tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315493162024-02-20T11:37:21.722-05:00Fire-Rescue-EMS Around the WorldCommentary on the world's most admired professions by firefighter and filmmaker, Lou Angeli.Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.comBlogger213125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-75640033430871613762013-09-16T12:41:00.000-04:002013-09-16T12:41:37.920-04:00Claymont DE Fire Injures Resident<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzg8C2i4tUJxpCUeCKI00hf3Qq1AMvCOkp5s2kN_1_hH1ooBrwkFONTYyM7hyzVCucHvF4RY-V0fEaCDCZN-2z4VhQI_tswkRLHvHL8eacpdAhm5OPbmzl17H6NV02R3EvvmXm/s1600/honeywell05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzg8C2i4tUJxpCUeCKI00hf3Qq1AMvCOkp5s2kN_1_hH1ooBrwkFONTYyM7hyzVCucHvF4RY-V0fEaCDCZN-2z4VhQI_tswkRLHvHL8eacpdAhm5OPbmzl17H6NV02R3EvvmXm/s640/honeywell05.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">Quick knock down kept this blaze from spreading to other homes.</span></td></tr>
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Claymont, DE (September 15, 2013) -- A fire late Sunday evening destroyed a single family dwelling in New Castle County, DE, sending it owner to the hospital.<br />
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First in companies found heavy smoke and fire showing from the split level home on Honeywell Drive. Command ordered an upgrade for the box alarm, which brought in companies from Delaware County, Pennsylvania.<br />
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The victim, a 59 year old man, was found on the front lawn of the home in an unresponsive condition. Paramedics and EMT's treated him on scene, then transported him to the Wilmington Hospital. Firefighters aggressively fought the fire, keeping it from spreading to adjacent homes.<br />
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Responding companies included; Claymont, Brandywine Hundred, Talleyville, Holloway Terrace, Minquadale and Lower Chichester of Delaware County, PA. New Castle County EMS also responded along with the Delaware State Fire Marshal's office.<br />
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###Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0Claymont, DE, USA39.8006685 -75.45964040000001239.7518745 -75.54032140000001 39.8494625 -75.378959400000014tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-85227632306317764482013-08-27T14:14:00.001-04:002013-08-27T14:16:44.397-04:00Social Media: Freedom of Speech or Verbal Abuse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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TORONTO, ONT (August 27, 2013) -- Just 2 days ago, Toronto Fire Chief Jim Sales announced that 2 city firefighters had been suspended indefinitely for sexist remarks made about colleagues on Twitter. And believe me, these firefighters made some very nasty comments.<br />
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Toronto's top firefighter said, 'In the public domain it's important for all of us to demonstrate a positive image of the Toronto Fire Service.' The same is true for fire departments throughout North America.<br />
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FACEBOOK and TWITTER (and other social media sites) what happens behind closed
firehouse doors is no longer a well-kept secret. In the past, Fire
administrators were very careful about what information was released to the
public. Today, they no longer have the ability to strictly control information
flow about department activities.</span><br />
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</xml><![endif]-->In today’s media environment, citizen journalists have
the ability to <i>instantly</i> post commentary, images and video of emergency
incidents without the necessity – nor the desire -- to interview participants
or confirm details. Once a biased story is posted, the onslaught continues as
no named commentators weigh in on tactics, staffing, equipment…even
personalities of fire officers.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yUKGdcbx7ZM/UhznrHm3f2I/AAAAAAAACL0/NB8LqdHmiw0/s1600/social+media+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yUKGdcbx7ZM/UhznrHm3f2I/AAAAAAAACL0/NB8LqdHmiw0/s320/social+media+image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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it’s accurate or not – is often available online even before companies take up.
The SHARE button allows that same mismanaged story, complete with demeaning
comments from arm chair Battalion Chiefs, to be published throughout the
fire-rescue community...and seen worldwide. I see it happen every day.</span></div>
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to beat the “citizen journalists” at their own game. In many cities, department
PIOs now publish working alarms as they happen, giving readers informed
commentary thus heading off biased remarks. It is a wise practice to
implement, because the citizen journalist is here to stay – and here to say!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">It seems that larger departments are making the
greatest strides in social media. But unfortunately, Volunteer agencies have
been slow to adopt an effective social media reporting method. Dealing with
social media in the volunteer fire service doesn’t require a by-law change or
the addition of an elected officer. Every station has young men and women who
are extremely knowledgeable in the ways of electronic distribution, and their
input should be sought when determining the best way to deal with social
media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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post 9/11 love affair with the fire service is over, and much of that break up
can be attributed to negative information published via social media.
Fire-Rescue-EMS organizations, union locals and individual departments and
agencies need to take advantage of the positive aspects of social media, the
most important being the ability to inform the public and influence opinion.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0Toronto, ON, Canada43.653226 -79.38318429999998243.285985999999994 -80.028631299999986 44.020466 -78.737737299999978tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-77115464326001198462013-08-27T00:09:00.000-04:002013-08-27T00:09:37.325-04:00Rim Fire: California's Worst Wildland Fire Ever<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AynlzAkJBmU/UhwgkewJumI/AAAAAAAACLQ/2Y61PI2JS5A/s1600/A-firefighter-from-Ebbetts-Pass-Fire-District-monitors-a-back-fire-as-he-battles-the-Rim-Fire-on-August-21-2013-in-2204555.png.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AynlzAkJBmU/UhwgkewJumI/AAAAAAAACLQ/2Y61PI2JS5A/s640/A-firefighter-from-Ebbetts-Pass-Fire-District-monitors-a-back-fire-as-he-battles-the-Rim-Fire-on-August-21-2013-in-2204555.png.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">Paint blisters on a wildland Engine while fighting the Rim Fire</span>.</td></tr>
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Rim Fire: Update:<br />
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GROVELAND, CA (August 26, 2013) -- The Rim Fire has grown to 160,980 acres with 20 percent containment according to official at CalFire. Crews made some progress Sunday night fighting the wildfire burning near
Yosemite National Park, which has grown to become one of the largest in
the state's history.<br />
<br />
The fire to threaten several towns, San Francisco's water supply, and
historic giant sequoias.<br />
Crews managed to increase containment from 7 percent to 15 percent
overnight Sunday, but with the heat of the day only managed to increase containment by an additional 5%. Even with containment, the fire did continue to grow, however, and is now 234 square miles in size.<br />
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Stanislaus National Forest spokesman Jerry Snyder said crews are being helped by the fire's movement into less forested areas
and cooler temperatures caused at least in part by the shadow cast by
the large plume of smoke from the blaze.<br />
<br />
About 4,500 structures and Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, the source of San
Francisco's famously pure drinking water, remain under threat.<br />
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### Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0Groveland, CA, USA37.8388779 -120.2308166999999937.7385559 -120.39217819999999 37.9391999 -120.0694552tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-48216650051171378402013-08-25T14:06:00.000-04:002013-08-25T14:06:37.386-04:00Rim Fire Expected to Grow to Epic Proportions<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">Firefighters from coastal Monterey, California watch as the Rim Fire burns out of control</span></td></tr>
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by: Lou Angeli</div>
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GROVELAND, CA (August 25, 2013) – The fast moving Rim Fire
on the northern border of Yosemite National Park grew by an additional 7 square
miles overnight as more and more firefighters from throughout the western
states arrive to flight the blaze. </div>
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The fire, one of the biggest in California history, now
covers 210 square miles and is just 7 percent contained. Officials fear that
the blaze will spread even faster as strong south winds, expected to be as high
as 30 mph, arrive later today.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The fire has grown so large and is burning dry timber
and brush with such ferocity that it has created its own weather pattern,
making it difficult to predict in which direction it will move.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">Current Map shows Yosemite Nat'l Park to the east.</span></td></tr>
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"The wind could push it further up north and
northeast into Yosemite and closer to those communities and that is a big
concern for us," said Daniel Berlant, a spokesman for the California
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF).</div>
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Yosemite National Park officials are taking no chances as
they cleared brush and set sprinklers to protect two groves of giant sequoias.
About three dozen of the giant trees are affected.</div>
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"All of the plants and trees in Yosemite are
important, but the giant sequoias are incredibly important both for what they
are and as symbols of the National Park System," said spokesman Scott
Gediman.</div>
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Despite the efforts of 2,672 firefighters, backed by
planes and helicopters, the raging fire is threatening water supplies and
electrical generating plants, which supply the city of San Francisco. In anticipation
of failures, Governor Jerry Brown yesterday ordered a state of emergency for
San Francisco and other communities in the bay area. </div>
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InciWeb reported that the Rim Fire will continue to
exhibit large fire growth due to extremely dry fuels and inaccessible terrain.
The report continued; rapid fire growth and extreme fire behavior are hampering
suppression efforts.</div>
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Additional aerial resources such as high volume MAFFs and
VLAT DC-10 air tankers making drops in advance of the fires spread toward the
Highway 108 corridor.</div>
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###Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0Groveland, CA, USA37.8388779 -120.2308166999999937.7385559 -120.39217819999999 37.9391999 -120.0694552tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-3213957682613038002013-08-24T22:48:00.000-04:002013-08-24T22:48:26.230-04:002 Alarm Fire Strikes Wilmington at Midday with Maydays<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e-5itC__bx0/UhlpSZDditI/AAAAAAAACKE/wBU7r4gPSng/s1600/4street09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e-5itC__bx0/UhlpSZDditI/AAAAAAAACKE/wBU7r4gPSng/s640/4street09.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999;">A RIT Team member clears a doorway for firefighters working on level-2.</span></td></tr>
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Wilmington, DE (August 22, 2013) -- A noonday fire at 4th and Orange Streets went to 2 alarms, after a stubborn blaze in a condemned 200 year old building put city firefighters to task. The fire was deep seated and spreading quickly when Deputy Chief Michael Donahue called for the 2nd alarm around Noon. That call brought in the WFD's entire on duty force. including:<br />
<br />
-Squad-1,<br />
-Skyboom 2,<br />
-Squad 3,<br />
-Squrt-4,<br />
-Engine 5,<br />
-Engine 6,<br />
-Ladder 1,<br />
-Tower Ladder 2,<br />
-Engine 25. (Talleyville)<br />
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In addition, St Francis EMS, New Castle County Paramedics, Office of L&I and Trooper-4 were on scene. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999;">Talleyville Firefighters stand-by to move into the fire structure and conduct overhaul operations.</span></td></tr>
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Following mayday calls, Deputy Chief Donahue ordered evacuation of the buildings and companies transitioned into elevated master streams operations. 3 firefighters were injured, including D/C Donahue -- 2 were transported to Wilmington Hospital by St Francis EMS and County Paramedics.<br />
<br />
County companies covered Wilmington Stations as re-called city firefighters restored their own companies using reserve apparatus.<br />
<br />
The fire building is 200 plus years old and was condemned by Licenses and Inspections about a year ago for a number of violations. According to the owner, he was working to bring the structure up to code when the fire broke out.<br />
<br />
"I've lost everything," said owner Michael Gross as he hugged his wife tightly. "Everything we own was in in there." The building had been in his family for 4 generations. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgASvxaGjPBgL6j_ETniwDWgwYx3Nt4LlEgNa_jrcxbMPHUfl-RGCXhs0_TIJ8V2L64LCnusIQMo7xuzdUSYV11o-Mm3Nz7BgxamNLW99HSB9mHlvI4uUTR5Iskg8M4TOyMy6/s1600/4street47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgASvxaGjPBgL6j_ETniwDWgwYx3Nt4LlEgNa_jrcxbMPHUfl-RGCXhs0_TIJ8V2L64LCnusIQMo7xuzdUSYV11o-Mm3Nz7BgxamNLW99HSB9mHlvI4uUTR5Iskg8M4TOyMy6/s640/4street47.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999;">St. Fran EMS personnel take vitals on a firefighter complaining of dizziness.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Many Wilmington firefighters had mentioned that this was a blaze they all knew would eventually happen. In recent months, Wilmington Fire Marshall's Office and Licenses and Inspections have been following the letter of the code closing down nearly a dozen businesses.<br />
<br />
The fire department was at full staffing at the time the blaze broke out. No companies were in bypass for the day.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://flic.kr/s/aHsjHG5S9V" target="_blank">Full photo coverage HERE </a><br />
<br />
photos: Lou Angeli <br />
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####<br />
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<br />Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0Wilmington, DE, USA39.7458333 -75.546666739.648139300000004 -75.7080282 39.8435273 -75.3853052tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-72967331423646414592013-08-08T18:22:00.002-04:002013-08-08T18:22:07.896-04:00Toronto Paramedics and Firefighters at odds over Medical Calls <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_QyG6sD_Xg/UgQXCMjnjuI/AAAAAAAACJw/Sm_0NhQ9fmw/s1600/toronto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_QyG6sD_Xg/UgQXCMjnjuI/AAAAAAAACJw/Sm_0NhQ9fmw/s640/toronto.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">Toronto Paramedic and Firefighter - working as a team</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
TORONTO, ON (August 7, 2013) -- The Toronto Star's Rachel Mendleson reports that concern from Toronto firefighters over being removed from dozens of
urgent medical calls is a “smokescreen” to protect jobs, when “what
patients need are more paramedics,” according to Geoff MacBride,
president of the Toronto Paramedic Association. <br />
<br />
Ed Kennedy, president of the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’
Association, dismissed these assertions, calling MacBride “a broken
record.”<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/08/06/toronto_paramedics_and_firefighters_at_odds_over_medical_calls.html" target="_blank">Read the entire story -- what's your take? </a><br />
<br />
Toronto Paramedics Union wants to change the city's Pre-Hospital medical service from Toronto EMS to Toronto Paramedics<br />
<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/2013/08/06/toronto-ems-to-change-name" target="_blank">Read why</a><br />
<br />
###<br />
<br />Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0Toronto, ON, Canada43.653226 -79.38318429999998243.285985999999994 -80.028631299999986 44.020466 -78.737737299999978tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-26007081681187950392013-07-28T13:49:00.000-04:002013-07-28T13:49:26.891-04:00LifeNet 64 and LifeNet 61<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Nwq5kEHZxo/UfVTgWHF8-I/AAAAAAAACJQ/MsbykWv5khg/s1600/642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Nwq5kEHZxo/UfVTgWHF8-I/AAAAAAAACJQ/MsbykWv5khg/s640/642.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">LifeNet 64 touches down at Christiana</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Christiana, DE -- LifeNet-64 descends to the pad at Christiana Hospital's Trauma Center outside Wilmington. The crew was transporting a trauma code patient who was involved in a serious motorcycle accident south of Middletown, DE. LifeNet-64, along with 2 other BK177's, is operated by Air Methods under contract with Christiana Care. "64" is based at Georgetown Airport in Sussex County covering lower Delaware and the Eastern Shores of Maryland and Virginia. (photo: Lou Angeli)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kVooJio-QaU/UfVVlI320MI/AAAAAAAACJk/_E4eNKvdSuc/s1600/lifenet01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kVooJio-QaU/UfVVlI320MI/AAAAAAAACJk/_E4eNKvdSuc/s640/lifenet01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">N117J -- LifeNet 61's new ship </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
N117J has been placed in service as LifeNet-61 operating from Christiana Hospital in New Castle County, Delaware. Medevac for Christiana is contracted to Air Methods of Englewood, CO. The "new" ship is painted in the corporate colors of Christiana Care and includes the hospital's new circle "C" logo. In the background is the reserve unit for LifeNet 61.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
(photo: Lou Angeli)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666;">###</span></div>
Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0Christiana, DE 19702, USA39.6651122 -75.659929614.143077700000003 -116.9685236 65.1871467 -34.3513356tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-4290039986473645382013-07-19T01:12:00.000-04:002013-07-19T01:12:32.616-04:00Detroit Seeks Bankruptcy, Facing Debts of $18 Billion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8wY4Qw4WTbI8_Cibn8aBpM8-eb5CBSAkXn2yDhNV9FNHqKKMtCpfdGqQoF2EC5QC74Yx-fzjdsnsB7xWztMEeDMFltDInQ_uSOTQ5X410Sr-TyhSRSqD6bQ8jKWsHjO3_98v/s1600/detroit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8wY4Qw4WTbI8_Cibn8aBpM8-eb5CBSAkXn2yDhNV9FNHqKKMtCpfdGqQoF2EC5QC74Yx-fzjdsnsB7xWztMEeDMFltDInQ_uSOTQ5X410Sr-TyhSRSqD6bQ8jKWsHjO3_98v/s640/detroit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">"Things are bad here in Detroit. Very bad."</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"> </span></span></b><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">by: Lou Angeli<br /> <br />
DETROIT. MI (July 18, 2013) -- Once the nation's 4th largest city, the
broken, and now broke, city of Detroit is asking for bankruptcy
protection. How did this happen and what's it mean for Detroit's
Bravest? Well a DC-based "emergency manager," Kevyn Orr, has petitioned
a federal judge to allow him to take Detroit into the lar<span class="text_exposed_show">gest
bankruptcy in American history. The media paints Orr as the man who
views taking away pensions and health benefits as a broad based right,
without any limitations.<br /> <br /> According to Teresa Sanderfer,
Secretary of the Detroit Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 344,
"Things are bad here in Detroit. Very bad." She adds "And things will be
getting worse before they get better."<br /> <br /> During the past few
weeks, Orr has been trying to persuade creditors to accept pennies on
the dollar and unions, especially IAFF 344, to accept cuts in benefits.
But talks have broken down and Orr has decided to take the city into
bankruptcy. <br /> <br /> In a New York Times report, Mr. Orr has said that
as part of any restructuring he wants to spend about $1.25 billion on
improving city infrastructure and services. But a major concern for
Detroit residents remains the possibility that services, already
severely lacking, might be further diminished in bankruptcy. </span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAKktE0ceajRJ5lR6NfMhyOSt7na45Y37ENFLViWyVKCTXZSz_xlMVsafdgUuqhoJJyfyq48gGTaE45XOLRgU1uLbADBf6ThoS1UGcWE0alKFDMOyJ3xb21saq8NjENwFMwo_/s1600/detroit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAKktE0ceajRJ5lR6NfMhyOSt7na45Y37ENFLViWyVKCTXZSz_xlMVsafdgUuqhoJJyfyq48gGTaE45XOLRgU1uLbADBf6ThoS1UGcWE0alKFDMOyJ3xb21saq8NjENwFMwo_/s640/detroit2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">What does Bankruptcy mean to Firefighters?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">In a letter to members of IAFF Local 344, Sanderfer asks firefighters to remain solid and united. <br /> <br />
"Just like we do on each shift, we have each other and each other’s
backs." she wrote on the Local 344 Facebook page. "And with only that
going for us – because our rigs and our equipment are falling apart
around us – we’re surviving truly life threatening situations on the job
every day."<br /> <br /> City Council President Pro Tem Andre Spivey
residents that they needn't worry about the impact of the filing
immediately. "City services we provide will not be shut down," Spivey
says. But he adds there will be challenges. <br /> <br /> The unusual
process of bankrupting a huge American city may take from 90 days to one
year. Detorit has lost more than half of its population over the last
60 years. In 1950, it was the fifth-largest city in the country with a
population of around 1.8 million. Today its population is estimated at
just under 700,000.</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> <br /> ###</span></span><br />
Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0Detroit, MI, USA42.331427 -83.045753842.143674499999996 -83.3684773 42.5191795 -82.7230303tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-62204469989056729502013-07-17T11:06:00.000-04:002013-07-17T11:08:11.841-04:0020 Years Ago: The Great Flood of 1993<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpCIkJxqmcl2CgvpbZPNGpDAKFG-UJcnPIPBLGt2lqlLJwQo2-xTcY1kaREphvGIMBYkEnkImgFb6WXMgYSYZUKNBMfxDMummdGG06_I4sCLvqAEBKvG7Od4Q2CTT42axF_37/s1600/3598stgen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpCIkJxqmcl2CgvpbZPNGpDAKFG-UJcnPIPBLGt2lqlLJwQo2-xTcY1kaREphvGIMBYkEnkImgFb6WXMgYSYZUKNBMfxDMummdGG06_I4sCLvqAEBKvG7Od4Q2CTT42axF_37/s640/3598stgen.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999;">St. Genevieve, MO </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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St. Louis, MO -- (June, 1993) After 2 months of unending
Spring rains, Old Man River finally rebelled. Runoff from storms in Minnesota,
Iowa and Illinois forces the Mississippi well over its banks. The same river
that left behind fertile valleys after hundreds of previous floods, reclaimed the land with savage fury. Along the Mississippi River in St. Louis, the waters were so high, that they nearly reach the base of the Gateway arch, 5 stories<i>
above</i> flood stage.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: normal;"></span></div>
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In the aftermath, experts called it the most devastating
flood in US history. During the Great Flood of 93, fifty lives were lost and
property damage exceeded $40 billion, making it the third most costly US
disaster ever. <span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(as of 1993)</span></span></div>
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Weather forecasters blamed it on a stalled Bermuda high
pressure system, but locals simply referred to it as bad luck. With floodwaters
rising at a rate of 1 foot per day, The US Army Corps of Engineers were able to
provide adequate warning to communities along each affected river. Some
families were forced to evacuate -- others chose to relocate -- but many
decided to remain and stand their ground.</div>
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In early July 1993, as flood waters crept into low-lying
areas, many residents began a race against the clock. But holding back steadily
rising rivers wouldn't be an easy task. To be successful, communities needed
help.</div>
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During these early stages of the flood, hundreds of
sandbagging operations were taking place throughout the St. Louis metro area.
It was a scene that was repeated in communities throughout Missouri and
Southern Illinois. In river towns all along the flood plain, citizens prepared
for the worst.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbtwQrMWV88tIh_R_0gBmznurklxIZtjFgU8a1Dyom-GfSsyHzzX2LJLMpJ3sakL0vBQRajVqns02Snz05C_Wgmb9Q1LJEOlw85_OeNpaLBM71vdjRbEjI072ij6EnompPMX3/s1600/13692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbtwQrMWV88tIh_R_0gBmznurklxIZtjFgU8a1Dyom-GfSsyHzzX2LJLMpJ3sakL0vBQRajVqns02Snz05C_Wgmb9Q1LJEOlw85_OeNpaLBM71vdjRbEjI072ij6EnompPMX3/s400/13692.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spanish Lake, MO</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
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</xml><![endif]-->On July 6th, I was given a long-term assignment with a
simple mission statement – videotape and photograph the flood. But it wasn't
long before word leaked that I had some disaster experience and I was drafted
to serve as an aide to Captain Vince Wright (STLFD Squad-2).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was my job to serve as a liaison between
emergency services and FEMA as well as the Salvation Army.</div>
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I knew very little about the area, which extended from Hannibal
to the North, to Cape Girardeau in the South, roughly the distance between Los
Angeles and San Francisco. FEMA provided me with a fire department Suburban, a
few old ESSO maps and a cellular phone. I was told to report back on conditions
in the field.</div>
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Everywhere I drove -- everywhere -- folks were sandbagging.
Children, the elderly tourists -- anyone who could fill a bag and toss it onto
the levee. On the first day it took me 14 hours to make my rounds. On the
second day I was able to shave-off an hour. By the third day, I was assigned to
tour the area in a helicopter.</div>
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From the air, the Great Flood
lived up to its name. It was still early July, but it was clear to emergency
personnel that within weeks the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois rivers would
overflow their banks in a very big way.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9lCi_wwAuGc/UeawiWCRz6I/AAAAAAAACIQ/zju0_UOCXGc/s1600/JetRangerFlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9lCi_wwAuGc/UeawiWCRz6I/AAAAAAAACIQ/zju0_UOCXGc/s640/JetRangerFlight.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Chopper Pilot Rich Barkledge and I decide to make this our
first stop, and he eases the unmarked Jet Ranger onto a landing zone prepared
by local firefighters. Soon after we land, the leaders of this renegade band of
baggers stop us cold dead.</div>
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"We need sand! We need bags! We need food and cool
drinks!” And one final plea, “We desperately need porta-potties!"</div>
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<br /></div>
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Fire service and law enforcement were serving in their best
capacity. Keeping the homes secure and the sandbaggers safe. If OSHA or NIOSH
were here, though, they'd close this site down in a nanosecond. I made some
quick calculations, and noted that the 1000 plus sandbaggers were working in
polluted waters on a haphazard dam some 10 feet below the water line.</div>
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<br />
If a "blowout" were to take place, it would take at least 100
emergency personnel to make rescues and safely evacuate the area. I glanced
over at the standby emergency team -- a 4-man engine company, 2-person medic
unit, 2 deputy sheriffs, and a retired Salvation Army captain. I shook my head,
and never allowed that thought to enter my mind again.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kEDJJOEWpOs/UeaxFAb-p0I/AAAAAAAACIY/ey7RUkmwqwA/s1600/2132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kEDJJOEWpOs/UeaxFAb-p0I/AAAAAAAACIY/ey7RUkmwqwA/s640/2132.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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During the next few weeks, Spanish Lake was to be our
"first" and "last" stop each and every day. Like so many,
we were convinced that the folks here could hold back the river.</div>
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Building the sandbag wall was a monumental task: Hundreds of
truckloads of sand were used to fill nearly 2-million sandbags. Medics gave out
hundreds of injections to protect volunteers against hepatitis. Relief agencies
served thousands of meals. It was a Wall of Wonder, with its own designer, a
retired bridge engineer.</div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The town became the gathering place for international
media. In fact, there were more satellite uplink trucks than dump trucks --
more camera crews than firefighters or police officers -- and enough still
photographers that a local camera shop was selling film from the back of a
rented van.</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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throughout the world, many devoting their time while vacationing in the Gateway
city. One couple in particular, newlyweds from Bradford, England, had arrived
directly from Lambert-St. Louis International. Another family from Auckland,
New Zealand claimed a certain section of the wall for the folks down under.
Everyone who worked at Spanish Lake signed their own bag, and that section
remains as a memorial to all of the volunteers, who devoted their time and
energy to holding back the 500 year Flood.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: normal;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Three generations of the Scott family, who lived in
these homes, kept a constant vigil around the clock. I know, they'd page me at
3 AM to ask for shovels, sand and bags. During the course of 4 weeks, I signed
for tens of thousands of dollars in emergency resources, and this was just one
location out of dozens.</span><br />
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<br />
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<i>Losing The Battle</i><br />
<br />
But the floodwaters just kept rising and rising, and the wall couldn't be built
strong enough or fast enough. Leaks developed, and the super saturated ground
prevented volunteers from working safely. Finally, during the last week of
July, the town's Fire Chief gave the order to abandon the effort<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: normal;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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To say this was an emotional moment for the volunteers and
families is an understatement. After 30 long days, time and hope had run out.
No one questioned the decision, though. Instead, volunteers retreated to safer,
higher ground, popped open beverages donated by the local brewery giant, and
celebrated a victory of the human spirit.</div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">A few days later the river won and floodwaters overran
the wall, inundating the church and all of the homes. Over 6,000 people had
come here to assist the Scott family, and each year, on the anniversary of the
flood, the Scotts send out thousands of cards of thanks.</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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This scene was repeated every day for weeks. Grafton, West
Alton, Potage des Sioux, St. Charles, Valmeyer – they were all inundated by
flood waters, some 20 feet deep.On August 3rd, Captain Vince Wright, Pilot Rich
Barkladge, and I were surveying areas downstream of St. Louis from the
helicopter, which had become home.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I hear the pilot's voice through the headset, “Guys, we can
make it in 15 minutes.”</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span>As news choppers circled, we
dropped down to 100 ft. for a closer look. I stepped onto the skid, and shot
that evening's lead national story. The levee had been breeched, and the 24
square mile island was filling so fast, that many residents were trapped.</div>
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<br /></div>
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picking up trapped residents and flying them to the relative safety of the West
levee, where the Army had set up an evacuation ferry. It didn't take long for
floodwaters to fill farmlands and the town itself. Kaskaskia was gone in less
than two hours.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We landed on Main Street to check businesses for any strays.
No one in sight. But as we were about to lift-off, we noticed a lone woman with
three Holsteins in tow. As was our routine, Vince tossed the coin. And as
usual, I lost and got to stay behind.</div>
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<br /></div>
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As the crew lifted the farmwoman to safety, I led the cows
to the safest (and highest) place I could find -- the Catholic Church. As we
walked down the aisle together, all four mooing, I tied the bovine churchgoers
to the main altar. The Coast Guard led them out a few weeks later. They
survived the flood, but I doubt that they survived the slaughter house.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Later that day, while returning to the St. Louis Fire
Department helipad, we watched as another levee had been breeched, and was
quickly overrunning a nicely kept farm. As the owner sat on a nearby hill, he
watched as the river swept away his home, furnishings, farm buildings and heavy
equipment. I can never forget that scene, nor the lethal blow that Mother
Nature dealt that man and tens of thousands like him.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: normal;"></span>
</div>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">###</span></span></span><br />
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memory of my partners during the Summer of 1993, Captain Vincent Wright and
Pilot Rich Barkledge</span></div>
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Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0St. Louis, MO, USA38.6270025 -90.199404238.230193 -90.844851200000008 39.023812000000007 -89.5539572tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-45872895842926607092013-07-12T13:10:00.000-04:002013-07-12T13:10:05.348-04:00An East Coaster's Guide to CAL FIRE<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaruIfgoBhyphenhyphenny3bgr-v4_NGqlRPO_XWpp-sphMiBOCSGwWd0GrIem-bGxJJLPC6pulcN4bPbI4araq5-LjshRiD-3rixN21KCltCJTQgLqBaGB0iBnZdaMv7fHyYTMd98etHqA/s1600/Station30c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaruIfgoBhyphenhyphenny3bgr-v4_NGqlRPO_XWpp-sphMiBOCSGwWd0GrIem-bGxJJLPC6pulcN4bPbI4araq5-LjshRiD-3rixN21KCltCJTQgLqBaGB0iBnZdaMv7fHyYTMd98etHqA/s640/Station30c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CAL FIRE Station - San Luis Obispo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>The Nation's Largest Fire Department Isn't FDNY</b><br />
<br />
<br />
SACRAMENTO -- The state of California is protected by 21 CAL FIRE Operational Districts. There are 803 fire stations
(228 state and 575 local government), 39 conservation camps, 13 air
attack, and 9 helitack bases.<br />
<br />
The heart of CAL FIRE’s emergency
response and resource protection capability is a force of nearly 4,700
full-time fire professionals, foresters, and administrative employees;
3,100 seasonal firefighters; 5,600 local government volunteer
firefighters; 2,600 Volunteers In Prevention; and 4,300 inmates and
wards.<br />
<br />
To transport and support these forces, CAL FIRE operates over
1,095 fire engines (336 state and 759 local government); 215 rescue
squads; 63 paramedic units; 38 aerial ladder trucks; 58 bulldozers; 5
mobile communication centers; and 11 mobile kitchen units. The
department funds, via contract, an additional 82 engines and 12
bulldozers in six counties – Kern, Los Angeles, Marin, Orange, Santa
Barbara, and Ventura. From the air, CAL FIRE operates 23 1,200-gallon
air tankers, 11 helicopters, and 13 air tactical planes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qCgjyZD2B6I/UeAz1KSqgVI/AAAAAAAACHU/aE6HTRnacd4/s1600/heli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qCgjyZD2B6I/UeAz1KSqgVI/AAAAAAAACHU/aE6HTRnacd4/s640/heli.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CAL FIRE Super Huey, one of 11 Helicopters owned by the agency.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Helicopters, or rotary-wing aircraft, are used to transport firefighting
hand crews into fire areas. They also drop water and retardant
chemicals on fires.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fire.ca.gov/" target="_blank"> CAL FIRE Website </a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #999999;">###</span>Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0Sacramento, CA, USA38.5815719 -121.4943996000000138.1842559 -122.13984660000001 38.978887900000004 -120.8489526tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-7729622778419449862013-07-11T13:28:00.000-04:002013-07-11T13:28:27.593-04:0020 Dead, 30 Missing in Quebec Rail Explosion and Fire<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yzWSJoAitNFjjyPQEhzidF1JPiiLVe-GILULr62W00CQUQZ3vn7dD-cVAcBdy4Cy3CRVeuNEwarHIIyJwX0LY9_sI-GNLuP2k5WuPrb3PmBahnt_Y96k18LL6mDDBK1QNrmg/s1600/04690870-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yzWSJoAitNFjjyPQEhzidF1JPiiLVe-GILULr62W00CQUQZ3vn7dD-cVAcBdy4Cy3CRVeuNEwarHIIyJwX0LY9_sI-GNLuP2k5WuPrb3PmBahnt_Y96k18LL6mDDBK1QNrmg/s640/04690870-large.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999;">Aerial view shows multiple car pile-up in Lac-Megantic, Quebec</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Lac-Megantic, QUEBEC -- At least 20 people are dead and 30 missing in an oil train explosion in the province of Quebec, near the border with Maine. According to USA Today, "Quebec Premier Pauline Marois arrived Thursday to tour the site of
Canada's worst railway catastrophe in almost 150 years, six days after a
runaway oil train demolished the heart of a small town, killing 50
people in a fiery explosion."<br />
<br />
The intensity of the explosions and fire made parts of the devastated
town too hot and dangerous to enter and find bodies days after the
disaster. Only one body had been formally identified, said Genevieve
Guilbault of the coroner's office, and she described efforts to identify
the other remains as "very long and arduous work."<br />
<br />
Investigators are also looking at a fire on the same train just hours
before the disaster. A fire official has said the train's power was shut
down as standard operating procedure, meaning the train's air brakes
would have been disabled. In that case, hand brakes on individual train
cars would have been needed.<br />
<br />
The derailment is Canada's worst railway disaster since a train plunged into a Quebec river in 1864, killing 99.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57593194/officials-30-missing-in-quebec-train-crash-presumed-dead/" target="_blank">CBS Video of the Lac-Megantic Rail Disaster</a><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #999999;">###</span>Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0Lac-Mégantic, QC, Canada45.5801342 -70.88810000000000945.491240700000006 -71.0494615 45.6690277 -70.72673850000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-44976568756586909052013-07-11T00:19:00.000-04:002013-07-11T00:21:33.989-04:00Boeing 777 Crashes at San Francisco International<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ikb_K32KOiE/Ud4tjXmA3vI/AAAAAAAACGU/C4_eigX1v94/s1600/o-ASIANA-AIRLINES-facebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ikb_K32KOiE/Ud4tjXmA3vI/AAAAAAAACGU/C4_eigX1v94/s640/o-ASIANA-AIRLINES-facebook.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Firefighters, Police hailed in Asiana crash (from USA TODAY)</span></h1>
<h1 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">SAN FRANCISCO --</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Fire crews say they made repeated searches of the plane after an Asiana crewmember reported that four flight attendants were missing. They used the quickest way to board the aircraft - climbing up the deployed emergency chutes that passengers had used to get out of the cabin. While in the plane, they say, they had to extinguish fires and deal with fuel gushing from the plane's punctured tanks. <a href="http://www.thetowntalk.com/usatoday/article/2500151">(read the entire story)</a></span></span></h1>
<h1>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></h1>
<h1>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://youtu.be/DDR6DO3WnZ8" target="_blank">Video of Firefighting Operations following Asiana Crash at SFO</a></span></span></h1>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwOovvR2qx9-e1XEuVlIXIuAkruUSG1A5-klRBGNT_aPpyNBntUsM_W6x4PDxtrgjEDtE44zMsWfjqZ93ZT0u7Mf_ZTzYIbdhN7WtMt7_YUYS2-62kdl55iyYHypMhwkVt8PL/s1600/San-Francisco-Striker-4500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwOovvR2qx9-e1XEuVlIXIuAkruUSG1A5-klRBGNT_aPpyNBntUsM_W6x4PDxtrgjEDtE44zMsWfjqZ93ZT0u7Mf_ZTzYIbdhN7WtMt7_YUYS2-62kdl55iyYHypMhwkVt8PL/s640/San-Francisco-Striker-4500.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999;">One of 3 Striker 4500 ARFF Apparatus in service at San Francisco International Airport</span>.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Response
of a Career </span></b><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">SAN FRANCISCO -- The last major crash at San Francisco International Airport was 45 years ago when a Japan Airlines flight crashed on take off at SFO . The Airport itself is in San Mateo County, 13 miles from the city of
San Francisco. However the three ARFF stations at SFO are operated by
the San Francisco Fire Department. SFFD operates 4 ARFF units (3 Striker 4500 apparatus and 1 Oshkosh 3000 ARFF rig), a multi
agent tanker/tender, 2 Engine companies, 1 Truck company, 2 Paramedic
units, a Command vehicle and 4 watercraft under the command of an Assistant Deputy Chief. There are an additional 2 Oshkosh 3000 ARFF apparatus in reserve, ready to deployed by off duty crews.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span style="color: #999999;">### </span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /></span>Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0United States37.614103856640916 -122.3809633515625737.21267635664092 -123.02641035156257 38.015531356640913 -121.73551635156257tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-15135983325557014222013-07-01T11:17:00.000-04:002013-07-01T11:17:12.780-04:00Honoring Prescott's Bravest <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sIYNH4OCKZQ/UdGcOc5DC9I/AAAAAAAACGE/hGyU9kZb4EI/s1600/prescott+fire2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sIYNH4OCKZQ/UdGcOc5DC9I/AAAAAAAACGE/hGyU9kZb4EI/s640/prescott+fire2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>19 Prescott AZ Firefighters Perish in Yarnell Wildfire</b><br />
<br />
by: Lou Angeli<br />
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During my career, I’ve covered a number of wildland fire
campaigns as a video and photojournalist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One thing I’ve learned is that when Mother Nature whips a firestorm, she
does so with a vengeance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This past Friday night a single bolt of lightning ignited a
blaze, which spread rapidly amid high heat, low humidity and strong winds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within 48 hours it consumed the town of
Yarnell, Arizona and 19 Prescott firefighters who were protecting it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have deep respect for the men and women know as Hotshots,
specially trained professionals who are sent into harm’s way to fight these
massive blazes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is nothing
glamorous about their job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No monster
fire engines, no water – just shovels, axes, rakes and a few chainsaws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their work is backbreaking as they go about
cutting firebreaks to deprive the fire of one or more of the fire triangle
fundamentals.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
News reports say that the <a href="http://www.cityofprescott.net/services/fire/about.php" target="_blank">Prescott Hotshots</a> were forced to
deploy their “shake and bakes,” emergency tent-like structures meant to shield
them from flames after becoming trapped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did the fire overtake them? Were they unable to make it to their safe
area?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Officials aren’t sure yet but<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"something drastic" happened, said
Dan Fraijo, Prescott’s Fire Chief. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who could not admire these men, who risked their lives to
save the lives and property of people they would likely never meet, and lost
their own lives in the process. “ an Australian firefighter wrote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Selfless givers, they were absolute heroes,
and deserve to be remembered as such.</div>
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Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-40915476558362259672013-06-09T11:46:00.000-04:002013-06-09T11:46:08.558-04:00Passings: Thomas A Brooks<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHGF5xs02xs65IUeZ2Zsgh3SX2sjZBa5VyhuZCQ9byXg-B4qfXbDk3U_K9_QQMFxz-rNCk-to0T3ELNk5eF1RfUuBT4i8XHsYrEUWRA4-Uhk6T_dikAt7IbVNxEz24q7QIHkb/s1600/tom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHGF5xs02xs65IUeZ2Zsgh3SX2sjZBa5VyhuZCQ9byXg-B4qfXbDk3U_K9_QQMFxz-rNCk-to0T3ELNk5eF1RfUuBT4i8XHsYrEUWRA4-Uhk6T_dikAt7IbVNxEz24q7QIHkb/s1600/tom.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom "Brooksie" Brooks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Wilmington, DE (June 9, 2013) -- <span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">The
Delaware Fire and EMS community has lost an experienced colleague and
great friend. Thomas A. Brooks, Sr has passed away at the age of 76.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">"Brooksie" served in a variety of positions, both administrative and
fireline, as a life member of Elsmere Fire Company (45 years) and
Cranston Heights Fire Company (35 years), where he also served as one of
Delaware's first "paid" volunteers<span class="text_exposed_show">. Tom
was a wealth of information when it came to Fire-EMS, likely because of
his experience on the street. Although I have no numbers, it would be
safe to assume that Brooksie responded to well over 10,000 Fire-EMS
calls during his career. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">As a former member of Mill Creek Fire Company, I
responded on many mutual aid calls with Tom, and I count him as a
valued colleague and good friend. His smile and laugh will be missed.
RIP Tommy.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span>A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 pm on Wednesday June 12th at the
McCrery and Harra Funeral Home, 3710 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington. A
Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home at 10:30 am on Thursday
June 13th. Burial will follow in the Delaware Veterans Memorial
Cemetery in Bear with full fire and military honors.<br /><br />
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations in Tom’s
memory to the Seasons Hospice, 1212 Foulk Road, Wilmington, DE 19803.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #999999;">### </span>Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-86901011942172985102013-06-07T15:13:00.000-04:002013-06-07T15:13:49.519-04:00Extended Extrication<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tWnKcLnL4f8/UbIvfx-YdAI/AAAAAAAACFc/rpPtB276Wb4/s1600/RecsueEngine-126_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tWnKcLnL4f8/UbIvfx-YdAI/AAAAAAAACFc/rpPtB276Wb4/s640/RecsueEngine-126_08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Christiana, DE -- Firefighters, EMTs and Paramedics treat a patient who was trapped upside down in a small pickup following a single vehicle accident on Northbound I-95 near the Churchmans' Road overpass. Rescue Units from Christiana, Minquas and Wilmington Manor Fire Companies conducted the extrication, then handed the patient over to medics from New Castle County EMS.<br />
<br />
photo: Lou Angeli<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #999999;">###</span>Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0Christiana, DE 19702, USA39.6651122 -75.659929614.143077700000003 -116.9685236 65.1871467 -34.3513356tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-17055108383537853042013-06-06T11:52:00.001-04:002013-06-06T11:52:10.115-04:00Update: 6 Dead, 14 Injured in Philly Collapse<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_KtoJIKRIvI/UbCtce3xHFI/AAAAAAAACFM/IcuBfcn1ERg/s1600/collapse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_KtoJIKRIvI/UbCtce3xHFI/AAAAAAAACFM/IcuBfcn1ERg/s640/collapse.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999;">Philadelphia firefighters search brick by brick for survivors and victims at collapse site.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="articleText">REUTERS Philadelphia, PA (June 6, 2013) -- Engine and Truck Companies are rotated in as
Philly firefighters pick through the heaps of concrete chunks, bricks and splintered
wood at the collapse scene on Philadelphia's busy Market Street. As of Thursday morning the toll stood at 6 dead and 14 injured with still no estimate of the missing.</span><br />
<span id="articleText"><br /></span>
Mayor Michael Nutter suggested at a late night news conference on Wednesday that the number of casualties could rise.<br />
<br />
<span id="articleText"><span id="midArticle_4"></span></span><br />
"We
still do not know how many people were inside the thrift store or
possibly on the sidewalk" at the time of the collapse, Nutter said. "If
someone else is in that building, they will find them."<br />
<br />
Moments after the Mayor made those comments, <span id="articleText">a 61-year-old woman was pulled from the rubble
alive, more than 12 hours after the collapse, and taken to a hospital in
critical condition.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="articleText"></span>The collapse took place <span id="articleText"> </span>when a 4-story building, which was being
demolished, collapsed onto the two-story Salvation Army Thrift Store,
located next door.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;">### </span><br />
<br />
<br />
Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-26082452411612364302013-06-05T15:51:00.003-04:002013-06-05T15:51:39.684-04:00Four Houston Firefighters Remembered During Memorial<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TGKaViTB0CA/Ua-VaAzz29I/AAAAAAAACE8/wL6Xa7D_AXU/s1600/memorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="465" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TGKaViTB0CA/Ua-VaAzz29I/AAAAAAAACE8/wL6Xa7D_AXU/s640/memorial.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memorial participants will march under the tower of honor before entering Reliant Stadium<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
AP Houston, TX (June 5, 2013 )-- Thousands of firefighters from across the country, many with badges
shrouded in black, joined Houston residents Wednesday to honor the four
firefighters killed last week in a massive hotel fire.<br />
<br />
The Houston firefighters who lost their lives during a building collapse are:<br />
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">-Captain EMT Matthew Renaud (35) of Station 68<br /> -Engineer/Operator EMT Robert Bebee (41) of Station 51<br /> -Firefighter EMT Robert Garner (29) of Station 68<br /><span class="text_exposed_show"> -Probationary Firefighter Anne Sullivan (24) of Station 68</span></span></span> <br />
<br />
As many as
40,000 people gathered in Reliant Stadium to remember the four who died
Friday - the deadliest day in the Houston Fire Department's 118-year
history. Before
it began, dozens of fire trucks and emergency services vehicles from
New Orleans, Dallas and elsewhere formed a long procession on flag-lined
streets leading to the stadium.<br />
<br />
Opening and closing prayers were led by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.<br />
<br />
Investigators
at the scene of the five-alarm blaze at the Southwest Inn have said
they are focusing on an attic and the kitchen area of a restaurant
connected to the motel. Deputy Chief Ed
Arthur, who heads the department's arson division, said Tuesday he
expected the physical examination of the rubble to take about 10 days
but a report of the findings could take months.<br />
<br />
"The investigation is dedicated to our heroes, our fallen firefighter friends," he said.<br />
<br />
### Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-40126879778543844002013-06-05T15:06:00.000-04:002013-06-05T15:06:31.076-04:0014 Rescued From Philly Building Collapse<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmLehWjeh9817xk5ExRuX_hdHiFsiH3uON5CAciS8HmiPQOgdmQju_HTI8p_5GDBsoUhk82wbyUVOZ9xJzGNFG1q96uOyLYSDRbf5RBtyhUdmxfqgnC7HX1wfwNAB_8JYxC3s/s1600/philly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmLehWjeh9817xk5ExRuX_hdHiFsiH3uON5CAciS8HmiPQOgdmQju_HTI8p_5GDBsoUhk82wbyUVOZ9xJzGNFG1q96uOyLYSDRbf5RBtyhUdmxfqgnC7HX1wfwNAB_8JYxC3s/s1600/philly.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Philadelphia firefighters rush a victim to a waiting medic unit.</span></span></div>
<br />
Philadelphia, PA (June 5, 2013) -- A four-story building that was being demolished apparently fell
onto Salvation Army store in central Philadelphia at about 10:45 a.m.
Wednesday, city Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers says.<br />
<br />
A witness, Ari Barkin, told CNN that a part of an unoccupied building
set for demolition fell onto a one-story Salvation Army building. Debris
also hit three cars and a sidewalk, he said. Another witness, Jordan McLaughlin, told CNN affiliate KYW that a number
of people were in the Salvation Army building, and that he helped pull
two people from the rubble.<br />
<br />
At 12:40pm, two people were still believed to be trapped beneath the rubble, and
companies from the Philadelphia Fire Department's Collapse Rescue Team were working feverishly to remove them from the debris. Twelve
people had been taken to hospitals.<br />
<br />
“This is an active search and rescue. It’s ... delicate and dangerous.” Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter told reporters.<br />
<br />
"Keep in mind we did not know, and we do not know, how many people were
actually in the thrift store this morning when the wall collapsed this
morning," and that's why the search continues, Nutter said.<br />
<br />
A 2:45pm update revealed that 14 people had been removed from the debris with 13 being transported to local hospitals.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #999999;">###</span>Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0Philadelphia, PA, USA39.952335 -75.16378900000000839.563109499999996 -75.809236000000013 40.3415605 -74.518342tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-74882185838840417102013-05-22T13:41:00.002-04:002013-05-22T13:42:17.266-04:00Wilmington DE Fire Chief now carrying a firearm<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x5Lkxq8hlFM/UZ0CwxEwKoI/AAAAAAAACEc/dF4vs84DAJQ/s1600/goode.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x5Lkxq8hlFM/UZ0CwxEwKoI/AAAAAAAACEc/dF4vs84DAJQ/s400/goode.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Chief Anthony Goode</div>
<br />
Wilmington Fire Chief Anthony Goode has been carrying a firearm for
about a month, saying with increased code enforcement duties he and the
mayor’s staff thought he should protect himself.<br />
<br />
<span class="pp"></span>“Firefighters
are always in dangerous situations. You never know what you’re going to
be walking into,” Goode said, who was appointed fire chief by Mayor
Dennis P. Williams in January.<br />
<span class="aa"></span><br />
<br />
Goode
has been involved in several high-profile code enforcement actions over
the past two months, including cracking down on three makeshift clubs
run by the Thunderguards Motorcycle Club. While the city’s fire marshals
also carry weapons, Goode said his decision to carry will not lead to
all Wilmington firefighters arming themselves.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20130522/NEWS02/305220060/Wilmington-fire-chief-now-carrying-firearm" target="_blank">Read the entire story on DelawareOnline.com</a><br />
<br />
<br />
###Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-35913342703997210102013-05-21T11:27:00.001-04:002013-05-21T11:30:29.419-04:00Update from Moore, Oklahoma<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVjZmofTKIngWyyvgLEW9tzJ824BxzMO6GcfAjbzEb-54Nyz0qs5g1B-xX00T9NdlVjTXD1y8jBrulSH9lRQt9uLrWs5pOoYEfbpOZBBampqm1TgNaODqL_qCt6TzH1lVPBik/s1600/rescue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVjZmofTKIngWyyvgLEW9tzJ824BxzMO6GcfAjbzEb-54Nyz0qs5g1B-xX00T9NdlVjTXD1y8jBrulSH9lRQt9uLrWs5pOoYEfbpOZBBampqm1TgNaODqL_qCt6TzH1lVPBik/s640/rescue.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Moore, OK (May 21, 2013) -- Firefighters here in Moore are at a premium, so many of the rescue teams are made up of law enforcement, citizen volunteers and off duty medics from the other side of the state. FEMA has a term that it uses to describe volunteers and self responders -- SCUVs. aka Spontaneous Convergent Unaffiliated Volunteers. In rescue circles SCUV is a dirty name but here in Moore the acronym SCUV has been replaced by the term HERO.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Over 100 rescues were made during the night -- many more made this morning. The fire department here in Moore, OK is not very large, but every member is on the scene. There is no off-duty today for them or a thousand other firefighters and rescue personnel who have arrived from Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri. A pair of firefighters wearing FDNY leather made their way to th<span class="text_exposed_hide"></span><span class="text_exposed_show">is "pile" in a gesture of repayment for OK's response to the events of 9/11/01. <br /><br /> Law enforcement officers from as far away as Tulsa and Texas are here as well, serving in twin roles today. Their usual job of keeping the peace -- and that of victim rescuer. Many of the first responders lost their own homes, and one I spoke to has a severely injured child who is being treated in Oklahoma City. But they are here doing what they have been trained to do. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">###</span></span>Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.comMoore, OK, USA35.3395079 -97.48670279999998935.2358739 -97.648064299999987 35.4431419 -97.325341299999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-32041344276650775252013-05-20T18:36:00.002-04:002013-05-20T18:36:27.168-04:00Massive Tornado Stikes Moore, Oklahoma<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CgnBSk9gPW0/UZqf-xF460I/AAAAAAAACD8/unKm3W1ICOA/s1600/tornado.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CgnBSk9gPW0/UZqf-xF460I/AAAAAAAACD8/unKm3W1ICOA/s640/tornado.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Highway Patrol: "Hundreds and hundreds possibly trapped"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Moore OK (May 20, 2013) -- Moments ago, a massive tornado ripped through the town of Moore,
Oklahoma, just outside Oklahoma City — laying waste in its path and
killing at least two victims. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Children trapped---children hurt" at Briarwood Elementary School in Moore, OK after tornado. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">KFOR
meteorologist Mike Morgan just called this "the worst tornado
damage-wise in the history of the world." Morgan estimates the damage to
be two-three times worse than that of the May 1999 tornado — the worst
ever — which also hit the town of Moore.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Now: </span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">49 of
the 75 trapped hildren have now been rescued at elementary school however the
Moore Regional Hospital is destroyed. Radio traffic: Firefighters are
awaiting EMS units to transport injured kids to Childrens Hospital of
Oklahoma in OK City.</span></div>
Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-20973425232667299882013-05-20T13:21:00.000-04:002013-05-20T13:21:25.353-04:00Cecil County - Ladder-4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaLyuzQraciJXrdIfdqh3wOvGnf95w4K4El_2NjIMzTJgE_PIaVa3XG8-Xg9-sNPZtYKETPEqu27bvHVjZny5TMAwtqznvOZNNtjz3RyjUN90r-EzUkoyZptME3oXX0oLQiHh/s1600/memorial46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaLyuzQraciJXrdIfdqh3wOvGnf95w4K4El_2NjIMzTJgE_PIaVa3XG8-Xg9-sNPZtYKETPEqu27bvHVjZny5TMAwtqznvOZNNtjz3RyjUN90r-EzUkoyZptME3oXX0oLQiHh/s640/memorial46.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Northeast Fire Company's LADDER-4 captured during Newark, Delaware's 2013 Memorial Day Parade. Ladder 4 is a 2009 Seagrave Marauder II 100ft rear mount aerial and covers the central section of Cecil County, Maryland.<br />
<br />
photo: Lou Angeli Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0Newark, DE, USA39.6837226 -75.749657239.585956100000004 -75.9110187 39.7814891 -75.5882957tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-36216834832561264612013-05-20T13:17:00.002-04:002013-05-20T13:22:17.849-04:00Dallas Firefighter Killed Following MAYDAY Transmission<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbAsiWifC4ZHV4RubIjf6Cxi3j0nQDyPd_C_6Oxao4EaSriLOdzduEyPt5Us-NFdXhGYJNIq4YOsZhyphenhyphenUdIVTm4w-efEtGCicvpL3RaYTkzGkgXJvQoXv3xsTwOqm2OGLUWKZp/s1600/ScreenHunter_571+May.+20+13.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbAsiWifC4ZHV4RubIjf6Cxi3j0nQDyPd_C_6Oxao4EaSriLOdzduEyPt5Us-NFdXhGYJNIq4YOsZhyphenhyphenUdIVTm4w-efEtGCicvpL3RaYTkzGkgXJvQoXv3xsTwOqm2OGLUWKZp/s640/ScreenHunter_571+May.+20+13.14.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
DALLAS (AP) — A firefighter's body was recovered Monday several hours
after he called for help because he was trapped in a condominium complex
blaze.</div>
<br />
Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesman Jason Evans did not
immediately release the name of the man, whose body was pulled from the
rubble after a frantic, hours long search during the six-alarm blaze in
northeast Dallas.<br />
<br />
"From where they thought the firefighter was
there was pretty much an assembly line of debris, coming where guys were
just handing back debris," Evans said.<br />
<br />
The fire was reported
shortly before 3 a.m. Monday at the three-story condo complex, Evans
said. A U.S. flag covered the firefighter's body when it was located and
removed.<br />
<br />
Two firefighters were transported to a hospital with
injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening. Five residents
were rescued from the fire and two were treated for minor smoke
inhalation, Evans said.<br />
<br />
Authorities are trying to determine what sparked the fire, Evans said.<br />
<br />
He
declined to release details about the firefighter's call for
assistance, saying it was a very sensitive matter to victim's family and
to the department.<br />
<br />
"It's not something that you'd want to hear,
you'd want to forget it," Evans said, at times choking back tears during
a news conference.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
----</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Full coverage at<a href="http://www.firefighternation.com/article/news-2/dallas-firefighter-trapped-condo-fire%20#firenation" target="_blank"> FirefighterNation </a></div>
<br />Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-18438527188539977532013-05-05T13:50:00.000-04:002013-05-05T13:50:10.885-04:00Local Bank Purchases Ontario EMS Choppers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JixK7i3LPQw/UYabCPBc8uI/AAAAAAAACCo/xZUC_Aujz4E/s1600/ornge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JixK7i3LPQw/UYabCPBc8uI/AAAAAAAACCo/xZUC_Aujz4E/s640/ornge.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
by Lou Angeli<br />
<br />
WILMINGTON, DE (May 3, 2013) -- <span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Delaware's
Wilmington Trust Company has purchased 2 never-used AW139 Helicopters
from Ontario's Medevac provider ORNGE for a cool $10 million per ship.
In fact, the 2 choppers (like me) never made it across the Canadian
border and were stored at the AgustaWestland's facility in North
Philadelphia for over 2 years. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"> </span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Wilmington Trust holds the note on Ornge's fleet of 12 AW helicopters, and some say<span class="text_exposed_show">
the term "purchase" should read "repossessed" considering the medevac
provider was given a year to sell the choppers but were unable to do so.
In fact, the 2 surplus AW139's were never outfitted for EMS use and
were fitted as corporate aircraft.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/investigations/2013/05/01/taxpayers_lose_2_million_on_sale_of_ornge_helicopters.html" target="_blank">Read the backstory</a> and learn how ORNGE came very close to being grounded.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31549316.post-66408599745611314802013-04-23T13:13:00.000-04:002013-04-23T13:13:20.656-04:00Kennett Fire Company -- New Delivery <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYLZKz-ULXE948uzHNzJLFX2W-JhN_czT4Gy3u0ay7DA-nC49RTf33rIUPeHMwliMiRSLoTzMncGPrpkl4nl9kEA4URlJaM48P2LOLYAzCVjM7XNZERAJ9-NLfcBafJHXOVaT/s1600/kennett-tanker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYLZKz-ULXE948uzHNzJLFX2W-JhN_czT4Gy3u0ay7DA-nC49RTf33rIUPeHMwliMiRSLoTzMncGPrpkl4nl9kEA4URlJaM48P2LOLYAzCVjM7XNZERAJ9-NLfcBafJHXOVaT/s640/kennett-tanker.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>New Delivery:</b> <span class="userContent">Congrats to my friends at <i>Kennett Fire Company</i>
(Station 24) Kennett Square, PA. The Department has taken delivery of a
2013 Kenworth/US Tanker 3000 gallon Stainless Steel tanker. The chassis
is a KW-T800 with 500 HP Cummins power plant. The pump is a Hale QMAX
2000 gpm pump. Check out the department's VERY unique apparatus on their website: <a href="http://www.firestation24.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.firestation24.com/</a></span><span class="userContentSecondary fcg"> </span>Lou Angelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703341417798835157noreply@blogger.com0Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA39.8467767 -75.71160320000001339.8223932 -75.751943700000012 39.8711602 -75.671262700000014