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San Antonio Fire Captain Gets 60 Days Suspension Over Reckless Fire Response

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Fire Chief Charles Hood of the San Antonio Fire Department suspended three firefighters for traveling at an unsafe speed and not buckling up while racing to a fire on the Northwest Side last year. Firefighter Robert Arranaga, 30, was trapped and hospitalized with a broken neck and remains on medical leave. The crash destroyed Ladder 35 priced at $600,000. (more…)

SHOT OF THE DAY: Ontario Firefighters Brave Cold To Extinguish Snow Plow Fire

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[fblike]KAWARTHA LAKES, ONTARIO, CANADA (Jan. 19, 2011) – Little Britain division firefighter Kevin Cunningham works to put out a fire that razed a City of Kawartha Lakes plough on Little Britain Rd. about 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011. The driver was not hurt. Photo courtesy Jason Edward Scott Bain. Send us your shots to pics@sidecharlie.com

Mayday Audio Of Baltimore County Firefighter Tragic LODD In Fire 1/19/2011

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Firefighter Mark Falkenhan, 43, was killed last night after becoming trapped and calling a mayday during an apartmentment fire where he suffered massive burns. He leaves behind his wife and 2 children. He was a member of the Lutherville Volunteer Fire Company. Radio traffic audio available after the jump (more…)

VIDEO: The Firefighter Quick Dress Drill, How Fast Are You?

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We got caught up in watching YouTube videos (yeah, we were bored) of firefighters doing the Quick Dress Drill. Basically, it’s putting on your protective gear CORRECTLY, no skin showing and breathing air from the SCBA. There are many videos of these races, but this video impressed us the most. This guy did it in :43 seconds. We like the techniques used to achieve that time. Check it out … (more…)

VIDEOS: The BEST and WORST Methods Firefighters Talk Safety To School Kids

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These videos were posted over the weekend by regular, everyday citizens and their Android phones. It shows two COMPLETELY different methods of delivery the safety message to kids at school. The beauty of these videos is that they show what is really going on out there, get new ideas and change the way we do business. The ugly part of the videos is that you just got posted on SideCharlie.com! Watch the vids after the jump … (more…)

Brotherhood Instructors Quick Video: Forcible Entry Using The Rex Tool

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[fblike]Our friends over at Brotherhood Instructors posted a new, very quick :44 second video demonstrating how to properly use the Rex Tool as a method of ‘through the lock’ forcible entry. Their YouTube channel (BrotherhoodInstrctrs) should be subscribed to due to the excellent quality of their videos. What’s so great about the vids? They get directly to the point in under 60 seconds without a lot of BS! Watch this video after the jump to see what we mean … (more…)

Dallas Fire-Rescue’s Website Has A Funny Way Of Promoting Respiratory Safety

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[fblike]For the record, we LIKE Dallas Fire Department. This is not meant to take a cheap shot at them whatsoever. That said, we were searching around fire department websites on another article project and came across the front page for the DFD. The main photo on the front page shows a firefighter standing in the window with no hood or respiratory protection. Reading the smoke tells us there is active fire. Why?? (more…)

NY TIMES: FDNY Firefighter Roy Chelsen Recalled As A Leader On 9/11

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[fblike]This past Sunday, FF Roy W. Chelsen of FDNY Engine Company 28 died as a result of multiple myeloma, a cancer that many link to his incredible work on 9/11. He is also the first firefighter to die after the signing of the 9/11 Health Law. Today in the New York Times is an incredible article we recommend to all, from rookie to vet,  to read and discuss. It talks of a man when faced against a worst-case scenario stood up and made decisions that saved many on that fateful day. FF Roy Chelsen is a firefighter’s firefighter. (more…)

Amateur Video Of Attic Fire, Rochester NY

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[fblike]Overnight amateur video posted on YouTube by guyz65 (Guy Zampatori) shows a vented attic fire in an old 2 story house. Looks like they also have about 6-8″ of snow to deal with. The weather forecast for last night stated light snow with overnight lows of 10F degrees and factoring humidity and wind it would feel like 3F degrees. Throw in some snow and wet gear … well, you know. Watch the video after the jump … (more…)

Firefighters Rescue Oklahoma Boy, Tongue Frozen To Pole

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[fblike]Yep, it happens. FOX affiliate in Austin is reporting this morning that an Oklahoma boy is recovering today after his tongue became frozen to a metal pole. Firefighters responded early yesterday morning to find the 8 year old boy on his tippy toes stuck to the pole. (more…)

New Device Lets You Turn Your Cellphone Into A Satellite Communicator!

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[fblike]Another gadget from CES that may be of interest to those in the emergency services is the inexpensive SPOT Communicator. The little device connects via Bluetooth to your smartphone and allows you to call for help, update Facebook and Twitter, send global satellite messages and transmit your coordinates from anywhere. (more…)

Athlete Registration Now Open For 2011 World Police & Fire Games In New York

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[fblike]After several delays, athlete registration for the 2011 World Police & Fire Games is now open. The Games will be hosted by both FDNY and the NYPD with opening ceremonies scheduled for August 26, 2011. Game venues will be in various locations through the city boroughs. (more…)

Feds Forcing Guam Fire Department To Use Scout Units As Front Line Apparatus

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[fblike]KUAM News is reporting this morning that the Guam Fire Department may lose a precious $1.2 million dollar grant awarded 2 YEARS AGO from the Interior Department for new fire apparatus. The United States GSA and the Attorney General’s Office appear to be dragging it’s feet keeping the process from going through. This delay may cause the grant to expire thus leaving the GFD in a very dangerous position. (more…)

2010 Firefighter Deaths A Record Low

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[fblike]2010 saw the fewest on-duty firefighter deaths according to the United States Fire Administraton (USFA) since 1977 when data was initially collected. The initial report shows a total of 85 deaths with 15 of those classified as Hometown Heroes. (more…)

Tom Horne Invents ‘Jake Knife’ Tool

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[fblike]Tom Horne of Spokane Washington just posted his demo YouTube video of the new Jake Knife firefighter tool. Before we talk about the knife we must comment on the video. Tom is definitely your average Joe. This guy couldn’t be more personable. As a matter of fact, Tom is downright humorous in his own little way without even trying. He makes me want to buy his knife just because I trust the guy. (more…)