STATter 911

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Fire spread quite rapidly from the first floor to the roof, in what appears to be a 3-story balloon-frame, single-family-dwelling. There are two hydrants on side A, but there are also serious water supply problems (STATter 911 has contacted Chief Dennis Rubin, who has asked J. Gordon Routley to write a report and Etter and Crosswhite to call a press conference) .

Staffing is clearly a problem, as the first two engines went driver only. OSHA has been contacted by the IAFF about a possible "2-in, 2-out" violation. OSHA is also interested in the YouTube type video at the beginning, that shows smoking and rough-housing in quarters.

Harold Schaitberger sent out an email reminding everyone this is not an IAFF operation.

The initial defensive operations prompted numerous postings on TWD from Hookman claiming, "they are a bunch of wimps".

The lack of PPE sparked a WTF email from an outraged Chief Billy Goldfeder. Just as upset, Dr. Burton Clark noted no one was wearing seat belts.

On Firehouse.com, Dr. Harry Carter says this just supports his concerns about leadership.

Bill Webb and the crew at CFSI have urged everyone to write members of Congress.

We can only be thankful that our dear, departed friend, Frank Brannigan, didn't see the roof operations. If these guys had paid attention in class, or read "Building Construction For The Fire Service", Third Edition, they would have known the damn roof was going to collapse.

Opposing hose lines are also an issue. Part of the problem is that rival volunteer companies appear to be more interested in fighting each other, than rescuing the lone occupant. Of course, STATter 911 has the exclusive on this. We have already contacted Mark Brady, who says it is under investigation and the companies involved will be restricted to the first-due response area. Chief 833, Tony Kelleher, tells STATter 911,"At least you can't blame this one on Kentland".

The whole event has prompted FossilMedic, Mike Ward, to write a paper wondering why Ambulance 833 wasn't on the scene (On a related note, upon viewing the video, Chief Lawrence Sedgwick has demanded that both Company C and Company D immediately provide an EMS transport unit). At the same time, LightRock, Jim Featherstone, has written many words on how outdated the apparatus is (you can read the articles on Bill Schumm's FireGeezer, who believes one of the firefighters is actually Donna in disguise).

Grant Mishoe, of SConFire.com, is already trying to get the rigs into the North Charleston and American LaFrance Fire Museum and Educational Center.

Ozzie Mirkhah, Mike Love, Bill Delaney and Keith Brower each sent STATter 911 emails declaring this as another example of why residential sprinklers must be required.

Even better video is available from the department's official photographer, Vito Maggiolo and it has already been posted on DCFD.com. Bill Carey shot it because, once again, the fire was near the office. A different angle is on the way from Tom Yeatman. Another stringer's video is unavailable due to his arrest for going behind the yellow tape. Firefighter Spot already beat STATter 911 to the punch and posted this video days ago.

Ricky Riley sadly noted, and STATter 911 agreed, that the images would have been much better had Wes Gerald been around to take them.

In a bold headline, St. Mary's Today called them a bunch of "fire thugs", wrote an insensitive political cartoon and printed it along with stories about a governor's love child and a martian landing (or maybe they were both the same story).

FireTactics.net has already posted a picture of the fire under the title, "You Make The Call".

WithTheCommand.com already has a crew from TaskForce1, Inc. heading to that fire station for training.

Spencer Stevenson of MarylandFireNews.com thinks what this crew needs is a helmet-cam.

The shocking video has prompted the hardest working man in the business, Rhett Fleitz, to start another web site.

Looking for a positive spin, Pete Piringer pointed to the two-minute response time. He was immediately blasted by a number of people on Firefighter Hourly.

Multiple postings on Firefighter Nation declared the firefighter in the sailor's cap is kind of cute. He was immediately signed up for next year's charity calender, which even before it was printed, dissolved in scandal.

Finally, both Ron Siarnicki and Hal Bruno watched the video and said, despite the many failings, they are just glad everyone went home. We agree. A Merry Christmas and a happy and safe new year from everyone at STATter 911 ("everyone" would be me, Hillary and Sam).

Thanks to all of the above, and countless others, for helping make the first eight months of STATter 911 so enjoyable and newsworthy. And thank you for checking in.

Monday update:

It appears my critique of this 2-alarm house fire is lacking in a number of areas. Blame it on the length of time it has been since I have ridden a fire truck.

I guess things have changed. In my day, if this wasn't handled with two engines and a truck, you'd hear about it. Incident command? Was that the guy standing next to you with the white helmet and cigar in his mouth, pushing you into the room where the orange glow was coming from? Rehab? Yes, we heard of that. But it was always handled rather discretely. Oh, not that kind of rehab.

So, it's clear we need a more up-to-date view of this fire. A Maryland firefighter, who asked that we not use his name (I think he feels a little career vs. volunteer backlash on this one), has offered his insight.

I am particularly impressed with his eye for detail. The "sealed canteen-related" item intrigues me. There may be more here than meets the eye. Notice the sudden transformation of the Company D firefighter's physique. I think a little screening for anabolic steroids might be in order.

Here's the critique (our comments section is open, if there is anything we've missed):

The rather large FF from Company C has a serious violation of facial hair standards that would make proper wearing of SCBA in an IDLH environment impossible. (Remedial physical training also recommended for likely BMI in excess of 30 percent)

Company D firefighter (while adhering to facial hair standards and recommended weight though outsized forearms to body indicates unusual PT regimen) has no recognizable department uniform and large anchor tattoos on forearms may violate some FD policy on having body artwork covered by said uniform. While response time appears good, neither company use any known standard type of layout technique or establishment of water supply.

No circle check or Level I or II command of any type appears to have been established. Considering volume and rapid spread of fire on side D, but oddly not smoke, visually confirmed trapped victim and likely further spread of fire due to presumed (and previously mentioned) balloon frame construction, it seems negligent to say the least that a rapid intervention dispatch, safety assignment or task force was not called for by first-arriving companies C and D.

Ladder selection, placement and angle for rescue are improper. Incident also clearly demonstrates inherent weakness in using wooden ladders and a transition for both departments to aluminum ladders is recommended.

Neither Company C and D firefighters have SCBA nor turnout gear for proper roof rescue, nor roof ladder or tools (latter for sounding roof), and weight of said FF probably contributed to later roof collapse) While Company D firefighter's outstanding bravery in rescuing civilian and Company C FF from roof is duly noted, generally catastrophic roof collapses as seen in the video and lack of proper PPE and SCBA are a receipe for tragedy. Company D firefighter should also take care not to carry sealed canteen-related items on the fireground as they could explode and cause injury if exposed to heat. Also recommended for Company D firefighter is remedial EMS training as EMT skills demonstrated on civilian are inconsistent with any known protocols for smoke inhalation.

Despite the favorable outcome, this type of freelancing, horseplay on the fireground, and lack of professionalism, should not be seen as an example for the rest of the fire service.

# posted by Dave Statter @ 8:44 PM