Pearland, TX VFD on scene of a major accident on one of the city's major thoroughfares. The incident commander was told by a local police officer to unblock the lefthand lane, but refused to do so to protect his crews.

Unionville Fire Department, Union County, North Carolina.

Photos courtesy of: Ron Williams Fantastic Photos

...

Friendswood, TX VFD on the scene of a structure fire along one of the city's major thoroughfares.

...

...

NOW YOU SEE ME BETTER ! !
Thanks to the Oaks Corner (NY) Fire Department for these pictures that CLEARLY make the point for Hi-Vis vests on the roadway!

During a recent training exercise, I was demonstrating various methods of forcible entry on a door prop. While demonstrating how to force an inward swinging door, I inserted the adz end of the Haligan into the door jam and began to pull down to “gap” the door. The adz slipped out of the door jam causing the Haligan to kick back and strike the front of my helmet with great force. My only injury was a slight headache and a small mark on my forehead caused by the inside of my helmet.   Imagine the outcome had I not been wearing a helmet. 

Great Job! Chevrons Front, Back, Doors, etc!

HIGHLY VISABLE ON THE ROAD WAY!

On August 11, 2008, Balch Springs Fire Department E-2 and T-1 responded to a MVA at Southbound Interstae 635 at the Lake June exit ramp. According to our SOP’s, the Truck is used as a blocking apparatus. As the apparatus arrived at the scene and were preparing to exit Truck 1, it was struck by a passenger vehicle. No one was injured but the vehicle and the truck suffered considerable damage. The Bach Springs Fire Department mandates strict policies when it comes to highway incidents, there is stripping on the apparatus, cone placement, NFPA sign board , reflective vests, helmet usage and extensive highway safety training. This time it paid off.

Adams and Mannsville Fire Departments responded to a vehicle fire on interstate 81 on July 18, 2008 at approximately 10:30am. Upon arrival of Adams Chief 1 he stated a fully engulfed pick up truck fire. Adams Engine 2 was the first fire apparatus on scene. Using a deck gun for initial knockdown, the fire was cooled quickly. After about 30 seconds of using the deck gun an 1 3/4 hand line was used for overhaul to insure that the fire in both the cab and the engine compartment was extinguished. Proper use of PPE and the knowledge of the firemen on the scene NO INJURIES occurred.

A few days ago, a fire truck was involved in an accident while responding. The truck was going through an intersection and was t-boned by a car that had stopped, but thought the truck was going straight, not turning. The driver of the truck had to cross the yellow line to go around the car, but stopped for the intersection before proceeding, and the firefighters DID have their seat belts on. No one was injured. The driver of this truck attended the Courage to be Safe program a few weeks ago, and signed the Fire Service Seat Belt Pledge during the class. Little by little, we are getting through to people, and they are doing things right.

Adams and Mannsville Fire Departments responded to a vehicle fire on interstate 81 on July 18, 2008 at approximately 10:30am. Upon arrival of Adams Chief 1 he stated a fully engulfed pick up truck fire. Adams Engine 2 was the first fire apparatus on scene. Using a deck gun for initial knockdown, the fire was cooled quickly. After about 30 seconds of using the deck gun an 1 3/4 hand line was used for overhaul to insure that the fire in both the cab and the engine compartment was extinguished. Proper use of PPE and the knowledge of the firemen on the scene NO INJURIES occurred.

This morning I had the chance to be watch some of your crews working a Motor Vehicle Crash at the Intersections of 2818 and E. Villa Maria. I am one who loves to shoot off email about places where I have seen a Fire Department doing something unsafe and as a fire fighter and Incident Safety Officer I know what I am looking at. However, this is not one of those times.

I feel the need to compliment your crews working on Engine and Medic 2 as well as the later responding Medic Units. When I first saw the incident I noted the Engine positioned across both lanes of 2818 (Texas Ave side) and blocking 1 lane of E. Villa Maria and I was happy to see that they had a someone in a safety vest directing traffic around the accident, as well as emergency responders in vests. I also noted that Medic 2 was positioned to block traffic from flowing around where they had extricated the victims (I noted at least 1 victim boarded and ready to be loaded awaiting an additional Medic unit) too.

The Incident was coned off around it for an additional traffic barrier and as I approached closer I noticed that the crews were making use of either a Texas DOT employee or a TAMU Employee (I believe it was DOT, however The Seal on the Vehicles look too alike to be sure) to direct traffic until the arrival of the Constable. These Crews Presented an organized incident, well planed and trained traffic safety procedures and the willingness to use resources at their disposal to their advantage.

Here's a link to our local paper showing a car fire handled by the neighboring city department, car engulfed, strut or airbag on right side going off, and then the engine on-scene. Not everyone does car fires wrong. Some DO get it RIGHT.