February 2009 Blog Posts (181)

Guy Gets Arrested for DWI and Gets Another One!

"A man in upstate New York managed to get two DWIs on the same night. The first arrest happened after Joseph Kelly drove drunk to police headquarters to ask for directions. The police could tell he was drunk, and gave him a breathalyzer, which he failed. They processed him and sent him to a hotel in a cab to sleep it off. In another amazing bonehead move, Joseph made the cabdriver stop so he could run back to the parking lot his car was at so he could drive again. He was spotted driving… Continue

Added by Bruce C Ziebarth on February 7, 2009 at 6:00am — 2 Comments

What a day!

You know it is going to be a screwed up day when you are working midnight shift at your full time job, thus sleeping at 3:00 PM and the tones drop for a structure fire. I hit the road figuring it is gonna be the typical FA we get in the daytime because all of our cookers come at night...WRONG! First engine marks on scene with heavy smoke showing so of course it is now go time. I was a bit delayed anyway since I had to grab my work clothes since I knew if it was a worker I was gonna be taking a… Continue

Added by Rob on February 7, 2009 at 2:38am — 3 Comments

JR firefighter training Ideas?

I am a cadet for a Missouri fire department. I spend almost every weekend I can there running calls and just Being around the fire house hanging with the guys. However it can get pretty boring when there are no calls going on, training, or the usual firehouse pranks. I would like to get more involved in training but I am not sure on ideas to train on, and I know this sounds stupid because there are countless things even basics to cover. So I am asking you guys if you have any ideas that I could… Continue

Added by Zach Downs on February 6, 2009 at 5:58pm — 11 Comments

IAFC’s 2009 Safety Week theme focuses on personal responsibility

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Billy Goldfeder, chairman of the IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section, about the theme for this year’s 2009 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week, June 14–20: “Protect Yourself: Your Safety, Health and Survival Are Your Responsibility.” Here’s the scoop:

Goldfeder says it’s easy to see how diligently so many national fire organizations, along with the USFA and the fire service media, have worked to provide resources to… Continue

Added by Janelle Foskett, FireRescue on February 6, 2009 at 3:30pm — 2 Comments

Your Share of $800 Billion

Recently there’s been a lot of talk about the economic stimulus package. In fact, there’s been a lot of ridiculous analogies made about what $1 trillion looks like; I heard one commentator say if you started when Jesus was born (when is that exactly?) and spent $1 million a day, you wouldn’t have reached $1 trillion yet. One of my favorite bloggers posted this chart in an attempt to show how silly such… Continue

Added by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on February 6, 2009 at 3:22pm — 2 Comments

Job Shirt

Just got my new job shirt for my medic nights, I do have a heavy winter coat but at times, even when it is near zero out thats to much to be wearing, I tend to stay warm even in severe cold weather. So I oordered my shirt last Friday and it was supposed to be ready today, We have to buy our own job shirts here, don't know why and don't care, but the cool thing was our quartermaster called me from the station and told me had been to the uniform store and had picked it up for me. So it saved me a… Continue

Added by John on February 6, 2009 at 1:41pm — 5 Comments

M.S. Walk = Pittsburgh, PA

Judi's Jaywalkers is on the move...
April 26, 2009 = 8:00 AM sign in at Point State Park.
Choose between 1 or 5 mile walk.
My daughter Carolyn is the team leader.
If you can join us please email svco2010@aol.com and put "MS Walk" in the subject.
We hope for a cure in 2010. =)

Thanks for reading.
Judi

Added by Judi Dixon on February 6, 2009 at 12:13pm — No Comments

Firefighters Golf Bash

Feb. 28, 2009 = 1-7PM = Tickets $20.00
Benefits: Braddock, Forest Hills & Munhall #5 VFD's
Held at Braddock's Social Hall, 845 Talbot Ave.
Contact any member of above stations for a tickets.
Tickets include : Buffet (2-6PM), Refreshments & Door Prize

Added by Judi Dixon on February 6, 2009 at 12:06pm — 2 Comments

Running from Cops? Don't Hide Under a Parked Truck

"A man who ran away from a traffic stop picked the wrong place to hide. An officer stoped a 26-year-old man in Phoenix after he ran a red light. The man gave the officer his license, then ran away and disappeared behind a convenience store. He hid under a parked moving truck…and then was run over when the driver pulled away. After being treated for a back injury, the man will be booked into jail. He ran from the traffic stop because he had a suspended license and warrants for, coincidentally,… Continue

Added by Bruce C Ziebarth on February 6, 2009 at 6:00am — 1 Comment

text paging on cell phones

our department is currently switching from radios and pagers to having 911 dispatchers send us text messages on our cell phones. I would just like some information on how well others think this works for them.

Added by Logan Wildblood on February 6, 2009 at 12:06am — 12 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...February 5, 2009

Today was the big day. It was my graduation from the Morris County Training Academy. I saw everyone from my class, as well as the guys from the class I had to stop during the summer (the full-time class). I can't describe the feelings I had sitting next to my Chief… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on February 5, 2009 at 10:17pm — 6 Comments

Criminal Smokes Weed While Shoplifting

"A Texas shoplifter faces multiple charges after smoking pot inside Target, stealing merchandise and then attacking a security guard. Gregory Pracht of Lower Valley was seen lighting up a joint and unwrapping CDs inside Target before tying to leave wearing a pair of lifted sunglasses. A guard nabbed him outside and handcuffed him. Gregory told him he was leaving in a hurry with stolen merchandise because he was worried about his puppy in the car. When the guard checked on the dog, Gregory… Continue

Added by Bruce C Ziebarth on February 5, 2009 at 6:00pm — No Comments

European Helmets and SCBA

European style helmet

MSA

Draeger

Most of our helmets have build in neck curtains for neck protection but we all use hoods under the helmet with neck curtain.

In most cases the hood will be under the mask. But some of us pull the hood over the mask like u would do in cases u have the normal mask with the head bands.… Continue

Added by ffemt19 on February 5, 2009 at 11:40am — 5 Comments

Don't Ask Judge for Leniency While Drunk

"If you’re going to see a judge to seek leniency on a public drunkenness charge, it goes without saying that you shouldn’t show up drunk. Apparently, our daily dumbass duo didn’t get that memo. A Pennsylvania couple went to the judge’s office to tell him they didn’t have the money to pay the man’s public drunkenness fine, and they appeared quite drunk. Breathalyzer tests showed they both had very high blood alcohol levels. So then they pleaded guilty to new charges of public drunkenness." Taken… Continue

Added by Bruce C Ziebarth on February 5, 2009 at 6:00am — No Comments

Keeping your turnout gear in your POV!!!! Whats the point????????

So I've read a few articles about guys keeping their gear in their POV at all times... I've also talked to a few guys who do exactly that. I always ask them why and never seem to get a clear answer. Lets think about this for a second...

First thing that comes to my mind is what the hell good is your gear gona do you in your POV??? Say you get a call for a structure fire, you respond to the scene in your PV, now what??? You most likely have no tools, you have no water, no partner, no… Continue

Added by Dustin J. Millis on February 5, 2009 at 5:02am — 19 Comments

A Basic Drill but a Good Drill

We have had very few drills this past year and what drills we have had have been the same thing time and time again. Last night we had a drill and it was to be an SCBA recertification drill. When everyone assembled at the firehouse in the upper bay we were informed that the drill was going to be a little different. Everyone was wondering what the drill was going to entail. The Lt. running the drill stated that it wasn’t going to be an SCBA recertification as everyone expected. We went over the… Continue

Added by Kimberly A Bownas on February 4, 2009 at 9:13pm — 25 Comments

How To Be A Deaf Firefighter

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Deaf Fire Patrol Chief

(Name with-held by the author) In 1921, ( ) was re-elected to the same post as the Assistant Fire Patrol Chief from New Jersey. His responsiblity was to send out patrol, in two man teams, at places of potential fire hazards. He may have been the 'father' of modern industrialized fire brigades found at most large industries today. The duties are similar to security officers, but contracted out to the fire department. (from the… Continue

Added by Steven L Schrader on February 4, 2009 at 7:05pm — 1 Comment

bad start new year

this has been a bad start to the new year i have delt with 3 fatel wrecs and lots of suicides what is wrong with people nothing is never that bad

Added by RICK NOVAK JR on February 4, 2009 at 6:51pm — 1 Comment

Getting a Speeding Ticket? Don't Give the Cop the Finger

"A New York 18-year-old named Richard was pulled over for a seat-belt violation. The officer gave him a ticket for not wearing his seatbelt and for not having his driver’s license on him. As Richard was driving off, he stuck his middle finger out the window at the trooper and flipped him the bird. Wow, is that dumb, or what? The officer immediately pulled him over again and charged him with disorderly conduct." Taken from KCMQ.com.

Stay… Continue

Added by Bruce C Ziebarth on February 4, 2009 at 6:00pm — 4 Comments

Lommel Fire Department

Serving approx. 82000 people

2 Stations (1 in Lommel = HQ & 1 in Neerpelt)

We have 28 proff. firefighters (for the 2 stations)

Station Lommel:

50 paid on call firefighters

3 engines

2 rescue

1 truck/ladder

3 brush trucks

2 water tenders

2 container carriers

1 HAZMAT container

1 stabilazation container (cribbing/shoring)

1 hose layer container

2 chief cars

6 cars

2 ALS ambulances

Station…