Thanks for the ad. When you get the chance, please check out my FFN site photo albums. I had a vehicle accident very close to my fire station with a baby trapped in an overturned vehicle in the number two lane on a blind curve. Prior to our arrival, and without regard for her personal safety, this little wisp of a coastguardsman was tiny enough to be able to squeeze into the vehicle, remove the baby from the infant car seat, hand the baby out through the window and then retrieve the car seat to enable c-spine precautions, just in case. She really laid it on the line. There was guy with her who was also in the Coastguard that waved at traffic to get them to move over a lane. Both of these folks absolutely represented the spirit of being selfless, putting someone else's life before theirs. As you can see, this incident really moved me and prompted me to but the daylights out of the Alameda? or Long Beach? Coast Guard on duty officers with emails and phone calls to make sure that there was appropriate recognition for what had happened. Guess what, the young lady was awarded a life saving medal. So... my point here is that I'm not really sure what she was awarded as far as the significance. Some things are awarded and it's no big deal, while others, and I believe the award she received is in this category, was special. I would be very appreciative if you could take a look at the photo album and let me know what I was able to make happen.

Additionally, I would very much like to find out about your studies at Onondaga Community College Re Homeland Security & Disaster Management. I am interested in possibly following your lead here.

Talk to you later,

Mike Schlags, Fire Captain
Santa Barbara County Fire Department
mschlags@yahoo.com