Oct 15, 2014
Since Yarnell, any measurable changes in the systems of wildland firefighting have been hard to grasp. Teams still train, operate and dispatch in the same ways. Equipment, from the national fleet of flying tankers down to the standard-issue foil fire shelters that could not save the Granite Mountain team from the fire, remains largely the same.
Officials at fires elsewhere are likely to offer the same answer. Although they will not forget the loss of the hotshot crew, they don’t make a direct connection between last year’s deaths and any actions this year.
http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/arizona/2014/06/25/yarnell-hill-arizona-wildfire-crews/11344517/
Jun 27, 2014
Oregon’s Department of Forestry will get the chance this summer to use a small remote-controlled helicopter equipped with video, infrared cameras and a GPS locator to get a better look in tight smoky places before incident commanders send in fire crews.
“You are always looking for improved visibility of your fire,” said department fire prevention specialist Brian Ballou. “It just cuts down on the unknowns.”
http://www.mercurynews.com/nation-world/ci_26012086/oregon-use-radio-controlled-helicopter-fires
Jun 27, 2014
The Phoenix Fire Department’s elite fire investigations unit, once lauded as the most successful arson squad in the country, is being investigated for allegations of misconduct. The unit was making arrests in over half the city’s arson cases, a soaring statistic in a field where arrests are notoriously hard to come by.
http://abc11.com/news/phoenix-arson-squad-comes-under-fire/97675/
Jun 27, 2014
A survey of 580 small businesses highlighted a ‘staggering lack of awareness’ among the owners about their responsibility for fire safety. FireUK said, “Most of the companies were very honest and admitted they were unaware that they needed to undertake proper fire risk assessments. Commercial buildings, non-domestic and multi-occupancy premises in England and Wales are required to undertake a ‘suitable and sufficient’ fire risk assessment of their premises. If the fire risk assessment is deemed to have been carried out to an insufficient extent, the Appropriate Person can face an unlimited fine or a prison sentence of up to two years.
http://www.fia.uk.com/en/information/details/index.cfm/new-survey-highlights-lack-of-fire-safety-awareness-among-small-business-owners
Jun 27, 2014
Because solar systems are tied to the outside power grid fire crews must make sure that the outside grid connection is properly severed when trying to disconnect the power. Even then, the system is still live because the panels, powered by the sun, can’t be simply turned off. Safety precautions begin with securing utilities. Generally, this is a very simple procedure as the controls are clearly marked and firefighters know where to look for them. The challenge comes when the cutoff switch for the solar energy system is located inside the house, often in the garage. In the event that the fire was localized to, or had spread to, that area, it could present a considerable challenge.
Jun 27, 2014
If you asked the public what is the most dangerous part of a first responder’s job chances are they would say during firefighting (fire ground) operations. The truth is first responders are more likely to die in a motor vehicle related incident than during the course of firefighting operations. This report identifies 25% of firefighter deaths and 39% of police officer deaths are the result of motor vehicle incidents. This is a manageable risk. Are you doing your part?
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa_336.pdf
Jun 27, 2014
A Hamilton landlord has been convicted of failing to equip a residential building with window closures that meet Ontario Fire Code requirements. The case was heard at Hamilton’s Provincial Offences Court and the landlord received a $3,000 fine. Building owners must take responsibility to ensure their buildings are in compliance with the fire code said Hamilton’s chief fire prevention officer.
http://www.thespec.com/news-story/4546706-owners-plead-guilty-to-fire-code-violation/
Jun 27, 2014
The city has terminated the last Cleveland firefighter to plead guilty in the department’s shift-trading scandal. He was considered the most brazen of the 13 firefighters accused of illegally paying coworkers to work their shifts. Prosecutors said he missed nearly 8,500 hours of work while he worked part-time as a substitute teacher and assistant football coach and operated a daycare business.
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2014/05/city_fires_most_prolific_cleve.html
Jun 27, 2014
This controversial idea would involve firefighters driving individuals to hospital in ambulances. However, the Fire Brigades Union ( FBU ) has lambasted the concept, saying it was akin to “playing Russian roulette with fire safety”, as it could result in property damage, loss of business and even fatalities.
The FBU was quoted as saying, “Local firefighters are happy to work with any other agencies when appropriate, but we are not here to prop up ambulance cover at the expense of fire safety.”
http://www.fia.uk.com/en/information/details/index.cfm/fire-ambulance-idea-ridiculed-by-woodhall-spa
Jun 27, 2014
Prince George (BC) Fire Centre has responded to 23 fires over the past two weeks, nine of them being investigated as suspicious. . All of these fires are being reported within the Fort St. John Fire Zone. The Wildfire Management Branch and the RCMP suspect these fires were deliberately set, putting fire crews, local residents, natural resources and property at risk. Often these types of fires are the work of a serial arsonist who may graduate to more brazen events.
http://energeticcity.ca/article/news/2014/05/23/prince-george-fire-centre-responds-to-suspicious-fires
