Austin Fire incident in news

[Guest guest]

911 caller had reported smoke 45 minutes before first firefighters responded

to landmark restaurant

Fire officials say crews respond to most calls of smoke, smoky odor....

Click below to listen

By Tony Plohetski

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

At 1:45 a.m. Thursday, a man called 911 to say that he had seen " like a lot

of smoke " pouring out of Bert's Bar B-Q near the University of Texas, Austin.

Dispatcher Mackey, who took the call, asked the man a couple of

questions about the color and odor of the smoke. Then he told the caller it was

probably from the restaurant's barbecue pit and that owners may " cook their

brisket at night, " according to a two-minute audiotape of the conversation

obtained Tuesday.

Mackey didn't send anyone to investigate further.

About 45 minutes elapsed before other callers began dialing 911 about heavy

smoke pouring from the building. " That's not brisket! " one caller said to

Mackey.

By the time the first firefighters arrived, it was too late.

Investigators later determined that an electrical malfunction started the

fire that engulfed the building at 610 W. Luther King Jr. Blvd. and that

the restaurant was a total loss.

" We roll on the majority of calls that come in, " said Jim , chief of

staff for the Austin Fire Department. " We stress to err on the side of caution,

and this is clearly an example of when we did not. "

Mackey, a firefighter and dispatcher for nearly 27 years, declined to

comment. He remains on the job pending the outcome of an internal review of the

incident.

, whose father began Bert's Bar B-Q in 1970 and now runs the

business with his family, said he learned about the first 911 call from the

Austin American-Statesman on Tuesday.

" That's kind of shocking, actually, " he said. " I don't know what to say

about that. "

Austin fire dispatchers have wide discretion about whether to send fire

engines when they get reports about strange or smoky odors or when callers

report

seeing smoke, said. Department officials said they could not say

Tuesday how often dispatchers receive such calls and decide not to send

firefighters to investigate.

The department has no written procedures for how the city's 28 fire

dispatchers — all but two of whom are former firefighters — handle such

calls.

said the department has recently begun drafting such guidelines.

" We depend on the dispatchers' experience and knowledge, " said.

Last year, about 1,700 of 24,055 fire calls concerned odors or smoke — and

some were from barbecue restaurants, said. About 130 of the 1,700 were

actual fires.

During Mackey's conversation with the unidentified man, he said, " A lot of

barbecue places, they fire up their smokers at night and they cook their

grills all night long.

" If there is not a lot of wind at night, it is probably just laying and

hanging in the area, " he said.

" I don't know if that is what they do, but it does smell like smoke, " the

caller said. The day after the fire, the man called fire officials to tell them

about his conversation with Mackey, said.

When a second caller dialed 911 about 45 minutes later, Mackey repeated that

he suspected the smoke was from cooking meat.

" Well, could they be smoking their brisket? " he asked.

" No! " the man replied. " That's not brisket. It smells like something is

burning. "

said he thinks the fire probably was smoldering when the first 911

caller reported seeing and smelling smoke.

said his late father, Bert , started the business about 36

years ago after leaving his state job. He went on to open four other barbecue

establishments before he died in 1989. The restaurant on MLK was the last one

to remain open.

Most of the family's restaurant memorabilia — autographed pictures of

everyone from politicians to UT football coaches — was destroyed in the fire.

" That's what really hurts us, " said. " We are just really trying

to figure out where we go from here. " _tplohetski@..._

(mailto:tplohetski@...) ; 445-3605

Find this article and audio at:

_http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/01/24/24fire.html_

(http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/01/24/24fire.html)

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

Buddhist philosopher at-large

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

(Home Phone)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

" A Texan with a Jersey Attitude "

" Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds

discuss people " Eleanor Roosevelt - US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)

The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the

author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless

I

specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for

its

stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the

original author.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/24/2007 8:54:22 P.M. Central Standard Time,

larn572001@... writes:

but I wasn't there and the local protocol sounds a little hazy (pardon the

pun).

Oh my was that bad.

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

Buddhist philosopher at-large

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

(Home Phone)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

" A Texan with a Jersey Attitude "

" Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds

discuss people " Eleanor Roosevelt - US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)

The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the

author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless

I

specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for

its

stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the

original author.

[Guest guest]

" You can't cure stupid. Stupid is forever. "

Gene G.

>

>

> 911 caller had reported smoke 45 minutes before first firefighters responded

> to landmark restaurant

> Fire officials say crews respond to most calls of smoke, smoky odor....

>

> Click below to listen

>

> By Tony Plohetski

> AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

> Wednesday, January 24, 2007

>

> At 1:45 a.m. Thursday, a man called 911 to say that he had seen " like a lot

> of smoke " pouring out of Bert's Bar B-Q near the University of Texas,

> Austin.

>

> Dispatcher Mackey, who took the call, asked the man a couple of

> questions about the color and odor of the smoke. Then he told the caller it

> was

> probably from the restaurant's barbecue pit and that owners may " cook their

> brisket at night, " according to a two-minute audiotape of the conversation

> obtained Tuesday.

> Mackey didn't send anyone to investigate further.

>

> About 45 minutes elapsed before other callers began dialing 911 about heavy

> smoke pouring from the building. " That's not brisket! " one caller said to

> Mackey.

>

> By the time the first firefighters arrived, it was too late.

>

> Investigators later determined that an electrical malfunction started the

> fire that engulfed the building at 610 W. Luther King Jr. Blvd. and

> that

> the restaurant was a total loss.

> " We roll on the majority of calls that come in, " said Jim , chief of

> staff for the Austin Fire Department. " We stress to err on the side of

> caution,

> and this is clearly an example of when we did not. "

>

> Mackey, a firefighter and dispatcher for nearly 27 years, declined to

> comment. He remains on the job pending the outcome of an internal review of

> the

> incident.

>

> , whose father began Bert's Bar B-Q in 1970 and now runs the

> business with his family, said he learned about the first 911 call from the

> Austin American-Statesman on Tuesday.

> " That's kind of shocking, actually, " he said. " I don't know what to say

> about that. "

>

> Austin fire dispatchers have wide discretion about whether to send fire

> engines when they get reports about strange or smoky odors or when callers

> report

> seeing smoke, said. Department officials said they could not say

> Tuesday how often dispatchers receive such calls and decide not to send

> firefighters to investigate.

>

> The department has no written procedures for how the city's 28 fire

> dispatchers — all but two of whom are former firefighters — handle such

> calls.

> said the department has recently begun drafting such guidelines.

>

> " We depend on the dispatchers' experience and knowledge, " said.

>

> Last year, about 1,700 of 24,055 fire calls concerned odors or smoke — and

> some were from barbecue restaurants, said. About 130 of the 1,700 were

> actual fires.

>

> During Mackey's conversation with the unidentified man, he said, " A lot of

> barbecue places, they fire up their smokers at night and they cook their

> grills all night long.

>

> " If there is not a lot of wind at night, it is probably just laying and

> hanging in the area, " he said.

> " I don't know if that is what they do, but it does smell like smoke, " the

> caller said. The day after the fire, the man called fire officials to tell

> them

> about his conversation with Mackey, said.

>

> When a second caller dialed 911 about 45 minutes later, Mackey repeated that

> he suspected the smoke was from cooking meat.

>

> " Well, could they be smoking their brisket? " he asked.

>

> " No! " the man replied. " That's not brisket. It smells like something is

> burning. "

>

> said he thinks the fire probably was smoldering when the first 911

> caller reported seeing and smelling smoke.

>

> said his late father, Bert , started the business about 36

> years ago after leaving his state job. He went on to open four other

> barbecue

> establishments before he died in 1989. The restaurant on MLK was the last

> one

> to remain open.

>

> Most of the family's restaurant memorabilia — autographed pictures of

> everyone from politicians to UT football coaches — was destroyed in the

> fire.

>

> " That's what really hurts us, " said. " We are just really trying

> to figure out where we go from here. " _tplohetski@_tplohetsk_tp_

> (mailto:tplohetski@statesmatploh) ; 445-3605

>

> Find this article and audio at:

> _http://www.statesmahttp://www.http://www.sthttp://www.stahttp://www.sthttp:

> (http://www.statesmahttp://www.http://www.sthttp://www.stahttp://www.sthttp)

>

> Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

> FF/NREMT-B/FSI/ FF/

> Freelance Consultant/Trainer/ Freelance Cons Freelance Consultant/Train

> Buddhist philosopher at-large

> LNMolino@...

>

> (Cell Phone)

> (Home Phone)

> (IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

> (IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

>

> " A Texan with a Jersey Attitude "

>

> " Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds

> discuss people " Eleanor Roosevelt - US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)

>

> The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the

> author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

> organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with

> unless I

> specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only

> for its

> stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

> retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by

> the

> original author.

>

>

[Guest guest]

That is a shame. The one time I went to their restaurant was years ago, and that

was some barbeque. Really tender and a great taste.

I don't know what to say about the dispatcher.. sounds a little complacent,

but I wasn't there and the local protocol sounds a little hazy (pardon the pun).

" A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the

simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. " Proverbs 22:3

---------------------------------

Be a PS3 game guru.

Get your game face on with the latest PS3 news and previews at Yahoo! Games.

[Guest guest]

What are we told to do when we suspect that an emergency situation may be

happening? CALL 911.

We are encouraged to rely on 911 to take care of the problem. Otherwise we

would hire private fire, police, and EMS services to protect us as they used

to do in colonial America. (Well, there were no EMS services there, but you

get my meaning.)

Do we have a legal right to rely upon the 911 system to act reasonably when

we call with a request for service? Was the call that was made in this

incident a request for service, or simply an " informational call? " Is there a

difference? If one calls and says, " I am looking at a man who is lying on the

sidewalk with a knife sticking out of his chest, " does that information

trigger a response? Or is it simply an informational call that should be noted

in

the log as " 0237--caller describes man lying on sidewalk with knife sticking

out of chest. " Noted.

How is this different from the caller who says " I see smoke coming out of

Bubba's Barbecue. "

Does the call taker simply say, " Noted " or initiate a response?

What does a member of the public have a right to expect from a call to 911?

The legal nuances of liability of 911 operators for failure to act reasonably

is far from clear, but I expect that this incident will provoke another test

of the theory that 911 has a duty to act reasonably. I hope that this

incident will be litigated, so that we may have some guidance from the Supremes

as

to what we are obliged to do when a caller reports smoke coming from a

building.

How many of you, having read the posted accounts of this incident, think that

the 911 operator acted reasonably?

How many of you think that the 911 operator was guilty of willful, wanton,

and reckless conduct in failing to dispatch a fire unit to investigate the

report?

How many of you think that the 911 operator was guilty of negligence but

should not be disciplined?

How many of you think that the 911 operator was not guilty of negligence,

acted reasonably, and should not be the subject of any disciplinary action

whatsoever?

How many of you think that AFD was negligent in employment and supervision of

the 911 operator?

How many of you think that AFD has no responsibility for what happened?

How many of you think that the City of Austin is liable for the loss of the

business?

How many of you think that the City of Austin has NO liability whatsoever for

the loss of the business?

How many of you have another idea about what ought to happen as a result of

this incident?

Gene G.

[Guest guest]

Mike,

You are hereby sentenced to read 1000 Knock-knock jokes, you naughty boy.

GG

[Guest guest]

Yeah, AFD is really getting grilled over this incident... the media

is raking them over the coals!

I'd imagine that having been burnt, they won't be quite as saucy in

future attempts to diagnose structure fire by telephone.

We'll have to see if there's a beef to be had by the owner, or if he

shoulders the load, hauls butt and rebuilds his business, or picks up

and moves to St. Louis.

Either way, AFD is really taking a ribbing.

Mike

>

>

> In a message dated 1/24/2007 8:54:22 P.M. Central Standard Time,

> larn572001@... writes:

>

> but I wasn't there and the local protocol sounds a little hazy

> (pardon the

> pun).

>

> Oh my was that bad.

>

> Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

> FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

> Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection

> Consultant

> Buddhist philosopher at-large

> LNMolino@...

>

> (Cell Phone)

> (Home Phone)

> (IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

> (IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

>

> " A Texan with a Jersey Attitude "

>

> " Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds

> discuss people " Eleanor Roosevelt - US diplomat & reformer (1884 -

> 1962)

>

> The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the

> author and the

> author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

> organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated

> with unless I

> specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is

> intended only for its

> stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

> retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public

> domain by the

> original author.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Aaaagghh!!!! Pun OD!

Mike wrote: Yeah, AFD is really getting

grilled over this incident... the media

is raking them over the coals!

I'd imagine that having been burnt, they won't be quite as saucy in

future attempts to diagnose structure fire by telephone.

We'll have to see if there's a beef to be had by the owner, or if he

shoulders the load, hauls butt and rebuilds his business, or picks up

and moves to St. Louis.

Either way, AFD is really taking a ribbing.

Mike

>

>

> In a message dated 1/24/2007 8:54:22 P.M. Central Standard Time,

> larn572001@... writes:

>

> but I wasn't there and the local protocol sounds a little hazy

> (pardon the

> pun).

>

> Oh my was that bad.

>

> Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

> FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

> Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection

> Consultant

> Buddhist philosopher at-large

> LNMolino@...

>

> (Cell Phone)

> (Home Phone)

> (IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

> (IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

>

> " A Texan with a Jersey Attitude "

>

> " Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds

> discuss people " Eleanor Roosevelt - US diplomat & reformer (1884 -

> 1962)

>

> The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the

> author and the

> author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

> organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated

> with unless I

> specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is

> intended only for its

> stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

> retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public

> domain by the

> original author.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Can someone send me the original post about this story?

Thanks

Bob

_____

From: texasems-l [mailto:texasems-l ] On

Behalf Of Mike

Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 9:19 PM

To: texasems-l

Subject: Re: Austin Fire incident in news

Yeah, AFD is really getting grilled over this incident... the media

is raking them over the coals!

I'd imagine that having been burnt, they won't be quite as saucy in

future attempts to diagnose structure fire by telephone.

We'll have to see if there's a beef to be had by the owner, or if he

shoulders the load, hauls butt and rebuilds his business, or picks up

and moves to St. Louis.

Either way, AFD is really taking a ribbing.

Mike

On Jan 24, 2007, at 8:58 PM, lnmolino (AT) aol (DOT) <mailto:lnmolino%40aol.com> com

wrote:

>

>

> In a message dated 1/24/2007 8:54:22 P.M. Central Standard Time,

> larn572001 (AT) yahoo (DOT) <mailto:larn572001%40yahoo.com> com writes:

>

> but I wasn't there and the local protocol sounds a little hazy

> (pardon the

> pun).

>

> Oh my was that bad.

>

> Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

> FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

> Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection

> Consultant

> Buddhist philosopher at-large

> LNMolino (AT) aol (DOT) <mailto:LNMolino%40aol.com> com

>

> (Cell Phone)

> (Home Phone)

> (IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

> (IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

>

> " A Texan with a Jersey Attitude "

>

> " Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds

> discuss people " Eleanor Roosevelt - US diplomat & reformer (1884 -

> 1962)

>

> The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the

> author and the

> author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

> organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated

> with unless I

> specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is

> intended only for its

> stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

> retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public

> domain by the

> original author.

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/25/2007 2:03:02 AM Central Standard Time,

wegandy1938@... writes:

How many of you think that the City of Austin has NO liability whatsoever

for

the loss of the business?

answering this point, IIRC, there is good case law that a PD is not

responsible for not responding promptly to a call involving ongoing personal

injury

(the case I have in mind, a family sued when a woman was killed after calling

911 because her estranged hubby was breaking down the door, and 'no officers

were immediately available'- a good argument for the 'castle defense' laws

that have been passed in many states, much to the horror of the knee jerk

liberals), so I suspect that the City of Austin has little or no liability for

not

responding to this incident, especially since there was 'only' property

damage.

On the other hand, the dispatcher needs to have a swift kick in the pants,

as he should have at least dispatched a police patrol unit to check out the

report. An officer on the scene calling back and saying, " Dispatch, smoke

showing, NOT the brisket " might have at least salvaged the irreplaceable

memorabilia lost in the fire.

ck

S. Krin, DO FAAFP

[Guest guest]

I believe that the esteemed doctor's knowledge of the law approaches his

encyclopedic knowledge of medicine. The general rule of thumb is that the

courts have ruled that law enforcement has a duty to protect the community, not

an individual. I'm sure that an analagous rule can be applied to fire

protection and suppression.

Additionally, the concept of sovereign immunity most likely prevents any

liability for the City of Austin, except in the court of public opinion. I'm

not even sure when the duty to act attaches. The city attorneys would likely

argue that a duty to act would only begin once the crews arrive and begin fire

suppression. Does anyone know offhand if the claim of abandonment can

apply to firefighting like it can patient care?

In a really bizarre twist, the fire station that was less than two blocks

away is somewhat (in)famous as a vegan station. _www.station2.org_

(http://www.station2.org)

Only in Austin -- Vegan firefighters not dispatched to a fire at a BBQ

joint.

-Wes Ogilvie

In a message dated 1/25/2007 6:11:11 AM Central Standard Time,

krin135@... writes:

In a message dated 1/25/2007 2:03:02 AM Central Standard Time,

_wegandy1938@wegandy_ (mailto:wegandy1938@...) writes:

How many of you think that the City of Austin has NO liability whatsoever

for

the loss of the business?

answering this point, IIRC, there is good case law that a PD is not

responsible for not responding promptly to a call involving ongoing personal

injury

(the case I have in mind, a family sued when a woman was killed after

calling

911 because her estranged hubby was breaking down the door, and 'no officers

were immediately available'- a good argument for the 'castle defense' laws

that have been passed in many states, much to the horror of the knee jerk

liberals), so I suspect that the City of Austin has little or no liability

for not

responding to this incident, especially since there was 'only' property

damage.

On the other hand, the dispatcher needs to have a swift kick in the pants,

as he should have at least dispatched a police patrol unit to check out the

report. An officer on the scene calling back and saying, " Dispatch, smoke

showing, NOT the brisket " might have at least salvaged the irreplaceable

memorabilia lost in the fire.

ck

S. Krin, DO FAAFP

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/24/2007 10:26:34 P.M. Central Standard Time,

paramedicop@... writes:

Either way, AFD is really taking a ribbing.

And the puns continue.

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

Buddhist philosopher at-large

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

(Home Phone)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

" A Texan with a Jersey Attitude "

" Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds

discuss people " Eleanor Roosevelt - US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)

The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the

author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless

I

specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for

its

stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the

original author.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/25/2007 10:25:45 AM Central Standard Time,

lnmolino@... writes:

In a message dated 1/24/2007 10:26:34 P.M. Central Standard Time,

_paramedicop@paramedic_ (mailto:paramedicop@...) writes:

Either way, AFD is really taking a ribbing.

And the puns continue.

I was waiting to see if someone asked if the dispatcher had been sauced at

the time of the call, or if the call had just dry rubbed him the wrong way...

'tis a pity that the VEGAN Engine hadn't been called to the scene...would

have been interesting to see if they would have saved the ham or the beans

first.

To add salt to the wound, you know that the poor dispatcher will be peppered

with questions by the slavering newshounds begging for even a burnt end

bit...

ck

S. Krin, DO FAAFP

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/25/2007 6:33:13 A.M. Central Standard Time,

ExLngHrn@... writes:

Does anyone know offhand if the claim of abandonment can apply to

firefighting like it can patient care?

In legal actions related to the MOVE incident in Philadelphia circa 1985

where City Firefighters did NOT move to control a fire that was caused by

police

action in the for of an IED built by the City BOMB SQUAD and subsequently

dropped from a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter to remove a fortification

built by the barricaded suspects (AKA Philadelphia is AKA the " only American

City to ever bomb itself " and is AKA the " City of Brotherly Love " and AKA the

" City that Loves Ya Back " ).

There was action(s) filed against the FD in CIVIL courts for failing to act

under the statues regarding Duty to Act per then in effect Pennsylvania law.

The City countered that the Fire Department did not act to control the fire

due to hostile fire conditions (the bullet kind that is) and did so based upon

the reports of the police that had a " better handle " on the situation due to

their positions " as well as the fact that in 1978 when a similar

confrontation occurred with the same radical group three Firefighters where

shot and

injured and one police officer killed by this same group and some of the

Members

known to be barricaded in the house in question. The City further argued

that the Fire department did indeed act to save lives directly threatened in

the

fire by sending at least two full companies of members into the alley way to

affect a rescue of the 2 lone survivors known to be in that alley, they did

indeed affect the rescue of an adult female and a teenage male while taking

direct fire (bullets) from the burning structure. The plaintiff claimed no

hostile fire was in play, radio transcripts from the members of the rescue teams

proved that there was indeed shots being fired upon those Fire Department

members in that alley.

Of course like all good Cities they settled out of court for undetermined

sums with the usual gag orders on all parties.

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

Buddhist philosopher at-large

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

(Home Phone)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

" A Texan with a Jersey Attitude "

" Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds

discuss people " Eleanor Roosevelt - US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)

The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the

author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless

I

specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for

its

stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/25/2007 6:33:13 A.M. Central Standard Time,

ExLngHrn@... writes:

Only in Austin -- Vegan firefighters not dispatched to a fire at a BBQ

joint.

It's an obvious PETA plot!

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

Buddhist philosopher at-large

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

(Home Phone)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

" A Texan with a Jersey Attitude "

" Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds

discuss people " Eleanor Roosevelt - US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)

The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the

author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless

I

specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for

its

stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/25/2007 6:33:13 A.M. Central Standard Time,

ExLngHrn@... writes:

Only in Austin -- Vegan firefighters not dispatched to a fire at a BBQ

joint.

I am damn near sure that somewhere in the IAFF Charter etc there is a rule

about vegan FF's?

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

Buddhist philosopher at-large

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

(Home Phone)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

" A Texan with a Jersey Attitude "

" Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds

discuss people " Eleanor Roosevelt - US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)

The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the

author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless

I

specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for

its

stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the

original author.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/25/2007 6:11:00 A.M. Central Standard Time,

krin135@... writes:

On the other hand, the dispatcher needs to have a swift kick in the pants,

as he should have at least dispatched a police patrol unit to check out the

report.

Doc as much as I love Ya I gotta say NO NO NO NO NO NO and NO to sending a

patrol car to a " smoke " job!

Sending a cop to check smoke makes as much sense as sending a podiatrist to

an ICU bed for an MI. They are not equipped or for that matter trained to

deal with it.

In 1984 in hour one of day one of my Alarm Room training week the then

Captain of Fire and EMS communications taught me the MOST important lesson I

learned that week. When in doubt hike them out was his words of wisdom and he

was

saying send a fire truck to a fire a cop to a cop thing etc. In those days if

I did what was done in AFD the swift kick in the pants would be out the door

and don't come back.

There is simply NO reason to deny service in this case.

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

Buddhist philosopher at-large

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

(Home Phone)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

" A Texan with a Jersey Attitude "

" Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds

discuss people " Eleanor Roosevelt - US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)

The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the

author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless

I

specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for

its

stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the

original author.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/25/2007 11:00:54 A.M. Central Standard Time,

krin135@... writes:

To add salt to the wound, you know that the poor dispatcher will be

peppered

with questions by the slavering newshounds begging for even a burnt end

bit...

You and Bledsoe missed your callings

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

Buddhist philosopher at-large

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

(Home Phone)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

" A Texan with a Jersey Attitude "

" Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds

discuss people " Eleanor Roosevelt - US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)

The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the

author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless

I

specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for

its

stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the

original author.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/25/2007 11:10:29 AM Central Standard Time,

lnmolino@... writes:

In a message dated 1/25/2007 6:11:00 A.M. Central Standard Time,

_krin135@..._ (mailto:krin135@...) writes:

On the other hand, the dispatcher needs to have a swift kick in the pants,

as he should have at least dispatched a police patrol unit to check out the

report.

Doc as much as I love Ya I gotta say NO NO NO NO NO NO and NO to sending a

patrol car to a " smoke " job!

I understand, Lou...the trick being that even if the dispatcher thought that

it was a 'malicious unfounded call' (i.e., a false alarm), then at least

having the police check out the area would make sense, esp if the call came in

from a pay phone.

Something would have been better than nothing in my mind...and it's much

more likely that a police patrol was in the area and awake...even if the

dispatcher didn't want to wake up Engine 2's duty crew and have them look out

their

front door...

ck

[Guest guest]

People Eating Tasty Animals?

lnmolino@... wrote:

In a message dated 1/25/2007 6:33:13 A.M. Central Standard Time,

ExLngHrn@... writes:

Only in Austin -- Vegan firefighters not dispatched to a fire at a BBQ

joint.

It's an obvious PETA plot!

.

" A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the

simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. " Proverbs 22:3

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