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National Fire News

5 fire service trends to watch in 2018

Constant innovation and improvement – these are just a couple of buzzwords that can be used to describe what’s trending in firefighting services and products. I asked my contacts on LinkedIn what’s new in the fire service that has positively impacted service delivery capabilities, and what they would like to see in the way of new products, equipment or technologies to improve service delivery.
- PUB DATE: 1/10/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: FireRescue1

'I Thought I Was Dead': Girl Rescued From House Destroyed by Mudslide in California

VIDEO - A 14-year-old girl was one of several people rescued by firefighters who fanned out across a flood-ravaged Santa Barbara County community after a night of powerful downpours and mudslides. The girl was trapped for hours in the home, destroyed by mud and debris flows that were powerful enough to move boulders, fire officials said.
- PUB DATE: 1/10/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KNSD-TV NBC San Diego

After heading Pennsylvania fire company since 1971, 'old-school' chief steps down

Unique. Dedicated. Old-school. A straight-shooter. Quite a character. Those are just some of the ways people describe Al Ewing Sr. Ewing joined the Fawn No. 2 volunteer fire company when he moved to the township from Arnold in 1966, and had been its chief since 1971. At the end of 2017, Ewing stepped down and let a younger generation take over.
- PUB DATE: 1/10/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

New Jersey firefighter's family lives in firehouse after blaze consumes home

Last week, a South Jersey firefighter arrived at a fire call to find his very own house consumed by flames. Five days later, he and his family are trying to pick up the pieces, and fortunately, they are getting some much-needed help. The donations have been pouring in so quickly that Stephanie Penwell doesn't even know where to start.
- PUB DATE: 1/10/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WPVI-TV 6 ABC.com

Heated negotiations between California county and firefighters coming out of deficit, critical report

The County of Kern will go into negotiations with its fire union in the next few weeks, if not the next few days, and the stakes will be high. On Tuesday Kern County Supervisors received a report from the Center for Public Safety Management that called for major changes in funding, operations, contracts and administration at the Kern County Fire Department.
- PUB DATE: 1/10/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Bakersfield.com

In response to rising toll of active shooter and hostile events, NFPA to fast-track a new standard for unified response

A rise in active shooter incidents and the escalating impact of hostile events has prompted the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to process NFPA 3000, Standard for Preparedness and Response to Active Shooter and/or Hostile Events as a provisional standard, which means it would be available for use as early as April, 2018.
- PUB DATE: 1/10/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: National Fire Protection Association

Funeral Arrangements Set for Fallen Philly Firefighter

Funeral arrangements have been made for the Philadelphia Fire Department lieutenant who died Saturday after being trapped under rubble and debris while battling a blaze that engulfed a two-story North Philadelphia rowhouse. The department announced Monday that viewings for Lt. Matthew LeTourneau will be held from 4:30 to 9 p.
- PUB DATE: 1/9/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Firehouse

Cal Fire releases preliminary report on firefighter fatality at Thomas Fire

CAL FIRE has released a “Green Sheet” preliminary report for the line of duty death of CAL FIRE Fire Apparatus Engineer Cory Iverson of the CAL FIRE San Diego/San Diego County Fire Authority. Engineer Iverson was overrun by fire and killed December 14, 2017 while battling the Thomas Fire in Ventura County north of Fillmore, California.
- PUB DATE: 1/9/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WildfireToday.com

Louisiana firefighter put on leave after raising complaints about fire chief

Firefighter Tom Williamson, whose complaints about Covington-area Fire Chief Steve Krentel triggered a probe of the chief, is now under investigation himself, and he's claiming it's in retaliation for his outspoken criticism. Williamson has been put on paid administrative leave by the board that governs St.
- PUB DATE: 1/9/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Advocate

Mayday called when 'flash over' sends flames over firefighters in Chicago

A "flash over" sent flames over firefighters at a home on the West Side Monday, prompting an emergency mayday call to make sure everyone was accounted for, officials said. One firefighter was missing for several minutes but finally walked out of the home in the 4800 block Van Buren Street and went to his truck, according to Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Merritt at the scene in Austin.
- PUB DATE: 1/9/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Chicago Tribune

Pennsylvania firefighter turns heads in T-Rex costume

VIDEO - Steve Moore typically wears a different kind of uniform when he shows up for work at the Fairfield Hose Company Volunteer Fire Department in Harborcreek Township. On New Year’s Day, though, the volunteer firefighter showed up on his ATV to plow out the on East Lake Road station’s parking lot wearing a T-Rex costume.
- PUB DATE: 1/9/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Erie Times-News

Florida paramedics were in and out of deadly nursing home as temperature climbed, but didn't see the crisis coming

Hollywood Fire Rescue crews were inside a hot nursing home to rescue dying people on the Monday after Hurricane Irma, then again Tuesday and twice Wednesday before forcing an evacuation. What they saw and how they responded inside the nursing home where 12 people died after 62 hours without air conditioning is the subject of a deposition examined by the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
- PUB DATE: 1/9/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Sun Sentinel

Philadelphia firefighter, resident killed in rowhouse blaze, collapse

Firefighters were dispatched early Saturday morning to a narrow street in North Philadelphia, where flames danced menacingly in the front windows of an old two-story rowhouse. Lt. Matthew LeTourneau was among the members of Engine 45/Platoon A, located on 26th Street near York, who scrambled when the call came in at 8:51 a.
- PUB DATE: 1/8/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Philly.com

Los Angeles Fire Dept. unveils 'SOBER Unit' aimed at reducing unnecessary emergency room visits

Seeking to crackdown on unnecessary emergency room visits, the Los Angeles Fire Department has launched a new program called the Sobriety Emergency Response — or SOBER — Unit that will transport publicly intoxicated people to a sober center located on skid row in downtown. The one-year pilot program, which has been in operation since November, includes an ambulance crew housed at Los Angeles Fire Station #4 on Temple Street, city officials said.
- PUB DATE: 1/8/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Los Angeles Times

Tennessee chief temporarily demoted, told actions were inappropriate

VIDEO - A Nashville fire chief has been demoted to captain for six months and assigned to a different shift after a complaint was filed that he had been hostile and discriminatory to fire recruits. The News 4 I-Team obtained the disciplinary actions taken against Captain Trey Nelms. The action was taken following last year’s “Firefighter Survival Week” in which recruit Jennifer Lockhart fell during a training exercise at the department’s new training tower.
- PUB DATE: 1/8/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WSMV-TV News 4

Two Oregon firefighters pulled out of burning collapsed home

VIDEO - Two firefighters were injured after a burning home collapsed on top of them Saturday morning in Southeast Portland. The fire was reported at 5:19 a.m. in the 2400 block of Southeast 89th Avenue. Flames were coming out of the front of the house and garage when firefighters arrived. Crews entered the home to make sure all residents were safe and it was determined no one was home.
- PUB DATE: 1/8/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KGW-TV Northwest News Channel 8

Virginia fire engine driver charged in New Year’s Eve crash with septic truck

A James City County firefighter is charged with reckless driving after police say he failed to obey a red light while driving a fire engine, causing a crash with a septic truck and injuring four people, including himself. Christopher D’Annibale, 32, was driving the fire engine to a structure fire in the 9500 block of Richmond Road Sunday when the engine was hit by a septic truck at Anderson’s Corner, according to James City County Police spokeswoman Stephanie Williams.
- PUB DATE: 1/8/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Williamsburg Yorktown Daily

Former Pennsylvania fire chief calls demotion political

Jeannette Council demoted its fire chief this week in a move the department's former leader called political. Council unanimously decided Tuesday to move Vance Phillips back to captain and elevate Bill Frye to the role of chief. “I'm not a Democrat and that is obviously a big motive in the reversing of all that was built in the last number of years,” Phillips said in a statement.
- PUB DATE: 1/5/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

LAFD graduates next wave of firefighters, including first woman to snag top recruit honors

Caroline Carpenter of Long Beach became the first woman to earn honors as top recruit and class leader Thursday during graduation ceremonies for 52 Los Angeles Fire Department recruits at the Valley Recruit Training Academy 81. “I’m small,” said Carpenter, 26, “but I got a big heart.” “She stands out,” said LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas to an audience that included Carpenter’s family and friends.
- PUB DATE: 1/5/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Los Angeles Daily News

FDNY investigating possible sexual misconduct, hazing at Brooklyn’s ‘friendly firehouse’

A Brooklyn fire station nicknamed “the friendly firehouse” is being investigated for being a hotbed of hazing, bullying, threats and sexual misconduct, the Daily News has learned. FDNY Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro cleared out the embattled firehouse — where a gigantic smiley face is emblazoned on the door — last week, transferring six fire officers and two firefighters from Engine 309/Ladder 159 on E.
- PUB DATE: 1/5/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: New York Daily News

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