THE CAROLINA BL ZE 

Fall 2020 Edition | Professional Fire Fighters & Paramedics of North Carolina
our magazine Welcome to the premiere edition of The Carolina Blaze, an online magazine produced by the Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics of North Carolina. We are very excited to present this new publication to you and hope that it provides you with compelling content, new trends in the fire service, and thought-provoking topics and inspiration. The Carolina Blaze is the result of a collaboration between PFFPNC, IAFF, and local affiliates across the state.
Scott Mullins is the President of PFFPNC and is a captain at the Asheville Fire Department. Scott also serves as President of the Asheville Fire Fighters Association.
In each edition, we will share stories about the fire service, including real life stories, political news, recipes, trainings, and products. If you have ideas, please send them our way. This is OUR magazine and we promise to keep it authentic, real, and relevant to you and your families. We also ask that you provide us with feedback on the magazine so that we are able to meet and exceed your expectations as readers, and we ask that you patronize our advertisers. . As you open your first inaugural issue of The Carolina Blaze, it is our sincere hope that you are inspired and enjoy this piece created just for you. Happy reading! Fraternally yours,
Scott Mullins PFFPNC President
Will the 2020 Election Affect PFFPNC’s LegislativeAgenda? The 2021-2022 General Assembly gavels in a new biennium in January and regardless of who wins the November election, PFFPNC plans to take an aggressive legislate agenda, that will include presumptive cancer legislation, separation allowance, and PTSD presumptive for workers compensation. PFFPNC’ just concluded a 2019-2020 legislative session in which the House easily passed Firefighters Fighting Cancer Act (HB520), Parity for First Responders (HB278) and Provide WC for PTSD in First Responders (HB622) in the April 2019 only to see the bills parked in the Senate Rules Committee for a second consecutive session never to budge. So when the question is asked by firefighters what PFFPNC can do to move these bills in future sessions, PFFPNC President Scott Mullins answers simply: Firefighters need to elect state senators who value the lives and livelihoods of firefighters. “The Senate has been candid with us — they philosophically disagree with our legislation,” said President Mullins. “We need to be equally candid: We need state senators serving who support firefighters.”
Mullins is not the only one frustrated. North Carolina firefighters have become increasingly frustrated and area asking what the chances the Senate could flip power, or even loosen power, so that firefighter legislation could start moving as it does in the House? PFFPNC Political Director Josh Smith says a power change is possible, but it’ll all comes down to a handful of legislative districts, and possibly an undercard race for Lieutenant Governor. “The Senate appears to be the one chamber Democrats have a chance of getting from the Republicans, but a lot would need to go their way in order to be successful,” said Smith. Most political observers see the current spread of 29 Republicans and 21 Democrats getting tighter after the election with Democrats poised to pick up at least two Republican seats in Wake and Mecklenburg Counties, currently held by Senators John Alexander and Rob Bryan. Neither incumbents are running for re-election and Republicans have all but conceded those races to Democrats. “With an almost guaranteed 27-23 floor, Democrats need to
pick up three seats to get full control of the Senate,” Smith said. Based on ad buys and campaign finance reports, Democrats are focusing on four Republican incumbent seats, including Bob Steinburg (Outer Banks region), retiring Rick Horner (Johnston County), retiring Rick Gunn (Alamance County), and Joyce Kraweic (Forsyth/Davie County). However, there is another scenario for Democrats to win the Senate. If Democrats pick up two of the four targeted seats and Yvonne Holley, the Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor, wins then Democrats win the Senate because she would break a 25-25 tie. Smith notes that Republicans are not only defending seats, but are running campaigns in Democratic held districts, most notably the seats held by Senators Harper Peterson in New Hanover County and Jeff Jackson in Mecklenburg County. “Whether Republicans retain power or Democrats are successful, all firefighters want is for the Senate to treat our profession with the same respect the Republican controlled House shows us,” said Smith. “Hopefully, this election will bring us positive changes.”
Smith points to South Carolina, the 49th state to offer presumptive cancer legislation to firefighters leaving North Carolina alone as the only state to without it. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, signed the bill into law in late September and posted a photo on Facebook of him signing the bill into law, stating that he was proud to help firefighters across the state. “These men and women sacrifice to be there for us in the most difficult moments, and we must do all that we can to be there for them in theirs,” McMaster said. The bill includes reimbursing a firefighter, including volunteers and forestry firefighters, up to $12,000 a year for out of pocket medical expenses, an up front payment of $20,000 upon diagnosis, and a $75,000 death benefit. (North Carolina provides a $100,000 death benefit for certain firefighter cancers.) The bill passed the SC House 108-1 after the Senate passed the legislation earlier in the session. Both chambers are led by Republican majorities. Subscribe to PFFPNC’s enewsletters to stay up-to-date on this developing story.
WHAT’S COOKIN’!
with Asheville’s Scott Mullins
Boil 5 pounds of bone in split chicken breast and 1 medium diced onion. Add salt & pepper, to taste.
Remove chicken from pot. Set aside broth.
Debone & shred meat, and set aside.
Cook 3 pounds of rice in reserved chicken broth.
While rice is cooking, chop 16 ounces of sausage into 1/4 inch rounds.
CHICKEN BOG
Sauté sausage rounds in large pan on medium heat until browned and cooked through.
When rice is fully cooked add chicken and sausage to warm.
Do you have a firehouse recipe you want to share? Email your recipe to The Blaze editor Brian Lewis at brian@newframellc.com and we’ll publish your recipe in a future of edition.
DC NEWS T
he US House passed HR 1646, the Helping Emergency
Responders Overcome (HERO) Act by voice vote and is now in the US Senate. This high-priority IAFF legislation (not to be confused with the HEROES Act) addresses the real need for increased mental health resources within the fire service. The HERO Act establishes a new grant program to train fire fighters to serve as peer counselors. Second, it directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop new guidance to educate fire fighters on identifying and preventing post- traumatic stress disorders. Third, it directs the CDC to develop research and educational material on the culture within fire departments so that evidence-based therapies can be developed. Finally, the bill creates a database at the CDC to compile statistics on the incidence of suicides among public safety officers. “This bill will provide researchers and policymakers data needed to better comprehend the scope of suicide in the fire service community and find best practices to reduce incidents,” said PFFPNC Political Director Josh Smith. “We encourage the US Senate to take up this bill during this session.”
FAMILY BUSINESS
By Keith Wilder On December 5, 2018 twenty-seven new firefighters joined the ranks of the Raleigh Fire Department as Recruit Academy 43 graduated in a ceremony at the Duke Energy Center in downtown Raleigh. New firefighter Cameron McAuliff was one of those new firefighters and it was my honor to pin my badge on his uniform, a ceremony that overwhelmed me with pride in my profession, my family, and this fraternity of brother and sisters I consider my family. I am in the short rows of my career and nothing makes me prouder than seeing Cameron with eyes wide open and absorbing a firefighter culture that shaped me. My wife Andrea, who is Cameron’s mother, posted on Facebook how special the ceremony was to her. “Last night was one of my proudest moments as I watched my husband pin on my son’s first badge as a Raleigh firefighter. I pray the next 30 years are as fulfilling for Cameron as they have been for Keith. I know he will carry on Keith's legacy in serving the people of the great city of Raleigh to his highest ability. We are so proud of you son!” Two years after Cameron became a firefighter, Keith says he still gets choked up thinking about how sharing a profession with a family member is special. “We see things through a lens that many people don’t understand,.” Kieth sad. “He understands why I am with the way I am, especially when it comes to health and safety. “ Keith also understands that his work both on the job and through the IAFF is to leave the firefighting profession for the next generation, including his son.


Investing in Firefighters Saves Families Money
Few in the  public understand how their community firefighters save them in insurance premiums on their home insurance policies. Homeowners insurance ratings are issued by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) and are based how well a local fire department can protect its community. Top ratings are obtained by less than one percent of North Carolina's fire departments. A higher rating means the city is better able equipped to respond to fires, which will allow property owners and businesses to pay lower insurance premiums. PFFPNC recently celebrated the Hickory Fire Department becoming one of the only fire departments in North Carolina to achieve a Class 1 fire protection rating, which will result in property owners saving money. The ISO rating is based on a 100-point scale with half of the score determined by the fire department's staffing, capabilities, training, and equipment. The other 50 points measure the city’s water supply and infrastructure, emergency communication systems, and community risk reduction programs.
2020 Wall of Honor Memorializes Karen Shuart, a North Carolina Firefighter Each year in September, the sacrifice made IAFF honors the by IAFF members who have given their lives in the line of duty. The annual ceremony remains an uplifting service for the families, friends and loved ones, celebrating the lives, heroism and accomplishments of our union’s bravest of the brave. This year, the IAFF engraved 245 members’ names on the Wall of
Honor in Colorado Springs on September 19, including Karen Shuart, who died in January 2019 at age 58 of ovarian cancer. Shuart began her career with the Asheville Fire Department in 1994 and served her community for 25 years. With the significant health concerns related to COVID-19 and all the restrictions across the U.S. and Canada, the 2020 Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial ceremony proceeded this year without attendees, but was viewed on YouTube (www.youtube.com/ IAFFTV/live) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/ IAFFonline). “Karen was an incredible firefighter, a dedicated union member, and a
friend, and it was my honor to see her name etched on that sacred wall,” said PFFPNC President Scott Mullins, who last attended the ceremony in 2019 to escort the family of Will Willis, age 34, who died in 2018 . “While we are all disappointed that we are unable to attend this solemn ceremony to honor Karen and her service to Asheville, the IAFF has invited all 2020 honoree families to attend the 2021 Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial.” Mullins said fallen members will receive proper recognition along with those lost in 2020 at a traditional ceremony, with all families receiving their flag. The IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial is located in the shadow of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, Colorado. For more information, contact fffm@iaff.org.




PFFPNC mourns the loss of Rep. Linda Johnson, a Cabarrus County Republican lawmaker, who died in February from cancer. The 20-year veteranlegislator was a high-ranking appropriations chair in the House who reveled in visits from firefighters across North Carolina.
In Memoriam
“Her door was always open for us and we were always greeted with a hug,” wrote PFFPNC DVP Ben Bobzien, who exchanged text messages and phone calls with Rep. Johnson just days before she died. “She was full of integrity, loyalty, and strength and I will miss her and her friendship. I pray for her family’s comfort and healing through this difficult and sad time.” PFFPNC DVP Jeff Tracey, who also serves as president of the Cabarrus Professional Firefighter Association, praised Rep. Johnson for using her power at the appropriation table to protect money dedicated to the Line of Duty Death cancer benefit. “She was a friend to firefighters right here in her home district, and she was a friend to every firefighter across North Carolina,” he said. Rep. Johnson’s death was felt across North Carolina’s political world and across partisan lines, including Gov. Roy Cooper, who released a statement praising her public service to the state and Cabarrus County and ordering flags fly at half-staff.
T eF gB e a dP Pa S ec a T b e O f Kee gO C
EA C CA E, LLC CO N ELING E ICE 252-305-4880 OFFICE IN ALEIGH & OCK M . BL E MO N AIN EN E P I E 252-522-1544 4000 COMME CE D KIN ON, NC 28504
IGH
OPHE B ILDING 910-233-3061 PO BO 1634 ILLE BEACH,NC 28480
O'LEA FLOO ING 910-279-0506 100 NE D O HPO , NC 28461
HE I AGE C AP 252-522-2577 718 DOC O D KIN ON, NC 28501
LOGO O K 910-307-0312 4200 MO GAN ON D E 105 FA E E ILLE, NC 28314
PI A ILLA 252-527-2260 1400 E NON A E KIN ON, NC 28504
I LAND INN 910-328-2341 202 GOLD BO O A E F CI , NC 28445
KIN ON FIBE 252-527-4127 190 NE E D KIN ON, NC 28501 HA
CH I
ANDENN BOA DING & G OOMING 919-303-9591 8537 MI H D CA , NC 27539 CA HLE
EM INC 919-481-1616 1041 DA I D APE , NC 27523
DE ELOPMEN AL HE AP A OC 919-493-7002 3514 NI E I D E8 D HAM, NC 27707
' BOD HOP 910-844-5925 871 B AN ' CI MA ON, NC 28364
FI EHO E B 252-268-6723 D
E EN I A D 252-469-3680 3004 LAN DO NE D 27886 MA E O O A 252-523-6111 PO BO 249 28502
& A OMO I E 252-527-2886 2916 H LL D KIN ON,NC 28504
HE AFF ONE 919-232-7362 1915 POOLE D ALEIGH, NC 27610
JE
ELL' PE CON OL 252-527-7090 2563 E IDGE D KIN ON, NC 28504
MA' HO DOG HO 252-527-0511 2515 H 258 28504
fe a F e d F ef g e Safe
K LI E FA MA 910-366-5246 6047 MO GAN ON D FA E E ILLE, NC 28314 C MBE LAND MO O 910-424-8515 933 HOPE MILL 28304
O K D
MAIL AND MO E ICHLAND 910-430-0800 PO L EN FINANCIAL G O P 910-455-8191 824 G M B ANCH D I E JACK ON ILLE, NC 28540
E
EAFOOD E P E 910-486-5883 936 B IGH ON D FA E E ILLE, NC 28314 NIQ E INK 910-346-5031 411 MA INE BL D 28540
LI
LE G MO E 919-607-8741 1301 CAPI AL BL D ALEIGH, NC 27603
MI H AND B CKNE F NE AL E ICE 919-742-2151 230 N 2ND A E ILE CI , NC PA AND POOL O LE 919-772-7745 7963 FA E E ILLE ALEIGH, NC 27603 LA
BI E E OOFING 919-773-2140 8012 DI D APE , NC 27539 GC INC 919-779-8890 117 IGMA D GA NE , NC 27529
ALEIGH-D HAM BBE & GA 919-781-6817 5836 LEA E LN ALEIGH, NC 27617
T eF gB e a dP Pa S ec a T b e O f Kee gO C
ACE A PHAL OL ION 910-263-1210 5942 NE HOPE CH CH D 28395 L CK 7 OBACCO MINI MA 910-306-3722 E LE B ILDE INC 910-330-2031 PO BO 695 28460 LAPOIN E' A OMO I E OL ION 910-346-2886 337 HENDE ON D JACK ON ILLE, NC 28540 JE OME CO IN ANCE 910-487-0044 5310 ADKIN D FA E E ILLE, NC 28303 AGAPE CH I IAN INC 910-554-5386 1368 PINE G EEN D E7 28546 F EEDOM BIKE CH CH 910-624-0679 659 MA ELL D 28318 F A IE DE IGN 910-818-2413 6311 I E IDGE D 28311 I-COA IN LA ION 910-609-3198 1121 MILI A C OFF D ILMING ON, NC 28405 BLANCHA D ELEC IC INC 910-620-6256 1602 FI H HA K C E ILMING ON, NC 28403 E E' HOME IMP O EMEN 910-920-6255 104 KEN ING ON C MILL I E , NC 28376
fe a F e d F ef g e Safe
NE
O HE N LOAN 919-217-8387 7041 KNIGH DALE BL D 27545
HO GH BO 919-475-0306 213 FA E E ILLE ALEIGH, NC 27601
PLM EQ IOMEN E ICE 919-233-2231 212 PO ELL D E 122 ALEIGH, NC 27606
CA HLE EM 919-481-1616 INNO A I E ADHE I E 919-523-0777 PO BO 1719 27512
PLM EQ IPMEN E ICE 919-233-2231 212 PO ELL D E 122 ALEIGH, NC 27606
FA PACKAGING CO. INC 919-552-2422 2905 AI PA K D 27526
K EEPE -N- K A LE 919-255-3418 2733 COMM NI D ALEIGH, NC 27610
P EFE
ED LI ING OL ION 919-554-0675 10520 LIGON MILL D E 104 27587
NICK' AIN 919-272-0422 5201 OAK PA K D ALEIGH, NC 27612
AKEFIELD A OMO I E 919-554-9890 2513 B LING ON MILL D 27587
EAL LI ING 919-277-4632 10224 D AN D E 107 27614 DEMP E HODGE CON 919-291-3068 PO BO 17964 27619
C ION C
N NE CA O ING 919-291-7217 3417 A MO N D 27604 ED A D' ELEC ONIC 919-359-2239 3821 PO HA AN 27520
CHOICE POOL AND PA 919-562-6611 10016 CAPI AL BL D 27587
EM D
DALLA FAMO CHICKEN & BI C I 919-362-0051 1101 E ILLIAM APE , NC 27502
OM PAIN ING & EMODELING 919-601-5500 108 KING MILL D CA , NC 27511 O AGEMA 919-625-1043 5020 C A E LN 27603 H HO KA ING 919-662-9101 5335 A NO D GA NE , NC 27529 IMBE L & ON CON 919-669-7066 2563 OAK G O E CH
C ION CH D
T eF gB e a dP Pa S ec a T b e O f Kee gO C
P EMIE E C & LE 919-781-6145 3380 I FO K D ALEIGH, NC 27609 JOHN ON' JE ELE OF ALEIGH 919-783-9504 3201 JOHN H MPH IE ND ALEIGH,NC 27612
6001
OP COA INC 919-787-0302 IANGLE D I EA ALEIGH,NC 27617
GA DNE -MA H GA EQ IPMEN 919-787-8214 8209 B O NLEIGH D ALEIGH, NC 27617 IANGLE ME AL O K 919-815-3996 30 INA H A 27596 JO DAN P ICE 919-828-2501 NOBLE P OPE IE 919-828-7903 880 GLENDALE D 27511 H MBLE PIE E A AN 919-829-9222 317 HA ING ON 27614 ME O I LE CO 919-833-1284 726 N BLO N 27604 I FO K E ON A ION 919-848-1550 9501 ICKLAND D ALEIGH, NC 27615 COMME CIAL I E DE IGN 919-848-6121 8312 C EEDMOO D 27613
G EA
O
fe a F e d F ef g e Safe
HEA E N P OPE 910-829-9288 PO BO 58375 28305
CA OLINA EC I 910-938-9002 PO BO 1269 28541 CON OLIDA ED DI PA CH 910-939-4979 JACK ON ILLE, NC 28540 NC FOOD E ICE 910-960-9019 PO BO 72534 FO B AGG, NC 28307 MONACH GLA COMPAN 910-988-4204 2450 I IGA ION D FA E E ILLE, NC 28312 ICHIBAN E P E 910-339-5070 3350 FOO B IDGE LN E 117 FA E E ILLE, NC 28306 JIMM
AL ON CKING 910-355-7085 119 MEDLE LN MA ILLE, NC 28555
HILOH CH CH 910-382-6013 JACK ON ILLE, NC 28541 LIMING ON MOO E LODGE 910-392-4200 4610 CA OLINA BEACH D ILMING ON, NC 28412 E P E DELI E 910-429-2173 3360 DOC BENNE D FA E E ILLE, NC 28306 DIAMOND NAIL 910-686-4466 8207 MA KE EA ILMING ON, NC 28411
DEL O O CONC E E 919-395-1512 107 A HBO NE C GA NE , NC 27529 EMA AD AN AGE 919-395-8281 410 GLEN OOD A E E 130 27603 EN ALON 919-403-8368 NC H 54 E 206 27707
1125 CEN
21 IANGLE 919-441-6912 4208 I FO K D E 130 27609 CA OL FAMIL DEN AL 919-460-6884 1149 KILDA E FA M D 27511 EA DEPO INC 919-469-8889 750 E CHA HAM EG 27511 FAI
IE
CHILD EN' CEN E 919-362-0052 4309 EN EN D 27539
EPHE
BAP I CH 919-851-1928 6767 HILL BO O GH 27606
CH
A & L HOME IN PEC ION 919-363-6771 211 L NDENB D APE , NC 27502 NO
H
IDGE CO N CL B 919-846-9667 6612 FALL OF NE E D ALEIGH, NC 27615
T eF gB e a dP Pa S ec a T b e O f Kee gO C
A PL
EE AND C ANE 919-854-0020 PO BO 10486 27606
LA COCINA DE MAMA G E A 919-872-5360 1604 N MA KE D 27609 C O
FI OLE ILLE 919-906-4171 6440 ODGE D OLE ILLE, NC 27571
IN E NA IONAL P E CHOOL 919-957-7249 2730 GODLE LN 27617 L CA ACCO N ING & A E ICE 919-977-6488 1418 A E BO O D E 202 27529 PO E HO E ELEC IC 919-362-1608 1030 CLA IC D E 100 27539 PEAK EEL 919-362-5955 1610 N ALEM APE , NC 27523 E ING E 919-367-7858 124 EABOA D APE , NC 27502
ICE
COOP-N-DOO 919-495-2259 PO BO 1024 O NG ILLE, NC 27596 EACH ECHNOLOG
INI
IM INC.
PL MBING COMPAN
C LB E H ELEC
ICE
IC
L & E FAB IC INC
OLI E GLA MAN LLC 252-527-7007 603 AKE A E 28504
B IDGEPOIN GENE AL CON AC O 919-691-3167 600 N D KE 27702
HACKLEFO D FA M 252-560-9652 4184 E EA CH FA M D 28538 FO
B AND A PHO OG APH 919-770-2040 103 MC LEMO E D 27520
F
CB & LEE COMPAN 919-851-2640 4617 E E N BL D ALEIGH,NC 27606 CANAD & ON E E MINA ING 919-686-9541 113 EE A E D ILMING ON, NC 28411
DE IGN B JE
I
BA
AL
APPLIANCE AND E 252-291-1066 3201 AI PO BL D N IL ON, NC 27896 OC. IN
E NIE AND ON A
ICE
ANCE
OMO I E
MILLENNI M MA ON MOO E CO N
GA
EMA GEO GE ECHNOLOG INC. ION PILA E
P & D A CHI EC 252-566-9811 PO BO 477 28551
EAL E
A E
NO H AEFO D MOBILE HOME PA K
CHA E LAKE MA INE IN ANCE
AB- OL
ELL AL AGE 252-566-4345 134 F ELL D 28551
HOMP ON & A
A D A K E E MINA ING CO 919-577-9003 3325 AI PA K D F Q A A INA, NC 27526 HAI
AIL MINI O AGE 252-560-9700 3048 H 258 N 28504
ELI E FLOO ING INC 252-561-7755 PO BO 1086 28590
PA AND POOL O LE 919-772-7745 7963 FA E E ILLE 27603
K EEPE -N-K ALE 919-255-3418 2733 COMM NI D ALEIGH, NC 27610
A D
CK
IANGLE D I E HAF E 919-688-2544 3424 PA L OOD C D HAM, NC 27704
fe a F e d F ef g e Safe
DIO
E
CKING COMPAN 910-488-2115 1701 ELLIO FA M D FA E E ILLE, NC 28311