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JUNE, 2O18
YACHT CATCHES FIRE IN FORT LAUDERDALE MARINA
FLFR
Fort Lauderdale, FL - On April 24th, firefighters from Fort Lauderdale responded to a mid-afternoon 9-1-1 call for a boat on fire in a marina along the 2300 block of Marina Bay Drive. The first arriving engine advised that a yacht was on fire and black smoke was showing from the bow of the vessel.
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June, 2018
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
TENNESSEE
D.J. CORCORAN
Fire Rips Through Motorcycle Clubhouse in Knoxville
(L to R): FF Anson Mercier, PIO Amy Maxwell, Lt. Jody Clift, Lt. Chris Adams and Chief Rip Rohen.
SHEILA CANNON
Firefighter Receives the Shane Daughetee Award at Firefighter I Graduation Hamilton County, TN - On Thursday, May 3rd at 7:00 P.M., the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management Training Division held its annual graduation ceremonies at the Chester Frost Park Pavilion for those firefighters who had completed 320 hours of the Firefighter I course. Sixteen fire cadets from Firefighter I class representing several agencies, including Walden’s Ridge Emergency Services, Mowbray Volunteer Fire Department,
JUMP TO FILE #050418118 Sequoyah Volunteer Fire Department, Soddy Daisy Fire Department, Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department, Athens Rural Fire Department, East Ridge Fire Department and Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department received their certificates. Anson Mercier, firefighter graduate and member of Walden's
Ridge Emergency Services, received the Shane Daughettee Award by his class instructors. Since Firefighter Shane Daughettee’s death, this award is given to a firefighter graduate who demonstrates great leadership, attitude and dedication throughout the duration of Firefighter I class. Shane Daughetee was a Firefighter I graduate in 2001. He lost his life battling a house fire in 2007.
Knoxville, TN - At 2:50 A.M. on May 4th, units from the Knoxville Fire Department responded to 205 Clifton Road, off Western Avenue, for the report of a structure fire. When firefighters arrived, they found heavy flames at the front porch area of the structure and active fire in the attic. Fire crews immediately went to work extinguishing the flames while additional manpower searched the structure for any possible victims; none were found. The structure is a known clubhouse for the “Outlaws” motorcycle club. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
PRIZED POSSESSIONS If you have photos you would like to see in our “Prized Possessions” feature please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
- AMY MAXWELL
KELLY J. BOEDER
Hamilton County Fire Training Firefighter I Class of 2018-1.
AMY MAXWELL
"This is a photo of a shadow box I created with my great uncle and grandfather's fire department badges. My uncle, Joseph Cattelona, and grandfather, Michael J. Haas, Jr., were both former chiefs of the Hamburg Volunteer Fire Department in Hamburg, New Jersey. The shadow box highlights Joe's Ex-Chief badge and Mike's Fire Police badge, along with an old newspaper clipping of Joe (far right) and two other members of HVFD showing off their parade trophies. A current patch from Hamburg Fire is also displayed that I was thrilled to receive in a patch trade with my own department, (Lake County Fire Rescue in Lake County, Florida)."
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
June, 2018
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1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
June, 2018
TENNESSEE
ADVERTISER INDEX
WORKING FACES
A guide to finding great companies
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If you have photos you would like to see in our “Working Faces” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
Page
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Brindlee Mtn. Fire App.
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CET Manufacturing
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Firehouse Expo
25
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Municipal Equipment
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Star & Shield Insurance
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WEH Technologies
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Murfreesboro, TN - Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department recently welcomed two new firefighters. Harrison Shriner and Chris Spencer began orientation on Monday, May 14th. The two have a combined 11.5 years of experience in the fire service. D.J. CORCORAN
Vacant Building Burns at Knoxville College
Knoxville, TN - At 7:47 P.M. on April 17th, units from the Knoxville Fire Department were dispatched to Knoxville College after a passerby reported seeing smoke coming from an abandoned building. Fire crews made their way onto the campus, then back to the furthest building at the rear of the property which housed a dormitory at one time. On the ground, floor firefighters found large boxes of commercial grade drapes, bed comforters, sheets and office or hotel furniture burning. It appears that someone was using the building as a storage unit. Firefighters worked for nearly an hour extinguishing the flames, making sure everything was thoroughly saturated with water before leaving to prevent a rekindle. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is being investigated.
“We are excited that Shriner and Spencer have joined the MFRD team,” said Fire Rescue Chief Mark Foulks. “I am confident that they will be a great fit here.” Meet the New Guys!
Harrison Shriner, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician -3.5 years’ experience -Hobbies: Golf, fishing, and enjoying time with friends and family
-Looks most forward to: “Watching the department grow as the city expands over the years.” -Fun fact: Harrison is a quadruplet and one of those siblings works for the Franklin Fire Department.
Chris Spencer, Emergency Medical Responder -7+years’ experience -Wife: Kristin Spencer and kids Breanna (14), Brittney (12), and Bryce (7) -Hobbies: Fishing, kayaking, bowling, skating, hunting, camping, soccer, baseball, basketball, and softball. -Looks most forward to: “Gaining more knowledge and experiencing and advancing in [his] career.” -Spencer says, “I’m super excited to be here.”
CORPORATE INFORMATION
1st Responder News (ISSN 1525-1683) - Vol. 19 No. 6 - South East edition is published monthly, 12 times a year for $36 per year by Belsito Communications, Inc., 1 Ardmore St., New Windsor, NY 12553. Periodicals Postage Paid at Newburgh, NY and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to 1st Responder News, 1 Ardmore St., New Windsor, NY 12553. No financial responsibility is assumed by this newspaper to publish a display, classified, or legal ad or for typographical errors except of reprinting that part of the ad which was omitted or in error. Omissions or erA division of: rors must be brought to the attention of the newspaper during the same month of publication.
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PUBLICATION CONTENT
Notice: The advertisements, articles, and letters contained in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of 1st Responder Inc. and Belsito Communications, Inc. Advertisements are sold pursuant to the "space available" and corresponding fee schedule. The mere fact that advertisements are contained in this publication does not express nor imply that 1st Responder Inc. and Belsito Communications, Inc. vouches for the credibility of the claims made in the advertisements or the representations expressed or implied in them.
D.J. CORCORAN
Kitchen Fire Damages Apartment in Knoxville
Knoxville, TN - At 12:20 P.M. on May 6th, units from the Knoxville Fire Department responded to Meadow Wood Apartments, building D, at 4000 Pleasant Ridge Road, for the report of an apartment fire. When firefighters arrived they found visible flames through the sliding glass doors in the kitchen area of the townhouse apartment D1, and heavy black smoke coming from the top of the flat roof building around the edges. No one was home when the fire started. A neighbor across the parking lot spotted the flames and heard the alarms sounding, then called 9-1-1 to report. The fire appears to have started in the kitchen area of Apt. D1, then spread upward through the interior walls into the building’s shallow attic area. The fire was under control within the first 30 minutes of arrival.
(L to R): Shriner and Spencer.
MFRD
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June, 2018
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June, 2018
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In memory of those who gave all
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
1st Responder Newspaper honors and remembers emergency responders lost in the line of duty
Tennessee: Jason Dickey, 38 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: February 12, 2018 Death Date: February 12, 2018 Fire Department: Lawrenceburg Fire Department Initial Summary: Firefighter Jason Dickey died from injuries sustained in a structural collapse while operating at the scene of a residential structure fire. Two other firefighters were injured in the collapse and taken to the hospital. The fire started in a twostory residence along Lakeview Drive at around 1630hrs. According to media reports, crews transmitted a “Mayday Emergency” near 2000hrs when the three firefighters became trapped as the result of a collapse. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by authorities. Rhode Island: Richard Jenks, 72 Rank: Lieutenant Incident Date: February 14, 2018 Death Date: February 14, 2018 Fire Department: Pascoag Fire Department Initial Summary: Lieutenant Richard Jenks collapsed while fighting a residential chimney fire. Other responders performed CPR on Lieutenant Jenks and transported him to Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket, RI, where he was pronounced deceased. The nature and cause of fatal injury are still to be determined. Georgia: Earnest McDuffie, 51 Rank: Captain Incident Date: February 20, 2018 Death Date: February 20, 2018 Fire Department: Hinesville Fire Department Initial Summary: While performing fire department mandated physical fitness training, Captain Earnest McDuffie was running at a local park and fell unconscious. CPR was rendered immediately and Captain McDuffie was transported to Liberty
Regional Medical Center where he passed away from a nature and cause of fatal injury still to be determined.
Maryland: Christopher Pryor, 46 Rank: Assistant Fire Chief Incident Date: February 25, 2018 Death Date: February 25, 2018 Fire Department: LaVale Volunteer Fire Department Initial Summary: After returning home from an early morning response for a motor vehicle crash, Assistant Fire Chief Christopher Pryor complained to his wife that he was not feeling well. According to reports from FirefighterCloseCalls.com, Chief Pryor's wife then took him to the emergency room where, upon arrival, he collapsed. Despite all efforts to revive him, Assistant Fire Chief Pryor passed away from a nature and cause of fatal injury still to be reported. Vermont: Casey Stephen Kuhns, 30 Rank: Lieutenant Incident Date: February 27, 2018 Death Date: February 28, 2018 Fire Department: Morrisville Fire Department Initial Summary: On February 27, at 1526hrs, Lieutenant Casey Stephen Kuhns responded to a motor vehicle crash. Later that day, Lieutenant Kuhns participated in fire department training that ended at approximately 2130hrs. At 0600hrs on February 28, Lieutenant Kuhns was found deceased at home from a nature and cause of fatal injury still to be reported.
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
June, 2018
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GEORGIA
WORKING FACES If you have photos you would like to see in our “Working Faces� feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
SHANE SHIFFLETT
Investigators comb through the debris after a military jet crashed on Hwy. 21 in Port Wentworth, killing nine service members.
Military Plane Crashes in Port Wentworth, Killing Nine Service Members
SHANE SHIFFLETT
Houston County, GA - Robins AFB Fire Captain A. Shutes.
DRILLS/TRAINING
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Thomasville, GA - Thomas County Fire Rescue is replacing their old air trailer with a new mobile air unit that is equipped with an air compressor and cascade system. The department did an in-service training on April 20th with career firefighters and volunteers on how the new system works. CHASITY PHILLIPS
Port Wentworth, GA - On Wednesday, May 2nd at 11:28 A.M., 9-1-1 Communications began receiving multiple reports of a plane crash on Highway 21 in Port Wentworth. Metro dispatch alerted PWFD of an accident with injuries; a plane crash involving a C-130. The plane went down on State Highway 21 at Gulf Stream Road, leaving a large black cloud on the ground. EMS responded and operated on channel Medic 2. On response of Chatham EMS Medic 3, dispatch advised that the military jet had crashed across both lanes of the roadway. Multiple units responding from throughout the county advised that a huge plume of dark smoke could be seen. Chatham EMS 3 arrived and reported heavy flame involvement with plane debris in the middle of Hwy. 21. Savannah Fire E-13 arrived and took Savannah Fire Command, requesting a Level 1 stage and advising that the crash was not at Parkers. PWFD was flowing handlines from one end of the site while Savannah Fire E-13 caught a plug and laid into PWFD E-42. Pooler Chief 60 arrived and took operations. Garden City Fire T-22 dropped their 3000-gallon pool for water supply and set up a master
JUMP TO FILE #050718122 stream. Military Fire Departments from the 165th Airport Fire Department and Ft. Stewart/Hunter AAF brought in their ARFF apparatus and foam trailer. Savannah Fire brought in Batt. 3, along with Engines 13, 14 and 4, T-13 and Rehab 1 to assist on scene. The pilot was able to maneuver the plane where it crashed into the median of Highway 21, narrowly avoiding traffic, warehouses and a nearby Parkers gas station. The C-130 Hercules was from the Puerto Rico National Guard and took off from the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport shortly before 11:30 A.M., where it was heading for retirement in Texas. The fuselage struck the median when it crashed, and pieces of its wings (which spanned 132feet), were scattered across lanes in both directions. The debris field stretched 600-feet in diameter. A total of nine crew members died. The plane had been in Savannah for "routine maintenance". A military mortuary affairs team arrived from Charleston to assist. All nine crew members had
helped with hurricane recovery efforts as part of the 198th Fighter Squadron, nicknamed "The Bucaneros," which flies out of Base Muniz in the northern coastal city of Carolina. The media staging area was set up at the intersection of Hwy. 21 and Crossgate Blvd., where officials briefed the media several times throughout the day and night. A makeshift memorial was set up at the intersection of Hwy. 21 and Crossgate. State Highway 21 was expected to be closed for weeks due to the investigation and repairs of the roadway. Agencies from several counties around Chatham assisted in the response. During the response of the plane crash, Savannah Fire Communication alerted Savannah Fire Engines 1, 5 and 6, along with Truck 5, Rescue 1, Batt. 1, Safety 1 and Command Aid on FG 1 to 500 Staley Avenue for a structure fire. Dispatch was also receiving a fire alarm for the same location. Safety 1 arrived and had a onestory metal fab building with smoke and flames from the rear. The fire eventually went to two alarms. - SHANE SHIFFLETT
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June, 2018
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
GEORGIA
PATCH OF THE MONTH If you have photos you would like to see in our “Patch of the Month” feature please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com
SHANE SHIFFLETT
Macon-Bibb County Firefighters Battle Early Morning House Fire
SHANE SHIFFLETT
This patch belongs to DeKalb County Fire Rescue Station 13.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES If you have photos you would like to see in our EMS feature please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com
Macon, GA - Macon-Bibb County firefighters were alerted to a house on fire on Jeff Davis Street shortly after 1:00 A.M. on April 27th. Firefighters arrived and found heavy flames coming from the home. The house sustained heavy fire damage. No firefighters were injured, and the cause is under investigation. Pictured is the aftermath of the early morning house fire.
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Contact Lindsey TODAY Signature Ambulance of Savannah (Chatham County), GA.
SHANE SHIFFLETT
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PAGE 10
June, 2018
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
FLORIDA
Manatee County Fire Services Goes to the Dogs for Early Cancer Detection Manatee County, FL - They say that a dog is man’s best friend; well, soon he may be firefighters' best friend as well. With cancer rates soaring at an alarming rate, there is only so much a firefighter can do to reduce the risk of contracting this disease. Early detection is the key in battling it, and the answer might be only a sniff away. Last summer, while working a fire in California at the Modoc National Forest, I was having lunch with some paramedics from central California and they were talking about the dogs. I listened for a while and then asked what exactly they were talking about. To my surprise, they said they were talking about a program that their fire departments run once a year with dogs from Canada that sniff out cancer. I have to say at first I really thought they were pulling my leg (especially being that I'm originally from New Jersey), but as I listened, the story was more than believable with the dogs finding cancer in some of their firefighters. That night when I got back to camp, I called my wife and had her look up "Canada Cancer Dogs," and there it was. We decided that we were going to research it and run the program in Manatee County, Florida where we live. We gave Glenn Ferguson, owner of Canada Cancer Dogs, a
JUMP TO FILE #051518110 call to set up the program for Manatee County, which he explained my wife and I would now be project managers of. We needed an organization to sponsor the program, so I approached Manatee County Fire Academy, where I'm an instructor. We used the Academy and then traveled to firehouses for a two-week period to take samples. We opened the program to firefighters and their families, and around 300 samples were taken. The test starts with participants filling out a medical questionnaire, followed by each individual breathing into a mask for 10 minutes. (Participants pay $20 for the mask.) The masks are then mailed out to Canada for the dogs to test. Each mask is sniffed by at least four dogs that are about 96% accurate in detecting cancer. The dogs can find cancer cells at a very early stage, much sooner than conventional cancer testing. The Chicago Fire Department has been using this program for years, and even has a documentary out about it called “Walking Points”. For more information about the program and how you and your department can get involved, visit www.CancerDogs.Ca
The true heroes: Indie, Romeo, Buster, Jenkins and Ozzy helping with early cancer detection.
PROVIDED
- WILLIE CIRONE
Firefighters from Southern Manatee Fire & Rescue mask up to take the screening.
CIRONE PHOTOS
Florida Forestry's Chris Taylor breaths into the mask for 10 minutes.
CIRONE PHOTOS
CIRONE PHOTOS
Manatee County Project Managers, Willie and Sandra Cirone.
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
FLORIDA
FLFR
FLFR
95’ Yacht Catches Fire in Fort Lauderdale Marina Fort Lauderdale, FL - On April 24th, firefighters from Fort Lauderdale responded to a mid-afternoon 9-1-1 call for a boat on fire in a marina along the 2300 block of Marina Bay Drive. The first arriving engine advised that a yacht was on fire and black smoke was showing from the bow of the vessel. A working second-alarm fire was declared, which brought more than 40 firefighters along with Fireboat 49 to the scene. It took crews more than one hour to contain the blaze. No firefighters were injured during the incident. One worker on the vessel was treated on scene and released for smoke inhalation. The yacht was in Marina Mile Yachting Center for renovations. The fire is under investigation.
June, 2018
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June, 2018
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
FLORIDA
VEHICLE NEWS
The Clermont Fire Department and community honored a longstanding tradition on Monday, April 23rd at 10:00 A.M., when they held a Push-In Ceremony for their newest apparatus, a $748,297 Pierce Ultimate Configuration Heavy Duty Rescue. The ceremony was held at Fire Station No. 2, at 2200 Hartwood Marsh Road in Clermont. The new Heavy Rescue 1 will focus on heavy rescue operations, with an emphasis on special operations and extrication. The Special Operations Team provides skills and experience to handle various types of incidents, including hazardous materials response, confined space rescue, technical rope rescue, trench rescue, structural building collapse,
and other specialized rescue incidents.
The Heavy Rescue is a tandem axle that has an engine response function with a pump size of 1500-GPM and water tank capacity of 500-gallons. The apparatus was approved by council March 22, 2016 to purchase from the Florida Sheriffs Association contract, and replaces the department's 1995 Spartan Heavy Rescue.
The origin of pushing a fire truck into the station dates back to the time of horsedrawn engines when firefighters had to push the fire pumpers by hand into the station. - CLERMONT FIRE DEPT.
A LaBelle firefighter during mop up at the structure fire.
THIN LINE PHOTOGRAPHY
Crews in LaBelle Battle Brush & Structure Fire on Same Day CLERMONT FIRE DEPT.
CIRONE PHOTOS
Garage Fire in Southern Manatee Fire & Rescue District
Whitfield, FL - Southern Manatee Fire & Rescue responded to a reported house fire on Tuesday, May 15th after the homeowners reported smoke and flames showing. The fire was updated to a golf cart in the garage of the home. On arrival heavy smoke was coming from the garage area. Companies kept the fire confined to the golf cart and garage area.
LaBelle, FL - On April 7th, the LaBelle Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to Whidden Road, bordering Glades County, for a reported brush fire. Crews arrived on scene minutes after JUMP TO FILE# 042318143 being dispatched. What started out as a small fire grew quickly, but was contained fast. Florida Forest Service, Felda Volunteer Fire Department and West Glades Fire and Rescue responded for mutual aid. Structures were in close proximity, but were unharmed. Luckily for our crews and homeowners, the structures were unoccupied. While these crews battled a brush fire, another page went out for a structure fire, which also included a vehicle. With the teams being split up, mutual aid was necessary to get the fires put out. Mutual aid for the structure fire included Felda and Alva Volunteer Fire Departments. - CHELSEA KING
Brush fire closes in on an unoccupied home.
THIN LINE PHOTOGRAPHY
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
PAGE 13
June, 2018
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June, 2018
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
FLORIDA
Home in DeLand Destroyed by Fast-Moving Blaze DeLand, FL - On Tuesday, May 1st, a home in the Country Club Estates area of DeLand was completely destroyed by a fire. Units from Volusia County Fire Rescue and the DeLand and Orange City Fire Departments responded to the blaze. JUMP TO FILE# The two-story, 050718100 wood-frame home was unoccupied at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is being investigated. - KATE LIND
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DIVISION CHIEF TIM MARTIN, VCFR
38 Years, A Detroit Firefighter’s Story ON THE BOOK SHELF
by John Malecky
38 Years A Detroit Firefighter’s Story By Bob Dombrowski Available from: FSP Books & Videos 188 Central Street, Suite #$4 Hudson, MA 01749-1330 1-800-522-8528 E-mail: support@fire-policeems.com www.fire-police-ems.com Price: $15.95 This is a soft cover book, measuring 6-inches by 9-inches, with 232 pages. It is the memoirs of a Detroit firefighter who retired as a battalion chief in June of 2010 after 38 years of service. These are his stories to the best of his recollection. In a nutshell, I must recommend to the reader that this is a must read book! It has 44 chapters and an epilogue. All but one of the chapters are untitled, but by reading them you get a pretty good idea about the city of Detroit and its fire department. In short, you will easily become overwhelmed by the heroic and the horrific! These are stories one cannot make up!
The author was born and raised in the city and has always had a love for it. The disaster that it has become and has been for many years is one that people who love the city hold out that someday it will return to the beautiful, prosperous town it once was. Remember, it was the automobile capital at one time, and one of the richest, if not the richest city in the country. The author will enlighten you about the nightmares of arson, legitimate fires, accidents and crime that plague it. Even though the chapters are not titled, the reader is in for an interesting voyage through them. He also mixes in non-emergency activities that the DFD involved themselves in with sports, education and entertainment. Almost all of the fires in Detroit are arson. It took most of the book to get through before I discovered that he eventually achieved the rank of battalion chief. To say the least, he is a humble man! He is also critical of the administration and freely admits to breaking the rules at times, but nevertheless, he tells his stories in an honest way. The chapters are not long and there is a 15 page section of black and white photos. As I stated in the beginning of my review, this is a book I recommend buying to learn about Detroit, its fire department and the horror and heroics of fighting fires and saving lives in it.
FLFR
MVA with Entrapment in Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL - On the early morning of May 8th, Fort Lauderdale firefighters from the 16th and 2nd Battalion rushed to the scene of a two-car accident with heavy damage. First arriving crews found one driver trapped inside of a vehicle that sustained heavy damage to the passenger side. Crews worked to free the driver and once out of the vehicle, transported him to Broward Health as a Level 1 trauma alert. Two other occupants suffered minor injuries.
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DRILLS/TRAINING
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Starke, FL - The Florida Army National Guard (FLNG) conducted a downed aircraft training exercise on Thursday night, April 19th. In addition to the FLNG, firefighters from Clay and Bradford Counties as well as paramedics from Bradford County EMS participated in the training, which was held at Camp Blanding. The exercise started promptly at 8:00 P.M., when a UH-60L, flown by Bravo Company 1185th Avn, landed and made a radio call of a simulated “Mayday” to Camp Blanding Range Control. This call started the emergency dispatch protocol, which had units from Clay County and Bradford County responding to the simulated crash site. Two additional HH-60M Blackhawks, flown by Charlie Company 1-111th Avn, launched and performed MEDEVAC support duties. One aircraft picked up two firefighters and two paramedics from Camp Blanding and transported them to the simulated crash site. The second HH-60M was used to air transport four soldiers after being extricated from the downed aircraft and packaged for transport. Providing airborne Command
and Control of the scene was a UH-72A Lakota, flown by Bravo Company 2-151st Avn S&S. This aircraft was equipped with the Mission Equipment Package, a system that was designed specifically for the Airborne Command & Control mission.
The ground Incident Command role was assumed by a Clay County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief. Effective Command and Control of the scene resulted in the four crew members with simulated injures being extricated, treated, packaged and loaded into a MEDEVAC Blackhawk and flown out of the simulated crash site in a timely manner.
After the exercise was completed, firefighters participated in a hands-on safety awareness training with soldiers from the Florida Army National Guard on the UH-60L Blackhawk. In addition to the military aircraft that responded, a Bell 407 aircraft, operated by Life Flight Jacksonville, participated in the exercise and flew into the landing zone. The exercise concluded at 10:00 P.M. after a debrief was conducted with all participants.
OCALA FIRE RESCUE
Pictured are Ocala Fire Rescue personnel along with the seven new hires. Taking a knee (with badge number on hand) from left to right are: Chad Grenier, Jonathan George, James Hensley, Aaron Bertine, Nicholas Rakoczy, Timothy Herff and Justin Hoke.
Ocala Fire Rescue Welcomes Seven New Hires Ocala, FL - In a pinning ceremony held at City Hall on May 4th, Ocala Fire Rescue welcomed seven new hires into the fire rescue family. After completing an arduous hiring process, countless training sessions, and proving they possessed character traits which exemplify the culture instilled in Ocala Fire Rescue firefighters, Aaron Bertine, Jonathan George, Chad
JUMP TO FILE #050718102 Grenier, James Hensley, Timothy Herff, Justin Hoke and Nicholas Rakoczy have become part of the City of Ocala’s team. Family members and fellow firefighters supported and witnessed these seven gentlemen as they repeated the oath and marked
their official beginning as Ocala Fire Rescue Firefighters. The ceremony was preceded by a presentation of the road to pinning – a video showcasing some of the many skills these seven had to master during their training period – as well as recognition of newly promoted Captain Eric Prendergast and F.E.O Ashley Andrews. - OCALA FIRE RESCUE
- CHRIS DILLEY
PCFR CHRIS DILLEY
Pasco County Fire Rescue Hits the Streets of Dade City to Support Special Olympics Torch Run
Dade City, FL - On April 24th, Pasco County Fire Rescue Training Center Staff, alongside 20 members of new hire class 18-03, joined Special Olympians, Pasco Sheriff's Office Officers, Dade City Police, Pasco County Corrections, and members of the community in their annual Special Olympics Torch Run in Dade City. The 5K run went through the streets of Downtown Dade City, ending outside the historic Dade City courthouse with a block party and BBQ. Pasco County Fire Rescue is honored to be a small part of this great event showcasing olympians in Pasco County. CHRIS DILLEY
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HE HE ER ERO ROES RO OES ES
FLORIDA
INK INK
1st Responder Newspape er features EMERGENCY SERVICES RELA ATED TATTOOS
LAKE COUNTY FIRE RESCUE
Lake County Proclaims May 4th as “International Firefighter Appreciation Day”
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Lake County, FL - May 4th is "International Firefighters’ Day". It is a time where the world recognizes and honors the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities are UMP TO FILE# safe. It's also a day J050418121 in which current and past firefighters are thanked for their service. On April 24th, the Lake County Board of County Commissioners approved a proclamation proclaiming May 4th as "International Firefighter Appreciation Day" throughout Lake County. County staff wore ribbons to show gratitude to firefighters for their service. The ribbons are symbolic, with red for fire and blue for water. These colors are also internationally recognized as representing emergency service. Following is a copy of the proclamation: Proclamation No: 2018-xx INTERNATIONAL FIREFIGHTERS’ DAY May 4, 2018 WHERAS, International Firefighters’ Day is observed each year on May 4 to honor the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities are safe; and WHEREAS, Nationwide in 2017, ninety-three [93] fire service personnel were killed in the line of duty, three [3] being in the State of Florida; and WHEREAS, each loss of a fire service member is not only a heart-wrenching experience, but serves as the highest calling and ultimate sacrifice by giving one’s life to save another; and WHEREAS, the personnel of Lake County’s first responders
show bravery and compassion in carrying out this critical public safety mission; and risk injury and exposures to severe hazards when protecting our citizens and their property from harm’s way; and furthermore, not hesitating to risk their own lives when called upon to save the lives of others; and WHEREAS, this bravery and valor were clearly demonstrated in a recent county apartment fire where two [2] children were successfully rescued and pulled to safety by Lake County Fire Rescue personnel - saving both children’s lives; and WHEREAS, the personnel of Lake County Fire Rescue and municipal fire departments are vital members of our community with their commitment to continued training, skill enhancement and numerous community outreach initiatives that work with the citizenry to achieve a safe environment in which to live, work and play; and WHEREAS, the acts of kindness and appreciation received from our citizens provide the needed encouragement and sup-
LAKE COUNTY FIRE RESCUE
port of Lake County Fire Rescue and municipal fire personnel as they confront the dangerous and uncertain perils experienced in their everyday emergency duties. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED by the Board of County Commissioners, Lake County, Florida that: Section I: May 4, 2018 be set as International Firefighter Appreciation Day throughout the County and that we encourage others to show their gratitude to any fire rescue member that they may come into contact with as well as to support the safety activities and efforts of Lake County Fire Rescue. Section II: A copy of this Proclamation shall be spread upon the Minutes of the meeting. Section III: This Proclamation shall become effective upon adoption. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED by the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida in regular session this 24th day of April 2018 - ELISHA PAPPACODA
June, 2018
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CIRONE PHOTOS
Van Flips on Side After Colliding with Car in Cedar Hammock
Cedar Hammock, FL - Cedar Hammock Fire & Rescue responded to a report of an MVA with entrapment on US #41 and Tallevast Road on May 3rd. On arrival, crews found two vehicles involved, including a van that was flipped on its side. The driver of the van was able to self-extricate before firefighters' arrival. The drivers of both vehicles were transported to a local hospital.
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FLFR
Fort Lauderdale Rescues Trapped Driver
Lt. Cary Blanchard
PLANTATION FD
Veteran Plantation Firefighter Receives Promotion Plantation, FL - Plantation Firefighter Cary Blanchard was recently promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, making her the third member of her family to achieve an officer rank. Blanchard, who holds a doctoral degree from the University of Phoenix in Management in Organizational Leadership, joined her husband Steve, who is an acting battalion chief with the department, and her sister Tery, who is a lieutenant in the Rescue Division. Ms. Blanchard has been a volunteer firefighter at Station 3 since joining the department with her twin sister in 1998. Dr. Blanchard maintains a number of fire industry certifica-
JUMP TO FILE #050718121 tions, including EMT, Fire Instructor III, Live Fire Instructor, Fire Inspector II, Fire Investigator, Fire and Life Safety Educator, Fire Officer I, and Fire Inspector. Cary serves full time as the Office Manager for the Fire Department. She is a graduate of Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Opa Locka and earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Florida International University. Cary and Steven have been married for 20 years. - JOEL GORDON
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Fort Lauderdale, FL - On the afternoon of May 9th, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue received a call for a vehicle rolled over in a parking lot. The caller stated that the vehicle went across four lanes of traffic and then off the road, flipping over and landing in a parking lot. Units from the 16th Battalion rushed to the scene to find one driver trapped in his Nissan Rogue. Crews worked to free the driver who was then transported as a Level 1 trauma alert to Broward Health. Fort Lauderdale Police are investigating the incident.
Bob Long
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Radio Test Chaplain’s Corner Didymus McHugh
There are many fire departments that have radio tests at the beginning of a shift or once a day. The purpose of this test is to see how well we hear dispatch, and how well they hear us. There are many times we pray. We transmit communications of our concerns to Dispatch, but do we always hear Dispatch answer our transmission? Do we wait to hear the answer, or do we keep on going? We are used to someone acknowledging our calls, especially when we call a Mayday. When we call a Mayday, it is confirmed and then everything on the fire scene stops and handles that Mayday.
When we pray, we do not usually hear a verbal response from God. God has other ways that He communicates with us. It may be a direct response by the situation that is answered right away, or there may be a soft answer. We may be so busy that we never pay attention to the response. Psalm 46:10 tells us to be still and know that He is God. I have to admit that there are times that I want an immediate response, or want to hear from God to make sure that He is working on the problem. I have learned that I need to trust him. I have to think of it like doing a search in a building. I do not need to be nervous or scared, even though I do not see my partner or hear from Him all the time. I can trust Him. Joshua 1:9 tells us to be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. PROVIDED
Clermont Fire Chief, Department Honored with Award
FLFR
Fort Lauderdale Firefighters Battle Mother’s Day Fire
Fort Lauderdale, FL - During the evening of Mother’s Day night, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue received multiple 9-1-1 calls for a house on fire in District 2. First arriving units advised heavy fire throughout a vacant wood-framed structure. Two lines were quickly stretched off of E29 and crews began to battle the blaze on a rainy night. The house was elevated and parts of the floor had burned through and were missing which hampered operations. It took more than 30 minutes to bring the blaze under control. There were no reported injuries during the incident. The fire is under investigation.
Clermont, FL - Clermont Fire Chief Carle Bishop and his department were honored on Thursday, April 12th, with the Central Florida Fire Chiefs Association’s Distinguished Service Award. The award, JUMP TO FILE# presented by 041618110 CFFCA President and Winter Park Fire Chief James White, was presented to recognize the Clermont firefighters for their recent international accreditation; one of only 179 civilian units in the world to receive the designation. “We were extremely honored to be given this award, especially from our peers who understand the reward and challenges of committing your life as a firefighter to saving lives and property,” said Chief Carle Bishop. The CFFCA is made up of executive-level fire chiefs in Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Lake County. The Clermont Fire Department just recently became Lake County’s first department to earn the Commission on Fire Accreditation International’s accreditation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence. The coveted achievement is the gold standard among fire departments nationwide. Of the nearly 500 fire departments and stations in Florida,
only 22 have earned accreditation. “We have been working on achieving accreditation for three years,” said Chief Carle Bishop. Clermont City Manager Darren Gray applauded the department’s recognition by the CFFCA. The Clermont Fire Department has 83 full-time employees and operates four stations, including one joint station with Lake County.
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For Bishop, it is a crowning jewel to a career that started when he was a teen and fought fires alongside his father, Clarence Bishop, an early assistant fire chief of the volunteer firefighters. Bishop has been Clermont’s fire chief since 1990. - PAMELA MCDUFFEE
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Command assessing the scene. FLFR
Crane Collapses in Fort Lauderdale, Trapping Worker
Fort Lauderdale, FL - On May 3rd, Fort Lauderdale firefighters and the Technical Rescue Team from Firehouse 47 rushed to the scene at 1850 South Ocean Lane for a 9-1-1 call indicating that a worker was trapped under a crane that had collapsed. The collapse trapped the worker, pinning him to the ground and also caused traumatic crush injuries to a lower extremity. The first arriving engine assessed the situation and began shoring the crane for a lifting operation. Once the crane was lifted off the lower extremity, the worker was transported to Broward Health as a Level 1 Trauma Alert. The incident is being investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
THIN LINE PHOTOGRAPHY
LaBelle Firefighters Work Quickly to Contain Brush Fire LaBelle, FL - On April 21st, the LaBelle Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a brush fire of off E. Briarwood in Port LaBelle, located in a rural area with minimal homes. The start of the brush fire is unknown, however homes were
JUMP TO FILE #042218104 within close proximity to the fire. Working together as a team with brush trucks and the forestry department, crews were able to con-
tain the fire, which rekindled for a second page out, without damage to the nearby homes. All firefighters returned to Station 1 safe, with the assignment complete. - CHELSEA KING
THIN LINE PHOTOGRAPHY
Brush 15 from LaBelle Vol. FD arrives and quickly gets to work to contain the brush fire.
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Two Injured in Ocala After Truck Crashes Through AT&T Store Ocala, FL - Two people were injured on May 22nd after a pickup truck ran into an AT&T store. Ocala Fire Rescue units were dispatched to 4405 SW College Road at 1:31 P.M., where a vehicle versus building was reported. Three engine JUMP TO FILE# companies, a rescue 052318108 and battalion chief arrived at the store to find a black and white Ford pickup truck inside the structure. The vehicle, which made its way through the venue’s glass storefront, came to a stop when it impacted a cellphone accessory display on a solid wall. Two individuals sustained injuries. The driver of the pickup truck was transported to the hospital, while the customer who sustained injuries chose to self-transport. - OCALA FIRE RESCUE
OCALA FIRE RESCUE
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Dream Comes True for Father & Son Firefighters in N.J. My name is Mike Nittoli, and all my life I wanted to be a firefighter. My father, Angelo Nittoli, who I consider "my hero", was a firefighter and exchief with the Green Knoll Volunteer Fire Company in Bridgewater, New JUMP TO FILE # Jersey. As a kid, I 042018108 can vividly remember going to the firehouse and being around the trucks, and it was something I looked forward to every day. Being able to play on the trucks back in the late 1980's was every kid's dream. Back in those days, Mack, Hahn and American LaFrance rigs were the the only ones around; everyone had one of the three in the area. Taking pride in your apparatus in those days was something everyone looked forward to doing and wanted to be a part of. Green Knoll Fire Company had three Macks back then. One of them I considered a favorite was a 1977 Mack CF600 50' Tele-Squirt. I was hooked at first sight. I always wanted to be around the Macks. So when I turned 16-yearsold in 1998, I joined the Raritan Borough Fire Department as the department's first junior firefighter. Raritan, along with many other departments in the area, had two Mack trucks: a 1979 Mack CF600 Tower Ladder and a 1983 Mack MC Engine. Again, being able to be around Macks made the firefighting experience for me extra special. Raritan opened many doors for me as I came through the ranks in the fire service. In 2002, I became a full member once I turned 18years-old, and years later I achieved the rank of Lieutenant. I currently belong to Manville Fire Company #1, and my father be-
longs to the Herbertsville Fire Department in Brick Twp., NJ. Throughout my younger years, and even more so recently, me and my father have talked many times about owning a Mack fire truck. Every time we would attend a show or parade and see a private collector, we would later talk about how cool it would be to own one for ourselves. So about four years ago, I thought I would search for previously owned Macks by Green Knoll Fire Company. I belonged to the Mack Fire Apparatus Facebook group and posted there that I was looking for some help. I posted some older pictures and asked if anyone knew of their current whereabouts. Lo and behold, someone reached out and I was able to find two of them! One was the 1972 Mack Engine, which was in Harrisburg, PA, and owned by a private collector. The other was my childhood favorite, the 1977 Mack Tele-Squirt. It was owned and operated by the Franklin Borough Vol. Fire Department, which is located in Cambria County, just outside of Pittsburgh, PA. I contacted the Franklin Fire Department and spoke to their chief, Mr. Jeff Weir. Jeff informed me that the truck definitely came from Green Knoll Fire Company because it still had their name custom built into the steering wheel of the truck. I asked if they would be willing to sell the truck and he informed me that they couldn't sell it since it was still in service. About two years went by and then I received a phone call from Jeff. Jeff advised me that they had received a new ladder truck, and they were putting our Mack up for sale. I thought "this is it, now is our chance". I spoke to my father and we agreed on a number that we were going to offer. I contacted Jeff, told him what our intentions were, and he advised that he would
bring the info back to the membership for a vote. Well, about a week's time had passed, and then I received some unfortunate news. My father had gotten laid off from his job, so we were unable to commit to our original offer for the Mack. I informed Jeff, who gave us his sympathy and told us that he would let us know who would be buying the truck so that we could stay in touch with it. Approximately two months passed before Jeff called to inform me that they had only gotten one offer for the Mack, and that they wanted to give us a second chance at making an offer. I took it upon myself without speaking to my father to make them an offer, using my own funds. I thought to myself, if this truck was meant to come home, whatever would be will be. On October 1, 2017, I made the Franklin Borough Fire Department a formal offer. On October 3, 2017, I received a call from Jeff. He informed me that the department had accepted my bid offer and that the truck was mine. He told me that the membership was happy that the truck would be returning to it's original home. Talk about a dream come true! I called my father and we had an emotional moment over the phone. We drove out to pick the truck up on December 2, 2017. I can't thank the Franklin Borough Fire Department enough. We decided that we would leave Franklin's lettering on the truck as a constant reminder of their sincere generosity. I wanted to share this story with the Fire Service because miracles do happen. If you have an interest in apparatus collecting, don't wait, you too can do this just like we did.
How the truck looked in 1977 (top), compared to now in 2018.
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- MIKE NITTOLI
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This photo was taken in June of 1977 when the truck first arrived. Fire Chief Angelo Nittoli is front row, 6th from right.
After picking up the 1977 Mack Tele-Squirt, (L to R): Frankiln Fire Chief Jeff Weir, Mike Nittoli, and Angelo Nittoli.
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1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
VENDOR SPOTLIGHT
Southeast
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Arab, AL - A partnership between a local car dealership and first responders in Arab made way for an opportunity for Arab F.D. to conduct search and rescue training on May 15th. Jerry Damson Ford recently purchased a shopping center next door to their dealership on Brindlee Mountain Parkway to expand their dealership in the community. After reaching out to the dealership and some brief discussions, AFD was given a green light to train at the site of the new dealership. Members of AFD are assigned
to the Marshall County Heavy Rescue Team and the Alabama Urban Search & Rescue Task Force 3. Many of the senior members have deployed to disasters, such as Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina along the Gulf Coast. For some participants, the training was a new learning experience. Team members utilized a variety of concrete saws, hammer drills and the old fashioned sledge hammer to breach through concrete block walls into a simulated collapsed building. - RICKY PHILLIPS
KIMTEK's FIRELITE and MEDLITE Units Aboard Latest Energy Efficient First Response Vehicles April 23, 2018 Orleans, VT— KIMTEK CORPORATION, manufacturers of modular skid units for firefighting and emergency medical transport in ATVs/UTVs, and brush trucks, recently implemented its latest line of skid units that support energy efficient electric vehicles. KIMTEK's commitment to environmental sustainability, quality construction and convenient, modular design features provides important advantages for makers of electric vehicles such as Polaris GEM and Ranger EV models and, most recently, for the California-based Tropos Motors team. Tropos Motors has just debuted its ABLE™ FRV and ABLE™ EMS fire and medical first responder electric vehicles with KIMTEK FIRELITE® Transport 300 series truck skid units and the MEDLITE® Transport MTSTR104 Transport Cot Units aboard. Ideal for first response coverage at large events, parking garages, commercial buildings, and entertain-
ment venues featuring smooth or paved surfaces, electric vehicles allow fire and EMS personnel access to hard to reach areas where standard full-size fire and rescue vehicles do not fit.
"Our latest pairing of MEDLITE and FIRELITE skid units with electric vehicles is part of KIMTEK's history of partnerships with American manufacturers to serve the varied and emerging needs of public safety professionals," KIMTEK's Founder and President, Kimball Johnson, said. "We are constantly seeking relationships that reflect energy efficiency as well as product combinations that best adapt KIMTEK equipment with the needs of our first responders in the many environments in which they work." For more information about KIMTEK's full line of public safety skid units for fire, rescue, EMS, and brush trucks, including those specifically for electric vehicles, please visit the KIMTEK websites at kimtekresearch.com and
brushtruckskids.com.
About KIMTEK Corporation: KIMTEK Corporation is the largest producer of ATV/UTV-specific skid units for public safety agencies in the U.S. KIMTEK's FIRELITE® fire and rescue skid units and MEDLITE® medical skid units are now in service in all fifty U.S. states, seven Canadian provinces and one territory, all branches of the U.S. military, the National Park Service, numerous NASCAR tracks, sporting complexes, schools, universities and in several countries worldwide. Founded in 1984 as a research and development company dedicated to advances in life safety technology in the fire sciences, KIMTEK Corporation manufactures and markets a full line of FIRELITE and MEDLITE Transport skid units for emergency service UTVs and pick-up trucks. More information about KIMTEK is available at 888-546-8358 or www.kimtekresearch.com.
Arab FF Dylan Woods works to breach a wall during USAR training at the old Food World shopping center.
CHIEF RICKY PHILLIPS
PATCH OF THE MONTH
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KIMTEK
RODGER GREEN
This patch belongs to Hanceville Fire Rescue, located in Cullman County, AL.
KIMTEK
PROMO CODE FH16
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