For the Record 2/15

FDNY to Teach CPR to Teens

The FDNY has launched a joint CPR training initiative with the New York City Department of Education and NYC Service. “Be 911: Teens Take Heart” is the first of its kind in New York City, teaching high school students compressions-only CPR – a necessary skill in saving the life of someone suffering from a cardiac arrest. This new life-saving educational program is taught by the FDNY Mobile CPR Training Unit and funded by more than $100,000 in grants from NYC Service and FDNY Foundation.

“The important lessons you learn at a young age are often the ones you carry with you throughout your life – and we want CPR to be one of those critical lessons,” said FDNY First Deputy Fire Commissioner Robert R. Turner II. “Through this life-saving educational program, we hope to not only empower so many more young New Yorkers with life-saving skills, but to show them how rewarding a lifetime of helping others can be.”

“Be 911: Teens Take Heart” will also educate students on cardiovascular health, encouraging a heart healthy lifestyle. The program will be taught by a diverse group of FDNY Emergency Medical Services EMTs and Paramedics who comprise the CPR training Unit.

Ocala Gets Accelerant-Detection Canine

As the result of Captain Roseanne Moreland’s successful quest for State Farm’s Arson Training Program Grant, Ocala Fire Rescue has received its first accelerant-detection canine, a the two-year-old yellow Labrador named Gracie.

The Arson Training Program Grant was established in 1993 to aid fire and law enforcement agencies not only with their investigative efforts, but their community outreach and educational endeavors.

The grant, valued at approximately $25,000, covered the cost of the arson dog, training fees for both handler and canine, room and board during the five-week long training process in Alfred, ME, as well as certification.

Line-of-Duty Deaths

Eight U.S. firefighters have recently died in the line of duty. Four career firefighters and four volunteer firefighters died in eight separate incidents. Five deaths were health related, two deaths resulted from direct fireground operations and one death was the result of an apparatus accident.

FIREFIGHTER-EMT TOM RHAMEY, 71, of Western Holmes County Fire and EMS in Lakeville, OH, died on Nov. 28. On Nov. 18, Rhamey became ill while operating a tanker at the scene of a house fire in Shreve. He was treated at the scene and transported to Wooster Community Hospital by Western Holmes County EMS. Rhamey was later flown by helicopter to Akron City Summa Hospital, where he remained in the cardiac intensive unit until his death. Rhamey was a 55-year veteran of the department.

LIEUTENANT JOHN BURNS, 50, of the Myrtle Beach, SC, Fire Department died on Dec. 3. Burns was discovered unresponsive in his bed at the fire station in the early morning. He had responded to at least one emergency call during his shift. Burns was a 26-year veteran of the department.

FIREFIGHTER JOYCE CRAIG-LEWIS, 36, of the Philadelphia, PA, Fire Department died on Dec. 9. Craig-Lewis was on one of the first crews to enter a basement residential structure fire. As conditions worsened, crews were ordered to evacuate the building. Craig-Lewis became trapped in the basement. She was rescued by fellow firefighters and transported to Albert Einstein Hospital, where she died. Craig-Lewis was an 11-year veteran of the department. She was posthumously prompted to lieutenant. Craig-Lewis is the first female firefighter to die in the line of duty in the history of the Philadelphia Fire Department.

FIREFIGHTER GUS LOSLEBEN, 69, of the Harden County Fire Department in Savannah, TN, died on Dec. 9. While he was operating the department’s tanker responding to a structure fire in Walnut Grove, the tanker crossed the centerline on Holland Creek Road and collided head-on with a loaded log truck. Losleben was extricated from the wreckage and flown to Memphis Med where he died. The driver of the log truck was killed instantly in the crash. Losleben was a member of the department for four years.

FIRE CHIEF RICKY WOOTEN DOUB, 61, of the Forbush Volunteer Fire Department in Yadkinville, NC, died on Dec. 16. Doub had responded to an EMS call and a fire call earlier in the day and was discovered deceased at home by his wife. Doub was a 29-year veteran of the fire service.

FIREFIGHTER JOSEPH SANFORD JR., 43, of the Inwood, NY, Fire Department died on Dec. 23. Four days earlier, Sanford became trapped in the basement of a burning house at the scene of a mutual aid fire in Woodmere. It is reported that he fell through the first floor into the basement. Sanford was in cardiac arrest when he was located. He was rescued and revived by fellow firefighters and transported to St. John's Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway in critical condition. He was later transferred to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. Sanford was a 17-year veteran of the department.

FIREFIGHTER JAMES WOODS, 44, of the Jersey City, NJ, Fire Department died on Dec. 25. Woods died within 24 hours of responding to an emergency call. Woods was a 15-year veteran of the department.

BATTALION CHIEF CHRISTOPHER A. TINDALL, 42, of the South Metropolitan Fire Protection District in Raymore, MO, died on Jan. 8. Tindall died within 24 hours of responding to an emergency call. Tindall was a 19-year veteran of the department.

—Jay K. Bradish