information on communications technology and discusses critical homeland security issues and concepts, such as SAFECOM, that did not exist when the original manual was first published. It also provides a wide fire service audience with a minimum level of familiarity with basic communications issues such as hardware, policy and procedures, and human interface.

"The safety of both firefighters and citizens depends on reliable, functional communication tools that work in the harshest and most hostile of environments," said IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. "The IAFF was pleased to work with USFA on this important project."
Further information about this partnership effort may be found under the Research section of the USFA Web site.

Answers from Yesterday

Yesterdays trivia answers

Whats a two four?
This refers to a case of beer having 24 cans, or two four

Whats a hoser?
Like the very similar term hosehead, the term may have referred to farmers of the Canadian prairies, who would siphon gas from farming vehicles with a hose during the Great Depression of the 1930s. The expression has since been converted to the verb 'to hose' as in to trick, deceive, or steal - for example: Hosed has an additional meaning of becoming drunk - for example: "Let's go out and get hosed."