Featured Blog Posts – May 2008 Archive (46)

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

What a day to write Notes from a Rookie Firefighter! Today I went to a drill and for the first time wore a mask with my hood over the front of my face. At first I admit I was hot and nervous, but then my mentor and one of the young firefighters showed me the proper way to put on the mask, and how to feel the suction to see if it's on correctly. For a woman fitting into men's gear, it can be tough at times, but the proper placement of your mask is so important.

I learned how to follow… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on May 31, 2008 at 9:24pm — 3 Comments

Medic Shift

Well all I am aboout to embark on my first 24 hour Medic shift. Our department runs the medics on a 12 hour shift except on weekends when they have openings for day shift medics to work extra hours. One of our Captains called and asked if I would be able to do a 24 this Sunday and I said yes. So we will see how this works Yippppeeeeee.
I will post more on Monday after the shift.

Added by John on May 31, 2008 at 12:31am — 3 Comments

yays :) I'm back!!!

After some lengthy discussion (I can be quite convincing when determined to be) my FD doc was willing to clear me to ride fireboard as long as I'm on a 3 rather than 2 person ambo crew so that I dont have to lift Pt's

So I had my first FD shift in over 100 days yesterday :) it was very very VERY good to be back!!! ..... granted we got the big goose egg as far as number of calls goes, but hey, i was back!

I'm at an aide tent for a festival in a more sketchy area of my… Continue

Added by Marie on May 31, 2008 at 12:04am — 1 Comment

Being The wife Part 3

Now I know how a gold fish feels. He now has all the stuff(except the last load). He is now just driving by to check on the house he says. He brings his girlfriend and now together they are stalking me . I think that she drives by when he isn't with her to make sure he is not with me .I should have posted a sign that says "Look into your future".

The way I know that she and he are driving by is we lived at the end of a dead end circle. It is pretty hard to hide a big dodge diesel truck… Continue

Added by Susie Young on May 28, 2008 at 3:37pm — No Comments

Great PR Article

I found some past issues of National Fire-Rescue magazine at the firehouse over the weekend and started reading them in my "library" at home. You know the one I'm talking about, the one adorned in porcelain and shower curtains.

I found a great article on generating public awareness that hits home in so many ways. We do a ton of PR at Evans Center, sometimes to the extent that I think we're becoming "over-exposed," but I still think we can do better.

This article touches on the…

Continue

Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on May 27, 2008 at 9:41pm — 1 Comment

Rough shift

Hello all,

I am not sure if you saw my new topic i posted but yesterday was exactly what I was talking about in the posting. Smart assed, know it all rookies. I wanted to punch this guy in the mouth. Absolutely no respect unless you are on of his drinking buddies. I have no respect for this guy because he is like a remora on his training officers ass at all times, on and off the job. Very in your face and loud. It makes for a very uncomfortable and tense shift. Well for me at least he… Continue

Added by firegirl1 on May 27, 2008 at 3:11pm — 2 Comments

Loss of a fellow Firefighter

We at Gasport Chemical Hose mourn the loss of our fellow firefighter Michelle McQueen. She was killed Memorial Day May 26,2008 in a motorcycle accident. Please keep her family and Fiance Mark Morse who was also injured in your thoughts and prayers. She was 24.

Added by Christina Luick on May 27, 2008 at 6:36am — 5 Comments

Under Fire

Under fire...we were there within minutes of the dispatched. Lightning had hit a house and started a fire in the attic. We got there in full turnout and grabbed the preconnect for a fast attack. The visibility in the house was crystal clear and very quiet. You can feel your heart beat. Its pounding from the adrenalin. We head up the flight of stairs and can hear it over us. The fire. We pull the ceiling with the pike poles and can see a sliver of an amber glow. It grows brighter the harder we… Continue

Added by M Clark on May 26, 2008 at 9:43pm — 1 Comment

Remember............

It is the soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag. ~unknown~

Have a safe and happy Memorial… Continue

Added by Wendy Norris on May 26, 2008 at 11:18am — 1 Comment

Nothing Breeds Success Like Success Itself...

As I mentioned in a previous blog, you'll notice that all of our press releases end with a common theme: Recruitment.

We pounce at every opportunity to get our recruitment message out to our target audience.

As an effective means of both recruitment and retention, we write a press release to announce new additions to our team every time someone joins our fire company.

Written properly, these types of advertorials can breed real success.

Hopefully, it… Continue

Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on May 26, 2008 at 12:46am — 8 Comments

Being a Firefighter is a hard job...How to be the WIFE

If your lucky you get a mentor. If you don't, find your butt and with both hands hold on. You are about to get the ride of your life. You will learn how to take care of small plumbing issues,car issues,kid issues,and learn how to go to all family events by yourself. You will feel the urge to get a T-shirt printed that simply says "he is at the station" so that You can stop answering that question. You will want to have several pictures around the house so when "HE" /"SHE" comes home they (the… Continue

Added by Susie Young on May 23, 2008 at 2:00am — 10 Comments

Making Something out of Nothing?

Even the best of PIOs-Public Information Officers go through a dry spell and struggle for something newsworthy to promote once in a while. Some call it writer's block. Others call it a brain cramp.

It only takes a little imagination (or inspiration) to get put of this slump, even when you don't think you have anything that's of relevance to your target audience: the public.

I half-jokingly say that if someone goes to the bathroom in our firehouse - we write a press release… Continue

Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on May 21, 2008 at 10:30pm — 4 Comments

Lets Re-think the Future of Fire Training

Friends, Brothers Sisters, and everyone interested in keeping knowledge up to date.

I have a dream, and that dream is to have a Volunteer Fire Service that holds training and education on a pedestal and worships it daily. A fire service that understands the importance of continuing education and practicing BASIC skills on an annual schedule. A fire service that is no longer concerned with ego and image and is MORE concerned with the service it provides to its residents...Isn't that what we… Continue

Added by Moose on May 21, 2008 at 11:29am — 12 Comments

The Continuing Chronicles of the FNG(irl): Probie Blues

I knew we were doing a live burn training at the Tower last night, but my participation (and that of my other fellow probies) was in question until our Chief reviewed our SCBA hours....

Close, but no cigar. Red Tag City.

Anticipating an evening of basically sitting on my can at the side of the truck and watching the rest of the guys have all the fun, I took a shower and got ready to head out . My friend said before I left "Why are you taking a shower before drill? "… Continue

Added by Mary Ellen Shea on May 21, 2008 at 9:00am — 24 Comments

Sometimes its harder than you think....

I have not seen a huge amount stuff in my short career as an EMT, but I have seen a few things that would bother some people, but nothing that has really affected me. When you think of what would bother you, you always think of kid calls, or a mass casualty, or something along those lines, never did I think the following story would have such an impact on me.

The story starts about 9 months ago when a lady I worked with was diagnosed with Lukemia. Now this was a woman that I have… Continue

Added by Samantha Keele on May 21, 2008 at 3:37am — 1 Comment

Department of Vehicular Awesomeness

Lemme tell you a story, chilluns.

I grew up in New Jersey. You can get your learner's permit at 16 1/2 there, (at least, you could in 1986...no need to correct me if its changed.....16.5 is waay in my rearview mirror) and you could have your full driver's license, no Cinderella 12am curfew nonsense, at 17.

I took Driver's Ed in 10th grade just like everybody else. I learned to drive in a brand-new dual control Chevette with less than 200 miles on it. It still smelled new… Continue

Added by Kimberly Robinson on May 19, 2008 at 3:19pm — 1 Comment

"More Than Meets The Eye"(my Transformation has begun)

Alot has happened in 6 months.Wife and son left,losing my home,my truck blowing up,etc.But things are happening becuse i'm making them happen.I Using my Training and Knowledge to do it.I got a job as a paid E.M.T.,I'm staying with family when i can,and paying up my debts.Going thru what i am and im about to,plus turning 30 on top of it,Transforming from who i was to who im going to be is hard and slower than i thought it would,but im in it for the long haul.Instead of "surround and drown" my… Continue

Added by Tony Leonard,Jr. on May 19, 2008 at 3:12pm — 3 Comments

Fire Officer Development-- Strengthfinders 2.0

Whether you are currently an officer, or aspiring to be one, understanding your strengths and how they apply to your leadership is important. We will spend several weeks delving into the strengths you bring to an organization. Based on the book Strengthfinders 2.0, this informal course is an opportunity to interact and engage your findings from the book. The key is the application. How do you begin to apply what is learned? We will investigate ways to apply the findings to your department. To… Continue

Added by Michael Finney on May 19, 2008 at 2:28pm — No Comments

Remember Memorial Day. . .

Memorial Day, coming up on May 26, is not, as some may believe "the official kick off to summer".

Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day began in the Civil War era, when women would decorate the graves of the fallen soldiers. It was officially adopted as Memorial Day in 1966 by then President Johnson. The traditional Memorial Day is May 30, but it's fallen victim to those "Monday holidays" and is now the last Monday in May.

Many people seem to have forgotten the real meaning… Continue

Added by Karen on May 18, 2008 at 9:30pm — 1 Comment

The Continuing Chronicles of the FNG(irl): Snake in The Grass.

I don't consider myself a particularly "girly" girl.....If you see me at a party, nine times out of ten, you'll find me with the guys, shooting pool or playing darts, and telling stories and jokes. You will NOT find me in the kitchen with the catty chicks, who seem to derive some form of pleasure from ripping other women to shreds behind their backs. I've never understood how that's supposed to be "fun".

I don't particularly like to shop, unless I need something specific. If I need… Continue

Added by Mary Ellen Shea on May 18, 2008 at 8:33pm — 25 Comments