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Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Two Alarm Apartment Fire at 13th and Cleveland


The picture above is from Roanoke Fire EMS. Click the picture for the whole story and many photos hosted on VAFireNews.com. I included links to the story on WSLS, WDBJ7, and the Roanoke Times. Also be sure to check out RoanokeFirefighters.com for Michael Overacker's pictures.

Units on scene include: L1, L2, L7, E1, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9, E11, E13, M9, M1, M7, HTR 6, Chief 1, Chief 2, BC 1, BC2, RS1, Investigator 1, Fire Marshal, PIO, Emergency Manager, Service Truck 2, Roanoke County Air Unit, REMS Squad 1 and M101. Sorry if I missed anybody.

47 comments:

Anonymous said...

How did a fire on the first floor in the rear get that big? did the first companies in go in on an attack or did the chiefs not let them go in?

Anonymous said...

There were interior crews on each floor. From what I understand the fire was knocked down on the first floor. I think that the second floor crews did not have enough water due hydrants in the area.

Anonymous said...

I was told c-shift did a good job they just had water problems that let the fire get ahead of them and then through the roof. looks like a good fire, Would like to see the end result if they had good water at the start.

Anonymous said...

I've already heard that that #2 chief wrote this one off as soon as he took command and with strong opposition from the men who strongly believe they could have saved the other side of the building...and I think they could have too. Rhett, can you get these photos on Firehouse if they arent already??

Anonymous said...

I take it everyone on scene was safe and sound? Public as well as RFD FF's.

FireFleitz said...

There weren't any injuries that I am aware of. Thanks for asking.

Anonymous said...

Maybe next time we have a fire like this we will just stay at the station. You never know someone may get hurt climbing up into the truck.

FireFleitz said...

I will send them into Firehouse and see what happens.

Anonymous said...

I heard there was 1 firefighter injury. Some new guy had to get 20 stitches on his hand.

Anonymous said...

well there is no reason that this fire could ne be cut off and a large part of the building saved.is this true about chief 2? if it is he needs to go!

FireFleitz said...

Correction. One of the rookies at #4 cut his hand and finger and received 20 stitches. Thanks for the information.

Anonymous said...

Correction, only 9 stitches

Anonymous said...

Where was E4 and the squirt in the air or in one of those dormers?? Really...isnt that what the Big G. wanted them for..I just cant believe that the #2 could do such a thing as loose both sides of this building when we are on scene within a few min..I just dont understand....

Anonymous said...

It's the new Fire Department way!

Anonymous said...

look at the pictures real close. They don't lie.
Forty Hour Rookie School Medics and fast track Officers!

Anonymous said...

40 hour rookie school medics??

Anonymous said...

that's not why that building was lost, it was because of a 30 year chief that nobody likes and poor water supply. way to armchair QB next time you should be there to critique.

Anonymous said...

Cry! Cry! Cry! That's all you guys do!

Anonymous said...

what does medics have to do with it were there no firefighters there. the better ? where you there.

Anonymous said...

Nice Parking lot Ralph...all I know is you cant see it from my house...

Anonymous said...

Boy, I hope if my house ever catches on fire I get it out before you guys show up.

Anonymous said...

its not the firefighters fault. If your house is on fire just hope Ralph,Woops! I mean Deputy Chief Ralph is on vacataion, then your house will be saved,cause there would be no one there to micro manage the fire and hold our hands so we dont get a boo boo. I can still remember when firefighting was a dangerous job in Roanoke City.Ralph its not that hard its firefighting 101.Engine co operations.1. Find fire. 2. Contain and cut off fire. 3.Extinguish fire!. Ladder company operations. 1. Forcble entry. 2.Search and Rescue. 3. Ventilation. 4 Ladder the Building. Is it comming back to you now? Either you get better or worse ralph its your choose!

Anonymous said...

You need to stop picking on Ralph. He did do one thing right.
He got his daughter on the Department starting out over $40 grand a year at that nothing job she has.
Just think how many years it will take a firefighter to make that?

Anonymous said...

Three Ladder CO's and NO TRENCH CUT? Hmm...oh I forgot you guys run three men on the ladders..

Anonymous said...

I thought the Roanoke Fire EMS was the "Best Fire Department In The Country!" If that is suppose to be true than how could a fire that was knocked down turn out to be a fiasco like this?
I need to up my fire insurance or move out of the city!

Anonymous said...

Ralph and Dave.
I wanted to drop you a quick note to thank you and your staff for your most recent endeavor. It’s not every day that one can thank someone for a thriving business. Today I must let you know how appreciative I am not only for the 13th street fire but also for some of the past fires that you and your staff have lost. Like Salem Ave and Patterson Ave, ECT. Because of these I have grown and flourished throughout the Valley.
Because of the 13th street fire by not only loosing the building of origin but the whole complex, I have been able to add another Dump Truck and Track Backhoe to my fleet.
I prefer to remain anonymous because due to the high flow of business I am receiving from you and your staff, I have to turn other business away and prefer not to advertise.
Because of my company making the top ten wreaking companies in the USA.I have been asked to speak and receive an award at the National Association Of Building Wreakers And Parking Lot Provides, this fall in Seattle. I am grateful to have this honor bestowed upon me. I would not be receiving this award if it weren’t for you guys. Thanks again.
P.S. I am having a get to gather at my place this weekend. Bring the wives. Jim is also invited. See ya there!

REMEMBER: WHEN YOU LOOSE THE BUILDING. WE GAIN A CUSTOMER.

Anonymous said...

Was this a county Fire ?

Anonymous said...

Now thats some funny shit!!!

Anonymous said...

Rhett
You're an ass for letting the negative shit post to your site and deleting the positive posts.

I thought you cared about the department. When the negative stuff that is being said is posted and people start reading it, the outsiders are seeing us as keystone firefighters and not the quality and professional men and women we are. I witnessed a positvie post being placed in reference to Chief 2 pulling everyone out due to his concern for their safety and you removed it. I know of several other positive posts that were also removed.

I am not a strong administration man either, but these negative posts are a contributive factor in the ongoing decrease in morale. YOU are as much to blame for the low morale as anyone in administration.
Thanks 'pal'

FireFleitz said...

I appreciate your comment anonymous. However, you are wrong.

I have long said that the negative comments are rarely helpful and definitely not necessary. But to each his own. I don't have time to sit around and babysit everyone.

As for a positive comment being placed and me removing it you are wrong. I have not removed any comments on here. If I did it would say (comment removed) or something like it.

You can blame me for the low morale, that is your prerogative.

But as you say

"but these negative posts are a contributive factor in the ongoing decrease in morale."

I will ask you, is your comment positive or negative.

I guess that makes you a hypocrite doesn't it.

As always, my name is signed.

PAL

Anonymous said...

"Hay wreaking company man!"
You need to give some of your business cards to Chiefs so they can hand them out to the next victims.
The rate they are going you will need to have a lot made.

Anonymous said...

Terms of the day;

1) Trench Cut
2) Reverse Lay

Homework due next week;

"Ordinary Construction" Explain the differences of how a building built of ordinary construction reacts to fire conditions versus one built of other construction methods.

Anonymous said...

Don't let "Pal" get to you Rhett.
You are doing a good job!

"Pal" is probably embarrassed from screwing things up at that fire.

Keep up the good work. We enjoy looking at your site. It's the bad and the good that makes your site so entertaining!

Anonymous said...

It can be entertaining but it can also be used as an educational tool as to what not to do. We all know that had the men that were there allowed to do what we all know would have worked we would possibly not have anothe rparking lot. This site is NOT the reason morale is so low. The reason is sitting in the # 2 position. He has created such a distaste in everybody's mouth. Just ask anybody else, he is an embarassment to this department. He has no clue as to what is needed in the field because he refuses to listen to the men and women that do the work and know how it should be done. He thinks he knows it all and has been there. The best thing that could happen is for him to retire, let someone who is more progressive take the helm. We have some of the best damn firefighters in the state but you can't tell it if you don't let them do their jobs

Anonymous said...

Does anybody know if the firefighters shown in the picture in front of the structure received any "counseling" or a repremand for not being dressed out in complete PPE while operating on the scene of a working fire? Wait a minute!!! I believe that one of those pictured is a Chief that often either gives the repremands himself, or instructs the Battalion Chiefs to have "counseling" sessions or issue repremands for similar types of infractions against the POP's and SOP's. MY MY MY.

Anonymous said...

Do as I say not as I do!!!

Anonymous said...

POOR POOR RALPH>>>He just wants yaw to respect his AUTHORITIE!!!!

Anonymous said...

rhett you seem to have done wht admin could not. KILL the rumormill! no one seems to post any more over there. but i guess this will do.

Anonymous said...

I don't know why you all are ragging on Chief 2 so much. He is doing a fine job, considering his mandate from City Administration. He has put in his time, paid his dues to the department, and deserves the utmost respect from the firefighters. I am sure that he has not handed out any punishment that was not completely deserved. He never goes behind your back, and is completely fair in all of his actions. Give the man a break, and quit your complaining.

Anonymous said...

ARE YOU NEW?!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I agree with you 110%
Chief Ralph Tartaglia is the one and only.
He is the greatest Chief this department has ever had.

We love you CHIEF TARTAGLIA

Anonymous said...

Ok Beckner/ Brown you dont need to suck up anymore..your disturbing the rest of the department....whats that sound..oh ya the c shift machine is running..cant you hear it..or is that the chicken farm I hear...CHIEF CHIEF CHIEF CHIEF

Anonymous said...

Because of the many comments posted about “Sucking, Butt Kissing and Ralph Tartaglia” on this blog.

The Roanoke Fire EMS has decided to unveil the annual BB&T AWARD.

This award will be presented annually to the most creative, drastic, unusual, and best technique used by Firefighters and Officers to gain acceptance in “The Suck Club” within The Roanoke Fire EMS Department.

This club has only been in existence for about ten years but membership is growing at a feverish pace.

The award has been named after the only three members that have attained "Grand Poo Pa Suck Up” status within the Department.

A Grand Poo Pa is a member that has excelled in the field of sucking and butt kissing. He or she is unsurpassed in their creativity and use of the many techniques used to achieve excellence in the art of “Sucking Up.”
They leave no stone unturned!

They are considered “Suck-a-holic!”
They leave no back unstabbed!
No Chief’s car unwashed!
No card game unattended!
No Chief’s coffee cup unfilled! No hunting trip without meat on the table!
No Chief’s shoe unpolished!

A “Suck Club” wan-a-be should look up to them for leadership and guidance.

Because promotions in the Roanoke Fire EMS are based on the “Grigsby Popular Vote Assessment.”
This type selection process will also be used for this award.

The rules are as follows:

1.All techniques must be original and have never been used before.

2.Any technique or combination of techniques will be judged by the judging panel and deemed official by said panel.

3.All techniques after completion must be submitted to the panel within 30 days.

4.All techniques must be witnessed by at least 2 “Suck Club” members.

5.A “Suck Club” witness must be in good standing in the “Suck Club.”
“Suck Club” members in good standing: Annual dues are paid in full.
Dues are not always considered monetary but can be paid by special favors to top brass within the Department.

6.Any technique that is preformed on a Holiday or weekend will be considered extra credit.

7.Any technique that is preformed by more that one “Suck Club Wan-a-be” will only carry ½ credit.

8.The Chief keeps the judging panel a secret.

The list of all “Suck Club” members will be available in the “Suck Club” annual report due out in late July or early August.
Good luck to all candidates in this years first ever BB&T (Beckner Brown & Tartagila) Award.

Anonymous said...

Sadly, that is as true as it is funny.

Anonymous said...

maybe we should all conform, "roll up our selves", and become yes men. Make it the official NEW WAY. Then we should call each other by our rank and last name. Last but not least have stenciled on our parking spaces big nasty, medium nasty, and little nasty. Or whatever trio of nicknames are appropiate.

Anonymous said...

What a bunch of IDIOTS..This used to be a great place to work and it has come down to this, so called new way....just do your job and expect that of the next man and go home,,not this I am in charge mentalily on and off the job..

Anonymous said...

did you not understand i was making fun it's called sarcasm.