Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...April 5, 2009
Time just seems to be whizzing by for me lately. This weekend brought us our pancake breakfast at the firehouse, and now that I am actually getting to know people, it makes it more fun.
I have been spending quite a bit of time around the firehouse lately, probably because I don't have any friends other than firefighters where I live, and my old friends live so far away. During this tough time getting close to Easter, even at…
Continue
Added by Denise Imperiale on April 6, 2009 at 8:59am —
2 Comments
Do you enjoy a nice round of golf on a sunny spring day? Even if you don't, you SURELY want a firefighter to win a national golf contest when he's the only firefighter out of just four contestants left!
One of FireRescue's board members, Matt Tobia, sent us a message that his Fire Chief, Robert Ray, Chief of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department, is a finalist in a Golf DIgest contest to win an all-expenses paid trip to play golf with Michael Jordan and other celebrities at the…
Continue
Added by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on April 5, 2009 at 4:00pm —
No Comments
Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...April 1, 2009
Here it is Wednesday…
Continue
Added by Denise Imperiale on April 1, 2009 at 10:40am —
No Comments
2009 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week
Protect Yourself: Your Safety, Health and Survival Are Your Responsibility
June 14-20, 2009
Protect Yourself: Your Safety, Health and Survival Are Your Responsibility encourages chiefs and fire/EMS personnel to focus on what they personally can do to manage risk and enhance their health and safety. This year’s theme reflects the need for personal responsibility and…
Continue
Added by Wendy Norris on March 28, 2009 at 10:30pm —
14 Comments
Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...March 23, 2009
Today was my first structure fire as a green tag. There was a call for mutual aid to a nearby town, and our ladder truck was called. When I got to the scene, I was asked by another town to help set up portable water tanks. I went and asked my captain if it was okay, and then got to work. I had heard and read about the 5" hose, and hard suction hose, but never saw these in action with jet dumps from water tenders before. The amount of…
Continue
Added by Denise Imperiale on March 23, 2009 at 11:02pm —
4 Comments
Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...March 22, 2009
Yesterday I had to go to the scary place to visit my daughter. My stones help a bit, but I can't shake that feeling the rest of the day. Have to go today too. It just makes me feel uncomfortable, like a surreal experience. What keeps me from going insane is going to the firehouse later on to hear the stories. I love the stories!!!
On another note, I had some time yesterday so I created a whole diagram in Publisher of the…
Continue
Added by Denise Imperiale on March 22, 2009 at 7:33am —
2 Comments
Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...March 19, 2009
The Stones and The Story
I have a collection of stones. I bought them one day when I had to go to court alone, except for my attorney, who is also a volunteer firefighter. They say inspirational things like Strength, Thank You, Believe, Love, and Money. I lost one of my older stones given to me by a friend a few weeks ago. When the 4 o'clock crew at the firehouse heard about my stones, well, they teased me…
Continue
Added by Denise Imperiale on March 19, 2009 at 8:19am —
2 Comments
Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...March 18, 2009
Another day in the life of Denise Broesler.
I have to update everyone on the oil tank possible leaking sump pump broken problem.
The well-known oil company came at 8:00 a.m. and saw no oil in my sump pump and it was heartily working. And he used the stick on my oil tank and I had the same amount of oil.
The insurance adjuster was here at 8:30 a.m. and said the same thing.
The electrician came…
Continue
Added by Denise Imperiale on March 18, 2009 at 7:59pm —
2 Comments
Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...March 17, 2009
Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!!
This is a day in the life of Denise Broesler, and an interesting story about automatic oil deliveries.
I am using a large well-known oil company and they wanted to deliver oil today. Since I had oil delivered last month, I asked them to stick the tank before they delivered the oil. So the guy comes and says the tank is empty, and can't understand how I could have gone through so much…
Continue
Added by Denise Imperiale on March 17, 2009 at 8:57pm —
1 Comment
Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...March 14, 2009
Today I went to my first St. Patrick's Day Parade in Morristown, NJ. Yes, at 47 I went to my first parade. We didn't have these parades on Long Island, and we never seemed to want to go to…
Continue
Added by Denise Imperiale on March 14, 2009 at 8:41pm —
3 Comments
Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...March 13, 2009
Amazing things can happen on Friday the 13th. Since the last Friday the 13th, I've thought of the day as a good luck day. Today was one of those days.
It started by visiting a very kind penpal who lives nearby and who has an adopted son who is now grown-up. His situation was a bit different than ours, with our adoptions being private and hers through foster care. It's interesting how times have changed.
Next, I…
Continue
Added by Denise Imperiale on March 13, 2009 at 8:52pm —
11 Comments
I have a question about what an appropriate answer would be to an interview question,here it is: "You arrive on a house fire and your captain tells you to pull hose and make entry ,but you don't feel it's safe.What do you do?"
Added by Jason Graffio on March 11, 2009 at 1:01pm —
3 Comments
Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...March 5, 2009
Today I took the train to NYC to meet a recruiter about an advertising job. I was on the Midtown Direct from Morris Plains, and while I was waiting in the station room I looked at all the unhappy 7:00 a.m. faces. I thought to myself if I get a job (besides working for RE/MAX of course), I swear I am going to be happy waiting for that train. I am thankful for the interviews I have coming up, and I thought that I will finally find the job…
Continue
Added by Denise Imperiale on March 5, 2009 at 8:22pm —
1 Comment
Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...March 3, 2009
I never realized how helpful snow can be. Can't say anymore than that.
And this is all the food my CCD class collected.
Added by Denise Imperiale on March 3, 2009 at 11:15pm —
No Comments
Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...March 1, 2009
Today is my daughter's birthday. When you turn 18 you should be thinking of boys, of driving, the senior prom, etc. I planted the seed yesterday and today telling her you will do those things but maybe just a little later, keep the faith. Teenagers just roll their eyes when you talk about faith.
Tonight I taught my 9th grade CCD class at Assumption Parish. I told them the story of what was happening with my daughter, and how…
Continue
Added by Denise Imperiale on March 1, 2009 at 9:56pm —
1 Comment
2009 isn’t starting out on a positive trend as far as firefighter LODDs go. Accordingly, the IAFC yesterday issued a Fire/EMS Survival Alert to its members. The goal: get departments to redouble their efforts to prevent firefighter injuries and deaths by reviewing and establishing safe practices for driving, MVAs, health and fitness and more.
The alert noted that so far in 2009, just some fire/EMS LODDs include:
• Several firefighter LODDs due to medical emergencies
•…
Continue
Added by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on February 28, 2009 at 6:49pm —
2 Comments
Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...February 27, 2009
Today is a day I will never forget. I was on my weekly Eucharistic Minister visit, sitting among five old Italians (I'm Italian too) and I got the call that I passed my test.
I burst into tears.
I thank everyone for believing in me.
PS I will always be a rookie firefighter.
Added by Denise Imperiale on February 27, 2009 at 6:19pm —
6 Comments
Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...February 26, 2009
My friend got her test results today and she failed the test for the second time. I am so sad for her. I didn't find out my results yet and am having a panic attack.
Did you ever see the Secret? Read the Secret book? I've been trying desparately to believe I'll pass, believe I'll get a job, believe the stuff with my daughter will get better. I am trying fervently, I mean fervently to keep the faith.
Added by Denise Imperiale on February 26, 2009 at 7:00pm —
5 Comments
Here is a post from my blog
the Happy Medic.
The blog is called "You called 911...for this?" and follows the adventures of me, the Happy Medic, on what people think are actual emergencies. Sometimes it's ridiculous, other times serious, but laughter is the best medicine.
Units dispatched: Engine 99, Engine 98, Engine 97, Truck 100, Truck 101, Medic 99 and units to follow...
...to investigate the smoke alarm.…
Continue
Added by the Happy Medic on February 26, 2009 at 1:56pm —
No Comments
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