10.01.09 - 4th Alarm; 900 Mickley Run Apartments, Whitehall, PA

[MettaFireRescue]

Completely understood. My comment(s) were'nt/aren't personal attacks. I understand that some take them personally, and I can appreciate that. As far as "the Chief", I haven't a clue who you're speaking of (3501?). I'm not condeming individuals, or the FD for that matter. Only actions. In any event, I appreciate your logical and calm response and explanation. STAY SAFE!

[MettaFireRescue]

One of my FFs just made a comment that I thought was hilarious, so I thought I'd share it. Especially as it seems fitting for this particular call: "It's hard to fight fires in 2009, when so many are still fighting fires in 1979." STAY SAFE!

[Deputy3204]

I would love to see you actually watch a video and not see something wrong with it... I guess your department isnt that busy if you get to sit on youtube all day an critique everyone else's fires...get a life and STAY SAFE!

[fireman7003]

It's not the seeing one thing wrong... it's seeing the wrong after wrong after wrong. No fires are perfect but try to keep the clusters to a minimum.

[MettaFireRescue]

That's EXACTLY correct. If there were on WFD video on YouTube where "negative" criticism exists, it would be one thing. BUT, when there are repeated videos, there is a problem. "Keep the clusters to a minimum" - my second favorite YouTube quote of all time. STAY SAFE!

[MettaFireRescue]

I've seen many videos on firefighting-related videos on YouTube. The vast - VAST - majority I don't see anything wrong. My Department busy? Depends on your definition of busy, I suppose. I don't know our 2008 run stats off the top of my head, but in 2007, our busiest station - STATION, not the whole FD - ran8,077 calls for service. As Deputy Chief in charge of, and responsible for, Operations, I use videos on YouTube as educational tools and to see how other FDs operate. Do I spent a lot of time

[MettaFireRescue]

(cont'd) on YouTube? Yes. I subscrive to MANY YouTube members. Newsworking happens to be one of them (and probably one of the most professional quality producers). If you don't want me to critique your (isn't 32 South Whitehall?) operations, then operate better, operate safer and mitigate risks. And for the saje of every FF in your FD, USE YOUR S.O.P.s (or adopt some). STAY SAFE!

[MettaFireRescue]

Oh, and one more thing: LONG before Newsworking uploaded his footage, I heard the fireground communications of this call from the moment of dispatch. I didnt need to see Newsworking's footage to know what a fiasco this call was. STAY SAFE!

[Deputy3204]

how do u hear it if you live in Arizona?

[MettaFireRescue]

There's a program called "Pro-Scan" (there may not be a hyphen). STAYS AFE!

[MettaFireRescue]

Originally it was a FREE program. I think there are some premium features you can subscribe to. Give a few moments and I'll send you a link to the download, OR to an online streaming version (which I use). STAY SAFE!

[MettaFireRescue]

Understood. As I mentioned, I was attacking him (Chief) or anyone else personally. I wasn't, obviously, there either, but I did hear all of the communications (via ProScan). I'm glad everyone made it home. When all is said and done, that's what matters most. STAY SAFE!

[MettaFireRescue]

Deputy3204: I got the email notification of your comment, but I came here and see you removed it. I work in the southwest, Arizona to be exact. I don't claim my Department is perfect 100% of the time. BUT, I can assure you we wouldnt be using a TeleSquirt (which my FD has) as a Truck. Nor would we completely disregard the fireground command structure. Not to mention slowing apparatus before a size-up is done. If you ever come to Arizona (Phoenix Metro area) let me know. STAY SAFE!

[MettaFireRescue]

4:18 - What the F--K?! Jumping off the tip of a TeleSquirt onto a roof that has "fire running" it?! I listened to the communications of this "smoke in a building" call and it was a F-I-A-S-C-O from the moment 3501 arrived on-scene. Multiple, multiple dispatches continued as special calls for specific pieces. It wasn't until the final dispatch that the Disptcher took it upon herself to dispatch it as "an apartment building" fire. No chain of command was established: no accountability, no ops, etc

[MettaFireRescue]

At no time was a pre-planned alarm requested, only special requests (of which the first few were for stations to go on stand-by). In this video I see atleast 1 other Aerial piece (It was a Ladder that I think it said 'Catasauqua'), why wasnt it placed where the Squirt is, or atleast used to access the roof? Why wasnt the other Aerial piece in operation? The stablizers are out. Other Ladders/Towers requested, but I dont see them. Where are/were they? Thankfully, no one was hurt. STAY SAFE!

[choad33]

Lehigh county does not have "fire" dispatchers. The county has police and ems dispachers. They want nothing to do with fire. The county can not even hear the fireground freqs...nice nto know that when I call for help no one will hear ... hello Hackensack Ford 5 dead firefighters. It kept geting sent out as a smoke call cause the dispatchers are not paid to think they click the mouse and read off the computer. 2 hours into the fire someone finally got around to updating the CAD

[MettaFireRescue]

Lehigh County has dispatchers. Each shift, a dispatcher is assigned to a role (phone, fire, ems, police, etc.). I dont know if the dispatchers can hear Whitehall's, or any othe municipality's private frequencies, but they CAN hear Lehigh County's frequencies (North, South, Fireground, etc.). I don't blame the dispatchers for the horrendous communications issues, I blame Command. The audio of the radio traffic of this incidient should be taught to every Fire Department Officer. STAY SAFE!

[pafire26]

Just to clarify. Dispatchers can hear Fire North, Fire South, and Whitehall Fire. They can NOT hear Fireground 1,2,3,and 4.

[fireman7003]

Not to mention the lack of PPE, improper use. Also seems like there are a lot of people just standing around both on the balcony and MANY more on the roof. Vent and get down, a roof with fire under it is not the place you want to be. AND 38-"31" being used as a ladder truck... oh boy

[MettaFireRescue]

Yeah, all that, as well. STAY SAFE!

[Deputy3204]

Where do you work I want to come watch one of your fires so I can see the perfect fire.

[whitehallfire]

Why almost sad? I think a great job by all involved

[choad33]

Yes by the firefighters. Epic FAIL in command. I Have the Upmost respect for Chief Benner hesbeen chief from before i joined the fd in the late 80's and there ls the problem when its time to go its time to go. Yes I said it

[Deputy3204]

Nice video as always

[Bwilliams207]

Well whitehall for all the problems you guys had with the first plug not working.

GOOD JOB fire is out. no one is hurt.

[fireman7003]

This is almost sad