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It feels like forever since I have been able to devote some time to the blog. Things have been CRAZY busy here on the homestead. I just finished up a week of the new Rope Rescue Level 1 course. Here in Virginia they have totally revamped the Heavy Tactical Rescue program (HTR), by dropping some courses, adding some courses, and combining some courses. This course that I took over the last week was a combination of old Rope 1, and 2. In this class we did rigging, rappelling, haul systems, lowering systems, pick offs, victim packaging, ascending, etc. all culminating in one huge scenario. It was tough and very labor intensive but I learned a lot and got to hang out with fireman from all over the state. Here are a few highlights.
EVEN MY TRUCK GOT IN ON THE ACTION!!!!
This program was all part of a week-long offering from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs called “Rescue Week” in addition to my class, there was Trench Rescue,Vehicle Rescue, and Introduction to Technical Rescue Classes all being taught. It was the first in what I hope is a pattern of doing this yearly.
In other news I also found out that I will be going back to FDIC 2013 this time as a Work Shop Instructor! My class “The Medical Mayday” will be 4 hours long and will encompass the missing part of the Mayday/fireground rescue process, actually caring for the victims once they are removed from the fire ground. I think it is going to be very well received and I hope I do the topic justice. It is not to early to sign up, head over to www.FDIC.com and sign up today! You do not want to miss FDIC it is by far the best fire conference out there with educational, networking, and exhibit opportunities!
Lastly in a few short days I and hopefully 343 other fireman from this area will be climbing 110 stories for the 343 FDNY firefighter murdered on 9/11. You can still register by going here
http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1117802 . There is ZERO reason not to do this climb, and pay tribute to the fallen firefighters of the FDNY. There is no excuse for the Metro Richmond Area to not fill this climb up, it is an insult if we do not, so SIGN UP TODAY!!!! The money collected from all the climbs nation wide goes to support the FDNY Counseling Unit
http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/units/csu/index.shtml a unit that provides counseling to firefighters and family’s.
If you do not feel you can make the climb then send in your money anyway and I will carry the name of your firefighter for you. No excuses fill this climb and honor those that have gone before us. We all promised to never forget, now here is a chance to show that you have not forgotten.
Well things are still getting busier and busier! Intermediate to Paramedic bridge class has started, Youth Football for my oldest is in full swing, in the next week or so my youngest will start youth soccer, the oldest will also be heading back to school soon, the wife is teaching an EMT-Basic course, and my self and Ryan Pennington
http://www.viewsfromthejumpseat.blogspot.com/ and
http://chamberofhoarders.com/ are getting ready to start our joint venture that will help spread our message of fire service excellence far beyond our individual websites.
You can always follow along on twitter @averagejakeff and….
As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!
It has been a long tough year thus far for the Virginia fire service family. There have been several LODD’s in the state and sadly we have to add another one to the list.
Early Monday morning in an apparatus crash Bloxom Volunteer Firefighter David Chew Jr. was ejected and killed. Our thoughts are with the Chew family and our fire service brothers in Accomack County Virginia in their time of loss.
While we try to remain respectful during times like this we would be remiss if we did not take this chance to learn. The bottom line here folks is buckle up, it will save your life. If you can not buckle up and pack up then train on it. If you do not know where to start take a look at this video from the Denver Colorado Fire Department
Like our physical fitness level, wearing your seatbelt is a part of the LODD chain we control. If it is predictable it is preventable. Honor those who have gone before us and learn from them by putting on your seatbelt every call, no excuses!
Well tomorrow morning I leave for Baltimore to teach my class “Long Stretch Solutions” at Firehouse EXPO on Thursday, then off to Myrtle Beach South Carolina for some family vacation action, so over the next week blogging will be minimal to non-existent. But do not worry you know I will be back!
As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, stay safe, and BUCKLE UP!
Today I attended the 2012 Virginia Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. During the service the 6 firefighters from the Commonwealth of Virginia were honored for their service, and dedication to Virginia’s fire service.
The service was great, it was not overstated but definitely not understated, and was perfect to provide some closure for the families (immediate and fire service).
Several Virginia Fire Departments played integral roles in either providing apparatus, honor guard, or just coordination of the event. A big thanks goes out the St. Andrews Legion Pipes and Drum Corps for providing the marching music. it just simply would not be a fire department function without pipes and drums and this band does an awesome job.
Here are some pictures:
St. Andrews Legion
Most of the pictures I took were on the outside as during the ceremony I did not think taking pictures was appropriate.
While sitting through the event, and often during things like this I began to have some self-reflection. Listening to the eulogies, reading the stories of the life and death of my fellow brothers, and seeing the reaction of the families and crowd mae me dwell on a few points.
1. I do not want my wife and kids getting one of those flags: This may initially come off as harsh but I am sure if you could ask the 6 honored today they would not have wanted this outcome for their family either. That flag while a great symbol of the dedication they served signals an end and sometimes and end not in the best of circumstances. Sure things happen in this job but I do not want my wife and kids sitting there getting that flag for something I could have prevented.
2. Have I let people know how I feel about them?: All fo the 6 honored had someone come up and speak about them. They all offered great stories, and kind words about the fallen. While those words are appreciated, I hope the fallen got to hear them while they were alive. I hope the people I care about (family and fire service family) know how I feel about them, but in case they don’t I am gonna make sure to let them know before they are no longer with us.
3. Motivation/reinforcement: While reading about the causes of these deaths mostly medical related in nature, It has validated the changes I have made in my diet, and fitness regimen. It also validated that the attention to detail, constant training, are truly the right path. These are things I have always known but every once in a while you need that validation. I know this path is the right one and I am motivated to continue walking it, and even expanding it! As I said earlier things happen on this job but I know I can prevent a lot of them by being well-trained (physically, and mentally), and doing the right things.
4. Sadness: You would think this emotion would be a prerequisite for events like this but usually I do not get sad I get mad. I get mad at the lack of turnout, I get mad that people can not take a few hours of their own time to pay respects to our fallen brothers. However this time I just felt sad. Sad for those who did not make it, as they missed out on a chance to view or participate in something that could change their life. Much like the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb so many people missed out on a chance to do something meaningful, and life changing. In just my department alone there are 600 firefighters, in the metro Richmond area there are probably around 2-3,000, who knows how many are in the entire Commonwealth and not a lot of people showed up to this event. I have gotten beyond anger and just feel sad for the ones who choose to pass up great chances.
Overall this was a great event! I am glad I went and will definitely go again.
As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!
A lot of things have been going on in the past few weeks, and a lot of things are coming up right around the corner. Two big events are on the horizon for us here in Virginia and if your close to here you should make every effort to try to attend.
Virginia Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service
On Saturday June 2nd 2012 at the Richmond International Raceway the Virginia Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service will be held at 12 noon. This year 6 firefighters will be honored and remembered in the ceremony.
The fallen firefighters to be honored are Firefighter David Palmer
of Roanoke Fire & EMS, Lieutenant William Brady of Norfolk
Fire & Rescue, Battalion Chief Bobby Slayton of Roanoke Fire &
EMS, Captain James Blanchard of James City Fire Department,
Firefighter Jeffery Alan Cocke of Altavista Fire Department, and
Firefighter Horace “Teddy” Pendergrass of Fairfax County Fire &
Rescue.
I am gonna try to attend, but will be cutting time close due to a previous commitment. However if you are to far away or are unable to make it the event will be streamed live over the internet Thanks to the Virginia Beach Fire Department Multimedia Production Division here is the link:
http://www.vbfdtv.com/live_broadcast_page.html
Hope to see you there.
Benefit for Injured VA Firefighter
Last week Charles City County Volunteer Fire Captain and Providence Forge Volunteer Rescue Squad member Mike Buchanan was injured when the tanker he was driving to a reported structure fire rolled over. Details of the incident are here:
http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/news/fullstory/newsid/163759
Mike is still in the ICU at VCU Medical Center in a coma. This one hits close to home because I actually know Mike. We are not best friends but I ran several calls with him during my Part Time days with New Kent County Fire and Rescue. A lot of times on the weekends Mike was the only ALS provider around and would run calls county-wide all day. Well now Mike is fighting for his life and like any time when major medical expenses occur him and his family need your help.
At the very least lets include Mike in your prayers, your thoughts, and use this as a reminder to all of us that this job is dangerous and we should cherish everyday we have doing it and with our loved ones. Lets also use this as a reminder to go over some vehicle safety and safe driving procedures because even when you do everything right (which it appears Mike did) bad things can happen, and we need to be prepared for that.
So please try to attend or support these to events that are right around the corner.
As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!
It has been a tough year for Virginia already and today with the announcement of the loss of another brother this time from Norfolk Fire and Rescue.
Lets keep the family of Jonathan Myers and the Norfolk Fire and Rescue family in our thoughts. Also let us honor our brother by committing 100% to the fire service by putting time in the gym, and training every shift.
Mark your calendars now. The 2012 Virginia Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service will be on June 2, 2012 at the Old Dominion Building on the grounds of the Richmond International Raceway.
This years services will begin at noon, and will honor 6 Firefighters recognized as LODD’s by the Virginia Line Of Duty Act.
Bring your apparatus, Honor Guard, or just show up yourself. Try not to miss your chance to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.
Do not forget to keep following along on twitter @averagejakeff
As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!
In the wake of the two recent VA LODD’s I have been thinking a lot about dying in the line of duty. Not dwelling on it or being fearful, but seriously trying to perform some self-reflection and think about the impact these events have on us all.
Every firefighter death is tragic, not all are necessary, but all are tragic. Not to diminish any firefighters death but it seems the ones that are close to home affect me more. I learn attempt to learn something from every LODD but for whatever reason these 2 LODD’s have really got me thinking.
First and foremost I do not have a death wish, I do not fear it, and realize that one day my number will be called either on the job, or off. I also realize that I signed up to put my life in harm’s way if there is a chance to save another. It is something that anyone on the job has done 100 times over. Like most I have had some close calls, but always seem to try to take the lesson from it and not to dwell on it in fear of losing the edge it takes to do the job.
There are two big problems in my eyes with firefighters and LODD’s. The first is denile. A lot of us are in denile that anything like this could ever happen to us. It is either ego driven (I have been doing this long enough there is nothing I can’t do), or complacency driven (We do not go to fires anymore kid). It is not a coincidence that these two attitudes also typically influence the persons desire to participate in training (fire or physical training). The second problem is failure to realize that our actions affect others. Maybe it is ego, selfishness, or ignorance but what ever the case far to often we only think about our actions affecting us, seldom do we examine the impact our death or serious injury will have on our department, shift, family, friends, or children. If we sat down and thought about his more often we may be more inclined to take steps to prevent LODD’s of all types.
I have been thinking about this ever since the death of Joshua Wiessman, and it has been magnified since the death of Zach Withacre. I can especially relate to Zach’s death as my brother, father and I are all in the fires service and at one time volunteered together, and worked in the same career department together. I have lost count the amount of times one, both, or all three of us were on the same rig together, or at the same fire together. As per usual neither of us really though about the impact one or all of our deaths would have had on our family, and that is not right, or respectful to the ones who sacrifice a lot so that we can do this job.
The bottom line is our actions affect others. I have to be on top of my game at all times not just for me or the citizens, but for my shift, and my family. If I am not at the top of my game then I run the risk of hurting them in a far worse way than physical pain. If you do not belive me, then take a look at the video below. I’m sure most of you have seen it, but it will put in your face how much your actions impact others more than words ever can.
As for me the final conclusion of my thoughts, and feelings has led me to this. I am more motivated than ever to train every day, learn as much as I can about this job, workout so that I can perform to my highest ability at all times, and do my best no matter the haters to ensure that everyone goes home, and spread the message of good firefighting tactics, operations, and training. Not for me, not for the personal satisfaction (not that I ever did any of this for that anyway) but for you, them, and they. I want to be the best I can be for my family, your family, the citizens, my shift mates, and anyone else that is effected by my actions. The only way to do this is to train your mind, and body like you are getting ready for a fight, because you are fighting for the life of those around you and yourself. Do not go in to your fight unready. I will be ready, and if I do not survive my fight, hopefully everyone will know that I was as prepared as I could be, for it.
I do not think I am going to be able to make it to the funeral for Alexandria Fire Department Paramedic Joshua Wiseman, but that does not mean you should not go! If you can not go at least make a donation to his memorial fund
Joshua A. Weissman Memorial Fund c/o Alexandria Firefighters, Inc – IAFF Local 2141 4600 Duke Street, Suite 429 Alexandria, VA 22304
As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!
Reports this morning are that a Firefighter with the Gore Volunteer Fire Department in Frederick County Virginia has passed away after an apparatus crash. Another firefighter was injured as well and transported to the hospital.
http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/news/fullstory/newsid/155997
Let’s make double sure that we are staying safe, and doing the right things so that we can go home to our families at the end of the tour.
As usual thanks for reading, spread the word, and STAY SAFE!
While some of the details may be hard to hear, it is important that we reserve judgement for a later date. The bottom line on this is that the fire service as a whole has lost a brother, the VA fire service has lost a second brother in a short period of time, a department has a lost a brother, and a family has lost a son,brother,uncle, etc. There will be plenty of time for finger pointing but for now allow everyone to mourn and to honor him as he should be a firefighter who died in the line of duty.
