2023

Firefighters: Your. Mental. Health. Matters.

Save the Date!

National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

Source | Coastal Bend Mom Collective (Facebook)

We are thinking of all of the mommas and daddies out there who have lost their children.

We are here to let you know we are here for you on this sad day (and all days).

One support group on Facebook is helping with grief and the unbearable pain of this type of tragic loss.

You can join their Support group on Facebook: https://coastalbend.momcollective.com/…/how-to-support…/

Save the Date, Firefighter Couples!

Fire-Engine-In-The-Making – Whatcom County, WA

Source | WCFD14 — Photo Credit | Midwest Fire

Whatcom County Fire District 14 Firefighters showed a sneak peek into the current building of a new fire engine by Midwest Fire.

The brand-new engine will have a 2,500-gallon water tank, a 1,500 GPM water pump, and a foam system.

After the build has been completed, training will commence and after it has been completed, it will be in quarters at the Kendall Station.

If the build stays on track, it will be arriving in the month of November 2023.

Online Training – Arizona

BC Joins FD – Charleston, SC

Source & Photo Credit | CFD

CFD BC Julie McCabe joined the department on this day in 2022 and celebrates her first-year anniversary with the fire agency. She is their Medical Coordinator with the Operations Division. Learn about her background and experience by visiting the CFD’s Facebook Page here –> https://www.facebook.com/charlestonfire

Fire Muster – Maryland

Source | Southern Maryland News Net

The Southern Maryland Volunteer Fireman’s Association hosted their Antique Fire Apparatus Muster today at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute.

Aircraft Mishap – Red Oak Airport, MO

Source & Photo Credit | Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency

Just before 1000 hours this morning, an aircraft traveling from Omaha, NE to St. Louis, MO experienced an inflight emergency and was forced to land at Red Oak Municipal Airport.

The aircraft landed on a closed runway due to being under maintenance. Landing on the closed runway, there were pieces of equipment on it causing the pilot’s plane to hit a portable barricade and their left wing hitting a Bobcat skid load which was parked off of the runway. It caused significant damage to the wing.

Thankfully, no injuries were reported to the pilot or passenger. Damage to the contractor’s equipment is minimal. Red Oak FD and Montgomery County EMA were assisted at the scene by employees with the Red Oak Municipal Airport. The FAA and the NTSB are both investigating.

Wildfire News – Oregon

Sources | Inciweb, NIFC

ANVIL FIRE

Photo Description: Grayback Forestry Firefighters will be shuttled to remote areas within the fire perimeter.

Courtesy: Inciweb

The Anvil Fire has been burning since August 25, 2023, and is located about eight (8) miles east of Port Orford in the State of Oregon (USA). There are about seven (7) crews with a single helicopter and six engines on this wildfire which is now 80% contained. It has burned a total of 22,170 acres. Light smoke is still visible as interior heavy fuels continue to smolder. Fire Officials say excavators and heavy equipment are still working on various tasks and towards a full containment status. Level 1 (notifications only) remains in place around the fire.

FLAT FIRE

The Flat Fire ignited on July 15, 2023, is one of the longest wildfires still burning this year. This fire is located about two (2) miles southeast of Agness, Oregon. The fire destroyed 32,242 acres but now has a 93% containment status with 53 total personnel, one (1) crew, and four (4) engines. There are no evacuation notices or orders in force at the time of this update.

Both wildfires are burning in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.

Burn Restrictions – Okanogan County, WA

Source | WA DNR

Technically, tomorrow morning but 0001, burn restrictions will be lifted for the County, says the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

Total Fire Ban – Hunter (NSW), Australia

Source/Photo Credit | NSW Rural Fire Service

A Total Fire Ban has gone into effect today for the Greater Hunter area.

2022

National Move Over Day – USA

Source | Manitowoc County (WI) Sheriff’s Office

Today is National Move Over Day in the United States which is a national awareness campaign to help make drivers aware of their responsibility when approaching stopped emergency vehicles on the roadway as well as moving to the right when EMS, Transportation emergency vehicles, Tow Trucks, Fire, and Police are responding.

LODD: Capt. Norman Sinclair – Toronto Fire

2019

LODD: FF Greg Garza, 49 – San Antonio, TX

Source & Photo Credit | San Antonio Fire Department.

Firefighter Garza was among a group of firefighters who responded to a call for an electrical problem at the Comfort Inn Suites in the 500 block of Live Oak around 0700.

Firefighter Garza returned to the apparatus to retrieve some equipment and was attempting to exit the fire apparatus when he tripped getting out of the truck and was hit by an oncoming vehicle.

He went into traumatic arrest and was transported to Brooke Army Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 0804.

2015

Hidden Pines Fire – Bastrop, TX

Source | TX Military Department

Over 4,582 acres burned across Bastrop, TX and Guardsmen were at the ready and fully engaged in fire suppression and containment efforts from their air with the assistance of water drops. | Photo Credit: TX Military Department

1974

Dawson Printing Fire – New Zealand

Source | Auckland Fire Brigades Museum & Historical Society Inc

A 4-alarm fire broke out this evening at 2107 on this day at the Dawson Printing (Hallmark Cards) on George Street near Broadway in Newmarket.

The 80-year-old brick building with five (5) floors was impacted with fire on every single level and on three (3) floors of an exposure building.

Back in those days, challenges were with very poor water in the area, multiple long feed relays, and one serious injury. The cause was suspected to be arson. The loss was estimated at $50,000. | Photo Credit: Tim Peak

1897

LODD: Fireman Lee Bottom – Denver, CO

Sources | Denver (CO) FD, Denver Public Library

Photo Credit: Denver Public Library

By Asst. Chief Gregory Taft, Retired (DFD)

At 0404 having just returned from a fire, the bells rang out an alarm of a fire at 18th Street & Platte River. A Union Pacific freight car filled with hay was on fire. Hose Wagon and Steamer 7 responded from their quarters at West 32nd and Erie Street. As Steamer 7 thundered down 18th Street with Fireman Lee Bottom at the reins, the streamer struck a rut, then lurched to the left. Fireman Bottom was pitched forward between the horses onto the double-tree of the rig. As the horses raced wildly down the street, Bottom lost his hold and was thrown beneath the heavy wheels. While one firefighter on the tailboard jumped off to help Bottom, the other rode on, tightly gripping the brass hand bar. The steamer overturned at 18th and Platte, and the horses broke free from the disabled steamer. The horses were eventually caught at 16th and Market Street. Firefighter Bottom was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital, where he died from his injuries. Firefighter Lee E. Bottom, age 23, appointed to the department in February 1896, became the ninth Denver Firefighter to die in the line of duty. Both fires were deemed to be incendiary in origin.

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