FF Close Calls

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Submit Your Close Call / Near Miss Navigation Home Secret List Gallery EMS CloseCalls Drills Firefighter Staffing Personal Survival Safety and survival SOGs Links Modern Fire Behavior About Us Never Forget Fire Communications Pass it On LODD STATS Yearly Totals Year Totals 2015 2 2014 87 2013 101 2012 83 2011 81 2010 87 2009 93 2008 118 2007 118 2006 107 "In Memory Of" Click this patch   Custom Search Contact Info Email BillyG info@ firefighterclosecalls.com Email Weekly Drill Suggestions to Drills@firefighter closecalls.com Click Here for The 9/11 Widows' and Victims' Families Association Click Here: Skyscraper Safety Campaign       Also check the most current issue of THE SECRET LIST for related News and Updates-(Click Here) APPARATUS STRUCK ON THE INTERSTATE IN MA Friday, January 9, 2015   A car slammed into a Hanover fire truck on Route 3 southbound Friday afternoon.The fire truck was responding to a car accident on the highway just south of Route 53 when the crash occurred. According to Hanover Fire, the fire truck driver and the two occupants in the car were transported to South Shore Hospital. http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/01/09/car-crashes-into-fire-truck-in-hanover/         FIREFIGHTER HURT AFTER APPARATUS IS STRUCK - NORTH DAKOTA Friday, January 9, 2015  A Fargo fire engine was damaged, and one firefighter was taken to the hospital, after a vehicle struck the engine while it was responding to a crash on Interstate 29.At 7:25 Fargo Firefighters responded to a traffic accident on Southbound Interstate 29 near 7th Avenue North. The crew found a vehicle pulling a trailer that looked like it jackknifed near the center divider of the interstate. The fire crew placed their apparatus in a position to protect the scene from more accidents. After the fire crew returned to the apparatus, a vehicle hit the engine in a second accident. One Firefighter was taken to the hospital for evaluation. The Fargo Fire Department says he will return to work tonight.         FIREFIGHTERS TEST POSITIVE FOR TOXIC MOLD - FLORIDA WPTV Video Friday, January 9, 2015   Those who risk their lives to keep us safe are feeling unsafe in their own workplace.Two Indian River County Firefighters have tested positive for exposure to toxic mold that could be from inside their fire station, according to John O'Connor, President of the International Association of Firefighters chapter in Indian River County. O' Connor says those firefighters work at station no. 7 in Vero Beach and station no.10 in Fellsmere. "We're in these fire stations a 3rd of our life. So, if we don't have a safe working environment to operate out of, that's not good," O'Connor said. O' Connor says he's been complaining about poor air quality and possible mold at several of the county stations for more than a decade. Some complaints sent to authorities were documented in emails. "This has been going on for years. Even for me personally, I've been symptomatic at some of these stations. As soon as you leave the station it automat... [ more ]         AUSTRALIAN FFs SURVIVE BURNOVER SHELTERING IN BRUSH TRUCK Friday, January 9, 2015  Heat shields and fire blankets saved the lives of two volunteer firefighters caught in a burnover in Western Australia's South West, the WA Emergency Services Minister says.The firefighters, from the Bindoon bushfire brigade, were battling a fire in Bindoon on Tuesday afternoon when they became trapped. They took shelter in their light tanker as the flames bore down. Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis said the light tanker had been fitted out with burnover blankets, radiant heat shields, and critical component lagging, which protects the vehicle's fuel lines and other critical parts of the engine. "Luckily the crew were very well trained in how to use this and it effectively saved their lives," Mr Francis said. "They were unharmed but obviously very shaken from the experience." The WA Government pledged in the lead up to the 2013 election to fit fire trucks with protection after a burnover at the Black Cat Creek fire claime... [ more ]         FORMER MD FF SENTENCED FOR DRUNK DRIVING IN FIRE APPARTUS Friday, January 9, 2015   An Eastern Garrett County volunteer firefighter was sentenced to serve six months in jail after being convicted recently in Garrett County District Court on unauthorized use of a vehicle and drunken driving charges. Justin A. Clark, 22, who pleaded guilty to unauthorized use of a vehicle and driving while impaired by alcohol, was sentenced by Judge Stephan Moylan to four years in the Division of Correction with all but six months suspended. For the DWI charge, Clark was sentenced to 60 days consecutive that was also suspended. In addition, Clark was ordered to serve three years of supervised probation after completion of his jail term. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Tracey Henline. Clark was represented by Assistant Public Defender Catrina Aquilino. According to the Office of the State’s Attorney, Clark was charged by Maryland State Police following an investigation into an accident that occurred on private property off Piney Run Road ... [ more ]         BATTALION CHIEF DIES IN THE LINE OF DUTY-MISSOURI Friday, January 9, 2015   We regret to pass on to you that Battalion Chief Chris Tindal of the South Metro FD near Kansas City, MO, has died in the Line of Duty.  Chief Tindal reportedly suffered chest pains after an incident, went to the hospital was treated and released. Unfortunately, Chief Tindal died following his discharge from the hospital. Among his many roles, responsibility and dedication he was also a handler for the Missouri Search and Rescue K9. Our condolences to all affected. RIP.Additional Details HERE: https://www.facebook.com/IaffLocal3112?fref=nf         FF SLIPS ON ICE - SUFFERS HEAD INJURY AT FIRE IN PA Thursday, January 8, 2015   A fire of undetermined origin displaced a family early Wednesday morning. In addition, David Joseph, New Castle Fire Department assistant chief, slipped on ice and sustained a head injury. Firefighters were called to 208 Richlieu Ave. about 12:10 a.m. Crews said they saw flames coming out of an attic window. Firefighters said the flames were confined to the attic, but the rest of the building sustained a lot of smoke damage. Low temperatures resulted in ice building up at the site, the firefighters said, and Joseph slipped, striking his head on the running board of a firetruck. Firefighters said Joseph was taken to Jameson Hospital, where he was treated for a gash at the back of his head and released. According to firefighters, the house, occupied by Wanda McKnight and her four children, sustained about $25,000 worth of damage to its contents. McKnight told firefighters her lights had started going off. She said she ... [ more ]         3 FFs INJURED AT OREGON FIRE Thursday, January 8, 2015  Three firefighters were injured Tuesday evening battling a house fire along Oregon 211. While trying to reach a hot spot on the roof, one firefighter tried to secure himself to a ladder. But part of the house gave way, causing the ladder to fall, said Colton Fire Chief Richard Beaudoin. Two firefighters below were hurt while trying to catch the falling firefighter. All three were treated at local hospitals and released. Beaudoin said crews were dispatched at 8:05 p.m. after a report of fire in the living room walls of a home in the 24200 block of South Highway 211. Arriving firefighters found smoke pouring from the home's second-story windows and eaves. The homeowner told firefighters that the "popping" sounds likely were from ammunition he stored in the attic. Firefighters determined that the fire started in the fireplace and spread up the walls to the attic. They tried to enter the attic through a second-story bedroom, but were turned ba... [ more ]         DALLAS LADDER VS. CEMENT TRUCK CRASH Thursday, January 8, 2015  A fire truck was involved in a crash Tuesday afternoon while responding to a structure fire in Dallas. The incident happened shortly before noon at the intersection of Hatcher Street and Second Avenue.The crash included the Dallas Fire-Rescue truck, a cement truck and a pickup truck. Police are investigating the details surrounding the crash, but it ended with the cement truck partially rolling onto the pickup truck. A witness said that the cement truck was trying to turn in front of the fire truck, which had its sirens blaring. Four firefighters and the driver of the pickup truck were taken to a local hospital for evaluation. Their injuries were not life threatening. The cement truck driver was not hurt during the crash. The names of the victims were not released.         LINE OF DUTY DEATH FUNERAL INFORMATION-MARYLAND FIRE DEPT PARAMEDIC Wednesday, January 7, 2015   The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, West Friendship Volunteer Fire Company, and the Howard County Department of Fire/Rescue Services announce the funeral arrangements for Paramedic/Captain Erik Steciak. There will be two viewings: Friday January 16, 2014 West Friendship Volunteer Fire Company 1800hrs-2100hrs (6:00pm-9:00pm) Saturday January 17, 2014 Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company 1300hrs-1700hrs (more ]         CANADIAN FIRE CHIEF STRUCK AT CRASH SCENE Wednesday, January 7, 2015  No charges were laid against a driver who hit the Wallace District Fire Department chief while he was attending to a highway accident involving a family of eight. During whiteout conditions on the Trans-Canada Highway Friday afternoon, fire Chief Brad Yochim, along with other firefighters, were at a crash scene just west of Elkhorn when he was struck by a vehicle travelling in the same direction. While Yochim was placing LED lights around the crash scene, he said he was hit, thrown to the ditch some 20 feet away and landed on his knees before the driver stopped. Road conditions were terrible and traffic was heavy, Yochim said. RCMP spokesperson Tara Seel said due to the road conditions, no charges were laid against the driver who hit Yochim. Three ambulances had already been dispatched to the scene to transport the eight people to hospital — including a fiveyear- old boy with a broken leg — before Yochim was struck. Neither ambulances nor police had yet reached th... [ more ]         UPDATE: FIRE DEPARTMENT PARAMEDIC KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY-STRUCK BY FD VEHICLE AT SCENE Wednesday, January 7, 2015  Paramedic Erik Steciak, a career Paramedic of the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company in Harford County (who was also a member of Howard County's West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department) was killed in the Line of Duty this afternoon. Paramedic Steciak was working on a scene where a vehicle had slid off the road and onto an embankment on Patterson Mill Road in Bel Air this afternoon. Tragically, the accident occurred when a Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company utility vehicle, assisting at the scene, slid and hit Paramedic Steciak. Immediate rescue and care was rendered, he was then was taken in grave condition to Upper Chesapeake Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. Our sincere condolences to the Bel Air and West Friendship Volunteer Fire Companies....and our prayers go out to the members who were operating on that scene. HERE is a video of Erik doing training-demonstrating his obvious love for the fire & rescue service: https://www.youtube.com/watch... [ more ]