I think we have all said this at one time or another. This short clip below captures just that moment in time where we have something to say…but someone else apparently won’t shut up on the radio. I guess you could say that we just hope that it doesn’t get caught on video. It doesn’t matter who this is or where it happened…it is pretty funny.
Yes…another “Gangnam Style” Firefighting video. This one from this German Fire Department. It’s bad…real bad. But at 52k views and uploaded just days ago somebody likes it!
You guys aren’t going to believe this…
One of our biggest contributors to The Fire Critic, Youtube, made it big on the Huffington Post AND STATter911.com. I can’t believe how we have been able to propel Youtube to its current status…and we certainly appreciate everything that Youtube has sent us in the past. Next thing you know I will be inventing a hose stretcher!
This is like looking into a mirror at a mirror…where is the end?
HA!
Actually, this is a little spoof on Dave Statter taking all of the credit for the work that Firefighter Scott Ziegler (HPZ1442 on Youtube) has done on the job and captured with a helmet camera. The latest video is at compilation of his footage for the past year.
Don’t worry, this isn’t the last time that Dave will take credit for someone else…or feel slighted when a larger site like the Huff Post beats him to the punch.
Check out the story I am talking about on STATter911.com here & the original post from Huffington Post here
The video is below, description below that.
Scott writes:
I put together a bunch of clips from some of the better helmet cam footage I got this year while fighting fires in Highland Park. I had to replace several lens’s and a couple mounts throughout the year, so the camera was not always on my helmet. I used a contour ROAM. other then the lens being easily scratch I would have to say it held up great for what it went through. Hope to have many more videos in 2013
I don’t know what to think about this video…I mean it is so wrong on so many levels. The outfits, the dancing, the choreography. They do look like they were having fun though! Apparently this is recruit firefighters putting on a skit.
The Brothers in Contra Costa County FD go above and beyond in this video! They not only document the prank, but they show you how it is done. Check out the Never-Ending Dishes Prank! I gotta give it to the Retired Firefighter, who should know better, for taking it well once he realizes the prank has just been pulled on him!
Hat tip to D. Sharp for finding this one.
The morale of the story is…don’t make enemies!
Just watch and learn! Should we file this under Close Call or Humor?
Be sure to send in random firefighter images to firecritic@firecritic.com! Enjoy the photos! View more image galleries like this one here!
Is this a recruitment poster? Sign me up!
I will let the title of the video speak for itself. Pretty funny…
I have posted several firefighter commercials in the past. Most of them have been pretty good. Here are three more that I think are worth watching. A Margarita recipe, a Dirty Firefighter, and one that might hit home with current pension reform practices.
I am getting back into the swing of things after FDIC. The feedback from our trip has been outstanding. It was great meeting so many Brothers in Indianapolis. We cannot wait until next year.
Daily911Deals.com currently has 3 deals going on. Check them all out here. One of those deals includes the Fire Critic/IronFiremen challenge coin. You won’t be able to get it this cheap for long! Be sure to “like” Daily911Deals.com on Facebook too!
Fully Involved – Thoughts on Coaching, Leadership, and the Fire Service
Written by Mark VonAppen
The keys to success in this venture are strong station leadership and core chemistry. Strong core leadership ensures that the role players fall in step and comply with the program. Without strong leadership in the station the new faces – recruits – can easily slide into bad and potentially lethal habits. You don’t have to have a title to be a leader, you can lead up, down or sideways. Show your fellow firefighters how to be a positive influence from anywhere in the department even if the positional leaders are unwilling or incapable of supporting your efforts.
This is my Ladder. Written by Brian Brush and found on Fire Service Warrior. I can’t quite do this post justice in a short synopsis…read the post and I guarantee you will learn something new. Unless of course you have already read it, or you are Brian Brush who wrote it.
Speaking of ladders, have you checked out the Ladder Pride available through Firehouse Pride?
Some of us have more than one. Don't worry, we have poor grammar too! #nojoke
NFFF 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Events. Two events have already been held. Be sure to take part in your first, or another climb this year!
Ride Out Comic is plugging away with fresh new content. Check out their latest to the right. Be sure to check out their web site and follow them on Facebook as well!
Firefighter Dan. For all of you fire safety and education specialists out there, Firefighter Dan is up and running and moving right along. He has added video/lesson #5 to his site via Youtube. Check it out and learn more about Firefighter Dan (web site/Facebook)
20 Questions with Christopher Brennan of Fire Service Warrior. In case you missed this brand new column here on The Fire Critic, be sure to check it out!
IronsandLadders.com is revisiting the past. They are gearing up for a bunch of new material, but want to share some of their favorites and most popular stories from the past. Read it here!
Dave Statter and I to speak in Ohio May 23rd. Ohio Fire & Emergency Services Foundation’s 2012 Leadership Conference. We cover various aspects of social media and the fire service. Join us in Newark, Ohio for May 23 & 24. Click here to sign up.
Captain Willie Wines Jr. and I will be touring South Dakota and ending up at the South Dakota Firefighters Benefit on September 15th. We will get some mic time at the event, but mostly want to meet South Dakota’s Bravest. Anyone and Everyone is invited. This will be the place to be if you are a firefighter in South Dakota, North Dakota, West Dakota, East Dakota, or Mexico…err whatever is south of South Dakota. We will be traveling from Rapid City to Sioux Falls in a Spartan ERV apparatus and stopping by firehouses along the way. More info: SDFirefighters.com
The National Firefighters Endowment is accepting video submissions for a grant process currently underway. Simply create a video, upload it to Youtube, and your department could be the recipient of a $5,000-$6,000 grant from the Endowment. More information here including some tips on creating a decent video submission. Also catch up with the Endowment on Facebook!
Here are some other must read articles:
Unfortunately, I was unable to make it to Hero Rush (web site/Facebook) this past weekend. I had every intention of participating alongside of my wife, but there were too many obstacles in our own lives that we couldn’t make it. She is nursing a sprained ankle above all the other things going on, so she couldn’t have done it even if we made it there. It appears as though Hero Rush was a huge success. I haven’t heard from anyone who completed it, but I am sure there were many there who had a blast. For those of you who didn’t make it, check out the video below.
Finally, I will leave you with a pretty decent prank…
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!
Web site: Hero Rush
Facebook: Facebook.com/herorush
Twitter: @HeroRush
An obstacle race & experience created by firefighters.
You can view all of the weekly drills by FirefighterCloseCalls.com here. Try these two at the firehouse this week:
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 here and 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!
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.
AltKilt.com
Web Site: http://www.altkilt.com/
Facebook: Like them on Facebook: lt.Kilt
Twitter: @Alt_Kilt
Our purpose is to provide functional, stylish and well-made kilts that are individually designed and handmade custom for each client.
Alt.Kilt is making Willie Wines Jr. and I custom kilts. Hopefully, we will be wearing them at FDIC!
You can view all of the weekly drills by FirefighterCloseCalls.com here. Try these two at the firehouse this week:
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
STATter911.com: Dave “The Investigator and UL Tester” Statter is at it again with the vinyl siding. This time, two houses go up in Loudoun County…in broad daylight. Check out the pre-arrival video and Dave’s investigative reporting here.
4 Factor "Thin Red Line" Door Chock
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 Hasenmeier shared 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
Follow @FireCritic on twitter for more news 24/7!
Hilarious. So true, yet so damn funny. I think it is safe to say that we have all worked with guys/gals like this…and that each of us has acted this way at one point or another when we have to ride the box.
It starts out a little slow, but then you won’t be able to turn away!
This past weekend was one helluva good time. I clocked out from the computer on my 4 day break (for the most part) and headed skiing with the family. I haven’t been skiing for around 15 years. It was my children’s first time on the slopes, and the first time skiing with my wife. We had a blast. If I had more time, I would have swung in to the McGaheysville VFD located just down the road from Massanutten Resort where we were staying. Already this year, I have family or fire service trips scheduled for Nashville, Gatlinburg, Columbus x2, South Dakota, Aruba, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Chicago, DC, Denver, and New Jersey. Let me know if you want to meet up and I will tell you when I will be in town!
Be sure to follow Fire Critic on Facebook and click “like”
Today’s shoutout goes to some close friends of mine. The guys behind ELAFFHQ.com have emboddied the grassroots effort of creating a fire service community…backwards. Not that there is anything wrong with that! I found it interesting how they created a Facebook Page (albiet a joke at first), then a Twitter account, and finally ended it with a blog of their own. The truest tell of their ability is that they have been able to keep it going for 2 years now. I don’t know the exact timeframe, but most guys pack it up way before 2 years…These guys are still going strong!
Where is Chuck Norris when you need him? Word is that she was talking on the phone about something she was reading on FireCritic.com! Found on the net, not sure if it is a real photo or not.
Facebook: Excessive Leather Accessories for Firefighters
Web Site: ELAFFHQ.com
Twitter: ELAFFHQ
Their latest post “A New Frontier” talks about getting to 1500 “likes” on their Facebook page and then they are going to start giving away swag. Click here, click “like”, and sit back and see if you win!
You can view all of the weekly drills by FirefighterCloseCalls.com here. Try these two at the firehouse this week:
FireProductReview.com - Firefighter Product Reviews is online. Right now, we are still working out the glitches and getting all of the previous reviews online. Next, we have a dozen new reviews to complete and publish. The new site allows readers to rate and comment on the products as well! Check it out now: FireProductReview.com
Two Virginia LODD’s – For those of you who don’t know it, I also run VAFireNews.com. This past week, we have had two Line of Duty Deaths.
Paramedic Weissman’s funeral arrangments are available here
Can anyone tell me what this "FD" mark is next to the front door. The photo was taken in Florida.
Quick Takes on STATter911.com – Dave Statter always has a pile of news saved up for his Quick Takes he publishes on Monday. Read all the latest news here.
Brotherhood Cuts – We are open for business. This is a very cool event that is kicking off on March 10th in North Carolina. Read more about it here. Brotherhood Cuts is an initiative to support the National Firefighters Endowment. Myself and Willie Wines Jr. are looking forward to more events in the future!
Speaking of National Firefighters Endowment…The first sweepstakes winner from The National Firefighters Endowment is Dan Shuck, firefighter at Williamston Fire Dept. He won a Bail-out bag. Connect with the Endowment on Facebook to see when the next sweepstakes will be!
Leatherhead 109 - Remember when the new buzz going around the Internet was all about better ways to do the job? Better tactics, little nuggets, the tips and tricks. That wasn’t all that long ago. I remember one of the websites that I really took a liking to was “Fire Nuggets”…continue reading Fire Service Writing and Blogging: We were on a roll…
On The Lamb Productions - My cousin died in 9/11 and in his honor I created a super hero called Fireman. A young firefighter with soul of a viking warrior in him. It’s a great story. I just released the first issue last week and I’m looking to sell thousands to bring an awareness of the men and woman that sacrifice their lives for everyone. The first responders. There will be 8 issues in this series and all are filled with suspense and drama. Oh and action.
Legislative Appeal for EMS LODD Benefits – Danny was a paramedic, a cop, and a firefighter. If Danny had been working as a law enforcement officer, his family would have been covered. If Danny had been working as a firefighter, his family would have been covered. Danny died in the line of duty, and the federal government denied his family the Public Safety Officer Benefit to his wife & two children because his employer, Bensalem Rescue Squad, is a non-profit. Read my post here
FireGeezer - MORE THAN 100 MONMOUTH COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS were called to a commercial blaze in downtown Long Branch, New Jersey, Monday mid-day. A large and difficult-to-control fire ripped through a 3-story apartment building and several adjoining businesses. via Fire Geezer – The Digital Dayroom – Firefighting Blog.
FireRescue1.com - Medics’ alleged mistakes in Chicago girl’s death likely to cost $1.75M — Chicago taxpayers will likely spend $1.75 million to compensate the family of a 13-year-old girl who died of bronchial asthma in 2002 after a string of alleged mistakes made by Chicago Fire Department paramedics. via Medics’ alleged mistakes in Chicago girl’s death likely to cost $1.75M.
Controversy in Philly: Union says department is punishing heroes with burn policy. Commissioner says it’s about safety. | STATter911.com - From KYW-TV, firefighters are upset over a Philadelphia Fire Department policy about being burned on the job. The union says heroes are being punished instead of praised. The fire commissioner says it’s about safety. via Controversy in Philly: Union says department is punishing heroes with burn policy. Commissioner says it’s about safety. | STATter911.com.
Here is some humor for you…perfect timing since I have been posting serious stuff recently.
Enjoy… A funny skit about a police officer showing up first at a structure fire.
Warning: Language…and no offense intended towards America’s Finest. Just the Bravest having some fun…
Click “like” above to share with your friends on Facebook!
Last January I posted what ended up being my most visited article on FireCritic.com. It is good to see that everyone is looking at the serious stuff! Actually, the majority of that is from search engines. You can check out the first post here – The Best of Motivational…or Demotivational Firefighting Posters. I did not repost any from the first post in this one (not intentionally anyways).
Consider this part 2. If you have more to add, send them to me and I will do a part 3 later.
These are motivational and/or demotivational posters about our profession(s) of Fire & EMS. Some of them are funny, some are sexy, some are serious.
There is also a facebook page that just cropped up “Keep Fire in Your Life” that displays motivational firefighting posters.
Some are apparently from VeryDemotivational.com and DemotivationalPics.com.
Welcome to a new column here on FireCritic.com. I am shooting for having this column run on Tuesdays each week. If you have something you want to share whether you are a reader or blogger, have a video or photo, or anything else just let me know.
The Best of the Rest is a column featuring other bloggers, videos, news, and information you might have missed over the past week or so. Enjoy!
You can also follow along and connect with The Fire Critic via Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Youtube.
As seen on FailBlog.com
Addison Fire Protection District – Can this be real? FailBlog.com has this photo of the message board at Addison Fire Protection District Station #3. The message “Better to arrive late than never”..WTF? Who approved this? Maybe the Chief’s message was directed to firefighters and should have read “Better to arrive safe than never”…or maybe it is meant as a message to the citizens and should have been “Call 911 and we will get there whenever we can”.
Daily911Deals.com - 40% OFF MN8 Foxfire Illuminating and Reflective Helmet Tetrahedrons. EXCLUSIVE NEW PRODUCT! I think they are pretty decent tetrahedrons. Read my review here.
Firehouse Zen- Chief Mick Mayers continues to lay it down in his writings that occasionally have me seeking dictionary.com for a definition. Don’t let that dissuade you from reading though. He offers some great insight to the fire service. Check out: OKAY, IT’S 2012: NOW WHAT? and 2012: “WHAT IF?”.
Statter911.com – Dave offers a video of a house fire in Maryland. This is video posted yesterday of a December 23 fire in Upper Marlboro, Maryland (Prince George’s County) Raw Video: PGFD House Fire in Upper Marlboro. Switch to Defensive Operations
911 Memorial Stairclimbs – The majority of the stair climb events are now affiliated with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. One of the original climbs is a bit smaller scale and has a local feel. The Albequrque Stair Climb started in 2003. Read more about it here. If you are looking for a stair climb event check out http://www.9-11stairclimb.com/
Here is a lost photo I just found. This is a picture of Willie and I immediately after climbing 110 floors in Atlanta at FRI for the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.
FireGeezer.com - A FIRE LATE SUNDAY NIGHT in a downtown brothel in Mitchell, Australia, is still deemed suspicious by the fire investigators. The Canberra area business was closed for New Year’s Day, as all the city’s brothels were when smoke was discovered coming from The Gentlemen’s Club on Grimwade Street around 11 pm. http://firegeezer.com/2012/01/02/brothel-fire-suspicious/
The Colorado Firefighter Facebook Page - This page continues to impress me on the sharing of links and information. Check them out here and click “like”!
ELAFFHQ.com – Their latest post “Raise money for a good cause, and get a chance to win a leather helmet” is just that…a chance to win a Phenix Leather Helmet. The chances are $1 a piece and the helmet will be given away once they reach $1000 for the National Firefighters Endowment. Click here to go directly to the donation page. They are currently 1/4 of the way to their goal! The Fire Critic gave $50…If I win the helmet I will give it away to pay it forward!
Fire Service Warrior – This site continues to impress me. The latest post “Brotherhood Insurance: A Pay for What You Get Policy” by Brother Brian Brush is a great post on the Brotherhood of the Fire Service and a must read!
IronFiremen.com – America’s Fire Captain Willie Wines Jr. outdoes everyone on his End of Year Review for 2011. Even though this post probably took three weeks for his little fingers to type, it is well worth a read. See what he has accomplished this past year!
Firefighter Nation – They have the story and the video of a huge fire at a former Illinois factory here.
Happy Medic – The Happy Medic is handing out his “Best of 2011″ awards. Check them out here!
IronsandLadders.com – This blog is great on content. Their latest post “Thru-The-Lock Time Trial (storefront doors)” is just one of many great training videos available.
Brotherhood Instructors – One of the leading privately owned and operated by firefighters instructing team offers “Forcing Doors in Zero Visibility – By Andrew Brassard” Check it out and continue your learning!
FireRescue1.com – They offer this story: Authorities probe fire attacks on 4 NYC sites “Blog post that may be linked to attacks: ‘Throw 10 Molotov cocktails into these mosques and burn them down’” Read it here
I love sushi and I love wasabi. I understand the use of wasabi and how it enhances the flavor with a little spice. I would never eat a spoonful of wasabi. I don’t think this next firefighter ever will…again! He might say this is a near death experience! Maybe this is the new cinnamon dragon challenge!
Crews battle flames and smoke at Westport Presbyterian Church
As dozens of onlookers packed Westport Road Thursday evening, all they could do is watch as Westport Presbyterian Church burned.
“We were out in Westport and my wife got a message on Facebook saying ‘Westport’s burning,’” Luke Rocha said.
Rocha, like many others, went down to see the flames shooting from the roof of the historic church that stood at Westport and 40th street for more than 100 years.
Since Dave has come out and admitted that I am his child, I figured that I should share some things about him that you might not already know. I wish I had more, but I moved out as soon as I could…I was 2 years old. Some of these items Dave has been trying to hide for years. Since he has turned over a new leaf and wants to disclose everything I figured I would do my part in helping him out.
This post is in response to Dave’s post here. While I do enjoy the humor in it, I find it disgusting that Dave thinks he is even half the man my father is.
Just to keep you up to date…
Dave did an amateurish expose on how I don’t exist, then did a second part about how Willie and Dave were the ones behind FireCritic.com. Then, Dave came out and stated he was my father.
This is just one of the photos I found on Dave's laptop that he had professionally faked to show the world he is a firefighter.
So which is it Dave? I still believe in my theory that you want to be me. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I WAS amazed to find several photos on Dave’s laptop that he had professionally altered to show that he is/was a firefighter. Apparently, Dave was ready to use these fake photos to show everyone that I was wrong. Before he dupes you guys anymore, I feel the need to break the story on these phony photos and save the fire service further embarrassment by Dave Statter.
Please feel free to add anything you would like to the list in the comments. If we get some real good ones, I will add them to the list!
Several months ago, Dave Statter did some amatuerish fake reporting stating that I did not exist. I admit, Dave got me good…which wasn’t hard since he has been stalking me for years now. The only reason why I am not in the video is because he called to say he was coming into town…so I got the hell out of town.
Some might say that I got him better with my post here. By some, I mean even Dave according to close friends.
I though the videos that Dave did were humorous. However, so many of Dave’s readers and even some of mine actually bought it and thought that I really DON”T exist.
Unfortunately, I have to set the record straight. It still amuses me that so many fell for it, yet professionally it has people wondering what the hell the truth is.
The truth is that I do exist. I am a Lieutenant (engineer with acting ability when my Captain is off). I have been with my department for almost 13 years. The department I work for is an Urban department in Virginia (population 10ok). Previously, I was a volunteer and also worked for a much larger EMS department (both also in Virginia). I have mentioned the departments in the past and it is very easy to figure out what department I work for (watch the video below).
What is also very amusing is that all of these firefighters believe Dave Statter. Dave was never a firefighter. He claims he was, but I assure you he was not. He might have been a member of a department for a couple of hours, but then decided just to report on it. Dave is a reporter…hell, that isn’t even true anymore. They fired him. It is unfortunate, and Dave doesn’t like to talk about it.
The reason why Dave feels the need to discredit me is because I am everything he is not…I am young and I am a firefighter. I am much more than that, but I don’t need to go on.
And that is only the beginning…what about all of the phone calls Willie and I get from Dave when we are travelling. Dave constantly bothers us wondering what we are doing and when we will let him tag along in the future (which will never happen).
Not that I am looking for any validation, but I have been a trooper through this whole thing. It is kinda weird having a stalker. Especially when it is a grown man. Seriously, Dave won’t leave me alone. I have to watch my back.
On a recent trip up to Maryland, Dave invited Willie and I over. We didn’t realize that Dave was going to be there…awkward. Dave spent 3 hours questioning Willie on what it was like to travel with me, what my favorite color was, and about the fires I have been in.
So there you have it. I do exist, I run numerous web sites, have been blogging for around 7 years, a career firefighter for 13, volunteer before that, and I like long walks on the beach…just as long as Dave isn’t stalking me.
Below are the videos that Dave posted about me not existing. I admit that they are pretty good for a hack.
You should be sitting down for this one…
There we were at the NFFF Memorial Weekend. It is Sunday morning and I am dead asleep. I am awoke by Willie telling me he has to go to the hospital. I immediately think that this is going to be a great story! Willie going to the hospital. I didn’t move. I was comfortable, and half asleep.
I asked him if he had a stroke. He says no, that it is his throat. I asked if it was sore and he said, no something is in it. I told him to cough it up. Willie says “I did”. So I said, “good, lets go back to bed”…but then Willie chimes in that it is sitting on his tongue. Ok, spit it out. He is a grown man after all. I was not going to grab a hold of some epic lugee that is caught in his throat and pull it out.
Willie then said “I can’t spit it out, it is attached to me”. Huh? Ok, now he has my interest, so I get out of bed and take a look. I don’t see anything but his dangly thingy at the back of his throat. Apparently it is swollen. Willie can hardly talk and I was kind of enjoying it. I am pretty sure I laughed…a lot!
Willie's uvula and piercings
What I realized next was something I didn’t know…Willie not only has his tongue pierced, but his uvula too!
My next move was the google machine. I googled “the hanging thing in the back of your throat”. Apparently it is called a uvula. It sounds like part of the female anatomy…which wouldn’t be out of place on Willie who right then was acting like a little girl!
This is what I found… If you’ve woken up this morning with a swollen uvula then the best thing to do is eat lots of ice cream and just calm down. This is a common condition which usually resolves quickly without any medical attention so try not to worry. Directly from http://swollenuvula.blogspot.com/. Who would have thunk it?
So instead of going to the hospital or calling an ambulance, I went to the grocery store and got the little tike some ice cream.
Willie couldn’t talk most of the day as his swollen uvula sat right there on his tongue most of the day.
On the trip home, Willie started telling me more about his “emergency” that morning. When he got up and into the bathroom, he swallowed his swollen uvula part way and ended up puking. When it came back up, he took his finger and tried to push it back down…you guessed it, making him puke again!
Never a dull moment with that guy!
I am not sure if you have seen it yet, but our very own beloved “Cowboy Captain”, Willie Wines Jr., has made it big in Hollywood! That’s right! Captain Wines was in the latest Dish Network commercial seen below. Ok, to be honest it is was filmed in Tijuana…but that doesn’t matter. The other thing is that even though they had makeup and costume crews on set, Captain Wines didn’t need it. He came to the set all ready to go! He even gets his own line in the commercial! Apparently the technology and web tutoring I have been giving him is paying off! They even used his own cowboy hat…apparently the one they got for him was only a 55 gallon hat, Willies clearly holds more than that!
Just one question…What in the hell does HOE DILLY mean?
See guys, you have to realize that the entertainment industry has not been all that forgiving to Captain Wines. He got beat out on a movie role and a huge venture with Warner Brothers. First, Willie was beat out by some cartoon for the role of Yosemite Sam, and then just when Willie thought things couldn’t get any worse he got beat out by a damn mouse in Fievel Goes West. The original role was that of a RAT, and Willie was told by the Steven Spielburg that he had a lock on the part. Unfortunately, they changed the role and some cartoon mouse got the part.
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