I was shocked to read this news story of a Columbus FF who shot and killed his two dogs in order to avoid paying for boarding them while he went on a vacation. He tied them to a pipe in order to shoot them in his basement. Anyone who has owned a dog will understand that those dogs probably went willingly with him because they trusted him.

He even had the nerve to brag to his co workers about what he had done!

Fireboat Edward M. Cotter at work

With the large fire June 12, 2009 at 364 Baraga Street I was finally lucky enough to get some photos of Buffalo's fireboat, the Edward M. Cotter at work. She is the oldest active fireboat in the country and is listed as a National Historic Landmark. For more information and history of her, check out the Cotter's webpage and this article from the magazine "Sea Classics", written by Sam Guadagna.

Congratulations to Battalion Chief Joe Brocato on his retirement! Chief Brocato was a great fireman and will be missed. He would always stop and say hello when I would see him on the fireground, truly a class act all the way! Good luck and enjoy your retirement. Don't forget to stop in at the Museum on Saturdays for lunch!

Buffalo Fire rides for Roswell

ride-for-roswell, originally uploaded by Kevin Brautlacht.

 The Buffalo Fire Department's Local 282 is raising money for Roswell Park Cancer Institute by participating in the "Ride for Roswell" event on Saturday, June 27, 2009. The money they raise will help researchers and physicians better understand the causes of cancer and discover new methods of prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Visit their page today and join the team or make a donation!
The BFD's page can be found here

My first magazine cover

  I've finally gotten a photo published as a cover! The February 2009 issue of Fire Engineering will have my photo from a fire on Kamper Street.

  I've had several photos published before inside other magazines, but this is the first cover and boy it just feels great!

  I'd like to thank Diane Feldman, Nate DeMarse and all the other fine folks at Fire Engineering for their help and professionalism.

A podcast for fire photographers

  I recently found a new podcast about emergency services photography, the Fireground Action Photography podcast. It can be found here.
  It's a weekly show produced by Craig Durling, an excellent California based photographer. Co-hosting the show along with Craig is Ross A. Benson, an equally impressive photographer. The podcast delivers a wealth of information; not only on fireground photography; but on gear, technology and photography in general.
  For anyone interested in photography, and especially those shooting firegrounds, it is definitely worth checking out.

My first fire of 2009

 Photographed my first fire in 2009. One of my resolutions is to post more content. The fire occurred on Fredro Street and was dispatched shortly before 2PM as a PS assignment(preliminary signal) sending 2 engines, 1 ladder and Battalion Chief. First due E35 requested the balance with a fire on the first floor of an occupied 2 story wood frame. Crews made a good stop on the first floor and had to chase some fire that went up to the second floor. No definite cause, but the dispatch came in as a fire in the dryer. I was going to go on the PS, but waited till they called for the balance, I might have had some better shots.

 The rest of the photos can be seen here