Firefighter Netcast welcomes Dieter Bove’, a 30-veteran career Firefighter, managing partner of Firefighter Knowledge, Inc. and founder of the Chimney Department, Ltd. Dieter is an expert on the subject of solid fuel and gas combustion appliances and provides training on this subject to fire departments.
This is the first of a two-part special directed at increasing firefighter knowledge of this incident, not normally gained until after you’ve fought one. Part 2 will air next week. While you’re listening, use this webpage as we’ll offer photos and links to follow along while Dieter talks firefighter to firefighter about all things related to chimney and gas combustion emergencies and the fires that are associated with these systems.
Attention Training Officers: This is an excellent show at the perfect time!
Follow along with the discussion as we refer to these photos:
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Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters
The sound of a bell holds special significance for firefighters. Historically, the toll of a bell summoned members to the station, signaled the beginning of a shift, notified departments of a call for help, and indicated a call was completed and the unit had returned to the station.
Departments sounded a series of bells when a firefighter died in the line of duty to alert all members that a comrade had made the ultimate sacrifice. This time-honored tradition continues today during the funerals or memorial services for firefighters.
On Sunday, October 16, 2011 those who died in the line of duty during the previous year will be honored during the 30th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, Maryland. For the first time the bells of the Chapel at the National Memorial will chime in honor of our fallen heroes. As part of this special remembrance, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) is encouraging firefighters across the country to invite their places of worship to participate in Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters.
Through this grass-roots effort, the Foundation is asking religious congregations nationwide to honor the fallen heroes. Firefighters will contact their local clergy and work together to plan a brief moment of remembrance during their services.
The idea for Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters was created by Colonel Bob Ditch, USAF, Retired, EdD (c), EFO/CFO, a fifth generation firefighter who has served in eight fire service agencies in five states over the last 36 years.
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation will provide materials to help fire department members contact religious organizations in their communities. A response form is included so that a representative from the participating fire department and clergy can describe the commemorative service. The Foundation will record all the responses and share this information on this website.
For more information about participating in Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters, contact bells@firehero.org.
» How You Can Help: Clergy Invitation Letter | Program Participant Form
» See the Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters Program Participants
Firefighter Netcast’s Line of Duty Remembrances
According to statistics provided by the United States Fire Administration, there have been 73 Line of Duty Deaths reported for the year 2011. Six Brothers have lost their lives in the line of duty since our last program. Firefighter Netcast would like to take a few moments to honor the Fallen.
Christopher Peterson, 22, Vehicle Accident
While responding to a call for medical assistance on Labor Day Weekend, Jonesboro Louisiana Ward Four Fire Protection District Firefighter Christopher Peterson died from injuries sustained when the fire department utility truck he was operating failed to negotiate a curve, left the rain-slicked roadway, and struck an embankment and trees. Firefighters from his own department worked furiously to save the life of who his Chief called one of his top responders. Chris was only 22 years old.
William Waldner, 22 and Jacob Waldner, 20, Explosion
On the morning of September 15 in rural Britton, South Dakota, Sunset Fire Department Firefighters and cousins William Waldner, 22, and Jacob Waldner, 20 died from injuries sustained while attempting to extinguish a rekindled coal bin fire. According to an article in http://FirefighterCloseCalls.com , the two young Firefighters climbed to the top of the 75-foot structure to put out what was still burning. The men were attempting to knock down the fire through the top of the opening onto the coal bin when an explosion occurred. The blast threw both Firefighters from the roof onto the ground. Debris from the roof landed on top of one of the Firefighters and the other was pinned beneath a concrete wall that had collapsed. The west wall of the building crashed through to the coal furnace, crushing it. The father of one of the Firefighters, was also is a Volunteer Firefighter himself, was inside a lower level of the building during the blast. He emerged from the building dazed, covered in debris and injured.
Firefighters had to use one of the trucks on scene to remove the roof and cement off of the men.
Michael Collins, 41, Struck by Vehicle
Michael Collins
In the early evening of September 18, 41-year old Firefighter Michael Collins of the Shelby (IA) Fire & Rescue Department was struck and killed by a vehicle while working a traffic control point at the scene of a motor vehicle accident on Interstate 80 in Western Iowa. While he was directing traffic, a driver came up too fast on the slowing traffic and moved into the other lane, hitting Firefighter Collins. He died of his injuries at the scene. Investigation of the fatal incident continues by local and state authorities. He leaves behind his wife, a son, and two daughters.
George Fisher
George Fisher III, 57, Medical
On September 22, Sandy Bottom Volunteer Fire and Rescue Kinston , North Carolina While getting a vehicle serviced, 57-year old Captain George Fisher III collapsed from a cause still to be determined and was transported to the hospital where he passed away a short time later. He was a past Chief and current President of his department and had been a member since 1988 and He was in charge of the Junior Firefighter Program.
Vince Cruz, 41, Unknown
41-year old Guahan, Guam Firefighter Vince Cruz passed away while on duty on September 29 from a cause yet to be determined. He was posthumously promoted to Fire Lieutenant.
Keith Rankin, 38, Medical
38-year old Lieutenant Keith Rankin of the Lancaster Township Fire Department in Pennsylvania suffered a medical emergency and collapsed while coordinating a live burn training exercise on September 25 at the Lancaster County Fire School. Several of the 25 county firefighters on hand for the exercise immediately performed CPR and other life-saving measures, but despite their furious efforts, Keith never regained consciousness.
He was a volunteer firefighter for 23 years. Keith began his love of firefighting at the age of 14. He was a life member of the Lancaster Township Fire Department. He was a Lieutenant and former Assistant Chief with the Lancaster Township North Station. Keith was also awarded “Firefighter of the Year” after rescuing a civilian from a burning building. My friend and recent guest on Firefighter Netcast, Glenn Usdin, is Lancaster Township’s deputy chief. Chief Usdin said Rankin had been running the “live burn” drill and was talking with some firefighters when he collapsed, saying that “There was no sense that anything was wrong,” and that “He literally collapsed without a word of warning.”
Lieutenant Keith Rankin moments before he collapsed and died (photos from Glenn Usdin)
Please pause and join me and the entire Firefighter Netcast family in sending our love and strength to all the family, friends, co-workers, and loved ones who continue on without each of these fine men. This month, I’ll be joining hundreds of Brothers and Sisters for the 30th anniversary of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, Maryland. If you have never made the trip, please plan to do so at least once in your lifetime. Firefighter Netcast will be providing live coverage of the activities as they occur.
