LODD Peabody MA

December has been a rough month for the fire service.

Condolences and prayers to the family and coworkers of the Peabody Massachusetts firefighter killed in the line of duty this afternoon on a working fire.  

Please continue to pray for the brothers from FDNY and thier families that were injured earlier this week in Brooklyn.

God bless us.

Structural Collapse School and Rope Rescue Training

 This week, new members of the Salem Fire EMS Department Technical Rescue Team participated in the Rescue 3 Low to High Angle Rope Rescue class.  Team members learned build haul and lowering systems, anchoring systems, and rappelling skills.  Along with classroom time, the team members spent time training in the Jefferson National Forest, on Wednesday due to foul weather the class went inside the Salem Civic Center for ascending drills, more rappelling, pick offs, and litter/stokes basket attending.

 

The previous week, two members of the departments Technical Rescue Team participated in the Structural Collapse Technician course in VA Beach, VA.  Captain Eddie Hite and Senior FF Hunter Weikle spent 8 days learning the basics of shoring, lifting and moving,  and breaching breaking and burning.   A good hard week of training, networking, with some shenanigans thrown in for good measure.

The Week in Review

This past week proved to be a busy one for the 2 House Crew and the Tech Rescue Team members.  Monday was a B Shift day, and also the first day for Swiftwater Rescue Tech I class.  Class was stopped for a bit for a house fire, then it was back to getting our learn on.  Tuesday and Wednesday, the class to a field trip to McCoy Falls for the practical portion of the class, the water was a bit low but everybody had a good time.

Some instructions and word of wisdom  from Lt Tracy Coe.

Clownin' for the camera

Thursday, several people attended the 4th Annual Officer Seminar.  The guest speaker this year was Retired Deputy Chief  James P.  Smith of the Philadelphia Fire Department, and the topic presented was "Strategic and Tactical Considerations on the Fire Ground".  

Friday was just one of those uneventful kinda days.  "And you know this, maaaan!"

Until next time, stay safe and train hard!

Just a note

I received a couple of messages from some people that read the blog, and they asked why nothing was posted about the 10 year anniversary of Sept 11th.
 I would feel safe in saying that most people that this read blog, do not have to be told "Never Forget", "Remember 343", and all of that stuff, it is a part of us.  After all of the fanfare, pomp and circumstance we are all still chauffeurs, engineers, DPO's, firefighters, firemen, probies, rookies, officers, and bosses.  The best way that we can honor those that lost their lives on that tragic day:

                                 Do Your Job!

  Honor them and those that have gone on before us.  Honor your department, and yourself by learning your job, knowing your job, and taking pride in the work that we do.

 

Regional Technical Rescue Drill - Day 3

Day 3 of the technical rescue drill, the brothers from  C Shift joined up with their counterparts from Roanoke City and Roanoke County B shift personnel for the third and final day of the Division 6 Technical Rescue Team Quarterly Drill.  The drill for this quarter is focused on trench rescue, with a twist.  The final day scenario was different than the first two.  A worker was pinned beneath two pipes in an unsecured trench.  This scenario involved a lifting problem in addition to shoring the trench.

A good job by everybody, a break for lunch, some shuffling of personnel, then back to some more trench training. 


The rest of the drill focused on getting hands on time setting trench panels and shores, discussing different shoring situations and safety.

Overall a very good three days of training and lesson learned. 

Stay safe, train hard!

Regional Technical Rescue Drill - Day 2

On day 2 of the technical rescue drill, the brothers from B Shift joined up with their counterparts from Roanoke City and Roanoke County A shift personnel for the second day of the Division 6 Technical Rescue Team Quarterly Drill.  The drill for this quarter is focused on trench rescue, with a twist.  The second day the scenario changed a bit.  The team was given information that a worker was standing at the corner of a T shaped trench, when the corner broke loose, dropping the worker into the trench pinning them between a concrete pipe and the wall of the trench.

The scenario went well, and as usual everybody worked very well together.  After a debriefing and some lunch, the team was presented with an afternoon scenario, which was very similar to the Day 1 scenario.  The placement of the mannequin  was somewhat different along with a different placement of the pipe in the trench.

 The team took a different approach on how to free the victim from underneath the bucket of the backhoe, by setting up for a lift of the arm of the the backhoe using airbags at the top of the trench.

Just as the team was making final preparations for the lift,  the earthquake put a damper on the rest of training.  The brothers from Roanoke City had to pack up and head back into the city to assist with the increased number of calls.  Well, maybe next time.  Another good day of training

Regional Technical Rescue Drill - Day 1

The brothers from A Shift joined up with their counterparts from Roanoke City and Roanoke County for the first day of the Division 6 Technical Rescue Team Quarterly Drill.  The drill for this quarter is focused on trench rescue, with a twist.  The team members were presented with a construction worker that was operating a backhoe placing drain pipe, when he jumped off of the backhoe and into the trench to adjust the chain on a section of pipe.  A hydraulic failure occurred pinning the operator between the pipe and bucket of the backhoe.

The team was tasked with stabilizing the trench, and then the boom of the backhoe to be able to remove the victim.

As always, a day of good hard work,and brotherhood.  Stay tuned for tomorrow's report from the trenches

Congratulations to...

The crew's of the 2 House would like to congratulate  Senior Firefighter Mike Christley on his promotion to Lieutenant.

Mike will be assigned to C Shift, and we wish him the best of luck. 

* The picture was taken during a highly scientific experiment that was conducted to determine the number of ketchup packets it takes to refill a bottle of ketchup.  That number is 140.

Dallas TX LODD

Deepest condolences and prayers to the family of Lt. Todd Krodle and the  Dallas Fire-Rescue Department.  Lt Krodle fell through the roof of an apartment building during a three alarm fire today.  More information can be found at Statter911.

 Be safe out there

NC LODD

Condolences and prayers go out to the family of Captain Jeffery Bowen 37, a 13 year veteran of the Asheville, NC Fire Department was killed yesterday while battling a fire in a five story commercial structure. Seven others were injured during the fire, with one firefighter being sent to a burn unit.  That firefighter is expected to bee released soon.  More information can be found at Statter911.

Stay safe and train hard.

Hey! Long time no see...

Holy cow!  It's been a minute since I posted last.  I can tell you from first hand experience, being on the injured reserve list is no fun.  The physical therapy is no joke either, I really think these people have side jobs working for the government interrogating suspected terrorist.   So, let's catch up on a few things.

The 2 House  had the usual mix of bells, smells and sick person calls, the B Shifters had a small pin job, with multiple injuries, the C Shifters got in some good vehicle stabilization training, and now this week the Salem Fair has started up.  The Salem Fair is definitely the place to go if you want to people watch or find out where The Maury Show or Jerry Springer get some of the people for their shows.

That's a quick condensed version of the 2 House happenings, still have a few more things to share next week.  Don't forget to check out what's happening in the world of Captain Willie Wines at Iron Fireman, and Lt Rhett Fleitz at The Fire Critic.

In closing, a video from one helluva  brother,  Joe Brown a technician at DCFD Truck 17.  The video was shot  last 4th of July in the District.  Check out his blog  Just Looking Busy. 



Everybody have a safe and fun holiday weekend, and say an extra prayer for our men and women in the military deployed around the world.

Big Mike

Saturday June 4, 2011 VA Falen Firefighters Memorial Service

Saturday morning, two members of the 2 House Crew and Salem Fire EMS Honor Guard traveled to Richmond, VA as representatives of the department to participate in the VA Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service.    Lt Mike Elston, and Senior Firefighter Chris Smith joined members of Roanoke Fire-EMS Honor Guard and Roanoke County Fire and Rescue Honor Guard who also participated in the memorial service

One of the seven being remembered was Battalion Chief Billy Obenchain, Chief Obenchain retired from Roanoke Fire EMS but had a great impact on the lives of a lot of people in the fire service in the Roanoke Valley and across Virginia.
The seven that were honored at the ceremony were...Billy Obenchain, William “Danny” Altice, Posey Dillon, Timothy Pigg, Carl Persing, William “Hal” Clark and Zyglmantas Zalys.

Members of the Honor Guard, families of those being honored, and most of the attendees received a very nice challenge coin to commemorate the event. 
 

The Honor Guard members from Roanoke Fire EMS that participated were:  Battalion Chief Roger Manual, Captain Chris Trussler, Lt. Robert Reid, Lt. Dan Goodwin, Zach Obenchain (Chief Obenchain’s son), Richard Lipes, Travis Meador,  Josh Hull,  and Jeff East.  The Honor Guard members from Roanoke County Fire and Rescue were:  Captain Jeff Lawson, Lt. Toby Martin, Lt. Jeff Yopp and Lt Riley McClure.
 Below are a couple of shots from rehearsal, and of the Salem and Roanoke City Honor Guard participants.

Please that the time to send prayers and condolences to the families and to the San Francisco Fire Department for the two brothers Lt Vincent Perez, and FF/PM Anthony Valerio that died in the line of duty. 

San Francisco LODD

Our thoughts and prayers, and deepest condolences go out to the members of the San Francisco Fire Department, and to the families of the fallen and injured Brothers.

 Click link below for information.
San Francisco LODD

Memorial Day - God Bless America and our Hero's

 Memorial Day, the day that we, as Americans, honor and remember our country's fallen hero's.

Beyond the backyard cookouts, a long weekend, the camping trips, vacations to the beach, lake or where ever  on this day we cannot forget  the men and women of our country's military that have made the supreme sacrifice.  We cannot forget the families of theses hero's and the pain and suffering that they have experienced.
Let us not forget our veterans that have given service to this county's military, the men and women that made that commitment to the defense of America.  Some returning physically scarred, some carrying the burden of mental scars inflicted from the stresses of combat.  Take the time to thank these veterans for there service, not just today, but any day.
Everyday in America, young men and women are enlisting in America's military, raising their right hand and making that commitment to service.  Take a moment of your time to thank them.

    Have a fun and safe Memorial Day
-  Big Mike

 God Bless America

Friday, Friday, Friday! Haz Mat and a Body Count(not the band)

Friday was the third day of regional Haz Mat training for the Brothers of Salem and Roanoke City, and what a day it was.
Captain Wines of Iron Firemen had posted from earlier in the week about the fun and festivities at the Regional Haz Mat Glow Worm Hootenanny - Day 1.
While Captain Wines, The Buckaroo, and  family were doing some work around the farm, the Brothers of Salem B-Shift and Roanoke City A-Shift got together to hone their Glow Worm skills, have a few laughs and test the limits of equipment and personal comfort.

I dare say that  the person that put the "One Size Fits All" label on the Tyvek coveralls that are used never met Charlie Adkins.  A wee lad, just 6'10", you should see him in a leprechaun costume.

When the structural integrity of the suit failed, the sound was described as a shotgun going off.  No medics, farm animal or small children were harmed during the event.

While the Brothers were getting their Haz Mat on, Captain Wines, The Buckaroo, and  family were working in one of the barns, and had a run it with a few of the occupants.  A bystander said all they heard was a yell, some gun shots, and then it was over.  After the incident was over, a body count of three.

A good day of Haz Mat training, fellowship, and a lot of good laughs.  It's always a good thing when the different localities in the Roanoke Valley can get together and train.

Be sure to check out Iron Firemem  for more pictures of ill fitting Haz Mat garments and such.
Stay safe, train hard. train often!

Listen up!

One more video to share! Be safe, train hard, train often!

Sunday morning - Some Marvin, and some Seattle FD Nozzle Forward

Saw this video on youtube  and had to share it with everybody.  A good demonstration of advancing a 2.5" line with a smooth bore nozzle.

Rescue Challenge 2011 - Day 4 May 05, 2011

After an evening of one helluva fish fry and some relaxation, the Division 6 team was ready for the final day of Rescue Challenge 2011.  The team drove to Fort Lee for the heavy lifting drill, and the other heavy lifting and moving obstacle course.  The teams that participated in Rescue Challenge 2011 had a rare opportunity to perform a heavy lift on a M1A1 Abrams tank. 69 Tons, BABY!! There are people that can say that they have had that opportunity, but can they say that the tank was on it's top and they had to remove two victims from under the turret?

       

                        

    

After the lift was completed, the event facilitators had some very positive comments and feedback for the Brothers of Division 6.  The representatives from Paratec also had very good comments and feedback.

The second event at Fort Lee proved to be a bit of a challenge, the team had to move a M113A3 Armored Personnel Carrier using manpower and mechanical advantage.

With several grunt, groans, yells, and foul language, the 13 ton tracked box moved forward back and even turned.

When it was all over and the APC came to rest in the ditch, the Brothers called it a day.  After the equipment was packed up and everyone was debriefed it was time to hit the road for home.
 It was an honor and privilege to be part of this group this year.  Everyone left with more knowledge than they came with, and a great sense of accomplishment. 
It was a good time...Time to get ready for the next adventure.
 Stay safe, train hard, train often!