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If you have any  "news" to add email dennis@offdutynetwork.com

 

November 2007

 

November 29

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Bret Schroder (Dekalb Fire) was injured on the job  working part time with Roswell Fire unfortunately DeKalb will not be able to cover his time off.  Bret's sick leave will run out fairly soon and if donations (from other Dekalb Fire Fighters) for leave does not come through he will be unable to receive a check from Dekalb.

If anyone has any info on Bret could you forward it to me, thanks DOB

 

November 29

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Captain Beard (Cobb Fire) has provided a website that has the latest updates on Chief Foran's (Cobb Fire) condition. Please take a minute to look at the needs tab to see if there is anything you might be able to provide.

www.bobforan.com/

November 27

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Congratulations Kevin Hook (Alpharetta Fire) on the birth of his son, Christian Peter Hook.  Christian was born November 26 at 7:38 p.m. He weighed in at 6 pounds 8 ounces, and was 17.5 inches long.  Mom, Baby, and Kevin are all doing well!

 

November 27

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Everyone needs to check this out and be safe while driving past a care fire.

http://www.firecamera.com/index.cfm?Section=4&pagenum=240&titles=0

Be Safe out there and hope to see everyone Saturday night!
Ben Wilson (Emerald Society)

 

November 23

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Battalion Chief Bob Foran (Cobb Fire) was critically injured in a motocross accident this afternoon. He is currently at Atlanta Medical Center in critical but stable condition.  His injuries include a brain injury, broken clavicle, some broken ribs, and a bruised lung. 

 

November 23

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"Mayday, mayday, mayday! . . . Engine 75, 15 feet in, running out of air."

 

Veteran FDNY Lt. Howard Carpluk spent his last conscious moments pleading for air and desperately trying to communicate his position after being buried in a floor collapse, says an FDNY report on the tragic Aug. 27, 2006, Bronx blaze that also killed rookie firefighter Michael Reilly.

 

"You see where the line went in? There's a hole for me to get air - we need a mask toward the back," Carpluk told searchers minutes after his initial "mayday."  A mere four minutes later, he gasped: "Mask. Get it back here. I'm out of air . . Keep coming straight back here, we only need a mask. There's a void for me, come here, you'll see it. All I need is air, bro."

 

Carpluk, Reilly and eight other firefighters tumbled into a trash-filled abyss while fighting a blaze in a 99-cent store.  According to transcripts of FDNY handie-talkie recordings made at the scene and included in the report, which was obtained by The Post, Reilly was never heard from after the collapse.  But Carpluk, 43, almost immediately began calling for help, calmly and heroically communicating at least a dozen distress calls from 1:01 p.m. until he was found at 1:26 p.m.

 

Amid the chaotic radio chatter, some of Carpluk's mayday calls went unheard.  "All handie-talkie traffic cease," a Division 6 commander barked in frustration at one point. "Unit with the mayday, go ahead."  Carpluk responded with directions, trying to lead frantically digging firefighters through the harrowing maze.  "75 to Alpha . . . you have to go further back. Mayday, further back," he said.

 

Later, as his 40 minutes of oxygen ran out, he pleaded with the firefighters that he could hear rummaging around him.  "Come on, see the guy with the line. Forget the water, give me the mask first and turn around and hit it. You go down the left side, 75 mayday, go down the left side. You'll see me sticking out my hand."

 

Carpluk finally grabbed the leg of a firefighter crawling past him - and got his air mask.  "Save my probie," he urged. "He's underneath me."  The fallen firefighters were hidden beneath a massive air-conditioning unit.  The motion sensors on their bunker gear - designed to beep and flash when a firefighter has not moved in 30 seconds - failed to alert rescuers to their location, the report revealed.  One by one, eight other entombed firefighters were freed.  But Carpluk and Reilly, trapped face down, bent forward from the waist and partially wedged under a splintered girder, were all but unreachable.  By the time Carpluk was freed at 2:15 p.m., he was in cardiac arrest. He died the following day from asphyxia and head trauma.

 

Reilly, buried for one hour and 40 minutes, died at the scene of asphyxiation due to "compression of the chest," the FDNY said.The Bronx DA's investigation into the deaths continues. The FDNY report concluded that the engineer hired by building owners in 2000 to repair prior fire damage had illegally removed some support beams from the basement and failed to notice the remaining ones were significantly weakened by decay and termites. The city allowed the engineer to self-certify his work.

Courtesy NY POST

November 18, 2007

 

November 23

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Chuck (Marietta Fire) and Kim Mindel are the proud parents of Alana Mindel, born today at 0902. She weighs 5lbs 14 oz, and stretches out at 19". Everyone's doing well.

 

November 23

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Larry Stubblefield (Marietta Fire) was involved in an automobile accident on Thanksgiving morning. He has a  a fractured clavicle and was released from the hospital.

 

November 19

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Jared Carson (Cobb Fire) Update

Below are several ways that you can help:

 

 

November 15

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May-Day  May-Day  May-Day

 

We have a Firefighter down and in need!  Lt. Jared Carson (Cobb Fire Station 27-A) has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Unfortunately Jared had a rare cancer that has a 95% mortality rate. Jared has decided to forego any additional chemo-therapy and let the cancer take its course. The inevitable is just a short time away.

 

Jared’s last wish is to spend time with his family. He wanted to take his wife Amy, son Tanner (14), and daughter Mary Beth (11) to Hawaii. Jared and his family have made plans to celebrate Christmas early. His time and our time is limited.

 

We need to come together as a family and help one of our brothers. Tim Ethridge has opened an account at Bank of America for donations. Donations can be made to account : 334011586609 . Make Checks payable to Tim Ethridge with “Jared Carson Make-A-Wish in comments. Put for Deposit only on back of check.

 

Kevin Lewis is heading a fund raising night on December 1st at Meehan’s Pub in Vinings. (2810 Paces Ferry Rd.) The festivities begin and 6:00 pm. We will be selling T-shirts, passing the helmet, and other fund raising activities.

 

Time is of the essence. We are planning to send Jared and his family to Hawaii in early December. We want to make sure he is able to travel and grant his wish as soon as possible.

 

Any Questions please contact:

 

Kevin Lewis                Tim Etheridge           Chris Starnes         John Conniff             Jeff Copeland        

770-265-6769          770-265-6399         404-427-6125     404-427-6342         404-786-4533

Station 19-A               Station 27 A               Station 2 C              Station 30 A             Station 27 A

All the above are Cobb County Firefighters

 

November 3

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The funeral for Walker Scott Coulthard, son of Steve (Gwinnett County Fire) & Melissa Coulthard, will be Monday 11/5 at Roswell United Methodist Church at 10.00am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name at any Wachovia bank branch.

 

November 2

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It is with a heavy heart that I inform everyone that Walker Scott Coulthard, son of Steve (Gwinnett County Fire) & Melissa Coulthard passed away today.  There have been no arrangements made at this time. As soon as that information is available, it will be passed on. 

 

Please keep the Coulthard family in your prayers during this very difficult time.  Please pray for Steve and Melissa!