Scuttlebutt 11/20

Nov. 1, 2020
NFFF Honors Fallen Members in Video Tribute

Johnson Named Franklin, TN, Fire Chief

Glenn Johnson was named fire chief of Franklin, TN, Fire Department. Johnson is a 26-year veteran of the department. During his tenure, he rose through the ranks from firefighter to lieutenant, captain, battalion chief of training, deputy chief, assistant fire chief and, most recently, interim fire chief. 
Johnson has chaired Tennessee’s Homeland Security District 5 Training and Exercise Committee since 2009. Additionally, he has been deployed as a member of the Middle Tennessee Incident Management Team to numerous hurricanes, the 2016 Gatlinburg wildfires and other incidents. He is a Desert Storm veteran who began his firefighting career in 1990 while serving in the U.S. Air Force.

Spartan Axe Brings Awareness to First Responder Suicides

On Sept. 29, 2020, the Spokane, WA, community participated in a dedication ceremony for the Spartan Axe at Spokane Fire Department Fire Station 1. The Spartan Axe was forged by Spokane resident and veteran Ben Hayhurst of Wreath and Rifle Forge using steel from the fallen World Trade Center Towers in New York City. It’s the same steel that was provided for the Spartan Sword, which was created by FDNY firefighter Danny Prince and Warfighter Hemp founder Lt. Col. Steve Danyluk, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret). The sword travels the country with former U.S. Marine and current FDNY firefighter Aaron Clark, who shares the Spartan Pledge to increase awareness of the high rate of suicide among the veteran community.
Much like the Spartan Sword, the Spartan Axe was created to offer support to first responders who are at a higher risk of death by suicide than when they are in the line of duty.
For more, visit warfighterhemp.com.

Darley, Golden State Fire Apparatus Provide Water to CA Wildfire Victims
The CZU Lightning Complex Fire burned more than 86,000 acres across two counties in the redwood forest about 20 miles northeast of Santa Cruz, CA. By the time that it was contained, it destroyed 1,500 structures and damaged 140 more. Tragically, one person was killed.
The fire also knocked out the water system that serves more than 10,000 people who live in the San Lorenzo Valley Water District. Golden State Fire Apparatus and W.S. Darley & Co. teamed up to deliver a truckload of desperately needed water.
Although neither company had a direct connection to the region, they paid for and arranged for a semitruck that was loaded with 24 pallets of water—more than 5,000 gallons—to be driven from Dallas to the San Lorenzo Valley Water District office.
For more information, visit darley.com.
ER Hosting Virtual Summit
A DAPT 2020, which is a three-day virtual summit that will be presented by Emergency Reporting (ER) and sponsored by Microsoft, will take place Nov. 17–19, 2020. The summit will include more than 50 live sessions and bring together fire service icons Randy Bruegman, Billy Goldfeder and Gordon Graham along with more than 20 experts from fire and emergency services, neuroscience, economics, technology and sustainability.
Participants can join live sessions from four learning tracks: Thought Leadership, Operations, Budgets & Funding and Community Risk Reduction.
For more information, visit emergencyreporting.com.
NFFF Honors Fallen Members in Video Tribute

Although the in-person National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend was cancelled because of COVID-19, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) honored the lives of 82 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2019 and 21 firefighters who died in previous years with a 45-minute video, “America’s Tribute to Fallen Firefighters.” The video is available to watch on firehero.org and through the NFFF’s social media platforms.

The 40th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is scheduled for Oct. 2-3, 2021, in Emmitsburg, MD.

For more information, visit firehero.org.

This Month in Fire History

Nov. 1, 1970, Saint-Laurent-Du-Pont, France—Club Cinq Sept dance hall fire kills 145

Nov. 6, 1896—National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is founded

Nov. 9, 1872, Boston—Great Boston Fire causes $73.5 million in damages

Nov. 15, 1973, Los Angeles—Stratford Apartments fire kills 25

Nov. 21, 1968, Wichita, KS—Yingling Chevrolet Auto Dealership fire kills four firefighters

Nov. 21, 1980, Las Vegas—MGM Grand Hotel fire kills 85

Nov. 23, 1963, Fitchville, OH—Golden Age nursing home fire kills 63

Nov. 25, 2002, Coos Bay, OR—Auto parts store roof collapse kills three firefighters

Nov. 28, 1942, Boston—Cocoanut Grove nightclub fire kills 492

Nov. 29, 1988, Kansas City, MO—Construction site explosion kills six firefighters

Courtesy: NFPA

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