Hot Shots 5/24

Fairport, NY, Feb. 2—On arrival, crews found heavy smoke and fire showing from a 2½-story wood-frame house and declared a working fire. Crews stretched lines and entered the house, where they knocked down the fire on the first floor and advanced lines to the second. As crews worked their way through the house, they faced heavy hoarding conditions, which delayed fire suppression. Ultimately, firefighters were pulled out, including because of concern for the structural stability of the house. Two master streams and numerous handlines were put into operation from the exterior.

Photo by Jon Tenca

Syracuse, NY, March 8—Firefighters arrived to find fire and smoke billowing out of the back of a 2½-story vacant house. The first-arriving units stretched hoses. As additional crews arrived, members used power tools to gain access, and other teams flowed water into the structure where the fire had burned through windows. Command initiated a defensive operation, including master streams and elevated waterways. A water main break required crews to shift to a second hydrant. The fire was brought under control in 60 minutes. A total of 39 personnel responded.

Photo Courtesy of the Syracuse Fire Department

Butler Township, PA, Feb. 18—Butler Township Volunteer Fire District was dispatched after 9-1-1 took multiple calls for a structure fire. While Chief 3-2 was en route, police reported a working fire. The chief requested a second alarm. Butler Veterans Affairs Fire Department Engine 38 arrived, followed by Butler City Bureau of Fire, Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company, Evans City Area Fire Department, Penn Township Volunteer Fire Department, Prospect Boro/Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department and Unionville Volunteer Fire Company. Command requested all units out of the structure because the roof was compromised. Units switched to two master streams.

Photo by Artie Osniak

Lake View Terrace, CA, Feb. 21—Nearly three hours of well-coordinated teamwork by 61 Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) firefighters alongside LA Animal Services and LA Sanitation Department allowed the successful rescue of a 20-year-old, 1,200-lb. Paso Fino. The horse sunk suddenly in soft soil that developed into a sinkhole in the rear of its home. An LAFD excavator was used initially for swift and efficient soil removal. Although strong rainstorms impacted the area in the days that led up to the incident, some speculated that the suddenly appearing sinkhole might be related to an old septic system.

Photo by Michael Meadows