HYD #5: The Heat is on. Stay Vigilant. 🔥🚨

Hey Crew!

What a rough week! Both wildland and structural firefighters are taking a beating this week and there doesn’t seem to be a lull in the action. Vigilance on all fronts my friends. Here’s your weekly report:

In This Week’s Issue: 

• 🔥 FF’s Burned in Structure & Wildland Fires

• 🎙️ Radio Traffic: Charlotte 5-Alarm/Crane Rescue

• 🚒 Pittsburg Buys Antique Frontline Rig

• 🏎️ Miami-Dade Engine Stolen (chase ensues)

• 🎄 UL Releases Free Wildland Training Series

• 🧊 Red Yeti Cooler Give-Away? See poll at bottom.

Radio Traffic From Massive Fire in Charlotte, NC (🎙️): There was one helluva a fire in Charlotte on Thursday. Two of the fifteen workers initially trapped died in the fire. The fast mover resulted in two maydays by trapped firefighters, who managed to escape.

One worker was trapped atop a crane. As conditions deteriorated Charlotte Fire made the rescue. Click the pic to listen to the rescue.

Seaside Home Burns in Hull, MA (🌅): Hydrant was too close to use. This home was a total loss in high winds. The video of the job is linked, but take a look at the hydrant in the pic below. @mikesacconetv spied this from a distance. 👀 

70 YR Old FF Brutally Burned in Idaho (🙏): A volunteer firefighter was seriously burned while battling a wildland fire. An unexpected wind shift led to the burn-over. The firefighter, Jim Ralstin, suffered severe burns to 65% of his body and is undergoing treatment in Seattle. Keep him in your thoughts.

5 FFs Caught in Flashover in Montgomery, AL (🙏): A house fire flashed just as the initial search team was pulling out a victim. Their quick pushout led to bad timing for the crew. The mayday went out as the RIT Team was pulling up. Brothers, Deandre Hartman and Captain Donald Crenshaw are in serious, but stable condition with 2nd & 3rd degree burns and smoke inhalation.

Three other firefighters sustained less serious burns. Two of three residents died as a result. One FF reportedly exited the home on fire. Keep them in your thoughts.

FF Hit By Burned Tree in Alberta, Canada (🙏): Indigenous firefighters have been battling wildfires across Canada. In one fire that took place this week, 27 homes were lost. One firefighter is in rough shape after being struck by a burning tree that broke away while he was cutting it. He’s in a coma now with a brain bleed and multiple injuries. His gofundme is here.

Quick Water:

• Portland FD rescues more than a dozen people & 3 dogs from apartment fire.

• Firefighter’s SUV dragged body of Georgia shooting victim 50 feet.

• Dublin Firefighters on training mission in Spain saves crash victim

Pittsburgh, PA Buys Antique For Frontlines (🤬): It's becoming alarmingly common for big city fire departments to neglect proper planning for fire apparatus replacement. Pittsburgh's Bureau of Fire has been forced to buy used trucks from volunteer departments, including this 1998 engine. The cancellation of a contract for new trucks and the subsequent use of SUVs for emergencies highlight the lack of foresight.

Miami-Dade Fire Engine Stolen: A Florida man stole a fire engine and took it for a 3-county high-speed chase. The rig was eventually stopped and put back in service that day. He explained to the judge that he had a CDL which apparently made it okay.

Infrared Drones: In Washington County, Utah, firefighters now utilize drones and advanced technology to combat wildfires. The Santa Clara-Ivins Fire and Rescue is employing these tools to identify hot spots and assess threats to structures. In recent months, these drones have been launched throughout the US and Canada.

Underwater Drones For Water Rescue: The Summit Township Fire Department in Michigan has deployed a game-changing QYSEA FIFISH V6 Expert Underwater ROV drone. Able to dive 600 feet deep and resist temperatures from -14 to 140 degrees.

QUICK WATER:

• Firefighting Goats: Chile's fire prevention strategy is a no kidding matter: they've put a herd of hungry goats to work, munching down on flammable underbrush and proving not all heroes wear capes - some just say "baaa!"

• UL Free Wildland Training: In the IFSC Wildland Fires Webinar Series, the (IFSC) combines the expertise of a variety of scientists to produce a series of educational webinars focused on the challenges presented by fires that occur in the Wildland-Urban Interface.

• Felons To Firefighters: Not a new idea, but in times like these giving people a second chance and a purpose can be a Win/Win. Arizona is offering a option to become wildland firefighters…full time.

Remembrance

Engineer/EMT Drew Kelly: A family friend was lost this week. A dedicated brother with a long career ahead of him. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the loss of one of our own. Gone too soon, Moncks Corner Fire Department Engineer/EMT Drew Kelly passed away in a tragic off-duty auto accident on Friday, May 12 at 22 years old. Full story

Editor’s Note: We’re into Week 5 and over 1000 of you have signed-up to read The Hydrant! Thank you! We have some fun stuff planned including raffles and giveaways with some partners we’re pretty sure you’ll like.

Just to make sure though, complete the poll.

Stay low. Stay connected. Be the source.

YETI Firefighter Cooler Raffle? We might be raffling off one of these. Interested? Click the poll below. Happy Sunday!

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