Our condolences to the Coffey family and the Blowing Rock
Fire Department of North Carolina. FireFighter Douglas Coffey,
51, a volunteer firefighter with the Blowing Rock Fire Department
died Tuesday July 22, 2003. Douglas died from an apparent heart
attack after returning to his home after working at a resdiential
structure fire.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
Douglas Coffey Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
7/29/03 Photo Gallery Update
Sunday morning tractor trailer rollover on Exit 18, a short hairpin
exit off Interstate 84 East. The driver had to be extricated, and
the passenger in the sleeper could not be removed until the
driver was removed.
Initially Engine 11, Engine 8, Truck 1, Rescue 9, and Battalion 1
responded. After sizeup, Truck 2 responded with their truck and
the Collapse Unit for extra cribbing but we ended up stabilizing
the rig with a chain and the winch on the rescue attached to
the frame of the truck. Both occupants were removed through
the drivers door. I took 6 photos and added them to my
Extrication Photo Gallery.
7/28/03 Line of Duty Death - Shelby County, TN
Our condolences to the Green family and the Shelby County
Fire Department of Tennessee. FireFighter Samuel Green, 50,
a 23 year veteran of the Shelby County Fire Department
died Monday July 21, 2003. Samuel suffered a heart attack
while on duty. He was transported to Methodist Hospital-North
in Memphis where he later died.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
Samuel Green Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
7/25/03 Line of Duty Death - Salmon, ID
Our condolences to the Allen family, the Heath family, and the
Salmon-Challis National Forest Helitack Crew of the U.S. Forest
Service. FireFighters Jeff Allen, 24, and Shane Heath, 22, both
four year veterans of wildland firefighting died Tuesday July 22,
2003. Jeff and Shane were battling the Cramer fire in central Idaho
when they had rappelled to the ground to clear a landing zone for
their helicopter. They were overrun by flames cutting the landing zone.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
Jeff Allen and Shane Heath Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
7/23/03 Photo Gallery Update
Hilton Fire Department Fire Photographer Dan Hasenauer sent me
6 pictures of their new American LaFrance/LTI Quint 260. This
photo is of the fire they had with the new piece the first night it
went into service. There are 16 photos in the
Dan Hasenauer
photo gallery.
Coldenham Fire Department Photographer David Weimer sent me
10 pictures from the 2nd Battalion of Orange County, New York.
These are apparatus from the Pine Bush Fire Department and
the Bullville Fire Deparment. There are 30 photos
in the
David Weimer
photo gallery.
7/20/03 Attention WFD Members
It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of retired
Waterbury Acting Chief Michael Izzo. A wake will be held for Mike
on Monday July 21, 2003 5-8PM at Albini Funeral Home on Chase
Parkway. Attending WFD members are asked to assemble in Class
A uniforms for 7PM. A funeral mass will be held for Mike on Tuesday
July 23, 2003 9:30 AM at St. Patrick's Church followed by a burial
at Old Calgary Cemetery.
7/19/03 Attention WFD Members
The Overtime Committee Meeting scheduled for Monday July
21, 2003 has been cancelled. There will be a GENERAL
MEMBERSHIP meeting of Local 1339 with Mayor Jarjura
and our new Chief James Cavanaugh. The meeting will be held
on Tuesday July 22, 2003 6:30PM at Kennedy High School in
the auditorium. Any and all interested members are urged to
attend.
7/17/03 Attention WFD Members
There will be an Overtime Committee Meeting held on Monday
July 21, 2003 7PM at the Waterville Fire House. Any and all
interested Local 1339 members are urged to attend.
7/14/03 Line of Duty Death - Kingston, NY
Our condolences to the Berardi family and the Kingston Fire Department
of New York. FireFighter John Berardi, 50, a 20 year veteran of the
Kingston Fire Department died Monday July 7, 2003. John was diagnosed
with bladder cancer in 1994. He retired in 2001 and applied for 207A status
benefits, which provides disability pay due to illness incurred in the
performance of duty. The Kingston Fire Department recently received a
FEMA grant to install automatic ventilation systems at the city's 3 fire
stations.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
John Berardi Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
7/12/03 Line of Duty Death - Bayou La Batre, AL
Our condolences to the Qualls family and the Bayou La Batre Fire
Department of Alabama. Lieutenant Joey Qualls, 29, a 14 year
veteran of the Bayou La Batre Fire Department died Friday July
11, 2003. Joey was found unresponsive by his fiancee after he
had returned to his home after an emergency dispatch. His cause
of death is to be determined.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
Joey Qualls Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
7/11/03 Line of Duty Death - Kent Island, MD
Our condolences to the Thomas family and the Kent Island Volunteer
Fire Department of Maryland. Assistant Chief Doug Thomas, 41, a 25 year veteran of the Kent Island Fire Department died Wednesday July
9, 2003. Doug died from complications resulting from a spinal injury he suffered during a motor vehicle accident on September 16, 2001. Doug
was responding to a boat fire at Kent Island Yacht Club when the
pumper he was driving left the roadway, struck a utility pole, and
overturned onto Route 18 in Chester. Two other firefighters were
treated for injuries from the crash.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
Doug Thomas Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
7/10/03 Photo Gallery Update
Dave Sikes, of the Lost Acres Fire Department of Granby,
Connecticut has opened a new photo gallery by sending me
some photos of FDNY and Lost Acres Fire Department
apparatus, including a 1921 Reo Speedwagon. There are 8
photos in the
Dave Sikes
photo gallery.
Jerry Buner and Jon Hanks have opened a photo gallery for
the Orange County Fire Department 1st Battalion of New York.
There are 8 photos of apparatus from the Mechanicstown,
Circleville, and Middletown Fire Departments in the
Jon Hanks
photo gallery.
7/8/03 Attention WFD Members
I received an email from a civilian from Waterbury who wanted to thank
the guys on a job well done Saturday July 5, 2003. I forwarded the email
to the Chief and also wanted to share it with my readers:
Monday, July 7, 2003 at 07:52:34
Name: Mary Jane Fernandez
Department: Waterbury Fire Dept
State: Connecticut
Comments: On July 5th there was a fire at 176 Easton Ave in Waterbury,
CT. I am the owner of the house next door at 172 Easton Ave. I am writing
because I would like to extend my heartfelt thank you to all the firefighters
that were here to extinguish the fire. If not for their quick response and
hard work my house would have also burnt. My house received fire damage
from the heat but nothing compared to what it could have been. So if you
can, maybe you can forward this email to the proper people with my
gratitude. I always worry about fire because I care for my 86-year-old
mother who has Alzheimer's and doesn't walk. I worry about getting her
and my dogs out in case of fire because we are on the second floor.
That's another reason I was so glad the fire dept came so quickly. Again
I say thank you to all the firefighters for their dedication.
Sincerely and always grateful
Mary Jane Fernandez
7/2/03 Photo Gallery Update
Coldenham Fire Department Photographer David Weimer sent me
10 pictures of apparatus from the Montgomery Fire Department
and the Walden Fire District. David is also the 2nd Battalion
Photographer for Orange County, New York. There are 20 photos
in the
David Weimer
photo gallery.
Tom Rige, retired NYPD & self-proclaimed fire buff sent me 17
more apparatus photos to add to his photo gallery, including some
photos of FDNY responding to a scene. There are 64 photos in the
Tom Rige
photo gallery.
