May 2008 Blog Posts (183)

Charleston

I just read the report issued on the Charleston incident. It's posted at Firehouse.com if anyone is interested in reading it.

It is a very well written and detailed report that covers the multitude of tactical errors that were made on that fateful day. It is almost disheartening to see that the people in charge of making sure their members go home safely at the end of their tour could be so inept at their jobs.

I would encourage EVERYONE to read this report. Get an idea of… Continue

Added by Engine 32 Capt. on May 16, 2008 at 10:00pm — 2 Comments

NEW ARRIVALS!!!

MIKAYLA VERA-ROSE GIRARD AND ZOEY ANN GIRARD HAVE FINALLY ARRIVED!!!

Mikayla was born at 2:04pm 1lb 2oz and 11inches long

Zoey was born at 2:05pm 2lbs and 13 inches long

both on 5-13-08 emergency c-section which didn't hurt until yesterday..lol

they are still at Aultman Hospital in Canton, OH in the Newborn ICU until at least july (hopefully earlier)

both girls are doing great- zoey is already breathing on her own and is very feisty. mikayla has been taken… Continue

Added by Trish Girard on May 16, 2008 at 9:06pm — No Comments

TNT: The Accidental Runner: Why?

It hasn't been a good day for some of our patients and survivors...

One of my fellow board members on the Board of Directors for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has a young son named Ben.

Ben's been fighting the good fight for over a year, and seemed to be doing better. but we found out today that his osteosarcoma (essentially bone cancer) has metastasized--meaning it's spreading. Osteosarcoma has one of the lowest survival rates for pediatric cancer. The news is worse… Continue

Added by Mary Ellen Shea on May 16, 2008 at 9:01pm — 6 Comments

sadness in our hearts

I ask that everyone pray for my fire department, as we are going through tough times now. On Thursday, May 14th at 4:15 a.m. We lost our Chief, Mr. Roy Hulsey who was 86 yrs young. He was diagnoised with cancer. He was the Chief for The Cross Plains Volunteer Fire Department For over 40 years and he will be missed by not only the department but the whole community. 1922-2008...... We all loved him

Added by Stephen on May 16, 2008 at 5:37pm — 1 Comment

Update.......

Sorry that I have not been around in a long time. I have found out some news about my health which has put my life at a stand still. Early this month I found out that I have to have back surgery. They are going to fuse two of my vertabrate together. When I found all this out, I have been trying to get all my affairs in order. Like making sure my kids will be taken care of. My house is cleaned, yea I know :). Partying as much as I can. The doc says after the surgery it will be at least 3 months… Continue

Added by Susan on May 16, 2008 at 4:03pm — 1 Comment

First Major Wildfire

I had my first major wildfire yesterday. When I heard the page for a delta wildfire my adrenaline was rushing. Anyways, the fire started out to be only 13acres and by the time that we had finished up it was probably more then 50acres. My mom says that I am crazy because those kinds of fires are my favorite. I love the smell and it is amazing to watch. Even though at times it can be a lot of sitting and waiting for the fire to be where you want it or dont want it either way it is still… Continue

Added by Jessika on May 16, 2008 at 10:06am — 2 Comments

The crazy random ramblings of....

I wish I had a camera the other night. It was a sweet looking ride in the captains seat of the engine, right behind the ladder, at midnight on a moonlit night on the empty city streets on the way to a working structure fire.

Added by Doug on May 15, 2008 at 5:13pm — No Comments

Facebook Group for Firefighter Ministries

Firefighter Ministries now has a group on Facebook! Come and join us there too!

Added by Wendy Norris on May 15, 2008 at 4:58pm — No Comments

Going to see the Cubbies today

Today is the Cubs game and i am all fired-up. We went to Harry Caray's last night for dinner and it was fantastic. I hung out yesterday afternoon with the 'fellas at Truck 3 Engine 42 Squad 1. I always have a great time while here in Chicago. We are going to Howl at the Moon tonight mainly because it is right across the street from the Marriott.
Take care all.

Added by firegirl1 on May 15, 2008 at 10:55am — 1 Comment

paramedic school

i am just about to start paramedic school in june. i think it is one of the hardest things i am ever going to do i mean i am only 20 years old i am not sure what i have gotin myself into i have not been in ems that long i am kind of worried about it. everyone i know thinks i can do it and i will be good at it but i am not sure. its werid if you would have told me in high school that i would be in ems i would have told you that you were wrong and crazy. i wanted to be a cop. go figure huh. its… Continue

Added by Mendes on May 15, 2008 at 6:38am — 1 Comment

Sister Needs Help

Hello fellow FFN Brothers and Sisters,

i didn't really know how to send this so I decided to use the "blog". This sister, Stephanie Smith, one of my friends, needs some help in winning a contest. If you would go to the link below and vote for her I would be greatly appreciative. If you would pass this on and ask YOUR friends to vote I will, well, never mind. Vote for photo #30 - P1, etc.... I thank you in advance and Steph thanks you as well. Stay safe out there… Continue

Added by Da Chief - Jim O'Neill on May 15, 2008 at 4:13am — 1 Comment

What we Do!

Pager goes off in the middle of the night

I jump up heart racing,

Ready for a fight.

Racing down the empty streets

Wondering what I’m getting myself into.

Who’s mother father daughter or brother,

Am I going to save tonight.

Pull into the parking lot, putting my car in park.

I throw the door open racing into the garage.

Pulling my shoes off as I go.

Getting myself ready, despite the lack of sleep.

Psyching myself up ready… Continue

Added by Alex Skahill on May 15, 2008 at 3:48am — No Comments

Tactical Medic training

I talk to alot of fire/EMS folks who are always asking on recommendations for a tactical medic school and of course my natural response is Tangent Edge. With all bias being put aside, there are many tactical medic schools besides Tangent Edge that are quite remarkable. CONTOMS was developed many years ago and was one of the original Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TC3) programs headed by members of Special Forces. CONTOMS is currently NOT up and running due to funding. I expect they'll be up… Continue

Added by M Clark on May 14, 2008 at 11:00pm — 2 Comments

Disbanded fire stations and companies - a sad part of fire service history

I've moved around quite a bit in my career, and it's sad to see how many stations and units have been disbanded throughout the history of various fire departments. FDNY, Cleveland, Detroit, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and quite a few others have some pretty good historical photos and records of old fire stations and disbanded fire companies.

Some of the ones from my past that I really miss...

Hagerstown Community Rescue Service Squad 75A - I hated the slime… Continue

Added by Ben Waller on May 14, 2008 at 10:26pm — No Comments

Livin' it up

Hey hope that all goes well with everyone. Just got my fire certs in the mail. Yep life is good

Added by kari (kat) kotara on May 14, 2008 at 9:37pm — No Comments

Rules are there for a reason!!!

Recently I was told by a FF of 25 years to keep my mouth shut, and eyes and ears open. We wont say who it was but you can find out if you check out a recent post of mine titled Good ol Boys of the Firehouse. After I read his comment in entirety, i have to admit that I felt pretty bad. I thought, maybe this guy has a point; maybe I should just keep my mouth shut and learn as much as I can. After I read his comment a few more times, I really just got pissed off. After being called a smartass piss… Continue

Added by Dustin J. Millis on May 14, 2008 at 6:07pm — 3 Comments

Living Will ---My way.....

New Living Will Form

I, __________________________, being of sound mind and body, do not wish to be kept alive indefinitely by artificial means. Under no circumstances should my fate be put in the hands of pinhead partisan politicians who couldn't pass ninth-grade biology if their lives depended on it or lawyers/doctors/hospitals interested in simply running up the bills.

If a reasonable amount of time passes and I fail to ask for at least one of the… Continue

Added by Mary Ellen Shea on May 14, 2008 at 10:42am — 6 Comments

Firefighter's 3 year old Daughter has cancer

I apologize in advance if this is not appropriate. I am NOT a firefighter with cancer, but in twisted event one of our brother in GRFD has a 3 year old daughter currently going through KEMO. As a training company we have decided to take on the philanthropic project of raising money for children of firefighters with cancer. Allison is our poster child and we will be helping her family first. If you feel that this is an appropriate place to post, thank you for your concern and… Continue

Added by INNER CIRCLE FIRE TRAINING on May 14, 2008 at 10:00am — 2 Comments

Exercise "UUSIMAA 2008"

HI

I am going on a exercise with my volunteer rescue squad, ICE-SAR east cost

We will start going to Estonia and exercise there 30 and 31 of Mai then in Finland 1 to 5 jun and go back to Iceland on the 7 of jun.

The Exercise "UUSIMAA 2008" is a big NATO exercise.

The exercise scenario is:

http://www.cmcfinland.fi/pelastus/cmc/home.nsf/pages/864D93264306867CC225739A00312A79?opendocument

And you can find info on it… Continue

Added by Julius Albertsson on May 14, 2008 at 7:30am — No Comments

Recovery

On Monday May 12 we were called out to missing person search with possible rescue. Using our depts swiftwater boat we searched the river were the missing mans vehicle was found. Other firefighters walk the area around the river bank. The search went on through out the day. The Victim was found dead the next day several miles down stream. It looks as if its going to be ruled as a sucicide.

Added by Jerry Smith on May 13, 2008 at 8:00pm — 2 Comments