EMS Recruitment Video

Check out this video which was produced to recruit EMT's in Pennsylvania. The video is courtesy of www.Rollwithit.com.

View a write-up of the video HERE.

A Soldier's "Twas a night before Christmas"

This morning I heard a version of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" on K92. Danny of the Morning Thang recited the poem. The poem is as follows:

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give
And to see just who in this home did live.

I looked all about a strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind
A sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, so dark and dreary,
I knew I had found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.

I heard stories about them, I had to see more
So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping silent alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one bedroom home.

His face so gentle, his room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan,
I soon understood this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night
Owed their lives to these men who were willing to fight.

Soon ‘round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
Because of soldiers like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone
On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don’t cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more,
my life is my God, my country, my Corps."

With that he rolled over and drifted off into sleep,
I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so silent and still,
I noticed he shivered from the cold night’s chill.

So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
And I covered this Soldier from his toes to his head.
And I put on his T-shirt of gray and black,
With an eagle and an Army patch embroidered on back.

And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
And for a shining moment, I was United States Army deep inside.
I didn’t want to leave him on that cold dark night,
This guardian of honor so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, whispered with a voice so clean and pure,
"Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all is secure."
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night!

****************************

They sited Snopes.com with information concerning this poem. You can view all of the information HERE.
As Leatherneck wrote of the poem's author in 2003:

"Merry Christmas, My Friend" has been a holiday favorite among "leatherneckphiles" for nearly the time it takes to complete a Marine Corps career. Few, however, know who wrote it and when. Former Corporal James M. Schmidt, stationed at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., pounded it out 17 years ago on a typewriter while awaiting the commanding officer's Christmas holiday decorations inspection . . . while other leathernecks strung lights for the Barracks' annual Christmas decoration contest, Schmidt contributed his poem to his section.

Fires that slipped through the cracks

So today I get a call from some cat explaining to me that I had missed a couple of fires. Apparently there were two fires on A-shifts first day, and I did not post them. Now I do not mind being beckoned to post something, least of all a fire. However if you will notice, I do not post every fire. I enjoy hearing from guys who responded so that I have some feedback to post about. I enjoy getting a detailed description of what happened, and how the guys did. I enjoy having something of detail, something with some clout to it, to post.

Well this guy merely pointed out that I did not post either of the fires. Apparently 5 Engine ran two fires in the same day. The only other information I received was that Engine 5 beat Engine 2 to Days Inn on Orange Avenue.

This is what Roanoke Fire-EMS released about the fires:

**********************************

The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department responded to a residential fire on December 16, 2005 at 2407 Delaware Ave. The call was received through the 9-1-1 Center at approximately 2:10 p.m. The response of three Engines, one Ladder truck, one Medic Unit, one EMS Captain and one Battalion Chief for a total of 23 personnel responded to the scene.
When crews arrived they found smoke coming from the home. Upon further investigation, crews found the fire in the basement. This fire had started in a couch and had extended into the walls of the home. Firefighters attacked the blaze aggressively and quickly extinguished the flames.
The cause of the fire was found to be smoking materials that had ignited the couch and has been ruled accidental. When the fire broke out there was no one home. There were no injuries to Fire-EMS personnel or citizens. Damage estimates are approximately $33,000.

**********************************

The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department responded to a commercial fire on December 17, 2005 at 535 Orange Ave., Days Inn.

The call was received through the 9-1-1 Center at approximately 2:42 a.m. The response of three Engines, two Ladder trucks, one Medic Unit, one EMS Captain and one Battalion Chief for a total of 19 personnel responded to the scene.
When crews arrived they found smoke showing from room 155. Once crews gained access to the room they found the wall heater in the room was on fire. The flames had spread to the curtains and chairs. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze. The fire was contained to Room 155.
The cause of the fire was a malfunction in the electric heater and has been ruled accidental. When the fire broke out there were 200 people in the hotel. Everyone escaped safely. There were no injuries to Fire-EMS personnel or citizens. Damage estimates are approximately $9,000.

The Dallas K's

The Dallas K's:

I thought this was a very interesting post. I did not know about this, but apparently this Congressman recited this poem, that he wrote himself, right in front of everybody.

Dingell’s HOLIDAY Jingle for O’Reilly and House GOP

Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (MI-15) recited the following poem on the floor of the US House of Representatives concerning House Resolution 579, which expressed the sense of the House of Representatives that the symbols and traditions of Christmas should be protected. “Preserving Christmas” has been a frequent topic for conservative talk show hosts, including Fox News’s Bill O’Reilly:


‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the House
No bills were passed ‘bout which Fox News could grouse;
Tax cuts for the wealthy were passed with great cheer,
So vacations in St. Barts soon would be near;
Katrina kids were nestled all snug in motel beds,
While visions of school and home danced in their heads;
In Iraq our soldiers needed supplies and a plan,
Plus nuclear weapons were being built in Iran;
Gas prices shot up, consumer confidence fell;
Americans feared we were on a fast track to…well…
Wait--- we need a distraction--- something divisive and wily;
A fabrication straight from the mouth of O’Reilly
We can pretend that Christmas is under attack
Hold a vote to save it--- then pat ourselves on the back;
Silent Night, First Noel, Away in the Manger
Wake up Congress, they’re in no danger!
This time of year we see Christmas every where we go,
From churches, to homes, to schools, and yes…even Costco;
What we have is an attempt to divide and destroy,
When this is the season to unite us with joy
At Christmas time we’re taught to unite,
We don’t need a made-up reason to fight
So on O’Reilly, on Hannity, on Coulter, and those right wing blogs;
You should just sit back, relax…have a few egg nogs!
‘Tis the holiday season: enjoy it a pinch
With all our real problems, do we honestly need another Grinch?
So to my friends and my colleagues I say with delight,
A merry Christmas to all,
and to Bill O’Reilly…Happy Holidays.

Technorati tags: Bill O'Reilly, John D. Dingell, Dr. Seuss

Paramedics, Intermediates, and even Plain ole' EMT's, with a touch of good old Firefighting.

Here is a little tidbit of information sent to me today. Today 17 city Fire-EMS folks tested for National Registry EMT-I: Lt T Simmons, Lt T McFall, FF D Goodwin, FF T Meador, FF S East, FF X Lee, FF S Boone, FF J Mone, FF A Mitchell, FF B Smith, FF Proulx, FF Slayton, FF P Jesse, FF M Jenkins, FF D Lucas, FF A Foley, FF M Wheeling.

I wish the best for these guys. From what I hear the majority of them did an excellent job. This will provide the City with several more ALS providers.

As with most Cities across the Nation, the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department actively recruits Advanced Life Support (Paramedics, Cardiac Technicians, or Emergency Medical Technician Level Intermediate) personnel to fill the need of the Department. Currently there is a study being completed to find out the needs of the Department, and what the Department can do to retain these personnel. I was told today that the next recruit school will have a two year contract to sign. This will mean that the Firefighters will have to stay 2 years after recruit school in order to fulfill there contract, otherwise the individual will have to reimburse the City for the cost of their participation in recruit school.

This was brought up due to the fact that a rookie, who has only been out of recruit school about 2 months, is quitting effective January 2, 2006. It is reported that he will be going to work for Ablemarle County, Virginia. Below are the salaries of Ablemarle Fire as seen HERE.

Job Code	Position Desc	Paygrade	Minimum	Midpoint	Maximum	FLSA Status

Fire/Rescue
1I18	Assistant Fire Chief, Operations	18	$48,698	$63,308	$77,917	E
1I10	Assistant Fire Chief, Prevention	18	$48,698	$63,308	$77,917	E
1I02	Deputy Fire Chief	21	$60,145	$78,188	$96,232	E
1I14	Education Specialist/Training Captain	16	$42,305	$54,996	$67,688	N
1I21	EMS Instructor	14	$36,750	$47,774	$58,799	N
1I22	EMS Supervisor	16	$42,305	$54,996	$67,688	N
1I13	Fire & Rescue Assistant	09	$25,848	$33,603	$41,358	N
1I15	Fire Captain	14	$36,750	$47,774	$58,799	N
1I11	Fire Fighter/Emergency Medical Technician	12	$31,925	$41,503	$51,081	N
1I17	Fire Prevention Inspector II	12	$31,925	$41,503	$51,081	N
1I03	Fire Prevention Inspector/Investigator	13	$34,254	$44,529	$54,803	N
1I19	Firefighter/Advanced Life Support	13	$34,254	$44,529	$54,803	N
1I20	Plans Reviewer (Fire & Rescue)	14	$36,750	$47,774	$58,799	N
1I16	Recruitment & Retention Captain	14	$36,750	$47,774	$58,799	N

Whereas this is the immediate information of Roanoke Firefighter/EMT or FF/Medic:

Job Title: Firefighter/EMT FF/EMT 1 & FF/Paramedic

Salary: FF/EMT $30,452
FF/EMT 1 $31,771
FF/Paramedic $ 33,771



There is not that much of a difference in Pay from what I can see. On the other hand the Insurance might be a different story.

UPDATE:
I got a phone call today. I was told that Ablemarle adjusts the pay for experience, training, and education. I am told that a firefighter like myself with almost 7 years paid experience, an associates degree, and numerous training classes would probably start out close to 40k a year. If you throw in ALS certification, you can expect 40k+ each year. Sounds good, where do I sign up. Ha just kidding. You can't get rid of me that easy.

Don't worry, I will still be posting soon on employment opportunities for Roanoke City Fire-EMS, as well as some other local Departments. As far as Roanoke City goes, you can start HERE, HERE, or HERE for a position with Roanoke Fire-EMS as a Firefighter/EMT or a Firefighter/Paramedic. If indeed you have specific questions, I would be glad to answer them. Email me at Firefleitz@adelphia.net. I have already been contacted by several of you, and I am currently talking to some of you. I do not mind answering questions. If you would like, send me questions, therefore when I post on employment, I will have questions answered for everybody.

Golf Tournament T-shirts are in

I know it has been a long time since the Golf Tournament, but I wanted everyone to know that the extra Golf Tournament T-shirts have arrived. They are $10 a piece. Let me know if you want one. You can check out a picture of the t-shirt HERE. By the way, if you would like to help with the Golf Tournament this next year let me know.

Third Roanoke Team returns from Deployment

The third team arrived from Cameron Louisiana today. The team was deployed in Cameron to assist with the continued Cleanup of Hurricane Rita. You can view pictures of the team while they were deployed HERE. You can also read about their deployment HERE. The Hurricane Assistance Team consists of: Battalion Chief Audie Ferris, Battalion Chief Roger Manuel, Captain Alan Austin, Captain David Bishop, Captain Anthony Wallace, Captain David Pope and 1st Lt. Chuck Swecker.

The team served as the Incident Management Team running the EOC in Cameron. The crew was deployed on December 3rd.

Roanoke Fire Department 1937 Rules and Regulations

Roanoke Fire Department 1937 Rules and Regulations


Check out the newest addition to The Maurice Wiseman Project on Local 1132. Captain Willie Wines loaned the book to the RFFA so we could incorporate it in the project. You should really take a close look at the rules back in the day. I would have had to find a different occupation since I am only 5'7" and the minimum was 5'8". I am not the only one. Most of the Roanoke Firefighters would have had to find different occupations. The height/weight standards were very strict.

Words of Wisdom

Words of Wisdom

Check out the two prayers and one very poignant response to a letter to the editor on this. The three pieces speak volumes.

Technorati tags: A Firefighters Rebuttal, Local 2249

Roanoke Fire Department 10 Codes

Back in the day, the Roanoke Fire Department, now the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department, used 10 codes to communicate on the radio. This all changed in 2000, when the Department decided to change to plain talk. You can still hear remnant of the old way on the radio, dispatch and companies often still use terminology such as 10-4 (acknowledgement), 10-8 ( In service), 10-9 (repeat), and Codes such as Code 34 (DOA).

10 Codes/Signals vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, although certain ones always hold true. Many are universal across the nation. Many are used on the Citizen Band radio (CB).

So here is a list of the 10 codes, and other Codes from the Roanoke Fire Department. If you have any to add, let me know. This list is what is in one of the old engines in the City.

10-0 Caution
10-1 Unable to Copy
10-2 Signals good
10-3 Stop Transmitting
10-4 Acknowledgement
10-5 Relay
10-6 Busy - Standby unless urgent
10-7 Out of Service
10-8 In Service
10-9 Repeat
10-12 Standby (stop)
10-13 Weather and road report
10-19 Return to___________.
10-20 Location
10-21 Call ____________ by telephone
10-22 Disregard
10-23 Arrived at scene * First company to arrive on scene, give exact location.
10-24 Assignment completed
10-25 Report in person to ___________
10-30 Illegal use of radio
10-33 Emergency
10-34 Riot
10-36 Correct time
10-39 Urgent - Use light and siren
10-40 Silent Run - No light or siren
10-51 Need _________________
10-53 Road Blocked
10-70 Fire alarm
10-71 Working fire
10-72 Can handle alone
10-73 False alarm
10-74 Negative
10-76 Enroute or transfer to
10-79 Notify Coroner
10-84 If meeting ________, advise ETA
10-87 Pick up checks for distribution
10-88 Advise present telephone number of ______
10-89 Bomb Threat
10-97 Check (Test) Signal

Code 3 Flat tire
Code 6 Garage repair or service
Code 7 Radio repair
Code 10 Vehicle breakdown
Code 16 At office or station
Code 17 Follow up investigation
Code 18 Building inspection
Code 19 Other
Code 29 Airport alert
Code 30 Notify Hospital Emergency Room
Code 31 Disaster
Code 34 DOA (dead on arrival)
Code 51 Unnecessary use of radio
Code 53 Civil Defense siren not working
Code 54 Radiation involved
Code 56 Any traffic for __________

Fire at 4600 Williamson Rd.

Tonight at 8:16 pm a fire was reported at the old Roma restraint on Williamson Road. The Roma restraint is vacant, and has been for several years. The building is situated right beside Hooter's restraint. E10, E2, E9, L13, L2, M2, M10, Chief 2, BC1, BC2, Service Truck 2, and Fire Marshal 2. The Fire was marked under control at 8:53 and a primary search had been completed according to the page. One firefighter was transported to the hospital. The reports that I am getting are that the FF had superficial burns to the ears and neck. The firefighter was ambulatory at the hospital. The fire was a single alarm.

I will update when I find out more information.

Update:

From the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department

The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department responded to a commercial structure fire on December 15, 2005 at the 4600 block of Williamson Rd., the Villa Roma Motel.

The call was received through the 9-1-1 Center at approximately 8:15 p.m. The response of four Engines, two Ladder trucks, two Medic Units, one EMS Captain, two Battalion Chiefs, one Administrative Chief, the Assistant Fire Marshal and one Investigative Unit for a total of 28 personnel responded to the scene.

When crews arrived they found two rooms fully involved. Firefighters aggressively attacked the blaze and brought it under control by 8:45 p.m.

This was a vacant motel and no one was inside the building when the fire broke out. The fire started at the rear of the structure and was contained to the building. This fire has been ruled as an arson and is being investigated. Damage estimates are approximately $50,000.

Two firefighters sustained minor injuries while fighting the fire. There were no injuries to citizens.

Two Fires at 502 22nd Street in 12 hours

Photo courtesy of Capt. Kent McIlhany

There was two fires at the same residence in a 12 hour period. The fire is still under investigation.

From the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department:

The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department responded to a structure fire on December 14, 2005 at 502 22nd St. This residence is located on the corner of 22nd St. and Essex St.

The call was received through the 9-1-1 Center at approximately 10:37 a.m. The response of three Engines, one Ladder truck, two Medic Units, one EMS Captain, two Battalion Chiefs, three Administrative Chiefs, one Education Information Specialist, the Fire Marshal, the Assistant Fire Marshal and one Investigative Unit for a total of 28 personnel responded to the scene.

When crews arrived they found a flames coming from the upstairs of the structure. Crews began an interior attack but were instructed to evacuate the building because it had been deemed unsafe. Firefighters then set up an exterior attack to extinguish the blaze. An Investigative Unit was called to the scene to determine the cause of the fire.

The origin, estimated cause of the fire and damage estimates are still under investigation.

This was a vacant home. No one was in the building when the fire started. There were no injuries to civilians or Fire-EMS personnel.

******************************************
Photo courtesy of Capt. Kent McIlhany

The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department responded to a fire on December 13, 2005 at 502 22nd St.

The call was received through the 9-1-1 Center at approximately 11:05 p.m. and was quickly under control. The response of two Engines, one Ladder truck, one Medic Unit, one EMS Captain, one Battalion Chief and one Investigative Unit for a total of 21 personnel responded to the fire.

When crews arrived they found a fire on the side of the residence. Crews quickly extinguished the fire and began to investigate.

The fire started at the window on the side of the house and was contained to the side of the structure. The estimated cause of the fire is under investigation and preliminary damage estimates are approximately $300.

This was a vacant home. No one was in the building when the fire started. There were no injuries to civilians or Fire-EMS personnel.

2006 Spots & Ladders Calendars

The 2006 Spots & Ladders Calendars are available from the Dalmatian Rescue of Southwest Virginia. You can visit the DRSV Online. The direct link for the online store is here. Support the DRSV by purchasing a calendar. The DRSV has helped out the Roanoke Firefighters during many events. The calendar features Firefighters from Roanoke City.

Roanoke Firefighters Frappr - Map of Readers

Let Roanoke Firefighters know where you are reading from as well as check out where the other readers are. Check out Roanoke Firefighters Frappr and simply sign in where you are located. You do not have to sign up if you do not want to. Thanks to the LAFD Blog for this idea.

On this Day in History - Fire Station #7 is opened

Fire Station #7 Opened: December 13, 1922

Photo courtesy of the RFFA archives circa 1922.

Fire Station #7 was opened this day in history 83 years ago. The station originally had only 1 bay. The second bay was added on in 1950 to accommodate a Ladder truck. The addition was built The station is still in operation today housing Engine 7 and Ladder 7. I was told just the other day that Roanoke Fire-EMS has begun planning to replace this station with a new Fire Station 7 in the same vicinity. The new station will probably have 3 bays and will be built in the next 10 years.

Fire Station #7 circa 2005

16th Anniversary of Deadly Shenandoah Homes Fire

December 14th marks the 16th anniversary since the deadly fire at Shenandoah Homes in Roanoke County. Four People lost their lives in the fire that night. I was not in Roanoke at the time. As a matter of fact I was not even in High School at the time. So what I have learned of the fire, I have been told, or I have read. I will not comment on the Fire other than four people perished and 12+ were injured.

What I have done is taken excerpts from the Roanoke Times articles and letters to the editor about the fire and some of the issues which resulted from the fire. The information below was gathered from NewsBank which anyone can access through the Salem Library or online at the Salem Libraries Website with a library card. It is a great source for information.

FIRE SURVIVORS GLAD TO BE BACK

Roanoke Times, The (VA)
January 3, 1990
Author: BEN BEAGLE STAFF WRITER

The blackened third-floor window at Shenandoah Homes represents only a bad memory now and some of the people who have returned after the fire said today they are glad to be back.

The fire was Dec. 14. It took four lives and all 170 residents had to be evacuated in subfreezing weather. Today, Dorothy Jarrett, 74, was back in her first-floor apartment and she said the memory of the early morning fire "doesn't bother me a bit."

"It could have happened somewhere else," she said.

Lewis Johnson, 83 and a man who helped get people out of the south side of the first floor the night of the fire, said he wasn't bothered by the memory.

"Life goes on," Johnson said. "You're not scared. It could happen anywhere. In your home or anywhere else."..."

KNOWS PROBLEMS OF VOLUNTEERS
Roanoke Times, The (VA)
January 2, 1990
Estimated printed pages: 1

A LOT HAS been said about the response time for the fire at Shenandoah Homes. I and my family are eternally grateful for the fire department, rescue squad and volunteers who helped to get the residents out. The staff is to be commended.

My mother has lived there for two years. By the grace of God and all the above-mentioned, she was taken out safe..."

GIVE INCENTIVES TO VOLUNTEERS FOR NIGHT DUTY
Roanoke Times, The (VA)
January 3, 1990
Estimated printed pages: 2

"THE RESPONSE to the Shenandoah Homes disaster was disastrous. The facts are similar to that of a 1976 fire at Spanish Trace apartments. Three people died there. I hope the consolidation plan will address certain key issues pertaining to emergency response to potential multicasualty incidents.

Spanish Trace was in an area recently annexed by the city of Roanoke. the closest fire station in the city was at 24th St. and Melrose Avenue, too far for a five-minute response time. The closest was Salem Fire Department's No. 2 station on Electric Road, close enough for a five-minute response. The personnel and equipment from this station were never asked to respond.
After the Roanoke Fire Department arrived, they asked Salem to send a ladder truck, which was sent from the downtown station. Roanoke also asked for the county to respond, but by now it was too late for any further rescue. Nothing much politically has changed since then.

I believe the closest qualified personnel and equipment should respond to emergencies, no matter in whose political boundary they occur. Volunteer firefighters and paramedics take the same training and testing as the paid ones do.

At the Shenandoah Homes fire, no one was at the Hollins Fire Station when the call went out. I invite the politicians to consider some incentives to keep volunteers at the stations at night:

Provide adequate facilities for eating, sleeping and showering.

Include the volunteers in a pension or retirement plan.

Decrease the personal property tax by 1/7 to the volunteers if they have to spend one night a week away from home and at the station.

I believe these incentives, and others, will insure a quality response and not burden the taxpayers much."

JAY T. BAIN SALEM

STEPS TO PREVENT INSTITUTIONAL FIRES
Roanoke Times, The (VA)
January 3, 1990
Estimated printed pages: 2

"IF A RECURRENCE of the tragedy at Shenandoah Homes is to be avoided, deliberate steps must be taken. While the unusual delay in response by the Roanoke County Fire Department is regrettable, the solution is not to spend $6 million to provide a paid staff in all the county fire departments; a similar delay could be expected in the event of two incidents occurring in quick succession. Perhaps the staff of first-response volunteer firefighters could remain in the stations during periods of predicted extreme weather conditions, thus partly eliminating the problem of delay.

More important than the response of emergency agencies is the placement of automatic fire detection and suppression systems that will prevent an incident from reaching disastrous proportions. Local fire officials who advocate legislation requiring the installation of sprinkler systems throughout facilities such as Shenandoah Homes are on target.
Hazards such as overloaded electrical circuits and smoking in bed are difficult or impossible to eliminate. Partial sprinkler systems, covering only select areas, offer a false sense of security.

However, a properly maintained, total coverage sprinkler system is, according to the National Fire Protection Association, approximately 99 percent reliable in extinguishing a fire before it consumes synthetic bedding, upholstered furniture, carpeting and other combustibles found in every home, all of which produce poisonous gases when they burn. Most fire fatalities are a result of exposure to these gases..."

THEY'RE HEROES WE'RE NOT CRITICIZING FIREFIGHTERS
Roanoke Times, The (VA)
January 8, 1990
Estimated printed pages: 2

"ROANOKE County's volunteer firefighters performed heroically in battling the fatal fire at Shenandoah Homes. If some of our readers inferred from our editorials that we believe otherwise, let us set the record straight.

Our criticism of the response to the Shenandoah Homes fire was not directed at the firefighters. They did their jobs bravely and well under very adverse circumstances.
Our call for a unified emergency-response system throughout the valley has nothing to do with the caliber of the people who make up the county's volunteer fire departments. They're sterling, public-spirited folks, and thank God for them.

What we have said, and what we continue to believe, is that the area is entitled to a better system: a system through which an emergency call will go to the station in the best position to respond; a system that provides an on-duty response crew at all times of day and night. In calling for such a system, we tried to pay tribute to the performance of the individuals who did respond to the Shenandoah Homes fire. We tried to make it clear that the delay in responding was not the fault of the volunteers who crawled out of warm beds and braved icy streets to get to the scene. If our praise for the volunteers got buried in our criticism of the system, then allow us to reiterate that praise.

On Dec. 20, our lead editorial made this observation:

By all reports, county firefighters and sheriff's deputies worked effectively and courageously once they arrived. Conditions - icy subfreezing weather - made a difficult job all the harder. The heroism of the rescuers almost certainly kept the fire from claiming more lives than it did. On this score, the rescuers can hold their heads high.

On Dec. 30, again in a lead editorial, we stated:

The spate of fires has put a tremendous burden on firefighters, be they paid professionals . . . or unpaid volunteers . . . Where one's own life and the lives of others are often at stake, the burden can be emotional as well as physical. One purpose of working toward a unified emergency-response system throughout the valley is to ease that burden.

We're grateful for the jobs Roanoke Valley firefighters are doing. Our criticism has been aimed at the system, and not at the fine people who try to make the system work..."

There were other fires at Shenandoah Homes throughout the years. This was the worst of them. Hopefully there will not be any more devistating fires like this in the Roanoke Valley. Unfortunately there are still buildings like this which are not sprinklered even today.

It is interesting to see that, even then, they were talking about a Regional/Unified Fire-EMS Department.

Thanks to Travis Collins for the idea of posting this incident as well as scanning the images from the RFFA archives.

Roanoke Firehouse Nicknames

I would like to add that I have recieved several emails, phone calls, and comments in person on this topic. I would like to say that anybody can come up with a station logo, name, t-shirts, patches, etc. You can wear said items off duty all day long. In order to possibly wear this stuff on duty, and/or hang it in the stations, you will have to get permission. I know the RFFA would entertain the thought of carrying the merchandise in the marketing room.

A few suggestions if you were to follow through with this.

1. Keep it clean, professional, and Politically correct.
2. Make sure it makes sense.
3. Check with everyone in the station to see all the ideas and/or recommendations.

Some of the names I have heard recently or in the past:

#1 - Pride of Roanoke; The Big House; The Brick House; Downtown Trucking Company; The Downtown Demolition Team;
#2 - The Palace; The Palace Gaurds;
#3 - 6th Street Henchmen; 6th Street Express; Alley Kats;
#4 - Extended Stay America; Holiday Inn Express - (Gotcha Willy)
#5 - The Rock
#6 - The Beast of Southeast; Southeast Circus
#7 -
#8 - South Roanoke's Bravest
#9 - The Rat House; Northwest Raiders;
#10 - The Blackhole; The Black Sheep
#11 -
#12 - Ghost Ship
#13 - Pride of Peters Creek; Lucky 13;
#14 - The Border Patrol
County #7 - The Country Club

Feel free to add whatever you guys think of. Keep me posted. Like I said, you might also come up with individual Unit nicknames. Check out a website that I found here. It has patches of most of FDNY's current and past Firehouses. Keep the ideas flowing in. I will post them here. I might make a page on 1132's website to keep everyone posted.

Station Pride

Last week I went to Baltimore County, Maryland and DC to check out some Diesel Exhaust Systems. I will not be posting on my thoughts of the various systems until the Committee I am part of makes a recommendation to the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department.

What I do want to talk about for a minute is some similarities and differences between the Roanoke Fire-EMS and DC Fire that I noticed while I was there.

One issue I would like to speak of involves Pride, Honor, and Tradition. Our Department is thick with Traditions and some have been spoken of on this blog. Honor is also alive and well in the Department in the sense of Honor of the job, Honor of those who have died in the line of duty, Honor of rank, seniority, and respect. Pride is also prevalent on the individual basis; what I mean is that the Firefighters are Proud of the Department, the RFFA, themselves. The Firefighters are Proud of the job that they do and how they do it. However, Pride could go a lot farther in our Department.

Station Pride and Company Pride seem to be lacking, not only in our Department, but in most. Sure guys call #5 The Rock, and #2 the Palace, but what about all the rest? Why doesn't every station have t-shirts made up like #3, #5, #7. Check out some of the names FDNY has; Animal House, 90 Proof, Fantasy Island, Happy Hookers, Southern Comfort, Woodside Warriors, Red Hook Raiders, Dragon Fighters.

While up in DC we traveled to 4-5 stations. Two of them stood out; ChinaTown w/ Rescue 1, The House of Pain - Engine 10/Truck 13.

I have always been interested in these namesakes. I think that it creates a bond among the firefighters, a zest for the job, a competitive outlet for the different companies.

Why isn't there a sign hanging in #5 that says THE ROCK on it? Why not each station have a nickname or identity. You can go in most stations and see different things hanging on the walls. From huge flags to historical pictures.

If any station out there would like historical pictures of the station they are at, I will have them made so you can hang them in the Stations.

I challenge each and every station to come up with a namesake. We will see where this goes. Make some t-shirts, and whatever. A friendly competition among the Houses. Let me know if you come up with a name. On top of that, why not come up with a nickname for the individual Units/Companies. Please, try and keep it clean.

I think #10 has been dubbed "The Blackhole". From what I understand the T-shirts have been around a while.

Disclaimer: "I am not telling you to do anything without properly checking SOP's and going through the chain of command."

2006 EMS Bike Ride - cyclelicious

2006 EMS Bike Ride - cyclelicious:

2006 EMS Bike Ride
The registration deadline for the annual EMS Memorial Bike Ride is coming up.

In May 2006, EMS professionals from the Northeast will once again embark on a six day, six hundred mile bike ride from New York City to Roanoke, Virginia. The ride will conclude as part of the annual EMS Memorial events. For the fourth year they will ride to honor the memory of those EMS professionals being inducted at the memorial service as well as in support of the To The Rescue Museum.

The route is currently being developed. As with past rides, ride organizers have
depended on EMS and fire departments along the way to host meals and water breaks. Hosting the ride in your community is a great way to not only support the riders, but you will also be honoring those of whom the riders are riding for.

For all of you Bike Riders out there, and/or EMS guru's. You might want to check this out.

Technorati tags: Roanoke, EMS, Memorial, Bike Ride

LotzOthoughtz

LotzOthoughtz - Firemen:

There is something fascinating about Firemen. Part of it, I think, is that they go against instinct. Animals are hardwired to run from fire, be it in a fire pit or on our house. You still see this unknown fear in most non-human animals. It is so alien from everything else in the world, it is so hot and unpredictable who can blame animals for being instinctively fearful of it. But Firemen, they learn to compartmentalize this fear-a difficult thing to do. I don't think they get rid of the fear completely, that would be folly. If they had no fear there would be no sense of urgency, no sense of "have to save people now", they might even just stand there and stare at it if they had no fear of it.

This is a posting I found on a local blog. I thought some of you might enjoy it. You can find the entire post (HERE).

Technorati tags: Firemen, Roanoke, Firefighters, firefighting