Editorial

From the Editor’s Desk

Dennis Whittam, Editor AnotherYearDown… Just Around the Corner

As I was reading the April Long Island Fire News at my firehouse, I took note of our emblem that says, “Fire News 49th Anniversary.” I found it hard to believe that Fire News’50th Anniversary is around the corner.

I finished being a Captain in the Terryville (NY) Fire Department in 2000. My company knew that in a previous life, I buffed fire calls in NYC as a young kid. I’d ride my bicycle to calls. Eventually, I acquired an inexpensive camera and took photos of the members of Engine 291 and Ladder 140. My childhood heroes loved the photos. Sadly, I never made copies for myself. But I can say the many dinners I had with the members was my reward for taking the photos. Eventually my dad’s chauffer took me under his wing and introduced me to photography. Richie Kubler had a family photo business, and my first paid job was picking up the undeveloped film and bringing it back developed the next day. Whoever thought this job would open the door to working at Fire News as a photographer? In 2000, I gained a reputation as being a photographer who had one goal in mind. My goal was to honor the volunteer fire service with photographs of the members of the Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services in a positive light. Yes, I still have many of my first photos because I was part of the digital age.

Eventually Fire News decided to expand and started a New Jersey edition, the Wildwood edition, which highlighted the NJ Firemen’s Convention, and a New York State edition, which included the emergency services throughout NYS and New York City. How did this happen? Our early expansion happened because of the support from Publisher Frank Trotta, Executive Editor Tim Edwards, Advertising Specialist Barbara Connolly, an art staff which included Cliff Chiesa, Lynn Sedler and Greg Jones. The man who brought our production of 12 editions that reach 15 states is Gary Joyce. Gary is the guy you never see, but his work is seen by everyone. Since Fire News is all digital, our stories come into the paper via email. It is a monumental job to keep the stories sorted. Bryan Lopez spends hours downloading and filing our stories, so that our art staff can prepare the photos for print.

Our 12 editions would not be possible without the support of our dedicated advertisers. Their products are highlighted in their ads, in the Fire News Special Features page and in our Industry News section. Yes, Fire News is now more that stories. Our advertisers work hard to bring you new products on a regular basis.

Finally, Fire News has a dedicated staff of recognized photographers, who go out in all kinds of weather to cover events happening all over the states that they cover. Thank you to our photographers who cover fires, motor vehicle accidents, training, dedications and so many other areas that make all of us better firefighters. In a few months, our 49 Years of Excellence will read 50 Years of Excellence! I am proud to be part of this great paper that was started by Jeb Ladouceur. Sadly, Jeb has recently passed away. He will never be forgotten as he guides my pen when I write my monthly editorial. In closing, I say thank you to the Fire Service for enjoying Fire News. There is more to come!

- Dennis

1 Transported, 1 Fatal in Henderson

The Henderson Fire Department responded to a mobile home on CarterDrive that was heavily involved upon arrival. One person was transported to the hospital for injuries while, tragically, one person did not survive this fire. The cause is underinvestigation by officials. - Photos courtesy of Henderson FD

Walnut Street Fire Fatality

Recently, the Owensboro Fire Department was dispatched to the 600 block of Walnut Street at 2257, due to a neighborreporting smoke from a structure. OFD responded along with OPD and AMR to find a building in the back yard of a home with light smoke showing. While performing an interiorprimary search, Engine 1 personnel located a male occupant who was found to be deceased. The fire was extinguished quickly and no one else was found to be in harm’s way due to the smoke orfire. Thanks to the Daviess County Coroner’s office fortheirdiligence. The incident was underinvestigation by OPD. - Fire News photo courtesy of Owensboro FD

Looking Back

Honoring Women’s History Month

In honorof Women’s History Month, the Louisville Division of Fire recognized its first female firefighters. Vicki Bell, Deidra Berry and Cynthia Lewis are pictured here with Recruit Class 158. The class graduated on July 23, 1984, and included current Louisville Chief Gregory Frederick. - Photo courtesy of the Louisville Division of Fire

Louisville Commercial Blaze

At 2301 on February 6, 2022, Louisville crews were dispatched to reports of a structure fire in the 1500 block of West Oak Street. Fire companies arrived in three minutes to find heavy fire coming from a vacant two-story commercial property. Firefighters quickly made entry, searched and worked to extinguish the blaze, while outside crews deployed exposure lines to protect a neighboring property. Crews eventually transitioned to defensive ops, due to deteriorated conditions of the building. It took less than 30 minutes forapproximately 25 firefighters to bring the fire undercontrol. The main fire building was a total loss. Aneighboring house sustained minordamage. - Photos courtesy of the Louisville Division of Fire

Page 10, Fire News, May/June 2022 Cover Story

Louisville Vacancy a Total Loss

At 0153 on February 15, 2022, Louisville crews were dispatched to a structure fire in the 900 block of East Madison Street. Fire crews arrived on scene in fourminutes to find heavy fire coming from a vacant single-story dwelling. Firefighters quickly made entry, searched the building, and began an interiorfire attack. Outside crews deployed exposure lines to protect neighboring property. Crews eventually transitioned to defensive operations on the main fire building, due to deteriorated conditions of the structure. It took approximately 20 minutes for 25 firefighters to bring the fire undercontrol. The main fire building was a total loss. An adjacent structure sustained only minordamage. - Photos courtesy of the Louisville Division of Fire

1 Fatality at Owensboro Fire

Recently, in the early morning hours, Owensboro firefighters responded to a reported residential structure fire in the 1400 block of West 12th Street. Upon arrival Engine 1 found heavy smoke and flames coming out of a bedroom window. Arapid search and rescue commenced, along with aggressive firefighting. One resident was located in the search of the dense smoke and was removed to be treated by EMS. The patient was taken to the local hospital , but sadly succumbed to herinjuries. This fire was underinvestigation. Partnering agencies including Central Dispatch, AMR, OPD, OMU, and OHRH. - Photo courtesy of Owensboro FD

FireNews.com Fire News, May/June 2022, Page 13 Flue Heat Ignites Combustibles, Starts House Fire

At 1033 on January 27, 2022, Louisville crews, along with with Shively Fire and Rescue, were dispatched to a structure fire in the 2100 block of East Lane. Fire companies arrived within five minutes to find fire coming from a two-story, single-family dwelling. An adult and child occupant were alerted and safely exited the structure prior to firefighter’s arrival. Firefighters quickly made entry, searched the building, and began an interiorfire attack. It took approximately 20 minutes fornearly 30 firefighters to bring the fire undercontrol. The home sustained moderate damage. No otherhomes were damaged. One adult occupant sustained a minorinjury and was treated on scene by EMS. Kentuckiana Red Cross assisted displaced occupants. The Louisville Division of Fire Arson Bureau completed theirpreliminary investigation of the fire and determined the cause to be heat from a furnace flue igniting nearby combustibles (clothing).

- Photo courtesy of the Louisville Division of Fire

Historic Buildings Destroyed by Fire in Greenville

In the early morning hours of April 7, 2022, fourhistoric buildings were destroyed by a fast-moving fire. Crews responded to the northeast cornerof Main Street and Main Cross Street, in Greenville. Upon arrival, flames were discovered in the upperfloors of the J.L. Rogers Building. Fire crews from the city, as well as Central City and county volunteer departments responded to battle the stubborn blaze. The Madisonville Fire Department, Auburn Fire Department, and Ohio County departments laterresponded to assist. - Photos courtesy of Sydney Patterson

FireNews.com

Fire News, May/June 2022, Page 15 Tree, Branches Down in Perryville

The Perryville Fire Department responded to Leonard Street between East Second and East Third, recently, due to a tree down in the roadway. There were lots of small limbs down throughout the city on otherstreets, but they were passable. PFD staff and Perryville Public Works worked on tree removal throughout the city. No injuries were reported. - Photos courtesy of Perryville FD

Body Found in Troublesome Creek

On January 13, 2022, multiple agencies conducted a search in the Ary community. The Swift WaterTechnicians from the Jakes Branch and Hazard fire departments located a deceased male subject while searching the Troublesome Creek area. The scene was then released to the Kentucky State Police. - Photo courtesy of Jakes Branch FD

So, You Wanna’Work WaterRescue

WaterRescue Technicians from Jakes Branch and Hazard fire departments spent the day on the waterrecently doing a training exercise to prepare additional units to complete the certification required to join the waterrescue team. - Photos courtesy of Jakes Branch FD

Flatwoods and Raceland fire departments trained togetherin Raceland recently. - Photos courtesy of the City of Flatwoods local government

Flatwoods and Raceland Train