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 Structure Fire in Canal Point- Story and photos by EMS Captain Craig Prusansky.
Posted on
September 30th
, 2009
At 10:44 pm on Monday, September 28, 2009, crews from Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue stations 72 and 73 responded to
a residential structure fire in a house on the 12,000 block of Bryant Avenue in Canal Point. When crews arrived they
found smoke and flames coming from the roof of the single-story house. No one was home at the time of the fire, and
there were no injuries.
The crews were able to confine most of the fire to the attic. However, the entire house sustained significant smoke
damage. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Fire Investigation Bureau,
but it does not appear suspicious.
Units on scene: E72, E73, E73B, R72, R73B, DC7, EMS7, IV4
 Guardians of The Corridor ... Literally- Story and photos by Customer Service Team.
Posted on
September 29th
, 2009
The customer service team is pleased to recognize and reward the crew members of Station 31 for living up to
their name as "Guardians of the Corridor". Crews from 31 House responded to a call to assist PBSO with an 18-month
old female who wandered outside her home unnoticed and was attempting to cross Maleluca Ave when a passerby called 911.
Upon arrival the crews were directed to attend to the pediatric which they did while PBSO was taking care of locating the
parents or where the child even came from. Meanwhile the crews continued to keep the child in the air conditioned
truck. The crews realized that the child would be much more comfortable if they set her up at the station with some
age appropriate comfort items. You can only play with a "medical glove smiley face balloon" for so long.
The crews coordinated with PBSO to take the child back to the fire station instead of staging at the intersection. First
they stopped and picked up groceries, snacks, a juice box/sippy cup, diapers, baby wipes and a stuffed animal toy from money
that the crews contributed out of their own pocket. The crew made the 18mth old something to eat back at the firehouse as
well as set up a comfortable bed/sitting area in the day room with blankets and a TV so she could watch the Disney Channel
while law enforcement found Mom & Dad. PBSO did locate the parents 90 min later and there was a warm reunion between
baby and parents. The family was so impressed at how compassionate the firefighters were with their child and especially
how thoughtful they were while living up to their station logo as Guardians of the Corridor!
Thanks to all crew members involved. Not seen in this picture is DO Terrell Patterson despite how instrumental he was in
accomplishing this Frequent Fire Mile. Mile Slips go to all involved: Cpt Dave Iman, DO Terrell Paterson, FM Scott
Schanke, LT Andrew Lombardo, PM Melissa Jones, PM Chris Gray, Cpt George Springthorpe and DC Billy Schmidt
 Paying it Forward in Battalion 9- Story and photos by Station 32.
Posted on
September 29th
, 2009
Another Wolfe Pack (and cougar) sighting was confirmed on Saturday, September 26, 2009. A
very welcomed visit was received at Station 32 by Courtney Wolfe and her entire family. Courtney
is the daughter of Captain Larry Wolfe (station officer of station 32B) who was recently
diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (A.L.L). Her story and progress has been closely
monitored by many in our department. Currently she is undergoing a 59 day chemotherapy session and
blood transfusions (as necessary) on a daily/weekly basis.
Station 32 certainly holds the Wolfe family close to their hearts and wanted to extend a little
something extra to their family. Courtney is one brave girl who is putting up a great fight which
in turn still allows her to go into many public places even with the potential of being exposed to
other risks. However, she spends a great amount of time at home resting and being home schooled
when not receiving her treatments.
Recently, Station 32 was recognized as a top collector during the department's annual MDA boot drive.
As a result, they had received one of the incentive prizes of a PlayStation 3 game console that was
offered up to the different battalions. While such a prize is certainly a great incentive, the big
picture is one that reveals that our efforts to go out and collect is one that comes from years of
tradition and is an activity we do out of the pride of being firefighters and to uphold such a tradition.
The crew(s) at Station 32 thought instead that this prize would be better suited as a gift to a teenage
girl who would get more enjoyment out of it during her time of recovery and isolation at home. The gift,
as well as a collection taken up by the crews so she could get herself a few of her favorite games, was
very graciously and humbly received by this amazing young woman.
Coutney's visit to the station also brought another surprise: The veterinary office next door had
received an after-hours call for assistance to treat a 200-pound cougar. The cougar arrived at the office
via its owner/handler already sedated, however the office staff had requested our help and strength to move
this very impressive animal into their surgical room. This opportunity allowed for a number of photo opts for
Courtney, her family and the crew, as well as a very rare chance to be so up close to such an animal.
Kudos should also go out to Captain Pete Mcgrane of Station 47 with a very similar idea of "paying it forward".
Station 47 also won the incentive prize for their battalion and expressed a challenge to the other winners to
seek out those who would be more in need of such an item. We encourage others to do the same.
We will continue to track Courtney's progress and ask all to continue to keep the Wolfe family in your thoughts and prayers.
One final reminder, there is an upcoming benefit for Courtney on October 4th at 1:00 p.m. at the Gypsy's Horse in
Wellington. Contact Lt. Tony Andrewson at Station 57/C for details.
 House Fire in Suburban West Palm Beach- Story by photos by Captain Don Delucia, PIO.
Posted on
September 29th
, 2009
Units were dispatched to a fire in a single family home at 2136 Bonnie Dr in suburban West Palm Beach around
11:30 am on 9/24. On arrival they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the residence. A quick initial fire
attack was started by the crews from Station 36 and additional help brought the fire under control. Fire in the
attic created a good bit of additional labor. A good rotation process with the crews compensated for the
overall heat and humidity.
Units on scene included E36, E33, E31, R36, EMS10, DC10, BC4, Q29, PI1, IV3, E24, R31, LA24.
 Structure Fire in Belle Glade- Story by photos by Captain Craig Prusansky.
Posted on
September 29th
, 2009
At 4:54 am on Wednesday, September 23, 2009, crews from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue stations 73 and 74
responded to a residential structure fire in a duplex on the 600 block of Southwest 2nd Street in Belle Glade.
Crews were met by heavy fire and smoke coming from the structure. Steel grates over the windows initially
hampered the firefighting efforts, but the crews were able to gain access and bring the fire under control in about 30 minutes.
All of the residents were able to escape the fire without injury. The cause of the fire is still under investigation
by the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Investigation Bureau.
Units on scene: E73, E73B, E74, R73, R73B, DC7, EMS7, IV3
 IAFF Memorial 2009 Colorado Springs- Story by Steen Eriksson.
Posted on
September 21st
, 2009
On September 19, 2009, members of PBCFR Honor Guard and Pipe and Drum Corps honored our
fallen brother Lt. Tony Falzarano at the IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Colorado Springs,
Colorado.
Lt. Falzarano was one of 122 LODD memorialized at this year's service by having their names
inscribed in the black granite wall situated in Fallen Firefighter Memorial Park in the shadows of Pike's Peak.
An encased IAFF flag, and a memorial medallion from L2928 were presented to Tony's family by the Honor
Guard while the PBCFR Department flag was dipped as a show of respect.
This honor was bestowed on all 122 firefighters and their families during the very moving ceremony, with
approximately 800 Honor Guard and 300 Pipe and Drum members from the United States and Canada in attendance.
It was the largest such group ever assembled.
The IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial takes place each year in September, and is one of those events that every
firefighter who is a true firefighter at heart, should attend at least once in their career. There were hundreds
of non-Honor Guard uniformed personnel as well. It helps to place things in perspective.
Honor Guard : Steen Eriksson, James Hernandez, Ron Macleod
Pipe and Drum Corps : Jon Ferguson, John Fischer, Lee Forshner, Ed Peek
 E28 A-Shift Rescues Two Kittens- Story by Ken Druggan.
Posted on
September 17th
, 2009
E28 was called out for a public assist in Royal Palm Beach. While en route Dispatch updated the call
to kittens trapped in the grill of a vehicle. Upon arrival E28 found a PBSO deputy on scene with a U.S.
Postal Service truck.
The kittens were in the front grill behind the headlight of the mail truck with no way of getting to them
without removing part of the front grill. With tools from E28, the crew and deputy were able to remove the
bolts and pull the grill loose from the front left side and remove the kittens. In the process one kitten
escaped and climbed back into the mail truck near the rear axle. Similar methods had to be used to remove
the kitten for a second a time.
Both kittens were turned over to a women who was willing to find a home for them. The mail truck and its driver
were left on scene awaiting a mechanic to put the truck back together and E28 and the deputy cleared the scene.
 40-Hour First Responder Course-
Posted on
September 15th
, 2009
The Training & Safety Division completed their first 40-Hour First Responder Course. This course is a pre-requisite
for the Firefighter I class starting in January. A total of 12 people completed the course offered on Tuesday and
Thursday nights.
 Investigator Pam Summers Wins Prestigeous International Photo Award- Story by Captain Don Delucia, photos by PBCFR Video Department.
Posted on
September 11th
, 2009
Investigator Pam Summers entered the International Association of Arson Investigators photographic award competition. This award
is given in two categories (Arson and Accidental) fire photography. The photos are judged on content, technique, and composition.
This was her first time entering the contest and she won first place in the arson category. Her winning photo was published in
the July 2009 Fire & Arson Investigator magazine and she was also awarded a plaque. This IAAI contest was open worldwide to all
of its members.
 Lunch at Station 23 with Chief Brice-
Story by Matt Willhite, photos by Sergio Ornelas
.
Posted on
September 3rd
, 2009
On Thursday, August 18th Station 23 – A shift welcomed Chief Herman Brice for lunch. Even though Chief Brice
retired the week before, he was happy to come by the station, take a few pictures and have lunch with the crew.
Also in attendance were the Battalion Chief, District Chief and EMS Captain. The crew at station 23 cooked up
a big lunch, and a good time was had by all. Chief Brice was caught saying "I remember these days, when we used
to sit around the table for a good meal." The crew was very grateful to the Chief for everything he has done
for the department, and wishes him and Mrs. Brice a great life after retirement.
Thank you to station 17 – A for covering the "Rock" while we were taking the photos.
Pictured in photo are:
Sitting: Captain Mike Ellis, District Chief Jim Gribble, Chief Brice, Battalion Chief Ron Beesley, Captain Matt Willhite
Standing: Firemedic Chris Gutierrez, Firemedic Dale Batten, Lieutenant Shawn Niedbalski, Lieutenant Dwayne Hodges, Firemedic
Graeme Gilmour, Driver Operator John Wilson, Firemedic Victor Hernandez, Firemedic Doug Taylor
 Station 32: The Reconstruction (Part I)- Story and photos by Drew Craig, E32-B.
Posted on
September 8th
, 2009
Station 32 was commissioned in 1975 as TPVFD (Trail Park Vol Fire Dept); dedicated to Fred G. Rankin for his services.
Upon consolidation in 1984 Station 32, was acquired by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and is currently in Batt.9 and
services unincorporated areas of Lake Worth.
In August of 2009 construction began on a completly new two-story station. The new 32 will be two stories, have 2 bays,
a workout room, and will have ample space if 32 is upstaffed, (sorry, no more murphy bed) and sit directly behind the current
location of St.32.
The new building is being constructed approximately 10 feet from the current building and crews will continue to work out of
St.32 until the new building is complete. The new station will have drive-through bays and the exit driveway will run directly
through St.32's current location. I have also been told by the contractor that the floors in the bays will be "floating floors"
with a one inch control joist around the perimeter to minimize vibrations as the trucks come in and out of the station.
If you have ever been to St.32 then you have seen the property directly behind the station, this is where the parking area will
be. It's been slow going, however the contractor says once the foundation sets and the exterior walls go up, construction will
move along pretty quickly... We can only hope! Stop by 32 anytime to check the progress, I will be sending pictures periodically
to document the progress.
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