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Climbing out ….

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

Barefooted … for now

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I’ve been attempting another (this) post for several days now. I’ve written several and sent em to the recycle bin instead of posting. I didn’t want to seem (or come across) as angry and I felt like they did. So, like everything else here lately, I’ll try it again. My emotions lately are across the board.

Despite the overwhelming support I received following my last post (“A Firefighter’s Boots”), I was NOT able to return to duty and put mine (my boots) back on. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to … I DID … more than anything, and you folks were a HUGE part of the reason why.

The comments, e-mails, Face Book messages and phone calls were all nothing short of amazing! Then a good friend and brother Firefighter, Nate Camfiord; posted a picture of some bunker boots with a simple message … “for a friend”. Talk about “Honor”, “Pride” and “Respect” … Nate reeks of it.

He (Nate) then called Rhett and told him what he had posted and why. The two got their heads together and the next thing you know, hundreds of pictures of “Firefighter’s boots” were being posted and sent in! They came from EVERYWHERE…. it was an AWESOME display of support! I was humbled and brought to tears.

Some of the pictures had messages attached. Each touched me. Some were heart breaking yet healing at the same time. All were emotional, heart felt, honest and motivational. They all said, in one way or another; for me to put my boots back on and that each of you were not only willing to, but “THERE” to help me with the “fit”.

I had no idea! I knew the Brotherhood existed, I just didn’t know it did to this extent. I also figured out that all of you were grieving “for” and “with” me as well. I know that you all felt my pain…. I had hoped to spare ya from it. That was selfish of me.

I later learned that part of the healing process needed to be a sharing of that pain and grief and, that I have a huge family to do that with. We all do the same thing … we help others, even at our own sacrifice. You wanted to help me. To be beside me. To comfort me and share in my grief. My being there would allow us all to move forward … to begin the healing process.

I wanted back in those boots this past Sunday. I wasn’t sure how it would turn out but I was going to put them on. I wanted back in them for me and for you. I needed it…. we all did.

Obviously, it didn’t happen. I did however get by the station (and Station #5) for a visit that morning … I was glad I did. The circumstances surrounding why I didn’t work were beyond my control and I hope you folks weren’t disappointed. I hope I didn’t let you down.

We only get a couple days “funeral leave” in our system (one of which has to be the day of Last Rites) so I’ve had to take several days of “sick leave” since Jack’s death. I’m on the “old leave plan” so it’s no big deal for me. It doesn’t affect my Vacation or Holidays, I have plenty of it and, it will renew in July. I’ve earned it.

The problem I encountered was in our S.O.P’s (Standard Operating Procedures). Since I have taken more than 3 consecutive days “sick”, I need a doctor’s note before I can return to duty. One of our Deputy Chiefs reminded me of the policy when he called to “check on me” Friday evening and it’s a good thing he did (remind me that is). Can you imagine the turmoil it would have caused if I had shown up for duty without a ~~permission slip~~ doctors note?

It may have actually been for the best… I may have tried to come back too fast / soon. I’ve had a difficult week (emotional wise) and think that the couple extra days off couldn’t have hurt. They helped and the Chief of Department has told me to take all the time I need. I’ll get there…. I know it. With a support group like you, how could I not?

I’ll get a doctor’s note, even if I have to get Dr. Seuss himself to write one (he is a close personal friend and the only Doctor I REALLY trust you know…lol). My plan now is to return to duty on Tuesday the 29th or Thursday the 31st. Meanwhile, I’m going to start easing my way back to normal … my “new normal” anyway.

Zach Green and my MN8 FoxFire family will be in Daytona Beach Fla this week for the 2013 Fire-Rescue East convention … I’m going with them. Actually, I’m going to meet them there. Dad will be there too. They will be in booth #720 …. stop by and say hello.

A change of scenery, getting away (even if just for a couple of days) may be just what I need. It will also be a good opportunity to “reconnect”. I’ll be surrounded by firefighters, friends and family. It will be like easing back into the firehouse, only in a convention type setting.

It’s going to be difficult for me. I remain very emotional and it shows … that’s ok. I’m gonna cry in front of a lot of people this weekend. That’s ok too. I’ve learned that over these past 3 weeks. We’re HUMAN … I’m human. It’s what actually makes us good firemen. I’m going to start talking and “sharing” a lot… about opening up…. about talking (yea… to real live, other people). Sharing our stories, our feelings, our emotions. I’m going to tell ya how it’s ok to use E.A.P (Employee Assistance Programs), counselors and psychologists. IT WORKED FOR ME. If I can do it, anyone can.

I’m not “healed”. I’m not “over it” and I’m not “ok” BUT … I know that I will be. I know that I’ll learn to deal with and live with this pain… with this part of me that’s now missing.

If you’re in or going to be in Daytona for the show, look me up … I could use the company. Leave a comment here, message me on Face Book, hit up Rhett (Fire Critic) or just stop by booth #720 … Zach and Kelly will know where to find me. Heck, I may even put my boots back on while down there and give ya a free demo of FoxFire.

I’ll check back in from sunny Daytona (as soon as I stop and buy a new speedo). I just wanted to let you know (warn ya) that I’m on my way. THANKS AGAIN for all of and the continued SUPPORT…. I LOVE YOU GUYS!

Stay SAFE and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on January 23, 2013 • Filed under: administration-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: brotherhood, building fire, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Dave Statter, Daytona Beach, Dr. Seuss, Fire Critic, Fire-Rescue East 2013, Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, Firefighter mental health, firefighter pics, firefighters, health and wellness, house fire, Jack Wines, Lt. Rhett Fleitz, MN8 FoxFire, NFFF, Roanoke Fire/EMS, Statter 911, Suicide, Zach Green

Getting high and rocking Fire Rescue International (FRI) 2012

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“High” as in a mile high … as in Colorado high …as in Rocky Mountain high.

Rhett and I just returned from FRI 2012 ( Fire- Rescue International) in Denver, Colorado and WE ROCKED IT!

You should have heard Rhett banging out John Denver tunes on the street pianos of downtown Denver…. LOL

It was another GREAT show and experience for us. We have a good time anywhere we go but this trip was AWESOME! If you didn’t make it, start planning now to join us in 2013 back in Chicago.

Once again, we traveled as Team MN8-Fox Fire along with the Prez Zach Green and the lovely Kelly. This trip, we also had Chief Robert R. Rielage (Wyoming, Ohio Fire Department) Bryant Davis (Captain, Wyoming Ohio Fire Department) and Paul Dykena (firefighter Kirtland Air Force Base) along for the ride.

We made an awesome team!

Once again, the MN8-FoxFire booth was the center of attention.

I truly believe that we currently have the best product on the market when it comes to firefighter accountability. In my demo/ product presentation, I talk about visibility, accountability and orientation ….. this product offers all 3!

If you’re not using our product, you should be. Zach is honoring the “show price” for the next few days so be sure to check us out asap and start “Illuminating” your Department!

Buy MN8-FoxFire HERE

When we got into Denver, Rhett and I had the day to our selves.

We had decided that there was no way that we could be “that close” to Colorado Springs and the IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial without stopping in ….

we rented a car and struck out!

It was an AWESOME ride with unbelievable views!

I had been to the Memorial 20 some years ago as a Rookie Firefighter. I traveled out with good friend and Brother Randy Smith (now 1st Lt of Ladder #1C).

The trip and the names on that wall made an impression on me … one I’ve never forgotten.

Two of the names on that wall came from my Department and Local (IAFF Local 1132)…. I remember their deaths.

Robert G. Cassell and Harvey H. Helm were killed by a drunk driver on November 1, 1985. We’ve since had 2 “medical” LODD’s while no others have been lost while on scene of an incident.

In the picture to the left, I’m standing in front of the 1985 section of “The Wall”…. obviously, we took the time to find Helm and Cassell.

It was a somber moment … humbling.

We were there alone and never spoke a word …. quiet. Each knowing what the other was feeling / thinking, we said a silent prayer for all of the names before us. I hope they never add another.

Follow Ironfiremen.com on Face Book Click HERE

So, the following day was all work at our FRI Booth.

Like I said above, we were busy … VERY BUSY.

The great thing about being so busy is that we get to meet so many great folks …. people from all across the Country and even some from others.

For us, that’s a big part of the shows … networking … meeting our Brothers and Sisters and hearing their stories.

We get a small chance for that while on the floor but the honest answer is that we’re really too busy to talk as much as we’d like. The real networking comes in the evenings … after the show .. out on the town.

That’s when we REALLY turn it up a notch!

At places like The Tilted Kilt !

This is when we really shine …. trading coins, talking shop and posing for photos.

If you don’t have one of our Challenge Coins or patches yet, don’t panic. They are available online and you can have your custom patch or coin made as well. If you haven;t done so yet, visit NM Coin LLC for for more info and to get your Ironfiremen / FireCritic Challenge Coin (I’m heads …lol)

VISIT NM Coin LLC

Of course, you’ll notice that once again we rocked our Kilts ( Alt Kilt.com ) and helmets with custom Box Alarm Leather Fronts!

It’s hard not to notice us and everybody seems to love the “look” … wait until you see what we are bringing out next ..lol

Want us in your gear? Wearing or using YOUR product? Check us out at ….

Firefighter Product Review

We also got to meet and hang with some big names and faces while in Denver.

That’s the other thing about these shows …. you just never know who you’re going to meet or bump into.

You guys know Michael Lombardi right?

Michael Lombardi as in the guy who plays the character ”Mike Silletti” in the TV show “Rescue Me“.

Lombardi was not only on the floor of FRI, his band; Blood Moon Therapy, played at the Hard Rock while we were there.

Rhett and I had the chance to see and meet with him at both places …. he’s actually a pretty cool guy. He loved the helmets, kilts and most of all .. “the stache”.

Find Michael Lombardi on Face Book HERE

We also got to see and hang out with the likes of Brian Brush as well as the guys from The Remembrance Rescue Project and the Terry Farrell Fund.

All are a great bunch of guys …. BROTHERS

There is a lot of talk, debate, discussion, even scuttlebutt about these two groups going around as of late but for NOW … Rhett and I have been giving the “benefit of the doubt ”.

I will tell ya that we are involved. Asking questions, giving advise etc. I hope it’s taken to heart …. otherwise, one of the groups may not receive our support. As for now, what’s important (and what I wanted to share) is that we were all together … in one place …. drinking beers and sharing the Brotherhood.

Rhett gave his take on the issues in a previous post found HERE .

Read posts from “The Secret List” HERE and HERE

We’ve since learned more details and that’s why / how we became involved. My “take” is simple ….. those Rescue Trucks HAVE TO SURVIVE …. they actually already have … they made it through the collapses of the World Trade Centers on September 11, 2001.

They are a mobile “Tribute” to the 343. A tool. A “tool” to educate the next generations as to the events of that fateful day. The day our Brothers and Sisters (such as Terry Farrell) were murdered.

I stood there in AWE as I looked at Rescue 4 ( Queens). I’ve rode along in that very rig. I couldnt help but think of the hands that have been on the door latches. I thought about the men who took their last ride in that very rig … and there it was … right in front of me. I was once again humbled and honored. Rhett and I can’t wait to get the chance to show this truck and tell it’s story to our children … ours and theirs. I hope the “issues” are soon resolved ..we’ll see.

So like I’ve been saying … it was a great trip and the best part is always the people we get to meet.

For all of you that we did get the honor of meeting, if we haven’t done so already; tag yourself in the photos. On the other hand, if you have pics of us, tag us as well .

Our next road trip is planned for this upcoming weekend.

We will be heading down to Surry County, North Carolina to deliver “bail out kits” awarded by the National Firefighters Endowment. See how they earned the kits by clicking HERE.

If you’re not familiar with the NFE, you should be … especially if your Department needs money… yea … I said MONEY.

How about your choice of a new Ford or Chevy truck? How about a $5,000 Equipment Grant? They’re easier to get than you may think. If you didn’t hit the link above, use the one below to find out how to apply. Don’t forget to join the “Officer’s Club” while you’re there …

Find the National Firefighters Endowment here

After our stop in Surry County, we’ll be headed to Raleigh for a F.O.O.L.S Bash …. more on that later this week. Until then, I’ll leave ys with a few more pics from Denver … enjoy

Rhett has a complete photo album of our trip over on his Face Book page… be sure to check it out

FireCritic’s FRI 2012 photo Album on FB

As always, thanks for following along. I still have a little bit of “jet lag” and tons of work to catch up on around the farm …. it’s going to be a long ~~day~~ week.

That said, I’m back on duty Thursday and will check back in with another post as soon as I can. Until I do, stay SAFE and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on August 7, 2012 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: Alt Kilt, Box Alarm Leather, brotherhood, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Challenge coins, Dave Statter, FDNY, FDNY Rescue 4, Fire Critic, Fire Rescue International, firefighter pics, firefighters, Fools Bash, FRI 2012, IAFF, IAFF Fallen Firefighters Memorial, Ironfiremen, Lt. Rhett Fleitz, MN8 FoxFire, MN8 FoxFire Helmet Bands, MN8 products, National Firefighters Endowment, NFE, NM Coin LLC, Phenix Helmets, Remembrance Rescue Project, Terry Farrell Fund, Tilted Kilt, Zach Green

The difference a year makes … Firehouse Expo 2012

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Rhett and I are safely home from Firehouse Expo 2012 …. it was another GREAT trip!

I don’t know how it continues to happen or if and when it will ever “level off” but, so far; every trip we make ends up being better than the last … both personally and professionally.
Once again, we were traveling with Zach Green and the MN8-FoxFire team.

Zach, the owner and President of the company; said something to me the other day that caught me off guard. He reminded me that this trip would be our 1 year Anniversary. I had never thought of it that way. Actually, I almost didn’t believe it. It seems like we’ve been together much longer than that.

Turns out, Zach was right; it’s only been a year. Back at FDIC 2011, Zach was stalking me and Rhett for a “product review” of MN8-FoxFire. I’m glad he found us! Fast forward to Firehouse Expo 2011 and Zach found himself in a bind. He needed some help in the booth and I just so happened to be there and available.

I went to work in the booth the next day and we haven’t slowed down since! It’s been an amazing journey.

Follow Ironfiremen.com on Face Book click HERE

Our conversation and the success of this trip has got me thinking of how far we’ve come over the last year … me / Rhett and MN8-FoxFire.

2011 was my first time ever to Firehouse Expo ( Read my review HERE ). It was also the place where Rhett and I would make our 1st 911 Memorial Stair Climb (see that post HERE ). We’ve since completed 5 climbs and have even made one in the shadows of the new Freedom Tower with founding members of the Stair Climb committee (click HERE for that post! )

News coverage of this year’s 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb in Baltimore by clicking HERE .

Last year, the MN8-FoxFire booth was busy … this year, it was PACKED! Once again, the MN8-FoxFire booth was the focus of attention on the exhibit floor.

It’s apparent that “the word” is getting out about MN8-FoxFire and their amazing products. We sold more in day #1 of Expo 2012 than we did in all 3 days of the 2011 show.

Learn how to join Team MN8-FoxFire by clicking “HERE” .

Of course, Rhett and I draw plenty of attention by ourselves. It’s hard not to when we’re walking around in kilts, structural boots and leather helmets.

We stand out in the crowd…. and WE WANT TO. It’s who we are and what we do. For us, it’s a great marketing / networking tool. Folks stop us in the isles (and out in the street for that matter) just to talk and take photos. They invite us into their booths or stop us to question our purpose.

It’s that image, the exposure or “popularity” (if you will) that’s helped us create a new site / venture over this past year as well ….

Click HERE to check out Firefighter Product Review

It’s a great site (even if it is ours). Not only do we give “our” review of the products up for review, we also give the “user” or readers the chance to “score” or rate the product themselves.

Last year, we blended into the crowd. Nobody noticed what we had on or who we were working for. Nobody gave us a 2nd look. This year … totally opposite.

Take our Custom Fronts (helmet shields) for example. EVERYBODY wanted to know where we got em. It was a GREAT opportunity to tell them about Andrew and Mary Arnold from over at Box Alarm Leather LLC (see their review HERE ).

Our Custom Kilts were also a HUGE hit and point of conversation. When we needed a kilt and wanted it “our” way … there was only one company out there that was willing to work with us … ALT Kilt . We love telling the story of how all the bigger companies turned us down yet ALT Kilt was willing to go the extra mile.

This year, companies are approaching us for Product Reviews. We’ve got several in the “Que” awaiting publishing and received just as many more last week at Expo. Be sure to hit the link above to follow and look for future reviews for items such as Dragon Fire Gloves , ESS Eye Protection, Black Helmet’s German flavored design (Kampf gegen Feuer), the 2013 Firehouse Dolls Calendar and much, much more.

Click HERE to have us review your product

Here’s another example of the difference a year can make. In 2011, one of my fans / followers; Daniel Lawson came to the booth. For whatever reason, Daniel wanted to meet me, more importantly; he wanted me to meet his new born son … talk about humbling! He explained how he loved reading Ironfiremen.com and following along with the “Buckaroo’s” growth / adventures when he’s included in a post.

This year, Daniel and his son returned to the booth for a follow up photo/visit … man has that little fella grown! I was also excited to learn that Daniel and his wife are expecting their 2nd child …CONGRATULATIONS! I guess my camera lens will have to grow along with his family lol.

In the end, THAT’S what it’s all about … making new friendships …lasting friendships …. sharing and promoting BROTHERHOOD… it’s what keeps us going! Thanks for stopping by Daniel … looking forward to next year’s photo.

The best example of “the difference a year can make” that we found while at Firehouse Expo 2012 came out of New York City. You see, FDNY’s Rescue 2 had a booth set up. That in itself is not a big deal. What was a big deal was who was in the booth …. Rescue 2′s Firefighter Robert Weidmann!

You may remember Firefighter Weidmann’s name from a fire in Brooklyn, NY back on December 19, 2011. That blaze injured 5 members of the FDNY (two out of Rescue 2 Weidmann and Gersbeck). Weidmann was the most seriously injured of the five. He received burns over 40% of his body, including his face, head and hands. His escape was captured on video! The arrow in the picture left is believed to be Weidmann making his way to the window.

Read my original post on that fire HERE

He suffered and fought through months of grueling rehab and recovery. In true Firefighter fashion, he showed the same heart and determination after the fire as he did while engulfed in flame. HE SURVIVED!

He survived and he made it to Firehouse Expo where Rhett, Zach and I had the HONOR of shaking his hand!

It was a HUGE honor for us and the highlight of my trip! Brother Weidmann is a TRUE firefighter … an IRONFIREMAN. Even in the middle of that fire, he was teaching the rest of us valuable lessons. He had on his gear … ALL OF IT and, he was wearing it correctly. He was physically fit and in the shape / condition to make that escape. He had the situational and positional awareness to find his way out. Captain Flaherty said he fought with the strength of 10 men during his recovery and on Friday, July 20th he was standing in Baltimore, Md…. YOU CAN’T TEACH HEART!

Back in February, Rhett, Zach and I solicited your help in raising money for Brother Weidmann and Rescue 2′s “MayDay Fund”. The fund is designed to help support injured members and their families. Your support was overwhelming and the 3 of us (Rhett, Zach and I) then had the honor of hand delivering the check in your name. READ THAT POST HERE .

During our visit in Baltimore, Brother Weidmann asked us to pass along his heart felt appreciation for all the support he, his family and the members of Rescue 2 received. You’re efforts were NOT in vane! As soon as he returns to duty, Rhett, Zach and I will head back to Brooklyn for a follow up visit and a full report on his recovery…. the difference a year makes!

Rhett has made some “strides” over the past year as well ….not in the same manner as Brother Weidmann but, he too; is showing some heart.

Last year, I was the only one in the group who would ride the mechanical bull at PBR Baltimore. This year, “Fire Boy” decided he’d give it a try.

I didn’t have the heart to tell him that you don’t ride bulls while wearing a kilt. I also failed to mention riding while wearing your wife’s socks may not be the best idea either.

Although I don’t believe in protective head wear for professional bull riders, I did think it was kind of cool that Rhett wore his leather helmet while riding. Of course I still don’t think he topped my ride. I didn’t do it in a kilt nor did I wear my leather. What I did do was ride WITH a PBR girl!! See that post and watch the VIDEO HERE !

It seems he’s also softened up his feelings for his true internet father, Dave Statter.

Last year at Expo, it seemed as if they couldn’t get along.

Bickering and arguing over who the TRUE ”King of Blogs” is.

They even argued about the true identity of the Fire Critic and if he actually even existed at all.

Once again, I had to step in and, apparently; my tactics worked ….Just look at em now…. arm in arm. Embracing in public. You should have seen em holding hands and skipping up to the PBR bar …LMAO

In the end, Firehouse Expo 2012 was a HUGE success for us and …. we had a BLAST! The best part was meeting so many friends … old and new. Thanks to everyone who dropped by the booth for a FoxFire demo or to just say hello. Thanks as well to the Northern Va FOOLS as associate sponsors for hosting the Brotherhood Bash … it lived up to it’s name despite the rain!

If you’ve never attended Firehouse Expo, make your plans for 2013 NOW … Rhett and I will be there and I CAN’T WAIT! Check out what Rhett and Zach had to say about the trip and then I’ll leave ya with a few more pics from our Baltimore adventures …

Click HERE for The Fire Critic’s Firehouse Expo “wrap up”

Read Zach’s post on the trip by clicking HERE

Stay SAFE and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on July 24, 2012 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: ALT Kilts, Baltimore Md, Bedford VFD, Box Alarm Leather LLC, brotherhood, building fire, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Chris Naum, Dave Statter, FDNY, FDNY Rescue 2, Fire Critic, Firecritic, firefighter pics, Firefighter Product Reviews, Firefighter Robert Weidmann, firefighters, Firehouse Expo, FireProductReview.com, FOOLS, Fools Bash, house fire, Ironfiremen, leather helmets, Lt. Rhett Fleitz, Mechanical bulls, MN8 FoxFire, MN8 products, NFFF, Northern Va Fools, PBR, PBR Baltimore, PBR Girls, PGFD, Statter 911, Zach Green

Working Fire, Extrication and Firehouse Expo!

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We caught a small job at shift break this morning… we were coming on, B-Shift was going off.

It’s a hell of a way to start the day.

Engine 5 was first due with us on their heels.

There wasn’t a lot of work and “little miss Carlie” made quick work of what there was anyway. It’s hard to believe she’s been on the job a couple years now … I can remember her first fire 0r the first time she was on the nozzle anyway..

See that post by clicking HERE .

I’m sure Bugg did the work on the picture above … he’s done some awesome mixed black / white and color shots.

This pic to the left is one of my favorites ….

That’s the ole “War Wagon” from our “Melrose Misfit” days back at Station #9.

She brings back a lot of good memories plus it’s a very cool shot!

I also like the one he did of the new Station #5 shown below…. I’m gonna have to get him to teach me how he does that.

Cool pics huh? One other neat thing goes back to the first picture (top right). Because the fire was at shift break, several of the members hadn’t had the time to change into their uniform yet. They just threw their gear on over their civi’s.

Did ya notice the shirt Wheezy has on? Apparently, I’m the only one on the planet who didn’t know what The Chive is. Apparently, it’s a web site that’s even more popular than that Fire Cricket site. A lot of cool pics, videos etc. They even have a section dedicated to firefighters … check it out HERE .

So, like a started out saying … it’s been busy around here lately. Storms, fires, extrications etc…

The pic right is a MVC we caught last day.

We were first in with reports of “possible injury”…. ya think??

We arrived to find 3 vehicles involved and this Caddy with heavy damage.

We got an additional Engine, 2 Medics and Ladder #5 for extrication.

As usual, the boys did a great job and made quick work of the incident.

Don’t worry, we’re not hogging all the excitement …we’re actually going to take it on the road ….

Rhett (FireCritic.com) Zach Green (MN8-FoxFire) and I will be bringing a TON of excitement to Firehouse Expo in Baltimore this week!

Rhett and I will be wearing our custom made kilts from ALT Kilt and should be easy to spot in a crowd.

We shouldn’t be too hard to find anyway. Thursday evening at 3pm, you can find us at the Northern Virginia Fools Bash..

Details for FOOLS Bash HERE

We will also be on the floor of the exhibit hall in Booth #123 with MN8 FoxFire

Follow MN8 FoxFire on Face Book HERE

Be sure to stop by Booth #123 to say hello and get a personal demo of the FoxFire Products from Rhett or myself. Also hit us up on Face Book to see exactly where we are and what we’re doing … we’d love to meet up and grab a few beers.

Follow Ironfiremen.com on Face Book HERE

We will get you more details as to our whereabouts over the next few days so be sure to keep checking in. Until I get back to ya … stay SAFE and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on July 15, 2012 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, fires, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: Alt Kilt, brotherhood, building fire, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Fire Critic, firefighter kilts, firefighter pics, firefighters, Firehouse Expo 2012, FOOLS, house fire, Ironfiremen, Lt. Rhett Fleitz, Melrose misfits, MN8 FoxFire, MN8 products, Northern Va Fools, Rhett Fleitz, Roanoke Fire/EMS, vehicle extrication, Wooden ladders and Iron Firemen, Working fire, Zach Green

To the Rescue

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I’ve had several interesting conversations this week about the Fire Service and our members.

In a time of crisis, such as with the severe storms this past Friday; we are always front page. I don’t think most folks realize that we are on the job 24/7. Even the days when thousands of people don’t need us, there are still several hundred who do. We are always working … even on our days off.

One of the conversations I had was kind of centered around “helping our own”. Actually, the question “who helps us ( first responders ) ” was asked. Who comes to “our” rescue? My first though was “you’ve got to be kidding”. There are so many people out there working on our behalf … directly or indirectly. Really??? Like who?

I began to throw out names …. see how many you know and think of their contributions to the Fire Service before clicking on their name for a link to their bio.

Glenn Gaines

Harold Schaitberger

That’s a VERY impressive list …. each a huge contributor to the Fire Service and all advocates for our health and safety. These were just the names “off the top of my head”. I could have listed many more. How many did you recognize? Do you know the work they’ve done (and continue to do) on your (our) behalf? YOU SHOULD!

How about this one …. Shane Parkins.

Shane heads up the National Firefighters Endowment. Everyday, Shane is working to get firefighters the money and equipment we need to remain safe and effectively do our jobs.

Here’s a quote from their “about” page …
“National Firefighters Endowment is a non-profit, public charity with a driving passion to protect the lives of our firefighters. We believe that small actions can have life altering results and that the right equipment in the hands of our heroes can literally be the difference between life and death. “

Here’s the thing … Shane makes it EASY. Even now, he’s running a $5,000-$6,000 dollar equipment grant. All you have to do is submit a short video explaining your need and why your department deserves to be chosen. Click HERE for full details.

Here’s another thing …. Shane thinks that WE are the heros. I hope he understands just how much his work means to us out on the streets. It’s not easy. We are good friends and talk often. I can attest to the fact that Shane often finds himself wondering how to fund “this” or “that”. I also know that many times, he often uses his own money to assure our Brothers and Sisters are well equipped.

You can help. You can help the National Firefighters Endowment help Brother and Sister firefighters all across the Country. It’s cheap, easy and full of reward.

Join the NFE Officer’s Club HERE

The National Firefighters Endowment Officer’s Club allows you to make a monthly donation as low as $10 per month. In return, you’ll receive 1 of 343 Challenge Coins and be entered into monthly giveaways. Hit the link above to learn more about the different ranks/levels within the Officer’s Club.

How about Bob Gard? Never heard of him either??? Bob is a Brother firefighter from South Dakota. More than that, he is the organizer of the South Dakota Firefighter’s Benefit to be held on September 15, 2012 in Sioux Falls.

It’s the first ever benefit of this kind to be held in South Dakota. Bob is bringing firefighters from all across the State together in an effort to help not themselves, but firefighters and their families from all across the Country!

“The SD Firefighter Benefit was created to bring firefighters from across the state together to raise money for organizations that are solely funded by donations, and work to better the fire service. This year we have selected the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation find out more about this organization at www.firehero.org, the second organization is the National Firefighter Endowment find out more herewww.thethinredline.org.”

Can’t make it out to Sioux Falls?? Don’t panic …. you can still help. A $10 donation will get you entered into a drawing where the Benefit is giving away a custom Phenix Leather Helmet and 2 cash prizes ( $300 and $100).

The Helmet is AWESOME and even comes with a custom front.

Every $10 donation gives you another entry in the drawing.

More DETAILS by clicking HERE

You can use the secure “DONATE” tab located at the bottom right hand side of the link above.

It will be the best $10 you’ve spent …. hit the link!

Zach Green of MN8-FoxFire

Need another one???? How about Zach Green.

Zach is an “illuminating Genius” and the owner / President of MN8-FoxFire.

No, MN8-FoxFire is NOT a non-profit business but I can tell you for certain that Zach’s main focus is firefighter safety.

Beyond that, Zach and the MN8-FoxFire team have come to the aid of our Brothers and Sisters MANY times.

Raising money for the FDNY Rescue 2 MayDay Fund, Supporting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, The National Firefighter’s Endowment and the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs. He has donated product to our Brothers and Sisters in Detroit and MANY, MANY more worthy causes.

Rhett and I do some work for Zach and MN8-FoxFire but more than that, we are good friends. I say that because I know where his heart is …. with his fellow Brothers and Sisters of the Fire Service.

Now, Zach and MN8-FoxFire is taking it to the next level. Recently, he traveled to Canada where he had the honor of meeting Wayne Jasper. Wayne is the Director & LODD Chairman of the CFFF (Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation).

Their conversation turned to the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial…. both Canadian and American. He was shocked to learn of the poor showing from Americans at the Canadian event and vowed to make a difference.

A LODD (Line Of Duty Death) doesn’t stop at the border … they affect us all … the BROTHERHOOD.

Read Zach’s post from his visit to Canada HERE

The result of Zach’s trip and talk with Wayne is that we are now organizing a bus trip to Ottawa, Ontario for the 2012 Canadian Firefighters Annual Memorial Ceremony and Dedication of the Canadian Firefighters Memorial!

The event will be held at 10am on September 9, 2012. Our bus will be pulling out of Cincinnati, Ohio on Friday September 7th. We will make another stop / pick up in Detroit and return home on the 9th, following the events.

This is going to be a GREAT trip!! By chartering a bus, we are able to make it affordable but we need your help in filling the seats. Help us show our Canadian Brothers how strong the Brotherhood is here in the USA. Help us show them that Brotherhood extends well beyond any border.

We will be staying in the Main Stay Suites which are located within walking distance of the Memorial and anything else we may need. We priced the room at 2 people per room but each room is a “suite”. They have 2 bedrooms, plus a fold out (so we can obviously sleep more than 2 per room if you have a group that wishes to do so.

To go, you MUST have a valid passport and you can NOT have a criminal record. As it stands now, if we get a min. of 30 passengers, the cost will be $530 each. That’s 3 days and 2 nights, travel and hotel. If we get 40 passengers, the cost drops to $470 and if we fill the bus at 50, the cost will be $440. The cost will also drop per person if you elect to sleep more than 2 people per room.

We only have a few weeks to hold our reservations so let us know your thoughts …. good idea or not. I think it is and I also think that if you go, it will be a trip you’ll never forget. We have a lot of “surprises” in the plans already.

Purchase your ticket HERE or call Robyn at 540-461-0954 for more details

So there ya have it …. a pretty decent list of members helping members. Just a few of the folks who come to “our” Rescue. Again I’ll say that this list could be MUCH longer and I apologize to those whom I didn’t include. I’ll add a note of THANKS to all of those (mentioned or not) who give of their selves for our fellow Brothers and Sisters. If you know someone who fits this bill, be sure to thank them as well.

I’m back on duty tomorrow as Acting Battalion. I’ll check in as soon as possible but until then, stay SAFE and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on July 3, 2012 • Filed under: administration-leadership, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, in-the-line-of-duty, line-of-duty, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: Bobby Halton, brotherhood, Canadian Fallen Firefighters Memorial, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Chief Billy Goldfedder, Dave Iannone, Dennis Compton, Fire Critic, Fire Engineering Magazine, Fire Hero.org, Fire Rescue Magazine, Fire/Ems Blog Network, firefighter pics, firefighters, Glenn Gaines, Go Forward Media, Harold Schaitberger, Hero Rush, IAFF, IronFiremen.com, LODD, MN8 FoxFire, MN8 products, National Firefighters Endowment, NFE Officer's Club, NFFF, Phenix Leather Helmets, Ron Siarnicki, South Dakota Firefighters Benefit, The Thin Red Line Card, Tim Sendelbach, Zach Green

Booth Babes, FDIC another 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb and more!

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We are back from FDIC 2012. We actually drove home through the night (last night) because I’m sick… and NO … not like “hung over” sick…. “sick” sick. Despite having to cut the trip short, we had a BLAST!

Rhett ( The Fire Critic ) and I try to “step it up” a little at each event we attend and FDIC 2012 was a HUGE SUCCESS for the Fire Critic and Ironfiremen.com.

Our main reason for the trip was to help Zach Green and the MN8-FoxFire Team in booth #3026. It was an easy job because the product is so good that it sells itself.

Rumor is that this year set a record for attendance and sales at FDIC and I would bet that we were one of the top 5 busiest booths. Several of the staff members from FDIC even came by and asked me what all the “hype” was about around our booth. As soon as I got them in the tent … they understood.

Jacob and Troy from the TV show ”Swamp People” were in the Ferrara Fire Truck booth ( I don’t understand the connection ) but it was the MN8-FoxFire booth that was SWAMPED.
I guess Rhett and I were kinda like the FoxFire “booth babes”. I say that for several reasons. One of the reasons is because we were wearing kilts. Not dresses … kilts (it’s defined by what you ARE or are NOT wearing under em …lol). Not just any kilt either. We were wearing our custom kilts from ALT KILT.

ALT KILT on Face Book HERE

They wear a HUGE SUCCESS and the “hype” began as soon as we arrived.

We got into town on Wednesday evening and headed straight to the Fire Rescue 1 Meet Up and the FOOLS Bash.

Everywhere we turned, we were meeting and greeting Brothers, Sisters, friends and followers (new and old alike). I have to be honest with you … we were not expecting that.

Now don’t get me wrong … we LOVED it! Everyone there wanted to meet, talk to and get a picture with us. We didn’t make it past 20 foot into the gates.

In the past, whenever folks would come up to us and say ” I love your site and read it every day”, we would always reply “so you’re the one” …LOL. Well, it was very apparent at FDIC that we now have at least a few more than “one” loyal reader / follower and if we didn’t get the chance to tell ya at FDIC, THANKS!

We passed out every Challenge Coin, patch and Brotherhood Chip we had with us and needed a few hundred more! If you missed us at FDIC or wasn’t there to get yours, don’t panic…. you can still get one. For our Challenge Coin, patch and custom badges ….

Visit NM Coin Here

Also visit The Chip Site to find where our Brotherhood Chips were made

It was a fun night! The next morning, we opened the booth and was again over run. Folks were showing up to meet and visit with us and to get a personal demo of the MN8 FoxFire Products. We knew then that this would be a show like no other that we have attended.

We apologize to any of you that we didn’t get to speak to personally and wish we could have spent more time with those who we did. Several times, there were folks waiting for a picture while we were giving product demos etc.

We made every effort to step aside real quickly and hope we got to all of you. We put a bunch of pictures up on our Face Book pages. Be sure to take a look at em and tag yourself if we didn’t already. Also, if you have one of or with us that we don’t … please tag us as well.

Find, Like and Follow us on Face Book HERE

So, after the floor closed for day 1, we have several dinners to attend. Our first was with Fire Rescue Magazine / Firefighter Nation where we actually received some pretty cool recognition. If you’re not a subscriber of Fire Rescue Magazine or a member of Firefighter Nation … YOU SHOULD BE (hit that link above). Here’s what they had to say about the award we received …

Fire Service writers, bloggers receive awards.

Afterwards, we had a team dinner with the MN8-FoxFire Team. Zach gave us a special gift of a framed quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson…

“Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail”

Very fitting for MN8-FoxFire, The Fire Critic and Ironfiremen.com. I can’t wait to see where we end up on this journey.

That said .. I have to stop this post here. As I mentioned above, I’m sick and attempting to write this post from bed. I’ll do my best to follow up with a “Part 2″ as soon as possible. Sorry to make ya wait … thanks for following and be sure to hit that Face Book link above for more great pictures from FDIC.

You can also read a “FDIC Wrap up Part 1” post from Rhett

Until I get back, Stay SAFE and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on April 22, 2012 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, news, Training, training-fire-rescue-topics, Uncategorized • Tagged: Alt Kilt, booth babes, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Challenge coins, FDIC, FDIC 2012, FDNY, Fire Critic, Fire Rescue Magazine, Fire Service Awards, Firefighter Nation, firefighter pics, firefighters, kilts, Lt. Rhett Fleitz, MN8 FoxFire, MN8 products, NM Coins LLC, Ray McCormick, The Chip Site, Wooden ladders and Iron Firemen, Zach Green

Dirty old Firehouses …

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We were asked to help on a special assignment today. Our Battalion called and asked us to assist with some station cleaning. The kicker was that it wasn’t our station …. it’s actually not an operating fire station at all.

It was our now closed “historic” Station #1.

Built in 1907, it lasted 100 years before being being shut down in 2007. It was closed along with Station #3 and the two consolidated into our new headquarters Station #1 (aka… “The Big Show”).

The closings became a huge battle between our members and administration. A lot of our Department’s history came from within those walls. It was a house full of TRADITION, PRIDE, HONOR, RESPECT and BROTHERHOOD. It the house my dad retired from. It was a bitter fight and there are plenty of mixed emotions that linger still today. For many, the closing of those doors signaled the end of an era for the Roanoke Fire Department.

Learn more about Roanoke’s Historic Station #1 HERE and HERE

They wouldn’t allow us (the members .. IAFF Local-1132) to have it. Promises were made and not kept. They do allow us to park our antique fire truck there and the Department houses a couple reserve pieces there as well. They’ve allowed the Police Department to occupy an office up stairs and even put two horse stalls (for the mounted patrol) down in the bay. The mounted patrol has since been disbanded (but the stalls remain). They also allow city workers access into the station to eat, use the restroom, hide, nap or who knows what. That’s part of the problem. With no history or ties to the building, they don’t even bother to clean up behind themselves.

Anyway, we met Battalion Chief Adkins and the members from Station #2 down there to do a bit of house keeping today. It looked BAD but the guys made quick work of it.

Upstairs was swept and mopped. The bays were washed out. All the trash collected and taken out and we even polished the brass.

It looked 100 times better after about 2 hours of work but could have stood much more. I’m glad none of our retired members seen it in the shape we found it…. it would have been embarrassing.

There were a lot of young members on the detail today. Young as in they weren’t even here when the station was open or never had the honor and privilege of running out of it. I think it was a good experience for them.

They got to hear some of us older guys telling stories from her “glory days”. They got to see and hear first hand some of the history and tradition of their Department.

Randy got to polish his first brass pole. There aren’t many members left in our Department who can say they polished brass at station #1.

Another “newer member”, Ronnie Mitchel ( from #2-C ) got to sweep and mop the front stair case. A wooden, spiral staircase. I could picture in my mind now retired member Jimmy Jennings doing it. It was one of Jimmy’s “pet peeves” and he took a lot of pride in assuring those steps were spotless.

The station has 2 spiral staircases leading upstairs. Older houses had spiral stairs to keep the horses from finding their way upstairs in the event they got loose.

Grooved floors from the days of horses. Wooden floors and lockers (with brass knobs) in an open bunk room. Deep sky lights. Stamped tin ceilings….. she was a sight to see.

Thanks to Chief Adkins for seeing the need and getting it done. Thanks as well to my boys, Captain Graham and the members of Station #2-C for a job well done!

So, we also had a visitor today. A ride-a-long.

Michael Whiteaker from Bristol, Tn. made his way up for a visit and ride.

Michael’s dad is a retired Deputy Chief ( with 33 years of service) with the Bristol (Tennessee) Fire Department. Michael plans to follow in his father’s footsteps and is thinking of applying here to do so. He scored well in Bristol’s process but is currently working in their Police Department. Yea … I let a cop do a ride along but not before I explained to him that with a little extra effort and a few more points on the test … he could have been a fireman. LOL.

Learn more about the Bristol, Tennessee Fire Department HERE

All kidding aside, Michael scored 2nd in Bristol and seems like a great guy. We took him out to our regional training center and introduced him to the training chiefs of all 3 jurisdictions ( Roanoke City, Roanoke County and the City of Salem). He went with us to Station #1 and even caught a few runs (nothing to write home about). I hope he enjoyed the visit as much as we enjoyed having him.

Moving on, we are still getting ready for FDIC. It’s just around the corner and will be here before you know it. Once again, Rhett and I will be there with Zach Green and the MN8-FoxFire Team. We will be attending the Fools Bash, The IAFF party, the NFFF Stop, Drop and Rock and Roll event, the Fire/EMS Blog Meet Up and many more events. We want to meet YOU while we’re there. The easiest way to catch up with us is to come to the booth.

Meet us at FDIC 2012 in the MN8-FoxFire Booth #3026

Speaking of Rhett …. he’s in Aruba without his computer and his phone turned off. Of course he did manage to post a single pic on Face Book to rub it in.

I say “rub it in” because once again, he is traveling without me. Yea…. he left me here to take care of everything else while he’s laying on some far off exotic beach. I’ve been worried sick!

So many things could happen on a trip like this….

He can’t even swim! Good thing I packed his water wings.

He made 100 excuses for why I couldn’t go.

He even said that he didn’t think I’d “fit in” over there …. you know … wearing my fire boots around all the time and such.

Can you believe that?? ME … NOT fitting in somewhere?

He didn’t care that I was willing to leave my regular footwear behind for something a little me fitting of a beach environment. When I showed him my new boots, he laughed… HE LAUGHED!

Well, despite this leather exterior … deep down … I do have feelings and I don’t mind telling you that they’re hurt.

LMAO … you folks stay SAFE and in House! I’ll be back on Saturday.

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on April 5, 2012 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, news, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, Uncategorized, videos • Tagged: brass fire poles, Bristol Fire Department, Bristol Tennessee, brotherhood, Captain Willie Wines Jr, FDIC, FDIC 2012, Fire Critic, fire poles, firefighter pics, firefighters, Fools Bash, Historic Fire Stations, historic land marks, Ironfiremen, MN8 FoxFire, MN8 products, NFFF, Roanoke's Historic Fire Station #1, Rookie Firefighter Randy Armbrister, Station 1, Todd Harris, Wooden ladders and Iron Firemen, Zach Green

Happy St Patrick’s Day from IronFiremen.com

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Once again, I have to start off with an apology. My postings have been few and far between here lately but I should be back on a regular schedule soon. As always, my excuse is work. I’ve been completely swamped but I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Today, instead of joining my Brothers and Sisters on the Parade route and raising a few pints in celebration of St Patrick’s Day, I’m working day 2 of a 72 hour tour. Yea … 3 days straight! Friday, I worked to pay back some time that I owed to Captain Flora, of A-shift; here at Lucky #13. Today, I’m doing the same for Lt. Hauck of B-shift. Both of these Brothers worked for me a little while back to allow Rhett and I to travel.

We have both posted about “trading shifts” many times. Working a 72 would not have been my first choice …especially over the St. Patty’s Day weekend but, when you owe someone time, you don’t have the luxury of picking the day (you pay them back on a day THEY need .. not one that suits YOUR schedule).

So anyway, here I am…. at the firehouse. I hope you folks are not stuck on duty and are having or had a GREAT St. Patrick’s Day! If you’re still at it, raise a pint or 20 for me!

I hope you all have on a little something green or you may get a pinch.

For the lads, I hope you’re covered head to toe (of course I’m talking to firemen and know that you are all most likely butt naked by this point). As for the Lasses, well …. hopefully they have on a wee bit less or at least look as good in it as the little leprechaun pictured to the right does.

Since poor little me is stuck here … maybe you guys could send me some pictures of your adventures today. Marching in the Parade … Pipes and Drums … sexy little leprechauns etc. Send em to the comment section here or to my Face Book Fan Page.

Follow Ironfiremen.com on FaceBook by clicking HERE then “Like”

I have a touch of green on myself today.

I’m wearing Station #3′s 2012 St Patrick’s Day shirt design.

It’s a great looking shirt! The ~~hippies~~ Brothers over at Station #3 call the place “The Green House”. It’s all about going “green” over there. Automatic lights, toliet water re-routed to the showers, rain water for washing the rigs, trash compactors, compost piles etc.

Since #3 is all about everything “green”, they’ve adopted the Hulk as their mascot. The shirt has the Hulk holding a leprechaun in one hand and a bunch of shamrocks in the other. There is even a pot of gold by his feet. A pretty cool design on a quality shirt. I think the shirt was developed by Eric Mulford or “Wing Nut” as I call him. Great job guys and THANKS for giving me the chance to buy one.

St Patrick’s Day always takes my mind to New York City and our Brothers of the FDNY. I used to go up every year for the Parade. We had been up so often that they even let us march along side them. My last trip up was March 2002 following the September 11th attacks. I march with the Brothers of 39/16 and will never forget the experience. I haven’t returned for a parade since.

Today is also my dad and step mothers anniversary. I missed the wedding to go to NYC for the parade but they took it really well ( they ran off to the beach and forgot to get me a ticket / hotel room anyway …LOL ). So HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Pop and Robyn.

It was also on St Patrick’s Day 1 year ago that we met our now Fire Department Chaplain Father Sandy Webb.

Father Webb has come a long way in the past year and again I’ll say that I’m honored to have him by our side.

It started out over a meal of corned beef and cabbage. The next thing we know, he is our official Chaplain. He made it out for several visits and has even taken in a few runs with us. He has responded to all 2nd alarm and greater fires. He’s blessed my new Phenix leather helmet and now has even participated in training with us. He’s been a GREAT Chaplain and an even better friend.

Read a related post about Father Sandy Webb by clicking HERE

Ok, moving on … I have a LOT of catching up to do so hang with me and be sure to hit all the links I provide.

Voting has begun for the 2012 Fire & EMS Blog of the Year !

The contest is once again hosted by The Fire Critic (Lt. Rhett Fleitz) and is sponsored by Fire Rescue 1.com and EMS1.com

I was not eligible for the contest this year because Ironfiremen.com is the reining 2011 Black Diamond Footwear Fire Blog of the Year !

It has been a HUGE honor!

Kelly Grayson of A Day In The Life Of An Ambulance Driver was the much deserving winning in the EMS category.

Kelly and I (along with some others) will be the judges for this years contest.

I don’t know how many, but there were a TON of nominations. The list has been narrowed down to 28 … 14 Fire and 14 EMS related Blogs. The competition is TOUGH as they are all very good sites. Use the link below to submit your vote!

Click HERE to review nominations and VOTE for the 2012 Fire & EMS Blogs of the Year

MN8-FoxFire doesn’t need your votes but they do want / need your help and submissions.

Zach Green and the MN8-FoxFire Team have come up with another GREAT way to keep us involved in their product.

The product was designed for us (firefighters and our safety) in the 1st place and MN8-FoxFire has always done a fantastic job of listening to our wants / concerns and adjusting their product accordingly.

They are rewarding us again with more customer / user input. MN8-FoxFire wants your help in designing their next shirt. HOW COOL IS THAT ?!?

They are currently taking submissions for their next shirt design. The winner and the shirt will be reveled at FDIC next month. The MN8-FoxFire logo will be on the front and the winning design on the back. And YES … the shirts “glow” just like their other products! Here’s a short quote from their site …

”The same photoluminescent technology used in Foxfire’s fire safety products will be used in the ink displayed on the shirt, enabling the graphics to brightly light up in the dark. We are looking for a design that is fabulously eye-catching and creative, but also wearable and practical. Design something you would be proud to wear yourself.”

Click HERE for DETAILS, RULES and how to SUBMIT

Visit the web site by clicking HERE or find them on Face Book HERE

FDIC is just around the corner … April 16-21. MN8-FoxFire will be there once again in full force and that include me and Rhett. That’s right … make you plans now to meet up with me and Rhett while at FDIC. Our schedule is filling up fast but we will be easiest to find in the Fox Fire booth #3026 … be sure to stop in and say hello and get your personal demo of the FoxFire products!

Have you seen our new patch?

Oh yea baby … Rhett and I will have our very own patch for our uniforms etc by FDIC. They look AWESOME!

They are being made by NM Coins LLC. They are also making our badges and a new challenge coin.

We will have some to pass out at FDIC and will soon get ya the details on how to order one for your self in case you don’t get the opportunity to have your hand delivered.

I’m VERY excited on how things are shaping up so far this year …. it’s gonna be our best yet!

.

Visit NM Coins web site HERE or find them on Face Book HERE

You may also spot us wearing our new kilts at FDIC. Yep ….you heard me correctly … Rhett and I will be wearing KILTS !

We’re going to keep some of the details under wraps for now ( and hopefully a lot more “under wraps” while we are wearing them) but I will let you know that they are being made by ALT.KILT.

Check out their web site HERE or on Face Book HERE.

I also want to give you an early “heads up” on another one of our scheduled events. Rhett and I will be heading out to Sioux Falls South Dakota in September. Bob Gard is planning one hell of an event and if you are anywhere near or can make the arrangements to get out there… YOU ARE NOT GOING TO WANT TO MISS IT !

We need to tie up just a few more “loose ends” before we let all of the details out but I will tell ya that the event will benefit some very important organizations and it’s gonna be BIG!

Make plans to be out there for the September 15th event !

Rhett and I will actually be out there Sept. 12-16th with a VERY full schedule. Bob has events and stops scheduled all week … come on out and join us … you wont be disappointed.

Find and “Like” Bob Gard on Face Book HERE

Ok, I’m going to stop here for tonight. I told ya in the beginning that I’m working B-shift today. What I failed to mention was that I’m riding backwards. It’s the Lt’s job to drive and that’s the position I’m covering but figured that the firefighter from B-shift ( Brian “gooch” Reger ) is better suited to wheel (it’s been a while for me).

Anyway, I’m riding backwards and we even caught a little work a few hours ago. Not much of a fire but I did have to make a stretch and even if I have to say so myself …. I still have it …LOL .. it was a text book stretch. The Brothers and sisters of B-shift put in some quick work, made a great stop and spared the owner a lot of damages. Well done fellas (and Heather).

I know I shouldn’t mention it but will whoever is attempting to fret Captain Dillon today PLEASE STOP.

We’ve been getting “hang up” calls all day and apparently, someone has hacked into the Engine’s computer.

I’m not sure how it happened but somehow, they got to our background and screen saver!

Some kind of little dancing elf or leprechaun or something … LMAO!

We’ve been trying to figure out how to change it or get it removed but it’s just beyond our computer skills (wink wink).

That should be enough to hold ya for tonight … I’ll still be here tomorrow for my regular shift (Sun, Tue, Thurs) and will try to get back with another post or two. Don’t forget to VOTE for you favorite Fire & EMS Blog of the year over on The Fire Critic. If you didn’t hit the link at the beginning of the post … CLICK HERE .

Until I get back to ya … stay SAFE and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on March 17, 2012 • Filed under: ems-topics, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, fires, news, training-fire-rescue-topics, Uncategorized • Tagged: 2012 Fire & EMS Blog of the Year, Alt Kilt, Black Diamond Boots, Blog of the Year contest, brotherhood, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Captain Wines, Father Sandy Webb, FDNY, Fire Critic, firefighter challenge coins, Firefighter Chaplin Program, firefighter kilts, firefighter patches, firefighter pics, Firefighter T-shirts, firefighters, house fire, Ironfiremen, Lt. Rhett Fleitz, MN8 FoxFire, MN8 FoxFire Products, NM Coins LLC, Randy Armbrister, RIT Training, sexy St Patrick's Day outfit, St PAtrick's Day 2012, St Patrick's Day Parade, St Patricks Day shirts, Todd Harris, Willie Wines Jr, Wooden ladders and Iron Firemen, Working fire, Zach Green

Taking “Brotherhood” to the FDNY and so much more… 3rd and final part!

3 comments

Click to see PART 1 and Part 2 of this post

We get to “The Rock” ( Randall’s Island .. the FDNY Training center ) and who do we bump into ???

Our old friend and Brother Firefighter James Sorokac!

Jimmy gave us one hell of a tour back in December 2011 when we were there with the National Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation. We “hit it off” right from the start … it’s easy to tell that Jimmy is a fireman’s fireman.

I could talk for days about all the facilities at “The Rock” and Jimmy knew every one of em inside and out. The site is nothing short of amazing. They have an entire 3 story New York City Block built inside a massive structure … it’s 3 story buildings, built INSIDE another building to allow their members to train out of the weather! Flashover simulators, a subway mock up, multiple burn buildings, roof simulators, confined space, trench, passenger vehicle and even a bus fire simulator. You name it, they train on it and it can be found at “The Rock”.

Learn more about “The Rock” by clicking HERE

Seeing how we’ve already had the tour, this time; Jimmy just told us a few stories and OHHH.. what stories this Brother can tell!

He was actually pretty excited about one in particular. You see, Jimmy services on their Ceremonial Unit. Actually, he’s their Senior member! Click HERE to learn more about the FDNY Ceremonial Unit ! Back at the 10th Anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, Jimmy had the honor of ringing the bell. A photographer captured and unbelievable shot of James, at attention, hand on the bell, a tear on his cheek and the American flag in the foreground. I can’t describe the emotion I felt seeing the photo … or the emotion it captured.

Roberta Lerch, wife of Honorary Chief of Department Jack Lerch; created a painting from the photograph and presented it to the Ceremonial Unit. They in turn, presented it to the Commissioner and Chief of Department who then deemed it remain on display at the Training center.

That’s the picture hanging above Jimmy’s head (in the photo to the left).

They even had a nice write up and picture in WNYF (With New York Firefighters) 4th/2011.

He was VERY proud and should be ! Rhett and I have also heard rumors of that picture becoming a book cover very soon … VERY COOL !

Thanks again to Jimmy for spending a little time with us out at “The Rock”. Thanks also for the great stories and for caring enough to share them with us … nobody tells em like you do Brother!

So, we got to visit with the Chief of Training as well. Soon, we’d find ourselves in the Captain’s office. Usually, being in the Captain’s office isn’t a good thing but this time … IT WAS AWESOME!

Beside every good Captain is a GREAT Lieutenant and we had the honor of meeting Lt. Ed Galiani as well.

Lt. Galiani has been wearing a MN8-FoxFire Helmet Band for a little while now. Can you see it?? Yea … it’s on there just burnt, blackened and smoked up a bit…. just a little bit.

We always get questions as to how the Helmet Bands hold up … this should leave no doubt in your mind.

Lt. Galiani did say he was a little concerned that it didn’t glow anymore but was very pleased that it hadn’t burned apart. It hadn’t even cracked up like the old inner tubes.

Well, Zach took the band off and headed over to the sink.

After a little soap and water, she began to clean up nicely… the Lt was impressed.

He just wasn’t aware that you can clean the Bands. So, for all of you out there wearing them ..YES …wash em. Soap and water will do well if washed regularly. If you’ve put em through the ringer as Lt Galiani has .. use something a little stronger .

We took this Band and presented Lt Galiani with a brand new one. Zach wanted to take this one back to the home office so he can show those who doubt just how well they hold up. This band has seen hundreds of fires and who knows how many heat cycles! FIREFIGHTER TESTED BABY!!

Learn more and purchase you MN8-FoxFire Helmet Band by clicking HERE

So, we left The Rock, and headed to Ground Zero. Of course we dropped in to visit our friends at Ten House and then grabbed a bite to eat. It had been a busy 2 days and we were BEAT so we headed back to the hotel.

There, we received a call. One of our loyal fans / followers lived not too far away and wanted to come meet us.

Little did we know that Christine Sarracino would have to sneek out of the house to do so…. LOL (just kidding).

Christine fought late buses and trains to finally meet us.

We headed down to a local bar for a few beers and stories. She was very fun to hang out with.

She even made a special gift for each of us. I had mentioned in an earlier post that we were thinking of having a patch designed that Incorporated both Ironfiremen.com and the FireCritic logo. She designed one for us to consider, printed it out, framed it and added a special note with each! It was a GREAT gift!

The next morning, we headed South in Jersey to Fire Hooks Unlimited!

Visit Fire Hooks Unlimited by clicking HERE

I carry a 6 foot “New York Hook” on every fire. It gives me reach and allows for plenty of leverage. I LOVE IT and these are the folks who make em!

Not only that, the owner; Bob Ferrell is a Retired FDNY Captain (who Retired as an “Acting” Battalion). Captain Ferrell is one of the most famous FDNY Captains and I call tell ya without a doubt … he’s a CAT BIRD!

You can read about some of his exploits in books such as Dennis Smith’s “Report from engine company 82″ or “Fire Department of New York – The Bravest 1865-2000” by FF Paul Hashage .

Learn / read more about FDNY Captain Bob Ferrell by clicking HERE

Captain Ferrell rolled out the red carpet …. we got a first class tour by him personally.

Captain Ferrell is holding the 5 foot version of the tool I carry in the picture shown to the right.

This place was AMAZING .. Rhett, Zach and I were in heaven.

The only thing better than the tour was the Stories Captain Ferrell told ….OMG!

I could have sat and listened to him for days! It was a perfect ending to another great trip! That evening, Rhett and I turned the ol “Blog Mobile” (that’s Rhett’s mini-van) south and headed home.

So, that was our trip in a nut shell … even though it took me 3 posts to get it all out! I want to say THANK YOU again to everyone who supported our effort in raising money for the FDNY Rescue 2 Mayday Fund…. WE MADE A DIFFERENCE!

Thanks also for following the site and sticking with me through these last few lengthy posts. I’ve got to catch ya up on some events that have occurred since we got back home but I really wanted to get the New York trip complete before moving on. I’ve had my new Phenix Helmet blessed and we’re almost ready to put her into service. We also caught a little work today but you’ll have to wait until tomorrow for all the updates.

Until I get back…. Stay SAFE and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on February 6, 2012 • Filed under: administration-leadership, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: 9/11, 9/11 Memorial, Bronx New York, Captain Bob Ferrell, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Christine Sarracino, Engine Company 82, FDNY, FDNY Ceremonial Unit, FDNY Training Center, Fire Critic, fire helmets, Fire Hooks Unlimited, firefighter pics, Firefighter tools, firefighters, firefighting tools, Helmet Band, James Sorokac, Ladder 31, Lt. Ed Galiani, Lt. Rhett Fleitz, MN8 FoxFire, NYC, Randall's Island, Wooden ladders and Iron Firemen, Zach Green

Taking “Brotherhood” to the FDNY and so much more …CONTINUED!

2 comments

This is “Part 2″ of my post on our latest visit to New York City and the FDNY. It’s continued form yesterday …

See PART 1 of this post by clicking HERE

So, we get to Hoboken’s Headquarters and Battalion Chief Greene is waiting to greet us. The City of Hoboken has some GREAT looking houses. They are old and you can tell. Some may say they look like crap or are “dumps” but I beg to differ. These houses hold history and tradition. THEY ARE HISTORY ! That’s why they are “houses” and not “stations”.

So anyway, the first thing Chief Greene does is shake my hand and give me a Challenge Coin!

He felt bad when I gave him a Brotherhood Chip the night before and caught him with empty pockets.

They didn’t sell beer in the firehouse so he bought me a cup of coffee ….LOL

Their coins look GREAT!

Actually, I can’t think of a coin Rhett or I have received that I thought didn’t look good. Some stand out a little more than others. Sometimes it where or who it came from while with others, it the engraving, logo or phrase on the coin.

Hoboken’s is solid all the way around.

Another example of how Department’s such as Hoboken and members such as Chief Greene “GET IT”.

PRIDE, HONOR, TRADITION, RESPECT and BROTHERHOOD !

I wish my Department had a coin. With everything else we brag on … we should!

So, we got a tour, ate some stale doughnuts (bagels..LOL) and shared a cup of coffee up in dispatch.

That was another cool thing about this house. It was a house … the Headquarters .. and their dispatch center! There was a retired Jake manning the dispatch console. If anyone had a question, they asked him (sorry … can’t remember his name).

That’s him sitting to the far left…working (that’s Battalion Chief Greene in the center).

I’m thinking… how cool is this? The dispatcher is retired from the job. Who better to fill this position?

Now, our guys and gals do a wonderful job but this Brother has an advantage. He knows what he’s hearing. He knows the job .. what we want, need and are asking for. Sounds too simple I guess?

Anyway, we were having a great visit.

Before long, Zach was in the Chief’s office working his magic. Next thing you know, Hoboken made a large purchase of MN8-FoxFire Products! These members are really going to be pleased and impressed! It’s also a great feeling for me, Zach and Rhett. We know what these products can do as far as giving us an extra “tool” for visibility, orientation and accountability! What an honor it is to be in a position to help or Brother and Sister Firefighters operate more safely !

THANKS to Chief Greene and the Hoboken FD for the hospitality ! We look forward to seeing you all again.

So, we left Hoboken Headquarters and wanted to celebrate.

I was looking for a bar to buy us all an ice cold beer.

Zach and Rhett ?? ….. well …. their minds were somewhere else …A BAKERY ?!?!?! WTF? ( No Chief “G” …NOT “Well Trained Firefighters” ..LOL )

Apparently, this place is famous or something. They have some kind of TV show or something where they cook a bunch of fancy cookies and cakes. The Cake Boss ? You can CLICK HERE to learn more.

I guess it’s kinda like the time when Rhett made us stop at some Jersey Shore place to look for Spookie (or whatever her name is). All I know is that Zach and Rhett were very excited to see the chair these people sit in to talk about cooking or whatever. Me??? not so excited but I do have to admit that it makes me feel good to see my two Brothers happy and excited so I guess it was worth the time to stop.

After their sugar fix, we got back to work. We loaded up and headed to Queens!

Our first stop was Rescue 4….AGAIN… MY EMOTIONS WOULD SURFACE.

I have often wrote about my good friend and Brother Captain Todd Stone and our travels to ride a long with the FDNY back “in the day”. Rescue 4 was a regular ride for us.

Being in this house, and even back the day before while in Rescue 2 with the roof hatches open; my thoughts often drift to a photo I have of Firefighter Pete Mclaughlin while riding R4.

Every run, Pete would stand on the side shelves with his head up through the roof hatch. Todd and I have some GREAT pictures in the back of that rig with Pete and many more of Rescue 4′s elite.I think of those times / rides often.

Firefighter Pete Mclaughlin was killed in The Line of Duty on October 8, 1995 just a week or so after our last ride with R4. He was caught in a flash over with collapse. Later, they would name a street in Queen in honor and memory of Pete. You can read a small related article by clicking HERE . WELL DONE BROTHER … continue to Rest in Peace and thanks again for the ride!

After leaving Rescue 4, we headed out to what used to be know in the FDNY as “Red Square” …. aka their “shops”.

The members called it “Red Square” because it’s an entire city block in size. That’s a New York City “block” and it was always surrounded on all 4 sides by broken down fire trucks … RED ones (hint..hint Swoope Vol. Fire Company, Roanoke County Fire / Rescue and more…LOL)

We got some UNBELIEVABLE tours here!

Shops, tool rooms etc … this place was HUGE! Not only was it big …. the folks inside seemed to know what they were doing / talking about ! IMAGINE THAT !

I was as excited as my wife and daughters get inside a Walmart … I was like a kid in a candy store (or Rhett and Zach in Carlo’s Bake Shop..LOL).

OMG this place was AMAZING !

The only place you’ll see as much or more apparatus in one place at the same time is at Firehouse Expo, FRI, FDIC or the like!

Tools???? Walls and WALLS … shelves on top of SHELVES full of em!

I know the FDNY is the largest in the world but all I’ve ever seen is one house etc at a time. I guess it took seeing the shops to actually realize the scope of what they have to deal with. They have more pieces out of service for repair than we do in service in the whole valley!

Anyway, I didn’t let em see me catch too many flies due to my mouth being wide open in awe and they gave us another fantastic tour. Rhett, Zach and I could sit and talk to members like the shop’s staff all day long .

We pulled out for a quick lunch on the go and headed out to the FDNY Training Center … THE ROCK ! Our day got even better.

TO BE CONTINUED …….

Read the 3rd and final part by clicking HERE

Posted by Iron Firemen on February 5, 2012 • Filed under: administration-leadership, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, funding-staffing, in-the-line-of-duty, line-of-duty, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: Captain Todd Stone, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Carlos Bake Shop, FDNY, FDNY LODD, FDNY Rescue 2, FDNY Rescue 4, FDNY shops, FDNY tool shop, FDNY's Red Square, Fire Critic, firefighter challenge coins, Firefighter Pete Mclaughlin, firefighter pics, firefighter traditions, firefighters, Hoboken Battalion Chief Greene, Hoboken Fire Department, Hoboken NJ, LODD, Lt. Rhett Fleitz, MN8 FoxFire, Queens NY, The Cake Boss, The Jersey Shore, Wooden ladders and Iron Firemen, Zach Green

Taking “Brotherhood” to the FDNY and so much more!

5 comments

I knows it’s been a few days since my last post but I have to tell ya. Our trips here lately are so jam packed and emotional that, for me; it takes a couple days for everything to sink in. I want to try to absorb everything we experience before attempting to write about it. We do however try to keep everyone updated via our Face Book pages.

Click HERE then “Like” to follow Ironfiremen.com on Face Book

This will take me a while to get out so it’s gonna a long one. I’ll spare you the pain and try to do it in 2 parts ….

Most of you know that our most recent trip had me, Rhett and Zach Green heading back to New York City. It started out as business and ended up being so much more (as it often does with the 3 of us). Zach called to tell me we needed to head back up and gave me the “high points” of our itinerary.

Once again, we would be stopping by FDNY’s famous Rescue 2 in Brooklyn. Read about our last visit to NYC and Rescue 2 by clicking HERE and HERE . I told Zach that there was NO WAY that we could go back into Rescue 2′s house empty handed after what happened to two of their members back on December 19th 2011.

Firefighters Weidmann and Gersbeck were critically injured while searching the upper floor of a brownstone fire in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Gersbeck was able to make the stairwell while Weidmann pushed through a wall of flame to reach an awaiting ladder on side “Alpha”. His unbelievable escape was caught on video… Click HERE to view the video .

Both of these members are still fighting to recover. They are fighting and suffering, their families are as well… emotionally, physically, psychologically, and financially. Rescue 2 set up a fund just for these situations … The Rescue 2 Mayday Fund. We knew right away what we needed to do .. raise some money for the fund!

We asked for donations and Zach offered to donate 50% of all online sales for the week (Mon-Mon) before our trip. Sattter 911, Bill Carey, Firefighter Nation, Fire / EMS Blog Network and MANY others helped in promoting the effort. It was a HUGE success!

Thanks to your efforts and support, Rhett, Zach and I handed over checks totaling more than $2,300.00 to Captain Liam Flaherty and the members of Rescue 2.

Captain Flaherty and his crew were VERY appreciative. We talked about all of the donations that have been making their way to the fund and how much each dollar counts. Not just each dollar into the fund … but every dollar out of your pocket. Captain Flaherty and the men of Rescue 2 understand how hard “times” are throughout the fire service and how difficult it is to give money away (donate) in these economic times. That’s what made these donations even more special … You most likely couldn’t afford it but you gave ANYWAY …That’s what BROTHERHOOD is all about.

I guess, in a way; we were able to show the men of Rescue 2 that the Brotherhood is alive and well… and not just in New York City. Knowing that a lot of you who donated were sacrificing something to do so (big or small) was very humbling. Again I say THANK YOU !

Keep in mind that Brothers Weidmann and Gersbeck (and their families) are not “out of the woods” yet. Firefighter Gersbeck is now recovering at home while Weidmann faces many more surgeries and extensive rehab (he was burnt over 54% of his body).

If you missed the chance to DONATE, you can still do so by clicking HERE

Photo by Lt Rhett Fleitz (FireCritic.com)

We got to spend some time at Rescue 2. The house and men within it are nothing short of AMAZING.

They had just placed their brand new rig .. a 2011 Ferrara into service on Saturday .. Liam said they were batting 700 … it already smelt like fire. We got the grand tour.

We also got to meet someone very special in my mind …Brendan Ielpi.

I had the honor of meeting Brendan’s father, Lee; back during our October 2011 visit. Lee Ielpi is a co-founder of the WTC Tribute Center and Chief Billy Goldfeder had arranged for him to give us a personal tour. It was one of the most emotional events of my life! I will never forgot the time I spent with Lee, and what he shared with us that day.

I still cry thinking about thinking about that visit. He kept a hand on me the entire time … a hand on my shoulder, clasping my hand into his or leading me by the arm and he was always looking me in the eyes. I can’t explain how it felt. How it feels still today. Somehow, for whatever reason; we forged a bond that day and it’s one I will carry for the rest of my life.

Read the post and learn more about Lee Ielpi by clicking HERE

Lee lost a son on September 11, 2011 at the World Trade centers. He and his other son Brendan went there that day to “do what they could”. They ended up looking (digging) for a son and brother, Jonathan; who responded in on FDNY’s Squad 288. Three months to the date, they found him but I don’t think Lee has ever “really” left.

Jonathan’s gear is now on display at The Tribute Center. Lee shared his story with us that day standing near that tribute (the gear). I can’t describe the COURAGE that must have taken. The HONOR, RESPECT and PRIDE.

Brendan was also on the job at the time of the attacks. He had traded some time and scheduled off to take a trip with some friends. After learning of the attacks, he picked up his father and responded into the City.

Now, just over 10 years later; Brendan is assigned to Rescue 2 and was pulling a tour when we stopped to visit. I could see his father in him and, for me; it brought back so much emotion. I understand the “father / son firefighters” relationship as my dad is also retired from the job. I don’t know why but I also feel as if us sons share some kind “bond”. As children, we’ve lived the life of a firefighter’s son. As adults, we spend our time trying to meet and live up to the expectations of 2nd generation firefighters who came behind such great men. I know that Lee is proud of Brendan and it was an HONOR to meet him.

You can learn more about the Brendan, Lee and some of what they went through and felt in those days, weeks, months and years since the attacks in a new book by Dennis Smith titled ”A Decade of Hope: Stories of Grief and Endurance from 9/11 Families and Friends” (Click the title for more info, exerts and purchasing) .

See more PHOTOS from our visit with FDNY’s Rescue 2 by clicking HERE

So, we headed back to the hotel to freshen up and would spend the rest of the evening in Hoboken, NJ.

I got pretty excited because Rhett and Zach decided we would eat at a topless restaurant. This trip was becoming more epic by the minute … Rescue 2, a Mayday Fund donation and now eating at a topless joint??? We need to go to New Jersey more often!

Turns out I think they were just teasing me cause this joint was REAL fancy and I didn’t see any topless women. Then when they brought the food out, it was just little teeny tiny portions and we all had to share. They laughed and told be it was “TOPAS” and not “topless” …LMAO. It was good food anyway.

And, turns out there was a firehouse right across the street.

These were some great men as well and we even got to meet their Battalion Chief.

He was there for a station / gear inspection but invited us in anyway. We had some great conversation and then I handed him one of our Brotherhood Chips.

Get you FireCritic / Ironfiremen.com Brotherhood Chip HERE

We took the chance to show the members some of the MN8-FoxFire Product line. Like everyone else who sees it for the first time, they were overtaken with “Glow Fever”.

The Chief was so excited that he invited us back to headquarters the next morning to meet the Chief!

Visit the Hoboken, NJ website by clicking HERE

The next morning, we stopped by a local bakery and bought some stale biscuits to take to the station … we try to never go into a firehouse empty handed. The members LOVED em! Rhatt and Zach called em bagels but they sure looked and felt like a stale biscuit or doughnut to me…LOL

TO BE CONTINUED ……

Now, see part 2 by clicking HERE and the 3rd and final part by clicking HERE

Posted by Iron Firemen on February 4, 2012 • Filed under: command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, funding-staffing, in-the-line-of-duty, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: 9/11, 9/11 attacks, A Decade of Hope, Brendan Ielpi, Brotherhood Chips, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Chief Billy Goldfeder, Dennis Smith, FDNY, FDNY Captain Liam Flaherty, FDNY Rescue 2, FDNY Rescue 2 Mayday Fund, Ferrara Fire Equipment, Fire Critic, firefighter donations, firefighter Gersbeck, firefighter injuries, Firefighter Weidmann, Hoboken Fire Department, Hoboken NJ, injured firefighters, Jonathan Ielpi, Lee Ielpi, Lt. Rhett Fleitz, MN8 FoxFire, Wooden ladders and Iron Firemen, WTC Tribute Center, Zach Green

I don’t know where we’re going but we’re making good time!

2 comments

LMAO … That saying used to hang in one of our fire houses … me saying (using) it is a part of keeping our history / tradition alive… some of the older members will remember it. It’s what Rhett and I are all about … those of you who understand will “get it” … Brotherhood, Honor, Respect, Tradition and Pride.
Hopefully, you all know by now that we are in New York City. We are here with Zach Green for MN8-FoxFire. Already, it’s been a GREAT trip and we’ve had a LOT of those here lately. That’s where my title came from…. everything that Rhett and I have worked for over the past few years is taking off in so many directions and at an unbelievable speed. I can hardly keep up. I’m beginning to think that maybe we are actually on the right path. I say that knowing that we HAVE been but that we also haven’t seen much result. Sometimes that’s discouraging but we are firemen … so we keep digging! It’s all we HAVE… all we KNOW and all we’ll DO.

Our trip this time has many objectives. Some I can talk about, others … not so much yet (stay tuned). First off, you all know about the “fund drive” we had to donate to the FDNY Rescue 2 Mayday Fund. Brothers Weidmann and Gersbeck were critically burned back in a December 19, 2011 fire in Crown Heights. Both members are struggling and fighting to recover still today.

This is where that fancy term you often hear us refer to as “The Brotherhood” comes in. Those members could just as easily have been us. Yea.. that could be me, you, your husband, wife or father laying in those hospital beds. Our families could be the ones trying to live without an extra income. Paying the added fuel costs of traveling back and forth to the hospital. We could have missed Christmas with our families and everything else these members have sacrificed. THINK ABOUT THAT ….. ANY day … ANY moment … we could be in these men’s shoes. I would hope that someone ( “The Brotherhood” ) would be there for our families as we were and ARE for theirs!

Zach called to tell me that we needed to be in New York this week and that one of our stops would be at Rescue 2. My thoughts automatically went to Brothers Gersbeck and Weidmann. I told him that there was NO WAY that we could walk into that house empty handed knowing what they had suffered. Together (along with Rhett) , we decided that raising money for their MAYDAY FUND was the best thing we could do to help.

The support we received from you folks .. our Brothers and Sisters was UNBELIEVABLE ! Today, we presented checks totaling over $2,300.00 to the fund! THANK YOU !

You can still donate directly by clicking HERE . Captain Flaherty and his members were VERY appreciative for your thoughts and efforts. Later, we’ll meet with the families and I’m sure they’ll feel the same.

I know I use the word a lot but it was actually HUMBLING to hand these checks over. Knowing where and who the money came from. WE WERE HONORED. We receive some large donations but in all honesty, it was the $2 and $5 dollar donations that stick out in my mind. That is a donation from someone who has to think about where their money is going and I don’t say that light heartily. Captain Flaherty and the members of Rescue 2 understand that as well.

In my last post, I spoke about Rhett and I speaking at the Swoope Volunteer Fire Company’s annual awards dinner. Those folks gave us a check for $100 towards the fund before we left. That’s $100 out of their budget. A $100 dollars that they most likely needed yet they felt as if these two brothers and their families needed it more. WHAT A GREAT EXAMPLE OF BROTHERHOOD. The exact thing Rhett and I traveled down to speak to them about. Like I said in my last post … our talk was only “reassurance” … the members of SVFC already “get it” !

I’m still on a “high” if you will from speaking at their Awards Dinner last Saturday night. A lot of you “bigger” Departments could learn a few lessons from this “small town, Va.” Company. They made a lasting impression on me and Rhett and we don’t get that every day.

Once again, I’ll go back to the word “VALIDATION” . These members renewed our purpose and got us focused back on the work at hand. IT’S AN AWESOME FEELING ! Rhett and I are once again STOKED and planning to take over the world!

A plaque presented to Captain Willie Wines Jr (Ironfiremen.com) from the Swoope Vol Fire Company in the window of his hotel room in NYC Jan 2012

LOL.. all kidding aside, Swoope was exactly what we needed to refocus.

Did you see the plaque they presented me? It meant so much to me that I even brought it along on this trip … yea.. I carried it all the way to NEW YORK CITY!

It INSPIRES me. I’m proud to have received it.

It says I “get it” and I don’t ever want to forget that or why I do … I also don’t want to let these folks down!

We ( The MN8-FoxFire Team) have a list of all who donated and each of you will soon be receiving personal thank you notes from us. I can honestly tell you that WE MADE A DIFFERENCE and again, I say THANK YOU!

I don’t know why Rhett and I have been blessed with so many opportunities to contribute to and make a positive impact on the Fire Service but I do know that we are greatful and HONORED. We do NOT take these blessings lightly or for granted.

It’s not about us … me, you, him or her. It’s about US … the Fire Service .. THE BROTHERHOOD. Maybe our small gestures will inspire greater ones from others ….

Stay SAFE and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on January 31, 2012 • Filed under: administration-leadership, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, funding-staffing, in-the-line-of-duty, news, Uncategorized • Tagged: brotherhood, building fires, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Captain Wines, FDNY, FDNY Rescue 2, FDNY Rescue 2 Mayday Fund, Fire Critic, firefighter Gersbeck, firefighter injuries, Firefighter Weidmann, firefighters, injured firefighters, Ironfiremen, IronFiremen.com, Lt. Rhett Fleitz, MN8 FoxFire, MN8 products, Rhett Fleitz, Willie Wines Jr, Wooden ladders and Iron Firemen, working ifres, Zach Green

TODAY!

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It seems like a lot of folks these days are always putting things (something) off until “tomorrow”. For this deal … there is NO tomorrow.

Last Monday, Rhett (The Fire Critic), Zach Green (MN8-FoxFire) and I came up with an idea and a way to support a GREAT cause … supporting 2 Brothers in need.

We are scheduled to head back to New York City in the morning . We have a very busy itinerary and one of our planned stops (visits) is to be with the Captain and members of FDNY’s elite Rescue 2 in Brooklyn.

Any of you reading this post should know by now of the fire back on December 19th 2011, in Crown Heights; that left 2 members of Rescue 2 critically injured. Firefighters Gersbeck and Weidmann are still recovering today.

Unbelievable VIDEO and details of that fire from Statter911 by clicking HERE

While Brother Gersbeck is now recovering at home, Weidmann remains in the hospital where he has undergone and faces MANY more surgeries. His road to recovery will be difficult, long and painful. It is just as difficult for his family.

Rescue 2 has a “fund” set up to help their members (and their families) in times of need just like this. They call it the “Mayday Fund”.

While Rhett, Zach and I were discussing our NYC trip, I mentioned that their was no way that we could be there and not make a special “check” on Brothers Weidmann and Gersbeck. Knowing the hardships their families were facing, I even thought… how cool would it be if we could raise a little money to help support them? Rhett and Zach jumped on the idea 100%. Zach even went as far as putting the MN8-FoxFire Team on it and agreed to donate 50% of all sales last week to the fund!

YEA… 50% of ALL online MN8-FoxFire sales over the past week (including today) will go to the Rescue 2 Mayday Fund!!

WHAT an AWESOME gesture!

Here’s the thing though … IT ENDS today. We leave tomorrow and need to have the amounts finalized and the check cut so we can personally deliver it later this week. This is your last chance to help us with this effort.

We even have it set up so you don’t have to make a purchase to donate… you can donate directly in any amount and every penny counts!

Think about the family driving back and forth to the hospital from Long Island… gas money. Think about then buying meals while in the city visiting their father / husband etc. Think about the bills piling up because these brothers haven’t been able to work their 2nd job.

WHAT IF THAT WAS YOU IN THAT HOSPITAL BED? WHAT IF IT WAS ME?

I think about it often and HOPE that there will be a group of members like Rhett, Zach and everyone who has donated thus far to help support and watch over my family.

This is what “Brotherhood” is all about …. if we don’t have this, what’s left? I’m not asking for much here … $5.00. I know times are tight. I know VERY well as my wife is unemployed. I’ll find the money … you can too.

Don’t have that cup of Duncan Donut’s coffee this morning. How about the change from lunch or dinner tonight …. THESE FAMILIES NEED AND CAN USE IT !

Visit the MN8-FoxFire site right NOW and DONATE .. (Click HERE )

TODAY … these brothers are fighting to recover. TODAY … their families sacrifice and suffer. What will YOU do to help TODAY?

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on January 30, 2012 • Filed under: administration-leadership, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, funding-staffing, in-the-line-of-duty, news, rescues, Uncategorized • Tagged: brotherhood, building fire, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Dave Statter, FDNY, Fire Critic, fire video, firefighter Gersbeck, Firefighter Weidmann, house fire, injured firefighters, Lt. Rhett Fleitz, MN8 FoxFire, MN8 products, Rescue 2, Rescue 2 MAYDAY Fund, Statter 911, Wooden ladders and Iron Firemen, Working fire, Zach Green

From the 4th floor… they JUMPED to their death!

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I’m not big on anniversaries. I don’t understand em as far as the Fire Service goes. On September 11th we always see “343″, and phrases like “NEVER FORGET”. Today, January 23, 2012; we will see photos, videos and read about FDNY members Lt. Joe DiBrnardo, FF. Jeff Cool, FF. Eugene Stolowski, FF. Brendan Cawley, Lt. Curtis Meyran and Lt. John Bellew. These are the men who were forced to leap from the 4th floor rather than face certain death while operating at a fire in the Bronx.

Lt. Curtis Meyran and Lt. John Bellew did not survive… THEY DIED. Just a few hours later, a 3rd FDNY member, FF Richard T. Sclafani of Ladder 103 lost his life in a Brooklyn blaze. The Fire Service now remembers that day as ” BLACK SUNDAY”….. it was 7 years ago today.

Like the 343 lost on 9/11, I try to remember these and all the other members lost in the Line of Duty EVERYDAY. I challenge you to do the same. Don’t just remember these brave men today ( because of a 7 year “anniversary” ) remember them tomorrow, the day after that, the next, next and so on.

PLEASE read my 2011 post on BLACK SUNDAY by clicking HERE

The same can be said about the “BROTHERHOOD”. The term is often times thrown around lightly. Many of us talk a good game but when it comes time to act … well, some of us talk a good game.

I have another prime example of that from just today. TODAY .. the 7th anniversary of BLACK SUNDAY. So many visible posts… Face Book comments, Tweets etc. ALL VISIBLE … we can see you.

Rhett and I have teamed up again with Zach Green and MN8-FoxFire (actually, we’ve always been a team … this is simply another venture). Because we’re heading to New York for business next week, we decided to make the trip BIG. The FDNY has lost MANY members. They’ve had had many more hurt or injured.

Still today two of Brooklyn’s Bravest lay recovering from critical, life threatening burns and injuries sustained in a December 19, 2011 Crown Heights fire. Firefighters Weidmann and Gersbeck have a long road to recovery ahead of them.

Zach, Rhett and I came up with a way to support the FDNY Rescue 2 MAYDAY Fund. This fund provides support ( MUCH NEEDED MONEY) to the families of their injured…. THAT’S BROTHERHOOD !

For 1 week ( today -Monday ) MN8-FoxFire will donate 50% of ALL ON-LINE SALES to the Rescue 2 MAYDAY Fund!

We even set it up so you don’t have to make a purchase … simply DONATE through the site. We’ve advertised, commented and posted about it EVERYWHERE and we’ve had a ton of support in doing so. It’s a GREAT cause! Our traffic ( “hits” ) have been VERY good but the donations … not so much.

I’m guessing that maybe it’s because it’s a “secure” site and nobody else can see that you’ve donated? This is not as visible as posting about ” BROTHERHOOD”.

If we had received .50 cent for every “hit” to the site today, we could have made a huge impact on the MAYDAY Fund… that didn’t happen! I’m shocked and disappointed.

We have the rest of the week remaining and I hope things will pick up. EVERY LITTLE BIT COUNTS. Gas in the tank for commutes to the hospital … supplement to a lost 2nd income … utility bills …groceries etc. Here’s your chance to truly HELP A BROTHER OUT! Nobody will see or know that you did but … DO IT ANYWAY!

Click HERE to view/purchase MN8-FoxFire products or to simply DONATE

(Hit the “Click HERE to support…” for the online store, then click the “Today’s Super Deals” box to donate directly)

Sorry for the “RANT” … this is IMPORTANT!

Stay SAFE and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on January 23, 2012 • Filed under: news • Tagged: Black Sunday, brotherhood, building fire, Captain Willie Wines Jr, fatal fire, FDNY, FDNY Rescue 2, FDNY Rescue MAYDAY Fund, Fire Critic, firefighter deaths, firefighter Gersbeck, firefighter injuries, Firefighter Weidmann, in the line of duty, LODD, Lt. Rhett Fleitz, MN8 FoxFire, Wooden ladders and Iron Firemen, Zach Green

Paying it forward … an investment in Brotherhood!

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We have some VERY exciting news!

Most of you know that I am a huge FDNY “buff”. More than that, Im a Fire Service buff … the Fire Service as a whole. I LOVE it. It’s who I am, what I do and all I know. Rhett (Lt. Rhett Fleitz / Fire Critic) and Zach (Zach Green / MN8 FoxFire) share my love, feelings and passion for “The Job”. We have posted quite a bit here lately on it … the ”Brotherhood”.

It’s more than a “catch phrase” for us, it’s a way of life and we would love nothing more than to infect you with it ( Read Becoming Infectious ).

The thing is … you have to do more than just talk about Brotherhood, you have to act. You have to do something (ANYTHING..big or small) to make a positive impact on the Service and aid our fellow Brothers / Sisters. Rhett and I try to do so everyday. Zach founded and entire company on that principle.

Today, we’re announcing our latest efforts and invite you to become a part of it!

Many of you will remember the December 19, 2011 fire in Brooklyn that seriously injured 2 members of FDNY’s Elite Company Rescue 2.

Firefighters James Gersbeck and Robert Weidmann were searching the top floor of a Brownstone when the entire floor flashed and trapped both members inside.

Firefighter Gersbeck was removed through the interior after somehow making it (diving into) the stairwell. Firefighter Weidmann made an unbelievable push through the flames making his way out a front window and onto an awaiting ladder.

Click the photo ( and then a 2nd time) for a larger version. The arrow points to firefighter Weidmann making his way to the window.

Incredible video and more coverage from Dave Statter by clicking HERE or from The Fire Critic HERE

These members are still recovering. It’s been a difficult (to say the least) 34 days with many, many more ahead. The members of Rescue 2 created a special fund to provided assistance to these members and their families. They call it the “Rescue 2 MAYDAY Fund”. I introduced you to it in a post titled ” MONEY WELL SPENT “ (click title for link).

The response was good but we need and wanted to do more…. here’s what we came up with…

Zach, Rhett and I will be in New York City for business the 1st week in February. So, for the next week (before our trip); we want to raise as much money as possible for Rescue 2′s MAYDAY Fund, Brothers Weidmann, Gersbeck and their families.

So, for the next week, today (Monday January 23, 2012) through next Monday (January 30, 2012) Zach will donate 50% of all online sales of MN8 FoxFire products to the fund!

50% of all ONLINE sales will go to the Rescue 2 MAYDAY Fund!

How AWESOME is that? A classic example of the Brotherhood at work by Zach and the entire MN8 FoxFire Team.

The offer is good for ANY MN8 FoxFire Products … Tetrahedrons, Helmet Bands, Equipment Bands, Tool Wrap or the Epoxy Kits!

The team has been hard at work giving the website and online store a new look while making it easier to navigate.

We’ve also included a way for you to donate to the fund without having to make a purchase!

Learn MORE, view the MN8 FoxFire Product line, make your PURCHASE or DONATE by clicking HERE

Zach, Rhett and I are VERY excited. I work for MN8 FoxFire because I believe in the product and the principles that the company was founded upon. Gestures like this only validate my reasoning.

EVERY product offered by MN8 FoxFire was designed with one thing in mind … FIREFIGHTER SAFETY!

It has been an honor to be a part of getting these products where they need to be…. in the hands of Firefighters and I’d like to THANK YOU for your support up to this point!

Please consider supporting us in this, our latest; endeavor. Click the link above, make a purchase or DONATE!

Follow MN8 FoxFire on Face Book

Visit the FDNY Rescue 2 Website

“MN8-Foxfire is a firefighter owned company offering energy efficient and eco-friendly
products utilizing breakthrough advanced illumination technology. MN8’s product
offerings for the fire safety industry, marketed under the name Foxfire®, have earned a
reputation for safety, high quality and are performance-proven. This is readily apparent in
Foxfire’s photoluminescent helmet bands, coating kits, grip wrap, equipment bands,

helmet tetrahedrons and other products. Both the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber and
Cincinnati Innovates have recognized MN8-Foxfire for its efforts in developing
technology that keeps firefighters safe. The company is headquartered in Wyoming,
Ohio, a Cincinnati suburb. “

Stay SAFE and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on January 23, 2012 • Filed under: administration-leadership, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, in-the-line-of-duty, news, rescues, Uncategorized • Tagged: brotherhood, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Epoxy Kit, Equipment Band, FDNY, FDNY Rescue 2, FDNY Rescue 4, Fire Critic, firefighter burns, firefighter donations, firefighter Gersbeck, firefighter pics, Firefighter Weidmann, firefighters, FoxFire Illuminating Helmet Band, helmet tetrahedrons, Lt. Rhett Fleitz, MAYDAY FUND, MN8 FoxFire, MN8 FoxFire Products, photoluminescent technology, Rescue 2 MAYDAY Fund, Tool wrap, Wooden ladders and Iron Firemen, Zach Green

Retirement Cluster, Bull riding and the 1st road trip of 2012!

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Yesterday ( January 10th. ), while on duty; I and several other members of the department (and City workers in general) attended a meeting on the proposed changes to our pension plan. It reminded me of a post I made 2 years and 1 day ago( to the date ) back on the “Melrose Misfit” Blog.

In that post, our Battalion Chief ( Bobbie Slayton ) had to pay us a visit and deliver the news that our Administration was busting the crew ( the order came from up high ..our Department is “micro-managed … the Battalion Chiefs can’t even run their own Battalions). I used a few ” visual aids ” to describe my/our feelings …. LMAO . The picture to right is one of those “visual aids”. I think I nailed it!

Take the time to visit that post by clicking HERE

Like I said, today brought back memories of that post. The funny thing was that “Coon” (past Melrose Misfit aka Scott Boone) was thinking the same thing. He made his way over to me and says .. “hey, you remember that post from back when they busted us up”… LMAO.

So the meeting ended up ok. I think our members brought out some very valid points that the “bean counters” hadn’t considered (or at least that’s how they acted). Believe it or not, for a room full of firemen; it was a very civil meeting. I do find it amazing how uneducated the people responsible for our pension plan is when it comes to “Public Safety” workers.

It’s also funny how folks in those positions can “tweek” numbers and figures to reflect what they want. We have been shown reports where they compare our plan to that of two of our neighboring jurisdictions. Both of those localities are on the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) .

The bottom line is that they both currently enjoy a better pension than we do despite the fact that our “multiplier” is slightly higher. One of the proposed changes is to lower our multiplier so to be “in line” with these other 2 localities. They already draw more than we do yet lowering our multiplier will bridge that gap??? Yea… that’s what we think but they have the “numbers” to prove it. Of course they’re not counting or figuring in their “LEO” benefits (among other factors).

I’m not going to bore ya with all the details, I just wanted to point out how funny it is that they “tweek” the numbers how they want and think we can’t / wont figure it out! Most other city workers soon faded out. We were 2 hours in and all that was left was firefighters. YEA … a room full of firefighters, an Assistant City Manager and some pension fund administrators! (ding ding)

Several of our members REALLY impressed me. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen multiple members stand up and say what’s on their mind…. what’s on ALL OF OUR MINDS ! The second video in that above link to the Melrose Misfit was a toilet flushing … THAT’S OUR MORALE ! It been there for a while.

The Assistant City Manager heard about it …. loud and clear … nothing held back.

I wont list all the members names who stood up but I will call out one …. Captain Todd Stone.

Todd is 100% firefighter and he “gets it”.

Captain Stone pulled no punches … he put it all on the table. He even went as far as to speak out about the accommodations they had prepared for us ( we met in a “mezzanine” where 2/3 of the crowd had to stand).

Again, I wont go into detail but I do want to say THANKS to Captain Stone for all he does. President / coach of our football team, IAFF L-1132 A-shift VP, strong Captain, good friend and BROTHER. He set the example yesterday and we need more like him! ( I just wonder where Admin will transfer him to??? LOL )

Ok, BULL RIDING!

I posted this pic on my Face Book page

Follow me on Face Book by clicking HERE ( then “Like” )

I stole this picture from good friend and fellow Blogger Kelly Grayson . I LOVE IT.

It reminds me of “The Buckaroo” . I just wish I knew what the bull was thinking…LOL

Anyway, I showed the pic to the Buckaroo and he had a fit! He thinks it looks like him too …. hell, he thinks it IS him.

We had a little discussion about the pic and bull riding that I caught on video. I know how much you guys LOVE the Buckaroo videos so here he is sharing his thoughts on the picture …….

I have to wrap it up for now and get on the road. I’m heading out for the 1st IronFiremen.com “road trip” of 2012.

It’s not the 1st Ironfiremen / FireCritic.com road trip because Rhett is not going. Yep … I gotta go this one alone!

Rhett is so ~~hen pecked~~ errrrrr busy that he can’t get away for this one. It’s ok because it’s going to be a quick up and back to Ohio anyway.

I’m heading up to the Fox Fire World Headquarters in Wyoming, Ohio. Zach Green of MN8-FoxFire is working on some awesome projects for 2012. It’s going to be a GREAT and exciting year and the Fire Critic and Ironfiremen.com will be right in the middle of it… I CAN’T wait!

I’ll also get to see one of my favorite gals …. Mariah Leavitt from Fire Rescue TV . I can’t “spill the beans” or give out any details yet but you are going to want to pay VERY CLOSE attention to these two companies in 2012 and the very near future.

I’ll try to update ya from Ohio but in the mean time …

Follow and “Like” Fire Rescue TV on Face Book .. click HERE

Do the same for MN8-FoxFire by clicking HERE

Ok, I’m on the road … may even swing into a station or two along the way…. I’m kinda hurting this morning ( we caught a little work last night ). I think I’ll be home late Friday night but I’ll try to update sometime before. Until then ….

Stay SAFE and in House!

Captain Wines

Posted by Iron Firemen on January 11, 2012 • Filed under: administration-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, funding-staffing, news, Uncategorized, videos • Tagged: bull riding, Captain Todd Stone, Captain Willie Wines Jr, Captain Wines, City pension plans, Fire Rescue TV, firefighter pics, firefighters, Fox Fire, funny videos, IAFF, IAFF L-1132, Lt. Rhett Fleitz, Mariah Leavitt, MN8 FoxFire, MN8 products, The Fire Critic, Zach Green

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Rhett gave his take on the issues in a previous post found HERE .

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You can also read a “FDIC Wrap up Part 1” post from Rhett

Meet us at FDIC 2012 in the MN8-FoxFire Booth #3026

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Voting has begun for the 2012 Fire & EMS Blog of the Year !

Click HERE to review nominations and VOTE for the 2012 Fire & EMS Blogs of the Year

Click HERE for DETAILS, RULES and how to SUBMIT

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Visit NM Coins web site HERE or find them on Face Book HERE

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Click to see PART 1 and Part 2 of this post

Thanks to your efforts and support, Rhett, Zach and I handed over checks totaling more than $2,300.00 to Captain Liam Flaherty and the members of Rescue 2.

Read the post and learn more about Lee Ielpi by clicking HERE

YEA… 50% of ALL online MN8-FoxFire sales over the past week (including today) will go to the Rescue 2 Mayday Fund!!

Visit the MN8-FoxFire site right NOW and DONATE .. (Click HERE )

We have some VERY exciting news!

50% of all ONLINE sales will go to the Rescue 2 MAYDAY Fund!

This House WILL NEVER FORGET

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