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) 2 PA FFs INJURED AT HOUSE FIRE Sunday, January 18, 2015  Two Richland Township volunteer firefighters were burned while battling Friday night’s fire in Windber.They are home, fortunate to have escaped more serious injury, fire officials said on Saturday. Richland fire Chief Robert Heffelfinger said the pair were on the second floor of a duplex at 1805 Graham Ave., searching for occupants. “The call had come in with possible entrapment,” he said. The structure was in the process of a “flashover,” making the room dangerously hot even with protective gear. “They did go out the window, but had second-degree burns,” Heffelfinger said. One man was treated and later released from Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown, he said. The second firefighter was transferred to West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh, where he was treated and later released. The chief described both men as younger firefighters. They escaped “just in time,” Heffelfin... [ more ]         UPDATE: FIREFIGHTER CRUSHED IN FREAK ACCIDENT AT FIRE STATION ABC13 Video Sunday, January 18, 2015   Joey Spitzenberger was just starting his shift today with the Little York Volunteer Fire Department at the fire station where he began his firefighting career as a 12 year old junior volunteer. Then, much like the people he's helped save from wrecked cars and burning buildings, the 23 year old firefighter was in need of saving himself. He was sitting on the bumper of a fire truck in the... [ more ]         FIREFIGHTER STRUCK BY DRIVERLESS VEHICLE IN NEW YORK CBS6Albany.com Sunday, January 18, 2015   State Police are investigating after an accident near the scene of a Saturday evening fire. Firefighters were called to a report of a chimney fire at a home on Route 27 when an official from the Churchtown Fire Department, attempting to shut down traffic, was injured. Officials at the scene say they believe his vehicle rolled over him. The official, a man in his 70's, was airlifted to Albany Medical Center with head injuires. Police are investigating. Read More at: http://www.cbs6albany.com/news/features/top-story/stories/firefighter-at-scene-injured-unmanned-vehicle-22503.shtml         INDY TOWER LADDER STRUCK BY SUV Sunday, January 18, 2015   Wayne Township Fire Department were responding to a fire when one of their ladder trucks was hit in an intersection.On Saturday morning, just after 1 a.m., WTFD responded to a report of smoke in an apartment hallway on Indianapolis’ west side. On the way to the call, Ladder 84 was struck by a SUV. The accident occurred at 10th Street and Girls School Road. No one was hurt in the collision, but the fire truck was seriously damaged. The driver of the SUV was arrested on suspicion of being intoxicated. Luckily, there was no fire at the apartment, despite fire crews being delayed getting to the call.         PA FFs INJURED IN RASH OF VACANT HOUSE FIRES Sunday, January 18, 2015   Eugene Salvino of Monessen worries that recent arsons in vacant homes in the city might one day lead to an occupied house being burned.“I'm very concerned because of the distance between the homes, which is very minimal,” said Salvino, who has lived in his home on Knox Avenue for nearly 60 years. Four unoccupied homes were torched in the city Friday night into Saturday, and three firefighters were hurt while fighting the blazes, city fire Chief Chris Rhome said. “I hope they quit before they injure more of my firefighters,” Rhome said. All the fires occurred within a few blocks of one another. The first fire began about 10:42 p.m. Friday on 10th Street. Fires followed in the 1200 block of Knox Avenue and two homes in the 600 block of Ninth Street. Someone returned to the home on Knox Avenue Saturday morning and reset the fire, Rhome said. All four homes were destroyed. Rhome said he is convinced the fires were deli... [ more ]         APPARATUS CRASH IN CT Friday, January 16, 2015   A Shelton fire truck responding to a call collided with a SUV late this morning at Shelton Avenue and Meadow Street. (Photos by Brad Durrell)As of 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15, emergency personnel were still at the scene. No serious injuries are being reported. The SUV was occupied by a female driver and no passengers. The Echo Hose fire truck had four firefighters inside it at the time of the incident. There is noticeable damage to the driver-side and rear of the SUV, and some minor damage to the front area of the fire truck. http://sheltonherald.com/57596/shelton-firetruck-and-suv-collide-at-shelton-avenue-meadow-street/         APPARATUS CRASH IN INDIANA Friday, January 16, 2015  It happened while a Penn Township fire truck was responding to a call. Investigators say the fire truck was running with "lights and sirens" down McKinley. Police say the fire truck veered around stopped cars as it passed through the intersection -- at Birch Road. The driver of a Dodge Neon thought the fire truck was turning left. That's when the driver of the Neon turned and collided with the fire truck. Three people were in the car, a male driver, a female passenger and a child. They all suffered minor injuries. No firefighters were injured. Police say this is a good reminder that if an emergency vehicle is coming through -- with lights and sirens activated -- pull over to the right, and stay there -- until the vehicle has passed.         FF INJURED AT PORTLAND FIRE Friday, January 16, 2015  A firefighter was injured while battling a house fire in Southeast Portland Thursday, police said. The fire was inside a single story home at 2856 Southeast 103rd Avenue. As a crew worked to douse the blaze, a large piece of broken glass fell onto a firefighter's leg, according to Lt. Damon Simmons with Portland Fire & Rescue. The glass cut through the firefighter's pants and lacerated his leg, Simmons said. The firefighter's name has not yet been released but Simmons said he got stitches at Legacy Emanuel Hospital and was expected to be cleared to head home around 5 p.m. The fire was extinguished and investigators are working to determine a damage estimate. http://www.kgw.com/story/news/local/2015/01/15/firefighter-injured-portland-house/21833133/         FIREFIGHTERS INJURED IN FIRE/EMS CRASH-FLORIDA Friday, January 16, 2015   Two firefighters and six other people were taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital after a four-vehicle accident.  The collision occurred at U.S. 41 and Landings Boulevard. The firefighters were in an ambulance. A patient was one of the other people taken to the hospital. Deputies have not said what condition any of the eight people are in.         FIRE DEPARTMENT LIFEGUARD DIES DURING RECERTIFICATION Friday, January 16, 2015   A 20-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Lifeguard Division died during a recertification swim exercise Thursday morning.LA County FD Ocean Lifeguard Specialist Brian Kutil, 42, was participating in the exercise at Mira Costa High School in the City of Manhattan Beach. He was noticed to be in distress and having difficulties, was pulled from the pool and given lifesaving measures but his life coulnt be saved.         PARAMEDIC KILLED-STRUCK ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE ASSISTING CRASH VICTIMS Friday, January 16, 2015   We regret to advise you that a Rockingham County, North Carolina Paramedic was killed while assisting at a crash scene. EMS Paramedic Captain William Lawrence McKinney, Jr. had just finished working a 12 hour shift Wednesday morning. On his way home, Captain McKinney saw two vehicles that slipped off the road.  He was still in uniform and was wearing a safety vest, and parked his car and went to check on the drivers. That's when a truck with two trailers struck McKinney, killing him.  The Captain spent 19 years with Rockingham County EMS.  McKinney leaves behind a wife and two children. The driver of the truck was arrested for misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and exceeding a safe speed for the condition of the road. Funeral arraignments have been made.  Visitation will be on Saturday, January 17 at Thompsonville Heights Baptist Church.  Viewing times will be from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.  The funeral will be held... [ more ]