Well, its been awhile since I last posted. Hell, lets be honest, its been awhile since I last visited. Thought I would let you know how things are going to date.
 As you may know, I was among the first DOT certified first responders in Pickens County, AL. In two years time, that number has grown to over fifty countywide. I am also proud to say that my department has about 15 certified responders out of about 20 personnel. Also, I am pleased to announce that myself & my Assistant Chief have taken the Certified Volunteer Fire Fighter Course through the Alabama Fire College ( www.alabamafirecollege.org). This was a 160 hour field course that included HazMat Awareness & Operations. These courses represent a 200 hour investment.
 Yesterday (2/26/11), the Alabama Fire College brought its mobile burn simulator for training. This trailer is a state of the art rolling training aid. The variety of training simulations are only limited by the imagination. You can simulate flashover, kitchen fires, electrical motor fires, cellar attacks, forcible entry, search and rescue. The walls are moveable so the trailer can be reconfigured to fit any scenario.
 Over 50 firefighters from almost all of the county's 17 departments participated in at least the search & rescue. Many went through multiple times. For me, one of the high points was when an officer in one department, a wonderful lady of almost 70 donned turnouts & an aluminum SCBA and went through the search & rescue. Let me tell you, she put a lotta folks to shame! Her comment on the experience? "I haven't done that in 20 years. I was fun!".
 It was great training on the basics that we don' have enough of. I thank the Pickens County Fire Fighters Association & the Alabama Fire College for providing the opportunity.