Denise Imperiale's Blog (178)

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Forgot to tell you guys. I passed my mid term.

Added by Denise Imperiale on October 18, 2008 at 5:52pm — 1 Comment

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

I would like to tell you a story about achieving something you're very scared to do.

Last night I had to climb the 35 foot ladder at the Morris County Training Academy. I had a rough day and looked at the ladder and said I just can't do it. But the instructor, CB, he was so kind. Came down and backed me up when I got to the point when I couldn't go any further. Followed me all the way to the top. I'm not afraid of heights, I wasn't afraid of falling, I was just… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on October 18, 2008 at 5:50pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

This has been a tough week around our firehouse. One of our most beloved firefighters, Sam, passed away last week and today is his funeral.

Sam was our dedicated secretary at our meetings, sick and all. I only grew to really know him the last six months, when I would sit with him and other retired members of our firehouse talking about life, old times they shared, and family. Sam would always lift my spirit. How couldn't he? He came in almost every afternoon, oxygen tank beside him,… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on October 2, 2008 at 8:41am — 1 Comment

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

For those of you that have kept up with my column, many of you know about the anxiety I've felt trying to manage going to the Fire Academy full-time with the antics of my teenagers, the horrible real estate market, and trying to do it all like many business women my age.

Today I did something I was really nervous about. It may seem soooo simple to some, but today I rode a motorcycle. Just like flying, I was nervous about this. Being uncoordinated, and hating rides and motion, I was afraid… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on August 9, 2008 at 8:00pm — 1 Comment

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

I am writing this post the morning after a crazy summer storm in this part of New Jersey. Today the morning is quiet, but last night while I was about 35 miles away from home my pager just kept going off.

Last night I was with some old friends for dinner, people I grew up with, who really couldn't quite understand my angst as the pager kept beeping and I was texted to my cell phone with the pages. I've been on calls during storms before, with downed wires, lightening hitting trees,… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on July 24, 2008 at 9:00am — 2 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

I am sure many people are wondering why I haven't written a Notes from a Rookie Firefighter column this week.

I was going to quit. Going to the Morris County Training Academy full-time had to be one of the most grueling and demanding things I've done. I was all battered up, frustrated from the heat and distracted from my children and my lack of work. I had a little doubt about having the fortitude to continue. My husband then realized that one day I would be going from a red to a… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on July 6, 2008 at 3:32pm — 3 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

I almost wrote my last column today. I just completed one full week at the Morris County Training Academy.

Yesterday during our afternoon drill, I choked on the 30 foot ladder. Just 4 rings to where I had to hit the 3rd story window and I just couldn't do it. I did do my 4th leg lock of the day, but I just felt the ladder was wobbly (which it wasn't) and I just said I couldn't do it. The weird thing was I didn't feel scared.

When I got in my car (we were outside about… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on June 27, 2008 at 9:51pm — 2 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Yesterday I saw a film produced by the National Fire Academy on fire safety for firefighters. We were told if it made us uncomfortable we could leave the room. However, no one did.

I thought of the calls and drills I've been on during the last seven months and how my captain and assistant captain go over safety with us all the time. "Put your goggles down," or "Wear your gloves!" are things I will now never ever forget. I even appreciate how I used the belt on a ladder drill. And I'm… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on June 25, 2008 at 4:11pm — 2 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

I have kept my blog silent today because of George Carlin. However, today was also the first day of my Firefighter I class at the Morris County Training Academy and I wanted to tell you all about it while it was fresh in my mind.

I didn't sleep well last night, so nervous that I wasn't going to wake up on time to be on time. I was so nervous that I was basically awake the whole night! I was running on time and had to drop off my son to camp on the way, pick up my SCBA and mask, grab… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on June 23, 2008 at 9:34pm — 3 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

This week was a busy week for me. I am starting the Morris County Training Academy on Monday. I went to my orientation the other day and I was in a huge class and everyone was at least half my age. I was very intimidated.

When I went back to my firehouse the next day and saw my friends, whom are older than me, they were so encouraging and told me not to worry. I don't smoke, drink, or do drugs. I just have fibromyalgia and take care of myself as best I can to stay pain… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on June 20, 2008 at 5:58pm — 1 Comment

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

It seems like yesterday, and not almost a year ago, that I saw the Heroes Wanted sign on the banner for the Morris Township Fire Department at the Streeter pool in Morris Township. I am actually writing this column on the grass at the pool, thinking about the long road I've taken to get to fill one of my goals being a volunteer firefighter.

Volunteers get free membership at the pool, as well as other things provided by Morris Township. I didn't even know that when I signed… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on June 15, 2008 at 6:15pm — 1 Comment

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Today I woke up and put on a dress and was the businesswoman at the Morris County Chamber event at the Morristown Green. I made my way through the crowd, introducing myself with my RE/MAX name tag on, shook hands, and talking about blogging, volunteering, but not much about real estate. I was the internet pro, owner of Morrischat.com, and happy to offer my services to help companies get their name out in the internet.

I have had difficulty switching from wanting to volunteer 75% of… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on June 13, 2008 at 10:30am — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

I am slowing down my real estate business to get ready to go to school at the Morris County Training Academy. I am very nervous about leaving my kids home and not be available. You know how kids call you ALL the time. But the funny things about kids is that they are always fine, right? Moms stress too much about them, no matter what age. They will probably just sit home all day playing Guitar Hero or Rock Band.

Anyway, here's the link to the Morris County Training Academy in case you… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on June 10, 2008 at 12:14pm — 2 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Morristown, NJ had a thunder and lightening storm tonight and it poured for awhile. It reminded me of a fellow firefighter yesterday who shared with my husband and I the reason he became a firefighter. When he was a young boy, his home was struck by lightening.

People may wonder why I became a firefighter. I would like to share the reason why.

When I was 30 I lived in Sayville, New York, a small fishing town on the eastern end of Long Island. I tried to join the volunteer… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on June 8, 2008 at 10:20pm — 6 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Last night I cooked dinner for our firehouse and Morristown NJ softball game. Our company won the game, but that's not really what the event was about. It was about participation on a team, and working together for a common goal which is what the fire department is all about.

While I was setting up for the game, I was with the old timers, whom I spend every afternoon with at Station 4. No matter what problem you have, or question you have, the old timers have a good and sometimes… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on June 6, 2008 at 7:00am — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Tomorrow our company's softball team is playing the Morristown Fire Department. I am cooking dinner for the team. I used to teach Italian cooking about 15 years ago in Sayville, NY and will make many yummy Italian dishes. People are under the misconception that people are always cooking at the firehouse. I think we are always eating if you ask me.

Added by Denise Imperiale on June 4, 2008 at 11:00pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

What a day to write Notes from a Rookie Firefighter! Today I went to a drill and for the first time wore a mask with my hood over the front of my face. At first I admit I was hot and nervous, but then my mentor and one of the young firefighters showed me the proper way to put on the mask, and how to feel the suction to see if it's on correctly. For a woman fitting into men's gear, it can be tough at times, but the proper placement of your mask is so important.

I learned how to follow… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on May 31, 2008 at 9:24pm — 3 Comments

Morris Twp, NJ Fire Department 100th Year Anniversary Celebration

Hi, I am new to the fire department and am on the committee for our 100th year anniversary celebration. If anyone of you have planned or participated in such an event, I would appreciate any thoughts you may have to make ours a success. Thank you in advance, Denise Broesler. Please email to Denisebroesler@gmail.com.

Added by Denise Imperiale on May 30, 2008 at 9:23am — No Comments