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Don’t I Know You?

Imagine meeting, for the first time, friends you have already known for a long time.

For months, I have collaborated with a very special east-coaster blogger.  You may have heard of him.  He is Rhett Fleitz, editor of Fire Critic.  He was born out on the east coast just two years before I battled my first red devil, yet Rhett has been one of the first of many who extended their hand in helping me develop the fledgling FireDaily presence since it’s inception late last year.

This east-coaster and I have since partnered up to produce iTunes most rapidly growing podcast called Firefighter Netcast.  If you haven’t heard it yet, the voluminous set of shows (3) are still available for download there and at our website.

The east-coaster and I had emailed, telephoned, skyped, and instant messaged hundreds of times.  Even our kids have met online and become friends.

But not until this east-coaster strolled into town under the cover of darkness at 1am last Friday morning had I actually met him in person.  But it was like I knew him for a long time.  And I did.

The next morning, my east-coaster friend and I set out to network with similar friends, those with whom we had been in almost daily contact, yet whom we had never met.  Rather than try to recount each individual meeting again, you can find a mostly-accurate description of each meeting over at my east-coaster friend’s post entitled “EMS Today in Retrospect, Thanks for the Memories and Meeting Everyone in Person”. He refers to me as Chris Farley (you know, the guy who lives in a van down by the river), and to himself as David Spade.

Hmm- Tommy Boy, eh?  Who’s you favorite baseball team, Rhett?

The Yankees?

From moment one, the ball busting started and never stopped.  I don’t think It never will

Here’s a video from Dave Statter that captures the evening

Great personalities I met for the first time in no particular order:

Mark Brady (@PGFDPIO) the PIO for PG County, Md., always in the news like it or not

Sebastian Wong (@SebWong). Seb and his Musings, EMS Chief (?) San Francisco Fire Department

Dennis Rubin, Fire Chief of DCFD who stopped in to see us on his way back home from Emmitsburg

Mike Ward, FossilMedic, Associate Professor at GWU and longtime EMS guru with an infectious laugh

Dave Statter, STATter911.com and DC TV reporter with an infectious sense of humor

Chris Kaiser, @CKEMTP, firefighter/paramedic and blogger of Life Under The Lights. with an infectious, well…

Justin Schorr, The Happy Medic, San Francisco firefighter/paramedic and the new Johnny Gage of Chronicles of EMS

Mark Glencorse, Medic999.com, UK paramedic and the new Roy DeSoto of Chronicles of EMS

Thaddeus (Ted) Setla, @setla, the constantly-energized producer of the next big thing in EMS online, Chronicles of EMS

Chris Eldridge (@thedridge), videographer with Setla and did wonders for Chronicles of EMS.

Dave Iannone (@cooldavej), Elsevier Public Safety and Go Forward Media. FireEMSBlogs.com, FirefighterNation.com

Chris Hebert (@chebert13). DCFD firefighter also with Elsevier Public Safety and Go Forward Media, FireEMSBlogs.com, FirefighterNation.com, Vikings fan, Capitols fan, half-marathoner, needs twitter followers

Chris Montera (@geekymedic) of the EMS Garage

Jamie Davis (@podmedic) of MedicCast and ProMed Network (an EMS podcasting hub)

Tom Bouthillet (@tbouthillet) of EMS12lead.com, lucky enough to be one of Mick Mayers’ company officers

Kevin @NJDiveMedic bought me more beer than I needed

Matt @Squirrl325 ditto. Matt helped us find a watering hole late Friday night. Lotsa pressure, not a problem for him. Thanks, Matt!

Carissa O’Brien @Carissao

@Ms_Paramedic

Kelly Grayson (@AmboDriver) of A Day in the Life of an Ambulance Driver and father of one of the cutest kids on the planet

The great blogger TOTWTYTR (Too Old to Work, Too Young to Retire) who wishes anonymity. Another great in the blogosphere.

@Medic61 of Sam the EMT and the podcast GenMedShow

Jared Scott, @MyRTLife, also from the GenMedShow, who taught Chris Kaiser not to leave his smartphone alone while in the restroom

@slayd someone so quiet, he made Kaiser nervous at Saturday lunch Thanks @slayd!

David Konig (@davidkonig) of DavidKonig.com. David and Greg Friese (@gfriese) of EMSEduCast , EPS411, and Everyday EMS Tips created PIO Social Media Training. Greg had a previous engagement, but we will cross paths as well!

April Saling @Epi_Junky Pink Warm and Dry

PLEASE, if I forgot you, let me know.  I want to make this list complete. There is a fog I am trying to penetrate!

Taking nothing away from any of the others I met, I had the honor and privilege to have Mike Ward introduce me to the one and only FireGeezer, Bill Schumm (@FireGeezer).  Bill made the 90-minute trek out to the convention center on Saturday to meet up with all of his fellow bloggers in attendance.  Damn if I didn’t forget my FireGeezer mug for the signatures from these two greats. They promised another opportunity this summer in Chicago, and I eagerly await that special occasion.  True to form, FireGeezer took no time in blogging about our meet-up.

Special and sincere thanks to everyone involved in making the meet-up possible.  So much was done and planned and paid for to make it possible for us to all come together.

Dave Iannone and Chris Hebert and their staff at FireEMSblogs.com led the charge from start to finish, in addition to their duties at the busy JEMS booth during the EMS Today conference.

Mike Ward (FossilMedic over at FireGeezer.com) has long been associated with George Washington University’s Emergency Health Services Program, who generously sponsored the Meet-up at Uno’s in Baltimore along with JEMS and FireEMSBlogs.com, graciously ensuring we were satiated with food, drink and merriment Friday night.

Chris Kaiser was instrumental in the planning stages as well.  You all kicked ass in making this such a memorable event.

So much more happened on the trip that was funny, funnier, downright damn funny, and friggin’ hilarious.  Much cannot and should not be shared, if for no other reason than to guarantee future similar escapades in the future.

That’s what happens when friends get together- even those who have known each other for a long while, yet have only met for the first time.

Even an east-coaster.

Posted in Brotherhood, Just For Fun, News, Videos

Posted by John Mitchell on March 8, 2010 • Comments

Civilian Friends vs. Firefighter Friends

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Get upset if you’re too busy to talk to them for a week.
FIREMEN FRIENDS: Are glad to see you after years, and will happily carry on the same conversation you were having the last time you met.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.
FIREMEN FRIENDS: Have cried with you.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back.
FIREMEN FRIENDS: Keep your stuff so long they forget it’s yours.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.
FIREMEN FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that’s what the crowd is doing.
FIREMEN FRIENDS: Will kick the crowds’ ass that left you behind.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Are for a while.
FIREMEN FRIENDS: Are for life.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have shared a few experiences…
FIREMEN FRIENDS: Have shared a lifetime of experiences no citizen could ever dream of…

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will take your drink away when they think you’ve had enough.
FIREMEN FRIENDS: Will look at you stumbling all over the place and say, “You better drink the rest of that before you spill it!! Then carry you home safely and put you to bed…

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will talk crap to the person who talks crap about you.
FIREMEN FRIENDS: Will knock them the hell out for using your name in vain.

Can you think of any more?  Leave a comment…..

Posted in Brotherhood, Firefighters, Just For Fun, Tradition

Posted by John Mitchell on February 15, 2010 • Comments

If You Had Something Valuable, Would You Share It With Your Crew? You Do! And You Should!

SHARE THE WEALTH!

Yesterday, I ran a post focusing on quick, simple, and innovative tailboard training sessions.  Those of us who see the length and breadth of all four seasons, including the frosty bite of Old Man Winter, have come up with a few great ideas to train on a small scale- say a company of 3- inside on your bay floor.  I asked if you might want to SHARE THE WEALTH with the rest of us looking to become better at what we do.

The results are quite impressive.  Dozens of ideas have flooded in already, and not one is a repeat of another.  You can submit your drill suggestions simply by commenting on this post, or by emailing me at blog@firedaily.com.  Keep them coming, we’ll be sharing them all shortly.

We can’t speak about SHARING THE WEALTH without again giving a shout-out to our friends at VentEnterSearch.com.  I have yet to find a better site devoted to forcible entry and rescue techniques.  Specifically, they feature a page called Tips From the Bucket of submissions from their readers sharing their wealth.  If you have a moment, page through their site- you’ll find them quite interesting!

Don’t forget to vote for your favorite Fire EMS Blog of the Year 2009.  You can vote every six hours until the polls close January 12 at 17:59 hrs ET.  The winner will be announced on the live premiere episode of the Firefighter NetCast Tuesday night at 8pm ET.  Check out the Firefighter NetCast website for all the details and links.

* * * * *

Many of you have changed shifts this new year.

Perhaps you are working for a new company officer or B/C.  The fire service is a dynamic, ever-changing experience.  Whether you feel you’ve made a move for the better or otherwise, look to your new changes as a perfect opportunity.

You now have an opportunity to learn from a new cache of individual knowledge from your new partners, or offer your own bits of wisdom to them. In either case, your opportunity to SHARE THE WEALTH results in a team that becomes better prepared to meet the challenges we all face in the coming year.  It sounds cliché, but if you strive for professionalism, you’ll probably get there sooner than you think!

Again, keep the suggestions for tailboard training drills coming, and stay warm out there!

Stay Stoked!

-J

Firefighter NetCast Premieres Live Tuesday, January 12 at 8pm ET

Click the logo above for more info

Posted in Brotherhood, In Da House, Tips and Tricks, Training, Training & Development, training-fire-rescue-topics

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Posted by John Mitchell on January 11, 2010 • Comments

In The Blink of an Eye

An Indescribable Sense of Loss on an Incredibly Lucky Day

Fire Daily started just a few scant months ago as a way to stay involved in the fire service after suffering a disability on the job.  Forced into an early “retirement” of sorts, I was surprised at how much I really wasn’t enjoying it.  Beyond the medical issues, I have to tell you about the overwhelming sense of loss which became almost unbearable.

I have been a firefighter all my adult life, starting as a volunteer in my home community and eventually becoming my department’s first full-timer.  After a long while, I started all over again at a career department down the road where I began that special firefighter relationship with a whole new group of guys and gals.  My second job was as a fire and EMS instructor.  My whole life revolved around my family at home, my family at work, and my family of students and fellow instructors.

Then, the accident happened.  Another quarter of an inch shift in location, my neurologist explained, and my skull fracture would almost certainly have resulted in me becoming a quadriplegic.  So I fully appreciate the “luck” that befell me on that warm spring day in May.  But, even with help from above, I must tell you how everything changed in the blink of an eye.

Let me repeat that.

Everything changed in the blink of an eye.

The regularity of having contact with the guys and gals with whom I truly held a special bond was severed.  One day there, next day- crickets.

It’s difficult to try to describe the different relationship that developed when I was no longer part of the “team”, yet always still a part of the “family.”  Although I’m able to pop in anytime I want (there’s an open invitation forever) to break bread and bust a gut with the guys, it just isn’t the same.  I’m not going to be on the line with them for the next “big one.” Or even the next little one.  Or even the advanced living center call for assistance.  Or training.  Or shopping.  Or watching “Family Guy”.

In the blink of an eye, it’s all gone now.

The longer I’ve been away, the deeper the sense of loss of being apart from them and the job I honestly loved.  This emotional response must be similar to the feeling experienced by firefighters that are forced to retire before they want to due to age. Be kind to them, folks.

Enter Fire Daily.

It all started out as a means by which I could remain somewhat connected to the fire service without gearing up and actually battling the red devil.  Blogging has been extremely medicinal for this injured firefighter/paramedic.

Just like the change that happened halfway through my career by switching departments, this new change has brought me into yet another family- a group of bloggers and readers that have quickly become my friends.  As the days and weeks and months plod along, these ties, too, will continue to strengthen.  How can I be sure?  Because we enjoy a certain pact– call it brotherhood- that is inherent to the fire service.  It lives in each of us and continues to develop each day no matter who we are, where we live, or what capacity we hold.

Although I will always have a sense of loss, I thank each and every one of my readers and fellow bloggers for allowing me to remain connected.

As another well-established blogger puts it- “Thanks for taking the time to read my stuff!”

You are my new family.

Posted in Brotherhood, Change, Close Calls, In Da House, Line of Duty

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Posted by John Mitchell on January 7, 2010 • Comments

Brotherhood this, Brotherhood that, bla bla bla…

To my loyal reader (Hi Mom!)

I’ve got some new posts “in da can” but I’ll wait for a decade or so to get them going.

Gotta space them out.

The previous finalists in the Spectacularganza I call “2009 FireDaily Greatest Posts of 2009″ are listed at the end of this story.  If you have a moment, you might check them out.

FireCritic and I are working on a new project that has taken a little bit of time away from the extensive creative process required to produce- well, anything.

At least in my cranium.

More on that project tomorrow.  Until then, humor me with another re-run.  Excuse me if you’ve already seen it, but it bears another look:

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In my opinion, we use the word “brotherhood” way more frequently than we display the magic it describes.

When we are fortunate enough to witness the brilliance pure brotherhood exudes, only then can we appreciate what it truly means.  If we perform it more than we say it, brotherhood becomes an honorable way to live our lives, not only in the fire service, but as individuals interacting with each other in everyday life.

Here is an excellent example of the display of brotherhood in this post from earlier this fall:

Oak Park (IL) Firefighters Retire Early to Facilitate the Return of Laid-Off Brothers

“…It’s disheartening and hurtful to be portrayed as the economic destroyers of the community, the ones who work such a short career and live such a wonderfully long retirement at the expense of the people we served – portrayed as something bad, as if our work, lives, careers were some sort of scam we have perpetrated on the community. I guess on a line item in a budget or in a ledger, we are just another number.”

Earlier this year, the Oak Park (IL) Fire Department had laid off several firefighter/paramedics due to budget constraints.

One of them is a brother that used to be a part of my crew for years at his previous department, and is one of those guys that can be described as a “fireman’s fireman”.  So I can personally verify that the Oak Park Fire Department had lost the services of a great guy- just as we did when he left us for Oak Park.

Today, he is back at work in Oak Park, one of two firefighters just rehired.

Why?

The honorable and selfless acts of senior firefighters, who decided to hang up the leather early to make room for the outstanding younger guys to carry on in their place.

What an excellent punctuation mark on the fire service careers of these fine men.

Here, in his own words, is an article written by one of those jakes, Rich Wilkie, reflecting on a career with no regrets.

*     *     *     *     *

I have just recently retired (after 27 years, two months) a few years early, short of a full 30 years of service. This was in order to effect the return to duty of the five young firefighter paramedics who were laid off last September. I was asked by one of the young firefighters today, “Were the years at the firehouse worth it all? What was your best memory and were there any regrets?”

It was worth every second of it. I would do it for another 27 years standing on my head. But I have already enjoyed a wonderful career serving, and theirs is just beginning. That is enough reason for me to know it’s time to go now. Not to mention that this job has taken its toll on my body physically and my spirit emotionally. There are so many good memories and stories; it would be impossible to single out one from the rest. So many challenging and rewarding situations in EMS and fire that you take with you, feeling and knowing you made a difference in someone’s life.

It’s a package deal, though. You can’t just take the good alone. Along with the good, you must carry forever the heartache and pain of the situations where you couldn’t change the outcome. You take those with you, too. There’s no vocation I can think of that gives you so much, spiritually, for your successful efforts and takes so much away for your failures. That’s how we think. We own our successes and failures, whether or not our actions could have possibly changed the outcome. We always want to help, save, rescue and succeed, and if we don’t, we feel responsible. We feel we’ve failed. That is why there is such a bond between us, “our band of brothers.”

It takes a special type of person to do what we do. We can’t do it alone; we need each other. Most people don’t really know or understand what is required from us and the toll it takes on us to do the work we do. Only those of us who do this work can understand what it is like to be us. A lifetime decision to willingly and without reservation give your life to help and protect the community you serve. It may sound cliché, but that’s the oath that every firefighter takes when he or she takes on this vocation.

It’s disheartening and hurtful to be portrayed as the economic destroyers of the community, the ones who work such a short career and live such a wonderfully long retirement at the expense of the people we served – portrayed as something bad, as if our work, lives, careers were some sort of scam we have perpetrated on the community. I guess on a line item in a budget or in a ledger, we are just another number.

But in my heart – and I hope in the hearts of the community in which I’ve lived, grown up, raised my children and served for 27 years – me and all my brother and sister firefighters are more than that. Your successes are ours and your losses are ours, too. Thank you for the opportunity and the privilege to serve you for the time I was able.

No regrets at all. Keep the faith and protect each other.

*     *     *     *     *

Rich Wilkie is a 27-year firefighter for the Oak Park Fire Department and member of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 95.

Making a splash: Rich Wilkie helps Joey Midlash handle a fire hose at A Day In Our Village in 2004.
Photo by Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest File 2004/Staff


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Previous finalists in FireDaily’s “2009 Best Blog Posts of 2009”

#2009-  Got a Bad Attitude?  Stay at Home!

#2008-  30 Minutes a Week of Training is Unfair and “Unreal”

#2007- “Da Chief”

#2006  “Nicknames”

#3  “The Head Rule”

Posted in Brotherhood, Chicagoland, Funding & Staffing

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Posted by John Mitchell on December 30, 2009 • Comments

What is Truly Important

Santa is setting the presents in under and around the tree and thoughts of the true spirit of Christmas are taking root in our home tonight.  I am very fortunate to be surrounded by so much love, so much camaraderie, so much brotherhood.  It’s no cliché, it’s real.

We’ve managed to set aside most of the capitalistic aspect of this holiday season and turned more toward the spirituality and the humanity that makes this time so precious.

It’s that humanity that brings my mind to one particular incident that occurred back in October.  I’ve blogged twice or thrice on it, but can’t seem to shake the emotion it has brought to me and my family.  I’m sure it wouldn’t have the power it does if I didn’t have a daughters of my own.

Further, being out on a disability won’t soon put me in the same situation as this brave firefighter endured in the middle of the night while his family was so safely and securely tucked away- peacefully unaware of the tragedy unfolding nearby.

I’m referring to the death of Yonkers firefighter Patrick Joyce.  When his daughters woke up the next morning, they found out that Daddy would not be coming home.  The next morning, his seven-year old daughter penned the following in her diary:

Many brave brothers and sisters have gone the route both recently and in years past.  Something about this line of duty death hit me hard.

Tonight, Christmas Eve, I am praying again for the family of Patrick Joyce and his family.  I just went in and kissed my sleeping 8-year old on the forehead.  I thank the Lord I can still do that.  That is so important to me.

May you all be able to do what is important to you for many many more years to come.

Merry Christmas to you all.

Posted in Brotherhood, In the Line of Duty, LODD, Line of Duty, Never Forget

Posted by John Mitchell on December 25, 2009 • Comments

360 Burn Size-up of The Fire Web 12/22/09

Chicago’s Gold Badge Society- One of a Kind

We know that a special type of brotherhood exists in the fire service.  In a Chicago Tribune story we see an example of the true blessings that brotherhood is made of.  Chicago’s Gold Badge Society recently held a Christmas Party bringing together many of the group’s 75 members, all of whom are relatives of Chicago firefighters and paramedics killed on the job. Read the story of how these wonderful people have helped the family of a Buffalo NY firefighter nearly killed in a roof collapse and putting him into a coma lasting almost 10 years.  If your active on Facebook, Chicago’s Gold Badge Society has it’s own Cause page, nearly reaching the goal of 2500 members.  Pop in and show your support!

Grab the Right Tool

If you cant get to the fire, you can’t make an interior attack.  Without good forcible entry skills, just prepare to set up for an exterior attack and all the fun that ensues with a winter water carnival.

The blog site VentEnterSearch.com is always a great spot to check out when looking to review your ability to recognize the way to best force entry in a given situation.  The most recent post gets you thinking about which is the best tool to use for gaining access into a special kind of door (your first choice is probably wrong).

As always, VentEnterSearch.com is worth your attention on a regular basis.

Station Fire Government Report Indicates Planes Ordered, Canceled, Then Re-Ordered

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich reportedly wants Congress to investigate how the firefighting was conducted in the county’s largest wildfire in history. The “Station Fire” ultimately killed two firefighters, destroyed 89 homes and blackened 250 square miles on the edge of Los Angeles.

According to a report from the Associated Press, questions still linger regarding the handling of the incident.  Chief among them is the apparent two-hour delay of three aerial tankers summoned by the U.S. Forest Service who later canceled then reordered them again according to Forest Service records obtained by The Associated Press through the Freedom of Information Act.  Read the entire story here

Posted in 360 Burn, Brotherhood, Chicagoland, Command & Leadership, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, News, WTF?, Wildland

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Posted by John Mitchell on December 22, 2009 • Comments

We Are So Eager to be Offended. Well, Get Offended About This.

When will they grow up?

In another controversial case racial tensions ignite, shining the spotlight of idiocy on a tiny majority firefighters- yet again.

A story from the Connecticut Post reports that an email sent by an FDNY Battalion Chief to the Captain at the Bridgeport CT Fire Department contained a small message at bottom.  The Bridgeport Captain then forwarded the message, along with the “offensive content” to dozens of department members of various races on November 30, apparently inadvertently. The report claims the department is “an already divided department”

Bridgeport Fire Chief Brian Rooney said he initiated an internal investigation into the matter after it came to his attention on Wednesday, and sent a department-wide letter of apology.

“We don’t condone this,” the chief said in a telephone interview Friday. “It has no place in our fire service or even in our country. (The e-mail was forwarded) innocently — it wasn’t done maliciously. We’re trying to cut it off as soon as possible … explain again that there’s a zero-tolerance policy.”

Here is a link to the original article.  It is accompanied by an unbelievable YouTube video of a so-called “religious leader” spouting some discriminatory venom.

We do not yet know who is responsible for the original message.  If you think you know, no you don’t.  If you want to believe you know, you are lying to yourself.

In my opinion, the person(s) responsible should lose their job- for starters. These imbeciles are weak and noisy, and are not fit to be called my brother.

In a few days we begin another new decade here in the United States.  Yet it seems that we are seeing more and more of these reports of prejudice and racial issues percolating and bubbling up to the surface like a noxious acid eating away at our souls.

For what?

Those of us who have been around for a few years know very well the stink of sexual harassment in the fire service.  Although the problem still exists, there is much less tolerance of this immature behavior, and rightfully so. Agencies and municipalities were and are paying out huge sums of the almighty greenback to settle multi-million dollar sexual harassment lawsuits.

Why do you think you were mandated to receive specific, focused training regarding this litigation nightmare?  Follow the money.

Is that what it will take to get us “all growed up” concerning the ancient views of intolerance of a different race?

If we don’t have what it takes to police our own personal behavior while in the workplace WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, then you’d better be willing to face up to the fact that your employer will be stepping in to show you how.

How much longer will it take before the hateful, bigoted, myopic, loud-mouthed imbeciles are called on their crap BY THEIR PEERS?

It will take firefighters that have the cojones to stand up to the tiny minority of bad apples who think it’s OK to spew the hatred that we all should have grown out of so long ago.

It’s not OK to enjoy the undying praise and admiration of children of all colors then turn around and act like a child.

Are you proud of the brotherhood you enjoy as a firefighter?  Prove it.

When you hear an idiot start mouthing off, put a stop to the crap.  Take back the pride of brotherhood you have worked so hard to earn.

Offended?  Good.  You oughtta be.  Now go do something about it.

Stay stoked!

-J

Posted in Brotherhood, In Da House, News, WTF?

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Posted by John Mitchell on December 20, 2009 • Comments

Check Out This “Must See” 9/11 Coin – It’s Going Fast!

It may be too late to get one for Christmas, but you will definitely want at least one of your own to carry with you for the rest of your life.  I’ve ordered several today.

After much planning and effort a September 11th Commemorative Coin has been struck to coincide with the 10 year anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center.

This beautiful collectible coin marks just the beginning of what will be a long-term effort to raise funds for three non-profit charitable organizations including the W5 Firefighters World Trade Center Fund, The New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation and the FDNY Veterans of Foreign Wars Post.

Each of these three groups are related to 9/11, firefighter health and safety, and US military veterans- providing important work and activities toward those goals.

They provide services and material assistance to students attending college, US military veterans and burn victims both civilian and firefighter.

The September 11th Anniversary Benefit Fund has been established to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11th, 2001.

The fund-raising project has been undertaken by FDNY Battalion Chief John Salka and a committee of other firefighters and their friends and will be involved in several fundraising operations over the next several years.

All of the proceeds from these fundraising events will be donated directly to these charitable funds for use on their worthy projects and activities.

The W5 Firefighters World Trade Center Memorial Fund

Maintains a WTC monument in Orange County NY and presents college scholarships to high school graduates.

The FDNY Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12033

Steadfast supporters of the rehabilitation of disabled veterans from Brooke, Walter Reed and Bethesda Hospitals; assists the widows and orphans of disabled and needy veterans: promotes Americanism through education in patriotism and service to the community of New York City.

The New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation

A 501(c)(3) public charity, non-profit organization founded in 1975 by firefighters and dedicated to the advancement of burn care, research, prevention, education, and the proper treatment of burns.

For further information and to order these keepsake coins, just click on the coin pictures above, or visit the official fund raising website:

http://www.september11anniversaryfund.com

Due to high demand any coins ordered after 12/12/09 will be shipped after Jan 1, 2010.


Posted in Brotherhood, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, Never Forget, News

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Posted by John Mitchell on December 15, 2009 • Comments

This was crap. Something had to be done. And we on black shift were just the guys to do it….

Way back in the last century, we had just returned from a particularly gruesome call. Kids in our area like to go “hill-hopping”. That’s when they take daddy’s Beamer to the roller-coaster-like hills in the rural, wooded area of our district and go fast enough to grab some air. Sometimes they land back on the pavement, and sometimes they don’t. When they don’t, we get called.

After hosing down and restocking the rig, the boys and I trooped into the kitchen looking for a lil’ something.  You know- for the effort…..

“Hey, check this out,” shouted Al as he peered into the freezer. At our station, we shared one fridge with all three shifts, so there’s always a fair amount of scrounging.

He pulled out a quart of Breyer’s and pointed at the lid. There, scrawled in black sharpie was “RED, DO NOT TOUCH!!!!!!”

Red shift had “marked” their ice cream.

Like a dog marks a tree.

“This is just wrong,” Bruce said ripping off the lid and spooning a huge chunk into his mouth. “Wha-eva havven to buvverhood?” he mouthed, chowing down on the mint chocolate chip.

“Yeah. Brotherhood,” we chimed in, each grabbing a spoon and digging into the carton like puppies at a nipple. We didn’t stop until we had polished off the forbidden fruit.

What the hell is wrong with those guys? Sure, it’s understandable to label a pack of good steaks or some special item once in awhile, but this was not the first time. It wasn’t even the eleventeenth time- this had gone on long enough to become “an issue”.

This was something that could no longer be ignored; it deserved an answer- loud and clear.

We on black shift were good at answering. Sometimes we answered too well and got our noses thumped with a newspaper from the bugles, but we usually found a way to straddle the line. And the end result was that a message was sent- and a message was received.

Here’s what we did:

Immediately, all the food in the fridge found its way onto the kitchen counter. Armed with sharpies, we each began marking all the food- leftover lasagna, half a head of cauliflower, 4 cans of pop all got the label “RED.”

Sticks of butter, yogurt cups, tomatoes. “RED.”

A carton of eggs were marked “RED” on the outside, then all the individual eggs were marked with little “R’s” to connote ownership.

Some of the eggs were even drained of their contents with a sub-Q syringe and replaced with tomato juice. Red.

RED, RED, RED, RED, RED, RED. In the pantry cabinets, individual slices of bread was marked “RED” along with Styrofoam cups and plastic utensils.

Aluminum foil was unrolled, marked, and meticulously re-rolled. Oreos (unscrewed then re-screwed), oyster crackers, banana peppers- all got marked.

We were pleased to find out how embarrassed the tightwads on red shift were when they had been called on the absurd level of frugality. It was all the news, and never forgotten.

We are brothers, dammit. If you want some of my nummies, well then help yourself, my friend. None of this “DO NOT TOUCH” crap in our house.  Need a buck?  Here.  Now don’t ever make me “buy” your brotherhood again…..

Posted in Brotherhood, Chicagoland, In Da House, Just For Fun

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Posted by John Mitchell on December 9, 2009 • Comments

We wish you a Merry Walmart and a Happy Best Buy. Not so fast… Enter Kiva.

Here we go again. We’ve been seeing posts regarding Christmas and the policies involving the display of signs on public buildings.

Bah, Humbug.

My family and I don’t understand the conflict involving the passing of good wishes to everyone during the holiday season.  We have heard the arguments, understand the dilemma faced when religion meets government meets litigation.

Why have we become so “eager to be offended?”

While we’re talking about “whatever happened to Christmas,” you may have noticed I have been featuring some videos on the site that display how uber-capitalism and has replaced the celebration of humanity and spirituality during the season.  Instead of wishing each other a Merry Christmas, or a Happy Hanukah , or any other expression of peace and love, perhaps we outta just say “We wish you a Merry Walmart and a Happy Best Buy.” Here’s one of my fav’s:

Have we lost it?

We feel all of this is counter to what we believe is the true meaning of the holiday season- whether Christian, Jewish, Afican-American, Hindu, Muslim, Neptunian, Blogger, or whatever.  It’s not about being unyielding, inflexible,or even confrontational.

It’s about love for our fellow man.

Our family said enough is enough.  Since last Christmas, our family has pledged that we will be spending less on ourselves and giving more to others.  It’s a simple as that.

Well, not quite that simple.

My eight-year old daughter used to get dozens of presents for Christmas, and will have a tough time adapting to the sudden downturn of goodies headed her way under the tree this year.  But she will be learning what I think is a valuable lesson as she goes through her life.  I hope she takes away from this lesson a certain capacity for compassion for her fellow humans- something I think might be a key element in our idealistic view of the future of humanity.

Let me start by saying I don’t think that what we’re doing is necessarily the right thing to do, nor may it be right for any of you.  We are not evangelists, we aren’t putting our values up against yours, and we are not better than anyone else because of our decision.

I simply want to tell you about how our family decided to counter-steer a bit and try to head back toward what we believe is closer to the true meaning of the holiday season.  It’s just right for us, and it might be a something you wish to consider as well.

Donating time, talent, and treasure to religious and social organizations will continue.  But in addition to throwing dollars to the needy or sheckles in the kettles, we’ve discovered an innovative way to invest in the future of those less fortunate than us.

It’s called micro-financing.

Here’s how it works:

You take a Jackson and a fin and you give it to a micro-financing organization such as kiva.org.   They take your $25 and add it to a pool of other donations that gradually add up to a sum that constitutes an amount of money that has been applied for by a person in need.  You even get to peruse the applicants and decide for yourself who to help out.  It could be to buy a goat in Eastern Europe, beauty supplies to be sold in Senegal, or even a struggling business owner right here in the U.S..

But it is a loan.

So, after a certain period of time, your loan will be repaid!  Your original investment is available to you and you have the option of taking your money back or re-investing in another loan.  That same $25 can be used over and over and over again.

Of course, there is the chance you’ll never see your $25 again.  But catch this:  The default rate on these loans at Kiva is under 2%!

See, these people are so dedicated to their chance to dig themselves out of poverty that they treat their loans as a crucial part of their character.  In fact, if one loan recipient is having trouble paying back their loan, it’s not uncommon for other loan recipients to step in and assist them in order to keep the program running in high gear.

Here’s a short video describing Kiva; there are several others out there if you are interested.  Just search for kiva on youtube.com.

Instead of turning beggars into survivors, we can turn them into providers.  Instead of just feeding the poor a fish, or even teaching them to fish, we’re financing a local fishing entrepreneurship that can be built upon for many others benefit..

If you think this is something in which you might like to participate, it couldn’t be simpler.  Just go to Kiva.org and they walk you through the steps.  It takes all of 10-15 minutes and can make a huge difference.

Once you make your loan selection, you can tie it into one of many “groups”.  We’ve started a Kiva Fire EMS group It’s a good way to show how much firefighters and EMS workers care about their fellow man.

So whether you choose Kiva or any other micro-lending organization, we’re sure you’ll find it rewarding to feel the true meaning of the holiday season begin to reappear.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you.

In the spirit of brotherhood,

-J

Posted in Brotherhood, In Da House, Videos, WTF?

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Posted by John Mitchell on December 5, 2009 • Comments

Oak Park (IL) Firefighters Retire Early to Facilitate the Return of Laid-Off Brothers

“…It’s disheartening and hurtful to be portrayed as the economic destroyers of the community, the ones who work such a short career and live such a wonderfully long retirement at the expense of the people we served – portrayed as something bad, as if our work, lives, careers were some sort of scam we have perpetrated on the community. I guess on a line item in a budget or in a ledger, we are just another number.”

Earlier this year, the Oak Park (IL) Fire Department had laid off several firefighter/paramedics due to budget constraints.

One of them is a brother that used to be a part of my crew for years at his previous department, and is one of those guys that can be described as a “fireman’s fireman”.  So I can personally verify that the Oak Park Fire Department had lost the services of a great guy- just as we did when he left us for Oak Park.

Today, he is back at work in Oak Park, one of two firefighters just rehired.

Why?

The honorable and selfless acts of senior firefighters, who decided to hang up the leather early to make room for the outstanding younger guys to carry on in their place.

What an excellent punctuation mark on the fire service careers of these fine men.

Here, in his own words, is an article written by one of those jakes, Rich Wilkie, reflecting on a career with no regrets.

*     *     *     *     *

I have just recently retired (after 27 years, two months) a few years early, short of a full 30 years of service. This was in order to effect the return to duty of the five young firefighter paramedics who were laid off last September. I was asked by one of the young firefighters today, “Were the years at the firehouse worth it all? What was your best memory and were there any regrets?”

It was worth every second of it. I would do it for another 27 years standing on my head. But I have already enjoyed a wonderful career serving, and theirs is just beginning. That is enough reason for me to know it’s time to go now. Not to mention that this job has taken its toll on my body physically and my spirit emotionally. There are so many good memories and stories; it would be impossible to single out one from the rest. So many challenging and rewarding situations in EMS and fire that you take with you, feeling and knowing you made a difference in someone’s life.

It’s a package deal, though. You can’t just take the good alone. Along with the good, you must carry forever the heartache and pain of the situations where you couldn’t change the outcome. You take those with you, too. There’s no vocation I can think of that gives you so much, spiritually, for your successful efforts and takes so much away for your failures. That’s how we think. We own our successes and failures, whether or not our actions could have possibly changed the outcome. We always want to help, save, rescue and succeed, and if we don’t, we feel responsible. We feel we’ve failed. That is why there is such a bond between us, “our band of brothers.”

It takes a special type of person to do what we do. We can’t do it alone; we need each other. Most people don’t really know or understand what is required from us and the toll it takes on us to do the work we do. Only those of us who do this work can understand what it is like to be us. A lifetime decision to willingly and without reservation give your life to help and protect the community you serve. It may sound cliché, but that’s the oath that every firefighter takes when he or she takes on this vocation.

It’s disheartening and hurtful to be portrayed as the economic destroyers of the community, the ones who work such a short career and live such a wonderfully long retirement at the expense of the people we served – portrayed as something bad, as if our work, lives, careers were some sort of scam we have perpetrated on the community. I guess on a line item in a budget or in a ledger, we are just another number.

But in my heart – and I hope in the hearts of the community in which I’ve lived, grown up, raised my children and served for 27 years – me and all my brother and sister firefighters are more than that. Your successes are ours and your losses are ours, too. Thank you for the opportunity and the privilege to serve you for the time I was able.

No regrets at all. Keep the faith and protect each other.

*     *     *     *     *

Rich Wilkie is a 27-year firefighter for the Oak Park Fire Department and member of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 95.

Making a splash: Rich Wilkie helps Joey Midlash handle a fire hose at A Day In Our Village in 2004.
Photo by Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest File 2004/Staff

Posted in Brotherhood, Chicagoland, IAFF, News, Staffing

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Posted by John Mitchell on November 28, 2009 • Comments

With the Mayoral Election Behind Them and Arbitration Looming, Boston Local 718 Faces New Challenges

Boston firefighters may have had enough. After more than three years they are still working without a contract, and many are just plain pissed.

Ed Kelly, president of Boston Firefighters Local 718, is on the receiving end of the firefighters ire. Unable to secure a contract in “contentious” negotiations, they say Kelly then spent $150,000 in advertising in a failed attempt to unseat powerful Mayor Thomas M. Menino last week.

Firefighters had mounted a heavy battle to keep Menino from winning an unprecedented fifth four-year term, hoping to get a new negotiating partner and approve a more palatable contract. Now they’ll have to chance arbitration set for December, with a ruling three to five months away after that.

Contract negotiations had stalled when the union would not accept the city’s demands for random drug and alcohol testing A fatal ladder truck accident last year blamed on brake failure also put equipment maintenance in the spotlight.

Kelly offered no regrets on his election role. “The Boston firefighters stood together,” he said. “Unfortunately our candidate did not win, but we showed that we are willing to stand up to get true reform.”

Yes, they did. Nearly $45,000 was contributed between the local and individual firefighters loyal to the effort.

With the contentious election behind them, it appears that many within Local 718 are starting to look for new blood at the top. ”There is a hunger for new leadership,” said a 52-year-old firefighter who asked his name be withheld. “We have waited long enough for a contract, and this plan clearly did not work.”

In fact, the arbitrator’s ruling could decide Kelly’s fate, one high-ranking firefighter surmised, saying, “If it falls unfavorably to us, the membership is gonna want a change.”

Posted in Administration & Leadership, Brotherhood, IAFF, Leadership, News

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Posted by John Mitchell on November 8, 2009 • Comments

“We’ll take care of our brother…”

For 37 years, he had been a proud LA County Firefighter saving lives and homes.  Last August, retired LA County firefighter MIke Weatherbie was at the end of a long illness, unconscious, and the largest fire in LA county history was knocking on his back door.  His wife didn’t know how she could themselves out of harms way and desperately needed help.

During the Station fire , LA County firefighters were busy evacuating the remote Antelope Valley area when they  recognized a special emblem on the Weatherbie’s address sign.  It indicated that a fellow firefighter lived there.  They met up outside with Lori, his wife of 55 years.

“I told them that he is not really conscious right now,” she said.  “And he said ‘Is that the fireman?’, and I said ‘yeah’. and he says ‘we’ll take care of our brother.’”

A video showing yet another example of the meaning of brotherhood, and the special gift of passage given by his brothers at LA County fire….

Posted in Brotherhood, Major Incidents, Wildland

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Posted by John Mitchell on October 31, 2009 • Comments

360 Burn Around the Fire Web

Mandating Among Volunteers

Jason Zigmont, Executive Director of The Center for Public Safety Education, sheds light on the art of mandating certain components of a volunteer department. “Anytime a volunteer department makes something ‘mandatory’ there is usually an outcry from the members along the lines of, “I joined the volunteer department, not the mandatory department.” Like anything else involving people, there is an ‘art’ to making it happen using the right approach and a solid foundation. Read his blog here.

No One is Invincible

“…in the day of rapid intervention, Vent Enter Search, NIMS, aggressive tactics and 2-in 2-out, I ask you all this; Take a little time to consider that it isn’t only important to come home from your next run, but to be able to spend some time with your family after you hang up the leather for good.”

In the Backstep Firefighter’s Blog, guest writer David LeBlanc offers up Making it To and Through Retirement, an article that hits close to home for many of us, especially today. He addresses your responsibility to your family and yourself to stay on top of your health with regular cancer screenings. It’s not “the other guy’s disease”, as he puts it.

Short and to the point, it’s worth your time to give it a read. I’ll also post the link he offers: American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Early Detection of Cancer

Close-Knit Roanoke Loses a Brother

Today is the funeral for Captain Chris Brown (seated, left) of the Roanoke, VA Fire Department, a brother of our partner, FireCritic. His life was cut cruelly short and he left us so quickly. I never met the man but after reading about him and the way he interacted with those around him, I feel I know him.

We all know a guy on our department like Chris who will always go out of his way to give you a hand whenever you needed it. Cheerful and professional, he left behind an excellent example of what a “brother” truly is. We join everyone in extending our thoughts and love to the family and friends he left behind as his life was cut so cruelly short. We share your grief.

This was a rough week.  Let’s have a better one this week.

Stay Stoked!

-J

Posted in 360 Burn, Brotherhood, Firefighter Safety & Health

Posted by John Mitchell on October 26, 2009 • Comments

Milwaukee Firefighters Jam City Hall

video courtesy WISN Milawaukee

Posted in Brotherhood, Staffing

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Posted by John Mitchell on October 14, 2009 • Comments

Chief Arrives, Finds His Daughter is Dead

Oklahoma City Firefighters Offering Aid

Packed with teens on a rainy night, Oklahoma Highway Patrol says an 18-year old SUV driver was travelling too fast for conditions on a muddy road in Logan County, about 4:00 a.m. early Sunday. The vehicle left the roadway and rolled over into a culvert.

Cashion, OK Fire Chief Danny Clark and his EMT wife were first on the scene. As they began their care, they realized a horrific reality: their own 16-year old daughter Kalee Jo had perished.

All members of Cashion Fire Rescue were involved in counseling after the tragedy, trying to find ways to console each other and deal with the loss of someone they all knew and loved. Oklahoma City Firefighters are stepping up to help their brothers and sisters in Cashion by accepting donations at any of their stations to assist with the funeral expenses.

Posted in Brotherhood

Posted by John Mitchell on October 7, 2009 • Comments

FF Joyce Funeral Video

red line of courage maltese WABC has the video of their news report on today’s funeral of Brother Joyce.  Click here for the video on their sire, as well as their report.

Godspeed, Brother.

-J

Posted in Brotherhood, LODD

Posted by John Mitchell on October 6, 2009 • Comments

Accused Firefighter Murderer Appears in Court

Courtroom Packed With Our Brothers

roldan 33-year old Rafael Roldan appeared today in a Yonkers courtroom to face arraignment on charges he set fire to an occupied building last week, killing one of our brothers, Patrick Joyce. Roldan stands accused of second degree murder, second degree arson, and first degree burglary.

The nearly 100 firefighters who crammed into the courtroom in a show of unity will continue their support by joining legions of others in attending Joyce’s funeral tomorrow morning in the Bronx.

Roldan continues to be held without bail.

Joyce’s two young daughters continue life without their Daddy.

Posted in Brotherhood, LODD

Posted by John Mitchell on October 5, 2009 • Comments

Nicknames

firehouse kitchen table So we find ourselves sitting around the kitchen table patiently waiting for someone to make the first move to clean up the dishes, and digesting Scotty’s Garlic Stoup- of which none is left.

Perhaps drunk off the stuff, one of the guys burps then blurts out from nowhere, “I need a nickname.”

Oops.

We all just sat there and smiled in anticipation.

Boy oh boy oh boy. All too infrequently, these gems of opportunity present themselves up for the artful manipulation that can only be exploited by your crew. Your brothers in arms.

We set the trap and ask him with all the innocent sincerity we can muster, “What nickname would you give yourself?”

Of course, he already knows the answer but deftly hesitates for effect, errantly believing he is controlling the conversation.

“Hmm, I dunno. Let’s see. Well, they used to call me ‘Bulldog’ at my old department,” he offers hopefully.

Which was pretty damn funny as he stood all of 5 ¾ feet and weighed in at about a buck and a half. He must have seen a different movie.

What this poor guy didn’t realize was one of the “Commandments of Firehouse Nicknames”. Thou shalt never nickname thyself.

Truly great nicknames can only be anointed upon you by your peers. Only they can supply a label with a perfect fit and convey a true sense of who you are (in their eyes- which is all that matters).

They are best kept clean enough to be uttered in all types of company. This way it can work as a complete replacement for the name you used to have. You know- the name HR has.

But that doesn’t matter on the bay floor. Now you have your new name. From your brothers.

“Bulldog? No,” we decreed. “Lapdog. That one fits you like a nice little sweater, Lapdog.”

Maltese dog in sweater.ashxAnd of course once it’s out there, the next priority is to get it to stick. In this case, that didn’t take too long.

“Hey Lapdog, be a good boy and fetch me the spreaders.”

“Hey nice job on that arrest today, Lapdog. You deserve a treat.”

(whistle) “Here Lappy. WannagoforaRIIIIDE?”

No less merciless than inevitable, learning had occurred.

‘Lapdog’ is certainly not one of the best nicknames out there, but it sure fit this guy. Do you have one to share? We’d sure love to hear about it…

-J

Posted in Brotherhood, Just For Fun

Posted by John Mitchell on September 30, 2009 • Comments

360-Burn Around the Web

“If you know your job, they can’t touch you” says Jay Lowry on his Firefighter Hourly Podcast.  Everyone realizes who knows their stuff and who doesn’t.  What should we do with a sub-par individual or company?  Jay offers his opinions on this topic that touches every firefighter in every department. 

How are your revenue streams?  Got local politicians focused on your budget more than usual?    FireGeezer’s Morning Lineup trains a floodlight on the shared agreement issues currently facing  Florida’s Orange County and the City of Orlando.  Look for more stories like these in the coming months, especially in cash-strapped states such as Florida and California.

Have you stopped for a minute today and taken a good look around?” posts Christopher J. Naum, SFPE on KitchenTable.com.  Next time you find yourself stuck in traffic coming back from food shopping, ask your partners to take a good look around and exercise their powers of observation.  Any hazards?  What problems would we have gaining the roof on that building? Did we forget garlic?

C. Peter "Pete" Jorgensen, Publisher and Editor of Fire Apparatus and Equipment Magazine passed away over the weekend.  Read more here at FirefighterCloseCalls.com

Many thanks to all for your energy and input.

Posted in 360 Burn, Brotherhood, Training

Posted by John Mitchell on September 28, 2009 • Comments

Umm, Not So Fast East St. Louis

On Monday the city leader’s ill-advised attempt to cut- even further than the bone- yet more firefighters was stopped dead in its tracks.

The Illinois State Legislature formed the East St. Louis Financial Advisory Authority back in 1990 and gave it sweeping powers to oversee spending in the city as it teetered on the verge of bankruptcy.

19 years later, the watchdog group has stepped in and done their job, voting unanimously to reject the layoff plan proposed by Mayor Alvin Parks Jr. 

Patrice Rencher, executive director of the advisory authority, told the authority members that the plan "is in breach of the collective bargaining agreement" between the city and its firefighters. The agreement calls for maintaining a force of 58 firefighters, she said.

The F.A.A. went a step further to stymie the effort by the city to tap TIF resources to help rebalance the budget. 

The buck has to stop somewhere, but the firefighters in East St. Louis won’t have to endure further cuts.

Read the entire story here

WordPress Tags: IAFF Local 23,layoffs,East,Louis,Mayor,Alvin,Parks,Rencher,firefighters

Posted in Brotherhood, Firefighters, IAFF, WTF?

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Posted by John Mitchell on September 22, 2009 • Comments

Got a Bad Attitude? Stay at Home

pouting_baby Everyone in the fire service can point to a time in their career where they developed a bad attitude.  Many times, the attitude was the result of something that happened earlier that may or may not have been fair.  It could be argued that the bad attitude was “deserved”.

I’m here to tell you: that is crap.

The moment you put on your job shirt or uniform, you have NO RIGHT to be pissy about anything.  In our brotherhood, there is no room for it- now or ever.

I’m not saying you should never get upset about something that you feel strongly about- that’s to be expected in our high-stress work environment.

Yet there is a time and a place to be  Mr. Negative, and that place is not at work.  Your bad attitude is highly contagious. It has already affected you, and will quickly spread to everyone around you.  Nope, work is the time to show up with your A-game.

Every minute of every day, you owe that A-game to your crew.   That’s the time to show them that –no matter what- their safety is paramount.  They can count on a clear-headed partner when the shit hits the fan.  Everyone Goes Home.  Remember the old cliché “Your crew is only as strong as it’s weakest link?”  Don’t be that weak link.  Don’t ever let your buddies know that you are capable of being the weakest link.

You also owe it to yourself, my friend.  Do you truly take pride in your work?  Not the kind of pride in that you help people and save property- that’s all well and good, but it’s also automatic.  It’s handed to you when you walk in the door. 

I’m talking about the pride you have to earn: The pride in THE WAY YOU OPERATE as a person- especially when you have every right to be pissy. 

Will others say that you are THE GUY they would want to be with on the line inside a job gone bad?  Maybe you’re not quite as good as you want to be yet, but you have the mindset to be focusing on constant improvement.  That’s great.

But if you can’t go to work without leaving your crap attitude at home, we don’t want you here, brother,  Do us all a favor and call in sick and stay home with Mr. Pissy.  Come back when your not so sick.

Remember how stoked you were when you first found out you were hired?   You have the best damn job on the planet, and you love it!  You wouldn’t trade it for any other job, would you?  So, come to work with that stoked feeling every shift.  That’s the contagiousness we all need these days in the fire service.

That’s the guy we want with us on that line.

Posted in Brotherhood

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Posted by John Mitchell on September 17, 2009 • Comments

9/11 and the Forgotten (The Secret List)

From www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

Thursday, September 10, 2009 

-Hey,
8 years ago.
When we recall the World Trade Center attack, the  Pentagon attack and the hi-jacked crash in Pennsylvania on the anniversary of Sept. 11, we get angry. Or we should. If we don’t, that’s a real problem.

So first and foremost, we take time to remember all those murdered on 9/11 along with the Firefighters, Police Officers and EMS Members murdered in the Line of Duty.

We also take time to remember those who survived and those who are survivors of those murdered.

There is also a group of THOUSANDS of Firefighters, Police Officers and EMS Members who live 9/11 every day. Most who it seems, have been forgotten. They along with other support workers, are suffering from major upper respiratory illnesses, some of them life threatening, that were contracted from inhaling the air at Ground Zero. It started with the first arriving company, police officer and EMT and continues today.

For me, I will NEVER FORGET the statements by "officials" claiming there was no harm being caused to those breathing the fumes. Elected and appointed idiots who think that we would believe their crap.

Incredible.

What’s more incredible is that they were believed by the clueless majority-and those who might have to write checks or actually TAKE responsibility. WTF?!

For now, responders receive federally funded monitoring and treatment, but this "system" is in a precarious situation. Funds are allotted annually, and next years funding could be cut or not granted at all, leaving many ill responders with nothing. Nothing. Congress is also considering a bill that would establish permanent Federal funding for 9/11 medical monitoring and treatment, giving workers and lower Manhattan residents some long-term health resources. Without that, some may have nothing.

Congress needs to be held to the fire in TAKING CARE of those who responded, gave their lives-or are GIVING their lives in helping others. Ask your member of Congress where they are on the issue?

The James Zadroga Act, named for an NYPD Detective who died as a result of illnesses contracted while operating at Ground Zero, has support in both houses of Congress from the New York and New Jersey delegations and lobbying muscle from the unions, but it appears to inspire little action from other lawmakers. It seems that some feel that it’s a NY and NJ problem, not "their" problem.

What happened to 9/11 being an AMERICAN PROBLEM?

Make the call. Find out where YOUR elected officials are and what they are doing-and will do..

You’ll also LOVE the fact that the bill has also lost some of its supporters from last year; it was shelved in October when Congress turned its attention to a $700-billion bailout package for Wall Street.

How’d that work out? We’re just say’n.

If you are interested in the politics of this, GOOGLE the "9/11 Health" and you’ll find plenty. I know there is ALOT to this issue and to some it is VERY complicated. But sadly, it reminds me of how we treat many war veterans and now, 9/11 survivors, and those who are dying a slow death-as they too were attacked on 9/11/01. They just didn’t die soon enough for the politicians.

As far as we are concerned, we just wanted to remind all of The Secret List members that NEVER FORGETTING, as Rick L says, means NEVER FORGETTING. And as a part of that, it means never forgetting:
- who attacked us.
- why they attacked us.
- who gave their lives that day.
- who continues to suffer each and every day.
- and who, amongst all of our members of Congress and Senate actually care enough to support them.

There is a clear moral obligation on the part of the Federal Government to take care of all those genuinely affected by 9/11, both physically and mentally.  8 years later-how are your local Federally elected officials responding?

Ask’em.

Take Care,
BillyG
The Secret List 9/10/09
www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

Posted in Brotherhood, Firefighters, Never Forget, WTF?

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Posted by John Mitchell on September 11, 2009 • Comments

By us … For Us …

Welcome to Fire Daily. 

It’s a place to share in all that embodies who we are- firefighters.  Share in the senses:

It has the sounds of a wailing Q or the beckoning crackle unseen through the smoky hallway ahead. 

It showcases the sights of low-rolling angry smoke and sooty faces grinning from ear to ear.

That “combo smell” of wet and burnt inside the structure soon after our victories- eerily similar to the odor inside the firehouse after all is cleaned and readied for the next battle. Barrington Lieutenant helmet

The numbing tingle inside the frozen fingertips of our iced gloves while rolling supply line in the dead of winter, and the sweet taste of Scotty’s “Garlic Stoup” simmering in the stock pot in the firehouse kitchen.

But let’s not forget the sixth sense of firefighting- common sense.  It’s arguably the most overlooked sense we have, and the one that will most surely get us all home at the end of the day.

So, do you have something to offer? Jump right in, we’re ready for you!

FireDaily.com  By us … For us …

J.

WordPress Tags: Welcome,Fire,Share,senses,hallway,odor,winter,Garlic,Stoup,Jump,showcases,victories,firehouse

Posted in Brotherhood

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Posted by John Mitchell on September 10, 2009 • Comments