The Australian Firefighter Global NewsTrack A roundup of links to key firefighter news stories, reports and online comment, compiled by the United Firefighters Union of Australia (UFUA). December 10, 2009 Australia focus Aviation: Microchipped suits NSW: Firefighter dies in helicopter crash Fire service probes chopper accidents. NSW: South Coast volunteer on arson charges Lightning sparks new bushfires Firefighters struggle to control Cabarita (south of Tweed Heads) blaze. Hot gusty winds prompt total fire ban. Catastrophic fire warning issued for the upper and lower central west plains. Helicopters used to fight Cabarita fire. North coast residents leave homes as fire approaches. Tweed bushfires force evacuations. Bushfire emergency eased. Brief respite for firefighters. Tumut and Jindabyne parks service merger sparks fire fears. Conditions to worsen as 120 fires burn. NSW: Port Macquarie roadside birth joy. Fire crews battle blazes across state. Grass fires threaten properties in central and far north. Qld fire bans extended for a week. Scorcher sparks severe fire warning. SA: Police to keep eye on firebugs Vic: Fire rips through mannequin factory Council heeds bushfire risk. Castlemaine nursing home won't close for fire. Residents took CFA warnings as 'gospel', commission told. Commission told suburban councils reluctant to switch to MFB from CFA because of cost. MFB admits staff shortage on Black Saturday. Up to 50 firefighters 'took sickes' on Black Saturday claims MFB. Fire refuge delay blamed on funds shortfall. CFA urged to help seniors quell fire threat. Opposition anger over bushfire monitor Comrie's holiday plans. Vulnerable bushfire towns still without 'safe place'. Grampians fire fears over airport funds shortfall. CFA names neighbourhood safer places. 11 sites named as last resort shelters. Commission examines Bunyip fire. Royal Commission focuses on Bunyip Ridge blaze Union rules held back CFA fire training claims non-member. Vic: Sickies slur - MFB management and government show no shame Firefighters union slams sickies 'slur'. Firefighters hit back on leave claims. Firefighters angry over Black Saturday 'sickies' claim. Vic: Footscray fire station – where they just can't get right WA: Call to open Perth fire station Catastrophic fire danger for Goldfields and Eucla. Highway reopens as bushfire burns. Exhausted fire crews mop up in mid-west shire of Chapman Valley. Fire threat looms for Kimberley, Pilbara. Firefighters continue to battle bushfire in Chittering. Firefighters work to contain Geraldton blaze WA: Fire alert technology rolled out International focus Health and Safety: Canada: Firefighters experiencing a patchwork protection system India: Three Mumbai firefighters hurt in Bhendi Bazaar blaze Pennsylvania firefighter breaks leg as arsonists strike. Raleigh North Carolina firefighters wait, pray for injured colleague .Alabama firefighter burned on face. Washington DC firefighter injured in row house blaze. Maryland fire leaves eight firefighters hurt. Hydrant problems hampered Maryland firefighters. Oklahoma City firefighter hospitalised after lights instal fall. Floor gives way; two Nevada firefighters injured. USA: New harness USA: The Engine 2 Diet USA: Pennsylvania blaze shows need for sprinkler rule USA: Seattle firefighters in icy water USA: Firefighter antimony toxicity outbreak examined USA: Chicago firefighters proud of aggressive interior attacks USA: Fire Marshal's Office report on West Virginia firefighter trailer blaze deaths Training: USA: $22k firefighter training too expensive for Halifax Massachusetts USA: Oklahoma City fire crews learning new life-saving techniques Differences in civilian and RIT rescue. Resources: USA: California faces battle to get more federal fire funding USA: White House Economic Adviser Larry Summers on impact of $50 billion spend Technology: USA: Technology, training make Worcester Massachusetts firefighters safer Industrial: Canada: Firefighters' cell photo causes flap Czech Republic: Firefighters join Prague protest 4% wage cut About two thousand policemen, firefighters, prison service and tax administration employees demonstrate.India: Demoted Mumbai Maharashtra firefighters reinstated India: Pune Maharashtra firefighters' enhanced compensation NZ: Industrial campaign latest UK: Essex fire dispute intensifies Rhode Island firefighters Vs North Providence in battle over station threat Lockport New York Union files suit against City Hall over failure to implement crew structure change ruling. Lancaster Pennsylvania firefighters' budget proposes 15 job cuts. New York fire Dept begins engine staff cutbacks. Buffalo New York firefighters sue over staffing Proposed Kittanning Pennsylvania funding cuts may hurt township firefighters. Canandaigua New York OKs city budget, which cuts eight firefighters. Canandaigua firefighters protest as city approves budget cuts. Canandaigua firefighters Local 2098 files with board, want positions restored. Maple Valley Washington fire department avoids layoffs after firefighters agree on give-back. Williamsport Pennsylvania mayor denies firefighters' allegations about health coverage proposal. Additional firefighters save Newark New Jersey money. Firefighter layoffs may affect insurance premiums for Saratoga Springs New York. Ann Arbor Michigan officials blame 14 layoffs on firefighters. Volunteer firefighter force will not work in Muncie Indiana. Clarksville volunteer firefighter contract renewed. Plan would close three Baltimore Maryland fire companies. Dixon backs closing only one fire company permanently. Tragedy fuels debate on closure of fire station. Lansing Michigan firefighters contract concessions to cut $480,000 in next six months. Reading Pennsylvania backs down on threat to lay off firefighters. Ohio city lays off firefighters. Cincinnati Ohio City Council may force fire department to lay off 47. USA: Firefighters Union pushes 'No' Vote on Oklahoma City MAPS3 USA: Buckeye Arizona Town Council postpones vote on firefighters' agreement USA: Frederick (Maryland) firefighters seek pay increases Union talks start.USA: Big debate in Little Compton USA: Connecticut fight over station ollie blue #2: Chopmist V Scituate Rhode Island. USA: Two fired Flint Michigan firefighters reinstated Campaigns: USA: Protesters rally against New York terror-trial plan USA: San Diego California firefighters Union may lose members Investigations, courts and inquiries: UK: Lewes firework factory bosses "did not flout safety rules" USA: Former San Diego California Firefighter's Union head's pension claim USA: Report says no misconduct by U.S. Forest Service personnel in fatal Esperanza fire USA: Boston Massachusetts firefighter's relatives demand hearing on fleet upgrade bill Fallen firefighter's family losing patience with lawmakers. Equal Opportunity: USA: 14 New Haven Connecticut firefighters finally promoted Firefighter settlement bill tops $100K. Firefighter settlement may be 'ripple effect'. Callouts: Brazil: Six dead in landslides Canada: Firefighters continue to work on burning rail cars India: Six labourers trapped under mud Indonesia: 20 killed in Medan Sumatra nightclub inferno Iraq: Scores killed in series of Baghdad bombings Russia: Blogger's account of the rescue effort in Perm UK (Northern Ireland): Firefighters deal with molten glass spill USA: Firefighters dodge bullets at Indianapolis blaze USA: Stroudsburg blaze leaves 40 homeless (with video) USA: Snow can be a problem when firefighters need access to fire hydrants USA: Florida firefighters respond to 911 call USA: Houston Texas firefighters rescue window washing crew USA: North Andover firefighters get OK To hang 50 year old Christmas sign USA: Firefighters rescue Boise boy Superannuation and Pensions: USA: Avon New York to vote on vollunteer firefighter pensions Community Service: USA: San Diego firefighters distribute food Tribute: UK: Award for snow twins rescuers USA: Memorial procession for longtime Seattle firefighter USA: Murals painted for firefighters killed during Station Fire California USA: 'Steeple Man' thanks Shreveport Louisiana firefighters USA: Worcester honors fallen firefighters ten years later History: USA: Kansas City Missouri University building fire, May 1907. Sport: USA: Firefighter competition more than winning an award Odd spot: North Korea: Fiery reaction to regime currency move The Australian Firefighter Global NewsTrack is a regularly updated list of links to selected firefighter news stories, reports and online comment from around the world. It is compiled and circulated by the United Firefighters Union of Australia (UFUA).
Peter Marshall National Secretary United Firefighters Union of Australia (UFUA) **************
