January 2008 Blog Posts (257)

AND WE STILL VOLUNTEER!

I try to save this child but he's met his fate. His innocent eyes are void of hate. He and his father weren't walking far When they were both struck down by a drunkard's car. This night I know I will not sleep. These terrible images my mind will keep. I know these nightmares linger near. And yet still I volunteer. Her eyes well up - compress the chest. Say a silent prayer - then two quick breaths. She's done this many times before, This fight for life kneeling on the floor.… Continue

Added by SLIM on January 25, 2008 at 9:59pm — No Comments

CORYDON MAN DIES WHEN TREE FALLS ON HIM

CORYDON, Ind. (WAVE) -- The Harrison County Sheriff's Office says a man was killed Thursday when the tree he was cutting fell on him.

It happened just before 1 p.m. on Buck Ridge Road, near Corydon, Indiana. Officer Marty McClanahan with the Harrison County Sheriff's Office has identified the victim as 57-year-old Arthur Barks Jr.

McClanahan says the Ash Tree Barks was cutting "popped" and "kicked back on him,"…

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Added by Mike Riley on January 25, 2008 at 7:30pm — No Comments

The Soul of a Firefighter

The soul of a firefighter is a complicated thing. Of course the soul of anyone is a subject that is filled with wonder, questions, and

confusion. I think though, that the spiritual being of a firefighter,

their very soul is even more complicated because of everything they

face. The average citizen does not see or experience in their lifetime

what a firefighter does in a shift or a…

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Added by Wendy Norris on January 25, 2008 at 5:37pm — 2 Comments

interesting 2 days

well the past 2 day have been interesting at work one medic quits because of a ambulance breaking down and to me I am wondering where the passion for this job is in some people because i am not seeing it in some of the medics around me, personally I think to be able to do this job you need to have a passion for it grant it we are only a private ems service but I still believe that you need to have passion to be in this business if i am wrong please somebody tell me

until next…

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Added by Aaron Siller on January 25, 2008 at 5:03pm — No Comments

West Virginia Firefighter - LODD

CHEST PAINS LEAD TO LODD: (Scroll down for CHEST PAIN info) It is with deep regret that we advise you of the Line of Duty Death of Huttonsville-Mill Creek VFD (W.Va) Firefighter McAtee. FF McAtee responded to the station for a fire call and drove apparatus to the scene of a chimney fire. Upon arrival, he reported to the Fire Chief, his son, and told him that he thought that he pulled a muscle opening the apparatus bay…

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Added by Coach on January 25, 2008 at 1:25pm — No Comments

Recent Studies Show....

According to a recent survey by Harris Interactive, U.S. adults rank firefighters as one of the most prestigious jobs. Right up there with scientists, teachers, doctors, military personnel, and nurses. Congrats to you firefighters out there, you are amazing! Thank you for everything you do.

Added by Erica on January 25, 2008 at 1:06pm — No Comments

Do you really love this job??

After reading a great blog post by Dennis about the lowering of standards at FDNY in order to help more people pass the tests and responses and comments by my friend FireSiren, I have been thinking (instead of going to the pool for a hard swim).

The lowering of standards is just one of the issues that has plagued the Fire Service lately. I am happy to hear people coming forward and voicing their opinions on such issues, especially when they may be hit with some backlash or ill…

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Added by Spanner 122 on January 25, 2008 at 12:54pm — 6 Comments

What I Drive!

Check Out pics of my personal first responder!!! It moves the traffic!!! Thanks

Added by Gene Rhinehart on January 25, 2008 at 12:43pm — No Comments

New Here

Just looking to meet cool new friends, look over my profile and feel free to add, I like sharing stories!!!

Added by Gene Rhinehart on January 25, 2008 at 12:39pm — No Comments

Check out crossesofcourage.com

Hi there-

I am encouraging all of you to check out a unique handcrafted product that is fully functional and yet appealing to the eye-made by a Firefighter for a Firefighter!

The gallery speaks for itself!

Thanks for your time!

Sincerely,

Wife of a Baltimore City Firefighter

Added by stephanie karas on January 25, 2008 at 12:09pm — No Comments

Firefighter Safety & Survival Symposium Attendance

Hello all,

January 11th, 12th & 13th I attended the Firefighter Safety & Survival Symposium at DPSST in Oregon it was put on by the Oregon Fire Instructors Association (OFIA). I have been to many, many classes; however had never been to seminars like this before. This was awesome it opened my already opened eyes even wider and made my fire service gears spin almost out of control. Lets just say I did not get as much sleep as I would have liked to. This was due to thoughts,… Continue

Added by Jim Cooper on January 25, 2008 at 11:42am — 3 Comments

Firefighters/Paramedics/ EMT's Don't save lives

We prevent people from dying before their time. It's God who decides who lives or dies. Anyone who has worked an arrest that you were sure they would come back and they don't (despite your best efforts). Or the person that you didn't think had a snowballs chance in hell of making it one day shows up at your station with cookies. How about the times you hear from the doctor "One centimeter to the left or right and they would have died" . And last but not least those people…

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Added by Chasefire on January 25, 2008 at 10:06am — 5 Comments

Missing a Mentor: A Blog about Bob

Following is the official death notice and funeral arrangements from the Hamburg Volunteer Fire Department: Download Funeral Announcement-Newell.pdf

My close friend and associate Bob Newell passed away suddenly on Tuesday-January 22nd at his home.

Bob was a great educator, trainer, mentor and friend to literally thousands of…

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Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on January 25, 2008 at 12:13am — 14 Comments

ack

note to self.... food poisoning totally sux

now I get to self do makeup work for the 10 hours of medic school im missing today... joy.....

anyone a whiz at pathophys?

Added by Marie on January 24, 2008 at 11:08am — 2 Comments

FDNY LOWERING HIRING STANDARDS

WWW.FIRSTINENGINE.BLOGSPOT.COM

Letters to the Editor

Sound the Alarm on Fire Test

To the Editor:

Much exuberance accompanied recent announcements regarding the results… Continue

Added by Dennis on January 24, 2008 at 11:02am — 2 Comments

Need some advice...................

Im finally going to apply for medic school. i luv being an emt but i want more. i need some opinons. i havent been an emt that long, some think i should stay an emt another year and some think i should go balls to the wall and go for the medic, what should i do. medic school starts in september i have to take the net test in august.

Added by Honeyluv EMT on January 24, 2008 at 12:45am — 3 Comments

The Continuing Chronicles of the FNG(irl): The Fit Test and Physical

First things first....I passed. (a barely stifled YIPPEEE!!)

Received my Class A certification card which will accompany me to my swearing-in.

There were some aspects to the physical and fit test that I found.....disconcerting:

1.) The eye test: after a rather frustrating several minutes with my face jammed up against what appeared to be a Fisher-Price Movie Viewer, and telling the examiner that I couldn't SEE "A-1" because it was…

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Added by Mary Ellen Shea on January 23, 2008 at 9:47pm — 7 Comments

Shine Your Light

The cry of the city like a siren's song

Wailing over the rooftops the whole night long

Saw a shooting star like a diamond in the sky

Must be someone's soul passing by

These are the streets

Where we used to run where your Papa's from

These are the days

Where you become what you become

These are the streets

Where the story's told

The truth unfolds

Darkness settles in

Shine your light down on me

Lift me up so i can see

Shine your… Continue

Added by JessikaTalton on January 23, 2008 at 6:54pm — No Comments

He is Just A Fireman

HE IS standing in chest deep water,freezing rain falling and stinging as it hits the exposed parts of HIS body. Holding her head above water to keep her from drowning until the rescue truck could get there to cut her free--- BUT HE IS JUST A FIREMAN HE IS comforting a 89 year old woman who just watch me and my partner cover the face of her husband of 64 years as he lay dead in their bathroom floor--- BUT HE IS JUST A FIREMAN HE IS on scene at an mva with a mom trapped upside down in her car and… Continue

Added by michele on January 23, 2008 at 6:42pm — 1 Comment

So it begins

I start my classes at the Allegheny County Fire Academy this Saturday. Im enrolled in the first 3 module classes to meet the requirements for an exterior FF. So I don't get a Saturday till 5/17. Then some time after that the Wife and I are going to take a vacation somewhere. Then is back to the academy for module 4 for Interior FF. I am looking forward to going to class. being the NFG in the department I have a lot more to learn, even though every day i'm at the station I try to learn something… Continue

Added by lemaireB on January 23, 2008 at 12:17pm — No Comments