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Upcoming Netcasts

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Busy Week in Baltimore

The Firefighter Netcast crew is in Baltimore for the Firehouse Expo and their packed schedule begins today, Wednesday.  They will be netcasting live shows and in between those they will be recording interviews to be played later.  Their recording sessions will be taking place in the Firegeezer booth in the Exhibit Hall  on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, so be sure to drop by and say hello to the gang.  Now for the early schedule of live netcasts that you can tune in and listen to:

Wednesday night’s show:

Imagine being a fly on the wall when several of the nation’s most respected and revered fire chiefs are all in the room with you.

Fire service leaders such as retired chief Alan Brunacini from Phoenix, Baltimore’s chief Jim Clack, retired Santa Rosa, CA fire Chief Bruce Varner, and retired Chief Dennis Rubin from our nations’ capital.

Well, be that fly on Wednesday night and listen in as Firefighter Netcast’s own Billy D. Hayes and John Mitchell sit down during a break from the Chief Alan Brunacini Leadership Conference this week in Baltimore as Firehouse Expo begins.

Join us for a special edition of Stop, Drop, and Roll with the Punches Wednesday night at 9pm ET and hear what they have to say about being a fire chief in our current trying times, the importance of fostering relationships and the necessity of mentoring all throughout your career.

Firefighter Netcast- this ain’t your Daddy’s fire service radio podcast!

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Thursday afternoon’s Stair climb

Live coverage from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb, held during Firehouse Expo on Thursday, July 21, beginning at 1:45pm ET. Participants will climb flights of stairs equaling 110 flights – the same number as the World Trade Center Towers.

Each climber, wearing turnout gear, station gear or workout gear will carry the photograph of a firefighter who was lost on September 11th. This is not a timed event or a race, it's a way for firefighters to honor and remember their comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001. Join host Dave Statter for a front-row seat to this incredible event!

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Friday afternoon’s newest Netcast show premiere

 

Some of the most important discussions take place at firehouse kitchen tables around the world. Whenever firefighters get together for a meal, watch a ball game, have a meeting, drill on something, remember a lost friend, relive the fire, tell stories, say hello or good bye, or just have a cup of coffee, the kitchen table is where the best chats take place.

Our premiere program comes to you live this Friday, July 22 at 2:00pm ET. It’s intended to be a virtual chat around your firehouse kitchen table. We will be sitting at the table just talking. We do not know what we will be talking about, we do not know who will stop by to talk. There is an open invitation to 1.2 million firefighters and we are interested in what you have to say.

So stop by, the coffee is on and the soda is cold; you never know who or what will be talked about at the firehouse kitchen table.

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Click on the links in each show description to tune in and join in with us in Baltimore.  Great to see ya'!

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Posted by on July 20, 2011 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, News, Technology & Communications, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: ,

Urban Firefighter Magazine Issue 5

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Table of Contents

Erich J. Roden and Ray McCormack start Year 2

The Long War, Jason Brezler, Firefighter Ladder 58 FDNY

23rd Street Fire, Joe Flood, author The Fires

The Battle for an Engine Company, James Carino, Firefighter Engine 205 FDNY (Brooklyn)

Fighting Fire Without Water, Jerry Smith, Firefighter Truck 15 Baltimore

Thoughts on Technical Extrication, Mark Gregory, Lieutenant Truck 111 FDNY

Vacant Buildings, Gabriel Angemi, Firefighter Rescue 1 Cambridge

The Life and Death of an Urban Vacant, Tim Anderson, Firefighter Engine 16 Philadelphia

VACANT PROPERTY SECURITY (VPS) SYSTEMS: training program

  • Forcing entry on VPS systems, Stephen Florian, Firefighter Ladder 19 Detroit
  • VPS Doors, Jim Sandas, Firefighter Rescue 2 FDNY

A Passion for Compassion: Koy Wilson

Lloyd Mitchell, accidental Brooklyn fire photographer

Get your copy HERE

Urban Firefighter Magazine on FaceBook

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on July 18, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Funding & Staffing, News, Urban Commander • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Is our obsession with urban “War Years” like the military’s nostalgia for their Cold War ways?

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What Does Secretary Gate's Outgoing Message to the Military Mean to the Fire Service?

Fred Kaplan, writing in Salon.com, describes the message former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates shared at the military academies during his recent goodbye tour:

The Army needs to shift from a garrison peacetime force that's preparing for a possible head-on armored clash against a foe of comparable strength to a mobile force that's fighting actual "asymmetric" wars against rogue states and insurgents.

The Air Force needs to pull back from its traditional obsession with high-tech air-to-air combat and focus more on joint operations—surveillance, precise air strikes, cargo transport, and rapid rescue—that help the troops on the ground.

The Navy needs to focus less on aircraft carriers and more on vessels that can maneuver in coastal waters.

Not Mincing Words: On his way out the door, Robert Gates gives the military some refreshingly frank advice.

Thinking the Unthinkable

As we start our NINTH fiscal year with shrinking budgets, I am wondering if the fire service is having the same mis-match of old mission facing new community needs.

ICMA Press published "Making Smart Choices about Fire and Emergency Medical Services in a Difficult Economy" (November 5, 2010) as part of their InFocus bi-monthly subscription.

Written by Fitch and Associates consultants Jay Fitch, PhD and Michael Ragone; and Best Practices in Emergency Services editor-in-chief Keith Griffiths. Your municipal leaders will consider this a valid reference book.

Labor and fire administration should get the 22 page ebook.  Go HERE for a four page executive summary that includes the 20 questions the city manager should discuss with the fire chief.

"Unthinkable" Factors:  Fire Suppression trends 1986 – 2008

  • The number of actual fire responses declined by one-third.
  • While residential fires still account for 84% of all structure fires, responses have declined 30%.
  • Deaths in residental fires declined 42%.

Drops in structural workload between 1994 (5621 fires) and 1999 (2367 fires) is what drove Baltimore to close four engines, two truck companies and a battalion chief in 2007.

I am sure there is a similar drop in structural fire workload that guided the 2011 Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) deployment. 

Over a three year period Los Angeles has eliminated 228 firefighter positions from daily field assignment.

Workload is up

While structure fires decline, the number of events has almost doubled in the 22 year retrospective, with medical calls the biggest contributer to the higher response workload.

Los Angeles shows four dials that track current workload each day. 

At 6:22 pm on July 4, 2011 LAFD handled 1022 requests for service, including 9 structural fires and 815 ALS/BLS calls since 0001 hours.  Go HERE to see entire dashboard.

We still go to fires

Andy Fredricks took a detailed look at FDNY statistics from 1950 to 2000.

In his presentation, "Don't Worry 'bout that Nozzle, Kid, 'cause We Don't Do Fires.", Fredricks observes that the number of occupied structural workers (OSW) continued to climb every year, closely linked to the city's population growth.

Most civilian rescues came from OSWs, with prompt action by first arriving units making the difference. You still need to force entry, perform primary search, operate handline, achieve horizontal ventilation and all of those other basic fire suppression tasks.

We add new technology and learn from ongoing research  by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Underwriters Lab (UL) .

For example, FDNY's latest Seagrave pumpers are equipped with 2000 gpm pumps, changing a 50 year old specification requiring 1000 gpm.  The change increases ability to supply tower ladders and use alternative water sources.Elliot Goodman

Dave Statter's recent posting of the US Park Police video dramatically shows that we still go to fires. Elliot Goodman photo of 921 Decatur Street NW on July 1,

Click on Early raw video: U.S. Park Police chopper crew captures recent two-alarm DC rowhouse fire.

Do not have the "perfect" solution

When I was a company officer assigned to a "border" station, we would run every day with an engine company from another jurisdiction. They were still operating a engine company with two rigs … and a crew of three.

The guys said they were afraid if they went to single pumper engine company, they would lose another position and become a two-person, one pumper engine company. 

Today we are challenged when sending a half-million dollar fire company with a crew of four as an ems first responder.

Up to 80% of urban engine company responses are for ems assists. 

Syracuse implemented a "Mini-Max" concept in the 1970s, using a pumper with a 50' telescoping waterway and mini-pumper.  At the start, the mini-pumper handled vehicle and rubbish fires, especially in hard to access parking garages and back allies.

As semi-automatic external defibrillators were allowed to be used by non-paramedics in the late 1980's, the Syracuse mini-pumpers became the primary ems first responders, 

(PS, would love to get a copy of an 8000 word article about Syracuse mini-pumpers written by Lieutenant David Reeves from Station 7 in the 1990s.  Update – District Chief Reeves runs the Maintenance Division )

Tom Shands provides a current perspective on Syracuse operations, they still link an ems first responder vehicle with each every engine company. (Photo credit Shapiro Photography)

Syracuse reports that 62% of alarms are EMS-related.

Click on the title to access the December 2010 Firehouse.com article: Innovative Rigs on the Street: Syracuse’s New Pumpers

Is there another configuration of suppression fire forces that provides adequate response to structural fires and covers ems first responder events?

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on July 11, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, Funding & Staffing, Urban Commander • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Feline Rescue without pipe-cutting or positive pressure.

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Demythologizing an Urban Legend

Mike Seely, writing in today's Seattle Weekly blog, describes a July 5th dilemma.

After exhausting all other means to get Quincy down:

I decided to pay a personal visit to our local firehouse three blocks away.

Through a window, I saw a handful of firefighters hanging out near the front door, and rang the after-hours bell.

They answered, and I sheepishly asked them if they'd be willing to rescue a cat stranded on a roof down the street.

They chuckled at the request, but quickly agreed to have a look.

Upon meeting me at the house, the leader of the squadron informed me that if they were to receive an actual emergency summons, they'd have to promptly split and come back, provided things calmed to a point where they could come back.

You need to read the rest of the article here: Firefighters Really Do Rescue Cats: Demythologizing an Urban Legend

There is excitement, intrigue and a frozen peanut butter and banana pie.

Tip of the helmet to the Seattle Fire Department Ladder 13 crew from Highland Park!

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

PS: Seattle Fire Department's 22 page 2009 Emergency Response Report is another great approach showing OUTCOME based criteria to support budgeted activities. 

Worth a look! Click HERE.

Posted by on July 6, 2011 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, culture, Fire Rescue Topics, Funding & Staffing, News, public relations, Special Operations, Urban Commander • Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Freedom, Independence, Taxation, and Service

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From Jim Maule, a Villanova Tax Law professor

Today is Independence Day. … The United States is not a free country.

When I claim that it’s not a free country, I don’t mean that the United States is not an independent country. There is a huge difference between free and independent. Free means to be without cost.

The United States was not created, nor has it been maintained, without cost. Many people have paid, in blood, in service, and in sacrifice, in order for this country to exist and to continue existing. It is misleading to use the phrase “it’s a free country” as some sort of blank check for unbridled behavior and willful refusal to contribute to the nation’s health and well-being. There are those who claim that because we live in a “free country,” they should be “free” to do what they want and “free” to refuse to pay taxes. …

Somewhere along the line the notion that the freedoms enjoyed in our independent nation need to be protected through the participatory service of citizenship was corrupted.

Though a brave few continue to put their lives on the line, the proportion of Americans willing to pitch in has diminished, while the chorus of cries for self-centeredness has grown larger and louder. Once upon a time, when it was necessary to defend the nation’s freedoms, everyone pitched in, one way or another. Some served in the military, almost everyone was subjected to rationing, almost everyone paid taxes, many stepped up to perform volunteer services, and almost everyone bore the burden of lifestyle restrictions.

Today, claims that letting the poor get poorer, the sick sicker, the unemployed more desperate, and the rich richer will strengthen the freedoms on which this independent, and expensive, nation has been built resonate among those whose ability to see beyond the horizon and into the future is weak or missing.

Too many seek ways to avoid paying taxes, very few volunteer for military service, and too many turn their attention to how assets can be hidden off-shore.

Perhaps Independence Day should be a time not only to celebrate what was done several hundred years ago by people willing to pay the price, but also an occasion to examine the extent to which some people take freedom for granted, and others misunderstand what freedom means and what it requires. Freedom is not free. Independence is not free.

Trend lines suggest that there may come a day, perhaps sooner than later, when not enough people will be willing to pay what needs to be paid for freedom.

The cost in that event will be loss, not only of freedom, but of independence.

Jim Maule, Villanova faculty page

Thanks to TaxProf Blog for posting the remarks.

Tidbit from Dave Shiflett, in his July 2, 2011, Wall Street Journal essay: While My Son Serves:

fewer than 1% of Americans wear the uniform these days.

That tiny percentage includes my nephew and Mike "Rescuing Providence" Morse's brother.

Enjoy the fireworks tonight.

Do not forget our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, serving in hostile, dangerous and isolated places protecting our freedom.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on July 4, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, Funding & Staffing • Tagged: , , , ,

Los Angeles Chief Millage Peaks to retire

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Chief who implemented new deployment plan retires. 35 years with LAFD and 59 years old.

Los Angeles Times:

Just 22 months after he took the helm of the Los Angeles Fire Department, Chief Millage Peaks announced Monday that he is stepping down.

His departure comes about a month after the City Council approved his controversial redeployment plan, which calls for firetrucks or ambulances at about one-fourth of the 106 fire stations to be put out of service.

The redeployment plan, which Peaks crafted after the mayor asked him to trim more than $50 million from the department’s budget, was opposed by the firefighters union and generated outcry from some community members who said it prioritized the bottom line over public safety.

Go HERE for rest of article by Kate Linthicum at Los Angeles City Hall

From Daily News:

"Chief Peaks leaves a more flexible department, with a greater capacity, that is prepared to meet the opportunities and realities of the 21st century," department spokesman Capt. Jaime Moore said.

Moore said Peaks told staff he is retiring because it is "a good time for him." Moore added that Peaks is leaving the department with a balanced budget and believed firefighters are close to solidifying a multi-year contract with the city.

read more from Daily News Wire Services HERE

LAFD biography

Chief Peaks has a wealth of experience and brings an innovative perspective to public safety in Los Angeles. Since his appointment to the department in January of 1976,

Chief Peaks has held the rank of Firefighter, Captain, Battalion Chief, and on September 11, 2009 was confirmed as the 16th Fire Chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department. His service record includes administrative experience in Recruit Training, Planning Section Chief, Operations Executive Officer, Department Safety Officer, and as the Department Chief of Staff.

Chief Peaks received a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from California State University at Dominguez Hills.

He lives in downtown Los Angeles with his wife Anne. He has four adult children and enjoys spending time with his family and participating in community based activities.

UPDATE LAFD.org: Chief Millage Peaks Announces Retirement

During a statement to his executive staff, Chief Peaks commended the sworn, civilian, cadet and volunteer men and women of the LAFD, who continue to work diligently to serve the residents of Los Angeles.

He thanked the Mayor for his confidence in allowing him to lead the Department; and expressed his appreciation to the City Council and the Fire Commission for working cooperatively in managing the Fire Department through this extremely difficult fiscal period.

Chief Peaks also acknowledged his gratitude to his family for their support throughout his tenure. Chief Peaks' personal integrity and unwavering dedication to firefighter and public safety facilitated a relentless focus on the Department’s mission of preserving life and property and the LAFD’s core values of service, professionalism, respect, innovation and trust.

Fire Chief Millage Peaks leaves a legacy of organizational evolution, collaboration, and innovation as a result of his vision and steadfast leadership.

The change that occurred under his watch is visible across the community as a 47% reduction in fire fatalities, greater educational opportunities for our youth and increased public-private partnership in support of the LAFD.

The full benefit of these changes will be felt for years to come. Serving during what many would consider the most fiscally challenging period in the Department’s history,

Chief Peaks made tremendous progress in evolving the Fire Department’s business model, strengthening the catastrophic incident command and control, and bolstering the department’s technology infrastructure.

Additionally, his accomplishments include:

  • Instituting a creative structural framework for e-learning, broader community partnership, performance excellence modeling, metrics based decision making, and full cost recovery initiatives, along with alternative funding, that set into motion the continued advancement of the LAFD as the premiere full spectrum fire and life safety emergency service agency.
  • Leading the industry by creating models for Catastrophic Incident Command and Control; Department Operation Center (DOC) Concept of Operation; comprehensive HIPAA compliant electronic field data capture and ambulance billing system; family and emergency responder preparedness implementation process; prioritization of critical services, and a succession and knowledge management transfer process.
  • Improved service delivery as evidenced by:
  1. The professionalism and sacrifice exemplified by each and every LAFD employee, partner and volunteer;
  2. Increased community engagement in the public discourse on prioritization of public service; and
  3. Realignment of the LAFD’s resource footprint to reflect the emergency service needs of the community.

Chief Peaks's tenure has resulted in a more flexible Department. The new LAFD is prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

Chief Peaks replaced Douglas Barry, who spent two-and-a-half years as LAFD Fire Chief and retired with 34 years service.

Barry replaced William Bamattre, who spent a little over a decade as the chief and retired with 30 years on the job. All three started with LAFD in 1975/1976.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on June 27, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, Funding & Staffing, News, Urban Commander • Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

“Gentleness and Strength” (video added)

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Tom O'Connor, IAFF Local 798 President, provides a memorable eulogy.

The remarks made by Lieutenant O'Connor at the funeral were moving.

photo by Jamie Thompson

The San Francisco Chronicle provides a summary:

Through the tears, there were moments of levity.

Tom O'Connor, president of the local firefighters union, brought knowing smiles and chuckles as he described Valerio as "a pony-tailed hippy who called himself 'The People's Paramedic.' He had a big heart and unbounded capacity to help the downtrodden.

"He was like Mother Teresa with a siren," O'Connor said.

Perez, O'Connor recalled, was "a fireman's fireman," who once ran an entire city block during a fire on Lexington Street to get a line to a water source when three of his colleagues were inside a building as the water was running out.

"He laughed about it and shrugged it off, never being one to take credit," O'Connor said. "But he should have taken credit that night, because he saved the lives of all three men who were on his engine company."

Perez was a laconic former Marine, Valerio a talkative, world-traveling free spirit.

"To say that Vince and Tony were very different people would be an understatement," O'Connor said. "I think the immortal words of St. Francis sum them up the best:

'Nothing is so strong as gentleness, and nothing is so gentle as real strength.'

Vincent and Tony were our gentleness and our strength."

John Coté, Justin Berton, Chronicle Staff Writers (2011 June 11) Thousands say goodbye to fallen S.F. firefighters

if someone can provide a video link or complete transcript of the remarks, it would be appreciated.

Ahh, should have known.  Dave Statter has the link :)

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=8183853

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on June 12, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, Major Incidents, News, Urban Commander, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Anaheim Paramedic Engine 8 to close next week (update)

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More room at the fire station kitchen table

Eric Carpenter, reporting for the Orange County Register, reports on next week's closing of Engine 8 at the Riverdale fire station in east Anaheim, California.

Anaheim cuts fire engine to save $1.9 million

Anaheim Fire Chief Randy Bruegman said removing the engine from service will save the city $1.9 million over the next year.

The move also helps avoid any layoffs; the four firefighters assigned to that engine will be put on rotation to avoid overtime costs throughout the department,

Bruegman said. It's the second Anaheim fire truck to be taken out of service in recent years: The department placed an engine stationed near downtown on reserve indefinitely in April 2009.

It hasn't returned to service.

read rest of article HERE

The Riverdale station houses Paramedic Engine 8, Truck 8, Battalion 1 and HazMat 8.

Their "first-in" covers a mixed area of industrial and hillside residential. Station 8 responds to both the 91 and 55 freeways, and has the potential of river rescues with the Santa Ana riverbed just behind the station.

According to the news article, Station 8 handles about 1,500 calls per year.

Truck 8 will morph into Quint 8.

Update (June 12) Truck 8 (tiller) is swapped with the reserve quint. 

HazMat 8 will move to Station 6.

Quint 8 will probably be paramedic first responder capable.

Anaheim Fire Department website

IAFF Local 2988 website

From Local 2988:

The Anaheim Fire Department has lost 25 positions and two fire apparatus in the last two years.

We have less firefighters and apparatus on the streets today with 350,000 people then we did back in 1985 with 250,000 people in the city.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on June 8, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Funding & Staffing, News, Urban Commander • Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Geezer golf caddy

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May be at your next visit to a high end resort

From the Segway for Business website:

x2 Golf for Golf Courses and Resorts

Liven up your links with the technology that's turning heads across the fairway and throughout the industry: the x2 Golf.

Increase your guest through-put, maintain your turf quality and generate additional revenues when you offer the x2 Golf at your course.

Renew your members' and guests' passion and energy for the game while keeping your greens in great condition.

Riding the x2 Golf can speed up play time on-demand, give players greater flexibility in maneuvering the course, and easily allows players to travel together as a foursome or go directly to their own ball.

With so many features and benefits, the x2 Golf is sure to make your club a talked-about location for the unique experience it offers.

.

Has a range of 14 miles and weighs 120 pounds.  A new one is for sale at Amazon.com for $7,999.99.

Maybe we can convert one as an incident aide mobility tool.

This travelog shows how resorts are using the Segway.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on June 5, 2011 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, entertainment, News, Technology & Communications, Videos • Tagged: ,

Fire Chief Accused of Phony Credentialling

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"I’m in the dark on this as much as anybody,"

THE MOUNT VERNON, OHIO, FIRE CHIEF Shawn Christy was suddenly placed on administrative leave Thursday afternoon by the town's Safety-Service Director, David Glass.

Chief Christy was as surprised as anybody when the suspension was handed down and he claims to not know what it's about.  Glass is refusing to make public his reason for doing it or to disclose any other information about the matter.

Chief Christy  (MVFD photo)

The Mount Vernon News is speculating that it may be connected to a complaint filed back in December with the Department of Public Safety Emergency Medical Services.  The News is reporting this morning:

The complaint, filed by an investigator with the State Fire Marshal’s Office, alleges that Christy "has been giving false statements on his re-certification paperwork for his paramedic certification." The investigator stated in the complaint he was informed that Christy "does not and has not in the past had the correct number of continuing education required though when he fills out the form he has been stating that he has had enough hours."

Glass reiterated he had no comment on whether the complaint had any bearing on Christy’s suspension.

Geoff Dutton of the communications office of ODPS said he could not comment on an open case. He said the case must go before the state board whether there is a decision made or not. The next meeting of the ODPS board will be in July, but as of Friday, Dutton said the case is not on the meeting’s agenda.

The leave is indefinite until the issue is resolved.  The Assistant Chief Chris Menapace is filling in the position during the interim.

Mount Vernon Fire Department WEBSITE.

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Posted by on June 4, 2011 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, labor • Tagged: ,

The 9th “New Normal” Memorial Day

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What should we do for Memorial Day?

I cannot match the power or eloquence of Kelly Grayson's Memorial Day post.

I want to reflect on how Decoration Day is reflected in our new normal.

Be aware that there are more deployments

Active duty, reserve and National Guard troops are experiencing more combat exposure than earlier generations. Some reservists have completed three deployments.

James Hosek, Jennifer Kavanagh, Laura Miller (2006) How Deployments Affect Service Members

The one-third cut in active-duty manpower at the end of the Cold War, from 2.1 million to 1.4 million in uniform, combined with a shift in the national security environment, has today resulted in the need for longer and repeated deployments, especially for the Army and the Marine Corps, and these deployments have posed challenges for active-duty service members and for their families.

Terri Tanielian (March 2009) Assessing Combat Exposure and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Troops and Estimating the Costs to Society: Implications from the RAND Invisible Wounds of War Study

 

Learn from the Millennium Cohort Study

A prospective study of veteran health started in 2001 and ending in 2022, may identify trends we will encounter when helping our brothers and sisters who have served.

US Medicine: What We Can Learn in 21 Years. Looking at physiological (respiratory, cardiovascular and muscolo-skeletal), environment (sleep) and psychological (Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Click HERE to see the presentations list.

Initial results include identification of increased alcohol risks for reservists and national guard members after deployment.

Of 50,000 responders, 4.8 percent of active-duty members and 7.1 percent of reserve-component members reported the onset of alcohol-related problems after deployment. Six percent of active-duty members and 8.8 percent of reservists and Guardsmen reported that they had begun heavy weekly drinking. In addition, 26.6 percent of active-duty members and 25.6 percent in the reserve components reported post-deployment binge drinking. (HERE)

Also identifying an increased rate of respiratory symptoms of no known etiology

Troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan have a higher rate of developing persistent or recurring cough or shortness of breath than nondeployers (14 percent vs. 10 percent), according to a survey of more than 46,000 military personal. Yet, the cause of this spike remains a mystery. The survey – based on self-reported symptoms – did not find an increased rate of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma. (HERE)

As well as hypertension after multiple combat exposures

"Deployment with multiple combat exposures appeared to be a unique risk factor for newly reported hypertension," Nisara S. Granado, an epidemiologist at the Naval Health Research Center in San Diego and lead author of a report in the Sept. 14, 2009, online issue of Hypertension, said in a statement.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, thus joins the list of problems resulting from constant exposure to the life-threatening experience of combat. They include post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, substance abuse and attention deficits.

Nisara and her colleagues drew on the records of 36,061 service members, including 8,829 deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan between 2001 and 2003. After a three-year follow-up, the researchers found that those who reported multiple combat exposures were 33 percent more likely to report they had high blood pressure than those spared combat.

Troops sent to combat areas but not exposed to combat were 23 percent less likely to report high blood pressure than those who saw action, the researchers said. (HERE)

Act individually to make a difference

Bill Carey, in Backstep Firefighter, shares a recognition from the Boston Medal Day:

The Massachusetts Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Heroes Memorial Fund was founded in 2010, to build a permanent memorial to the sons and daughters of Massachusetts who have given their lives in service to our nation in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Firefighter Daniel J. Magoon Engine Company 21 and Firefighter Edward A. Kelly Tower Ladder17, dedicated hundreds of hours of personal time helping to build the organization and coordinate its first major event. The memorial team would not have become what it has without the leadership and guidance of Firefighter Edward A. Kelly and Firefighter Daniel J. Magoon during its critical initial forming stages.

Firefighter Magoon’s (Treasurer of Organization) and Kelly’s (Board of Directors) selfless service, leadership, and organizational abilities are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Fire service, and reflect great credit upon himself, Boston Firefighters, and the Boston Fire Department.

Kelly Grayson (Ambulance Driver) makes two great recommendations in his MEMORIAL DAY post:

Remind yourself also that your sacrifice is infinitely easier. All you need do is sacrifice a moment of your time every few years to pull a lever.

The way to honor a dead soldier is not simply to fly a flag on Memorial Day.

Vote to preserve the freedoms they died defending. Elect leaders worthy of those rough young men and women who stand ready to do violence on your behalf.

And stop by your local Veteran’s Cemetery and put out some flowers on the grave of your choice. It need not even be the grave of someone you know.

Bring your children along, and explain to them why it’s important

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on May 29, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Patient Management • Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

President Obama’s Remarks at FDNY

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President Obama has lunch at FDNY Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9

"Well, listen, the main reason I came here is because I heard the food is pretty good. (Laughter.)

"But to the Commissioner, to Mayor Giuliani — who obviously performed heroic acts almost 10 years ago — but most of all, to all of you, I wanted to just come up here to thank you.

"This is a symbolic site of the extraordinary sacrifice that was made on that terrible day almost 10 years ago. Obviously we can't bring back your friends that were lost, and I know that each and every one of you not only grieve for them, but have also over the last 10 years dealt with their family, their children, trying to give them comfort, trying to give them support.

"What happened on Sunday, because of the courage of our military and the outstanding work of our intelligence, sent a message around the world, but also sent a message here back home that when we say we will never forget, we mean what we say; that our commitment to making sure that justice is done is something that transcended politics, transcended party; it didn’t matter which administration was in, it didn’t matter who was in charge, we were going to make sure that the perpetrators of that horrible act — that they received justice.

"So it’s some comfort, I hope, to all of you to know that when those guys took those extraordinary risks going into Pakistan, that they were doing it in part because of the sacrifices that were made in the States. They were doing it in the name of your brothers that were lost.

"And finally, let me just say that, although 9/11 obviously was a high water mark of courage for the New York Fire Department and a symbol of the sacrifice, you guys are making sacrifices every single day. It doesn’t get as much notoriety, it doesn’t get as much attention, but every time you run into a burning building, every time that you are saving lives, you're making a difference. And that's part of what makes this city great and that's part of what makes this country great.

"So I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of the American people for the sacrifices that you make every single day. And I just want to let you know that you're always going to have a President and an administration who’s got your back the way you’ve got the backs of the people of New York over these last many years.

"So God bless you. God bless the United States of America.

"And with that, I'm going to try some of that food. All right? Appreciate you. Thank you."

 

 

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ENGINE 54

FF. Jose Guadalupe
FF. Leonard Ragaglia
FF. Christopher Santora
FF. Paul Gill

LADDER 4

CPT. David Wooley
LT. Daniel O'Callaghan
FF. Joseph Angelini, Jr.
FF. Samuel Oitice
FF. Michael Haub
FF. John Tipping II
FF. Michael Lynch
FF. Michael Brennan

BATTALION 9

BC. Edward Geraghty
BC. Denns Devlin
FF. Alan Feinberg
FF. Carl Asaro
FF. Charles Garbarini

Engine 54 / Ladder 4 / Battalion 9
782 8th Ave.
Theatre District
Manhattan

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on May 5, 2011 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, culture, current events, Fire Rescue Topics, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, Major Incidents, Mass Casualty Incident, News, Rescues, Urban Commander, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

“We Were Strong, They Were Weak”

2 comments

A lasting lesson in The New Normal

Ross Douthat, writing in the New York Times on May 1, makes this statement:

This is a triumph for the United States of America, for our soldiers and intelligence operatives, and for the president as well.

But it is not quite the triumph that it would have seemed if bin Laden had been captured a decade ago, because those 10 years have taught us that we didn’t need to fear him and his rabble as much as we did, temporarily but intensely, in the weeks when ground zero still smoked.

They’ve taught us, instead, that whatever blunders we make (and we have made many), however many advantages we squander (and there has been much squandering), and whatever quagmires we find ourselves lured into, our civilization is not fundamentally threatened by the utopian fantasy politics embodied by groups like Al Qaeda, or the mix of thugs, fools and pseudointellectuals who rally around their banner.

They can strike us, they can wound us, they can kill us. They can goad us into tactical errors and strategic blunders. But they are not, and never will be, an existential threat.

Read his entire opinion piece that certainly reflects my memories of the months after the attacks. Death of a Failure

Found by reading this summary from The Economist column Democracy in America:Killing bin Laden: Let's call it a day

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on May 4, 2011 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, In the Line of Duty, Major Incidents, Mass Casualty Incident, News • Tagged: , , , , , ,

Minneapolis steals one firefighter from front-line staffing for unprofitable board-up project

1 comment

A "revenue generating" firefighter activity that has not worked out

Andy Mannix,  writing in the April 25th edition of City Pages, describes the status of a revenue generating experiment with the Minneapolis Fire Department:

It's been slightly more than six months since Minneapolis started tasking its on-duty firefighters with boarding up buildings and houses all over the city, and the program is already on track to be a disaster. When City Councilmembers introduced the board-up plan, they projected it would save the cash-strapped department $400,000 a year.

At the halfway point of the first year, the program has billed about $39,000, according to fire department data, which does little more than cover the costs of materials.

The greater cost of the program, according to many in the fire department, is that it's pulling firefighters away from emergencies, and spreading an already imperiled department dangerously thin.

Read the entire story here: Minneapolis Fire Dept. board-up plan failing after six months

Milwaukee is removing one on-duty firefighter from a fire force that is already below NFPA 1710 staffing to drive a board-up truck.

Mannix has been following the staffing issue, on November 3, 2010 he wrote Minneapolis Fire Department faces perilous future: Cuts have left MFD below industry standards.

In 2002 engine company staffing shrank to 3. The opening to the November article described a flashover that occured during a rescue operation at McMahon's Irish Pub on April 2, 2010.

In addition to smaller engine crews, the nearest ladder company to McMahons was disbanded one month earlier.

After years of cuts, many firefighters say that an already dangerous job has become perilous.

Up until a few years ago, it was standard practice to cut open the roof on burning structures—like the building that housed McMahon's—to prevent a backdraft and a similar phenomenon called a flashover.

The once-routine protocol has been all but abandoned in Minneapolis as a result of having to make due with a smaller staff, says Capt. Pat Swaggert, one of the men inside McMahon's during the explosion.

Details of the fire that killed three adults and three children in apartments above the pub are HERE.

Video of fire from ocypete

Mannix provided additional data in Man Down: Follow the paper trail

When considering implementation of the board up program in 2008, there was a glut of abandoned buildings in the city. By 2010 the person that was running a commercial board-up company was reducing his staff, said he was making 1/3rd of what he was making in 2008.

Bill "Firegeezer" Schumm documented this folly when it started. October 1, 2010: Saving Money Raises Costs in Minneapolis

So why is the city still doing this program?

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on April 30, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, Fire Prevention & Education, Fire Rescue Topics, Funding & Staffing, labor, News, Urban Commander, Videos • Tagged: , , , ,

Detroit paramedics worked their tails off …

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Follow-up on Sunday Detroit multiple shooting

(The tape) shows that paramedics worked their tails off, and it also shows how everything else is wrong with the city's EMS system.

Charlie LeDuff

Detroit EMS: Tale of the Tape: MyFoxDETROIT.com

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

earlier: UPDATED Six shot 2 am Sunday. All 17 staffed Detroit ambulances on other calls. Five ambulances unstaffed. Police transport.

Posted by on April 21, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, ambulances, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, News, Urban Commander, Videos • Tagged: , , , , ,

Ms. Bus Driver helps evacuate a nursing home

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The Emergency Evacuation

It was a typical Thursday evening. I had just gotten home from my after-school program run and was just putting my feet up and getting ready to eat dinner (thank you microwave dinners deluxe)when a phone call interrupted my, one time a week, quiet evening at home.

"Ms. Bus Driver, its an emergency, can you help?"

Amazing how one phone call can cause so much havoc in one evening. Not really knowing what I was about to get myself into, I immediately said, "Yes, what do you need me to do?"

"Go to Transit, get a bus with a lift, and go out to Nearby Town, and help evacuate the nursing home. There is a fire. Make sure you call Mr. Bossman when you get to Transit."

By the word "fire", the adrenaline was pumping, and I had already put my shoes on and was on the way down the stairs. The call came in at 6:51 pm. I was at Transit and on a bus by 6:54 pm. I was entering Nearby Town following the ambulances with lights and sirens by 7:07 pm. By 7:09, I was at the nursing home.

The smoke was thick. It felt like a hot August night and the road was blocked off. The fire reached within 30 feet of the nursing home. We were against a wall of smoke racing against time to get the residents to safety. It was chaos. Organized chaos, but chaos.

Police were redirecting traffic, roads were closed, trains were stopped. The fire had jumped the 4 lane highway in several places. The county had come to a standstill. Reports flew in, 1000 acres burned, then 2000, then 5000, then 7000+. Damage is unknown.

Speculation begins: Was it a careless brush fire, Was it someone burning trash, Was it a controlled burn out of control?

WHOP WHOP WHOP WHOP WHOP The helicopter soars overhead dropping water on hot spots where the trucks can't reach. Homes are in danger, some already burning.

People are being evacuated to nearby churches, schools, towns. Fire departments from all over are battling the blaze. Emotions are running high and the intensity is heart pounding.

School buses, Transit buses, and Ambulances are piled into the parking lot at the nursing home. I load up two people in wheelchairs, secure them and go to make my way over to the safety shelter.

I return again in the hopes of helping to transport supplies, or other needed items or other people who needed transport.

I think it takes about 40-50 minutes to evacuate everyone. Ambulances are making several return trips for bed bound residents. Over at the evacuation shelter, people are swarming, nurses are working to make sure everyone is safe and the smell of smoke hangs in the air. The nursing home becomes a ghost town.

Did I just help evacuate a nursing home?

Wow.

The Bus Driver

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<    >>>>>>>>>>>

Thanks to Ms. Bus Driver for allowing us to repost her experience. 

With her permission came this observation:

It was quite intense.  My adrenaline was definitely pumping and it was fantastic to work alongside medical and firefighting personnel and assisting them in whatever they needed! 

Check out her blog site: 

Tales from the School Bus

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on April 18, 2011 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Major Incidents, Mass Casualty Incident, News, Patient Management • Tagged: , ,

DCFD lives … maybe! Fire and Emergency Services Logo Clarification Act of 2011

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Press release from Councilmember Jack Evans

The “Fire and Emergency Services Logo Clarification Act of 2011” would provide that District firefighters may continue to wear the DCFD logo on their uniforms despite a controversial order from Chief Kenneth Ellerbe requiring all personnel to wear “FEMS,” as well as to pay for certain changes to their uniforms.

“No one is arguing against the policy justifications for elevating the stature of the emergency medical services portion of the department,” Evans said. “However, just look at New York City’s iconic “NYFD” logo, used for a department that serves a number of functions, none of which are suffering because they are not all included in the department’s logo. Around the country, a logo consisting of a city’s initials in front of “FD” is universally recognized and inspires confidence and cooperation from residents.”

“Further, a workforce that hasn’t received a pay increase in five years should not be asked to incur additional out of pocket expenses.

Link to press release "Evans Introduces Police & Fire Legislation: Bills Aimed at Public Safety & Employee Morale" HERE

Jack Evans FaceBook page

Jason Cherkis (2011 April 05) "Jack Evans Takes on FEMS" Washington City Paper

This is PROPOSED legislation that requres discussion and vote by the city council.

 

<<<<<<<<<<<< Added  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

dcfdsid, posting in TheWatchDesk, shares FDNY mission statement:

Mission Statement of the New York City Fire Department (better known as FDNY)

As first responders to fires, public safety and medical emergencies, disasters and terrorist acts, FDNY protects the lives and property of New York City residents and visitors. The Department advances public safety through its fire prevention, investigation and education programs. The timely delivery of these services enables the FDNY to make significant contributions to the safety of New York City and homeland security efforts.

Core Values of the Department

SERVICE
The Department continues its unwavering call to protect and serve.

BRAVERY
Bravery is the ability to overcome fear through fortitude, instinct, compassion for others and training.

SAFETY
We strive to keep our citizens free from danger, especially deliberate, harmful acts. With the best equipment and training, the Department can reduce the risk to the public and its members at fires, emergencies and medical incidents.

HONOR
The enormous commitment necessary to perform the Department’s tasks requires excellence of character. We inspire each other through pride in our unit, which is a belief that every action reflects on all the members of the unit, both past and present.

DEDICATION
A commitment to the objectives of our mission is an essential part of our code of conduct. The faithful observance of duty calls for us to fulfill our obligations professionally and honestly.

PREPAREDNESS
By combining all of the components of our core values, the FDNY will maintain its constant state of readiness to meet all threats and challenges, traditional and new.

see FDNY link HERE

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on April 5, 2011 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, culture, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, News, Urban Commander • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mendelson: I support the Chief in moving away from the “DCFD” designation. Dennis Rubin did damage to the efforts to assert the EMS mission and a small part of that was re-asserting the DCFD designation.

2 comments

Councilmember Phil Mendelson, Chairman of the Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary, responds to email:

"Calling them FEMS will not improve out-of-hospital emergency medical care."

Mr. Ward,

I support the Chief in moving away from the "DCFD" designation. Dennis Rubin did damage to the efforts to assert the EMS mission and a small part of that was re-asserting the DCFD designation.

I have told Chief Ellerbe, however, that the change must be phased in. Further, I told the chief that he ought to consider alternatives such as "DC Fire & EMS." The Chief indicated that he is open to these suggestions and that he will work with the union presidents.

I appreciate that EMS status has changed since 2006. Nevertheless, it does make a difference, a subtle but important difference, when the agency is called the "Fire Department" rather than "Fire and EMS Department."

Still, I recognize the fiscal impact. I think it is small with regard to the agency; I will watch that.

As for members, this is why any change ought to be phased in. I look to the union for guidance.

Thanks for your comments.

– Phil Mendelson

< <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

related articles:

January 1, 2010: Singing Pigs, Resistant Cultures and DC EMS

January 4, 2010: Two DC EMS Snapshots

I appreciate Councilmember Mendelson's response.

 

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on April 3, 2011 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, culture, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, News, Urban Commander • Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Calling them FEMS will not improve out-of-hospital emergency medical care

8 comments

Email copied to each DC Council member:

Councilmember Phil Mendelson
Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary

Chairman Mendelson:

I appreciate your dedication to focus the fire department on its EMS mission.

I have to share a frustration with the effort to ban "DCFD" and the eagle/badge emblem.

The majority of employees that staff the ambulance in 2011 are dual role firefighter/emt and firefighter/medics.

This is a significant change from the single-role ems employees staffing transport units before the 2007 EMS Task Force.

The other symbolic change since 2007 was in the paint scheme of the ambulances. From white with red/blue stripes to a white over red scheme designed to make them look more like fire department units.

A decision maker within the fire and ems department said the change was made to make ambulance duty "more palatible" to the dual role firefighter/medics and firefighter/emts that staff the units.

Every big city fire department is involved in EMS first response, most also operate the ambulance service.

None of those with ambulances have felt the need to change the identity of the fire department.

Not FDNY (New York City), LAFD (Los Angeles City), Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami-Dade, St. Louis, Memphis, Seattle, San Francisco, Dallas or Houston.

I get the symbolism, and that it was one of the EMS Task Force recommendations.

I also remember the excitement and efforts of the members of the fire and ems department to get the gold eagle/badge logo on the rigs and on the uniforms as soon as they could. Many of the uniform patches, t-shirts and decals were direct employee purchases.

Part of the emergency service lifestyle is that many employees buy additional shirts, t-shirts, "job-shirts" and jackets that proudly proclaim their affiliation with a storied and proud emergency service agency.  Outlawing the wearing of DCFD branded clothing creates a personal financial impact on the employee.

It is fiscally imprudent to require a massive change of decals, uniform patches and uniform shirts – it will NOT change employee attitudes or symbolize to the public a change in focus or dedication of the firefighters, ems providers and civilians who make up the fire and ems department.

A recurrent tradition is that a new fire chief "marks" his territory by changing the color of the fire trucks or the uniform patch.

I am confident that Chief Ellerbe does not need to make the same type of marking to assure fire department focus on EMS.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<  sent March 29          >>>>>>>>>>>>

When Chief Rubin reinstated the golden eagle/ badge logo in 2007, it was altered to reflect the EMS component.

Noticed that many of the news reports used the older version of the logo that did not show the changes. 

Hmmm

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on March 31, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, News, Urban Commander • Tagged: , , , , ,

Chief Goes Bonkers at Fire Scene – Gets Arrested As Sheriff Takes Over Command

2 comments

Tried To Tell Fire Units to "Let it Burn"

A VELARDE, NEW MEXICO, VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT CHIEF, Eddie Velarde came unglued at a brush fire Tuesday and began telling the fire units on the scene to pack up and leave it to burn.  The Associated Press is reporting that Velarde was screaming and calling in reports that people were trapped and to send more units when the fire wasn't anywhere near any structures.  Then he called for a mass evacuation of the area around the 3-acre fire.

KOB-TV image

Deputies with the Rio Arriba County Sheriffs Department say they tried to tell Velarde to calm down repeatedly as he challenged them to arrest him.  At that point they did and the ranking deputy took over the fire scene.  The fire was extinguished 15 minutes later.

Velarde was booked on a disorderly conduct charge and released later Tuesday.

KOB-TV posted this video report Tuesday evening:

 

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Posted by on March 30, 2011 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, current events, Fire Rescue Topics, Videos • Tagged: ,

FossilMedic FDIC Wednesday

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Hail-o from Indianapolis

Wednesday is the first full day of classroom activities, with a traditionally strong keynote.

Fire Engineering has increased its digital capacity, with both real-time streaming video and timely posting of presentation recaps.

FDNY Captain Michael Dugan provided a stirring inspirational "Why Are We Here?" presentation.

Narrative recap HERE

Need to dig to find the 22 minute clip – look for one starting with Bobby Halton standing at the podium in The Big Room. (HERE)  Or use this link: http://bcove.me/0ryr4cko

    Or click below:

Powerful! Agree with Bobby, this clip will show up at many training sessions and fire stations.

 

Dave, Rhett and Willie have posted their Wednesday experiences as they set up for the opening of today's exhibit hall at noon.

One of the corporate partners from my "day job" is based in Indianapolis, so much of my Wednesday afternoon and evening was spent with them. Sitting in a far north steakhouse, watched a violent thunderstorm with hail about 8:30 pm.

     Borders update and a rogue email

One of the things Borders immediately eliminated as they close the downtown store on South Meridian Street was the coffee shop and the eclectic spaces to write in the old bank.  Sad.

Spent time in the FedEx Office store around the corner.  Needed to use a scanner. Got an unhappy bonus as a garbled email was apparently sent to everyone on my gmail address list while using their desktop … sorry :(

A completely inappropriate and decadent lunch at the South Bend Chocolate Company.

Social Media Death Match at 1:30!

Hard not to notice that FDIC scheduled Dave and Rhett at the same time this afternoon. 

Predicting that the trash talking will continue long after the presentations.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on March 24, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, News, Training & Development, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , ,

Parody of County vs. Volunteer issue

2 comments

Following the Onion News Network format with a nod to "Hosed"

Burtonsville Membership Leaves – Community Doesn't Notice

"Look, we have to walk out," declared one leadership member of the department, "we didn't have any other choice. They forced us out and in this budget crisis the department needs everyone they can get."

All neighboring fire departments are experiencing similar budget issues. This same member was asked about the feasibility of volunteers in the District of Columbia. Placing his ball in the back of his vehicle marked with Virginia tags, he replied, "It'll never be successful. I work there so I would know. There's no sense of community like there is here." Then immediately sped away.

Another leader for the department simply stated, "We know we've sucked the fiscal teet of county government for a long time. You can only bite said teet so many times before momma spanks the baby."

Some of the live-in membership are visibly shaken by recent events. "I use to tell the career guys all the time that they needed to check their feelings at the door." Through watery eyes he said, "I didn't know the memo applied to us as well," then ran away to the locker room for a moment of privacy.

The realization that some members have no lives is an unsettling revelation. "Yeah, think of us for a second," replied another live-in. "Have you seen my girlfriend?… No? She's a 10. Now look at me. At best I'm like a 5, but when I have my fire department gear on I'm a solid 8. That's now a two point difference. I can swing that. If I have to start riding the ambulance, maybe get a little barf on my sleeve, I'm at best a 4. That's a 6 point difference! I can't overcome that…I don't know what I'm gonna do. Maybe I'll go to Howard County where I can maybe be a 6 or 7. Hopefully she won't leave me then," he stated with his voice trailing off.

Some were more optimistic. "It's like I told my previous three ex wives," exclaimed one member. "I'm. Not. Changing. Period. I didn't change for them and I ain't changin' for the county. I got no job. I got no hobbies. This is my life. It'll all work out in the end. It always has for me."

At the end of the day the Burtonsville leadership has decided to protect the community the best way they know how – by leaving it.

source:  TheWatchDesk

This is the latest salvo in a complex issue between the Montgomery County, Maryland, Department of Fire and Rescue and the Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department.

This item is aimed at the Burtonsville volunteers who are career members elsewhere. 

The second paragraph resonated with me … and caused a chuckle.

Click on the Burtonsville VFD link to see their position on the issues.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Posted by on March 21, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics • Tagged: , , ,

“Don’t wait to be a hero.”

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Found by Dal90:
Mark Bezos: A life lesson from a volunteer firefighter

Volunteer firefighter Mark Bezos tells a story of an act of heroism that didn’t go quite as expected — but that taught him a big lesson: Don’t wait to be a hero.

Mark Bezos works at Robin Hood Foundation, a poverty-fighting charity in New York City, and assistant captain at Scarsdale Fire Department.

from Daily Exchange (March 18)

Mark Bezos is the SVP, Development, Communications & Events at Robin Hood, the leading poverty-fighting charity in New York City. Bezos joined Robin Hood following the sale of his advertising agency, excited to have found a way to use his powers of persuasion for good.

Bezos is the Assistant Captain of a volunteer fire company in Westchester County, New York, where he lives with his wife and four children. He is continuously amazed and motivated by the everyday acts of heroism–big and small–that surround him.

Tip of the helmet to Dal 90, who posted this link at the International Association of Crusty Old Jakes (IACOJ)

More about Mark Bezos/Robin Hood:  Social Media May Help Curb Charity Crisis in ’09: Nonprofit PR Exec on Fighting Poverty, Fires and Fiscal Fear in Recession (January 7, 2009) Brian Pittman at Bulldog Reporter.

Mike “FossilMedic” Ward

Posted by on March 19, 2011 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Cooling the Rods through Water Dumps

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The helicopters have been fitted with lead plates to shield crew members from radiation during their mission

from

Zena Iovino
Nuclear crisis: Hope for cooling the reactors?
Short Sharp Science
New Scientist
0150 GMT, 17 March 2011

Self Defense Force (SDF)  begins efforts to cool down nuclear plant

Two helicopters from Japan’s Self-Defense Forces are dropping water on the Number Three building at the quake-damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

The helicopters began dousing the damaged reactor-housing building at 9:48 AM on Thursday.

The SDF has dispatched two CH-47 helicopters equipped with a device for dropping 7.5 tons of water.

They’re being accompanied by another helicopter that is measuring radiation levels above the plant. The first water-dropping operation was completed at around 10:15 AM.

< <<<< Another source indicates that targeting was a problem – did four water drops in about two hours of work – assuming that means two trips per helicopter from sea to reactor – no official report on the results of the effort. >>>>

The SDF is also sending 11 high-pressure fire trucks from their bases across Japan to spray water on the reactor buildings.

A high-pressure fire truck from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is also set to begin spraying water onto the Number Four reactor building.

Thursday, March 17, 2011 10:34 +0900 (JST)     Click HERE for entire NHK article.

Mike “FossilMedic” Ward

Posted by on March 16, 2011 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, HazMat, Major Incidents, Mass Casualty Incident, News, Special Operations • Tagged: , , , ,

San Francisco FD Premium Pay, Part 2

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What is $346,000 in excessive pay mean when looking at a $380 Million deficit?

John Coté, from today’s “City Insider” column in the San Francisco Chronicle (SFGate.com):

What budget deficit? Here’s a $346,000 accounting error for the Fire Department

The city paid $346,000 more than it had to during the last fiscal year “due to administrative errors and unofficial pay practices,” according to an audit the city controller released today.

The department used higher-than-required wage rates that inflated vacation and sick-leave hours to calculate final retirement disbursements for some employees, the audit found.

The department’s manual process to record time entries in the payroll system also caused an estimated $44,856 in overpayments to employees, according to the audit, which covered July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010.

City Services Auditor released a 64 page document with 31 recommendations to the fire commission.

You can read FIRE DEPARTMENT PAYROLL AUDIT: Undefined Pay Practices Increased Department Expenditures by clicking HERE.

This is a follow-up to our February 1, 2011 article: Premium $$ Pain.

Our Premium $$ Pain article was based on Peter Jamison’s SF Weekly January 26, 2011 feature: Your Money for Nothing: At a time of huge deficits, S. F. public employees get $70 million in bonuses for work that is often in their job description.

Mike “FossilMedic” Ward

Posted by on March 15, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, current events, Fire Rescue Topics, Funding & Staffing, News, Urban Commander • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,