Topics:
Quints and Problems With Staffing
Hilton Head Comment
Wasted Money and Increased Liability Not Following NFPA 1710
Why You Should Never Have a Politician as a Trusted "Friend."
Time To Target Wasteful Spending-No Matter Where it Is
Strip Take Home Vehicles
Operations Saves Lives Yet Gets Little of the Perks
MP3 File
A number of fire departments purchase quints but fail to staff them with the required extra personnel. If less than 5 are assigned to a quint the taxpayer has purchased a piece of equipment far above the price they would have spent on an engine.
If the quint is purchased and then designated an engine to avoid staffing requirements the taxpayer has been fleeced. Probes into the purchase should be initiated by the governing body or at the urging of the taxpayer.
Line of duty death reports cite the use of quints with less than the NFPA 1710 standard requirements as something to be fixed.
Civil and criminal courts use the NFPA 1710 standard calling for more than 4 personnel for quints.
In high target areas the number of personnel can go up to six as a minimum requirement. Many fire departments don't have a listing of high target areas within their communities. This also applies to engines and ladders in certain areas. Often a minimum of five are required on both a ladder and engine.
In one of the more bizarre comments found in any article about the fire service, Hilton Head Fire is buying Quints because:
Instead, the town’s Fire & Rescue Division will spend about $1.5 million to buy two trucks with aerial firefighting capabilities. Called “Quints,” the trucks have long ladders but don’t require crews with as much experience. The engines are small enough to be used for routine calls.
No experience required? This comment alone is indicative of the ignorance many possess with respect to fire apparatus and staffing. However, in light of these comments published in The State Newspaper, it's also a great chance to discuss quints.
How tall is the aerial? If they aren't above 75 feet they aren't aerials. If they carry less than 500 gallons they aren't engines. What they are is a hybrid which doesn't fulfill either role in full. Instead they are a cheap way to try and meet ISO requirements. They are staffing killers.
If something goes wrong, and maintenance is always an issue, you have lost a phony engine and phony ladder. Explain that to your tax base when they become educated about the process.
Please note no one from Hilton Head is quoted in the article by name. This could be a comment inserted by the reporter since it isn't quoted.
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The fire commissioner usually inspires equal parts like and dislike but Roderick Fraser, who prepared for a career running a fire department by commanding a warship, generally inspires comments not allowed on this website.
The Boston local has again given Fraser a vote of no confidence. The move is just the latest in what is turning in to the most embarrassing period for city leaders since the 1980's. Fraser and Mayor Tom Menino have consistently let firefighters down in a city known for its fire department.
Fraser is unable to inspire confidence. Boots on the street are fed up with him and the department will have to dig itself out of a substantial hole once he leaves at the end of Menino's term.
The end can't come quick enough for firefighters.
In departments around the country the same refrain is heard from the voices of politicians:
Yes, we have closed (insert number) engines and ladders but service isn't compromised.
It's a lie. A bold faced lie that shows the depths of dishonesty some will sink to when it comes to protecting their reputation at the public's expense.
When an engine, ladder or rescue is taken out of service there is a domino effect. Not only is the area(s) protected compromised but now, when an adjacent area has a fire, response times are longer and fires grow larger because the same number of units-with NFPA 1710 staffing - are not arriving in time to have a positive outcome on initial operations.
It's the same with reduced staffing. There are people in the fire service who will say they can do just as much with three as they can do with four. Either said person is incompetent or stupid. Perhaps both. A good officer can take a crew of four and save a life, begin extinguishment and operate within the framework of a modern department.
The next time someone makes a comment about engines closing or staffing being reduced think about why they are saying it. Then distance yourself from the person.
Topics:
Rock Hill Battling Huge Blaze
Heavy Rescue Needed To Be Called
Lawsuit Against Morning Pride Reveals Disturbing Items
Junk Science
Conflict of Interest
MP3 File
As many of Columbia residents begin celebrating the 4th of July, the sight and sounds of fireworks will be seen and heard through out the area. Because of the high risk of injuries and property damage, associated with fireworks, Columbia Fire Department strongly discourages the use of consumer fireworks. Please follow the following precautions to minimize the risk of injury and property damage as you celebrate.
• Only buy from licensed dealers
• Always read and follow label directions
• Have an adult present
• Never allow children to hold or light fire works
• Use outdoors only
• Always have water handy (a garden hose and a bucket)
• Never experiment to make your own fireworks
• Light only one firework at a time
• Never throw or point fireworks at other people
• Never re-light a “dud” firework
• Never carry fireworks in your pocket
• Never light or hold lighted fireworks in your hand
• The always wear eye protection and never lean over fireworks
while lighting
Please keep safety in mind as you have fun during your 4th of July celebrations. Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
According to a report by MyFoxDC.com firefighters with DUI's and assault charges are still employed by the department. According to the report:
The documents detail arrests or convictions for current firefighters for possession of a controlled substance, assault with a deadly weapon, DUI, driving an uninsured vehicle, failure to appear, simple assault, possession of a firearm and theft to name a few. These are all charges the chief knows about.
Fire Chief Dennis Rubin insists he is working to have background checks performed on all firefighters. He believes the problem is 30 years old, dating back to a time when no checks were performed.
As the first responders to the White House D.C. must meet certain rules set forth by the Secret Service:
The questionable backgrounds of some firefighters even got the attention of the Secret Service. Chief Rubin admits some are not allowed to respond to the White House and have been reassigned.
The chief believes the whole story is a bit of witch hunt. However, even in cases where the chief knows someone got into trouble the punishment seems to some to be lax. One case in point:
For example, for an assault with a deadly weapon charge which was uncovered by the department itself, Chief Rubin only suspended the sergeant for 24 hours.
Others like a DUI arrest went untold for two years, and then Rubin only gave a letter of reprimand.
We will discuss this during the podcast today.
Morning Pride is being sued by a Chicago firefighter for libel and defamation according to a copy of the lawsuit sent out to various members of the media. In the lawsuit, Chicago Chief Officer Michael Scianna seeks in excess of half a million dollars plus other fees. The trial date is set for July 20, 2009.
The lawsuit specifically names Mary Grilliot, the CEO of Morning Pride, and includes documentation that the plaintiff asserts has been damaging. It involved the awarding of a PPE contract to Lion Apparel over Morning Pride by the Chicago Fire Department.
The documentation is disturbing inasmuch as it relates concerns about "negative publicity" for the Mayor of Chicago along with various other issues.
We will cover the documentation in full over the next week.
The Columbia Firefighter's Association is raising money for a very important cause. Members who may become ill or get injured often need help and Local 793 is determined to look after their members. To that end, some excellent barbecue will be available on July 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
From noon until 6:00 pm you can pick up the BBQ at the Shandon Firehouse on Devine Street and the local 793 meeting hall located just off Bush River Road on Arrowwood Road.
The cost is $7.00 per pound for plain and mustard based. This will make an excellent Fourth of July addition to the menu and also supports the men and women who work hard to protect the citizens of Richland County.
You can pre-order by calling 803-733-8620 or 803-7338363.
Make checks payable to the Columbia Firefighter's Association. Other donations are also welcomed.
In one area of the state volunteer firefighters sit on the rolls but don't show up for calls. This is fast becoming an issue since many believe the reason they stay on the roster is for the 1% money.
Over the past month firefighters have been keeping track of exactly how many volunteers are showing up to calls. The numbers are astonishing since they don't equal 25% of those on a roster. Some argue many of these "firefighters" are merely administrative, as in they serve no function.
The county in which they serve doesn't know the true numbers. Well, they didn't. Now several council members have been made aware of the actual numbers and they are questioning what has been reported to them.
This is a positive move. In fact, at least with two people, most of what council has heard can be easily disproven. An explanation and a thorough background check will reveal much of what motivates these individuals.
We will discuss this in-depth on Monday.
Topics:
19 firefighters Injured in the Bronx
Tulsa Firefighter Injured
15 Counts of Arson For One Volunteer Firefighter
Boston Firefighters Embarass Lame Duck Mayor
Same Old Names Don't Work
MP3 File
Firefighters are questioning whether the lack of heavy rescue equipment complicated an extrication in South Carolina. The accident resulted in fatalities and questions are being asked about why help wasn't sought early in the process.
The responding department doesn't operate a heavy rescue but a nearby city has all of the equipment needed to perform complex, heavy lifting and extrication. The question isn't one of ego's but rather making a quick call early in the incident.
Others point out the amount of time it would have taken for the heavy rescue to arrive and dismiss any question of asking for it's response. This is shortsighted.
When lives are at stake it is always best to call for the help first. If the heavy rescue isn't needed it can be turned around but not calling it can lead to questions that are embarrassing, if not posed in a deposition.
One thing should be clear; no one is laying blame. The purpose is to work together, despite jurisdictional boundaries, to provide every patient the best chance at survival.
When the City of Boston decided to close firehouses in a rolling brownout plan Boston firefighters, along with citizens, protested the city's move by showing up together at a news conference. Now firefighters are saying they will not leave the stations without staff because it is too dangerous.
Local 718 states they will man the stations during brownouts to avoid the danger to citizens. This is a far cry from the reckless approach presented by Mayor Tom Menino and Fire Commissioner Roderick Fraser.
The rotating closures leave residents without protection. Realizing this firefighters are taking the high road to show citizens just how out of touch the Menino administration is with the residents of the Hub.
Columbia firefighters conducted extended operations at a dwelling fire on Shady Grove Road. Irmo firefighters were also on scene and both departments operated together.
The heat took a toll on firefighters. The structure suffered extensive damage.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
The City of Philadelphia quietly settled out of court with five white firefighters who filed a lawsuit claiming the city discriminated against them in a promotional exam. Evaluators for a test were told to bring in more minorities instead of being instructed to fairly evaluate all candidates.
The lawsuit sought to expose the practices rather than seek out monetary damages. However, the city paid out the money to compensate the five men.
There is a push now to eliminate oral boards for promotion because the answers are subjective. In the Philadelphia case the oral boards were the culprits. Oral boards have also been cited by civil rights groups as being unfair to minorities over the years.
IAFF Local 22 has asked the city to remove oral boards.
Allan "Pickles" LePage spent 42 years serving his community but tragically lost his life after an incident at the fire station. The incident had something to do with the ladder truck but details aren't being released.
LePage was well known and well loved by firefighters and the community. An avid outdoorsman, LePage was counted on as perhaps the most trusted member of the department over his entire career.
Our condolences go out to the LePage family, friends and the members of the Kingston Fire Department.
Topics:
LODD in Rhode Island
Assistant Chief Retires From Columbia
Sanford Affair Rings True In Fire Service
Supreme Court Decision About "Law", Not Race
Atlanta Parking Deck
MP3 File
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