Quick Update

Just a quick update to my fellow bloggers. The reason I've been gone for a while is I've been heavily involved working on my house getting it renovated. As far as the update on my fire service world, here's the word.
-I was voted as Treasurer (regardless of all the warnings NOT to do that job!!!)
-Work going as usual.

That's about it... Not too exciting, is it??

I will NEVER forget...

...and that I promise.

With that said, I know there are going to be a million blog posts, tv shows remembering, news cast reminding. Unfortunately, despite all the attention it will get today, and a week before and after, it becomes forgotten about. It's sad. It's atrocious. It's disturbing. But most of all, it's unacceptable. Too many have forgotten about that day and the events that occured. More importantly, we have all become too complacent in our lives.

The day for me was rough, but no where near as bad as what the people of New York City, Washington DC, or Somerset had to endure. I remember everything in detail that day. The day started off with someone from work knocking on my door. At the time, I was active duty Air Force stationed in Alaska. I got in late that day because I was in Fairbanks all day. I got in about 1 or 2am and went straight to sleep. I got the knock about 9am when the first plane hit the tower. I was told "Get your stuff ready and head to the fire department ASAP...and while getting ready watch CNN!" I was just about finished getting ready as I was putting on my left boot...then I saw live the second plane hit. I don't think I even finished lacing up my boot. I grabbed my wallet and keys and ran. Arriving at work, I stood there in my uniform watching the TV is disbelief, waiting for my next task. What seemed like an eternity, was only 10 minutes. In those 10 minutes, I received briefings but it seemed to be all a blur...almost surreal. Security Forces came over and picked me up and we went to their building. Again, we were briefed and again it seemed like an eternity...this time it was only 5 minutes. I was issued my rifle, my battle gear, and then taken to a guard position and sat there. This time it wasn't 10 minutes, it wasn't 2 hours, it wasn't 5 hours. In the ready position, I was there for 15 hours observing, waiting, and praying. I never knew the towers fell until the early evening. I never knew that thousands were killed. All I knew was that there was an unaccounted plane in the sky, and they didn't know where. I heard the scream of two fighter jets scrambled in search of this missing plane. Appearently there was another unaccounted for in Alaska. We knew of this early into the day. But after the jets flew by, we never saw another thing in the sky. After being still for 15 hours, I was relieved to only go somewhere else. Guard duty at one of our buildings this time lasting 10 hours. At this point, I lost track of time, lost track of the day. I finally remember getting some sleep around 3pm on the 12th. Since my mind was racing, wondering what had all just happened. It seemed life for me was in vertigo. I was disoriented. I never really got to sleep. I laid down and closed my eyes. But the image of that plane making impact stained into my mind. Wondering things like, what were the people on the plane thinking, what were the people in the World Trade Center thinking that was floor level, that was above or below impact level, or even on ground level. What were the tourists thinking. What was the families and friennds thinking that knew someone that worked in the tower. Those endless thoughts spun like a tornado in my skull. Then I stared to think about my family and my friends. Wondered what they thought about what happened. Days after the 11th, I finally spoke with my parents to let know things were ok. I talked to my fiance', who I longed to talk to set my mind at ease a little. Our moments on the phone were quickly stressed, our disagreeing words grew into an argument and eventually led to the death of our relationship. It was over. My only true escape was gone, all my brother firefighters were gone, my fellow innocent Americans...gone. Finally on the evening of the 15th, I remember being outside sitting in the back of my truck, looking at the stars in the Alaskan sky. The events of the week flashed through my mind, but fadded away as I stare into space. Even though I was in complete exhaustion, depressed beyond belief...I still had a few things. Family. Friends. Freedom.

To this day, I've only told a few people this whole story...very few. But I felt it was time to part with this story that has been bottled up for so long. 7 years today. Even though I did not experience the tragedy that so many felt on that day, it was certainly a"rock bottom" time in my life. I end this posting with a couple of thoughts. Remember all the things we take for granted everyday. Remember all the innocent men and women that were lost that day. Remember to thank our Armed Service members and our Public Service members (Police, Medics, and Firefighters). And ultimately remember what happened that day and please, NEVER FORGET.

Taking the Plunge

Well, I finally did it. I finally switched to another volunteer department. With me moving in the very near future, I was planning on just taking a break from it all. I was looking forward to just have a few months or so not having to worry about responding on calls. Well, this has all changed. And not only changed, but I may have well just jumped in a volcano! Despite many peoples warnings and concern, I joined another department, but it's not exactly the closest. The place I now call home is Lyndora VFD. I was asked to help out and bring some experience and possibly some leadership to this department. We'll see how it works out. I guess I can just say that I'm taking it one day at a time. The one great benefit I'll be getting out of it...it's a truck company! There's a small part of me that really wanted to be a part of a ladder company and get some experience with how they operate. Very soon, I'll be finding out! The funny thing about this whole deal is, how quickly it all went into effect. I just went to one of Lyndora's meetings to check things out, next thing I know I'm being voted in! I'm not really complaining, but damn things were moving quick. And leaving Mercer Road was bitter sweet. It's where I started my firefighting career. Over 10 years of volunteer service to them. But that all came to a screetching halt, and then it happens. I respectfully discussed the issue with the chief, and I thought things were all good, and there were no hard feelings. Appearently not the case...or at least that wasn't the "vibe" I was getting. The other night, I walked in to hand in my pager and key, and he barely looked at me. This was the same guy that was understanding that I'm moving across town, and it's not mine, or the stations best interest for me to continue serving with them. Well, the other night when I turned in those things, right there in front of me, he was giving away my old gear. Now really, it didn't bother me, cause I was leaving anyways. But the way he did it, I felt betrayed. I don't know...maybe I'm not seeing it clearly. Maybe I misunderstood. But, considering the person, and the history. I'm pretty sure it was done with the intent of making a statement. Sadly for him, he may have just ended his "reign" because there were others who thought the same as I did. Again, really I could care less he did what he did. But I thought he was a better person than that. On a brighter note, I look forward to learning what I can learn, and hopefully this helps me become knowledgable in yet, another aspect of firefighting. Because what I do know is, ladder truck operations are much, much different than anything I've ever done! More to follow I'm sure.

In Memory of the Charleston Tragedy

I know I'm about 10 days too late to mention this, but things my way have been crazy and busy lately. With that said, it's hard to believe it's been a year already, but I would like to pay proper respect to the 9 firefighters that gave the ultimate sacrifice on 18 June, 2007 in Charleston, SC. My regrets to the family, and know that they are in a much better place. Rest in piece my brothers...

Business Back to Normal!

I know it's been a while since I last threw in a post, but there has been many reasons why. For the past month, it seemed to be non-stop. Between reserves for a couple of weeks, then coming back to work the very next day after reserves. As if all that wasn't enough, I've worked about 4 overtimes since I've been back. So usually, I end up having about 1 or 2 days off during the week. And last week was insane. All day last Monday, we had a big inspection at work, so there was several timed drills that we participated in. Pictured here is me walking back to the standpipe to disconnect the two and a half inch supply line. We had just completed our interior drill which went (for the most part) flawless. After that, we had our exterior drill. Here's another picture of me pulling out our standpipe line again (below) about 150'.

Again, we had a damn near perfect time for our exterior drill so I guess we should have no complaints. As for the other shifts, they did awesome as well. From what I understand, out of all the VA Fire Departments, we are definately in the top 5, probably in the top 3 for overall departments. I'm just glad it's over with for at least another 3 or 4 years! Although, I have to admit, since we don't have a high call volume, it was a blast getting to do these timed drills. It gets the heart pumping, and adreniline running. Maybe now, we can finally start running some mutual aid calls for the township!! Somehow, I think our odds are better for hell freezing over!

***Vehicle Accident w/ entrapment and vehicle on fire***

As if the title was long enough, the call was quite long itself. Originally it came in as a vehicle accident, possibly on fire. It also originally came in as only being a half a mile away from Center Twp. School. Well, in that case it wouldn't have been our jurisdiction, however, I started my way up to our Fire Station just incase we would be called for traffic control or whatever. Well, just as I got to our station, an update on the call came in as being in our jurisdiction and vehicle was on fire. Still no word on if someone was inside or not. Well, I bunkered up, and bottled up as we left the station and it was only about a mile up the road. We got on scene seconds after our neighboring department go on scene, and I assisted with their handline and we continued to put out the fire. Here comes the bad part. Someone was still inside, and unfortunately, had absolutely no chance. My heart dropped to my ankles. I've seen my fair share of death, but this one tops it. I won't get into detail, but put 2 and 2 together. The vehicle rolled 4 or 5 times, and had rested on the passenger side and the body was in the back seat. It was a crew cab truck, so it was clear as day once the fire and smoke has disappeared. I don't have any pictures yet, and I'm unsure if I'll put any up once I do get some. The pictures that I did see, none were graphic in nature, but the fact that there was a body still inside, I may not put it on my blog. Anyhow, I thought I would pass it on, and go from one call to the next.

Another LODD

I hate to keep bringing unfortunate news to this blog, but last week a local volunteer firefighter was badly injured during a house fire. Wednesday, March 5 he finally passed from his injuries. Talking with a few people, it sounds like the house flashed (flashover) on them. From what I understand, the lady they went to rescue did exit the house safely, but re-entered the house. As soon as firefighters made an aggressive interior attack, conditions got worse within seconds, which to me sounds like a flash. It's definately a sad moment for our brothers in Pine Township and all the firefighting community, but we must remember to continue on and remember them. Take care Brad.