BEST NEWS STORY, FEATURE OR EDITORIAL:

PRINT AND ONLINE MEDIA

Note: Although IAFF has taken every measure it can to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, because different news outlets have different archiving policies, we cannot guarantee that any link that opens to another news site will still be valid.

Best News Story: Print Media

FIRST PLACE (Circulation fewer than 100,000)
“On the Helmets of Heroes”
Published in The Palm Beach Post
Written by Gary Coronado and Staci Sturrock
Submitted by Palm Beach County, FL Local 2928

This three-page, beautifully laid-out December 2012 story reveals the human side of the men and women in uniform. It shows that fire fighters are more than their functions: They are real people with real stories and are willing to risk everything for the public good.

FIRST PLACE (Circulation more than 100,000)
“Putting Out Fires”
Published in Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Written by Stephen B. Thornton
Submitted by Little Rock, AR Local 34

This well-written, July 2012 piece pays tribute to the quality of service of a community fire station in Little Rock, Arkansas, demonstrating effectively the station’s strong connection to local residents.

Best News Story: Online Media

FIRST PLACE
“God Knows How Many More Would Have Died”
Published in The Las Vegas Sun
Written by Dave Toplikar, Kyle Hansen, Yasmina Chavez, Steve Marcus and Leila Navidi
Submitted by: Las Vegas City, NV Local 1285

This poignant and beautifully written piece recounts the 1980 fire at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas and the lessons learned from that tragedy. This story will forever remain in the minds of those who witnessed, experienced and responded to this event. Although many lost their lives in this catastrophe, many lives have been saved since then through the lessons and through mandatory safety standards that apply to all high-rise structures.

Best Opinion Piece or Editorial

FIRST PLACE
“Fire Alarm”
Published in Now
Written by Adam Giambrone
Submitted by Toronto, ON Local 3888

Outlining the dangers in cutting fire fighters’ budgets, this brief yet educational September 2012 editorial describes how budget cuts can significantly affect public safety and jeopardize the health of local residents.

SECOND PLACE (TIE)
“Henderson Professional Fire Fighters
aim for a ‘Summer of Safety’ for all”
Published in The Henderson Press
Written by Dan Pentkowski
Submitted by Henderson, NV Local 1883

Local 1883 President Dan Pentkowski’s article addressing summer safety tips provides an informative and concise story for local residents and provides tips for preventing accidental deaths caused by extreme heat during the summer months.

SECOND PLACE (TIE)
“Fire Fighters Have a Good Reputation in the Community for a Reason”
Published in The Sault Star
Written by Nadine Robinson
Submitted by Sault Ste. Marie, ON Local 529

Bravery is not the only characteristic inherent to fire fighters; they give their time and energy in a number of ways, often performing acts of charity for the hard-pressed members of the communities they serve. This May 2012 column does a great job showing the humble, caring and charitable nature of these fire fighters.

HONORABLE MENTION
“How to Navigate Through Fire-Department Politics”
Published in Fire Chief Magazine
Written by Jim Spell
Submitted by Vail, CO Local 4138

This May 2012 article in Fire Chief Magazine (originally published under the title “Part of the Game”) is both descriptive and persuasive in its depiction of firehouse politics. Combining both interpersonal politics and management styles in his analysis, Jim Spell takes readers to the end conclusion through a concise, well-written journey.

BEST NEWS PHOTOGRAPHS:

PRINT AND ONLINE MEDIA

Note: Although IAFF has taken every measure it can to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, because different news outlets have different archiving policies, we cannot guarantee that any link that opens to another news site will still be valid.

Best Photo: Print Media (Circulation fewer than 100,000)

FIRST PLACE 
“Bridge Rescue”
Published in Santa Barbara News-Press
Photo by Mike Eliason
Submitted by Santa Barbara County, CA Local 2046

Fire fighters spent two hours rescuing a mother and her two children from a violent vehicle collision on US Highway 101 near Buellton, CA on January 12, 2012. The mother was traveling in the number 1 lane when her vehicle was overtaken by a semi-truck. The trailer drove over the vehicle, and the semi-truck plunged over the side of the bridge plummeting 100 feet, catching fire and killing the driver of the semi-truck. The passenger vehicle was left hanging by the rear axle above the fire over the bridge. The mother and her children—ages 10 and 10-weeks old—survived the collision.

SECOND PLACE
“Niagara Falls Ice Rescue”
Published in Niagara Gazette
Photo by James Neiss
Submitted by Niagara Falls, NY Local 714 and Niagara Falls, NY Local 3359

Niagara Falls, NY fire fighters work to free a man who had fallen through ice at Hyde Park Lake after trying to rescue one of his three golden retrievers who became submerged in freezing water on February 15, 2012. The man was dragged to shore, but tragically died from his injuries. The golden retriever found his way back to shore and holds his owners’ glove in his mouth as he waits for the man to be rescued in the picture. This story does have a bittersweet ending though. One of the fire fighters who responded to the emergency adopted the dogs for his family through the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

HONORABLE MENTION
“Major Emergency Blaze”
Published in The Los Angeles Firefighter
Photo by Shawn Kaye
Submitted by Los Angeles City, CA Local 112

One hundred twenty-five Los Angeles fire fighters extinguished a major emergency blaze in a three-story office building near Echo Park last fall. One fire fighter received minor burns to his neck during the two hours it took for fire crews to gain control of the blaze.

Best Photo: Print Media (Circulation more than 100,000)

FIRST PLACE 
“Bellingham Marina Boat Fire”
Published in Fire Rescue Magazine
Photo by Jarod Trow
Submitted by Bellingham-Whatcom County, WA Local 106

Fire fighters responded to the Port of Bellingham Marina during the early hours of February 27, 2012, where they found one sailboat had burned and sank while several other boats were damaged. Freezing temperatures iced over the dock, so crews treated it to reduce the slip and water immersion. They also connected hand lines to the dock standpipe system, which were used to extinguish the fire.

SECOND PLACE
“Downtown Mall Shooting”
Published in Toronto Star
Photo by Rick Madonik
Submitted by Toronto, ON Local 3888

Paramedics transport a 13-year-old boy out of Eaton Centre after he and five other people were caught in the crosshairs of a shooting. The shooting left one man dead, six people injured and prompted the suspects’ family to publicly discuss the negative effects of gangs and violence on society.

HONORABLE MENTION (TIE)
“Fight for Life I” and “Fight for Life II”
Published in Firehouse Magazine and Providence Journal
Photo by Thomas Carmody
Submitted by Pawtucket, RI Local 1261

Pawtucket, RI fire fighters try to extinguish a fire at an occupied house on Randall Street. As interior companies attempted to enter the attic, they encountered very high heat and requested that the roof be opened. Ladder 1 was assigned to the task, and after completion, two of the fire fighters had a terrifying experience. The roof began to give way, and one fire fighter lost his balance and began to roll off of the roof (nearly falling two stories to the ground). His lieutenant tried to assist his colleague–but fell up to his waist in the large hole. The lieutenant was able to use all his strength to pull himself out of the hole, and his partner regained his balance. Though it was a frightening experience, the two fire fighters skillfully removed themselves from the roof. Note: When the icon to the right is clicked, a two-paned window will pop up to display the winning photos. “Fight for Life I” will be on the left-hand side; “Fight for Life II” is on the right.         

HONORABLE MENTION (TIE)
“Give Me the Balance”
Published in Buffalo News
Photo by David Kazmierczak
Submitted by Buffalo, NY Local 282

Buffalo, NY fire fighters try to keep this fire structure in check. The fire in this building spread, damaging three other structures.

Best Photo: Online Media

HONORABLE MENTION (TIE)
“Give Me the Balance”
Published in Buffalo News
Photo by David Kazmierczak
Submitted by Buffalo, NY Local 282

Buffalo, NY fire fighters try to keep this fire structure in check. The fire in this building spread, damaging three other structures.

SECOND PLACE
“Paterson 4-11-12”
Published in www.1strespondernews.com
Photo by Bill Tompkins
Submitted by Englewood, NJ Local 3263

Englewood, NJ Local 3263 fire fighters responded to a three-alarm commercial-building fire that took several hours to extinguish. The picture depicts several large flames coming from the building as fire fighters put out the blaze.

HONORABLE MENTION
“Maple Ridge Double Fatality Accident”
Published in The Province (www.theprovince.com)
Photo by Shane MacKichan
Submitted by Maple Ridge, BC Local 4449

This photo shows Maple Ridge, BC Local 4449 fire fighters working hard to secure the scene after a serious two vehicle accident killed two people.

BEST TELEVISION NEWS SEGMENT, FEATURE OR DOCUMENTARY:

Note: Although IAFF has taken every measure it can to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, because different news outlets have different archiving policies, we cannot guarantee that any link that opens to another news site will still be valid.

FIRST PLACE
Let’s Roll 
Produced by Matt Holwick and Derek Bazan
Submitted by Los Angeles City, CA Local 112

Let’s Roll is a documentary that tells the story of six Los Angeles fire fighters who in July 2011 commemorated the 10-year anniversary of September 11th by cycling 3,300 miles from Los Angeles to New York City. Traveling across country, the fire fighters endured harsh weather, extreme fatigue and personal conflict. With every mile these strong-willed individuals worked together to make sure that we never forget the fire fighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on one of the United States’ darkest days.

SECOND PLACE
“Quad City Fire,”
KWQC-TV Channel 6
Reported by Elizabeth Goodsitt
Submitted by Davenport, IA Local 17

In the fall of 2012, coinciding with the series debut of NBC’s Chicago Fire, KWQC anchor Elizabeth Goodsitt produced a series focusing on what it means to be a fire fighter and collaborated on her project with the fire fighters of Davenport, IA Local 17. Goodsitt rode along on emergencies, attended training sessions and observed the interactions of fire fighters. Goodsitt helped to provide a unique look into the realities, traditions and demands of being a fire fighter today. The series ran over several weeks during the Wednesday night news immediately following the Chicago Fire episodes.

HONORABLE MENTION
“Fire Ops 101”
WJZ-TV
Reported by Kai Jackson and Eric Kettering
Submitted by Prince George’s County, MD Local 1619

The Prince George’s County, MD Local 1619 hosted a one-day fire ground operations experience for civilians, elected officials, community leaders and members of the media. Reporter Kai Jackson and videographer Eric Kettering suited up in turnout gear and got a realistic, though brief, glimpse into the world of fire fighting. Through their report, Jackson and Kettering found the experience frightening, fascinating and humbling. The training included close-quarter defensive chemical fire fighting and search and rescue, among other activities.

HONORABLE MENTION
“Jacksonville Fire Fighters Assist Family of 10”
Reported by News 4 Jax and Action News Jax – Fox 30 News
Submitted by Jacksonville, FL Local 122

A family of 10 loses all their belongings as their van catches fire on Interstate 10 in Jacksonville. The family—which consists of two adults and eight children ranging from 9 months to 15 years of age– were moving from Jacksonville to Atlanta. They were on the road for only 20 minutes when a fire started in their new van. Everyone made it safely out of the van but lost all of their possessions. Members of Jacksonville, FL Local 122 stepped up and raised more than $4,000 for the family through online donations. The fire fighters union paid for the family’s hotel expense and bus tickets and also provided extra spending money as they continued on their journey.