New details on fatal propane explosion at Everett coffee stand
Investigators found improper storage and use of multiple propane containers and an illegal deadbolt were major factors in the death of an Everett, Washington barista.
- here to read more
Fire service realignment has positive effect on ambulance calls
Sault Ste. Marie Fire Chief Mike Figliola reports a realignment of fire services has had a positive impact on ambulance calls. The number of on-duty firefighters at any time has been lowered and paramedics and paramedic supervisors have been hired as part of the plan.
Firefighters selling shifts on Facebook
Firefighters in Houston, Texas are potentially making thousands of untaxed dollars a year by selling shifts on Facebook.
Dr. John DeHaan to retire
Dr. John DeHaan, author of Kirk’s Fire Investigation and Forensic Fire Scene Reconstruction and noted authority on fire forensics, is retiring this year.
- here to read about his fascinating career.
Why fire bikes work in congested cities
Are firefighting motorcycles, or fire bikes, the next big thing for urban fire departments? They are already in use in cities in Japan, Singapore and Brazil for fire suppression and to provide emergency first response. Advocates claim the use of fire bikes brings down response times in congested cities and provides cost savings.
Downtown East Side fire hall overwhelmed by overdose crisis
Vancouver Fire Chief John McKearney says crews at Fire Hall No. 2, located in the city’s notorious Downtown East Side, are overwhelmed by emergency medical calls involving people overdosing on fentanyl. Average calls a month at the fire hall have jumped from 600 to 1,000 since fentanyl started appearing on the city’s streets.
Kidde recalls talking combination smoke and CO alarms
Kidde, in a joint recall with Health Canada and the U.S. Consumer Product Saety Commission, has recalled their Kidde NightHawk talking combination smoke/CO alarm KN-COSM-IBCA and KN-COSM-ICA models manufactured between June 1 2004 and March 2011.
Ft. Mac firefighters honoured in Alberta Legislature ceremony
In a ceremony at the Alberta Legislature Premier Rachel Notley and her government honoured those who came to Fort McMurray’s aid during last spring’s devastating wildfire.
Car crash sees angry motorists verbally abuse first responders
Science fails forest fire fighters
In his keynote presentation to the Wildland Fire Conference in Kelowna Dr. David Martell, from the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Forestry, said the scientific work done in Canada around forest fires is an embarrassment. According to Dr. Martell the Canadian scientific community has contributed little to solving the community protection problem with most of the major research coming from other countries.