Dallas Fire Rescue – The Other Side Dallas

January 3, 2024January 3, 2024

Structure Fires Open Year

Structure fires open year for Dallas Fire Rescue as box alarms started early in 2024 for responders and home owners in the city.

The two separate incidents kept Dallas Fire Rescue (DFR) busy on the second day of the new year.

Morning Fire In East Dallas

The first incident was at 9500 Castlefield Drive.

Dispatch sent DFR units to this location at 7:18 AM following a 911 call from a neighbor. That call stated the neighbor reports a fire at a home on the 9500 block of Castlefield Drive.

When firefighters arrived at the one-story residence, they observed smoke coming from the front window and door of the home. Firefighters deployed hand lines and made entry for an offensive fire attack. However, as they made their way inside, they saw the neighbor (who called 911) coming out with a garden hose in-hand, who had already extinguished the flames.

Firefighters found the remnants of a fire in a bedroom of the house, along with a man in his 50’s who had sustained unspecified burn injuries. Fire Investigators, after speaking with firefighters and the neighbor, were able to determine that the fire was accidental in nature, caused by a heat source coming in contact with combustibles. More specifically, the occupant was smoking in the presence of home oxygen.

DFR transported the occupant to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Second Fire Near Fair Park

The second incident was at 13126 Sarah Lane early in the afternoon.

At 1:53 p.m., Dallas EOC sent Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR) units for a structure fire at a home located at 13126 Sarah Lane.

When firefighters arrived at the one-story residence, they observed heavy smoke and fire coming from the attic of the home. First arriving crews deployed hand lines and immediately initiated fire attack operations.

Early in the operation a “mayday” activation on scene occurred. This led to a second-alarm response.

All firefighters were accounted for, the “mayday” was effectively cancelled and all second-alarm companies were returned to service.

The fire was under control and extinguished shortly thereafter.

There are no injuries related to this fire. The cause is under investigation.

Structure Fires Open Year – Safety Options For You

Dallas Fire Rescue is sponsoring another Community Emergency Response Team training this January.

This disaster training is free of charge and open specifically to Spanish speakers.

Residents must attend all three classes to receive a course completion certificate and register online.

Other Side Dallas is your source for Dallas local breaking news throughout 2024.

January 2, 2024January 2, 2024

Disaster Training For 2024

Disaster training for 2024 is free and open to citizens of Dallas this January for interested citizens and community members.

Unlike previous courses, the January course is specifically geared towards Spanish speakers.

The City of Dallas Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program teaches community members about disasters that affect the Dallas area.

This is a free course that does not require identification but does require pre-registration.

It is ideal for individuals who are active in their neighborhood. Those interested in emergency/disaster preparedness and interested in helping out in their neighborhood/community during disasters.

Throughout this course, participants receive training on disaster preparedness. This includes preparing for yourself and your family. The course will include basic first aid, light search and rescue, fire safety and more.

Disaster Training For 2024

Dallas CERT training starts with coursework on preparation and the CERT organization.

Additionally, the course continues with disaster medical operations, basic disaster psychology, and fire safety and utility control.

CERT programs normally cover basic search and rescue.

The course does not provide citizens with the skills or experience to respond to major incidents like Dallas’ monkeypox incident.

Residents must attend all three classes to receive a course completion certificate and register online.

Other Side Dallas is your source for Dallas local breaking news in 2024 and will bring it and community notices.

December 14, 2023December 14, 2023

DMN Surprised By Pension

DMN surprised by pension mess they helped create with their electoral endorsements help in 2019 for current mayor, Eric Johnson.

Today’s oped brings another glimpse into the lack of reality that is the Dallas Morning News editorial team.

The morning PR post starts “First responders are there when we need them most. When someone calls 911, they are first on the scene…”

The ivory tower approach misses the regular concern of citizens who do not understand why officers do not respond.

They don’t respond for auto theft, burglary, and many other crimes – all of which is part of the current plan.

Exact crime figures are hard to know because Chief Garcia has gone out of his way to limit crime data for citizens and the media.

Meanwhile other city council members have gone along kicking the proverbial can down the road on pension funding.

The result is a $4 billion – with a B – shortfall, we reported on in August. The Dallas pension in crisis story is far from over.

DMN Surprised By Pension

Actuaries suggest the pension systems need an immediate infusion of $1.3B to stay afloat.

In August there was a suggestion for a half billion dollar pension obligation bond during city budget discussion.

These figures though require no promise of future fiscal sanity from the financial arsonists the newspaper continues to endorse.

Other Side Dallas expects voters will see a November ballot question to take on more debt while the city wastes funds on politically expedient projects.

Other Side Dallas will provide Dallas local breaking news and other community news updates when able.

December 4, 2023December 6, 2023

Dallas Firefighter Injured Off Duty

A Dallas firefighter injured Sunday was the victim of an alleged drunk driver per police reports about the incident.

Kenneth Burke has multiple injuries after being hit early Sunday morning.

He is being treated at Baylor University Medical Center.

Per his older brother Michael Burke, Kenneth is currently in an induced coma.”

His brother told media, ” He’s got a lot of internal injuries. He’s had two surgeries so far.”

The crash happened around 2:45AM Sunday in the 5500 block of Columbia Avenue in Dallas.

Dallas Firefighter Injured

Crescencio Del Rio Rodriguez, 51, is facing intoxication assault with a vehicle with serious bodily injuries in the crash per Dallas Police.

Police said Rodriguez failed the field sobriety tests and had a breathalyzer reading of 0.168, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Burke’s initial injuries included hemorrhagic shock. Specifically, he has injuries to his head, spleen, pancreas and liver, the affidavit said.

Other Side Dallas will provide Dallas local breaking news updates as they are available.

August 17, 2023December 14, 2023

Dallas Pension In Crisis

The Dallas pension in crisis is not news to anyone who was here for the 2016 debacle that led to its near collapse.

The new pension crisis has been expected since 2016. The city budget debate coming is shedding new light on the old problem.

City council and city officials now face tough decisions about how to start building back the two public safety funds.

In 2016, the fund nearly went bankrupt. This happened after money that had been invested in luxury real estate did not turn a profit. There had been a risk of default at the time

City staff says there is currently $4B in in unfunded liabilities for both the Police and Fire Pension Fund and the city’s employee retirement fund.

Dallas Pension In Crisis – Hurting Recruitment?

There are requests to hire nearly 300 more police officers and 100 more firefighters. There are also new requests for overtime funding for both sides of the public safety spectrum.

One consideration is to issue nearly half a billion dollars in pension obligation bonds, i.e. take out a loan to pay the current loan owed.

Other Side Dallas will provide Dallas local breaking news and updates to this important public safety story.

July 27, 2023July 27, 2023

Dallas Disaster Training

Dallas disaster training is open to citizens of Dallas for free this August.

The City of Dallas Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program teaches community members about disasters that affect the Dallas area.

This is a free course that does not require identification but does require pre-registration.

It is ideal for individuals who areactive in their neighborhood. Those interested in emergency/disaster preparedness and interested in helping out in their neighborhood/community during disasters.

Dallas Disaster Training Program

Dallas CERT training starts with coursework on preparation and the CERT organization.

It continues with disaster medical operations, basic disaster psychology, and fire safety and utility control.

CERT programs normally cover basic search and rescue. They often discuss terrorism events and how a local CERT team might be used.

The course does not provide citizens with the skills or experience to respond to major incidents like Dallas’ monkeypox incident.

Residents must attend all three classes to receive a course completion certificate and register online.

December 22, 2022December 22, 2022

Arctic Blast Arrives Early

The arctic blast arrives early this morning and already has Dallas Fire Rescue on multiple power line situations.

Dallas Fire Rescue has also responded to a major accident blocking traffic at Interstate 20 and Interstate 45. They also responded to a reported structure fire.

Arctic Blast Arrives Early

The cold weather predicted to start this afternoon arrived several hours early per the National Weather Service.

A strong cold front will blast through Dallas this morning. It will bring with it strong, gusty winds and sharply dropping temperatures. Outdoor items and holiday decorations should be secured!

The front should exit the region around noon.

Light snow is possible to the northwest of Dallas and there will be some movement to the east.

The snow will be dry and will be blown around by the wind resulting in no accumulation.

Other Side Dallas will continue to monitor and update throughout the next few days.

November 13, 2022November 13, 2022

NTSB Investigating Dallas Crash

NTSB investigating Dallas crash per local officials speaking after the horrific air show crash at Dallas Executive Airport.

Per the FAA, “A Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and a Bell P-63 King Cobra collided and crashed at the Wings Over Dallas Airshow at Dallas Executive Airport in Texas…”

In a website based statement, Wings Over Dallas said, “Currently we do not have information on the status of the flight crews as emergency responders are working the accident.”

They continued, “The Commemorative Air Force is working with local authorities, the FAA, and the NTSB will conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident.”

NTSB Investigating Crash MidAir After Lives Lost

As the FAA investigating midair crash starts, at least one law firm has also expressed concern about lives lost.

Six people were reported dead following the crash. It is unclear who were pilots and crew versus paying passengers.

Air shows often make a profit by offering expensive plane rides in vintage World War II and similar aircraft.

One witness to the event said, “this looks like a classic loss of situational awareness.”

“As can be seen one or both pilots did not communicate. It does not look like they practice together enough, ” she continued.

Mayor Eric Johnson tweeted from his campaign account on Saturday. There he said “no spectators or others on the ground were reported injured, although the debris field from the collision includes the Dallas Executive Airport grounds, Highway 67, and a nearby strip mall.”

As many of you have now seen, we have had a terrible tragedy in our city today during an airshow. Many details remain unknown or unconfirmed at this time. The @NTSB has taken command of the crash scene with @DallasPD and @DallasFireRes_q continuing to provide support.
— Mayor Eric Johnson (@Johnson4Dallas) November 12, 2022

Both Dallas Police and Dallas Fire Rescue defer to federal authorities in these events. Additionally, other city and county agencies are not equipped to investigate.

Organizers plan to cancel Sunday calendar events for the air show per the website.

A query system runs for those who want to follow up on the event.

The Aircraft Involved

The B17 was part of the collection of the Commemorative Air Force. Its group nickname is the “Texas Raiders.” The plane sits in Conroe, Texas near Houston.

Additionally, there are only forty-five surviving examples of the B17 plane. Only nine are airworthy. B17 bombers were the backbone of American bomber strength during World War II. They were the basis of bomber strength in the European theater.

The P-63 was even rarer. There are only fourteen examples known in existence. Four are airworthy including one owned by the Commemorative Air Force.

July 24, 2022July 24, 2022

Dallas Building Collapse Update

A Dallas building collapse displaced many families in one hundred degree heat. The building collapse in the 5700 block of Marquita Avenue displaced many families.

Dallas Fire Rescue units responded to the incident for an Investigation. The apartment complex is in the Lower Greenville section of Dallas.

On arrival, firefighters observed part of the two-story apartment building collapsed. Initial firefighters added HazMat and Urban Search and Rescue response responders. This was a precaution for potential Search and Rescue efforts.

The collapse effects twelve apartments in the building. Responders located the twelve residents living in those units. There have been no reported fatalities or injuries.

A neighboring building – attached by a breezeway – was evacuated for safety purposes.

Residents states they could hear bricks falling from the roof.

There are twenty-four total apartments effected by this incident. Thirty-one residents are now without their housing.

Dallas Fire Rescue is working with property management and others. City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and American Red Cross will assist residents.

Dallas Fire is helping residents retrieve pets and essentials from the second unit.

Once Dallas Fire operations conclude property management will secure the apartments. They will also have a structural engineer assess the buildings moving forward.

Resident vehicles are also parked in the buildings underground parking area.

A neighbor reported the foundation shifting causing a corner wall to give way.

Dallas Fire Rescue safety and city code enforcement were on scene. They would not comment on potential cause.

Construction began on the apartment building in 1930.

Police will block traffic between Marquita and Vanderbilt. This will remain in place until assessment by a building engineer.

East Dallas Building Collapse Update

City council member Gay Willis appears to have reached out prior to Dallas Fire Rescue. She contacted Mark Melton and the Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center for their support.

The East Dallas building collapse is an ongoing story and we will update as information becomes available.

July 24, 2022July 24, 2022

East Dallas Building Collapse

East Dallas building collapse displaced multiple families in one hundred degree heat. The building collapse in the 5700 block of Marquita Avenue displaced many families.

Dallas Fire Rescue collapse units responded to the scene. There have been no reported fatalities or injuries.

Residents states they could hear bricks falling from the roof.

A neighbor reported the foundation shifting causing a corner wall to give way.

Dallas Fire Rescue safety and city code enforcement were on scene. They would not comment on potential cause.

The building was constructed in 1930.

East Dallas Building Collapse Support

Dallas Police on scene we’re unsure if Dallas Fire Rescue had called out Red Cross yet. Resources were being sought.

City council member Gay Willis appears to have reached out priot to Dallas Fire Rescue. She contacted Mark Melton and the Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center for their support.

This is a breaking story and we will update as information becomes available.