Hey All,

For those that don't know me I have been associated with Hancock Hope since early 2007 when I first met Dan Macakanja.  I've been going down and supporting Chief Kim Jones and the West Hancock FD since then as well.  I am a Lieutenant with the Alplaus fire Department, located in the Town of Glenville in Schenectady County, NY.  It's about 30 minutes Northwest of Albany.  I am also a Paramedic with the private ambulance company, Mohawk Ambulance Service (www.mohawkambulance.com). 

At the begining of the summer, I contact Dan, one of the founders of H&H, to let him know that I was going back down to Pearlington in August.  We talked for a little bit about getting H&H back up an running.  Since then Dan and I have talking back and forth and hit the ground running with H&H.  In the begining of September, Dan named me the Director of Operations, with my primary reponsibility being in charge of Manpower needs across the nation during times of requests by individual fire departments and/or by FEMA.  Dan, besides being one of the founders, is also the supervising Director of Operations and will be assisting in the donation side of H&H. 

In the past few weeks, we have obtained a Federal Tax Identification number which will allow us to pursue non-profit status, and be able to open a bank account to start accepting monetary donations to be used for future deployments, pay for a web site, and various other expenses. 

Mine and Dan's dream for H&H, is to have members throughout the state of NY and across teh nation, that are willing to be apart of H&H in the following ways:

1. Be a representitive in your area:

     a). By getting the word out about H&H, actively seeking donations of old turn-out gear, tools and equiptment, and apparatus that FD's are willing to get rid of, and donate to H&H.

2. Serving as a Board Member:

    a). We are in need of board members similar to the board of many of our FD's.  Right now we have openings and need for President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer

3. Be an active member of H&H Emergency Response Team:

    a). In order to be a part of the H&H ERT, you need to be an active fire-fighter and in good standing in a sponsoring FD.  You also have to have at least the following certifications:

                 1. FF-1 or equivalent interior fire-fighting certificate according to you state

                 2. At least Certified First Responder course, and must have CPR and AED training

                 3. NIMS and ICS courses: 100, 700 & 800 with additional recomended 200, 300, & 400

Many of you I'm sure wonder how it is that H&H can take in donations of old gear, tools and apparatus specifically with regard to NFPA's policy regarding used gear.  We have "release of liability" forms that we have FD's sign when they donate gear to H&H and to FD's that receive donations from H&H.  In the next coming days I will post the various forms on-line here in FFN, Facebook (search for Hancock Hope) and I will be able to e-mail them to you should you want to be apart of H&H donation teams. 

Dan will/is working on re-launching the Hancock Hope.org website and we'll be able to put the forms and more in-depth information on there, hopefully. 

Lastly, Please do not hesistate to give me a call, send an e-mail or message me on here or on Facebook with your questions, comments or concerns.  Hancock Hope was founded by both Dan Macakanja and Tiger Smitendorf, but encompasses and connects all of you, and without our fellow brothers and sisters in the fire service, this organization wouldn't be what it is today.  But now it's time to carry H&H to the next level, and we will need you guys.

Thanks and as Tiger always says:

Stay Safe and Train Often,

Lt. Scott G. Runkel

Director of Operations

Hancock Hope