Baltimore City Firefighter Close Calls IAFF Local 734 Baltimore City Firefighter's October 16, 2010 Fatal Fire in Southwest Baltimore; Closest Truck CLOSED TO SAVE MONEY! Shortly after midnight, Baltimore Firefighters responded to a report of a dwelling fire in the 2400 block of Washington Boulevard, southwest Baltimore. The first arriving unit reported a two story, end of group, occupied, brick dwelling; with heavy fire showing from the rear. As more engine companies began to arrive, an aggressive interior attack was made to extinguish the fire. Eventually, the two truck companies arrived and began ventilation and overhaul. Unfortunately for the 51 year old male occupant of the dwelling, that was too late. Crews found the victim too late. He was pronounced dead on the scene. It was also unfortunate for a Baltimore City Firefighter, who, since ventilating the structure was delayed, sustained burns. He was transported to Bayview burn center where he was treated and released. Truck Company 23 was one of three companies selected to be closed to save money this morning. The administration made the statement that, "the closure did not impact their response." Tell that to the victim's family and the member who is now off duty with burns. ITS TIME TO STOP PLAYING FIREHOUSE ROULETTE. PROPERLY FUND THE BALTIMORE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT. April 8, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FIREHOUSE ROULETTE NEARLY KILLS BALTIMORE FIREFIGHTER AND MULTIPLE CIVILIANS Webster’s defines a hero as a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. Firefighter Paramedic Jeffrey Novack is a hero. At 9:10pm on April 7, 2010, Baltimore City Firefighters responded to a report of a building fire at 3910 Liberty Heights Avenue. The closest THREE Engines (Fire Apparatus that carry hoses and water) were unavailable; Squad 40 and Engine 46 were on Medical Emergency Calls and Engine 20 from Walbrook WAS CLOSED BY THE ADMINISTRATION TO SAVE MONEY. Truck 12 (Fire Apparatus that carry ladders and perform Search and Rescue) was the first unit to arrive. They arrived within seconds because it was the building next door to the firehouse. Upon their arrival, they encountered a three story apartment building, with fire in a 2nd floor apartment and people trapped on the 3rd Floor. FFPM Novack, and the other men from Truck 12, without hesitation or thoughts of their own safety, entered the burning building to do their job, save people’s lives. FFPM Novack located and removed one victim from the third floor. Outside, he turned the victim over to awaiting BCFD Paramedics. He then returned to the building to search for more victims. At this time, about 9:14pm, the first arriving Engine, Engine 52 from Mondawmin, arrived on the scene and began to extinguish the fire. While searching the 3rd floor again, FFPM Novack became trapped by the fast moving fire. He used his portable radio and transmitted a MAYDAY distress call. Unfortunately, before he could be assisted by the Rapid Intervention Team (a Team of Firefighters on scene dedicated to rescue any Firefighter in distress) he was forced to hang out of a 3rd floor window. There he transmitted another MAYDAY, but the fire was growing too fast. FFPM Novack was forced to jump from that 3rd floor window, or he would have died. Despite other information released by Fire Department officials, he was on the 3rd floor not the 2nd, and he did not fall, he jumped, after saving lives! If more time was spent on the facts then there would be fewer discrepancies. FFPM Novack was immediately tended to by Firefighters and Paramedics. He was transported to the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center. His injuries are serious. He has multiple broken bones and 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his arms. At the time of this release, he was in Serious but Stable condition. The Incident Commander requested a Second Alarm, bringing additional Firefighters to the scene to assist with battling the blaze. There were a total of three civilians transported to area hospitals by BCFD Paramedics. One additional Firefighter suffered heat exhaustion. He was treated and released from a hospital. No other injuries were reported and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. We should all be thankful that this event was not as bad as it could have been, despite the Firehouse Roulette that the Blake Administration carried over from the Dixon Administration. Hopefully this shines a light to the Mayor and City Council. THE PUBLIC’S SAFETY IS IN JEOPARDY! Stop playing Firehouse roulette. Properly fund the Baltimore City Fire Department. The safety of the people who elect you depends on it! On behalf of the Officer’s and Members of the Baltimore Firefighters, Local 734, we wish Firefighter Paramedic, Hero, Jeffrey Novack, a fast and speedy recovery! Contact Person: Robert Sledgeski, 410-234-0734, pio@baltimorefirefighters.net Baltimore Sun News Paper May 3, 2010 Woman indicted in fire that injured firefighter In case you missed it over the weekend, prosecutors said a 19-year-old woman was indicted on charges that she set a fire her apartment last month, severely injuring a firefighter who rescued two people, because she was angry during a domestic fight. The Baltimore Sun's Jessica Anderson reported that Brittany Katina Garcia was indicted on charges of first-degree arson, seven counts of reckless endangerment and malicious burning. The April 7 fire on Liberty Heights Avenue left Jeffrey Novack of Truck Company 12 recovering from a fractured hip and burns to his arms and hands: Fire union officials said that Novak went into the apartment building without back up because another engine company was delayed due to rotating closures of fire companies that are being done to save money. It was the latest salvo in this long-running battle between firefighters and the mayor's office. Last year, a man died in a fire that union officials said was due in part because of delays from the closures. Novack is expected to make a full recovery. Here is the statement from the Baltimore State's Attorney's Office: Baltimore, MD – April 30, 2010 – State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy announced today that the Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Brittany Katina Garcia, 19, of the 4800 of Hawksbury Road for first- degree arson, seven counts of reckless endangerment and malicious burning. The indictment was filed April 29, 2010. Court documents allege that on April 7, 2010 Brittany Katina Garcia was responsible for burning a three-story apartment building in the 3900 block Liberty Heights Avenue. When fire units arrived at the scene of the fire the second floor apartment was engulfed in flames and a second alarm was requested for additional manpower. The investigation revealed the fire was incendiary in nature and deliberately set. Damages were estimated at $90.000.00 for structural and $20,000.00 for content. Witness(es) identified Garcia as the person allegedly responsible for the fire. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceeding. Garcia is being held at the Baltimore City Detention Center without bail. An arraignment is scheduled for May 27, 2010 before Judge Lynn K. Stewart, 430 Courthouse East. |
