Political stories from The Roanoke Times-Republicans pick up key endorsements

Mark McConnel, one of the three endorsed candidates of the Roanoke Fire Fighters Association (RFFA) is a Republican. Recently he has gained momentum in his quest for Roanoke City Council. The article below speaks of recent endorsements including RFFA Local 1132. The other two endorsed candidates from the RFFA are David Bowers and Granger Macfarlane, both Democrats.

Political stories from The Roanoke Times-Republicans pick up key endorsements:

Republicans pick up key endorsements

By Todd Jackson

Mark McConnel, a Republican candidate for Roanoke City Council, picked up two endorsements late this week, one from the Roanoke Firefighters Association and another from former Democratic council candidate Evelyn Bethel.

The firefighters' group became the first politically active city group to split its city council endorsements this year between the two political parties, asking voters to use their three votes on Tuesday to support McConnel and Democrats David Bowers and Granger Macfarlane.

On Friday morning, Bethel, a former Democratic council candidate who had to drop out of this year's race because of an unexpected health problem, announced that she's supporting McConnel and his Republican running mate, Stuart Revercomb. Bethel said it's the first time she's ever endorsed any Republican, but she said she felt compelled to this year because she believes McConnel and Revercomb are clearly the best candidates in the race.

The firefighters group, one of the most influential groups of its kind over the years, believes the election will be a deciding event in city history. Association President Rodney Jordan said the election will decide whether the city has a government that dictates to the citizens or one in which people have a say through their elected officials.(Read More)

Roanoke Blogging Group

Today, the area bloggers met up for the first time. At least some of us did. We hope to catch up to a lot more next time. Needless to say, it was a good time. The people who attended our first meeting, held at De Expresso, were Keith and his wife (Just another day in Roanoke), Elena (Ms. Elenaeous), Andrew (Technology Futures), ATL (Lotzothoughts), Pam (HallsofBlueRidge), and of course yours truly. It was an interesting group of people of all walks of life. The blogs represented were from across the board. The one who surprised me was Andrew (Technology Futures) who is from Blacksburg. He joined us, although I had not heard of him. I had seen his blog from the Roanoke.Com Blogroll (scroll to the bottom), but we hadn't crossed paths.

After our initial introduction, we talked about all sorts of things. From restaurants to WiFi, from politics to past-times. The interesting thing is that not one of us was born in Roanoke, and only one of us was raised in Roanoke. All of us were born North of Virginia, and none of us live in the City Limits currently. However all of us hold downtown Roanoke near and dear to our hearts. Most of us are from bigger Cities, and know what possibilities lie ahead for Roanoke. We all feel we know what Roanoke is missing, and what opportunities have been taken and passed on in developing the downtown area.

It was definitely interesting meeting up with so many strong personalities at one time. Each of us has our purpose in blogging, some broader than others. Some of us run more than one blog. For instance, I have my family blog which I may not update as much as I should.

There are certainly some other bloggers from the area that I would love to meet. I will not name names, but they are in my Links on the right under Roanoke Area Blogs. Some of the area blogs are very intriguing.

To a point, if you were to take all of the Roanoke area blogs together, you will find better, more interesting, and more in depth thought than you might read in the paper or hear on the news. I am not saying that we could take the place of them, because they are the ones who report initially, and have the ability to do so. What I am saying is that many area bloggers can take a story and really showcase it. Take for instance a fire. The Roanoke Times or one of the News Channels may have someone on hand pretty quick, but I can give more of a story line with more pictures and explain certain details that a reporter may not be educated on. Of course I couldn't report a lot of the pictures and details without feedback of my co-workers for which this site is named.

The meeting went well, and we are planning another one soon, so if any of you would like to be incorporated next time, let us know. We will probably be sending out invitations as well, so you know about it for sure, but an invite will not be required to participate.

Just another day in Roanoke

If there are any other blog authors out there who would like to meet up, come on down. There is a group of local bloggers, me included, who are getting together tomorrow for the first time. The individuals involved run the whole gamat of blog types. From what I understand there has been a meeting of the Floyd area bloggers already. So even if you want to learn about blogging, or want to meet one of the local bloggers, come on down. It should be fun.

Just another day in Roanoke:

An open invitation:
Well, you wanted an open call, hows this for an open call?

This is an open invitation to come down and meet the Bloggers, Saturday April 29th, between 3-5pm at De Espresso on Jefferson St. downtown.


Confirmed: RoanokeFound (moi)
Roanoke Firefighters
Ms. Elenaeous
LotzOThoughtz

And many more..

Just a reminder that De Espresso is WiFi-friendly, so bring your laptops. With any luck - we will be running a live blog of the event. Possible AudioBlog posts as well. And (blackmail) photos for sure.

Remember to bring a couple of bucks for the coffeeman, and your sense of fun.

This could be the first in a series of get-togethers, so if you miss this one, you have only yourself to blame.

That is all...

Alleged EMT Grade-Changing Under Investigation at Ohio Fire Academy — Emergency Medical Services (EMSResponder.com)

So the fix is in. Who wants this kind of liability. Read on.


Alleged EMT Grade-Changing Under Investigation at Ohio Fire Academy — Emergency Medical Services (EMSResponder.com):

Alleged EMT Grade-Changing Under Investigation at Ohio Fire Academy

Story by nbc4i.com

A state investigation is under way into alleged grade-changing at the Ohio State Fire Academy in Reynoldsburg. It's raising questions about public safety and whether the people providing the public with emergency medical care have been properly certified.

The following is a transcript of Nancy Burton's report, shown on NBC 4 at 11 p.m. on April 27, 2006.

Nancy Burton: If 70 is passing, you can see from this report obtained by NBC 4 more than half the students who took the EMT exam at the State Fire Academy in Reynoldsburg last December failed the final exam. Anything below 70 percent means students are not permitted to sit for the national registry exam, which they must also pass to become certified emergency medical technicians.(Read More)

Safety Group Challenges Unhealthy Firehouse Lifestyles - Firehouse.com News

This is a topic which has become more important to me recently. As I have realized that sitting around all day eating with little or no activity is not a good thing. Therefore, I have begun working out when I find the time. This usually consists of going to the downtown YMCA to do lift some weights and run on the treadmill. I have bought a trainer for my bike at work which I try to get some use out of here and there. In my department, only a couple of stations have state of the art (translation - usable) equipment. My station is not one of them. From what I have heard, we are waiting on grant money for more equipment and my station is next in line. Some of our stations have pretty decent equipment. It is good to see the department making a conserted effort to help us.

The idea of a workout regiment or exercise policy would probably scare the hell out of a lot of firemen. Anytime you tell firemen that they have to do something they are not going to like it. However, if you incorporate a reward system you will gain many supporters.


Safety Group Challenges Unhealthy Firehouse Lifestyles - Firehouse.com News:

RICHARD COWEN
North Jersey Media Group :: The Record

For firefighters, it's a fact of life -- and death.

Every year in the United States, about 100 firefighters die in the line of duty, but most aren't killed by smoke, flames or collapsing buildings.

They die from heart attacks.

In New Jersey, 80 percent of firefighter deaths since 2004 have been linked to heart attacks.

Dashing into a burning building and up six flights of stairs lugging 60 pounds of gear is a severe test for even a young firefighter in top condition. But for an older firefighter who is out of shape and hasn't seen a doctor in years, that dash up the stairs could be the ticket to an early death.

Despite the danger, recent studies have shown that fire departments in New Jersey do little to promote health and fitness among members. Few require annual physicals -- firefighters cite prohibitive costs and fears that poor results could thwart careers -- or offer even simple fitness equipment like treadmills and weights.

"For a firefighter, there is enormous stress on the heart," said Maggie Wilson, health and safety coordinator for the National Volunteer Fire Council, a Washington, D.C., lobbying group. "It's 2:30 in the morning and the firefighter is fast asleep when the alarm goes off. He goes from being in a deep sleep to rushing off to fight a fire. That requires a tremendous surge of adrenaline. If a firefighter's blood pressure is 200 over 120 and he doesn't know it, he's in deep trouble.(Read More)

Roanoke City Elections

While I am not the most educated fireman when it comes to politics, I think I know enough to comment. What the hell is the deal with the Raonoke Times and the Independents? Am I the only to notice that it seems as though "For the City" has the newspaper in their back pocket. Look at the front page of the Times yesterday. "$308,332 makes the most expensive campaign ever". I guess everyone is on the edge of their seat to see money can buy the Roanoke City Council Election. Sure I know that contributions have a lot to do with making it or not, but let's be real. What has this ticket really have to offer?

What really set me off was today's article about Ralph Smith backing the Republicans and one of the Democrats. He got them all together for a press release and made the statement. The Roanoke Times reports it as it should be. HOWEVER, look at the last paragraph. They ask Fred Hutchins, a political candidate for the Indies about what he thinks. Who cares what he thinks. We already know what he thinks, and what the Indies think.

I feel as though the Firefighters, as well as the rest of Public Safety + other City Employees, have a lot riding on this election. Local 1132 has decided to endorse McConnel, Bowers, and Macfarlane. It is a chopped ticket, and probably the best choices out of all of them. Revercomb is right up there too. But they could only pick 3, and so it shall be.

I guess the biggest thing is for the City Residents to get out and vote. To borrow an EMS term, I believe you could say that the City is "Circling the Drain". I just hope we get the right people in their to make the right decisions.

Maybe the Times could be a little less obvious when it comes to endorsements.

Local business fundraising for sick child

If you have any old cell phones to raise money for this child. I would be happy to collect old cell phones for this cause. If you want just get them to me and/or put them in the department mail and send them to me at station10. Check out Ian's Site. I know I have two old cell phones in my truck.


Roanoke Virginia Real Estate Blog - Local business fundraising for sick child:

Local business fundraising for sick child

IanCCS-Inc (aka Comprehensive Computer Solutions) is raising money for baby Ian H.

Ian was born with Biliary Atresia and is in need of a life-saving transplant. The employees and families of CCS are having several fundraisers (with the help of COTA) to help offset the $100,000 cost of the transplant.

Upcoming events-

May 16, 2006 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm - Make & Take Stamp Event (Radford Rec Center)
May 20, 2006 from 7:00am to ? - Garage Sale (Central United Methodist Church, Radford)
June 30, 2006 - Golf Tournament sponsored by CCS (Auburn Hills, Radford)

Please consider helping the fundraising by attending one of these events.

Also, they are collecting used cell phones for recycling. We receive $3 for each phone so if you would like to recycling your old phone(s) and help a young child in need, For more information or pick up of your phone(s), please call me at 397-0014 in Roanoke or John Herndon at (800) 277-3077 in Radford.

Google Videos

Here is a funny Mastercard/Priceless Firefighter video - Link


I am still learning. So here is my first video feed on the blog. It may not be the best, but it is true.

NFPA Does Second ''Needs Assessment'' Study - Firehouse.com News

Here is an interesting article. FYI, Roanoke Fire-EMS follows certain NFPA Standards, but not all of them. They utilize it more as a guideline than anything else. Some departments have adopted some or all of the Standards. This is costly ($) but the benefits can be substantial in the long run. Especially Standards such as 1500 and 1710. Look for a post about the different Standards soon.

NFPA Does Second ''Needs Assessment'' Study - Firehouse.com News:

Since the 2001 survey, the total number of firefighters has increased by 1 percent (1,101,250), the number of career firefighters has increased by 11 percent (294,100) and the number of volunteer firefighters has decreased by 2 percent (807,150). The study shows that more departments' initial complement of personnel still falls short of the minimum of four to launch an interior attack.

Running in conjunction with the second needs assessment was an effort to determine if money from the FIRE Act, or now The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program, had made any difference in solving department needs problems and resources requested and granted to the same fire departments in 2001-2004. To date about $2.5 billion has gone directly to fire departments in grants for their specific needs. It was determined that "this analysis can only be taken as a rough indicator of the match between needs and resources." But some needs were substantially reduced during this period such as the percentage of departments without enough SCBA to equip a shift, a decline from 36 percent to 28 percent. And the percentage without enough personal protective clothing declined by 32 percent. (Read More)

HTR Incident pics are up

The HTR images have been added to the Local 1132 website.

The Roanoke City Council Endorsements have been added as well.

The format of the Local site has changed a bit. In order to keep you all up to date the homepage lists any updates as well as the links to them.

Check out the images and all the other good stuff over at Local 1132.

http://www.local1132.org

LAFD News & Information

Check out this information via the LAFD News and Information Blog. This is something I know nothing about, other than it is not something I want to be around.

LAFD News & Information:

With recent confirmation, yet at-times mysterious or sensational reports that one Los Angeles woman has contracted bubonic plague, we wanted to remind you that factual sources of information remain available to you about this well documented disease.

We encourage you join us in learning about plague, while separating the fact from fiction:

# CDC Plague Information

# California Department of Health Services Plague Brochure (PDF)

# LA County Department of Health Services

# LA County DHS Communications Office

Visit the website for the links (Read More)

Technorati tags: Bubonic Plague

Breaking news from The Roanoke Times-Crews rescue workers hurt at treatment plant

WDBJ7 Story Here
Includes video links.

Breaking news from The Roanoke Times-Crews rescue workers hurt at treatment plant:

Crews rescue workers hurt at treatment plant

Two construction workers were injured Friday morning in an accident at Roanoke’s Regional Water Pollution Control Plant, authorities said.

According to Scott Shirley, director of wastewater operations for the Western Virginia Water Authority, the workers, employed through a contractor called Fru-Con, were working on the construction of a new pump station. They were standing on a suspended platform in a sloped pit approximately 30 to 40 feet deep.

Shirley said the two workers were using a hose to direct wet concrete when, at about 9:20 a.m., the hose experienced a pressure surge. The force of the surge threw the two workers off balance and they fell approximately five feet to the bottom of the pit.

Both workers were injured, said Roanoke Fire-EMS Battalion Chief Ralph Tartaglia, who was not able to estimate their condition but said one of the workers was ambulatory while the other worker’s injuries were more serious.


L-R Chris Brown, Mark Brown, Jamie Brads, Brian Adkins, Baron Gibson, David Ploch, Becky Smith, Brian Fichtner, Jeff Beckner, Davel Muse, John Willdigg, Trevor Shannon, Matt Dewhirst, David Lucas, Marvin Huddleston, John Sweeney, Dennis Duncan. Kneeling in front L-R Todd Harris, Mark Kesterson, Mark Bailey. By the looks of the picture the Units on Scene were BC-1, RS-1, HTR 6, E-6, E-5, E-11, L-1, L-7, M-6, and M-1 transported 2 patients.

I will put more pictures up on the Local site in the next couple of days as they come in. If you have any, please send them in. Thanks to Kent McIlhany for the pictures.

New Student-Designed System Tracks Firefighter And Special Forces

I was talking to Lt. Baron Gibson, our resident expert on Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), the other day about new technologies in the World of SCBA. He stated that in the next 7 - 10 years we will have GPS enabled tracking of each Firefighter while working inside a structure. I found an article below about this technology. This could be one of the biggest advance

New Student-Designed System Tracks Firefighter And Special Forces:

New Student-Designed System Tracks Firefighter And Special Forces

William Goh, a University of Florida senior in electrical and computer engineering, holds a personal digital assistant displaying a map in his right hand and a GPS device in his left hand on Wednesday, April 12, 2006. Goh and six other engineering students tailored the components to create a system that can track forest firefighters and special operations soldiers in remote, rugged terrain. The system also allows the firefighters or soldiers to communicate with each other or with remote commanders or observers via short text messages.

The old technique of using push pins and maps to track troop movements just got a radical new upgrade for soldiers or firefighters in rugged terrains.

A group of University of Florida engineering students has designed a system to locate, track and communicate with special forces troops or firefighters in remote areas where no cell towers or other communications infrastructure exist.

The system allows soldiers or firefighters to pinpoint their own and their comrades' whereabouts on digital maps displayed on handheld personal digital assistants. It can transmit this information via satellite phone, making it available to Internet-connected commanders or observers anywhere in the world. It even gives users the option of punching a panic button or sending text messages such as "need more water," "pull me out," or simply "help!"(Read More)

Technorati tags: GPS Firefighter

IAFF Logo on Ebay

I am a proud International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) member as well as a member of the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters (VPFF) and the Roanoke Fire Fighters Association (RFFA). As an IAFF member we are entitled to displaying the IAFF Sticker on our vehicles. This is a symbol of Pride and Brotherhood. I travel a lot by Interstate and I enjoy seeing other stickers out there. I have read of Brothers/Sisters being assisted by other IAFF members in a time of need all because the sticker in the window.

Any IAFF member is able to get these stickers. As a Sec./Treas. of my Local (1132) I know that each year we are sent the typical red IAFF stickers. If we want we can purchase customized IAFF stickers through OregonFire.com. But you have to have proof of IAFF membership to order, either by letterhead or by your Local's Check.

Unfortunately there are people out there who see the sticker as a possible way of getting out of a speeding ticket, etc. These people will go through great lengths to get a hold of an IAFF Sticker to display in their window. Currently there is a sticker going for $25 on Ebay, View the Item. You can view similar IAFF items for sale on Ebay HERE.

As an IAFF member you are doing yourself an injustice to sell IAFF logo items on Ebay or elsewhere unless you can guarantee that the buyer is an IAFF member. It is obvious to me that if someone is bidding $25 on Ebay for an IAFF sticker then that person is not an IAFF member, because an IAFF member can get them for free through their local.

In the South the name given to somebody who might use the IAFF Sticker without being an IAFF member might be a "Scab" a "Squirrel" or "Tick", in the north they might call them a "Mutt" or "Pimp".

Whatever you call them, they are definitely Wanna-Be's.

Foam Training

I don't know about your department, but we do not get to do too much foam training. We also have some on board foam systems which are a little bit confusing if you don't flow foam often. Captain Banks and I rode down with Engine 10 to do some foam training. As you can see from the picture below we got a little bit of foam introduced into the foam tank. This is common from what I hear. There is a Direct Tank Fill that needs to be utilized during foam operations to keep this from happening. Ok, lesson learned. After all, we had done foam training about a 1 1/2 months ago and didn't have this problem. I think we were using the correct intake though.


Above you can see Lt. Dean Russell (E10) walking, although I am not sure who is on the line. We were testing a new foam nozzle. It is a task force tip with an aerating attachment on it. This is to replace the old solid tube foam nozzles. I am not sure why we went with the new nozzles, not that I don't like new equipment to play with. I just do not think the new ones work as well as the old ones. You don't have the reach that the old ones offer. I have only used the new one once, I look forward to doing more testing on it.
Here is a picture of Lt. Stacy Boothe (E14) on the left and Yours Truly on the right. It isn't everyday that I get a picture on this blog.

Team in Training

You want a good cause that you can support without doing anything but donating a little bit of money? Here it is. My wife has made the dedication to run the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco on October 22nd, 2006. She needs to raise $4500 for the event. The cause is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Becky will be running with a friend from work. Visit her WEBSITE to donate.


Team in Training:

Becky Fleitz's Team In Training Page
Racing to Save Lives

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

I am training to participate in the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I'm completing this marathon in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance the Society's mission.

I hope you'll visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support!

The Block is on, and I admit to it...

Today, Keith over at Roanoke Found stated he had writers block. Well I think that I have it worse, not quite something I am proud of.

To be fair, it might not be writers block. It might just be the fact that I am taxed.

Sure, I may not be running 20 calls a day at work, or any for that matter. And yes I did have last cycle off.

But the truth of the matter is that I might be getting burned out. Burned out of everything, except for my family that is. They are number 1.

No matter what station I work at, what my assignment is, what I did that day, I still have my Children and my Wife at home waiting for me.

I also have just finished Officer II and I am in the middle of Instructor II class. It has given me a break from the Credit Union. I don't really need a break from that place. That is the one place I get time to myself. With the ability to walk downstairs and have some camaraderie with A-Shift and Dave "The third Blues Brother" Sexton, or B-Shift who always enjoy jumping on my back about the latest rumors.

Which leads me to the next thing. I am not exactly sure why I am considered to be certain namesakes on another website by some of you. Why do you think I the only one with an opinion? You guys really must think I have too much time on my hands. Well truth be known, I wish I had that kind of time.

So maybe for the first time since this sites inception I have reached a plateau. This could cost readers for a very dynamic website. And by the stats, the site has slowed down. But I notice when I put a controversial or thought provoking post up.

Like the Medic/Officer pay post. From what I understand, this post got some people thinking. It also made some Captains realize that they are underpaid, or that the Medics are overpaid. Which ever way you look at it. I did get some feedback on the figures I used. I was off in my calculations by a little bit. I should have used an average of somewhere around 3.5% instead of 2.5%.

The RFFA has kept me busy, and you might have noticed a decrease in posting since taking office in January.

Now that I look at it, this was an informative post for admitting writers block.

I will attempt to keep up, but I do have a lot going on.

Chef Jeff Online

Check out this event coming up soon. This would be a great event for the Firefighters to get together, cook some of that Famous Price BBQ, set out the Fire Safety House, and mingle with the public. Let me know if you are interested. There are some other events coming up soon like the Chili Cook off and Festival in the park.


Chef Jeff Online:

Blue Ridge BBQ Battle


If you live in the Roanoke area, or close by, please be sure to check out the 2006 Blue Ridge Blues and Barbecue Festival on July 22nd at historic Henry Street. There will be tons of blues, great food, and the first annual Blue Ridge BBQ Battle! I am the coordinator of the battle and we need people to compete! Check out http://www.blueridgebbqbattle.com or http://www.blueridgeblues.org/ for more information!

Not having a good day?

Not having a good day, it could be worse. This dozer was being trailered by a semi on I-285 in Atlanta when it suddenly met its match, a steel beamed bridge. I am not exactly sure how he made it this far without hitting anything. I would have taken a picture of the bridge, but it was about 200 yards behind the dozer. The accident closed down all lanes of traffic and filtered the four lanes into one on the shoulder.

Fire Service History

Check out this new site I found. It chronicles historical fires and the like. It seems to be an up and coming blog related to the fire service. Check out the history on the Maltese Cross. There is also information on the Star of Life.

Fire Service History:

History of the Maltese Cross
I ran across this article tonight while looking for another article to post on. The entire article is gleaned from another website from along time ago, I wish I could reference and give proper credit to the original author, web-host, and the contributors. Some people have asked about the origins of the fire service. This symbol is an ancient representation of the fire service.
The Maltese Cross

The eight-point Maltese Cross is the international symbol of the fire service's willingness to make great
sacrifices in order to protect others from the ravages of fire. It is a badge of courage and honor and it story is
hundreds of years old.

This honored symbol originated with a group of eleventh century knights who were serving in a Jerusalem
hospital. They became known as the Order of Knights Hospitaller and later became the Knights of St. John. This
charitable organization cared for the ill with great compassion.(Read More)

Technorati tags: Maltese Cross, Fire history