Latest news with #MikeMcNamara
CBS News
15-07-2025
- CBS News
Thousands of Pittsburgh drivers illegally passed stopped school buses during last school year, new data shows
New data provided by Pittsburgh Public Schools shows thousands of drivers were still illegally passing stopped school buses during the 2024-25 school year. The data, from its school bus safety program with BusPatrol, shows that while driver behavior may be changing slightly, many still break the law. Between Aug. 26, 2024, and June 12, 2025, 10,989 motorists failed to stop for a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing in Pittsburgh. More than 95% of violations were first-time offenses; however, school officials believe the safety program is deterring repeat behavior. "People are learning their lesson. And hopefully, they're also talking to their family and friends about what happened," the district's chief operations officer, Mike McNamara, said. Pennsylvania state law requires drivers to stop for stopped school buses with their red lights flashing. The penalty for not doing so includes a minimum fine of $300. However, the $300 ticket is not automatic. Video evidence of a flagged driver is reviewed by the Pittsburgh Public Schools Police. If they decide there's a violation, they issue the ticket. "When you get that citation in the mail, you also get that video, and you can watch yourself pass the school bus illegally," McNamara said. "At Pittsburgh Public Schools, nothing matters more than the safety of our students", said Superintendent Dr. Wayne N. Walters. "As unsafe driving habits continue around our school buses, it's more important than ever that we enforce the law and protect the children who rely on us daily." Pittsburgh Public Schools began modernizing its bus fleet in 2023 with AI-powered safety cameras to detect vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses and endanger children. Pittsburgh Public Schools Police then review the video footage to determine whether a violation occurred. "We're seeing fewer repeat violations, which means the message is getting through," said Justin Meyers, president and chief innovation officer at BusPatrol. "But there's still work to be done. This program is about curbing reckless driving habits, protecting kids, and building a culture of safety around every school bus." The 5800 and 5300 blocks of Fifth Avenue in Pittsburgh's Shadyside neighborhood are top offenders. The 5300 block saw the most violations, with 392. The 5800 block and the 5500 block of Penn Avenue followed with 361 and 272 violations, respectively. Pittsburgh Public Schools is one of more than 60 school districts in Pennsylvania using the BusPatrol technology.
CBC
30-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
E-bike shop in Surrey, B.C. destroyed in a weekend fire
Social Sharing Dozens of firefighters spent hours fighting a large blaze that destroyed an e-bike shop in Surrey, B.C. over the weekend. It took 36 firefighters about six hours to put out the fire at EV Revolution, an electric bike and scooter store in a strip mall, in the Whalley neighbourhood. The Surrey Fire Service was called to the scene at 104 Avenue and 139 Street on Saturday, just after 7 p.m. Mike McNamara, assistant chief of operations with the Surrey Fire Department, said crews initially entered the building, but were forced to retreat due to intense heat and thick smoke. Firefighters then shifted to a defensive attack from outside, as conditions inside quickly became too dangerous to continue. "[Firefighters] exited the building just in case the ceiling came down … and the ceiling did come down," McNamara said. No one was injured, but one firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion. Crews said the fire was declared out on Sunday around 1 a.m. In a statement shared after the fire, EV Revolution said it wanted to clear up speculation about the cause. "This fire was not started by e-bikes," according to the statement. "This fire was caused by an old outdated electrical system in the attic." The business said it had shut off all its power at 5 p.m. and the fire started two hours later. The Surrey Fire Department is still investigating the cause of the fire. In the meantime, McNamara confirmed lithium batteries in the building contributed to the fire's intensity once it was underway. "We know that the batteries did play a part in the fire load," he said. "The thermal runaway starts moving in the batteries and then they heat up quicker than they dissipate. And then that fire just grows and grows and it's very difficult to extinguish for us." WATCH | Concerns raised over e-bike batteries after hotel explosion: Concerns raised over e-bike batteries after hotel explosion 3 years ago Duration 1:59 Concerns are being raised about the safety of poor quality e-bike batteries after an overcharged or faulty one became the suspected cause of a deadly hotel fire in Vancouver. He said crews were fortunate the building had a firewall, which protected neighbouring businesses from more extensive damage. The plaza also has a grocery store, fitness centre and beauty supply shop. EV Revolution said it plans to move to a new location by August. The fire service is using the incident as a reminder for residents to be cautious with battery-powered devices heading into the summer. Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries have become more common in recent years, including some that have been fatal in Vancouver. McNamara said the department has created handouts to raise awareness of e-bike and e-scooter safety. Some of the tips include not using aftermarket chargers, as well as keeping them out of direct sunlight and hot vehicles, so they don't get too hot.
Globe and Mail
29-06-2025
- General
- Globe and Mail
Large fire destroys Surrey e-bike store, damages other businesses
Dozens of firefighters in Surrey, B.C., spent hours fighting a large blaze at a store selling e-bikes, where smoke was so thick that crews had to battle the flames from outside. Mike McNamara, assistant chief of operations with the Surrey Fire Department, says its part of a growing number of difficult-to-extinguish fires that erupt when e-bike batteries burn. McNamara says 36 firefighters and 12 trucks spent six hours Saturday night fighting the fire that destroyed the business and appears to have damaged others nearby. He says crews were initially able to enter the building but the flames and thickness of the smoke forced them to focus on a 'defensive attack' from outside. Toronto fire chief warns of lithium-ion batteries' risks after e-bike fire on subway Photos from the scene show heavy black smoke and bright flames shooting from the ceiling. He says the cause of the fire has not been determined and no one was hurt, though a firefighter did get treated for heat exhaustion. McNamara says e-bike batteries can make fires harder to douse. 'The lithium, and some of the chemicals inside of them too, they don't put out very easily,' he said. 'So it just becomes difficult for firefighters. And they burn really hot too, so it spreads the fire very quickly.'
CTV News
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Fire at Surrey e-bike store fueled by lithium-ion batteries
Video shows a massive plume of smoke coming from a fire in Surrey on June 28, 2025. (Image credit: Kalvin Angulo) A fire that broke out Saturday at a Surrey business that sells e-bikes and e-scooters was difficult to get under control because of the presence of lithium-ion batteries, which fueled the blaze. Firefighters were called to EV Revolution on 104th Avenue near 199 street around 7 p.m. for reports of smoke coming from the business, according to Surrey Fire Service Asst. Chief Mike McNamara. While there's no indication that the batteries caused the fire, McNamara said their presence made conditions challenging for crews. 'They got into the building and the smoke was extremely thick, so it was difficult to navigate in the building to find the seat of the fire,' he explained. 'It got to the point where the batteries that were part of the e-scooters, the bikes, were starting to catch fire which was creating a significant amount of heat and smoke. So, eventually they had to pull out and just make a defensive attack.' Fires involving lithium-ion batteries are more intense and more difficult to extinguish, which meant Saturday's blaze took more than six hours to get under control. No one was injured although one firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion. The cause of the blaze is under investigation, according to McNamara. Fire departments across Metro Vancouver have issued warnings about an increase in lithium-ion batteries as e-bikes and scooters have increased in popularity. McNamara said this incident presents an opportunity for people to reacquaint themselves with the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries and what can be done to prevent fires. More information about lithium-ion battery safety can be found online.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Large fire consumes Surrey, B.C., e-bike store, requires 36 firefighters
SURREY — Dozens of firefighters in Surrey, B.C., spent hours fighting a large blaze at a store selling e-bikes, where smoke was so thick that crews had to battle the flames from outside. Mike McNamara, assistant chief of operations with the Surrey Fire Department, says its part of a growing number of difficult-to-extinguish fires that erupt when e-bike batteries burn. McNamara says 36 firefighters and 12 trucks spent six hours Saturday night fighting the fire that destroyed the business and appears to have damaged others nearby. He says crews were initially able to enter the building but the flames and thickness of the smoke forced them to focus on a "defensive attack" from outside. Photos from the scene show heavy black smoke and bright flames shooting from the ceiling. He says the cause of the fire has not been determined and no one was hurt, though a firefighter did get treated for heat exhaustion. . McNamara says e-bike batteries can make fires harder to douse. "The lithium, and some of the chemicals inside of them too, they don't put out very easily," he said. "So it just becomes difficult for firefighters. And they burn really hot too, so it spreads the fire very quickly." This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 29, 2025 The Canadian Press Sign in to access your portfolio
