02/09/2026
Sharing This Again!
WV Fire Buffs — 2026 Status Update
Hello everyone, and thank you to those who have viewed, liked, followed, or supported this page at any point. I want to share a clear update on the status of WV Fire Buffs, explain how my role has changed, and outline how content will be approached going forward.
This reflects where things stand as of 2026. It may evolve over time, but this is an honest and transparent snapshot of my current direction.
My role in the fire buff community has changed.
I have retired from active scene buffing in the City of Wheeling, West Virginia. The reasons for that decision are personal and private. I served as an unofficial fire buff for the Wheeling Fire Department for more than twenty years, which is comparable to a full firefighter’s career. For me, that chapter is complete.
I still document the Wheeling Fire Department when I encounter apparatus responding to calls, typically from public spaces as units pass by. I believe this type of documentation has value for other fire buffs and for historical purposes, without requiring on-scene presence.
Stepping back does not come with ceremonies or recognition, and none are expected. Firefighters do their jobs regardless of conditions and without expectation of thanks. That professionalism is something I continue to respect.
With that transition comes responsibility.
I possess a large archive of photographs, videos, written notes, and documentation collected over many years. When material is historically significant to Wheeling, it should remain accessible rather than monetized. Selling this type of material would not be appropriate.
My intent is to donate the archives through multiple channels so the information is preserved and available to those who need it. Credit is not important to me. What matters is that the material is not taken and used for profit. Many of the people, apparatus, and moments documented no longer exist in the same form, and preserving that history is the priority.
Today, my involvement is limited to filming firefighters in the tri-state area from a distance and in non-intrusive ways. I do not chase calls or attend scenes unless explicitly invited, and even then I approach that cautiously. This is based on a clearer understanding of safety, liability, and insurance realities around emergency scenes.
In 2023, I participated in a long-form international firefighter podcast that aired on Spotify and YouTube. We spent several hours discussing fire buffing, my past role, and the organization I created to support my work with the Wheeling Fire Department.
That conversation prompted serious reflection. I came to the conclusion that fire scenes are inherently dangerous environments and should be limited to trained firefighters and emergency personnel. There are no meaningful exceptions to that reality.
Fire scenes are dynamic and unpredictable. Bystanders have no protective gear and no real-time operational awareness, even if they have prior experience elsewhere. The incident commander has the most complete picture based on dispatch information and conditions unfolding in real time.
Explosions, backdrafts, structural failures, and flying debris pose serious risks. I have personally witnessed YouTube recordings of incidents where even fully protected firefighters suffered severe outcomes. A civilian or fire buff in normal clothing would be at far greater risk.
There are also legal and insurance concerns surrounding unauthorized ride-alongs or bystanders traveling with apparatus. There was a well-documented tiller ladder truck rollover accident in the Midwest/West Coast region in the 2000s that injured the entire crew and destroyed the apparatus. I reviewed that incident as part of a safety case study, and it reinforced the real-world risks involved.
Fire buffing in 2026 exists in a very different cultural and technological landscape than it did in the early 2000s.
Nearly everyone now carries a smartphone capable of high-resolution photography and 4K video. Even inexpensive phones can run social media applications. This puts TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Reels, Shorts, Snapchat, Twitch, Kick, Vimeo, Dailymotion, Discord, Skype, and Zoom into the hands of nearly every adult.
As a result, many bystanders consider themselves fire buffs by default. All sorts of fire buff TikTok channels appear daily with really solid content. But solid content does not mean it was filmed safely.
I can create solid content without the need for danger.
The safest ways to engage in fire buffing today are from public, non-intrusive locations, such as sidewalks or homes as apparatus respond. Many people enjoy this type of documentation.
Fire buffing also takes many forms beyond scenes, including sirens and lights documentation, apparatus identification, manufacturer research, box alarm history, patch collecting, helmet collecting, and similar interests.
Separately, I also engage with highly detailed fire service simulation games on PC, which allow for complex scenarios without real-world risk. That content exists independently of on-scene documentation.
If someone intends to pursue scene buffing, the appropriate step is to contact the local fire department first and ask who to speak with regarding permission. Showing up unannounced creates interference, regardless of experience level.
That is my position, and it aligns with feedback I’ve received from firefighters whose judgment I trust.
Looking ahead, my plan is to ensure archival materials are transferred responsibly. This may include providing copies to the Wheeling Fire Department, IAFF Local 12, or to a firefighter or institution capable of preserving them long-term.
I am also exploring the possibility of self-publishing a limited-run photo book, either color or black-and-white, between 50 and 100 pages, and potentially submitting it to the Ohio County Public Library’s Wheeling Room.
WV Fire Buffs exists to document, preserve, and respect the history of the fire service without interfering with it. This update reflects a more restrained, safety-conscious, and archival-focused direction going forward.
Thank you to everyone who has followed, supported, or engaged with this work over the years.
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