Raleigh/Wake Firefighting Blog

Back in the Day

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:19:00 -0000

This vintage photo was shown and shared with visitors to yesterday's live burn at the Buffaloe House. The photograph of the framed picture has been converted to greyscle, with heavy contrast adjustments, and corrected for the distortion of viewing at an angle. The house was built in sections, correct? With rear additions in later decades? Click to enlarge the top photo:

Wet

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:12:00 -0000

Here's another shot from yesterday's live burn at the Buffaloe House. Though the photographer wasn't harmed during the making of this image, he did get a bit wet, when a deflected stream sprayed his way. Took some 600 or 700 shots. Maybe a third are keepers. Lots of people shots, as these events are good for. Some are slightly posed. Look at the camera please, but that's just to turn someone's face toward the sun and out of shadow. Big trucks and blazing buildings are compelling subjects, but the human face is endlessly interesting. Pics to be posted soon enough. Click to enlarge:

Caption This Photo / The Buffaloe House

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:26:00 -0000

That's the so-called Buffalo House at 4115 Buffaloe Road, which gave up the ghost this afternoon for the occasion of firefighter training with New Hope, Bay Leaf, Durham Highway, Falls, Knightdale, Rolesville, Stony Hill, Wake Forest, and Western Wake fire departments. (Did I miss anyone?) Tax records say the two-story structure dates to 1915, and the two-story wood-frame structure measured 2,605 square-feet. The land measures 6.13 acres. Numerous interior evolutions were performed in the morning and afternoon, and the structure was allowed to freely burn beginning about 4:00 p.m. Needless to say, quite a crowd of folks had gathered to watch. What other history do folks know about the building or the property? Click to enlarge:

Good Ladders

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:32:00 -0000

Deployed on Colby Drive by Ladder 2 and photographed by Lee Wilson. That's Thursday morning's apartment fire, and which a reader observes is a great example of good ground ladder placement. See more photos. Click to enlarge:

Lee Wilson photo

Rainwater Harvesting at Station 8

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:50:00 -0000

Those shiny shapes behind Station 8 are cisterns for collecting rainwater. Four have been installed, along with an outdoor electric pump discreetly hidden under a plastic rock. The water is non-potable, but perfect for utilitarian tasks, such as washing vehicles or watering lawns. Several fire stations are having harvesting equipment installed, as we reported earlier.

Appreciation

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 07:43:00 -0000

On Sunday, March 14, at 1:50 p.m., Engine 16 was dispatched to a request for service at Shelly Lake. The requestor's (or as called in the trade, the complainant's) dog was stranded in the middle in the lake. The animal had been swimming (and chasing birds, if memory serves) for an hour, and wouldn't return to shore no matter who was calling its name. The owner was distressed and there may have been talk of swimming to reach the animal. A city park's ranger was on scene, but no boats were available. Presumably locked away for the winter.

The fire department was called, and Engine 16 requested Rescue 3 to respond with its boat. They arrived and with assistance of the ranger, placed their rigid hull inflatable boat in the water. They paddled to the location of the dog, and Roxy was removed from the water about 2:30 p.m. For firefighters this was, well, a day in the park. They had their equipment at the ready, expediently deployed same, and performed their task. For the public, it was a positive example of their fire department in action.

Shelley Lake was busy that day, and Yours Truly (who lives two blocks away) watched and overheard dozens of appreciative remarks and comments and applause from observing citizens. It was a neat of example of positive response to the job. First responders do their work and the public appreciates them. See photos from the incident. We'll call myself Canine Photo 1.

Fire Commission Meeting Highlights

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:09:00 -0000

First, see the previously posted agenda and related documents. Very short meeting tonight, perhaps a record. Adjourned about 7:35 p.m. On the regular agenda, the Fire Commission approved distribution of FY10 contingency funds, as well as a revision to the small vehicle policy. The latter changes the mileage replacement for administrative-type vehicles from 75,000 to 100,000 miles.

An overview was presented of FY11 budget development. Fire tax revenues are projected to be slightly more than the current budget year, which might be considered no small feat given our economic conditions (my words). Another $9,000 of revenue is expected in apparatus sales. In FY10, apparatus sales totaled $46,000, which were sales of apparatus originally purchased by single fire tax district funds and subsequently replaced by the county.

Department appropriations are assumed as the same as this budget year, at least during this process. Added expenditures include increases for staffing, local government retirement system adjustments, and operating costs for Garner Station 4. That facility is expected to be operational in November. Funding includes training of some personnel, as well as the operating costs once opened. There are also a mess of system-wide appropriations. CAD, radio, haz-mat, forestry, etc.

On the information agenda, county staff presented the latest revision of the Fire Protection Agreement. They noted that the document is not ready for approval at this time, but the Fire Commission was being provided the latest version. A committee is still working on same, and the goal date for presenting to the Fire Commission for approval is by July 1. Might have a special-called meeting for that purpose.

County staff called particular attention to additions in Section 13, concerning the composition of Board of Directors. Added language includes a restriction against "compensated current employees" serving on boards, a restriction against "family members" of the fire chief serving on Boards, and a requirement of 20 percent citizen composition of boards, for those departments with by-laws that permit same.

There was subsequent discussion about Section 13. Such as what constitutes a family member, which is defined in the agreement as parent, spouse, child, or sibling. Did that also include, say, the son-in-law of a fire chief? That was explained in a fashion that Yours Truly doesn't readily recall, or perhaps didn't entirely follow. It was noted that the committee has also received the suggestion of a similar restriction for the President of a Board.

There was other discussion about Section 13. Such as requiring versus recommending citizen participation on Boards, and how some departments have difficulty getting citizens to participate therein. Except where by-laws prohibit. Yes, it's true, some departments prohibit citizens from serving on boards. Other department boards, it was noted, consist exclusively of citizens.

There were comments about departments with older by-laws, crafted back before paid personnel were on the roster. And the need for revision and revisiting.

And the discussed wrapped with the acknowledgement that this agreement represents a smaller step toward more uniform governance (my words). Kicking over the rock, as one person noted. But not changing everything at once.

Corrections and additions welcome. Next time, how 'bout a group photo?

Technology?

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:40:00 -0000

Discussion topic for the day, inspired by this firehouse.com article about engineers developing a flashover detection device that could give firefighters a 20 to 30 second warning when interior conditions are worsening. What are implications for firefighters as technology develops? And what are your feelings therein about what's gained in tools versus what might be lost in skills? Draw from the experience of the introduction of thermal imaging cameras as needed. What say you?

Goldsboro Fire Wagon, Circa 1890s

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:56:00 -0000

Here's a nifty photo from the North Carolina State Archives, showing a horse-drawn hose wagon in Goldsboro in the 1890s. The driver is identified as Samuel Thorton, and the wagon appears lettered for Goldsboro No. 1 Fire Company. Or perhaps Goldsboro No. 1 Hose Company. What do we know about their fire department then?

Sanborn Maps from January 1891 list the fire department as having one steam fire engine, one chemical engine, three hose carts, and 2,000 to 2,500 feet of hose in good condition. The town had a waterworks, though perhaps no hydrants. Population 5,000.

By April 1896, the fire department consisted of volunteers plus paid engineers and drivers, one Silsby steamer, one chemical engine, two horse-drawn hose wagons, two hand-drawn hose reels, and 1,800 feet of hose. The water system was equipped with 85 double hydrants, with average pressure of 50 pounds per square inch. Population still 5,000.

Looking closely at the photo-- click once or twice to enlarge-- a few features are visible. There's a gong opposite the floorboard, and that would be foot-powered. The rear of the wagon has the tailboard, and what might be a pair of lamps in the rear. That might be a toolbox on the tailboard as well. No other equipment is obvious.

Courtesy North Carolina State Archives

1949 Chevy Crash Truck (?) For Sale

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:41:00 -0000

Here's a nifty find on Craigslist, a 1949 Chevy fire truck for sale in Angier. Same looks like an ex-military crash truck, and quite a bit like Raleigh-Durham International Airport's first crash truck, which was a 1946 International/Bean US Army Class 125 crash truck.

Here's a later photo of the RDU rig, after it was repainted white and apparently requiring some manual assistance, and which you can click to slightly enlarge. Read about the Class 125 apparatus at the nifty Fire Trucks at War web site. As for the Angier truck, there's little else in the posting. We'll mail the seller and see what else we can learn.

Raleigh Times photograph

The Wearing of the Grin

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:33:00 -0000

From boots to shoes. The Wearing of the Grin was directed by Chuck Jones and written by Michael Maltese. That's the legendary pair that produced some of Warner Brothers most memorable cartoons ever, including Duck Dodgers in the 24^1/2 Century, One Froggy Evening, Rabbit Fire, and the classic of classics, What's Opera Doc? The short was released theatrically on July 28, 1951, and was the final cartoon featuring Porky Pig solo and without a sidekick. The title refers to the old Irish ballad The Wearing of the Green, while the green shoes come from Hans Christian Andersen's fable The Red Shoes. Read more. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Mystery Boots

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:00:00 -0000

Who and where? Click to enlarge, if it helps.

Strange Accidents

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:22:00 -0000

We started the morning with Statter911 and footage of a car running into a rock slide. Highway 129 in Blount County, Tennessee. Begin with one rock slide. Add one camera crew, filming said rock slide. Add one distracted driver, watching said camera crew. To the guy's credit, they were on a curve. But, really, aren't we all? No apparent injuries on that one.

Afternoon saw an aircraft accident in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. A single-engine Lancair IV-P was gliding to an emergency landing on the beach, when it struck and killed a jogger. The victim was listening to his iPod, and apparently didn't the plane's silent but deadly approach. He was killed instantly. The pilot and passenger were unharmed. Read the WIS10 account.

Also this afternoon, and right here at home, a sport-utility vehicle crashed off the end of Interstate 540 near Knightdale. The vehicle traveled down an embankment, and into a dense cluster of trees. The driver was discovered dead, though investigators say that there's a different reason for his death. Additional details have not been released, reports this WTVD story. They also posted a number of aerial and traffic camera photos.

WTVD photo

Fire Commission Budget Committee Meetings

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:01:00 -0000

For those interested in the finer points of sausage-making, the Fire Commission Budget Committee meets tonight, Tuesday, March 16, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the EMS Training Facility in the lower level of the Wake Commons Building at 4011 Carya Drive. Same place as regular Fire Commission meetings. This is the first of several scheduled meetings. The calendar is below, and reflects a revised schedule consisting of evening instead of day meetings. These are public meetings, and the new evening times are intended as more citizen-friendly.

Fire Commission Budget Committee Calendar

March 16 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Review Capital Budget Recommendations from Capital Committee
March 23 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Address Feedback / Issues from March 18 Fire Commission Meeting
March 30 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Topic TBD
April 6 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Topic TBD
April 13 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Topic TBD
April 20 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Topic TBD
April 2 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Topic TBD

Location for all at the EMS Training Facility, Wake Commons Building, 4011 Carya Drive.

On May 6, the Budget Committee presents its final recommendation to the Fire Commission. On May 13, if needed, the Fire Commission meets to further discussion. On May 17, the County Manager presents his budget recommendation to the Board of Commissioners.

Afterburner 2000� Aerosol Delivery System

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:30:00 -0000

With Lee's pictures now posted from Saturday's airport drill, you can see those "smoke guns" in action? What the heck are those things? That's the Afterburner 2000® Aerosol Delivery System, we later learned, designed, developed, and sold by MSI Delivery Systems in Rocky Mount. It's a "multi-mission, multi-purpose smoke generator" that can be used for fire department and first responder training, obscuring the battlefield for military application, entertaining and special effects, and so on.

Or the non-toxic smoke can be mixed with specific chemicals for purposes including neutralizing chemical attacks, decon, urban warfare, tactical incursions, riot control, and infestation control. Read more including the specs. Such as a one-second trigger burst that releases 1,500 cubic-feet of smoke, and with a range greater than 100 feet. Pretty cool.

Lee Wilson photo

Chute Happens, The Video

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:31:00 -0000

Found by Lee. He certainly picked the perfect tree for landing, right beside the engine! Our prior posting on same.

Social Media?

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:40:00 -0000

Discussion topic for the day, how should fire departments and EMS agencies use and better use social media for the benefit of their customers? e.g., for the benefit of citizens, which we can call their stakeholders. There's the obvious objective of prevention and life safety. What about base education on emergency services? What you do, how you do it, and how much it costs? Also, how can these tools help media awareness, or expedite media contact? Does a dynamically updated incident blog, say, cut down on phone calls to dispatchers or other officials? What about educating officials, and keep them in better loops? The options are many. E-mail, discussion groups, blogs, Wikis, web pages, photo sharing (Flickr), video sharing (YouTube), microblogs (Twitter), social networks (Facebook), and so on. What say you?

Suspected Chemical Suicide in Oxford

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 06:59:00 -0000

The morning news brings reports of a suspected chemical suicide in Oxford late last night, when police were called to a residential neighborhood about 10 p.m. to investigate a suspicious vehicle. They found a woman slumped over in her vehicle, and apparently deceased. When an officer opened the door, chemicals were found on the front passenger seat. That officer was also overcome-- or at least affected, as reports vary-- and transported to the hospital. A Raleigh Fire Department hazardous materials unit was called to the scene for assistance. This mimics a similar incident that occurred in Cary last month. We subsequently blogged about some good presentation slides on the subject of chemical suicides and responder safety. Sources: WRAL, WTVD.

Stacy Davis/WRAL photo

Overexposure

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:20:00 -0000

Incident photography is challenging. You're trying orient yourself in a dynamic physical environment, while staying safe and out of everyone's way, while composing and anticipating shots, while traversing as many sides of the scene as possible, and while operating one or two cameras. And those cameras have controls. Buttons, dials, etc. What happens when you're rushed, and perhaps more prone to manhandling your gear? Lately that's meant accidentally switching to manual focus-- resulting in blurry photos-- or accidentally switching to a manual shutter setting. The latter was done during the height of yesterday's airport drill. Right when the action started, in fact. Here's an example of the resulting overexposure. See more examples in the soon-to-be-posted full series. Thankfully, the mistake was caught within a few minutes. Always keep an errant eye on the LCD screen, even in sunlight. And, duh, listen for that ever-so-perceptible sound of a lagging or slower shutter.

Cary EMS Truck 3

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:05:00 -0000

This remounted ambulance body on a 2010 Chevrolet G4500 chassis was recently received by Cary EMS. The many years-old Medtec modular body was previously mounted on old 573. The new truck is designated Truck 3, and is presently assigned the Wake County EMS System unit number of EMS 56. Read more about the Cary EMS fleet.

Chute Happens

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:08:00 -0000

That's Engine 3 rescuing a parachutist from a tree during this afternoon's St. Patrick's Day celebration in downtown Raleigh. He was aiming for Moore Square, but was blown a bit off course. The veteran jumper was rescued by parking an engine beneath him. His parachute was recovered with the assistance of aerial ladder special-called to the scene. Read the WRAL story.

Mike Charbonneau/WRAL photo