The December 2006 Retirees Breakfast

Yesterday, December 12^th, was the second Retirees Breakfast at the Union Hall. Approximately 50 retirees attended who seemed to enjoy the camaraderie. It was really good to see all the guys enjoying each others company and able to get together in a large group to reminisce about “Back in the Day”. There were guys there who retired 20+ years ago up to our last retiree John Sweeney, who retired last month.

Willie Wines Jr. kicks off the breakfast and welcomes the Retirees

Willie Wines Sr., his buddy the Larry the “Governor”, Willie Wines Jr., Brent Berry, Wayne Hall, Stacy Boothe, and J.J. Price cooked up one hell of a spread for the guys. They should be commended for the breakfast they served to the group. We appreciate the job they have done for the second time now. Next time you see those guys be sure to say thanks.

Travis Collins, George Perdue, and Mike Overacker attended and were able to capture the event with photographs. Thanks to all the other guys who attended and helped out including R. T. Flora, Kenny Furrow, Rodney Jordan, and Jon Willdigg.

The Retirees seemed to really enjoy the event once again. I think that all the current firefighters really enjoyed seeing the “Old” guys have such a great time.

“Firefighting in Roanoke” the recently published pictorial history of the Fire Service in Roanoke was available for the guys to purchase and most of the guys got one. I think the best part of the event was that the guys were having their comrades sign the book like high school students signing a yearbook. I think that Gary Moorefield’s Wife started off the signing and she would not let anyone leave before they signed her book. There were enough stories told that day to write another book.

George Perdue signs "Big Daddy" Sullivan's Book

There were a couple more spouses than the last one present at the event. It was great to see the excitement that they shared in their husbands careers.

After it was all over with, it was fun to kick back with the guys who had helped with the event and chew the fat. It was good to open up the Union Hall for another event. It seems as though the building is being used more and more for events. If any of you firefighters have an event coming up let us know if you want to use it.

From what I understand, the “Billy Obenchain” T-Shirts sold pretty good after the event at station 2. If you want to get a hold of one of the shirts, stop by station 2 on any shift and they will have one for you. Here are some pictures of the event, I will have the rest up on the Local site tomorrow.

The Union Hall was a packed house

The guys look over the book "Firefighting in Roanoke"

Amanda Codospoti, a reporter with the Roanoke Times, was able to interview many retirees for an article she is working on for the paper. Look for something on Friday in the paper possibly.

New Station Assignments

The moves are out. There are many changes among the stations.

Luckily, for me it was good news. I will be rejoining the ranks of the Red Fire Trucks and working at 13 on C-Shift. Prior to being promoted I was working at 13 on B-Shift and I was on C-Shift prior to that.

It seems as though, from the new assignments, several people might be asking "What did I do to get moved". What do you think?

click to view the list

Retired Firefighter Mike Overacker on Roanoke.com

Mike Overacker, a retired Roanoke Firefighter, was on The Roanoke Times Webcast on Monday December 11th. He was featured due to his role as the Roanoke Valley Astronomical Society President and his photograph which captured the Space Shuttle as it passed through the sky over Roanoke. Check it out.

Information about Scott Bailey currently serving with the Marines in Iraq

I was forwarded this email from Scott Bailey's Mother. Scott is doing well and currently serving in Iraq with the Marines. His address is included and he appreciates correspondence. The firefighters on B- Shift at Station 2 put together a care package for him. I think it weighed over 100 lbs. It was sent out yesterday and should reach him in about a week. I will try and get his email address and post that as well.

The email reads:
"I got a phone call from Scott today. He was also able to call Kira. Lines for the phone were long. He was well and seemed to be in good spirits. They are working long, hard hours.

He is currently working out of the Haditha dam area. Apparently they are going out for days/weeks at time on missions, then coming back to the dam. When at the dam, they are sleeping on cots in a workroom. This is a temporary assignment, then he will be moving further west toward the Syrian border. I think the outpost near that area is at Rawah. He has limited phone service and no computer service right now. He believes he will have some computer access when he gets to his next post.

He has been getting some cooked foods in addition to MRE's. In fact, he said they had been able to set up a grill of some sort and he and another Marine were the "grill masters" -- something he loves to do.

Things he can use include batteries (AAA and AA) - beef jerky, packets of tuna, chicken - protein sources. Protein bars would probably also be good. Individual serving sizes of snack foods like peanuts, cashews. Socks, hygiene products will also be needed. He left with a supply of things, but will have limited access to replenish.

He has not yet received any letters from home - -but I assured him that they would be coming soon.

I have attached a couple maps on powerpoint that show where Haditha and Rawah are located.

For those who still need the address:

Cpl Bailey, Scott D.
4th CEB DET HQ Support
Unit 41790
FPO AP 96426-1790

You can also send letters by going to motomail.us and setting up an account. With motomail, you type in your letter and they print it out in country - then deliver it. I would not send "secure" information this way though. I usually type my letter in WORD, then paste over in motomail b/c if i get interrupted, it will time out.

I will let you know when I hear more. Thanks to everyone for their support and prayers.

-Carol "

Catch Up

There are many posts which I have meant to upload. I have not had the time, so you will have to wait a little longer. There will be a post tomorrow on the Retirees Breakfast. I hope to incorporate pictures as well. The guys really had a great time.

The book has made it's rounds to most stations by now. If you have not had the chance to get a copy yet, let me know and I will get one to you. We have sold around 150 copies so far. We have plenty left. The response to the book has been great.

This is a big week (this year) for the Fire-EMS Department. The moves will be listed, letting many firefighters know where they will be working in January. Many of them want to move, many don't. Some have to due to promotions and the new recruits who might have been temporarily filling a hole until the new roster comes out.

Word has it that there are three internal applicants for the Chief's position with Roanoke Fire-EMS; Acting Chief Hoback, Battalion Chief Roger Manuel; and a Captain which has been unconfirmed. I heard today that Chief Birch, Roanoke County Fire-EMS Chief, has applied for the position as well. But don't hold me to it. The next year will certainly be interesting for the Department. Many changes are on the way.

Firefighting Turbine

Check out the video on this post about a firefighting turbine. This is pretty wild. (link)

The new features of the blog

OK, I have updated the blog. For the time being, this is the new look. I am not sure if I will be able to get the old look back due to the new interface of blogger beta. The new features include a categories (labels) tag that will be attached to the posts. You will be able to look at all the posts with the same labels. The other feature is an expanded archives list. You can now look at the blog by the year, month and post on the right hand side. There is also an "older" link at the bottom of the blog to take you to the next posts which drop off into the archives. If you enjoyed the google adsense buttons on the top of the old blog, they are now in the sidebar. I hope to move them back up, if I can ever figure it out.

As far as the links go, I have culled the bad links and blogs which haven't been updated in a while. If there is a link missing which you want back up, let me know. If your blog was removed, let me know and I will add it back. If you find a bad link which I missed, let me know and I will add it. Otherwise enjoy the new features.

I will try my best to go back and add tags to most of the posts. However, going through 750+ posts might take some time.

New blog features

Please bear with me while I add some new features to the blog. I am attempting to add the features and keep the same look. This will take a little while and the blog may look different for a short while. Let us see what happens.

Roanoke Fire-EMS Promotes 13 to new positions

Congratulations to the newly promoted Captains, 1st Lieutenants, and Lieutenants. The following firefighters were promoted today.

Captain
Tim Parry
Mike Rose
Matt Dewhirst

1st Lieutenant
Toby Bedwell
Doug Hurd
David Bocock
Brent Berry

Lieutenant
Chuck Sharp
Tom Gherman
Tina O'Brien
Scott Bradford
Breck Hudson
Kevin Bradbury

"Firefighting in Roanoke"; the book has arrived, get yours today

The books are in. Get your hands on a copy while supplies last. The RFFA has ordered 400 copies. Contact me to get your copy asap. You can stop by the Credit Union today, or stop by station 10 tomorrow for your copy. They will also be available at the Retirees Breakfast at the Union Hall on Tuesday December 12th starting at 9am. My pager number is 201-4667 if you want to get a hold of me, otherwise email me.

Promotions and moves

From what I understand, today they are going to figure out promotions. The moves will follow next week and be effective the first week of January. I guess the waiting game will soon be over for many who are waiting to hear if they have been promoted and/or moved from their current assignment. I will post the news as it comes in over the next few days. Good luck to all of those who are promoted.

Retirement Party

Roanoke Fire-EMS is hosting a retirement party for Battalion Chief Billy Obenchain today at 11am at the Jefferson Center Atrium.

This artifact is one of the oldest in Roanoke relating to fire. This is a water bucket from the ages of bucket brigades. We have photos of this style bucket hanging on one of our hook and ladder trucks. Really, all that was on the truck was ground ladders, pompier ladders, water buckets, axes, and maybe lanterns. I would share the picture of the hook and ladder showing the water bucket hanging from it, but it is a centerpiece of the book. Which might I add, will be available in mere days.

Firefighter Wayne's last post

Firefighter Wayne, a retired Detroit firefighter recently added his last post numbered 435. He has blogged about historic firefighting related to Detroit and beyond for 435 posts. His information has been gathered across the internet and from personal experience. His information will be available online, however he has discontinued posting. Visit his blog at www.firefighterwayne.blogspot.com.

On a related note, Joe over at Firewhirl has recently began posting again. Firewhirl is a great resource for Fire related information and news. You can visit his blog at www.firewhirl.com.

Golf Tournament

The Golf Tournament for next year is in the planning process. It looks as though the tournament will be held at Hanging Rock. Contact Tina O'Brien if you would like to help.

I need to know what year we had the first tournament. If you know, please let me know.

Thanks

Magnesium Explosion

A small MPEG camera on the engine films fires kinda like COPS. This was a stolen pick-up truck that someone dumped and set fire to. Watch when water hits under the steering column and a magnesium explosion occurs.

If you cannot view the video on a station computer, it is because the video is hosted at Break.com.

What the heck is going on downtown?

Warning, Rant ahead!!

Tonight I took my family to the Circus. When we arrived, an hour and fifteen minutes early, we were told that we had to park downtown and take the shuttle unless we were handicap or had a preferred parking pass. I wanted to strangle the guy who was working the parking lot, but it wasn't his fault. Did I miss a memo? What the heck is going on here? There was another event going on at the auditorium of the Civic Center and another event downtown. Apparently, this created the need for Police Officers at every stoplight near downtown and the Civic Center. We ended up parking near the Civic Center and walking. Now imagine my amazement when I got inside and realized that there was a Roanoke Express size attendance ( just under 1000 probably). Just imagine if the place was packed. The Circus was decent, only one ring and not exactly how I remember the circus as a child. But never the less enjoyable for the kids.

My suggestion is before you sink millions of dollars on another venue at the Civic Center (the exhibition hall), taking away hundreds of parking spaces, why don't we make sure we have enough parking for events. Maybe they should take that big vast expanse that was going to be an amphitheatre and pave it. Then create a walking path or raised walkway over 460 to the Civic Center. Maybe parking is the reason why the place wasn't packed.

Since I am in rant mode, I have another no-brainer. Valley View Mall is constantly adding stores, and currently following the City's lead by taking away parking, creating more tax revenue for the City. Why not go ahead and finish the entrance/exit at Best Buy? What the heck is going on here? That place is a mess. I like visiting the Valley View area, but I don't understand why that project never got finished.

It seems to me that the City needs to prioritize it's needs and start working on the traffic problem which exists in many places in Roanoke. I can think of many areas which are very congested; Colonial near Towers mall, 460 from 581 to the County line, Valley View Mall, Hershberger and Williamson, Several spots on Brandon Avenue, Avenham and Franklin, to name a few.

I am glad I had time to cool down since the parking incident. I know I don't hit on stuff like this much, but I just couldn't help myself. If you were wondering if the Circus was worth it, the answer is yes. The kids loved it.

Brotherhood - Helping a Brother out

There are many things that can be said about the Brotherhood of the Roanoke Firefighters. One thing about us is that we are always there to help a brother save a little money, or lend them an extra hand. Many firefighters moonlight as plumbers, carpenters, painters, electricians, landscapers, etc. This comes in handy when one of us is in need of a professional, or someone who has experience in a trade. This also comes in handy when a firefighter experiences a life changing event, or a death in the family and needs a little help around the house.

Not all of us can help everyone all the time, but usually you can find someone to help. For instance, Jeremy Bennington is building a house. Now when I say he is building it, I don't mean he is overseeing subcontractors as they work and lining up the next subcontractor. I mean he is building it by himself, with the help of his brothers. Side note: if you want to help him, and yes he is always looking for some help, please contact him.

Today, I spent a mere two hours helping a brother install carpeting in his family room. No, I am not a skilled professional, but I have done it before. I felt confident that we could get it completed and looking good. We installed it, it looks great, and best of all it only took two and a half hours. Money saved = $250. I walked away with a sixer of Sam Adams Boston Ale. What more could you ask for.

Here are a few tips on getting people to help.
1. Only get them to help if they will know what they are doing.
2. Get them some beer or feed them lunch if they help out. If they don't drink, just leave out the beer.
3. Don't give them the beer until the job is done, unless they are merely there for the camaraderie and moral support. I think that is self explanatory.
4. Always remember that they helped if you need help later on down the road.

Fire at 918 Howbert Avenue

The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department responded to a structure fire on December 1, 2006 at 918 Howbert Ave.

The call was received through the 9-1-1 Center at approximately
5:35 a.m. The response consisted of three Engines, one Ladder truck, two Medic Units, one EMS Captain, one Battalion Chief, one Administrative Chief, and the investigative unit for a total of 25 personnel.

When crews arrived, they found a two story apartment building with smoke and coming from the first floor of one of the units. Crews immediately gained entrance and made an aggressive attack to extinguish the fire. A primary search was conducted and was ruled all clear.

There Were Three people in the home when the fire started. They escaped without any injuries. There was one resident displaced and assistance is being rendered by the Red Cross. There were no injuries to Fire-EMS personnel or civilians.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. There was $30,000 damage to the structure and contents.

John T. Sweeney Retires after 31 Years of Service

Captain John Sweeney is retiring from the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department after 31 years of service in the Department. John spent more than half of his time in the department at Station #2. John was hired by the Roanoke Fire Department on February 23, 1976 and is retiring with almost 31 years on the job. John is retiring from Station 11 C-Shift, where he has been stationed for the past several years. John has been a Haz Mat Specialist on the Regional Haz Mat team since it's inception in 1985. He is a wealth of knowledge and will be missed. The Roanoke Firefighters wish him well in his retirement. John's sons Benjamin and Brad recently graduated from the Roanoke Regional Recruit School, hired by Roanoke City. Photo left - John is seen working a fire on Ladder 2.

(above) Chuck Wells, Ronnie Renick, Brent Berry, John Sweeney,
Ricky Trout, and Kevin Bell on Ladder 2 A Shift in the early 1990's.
Picture from Maurice Wiseman

John Dubose and John Sweeney pack up hose after a fire.

Did you know that...

Over the years some things have changed. Here are some of those things in no particular order.

In Roanoke the Firefighters used to...

Wear black helmets. Now Firefighters and Lieutenants wear yellow, 1st Lieutenants and Captains wear a dark red, and Battalion Chiefs and Chiefs wear white.

Use trumpets to give commands on the fire scene

Have all red fire trucks, now they are white over red
The trucks were lime green for several years as well
And don't forget the grey ghosts

Fire Station 5 used to be lime green (So I hear, although I do not have a picture)

Ride tailboard, holding onto each other as they dressed, now considered unsafe.

The gold leaf on the fire trucks is reminent from an era where looks were almost important as performance. Gold leaf has been replaced by gold paint or gold striping. Some has vanished for ever.

The District Chiefs, Battalion Chiefs now, used to have their own drivers.

The 1st Lt. rank used to be a Captain's position. In an effort to save money, the ladder captains became 1st Lt. which equated to a lesser pay grade.

The Roanoke Fire Department (now Roanoke Fire-EMS) has been fully paid since 1907, except for a short while after the Garden City area was annexed around 1970 (don't quote me on the year).

While the engines have always been numbered by the station they were housed, the ladder trucks were originally labeled as 1-4 and with the exception of Ladder 1 were not numbered by the station where they were housed.

Prior to 1936 there was only one shift, up until 1972 there were only 2 shifts. In 1972, the third shift was added creating shifts A, B, and C which are still used today.

Roanoke Fire-EMS consists of stations 1-14 with the exception of 12 which was closed when the new station 4 was built across the street from the old one. Rumor has it that the new fire station proposed on Williamson Rd. to replace the Airport station will be numbered 12 due to the fact that the Airport station 10 will remain open with the ARFF company in it.

Engine 3 is the oldest unit in the department, originally being a chemical and hose company. Engine 1 would have beat it, but that unit was taken out of service when they opened station 14 and the positions were used to staff engine 14. Ladder 1 is the oldest ladder company.

The Battalion Chief's bedroom at station 1, the halfway house at station 1, the raised concrete area in the bay at station 1, and the kitchen at station 3 have all served as communications for the Roanoke Fire Department. Currently communications are handled by dispatch at the Municipal building downtown.

The original station 4, 5, and 6 were the same and opened the same day. Station 5 is all that remains open, 6 is a police substation, and 4 was torn down.

The fire stations used to have stores in them where the firefighters would sell candy and other stuff.

Firefighters used to have numbered badges much like the police department.

Just thought I would share a few tidbits. Feel free to leave other factoids in the comments.

Come on out and Vote

As many of you Roanoke Firefighters know, there is an election tonight and tomorrow night at the Union Hall. If you need to see who is running for which positions check out the Local 1132 site. I am running against Richard Lipes, and I appreciate your vote. The voting will be tonight from 7-10 pm and again tomorrow night at the business meeting at 7 pm.

Sorry I haven't posted much recently. I have been busy. It was interesting when someone asked me that if I lost the Secretary/Treasurer election, would I still do the RoanokeFire blog. The answer is yes. This blog has nothing to do with me being the Sec/Tres, and furthermore it is unofficial to the RFFA.

I have been busy with all sorts of things. Recently, as some of you know by now, I started VAFireNews.com. The website is growing still, and I have enjoyed the fact that the Roanoke Fire Blog is regional, mostly regarding Roanoke City. VAFireNews.com is Statewide. It has gained a lot of interest across the state and is continuing to receive more and more local articles from firefighters and freelance writers.

I am getting to the point now, where I can juggle the two sites and I hope to revamp the posts on the blog soon. But fear not, the blog is still alive and kicking.

Roanoke Firefighters Flag Football

The Roanoke Firefighters have established a flag football team. Headed up by the guys at 2 C Shift, the team has practiced several times and played one game. The team consists of somewhere around 20 firefighters. Roanoke County has also established a team and they were our opponent for the first game. Unfortunately we lost. I am not sure of the score, but I do understand that all of the guys really had a good time. I also heard that there was a pretty decent crowd on hand to watch the first game.

Why flag football, you might ask. Because if it were tackle football it would more than likely turn into a bloodbath, and because we are not able to work if we are injured.

I was able to practice with the team at one of the practices although I could not make it to the game. It is always good when the guys get some time away from the job and their part time jobs and get together for some good clean fun.

If anyone has pictures of the event, send them in so I can post them.

Look for the Roanoke Firefighters flag football team to play again sometime soon. I think that Salem is planning on getting a team together.

Shooting in Roanoke on Thanksgiving Day

Yesterday, the crew at Station 10 had a great Thanksgiving Feast prepared by Fellowship Community Church. We ran two calls on the engine. One was an oven fire, which was out by the time we got there. The other was for a drive-by shooting on Edinburgh. It wasn't very exciting though, luckily for the victim. The victim was shot twice in the lower back (according to the paper * I don't want to cross the line with the HIPPAA laws that exist).

Let me tell you though, for someone who hasn't run many EMS calls or any other calls for a long time, you learn really quick what you have forgotten. I don't mean you remember all the stuff you forgot, you just remember you forgot it.

It has been a while since I have run a shooting, since we don't have many in Roanoke, luckily. I do remember the days of the quadruple shootings in the "not so upstanding" places in Richmond. Those will keep you on your toes.

That is all I got. Some of the rookies have already got to see some fire. It seems as though it is becoming the busy time of the year. It resembles the first three months of the year with all the fires occurring.

Stay safe.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all. If you are a turkey hunter and are working today, you might want to try and improve your skills with this game. As for the Roanoke Firefighters who are working todya, this is what you have to look forward to:

The volunteers from Fellowship Community Church (located on Red Ln. in Salem), will be dropping off your meal on Thanksgiving morning before 11am!

The meal will consist of:

• Turkey
• Mashed Potatos & Gravy
• Sweet Potatos
• Vegetables
• Stuffing
• Bread & Butter
• Cranberries
• Dessert
• Cool Whip

Thanks to the kind volunteers who are cooking for us. I think I can speak on behalf of all the firefighters working today by saying THANK YOU and have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Pics were added to the Clarendon Fire post below. Check them out.

Fire at 702 Harrison Avenue

On November 23, 2006, Roanoke Fire-EMS responded to a structure fire at 702 Harrison Ave. The call came into the 9-1-1 Center at approximately 7:32 a.m. The response of three engines, one ladder truck, three medic units, one EMS Captain, one Battalion Chief and the Investigation Unit for a total of 22 personnel.

When crews arrived they found a single family dwelling with fire and smoke coming from an upstairs window. Crews assisted a person from the home and quickly began to extinguish the blaze. They also conducted a search to make sure that no one else was inside of the home.

One person was inside of the home when the fire started and escaped without injuries. There were no injuries to civilians or Fire-EMS personnel.

The cause and origin of the fire is under investigation. Damage estimates at this time are approximately $40,000.

Fire at 1428 Campbell Avenue

The Roanoke Times has an article: Fire destroys Roanoke home Wednesday night

On November 22, 2006, Roanoke Fire-EMS responded to a structure fire at 1428 Campbell Ave. The call came into the 9-1-1 Center at approximately 7:35 p.m. The response of three engines, two ladder trucks, three medic units, one EMS Captain, one Battalion Chief and the Investigation Unit for a total of 23 personnel responded to the scene. The fire was ruled under control at 8:30 p.m.

When crews arrived, they found a 2 story structure fully involved from the ground floor to the top of the residence. Crews extinguished the blaze and protected exposures that were beside the residence. Two additional homes were damaged due to the immense heat.

The home that was fully involved was under renovation and no one was living inside. Three residents from one of the exposures were displaced from their home. There were no injuries to citizens or Fire-EMS Personnel.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Damage estimates are approximately $80,000.

Update on the Clarendon Avenue fire

The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department responded to a structure fire on November 20, 2006 at 2921 Clarendon Ave.

The call was received through the 9-1-1 Center at approximately
9:26 a.m. The response of three Engines, one Ladder truck, two Medic Units, one EMS Captain, one Battalion Chief, and the Education/Information Specialist for a total of 24 personnel responded to the scene.

When crews arrived, they found a two story apartment building with smoke and flames coming from the second floor of one of the units.
Crews immediately gained entrance and began to extinguish the fire. A primary search was conducted and was ruled all clear.

There was one person in the home when the fire started. She escaped without any injuries. The resident is being assisted by the Red Cross. There were no injuries to Fire-EMS personnel.

The fire started in the upstairs bedroom and was contained to the bedroom. The fire was caused by improper disposal of a cigarette.
Damage estimates are approximately $10,500.

Fire on Clarendon Ave.

Roanoke Fire-EMS responded to a fire on Clarendon Avenue this morning. There were no reported injuries and at least one person was displaced by the fire. E10, E2, L2, E14, M10, M2, RS-1, BC-2 responded to the fire. More information to follow.

Roanoke Fire-EMS Release the cause of Lafayette fire

The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department responded to a structure fire on November 19, 2006 at 1529 Lafayette Blvd.

The fire started in the bedroom and was contained to the bedroom.
The fire was caused by a child playing with a lighter.
Damage estimates are approximately $20,000.

Roanoke Fire-EMS Release Fire Victims Name

The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department has an update to the fire that occurred on November 19, 2006 at 927 5th St.

71 year old Carolyn Perry died from injuries sustained in the fire.
The cause and origin of the fire are still under investigation.

Fire at 1529 Lafayette Blvd.

The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department responded to a structure fire on November 19, 2006 at 1529 Lafayette Blvd.

The call was received through the 9-1-1 Center at approximately
5:49 p.m. The response of three Engines, one Ladder truck, two Medic Units, one EMS Captain, one Battalion Chief, and the Investigation Unit for a total of 20 personnel responded to the scene.

When crews arrived, they found smoke and flames coming from the structure. Crews immediately gained entrance to the home and began to extinguish the fire. A primary search was conducted and was ruled all clear.

There were five people in the home when the fire started. They escaped without any injuries. The residents are being assisted by the Red Cross. One firefighter was transported to the hospital and is doing fine.

The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation. Damage estimates are approximately $20,000.

Fire at 927 5th Street

The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department responded to a structure fire on November 19, 2006 at 927 5th St.

The call was received through the 9-1-1 Center at approximately
7:07 a.m. The response of three Engines, one Ladder truck, two Medic Units, one EMS Captain, one Battalion Chief, the Fire Marshal and the Investigation Unit for a total of 23 personnel responded to the scene. The fire was ruled under control at 7:50 a.m.

When crews arrived, they found smoke coming from the structure.
Crews immediately gained entrance to the home and began to extinguish the fire. A primary search was conducted and one victim was found inside of the residence. The victim was taken out of the structure and transported to the hospital. The victim later died. The name and age of the victim is not being released at this time pending notification of the family. There were no injuries to Fire-EMS personnel.

The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation. Damage estimates are approximately $35,000.

Fire at 602 Elm Ave.

The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department responded to a structure fire on November 15, 2006 at 602 Elm Ave. Apartment 2.

The call was received through the 9-1-1 Center at approximately
12:25 a.m. The response of three Engines, one Ladder truck, two Medic Units, one EMS Captain, one Battalion Chief, and the Investigation Unit for a total of 21 personnel responded to the scene. The fire was under control at 12:47 a.m.

When crews arrived, they found fire showing from the side of the two and half story woodframe residence. Crews immediately gained entrance and searched the structure which was ruled all clear.
Firefighters aggressively extinguished the blaze.

There were two people inside of the structure when the fire started.
They escaped without any injuries. There were no injuries to Fire-EMS Personnel.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Damage estimates are approximately $22,000.

Suzanne Hanks

Suzanne Hanks, 57, of Hardy, died Friday morning November 17, 2006 as the result of injuries received in an automobile accident. Suzanne was a paralegal with Woods, Rogers. She loved life and bluegrass music, and gardening. She is survived by her husband, Michael Hanks; son, Joshua Hanks of Blacksburg; daughter and son-in-law, Shannon and Adam Waldron of Roanoke; grandchildren, Destiny and Rusty; parents, Russell and Virginia Yingst of Lebanon, Pa.; brothers, David Yingst of Lebanon, Pa. and Rusty Yingst of Jonestown, Pa. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Red Valley Rescue Squad, 3017 Burnt Chimney Rd., Wirtz, Va. 24184. A memorial service will be conducted from Flora Funeral Chapel 4 p.m. Sunday. Her family will be receiving friends 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Flora Funeral Service, 665 S. Main St., Rocky Mount.
Published in the Roanoke Times from 11/18/2006 - 11/19/2006.

Our Sympathy goes out to...

It is with deepest regret that I am informing you of the death of Suzanne (Sue) Hanks, Wife of Captain Mike Hanks (retired). Sue was killed in a single vehicle accident this morning around 7 am on the way to work. Sue will be missed by her firefighting family and our thoughts and prayers will be with Mike and the rest of the Hanks family in this time of sorrow.

For those of you who are newer to the department, Mike Hanks retired as a Captain in 2002 and was the Secretary/Treasurer for Local 1132 for 10 years. He is currently the Secretary/Treasurer for the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters Association. Mike has been a strong voice for Firefighters across the State for many years.

Mike and Sue were a team. He would not have had time for half the stuff he accomplished without the strong support and help of his wife Sue.

Recently, I got to spend time with both Mike and Sue in Toronto during the IAFF Convention. We all had a great time, and it was neat to get to know Sue after knowing Mike for many years.

I will update as more information is announced.

WDBJ7 story on Suzanne Hanks

"Firefighting in Roanoke" the advanced copy arrives

Guess what I have in my hands. That is right, I received the first copy of the book "Firefighting in Roanoke" today. Becky, my wife, brought it to the station. I have to admit that it is pretty darn cool to see the book finally. The rest of the books will arrive in about 3 weeks. I will be sure to let you all know when they get here.

Becky brought our children with her and we all sat down and watched the movie Cars with the rest of the crew. If you haven't seen that movie, it is pretty cool.

Recruit

This is an open letter to the Recruit Class which have joined their Brother and Sister Firefighters of Roanoke Fire-EMS this week. First of all, I would like to welcome you to one of the best Departments in the United States. I hope that you enjoy a safe and healthy career.

You are about to embark on one of the most honorable professions in the World. While you may not experience a Hollywood “Firefighter” career, I can assure you that the script is empty. None of us know what will be asked of us at any given moment.

You need to be quite sure by this point that you are willing to reach as far into the grey area of risking it all to save life. You may never be put into this situation, but if you are, you will not likely have the opportunity to ponder the situation long.

Running into burning buildings is only a small part of the job these days. Gone are the days in the 70’s and 80’s when America was burning. The decrease in fires has been replaced with a different kind of structure fire. Now we have fires that burn hotter, buildings that crumble faster, and older buildings which have been cut-up for uses they weren’t designed for. However, technology has been our advantage the past quarter Century. We have been equipped with better turnout gear, SCBA, Thermal Imaging Cameras, and directives on saving our own.

This day in age we are more often tasked with making crucial decisions at the scene of EMS calls. The legal responsibilities of being an EMT, EMT-Intermediate, or EMT-Paramedic are not to be taken lightly. You will have to find the ability to perform at your best all hours of the day even after running the “nonsense” calls in the wee hours of the morning. You will have to be able to perform at your best, while the people you are caring for are experiencing their worst. You have to be unbiased to everyone, including criminals, as much as we would love to be the jury. We have to walk away from our worst calls intact, both mentally and physically, so that we can answer the next.

Do not expect a thank you, a job well done, or an at-a-boy. They are few and far between. Rest easy in knowing you did the job to the best of your ability and always learn from your mistakes, experiences, and triumphs.

Always strive to learn more, and be willing to listen when someone is teaching you. Some of the best knowledge I have learned has come from someone telling me of their experiences. You haven’t done everything, you don’t know everything, and you never will. Once you realize this, you will understand firefighting.

Honor your brother/sister firefighters as family. Do not take someone else’s opinion as your own, take the time to form your own opinions. Develop your own style, and learn the better things from your acquaintances. You will meet others you don’t get along with, or don’t agree with. There is still something to learn, everyone has a story.

Remember that when you come across a firefighter at the end of their career and they are not as gung ho as you, they were your age once. They did their time. They have been there and done that, hell they might even have the t-shirt still. They have a lot to teach you. You have a lot to learn.

I wish you well in your career and I look forward to working with you all.

Welcome to THE ROANOKE FIRE-EMS DEPARTMENT and God Bless.

- Rhett Fleitz

Roanoke Valley Regional Recruit Academy 8

Please join Roanoke Fire-EMS in congratulating the graduates of the Roanoke Valley Regional Fire-EMS Recruit Academy #8.
29 Recruits graduated from the academy today at the Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre. These recruits had attended the academy which started on July 31st at the Roanoke Valley Regional Fire-EMS Training Center on Kessler Mill Rd. in Salem, VA.

19 candidates from Roanoke Fire-EMS, 5 candidates from Lynchburg Fire-EMS, 1 candidate from Salem Fire-EMS and 5 candidates from Roanoke County Fire & Rescue went through the 16 week long academy.
During their training, these candidates learned firefighting skills such as Firefighter 1, Ropes, Vehicle Extrication and Heavy Technical Rescue. Candidates also earned their Emergency Medical Technician Basic Certification (EMT-B).

The following is a list of all of the graduates:
Roanoke Fire-EMS: Joseph Boswell, Aaron Brooks, Bobby Caughey, Josh Compton, Jeffery East, Lynwood English, Bradley Glidden, Collin Humphries, Todd Inserra, Aaron Murray, Jacob Palmer, Roland Reynolds, Jr., Benjamin Sweeney, Brad Sweeney, Michael Upham, Brandon Vaughan, Brad Wheeler, James Williamson

Roanoke County Fire & Rescue: Jared Butts, Brandon Carroll, Ryan Crush, Russell Hurt, Ronald Kovar

Salem Fire-EMS: Ernest Haynes, IV

Lynchburg Fire-EMS: Alan Briceland, Joy Byrnes, Jason Frederick, Joshua Morton, Christopher Spencer

Traditions

I began reading a second book by Stephanie Schorow "Boston on Fire". I finished the first one "The Cocoanut Grove Fire" recently. Stephanie contacted me about a book that Charles Kenney is writing titled "Rescue Men" and it's a memoir by Charles Kenney whose father was a Boston firefighter and grandfather was a Boston firefighter (who fought at the 1942 Cocoanut Grove fire) and whose brother Tom was a firefighter and a FEMA team member sent to NYC on Sept. 12 to help with rescue/recovery efforts. The book also tells the stories of many other Boston "rescue men" and firefighters.

The point of this post is something that I thought of when I read the introduction and forward of "Boston on Fire". A firefighter wrote that he thought some of the traditions that Boston Fire has were rumored and possibly just hear say until he read the book and believed them after Stephanie's careful research of the topics.

Which brings me to my point. Roanoke Fire-EMS has traditions. We have things that we do everyday, some make sense, some don't. We know why we do some of them, and others we have to ask older firefighters for reasons why we do them. These traditions give us a sense of ownership among our department. Ownership of our job. Others lose the meaning of these traditions in the translation when escalating the ladder of promotions, or moving from department to department, or being unwilling to learn about the department where they work. I believe some of these simple traditions keep the morale upbeat in the department. I also feel that these traditions keep the firefighters with a feeling of uniqueness in relation to other departments.

We have many traditions, most have been brought up in posts in the past. What are some of the traditions you know of? If you are from a different department, what traditions do you have?

A Retirement Dinner for a Heroes Hero

VAFireNews.com - A Retirement Dinner for a Heroes Hero


Last night, over 100 firefighters, friends, and family members of Retiring Battalion Chief Billy Obenchain packed the Roanoke Fire Fighters Association Union Hall to celebrate the career of their Brother. (Read the entire article with pictures at VAFireNews.com)

Bristol Virginia Fire "C" Shift

Bristol Virginia Fire "C" Shift

The Bristol, Virginia Firefighters on "C" Shift created a blog to showcase their Department and Shift. Shawn Roark, who worked for Roanoke briefly, is the "webmaster" and sent the link in. It looks as though they are off to a great start. It is good to see all more and more Firefighter "Blogs" entering the WORLD WIDE WEB.

Technorati tags: Bristol Virginia

Update on the new Fire Station

Above - View from Elm Avenue - 3 bays

Above - View from Franklin Road

Here is the new Fire Station. From what I hear, the exterior should be nearing completion soon, so they can keep going on the interior for a Spring 2007 opening. Just thought I would show some pictures for those of you who don't frequent that area. From what I hear, the station will incorporate poles which is not very common in newly constructed fire stations.

Southwest Virginia Blog Search

One of Roanoke's Bloggers has created the Southwest Virginia Blog Search. This useful tool gives you the opportunity to search the blogs of SW Virginia for content. The search is powered by Google. You can use this tool to search for content in this site as well as the many other blogs in the area. I will add a link in the sidebar for you to use. If you are a local blogger and would like to be included, there is an email link to ask to be incorporated.

International Firefighting Weblog

Check this out. I was asked to join bloggers from around the World in writing for the International Firefighting Weblog. This is a unique opprotunity for me in getting the word out about Roanoke across the Globe. If you have any suggestions for articles or if you want to write an article for the blog, let me know. I can post it, giving proper credit to the author. Check back often to see what is blogged from around the Globe. I will have a link to the site on the sidebar soon.

International Firefighting Weblog:

A brief introduction
Rhett Fleitz on November 6th, 2006

Hello to all the firefighters (and other readers) of this brand new blog. It is great to see the World of Fire/EMS Service collaborate with the Blogoshpere once again. I am honored to be incorporated in this blog and to offer the view from Roanoke, Virginia and across the U.S. I look forward to reading what other authors on this site have to offer and I hope that I can live up to your expectations. (Read More)

Technorati tags: International Firefighting Blog

E10 runs a Car Fire at Best Buy

Engine 10 ran a call for a car fire at Best Buy at Valley View today. Lt. Dean Russell and FF Gary Fisher are shown attacking the fire in the engine compartment. FF Travis Collins was pumping the fire.

Main Street Newspapers: Kaine appoints county fire chief to board

Main Street Newspapers:

Kaine appoints county fire chief to board
By Gene Marrano
Fire and Rescue Chief Rick Burch

Gov. Tim Kaine announced his appointment of Chief Richard E. Burch Jr. to the Virginia Fire Services Board.

Burch is the fire chief for Roanoke County Fire and Rescue and will be representing the Virginia Fire Services Council, of which he is a board member. Burch will serve a four year term that began July 1. (Read More)

Technorati tags: Rick Burch, Roanoke County Fire, Virginia Fire Services Board

VAFireNews.com - Virginia's Premiere Fire and EMS News Site

There are two stories including pictures featured on VAFireNews.com today about Roanoke Fire-EMS. Check them out. Thanks to Travis Collins for writing up the events.

VAFireNews.com - Virginia's Premiere Fire and EMS News Site:

Roanoke - Roanoke Fire-EMS Responds to Regional Haz Mat Call. On Monday October 30 2006 the Roanoke Fire EMS Haz Mat Team was called upon to response for a tractor trailer wreck on Rt 220 Southbound just south of Rocky Mount Virginia in Franklin County.

Technorati tags: VAFireNews.com, Roanoke Fire-EMS

Roanoke City Employee Benefits Survey

Do you like your benefits?
Would you like to give your input on your benefits?
Have you complained about your benefits?

Fill out the Roanoke City Employee Benefits Survey
Click to go directly to the site
The deadline is tomorrow

Tell everyone in your station and all of your coworkers
pass the word along.

"Firefighting in Roanoke"

I am about to show you something, but don't get too excited just yet. Check out what Powell's bookstore has for sale. Amazon has it for sale and Amazon (Canadian) also has it for sale. However, these sales are for preorder. The book still won't be available until December 11th. I haven't even gotten my advanced copy yet. As a matter of fact, I haven't even heard from them in a while. Obviously they are working though. If you want to keep track of the book on the internet, I googled "Firefighting in Roanoke".

It is getting exciting that it is almost here.

Some people might say...

Reminder, Union meeting tonight at 7pm.

Enjoy, and thanks to the guys at 3A for telling me about this hilarious video.
I give you Fireman Ross.

Lt. Charles M. Fields (Ret.) Passes Away

This picture of Charlie was taken around 1994 by Maurice Wiseman

It is with deepest regret that I bring sad news to the Roanoke Firefighters. Lt. Charles M. Fields, who went by Charlie, passed away due to lung cancer. Charlie was hired by the Roanoke Fire Department on January 1, 1965 and retired on January 1, 1999 with 34 years of service. Charlie was stationed at fire station 13 when he retired, although most of the stories I have heard of were of when he was a Lt. on Ladder 2 at station 2.

The arrangements for Charlie's funeral are as follows:

Visitation Sunday (tomorrow) 2-4pm and 7-9pm at Oakeys South (Brambleton Ave).

Funeral Services will be monday at Oakeys South and the burial will be at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.

If you would like to help with the Honor Guard, please contact Todd Reighley at station 7 today 853-2414.

Sunday, you can contact me at station 10, 853-2598.

Charles Maxwell Fields obituary from the Roanoke Times:

Charles Maxwell Fields, 65, of Roanoke, went to be with the Lord on Friday, October 27, 2006. He was a member of Hiram Baptist Church and retired from the Roanoke City Fire Department with the rank of Lieutenant after 34 years of service. Charles was an avid fisherman and hunter, and dearly loved his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Leo and Bertha Jane Fields, and is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Loretta Sowder Fields; two sons, Barry Eugene Fields and his wife, Fran Fields of Danville, Charles Brian Fields and his wife, Kandy Fields of Vinton; four grandchildren, David Fields, Kevin Fields, Shayne Fields and Leah Roberts; one brother and sister-in-law, Earl and Carolyn Fields of Salem; one sister and four brothers-in-law, Arlene and Jim Hanson of Va. Beach, Kenneth Sowder and his wife, Linda, Robert Sowder and his wife, Barbara, and Wayne Sowder and his wife, Sandy. A funeral service will be held at 12 Noon Monday, October 30, 2006 at Oakey's South Chapel with Dr. Don R. Pegram and the Rev. Bob Sowder officiating. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Oakey's South Chapel, 989-3131.
Published in the Roanoke Times from 10/29/2006 - 10/30/2006.

Promotional Testing

Roanoke Fire-EMS is currently performing promotional testing for the position of Lt., 1st Lt., and Captain. Approximately 80 firefighters underwent the written testing today. The testing will conclude next week with the practical portion of the testing process. Following the testing, the scores will be tabulated and promotions will likely occur in the end of November.

In the middle of November, the recruit class will graduate and soon after join the rank and file members of the department bringing the staffing levels up. The recruit class is comprised of 18 rookies for Roanoke City as well as recruits from Lynchburg, Roanoke County, and Salem.

It is this time when the Roanoke Firefighters are shuffled around to make room for the new recruits, and newly promoted officers. This event occurs just about each year.

I hope to have something up for the recruits in the next week or so.

British Columbia Firefighters Issued Unisex Undies

From the Toronto Star vial Firehouse.com

This story is almost hard to believe. Could you imagine that when you get a call, you and all your coworkers, male and female, go to a room with all your turnout gear, undress down to your underwear and then don your turnout gear. Well apparently the firefighters in Richmond (British Columbia) do it that way. After allegations of sexual harassment, and all of the women walking off the job, the department set out to fix the problem. That is right, they fixed it. They issued all of the firefighters unisex underwear. Ha, how is that for tunnel vision. Now I am sure there is a good explanation...on second thought, there is no way there is a good explanation. Read on...

The troubled Richmond fire department has banned front-line firefighters from wearing their own undies, briefs or boxers while on duty.

Both sexes are now wearing mandatory standard underwear and it's costing the city $16,000 to provide each firefighter with six pairs.

The mandatory standard translates into plain, sensible Stanfield boxers, said Richmond city official Ted Townsend.

"You can buy them anywhere," he said. "There's nothing special about them."

The one-style-for-all is part of the city's attempts to make the department gender-neutral and provide an environment in which men and women will feel comfortable, said Townsend.

When firefighters are called out they remove all their clothes down to their underwear and don protective firefighting gear, said Townsend. (Read More)

Hail to the chief - Roanoke.com

Thanks Amanda, for a wonderful story on one of our Brothers.

Hail to the chief - Roanoke.com:

Hail to the chief
Billy Obenchain will retire soon after 33 years of service with the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department.

Amanda Codispoti

Battalion Chief Billy Obenchain won't miss the reheated lasagna and dry meatloaf his firefighters have tried to pass off for dinner at Roanoke's Fire Station No. 2.

But Obenchain is going to miss giving those cooks a hard time.

"Those guys love to serve frozen lasagna and bread in a bag," said Obenchain, whom firefighters sometimes refer to as the "cook cop."

Obenchain, 54, is battling cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a cancer of the blood.

He'll retire early next year, ending his 33-year career as a firefighter.

Comments

This is a reminder to all the loyal readers of the RoanokeFire Blog. Over the past year and a half the blog has had thousands of comments. I really appreciate the communication, good or bad, about different events, incidents, and posts. Often, by my comments in a post, I am trying to start a conversation on a topic. All in all the comments have been professional and within the limits of acceptable. Only a handful of times have I had to delete comments which I felt did not need to be read. Most of the comments come from the firefighters here in Roanoke. However a lot of the readers come from elsewhere. Remember, this is not the rumor mill. I would like to keep this site as professional as possible. One person said the other day when he was commenting on me getting "bashed" about a post that I put myself out there. Sure I do. I will not disagree with that. I enjoy the comments, and what you all have to say. I often entertain comments with a reply, but not always.

Please remember that the outside is looking in, and that opinions will be formed by what is read. Some things are best left unsaid.

Roanoke Fire-EMS is Hiring

The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department is hiring for position of Firefighter/EMT and Firefighter/Paramedic. No experience necessary. Click the links below for more information.

Firefighter/EMT and Firefighter/Paramedic - accepting applications until November 1st 2006.
Note the date change as I had previously posted the 4th, my error.

The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department is also hiring for the position of Fire Chief.

Fire Chief - more information

Medic 6

Roanoke Fire-EMS has put a new ambulance into service at Fire Station #6. The new ambulance replaces an older ambulance. Roanoke's ambulances are the busiest vehicles in the fleet and are replaced about every 4-5 years. The ambulances run a majority of the 30,000+ calls that Roanoke Fire-EMS responds to each year. Roanoke has 7 ambulances in service. Medic 1 is located at REMS, Medic 2 at station 2, Medic 3 at station 3, Medic 4 at station 4, Medic 6 at station 6, Medic 9 at station 9, and Medic 10 at station 10. All of the Medic units are staffed full-time by Roanoke Fire-EMS Firefighter/EMT's and Firefighter/Paramedics with the exception of Medic 1. Medic 1 is staffed during the day and occasionally at night by part-time EMT's and Paramedics, as well as being staffed with volunteers during some evenings and weekends. All of the Medic units are staffed with Advanced Life Support (ALS) personnel and equipment. This means that there is at least one Paramedic on the Medic units all the time with any equipment they might need to perform there duties. All of Roanoke's Engines and Ladder trucks are staffed with Basic Life Support (BLS), which means that there are at least 2 Firefighter/EMT's on each truck. Currently there are only a few Firefighters who are not EMT's, these personnel are certified First Responders.

In case of emergency call 911.

Roanoke Fire-EMS helps out with the U.S. Challenge

On Sept. 03 Captain Marvin Huddleston, Lt. Baron Gibson & Firefighter Davel Muse were assigned the task of assisting the US Challenge, Challenger World team at Carvins cove. The team arrived at 12:00 hrs and by 12:30 hrs. Captain Huddleston had the team out on the cove in the Swift water ZODIAC. The Challenger team had the task of plotting certain points on the cove for teams to find during the competition. They were on the water for about an hour. The photos of the ZODIAC on the water were taken by Digi-scope.
The team members names are from left to right, Jennifer Trapp & Scott Bowers of North Carolina and Nicky French Blake & Chris Dowling of the UK.

Police: Woman found in river is homicide victim - Roanoke.com

Today, Engine 3, Medic 3, Ladder 1, and the Swift Water Rescue Team converged on the Roanoke River to recover a body that a jogger found while running on Wiley Drive.

Police: Woman found in river is homicide victim - Roanoke.com:

Police: Woman found in river is homicide victim

Jared Soares | The Roanoke Times

Officals carry a boat to the Roanoke River to look for evidence following the discovery of a body near Wiley Drive.

The death of a woman found in the Roanoke River this morning has been ruled a homicide by Roanoke police.

Officers were called at 8:09 a.m. to the 800 block of Wiley Drive, near the low-water bridge, where the body of an adult female had been found. No arrests have been made, and police have not released the woman's identity.

Technorati tags: Roanoke Fire-EMS

Up for a challenge - Roanoke.com

Todd Reighley is competing in the Roanoke City Team. The Roanoke County Firefighters entered a team as well. They will be competing around the Roanoke Valley area.

Up for a challenge - Roanoke.com:

Up for a challenge
Corporate teams from around the country are coming to Roanoke to match strength and wits.

The event known as the U.S. Challenge involves pitting small teams from some of the largest companies in the nation against each other in tests of physical endurance and mental agility.

So, when Greg Martin notes that he and his fellow members of the Roanoke County government team entered in this month's event are "fairly competitive," he may have pronounced the understatement of the event before it even begins today.

Technorati tags: U.S. Challenge, Roanoke

Virginia Fire Fighters Endorse Jim Webb for U.S. Senate

Across the IAFF:

Virginia Fire Fighters Endorse Jim Webb for U.S. Senate

October 17, 2006 – IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger, Mike Mohler, president of the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters (VPFF) and IAFF members from throughout Virginia announced the VPFF’s endorsement of Jim Webb for U.S. Senate during a press conference held October 16 in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Webb is running against incumbent Republican Senator George Allen on November 7. The former Marine, who served as Secretary of the Navy under President Ronald Reagan, supports fully funding SAFER legislation to hire new fire fighters and the right to collective bargaining, as well as staffing and other issues important to fire fighters.

Technorati tags: Jim Webb, VPFF, Firefighters

Danville Register and Bee: Official: City pay 'out of whack'

Pay compression is one of the issues that many firefighters believe is plaguing our department. Up to this point, I have referenced it but never had to explain it. I probably haven't explained it because I never would have done the issue justice as it effects us. Today, I found the explanation that I would have loved to have given you. Apparently Danville employees are experiencing similar problems with pay compression. I encourage you all to read the entire article to understand how the problem occurs, how they have been told to fix it, and how saving a little bit of money over time is going to cost them a lot of money in the end. Note: due to a technicality, I put the entire article up.

Official: City pay 'out of whack'

By MAC McLEAN
Register & Bee staff writer
October 15, 2006

DANVILLE - Danville police officers earn on average about 20 percent less per year than police officers working in nearby localities.

“Money’s not everything to the job, but it does matter,” said Lt. Mike Mondul, the former president of Danville’s Fraternal Order of Police. “Things are out of whack and they need to be fixed.”

Mondul shared his concerns with Danville City Council a few years ago when the police department was experiencing a high turnover rate.

Council then hired the private consulting firm Fox Lawson & Associates to conduct a comprehensive study looking at how Danville’s public employee salaries stack up with those of it’s local market, including Charlottesville, Martinsville, Lynchburg, Roanoke and High Point, N.C.

The study found that Danville police officers earn $29,900 per year, while the average police officer in Danville’s local market earns $36,162 per year. Across the board, the study found Danville’s city employees on average earn base salaries that are 13 percent less than the same employees in the local market.

The study also found the local market’s pay ranges - which dictate the minimum and maximum salaries an employee can earn depending on his or her job description - are 10 percent higher than Danville’s pay ranges.

Council is set to look at the problem and take action on a possible solution at their Tuesday meeting. But it won’t be an easy problem to fix, according to Assistant City Manager Lyle Lacy.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Lacy used an imaginary truck driver and rolled the clock back five years as he tried to explain how the salaries for Danville’s public employees fell so far behind the local market.

Lacy said the truck driver position had a pay range of $20,000-$32,000, which meant when the driver started the job in 2001 he earned $20,000. He said that year Danville and its local market were on an even keel.

In an ideal situation, a local government increases its employee pay ranges each year to compensate for inflation so that someone just starting a job can afford to buy the same things a person could buy when they started the job last year.

Also in an ideal situation, Lacy said the local government gives its employees a raise each year to reflect the experience they have gained on the job.

“If you’re a good employee,” he said, “we value your work and you move up the range.”

Though he’s not sure about the details, Lacy said he thinks localities in Danville’s local market increased their pay ranges by 3 percent each year to match inflation. When this happens, he said the employees automatically get a raise, or a cost of living adjustment.

Lacy said he thinks the localities also gave their employees a 2.5 percent raise for every year of seniority. This means that the truck driver who worked in the local market got a 5.5 percent pay raise each year.

At the end of the five-year period between 2001 and 2006, Lacy said the local market truck driver was now earning $26,139 a year. The local market truck driver position now had a pay range of $23,185-$37,097, which meant any truck driver starting this year could expect to earn $23,185. Things, though, were different for Danville.

“We were trying to balance the impacts on Danville’s economy,” Lacy said, adding that as the city’s economy faltered, it had less money in its budget to pay its employees.

In lieu of a cost of living adjustment, Danville gave all its employees a one-time 3 percent bonus in 2002. The city made this bonus a permanent fixture the next year and gave its employees a 3 percent raise in 2003.

Danville increased its pay ranges by 3 percent in 2004, which meant its employees also got a 3 percent raise but there was no additional pay increase based on tenure. This meant the Danville truck driver who had been on the job for three years since 2001 earned $21,218. A new hire for the truck driver position could expect to earn $20,600.

Lacy said this type of a situation - where employees doing the same job are earning the same amount of money regardless of their experience - is called compression.

Lacy also said that 2005 was an easy year to figure out, because nothing happened.

“I gave a lot of people hugs in 2005,” he said, adding the city couldn’t afford to increase its employees’ salaries or pay ranges.

In the budget cycle that ended in July, the city increased its employee pay ranges by 4 percent, which means all of its employees got a 4 percent pay raise. But by then, the damage had already been done.

Lacy said the Danville truck driver and the local market truck driver had been working the same job when they started five years ago. But the Danville truck driver was only making $22,066, almost 18 percent less than what the local market truck driver was making.

FIXING THE PROBLEM

Fox Lawson & Associates recommended the city solve its pay gap problem by immediately increasing its pay ranges by 10 percent. Lacy balked at this idea and said such a plan would cost the city $7.5 million.

Lacy said the city’s overall plan to fix the pay gap problem would take three years to implement and that is only if Danville can afford it.

“This is about catch up,” he said. “It’s going to be an expensive proposition.”

Council will look at spending $1.05 million Tuesday night as it implements the first phase of this plan. Lacy’s recommendations to council include raising the city’s pay ranges by 3 percent. Any city employees whose current salary falls below the pay range minimum after this increase will get a raise.

“This will bring people back to the boat,” Lacy said.

City employees also are set to get a pay raise depending on two things, their current salary and their tenure on the job. Lacy said these pay raises are the only way to deal with compression.

Employees with 20 or more years of service who are still in the bottom sixth of their pay range will get the 7 percent pay raise. Employees with the least amount of experience will not get a pay raise outside of the pay range adjustment.

These raises would cost Danville $1.35 million, including the city’s contributions to social security and pensions. Lacy recommended the city only make the increases retroactive until Aug. 1, so that it would meet the $1 million figure council included for the plan in its general fund budget.

“We’re still busting our budget by $50,000,” he said, adding the pay increases would cost the city’s utility fund $300,000 as well.

If council approves the pay increase plan at its Tuesday meeting, Lacy said city employees should see their initial pay raise this month. He said employees would receive their retroactive pay raises in November.

But Lacy said these recommendations are only the first step in addressing the city’s pay gap problem. Over the next two years, he is asking council to include $2.5 million in its budget to further close the pay gap and adjust its pay ranges for inflation.

Lacy said that he would be against any plan to raise taxes or fees to raise this money and hoped Danville’s projected growth in the future would provide enough money to implement the plan by itself.

“We know how to get there,” he said. “But is Danville’s economy going to support a budget to do that? I don’t know.”

Contact Mac McLean at gmclean@registerbee.com or (434) 791-7985.

FireFleitz MySpace

If anyone has pictures for the blog, send them in. The RoanokeFire Flickr account has now had over 4000 hits. I am glad you all are enjoying the pictures.

The actual purpose for this post was to talk about MySpace accounts. I have heard a lot of firefighters talking about MySpace for a long time now. There are two schools on the topic; the ones who have children who might be using MySpace and the ones who might use MySpace themselves.

This blog is my MySpace, or that is how it began I guess, without showcasing myself. This site is all about my career, my craft, and my life. The more personal stuff is on the less frequently updated blog for my family. However, I did begin a MySpace account, not before it was cool to do it. Rather, I did it without knowing exactly what the hell it was.

What is interesting is that I can build a website from the ground up, but I still have not learned how to "pimp" my MySpace. Not that it is a big deal. Actually, I do not get on my MySpace account until I get an email on a new comment, a new friend request, or an event listing. I rarely get on their otherwise. My MySpace account was predominately for meeting up with old classmates, than to see what a buddy is doing this weekend.

Slowly but surely, I realized that more and more firefighters had MySpace accounts. Even the ones with kids are getting their own to keep a watchful eye on their kids. I am sure that there are some warranted precautions on letting the younger kids use MySpace.

If you want to check out some of the Roanoke Firefighters on MySpace, you can check out the friends at my MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/firefleitz, or you can check out the friends listed under the Local 1132 MySpace, or you could even add your name to the list of friends at VAFireNews.com MySpace and/or Firehouse.com MySpace.

All in all, I do not see any problems with MySpace, unless you are going to begin dishing your opinions relating to your job. If that is the case, you might want to come talk to me first. Ha Ha Ha.

Another feature of MySpace is that it has a blog feature. Let me know if you have a MySpace and I will add you.

UPDATE:

Ok, obviously due to the comments, you guys misunderstood my post. Let me try and help you understand. When I said my career, my craft, my life I meant FIREFIGHTING. More specifically than that, I meant Firefighting in Roanoke. It seems as though at times, you guys are just ready to pounce. You need to think about this for a minute. I said that this is my MySpace, meaning that this is my site that I started. If you were to look at this entire site, the only reference to the author (me) is the very first part of the sidebar ---> on the right. However like you all pointed out it is for the past, present, and future of the firefighters in Roanoke. My attempt at an analogy for those of us who have a MySpace. Furthermore, my point was why my MySpace account has very little to do with firefighting other than pointing to this site.

Rookie School Burn

Friday I will be helping teach the rookie school burn. The guys only have a couple of weeks left, and are getting into the fun stuff. I will try to snap some pictures if I can.

I have been busy recently, I will try my best to get back into the swing of things soon. It always helps when I get stuff submitted, so if you have something to share be my guest.

Take a walk with me

Ok, instead of making several posts, I will be making one post covering several issues. Be sure to read the entire post for all the information, so you aren't left out.

First off, Becky my wife will be leaving for her Marathon next weekend. She is still collecting money that she had to raise for the leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This is the cause she decided to run for, and it is just by coincidence after the last post. I have to admit that I never correlated the two either, however in the last post I told you about Billy Obenchain. Billy suffers from Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma. My wife is running for leukemia & L-Y-M-P-H-O-M-A (emphasis spelled out for me). I just never put the two together until Becky pointed it out to me DUH. There is still time to pledge money (Link Here). There is a secure donation link on the right hand side of the page. She only needs to raise a little over $500 more. I figure if everyone gave a dollar or two we might meet the goal.

In case you were wondering exactly what Lymphoma is and specifically T-Cell Lymphoma is, check out this link here: http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_mat_toc.adp?item_id=9846
Be sure that if you are going to donate money specifically for my wife's run to donate here:http://www.active.com/donate/tntva/tntvarfleitz. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

There is another project on the horizon for raising money for Lymphoma Research in the future. I will have more information on that soon.

The Roanoke Firefighters have been busy today. One house fire on Harrison Avenue had the firefighters out this morning among several other calls throughout the City.

Engine 9, Engine 5, Medic 9, Ladder 13, Battalion 2, RS-1, Medic 4, and Engine 3 are out on a working fire on Staunton Avenue (1929 hours). Searches came up negative and the fire was quickly knocked down.

The ARFF crew got another call today, that makes my second call. We had a Dash 8 with smoke coming from an engine. Apparently the starter overheated. No action taken and the engine cooled off. That is two calls if your counting.

The recruit school is getting ready to graduate in about 3-4 more weeks. The are looking forward to it. I have gotten to help teach a little bit. I think that we have a pretty decent group this year, same as we have in the past. It will be nice to get our staffing back up and reduce the need of possible holdovers. I have enjoyed teaching a few classes for the recruit school and I will be helping out with one of their burns this friday. I hope to get a few pictures to share with you all.

Apparently we will be looking to hold another recruit school in the spring. The rumors and speculation is that we will be staffing Medic 1 full-time. I will keep you all posted as I find out more.

From what I understand, the money that was earmarked for the new Fire Station 10 on Williamson Road has been given to the School Board to use on the need for remodeling and building of Roanoke's Schools.

Hot of the Press:

8th Annual Ride 'Round the Valley
"In Memory of Cline Conner"

Sunday, October 15th, 2006

This benefit is to help the Community Christmas Store, a non-profit organization assisting families from Roanoke County, Salem & Vinton during the Christmas Holidays. The CCS served more than 700 families (over 1,200 children) last year! We will have a special recognition at the end of the rid for Cline Conner.

Registration starts at 1:00 pm
Last bike out at 2:00 pm (rain or shine)
Meet at Christian Life International
4335 W. Main St. Salem, Virginia

Donate a new, unwrapped toy or $10.00 - per bike
Questions call 540-268-5223

Other than that, your Roanoke Firefighters have been busy keeping Roanoke safe. I am always happy to hear from firefighters, citizens, and readers. Feel free to send me any information, pictures, or questions to FireFleitz@adelphia.net or simply leave a comment.

I think I owe all my readers a thank you. So here is the thanks to my 3500+ readers each month. If the Roanoke Fireblog didn't have readers, it wouldn't have a purpose. Thanks for reading.

Roanoke City Retires an Icon

Yesterday morning the firefighters of Roanoke City’s Northside C-Shift Battalion learned that their beloved Battalion Chief was retiring. Battalion Chief William “Billy” Obenchain announced that he will be retiring from the job he loved. Billy stated “I wanted to be here a long time because I enjoyed coming to work”. Billy has been battling Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma for several years and has been unable to work for the past several months due to the illness. For years, his love of the job was contagious among his subordinates and often brought out the best in his firefighters. (Read More)

William "Billy" Obenchain

Battalion Chief Obenchain came around to the stations today to announce that he would be retiring. He has been battling Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma and is unable to make the comeback he was hoping for. It was an emotional meeting and he will be sorely missed.

I am working on something more, as a fitting tribute to Billy, so stay tuned.

"Firefighting in Roanoke"

I received some news yesterday that some of you might be interested in. The book will be on sale on December 11th. I will have more information as it is available. I am more than elated since I figured on a February/March 2007 publish date.

Congratulations

Chief Manuel and Chief Grigsby are both due some congratulations.

Chief Grigsby has been appointed as Assistant City Manager, a position he has been acting in for a while. Therefore, the Chief's position has opened up at Roanoke Fire-EMS. Deputy Chief Hoback will remain acting in the position until another Chief is decided upon.

In related news, Chief Roger Manuel is due some congratulations.

From Roanoke Fire-EMS:

Please join Roanoke Fire-EMS in congratulating Battalion Chief Roger Manuel on achieving his Executive Fire Officer Status. This is a very prestigious designation that only two other members of the department have obtained.

The officers enhance their professional development through a unique series of four graduate and upper-division-baccalaureate equivalent courses. The EFO Program spans a 4-year period with 4 core courses. Each course is 2 weeks in length.

EFOP participants must complete an Applied Research Project (ARP) that relates to their organization within 6 months after the completion of each of the four courses. A certificate of completion for the entire EFOP is awarded only after the successful completion of the final research project.

Chief Manuel has been with Roanoke Fire-EMS for over 16 years.

In completely unrelated news, I was looking on the City intranet tonight and if you go to FAQ's, you will find a great picture of Lt. Tim Jordan washing the front of Ladder 13. The words cannot express the joy I feel that Tim has finally come to the front. I guess Stafford is next.

A Local Tribute

I am not sure how I missed this, but I did. Check out this site for a fitting local 9/11 tribute. There might be some familiar faces in there.