Denise Imperiale's Blog (178)

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

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

Here it is almost a month after I took the state test for Firefighter 1 for the second time. I heard I have to wait about 2 more weeks to get my results. I sometimes forget about that, I've been doing this for a year and a half now. I like to volunteer, and last night was the recording secretary for the officers' meeting, and am on our 100th anniversary committee.

Tonight I went to an OEM meeting. I joined the… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on February 25, 2009 at 9:48pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

I just took a deep breathe before I started typing this blog post. Today I did go to court, and to see your child brought in a court room with shackles is something I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy.

God was good though, and the judge fair and kind. Detention or a residential treatment program. She picked residential treatment, although she will have to stay in the detention center for awhile to get it going. Hopefully no more than a month.

Just wanted everyone to know.… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on February 23, 2009 at 6:30pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...February 22, 2009

Forgive me for writing a post that has nothing to do with firefighting. It has to do with drama and decisions.

My family is in crisis. Crisis over what has happened to our lives for two years of drugs and mood/bipolar. This past week, my 15 year old couldn't take the stress anymore and I had to bring him to the hospital. He told me he was feeling unsafe. As someone who doesn't open up very often, I took this rather… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on February 22, 2009 at 8:30pm — 5 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...February 19, 2009

A few nights ago I got to try the thermal imaging camera. When you go to the Academy, they mention the camera when you hit the chapter in the book but the only way you get to try certain pieces of equipment is in the firehouse or at a scene. At a scene is not necessarily the best way to learn something but if it's not busy, it's a good way you can pick up some practical knowledge.

I was lucky enough to be with a volunteer… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on February 19, 2009 at 9:27am — 6 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...February 16, 2009

A week in the life of Denise Broesler, Rookie Firefighter, RE/MAX agent and humanitarian.

People ask me when do I plan to consistently write on this blog. Writing this column has become a very safe outlet for me, and since I haven't publicized it to more than firefighters and EMS workers, I know what I say will not be admonished nor ignored.

After all the months it has taken me to get my daughter to the proper… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on February 16, 2009 at 1:37pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

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

I woke up excited today. Despite all my drama surrounding my life, I had something different to do. Today I joined the Morris Township Office of Emergency Management. My study buddy told me about it, and I thought it sounded intriguing and complimented the fire department.

Tonight I got motioned in and right before it we were setting up for the big Valentine Day roses sale at Hillside Hose Company. Many people at the… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on February 11, 2009 at 11:10pm — 1 Comment

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...February 5, 2009

Today was the big day. It was my graduation from the Morris County Training Academy. I saw everyone from my class, as well as the guys from the class I had to stop during the summer (the full-time class). I can't describe the feelings I had sitting next to my Chief… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on February 5, 2009 at 10:17pm — 6 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...February 3, 2009

Today I was called in on short notice to take my Firefighter 1 exam again. I was monitored by a great instructor, Tom G., who told me since I am such a faithful person I needed to have faith in myself. I have been so lucky to have the teachers at the Academy helping me along the way, pushing me despite all my insecurities.

I used a pencil I've owned for 17 years. I found it by chance in a drawer today. It had Resolve of… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on February 3, 2009 at 9:04pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...February 1, 2009

Usually when my blog is silent for awhile it means I have a lot of things happening with my daughter, and for those of you keeping up with what's happening, I want to tell you how successfully the planets lined up yesterday.

It started with Friday not being a good day, and the end of a very long week. I so feel like I am in this all alone, and still have not taken that step to join a support group or other group to try to… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on February 1, 2009 at 8:56am — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...January 23, 2009
Today I received an invitation to my own graduation. I still have to take the written state test again. Maybe a good sign that I received the invitation (February 5th)? Still studying here in Morris Township.

Added by Denise Imperiale on January 23, 2009 at 9:21pm — 3 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...January 20, 2009

Today I woke up like many Americans with the bright hope for a great new future for our country. Not like all of our problems can be solved overnight, but the amount of hope that is shining out there is catching.

I had the same hope today when I went to talk about my daughter's placement and recent situation. Because of privacy, I cannot post what we did today, but suffice to say that I have been strong throughout my… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on January 20, 2009 at 9:16pm — 2 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...January 16, 2009

I started the day on a good note...it's Friday and on Fridays I wake up happy because I am a Eucharistic Minister and get to go see Mary in Cranford. And today I got my hair done and was visiting a friend in Garwood.

But then the call came. My child was being released from the treatment facility it took me months to get her into. Back to the shelter she goes, then to court, and then hopefully a facility that will help… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on January 16, 2009 at 9:23pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

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

I am in Vermont today with my two sons and their friend. My RE/MAX owner has graciously offered some of the agents free rooms, ski rentals and lift tickets at Magic Mountain. He owns the Inn here, and the kids and I so needed to get away.

I decided to snowtube as I don't ski...only tried it once about 25 years ago. I went to the top of what I thought was a HUGE hill and looked down and said uh uh. No way was I going down… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on January 10, 2009 at 8:49pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...January 6, 2009

To all of my friends at Firefighternation.com, thanks for letting me blog this.

I am sitting home writing this article while my daughter is at the Morris County Youth Shelter, waiting to go to residential treatment for drug use. It took her almost two years to get there. I would like to share this story, in the hope that other parents can look at the resources I used to help us get the treatment she needs.

We… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on January 6, 2009 at 10:22pm — 3 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...January 6, 2008

This is going to sound silly, but this weekend when we had our officer's party I had a "field of dreams" experience. I had the privilege of sharing the kitchen with one of our firefighters who is always the cook at events. I did what I had done when I cooked with my Dad, chopped, talked, let him talk, listened to stories, clean up and basically just learned.

I never knew when I joined the Fire Department that the people I… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on January 6, 2009 at 9:45pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...January 1, 2009

Our company is preparing for our Officer's Dinner this weekend. It's fascinating being involved with the process. People on the outside don't understand that there are committees for everything and just like families you have the people that work hard and the people that just show up at the "party" and lend a hand then.

The other day I went to Costco with one of my friends at the… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on January 1, 2009 at 8:59pm — 3 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...December 30, 2008

I failed by 4 questions. Heard that 1/2 my class failed. I took a long drive through Skyline Drive up to Greenwood Lake when I found out. I guess I'll be studying through New Year's. I thought of what I was doing the day I took the test, 12/17, and it was a day dealing with drama from my daughter, soon to be going away for residential treatment. Hopefully next time my focus can be better, and I can stop myself from re-thinking… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on December 30, 2008 at 5:56pm — 4 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

No results yet!!!!! But we all know I passed, right!!!!!!

Added by Denise Imperiale on December 29, 2008 at 10:08am — 1 Comment

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...December 25, 2008

This blog is taking a day of silence in memory of Michelle, a volunteer firefighter from Delaware who passed away. May she rest in peace and my prayers and thoughts are with her family and daughter.

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20081224/NEWS/81224013

Added by Denise Imperiale on December 25, 2008 at 3:50pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...December 22, 2008

Yesterday was our Santa Run, when we load up the ladder, engine and a pickup truck and drive around Morris Township and hand out candy canes to people that come and greet the trucks or are in their doorways. We also hand out dog biscuits to any dogs that come out. This picture is the view I had most of the day, sitting at the back of the Santa sleigh attached to a pick up… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on December 22, 2008 at 8:13am — No Comments