Craig Fox
Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
(TNS)

Sep. 19—WATERTOWN — A construction project should resolve a flooding issue at the Massey Street Fire Station.

Department of Public Works crews are working on a project in front of the South Massey Street station that should prevent flooding during torrential rainstorms.

The fire station has been prone to flooding when a dirt parking lot across the street floods, the rainwater then crosses the road and comes into the building, Chief Matthew R. Timerman said.

Most recently, about four inches of water ended up in the fire truck bays on the same day when many residential basements flooded after three inches of rain fell within an hour. On occasion, Timerman said his office ends up with water in his office.

“We were lucky it was during the day and staff used pumps get the water inside,” he said, adding it would have been a different story if the two storms happened at night.

The DPW workers are putting down new asphalt in front of the station to prevent the flooding as part of some other long-needed improvements to the building.

They’re replacing — and enlarging — the concrete apron in front of the building for the first time since the building was converted from a city pool building in 1992, Timerman said. The apron needs to be replace because it has cracks in it from the heavy fire trucks sitting on it.

A four-inch berm, or small hill, will be installed across the asphalt driveway to prevent the runoff from getting into the building, the chief said.

The city is using American Rescue Plan Act funding to complete the project.

Superintendent Brian MacCue said the four DPW workers should be completed with the project in a few months.

A small grassy knoll also will be taken out in front of the building and the old fire station sign will be replaced with a new one. The City Council is expected to accept a bid for the sign work at its Oct. 7 meeting.

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VIDEO: A car flipped on its side following a two-car crash near Shriners Children’s Hospital. According to a spokesperson from the Spokane Fire Department, the incident occurred around 4 p.m. at the intersection of 5th Avenue and Monroe Street. One of the cars involved flipped onto its side, and the driver required assistance to exit the car.
- PUB DATE: 9/19/2024 6:02:00 PM - SOURCE: KHQ-TV NBC 6 Spokane

East County Fire and Rescue (ECFR) Fire Chief Ed Hartin has advised the ECFR Board of Fire Commissioners that he intends to retire effective Dec. 31. Hartin’s retirement will conclude a more than 50-year fire service career, with the last two years serving as ECFR’s fire chief. Hartin said he is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Sue, and having time to travel, but told the Board he intends to “continue full throttle” through the end of the year.
- PUB DATE: 9/19/2024 5:14:02 PM - SOURCE: Camas-Washougal Post-Record

WALNUT CREEK, Calif., (September 17, 2024) – Tablet Command, an emergency response and management solution for the fire service, has hired notable Retired Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr as a Senior Business Development Advisor.

Chief Kerr will focus on connecting with fire chiefs nationwide to enhance Tablet Command’s engagement with fire service leaders. She will support the company’s goals of continuous improvement and growth by gathering valuable feedback from the fire service community, while also serving as a brand ambassador at key industry events.

A fourth-generation firefighter with 40 years of experience, she served as the first female President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) before finishing her career as the Fire Chief of Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue (where her career began in 1983.) She also served as the fire chief in Austin, TX, and Little Rock, AR.

“As a fire chief, my priorities have always been taking the best possible care of fellow firefighters and providing excellent community service,” says Kerr. “The two go hand in hand. Tablet Command is a proven incident command solution that enhances situational awareness, increasing emergency scene management and personnel accountability, and I look forward to helping them expand their footprint in the industry.”

Kerr holds a master’s degree in public administration, a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health, and an associate’s degree in fire technology. She is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and attended Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

“Chief Kerr’s passion and dedication to the fire service is reflected by her commitment as a leader and mentor,” says Tablet Command Co-Founder & CEO William Pigeon. “Adding her knowledge and experience to the team is invaluable. We’re lucky to have her.”

Firefighters can learn more about Tablet Command at TabletCommand.com.

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About Tablet Command

Tablet Command provides the industry-leading Mobile CAD, emergency incident response and management solution to nearly 40,000 users and more than 1,000 public safety agencies across the United States and Canada, resulting in 190,000+ incidents managed to date. Tablet Command software solutions enhance safety and operational efficiency for emergency responders on the ground by providing comprehensive, real-time information under a single pane of glass. Tablet Command also records operational performance data as a byproduct of the incident management process, allowing fire personnel to assess performance accurately post-incident. For more information, please visit www.TabletCommand.com.

The Lowndes County Fire Rescue held a Push-In Ceremony recently for its newest truck company at Station 10, the department said in a Facebook post. The fire truck push-in ceremony is a cherished tradition with deep historical roots dating back to the early days of firefighting. It symbolizes the readiness of a new fire apparatus but also serves as a community celebration of progress and safety.

The tradition began in the 19th century when fire departments used horse-drawn equipment. After responding to a fire, horses would be unhitched from the steam engines or hose carts, and due to the lack of engines, firefighters had to manually push the equipment back into the station. This practice naturally evolved into a ceremonial event as fire stations began receiving new equipment.

This push-in ceremony symbolizes the unity and teamwork required in firefighting. It involves our firefighters and community members, reinforcing the bond between the fire department and the public they serve. Pushing the new fire truck into the station signifies that the apparatus is ready to serve and protect the community. It also marks the official start of the vehicle’s duty.

Specs by Sutphen

Lowndes County Fire Rescue SL 75-Foot Aerial Ladder

Dealer – Williams Fire Apparatus 

WHEELBASE: 232-inches

TRAVEL HEIGHT: 10-feet – 0 ½-inches

TRAVEL LENGTH: 41-feet – 8 ½-inches

CHASSIS: Sutphen Monarch Heavy-Duty Custom Chassis, 73-inch Extended Cab with a 10-inch Raised Roof

• Four-Door, Five-Person Cab
• 10-inch Double Domex Frame Rails (110K PSI)
• Front Axle and Suspension 23,000 lbs
• Rear Axle and Suspension 35,000 lbs
• Engine: Cummins L9, 450 HP
• Alternator: Leece Neville, 320 AMP
• Transmission: Allison Gen 5, EVS3000

PUMP: Hale

• QMAX-2000 GPM, Single Stage Pump
• Discharges: (2) 2 ½-inches Left, (1) 3” Right, (1) 2 ½-inches Right, (1) 2 ½-inches Upper Left Side Body, (1) 2 ½-inches Front Bumper, (1) 2 ½-inches Auxiliary Waterway
• Monitor: TFT Y5-E11A-L Typhoon Elec w/ M-ERP-1500 Nozzle
• Crosslays: (2) 2-inches Valve-Piping 1 ½-inches Swivel
• 500-Gallon Water Tank

BODY: Sutphen

• Huckbolt #304 Stainless Steel
• Amdor Roll-Up Compartment Doors
• Over 230 cu ft. Total Compartment Space
• Duo-Safety Ladder Package: 16-foot R, 24-foot 2-Section, 35-foot 3-Section & 10-foot F
• Body: SAA-6, Left High / Right High Split / EXT / Trans

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT:

• 18-inch Formed Steel Channel, Bumper Extension
• Federal Q2B Siren, Grille Mount
• Intercom System: FRC ACT 2-Station
• Camera System: FRC, Inview Trueview, Two Cameras
• Roto Ray Warning Light
• Hi-Viz 3-Piece 12V LED Brow Light
• Whelen Freedom 4 Lightbar
• FireTech Guardian Elite 20K Scene Lights

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