-
-
Firefighters 'traumatized' in Gay Pride parade
Four San Diego firefighters who were given a direct order to ride in the city's gay pride parade last year should be awarded up to $1 million apiece because they were sexually harassed at the event, their attorney told a jury Tuesday.
Charles Limandri said firefighters John Ghiotto, Jason Hewitt, Alex Kane and Chad Allison were called names and subjected to cat-calls, hostile language and other sexually explicit acts by scantily clad parade attendees on July 21, 2007.
The firefighters, who manned a station in the Hillcrest neighborhood where the parade took place, were ordered to take part when another crew backed out the night before the event.
"They did everything humanly possible to avoid the parade," Limandri said in his closing argument.
Ghiotto, the crew's captain, was told by a supervisor, "John, you have to take the direct order," Limandri told the jury tasked with deciding the firefighters' civil suit against the city.
Limandri said the firefighters saw a man on the parade route groping himself and tried to videotape the event, but failed.
"Nobody should see a man doing that in public," Limandri told the jury.
The attorney said the firefighters are men of integrity and honor who felt "humiliated, demoralized, abandoned and persecuted" by the event.
Hewitt -- now a captain -- claimed his supervisors retaliated against him for bringing the suit by giving him low marks while he was trying to get his promotion.
Chief Deputy City Attorney Maria Severson questioned Limandri's request for $500,000 to $1 million in damages for each firefighter.
The plaintiffs were required -- as part of their job -- to be in the parade representing the fire department if asked, Severson said in her closing argument.
"We owe it to the citizens to be there," she said. "That is public service at its best."
Severson said the fire department makes every effort to get volunteers to participate in parades, but when that doesn't work, staff are assigned to take part.
The gay pride parade was not a hostile environment, Severson said, noting that no other agencies complained about their involvement in the parade.
She said the firefighters were treated like "rock stars" for most of the parade, except for a small fraction of the event.
Severson argued there was no sexual harassment suffered by the plaintiffs because there was no physical touching and no threat of physical touching. She said the claimed harassment was neither "severe or pervasive," as claimed. Four San Diego firefighters who were given a direct order to ride in the city's gay pride parade last year should be awarded up t... more -
Flare-up over tattooed firefighters exposes culture war
Self-expression versus self-control. Individuality versus team-building. The artistic appeal of the decorated body versus the sinister taint of its outlaw image. Self-expression versus self-control. Individuality versus team-building. The artistic appeal of the decorated body versus the sinister... more
-
Joe Gets Fired
Don't worry Joe still has a job here at Current. His job description, seek out danger and shake things up. See if Joe Hanson can earn his stripes as a firefighter in this episode of Joe Gets... Don't worry Joe still has a job here at Current. His job description, seek out danger and shake things up. See if Joe Hanson can ... more
-
City of the Brave: FDNY Calendar Full of Sexy, Strapping Hunks
The new sexy 2009 FDNY calendar, City of the Brave, is chock full of strapping New York City firefighters. But this year, there's something different: the hot FDNY hunks will appear in the new calendar anonymously, their faces shadowed or concealed by the wide brims of their hats. Last year, FDNY Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta banned future editions of the annual calendar after nude photographs had surfaced of 2008's cover model.
In this new 2009 FDNY calendar, the firefighters are photographed engaged in scenes depicting their actual roles in active duty: sawing through locks, rappelling off buildings and saving victims. And even though they're photographed incognito, you still get a hot good look at their very sexy hard six-pack abs, lats, pecs, biceps and triceps.
The sales of the 2009 FDNY calendar, City of the Brave, raises money for a firefighters charity, the Thomas R. Elsasser Fund.
Take a little gander at this one and really enjoy yourself!! The new sexy 2009 FDNY calendar, City of the Brave, is chock full of strapping New York City firefighters. But this year, there'... more -
Firemen cruise in big red truck to pick up girls
Now I always kinda thought this was a perk of the job, but it seems that's not quite the case.
After seeing a buxom-blonde stepping out of the back of a firetruck in Newcastle, an angry cabbie took a picture on his mobile and has lodged a complaint.
An investigation into the incident has been launched after he cllaimed he saw fire crews 'shouting and leering at girls,' which he thinks is putting lives at risk because the firefighters are 'loiteriing.'
'They are going round town getting whistled at by women and they are hanging out the windows of the fire engines.'
I think someone might needs their jealousy extinguishing. Now I always kinda thought this was a perk of the job, but it seems that's not quite the case. ... more -
Nine feared dead in US air crash
Nine people are missing feared dead after a helicopter carrying firefighters crashed on its way to a forest fire in northern California.
The helicopter went down on Tuesday night about 35 miles (56km) north-west of Redding in a remote area.
The cause of the crash of the Sikorsky S-61 was not immediately known.
The helicopter was carrying 11 firefighters and two crewmen. Four people are being treated in hospital for burns.
Two are said to be in critical condition and two serious.
Ian Gregor, spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration, said the helicopter was destroyed in the crash.
The firefighters had been tackling a blaze that was covering 27 sq miles (70sq km) of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
Investigators are being sent to the scene. Nine people are missing feared dead after a helicopter carrying firefighters crashed on its way to a forest fire in northern Californi... more -
FAA: 9 missing, feared dead in fire copter crash
SAN FRANCISCO - Nine people are missing and feared dead in the crash of a helicopter that was carrying firefighters over a Northern California forest, officials said Wednesday.
The helicopter was carrying 11 firefighters and two crew members when it went down Tuesday night in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, said Ian Gregor, spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration.
Four people were taken to hospitals with severe burns, including two in critical condition, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The Sikorsky S-61 chopper was destroyed by fire after crashing "under unknown circumstances" in a remote mountain location, Gregor said. FAA and National Transportation Safety Board investigators were headed to the scene, about 215 miles northwest of Sacramento.
The firefighters had been working at the northern end of a fire burning on more than 27 square miles in the national forest, part of a larger complex of blazes that is mostly contained.
Two of the injured were flown in critical condition to the University of California, Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, Forest Service spokesman Mike Odle said Wednesday. The other two were taken to Mercy Medical Center in Redding in serious condition, he said. SAN FRANCISCO - Nine people are missing and feared dead in the crash of a helicopter that was carrying firefighters over a Northern Ca... more -
Firefighter killed by gun shot on the scene
Ryan Hummert, 22, a firefighter in Maplewood, Missouri (suburb of St. Louis) was responding to a call about a pick up truck that was in flames. He arrived to the scene to help save lives and by a horrible twist of fate his life was taken. Not by the fire but by a gunman hiding in a house across the street. Two other policemen were then shot but only Ryan's shot was fatal. The gunman set the car on fire to lure firemen and cops there to shoot them and then set the house he was in on fire which is to believed to be his own. There is no known motive and it has not yet been determined whether the gunman killed himself in his burning house or ran away. This has been a horrible event for the St. Louis area and all those who knew and loved Ryan. Please keep his family and friends in mind and in prayers. Ryan Hummert, 22, a firefighter in Maplewood, Missouri (suburb of St. Louis) was responding to a call about a pick up truck that was i... more
-
Missouri Man Ambushes Authorities; Kills Paramedic
Ryan Hummert, 22, was shot as he got out of a fire truck on Zephyr near Big Bend Blvd. According to officials, Hummert and his fellow firefighters were responding to a vehicle fire. When they arrived on scene, someone began firing shots at them. Hummert was hit.
Firefighters were pinned behind their fire truck for several hours. The gunman also shot two police officers who responded to the scene. One of those officers was treated and released. Hummert was pronounced dead at an area hospital.
(Taken from Fox 2 News- Saint Louis)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.kmov.com/video/topvideo-index.html?nvid=2651...
Check the video in the link for more details. I can say as a resident that this is one of the largest shows of police force in a long time. Possibly ever. The gunman has been presumed dead, reportedly inside the burning house while it was on fire.
When you live in a small town, you never expect something like this to happen. More often than not, however, it seems more and more violence has spilled over to the suburbs of America. I would like to know your opinions on this situation, as well as your opinions on violence in America. Ryan Hummert, 22, was shot as he got out of a fire truck on Zephyr near Big Bend Blvd. According to officials, Hummert and his fellow... more -
Drunk infiltrates team of firefighters
"When fire breaks out, it's all hands on deck!"
Firefighters called to a blaze at an apartment building in a southern German town were astonished to discover a fully equipped extremely drunk imposter in their ranks.
On hearing the alarm, the 38-year-old man had rushed to the fire station, was helped into protective clothing and helmet by unsuspecting firefighters and boarded the fire engine, a spokesman for Suedhessen police said.
After arriving at the apartments, firefighters quickly realized the man was an imposter and called the police, he added.
He was released without charge after sobering up overnight in a police cell.
Picture: http://flickr.com/photos/trinity/219602763/ "When fire breaks out, it's all hands on deck!" ... more -
Firefighters narrowly escape death
Three firefighters narrowly escaped falling through a roof into the fire while battling a massive blaze at a south Sacramento business Thursday afternoon, fire officials said. Three firefighters narrowly escaped falling through a roof into the fire while battling a massive blaze at a south Sacramento business... more
-
It's hard to be discreet in a fire truck
Florida firefighters were 'hot' on the trail of fleeing suspects and followed their getaway vehicle until the suspects crashed their SUV and were taken into custody by police. Florida firefighters were 'hot' on the trail of fleeing suspects and followed their getaway vehicle until the suspects cras... more
-
Cheap Ice Cream for a good cause!
Baskin' Robbins 31 cent scoop day
-
Dezomeshiki - The Tokyo Fire Department shows its stuff
Every year in January just about all of Tokyo's fire departments throughout the area come together to put a demonstration with parades, rescue demos, and acrobatics from Japanese firefighters from ages past.
It's a 5-year old's dream come true with lots of firefighting action! Every year in January just about all of Tokyo's fire departments throughout the area come together to put a demonstration with pa... more -
Dezomeshiki - firefighting Japanese style
Every year, the Tokyo Fire Department puts on a demonstration of its personnel, equipment, and techniques. In addition, there's a blast from the past with the appearance of firefighters from ages past. They do acrobatics atop free-standing ladders supported only by their comrades. Every year, the Tokyo Fire Department puts on a demonstration of its personnel, equipment, and techniques. In addition, there's a... more
-
Fire Fighters Fined for Speeding, ON THE WAY TO A FIRE!
The New South Wales government is fining fire fighters for speeding on the way to attend fires.The drivers of the fire trucks are threatening to drive according to the road rules, which means no speeding on the way to incidents.
The Fire Brigades Union has told it's members not to pay the fines.Secretary Simon Flynn said"It's bureaucracy gone mad. It's the Government fining itself, then spending a massive amount of money to sort out that it doesn't need to pay its own fines"
NSW Fire Brigades said"The legislation requires employers to declare the driver of the offending vehicle by completing the statutory declaration.The NSWFB will continue to review current procedures for processing traffic infringement penalty notices" The New South Wales government is fining fire fighters for speeding on the way to attend fires.The drivers of the fire trucks are thre... more -
Firefighters Work To Sink Giuliani Campaign
And I'm pulling for them. The firefighters of 9.11... The REAL heroes of that day who put their lives on the line while he was walking around with his chest puffed out. And he has the nerve to say "they are just an arm of the Democratic party." These brave men who gave their all and their lives to look for survivors on 9.11. Rudy Giuliani is a phony and certainly no hero to me. As many times as he has invoked 9.11 for his own political goals, he deserves to sink. I am actually pulling for McCain to kick his ass In Florida. And I'm pulling for them. The firefighters of 9.11... The REAL heroes of that day who put their lives on the line while he was w... more
-
Firemen saw ring off mans penis
When not fighting fires or rescuing Mr. Whiskers stuck down a drain, the brave members of the UK fire brigades are sometimes called upon to assist in the most unusual of circumstances.
Take for instance, this story from Fridays Metro newspaper: A 40-something man somehow got a metal ring stuck at the end of his penis. When doctors at Wigan Infirmary failed to remove the ring, they called in the fire-fighters. The victim was anaesthetised before firemen successfully cut the ring with a mini-grinder.
No points for guessing how the ring ended up on the mans privates. When not fighting fires or rescuing Mr. Whiskers stuck down a drain, the brave members of the UK fire brigades are sometimes called up... more -
Firefighter Dies Tackling Blaze
A firefighter has died and three others are missing after a suspected arson attack at a warehouse in Warwickshire.
-
The Burning Brush
Firefighters evacuated 300 residents of an affluent Los Angeles neighborhood and pushed back flames from the edge of upscale homes as a wildfire in the city's largest park flared.
L.A. media and residents were calling it Griffith Park's worst fire in decades, maybe since the 1930s. Firefighters evacuated 300 residents of an affluent Los Angeles neighborhood and pushed back flames from the edge of upscale homes as ... more
-
related topics
Firefighters
Contributors (61)
Firefighters
