The Three House
The smell of burned wood is heavy in the air as the crew from Engine 3 begins to make up from the fire in the two story house. Arriving third due, the 3 engine saw fire rolling out of the back of the house. They used an 1.75 line to protect the rear stairs so Ladder 2 could grab the kid left sleeping while parents were out drinking down the street. The kid may make it and the truckies are smiling because it was a good grab. “Gunga!” yells out the Lieutenant assigned to this tour on the 3 engine. “Din!” yells out the rest of the crew as other firefighters smile and shake their heads. Crews from the house on Din Street adopted the saying partly because of the famous movie and also, as one district chief explains it, those guys are nuts. Repacking hose not among his favorite duties, Joe Bredzelek has a mini scowl on his face but he feels good because the crew pinned the advance of the fire allowing the boisterous truckies to make a rescue. Then the 3 engine put the fire out. At least, that’s how it will go down in the emails sent out once the crew is back at 3 House. Joe pauses and then, at the top of his lings, screams “GUNGA!” “DIN!”
Radio Show for Firefighters Comes Up Tonight
At 1700 hours we will spend an hour discussing various issues from the world of firefighting. Feel free to tune in here , call in or listen to the completed show when it is on this page around 1830 .
Remembering Danny Pujdak
On this day back in 2007 firefighter Danny Pujdak responded with his company to a fire at Brooklyn Box 247. Danny suuffered injuries during the fire and perished. Today all firefighters should remember Danny as an example of the best of humanity. From a website dedicated to Danny: Daniel Francis Pujdak was born on September 6, 1983. He resided at 225 Monitor Street in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and was well acquainted with the neighborhood. He was a trainer at the local YMCA making people physically stronger and more confident. Danny attended St. Francis Prep High School and graduated from S.U.N.Y. Cortland in 2005 with a degree in Kinesiology. He joined the brave men in the FDNY at Tower Ladder 146 in Brooklyn, NY, where he continued to serve his community. Danny’s demeanor was nothing less than extraordinary; he was willing to do anything for his friends, family and co-workers. He would leave his house to come to work and always greeted his brothers with a playful smile. We all knew when he walked into the firehouse; he was “Ready to Ride.” Danny was motivated by life: whether it was the face of a cliff 200’ above the ground being challenged by his brothers or the sound of the tones summoning for help, his charisma was the most noticeable.
Economic Woes for Firefighters Offer No Easy Solutions
The financial situation across America is anything but stable. From loss of confidence on the stock market to pension reform everyone is feeling the pinch including firefighters. Cuts, reduction in services and lowered staffing numbers are bad news for departments and citizens. The Obama administration has just asked for $50 billion dollars to help avoid layoffs to firefighters, teachers and police. The problem with this approach is twofold: 1. This is deficit spending which continues to climb meaning we as a nation cannot pay down the interest on debt. At some point it will come due and hyperinflation is possible. 2. It’s does not solve the long term problem. Solving the problem this year is important for Obama because Mid-Term elections are in November. What about next year or the year after when the need is there but there is no political impetus to provide the funds? The view most popular is “cross that bridge later”, but with soaring debt the problem will likely be much worse. Another view is to take the lumps now and begin phasing in stricter budget controls in cities and towns. Neither is palatable and both will cause aches and pains. A third view, more removed from reality, is the economy will straighten out over the next 12 months returning cities and towns to freewheeling spending days. The fire service will make it through but the impact of this economy cannot be underestimated.
Commentary
Late last night it became apparent to this author that there was no way I could just stop writing. However, equally plain was the fact that running a blog trying to focus on news, videos and original commentary was out of the question. This morning I decided that as long as I am able I will put up original commentary here on Hourly. News events will not appear (unless it is a significant event needing commentary) as there are several great blogs and sites doing a wonderful job of covering news. Video will only appear if something really strikes me. Again other blogs carry video and do so very well. So what will appear here? Every few days or so I will put up an article covering a story with original content. I will keep this up as long as possible. There are no guarantees on the frequency of posts. Today I will put up a piece and then we will see how it plays out. ~Jay
Remembering Charleston’s Bravest
“Today we may say aloud before an awe-struck world: “We are still masters of our fate. We are still captain of our souls.” Brandon Thompson, Brad Baity, Louis Mulkey, Mark Kelsey, Mike Benke, William “Billy Hutchinson, Melvyn Champaign, Micheal French, Earl Drayton
Anniversary Comes Closer
In four days the anniversary of the Sofa Super Store fire will take place. There are countless ways to honor the nine men who gave their lives and many words will be used to convey the emotion of the day. In other ways photographs and video will be used. Please take time on the 18th to remember those who perished. In addition think of the living, those who survived. They need our thoughts and prayers. Also think of the families because they deal with the loss every day.
Former Charleston Firefighters File Suit
According to a report by Glenn Smith in the Post & Courier , four Charleston firefighters filed suit over the 2007 Sofa Super Store fire that killed nine of their co-workers. The lawsuit is just the latest in an ongoing series of suits. The anniversary of the fire occurs this month on June 18, the third year since the tragedy. Some people are confused as to why lawsuits continue to come out of Charleston but this will likely be an ongoing event for many years to come. The emotional toll has been high and firefighters may not present with serious issues for some time. Further, as time unfolds, more people will learn relevant facts that were apparently unknown at the time. The Sofa Super Store has been targeted in numerous lawsuits since the disaster and the fire department has been overhauled completely with more than half the department serving three years ago now retired or off in new directions.
Remembering the Charleston 9
June 18, 2007