Mariposa County: Orders 15 firetrucks from Oshkosh

CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS: Mariposa County: Orders 15 firetrucks from Oshkosh

Pierce Manufacturing, the firetruck division of Oshkosh Corp. (OSK), received a $4.1 million order for 15 vehicles from the Mariposa County Fire Department

All of the firetrucks are expected to be in service by August. Oshkosh Capital, a financing division of Oshkosh Corp., provided the financing for the fire department, which is north of Fresno, Calif.

The order includes 11 Contender pumper trucks and four Contender DX tanker trucks. Each of the vehicles, to be built in the Fox Valley, will be outfitted with equipment geared for wilderness fires.

Mariposa County is in the sparsely populated western foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It includes portions of Yosemite National Park and was the site of the Telegraph Fire that burned 34,000 acres last July.

The Mariposa Fire Department consists of 12 companies that cover 1,463 square miles.

Info2008 Pierce Contender DX series tanker: The Contender DX tanker offers the new Pierce exclusive 10" directional dump valve/chute assembly that offers more than a 1600 gpm flow — no more worrying about what direction you’re facing when pulling up to the scene.

With a low center of gravity (reducing side rolls), the DX tanker allows pump and roll, and is extremely stable — proven up to 28 degrees static side slope on a tilt table.
The DX tanker comes with compartments ahead of the rear axle(s) on both sides, has a 5-year limited warranty on the PTO and portable pumps, and a 360 hp engine.

The tank, designed specifically for Contender, is constructed of polypropylene with a water compartment baffling system that reduces the surges that can destabilize your vehicle

Water truck fatality: Not drugs just no seatbelt

Sedative didn’t cause man’s death - Not using a seatbelt the likely reason truck driver died, fatality inquiry determines

DAMIEN WOOD - Herald-Tribune staff

In the written findings of Michael Berggren’s fatality inquiry, Judge J. R. McIntosh concluded the death was not the result of a sedative found in the truck driver’s system at the time of death in a highway accident, stating it was purely the lack of a seatbelt.

The in-court proceedings occurred late last July in a Fairview courtroom.

The result of those proceedings was released to the public Wednesday.

It was the morning of Dec. 26, 2006, when 55-year-old Berggren was called in to work for what would be his last run at Ponto Water Hauling – his place of employment for the two years.

Berggren did not work the day before and got off early the day before that.

He has been reported by those who encountered him over this stretch to have seemed in good health and good spirits.

Nothing seemed wrong at all in the minds of common-law spouse Anna Tina Miller, his employer or his co-workers.

But at approximately 10:15 a.m. Dec. 26 – just a half hour after leaving on his run to an oil rig near Worsley – Berggren was involved in a single-vehicle rollover on Highway 64, approximately 10 kilometres north of Hines Creek.

He was not wearing a seatbelt at the time and was ejected from the vehicle, which rolled over him and crushed his chest.

The scene responded to by authorities and emergency services was that of a water truck on its side and its driver some 20 feet away, lying in the middle of the road.

Not using a seatbelt is considered an oddity in behaviour for Berggren.

His spouse, employer and co-workers said Berggren habitually wore his seatbelt.

McIntosh stated in his concluding report that Berggren would have, in all likelihood, survived the rollover had he been wearing a seatbelt when the accident occurred.

Found to be in Berggren’s system at the time of the accident was 55 micrograms per litre of blood of a potent sedative of the benzodiazepine family – Estazolam – which was attributed to a natural health product called Serenity Pills II Berggren was talking to aid in sleeping.

The pills contained an amount of the sedative.

Estazolam was once marketed legally, but is now classified as a Schedule IV substance not legally available anywhere in North America.

Berggren had been using the product for about three months before the accident.

It is believed he took one before going to bed the night prior. Expert testimony stated it could have caused sedation and impaired his judgment while driving.

McIntosh concluded, however, there are too many variables in this incident to claim the sedative in Berggren’s system at the time of the accident was a contributing factor.

He went on to state it was not a contributing factor to the accident, or to the death.

Counsel at the fatality inquiry had requested McIntosh use his concluding report to educate the public with respect to Health Canada’s role in registration of natural health products.

Health Canada has been notified of the presence of Estazolam in Serenity Pills II, but McIntosh declined to use his findings and recommendations to any further effect.

Source: dailyheraldtribune.com - Link

California National Guard - New wildland fire trucks

California National Guard - New wildland fire trucks

A total of six Pierce Tactical Fire Fighting Truck (TFFT) and HEMTT-based Water Tender (HEWATT) vehicles will be operated by the California National Guard at the direction of Governor Schwarzenegger.

APPLETON, Wis. - In an effort to generate awareness of California's wildland firefighting capabilities, the California National Guard showcased their newest Pierce Manufacturing firefighting apparatus at an event held January 30 at McClellan Air Force Base near Sacramento, Calif. Built by Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation Company (NYSE: OSK), the Pierce Tactical Fire Fighting Truck (TFFT) and HEMTT-based Water Tender (HEWATT) apparatus are based on Oshkosh military chassis. Three each of the TFFTs and HEWATTs have been deployed to the California National Guard's 233 Engineer Fire Fighting Company.

The event, which showcased the California National Guard and its increased firefighting ability, featured vehicle displays, information booths, and opportunities for media interaction. Representatives from the California National Guard, local and regional fire agency representatives, CALFIRE, CAL-EMA, Oshkosh, Pierce, and the United States Forest Service were present. Representatives from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's staff, as well as other elected officials, were on-hand to review the apparatus.

Purchased through contracts with the U.S. Army's Product Manager for Heavy Tactical Vehicles, the TFFT and HEWATT vehicles will be operated by the California National Guard at the direction of Governor Schwarzenegger.

"We're proud to help the California National Guard and the citizens of California fight the devastating wildfires that plague the state by providing extremely powerful and mobile wildland firefighting vehicles," said Wilson Jones, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Fire & Emergency. "The ability to respond to wildfires quickly and with more powerful fire apparatus is a top priority in California, and we're excited that Pierce is the choice for the Army's firefighters."

Based on the Oshkosh HEMTT military transporter chassis, the TFFT is built to handle the most challenging terrain, with an 8 x 8 chassis configuration, all-wheel drive, and the ability to climb a 60 percent grade while fully loaded. The TFFT's firefighting capabilities include room for six firefighters, a 1,000-gallon water tank, a 1,000 GPM pump, a twin-agent foam system, roof and bumper turrets, 1,000 feet of hose and storage for a wide range of equipment.

The HEWATT also features an 8 x 8 all-wheel drive axle configuration. It is designed as a multi-purpose water distributor to support the TFFT, while providing supplementary fire suppression capabilities as well. Each HEWATT is equipped with a 2,500-gallon water tank, 500 gpm single-stage pump, 50 gallon foam cell and a front mounted bumper turret.

About Pierce Manufacturing
Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] company, is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, mini-pumpers, elliptical tankers, and homeland security apparatus. In addition, Pierce designs its own foam systems and was the first company to introduce frontal airbags and the Side-Roll Protection system to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit http://www.piercemfg.com.

About Oshkosh Defense
Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is an industry-leading global designer and manufacturer of tactical military trucks and armored wheeled vehicles, delivering a full product line of conventional and hybrid vehicles, advanced armor options, proprietary suspensions and vehicles with payloads that can exceed 70 tons. Oshkosh Defense provides a global service and supply network including full life-cycle support and remanufacturing, and its vehicles are recognized the world over for superior performance, reliability and protection. For more information, visit www.oshkoshdefense.com.

About Oshkosh Corporation
Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corporation manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh, JLG, Pierce, McNeilus, Medtec, Jerr-Dan, BAI, Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, Frontline, SMIT, Geesink, Norba, Kiggen, CON-E-CO, London and IMT. The Oshkosh brands are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, log on to www.oshkoshcorporation.com.

Virginia: Oshkosh water tender “24”

Virginia’s “Unusual” fire apparatus - Bland 24 Oshkosh

February 2, 2009 by GhostAdmin

Fire Truck Caught By Growing Sinkhole In NJ Finally Hoisted To Safety

By CraneLinda Young - AHN Editor

Jersey City, NJ (AHN) - A firetruck responding to a call about leaking water fell into a sinkhole in the street Sunday and was stuck there for hours until a crane pulled it out.

The 33-ton truck was swallowed by a sinkhole that was created after water leaking from a nearby house eroded the earth from under the roadway.

Firefighters were responding to a call about a water leak in the basement of a home when the street suddenly collapsed under their rear wheels, trapping the vehicle at 8:40 a.m. in a growing sinkhole. The crew was able to jump off the truck to safety.

Tow trucks were unable to pull the fire truck out. At about 7:30 p.m. a crane was finally able to hoist the fire truck out of the hole that had grown to about 60 feet in size.

Water trucks were brought in to supply residents with water until the water main can be prepared. About 125 homes were affected.

News: Milk tanker rolls off ferry

Regular readers of Biglorryblog may well remember me blogging on this this recent incident in New Zealand when a Volvo waggon and drag milk tanker slipped off the end of the ferry which goes from the mainland to Matakana Island in the Bay of Plenty. Look carefully at the above picture and you'll see the prime mover on the left of the ferry doing its impression of U517. Dive! Dive! Dive!

Well it couldn't have happened to a nicer bunch of blokes as it belonged to BLB's much admired favouite Kiwi fleet operator Fonterra. Well I'm grateful to BLB regular Vic Hungerford for bringing me bang up to date on the story. Vic says: "You may remember the story a few months ago about the Fonterra tanker that went for a swim off the end of a ferry. I think in your comments you wished the driver and the tanker well and hoped that they made a full recovery."

Vic continues: "Well I'm pleased to inform you that the driver was fine, but unfortunately the tanker didn't recover. It was decided that the salt water damage was terminal and that there was no point in trying resuscitation. It is gradually being stripped for parts as required for other tankers; I was down there a couple of days ago and this is what is left of what was once a fine Volvo FM12. Apparently Volvos don't like swimming!" And I don't blame them Vic...now click through here for a real hoot from the back of a Mainfreight truck....

Regular BLB readers will know that the major Kiwi truck operator Mainfreight is renowed for its smart rigs and eye-catching artwork, as well as pithy phrases. on the back of its trucks too---indeed they are much admired by Biglorryblog. So what do you make of this one?

Vic says: "On the way back I was stopped behind this Mainfreight curtainsider at some traffic lights and was rather taken by the signwriting on the back. I'm not too sure about the Kiwi shaking hands with the Kangaroo though! Cheers Vic" And who's it aimed at Vic..? That's the REAL question! Great stuff as ever and thanks.for the update on the Fonterra driver. You can always put metal back together...it's not so easy with people.

New water tender for Riceville Fire Department

The Riceville Fire Department�s new tanker before (above) and after (top) almost two years of hard work. The 5,000-gallon tanker is now ready to be put into service. Fire Department puts 'new' tanker into service The Riceville Fire Department is putting its newest vehicle, a tanker obtained in a deal with the Department of Natural Resources' Forestry Department, into service after two years of hard work. With the new tanker, which holds 5,000 gallons of water, the Fire Department will be able to triple the amount of water it can take out on a call. Previously, the Fire Department could carry 2,500 gallons. Now, if necessary, they can bring 7,500 gallons of water to a fire call. "The truck is DNR-owned," Fire Chief Lyle Eastman explained, "but the Fire Department has lifetime use of it." The Fire Department must also provide liability insurance for the truck. Had the Fire Department purchased a new truck, the expense would have reached at least $150,000. Work on the truck was done at the elevator shop and at Dean Eastman's shop. The truck is a diesel-automatic. The Fire Department first obtained the tanker in April 2007. Since then, many improvements have been made to ensure that the truck is suitable for service. According to Eastman, the truck's tank was moved ahead, new mounts were added, a water fill was added, a quick dump was mounted in the back of the truck, and a 3,500-gallon portable tank was added. The portable tank was donated by workers at McNeilus. Once the work on the truck was done, it was sent away to be painted. The end result is a bright red truck with an American flag and an eagle painted on the side, along with the words "Riceville Fire Dept." in proud, yellow print. It is certainly a vehicle that the people of Riceville, and the Fire Department can be very proud of.

Source: http://www.ricevillerecorder.com - Link

China: Chinese Water Truck example

Chinese Water Truck

Vehicle model CLW5080GSS Water Truck
Chassis model EQ1081TJA
Overall dimensions(mm) 5840x2140x2430
Fact cubage(L) 6000-8000
GVW(kg) Approx7780
Rated loading capacity(kg) Approx2980
Mass in working order(kg) Approx4605
Body internal dimensions(mm) 3400x1700x1050
Wheel base(mm) 3100
F/R track base(mm) 1750/1586
Approach/departure angle(degree) 18/14
Exhaust/hp(ml/kw) 3856/88
Max speed(km/h) 90
Tire specification 7.00-16, 7.50-16
Engine DongFeng ChaoYang diesel engine
Engine type CY4102BZLQ
Traction system 4x2
Transmission 6-speed with over drive
Number of axles 2
Electric system 24v
Operation control system Electrically hydraulic control
Allowable passengers in cab 3
*Equipped with fire valve, water valve, and filter gauze
*Equipped with fire valve, water valve, and filter gauze

Brunei: Brunei Fire/Rescue Department Water Tender

Volvo FL10/ SK Fire Water Tender Ladder no.3

The 1998 Volvo FL10 with SK Fire bodyworks Water Tender Ladder no.3 (WRL3). The WRL3 are stationed at Seris FRS to replaced the ageing Shelvoke & Drewry SPV/McAlister WRL and Bedford TK/McAlister WRL operated by the station. Now it is the main appliance of the station which act as 1st strike appliance while waiting for the water tanker and the emergency tender from the station.

Source: Link

Jamaica: Residents seize water truck from low-life operator

Sherwood Content residents protest against lack

Frustrated with the continued lack of water, scores of residents of Sherwood Content in Trelawny Friday blocked the main road.

The residents also commandeered a water truck owned by the Falmouth Parish Council.

They claimed the operator of the unit was selling water.

The community has been receiving attention following the exploits of its hero Usain Bolt in the 2008 Summer Olympics.

But today they were not happy.

Friday morning they used their bodies to block the road, and confiscated the key of the Parish Council's Water Truck.

Mayor of Falmouth
Colin Gager said the Parish Council is providing water to residents free of cost and urged them to come forward if they were being charged.

"We are not in the habit of selling water to the public, this is offered really to just to help the residents who are in dire need," he said.

The key to the water truck was handed over after the police intervened.

Fire & Rescue continuous water shuttle water tender operations

Last night at 12:58 am, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue was called to a reported barn fire at 22170 S.W. Stafford Road. When crews arrived they found a fully engulfed, 40 x 60 ft. metal pole barn. T he owner's adult son was on scene and told firefighters that the building had no animals inside and was used for storing equipment, vehicles, and hay � all of which likely contributed to fueling the fire.

The building contained a motor home and a 1959 restored MG sports car. Although the pole barn and vehicles inside were beyond saving when crews arrived, firefighters waged an aggressive fire attack and protected several exposures threatened by the fiery building including a camping trailer, several personal vehicles, and a large fuel storage tank. For almost an hour firefighters battled hostile fire and protected exposures due to the collapsed metal roof and walls that were an impediment to firefighting water. Due to the property being located in an area not served by fire hydrants, water tenders were utilized to provide a continuous water shuttle throughout the firefighting operation. Firefighters remained on scene overnight battling hot spots and ensuring the fire did not spread outside the pole barn.

The fire remains under investigation at this hour. TVF&R's fire investigator plans to go back out to the scene later today.

Source: Article KUIK - link

Alaska: Firefighting Water Tenders freeze up

Tactical Water Tenders freeze up as Fire destroys vacant Hillside home

A vacant Hillside home was destroyed early Saturday in a fire that is under investigation.
With temperatures dropping to minus 30, crews had to battle the cold as well as the flames, said Tom Preston, an Anchorage Fire Department battalion chief.

The first 911 calls came in around midnight, and the fire was largely under control by around 2:30 a.m., when some of the crews from other parts of town were sent back to their home stations, he said. But firefighters were still doing cleanup work after 6 a.m.
Fire destroys vacant Hillside home

The area off Birch and O'Malley roads has no fire hydrants. Two of the three tender trucks, or tankers, that hauled water to the home at 5623 Dalzell Circle froze up, Preston said. He wasn't at the fire, but read the reports.

Firefighters had to work in shifts because of the extreme cold, Preston said. The Red Cross brought food. A neighbor brought doughnuts.

Officials said it's too early to say if the fire is suspicious. Anchorage online property records list the owner of the Dalzell Circle home as Josefina Isla, but investigators weren't able to immediately determine whether the ownership status has changed.

Anyone with information can call fire investigators at 267-4900
Source: adn.com - Link

Garfield Hall - Water Truck Jamaica_4437.jpg

http://c.photoshelter.com/c/garfieldhall/gallery-img-show?G_ID=G0000uxHtzn3IRXI&_bqG=14&_bqH=eJxLNSkziM.syrYoq_TxrCoqKQlJykjNNg33CjKwMjIFISv3eE8XW3cDICit8CipyjP2DIrwVHP3jHd39PFxDYrEJe0ZH.wfFGILZDmHePq6IoTiXTyDbB2DnQGScCY_&I_ID=I00009u2ccIywz2Q

1982 Mack Water Truck

1982 Mack Water Truck: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/grd/977221913.html

1982 Mack Water Truck - $1500 (Malibu)

---

Reply to: sale-977221913@craigslist.org ^[?]
Date: 2009-01-02, 7:01AM PST

4000 gal., 400 Cummins, P.S., Jake, super singles, needs tank, has been parked.

Please Call, leave a message if no answer
310 457 7213

• Location: Malibu
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 977221913

1963 reo water truck $10,000

1963 reo water truck $10,000 - http://montana.craigslist.org/cto/977130610.html

1963 reo water truck $10,000 (stevensville mt)

---

Reply to: see below
Date: 2009-01-02, 5:30AM MST

1963 reo 1,200 gallon water truck
has the 300 strait six gas motor
runs good 4 speed manual all the
front and back lights work and
has blinkers so its street lagal
10,000 pound winch evrey thing works
have a new briggs and stratton motor
for the pump good hoses 10x10 all
wheel drive does about 50 mph

call 406 381 2128

• Location: stevensville mt
• it's ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 977130610

$400,000 after a fire department tanker truck totaled

SHELTON -- The city will likely be out $400,000 after a fire department tanker truck full of water overturned on Chamberlain Drive on its way to a residential fire alarm in a non-hydrant area.

Assistant Fire Chief Mike Ullrich said the eight-year-old truck, carrying 300 gallons of water, was traveling south on Chamberlain toward the Deerfield Drive alarm at about 12:45 p.m., when "either mechanical failure or something happened and it rolled over."

The two firefighters inside received minor injuries and were taken to Bridgeport Hospital.

Their names were not immediately released.

The Deerfield Road automatic alarm was in a non-hydrant area, which was why the tanker truck was needed, Ullrich said.

Police and fire officials spent hours investigating the crash, and the truck was still lying on its driver's side near North Hemlock Road at 3 p.m., with Chamberlain closed on both sides.

Ullrich said the tanker appeared to have slid for an unknown distance before coming to rest.

"That can be replaced," he said, expressing his relief that no one was seriously hurt.

"But a life can't be replaced."

It took several hours to clear the scene.

No one at the Shelton Police Department was available for comment.

Ullrich said fire resources were redeployed around the city to compensate for the lost truck. It was the first major crash involving a Shelton fire truck that he knew of, he said, adding that the truck would likely be totaled and city is self-insured.

Arizona: RV destroyed in fire

An investigation is continuing into the cause of a Friday morning fire that destroyed a recreational vehicle on Interstate 8 west of Yuma.

A Winterhaven firefighter was sent to Yuma Regional Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation suffered while fighting the fire at 8:30 a.m. Arizona time, the Winterhaven Fire Department said.

The 24-foot RV was being driven to Pilot Knob when the fire started near the off-ramp of the Winterhaven Drive exit at I-8, the fire department said.

No other injuries were reported. The name of the RV driver and the firefighter were not available.

The Winterhaven Fire Department sent a fire engine and water tender to the scene. Yuma Fire Department also helped knock down the flames.

The RV was a total loss, the Winterhaven Fire Department said.

Source: RV destroyed in fire YumaSun - Link

CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS

CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS: " A late-night fire tore through the crematorium Thursday night at Pajaro Valley Memorial Park on Hecker Pass.

The 11:42 p.m. two-alarm fire leveled the more than 1,000-square-foot building that was attached to the rear of the historic 1932 Pajaro Valley Mausoleum.

Battalion Chief Greg Estrada of Pajaro Valley Fire said that, when firefighters arrived at the scene, they were met with 30- to 40-foot flames rising up into the night sky above the mausoleum. Estrada said he quickly learned that the fire was actually coming from the back of the building, where the crematorium stood. He said firefighters went into a defensive attack because the building was engulfed in flames.

In fact, at one point, Estrada said, the crematorium building caved in on itself. The fire was not fully contained until 3:30 a.m. Friday. Firefighters had to use three rotating water tenders to haul in a lot of the water they needed.

No injuries were reported. Estrada said the cause of the fire is still under investigation and that foul play is not suspected.

Estrada added that firefighters took extra care to ensure that any possible trace of human remains at the crematorium was not disturbed. He said a worker at the facility informed him early on that no human remains were anywhere near the burn area and that the crematorium had long been switched off.

Firefighters and investigators were on the scene for a total of 12 hours.

By Friday afternoon, a Santa Cruz County building inspector had already cleared the mausoleum as being sound, without any sign of structural damage. Pat Carroll of Pajaro Valley Memorial Park said that, though the interior of the mausoleum sustained minor smoke damage, the integrity of all the crypts was intact and that cleanup operations were well under way Friday.

“It will probably take us about a week to get the building back in tidy order,” Carroll said. “We’re thankful the firefighters saved the mausoleum from damage.”

Estrada said firefighters used squeegees to clear away water and soot from the mausoleum.

Estrada said a caretaker on the property was awoken by a barking dog about 11:40 p.m. That’s when the caretaker spotted the flames and called for help.

Twenty-five firefighters from the Pajaro Valley, Cal Fire at Corralitos, Watsonville, Aptos/La Selva, Central, South Santa Clara County and North Monterey County Fire departments responded to the incident. Six engines, three water tenders and three chief officers were also at the scene.

Estrada said that the mausoleum contains 300-400 crypts and urns, but none of them were damaged.

“Because we wanted to maintain the integrity of the mausoleum, and not chase the flames into that building, we fought the fire from the rear and forced it away from the main structure,” Estrada said. “It was a coordinated effort that also involved slowly opening the mausoleum and then pushing the fire out away from the main building. Our efforts paid off.

“I’m really happy with the overall effort by all these agencies,” Estrada said. “When you bring all these people in from three different counties, it can get complex. But we were all working with the same goal, and it went smoothly.”

Source: Pajaronian.com - Link
*Photo by Tarmo Hannula*
Tags: Water tenders, Hecker Pass, Pajaro Valley Fire department, CAL FIRE, Corralitos Fire department, Watsonville Fire department, Aptos/La Selva Fire department, Central Fire department, South Santa Clara County Fire department, North Monterey County Fire department

Texas: Fire engulfs home, responders run out of water

Texas: Fire engulfs home, responders run out of water

Photo by Gary Rhodes, The Midland Reporter-Telegram
By Audrie Palmer, The Midland Reporter-Telegram
A family of four watched in shock and horror Wednesday night as their doublewide mobile home was reduced to a pile of rubble and ash after an accidental fire broke out in a bedroom.

Jean Holley Cunningham, a mother of two, said her husband, children and a friend had just sat down in the living room when they heard a popping noise coming from a back bedroom.

Her 15-year-old daughter, authorities later said, had left two unattended burning candles on a shelf and on a dresser. The fire then spread from the bedroom down the hallway and within minutes had engulfed the entire three bedroom, two bath home.

Cunningham choked up as she recalled trying to gather animals, including a 7-week-old Chihuahua puppy and several cats, and get them out of the burning home as quickly as possible.

She added that she and her husband John have lived in the residence, located in the 11000 block of West County Road 149, for the last four years. Friends told the Reporter-Telegram the husband had just built the fencing around the front of the house and building a writing room near the back of the home for Jean and was in the process of completing the front deck.

Units with the Midland Fire Department responded to the scene around 7:23 p.m. The first responders, Tankers 2 and 4, can only carry a limited supply of water and each brought 2,000 gallons, which were quickly used up, Battalion Chief Ken Whitting said.

With no fire hydrants and a limited water supply — well water pumps in the area only pump out a few gallons of water per minute and cannot supply the fire trucks — Whitting said, crews had to wait for volunteers from both the Greenwood and Northeast Volunteer Fire Departments to bring in extra water.

A total of 12 units were brought in to help control the blaze. By press time, Midland County Fire Marshal Dale Little said the fire was contained and firefighters were mopping up hot spots.

The Midland County Crisis Intervention Unit was dispatched to the scene as well. The Cunningham family, with their home a complete loss, said they will be staying with other family members for the time being.

Source: http://www.texas-fire.com
Raw footage and video from KWES, Midland

Department handles field fire

Department handles field fire: Department handles field fire

Kevin Howell
Reporter

YEOMAN - Monticello Firefighters responded to a field fire Wednesday morning in Carroll County between County Roads 825 North and 875 North on the east edge of Yeoman.
Monticello Fire Department Captain Steve Fisher said the cause of the blaze, which burned through several acres of corn stubble on the Scott farm, was unknown at the time.
Firefighters were hampered a bit by a moderate breeze said Fisher as a water truck ran back and forth across the field to control the burn along the edges of the fire.
Fisher also said there was little loss to the recently harvested corn field, and nearby structures including grain bins, a barn and house were protected from the fire.
A next door neighbor noted that the corn had been harvested just a day or two before."

Ghana Forestry Commission Gets very expensive Fire Tenders

Editor: These must be the most advanced water tenders in the world at this price! figure you can get a real nice brand new water tender for wildland use for around $100,000 here in California so maybe 1.5 millon dollars, for the dozen. Where did the rest of the money go? Can Anyone send in a photo of these beauties?

Forestry Commission Gets Fire Tenders | Ghana Official Portal:

Forestry Commission Gets Fire Tenders

The Minister for Lands, Forestry and Mines, Mrs Esther Obeng-Dapaah, yesterday in Accra, commissioned 12 Fire Tenders and Information Communication Technology (ICT) equipment.

The equipment, which were estimated at eight million Euros, were donated to the Forestry Commission by the Netherlands Government to ensure the management of wildfire in the country.

Commissioning the equipment, Mrs Obeng-Dapaah, commended the Government of Netherlands for their continued support to Ghana, saying that the equipment will be put to good use to ensure significant reduction in wildfires, improve livelihood and the global environment.

She observed that, since 2002, Government has put measures in place to manage wildfire in Ghana with support estimated at about twelve million Euros from the Kingdom of Netherlands to curb wildfire in the country.

According to the Minister, the first and only comprehensive National Fire Policy in Ghana, launched in February 2007 with support from the Netherlands government will go a long way to help the country.

The Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, Lidi Remmelzwaal, who made the donation on behalf of the Government of Netherlands said the wildfire management project is aimed at rehabilitating forests through wildfire prevention and control.

She said the Wildlife Management Project (WFMP) which was set up in 2002 is part of a sector-wide approach in order to strengthen the forestry sector.

Source: http://www.ghana.gov.gh/ghana/forestry_commission_fire_tenders.jsp

Hauling sludge in a water truck

Water Plant Expansions

Our new water plant, which has been on line since October 19, has a sludge tank and up until now, we have been paying a company to haul off sludge. Not any more, as we had a water truck delivered to a makeshift loading ramp.

delivered to a makeshift loading ramp.

Texas Woman dies in tanker crash

Danie M. Huffman
wdreporter2@yahoo.com

A head-on collision caused a woman’s death after a fire erupted from the crash on Highway 51 North Tuesday evening.

Leah Janeen Boehm, of Weatherford, was driving a 2002 Jeep Wrangler headed north.

Christopher Lee Brewer, of Seminole, Okla., was driving the tanker water truck headed south.

Brewer told Texas Department of Public Safety troopers Boehm veered into his lane. The preliminary report states Brewer also reportedly swerved to the right to avoid the collision, but she “kept coming.”

Witnesses said they heard three loud “booms,” at the time of impact and saw smoke.

“I can’t believe all that smoke came from one accident,” said Cristen Anders, who heard the crash. “It was something awful.”

Brewer was said to have been wearing his seatbelt. He suffered a fractured left leg, femur and broken left hand. He was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth.

Boehm was reportedly not wearing her seatbelt. She was pronounced dead on the scene by LifeCare paramedics. Her body was taken to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The tanker was completely destroyed in the blaze.

Fire Tenders in Tanzania, Mwanza

TheCitizen Newspaper: One feared dead as lorry catches fire

A lorry carrying diesel goes up in flames at a filling station in Mwanza yesterday. It took firefighters from the Mwanza City Council and Mwanza Airport two hours to put out the blaze

By Patty Magubira, Mwanza

One person is feared to have died when a lorry having 15 drums of diesel caught fire in Mwanza yesterday.

Three others were injured in the incident that occurred at Moil Oil Industries Limited (MOIL) at the junction of Nyerere and Pamba roads.

The father of the victim, Mr Vitlan Sanjit, who operates a photo studio situated along Nyerere Road, said his son fainted as he tried to evacuate his family from the building housing the studio.

Reports from several members of the family later said he had died on his way to hospital. However, reporters could not verify them as hospital sources and the police were not ready to disclose any information.

"Harun was shocked by the billowing smoke from the burning lorry across the road," he said. He explained that his son's heartbeat had stopped well before he reached Aga Khan Hospital for treatment.


Harun's young brother, Asit Vitlan, had moments later fainted and was rushed to Aga Khan Hospital following a shock from reports of his brother's death.

"I have also been informed that one of my neighbours has just passed away and I am about to visit his family to confirm the reports," one of the MOIL directors, Mr Atlaf Mansoor, said shortly after the fire was extinguished.

He said it was too early to comment about the inferno as he was still waiting for a report from the petrol station management.

One of the three injured persons, according to Mr Mansoor, included a petrol station worker, one Sajar, who had inhaled fire-extinguishing chemicals as he tried to extinguish the inferno.

Others injured were Shaaban Saimon, 30, Ulimwengu Rashid, 49, and two others whose names could not be obtained immediately. They were all rushed to Weil Bugando Medical Centre (WBMC) for treatment, he said.


The fire broke out at about 1.45pm when the drums were being filled with the diesel in the ill-fated lorry. It was transporting it to Ngara District, Kagera Region.

Eyewitnesses said the cause of the Scania lorry catching fire was a cigarette that was being smoked by one of the turn-boys inside the lorry.

It belonged to a resident of Shinyanga Municipality, Mr Oshima Luhende,


Half of the petrol station�s roof and one pump were burnt before the inferno was extinguished at around 3.50 p.m. Fire tenders had to leave the area for over ten times to refill them with water.

Mr Mansoor commended the fire brigade, police officers and city residents for working hard to extinguish the inferno.

"I can't find the right way to thank them for the support they have all given us,"he said.

Tanker driver killed in crash

By Donna Fielder / Staff Writer

A tanker truck driver died at the scene of a crash on West U.S. Highway 380 on Thursday night.

Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Lonny Haschel said the 36-year-old Rhome man was driving a water tanker truck east on U.S. 380 near Ripy Road about 10 p.m. when the truck crossed the center line into oncoming traffic.

It is not clear what caused the truck to cross the yellow line, Haschel said. Positive identification of the victim is pending.

Haschel said the truck struck a trailer being pulled by a westbound Chevrolet pickup. The tanker veered off the north side of the highway, plunged down an embankment and rolled into a wooded area, where it struck several trees.

The cab of the 18-wheeler caught fire, Haschel said. The driver was declared dead at the scene.

The driver of the pickup was not injured.

Coffman Tank Trucks of Chico owns the tanker, according to reports. The accident still is under investigation.