Fire News Kentucky, Jan./Feb. 2024

KENTUCKY

Volume 2, No. 5

Jan./Feb. 2024

Story on pages 6-7.

- Photo courtesy of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Division of Emergency Management

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Staff at Fire News

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Fire News, January/February 2023, Page 3

In this issue...

Combine Fire in Hopkinsville Pembroke crews respond on mutual aid to a fire in Hopkinsville.

See story on page 4

Serving Fire & EMS Heroes Since 1973 FRANK C. TROTTA, Publisher/CEO TIM EDWARDS, Chief Operating Officer GARY P. JOYCE, Editor MYLES QUINN, Long Island Editor MARIE TROTTA, Vice President, Production

Stump Fire Spreads

LYNN SEDLER, Art Director CLIFF CHIESA, Production Manager

Corydon firefighters take on a stump fire that eventually spreads to 33 acres.

See story on page 8

Kasey Program Comes to Zoneville Fire and Life Safety dogs strut their stuff for the students of Zoneville and elsewhere.

See story on page 18

Lexington Retiree Dinner

Lexington hosts a ton of familiar faces - and a lot of knowledge at its retiree dinner.

See story on page 19

BARBARA CONNOLLY, Vice President National Sales SUZANNE BANCROFT, Business Development Manager BRYAN LOPEZ, Editorial Assistant GREG JONES, Graphic Artist DENNIS WHITTAM, Editor Emeritus COPYRIGHT 2024, THE FIRE NEWS INC., LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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32 Recruits for 13 Departments The Kentucky Fire Commission announces the graduation of Class 003.

See story on page 21

Corvette 911 for Bowling Green A Corvette, destined for Bowling Green as an eventual raffle prize, rolls off the assembly line.

See story on page 22

PLUS: Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pages 14-16 Business Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 16 Industry News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 22

Letters to the Editor, byline articles, and columns represent the opinions of the writers and photographers and are not necessarily the views of the Fire News. We reserve the right to edit all of the above. We are not responsible for errors in advertisements beyond the cost of advertising space. Copy submitted is subject to editing for space requirements. The placing of an advertisement in this publication does not constitute endorsement. Contents are copyrighted. Editorial and advertising copy cannot be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Fire News is published monthly by Fire News Inc, with corporate offices at 146 South Country Road, Bellport, NY 11713.

Page 4, Fire News, January/February 2024

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Combine Fire in Hopkinsville Pembroke crews (Deputy Chief Peterson; Tanker 1760, Lieutenant Gee; Mini Pumper 1752; Firefighter Scott) responded mutual aid to Hopkinsville for a combine fire.

- Photos courtesy of Pembroke FR

Page 6, Fire News, January/February 2024

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Cover Story

2 Confirmed Dead in Building Collapse at Shuttered Kentucky Coal Plant

A worker who became trapped after an 11-story building collapsed at a shuttered coal plant in eastern Kentucky has died following a multi-day rescue effort to find the missing man, officials said. His death comes two days after another worker, who was also trapped in the rubble, died, officials said. The coal preparation plant in Martin County collapsed at approximately 1830 on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, according to Kentucky Emergency Management. The two workers became trapped underneath multiple floors of concrete and steel as rescue efforts went on for days. Multiple agencies from across the Commonwealth of Kentucky responded to the scene to assist in the rescue efforts, including the National Guard’s Special Tactics Squadron K-9 search dog unit. The two workers were helping demolish the building at the abandoned mine site on Wolf Creek.

- Photos courtesy of Lexington FD, Louisville FD and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Division of Emergency Management

(More photos next page)

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Cover Story Building Collapse at Shuttered Coal Plant...continued

Fire News, January/February 2024, Page 7

Page 8, Fire News, January/February 2024

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Burning Stump Spreads to 33 Acres On November 6, 2023, the Corydon Civil Defense responded to a field fire caused by the homeowner burning a stump in their backyard. Due to dry conditions and extremely high winds the fire spread to over 33 acres. Corydon Civil Defense was assisted by the Smith Mills, Cairo, Robards, Waverly, Union County, Henderson City/County Rescue, KY Division of Forestry and local farmers with tractors and discs.

- Submitted by Bryan Coghill

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Madisonville Handles Structure Fire

Madisonville Fire units responded to a working structure fire at the corner of Mitchell Hill Drive and West Arch Street.

- Photo courtesy of Madisonville FR

Fire News, January/February 2024, Page 9

Smell of Smoke Leads to Bedroom Fire in Corydon

Recently, at approximately 0840, units from the Corydon Civil Defense Fire and Rescue, Cairo Fire Department, Henderson City/County Rescue Squad, Smith Mills Fire Department, Union County Fire Department and Deaconess EMS, received a call for a possible chemical smell or wire burning smell in a residence on 8th Street in Corydon.

Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke inside the residence. As they were searching with a TIC to try and locate the source of the smoke, units came across a closed bedroom door with blackened areas around it. Units opened the door and found a mattress fire inside the bedroom. After the fire was extinguished units performed salvage and overhaul and removed any remaining hazards. We would like to thank everyone who responded, including Henderson E911 for their assistance. A big thanks to Zion Fire Chief Chad Patterson and Robards Assistant Fire Chief Lance Wayne, who both were in the area and assisted.

- Submitted by Bryan Coghill

Page 10, Fire News, January/February 2024

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Pembroke, Fairview Handle Car Fire

Recently, Pembroke crews (Chief Belair, Engine 1751 [Firefighter Shirk], Tanker 1760 [Firefighter Fowler]) and mutual aid from Fairview Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire.

- Photos courtesy of Pembroke FR

Owensboro Commercial Blaze Owensboro engines 1, 2 and 4, Rescue 1, Quint 2, and F95 responded to a commercial structure fire in the vicinity of East 7th Street and Jackson Street at approximately 1123, on November 21, 2023. Units arrived to find heavy smoke and fire coming from a type 5, wood frame commercial structure. With quick actions of personnel, they were able to confine damage to the building of origin. The building and its contents, however, were a total loss. AMR responded as EMS standby. OMU responded to cut power to the building. OPD helped with area control and investigation.

- Photos courtesy of Owensboro FR

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Fire News, January/February 2024, Page 11

Owensboro Apartment Building Fire

Owensboro (OFD) firefighters were toned out to a reported structure fire in the 3900 block of Benttree Drive with multiple calls coming into dispatch. Command 95 arrived to heavy flame and smoke going through the roof. Multiple OFD units rapidly converged on the scene along with OPD and AMR. Primary search and fire attack were conducted without delay. It was determined that residents of the four-plex apartment building had gotten out safely. Two family

dogs were located and medically treated by AMR before being transported to a local vet. Preliminary investigation determined the fire to be accidental. The Red Cross assisted displaced residents.

Kenergy and Atmos responded to secure utilities. Special thanks to our dispatchers who once again did a splendid job with communications.

- Photos courtesy of Owensboro FR

Page 14, Fire News, January/February 2024

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Extrication Training for Lexington

The skills to be a firefighter go beyond extinguishing fires. Extrication training is critical to our work, helping save lives in accidents when people are trapped or unable to exit their vehicles. Our dedicated crews are trained and equipped to handle it all.

- Photos courtesy of Lexington FD

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Fire News, January/February 2024, Page 15

Louisville SpecOps Holds Swiftwater Training

Recently, the Louisville Fire Department Special Operations Unit participated in Swiftwater Rescue Training at Nolin Dam. Members practiced self-rescue skills, victim removal, and boat operations in moving water. This training assists technical rescuers to mitigate water emergencies throughout the Greater Louisville area.

- Photos courtesy of Louisville FD

Page 16, Fire News, January/February 2024

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Henderson Driver/Operator Pump Training

Henderson Station 4’s crew, consisting of Captain Daniel Hancock, and Firefighters Jake O’nan and Greg Russell, took advantage of some great November weather to conduct some driver/pump operator training. The training was to allow Firefighter Russell to become more familiar with the pump panel and operating the water pump on Engine 4 (Henderson’s newest engine).

- Photos courtesy of Henderson FD

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Fire News, January/February 2024, Page 17

Page 18, Fire News, January/February 2024

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Kasey Program Comes to Zoneton

Many thanks to Carmel (IN) Firefighter Jeff Owens and the Koorsen Fire Protection Company for bringing their Kasey the Fire and Life Safety dog program to our area recently. They have visited elementary schools in Zoneton teaching children valuable lessons in fire survival. The Kasey Program has reached hundreds of thousands of people. The chocolate labs, Kasey and Carmel, demonstrate Stop, Drop and Roll, along with crawling low in smoke and checking doors for heat before opening. Also that lighters and matches should never be touched and having a family meeting place if a home must be evacuated. These dogs are family pets, search and rescue dogs, fire/life safety educators and also teach how to safely approach strange dogs.

- Photos courtesy of Zoneton Fire Protection District

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Fire News, January/February 2024, Page 19

Lexington Holds Retiree Dinner

The Lexington Fire Department hosted their retirees for dinner. Seeing so many familiar faces and overhearing the shared stories was great. Big thanks to everyone for coming out, and don’t be strangers.

- Photos courtesy of Lexington FD

Page 20, Fire News, January/February 2024

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Pembroke, Oak Grove Train on Helicopter Prop

Pembroke members along with the Oak Grove Fire Department trained with the state’s helicopter prop. Crews went over size up strategies, tactics and fire suppression techniques.

- Photos courtesy of Pembroke FR

Bowling Green’s Biannual Retiree Breakfast

Beginning in May 2022, the Bowling Green Fire Department started a new tradition of welcoming retired members back into the building twice a year for a Retiree Breakfast. On November 10, 2023, the department held its fourth semi-annual event

Retirees from firefighter to retired chiefs, joined us. There is a wealth of knowledge in the room, and we always find great value in their insight and experience.

- Submitted by Elyse Jonker

Bowling Green Reaccredited by CFAI On August 28, 2023, the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) approved reaccredited status for the Bowling Green Fire Department for the fourth time. This was an effort made by a team of all ranks in the department, and a few appeared before the Commission in Chicago. The mission of the Bowling Green Fire Department is to serve, save, and protect and too make it better. The accreditation model is just one way we continue to make it better for the citizens of Bowling Green, for our department, and for each other.

- Submitted by Elyse Jonker

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Fire News, January/February 2024, Page 21

32 Recruits from 13 Departments Graduate

The Kentucky Fire Commission recently recognized 32 recruits from 13 fire departments across the Commonwealth in a graduation ceremony at the Fire Academy of Kentucky. Class 003 recruits

spent 13 weeks training in Muhlenberg County and will now return to their respective fire departments as certified firefighters ready to serve their communities.

- Submitted by Ericka Cole

Page 22, Fire News, January/February 2024

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Special Corvette Rolls Off the Assembly Line On October 26, 2023, at approximately 0911, special Stingray VIN ending in 911 rolled off the final line at Bowling Green Assembly. This car holds a special place in the hearts of the community as it is the source of many funds used to serve Bowling Green. Throughout this year, the Bowling Green Firefighters Association will lease the Corvette to the city for only $1, so it can be used for school fire prevention classes, parades, and special events, before being raffled off to provide funds to the nonprofit Bowling Green Firefighters Association. A limited number of 911 raffle tickets will be sold, and the funds will be used to support all the nonprofit activities firefighters utilize to serve the Bowling Green community.

The plant held a special celebration of this car by hosting the current Fire Chief Justin Brooks, retired Captain Ron Renner, and Executive Assistant Elyse Jonker for a tour. “The firefighters — their hearts, their minds, their actions — they are truly representative of what it means to be a pillar of this community. When they show up, it's to help, whatever the circumstances, wherever the location, whoever the person. We strive to help the helpers, and I am incredibly thankful to be able to have a partnership with this brilliant team of people that serve Bowling Green,” said Plant Director Ray Theriault.

The team was then offered a unique experience where Chief Brooks brought the car to life by starting its engine before it was driven off the line. Chief Brooks said, “The mission of the Bowling Green Fire Department is to serve, save and protect. To make it better. The resource that a Corvette provides to the Bowling Green Firefighters Association only allows for a greater opportunity for the mission to be delivered to our community. We are grateful for our partnership with General Motors and their shared mission to do great things for our city.” Several joint leaders and other employees showed support by gathering at the final line and kicking off multiple rounds of applause as the car drove offline.

- Submitted by Elyse Jonker

NVFC OFFERS ONLINE AND IN-PERSON TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FIRE SERVICE The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) offers many training opportunities to support the fire and emergency services. Topics focus on health and safety, recruitment and retention, grant writing, public education, leadership, and much more.

The NVFC Virtual Classroom features dozens of on-demand courses for just $21 per course. Better yet, purchase an NVFC membership for a yearly fee of $21 and get access to all Virtual Classroom courses for free. In addition, the NVFC hosts a series of free live webinars and roundtable talks on current issues facing the fire and emergency services.

Among the in-person educational opportunities is the NVFC Training Summit, an annual conference featuring classroom sessions on topics of critical importance to the fire and emergency serv-

ices. NVFC members are eligible for a travel stipend to help offset the costs of attending. Other in-person trainings include the Partners in Training (PIT) Crew project, which provides free hazmat courses at locations across the country. Learn more about the NVFC’s training opportunities at www.nvfc.org/trainings. Join the NVFC to take advantage of free training and other benefits at www.nvfc.org/join.