Editorial

From the Editor’s Desk

Dennis Whittam, Editor I Want to Be AFirefighter!

Over the past few years, I have met many new volunteer firefighters that soon develop aspirations to become members of a paid department. In my volunteer department, a few members have applied to fire departments in other states and met their requirements. The reason they were accepted to out of state departments was because they did their homework and worked hard to meet the requirements that were posted for the job.

Afirefighting career field is very competitive. If you apply to a department like the FDNY, you quickly learn you are competing against thousands of applicants for very few available jobs. I read that over 46,000 people applied for the FDNYtest in 2017. I was stunned when I read this number. The best candidates think of their minimum score on this exam as above 90 percent. You can increase your chances of getting a high grade if you have military experience and live in New York City. Hence, the challenges of becoming a NYC firefighter have encouraged people to look to other states for possible acceptance into their fire departments. This is where you must pay attention to every aspect of the requirements stated on the application form.

Recently, I asked a young energetic volunteer firefighter if he applied to a nearby state for a posted test to become a firefighter. His answer was a quiet no! One of the requirements on the application was that applicants needed to be an EMT. My response was, “Why not become an EMTin your current department and get some experience to add to your application?” I never got a response to my question.

If you are serious about any occupation, be the best you can be and do more than what is expected of you. Exceed any education requirements. Also, as a volunteer firefighter, think of getting as many certifications as you can. If national certifications are available, take the additional tests. Speak with your local fire academy to find out about additional certifications that may help you stand out above other applicants.

Are you in tip-top shape? Remember, if you pass the written test, you still must pass a Physical Ability Test. The agility tests are no joke. The test has many parts, and you are not going to pass them unless you prepare yourself for their grueling nature. Military experience helps with understanding how to prepare for these tests.

Congratulations, you did well on the written test, and you passed the physical test. Guess what, you’re not finished. You must pass an interview that investigates your past. Whatever you do, do not lie during this interview. Start to prepare for this part of the exam by reviewing your social media page. If you have inappropriate posts, remove them. GroupMe posts can come back to haunt you.

My best advice to anyone interested in becoming a paid firefighter is to talk to the people that have walked the path before you. Study, work out, and set an example for others to follow. And while you are waiting for your chance to shine, think about joining the armed forces. Think of it as preparation for the greatest job in the world! - Dennis

Fire News Donates $50,000 to Charities

In May, Fire News held a charitable awards event donating a total of $50,000 to five fire-EMS-related charities. The commitment to donate the funds was made by Fire News publisher Frank C. Trotta when the Fire News 9/11 20th Anniversary Issue was released last fall.

Publisher Frank C. Trotta and Chief Operating Officer Tim Edwards presented $10,000 checks to the charities, noting that the, “Five charities continue to contribute in a positive way to families affected by the devasting effects of 9/11.”

The charities chosen work on a national basis include: The Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund, Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo Foundation, The Ray Pfeifer Foundation, Firefighter Cancer Support Network - NYChapter and The FealGood Foundation.

Close to 200 people attended including chiefs, commisioners and members from many departments, state and local government officials and others. It was highlighted by the Ceremonial Color Guard provided by the Fire Chiefs Council of Suffolk County and former FDNYChief of Department Tom Richardson as the key note speaker.

“I’d like to thank the Fire News editorial and sales staff for their roundthe-clock work producing the issue, our photographers who donated their images and our advertisers who supported the issue,” said Trotta.

Thank you to the South County Ambulance Company for generously providing their facilities, hospitality and to all of their members who volunteered their time to help. - Fire News photos by Ron Monteleone &Bryan Lopez

Page 6, Fire News, September/October2022 Cover Story

Lexington Works the Eastern Kentucky Floods

The Lexington Fire Department received a request for assistance from eastern Kentucky to send swiftwater crews to Lost Creek to assist with the flooding in that region. They sent a team of nine members along with two boats. Their mission was to rescue people who were trapped by the flood waters.

They also deployed their Mobile Ambulance Bus (MAB) with a crew of three to Campton, to aid in the evacuation of one of the local medical centers. The MAB can transport up to 20 patients, and is equipped with air conditioning, oxygen and other medical necessities.

After working all day, the crews’total number of rescued stood at 85. Likewise, the MAB also returned to Fayette County with nine patients on board. They coordinated with regional EMS services to transport patients to multiple regional and local hospitals.

Lexington will continue to support the rescue efforts in eastern Kentucky and add resources as needed. Please keep the families and businesses in your thoughts and prayers as they continue to face new challenges in the days to come. - Photos courtesy of Lexington FD & Laura Mead

(Continued on page 8)

Page 8, Fire News, September/October2022 Kentucky Floods...Continued

Good Stop in Louisville

On June 28, 2022, at 0335, Louisville Fire Department crews were dispatched to a structure fire in the 3600 block of Woodruff Avenue. Fire companies arrived to heavy fire coming from a two-story dwelling, with homes closely located on both sides. Three adult occupants had safely escaped the fire priorto the arrival of fire crews. Firefighters made entry, searched the buildings, and began an interiorattack. Outside crews deployed exposure lines to protect neighboring property. It took approximately 15 minutes for25 firefighters to bring the fire undercontrol. The main fire building sustained extensive damage. The adjacent structures sustained only minordamage. The Red Cross assisted displaced occupants. LFD Arson Investigators were working to determine the cause. - Photo courtesy of Louisville Division of Fire

Henderson Mobile Home Fire

Recently, the Henderson Fire Department responded to the 1100 block of Atkinson forthe report of a mobile home on fire. On arrival, crews found a working fire with all occupants out safely. Henderson was assisted at the scene by Deaconess EMS, the American Red Cross, and Henderson Municipal Power& Light. - Photo courtesy of Henderson FD

Quick Stop Prevents Extension in Zoneton

Zoneton firefighters responded to a truck fire that was threatening a structure. Nobody was injured, but crews were concerned about extension into an adjacent building. Firefighters were able to get a quick knockdown, and there was no fire damage to the building. - Photos courtesy of Zoneton Fire Protection District

Mutual Aid Call forPembroke

Pembroke crews (Assistant Chief Bobby Hogge, Tanker1760 crewed by Deputy Chief Phillip Peterson, Mini Pumper1752 crewed by Captain Rick Murray) responded on mutual aid to Oak Grove fora tractortrailerfire. - Photos courtesy of Pembroke FD

Quick Stop in Madisonville

The Madisonville Fire Department responded to a report of a fire behind a local business, recently. Upon arrival, fire crews found a pallet of wood shavings burning with fire impinging upon the structure. B-Shift Station 2 crew did a quick knock down of the fire. - Photo courtesy of Madisonville FD

Potts Road Hay Fire

Calloway County Fire-Rescue responded to a report of a hay fire on Potts Road in the Kirksey community at approximately 0610 on June 30, 2022. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered several hay bales on fire, spreading quickly. With the help of the farmer, firefighters were able to quickly move the unburned rolls away from those that were on fire, preventing furtherdamage to the crop and an additional fire load to contain. - Photo courtesy of Calloway County FR

Good Stop at Pembroke-Fairview Rd. Brush Fire

The Fairview VolunteerFire Department along with Pembroke Rural Fire Department responded to a field fire on Pembroke-Fairview Road. Pembroke responded with multiple personnel. Honey Grove was also requested fora brush truck and additional manpower. Quick action, utilizing a tractorand a disc from the landowners, helped to stop this fire from spreading. Fairview used Mini Pumper580 to knock down some flames. Approximately three acres were burned. The area was suffering extremely dry conditions and, had the landowners not made good decisions, this fire could have grown very quickly and caused majordamage to homes. - Photo courtesy of Fairview VFD

Georgetown Structure Fire

The Georgetown Fire Department responded to the scene of a structure fire on Scroggin Park Drive. - Photo courtesy of Georgetown FD

Quick Stop at Vacant Residential Fire

On July 5, 2022, at 0800, Louisville firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire in the 300 block of North 21st Street. Fire crews arrived to find heavy fire coming from a vacant single-story residential building, with an occupied building closely located to the north. Firefighters quickly made entry, searched the buildings, and began an interiorattack. 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 10 minutes for25 firefighters to bring the fire undercontrol. The main fire building sustained extensive damage. The adjacent structure sustained only moderate damage. No civilians or firefighters were injured during the incident. LFD Arson Investigators were working to determine the cause. - Photo courtesy Louisville Division of Fire

Electrical Fire in Pembroke

Pembroke Fire Department crews (Chief Nick Belair, Deputy Chief Phillip Peterson, Engine 1751 crewed by Captain Joe Stealy) and mutual aid from Fairview, Highland and Oak Grove, responded to a structure fire. Quick thinking by the homeownerby shutting off the breakers to the house allowed crews to keep the electrical fire contained to the immediate area. - Photo courtesy of Pembroke FD

Fairview Assists at Multi-Structure Fire

The Fairview VolunteerFire Department was paged formutual aid to multiple structures on fire off Pond RiverRoad in Elkton. Fairview assisted Elkton Fire, along with Trenton Fire and Allensville Fire. - Photo courtesy of Fairview VFD

Quick Stop on CarFire Saves Structure

Pembroke Fire Department crews (Chief Nick Belair and Engine 1750 crewed by Deputy Chief Phillip Peterson), and mutual aid from Fairview and Oak Grove, responded to a vehicle fire neara structure. The vehicle was a total loss with minordamage to the structure. - Photos courtesy of Pembroke FD

3 FFs Injured at Louisville Commercial Blaze

On July 5, 2022, at 1939, Louisville firefighters were dispatched to a commercial structure fire at South 31st Street and RiverPark Drive. Fire crews arrived to find a working fire in a 40,000-square foot vacant commercial warehouse. The size of the building and contents within the building, limited access, and a heavy volume of fire were a few of the challenges fire crews faced. Additional crews were dispatched to assist. Athree-alarm response, with nearly 100 firefighters and over30 firefighting apparatus were eventually required to fight the blaze, bringing the fire undercontrol within one hourof arrival. The main fire building was a total loss. Two neighboring properties sustained significant damage. The American Red Cross assisted displaced occupants. Three firefighters were injured and transported to a local hospital forobservation. Fire crews remained at the scene throughout the evening. LFD Arson Investigators were working to determine a cause. - Photos courtesy Louisville Division of Fire

I-65 MultiVehicle MVA

Zoneton and Shepherdsville firefighters responded to Interstate 65 north around the 119 milemarker, fora multi-vehicle accident with injuries.

- Photo courtesy of Zoneton Fire Protection District

Todd County MVA

The Fairview VolunteerFire Department was dispatched to a single-vehicle MVAon US 68/80 at Tress Shop Road in Todd County. Fairview 580 and 560 responded to the scene with fourpersonnel and met two additional personnel on scene, assisting EMS with removing the patient from the vehicle through the passengerdoor. Engine 560 remained on scene while the wreckerremoved the vehicle from the roadway. Also assisting were Todd County EMS, Todd County Sheriff’s Department, Todd County Rescue Squad, Todd County EMA, Todd County Dispatch, and Kentucky State Highway Department. - Photo courtesy of Fairview VFD