May 2009 Blog Posts (130)

Assistance needed for the Family of Asst. Chief David Bricker.

Added by Don Wilson on May 31, 2009 at 8:08pm — 1 Comment

DON’T SHOOT THE MESSENGER

Remember the old saying “Don’t shoot the messenger”? I was just recently reminded of the adage and how we in the fire service need to heed its meaning as much as anyone. As I was cutting up freshly felled trees on my ranch I heard a voice from my past. It was of an experience I remember as though it just happened. I was a probationary firefighter in my first full time paid position at a small department when I decided to take advantage of some down time and train on chain saw maintenance. As I… Continue

Added by S. Trotter on May 31, 2009 at 1:00pm — 1 Comment

Fire vs Police

With the recent events with the state troopers and emts, it got me to thinking about how often we in the fire service make jokes at the expense of law enforcement. How many of have heard of using the" cop o' meter"to check for haz-mat, or one of the many jokes about fire fighters being better than police officers? I have been on both sides of the issue, I am a retired law enforcement officer, and I can see both sides. We need to stop setting ourselves apart and start trying to remove the walls… Continue

Added by John Schander on May 30, 2009 at 7:49pm — 5 Comments

Introduction Revisited

For those readers unfamiliar with Firefighter Behavior, May marks the point where I have been writing for one year. This is a reflection on the purpose and value of that writing and common themes that were very prevalent in that year.

Introduction Revisited

Firefighter Behavior, May 2009

A year ago I had begun my fire service writing with a reflection of the powerful… Continue

Added by Bill Carey on May 30, 2009 at 3:00pm — 1 Comment

It's a hockey night in Pittsburgh!

Bring it squids!!!..... again

Epic

Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire loves Da Pens…

Continue

Added by Doug on May 30, 2009 at 8:30am — 1 Comment

Subject: Common Sense Obituary

Mr. Common Sense, birth date unknown.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be forever remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, I should work for what I want and maybe it was my… Continue

Added by Oldman on May 29, 2009 at 5:11pm — 6 Comments

Embarrassment for law officers Nationwide!

This is a letter I sent to officials in Oklahoma, I'm disgusted by the unprofessional conduct of this power hungry "officer" of the OHP!

Dear Chief:

I have been compelled to write to you as a fellow public service official, a California Firefighter/EMT-D and Emergency Room Patient Care Technician for two (2) hospitals. The incident that took place between your officer Martin and EMT-P White in Paden, OK on the 24th of May 2009 in NOT ONLY completely unprofessional and a… Continue

Added by CJ on May 29, 2009 at 3:22pm — 5 Comments

VCOS Offers $1500 FRI Scholarships

The Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS) of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) will award two $1,500 scholarships to attend Fire Rescue International (FRI), being held August 25-29, 2009 in Dallas. This scholarship program was developed to promote leadership through learning among volunteer and combination officers.

Scholarships will be awarded based on the applicant’s description of how the department or the… Continue

Added by IAFC on May 29, 2009 at 2:23pm — No Comments

CEUs for Safety Officer Recertification

The Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) has approved a total of 43 sessions and workshops at the upcoming Fire-Rescue International (FRI) conference for CEUs towards recertification for ISOs and HSOs.

Visit FDSOA for a complete listing of approved sessions and workshops.

Added by IAFC on May 28, 2009 at 11:24am — No Comments

NY State Fire Chief Show June 11-13

Is anyone attending the NY State Fire Chief Show???

Added by Stacy Blackwell on May 28, 2009 at 10:49am — 2 Comments

FFN Biggest Loser Challenge!!!!

For those of you who have responded to my forum "top five issues facing ff's," you have seen that ff fitness is one of the issues that alot of ff's are thinking about. The sad thing is... its true!!!! While attending FDIC this year, I saw more overweight people then I ever wanted to. I'm talking a hostess shop could have opened and sold out in five minutes!!!! Okay... so maybe that last part isnt true but the point is we as ff's face a dangerous, physically demanding job on a daily basis and… Continue

Added by Dustin J. Millis on May 28, 2009 at 3:50am — 84 Comments

The Last Command

ONCE I HAD A DREAM WHILE I WAS SLEEPING

THAT THE WHOLE WORLD PASSED AWAY

AND THE CHIEF OF ALL CREATION, WORKED THE SCENE THAT

JUDGEMENT DAY.

THERE WERE PEOPLE OF EVERY COLOR,

THERE WERE PEOPLE OF EVERY SIZE.

THEY WERE PUTTING THEM INTO SECTORS,

ACCORDING TO THE WAY THEY LED THEIR LIVES

ASSISTANT CHIEF ANGELS HAD THEIR SECTORS,

THEY KNEW HOW TO HANDLE THINGS

THEN I NOTICED A GROUP OF PEOPLE.....

THEY WERE HOLDING THEM TO THE… Continue

Added by Tony Ramirez on May 28, 2009 at 1:27am — 2 Comments

Is anyone out there???

I would like to talk with somebody!!!

Added by Teresa on May 27, 2009 at 4:01am — 8 Comments

Hello

What is up?

Added by Mark Pitts on May 27, 2009 at 1:44am — No Comments

Play Nice With Others

I posted a blog on Firehouse Zen yesterday relating to evolving and changing with emerging issues and reflected on how even if we try to ignore it, the world around us is moving forward. Failing to move on from the past is only going to keep us from surviving.

This morning I was listening to Alan Dershowitz discussing President Obama's new supreme court… Continue

Added by Mick Mayers on May 26, 2009 at 10:57am — 2 Comments

(For Mike) Memorial Day Parade

My village hosts an annual Memorial Day parade.....and we've been blessed with great turnout and even better weather for the past few years. Our village is small (our coverage area is one square mile) but they are very pro-Fire Department. That might seem like a small statement....but for those of you who do not have the support of your community.....that support is huge. Our coverage area families completely buy into the services that we provide.....they attend our pancake/spaghetti/… Continue

Added by Mary Ellen Shea on May 26, 2009 at 12:18am — 10 Comments

What is a Fireman

He's the guy next door - a man's man with the memory of a little boy.

He has never gotten over the excitement of engines and sirens and danger.

He's a guy like you and me with warts and worries and unfulfilled dreams.

Yet he stands taller than most of us.

He's a fireman.

He puts it all on the line when the bell rings.

A fireman is at once the most fortunate and the least fortunate of men.

He's a man who saves lives because he has seen too much death.

He's… Continue

Added by Tony Ramirez on May 25, 2009 at 10:38pm — 1 Comment

I Wish You Could

I wish you could see the sadness of a business man as his livelihood goes up in flames or that family returning home, only to find their house and belongings damaged or destroyed.

I wish you could know what it is to search a burning bedroom for trapped children, flames rolling above your head, your palms and knees burning as you crawl, the floor sagging under your weight as the kitchen beneath you burns.

I wish you could comprehend a wife's horror at 3 A.M. as I check her… Continue

Added by Tony Ramirez on May 25, 2009 at 10:30pm — 1 Comment

Fallen Brother

The fire tone rang.....FIRE!

Adrenaline, excitement, the love of the challenge

Sirens wail and it comes into sight,

Flames and smoke rising into the night.

All geared up, ready to save, ready to fight.

Hose in hand - heads straight for the danger.

He kicked the door in - knew just what to do

The fire and smoke pouring out-

He tucked his head down and dove in.

They tried so hard to find him-

But the fire was just too strong-

We lost him in… Continue

Added by Tony Ramirez on May 25, 2009 at 10:25pm — No Comments

Happy Memorial day '09

I hope that all of you who are in the emergency service field or in any type of military service had a great day filled with joy and celebration. As we have spent the day reflecting and remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifices to protect, preserve and defend the freedoms and rights of the country of the United States of America. We are very thankful and grateful to all of these types of people who had done this and are still continuing to provide their services to our great country… Continue

Added by Stephen Smith on May 25, 2009 at 5:06pm — 1 Comment