Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department fights apartment complex under construction, turns to 3rd alarm

[@johnwashburn7423]

The audio of the female dispatcher would make excellent training material for dispatcher trainees. She was a model of patience.

[@thejfrd2490]

I could not agree more...just keep in mind, this woman thought she was about to lose everything...it is easy to sit back now and say "remain calm" but when it is your home and that much heat...watch out.

[@johnwashburn7423]

@@thejfrd2490 I agree with you but the dispatcher’s insistence that the caller remain calm is so important and panicked callers sometimes will take a deep breath and think clearer.

[@andyhamilton8940]

I commend the dispatcher for dealing with this lady.

[@thejfrd2490]

She did great! All our dispatchers are amazing!

[@andyhamilton8940]

@@TomManning-cs4el who’s making fun of her?

[@thejfrd2490]

@@TomManning-cs4el Who is making fun of her?

[@ronfreniere8769]

Glad that there were no injuries to anyone related to this incident, and that the apartments were unoccupied and wow that was a lot of fire. Also Glad that the citizen who called and was frantic home wasn't damaged. Thank you to all firefighters everywhere for protecting the citizens of your coverage area.

[@thejfrd2490]

Doors and windows and drywall are all forms of a barrier to slow fire...take them away and you can see it becomes a large bonfire quickly.

[@ronfreniere8769]

@@thejfrd2490 yeah, without those fire stops. A lot more buildings would be lost.

[@thejfrd2490]

@@ronfreniere8769 seen it way too often I am afraid.

[@pamhofmeister2531]

Awesome video. The dispatcher did a wonderful job. God bless to all the responders on this one. Fabulous job...🎄🤗🤗

[@thejfrd2490]

She sure did...wish we could clone her.

[@pamhofmeister2531]

@@thejfrd2490 I agree. All responders also I give large koo doo's to for job well done.

[@thejfrd2490]

@@pamhofmeister2531 they did the best they could with what they had.

[@pamd.happykat8187]

When you pull up on something like this - I don't know what I would be thinking. Probably something like "how the he$l do we fight this monster?" The crews did an excellent job trying to tame something that had low probability of even being reduced. I commend them and this dispatcher. She deserves an award for excellence in service. How she managed to keep the lady who was near panic calm enough to give ANY information was amazing. And, last but not least, I commend the videographer. Excellent coverage, angles and up-close (well, as close as you could get) views! Stay safe out there!

[@thejfrd2490]

You let your training take over, it is what we do...there was no saving this, rather stop the loss. Dispatcher did do a great job. I can tell you first hand, there were moments as the videographer that I was super hot, and worried about the wellbeing of the camera. Thanks and thanks for watching.

[@barbhelle5481]

WOW. Such a big fire. Great work everyone. The dispatcher was awesome.

[@thejfrd2490]

This was a doosy

[@donnamitchell7707]

Fantastic footage. I'm happy to hear that there were no injuries from this fire. It seems nowadays the buildings have no firewalls like the older buildings have. That fire spread very quickly. Have a great day my friend, and stay safe ❤️🙂⚘️🚒.

[@thejfrd2490]

firewalls were not in yet...early construction

[@wolfpacva]

People need to learn to calm down and give the correct information. You all did a great job on the fire.

[@mariebelladonna437]

It's easy to say that, when you're not in the situation. Truly, though, we never know how we're going to react to something, until it happens to us. For someone who thought she was watching her home and everything she owns burn, AND her husband (and cat) possibly die, right in front of not only her but ALSO her SON, I think this woman held onto her panic as well as could be expected. If you think you could do better, that's great for you. But I seriously hope-and I mean this in all sincerity-that you never have to find out. Until and unless that happens (and again, I hope it never does), you shouldn't judge. You never know what anyone else has already been through, or what their mindset is, or much at all about them, really. Most people in a horrible situation do the best they can. And that's all anyone can do.

[@mariebelladonna437]

@@Utahjazz416 I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'D DO (SO I'M NOT JUDGING), THATS MY POINT.

[@wolfpacva]

be calm so they can get to you quicker@@Utahjazz416

[@Utahjazz416]

@@mariebelladonna437 my comment is directed at the person who made the original comment above

[@mariebelladonna437]

@@Utahjazz416 oh. My apologies, friend.

[@williamshanaman5098]

On another note has anyone else been following the rash of apartment buildings under construction going up in flames across the country? This seems to be a trend

[@peacockgrandma]

Very sus thats for sure

[@thejfrd2490]

these things happen

[@elizabethgeorgia8286]

May God bless all of them

[@djidji12]

May firefighter having good training! 🤦

[@thejfrd2490]

thanks

[@pauljames5914]

Theyre building those 5 story matchstick apartment buildings in my city too and that worries me. Theyre so dangerous built out of that pre formed wood and chip board.

[@thejfrd2490]

Please realize...once done they have fire systems in them, this is just a very vulnerable stage in construction...we do not go to a lot of these...but when you do, they burn hard.

[@pauljames5914]

@@thejfrd2490 what about the occupied one in New Jersey? A plumber with a torch started a small bathroom fire that took the whole complex. Did that one have a fire suppression system? Doesn't seem so.

[@thejfrd2490]

@@pauljames5914 I cannot answer that, I did not go to it, and I don't work in NJ...what I can tell you is that "new" construction requires it here...older complexes may not have it because they were built before the codes went into affect and often times, they are not required to bring up to codes unless they are doing "major" renovations as the costs can get quite high.

[@ericluebke2430]

What was the total time scene time to put the fire out

[@thejfrd2490]

we had crews on scene most of the day for hot spots

[@keithritter6157]

Aurora Denver Colorado just experienced a rash of the same, hopefully not a new Internet fad.. Stay Safe & Enjoy the Holidays

[@thejfrd2490]

We will try! Thanks for watching

[@joedunn1390]

I saw that

[@houseofbells1660]

Nice save!

[@thejfrd2490]

There was nothing to save...you are showing your lack of knowledge.

[@theroachden6195]

This is why I'm a firm beleiver that Emergency Management should be taught in school. 1) how to call 911 ((obvious)). 2) how and what to communicate [who, what, when, where, how if need be] 3) the importance of using a calm voice even if you're scared. This would also include basic trauma assistance, like applying a tourniquet.

[@thejfrd2490]

That is easy to say...but once you're faced with it, it can be another story...we all react differently.

[@joedunn1390]

Was this volunteer or paid deployment?

[@MrTomengle]

This is a paid full time fire and rescue department.

[@thejfrd2490]

This is a professional department of a large metropolitan city

[@marshanotmarcia7433]

Not being snarky, because I ABSOLUTELY understand the process, but whenever the dispatcher asks for additional info on any cross section of the fire…. “A house at the end of Main Street is on fire” “Can you give any other landmarks?” Me: “It’ll be the house with all the flames coming out of it, so….” Like I said though, I understand the reason.

[@thejfrd2490]

Do you know how many "Fires" we go on with no flames or smoke or anything what so ever? We responded to over 900 "structure fire" calls in 2023...about 200 actual fires

[@jonathanmoore5189]

When was this?

[@thejfrd2490]

2020

[@edwelchiii8858]

The only bad comment I would make would be the 3 FF"s at 11:44 in this video. They should have been in full turnouts that close to the fire.

[@thejfrd2490]

no injuries...heat and longevity were an issue

[@fishnusa]

I agree. Police or military don't get to shed body armor because of discomfort. You have protective gear for a reason.

[@skeptical2649]

Had to turn sound off. That 911 caller.

[@thejfrd2490]

Too bad you "had" to turn the sound off...I don't think the general public realizes exactly what we go through on a daily basis...yet maintain composure and professionalism...my hat goes off to our Dispatcher here!!

[@joedunn1390]

Yeah, that dispatcher did a good job they go through a lot of shit

[@thejfrd2490]

@@joedunn1390 you have no idea what they go through

[@k.powell5910]

@@thejfrd2490 I wholeheartedly agree, the Dispatcher was phenomenal !! Perhaps the above commenter meant “had to” because of the fear and panic in the callers voice, most of the public isn’t used to hearing that.

[@thejfrd2490]

@@k.powell5910 thanks so much

[@CatMcEntire1958]

strong work ladies and gents on a real ugly scene.

[@thejfrd2490]

The best we could do.

[@Mira-cf9ek]

literally the third apartment construction site fire in a month. 2 in Colorado and 1 in Florida now

[@thejfrd2490]

so what's your theory

[@georgehorkan7205]

Glad I didn't have to take this call. It is hard to decipher hysterical. Hope everyone was safe.

[@thejfrd2490]

Our dispatchers are amazing and handle each situation as best they can.

[@marshanotmarcia7433]

It’s a shame, but some folks are NOT reliable in emergency situations, and unfortunately this homeowner was one of those. “What is your neighbors address?” “I don’t know!”. Then tells the dispatcher she live right next door..🤦🏻‍♀️

[@billcochran6374]

Radio traffic please.

[@thejfrd2490]

Sorry....it is unavailable

[@scootertrash911]

Shoud have fire walls already built in, you cannot retrofit a concrete firewall five feet above thr roof to prevent fire spread.(prevents fire from spreading between sections of building) Building may not have required firewalls.

[@thejfrd2490]

even if there were a concrete fire wall...at this stage of the construction, it would not have stopped anything...the radiant heat was crazy, we had homes behind the structure divided by woods are suffer damage.

[@bibibaum2309]

It is crazy how two individuals panic, not thinking about the danger they put themselves in. 5:42

[@thejfrd2490]

They were not in that much imminent danger

[@jays106]

WOW! wonder how it started was it intentionally set being this late in the evening it would seem suspicious. Judging by the way it burned pretty well to a pile of ash they probably will not be able to determine the cause? i am surprised that scaffolding did not collapse from the heat weakening it!

[@BeaBosse]

Ja, die Amerikaner bauen gerne aus Holz 🤷🏻‍♀️Wo sind die Brandmauern?

[@jays106]

@@BeaBosse no clue what you said

[@phyllisleonard6412]

​@BeaBosse it is under construction. The fire walls were not in place yet.

[@BeaBosse]

@@phyllisleonard6412 Es kostet „Versicherungsgelder“ und die Versicherungen holen sich es überall auf der Welt wieder zurück. Mit fadenscheinigen Ausreden steigen jedes Jahr die Prämien… …und Holz brennt nun mal gut 🤪🤪🤪 Ich habe nicht mit Holz 🪵 gebaut und meine Bebauung muss Abstand zum Nachbarn einhalten. Das nennt man in Deutschland „Grenzbebauung“ und andere behördliche Vorschriften, wie Brandschutzwände und und und. Ich habe das Gefühl, dass auf Grund der kulturellen Unterschiede, es in den USA 🇺🇸 weit häufiger zu Brandkatastrophen kommt 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

[@thejfrd2490]

no idea

[@jamallee5267]

Can't believe this happened in my hometown

[@thejfrd2490]

it is sad isn't it?

[@xposelies2417]

When?

[@jamallee5267]

@@thejfrd2490 yes it is

[@williamshanaman5098]

I’m sorry but the dispatchers need to take information seriously. That first dispatcher thought it was a crank call. The rest were okay.

[@thejfrd2490]

I think you misunderstood...this call was taken seriously the whole time...they were just trying to get the correct information.

[@gregsatterly9412]

When are these municipalities going to enact tougher fire codes for multi family dwellings? Like using fire rated plywood, fire rated drywall, installing fire walls, spraying all the wood used in framing with a fire resistant product like Flame Off. There's absolutely no reason that a fire should spread that fast. It's called throw these apartments up as fast as possible and as cheap as possible.

[@bubbles8848]

Did you read the description of the video? This complex was being built and was just the framework.

[@thejfrd2490]

I think it would not have helped at the stage this was in.

[@brandonseyfried1251]

They need to make "how to call 911" required education prior to graduating high school.

[@thejfrd2490]

I don't think that is very sensitive

[@georgebaggitt1930]

Stupid questions by the dispatcher...

[@thejfrd2490]

What question is that?

[@jays106]

when the dispatch is trying to get all relevant info from a person who is scared out of their mind and hysterical like this no question is "stupid" everything is trying to get any info you can from the caller remember the dispatcher isn't there they can't see what is going on they have the extremely difficult task of trying to get all necessary and relevant info they can from someone who is possibly having the worst moment of their life

[@yosefmacgruber1920]

@@jays106 The hysterical lady sounded like she needed somebody to talk to. Info is needed for the dispatcher to know what resources to send. My casual guess is that she needed at least a policeman to come check on her, so as to have a calm and rational person to access the situation, as she did not seem to know what was going on, too much panicked. Keep her talking, so that she doesn't do something dangerous or unwise.

[@harvynussbaum5182]

A woman on the phone is annoying.

[@thejfrd2490]

That is pretty insensitive...she is scared.

[@jays106]

@harvynussbaum5182 and under the circumstances how would you be? i bet just as scared and panicking

[@harvynussbaum5182]

@jays106 No I wouldn't

[@thejfrd2490]

@@jays106 many believe they wouldn't but then reality hits with actual situation

[@caroleknappsmith9010]

I am so sorry to be critical, but the disrepect shown to a person to which is English is not their first language, who is trying to help telling the FD what is going on, is treated like an ignorant fool. I hear the sighs and the lack of respect given to the fire caller, is sickning. I am ashamed of this. It is embarrassing that people are treated like that. The Fire Department did a wonderful knocking this down. It is the 911 operators who need phone etiquette talking to the people reporting a fire.

[@thejfrd2490]

I don't think english was a problem...excitement and fear were issues here...I think you may be misreading the whole thing, the dispatcher is just trying to get all the information they could, I don't think they were trying to be disrespectful at all.