LOL, I love the video that you put up with the lifeguard. That was too funny. I am waiting for the Junior whiner to comment back to all of our comments, I think he might not but then again, I guess we shall see.

Hi Ben, I am sorry for not being able to spend the time lately on the FFN, keeping up and staying more in touch but it just hit the eleventh hour for me and 2/2 was my interview for the Logistics Captain job. I should know something hopefully tomorrow, 2/4 which is my seventh anniversary date since promoting to Captain and my 35 anniversary since I first met my wife. 2/2 was our 29th wedding anniversary. Time sure fly's sometimes...
What I am wrestling with now is whether or not I want to retire this March. Hitting the magic 55 means that I can retire at 3% of my salary for every year that I have worked. I am working on buying back time from prior government employers that I paid retirement too. My goal is to retire at 100% of my current salary. I may be able to make it happen. This being the case, we may be getting together for dinner down the road in Hilton Head.
I've got to tell you that it sure felt both good and bad going back to the fire station. I've found myself getting up really early and taking it all in. My station is remarkable just like yours I am sure with the ocean being in view and so close.
I'll let you know how things turn up for me as soon as I find out Ben.
Take care of yourself,
Mike

Alright Chief...I need to get a photo...your right.
As for the hazmat...kinda sorta got it answered...still gonna work on putting something together.

Fitzy

Hey Ben...
Greetings from cloudy and snowy NY...where the temp is 20 degrees and falling, with a low tonight at 5 above w a wind chill of -20 below....( I miss SC...) Thanks for the comments, it was great meeting and talking with you, along with the other great guys. I'm already discussing some other programs with the Academy to bring back down this year.. you and I will be talking much more as we go forward.

Stay safe brother...Chris

Sounds like you guys are doing pretty well at getting all your crap inline with the standards of the rest of the country. That is great to hear.. it is migrating here as well, what with all the publicity of the new chief of Charleston, I am sure you have heard. Things are drastically improving. Soon we will be on the same radio channel, and our rescue is going to be the main rescue west of the ashley, so we will be working together more than ever. I don't think our relationship with CFD has ever been bad over here across the Ashley, but improvement is always encouraged. I am pleased to be a part of it, and it can only get better. We have also managed to keep 11 of the 14 firefighters that we have hired this year, which is a huge improvement on our retention ability.
In other news...
the weather sucks.. booo...

How are things in Hilton Head?

Glad to hear that you got it. Don't work to hard and I hope Janet gets better soon. Happy New Years and stay safe....

Thank you Ben
Please have a safe and happy new year

I guess what's saving me is that we're now doing 12/12, and Chief Ludwig has changed things around for us a lot. Our medical director is slowly progressive, we implement new stuff as the data becomes available. I guess it makes us a "Johnny Come-Lately" but at least it gets to us as it becomes feasible. It's strange going from a dept that has 2 or 3 stations to a dept that has nearly 60. My wife and I expecting a baby in Feb and I have a scheduled vacation in June, we're planning on leaving the baby with our parent's for a few days and coming to SC. We'll probably drop in...

Hey it's Russell Stine, I was an intern from OSU there back in 2005... So it's CHIEF Waller now, not a bad gig I suppose. I work for Memphis Fire as a firefighter/paramedic, hope you are doing well! Merry Christmas

Hi Ben, Wanted to with you a Merry Christmas and to let you know that I've really enjoyed getting to know you in 2008. It's an honor to have you as a friend and mentor. Stay safe my friend. Mike

Hey Ben, thanks. I actually never realized we weren't friends either and what an oversight that was. Stay safe....

I too must compliment your referee blog. It definitely describes a significant part of the give and take here. Now I must take umbrage with the initial referee basis. As a ref I pride myself in catching the first violator, sometimes it is not the case. But in either event a rule was broken, a penalty assessed, and generally the chain of back and forth has been broken. Now how do I flag the blogs here?

Sweet brother. I was in that Sea Pines House some time ago. My father has a buddy that lives in the pines. i will certainly give you a yell next time i am on the island.
If your buddy ever needs tickets give me a yell, there are always some floating around the firehouse.
take care, stay safe and GO IRISH

Hey, just my opinion, you should work for a magizene and write articles for a living. exellent blogs!

Rusty is the captain at the rescue squad still. Worlds a small place. I am in rookie school in Johnson city. Its areally good school they have. Today we was at Eastmond in Kingsport doing a afff class. It was very good

hey chief you have some really good points on your blogs keep up the good work i enjoy reading them.

You need to sleep once in a while! We had a lovin' with Lavarn session today. Very informative!

That is NOT the rabbit we have been discussing ... I'm sure I could post a pic of one of those too, if you'd like?