Page 4, Fire News, October 2013
FireNews.com
From the Editor’s Desk Dennis Whittam, Editor
Always Use Caution By the time you read this editorial, the anniversary of 9/11 will have passed. Many of you remember this horrible day first hand. Close your eyes and think of the horrific images that come to mind. I know I often stare at images of two majestic structures that were reduced to a pile of crushed concrete and twisted steel. When I talk to people who were part of the recovery effort, many remember something else, they remember the toxic smell. Yes, they remember the odor of the dust cloud that enveloped the World Trade Center site, which contained a lot of nasty substances. They have names such as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), dioxins and asbestos. There were also manmade fibers, volatile organic compounds, silica, pulverized glass shards, alkaline concrete dust, lead, mercury and other heavy metals in the dust cloud over Ground Zero. These chemicals have one thing in common, they can all cause cancer. To date, this dust cloud continues to claim the lives of responders who worked in “The Pit.” The recent use of outlawed toxins in Syria, which killed a reported 1,500 civilians, including over 426 children, reminded me of my first Haz-Mat training class. During my class, it was drilled into me that chemicals can kill. In the case of the WTC attack, the chemical exposure keeps killing. During this class it was drilled into me that chemical attacks could be the wave of the future. The future is here. You must be cautious whenever you respond to calls. We must wake up and realize that all calls to which we respond have the potential risk of a chemical attack on first responders. Use caution when you respond to strange calls where multiple animals might have been found dead, strange odors prevail, and where things just don't look or feel right. Be sure to utilize your SCBA, especially during overhaul. Be sure to have your turnout gear cleaned by a professional company to make sure it stays free of toxins. Think about the kids who come to your firehouse on Fire Prevention Education Day and try on your gear. Are they being exposed to toxins from the last car fire you put out? Take all exposures to chemicals seriously. It doesn’t take much to keep your gear clean. Are you disinfecting your mask after each use? Learn from the responders who have lost their life after 9/11. Use caution when you are battling the modern day fire. …Dennis
ANNOUNCEMENTS 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION The Seaside Heights Volunteer Fire Company announced that it will host a party and parade in honor of the organization’s 100th anniversary. The all-day event is scheduled for October 5, 2013, at the firehouse property on Sherman and Sheridan Avenues, 1100 1700. Interested vendors and collectors of antique fire trucks and apparatus are encouraged to visit the Fire Company’s website for more information and registration forms; www.shfd44.com, or contact Christopher J. Vaz, Parade Committee at christopherjvaz@aol.com or 732-604-9056, or Anthony E. Vaz, President, at aev47@aol.com or 732-236-5748.
WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER September 11, 2001
Fire News asks our readers to remember all of the heroes who perished and the many responders who saved countless lives on September 11, 2001. We would like to make sure that everyone who perished on that day is recognized and is in our prayers and thoughts. We also remember the 246 victims on the four planes, 2,606 victims in the towers and on the ground, and 125 victims at the Pentagon of which 55 were military personnel. We also pray for those that continue to fall as a result of that fateful day. Please continue to support those who gave all and continue to give all as a result of the most tragic day in America’s history.
ANNOUNCEMENTS ‘FIRE PARADE’ IS THE FIRE AND SAFETY SERVICE'S GIFT TO THE BURN FOUNDATION This year’s Burn Foundation’s Fundraiser at the New Jersey State Firemen’s Convention is an image by nationally award-winning artist Joseph M. Getsinger titled, “Fire Parade.” The raffle tickets, only one dollar each, will be devoted to support the mission of the Burn Foundation to aid burn survivors in New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania. The winners, who will be announced September 14 at 1300, have a chance at being one of the 25 winners who will receive a signed and numbered limited edition print or the one top prize — a large framed Giclee’ canvas print #1 signed by the artist and valued at $1,500. This image was five years in the making by the artist. Every year he would go to some point in the Fire Parade after the convention hoping to photograph that one image that would inspire him to create a painting. That inspiration didn't come until last year's parade where he chose to do a photo shoot at the end of the parade, and met Roy Burnham of Wildwood Fire Police (FP-3) working Fire-Police and directing the trucks, which finished the parade and had been judged. While the Fire-Policeman was standing in the roadway a young boy approached him, and Burnham put his arm on his shoulder and a “Rockwell,” moment occurred. The young boy had a “Never Forget” shirt on, an added touch, and they watched the parade with “Sparky” in the background. One of the trucks that approached at the time of this photo shoot was a 1986 Ford C-Series Suburban Pierce fire truck from Farmington Volunteer Fire Company out of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. It looked like a bright, clean and shiny red fire truck — one of many perfect for theme of the painting the artist wanted to create. Once the artist printed out the photographs and started laying out the design he wanted, he then contacted David Russell, President of Fire and Safety Services, Ltd., of South Plainfield, NJ. Fire and Safety Services, Ltd., and Pierce have been sponsors to the Burn Foundation and the artist since 2001, making this the 13th lucky year to have such a great sponsor. We hope that this can be a banner year for fundraising for the Burn Foundation since contributions are down and victims of burns are still occurring. We need to support the Burn Foundation and burn survivors, because, “There by the grace of God, go I.” We hope that it never happens to us or anyone we know, but the reality is, it does, and we are all in the type of business that it occurs more often and thus we need to support the Burn Foundation. Stop at the Burn Foundation booth at the convention and make a contribution for burn survivors. Meet the artist, Joseph Getsinger, who created “Fire Parade” and many other images to aid the Burn Foundation and burn survivors. SPECIAL FIRST TIME DEAL: Place a print order at the show, make your payment, get free shipping, and the artist will donate 50-percent of all sales for Friday and Saturday to the Burn Foundation.
MOTORCYCLE POKER RUN Upper Township Rescue will be holding a Motorcycle Poker Run on Saturday, September 28, 2013, to benefit the Upper Township Rescue Squad. Rain date is September 29. Registration is from 0930 to 1100 at Seaville Fire Hall, 36 Route 50 in Seaville. Riders are $15 and passengers $10. There will be a BBQ and Beer event at Seaville Fire Hall from 1400 to 1800 after the ride. There will be food, drinks, music and door prizes ($15 for BBQ only; $10 for kids six to 12 years old; children under six, free). Pre-register at www.UpperRescue.com.