The Fill Line September 2013 A column for firehouse reading by Thomas J. Parsons While out scoot-a-pootin. I attended the truck show in Dallas and was able to view the FDNY Rescue #4 traveling Memorial. I would hope that in the future, there would be a more professional appearance displayed by the host (at least wearing uniforms) as well as a mix of youth with seasoned firefighters for interaction with the public. This falls under first impression and expectation of the seriousness of the display as well as the expected perception of the public. My thought. With that, I suppose I amuse my peers at the VFD when it comes to my washing the brush trucks, especially after their workouts of late. Some truly must wonder why I take the pains to wash them, since they’ll just go out and get all filthy again. Why bother, one may think, as they are just tools, a resource, for fighting dirty nasty fires. Regardless, I am a proponent for keeping our equipment in a certain state of cleanliness. I would hope that when those who live in the area stop at our recycle site, or see the fire trucks while out on the road, will get the impression we are proud of what we have, and are taking the best possible care of our vehicles. The trucks may not be new, but would at least appear to be cared for. I remember once a certain department had requested funding for the replacement of a rescue truck. The department held an open house and asked the community to visit and see what the needs were, as well as look at the current fire apparatus. One visitor, who worked in a production facility, openly commented on the obvious lack of maintenance of the apparatus. The impression was; are you taking steps to take care of what you already have? His thought was that if he didn’t maintain his worksite (machinery and tools), he would be out of a job. Bottom line, how many times do you get to make a first impression with your community? Your thoughts are appreciated on either topic. Also while at the truck show, I talked with a Texas Public Safety trooper and got to thinking it would be good to invite them to a quarterly meeting to get their perspective of highway incidents. We could share thoughts on the expectations of fire and TPS working together at a vehicle or other type incident. Hint, hint. With more area interest in rescue/transport vehicles, I thought I would share news of a new rescue truck recently put on line in Littleton CO (Littleton Fire Rescue or LFR). The New Medic 13 is an International TerraStar chassis with a custom patient compartment area built by Braun Industries (of Ohio), which was exclusively designed by Braun for Littleton Fire Rescue. The TerraStar is a Medium Duty Chassis, which is a new design for LFR. The chassis will enable LFR to carry a greater payload allowing for all the necessary firefighting and EMS equipment needing to be carried. The extra payload ensures the new Medic 13 will be ready for any future changes in EMS or firefighting. The TerraStar is fitted with a custom cab design, offering organized, safe and easy access to items such as EMS gloves, radios, mapping systems and district specific information. Safety being top priority, the new unit has the Serenity patient care seat installed. This seat has a five point harness system with a built in Child Safety seat system. The ambulance has an upgraded A/C system installed with patient comfort in mind, for their “hot summer days”. The squad will be housed at Littleton Fire Rescue Station 13. I felt inclined to support my VFD with preparing mail outs for the annual fundraiser, and missed the ECFFA quarterly. We have been busy in this end of the county with a rash of wood/grass fires, and dumped trash. I have received mixed reviews on the picture in the last column, but it was just an experiment. But, I am sure there is some legality like copyright rules, so I intend to check the avenues first. On the downside, I was not happy with the use of space, as I have tried to keep the column to about two pages, so it may only be a thing now and then. Since not many offer comment, I feel secure in doing what I want, kind of like Jack at that radio station in Dallas. Keep the hoses dry and we’ll see you out while scoot-a-pootin. Connect with me at phone: 972-878-0562, or e-mail: labwdp@academicplanet The answer for: August. While the number of personnel may vary, it has been suggested a minimum of ten are to hold the life net. The life net will be held shoulder high with both hands of each member cupped, palms up, and thumbs under the metal ring. Elbows will be held away from the body to enable them to swing past the body on the jumper’s impact in the net. All personnel should have their left foot forward to act as a brace. Incidentally, the device is called the Browder life net, named for the fellow who patented it in 1887. This is a rigid circular frame with a round sheet of fabric stretched across the middle from springs, like a trampoline. You unfolded the net on arrival at the fire scene, get several firefighters to hold it at shoulder height below a trapped victim, (and hope for the best). Page 1 of 2 Question of the Month: September. American Lafrance built a prototype air crash service vehicle on a 500 series tractor-trailer for the Air Force in 1942. The tank held 4000 gallons of water, and foam concentrate and featured an elevating/rotating boom with a large capacity foam turret. After testing, how many were produced? The Firehouse kitchen. The shift exchange has been completed as Captain Snut dismisses the troops. Books quickly yanks off his uniform shirt and tosses it in his locker. Curbs grabs a last cup of coffee as he and Reach duck out the door with Books in tow. But today, Dink works overtime with B-shift, and remains at attention while the Loo looks cautiously up the stairs. Captain Snut hollers a, “See ya later Hart”. Lt. Hart brings the troops to attention. He has attended a seminar on his time off as he visualizes a sure way to get away from firehouse #13. The course is called Personnel Performing Proudly, and he wants to utilize his crew to compile data. He relays the concept to his crew, “Time management is the utmost”. He goes on to describe how each of the crew will compile their own findings and he’ll analyze the results. Lt. Hart will then give the results in a concise report to Chief Burns. He has each of the crew wear a device to record how far each one moves during the shift, as well as issue a pencil and lined note pad so each can maintain any activity performed, even down to time spent in the bathroom while performing various bodily functions. “Omigosh, this is exciting”, squeals Dink as he positions himself close to the Loo. Dink asks the Loo “How do you want to spell that what you do when you use the bathroom, and do you want the long or short version?” Lt. Hart suggests the “short version” (thinking of Chief Burns). Within the first five minutes of shift Dink loses his pencil. Later, during equipment check, Dink notices that MPO Henry has pulled out each item from a compartment during inventory, thus wasting extra effort and not being efficient like MPO Curbs of the A-shift. MPO Henry assures Dink that Curbs is being lazy and pencil whips the inventory, even if it is a laptop. At lunch questions arise when Stan Mertz wants to know why MPO Henry has only taken two bites of his sandwich while it takes him more than three, accusing MPO Henry of cheating. A slightly annoyed Lt. Hart notes that if the meal is not properly consumed, improper digestion may provide excess time in the bathroom. About this time Dink request another pencil, as he is afraid to take time to look for his as to show any inefficiency on his part. (Actually, since the arrival of the laptop, pencils are not a part of the inventory). Dink thought to go to the bodega for another pencil, but is afraid of adding too many steps on his recorder. Before lunch can be cleaned up, a man appears and tells the Loo that the lime green machine is to be taken aw ay for refurbishing and will receive a new red paint job by the Schaffer Equipment Refurbishing Company. This information has not been passed along, there has been no indication of a replacement apparatus, and the Loo really becomes agitated. Since this is not part of today’s plan, Lt. Hart prohibits the idea of taking the house pumper for any reason, not only causing inefficiency, but it will cause improper usage of the planned afternoon’s training schedule to procure a spare apparatus. The Lt. feels that the paint still looks good enough for this backward station and it is certainly not feasible to have such a waste of city resources during this time of financial adjustment for the fire department’s daily operations. Lt. Hart goes on to point out the deficiency of someone’s poor planning at this point, and how it is HIS decision that no further action will be taken, end of subject! By now Lt. Hart is highly irritated and ushers the visitor toward the overhead door The Shaffer employee leaves the firehouse, pulls out his cell phone, and calls his boss. The others are in the firehouse kitchen as Stan Mertz is watching MPO Henry cut potatoes and meat for supper and accuses him of making too small of slices thus adding to the time to make supper. Lt. Hart decides it is time to assemble the crew and break down the morning activities before anything serious happens. Lt. Hart clears his throat and addresses the crew. (To be continued) Prayer portion. As to our daily needs, we can say thank you Lord, before our request. Jesus is the answer before the request. Praise reports are from the results of His working in our lives. What does your report say to others? Thank you Lord. Help us keep focused on You. We praise His Holy name! And just when you need something else to worry about, remember we are eternal and will spend an eternity after our worldly death at our next stop. Have your destination planned yet? Remember! Don’t leave the station with out your FILL LINE! Pg 2 of 2
Posted on: Sat, 14 Sep 2013 03:39:50 +0000
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