It's been more than a month since my presentation at FDIC and my live Internet radio talk show on FirefighterNetcast from the show floor, but a lot of exciting things have…

It's a warm day in NJ and today begins our Relay for Life event at Mennen Arena. We have a team of about 40 people in support of one of our own who has cancer. Our team was put together last minute but it doesn't matter. We do what we need to do. In a short time we raised over $5,000 for the American Cancer Society.

I am happy to contribute to Relay and looking forward to showing support for someone who has made a real contribution as a firefighter and a police…

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...May 26, 2010

Today is my mom's birthday. Happy Birthday Antoinette! I know she is looking down on me. She is the main reason I became a volunteer. Volunteer ffs in Bellport, NY saved her life and it made such a big impression on me. Volunteers lived on my cul-de-sac (like 6 out of 10 homes) and they got a pulse before EMS arrived. She was literally blue, without oxygen for about five minutes. That happened 14 years ago and she's been gone for…

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...May 23, 2010

It has been really quiet in terms of calls in the last two weeks. It seems that politics has made its way into so many places in our township, and just like a snake, is lifting its head up in places you don't expect it. Yes, our department and others. Cut-backs and budgets are to blame but what I don't understand is the need to sacrifice safety for dollars. I cannot comment more on this right now.

I am a bit…

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...May 7, 2010

Did you ever notice after a structure fire no matter what you eat it tastes the best? And even after you've showered the smell has permeated your skin and hair. And you don't even mind.

Hi guys, I just completed this last night and sent it to the news hoping we get resident participation. If anyone has the time, can you please offer comments. Thank you, your favorite rookie

I am a concerned resident of Morris Township. In the upcoming township meeting on Wednesday, April 21^st, the Township Committee is considering the elimination of our…

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...April 16, 2010

Firefighters we need your support in Morris Township.

In an effort to save money, our town is seeking to demote 2 fire inspectors and privatizing fire inspections which will cause 2 junior firefighters to be laid off permanently. Please show your support to the Morris Township Fire Department if you live in northern NJ or can help in any. There is a township meeting this coming Wednesday, 4/21 at 8 P.M. at the…

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...April 10, 2010

My little guy has been on the mend from a tonsillectomy and addenoidectomy a week ago and thank goodness it all came together before I started my new job. The weather here in NJ is finally getting warmer, and this week we topped 80 degrees a few days. For me, that means I can get back out into fire duty. Our department forbids us from writing about anything fire department related anymore, but I got to do my FAVORITE I mean…

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...March 31, 2010

Hi guys sorry I haven't written it's been crazy!!!!

Got a job - start 4/12.

Got divorced!!!!! Did the paperwork myself! Hot damn!

I am now Denise Imperiale again!!!!!

Have a great Easter

If you had just 30 seconds to convince someone why they should join your volunteer fire department, what would you…

I just posted a new story about a Run-to-the-Curb type kid who rose to the rank of chief in his fire department.

Just as good as the story is are the great photos John has to go with it. I wish I had some photos of my younger years in the fire service, but thank God I have my Log Book to remind me of all the action and the good times we've…

UPDATE: 3/10/10 - Apparently we had some confusion on our end as to the start time of the Netcast. It will start at 9pm EST. Hope you can join us. Thanks.

I'm proud to have been asked by FireCritic and FireDaily to participate as a special guest on a live talk show via the web at…

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...March 9, 2010

Gosh I can't believe three days have gone by since our pool drill. This is the third year in a row I attended the drill and still I learned something new. I didn't know that you can use pants (regular polyester pants like a police officer would wear) as a flotation device. Simply tie knots in the legs and push water into the waist part. The other thing I didn't remember from last time was the the SCBA is similar to those used in…

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...March 4, 2010

I have sold many homes in my life but none have made me feel like the one I am selling now. This house was our biggest, had the best property, alot of good karma, and yet provided the most stress because we simply couldn't keep up with the mortgage after awhile (let's not even go into the situations with my daughter in the house that almost made jump from the roof).

Seriously, I read all the time, and hear all the…

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...March 1, 2010

I just wanted to write a Happy Birthday to my daughter Siena, wherever she is. And to the Morris County Sheriff's Department - hope you get that butt in juvi soon. You just can't post this stuff on Facebook, can you?

Happy Monday everyone!!!

Denise

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...February 28, 2010

I had a killer week so yesterday I took advantage of the quiet morning and decided to sleep in. At 9:40 a.m. I heard my pager from two rooms away asking for all members to report to their respective stations for hydrant duty at 10. I started to drift back to dream land and then POPPED out of bed. I never had hydrant duty before and figured it had to do with the foot and a half of snow we've had here in…

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...February 20, 2010 (what day is it? LOL)

To all you blog followers out there, I am sorry I haven't written lately!!!! Alot has happened since my last blog post, some good, some not so good, and some funny.

First for the funny stuff - one of the guys at our firehouse, a very experienced veteran, drove the ladder truck to a call about a mile or so away. General alarm call, nothing to speak about, and 15 minutes or so later was back…