SAFD

In Pictures: Edison Students Mobilize Emergency Response For Mass Casualty Drill

Chris Eudaily and Joey Palacios — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:05:08 +0000

Nearly 300 Edison High School students got hands-on experience with triage and search-and-rescue on Monday morning. A simulated school bus "explosion" was part of a four-hour training exercise at the Public Safety Magnet school. The students played the role of first responders.

It's a scenario that no one wants to see happen: An I.E.D. explodes on an SAISD school bus, injuring several dozen students--followed by a second blast a few minutes later.

Public Safety Officials Plan To Keep Fiesta Fun And Safe

Ryan Loyd — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:11:26 +0000

Fiesta gets underway tomorrow and the Boston Marathon bombings have San Antonio police and firefighters strengthening their presence to make sure people stay safe during the 11-day celebration.

Fiesta is San Antonio's way to honor the heroes of the Alamo and Battle of San Jacinto and it all started in 1891 with a hugely successful Battle of Flowers Parade.

Though the years since have been full of fun and festivities, there was one incident that changed everything.

Fire Department Investigating Cause Of Downtown Fire In Vacant Building

Ryan Loyd — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:50:45 +0000

Arson investigators are looking into a two-alarm fire that engulfed a vacant building downtown last night. More than 100 firefighters worked to put out the flames near a hotel at Third and Broadway.

Firefighters battled stubborn flames for hours with gallons of water flowing onto the street below making it look more like the Riverwalk.

"We arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the second floor," said District Fire Chief Keith Crusius, who said people at the nearby Travelers Hotel self-evacuated.

500 Fires Investigated By Arson Bureau Last Year, 260 Set Intentionally

Joey Palacios — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 16:35:51 +0000

The San Antonio Fire Department held an open house to the media this week to detail what it does to determine whether or not a fire is considered an act of arson.

The fire department has 17 arson investigators, who the past two years have been called out to more than 1,200 fires. Captain Chris Casals, with the San Antonio Fire Department's Arson Bureau, said his division exists to determine the cause and origin of a fire.

Historic Pictures Help Rekindle Fire Department Toy Day Drive Of 1930's

Ryan Loyd — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 22:11:37 +0000

Once upon a time, San Antonio firefighters collected toys for children of the city; they even painted and fixed them. They called their drive Toy Day, and gave children who brought toys free movie tickets.

Researchers at the Institute of Texan Cultures found pictures of Toy Day tucked away in archives, and leaders decided to rekindle the old tradition, but give it a new spin. Now in its second year, history has proven to bring back what once was a thriving act of kindness: providing children with happiness.

On 9/11 Anniversary, San Antonio Firefighters Make "Remembrance Climb"

Ryan Loyd — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 19:45:19 +0000

Much like that fateful September day 11 years ago, the skies were blue and the weather nearly perfect. But today the sound of a waterfall, bagpipes and bells filled the air instead of the deafening sound of skyscrapers crumbling.

Firefighters climbed 65 stories twice at the Tower of the Americas to match the 110 floors of the World Trade Center towers that fell. It’s the first tower climb to remember and reflect on firefighters who perished in the 9/11 attack.

San Antonio Fire Museum Society Gets Key to Future Site of Museum

Ryan Loyd — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 17:30:00 +0000

Bob Heckman is with the Fire Museum Society and is the project manager for the renovation of the museum. He says the LaFrance pumper doesn’t have all of her original parts.

The headlights are from an old Ford Model A and the horn is a slightly modern adaptation as well, but it's history, and story of the San Antonio Fire Department is undeniable.

“We’re really anxious," said Heckman, who is now retired from firefighting. "We want to explain our history.”