August 2008 Blog Posts (161)

Old news story from my dept.

TOUR BUS HIT, 15 INJURED

By ANDY MILLER-Times City Editor

HOLIDAY CITY - Fifteen people were transported to various hospitals after their bus was struck in the rear by a tractor-trailer rig on the Ohio Turnpike Tuesday evening.

At 10:15 p.m., a 1965 GMC bus that was converted into a tour bus was westbound on the Ohio Turnpike at milepost 18.5, just east of the Ohio 15 Bryan/Montpelier exit. The tour bus was being driven by Aaron Winett, 35, Berkeley, Calif., at… Continue

Added by Brian Dill on August 9, 2008 at 1:09pm — No Comments

The inside out or is it the outside in?

Having been a Fire Chaplain for over 25 years has made me love fire service so much more than I did when I got started. Starting out at a volunteer/partially paid department and learning on the job really did a number on my initial confidence. that I kept asking myself " why do these guys spend double or triple what they make to be on call for extreme times and have to work a job with this commitment to even be here?"

It all started when I was a new mission pastor in town and was… Continue

Added by David Ebel on August 9, 2008 at 3:38am — 2 Comments

OJT, Degree, or a combination

This is a blog that could actually turn into a good discussion as others read this and think about what is said as compared to what they have seen in their own department or area.

Recently, as may have happened in other areas, a person was given a position with out meeting the eligilbility requirements as set forth by the department mainly due to the fact of a degree. Now don't get me wrong, I think a degree is a good thing and has its place and use when appropriate. Do I think it should… Continue

Added by Duane M Messner on August 8, 2008 at 11:37pm — 3 Comments

Pictures Being Uploaded causing Negative Public Perception

I don't want to sound like I am preaching here, but what is with all of the pics being uploaded that show alcohol being consumed. I think that we need to set a higher standard as Firefighters than just partying. What kind of example do you think this is setting for anyone that views the public page. I am sorry but too much is just that.... too much. I don't see what it does besides makes you look like you drink alcohol a whole lot. I believe that we should think about what we are going to put… Continue

Added by FF Schoen on August 8, 2008 at 7:30pm — 20 Comments

lost brothers

Tonight i request that everyone thats in the fire ems profession . before you go to bed tonight. say a prayer for the familes of those lost brothers in california

P.S. please lord be with us all

Added by firechief911 on August 7, 2008 at 8:32pm — 2 Comments

At The NFA, Part Deux

So anyway, I'm still here and continuing to learn some pretty amazing things about myself, since that's the jist of the fourth class in this program, Executive Leadership. One of the discussions, however, evolved around some of what I discussed in the first installment of this trip, that the NFA is underattended by the fire service. This is the same American Fire Service that complains when funding is being cut, and the same American Fire Service that complains that they don't get the respect… Continue

Added by Mick Mayers on August 7, 2008 at 5:13pm — 3 Comments

Bill Coultus.. Injured Pilot

Bill is a friend of mine and he was one of the helocopter pilots that crashed on the NO CA fires. He is in critacal condition right now. All thoughts and prayers are welcome for the family...... Much love and thoughts to you Bill, Chris, Ricci and Matt.

Added by Sandi Humphfres on August 7, 2008 at 3:30pm — 5 Comments

Two critically injured in a bus & truck crash

Two critically injured in a bus & truck crash

While I was in England touring the UK, my squad on July 24, 2008 attended a Bus Vs Truck incident on the Princes Highway just before 11:00am. Where a bus ran into the back of a heavy haulage truck,

The BUS driver and one of his passengers were fighting for their lives after their bus collided with a semi-trailer on a major Victorian highway west of Traralgon.

The force of the crash obliterated the front of the bus,… Continue

Added by Leo Cartwright on August 7, 2008 at 8:25am — No Comments

Nine Firefighters Feared Dead, Others Injured in California Wildfire Chopper Crash

Multiple news outlets are reporting that a wildfire chopper crash in California late last night has claimed the lives of as many as nine firefighters, in what would be one of the largest losses of firefighters in recent memory.

The helicopter was carrying 11 firefighters and two crew members when it went down Tuesday night in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, according to the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, the Associated… Continue

Added by Firefighter Nation WebChief on August 6, 2008 at 5:30pm — 18 Comments

Why do we do this?

I geuss I'm writing this because I've had so many of my co-workers as me why I decided to become a volunteer firefighter and I just feel the need to vent a little.I'm sure other members of the site have written similar blogs but its just that I'ld like to get this off my chest.

I have been asked did I join for the money.Thats a good one,a kid working at a fast food resturant makes more an hour than I do when I'm on a call and they arent having to deal with a quarter of the things that I… Continue

Added by Pompy on August 6, 2008 at 4:00pm — 5 Comments

LODD... colleton county deputy killed this morning. South Carolina

Hey yall,

Just to inform everyone a Colleton county deputy was killed this morning at about 0300 hrs,, i dont know the details of what happened. Police Officers from all over are responding to Hwy 61 in the area of the town of Smokes, SC. THEY ARE DOING Area search and check points.. more to come.. From what i hear, the deputy was a real nice guy and loved his job,,

MAY GOD PUT HIS BLESSING HAND ON HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS

THANK OF HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS

take care… Continue

Added by Captain George Gardiner on August 6, 2008 at 9:30am — 3 Comments

Just a Bit of Creative Metphors lol...

On one half the road the sun peaks over the horizon and looms over fog filled valleys. The red orange and pink glow of the flourescent wonder makes me squint a bit as I wander down the middle of the road. I look ahead and see only what I have seen for the past twenty years. A long, long winding road with many voids to the left and to the right. Half of the road harbours all the comforts of day. Singing birds, tall lush forest, a cool, comforting breeze blows through the branches of the… Continue

Added by Brian OcQue on August 6, 2008 at 9:12am — 1 Comment

The Biggest Mistake of my Life...

Ok, I was driving to work today and happened to stop at a local grocery store for something to drink, when I ran into one of my teachers from high school. For some reason or another, I suddenly started thinking about the time that I had in school. Did I do a good enough job? What things did I miss out on? Could I have done some things differently? If so, what were they?

I'm not going to say what I think most people my age would say. "Oh yes, I had a great time in school!" NO.... I… Continue

Added by Brian OcQue on August 6, 2008 at 9:11am — 1 Comment

At The NFA

Just a very short post to promote an under-used and vitally important asset that is available to all of you- the National Fire Academy. I'm here for year four of my Executive Fire Officer journey and getting to network with people from all over the world- there's even a mate from Australia in my class. I get to learn from world-class instructors and I get to sleep in a government-regulation bed (maybe that's not so great) and I get to hang at at the… Continue

Added by Mick Mayers on August 6, 2008 at 8:01am — 3 Comments

memorial

It is here Arkansas has a new fallen firefighter memorial . The statue is in the state now when it is done it will be around 14 ft tall with a reflecting pool , seating area , walkways with paving stones engraved with the names of who bought them . Some pics are on my page not sure how to get them on here . Thanks to all that helped bring this to our state a lot of fallen firefighters deserved this .

Added by Damon Dyer on August 6, 2008 at 7:30am — 1 Comment

New blog Post

This is new blog.

Added by alicia on August 6, 2008 at 1:26am — 3 Comments

Just getting points

Ok, since I'm building my point supply....why????? who knows why? They mean nothing right now....but maybe one day I'll get promoted in the Nation.

Added by Jeff on August 5, 2008 at 10:44pm — 14 Comments

Have good news

Have some good news from Michigan for a change. My wife has been set for her final surgery, this date is set for Septemeber 3, 2008. This should end her surgeries for quite a while. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 6, 2006. This will be the final step of reconstruction. Then all that she will have is doctor appointments. This has been a hard road, but now that everything has worked out we are greatly relieved. She found out she was cancer free in November of 2007. This was also… Continue

Added by mike wright on August 5, 2008 at 10:07pm — 1 Comment

3000 degrees!

Hey everybody I just read a great book it was a true story about a fire that happened in december of 1999. i recomend everybody to read it. ITs called 3000 degrees I dont like to read and I am telling the truth and i got it last thurs and finished it yesterday! I will tell you the first 7 chapters is slow no disrespect its about the firefighters, who they was and how they became a fieman. chapter 8 starts the fire and it hooked me. I dont have time to read during the day on my job but when i… Continue

Added by joe c robert's jr on August 5, 2008 at 8:24pm — 3 Comments