Andy Marsh's Blog

It Happened Here

I write this in gratitude of the response our local emergency services provided during a mass casualty shooting yesterday and also to the school my sons attend. I also write this to my colleagues in Public Safety as a gentle reminder that training does pay off.

"It Happened Here"

Yesterday, March 8, 2012, a mass casualty incident occurred at the Western Psychiatric Institute Clinic.…

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Added by Andy Marsh on March 9, 2012 at 11:27am — No Comments

History, Knowledge and Power

There is a saying that states, " With knowledge, comes power." History is an important part of that knowledge. Recently, I attended a class on the history of the fire service. And with the exception of the instructors assembled, everyone in that class had 5 or less years of experience. I represented the dinosaurs with 30+…

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Added by Andy Marsh on February 3, 2012 at 5:00pm — 2 Comments

Somethings I think I think ( November, 2010 )

Several years ago, one of my favorite writers, Phil Musick, wrote a column for the Pittsburgh Press. He titled it as I have titled this. This is how I pay tribute to him and his work. May he rest in peace.

Somethings I think I think ( November , 2010 )

It’s so hard to step out of something you have been doing for a long time.

Making rules and setting examples is one thing. Being prepared to follow them yourself, is another thing.

Digging a… Continue

Added by Andy Marsh on November 12, 2010 at 4:19am — No Comments

Somethings I think I think ( July, 2010 )

Several years ago, one of my favorite writers, Phil Musick, wrote a column for the Pittsburgh Press. He titled it as I have titled this. This is how I pay tribute to him and his work. May he rest in peace.

With fireworks and lightening bugs, July is a very sparkly month.

Our country's independence was and is very costly.

A moment of silence to honor the fallen just doesn't seem fair.

The loyalty of a good dog and a good bartender just can't be beat.

Having… Continue

Added by Andy Marsh on July 2, 2010 at 5:30pm — No Comments

Another Police Officer LODD

Another police officer's life was taken here in Penn Hills, a suburb of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. This occurred as a result of a domestic incident. Such a senseless act! Such a senseless loss of life! What is wrong with society? How did we get to this point where we as a human race have no respect for one another? No respect for the law? No respect for those who are sworn to protect us each and everyday? Where are we heading? Who will protect us when the offenders of the laws of the land… Continue

Added by Andy Marsh on December 7, 2009 at 2:00am — No Comments

Never Fear Dying, Fear Never Living

As we go through life, many words we hear strike us and remain with us throughout our life for many reasons. They may be life changing; they may be simply words of wisdom; they could have taught us a lesson; they may just have been catchy and just stuck in our cranium for further usage. A few favorites of mine, over the years, have been, "Plan your work and work your plan" , "It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid, then to open it and remove all doubt" and "If you can't dazzle… Continue

Added by Andy Marsh on October 12, 2009 at 2:59am — No Comments

Roads and Friends

So many roads, so many people. several choices, some free and some with tolls.

Being careful in picking both is wise.

We travel short and long journeys together with both.

Signals appear with both and it's important that you use them appropriately.

Crossroads appear in both. Sometimes leading in one direction when you need to back up to get on the other .

Both need taken care of as potholes in our paths occur in both.

Every once in a while you get to a curve. It's… Continue

Added by Andy Marsh on October 8, 2009 at 8:30pm — No Comments

Somethings I think I think ( Octoberized)

Many years ago, one of my favorite newspaper columnists was a gentleman named Phil Musick. Occassionally, he would write an article titled the same way as I did mine today. I enjoyed most of those articles. Here's another version of mine.

October brings grilled cheese, chili, and other comfort foods that are good for the soul.

The temperature changes remind me of my dad and his sweaters, and Mister Rogers too. May they both rest in peace!

October brings… Continue

Added by Andy Marsh on October 3, 2009 at 5:59pm — No Comments

Somethings I think I think ( As I go on )

As I get older, I seem to be less intolerant of irresponsible people

Topping that list of irresponsibility is deadbeat dads

Sometimes when you extend that olive branch you get smacked with it

The sun rising on a cloudless day is a beautiful thing

Having said that, I'm glad I work midnights so I see more of them

My kids,grandkids and my friends keep my heart warm and alive with love

Self infliction of pain does not change much… Continue

Added by Andy Marsh on August 10, 2009 at 12:58am — No Comments

HELP

HELP

IS A NICE FOUR LETTER WORD

CAN BRING OUT THE BEST IN SOMEONE

MAY BRING A WORSE CASE SCENARIO TO A HAPPY OUTCOME

OFTEN GOES UNNOTICED

MAY BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED

MAY COME FROM ALL DIRECTIONS OR JUST ONE

IS AS CLOSE AS A PHONE CALL

MAY BE DRIVEN AWAY DUE TO PRIDE

KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES

IS AS SIMPLE AS IT IS COMPLEX

MAY BE HEALING

MAY BE ENABLING

MAY BE LENDING

MAY BE PROVIDING

IS WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS MORE… Continue

Added by Andy Marsh on August 9, 2009 at 11:04am — 1 Comment

Somethings I think I think (Another version)

Many years ago, one of my favorite newspaper columnists was a gentleman named Phil Musick. Occassionally, he would write an article titled the same way as I did mine today. I enjoyed most of those articles. Here's a version of mine.

Somethings I think I think.......

You may know this already, but, there is no respect for anyone or anything anymore.

Life is too short. Believe what they say and value everyday as if it was your last.

As we get older, our… Continue

Added by Andy Marsh on July 26, 2009 at 1:30am — 1 Comment

Everyone Goes Home, It ain't just one class and it's as simple as your abcs

I had planned two drills this week for the 2009 Fire and EMS Safety and Survival week. One was cancelled due to severe weather responses and the other should go on as planned today. A fellow instructor and friend of mine were discussing that as we were trying to promote the "Courage to be Safe" program, we were met with statements such as "Oh we had that class" or "We had that once". For us, it is disheartening to hear. For the fire service, it is much more than disheartening. A colleague of… Continue

Added by Andy Marsh on June 19, 2009 at 8:33am — 3 Comments

Let's Be Different This Year, Huh?

Since I joined the fire service in 1980, well over 3000 firefighters have died in the line of duty. Some of our better years, if you can call them that, were in 1992,, 1993, 1996, and 1998 when we were below 100 lodds. Approximate numbers tell us that 50% are due to cardiovascular stresses, heart attacks and strokes, 25% are attributed to vehicle collisions, and the rest fall into categories of trauma due to collapses, gun shots and falls. So far in 2009, we are at 46 lodds. Sadly it looks like… Continue

Added by Andy Marsh on June 15, 2009 at 4:55am — 2 Comments

2009 Fire/EMS Safety and Survival Week

Next week is the National Fire/EMS Safety and Survival Week. To my brothers and sisters in Emergency Services, let's focus on reducing line of duty injuries and deaths, and keep that focus ongoing throughout the year and always! I have always said, "Plan your work and work your plan". The work is in how to prevent these line of duty injuries and deaths. The plan is to make sure that Everyone Goes Home! Stay SMART and Stay SAFE!!!

Added by Andy Marsh on June 13, 2009 at 3:28am — 2 Comments

Pittsburgh Police LODDs

Sadly, and tragically, 3 Pittsburgh Police Officers lost their lives on April 4th, 2009, in the line of duty, at approximately 0715 hours. 2 other Pittsburgh Police Officers were injured in the line of duty. Officers Eric Kelly, Stephan Mayhle and Paul Sciullo III were shot and killed as they responded to a domestic dispute in the Stanton Heights neighborhood of the City of Pittsburgh. Officer Kelly was actually on his way home, a block or two away, but responded to back up his comrades… Continue

Added by Andy Marsh on April 5, 2009 at 2:08am — 6 Comments

Another funny one

A 6 year old and a 4 year old are upstairs in their bedroom. 'You know what?' says the 6 year old. 'I think it's about time we started cussing. The 4 year old nods his head in approval. The 6 year old continues, 'When we go > downstairs for breakfast, I'm gonna say something with hell and you say something with *ss..' The 4 year old agrees with enthusiasm.

When the mother walks into the kitchen and asks the 6 year old what he wants for breakfast, he replies, 'Aw, hell, Mom, I… Continue

Added by Andy Marsh on March 15, 2009 at 12:58am — 3 Comments

A Humerous Story

The story of Ralph and Edna...

Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have. Ralph and Edna were both patients in a mental hospital. One day while they were walking past the hospital swimming pool. Ralph suddenly jumped into the deep end.

He sank to the bottom of the pool and stayed there.

Edna promptly jumped in to save him. She swam to the bottom and pulled him out. When the Head… Continue

Added by Andy Marsh on March 12, 2009 at 9:22pm — 2 Comments

Baptism by Fire

Recently, during a church service, my Pastor got me to thinking. He was preaching about baptism. He was explaining to us his belief that some faiths baptize at too early of an age. Now before you spout off how wrong he is, or whatever opinion you may have about baptism, or other faiths, here me out first as I try to relate and tie in what he had to say in terms of being a firefighter. I mean this not to be a lesson in religion as the pastor did, simply an analogy, nothing else. First off, you… Continue

Added by Andy Marsh on March 2, 2009 at 8:44pm — 1 Comment

A Passing Thought

Both my boys made honor roll. Andy Jr. made high honor roll. I wondered how to describe how he retains his knowledge. Then I thought, he absorbs it. Then I thought, hmmm absorbing junior. Nah, I further thought. I better leave this one lie. :D

Added by Andy Marsh on February 28, 2009 at 4:14am — No Comments

STEELER PRAYER

Our Father,
Who Art in Pittsburgh,
Football Be Thy Game.
The Kingdom Come,
5 Super Bowls Won,
On Earth as it is in Heinz Field.
Give us this Day a playoff Victory,
And forgive us our penalties,
As we defeat those who play against us.
But lead us into a victory,
And deliver us to Tampa!

A-Ben

Go STEELERS

Added by Andy Marsh on February 2, 2009 at 1:35am — No Comments

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