1st Responder Southeast October Edition

The Southeast Edition PUBLISHING SINCE 1993

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CITY OF BRADENTON RESCUES CAT FROM BURNING HOUSE

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OCTOBER, 2019

eLEND joins Heroes Mortgage Program to offer down payment assistance for heroes SEE PAGE 22 FOR DETAILS.

CIRONE PHOTOS

Bradenton, FL - The City of Bradenton Fire Department was dispatched to a house fire on 16th Street West mid day Friday, September 21st. On arrival crews found heavy smoke pushing from the eaves, and a fire in the kitchen which extended into the attic. No one was home at the time of the incident.

- See full story on page 16

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October, 2019

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

ALABAMA

PATCH OF THE MONTH If you have photos you would like to see in our “Patch of the Month” feature please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

RICKY PHILLIPS

FD and EMS personnel work to free the driver from a single-vehicle wreck on Brashier's Chapel Rd., 8/21/19.

Car Versus Tree with Entrapment in Marshall County EUGENE WEBER JR.

This patch belongs to Haleburg Fire Department, located in Henry County, AL.

Arab, AL - Emergency responders from 4C-VFD, Georgia Mountain VFD, Union Grove VFD and Marshall Health Systems EMS worked an early morning wreck with entrapment on Brashier's Chapel Road near Alabama Highway 69 in Scant City on Wednesday, August 21st.

The single vehicle involved left

JUMP TO FILE #082119106 the roadway and struck a tree. The lone driver was extricated by fire department personnel while EMS provided patient care on the scene.

The driver was transported to nearby Marshall Medical Center

North's helicopter pad where they met AirEVAC 32 who flew the driver to Huntsville Hospital.

The wreck is being investigated by State Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

- RICKY PHILLIPS

The driver was transported to MMCN Helicopter Pad for air transport by AirEVAC 32.

RICKY PHILLIPS

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

October, 2019

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1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

October, 2019

TENNESSEE

ADVERTISER INDEX

A guide to finding great companies

Company

Armor Tuff Flooring

Page 23

Backstop USA

29

Done Right Fire

9

Firehouse Mortgage Inc.

13

Kimtek

11

Kochek

27

Marion Body

15

Municipal Equipment

32

NAFECO

5

Raymond James

19

Ribcraft

19

Rock Star Training

30

Sutphen

31

Team Equipment, Inc. Waterous

3 17

MFRD DJ CORCORAN

Sleeping Residents Escape House Fire in Knoxville

Knoxville, TN - At 2:38 P.M. on September 2nd, units from the Knoxville FD responded to 300 Hartford Rd. in south Knoxville for the report of a house fire. When firefighters arrived they found three occupants, two dogs and two snakes safely outside the burning structure. The tenants reported to firefighters that they were taking a nap when they woke to fire in their bedroom. A brief attempt to smother the fire with blankets proved unsuccessful before calling 911. Quick action by arriving firefighters prevented the fire from burning more than the room of origin, but smoke damage throughout the house was evident. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is being investigated.

STILL IN SERVICE If you have photos you would like to see in our “Still in Service” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com

CORPORATE INFORMATION

1st Responder News (ISSN 1525-1683) - Vol. 20 No. 10 - South East edition is published monthly, 12 times a year for $36 per year by Belsito Communications, Inc., 1 Ardmore St., New Windsor, NY 12553. Periodicals Postage Paid at Newburgh, NY and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to 1st Responder News, 1 Ardmore St., New Windsor, NY 12553. No financial responsibility is assumed by this newspaper to publish a display, classified, or legal ad or for typographical errors except of reprinting that part of the ad which was omitted or in error. Omissions or errors must be brought to the attention of the newspaper during the same month of publication. Printed in Canada.

MFRD

Family Pet Dies in Murfreesboro House Fire

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CHUCK LOWE

Rescue 2 in Nashville is back in their 2001 Emergency One. This truck was in the spare fleet, but since it was more reliable than the newer apparatus it was returned to front line service. The city has ordered a new heavy rescue.

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Murfreesboro, TN - Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department crews responded to a house fire at 1537 Lews Court just after 1:30 A.M. Thursday morning, August 15th. According to Battalion Chief Joe Bell, firefighters from Stations 9, 10 and 1, along with Rescue 2 responded and arrived to find smoke and flames coming from the home. The father was at work at the time of the fire, and a mother and two children made it out safely. The Red Cross arrived to assist the displaced family. Unfortunately, a family pet died in the fire. The Fire Marshal’s Office arrived to conduct a routine investigation, but according to Chief Bell, the fire looks to have started near the attached garage. The home suffered extensive damage.

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

October, 2019

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October, 2019

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In memory of those who gave all

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

1st Responder Newspaper honors and remembers emergency responders lost in the line of duty

New Mexico: Jeff Stroble, 46 Rank: Driver/Operator Incident Date: June 5, 2019 Death Date: July 21, 2019 Fire Department: City of Roswell Fire Department Initial Summary: On June 5, 2019, the City of Roswell Fire Department was preparing for the community July 4th fireworks show. Driver/Operator Stroble was assisting with this preparation when an explosion occurred, injuring him. Stroble was immediately taken to the hospital but passed away on July 21, 2019, from the injuries he sustained in the explosion.

California: Yaroslav Katkov, 29 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: July 28, 2019 Death Date: July 28, 2019 Fire Department: CAL FIRE, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Initial Summary: On Sunday, July 28, 2019, Firefighter Katkov was on a training hike with his crew in San Diego County. During the hike, he suffered a medical emergency and was immediately flown to Temecula Valley Hospital in Riverside County where he passed away on Monday, July 29, 2019.

Florida: James E. Sommers, 40 Rank: Fire Chief/Public Safety Director Incident Date: August 6, 2019 Death Date: August 6, 2019 Fire Department: Suwannee Fire Rescue Initial Summary: On the evening of August 6, 2019, Fire Chief/Public Safety Director James E. Sommers was returning home on his motorcycle from a Suwannee County Commission Meeting when he was struck by a vehicle. Sommers was immediately transported to the Lake City Medical Center where he died from the injuries he sustained in the accident.

Michigan: Norman Edward Klenow, 78 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: August 10, 2019 Death Date: August 10, 2019 Fire Department: East Tawas Fire Department

Initial Summary: On Saturday, August 10, 2019, Firefighter Norman Edward Klenow responded to a motor vehicle accident. While providing traffic control at the scene, he complained of not feeling well and was assisted into the apparatus. After returning to the fire station, he went home, when at approximately 1946hrs, was found in cardiac arrest. He was immediately transported to the hospital where he passed away.

Pennsylvania: Walter Wagaman, 46 Rank: Assistant Chief Incident Date: August 2, 2019 Death Date: August 14, 2019 Fire Department: Buchanan Valley Volunteer Fire Department Initial Summary: On Friday, August 2, 2019, Assistant Chief Walter Wagaman was responding to an emergency as a passenger in an apparatus when he was ejected from it. Wagaman was treated by emergency personnel at the scene and was immediately flown to the York Trauma Center where, on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, he passed away from the injuries he sustained from the accident.

New York: Brian J. Sullivan, 54 Rank: Lieutenant Incident Date: August 9, 2019 Death Date: August 10, 2019 Fire Department: Fire Department of New York (FDNY) Squad 41 Initial Summary: On Friday, August 9, 2019, Lieutenant Brian J. Sullivan worked a 24-hour shift in which he responded to seven emergency calls. During his shift, Sullivan complained to others of having pain and discomfort but continued to respond to calls. When he returned home after his tour of duty, he suffered a heart attack and was immediately transported to the Orange County Regional Medical Center where he passed away in the early morning of Saturday, August 10, 2019.

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

October, 2019

TENNESSEE

Thomas Sweatt: Inside the mind of DC’s Most Notorious Arsonist ON THE BOOK SHELF

by John Malecky

Thomas Sweatt: Inside the Mind of DC’s Most Notorious Arsonist

By Jonathan Riffe Available from: FSP Books & Videos 188 Central Street, #4 Hudson, MA 01749-1330 1-800-522-8528 E-mail: support@fire-policeems.com www.fire-police-ems.com (Also available wherever books are sold.)

Price: $19.95

This is a hard cover book measuring 5 ½ inches by 8 inches with 173 pages. It is a different kind of read in one respect; it's told in the words of the arsonist himself! In other words, in “first person.”

The background is that between 1980 and 2005, this serial arsonist terrorized neighborhoods throughout Washington DC and its metropolitan area. His arrest came in 2005 after having set hundreds of fires, some deadly.

Though many tried to contact this man in prison, none were successful except for our author. He has a long list of credentials, in-

cluding being an officer in a career fire department and a chief in a volunteer one. He talked and wrote to this arsonist for three years, although he never visited with him.

To read what this criminal wrote and how detailed his mind was to recall all of the incidents is mind boggling!

In my many past years in the fire service, and even before becoming a firefighter, I read and studied a number of arson books which involved investigation and case histories. These were some of the most interesting books I’ve ever read during my career. One reason is certain…it was to become a detective while also being a firefighter! The cases could not have been made up, they were so far out.

To the average reader the mind of this arsonist is unbelievable, especially by what prompted him and sparked his interest to set fires.

To one in the psychological profession, the content of these letters would probably be routine. There are color photos of the man and some of the burnouts, as well as a map of locations linked to his fires. The text of his letters ends at page 97 with the rest of the book comprised of the list of admitted fires, the court transcript of the guilty plea and the court transcript of the sentencing.

This is a book you will not soon forget reading, and one that will continually cause you to shake your head when recalling the stories!

D ID YOU K NOW

PAGE 7

DJ CORCORAN

Fast-Moving Blaze Destroys Vacant House in Knoxville Knoxvile, TN - Just after 6:00 A.M. on August 4th, units from the Knoxville Fire Department were dispatched to 823 Greshem Road for the report of a house fully involved in flames.

When firefighters arrived they found a vacant house with no

JUMP TO FILE #080519119 power meter connected. Crews quickly surrounded the house with attack lines and began cooling the flames and protecting exposures

next door from the radiant heat.

No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

- DJ CORCORAN

Vehicle News

?

The first-ever 911 call in the United States happened on February 16, 1968, in Haleyville, Alabama. It wasn’t until 1999 that Congress directed the FCC to make 911 the universal emergency number for the United States for all telephone services.

CHUCK LOWE

Nashville Truck 9 operates a 2018 KME Severe Service 101-foot tractor-drawn aerial. Assigned to "The Bottoms", this is the newest of the two tillered units in the city. Unlike the older KME assigned to Truck 19, this apparatus is painted a more traditional "all red".

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October, 2019

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

GEORGIA

PROVIDED

AMR Hosts Event to Reunite Local Cardiac Arrest Survivor and His Rescuers

Troup County, GA - On August 8th, Mike Pilgrim was reunited with Paramedic Tim Willey and AEMT Retosha McKenzie, who on June 25th were able to provide CPR and defibrillation to Mike after he was electrocuted while helping his friend cut down a tree. Pictured (L to R): Mike Pilgrim, AEMT Retosha McKenzie and Tim Willey (far right).

BUDDY SHOT If you have photos you would like to see in our Buddy Shot feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com

SHANE SHIFFLETT

Robins AFB, GA - Logistics/Fire Inspector Kevin Harper (left) presents Captain Corey Lamberts with a new helmet front.

BCES

Family Dog Rescued from Bethlehem House Fire Bethlehem, GA - On August 18th, firefighters with Barrow County Emergency Services (BCES) used equipment and training normally dedicated to saving human victims to rescue a family’s beloved dog.

BCES communications officers were alerted to the report of a residential fire around 4:20 P.M. The first arriving fire units reported heavy smoke coming from the rear of the home, with the occupants of the residence attempting to reenter the home. They told firefighters that everyone was out of the house, but there was still a dog in the upstairs bedroom.

Crews instructed the family to not go back in, and began an attack on the basement fire. At the same time, another crew entered the residence and made their way upstairs to bedrooms directly over the fire. Firefighters reported heavy smoke in the residence and said the smoke was nearly to the floor, making visibility near zero.

Using a thermal imaging camera, the crew was able to “see” through the smoke to scan the rooms to search for the dog. The furry four-legged family member was soon found hiding under a bed. The dog was quickly removed and reunited with her fam-

JUMP TO FILE #081919115 ily. Thanks to quick actions by firefighters, the dog had not inhaled too much smoke and was unharmed.

While the majority of the structure was saved, the basement and back side of the home received moderate fire and water damage.

Other parts of the home had some smoke damage, but exhaust fans were set up to help evacuate much of the smoke.

“Our crews continually train to rescue victims. The search techniques and tools used to rescue the dog could have just as easily been used to rescue a child hiding under a bed. The little dog was a small target to locate in very bad visibility. The successful outcome reiterates that our continuous training and state-of-the art equipment prepares us to provide citizens with top-notch protection,” said Public Information Officer Steve Rose.

Fire investigators determined that the fire was accidently started by the improper extinguishment of smoking materials.

- STEVE ROSE

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

October, 2019

PAGE 9

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www.donerightfiregearrepair.com

PAGE 10

October, 2019

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

Slow Cooker Season is Here…

GEORGIA

FORK & HOSE CO. a Food Blog by A.J. Fusco

GPSTC

Georgia Fire Academy Hosts First Fire Service Occupational Cancer Regional Seminar in the Nation The Georgia Fire Academy, located on the campus of the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC), hosted the first Fire Service Occupational Cancer Regional Seminar in the Nation for 120 members of Georgia’s fire service community on Thursday, August 22nd.

Coordinated by the First Responder Center for Excellence, the seminar was a one-day event consisting of a very impressive line-up of national speakers. Worldwide, cancer is the number one health concern in the firefighting profession today and the most important problem facing firefighters. Georgia firefighters took a proactive position to reduce the number of cancer diagnoses through a cultural change in Georgia’s fire service.

Georgia Fire Academy Director, Ike McConnell stated, "Having lost a best friend in the fire service to cancer, I not only felt obligated, I felt it was my duty to honor my friend and all firefighters who have lost their life to cancer, to get this awareness and vital education to Georgia's firefighters."

National studies continue to reveal that firefighters are at a much greater risk of occupational cancers than the general population. This increased risk is from the regular carcinogen exposure firefighters face, yet worker’s compensation will rarely cover the claims. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health determined that firefighter overall cancer mortality was 14% higher than the general population with significant increases in specific cancers. In addition, firefighters are being diagnosed at younger ages, of approximately 24 years younger than

JUMP TO FILE #090619132 the national average.

Firefighters dying from occupational-related cancers now account for 65% of line-of-duty deaths from 2002-2018, according to the International Association of Firefighters. The seminar focused on the scientific studies that have been performed, how they were performed and the importance of the continued research. However, a greater emphasis was placed on educating the attendees on best practices to implement to reduce exposure.

"As the state’s premier training facility, for all state and local public safety, we must not forget that a vital part of training these men and women is educating them to ensure their state of readiness and ultimately to take care of themselves, so they may protect and serve others," stated Chris Wigginton, Executive Director of the Georgia Public Safety Training Center.

The First Responder Center of Excellence coordinates the activities of the Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance, a collaborative effort among all fire service constituencies to educate personnel about cancer prevention, to provide resources for those who have been diagnosed with an occupational cancer, and to support research to address the disease.

Among the Alliance and present for the event was representatives from the Firefighter Cancer Awareness Network.

- GPSTC

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Time to brush the dust off the ol’ slow cooker! It’s a shame that they get “type casted” as the perfect cool weather kitchen tool, but in all reality that's exactly what they are. Some may even scoff at the notion of using one because it basically does all the hard work for you. But why? In every other aspect of our life we look to technology to make our lives a little easier. Yet when it comes to cooking, some look at slow cookers as “cheating”. I call B.S.! We live in a crazy, hectic society which demands a lot of our time. This is

also true in the fire service where we are called upon to respond to many types of emergencies, building inspections, training, etc. So with busier shifts, cooking can sometimes be put on the back burner, pun intended. Why shouldn’t we use a tool that will help us put something homemade and delicious on the table for our crew?

The answer is simple; we should be!

Slow cookers, a.k.a Crock Pots, should be in every firehouse kitchen. But before you go ahead and tell me the only thing they are good for is chili, let me explain.

The technique called braising involves cooking an ingredient, usually meat, submerged about halfway in a liquid. It's almost always used on tougher, fattier cuts of meat as they need time to break down. The connective tissue, fat and collagen all need time to ren-

der into a delicious, moist, tender piece of meat. Braising is traditionally done in a dutch oven or other heavy bottomed pot. Good news!! A slow cooker can help you achieve the same results!!

This recipe for Beef Cacciatore with Quinoa is the perfect example of using a slow cooker for something other than chili. By browning the beef in a pan first, we are able to brown the outside, creating more flavor. If time is truly of the essence you can skip this step. Cacciatore is traditionally made with chicken or rabbit, but the flavors and acidity of tomatoes cut through the fattiness of the beef perfectly. And to make this dish a little healthier we are serving it with quinoa, an ancient grain that is full of protein, fiber, vitamins and is also gluten-free.

And remember, chili isn’t the only thing a slow cooker is good for!

SLOW COOKER BEEF - QUINOA TACO BOWL Serves 4

Ingredients:

For the Beef: 2.5 lb. Beef Chuck Roast 32 oz. Can Crushed Tomatoes ½ Onion, chopped 2 Whole Garlic Cloves 1 Tbs. Dried Oregano Salt, to taste Fresh Cracked Black Pepper, to taste EVOO For the Bowl: 1 Cup Dry Quinoa, cooked according to package 1 Ear of Corn, cooked/kernels cut off (substitute with sauteed frozen corn) 1 Avocado, sliced ¼ Onion, chopped 2 Tomatoes, chopped Cilantro Refried Beans: Recipe to follow 1 - 15 oz. Can Pinto Beans, drained ¼ Onion, chopped fine 1 Garlic Clove, chopped EVOO Salt, to taste Procedure:

-Season the beef on all sides with plenty of salt and black pepper.

-Heat up a pan over medium heat, add a few glugs of EVOO. When the oil simmers, pat dry the beef and carefully add to the pan.

Brown on all sides, set aside in slow cooker.

-Lower heat to low. Add the

onions, sauté until translucent. Add garlic and oregano and sauté until the garlic starts to brown. Add the tomato sauce, deglaze the browned bits with a wooden spoon. Add the tomato mixture to the slow cooker with the beef.

-Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours. Remove the beef to a plate to cool slightly and then shred, set aside.

-Arrange all the toppings so that everyone can make their own taco bowl.

Refried Beans:

-In a medium skillet over medium heat, add enough

AJ FUSCO

olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan. When the oil is simmering, add the onion and cook until translucent.

Add the garlic and cook until they just start to brown.

-Carefully add the drained beans, stir to combine. Add a little bit of water to loosen the mixture up. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently. When the beans start to soften, about 3-5 minutes, smash about ½ of the beans using the back of a fork.

-If needed, add more water to get the consistency you are looking for. Taste and adjust seasoning.

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

Life Happens or is There a Plan...

Chaplain's Corner Didymus McHugh

Much of society goes through life and they think that life happens to them. Is it that way, or is there rhyme and reason behind things?

I have said it many times that if you want to make God laugh, tell Him the plans that you have for your life.

Life happens as we are making plans for our lives. Many times, we may be young and full of ambition and know that we want to take the world by storm.

God chuckles. Do you really think that people were growing up as children and said that they wanted to be drug addicts? No, I cannot imagine anyone who thought "Hey, when I grow up, I want to put a needle in my arm and almost die." Harsh reality.

We start out where we plan that when we finish high school, we may plan to be an engineer, computer programmer, stock broker, firefighter, law enforcement officer, or what have you. But then reality happens. You get brought down a road that you may never have expected. A relative may have died. You may have received an interesting medical diagnosis. Your finances may not be what you have expected.

So, you need to take different paths in life.

Jeremiah 29:11 states "For I know the plans I have for you,� declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah was a prophet who was around about 600 years before Christ and he wrote about his life and his struggles.

But I digress, we have things that hit us in the face and we cannot make sense of it. We may never connect all the dots, but we just need to have patience and we will see why things in our lives happen. You may not like where you are now and the things that are happening to you, but I want you to get a journal and write it down. When you go back to the journals years from now, your troubles may not seem so big because over the years, you have learned to conquer the challenges.

You may see that there was an event in your life that has prepared you for work that God has set for you.

I have a good friend who per-

formed with top recording artists, and even performed at Carnegie Hall. He has a substance abuse challenge. He had to fight this. It did not disappear overnight. Now the individual performs all around the country and has helped countless people get into rehab, and brought so many people to Christ.

Do you think that the individual would have even been able to dream about the work that they are doing now? No, the individual thought that they were going to spend their life behind bars.

How many bad calls have you seen? How many nights were you up because a call kept replaying in your head? How many fights did you get into with family members because they could not understand what you were going through, or your pain? But later in life you decide to help other people so they do not have to be alone.

God has a way of taking things that were made for evil and turns it into good, for His purpose. We may not be able to even conceive what good can come out of what we consider a disaster in our life, like a child dying so young. Maybe the parent becomes an advocate for children, or helps parents with their situations.

So many of us become heroes because of what we have gone through. Many of us do not even consider ourselves as heroes.

What can you do with the pain that you have dealt with, or that you are dealing with? There are many places in the Bible that tells us that we are supposed to be looking out for the orphans and widows. Many people who do God's work, and are willing to serve as the hands of God, could never have seen that coming. But God saw it coming. From before you were even conceived by your mother, God had a plan for your life.

Just be willing to trust God with your life. It may not be something that you are ready for yet, but just review your life. You will see that God has been at work in your life. You may not be able to see it now, but later you may.

He has a special plan for your life because you are very special to Him. You may not have spoken to God in years. You may have turned your back on Him, or do not even think that He exists. That's okay, God is patient and He believes in you. He is here for you. He will never leave nor forsake you.

Take comfort. God has a plan for your life, even if you do not see it.

Stay safe, Didymus McHugh didymus-mchugh.com

October, 2019

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October, 2019

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

GEORGIA

PATCH OF THE MONTH If you have photos you would like to see in our “Patch of the Month” feature please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

DENISE MARTIN

SMFD and Winn Dixie Host Back to School Bonanza PROVIDED BY LISA SLAUGHENHAUPT

This patch belongs to the Troup County Fire Department.

IN SERVICE If you have photos you would like to see in our In Service feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

City of Atlanta Truck 16

St. Marys, GA - On Saturday, July 27th, St. Marys Fire Department and Winn Dixie hosted a Back to School Bonanza at the Winn Dixie location in St. Marys!

Children and students received school supplies, fire JUMP TO FILE# hats and coloring 080619112 books, and they also had the opportunity to have their faces painted. Winn Dixie provided hot dogs and hamburgers.

At approximately 4:00 P.M., firefighters ignited a special-built mobile 'room' which was staged with furniture and strategically planned to burn. This demonstration showed how quickly a room and a house can catch on fire, causing great harm and damage. FF DeMario Williams explained the process from beginning to end as the crowd gathered and watched with fascination.

FF Williams reiterated several important aspects of being fire safe, including staying low when exiting a burning building, prearranging a safe family meeting location outside the structure and 'stop, drop and roll' if clothing is on fire.

SMFD would like to thank Winn Dixie and Dunkin Donuts for supporting this event. Also, a huge THANK YOU to the on duty 'A' shift staff, many off duty firefighters, volunteers and Camden County Fire Rescue.

- CISSY KELLEY

DENISE MARTIN

SHANE SHIFFLETT

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1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

October, 2019

PAGE 13

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October, 2019

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

GEORGIA

Sprinkler Training Aid in Henry County Built by FD Personnel Henry County, GA - The Henry County Fire Department Training Division conducted the final days of training and evaluations for the FAO Mod 2 class in August. FAO Mod 2 completion is one step closer for candidates to become certified as a relief driver. In the near future, in order to drive an apparatus for the department, personnel will have to be credentialed as a HCFD relief driver.

The Henry County Relief Driver Program lays the groundwork for future Fire Apparatus Operator (FAO) positions within the department. This ensures that the operators are trained to the highest standards in the fire service industry.

During the final evaluations, future fire apparatus operators

Get your personal copy of

JUMP TO FILE #081419102 were able to use a new sprinkler system training aid that simulates apparatus pumping water into a residential or commercial sprinkler system. Each time a sprinkler head activates or flows water into a fire room, the necessary pump pressures of an apparatus change. The operator should recognize this change when it occurs and adjust the pump pressures accordingly.

The sprinkler training aid will provide much needed real world scenarios for our crews.

A special thank you goes out to Geoff Meyer and Vincent Foscaldi of Viking Supply Net for the technical support and advice in the construction of the simulator. The training aid was constructed by Lt. James Dame, Lt. Brandt Harvil and Quatermaster Ken Waiting, off duty fire department personnel who used their construction skills and talents for the betterment of the department.

- MICHAEL HUNNICUTT

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October, 2019

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

FLORIDA

CIRONE PHOTOS

City of Bradenton Rescues Cat from Burning House Bradenton, FL - The City of Bradenton Fire Department was dispatched to a house fire on 16th Street West mid day Friday, September 21st. On arrival crews found heavy smoke pushing from the eaves, and a fire in the kitchen which extended into the attic. No one was home at the time of the incident. Firefighters rescued the homeowners' cat which was later returned to its family.

The American Red Cross was called in to assist the residents.

BUDDY SHOTS If you have photos you would like to see in our “Buddy Shots� feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

OCALA FIRE RESCUE

Ocala Fire Rescue Responds to Vehicle Versus Tanker Ocala, FL - On August 11th, Ocala Fire Rescue responded to a vehicle collision with possible entrapment and a fuel leak in the 3500 block of W Silver Springs Blvd.

Crews were dispatched to a vehicle versus tanker call at 11:41 A.M. Tower 1, Engine 4, Rescue 4, Battalion Chief 22 and a Safety Officer arrived to find a black Ford F150 pickup truck lodged beneath a fuel tanker.

Without a fuel leak to report, nor patients in need of extrication, firefighters secured the scene while

Pasco County, FL - Actor John Cena recently stopped by Station 38 in Wesley Chapel to perform a satellite media tour with television stations across the nation. The media tour previews his new movie "Playing With Fire", which is set to debut in November. Thank you to Paramount Films for choosing Pasco County Fire Rescue as their backdrop to promote the new movie! Check out the film's trailer here: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9134216/ PASCO COUNTY FIRE RESCUE

JUMP TO FILE #081219109 medics assessed the state of potential patients. Neither driver had injuries to report and no one was transported.

Crews remained on scene until a class D wrecker arrived to lift the fuel tanker off of the pickup truck to clear the roadway.

The Ocala Police Department also responded.

- OCALA FIRE RESCUE

Serving g those who seerve us.

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1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

October, 2019

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October, 2019

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

HE HE ER ERO ROES RO OES ES

FLORIDA

INK INK

1st Responder Newspape er features EMERGENCY SERVICES RELA ATED TATTOOS

BSFR TRT uses 'High Point' to perform extraction from the cargo ship.

MARCEL ULETT, BSFR

BSFR Rescues Man from Cargo Ship in Port Everglades

"My name is Brian Walters and I run with the FDNY. I’ve been on the job 15+ years. I’ve been fighting the red dragon since day 1 and will never stop. I’m currently a captain in the 3rd division. I have my lieutenant's helmet from the eye of the storm Engine 280, located in Brooklyn, featured in the tattoo. The clock indicates my dedication to helping the community and fighting fires 24/7."

Ft. Lauderdale, FL - It was just before 12:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 18th when the tones sounded at Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Station 6 in Port Everglades, summoning the response of the on-duty Port Everglades Fire Station personnel and the department's Technical Rescue Team.

The Impala, a 350-foot cargo vessel docked at berth 15 at 1851 SE 28th St. in Port Everglades, called to report a medical emergency. A worker, believed to be 25years-old, had apparently passed out due to heat exposure while working inside the belly of the ship loading concrete.

Rescuers arrived quickly to begin treating the man with oxygen

JUMP TO FILE #082219111 and intravenous fluids; but there was a problem. The man was 50feet down in the hold of the cargo ship and too weak to walk. That's when the Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Technical Rescue Team quickly devised a plan to remove the man.

Using their ladder truck as a high-point, they were able to secure the man into a portable (Stokes) stretcher and lift him out of the ship's hold, bringing him to safety dockside where paramedics continued to treat him. This scenario is precisely the type of emer-

gency our Technical Rescue Team prepares for.

While the outside temperatures may creep into the 90’s, the temperature inside a steel container such as the hold of a cargo ship can soar, easily reaching temperatures well over 100-degrees. These conditions make it very easy to fall victim to a medical emergency such as dehydration. The rapid treatment and removal of such victims is essential for life safety.

The man was transported to Broward Health Ft. Lauderdale in fair condition and was expected to fully recover from his medical emergency.

- MICHAEL KANE

STILL IN SERVICE

If you have photos you would like to see in our “Still in Service” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com

Would you like your emergency services related tattoo featured here? Contact Lindsey at

Lindsey@1strespondernews.com

Visit us on the web! www.1rbn.com

CHUCK LOWE

St. Lucie County Tender 11 operates with a beastly 1989 Oshcosh that was originally a US Air Force aircraft refueling truck. Its fuel hauling capacity was 6000-gallons. In its second life with SLCFD, it carries 4600-gallons of water with a 500-GPM pump.

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

FLORIDA

PATCH OF THE MONTH If you have photos you would like to see in our “Patch of the Month” feature please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

This patch belongs to Howard Creek Vol. Fire Department, located in Gulf County, FL.

JOHN COOK, FIRE CHIEF

October, 2019

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October, 2019

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

FLORIDA

DEPARTMENT PROFILE

If your department has photos you would like to see in our “Departmnt Profile” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com

Madeira Beach is a residential community that boasts a 2-mile stretch of beach. Located on a barrier island, this city has a total area of 3.3-square-miles, but just 1.0-square-mile of it is land. The population here is roughly 4500 people. Station 25 provides fire and rescue service to the city with one engine and one quint. They are a full time ISO Class 2 department that also covers the small towns of Redington Beach, North Redington Beach and Redington Shores. Neighboring Pinellas County departments aid, as needed, under a mutual aid agreement. Sunstar EMS responds with MBFR and is responsible for transporting.

Crews load a Trauma Alert patient into VCSO Air1.

CHUCK LOWE

The Mad Beach FD mascot greets visitors at the entrance to Station 25.

CHUCK LOWE

Truck 25 - 2017 Rosenbauer Commander R-611 1500-GPM with a 78' aerial. It holds 480-gallons of water with 20-gallons of foam.

CHUCK LOWE

Engine 25 - 2004 Pierce Enforcer 1500-GPM rear-mounted pump.

It carries 500-gallons of water with 30-gallons of foam.

MARK C DALTON

Head-On Collision Closes Major Deltona Roadway Deltona, FL - Wednesday, August 21st was an exceptionally busy day for Deltona Fire Rescue crews as they responded to three separate motor vehicle accidents on Howland Boulevard, a main roadway through the JUMP TO FILE# city. The worst of 082419102 the accidents was a head-on collision between a passenger vehicle and an SUV traveling in opposite directions on the 45 M.P.H. road.

Deltona Fire Rescue Engine 61, Engine 64, Battalion 61, Training 61 and Medic 61 were joined by units from Orange City Fire Department, Volusia County Fire Rescue, Volusia County EMS and the Volusia County Sheriff’s Department helicopter, Air1.

Crews endured high temperatures as they extricated the drivers from each vehicle; extrication of both patients was completed in less than 20 minutes. The driver of the passenger vehicle was declared a Trauma Alert by on-scene crews and was flown to the regional trauma center by VCSO Sheriff’s helicopter Air1. The second driver was upgraded to a Trauma Alert by Deltona Fire Rescue’s Medic 61 crew and was transported by ground to the trauma facility.

Another accident, which occurred shortly before the head-on collision, involved two passenger vehicles and a semi tractor-trailer.

Three BLS patients were trans-

ported from this incident, which snarled traffic but did not require extrication. The third incident was a minor accident with no injuries and minor hazards.

Special thanks to Mark C. Dalton of DeLand, Florida for providing pictures of this incident.

- HEATHER LANGSTON

Passenger vehicle from the head-on collision.

MARK C DALTON

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

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October, 2019

FLORIDA

VEHICLE NEWS St. Petersburg Fire has put their “new” high water/brush truck into service. It will be housed at Station 7 and called Brush 7.

The vehicle was bought from the state and fully refurbished to meet their needs, and it has the capability to move 15-20 people and access flooded areas within the city. It’s a 1995 Stewart & Stevenson Standard Cargo truck LMTV, 4x4, fully automatic transmission.

Hazmat Utility 5 was delivered to Station 5. This new utility truck was built on a Ford F-550

Brush 7

chassis with the body and center console custom built by EOne in Ocala. Hazmat Utility will respond to the majority of Hazmat incidents within St. Petersburg. This truck will be able to rapidly respond to incidents throughout St. Petersburg and neighboring areas.

Station 4 welcomed their new Heavy Rescue. The Heavy Rescue will support the Technical Rescue Team, and is able to respond to any technical rescue call within Pinellas County, FL.

ST. PETERSBURG FIRE RESCUE

POLK COUNTY FIRE RESCUE

Polk County Fire Rescue Receives CAAS Accreditation Bartow, FL - Polk County Fire Rescue recently received notification of its three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS).

CAAS accreditation assures the Polk County residents and visitors that the services PCFR provides have met the Commission's high standards for quality patient care and that PCFR stands ready to care for their families if needed. In addition, the Polk County Board of County Commissioners and county’s medical community can be confident that the services provided by PCFR have been submitted to careful scrutiny by an independent review process and has met all applicable best practices and

JUMP TO FILE #090419112 highest industry standards.

“This accomplishment is a direct and clear indicator of our division's collective professionalism, ability, and commitment to the community,” said Polk County Fire Rescue Fire Chief Robert Weech.

“Receiving this accreditation is an outstanding achievement for PCFR, and I consider it to be a team victory. Our entire staff should be proud to be a part of this inaugural team that has met the CAAS’s high standards. I want to thank all of them for making this possible and express to the public that we will continue to meet and exceed our

community’s expectation on a daily basis.”

The CAAS accreditation is designed to help EMS agencies increase their organizational performance and efficiency, increase clinical quality and decrease risk and liability. The standards that CAAS requires define the “Gold Standard” for the medical transportation industry and is of a higher caliber than is typically required for state and local licensing. Currently, there are more than 180 CAAS-accredited agencies in 39 U.S. states, Canada and the West Indies, with more than 200 agencies working on new applications.

- POLK COUNTY FIRE RESCUE

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? If you have photos you would like to see in our Where are they Now? feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

HazMat Utility 5

ST. PETERSBURG FIRE RESCUE

CHUCK LOWE

Heavy Rescue 4

ST. PETERSBURG FIRE RESCUE

This 2002 Pierce Quantum 75' Quint served in Lake County for just four years. It was acquired in 2006 by the West Barnstable Fire District (Cape Cod, Massachusetts) where it continues to serve as Ladder 297.

PAGE 22

October, 2019

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

eLEND joins Heroes Mortgage Program to offer down payment assistance for heroes

For many Americans, funding the down payment necessary to realize a dream of home ownership simply is not possible; and squirreling away the dollars to do so on a limited budget could mean several years of renting and waiting to buy a house. In some cases, first responders and other community service employees have trouble affording homes in the areas where they work.

With a purchase as big as buying a home, a little help can go a long way.

The Advantage Program, introduced to the Heroes Mortgage platform by eLEND, helps hometown heroes like police officers, volunteer and paid firefighters, EMS workers, medical professionals and educators purchase a home within the community where they work, even in high-cost areas. The unique down payment assistance program was specifically designed for those who make a difference in other people’s lives, as well as first time home buyers.

“The Heroes Mortgage platform helps connect members of the emergency services community with lenders that are specifically interested in working with them,” said Joseph P. Belsito, publisher of 1st Responder Newspaper.

“The Advantage Program created by eLEND is exactly what makes the Heroes Mortgage Pro-

“We’re excited to introduce our Advantage Program to the Heroes Mortgage platform. It’s our way of trying to help hometown heroes advance their dreams of home ownership.”

- BILL PACKER Executive Vice President eLEND

gram a valuable resource for heroes in our community looking for home financing.”

Grant provides help to homebuyers Many buyers wait patiently on the sidelines, saving money and watching interest rates rise. Unlike many other home buying assistance programs, eLEND’s Advantage Program provides a grant for the down pay-

ment. These resources can immediately build a borrower’s buying power, helping them act on a purchase more quickly for either that first home, or a move-up home as the family has grown and needs more space.

Qualified buyers can receive grants up to 2% of the purchase price, minimizing the

down payment dollars needed at closing.

The grant is “forgivable” so it doesn’t have to be paid back, and there are no resale or borrower repayment restrictions. In the state of Wisconsin, appraisal cost (up to $700) is credited back at closing. This program is not yet available in Hawaii or Washington.

To qualify, a borrower need only meet one of the following very flexible requirements: a current, retired, volunteer or professional first responder (police officer, firefighter, paramedic, emergency medical technician, etc.), educator, medical personnel, civil servant or military personnel, or a first-time homebuyer or meet certain income requirements.

“We’re excited to introduce our Advantage Program to the Heroes Mortgage platform,” said Bill Packer, executive vice president of eLEND, a division of American Financial Resources, Inc. “It’s our way of trying to help hometown heroes advance their dreams of home ownership.”

For more information or to check your eligibility for The Advantage Program, visit www.heroesmortgage.com/AdvantageProgram or call 877-541-HERO.

For more information or to check your eligibility for The Advantage Program, visit www.heroesmortgage.com/AdvantageProgram or call 877-541-HERO.

PAGE 23

October, 2019

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FLORIDA

VOLUSIA COUNTY FIRE RESCUE

Touch-A-Truck in New Smyrna Beach Draws Hundreds of Visitors

New Smyrna Beach, FL - The first annual Touch-A-Truck event held in August in New Smyrna Beach welcomed hundreds of guests who visited with various vendors while having the opportunity to see a variety of trucks up close. First responders and construction companies participated, discussing the purpose and components of the vehicles. Volusia County Fire Rescue brought a crew and the hazardous materials apparatus, HazMat 15, to the occasion. Pictured are Firefighters David Dalzell and Michael Sypian speaking with the attendees.

BSFR rescues Pit Bull mix.

BSFR/COURTESY

BSFR Rescues Dog with Jaw Caught in Cage Weston, FL - Sometimes animals can get themselves into the most peculiar of situations. That’s what happened just after noon on August 9th when Dahlia, a 4-yearold pit bull mix, got her jaw caught in the rails of her kennel.

So when Dahlia’s owner contacted Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue to help unstick the stuck pup, the company of Engine 55 from the City of Weston sprang into action.

With a pair of wire cutters, the

JUMP TO FILE #081219124 firefighters very carefully removed the aluminum rails which were uncomfortably pinning Dahlia’s teeth to the base of her kennel, preventing her from moving.

Moments later, Dahlia was freed and happily reunited, unhurt, with her thankful owners who immediately embraced the canine,

giving this story a traditional happy ending.

Pets are often considered an extension of our families, and our love and commitment to them is unwavering. This rings truest when our furry friends are sick or injured. As firefighters, we have the unique opportunity to make a positive impact in ones life every single day, even if that someone is of the four-legged variety.

- MICHAEL KANE

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October, 2019

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

October, 2019

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October, 2019

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FLORIDA

COMMAND VEHICLES If your department has photos you would like to see in our Command Vehicles feature please upload them on our website www.1RBN.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com

Integrity 13 class graduation.

POLK COUNTY FIRE RESCUE

Polk County Fire Rescue’s “Integrity 13” Continues to Impress Bartow, FL - The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians’ paramedic exam is by no means an easy hill to climb for aspiring paramedics. In fact, in the State of Florida it bolsters only a 57% percent pass rate for first attempts in 2018. That is the second lowest first attempt pass rate in the country, according to the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. For Polk County Fire Rescue’s 13 integrity scholarship graduates these stats meant nothing, as all passed the national registry exam on their first attempt.

“I am extremely proud of the 13 Polk County Fire Rescue professionals that recently passed their National Paramedic Exam on their first attempt,” said Polk County Fire Rescue Interim Fire Chief Robert Weech. “The results shows their commitment to their profession and the citizens of Polk County. I challenged each and every one of them to achieve at a high level and they obviously accepted and performed as expected. I look forward to great things from this group as they progress through their careers.”

With the falling state and national average of certified paramedics in the field and their rising demand, Polk County Fire Rescue decided to counter its effect on the county and refill the ranks of its rescue units. PCFR, in conjunction with Polk State College’s Center for Public Safety, designed an accelerated eight-and-a-half-month paramedic program. The individuals that were accepted into the inaugural class would receive a $1,600 monthly stipend; Polk County Fire Rescue will also cover the complete cost of schooling, books and other required materials.

To put the recipient’s tasks into perspective, a paramedic’s training requires more than 1,000 curriculum hours in the classroom per national standards, plus an additional intern-

JUMP TO FILE #081419121 ship and field training. A normal EMT to Paramedic program can run in the area of 12 months, depending on its part-time or full-time status.

“The dedication and commitment of Polk State College School of Public Safety and its staff to this accelerated program played a major role in the success of the 13 Integrity Scholarship recipients. They provided them with a solid foundation and understanding of the required material and techniques,” continued Weech.

After graduation from the program, the class would then be required to pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians’ paramedic exam. This Cognitive exam is administered via a computer adaptive test (CAT). It covers the entire spectrum of EMS care including Airway, Respiration & Ventilation; Cardiology & Resuscitation; Trauma; Medical; Obstetrics/Gynecology; EMS Operations.

“I believe these employees were faced with a monumental task of successfully completing an accelerated paramedic program in eight months,” said Polk County Fire Rescue’s Deputy Chief of Medical Services Raf Vittone. “The idea that all employees passed the challenging National Registry exam on their first attempt is a testament to the student’s dedication and Polk State College’s EMS program.”

With a 100-percent pass rate on their national registry exam, the 13 recipients of Polk County Fire Rescue and Polk State College’s Integrity Scholarship are currently in the field and have chipped away at the national and state paramedic deficit.

- POLK COUNTY FIRE RESCUE

Hallandale Beach Battalion 7 uses this 2008 Ford F-350 as a Command Vehicle.

Bob Long

CHUCK LOWE

DRILLS/TRAINING

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

FLORIDA

To see your Drills in the newspaper upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com

Deltona, FL - Deltona Fire-Rescue Medic 61 and Tower 61 crews recently spent an afternoon performing Rapid Intervention Team training and downed firefighter drills in a unique training environment; two modified shipping containers owned by the department.

The containers are outfitted with a maze, a wall breeching prop, and an entanglement hazard, all built by Deltona firefighters.

The shipping containers, which are secured on the city of Deltona property, provide a readily-accessible training ground that can be used over and over again.

Lt. Joshua Sievert and FF Bobby Rodriguez led newer department members through several drills that simulated breaching walls, focused on proper search techniques, and self-rescue from entanglement hazards. Crews got hands-on experience utilizing RIT bags and learning how to perform hot bottle changes, buddybreathing, and SCBA mask changes in a hazardous environment.

Crew members practiced searching for and rescuing an unresponsive firefighter from a hot zone. Another drill focused on responding to a MAYDAY situation with a disoriented firefighter. Lt. Sievert and FF Rodriguez guided participants through self-rescue techniques, vital communications during a MAYDAY event, and reinforced the use of the L.U.N.A.R. acronym, a tool used to help firefighters remember key information needed by rescue crews.

This company-level training helped get newer members of the department familiar with emergency procedures, essential communications, and the tools necessary to perform a firefighter rescue or a self-rescue during an emergency on the fire ground.

Many thanks to Lt. Joshua Sievert and FF Bobby Rodriguez for providing information and pictures of this training.

- HEATHER LANGSTON

FF Rodriguez outside the DFR training prop.

DELTONA FIRE RESCUE

Wall breaching evolution.

DELTONA FIRE RESCUE

October, 2019

PAGE 27

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FLORIDA

PAT KUEHN, VOLUSIA COUNTY COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Promotion of Battalion Chiefs: Matthew Smitherman, Steven Huber and Jeremy Smith.

MICHAEL KANE, BATTLAION CHIEF/PIO

The ravaged remnants of the mobile home fire sits idle while firefighters continue to mop up.

BSFR and HWFR Crews Battle House Fire in Dania Beach

PAT KUEHN, VOLUSIA COUNTY COMMUNITY INFORMATION

EMT of the year, Lt. Lesley Crandall, and Paramedic of the year, FF Charles Matt.

Volusia County Fire Rescue Honors Members

Dania Beach, FL - Just after 6:00 P.M. on September 4th, Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue received a call for a residential structure fire in Dania Beach at 2921 SW 58th Street.

When firefighters arrived they were met with heavy flames which had already fully engulfed one mobile home, with two adjacent structures being threatened. Firefighters from Hollywood Fire Rescue as-

JUMP TO FILE #090619117 sisted Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue assets, and through an aggressive fire attack, were able to save the two adjacent structures which were moments away from suffering the same fate as the building of origin.

In all, approximately 30 firefighters were brought to the scene.

One elderly woman was transported to Memorial Regional Hospital for smoke inhalation and was expected to be okay. One family living next door was displaced due to smoke damage. The Red Cross was called in to provide assistance.

The cause of the fire is unknown and will be investigated by the Florida State Fire Marshal.

- MICHAEL KANE

IN SERVICE If you have photos you would like to see in our In Service feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

DeLand, FL - Volusia County Fire Rescue recently held a recognition ceremony to honor those members who have received promotions, awards and are newly retired. The event was held in the courtroom of the Historic Courthouse in DeLand, and attended by staff and families.

RECYCLE 1st Responder Newspaper

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Martin County Fire Rescue operates this 2015 E-One Typhoon 1500/450/50/75' Quint.

FRANK ROBINSON

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

PAgE 29

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FLORIDA

VEHICLE NEWS

CIRONE PHOTOS

Busy Week in Southern Manatee Fire District Bradenton, FL - The week of August 13th was a busy one in Southern Manatee Fire District, with multiple structure fires, MVAs, and houses struck by lightning. This fire was originally reported to have entrapment, but on arrival crews found everyone safely outside of the house. The fire smoked out 26th Ave. as crews made their way to the seat of the fire.

Cedar Hammock Fire District and the City of Bradenton, along with Manatee County EMS assisted. Right after this fire, crews responded to an MVA with entrapment.

PASCO COUNTY FIRE RESCUE

Pasco County Fire Rescue recently took delivery of a brand-new 100’ platform-type ladder truck at its Fire Station 30 on Massachusetts Rd. in New Port Richey. The new truck, which has been in the works for the past two years, finally became a reality when it was officially placed into service following a dedication ceremony on July 2nd. The truck is part of a specialized crew that responds to all structure fires and performs focused tasks such as forcible entry, elevated master stream application, vertical ventilation and elevated rescue, among others. The truck differs slightly from other ladder trucks in the county in that its ladder is 22-feet taller and is equipped with a platform bucket at the tip that allows multiple firefighters to be working at height. The new truck was built by E-One, Inc. in Ocala, FL.

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THEN & NOW If your Department has photos you would like to see in our “Then & Now” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com

Coral Springs Ladder 80 operated with a Pierce Arrow XT 75' Aerial Quint from 2006 to 2016. After 10 years of service the department upgraded to a 107' Quint on a Pierce Impel Chassis. Both of these rigs carry 500-gallons of water and are rated to pump at 1500-GPM.

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

Southeast

Kochek's New Basement Strainer Draws to Lowest Levels Time-saving attachment collects nearly all standing water in flooded rooms

Former L80: 2006 Pierce Arrow XT

CHUCK LOWE

July 5, 2019 – Putnam, CT Kochek Company, LLC has introduced a new strainer that efficiently collects virtually all standing water from flooded basements and rooms, saving operators time and expediting property salvage. This latest product from Kochek, Putnambased manufacturers of quality fire equipment and water movement products, is made of high-strength lightweight aluminum alloy and features a unique screen specifically designed to hold nearly flat against any floor. When placed at low spots near a sump or over a drain, Kochek's basement strainer draws water down to levels so low, simple air drying or light mopping can re-

move any remaining liquid.

Kochek's new basement strainers are available with camlock, longhandle swivel female NH threaded, and storz connections in 2.5", 3", and 4" hose sizes. All Kochek products are covered by a five-year warranty against manufacturing defects.

About Kochek Headquartered in Putnam, CT, Kochek Company, LLC was founded in 1988. A technologically advanced manufacturing company, Kochek is a leading producer of water movement products for fire, water works, and irrigation markets

throughout North America and abroad. To achieve its mission to manufacture and deliver the highest quality products at competitive prices, Kochek devotes time and resources to the development of innovative solutions that meet high standards of excellence in engineering, manufacturing, and customer support. More information about Kochek and the company's entire line of Quality fire equipment may be found at www.kochek.com.

CHUCK LOWE

KOCHEK COMPANY, LLC

Email: captainmrossi@gmail.com

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE

October, 2019

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October, 2019

1ST Responder Newspaper - SE