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Apartment Fire in Belle GladeApartment Fire in Belle Glade
Photos from Capt. Craig Prusansky. Posted on November 10th , 2008

On Saturday, November 8, 2008, at 11:19 am units from Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Stations 73 and 74 responded to a reported apartment fire in the southwest section of Belle Glade. Crews arrived to find heavy fire coming from a first-floor apartment. Sheriff Deputies had evacuated the adjacent apartments before the crews arrived.

The first-in crews extinguished the fire before it was able to spread into the adjacent apartments. The apartment sustained extensive fire and smoke damage. No one was injured during the fire. The cause of the fire had been determined to be as a result of some wiring in a bedroom that had shorted out.

Units on scene: E73B, E73, E74, R73B, DC7, EMS7, IV4

Head On Crash in PahokeeHead On Crash in Pahokee
Photos from Capt. Craig Prusansky. Posted on November 10th , 2008

On Saturday, November 8, 2008, at 4:01 pm, units from Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue stations 72 and 73 responded to a motor vehicle crash in the City of Pahokee. Crews arrived to find a car with heavy damage, and two patients, one seriously injured.

The passenger was taken to the Trauma Center via TraumaHawk Air Rescue helicopter, and the driver was taken by ground to a local hospital. The driver in the other vehicle was not injured.

The crash is being investigated by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

Units on scene: E72, T72, R73, R73B, EMS7, TH2.

Station 72 Wraps up Fire Prevention Month with Fire Safety PresentationStation 72 Wraps up Fire Prevention Month with Fire Safety Presentation
Story by Capt. Craig Prusansky, photos by District Chief Gary Burroughs, Capt. Craig Prusansky, and center staff.. Posted on November 3rd , 2008

On Thursday, October 30, 2008, Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue and Palm Beach County Emergency Management Division conducted a fire safety presentation at the New Hope Charities Day Care Center in Pahokee. This was done in conjunction with the end of Fire Prevention Month.

The children were taught various aspects of fire prevention and safety, shown the gear that firefighters wear and use, and were given a tour of a fire engine. It seems that the children really enjoyed the presentation.

Sr. Jake Hits 33 at 33!Sr. Jake Hits 33 at 33!
Story and photos provided by Lt. Doug McGlynn. Posted on November 3rd , 2008

Congratulations to Buddy Yarbrough for completing this milestone shift this past Saturday! Thirty-three years of service, all at Station 33! That's tremendous, especially when you take into account that 33 used to run as many as 20 calls per shift and travel as far west as Twenty Mile Bend.

Buddy started at Southwest Fire Control District #6 back in 1975 at Station One (Old Station 33). Years later, Southwest opened Station Two (currently Station 25 in Wellington). Buddy never left the original station which was located at 1108 S. Military Trail and is currently a local laundrymat. It wasn't until four years after consolidation into Palm Beach County Fire Rescue that Old 33 was moved to it's current location off Kirk Road. Buddy's annual salary was $7,600 at a time when the price of gas was only $0.57 cents per gallon. Buddy's father also served for Southwest Fire District along with Buddy's uncle Rodney Yarbrough.

Some folks might remember stories where early firefighters did all their own station maintenance and yardwork, but the Yarbroughs-along with other fire department members-actually built the fire trucks! In fact, they event built the fire station that housed those original trucks. They didn’t contract the work out! They built Old Station 33 with their own tools and their own hands.

Times sure have changed since Buddy's rookie year as a firefighter, but as the Sr. Jake and DO on one of the department's hottest engine companies it is Buddy who has stood the test of time. He is a mentor, a leader and one of the most respected members of Fire Rescue!

Congratulations, Buddy, and thank you for your dedication and love for the job!

For more history on Station 33 "The Fire Factory" please visit www.firefactory33.com.

Belle Glade Firefighter of the YearBelle Glade Firefighter of the Year
Story and by Battalion Chief Mike Arena and Lt. Al Sierra, photos by Lt. Al Sierra. Posted on October 30th , 2008

On Tuesday evening, October 28th, District Chief Stephen Rice was recognized as the Belle Glade Chamber of Commerce's Firefighter of the Year. Chief Rice joined a list of distinguished recipients, and was recognized for his tireless contributions to the fire service over the past 28 years.

Chief Rice's commitment to the Glades citizens was exemplified post-Hurricane Wilma when Belle Glade's fire station was untenable and he moved all of the department's personnel to his home so they could continue to provide service to the citizens.

Chief Rice was one of the key players who helped bring regionalization of Fire Rescue services to the Glades. Since merging with PBCFR he has assisted with all preparation activity ensuring nothing was left to chance.

In closing, Chief Rice's long-term commitment to the fire service is exemplified in every facet of his job performance.

Congratulations, Chief Rice, on a job well done.

Townhouse Fire in Royal Palm BeachTownhouse Fire in Royal Palm Beach
Story and photos by Capt. Don Delucia, PIO. Posted on October 29th , 2008

A morning fire in a townhome in Royal Palm Beach on Oct 29th left a family of three without a place to live. Units from station 28 could see smoke while enroute to the fire at 112 Conaskonk Cir. When they arrived, Lt. Shaw from E28 said heavy smoke and flames were coming from both the front and back of the residence. Crews were able to isolate the fire to the one townhome and kept the fire from spreading to the attached unit.

Units on scene included: E28, Q29, E21, E26, R28, EMS2, DC2, PI1, IV3, BC2, E22, Volunteers.

Garage Fire in Belle GladeGarage Fire in Belle Glade
Story and photos by Capt. Craig Prusansky. Posted on October 28th , 2008

On Monday, October 27, 2008, at 8:49 pm, units from Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Stations 72, 73, and 74, responded to a reported garage fire in the southeast section of Belle Glade. Crews arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the garage of the single family residence.

The first-in crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire and contain the majority of the damage to the garage but the entire house sustained minor smoke damage. Two cars parked inside of the garage also sustained some moderate damage.

The cause of the fire was determined to be a pair of 6-volt "lantern" batteries stored in the garage which had made contact with each other and "shorted" out. No one was injured during the fire.

Units on scene: E73B, E74, E72, R74, DC7, EMS7, IV2

House Fire in West DelrayHouse Fire in West Delray
Story and photos by Capt. Don Delucia, PIO. Posted on October 27th , 2008

Units responded to a 911 call for a fire in a two story, 5,800-square foot home in Saturnia Isles today, October 27. The 8:30 am fire at 15970 Mataro Bay required a 2nd alarm response. The fire was under control in approximately 30 minutes but the home suffered major damagage estimated at $650,000.

The owner's German Shepherd was killed in the fire.

The cause is still under investigation. Units on scene included: E42, E44, Q57, E54, E45, R42, EMS4, DC4, PI1, BC4, R54, EMS5, BC5, DC5, BC2, IV6 and LA 24. PBCFR volunteers were also assisting on scene.

MacCloud Makes Mechanics into Magic for Family!MacCloud Makes Mechanics into Magic for Family!
Posted on October 27th , 2008

This October, Rescue Lieutenant Pat MacCloud (no stranger to the Frequent Fire Mile Program) responded with his R36 crew and E31 to a critical pediatric allergic reaction at the local school's nurse's office where an 11-year old girl had already had her EPI pen administered to her.

Upon Mom's arrival to the parking lot, her car broke down - barely making it into a parking place. Like we often say, "our customers need us at our best since we often see them while they're at or having their worst!"

The daughter had dramatically improved, but now the car was broken down and unable to be driven. To make matters worse her only EPI pen was now gone and they had no insurance for a new one, since she had recently lost her job and her coverage.

Prior to transporting the daughter, RLT MacCloud leans out of the truck and says to the engine, "Hey guys ... interested in helping us fix this lady's car while the family is in the ER?". The crew was ALL IN! When Discount Auto Parts learned of the crews good deeds they insisted in giving a manager's discount for the $80 in parts that the crews paid for out of their own pocket.

After clearing the call, purchasing the parts, and installing the water pump and power belt into the 1991 Oldsmobile in less than an hour,....the crews drove the lady's car in new repair back to the ER so that Mom and Daughter could have it for the ride home! Wow!! When we boast what it is to be a part of this incredible movement of Self-Empowerment in pursuit of "doing the right thing" even when it involves "going the extra mile" such as these guys....this is the type of leadership that is getting the job done.

Thanks, R.LT MacCloud, as well as your crew: FM Hector Gonzalez, FF Andy Mercier, Lt Dave Iman, DO Mike Depascale, FM Joe Deltergo. Coincidentally, A/Lt. Bookmeyer was the company officer that day at 36 and he already had to write up an EDF for MacCloud for his behavior. That is what we should be using these forms for anyway,....positive employee development. Frequent Fire Miles are being dispatched to all crews involved!!!!

Station 72 Meets American HeroStation 72 Meets American Hero
Story and photos by Bud McCarroll. Posted on October 17th , 2008

Station 72 "C" crews had the opportunity to meet a true American hero today. E72, R72 and T72 crews visited Kevin Harden, from Jupiter, Florida. Kevin just returned home from Iraq. Having just returned to the country, Kevin was enjoying the weekend at Everglades Adventures next door to our station. Upon hearing he was there, we had to meet and thank him.

In Iraq Kevin was a U.S. Army Medic assigned to a tank platoon. In his 13th month of duty he was hit with an anti-tank missile. Kevin had massive trauma to both hands and arms. After 20+ surgeries he is back home. Kevin had a dream of working in the fire service or in the medical field upon his discharge. His injuries may have ended his chances.

It was a pleasure for our crews to have the opportunity to walk him through our vehicles and interact with him. We cannot thank him enough for the sacrifice he made for us.

Firefighters Win the Fire-Rescue Division of the Lake Okeechobee Survivor Series RaceFirefighters Win the Fire-Rescue Division of the Lake Okeechobee Survivor Series Race
Story and photos by Capt. Craig Prusansky. Posted on October 14th , 2008

On Sunday, October 12, 2008, Palm Beach County firefighters Amy Tuminski from Battalion 7 and Ryan Bouse from Battalion 4 competed in the Lake Okeechobee Survivor Series Race held in western Palm Beach County. The course consisted of four to six miles of running as well as 10-15 miles of biking and paddling with some interesting challenges in between. As a participant in the race, they were required to orientate themselves using a map and compass and to complete various physical and mental challenges.

They completed the course in 3 hours and 25 minutes, putting them in first place in both the 2-Person Co-ed Recreational and the Fire-Rescue Divisions. This is the second time they have found themselves winning as they had nabbed the first place position in the Fire-Rescue Division at the last race back in April of this year.

Congratulations go out to both of these firefighters for doing extremely well at the race.

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