1st Responder Southeast December Edition

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DECEMBER, 2014 DECEMBER, 2013

LEHIGH ACRES TRAVEL TRAILER BURNS

CHARLIE ROBBINS

FL - At 4:30 p.m. on November 4th, Station 101 B shift and Battalion 100, Chief Naranjo, were dispatched to 804 Louis Avenue for a reported trailer fire. Upon arrival, Engine 101 Lieutenant Kreft advised they had a fully involved travel trailer.

- See full story on pages 30

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Happy Holidays!

To our advertisers and readers

PAGE 2

December, 2014

1st Responder Newspaper - sE

GEORGIA

BCES works structure fire

SHANE SHIFFLETT

Extrication on Interstate 75 Bartow County, GA. Bartow County Fire & EMS were dispatched to Interstate 75 southbound just south of Exit 278 for an accident with reported one patient unconcious and entrapment. BCFD Engine 14 and EMS arrived with Cherokee County Fire Engine 19 and Squad 1. Crews immediately began extrication, bringing the patient through the rear hatch of the vehicle. Command requested GA-DOT due to median cables damage.

At approximately 5:25 a.m. on November 4th, Bryan County Emergency Services was dispatched to a reported structure fire.

Battalion Chief 1 arrived on scene to find a single story brick home with flames through the roof in the Bravo/Charlie corner with heavy JUMP TO FILE # smoke pushing from 110414101 the soffit vents of the entire house.

The homeowner was in the street with neighbors. He reported that everyone was out of the house. Battalion 1 assumed command with the command post was setup across the street.

A 360 revealed heavy fire in the back bedroom and fire extending to the attic. Engine 11 arrived on scene and positioned just past the front of the house by the driveway and pulled the first attack line.

EMS 1 arrived on scene and water supply was established to a hydrant. The second-in engine took a position just short of the front of the house. We left the front open for a possible mutual

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aid tower ladder.

A second two and a half inch attack line with playpipe nozzle was pulled and started knocking down heavy fire, which was extending through the roof.

Due to water supply issues with the hydrant, tenders were called to the scene and the second-in engine became the drafting engine and supplied the first engine.

This proved successful and we

had plenty of water.

The house was a total loss. The homeowner was home alone when the fire started and woke to the sound of a smoke detector sounding. The American Red Cross was called to the scene to assist. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

- FREDDY HOWELL

1st Responder Newspaper - sE

December, 2014

Page 3

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December, 2014

GEORGIA

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CORPORATE INFORMATION 1st Responder News (ISSN 1525-1683) - Vol. 15 No. 12 - South East edition is published monthly, 12 times a year for $36 per year by Belsito Communications, Inc., 1 Ardmore St., New Windsor, NY 12553. Periodicals Postage Paid at Newburgh, NY and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to 1st Responder News, 1 Ardmore St., New Windsor, NY 12553. No financial responsibility is assumed by this newspaper to publish a display, classified, or legal ad or for typographical errors except of reprinting that part of the ad which was omitted or in error. Omissions or erA division of: rors must be brought to the attention of the newspaper during the same month of publication.

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PUBLICATION CONTENT Notice: The advertisements, articles, and letters contained in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of 1st Responder Inc. and Belsito Communications, Inc. Advertisements are sold pursuant to the "space available" and corresponding fee schedule. The mere fact that advertisements are contained in this publication does not express nor imply that 1st Responder Inc. and Belsito Communications, Inc. vouches for the credibility of the claims made in the advertisements or the representations expressed or implied in them.

The 22nd Annual Georgia Insurance and Fire Safety Awards were held at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth and Barrow County had several award recipients in attendance.

"Two of our personnel received awards as well as three students from Russell Middle School," stated Barrow County Emergency Services Interim Chief John Skinner.

UMP TO FILE # Lieutenant Dar- J110314105 rel Skinner was recognized as the Fire Official of the Year.

Lieutenant Skinner, who retired earlier this year, served Barrow County for 26 years. This award was given to acknowledge his work as a station officer, his work as a fire investigator and his role as honor guard commander.

He was praised for his work teaching citizens about fire safety as well as CPR and other lifesaving lessons. He was also recognized for his volunteering in the community including providing his paramedic skills at a Christian camp every year. "Lieutenant Skinner was very worthy of this award and we are thrilled for him to be recognized as he enters into retirement," said Chief Skinner.

Also recognized from Barrow County Emergency Services was Fire Medic Rob Aldred, who received Firefighter of the Year.

After joining the department six years ago, Firefighter Aldred started stepping up and assisting in many areas. He has assisted in writing grants through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant, Firehouse Subs Foundation and many other grants that brought hundreds of thousands of dollars to the department. He also took additional training and become part of the Georgia Search and Rescue Team.

Firefighter Aldred also enjoys participating in fire and life safety classes, where he teaches citizens how to be safe and what his job is like. Aldred also helped in an ambulance orientation class the department had offered to elementary schools. He even created a video that introduced firefighters to the students to help them realize they don't need to be afraid of the people working on fire engines and ambulances.

"Firefighter Aldred is a great asset to our department and a dedicated firefighter and paramedic," said Chief Skinner. "He is a great example of the many qualified people we have working in this department."

Also being recognized at the awards luncheon were three Russell Middle School students. The three students competed against students in their grade levels from around the state. They were required to write an essay explaining the need to test smoke alarms and how important it is. Receiving the first place award for sixth graders was Madison Reeves.

SCOTT DAKIN

Lieutenant Darrell Skinner and Chief John Skinner with his award

Second place winner for sixth graders was Taylor Plack. In the seventh grade group, Dylan Mahoney received a third place award.

"We want to congratulate these three students for their hard work in writing their essays," stated Chief Skinner.

"We are all proud of their accomplishment and we honored to see them receive their recognition."

The annual awards luncheon is held to recognize public safety and citizens from around the state for their contributions in fire prevention, protection and leadership.

"It was incredible to see Barrow County so well represented this year," commented Chief Skinner. "I was very honored to represent this department at this event and see them all receive their recognition."

- SCOTT DAKIN

PATCHES If you have photos you would like to see in our Patches feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

Atlanta Fire Company 2. Station 2 is assigned to the Lakewood Heights section on the southeast side of the city.

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December, 2014

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Rick Billings Henry Campbell Chelle Cordero Gordon Wren LoriAnn Hodgkinson Bob Long John Malecky CORRESPONDENTS Vicki Ash • Albert Borroto • Mark Bush Tim Cavender • Steve Clark • DJ Corcoran Jackie Cutler • Scott Dakin • Chris Dilley Brad Dykens • Darrell Farmer • Darrell Fixler Joel Gordon • Joel Granata • LaVerne Guillen Michael Heeder • Freddy Howell Miranda Iglesias • Curtis Jepsen • Patrick Kellam Steve Kellam • Christopher Kimball David Knowles • Kate Lind • Amy Maxwell Ashley McDonald • Ricky Phillips Sabrina Puckett • Paula Ritchey • Charlie Robbins Bob Romig • Brad Ruhmann • Stephen Sabo Shane Shifflett • Kevin Snider • Brian Stoothoff Eugene Weber • Dean Wilson

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In memory of those who gave all 1st Responder Newspaper honors and remembers emergency responders lost in the line of duty Kentucky: Anthony “Tony” Lynn Grider, 41 Rank: Captain Incident Date: August 21, 2014 Death Date: September 20, 2014 Fire Department: Campbellsville Fire-Rescue Department Initial Summary: Captain Grider succumbed to injuries sustained 30 days earlier when he received a high-voltage electric shock during an "ALS ice water challenge" at Campbellsville University. Grider and a second firefighter, who has since been released from the hospital and is recovering from his injuries, were both injured in the bucket of an aerial ladder truck when, according to reports, energy from a nearby power line arced to the bucket.

New York: Allen Westby, 67 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: September 22, 2014 Death Date: September 23, 2014 Fire Department: East Islip Fire Department Initial Summary: Firefighter Westby responded to alarm on the evening of September 22nd and was found deceased at his residence the following morning. The nature and cause of fatal injury are still to be determined.

Arkansas: J.B. Hutton, Jr., 73 Rank: Assistant Fire Chief Incident Date: October 1, 2014 Death Date: October 1, 2014 Fire Department: Dermott Volunteer Fire Department Initial Summary: While working an outdoor fire call along Highway 165 South near the Pine Tree Boat Landing on Lake Wallace, Assistant Fire Chief Hutton fell ill and passed away from a nature and cause of injury still to be reported.

California: Geoffrey “Craig” Hunt, 62 Rank: Pilot Incident Date: October 7, 2014 Death Date: October 7, 2014 Fire Department: CAL FIRE Initial Summary: The pilot of a CAL FIRE S-2T air tanker, Geoffrey “Craig” Hunt, was killed when his aircraft crashed while operating on the Dog Rock Fire near the Arch Rock entrance of Yosemite National Park. There were no other occupants in the aircraft and no injuries were reported among fire crews on the ground near where the aircraft came down.

Investigation into the fatal incident continues by state and federal authorities.

Connecticut: Kevin Bell, 48 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: October 7, 2014 Death Date: October 7, 2014 Fire Department: Hartford Fire Department Initial Summary: Firefighter Bell died from injuries sustained while operating at a residential structure fire. Several other firefighters were injured in the incident, transported to the hospital and are expected to recover from their injuries.

Investigation into the fatal fire continues by local and state authorities.

Montana: Eddie Johnson, Jr. , 45 Rank: Fire Chief Incident Date: October 20, 2014 Death Date: October 20, 2014 Fire Department: Alton Fire Department Initial Summary: While responding to a residential structure fire, Fire Chief Johnson died from injuries sustained in a single motor vehicle accident after he lost control of the police vehicle he was operating. Chief Johnson, the only occupant, was reportedly ejected from the vehicle in the crash.

1st Responder Newspaper - sE

December, 2014

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December, 2014

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GEORGIA

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER DIDYMUS MCHUGH

The holidays are coming and so is the change of the New Year and this gets me thinking. We can give thanks for the officers that we have had and look forward to the officers that are going to be sworn in.

We can look back at the past and think of our brothers, who are no longer with us.

At this time of year, people may not be able to completely understand us even more. We may be having a holiday meal or have guests over at our house or about to do something, like opening presents. Then an alarm comes in and everything changes.

Most people may want us to sit and finish our meal or watch the children open the presents, but we get up and leave. We have some people who ask us why we have to leave in the middle of our celebration. Our answer to us is simple, "if you had a house fire, would you want the fire department to show up?"

We may be paid or volunteer, but our services are needed all the time. When emergency services joined, everyone answered the calling to help our fellow man. Since

we cannot plan emergencies, we have to be ready to go at a moment’s notice.

I remember two holiday celebrations that were interrupted. The first was when I first joined and my father and I ran out of the house as the family was just getting up. The second was a call that came in and my daughter was just opening her presents. My daughter may have cried for leaving in the middle of the event, but she understood that it was part of helping other people.

Emergency services help people when the person is having a bad day.

We do not fit it into our schedule. We inconveince ourselves so that we can be good servants.

At this time of year, especially at this time of year, I would like to say something for all the public servants.

"Thank you for your time, dedication and training. Thank you to your family for giving of their time that they do without you. You provide a service to each person without consideration of who they are. How many people and organizations can learn by observing you?"

I would also ask that you also set aside some time for yourself. In emergency services as well as many occupations that provide care, we may take ourselves for granted.

We need some down time to recharge our batteries and bring ourselves down to our level of normal baseline, whatever it may look like for you.

Have an enjoyable holiday season and talk with you next year.

PATCHES If you have photos you would like to see in our Patches feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

SCOTT DAKIN

House in Barrow heavily damaged by fire Just before 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 23rd, communication officers with Barrow County Emergency Services received a 911 call reporting a residential fire in the 400 block of Redstone Ct. "Firefighters arrived and found fire showing in the front of the home," stated Lieutenant Scott Dakin. "They made a very aggressive attack on the fire and were able

JUMP TO FILE #102414109

to quickly bring the fire under control."

Engine 1, Engine 6, Med 1, Med 6 and Battalion 1 responded to this incident. The fire had completely involved one room of the home and spread to two other

rooms.

Firefighters did a quick knockdown through a window of the home and then made an interior attack to completely extinguish the fire. The home suffered extensive damage from the fire and smoke.

Two adults and one child was displaced as a result of the fire.

- SCOTT DAKIN

COMMAND VEHICLES If your Department has photos you would like to see in our “Command Vehicles” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com

CHARLES BRACK

Allentown Volunteer Fire Department is located in the middle of the State of Georgia and has four counties inside the city. We respond to about 250 calls each year. Our calls range from structure fires to help lifting a patient to responding to accidents on Interstate 16.

Visit us at www.1rbn.com

SHANE SHIFFLETT

Dallas, Georgia. Paulding County Fire Battalion 1

1st Responder Newspaper - sE

December, 2014

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December, 2014

1st Responder Newspaper - sE

TENNESSEE

DJ CORCORAN

House fire in East Knoxville Knoxville, TN. Shortly before 5:00 a.m. on November 12th, units from the Knoxville Fire Department were dispatched to 122 Ault St. in East Knoxville for report of a house on fire.

Firefighters found heavy flames extending from the right rear of the structure. Fire crews quickly attacked the fire and had the flames under control within ten minutes. Firefighters found the house to be unoccupied with no electrical utilities connected. No injuries to firefighting personnel, and the cause of the fire is being investigated.

DJ CORCORAN

Report of fire in ornamental fireplace Around 4:30 p.m. on November 1, units from the Knoxville Fire Department were dispatched to 616 Radford near Pershing St. for the report of a fire.

Upon arrival, firefighters found all occupants of the home, out safely, and heavy smoke coming from the eaves on the B side of the structure.

Fire crews pulled attack lines from their apparatus and advanced into the home through the front door to find smoke bellowing from a fireplace in a room just to the left of a

JUMP TO FILE #110314103

center hallway.

At some point in the home’s history, a renovation removed the top portion of the chimney and covered it with a roof. The renter, who now resides there, was unaware that the fireplace was only ornamental, and started a fire for warmth.

With the chimney being capped, heat from the fire rolled over the

chopped off chimney and into the walls which concealed the brick, causing a fire between the walls.

Firefighters were able to gain control of the flames by allowing water to penetrate through holes they created in the wall flanking the fireplace.

The American Red Cross will assist the two parent, three child family with temporary placement.

No injuries were reported.

- DJ CoRCoRAN

BRUCE GARNER

Early visitors to CFD Halloween Open House There were some early visitors to the Chattanooga Fire Department’s Halloween open Houseon october 31st. Ashley Kuehn brought her two kids dressed in Halloween costumes that had a definite firefighter theme. Daughter Crimson wore a Dalmatian costume while Stetson wore a custom-made firefighter turnout gear. In the photo with them are Captain Kelvin Strickland, Senior Firefighter Stacy Brogden and Firefighter Engineer James Flagg. The department’s Halloween open House was officially from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

DJ CORCORAN

Electrical fire in Knoxville Just before 12:00 p.m. on November 12th, units from the Knoxville Fire Department were called 2064 Saxton St. in East Knoxville for report of a house fire. The residents of that address had returned from running errands, to find the home full of smoke, then called 911. Fire investigators determined the origin of the fire to be near and around an electrical outlet. Firefighters concentrated their efforts under the structure in a crawl space area on the left/rear side of the home. Fire damage was contained to the area mentioned, with no injuries to fire personnel or residents. The American Red Cross will assist the family with shelter until permanent placement can be established.

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December, 2014

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December, 2014

1st Responder Newspaper - sE

TENNESSEE

Two adults and four children displaced after house fire

ASHLEY MCDONALD

Make a Motion To Move FIREFIGHTER FITNESS Lori Ann Hodgkinson

As a member of the fire service, chances are you have attended your share of meetings. I myself have attended a number of them and other than the verbal “motions,” there is usually very little movement going on. It’s just the nature of the beast.

Unfortunately, most meetings include a lot of sitting and often a lot of eating. Now, eating is not necessarily a negative – but often times the menu consists of very few healthy options, if any.

We are all smart enough to know that lots of sitting and lots of poor food choices can send us onto a path of unhealthy living. So at your next meeting, why not make a motion to move? Here are a few simple suggestions, but I bet you can come up with many more that suit the needs and personalities of your membership.

You can precede the meeting with a group fitness session. It can be as simple as a 15 minute walk or weight training session. If the meeting is a small group, it’s even possible to conduct the meeting on the move. Two to four individuals can successfully walk and talk and accomplish a great deal.

Another suggestion is to simply recommend that your department establish and implement a physical fitness program. If you already have a program, your next meeting is a great place to get feedback from officers and members on ways to improve or vary your existing program.

Additionally; it’s possible to actually add a bit of movement to the meeting itself. You can begin (and

even end) each meeting with five minutes of simple movements and stretches to combat all that sitting and possibly even stir some interest in Health and Fitness. You can ask a local fitness professional to come in and lead the movements to get you started. It’s quick, it’s simple and it’s beneficial.

Another way to combat all that sitting is to have meeting materials placed at different stations around the room and have members gather them on their own instead of having someone hand them out. Most people have no problem getting up and standing in the buffet line and moving along as they load their plate.

Why not institute the same concept for your meeting materials? Of course, you must always make provisions for those who may not be capable, but for the most part the majority of your membership can certainly be on the move.

The same goes for chair set up.

Yes, it’s wonderful to walk into a meeting hall and only have to make your way to a chair that has already been set up for you. Perhaps, each member could be responsible for their own chair set-up and clean-up.

Hey, it’s a thought. Be sure to observe all safety precautions.

Lastly, eliminate or minimize those poor food choices from your meeting menu. At the very least make an effort to add a few healthy and tasty options so members have the ability to make better personal choices when it comes to food.

There are many ways to make a motion to Move! So make that motion! Surely I second it! All those in Favor?... Keep Moving & Stay Safe!

Always remember to have medical clearance from your physician before beginning any exercise program.

Two adults and four children were displaced after a fire broke out in their home at 2836 Vickwood Drive around 7:15 a.m. on Wednesday November 5th.

A neighbor called police/fire dispatch and reported the fire and a JUMP TO FILE # possible explosion 110514103 inside the home. The neighbor also told dispatchers that all residents were out of the home.

Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department crews were initially told the structure was fully involved. However, according to Shift Commander Tim Swann, the fire was in the garage and bonus room above the garage and had just begun to reach into the kitchen and

living room.

Firefighters were able to knock the fire down and keep it from spreading to further areas of the home.

The home received heavy smoke and heat damage throughout, causing the residents to be displaced. The American Red Cross was called to assist the family.

Assistant Fire Marshal Tracy Summar is on scene conducting a routine investigation. At this time, it appears that the fire originated in the garage, but the exact cause is unknown. Officials believe the "explosion" could have been the tires on a van in the garage that blew out due to flames and heat.

No injuries were associated with this incident.

- ASHLEY MCDONALD

Rescue squad chief elected to T.A.R.S. State Office Alcoa, TN. The Blount County Rescue Squad is pleased to announce that the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads (T.A.R.S.) has elected Blount County Rescue Squad Chief Keith Sartin as the 2014-15 state parliamentarian.

The election took place at the association’s 59th annual convention held in Pigeon JUMP TO FILE # Forge, TN earlier 103014105 this month.

“The Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads would like to welcome Keith Sartin to the position of state parliamentarian”, said T.A.R.S. President Kevin “Bucky” Ayers.

“With this position comes a strong knowledge of the bylaws on which the T.A.R.S. organization operates and the responsibility to see that these rules are carried out.

It is a division that exists to assist other squads within T.A.R.S. Keith brings this to the organization, with his years of experience and leadership he has provided to the Blount County Rescue Squad, and setting very strong standards for his organization and members.”

Sartin, a 15-year paramedic, is currently serving his second threeyear term as chief of the Blount County Rescue Squad. He has been a TARS member for over twenty years, and was awarded the 2012 Costo McGhee award in recognition of his exceptional service as a rescue worker and community leader.

“I’m honored to have been elected as state parliamentarian”, said Sartin.

LAURA OSGOOD

“This gives me the opportunity to help make significant, positive changes for the future for those rescue squads I serve across the state of Tennessee.”

The Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads is an Association of Life Saving, Rescue, and First Aid Units with members organized, trained, and equipped for various types of rescue and first aid work.

These members voluntarily give of their time and effort without compensation to the development of accident prevention and first aid procedures, the widespread educa-

tion of the public in such procedures, and to the necessary rescue and first aid work for the relief of their fellow men.

The T.A.R.S. was organized on January 14, 1955, and is incorporated under the statutes of Tennessee as a voluntary non-profit organization.

The Blount County Rescue Squad believes in and lives by the motto of “One Team, One Mission…….That others may live!”™.

- LAURA OSGOOD

1st Responder Newspaper - sE

December, 2014

Page 13

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PAGE 14

December, 2014

1st Responder Newspaper - sE

Southeast

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT First Priority Emergency Vehicles The professionals at First Priority Emergency Vehicles take pride in their family-style atmosphere. Our recent visit to their Manchester facility even included one of their monthly barbecues.

First Priority has two locations within New Jersey, one in Manchester and the second in Flanders.

They offer new vehicles from industry leaders including Road Rescue, Braun Industries, McCoy Miller, Marque Incorporated, KME Fire Apparatus as well as Custom Works.

The pre-owned ambulance business is yet another part of their diversified business. Each vehicle undergoes a rigorous process to make it perfect for their customers.

Remounts make the expensive ambulance purchase affordable for a large portion of First Priority’s

JUMP TO FILE #103014115

customers. Instead of getting rid of old ambulances, rigs can be remounted by a First Priority remount specialist by removing the old modular body from a chassis, performing body work as needed, repainting it, and mounting it on a new chassis.

The specialists at First Priority can also convert any type of SUV into a cost-effective first responder, command or special service unit.

The possibilities are endless.

In 2009, FPEV aligned themselves with KME Fire Apparatus, a leader in the industry. Bringing both of these family-owned companies together was the perfect fit.

First Priority Emergency Vehicles

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Their customers are part of their family and that does not stop in the United States. Their professionals work on multiple continents including Africa, Asia, Europe and even conduct business in the Middle East. In addition, they were recently named 2010 Exporter of the Year by the Us Department of Commerce.

Additional information about First Priority Emergency Vehicles can be found on their website at www.emergencyvehiclecenter.com.

- HEATHER PILLSWORTH

HEATHER PILLSWORTH

Bob and Sue Freeman enjoyed a barbecue with their employees at the Manchester facility during our visit in October.

ANTIQUE APPARATUS If you have photos you would like to see in our Antique Apparatus feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

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Humphreys County Fire Department Engine 6 is a 1975 ALF Pioneer

JAY THOMSON

Structure fire in McMinn County At about 2:30 p.m. on the afternoon of October 24th, Etowah, Claxton and Englewood units were paged out to a structure fire at 432 County Road 783. Engine 4 arrived on the scene to find a fully involved structure. Crews fought to contain the fire, while a drafting operation was being set up at a nearby creek. The house was owned by Charles Spurling, who advised he did not have insurance on the property. The Red Cross was called in to aid the family. All units cleared the scene at about 5:00 p.m. This is located in McMinn County, TN in Etowah Rural Fire Department's district four, with Claxton (11) and Englewood (3) being the next due departments.

1st Responder Newspaper - sE

TENNESSEE

December, 2014

PAGE 15

GOT DROP?

ASHLEY MCDONALD

MFRD units respond to car fire on I-24 Murfreesboro, TN. Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department units responded to a car fire at the 80 milemarker (east) on Interstate 24 around 12:45 Tuesday afternoon, November 11th.

Units arrived on scene to find a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the engine and driver’s compartment fully involved.

Crews extinguished the fire, but according to Captain/Shift Inspector Mark McCluskey, the vehicle is a total loss. “The cause of the fire is unknown, but it is most likely electrical,” said McCluskey. No injuries were associated with this incident.

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Fire Prevention Week contest winners The Chattanooga Fire Department held its annual Fire Prevention Week awards ceremony today at the Chattanooga Public Library downtown. Fire Marshal Beau Matlock and Deputy Fire Marshal Seth Miller announced the winners of the fire safety poster contest. The winning posters were the ones that best illustrated this year’s fire safety theme, which was “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives. Test Yours Every Month!” The winners received gift cards from Walmart, and the overall winner (i.e. Best of Show) will have her poster prominently displayed on a billboard for a month.

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PAGE 16

December, 2014

1st Responder Newspaper - sE

TENNESSEE

The volunteer firefighter

JAY THOMSON

MVA reported in Etowah Crews responded to an MVA at 3rd St. and Tennessee Ave. on Friday, November 7th.

Paul Trezliaik was headed South on Tennessee Ave. in his 2003 Ford Freestyle when he ran the red light and collided with a 2003 Ford Explorer XLT driven by James Hammond.

The Explorer had the green light and was exiting 3rd St. when it was hit and overturned.

Mr. Hammond had to be extricated from his vehicle and was transported with non-life threatening injuries to Starr Mountain Regional-Etowah by AMR paramedics. Etowah (City) FD personnel responded to the scene and performed the extrication. Mr. Trezliaik was cited for running a red light, an expired and revoked driver's license, and was transported to the McMinn County Justice Center.

When I was a teenager, a senior fireman who I greatly looked up to explained to me the life cycle of being a fireman. He started off by saying that when you first join you see nothing else, everything is all about the firehouse. No matter how old you are, that’s how it seems.

You get to the point that if you miss a small call you get mad, so mad that you wished you were home instead of being somewhere else. These are called your “Buff Years”, one of the best times of my service career.

During the first years from when you join the firehouse, you may have a girlfriend/boyfriend, and you are getting more involved with them while building a relationship. At this point, the firehouse doesn’t seem as special as it did. You still love it, but your time there starts to slowly decrease.

In some cases, it is because of your other half’s jealousy of the time you spend at the firehouse and not with them. It has always been hard to explain how you can give so much time and effort into something that you do not get paid for and countless hours away from your loved ones.

There is a balance and each situation is different.

Compromises need to be made, especially if you want to build a future together and also be a volunteer firefighter. The best advice I have given to peers going through this stage is: the firehouse will always be here, relationships won’t.

Once you get through this tough stage, the outcome will set the tone for the future.

The next stage is the career phase. I learned many things the hard way during this period. Everyone has a career in mind when they are growing up. Your choice should be something that you are passionate about. It may or may not be a paid firefighter, but in my case it was.

Once I was hired, I looked at things from a different perspective. I felt I was helping my community and making a difference in a way unlike I was before. I started slowing down with the volunteer firehouse and focused on my job.

I truly felt that I could not give a 100% to both, so I was not an active volunteer during the initial time of the career phase.

The next phase for me was the children phase. My kids were not easy infants to care for so it was hard for me to leave for the firehouse or go on fire calls.

Letters to the Editor I didn’t think it was fair to my wife or my kids to be gone.

My motivation for why I chose to focus on my family is rare and it was set forth many years prior to my marriage. Your attitude towards this ideal may be the same or different.

I have to say that bad timing is the story of my life. I can recall numerous times that I had plans and a fire call disrupted the entire night or day.

It may not only disrupt daily activities, but it will also affect others. A good example of this is getting a fire or serious call before picking up the kids from school. It’s added stress, but it is also the chaos that balances our lives out.

For the firefighters’ families: Although we leave to respond to a call or attend a training, we are providing a service to the community. We are also fulfilling our need for chaos and adrenaline. Let’s face it, some members’ full-time jobs may not be their passion.

The fire service is a great outlet for that.

During the week of Hurricane Irene, fire districts were running nonstop with rescues, floods, and during the final days, house fires.

It was a rough week of no sleep and dealing with some upset family members. My family was very lucky during that storm. There was no flooding or downed trees, but we did lose power.

Being away for so long caused a lot of tension in my house. One day, I took my wife to the basement and said, “We have no water flooding. Our family is safe. There are people in our community who need help. They are not as fortunate as us right now. I am not only providing service by responding to their homes, but also the comfort that their fellow neighbor has their back on the worst day of their lives.”

That last statement above sums it up. When that pager goes off, no matter what type of call comes through, we are aiding our community in a time of need and assisting to help with what could possibly be someone’s worst experience ever.

It’s what we are passionate about.

It is what drives us.

It is what we are called to do.

- STEPHEN KELLY

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? If you have photos you would like to see in our Where are they Now? feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

PROVIDED

Victim ejected from vehicle, life flighted to Vanderbilt Murfreesboro, TN. One victim was LifeFlighted after being ejected from his vehicle at the corner of Glenis Drive and Memorial Boulevard in front of KFC restaurant just before 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday October 30th.

Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department’s District 6 and Rescue 8, Murfreesboro Police Department, and Rutherford County EMS arrived on scene to find a 74

JUMP TO FILE #103014102

year old male laying on the ground. He had apparently been ejected from his black Chevy S10.

The victim was packaged for transport via ambulance to Murfreesboro Municipal Airport where LifeFlight was waiting to take him to Vanderbilt Medical

Center.

The condition of the victim is unknown at this time.

The driver of the other vehicle involved did not require medical transport.

Although Memorial Boulevard was closed for quite some time, it is back open. MPD remains on the scene investigating.

- ASHLEY MCDONALD

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1st Responder Newspaper - sE

December, 2014

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PAGE 18

December, 2014

1st Responder Newspaper - sE

ALABAMA

Arab woman charged with burglary and arson Arab, AL. A 19-year old Arab woman has been arrested on burglary and arson charges after she broke into a local residence, vandalized the home and set the home on fire.

A neighbor made the 911 call to Marshall County 911 just after 9:00 JUMP TO FILE # a.m. Tuesday, Octo- 101414138 ber 14.

Personnel from Arab Fire, Arab Police and Joppa Volunteer Fire Department responded to the home on Mercury Drive on the west side of town.

Officers arrived to find smoke visible. Inside the home was Haley Nicole Grace.

Grace told officers that she broke into the home, began smashing up the place and set a fire in the bathroom and kitchen.

Officers had to deploy a taser to subdue Grace so she could be removed from the home. The fires were quickly extinguished.

The fires caused minor damage

PATCHES If you have photos you would like to see in our Patches feature please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com

ARAB POLICE DEPARTMENT

Arab, AL. 19-year old Haley Nicole Grace is charged with burglary and arson in Tuesday morning incident.

to the home; however, the damage caused by the vandalism will total in the thousands of dollars.

Grace admitted to officers she had smoked methamphetamine shortly before the rampage.

Grace is being held in Cullman

SHANE SHIFFLETT

Birmingham Airport Crash Fire Rescue

County Jail on burglary and arson charges. Her bond was set at $45,000.

- RICKY PHILLIPS

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Motor home burns in Arab Arab, AL. Emergency crews in Arab received a 911 call for a motor home on fire on US Highway 231 South just before 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 23rd. On arrival of Arab Engine 1, Lt. Blake Isom began an aggressive fire attack on a well involved motor home. The owner told firefighters he was driving on Highway 231 when the engine backfired. He pulled off the road to investigate when he found a fire inside the engine compartment. By the time fire crews arrived, the fire had spread to the interior of the motor home. Arab Engine 2 and Joppa VFD backed up Engine 1. No one was injured in the fire. Crews were on the scene for approximately 45 minutes.

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PAgE 19

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Recliner fire Firefighters from Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to the 400 block of Brigadier Street in Pensacola for a reported structure fire on Saturday evening, October 18th. The first arriving engine company discovered smoke in the home that was caused by a smoldering reclining chair. The firefighters removed the chair before the fire extended. A working smoke detector was not found in the home and it is believed that careless smoking was the cause of the fire.

Firefighters used a positive pressure ventilation fan to remove the smoke from inside the home.

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PAGE 20

December, 2014

1st Responder Newspaper - sE

FLORIDA

Tiki bar fire in Pensacola Beach Firefighters from Escambia County Fire Rescue responded from Station 13 to a working structure fire at the Holiday Inn in Pensacola Beach on Friday October 17th, 2014.

Upon arrival, JUMP TO FILE # Ladder 13 discov- 102014133 ered the Rip Tides Tiki Bar was fully involved and requested a third alarm assignment.

Multiple apparatus arriving at the scene or back filled other stations. A total of five engines, two ladders one ambulance, and four chiefs responded to the Holiday Inn on Via Deluna Drive.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames at the tiki bar before the fire extended to any of the surrounding structures. Firefighters were on scene for several hours conducting an overhaul of the structure.

The cause of the incident is currently under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s office.

In addition to Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS, firefighters from Gulf Breeze and Midway responded the scene for automatic mutual aid.

No firefighters or hotel occupants were injured during this incident.

TIMOTHY HEISER

Mother duck came into the picture

- CHRIS DILLEY CHRIS DILLEY

TIMOTHY HEISER

Sucking more out

Unique animal rescue in Fort Lauderdale CHRIS DILLEY

Car versus fuel tanker in Escambia County Firefighters from Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to the intersection of Palafox Street and Olive Road for a reported MVA in the early morning hours on October 18, 2014.

Three engines and one hazmat company were dispatched along with two chiefs for a reported accident involving a fuel tanker truck and an automobile.

JUMP TO FILE #102014135

The first arriving chief determined that the tanker was empty and that the hazmat company would not be needed to mitigate the incident.

Two patients were removed from the vehicle that had sustained a considerable amount of damage to

the front end and roof of the vehicle.

The patients were evaluated by Escambia County EMS, and the scene was turned over to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol for further investigation into the cause of the accident.

- CHRIS DILLEY

Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Haz Mat 88 was out training in territory on October 26th when a crewmember noticed an adult duck that appeared in distress and was walking around a drainpipe. Further investigation by the fire crew revealed a 4 inch plumbing clean out drain with chirping noises coming out of it. The crew realized that the drain was approximately 4 feet deep and then it turned sharply into the building at a right angle. The conventional method of saving ducklings was not going to work so the crew brainstormed a better idea.

They retrieved a “shop vacuum”

JUMP TO FILE #103014108

from the Haz Mat truck and proceeded to feed the suction end of the vacuum into the 4 inch pipe.

One at a time, each duckling was sucked out of the drain to safety.

The mother of the ducks sat by and greeted all the ducks as they were retrieved. In total, nine ducklings were rescued from the drain thanks to the ingenuity of Fort Lauderdale Fire rescue crews.

- TIMOTHY HEISER

1st Responder Newspaper - sE

December, 2014

Page 21

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PAGE 22

December, 2014

1st Responder Newspaper - sE

FLORIDA

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Fort Lauderdale firefighters rescue woman trapped in house fire Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue responded to a house fire located at 1552 SW 33 Ct. on Tuesday, November 11th. The call came in at 4:15 in the afternoon of a house on fire with a woman trapped inside. Upon arrival, firefighters quickly made an aggressive interior attack on the fire while another crew searched the home.

The victim, a 65 year old female, was found in a back room unconscious and in a hospital bed. Firefighters from Firehouse 3 carefully carried the woman to the front of the home, where a rescue crew was waiting to assist. Once in the rescue, firefighter paramedics assessed and treated the woman for smoke inhalation and associated injuries. She was transported via fire rescue to Broward Health in serious condition.

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December, 2014

Page 23

Heroes Realty introduces Heroes Certifi fie ed Homes!

Primarily servicing the fire, rescue, EMS, police and military community, Heroes Realty Inc., has announced the launch of an exciting new program called Heroes Certified Homes.

Negotiating on behalf of its clients, Heroes Realty works very hard to provide benefits and incentives exclusively to their customers looking to purchase or rent a new home or apartment.

From builders who are proud to offer discounted pricing and added amenities on new construction projects, to real estate agents and home sellers who are willing to offer concessions to show their appreciation to the heroes in their communities, the Heroes Certified Homes promises to be a ground breaking initiative as it grows across the country.

If you're a member of the emergency services or military community and interested in purchasing a new home or in need of a home or apartment to rent, please contact Heroes Realty today to learn what features and benefits you qualify for. There is absolutely no charge to emergency services or military for this service.

Market Your Property For Free!

If you are a builder, a home seller, or a real estate agent looking for powerful, national marketing exposure for your listing at no charge, contact Heroes Realty today to discuss how you can qualify to make it a Heroes Certified Home.

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Located in Montague, New Jersey, these homes will be situated on a beautiful oneacre, corner property selected exclusively for the police, fire, rescue, EMS and military customers of Heroes Realty.

Yarosz Construction Company which has been serving the tri-state area since 1987, has teamed writh Heroes Realty to offer these beautiful homes to Heroes. Yarosz Construction has an outstanding reputation

of building quality homes that are built to last.

In addition to these two models, there are also additional ranch and cape style homes available to choose from.

For more information about the amenities in these custom built homes and to see the floor plans for each, please contact Heroes Realty at 877-541-HERO (4376).

If you are a member of the emergency services community and are currently paying more than 4.25% interest on your mortgage, give us a call or email today for a free analysis to see if you can benefit from our program. Please act quickly before interest rates rise again.

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Pompton Lakes - 2 Bedroom/1 Full Bath Spacious Colonial; Newer Eat-in Kitchen; Nice Size Living Room; Low Taxes; Level Lot - Corner Property; Not In A Flood Zone Area. $329,000

Wallington - 2 FAMILY. Each unit features kitchen/dining room, living room, 2 bedrooms and full bath. Full Basement. 2 Car detached Garage!! asking $299,000

Passaic - Nice Single Family Cape features 4 Bedrooms and 3 baths!! Many updates. A must see.

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Paterson - 2 Family House Features 6 Bedrooms and 3 Baths!!! Many Updates.

Investment cash flow or Owner Occupy and collect a rent. Asking $275,000

Passaic - Commercial with great opportunity to own your own store front and collect income. Located on busy business district, 3 store fronts, separate utilities. Asking $305,000

Wallington - Free standing banquet facility plus parking lot. Full interior/exterior renovation. Access to obtain liquor license; possible option to lease. Turn key. Asking $599,000

PAGE 24

December, 2014

1st Responder Newspaper - sE

FLORIDA

ASHLEY LOPEZ

ASHLEY LOPEZ

Ocala assists in DUI scenario at local college Ocala, FL On October 29, 2014, the College of Central Florida was the site of a fatal vehicle accident provoked by a driver under the influence of alcohol.

Fortunately, it was all part of a mock scenario brought together by the colleges’ Student Activities Board. Ocala Fire Rescue and Ocala Police Department were among the agencies invited to participate in this event meant to raise

JUMP TO FILE #103014103

awareness of the finality of drinking and driving.

As the scenario unfolded OFR crews assessed the patients and prepared the survivors for transfer to the hospital, while OPD conducted a sobriety test, followed by the arrest of the driver at fault once her obviously high blood al-

cohol level was confirmed.

Two individuals lost their lives, two were injured, and one faced charges, yet the scenario was far from over.

With the help of a local funeral home, the college’s drama students set a mourning scene to bring light to the highest consequence drinking and driving could provoke; the loss of life.

- ASHLEY LOPEZ

Ocala Fire Rescue presents new engine Ocala, FL. Anticipation and excitement have been easily palpable at Ocala Fire Rescue as the delivery date, for two fire engines ordered last year, approached. On October 21st, the crew at Fire Station #3 (737 SW MLK Jr.) was surprised with the delivery of their brand new apparatus to OFR’s headquarters. The new engine, which displays the red, black, and gold color scheme the department has transitioned toward, will replace the red and white engine, which until today called Station #3 home. Equipped with a water tank that holds 780 gallons, pump ready to release 1250 gallons of water per minute, and all the necessary advanced life support tools first responders need, this apparatus is prepared to respond to both fire and medical calls.

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December, 2014

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How do we save our own… thoughts for the fire service In October every year down in Emmitsburg, MD at the National Fire Academy, we gather to pay honor and tribute to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and died in the line of duty.

This year, 107 new names were added to the wall. JUMP TO FILE # Of that number.. 98 080713101 firefighters answered their final call during 2013 and the nine additional names are those from years prior.

A candlelight vigil was held and memorial service where thousands of firefighters and their families from across the United States converge on the NFA which is the home of the Fallen Firefighters Memorial. The national tribute is sponsored by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) on the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center and the U.S. Fire Administration.

So how do we prevent Line of Duty Deaths in the Fire Service…

The United States Congress created the NFFF to lead a nationwide effort to remember America's fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the non-profit foundation has developed and expanded programs to honor fallen fire heroes and assist their families and coworkers.

The NFFF also works closely with the fire service and life safety organizations to help prevent and

reduce line-of- duty deaths and injuries.

In September, I was honored to be selected as a representative from New Jersey along with Battalion Chief Greg Collier from the Mt. Laurel Fire Department. Both Greg and I attended the 2014 Advocate Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona. This Summit was held in conjunction with the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) Conference.

As an Advocate, it is our job to spread the word on Firefighter Safety using the 16 Life Safety Initiatives that are the main point of the Courage to Be Safe that Everyone Goes Home program. In addition to the CTBSEGH program, there are several others that focus on the importance of firefighter safety that are also available through the NFFF. Fire Service professionals representing their agencies from all over the United States had one common goal over those few days in Arizona. How do we limit and prevent LODDs and what else can we do for not only our brother and sister firefighters, but also their families.

There were several intensive informative sessions that included recognizing stress and an introduction of the NFFF’s Stress First Aid program. Additionally, there was a segment on the importance of having home fire sprinkler initiative including the production of an informative video with the as-

sistance of the Scottsdale Fire Department.

The important question is how as an organization can we continue to promote the efforts of the NFFF in the coming years ahead.

This is not something that can be answered in a few days.. It is an ever changing process and that describes the whole fire service.

We are ever changing.. Unfortunately there are those that do not like or accept change. One of the jobs of an Advocate is to promote change. Change comes from within, having to believe the need for change before trying to sell it to someone else. For most of us as Everyone Goes Home ®Advocates there was a something that may have happened to us or a member in our department. It could have been as simple as an on the job injury or a training accident. Maybe a LODD within the department or a Near Miss that was too close to home.

The NFFF offers several new programs that are available at no charge to assist departments focus on making that change, many of these are available online at www.fireherolearningnetwork.co m and are self-paced training.

I can tell you that my mind was racing on all the things that I can do… take better care of my health, stay current with my annual medical evaluations, stay as healthy as I can and most of all take time to enjoy family. Our families should be the number one

PROVIDED

reason why we want to go home after every call.

If you do not want to do it for yourself, do it for your family and the families of those that your life affects every day. Whether you are a father, son, brother, coach or just a fireman... You have an effect on a lot of people. They care about you.

If you would like more information on any of the programs offered, please visit our website at www.firehero.org Be Safe… and remember Everyone Goes Home.

Gerald A. Barrett Jr. Advocate – CTBS EGH Program Gerald Barrett Jr is a Past

Chief with the Ocean Gate Fire Department and currently a technician with the Berkeley Emergency Response Team, he is a NJDFS Level #2 Instructor with over 24 years of experience and holds several additional certifications. He is an active member with the NFFF acting as a State Advocate. In addition to his duties in the Fire and Emergency Services Field, Gerald is the Manager of Air & Gas Technologies, Inc. a company that has been supporting the Fire, Law Enforcement, Military and EMS industries since 1995. Please visit them at www.airgastech.com or www.divatormask.com - GERALD A. BARRETT JR.

PATCHES If you have photos you would like to see in our Patches feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

SHANE SHIFFLETT

Cape Canaveral Fire Department patch

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December, 2014

PagE 27

The Last True Hero

ON THE BOOK SHELF

FLORIDA

Structure fire in Escambia County

by John Malecky

The Last True Hero By Phil Burns Available from: FSP Books & Videos 188 Central Street, #4 Hudson, MA 01749-1330 1-800-5228528 E-Mail: support@fire-police-ems.com www.fire-police-ems.com Price: $24.95 This is a hard cover book measuring nominally 6” x 9” and has 213 pages.

Well, he has done it again…another masterpiece!

The author, a retired division chief from the Fire Department of the City of New York, has written two other books, namely Laughter, Tears & Muffled Drums and Bringing Everybody Home, which were previously reviewed and are excellent publications.

This book is no less interesting and easy to read.

There are 44 titled chapters, which are each stories from his memoirs.

He joined the fire department in 1963 and stayed 40 years, yet he was at some memorable fires while working his previous job at the Brooklyn Borough Gas Company.

He was still able to competently cover the two major incidents.

With few exceptions the chapters are short, some very short, but they all will leave a lasting thought with the reader.

Some of the fires are from so long ago that they did not have gas masks, portable radios and only had two and a half inch hose for fire streams.

Most of the chapters center on one or more members of the fire department and his memory of them as most are now deceased.

As for me, I did recognize many of the names partly from the book “Fallen Heros”, from living close to New York City and reading the newspapers or watching the news programs through the years.

So I was familiar with a number of those, who lost their lives even before 9-11-01.

This book put a personality to names and photos of fallen heros from many fires.

Some videos did the same when they featured fires and emergencies that had many members who would lose their lives in 9-11-01.

The author pulls no punches when he writes about things that went right as well as those that went wrong and he is willing to express his opinion about orders, procedures and personalities which he agreed and disagreed with.

These chapters cover stories from the perspective of all of the ranks he attained, not just from a division chief’s outlook.

It is an easy book to thumb through because of the interest it attracts.

ECFR firefighters performing overhaul

Firefighters from Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to the 500 block of East Nine Mile Road on October 18.

Four engines and one battalion chief from ECFR and two JUMP TO FILE# ambulances from Es102014136 cambia County EMS responded to a working structure fire in a mobile home reported at 3 a.m.

Engine 6 was the first arriving engine company on scene. Firefighters made entry into the home and removed two unconscious victims from the structure.

The victims were provided ALS medical care and transported to the hospital by Escambia County EMS. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. A working smoke detector was not discovered by firefighters conducting the fire attack or the overhaul of the home.

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December, 2014

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FLORIDA

ASHLEY LOPEZ

Chili sale surpasses expectations ASHLEY LOPEZ

BC Alexander presenting to CF Students at the Fall Leadership Symposium

Ocala Fire Rescue contributes to leadership symposium Ocala, FL. On October 17, 2014, Battalion Chief Alexander, a twenty year of veteran Ocala Fire Rescue and Program Coordinator for the Florida State Fire College, was one of the featured speakers at the Fall Leadership Symposium conducted at the College of Central Florida.

Presented by CF’s Student Life, the “Leader’s ‘R’ Us” symposium brought together community leaders from various tracks, including

JUMP TO FILE #102014111

public and community service, which was the topic BC Alexander discussed.

Leadership styles, the significance of good character in and out of the workplace, as well as the importance of communication, were some of the subtopics covered.

As part of the 45 minute pres-

entation, the students had the opportunity to partake in a communication exercise involving a sheet of paper, and a set of spoken directions that were to be followed with eyes closed.

As a result, the value of communication in the workplace was transformed before their eyes from a common theory to a tangible example.

- ASHLEY LOPEZ

Ocala, FL, On October 23, 2014 and after weeks of planning, Ocala Fire Rescue held its Fire House Chili Sale in hopes of raising funds for Marion County’s PACE Center for Girls, through the City of Ocala’s United Way Campaign.

Perfect weather conditions, coupled with advertising efforts from the fire department and members of the community led to a chili sale that not only met its fundraising goal, it surpassed it!

Based on the number of orders which had been placed prior OFR decided to make fifteen gallons of chili, and hope for the best. As it

JUMP TO FILE #102414105

turns out, fifteen gallons would be the magic number; as the clock struck 1:00 p.m., time at which our sale was scheduled to be completed, we sold our very last bowl.

Sold out, and with grins on our faces we tallied the results of our labor. What we found made us smile even wider; $1,003.93 had been collected in a period of approximately two hours, all thanks to the support of our community.

- ASHLEY LOPEZ

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December, 2014

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FLORIDA

CHARLIE ROBBINS

Lehigh Acres travel trailer burns PROVIDED

Plantation Member of the Year, Firefighter/EMT Mark DeWalt displays the gear worn by Plantation’s SWAT medics. DeWalt was selected as the Member of the Year for his involvement with SWAT, the Honor Guard and long term commitment to the city and its residents.

At 4:30 p.m. on November 4th, Station 101 B shift and Battalion 100, Chief Naranjo, were dispatched to 804 Louis Avenue for a reported trailer fire.

Upon arrival, Engine 101 Lieutenant Kreft advised they had a fully involved travel trailer and they would be stretching an attack line. Tender 101 to hooked into Engine 101 for water supply as the area has no hydrants. Firefighters

JUMP TO FILE #110514108

Howe and Alvarez stretched a pre connected one and three quarter inch hand line, which came up short of the fire.

They attacked the fire from a distance to keep the two propane tanks in the front of the trailer cool while Engine 101 Engineer

Mendez stretched out additional line from Engine 101.

An extra 100 feet of line was added and the hose was advanced to the trailer and the remainder of the fire was knocked down.

No firefighters or the trailer's owner were injured and the fire is under investigation by LAFD Fire Marshall Ken Bennett.

- CHARLIE ROBBINS

Fire department selects Member of the Year Plantation, FL. It is said that as many as 75% of people never work in their chosen field. Many wind up doing what they do by fate or pure chance. But not many can say their career was selected by some mystical sign.

Most young boys dream of being firefighters, baseball players, or rock stars. Mark DeWalt was no different. Firefighting was in his blood. His grandfather was a New York City firefighter. Mark really wanted to play baseball, but fate would help define his priorities.

One day, while playing centerfield a ball was hit in his direction.

Just as he prepared to make the catch, a fire truck went down the street. Distracted by the sound of the siren, Mark turned his head and watched the fire truck go by. Yes, he dropped the ball. Where many ball players would regret that moment, Mark never did.

As a senior in high school Mark became involved in a firefighter recruit program. His science teacher, Jerry Broucek, a Plantation firefighter, inspired him and became his mentor. The young cadet spent his last semester in high school riding with Plantation.

Upon graduating high school in 1998, DeWalt joined the Plantation Fire Department. He furthered his education while working fulltime for the Plantation Parks and Recreation Department by obtaining his

JUMP TO FILE #101614103

EMT certificate.

In 2000, Mark was hired fulltime as an EMT with the rescue division, where his experience and leadership skills inspired many new medics and EMTs to make long term commitments to the department.

Mark served for many years as a member of the department honor guard, leading parades and heralding many formal events. For the past several years Mark has served as the honor guard coordinator and the commander of the guard at major events.

Mark never lost that competitive spirit. He joined Plantation’s firematics team and helped win several state championships.

Most recently the fire department veteran chose to push his EMT skills to the limit by becoming a member of the police department SWAT team. Mark is one of only five fire department members who provide emergency care to police officers or victims of violent incidents under the toughest conditions.

So while most young boys only dream of being a superstar, Mark seems to have it all; a firefighter, a ballplayer, and our rock star.

- JOEL GORDON

VOLUSIA CO. FIRE SERVICES

Lt. Steve Huber; Commander Steve Garger; Firefighter Manoela Antunes; Firefigher Eric Schmalmaack; Lt. R.J. Hanrahan; Firefighter Scott Frazier; Firefighter Jack Richards; Division Chief Tim Martin; and Firefighter Steve Szabo meet the sea lions.

Sea lion meet and greet in Volusia County The Volusia County Fair is upon us and Volusia County Fire Services always assists in some of the operational tasks necessary to conduct this event.

This year, the crews from Stations 32, 35, 42, Battalion 30 and Division 11 assisted with filling the 12,500 gallon water tank for the sea lions. Yes, sea lions are at the Volusia County Fair this year!

JUMP TO FILE #110614113

While these marine mammals are more likely to be seen at Sea World, now is the time to view them right in our backyard.

The crew members took this opportunity to conduct training scenarios while accomplishing this task.

Crews conducted tender shuttle operations, a drafting scenario and a "farm lay" to deliver water to the tank.

These skills are often utilized by department personnel, particularly in rural fire fighting operations. After all of the work was complete, the crews had fun meeting the sea lions.

- KATE LIND

December, 2014

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December, 2014

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FLORIDA

DAVID KNOWLES

LCDPS conducted new hire and promotional firefighter assessments Three applicants and one current LCDPS EMS member who holds a valid Bureau of Fire Standards and Training Certificate of Compliance were tested for combat firefighter positions with LCDPS on November 1, 2014. The assessment consisted of a 50 question written test and timed circuit drill. The current member who successfully completed the assessment is now qualified to work in a dual-certified capacity as a firefighter/paramedic on a transport unit. This cross-training will improve the level of service provided by Levy County Department of Public Safety by enabling members on the transport units to assist with fire operations on fire scenes and to work at the county fire stations if there are vacant shifts. The result is an overall improvement in fire protection for the unincorporated areas of the County.

ASHLEY LOPEZ

Early morning fire claims home in Ocala Ocala, FL. On November 13, 2014, Ocala Fire Rescue units were dispatched to 1612 NE 25th Avenue, where a single wide mobile home caught on fire. Engine 5 arrived at Wagon Wheel Mobile Home Park at 7:28 a.m. to find the residence fully engulfed in flames, and the residents safely outside. A total of three engines, a rescue, a squad, a tower, a battalion chief, a safety officer and a fire inspector responded to this call and the flames where under control in 12 minutes. Firefighters continued to smother the remnants of the fire well past 9 a.m. The fire was contained to the mobile home where it initiated. No injuries were reported. The cause of the incident is unknown at this time.

IN SERVICE If you have photos you would like to see in our In Service feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

CHRIS DILLEY

Escambia County Fire Rescue operates a 2006 E-One Typhoon custom pumper as Engine 3. It is conďŹ gured with a 750 gallon tank, a Hale pump, one front pumper jump line, 3 midship preconnect attack lines, 1000 ft of 5 inch LDH and 600 ft of 3 inch supply line. Engine 3 is equipped with a full set of extrication tools, and a heavy compliment of technical rescue equipment.

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December, 2014

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December, 2014

1st Responder Newspaper - sE

Incident command’s impact FLORIDA on firefighter safety Levy County welcomes new members STAYING SAFE Chief Henry Campbell

Last month, I wrote about what type of officer training is required of fire officers in both volunteer and career departments and the impact it can have on firefighter safety.

At just about the same time, much controversy arose about the investigation reports relating to the death of Firefighter Stanley Wilson of the Dallas Fire Department. Firefighter Wilson died as a result of injuries sustained from a collapsing wall while operating at a fire in a condominium complex. The reports contained information that pointed to incident command, inadequate size-up, tactics and communications problems, and all leading to onscene confusion and inconsistent reports.

There were two reports, one from the Texas Fire Marshal’s Office and the second from the Dallas Fire Rescue Department. Both reports had similar recommendations on what needs to be done to correct the problems that were evident at the condominium fire on May 20, 2013.

The Dallas Fire Rescue Department’s report contained the following recommendations: 1. DFR (Dallas Fire-Rescue) should ensure incident commanders establish a stationary command post, maintain the role of directing fireground operations, and do not become involved in firefighting efforts.

2. DFR should ensure that its incident commanders conduct an initial size-up and risk assessment of the incident scene before beginning interior firefighting operations.

3. DFR should ensure critical benchmarks are communicated to the incident commander. If needed information is not forthcoming, incident commanders should prompt division commanders from their stationary positions at the command post.

4. DFR should evaluate its procedures for communicating and implementing operational modes at emergencies and ensure compliance. Changes in modes must be coordinated between the incident command, the command staff, and the firefighters.

5. DFR should train on and understand the use and operation of elevated master streams and its effects on structural degradation.

6. DFR should provide ongoing

training covering structural collapse hazards to all firefighters.

7. DFR should ensure the predesignated incident safety officer assumes that role upon arrival on the fireground and that this role is maintained throughout the incident until the emergency is brought under control.

Additionally, the RIT members should not be issued orders that would compromise their mission and this should be reinforced through training.

8. DFR should evaluate and train on its procedures for conducting effective primary searches of structures and refine them if deemed appropriate.

9. DFR should commit to regular and consistent training of regularly assigned command technicians and their back-ups to enhance performance of command post functions fulfilled by these individuals.

The Texas State Fire Marshal’s report contained the following findings: 1. Continuous risk assessments were not completed. A thorough analysis was not completed prior to the interior search of the first floor of the fire building.

2. Fireground communications were not clear nor understood.

3. Adequate supervision of personnel did not take place.

4. There were simultaneous offensive and defensive operations.

5. The IC was directly supervising up to 18 people.

6. The command and the plan to conduct a primary was not altered although a search was completed earlier.

The Texas Fire Marshal’s report also contained pointers as to what fireground operations that were conducted that proved to be beneficial to the firefighting operations overall.

As I write this article, there continues to be fingerpointing among members of the DFR and the fire service as it relates to the command actions and decisions made at this fire. Many critics feel the death of Firefighter Stanley Wilson was preventable. What do you think? Read the following reports and draw your own conclusion.

The Texas Fire Marshal’s report can be accessed on line at: http://cdn3.1starriving.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2014/09/TXDal-las-Stanley-Wilson-report-StateFM-.pdf The Dallas Fire-Rescue report can be accessed on line at: http://cdn.1starriving.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2014/09/TXDall-as-Stanley-Wilson-report.pdf Till next time, stay safe and God bless!

On October 18th and 19th, 2014, Levy County Department of Public Safety (LCDPS) welcomed four new members.

All new LCDPS members are required to complete a two-day orientation process.

Day one of the orientation consists JUMP TO FILE # of presentations by 102214108 Chief Knowles, the training officer, and battalion captains.

These presentations review the vision, mission, and core values in addition to expectations, responsibilities, basic first responder skills, basic first responder equipment, protocols, and policies of the department.

Day two is a review of skills based on the level of certification of each new member.

Once the new members com-

DAVID KNOWLES

plete orientation, they are assigned to mentors for three to five shifts (dependent upon job classification) to assist in evaluating their adaptation into the LCDPS system.

Welcome to the team Paramedic Nicholas Henderson, Sup-

port Responder Wallace Taylor, Support Responder Hanniah Woods, and Support Responder Ignacio Fernandez.

- DAVID KNOWLES

Structure fire in Sumter County Sumter County Fire & EMS responded to the report of a residential structure fire on SW 44th DR, in the Croom area of Sumter County.

The 911 caller reported a “fully involved” in fire at 1:42 a.m. on Wednesday, No- JUMP TO FILE # 110514102 vember 5th.

Upon arrival, crews found a singlewide mobile home and attached porch areas well involved in fire, with only a couple of walls still standing.

The fire was quickly knocked down, but personnel remained on scene until 5:00 a.m. ensuring all hot spots were extinguished. The home was a total loss.

The residents were not at home at the time of the fire; however, their pet dog was in the home and perished in the fire.

There were no injuries reported, and the cause of the fire is considered unintentional.

- LELAND GREEK

Read more from all of our columnists online!

Go to www.1rbn.com for details.

LELAND GREEK

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PAgE 35

FLORIDA

PINELLAS COUNTY

Pinellas County honors inaugural fire professionals ASHLEY LOPEZ

Rollover in Ocala Ocala, FL. On October 15, 2014, Ocala Fire Rescue responded to an accident with rollover and possible entrapment at 6:00 p.m. Upon arrival, firefighters found a vehicle turned on its side, with it’s driver inside, after what appeared to be an unsuccessful attempt of entering the driveway of 805 East For t King Street. Firefighters immediately initiated the process of stabilizing the vehicle in order to proceed with extrication of the driver. The use of the extrication tools; however, was deemed unnecessary. The driver was completely mobile, and successfully freed from the vehicle with the help and guidance of the first responders.

At its September 23 meeting, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners named the recipients of the inaugural Fire Service Professionals of the Year awards.

The awards are given to those who go above and beyond the call of duty when providing professional fire services to the community and to the members of the fire service.

Pinellas County 911 Telecommunicator Patrick Lavender was named Fire Dispatcher of the Year.

Lavender routinely assists fellow call takers with radio communications to dispatched units and improving response time by working to better identify locations of victims.

“When one person stands out, it's because everyone is that good around them. You want to do your best for the people that you work

JUMP TO FILE #092914103

with,” said Lavender Largo Fire Rescue District Chief Keith Daliendo was named Firefighter of the Year. Chief Daliendo is often tasked with making process improvements within his station and is relied upon to provide training for the newest to the most experienced members of his department.

“It takes a team just like on the fire ground to complete that task,” said Chief Daliendo, “And it's like a little mini academy that we do for our new employees so when they do, after a month , start riding on fire apparatus, they will be trained to the basics of what we need them to do.”

Palm Harbor Fire Rescue’s vehicle extrication team took the hon-

ors for best Special Operations Team of the year. Stationed along busy U.S. Highway 19, the team has a great deal of real-world experience in performing extrications, and has a long history of winning national and international awards for the work they perform.

“They all work together,” said Lt. William A. Fischer, officer in charge of Palm Harbor’s vehicle extrication team. “It's in unison, it's almost choreographed as they work seamlessly and so quickly extricating patients out of car, and it's an awesome sight to sit back and watch.”

The award recipients each received a plaque and a cash award from the Pinellas Federal Credit Union.

- ELIZABETH MONFORTI

CHARLIE ROBBINS DAVID KNOWLES

Lehigh Acres brush truck rollover crash At 11:45 a.m. on November 9th while responding with Engine 103 to a small outside fire, Brush 103 was involved in a single vehicle rollover crash at Leonard Boulevard and 15th Street SW, which resulted in heavy damage to the apparatus and a very minor injury to the firefighter, who was driving. An investigation into the crash is underway.

MVA with entrapment At 4:35 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2014, the Levy County 911 Communications Center received a call reporting a motor vehicle accident involving entrapment of the vehicle’s occupants on Highway 27, near County Road 335A. Levy County Sheriff’s Office, Williston Fire Department, Bronson Fire Department, Department of Public Safety Battalion 1, Rescue 10 (Williston), and Rescue 8 (Bronson) responded with Florida Highway Patrol to the scene. Units arrived on scene to a pickup truck on its side with an overturned cattle trailer containing one horse. Members worked together to quickly assess all occupants of the vehicle. No injuries were reported; the horse appeared to be unharmed.

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December, 2014

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FLORIDA

DAVID KNOWLES

BILL CRAPPS

New Smyrna Beach’s pink Engine 52 goes to work On Thursday, October 23, around 2:30 p.m., an alarm was sounded for a two vehicle MVA in the area of 1900 N. Dixie Freeway in New Smyrna Beach. Dispatch indicated to responding crews that one of the vehicles was on fire and there was a person possibly inside. Battalion 51 arrived on scene and established Dixie command. Additional units were added to the call to supplement the suppression effort and extrication of the other vehicle involved. Arriving crews found the occupant was able to self-extricate from the burning vehicle. Engine 52 was assigned fire attack with assistance from Engine 53. Engine 50 and Quint 72 from Port Orange Fire provided EMS treatment and minor extrication of an adult patient in the other vehicle involved. Two patients were transported with minor injuries and possible smoke inhalation.

JOEL GORDON

LCDPS member participates in CMHS Mud Run Levy County Department of Public Safety member, Cody Basham was invited to participate in the 1st Annual 5-K Mud Run hosted and directed by the Chiefland Middle-High School Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA).

Several students and members of the community participated in the event. The course was 3.2 miles

JUMP TO FILE #103014110

on campus at the Chiefland Middle High School (CMHS). Funds raised at the event are used to support the CMHS Health Academy.

LCDPS members Cody Basham and Mandy Willis have been working with the students to

provide education and information on becoming an emergency medical technicians and paramedics. Currently, twelve HOSA students from Chiefland High School have applied for the dual enrollment program starting in January 2015 with College of Central Florida at the Chiefland Campus.

- DAVID KNOWLES

MIKE INGLETT, VOLUSIA CO. FIRE SERVICES

Firefighters show solidarity for Breast Cancer

Heavy rescue and extrication call in Volusia County

Plantation firefighters show their solidarity in the fight against breast cancer by wearing their pink uniform shirts during the October Volunteer Firefighters Association Meeting. Firefighters, paramedics and EMTs wore the pink shirts during the month of October joining firefighters around the world in supporting breast cancer awareness.

Firefighters from Volusia County Fire Services, DeLand Fire Department, Volusia County Sheriff's Office and EVAC responded to a motor vehicle accident involving an automobile and a semi truck on State Road 44 in DeLand. Using shoring materials and air bags, firefighters were able to raise the semi truck. The only patient, who received minor injuries, was then extricated from the vehicle.

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PAGE 37

FLORIDA

CAPTAIN ALBERT BORROTO

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue welcomes new division chief of operations Palm Beach County Fire Rescue is pleased to announce the promotion of District Chief Chris Hoch to Division Chief of Operations. Chief Hoch brings with him over eighteen years of experience in the fire service to this key position. We welcome Chief Hoch and look forward to his leadership skills helping to guide the operations division into the future.

JUSTIN THALGOTT

Tanker accident in Sumter County On the morning of November 4, 2014, at 3:32 a.m., multiple units from Sumter County Fire & EMS were dispatched for an overturned semi at SR50 and CR469 south of Center Hill.

SCFEMS Engine 12 was the first unit to arrive on scene to find an overturned semi-tanker carrying milk with a leaking cargo tank.

E12 was able to free the

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trapped occupant with minor extrication. Patient care was turned over to Sumter County EMS, and was transported to Southlake Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Upon investigation, it was

found the cargo tank was full with approximately 5,000 gallons of milk. Approximately one quarter of the milk had leaked before it stopped. No other leaks or hazards were found.

Crews remained on scene until 7:15 a.m. assisting law enforcement with traffic control.

- LELAND GREEK

LELAND GREEK

Sumter County structure fire At approximately 10:13 p.m. on October 22nd, Sumter County Fire & EMS was alerted to a report of a building fire in the Sumterville area North of Bushnell. Units arrived on scene to find a single wide mobile home well involved with fire. Engine 21 was the first fire unit to arrive on scene and initiated an aggressive transitional attack. As more units arrived the fire was brought quickly under control. The home’s occupant received minor burns and exposure to smoke, but refused transport to hospital. One dog succumbed to smoke inhalation. The fire is still under investigation but appears accidental. Unfortunately, the damage to the home was extensive, and deemed a total loss. Units engaging in the fire attack were Engines 12, 22, 21, 33, Tender 12, Chief 1, Chief 3, and Battalion Chiefs 11 and 31.

CAPTAIN ALBERT BORROTO

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Recruit Class 59 completes training academy Palm Beach County Fire Rescue congratulates Recruit Class 59 on graduating the academy on Friday, October 17, 2014. We welcome you to our family and wish you a long and rewarding career.

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FACES OF SOUTHEAST’S EMERGENCY SERVICES To see your action shots in the newspaper upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com

SHANE SHIFFLETT

Savannah, GA. Firefighter Ed Farris touring several local fire stations after his retirement.

PROVIDED

Chief Keith Sartin and Public Information Officer Laura Osgood as well as all Blount County Rescue Squad members will be wearing pink during October in an effort to remind people to seek early detection and treatment!

MICHAEL MOSER

The Coral Springs Fire Department is proud to welcome five new members to its ranks: Robert Thomas, Megan Jayne, Joel Feijoo, Caroline Quevillon, Robert Allen

ASHLEY MCDONALD

Murfreesboro, TN. Valerie Pitman, Erin Kuhn, Christina Burlason, Lauren Harrison, Amrith Kahlon, Vanessa McMurray, and Chad McMurray. Chief Cumbey Gaines, Robert Deocales, Tracy Deocales, Chris Burlason, Gena Burns-Harrison, Nicolas Pitman, Vanessa Coates, and Deputy Chief Roger Toombs. Not pictured: William McCormick

SHANE SHIFFLETT

Ft. Stewart, GA. Fire Lt. Matt Henderson and his wife Tina during a recent open house

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FLORIDA

ASHLEY LOPEZ

Seven vehicles, three crashes, no fatalities Ocala, FL. On November 5, 2014, Ocala Fire Rescue, Marion County Fire Rescue and the Ocala Police Department responded to a 3 vehicle accident reported at 11:33 a.m. on the seventeen hundred block of SE 17th Street.

Two pickup trucks and a sedan collided, leaving the driver of the sedan trapped in his seat. Extrication immediately pursued.

As medics assessed the individuals involved and prepared the sedans’ driver for transport, a sec-

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ond accident developed. At 11:43 a.m. reports of a pickup truck and sedan collision were received. The accident, a minor fender-bender with no reported injuries, resulted as traffic began to accumulate on SE 17th Street following the initial crash.

While the crews who were already at work a few hundred feet

away responded to this second incident, a third one occurred. This time two compact SUV’s met in a head on collision on the twenty-two hundred block of SE 17th St. At 11:55, additional units were dispatched to the crash site, where one of the drivers had to be extricated and transported to the hospital.

Despite the gravity of the situation, no fatalities occurred.

-ASHLEY LOPEZ

IN SERVICE If you have photos you would like to see in our In Service feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

CHRIS DILLEY

The Midway Fire District operates a 2001 Ferrara custom pumper as Engine 35. Engine 35 is configured with a 1000 gallon water tank and a 1250 GPM Waterous pump. It has a two front bumper jump lines, 3 midship preconnect attack lines, one preconnect, one blitz 3 inch line and 1200 feet of LDH in the hosebed. Enclosed ladder compartments are used to stow and secure all of the ground ladders.

The engine is also configured for ALS medical emergencies and it also has a full set of TNT Rescue extrication equipment.

PHFR

Training Chief, Tim Pilson Palm Harbor Fire Rescue

PHFR Training Chief Tim Pilson retiring after 32 years of fire service Chief Pilson started his career in the fire service in 1982 as a volunteer for the Ozona, Palm Harbor, Crystal Beach “OPC” Fire Department known today as Palm Harbor Fire Rescue.

At that time, the department was a combination of volunteer and career (paid) firefighters. He was hired as a full time, career firefighter, on October 1, 1984 and was a driver/engineer until March of 1988 when he was promoted to lieutenant.

He moved up the ranks to training captain in 2000 and then training chief in 2005, responsible for firefighter and staff training and education, purchasing of apparatus and department vehicle maintenance.

He earned an Associate of Science Degree in Fire Science from St Petersburg College in 1995 and a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Public Administration from Eckerd College.

Chief Pilson’s career in the fire service has reached many firefighter’s throughout Pinellas County and extended further when he began working as an adjunct instructor in 1998 for St Petersburg College, South Eastern Public Safety Institute (SEPSI) for the at the National Terrorism Preparedness Institute and then went to teach at the Fire Academy.

He served as the Chairman of

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the Pinellas County Fire Training Officers Group for over three years and later founded The Sunshine State Training Officers Group. He was president of West Pasco Toastmasters Club 2824 for two years.

Chief Pilson is a charter member of Local 2980, certified State of Florida Inspector, Instructor III, Live Fire Instructor, served as a member of the Florida Fire Standards and Training Council, Florida Fire Chiefs (FFCA) Fire Rescue East Command Staff and serves on the advisory board at St Petersburg College for the fire academy.

He currently holds the position of Chair for the FFCA, Florida Society of Fire Service Instructors and is in charge of the education programs at Fire Rescue East, a nationally recognized symposium.

We would like to congratulate Chief Pilson on his 32 year career in the fire service and thank him for his countless hours of training and education dedicated to keeping our firefighter’s safe.

You will always be a part of the PHFR family. Congratulations and best of luck on all your future endeavors!

- ELIZABETH MONFORTI

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