[Home]  [Locals]  [Apparatus]  [Stations]  [HCCC]  [HC Chiefs]  [Agencies]  [Other]  [Trainings]  [Social]  [Gallery]  [Links]  [Off-Duty]  [Employment]

JULY 2007

THE LATEST FROM CHIEF ASHBROCK

7/30/07: Good evening all--- I now have a chance to tell all of you how grateful MIHJFD is for the offer of prayers, help and other words of encouragement after our incident on Wednesday.  The calls, visits and e-mails, voice mails, offers of staffing help, vehicle help, you name it ---you guys and your departments have been there and we appreciate it very much. PLEASE---Pass this on to your troops! I will give you an update, but first --- I also must says THANKS for the help on the scene the night of the incident. When you take a careful look at the damage to the house and its contents, the potential loss of the house and damage to contents and consider that the incident involved the very early injury of 6 firefighters and water supply challenges---the property saved becomes obvious and impressive. Again---thanks for the hard work by all involved---and there were many. Overall --we know of 9 FF injuries by "name" and think there may have been 2 others not reported. Of those injured --6 were directly involved in the flashover/backdraft event.  Of those 6 firefighter, only two remain hospitalized at this time. Injuries include hand burns --at the wrist, on the back of the hands and minorly to the palm.  Facial burns predominate--- at the mask line, the mask-hood interface and the ears.  Knee burns are present in a couple cases. There are a couple elbow burns. The fire appears to be accidental, caused in the process of paint stripping. The workers left about 1.5 hours before the discovery of the fire. We are committed to a thorough evaluation of the circumstances leading up to the event and have begun the systematic process of learning what happened. We have begun examining turnout gear (prelim impression---it did it's  job and perhaps saved lives) and will examine SCBA, processes, etc. What we learn we will share.  We feel strongly that ---in the words of the pump operator outside who watched the "explosion" -- "we were lucky".  We want to know why The CISD team was helpful to our department last evening. The Bureau of Workers' Comp made contact with us almost immediately and have assigned a case manager who has already been very helpful. The hospital staff at University, the Trauma and Burns staff especially, has been great! Our folks were very impressed with the 19's!   On the arrival of the transporting ambulances from the scene the other night---the 19's were there helping to unload!!! VFIS has been active in dealing with our equipment losses. We will need some coverage for our quint for a while and we'll talk to our closest neighbors about doing that for us.  We are rearranging some shift coverage because we don't yet know about the duration of the injured folks recovery. In the meantime, I'm going to find the IH resident who made the 5-cheese lasagna and personally thank her. I'm just glad a got a single piece! Again---thanks to all, you have been everything that the fire service profession claims to be and more. Steve.

18 MONTH OLD GIRL RAN OVER BY SUV IN HARRISON TOWNSHIP - INJURIES ARE FATAL

7/29/07: A little girl has died after her police said her father backed over her in their Harrison Township driveway. Hamilton County Sheriff's Deputies and emergency crews responded to the scene just before 8:30 a.m. at the home on Deer Trace Lane off of Carolina Trace, near the Ohio/Indiana border. Police said Timothy Bischel, 40, was unaware that his 18-month-old daughter, Monica, had come out of the house as he backed out of the driveway. Monica was to the right rear of the Chevy Suburban when she was struck, and the impact pulled her underneath the vehicle. Dispatchers said someone from the home called police saying the SUV had backed over the child's head, that she was unresponsive and grasping for air. A lifesquad took the baby to Franciscan Medical Center in Harrison, and from there, a medical helicopter took her to Children's Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Alcohol and/or drugs were not a factor and the accident remains under investigation by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Traffic Safety Unit. (wcpo.com)

SUSPICIOUS HOUSE FIRE IN SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP EXTINGUISHED

7/27/07: Police are calling a Thursday night fire in Springfield Township suspicious. The started just before 11:00 p.m. at a home on Lotushill Drive. An elderly woman and a 17-year-old were in the house at the time of the fire and got out safely. The Red Cross helped them find a place to stay. According to officials, the damage to the home is estimated at $30,000.It's not clear how the fire started. (wcpo.com) Units: Command:

"MAYDAY" CALLED FOR AT THE FIRE IN INDIAN HILL ON CUNNINGHAM RD

7/25/07: Eight firefighters have been injured after fire broke out in a three-story home on the historic Kroger farm estate in Indian Hill Wednesday evening. Firefighters are expected to remain on the scene overnight, as the fire continues to smolder and they work to putout hotspots. But earlier in the evening, firefighters were forced to evacuate the building due to a "rapid fire event. "At the height of the fire the entire house appeared to be engulfed. Water to fight the fire had to be trucked in because the fire hydrant was too far from the house. At 10 p.m. 9News reporter Tom McKee reported that a total of seven firefighters have been injured in Wednesday night's fire, which broke out before 7 p.m. and is still smoldering. The house, which 9News has learned belongs to a James L. Jaeger, is located in the 9500 block of Cunningham Road, between Buckingham and Kroger Farm roads. The owner of the house says he noticed smoke coming from the third floor of his home and then rushed to get his family members out of the house to safety. It is still being determined whether it was a flashover or a backdraft that engulfed the six firefighters who suffered first and second-degree burns to their hands and faces. One of the firefighters has burns on his back. All six were from the Madeira-Indian Hill fire department. The seventh firefighter, who works for the Sycamore Township fire department, was injured while carrying a fire hose. Just after 9 p.m., Fire Chief Steve Ashbrock, of the Madeira-Indian Hill fire department told 9News that they believe all of the firefighters have been accounted for and that they are in the process of confirming that. Earlier this evening there were reports of multiple firefighters injured, with at least firefighter who was trapped inside, after they were caught in a backdraft in a three-alarm Indian Hill house fire.9News had been told that not all of the firefighters have been accounted for. Chief Ashbrock said six firefighters were injured in the initial "rapid fire event." They were taken to University and Bethesda North hospitals with first and second degree burn injuries. Chief Ashbrock says the good news is that all six were able to communicate as they were being transported to the hospitals. All members of the family are said to have made it out of the fire safely and unharmed. A second Air Care flight crew and at least four life squads were called to the scene. Units: 2nd Alarm: 3rd Alarm: Special Call: Command:

Names, Rank, Department, & Condition of the injured firefighters:

LMFR RESPOND TO THE ENTRAPMENT ON RED BANK RD

7/24/07: A medical helicopter was called to a serious accident in the 3700 block of Red Bank Road Tuesday morning. Police said there were three car involved. Police said a car was traveling southbound and went across the center line. That's when the car hit a dump truck heading in the opposite direction head-on. The car spun around and then hit another car. Police said the only injury reported was the female driver in the car that hit the dump truck. She was taken by a medical helicopter to University Hospital where she is listed in stable condition. (wcpo.com) Units: Command:

WOMAN STEALS DRUGS & SYRINGES FROM EMS UNITS AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL ED

ENTRAPMENT ON COMPTON RD BRINGS COLERAIN UNITS

7/23/07: A medical helicopter was called to an accident at the intersection of Colerain Avenue and Compton Road Monday after a serious crash. One person was reportedly trapped inside one of the vehicles involved. Police said Rufus Bolin, 70, of Colerain Township was driving a 1992 Ford Taurus along Compton Road when he left the right side of the roadway, striking the guardrail just before 11:00 a.m. Police said Bolin was trapped in his vehicle and had to be extricated by the Colerain Township Fire Department. University of Cincinnati Hospital Air Care landed at Houston Elementary and then transported Bolin to University Hospital. Police said Bolin was wearing his seatbelt and that alcohol and drugs were not a factor. Compton Road had to be shut down for about two hours while crews cleaned up the scene. The accident remains under investigation by the Colerain Township Police Department Traffic Safety. (wcpo.com) Units: Command:

FATAL MOTORCYCLE CRASH ON SR 128 IN CROSBY TOWNSHIP

7/22/07: Two separate motorcycle accidents late Sunday afternoon that happened just minutes apart have claimed one life. Both wrecks were only separated by just a few miles from one another on State Route 128, commonly known as Hamilton Cleves Road. The accident scene a 9 News crew was at was the second of the two accidents, but it was also the most serious, with the accident proving to be fatal. That accident happened just before 4 p.m. in the 11000 block of Hamilton Cleves Road in Crosby Township. The scene is adjacent to a fruit stand and just north of Sticker's Grove Fun Park. The driver of the motorcycle died at the scene, despite the best efforts of paramedics to revive him. University Hospital's Air Care medical helicopter was called to the scene but was not needed. We're told the driver was wearing a helmet, and his identity isn't known. It's not thought the injuries to anyone inside the Volvo SUV that came into contact with the motorcyclist are serious. There is no word yet if any charges are pending, or what caused the accident. (wcpo.com) Units: Command:

VACANT HOUSE FIRE IN WHITEWATER TOWNSHIP

7/20/07: Part of a vacant home on Buena Vista drive in Whitewater Township collapsed after a fire broke out in the basement Friday night. Police say the home is under demolition. Firefighters doused the fire within an hour. Police say no one was hurt. (wcpo.com) Units: Command:

MULTIPLE COMPANIES RESPOND TO CRASH ON I-275 NEAR INDIANA STATE LINE

7/19/07: Auto accident today on south I-275 between Kilby Rd and Indiana line.  **This all I have at this time. More to Follow** Whitewater units Miami Twp units Harrison R-56 & 5601         Photo: S. Placke

VEHICLE CRASHES INTO HOUSE IN DELHI TOWNSHIP X 2

7/10/07: Police said a teenager had been drinking when he drove his Jeep into a house in Delhi Township early Tuesday morning. The driver, 18-year-old Jacob Lipps, was arrested at the scene of the crash on Tahoe Terrace around 2:00 a.m. A 19-year-old passenger was also in the vehicle. Thankfully, no one was hurt. (wcpo.com) Units: Command:   7/16/07: A house in Delhi Township was damaged after police say a woman ran into it with her car. The crash happened around 11:00 p.m. Sunday night on Clareridge Court. Emergency crews took the driver of the car to the hospital with minor injuries. Units: Command:

BOONE COUNTY KENTUCKY ENGINE ROLLS OVER DURING RESPONSE

7/9/07: Boone County Sheriff's deputies and emergency crews responded to a report of a fire truck that rolled on McVille Road in Belleview Bottoms. The Fire Truck was trying to get around another car on the road when it lost control and rolled several times. Two firefighters were injured and transported to the hospital. (wcpo.com)

ENTRAPMENT ON US 50 AT KILBY ROAD

7/6/07: The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office reported a two vehicle crash at the intersection of US 50 and Kilby. The accident occurred around 10:00 a.m. Friday. According to police Michael W. Gross, 39, of Lawrenceburg, IN was driving westbound on US 50 in a 2001 Chevrolet pickup truck. According to police witnesses said Gross failed to stop at the red light at the intersection of US 50 and Kilby then struck a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier driven by Rachelle Bolling, 33, of Sunman IN. Police say Bolling was attempting to turn eastbound on US 50 from Kilby when she was hit. Miami and Whitewater Township Fire Departments had to remove Bolling from her vehicle. Bolling was transported to University Hospital with non-life threatening injuries sustained in the crash. Gross was not injured and was cited by police for running the red light. Police say both drivers were wearing their seatbelts. (wcpo.com) Units: Command:

COLERAIN FD RESPONDS TO FATAL CRASH ON I-275

7/3/04: The interstate re-opened early Tuesday morning, after the crash killed one teenager and injured four other people. The victims have been identified as: Raykida C. Campbell, 21, driver, unknown condition. Tiffany Campbell, 28, front seat passenger, serious condition. Jasmine Reed, 17, back seat passenger, good condition. Tia Reed, 17, back seat passenger, critical condition. Tomanique Coates, 15, back seat passenger, deceased. All of the victims are from Cincinnati. The only passenger wearing a seat belt was the front seat passenger, police said. The 2000 Honda Civic was westbound on I-275 at the 30.4 mile marker when it went off the north side of the road, down an embankment and overturned several times, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. Officers said the driver swerved to avoid part of a tire lying in the road. Drugs or alcohol were not a factor in the crash. (wcpo.com) Units: Command:

92's RESPOND TO HAZ-MAT SPILL BEHIND BECKTOLD PARK

7/2/07: Fire officials in Sycamore Township say there's no threat to the community Monday after a chemical spill leaked into a creek. The fire department determined a white substance found behind Becktold Park was cooling solvent. The fire chief told 9 News he was aware there was a leak from the Meta Manufacturing Corporation on Blue Ash Rd. The company coordinated the clean up process with the fire department. (wcpo.com) Units: Command: