Controlled burns planned in Teanaway, Liberty areas

Prescribed fire helps restore the forest and remove unhealthy woody fuel build-up near Naches in 2016.

The U.S. Forest Service is planning controlled burns in the Cle Elum and Naches ranger districts starting in April, according to a news release.

Residents and visitors can expect to see and smell some smoke each day during burning operations. Burns in this area are planned at:

• Liberty, 210 acres
• Orion, 345 acres
• Teanaway, 300 acres

NACHES RANGER DISTRICT

• Angel, near state Route 410, 100 acres
• Dry Ridge, near Nile Valley, 300 acres
• Canteen, near Mount Clemans, 1,000 acres

The Forest Service is planning prescribed burns on 10,000 acres across the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest this spring. Frequent, low-intensity fire helps forest health and better protects communities, Forest Service officials said in the release.

“Summer after summer, megafires teach us that there is no future in Eastern Washington without fire and smoke,” Forest Fire Staff Officer Rob Allen said in the release. “Prescribed fire is a large part of the solution for how we need to live with fire in our forests and communities.”

Do you have what it takes to be a firefighter?

FOX 25's Wayne Stafford participates in firefighter training March 29 in Oklahoma City. (KOKH)

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — 

Have you ever thought you had what it takes to be a firefighter?

As the tempertaure begins to rise, the risk for fires also goes up. Last friday the latest round of recruits graduated and are now part of the Oklahoma City Fire Department. And the training is tough!

Pitch black and smoke, firefighters train everyday in these conditions.

"Yea that's what we're made to do, I love the adrenaline," said Jimmy Taylor, fire recruit.

So I tried it out for myself, but first was I healthy enough? Oxygen levels, blood pressure, heart rate, I checked out. So I got my code summary now it's time to suit up.

Now here's where it gets real, the gear. The coat and pants have three layers, an abrasive, thermal and moisture layer. And then there's the oxygen tank. And all this is supposed to be put on in less than a minute. After you put on the boots, the pants, the jacket, the tank the helmet and you have everything else it's about 60 pounds of weight and after that starts the training.

We walked to the training area and that's where we got started. First up, a two story home filled with smoke.

It takes two to break in, and after some good hits, we're in!

After our hose is charged and we spray the air out, it's go time.

And off we go into the darkness, attacking the fire and then finding our way back out.

Then there was combat training. First take a 40 pound hose up 5 floors. Then pull another 40 pound hose on a rope back up those 5 floors. This was not easy, then it's back down and time for the sledge hammer. This simulates breaking down a door. Then you run the course. Then drag the hose. And this is where I really hit the wall. Then you drag a 165 pound dummy. A good time for doing all of this is three minutes, I didn't quite make it.

Well I just competed the course in 5 minutes I can honestly say I wouldn't want to do it as a career it just makes me more proud that they're protecting us and the city these firefighters do so much for us they're in top physical condition to save lives in situations like this is incredible."

"A lot of them they didn't realize it was this hard, they thought you know we see the fire fighters on tv and it's not chicago fire it's not station 19 it's not back draft this is really life and this is what we do," said Larry Hanson, Battalion Chief of Operations.

"I came in with not a whole lot of responsibliity and I feel like I'm leaving with the whole world's responsibility, you know I felt like I came in as kinda like a kid and I'm leaving as a more of a grown up I would say," said Taylor.

I cannot thank the Oklahoma City Fire Department enough for giving me this opportunity, it was life changing and eye opening.

And they don't stop at fighting fires. They do tons of community service from installing smoke alarms to so much more. In fact 168 firefighters will be in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon doing the half marathon in full bunker gear.

FOX 25's Wayne Stafford participates in firefighter training March 29 in Oklahoma City. (KOKH)

'NEVER FELT SO MUCH GUILT'

Firefighters banned from helping Manchester Arena bombing victims by bungling chiefs beg for forgiveness

The bomb blast claimed the lives of 22 people who had been at the Ariana Grande concert in May last year

A GUILT-RIDDEN firefighter's letter apologising for not rushing to the aid of Manchester terror victims has resurfaced in the wake of a report slamming the emergency service.

The anonymous letter revealed that the firefighter had been plagued by guilt for not being able to help for two hours - despite begging their senior officers to go to the Arena.

ALAMY

An anonymous firefighter said they had been plagued by guilt

In the poignant letter, the firefighter wrote: "I have felt nothing but guilt, feeling ashamed and feeling let down by senior officers who didn’t have the balls to commit us.

"We pleaded with our high ranking officers to let us go but that got declined on numerous occasions.

"Young children were dying and we weren’t there to help."

The letter, penned last year, has resurfaced after the Kerslake Arena Review into the tragedy yesterday found that fire crews had been "brought to the point of paralysis" and played "no meaningful role" in the emergency response.

A FIREFIGHTER'S APOLOGY: The anonymous apology

I would personally like to apologise to the people of Manchester, the victims and their families because I was part of a service that you depend on and we weren't there when you needed us...

I have been a firefighter for 10 years now and never ever felt so much guilt in all my life.

I was one of the first crews who got turned out to the tragic event in Manchester. We stood around and were not given any updates.

We got most of the information from news updates even though we were at a rendezvous point with high ranking senior fire officers.

Two hours went by, watching numerous paramedics from as far away as East Midlands turning up and being deployed while we just stood around doing nothing.

Even a paramedic came to us pleading.

She had just taken a young girl to hospital, sadly one of the tragic victims of this horrid attack.

She was begging us, pleading with us to help, because they needed it.

Help in getting the casualties away from danger, help with triage and help with carrying victims.

I have felt nothing but guilt, feeling ashamed and feeling let down by senior officers who didn’t have the balls to commit us.

We pleaded with our high ranking officers to let us go but that got declined on numerous occasions.

Young children were dying and we weren’t there to help.

I did not sign up to the best job in the world to turn my back!

We were only half a mile away from helping, from potentially saving lives.

This will stick with me forever.

I would personally like to apologise to the victims and their families because I was part of a service you depend on and we weren’t there when you needed us.

Please please forgive your firefighters who were begging to help.

Instead, firefighters "stuck to the rules" of an operation meant to keep emergency services safe during ongoing terror attacks.

But in the letter, the firefighter wrote: "This will stick with me forever. I would personally like to apologise to the victims and their families because I was part of a service you depend on and we weren’t there when you needed us.

"Please please forgive your firefighters who were begging to help."

Twenty-two people were killed and dozens more injured in the attack that saw a bomb rip through crowds as they left an Ariana Grande concert last year.

LONDON NEWS PICTURES

Emergency services rushed to the scene after the bomb blast in Manchester

LONDON NEWS PICTURES

The attack left Manchester and the UK reeling after the horror

The 226-page report found there was a series of communication breakdowns on the tragic night, saying that the "immense frustration on the firefighters’ faces" had been obvious.

Members of the public, paramedics and police officers had desperately worked to evacuate the injured - forced to use display boards and metal crowd barriers to get them away from the scene.

Lord Kerslake, who authored the report, yesterday told media that the decision by the fire crews was surprising, saying: "I would absolutely acknowledge that it was quite extraordinary that they did not pick up what happened.

"But that is exactly the situation. It wasn't until much later that that they became clear they should have gone forward rather than back."

---

The shocking report released yesterday also revealed: 

• Fire crews heard a bomb go off but were "kept away" from the scene at Manchester Arena
• "Out of the loop" fire service barred crews after a communication breakdown with cops
• It meant firefighters played no "meaningful role" for two hours
• Ambulance crews arrived on the scene within 11 minutes
• Police chiefs declared "Operation Plato" meaning emergency services could treat victims - but not all services were told
• "Selfless" cops risked "death" to treat victims after arriving "remarkably fast"
• Victims were carried on advertising boards due to a lack of stretchers
• Vodafone slammed for its "catastrophic failure" in providing emergency hotline

Fire-fighting fit! Woman firefighter, 33, is crowned world’s toughest after triumphing in competition against 5,000 hopefuls from across the globe

• Suzanne Enghed faced stiff competition - including professional athletes - to take the title for the second time
• Tasks included dashing up 86 flights of steps at Sydney Tower - all while dressed in full firefighting gear and breathing apparatus

She scaled 8.5 metre towers in full uniform, sprinted up 86 flights of stairs and beat 5,000 other hopefuls to be named the World's Toughest Firefighter.

But today super-fit Suzanne Enghed will be back at work doing what she truly does best - saving lives. 

The 33-year-old triumphed at the World Firefighter Games in Sydney, Australia - winning four gold medals and one silver.

Fighting fit: Suzanne Enghed has been crowned the World's Toughest Firefighter

The keen sportswoman, who works at Cheltenham West station in Gloucestershire, triumphed in four events to claim her title against 5,000 female firefighters from across the globe.

She took on tasks including dashing up 86 flights of steps at Sydney Tower - all while dressed in full firefighting gear and breathing apparatus.

The gold medallist, who previously won the same title in Korea in 2010, said: 'I'm very proud to have defended my title.

'My colleagues at the station have been very supportive. 

'We did car washes and stair climbs to raise money for me to travel to Sydney.'

The pretty blonde completed an eye-watering series of firefighter related tasks in under 12 minutes, blitzing the field of other top female firefighters.

The tasks involved physical strength, such as carrying three rolled up hoses over 90 metres and then unrolling and connecting them.

She said her most daunting task was climbing over a three-metre high wall in full firefighting gear, including breathing apparatus and hefty boots.

Tough: Gloucestershire firefighter Suzanne triumphed at the games in Sydney, Australia - winning four gold medals and one silver. Tasks included pulling heavy equipment in full uniform.

The day job: The 33 year old is now back at home in Gloucestershire, saving lives in her job at Cheltenham West Fire Station

The firefighter took on tasks including dashing up 86 flights of steps at Sydney Tower (pictured) - all while dressed in full firefighting gear and breathing apparatus.

She then had to haul an 80kg dummy 90 metres, scale a ladder up an 8.5 metre tower - having dragged it there.

Suzanne added: 'It was really like a sprint because in between each of the four parts you only got a five-minutes rest, which was enough time to take your tunic off and try to cool down.

'It was no time at all really, and it was very, very hard.'

Suzanne also won gold in rowing, stair climbing and female doubles tennis and silver in mixed doubles tennis. 

The first World Firefighters Games event was held in 1990, in Auckland, New Zealand and has been held every two years since. 

It is an inclusive event that celebrates the camaraderie, heroism, health, fitness and spirit of the men and women who work in one of the world’s most respected professions. 

Some of those who compete are professional athletes as well as firefighters.

Queensland Women Firefighters Calendar 2018

I love being a Gold Coast Photographer.  This is one of the best shoots I have ever been involved with.  Not only was it great fun but I had an opportunity to meet some fabulous women firefighters and help with the effort to raise some money for the Pink Ribbon Cancer research.  The girls were fabulous to shoot and as non-professional models they were a delight to work with.  I hope they enjoy their shots and when the calendar gets released make sure you buy a copy.  Some behind the scenes pics to follow.

California firefighters accused of drunk-driving, crashing truck into motorcyclist

Five members of the San Francisco Fire Department are facing possible suspensions in connection with an incident in which a firefighter suspected of driving while drunk crashed a fire truck into a motorcyclist.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, unnamed sources have told the paper that Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White has informed two assistant chiefs – Art Kenney and Dave Franklin – that they are looking at possible 10- and eight-day suspensions for their handling of the crash scene when the accident occurred. Battalion Chief Mark Hayes, who was also at the crash site, faces a four-day suspension.

The incident took place in June, when firefighter Michael Quinn struck motorcyclist Jack Frazier with his truck, knocking the man into a fire hydrant. Frazier suffered from a collapsed lung and broken bones, which his attorney says he is still recovering from.

Quinn was told to remain at the scene of the crash and await a drug test, but he allegedly left and headed to a nearby bar. He was reportedly accompanied by a fellow firefighter and surveillance footage shows Quinn drinking large amounts of water before returning to the station hours later and submitting to the test, which showed his blood-alcohol level well above the legal limit.

The Fire Department has a zero-tolerance policy for drinking while on duty. Quinn resigned recently but faces possible criminal charges, pending the results of a police investigation.

Firefighters Warren Der and Matt Schwartz are reportedly facing suspensions of 30 days, though the Fire Commission is required to approve any penalty beyond 10 days. Der helped Quinn operate the truck, and was allegedly with Quinn at the bar after the crash occurred. Schwartz is the commander of the truck Quinn was driving.

Hayes-White declined to comment on the suspensions, but she did say that allegations of a cover-up were false.

"What has been alleged is that it was a cover-up," she said. "I don't believe that there was a cover-up that evening, nor did the administrative investigation that we conducted indicate that.

"Could there have been other, perhaps better decisions that night? Yes."

Frazier’s attorney, Chuck Koro, has filed a lawsuit against the city of San Francisco and Quinn in an attempt to stop any and all drinking that goes on at the fire department. He told NBC Bay Area that a grand jury report from 2004 showed drinking at fire houses was a common occurrence.

Photo of son with his firefighter dad is too sweet for words

When we saw this amazing photo of a boy with his dad, a Buffalo firefighter, we knew we had to share the story behind it with you.

Photo courtesy of Tessaconnelly.com

“This is a photo of my husband and our youngest son, Joseph. Joseph thinks his dad is the greatest guy and wants to be just like him! His fireman gear goes everywhere with us. My husband works at Ladder 36 in North Buffalo. He just received an award at the Fireman’s Ball and he is the hardest working man I know. He’s a wonderful role model for our three boys,” said Jodi Spencer DiLeo, mom.

Great job, dad, and thanks for keeping the community safe!