October 2009 Blog Posts (77)

The Story of the Maltese Cross

The Maltese Cross

The badge of a fireman is the the Maltese Cross. The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection . . . a badge of honor; it's story and tradition is hundreds of years old.

When a courageous band of Crusaders, known as the Knights of St. John, fought the Saracens for possession of the Holy Land, they encountered a new weapon unknown to European warriors. It was a simple, but horrible device of war, it wrought excruciating pain and agonizing death upon… Continue

Added by Michael J. Gregory on October 31, 2009 at 9:53pm — 7 Comments

5

October 21, 2009 - 2:19 pm

What a year 2009 has been. In January I decided to get off my rear end and get back in shape, and 40 pounds and a couple thousand miles on the bike later, I am almost where I want to be.

(resting HR 55, BP 110/70, and cholesterol sits at 155)

Things changed on a more drastic level in March when my beautiful wife informed me we were having a baby in October! Now I know, I already have 4, how drastic can another one be?… Continue

Added by Allen Wahlstrom on October 31, 2009 at 2:58pm — 5 Comments

"Emergency's" Squad 51 to appear at Firefighter Cancer Support Network annual gala

Reservations are now being accepted for the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) Dinner/Gala “Fight Cancer With Fire”. The event will be held on November 10, 2009 during the IAFF’s “Redmond Symposium” at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, Los Angeles.

The event will start at 6:00 p.m. and guests will be greeted by the original “Squad 51” from the 1970’s hit television show “Emergency” proudly on display. Opening ceremonies will include a performance by the California Professional… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on October 30, 2009 at 5:00pm — No Comments

FEMA Asks Trailer Users to Start Paying Rent

FEMA's trailers have become a symbol of FEMA's potential disorganization. Many remember the photos of FEMA trailers standing unused in parking lots, while citizens are in need of homes. Last year's fermalgyheide incident, involving FEMA trailers, did not help reduce this stigma. FEMA's trailer program has once again been thrust into the spotlight.

After last year's flooding, many Iowans were left either with homes in disrepair, or without home altogether. Many of these citizens were… Continue

Added by Bruce C Ziebarth on October 30, 2009 at 12:18pm — 4 Comments

Exemption from traffic laws doesn't exempt you from safe driving

…With Appropriate Care

Being exempt from regular traffic laws doesn’t exempt apparatus operators & company officers from ensuring safe driving

By Scott Cook

On April 9, AOL Autos published an article titled, “‘We Run Red Lights for a Living’: Inside A Fire Engine Driver’s Mind.” The article in and of itself is pretty informative, with quotes from a Boston Fire Department engineer such as: “There’s a fire there, there’s still gonna be… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on October 29, 2009 at 8:00am — 8 Comments

Fallen Brother

WESTOVER - With a community and hundreds of fellow emergency responders paying their respects, the Westover Area Fire Company sounded the alarm one last time Wednesday for fallen fireman Roy E. Westover Jr.

The 41-year-old Westover man, who died of a heart attack early Saturday battling an arson fire, was laid to rest after a full honors ceremony where friends remembered him for a life dedicated to family, firefighting and friends.

"Roy was a marvelous man a family,… Continue

Added by Robert L. Oswalt on October 29, 2009 at 1:06am — No Comments

What You Need to Know to Properly Spot & Stabilize an Aerial

TRUCK COMPANY OPERATIONS

Ready, Set … Proper aerial spotting & stabilizing requires a thorough knowledge of your rig

By Peter F. Kertzie

Local carnivals move and set up several times, often weekly, as they move from town to town. The North Bailey Fire Department was in view from my bedroom window in the house I grew up in. Each year, the department held a firefighter carnival, complete with a ring toss, chicken barbecue, refreshment tent and… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on October 28, 2009 at 11:30am — 4 Comments

My favorite Quotes

-"If you are going to kick the Tiger in the Ass, you best have a plan to Deal with the Teeth !"

-"The original "Point and click" interface was with a Smith & Wesson " .

- "Blessed are the Cracked , for they let in the light ".

-"Live simply , Love Generously , Care Deeply , Speak Kindly , leave the rest to God ."

Added by Al (olddogg) Westbrook on October 27, 2009 at 1:30pm — 1 Comment

The (secret) dark side: The reality of a first responder’s job can be traumatic

The (secret) dark side: The reality of a first responder’s job

can be traumatic

Story & Photo by Harold Schapelhouman

Recently, I was asked to do a presentation for a Catholic men’s group on the various disasters I’ve responded to over the years. More than 100 men showed up to the event, where I delivered about a 45-minute discussion that included the Loma Prieta earthquake, the Oklahoma City bombing, the attack on the World Trade Center, the… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on October 27, 2009 at 8:00am — 2 Comments

Update: Can I Be Forced to Take the H1N1 Vaccination?

The pandemic sweeping across the country and the world brought at least one interesting question into consideration that had previously not been considered:

If your agency is tasked with providing front-line medical care to those affected with the H1N1 virus, does your employer have the right to force you to be vaccinated or face being fired?

Many of us have already decided if we want to get the vaccinations. But the ability for us to make our own… Continue

Added by FireDaily.com on October 26, 2009 at 8:29pm — 3 Comments

Hey Guys and Girls

Hello everyone,

I just wonted to stop in and say i hope everyone has a very good week and hope all is well. Be careful out there guys/girls its dangerious out there. When you go on a call please be careful.

I know this ant much to say but i just felt i would tell everyone again y'all be safe, paid or volunteers

i hope this does not sound stupid just felt it needed to be done

thanks, robby

Added by Robert Howard on October 26, 2009 at 4:51pm — 1 Comment

Random Thoughts from a Linear Thinker

I have always pushed for continuing education. It's the guy that thinks he knows everything that one needs to stay far away from. Nothing is ever static, and if you aren't on top of the changes you may then be the biggest danger on the scene. Tradition is usefull only as a starting framework, filled in by new ideas and updated knowledge and techniques. My biggest problem is the interruptions while I am reading. When the tones go out, I focus on that task. then, when I can get back to the… Continue

Added by George A. Laiacona III on October 26, 2009 at 3:44pm — 1 Comment

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...October 26, 2009

I work in Chatham, NJ, only two miles from St. Pat's Church where Father Ed Hines was murdered by the janitor of the Church. I work across the street from the Chatham FD, where Father Hines was a chaplain. The flag is half staff and the flag is outside, showing a death in the fire department.

Added by Denise Imperiale on October 26, 2009 at 12:22pm — 2 Comments

“Ready, Set, Go!” program simplifies & emphasizes wildland fire safety education

FIRE PREVENTION

The SoCal Way

“Ready, Set, Go!” program simplifies & emphasizes wildland fire safety education

By Jim Crawford

By the time this article is published, the wildfire season will have passed yet again. Although people continue to argue about whether and how much climate change is caused by humans, the intensity and duration of the fire season seems to be getting worse.

Southern California is to wildfire… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on October 26, 2009 at 8:00am — 2 Comments

CdeO gets 5 firetrucks from Taiwan

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The firefighting capability of the Cagayan de Oro City Fire Station (COFS) has been heightened with the arrival of at least five units of firetrucks donated by the city government of Tainan, Taiwan.

This was announced by Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula when he led the simple blessing rites for the five firetrucks at the City Hall compound here the other day that was officiated by Fr. Boy Salvador.

Though slightly used, Jaraula said the donated firetrucks were found… Continue

Added by aris ramoso on October 25, 2009 at 6:51pm — No Comments

World of EMS

Ive been hearing acouple rumors as of lately that First Responders and changing names to EMR(Emergency Medical Responder) and there will be no more bride progam from First Responder to EMT-B. I also heard if you live in Pennslyvania there are trying to bring back the EMT-I under the name of Advanced EMT.. Please Remember these are are what Ive been told and right now are still rumors

Added by Robert Grove on October 25, 2009 at 6:23pm — 3 Comments

Running sirens at night

As everyone knows the law if you are in a fire dept vehicle responding emergency traffic to a call if you have your lights on you much have your siren on.

It is there emergency and plus its our safety.

One of my fellow members stopped me last night responding to a apt fire saying it is a curtious thing that we do

I respect his arguement although I am worried about my safety and my ass getting there and not worried about waking a whole neighborhood up

I was taught… Continue

Added by Sam Smith on October 25, 2009 at 12:43pm — 14 Comments

Aggressive

when did fire depts become so aggressive about fire and water supply

Added by jamesbloodgood on October 23, 2009 at 4:39pm — 5 Comments

Firefighters

People dont understand what we do and why we do it. First off its somethin we love with our whole hearts rite next our familys. This requires to be ready at a moments notice ready to save someone or there stuff. At any hour of the nite or day no matter what. Yes its a thrill but its a gamble. But its worth it the feelin is unmatched. And it makes you really open ur eyes to realize... We are mortal and everybody dies. And after you realize that you live like you never have its like you can… Continue

Added by Alex wbfr 316 on October 23, 2009 at 4:12pm — 3 Comments

Patches

Hi my name is Rodney Ellerbrook I am a Volunteer Fireman in Clarendon TX. Just to let everyone know that I love collecting Patches so if you have any you want to trade or give to me I would appreciate it Thanks alot.

Added by Rodney Ellerbrook on October 23, 2009 at 12:41pm — No Comments