It was a busy day for the Engines and Medics of Salem today. The city was dumped on several separate occasions. Fortunately we managed to get a little training in with Capt Johnson between the calls.
After Bobby's sausage, bacon, egg, apple buttered biscuit breakfast a chili cook off was the perfect compliment. The expert opinions and fine culinary tastes of the Station II crew were taken full advantage of at the annual Ridgewood Gardens chili cook off extravaganza. All of the contestants were well seasoned (licorice?)and enjoyable but our 1st place pick went to the #6 white chicken chili with the #10 sweet and spicy chili at a close 2nd. An overall good day for the guys on the East Side. - Barger
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
A Shift and baby snatchin' practice
Another slow day on the east side of the city. All 3 stations did get together for some fine EMS CE from Captain Johnson. Some thoracic and abdominal training for the morning sessions and pediatric emergencies and obstetric training for the evening sessions. Soon to be EMT-I Matt Burnette is calm and cool when faced with an OB emergency. Good job Matt!
Special thanks to Captain Johnson for his knowledge and his patients with us. Pretty basic calls for everyone today thus far. We will see what the night holds for us. A-Shift is out until next Tuesday,everyone stay safe! - Smitty
"Train like your life depends on it! Because it does!"
Special thanks to Captain Johnson for his knowledge and his patients with us. Pretty basic calls for everyone today thus far. We will see what the night holds for us. A-Shift is out until next Tuesday,everyone stay safe! - Smitty
"Train like your life depends on it! Because it does!"
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Light at the end of the tunnel, ride to the county, moving in, and stuff...
Well it has been several days since our last post, and a lot has happened. So, let's catch up on things.
Thursday of last week was a day of installing windows on the far side, yeah I know I promised pictures, it helps when you don't misplace the sd card for the camera.
Friday, the Brothers on A Shift fixed the vinyl siding, ran duct work and wrapped up some interior repairs. A lot of work done while still running taking care of the public. The light at the end of the tunnel gets brighter.
Saturday was the return of B Shift, and we were tasked with getting the floors clean. Kenny Hurt was detailed to the East Side, and worked with Joey Avila getting the floors squared away.
While the floor ops were going on, the Lt was prepping dinner to go in the smoker. The menu for the evening included cornish game hens, baby back ribs with a Texas style rub, homemade cole slaw, and baked beans.
The table was set for dinner, everybody sat down, grace was said, and it was time to dig in.
Oh yeah! Smokey, meaty goodness. right at the time everybody was getting ready to dig into the ribs, alert tones for the Rescue Engine. Assist Roanoke County on a structure fire, by the sound of the radio traffic, we knew that we were going to be out for a bit. The first arriving crews had their hands full with a house that was well off when they got there, and embers from the fire blowing through the neighborhood igniting spot fires. Those guys put in some work doing exposure control and containing spot fires, a tip of the hat to them all.
After returning to the East Side, you would not believe how good reheated ribs can be. Damn good!
A few more runs through out the night and a single vehicle MVC (motor vehicle crash) that look out a light pole, and sent one to the hospital.
Sunday, Lt Coe's crew moved into the new rooms, and put the TV room back in order, while they crew from Station 3, went on a regional Haz Mat call with the Brothers from Roanoke City.
We started with this.
We finished with this.
Well, that's the past several days in a nutshell.
Time now for rack ops. - Big Mike
"Train like your life depends on it. Because it does!"
Thursday of last week was a day of installing windows on the far side, yeah I know I promised pictures, it helps when you don't misplace the sd card for the camera.
Friday, the Brothers on A Shift fixed the vinyl siding, ran duct work and wrapped up some interior repairs. A lot of work done while still running taking care of the public. The light at the end of the tunnel gets brighter.
Saturday was the return of B Shift, and we were tasked with getting the floors clean. Kenny Hurt was detailed to the East Side, and worked with Joey Avila getting the floors squared away.
While the floor ops were going on, the Lt was prepping dinner to go in the smoker. The menu for the evening included cornish game hens, baby back ribs with a Texas style rub, homemade cole slaw, and baked beans.
The table was set for dinner, everybody sat down, grace was said, and it was time to dig in.
Oh yeah! Smokey, meaty goodness. right at the time everybody was getting ready to dig into the ribs, alert tones for the Rescue Engine. Assist Roanoke County on a structure fire, by the sound of the radio traffic, we knew that we were going to be out for a bit. The first arriving crews had their hands full with a house that was well off when they got there, and embers from the fire blowing through the neighborhood igniting spot fires. Those guys put in some work doing exposure control and containing spot fires, a tip of the hat to them all.
After returning to the East Side, you would not believe how good reheated ribs can be. Damn good!
A few more runs through out the night and a single vehicle MVC (motor vehicle crash) that look out a light pole, and sent one to the hospital.
Sunday, Lt Coe's crew moved into the new rooms, and put the TV room back in order, while they crew from Station 3, went on a regional Haz Mat call with the Brothers from Roanoke City.
We started with this.
We finished with this.
Well, that's the past several days in a nutshell.
Time now for rack ops. - Big Mike
"Train like your life depends on it. Because it does!"
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Construction, gremlins and such...Come on 5 day break!
There is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. The station improvement project is chugging along nicely. Today the "2 out of 3 Lt. Window, Siding and General Contracting" crew installed windows for the new bedrooms. pictures tomorrow. With progress moving like it is, we should have people moving in by the first of next week.
Now on to the antics of C Shift, brought to us by Erin Barger.
Had a free an easy good time "more or less" with our transplant, FF Lestor. Having a newer member afforded us the opportunity to enjoy the weather and do a little pump/ deck gun training. The good weather also put us in the mood to do some driver training and area familiarization. Lestor hit 4 trucks head-on, ran over an innocent bicyclist and drove on the curb more than on the road today, while Haynes destroyed multiple windshields, barely missed demolishing a dog and flattened a red pick-up truck like a pancake. Barger did pretty good besides jack-knifing his rig so severely that it was unable to budge on three separate backing attempts. Luckily, most of this occurred on our driver simulator (all of it actually except Adam's curb part).
After the last few shifts we are convinced there is a night gremlin prowling the dark streets of Salem. He sleeps all day hidden among the bushes and weeds of our apartment complexes, then with little warning he strikes. His antics range from setting off fire alarms to lighting random bushes on fire. He has managed to activate multiple apartment pull stations without the slightest detection and cleverly created a dripping, undetectable "gas" leak in another complex. Today he set a mystery fire that was noticed by several residents that literally went up in smoke. No matter what the action the one thing that remains steady is that it will occur after dinner and last into the wee hours of the morn.
Keep up the good work gremlin the coffee is on and we are ready for you tonight. - Barger
Monday, February 7, 2011
Super Bowl Sunday, Back in Black, and report form C Shift
The B Shift crew were the lucky ones to be here for the festivities and feasting that is known as a Super Bowl Sunday at the 2 House. Smack talkin', speculation, and Joey Avila's sausage gravy, all were served up thick, spicy, and hot. After breakfast, the day started with an EMS run, and a small kitchen fire with the Brothers from Station 1.
Super Bowl grub fest prep started out with the Big Mike Buffalo Chicken Dip, and famous guacamole. Joey brought in what we thought were brats but turned out to be Mexican chorizo and Italian sausages with sauteed onions and green peppers. With all of that in somebody's stomach, you know a gastrointestinal gang war was bound to happen.
While everybody was waiting for game time, 2 House had a couple of guest stop in and say hi. Tony Kelleher, and Nick Martin from Traditions Training stopped in for a bit for see the firehouse, and shoot the breeze for a bit while on their way to Johnson City TN to teach a class on Engine Company and Truck Company Operations.
Of course there had to be a few more runs, and one during the game to make things complete.
The rumors are true, the department is going back to black gear. At this time there are several people in the department that are testing turnout gear from two of the major manufacturers. CJ Schaffer and I got a set from one of the companies, and both of us agree that it's the $%&#!
Super Bowl grub fest prep started out with the Big Mike Buffalo Chicken Dip, and famous guacamole. Joey brought in what we thought were brats but turned out to be Mexican chorizo and Italian sausages with sauteed onions and green peppers. With all of that in somebody's stomach, you know a gastrointestinal gang war was bound to happen.
While everybody was waiting for game time, 2 House had a couple of guest stop in and say hi. Tony Kelleher, and Nick Martin from Traditions Training stopped in for a bit for see the firehouse, and shoot the breeze for a bit while on their way to Johnson City TN to teach a class on Engine Company and Truck Company Operations.
Of course there had to be a few more runs, and one during the game to make things complete.
The rumors are true, the department is going back to black gear. At this time there are several people in the department that are testing turnout gear from two of the major manufacturers. CJ Schaffer and I got a set from one of the companies, and both of us agree that it's the $%&#!
C-shift has had a good cycle even though the rising trend of late night calls has sprung upon us. We didn't get to enjoy the Superbowl festivities on shift so we held a pre-superbowl party on Saturday. We kicked it off with Haynes' world famous cheesy sausage gut bomb dip of deliciousness. Then we threw down some wings that were wild, potatoes skins that were loaded and some jalapeños that were poppin.
It was so good on Saturday that we had wild wings again on Monday.
Saturday, Sunday and Monday, a three-peat of deliciousness.
One of the highlights of the cycle was a visit from the Barger crew. The boys brought some friends so we put them to work. It is never to young to teach a little work ethic and they actually did a pretty decent job. All had fun and left with a dollar from Uncle Charles.
Phase II of the construction project is moving quickly. Thanks to all the guys who have been working so hard. The rooms look great.
Stay safe - C-shift
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Friday and progress on the project
B Shift returned to work after 3 day break, and settled in for a day of work. The Rescue Engine got checked over, the Medic crew checked the piggy bank, and the phone rang...Regional Haz Mat training at the training center, which is always a guarantee for some good entertainment.
The topic was "Detection and Monitoring", presented by Brian Thurman from VDEM (he used to work for Salem). A lot of good info in that class, and some laughs from Roanoke City Captain Chris Trussler. The Rescue Engine ended up getting a medical assist with the piggy bank at a local nursing facility, then it was back to class for a bit.
When we returned to the firehouse, we were greeted by Lt Tracy Coe, and joined our shift OIC Captain Tim Graham, Work on the station improvement project started up again. The rooms were framed up and it was time to hang drywall.
After a few hours of working and some good laughs the rooms and drywall, seams were taped, and ready for work on Monday.
As for the rest of the shift, not too bad, a few EMS runs, and an awesome dinner of Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli prepared by Joslyn Merideth(she got detailed to us from Station 1), and dessert of 5 Flavor Pound Cake provided by Medic Jerry Salyers.
Until next time, train hard, think smart, and stay safe.
"Train like your life depends on it. Because it does!"
The topic was "Detection and Monitoring", presented by Brian Thurman from VDEM (he used to work for Salem). A lot of good info in that class, and some laughs from Roanoke City Captain Chris Trussler. The Rescue Engine ended up getting a medical assist with the piggy bank at a local nursing facility, then it was back to class for a bit.
When we returned to the firehouse, we were greeted by Lt Tracy Coe, and joined our shift OIC Captain Tim Graham, Work on the station improvement project started up again. The rooms were framed up and it was time to hang drywall.
 |
| Joey Avila and Tracy Coe |
 | ||
| Captain Tim Graham giving words of wisdom |
After a few hours of working and some good laughs the rooms and drywall, seams were taped, and ready for work on Monday.
As for the rest of the shift, not too bad, a few EMS runs, and an awesome dinner of Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli prepared by Joslyn Merideth(she got detailed to us from Station 1), and dessert of 5 Flavor Pound Cake provided by Medic Jerry Salyers.
Until next time, train hard, think smart, and stay safe.
"Train like your life depends on it. Because it does!"
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Tuesday...
C-shift worked through a fairly uneventful Tuesday. Building construction was on hold today in preparation for phase 2. The upstairs is complete and the energy is focusing on the downstairs.
This rare down time allowed us to focus on our food instead of our rooms. Even after our pasta salad got soggy from an EMS assist, and even after our Jalapeño cornbread got dry because of another EMS assist we still managed to enjoy our cold steaks in good company. - Barger
This rare down time allowed us to focus on our food instead of our rooms. Even after our pasta salad got soggy from an EMS assist, and even after our Jalapeño cornbread got dry because of another EMS assist we still managed to enjoy our cold steaks in good company. - Barger
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
3 day for B Shift, and welcome back for C Shift
Over the course of the weekend and 5 day break for C Shift, more work was completed on the station improvement project. Drop ceiling was finished in the weight room by the Brothers on A Shift, an awesome job of cleaning up all the drywall dust upstairs by B Shift while in and out of the station on runs. Yeah, I got cussed for taking off for the first part of the day on that one (Thanks Joey).
Sunday, the weight equipment was positioned and for the time being, the weight room is finished. There are plans in place for the floor in the weight room.
Monday, a few shelves were built, but the big news is, downstairs construction is about to begin. The current day room used to be the old bunk room in a former life. Furniture was rearranged, and the beds were moved out of the current bunk room back to the old former.
The rooms have been marked off, the lumber and drywall moved, now onto the next phase of the station improvement project.
The Rescue Engine and "piggy bank" ran a few during the course of the day, but one of the highlights was Ben Flinchum's Steak Marsala and red skinned garlic mashed potatoes. Ben did and outstanding job with dinner and topped it all of with a dessert of dark chocolate brownies.
Remember, every door that a hose line goes through on a fire, needs to be chocked. Place your chock so that it doesn't get dislodged easily. When chocking a door, a good place is on top of the bottom hinge of the door, that way it's not likely to get kicked out, or knocked out by the hose line moving.
Stay safe! Remember, "Train like your life depends on it. Because it does!"
Sunday, the weight equipment was positioned and for the time being, the weight room is finished. There are plans in place for the floor in the weight room.
Monday, a few shelves were built, but the big news is, downstairs construction is about to begin. The current day room used to be the old bunk room in a former life. Furniture was rearranged, and the beds were moved out of the current bunk room back to the old former.
The rooms have been marked off, the lumber and drywall moved, now onto the next phase of the station improvement project.
The Rescue Engine and "piggy bank" ran a few during the course of the day, but one of the highlights was Ben Flinchum's Steak Marsala and red skinned garlic mashed potatoes. Ben did and outstanding job with dinner and topped it all of with a dessert of dark chocolate brownies.
Remember, every door that a hose line goes through on a fire, needs to be chocked. Place your chock so that it doesn't get dislodged easily. When chocking a door, a good place is on top of the bottom hinge of the door, that way it's not likely to get kicked out, or knocked out by the hose line moving.
Stay safe! Remember, "Train like your life depends on it. Because it does!"
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