Sunday, July 13, 2008
Quick takes
Travels with Billy G: Chief Billy Goldfeder's photo that shows the burning hulk of a tugboat under construction at a multi-alarm fire on Friday in Boothbay, Maine. FireGeezer has some pictures from somebody who clearly beat Billy to the scene of the boatyard fire.
Kentland videos: The best indication is that we haven't heard the last of the old videos that surfaced showing some firehouse antics at Kentland VFD. The comments we've received range from outrage to "boys will be boys". Read those comments and see the videos by clicking here and here.
Full disclosure: STATter 911/9NEWS NOW is getting some heat over running the videos from some posting on thewatchdesk.com. Click here to read what the critics are saying and my usual so-so response (I am certainly no Jim Clack).
NJ paramedic's hazing operation makes Kentland look good: Three paramedics have been canned very quickly after a cell phone picture surfaced of two student interns dressed up like KKK members. The incident appears to have happened last Sunday at Newark's University Hospital. Officials believe the event to be some sort of hazing that the medics did to students from a continuing education program. Click here for the story and here for a TV report.
Man tasered after running around fire line: In Cache County, Utah some controversy after a man bypasses a roadblock set up at a shed fire. Click here for the story and some video.
IAFF cites safety in Navy staffing cuts: As we previously reported, Naval District Washington Regional Fire Chief Edward Stillwell was the subject of a May no confidence vote. Now, IAFF Local F-121 President Gregory Russell and IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger have written letters and issued press releases about cutbacks that went into effect July 4. Click here the press release from IAFF headquarters. Click here for the release from IAFF Local F-121.
We have emailed Chief Stillwell for comment.
High above beautiful downtown Rosslyn, VA: Click here to see some great photographs by Wells P. Wilson of the recent Rope III Rescue held in Arlington, VA. Jay Patterson at Arlington's Station 104 tells me that the 3-day class was attended by firefighters from Arlington, Alexandria, Prince William, and Virginia Beach as part of requirements for a High Angle Rescue State Certificate.
I watched a similar drill up close many years ago when they strung their strings between what was then the Gannett towers (I think some cable access TV operation is in there now ... just kidding). While I don't really have a fear of heights, my thought then is as it is now: If I wanted to do this work I would have joined the Flying Wallendas.
That said, I have an 8-year-old who looks like a likely candidate for a TRT. I will try and show you the pictures later in the week.
Residents protest Atlanta fire station closing: The plan to decommission the West End's Station 7 is not sitting well with the citizens. It's part of city budget cuts. Click here and here for the story.
Do it yourself firefighting to the extreme causes trouble for CA brothers: I missed this story when it was published on July 7, but it sure is interesting. As everything burned around them in Big Sur, the Curtis Brothers organized neighbors, family and friends to quickly create their own fire line. On top of it, they did their own backfires. A move that may have worked, but backfired anyway with the arrest of one of the men. Read the story. Check in on the discussion on Firehouse.com's forums.
Just have to do this one: The Greeley Volunteer Fire Department is celebrating its 50th anniversary on August 16. Click here for the details. Greeley, PA in the Poconos is very important in my life. I first started going there a year after the fire department was formed to pick up my brother from Camp Shohola. I was later a camper and counselor and just last week picked up my son from his first two weeks at the camp. Actually, I have cousins who first went to the camp when it opened in 1943. So I need to show some kindness to the folks who protect the people and places near and dear to me.
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