Hey,
It was on this date in 2011 when Firefighter Mark Falkenhan of Baltimore County's Lutherville VFD, Maryland, a highly respected veteran career and volunteer Firefighter, died in the Line of Duty at a fire when he became trapped in a multi-family dwelling on Dowling Circle.

FF Falkenhan and his partner entered and made their way into the building to assist in the search for victims above the first floor fire. At that point in time, other companies were on the upper floors but there were no hoselines or the protection of one above the initial fire floor.

The apartment, like ANY dwelling any FF operates in today-is filled with plastics and other petro-chemical based consumer items (carpeting/flooring, furniture, TV's etc) that create a gas filled and subsequent fire environment of explosive potential. Watch the video to learn and understand how and why the fire spread above the first (terrace level) apartment.

Firefighters searching saw fire in the corner of the top floor apartment shortly before coming across a victim-but those conditions were not communicated via radio. At 1841 hours, crews were ordered to evacuate the building and about a minute later, Mark Falkenhan called a MAYDAY. At 1850 hours, Firefighters found Falkenhan unconscious and eventually removed him from the building.

As hopefully you will also know-or will now know that the Fire Protection Engineers from the ATF Fire Research Laboratory worked with the Baltimore County FD to create a computer model of the fire that resulted in the Line of Duty Death of FF Mark Falkenhan on January 19th, 2011. The following 36 minute video details the entire incident, beginning with the 911 call and ending after the firefighter MAYDAY.

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE ATF VIDEO/AUDIO OF THE DOWLING CIRCLE FIRE:
http://www.atf.gov/explosives/programs/research-development/fire-research-lab.html
HERE IS THE EDITED RADIO TRAFFIC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMsc8nuEvVw
HERE IS THE ATF LINK TO THE VIDEO OF THE DOWLING CIRCLE FIRE:
http://www.atf.gov/explosives/programs/research-development/fire-research-lab.html
HERE IS THE INITIAL REPORT:
http://resources.baltimorecountymd.gov/Documents/Fire/report/finalreport120320.pdf

HERE IS THE NIOSH REPORT RELEASED TODAY:

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201102.html
Once again-take the NIOSH REPORT along with the above information, the previous reports, radio traffic etc and use them in the firehouse, drills, meetings or whatever it takes as an excellent opportunity to learn, and HONOR the memory of FF Mark Falkenhan.

FIREFIGHTERS ON TRIAL FOR APPARATUS CRASH

Some Cleveland (Ohio) Firefighters head to trial to defend themselves today. It involves an apparatus incident where the video showed one thing but statements of the firefighters seemingly said another. Now, they'll try to clear their names in a trial by jury.

MORE HERE: http://www.19actionnews.com/story/27880768/cleveland-firefighters-head-to-trial-in-truck-crash

SOUTH AMERICA FIREFIGHTER DIES IN THE LINE OF DUTY

A 52-year veteran died last Friday in Joinville, South of brazil. Volunteer FF Ademar Max Stuewe, 74 years old, fell from a ladder on Wednesday, while cutting branches of a tree that had fallen over a house during a storm. He was taken to the hospital and remained in intensive care for two days, before succumbing to the injuries.
Our condolences to all affected. RIP.
http://g1.globo.com/sc/santa-catarina/noticia/2015/01/bombeiro-voluntario-de-74-anos-morre-apos-cair-durante-ocorrencia.html

Take Care. Be Careful. Pass It On.

BillyG

The Secret List 1/19/2015 0600 Hours