IAFF 2009 Media Awards Contest

 

The International Association of Fire Fighters Media Awards Contest, conducted annually, honors reporting and photography that best portray the professional and dangerous work of fire fighters and emergency medical personnel in the United States and Canada.

Every day, in largely unpredictable locations, the vital work of fire fighters and rescue workers comes alive in news photos and stories, in newspapers, on television, radio and the web. What IAFF members accomplish — at work sites not of their own choosing — becomes vividly apparent to viewers and readers well beyond the local. Yet many of the stories and pictures honored here underscore something equally valuable: they put a face on these fire fighters, documenting their humanity as citizens who contribute to their communities in their off hours as well.

In 2009, the contest attracted 244 entries

NEWS OR FEATURE STORY

CIRCULATION OVER 100,000

FIRST PLACE: “Cancer Takes Heavy Toll on Seattle Firefighters”

Washington state law assumes that seven forms of cancer are assumed to be job related for fire fighters. This feature profiles Dave Jacobs, who suffers from esophageal cancer.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Written by: Kathy Mulady and Casey McNerthney
Submitted by: Seattle, WA Local 27

SECOND PLACE: “Fashioning ‘skin suits’
for burn-ravaged bodies”

A woman who sews “skin suits” – pressure garments for the dermis layers of skin – is profiled in this article in a three-part series on burn victims.

Toronto Star
Written by: Tanya Talaga
Submitted by: Toronto, ON Local 3888

HONORABLE MENTION: “He was never alone”

Fire fighter-paramedic Ryan Hummert, victim of a shooter after responding to what seemed a routine car fire, had the continuous company of his comrades in the ambulance to the hospital, at his autopsy and at a vigil by his body at the funeral home until he was buried.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Written by: Christine Byers
Submitted by: Professional Fire Fighters of Missouri Local 2665

Circulation Under 100,000

FIRST PLACE: “Brownout of Fire Station #21 will have citywide impact”

Home base for the city’s only fireboat, Fire Station 21 would have brownout days when fewer than 187 frontline fire fighters were available for duty.

Plain Press
Written by: Joe Narkin
Submitted by: Cleveland, OH Local 93

SECOND PLACE: “W-B firefighter staffing questioned”

“The less are doing more, but it may not be enough,” said Tom Makar, president of Local 104, commenting on reduced staffing levels .

Times Leader
Written by: Bill O’Boyle
Submitted by: Wilkes-Barre, PA Local 104

HONORABLE MENTION: “Firefighters must obey speed limit”

A new policy mandates that fire trucks and other department vehicles must follow the posted speed limit. Fire Chief Steve Thurlow said that over the past five years, the department has a 60 percent rise in accidents.

Burlington Post
Written by: Jason Misner
Submitted by: Burlington, ON Local 1552

HONORABLE MENTION: “Every Parent’s Nightmare – A School Bus Tragedy”

On a December Saturday, emergency workers from various departments and numerous counties met at a high school to learn about the construction and safety components of buses and how to rescue passengers trapped inside or outside the bus.

Macon County Chronicle
Written by: Misty Gammons
Submitted by: Gallatin, TN Local 4501

NEWS PHOTOS

CIRCULATION OVER 100,000

CIRCULATION UNDER 100,000

FIRST PLACE (TIE): “Fire and Ice”

A six-alarm inferno with repeated flare-ups destroyed apartments and shops in an historic, trendy block of Queen Street in Toronto.

Toronto Sun
Photo by: John Hanley
Submitted by: Toronto, ON Local 3888

FIRST PLACE: “More Air”

Before heading back to battle the blaze, a Fredericton fire fighter checks his regulator as his air bottle is changed by a fellow fire fighter.

The Daily Gleaner
Photo by: Stephen MacGillivray
Submitted by: Fredericton, NB Local 1053

FIRST PLACE (TIE): “Stymied Drivers”

The season’s first snowfall contributed to a collision between a van and truck. Two fire departments were involved in extracting four passengers.

Hamilton Spectator
Photo by: David Ritchie
Submitted by: Burlington, ON Local 1552

SECOND PLACE: “Remembering Brent Lovrien”

A service at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels honored
fire fighter Brent A. Lovrien, who died investigating a series
of explosions near Los Angeles International Airport.

The Los Angeles Fire Fighter
Photo by: Mike Meadows
Submitted by: Los Angeles City, CA Local 112

SECOND PLACE: “Commercial Fire”

Several hose lines hit the deep-seated fire that destroyed several downtown businesses in Bowmanville, Ontario.

Toronto Sun
Photo by: John Hanley
Submitted by: Clarington, ON Local 3139

HONORABLE MENTION:  

“Seven Dates for the Prom”

Seven fire fighters escorted Stephanie Royster, who has muscular dystrophy, to the Twinsburg High School prom in grand style.

Twinsburg Sun News
Photo by: John Knaus
Submitted by: Twinsburg, OH Local 3630

HONORABLE MENTION: “Princess Rescued”

Captain Hal Mudick of Sunrise Fire Rescue carries Princess the puppy to safety.
She was caged in a house that caught fire when no one was home.

Miami Herald
Photo by: Mike Jachles
Submitted by: Broward County, FL Local 4321

HONORABLE MENTION: “Residential Fire”

A fire in an apartment building spread to a third-floor
attic and left four Rutland families homeless.

Rutland Herald
Photo by: Cassandra Hotaling
Submitted by: Professional Fire Fighters of Vermont

HONORABLE MENTION: “North End Blaze”

Although no injuries occurred, a fire in Winnipeg’s North End termed suspicious in origin completely destroyed a home that had been vacated the prior week.

Winnipeg Free Press
Photo by: Boris Minkevich
Submitted by: Winnipeg, MB Local 867

HONORABLE MENTION: “Dramatic Rescue Effort”

Fire fighters Peter Tucker (left) and Steve Pittman (right) help Don Jarvis as he checks for the pulse of a man pulled from a house fire.

The Telegram
Photo by: Joe Gibbons
Submitted by: St. John’s NF Local 1075

HONORABLE MENTION: “Comforting a Child”

Elgin fire fighter J.P. Fahy comforts one of the children thrown
from a vehicle that rolled several times in a crash on Interstate 90.

Daily Herald
Photo by: Bill O’Neill
Submitted by: Elgin, IL Local 439

HONORABLE MENTION: “Get Me a Hook”

Fire fighter Scott Plowman looks out of a second-story window where he is
fighting a residential fire. There were no injuries because,
according to the fire captain, the boy in the home “did exactly
what we teach them to do in schools, and it made the
knockdown a lot easier for us.”

The Bradford Era
Photo by: Jay K. Bradish
Submitted by: Bradford, PA Local 655

NON-PUBLISHED FIRE SERVICE PHOTOS

(TAKEN BY IAFF MEMBERS)

FIRST PLACE (TIE): “Pediatric Resuscitation”

Local 122 first used this staged photo to help defeat Amendment 1 last January and now allows the photo to be used for public relations campaigns elsewhere in Florida.

Photo by: Mark Treglio
Submitted by: Jacksonville, FL Local 122

FIRST PLACE (TIE): “From Above”

Lieutenant Doug Bair works to open the interior and check for hidden fire during this two-alarm house fire. An arson fire, police were able to apprehend the suspect.

Photo by: Brian Bastinelli
Submitted by: Harrisburg, PA Local 428

SECOND PLACE: “Metro Rail Rescue”

After a man falls onto the rail tracks, a technical rescue team goes to work, executing a confined-space rescue under a train car.

Photo by: Ignatius (Iggy) Carroll Jr.
Submitted by: Miami, FL Local 587

HONORABLE MENTION: “A Fire Fighter and His Son”

Seattle fire fighter Tony Knox of the E26/D platoon seems to be telling his oldest child, four-year–old Kysen, “Someday, son, this will be all yours.”

Photo by: Gregory W. Bennett
Submitted by: Seattle, WA Local 27

HONORABLE MENTION: “Nice Night as Long as It Doesn’t
Get Cold”

As the ubiquitous ice suggests, it was 5 degrees Fahrenheit on the December night when Chau’s Commodore Restaurant caught fire in Saskatoon.

Photo by: David Butterfield
Submitted by: Saskatoon, SK Local 80

HONORABLE MENTION: “Feel the Heat”

Fire fighters at the Toronto academy train under circumstances
that are as close to real as possible, and this photo
captures the intensity and drama of a critical moment.

Photo by: Jon Tamlin
Submitted by:Toronto, ON Local 3888

HONORABLE MENTION: “Man Versus Machine”

Fire fighters at the Toronto academy train under circumstances that are as close to real as possible, and this photo captures the intensity and drama of a critical moment.

Photo by: Rick Snodgrass
Submitted by:  Lakewood, WA Local 1488

TELEVISION NEWS FEATURE OR DOCUMENTARY

FIRST PLACE: “First Response”

Funding problems jeopardize the availability of medic units, so Baltimore fire fighters use a “critical alert” system to provide more of them. This report, however, shows that in using this system, the fire department is playing Russian roulette with fire suppression.

WBFF-TV
Reported by: Steve Levine
Submitted by: Baltimore City, MD Local 734

SECOND PLACE: “Fueling the Fire”

This report sent a clear message on the importance of training for fire fighters, but also reinforced to viewers the danger of living near fuel tanks.

WSVN-TV
Reported by: Dave Kartunan, Chris Volz and Kevin McCarthy
Submitted by: Broward County, FL Local 4321

HONORABLE MENTION: “Recruit Academy 2008”

In this three-disc documentary, viewers get an in-depth look at what it takes to be a fire fighter or EMT for the Anchorage Fire Department, from the first testing to the final station assignments.

AFD Magazine Video Center
Reported by: Molly McCoy and John Crabb
Submitted by: Anchorage, AK Local 1264

HONORABLE MENTION: “Fire Ops 101”

“What fire fighters live and die for” is what the mayor, city council members, a U.S. representative and the reporter learned about in Fire Ops 101, as they suit up and “train” with the help of Engine Co. 180.

Fox 29
Reported by: Claudia Gomez
Submitted by: Philadelphia, PA Local 22

HONORABLE MENTION: “Pheasant Hunting with a Fire Fighter”

The Kansas City Fire Department and Local 64 join MacMillan River Adventures host Keith Mark on a pheasant hunt. The host also visits the fire station, where he highlights the brotherhood, honor and importance of fire fighting.

The Outdoor Channel
Reported by: Keith Mark and Tim Mahoney
Submitted by: Kansas City, KS Local 64

AFFILIATE WEBSITES

FIRST PLACE (TIE): “www.savepfd.com”

This site focuses on community activism: to educate and inform the public about the dangers and results of closing fire companies. Visitors can sign up for email alerts or click through to the Facebook cause.

Produced by: Dave Kearney
Submitted by: Philadelphia, PA Local 22

FIRST PLACE (TIE): “www.pffg.org”

Billing itself as “the voice on the job for Greensboro’s bravest,” this site quickly links members to IAFF news, local resources, upcoming events and a host of other important links at every level.

Produced by: William D. Coker
Submitted by: Greensboro, NC Local 947

SECOND PLACE: “www.cpf.org”

Complemented by crisp illustrations, a well-composed homepage enables the state council to serve the needs of members, the fire service and the public media.

Produced by: Lou Paulson
Submitted by: California Professional Firefighters

HONORABLE MENTION: “www.iafflocal738.org”

Shift calendars are just the beginning of what a visitor can access from the home page. A video taken during an arson investigation training graphically illustrates how rapidly a fire can spread in a normal room.

Produced by: Doug Boczek
Submitted by: Mount Vernon, IL Local 738

HONORABLE MENTION: “www.uflac.org”

Not only news but also UFLAC videos and webcasts are available from the homepage of this site. A box for breaking news gives headlines for fires in progress.

Produced by: Mike Bullis
Submitted by: Los Angeles City, CA Local 112

HONORABLE MENTION: “www.iaff2067.org”

Union business, international news and department news are easy to access at the top of Local 2067’s homepage. Droll warnings greet nonmembers who stray to the members-only portion of the site.

Produced by: Tim McDermott
Submitted by: Norman, OK Local 2067

BREAKING TELEVISION NEWS STORY

FIRST PLACE: “Queen Street Fire”

Because this early-morning fire was just a few blocks from the Citytv studios, Breakfast Television was first on the scene to cover it. The live coverage included a recap of the relevant issues with fire fighting.

Citytv Breakfast Television
Reported by: Tracy Moore
Submitted by: Toronto, ON Local 3888

SECOND PLACE: “Mount Pleasant Street Fire”

An apartment fire led to five mayday calls, two of them for fire fighters in real distress. Before it was extinguished, the fire threatened a second apartment building and a church.

WUSA-TV
Submitted by: Washington, DC Local 36

HONORABLE MENTION: “Ice Rescue”

Ice, not fire, brought four fire fighters in survival suits to a pond in Weymouth. There, at 2:00 a.m., they rescued a screaming, drowning man who never should have been on the frozen pond.

All Boston TV Stations
Reported by: Robert Stella
Submitted by: Hingham, MA Local 2398

NEWS STORY ON A WEB-BASED SITE

FIRST PLACE: “Wildlife Training”

This photo report covered a one-week class in spring 2008 that gave fire fighters a leg up in preparing for the wildfire season. After the class, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department had more than 300 forestry certified fire fighters.

www.1rbn.com
Reported by: Mark Treglio
Submitted by: Jacksonville, FL Local 122

SECOND PLACE: “Arson Fire”

A woman who sews “skin suits” – pressure garments for the dermis layers of skin – is profiled in this article in a three-part series on burn victims.

www.firehouse.com
Reported by: Jay K. Bradish
Submitted by: Bradford, PA Local 655

RADIO NEWS

FIRST PLACE: “Touring the Simulator”

Home base for the city’s only fireboat, Fire Station 21 would have brownout days when fewer than 187 frontline fire fighters were available for duty.

KWPC Radio
Reported by: Charles Potter
Submitted by: Muscatine, IA Local 608

SECOND PLACE: “Queen Street Fire”

“The less are doing more, but it may not be enough,” said Tom Makar, president of Local 104, commenting on reduced staffing levels.

CFRB News Talk 1010
Reported by: Ryan Bird
Submitted by: Toronto, ON Local 3888

EDITORIAL OR COLUMN

FIRST PLACE: “Fellow firefighters, city owe gratitude to Raffa, Courtney”

“A tough act to follow” is what this columnist called Local 1009’s president and vice president, who had led it since 1997 but opted not to run for re-election.

Worcester Sunday Telegram
Written by: Nick Kotsopoulos
Submitted by: Worcester, MA Local 1009

SECOND PLACE: “A long road to healing”

A year after two fire fighters died on the job, an entire community of emergency workers continues to suffer and grieve. “This is a tragedy that keeps going,” the local’s president said.
However, the tragedy has led to improvements, such as new waterproof radio microphones. 

Winnipeg Sun
Submitted by: Winnipeg, MB Local 867

AFFILIATE PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN

FIRST PLACE: “Firefighters on Your Side”

The importance of planning and practicing a fire escape plan come to life in this public safety campaign. Print, video, television and web site components are all bilingual, given that more than one-third of the state’s population is Latino. Numerous interviews that CPF secured were consolidated onto a CD.

Produced by: Lou Paulson and California Professional Firefighters
Submitted by: California Professional Firefighters

SECOND PLACE (TIE): “A Life Safety Message”

“Vote no — punch #241,” urges Local 1403 in this series of videos distributed on CDs. “Response time means survival,” it tells viewers as it takes them through the probable impact on EMS, fire staff, locations and the budget.

Produced by:  Jason Davis
Submitted by: Metro-Dade, FL Local 1403

HONORABLE MENTION: “Save Alameda Firehouses”

The “Save Alameda Firehouses” web site proclaims “It’s a burning issue,” and that issue was probable cuts to street-level fire and emergency services in the city of Alameda.

Produced by: Don Pemberton
Submitted by: Alameda, CA Local 698

SECOND PLACE (TIE): “Christmas Eve in Yonkers”

An ad in The Journal News details the four hours after a 9-1-1 call comes into Yonkers Fire Dispatch on Christmas Eve. The message to readers: the anticipated cuts to the department would have affected a series of actual emergency calls answered that afternoon.

Produced by:  Patrick Brady
Submitted by: Yonkers, NY Local 628

HONORABLE MENTION: “Do You?”

To promote recruitment, a quartet of posters features action shots of fire fighters. One poster showing a fire fighter with a hose on a crane asks, “We aim to please … do you?”

Produced by: Rick Snodgrass
Submitted by: Lakewood, WA Local 1488

AFFILIATE PUBLICATION

CIRCULATION OVER 1,000

CIRCULATION UNDER 1,000

FIRST PLACE: “Tailboard Talk”

This two-color, twice yearly newsletter is dedicated to keeping 15,000 Illinois members apprised of local activities and the likely impact of legislation pending in Springfield.

Produced by: Pat Davaney
Submitted by: Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois

FIRST PLACE: “The Hamilton County Fire Fighter”

“All the articles and info you had before and much more,” boasts the first issue of a new bimonthly newsletter for Local 4416.

Produced by: Anthony L. Murray
Submitted by: Hamilton County, IN Local 4416

SECOND PLACE (TIE): “The Helmet”

In its October/November 2008 issue, Local 416 celebrates paying off its building, making the local debt-free after 20 years.

Produced by: Ted Waldroup
Submitted by: Indianapolis, IN Local 416

SECOND PLACE: “Alaska Professional Fire Fighters”

The November elections dominated the fall edition of this compact, four-color newsletter. In addition to candidate endorsements, the issue noted all contributors to the Alaska Firepac.

Produced by: Mark Drygas
Submitted by: Alaska Professional Fire Fighters

SECOND PLACE (TIE): “The Houston Fire Fighter”

Member classifieds and civic advertising further the usefulness of this monthly, which runs 40 pages or more. Members’ activities on and off the job come to life in stories and pictures. 

Produced by: Michael Bingham
Submitted by: Houston, TX Local 341

HONORABLE MENTION: “The Backdraft”

Produced quarterly, this four-color magazine promotes “One union, one family.” The April-May-June issue featured a legal column and an interview with the newest bagpiper.

Produced by: Palm Beach County, FL Local 2928
Submitted by: Palm Beach County, FL Local 2928

HONORABLE MENTION: “California Professional Firefighters”

Four times a year, this four-color tabloid brings news and views to its members statewide. The third-quarter issue featured a special insert for the November general election with recommendations on propositions as well as endorsements of senate and assembly candidates.

Produced by: Lou Paulson
Submitted by: California Professional Firefighters

HONORABLE MENTION: “The Hawaii Fire Fighter”

In the June issue of this two-color tabloid, the suit filed by the Hawaii Fire Department battalion chiefs for rank-and-file privileges took center stage. Each article examined it from a different perspective of consequence to members.

Produced by: Robert H. Lee
Submitted by: Hawaiian Islands, HI Local 1463

HONORABLE MENTION: “Backdraft”

Four-color printing makes photos pop in this magazine published three times a year. It’s also rich in features, with recipes, crosswords and activity pages just for kids.

Produced by: Darren L. Orr
Submitted by: Salt Lake City, UT Local 1645

AFFILIATE CALENDAR

FIRST PLACE: “Monticello Fire Department Firefighters”

For the fourth year, Local 2278 sent proceeds from this locally sponsored, large-format calendar to the Hoosier Burn Camp.

Produced by: Corey Nolan
Submitted by: Monticello, IN Local 2278

SECOND PLACE (TIE): “Philadelphia Fire Fighters’ Union
IAFF Local 22 2009 Calendar”

In addition to photos depicting members on the job, this calendar shows them engaging the public in safety and rescue demonstrations, enjoying a family picnic and supporting a signature cause — the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Produced by: Dave Kearney
Submitted by: Philadelphia, PA Local 22

SECOND PLACE (TIE): “Seattle Fire Fighters Union
Local 27 2009 Calendar”

In addition to photos depicting members on the job, this calendar shows them engaging the public in safety and rescue demonstrations, enjoying a family picnic and supporting a signature cause — the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Produced by: Seattle, WA Local 27
Submitted by: Seattle, WA Local 27

AFFILIATE SPECIAL/ONE-TIME PROJECT

FIRST PLACE: “Lakewood Fire District 2 Trading Cards”

A set of 12 cards showcases District 2 fire apparatus, units and stations. After securing funding through local sponsors, the district produced the four-color cards. Each trading card acknowledges a sponsor and promotes a particular safety message. 

Produced by: Michael Dobbs and Rick Snodgrass
Submitted by: Lakewood, WA Local 1488

SECOND PLACE (TIE): “Pictures of Us: The Anchorage Fire Department”

Every decade, Local 1264 produces this hardbound book. In four-color photography, it presents its many employees — noting years of service — and faithfully documents the local’s several units, charitable activities throughout the years and milestones of every kind.

Produced by: David Denslow
Submitted by: Anchorage, AK Local 1264

HONORABLE MENTION: “California Professional Firefighters Memorial Booklet 2008”

On October 18, the California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony took place in Sacramento, adding 26 names of fallen fire fighters — one dating back to the 1940s — to the memorial wall. Each one of them was profiled in the 20-page program book.

Produced by: Lou Paulson
Submitted by: California Professional Firefighters

SECOND PLACE (TIE):“Station 10 in Action”

“Just as soon as I belong, then it’s time I disappear,” sings the background track for this four-minute video, which captures the highlights of a Station 10 fire response from start to finish.

Produced by: Mark Treglio
Submitted by: Jacksonville, FL Local 122

HONORABLE MENTION: “Generations of Struggle”

Archived photos and voice-over narration tell the story of the Middletown Fire Department and Local 336, from their beginnings in 1848 as a 130-man volunteer fire department.

Produced by: Philadelphia, PA Local 22
Submitted by: Philadelphia, PA Local 22

PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN FOR FIRE OPS 101

FIRST PLACE: “Fire Ops 101”

In the introduction to this video, Vermont’s Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie said he had “never stuck my nose into a real fire.” Last September in Pittsford, he and many other government officials and local reporters got their chance to suit up and see what it might be like.

Produced by: Professional Fire Fighters of Vermont
Submitted by: Professional Fire Fighters of Vermont

SECOND PLACE: “Grand Forks Fire Ops 101”

In this brief video montage, officials at all levels of government became “trainees” at a Fire Ops 101. Local 242 members helped them progress from sitting in classroom lectures to actually extinguishing a fire.

Produced by: Grand Forks, ND Local 242 ad Professional Fire Fighters of North Dakota
Submitted by: Grand Forks, ND Local 242 ad Professional Fire Fighters of North Dakota

FIRE SERVICE PHOTO ON A WEB-BASED NEWS SITE

FIRST PLACE: “Elgin Dive Box — Icy Fox River”

Two Local 439 divers — Cy Mikleson and Bill Nangle in ice rescue suits investigate a submerged Porsche. It turned out to be stolen, and there was no one to rescue. Hoffman Estates Local 2061 also responded.

www.elginet.com
Photo by: Bill O’Neill
Submitted by: Elgin, IL Local 439

SECOND PLACE: “Fire in the Hole”

“Just when we thought we were making progress, the fire would pop up again in another part of the attic,” said battalion chief Mike Knox about this house fire that flared up when no one was home.

www.firefightingnews.com
Photo by: Bruce Garner
Submitted by: Chattanooga, TN Local 820

HONORABLE MENTION: “Warehouse Fire”

Captain Ken Walton rescues an unresponsive dog from a smoky house fire. The dog was successfully revived in the rescue squad.

BSO News Blog
Photo by: Mike Jachles
Submitted by: Broward County, FL Local 4321