All Blog Posts (7,007)

Vacation?

Hey all! I just had my first REAL Vacation. Some of it was absolutely wonderful...and some of it would have made a good disaster flick! Everybody has a story to tell, and vacations always provide some good material for stories, so let's hear it - How was YOUR vacation?

The whole thing started out very promising...my best friend called me while I was on the side of a hill above San Bernardino in late October. "How would you like to go to Cabo San Lucas in February for your Christmas… Continue

Added by Wendy Neumeyer on February 19, 2008 at 1:40am — No Comments

Motorola Minitor Pager

I am in the market for a Motorola Minitor Pager. I lost my personal pager on a call and went back to look for it to find that it was ran over by the unit. To buy the newest pager which is the Minitor 5 is between 350-420 dollars. I do not want to buy a new one. But i am looking for one that is between the Minitor 3 and 5. It does not have to be new as long as it has the chager and battery w/ it. I do not need the programing things with it because the squad does that for us. So if you have one… Continue

Added by rescueunit50 on February 18, 2008 at 11:56pm — 3 Comments

Banquet Time Put to Good Use

It seems that every volunteer department in our area has an annual awards or appreciation banquet for its members. Good or bad I have been invited to be Master of Ceremonies at many of these get togethers. I can tell a few jokes, share a wonderful meal, and even get credit for taking my wife out for a night of dancing if everything works out to her liking.

Recently I have become friends with the local newspaper columnist that has also tagged along, by invitation, to many of these… Continue

Added by Peter Lupkowski on February 18, 2008 at 9:56pm — 1 Comment

The Best Dedicated Honorary Firefighter i have ever seen:)

The Littlest FireFighter...

The Littlest FireFighter

-Author Unkown-

The 26-year-old mother stared down at her son who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination.

Like any parent she wanted her son to grow up and fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible. The leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her son's dreams to come true. She took her son's hand and… Continue

Added by Bobbie Jo on February 18, 2008 at 4:52pm — 2 Comments

New Guy on the block.

My name is Bryan and I am a full time FireFighter and paramedic in Perkins Township, Ohio. We stay somewhat busy with squad calls very few fires. I am also a Capt. on a very small 10 man department just west of Perkins, been there about 10 years.

Added by Bryan B. on February 18, 2008 at 4:38pm — No Comments

What is your Fire House Job ?And What Classes are you trained in ?

Hi FFN. What is your Fire House Job ?? Are you a truckee or a engineer or a medic , water rescue , Lt,Capt,FF, EMT,Probie ?????? Also what classes are you trained in ?

Added by Jacob on February 18, 2008 at 3:13pm — 11 Comments

Women in the Fire Service

Well, since it seems to be a big topic these days, not just on this board but at the halls as well, I thought I would give my uninterrupted two cents worth on my own page. It's come up in the halls because we have a new class going through soon and everyone is wondering who the next one will be. The interesting point is, the guys will talk with me about it and talk about their thoughts anc concerns with another "woman, or anyone for that matter" getting the job that may not be capable or… Continue

Added by Spanner 122 on February 18, 2008 at 1:04pm — 4 Comments

My Life

My life changed DRASTICLY on June 21, 1999.

That's when I was told I had M.S.

The doctor's believe that I had my first "attack" in Feb. '99, but can't prove it.

Because of an error in Feb'99, I lost my job of 4 years and 10 months (2 months shy of being vested).

I had no answer for the error (processed a 3.5 mil. fraud check) I had committed.

I picked up unemployment for a while (went crazy).

I believe that in those 2 months my house was the cleanest it had… Continue

Added by Judi Dixon on February 18, 2008 at 12:58pm — 2 Comments

Help...i am growing Bonsai trees!

Ok if anyone knows anything about growing healthy baby bonsai trees let me know. I just bought a juniper and a ficus, and they are oddly enough like my little babies now lol. And i dont want to kill them! ;) I need to know how often or when is the best time to trim the roots....and or any good little tips on keeping them healthy....so if you know....please enlighten me! Thanks!

Added by Andrea on February 18, 2008 at 10:36am — No Comments

Brotherhood

Today marks the third anniversary of my father's death. That may not mean much to you, but it does to me.

I can't pick up a tool without thinking about my dad. He was always helping me around my house, even when I wasn't here. Although my father never studied past the eighth grade, he was so smart in so many ways. I am constantly reminded of him when his dad-isms and life lessons resonate in my mind.

And I am reminded of him… Continue

Added by Tiger Schmittendorf on February 18, 2008 at 2:30am — 6 Comments

NEW STUFF

Well i have uploaded much of my recorded fires audio files i have several more but sadly the file sizes are to big also if interested i am now broadcasting my scanner online at scanamerica.us guess thats it for now

Added by chris on February 18, 2008 at 2:00am — No Comments

Thanks

I took my son to Mosnter Jam in Pittsburgh today for his b-day gift. When the show was getting under way, they were telling the crowd how proud we should all be to be there on a Sunday after noon. How our troops are WHY we are able to be there to watch monster trucks today. I felt so proud, yes..I cried. BUT I felt more pride when they had any armed forces stand so we could clap and show them we stand behind them. THEN he had the fire, pd and emt/medics stand and thanked US too!!! I'm a sap, I… Continue

Added by Chrissy on February 18, 2008 at 1:45am — No Comments

The Continuing Chronicles of the FNG (irl): The Rookie Turnout Throwdown

Also known as “Mel’s Big Humiliating Day”.

We had an OSHA refresher class at my department today. We had great attendance and two other departments were also invited.

The morning started out innocently enough; we covered our SOP’s and the newly mandated Rehab Standard, then moved on to Blood borne pathogens, and finished up the chalk and talk portion with an overview of PPE and SCBA’s.

The OFPC officer then announced that we would be heading out to the apparatus bay… Continue

Added by Mary Ellen Shea on February 17, 2008 at 9:00pm — 25 Comments

Radio Free Nation

I had the privilege to be interviewed by Marty Owings for Radio Free Nation. It was a completely painless experience (no scary questions, unlike my philosophy final), and I encourage you all to shoot him an email should you know someone you'd like to hear interviewed!

There's a link at the top of the page to the interview, and… Continue

Added by Meris on February 17, 2008 at 7:22pm — No Comments

Training

Well, I have to say, I work as a volunteer and as a paid firefighter/medic, and I see big issues with training on both sides of the fence.

On the volunteer side, we only do it when we are required to do it. I try to motivate folks to do at least an hour of training when you run a shift, but the usual excuses of "I work tomorrow," "I'm tired," etc. are generally thrown in.

On the paid side, it's training usually geared more towards fire, but you get audited on EMS stuff and only truely… Continue

Added by RockingMedicVa on February 17, 2008 at 5:02pm — 2 Comments

Help when needed.

I love being a EMT!! but I have found latlely that no matter what good you do it never seems to pay back. I recently hurt my arm moving the stretcher and have been put on leave under Workers comp...who has yet to pay me! If anyone out there has any suggestions on where I can turn to for help please let me know! I am not going to make my rent in March and since I live in an apartment this is scary for me! i don't have kids and can't get any kind of help from the goverment agencies!! So if you… Continue

Added by Pepper on February 17, 2008 at 4:31pm — No Comments

YOU MIGHT BE IN EMS IF.........

1. You have the bladder capacity of five people.

2. You have ever restrained someone and it wasn't a sexual experience.

3. You believe that 50% of people of a waste of good air.

4. Your idea of a good time is a shooting or a car crash/rollover.

5. You believe in the aerial spraying of Prozac and birth control pills.

6. You believe the government should require a permit to reproduce.

7. You refer to your favorite restaurant by the intersection it's located… Continue

Added by Rescue Diva Stephi on February 17, 2008 at 2:56pm — 6 Comments

GET A JOB LAZY BUTT (U know the word I wanna use).....

Like a lot of folks in this Country I have a job.

I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as they see fit.

In order to get that paycheck. I am required to pass a random urine test, which I have no problem with.

What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test. Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check, because I have to pass one to earn it for… Continue

Added by Rescue Diva Stephi on February 17, 2008 at 2:30pm — 3 Comments

Life

Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life, and when it comes, hold your head high. Look it squarely in the eye, and say, "I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me." It is surmounting difficulties that make heroes.

Added by Robin Inman on February 17, 2008 at 1:16pm — No Comments

Traits of the next president

Now it looks like my choices have been narrowed to three. I still do not know the name, but of this I am this I am certain.

It will be a person who puts the desires of the group ahead of the rights of the individual.
It will be a person who takes from one group to buy votes from another.
It will be a person who tries to engineer our economy and social structure through laws and tax breaks.
It will be a person who has forgotten the meaning of the 10th amendment.

Added by Rob Fritsche on February 17, 2008 at 9:31am — 1 Comment