RescueKujo

Last weekend I did the 5 hour drive to the Phoenix suburb of Glendale for their Fire Prevention Week Parade. This was their 29th annual, and seemed a little smaller than in past years. I still got some good shots, which I'll share here. I got there a little late, so I didn't get my normal shots of the rigs as they lined up prior. Enjoy!!

Photo #1-Glendale FD E154-E-One

Photo #2-Glendale FD E156-E-One

Photo #3-Glendale FD E158-E-One

Photo #4-Glendale FD Ladder Tender 155-Crimson-This is used like a ladder service rig. Used on medical aids and other type calls rather than the ladder/truck going out to save wear and tear on the truck.

I like how much attention something bad gets.... However a picture of a few guys in correct PPE working and MVA or a Fully involved structure hardly gets this much attention...

That is because there usually isn't an investigation every time something goes "right"....As was said in the initial post, this was for educational/training purposes. That means disecting everything "incorrect" and unsafe in whatever media is supplied, in this case photos. Attention is what incorrect acts should get, as hopefully it will cause someone to be safer on the fireground, and they won't become a statistic and we aren't posting our condolences to their family and friends.

It's not about making someone or a department look bad. It's about keeping your Brothers and Sisters in Public Safety alive...

And the apparatus operator....he has to operate under the direction of the Chief, or face insubordination charges.

With that logic, if the Chief tells you to jump out of a fully extended aerial, would you? Because if you didn't you would be insubordinate?

It comes down to common sense. "Do this!" "Sorry Chief, that is dangerous, I will not take part in such an activity."

If someone were charged with insubordination for saying that, and punitive action was taken, they would have one helluva lawsuit on their hands. I think OSHA/PESH would also have a field day!

I believe the wording in any military or paramilitary organization is "lawful" order...if you know the order is unlawful you're covered in refusing the order...but you better be real sure of yourself...

During the 2003 Cedar Fire 12 people lost their lives in an area called Muth Valley blew through about 3 a.m. As the fire had started about 9 the night before and the Santa Ana winds hit about 12:30 a.m., there was no warning. After that incident San Diego County came up with their reverse 9-1-1 and social media notifications...those worked well during the 2007 firestorms.

Out here in beautiful California, where its 100 degrees with 90 percent humidity (I thought I left this weather when I left the Air Force) "conservation crews" are run by the Dept of Corrections under Cal Fire...they are normally cutting line around areas where the fire has burned through or far ahead of the fire. This is the "containment" line. As Seth stated these prisoners are nonviolent and the slightest slip they are yanked from the crew.

Seth is also correct about wildland firefighting. The crews out here are certified each year with both classroom and practical training. The "red card" came about after numerous firefighter fatalities in the late 80s/early 90s. Cal Fire and the USFS are very anal about this. During the 2007 firestorms, strike teams from Nevada that didn't have them were sent back to a staging area from the base camp.

Watched some video today from Texas. Fire is moving like it did here in the 2003 firestorm. Good luck to the brothers and sisters in Texas.

Great photos, Pete. I had a trip planned down that way (in fact I would have been in El Paso tonight on my way to San Antonio), but my finances got screwed up so no go....maybe next year...

ARC is extremely well regarded on their efficiency as a charity. http://www.charitywatch.org/ is an oft cited resource on the national evening news programs discussing avoiding fraudulent charities and they gave ARC an A-. According to their filings with the Federal government ARC spends about 90% of their money on their programs and somewhere around 5% on administration. Yes their CEO is pulling in 7 figures, but she's running a nearly $4 Billion corporation. After 9/11 when they were tagged for trying to use 9/11 funds for their general fund and her compensation came to light it was less than her peers at a similar sized corporations.

I hope it has gotten better since 2003...During the Southern California Firestorms in 2003, the San Diego Chapter and others in Southern California were begging for donations. About a year later, a television news investigative team found that all monetary donations made during the firestorm, unless specifically marked for "firestorm victims' or something else with "firestorm" in it went to the Chapter's general fund, and did not go to help victims of the disaster. If I remember right, another chapter the next year was found to be doing the same thing with hurricane or tornado disaster donations....

Thoughts and prayers to my fellow members on the East Coast. I know what you're about to go through, as in 1985 while in the Air Force I was stationed at Eglin AFB on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Hurricane Elena bounced around the Gulf of Mexico all Labor Day weekend, and finally made landfall near Biloxi, Mississippi with sustained winds of 115 mph. I managed a Red Cross evacuation center in the panhandle of Florida near the Alabama state line. I can still remember the howl of the wind and the slashing sideways rain.

Stay safe and take care of your families.

Duane

Date: 08/21/2011

Time: 1730 PDT

Location: 1100 block of Prince Ave

Departments: El Cajon FD, San Miguel FPD, Santee FD, El Cajon PD, California Highway Patrol, San Diego Sheriff's Department, Mutual Aid LE Agencies

Description: Report of a domestic dispute, ECPD officers responded and were greeted by gunfire. 1 Officer hit in the neck. It is reported he also has shot his girlfriend and daughter. The suspect also set the residence on fire. As of this writing overhaul in progress and victims are being found. Officer is reported in stable condition.

Links: KNSD NBC Link

Writer: RescueKujo

Jimmy, it is always a pleasure to run around LA LA Land with you. Anytime buddy....

This weekend, the United States Military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Community will gather at the schoolhouse at Eglin AFB, Florida to mourn the Technicians that were killed during EOD operations in 2010 and place their names into prosperity on the EOD Memorial. Unfortunately I will not be attending this year, but want to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The EOD motto is “Initial Success or Total Failure”, but to those of us who earned the Crab at the school we declare, “We Remember”…

US Army

SSgt Shane Barnard KIA May 2010

Specialist Wade Slack KIA May 2010

SSgt Matthew West KIA August 2010

SSgt Derek Farley KIA August 2010

Captain Jason McMahon KIA September 2010

US Marine Corps

SSgt Adam Perkins KIA May 2010

GySgt Christopher Eastman KIA July 2010

MSgt Daniel Fedder KIA August 2010

GySgt Floyd Holley KIA August 2010

SSgt Joshua Cullins KIA October 2010

SSgt Jordan Emrick KIA November 2010

Sgt Jason Smith KIA November 2010

GySgt Justin Schmalstieg KIA December 2010

US Air Force

SrA Michael Buras KIA September 2010

SrA Daniel Johnson KIA October 2010

Guys and Girls,

on Friday, April 22nd there is a fundraiser for Bryan at Finnerty's bar at 221 2nd Ave....here's the announcement from the www.support4bryanstow.com website

Finnerty's is proud to announce it's fundraiser for Bryan Stow! It will be held on Friday, April 22 from 7-10pm. SF Giants vs Atlanta Braves game to follow at 10:15.

***OPEN BAR for 3 hours for just $40 with ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of the proceeds going to the Bryan Stow Fund. We will also have a raffle with awesome prizes.***

All proceeds from this event will go towards the Bryan Stow Fund which is only for Bryan's medical bills, his rehabilitation, and his children.

Message Kristi with any questions regarding the event or donation information. www.facebook.com/kristi.macpherson1. I grew up in Santa Cruz with the Stow family and your support means a lot to everyone involved.

PLEASE show your support by reposting and getting the word out!! If you aren't in New York please help us spread the word to those who are!! Let's make it an incredible night for a great cause!

Finnerty's Fundraiser announcement

A new website created by Bryan's family with updates and a list of fundraisers:

Bryan's Family's Website

SAN FRANCISCO -- A San Francisco Giants fan was still in a medically induced coma Sunday after being beaten up outside Dodger Stadium days before, inspiring his friends and family to come together online to raise funds for him.

A new Facebook page was started Saturday for 42-year-old Bryan Stow, a Santa Clara County paramedic with two children, to raise money for his medical bills.

KTVU Story

Guys...tsunami warning for Point Concepcion (Santa Barbara area) north...advisory only south from their to the Mexican border. Waves expected around 7 feet around San Francisco, with waves here in Southern California supposed to be less than 3 feet.

As we are the BLS Coordinating Agency for San Diego County, we went on alert about 12:30 am when County OEM came up on the county radio for a roll call.

Watching a LA tv station right now, as the wave is supposed to start hitting the coast up there in about 20 minutes...

You mean New York is not like California in that ANY cancer is considered "job related" for a firefighter, as you cannot prove or disprove which exposure caused the cancer?

and last, when we got to the main station, LVFD's 1964 Seagrave Aniversary Midmount Aerial was out back...

Las Vegas FD Rescues and Battalion Buggys

Photo Number 1-LVFD Rescue 201-2007 International/Medtec

Photo Number 2-LVFD Rescue 43-2004 International/Medtec

Photo Number 3-LVFD Battalion 1-2010 Chevrolet Suburban

Las Vegas FD Specialized Units...

Photo Number 1-LVFD Emergency Command Center-2004 Pierce Lance

Photo Number 2-LVFD Heavy Rescue 44-2008 Pierce Quantum

Photo Number 3-LVFD Haz Mat 3-2001 Pierce Quantum

Photo Number 4-LVFD Air Resource Unit 10-2002 Pierce Saber

Las Vegas FD Trucks...

Photo Number 1-LVFD Truck 3-2001 Pierce Quantum 100' Tractor Drawn Aerial

Photo Number 2-LVFD Truck 1-2001 Pierce Quantum 100' Tower Platform

Photo Number 3-LVFD Truck 48-2001 Pierce Quantum 100' Tractor Drawn Aerial

Got lucky with the Las Vegas Fire Department. We had stopped at a couple of LVFD's stations, then proceeded to the main station. While there, one of their civilian employees in the medical office was retiring. AS every unit with the LVFD is ALS, they were rotating units in to say goodbye....JACKPOT for us photographers....since every rig of each type is almost identical, I'll only post a few....those of you who are into Code 3 Collectibles may recognize the first photo...

Photo Number 1-2000 Pierce Quantum/Snozzle 1500/750/25/25

Photo Number 2-2000 Pierce Quantum 1500/500/25/25

Photo Number 3-2008 Pierce Quantum 1500/750/25/25

A couple of Rescues...depending on the department in the Las Vegas Valley, these only transport when the ETA of the contracted provider is too long or a Firefighter..

Photo NUmber 1-NLVFD Rescue 53-2008 International/Medtec

Photo Number 2-NLVFD Rescue 50-20 International/North Star

More North Las Vegas FD Apparatus...

Photo Number 1-NLVFD T52 2007 Pierce Quantum 1500/500/100' Tower Aerial

Photo Number 2-NLVFD Reserve Truck 52 1994 Smeal 1500/200 75' Aerial

Photo NUmber 3-NLVFD Technical Rescue 52 2006 GMS/Reunel

Guys, I'm sorry I've taken so long to post these. I'm working on a backlog of photos right now. These are from a trip I took to Las Vegas with a group of friends from all over the country in November of last year...

North Las Vegas FD is switching their paint scheme as they order new rigs. So I'll post a few of each...

Photo Number 1-NLVFD Engine 51 2008 Pierce Quantum 1500/750

Photo Number 2-NLVFD Engine 53 2004 Pierce Quantum 1500/750

Photo Number 3-NLVFD Air Resource 53 2007 Pierce Saber

It's the old wild west along the border. Here in San Diego County, interdiction efforts are such that the smugglers, both human and drugs, have taken to trying to enter our country via the Pacific Ocean. A couple of people were caught using submersible sleds last month as they came up on the beach. Gang members come up from Tijuana and kidnap business owners who live here in the States and ask ridiculous ransoms, thinking because they own a business they must be millionaires...late last year a 14 year old was arrested for being a cartel hit man down there...like I said it's like Tombstone or Dodge City in the old west...