FireWatch

FireWatch is a service that provides links to news stories from the fire community that have attracted our attention.

Man sets house on fire and kills Florida Deputy Sheriff in ambush

A man who set his house on fire then ambushed the first sheriff's deputy who responded, fatally shooting the deputy and wounding another before he was killed by a police officer who lives nearby, a law enforcement official said. The man's name and address had been...

Patients on oxygen therapy risk fire injury from e-cigarettes

Health Canada is warning about the potential risks of "vaping" after an unidentified Quebec resident receiving oxygen therapy was injured by a fire sparked by an electronic cigarette. The federal department says similar incidents of fires started by e-cigarettes in...

MSA G1 SCBA is Now Approved

MSA Safety Incorporated announced that its long awaited G1 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) has received U.S. government approval from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and certification from the Safety Equipment Institute...

New Program Provides Gift Cards to Victims of Fires

A new program is helping the victims of house fires begin the difficult process of getting back on their feet, and firefighters are the ones making it possible.  The gift cards are provided to victims who sustain 25 percent or more damage to their property....

Why homes could burn eight times faster

This TV news report and video demonstrates the rapid fire development of new synthetic materials versus old cotton and wool fabrics. The cubicle on the right is full of older or antique furniture, made of cotton, wool and down. The room on the left is a typical home...

City attributes reduced multi-residential fires to education

The city’s assistant fire chief gives much of the credit to an education campaign boosted by a federal grant and money from the city. The department bought and distributed almost 8,000 DVDs on fire prevention. They came in four languages — English, Spanish, Somali and...

Two men charged in $6M Windermere arson case

Edmonton’s Windermere condo development was still under construction in March when security cameras caught someone breaking into the building and setting fires inside.  A 28-year-old construction framer has been charged with arson and numerous other...

Oregon to use radio-controlled helicopter on fires

Oregon’s Department of Forestry will get the chance this summer to use a small remote-controlled helicopter equipped with video, infrared cameras and a GPS locator to get a better look in tight smoky places before incident commanders send in fire crews. "You are...

Phoenix arson squad comes under fire

The Phoenix Fire Department's elite fire investigations unit, once lauded as the most successful arson squad in the country, is being investigated for allegations of misconduct. The unit was making arrests in over half the city's arson cases, a soaring statistic in a...

Local fire departments prepare for more residential solar

Because solar systems are tied to the outside power grid fire crews must make sure that the outside grid connection is properly severed when trying to disconnect the power.  Even then, the system is still live because the panels, powered by the sun, can't be simply...

FEMA Emergency Vehicle Safety Initiative – 2014

If you asked the public what is the most dangerous part of a first responder’s job chances are they would say during firefighting (fire ground) operations. The truth is first responders are more likely to die in a motor vehicle related incident than during the course...

Owners plead guilty to fire code violation

A Hamilton landlord has been convicted of failing to equip a residential building with window closures that meet Ontario Fire Code requirements. The case was heard at Hamilton's Provincial Offences Court and the landlord received a $3,000 fine.  Building owners...

City fires most prolific shift-trading firefighter

The city has terminated the last Cleveland firefighter to plead guilty in the department's shift-trading scandal.  He was considered the most brazen of the 13 firefighters accused of illegally paying coworkers to work their shifts.  Prosecutors said he...

Fire ambulance idea ridiculed

This controversial idea would involve firefighters driving individuals to hospital in ambulances. However, the Fire Brigades Union ( FBU ) has lambasted the concept, saying it was akin to "playing Russian roulette with fire safety", as it could result in property...

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