All Blog Posts (7,007)

College, Again?

T's true. I am going back to college in August 2009 for a degree in Fire Protection Technology (AAS) from Mohawk Valley Community College. Im pumped, 15 weeks at the Fire Academy in Utica, NY then one year of college and its Career Fire Fighter / EMT Charley Bielby. I am so excited. Im also pumped because the new significant other I have loves the idea of me being a firefighter. Her father is a member of one of our mutual aid departments and is also a member of their FAST team. Hopefully, we… Continue

Added by Charley on November 1, 2008 at 7:14pm — 2 Comments

EMS

Dodging bullets is not part of the job description, but we do it.

Being chased by an angry dog that does not understand that you are there to help it's owner is not part of the job description, but we do it.

Holding back the tears because you were not able to save someone's live is not in the job description, but we do it.

Holding the hand of an elderly lady crying for her husband of 60 years lying on the floor dead and trying not to cry with her but comforting her instead is not… Continue

Added by Jordan Finch on November 1, 2008 at 7:04pm — 1 Comment

Canver update!!!

I am finished with everything just have to go and have portacath removed and then just have to get over side effects and feel better than get back on the truck.I woulod like to thank everyone for your support and prayers.It's been along road and I don't wish this on anyone but if you ever have to deal with it like I did then put it in God's hands and he will help you through it That I promise.Plus laughing is good medicen well have a bless evenning and a blessed day!

Added by Robert Nichols on November 1, 2008 at 7:00pm — 3 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...November 1, 2008

Today I had a super instructor who actually works at a major company in Morris Township. He taught us so many things about fire extinguishers. Some of the things that stuck in my mind were:

-If you look at the fire extinguisher, note the amount of feet it says to stay away from the fire. Some are 6 feet, 12 feet, etc.

-Start at the root of the fire meaning the bottom. Don't just start spraying… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on November 1, 2008 at 3:38pm — 1 Comment

What motivates me?

I was reading comments on the discussion "What motivates you?" So many people wrote things that I can say are part of the reason I am a firefighter. There are so many reasons but I think the biggest one, the one that keeps gnawing at me is that I don't know how not to be a firefighter.

When I was little, I watched my uncle go to calls & I wanted to go with him. As I grew older, I became more involved with the fire department in any way I could. My closest friends were involved… Continue

Added by Jenny Holderby on November 1, 2008 at 3:43am — 4 Comments

In remembrance.

In loving remembrance of Gerald Titmus - Northern Ireland Fire Brigade. He past away yesterday at the age of 45 following a brief illness. I had the awesome opportunity of meeting Gerald when he came to the United States as a member of Fire Fighters For Christ. Our local members asked me to host the Ireland guests at Pelco where I work and give them a tour of our Memorial. Gerald was full of antics pulling a lot of pranks. Firefighters don't pull pranks do they? No. :) Gerald was endearing. He… Continue

Added by Sue Okenyi on November 1, 2008 at 2:28am — No Comments

Court cases against Volunteer Fire Departments this week in the news

In the past couple of days we have discussed a court case in KY where the fire department is being sued by a homeowner who states that the fire department was not prepared or negligent in fighting a fire on their property. They now want to hold the department responsible for the property damage. We have also read about another court case in Canada where a ff driving his POV, struck & killed a civilian at the scene of an MVA. The litigation says that the fire department should have used… Continue

Added by Jenny Holderby on October 31, 2008 at 4:50pm — 11 Comments

Anymore??

Is there anymore volunteer cadet firefighters out there or is it just me? I would like to meet as many cadets as I can because we could be friends...

Added by Erin Rockey on October 31, 2008 at 1:10pm — 1 Comment

Firefighter & EMS Injury Study

After nearly a year of researching, assessing, and discussing the importance of caring for the needs of emergency service workers who have been critically injured in the line of duty, the SHS board of directors is releasing a survey (link to survey is below) to collect more detailed and specific information on those needs. The survey will assist us in gathering resources and in developing SOGs for departments to use in the event a critical firefighter injury.

Link to survey:… Continue

Added by Wendy Norris on October 30, 2008 at 4:48pm — No Comments

Cell Phone need a charge? Do it in YOUR home!

Taken from KCMQ.com.

From the “nice try” department. A man in Arizona was burglarizing a house and was caught in the act by the homeowner. The suspect told the cops that he had broken into the home only because he needed to use a power outlet to charge his cell phone. Riiiiiiiiiiight!

Added by Bruce C Ziebarth on October 30, 2008 at 3:43pm — 1 Comment

Whats up?

Well I don't know about everyone else, but right now my fire department is doing the haunted house scene. Its kinda cool we where invited to help out at a haunted house in our district and the people running the show are donating some of the proceeds to us. I thought was kinda cool. About two months ago the new bank (well only bank in town now) donated 5 dollars to us for every account that opened with them. Which hey every little bit helps. Well we finally got our new PPF on truck its nice! a… Continue

Added by Jonathan on October 30, 2008 at 11:19am — No Comments

Medic Shift

WOW What a Night, another one with no sleep, we only had four calls but they were laid out just right to keep us up all night. The good news is no life threateningg calls, just the typical injuries from falls type. Only 1 more shift on this medic(44) and then I get transferred to M43 on Nov 10th.

Added by John on October 30, 2008 at 9:24am — 2 Comments

Remembrance Day Preparations

Its been a while since my last post but I promise to post more often. We here in little Barbados are currently preparing for our annual Remembrance Day Parade.

The parade and ceremony will b held on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 7:00 a.m. in Heroes Square in the City of Bridgetown. Our next official parade will be our Independence Parade, this ceremony will be held for the first time at the new Kensington Oval on Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 8:30 p.m.

Please note that… Continue

Added by Glyne Alleyne on October 29, 2008 at 5:23pm — No Comments

The Accreditation of St. Andrew's.

Good Afternoon everyone.

I am currently in the process of writing a Project Outline Phase for the accreditation of St. Andrew's, which hypothetically I would like to see take place in the next three to four years. This report will be detailed down to the delegation of responsibilities of various members of our fire department, will state the project objectives, will provide a resource requirement chart of the things needed to ascertain this goal, and based on my work breakdown… Continue

Added by Sarah Turner on October 29, 2008 at 3:21pm — 3 Comments

7 classes to go

We are down to like 7 classes left for the quarter, I am starting to get a little worried although I have decent scores in class, I still get that way. Just gotta tell myself to stop, relax and breath, and it will be okay.

Added by John on October 29, 2008 at 3:15pm — No Comments

Volunteer Firefighters

Hello My name is Brett and I have been a volunteer firefighter for 7 years now. I need some help from you all. I am writing a paper about how volunteers are always talked down to in the community about how they are either too late in their eyes or don't have enough manpower. If you all will, could you give me a brief paragraph about how your community feels about the volunteers in your aria it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for takeing your time and helping me out on this one i greatly… Continue

Added by F.F Ritchie on October 29, 2008 at 2:58pm — 4 Comments

Powder Milk Plan Explosion

I saw this article and thought it was very interesting. We have all heard of the danger with grain elevators because of the dust exploding. Makes sends powdered mild would be the same. But, how many of us would have thought of it?

Original story here.

Dairy Processor Has Exploding Powdered Milk

Exploding Milk Started Fire, Officials Say

POSTED: 5:52 pm PDT October 28, 2008

UPDATED: 5:55 pm PDT… Continue

Added by Bruce C Ziebarth on October 29, 2008 at 10:35am — No Comments

Robber Accidentally Calls 911 HIMSELF!

Taken from KCMQ.com.

Here’s a tip to would-be robbers - turn your phone OFF during the robbery. A Boonville, Indiana man named Jesse Jeffries foiled his own burglary when his cell phone accidentally called 911. A dispatcher answered the call and realized what was happening - that the caller didn’t know he had called and was robbing a place. The dispatcher sent cops to the scene, while giving them a play-by-play description of what was happening… Continue

Added by Bruce C Ziebarth on October 29, 2008 at 9:55am — No Comments

Conshy Fire

Back in August of this year, there was a major fire in Conshehocken, Pennsylvania. It has displaced around 357 residents of the condo/apartment fire. At least it was during the day and not at night. It was started by a welder's torch that that the owner of the condo's hired to fix up the buildings. So the DA of Montgomery County, PA is filing a class action suit against the company. It burned 2 buildings and the third building is still still standing but it has some burn marks on it. It was on… Continue

Added by Stephen Bretz on October 28, 2008 at 9:42am — No Comments

Don't Play Chicken with a POLICE Car!

Taken from KCMQ.com.

It’s really dumb to play “chicken” with an unsuspecting car. It’s completely moronic to play “chicken” with a police car. Three men in Oklahoma City decided on a whim to play chicken with a random car…they drove their car at the oncoming car until it swerved out of the way to keep from getting hit. Turns out the unsuspecting car was a police car - being driven by a police captain. After being run of the road, the captain turned around and chased the car of idiots… Continue

Added by Bruce C Ziebarth on October 28, 2008 at 9:06am — No Comments