August 2009 Blog Posts (88)

What is a Fireman?

He's the guy next door.

He's the man's man with the sharp memory

of a little boy who never got over the

excitement of engines and sirens and smoke and danger.

He's a guy like you and me with warts

and worries and unfulfilled dreams.

Yet he stands taller then 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… Continue

Added by Shaun Hansen on August 12, 2009 at 12:18am — 10 Comments

His first 10-79

I had stepped outside when the first page came. When I came back inside, he was racing upstairs, pulling his t-shirt on and looking for shoes. He still had on the cartoon lounging pants we'd bought him for Christmas last year. He's 24 years old, 6'4 and 230 lbs, but he still spent weekends bumming around in Scooby Doo lounge pants and playing video games.

"What is it?" I asked, as he pulled his shoes on. The scanner near the fridge was silent.

"Don't know, they just said some code and… Continue

Added by Sally on August 11, 2009 at 7:37pm — 8 Comments

The Economic Benefits of a Health & Wellness Program

Kerry Kuehl, PhD, takes a look at the PHLAME program and how the implementation of this program improved diet and excercise behaviors and decreased claims with a cost savings of $1,200 per firefighter in the first year. Hear how this low-cost, team based program can be easily implemented with immediate and positive results with a great return on investment. The podcast can be downloaded from the FRI 2009 blog. Dr. Kuehl will speak on this topic… Continue

Added by IAFC on August 11, 2009 at 5:24pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...August 11, 2009

Last night we had our part 2 of a Decon drill. It was way interesting.

While working I stumbled upon this interesting press release and new guide on combustible dusts from OSHA:

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=16137

Denise Broesler
NJ Rookie Firefighter

Added by Denise Imperiale on August 11, 2009 at 11:34am — 1 Comment

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...August 10, 2009

Hola from New Jersey!

Did you ever sit with a group of people that were totally knowledgeable about so many topics and wonder how they got there? It seems whenever I am at the firehouse, I get all the answers.

What do I do about the green spots on my house? What do I do about my sump pump not making any noise? How can I make my daughter understand that a 450 degree flat iron on a wood floor can start a fire? How… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on August 10, 2009 at 6:30am — 2 Comments

Somethings I think I think ( As I go on )

As I get older, I seem to be less intolerant of irresponsible people

Topping that list of irresponsibility is deadbeat dads

Sometimes when you extend that olive branch you get smacked with it

The sun rising on a cloudless day is a beautiful thing

Having said that, I'm glad I work midnights so I see more of them

My kids,grandkids and my friends keep my heart warm and alive with love

Self infliction of pain does not change much… Continue

Added by Andy Marsh on August 10, 2009 at 12:58am — No Comments

its a girl

so we found out august 3rd that we are having a little girl. Her name is goin to be Gracie Beth Zerkle. And we already love her so much

Added by Zerkle 523 on August 9, 2009 at 11:31pm — 1 Comment

Adam's Angels - 1st Blog Post "A Sad, Sad Day..."

Today, our friend John McNamara passed away.

We wanted to thank John for all of the advocacy he did on behalf of the men of the FDNY who are sick with WTC cancer through the NYC Firefighter Brotherhood Foundation, Inc.

It is with great sadness that we wish his widow, son, family and all of his brothers peace at this heart wrenching time.

We know that the Foundation will go on to do amazing things, in John's memory, so that no members will have to battle WTC… Continue

Added by Adam's Angels on August 9, 2009 at 10:00pm — No Comments

St. Johns County Fire/Rescue Station 6 (Crescent Beach) T-shirts available

I work for St. Johns County Fire/Rescue. Most of our stations have thier own designs and insignias for the station that has been placed on T-shirts. I have come up with a design and we are currently taking orders for tees in short sleeve and long sleeve. The shirt will have the main design featured on the back of the shirt with a smaller edited design for the left breat area. The sizes range from kids sizes to adult XXXL. The price for these are… Continue

Added by happy on August 9, 2009 at 7:24pm — No Comments

Red Knights Chapter 13

Saturday, August 8, 2009, the day before my 17th 29th birthday, my boyfriend and I rode up to the Catskills with his Red Knights chapter, 13.

I met and immediately liked these guys. First of all, they are all firefighters, so I know they are awesome, but I had an oppurtunity to meet them and hang out with the club.

The ride for me began in Mahopac. We travelled the Taconic up past Lake Taghkonic to a quaint little diner, then on to East Durham. We ended up in an older but… Continue

Added by jgirl0809 on August 9, 2009 at 6:51pm — No Comments

Highlighting the Day In, Day Out

There can be no substitute for overwhelming force

In the past months the nation has seen firefighters and other first responders face complex and difficult times. On the world stage we have viewed the inner department difficulties of a wide range from firefighters charged for committing criminal acts to firefighters justifying their right to a credibly earned promotion. Coupled with these we also see the constant difficulties that fire departments across the country are facing with… Continue

Added by Bill Carey on August 9, 2009 at 12:00pm — 1 Comment

HELP

HELP

IS A NICE FOUR LETTER WORD

CAN BRING OUT THE BEST IN SOMEONE

MAY BRING A WORSE CASE SCENARIO TO A HAPPY OUTCOME

OFTEN GOES UNNOTICED

MAY BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED

MAY COME FROM ALL DIRECTIONS OR JUST ONE

IS AS CLOSE AS A PHONE CALL

MAY BE DRIVEN AWAY DUE TO PRIDE

KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES

IS AS SIMPLE AS IT IS COMPLEX

MAY BE HEALING

MAY BE ENABLING

MAY BE LENDING

MAY BE PROVIDING

IS WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS MORE… Continue

Added by Andy Marsh on August 9, 2009 at 11:04am — 1 Comment

Yet another update

So after a long dragged out day of phone calls. I have determined that the car is in pretty rough shape and there aren't any keys to the car (I have the spares) not that it's doing them any good there lol. We don't even know if it runs and any personal belongings are gone. They want to charge me storage fees and a pick up fee to get it. Not to mention I have to drive all the way out there. So I decided it wasn't worth it and told them to keep it. I'm sending the title and the spare keys out… Continue

Added by Jean Relyea on August 9, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Where does all the time go?

Last thing I remember was waking up this morning 10 minutes late for my 1 hour commute. It is 5 in the afternoon here at Engine 99. We've had 2 calls so far (unusual) but today is FLYING BY. I've updated both blogs, facebook, twitter and now back on Firefighter NAtion catching up.

Einstein once defined relativity using the example of a young boy looking at a pretty girl. Ask the boy to look at the pretty girl for a minute and it will seen like 10 seconds since he wants it to last.… Continue

Added by the Happy Medic on August 8, 2009 at 9:29pm — No Comments

Zion Rangers Rescue Climber from "Feast of Snakes"

RESCUE REPORT: Zion Rangers Rescue Fallen Climber from “Feast of Snakes”

By Tom Vines

Faced with a rescue that was far more complex than they first expected, Zion National Park Rangers were able to successfully adapt to the changing situation in order to rescue a fallen climber.

On May 9 at 1234 HRS, dispatch at the Zion National Park in Utah received a cell phone call reporting that a rock climber had been injured in a fall. The… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on August 8, 2009 at 11:30am — No Comments

My car has been found!!!

In Wilksboro NC lmao. So I dont know if it runs or anything and my insurance won't cover it so i'm screwed.

Added by Jean Relyea on August 8, 2009 at 8:21am — 5 Comments

You know you are in trouble when the nurses are apologizing

Kids, kids, kids. Where has the time gone?

Without boring you with details, its 'peak season' in my paying job, which means that most weeks I'm driving hundreds of miles through the New York and Pennsylvania countryside, keeping my own company, practicing show tunes, and deepening my affinity for Jack Link beef jerky while I studiously adhere to the speed limit and handsfree cell phone laws because you can only talk your way out of a cell phone ticket in New York State on account of… Continue

Added by Kimberly Robinson on August 7, 2009 at 4:29pm — 2 Comments

USAF Service

I entred the Air Force Sept 1977 and left in March 1982. After basic and Chanute, I spent the remainder of my time at Eglin AFB, Fl, working for Chief Bob Barrow and Asst Chief Joe Bundrick. I worked mostly at Ben's Lake station, some in (then) TAC and mainside. I was one of the firefighters that got hurt in the backdraft at the mini mall, and I also responded to the large propane fire in Shalimar.

Loved the time I was in, and it certainly helped throughout my career in the fire… Continue

Added by Scott Westgate on August 7, 2009 at 11:23am — No Comments

My Day Yesterday

I went to an appointment yesterday morning. The appointment was at 9am. Well I was six minutes late to the appointment, so in a big rush left the keys in my car. BIG mistake. I came out and my car was gone. Yup someone stole my car!!! Had to do the police report, DMV, and insurance stuff all day. Drove all over the city, side streets, back roads, parking lots, everywhere. My car is nowhere to be found. So almost 24 hours later and still nothing!!! Yea that was my day

Added by Jean Relyea on August 7, 2009 at 7:41am — 4 Comments

The Firefighter Within

Never give up.
Never give in.
Fight 'til you lose or fight 'til you win.
Never let up.
Never let down.
Never let the frighten see you frown.
Wield your weapons.
Conquer your fears.
Work 'til your sweat replaces their tears.
Learn from your losses.
Savor your wins.
Prepare for the next one.
And battle again.

That is the firefighter within.

Added by Tony Ramirez on August 7, 2009 at 1:30am — 2 Comments