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Catching up and a simple “Trick of the Trade”

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Well, the good news is that I lived 12 hours following my last post  and made it to 4-day break. As usual, I’ve been just as busy at home on the farm as I am while on the job.

We’ve been lucky enough to have been getting some much needed rain.

Our hay fields are once again green and have responded well to a few drinks from mother nature’s cup.

Of course, that means the Buckaroo and I are putting in some long days again.

If we can get a few thousand more  square bales in the barn, we may just break even this year.

***WARNING*** If you are a member of PETA,  if images of dead animals or children with firearms may be disturbing to you … DO NOT READ FUTHER. For a more urban oriented, feel good, warm and fuzzy blog, CLICK HERE  instead.

The Buckaroo doesn’t mind working long, hard hours because I usually reward him with a little “creek time”.

Unfortunately, the weather or water is not warm enough this time of year to let him play / swim so we’ve had to spend our “breaks” on other activities…. like hunting!

Despite our best efforts, we have a huge ground hog and coyotee problem on the farm. You would think that the coyotees would get the baby ground hogs and eliminate that problem for us but I guess there are just too many to get. You know what they say … if you want it done right, do it yourself!

 

We got us a spot up in the loft of the barn….

I had my  17cal.  riffle while the buckaroo carried his trusted cap pistol.

Every time I took aim, so would the Buckaroo.  When I shot, he did.

Of course I missed and he was dead on …LOL  

I wish I could have got some video. After each shot, he’d look up and ask “did I get him?”  LOL … yea … “you” got him Buckaroo!

 

It wasn’t long before he wanted to trade guns….LOL

Although he is around firearms pretty regular, I think 3 may be a little young yet for his first “real” gun.

I have picked  his first one out though…. Yea … tha’st how we “red necks” think …LOL

It’s a youth model 22cal.  …. a ” Crickett “  check out the link … AWESOME!

I can’t wait till he’s old enough for me to get it for him …  Until then, I guess  he will  just have to settle for posing with mine.

 

We’ve had a good week and the Buckaroo has racked up some impressive numbers.

I don’t know which one of us enjoys it more. 

I hope he’s old enough to remember our hunts when he gets older. I hope we have thousands more for him to look back on.

I know I remember my first time out with dad as well as the first time I took my girls out (yea … I took both of my girls out hunting when they were younger). Of course they didn’t “take to it” as well as the Buckaroo has.

 

Ok …. on to fire department stuff …….

In my last post, I told you about our  Fired Up For A Cure  event at the Roanoke Civic Center. Our IAFF Local #1132 and the Department have teamed up in an effort to extinguish breast cancer. The event seemed to be a huge success.

View more pics from  “Fired Up For A Cure” over @ Roanokefirefighters.com by clicking HERE

In that post ( found HERE ), I mentioned how our very own Rhett Fleitz (aka The Fire Critic) participated in the 5k run.

I failed to mention that Station #8-C Captain Mike Armstrong motivated his entire company to run!

 Mike is a great Captain who has always built strong companies. 

It was good to see an entire company out together for an event like this. Ffor me, it says PRIDE … well done guys!

photo from Bill Schick of Charlotte NC Ladder Co. #1

In the post, I also mentioned that Chesapeake brought down their “pink” Engine. This truck is not part of the “Pink Heals Tour” but rather is an actual “reserve” piece from Chesapeake!

Well, after reading my post and seeing the truck, my good friend and Brother Firefighter Bill Schick from Charlotte, NC Ladder #1 sent in a photo.

Apparently, Charlotte has also opted to paint one of their reserve pieces pink for the cause of Breast Cancer awareness.

 

Of course the most popular photo from that post was yours truely wearing a pink duty shirt. I mentioned in the post that the shirts were issued to our members to be worn on the middle day of our cycles durring the month of October.

Well, apparently; our Brothers from over in Salem have out done us again.  They too have been issued pink shirts and they look GREAT! I caught a short story about their shirts the other morning on WDBJ 7 . This was the best pic I could grab from their site but I have some better shots of their shirts on the way.

 Ok … on to a pretty simple “Trick of the Trade” .. . WEBBING.

I’m not a big fan of loading down my turnout gear pockets with lots of tools and gagets. For one, it weighs you down. Also, when your pockets are full of this and that, it becomes more difficult to find what you’re looking for at the time. Over a period of time, some of these items / tools carried  will even wear holes in the pockets.  There are however a few lightweight and usefull items that are worth carrying and just may save your life.

One of those items is webbing.

I prefer 1 inch tubular webbing. It’s strong, durable, light and stores well.

Firefighters will find many uses for webbing while operating on an emergency scene. It can be used for hoisting a hose line or tools as well as for emergency egress if necessary. I carry and reccomend a 25 foot section.

Tonight’s “Trick of the Trade” is how to store or carry your webbing.

Here in “The Noke”, we wear Morning Pride turnout gear. Randy has an older style with removable knee pads.

This makes for a GREAT place to store and carry your webbing.

We start by placing a “loop” on one end of the webbing .

With the loop held above the knee pad, the remaining webbing is laid flat and evenly across the knee.

After all the webbing is in place, the knee pad is secured back into position with the loop remaining outside the pad and accessable.

The key here is to make sure the webbing is packed flat and even so it’s not uncomfortable or hard on your knees while crawling.

It’s also important not to pack too much webbing behind the pad which will take away from the flexability of the knee.

Another key point is not to leave too much or too large of a loop hanging out as it may easily “snag” and deploy unexpectedly.

Otherwise, this “trick” makes for great storage and easy access / deployment from either a standing or kneeling position.

Again, I prefer webbing ( 1 inch ) over rope because it’s easier to store / carry. I’ve tried rope under the knee pad but found it way too uncomfortable when crawling.

Give it a try … I think you’ll like the advantages.  If you don’t have webbing, you can find it over at The Fire Store by clicking  HERE .

Ok, I’m going to stop here for now. I have a lot more to fill ya in on but I’ll wait until next day. The Buckaroo and I have a full day tomorrow and then I’m back here on Saturday. We have a high rise drill among other things planned so I should have some good pics for ya if nothing else.

Little Randy is going to be enjoying his first “day off” since he’s been assigned to companies and that is a whole post in itself..LOL!

I’ll catch ya Saturday .. until then, Stay Safe and in House!

Captain Wines

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by on September 29, 2011 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, news, training-fire-rescue-topics, Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

If I live 12 more hours!

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Geesh !  WHAT A WEEK !!

The good news is that if I can last about 12 more hours, I’ll be headed home for what will hopefully be a relaxing Sunday and the beginning of my 4 day break. Yesterday started off good, got busy and then ended late but good.

It started off with me and the Buckaroo meeting Captain Witt and the crew from County Station #1 for breakfast.  Afterwards, we stayed plenty busy on the farm despite the rainy conditions. Later in the evening, we loaded up and headed out to Buena Vista, Va for the 11th Annual Nothin Fancy Bluegrass Festival. It was a VERY relaxing evening with family, friends and good music.

I’ve mentioned before that dad (aka “Pop”) has been driving the tour bus for Nothin Fancy for a while now. They are an award winning band that has been together for over 18 years now!

Learn more about Nothing Fancy  … Previous Post       Web Site     Face Book

If you hit the “previous post” link above, you know that I sometimes help out with the driving … there are several benefits to that.

First, it’s not bad work….easier than fighting fire or farming anyway. It also allows me to spend some time with Pop where we can cut up and carry on a little bit.

Driving down the road listening to the boys practice is not a bad gig either ….

Plus, when we get to our destination, we often get to meet and hang out with some other great musicians, singers and people. Nothin Fancy tours a lot with Rhonda Vincent . I’ve been a HUGE fan of hers since I was a kid.  Pop and I have met her several times now over the past year or so. She always makes the Buena Vista Festival.

She stopped long enough last night to pose for a  back stage pic with me. I told her I needed the shot to fret  … show brother firefighter David Lucas from Station #3-A.  “Big Luke” is also a huge fan of Rhonda … that ones for you brother :-)

Also in the “previous post” link above, I mentioned the guys practicing a new song on the way down to Florida. At the time, I couldn’t  even mention the name of the song.  Last night, I got to hear them play it for the first time in front of an audience. I knew the song was going to be a huge hit  and it was. The title is “Darkness and Dirt” . It’s a song about a coal miner’s life but relates to that of firefighters as well. The lyrics are pure poetry and lead singer Mike Andes nails the vocals. Here’s a short clip I recorded on my camera ..

That clip doesn’t do the song justice.  If you like Bluegrass music at all, hit the link to their web site (above) and buy the new CD … you’ll LOVE it!

So, I got home after mid-night, caught a few winks and headed back in here at 6:30 this morning. Fresh out of a Bluegrass festival in Buena Vista to the heart of  NW Roanoke City to find the bay door busted…I told ya it was gonna be one of “those” cycles!

Apparently, a young lady was being chased and shot at this morning. She didn’t think she could out run the shooter’s vehicle so she figured she’d find refuge at the local fire station.

Never mind it’s “whatever AM” , everyones asleep and the doors are closed …

Just try to drive through it!

LMAO …. what ever happened to just pulling a street box for help? ( Oh wait … we took all of them out )

The good news is that it was the Medic truck’s back door so it wont affect running out of the station (they can back into the front door rather than pulling through). Bugg got the mess cleaned up and the door secured but it should remain out of service for about a week or so (until the door company can complete repairs).

I headed out early to attend an airport disaster drill. WooooooHooooooo! Me, a few other firemen and a whole lot of other “agency heads” with “wonderful ideas” on how to handle a plane crash.

There’s nothing like “talking” an incident to completion with a hanger full of people who have never been on or ran an emergency incident much less a plane crash. Hummmm … here’s a few terms we may need to discuss … NIMS ? Unified Command? Ever heard of these???  HELLO ??? Don’t worry … I’m just the “acting” Chief … I kept my mouth shut…LOL.

After the cluster f   …. errrrrr disaster drill, I headed over to the Civic Center for a Department event to benefit Breast Cancer Awareness … Fired Up For A Cure.

There were all kinds of activities on site for both the young and old …

The morning started with a 5 and 10k run.

There were Fire, EMS and Police vehicles / equipment on display.

silent auctions …

Zumba, music …

Children activities, free ice skating, the Fire Safety House, free food and more.

October is fire Prevention as well as Breast Cancer Awareness month. Our Department and  IAFF Local 1132 joined forces to get an early start in trying to “extinguish”  Breast Cancer. The event seemed well attended. Chesapeake even brought down their PINK Engine #106. Here are a few pics from the event ….

The Chief told me that we had around 200 people participate in the 5k run but he failed to mention one of our most notable runners. If you haven’t heard yet, our very own Rhett Fleitz …aka The fireCritic was in attendance!

Not only was he there, HE RAN. Even more yet …. he finnished!  ….. ALIVE!

Rhett ran with his wife Becky. This was the not Becky’s first run but the first time she and Rhett had participated in a run together (it was Rhett’s first ).

Becky said it actually wasn’t as bad as she had expected…. Rhett was lighter than she estimated so carrying him didn’t slow her down that much. Maybe I should have loaned her the papoose I use for him when we participate in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs.. LMAO

All kidding aside, they both did an awesome job! I think they said their final time was around the 30 minute mark. CONGRATULATIONS !

Despite the fact that this was a breast cancer awareness event, I was a little embarrassed that Rhett choose to run in women’s clothing. Well, maybe not the entire “outfit” but I’m quite certain he was wearing Becky’s socks …. What do you think Statter ??? Can you tell his from hers??

LOL .. Iguess I shouldn’t give him too much grief about his socks because I was wearing a pink shirt. Actually, several members on duty today were wearing pink.

Because next month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we will also be wearing the shirts then.

Each company / member has the option of wearing the pink shirts while on duty during the middle day of each of their cycles for the month of October.

We have some members who have choosen to support the cause by wearing a ribbon or helmet sticker rather than the shirt. I think that’s great as well.

I’d dare say that we don’t have a single member whos life hasn’t been affected by cancer in one way or another.

Much like my good friend and fellow blogger Kelly Grayson’s ( A Day In The Life Of An Ambulance Driver ..2011 EMS Blog of the Year ) campaign …  Kilted to Kick Cancer ,  maybe at least we can help raise awareness. Either way, Station #13-C will be sporting PINK in October!

I’ll leave ya with one more short clip from Nothin Fancy. This is my uncle Gary’s rendition of “Turn the Page” …

I’ll check back as soon as I can … until then, Stay Safe and In House!

Captain Wines

 

Posted by on September 24, 2011 • Filed under: fire-prevention-education, fire-rescue-topics, mass-casualty-incident, news, training-fire-rescue-topics, Uncategorized, videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

LOL … Ahhhh the places I could go!

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LMAO …. I have SO much content and “directions” I could go in for a great post. Of course, my regular readers know that the one thing that I don’t tolerate is “fretting” so I guess I’ll shoot it to ya straight.

It’s been a busy summer for me but for some reason, these last few weeks have really taken their toll. I’m not sure if Im just getting old or if all my work, travel and “running around” has just finally caught up with me. Either way, I’m whooped!

It doesn’t help that Im riding as the “acting” Battalion this cycle. It seems like every time I ride the car, “something” happens so I’ve just been sitting back waiting for whatever it’s gonna be this time.

See previous post … “Buckle Up”

We’re working Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday this cycle (24 hour shifts). My first day had me starting out in a  “Harassment in the workplace” class. A half day in a class room with 2 lawyers … WoooooHooooo!  The remainder of the shift wasn’t too bad. No real big excitment. Several runs including a kitchen fire but nothing major. Wednesday, the Buckaroo and I had a busy day on the farm. Of course it rained all day so we were soaked and freezing by the time we got back to the house. Good thing for me is that I would be able to unwind later that evening.

Good friend and Brother fireman Captain Joe Lyons from the Westfield Fire Department in Indiana had contacted me about a trip he’d be making to our valley. Captain Joe, Senior Firefighter Chad Everitt and KME rep. Mike Smith arrived around 6pm Wednesday evening.

We wanted to make sure the guys were taken care of so Rhett (The Fire Critic), Todd “Boots” Harris and I met em at the hotel around 6:45. We ended up next door at a local Mexican Restaraunt for sizzling hot fajitas and cold beers.

It was a good dinner! We hit it off right from the start. Captain Joe was waiting outside the hotel when I arrived. I came disguised in my daughters little sports car type vehicle.  As I got out and headed to the front door, the Captain came to greet me. Hummmm … how’d he know it was me?? LOL. I guess the bunker boots,  mustache and cowboy hat were a bit of a clue.

These guys are good firemen. We were a good fit. It was like we had known each other for years. It’s funny how that works out amoung brothers. I’ve had the honor to meet folks from all across the Country and beyond yet we all seem to share the same experiences. It doesn’t where you’re from when you’re “on the job”…. we all “relate” . It’s the same story with different names from one state to the next.

The Capt. and Chad ( aka “Trucker” )  work for the Westfield Fire Department. Mike Smith is the President of Donley Safety , their local KME distributor. Westfield has a new KME ladder on order but is also working on a new “prop” for their training facility. The guys needed a fly section from an aerial for a paripit wall / roof mock up and Mike had the connections. KME’s ladders are built here in Roanoke so the guys hooked up the trailer and hit the road. West Virginia proved to be an interesting leg of their journey as they were able to stop and chat with one of their State Police officers (LOL). After meeting us, they probily thought they were STILL in West Va!

Anyway, yesterday; I got my Battalion paperwork duties cleared early and escourted the guys over to the KME facility at 07:30am. Afterwards, they would head out for home. I hope they enjoyed the trip … I know for us, it was an honor to meet and share a few stories, beers and a meal with our brothers from Indiana.  Let us know the next time you guys head our way!

After getting the guys over to KME, I headed out to our 4th Annual Officer’s Seminar.

This years presenter was Retired Deputy Chief James P. Smith of the Philadelphia Fire Department. Chief Smith is a GREAT speaker who presented   “Strategic and Tactical Considerations on the Fireground” .

Chief Smith has a book by the same title … find that book by clicking  HERE . To see more topics offered by Chief Smith, click  HERE  .

It was refreshing to here someone with Chief Smith’s experience and education speak. The Chief could talk “fireman” because he is one! He worked through the ranks … he’s “been there, done and seen that”.  He was even there for the  One Meridian Plaza Fire  back in February 1991.

Fire Service leader, good friend and Brother Chris Naum remembers the One Meridian Plaza Fire over on Command Safety.com HERE

The turn out for our Seminar was good but could and should have been so much better.

We lost 3 Brothers in the One Meridian Plaza Fire. Due to the PRV (pressure reducing valve) limiting water to the upper floors, the members were forced to  hand jack 5″ hose to the 28th floor! Not just once … they made 3 stretches of 5″ !  Multple alarm  fires (as in 4th alarm and higher) seemed to be “normal” for Chief  Smith. He’s even taken in multiple refinary fires! How could you not learn something from a man with this kind of experience?

The seminar’s attendance was well rounded. We had members from The City, Roanoke County, Salem and several surrounding combonation or volunteer Departments. I hope we were able to “break even” on expenses so that a 5th Annual can be scheduled.

Obviously, these events come with a cost. In an effort to offset these cost, we do several things … raffles, 50/50 etc. I think the biggest “hit” is the helmet raffles.

Captain Billy Scearce from the Danville Fire Department put a custom paint job on two fire helmets.

These helmets turned out AWESOME !

See previous custom painted helmets from Captain Billy Scearce HERE .

 

 

 

 Special THANKS to Captain Billy Scearce for a FANTASTIC job! Find Billy on Face Book  .

I had to remain “in service” so I was in and out of the seminar to take in a few runs.

Nothing big until Captain Martin of City Engine #3-C advised dispatch to notify the Battalion that he was on scene of a mutual-aid “working fire” with our brothers from Roanoke County.

I switched over to the County tac channel just in time to hear command request a 2nd Alarm. I responded in.

By the time I got there ( less than 4 minutes) , companies were already taking up. WTF ?? I thought he pulled a 2nd??

Well, as it turns out; the IC (Incident Commander) struck the 2nd due to the occupancy. This location is a nursing / assisted living facility. Apparently, they had decent smoke showing upon arrival.

The 1st arriving members (County #5 and City #3) along with the sprinkler system were able to knock the fire down rather quickly.

It was a good call. We all know and had just heard from Chief Smith how it’s better to have companies rolling and not need them than to need them and not have them rolling.

My biggest shock was having that many members on scene of a fire under control and a Deputy Chief having to load hose! Yea… a County Deputy LOADING HOSE … on a City rig no doubt! LMAO.

Good job by all members on scene !

After the seminar, I had a pretty busy day. Sleeping in a strange bed in the busiest house in the City …. NOT MUCH REST.

The Brothers from County Station #1 must have known I’ve been having a busy month and invited me out for breakfast before they headed out to the 2nd day of our Seminar (same lecture in 2 days to allow for work schedules etc).

My wife dropped the Buckaroo off at the Station this morning and we headed out to meet Captain Witt and the crew.

BROTHERHOOD !  These guys “get it” .. A GREAT COMPANY !

Thanks to Captain Witt and the boys for the invite … we enjoyed it.

Tomorrow, will be just as busy.

I’ll begin the day with an airport disaster drill. Afterwards, I’ll head over to our “Fired Up for a Cure” event to benifit breast cancer.

There will be all kinds of activities on site.

Kid events .. Fire, EMS and Police demos, free ice skating, music, 5 and 10k runs, free food and much much more.

Check out Va Fire News for more details by clicking HERE .

I’ll even be wearing a PINK shirt ..

Check in tomorrow night for pics and details.

Until then, STay Safe and in House ….

Captain Wines

 

 

Posted by on September 23, 2011 • Filed under: command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, fires, in-the-line-of-duty, major-incidents, news, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Buckle up!

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I really haven’t checked in with a “full” post since our 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in Greenbelt, Md back on the 11th. I received a TON of e-mails, text messages and comments on the site from that post ( I Cried ) … THANKS!

I was hesitant to hit the “publish” button on that post. I had so much I wanted to say and share that I thought it came off as “rambling” and maybe even kinda “cheesy”.  Those of you who follow me regularly know that YES .. I do get emotional because I am passionate about the job. Sometimes, it’s difficult for me to control those emotions. The bad thing is that I type like I talk (and think ) and always say whats on my mind. Sometimes ( in my postings )  it comes across ok … other times not so much.

The message I was trying to deliver was how honored and proud I was to have participated in this climb. It was the 3rd climb this year for Rhett ( Fire Critic ) and I and,  our  2nd with Kevin Totten and Tommy Warshaw. I got to climb with my dad who is retired from the job with right at 30 yrs while Rhett climbed with his 8 yr old son!

More than telling our story, I wanted to inspire you to experience  your own.

I’m sure these climbs will hold a different meaning for each climber while Im just as sure that you’ll have to climb to find it. Other than climbing on the rigs everyday and performing our duties with PROFESSIONALISM, PRIDE and HONOR I can’t think of a better way to honor the 343 FDNY fallen.

I had mentioned in my post how we were planning to climb in Richmond before Chief Bashoor invited us to Greenbelt. What I failed to mention was that 4 of our brothers from Roanoke did attend the Richmond climb! You guys may remember a past Lieutenant of mine  from back in the Melrose Misfit days … Rob “Bugg” Reid. If not,  CLICK HERE  for a great post and the chance to meet “Bugg”.  He had wanted to organize a climb here in “The Noke” but couldn’t get the details worked out with the “powers to be”. They represented us well and even climbed with their SCBA !  THANKS …. CONGRATULATIONS and WELL DONE men!

So, obviously, Im back to work. Laast cycle was a mess due to my being off for the climb, Boots being on vacation and Georgie off sick. Little Randy stayed at Lucky #13 one day but would ship out to ride the Medic on the last day of the cycle.

He ran out of Station #5 and had a pretty busy tour.

He continues to see and hear things that aren’t an everyday occurance down in Max Meadows, Va.

He was almost involved in a fist fight and bitten. Yea …. BITTEN (he said she was tougher than she looked..LOL)

We also managed to squeeze in a little SWR (Swift  Water  Rescue) training …. just wait till little Miss Dana sees him in his new vest and fancy hat!

So, we took a 4-day break and returned to duty this morning. It’s gonna be a long cycle! Once again, I’m riding as the “North Side” Battalion Chief. For some reason, whenever I ride “the car”; we’re busy. This cycle has already started out that way!

Last time I rode the Battalion … see 1st arriving pics and post from a 2nd alarm fire

I rolled into the Chief’s Office this morning with a full schedule. Every Captain and 1st Lieutenant on the shift had manditory “Harassment in the work place” training …. WooooooHooooo !!

We also had “night training” scheduled for Station #5 at our Regional Training center beginning at 19:00 (7pm).

Take the busiest company in the Battalion out of service for a while and “something” is bound to happen..right?

 

The call went out as a stove on fire.

Boots got Georgie and Randy in first for a quick save.

This one could have turned bad QUICKLY.

There’s also a quick and simple PSA from this incident … NEVER leave pots / pans unattended while cooking.

A 2nd PSA is to install smoke detectors and assure they have working batteries. The detectors in this house  alerted the two occupants and allowed them to exit the home safely before our arrival.

The night is young yet and I sure hope things quiet down a bit. I have a busy day on the farm tomorrow and the next two days  here is looking full as well. Tomorrow evening, Rhett and I will get to meet another reader / follower of our sites. Captain Joe Lyons from the Westfield Fire Department  in Indiana will be stopping in town.  Rhett and I will give him the nickel tour of our city, make sure he gets a good meal and share a few stories over a cold adult beverage. I believe the Capt will be in town to visit our local ladder truck manufactoring company.

On Thursday, when I return to duty; we will be holding our 4th Annual Officer’s Seminar. This year, our featured speaker will be Retired Deputy Chief James P. Smith from the Philadelphia Fire Department !

This is a GREAT OPPURTUNITY for our area firefighters.

The Chief’s topic will be “Strategic and Tactical Considerations on the Fireground” This is one of many topics that Chief Smith lectures on across the Country.

Click HERE for more topics offerd by Chief James P. Smith

Click HERE for Chief Smith’s 2nd edition book “Strategic and Tactical Considerations on the Fireground”

This will be a 2 day seminar (same presentation, Thursday and Friday 08:30-16:30) and there may still be space available. If interested, contact one of the Chiefs listed on the registration form above / left.

Saturday will be the last day of our cycle but another full one as well. I have an Airport Mass Casulity Drill scheduled in the morning and our “Fired Up For A Cure” event that evening.

Not only will I be there, I’ll be wearing a pink shirt. YEA … a PINK shirt!

I’ll post more on the shirt deal tomorrow or next day.

In the meantime, Rhett has more details on the event over on Va Fire News … CLICK HERE .

Like I said … it’s gonna be a wild cycle … you’d better BUCKLE UP!

I’ll check back in as soon as possible. Until then, Stay Safe and In House!

Captain Wines

Posted by on September 21, 2011 • Filed under: fire-prevention-education, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, fires, news, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Must See Video …

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The video below is 7 minutes long …. WATCH IT ALL … AMAZING!

Stay Safe and in House!
Captain Wines

Posted by on September 15, 2011 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, news, Uncategorized, videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How to motivate a Rookie …

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WELL DONE CHIEF !!

Stay Safe and in House !
Captain Wines

Posted by on September 15, 2011 • Filed under: administration-leadership, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, news, training-fire-rescue-topics, Uncategorized, videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I cried ….

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I know …I know … I’m a fireman. Well guess what ??? Firemen are HUMAN … we have feelings and emotion. Most of the time, we are able to set them aside, to hide them from our friends, family and the public. I haven’t been doing such a good job of that here lately and for good reason.

Although I have NEVER FORGOTTEN, the 10th Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on our freedom has hit me harder than I had anticipated. Again, this happened for many reasons. I think of those 343 EVERY DAY. When I say that, I mean EVERY DAY. Especially on the days that I’m pulling a tour but those guys and the events of that day cross my mind DAILY.

I feel a sense on HONOR and PRIDE for those brave men who in a way, validated my job  life . I AM a fireman and from that, I can not hide. I was raised in a fireman’s home. I watched dad go to work for 24 hours at a time. He missed ball games, dances etc and at that age, I never really understood why.

I wish I could say that I’ve matured … I haven’t. That said, without a doubt; I’ve aged.  Now, I too am a fireman who has missed just as many games, dances and events. Like my father, and those 343;  I have devoted my life’s work to those I have never even met. Because of that, our families have suffered. I wish they hadn’t.

It’s actually  very ironic when you think about it. We depend on the “BROTHERHOOD” to make it back to our families, yet it is that same brotherhood that most often keeps us away. There is always a member needing help painting the baby’s room or building a new deck. After a bad tour we always end up out together for a few beers and an egg sandwich. This trip or that, this conference or another or trading time / working for this brother or the other.

I wonder if I could trade places with any of those 343 if they would come back to be better fathers, brothers, sons or husbands. It pains me that even today, after all this; that I am not. I don’t know how to separate the two … home and the job. I will say that those 343 have inspired me to do so. Every day could be my last and I’m not so sure that simply being a “good fireman” is enough anymore.

Today, I’m a much better grandfather than I ever was a father. I’m a better husband, son and person as a whole. That doesn’t absolve me of my wrongs in the past but those 343 and the events of that day have me on the right path. I hope they know how much positive has come from their sacrifice. I hope their families know that if even in the smallest of ways … some good has come from their loss.

So yes, I CRY. I cry because it took the death of 343 of my brothers for me to understand that there is more to this job than putting out fires. There is more to the meaning of  the word “BROTHERHOOD” than painting someone’s basement, building a deck or drinking a few beers. I cry because better men than I lost their lives that day.

My tears were multiplied this weekend. It’s a long story so hang with me. By now, you all know that Rhett and I have participated in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs. THIS IS NO EASY TASK.  Rhett and I have always done the climbs in turnout gear vs shorts, tennis shoes and tee-shirts because thats as close as we could come to what those 343 had on that day ( most stair climb rules / regulations specifically say no SCBA, hose or tools despite a lot of that showing up this past weekend).  If nothing else, we wanted to experience a part of what they did that day. WE’VE ACCOMPLISHED THAT AND MORE ! 

Before this weekend, we’ve completed two climbs … one in Baltimore, the other in Atlanta. Greenbelt, Md would be our 3rd and it would come on September 11th … the 10th anniversary.

Rhett is my best friend. Although he is younger, I look up to him in many ways. Not only is he a good fireman, he is also a great father, husband and member of his community. I hope I learn and grow to be half the man he is.

Although I don’t show it, we share a lot of the same values and principles. We think alike. The climbs have always been “spiritual” for us. We’ve climbed for the 343, for those left behind,  for our families and ourselves.

See related posts  HERE   HERE    HERE   and Rhett’s best post ever   HERE

This climb would be different in many ways. One of the things that “hit us” in our previous climbs was the fact that we’ve never had 343 climbers. We understood the hesitation to participate but would never have imagined that less than 343 would register. We too were nervous. Our names and faces are “out there” . What if we couldn’t make it? We knew we had the heart … but what about the legs? Come to find out, it was  (and is) never really about completing the climb. We’ve said from day one that if you want to climb and are at the same event as we are, we’ll walk WITH YOU … no matter how long it takes. We wanted to finish the 110 stories that our brothers weren’t allowed to but after the 1st climb realized that just being in those stairwells was enough … like them, we SHOWED UP!

Although it shouldn’t be needed, we wanted a way to draw and thank the participants. We contacted our good friend and Brother Zach Green from FoxFire …an MN8 Company. You have seen Zach and the FoxFire products many times here on this site as well as over on FireCritic. They offer a GREAT product that is the biggest innovation that I’ve seen in the fire service in the past 20 yrs. ….IT’S THAT GOOD!

Anyway, we told Zach … you have to give us 343 Illuminating Helmet Bands to pass out at the climb. He was on board from the get- go ! Not only did he send the bands, he had some special made. This Limited Edition band has the FoxFire logo in the color orange. Not only that, Zach also hand numbered each one to be 1-343 “of” 343 !  HOW AWESOME IS THAT ?!?  Zach couldn’t attend the Greenbelt climb in person but was there in spirit. We assured him that every climber would receive one …. they did.  Rhett and I had the honor of presenting the bands to the organizers and NFFF staff on the morning of the climb …. I cried again.  If these bands save only 1 fireman’s life …. it was WORTH IT and I am proud to have been a part of it. Special THANKS to Zach and FoxFire for all they do to keep us alive!

So, we had secured the bands and Zach wanted to know which hotel we would be staying at so he could ship them down. Hummmmm …. hotel? Another GREAT friend of ours, the Foundation (NFFF) and the Fire Service as a whole; DAVE STATTER  knew we were headed up and made a call. We were gonna stay at Dave’s house …. no “if’s, and’s or but’s ” about it. Yea … the FireCritic, Statter911 and Ironfiremen.com under the same roof !  COOL !

Actually, that was a huge gesture and example of brotherhood shown by Dave and his family. Come to think of it, Dave is the reason that we were in Greenbelt to climb in the first place. Back at Firehouse Expo in Baltimore, Dave Hillary took a group of us out to an O’s game. Basically, it was some big name Chiefs, some bigger name PIO’s, with me and Rhett thrown in to pass the beer and Cracker Jacks down the isles…LOL. All kidding aside, PG County’s Fire Chief  Mark Bashoor was there and sat next to us. We had a great conversation and he invited us up for the Greenbelt climb. How could we refuse ? If Chief Bashoor wanted us in Md, that’s where we would be!

This was a HUGE gesture on Rhett’s part that not many (other than me) know or will understand. We had been planning all along to climb in Richmond. Richmond is special to Rhett. He worked and lived there before moving to Roanoke. When the Chief extended his invitation, Rhett never said a word or hesitated … we graciously and humbly accepted.

The other thing is that  Statter  didn’t just open his home to me and Rhett … we had others traveling with us as well. Rhett would bring is 8yr old son Preston while my dad and step-mother would accompany me. Special THANKS to Dave, Hillary and Sam for allowing us to share their home!

So I’m getting ahead of myself here …. the 5 of us load into Rhett’s mini-van and head north. Greenbelt, Md … our 3rd memorial Stair Climb! Pop was driving, I was mixing and Rhett was drinking. This was going to be a good trip!

On the way to Statter’s mansion, we took a quick detour into one of Fairfax City’s Fire Stations. It was Saturday and we all knew what guests on a weekend are like so we kept our visit short.

The guys made us feel at home and even said they followed our sites … COOL ! Dad … it was like he had never even retired … I think he was already enjoying the trip. A great stop …. THANKS GUYS !

We made it to Statter’s and got busy. We had 343 envelopes to stuff with the Limited Edition Helmet Bands. EVERYONE went to work and Robyn and Hillary had us organized and ready to go in no time. The rest of the evening was spent over drinks, a great meal and conversation among friends.

We awoke early to head out for the Maryland Trade Center.

The part that I haven’t mentioned yet is the fact that dad was along to make the climb with us!  YEA… HE WAS GOING TO CLIMB !  There are a thousand reasons why I wanted dad with me this day. We had spent the day and days after September 11, 2001 together, glued to the TV. We shared in the horrors that unfolded as only a father and son on the job can. We didn’t speak out loud much but neither had to. Some of my most graphic memories from that day involve being with my father. I needed him then and would again 10 yrs later.

I was worried about asking. I didn’t know how he would feel or if he would even able to make a climb. I didn’t even get the words out before he said he was comming! The local paper even did an interview … see that article  HERE .

I said earlier that for me and Rhett, these climbs are spiritual. Often times, if a group is talking or cheering behind us in the stairwell; we’ll slow to allow them to pass. We climb in silence … remembering and honoring those who climbed before us. For us, it’s more about reflection than achieving a goal…. it’s a memorial.  My dad being there with me would take me to a much higher level. I wept with PRIDE.

I was HONORED to climb with the men of group #7 in Greenbelt, Md ! Obviously my dad.  Rhett goes without saying as well … it was our 3rd. My GREAT friend and Brother from Salem Fire/EMS, Captain Kevin Totten joined us for the 2nd time. Kevin also climbed Baltimore with us. Tommy Warshaw (who also made the Baltimore climb but wasn’t in our group) and Bill Carey from Back Step Firefighter .  We ended up with a 7th member … Rhett’s son Preston!

For me and Rhett, these climbs seem to work in the opposite direction … each one has gotten  more difficult. Greenbelt was to be my hardest of all. I was injured. I don’t say this as making an excuse or whining but I was HURT. I had pulled my back in a freak incident on Friday while out with my dad. I could hardly walk. I think it added to dad’s stress because he did everything in his power to have me sit this one out. He even offered it as in he would climb “in my place”. YOU JUST CAN’T DO THAT ! Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here to type this post … I would have taken someone’s “place” back in 2001.

Preston made about 80 floors! I was the “weak link” in the group. We were making left hand turns in the stairs and that was the worst case scenario for my back. We had to stop briefly 3 times. Kevin and Bill actually assisted me for several stories. Dad knew I was hurting … he wanted me to drop my gear. At one point, I took my coat off for about 5 stories and he carried it …. I cried again.

I will never forget that image of my dad carrying my coat so that I could finish the climb … so we could finish it together! I will also never forget Tottin scooping me under his arms and telling me “lean on me … I gotcha”. THAT’S WHAT THESE CLIMBS ARE ALL ABOUT!

Of course I never doubted the heart of ANY of our members but was humbled to share in their sacrifice. He were ALL HURTING but some took on more. 

I cried as we walked in the door for our first assent. Dad lead the way for the entire 110 stories. I followed humbled once again by the example he has set. “Pop” (as I call him) has been retired for 8 years now. He doesn’t visit stations much … they’ve all changed. Yet, he came out of retirement, with no conditioning; for this! I don’t think he even broke a sweat. THAT’S MY DAD !

After our climb, Pop wanted to take the Buckaroo in. My wife (Donna) and daughters (Randi and Reba) drove up to watch and cheer us on. Obviously, the Buckaroo was with them (I think he even drove…lol).

That was another time I cried. When we came down and I seen my “girls” and the Buckaroo standing there, I was overcome with emotion. After all they have suffered and sacrificed through, because of my being on the job; they continue to love and support me!

Click here for a post with an AWESOME e-mail from my daughter concerning the climbs and the job!

Pop and I took the Buckaroo  up the elevators and got off 1 floor below the top.

Both of us were already spent but this was something we wanted and needed to do.

Dad carried the Buckaroo that entire story. The Buckaroo never spoke a word. I’m sure he didn’t know what or why we were doing this but also know that he must have known that it was for some special reason.

That made 3 generations of the Wines family in that stairwell, 10 years to the day after the attacks. I’m sure the Buckaroo will learn of those events once he begins school but I also know that he will learn a much different and more personal perspective from us.

I hope that is the only stairs the little fella will have to climb. I also know it wont be.

Like I’ve said before, we are all climbing in one sense or another.

The comfort is knowing that we aren’t climbing alone. I received several phone calls and text messages that morning to thanks us and wish us well. I carried their thoughts and wishes as we climbed.

If you participated in a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb .. THANK YOU and congratulations!

I hope you found what you were searching for …. I know I have.

 Captain Wines

Posted by on September 13, 2011 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, in-the-line-of-duty, line-of-duty, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Why am I even here?

6 comments

I’ve asked myself that question thousands of times since the attacks on our Nation back in 2001. My dad, Rhett (The FireCritic), Todd “Boots” Harris and myself recently sat down for an interview with Roanoke Times reporter Jorge Valencia. It was a GREAT interview and I hope he realizes what he was able to capture on his recorder.

We sat around a table at The Second Alarm, a bar that Boots and his dad (also retired from Roanoke Fire Department) has owned and operated for over 30 years. As most firemen are, we were slow and hesitant to talk at first but, after we got started; we totally forgot Jorge was even at the table. A lot of what he head was fireman to fireman. Brother to brother and Father to son.

Dad called me that morning in 2001 and said for me to get to our shop asap. We stood together, in horror, attached to our small TV for days. We didn’t talk much … we didn’t have to. We knew what the other was thinking … we were sharing it together. We tried to explain  to Jorge that what made it so bad was the fact that we had the “inside scoop”. He knew (or at least had an idea of) what our FDNY Brothers were facing. When the first tower fell, dad simply said in a crackled voice ” we just lost a bunch of firemen “.

It didn’t need spoken, I think he was thinking out loud while his mind was trying to equate what we had just witnessed. I knew all too well what that collapse meant and said a silent prayer that that our brothers had went quick and painless.

I had been to NYC several times. It started with good friend and Brother Captain Todd Stone. We went together for St. Patrick’s Day and had the honor of riding Rescue 4 in Queens. Following that trip, I returned every year. That’s when I got to ride with Rescue 1 in Manhattan and when I met Joey Angelini ( I would later make my stays at 39/16). Joey made a huge impression on me.

Visitors and guest to a firehouse is a “work detail” of sorts. Someone needs to be assigned to show them around … answer the questions etc. In a smaller Department it’s not such a big deal. The FDNY is swamped with visitors, guest and “buffs”. Typically, the fireman on “watch”, the rookie or less senior man would be assigned to a visitor. After I explained that both my father and I were on the job (in the same Department) back in Va, Joey stepped in. He didn’t have to and it wasn’t expected. Joey was the most senior man in the FDNY. He was also the oldest “in company” and he was on the busiest rig in the city … RESCUE 1 … the elite of the ELITE.

I stuck to him like glue for the entire tour. We caught a bunch of runs and made it to 4 fires that day. It was an awesome experience. Joey spoke of his son, Joey Jr. I could see the pride in his face and hear it in his voice. It was then that I realized how my dad must feel. How I hoped he felt anyway. I wondered about Joey Jr and if he was as proud of his father as I was of mine. Back in “The Noke”, my dad was known as one of, if not THE best firemen on the job. At a minimum, he had the reputation of being a good fireman .. a “good Jake”.

Anyway, I knew Brothers on the job in FDNY. Knew their faces and names. After watching the towers collapse, I knew I had to go. I didn’t know what I could / would do but it had to be better than standing there, watching on TV. Dad stopped me. He didn’t tell me not to go, he simply reminded me that we had a job to do here as well. I had just made Captain and was assigned to the busiest house here in our City. He told me to get my crew in order. To make sure they were all ok and “ready” for whatever may come next. We were under attack and had no idea of what (or where) was coming next. He was right. I called up to 39/16 the following day and they told me not to come. They were swamped with firemen and 1st responders. The massive influx of personnel was only adding to the chaos. It was difficult for me to be here and watch as everything unfolded in New York and DC. but I stayed. That was my job.

I’m not sure what Jorge was looking for in his interview. I think he was wondering how the Fire Department (and it’s firemen) has changed since 9/11. It ended up being a “round table” between several good firemen. I’m not so sure he would have wanted my “take” on how we’ve changed. Are we better or worse? That’s the question everyone else is asking.

I think we’ve made some great steps forward but at the same time feel as if we are no better off today then we were on September 10, 2011. In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, the Fire Service as a whole received some much needed validation. For years, we were looked at as overpaid workers who spent all day playing cards, pulling practical jokes and sleeping. Nobody realized what we actually do. Social Media and all these other outlets were unheard of and nobody was there to tell our stories or promote our profession.

On 9/11, we were front page. Firefighters were front page of every newspaper and the lead story of every news cast. The world got a close up, first hand view of why we are on the job and what we do. We lost 343 Brothers from the FDNY that day and as bad as it sounds, it was almost a kind of validation for our job. Firemen across this Country will give their lives to save others…. people we have never meet and don’t even know.  Any one of those 343 could have turned and ran. They could have found a reason to “hang back”. THEY DIDN’T !  They kept climbing. They pushed in and up knowing what we all did … this wasn’t going to have a good ending. That’s why we (the Fire Service) say “Well Done”  to our fallen…. they’ve done their job and they did it well.

I never understood as a child that every time Dad went to the firehouse that he may not have returned. Not until I got on the job and realized how many times he must have came close to that realization. I don’t think my children ever really knew. I’m not sure they know now.

In my opinion, it all faded too quickly. People aren’t shaking our hands at the grocery store any more. We didn’t have 20 visitors to the station last week. Folks don’t just stop by to say “Thanks”.  Today, much like pre-9/11; the Fire Service is faced with budget issues, under staffing, station closures etc. I guess for some, it may be a comfort to know that it only took less than 10 years to forget. For me, it’s heart breaking!

In the last week or so, memories have been awakened. We’ve had visitors, folks wanting to take pictures and conduct interviews. Ceremonies and services have been planned and all the politicians will be there. Arms around firemen or survivors waving the flag of we haven’t forgotten. Where were you last year? How about the year before? Back when we were fighting for that pay raise that we haven’t seen in 4 years? When we warned against and was fighting the closing and consolidation of 2 of the busiest stations in the City? Why were you not looking for photo ops when we were battling staffing cuts? I would be happier had we not received any of the accolades we did following 9/11. I would have much rather kept working and fighting ”status quo” . That would have been better than receiving all that we did just to see it taken away years later. It would have been easier to have  kept working “without” rather than “loosing” what we had gained ….easier to swallow anyway.

I’m not sure about the public but I do think that our politicians have forgotten. Our Brothers?? Firefighters ???  NEVER! We can / will NEVER FORGET. We live it everyday. I do. Not a day goes by that I don’t think back to September 11, 2001 and the sacrifices made that day. And, despite all the political issues etc. I still stand ready to do my job… willing to lay down my life for yours.

None of this made Jorge’s article. Instead, he focused on another aspect of the conversation …. how we honor and remember the fallen. Rhett and I  have been participating in 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs. To date, we have completed 2 climbs ( Baltimore and Atlanta). Tomorrow, we will make our 3rd in Greenbelt, Md !

READ WHY I CLIMB BY CLICKING HERE

These climbs are beyond description as far as I’m concerned. I have described it several times as “spiritual” and, for me; it is. Tomorrow’s climb will be so much more. MY DAD WILL BE CLIMBING WITH US! I get emotional just thinking about it …. after 30 years on the job, 6 years retired, my dad (Pop) will climb 110 stories in memory and honor of those 343. As I do with for him, I also think that in part, he’s climbing for me. For those of us left to finish “the climb”. The climb of the Fire Service … of our profession … our calling.

See Jorge Valencia’s story from The Roanoke Times HERE

Our climbs benefit the National Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation. Registration fees and money raised go towards supporting the families of our fallen. Not just those lost on 9/11 but every fireman who was died in the line of duty. It’s the least we can do! If you’ve never attended the Memorial weekend services in Emmitsburg, Md…. YOU SHOULD! Make plans now to attend this October. Visit the National Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation web site for complete details of stair climbs and the Memorial weekend.

Read about my and Rhetts previous climbs  HERE   HERE   HERE  and  HERE 

I think the above links are some of the best posts Rhett (FireCritic) and I have ever made. They are heart felt, open and honest. If you haven’t taken the time to read them .. please do. I hope you’ll find in our words what we did in those stairwells.

There are several more things that will make our climb tomorrow special. One is that our families (or part of them anyway) will be there. A firefighters family often times sacrifices as much as the fireman himself. I can’t tell you how many ball games, practices etc that I’ve missed because of the job. My wife … well just let me say that there should be a special place in heaven reserved just  for her. To have put up with me, my schedule and this job for 25 yrs is an achievement in it’s self. I love her more than words can say (more than I’ve ever been able to tell or show her) and tomorrow she will share in my climb. She will be there watching…cheering … and I’m sure reflecting on her experiences / losses as a firefighter’s wife. My daughters, Randi-Jo and Reba will also be there along with the Buckaroo. Rhett’s wife and daughter will not be able to make it up but his son, Preston aka “Big P” is making the journey with us!  What and HONOR and BLESSING to have such wonderful families.

Another cool thing is that Rhett and I have helped coordinate a special “gift” for the members climbing in Greenbelt tomorrow. Zach Green of FoxFire and MN8 Products  has made a limited edition, one time ONLY; commemorative Helmet Band for the climbers.  The bands will be numbered 1-343 “of” 343 and will be given to each climber! WOW !!!!  What an awesome gift! These bands along with the many other “illuminating” products offered my FoxFire and MN8 are changing the way we fight fire. Their products will SAVE FIREMEN”S LIVES. If you’re not familiar with or have never heard of FoxFire, CLICK THE LINK ABOVE … your life is WORTH it!

I speak with Zach often and in our last conversation last night, he became emotional. He cried. He can’t make the Greenbelt climb but wanted to make sure that everyone there knew that he wanted to be and that he would be with us in spirit. The Helmet Band give donation is him wanting to keep the rest of us safe. He wanted nothing more than to be there in person to hand out the band and shake the hands of those climbing in honor and memory of the 343. He would have then geared up and climbed right beside us! Zach is an AWESOME person. A friend, a Brother and a Fire Service Innovator! Special thanks to Zach Green, the NFFF and everyone involved in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs across the Country!

 So there ys have it …. I still don’t know why I’m here. I guess it’s because I (and we) still have work to do. I will do my duty every day to the best of my ability. When not on the job, I will do my best to help support and promote those before me. Tomorrow, my task will be to honor and remember those who have paved my way. I will do so with my best friend, my father, friends and family. I WILL NOT MISS A SINGLE  STEP !

Captain Wines

Posted by on September 10, 2011 • Filed under: administration-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, funding-staffing, in-the-line-of-duty, line-of-duty, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A bad day for Randy gets worse … we could both be dead!

5 comments

I arrived at the station at about 06:30am this morning.  As I always do, I went to my gear locker, got my PPE and placed it by the rig. Everything has it’s place and something caught my eye … something out of place.

It was a face piece … an SCBA mask and it was laying in the floor out in the bay by the Engine.

HOLY CRAP !  What if the boys had caught an early morning run and the fireman didn’t have his mask! I picked it up with intentions of placing it on the rig by whomever’s gear it belonged to. When I looked at the name, guess what I found???  RANDY !

YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME !  He left in such a hurry yesterday that he forgot to properly stow his equipment. Not just ANY equipment mind you … HIS MASK!  Actually, now that I think about it; it’s not even his … it’s City property that was assigned to him and placed in his CARE. Does a Rookie Firefighter think so little of this piece of PPE that he would just leave it laying about?

Maybe he thought his moma was going to come in to the station later in the day and clean up behind him? Maybe he just figured A-shift would get it? As a matter of fact, I’m not so sure he was thinking at all. GOOD THING I CAME ALONG WHEN I DID.

I had taken all the chains off my truck and left them in the barn this morning so all I could come up with was some rope.

A few quick knots later and I had invented the “Rookie Randy SCBA Mask Retention Tool”  LMAO

We attached one end to the mask and the other to the Rookie Firefighter who apparently has trouble keeping up with and taking proper care of said mask.

The funniest part was waiting for him to miss it. He came in as usual at around 07:00am and got his gear from his locker. I watched through the window as he began to place it on the rig and make his morning checks. He musta made 20 laps back and forth between his locker and the rig. I stepped out and asked him if everything was ok. He had “that” look on his face.

He wasn’t sure he wanted to tell me that he had lost his mask but he also knew that he didn’t want to lie. LMAO … you shoulda seen the look on his face when he seen his mask and new “Mask Retention Tool” laying on the table.

That was just a little fun to start the day off. My regular readers know that there are a lot of things I can tolerate but “fretting” is not one of them… LOL.  After his morning check offs, cleaning duties and egg “sammich” our morning was fairly busy. It’s been pouring rain for the past two days so I had a couple “in house” drills planned for the day.

My first was to be a “territory” drill.  I’ve had the map of a small section our 1st due on the board since Friday (just the blank map..no street names).  He’s been studying but he’s memorized them in order. He’s been chomping at the bit for me to let him fill in the street names … he had a pattern in his head and didn’t want to loose it.

The Captain always throws a kink into things. I printed off all the street names and cut them out (almost like little label size pieces). They were all shuffled up, in no order and I even added 2 street names that were not on this map. He had to draw a slip of paper and correctly add the street name to the map. LMAO … you shoulda seen his face when he pulled the street not on the map. Hell, it’s not even a street from our side of the tracks. It was one he should have known. I added in the street that our main hospital is on … Belleview. He’s been there at least 10 times on the Medic unit but has never thought to read the street sign.  A little more  fretting   .. errr  “fun”, but  lessons learned and a good in house drill.

Our next drill wouldn’t end so well or with a laugh.

We’ve been working hard with Randy. We’ve covered a lot of topics in a short period of time. This should all be just a refresher for him seeing as he just completed a 14 week cadet school.

That said, what you learn in rookie school vs what you learn “in company” is two different things and I understand that he is under a lot of pressure.

We’ve worked on SCBA’s, portable radios and communications. We’ve covered situational and positional awareness, making the stretch, search / rescue and ventilation. We’ve gone over offensive and defensive attacks, exposure protection and even V.E.S (Vent Enter Search). We’ve talked about MAYDAY’s, C.A.N reports (Conditions, Actions and Needs), R.O.A.M (Rules Of Air Management), and L.U.N.A.R. (Location, Unit, Name, Air and Resources). Today, we had an overview. He thought he had a good grip on what he needed to know.

I placed us out of service, requested a tac channel for training and had Randy gear up. I told him we were going to conduct a “search” drill. Boots would act as “command” while Randy and I would have the assignment of  “Search Group” with instructions of conducting a primary.

I blackened his mask and we entered the station from the bay. We conducted a right hand search which led us into the bunk room. I kept close to him. I asked if he was “ok” and would give the occasional instruction as to which direction to move. Then, I simply quit talking, got up and exited the room with Boots.

RANDY NEVER KNEW I WAS GONE

He kept working. Focused on the task at hand. He finished his search of the bedroom and moved out and into the locker room. Still, he hadn’t missed me!

Had this have been real life, I could have been dead. Maybe I fell through the floor. Maybe I had a heart attack. Maybe something fell on me. The bottom line is that I was gone, he wasn’t even aware of it and now, he was ALONE.

If he was lucky enough to have made it out, would he have known where to tell the Chief to look for my body? Exactly where did he loose contact with me? Was he even thinking in that manner (obviously not) ? He should have been.

This drill was never REALLY about searching. It was more about situational awareness and knowing when to call the “MAYDAY”. I try to imprint this into a rookie’s head at an early stage … THEIR LIVES DEPEND ON IT !!

LOST, TRAPPED, DISORIENTED, SEPERATED FROM YOUR CREW, OUT OF OR LOW ON AIR, INJURED

See Burton A. Clark’s 2002 article in Firehouse Magazine entitled MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY .

I have  conducted this drill for many years as a Captain. See a previous post about that HERE or take a step back in time to our “Melrose Misfits” days for more MAYDAY training  HERE .

Take the time to hit the link to Burton Clark’s article above. IT’S WORTH THE TIME ! In the article, he talks of the similarities between fighter pilots ejecting and firefighters calling the “MAYDAY”. He lists 10 reasons for the failure or delay in pilots ejecting…

” The failure or delay to eject can be attributed to 10 reasons that must be addressed in ejection training according to Richard Leland, Director Aeromedical Training Institute Environmental Tectonics Corp.

 1. Temporal Distortion (time seems to speedup or slow down). 2. Reluctance to relinquish control of ones situation. 3. Channeled attention (i.e. continuing with a previously selected course of action because other more significant information is not perceived). 4. Loss of situational awareness (i.e. controlled flight into terrain). 5. Fear of the unknown (i.e. reluctance to leave the security of the cockpit). 6. Fear of retribution (for losing the aircraft). 7. Lack of procedural knowledge. 8. Attempting to fix the problem. 9. Pride (ego). 10. Denial(i.e. This isn’t happening to me). ”

I don’t know which one affected Randy. Maybe it’s me. Maybe my teaching techniques are “off”. Maybe they’re all wrong! What I do know is that I have to figure it out and embed it in his mind while I still can. The older he becomes and the more time he gets on the job, the harder it will be.

STAY TUNED …. training at “Lucky #13″ on C-shift is about to get turned up another notch!

Does your crew know when and have the disipline to CALL A MAYDAY? I hope so. If they don’t, it’s time to turn it up another notch in your house too.

 Stay Safe and in House!

Captain Wines

 

Posted by on September 6, 2011 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, news, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Randy learns about penetration!

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The aftermath of The Fire Critic, Ironfiremen.com and FireNews.net sharing a room in Atlanta for FRI 2011

Get your minds out of the gutter!

Atlanta was last week !  I’m NOT talking about the sofa bed episode.

Nor am I talking about Rhett and Jeff taking me to the gay restaraunt for dinner.

I’m talking about the fact that we ( C-shift ) returned to duty yesterday for the first time since FRI 2011. We had a busy day … a VERY busy day.

The title of the post refers to our con-ed training … trauma … “PENETRATING TRAUMA”.

Sorry I haven’t posted since my Atlanta “update”  but I’ve been playing a little bit of “catch up”. Catching up here on the farm and while back on duty yesterday. I’ll start with the farm and things at home …

I have to tell ya … as much fun as I have traveling with Rhett, Jeff and Zach …. there is nothing that makes me as happy as seeing my wife, daughters and the Buckaroo waiting for me on the front porch when I get back to the house…. It’s good to be home!

The Buckaroo was wound tight! He had a weeks worth of stories to tell. What went right …. and what went wrong.  He and his “Nana” did a little bush hogging while I was away. The result was a flat tire so that was the Buckaroo and my 1st chore of the day Monday morning!  Here’s a short video for all of you Buckaroo fans …

The little fella is famous I guess. Once again I was honored and humbled to have several people approach me at FRI and introduce themselves as readers / fan of the site. Of all of the folks who came up to me like that, I’d say that 90% of them asked where the Buckaroo was and how he was doing. HOW COOL IS THAT.

Captain Wines and the Buckaroo load gravel

Well, rest assured the little fella got along just fine without me.

Of course we’ve been making up for lost time since I’ve been home.

Mowing and making hay. Cleaning and repairing.

We even had the chance to load a few hundred ton of gravel.

If it’s got wheels, hooves or will move, the Buckaroo can ride or drive it!

So, like I said … we’ve been busy but ok.

It’s difficult to go back to work after 13 days off but I had to do it yesterday. The  good news is that I think Randy missed me as much or more than the Buckaroo.

1st Lt Mougin, Lt Rob Reid and Firefighter Travis Meador taking up on Ladder 5-C

Our Brothers from B-shift took a beating the night before and we started the day off running as well. The first of the month is always busy in our line of work.

Our first one out the door was a MVC that required Ladder 5 for a “door pop”.

Ladder #5 runs as the extrication company for the North side of the city .. Ladder #1 covers the South.

Nothing big or spectacular and thankfully, only minor injuries.

It was almost like old times with me, Lt. Bugg ( Rob Reid) and Wheezy ( Travis Meador ) on scene. This time however, they were under the command of 1st Lt. Thomas “Sanchez” Mougin.

The fellas made quick work of the task at hand. I’m proud of the work the “Melrose Misfits” have done since our split. I wouldn’t expect less !

It was a good run for Randy as well.

After assuring the vehicle was stable, he was assigned to enter, make patient contact and take c-spine control.

Later, he assisted in applying the KED and removing the pt from the vehicle.

Being a non-critical incident, it made for a good learning situation …. OJT or experience. The more he gets, the better.

Randy’s coming along just fine …. he just may turn out to be a good fireman!

Afterwards, we took in another run or two before lunch and then headed out for  Department scheduled training. EMS con-ed .. WooooHoooo! Trauma. Head and chest injuries.

As soon as class ended, the storms hit !

We need the rain around here but not that much that quick.

Thunder, lightning, dime sized hail and rain so hard you couldn’t see 50 foot ahead. Of course you know what that means … “wires down” calls!

We had  one to beat all others.

I’m still too upset to write about it without getting myself in trouble but TRUST ME … I’ll tell ya about it soon enough.

We ran most of the night. Our shift started with a MVC and ended with another.

This time, it looked bad.

A 4 door on its  top with debris everywhere. The incident happened in a short straight stretch,  near a traffic light in what should have been a low speed area (obviously, this vehicle wasn’t traveling at a low speed).

Dispatch called back to advise possible occupant ejection was we arrived.

The lone occupant had been ejected but survived with only a scratch … and a minor scratch at that. He was walking, talking, awake and oriented. It looked like a fatality or at least a serious injury on arrival. I guess some folks are just “living right”. 

I’m not sure which one it is but either Boots or Randy aint living right because we didn’t get much rest last night. It’s gotta be one of them because I’m living at the foot of the cross ..LOL All kidding aside, I hope we have a better Sunday.

That makes it obvious that we’re back tomorrow and Tuesday. I hope all you folks have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend. I have a lot of exciting news to pass along over the next few days and posts. Ironfiremen.com, FoxFire  and The Fire Critic.com have some exciting news coming up.

Keep yer britches on … I’ll tell ya all about it soon enough. Until then, you folks Stay Safe and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by on September 3, 2011 • Filed under: ems-topics, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, news, patient-management, training-fire-rescue-topics, Uncategorized, videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,