Fire News Kentucky September/October 2023

Story on page 6.

- Photo courtesy of Madisonville FD

Good Stop and Save in Georgetown

Although heavily damaged, firefighters save a tenant and two dogs.

See story on page 8

Body Recovered at Boat Ramp

Crews from Davies Co., Owensboro and Henderson Co. recover a 72-year-old male’s body.

See story on page 10

Pembroke Handles

2-Car MVA

One person requires extrication after a two-car accident.

See story on page 12

Calloway Firefighters Train School Personnel

Training focused on bus and school fire and incident safety.

See story on page 16

New Leadership for Louisville

Chief Brian O’Neill is sworn in as the 21st Chief of the Department.

See story on page 21

Zoneton Makes a Lasting Impression

A2019 mission trip to Ecuador with decommissioned turnout gear, has the gear still in service today.

See story on page 22

AService for Kentucky Firefighters and EMS Providers

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FN’s Editor Dennis Whittam Passes . . . . page 4 Industry News

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In Memoriam

Dennis C. Whittam

January 28, 1953 - July 7, 2023

Fire News’Editor Dennis Whittam passed away on July 7, 2023, after a 14-year battle with cancer.

We here at Fire News mourn the passing of our colleague and the face of Fire News.

Dennis will be sorely missed by his family, friends and by the entire staff of Fire News.

Madisonville Extrication Training

Firefighters from the Madisonville Fire Department conducted hands-on extrication training utilizing the full variety of tools.

- Photos courtesy of Madisonville FD

NEW FEATURE NEW FEATURE

CONGRESS TO CUTAFG AND SAFER GRANTS? YOUR ACTION NEEDED!

The International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the National Volunteer Fire Council, the Congressional Fire Services Institute, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and the National Fire Protection Association all joined together in a unified voice to express outrage at recently proposed cuts to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing forAdequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) programs. Our organizations call upon Congress to restore funding to these programs. Your support in amplifying our message would be invaluable

Here is a link to their full statement: https://www.iafc.org/docs/default-source/ 1gr/fire-groups-statement-on-afg-and-safergrant-cuts.pdf

ODD HOURS, NO PAY, COOLHAT

The National Volunteer Fire Council is proud to work in collaboration with John

Deere, Hold Fast Features, and Vignette on the volunteer fire service documentary Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat The film (https://oddhoursfilm.com/watch) is now available nationwide and can be rented or purchased via iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play.

This film aims to expand the visibility of volunteer firefighting and increase recruitment across the country. The trailer can be seen at https://vimeo.com/812127020/ead44de435.

VOLUNTEER FIRST RESPONDER HOUSINGACT

Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY02) introduced the VolunteerFirst Responder Housing Act, legislation to expand eligibility for qualified volunteer emergency responders to participate in certain federal housing assistance programs.

Specifically, this bill would expand eligibility for the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program. The Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program assists approved

lenders in providing loans to low and moderate income households to build, rehabilitate or improve a home in eligible rural areas. The income limit for the program is no more than 115 percent of the median household income. The Volunteer First Responder Housing Act would allow volunteers to participate in the loan program even if their income exceeds the maximum allowable income level by up to $18,000. The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program is an existing program that gives law enforcement officers, teachers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians a 50 percent discount from the list price of a home located in a revitalization area. The full text of the bill can be found at https://t.ly/E8EBQ.

Minimizing Damage in Owensboro Fire

Recently, Owensboro 3rd Crew units from multiple stations responded to a possible structure fire in the 400 block of Wesleyan Place. Units arrived to find light smoke emitting from the attic vents on both ends of the house. Engine 4 personnel made entry to find a fire in the attic area and were able to quickly extinguish the fire. Personnel used salvage covers to preserve personal belongings from waterdamage throughout the residence. Units responding to the incident included: F95, F97, E1, E2, E5, R1, L5, OMU, and AMR. No injuries were reported.

- Photo courtesy of Owensboro FD

Good Stop and Save in Georgetown

The Georgetown Fire Department responded to a working structure fire in the Elkhorn Meadows subdivision. Although the structure sustained heavy smoke and fire damage, the tenant was able to escape safely, and two dogs were successfully rescued. Thanks to Scott County Fire Department, Georgetown/Scott County EMS, Georgetown Police Department and EMAfortheirassistance.

- Photos courtesy of Georgetown FD

Gas Leak in Georgetown

Crews from the Georgetown Fire Department responded to the intersection of Marketplace Circle and Lusby Path fora gas leak.

- Photos courtesy of Georgetown FD

Body Recovered at Little Hurricane Boat Ramp

Amissing boaterwas found dead on July 31, 2023, afteran incident at Little Hurricane boat ramp, according to the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Brad Youngman said the person was believed to be a 72-year-old male. Youngman said the call to dispatch indicated a boat had drifted from the slip with its engine off. He said onlookers reported that they noticed the man did not come back up from the boat and they saw what is believed to be the man’s belongings floating in the water. Youngman said the call came in at 1713 and the first DCSO unit arrived at 1721. The man’s body was recovered a little after1830 about a half-mile west of the boat dock. The Daviess County and Owensboro fire departments and the Henderson County dive team also responded.

Pembroke Handles 1-CarMVA

Recently, Pembroke Fire Chief Belair, Mini Pumper1752 (Captain Stealy) responded to a single-car MVA.

Fairview Handles Med Emergency

Stella Head-on MVA

Fairview VolunteerFire Department was dispatched to a medical emergency involving a lawnmower. Fairview first responders were on scene within five minutes and were able to begin patient care. Additional responding Fairview units set up an LZ fora medevac that was already responding. Communication with Todd County EMS and Todd County Dispatch allowed fora seamless transferof patient care and a quick departure of the medevac. Todd County Rescue and Todd County Sheriff's Department also assisted at the scene.

- Photo courtesy of Fairview FD

Calloway County Fire Rescue responded to the scene of a two-vehicle head-on MVAon State Highway 121 north between Kirksey Road and Hallelujah Drive in Stella. All traffic was diverted to otherroads and 121 North was shut down from Kirksey Road to Hallelujah Drive/Stella Drive to all traffic while first responders operated.

- Photo courtesy of Calloway County FR

- Photo courtesy of Henderson FD

- Photo courtesy of Pembroke FD

Pembroke Handles 2-CarMVA

Pembroke crews, 1701 (Chief Belair) and Mini Pumper1752 (Captain Stealy) responded to a two-carMVA. Crews had to use the spreaders to gain access to the patient, and the patient care was turned overto Medic 21.

Perryville Trains on ‘Dry’Hydrants

Perryville Fire Department recently trained on drafting waterfrom the dry hydrants along the Chaplin River. Dry hydrants are not connected to the watermain but instead go directly to the bottom of the riverbed. Engines connect to them and draft waterdirectly from the riverinto the pump. Agreat alternate watersupply forPerryville.

Madisonville WaterRescue Drill

With the summertime heat more and more people are taking advantage of ourlocal parks and wateropportunities. With the increase of people on the waterthe fire department took advantage of the warm weatherto do some boat training on Grapevine Lake recently.

- Photos courtesy of Madisonville FD

- Photo courtesy of Pembroke FD

- Photo courtesy of Perryville FD

Patches

Brodhead Fire Department

Clay City Fire Department

Hopkinsville Fire Department

Calloway Co. FFs Train School Staff

Calloway County Fire Rescue Chief Tommy Morgan and firefighters recently held a training with the Calloway County Schools focused on fire safety forschool bus drivers and administrators Since school bus drivers are tasked to safely transport and take care of the children on theirbus during the school year, this training was

to help provide information and demonstrations on different events that could happen while out on the road. We hope none of it is ever needed but it’s always betterto be trained and prepared.

Fire BehaviorSeminar

- Photos courtesy of Calloway County FR & Amy Duncan

Pembroke members went overfire behaviorduring a training night recently.

- Photos courtesy of Pembroke FD

Training on Rural WaterDelivery

They may look like swimming pools, but these portable watertanks are vital to rural watersupply. These crews of Lexington’s 2nd Platoon practiced rural watersupply and drafting operations, allowing them to maintain waterpressure and fire attack in the more rural parts of Fayette County, where fire hydrants aren’t on every corner.

- Photos courtesy of Lexington FD

Owensboro WaterRescue Training

Owensboro crews trained recently on waterrescue response at Combest Pool. The responders used this controlled environment to refresh on life-saving techniques that can be used not only in swim-

ming pools, but also in a wide range of circumstances in lakes, rivers and even flood waters.

- Photos courtesy of Owensboro FD

Georgetown Youth Learn Extrication Techniques

Participants in the Georgetown Fire Department’s Youth SummerAcademy received hands-on training with extrication equipment. These young men were taught how to safely remove sections of a vehicle in orderto disentangle a patient.

- Photos courtesy Georgetown FD

Perryville’s Woody Stigall’s 70th

Thanks forthe Donuts!

The Perryville Fire Department had the pleasure of celebrating Woody Stigall’s 70th birthday and his retirement from the department recently. Woody has proudly served the Perryville Fire Department and the citizens of Perryville for54 years. Woody nevermissed an opportunity to support the city in whateverneeded to be done. While we’ll miss Woody at the station, we hope he enjoys his retirement. Thank you, Woody!

Kitchen Gift from American Heart Association

Kentucky recently provided each of the Lexington Fire Department’s 24 stations with a Healthcare Heroes kitchen kit. The kits were sponsored by Bullard Industrial Health and Safety and included a variety of items foreach station’s kitchen, including heart-healthy recipes, measuring spoons, a cutting board, whisk, frying pan and more. We’re sure plenty of firehouse meals will be prepared and shared with the generous gift! Thank you!

- Photos courtesy of Lexington FD

- Photo courtesy of Perryville FD

The Henderson Fire Department is thankful forAndrea from ServPro forbringing some donuts by the station forcrews on National Donut Day 2023! - Photo courtesy of Henderson FD

New Leadership forLouisville

Congratulations to Chief Brian O’Neill and ournew leadership. Chief O’Neill was sworn in as the 21st Chief in the 165-yearhistory of the Louisville Fire Department. Sworn in alongside Chief O’Neill were newly appointed Executive Assistant Chief Colonel Kate Clemmerand Assistant Chief of Administration Lieutenant Colonel Bobby Cooper. Colonel Clemmerbecomes the highest ranked female in Louisville Fire Department history.

- Photos courtesy of Louisville FD

Donated GearStill in Service

Schedule Change forFirst Day

In 2019, Zoneton Captain Dustin Headley went on a mission trip with a church group to Ecuadorand brought several sets of decommissioned fire gear. The receiving fire department reached out to us recently to show the gear was still in use. We are glad the gearstill continues to save lives and property along with protecting our fellow “Bomberos”!

- Photos courtesy of Zoneton FPD

Firehouse Expo Preview

Three groups of sessions will be offered between 80800-1230. There will be a break for lunch and then the opening ceremonies will begin at 1400. The day then will transition to the exhibit floor, where there will be a welcome reception, a Tailboard Talk and a roundtable.

New Classes

“Incident Command: Defining the Expectation.” “Engine Company Operations at Apartment Fires.” “RIT? FAST? RIC? WHO?” “Flying into a New Era: Building a Drone Program and Utilization in the Fire Service.”

VolunteerDays

Firehouse Expo will offer special programs for volunteer firefighters with a special discounted rate of $75 registration for either Wednesday or Friday. And don’t miss “CPR for the Volunteer Fire Service," and “AFG Strategies for Success.”

Lessons Learned

Attendees of Firehouse Expo in 2022 requested more classes/speakers that concentrate on lessons learned and that p rovide examination of close calls and fireground incidents. “Out of Air, Can YOU Make It to Safety?” and “I Was Not Ready for This!”

Pre-conference Workshops

Our in-depth pre-conference workshops will allow participants to take a deep dive into leadership, tactics and the human side of firefighting, among other topics.

This new class conference includes several “Thru-the-Lock, the Not-So Forcible Entry Method.”

One of the many tasks firefighters must be proficient in is forcible entry. The Thru-the-Lock method of forcible entry con-

serves property damage while obtaining the goal of gaining entry. This method is utilized when life safety and property conservation come together to make access to buildings and homes for a vast array of incident responses. When seconds count and lives hang in the balance, it takes trained professionals to do their job and get it done right. Thru-the-Lock has proven effective to access patients, making entry for water flow activation, as well as maintaining door control for smoke conditions. An additional benefit of Thru-theLock is the ability to secure the entry point upon termination of the incident. Thru-the-Lock is a skill every firefighter needs in their proverbial toolbox.

Fire departments across the country face many challenges in the post-COVID-19 era, including leadership changes, culture issues and exhaustion, which all can bring down morale in firefighters

Find the full list of pre-conference workshops here: firehouseexpo.com/2023/workshops.

You must preregister for these four- and eight-hour workshops, so do it today.

Lexington FD on Standby at the Fourth Festivities

Thank you to the City of Lexington Government, forits stunning celebration of ournation’s independence! Fun events like, Red White and Blues, the Patriotic Concert, the Ice Cream Social, Bluegrass 10k, the Parade, and the fireworks make us proud to celeprate America the Beautiful. Firefighters from the Lexington Fire Department stood-by during festivities.

- Photos courtesy of Lexington FD

Buckman Named Honorary Chief

Highway 268 Field Fire

The Corydon Civil Defense Fire & Rescue (Henderson County), named Chief John Buckman III, as an honorary member, for his work he has done for our department, teaching mental health classes for firefighters, taking photos at big events and being a shoulder to lean on when needed. This was to be present at our 2022 Christmas meal, but due to scheduling conflicts it was delayed.

Thank you Chief Bryan Coghill for bestowing the Corydon CD Fire-Rescue honorary member to me. I am humbled to be recognized by this great group of volunteer firefighters working hard to protect their community. Bryan’s grandfather, Bill Coghill, was fire ch ief at German Township back in the 70s. Bryan’s father Mike was a member of German Township and has been a Chief at Smith Mills for many years. Again thank you to all the Corydon CD Fire-Rescue members.

- John Buckman III& Corydon CD FR

Smith Mills FD, Corydon Civil Defense Fire & Rescue, and the Niagara FD responded to a field fire nearhighway 268 and J Dance Rd., caused by a lightning strike. Upon arrival, about an acre was actively burning. Units quickly extinguished the fire, but stayed on scene to ensure all hot spots were extinguished.

- Photos courtesy of Corydon CD FR

Henderson FFs Receive 25 YearPins

Congratulations to Lieutenant Mike Ivie, EngineerBilly Schwartz , and EngineerCory Staples, who all received their25-yearservice pins at Henderson Fire Dep artment’s recent commission meeting. - Photos courtesy of Henderson FD

Dixon is New Chief forHenderson FD

During a recent Henderson Fire Department Commission meeting, the City of Henderson appointed its new chief, following Chief Foreman’s March retirement.

Chief Josh Dixon will be the new Fire Chief. He has been with the department for 15 years, and has served in almost every position therein. He has been a firefighter, engineer, lieutenant, and Division Chief of Investigation/Fire Marshall and has excelled at everything he has done. There are many more accolades that he has earned.

Commissioner Thomas reported that he was part of the hiring process and that all the candidates the fire department put forth were undeniably very skilled and knowledgeable.

The department would like to congratulate Chief Dixon on his appointment and looks forward to seeing what great things are in store for the Henderson Fire Department.

- Photos courtesy of Henderson FD

Louisville All-New Apparatus

Zoneton Attends School Picnic

The Louisville Fire Department dedicated the all-new Engine 17. Engine 17 has been serving the California neighborhood since 1896 and in this location since 1910. This new apparatus is replacing Auxiliary Engine 17 that served this community for23 years.

- Photos courtesy of Louisville FD & retired Major John Turner

Members of the Zoneton Fire Protection District attended the North End Community Back To School Picnic.

- Photos courtesy of Zoneton FPD