1st Responder Texas Winter Edition

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DECEMBER, 2014 WINTER, 2016

VICTIM RECOVERED FROM SINKHOLE

SAN ANTONIO FD

San Antonio, TX - On December 4th at 7:33 P.M., SAFD was dispatched for a water rescue and upon arrival, found two vehicles in a sink hole. The driver of the first vehicle had been helped to safety by a civilian prior to SAFD arrival.

- See full story on page 18

Happy Holidays!

To our advertisers and readers

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Winter 2016

1ST Responder Newspaper - TX

BEN SALADINO

SAN ANTONIO FD

SAN ANTONIO FD

BEN SALADINO

Fully Involved Shed in Euless Euless, TX - On October 29th, units from Euless Fire Department arrived to find a fully involved shed fire in the backyard of a home, located on the city's north-side. The fire was quickly knocked down. Bedford Fire Dept.'s automatic aid response and other Euless units were released, while Station-1 crews stayed to complete overhaul operations.

SAN ANTONIO FD

Superhero Firefighters Rappel Down Texas Hospital San Antonio, TX - Recently, San Antonio FD Rescue Team members and SWAT Officers dressed as various, well-known Superheroes and rappelled down the side of North Central Baptist Hospital. This year's “Superhero Drop” was in honor of Julian Andrade, a 5-year-old boy who lost his battle with cancer in the spring of 2015. Afterward, the Superheroes went into the hospital to interact with the kids.

1ST Responder Newspaper - TX

Winter 2016

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ADVERTISER INDEX

A guide to finding great companies

Company

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Page 8,26

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Kimtek

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Mobile Eyes

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NAFECO

1ST Responder Newspaper - TX

Man Dies in Dallas House Fire Dallas, TX - At 12:53 A.M. on November 12th, Dallas Fire-Rescue responded to a 911 call for a structure fire at a two-story home, located at the 5400 block of Gurley Avenue, near the Fair Park area of Dallas.

When firefighters arrived at the location, they found smoke coming from the first-floor of the home.

They deployed hand-lines and made their way through the front door, where they found a couch on fire and quickly extinguished it.

There were two people, an adult male and female, at home when the fire began. Unfortunately, both were found with severe burn injuries and had to be taken to a

JUMP TO FILE #111416121 local hospital. The male victim did not survive and the woman remained at the hospital in unknown condition.

Though investigators have determined that the fire started in the living room of the house, the exact cause will remain undetermined, pending the final results from the Medical Examiner's Office; or possibly until interviews can resume with the currently surviving burn victim.

BEN SALADINO

- JASON EVANS

WOMEN IN FIREFIGHTING If you have photos you would like to see in our Women in Firefighting feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com

15,28

Spotted Dog Tech

21

Task Force Tips

3

Translite, LLC. Veinlite

9

Tyler Junior College

23

CORPORATE INFORMATION

1st Responder News (ISSN 1525-1683) - Vol. 2 No. 4 - Texas edition is published quarterly, 4 times a year for $15 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 erA division of: rors must be brought to the attention of the newspaper during the same month of publication.

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BEN SALADINO

TODD BENDER

Highland, NY - Tiffany Weaver is 27-years-old, a mother of two, and a member of Highland Hose Company No. 1. She was inspired to join the fire department because of her desire to save lives and assist her community in times of need. Weaver, employed as a phlebotomist at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, NY was previously a member of the Roosevelt Fire Department Rescue Squad in Hyde Park, NY. Highland Hose Lt. Joe DeFellipo is proud to have Tiffany in the department and looks forward to having her complete driver training in the near future. Under the guidance of her fellow firefighters, Tiffany has been honing her driving skills on Highland's 1994 E-One Hurricane.

Hurst Apartment Fire Intentionally Set Hurst, TX - Hurst police officers were on-scene of a domestic disturbance on October 25th when a suspect started a fire in his mother's apartment. Hurst Fire Department responded and quickly knocked down the fire in the eight-unit apartment building; however, smoke appeared to have affected most of the other apartments. Euless and Bedford Fire Departments assisted on-scene. No injuries were reported and the suspect was arrested prior to fire crew's arrival.

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In memory of those who gave all

1ST Responder Newspaper - TX

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

New Jersey: Alfred A. Stewart, 79 Rank: Firefighter (Former Fire Chief) Incident Date: November 6, 2016 Death Date: November 6, 2016 Fire Department: West Milford Volunteer Fire Company #6 Initial Summary: Firefighter Stewart reported to the fire station for a company drill. He remained alone at the station to perform maintenance duties while other company members attended the drill.

At some point, Stewart ascended a ladder inside the station for these maintenance duties. When fire department personnel returned from the drill, they found Stewart entangled in the fallen ladder. Despite lifesaving efforts, Steward was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. It is unknown whether Stewart suffered a medical emergency while atop the ladder and then fell, or if the ladder had fallen while he was on it, causing his trauma. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of Firefighter Stewart's death.

Indiana: Michael Payne, 58 Rank: Fire Chief Incident Date: November 7, 2016 Death Date: November 8, 2016 Fire Department: Brookston Prairie Township Fire Department Initial Summary: Chief Michael Payne and members of his department responded to a truck fire on Interstate-65 north of Lafayette, IN, just before midnight on 11/07/2016. After the fire was extinguished, Chief Payne fell ill and collapsed. Lifesaving efforts were initiated and Chief Payne was transported to Indiana University Hospital (Lafayette) where those efforts continued until he passed away at approximately 0145hrs on 11/08/2016.

Georgia: Michael W. Curry, 42 Rank: Master Firefighter Incident Date: November 19, 2016 Death Date: November 19, 2016 Fire Department: Savannah Fire & Emergency Services Initial Summary: Master Firefighter Curry was involved in operations at an emergency incident on River Street late Saturday afternoon when he suffered an apparent medical condition. Emergency medical personnel attended to Curry on the scene and were escorted in their transport of the firefighter to Memorial University Medical Center.

Curry passed away at the hospital Saturday evening.

Kentucky: Ted Rodney Collett, 41 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: October 29, 2016 Death Date: November 17, 2016 Fire Department: Red Bird Volunteer Fire & Rescue Initial Summary: Firefighter Collett suffered head and arm injuries on October 29th while working a wildland fire incident when a tree limb fell and struck him and the fire apparatus he was on. Firefighter Collett was airlifted to Pikeville Medical Center for treatment but succumbed to his injuries the evening of November 17th.

New York: Merle L. Nell, 78 Rank: Fire Police Captain Incident Date: November 26, 2016 Death Date: November 26, 2016 Fire Department: Volunteer Fire Company of Vernon Initial Summary: After becoming ill while working on a mutual aid fire call with his fire department, Fire Police Captain Nell passed away in the hospital from a nature and cause of fatal injury still to be reported.

1ST Responder Newspaper - TX

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Hundreds Gather for Memorial Service of Slain SAPD Detective Benjamin Marconi San Antonio, TX - The SAFD and SAPD stand proudly united as a family, serving the people of San Antonio. SAPD Detective Benjamin Marconi, a 20-year police veteran, was tragically shot and killed on November 20th while writing a traffic citation near the police department located downtown. Otis McKane, 31, was arrested the next day and charged with capital murder.

Hundreds gathered at Community Bible Church on November 28th to pay their final respects to Detective Marconi during a funeral Mass celebration. State Senator Carlos Uresti, accompanied

JUMP TO FILE #120216109

by State Sen. Jose Menendez and Donna Campbell, presented the Marconi family with a Texas flag that once flew over the state capitol. Detective Marconi leaves behind two children, Jacy Lewis and Dane Marconi.

Detective Benjamin Marconi also leaves behind a legacy of service and compassion that SAFD, as a department, will strive to maintain going forward.

- SAN ANTONIO FD

SAN ANTONIO FD

SAPD Detective Benjamin Marconi.

PROVIDED

SAN ANTONIO FD

SAN ANTONIO FD

SAN ANTONIO FD

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Winter 2016

Stigma?

Chaplain's Corner Didymus McHugh

There is a movement currently going on about stigma and mental illness. In emergency services, if we admit to having a challenge, we do not want our brothers and sisters looking at us in a different light. Why? Are we not human?

Who among us are perfect?

Part of the Stigma Free movement should be understanding your challenges, as well as other people's challenges. Sources indicate that "one-in-five Americans live with a mental health condition." Think about that for a minute; one-in-five. If you have five responders on a truck, one of them may have a mental health issue. Twenty percent of your department may have an issue. Are you or a member of your family or department one that is living with it, but did not seek any help? Are we judging others that have the courage to admit that they need some help?

Let's look at some things that might be in our stations. There may be a member who has lost someone so close to them that they will have a difficult time making it through the upcoming holidays because they are battling with depression as they grieve.

There may be someone who is still having challenges because of a really bad call and they may have PTSD. I know people who are bipolar, have addictions, in major depression, had a stroke, etc.

Should we just tell them to "suck it up, buttercup"? NO! How would you want to be treated? What if it was your child or family member?

Compassion goes a long way.

1ST Responder Newspaper - TX

Whatever mental issues they have does not identify them.

One of my best friends is blind. I do not think of him as "Blind Steve". He is just Steve and life goes on. He will tell me if he needs my assistance. Other times I let him know about a situation coming up that he may need to know about.

If a person in your department has a substance abuse challenge, are you going to just get rid of him from your department, or are you going to be a brother and come along side of them and help to lead them to a program that can assist them. The person may be a great responder BUT they have a challenge and need help.

It is perfectly alright to see a psychologist, psychiatrist, or doctor and get the help that is needed.

If you have physical challenges, hopefully you go to the doctor and get help, so why not mental health? Why not take the course Mental Health First Aid? 'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' - Isaiah 41:10 Do not keep trying to make it on your own. God is with you during your struggles. Seek out the help that you, a family member, or member of service may need. Understand those who have the challenges. Let us remove the stigma in emergency services. Let us first get the help that we need and understand those who have mental health issues.

Let emergency services be Stigma Free. Let us get to the point where the stations are safe for all. Let us try to help those with mental health issues.

Happy Holidays and stay safe, Didymus McHugh

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CAPTAIN JOE RIDGEWAY, AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT

Austin FD Participates in School’s “Careers on Wheels” Event Austin, TX - Each year, Austin firefighters make more than 250 visits to schools around the city to talk about fire safety and let the kids get some hands-on experience with the equipment. The middle of November was one of those times, when Ladder 36/A shift went to Austin ISD's Williams Elementary School for their "Careers on Wheels" event. Firefighter Kevin Horton did a great job engaging the students; maybe we'll even see one of them in an AFD uniform when they get older!

Serving g those who se erve us.

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1ST Responder Newspaper - TX

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Staying Safe from Electrical Hazards II STAYING SAFE

Chief Henry Campbell

SAN ANTONIO FD

SAFD Shares Thanksgiving with Soldiers San Antonio, TX - Fire stations across San Antonio hosted soldiers for Thanksgiving this year. SAFD is proud to serve their city while also serving as families to those troops who are away from home. Pictured is Station #38.

SAN ANTONIO FD

San Antonio Firefighters Save Condos from Fire San Antonio, TX - The San Antonio FD responded to a fire on the morning of November 16th, located at the Phantom Room on St. Mary's. The firefighters did a great job in keeping the fire from spreading to the condos next door.

Upon arrival at a fire or emergency scene where downed or arcing wires, or any other form of an electrical problem is involved, a good action would be to request the local power company to respond to the scene. Having the power company respond to all working structure fires is a good practice, should you need them.

They will either be on scene or in route, which is a definite advantage. If the electrical hazard poses a threat to personnel or operations, a defensive posture is to be maintained until the hazard has been eliminated. If aerial devices, ladders, or hose streams are to be used in the vicinity of overhead wires or transformers, adequate placement distances should be maintained to prevent coming into contact with the wires or electrical devices.

As soon as possible, utility service should be turned off at the gas meter or propane tank and the electrical panel servicing the involved area or structure. A department member trained and knowledgeable in performing such a task usually can accomplish this and it will also prove valuable in the cause and origin determination. Just screwing out fuses and

dropping them on the floor, or turning circuit breakers off just won’t do. Turn the mains off by pulling or removing the main fuses and leave all the circuit breakers or circuit fuses in their present positions as found.

In some instances where it is unable to reach the electric panel, the utility company will have to disconnect service at the pole or underground service point, and may eventually do it at major fires. Remember that during overhaul and opening of ceiling walls and floors, you may encounter electrical wires, outlets and fixtures; therefore, the power should be off before starting overhaul procedures.

When responding to motor vehicle crashes where electricity and downed wires are involved, caution is required. No approach to the vehicle or its occupants should be made until any electrical hazard has been removed. To attempt extrication of trapped victim(s) is foolhardy and should never be attempted, no matter who the victim may be. In the event of a pole and wires down, obtain the pole number from another pole other than the one involved in the accident. Don’t go walking under the involved pole. Surely the power company will find the location.

You are there to do all you can do to rectify the problem, but never lose site of the fact that you did not create the problem and your safety comes first. Risk always has to be evaluated as to what will be gained, and when up against 13,000 volt

wires, defer to standing fast until the electric power has been shut down.

“Killing the power” is the responsibility of the power company.

Emergency response personnel should never attempt to pull electric meters, cut wires, or pull pole fuses or circuit breakers. Secure the scene and await the arrival of the power company. During storms when wires are down in numerous locations, it may require longer waits before response from the power company arrives. The use of fire police, local, or state police to secure the scene may be required in order to place equipment and personnel back in service and available for additional response. Never leave the scene of any type hazard unprotected that you have responded to. You are responsible until you have transferred the hazard to another agency, the power company or when it has been eliminated.

One last thought for those departments that respond to flooded basement calls is to remember that most electric panels are located in the basement. Generally, they are above the depth of the flooding condition, but checking the depth of the water before beginning your pumping operation is important.

Looking from the outside before wading into the water and confirming the location of the electric panel with the homeowner will enhance your safety.

Till next time, Stay Safe and God Bless!

1ST Responder Newspaper - TX

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1ST Responder Newspaper - TX

HE HE ER ERO ROES RO OES ES INK INK

ON THE LITER SIDE

If you have photos you would like to see in our “On The Liter Side� feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

1st Responder Newspape er features EMERGENCY SERVICES RELA ATED TATTOOS

San Antonio, TX - In October, Pre-K students from J.T. Brackenridge made some awesome poster cards and delicious homemade cookies for some awesome guys over at Rescue 11!

SAN ANTONIO FD

Eric Moore has been a firefighter for almost 30 years, first joining the department in November of 1988. The tattoo he chose to get covers his entire back and took almost three months to complete, from September until November of 2014. When asked what inspired him to get this specific tattoo, Eric responded "my inspiration came from the love for my brothers lost on that fateful day and the need for a tribute, as well as my love for what we do and my love of ink." Eric currently works for Daly City Fire Department, located in Daly City, CA.

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

Lindsey@1strespondernews.com

D ID YOU K NOW No one knows who invented the fire hydrant because its patent was actually destroyed in a fire.

?

RICHARD BILLINGS

1ST Responder Newspaper - TX

Winter 2016

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1ST Responder Newspaper - TX

5-5-5 Firefighter Fitness Part II: The “How” By now you have had enough time to come up with some “whys”.

But in case you haven’t, just take a look around during your next shift change or ride in the rig; those are your “whys”. In my last article, I promised you a “how to”; well, JUMP TO FILE# sort of anyway…

072016125 See, the “how” in fitness can be even more complicated than the “why” and because we are firefighters, we tend to make that “how” even more complicated than it needs to be, right?! So maybe this time around we will spend some more time focusing on the “how not’s” rather than the “how to’s,” which surprisingly, may actually be a bit harder.

First and foremost, there is no quick and easy fix. If you want to make this work, if you want to do it for yourself, for your family and for your crew, you better plan to be in it for the long haul. Sure, a 28-daychallenge will work, especially one that provides you with what meals to eat, what you should drink and how you need to work out. It’ll work even more so for someone who has been primarily sedentary.

But what happens on day 29???

You either re-up your “challenge,” attempt to create on your own the same magic that just occurred, or

it’s back to life as you knew it before.

No matter what you see on TV or read in a trade magazine, there is no quick fix, and that’s the hardest pill to swallow.

Of course there is still a huge market of products, promising rapid results and ultimate changes. There are even some geared specifically to emergency services personnel. They might look pretty and flashy, or claim to “simulate” real-life training conditions, but here’s a tip; you don’t need them! Do they help? Sure, especially to the person whose just starting out. But over time, what happens to these gimmick products?

They end up in a pile on the floor, in the corner, not getting used. Mrs. Pip will tell you that I too, have fallen victim to the next greatest fitness craze, but I call it research so it’s ok; right??

And please, let’s not forget about the thousands of training “styles” that are out there. You can pick from pretty much anything; Fire Fit, Cop Fit, EMS Fit, X Fit, Jump Fit, Box Fit, Planet Fit, You're Fit, I’m Fit, or Whatever Else Fit. Regardless of which you choose, you’re at least picking to be fit, right?! You see, that’s part of the “how” that 555 Fitness focuses on: YOU. It all starts with you and your commitment to bettering yourself, both physically and mentally.

The current wave of negativity sweeping through the fire service is

the “look at me” phenomenon, which is allowing the “haters” to take control. These individuals tend to speak from their recliners and say that the only reason we are working out is to look good physically, even when year-after-year, the leading killer of firefighters is still from cardiac related incidents. Remember, you are never just working out. You are training for life, your life, and for those who you respond with, those who are waiting for you at home, and those who you swore to protect.

So, where’s the best place to start you may ask? Chances are if you’re still reading this article, you already know the answer to that question.

You start by getting up. You start by moving around. YOU are the “how.”

Even with the examples I gave above, it’s all you. Every one of them will work for you, but YOU need to make them work and here’s a pro tip; it’s not going to happen overnight.

I’m sorry, but fast results, they don’t just come. It’s just like respect within a firehouse; it’s earned. Each and every day that I train, I’m earning my results.

Now I’ve told you about the “why” and I’ve told you about the “how.” Next time, I’ll start to talk more about the “how to’s” of fitness in the firehouse.

Till then, Train Hard Do Work Stay Safe.

ASHE HUSEIN

- Robert "Pip" Piparo

ASHE HUSEIN

International Firefighter Safety Chief Talks to Commissioners At the Association of Fire Districts of NY annual Fall Conference in Saratoga Springs, NY, internationally acclaimed Fire Chief Billy Goldfeder gave the keynote address to approximately 370 JUMP TO FILE# Fire District Com- 101416107 missioners from all over New York state.

Chief Goldfeder brings decades of firefighting experience to his presentations and the address on October 14th was no different. Goldfeder has been in the fire service since 1973 and his career continues today. In addition to currently serving as Deputy Fire Chief for the Loveland-Symmes Fire Department in Loveland, Ohio, he serves as the International Director for the Safety, Health and Survival section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. The 1993 graduate of of the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer program serves as an Associate/Contributing Editor for many fire service publications, cohosts a website solely dedicated to the safety and survival of firefighters and in 2001, was appointed Honorary Battalion Chief of the FDNY. Chief Goldfeder came to the conference to stress the need for communication between commissioners and their chiefs. He stressed the need for people who put the fires

TODD BENDER

Staatsburg Fire District Commissioner/1st Responder News Correspondent Todd Bender and Chief Goldfeder.

out to understand the role of the commissioner and the need for commissioners to be involved in the day-to-day operations of the department, without becoming a micromanager.

The speaker continued by telling everyone in attendance that the commissioners and every person involved in the fire department needs to protect three separate, but equally important customer bases; the district taxpayers, the district's firefighters, and the families of the firefighters. By keeping those three groups in mind at every decision, the district will be better served.

With regard to safety, the chief called on his own experience and expertise to state that most line-of-duty deaths are preventable. He went further by saying that the departments with the most stringent rules and drills have higher call turnout and better safety records. He advanced the idea that departments hold frequent drills and firefighters that miss them are not permitted to respond to calls until the drill requirement is met.

Equipment purchasing was also mentioned during the three hour event. Chief Goldfeder stressed the importance of buying equipment such as thermal imaging devices, that will benefit the three customer bases previously mentioned. He argued that equipment that can save lives and property would not be objectionable to the taxpayer, would give the firefighters one more tool to aid in safety,

and the families of the firefighters would have some peace of mind.

Chief did say that when equipment is asked for and subsequently purchased, that the commissioners demand that the chief draw up a policy for utilizing the equipment. The theory is that the best tools on the market only work when you take them off of the apparatus and actually use them. He also said that department officers should be responsible for making sure the policies are observed by the members of the department. On policies themselves, Goldfeder said that three things need to happen before a policy is enforceable; classroom session on the policy, hands on training, and testing on the material covered in the classroom and hands on exercise.

Cancer, the ever-growing problem in the fire industry, was also mentioned. Chief Goldfeder stressed the need for policies that keep firefighters away from fires unless they are wearing their SCBA equipment.

There is enough validated research that shows the correlation between toxic fumes at fires to the diagnosis of cancer among firefighters and commissioners should demand that the appropriate breathing equipment be used at all times. Goldfeder also encouraged the older members in attendance to get periodic cancer screenings due to previous exposure and the benefit of early diagnosis.

- TODD BENDER

1ST Responder Newspaper - TX

Winter 2016

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1ST Responder Newspaper - TX

Austin Firefighter Travels to Israel to Help Battle Wildfires Austin, TX - Fighting wildfires stateside is difficult. Now imagine fighting them halfway across the globe, in a country where you don’t speak the native language, and your crew members come from various other countries around the world.

That’s just what AFD Fire Specialist John Nickles faced recently, when he flew to Israel as part of the Emergency Volunteers Project (EVP), to help provide rest and relief to the Israeli firefighting force, who have been working day and night for weeks, dealing with massive wildfires. Thirtynine firefighters from the US traveled to Israel, with a dozen of those coming from Texas, including John. To give you some comparison, the Austin Fire Department has approximately 1,100 firefighters; the entire country of Israel’s firefighting force is about 1,700 (roughly the size of New Jersey).

This was John’s fifth trip to the region; two were deployments and three were training trips. The cost is paid for by donations to the EVP. John and his American counterparts use their personal vacation time to go. Most of the other countries who lent support sent equipment and planes, not personnel; however, Egypt, Cypress, the Palestinian Authority and France (along with several other countries besides the United States), did send personnel.

John said, “With only about

JUMP TO FILE #120816107 1,700 firefighters for the whole country, they can become overwhelmed very quickly. Their equipment is top of the line, but what they lack is personnel. Our mission was to provide trained firefighters to the Israeli Fire Service, so the local folks could get some rest."

John continued with saying, “I was placed on alert on Thanksgiving morning. On Friday, I was activated and departed for Israel that afternoon; that’s just 36 hours from alert to take-off. I arrived in Israel and was stationed in Petah Tikva, just outside Tel Aviv. Luckily, the fires had subsided due to the change in weather. The previous days were what we would call ‘Red Flag’ days in the U.S. Many of the fires were actually arson fires. They occurred in and near the major cities of Haifa and Jerusalem. As many as 700 homes were threatened and several thousand people had to be evacuated.

Since the fires had subsided, we ran calls with the Israeli Fire Service to give them a chance to rest their crews and resume their normal shift schedule. The volunteers were spread out throughout the country and made calls from elevator emergencies to structure fires.”

- AUSTIN FD

Texas

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

Fire-Dex Recognizes Hometown Hero, Jamie Brock

Medina, Ohio - November, 2016 Fire-Dex representatives, Todd Herring and Jessica Meade, presented the first Fire-Dex Hometown Hero award to Volunteer Firefighter, Jamie Brock, on November 8, 2016.

Jamie received a beautiful award, a new Fire-Dex helmet and a pair of FDXL-100 Red Leather Fire Boots.

Additionally, Fire-Dex will make a $500 donation to the charity of Jamie's choice.

Jamie has served his community in his volunteer firefighter role for more than 30 years. On September 28, 2016, he went above and beyond the call of duty. He heard on his pager of an active shooter at a local school, Townville Elementary School. He immediately rushed to the scene and without hesitation tackled the shooter. He detained the shooter until authorities arrived. His efforts were applauded as likely preventing others from being hurt.

Townville Fire Chief Billy McAdams spoke about how the community is doing after the terrible shooting incident. "We come together as a community as well as a county, state," Chief Billy McAdams said. "We've had a lot of support, a lot of good people helped us. So,

tonight is basically the people that responded that day. It's our time to be together."

Join Fire-Dex in congratulating Townville Volunteer Firefighter, Jamie Brock, our first recipient of a Fire-Dex Hometown Hero award, for his heroic efforts on that fateful day.

Fire-Dex, headquartered in Medina,

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APPARATUS IN ACTION

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

AUSTIN FD

John and one of his Israeli counterparts, Tamir Cohen, who is our equivalent of the station officer for his location in Petah Tikva.

SAN ANTONIO FD

San Antonio, TX - Multiple companies respond to a two-alarm fire on November 8th, located at 3830 Parkdale Drive.

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Head-On Collision with Fatality in Leander Leander, TX - Travis County ESD-1 responded on Saturday, November 6th, to a call at 10:44 A.M., reporting a two-car collision in the 18000 block of FM 1431, located near Vista Rock Drive, east of Jonestown.

Upon arrival, units found one person JUMP TO FILE# dead at the scene and 110816111 three other people severely injured.

Tim Campbell, a Battalion Chief with ESD-1, reported that a man in his 30's was driving westbound when he crossed two lanes of traffic into the eastbound lanes, hitting a minivan head-on. That man died at the scene and was alone in his car.

Chief Campbell also reported that the three occupants of the minivan were badly injured, including a man in his 60's with critical injuries and a woman in her 40's with potential critical injuries. Both were taken to Round Rock Medical Center. A child with potential critical injuries was taken to Dell Children’s Medical Center.

The accident is under investigation by the Texas Department of Public Safety, but bad weather conditions was considered to be a possible factor in the cause of the crash.

- DONNIE NORMAN

Squad-101 on scene of the fatal collision.

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Victim Recovered from Sinkhole in San Antonio San Antonio, TX - On December 4th at 7:33 P.M., SAFD was dispatched for a water rescue and upon arrival, found two vehicles in a sink hole. The driver of the first vehicle had been helped to safety by a civilian prior to SAFD arrival. The driver of the first vehicle and a female civilian who helped to rescue the JUMP TO FILE# driver, were both 120716109 treated and transported to the hospital.

A second vehicle was located at the bottom of the sink hole. Vehicle-two was upside down and approximately 90% submerged, with the cab completely submerged.

The sinkhole was approximately 12feet deep, with a diameter that encompassed the width of the road.

The bottom of the sinkhole was filled with swift flowing water. After a thorough risk assessment, it was determined that attempting to enter the sinkhole was too risky and the conditions inside the cab of vehicletwo were not consistent with maintaining life.

The area around the hole was unstable and further collapses were witnessed by crews on-scene. The source of the flowing water was determined to be from a large sewer main that flowed entirely underground. SAWS and Public Works arrived and determined the area around the hole to be unstable and in danger of further collapse. SAWS

decided to wait until daylight to make a further determination of their ability to reduce water flow and potential collapse.

On December 5th, SAFD rescue and medical personnel arrived onscene along with SAWS, to devise a plan to extract the vehicle. SAFD rescue personnel were deployed into the

sinkhole to attach chains for vehicle removal. According to SAFD Chief Charles Hood, “Our rescue team members faced very dangerous conditions, with an unstable sinkhole collapsing around them, and swift moving sewer water.”

The vehicle was safely removed at approximately 12:41 P.M.; one deSAN ANTONIO FD

ceased female victim was recovered inside of the vehicle. "My heart and prayers go out to the family involved in this tragedy," said Mayor Ivy R. Taylor. "The fire department, TCI and SAWS have been working to secure the scene of the sinkhole and will remain there until all repairs have been made."

According to SAWS, the road collapse is adjacent to SAWS 96-inch sewer line. There are also water lines in the area. Further investigation will start once the hole can be dewatered and stabilized. Work on that would start later that same day.

SAN ANTONIO FD

- DONNIE NORMAN

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MEET OUR CORRESPONDENTS

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

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Haltom City and Fort Worth Knock Down House Fire

Haltom City, TX - The Haltom City and Fort Worth Fire Departments were simultaneously dispatched to the same fire, located just off of Mid-Cities, on November 4th. Fort Worth Engine-31 arrived to find heavy fire coming from the back of a single-story, brick house. Haltom City arrived on the front side of the house. Several other Fort Worth and Watauga Fire Department units assisted Haltom City at the scene.

PROVIDED

"Todd Bender is a Staatsburg Fire District Commissioner in Hyde Park, NY. When not playing with his five-year-old son Logan, or eating pizza with his 21-year-old daughter Megan, or chatting online with his 22-year-old US Army Combat Medic son Ryan, he can be found wandering throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond, looking for stories and pictures to contribute to 1st Responder News.

Todd is a former Dutchess County Legislator who got tired of politics, until he became a fire commissioner, and now he's just exhausted! Todd is always looking for new story ideas and routinely asks for emergency responders to email him at sfdbender64@Gmail.com with their ideas and events."

The staff of 1st Responder Newspaper would like to extend to our valued readers and advertisers our warmest wishes for a safe & happy holiday season.

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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.

Haslet Truck-28 leaving the staging area.

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EUGENE WEBER JR.

Angelina River Fire Department Engine-1/Engine-2/Tanker-1 is located in Jasper, Texas.

Firemen of the Bronx VIDEO REVIEW

Video reviews by John Malecky

Firemen of the Bronx

By Monarch Films Available from: FSP Books & Videos 118 Central Street, Suite #4 Hudson, MA 01749-1330 1-800-522-8528 e-mail: support@fire-policeems.com www.fire-police-ems.com Price: $14.99 (DVD) This is a short, 35 minute video of a two week period in which the producers rode with two fire marshals in the Bronx. These events took place before 9/11.

Marshals are essentially arson investigators. In New York, they call them “criminal fires” and most of the fires in the Bronx at the time were from arson.

The boro has 65 fire stations, at least during the time of this video. Though the title has “of” on the jacket, the actual movie is entitled “in” (Firemen in the Bronx).

This is a quick moving video which is narrated. The viewer can also hear the voices of the firefighters up close.

Most all of the fires are in va-

cant or occupied multiple dwellings, which the fire department describes as “brick” construction, while textbooks describe the category as “ordinary” construction. The description of the video states that nine firefighters died while fighting what was deemed as arson fires. There is no location given for any of the fires and the camera jumps around. In one case, a child was rescued by a firefighter and some time is devoted to that story. Another incident involved a rescue company (I suppose), reporting to the emergency room of a hospital to load a man of over 1400-pounds into an ambulance for transfer.

There is plenty of truck work and stream operations to see. Also, the apparatus can be seen from the past, such as solid red Mack CF/Ward pumpers, Seagrave rear mounted aerials and Mack tower ladders. In one scene, a flashover can be observed coming out of the upper story of a multi-storied building. A tribute is made for FF Peter McLaughlin, who died in the line-of-duty.

In another scene, the use of a thermal imaging camera is briefly demonstrated. During the brief stay with the marshals, they explain the reasons why arson is not as prevalent today as in the past. It is the "Bronx of yesteryear" in a nutshell, and it is presented well!

Samson Park Engine-25 rolls out of the staging area.

Fort Worth Truck with Mayor Betsy Price on-board.

BEN SALADINO

BEN SALADINO

Annual Fort Worth Parade of Lights Held Fort Worth, TX - The Fort Worth Parade of Lights is an annual Christmas parade with lighted floats and includes 125 entrants staged in three different areas, separating motorized, equestrian and pedestrian (human powered) participants. Several first responders participated this year, on Sunday, November 20th, including the Fort Worth Fire Department and their Citizen's Fire Academy Alumni Association, Haslet Fire, Samson Park Fire, Medstar, the American Red Cross and Weatherford College Fire and Police.

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To apply, contact the Fire Academy Director, (903) 510-3205, (903) 510-2404

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BEN SALADINO

Teamwork Saves Keller House from Blaze Keller, TX - Keller Fire Rescue was assisted by Southlake, Westlake, Colleyville, Bedford and North Richland Hills Fire Departments on October 21st while fighting a fire in a very large home.

Southlake's Engine-402, stationed nearby, responded quickly with Keller and made a great knockdown on the fire, which had extended into the roof from the back of the home.

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Four-Alarm Structure Fire in Dallas Dallas, TX - At 2:15 P.M. on October 30th, Dallas Fire-Rescue responded to a 911 call for a structure fire at the Mandalay Palms Apartments, located at 7501 Chesterfield Drive in South Dallas.

When first responding companies arrived at the scene, they observed fire extending from the top of a three-story apartment building. Unfortunately, most of the flames were in a breezeway, which cut off the escape routes of most residents; consequently causing them to have to jump from their balconies.

While no one suffered any injuries from the fire, at least two adult males suffered injuries related to their escape efforts. One person was injured after scaling a fence surrounding his first-floor patio, while another person was actually landed upon by two individuals jumping from a second-floor balcony. Injuries to both people were non-life-threat-

ON THE LITER SIDE

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

JUMP TO FILE #103116128 ening, but they were taken to local hospitals as a precaution.

It took the efforts of approximately 70 firefighters to extinguish the flames, but not before significant damage was left behind. There were a total of 24 units in the affected building, 12 of which were rendered uninhabitable due to varying degrees of fire, smoke and/or water damage.

An unspecified number of residents were displaced from the building, but the American Red Cross was called out to assist with their needs.

Fire investigators are in the process of acquiring more detail related to the incident. The cause of the fire is undetermined and under investigation.

- JASON EVANS

D ID YOU K NOW

?

After 9/11, famed actor Steve Buscemi rejoined the New York Fire Department to help firefighters sift through the rubble of the World Trade Center.

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AUSTIN FD

Austin, TX - During their Executive Team meeting on November 15th, the crew from Quint 27/C shift (Captain Justin McNair, Fire Specialist Jason Christilles and Firefighters Albert Cardenas and Anton Starkovich), were recognized for their work in helping save the lives of Elizabeth Crawford and her twins after she suffered a prolapsed umbilical cord at 36 weeks. AFD was also excited to recognize citizen Bryan McLaughlin, who is now known around these parts as "Spider-Man," after he scaled the side of a three-story apartment building to put out a balcony fire (yes, you read that correctly)!

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