This is a video of a house fire in South Union. I am guessing PA or NJ…but I am not sure.

I had a couple of thoughts after watching this video.

• Suit up and get ready before you get to the roof.
• Make your cut and get off the roof.

The other week, I had a Brother contact me about visiting Roanoke. When Brothers visit Roanoke, Willie and I try our best to roll out the red carpet and put our best foot forward. Unfortunately for Willie, he has two left feet! Chief Scott Morrison from  Knotts Island Volunteer Fire Department was in town working and I ensured him we would have a good time. Willie and I both would have taken him around, but Willie was working. Therefore it was my job to show him as much of Roanoke as I could. I think we stopped in or drove by firehouses 1, old 1, 2, 3, old 3, 5, 7, 8, old 9, and 13…not bad for a half day of touring. We broke bread with Captain Wines at 13 and were delighted when Willie Sr. showed up with a friend for lunch as well. It actually gave me a chance to step into some of the houses I don’t get to all that often. I even met two firefighters who I hadn’t met before from the last recruit school.

Captain Wines, Chief Scott Morrison, Lt. Rhett Fleitz

We got a new guy at #3 A-shift about a month ago. Aaron (prounounced A-run) Parker is from the last recruit school and is fitting in just great. I will be introducing my entire crew this week hopefully. I have been meaning to do it, I just haven’t gotten around to it yet. It will be worth it, trust me!

Other than that, everything is busy as hell. Lacrosse season ends this weekend with a league tournament. I coach my son’s U9 and U11 teams and the U11 will be playing in the tournament. It should be a blast.

Dave Statter and I are gearing up for our presentation on Social Media in two weeks. Join us at the Ohio Fire & Emergency Services Foundation’s 2012 Leadership Conference in Newark, Ohio for May 23 & 24. Click here to sign up.

a little humor for your day. Shared by Benjamin Kimball

Shoutout – AESTFire

Facebook – AEST Inc.

About - In March of 2009 we incorporated to meet an ever-increasing need to provide quality training to area emergency service and industrial organizations. AEST Inc is comprised of many highly qualified, trained, and professional instructors.We all began as firefighters. AEST Inc expanded our services to include testing pumps, ladders, and fire hose all on site at your department. We are able to provide an excellent service at an affordable price.

Training

For EMS Training, check out CentreLearn. Our good friend Greg Friese is on the team there. They have a blog set up here as well…and on Facebook!

Tac-Med LLC is running some online training via their Facebook page. Check it out here.

FireGround Flowthrough – The Order of Operations. Check out this article by Chris Brennan of Fire Service Warrior.

Green Maltese offers Fireground Considerations. Check it out!

Video: Jason Jefferies teaches us how to crawl…check it out! Thanks to Chief Mike France for posting this in the Fire Service Training/Safety FB Group!

Tweet of the Week

Seems reasonable!

News and Opinion

Mark Vonappen offers us “Fingerprints” in his latest installment at Fully Involved…sink your teeth into this one. Mark’s musings are becoming very popular due in part to the topic, in part to the writing style, and in part because it is unforgiving, candid, and no nonsense. I love it!

I took this pic from the bumper of their fire engine a week into the recovery efforts after one of the worst tornadoes Indiana has seen in a long time! -Bill- Nineveh FD

Chicago Fire Preview: Clips From NBC’s Drama Show Fire And Heated Conversation. Have you heard of the new series on Firefighters based on Chicago’s Bravest? Get the sneak preview here!

Retired Norfolk Firefighter Sara Jones needs your help in her 4th battle with Cancer. Read more about it here.

FirstDueTackle.com put together a pretty decent list of Training web sites, blogs, and magazines in this post here.

All My Rowdy Friends…The Hose Jockey talks about “The Network” that is being created and he is a part of. If you don’t know what “The Network” is, read the post and then start reading some of the other great blogs out there!

5 Terrifying Secrets About Riding in an Ambulance…just as it implies, from Cracked.com

Backstep Firefighter - OHIO Close Calls. Blaming Radios and Remembering Past Tragedy Calls show hindsight and misguided blame. Are we sure we’re headed in the right direction when looking for “lessons learned”?

IronFiremen.com – America’s Fire Captain Willie Wines Jr. talks about “Old School Captains” and gets a little validation for his abilities.

Jury awards more than $800,000 to family of fallen firefighter. The civil trial for Kilgore firefighter Kyle Perkins’ death is finally over. After rehashing the 2009 tragedy in a two-week trial, Monday’s verdict is a small victory for an East Texas family, and a brotherhood of East Texas firefighters.

This video was shared on Facebook:

Retired Norfolk (VA) firefighter Sara Jones “Jonesy” needs your help in her battle with cancer. Actually, she needs financial help…for her fourth battle with cancer. Click here to donate now. Be sure to check out the video below.

Sara Jones, October 2007 of the America's Female Firefighters Calendar

Here is an excerpt from Sara as written on the WePay donation page:

Surrender to whatever it takes, even twice. Life is about survival. What does that mean? Here I am, 28 years old, with aggressive breast cancer and given less than 50% chance of survival. Best shape of my life; a firefighter; a gym owner. Breast cancer – not a death sentence! My second chance at life, OK lets fight. “WHATEVER IT TAKES” … COURAGE! Bi-lateral mastectomy, 6 months of chemo, 9 reconstructive surgeries. 4 years cancer free. Almost to 5…the magic number. Recurrence, 33 years old! My worst fear becomes reality. Fight again. Surgery, more reconstruction. Move to Houston, TX, radiation, burnt, scarred. Death sentence…NO WAY. 3rd chance at life. And then more news- stage 4 breast cancer that had now metastasized to the bones. GIVE UP? Oh No – My purpose…fight the battle for everyone, pay it forward…”WHATEVER IT TAKES!” COURAGE!” – SLJ continue reading

Sara Jones was featured in the America’s Female Firefighters Calendar in both 2004 and 2007.

Links:

• Donation page for Jonesy
• America’s Female Firefighters
• America’s Female Firefighters Facebook Page
• TheBravest.com on Jonesy

Read other “20 Questions” interviews here

Shane Parkins is the President of the National Firefighters Endowment. He is a good friend of the Fire Critic although we have never met in person. Shane’s work with the NFE has been inspirational.

Shane resides in Sacremento, California with his wife and two children. They are expecting their third child in August.

Here are his answers to my “20 Questions” interview. You might notice that there aren’t exactly 20 questions below because he answered some of them in other questions. I will roll with it. Who’s counting anyways?

Be sure to check out the NFE on Facebook and Twitter too!

What is your connection to the Fire Service?

A woman asked me recently, “What made you want to be a firefighter?” Without over thinking it I shot back and said, “The same thing that makes little boys want to be superheroes.”

My grandfather rode the 4 Engine with San Francisco Fire Dept. Two of my uncles also served as Chiefs in a nearby beach community and Silicon Valley. Like many in the fire service, I studied Fire Science in college and served as a Reserve Firefighter/EMT with my local department, Sacramento Fire.

While my legacy and history with the fire service has given me experience and insight, I would say what truly connects me can be found in the heart of that little boy and his cape.

After a neck surgery and the discovery of cardiac abnormality, you won’t find me pulling much hose anymore. But I can still do something brave. I can still do something that matters.

What is the National Firefighters Endowment?

National Firefighters Endowment is a 501c3 non-profit whose mission is to support fire departments that may lack the resources to effectively do the job. More specifically, our focus is on ensuring firefighters have the tools to respond in times of crisis, and do so safely.

There is a significant disparity between our nation’s fire departments and the resources they have on hand. What is constant however, from station to station, state to state, is that a firefighter can always be counted on to respond in times of trouble regardless of the resources they have to help.

A firefighter was telling me recently that her department does not perform interior fire attack and they are severely restricted on rescue operations. The reason is because they do not have enough SCBAs.

While others may run away from fire, a firefighter is a unique breed.  They instinctively are drawn into the flame. For them, there is no greater prize in that moment than the life of a stranger whose last hope lies with them. I can think of few things so cruel than to restrict a firefighter from doing so in that moment; to ask them to turn away from victim, simply because we failed to provide the proper tools.

NFE exists for that reason. To respond when our brothers and sisters call for help, before the tones drop. To put the tools in their hand and the gloves on their hands.

Who benefits from the National Firefighters Endowment?

Fire departments of every city, town, fire district and authority within the United States, are eligible to apply for funds.

How can departments receive funding/grants from the NFE?

We are currently accepting video applications from departments to win one of several grants throughout the coming year. The process is not much different from applying for Extreme Makeover-Home Edition. Grab a camera phone and follow the outline that we provide on our website. We want to hear your story and be inspired by what you do. Videos will be voted on by the public, so it also is a great opportunity for departments to connect with their community and raise local support as well. More information can be found here.

How can individual firefighters help with the NFE?                       

The best way for individual firefighters to help is by becoming a member of our Officers Club.

Explain The Officers Club.

The Officers Club is an exclusive cadre of brothers and sisters who have pledged to participate in the mission of NFE. It is limited to 343 members in each of three levels. Their monthly contributions are responsible for every piece of equipment that NFE is able to place in-service.

By the way, thank you Rhett (if that’s your real name) for joining The Officers Club as a Chief. Your limited edition (005/343) gold challenge coin is on its way. Keep it handy or you may end up buying drinks.

How can departments help out other departments through the NFE?

I asked Willie Wines Jr. once how much money it would take for him to shave his trademark mustache. I was joking.  He got quiet for a moment, and then said with a solemn conviction, “I’d lay it down if it could help a brother.” He meant it. That was the birth of Brotherhood Cuts.

Brotherhood Cuts is a way for departments to “lay it down for their brother” by hosting a mustache and head shaving event. The money raised goes to support a specific department or need. In fact, just recently firefighters in Surrey County, North Carolina made the shave to buy bailout kits for several neighboring fire departments. It was an inspiring display of brotherhood and sacrifice to protect the lives of brothers and sisters they have never met.

Another way is to host a bucket brigade or fill the boot style fundraiser. Whether it is to benefit the mission as a whole or to sponsor a specific department, we are happy to match it to the preference of the dept.

Who are some of the companies who have already helped out or partnered with the NFE?

We have worked closely with MN8-Foxfire to help get their illuminating technology out to over 40 departments in the last 6 months. Many of those grants resulted in departments coming back to MN8 to order enough to equip all of their firefighters.

We have also worked closely with Phenix Fire Helmets. In fact, their leather helmet has become our favorite thank you gift to our fundraisers who have helped raise $1,000 or more through their bucket brigade. See firefighterbucketbrigade.com for more information.

The NFE is a distributor for Phenix helmets. Why should firefighters purchase their helmets through the NFE?

Yes, you can now purchase Phenix helmets directly from NFE. We have created rescueswag.com as an online, custom shop where you can spec it just how you like it. 100% of the proceeds go back to NFE. Pretty cool eh?

Name a couple of companies you would like to partner with? 

It would be great to collaborate with a reputable PPE/turnout company as well as an SCBA manufacturer. While financial or product donations are great we also look for cause-related partnerships. We believe in mutually beneficial partnerships and we work hard to ensure everyone receives value.

We are also looking for someone willing to donate an RV that will allow us to deliver equipment in person on a coast to coast US tour. I’m sure there is an apparatus company that would be willing to let us roll an RV into their paint booth or even to re-upholster the rig to match the interior of their engines.

Who in the Fire Service would you most like to meet? 

I don’t mean to sound cliché but I would really most like to meet the firefighters who carry the gear we give out. I want to share a meal and get to know the names of their spouses and their kids. I want to hear their stories so I never lose sight of why this work is so important.

This week has been another busy one. Tomorrow will mark my first full shift in four. I have been off traveling and busier than ever. I am still playing catch up from over a month ago. I am getting there though.

Don’t forget to check out Daily911Deals.com for some great deals. Especially if you are interested in getting a Fire Critic/IronFiremen challenge coin from NM Coin! The deal won’t last forever.

We were in a reserve engine yesterday. That meant when running calls it seemed like we were in a parade. Yesterday was busy running around and running calls. We got a lot accomplished though. We even caught some work (dumpster fire). I don’t mind pulling the levers like this instead of being reintroduced after time off with a huge fire. Our firefighter extraordinaire Dave Lucas made quick work of it. Willie has wrote about Dave in the past. He is the one with the boomerang bugles. He got promoted to Lt. and then they rescinded the promotion because they simply didn’t count the available positions correctly. There are 4 boomerang bugle (Sergeants as we call them because we don’t have that position) in all. None of them have been promoted since. Dave is the kind of guy everyone wants working for them.

One other picture I would like to share was seen at Captain Wines firehouse #13…The message was apparently sent from downtown. What in the heck does it mean exactly? Kind of a mixed message I think.

I just signed up at the Chief level in the Officers Club of the National Firefighters Endowment. This is one of the ways that FireCritic.com gives back. The Officers club is a funding mechanism for the NFE and the funds will help support Fire Departments through the NFE. Join the Officers club here. Annually, you will receive a numbered collectors challenge coin. There are three levels of the Officers club.

Shoutout – Situational Awareness Matters

Web site - samaters.com

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/SAMatters

Twitter - @RichGasaway

Training

VentEnterSearch.com has a unique tool for getting into some closed vehicle gates. Check out Induction Loop Trick

Tweet of the Week

News and Opinion

Better Late Than Never Captain Willie Wines Jr. does some catching up since his computer died…and shows his love for Dave Statter.

Fully Involved – Cadence

“There can be no more us versus them. Training budgets are gone and turnover is occurring at a meteoric rate. We have to share our job knowledge at every opportunity, in every possible way.  It seems that things get better – like morale – when we train, sweat, and push our limits as a group.”

Firehouse.com – Are you a pink Flamingo? Ryan Pennington Do you do work? Or are you just there to have fun and look pretty?

Firefighters in hot water for building a golf course behind station  Firefighters make use of some of their free time…the biggest issue is the land they groomed for golfing isn’t theirs!

Former mansion of the late Isaac Hayes goes up in flames Big McMansion fire!!!

What is a firefighter worth? This article has gone viral. Written by the wife a firefighter

“So before making our minds up that firefighters are the financial problem, sit down with a local firefighter and ask him about his job. Ask him about his wife and his sons or daughters, what kind of house he lives in, and what type of car he drives. And then ask yourself, if you were to take on such a career, what would you expect in return?

Tina Clarke

Proud wife of a Cumberland firefighter”

I will be my brothers keeper  Another great article by Chris Sterricker.

Proud to be a firefighter A short article detailing pride for being considered one of America’s Bravest

What if we are Community Paramedics Already? 

“And I couldn’t agree more.  The goal of a community paramedic program seems to be providing care to fill a gap in a particular community.  While many of the existing and proposed programs are focused on the rural environment, why can’t we do the same in urban systems?  In fact, what if we’re already doing this in an urban system?”

Hampton Workers Take “Like Button” Firings To Court

“Roberts said some of the workers were let go because he wanted to replace them with sworn deputies while others were fired because of poor performance or his belief that their actions “hindered the harmony and efficiency of the office.”

One of those workers, Daniel Ray Carter, had “liked” the Facebook page of Roberts’ opponent, Jim Adams.”

Five San Francisco Firefighters Injured in Four-Alarm Apartment Blaze

Firefighters rescue man from burning Danville home

3 Steps to Improved Cardiac HealthCrucial lifestyle changes can prevent heart attack & improve health

“According to the U.S. Fire Administration, 87 firefighters died while on duty in 2010. Of those, 50 of the 87 firefighter deaths were related to heart attacks. Although there are certain variables associated with heart attacks that we can’t change (i.e., age, gender or family history), we can maximize those variables that are controllable.”

Disasters and Social Media a look at how social media plays a role in sharing information during disasters.

A Dose Of Mortality an excellent post about learning from shared information on a LODD with his son and aspiring career firefighter. 

What Happened to the Big Green Truck Donated to Detroit Fire? Charlie LeDuff is still at it in Detroit. This time uncovering a donated truck that should have been in service but instead just sitting idle in a lot.

Another False Alarm: A Tale of Complacency

“Recently on one of my trips I was startled awake at 2:53am by a fire alarm activation. The alarm only rang about 10 seconds. Knowing what I know about night clerks at hotels, I suspected the alarm had been prematurely silenced. My suspicion was confirmed when I went to the lobby and heard the clerk on the telephone telling someone the alarm panel is indicating the fire pump is running. I was the only patron of the hotel who came to the lobby.”

 Exclusive: Grieving FDNY Father Seeks Recognition for “Black Sunday” Son Retired deputy chief Joseph DiBernardo wants recognition for his son Joey DiBernardo.

Video: Wildfire Crew Bosses can’t speak Spanish and are laid off 

LAFD’s Eric Johnson of Ladder 63 rescued a seagull from a tree on the beach. The bird got caught in some fishing line and ended up suspended from a palm tree. The first video (from tonyvera.com) shows the bird get rescued and towards the end is an impromptu interview of the firefighter who made the rescue. Apparently this is not the first bird rescue for firefighter Johnson.

If you notice at one part in the video, when the firefighter makes it back to the ground, you can see how many people are recording the event by cell phone camera. Also noted in the video at that part is how many people want to offer their opinion of what to do with the bird.

The bird ended up taking flight. While that part wasn’t caught on film, the firefighters stated the bird flew off just fine and they did it incognito because if the bird couldn’t fly it might not have the best being caught on film.

The second video offers a differing view and starts a little bit earlier in the rescue.

Be sure to stay up to date on LAFD News and Information on their blog!

This house fire occurred today around 1pm in the Stoney Creek area of Ontario, Canada. The home was under construction when workers noticed a small fire. In looking at the video it appears as though the “small fire” was much bigger when firefighters arrived!

The fire went to three alarms. The Hamilton Fire Department responded to the fire.

Links:

• VIDEO: Fire destroys Stoney Creek home
• Three-alarm fire leaves Stoney Creek home in flames

The Tucson Firefighters Association offers this sneak peek video into the photo shoot for the 2013 Female Firefighter Calendar.

Last year, the TFFA only offered a Male Firefighter Calendar. This year they are going both ways…

You might recall that the Male TFFA Calendar ended up in 5th place for the Top Ten Male Firefighter Calendars for 2012.

Unfortunately, since they didn’t have a female firefighter calendar last year they weren’t in the running for the Top Ten Female Firefighter Calendars for 2012.

Next year looks promising though. Oh, and please be patient. I will let you all know when the Fire Critic has completed his transformation and his “calendar 6 pack” is ready for the limelight!

Pre-order your TFFA male or female calendar here

Enjoy…

Here is another helmet camera video. This one states it is fresh from yesterday morning at 4:30am in Jacksonville, Florida. This footage was taken using the FDCam.com camera.

Today, May 4th, is International Firefighters Day. It has been that way since 1999 apparently. I am just getting the memo today. It is also the day we celebrate St. Florian.

The event began in Australia after 4 firefighters died in a wildfire.

However, the day was the traditional Firefighters day in many European Countries for a long time. That day was picked because it is the Day of St. Florian, the Patron Saint of Firefighters.

Who knew? Many of my friends on Facebook were aware of it. As for me, I must have had my head in the sand!

From Wikipedia (about the 4 LODD’s in Australia):

On December 2, 1998, a tragic event shook the Linton Community, Australia and the world. Firefighters in Linton, Australia- a populated region in Victoria- were fighting a large wild fire and called for mutual aid. This urgent mutual aid call brought the Geelong West Fire Brigade to the scene not knowing the despair and tragedy that was in store. Garry Vredeveldt, Chris Evans, Stuart Davidson, Jason Thomas, and Matthew Armstrong all loaded into company’s truck. They were part of a strike team and were being sent to help extinguish the flames. As the five headed into the hot zone, the wind suddenly switched direction, engulfing the truck in flames and killing all five members. This unfortunate incident is what inspired JJ Edmondson to bring about an international holiday, called International Fire Fighters Day, to support the lives lost and dedicated fire fighters who risk their lives every day to save life and property.

Links:

• International Firefighters Day (wikipedia)
• FirefightersDay.org
• Firefighters Day on Facebook
• Firefighters Day on Twitter

Here are some other translations for “Firefighter”:

Romanian: vânătoare de foc, Finnish: Palomies, Chinese: 消防员, Bulgarian: пожар изтребител, Croatian: vatra borac, Czeck:  oheň bojovník, Danish: brandmand, French: utte contre l’incendie, Dutch: brandweerman, German: Feuerwehrmann, Greek: φωτιά μαχητικά, Korean: 소방수, Japanese: 火災ファイター, Norwegian: brannmann, Polish: Firefighter, Swedish: Firefighter, Spanish: Bombero, Russian: пожарник, Portuguese: bombeiro, Australia: Firies.