Fire News Awards

Wintersville Assists at Commercial Fire

Wintersville Engine 8111 and Brush 8141 with the foam trailerresponded to a mutual-aid commercial structure fire with Stations 47, 54, 55, 67, 74 and 75 on October4, 2022. - Photos courtesy of Wintersville FR

Cover Story RubberShredderFire Stopped

East Holmes Fire and Rescue responded to a fire today at Black Bounce LLC on Township Road west of Winesburg in Millersburg. First-alarm fire departments responding included Winesburg, East Holmes and Mt. Eaton. Asecond-alarm dispatch was requested bringing crews from Dundee and Holmes Fire District 1. The initial call reported a tire shredding machine was on fire and piles of shredded rubberwere burning next to the main building with several explosions. The first alarm consisted of 10 trucks and 35 firefighters from Winesburg, East Holmes and Mt. Eaton. The second alarm consisted of two trucks and seven firefighters from Dundee and a truck and firefighterfrom Holmes Fire District 1. - Photos courtesy of East Holmes Fire & EMS (Continued on next page)

Rubber Shredder Fire...continued

Lima House Fire

Firefighters responded to a reported house fire 800 block Atlantic Avenue, in Lima. - Fire News photo by Richard Parrish

Conesville 2-Alarmer

At about 0500 on October21, 2022, the Conesville Fire Department was paged out fora well involved house fire in the 400 block of Franklin Avenue in Conesville. At the same time Coshocton and the Three Rivers were also called to respond to the scene. The fire at the small home had already burned through the roof. Asecond alarm was requested asking fortankers from Jackson Township, West Lafayette, and Dresden. With the fire knocked down the lattertwo were canceled en route. Also assisting on scene was the Coshocton County EMS, Coshocton County Sheriff's Office, and Tom Dile from the Salvation Army DisasterServices. - Fire News photos by Jim McKeever

Home From Helping AfterIan

Welcome home to five Cincinnati firefighters who responded to Florida with Ohio Task Force 1. The team conducted missions in communities hardest hit by Hurricane Ian. Ourhearts go out to Florida as they begin rebuilding. Pictured: Lieutenant Collin Grove, FirefighterTy Zimmerman, Lieutenant Mike Lotz, FirefighterJosh Hanauerand FAO Bill Ritter. - Photo courtesy of Cincinnati FD

Thorn Township Residential Fire

Thorn Township Fire and EMS, along with mutual aid, were dispatched to a residential structure fire. Crews arrived and initiated fire suppression along with search. It was determined that all the occupants were not at home at the time of the fire. Thanks to a quick bystanderthey were able to pull the family dog off the porch without harm. - Photo courtesy of Thorn Twp FD

Fire News, December2022/January 2023, Page 11 Newark Fire

Newark firefighters responded to a working fire on Essex Street. Assistant Chief Vermaaten had command. No firefighterinjuries were reported and the cause was underinvestigation. - Photo courtesy of Newark, OH Division of Fire

Van Wert Snuffs Apartment Complex Fire

On October8, 2022, at 1750, the Van Wert Fire Department was dispatched to a four-unit apartment complex fora structure fire. Units arrived to a working fire in the complex. Atransitional attack was used and the fire was quickly brought undercontrol. The fire was contained to the unit of origin. One occupant was treated forsmoke inhalation at the scene but was not transported. Two dogs perished due to smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire was underinvestigation. - Photos courtesy of Bob Barnes, Van Wert FD Photographer

Railroad Tie Fire in Coshocton

On September7, 2022, a call came into the Coshocton Fire Department reporting black smoke coming from the Red Sea area (the north end of Mill Street). Coshocton sent a truck to investigate and found a very large pile of old railroad ties on fire nearthe railway. Mutual aid was requested due to the size of the pile and rapidly growing fire. Mutual aid came from Conesville, Three Rivers, Walhonding Valley and the Jackson Township. Companies brought theirbrush trucks and narrow engines due to the path to the fire being very narrow. Watersupply became an issue until some trucks with largerwatercapacity got on scene. Also helping on scene was the Coshocton County EMS and the Salvation Army DisasterServices. - Fire News photo by Jim McKeever

Pan Handle Road Barn Fire

Licking Township Engine 601 and T601, along with ourmutual aid partners responded to a structure fire on Panhandle Road. Units arrived and found a large barn that was completely engulfed in flames and had already collapsed. There were no injuries. We thank ourmutual aid departments fortheirprompt response and seamless teamwork. These included units from Thorn Township Fire & EMS, West Licking Joint Fire District, City of Heath Fire Department, Newark (OH) Division of Fire, Hopewell Township Fire Department, Madison Township Fire Department Station-100, HanoverVolunteerFire Department and Newark Township Fire Department. - Photo courtesy of Licking Township FC

FIRSTNETAND 5G: RELIABLY CONNECTINGFIRSTRESPONDERS TO HELPKEEPCOMMUNITIES SAFE

by Stacy Schwartz - Vice President, Public Safety and FirstNet Program at AT&T

Emergencies are unpredictable. During these critical moments, public safety needs reliable, interoperable communications. That’s why our approach to 5G for public safety is unlike anything else.

It’s not the typical approach to 5G you’ve seen in television commercials. That’s because 5G on FirstNet® — America's public safety network — is a one-of-a-kind experience. It gives our nation’s first responders the early benefits of this next-generation connectivity while continuing to use LTE, the current gold standard for reliable mobile broadband, for their mission-critical needs. First responders maintain voice communications with always-on priority and preemption on LTE, while the FirstNet network determines the best route for data traffic, whether that’s 5G or LTE spectrum.

In April 2021, we upgraded the dedicated FirstNet network core to enable reliable 5G connectivity and opened access to AT&Thigh-band 5G+ spectrum. Later that year, we expanded access to the AT&Tlow-band 5G. And now, we’re giving this vital community access to the “sweet spot” of 5G - AT&T mid-band 5G+. All public safety needs to access 5G on FirstNet is a FirstNet Ready® 5G device.

What is 5Gforfirst responders like today?

We’re delivering 5G on FirstNet using AT&Tspectrum bands. Public safety in about 100 markets across the country have access to at least 1 of the 3 flavors of 5G. And we’re continuing to roll out additional 5G connectivity for FirstNet in more communities nationwide:

• High-Band 5G+: Public safety agencies and organizations in parts of more than 45 cities and 45+ venues get super-fast speeds and unprecedented performances in these high traffic areas. This includes places like Los Angeles International Airport and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa where crowds gather for the amazing concerts or major sporting events like the “Big Game” (but what is really a massive public safety event).

• Mid-Band 5G+: Now, this vital community has access to the “sweet spot” of 5G spectrum in more than 40 cities from coast to coast, including Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Minneapolis, Nashville, Phoenix, Seattle and St. Louis. Mid-band 5G+ spectrum fills the gap between our other bands and provides a great combination of ultrafast speeds and wide geographic coverage.

• Low-Band 5G: First responders in more than 30 cities across the United States — including Austin, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona and Knoxville, Tennessee — can connect using low-band 5G spectrum. It can travel farther, as well as penetrate through buildings and infrastructure better than high-band 5G+.

Looking ahead

Many might ask, “why can’t you deploy 5G on FirstNet like it is on commercial networks?” Simply put, when public safety is responding and lives are on the line, reliability is key. And many of the standards that protect public safety’s crucial communications from network congestion have not yet been implemented for 5G by the industry.

So, while we’re bringing this community specialized features and capabilities they’ve never had before, we also have an eye to the future. It isn’t going to happen overnight. But we’re working to develop the necessary standards and vendor support to create a 5G environment that aligns with public safety’s mission.

Our strategy for 5G on FirstNet takes advantage of the true evolution from 4G to 5G. FirstNet will continue to be a fast follower on 5G while driving innovation of and integration in tested and established mission-critical services on 4G for public safety operations today. That means first responders on FirstNet have the assurance that 4G public safety services are keeping them reliably connected for their lifesaving work, while the commercial side addresses initial start-up challenges of 5G. You know, places where viral videos and live-streaming your favorite football team’s games rule the day — not a place where a call can make all the difference in helping save someone.

On FirstNet, 5G connectivity will be ideal for IoTand video intelligence solutions. Imagine being able to deploy cameras during parades and other celebrations to help identify suspicious bags or packages. Or using 5G in an ambulance to transmit patient data back to the emergency room. That’s just a few ways 5G on FirstNet could help public safety achieve their life-saving missions in the future.

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) and AT&Tare committed to advancing FirstNet for all of public safety. And doing it right. We recognize that uniting the unmatched benefits of FirstNet with the future promises of 5G can unlock a whole new world of public safety potential. As new technologies become available, we understand what’s most important is taking a first respondercentric view in their deployment. That applies to 5G, augmented reality, edge computing and others. It’s our job as America’s public safety wireless communications provider.

We’re not building 5G on FirstNet for the bottom line. We’re building it for public safety’s unique mission needs. That means making sound decisions and being good stewards of public safety’s network — all to ensure we do 5G right for public safety.

Individual verified first responders not already on FirstNet can go to https://www.firstnet.com/signup/ or go to the more than 5,000 AT&Tretail stores across the country.

Looking Back

Cincinnati - 1982

Cincinnati firefighters from Ladder1 (known as Ladder3 today) gathered fora group photo in 1982. - Photo courtesy of Chrissy Heim

Lima - 2020

Area fire crews operate at the scene of a blaze at the building housing the formerRoxy Food and Spirits on North Elizabeth Street in Lima in June 2020. - Fire News photo by Richard Parrish

Perry Township 2020

Aresidential dwelling sustained extensive damage in an early-morning fire in December2020. Perry Township Chief Justin Roberts said, “Firefighters were dispatched shortly after0300 to Bowman Road and found fire and smoke coming from the front bedroom of a residence. The occupants of the home had escaped the blaze before firefighters arrived.” - Fire News photo by Richard Parrish

FireNews.com

Fire News, December2022/January 2023, Page 15 House Razed AfterExplosion in Lima

Atwo-alarm fire completely destroyed a south Lima home recently. The Lima Fire Department responded to South Metcalf Street just after2300, aftera neighborheard an explosion and saw flames shooting from the home. Lima Fire called in Shawnee Township for mutual aid. The heat of the fire caused damage to homes on either side and the wall on the south side of the house was moved out about a foot and half. It was unknown if anybody was living there at the time. Fire investigators from Lima and Shawnee Township looked into the cause. Fire crews were on scene forfive hours. The home was completely destroyed and was razed. - Fire News photos by Richard Parrish

Coshocton County Shed Fire

Jackson Township Fire Department, based in Coshocton County, was called out to a shed fire on October17, 2022, nearthe intersection of State Route 541 and County Road 58. Firefighters found the shed to be fully engulfed and quickly pulled a handline to start putting the fire out. Asmall dog in a kennel at the farend of the structure was rescued and doing well. Coshocton was on hand as mutual aid and assisted in the extinguishment. Both fire departments were on scene for about a half-hour. Coshocton County EMS was also on scene. The shed was a total loss. - Fire News photos by Jim McKeever

Busy Afternoon in Warren

Avacant house on Parkman Road NWnearMason Street was engulfed in flames on October27, 2022. Warren firefighters worked to control the blaze while making sure the fire would not spread to houses on eitherside. The blaze was one of three that afternoon including anotherfire nearby at which flames were seen coming from a home as fire crews responded to the 800 block of Parkman Road NW; the house collapsed into itself. According to the report, firefighters helped evacuate residents from a home next door. The fire home had been vacant since catching fire in previous years. - Photos courtesy of Warren Professional Firefighters Local 204 & Julie Farley

Arson on Seriff Road in Lima

On August 26, 2022, American Township Fire Department responded to a fully involved house fire on Seriff Road in Lima. Afterinvestigation the fire was deemed arson. Anyone with information please contact the Fire InvestigatorJoel Will at 419-3393921. - Photo courtesy of American Township FD

Lima Rubbish Fire Snuffed

Lima firefighters responded to a rubbish fire in the area of East SugarAlley, in Lima. - Fire News photo by Richard Parrish

Garage Fires for South Zanesville

Forthe second time in three days the South Zanesville Fire Department was dispatched to a working garage fire. Crews arrived to a fully involved garage. SZFD Assistant Chief Tim Adams and Lieutenant Bill Ross confirmed the working fire. Engine 1415 and Tanker 1413 arrived about three minutes laterand quickly knocked down the fire and controlled it in about 20 minutes. Responding were Engine 1415, Tanker1413, Utility 1412 and Squad 1401 with nine members. Mutual aid came from Newton Township, National Trail and Zanesville. - Submitted by Lt. Landon Duhamel

East Holmes Assists Richland in Glenmont

On October13, 2022, East Holmes Fire and EMS provided mutual-aid to Richland Township Fire and EMS at a structure fire in the Glenmont area with two trucks and eight firefighters. - Photos courtesy of east Holmes Fire & EMS

Page 22, Fire News, December2022/January 2023 Newark Industrial

Accident

Newark crews responded to an industrial accident in the 100 block of Wilson Street. AE107 transported the patient to Grant Hospital. - Photos courtesy of Newark OH Division of Fire

Medevac Transfer

Based in Columbus, OH, Nationwide Children’s Hospital's Monarch I flew in to the Coshocton Regional Medical Center’s helipad, fora patient transfer. - Fire News photos by Jim McKeever

Groton Township MVA

Groton Township Fire Department responded to an MVAat the intersection of State Route 269/Portland Road recently. The driver of a van was extricated using new battery-powered Hurst tools. Two victims were transported to the hospital via North Central EMS. - Submitted by Kerry D. Jett Fire Chief Groton Township

USPS Truck Overturns in Lima

Firefighters responded aftera US Postal Service vehicle overturned on the 400 block of Market Street, in Lima, recently. - Fire News photo by Richard Parrish

TRAINING

Cincinnati

Cincinnati firefighters training recently. - Photos courtesy of Cincinnati FD

Elyria

Elyria Township firefighters took time at theirtraining facility to train with two of theirnewest members on removing victims and injured firefighters from first and second floor windows. - Photos courtesy of Elyria Township FD

Youngstown

Youngstown Fire Department teaching auto extrication to a firefighter1 class. - Submitted by Tommy Gibbs

Glendale, Greenhill Together

Glendale Fire Department members joined the Greenhills Fire Department recently forlive burn training at Scarlet Oaks CareerCampus. Crews practiced critical firefighting skills, including hose line advancement, fire attack, and search and rescue underlive fire conditions. - Photos courtesy of Glendale & Greenhill FDs