January 17-23, 2015
Some significant incidents in the U.S. fire service this week, including a huge fire that ravaged an Edgewater (NJ) apartment complex and a mansion fire in Maryland that resulted in multiple deaths. In Southern California, a young mother died a day after a condo fire that killed her son.
In terms of fire service history, we remember this week the death of Lutherville (MD) Firefighter Mark Falkenhan (see John Shafer, “Close the Door!”) as well as the devastating Black Sunday fire in New York City (see Lance Peeples, “Never Forget Them or Their Lessons”).
Below you’ll find some of the major news headlines for the fire service this week. More can be found at http://emberly.fireengineering.com/latest-news.html.
Six Taiwan Firefighters Killed in Bowling Alley Collapse
Six Taiwanese firefighters were killed early Tuesday when a burning roof collapsed on them in a bowling alley.
KS Firefighter Dies After Air Management Training
Firefighter Ronnie W. Peek of the Garden City (KS) Fire Department fell ill while participating in training.
Report: Radio Trouble for Firefighters at D.C. Metro Incident
Firefighters responding to an electrical malfunction on the Washington subway system had difficulty communicating by radio. Some had to use cellphones instead, according to a preliminary report released by the city Saturday.
Report Issued on VA Medic’s Death
The Alexandria (VA) Fire Department (AFD) recently released a report on the death of Medic II Joshua Weissman, who died of injuries sustained in a fall from a bridge railing during a response in February 2012.
Nine Injured in CA Condo Fire
A fire tore through a second-story condominium where there were no working smoke alarms Tuesday, forcing a woman to lower her children out of a window before jumping out herself.
Crews Battle Huge Fire at NJ Apartments
A spectacular fire lit up the evening sky as fire tore through a block-long four-story luxury housing complex in Edgewater. Read a report and see photos from Ron Jeffers. More Photos and Videos
Two Firefighters Fired in CA Ethics Probe
Two state firefighters were fired Wednesday and another has resigned after an ethics investigation that stemmed from the killing of a battalion chief’s girlfriend.
PA Fire Goes to 7 Alarms; Multiple Rescues, Collapses
Firefighters responded early Friday to a massive fire in the borough of Homestead, Pennsylvania.
Hackers Hit Indy 911 Center
A recent news report indicates that, in December of last year, computer hackers attacked the Indianapolis 911 center that dispatches firefighters, police, and EMS.
Three Siblings Die in OH Trailer Fire
A fire caused by a dropped kerosene heater swept through a rural trailer home on Thursday, killing three young siblings, whose mother fell out a window trying to save them and couldn’t get back in, a sheriff said
Report Urges LAFD Hiring Overhaul
A new study calls for the hiring process of firefighters at the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) needing another overhaul, reports The Los Angeles Times.
