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You can’t teach HEART!

I’ve been using that saying for several years now and believe it to be true.

We are surrounded by the absolute best instructors this profession has to offer on a daily basis. They can teach most any subject … strategy and tactics, search and rescue, ventilation, water supply, pump / ladder ops, incident command, high rise firefighting, Mayday, RIC etc. The one thing they can’t teach is “HEART”. You either have it or you don’t.

I’m not sure I can exactly define what I mean by “heart” but it’s at least a passion for “the job” as well as the drive and determination to fulfill the duties expected of us (both on and off the fire ground). It’s the willingness and eagerness to “do the right thing” no matter the cost and to sacrifice for others.

I’ve always said that all I need is a month or two in the same station and/or one working fire to know whether or not a probie (or non-probationary firefighter for that matter) “gets it”. That quickly, I can determine if he or she has “heart”.

You can buy all the newest and latest gear. This gadget, that one and two more of these. You can put this sticker or that one on your helmet, this decal on the back window of your truck. Wear any tee-shirt you want with whatever logo or saying on it.

Give me one set of steps, leading to an attic where fire is rolling down on you while blowing out the eaves and/or dormer.

Push into the fire floor from the adjacent window or the floor above to search without a hose line. Try a little VES (Vent Enter Search) when the floor is rocking.

Crawl down a dark, black, smokey hallway. So dark you can’t see your nose or the lens of your mask. The heat so hot that every breath you take hurts. Reaching out … feeling for anything you can find…. a hole to fall into or a body…. who knows? It’s your first time in this situation …. you’ll wonder how close you’ll be to that body when you find it and what it will look like when you get there.

It’s already hot and getting hotter. Open the nozzle or not? Keep pushing or back out? Someone will understand …. the circumstances just weren’t where we needed them to be … right? Nobody will blame or question you. There are multiple reasons to quit and turn around but only two reasons to keep pushing…. 1.) Someone is (or may be) in there and 2.) this is what you took an oath and signed up for …. it’s your DUTY and job!

Do you have the HEART to push on or will you quit? It’s not easy … if it was, any and everyone would do it. If you don’t (have the heart), I’m sorry…. IT CAN’T BE TAUGHT.

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How about the EMS call at 3am? The nausea and vomiting for 2 days. The abdominal pain or difficulty breathing despite the fact they smoke 3 packs a day.

Do you get up bitching? Complaining and cursing? Are you mad because you came to work, fully knowing your job was to staff the ambulance ; and they actually asked you to run a call? Did you think there was a call volume “limit” when you joined?

Or, do you realize that although this is your 15th call of the tour, it may be the caller’s 1st emergency. Do you even consider that the person you’r responding to may be a family member of mine. Maybe they are kin to someone you work with…. maybe they are related to you? If you knew that going in, would your outlook have changed? It shouldn’t …. every run should receive the same commitment.

To me, that’s a little bit about what “HEART” is on the job….. it’s doing our job and doing it with PRIDE, HONOR and RESPECT.

There is also “HEART” away from the job and I guess the better word there would be “off duty” because those of you who have “HEART” are never really “off the job”.

Rhett and I are fortunate in that we Know, meet and see a lot of Brothers and Sisters who “get it” … who have “HEART” and/or display, understand and promote “The Brotherhood”. We see examples of it on a daily basis because we know what we’re looking for. The sad part of what we see is that so many Brothers and Sisters look right past it never knowing what they saw.

I could give ya many, many examples but instead, I want to share just a few with ya from our experience at FDIC 2013 (this will by far not be ALL the examples we encountered).

Take the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb for example.

This is the first time FDIC has had 343 climbers. This year, they actually surpassed that number.

NONE of these climbs are easy. I often see folks in the staging areas and think to myself … “”they are going to have a hard time making 110 stories”. They HAVE to know that going into the climb themselves yet, they register and show up anyway. THEY CLIMB! That’s HEART!

During the climb, you’ll find many who, instead of making a “race” out of it; stay behind to assure every member completes their journey (climb). Anybody can pass the Brother or Sister in front of them and push on to “look good”. It takes HEART to hold back and assure nobody is left behind.

I’m surrounded by Founding and Committee Members of the Stair Climbs. You would think “that” sacrifice would be enough.

NOPE … Brothers like Rhett Fleitz, Brian Brush and Andrew Catron continue to climb. For them, this is their 6th or 7th climb (maybe even more for Brian).

Why? They’ve done their duty. By completing just one, they’ve accomplished more than most. For them (us) it’s not about that. It’s about HONOR. Honoring our fallen.

It’s about SUPPORT. Supporting the NFFF and our fallen’s families.

These Brothers “GET IT”. Not only that, they want YOU to get it as well! They promote the Climbs and sacrifice their time to serve on committees, organize events etc.

I’m not saying you have to “climb” to “get it” but these Brothers DO and that’s why they CLIMB!

I’ll give ya another example…. Kim Fitzsimmons.

Many of you may know Kim from her Face Book Page. Others may know her from her fire ground photography (or her drawings with red crayons…LOL)

Some will know her as a member of the National Firefighter’s Endowment “Officer’s Club”.

Seems like a pretty full plate towards “the Brotherhood”, “getting it” and/or having “Heart” huh? Well, Kim learned of the “Meet-Up” Rhett and I were having at FDIC and she decided she just couldn’t miss it. She drove all the way up to FDIC just to attend our Meet-Up knowing it was sponsored in part by the NFE! She wasn’t “looking” for anything …. she wanted to support and promote the NFE while sharing and spreading The Brotherhood. She made the drive alone … she “gets it”. Kim has HEART!

Here’s another NFE Officer Club Member who “gets it” ….Jill Boden.

Jill attended FDIC all week. We first met her at the FOOLS Bash but have known her for some time now through her Face Book page as well as the Officer’s Club.

She attended the NFFF Stop Drop and Rock and Roll Event as well …. anywhere support for the Brother / Sisterhood was needed, Jill could be spotted.

She “worked the room” of our Meet-Up like a pro. Introducing herself and spreading the word about the NFE, the NFFF and more. Jill also “gets it” and she displayed it all week!

Lori Mercer is another one with “HEART”

Lori is and runs Firefighter Wife.com .

Not only does she look after us …. she’s devoting her time to take care of our spouses as well!

Her mission … “Strengthen, ignite and rescue Firefighter marriages. Nurture our fire wife community with encouragement, support and friendship. To Build up our fire wives in mind, body and spirit to be wise, strong and enduring. To bring an even deeper sense of community to the fire service family” .

Must I say more? OBVIOUSLY … Lori “GETS IT”. I hope you get it too! Use the links below to get a head start …..

Firefighter Wife.com Firefighter Wife on Face Book

Ok …for a final two (but not the only remaining) examples from FDIC, I’ll go back to our Meet-Up.

At the end of the night, a young (or at least “younger”) Brother came up to me. He wanted to buy me a beer (the event was over and the open bar changed to cash bar). He was in the group of members from Tennessee that included Shane Lester and William Banks.

Some wore helmets, others cowboy hats. They were ALL Brothers who obviously “get it”.

Anyway, I already had 2 full beers in my hand (I know…. what are the odds of that…LOL) and it was last call.

I told this young brother that instead of buying me a beer that I obviously didn’t need, to give the $5 he was going to spend to the Sons of the Flag Burn Foundation .

I watched as he walked over to Ryan, Zane, Nathan and Rob Wiedmann and handed them the money. HE HANDED THEM THE MONEY! I can’t tell you how good it felt to see a young member “GET IT”. I hope he understands what (and why) he did what he did. He summed up what our Meet-Up was all about!!

Some many other Brothers and Sisters in attendance that night kept thanking me and Rhett for hosting the event. They kept saying that we were what the Brotherhood was all about and how much they looked up to what we do for the fire service.

I explained to each of them …. Rhett, Shane (NFE), Andrew and I did nothing. We rented a room and bought a bunch of beer.

They …. EVERY Brother and Sister in attendance did so much more. They gave the true display of Brother.

Again I’ll say that I and many others can / could teach you / them to perform most any task required of us in the Fire Service. We CAN’T teach them to sacrifice their time and money to spend time promoting the Brotherhood and supporting organizations worthy of our attention.

YOU CAN’T TEACH HEART!

Stay SAFE and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on April 30, 2013 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, fires, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, Andrew Catron, Brian Brush, brotherhood, building fire, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Dave Statter, FDIC, FDIC 2013, FDIC Meet Up, FDIC Memorial Stair Climb, FDNY, FDNYs Bravest, fire, Fire Critic, firefighter pics, Firefighter Wife, firefighters, Fools Bash, house fire, Jill Boden, Kim Fitzsimmons, Lt. Rhett Fleitz, Michael Dick, Model City Firefighter, NFFF, Ray McCormick, Sons of the Flag Burn Foundation, Statter 911, Stop Drop and Rock and Roll

Captain Wines and The Fire Critic on Prime Time TV, fire video, FDIC and more!

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Once again I have a lot of catching up to do but this time, it’s not entirely my fault. The server for our network has been up and down over the past several days so we haven’t been able to get a post up. Hopefully, the situation is corrected now and we can get back to business as normal.

So, to catch ya up … it’s been a long week.

We worked the Thursday, Saturday, Monday cycle this week (24hr tours).

Goerge (my Lt) is off on vacation and Boots is still out on sick leave (he’s recovering well). That left just me and our newest member, Jerry Thompson at the station. Instead of calling in OT for the entire shift, the Company was placed out of service and Jerry and I detailed out to fill other vacancies for the day.

Jerry went to “The Green House” … aka Station #3 and I went down to Station #5 and rode the Ladder.

Yea… an Engine Captain on a Ladder. Well, around here; you never know what you may end up doing. I’ve explained it a few times here on the site that due to our staffing etc. an Engine Company can easily be assigned “Truck work” and vice versa.

I’ve also talked about having been assigned to a Ladder a couple times during my career. The truth of the matter is … I LOVE truck work! Especially now that 2 of our Trucks have the added responsibility of performing vehicle extrication for the City (Ladder 5 being one of them).

It was a good day with the Brothers and Sisters at Station #5. That evening, I got an over time man and put Lucky #13 back into service.

Turned out our OT man was none other than Captain Chris Trussler from down at “The Deuce” on B-shift.

Captain Trussler and I go way back….way … way … WAY back actually.

I call him “Lucky”. 1.) Because he’s got a little leprechaun in him and 2.) Because he’s so damn “lucky”.

We were both assigned to Ladder #2 as Privates back in the day (on different shifts). Like many Crusty Old Jakes, there are hundreds of stories involving / surrounding Captain Trussler. I was even involved in a few of em.

I always remember the one about a working fire in the projects near the station. There were reports of people trapped on the second floor and “Lucky” was assigned the search. The Brothers are going to work and here comes Trussler falling /rolling down the interior steps and out the front door. He had a victim. A 350 pound lady wearing her nightgown and a pair of gorilla slippers. They end up in the front yard with the lady on top of him. So a couple of the boys run over to make sure he’s still alive and he tells them … “I got the little one, her sister is still up there!” … LMAO!

Lucky’s a “Good Jake” and we had a BLAST reminiscing over old stories. He’ll be testing for Battalion Chief in the next few weeks and I hope he does well …. I’ll work for him ANY day.

Our middle day turned out MUCH busier. Instead of overtime, they transferred a man from the South Side. Keith Snead from Station #1-A was trading time with a C-shift Brother and drew the short straw. He hadn’t been here 10 minutes before we caught a working fire. Nothing says thanks for working on a beautiful Saturday morning like catching work at 07:30am. Unfortunately, the runs kept coming all day long. The saddest incident we ran was a vehicle fire. Nothing breaks your heart like rolling in on a 1967 Camaro that’s on fire. Here’s some video ….

The car was obviously custom. A good training point from this video … something to keep in your mind is just how custom it was. Even the engine was customized…. so much so that it had Nitrous aka Nitrous Oxide system. Yea …NOS… a 20lb bottle mounted beside the driver’s seat! Good thing Snead got a good knock on the fire.

I’ll let ya know how our Monday tour goes a little later but until then, I have plenty more to share.

To begin with … set your clocks, DVRs, VCR’s and whatever else you have. The Fire Critic, Rhett Fleitz; and I will be on Prime Time TV Sunday night at 7pm (April 28th)! That’s right … Rhett and I will appear on MSNBC’s 100th Episode of “Extreme Caught on Camera”. Check your local listings and be sure to check us out! Here’s the trailer …..

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

If you can’t wait until Sunday night to see us, all you have to do is show up at FDIC. Rhett and I will be heading up on Wednesday and staying until Sunday.

Most of my time will be spent on the exhibit floor with Zach Green and our MN8 Fox Fire family.

This year, our booth will be our biggest yet. So big in fact, that we even invited some friends. Joining us for FDIC 2013 will be Statter911, Box Alarm Leather and Fat Ivan.

Be sure to drop by Booth 5571 to say hello!

You will also be able to find us in the Black Diamond Boot Booth! You may remember that Ironfiremen.com won the “2011 Black Diamond Boot Fire Blog of the Year” contest.

That was a HUGE honor for me regardless of the contest, I’m a fan of Black Diamond Boots. I wear them EVERY DAY on the job. Actually, Rhett and I both wear the X2 Boot in our gear and we LOVE them!

Be sure to stop by Booth 2401 to say hello and try on a pair of X2′s

Visit the Black Diamond Web Site HERE

Find and “LIKE” Black Diamond on Face Book HERE

Find “Product Reviews” of the X2 Boot HERE

The exhibit floor is always exciting but also very busy for Rhett and I.

If you’re looking for a really good time and little more “face time” with either of us, be sure to attend our “Meet Up”.

That’s Right … Rhett and I, with support from Shane Parkins of NFE and others; are hosting our own Meet-Up this year!

Join us on Friday evening, 08:30pm at the Hard Rock Cafe. We’ve created an “Event Page” on Face Book HERE … be sure to stop by!

Find the Ironfiremen / Fire Critic complete Itinerary for FDIC 2013 HERE

We shouldn’t be hard to find. Fools Bash, Exhibit floor, Stop Drop and Rock and Roll, our Meet-Up and the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.

Unfortunately, I will not be climbing this year but Rhett will.

I will however continue to support the Climb and the NFFF by registering for the event. I will also be wearing my memory badges while all the other Brothers and Sisters are making their climb.

This year, I will be wearing an additional badge. One of a member who was not murdered on September 11, 2001 but died of suicide on September 5, 2012.

W.D. Patterson was a good friend of mine and a huge supporter of the 9/11 Stair Climbs and the NFFF.

More about W.D’s passing HERE and HERE

Read a Tribute to W.D by Brother Brian Edwards HERE

Register to CLIMB at FDIC by clicking HERE

Rhett and I will be updating you and sharing our FDIC experience throughout the week. Be sure to keep checking back here or on our Face Book pages.

Follow Ironfiremen.com on Face Book HERE

I’ll try to get back to ya Monday night with an update and again on Tuesday before we head out Wednesday morning. As always, thanks for the continued support.

Stay SAFE and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on April 22, 2013 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, fires, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, Black Diamond Boots, Box Alarm Leather, brotherhood, building fire, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Dave Statter, Extreme Caught on Camera 100th Episode, FDIC, FDIC 2013, Fire Critic, fire video, firefighter, firefighter pics, firefighters, FOOLS, Fools Bash, Hard Rock Cafe, house fire, Lucas Oil Stadium, MN8 products, MSNBC, NFFF, Statter 911, W.D.Patterson, Working fire, Zach Green

Climbing out ….

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The good news is that I’m back in my “boots”. I’m back in bunker gear and pulling regular tours.

The bad news is that I’m still not 100% and I know I never will be again. I’m still working through the grieving process and searching for my “new normal” (read my previous post “Searching for a New Normal” by clicking HERE) .

In another previous post (“Melt Down”) , I told ya about the “stages of grief” and how grief is as individual as the person suffering through it. We don’t necessarily go through the stages in order and by no means in the same way.

I’m currently working through the “depression” stage (and, I believe; suffering through PTSD).

I was expecting it but have never fully understood exactly what “depression” was. I’m learning the hard way.

My thoughts continue to wonder with every waking moment and it’s difficult for me to focus.

I still can’t eat. I just don’t have an appetite … I’m not hungry. When I try to force myself to eat, I throw it back up so I figure why bother.

I’m sleeping some at night now but I’m not REALLY “sleeping”. I’m tired all the time and can’t motivate myself to get out and do anything. I try to make myself go “somewhere” or do “something” but I don’t. I know I need to.

I haven’t even been able to write (evident in my recent lack of postings and absence from Face Book).

I’m not getting along well with others … I just want to be alone.

All these things seem so petty and easy to fix but they’re not.

That’s the hardest part for me. I know what’s happening and what I need to do ….. I just can’t muster the energy or motivation to get it done.

I have to start climbing my way out of this hole … I thought I have been but it doesn’t feel like I’m making much progress. I can’t stay here (like this) forever.

One of the folks I’ve been seeing offered a prescription for anti-depressants. It’s not for me. There’s a small part of me that almost took her up on it just so I could learn for myself (and share with you folks) if they (the pills) “really” work or not. Unfortunately, I’m not the “pill” taking kind ( I hardly even even take an aspirin) so I won’t be able to tell you “first hand” about anti-depressants. I can tell you that depression is REAL . It’s an illness that can be crippling.

I see a lot of it in the firehouse for one reason or another. Not just in situations like mine (the loss of a loved one) but also over financial issues, marital problems etc. If you want to learn more about depression and take your “Depression IQ quiz”, take a minute and CLICK HERE .

The best thing for me has been talking about it. Getting “it” out of my head and off my chest. I’ve wrote about them a lot here lately but once again, I want to share with you some folks who you CAN TALK TO. People who understand and that do MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

These folks are not just for you or me either. They are there for our Brothers and Sisters as well and it’s up to us to let them know that help is available. PAY ATTENTION … look around you. If someone in your company, your Battalion, Department or whatever is needing help, point them in this direction. You know … firefighter “so and so” whos wife just left him. Ol “what’s his name” from Engine whatever who just took a 3rd mortgage out because he lost his 2nd job. That S.O.B on the Ladder who we all know has been drinking too much …. all these Brothers have someone to turn to. Let them know before it’s too late. Here are the links ….

Grief.com, Recover from Grief.com , The Sweeney Alliance,Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, North American Firefighter Veteran Network

I had a bad day yesterday. Like most everyday, there’s always something that will remind me of Jackson.

I pulled a tour Saturday (we work 24hr shifts) and when I got home yesterday morning, the Buckaroo was waiting for me. It was 8am , he missed his “Paw-Paw” and wanted to play.

He got his motorcycle toy out. It’s like the old Evil Knievel wind up toy. If you’re a boy and anywhere near my age (44), I’d bet you had one.

I showed him how to use some books / magazines to make a ramp so we could make some jumps down the hallway. It was just how me and Jack did it when we were kids.

I could see us like it was just yesterday. Then the thought hit me (as it always does in situations like this) …. I wanted to call Jackson and tell him what we were doing. He would LOVE it! Knowing that me and the Buckaroo were doing exactly what he and I did as kids. I know he’d remember our ramps … our jumps…. fighting over who went next…. he’d understand and know EXACTLY what we were feeling / doing. He’d have that unforgettable smile on his face just thinking about it.

I’ll never get to make “those” calls again … not to Jackson and it’s killing me. This grief … the depression…. it keeps knocking me down but I won’t let it keep me here.

Like I said in the beginning of this post, I have to start climbing my way out of this hole.

“CLIMBING”…… Seems I wrote about that one time …. back in July of 2011 actually in a post titled “We are all Climbing” (Take the time to hit the link and read that post … I think you’ll find it worthwhile). Stairs, ladders or whatever obstacle, it seems we all are indeed “climbing”.

Me? I’m gonna find my way out …. I’m gonna find that “new normal” because I’m going to keep climbing …. it’s all I know to do.

I’m gonna start by getting out of town again. I’m going to head up north and spend a little time in NYC and out on Long Island.

I’m going to attend the Long Island Fire, Rescue and EMS Mega Show on Feb. 23rd / 24th. I’ll be working the booth with my MN8 FoxFire family but I’ll also be doing what I love best … meeting, spending time with and talking to all the Brothers and Sisters in attendance. I think it will be just what I need to get “moving” again …. to “re-engage” and get “back in the game”.

I’ll get ya more details in the next day or so …. until then, thanks again for all the support. Thanks too for allowing me to share all of this with you …. I LOVE YA ALL!

Stay SAFE and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on February 18, 2013 • Filed under: administration-leadership, ems-health-safety, ems-topics, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: 9/11, 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, Baltimore, Buckaroo, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Captain Wines, Depression, emotional health, Evil Knievel, FDNY, FDNY Rescue 1, Fire Critic, Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, firefighter health and wellness, Firefighter mental health, Firehouse Expo 2011, Fox Fire, grief, Jack Wines, Joe Schmoe, Joey Angelini, Joseph Angenlini, Kevin Totten, Kevin Tottin, Long Island Fire Rescue and EMS Mega show, mental health, MN8 FoxFire, MN8 products, NFFF, North American Firefighter Veteran Network, Paul Combs, Report on Conditions, Rescue 1, Rescue me, Rhett Fleitz, September 11, September 11 attacks, stages of grief, stair climb, Statter 911, The Sweeney Alliance, Tommy Gavin, Willie Wines Jr, Wooden ladders and Iron Firemen, World Trade Center attacks

The perfect gift …

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Yesterday, November 17, 2012; was my youngest daughter’s 24th birthday.

I can remember the morning she was born vividly. I got home just in time to rush Donna to the hospital. Within minutes after arriving, Rebecca Sue Wines became part of our lives.

There’s been a ton of stories and lessons learned over the last 24 years. Many say that she’s the spitting image of her father and, if true; could explain many of those stories.

Like in most families, I’d imagine; not all the stories are fairy tale like. At the ripe old age of 6 or 7, she had even decided to run away from home. She packed 20 pair of socks, 1 pair of underwear, an electric tooth brush and a TV remote control into a grocery bag (she was in for the “long haul”…LOL). She was going to live with her Paw-Paw.

Back then, it was humorous and almost “cute” (There was no way her little stinky butt would make it more than 1 day with only 1 pair of panties! LMAO ). Later in life, it’s not so funny. Our kids aren’t necessarily trying to “run away” anymore but, because we’ve raised them to be independent; they are trying to get out on their own and make their own way in life.

For me, that’s always been the hard part. Letting them go. I’d bet many of my Brother and Sister firefighters have the same problem.

We are protective in nature (as firefighters and parents). Maybe too much so. For me, it’s always boiled down to what I (we) do. Risking our lives, rescuing, providing comfort / care and shielding from harm people we don’t even know. If I do that for a complete stranger, shouldn’t I also do the same for my own daughters (and to a higher degree)?

Well to do so, I want them close by. Right beside me so I’m sure to be there when needed. Not so easy a task after they’ve grown up and forged lives of their own.

Maybe part of wanting to keep them close by is out of guilt (for me anyway). For so much of their young lives, I was off doing just that … watching over complete strangers. I was at the firehouse instead of by their side. I missed the school plays, dances etc.

I worked two and sometimes three jobs. I wanted to give them everything I thought they wanted or needed. I somehow had the idea that material things mattered and I was never home.

Too little, too late or a complete misunderstanding of what was really important? Maybe both…. either way, it’s on me.

Somewhere along the lines, it happened. My two little girls grew up. Despite my misgivings (and thanks to the best wife / mother in the world), they both grew into beautiful, strong, independent young women.

I spent all that time trying to provided for them and instead, they’ve given me the perfect gift.

Randi-Jo is a graduate from Va Tech and Florida State. She holds several degrees including a Masters. She is a librarian in the City and is currently shopping to buy her first house.

Reba’s path was somewhat different. She finished school and started work but had gotten pregnant at an early age. As you can imagine, I was furious! I wanted more for her than what her mother and I had. I had hoped she (or Randi) wouldn’t have to face the same struggles. I had no idea what a blessing this pregnancy would be.

On April 17, 2008 the Buckaroo was born and my baby girl became a mother.

She’s a single mom bearing the responsibility in the absence of the father.

She’s worked hard and provided for the Buckaroo from the very beginning. A huge and daunting responsibility that she tackled head on.

As the Buckaroo has grown, so have we. I’ve become the kind of man as a grandfather that I should have been as a father (and know that I still have a long way to go). I don’t know that I would have learned some of the lessons I have otherwise.

Reba has matured as well. She was a good kid, she’s an even better mother.

She now understands what it means to sacrifice for your children…. to NEED and WANT to.

She understands responsibility and has accepted hers.

I think she’s seen and now understands everything her mother did to prepare her for the challenges of life. I think she also knows that one day, she too will face many of those same challenges.

I can’t put into words the feeling I have from watching her grow and mature. PRIDE isn’t even close to covering it.

She (as well as Randi and their mother) is amazing in everything she does.

The funny thing is that she still thinks I am.

About 2 years ago, Rhett and I were in Atlanta for Fire Rescue International and our 2nd 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. Reba sent me an e-mail that brought me to tears. I printed it out and carry it in my turnout coat. Here’s what she said …

“Dad , today after reading your most recent blog ” we are all climbing ” I wanted to tell you …..
Your the most amazing selfless person I know … You work so hard to save people you don’t know and at the same time are working hard to save all of us … You use your spare time to spread the word of your great job that in my opinion and yours you can’t call a ” job” it’s just something you were meant to do …. There is no one else in this world like you !!!! ( well the buckaroo and I – but we are exceptions bc we are only a mold ) …. Good luck on your climb I know you can do it ESP bc of the cause but also because I’ve never seen ANYTHING you can’t do !!!! ( well you might not be able to carry Rhett lol unless u had to ) ….. Anywho …. Just wanted to let you know your amazing in everything you do and the buckaroo and I love and miss you very much …. Be safe have fun ,
Love .. Reba and YOUR buckaroo ”

You can read the post that sparked her e-mail by using the link below. You can also find out exactly how the Atlanta trip went in the 2nd link provided …. check em out.

Read “We are all climbing” by clicking HERE

Read about Atlanta and the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb HERE

Maybe I did manage to do a little something right.

To see the woman she’s grown into over the last 24 years, to see how she’s raised the Buckaroo and all the lessons shes learning puts my mind at ease.

I think she understands at least a little of what it’s going to take and I have all the confidence that she’ll succeed.

It’s the perfect gift for a not so perfect father.

Again, the ironic thing here is that it’s HER birthday and I’m the one getting a gift (or at least that’s how I feel).

I hope she enjoyed #24 and can’t wait to know what she’s thinking on the Buckaroo’s 24th…. 20 years will go by in the blink of an eye (TRUST ME … the last 24 or hers and 4 of his did anyway).

So HAPPY 24th BIRTHDAY to my baby girl, Rebecca Sue Wines “Reba”!

I LOVE YOU more than I’ll ever be able to explain.

THANKS for all the “gifts” you’ve provided me over the last 24 years.

I hope you have all the blessings in life that you, Randi and the Buckaroo have provided your mother and me.

I hope you find everything in life and achieve every goal you reach for. I know you will.

Try to remember the good things I’ve tried to teach you (both of em …lol) and learn from the rest. If you manage that, you’ll be fine.

I’ll add this pic to remind you just how strong you are (and to embarrass ya a little more) … just look at those “muskles” .

And before the comments start rolling in …. just like with my sisters … the answer is NO! Settle down boys!

For all my loyal readers / followers, thanks for allowing me this personal post.

If you follow me on Face Book, you may know that I’m off injured. I had a small accident on the farm and thought I had broken my arm. The good news is that it’s not broken and healing well. I should be back to normal (my normal anyway) in a few days. Thanks for all the calls / messages etc. If you don’t follow me on Face Book, you need to! Click the link below and then “like” the page.

Follow Ironfiremen.com on Face Book

Stay SAFE and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on November 18, 2012 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, Atlanta, brotherhood, Buckaroo, Captain Willie Wines Jr, FDNY, Fire Critic, Fire Rescue International, firefighter pics, firefighters, FRI, Lt. Rhett Fleitz, NFFF

Some sad news, a little more emotion and a day at Lucky #13 with The Fire Critic, Captain Wines and Rookie Randy

6 comments

My last post, “The Calls you just can’t shake“; has drawn a lot of attention and several comments / e-mails.

First, allow me to say THANK YOU for your concern. With that said, also allow me to assure you that I am doing fine. I realize that the post was personal and very emotional but that’s who and how I am.

You can’t be 100% committed to this profession and not become emotionally attached. My Pride in and for the job sometimes allows my emotion to spill over to my writing. I allow it to happen in hopes that the honesty in my stories may have a positive impact on another Brother or Sister out there somewhere. We all share the same emotions /stories, but not everyone is fortunate enough to have an outlet to share them as I do here at Ironfiremen.com. I hope we’re making a difference.

Having said all that, I have some bad news to pass along. Rhett and I learned this morning of the passing of our good friend and Brother W.D. Patterson.

His death came as a HUGE shock to us as I’m sure it did to many others.

Rhett and I have remembered W.D and discussed his passing all day but it still hasn’t “sunk in”.

I’m sure many of you are in the same position. When I said above that “not everyone is fortunate enough to have an outlet to share them (re: emotions / stories)” that’s not entirely true. You see, we have each other … The Brotherhood!

Don’t be afraid to go to your Brothers and Sisters … your Company Officers, your peers when something is bothering you. When little “Rookie Randy” was assigned here I explained to him that as his Captain, I’m now his priest, his banker, his marriage counselor, his therapist or whatever he needs. I have built and gained a trust with him that hopefully assures him that he has somewhere to go …. someone to talk to. As Brothers and Sisters, we all have that. We are never alone because we have each other!

For me, it’s like calling an “Emotional Mayday” and like the fire ground Mayday, calling it should be second nature.

Read a previous post “Time For a MAYDAY” by clicking HERE

Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of W.D. He will be missed by many. Should you need a shoulder to lean on or an ear to talk to, please remember that Rhett and I are always available. I will pass along the details of arrangements as soon as they become available.

Ok, on to a lighter subject. Obviously, from my comments above; Rhett is working here at Lucky #13 again today.

I can’t believe we keep ending up together or that the “powers to be” even allow it.

Rhett is paying back some time he owes to a C-shift Brother over at Station #14. As it turned out, I was a man short and needed a driver. Station #14 had a “full boat” so it was up to them to send a man over …. they sent Rhett instead! LOL

Yea… Rhett is driving, I’m in the seat and good ol Rookie Randy aka “Rocket Randy Armbrister from Max Meadows Virginia” is in the bucket of Engine Company #13!

Now don’t worry your self Dave Statter …. me and “Rookie Randy” will be just fine.

I fitted the Engine with some special equipment so that Rhett could easily see over the dash and get us safely to our destinations.

Yea … not one, not two but THREE phone books! LMAO

The poor little fella pouted all day. I’m not sure if it was because he thought I was fretting him or because the phone books actually worked.

All kidding aside, Rhett fits very well into our team. He’s both a great driver and pump operator. He hasn’t had to display his pump skills as of yet but we have logged several runs today.

For us, keeping busy helps the day pass. We started off with an Incident Management / High Rise class this morning. It was an excellent class. Randy even got to run a scenario … it was his first and he did really well.

We got out at lunch time and have been pretty much on the road since.

We did manage to make it back to the station a few times so Randy got to put in some time on his map books.

Well, some may call it “map work” but it’s more like arts and crafts or coloring time if you ask me ….LOL

I’ll share more of his work in a future post because he’s doing an excellent job with it. He is actually color coding his streets and index to make them easier to locate should he need to go “to the book”.

Of course I’m old school and expect him to know his territory and not be dependent on the map but I also know how easy it is to draw a blank or simply forget a street from time to time.

Later, we even convinced Rhett to cook!

Flat Iron Steak, medium rare, seasoned just right and prepared on the grill! Becky is one lucky gal. I hear he can even run a vacuum cleaner and that he does laundry and windows…. LOL

I can’t wait to get him out to South Dakota next week and show him off to Bob Gard and all the Brothers and Sisters out there!

THAT’S RIGHT … next week, Rhett and I will be touring across South Dakota in a Spartan ERV Fire Truck!

We’re headed out for the South Dakota Firefighter’s Benefit and we have plenty of stops scheduled along the way. We arrive in Rapid City and will end up in Sioux Falls for the event on September 15th.

If you are anywhere near South Dakota, you will not want to miss this event! Also be sure to hit us up and we will do our best to meet up sometime before and along the way …. it’s going to be a BLAST!

The Benefit will support both the National Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation and the National Firefighters Endowment .

If you’re not in the area or will be unable to make it out for the festivities, don’t panic. You can still support the event by making a donation. For each $10 donation, you’ll receive a chance to win a custom Phenix 9/11 Memorial Helmet !

Click HERE for your chance to win !

Ok, I’m going to wrap it up here for tonight. I’ll check back in tomorrow some time. Until I get back …. stay SAFE and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on September 5, 2012 • Filed under: command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, brotherhood, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Dave Statter, emotional health, FDIC, FDIC 2012, Fire Critic, firefighter health and wellness, firefighter pics, firefighters, Lt. Rhett Fleitz, MAYDAY, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, National Firefighters Endowment, NFE, NFFF, Randy Armbrister, Roanoke Fire/EMS, South Dakota Firefighter Benefit, Spartan ERV, Statter 911, Va Fire News, W.D.Patterson, Wooden ladders and Iron Firemen

The simplicity of Brotherhood

6 comments

It’s Tuesday and I’m still in the bed. It’s been a long standing kind of joke with me but I always tell everyone … if I owe you money, a shift at the firehouse or if there is something you’d like to say to me and you hear I’m at the doctor’s office or the hospital … you’d better get there quick. LOL

Well now’s the time. I think I’m going to have to go.

That said, I’ve been laying here, watching cartoons with the buckaroo; unable to get up and move around ( he leaves me that little spot to the left just above his head by the way…LOL). Anyway, being tied to this bed has given me the chance to do some thinking and I’d love to share this thought with ya … hang with me while I try to type it out.

It’s seems as though for so many, the meaning of the word “Brotherhood” has been lost. Not just the meaning either, when you think about it; you really don’t even hear the term used that much anymore.

That is unless you’re around me and Rhett.

For us, it’s all about Brotherhood. We define it as Honor, Tradition, Pride and Respect.

We even had “chips” made with those words on it.

It’s our business card if you will. We call them “Brotherhood Chips”.

It’s what we pass out when meeting Brothers and Sisters for the first time. It’s a pretty cool idea and they have been a huge hit!

Click HERE to get yours !

My point here is that it’s more than a “word” for us … more than a “term”.

Everyone asks us what the meaning of Brotherhood is, why it’s not as prevalent anymore and where it can be found. I’ve said it many times here on the site and will say it again … the Brotherhood is all around us!

It was everywhere at FDIC.

Take the Pipe and Drums for example. Did you folks realize that these Brothers and Sisters receive NO ACCOMMODATION?

FDIC doesn’t supply travel expense, hotel rooms or even event passes!

They are up there, on their own dime; because they WANT to be. Yet they ARE the opening ceremony. They played before the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. They played at the FOOLS Bash. At every bar in the area. THEY MAKE THE SHOW and it costs them. They sacrifice their time and money for US. That my friend is BROTHERHOOD.

Read Renegade Pipes and Drums

As Rhett and I walked around the floor of FDIC, in our ALT Kilts …wearing Phenix Helmets with custom fronts from Box Alarm Leather and fire boots; all eyes were on us.

I don’t say that bragging but everybody in that exhibit hall saw us. At first it may have been “look at those two yahoos” but very soon those same people were trying to get our names, pictures with us and a chance to get us in their booth.

My point here is this. While walking, we noticed it. We seen you see us coming. I don’t know if it’s a “southern thing” or not ( shit… did I just put Rhett in a “southern” category?? I must be sick) but when you make eye contact with one of us … we speak.

Now, for us; it’s not “hello” or “good day”…. our response is almost always “HEY Brother”.

It’s another “head turner”. It’s almost like we catch em off guard with the word “Brother”.

Some would (and have) argue the point of how do we know if that person is a “true” Brother / Sister or not. Maybe they’re a MUTT? For us, it’s simple. If you’re where we are, we share at least something in common. We’re at that same place for a reason right? And for us, it’s about the Fire Service. Until proven otherwise … we give ya the benefit of the doubt.

Read “Are YOU an undercover Brother“

I mentioned in my previous post how at the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, Brothers and Sisters were sharing and giving each other ( and me) words of encouragement. “Good job Capt”. “Way to go Capt”. “Keep it up Brother”….etc. (Read that post HERE )

Hell …. just climbing is an act of Brotherhood!

What I failed to mention was the aid the the Brothers and Sisters taking a break were offered.

These climbs are NOT easy. Many members have to stop to rest and / or cool down along the way. In Lucas Oil Stadium it was easy…. you just grabbed a bleacher seat. I know that Rhett asked each and every member we passed 1.) if they were ok 2.) If we could help carry some of their gear back down.

Yea… he offered to take on more of a load just to lighten someone elses. Someone we didn’t know … but a Brother or Sister none the less.

Do you realize how easy it is / was to ask such a simple question??? Maybe the hard part is knowing to ask?

SIMPLE things. I’ve received a ton of phone calls, e-mails, texts etc with get well wishes etc. Some from Brothers and Sisters I’ve never met beyond Face Book, Twitter or my site. IT’S AWESOME !

“Thinking about ya Brother.. hope you’re feeling better”. WOW …. just a note that quick made my day.

“Brother”?? Am I a Brother?? Maybe just calling someone “Brother” will push them to become a better one. Maybe it will open their eyes that others view them as such?

Brotherhood doesn’t have to be something huge. It’s caring about and looking after one another. RESPECT for your fellow members. Pride in how you represent our profession. The Tradition of looking after and caring for our own and Honoring those who came before us, those beside us today and all who will follow.

Sorry I got on a rant … THANKS for the get well wishes… I’m tougher than I look and just may live.

Stay SAFE and in House

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on April 24, 2012 • Filed under: command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, Alt Kilt, Bag Pipes, Box Alarm Leather, brotherhood, Buckaroo, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Challenge coins, custom fronts, FDIC 2012, Fire Critic, firefighter pics, firefighters, IAFF, Ironfiremen, kilts, leather helmets, Lt. Rhett Fleitz, NFFF, Renegade Pipes and Drums, Rhett Fleitz, The Chip Site, Wooden ladders and Iron Firemen

Now that’s one tough mudder!

6 comments

photo from the Tough Mudder Face Book page

Yes, I meant to say “MUDDER” and not mother.

Pictured right is Eddie Wright. He lost both his arms to a RPG hit while serving in Fallujah.

He returned home and now participates in “Tough Mudder” events to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project . He is NOT alone!

A “Tough Mudder” event is a 9-12 mile obstacle course designed by British Special Forces to
test all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. These events are NOT for everyone … they are more than the average marathon or obsticle course.

An excerpt from their info page states “Tough Mudder is also about experiencing a true sense of camaraderie that, sadly, is rarely seen outside of the military these days. To get over some of our obstacles you will need the help of others- they are simply too much for one man to tackle alone. Tough Mudders, unlike some other types of endurance runners, are team players; they help out other Tough Mudders. We want everyone to compete, but being a Tough Mudder is also about make sure no man is left behind, not worrying about your finish time.”

Despite the focus on teamwork and course completion vs. individual times etc, it is reported that just 78% of all participants complete these events. IT’S NO CAKE WALK!

I used the word “teamwork” but it’s more or less “Brotherhood” that they are talking about (or a sense of it anyway). I guess that’s why you shouldn’t be shocked to learn that firefighters are regular participants in the event.

Click HERE to visit and learn more about “Tough Mudder” from their web site.

On October 22nd and 23rd, several of my Brothers ( and past members of the “Melrose Misfit” crew ) will participate in a Tough Mudder event at the Wintergreen Ski Resort in beautiful Wintergreen, Va.

Click HERE for the complete VA TOUGH MUDDER course map

It’s 24 total obstacles including an Ice bath, electric shock therapy, firewalker, kiss of mud, and a huge slip’n'slide. All participants must pledge: “As a Tough Mudder I pledge that, I understand that Tough Mudder is not a race but a challenge, I put teamwork and camaraderie before my course time, I do not whine – kids whine, I help my fellow Mudders complete the course, I overcome all fears.”

Our team will consist of 12 members …Lt. Rob “Bugg” Reid, Travis Meador, Bryan Allen, Chase Thurman, Lt. Dan “Goodo” Goodwin, Dave Killeen, James Williamson, Jayson Anuszkiewicz, Jeffery Oliver, Kyle Inman,Captain Matt Dewhirst and Pete Matthiessen.

The team will participate in honor and memory of Captain Chris Brown.

The event’s date will mark the 2 year anniversary of Chris’ death and the men couldn’t think of a better way to honor his memory. Chris possessed many of the qualities needed to complete such an event.

Captain Brown was known for (among other things) promoting brotherhood, teamwork and for building strong companies. His final assignment was at Station #1-C “The Big Show” .

Read more on the passing of Captain Chris Brown from Roanoke Fire.com

As I mentioned above, funds raised from these events will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project . OUR TEAM NEEDS SPONSORS !!

You can donate to this great cause in an individual or team’s name by clicking HERE !

Search for the team “ROANOKE FIREFIGHTERS” to donate on our behalf. While you’re at it, purchase a spectator pass and head up to cheer our boys on! You’d better hurry though … the event is almost SOLD OUT !

I had no idea how popular these event are … their Face Book Fan Page has over 1.1 MILLION “likes” !!!

They have had hundreds of thousands of participants and spectators alike. Male, female, young or old, it doesnt matter …. PARTICIPATE!

Previous engaugements have me scheduled out of town for the next 3 weekends in a row but I’m gonna do all I can to alter my schedule and attend (of course if I’m there, I’d want to participate rather than watch). I’m not sure if I will be able to work it out or not.

If I don’t make it, I’m sure I will receive a full report and pics from our members and will get them to you here as soon as I do.

Either way, I’d like to say “SOLID WORK” to our and all members participating in this event. WELL DONE!

I think participation in events such as this and the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs brings “The Brotherhood” that much closer to where it should be!

As a matter of fact, I’m not the only one who thinks that way.

HERO RUSH is launching VERY soon. Hero Rush was designed BY firefighters FOR firefighters. You can get all the pre-launch info, like them on Face Book and get their “Hydrant” newsletter by visiting the Hero Rush Web Site …. check it out, it looks GREAT!

Stay Safe and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on October 13, 2011 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, British Special Forces, brotherhood, Captain Chris Brown, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Captain Wines, Chris Brown, Eddie Wright, Engine Company 9, Face Book, Face Book Fan Page, Fire Geezer, Hero Rush, Melrose misfits, Michelle Cash, obstacle course, Rhett Fleitz, Roanoke firefighters, Robert "Bugg" Reid, Robert Reid, Special Forces, Tough Mudder, Tough Mudder Va, Willie Wines Jr, Wintergreen Ski Resort, Wintergreen Va, Wounded Warrior Project

Buckle up!

1 comment

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 Iron Firemen on September 21, 2011 • Filed under: fire-prevention-education, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, fires, news, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Uncategorized • Tagged: 2nd alarm fire, 343, 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Greenbelt, 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Richmond Va, Backstep Firefighter, Bill Carey, building fire, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Captain Wines, Chief Bashoor, Chief James P Smith, FDNY, fire department night training, Fire Department training, Fired Up for a Cure, firefighters, firefighting books, Greenbelt Md, Joe Lyons, Kevin Tottin, kitchen fires, Melrose misfits, Officer's Seminar, PGFD, Philadelphia Fire Department, Randy Armbrister, Rhett Fleitz, Rod Reid, September 11, strategic and tactical considerations on the fireground, Swift Water Rescue, SWR, Tommy Warshaw, Va Fire News, Westfield Fire Department, Willie Wines, Willie Wines Jr, Willie Wines Sr

Looking back on Atlanta

1 comment

Fire Rescue International 2011 has ended and Rhett ( Fire Critic ), Jeff Harkey ( Fire News.net / Daily 911 Deals.com ) and I are back home safe and sound… ok .. we’re safe.

Rhett’s driving …. well, let’s just say it works on your nerves. Riding with Rhett will drive you to drinking LOL.

WE HAD A GREAT WEEK IN ATLANTA !!

Rhett and I headed down last Tuesday and got to spend a night withhis sister her husband and his new baby nephew. It was the perfect start to our week. Special THANKS to Valicia for the hospitality.

Wednesday morning, we got out early and headed to the Westin Peach Tree Hotel in down town Atlanta to participate in our 2nd 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.

Once again, we found something special within that stairwell while trying to pay tribute, honor and respect to our fallen 343 Brothers from the FDNY. You can read my post following the climb HERE and Rhett’s HERE .

As mentioned in the links above, Rhett and I were HONORED to climb within the 1st group up. We were with a group of Chief Officers, most notably; our good friend Matt Tobia from Anne Arundel, Md. This was our hardest climb yet.

Another cool note from this climb is the fact that Victor Stagnaro (Director of Fire Service Programs for the National Fallen Firefighter’sFoundation) made the climb as well. Victor does a TON of work behind the scenes for these climbs and decided to pull “double duty” in Atlanta. AWESOME! Rhett and I are always happy to see and talk withVictor. He is a great friendwho can always be found working diligently for the NFFF. It was an added bonus and honor to have climbed with him! Here’s a video from the climb …

Rhett and I are planning to make our 3rd climb on the 10th anniversary of the attacks next month on September 11th in Greenbelt, Md. If you have never climbed, YOU NEED TO ! If you are worried about about whether or not you can make the 110 stories, DON’T. Rhett and I will climb with you, at whatever pace; and assure we reach the top.

Register for the Greenbelt, Md 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb HERE

After the climb, we unwound a bit and then headed out to John’s Creek Fire Station #63.

Johns Creek has a GREAT Department and 63 represents them well! A-Shift Captain Mark Akins had contacted me earlier after reading that Rhett and I would be heading to Atlanta for FRI. He invited us out for a tour and dinner with his crew … how could we refuse?

See my post on the vist HERE and read why the Fire Critic describes them as ” Firemen’s firemen“ HERE .

Ironfiremen and FireCritic.com visiting with Captain Mark Akins and the crew from Johns Creek Ga Station #63

Later in the week, while on the floor of FRI; I had the honor and privilege of meeting their Chief. Our talk was brief because he caught me busy at work. I hope I was able to convey to him how professional the guys from 63 are ( although I’m sure he already knew).

Their actions were a true testament to the word Brotherhood.

Talk about customer service and positive public perception !

Special thanks to Captain Akins and the brothers from #63 A-shift for an awesome meal and a fantastic visit. The members in attendance were Lt. Eddie Lee, FAO Phil Pirkle, FAO Kevin Castleberry, Sgt Tom Johnson, FF Jost Cater, FF Brandon Kingrey, and FF Grant Eckard.

Thursday, we started the morning out by joining Dave Statter and the NFFF at Atlanta Fire Station #11. We were there for a very special press release.

The Motorola Solutions Foundation awarded the NFFF $1 MILLION DOLLARS towards their Scholarships for survivors and Safety Training Initiatives ! See the official press release HERE .

We had a quick lunch and then headed out to check in for FRI and begin to set up the booth. Later that evening, Captain Akins from 63 met us at the hotel.

We had a great visit the day before but wanted some time with the Capt. and his crew where we could share a beer together.

We shared a little time together at the hotel before heading out for dinner. It was another very cool visit. The 3 of us seem to share a lot of the same views and are of the same opinion on many issues.

Firemen are all alike and share the same problems no matter where they are from. Thanks again to Captain Akins for taking the time to not only spend with us but for making us feel at home.

The next morning was going to be busy and we were already tired.

Although classes had been going on, tomorrow; was opening day for the exhibit floor.

Jeff Harkey (Daily911Deals) had arrived and would be staying with us for the remainder of our trip.

Jeff is another GREAT friend but when you get him and Rhett together, it’s hard to keep pace with them. They tackle EVERYTHING they do at 110%!

It was my mistake to enlist them in the search for a “Booth Babe” . They quickly began to take over and manage eveyaspect of our search. Interviews, auditions, background searches etc. When I wake up the next morning, our fold out hide-a-way sofa bed is in PIECES. LMAO that musta been one hell of an audition!

I didn’t even want to know so I got cleaned up, dressed and headed out to meet Zach Green from Fox Fire. This was my purpose for attending FRI.

I have posted many times on Zach and the Fox Fire Illuminating Product Line. I had helped work the booth and Firehouse Expo, and would do the same in Atlanta for FRI.

I hope you folks don’t get tired of hearing it because I say it all the time but THIS IS A GREAT PRODUCT !

This technology is going to change the way we fight fire!

It actually sells itself after you see it work, all I have to do is explain how and why.

Our booth stayed PACKED!

I’d dare say that we were the busiest booth on the floor.

Often times, we would have folks lined up out into the aisles waiting to see the product and receive a personal demo.

I think the show was another HUGE success for Zach and the Foxfire line. I guess I should say that I KNOW IT WAS A SUCCESS because we actually sold out of the helmet bands while there. That means that at least that many brothers and sisters will be able to preform their duties more efficiently and SAFER.

See Zach’s thoughts on Fire Rescue International 2011 HERE

So, we worked the floor non-stop for the next 2 days! At 4 pm on Saturday, we broke down the booth and Zach and the Foxfire crew were on their way home. Rhett, Jeff and I would stay for another day.

After packing up Foxfire and seeing them safely on the road, we had the honor of packing and loading another unbelievable exhibit. The 9/11 Better Angels exhibit by Dawn Siebel.

This is a HUGE exhibit that has hundreds of pieces. Most of the pieces are fragile and must be individually wrapped and packaged.

It was an HONOR to have been entrusted with this task.

If you haven’t seen the exhibit yet, you need to do so. Im not sure where it will be on display next but at the very least, hit the link I provided above to read about it and view a video of the display.

Thanks to the NFFF for all they do in getting this enormous exhibit out for public display!

( I’m reasonably sure that the exhibit will be on display somewhere on the grounds duringthe Memorial Weekend coming up in October in Emmitsburg, Md. If you haven’t done so yet, MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND NOW … here’s the link with all the details Fire Hero.org )

So, we headed back to the hotel for some much needed rest before heading out to dinner. I should have went to bed hungry! If you haven’t heard or read it yet, we ended up at a very “exclusive” restaurant for dinner that night. Special thanks to Jeff’s “GUY” for the recommendation. HAD I ONLY KNOWN HE WAS A COP! LMAO .. anyway if you missed it, CLICK HERE for details.

Sunday morning, we were up and at it early again. This time, we were packing for our journey home.

Home is about an 8 hour drive for Rhett and me but we had some stops to make along the way. Jeff was going to tag along as far as Charlotte due to his plane / train ride back to Raleigh NC being cancelled due to Irene. I rode in the back so I could keep an eye (and my pistol) on the two of em after their escapades the night before.

We headed straight to Charlotte’s downtown fire station #1.

We were greeted by Captain Blake Redden. Another great fireman who understands the meaning of “Brotherhood”. I had actually met Captain Redden on the floor of FRI. He knew Jeff ( Fire News.net ) and they had met up somewhere on the floor. Jeff brought him by the Fox Fire booth for a quick intro. Next thing you know, we’re invited to drop by for a tour on our way home!

L-R Charlotte Fire Captain Blake Redden, Ironfiremen.com's Captain Wines, Charlotte Dispatch Supervisor Jeff Williams and The Fire Critic Rhett Fleitz

It was a very cool visit.

They even have their dispatch center on the top floor of the station. We got the COMPLETE tour.

Captain Redden took up upstairs where he introduced us to lead dispatcher Jeff Williams. Jeff fit like a glove! We could have sat and talked with these two guys for hours!

Unfortunately, we were still on a tight schedule and had to get back on the road.

Special thanks to Captain Redden and Jeff Williams for their time. Rhett and I both know and understand what it’s like to have visitors roll in on a Sunday.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHARLOTTE FIRE DEPARTMENT

We left Jeff Harkey in Charlotte and Rhett and I got back on the road. We had one more stop yet.

Ryan Monteith, The Fire Critic Rhett Fleitz, Captain Wines of Ironfiremen.com and Bill Shick

You may remember back to an early July (2011) post where I posted on a visitor to Lucky #13. CLICK HERE FOR THAT POST . Brother Bill Shick described himself as an avid reader of the site and was passing through. He said he just HAD to stop.

Bill and I had a great visit back in July and he told me that if I was ever in or around Charlotte to be sure and look him up.

Ironically, Bill works at Charlotte’s Station #1 but he was off duty on Sunday. The good news was that we was working his 2nd job as a firefighter in Davidson, NC. It was on our way home and just a few short miles.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DAVIDSON NC FIRE DEPARTMENT

Rhett and I had a great visit will Bill, Julia ( Bill’s girlfriend) and Ryan. Of course, they gave us the tour and showed us the rigs but the best part of firemen visiting firemen is sitting on the tailboard and telling stories. We did a lot of that.

I knew back when Bill walked into Lucky #13 that he was a good guy. Our visit with him on Sunday proved it. Thanks to Bill, Julia and Ryan for their time and brotherhood.

Ok, to wrap things up, I need to say a special THANKS to Rhett. He has been a great friend and a TRUE BROTHER. We have traveled a lot together and each trip gets better and better.

Thanks too to Jeff Harkey. I have just recently meet Jeff and knew I had made another great friend from the first moment. Three men living together in a hotel room for a week takes a lot of tolerance. When 1 of those 3 men is me, the tolerance level multiplies. LMAO

I also need to THANK Rhett’s other sister Vanessa. Vanessa works for Westin and has always been the one behind the scenes setting us up in hotel rooms as we travel across the country.

I’m glad she doesn’t work for the Econo Lodge or Super 8 because every hotel we have ever stayed in is FIRST CLASS!

I mentioned that for our stay in Atlanta, we had a two room suite! IT WAS AWESOME. We had room to work and play.

When our guests would come in, they couldn’t believe the view! There were helicopters landing on buildings BELOW us !

So, it was indeed ANOTHER great trip for The Fire Critic and Ironfiremen.com Better than that, it was even better for Rhett Fleitz and Willie Wines. Our next stop will be Greenbelt, Md for our 3rd 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb on September 11th! We hope to see you there. Until we see ya again, Stay Safe and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on August 29, 2011 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, in-the-line-of-duty, line-of-duty, news, training-fire-rescue-topics, Uncategorized, videos • Tagged: 9/11, 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Atlanta, 9/11 Stair Climb video, Ana Arundel Md, Atlanta Fire Department, Atlanta Fire Station #11, Bill Shick, brotherhood, Captain Blake Redden, Captain Mark Akins, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Captain Wines, Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte Fire Station 1, Charlotte NC, Daily911Deals.com, Davidson Fire Department, Dawn Siebel, Fallen Angels, Fire Critic, Fire Rescue International, FireHero.org, firehouse meals, FireNews.net, Fox Fire, FRI, FRI 2011, FRI Atlanta, Ga., Ironfiremen, Jeff Harkey, Jeff Williams, John's Creek Fire Department, John's Creek Station #63, Johns Creek Ga, Matt Tobia, MN8 products, Motorola Solutions Foundation, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, NFFF, Rhett Fleitz, Ryan Monteith, Victor Stagnaro, Westin Hotels, Westin Peach Tree Hotel Atlanta Ga, Willie Wines Jr, Zach Green

Atlanta baby!

8 comments

Most of you know by now that Rhett ( Fire Critic ) and I are in Atlanta, Ga. We are here for Fire Rescue International ( FRI ) 2011. Atlanta is an AWESOME city and we are HAVING A BLAST!!

We participated in our 2nd 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb yesterday morning. You can see my post on the climb HERE and Rhett’s HERE .

As I always do, I got a little emotional while making that post and cut it short. I stopped without adding some much needed thanks. I like to take this chance to say “THANK YOU” to The National Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation for sponsoring these climbs and for everything else that they do. We also need to say thanks to The City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Fire Department for hosting the event. Thanks as well to the Westin Peachtree Hotel for providing the facilities and allowing approx. 187 firefighters to take over their hotel.

Again, I’ll add that if you’re on the job and haven’t yet participated in a Memorial Stair Climb … YOU SHOULD. It’s something you’ll have to do to fully understand. I hope you come away with something close to what Rhett and I have taken from these events. I can’t explain how proud I am of our accomplishments. We get our drive and inspiration from our families. Our families on the job and our families at home. I want to share with you an e-mail I received from my youngest daughter (Reba) the morning of our 1st climb in Baltimore, Md (July 2011).

“Dad , today after reading your most recent blog ” we are all climbing ” I wanted to tell you …..
Your the most amazing selfless person I know … You work so hard to save people you don’t even know and at the same time are working just hard to save all of us … You use your spare time to spread the word of your great profession that in my opinion (and yours) you can’t call a ” job” it’s just something you were meant to do …. There is no one else in this world like you !!!! ( well the buckaroo and I – but we are exceptions bc we are only a mold ) …. Good luck on your climb I know you can do it ESP bc of the cause but also because I’ve never seen ANYTHING you can’t do !!!! ( well you might not be able to carry Rhett lol unless u had to ) ….. Anywho …. Just wanted to let you know your amazing in everything you do and the buckaroo and I love and miss you very much …. Be safe have fun ,
Love .. Reba and YOUR buckaroo ”

How AWESOME is that? I feel like I could climb 500 stories every time I read that. I read it before we climbed yesterday. I will read it again on September 11th because Rhett and I will be in Greenbelt, Md to make our 3rd climb. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Moving on …. we are having a BLAST here in Atlanta. After the climb, we crawled across the street, toasted the 343 and shared a beer… ok a pitcher of beer.

We have met folks already and made some great new friends! Rhett is the type of person who has never met a stranger.

Me?? I’m the chick magnet….. LOL. It’s the mustache … they can’t help themselves.

Rhett sometimes get a little jealous but loves taking the pictures

You may be seeing more of Miss Samara in the near future here on Ironfiremen.com I think we just may hire her as one of our “Booth Babes” for the exhibit floor this weekend. We will be holding interviews and auditions later this evening in our hotel suite …I know .. I know .. it’s a dirty job! LMAO ( just kidding Donna … no interviews)

I’ll be working booth # 2853 for Zach Green and Fox Fire . Rhett and I have both done Product Reviews on Fox Fire’s Illuminating products and now both use them on the job. This stuff REALLY WORKS ! It will make your job safer and easier. If it didn’t, I’d be the first to tell ya nor would we put our name / face / reputation behind it. If you’re in Atlanta (FRI) be sure to drop by booth #2853 to meet us and get a personal demo of the Fox Fire product line …. you’ll thanks us for it!

Dinner at John's Creek Fire Department Station #63 A-Shift

So, after a few beers, a hot tub and a little rest, Rhett and I headed out to John’s Creek Fire Department for dinner with the Brothers from House #63.

WHAT AN AWESOME GROUP OF FIREMEN!

Captain Mark Akins contacted me a few weeks back. He described himself as a regular reader of the site. We seen that we would be headed to Atlanta this week and sent an invite to drop in for dinner. We are 450 miles apart, have never met and he opened his house to us … that’s BROTHERHOOD!

Sgt. Tom Johnson prepared some mouth watering steaks, baked potatoes and a salad and rolls. COOKED TO PERFECTION !

It was an AWESOME visit! I knew as soon as we pulled up that it was gonna be a good. Rhett knew right away that they had to be “A-shift”. He said they looked like good firemen. I agreed because had they have looked like “great” firemen, they would have been on “C-shift” … LMAO

Ironfiremen.com andFire Critic.com with Captain Mark Akins and crew from John's Creek Fire Department Station #63-A

All kidding aside, these guys made us feel at home.

A great meal, shirts, hats and even Challenge Coins!

Statterwas invited as well but had to cancel due to obligations with the NFFF. Being the class act that Captain Akins and his crew are, they sent Dave a coin anyway!

Captain Akins runs a great crew. Every member took the time to talk to us. We ate, shared a couple cups of coffee, got a tour and shared some great stories. They didn’t say hello and then run off to their own special corner of the station.

They hung out … with us … together. They are and acted like a COMPANY and Captain Akins should be proud of the impression they made. Thanks to Captain Akins, Lt. Eddie Lee, FAO Phil Pirkle, FAO Kevin Castleberry, Sgt Tom Johnson, FF Jost Cater, FF Brandon Kingrey, and FF Grant Eckard for the hospitality and Brotherhood!

We had a late night with good friend Jeff Harkey from Fire News. net and Daily 911 Deals.com . If you haven’t checked out the Daily 911 Deals site yet DO IT NOW ! They have a great deal on job shirts that is about to expire … you wont find them any cheaper! We wound the evening out in the hotel bar which is on the 73 floor. The ride up there is in a glass elevator and the bar actually rotates. Yea .. as in it spins around (no I hadn’t had too much to drink). Our hotel is round and the top 2 floors rotate … it’s AWESOME.

Chief Siarincki of the NFFF and Matt Blakely of The Motorola Solutions Foundation

This morning, we helped out Dave Statter and the National Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation with a huge press release. We gathered at Atlanta Fire Station #11 where Motorola announced the award of a $ 1 million dollar grant to the NFFF ! ONE MILLION !

See a related post HERE or visit the NFFF site at FireHero.org

Another GREAT event that was an honor to have been invited to. One million to the NFFF will make such an impact on their scholarship programs was well as to their ability to continue to help and support the survivors of our fallen.

If you’ve never visited the Fallen Firefighter’s Memorial in Emmitsburg, Md you need to! Make plans now to attendthis October during the Memorial weekend … you’ll never forget the experience.

Ok, so we’re heading out again to set up our boothfor the weekendexhibits. We’re gonna hook back up with Captain Akins and some of the guys from #63 for a night on the town where we can share an adult beverage or two. I’m buying and I sure hope the boys are thirsty! LMAO

Captain Wines hijacks an Evan Williams truck for the boys from John's Creek #63-A

I’ll check back a bit later … until then, Stay Safe and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on August 25, 2011 • Filed under: command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Atlanta, Atlanta, Atlanta Fire Department, Atlanta Station #11, booth babes, brotherhood, Captain Mark Akins, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Captain Wines, Daily 911 Deals, Dave Statter, Fallen Firefighter's Foundation, Fire Critic, Fire Department grants, Fire News, Fire Rescue International, Fire Rescue International 2011, firefighters, firehouse meals, FireNews.net, Fox Fire, FRI, Ga., Hooters, Hooters Girls, IronFiremen.com, Jeff Harkey, John's Creek, John's Creek Fire Department, John's Creek Station #63, Lt. Rhett Fleitz, million dollar grants, MN8 products, Motorola, NFFF, Rhett Fleitz, Weston Hotels, Zach Green

A perfect tribute!

7 comments

Rhett and I completed our 2nd 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb yesterday morning here in Atlanta, Ga. It was another experience that I’ll have trouble describing to you.

Once again, Rhett and I found “something” in those stairwells that can only be experienced if you climb. We’ve described it before as “spiritual”. See previous posts HERE and HERE .

This climb was different. It was much harder than our 1st in Baltimore. There, we climbed 22 stories at a time. Here, we climbed a straight 73 and then another 37.

We had the honor of being the 1st group up! We climbed with a group of fire Chiefs that included good friend Matt Tobia from Ana Arundel, Md. Rhett and I were the only two in turnout gear within our group.

We set a hard pace. 73 flights with no stops, no water or even fans in the stairway. Near the top, our group began to spread out a bit. Actually, Rhett and I had to slow our pace. My heart was in my throat, my mouth was dry, my coat soaked and my boots full of sweat. I found myself thinking more of my condition rather than why I was there.

We eased up and told the others to keep going … we’ll catch up. Our pace had already separated us from the groups behind us. Rhett and I were now alone in that Stairwell … two brothers with a common goal. It was as it should have been.

Alone, our climb was much quieter. We both knew what the other was thinking and why we were there. We were in a special place, together; reflecting on the 343 members who lost their lives in much similar stairways almost 10 years ago. I wept.

I have never witnessed anything as powerful as I did yesterday in that stairwell. Around the 70th floor, Rhett was struggling. I was trying to help and keep us moving but I knew he was hurting. He stopped, turned around and started back down. I thought we were done. ”I missed one” he said. He went down, turned around and climbed that flight again! It was humbling to witness such an unselfish act of Pride, Honor and Respect … a TRUE tribute to those 343 members who suffered and died that day. Rhett is my best friend and a Brother. He’s a husband, a father, HE’S A FIREMAN .. A “Good Jake” and I was honored to be in that stairwell with him!

We carried the pictures of the lost members that we carried in Baltimore. We have both had those pictures in out turnout coats since that climb. Here, we added some new faces / names to our climb. Rhett carried Joseph Agnello of Ladder 118 and Durrell Pearsall of Rescue 4. I added Captain Terence “Terry” Hatton of Rescue 1.

We climbed in HONOR and REMEMBERANCE of each of the 343.

If you haven’t made a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb yet … YOU SHOULD. The 10 year anniversary of the attacks is less than a month away and climbs are being held across the Country.

Rhett and I will complete our 3rd climb on September 11, 2011 in Greenbelt, Md. I HOPE YOU’LL CLIMB WITH US!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on August 25, 2011 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, in-the-line-of-duty, line-of-duty, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: 343, 9/11 attacks, 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Atlanta, Atlanta Ga, brotherhood, Captain Wines, FDNY, Fire Critic, Firebaugh, garden, Ironfiremen, Lt. Rhett Fleitz, Rhett Fleitz, Willie Wines Jr

Working Fire

2 comments

Photo by Scott Boone

It’s been exactly one month since Randy was assigned to “Lucky #13″ and today, he caught his first fire.

It was what we call a “bread and butter” fire but it was enough for his first one ( this was also Station #3-C Rookie Jake Perry’s first fire ).

Randy (and Jake) did well. Good work from both of em !

The call came in at 10:41 while we were out of the station, in territory and available by the radio … we call it “on air and available”.

The fire was actually our 2nd due but the company that would have been 1st was out of service for training.

Medic 2 arrived first with smoke showing. Ladder 2 took the address seconds later with us being the 1st arriving Engine.

When the 1st due is out and not responding, it sometimes adds a little confusion to the incident. You’re running with companies that you normally don’t or the next due is coming from a direction different from what you’re use to. Of course that scenario is quickly becoming more normal these days. Something else uncommon for us today was the fact that we were running with 4! That’s how it should be ! Georgie driving, me in the seat and Boots and Randy riding backwards. A 4 man crew is safer and more efficient.

Photo by Lt. Travis Simmons

We arrived with smoke showing from a 2nd floor window, Alpha side at the Alpha / Delta corner. Occupants met me in the yard stating that the fire was in the up stairs bed room and that everyone was out of the house and accounted for.

I made the door and proceeded up the steps to locate the seat of the fire while Randy and Boots made the stretch. I quickly found the fire, closed the bedroom door and moved back to the top of the stairs to wait for em. They were right on my heels.

We stretched in dry and got into position at the door way just as George sent us water. Randy made a good, quick knock down and we advanced in.

Captain Martin and his crew took a 2nd line and made the attic steps. The fire had extended into the attic but they were right on top of it. 1st Lt. Stump and the crew from Ladder 2 made quick work of the searches which were all found to be “all clear”. Captain Croft laid us a hydrant line from Engine 2 and Chief Adkins had command. Engine 4 was RIC, RS-1 served as “Safety” . Medic unit 2 and 4 as well as our support truck (Donnie Foutz) were also on scene.

The fire was knocked down and under control in 5 minutes … GOOD WORK folks!

Being with a firefighter on their 1st fire is an honor. As long as Randy is alive, so will be my memory because you never forget your first one.

It’s kinda cool and I hope he lives to be 100!

Even though this was not MY first fire, today; I kept the memory of 2 great Firemen alive.

Since returning home from the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Firehouse Expo in Baltimore, Md. I have continued to carry the pictures of Joey Angelini and his son Joey Jr. in my turnout coat. See previous posts on the climb and why I carried these pictures HERE and HERE .

So, past the fire; it was another busy day here at Lucky #13.

Randy has been ”jacked up on Mt. Dew” all day! He was mowing grass at 08:15 this morning .

The fire had us late for lunch so we went out. Dinner .. well, dinner was on the Chief but Randy cooked … kinda anyway.

Our Chief (Battalion 2-C … Teddy Adkins) bought the entire Battalion steaks … BIG ones .. good too!

Well, obviously; we weren’t gonna put the Rookie in charge of the steaks but we did let him bake the potatoes and make a salad. That’s him frying up a little bacon to top it off.

We did allow Randy to check the steaks once or twice but Boots took charge and prepared them to perfection!

SPECIAL THANKS to Chief Adkins (Theodore Wendale) for dinner … a CLASS ACT !

We start 4 day break tomorrow. George and I will be riding down to Lexington, Va early on Saturday for a Charity Poker Run. The ride will benefit firefighter and Lexington Police Sgt. Mark Riley and his family. Read a previous post on the event HERE .

Later in the day, I will be heading down to Charlotte, NC for my sister’s wedding! I’ll try to get a post or two in before we come back for the dreaded Monday, Wednesday, Friday tour. Until I get back, Stay Safe and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on August 10, 2011 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, fires, in-the-line-of-duty, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: 2011 Firehouse Expo 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, bread and butter fire, building fire, Captain Wines, Chief Teddy Adkins, Clayton Martin, Dennis Croft, fire attack, Firehouse Expo, Firehouse Expo 2011, firehouse pictures, first fire, George Perdue, house fire, Ironfiremen, IronFiremen.com, Jake Perry, Joey Angelini, Lexington, Lt. George Perdue, Mark Riley, Poker run, Randy Armbrister, salvage operations, Sam Stump, stretching a dry line, Teddy Adkins, Todd Harris, Va, Willie Wines Jr, Working fire

We are all climbing

22 comments

Tomorrow, Rhett (The Fire Critic), Kevin Tottin ( Salem Fire / EMS ) and I will arrive in Baltimore, Md for Firehouse Expo 2011.

We have a very busy work schedule through Sunday. We will be there working with Firefighter Netcast and will be set up in Booth #743 with the likes of Bill Schum ( Fire Geezer) and Dave Statter ( Statter 911 ) … Stop by for a visit!

We also have several meetings to attend and people to meet with. You will of course find us with the crew from the Fire/EMS Blog Network, Go Forward Media and Go Forward Fire. Bosses Dave Iannone and Chris ” hey buuuuuddy” Herbert always take pretty good care of us. Bill Carey, Paul Andrews and Mary Velline are another 3 folks from the Go Forward team who have always made me feel right at home. You may also find us hanging out with Zach Green and his crew from MN8 Products / Fox Fire. Despite all the work, we’re gonna have a good time!

We (Rhett, Kevin and I) will also be participating in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb on Thursday at 2pm. We will climb 110 stories of stairs in full turn out gear (I’ll be the skinny guy with a big mustache carrying Rhett).

Someone asked me the other day why in the world would I want to do that?

That’s easy … because my brothers of the FDNY couldn’t ! They weren’t allowed the time. The towers came down before they could complete their job and maybe, in some small way; this will allow me to finish it for them.

343 members of the FDNY were climbing those stairs for the people pictured above right …. now, I’ll climb for those 343!

At the sign up, we were asked if we’d like to climb in honor or memory of a particular Firefighter. I choose Joseph “Joey” Angelini.

That’s Joey pictured to the left. Years ago, I used to go to the city for St. Patty’s Day. I’d always stay at a firehouse and catch a ride. One of my first rides was with Rescue 1. Joey was on that tour and went out of his way to spend time and talk with me. He made a lasting impression.

He was the oldest member of the FDNY still in company and he was on one of the busiest rigs ! Talk about Wooden Ladders and Iron Firemen!

His love for the job was evident in his every word …. the pride and honor. It doesn’t seem like we see a lot of that any more.

Like my dad, Joey must have passed his passion on to his son. Joseph Angelini Jr. followed his father’s footsteps but, regretfully; was also killed in the towers that September day ( assigned to Ladder Company 4).

My climb wont be easy. Their’s was worse!

I haven’t been to the gym nor have I practiced for the event. They didn’t have that luxury. The alarm sounded and they went.

This climb has been on my mind a lot lately. I feel honored to have the opportunity.

As I was thinking, it hit me … I’ve been climbing stairs all my life. Most of us on the job have.

Not necessarily stairs like I’ll climb on Thursday, or the ones they climbed that day; but stairs none the less.

Give me a minute or 20 to explain.

Rhett had a post up last week about the final season of Rescue Me. See that post HERE . In it, he says …

“I think that many may agree that Rescue Me was a decent show in the beginning, but as the seasons progressed dysfunctional lives and too often nearly impossible heroics in conditions which are not indicative of normal firefighting lost real firefighters along the way.”

I have to disagree. I LOVE the show. I can relate to the character Tommy Gavin. The show hasn’t “lost” me and, despite what others may think; I consider myself to be a “real firefighter”.

I’m as dysfunctional as Gavin. Hell, maybe more so! Most of the old or “real” firefighters I know are as well. WE HAVE TO BE! Is that a good thing? Healthy? Probably not but that doesn’t change the facts.

Are we all as messed up as Gavin? No…. it’s TV. They just rolled all (or most of) our problems into one character.

You can’t see what we’ve seen and do what we’ve done and think yourself normal. Do dead people talk to me from inside my locker? NO. But there are faces I see often and will never forget. Memories I can’t loose. I would bet that true statistics within our profession for alcohol and spousal abuse would amaze you. Whats the divorce rate in your Department? The stress of this job can be overwhelming. Wonder why heart attacks are so prevalent?

Talk about stairs to climb …. try working a 24 hour shift away from your family. Get off tomorrow morning and go to you’r 2nd job. Screen a few calls from the wife about where you have to be when to pick up the kid or kids for this or that. Fire Officer class is tonight 6- 8pm … that promotion test is just weeks away and Firefighter “Joe” from the truck could use a hand building his deck for the company cookout next week.

Don’t forget to stop by so and so and drop off a check for whatever lesson or sports club and we’re out of milk.

By the way, the dishwasher quit working, the grass needs mowed and my car is making a “funny noise”.

Do you have enough hours in the day? Enough days in the week? Are you making enough money? Yea… all the firemen I know are filthy RICH! How about your runs? Seeing anything that bothers you? Hungry, low income children. Do ya see people you want to help and cant?

Get closer to home How many games have you missed due to pulling a tour? How many birthdays, holidays etc? How many times have you been pulled between you’re “firehouse family” and your family at home?

It’s an up hill battle…. “stairs to climb” and it comes with the job. Over worked, under paid, seeing people in the worst conditions, sacrificing ourselves and our families for complete strangers . .. why? Because it’s a calling … It’s OUR CALLING!

The bad news is that there are plenty of steps. They keep going up and up. My good friend and West Coast Brother Joe Schmoe must feel like he’s on an escalator. He called last week and I knew something was heavy on his mind. He didn’t get the chance to tell me but I know what it is. Cold feet. Schmoe is nearing retirement (as in about a month away). He’s been climbing those stairs so long, he doesn’t know how to stop. He’s not sure if he wants to. I hope he finds a peaceful landing to catch his breath. I know he will but I also know that his heart and soul is in that stairway. The same one we are all climbing. Not unlike the ones that collapsed on our brothers back in 2001.

That’s why I’m climbing Thursday. Because of firemen before me like my dad and Captain Joe Schmoe who have made their climb. I’m climbing because if any of those 343 Brothers lost on September 11, 2001 were here today, I’d guarantee they’d miss or sacrifice whatever to be right there in those stairways again.

Thursday, they will be. They will be in a stairway in Baltimore Md. They will be in my mind and I WONT MISS A SINGLE STEP !!

I’ll update ya from the road… until then, stay safe and in house!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on July 19, 2011 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, in-the-line-of-duty, line-of-duty, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: 2001, 9/11, 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, Baltimore, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Captain Wines, FDNY, FDNY Rescue 1, Fire / EMS Blog Network, Fire Critic, Fire Geezer, Fire/Ems Blog Network, Firefighter Netcast, Firehouse Expo 2011, Fox Fire, Go Forward Fire, Go Forward Media, Joe Schmoe, Joey Angelini, Joseph Angenlini, Kevin Totten, Kevin Tottin, Md, MN8, MN8 products, NFFF, Report on Conditions, Rescue 1, Rescue me, Rhett Fleitz, September 11, September 11 attacks, stair climb, Statter 911, Tommy Gavin, Willie Wines Jr, Wooden ladders and Iron Firemen, World Trade Center attacks

Middle day, 4th of July weekend

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Another beautiful day here in “The Noke” and we’re stuck on duty. It’s almost scary …. pretty weather, the 4th of July eve and we’ve actually been pretty quiet. I’m just waiting for the bottom to fall out.

I’m hoping for a quiet night but know how it will most likely end up. Either way, we’re ready for it.

My “A – #1″ fireman, “Boots” actually decided to come back to work today. He’s been off for about the past 3 week due to a duty injury. Nothing serious and he’s back to 100%.

He’s behind the wheel today because our Lieutenant (Georgie) is off. We have an overtime man (McKelvey) riding backwards. I’ve explained several times on the site how, due to staffing issues; we only have 3 men assigned to Lucky #13 here on C-shift. Next week, all that is supposed to change. Only July 8th, our latest recruit school is scheduled to graduate. I’ve been told that I will be getting one of the new “rookies” but I don’t know which one yet.

I’m kind of supprised to be getting a rookie. It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense for a few reasons.

First, we’re considered to be a slow house. We run our share but when compared to the run volume of other houses, we’re on the bottom end of the scale. I would think they would want the rookies at busier stations to get a little more experience.

Second, we are a single engine house. We don’t have a Medic unit here. We have 8 houses with ambulances. In those houses, all members assigned rotate through the Medic each cycle (firemen and medics anyway … not the Officers).

That means that if you’re at a house with a medic unit, odds are that you’ll be riding it at least one day out of our 3 day cycle. Obviously, our Medic units are a lot busier than Engine or Ladder companies. Riding the Medic is pretty much a sure bet for not sleeping. Again, I’d think they would want the rookies in a house with a medic unit.

Now, don’t get me wrong … it’s not that I don’t want a rookie, I just would have thought they would have put them at a busy house or with a Medic truck. Getting a rookie here is actually more good for me than the rookie. You see, I have a GREAT crew. A well seasoned crew of veterans. Although we train and hone our skills, we don’t have to be as aggressive at it as we will with a rookie. Now, it’s more like “brushing up” or “fine tuning”. With a fresh rookie it will training all day everyday. Good for us (me, Georgie and Boots) because it will keep us fresh….and, I guess even better for the rookie because he is going to be subjected to years of on the job experience and quality training.

Our Captains have no say in who is or isn’t assigned to our companies. Most likely, I wont even know which rookie I’m getting until he walks through the door. Heck, the Battalion Chiefs wont find out until the last minute. Assignments are made out of “down town” by a person behind a desk. He tells the battalions who they get and where they are assigned (yea…the Battalions don’t even make their own station assignments). For whatever reason, assignments are a “big secret”. Even Captains are fair game. When this group of cadets come out, there will be several more moves of additional personnel to make room for the new hires.

Some of the moves make sense … others don’t. Senior men and even officers are often moved for no apparent rhyme or reason. It often appears as if some are retaliation moves, some are the “good ol boy system” at work while others are just because they can. Micro Management ! Abraham Lincoln once said …

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power”

So anyway, Boots is back today, Georgie will be back Tuesday and next week we’ll have a brand new guy.

Moving on, we had a really cool visitor today….

That’s Firefighter Bill Shick of Charlotte NC ‘s Ladder Company #1. Bill says he’s and avid reader and fan of Ironfiremen.com. Can you believe it ? All this time and I finally got to meet him … my ONE reader and fan …LOL.

Bill was heading home from the DC area said he just had to stop in for a visit. HOW COOL IS THAT ?!? He even brought gifts … apple pie and ice cream!

I really enjoyed the visit. I’m still shocked and humbled every time someone comes up and says they follow and like the site. Bill got a quick tour of the house but mostly we hung out by the rig and talked. He seemed like a great guy.

From what I know, Charlotte has a great Department. I’ve met several of their members in the past while playing football in the National Public Safety Football League. See previous posts HERE HERE and HERE . They have 41 Engines, 15 ladders and 1,044 suppression personnel.

Learn more and visit the Charlotte Fire Department web site HERE

Bill says he passes through here about 3 times a year. He’s always welcome and will have a place to stay. Thanks for everything Brother! For thinking of us, for taking the time to stop by, for the pie and ice cream (it was delicious) and for following the site!

Charlotte is a cool place to visit as well. Not only have I been there playing football, I have family there. My mom, step dad and sister live in Indian Trail which is just on the outskirts. I’ll be heading down there again August for my sisters wedding.

Hopefully I can take in a few of the places I visited on previous trips and maybe even hook up with Bill and / or some other Brothers I know down there.

While playing ball in 2010, we ended up at a really cool bar … Whiskey River. They have a mechanical bull and everything … that’s one of our players girlfriend riding it back in 2010.

A Charlotte FD Brother and Cobra player #55 Nick Henderson took REALLY good care of us while we were there. That’s Nick with the red shirt in the center.

I hope I can catch up with Nick while down there in August. I can’t remember her name but I also hope he’s still dating that cute blond by his side … she was a BLAST to hang with and as you can see .. easy on the eyes …LOL. (If you’re reading this Nick … shoot me an e-mail and we’ll work out the details for me buying you a beer in August)

Moving on …. there is a pretty good employment oppurtunity here locally.

Brother Ty Dickerson dropped me an e-mail to let me know that the Lexington, Va Fire Department is hiring!

I have talked about the Lexington Fire Department many times here on Ironfiremen.

My history runs deep in Lexington. I was born there at Stonewall Jackson Hospital and live there as a child.

My dad began his firefighting career as a volunteer in Lexington back in 1968.

Most recently, I blogged about Lexington after making the trip up for birthday dinner and drinks with Brother Chris Potter. That’s my cousin Jarred Harlow on the far left, Chris Potter on the far right and Assistant Chief Jimmy Swink and the Buckaroo in the center.

We had a great time at dinner and afterwards, the fellas gave me the grand tour of the station.

Read the related post … I was Honored and Humbled !

This is not the station my dad started out in but they have done a great job in holding onto a lot of their history.

They have it displayed all over the house (check out the link above for some cool pics)

It’s obvious that the Lexington Fire Department is full of tradition, honor and pride!

Wooden 50′ ladders, hand drawn ladders, old helmets, banners etc … they have tons of their history on display. They are not far off on I-81 so if you ever get the chance to stop in for a visit .. I highly recommend it (Lexington is also the home of VMI and Washington and Lee University).

As far as that goes …. you may even want to go to work for them. It sounds to me like a great oppurtunity to “get in on the ground floor” of a growing and progressive Department.

They will be hiring 3 – Firefighter / EMT’s, 3 – Firefighter / Medic’s, a Fire / Rescue Technician and a Fire/Rescue Lieutenant. Application Deadline is Monday, July 18, 2011. The pay ranges from $31,300-$45,200. Visit the Lexington Fire Department’s web page HERE or …

Click HERE for job descriptions, requirements and applications .

Ok, I think I’ll stop here for the night. Before I go … don’t forget to start making plans to attend Firehouse Expo in Baltimore, Md July 19-23. Rhett (Fire Critic) and I will be in Booth #743 with Fire Geezer and Dave Statter. We will also be participating in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. They need more members to climb !!

Brother Bill Carey challenges you to “Put all that ‘brotherhood’ and ‘never forget’ talk where your feet are” !

Click HERE for details and to sign up to climb

See ya in Baltimore! Until next time, Stay Safe and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on July 3, 2011 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, funding-staffing, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: 2011 Firehouse Expo 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, Abraham Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln quotes, Back Step Firefighter, Baltimore Md, Bill Shick, Cahrlotte FD Ladder 1, Captain Willie Wines, Captain Wines, Charlotte Cobras, Charlotte FD, Charlotte NC, employment oppurtunities, famous quotes, Fire Critic, Fire Department employment oppurtunities, Fire Department job openings, Fire Department rookies, Firehouse Expo, Firehouse Expo 2011, Ironfiremen, Lexington Fire Department, Lexington Va, Lexington VFD, Mechanical bulls, Nick Henderson, NPSFL, Raonoke Rampage, Recruit school, Rhett Fleitz, Station assignments, Todd Harris, VMI, Washington and Lee, Willie Wines Jr, Wiskey River

Captain Wines and the Fire Critic … here comes trouble!

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The brothers of B-shift here at “Lucky #13″ must have had one heck of a shift.

I got to work at 06:20 am and found one of the brothers passed out on the couch …. note the drool stain on his shirt..LOL

I figured finding the crew worn out and in this shape was a good sign …

Maybe they ran all the calls last night.

Maybe if they ran em all, I will have a quiet and peaceful tour ….

Friday, Sunday, Tuesday on the 4th of July weekend .. how bad can it be?

Ha … I should have known!

My lucks NOT that good.

Rhett is trading some time with Bugg, a Lt. at station #5 ; today and got detailed out here. My Lieutenant (Georgie) and Firefighter (Boots) are both off today so I actually needed 2 bodies. One came from #5 and the other from the South side.

Last week, they detailed Dennis Croft out here with me and now they send Rhett …. WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?!? LOL

It’s like I’m playing cards with my brother’s kids or something!

I jumped on him right off the bat. You gotta get ahead of a fretter first thing or they’ll eat ya alive. I mean just look at that grin … GUILTY!

I may have jumped a little too hard … he’s been trying to kiss up all day. Let me get that for ya Capt. Let me do that for Capt. You need something to drink Capt. …. it’s sickening … I threw up in my mouth twice.

The poor little fella went as far to bake me a cake. Today is my 20th anniversary of being on the job.

I had to blur out the icing job to keep PETA off my back. I think he was trying to draw a rabbit but only put one ear on it. I didn’t want to smear the good name of this site with a picture of what appeared to be a wounded one ear rabbit.

Here’s a better shot ….. oops … I’d better blur that one out too.

Funny thing is ….. it really didn’t look like a rabbit at all. Hummmmm?

Well, at least the little fella was thinking about me. I really shouldn’t have been so hard on him this morning.

He deserves more than that. After all, we’re more than good friends … we’re tight. Hell, he’s just like having another Buckaroo around …. only a few inches taller and a few pounds heavier. Wait … the Buckaroo may be taller than him now but you get the point ….LOL

Speaking of Rhett, we’re gearing up to get back on the road! Those of you who follow our sites know that we’ve done a lot of traveling over the past year or so. Our latest adventure was traveling up to the Jersey Shore to present his “Social Media” class. See related posts HERE and HERE .

Our next big adventure is just around the corner …

We’re headed to Baltimore for the Firehouse Expo July 19-23!

This is going to be a GREAT trip. We’re going up with Firefighter Netcast and will be located in booth 743 with Fire Geezer and Statter 911 . Geezer even has details on how to get a FREE PASS to the exhibit hall … click HERE to learn how. If you get the chance, stop by for a visit!

Captain Willie Wines (Ironfiremen.com) and Chief Billy Goldfeder at the NFFF Memorial weekend 2010

I have posted in the past about some big announcements concerning the trip.

We were planning to shave my mustache.

Yea … as in off. We were going to do it as a charity event at Expo and donate the proceeds to the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation to help support a family over their Memorial weekend.

Sadly, the deal has fallen through …. I’m not sure how I feel about it. I mean my mustache means a lot to me but the families of our fallen Brothers and Sisters have lost a whole lot more than facial hair.

If loosing the stache could have helped support those families I would have shaved it with a pickhead axe!

Don’t worry …. we’ve found another way to help support the NFFF and the families of our fallen.

Rhett (aka The Fire Critic) and I will be participating in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Firehouse Expo! Captain Kevin Totten (Salem Fire / EMS) will also be joining us on the trip / climb this year.

That’s right … 110 flights of stairs in full turnout gear!

Time didn’t allow our brothers of the FDNY to complete their climb so, (in their honor) we’ll do it for them! That while benefiting the NFFF and families of our fallen.

WE NEED YOUR HELP ! So far, there is only like 100 or so members signed up for the climb. The planners were looking and hoping for 343 participants.

DETAILS AND SIGN UP FOR THE 2011 FIREHOUSE EXPO MEMORIAL STAIR CLIMB

I may need a little extra help ….

I think I’m gonna have to carry Rhett.

He’s already complaining about a sore elbow. He says his tummy feels “funny”, he may be getting a cold and his feet itch.

He’s also worried about the 2 hrs time limit and his “poop” schedule.

He’s mentioned something about maybe needing to help Statter carry his cameras etc. blah blah blah … excuses excuses … I guess Totten and I will have to carry the little guy.

Anyway, the three of us will be there and climbing! Afterwards, all bets are off. I don’t know which bar we’ll end up in but make sure to check in with us (here, Firecritic.com, FaceBook or Twitter) and join us for a beer …. or 20! LOL

See Rhett’s post on the climb HERE

I’ll post more on the climb and who I’m climbing in memory of in future post. Until then, make your plans to attend the Expo, stop by booth #743 and participate in the climb!

Ok, I’m gonna stop here for now. I’ve got to fix Rhett’s milk, lay out his “go home” cloths for in the morning and get him tucked in. I’ll check back soon. We’re back Sunday and Tuesday.

Stay Safe and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on July 1, 2011 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, in-the-line-of-duty, line-of-duty, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: 2011 Firehouse Expo 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, Anniversary cake, Baltimore Md, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Captain Wines, Chief Billy Goldfeder, Dennis Croft, Fire Critic, Fire Geezer, firefighter mustaches, Firefighter Netcast, Firehouse Expo, Firehouse Expo 2011, firehouse freting, Ironfiremen, IronFiremen.com, Jersey Shore, Kevin Totten, Lt. Rhett Fleitz, Lucky 13, NFFF, NFFF Memorial Weekend, PETA, Rhett Fleitz, Shane Duncan, Station 13, Statter 911, Willie Wines Jr

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