April 2009 Blog Posts (166)

Explosion on August 28, 2008 in Institue WV - CSB Report

The following message is from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, Washington DC

In Preliminary Findings, CSB Investigators Report Bayer CropScience Explosion Was Caused by Runaway Chemical Reaction; Cite Significant Lapses in Process Safety, Outdated Operating Procedures

Institute, West Virginia, April 23, 2009 - A large explosion and fire that took the lives of two workers at the Bayer CropScience (Bayer) plant last August was caused by a thermal runaway reaction during the… Continue

Added by Texas HazMat on April 23, 2009 at 12:30pm — No Comments

Hazmat crews responding to a mysterious white powder @ the TDBanknorth processing center in Lewiston

LEWISTON - A HazMat team has determined that the mysterious white power found in an envelope at a TD Banknorth processing center early Thursday morning is not a dangerous protein-based poison, such as anthrax. The powder, which was tested on-scene twice, will be sent to a lab in Augusta for further testing to positively identify what it is. Safety officials expect to learn the results within 24 to 48 hours.

Added by Texas HazMat on April 23, 2009 at 12:28pm — No Comments

Unable to find NIOSH Report

Brothers and Sisters,
Can anybody help me out? I went to the NIOSH site looking for this report and could not find it. Is it indeed there and I just missed it?

Thanks,
Captain Roger Kacmarcik

Added by Roger Kacmarcik on April 23, 2009 at 12:18pm — 3 Comments

Please help a North Carolina Fire Department WIN a NEW Fire Truck.. Please Vote by 24 April at 1 PM

H ey everybody, In a world of passing around a pile of chain letters and such, I am asking everyone who gets this to send it on to every group and friend they have to try and help out a fellow North Carolina Fire Department for me. It takes about 3 minutes of your busy time to read their story, click the VOTE link, and then click the link in your email to confirm the vote.

I am lucky enough to belong to a decently financed department, but I know how hard it is for some departments to… Continue

Added by Wolfy Lang on April 22, 2009 at 10:19pm — No Comments

At my home away from home LOL.

I am now at Starbucks just relaxing with my chi tea and playing on the computer for a while. Had to go to the doctors for a checkup and thought I would just keep the day off and try to relax. So far so good. I really like reading a lot on here and thinking of my sons as firemen. Thank you all for being who you are. I have met some nice people on this site. Thanks for getting this website started.

Added by Sharon J on April 22, 2009 at 1:08pm — 1 Comment

Atencion Firefighter Chilenos!!!

Ya tenemos un Rincon Internacional Ven y unete y mostremos al mundo quienes somos!!!
Haz Click Aca

Added by wampa on April 22, 2009 at 12:00am — 1 Comment

bringing turnouts on a plane??

So i am moving to another state for work and and flying out in a few days and i have my own personal set of turnouts that I want to bring with me. Would i be able to check the gear with the rest of my luggage ? I have heard that the TSA runs all bags through different sensors and chemical testing and i know my turnouts have been exposed to all sorts of smoke and other chemicals while in fires and im afraid they will set off the sensors and i will have a problem with bringing the bag with me.… Continue

Added by andrew on April 21, 2009 at 10:55pm — 8 Comments

Just me....

Wow I have not done a blog in a while. I am home now and trying to relax before bed but I am wired. I think I might have a new job. I will find out tomorrow. I am just going to go for now. I am just rambling on, lol, typical blonde.

Added by Sharon J on April 21, 2009 at 10:36pm — No Comments

FIGHT 4 KOKOMO FIREFIGHTERS

I am asking everyone in Kokomo and the surrounding communties to take a stand for the firefighters of Kokomo. The city of Kokomo and Mayor Goodnight are going to be firing quite a few firefighters very shortly. He has already decided that the city fire department will no longer be making medical responses. This may sound like a good idea to some, however, the Kokomo Fire Department makes over 2,700 medical calls per year. Those runs bring in over $400,000 per year to the city. He thinks that by… Continue

Added by William on April 21, 2009 at 10:30pm — No Comments

Putting generic Strategic Priorities to work

From my All Hazards Contemplations blog:

One of the things I do with my all-too-rare spare time is that I read. My favorite genre is science fiction and sci-fi fantasy, because it often fuels my imagination. A lot of yesterday's science fiction ends up being tomorrow's science fact, too.

I recently finished a book regarding an unusual twist on a fairly standard… Continue

Added by Ben Waller on April 21, 2009 at 10:01pm — 1 Comment

Post Webcast Q&A - Preventing and Responding to SCBA Emergencies

Webcast Q&A

On Tuesday, April 14, FireRescue magazine and FirefighterNation.com held a Webcast, “Preventing and Responding to SCBA Emergencies,” presented by Battalion Chief Matt Tobia of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department and sponsored by Dräger.

The presentation generated a lively discussion, and we were unable to answer all of the questions… Continue

Added by Firefighter Nation WebChief on April 21, 2009 at 5:30pm — No Comments

New Cell Phone

Earlier about a week ago my wife and I got new cell phones and a new carrier, compared to cricket these are great, I at least have coverage now where I didn't before, I also have e-mail text and even a mobile tv LOL with the dept discount it is the same as I was paying for Cricket.

Added by John on April 21, 2009 at 12:48pm — 1 Comment

IN THEIR HONOR

The recent release of the NIOSH Investigation Report #F2007-28 detailing the deaths of a Captain Matt Burton and Engineer Scott Desmond of the Contra Costa County (CA) Fire Protection District is unquestionably a wake-up call for us all. The loss of two experienced firefighters in a structure encompassing less than 1000 square feet is proof that no incident, regardless of size, cannot be taken lightly.

In honor of… Continue

Added by Timothy Sendelbach on April 21, 2009 at 8:00am — 11 Comments

Now It's Your Turn.

From: www.tigerschmittendorf.com

Last fall I wrote about doing the right thing by getting involved in an organization of firefighters known as Hancock Hope, formed for the sole purpose of helping other firefighters and fire departments in need.

I talked about the struggles of a very rural volunteer fire department in Oneida, Kentucky and of the goodwill of the… Continue

Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on April 21, 2009 at 7:54am — 27 Comments

Working It Out: San Francisco’s response to the revised IAFF fitness protocol

Amid the cling-clang of trolley cars, the barking of sea lions on Pier 39 and the eclectic hustle of big-city life sits the 42 firehouses charged with the task of protecting the city by the bay—the city of San Francisco (cue Tony Bennett). The San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD), like the city itself, boasts a long, rich history. Founded in 1866, the department has seen and survived its share of massive fires, earthquakes and other natural disasters, medical emergencies, etc.

But… Continue

Added by Cindy Devone-Pacheco, FireRescue on April 20, 2009 at 6:12pm — 4 Comments

Psych Transport

Well I’ve had this damn sinus infection for three weeks now and I was downtown and thought I’d go to the hospital but I couldn’t hardly stand up and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to get out of the car at the hospital so I drove home and came back up the ramp and I was just sitting here and all of a sudden I couldn’t hold my head up (dog barks) SHUT THE F**K UP! (dog stops) so right I should give him any more cigarettes? F**k him. He smokes his and mine too and I have to buy him more and he… Continue

Added by Kimberly Robinson on April 20, 2009 at 9:30am — 5 Comments

Democrat? Republican? American!!!

Brothers and Sisters, It seems everywhere I turn these days; someone is complaining about the government, the president, and the country. I understand that these are very hard times and that after losing a job, a house, a car... people have a right to be upset. However; If you will let me, I would like to remind you just how blessed we are to live in America.

Most of you woke up this morning and got ready for work, a job that you have a choice to go to. You will wake up your children… Continue

Added by Dustin J. Millis on April 20, 2009 at 5:28am — 11 Comments

Not Getting any younger but still getting better.

Only 2 days till I leave for FDIC I acn't wait, Actually I am getting excited about all of the upcoming events that I am involved in. FDIC, Start teaching a new FFI transion class the 28th, Fire Fighter Safety and Survival week, Ohio weekend at Emmitsburg. All this just in the nick of time, I am definatly ready for a rejuvenation.

Added by David Schnitker on April 19, 2009 at 6:16pm — No Comments

Fire Service Participates In FAHUM 2009 Exercise

The annual regional disaster relief exercise known as ‘Fuersas Aliadas Humanitarias’ (FAHUM) was held on Friday across the 16 Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) member states.

More than 10 agencies were in attendance at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) located at the offices of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) in Warrens, St. Michael.

This year’s exercise allowed the participants to test the… Continue

Added by Glyne Alleyne on April 19, 2009 at 5:20pm — No Comments

Fire Service Mourns The Loss Of Duncan Walcott

Members of the Barbados Fire Service joined family and friends in a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Duncan Chesterfield Walcott BSM (retired Station Officer) at the St. John Parish Church on Tuesday.

It was with great sadness that the firefighting fraternity learned of the death of Mr. Walcott. Duncan Walcott served in the Fire Service for 34 years and retired on October 1, 1999 at the age of 57.

He enlisted in the Barbados… Continue

Added by Glyne Alleyne on April 19, 2009 at 5:18pm — 1 Comment