Fire Daily - Latest Comments

Re: Wingnut of the Week: Homeowner Says Firefighter’s Gear Set Off Explosion That Severely Burned Them

Firefighting equipment — Tue, 01 May 2012 04:54:42 -0000

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Re: Video: Worst Fire Department in the United States?

Canada Son — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:41:12 -0000

I have been a Fireman for 25 years and currently hold the rank of Captain. My heart goes out to small Departments like these because they truly do wish to do a good job, but lack training, funding and apparent leadership. Again, one could pick apart their attack, safety issues and the like, but it would serve them better if other Departments, even those in completly different areas, could provide them with the tools they need to improve. I know it may seem far fetched, but if professionals and volunteers from active departments could pull together for these smaller groups, we wouldn't be considering who was the worst, but rather, who is MOST IMPROVED. Remember friends, lives, not reputations depend on it.
-Captain Mike McAllister
Washington State

Re: You might be a redneck firefighter if….

redneckfirefighter88 — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:18:25 -0000

We have done about half of that stuff

Re: Video: Worst Fire Department in the United States?

Shawley93 — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 17:04:54 -0000

I am a FF/EMT/BVRT in Pennsylvania. I am currently an active member of the Saltlick Township VFD. To be honest, I think people need to think a little different about the fire department in general. The people we help everyday whine and complain that the sirens are to loud, or the lights are to bright, or we aren't fast enough. They need to realize that those lights and sirens are for theirs and our protection, and that we have lives also. But, on a different note, this company is obviously having financial difficulty, and cannot get help from their mutual aid companies most of the time. People need to realize that they are doing the best they can with what they have. When a crew pulls on scene of an incident the lives of the crew and the individual come above all. If we cannot save your home, you better believe we will do what we can with what we have to save as much as possible. These guys aren't the greatest company, but neither is any other company. They are doing what they can with what they have. Nobody should have the right to bash another company because of their methods of putting a fire out or rescuing a person from a dangerous situation. Honestly, I commend these brothers and sisters for trying their best, they need all the support they can get.

Re: Video: Worst Fire Department in the United States?

Jamiehall4226 — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 19:45:03 -0000

From what I seen in the video I would say they are lacking training. I was Fire Chief in Missouri and trust my we did not get along with a neighboring fire district, but we put that aside to provide the best possible service. We would never turn away an agency helping us (personal differences must be set aside.)
I am moving to seaside Oregon in two weeks I would be willing to try to help them out go down on a weekend and get some training going. Also if they would contact Fire Departments in CA alot of times they will give used equipment away. They gave our department bunker gear and helmets. Get the community involved chili supper, just fund raising in general. Get a good positive image going.

If anyone else is trying to help them out contact me and I will see what I can do
jamiehall4226@comcast.net

Re: Video: Worst Fire Department in the United States?

Chefbeth12 — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 13:23:06 -0000

Grant’s Pass Rural Fire Department should not be allowed to have contracts with anyone. Nobody but an idiot would have sent away the other fire dept when they have run out of water! If I were that home/property owner I'd be beyond pissed!!!!!

Re: “Warning: This video is graphic and depicts a man being rescued from his burning home.”

Not Scared... — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:32:32 -0000

I thought the exact same thing!!!

Re: “Warning: This video is graphic and depicts a man being rescued from his burning home.”

Not Scared... — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:31:58 -0000

Mr. West, I'm not sure of your length of service, but the phrase "Life before Limb" comes to mind. Maybe you didn't notice this during your viewing of this video, but the building he was removed from was on FIRE (Hence the smoke issuing from every open orfice of the structure). To hell with C-spine and witnessing his fall he obviously has much larger issue's than injuries he sustained from falling... I truly hope that when you respond to your first Fire that has active rescue's being performed you stay far away until the Firemen call you over!!! Your concern about this man's C-spine is cute, but won't save his life considering the possible injuries he sustained due to being in a "Hot Zone" with an unprotected airway. In regards to the Cop on the scene I think a better question would be, Why is a Cop standing at the front door of a House Fire when he should be doing Crowd Control, or Traffic Control? He really has no business standing any where close to that house. His actions and positioning place him in just the right position to become the next victim especially with all that polyester he's wearing not to mention the more obvious concerns regarding extreme heat and ammo. If that place had flashed or vented from the door or windows he was standing next to no one would have to worry about him using a pocket knife to remove the home owners clothing because someone would have been scraping his poly uniform shirt and jacket from his freshly burnt body. As far as the response from the FD on this call, I honestly can't say one way or the other about this. There just isn't enough video of the call to say one way or the other. One thing that kinda worries me though is the lack of Firemen in the video with BA on. But one things for sure the "Firemen" standing on the front porch holding the door open?!?!?!?!?!?!, Didn't forget to put on his shinny reflective vest!!!! Maybe he and the cop just got done directing traffic and were cold so they decided to warm up next to the fire!!! One thing I do kinda agree with you on is the fact that it seemed EMS took a little while to make their way to the scene after the rescue had been effected. One reason maybe because 9 times outta 10 the ambulance is blocked out by the responding Fire equipment. But short of an extended response time (meaning response to the scene, not the patient) there is really no reason EMS shouldn't have been posted up with their cot and equipment in the drive way, especially when it appears it was known by the first arriving units that the home owner had re-entered the structure in an attempt to rescue the dog (as was indicated in the article when it stated that the wife of the patient told units on the scene her husband had gone into the home), which should have indicated to them that they were going to have to effect a rescue on a civilian whom most likely was going to need medical attention. The bottom line is this, while the video gives some insight as to a very small part of what I assume to be a much larger operation, it's extremely difficult to judge the overall success or lack there of, of the overall FD operations on this call. At best this video shows some area's of concern that this Department should address to prevent injuries to first responders who aren't playing an active role in the suppression effort be it Cops, Reflective Vest Firemen, or EMS personel.

Re: My Worst Call- The Seven Angels of Fox River Grove

Waterbeds — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 22:38:23 -0000

16yrs ago that is the day i was born xD

Re: Video: Worst Fire Department in the United States?

Taillonmario — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:00:36 -0000

40 years ago you put men on the moon, and today you can not afford a resonable fire departement...take care of your economy or you also will have lost the cold war...

Re: “Warning: This video is graphic and depicts a man being rescued from his burning home.”

Roger — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 17:02:56 -0000

Look at you with your shinny new EMT license.

Re: Video: Worst Fire Department in the United States?

George Cazares — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:42:25 -0000

I'm not a professional FF, but I have served as a volunteer. If there are other agencies in the area (The video showed their "competition") why is this department up and running? With the old equipment and lack of PPE and training, this is a department that is one major disaster away from...well, disaster. I can understand that you train with what you have, but at the same time they need to understand that they cannot run a "family owned" fire department when they cannot afford the equipment or training necessary to properly run it. I'm not here to bash on the men and women with this agency, but maybe it's time that they hang it up and let someone with better equipment and training take over the fire protection. I'm concerned for the safety of the crew working there. Is the family running this agency because they care about the community? Or are they treating it like a business where they can make money? Fires are pretty rare. Bill them for protection services they may never use and collect the checks? It's just terrifying and the risk of loos of life for the firefighters in that video was unbelievable.

Re: “Warning: This video is graphic and depicts a man being rescued from his burning home.”

Harvey West III — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 02:39:58 -0000

The man appeared to be unconscious and no fire fighter witnessed his fall. The emergency move should have been better thought out in the sense of C-spine precautions and a body board would have helped emergency responders get a hold of the load. The ambulance seemed to have a delayed response and what was the police officer using to cut his shirt off? A pocket knife that he was wailing around? Otherwise looked like a god response from the FD.

Re: Got a Bad Attitude? Stay at Home

Harvey West III — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 01:49:15 -0000

Love this... going to post it on the locker room wall!

Re: Video: Worst Fire Department in the United States?

Baddog78 — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 02:29:50 -0000

This in nothing new I am on two small departments one with only 6 members and equipment from 1971 amd no money to operate grants only go so far and no tax base to pull from all repairs and upkeep is out of pocket the county that i live in is wanting to close this department and let one that is over 20min away take the area. The other department is larger but money is not there the bigger departments in the area want to take this one over too but only to get the tax money thay dont seem to care about responce time or public saftey I do this job to help people and save lives not for the newest truck in the shed or or brightest lights on the truck I think that there are departments out there that have lost sight of whats important and we are all one big famly we are brothers we should be helping each other not pointing out the faults and failers of others we all need to help sacrefise is what we do so to all the volunteer firefighters that dont get payed when the call goes out dont give up remember you are not alone there are more of us out there than you know and if we dont show up who will

Re: Video: Worst Fire Department in the United States?

WAHEID — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:30:51 -0000

The video was, we hope, an extreme example. But how many built-up areas of the country don't have hydrants because the residents are unwilling to pay for them? How many FD's are cutting back on apparatus purchase and maintenance, communications equipment, PPE, training, overtime, etc. because elected officials can't -- or won't -- find the necessary funds. Truth is: you can't have a champagne class FD with a beer budget.

Re: My Worst Call- The Seven Angels of Fox River Grove

Ageless Male — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 18:01:43 -0000

thats was a great and heartbeaking story

thanks for sharing

Re: Video: Worst Fire Department in the United States?

Rob Pendle — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:30:47 -0000

Damn straight brother.

Re: Video: Worst Fire Department in the United States?

Rob Pendle — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:27:54 -0000

Wow. I've worked on small departments with no money. At least the people have heart. With that and some leadership, things can be improved. First, I would get a command structure in place and concurrently get some training going.
Resources and capabilities need to be scrutinized as well as sources of income existing and potential. Start writing grants...lots of them...every single one that can be found. We got a grant once by simply stating the condition of our gear vs the quality of our training: we trained hard with current and new techniques, but our PPE's were so old, we were actually doing field repairs on scene.
Some kind of mutual aid agreement.contract needs to be explored from what I can see; simply from the lack of equipment.
I cannot say more or less because I do not know any more than what I saw: a department of good-intentioned, brave folks struggling with a very difficult scene, secondary and tertiary hazards as well as a total lack of required PPE and gear and an apparent lack of training/command support.
As a retied ISO, if I lived in the area, I would be more than happy to help out. Unfortunately, I live a couple states away.

Perhaps, we as a group of brother firefighters can pool together some intellectual resources to help these folks on an advisory/consultant basis.

I'd be happy to do so at any rate. If anyone decides to try to help and wants to, feel free to contact me via gryphonblade@yahoo.com.

Re: Video: Worst Fire Department in the United States?

Xterrasaint — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:47:45 -0000

I am amazed. Not so much at the video, but by the title of the video and of the "hater" comments the people are posting. This is an example of how LEADERSHIP has failed the fire department. I don't just mean the leadership of the fire department, but leadership from the community as well. Taxpayers MUST realize that without funding then emergency services will suffer. When there is not support from the community then the emergency agencies cannot provide an adequate service. Say what you want...I for one applaud the individuals on these departments ( on the operations side) for trying to get the job done. Even though it is not being done right, they are still making the attempt. EVERY FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE WORLD faces opposition when it comes time to pay the bills. For equipment, training and staffing. Now more than ever. Most of you reading this are my friends and brother firefighters.For all of those of you reading my post, ask yourself this question. Would your department function any better than this one if leadership had failed you this badly? Almost all of us have had YEARS of ADVANCED TRAINING. So much so, that most of us would choose not to be part of this kind of "madness". In most departments that I have been part of, it has always been the operations level folks that get the job done, while leadership is floundering, and sinking into the proverbial quicksand. The bottom line is this: There is a need. When people call out for help, the fire department responds. Of course, we always try to do it right. It doesn't always go according to plan. I have NEVER seen an emergency scene where everything has gone right, or been done "by the book". The problem with this department is, there is no book. Bear in mind that 100 years ago, volunteer fire departments in the US were in no better shape. Many fire brigades were funded solely by it's members, were understaffed, and had shoddy equipment. Perhaps this area of the country needs to re-evaluate how to fix this problem at its source. Additionally, these folks could use some help from other departments in the form of equipment ( PPE and apparatus) donations of unused or retired gear. There are so many departments that are more fortunate than this one. Why let this stuff go to waste when it can be useful again. To close this; I don't know the correct answer. I seldom do. But, instead of bashing these folks, step up and help to support them.

Re: Fatal Chicago Hi Rise Fire- If Only…..

Nickhead281 — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:21:30 -0000

sprinklers are not like in the movies , heat will activate only the sprinklers in the area of the fire

Re: Ever Want to Use Spike Strips? DEPLOY!

Beatricemnz — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:26:53 -0000

This is just another way of over poering the public community. And tax payers will have to endure unnecessary cost's. Worry about saving lives please.

Re: Video: Worst Fire Department in the United States?

Randy Allard — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:07:30 -0000

there are more of these departments out there than you will ever know or see on youtube

Re: Video: Worst Fire Department in the United States?

Rick11756@yahoo.com — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:15:17 -0000

Ok, the review of the film showed many problems, but also
showed that certain question must be asked.

1 – to solve the problem, one must ask what is the Grant’s
Pass Rural Fire Department budget, and its balance sheet.

2- The department is a corporation, it has a board of
directors, these basic questions then becomes – does it have the money to fix
the problems. If not then its time to close up shop, turn over the contract to
the two other departments.

3- If there is money, then the first item becomes a training
issue, in doing so you will setup a command structure, and an incident command
system. The company will need to hire a person who will be willing to be the
fire chief, the training officer, and the record officer. The corporate will
have to be able to fill in for all of the budget related items. The person
hired will not have the time. To fill in at that spot

You will have to use existing employees first, in the
training, each employee will be reevaluated. Those that do not meet basic NFPA
standard will be replaced.

4- The corporate board will also have to purchase new
equipment, this does not mean brand new, but decent used equipment, everything
from new fire trucks, to personal protection. In the film, I did not see one
SCBA in use.

5- Most important, a safety policy must be implemented, this
will be started with the necessary training needed.

This is just some of the basics, everything here comes down
to a money issue, if the corporation has no money to invest in this fire
department, again then close it down, give everything over to the volunteer
fire department. They will have to meet the NFPA standards to VFD’s. From what
I can see in the film, the paid department is not meeting any type of NFPA
standard.

Re: Video: Worst Fire Department in the United States?

Retired — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:34:05 -0000

Alabama passed a Minimum Standards law back in the 70's. All FD's both paid and volunteer must have training by Certified Instructors. Maybe Oregon needs to look into that. It will save injuries, deaths and property.