As the Internet and social media continued to give firefighters, as well as outsiders, an insiders view to the nation's fire service in 2009, viral video was more prevalent than it has ever been.
The Firehouse.com Video Network alone drew more than a half a million plays in 2009, which is the most since it was created. Other sites such as YouTube.com and countless fire service-themed blogs have helped broadened the availability of these videos.
In May, eight Prince George's County, Md. firefighters and a gas company worker were injured in an explosion at a strip mall and thanks to a dashboard camera mounted on Engine 826, the dramatic footage quickly found its way onto computer screens and TV sets across the country.
While that video was released by the department, a video captured in San Francisco only two weeks later -- like with so many others -- was taken by an onlooker. So-called "fire buffs" and even people who just happen to be a the right place at the right time have shot videos that both help shed more light on a given incident and lend important lessons firefighters can learn from.
Ellie Sadler was on the scene on May 21 when a massive facade came crashing down on a firefighter as he battled a three-alarm warehouse fire. His comrades are seen immediately coming to his aid, pulling debris from the facade off of him. He suffered a leg fracture and other injuries in the incident.
One of the most-watched videos of the year was shot on Oct. 7 at a sprinkler demonstration hosted by the D.C. Fire Department on the campus of Gallaudet University as part of National Fire Prevention Week. Although similar demonstrations are held throughout the country each year, this one went awry as the turnout gear of three firefighters caught fire, sending one of them to the hospital.
The video, which was shot as part of the event, resulted in nationwide attention on cable news channels including CNN and numerous fire service blogs and Web sites.
Shortly after that video surfaced, the D.C. Fire Department a much more positive video in the form of a short film recounting the efforts made during the June 22 Metro train collision that left nine dead and 76 hurt. While the incident itself was a tragedy, efforts made by the department featured in the film helped prevent further fatalities.
New York-based videographer Joe Scurto captured two scenes this year that really stood out. The first was the aftermath of an explosion at a Queens home in late October in which FDNY firefighters had to rescue the two occupants who both survived.
The other video was of a recent cesspool rescue as crews in Nassau County worked to remove man trapped in dirt up to his chest. It took them more than four hours to pull him out.
Staying in the same state, upstate New York videographer Don Murtha captured a much more tragic scene of a fire where two Buffalo firefighters perished in late August. Lt. Charles 'Chip' McCarthy became trapped in the basement after falling through the floor and when Firefighter Jonathan Croom responded to his distress call, he became trapped as well. Crews tried to get to them, but were kept back by further collapses inside the building.
While the Firehouse.com news team relies on freelance videographers from around the country for on scene footage, Daniel Adler, our staff videographer, has shot numerous events during 2009 including: National Firefighter Memorial Service, the 10th Anniversary of Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse Fire that killed six firefighters and coverage of Firehouse Expo in Baltimore.
As 2010 begins, be sure to keep an eye on the Firehouse.com Video Network and the Firehouse.com homepage player for more videos from the nation's fire service.
