Posts Categorized: Monday Morning Shoutout
Brotherhood abound and remembering 2 of Virginia’s fallen
When you hear the word "Brotherhood" spoken, most of us associate it with the larger Departments in the Country. The FDNY always comes to mind for most but, you hardly ever hear about the "small town USA" Volunteer Fire Company.
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I’m alive! Half naked cowboys, firefighters down, head shaving and a lot more “catching up”
Talking about these situations in a classroom setting is one thing but getting "hands on" for actual experience is invaluable.
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A gamble with tax payer’s money? Are BIG chances being taken in Botetourt County’s provision of Public Safety? Why let a fox in the hen house?
Their policy should be STRICT because allowing felons to serve in Public Safety is like putting a fox in the hen house!
These are NOT the types of people I want in my house ( with my wife, children, grandchildren etc) while I'm away. When responding to an emergency incident, the Fire Chief has that authority .... to enter your home (by force if deemed necessary).
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Volunteer Leadership
The days of "Territorial" Volunteer Companies is passing. A 15 or 20 minute response time because you think it's "YOUR" call and you don't want to turn it over is unacceptable! Our citizens expect more. They demand more and they DESERVE it! We can not compromise on Public Safety for the sake of ego stroking.
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The plot thickens for Botetourt County Volunteer vs. Paid battle …. screw you guys..I’m going home!
Screw you guys... I'm going home!
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Volunteer vs. Paid …Respect my AUTHORITAH !!!
"He said Tuesday that if an emergency services director assumes control of a scene "there are going to be a lot of hurt feelings and busted noses."
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Covering a shift …
The seat belt is in a different location than I'm used to reaching for. My helmet, gloves etc are not where I'm accustomed to them sitting.
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More from The Fire Critic and Ironfiremen.com
I will be attending the funeral and have plenty of room if you'd like to ride ( Rhett will be out of town and unable to attend but we are taking the "Blog Mobile" ). I will be leaving Station #13 in Roanoke at 7am Thursday morning. We will return late Thursday night (We will be attending the 6pm wake as well).
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Taking “Brotherhood” to the FDNY and so much more …CONTINUED!
Firefighter Pete Mclaughlin was killed in The Line of Duty on October 8, 1995 just a week or so after our last ride with R4. He was caught in a flash over with collapse. Later, they would name a street in Queen in honor and memory of Pete. You can read a small related article by clicking HERE . WELL DONE BROTHER ... continue to Rest in Peace and thanks again for the ride!
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Taking “Brotherhood” to the FDNY and so much more!
I guess, in a way; we were able to show the men of Rescue 2 that the Brotherhood is alive and well... and not just in New York City. Knowing that a lot of you who donated were sacrificing something to do so (big or small) was very humbling. Again I say THANK YOU !
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I don’t know where we’re going but we’re making good time!
It's not about us ... me, you, him or her. It's about US ... the Fire Service .. THE BROTHERHOOD. Maybe our small gestures will inspire greater ones from others ....
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TODAY!
TODAY ... these brothers are fighting to recover. TODAY ... their families sacrifice and suffer. What will YOU do to help TODAY?
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The “illusion” of death!
The " Illusion of death " .... HA ! There is no "illusion". Death is VERY real and nobody knows that better than those of us in the Fire / EMS service. We see it often .. sometimes daily. What we see is not the drama coated "Hollywood" death but the REAL thing. It's not pretty!
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Retirement Cluster, Bull riding and the 1st road trip of 2012!
Several of our members REALLY impressed me. It's been a long time since I've seen multiple members stand up and say what's on their mind.... what's on ALL OF OUR MINDS ! The second video in that above link to the Melrose Misfit was a toilet flushing ... THAT'S OUR MORALE ! It been there for a while.
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Under staffed, attacks on our pension, a Close Call, 2nd alarms to rubbish fires…. Ironifremen.com is back on line!
We all need a room full of firefighter wives, girlfriends etc like " Suki " to fill council chambers etc every time they talk about, debate and consider budget cuts to Public Safety. And don't think for a minute that your Department budget or your pension is safe. Right now, my pension is under attack. It's been coming for some time now but it's just here recently that the majority of our members have "seen the light"
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Money well spent!
The occupants were in a panic, fearing they were trapped; but Randy had it knocked down within seconds and with less than 500 gallons of water. Our County Brothers will be ecstatic to read that we even got the "brush rake" off the rig. Randy quickly got to the "head", extinguished and began "cutting a line" .... LMAO ... if we only had a " PULASKI" tool.
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BAD PUBLICITY (?) … FIRE AND … LOTS OF IT!
That's the problem with videos and articles such as this .... they don't show or tell the entire story. They also take things out of context. You can't show up and ride with an Engine Company and understand firefighters.... it takes a hell of a lot more than a few hours to understand who we are and what we do.
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A HUGE “LET DOWN”
Our strategies and tactics must change and adapt to the environments in which we are placed. I'm not so sure that our training methods and text books shouldn't be changed as well. I mean we may as well be teaching single firefighter techniques right? Why teach and drill into a rookies head the "team concept" when in reality, they are gonna end up on the nozzle or searching alone?
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Queen City Burns – Monday Morning Shoutout
This weeks Monday Morning Shoutout goes to Queen City Burns by Taj, a 24 y.o. firefighter in Queen City, Louisiana. Taj is trying to make a difference. He is part of the bloggers trying to make a cultural change in the fire service through writing, training, teaching, and learning. This crowd has actually got me working out half-regularly now and I thank them for the motivation and inspiration!
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Why am I even here?
I've asked myself that question thousands of times since the attacks on our Nation back in 2001. My dad, Rhett (The FireCritic), Todd "Boots" Harris and myself recently sat down for an interview with Roanoke Times reporter Jorge Valencia. It was a GREAT …
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Middle day, 4th of July weekend
Another beautiful day here in "The Noke" and we're stuck on duty. It's almost scary .... pretty weather, the 4th of July eve and we've actually been pretty quiet. I'm just waiting for the bottom to fall out.
I'm hoping for a quiet night but know how i…
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Vacation halted
Once again, I have a ton of catching up to do. I think I warned ya before heading out to Orange County with the Roanoke Rampage...
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Ironfiremen.com back on the East coast
I was headed home as the Brothers from LA County were hard at work.
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Ironfiremen.com says goodbye to Washington DC
WOW ... What a trip !
They say "all good things must come to an end" so I left DC this morning at 6am and headed back to the farm.
I hated to leave. The 2011 Congressional Fire Service Institute Dinner was AWESOME.
I knew that this was goin…
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Ironfiremen.com is DC Bound!
In a little less than 12 hrs I'll be heading out for Washington DC to attend the Congressional Fire Service Institute Dinner!
I can't wait to get there!
I'll be having dinner with some of the top leaders of the Fire Service as well as with ma…
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