Roanoke Working! 5 civilians displaced, 4 firefighters injured

Roanoke’s Bravest faced yet another heavily involved house fire at approx 1am Wednesday morning (8/15/2012).

The Brothers and Sisters of A-shift arrived at 832 Staunton Ave NW to find heavy smoke and fire conditions from side “Charlie” (the rear of the structure).

The residents were home at the time of the fire but were able escape on their own.

Reports are that there were smoke detectors in the home but they were not working.

The were 5 residents who were displaced by the fire and will either stay with friends / family or be assisted by the Red Cross. The home sustained heavy damages estimated in the $80,000 range.

Ironfiremen.com on Face Book. Click HERE then “Like”

There were also 4 firefighters injured in the fire.

All of the injuries were described as “minor” with 3 having been treated at the scene while the fourth was transported to a local hospital.

The photo to the left is the right ear of Drew Abel, one of the firefighters operating on the 2nd floor.

Drew was on the nozzle and making a knock on the fire when he received steam burns to both his ears (the right more severe). He was wearing all of his PPE (including hood and helmet ear flaps) and wearing it correctly.

Roanoke carries both smooth bore and fog nozzles on their attack lines but I am unaware of which Drew deployed. Roanoke has a long history and reputation of aggressive, interior fire attacks. Most often, Roanoke’s firefighters will make their way to the seat of the fire before applying water. This tactic allows us to keep a large percentage of our fires contained to the room of origin. The “trick” to this tactic is that ventilation MUST be coordinated with the attack. If not, and the fog nozzle was deployed; these types of injuries can occur. Heres some local news coverage …

More from Roanoke.com

WDBJ 7

 

I have spoken with Drew and he is doing well. He will be placed on “light duty” for the next week or so until he is healed and should make a full recovery. GET WELL SOON Brother!

Rhett is still in the middle of his “16 Days of Swag” over on Fire Critic.com. In appreciation for reaching 5,000 Face Book “Likes”, he’s giving away a bunch of free  stuff   “SWAG”. You can enter every day … check it out and sign up below …

Click HERE for the Fire Critic Give Away

Speaking of “Give A Ways” … The National Firefighters Endowment is also doing a give – a – way but in a BIG WAY! They are giving away a new truck!

Vote & Enter to win your choice of a new Ford or Chevy truck. 50% of your donation will go directly to support the fire department you vote for. The department with the most votes will win an additional $5,000 equipment grant from National Firefighters Endowment.

Learn more, enter and vote by clicking HERE

Bob Gard also has a chance for ya to win something REALLY COOL … a CUSTOM leather, Phenix 9/11 Remembrance Helmet !

Every $10 donation gives you a chance to win this helmet. The donations go to the South Dakota Firefighter’s Benefit which will be held in Sioux Fall, South Dakota on September 15th.

The Benefit is NON-PROFIT with all proceeds being split between the National Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation and the National Firefighter’s Endowment.

 Learn more, get you chance for the helmet and register for the Benefit at the link below … pay special attention to who the SPEAKERS will be.

South Dakota Firefighters Benefit click HERE .

I also need to tell ya about the Southwest Virginia Fire Officer’s Association’s 5th Annual Fire Officers Seminar.

The Seminar will be held in Roanoke, Va on September 20th & 21st.

The speaker / presenter will be Christopher J. Naum!

Rhett and I consider Chris to be a good friend, a Brother  and a true Fire Service Leader. This will be our best Officers Seminar yet!

You may know some of his web sites ..The Company Officer,  Command Safety, Buildings on Fire.

His topic will be “Five Star Command; Redefining Fire Officer Training for Operational Safety & Excellence”.

If you are a current or aspiring Fire Officer and live within 100 miles of Roanoke, YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS SEMINAR!

Learn more and Register NOW. Click HERE

Don’t forget to “like” and “Share” this post on Face Book. I’ll check back in with ya in a day or so. The Buckaroo and I have school orientation tomorrow evening so it may be Friday before I get back. Yea … he starts pre-K next Tuesday … this ought to be interesting!  LOL

Until I do get back, you Brothers and Sisters stay SAFE and in House!

Captain Wines