Lonny B Lester's Friends

Lonny B Lester's Groups

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations: Brevard County District 5 Fire Control, Melbourne Florida. Columbus Mississippi Fire Dept. Golden Triangle Regional Airport, Crash Rescue Lowndes County, Mississippi.

My Training:: Florida State Fireman's College, US Air Force
Fire protection level training classes, Airborne Fire Fighter Training, Para rescue.
Mississippi State Emergency Management.

About Me:: I spent 18.5 years as a Fire fighter, the majority in the USAF. I was in Crash Rescue in Vietnam from 1968-1969. I fought fires until 1983, when I pulled what pension I had and went back to school. I have had a variety of occupations, the next largest in time was Long Haul Truck driving. I was a Cop, Disc Jockey, Mechanic(diesel and gas) and some other small stuff. As a Firefighter we all had something on the side.

Why I Joined Fire/EMS: When I was young in Florida, I decided that I wanted to be able to do something and save people,from one of the most heinous deaths there are , by Fire.

Top Issues Facing Responders:: Training, Equipment,Manpower,good leadership
and appropriate salaries.
As I said we all had a job on the side, not because we loved to work day and night, but because a lot of us had to for supporting our families. I feel that salaries and benefits should be enough to support the one job, that could take the Firefighters life any minute.
After I came back from Vietnam, for an example, we had younger Airmen/Soldiers that had families, that qualified for food stamps.
That was the US Air Force for crying out loud.

At 2:47am on October 4, 2015, Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp said…: Welcome to Firefighter Nation Lonny. I'm glad you joined the group. There is lots to do, read and be involved with. Your participation and involvement is important to us all.
Chief William Sharp- Retired
Brookings Fire / Rescue
Living in Alaska

At 3:10pm on September 25, 2015, Joseph F Vavra Jr said…: Thank you Lonny. I do appreciate your response and any leads you can give us. Hope you are enjoying retirement..we had some water damage in our house, so am in the process of replacing stuff. I am so not a plumber!

Joe

At 2:31pm on September 23, 2015, Joseph F Vavra Jr said…: Welcome! My name is Joe Vavra and I used to be a volunteer fireman for Markle, Pa FD. I am now retired and living in Fl. I sell plaques and other unique items to fire, police, military, etc. all over the country. I wondered if you could take a look at my website at www.customwallplaques.us and let me know who I could contact in your department?

I need all the help I can get from brother firefighters!! I couldn't agree with you more about salaries for firefighters and cops especially these days..it's so important. Stay Safe!! Joe