Ahomeowner dies in what officials call an accidental fuel-air explosion.
See story on page 10
7 Displaced by Statesville Blaze
Trinity, Ebenezer and Monticello crews respond to a fire on Harriet Lane.
See story on page 13
Northampton County Overturn
One body is recovered from an overturned pickup into the water.
See story on page 18
Cool Springs Award Ceremony
Members are honored for their work for their community.
See story on page 22
New House for Pineville
The town of Pineville breaks ground for its new state-of-the-art firehouse
See story on page 26
LODD
Greensboro Police Officer
Michael Horan
Honored by Raleigh first responders
See story on page 30
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Focus of the Month
News
pages 20-21
page 28
page 30
2-Alarm Commercial Fire in East Charlotte
On December2, 2024, at 0048, the Charlotte Fire Department responded to a building fire on Monroe Road. Charlotte Fire Department Engine 3 arrived to find a small fire on the side of a two-story residential office building. Undercommand of Battalion Chief Brian Beatty, firefighters made entry into the structure, they were immediately met with heavy smoke conditions. As they began searching forthe seat of the fire, they discovered the main building was broken up into multiple small offices with the fire underthe crawl space underthe first floor. Fire quickly began to spread up the wall as firefighters from Tower3 began a primary search. Tower3 advanced to the second floor and encountered high heat and zero visibility conditions requiring the Engine 65 crew to utilize Ladder1 to begin vertical ventilation. Due to the size of the structure and fire conditions, a second alarm was transmitted at 0109. Firefighters began to make entry to a D-side entrance and encountered dark, heavy smoke pushing out. Firefighters battled frigid 34degree temperatures and had the fire undercontrol within approximately an hour. Charlotte Fire investigators deemed the fire to be accidental in nature.
- Fire News photos by FullyInvolvedMediaGroup.com
Outside Fire Get Out of Hand
Boiling Spring Lakes Fire-Rescue units were dispatched initially foran outside fire on Holly Drive, which turned into be a structure fire. What started as an nnocent outside burning of debris spread rapidly and involved two outbuildings. One was a total loss while the othersustained moderate damage. Many thanks to ourmutual aid partners forcovering ourdistrict and thanks from Sunny Point and Southport forassistance at the scene.
- Photos courtesy of Boiling Spring Lakes FR
Commercial Structure Fire in Concord
On December17, 2024, at 2108, the Concord Fire Department responded to a commercial structure fire at Ride Now Powersports (a motorcycle, ATVand UTVdealership) on Concord Parkway South. Upon arrival, Engine 3 reported fire and smoke visible at the rearof the building and found multiple ATVs and UTVs on fire. Crews were able to bring the fire undercontrol in less than 15 minutes and the cause was underinvestigation. Units on the initial assignment included Engines 3, 2 and 1, Ladders 1 and 7, Rescue 3, Battalion Chiefs 1 and 3, and Fire 9.
- Fire News photo by William G. Kennedy
Hazard Response in Ballantyne
On November19, 2024, at 1128, the Charlotte Fire Department responded to a natural gas line cut on Westmill Lane., in the Ballantyne neighborhood. Engine 24-C Shift arrived and found a gas line that had been hit with an excavatorwhich was actively blowing underdirt. As Engine 24’s crew began to expose the covered line, they discovered the gas line was at least two inches in diameter. Due to the size, a hazmat response was requested. Firefighters began monitoring adjacent homes forany gas readings while awaiting the arrival of Hazmat 32, which, along with Engine 24, were able to successfully clamp the line and stop the leak.
- Fire News photo by FullyInvolvedMediaGroup.com
CarFire on CreedmorRoad
On December13, 2024, Raleigh firefighters on Engine 18 extinguished a vehicle fire on CreedmoorRoad.
- Fire News photo Mike Legeros
Norlina Fire Held to Attic
The Drewry VolunteerFire Department assisted Norlina, Hawtree and Ridgeway on December12, 2024 at a house fire on Heaven Street in Norlina, with two trucks and 12 firefighters. The fire was contained mostly to the attic.
- Fire News photo by Charles Holtzman
Heavy Fire on Arrival in Raleigh
On January 5, 2025, Raleigh firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions on arrival at a Bluffside Court address. Dispatched about 0758, the call was upgraded to a working fire while units were en route. Engine 4 was arrived at the two-story, wood-frame residential structure to heavy fire showing from the rear. Two additional engines, an extra ladder, and the rehab unit were specialcalled. The fire was controlled in about 50 minutes.
- Fire News photos by Mike Legeros
Homeowner Dies from Waxhaw House Explosion
On November17, 2024, at approximately 0804, the Wesley Chapel Fire Department, Union County EMS, and the Union County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported house explosion near Providence Road South. Union County 911 received multiple calls reporting a home had exploded on Steeple Chase Circle. Wesley Chapel Engine 431 arrived and found the Bravo side of a singlestory home completely collapsed. Mutual aid was immediately requested from Charlotte forthe Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) Team. As firefighters began to search forvictims, firefighters found an elderly male and female inside the home. Due to severe burn injuries to the male victim, Union County EMS launched a MedCenterAirhelicopter. Union County EMS transported the burn victim to an LZ at Atrium Health-Waxhaw where MedCenter 4 landed. MedCenterAirmedevac’d the burn victim to the burn centerat Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Centerfor treatment. The elderly female was transported by ground to an area hospital. Wesley Chapel firefighters, along with Charlotte firefighters from USAR-1 and Rescue 10, continued to search the home forany additional victims, Firefighters discovered propane gas on the property. Asecondary search was negative foradditional victims. Indian Land Fire District and Matthews Fire and EMS provided standby coverage while firefighters continued to operate into the night. The Union County Fire Marshals Office said a fuelairexplosion that originated in the garage, was the cause and was accidental. The male homeownerwas transferred two weeks later to a long-term care facility where he passed away from his injuries on November29, 2024.
- Fire News photos by FullyInvolvedMediaGroup.com
That Tree Doesn’t Belong There
On December2, 2024, at 0236, the Charlotte Fire Department responded to a reported tree down on a house on Linganore Place. Battalion 2 arrived to find a large tree had crashed into a large two-story brick home. The homeownerwas able to self-evacuate priorto the arrival of Charlotte Fire Department. Firefighters from Engine 2 and Ladder4 controlled utilities and checked the structural integrity of the home. The occupants of the home were uninjured. The tree caused significant damage to the roof, chimney, and otherparts of the structure. Firefighters cleared the scene approximately 20 minutes later.
- Fire News photo by FullyInvolvedMediaGroup.com
Kannapolis Garage Fire on Forrest Brook Drive
On December16, 2024, at 1454, the Kannapolis Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire on Forrest Brook Drive aftera passing motorist alerted the residents that their detached garage was on fire. Kannapolis Engine 31 arrived within three minutes and reported a working fire in the detached garage, directly adjacent to the residence. Engine 31’s crew initiated the fire attack, with Engine 11 securing the water supply. Crews were able to control the fire by 1504 hours. Units on the initial alarm included Engines 31, 11 and 21, Ladders 11 and 34, with Battalion Chief 1, along with Concord Engine 2.
- Fire News photo by William G. Kennedy
Structure, Cars Burn on Scotts Creek Rd.
On December7, 2024 at 1028, the Trinity, Monticello, Stony Point and Statesville fire departments, along with Iredell Rescue Squad and Iredell County EMS, responded to a structure fire on Scotts Creek Road. There was heavy fire showing upon arrival. The fire ripped through the structure which had multiple vehicles stored inside, causing heavy damage to the large structure. No injuries were reported, and the cause was underinvestigation. The fire was brought undercontrol at 1143.
- Fire News photo by ImmsterFirePhotos.com
7 Displaced by Statesville Blaze
On November29, 2024, at 0701, the Trinity, Ebenezerand Monticello volunteerfire departments along with Iredell County EMS and Iredell Rescue Squad responded to a structure fire on Harriet Lane in Statesville. Smoke could be seen from a distance and arriving units were met with heavy smoke and fire showing from the single-story structure. Crews stretched multiple lines from Trinity Engine 1 and made an aggressive attack on the fire. One firefightersuffered chest pains and was transported to the hospital along with a pregnant woman suffering from smoke inhalation. The Red Cross was called to assist the family of three adults and fourchildren who were displaced. The home sustained significant damage, and the cause was being investigated.
- Fire News photo by ImmsterFirePhotos.com
Church Destroyed in Mecklenburg County
On October27, 2024, at approximately 2300, the West Mecklenburg Fire Department, Mount Holly Fire Department and Cooks Fire Department responded to a reported church fire on Belmeade Drive. Callers reported to 911 that a person who normally lives at the church may still be inside. Mount Holly Battalion Chief Blake Buchanan arrived to find heavy fire coming from the two-story Restoration Apostolic Church. Due to the heavy fire conditions a working fire was transmitted with a request fora full box alarm response from Charlotte Fire Department. Undercommand of Battalion Chief Buchanan, firefighters encountered high heat and zero visibility smoke conditions while attempting to locate the seat of the fire. Firefighters conducted a search forthe reported trapped victim, who was laterdetermined to not be inside. Firefighters worked forapproximately two hours to bring the fire undercontrol. - Fire News photo by FullyInvolvedMediaGroup.com
Shepherds Handles CamperFire
At 1620 on January 4, 2025, the Shepherds VolunteerFire Department responded to a report of a camperfire on Red Walnut Drive. The fire was seen from the firehouse and crews quickly arrived and extinguished the fire, which destroyed the camper. Statesville Fire Rescue also responded to the alarm. - Fire News photo by ImmsterFirePhotos.com
Charlotte Roof Fire on Steele Creek Road
On December26, 2024, at 1526, Charlotte Fire Department’s Engine 38 and Tower26 were dispatched to a fire alarm in a commercial structure on Steele Creek Road, nearWestinghouse Boulevard. Upon arrival, crews found moderate smoke conditions on the second floorof the building and requested an upgrade, bringing additional resources. The fire was ultimately found in the roof of the building and required crews to remove several layers of roofing to get to the seat of the fire. Crews were able to control the incident in 20 minutes and there were no reported injuries to civilians orfirefighters. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental. Units on the alarm included Engines 38, 26, 37, and 30, Tower26, Ladder2, Rescue11, Battalion Chief 5, Car7 and Safety 1, along with Steele Creek Fire Department’s Ladder2.
- Fire News photo by William GKennedy
Shop and Vehicle Burn in Lambert Dr. Fire
On December28, 2024 at 1200, the Stony Point, Trinity, Hiddenite, Central and Harmony fire departments, along with Iredell County EMS and Iredell County Rescue Squad, responded to a structure fire on Lambert Drive. Arriving units transmitted a working fire fora 30- x 50-foot shop fully involved with a vehicle inside. Crews made an aggressive interiorattack but were called out of the building when the roof showed signs of collapse. Crews used foam to help extinguish the fire which was brought undercontrol at 1441. No injuries were reported, and the cause is underinvestigation.
- Fire News photo by ImmsterFirePhotos.com
Charlotte Medical Emergency Causes Fatal MVA
On October9, 2024, at 2006, Charlotte Fire Department Ladder 39-C Shift was alerted foran MVAat Old Providence and Rea roads. Within seconds of going en route, ALARM notified crews that Mecklenburg County EMS was giving CPR instructions over the phone. Ladder39 Captain Shawn Sandau immediately requested Engine 39 to be added to the response. Ladder39 arrived and found a full-size pickup that hit a brick wall on Old Providence Road. An off-duty Charlotte Fire Department firefighterhad already begun CPR on the driverpriorto Station 39’s arrival. Crews from Ladder39 and Engine 39 continued CPR and delivered multiple shocks via an AED. Valiant medical interventions were continued in collaboration with Mecklenburg County EMS and Charlotte firefighters to save the driver’s life. The victim was transported to the Level I Trauma Centerat Atrium CMC Main, where the driverlatersuccumbed to injuries. The cause of the crash was unknown and underinvestigation by CharlotteMecklenburg Police Department.
- Fire News photo by FullyInvolvedMediaGroup.com
1 Seriously Injured in Truck vs. CarMVA
On November11, 2024, at 1018, the West Iredell VolunteerFire Department, Iredell County Rescue Squad and Iredell County EMS responded to an MVAat the intersection of Hickory Highway and Dagenhart Farm Road. Atruck collided with a car pinning the driverin the car. Crews worked togetherusing multiple hydraulic tools to extricate the trapped driverwho was then airlifted to the hospital with serious injuries.
- Fire News photo by ImmsterFirePhotos.com
1 Recovered at Northampton Carin Water
Gaston Fire Rescue (Northampton County) responded with Conway VolunteerFire Department to a vehicle rolloverinto the wateroff NC Highway 35. Upon arrival, Gaston’s public safety divers entered the waterand conducted a sweep inside and around the vehicle with one person being located and recovered. North Carolina State Highway Patrol was leading the investigation. Also on the scene were Woodland VolunteerFire Department, Northampton County Fire Marshal’s Office, Northampton County EMS, Northampton County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina Department of Transportation, and Northampton County 911 Communications.
- Fire News photo by Paul Nowell
Fatality at Mooresville MVA
On December1, 2024, at 1344, Mooresville Fire-Rescue Ladder5, Rescue 1, Battalion 1, Mooresville Police and Iredell County EMS responded to multiple calls foran MVAwith overturn on Hathaway Lane in Mooresville. A person lost control of theirpickup truck, struck a utility pole and overturned onto anothercar. Rescue 1 pulled the caraway from the pickup and crews used hydraulic spreaders and cutters to gain access to the victim who was pronounced deceased at the scene. An investigation was conducted by the Mooresville Police Department.
- Fire News photo by ImmsterFirePhotos.com
Cover Story
Lake Norman House Fire
On November10, 2024, at 0513, the Mooresville and Shepherds fire departments responded to an automatic alarm on a Normandy Road home on Lake Norman. The alarm was upgraded to a structure fire aftera phone notification fora fire in the attic. Mount Mourne, Troutman, Lake Norman and Sherrills Ford were added to the alarm. Shepherd Engine 4 arrived to heavy smoke showing from the two-story structure. South Iredell’s AirVan was called to the scene. Asecond alarm was transmitted for heavy fire in the attic, bringing Davidson and Denverto the scene. Sherrills Ford’s fireboat also responded. Crews were withdrawn from the structure due to heavy fire conditions and a defensive attack was put in place. The central area TankerTask force was alerted, sending tankers from several counties to the scene along with additional fireboats. Multiple handlines were in operation along with Sherrills Ford’s ladderpipe and a Blitz nozzle forthe first floor. The fire was placed under control at 0825, but crews remained on scene throughout the day and into the evening dumping wateronto the structure, which was destroyed. The homeownerwas evaluated forsmoke inhalation by Iredell County EMS. The cause was underinvestigation. - Fire News photos by ImmsterFirePhotos.com
3-Vehicle Crash on Ten-Ten Road in Cary
On the afternoon of December 28, 2024, the Cary and Apex fire departments responded to a multiple MVAon Ten-Ten Road and Penny Road. Units arrived to find three cars involved, with two having hit head-on. One person was transported to a hospital by Wake EMS. - Fire News photo by Chris Creighton
Night Live Burn Training in Huntersville
ABirds-Eye View of the KeeterTraining Center
- Fire News photo by William G. Kennedy
On December7, 2024, the Huntersville Fire Department conducted a night live fire training drill in an acquired structure. The house, located on Highway 73 nearBlythe Landing Park, was formerly owned by the Irvin family, several members of whom are members of the Huntersville Fire Department. Crews from Huntersville and Cornelius Lemly Fire Department were able to train on multiple aspects of fighting structure fires, including hoseline advancement, watersupply, fire operations and fire scene safety. Following the training, the house was allowed to burn down in a controlled manner.
It’s just anotherday at the KeeterTraining Centerin Raleigh. This aerial view shows the main classroom building on the right and drill towerin the center, where fire companies were doing drills. Bottom left are two of the training center’s fourmodularbuildings. They include office spaces, classrooms, and the Raleigh Fire Museum. Top right are vehicles assigned to Task Force 8. In the upperright cornerare some of the training props on the lowerdrill pad.
- Fire News photo by Mike Legeros
Concord Recruit Class 37
Live Burn Training
On November26, 2024, Recruit Class 37 from the Concord Fire Department went through theirfinal live fire training of the Recruit Academy. This training utilized an acquired structure on Wilhem Street and allowed recruits multiple evolutions to enhance theirfirefighting skills in a realistic environment. The training was part of the culmination of the class’27-week academy. The 11 recruits graduated in Decemberand have been assigned to Operations. - Fire News photos by William G. Kennedy
Carolina Fire Days Conference
Carolina Fire Days Conference was held November13, 2024 through November16 at multiple sites around the Charlotte Metro area. The conference is designed to provide innovative and progressive education for firefighters and included both lecture and hands-on training (HOT) classes. Topics of the HOTclasses included DYFJ Force focusing on forcible entry, Predictable is Preventable, examining challenging search operations, Mayday Mindset, looking at self-rescue, RIToperations, the Engine Company's Guide to medium and large handlines, Small Team Rope Rescue, ElevatorRescue, Man versus machine which included victim disentanglement and extrication, and Heavy Vehicle Stabilization and Lifting.
- Fire News photos by William G. Kennedy
Cool Springs Annual Award Ceremony
On January 4, 2025, the Cool Springs Volunteer Fire Department held their annual awards banquet at Firehouse 1 on Mocksville Highway. All members were thanked by Chief of the Department Andy Webster for their hard work and commitment to the department and the community for 2024. There were several awards given out to members for their exceptional service to their fellow firefighters and community along with years of service awards.
Certificate of Recognition:
North Carolina Emergency Medical Technician and Emergency Medical Responder certification to Captain Brandon Shives, Jackie Estero, Anthony Crisp, Roger LaFlamme, Ashley Myers and Assistant Chief Jonathan Teague (not present was Shelby Hill).
Most training hours for 2024 presented to Jackie Estero.
Most alarms answered for 2024 presented to Jen Gada.
Rookie of the Year was presented to Jackie Estero.
2024 Firefighter of the Year was presented to newly promoted Captain John Fletcher.
2024 Medical Responder of the Year was presented to Jen Gada.
2024 Officer of the Year to Captain Brandon Shives.
Five Years of Service awards were presented to Christopher Owen, Barry Bailey, Ryan Franklin, Lana Moody and Chief Webster (not present were Angela Franklin, Tristan Lee and Billy Snider).
30 Years of Service to the department and the community was presented to Deputy Chief Thomas Groff.
40 Years of Service to the Department and Community was presented to Chief Andy Webster, Deputy Chief Thomas Groff, Paul Webster, and Assistant Chief Jonathan Teagues.
North Carolina Firefighter II certifications were presented to Chief Webster, Tiffany Bravo, Breanna Gutierrez, Jackie Estero, Chad Cooley and Deputy Chief Thomas Groff.
2024 Outstanding Service award was presented to Kevin Imm. - Fire News photos by ImmsterFirePhotos.com
Public Safety Day in Cary
Back in September, the Cary Police Department hosted a public safety day. Several police, fire and otheragencies from across Wake County participated. Agencies had various equipment on display forthe public to see and interact with. There were plenty of activities forthe kids as well. - Fire News photo by Chris Creighton
Cool Springs New Training Facility
The Cool Springs Volunteer Fire Department hosted a community open house on November 30, 2024, for their new Firefighter Training Facility at 144 Fifth Creek Road. The facility is located behind Firehouse 2 and is constructed of seven shipping containers. Those containers were the base for the facility and the modifications and additions were completed by D.R. Reynolds Company of Star, who also constructed the firehouse at 672 Mocksville Highway in 2017.
The training facility has burn rooms for live fire training on both floors, a stand-pipe system on three levels in the interior stairwell, a forcible entry trainer, wall breach trainer and well as a ceiling breach trainer. There is a roof ventilation training prop on the second floor that can be moved up and down to any desired pitch and can be moved horizontally out over the edge of the second-floor deck for advanced ventilation training. The state-of-the-art facility will sharpen the skills of the firefighters to better serve the community they protect
K&M Electric of Statesville installed the lighting and electrical outlets for the facility. There are two other shipping containers on site that will be used to store straw, drywall and other materials needed for the training as well as equipment to be used by the firefighters as they train.
This training facility was approved by the department’s Board of Directors. They made a $109,000 down payment. A15-year loan was secured through our friends at Blue Harbor Bank for the rest of the cost. The Board of Directors made the commitment to training for the 68 men and women who make up the department's active roster
Members of the department have decided to give the training facility a name, The Mill.
- Fire News photos by ImmsterFirePhotos.com; story by Chief of Department Webster
New Firehouse Groundbreaking in Pineville
On December2, 2024, history was made in the town of Pineville. The Pineville Fire Department and the Town of Pineville held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new state-of-the-art firehouse. Pineville Fire Department was founded in 1955 as the Pineville-Marrow VolunteerFire Department. In 1966, the land at 108 Church Street was purchased, and construction began where the current Pineville firehouse sits today. The project, which is being led by EDIFICE Construction, will greatly enhance the response capabilities forthe staff and members of Pineville Fire Department as well as enable firefighters to hold various trainings, community events, and be used as an Emergency Operations Centerforthe town during storms and/ormajoremergencies. The largerfirehouse will enable firefighters to work safely and efficiently as well as accommodate growth along with current and future fire apparatus. The new firehouse project has been a long process but will greatly benefit the thousands of residents and visitors to Pineville foryears to come. Construction began in December2024, and is expected to take approximately 14 months, with an anticipated completion date during the summerof 2026. - Fire News photos by FullyInvolvedMediaGroup.com
Station 5 Wins Holiday Decoration Contest
In December, Local 548 in Raleigh invited each station to entera holiday decoration contest. Eight stations submitted photos and just under8,000 votes were cast on Facebook. Station 5 (shown) won first place with 2,622 votes, followed by Station 1 (2,315) and Station 7 (362).
- Fire News photos by Mike Legeros
2025 Women’s Weekend at the NFA
The United States Fire Administration’s (USFA) National Fire Academy (NFA), in partnership with Women in Fire, is pleased to announce the 2025 Women’s Weekend at the NFA.
Women’s Weekend (May 17 to 18, 2025) at the NFAis not limited to women, all are welcomed to attend. You will see the 2025 schedule has more two-day classes than ever and several new offerings from the NFA, U.S. Forest Service, First Responder Center for Excellence (FRCE), and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF).
What: Women’s Weekend at the NFA
When: May 17-18, 2025
Where: National Fire Academy / Emmitsburg, Maryland
Cost: Free of charge - attendees must purchase a meal card on campus
Lodging: Free of charge provided on campus
Other: Charter bus transportation to/from NFAfrom Thurgood Marshall Baltimore International Airport (BWI) free of charge
Register: National Fire Academy National Training Weekend Program (https://www.usfa.fema.gov/about/usfaevents/2024-06-15-womens-weekend/)
Classes being offered:
• Building Resilience in Leadership: Strategies for Growth and Confidence (W0952)
• Command and Control for Company-Level Operations (W0296)
• Decision-Making for Initial Company Operations (W0457)
• EMS Functions in ICS (W0166)
•Executive Skills Series: Exercising Leadership Through Difficult Conversations (W0522)
•Followership to Leadership (W0905)
•Fostering Belonging in the Fire and Emergency Services (W0851)
• Incident Safety Officer (W0729)
• Leadership in Supervision: Creating Environments for Professional Growth (W0646)
• Optimizing Performance in Female Fire Fighters (W0955)
• Safety for Hazardous Materials Incidents (W0256)
• Shaping the Future (W0602)
•Strategy and Tactics for Initial Company Operations (W0455)
• Supervising Emergency Medical Services (SEMS) (W0146)
Obituary LODD: Paying Last Respects to PO Michael Horan
On December27, 2024, the body of Greensboro Police OfficerMichael Horan was escorted home from the state medical examiner’s office in Raleigh. At the Harrison Avenue bridge overInterstate 40, just outside of Raleigh, firefighters and police officers from the town of Cary paid theirrespects. OfficerHoran was killed in the line of duty on December23, 2024.
- Fire News photos by Mike Legeros
AESTFire & Safety Full Circle
Game-Changer
The fire service is having to meet new challenges with lithium-ion battery fires. The struggle is to keep up with the changing technology. With these challenges, there is much needed innovation and so we must consider three factors: Time of suppression, Efficiency, and Safety. There are many claims made regarding different suppression agents. If we weigh the suppression technology available against the three factors, can we say that these suppression products work?
Time of suppression is all over the map in lithium-ion fire control. Reports show that fires of varying size and complexity have taken hours, days or even weeks. We need a much more efficient deployment and solution that limits the time spent on these incidents.Ultimately safety and successful mitigation of these fires is paramount.
The solution to all these factors can be found in FCL-X by Full Circle Lithium. It is a fire suppression agent that has been shown to extinguish entire EVcar fires with full state of charge and full battery involvement simply on tank water from a pumper. Furthermore, this was done in less than 10 minutes and less than an hour for full incident completion. This product is simple and presents a gamechanging solution to the fire service in the suppression of lithiumion fires with unprecedented success. Contact AESTFire & Safety, email: Sales@AESTsafety.net or call 910-506-4060.
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Newest Board Member
John Butler has been appointed to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation as their newest board Member.
John Butler is the Fire Chief for Fairfax County Government, Virginia. He is a paramedic and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Baltimore, a master’s degree from The Johns Hopkins University and certificates from Harvard University, the National Fire Academy (NFA) Executive Fire Officer Program (EFO), and the Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI). Chief Butler served as the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) President in 2023-2024, holds the Chief Fire Officer, Chief EMS Officer, Chief Training Officer, and Fire Marshal designations from the Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC). He is chairman of the NFA Board of Visitors; and is a board member of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association. Chief Butler is a retired U.S. Marine with 20 years of active and reserve United States Marine Corps service, including two combat tours.
