Daily Dispatch News
IAFC Testifies on USFA Funding, Roles
Chief Jim Critchley of the Tucson Fire Department and president of the Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA) testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Science, Space and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation. In his testimony, Critchley, representing the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and WFCA, supported the authorization of adequate funding for the U.
- PUB DATE: 5/18/2012 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: international association of fire chiefs
Texas Firefighter Dies While Training
A Brazos County Precinct Three firefighter died Thursday evening while training at TEEX Brayton Fire Training Field in College Station. William Richard "Dick" Danes, 69-years-old, died during a ladder training evolution. The exact cause of death isn't known yet.
- PUB DATE: 5/18/2012 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: kbtx.com
VIDEO: Flaming Van Rolls Toward Calif. Firefighters, Freeway Traffic
The video shows firefighters responding to a van fire on the side of the freeway. As crews arrive, the vehicle begins to roll toward their apparatus and onto the highway.Thre were no injuries at this incident. "Whenever possible, all vehicles should be chocked, regardless of the incident," Matt wrote.
- PUB DATE: 5/18/2012 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: fire engineering
Dispatch lag slows Los Angeles Fire Department call response
When Javier Ortiz collapsed in his backyard in Echo Park, rescuers were stationed in a firehouse just a half-mile away. But the Los Angeles Fire Department dispatcher who answered the 911 call from Ortiz's daughter took more than 2 1/2 minutes to send the firefighters — nearly three times longer than a national standard for processing calls for help.
- PUB DATE: 5/18/2012 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: los angeles times
Controversial radios put to use at NATO Summitt in Chicago
A $23 million digital radio system — purchased in 2006 under a no-bid contract awarded under questionable circumstances — will help speed emergency response during the NATO Summit. Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford disclosed Thursday that “some of the channels” provided by the long-stalled Motorola system would be used by top brass for “command and control” within the “NATO summit footprint” surrounding McCormick Place.
- PUB DATE: 5/18/2012 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Chicago Sun-Times
Oregon firefighter falls through roof battling apartment blaze
VIDEO: A firefighter who fell through the roof while helping battle a large two-alarm blaze at a condo building in Southwest Portland Wednesday afternoon is doing fine, authorities said. ... One of the firefighters on the roof suddenly fell through as it collapsed under him. This happened while Sky-8 was showing live aerial video of the fire.
- PUB DATE: 5/17/2012 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KGW
Ohio Town's Trustees Vote to Lay Off 84 Firefighters
Sycamore Township trustees voted to lay off 70 part-time and 14 full-time firefighters Wednesday night. The move leaves the department with 13 full-time firefighters, trustees said. Trustees said they had no choice because they're facing funding cuts from the state. They said every other department has already seen cuts.
- PUB DATE: 5/17/2012 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: wlwt News 5
Texas wildfire LODD death prompts call for better protecting firefighters
Hot shot federal firefighters called in to battle the toughest U.S. wildfires often avoid reporting symptoms of heatstroke because they fear damaging their professional reputations, said a report commissioned after an elite firefighter died in Texas last year.The report, released on Wednesday as at least four blazes burned in Arizona early in this year's fire season, said the death of Caleb Hamm, 23, was of heatstroke, and recommended ways federal officials can better protect firefighters' lives.
- PUB DATE: 5/17/2012 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: reuters
Virginia Beach firefighters union opposes light rail
After a year without raises, the city’s firefighters union has come out against light rail, delivering a potential blow to the city’s efforts to win public support for the system. The city’s police officers will meet tonight to consider taking a similar stance. Public teachers might do the same if the city can’t guarantee the project won’t cut into future education funding.
- PUB DATE: 5/17/2012 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The virginian pilot
California fire chief and crew won't be allowed to take pay cuts
Directors with the Shasta Lake Fire Protection District won't let Chief Adrian Rogers, or anyone else, take a pay cut to ease the struggling department's financial woes. Rogers, 44, is paid about $67,000 per year gross salary, according to budget documents. Chief since 2005, he self-imposed the pay cut in March to "lead by example" as the district is facing a year-over-year drop in property tax funding, the primary source of revenue, he's said.
- PUB DATE: 5/17/2012 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: the record-searchlight
Firerescue1 Topic Articles
Tech rescue team saves dog from 30-foot well
The Anderson Independent-Mail ANDERSON COUNTY, S. C. — A curious cocker spaniel fell 30 feet to the bottom of an Anderson County well Friday night and lived to bark about it. Reese, a 4-year-old dog from Belton, wanted to see what her family members were doing as they worked to repair a home well on Broadway School Road. The dog decided to jump on top of the well around 6:30 p.m. so she could ...
Tenn. names state firefighter of the year
By Ryan Lewis The Chattanooga Times Free Press JASPER, Tenn. — While the recognition of a fireman's hard work and dedication is always welcome, he is usually quick to point out the work of the brothers and sisters he rides into danger with on every call. The same is true of Capt. James Preston "J.P." Durham of the Jasper Fire Department, this year's Tennessee state firefighter ...
Joplin twister was costliest since 1950
By David A. Lieb The Associated Press JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The cost of 30 manhole covers that got sucked away: $5,800. A new concession stand at the destroyed high school: $228,600. Shelter and care for more than 1,300 homeless pets: $372,000. The tornado that tore through Joplin a year ago already ranks as the deadliest twister in six decades. Now it carries another distinction — the costliest ...
U.S. Mint strikes 9/11 medals as memorial fundraiser
By Michael Hill The Associated Press The U.S. Mint worker dons surgical gloves as she sprays down the large silver pieces like flowers in a garden. They clank and jingle in the tray as liquid beads up on their mirror-like surfaces and they are sent on their way, to be transformed into medals in memory of the Sept. 11 attacks. The mint next to U.S. Military Academy, specializes in producing bullion coins ...
United Arab Emirates gives $5M to Joplin hospital
JOPLIN, Mo. — Joplin is getting another big boost from the Middle East as the Missouri city rebuilds and prepares for the anniversary of a devastating tornado that killed 161 people. United Arab Emirates Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba was in Joplin Friday to announce that the oil-rich Persian Gulf nation is donating $5 million to Mercy Hospital for a pediatric section and the development of a neonatal ...
Firefighter injured in POV crash awarded $1.7M
By Stephanie Hoops The Ventura County Star VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. — A retired Ventura County firefighter has won a $1.7 million jury verdict for injuries caused by a 17-year-old driver found liable for negligence in a traffic accident. James Renshaw, 48, was in a coma for three weeks and hospitalized for two months after being struck about 8:30 p.m. Jan. 11, 2011. Renshaw was riding his motorcycle ...
Chicago Fire Dept. using digital radios for NATO summit
By Fran Spielman The Chicago Sun-Times CHICAGO — A $23 million digital radio system — purchased in 2006 under a no-bid contract awarded under questionable circumstances — will help speed emergency response during the NATO Summit. Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford disclosed Thursday that "some of the channels" provided by the long-stalled Motorola system would ...
Calif. fire district tax debate televised
By Rowena Coetsee The Contra Costa Times CONTRA COSTA, Calif. — The leader of a firefighters' union is predicting that residents in far East Contra Costa County will pay dearly if a proposed parcel tax fails, while the spokeswoman for a taxpayers' organization says the labor group is using scare tactics to generate support for a ballot measure that won't deliver. Vince Wells, president ...
White powder case costs millions in first response
By Danny Robbins The Associated Press DALLAS — Federal authorities are tracking what they call the most prolific mailer of white powder in U.S. history with an eye toward solving a case that has tied up first responders and cost taxpayers millions of dollars. Officials with the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service believe the same person has sent nearly 400 letters containing nontoxic white ...
Work on 9/11 museum halts over money dispute
Construction of the museum originally scheduled to open on the 11th anniversary of the attacks has largely ground to a halt
