Four more Pennsylvania fires ruled to be arsons

CNN) -- Four more fires were deliberately set early Saturday in an area of eastern Pennsylvania plagued by arsons, authorities said.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/01/31/suspicious.fires/index.html?eref=rss_topstories
New fire reported in Coatesville; ATF investigates
One month, 14 fires, one big arson investigation
After almost 30 arsons, residents want answers

pirates again

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090129/ap_on_re_af/piracy
NAIROBI, Kenya – Somali pirates hijacked a German tanker loaded with liquefied petroleum gas Thursday off the Horn of Africa. The ship's 13-man crew was reported safe, even though gunshots were heard over the ship's radio.
The MV Longchamp is the third ship captured by pirates this month in the Gulf of Aden, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.
Somali pirates hijack German gas tanker, 13 crew - Yahoo! News

16 Year Old Arrested, They took My cell Phone

Police in Delaware say they have arrested a 16-year-old girl who allegedly threatened her parents with knives after they took away her cell phone. Delaware State Police said they were called to a Laurel home about 3 a.m. Sunday by the girl's parents, who had locked themselves inside their bedroom while their daughter threatened them from outside and attacked their door with knives, the New Castle-Wilmington News Journal reported Tuesday. http://www.arcamax.com/weirdnews/s-486418-998604

Oldie but a goodie

(SORRY FOLKS, I GOTTA GO WITH THIS ONE)
One dark night in the small town of Garfield , NJ, a fire started inside the local sausage factory. In a blink the building was engulfed in flames. The alarm went out to all the fire departments for miles around.

When the first volunteer fire fighters appeared on the scene, the sausage company president rushed to the fire chief and said, 'All of our secret sausage recipes are in the vault in the center of the plant. They have to be saved, so I will donate $50,000 to the fire company that brings them out and delivers them to me.'

But the roaring flames held the firefighters off. Soon more fire departments had to be called in because the situation became desperate. As the firemen arrived, the president shouted out that the offer to extricate the secret recipes was now $100,000 to the fire department that could save them.

Suddenly from up the road, a lone siren was heard as another fire truck came into sight. It was the fire engine of the nearby Lodi , NJ volunteer fire department composed mainly of Italian firefighters over the age of 65.

To everyone's amazement, the little run-down fire engine, operated by these Italian firefighters, passed fire engines parked outside the plant, and drove straight into the middle of the inferno. Outside, the other firemen watched in amazement as the Italian old timers jumped off and began to fight the fire as if they were fighting to save their own lives. Within a short time, the Lodi old timers had extinguished the fire and saved the secret recipes.

The grateful sausage company president joyfully announced that for such a superhuman accomplishment he was raising the reward to $200,000, and walked over to personally thank each of the brave elderly Italian firefighters.

ATV news crew rushed in after capturing the event on film. The 'on camera' reporter asked the Italian fire chief, 'What are you going to do with all that money?'

'Wella,'said Chief Pasquale De Luccinellavanti, the 70-year-old fire chief, 'de fursta tinga we gonnna do isza fixa de brakes on dat fockinna truck!!'

FY2009 AFG Workshop Schedule Posted

 

 

FY2009 AFG Workshop Schedule Posted The Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program Office has posted the schedule for the conduct of applicant workshops for the FY2009 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG). The schedule is available at www.firegrantsupport.com. The schedule will be updated daily with any new/updated information about the scheduled workshops. As such, users are encouraged to revisit the site to update themselves on locations, times and any other AFG information.
Applicant workshops are conducted by AFG regional staff and are free to all attendees. Each workshop is about 2 hours long. All workshops provide the same informational material and is reflected in a PowerPoint presentation. The material is also posted at the AFG website: www.firegrantsupport.com. While the application period has not been established, you will be able to find the latest information on the grant opportunity on the AFG website as it becomes available including the application period, the online applicant tutorial, frequently asked questions, and the FY2009 AFG Program Guidance. The AFG Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Grants Program Directorate in coordination with the U.S. Fire Administration.

Application Period to Open: FY 2008 FP&S Grants

 

 

Application Period to Open: Fiscal Year 2008 Fire Prevention and Safety Grants The Department of Homeland Security has posted the FY2008 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants Program Guidance on the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program Website. The application period is scheduled to begin on February 2, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Applications for these grants must be received by March 6, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).
FP&S grants support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards. The grants are competitive, and their primary goal is to target high-risk populations. Grant awards are made in order to mitigate high incidences of death and injury and to carry out research for improving firefighter safety. Examples of the types of fire prevention projects that are supported by FP&S include smoke alarm installation, fire prevention and public safety education campaigns, juvenile fire setter interventions, media campaigns, and arson prevention and awareness programs. Organizations that are eligible to apply under the research activity should consult the Program Guidance for detailed information on priorities and areas of emphasis. An applicant tutorial for the fire prevention activity will be available through the www.firegrantsupport.com Website. The tutorial will provide you with valuable grant information and will walk you through the preparation and submittal of competitive applications. In addition, the applicant tutorial will provide an overview of the fire prevention funding priorities and evaluation criteria. Applicants who have questions regarding the Fire Prevention and Safety Grants opportunity should contact the help desk as soon as possible at 1-866-274-0960 or at firegrants@dhs.gov. During the application period, the help desk will operate Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (EST), but is prepared to revise hours of operation based on volume, demand, holidays and urgency to complete the FP&S Grants application period and processing for FY08. The AFG Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate in coordination with the U.S. Fire Administration. FY08 Fire Prevention and Safety Grants Program Guidance - visit www.firegrantsupport.com/fps/guidance/. FY08 Fire Prevention and Safety Grants FAQs - visit www.firegrantsupport.com/fps/faq/08/.

 

CHEMTRECR - new training video

 

 

CHEMTRECR - the Chemical Transportation Emergency Center - has created a new training video for the Emergency Response community. To view and download a free copy of CHEMTRECR An Overview for Emergency Responders, visit www.chemtrec.com.

 

CHEMTRECR, an emergency responder's first line of defense, is a 24/7/365 emergency call center that provides immediate information and assistance to anyone, anywhere, involved in a hazardous material or dangerous goods incident. CHEMTRECR is an initiative of the American Chemistry Council has been a world leader in the hazmat response community since 1971. CHEMTRECR - The Right Information at the Right Time.

January 28th, 2009

CDC issues revised field trauma triage recommendations

Guidelines published in the January 23rd, 2009 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are the first ever trauma recommendations released. Designed to assure that severely injured patients are taken to trauma centers capable of handling their injuries, the revised guidelines also offer guidance on new technologies such as vehicle crash notification systems.

Copies of the report, additional information, and related information including a users guide, posters, and pocket cards of the decision scheme are available on the CDC Web site at: www.cdc.gov/FieldTriage.

New car tech: Not just crash protection, but prevention

Click photo to enlarge

A car that can brake itself to avoid a fender-bender during the morning commute might seem far into the future. Except it goes on sale in March.

That's when City Safety, a low-speed collision-avoidance technology becomes available on the new 2010 Volvo XC60, a crossover utility.

City Safety is just one of several new technologies designed to prevent car crashes and save lives. Auto sales are at a nearly two-decade low, but the pace of safety innovations continues unabated. Whereas air bags, anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control were the standard for a safe car until very recently, automakers continue to raise the stakes.

Radar, lasers and cameras work with computers and sophisticated software to do tasks unheard of just a few years ago. They tell you if you're falling asleep at the wheel, or if a car is in your blind spot. If you drift from your lane, they warn you, and in some instances, nudge you back into your lane. And modern cruise control doesn't just keep a steady speed, but can help your car keep a steady distance with the car in front of you.

"There's no question the vehicle itself has played a role in the decline of fatalities," said Rae Tyson, a spokesman for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). "But we're pretty much convinced there aren't that many safety benefits to be gained based on the crash-worthiness of passenger vehicles. The next frontier would be to help the driver avoid the crash in the first place."

"Obviously a major malfunction" Those words were spoken twenty-three years ago today by Mission Control right after the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff from Cape Canaveral before they knew the full extent of the disaster. I don't know why I remember those words, but I do to this day. On January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded and disintegrated over the Atlantic Ocean killing seven crew members. More on the Challenger disaster here.

USFA Quick Response E-Bulletin - January 2009

 

USFA and City Fire Service Leaders Urge Residents to Install and Test Smoke Alarms

 

On January 7, 2009, USFA Administrator Gregory Cade and Fire Service leaders come together after one of the deadliest holiday fire seasons in recent memory

 

"The 2008 holiday season and the start of 2009 may be recorded as one of the deadliest for residential fires in recent memory of the Fire Service," said Administrator Cade. "Not only have there been a significant number of preventable fires, but the occurrences of multiple fatalities resulting from these fires are simply unacceptable within our nation. There should be a smoke alarm protecting every person in this nation today, particularly as we sleep."

 

 

Pictured from left to right are: Fire Team USA Member Vicki Pritchert; Baltimore Fire Chief James Clack; Washington, D.C. Fire Chief Dennis Rubin; U.S. Fire Administrator Gregory Cade; Montgomery County (MD) Fire Division Chief Mike Love; Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers; and U.S. Fire Administration staff member Dr. Burt Clark.

 

To view the whole story and for links to smoke alarm fact sheets and video of the press conference, click HERE.

 

USFA Conducts First Public Education Webinar on Smoking & Home Fires Campaign

 

In November, USFA Smoking & Home Fires Campaign partners and members of the Fire Service from across the country came together online for the administration's first public education Webinar.  Attendees watched the presentation on their computers, while listening to USFA Administrator Cade and other presenters explain why the Smoking & Home Fires Campaign is so important.  Background about the campaign was provided and attendees were shown how they could easily integrate the campaign into existing community events.

 

To see how you can obtain free information, and quickly and easily take this campaign into your community, CLICK HERE to go to the campaign materials page. Select "How to Use the USFA Smoking & Home Fires Campaign Toolkit."  A CD of the toolkit with over 20 easy-to-use resources can be ordered online or each document can be downloaded  from the campaign Web site.

 

USFA Has a Blog!

 

In October 2008, the USFA created a blog on its Web site (www.usfa.dhs.gov).  The purpose of the blog is to facilitate an ongoing dialogue with the Fire Service that contributes to fostering a solid foundation in prevention, preparedness, and response with respect to fire and related emergencies.

 

Users read and post comments, as well as subscribe and share blog entries on Facebook.  Visit the blog by going to http://blog.usfa.dhs.gov/.

 

 

What's Happening Today

6 homeless after Lynn fire
Boston Globe, United States - 53 minutes ago
By Michele Richinick, Globe Correspondent At least six people were left homeless this morning after a two-alarm fire destroyed a home in Lynn, ...

Cause Unknown In Fire That Destroyed Grocery Store
10TV, OH - 59 minutes ago
The 2-alarm fire broke out Monday night at about 9:30 pm at the Food Max on Frank Road, 10TV News reported. Flames and smoke poured from the building as ...

Paterson fire leaves 20 displaced
NJ.com, NJ - 1 hour ago
by The Star-Ledger Continuous News Desk A three-alarm fire in Paterson burned through Monday night into early morning today, destroying a multi-family home ...

Veteran Massachusetts Officer Injured When House Explodes
Officer.com - 1 hour ago
A police officer was flown by medical helicopter to Boston Sunday morning after a massive explosion leveled his home, igniting a multiple-alarm fire. ...

Second fire victim dies
WANE, IN - 2 hours ago
Extra crews from FWFD were called to help fight the two alarm fire. At one point at least six engine trucks and two ladder trucks were on the scene. ...

Family escapes safely from Tuesday midnight Williams Avenue fire
Daily Item, MA - 3 hours ago
It is the third multi-alarm fire to leave local residents displaced since Jan. 9. According to city assessing records the building is owned by Thouck Dy and ...

Maryland Today
Frederick News Post (subscription), MD - 4 hours ago
SILVER SPRING (AP) — Montgomery County fire officials say a knocked over candle started a two-alarm fire that displaced a dozen people at a Silver Spring ...

WINTER WEATHER Winter weather arriving in the Mid-Atlantic
WMDT, MD - 4 hours ago
Montgomery County fire officials say a knocked over candle started a two-alarm fire that displaced a dozen people at a Silver Spring condominium complex. ...

Candle blamed for fire at Silver Spring condo
Examiner.com - 4 hours ago
Jan 27, 2009 4:25 AM (11 mins ago) AP SILVER SPRING, Md. (Map, News) - Montgomery County fire officials say a knocked over candle started a two-alarm fire ...

Fire rages in downtown DC building
Examiner.com - 4 hours ago
Jan 27, 2009 4:40 AM (5 mins ago) AP WASHINGTON (Map, News) - DC fire officials say a two-alarm fire is causing rush hour traffic problems downtown. ...

I think I see the problem

 

 

 

 Subject: I think I see the problem

Scary isn't it?

Sorry I don't think this is Right

Supervisors being fired because they don't speak the same language as their firefighters...



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Black Ice

EMS has problems with Black Ice, Stay Safe out there



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News round up, Blagojevich in the news,

Today On "Good Morning America," Blagojevich said he considered appointing Oprah Winfrey as Obama's Senate replacement.
"She seemed to be someone who had helped Barack Obama in a significant way become president," he said. "She was obviously someone with a much broader bully pulpit than other senators." Watch Blagojevich say he's done 'nothing wrong' »
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/26/illinois.governor/

CLAREMONT, N.H. -- Police have charged a Claremont woman with setting a fire that displaced seven people. Alexandria Margaret, 48, was charged with arson Saturday for allegedly setting several fires throughout her upstairs apartment.
Woman Charged In Claremont Apartment Fire - New Hampshire News ...

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- One person was killed Monday in an early-morning fire.
Flames broke at about 4:40 a.m. in an apartment building located at 1297 Elm Street, near Bridge Street.
One Killed In Early-Morning Fire - New Hampshire News Story - WMUR ...

House Explosion Severely Injures Police Officer

House Explosion Severely Injures Police Officer
A HOUSE IN GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, WAS completely destroyed when it blew up around 8 am this morning (Sunday). WBZ-TV
The home was the residence of a veteran Gloucester Police officer who has been on the force for 30 years. The 59-yr.-old officer had just arrived home after working his night shift and heard a strange noise coming from the basement. After checking on it, he was coming back up the basement staircase to call his boiler repairman when the house exploded in what a neighbor described as the loudest bang he has ever heard.
The victim, Wayne Sargent, was severely burned and was airlifted to Massachusetts General Hospital where he is listed in serious condition.
WBZ-TV has the early report and a video HERE.
Fire departments from three other towns assisted Gloucester FD with the fire that was extinguished withing a few hours. Four neighboring houses were also partially burned or damaged from the explosion and resulting fire.
The fire department reported that the gas utility has been in the neighborhood for over a week investigating gas odors.

New Appointments to Board Of Visitors at NFA

Emmitsburg, MD- In close cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Untied States Fire Administration (USFA) announces today the appointment of two (2) new members to serve on the Board of Visitors (BOV) for the National Fire Academy. Effective January 14, 2009, Randy Novak and Adam Thiel have joined the current BOV members: Ms. Helen Johnson, Dr. Sandy Bogucki, Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran, Mr. Robert Cumberland, Mr. Chris Neal and Columbus Fire Captain Jack Reall.
"I am pleased to welcome Director Novak and Chief Thiel to the Academy's BOV. Both of these individuals bring a wealth of experience in training and education, along with remarkable accomplishments in the fire and emergency services," commented Dr. Denis Onieal, NFA Superintendent and Acting US Fire Administrator.
Director Novak is the long-time director of the Iowa State Fire Training Academy and an officer in the North American Fire Training Directors Association. Chief Thiel is the Chief of the Fire Department in Alexandria, Virginia, the former Deputy Chief of Goodyear, Arizona and the former State Fire Training Director in Virginia. Director Novak and Chief Thiel replace outgoing BOV members, Dr. Robert Fleming and Fire Chief Don Oliver.
"Both Dr. Fleming and Chief Oliver were passionate, articulate and influential members of the BOV; no task was too difficult, no challenge too daunting, no effort too complex," continued Onieal. "Their legacy will always be the visionary course of action that they set for the Academy. Saying good-bye to both of them has been one of the more difficult things I've had to do, but fortunately for all of us, they both offered to continue to assist the NFA in any way they can."
The Board of Visitors plays an important role in enhancing the academic stature of NFA. Authority for the Board comes from Public Law 93-498, the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974. Functions of the Board are to examine National Fire Academy programs; monitor the adequacy of the Academy facilities; and examine the funding levels for the Academy programs. Members of the Board of Visitors are selected from professionals in the fields of fire safety, fire prevention, education and training, fire control, research and development in fire protection, treatment and rehabilitation of fire victims, or local government services management, and from such professional organizations as will ensure a balanced representation of fire and emergency services interests.
The USFA reminds everyone to have a comprehensive fire protection plan that includes smoke alarms, residential sprinklers and practicing a home fire escape plan

From First In Blog

OBAMA’S FIRST BLUNDER
BEIRUT: The emergence of a former Guantánamo Bay detainee as the deputy leader of Al Qaeda’s Yemeni branch has underscored the potential complications in carrying out the executive order that President Barack Obama signed that the detention center be shut down within a year. The militant, Said Ali al-Shihri, is suspected of involvement in a deadly bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Yemen’s capital, Sana, in September. He was released to Saudi Arabia in 2007 and passed through a Saudi rehabilitation program for former jihadists before resurfacing with Al Qaeda in Yemen.

Click Link above to read the rest

More News (Honeymoon over already?)
Vatican criticizes Obama on abortion issueThe Associated Press - 6 hours agoVATICAN CITY (AP) — Vatican officials said Saturday they were disappointed by President Barack Obama's decision to end a ban on federal funding for ...
Vatican official accuses Obama of 'arrogance' AFP
Vatican disappointed by Obama's abortion decision ABC 4
Presidenziali Usa Yahoo! Italia Notizie

Fire Today

Working fire in Clearwater

Just prior to 4AM Friday morning Clearwater Fire & Rescue Units were dispatched to 1283 Lotus Path for a reported house fire. Assistant Chief 45 (Pettingill) was the first to arrive at this 1-1/2 story dwelling with fire showing from a majority of the structure.
Engine 47 arrived and placed their attack line in service to try and knock down the bulk of the fire. There were numerous indicators that someone may have been still in the house, so crews were trying to get in to initiate a search of the structure.Fire conditions dictated a defensive attack till the bulk of the fire could be knocked down. Units finally got inside with negative results on the search. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

BFD defends using trucks for medical calls Last year, medical calls accounted for 37 percent of the 70,176 runs made by Boston firefighters.

City poised to scrap county-wide ambulance service Batavia NY is ready to get out of the ambulance business.
Fire engulfs antique store WBIR According to the Sevierville Fire Department, crews worked on a fire at Shabby Antiques Boutique in Sevier County, TN.

Life threatening injuries at GA fire Four people were hurt — three critically — in a Thursday morning house fire in DeKalb County.

HH may turn down fire grant Almost a million dollars is hard to turn down, but that's exactly what the Town of Hilton Head Island Fire and Rescue Division might do.
Fire destroys grocery store TREVOR JONES An early morning fire destroyed the Dresden IGA, putting 25 people out of work and depriving the village of its only grocery store.
The blaze was reported at 2:19 a.m. Dresden Fire Chief Carl Archer said a Dresden police officer spotted the fire in the northwest back corner of the building. There were flames throughout the building and the fire immediately came through the roof.

Two kids killed in Chinatown mishap Two children were killed and a third was seriously injured after a van jumped a curb and struck them in Chinatown. Two adults were also hurt.
3 alarm fire in Poughkeepsie Michael B. Flynn A fire that broke out late last night and burned much of a three-family building may not have been accidental, said Chief Kenneth Boyd of the City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department.
Officials are still investigating the cause. The fire started in the rear porch area of 60 Lincoln Avenue, said Boyd. There were no injuries but three families, consisting of seven adults and seven children were displaced.

Trial Begins For Man Accused In Deadly Calif. Fire
United States - January 23, 2009
California - A prosecutor said Thursday that an auto mechanic was a man bent on destruction who ignited a wildfire that killed five U.S. Forest Service firefighters in 2006. In opening statements for Raymond Lee Oyler's murder trial,...

Sacramento (CA) Fire Department Station 10 members respond to a single-alarm fire at a two-story home. The fire was contained mostly to the garage with heavy smoke damage to the entire house. During overhaul, a large amount of marijuana was found in the garage area and the incident turned into a major crime scene. Photo by Jason W. Meyer

DUMBEST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT

Running stop light = $100.00

DUI = $5000.00
Not wearing a seat belt = $50.00
Putting you & your girlfriends photo on your fake drivers license = PRICELESS

REMEMBER!!
When making a fake ID, attach a picture of yourself only... no matter how much you love your girl.

'Counterfeit I.D. of the Week'....
This is an actual Drivers License from a traffic stop...

Maximum Ice Fishing

Ever wonder what they do in MN in the Winter?
http://www.icefishing.org/index.cfm
Brainerd, MN -- The 19th Annual Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza will be held this Saturday, January 24, on Gull Lake's Hole in the Day Bay. All of the conditions -- ice, ticket sales, prizes and sponsors -- are looking the best they've been in years. Event Chairman Jeff Hegg said, "We are very excited about the Extravaganza this year. We've got good site conditions and ticket sales are ahead of previous years. Many of our sponsors really stepped up their participation this year because we’re one of the longest-running successful ice fishing contests in Minnesota."

The economic conditions have affected a number of charitable fundraisers and organizations but the Extravaganza continues to maintain its strong position as a flagship winter event for the Brainerd-lakes area. This event generates over $1.5-million dollars in revenue over the course of the weekend and many local businesses are anxious for the anglers to come to town.

Crow Wing County Sherriff Todd Dahl will issue the official event permit on Monday. He checked the ice conditions of Hole in the Day Bay for the second time last Thursday. 14-18” of ice were found throughout the contest site and with the projected sub-zero overnight temperatures the Sherriff and the Extravaganza Committee expect to find a few more inches of ice come the 24th. “We are confident in the conditions and the Jaycees efforts to run a safe contest,” said Dahl.

In 1990 the Brainerd Jaycees had a desire to develop a signature project—a
project that would rally members, raise money for local charities, and provide
avenues for individual growth, personal development, and leadership. It is
certain the founders never expected this event would become the world’s
largest ice fi shing contest and put Brainerd, MN, on the map with a winter
event that generates over $1-million in revenue for area businesses and over
$200,000 for area charities annually.

The Ice Fishing Extravaganza is held in January (typically the third or fourth
Saturday of the month) on Gull Lake’s Hole in the Day Bay. It is an ice fishing
contest where anglers compete for well over $150,000 in cash and prizes. There
are 150 spots on the prize board and the values are distributed throughout
the list, not in value-order. Contestants are judged on the weight of their fish
only—not the particular species of fish caught or length. All weigh-ins are
time-stamped so in the event of a tie the fi rst fish weighed takes precedence.

Baby want a Brownie

A 32-YR.-OLD WOMAN HAS BEEN arrested and charged with arson on her family home that took place on January 7 in York County, Pennsylvania.

It all started when her father offered her a brownie to eat and that somehow upset her. Instead of taking the treat, she picked up his cane and smashed him in the mouth with it, splitting his lip. Then she ran out to the kitchen and grabbed a knife, threatening poor Dad with it.
While he was away getting stitched up, she set a fire in the master bedroom of the 150-yr.-old stone house that went to four alarms and did $400,000 damage to the homestead.

Stephanie Rydeski is now in the York County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail. The York Daily Record has the rest of the STORY.

Seen this Before any truth to them?

I got this e-mail today. Has anyone heard these before or know if they're true?
Not sure if they are true but they make sense to me

When in England , at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of empire building by George Bush.

He answered by saying, 'Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.'

You could have heard a pin drop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There was a conference in France where a number of international engineers were taking part, including French and American. During a break, one of the French engineers came back into the room saying 'Have you heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he intended to do, bomb them?' A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly: 'Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from! their flight deck. We have eleven such ships; how many does France have?'

You could have heard a pin drop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the U.S. , English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies.
At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of Officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English. He then asked, 'Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?' Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied, 'Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German.'

You could have heard a pin drop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AND THIS STORY FITS RIGHT IN WITH THE ABOVE...

Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane. At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on.

"You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked sarcastically.
Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously.

"Then you should know enough to have your passport ready."

The American said, ''The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it."

"Impossible. Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France!" The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look.
Then he quietly explained, ''Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find a single Frenchmen to show a passport to."

You could have heard a pin drop.

Uncle Jay Weely Video

Here is this Weeks Uncles Jay News, My thinking exactly

Obama versus Lincoln

I found this interesting blog post, from what he is doing he is sure aligning himself as the next Lincoln?
From http://sibbyonline.blogs.com/sibbyonline/2008/12/obama-versus-lincoln.html

Several times I have corrected those who think Barack Obama is the next Abraham Lincoln by using the Copperheads.

Now Doug Powers does the same:
I've never seen any real connection between Abe Lincoln and Barack Obama as far as "leadership" goes. If anything, Obama has more in common with the Copperheads who were against the Civil War and wanted a negotiated peace with the Confederacy than he has in common with Lincoln. At some point after the Civil War, the Copperheads changed their name to "Jimmy Carter."So what exactly are the Obama and Lincoln comparisons? Obama and Lincoln are both from Illinois? Too vague. Jack Benny and Quincy Jones also came from Illinois – does that make them Lincolnesque?
Lincoln and Obama both rose politically in Chicago. Not a bad deal when Lincoln was climbing the political ladder in the Windy City, but for the past several decades, bragging that you ascended through the ranks in the Chicago political machine is like saying you were the best swimmer at the city sewer.They're both lawyers? Sure, but that would mean that nearly half of Congress is Lincolnesque.
Stop laughing – although Nancy Pelosi is only two facelifts away from dredging up a particular resemblance to the 16th president.
Where are the real comparisons? Unless Abraham Lincoln had a wacky, anti-American pastor and once announced his candidacy for Illinois Congress in the home of William Quantrill and later denied knowing anything about him, I'm not seeing any serious similarities.
And did you know the words "hope" and "change" were not uttered one single time in Lincoln's Gettysburg Address?
Just about the only valid comparisons I can find between Lincoln and Obama is that Abraham Lincoln didn't have a middle name, and for a long time the Obama campaign and the media pretended Obama didn't have one either.

Guess someone needs a new Engine ?

Fire at VA training academy

At 2135 hours Communications dispatched the box assignment for a reported building fire in the area of Arlington Mill Drive in the Shirlington area, in 109's first due in Arlington County, VA.
As the units approached the scene it quickly became apparent that the fire was involving "The Hut" and the E-One pumper located at the Arlington Fire Training Academy.

Other News

2 Firefighters Injured In Los Feliz Structure Fire
United States (California) - On Saturday, January 17, 2009 at 00:34 AM, 7 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 4 Arson Units, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 2 Battalion C... More Photos

Fire Destroys Ohio Downtown Block In Frigid Cold
United States (Ohio) - Firefighters in downtown Columbus, Ohio, have been battling a raging fire that has consumed a block of stores and apartments. Fire Battalion Chief Doug Smith says ... More Photos

Cold Grips Northeast; South, Midwest Get Relief
United States - Bitter cold kept its grip on the Northeast on Saturday, while warmer temperatures brought relief to the Midwest and Southeast. A day after schools in a dozen state... More Photos

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Backdraft

A firefighter was hurt while fighting a house fire earlier today (Jan. 14).
Kernersville NC Fire Chief Walt Summerville said the firefighter suffered back and shoulder injuries when a portion of a house collapsed on him when an explosion occurred.
The firefighter was treated at and later released from Forsyth Medical Center.

This video is not the normal back draft that I has seen, you will notice that there is visible flames showing which should indicate the fire is vented and not starving for oxygen, just goes to show the fire will not react the way it is supposed to.



Another video
Click here for the video, an interview with the injured firefighter and other links.

Hudson Plane Crash

Been looking for early video and found one of plane still in the air after the initial problem.


Here is link to FDNY Radio traffic for the call
Click here to listen to FDNY radio transmissions following the crash of US Airways Flight 1549 into the Hudson River this afternoon

Below are more links to coverage of the crash:
Officials in NY & NJ discuss EMS operation
Hospitals readied for patients
Read about emergency response
JEMS.com
wusa9.com slideshow

From the Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center

Reporting Suspicious Activity

Acknowledging there are legally acceptable ways for first responders who are not sworn officers to report unusual, suspicious, and criminal activity, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) infrastructure protection and intelligence officials restated the importance for Emergency Services Sector personnel to report suspicious actions to the National Infrastructure Coordinating Center (NICC) as well as their local authorities.  Although there are no specifically known terrorist threats, DHS specialists offered the following reasons to increase reporting during 2009:

 

·         Analysts cannot know what's happening without suspicious activity reports.

·         Suspicious activity reports are necessary to track potential terrorist threats.

·         Security experts cannot "connect the dots" when there are no dots to connect.

·         Reporting suspicious activity to the NICC saves valuable time.

 

In a recent meeting, the FBI counterterrorism division chief asserted that prompt and detailed reporting of suspicious activity may prevent a terrorist attack.  FBI counterterrorism specialists, therefore, recommend individuals provide the following information when reporting unusual, suspicious, and criminal actions:

 

·         Brief description of the activity.

·         Date, time, and location of the activity.

·         Physical description of the person(s) and vehicle(s) involved.

·         Direction of travel and possible destination of those involved.

·         Complete contact information of the individual making the report.

 

Suspicious activity should be reported to the local law enforcement agency, but also to the NICC: voice: 202-282-9201; Fax: 703-487-3570; E-mail: nicc@dhs.gov.  

 

The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) regards the above reasons for and methods of reporting suspicious activity particularly timely considering the 20 January Presidential Inauguration events.  The FBI counterterrorism division chief advised last month that public and private sector managers "double-check their security plans and prepare for the possibility of a sophisticated terrorist attack.  He added, however, that "no credible threats to the inauguration currently exist."

 

Flag Pin?

Obama Decides Flag Pin is Patriotic

Remember the controversy during the presidential election over Barack Obama's refusal to wear a flag lapel pin? Obama stated during the campaign that he didn't wear the American flag pin because it had become a substitute for "true patriotism" since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. See Breitbart.

When Barack was asked about his decision, he said:

"The truth is that right after 9-11 I had a pin. Shortly after 9-11, particularly because as we're talking about the Iraq war, that became a substitute for I think true patriotism, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security.

"I decided I won't wear that pin on my chest," he said in the interview. "Instead, I'm going to try to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great, and hopefully that will be a testament to my patriotism."

However, Obama must have recently decided that the flag lapel pin is a fitting testament to his patriotism, after all, because in the official presidential photo released yesterday, what do you think Obama is wearing? An American flag lapel pin. You may see for yourself in the enlarged photo below. Courtesy of LA Times.

cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey

 

Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey

CANNON BALLS!!!    DID YOU KNOW THIS?

 

It was necessary to keep a good supply of cannon balls near the cannon

on old war ships. But how to prevent them from rolling about the deck

was the problem. The best storage method devised was to stack them as

a square based pyramid, with one ball on top, resting on four,

resting on nine, which rested on sixteen.    Thus, a supply of 30 cannon

balls could be stacked in a small area right next to the cannon.

There was only one problem -- how to prevent the bottom layer

from sliding/rolling from under the others.

The solution was a metal plate with 16 round indentations, called,

For  reasons unknown, a Monkey. But if this plate were made of iron, the

iron balls would quickly rust to it. The solution to the rusting

problem was to make them of brass - hence, Brass Monkeys. Few

landlubbers realize that brass contracts much more and much faster

than iron when chilled. Consequently, when the temperature dropped

too far, the brass indentations would shrink so much that the iron cannon

 balls would come right off the monkey.   Thus,it was quite

literally, cold  enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.   

And all this time, you thought that was just a vulgar

expression, didn't you? You must send this fabulous bit of historical

knowledge to at least a few uneducated friends.     

 

 

 

Firefighters Burn Down Their Own Station For Second Time!

January 14, 2009

http://chattahbox.com/curiosity/2009/01/14/firefighters-burn-down-their-own-station-for-second-time/

A group of volunteer German firefighters have apparently managed to set fire to their own station and let it burn, for the second time. Doh! The firehouse blaze was reportedly started by the firefighters themselves during a training exercise.

But investigators at the station in Syke, northern Germany, say it could have also been caused by faulty wiring.

Because of heavy smoke development the neighbor houses were evacuated.
Some 250 firefighters from neighboring towns were called in to help fight the inferno, according to the Austrian Times.

The flames caused millions of dollars worth of damage, gutting the building and destroying all six of the station's fire engines.

The station had already been rebuilt after it burnt to the ground in another blaze in 1994.

The fire department was unable to establish a cause at the time.

One local is quoted in the Austrian Times as saying: "A fire service that can't even keep its own fire station and engines safe doesn't exactly inspire confidence."

At the Buzzer

Hard to believe, but seeing is believing, 82 foot shot at the buzzer!

Burris to take seat

I don't' think that this is over yet? I Guess it remains to be seen




WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Illinois Senate-designate Roland Burris said Tuesday that he knew all along that his appointment was legal, despite impeachment proceedings against the man who appointed him.
Senate-designate Roland Burris, D-Illinois, said he is humbled by news that he will be seated.
"My whole purpose in life, as I see it, is to be a public servant," Burris said Tuesday on CNN's "American Morning." http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/13/burris.senate/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

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