THE SECRET LIST
By; Chief Billy Goldfeder
Hey,
A suspected arsonist has been arrested for
setting that house fire, that resulted in the Line of Duty Death of Yonkers
(N.Y.) Firefighter Patrick Joyce.
Police arrested and charged dirtbag Rafael Rodan today with second-degree
murder, second-degree arson and second-degree burglary. Investigators say he
set the fire as payback for the landlord evicting him. Roldan is being held at
the Westchester County Department of Corrections, until his arraignment Monday.
Investigators called the fire suspicious, adding the fire erupted in multiple
locations within the multi-family dwelling.
Firefighter Patrick Joyce was killed in the Line of Duty Friday and flashover
like conditions forced FF Joyce and the 2 other Firefighters out that
third-story window, or they had no choice but to jump. We have a pic of that
structure on our home page.
Firefighter Joyce leaves behind a wife and two little girls. Meanwhile,
Lt. Joseph Murray and Firefighter William Kanych are in serious but stable
condition.
Take Care-BE CAREFUL.
BillyG
The Secret List 10-3-09 / 2137 Hours
UPDATE: YONKERS FF KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY WHILE SEARCHING FOR VICTIMS.
REPORTS: RAPIDLY CHANGING FIRE CONDITIONS TRAPPED THE MEMBERS
The Secret List www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com
As you know, 39-year-old Yonkers Firefighter Patrick Joyce Jr,
was killed in the Line of Duty yesterday and 2 other
Firefighters were seriously injured as they searched for reported trapped
occupants in that early morning house fire.
FF Patrick Joyce Jr., the father of 2 girls and a 16-year veteran of the
department, either jumped or fell from the top floor of the burning 3-story,
four-family dwelling. The 0100 Hours fire is suspicious because it was fully
involved in two locations at the home.
Witnesses claim they saw
the fire "explode" inside the tall, narrow vinyl-sided house and
watched as the Firefighters jumped for their lives. One stated "It looked
like somebody threw a bomb through the window," and "I heard
Firefighters screaming."
The injured firefighters - 54-year-old
Lt. Joe Murray and 12-year veteran Firefighter William Kanych, 39
- were in serious but stable condition at Jacobi Medical Center in The Bronx,
NYC. Both also either jumped or fell from the top floor window but the men are
still not well enough to be interviewed by investigators, but rapidly changing
and high heat conditions are indicated by numerous sources.
Lt. Murray, who joined the YFD in 1982, was expected to undergo surgery for
broken ribs and also has a punctured lung and second-degree burns on his hands.
FF Kanych had a broken ankle, cracked vertebrae and burns on his face and neck.
FIREFIGHTER JOYCE FUNERAL DETAILS:
Calling hours for FF Joyce are set for Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. and Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at McGrath & Sons, 20 Cedar Street, Bronxville. His funeral is set for Tuesday at 9:45 a.m. at St. Margaret's Church, 6000 Riverdale Ave. in the Bronx.
The last firefighter who died in the line of duty in Yonkers was in 1986. More details to follow as we mourn the
loss of FF Joyce and wish the best for a rapid recovery of Lt Joe Murray and FF
William Kanych.
2 FLORIDA FIREFIGHTERS
BURNED AT THE FIRE HOUSE
Two Osceola County firefighters are recovering after an outdoor grill exploded next
to them last night at their firehouse and the state fire marshal is
investigating. Reports are that 2 Firefighters were making dinner on the grill
but when they turned off the propane tank, something exploded, injuring both of
them. The 2 Firefighters both have blisters and burns, one more serious than
the other, but are expected to be OK.
REMINDER: You and your members can watch the NFFF Memorial Service HERE:
http://www.wusa9.com/news/columnist/blogs/2009/09/nfff-statter911com-firehousecom-need.html
Take Care-BE CAREFUL.
BillyG
The Secret List 10-3-09 / 0745 Hours
YONKERS (N.Y.) FIREFIGHTER KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY-OTHERS INJURED
The Secret List www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com
It is with deep regret that we advise you that a Firefighter from the Yonkers FD has been killed in the Line of Duty. 2 others Firefighters are reported to have critical injuries. Initial reports are that there may have been a flashover and a forced bailout by the members from an upper floor of what was a 3rd alarm fire.
Killed in the Line of Duty was Patrick Joyce, 39, a 16 year member of the YFD. Joyce leaves behind a wife and two children. We will have an update later.
As always, our most sincere condolences go out to all affected at the YFD.
Take Care-BE CAREFUL.
BillyG
The Secret List 10-2-09 / 0650
Hours
Hey,
This weekend will be the annual National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Memorial service and commemoration. We
hope to see you there.
For those of you who are not able to attend, the weekend's events will be
live-stream broadcast over the Internet by a collaboration with WUSA-TV in DC
and Firehouse.com. WUSA-TV's Dave Statter (Statter911) and his wife
Hillary Howard from WTOP News, will be hosting the broadcasts and conducting
interviews between program events.
There will be two webcasts. The first will be on Saturday evening beginning at
1815 hours (EDT) and will cover the Candlelight Memorial Service in the
chapel. On Sunday beginning at 0930 Hours (EDT) and running until later
in the afternoon, they will be presenting the dedication ceremonies where 103
firefighters who died in the Line of Duty in 2008, along with 19 others who
gave their lives in previous years will be honored. You can view the live
webcasts at either www.STATter911.com or at
www.Firehouse.com .
More information regarding the
memorial service is HERE:
http://weekend.firehero.org/
MEDIA KIT HERE:
http://weekend.firehero.org/media/kit/PressKit_Full.pdf
ITEM OF INTEREST AND IMPORTANCE
TO LONG ISLAND (N.Y.) FIREFIGHTERS:
http://mlfd.com/seminar/ExCaptSeminarFlyer.pdf
SOME OUTSTANDING
HISTORICAL FIRE & RESCUE VIDEOS OF INTEREST:
Once in a while, we like to pass on some "not so bad news" and
especially some videos of interest. These absolutely incredible movies, found
and then converted digitally, help all of us remember where we came from. Here
are several excellent links for you:
LOS ANGELES FD COMPANY
OPERATIONS:
http://www.archive.org/details/Pa2112Compan
FDNY 1920's:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQLlJVagmOs&feature=PlayList&p=9DD64FF241E5B4D6
WORKING COMMERCIAL
BUILDING FIRE-BIRMINGHAM (AL) 1965:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_lefjse7RE
NUMEROUS HISTORICAL
CHICAGO FIRE VIDEOS:
http://www.chicagofd.org/
THE HISTORY OF MODERN
EMS: (Featuring the late Fire Chief, Jim Page)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqD_w4gFa0E
AN AMAZING FIRE SERVICE
VIDEO COLLECTION:
And lastly, here are links to numerous historical fire videos from the
Timothy G. Stillman Collection. Tim was and old friend and was actually one of
the original members of The Secret List way back when. Tim was a noted
authority on fire protection, firefighting and was very active on numerous NFPA
committees.
Chief Stillman passed away in 2002. R.I.P.
NOT TO MISS (As shown
above) HERE is a sample of what is in this file:
http://www.archive.org/details/Pa2112Compan
(This historical training film for Firefighters goes over the basic things
the COMPANY OFFICER needs to go over before going to a fire, in order to
ensure that things go smoothly and efficiently-including knowing the location! From Los
Angeles).
HERE is the entire file:
http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=Stillman%20fires%20collection
Take Care and Enjoy,
BillyG
The Secret List 9-29-09 / 1547 Hours
www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com
FIRE SERVICE EQUIPMENT AND
APPARATUS ICON PASSES
We are deeply saddened to report the passing of C. Peter "Pete"
Jorgensen, Publisher and Editor of Fire Apparatus and Equipment Magazine.
http://www.fireapparatusmagazine.com/
Pete died comfortably at his home in Vermont the night of Saturday, September 26th.
Among his many contributions to the fire and emergency services industry, Pete also served on the FEMSA Board of Directors from 1998 through 2001.
Pete was never ever shy to "tell it like it is" when it came to his passion: fire apparatus and equipment and the related fire business industry. Few Firefighters that we know of didn't enjoy it when that large style "FIRE APPARATUS MAGAZINE arrived! I know personally, I always go to Pete's column first to see what the latest was-and what his opinion on "it" was. Without a doubt, Pete and his magazine made a huge difference to not only the business side, but to those he felt were his real customers, the FIREFIGHTERS who purchased and operated the equipment he passionately wrote about.
Additional details will be provided as they become available. Please keep Pete's wife, Kay, his family, and his colleagues at the magazine in your thoughts and prayers.
We appreciate the notification from the folks at FAMA. http://www.fama.org/
Rest in Peace Pete.
BillyG
The Secret List 9-27-09 / 2238 hours
Hey...
As they do each year, the US Fire
Administration releases their complete report on how we died in the Line of
Duty. We look forward to seeing many of you
next weekend at the National Fire Academy for the National Fallen Firefighter
Memorial Weekend and Service, honoring those killed in 2008.
More details on that HERE: http://weekend.firehero.org/
The LINK to the entire 2008 LODD
document is below, but in summary, 118 Firefighters died
while on duty in 2008. The total break down included 66 volunteer, 34 career,
and 18 wildland agency Firefighters. There were 5 Firefighter fatality
incidents where 2 or more Firefighters were killed, claiming a total of 18
Firefighters' lives. Note also the below WILDLAND
number-which has doubled.
-26 Firefighters were killed during activities involving brush, grass or
wildland Firefighting, more than twice the number killed the previous year.
-Activities related to emergency incidents resulted in the deaths of 75
Firefighters.
-28 Firefighters died while engaging in activities at the scene of a fire.
-21 Firefighters died while responding to, and 3 while returning from,
emergency incidents.
-12 Firefighters died while they were engaged in training activities.
-13 Firefighters died after the conclusion of their on-duty activity.
-Heart attacks were the most frequent cause of death for 2008 with 45
Firefighter deaths.
The 2008 report on Firefighter fatalities in the United States may be
downloaded HERE:
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/report.shtm
See you in Emmitsburg.
BillyG
The Secret List 9-27-09 / 0735 Hours
MEDICAL HELICOPTER CRASH LODD -
SOUTH CAROLINA
The Secret List www.FirefighterCloseCalls.com
A medical flight helicopter crashed late Friday
in a wooded area of Georgetown County, SC killing three people on
board, according to Georgetown County Coroner Kenny Johnson.
The helicopter operated by Omniflight
Helicopters, Inc., was not on a call when its base lost contact with the crew
at 11:16 p.m. Friday as they made their way back to their base, Johnson said. A
pilot, flight nurse and flight medic were aboard the helicopter when it crashed
and there were no survivors, he said. Our condolences to the family members
and co-workers of those involved.
Take Care-BE CAREFUL.
BillyG
The Secret List 9-26-09 / 0940 hours
Hey,
It doesn't take long for us to be somewhere and have a Firefighter start busting chops about "the safety stuff" and that's OK, we love the banter knowing that NO FIREFIGHTER wants to get hurt unless it matters-and that NO FIREFIGHTER wants to hurt anyone for any reason. Otherwise, they wouldn't be a Firefighter. It's in our job description. Do good. Help people. Cause no harm. Stuff like that. And that's why so many try so hard to do whatever it takes to not allow any Firefighter to experience one of the "nightmare" sides of being a Firefighter.
A very tragic example of one continuing is the wrongful death lawsuit filed in Massillon (OH) where in May of 2008, a responding fire apparatus struck a minivan and killed 2 civilians: a man and his grandson. The suit alleges that a Massillon Firefighter and her Officer violated multiple traffic and FD policies. It happened in a 4 way stop/red flashing light intersection. The FF driving was actually a distant relative to the 2 civilians who were killed in the crash.
Among the allegations in the civil lawsuit are that the driver of the apparatus
was traveling at an "excessive, unsafe" speed - of which the Ohio
State Patrol totally disagreed - they issued no charges. But the
FF was approaching the intersection between 44 and 50 miles per hour,
according to the lawsuit. The posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour.
The attorneys are now
asking questions such as:
"There is no question the speed of the truck was between 44 and 50 mph. The question (the attorney) poses is, is that reasonable?" He further states: ". ... The law is not that you can violate the traffic laws. You have to travel in a reasonable manner to get to the destination."
In addition to speeding,
the lawsuit states:
The FF failed to stop for the flashing light, she failed to yield the right of way and she drove left of center.
The lawsuit also indicates that she failed to apply the brakes and was holding her foot on the accelerator as she drove through the intersection.
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday seeks compensatory damages, including funeral
expenses, in excess of $25,000. The Fire Captain who was riding in
the passenger seat, and the city also are named as defendants.
Companies had been dispatched to a car fire with exposures with all
emergency lights and sirens on. The Ohio State
Patrol determined that the elderly civilian pulled into the path of
the truck. The FF was traveling at a "reasonable" speed of 45 to 50
mph, according to the patrol and no criminal charges were filed.
But the elderly and hearing impaired civilian had the right of way and drove into the intersection, the lawsuit alleges. It continues to state that the FF also violated the MFD's SOP by failing to bring the quint to a complete stop. The Captain, who was the Officer in the front seat, was required to "ensure that the driver is operating the vehicle in a safe and prudent manner at all times." The suit claims that the Captain acted recklessly by allowing the FF to drive the truck without proper training, the lawsuit alleges. In October 2007, the same FF notified the city in writing that, "I do not feel at this time I will be able to operate this truck in an emergency at this time," court papers show.
We have more information and some news video about this crash on our home page. But the point of us passing this on is that, without question, the MFD, the FF, the Officer and all the members are Firefighters meaning to do good. Just like you or I. And the LAST THING anyone in the MFD ever wanted to do that day was to hurt, no less contribute to, the injury or deaths of anyone. They were going to help someone who had a vehicle fire. Just like you and I do and have done. But on that day, for a variety of reasons (that now the courts will determine) a nightmare started for everyone involved which includes the affected families, the survivors and MFD Firefighters: whose only intent was to do good.
While we can only hope for some sort of a positive outcome for those involved, the value right now-today-is for any of us, which means us too, is to take a look and read about what happened and determine if there are any "warning signs" that can be applied now at our own FD and EMS Departments.
Be it training, policies, enforcement of policies, slowing down, stopping at red lights or whatever, rest assured, those involved wish they could turn back the hands of time and eliminate this continuing nightmare. Watch, listen and take action when there are warning signs. Good intent is the basis of why we joined, but past history shows that we need more than good intent to wake up from some of these nightmares. Watch, listen and take action when there are warning signs, at any of our departments. It helps good sleep.
Take Care-BE CAREFUL.
BillyG
The Secret List 9-25-09 / 2000 hours
