March 2009 Blog Posts (167)

We Are The Brotherhood!

We have all heard this phrase, but I wonder what does it truly mean to us. For me it is the core of being a firefighter and rising above the selfish mentality of what is in it for me. I've seen people in this service that are both dedicated and loyal to the mission. And I've also seen people that were loyal to themselves and themselves alone. It is imperitive that we stop and take a long look at ourselves and ask ourselves this question. What does the brotherhood mean to me?

As an… Continue

Added by grimfire on March 28, 2009 at 1:38pm — 3 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...March 28, 2009

This has been a pretty quiet week, except for the structure fire at the beginning of the week where we provided mutual aid. I'd like to share with you an introspection about something different.

About five years ago I joined my company, RE/MAX Properties Unlimited, in Westfield, NJ. I remember distinctly taking the most humble seat in the corner. The reason I did this was because I left a company where I was the 'big fish in… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on March 28, 2009 at 10:45am — No Comments

SELF RESCUE IS SO EXPENSIVE

WHY IS IT THAT SELF RESCUE BELTS SRE SO EXPENSIVE I WAS JUST LOOKING THEM UP AND I NOTICED ANYTHING WE WANT TO BUY FOR OURSELVES IS SO MUCH MONEY I CARRY A LIFELINE AND WAS JUST WANTING A BELT 289.00 FOR ONE BELT THATS A LIL OUT THERE IF YOU ASK ME I WOULD THINK THAT THIS INDUSTRIE WOULD BE AFFORDABLE WHERE YOU NEED IT TO BE IM NOT TALKING WHERE THE COMPANY DOSENT MAKE MONEY BUT COME ON NOW AND I ALSO NOTICED THATS JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING HAS GONE UP ALOT AND THIS WAS BEFORE ALL THE BIG BANKS AND… Continue

Added by FIRE BEAR on March 27, 2009 at 5:29pm — 2 Comments

YZ 125 for sale

2001 YZ 125 race ready its fast $1500

Added by Rodney Kendall on March 27, 2009 at 4:56pm — No Comments

Antarctica

So we’ve been here for 2 months now and things are finally coming together. It’s tough to jump straight in and do a job when everyone comes from a different style of fighting fire and different background. But we train a lot and are starting to come together as a department.

To give you some background on the department we are a full time 24 on 24 off crew with 12 during the austral winter (Feb – Aug) and around 50 during the summer. We run out of 1 station in town year round and a… Continue

Added by Mike Lintz on March 26, 2009 at 5:23pm — 7 Comments

For Love of the Job

I, like other fire service professionals, like to read about goings on in other parts of the country. It is always exciting and interesting to read about large, unique and dangerous events where our brothers and sisters were put into action and succeeded. This is especially true of daring rescues that are recorded and written about. After all, that is what most of us got into this business for anyway, right?

What I find interesting is that each and every time one of our own is interviewed… Continue

Added by Jason Hoevelmann on March 26, 2009 at 4:12pm — No Comments

FDIC

I will be driving out to FDIC on Sunday April 19. Monday I will be in Bully Goldfeder's class all day. I don't know where I'll be the rest of the time. I plan on going to the National Fire Academy Alumni meeting and the National Fallen Firefightrers Stop, Drop, Rock and Roll.

I will be looking for firefighter safety classes and of course all the brand new shiney apparattus. Hook up with me and get your picture taken and have a genuine FDIC souvinveer that you don't have to find room… Continue

Added by Gary McGinnis on March 26, 2009 at 7:30am — 2 Comments

Had some problems

Hi Brothers and Sisters I haven't been on here much due to some trouble with my stepson and his, I don't know if its now ex fiance or what, and of course they both live with us, with thier newborn son, my grandson, and as of yesterday my stepson has been kicked out of the house for cheating on his fiance, and being very disrespectful of both me and my wife. He is 18 and as soon as he turned 18 thats when it all started, his fiance still is here with us and we have told her we will help as much… Continue

Added by John on March 25, 2009 at 9:58pm — 5 Comments

After 46 years, 'Pez' still dispensing service ALLEGANY ��” His children remember growing up in a home that had fire calls and alarms coming in during the middle of the night, followed by their f…

After 46 years, 'Pez' still dispensing service

ALLEGANY ��” His children remember growing up in a home that had fire calls and alarms coming in during the middle of the night, followed by their father running out the door to help with countless emergencies.

For the family of Francis “Pez” Pezzimenti, the calls and fire alarms were, and are, a way of life for a man who has devoted his life to the Allegany Engine Company. Last week, the 78-year-old was… Continue

Added by LEO AFD389NY on March 25, 2009 at 5:34pm — 3 Comments

Overheard at ITLS

Overheard at ITLS

I took this excellent course last weekend, after a feverish three days of reading as much of the textbook as I could in 72 hours while still sleeping and giving a full time job due diligence. It was a great weekend, having practical time alongside Paramedics and RNs as well as EMTs from other stations was an excellent opportunity to sharpen skills, learn new things, and share what works with people from other departments.… Continue

Added by Kimberly Robinson on March 25, 2009 at 3:43pm — 5 Comments

Staying Busy at the Fire Dept.

I've been very busy at the fire department lately. Between EMT class, and soon starting BVR, and between all of that, taking care of my two boys, by myself. It's hard to do it all, but I'm managing to.

Added by Jonathon Gable on March 25, 2009 at 11:21am — 1 Comment

NC Fallen Firefighter Greg Cooke

NASH COUNTY - Nash County Emergency Management has confirmed that Salem Volunteer Fire Department Firefighter Greg Cooke, Unit Number 18-6, the Secretary of the SVFD, has passed away at Wake Medical Center.

Firefighter Cooke was operating at a woods fire several days ago. He apparently suffered a cardiac arrest on scene.

He was eventually transported by air to Wake Medical Center in Raleigh where he died Saturday, March 21nd.

Salem Volunteer Fire… Continue

Added by Deana A Davenport on March 25, 2009 at 8:38am — No Comments

HELMETS NEEDED!

I AM CURRENTLY IN SEARCH OF AT LEAST 6 1010'S OR 880, BLACK. NEEDED FOR PRIVATE PROJECT. REASONABLE PRICES PAID, MUST BE COMPLIANT! EMAIL ME INFO@BIGDADDYFIRECOMPANY.COM

Added by DAVID HOPKINS on March 25, 2009 at 1:28am — No Comments

FFN

Just wanted to say thanks to all my FFN friends and to the members. This is a great site and I love getting updated info which I am able to pass on to my fellow firefighters. It has helped me become more aware of expectations and society's outlook on our career whether paid or volunteer. Hope all is doing well and being safe. Take care and God Bless!

Added by Dewayne and Diana Bean on March 24, 2009 at 10:53pm — No Comments

Join in S.C.

I just can down here in Beaufort S.C. looking to get back in the vol. firehouse. is there anyone out there that can help me. Thank You

Added by Erik Markel on March 24, 2009 at 4:52pm — No Comments

Benevolence Funds

I got absolutely no response in the forums with this, so I will try here.

Our Local is starting a benevolence fund and we need some ideas on how everyone disperses the money. In otherwords, what qualifies, what doesn't, any tax issues incurred by the reciever of the money and so on. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Added by Paul Young on March 24, 2009 at 12:16pm — 2 Comments

Respect: Earned or Given?

Respect is a word that is used too frequently in the fire service and in many cases is not used correctly or in the correct context. We use the chain of command for our emergency scenes and for our communication and disciplinary actions. The guy at the top is the Chief and is the ultimate superior in that chain and organizational chart. Although being at the top demands respect, it should not be assumed that it is there waiting for you when you move up the ranks. Respect is earned, not… Continue

Added by Jason Hoevelmann on March 24, 2009 at 11:35am — 10 Comments

Resident Programs, how much control can the department have?

Isn't there a saying......"You volunteer to be here....everything else is mandatory!" ? Doesn't this mean that if you are going to belong to something that you volunteer for, such as the military, yoou have to follow a strict set of guidline? Within reason of course, but shouldn't a department that has a resident program be able to give a little more instruction to a resident firefighter as to when they are to be there and what they need to accomplish?

It is my feeling that if youare… Continue

Added by Jacob Fouts on March 24, 2009 at 12:29am — 1 Comment

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...March 23, 2009

Today was my first structure fire as a green tag. There was a call for mutual aid to a nearby town, and our ladder truck was called. When I got to the scene, I was asked by another town to help set up portable water tanks. I went and asked my captain if it was okay, and then got to work. I had heard and read about the 5" hose, and hard suction hose, but never saw these in action with jet dumps from water tenders before. The amount of… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on March 23, 2009 at 11:02pm — 4 Comments

Asst. Fire chief arrested in Coatesville arsons

BREAKING NEWS: Career chief arrested for additional arsons. As I noted in my post about a month ago, all indications were that a firefighter was responsible for setting some of the arson fires in Coatesville, PA, Chester County. My biggest fear because a reality today. The following report is resposted with permission of WPVI-TV,… Continue

Added by Lou Angeli on March 23, 2009 at 10:15pm — 4 Comments