According to a report from KPLC, the Ward 6 Fire Department (W6FD) in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, was hit hard by Hurricane Laura five months ago. Although the storm destroyed one of their stations, they’re still working hard to keep the area safe.

Last year was a record year not just for hurricanes and coronavirus but also Calcasieu Parish emergency responders. W6FD District 1 Chief Todd Parker said the department has had to respond to a record number of calls while the number of members is at an all-time low.

Parker stated that the community is simply unaware of how volunteers are needed in the fire service. His jurisdiction is chartered for 60 volunteers, but the number of members they have sits at just 18. This has been made even harder with an increase in call volume.

Now an empty lot takes place on the grounds that housed one of Ward 6′s LA-27 location, which was the hardest hit by the storm.

Despite the damage, the department plans to keep the location operational by getting a temporary garage that will house two apparatus and a recreational vehicle for volunteers.

According to Parker, all volunteer fire departments are in desperate need of more volunteers. Ward 6 is looking for volunteers to run social media, file paperwork, answer calls, and even photograph incident scenes.

If you are interested in volunteering for Ward 6 District, CLICK HERE.

The post Fire Department in Calcasieu Parish (LA) Looks to Rebuild Station After Hurricane Laura appeared first on Fire Apparatus.

According to a report from KPLC, the Ward 6 Fire Department (W6FD) in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, was hit hard by Hurricane Laura five months ago. Although the storm destroyed one of their stations, they’re still working hard to keep the area safe.

Last year was a record year not just for hurricanes and coronavirus but also Calcasieu Parish emergency responders. W6FD District 1 Chief Todd Parker said the department has had to respond to a record number of calls while the number of members is at an all-time low.

Parker stated that the community is simply unaware of how volunteers are needed in the fire service. His jurisdiction is chartered for 60 volunteers, but the number of members they have sits at just 18. This has been made even harder with an increase in call volume.

Now an empty lot takes place on the grounds that housed one of Ward 6′s LA-27 location, which was the hardest hit by the storm.

Despite the damage, the department plans to keep the location operational by getting a temporary garage that will house two apparatus and a recreational vehicle for volunteers.

According to Parker, all volunteer fire departments are in desperate need of more volunteers. Ward 6 is looking for volunteers to run social media, file paperwork, answer calls, and even photograph incident scenes.

If you are interested in volunteering for Ward 6 District, CLICK HERE.

The post Fire Department in Calcasieu Parish (LA) Looks to Rebuild Station After Hurricane Laura appeared first on Fire Apparatus.

The Clarion Events Fire and Rescue Group has launched the Fire Academy, a new subscription service featuring hundreds of online courses for fire and EMS training, including courses with continuing education credits. Learn more at www.thefireacademy.com.

Some select fire apparatus-related courses are noted below:

Aerial Apparatus 101

Lou Scalafani discusses the basic ins and outs of modern aerial apparatus, how they differ from past trucks, terminology, and what to know before purchasing or riding on one for the next call.

Apparatus Pre-Planning: An Operator’s Key to Success

Ed Collet instructs on why it’s as important to know the specs of your apparatus as it is knowing the scene prior to a crew’s arrival.

Class A Foam: Applications for Structural and Wildland Firefighting

Todd McNeal goes indepth on this versatile, tactical application used in both strucural and wildland firefighting and how it compares to water in fighting fire.

Efficient Rural Water Delivery: Accomplishing More with Less

Rural fire service member Jason Estep talks about the importance of water and the difficulties departments can have in securing, delivering, and maximizing its use in the rural setting.

Fire Apparatus Seating Configurations

Ricky Riley goes indepth on the most common configurations, the logistics, and standards involving seating arrangements in all fire apparatus.

Quick Drills for the Driver Operator

Eric Hankins offers these quick tips to allow apparatus driver-operators to improve their skills and become more efficient attheir job.

The Basics of Apparatus Purchasing

Bill Peters discusses what every fire department needs to know when making its latest apparatus purchase.

The post Introducing The Fire Academy appeared first on Fire Apparatus.

According to a report from The Times Reporter, the Tuscarawas County (OH) Sheriff’s Office officers are being asked to look into the interruption of public services and criminal mischief regarding fire vehicles from Uhrichsville, Dennison, Mill, and Union regarding the condition of three vehicles.

According to Sherriff Orvis Campbell, Dennison officials requested his office to investigate the circumstances regarding the removal of radios from the three vehicles. He also said that Uhrichsville mentioned that the city will pay for new radios. The Office has also been requested to conduct an investigation into the vehicles’ condition and the way their equipment was removed, and potential suspects and witnesses will be interviewed.

Assistant County Prosecutor Robert Stephenson II said Thursday that his office will review the report on receiving it and then make the appropriate decision.

Matters escalated when township trustees went to get the vehicles at about 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 31, 2020, the day that the contract ended for Uhrichsville to provide firefighting services for the townships.

On arrival, trustees found the trucks parked outside the Uhrichsville Fire Department without a winch and the radios; low on fuel; and damage to the quick connect unit to fill the tanker, which was empty. Many of those details are in dispute. In fact, the views are so differing that Uhrichsville Mayor Mark Haney contends that Dennison Mayor Greg DiDonato owes Uhrichsville firefighters and officials an apology for his remarks.

Haney said he obtained an opinion from city’s law director, J.J. Ong, that the radios belonged to the city. Based on that, Haney had firefighters remove the radios and take ownership of them.

Haney then said that Mill Township picked up their vehicles and signed off on them with no issues. Union Township then picked up their tanker the same day, examined it, and also signed off on it.

Haney was surprised to get the letter from Stephenson, because the mayor didn’t actually receive it. The letter was sent by e-mail to Fire Chief Justin Edwards.

Later, Haney contacted Stephenson and county Prosecutor Ryan Styer to discuss the matter. He said he was told that “our opinion was justified based on what we knew” regarding city ownership of the radios, but that they actually are county property because the funds involved came through county commissioners.

Haney is upset about DiDonato’s involvement and claims. The two townships serve a combined population of about 3,000 residents.

Haney said the vehicles were used on a regular basis. As to when the 1,500-gallon tanker was drained, Haney said that was done the day the vehicles were picked up by township personnel. That’s one of the major points of contention, with DiDonato stating that the vehicles were to be available for immediate use, but the tanker was empty and the radios were removed.

He said he offered to show the city council a video of when the drainage happened, but they indicated there was no need to do so. He said the vehicles were in use the week of Christmas.

Haney said that there is security camera footage of the water tanker being dumped at 11:41 a.m. on the day the vehicles were picked up.

DiDonato said that all three vehicles are undergoing a thorough inspection “out of concern for the safety of our firefighters.”

The post OH Mayors Dispute Condition of Firefighting Vehicles appeared first on Fire Apparatus.