Posthumous Award for Fallen Boston Firefighter Michael Kennedy

As you probably already know, on Wednesday, March 26th, the Boston Fire Department

tragically lost two firefighters.  

The brothers we lost, FLT. Edward Walsh and FF Michael Kennedy were both terrific guys.  They were the types that would give you the shirts off their backs and still try to give you more.  

Recently, Mike Kennedy, who had been a long-time participant in the Massachusetts Big Brother program was posthumously awarded the Mass Big of the Year award.  This is a prestigous honor.

Click on the link below and watch this moving video.  You'll be glad you did.  BE SAFE and hug your loved ones everyday.

Please feel free to comment as well.  

Firefighter Michael Kennedy - Big Brother Award

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Not Widely Seen Video from 8 Alarms at Box 711, Dec. 3, 2013

We recently found this rarely seen You Tube video from the 8-alarm fire we had down the street from the firehouse on December 3rd.  It does a great job showing conditions from the front of the building.

Fortunately, no members of the BFD or civilians were injured that evening.

In an ironic twist, the fire was on the 14th anniversary of the Worcester Cold Storage tragedy where eight Worcester firefighters perished.

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OLD STYLE LACE UP HOODED SWEATSHIRT - HOCKEY APPEARS AT BRUINS GAME TV

The Fan's shirt on the video is the Boston Fire Gear Lace Up Sweatshirt found at http://www.bostonfiregear.com/en/hockey/126-hockey-hooded.html

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Hyde Park Explosion 9-20-13

Great job to the first due companies at this incident.  These days we have no idea what we're responding too.

Hyde Park man loses hands in blast

Friday, September 20, 2013 -- Anonymous (not verified)

Tells police he was making fireworks

Sections: 

Local Coverage

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Author(s): 

O’ryan Johnson

Dave Wedge 
and Erin Smith

Police are investigating a man who told authorities he was experimenting with fireworks yesterday morning before an explosion in a Hyde Park basement apartment that blew off his hands, injured six others and started a fire.
The man, whose name was not released last night, was mixing chemicals and “may have been making fireworks” inside the unit when the explosion happened, said Boston Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis, adding, “He lost one or both hands.”
Davis said before the man was taken to the hospital, he told police “he was experimenting.”
“It sounded like a car crash. Then I saw the fire trucks pull in,” said Lindsey Bell, who lives next door. “I saw them taking him out on a stretcher. He had no hands. They were bloody stumps and they were wrapping them with bandages.”
Police said the man is expected to survive and no charges had been brought against him as of last night.
Three others were treated at the scene for injuries and the man’s roommate was hospitalized with respiratory problems not related to the explosion, Davis said.
Two firefighters also were injured, including one hospitalized for chemical inhalation, said Richard Paris, president of Boston Firefighters Union Local 718. He said firefighters fearlessly rushed into the apartment and put out the fire, despite uncertainty over what caused the blast and whether there may have been another explosive.
Firefighters responded at about 9:30 a.m. to the four-story apartment building on Riley Road, where crews yesterday hosed down first-responders who may have been exposed to dangerous chemicals.
The FBI was also at the scene yesterday and is assisting Boston police in the investigation, agency spokesman Greg Comcowich said.
Davis ruled out drugs and terrorism as connected to the blast yesterday, but said police were checking all their databases to determine who the man was and what he may have been doing in the apartment.
“We’ll be going through everything, not just the chemicals in the room, but all of the evidence as we execute a search warrant,” Davis said.

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One of the many incredible photos from the Marathon

A tip of the helmet to Boston Firefighter Jim Plourde, Engine 28, for making the cover of his alma mater, Siena College's quarterly magazine. The brothers and sisters performed heroically at the Marathon and will always have my utmost respect.

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Fire on the MBTA Red Line Shuts Down Service 8-31-13

Saturday evening around 10:30PM, Engine 39 and Ladder 18 were dispatched to the area of West 2nd St. and Dorchester Ave., to investigate smoke in the area.  Upon arrival smoke was banked down to the street and pushing out of a ventilation system that leads to the MBTA Red Line.  The officer of Engine 39 "struck the box" bringing Engine 7; Engine 10; Ladder 17; Tower Ladder 3; Rescue 1; District 6; the Safety Chief and Division 1.  RIT companies were Engine 21, Ladder 24 and District 3.  Additional apparatus responding included the Rehab Unit and Special Unit.  District 6 was the Operations Chief and Division 1 was the Incident Commander. 

Upon further investigation the officers of Engine 39 and Ladder 18 found that the fire was in multiple areas around the third rail of the T, burning several thick cables.  In order for the fire to be extinguished the third-rail (containing 600 volts) would have to be shut down.  Generally this takes only takes a few minutes, but the MBTA had difficulty shutting down the power. When operating in the MBTA Rapid Transit System firefighters must always confirm that the power has been shut down prior to making entry. 

 
When the MBTA stated the power had been shut down Boston Ladder companies and the Safety Chief used three third-rail testers to confirm.  At this point Engine 39 charged the standpipe, and the companies in the tunnel used a combination of water and dry-chemical to extinguish the fire.    

Because there was significant damage to the communications and power to the Red Line, all traffic between Andrew Station and Downtown Crossing is temporarily closed. 

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Quick video from Wednesday's 5-Alarm Fire in South Boston

First due video from Wednesday's 5-alarm fire.

Notice that Ladder 19 pulled in as the first truck.  Ladder 18 and District 6 were both at training but responded to the fire.

8 minor injuries and $1 million in damage. 

This would be the first multiple alarm fire for the new Ladder 18.

 

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