I am gearing up for FDIC as many of my friends are as well. This year, Willie and I will be traveling with Mike Elston (Salem FD), and Andrew Catron (Kingsport FD). We look forward to many of the events. I will be posting our itinerary soon to let you all know where we will be.
My wife and I are planning on doing the Hero Rush in Maryland on April 28th. We just need to solidify someone to watch our children. We have a wedding to attend that evening in Norther Virginia as well.
Hopefully, Willie and I will have the patches and challenge coins by FDIC. The patches should be here later this week. We will let you know how to get yours soon! The patches were made by NM Coin LLC.
The pic on the right is our new patch!
This weeks “Best of the Rest” is a little short. Today, I decided to ride my bike (as in bicycle) to the gym and back. Did I mention it was “leg” day at the gym which is about an 8 mile ride one way. It was fun though!
VAFireNews.com: Help VAFireNews.com spread the word about the Gore VFD needing a tanker. They are in desperate need of a donated tanker after they lost theirs in a wreck that claimed the life of one of their firefighters. Read more hereand help by sharing on Facebook!
FireGeezer.com celebrates 5 years as a blog. He also has some stats, like over 12,000 posts! That is an achievement! Read more here
Fire Critic Chicken Salad: You guys asked for it…Here is the recipe that my guys love at the firehouse. Ok, maybe they like more, but this is one of them. Check out the recipe here.
FireLawBlog.com has the update on a local story for The Fire Critic. A lawsuit was dismissed by the judge in the case of a firefighter supposedly having sex in a station. The latest lawsuit alleged sex discrimination against Dennis Croft. Read more here
Boron Extrication continues to teach us about vehicles…and what we need to know to keep us safe!
Backstep Firefighter offers some insight and a few links on Transitional Attack. Read more here
STATter911.com originally shared this bit below of two firefighters trying to occupy the same space while heading to an alarm.
I had seen these a while back. I posted one a while back. We watched them again when the guys brought them up at the firehouse. We laughed like hell.
I knew right then that I couldn’t go on through the day without making sure everyone saw them.
Even though there might be a little terminology that is different area to area, the sentiment hits home…we have all had these kind of days. We have all taken part or listened to these types of bitch sessions…
Go ahead and laugh… WARNING: Language
Here is a bonus video. This one starts out kinda slow but gets pretty good!
Voting ends tomorrow for the 2012 Blog of the Year contest. Hosted by EMS1, FireRescue1 and FireCritic.com, and sponsored by the American Military University. There are some great blogs on the ballot in both Fire and EMS categories! There were almost 400 nominations for 55 blogs.
Dave Statter is the one on the right. He said he wouldn't be caught dead in red!
I have to admit something readers…I have been wrong. All this time I have stuck with my story that Dave Statter was NEVER a firefighter. Part of the reason for my inability to think that he could ever have been one of us is because I couldn’t find a department who would claim him. Until this week. The funny thing is that Dave was the first to break the story. Any department who fights fire in drag would have allowed Dave to join their ranks. Here’s to you Sedan Fire Department in Minnesota! Read more here
St. Patrick’s Day 2012 is behind us. I had fun hanging out with the family. We made it to downtown Roanoke after the parade was over because my son had two lacrosse games to play in. It was the first parade I have missed in several years. According to facebook updates, everyone seemed to have a lot of fun at their respective events!
Think of it as Facebook for Firefighters. The site is a social networking site that allows members to join and share videos, photos, thoughts, ideas, blogs, recipes, etc….etc. Get in on the fun now!
Mahlon Mitchell is running for Lieutenant Governor in Wisconsin in a run-off election. He is a firefighter and fed up with the way they have been treated. He is trying to make a difference. http://mahlonmitchell.com/
Mahlon Mitchell was born in Milwaukee and grew up in Delavan, Wisconsin. He now lives with his wife, April and two children, Sie’anna and Karson, in Fitchburg.
Mahlon followed in his older brother’s footsteps when he became a fire fighter in Madison fifteen years ago. His two brothers are fire fighters in Atlanta and St. Paul. These careers came out of a family that instilled values of service and working for others.
FireGeezer.com – Mike “FossilMedic” Ward is seeking to get a road named after FireGeezer.com. Apparently everything is for sale in Virginia! Read more here
Officer.com – In Arkansas, a firefighter is killed and a police officer and firefighter in critical condition after a motorist hit them at an accident scene. Read more
FirefighterNation.com – Be on the lookout for this trailer which was stolen from Lexington (KY?). See the information here
VAFireNews.com has the story on a 54 y.o. Norfolk Firefighter who died at the firehouse. Read more here
Firehouse.com – An off-duty Massachusetts firefighter is being hailed as a hero after saving a family from a fire. Read more here
Video below shows how two firefighters are lucky to be alive after their tanker rolled over. This happened in Madison County, MS. WATCH THE VIDEO to see the destruction the firefighters lived through!
New addition to “Best of the Rest” is the “Random Tweet of the Week”! Scroll down to see this one.
Willie and I are getting geared up for more traveling in 2012. We are looking forward to hanging out with the MN8 FoxFire team at FDIC. In September, Bob Gard is planning one helluva a good time in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. If you are anywhere in the vicinity you will want to be at this event. Willie and I will be speaking, and there will be plenty of other stuff going on as well! We will post more information soon.
In May, Dave Statter and I are presenting in Ohio at the Ohio Fire & Emergency Services Foundation’s 2012 Leadership Conference…Dave has been looking forward to this to some time. He gets to share the stage with his hero err idol (ME). Join us in Newark, Ohio for May 23 & 24.Click here to sign up
If you want to have Willie and I, or Dave and I, or all three of us speak at an event near you just let us know! FireCritic@FireCritic.com
Voting for the 2012 Blog of the Year Contest, hosted by EMS1, FireRescue1 and FireCritic.com, and sponsored by the American Military University, will begin tomorrow (March 14th). There are some great blogs on the ballot in both Fire and EMS categories! There were almost 400 nominations for 55 blogs.
Brotherhood Cuts – Willie Wines Jr. has an update from this past weekends inaugural “Brotherhood Cuts” fundraiser. The event raised around $2400 for local departments.
I visited the Shoals Volunteer Fire Department. I was there for the 1st ever Brotherhood Cuts Event.
“Brotherhood Cuts” is a fund raising event specifically designed for the fire service. It raises money through the National Firefighters Endowment who in turn, provides much needed funds and equipment to Departments in need all across the Country. Read more here
BostonFireGear.com
MN8 FoxFire is looking for your designs…and you could win!: MN8 Foxfire, you know…the photoilluminscent company, wants your help designing their new shirt! The new shirt will feature the MN8 FoxFire logo on the front and your design on the back. The winner will recieve a $100 MN8 FoxFire credit and a t-shirt. The winning design will be available at FDIC. Check out details of the contest.
There might be a FireCritic/IronFiremen/MN8FoxFire shirt in the near future!
Boston Fire Gear: I just got my St. Patrick’s Day long sleeve t-shirt today from Boston Fire Gear. I love Boston, St. Patrick’s day is one of my favorite days to drink holidays, and as a good friend of mine told me yesterday…that is where Irish people are from! NICE! Get your Boston Fire Gear here
4Factor: Matthew Ritter, one half of the now known writers at ELAFFHQ.com, has branched out. Welcome 4Factor to the mix. Right now they are offering hand painted “Thin Red Line” door chocks. Check out the site here. Like them on Facebook here. I haven’t got my hands on one yet…but I will soon. They retail for $4….however read below.
**Current donations, for EACH wedge purchased , are going to Team ELAFFHQ.com bucket brigade for the National Firefighters Endowment! What this means to you is as follows: For EACH wedge you purchase, we make a donation to the bucket brigade in YOUR name. Each donation in YOUR name enters you into a DRAWING for a Phenix TL-2 Leather Fire Helmet! The more wedges you purchase, the better your odds in winning that helmet! Good luck Brother and Sister Firefighters!
FDNY Supports World Record Attempt: A SCARBOROUGH firefighter’s plans to enter the world record books are gathering pace as his fundraising challenge gets the green light in New York. Justin Rowe, who lives in Scarborough and is watch manager at Malton Fire Station, is planning to run to every fire house in New York in seven days. He will be joined in the challenge by Ryedale station manager Andrew Blades, Whitby station manager Mark Naylor and York firefighter Terrence Gregg. Read more here
FireRescue1.com: Are cellphones that important? Worth your life? FireRescue1.com has the story of a woman rescued from a trash compactor after trying to retrieve here cellphone she accidentally threw away. Read about it here
Magnesium Fire in Bellevue, Ohio
Magnesium Fire in Bellevue, Ohio: FireGeezer.com has this story which hits close to home for The Fire Critic. My Mother’s side of the family lives in Bellevue including my Grandparents. I was just up there for a short visit not too long ago. Paul Hasenmeiershared this photo to the right from miles away.
A MAGNESIUM FIRE PRESENTED THE BELLEVUE, OHIO, firefighters with an unusual challenge Tuesday morning when they responded to the MagReTech factory across the road from the Bellevue Hospital. Read more here
Busy…that is the only word to explain it. There is so much going on right now my head is spinning. I coach lacrosse in the spring and our season just started. I coach U9 and U11. My son is on the team. My daughter started playing as well…along with cheerleading. How do we do it all? Back in the day…were days longer? What the hell is going on here?
Did you guys notice the DCFD I added to the Fire Critic banner? Word is that Ellerbe gave me 3 days off for it.
High quality, custom made gear for your professional needs. Whether you are a Career Firefighter, a Volunteer, EMT or Medic. We can provide you with the gear that you can depend on and that will look great for years to come. We strive for quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. Made with pride in Northern California’s Central Valley. Become a FB friend to view our photos and track our progress. Thanks for your support! Be safe, and “Run With The Pak…”
Brotherhood Cuts is off to a slow start down in North Carolina…The event is this week. I just donated $100. Can I get everyone to donate $5-$25 please?
In case you missed it: Rescue Me was inducted into the Smithsonian, bitch! http://t.co/Rr2ises7
Backstep Firefighter - It is common in our culture and operations to expect engine companies to get as close as safely possible to the seat of the fire in order to make the most efficient attack possible (or most efficient as scientific research and field application have proven). The problem in this approach is that the experience of being tactically close is that the tell tale signs of this have led to “experience makeup.” The “salty” look is equated with aggressiveness and runs counter towards “too safe”. Read more at: THE AREA OF REFUGE AND “EXPERIENCE MAKEUP”
Firefighter Nation – Massachusetts Firefighter Has Strong Words for Mayor after Fatal Fire. Haverhill firefighter says mayor should be charged with murder. Read it here
STATter911.com - DC Fire Chief faced sexual harassment claim in Sarasota County Floriday. Washington times questions why Kenneth Ellerbe wasn’t fully vetted by Mayor Vincent Gray. Read it here
County Fire Tactics - a new blog to me…they ask “When do you wear your mask on the roof? When do you get down?” Check out the video here!
ELAFFHQ.com – The guys behind the increasingly popular fire blog ELAFFHQ.com have finally revealed their identities. Willie and I met up with the pair, Pete Sulzer and Matt Ritter, when they visited Roanoke a couple of months ago. They are great guys. They managed to keep their anonymity much longer than I thought. They revealed their identity in this post with video (also below) and they gave away some of the coveted “Lemon Wedges” as well as some freebees from MN8 FoxFire!
Green Beret Dies Trying to Save Kids in Fire - A decorated Green Beret soldier who recently returned from Afghanistan died a hero’s death at home in North Carolina. After Edward Cantrell and his wife jumped from the second floor of their burning home, he wrapped himself in a blanket and ran back inside in an attempt to save their two daughters, AP reports. “He never made it back out,” said a sheriff’s department spokeswoman. The body of the 36-year-old soldier was found near those of his daughters Isabella, 6, and Natalia, 4. Read it here
Memorial Thursday for Posen firefighter killed in New Lenox accident - A memorial service for the Posen firefighter killed in an apparent drag racing accident over the weekend will be Thursday, officials said. The service for Zachary Orel is scheduled at 7 p.m. at Parkview Christian Church, 11100 Orland Parkway in Orland Park. Before the service, firefighters will pay their respects privately, according to a Posen Fire Department news release. Orel, 25, of New Lenox, joined the department in June.
Evanston paramedic calls reach record high -Evanston’s population hasn’t budged much in the past 20 years, but paramedic calls in 2011 were up 35 percent over two decades ago. Demand for paramedic assistance set a record in 2011, with the Evanston Fire and Life Safety Services department logging 5,467 calls for Emergency Medical Service.
FireGeezer.com -Hale Products moving to Florida. Hale Products, Producers of the best-known pumps for fire apparatus, informed the workers in their home plant in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, Monday that they will be shutting down the century-old factory and relocating their manufacturing to Ocala, Florida, by the end of the year.
Poor Willie…I’m afraid the strain was more than he could bear.
Willie Wines Jr. (IronFiremen.com) has been writing about a local fire department. Read the articles here, here, here, and here. Willie’s unique humor on a very serious topic has uncovered some interesting and debatable topics.
The issues aren’t unique to our area and Willie speaks of them in generalized terms that have reached far and wide.
But the fact remains that we have a local Chief bucking the hiring of a County-wide Fire/EMS Director. The unfortunate part is the Chief’s choice of words in news articles. He made the department (not our department) look like a bunch of idiots. I am sure not all of them are the caliber of the Chief…but then again they wouldn’t except his resignation when he tried to resign either.
Read Willie’s articles for the big picture.
After writing each article, Willie went deeper and deeper into hiding. He is scared that the Chief is going to kick his ass.
Apparently the stress was more than he could bear.
Word is that the Buckaroo is on a 24 hour watch…sitting in a rocking chair on his front porch with a red tipped pistol, his knife (with zip securing it), some bug juice, and a tonka truck. Rest assured that the Buckaroo has things under control.
Willie, on the other hand, has me working for him today. Luckily for me, the last word on where Willie was holed up was in my bunkroom at firehouse #3…which is unfortunate for Lt. Bradford who is on duty tonight. Don’t worry, he sleeps sound and won’t know what got him.
As for me, I am sleeping in Willie’s bed tonight. We have had a decent day today. Ole Big Head Todd (Harris) is wheeling and Max Meadows Armbruiser is riding backwards.
Chief Adkins stopped by and we caught up. Todd and Chief had some good stories about “back in the day” which were well worth the listen.
Randy (Arm Bruiser) has been haggling with everyone today. Apparently he is supposed to move into his apartment in the morning and everything has gone to hell. His furniture was last seen at a flea market in Kentucky and he can’t get Dish network to install anything.
I am no stranger to #13. I have put in about 6 years out here on the Peters Creek Express. Actually, I was there when they put the new Engine 13 in service.
If anyone <cough…cough> needs directions to Willie’s house just let me know. Working double shifts is killing me.
A quick note about comments on FireCritic.com. Don’t cuss, your comment will not be approved. Other than that, I don’t appreciate or approve assaults on others. That is all.
Feature post: The latest review completed is on the Bowring tool. I (I am one of the reviewers and the site administrator) am seeing how benificial this site can be with letting others rate the products too. I gave the Bowring a 7. The user score is a 3.1 (7 votes total) as of this writing. The site gives users and visitors the ability to rate the products themselves. You don’t have to login to offer your thoughts. If you want to login, you can register or use Facebook to connect. It is as simple as that!
It seems as though there are 3 kinds of people when it comes to the Bowring. Those who love it, those who hate it, and those who have never heard of it.
The Blog of the Year Contest for 2011-2012 will be starting on March 1st. This will be the third year for the contest. This year, FireCritic.com teamed up with FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com for the contest. The sponsor this year is the American Military University. Look for more information on the contest, how and when to nominate, and when voting begins in the next two days!
9/11 Memorial Stair Climb - Why We Climb: Taking the Step to Honor and Heal - When five firefighters from Colorado first gathered in the spring of 2005 to climb the stairwell of a local office building, they intended to do it for conditioning and camaraderie. They never thought that, within six years, they would be coordinating a series of nationwide climbs to honor the lives of the 343 firefighters from FDNY who died on September 11, 2001 and help their survivors heal. As we approach the 2012 9-11 Memorial Stair Climbs with the inaugural event at FDIC on April 20 at Lucas Oil Stadium, we look back at a recent event that explains why we climb. Click here to register for the FDIC climb and here to find other climbs this year.
Brotherhood Cuts – I have been mentioning this for weeks. It goes down on March 10th. MtAirynews.com picked up the story and I am even mentioned in the article. Firefighters Shave the Day - “I have decided to join friends and firefighters to shave our heads and mustaches to raise money to help protect each other. The funds raised will go to purchase bail-out kits for fire departments in Surry County,” said Gillett. Read more: Mount Airy News – Firefighters to shave the day
Speaking of Shaving Heads… Check out 9 Year Old Jordan!
Jordan and her brother at their father's firehouse on 9/11/11
Jordan B. is 9 years old. Her father is a long time reader of The Fire Critic.This year, Jordan is shaving her head for St. Baldrick’s. Read more about this little girl here. Read it here
Jordan is hoping to raise $3000. She has already raised $1780. Help her out! Her message: I’ve answered the call to be a hero! I’m having my head shaved to stand in solidarity with kids fighting cancer, but more importantly, to raise money to find cures. Please support me with a donation to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. This volunteer-driven charity funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U. S. government. Your gift will give hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers. So when I ask for your support, I’m really asking you to support these kids.
A lesson in Social Media - Site Unseen: Red Sox Spring Training Park Gaffe: Boston’s beloved baseball team is moving into JetBlue Park this spring in Ft. Myers, Fla. The new crown jewel of the Grapefruit League cost an estimated $78 million to build … but they probably wish they’d spent a few more bucks. A resident not far from the new ballpark owns the most likely web domain name for the Red Sox new spring home. Eric Engelman purchased the site last year. Read it here
The Hose Jockey has an excellent awareness article and video on MAYDAY scenarios. Check it out here
One of the best articles I have read all year resides on FireEngineering.com. The article titled “Thirty Five Years: An Open Letter to My Father”: I barely knew what a screwdriver did when he taught me to tie knots, told me handcuff knots are good for dragging a lifeless firefighter and he taught me a snap bowline and winked, said, “Impress them with that one, kid.” He gave me a prussic and a couple of carabiners and showed me 20 things to do with that loop of rope, like hanging onto a 2 1/2 for an hour despite squad telling me I am a wuss. Read it here
IronFiremen.com – America’s Fire Captain Willie Wines Jr. has been following a local story of a volunteer Chief who has been outspoken against the hiring of a County wide Fire/EMS Director. Willie shoots it straight and offers some quotes from the misinformed Chief. The latest is here. Read previous posts here and here.
Jerry Perdomo is still missing in Maine. I posted here and here on the story. Firefighter Nation has been keeping up with the story and its latest here.
ELAFFHQ.com – The guys at ELAFFHQ are giving stuff away. Word is that they will soon be giving up their identities. Willie and I couldn’t be more proud of this couple for coming out of the closet! Get your swag here!
Statter911.com has the latest on our brothers in Bladensburg here
By now, I am sure you guys have seen the video from the Daytona 500 last night when Juan Pablo Montoya crashed into a jet dryer truck. If not, the video is below
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation hosts events all over the Nation all year long. This years calendar is beginning to fill up with some of their great events. From 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs, to NASCAR races, to Golf tournaments, and a survivors conference which was just held. The Memorial Weekend will be in October.
Supporting the NFFF is supporting your family. Through supporting their events, participating in their events, to financial contributions it all helps our family members who have lost a loved one.
Below are just some of their events. You can read what the NFFF is all about by visiting their main web site FireHero.org.
There will be another stair climb at FDIC this year on April 20th. Willie and I will be there. We have not decided if we are going to climb or not. If you have never climbed and will be at FDIC, plan on climbing.
This year, there are somewhere around 70 stair climbs taking place. Get to one and challenge yourself with the climb. Do it for the Pride of being a firefighter, Honor of our service, and Respect for our Fallen.
In 2004, the first Fallen Firefighters Memorial Golf Tournament was held to raise awareness and to help sustain the programs of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Now in its eighth year, the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Golf has grown to include over 35 regional golf tournaments.
There are 35 regional tournaments. See if there is one near you and get out and hit the links: http://golf.firehero.org/
Survivors Conference Recently Held
From February 12 – 17, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) sponsored the Annual Fire Service Survivors Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Now in its seventh year, the conference attracts more than one hundred survivors each year. Attendees include both those who have recently suffered a loss and those from years before.
The FDNY’s application process is under scrutiny by the Vulcan Society of the FDNY. Watch the video below for the entire story.
Apparently, the application process was too difficult for some applicants and incomplete applications were turned in.
Some black applicants will be getting house calls by the Vulcan Society to help them complete their incomplete applications. This was approved by a Court Monitor. We are talking about over 2000 house calls! Keep in mind that 52% of the applicants are black.
HUH? Should incomplete applications warrant house calls? Should incomplete applications be given extra time to get it right?
Isn’t part of the application process…following directions?
I understand the need for recruitment and a focus on recruitment towards minorities. I remember learning a lot at an Affiliate Leadership Training Seminar and Human Relations Conference put on by the IAFF. It was an eye opener for me. The way I understood it was that there are fewer minorities on the job as firefighters because for years they were unable to get the job due to a multitude of reasons including prejudice and racism. Only by efforts in recruiting certain minorities have departments been able to increase the number of minorities on the job. That being said, I do believe there is a right and a wrong way of doing things.
Do we need to draw a line somewhere? I mean for all applicants. What do you all think? Is this special treatment warranted?
I just can’t think of a single company willing to hire anyone who can’t even correctly fill out an application.
In our travels, Willie (IronFiremen.com) and I have talked about getting into speaking together. Over the past year, we have discussed it and began plotting our course. We realized that this isn’t something that would be a piece of cake, yet we were willing to get started. Months of dragging our feet while we were busy doing other things had us putting off the effort to getting started.
Willie and I with the SVFC
In short, our speaking would be “motivational” but we had only identified a brief outline of our core values Pride, Respect, Honor, Tradition, and Brotherhood. We identified these words as what we are about and they help in our motivation to be better firefighters and individuals. We placed them on the edge of our brotherhood chips.
Then two things happened. I attended Rick Lasky’s “Pride and Ownership” and a firefighter I didn’t know invited me to speak at a department I had never heard of.
Willie and I with the plaques the SVFC presented to us.
It took me a couple of weeks to ensure that my wife wouldn’t disown me for wanting to do speaking gig on my birthday and the course was set. I told the firefighter, Chris Botkin, that I would speak at the Swoope Volunteer Fire Company’s annual banquet with one stipulation…Willie would be speaking as well. Chris said we were welcome to come as a team.
Now we had to create some semblance of our thoughts in a matter of weeks. To be honest, due to our schedules, we did most of our outline and talking points on the way up the road last night. The notes and emails back and forth weren’t even used in the end. It was a matter of those core values. Don’t get me wrong, we had prepared several rough drafts of talking points, but we hadn’t collaborated our thoughts face to face. We were prepared except for the one thing we had no control over…would we be able to pull off speaking together.
This must have been ONE HELLUVA story!
This could be make it or break it to see if Willie and I can share the same stage and talk…and make sense. I am an optimist, so my thoughts were that we would get up there and everything would work itself out. Luckily, speaking several times over the past year had enabled me to learn how to get comfortable and not be nervous. I am not sure about Willie, but he did just fine.
The men and women of the Swoope Volunteer Fire Company were very warm and welcoming. We got to meet many of the members before dinner. After dinner, we enjoyed the awards and some words from their Deputy Chief.
After the awards, we did our thing. I think we did a great job. From the feedback we got, we did a decent job as well. I couldn’t have asked for a better venue for Willie and I to get started.
We talked about what we are passionate about…the job. Whether you are a volunteer or a career firefighter, we don’t really care. “The Job” as
They actually invited our wives...luckily our wives invited us!
we call it by default is what we do. It encompasses firefighting in a simplistic format that firefighters can understand. We shared our passion and explained how we remain passionate. We used examples of how we keep learning and moving forward. We were also able to use examples simply from what we saw that night. They get it! Don’t get me wrong, Willie and I have a lot of work to do to polish our material and delivery!
We will be able to expand on our speaking topics in the future. Until then, enjoy my musings on “Owning the Job” right here on The Fire Critic.
To be honest, we owe a lot to the Swoope VFC. They made us feel welcome, they treated us like one of their own, and they were more than hospitable.
Willie and I with Swoope's Deputy Chief Kevin Wilkes.
What a great group of firefighters they have at Swoope. The department was incorporated in 1980 after being started about a year prior. They are just one of the many departments located in Augusta County, Virginia. I got to meet other members of departments from the area including the Fire Chief of the City of Staunton and the former Fire Chief of Augusta County. As a matter of fact, one of Roanoke’s own is now the Deputy Chief of Augusta County. Mike Armstrong retired from Roanoke just this past month and began in Augusta County. I worked for Mike when he first made Captain. I wish him the best in Augusta.
Needless to say, the event was a huge success for the SVFC. I foresee great things for the department in the future. They have made significant improvements in the past several years including just recently adding storage racks for their gear at the station.
They get Pride, Respect, Honor, Tradition, and Brotherhood. And, if this whole speaking gig works out for Willie and I, they can say they popped our cherry!
We are proud to call them Brothers!
The Swoope VFC Annual Banquet Video is below!
It was my birthday. They got me a cake!
Chris Botkin and I. Chris is the one who got Willie and I to speak.
A South Bend Firefighter has been demoted for taking a video of a recent fire with his cell phone.
The report does not state whether or not the “impromptu video” took away from a task the firefighter was completing. When I teach/present on social media, I always remind the guys/gals that they are firefighters, not reporters. They should leave the reporting up to others. I am also a huge proponent of taking pictures of your crew when the job is done.
I wonder at what point this video was taken. Was it really worthy of demotion?
I would also love to see the Facebook Policy for South Bend.
“As far as the punishments, the union doesn’t dole those out, that is an administration thing. Our job is to make sure that it is fair and equitable from member to member,” Kottkamp.
Through documents obtained by ABC 57 News and through close sources with the fire department, that is not the case. Several firefighters have gone unpunished for violating the same Facebook policy, including an instance back in 2010, where a firefighter posted an internal email to his Facebook page, followed by snide remarks. Yet, no action was taking against him.
Back in September, South Bend’s Facebook policy was in the news:
The South Bend Fire Department was supposed to implement a new Facebook policy Today but the local firefighters’ union has stepped in voicing serious concerns over the new social networking policy.
The union says the new policy is violating the firefighters’ First Amendment right to Freedom of Speech. Read more
Apparently a firefighter needed some assistance with directions for incoming units. He got answers from the guy holding the video camera. Nice teamwork!
According to George DeLaTorre, Spokesman for the El Paso Fire Department, a tenant was smoking outside on the balcony of a second-story apartment and did not put out the cigarette correctly. The cigarette fell onto empty cardboard boxes nearby and caught fire. The flames spread to surrounding units and resulted in heavy fire and smoke damage to three other units, and smoke damage to 4 others. The unit where the fire originated is a total loss.
As the “Best of the Rest” column continues to grow, I have added a Facebook Fan Page of the Week and two Quick Drills by FirefighterCloseCalls.com. More regular content to be added in the future. As always, if you have something to share, send it in!
I just got finished watching Food Inc. It left me wondering what the hell I am eating. I shall continue my ways of eating healthier foods. My wife and I eat healthy at home, but I think we shall make the move to organic. I might have puked in my mouth a little when watching the documentary. Read more about it here.
Rescuing Myself – Check out this newer blog that has been online since September 2011.
Now, on to a more serious topic. One of the biggest reasons I am looking forward to being at FDIC, the 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb. I signed up today and can honestly say just submitting my information kind of choked me up a little. This will be my first stair climb, hopefully not my last. I will be climbing in honor of Captain Terence Hatton, Res1cue. Read it here
The site is run by Trevor: I’m a 19-year-old second generation fireman. The fire service has always been a big part of my life. I started writing this blog to pass along things I see and feel. Good and bad. I expect no one to take any of this as a gospel, but I expect myself to learn a lot.
Keep up the great work Trevor! I will see you at FDIC.
California High School student devises possible cancer cure - Angela’s idea was to mix cancer medicine in a polymer that would attach to nanoparticles — nanoparticles that would then attach to cancer cells and show up on an MRI. so doctors could see exactly where the tumors are. Then she thought shat if you aimed an infrared light at the tumors to melt the polymer and release the medicine, thus killing the cancer cells while leaving healthy cells completely unharmed. Read it here
Hero Rush – Do you have what it takes to complete? Hero Rush gives you the chance to put your mettle to the test. You’ll run an intense 5k+ race with multiple fire-related obstacles. Climb ladders and slide down poles, crawl through windows and break down doors, scramble through HAZMAT slime and locate trapped victims — but be careful — you might get the fire hoses turned on you! Don’t just play in the mud — be a Hero! Read more here
1st Generation Firefighter- Another blog from Southwest Virginia? Apparently so, although I have no clue who it is. Two posts have been written. We will give them some time to see if they last. Latest post: Experienced Based Training
FireGeezer – The self proclaimed Geezer has a story of a pre-historic tree that burned in Florida. We think at the very least, he is still young at heart! Read it here
Leatherhead 109 - A skilled, attentive fire officer is much like that with his company. Observing, critiquing, suggesting, …disciplining, but all the while remaining a “Brother”. Like a file taking the burrs from an axe blade. What kind of officer are you? Do you “hone” the firemen you lead? Or are you like a grinding wheel, gouging, burning, removing too much steel? Read more here
Backstep Firefighter – Complacency can KILL YOU.Treat every alarm as the real deal… your life as well as the lives of your Brothers and Sisters may very well depend on it. Read more here
Mike Elston and Smitty attended the Pride and Ownership class and expanded on their experience on the 2 House Blog
2 House Blog – A local blog near me talks about the Pride and Ownership class we attended. Read it here
Average Jake FF – Why Aren’t You? The big question I have is WHY AREN’T YOU? Why aren’t you writing articles, reading up, drilling? Why don’t you care? I know putting yourself out there for all to critique can be hard, but for me even if one person comes up and says “I really liked your article” then it was all worth it. Read more here
FireCritic.com – I have written two parts of an in-depth look at Pride and Ownership in relation to my department. Check out part 1 here, and part 2 here.
STATter911.com – Dave Statter typically stays in front of the big news even before Fire Engineering, Fire Rescue1, Firefighter Nation, and Firehouse.com… Check out these articles:
Fire Rescue 1 - Chicago brotherhood embraces fallen NC firefighter’s family. When Fire Capt. Will Caviness of North Carolina died running the Chicago Marathon, the brotherhood of firefighters took care of his family. Read it here
Firefighter Nation- Rescue Operations on Italian Cruise Ship Halted. Costa Concordia ran into a reef Friday night and capsized into the port area of Giglio. Read it here.
Fire Engineering – Ray McCormack asks if the fire service should have an Annual Attack Certification for Firefighters. My biggest question is: Would there be a Volunteer Certification and a Career Certification? Read it here
Firehouse.com - Study Finds Firefighters Have Higher Rates Of Obesity Than Public. This is just embarrassing. Hey LAZY ASSES, get off your asses and do something about this. Talk about black eye for the fire service… NO EXCUSES. Read it here
Kenneth Michael Hedrick is remembered with a service 20 years after his death in the Line of Duty. Watch it below. Another perfect example of Never Forgetting.
Part 1 of 8 by bmxking1504 on Youtube. Part 2 & 3 are below and the rest will be uploaded this evening. The fire was reported around 10:50 this morning and firefighters will be battling the blaze through the night.
150 firefighters from 14 are fire companies are battling the stubborn fire. The flames are working their way through the large series of connected buildings that once housed the Firth mill company of Cornwall.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend “Pride and Ownership” presented by Chief Rick Lasky.
My head hasn’t stopped spinning since. I don’t know what to think. I have been reflecting on what I heard and my feelings are all over the place. Where do I go from here?
At the very least, I believe that I am on the right track. My fire department…not so much, but hopefully I am wrong. How do I get it back on track? Am I even capable of being part of the solution to some of our problems? Is the solution right in front of me? I only wish my entire department had gone to the class.
Low morale, bad attitudes, lacking leadership, loss of traditions, lack of pride, no honor, too little integrity, loss of camaraderie, too little respect, no discipline…I could go on. Hopefully the building blocks are still there and I can help salvage the hull of what is a great fire department.
The Fire Critic Rhett Fleitz with Chief Rick Lasky
Let me be clear, Chief Rick Lasky’s class isn’t a one stop shop for how to save America’s fire service. It is a blue print on some of the things he has done and seen done that has worked. My fire department will never be Lewisville, but it can be better than what it is now.
To me, the class is more about what isn’t working, what can work, and creating an attitude that will make change. A cultural shift in attitude about what we know is right and making us do the right thing.
I plan on writing several articles on this subject. I am not sure the exact direction I will go. It will be more of a layout of issues I see in my department and the fire service as a whole to help provide critical thinking in making things better through attitude change.
You simply cannot quantify what I got out of the class. The hard part will be me putting my thoughts into positive ideas that will effect change.
I am not perfect, but I think I “get it”. I think I have a positive impact on my department and elsewhere.
Here are my initial thoughts (some of which I have been reflecting on for a long time). Consider it a self evaluation…do it for yourself. This is more of me thinking aloud.
Pride: Yeah, I am proud to be a firefighter. Do I exude my pride to others?
Honor: I have honored those firefighters we have lost. I have attended the NFFF Memorial Weekend. I was a past member of our Honor Guard and have stood at the casket of many. I have remembered, and I never forget. I have shared others sacrifices with firefighters who don’t pay attention. I have tried to instill honor in members I have worked with.
Ownership: I need to work on this. I need a better understanding of what I need to do to take more ownership in MY Department. Some of that work will be educating others that we all need to take ownership!
Integrity: I need a lot of work in this area. Not that I don’t get it, but I have some work to do. Part of what makes it difficult (not an excuse) is the area in which I serve and how WE are treated by others. I understand that by treating others better (the way they should be treated), we will be treated better!
Brotherhood: I get this…in my mind. I have worked on this my whole career. However, there is still so much more work to be done. Fences need to be mended, egos need to be hung up, and we need to be united.
Respect: I am an asshole (in a kinda good way I think)…I give respect, and I am respected. However, I need some polishing up to be more effective. I respect everything about the fire service. I just need to act like it more!
Tradition: ah, tradition…I think I have a handle on this, but like everything else I need to work on it!
History: Ok, finally somewhere I exceed in. After all, I did take almost a year to research, collect, and write a book on the history of my fire department[Firefighting in Roanoke by Arcadia Publishing]. I think I can check this one off my list…but not so fast, I have to continue to share the history of the department. No resting on my ass!
I know there is much more to reflect on, these are just some initial thoughts!
If you have not seen the presentation or read the book, you MUST!
Here is a decent video showing a complicated, involved, and presumably very well choreographed rescue of a woman and her two daughters. The three family members were rescued, ages 36,10, and 10 months. The driver of the semi died in the collision. The incident happened in Buellton, California.
The amazing part of this rescue is that the vehicle was teetering on the side of a bridge 100 feet above the ground. Seriously, watch the video to see the site.
This, my friends, is what it is all about. Training, diligence, determination, experience, knowledge, and teamwork.
I listened to Chief Rick Lasky’s “Pride and Ownership” today. I am pumped. If you have not heard it, you are missing out.
Maplewood Richmond Heights Family Dentistry burned on Thursday night. The fire went to 4 alarms. The office is located in the 3000 block of Sutton Boulevard in Maplewood, Missouri.
Heavy smoke and fire from a 3-Story Victorian Style House converted into a dentistry practice @ 3004 Sutton. Fire originated in the basement. Defensive operations. Extensive Mutual Aid response.
Rapid Fire Extension caused an Evacuation of firefighters and the fire had already come through the floors. It finally reached the attic and took off.
Check out this video about a brand new technology being developed by Tanagram Inc. They are developing Headmounted display (HMD) Augmented Reality (AR) technology. Yeah, I know…what the hell does that mean? Watch the video!
In my words: Think of it as fighting fire with the same types of heads up displays you have when you play Modern Warfare. That description probably sucks, watch the video and you will see what I mean. I just wonder how many fires you have to fight before you get to PRESTIGE!
Apparently this has been under development for a little while. Check out Tanagram’s site for more news and videos created last year about the technology. It seems as though we might be a little closer to seeing this stuff be available though.
The big question….will our fire departments be able to afford it?
Maybe they will pick The Fire Critic to do a product review and testing! I can hope, can’t I?
This technology is being developed for the military and public safety in mind.
From their site:
Tanagram, under a grant provided by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), developed a phase-zero self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) enhancement that leverages HMD / AR technology to display critical factors all-the-while not obscuring the firefighter’s field of view. Dubbed Helmet with Embedded Active Display for Emergency Responders or HEADER, our concept vision was researched with participation from the Champaign, IL Fire Department. (We even sent a few people to firefighter training!) In our literature review, we found little research has been done with regards to embedded, mixed media (augmented reality) display technology that focuses on unobtrusiveness and consumer acceptance (our fancy word for user friendly). Because of this we are sharing our work with you in hopes that it sparks a conversation that will be very relevant, very soon.
Reminder: if you want to be included in the “Best of the Rest” just let me know!
Check out this Facebook page:J5 Firelids…this one is new to me. However, if you are in the market to customize your helmet these guys offer custom inserts for your helmet. They offer handcrafted professional accessories created by a firefighter for firefighters since 2008.
If you are looking for a decent example of how to build your community on facebook, check out MN8 Products Facebook Page. They are currently at over 11,000 fans! It is all about communication and building a buzz!
CharlotteObserver.com: Off-duty rookie firefighter alerts couple in burning home - As house fires go, the one early New Year’s Day wasn’t a doozy, but for rookie firefighter Henry Calle it was a big one. Calle, who is 24, had just finished his 24-hour shift at Station 31 on Ridge Road and was heading home with his car windows down. As he passed a small white-frame house on MallardCreek Road, he caught a whiff of smoke. Then out of the corner of his eye, he saw the smoke, pouring from the attic. Read more here
Chad Ochocinco got a reply from @FireCritic on Facebook. I am sure he cherished it and blogged about it!
Ochocinco offering condolences to the family and friends of Peabody FD's Firefighter James Rice.
Chad Ochocinco on Twitter – I have been sitting on this story waiting for the right time to bring it up. I thought it was kinda neat that Chad Ochocinco mentioned the Peabody LODD on Twitter. Ochocinco has over 3 million followers on twitter. It is great to see someone with his celebrity offering condolences for one of our fallen. Follow Ochocinco on Twitter @Ochocinco
TheTailboard.com – Written by Teague Kenny. Read an article on the DCFD..err FEMS…err DCFEMS, or whatever they didn’t agree on…Let’s Hear it for the D.C. FEMS!
The Fire Critic Product Reviews: You might have seen my brand new helmet adorned with a custom shield from Box Alarm Leather. I am working on a product review for the shield now. Soon I will be wearing custom leather suspenders from Wolfpak LeatherWorks (only seen on Facebook, but a web site is in the works). I currently am wearing Overhaul Logo Nylon Suspenders from Black Helmet (review coming soon). There are so many great firefighter owned and operated companies out there. Be sure to hook up with Fire Critic on Facebook and let us know your favorites! I also have two book reviews coming soon. I just finished the books.
Brotherhood Instructors – Speaking of reviews, the Brotherhood Instructors offer a review of the Bam Bam Tool. Read about it here
Shortage of volunteer firefighters - WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WDTN) – They’re experts at putting out flames, but now they’re fighting something else. ”There is just not the interest there used to be out there,” says Washington Township Fire Chief William Gaul. Over the last decade Washington Township has seen a dip in volunteer firefighters. Continue reading
FireRescue1.com – The Domino Effect, a FireRescue1.com blog by Mark van der Feyst offers this one. Handicap firefighting: Water source issues - Whenever we respond to structure fire, having access to, securing water source is vital component of overall fireground operation
Quick Takes on STATter911.com – Dave Statter offers his usual rundown every Monday of his biggest stories from the week prior as well as some other goodies that don’t require a separate article. This is always a great stop every Monday to see what is going on in the World of Fire. Check out Quick Takes for January 9, 2012
FireGeezer – Do you need more fire news? Check out the News Ticker over at FireGeezer.com. Read it here
And finally, I will let you all be the critics! What issues do you see in the video below? It doesn’t matter what department it is…just take a look and discuss how things might have been done better. Is that a red (booster) line?
I do not have much information on this video, nor do I know when it occurred. I believe it occurred in Russia. However, I was on the edge of my seat as this firefighter was rescued at the last possible moment as he hung outside the 4th or 5th floor of this high rise and fire burned around him. Just before he is rescued by the aerial you can see his gear on fire. Seconds later, the window he was hanging from is fully engulfed in fire. The end of the video says 2006, so it could be pretty old but still worth a look. I apologize if you all have seen it already. I have seen a couple videos…but not this one so I thought it was worthy of sharing.
This is definitely a CLOSE CALL!
The translation of the title is Fire in Kvartire. I couldn’t find anymore information, nor do I know where that is.
The video is apparently available for training purposes. The translation of the description on youtube is:
A series of films for training to prepare personnel of fire protection.
Fire officials said the blaze erupted around 11 pm Tuesday night inside 4945 Broadway, a Chinese restaurant which had been closed since the summer. It took 138 firefighters from 33 units to bring the fire under control at 2:48 am.
Sources told the Daily News “illegal nighttime welding” inside the restaurant appeared to be the cause of the fire. A spokesman for the NYFD would only say its investigation is ongoing.
Shortly after 6pm on Jan 4, 2012 multiple calls came into fire alarm reporting a house fire at 235 Cass Ave.
Arriving companies found heavy fire in the basement rapidly extending to the upper floors. About 20 minutes into the fire, firefighters had to evacuate the building because of deteriorating conditions. They then quickly knocked the heavy overlapping fire down from the exterior and went back in and finished knocking it down.
It took about an hour to bring the fire under control. 4 families were left homeless.
Hopefully, Willie and I will have the patches and challenge coins by FDIC. The patches should be here later this week. We will let you know how to get yours soon! The patches were made by NM Coin LLC.
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