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Video: Three Alarm Vacant Apartment Fire in East Orange, NJ

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East Orange, New Jersey Firefighters were busy on September 8th with a three alarm fire in a vacant apartment building. The apartments are located at 83 North Walnut Street.

Firefighters from East Orange Fire Department, Newark Fire Department, Bloomfield Fire Department, and Montclair Fire Department were on scene.

Firefighters got the fire out in about two hours.

Ed Gray with AllHandsgoingtowork.com was on scene to record the video. Check out their youtube channel for more great action.

Fire Engine Flips after Accident with Police Car and Sheriff’s Deputy

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Today around 6pm, a Clay Fire Territory fire engine, a Roseland Police car, a St. Joseph County Sheriff/Police car, and one other car were involved in a wreck that ended with the fire engine on its side. The engine involved is engine 243 from Clay Fire Territory, a 2007 HME Spectra with 1630 gallon tank.

In the end, three people were injured and transported to hospitals: the Roseland Police Officer, the Firefighter driving the fire engine, and the driver of the car. None of the injuries were life threatening.

The accident happened at Juniper Road and Cleveland near the University of Notre Dame. The police officer was responding to an accident, the fire engine was responding to a garage fire.

The accident is under investigation.

(WSBT Photo/KELLI STOPCZYNSKI)

According to WNDU.com:

Fire chief John Vance believes that the Roseland police officer struck the Clay Township fire truck in the intersection as the fire truck was heading east on Cleveland.

The fire truck had a green light, while the police car was heading north on Juniper. Read more

FirefighterCloseCalls.com offers this:

Initial reports from witnesses are that the fire apparatus had the right of way (w/the Opticom controlled green light) and that all Firefighters were seat belted in.

Links:

 

Close Call Video: Two Lowell Firefighters Rescued at Church Fire After Mayday

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Two Lowell, Massachusetts firefighters had to be rescued by other firefighters when they began running out of air in the basement of a church fire. The firefighters outside quickly removed a window grate and removed both firefighters.

The fire occured at the Ste. Marie’s Church, part of Holy Family Parish and firefighters were trying to keep the fire from spreading to the basement.

“They were running low on air and they couldn’t find their way out,” Lemire said.

Firefighters from Engine 6, designated as a rapid-intervention team, rushed into the building, located their colleagues and pulled them out to safety. One engine at all fires is designated as RIT, and has no job at the fire except to be prepared if other firefighters get in trouble.

Lemire said neither firefighter was injured. From the Lowell Sun

The firefighters were treated at the scene. Video is below.

Links:

Introducing Firefighter Dan…Help Get this Worthy Cause off the Ground

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Your kids have seen Bob the Builder, Handy Manny, and Dora the Explorer. Have they seen Firefighter Dan? You can help make Firefighter Dan the next big thing.

Firefighter Dan was created by volunteer firefighter and educational animator Tim Saguinsin. He is looking to raise funds for Firefighter Dan’s Safety Tips through Kickstarter which is an online community funding platform. The community is based on offering rewards as incentives to give. Firefighter Dan is offering the usual fire paraphernalia postcards, stickers, patches, t-shirts and hats as well as the opportunity to become an animated character in one of the episodes and being listed as an executive producer. 

The campaign has 17 days to go and is in need of additional backing. He is looking to his firefighting community to support his message. $1, $2, $5, whatever… the change in your pocket, the coins in between your couch cushions, whatever you can give would be helpful. Do you really need that 5th Mountain Dew? And then please spread the word about Firefighter Dan to your colleagues. With Kickstarter, if you don’ t reach your goal, you don’t get any of the funding. This endeavor is worth backing.

Here is the fundraising campaign on Kickstarter

Firefighter Dan Web siteYouTube - VimeoFacebook

Firefighter Dan is a link to fire departments and fire prevention for children. Everyone is creating a curriculum for fire safety and using cartoons to try sell it to kids. Firefighter Dan is looking to create a brand to engage children to be confident, active, and helpful members of our community in addition to being safe.

Take a minute to check these sites out. Then give some money for this worthy cause!

Fire Rescue TV Rolled out on September 11th with Fire & EMS Newscasts

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What if I told you you can get news broadcasts related to Fire & EMS right in your station? Fire Rescue TV now offers that!

FireRescueTV.com is the brainchild of Retired Virginia Beach Firefighter Martin Grube. The culmination of his dedication and work is the first news broadcast which aired on September 11th. The frequency of broadcasts will increase as their network expands.

Connect with them if you have news to share on a broad scale.

Watch their first news broadcast here

They have a lot going on at Fire Rescue TV. I got to sit down and talk with Martin in Atlanta at FRI. I was as excited as he was about the rollout of the new Digital Signage. Digital signage is a private television network for Fire and EMS.

Fire Rescue TV also has challenge coins available for sale. They look great and are only $12 a piece.

Come out to their Open House at Fire Rsecue TV Studio B at National Harbor, located on the Potomac River near Oxon Hill MD. Saturday, September 17th, 2011. Watch more about it here.

FireRescueTV.comFacebook - Twitter

Complete Coverage of 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Events

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This past weekend there were 55 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb events across the Country. Somewhere between 12,000 and 15,000 firefighters participated in them. Special thanks to all of the volunteers who helped make them a huge success. Also a huge thanks to the companies who allowed us to climb in their buildings and to all of the businesses who donated water and other things to the climbs!

You can view youtube videos of the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs here

Here is links to the climbs in no particular order. If you have links to add send them to me or put them on my facebook page!

I am looking for video, photos, and links to stair climbs. Thanks

My 8 year old son Preston climbed with me at the Greenbelt, MD climb. I am pictured behind him climbing.

Denver, CO -

Red Rocks, CO – Red Rocks Ampitheatre

Also in Colorado:

The highest stair climb in the world (14,270′) and the longest (300 WTC stories) took place in Clear Creek County, Colorado. Photos: http://t.co/iOVuK8A

Greenbelt, MD – Maryland Trade Center
This is the one I participated in.

Richmond, VA - Suntrust Bank Building

Grand Rapids, MI – Amway Grand Plaza Hotel

Austin, TX – Central Texas 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb – Pleasant Valley Drill Tower

Inverness, FL – Citrus Memorial Hospital

Dallas, TX – Renaissance Tower

Chicago, IL - Aon Center

Portland, OR - Being held on September 25th at the US Bancorp Tower

Las Vegas, NV - Stratosphere Casino Tower

Lafayette, IN - Ross-Ade Stadium

Baton Rouge, LO - Government Building

Dover, DE – Dover International Speedway

Fort Wayne, IN – Parkview Field baseball stadium

Byran, TX - Varisco Building

Milwaukee, WI – US Bank Building

Millville, NJ - Riverview West building

Manchester, NH – Brady Sullivan Plaza

Wausau, WI – Corporate Cove Tower 

Kansas City, MO - Town Pavillion

Manassas, VA – Sudley Tower

Panama City Beach, FL – Laketown Wharf Condominiums

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Tower

Myrtle Beach, SC – Yachtsman Resort

New Albany, IN – Riverview Towers

El Paso, TX - Wells Fargo Building

Charlotte, NC

Kentucky - EKU

Video Coverage: 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Events Across the Nation

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Here are videos from 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb events held this past weekend from across the Nation. They are in no particular order.

Give them time to load, it is a bunch of videos! Take a minute to watch them…all of them!

9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in Greenbelt, MD Never Forget

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Yesterday, the tenth anniversary of September 11th, I participated in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in Greenbelt, MD. I climbed with Willie Wines Jr., his father Willie Wines Sr., Bill Carey, Tommy Warshaw III, Kevin Totten, my son Preston, and many others.

I will be posting about climbs across the Nation later today.

View the entire photo album here

Preston is only 8 years old. He wanted to climb…he was not forced. Preston was able to climb around 80 floors, I carried his names the rest of the way. I told Willie after the climb that right at the time Preston told me he couldn’t climb anymore I was about to ask him to finish the climb for me.

Preston, my 8 year old son, before the climb

Preston wasn’t alive on 9/11. He is learning what it is about. When he gets a little older, he will learn all about it in school they way our school board wants him to learn it. I will teach him how I want him to learn it.

It will be my job to teach him about the significance of the number 343. I see the number everywhere. I paused the microwave today at exactly 3:43 left…simply by coincidence.

Preston climbed. It was a proud day. I was soaking it up so much that I failed to get a picture with just Preston and I.

Willie climbed with a bad back. He threw his back out a couple of days ago, yet still made the climb.

We travelled for the climb this time, we climbed with friends, brothers, and family. We climbed just like we have in the past…in relative silence, reflecting on the reason why we climb.

Preston climbing right in front of me.

A Gift

I wore 3/343 at the climb. The helmet band is a special commemerative band from MN8 Products/Foxfire.

About a week before the climb, Willie and I spoke with our good friend Zach Green of MN8 Products. Zach manufactures the illuminating helmet bands, SCBA bottle bands, tape, and epoxy known as Foxfire. We asked Zach if he would send us 343 helmet bands to hand out at the climb. Zach was happy to do it.

Not only did he send us 343 bands, he actually had a special run made of the bands. This time he had the logo in orange (usually green). He also had each of them marked with the day and numbered 1/343, 2/343 all the way up. They were a hit. The organizers where happy we brought them and the participants were glad to get them. In parts of the stairwells where the lighting wasn’t the best you could see them illuminating.

Zach wished he could have climbed with us. He could not make it. Instead, I understand that Zach climbed 110 floors on the stairclimber at his gym…in full turnout gear.

Thanks Zach

There were extras, because we did not have 343 climbers in Prince George’s County. Stay tuned for how to get a hold of yours if you want one of theses special commemerative bands.

Bill Carey, Willie Wines Sr., Tommy Warshaw III, Kevin Totten, Front: Willie Wines Jr., and Rhett Fleitz

Why I climb

As I said before, I have participated in 3 stair climbs. I am not sure if I will do another. We will see when the opprotunity arises.

For the most part, I climb for our brothers who died on 9/11.

I reflect. I think about everyone who died on 9/11.

I climbed to finish the climb of our brothers.

Who I climbed for

This climb, I climbed for Firefighter Carl F. Asaro (Battalion 9) and Firefighter Karl H. Joseph (Engine 207). I also carried the names of firefighters I climbed for in the previous climbs: Firefighter Durrell V. Pearsall (Rescue 4), Raymond York (Engine 285), Firefighter Joseph Agnello (Ladder 118), Martin McWilliams (Engine 22).

Preston climbed for Firefighter Paul H. Keating (Ladder 5), Firefighter William D. Lake (Rescue 2), Firefighter Frank J. Bonomo (Engine 230).

These guys will continue on with me throughout my career in the fire service. I will carry their names in my turnout gear.

Richmond

Numerous friends of mine climbed in Richmond on September 11th. Some of them are my brothers from Roanoke. Captain Matt Dewhirst, Lt. Robert Reid, FF Jeff Oliver, and FF Peter Matthiesson.

Our guys from Roanoke climbed with packs on.

FF Peter Matthiesson, Lt. Robert Reid, Captain Matt Dewhirst, FF Jeff Oliver

Willie and I even bumped into a firefighters wife from Roanoke. Liz Tuck is the wife of Geoff Tuck. I have never met Geoff (I don’t think), but I have corresponded with him in the past. Geoff is a Roanoke County firefighter. His wife, who is from Prince Georges’ County was there to do the 9/11 Memorial Walk. When I caught word that she actually wanted to climb with us I made it happen. I got her signed in to climb, although she wasn’t able to climb with us because our group was too big already.

Geoff, you should be proud!

Willie Wines Jr., Liz Tuck and her son, and Rhett Fleitz

Two Great Deals on Daily911Deals.com including 9/11 Commemerative Designs

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Daily911Deals.com continues to bring you significant discounts on great products.

If you haven’t checked out the site yet you are missing out.

The current deals:

45% OFF – $19.95 for 9/11 Remembrance Series from Xtreme Valor Apparel

50% OFF – $16 for a Polo Shirt from Xtreme Valor Apparel

Register on the site for email updates

Like them on Facebook

If you are really adventerous you can join them on twitter too

Right now they are offering two great deals and one of them ends in the morning.

The Fire Critic and IronFiremen make it big in the Roanoke City Corner Newsletter

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Willie Wines Jr. and I made out big in the current issue of the Roanoke City Corner. The City Corner is an online newsletter that is circulated among City employees and others showcasing internal news to Roanoke City. The newsletter used to be printed and distributed, but due to the budget crunch it is now only available online.

You can imagine my amazement when our department PIO contacted me about wanting to add our story to the newsletter! I was stoked. The article is about us participating in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in Baltimore and Atlanta. It even mentions our upcoming climb on September 11th in Greenbelt, MD.

This is also a huge accomplishment because Willie and I seem to carry the titles of Public Enemy #1 and Public Enemy #2. We’re just misunderstood! I say that in jest, but it is so true! That is why us being featured in this newsletter is an accomplishment. Then again, maybe they were just pressed for news. We would like to think it was because they are proud.

The issue also showcases two Roanoke Firefighters who travelled on mission trips recently, and mentions other firefighters who are climbing on September 11th in Richmond.

Thanks Tiffany. We appreciate it!

Click here to read the entire issue (.pdf)

FRI Wrapup – “Best in Show” According to the Fire Critic

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This is from my continued coverage of Fire Rescue International last week. You can read more posts related to FRI 2011 here.

Here is a new type of article I have not done in the past. I am offering you my best in show for Fire Rescue International.

Basically, the one product, company, person, class, or event that I thought captured the essence of why firefighters travel to conferences and conventions. After all, that is why firefighters go to these events…to learn, see new technology, and better themselves.

Safety2go.com crew at FRI

This years “Best in Show” award according to the Fire Critic goes to SAFETY2GO.COM.

Their parent company, Beams Seatbelts, (Seatbelts.net) has been in business for over 50 years manufacturing seat belts. One day, a local Fire Chief asked them to make a harness for them…the rest is history.

They make all kinds of bags, harnesses, and straps from seat belts. Of course, all a seat belt is made of is webbing and a buckle.

You can imagine the possibilities.

Safety2Go Online - FacebookTwitter

Jeff and I stopped by to talk to them about running a deal on Daily911Deals.com. We hope to work something out in the future. These guys were down to earth, answered our 100 or so questions and even let us snap their pic.

Thanks guys, I think you have a great product that emboddies firefighting ingenuity.

FRI Wrapup – A Great Time in Atlanta

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This is from my continued coverage of Fire Rescue International last week. You can read more posts related to FRI 2011 here.

By now you should have figured out that I had a blast at Fire Rescue International 2011. Willie Wines Jr. and Jeff Harkey enjoyed the trip with me this year and we accomplished a lot. We got to hang out with a ton of people, some new friends, and some we have known for a while. We had a lot of laughs, had some time to reflect, and were able to continue telling people about Daily911Deals.com.

FRI was a success. Each conference we travel to has been a better and better time than the last. Each one offering its own new adventure. This time was no different.

Willie and I started out the trip with a visit to my sister, Valicia’s, house in Atlanta. I hadn’t seen her in almost a year. It was only the second time since I had seen my nephew Sebastian. What a cute little guy! Willie and I took my sister, her husband Carlos, and Sebastian out to the Front Page News restaurant.

After spending the evening with them we settled in early because we would be up early for the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in the morning.

Our team at FRI. Cheryl Horvath, Martha Ellis, Rhett Fleitz, Mark Nugent, Chris Riley, Willie Wines Jr., and Matt Tobia. Sorry for any spelling mistakes.

Wednesday morning began early. We go to the Westin Peachtree Plaza early for the stair climb. We saw some familiar faces from the NFFF at the climb including Victor Stagnaro, Cathy Hedricks, and Billy Hinton. We ended up climbing with Matt Tobia and other Chiefs from across the Nation. Willie and I were surprised by the number of firefighters climbing in gear. We were impressed with the turnout, but figured that the majority would be travelling and not bring their gear. We were wrong. There were many local firefighters climbing and it was great to see so many in gear.

You can read my account of the climb here and Willie’s account here.

Dinner with the crew from MN8 Products and Fire Rescue TV

Willie and I are doing our 3rd climb this weekend in Greenbelt, MD. The climb will be in the 28 story Maryland Trade Center. I will be climbing with Willie Wines Jr., Willie Wines Sr., Thomas Warshaw, and Bill Carey. We look forward to the event on September 11, 2011. This will be a fitting tribute for the 10th anniversary.

On Wednesday, we also went out and enjoyed dinner with the A-shift crew at station #63 in John’s Creek. Great dinner, great comradarie, great times. Thanks to the entire crew: Captain Akins, Lt. Eddie Lee, FAO Phil Pirkle, FAO Kevin Castleberry, Sgt Tom Johnson, FF Jost Cater, FF Brandon Kingrey, and FF Grant Eckard.

On Thursday, Willie and I headed over to Atlanta Firehouse #11 to check out Motorola’s $1 million donation to the NFFF and for Atlanta FD’s announcement of 100% participation in the Seat Belt Pledge.

Friday and Saturday kinda all ran together. We did enjoy a great meal at a Mexican joint courtesy of Zach Green from MN8 Products. We were there with his crew and the crew from Fire Rescue TV including Martin Grube and Mariah Leavitt.

During the expo, Jeff and I made our rounds and spoke with numerous businesses who are excieted about Daily911Deals. Look for some of those deals coming up. I also met up with two women I know via the internet. My face is not as recognizable as Willie’s, but some people have hear my name before…ok, actually more people know me as the Fire Critic, but it doesn’t hurt having an uncommon name. I was speaking with these two women for about 10 minutes before I handed them my card and they instantly realized who I was.

Me with the ladies of Industrial Fire Journal. Beth Lee Kershner on the left and Kelly Francis on the right. Follow them on twitter @thefiregirls

 Willie, Jeff, and I also helped stow away the better angels exhibit. Read about that here.

Willie getting frisky with Rhett

Saturday night was a memorable one. Willie wrote about it in a post titled “FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR RHETT FLEITZ AND JEFF HARKEY“. Let me just say that his account was not exactly 100% truthful. He was right on point with the account of Jeff Harkey though. Jeff led us down a path that Willie and I had not been in before. Where he started stretching the truth was about how Willie felt about being in that establishment. First of all, Willie signed up for drag night. He will be escorted by some great looking men. He will be right at home.

The “guys” wouldn’t stop buying him drinks and before Jeff and I knew it Willie was sucking face with 5 other guys. We told him we didn’t take any photos. We did, but you can’t see them yet. Willie still has to make several trips to Atlanta to go shopping with the only 3 females who were at the restaurant. When we left, Willie had them chanting BROKEBACK, BROKEBACK, BROKEBACK. They still think he was in the movie. Everyone kept asking us if we knew of any other “alternative lifestyle men” other than Willie. We told him he was the only one we knew and that he had won a night out with us two handsome and happily married straight men. Willie couldn’t get enough of it!

On Sunday, we headed home. Although we still had plenty to do. We had two stops before getting home. We stopped by Charlotte FD Station #1 and met up with Captain Blake Redden and 911 Dispatcher Jeff Williams. Jeff sat us down and showed us the dispatch center which is located inside Station #1. This station was huge. The dispatch center seemed to be top of the line. Jeff had some great stories for us about the recent earthquake, how they do business, and some war stories about some of the busier times inside the center. Blake showed us around the station and answered all of our questions. Thanks for the tour guys!

I still can’t get over the fact that you guys don’t use crosslays!

L-R Charlotte Fire Captain Blake Redden, Ironfiremen.com's Captain Wines, Charlotte Dispatch Supervisor Jeff Williams and The Fire Critic Rhett Fleitz

After Charlotte, we stopped by Davidson County Fire Station #1 and got to chat with several of the firefighters there. We got a tour of the station and their apparatus. The fire station is combination volunteer/paid part-time. Ryan Monteith, Julia, and Bill Shick showed us around. Willie and I always have a great time visiting other stations.

Ryan Monteith, The Fire Critic Rhett Fleitz, Captain Wines of Ironfiremen.com and Bill Shick

Also read “LOOKING BACK ON ATLANTA” by Willie Wines Jr. on his recap of Atlanta.

FRI Wrapup – better angels: the firefighters of 9/11

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This is from my continued coverage of Fire Rescue International last week. You can read more posts related to FRI 2011 here.

better angels: the firefighters of 9/11

better angels: the firefighters of 9/11 is 343 individual oil
paintings of the firefighters who died on 9/11, created to honor
the lives they lived and the people they loved.
from betterangels911.com

Take a minute to look at the site here. You will not believe the detail in the paintings, the respect given to honor the 343, or the realization of how long it took to complete this tribute. Be sure to watch the video at the bottom of this post for more insight on the memorial.

View all 343 of the better angels here

Me and Willie standing next to one of the pieces of the better angels exhibit.

I met Dawn Siebel at Firehouse Expo. Dawn was quiet, almost seeming pensive being around so many firefighters. I doubt that was the case. I also doubt she needed any validation that her work was indeed a moving tribute to the 343 firefighters who died on 9/11. I don’t think she needed anything at all really…except for everyone else to take a minute to view what she had created. One thing was certain, it was not about her and she did not want it to be. It was about our brothers. The ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice. That was my first impression. I got to speak with her for several minutes while I took in the magnificent tribute that is “better angels: the firefighters of 9/11″. I told Dawn I would be back to purchase a poster…I never made it back and it bothered me.

The second time I met Dawn was at Fire Rescue International. I took the time to get over to the better angels exhibit and take another glance. When I walked up, Dawn grabbed the photos hanging around my neck and looked at them. She knew exactly who they were without looking at their names. The men whose photos were around my neck were the better angels I climbed for in Baltimore and Atlanta: Joseph Agnello, Raymond York, Durrell Pearsall, and Martin McWilliams. Dawn immediately pointed out something I didn’t realize…I had climbed for the last firefighter on the list alphabetically (Raymond York) in Baltimore and I had climbed for the first person on the list alphabetically (Joseph Agnello) in Atlanta. This was by pure chance. In Baltimore, I was assigned Martin McWilliams. It wasn’t until the 3rd lap up that I came across Raymond York’s photo. Someone had dropped it…I would finish the climb with his photo as well. This time in Atlanta I was the first person to check in and they gave me the first person on the list (Joseph Agnello). I probably would not have realized it if Dawn had not picked it out.

I didn’t have cash on me at the time, but I told her I was going to get cash before the event was over and purchase my poster. I would get that chance.

Dave Statter asked me if I would have time at the end of the conference to help load up the better angels exhibit. I said yes. When the time came, I met up with Dawn. She gave me a poster. I didn’t know what to say. She said it was for helping out. I asked her to sign it. I was very appreciative of the gesture.

My better angels poster at the framers. I opted for the gold inlay with black frame. I should get it back on September 12th. I am planning on hanging it in the station.

Over the two times I met Dawn I asked her several questions. Since I don’t want to misquote her or give wrong information I will tell you that if you see her be sure to ask her about the process in making the tribute. Ask her what it means to her, and ask her why she did it. She has a great story. Lets just say this tribute was not made overnight. You can read more about Dawn and the better angels travels on the blog here.

Visit Dawn’s Artist web site here

So there I was with about 12 others and we were taking down the better angels exhibit. Let’s just say that I did not mind doing it at all. I was very worried that something would happen to it though. I did not want to be the one to scratch, bump, or dent any part of it. For the most part the entire process was done in relative silence with the exception of giving or taking directions.

We got it packed up in about 2 hours.

I look forward to meeting up with Dawn again and taking another look at the better angels: the firefighters of 9/11.

5-Point Breakaway Safety Vest 50% off. Only $9.99 on Daily911Deals.com

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Tomorrow morning, the 50% Off Bundle Pack of Sample AFG Successful Narratives from Firehouse Grants deal ends. Remember they extended the AFG grant application deadline by a week!

Yesterday, Daily911Deals started a brand new deal: $9.99 For an $19.99 5-Point Breakaway Safety Vest at Reality Workwear.

If you have not checked this site out you are missing out. You can register if you want and sign up to receive email notifications when new deals are available.

Daily911Deals Web Site - Facebook - Twitter

They also launched their “Refer a Friend” affiliate marketing.

Anyone can share and earn. If you have a web site or blog you might be able to earn more!

Daily911Deals is paying $5 credit just for putting their code on your site. In addition, you will earn $5 credit every time someone clicks on your ad to Daily911Deals and purchases for the first time.

Full details and instructions for the Refer a Friend affiliate marketing is here.

FRI Wrapup – Entire Atlanta Fire Rescue Department Pledges to Buckle Up!

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Entire Atlanta Fire Rescue Department Pledges to Buckle Up! So Everyone Goes Home®

This is from my continued coverage of Fire Rescue International last week. You can read more posts related to FRI 2011 here.

Every member of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (AFRD) has pledged to make personal safety a priority by signing the International Fire Service Seat Belt Pledge. The department was recognized today for their full participation in the pledge by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). The Foundation sponsors the new campaign, Buckle Up! So Everyone Goes Home® to encourage firefighters to wear their seat belts when riding in department vehicles.

In recognition of the department’s adoption of the pledge, Chief Dennis Compton, chairman of the NFFF, Chief Ronald J. Siarnicki, executive director of the NFFF and Chief Victor Stagnaro, director of the NFFF’s Fire Service Programs presented the Certificate of Compliance to Chief Kelvin Cochran of AFRD. With 1,500 members and AFDR is one of the largest fire and rescue departments in the country.

“Motor vehicle crashes are the second-leading cause of firefighter fatalities in the United States and this effort aims to reduce the number of preventable fatalities,” said Siarnicki. “Under the leadership of Chief Cochran, the members of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department are an outstanding example for all fire service members that personal safety must be the priority. This participation also demonstrates that all departments nationwide can make this same commitment.”

Over 200,000 first responders have taken the International Seat Belt Pledge, representing nearly 1,400 departments in the United States and 18 departments from other countries. The ultimate goal of the campaign is to eliminate line of duty deaths that are caused by first responders not wearing their seat belts.

Dr. Burton Clark, a distinguished member of the fire service for 40 years and a training specialist at the National Fire Academy, has been the lead advocate of the National Seat Belt Pledge since its inception in 2006. Dr. Clark will continue to serve as an advisor and liaison for the campaign.

In addition to the Certificate of Compliance, the NFFF provided the newly designed dashboard sticker featuring the campaign logo, “Buckle Up! So Everyone Goes Home®.” The department will also be recognized on the Foundation’s Everyone Goes Home® seat belt website.

For more information about the International Seat Belt Pledge, go to: www.everyonegoeshome.org/seatbelts.