3/28/07 Armpatch Gallery Update
Today I updated the Armpatch Gallery with 24 new armpatches,
including these two submissions from the Girdletree Volunteer
Fire Company of Worcester County, Maryland and Spring Hill Fire
Rescue Department Local 2794's Mariner Boulevard Pyrates of
Station 4 in Florida.
These new armpatches can be found on pages
Armpatch 190
and
Armpatch 191.
There are now 2,292 armpatches in the gallery.
3/26/07 Line of Duty Death - Rhodestown, NC
Our condolences to the Williams family, the Whimple family, and the
Rhodestown Volunteer Fire Department of North Carolina. FireFighter
Billy Williams, 45, and FireFighter Brandon Whimple, 19, both of
Jacksonville, died Saturday March 24, 2007. Billy and Brandon were
responding mutual aid to an abandoned mobile home fire to assist the
Nine Mile Fire Department when the 1987 Chevrolet tanker they were
traveling in skidded sideways and overturned, coming to rest upside
down. Billy who was driving, was ejected from the vehicle, Brandon
was pinned under the apparatus. Two other Rhodestown FireFighters
who were responding in their personal vehicles were behind them
when the crash occurred.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
Billy Williams and Brandon Whimple Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
3/23/07 Line of Duty Death - Chicago, IL
Our condolences to the Grant family and the Chicago Fire Department of
Illinois. FireFighter William Grant, 44, a 20 year veteran of the Chicago
Fire Department, died Friday March 23, 2007. William was riding in the rear
cab of Ladder 51, responding with lights and siren to a fire call in the
south side neighborhood of Englewood, when the apparatus was struck on the
right rear side by a school bus while negotiating an intersection. The
ladder truck swerved to avoid the bus, but was spun by the impact and
overturned onto the drivers side. There were no children on the bus at
the time of the accident. William was extricated and transported to Stroger
Hospital where he later died. The bus driver and three other firefighters
were injured in the crash.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
William Grant Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
3/22/07 Attention WFD Members
Congratulations to John and Joanne DeBisschop on the birth of their
triplets. John was a member of the Waterbury Fire Department before
joining the Naugatuck Fire Department. Congratulations and the best
of luck with Jeffrey, Jack, and John Joseph (JJ).
The general monthly meeting of Waterbury Firefighters Local 1339 will
be held tonight March 22nd 7PM at Station 10 Headquarters. All
personnel off duty are requested to attend.
The Local 1339 Spring Blood Drive will be held May 19th from
9AM-2PM at the Waterville Firehouse. Unfortunately I will be unable to
donate. I donate blood plasma once a month at the Farmington
Red Cross.
If you would like to donate, please contact Dan Chieffo at Station 11 -
(203) 597-3411.
3/20/07 Line of Duty Death - Crowley, LA
Our condolences to the Breaux family and the Crowley Fire Department
of Lousiana. Captain Lucien Dale Breaux, 60, a 23 year veteran of the
Crowley Fire Department, died Saturday March 17, 2007. Dale was
awakened at the South Substation by a dispatch for a motor vehicle
extrication but did not feel well and had cold sweats. He called for
EMS to respond to the fire station. While being transported to American
Legion Hospital he suffered multiple cardiac arrests. Despite being
revived during the transport, he was pronounced dead on arrival.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
Lucien Dale Breaux Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
3/19/07 Armpatch Gallery Update
Today I updated the Armpatch Gallery with 24 new armpatches,
including these two submissions from the Covington Fire, Rescue & EMS
- Station 14 of Northern Pocono's Daleville, Pennsylvania and the
Waterville Valley Department of Public Safety's Fire Pigs of New
Hampshire.
These new armpatches can be found on pages
Armpatch 188
and
Armpatch 189.
There are now 2,268 armpatches in the gallery.
3/15/07 Buddy Light Giveaway Winner
I recieved my first winner submitted photo from the Buddy Light
Contest that ended in January. Captain John Saviano of the Scarsdale
Fire Department Local 1394 of New York State received his Buddy Light
and plans to put it to good use. More info on the Buddy Light Helmet
LED and contest winners can be found on the
Contests Page.
3/13/06 Memorial Photo Gallery
I received 20 photographs from Stormy, sister of FireFighter Phillip
Townsend. These photos depict Phillip through the years, as well as
his children, his sister, and his parents. I have created a memorial
photo gallery for Phillip with these photos. Phillip was a member of
Denison Fire Department who died on December 30, 2006 in Denison,
Texas, when an awning collapsed on him and another firefighter during
operations at a strip mall fire.
Please visit the
Phillip Townsend Memorial Photo Gallery and the
Phillip Townsend Memorial Page.
3/9/07 Armpatch Gallery Update
Today I updated the Armpatch Gallery with 24 new armpatches,
including these two submissions from the Red Knights Motorcycle
Club Chapter 1 of Delaware and the Waymart Volunteer Fire Company
- Station 75 of Waymart, Pennsylvania.
These new armpatches can be found on pages
Armpatch 186
and
Armpatch 187.
There are now 2,244 armpatches in the gallery.
3/7/07 Line of Duty Death - New Hartford, NY
Our condolences to the Sowich family, the Sherrill-Kenwood Fire
Department, and the New Hartford Fire Department of New York.
FireFighter Michael Sowich, 50, a 16 year veteran of the fire
service, died Friday March 2, 2007. Michael passed away in his
dorm room while attending a training seminar at the National
Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The cause of death is
under investigation.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
Michael Sowich Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
3/6/07 Line of Duty Death - FDNY, New York
Our condolences to the Reilly family, the Carpluk family, and the New York
City Fire Department. FireFighter Michael Reilly, 25, and Lieutenant Howard
Carpluk, 43, died from their injuries after a collapse at a structure fire on
August 27, 2006. Five firefighters were trapped and pulled from the rubble
at the three alarm structure fire at a 99 cent store in the Eden section of
New York City. Three firefighters were rescued within minutes, but Michael
and Howard were trapped for more than an hour.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
Michael Reilly & Howard Carpluk Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
3/5/07 Attention WFD Members
Congratulations again to Waterbury Exchange Club Firefighter of the
Year 2006 James Santa Lucia. The Exchange Club will be hosting a
dinner to honor Jimmy and recipients of other awards including
Policeman of the Year, Educator of the Year and more at the Ponte
Club in Waterbury, CT on Tuesday March 27, 2007. Tickets are $35
and include a family style dinner - contact Kathy Craig before March
19th at (203)558-1467 or (203)757-8414.
John Keane is looking for a color guard and marchers for the annual
St. Patrick's Parade in Waterbury on Saturday March 10, 2007. Email
John Keane
for more information.
3/2/07 Attention WFD Members
It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Retired
Waterbury FireFighter Richard Claffey. Dick joined the department
in 1951, serving at Engine Comapnies 4, 5, and 1, and Truck 2. In
1977 he became an inspector in the Fire Marshal's office until his
retirement in 1982. Calling hours will be held on Friday March 2,
2007 5-8PM at Murphy Funeral Home. A funeral will be held on
Saturday March 3, 2007 9:30AM at St. Leo the Great Church followed
by a burial in All Saints Cemetery.
