Reflections...

As this month comes to a close and the "stand down" has been completed this week, let's reflect on things learned from our history in the fire service. Although cultures change in the fire service and techniques change from one thing to another and then back to the way we did it it in the past, one thing remains constant, over all, 100+ firefighters die every year. No matter how apparatus features improve and firefighting techniques become more and more streamlined, we ~the fire service~ are still losing our brothers and sisters every year. Let us also remember that we are not only losing these people on the fire ground, but we are losing them in training as well.

Lets face it, fighting fire isn't easy. Training can be as tough as the fire ground operations on a big fire. We work 100 mph and then come to a sudden halt when we have completed our tasks. We work hard and fast!

I guess in a nut shell what I am trying to say is, that sometimes, no matter how we train or how we operate on the fire ground, even as safe as possible, we still have a high risk profession. We are still losing 100+ a year, every year. We may have changed how we do things all together, but the fact remains, the numbers don't go down.

Our fellow firefighters are our family as well as the families we have at home. We may not all see things the same way or agree on things all the time, but we are family! Let's watch out for one another as we have always done in the past. Let's practice safe training techniques and be more open to ideas from one another to make things safer and better for us and for the ones that follow in our footsteps!

Fire Hydrant Explodes, Injuring Florida Firefighter

http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/fullstory.php?67760

Introducing FLAME- SIM Interactive Fire Training Software

FLAME-SIM is the next generation of PC based, SOP reinforcement training for first-in/on scene fire companies. This state-of-the-art training system enhances live training events prior to even taking to the fireground, allowing your training officers to customize the scenario, apparatus, roll up and even the firefighter. The Scenario Editor tool makes it easy for the training officers to customize different aspects of the scenarios like residence type, water supply/source, even victim placement and status, along with many others features not listed. The training officers will have great ease setting up scalable scenarios quickly and allows them to make each scenario unique every time! Check out the web site and see what you think! Be safe!

http://www.flame-sim.com/features/product-video.php

Remembering the "Charleston 9"

On June 18, 2007 nine Charleston Firefighters lost their lives battling a blaze at a local furniture store in South Carolina. Let's not forget these gentlemen who ultimately laid down their lives...


FlashoverTV is powered by FireRescue1.com

FIREFIGHTERS START THEIR FIRE ENGINE DRIVE ACROSS AMERICA ! !

Lorenzo Abundiz, Firefighter Cancer Support Network member has initiated a mission of hope called CODE 3 for a CURE. The mission began last Friday, June 13, 2008, when a group of California firefighters had started their drive in a fire engine (courtesy of Sutphen Corporation) across America. The CODE 3 firefighters are scheduled to stop at 60 fire departments along their journey and collect the names of fallen firefighters (both active and retired) who have lost their lives due to cancer. Those names will be read at the departments where they are collected and at the Times Square. A fire bell mounted on the fire engine will ring out once for each name called. This will be a four-week, 8,800 mile round-trip journey. Please visit the site http://www.code3foracure.com and check out what these guys are doing!!!!

Congratulations to Battalion Chief Jefferson!

Battalion Chief Mike Jefferson was the recipient of the "Outstanding EMS Administrator" at the Western Virginia EMS Council's annual banquet June 12, 2008. This is a very high honor for Chief Jefferson as well as the Danville Fire Department!!! Take a moment and congratulate Chief Jefferson for his hard work and persistence over the past couple of years!!!

Update....Finally!!!

Lots of things have been going on around the area. "B" shift is down quite a few personnel due to various reasons. One being Brian Perkins leaving. Brian has left DFD to go to work at Reidsville FD in NC. I would like to wish Brian good luck in all the he does and he will be missed by all!!! I would like to also take this time to announce the new arrivals in the department family...."Reno" aka James Yeatts and his wife April are the proud parents of twin girls, Morgan and Megan! Also Daniel Giles and his wife April have a new arrival, Allison Grace! Good luck to these families! Please remember to a have a moment of silence for those fighting the wild fires in North Carolina. It has been miserably hot and terrible conditions to fight any fire in. Be safe!!!!!

Summerville Remembers Fallen Coach Louis Mulkey ~ Late Charleston SC Fire Captain~

This video will cause tears to flow guys! Be Safe!

MSA SCBA Failures...Safety Alert!

http://www.myfirecompanies.com/filelock/1211415085SCBA%20failure%20Safety%20Alert%205.20.2008.pdf

~Until I can figure out why the links aren't working as they should, please highlight, copy and paste into the address bar~

This report was sent out 5/21/08 by Capt. John Gallop of Washington State.

Pay special attention to this safety alert. This affects US!

PSA from RESQTEC

http://www.firehouse.com/mz/images/2006/6/pledge.pdf

SAFETY ALERT!! Anhydrous Ammonia and Propane Cylinders

Anhydrous Ammonia Safety Alert - National Propane Gas Association

http://www.npga.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=529

~you may have to copy and paste the address in the address bar, been having trouble getting the links to work by clicking on them~

Please read this article!!!! Very good information to keep in the back of your mind when responding to calls. Who knew propane cylinders were being used for this particular thing?!?

Be Safe!

Important Things Learned From Charleston SC Fire

This information was sent by email by Chief Eagle to the DFD personnel. Very good information.
Check it out!

http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/may/16/completely_unpreparedexcessive_avoidable41089/

Aerial Failures!

I don't know how many of you have been keeping up with the fire news, but there has been an increasing amount of aerial devices failing at a record breaking pace! One person was even killed due to the waterway failing and crashing down upon him. Fairfax City Fire and EMS had a similar thing happen but with no injuries. These incidents are under investigation, but one thing seems perfectly clear...it can happen to us! Check out this link from NIOSH discussing ladder operations, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/SafetyAdvisory05052008.html. And always, BE SAFE!!!!

Bird's Eye View of Long Mill Fire

Thanks Capt. B. Scearce for the pictures. This gives another unique view of the fire at Long Mill..

Structure Fire 506 Worsham Street

Playing catch up with the blog! The following information and pictures were sent in by DFD Lieutenant Alderson. The fire was in the early morning hours of May 1st. The pics were taken by DPD officers. These pictures show what DFD saw when they first arrived.


"L-1 arrived first with a 78 second response time. L1 set up the ladder and E-1 pulled a line to protect the “B” exposure. E-5 pulled a line to protect the “D” exposure. Pump 5 fed the ladder, and E-7 fed E-1. E-2 was also on the scene. The house burned to the ground, but the exposures received minimal damage. The police handled the evacuations which was a monster help!" The fire is still under investigation at this time by the fire marshal's office.

Long Mill Structure Fire

Around 4:30 yesterday afternoon (5-8-08), the Long Mill caught fire. No word yet on the official cause and origin, but is speculated to have been ignited by a debris pile burning near by. One building collapsed early on while the building next to it began to partially collapse. No injuries were reported. At this time the fire is contained and being monitored constantly. Pictures to come shortly. A recall was implemented through the fire department. 45 firefighters were on scene until the wee hours of morning, while others responded to their respective stations and stood by until given assignments. More to come as information is released. Be Safe!!!!!

Week 2 of Training in Fredericksburg Va.

Haven't heard much news from the Southside. However, it has been pretty busy here in the Northern end of the state. Being in a hotel beside a fire station has its perks. If something does happen, they are HERE! I also know every time they have call. They have an audible fire bell that sounds outside the station too. When it would go off, it gave me heart attack!!! Friendly people too! It is my suggestion, that if given the opportunity, take classes somewhere else besides your locality. You get such a broader outlook on things as opposed to the way we do it. Not saying we are wrong by any means, but it helps to look outside the box once in a while! By taking this class, I have an absolutely different way of looking at things now.. Design and building construction has taken on a whole new meaning. Well, I guess I have rambled on enough. Will keep you updated on events. Keep me informed as well while I am away! Be Safe!!!

Hello from Fredericksburg!

I had a moment between homework assignments to check in. Currently I am taking the VFMA 1031 class at Fire Station 2 off of Altoona Drive. Boy this class is tough! The first night we had about 3 hours of homework to do. Alot of reading. Anyways,I will be checking my messages and email while I am away. If you have announcements or something that you would like to see posted on the blog, drop me a line. I will get to it as quick as I can. Be Safe out there!!!!

Training on Tower 1

Pictures taken at ballou Park Shopping center..

Structure Fire on Paxton Avenue

Submitted By Assistant Fire Marshal Richie Guill






1019 West Paxton Street
Danville, VA 24541
04-08-08
1555 Hrs.


On April 8, 2008 at 1555 hrs Danville Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire at 1019 West Paxton Street. Engine 1, 3, and 7 responded along with Ladder 1, Battalion Chief 62, Deputy Chief 71, and Fire Marshal units 51 and 52. Upon arrival heavy fire was showing from the B-side of the structure with one exposure. Engine 3 was assigned fire attack, Engine 1 was assigned R.I.T., Ladder 1 controlled utilities and performed a primary search. Engine 7 conducted a primary search of the exposure. A line to protect the exposure was placed into service also. While inside the structure engine 3 encountered a very heavy content load which slowed their access to the fire room. Once a knock down was made extensive overhaul was required do to the amount of contents in the structure. The Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the fire. There was no one home at the time of the fire and there were no injuries.