Haiti: 16 dead, 78 injured - Carnival Canceled - National Mourning

16 dead, 78 injured - The Carnival is canceled - National Mourning

Majority of injuries apparently due to panicked crowd movements

Place Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Crowded float celebrating Carnival when some were electrocuted by power line contact and ensuing panic.

Update: 16 dead, 78 injured - The Carnival is canceled - National Mourning

According to witnesses, a person on the carnival float would have attempted to lift an electric cable to facilitate the passage of the latter, causing a powerful arc that has struck several people on the float.

The incident sparked a huge panic among the thousands of revelers, causing a deadly crowd movement that would have also made several victims trampled, according to testimony reported.

This afternoon at a conference at the Primature Dr. Claude Suréna of the Haitian Red Cross provided new figures of the accident http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-13199-haiti-flash-carnival-2015-in-shock-at-least-15-victims-dozens-injured-update-12-28-pm.html occurred this morning at 2:48 a.m., during the passage of the float of Group Barikad Crew "[...] The balance sheet that we have [...] after having toured the hospitals [...] is of 16 reported dead, identified and observed and 78 injured, I repeat victims, we are not talking about electrocuted, we will not say that all these people are people who have been burned, do not forget that after the accident there had movement of panic [...] now the second step will be to return to the hospital to find out in detail what each person has, to know what kind of support the government will do for each person [...]"

Then Prime Minister Paul Evans has intervened and declared the following "[...] it is clear that what's happened was an accident, the government that is responsible, will form a committee of experts to qualify the accident [...] right after there has been a support [to victims] at the Champ-de-Mars [...]

The first decision we have taken is to cancel Carnival festivities for today Tuesday, February 17 throughout the territory, there will be no Carnival.

But, together with the organizer of the Carnival, the Jazz, we will organize from 5 pm today on the de Champ-de-Mars, a white parade of all groups present in the Carnival, in white and silence in solidarity with the victims [...]

The government will also provide support for victims, injured people, the government will not drop them, we will continue to ensure that health services examines their case.

And the people who died, the government will take care of the funeral.

Haiti - FLASH : Carnival 2015 in shock, at least 15 victims, dozens injured (UPDATE 12:28 pm) 17/02/2015 07:12:01 In the night from Tuesday at 2:48 a.m., a terrible accident occurred during the Carnival parade in Port-au-Prince, during the passage of the float of Group Barikad Crew (10th in the running order) in the area Champ de Mars. According to witnesses, a person on the carnival float would have attempted to lift an electric cable to facilitate the passage of the latter, causing a powerful arc that has struck several people on the float. The incident sparked a huge panic among the thousands of revelers, causing a deadly crowd movement that would have also made several victims trampled, according to testimony reported. Given the magnitude of the incident, the emergency stand of the First Lady, Sophia Martelly was quickly overwhelmed. Dr. Max Roudolph Saint-Albin Director General Ofatma, present on the emergency stand estimated between 4-7 deaths and over 40 injured, the situation was such that there were up to two patients per bed awaiting transport to hospital when needed. Dr. Saint-Albain did not yet know the situation on other emergency stations nor the number of transferees in Hospitals. Contrary to a rumor that circulated on social networks, lead singer of the group Barikad Crew "Fantom" is not dead in the incident, but he is in critical condition. It is too early for all the information from all rescue centers and hospitals allow to make a definitive assessment. However, the number of victims could be between 13 and 20 deaths (due to the victims of the crowd movement) and the number of casualties could be greater than 60... In a note Rothchild Francis Jr., the Minister of Communication indicates "[...] A preliminary assessment allows to establish to more than a dozen dead and forty wounded. The government presents its sympathies to the families of the victims and said that all arrangements have been made to assist all those affected by this tragedy." Early this morning in an official statement "The President of the Republic, HE Mr. Michel Joseph Martelly, expresses deep sorrow following the incident early this Tuesday, February 17th at the Champ de Mars at the second fat day of the National Carnival, where the musical float of Barikad crew was the victim of electrocution making several victims. The Head of State, on behalf of the entire Government sends its deepest sympathies to the families of the victims on the occasion of this sad event." "Deep sadness at this tragic accident my sympathies to the families we share your pain and suffering. The Republic can count on my sense of responsibility. My deepest sympathies to the entire population," declared Prime Minister Evans Paul. "Ministè Touris retire chapo li byen ba devan tout viktim, fanmiy ak tout ayisyen alawonnbadè kokennchenn trajedi sa afekte," indicated the Ministry of Tourism. "The Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE) presents its sympathies to the families especially the members of the diaspora, following the incident that occurred early this Tuesday, February 17, 2015, around 2:48 a.m. during the passage of musical float of Baricad Crew in the Champ-de-Mars area. The Minister Olicier Pieriche expresses its deep pain after the accident and invites the general population and compatriots from abroad in particular to calm while waiting for the new government guidelines." "Tout priyè nou yo pou fanmi ki gin viktim ak blese nan aksidan ki fèt pandan parad la nan kanaval lan," declared the Canadian Ambassador to Haiti, Paula Caldwell. UPDATE 12:28 pm Partial list of victims reported by the hospital of the State University of Haiti : 14 victims, including 13 men : Gabriel Jacques Leconte, Lundi Baugella, Alain Paul, Bureau Alice, Cedieu Joseph, Cenal Pegyve, Dorin Pascal, Félix Origène, Jean Rony Civil, Jeudy Peterson, Joseph Darel Jeff, Louis René, Thermidor Kenson and a woman whose body has not been identified.

We plan to hold state funeral, this in consultation with families, we plan to do them Saturday, February 21.

We decree National mourning throughout the country from tomorrow Wednesday, February 18, mourning will last 3 days and will end on the day of collective state funeral Saturday, February 21 [...]"

See also :
http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-13199-haiti-flash-carnival-2015-in-shock-at-least-15-victims-dozens-injured.html

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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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FIRE JOBS: CAL FIRE APPARATUS ENGINEER (PARAMEDIC) #CALFIRE #CAFIRE

FIRE APPARATUS ENGINEER (PARAMEDIC) 

Open, Non-Promotional Exam

Final File Date: 03/10/15 
Monthly Salary: Range A : $ 3557.00 - $ 4285.00 

Note: Current salary levels and placement/movement in the appropriate salary range(s) (there may be more than the listed salary ranges for a given class) should be confirmed with the hiring department upon receiving a job offer. The salaries used in this bulletin are the latest available from the State Controller’s Office, but may not reflect the most recent salary adjustment.

Open, Non-Promotional Exam

Applications will not be accepted on a promotional basis. Career credits will be granted. Candidates eligible to receive career credits must indicate their current position qualifies them for this credit in Section #5 of the application Form (678).

Who Should Apply:
Persons who meet the minimum qualifications as stated in the Classification Description (specification). Note: Accepted applicants are required to bring either a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification when required to appear for the examination.

Final File Date: 03/10/15

Where to Apply:

EXAMINATION APPLICATIONS STD. 678 MUST BE FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY
AND FIRE PROTECTION BY MAIL TO PO BOX 944246, SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA
94244-2460, ATTENTION EXAMINATION UNIT, OR IN PERSON AT 1300 U STREET,
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Effective January 1, 2014, in accordance with Government Codes 18973.1 and 18973.5, Veterans’ Preference will be awarded as follows: 1) Any veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran, who achieves a passing score in an entrance examination, shall be ranked in the top rank of the resulting eligibility list. Any veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released is not eligible for Veterans’ Preference. 2) An entrance examination is defined, under the law, as any open competitive examination. And 3) Veterans’ Preference is not granted once a person achieves permanent civil service status. Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans’ Preference are on the Veterans’ Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at http://jobs.ca.gov/Job/VeteransInformation, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Class: 1756-.....Schematic Code: BZ.... Exam Code: 5FS02---------------------------------------------

CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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Forest Service Fire Operations Risk Management: Standard Firefighting Orders and 18 Watchout Situations

 Post In Memory: Granite Mountain Hotshots, the 19 firefighters who died battling the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 30, 2013. 

Standard Firefighting Orders and 18 Watchout Situations

The original ten Standard Firefighting Orders were developed in 1957 by a task force commissioned by the USDA-Forest Service Chief Richard E. McArdle. The task force reviewed the records of 16 tragedy fires that occurred from 1937 to 1956. The Standard Firefighting Orders were based in part on the successful "General Orders" used by the United States Armed Forces. The Standard Firefighting Orders are organized in a deliberate and sequential way to be implemented systematically and applied to all fire situations.

Shortly after the Standard Firefighting Orders were incorporated into firefighter training, the 18 Situations That Shout Watch Out were developed. These 18 situations are more specific and cautionary than the Standard Fire Orders and described situations that expand the 10 points of the Fire Orders. If firefighters follow the Standard Firefighting Orders and are alerted to the 18 Watch Out Situations, much of the risk of firefighting can be reduced.

Standard Firefighting Orders

1. Keep informed on fire weather conditions and forecasts.
2. Know what your fire is doing at all times.
3. Base all actions on current and expected behavior of the fire.
4. Identify escape routes and safety zones and make them known.
5. Post lookouts when there is possible danger.
6. Be alert. Keep calm. Think clearly. Act decisively.
7. Maintain prompt communications with your forces, your supervisor, and adjoining forces.
8. Give clear instructions and insure they are understood.
9. Maintain control of your forces at all times.
10. Fight fire aggressively, having provided for safety first.

18 Watchouts Situations

1. Fire not scouted and sized up.
2. In country not seen in daylight.
3. Safety zones and escape routes not identified.
4. Unfamiliar with weather and local factors influencing fire behavior.
5. Uninformed on strategy, tactics, and hazards.
6. Instructions and assignments not clear.
7. No communication link with crewmembers/supervisors.
8. Constructing line without safe anchor point.
9. Building fireline downhill with fire below.
10. Attempting frontal assault on fire.
11. Unburned fuel between you and the fire.
12. Cannot see main fire, not in contact with anyone who can.
13. On a hillside where rolling material can ignite fuel below.
14. Weather is getting hotter and drier.
15. Wind increases and/or changes direction.
16. Getting frequent spot fires across line.
17. Terrain and fuels make escape to safety zones difficult.
18. Taking a nap near the fire line.

Source: http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/safety/10_18/10_18.html
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CFN - California Fire News 2015 

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Australia: Tree falls on a fire truck yesterday afternoon where four firefighters were inside the cabin.

An incident has occurred at the Western Australia fires involving six Victorian firefighters.
 The firefighters were fortunate to escape serious injuries

Photo supplied by Dept Parks & Wildlife, Western Australia

 A tree fell on a fire truck yesterday afternoon where four firefighters were inside the cabin. The firefighters were fortunate to escape serious injuries as the large tree fell over the rear of the truck which was operating in the forest.
Another two firefighters witnessed the incident. All six firefighters are safe however two firefighters received minor injuries from the sudden impact on the truck.

Source Wol Worrell‎ - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=511829088956174&set=gm.10152688494612913&type=1&permPage=1

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CFN - California Fire News 2015 

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Northern California seasonal outlook has been updated for March through May. NORMAL ACROSS ALL AREAS

Northern California seasonal outlook has been updated for March through May. http://gacc.nifc.gov/oncc/predictive/outlooks/Seasonal_Outlook.pdf
NORMAL ACROSS ALL AREAS

The previously developing El Nino has fallen apart rapidly in the past several weeks and is no longer expected to be a factor this spring. However we do still expect to see some large scale weather patterns similar in some El Nino’s this spring, namely Above Normal Temperatures (Fig 1) and wetter than normal conditions across Southern CA (Fig 2). Drought conditions remain Extreme to Exceptional across most of Nrn CA (Fig 3) and these drought conditions are expected to persist thru April.

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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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YNP News: Celebration of Black History Month: Yosemite National Park "The Way Home" #CaParks

"The Way Home" 

In celebration of Black History Month, we are featuring "The Way Home," a short video featuring Ranger Shelton Johnson and the journey of the Amazing Grace 50+ Club, a Los Angeles-based senior group, to Yosemite National Park for the first time.

Video credit: National Parks Conservation Association

Post by Yosemite National Park.

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CFN - California Fire News 2015 

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CA-OVD Van Dyke Fire - Unified Command Wildfire 509 acres 100% #CaFire

Van Dyke Fire CAOVD-107
Point Ranch S/O Bridgeport, Mono. Jurisdiction BLM
Rapid ROS Near Bridgeport

Update 2-11-15 0830 hours: 509 acres. 100% Contained.

Update 2-9-15 1830 hours: 509 acres 75% Contained. No change in conditions

Ground resources continue to Improve fire line, patrol, mop up.

Update 2-9-15 0815 hours: Fire is 509 acres 75%.
Update 2-7-15 2115 hours: 300+ acres fire continues to burn in sage, pinyon pine with re-burn potential as fuels are not being totally consumed.Unified Command with BLM, USFS, Bridgeport Fire
A type 3 incident organization (Bureau of Land Management and USFS) is being assembled and located at the Bridgeport Ranger Station 

Location:  Point Ranch S/O Bridgeport, Mono County

IA Description: - 1652 hrs New Start, Point Ranch south of Bridgeport 150+ acres fire is active with dangerous rate of spread.
IA Weather: - 48°, 36 % Humidity, 23 mph winds from the south, gusting to 37 mph

IA Resources: -

ROC: - Power outage in Bridgeport affecting communication infrastructure

ROS: - Rapid and Dangerous

Structure Threats: Yes Threat to structures

Situation Concerns/Alerts: -

Situation Comments: -

Additional Resource Notes: - Jurisdiction OVD Unified Command with OVD, USFS, Bridgeport Fire

Agency Website: -

Radio Frequencies: -

Online Scanners: -

Web Cams: -

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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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CA-BDU-Round 7000 acres, 95%. 40 Residence & Outbuildings Destroyed. NEW MAP #CAFire

CA-BDU-Round / Round Fire, CA-BDU-1662, vegetation, San Bernardino, West of Highway 395 at the Sherwin Grade

Initial Round Fire perimeter map: 

Round Fire perimeter map

Update 2-11-15 0900: Fire remains at 7,000 acres  95% contained.  

Update 2-9-15 1900: Fire remains at 7000 Acres of Sage and Bitterbrush, Jeffrey Pine and Pinyon Pine and is 95% contained.  Lower Rock Creek Road remains closed.

Update 2-9-15 0900: 7000 acres, 85% contained

• Possible re-population today for the communities of Paradise and Swall Meadows if utility companies needs are met
• No structures threatened
• 40 residences destroyed as well as several out buildings
• 5 residences damaged

On Scene Video:

Post by Trevor Johnson.

Update 2-9-15 0700: 7,000 acres, 85% contained.The communities of Paradise & Swall Meadows remain under a mandatory evacuation.
Update 2-8-15 1700: 7,000 acres, 75% contained.
Update 2-8-15 0700: 7,000 Acres, 65% Contained, 40 Residence & Outbuildings Destroyed. 4 Water Tenders, 4 dozers, 35 engines, 29 fire crews, 1 helo.

CAL FIRE Update 2-7-15 1700: 

Round Fire Incident Information:
Last Updated:	February 7, 2015 5:00 pm
Date/Time Started:	February 6, 2015 2:07 pm
Administrative Unit:	CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit
County:	Inyo and Mono County
Location:	West of Highway 395 at the Sherwin Grade
Acres Burned - Containment:	7,000 acres - 50% contained
Structures Destroyed:	40 Residence & Outbuildings
Evacuations:	The Town of Paradise & Swall Meadows are under a mandatory evacuation. An evacuation center has been established at the Crowley Lake Community Center: 458 S. Landing Rd Crowley Lake, CA 93546 Click here for Directions to the Evacuation Center There will be a community meeting at 6 p.m. tonight at the Round Valley School. 300 N Round Valley Road, Bishop, CA.
Road Closures :	Roller Rock Creek Rd. at Toms Place and Gorge Rd on North side of Hwy 395
Injuries:	1
Cause:	Under Investigation
Cooperating Agencies:	Inyo USFS, Paradise Fire Dept., Inyo County Sheriff, Mono County Sheriff, CHP, LADWP, BSHOP Fire, Big Pine Fire, Independence Fire, Lone Pine Fire, Long Valley Fire, Wheeler Crest Fire, Edison and CDCR
Total Fire Personnel:	200
Total Fire Engines:	47
Total Fire crews:	29
Total Dozers:	2
Conditions:	Significant rain stopped the forward rate of the fire around 2am. Downed power lines and venting propane tanks make re-entry for residents dangerous

#RoundFire Tweets

#RoundFire - Our firefighters worked through the night and are now on a break. The Assistant Strike Team Leader... http://t.co/Zjn1nLEJLy
— Kern County Fire (@kerncountyfire) February 7, 2015

Strike team from #Kern County helping w/ SoCal #RoundFire says they were able to save 7 homes, others not so lucky. pic.twitter.com/9Ned1lyb87
— KMPH FOX 26 (@KMPHFOX26) February 7, 2015

CA-BDU-Round Sherwin Grade Fire via California Department of Transportation District 9 Facebook

 Town of Paradise and Swall Meadows still under mandatory evacuations with evacuees at Crowley Lake Community Center

#RoundFire in Inyo County 7,000+ acres burned. Via @CALFIRE_PIO

Update 2-7-15 1000hrs: - 7,000 acres 30% 20 Structures & Outbuildings Destroyed (preliminary count)  

Update 2-7-15 1000hrs: - • 3000 acres, 0% contained
• Town of Paradise and Swall Meadows still under mandatory evacuations with evacuees at Crowley Lake Community Center
• Voluntary evacuations for residents in Lower Rock Creek, Sunny Slopes and Tom's Place
• Winds erratic making conditions unsafe for fire crews and suppression efforts difficult
• 1 structure and 1 out building destroyed

Update 2-7-15 0900hrs: - 2 Strike Teams from San Bernardino Co. Many local gov. fire engines assisting @forestservice & @CAL_FIRE on #RoundFire Inyo County. 

Update 2-6-15 2230hrs: - 500+ acres. Significant rain stopped the forward rate of the fire around 2am. Downed power lines and venting propane tanks make re-entry for residents dangerous  
Update 2-6-15 2200hrs: - 100+ acres. Per LE moving into Swall Meadows. asking for Type 3 or Type 1 engines for structure defense.
Update 2-6-15 1900hrs: - 100 acres.

Location: - North of Bishop, west of highway 395, Sherwin Grade
IA Description: - 5 acres, Rapid spread
IA Resources: - CAL FIRE assisting the USFS, local gov. units and Big Sur Brigade
ROC: - 70-100 mph winds, low relative humidity
ROS: -
Structure Threats: - Yes moving into Swall Meadows. asking for Type 3 or Type 1 engines for structure defense. 20 Structures & Outbuildings (preliminary count)  destroyed
Situation Concerns/Alerts: -
Situation Comments: -
Additional Resource Notes: - 2 Strike Teams from San Bernardino Co. Many local gov. fire engines assisting INF is in unified but BDU is the UOP and has the IC

Inyo USFS, Paradise Fire Dept., Inyo County Sheriff, Mono County Sheriff, CHP, LADWP, BSHOP Fire, Big Pine Fire, Independence Fire, Lone Pine Fire, Long Valley Fire, Wheeler Crest Fire, Edison and CDCR

Agency Website: - http://t.co/T1lt9SDdWy
Radio Frequencies: -
Online Scanners: -
Weather: - Owens Valley RAWS winds SSW 10 Gust 27.

Web Cams: -
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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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