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Royal Palm Beach Brush Fire Challenges Firefighters: Story and Photos by Lt. Mark V. Carr. Posted on June 23^rd , 2006

In the middle of the afternoon on June 22nd, Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue firefighters were alerted to a brush fire in a wooded area southwest of SR7 and Okeechobee Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. The fire, adjacent to the developments of The Willows and Counterpoint Estates, drew large crowds of spectators due to the large columns of smoke which could be seen for miles. Firefighters from Station 28 in Royal Palm Beach, Stations 21 and 22 in Loxahatchee, Station 25 in Wellington and Station 34 east of Wellington, as well as several plow rigs from the Florida Division of Forestry fought the fire for several hours amidst sometimes gusting and changing winds. Fire-Rescue units staged in The Willows development to the west in order to protect nearby homes. No homes were damaged and the fire was contained to the wooded area.
Truck Fire on the Turnpike: Story and Photos by District Chief Curtis Rice. Posted on June 19^th , 2006

Units from the 4th Battalion responded to a reported truck fire on the Turnpike in western Delray Beach on the 12th of June. A trash hauling truck was found to have heavy fire in the undercarriage. RE47, B47, RE42 & R41 put 2 handlines in service to limit the damage to the undercarriage. The contents were soaked to eliminate the chance of extension into the container.

The owner was very happy that an aggressive attack was able to keep the fire away from the cab and crane equipment used to load the container.
Off-Duty Firefighter Helps Save Home: Story and Photos by District Chief Curtis Rice. Posted on June 16^th , 2006

On June 9th, units from Station 36 (The House of Pain) and Station 33 (The Fire Factory) were dispatched to a reported structure fire on Bonky Ct. Dispatch information indicated that an off duty Firefighter was on scene. Light smoke was showing on arrival.

FF Jorge Garcia of the 9th Battalion, B-shift said he was told by his Aunt that the neighbors house was on fire. He was able to get a garden hose in service. His quick action extinguished most of the fire limiting the damage to the room of origin. Station 36 units completed the extinguishment and overhaul.
Governor's Hurricane Conference: Posted on November 9^th , 2006

Recently, Chief Steve Jerauld, Joel Brier and Matt Willhite were asked to present an overview of the Relief and Recovery Team at the Governor's Hurricane Conference in Fort Lauderdale. Chief Jerauld provided an overview of the department and our hurricane deployment strategies. Joel shared the mission of the Relief and Recovery Team and the how the system works in our county. Matt gave specific information regarding the acquisition of supplies and how the crews were deployed after a storm has hit the area. The presentation was very well received and we received extremely positive feedback from the attendees.

Over the last three years, the Relief and Recovery Team provided assistance to over 300 members and their families. After last years Hurricane Season, it is apparent that this system works and is a valuable asset to both the members and the department. As part of the departments Hurricane Annex, good/welfare checks are performed by the operational crews of the homes and family of the members of the fire department. The Family Relief and Recovery Team makes temporary repairs to critical areas of your home (roof, window, doors) in order to secure the structure and prevent further damage to your possessions. This team is made up of volunteers and is a cooperative effort between the Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Local 2928 and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.

After a storm has passed, an evaluation of the damage that occurred is done and the Team is advised of the homes of personnel that have sustained damage. Our crews are then sent to these homes based on the damage assessments that we receive and repairs are done to keep the family safe and the contents of their homes from sustaining any further damage. Now is the time for you to prepare for the upcoming season. Make sure you have supplies for your family for at least one week, have a couple large tarps and fasteners at your home for quick repairs, and make sure your contact information in the computer is up to date. Additionally, the Team is always excepting donations to replenish the supplies that we have used in the past. We have a storage area where we can keep supplies when they are needed.

Congratulations to the Relief and Recovery Team for their recognition at the conference.
Turnpike Rollover in Delray: Story and Photos by District Chief Curtis Rice. Posted on June 16^th , 2006

On June 6th at 1436hrs, units from Station 42 & 45 were dispatched to a reported single vehicle rollover on the Turnpike in western Delray Beach. Units arrived to find a vehicle on its side. Witnesses said they had never in their life seen an auto fly through the air like that. The Driver had been pulled out of the vehicle through the sun roof by bystanders. The driver was evaluated and transported to the hospital.
Channel 5 Interviews Chief Brice: Story and Photos by Captain Don Delucia. Posted on June 12^th , 2006

News Channel 5s Kelly Dunn visited Fire Rescue headquarters recently to interview Chief Brice. The TV station was made aware of the Chiefs numerous accomplishments and awards and they decided to interview him and view the many memorabilia that fills his office. The interview session consumed nearly an hour and a half and covered nearly all of Chief Brices 53-year fire history. The TV Station plans on airing the story in multiple segments between now and July.

An All-Fire notice will be sent out as soon as they provide us with airdates.
An alligator visits the crews at Station 31: Story by Captain Don Delucia, photo by PBCFR Video Dept. Posted on June 9^th , 2006

June 6th 2006 - On a not so slow day at the 31 house, the boys where hanging out between calls when some locals came up to the station and advised the crew of a gator next to one of the local TACO buses. After investigation they found a 7 ft. gator hanging out in the bushes and doing what any good public servant would do they called a local trapper to help with our little friend and no one lost any fingers or toes in the process.
Traffic Accident: Story by Captain Don Delucia, photos by PBCFR Video Dept. Posted on June 8^th , 2006

A traffic accident at the intersection of Lake Worth Road and Military Trail sounded a lot more serious than it turned out to be. The Thursday June 8 accident involved three vehicles. Luckily no injuries resulted. The driver of the pickup truck involved reportedly fled from the scene.

Units on scene included E43, R43, R36 and DC9
Station 30 Grand Opening: Story and Photos by Captain Don Delucia. Posted on June 8^th , 2006

It was a full house today, June 7, in the Community Room of our new Station 30 in Wellington. The grand opening ceremony took place at 9:30 am. In attendance were dignitaries from Palm Beach County, the Wellington Village Council and the Palm Beach County School District. The Palm Beach Post, Sun Sentinel, Wellington Town Crier, Wellington Forum and Channel 12 covered the event. Commissioner Masilotti addressed the group along with Chief Brice. One popular question from members of the community was related to the scheduling of the Community Room. This indicates the station will rapidly become a very popular place for people to meet.

The area that Station 30 serves generated approximately 2000 calls last year.
Early Morning Fire in the Acreage: Story and Photos by Captain Don Delucia. Posted on June 5^th , 2006

At 1:55 AM on Friday morning, dispatch received a number of calls that a vehicle had crashed into a home and both were on fire. When Fire Rescue units arrived, 1/3 of the house was involved in flames. A quick attack from both the front of the house and the rear contained the fire to this 1/3 of the structure. Miraculously, no one was seriously injured and no one was at home when the incident occured. Two PBSO deputies had done a quick search of the inside of the house prior to our arrival.

Units on scene included R26, E26, RE22, DC2, DC3, BC2, PI1, RE28, R28, Q29 T21, B26, LA34, EMS2, EMS3 and IV4.
Vehicle Fire Prevented from Becoming Structure Fire: Story and Photos by District Chief Curtis Rice. Posted on May 31^st , 2006

Units from Station 42 & 45 responded to a reported vehicle fire. Due to subsequent callers reporting explosions, the alarm was increased to a residential response. Arriving units found a Pickup truck heavily involved in fire. An aggressive extinguishment kept the house under construction from receiving any damage. The vehicle belonged to the plumber who was installing the interior pipe. The generator was on the tailgate running with the exhaust directed into the rear of the pickup, with a fiberglass topper on it. It is believed that the exhaust heated up the cans of high expansion foam causing them to fail resulting in the fire. The workers immediately pulled off the generator, the container of gas they were using and fortunately for all, moved the vehicle out from under the roof and away from the house.

A good job done by E42 & R45B's crews to keep a vehicle fire from becoming a structure fire.

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