June 2008 Blog Posts (111)

PA Volunteer Firefighter/Fire Police/EMT - Call Your House Representative TODAY!

It is imperative that all Pennsylvania volunteer firefighters, fire police officers, and emergency medical technicians call and email their state representative to encourage them to support and quickly pass four pieces of legislation that are in the process of being sent to the PA House of Representatives. These bills will give state and local income tax credits to all active volunteers!

For more details about the legislation and how you need to…

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Added by Jim Metzger on June 12, 2008 at 11:48pm — No Comments

The dream is realized.....finally!!!!

Saturday, June 14, 2008 will be my first shift as a full-time, career firefighter with the City of Alcoa Fire Department. I can hardly put into words the feeling that I am experiencing. For one thing, I realized how fortunate I really am. How many people get a job at their "dream department" in less than a year. I know guys who have worked for seven years or more as reserve firefighters with aspirations of going full-time. The last two weeks have been torture. I got the job offer on May 30,… Continue

Added by Blaine on June 12, 2008 at 11:14pm — 4 Comments

Ironic to say the least

Well i was going to write a update about my experince into the fire services but last monday kinda of changed that. Let see where to start at i guess i should start with this. We had been having a pretty quiet beginning of June and well End of may as well no fire calls at all well we had one but it was a very small grass fire, untill Sunday nite around 1am we got paged for a mutual Aid fire call Fully involved House fire, took us most the nite and early morning to get it knocked down and out,… Continue

Added by Mike Yocom on June 12, 2008 at 4:30pm — 1 Comment

Hydrant testing

I don't know about the rest of you, but we are required to test our hydrants here. The water company does not do it. We do a flow test in the spring and we flush them in the fall.

In any event, you test enough hydrants and eventually you'll see something you really wished you'd never seen. For example - last year a cap blew off a hydrant and landed half way across the street. Most of our hydrants have either a 5" discharge and two 2… Continue

Added by Engine 32 Capt. on June 12, 2008 at 3:36pm — 6 Comments

Finally!

The hard work has finally paid off.... i received my EMT card in the mail today!! i was pretty sure i passed, but, of course, had to wait on the card for it to be official. I wasn't expecting it for at least another month!! well, to all of you who passed as well, congrats! i will be posting some photos of our parade last week soon!

Added by firegirl73 on June 12, 2008 at 12:20pm — 3 Comments

moving down south.....

I've left N.Y. and moved down to North Carolina. I am a firefighter/EMT with the Carrboro FD. It takes a little getting used to, but it has been pretty good. Great people down here and a real nice atmosphere to work in.

Added by steve on June 12, 2008 at 11:57am — 4 Comments

The Continuing Chronicles of the FNG(irl): Monsoon Season

I was dreading drill night all day today....which is uncharacteristic for me, I'm usually so antsy to do something new or get that opportunity to learn that I end up spending my day at the office watching the clock...WILLING it to be 4:00 p.m. already.

Originally I was pretty excited about the planned drill, we were slated to go to Guilderland Center (our neighboring mutual aid department that has all the fun stuff....aerial ladder truck, Jaws, training tower etc.) to participate in… Continue

Added by Mary Ellen Shea on June 12, 2008 at 12:29am — 9 Comments

AR-AFFF FOAM

DOWN HERE IN THE SOUTH ,WE ARE JUST GETTING INTO TALKS ABOUT AR-AFFF FOAM.PLEASE SHARE ANY DETAILS YOU HAVE ON THE USE AND HOW WELL IT WORKS AS E-85 FUELS ARE NOT IN OUR AREA YET BUT ARE COMMING SOON

Added by derek on June 11, 2008 at 9:00pm — 1 Comment

crule

there was a blind girl who lived in a crule world; although she had a boyfriend whom loved her dearly. the girl of our story always said; that if she would have her own eyes, she will love and stay with him forever. So one day they foud a pair of eyes and the girl was not blind anymore. When she opend her eyes she saw that her boyfriend is blind. She told him that she doen't want him anymore and the boy left. Before leaving he smiled at her sadly and said: Take care of my eyes.… Continue

Added by nazy on June 11, 2008 at 8:22pm — 1 Comment

you and him

Our alarm goes off, you hit the snooze and sleep for

another 10 minutes.

He stays up for days on end.

__________________________

You take a warm shower to help you wake up.

He goes days or weeks without running water.

__________________________

You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.

He gets shot at, as others are hit, and keeps moving… Continue

Added by nazy on June 11, 2008 at 5:06pm — 4 Comments

First Annual WTC Responder Day

Date: Saturday, June 14, 2008
Lx: Ground Zero, Lower Manhattan
Noon-7pm

A day honoring the courageous men and women who worked on rescue, recovery and clean-up following the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. A series of free events during the afternoon with a closing concert.

Sponsored by the WTC Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program in addition with labor unions, firefighters, law enforcement and community based faith groups.

Added by Lou Angeli on June 11, 2008 at 4:49pm — 1 Comment

Beautiful Quote for Firefighters

I have no ambition in this world but one, and that is to be a firemen. The position may, in the eyes of some, appear to be a lowly one, but we who know the work which the firemen has to do believe that his is a noble calling. Our proudest moment is to save lives. Under the impulse of such thoughts, the nobility of the occupation thrills us and stimulates us to deeds of daring, even of supreme sacrafice.

Chief Edward F. Croker

Added by Elizabeth on June 11, 2008 at 4:48am — 2 Comments

FINALLY he is done with PARAMEDIC

OH MY GOODNESS!!!! My husband is finally done with paramedic, thank the Lord. I was beginning to wonder if I still had a husband ;) Between me working nightshift, him working during the day and then school and then clinical and then ride time... etc I think we have been lucky to spend ohhh 5 hours a week together. So, now class is done, exam is done, all that is left is state exam. Hopefully, that will be done soon. He passed his class exam with flying colors (awesome), so I am sure he will do… Continue

Added by Elizabeth on June 11, 2008 at 4:41am — 3 Comments

Welcome Brothers and Sisters

I just wanted to say Welcome to all of my Brother and sister Firefighters throughout the world and espeacially in Ohio
A big thank you to all whom I have sent friend requests to and have accepted
Be Safe Out There My Friends
John

Added by John on June 10, 2008 at 4:17pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

I am slowing down my real estate business to get ready to go to school at the Morris County Training Academy. I am very nervous about leaving my kids home and not be available. You know how kids call you ALL the time. But the funny things about kids is that they are always fine, right? Moms stress too much about them, no matter what age. They will probably just sit home all day playing Guitar Hero or Rock Band.

Anyway, here's the link to the Morris County Training Academy in case you… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on June 10, 2008 at 12:14pm — 2 Comments

FINALLY getting paid to play

Well I guess all this insane training I have been doing since March has finally paid off. My department has hired me part time (like all the others who are getting paid). June 4th was my first day as a paid FF. We dont run much, the paid staff is there to make sure that things that needing to get done are done. But still, its a paid position which just tickles me to death. :)

Yall be safe out there...... Be good becareful be safe

Wolfy

Added by Wolfy Lang on June 10, 2008 at 8:28am — 3 Comments

seattle

im am getting ready to spend 2 weeks in seattle and i would really like to check out some of their gear and trucks. i am also trading dept. shirts so if there is anyone on the seattle dept. that wouldnt mind showing a kansas fire fighter around and swapping a shirt i would be very happy. plus id really like some tips on good places to eat and just have fun. im 23 so going to the bar is no problem. but like i said im looking to have a good time and id like to check out your equipment. please… Continue

Added by tyler cheesman on June 9, 2008 at 5:22pm — No Comments

Politics and Union Fire Fighters - oil and water !

Are your rights under your Union contract "Enforcible" ?

Will you recieve the full support of your Union Reps if : Your a Sportsmen or gun owner ?

What if you are from one Political Party and the Admin personel are from another ?

Do you actually have "Freedom of Speach" at work ?

Would you be willing to bet your carreer on it ?

Would you be willing to stake your retirement benefits and healthcare on it ?

Do your own home… Continue

Added by Rick on June 9, 2008 at 4:30pm — 1 Comment

Stop bleeding

I am taking a survey on hemostatic agents. These are "blood stoppers" used in the military environment and is becoming widely prevalent in the SWAT community. I would like as many people to respond as possible about whether or not they carry or have heard of various hemostatic products. So far this is a list that I have compiled and I have much more information on application.

CELOX

Quick Clot

HemCon

Act Cel

Trauma DEX

BLOXX

BioGlue

and (drum… Continue

Added by M Clark on June 9, 2008 at 3:41pm — No Comments

Knowing what you are doing...CPR.

In a CPR class its easy. Just remember 30 and 2 and your done. (okay....not that simple) However, fast forward to your first patiant by yourself. You walk in a room and forget everything. As a first responder(or new EMT) this will happen on your first few runs. It happend to me this past weekend. I was told to pratice and pratice. This all paid off on Sunday. I walked into the room and found my patiant laid out on the floor. In a blink I checked for a pulse and breath -none. Next thing I knew I… Continue

Added by Matthew Cosgrove on June 9, 2008 at 1:00pm — 2 Comments