Sacramento cops, firefighters face layoffs unless they give more to pensions

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento's police officers and firefighters have been presented with a stark choice: They can contribute more toward their pensions, or watch nearly 100 of their comrades lose their jobs.

In a budget proposal considered among the most draconian the city has faced, City Manager John Shirey on Thursday recommended laying off 62 firefighters and 34 police officers to address a $15.7 million deficit for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Another 10 Police Department employees also would lose their jobs under the proposal.

Those layoffs could be avoided, Shirey said, if public safety workers agree to pick up the entirety of the employee share of their CalPERS contributions.

Full Story: Link
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RRU: Demotion For Gesture While Driving

Calif. firefighter demoted for traffic cam hijinks
Driver took hands off steering wheel, flashed 2 thumbs up as fire engine with lights and siren on sped through red light

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — A Cal Fire employee based in Riverside County is challenging a demotion for taking his hands off the steering wheel and flashing two thumbs up to a traffic-enforcement camera as his fire engine, with its emergency lights and siren on, sped through a red light at a Corona intersection.

Patrick O'Donoghue appeared at a state personnel board hearing Monday and Tuesday in Rancho Cucamonga, hoping to reverse his demotion from engineer to firefighter. The administrative law judge has 90 days to render a decision, which the personnel board can reject or modify, Cal Fire staff services analyst Kim Spire wrote in an email. O'Donoghue could then appeal the board's decision to Superior Court.

The incident occurred in November 2010. O'Donoghue was based at Station 38 in Rubidoux but on that day was assigned to Station 15 in Corona, Cal Fire spokeswoman Janet Upton said.

O'Donoghue's attorney, David J. Givot, said O'Donoghue acknowledges using poor judgment with his gesture and going through the red light around 60 mph when Cal Fire policy states he should have been driving at 5 mph.

Givot said he argued during the hearing, however, that the punishment was excessive.

"While he didn't comply with Cal Fire's policy with regard to speed of travel through an intersection, his actions didn't put anyone directly in danger," Givot said in a phone interview. "There were two vehicles clearly stopped."

An excerpt from its driver's policy provided by Cal Fire states: "The safety of the general public must take precedence in all cases over the response speed of the emergency vehicle. The law requires that the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle which is responding to an emergency use good judgment. It does not relieve the driver from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway, nor does it protect the driver from the consequences of an arbitrary and careless exercise of exemption privileges…"

California Fire News 2011 

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CZU: Vegetation Fire in Corralitos 1 acre, 100%

 CAL FIRE/Santa Cruz County Fire Dept.
Vegetation Fire in Corralitos

CONTACT: Jonathan Cox
Fire Captain
(650) 245-1727
RELEASE 
    DATE: April 28, 2012



Corralitos – At approximately 2:41 pm this afternoon, CAL FIRE/Santa Cruz County Fire
Department and neighboring agencies responded to a vegetation fire in the Eureka Canyon area of Corralitos.


The fire burned one acre of dense vegetation in extremely steep terrain and was controlled by
6:33 pm. An unattended control burn on private property with inadequate clearance caused the
fire.


68 firefighters from agencies throughout the region worked cooperatively to extinguish the fire.


This included CAL FIRE San Mateo-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County Fire Department Company
41-Corralitos, Santa Cruz County Fire Department Company 36-Loma Prieta, Aptos-La Selva
Fire District, Watsonville Fire Department, Central Fire District and CAL FIRE San BenitoMonterey.


CAL FIRE reminds everyone of the dangers associated with open burning, especially as
conditions become warmer and drier. Open burning will close on April 30, 2012 in all State
Responsibility Areas of Santa Cruz County. Failure to follow burning regulations can result in
citation and liability of complete suppression response.

California Fire News 2012 Off to the races?

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CAL FIRE CZU: Close of Open Burn Season

CAL FIRE Continues Open Burning on Limited Basis in Santa Cruz County, San Mateo County


Felton - CAL FIRE in conjunction with the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District
announces the Close of the Open Burn Season within the State Responsibility Areas of Santa Cruz
County on April 30, 2012.

Hazard reduction burning will be allowed after the 30th but only if burn piles are kept within posted
guidelines and require a Hazard Reduction Permit from the regional Air Pollution Control District. It is
expected that a Burn Ban will be imposed soon after the 30th as fire conditions warrant or when Fire
Season is declared for the summer. At that point, burning with the exception of campfires, will require a
special permit.

Posted guidelines for small debris piles are published at www.santacruzcountyfire.org. It is your
responsibility to follow all of the burn regulations and guidelines posted on that page. Failure to follow
burning regulations can result in citation and liability of complete suppression costs.
For updated burn day status information in Santa Cruz County contact Monterey Bay Unified Air
Pollution Control at 1-800-225-2876. In San Mateo County contact Bay Area Air Quality Management
District at 1-800-792-0787.

With the exception of campfires all other burning operations in the State Responsibility Areas of San
Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties related to Agriculture, land management, fire training, and other
industrial-type burning may proceed if a CAL FIRE official inspects the burn site and issues a special
permit. Check with your local Fire Department prior to burning to determine whether a permit is
required. CAL FIRE reminds everyone that it is their individual responsibility to use fire safely and to
prevent fires that destroy lives, property and our wildland. Be Fire Safe!

Anyone with questions about this declaration is urged to contact the nearest CAL FIRE facility.


CAL FIRE NEWS RELEASE 2012 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

California Fire News 2012 

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OCFA: Video as Manhole Explosion Hits Firefighters

Explosion Blows LAFD Firefighters Off Their Feet, Caught On Camera



Who knew a manhole could be so dangerous? In the shocking video above, an explosion from a manhole blows a Orange County fire captin and a fellow firefighter off their feet.

“I consider myself very, very lucky,” said OCFA Captain David Wolf. “The next thing I remember I was in the dirt, a kind of flower bed, across from the sidewalk."

The close call happened Sunday night when the firefighters responded to a smoking manhole in Yorba Linda. After an electrical equipment vault exploded, Wolf was reportedly thrown 10 feet in the air.

Wolf said he was looking down at a small fire in the vault and, "The next thing I know is that when my firemen was kind of dragging me. I found out later it was my firemen. I didn’t know, but somebody had picked me up from the back of my coat and dragged me,” he said.

After Wolf watched the video of the accident, he responded, "Thank the man upstairs, He had a better plan for me."

California Fire News 2011 

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LAFD: Two Firefighters Injured Ambulance vs Garbage Truck

LOS ANGELES — Two firefighters were seriously hurt when their ambulance collided with a garbage truck in Los Angeles Monday.

It was unclear what caused the crash or why the trash truck was in the intersection, Fire Department spokesman Matt Spence told the Los Angeles Times.

The firefighters were hospitalized with serious injuries.

LAPD officials said the ambulance was responding to a Code 3, which is an emergency call requiring a response unit with lights and sirens.

California Fire News 2012 

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YNP: Yosemite / Wawona Northwest Prescribed Fire

 After a mild Sierra Nevada winter. Yosemite fire managers are planning the first prescribed fire for the 2012 season. Defensible space is the essential topic, and this project adds a significant wildland interface protection component to the community of Wawona.

Wawona Northwest Prescribed Fire

May, 2012

Wawona Northwest Prescribed Fire Project Map

Fire Managers are preparing the Wawona Northwest fire unit as the first prescribed fire for the 2012 season for mid-May.  This project has been planned since the 2007, Jack fire, a lightning caused fire.   Although precipitation is predicted this week, fuel moisture samples indicate the 846 acre fire unit will be in prescription within the next two to three weeks. Firefighters have begun clearing the existing fire lines from winter debris, and they will continue to take fuel moisture samples in preparation of the fire project.  Surface fuels, pine needles, are drying-out, but remain damp under the top layer.  An exact date will be provided as preparations are completed and fuels are receptive to ignition.   

The primary objective for prescribed fire is for the direct fire protection to the community of Wawona.  This project will take advantage of the Jack Fire perimeter and reduce hazardous fuel loading in the Wawona Wildland Urban Interface area.  Burning this segment will form a barrier to the community of Wawona from the spread of unwanted wildfire approaching from Turner Ridge to the north and partially from the South Fork Merced River drainage to the northwest.   This project ties together multiple and previous historical research natural and prescribed fires, and mechanical thinning around the community.  

Another objective for this project is to conduct ecosystem restoration by applying fire to this fire adapted landscape. Prior to the exclusion of fire over 100 years ago, fire was a natural process that played an integral role in shaping the landscape of Yosemite.  Densities of shade tolerant tree species, such as white fir and incense cedar, and forest litter and duff have accumulated to unnatural and unaccepted levels in the absence of fire.  Through the application of fire, a more natural and resilient vegetation composition can be achieved that would likely support a surface fire, but less likely to support crown fire.  

Community members and visitors will see equipment and crews moving into the area as they prepare the fire perimeter for fire ignition and operations.  Adequate fire resources are available from the US Forest Service and other agencies.  Other pre-fire planning efforts include taking fuel moistures and moving remote automated weather equipment into the fire area.  

Smoke will be present during the prescribed fire, particularly during the early morning hours.  Fire managers are working with the Mariposa County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) to time the project for a favorable weather pattern that will facilitate good air quality, and disperse smoke into the atmosphere away from smoke sensitive areas.  A burn permit will be issued to the park by the County APCD. Air quality measuring devices are being moved into adjacent nearby smoke sensitive areas.  It is suggested that community members who are sensitive to smoke, plan to leave the area during active ignition.  It is projected to take three to five days to complete the project.

This fire segment is identified in the 2004 Yosemite Fire Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement and in the Multi-year Strategic Fuels Management Plan.  The goals and objectives for this project conform to the park’s General Management Plan and Vegetation Management Plan.

More information will be provided as the project is finalized.


Additional Information:

• Yosemite Fire Information and Education Office: gary_wuchner@nps.gov -  (209) 375-9574 or 372-0480
• Yosemite Fire Management Website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/rx-fire-projects.htm
• Twitter:  http://twitter.com#!/YosemiteFire
• Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yosemite-Wildland-Fire/124632964255395

California Fire News 2012 

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TRIAL BY FIRE: Features Former CDF firefighter Brooke Linman

 SCARS ARE LIKE TATTOOS – BUT WITH BETTER STORIES.

With heart and grace, Trial by Fire: Lives Re-Forged honors the courage and strength of burn survivors as they reclaim their lives – and dreams – after the devastation of fire. The film follows the journeys of ordinary people who rise above their injuries and discover unexpected insights along the way – a transformed worldview, deeper interpersonal connections and a strong commitment to make a difference.

A firefighter endures a 1500 degree firestorm; a teenage athlete engulfed in flames triumphs against all odds; an oil refinery worker survives a seemingly un-survivable explosion; a model refuses to be defined by her scars; a family is united through tragedy; and a 12-year-old sprint car driver pulled from a flaming wreck tries to convince her parents to let her back on the track. These powerful stories are framed and given context by American war hero and charismatic motivational speaker, J.R. Martinez.

In a culture that prizes physical beauty over strength of character, “TRIAL BY FIRE: Lives Re-Forged” challenges us to go beyond the superficial and redefine our concept of true beauty. This film is a celebration of courage, a campaign to help save lives and a movement to make the world a more respectful and welcoming place

Trial By Fire Resources:
Website -  http://TrialByFireDoc.org
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/TrialByFireDoc
Twitter - @TrialByFireDoc
Related info: UC Davis Firefighters Burn Institute Regional Burn Center.

http://campaign.ucdavis.edu/inspiring-stories/quality-of-life/burn-survivor 

California Fire News 2012 

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CAL FIRE: Investigates Fire in the Sky and Sonic Boom

CAL FIRE was sent out today to investigate reports of fire in the sky, As very loud and wide ranging sonic boom was heard over Central California and the Sierra's.
911 reports in the two states of California and Nevada reported seeing a fireball streak across the sky at the same time.

Where: The ground shaking explosion was heard by residents in El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne and San Joaquin counties. Dan Ruby of the Fleischmann Planetarium at the University of Nevada, Reno, said the reports indicate the meteor broke up above Earth somewhere over the Sierra southwest of Reno.
The explosion rattled windows and shook houses from Reno to Winnemucca in Nevada, and from the Sacramento to Bakersfield areas in California. Some people in the two states reported seeing a fireball streak across the sky at the same time.
Who: Numerous 911 callers reported seeing a meteor over the Sierra sky at approximately 7:45 a.m. some callers further reported resultant smoke plumes.
CAL Fire spokesperson Daniel Berlant said they received several calls about the lengthy sonic boom and sent spotter crews out to investigate. One caller in Camino reported seeing a column of smoke after he saw the meteor.
What: National Weather Service's Craig Shoemaker said the boom was due to "a meteor that originated from a debris cloud from the Thatcher Comet."
Comet  Thatcher Yearly Attack on Earth: The Lyrid Meteor Shower: 
Debris from the Thatcher Comet are called Lyrid meteors. According to NASA, every year in late April, Earth passes through a stream of Lyrid meteors, which has been happening for at least 2,600 years.
Dust from Thatcher's Comet hit the Earth's atmosphere at 110,000 mph and disintegrate in a flurry of meteors; most years the meteor shower creates about 15 to 20 Lyrids per hour, according to NASA.
More: Slamming into the atmosphere at nearly 110,000 miles per hour, 15 to 20 meteors per hour could shower the night sky and produce some fireballs. The annual skywatching event peaks on April 21st, 2012.The Science and history of Thatchers Comet at NASA  Link

California Fire News 2011 

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Florida Gulf Of Mexico - Aircraft Down - Radar Track

Radar Track and Fight Data For Cessna 421(N48DL)

After Pilot became unresponsive the Cessna 421 flew in circles in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico for over 3 hours and 1,219 miles more than twice the planned route reaching altitude of 33, 000 feet before plunging into the sea.

Live Flight Tracking Screenshot Radar Track of the Cessna 421
(N48DL)

Live Flight Tracking Screenshot of Cessna Flight Data 

Flight Track Log - N48DL Twin piston Cessna 421

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California Fire News 2011 

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