Dallas Fire Rescue – Page 3 – The Other Side Dallas

September 30, 2021September 30, 2021

Apartment Explosion Injures 8

An apartment explosion injures 8 due to a problem with the natural gas into the complex per local officials.

On Wednesday, September 29th, at 10:21 a.m., Dallas Fire Rescue responded to a 9-1-1 call for a Natural Gas Leak/Odor, at an apartment complex. The apartments are located at 5726 Highland Hills Road, in South Dallas.

Firefighters arrived at an apartment building near the gate entrance. At some point while investigating, an explosion occurred, causing a partial collapse of the two-story apartment building, injuring four firefighters, and four civilians. All individuals were taken to local hospitals for evaluation of a variety of injuries.

Three of the firefighters are in critical but stable condition, while the fourth firefighter was treated and discharged from Parkland Hospital. All four civilians are listed as stable and are being treated for their injuries as well.

There were a total of ten units in the building where the explosion occurred. All residents of that building have been located and are safe.

Natural gas was shut off to the complex as the investigation moves forward leaving three hundred residents displaced. Currently, the department is working alongside the City’s Office of Emergency Management, the American Red Cross and apartment management to offer accommodations for those impacted.

All buildings in the complex will undergo a thorough investigation and inspection process to allow residents’ safe return.

Apartment Explosion Injures 8 Including Four Firefighters

One source said this may elevate to a criminal investigation given circumstances located during the aftermath making it similar to the fire on 400 N. Peak in Dallas after July 4.

July 31, 2021July 31, 2021

Dallas Firefighter Paid To Not Work – Twice

A Dallas firefighter paid to not work for COVID19 is now being paid to not work while on adminstrative leave. William Carter, a Dallas Fire Rescue firefighter at Engine 7, was arrested by Dallas Police Department (DPD) officers for felony theft.

The arrest comes just a day after sister agency Dallas Police had one of their own officers caught on camera punching a subject on the ground.

The warrant for Carter’s arrest alleges he lied about a positive virus diagnoses for himself, his spouse, and his child. As a result, Carter received more than $12,000 in paid sick leave from the Dallas Fire Rescue.

Firefighters in Dallas exposed to or diagnosed with COVID19 are given paid time off without having to use their own sick leave bank per Dallas policy. This benefit is also extended to a firefighter with family members who test positive for coronavirus.

Court documents show Carter received $12,548.86 in three payroll cycless over the course of his leave. The funds were coded as “COVID leave,” and were paid from the City of Dallas General Funds. This number does not account for the overtime paid to others to cover his shift requirements.

There has been no comment from IAFF Local 58, the union association, that represents Dallas Fire Rescue firefighters.

Dallas Firefighter Paid To Not Work, But Is He Exception?

Dallas firefighters started having the option to receive the COVID19 vaccination in December 2020, but there are still many who have not taken up the opportunity to be protected against COVID19.

Nationally, firefighters have avoided taking the vaccine at a rate of almost fifty percent in some jurisdictions, despite being on the front lines of the epidemic.

July 5, 2021July 5, 2021

House Fire: 400 N Peak

A house fire occurred last night at 400 N Peak, Dallas, leading to the rescue of a woman from an upstairs bedroom and per an unofficial Dallas Fire Twitter account a criminal investigation.

400 N Peak – Not Only July 4 News

While City of Dallas officials promised more aggressive fireworks enforcement, it looks like that plan was just a draft.

We are waiting on details of how many citations were issued and fireworks conficscated after watching events like the above in South Oak Cliff last night.

July 2, 2021July 4, 2021

Dallas Fireworks Plan

Dallas Fire Rescue plans to monitor illegal Dallas fireworks activity this 4th of July weekend. Fire Inspectors will monitor parks for illegal fireworks use at Crow Lake Park, Mountain Creek Lake, and White Rock Lake.

Fireworks are illegal in Dallas and up to 5,000 feet outside city limits.

Per the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks started an estimated 19,500 fires in 2018, including 1,900 structure fires, 500 vehicle fires, and 17,100 outside and other fires. These fires caused five deaths, 46 civilian injuries, and $105 million in direct property damage.

Dallas Fireworks History

City staff say anyone in possession of, or using, fireworks will have them confiscated and a citation will be issued. Fines can be up to $2,000. However in 2020 Dallas Fire Rescue and the Dallas Police Department together confiscated nearly half ton of fireworks (900 pounds) and only issued eleven citations.

It is unclear if Dallas’ 9-1-1 Call Center is fully staffed to handle the increased calls expected over the holiday weekend.

December 30, 2020December 30, 2020

Dallas First Responder Vaccinations

Dallas First Responder vaccinations have started in the City of Dallas for first responders from Dallas Fire Rescue (DFR), the Dallas Police Department (DPD) and the Dallas City Marshals.

These efforts were made possible through the Texas Department of State Health Services’ allocation of 2,000 Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.

Recent new infections have ranged from 1500 to 2000 per day. During the summer Dallas was a hot zone for COVID19 then with far lower infections per capita.

Dallas First Responder Vaccinations Process

The process consists of a check-in, vaccination stations, made up of strike teams (two paramedics and one documentation officer) specially trained to administer the vaccine, and an evaluation area where members can be monitored for potential side-effects before leaving.

The City expects 250 first responders to be vaccinated per day and expects this first Moderna allocation to be followed in the coming months by additional vaccines to inoculate remaining City of Dallas first responders. 

In the weeks leading up to the vaccine allocation, DFR, DPD and the Office of Emergency Management put together a plan for a drive-thru style vaccination process using a parking garage at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

In addition to those that will be vaccinated with this allotment, there have been over one hundred DFR members to receive their first round of the vaccine through Parkland Hospital and Dallas County Health and Human Services.

Tracking is being done electronically; first responders will be automatically scheduled for their second round of the vaccine intwenty-eight days.

August 29, 2020August 29, 2020

Deep Ellum Fire Overnight: Pecan Lodge Damaged

A Deep Ellum fire broke out early Saturday morning at Pecan Lodge. Dallas Fire Rescue is currently investigating the cause of the fire.

Pecan Lodge had a similar early morning fire in 2016 due to what was described as a grease choked smokestack.

Pecan Lodge opened in spring 2010 and has won the praise of barbecue aficionados and has been named one of the city’s better restaurants. It has also been feature on the Food Network‘s Guy Fieri featured it on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Pecan Lodge Not Only Deep Ellum Action

Dallas Police also responded to a shooting leaving one dead and five injured overnight in Deep Ellum.

Dallas murder rate is ahead of last year’s which broke a ten year record.