Station Gossip fi the firehouse scene · Station Gossip Still looking for old pictures of the fi...
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the firehouse scene Is a monthly publication of the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District March 2010 Fire Chief Don Shoevlin Editor Sheryl Drost Photo by Sheryl Drost
Transcript of Station Gossip fi the firehouse scene · Station Gossip Still looking for old pictures of the fi...
the firehouse sceneIs a monthly publication of the
Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District
Station GossipStill looking for old pictures of the fi re department. Drop by Station One @10544 Main St. in Roscoe or call 815-623-7867 and we will be happy to pick them up. We will scan them and return them promptly.Hey Bryson, if we ask your girlfriend who Radi is, will she now know?Marcia says that now that Sheryl’s back from vacation, she can sleep with both eyes shut. Gina, Gina, Gina . . .Our six future paramedics are getting intense now that they are in thick of their training.Hey Doug, is it short weather yet?Hey Matt, we want to know if your tool is still stuck in the ice?Neil is recovering from surgery this month, that is if he will only follow doctor’s orders!
Oh, where to put that third patient?
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Funny Insurance StatementsThese reports were submitted when policy-holders were asked for a brief statement describing their particular accident.
The other car collided with mine without giving warning of its intention. The guy was all over the place. I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him.I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law and headed over the embankment.I was driving my car out of the driveway in the usual manner, when it was struck by the other car in the same place it had been struck several times before.I was on my way to the doctor’s with rear-end trouble when my universal joint gave way, causing me to have an accident.As I approached the intersection, a stop sign suddenly appeared in a place where no stop sign had ever appeared before. I was unable to stop in time to avoid the accident.The telephone pole was approaching fast. I was attempting to swerve out of its path when it struck my front end.To avoid hitting the bumper of the car in front, I struck the pedestrian. My car was legally parked as it backed into the other vehicle.An invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my vehicle and vanished. When I saw I could not avoid a collision, I stepped on the gas and crashed into the other car.The pedestrian had no idea which direction to go, so I ran him over. Coming home, I drove into the wrong house and collided with a tree I don’t have.The indirect cause of this accident was a little guy in a small car with a big mouth.
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PostageHarlem-Roscoe FirePO Box 450Roscoe, IL 61073
The Firehouse Scene - Page 12www.harlemroscoefi re.com
March 2010 Fire Chief Don Shoevlin Editor Sheryl Drost
Photo by Sheryl Drost
Happy Birthday!
March 16th Adam Cox - ‘21st’
March 7thBryson Knox - ‘21st’
Gone,But not forgotten
Some people come into our lives,and quickly go.
Some stay awhile and leavefootprints in our hearts.
And, we are never, ever the same.
Former Fire Chief Jack Brown passed away March 10. A tentative date of May 22 has been set by his family for a memorial. Trustee Jerry Ocker’s mom passed away this month.
Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to both families.
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From the Chief’s DeskBy Fire Chief Don Shoevlin
Did you remember to spring ahead? On March 14 we push our clocks ahead. (Spring forward) Don’t forget to replace your batteries in your smoke detectors and CO alarms as well.
March is the month to think green. The media states it is the start of meteorology spring and we must
not forget St. Patty’s day. Everyone wears green that day.
With spring as we all know comes the ever-loving season of road construction. It is time to repair all the problems created by old man winter and road salt. We must remain patient and smile as our frustration builds from delays.
We should be receiving our new ambulance within the next month or so. We will post pictures as soon as we receive it.
The new recruit class is well under way. The instructors are dug in and putting all the soon-to-be “probies” through the ringers of the job. They are scheduled to graduate on April 17. It takes a dedicated group to accomplish this and they are commended for all their time.
Our personnel continue to be busy. They not only respond to needs for our assistance but many are attending classes as well. We have two new family members with a third due this week. Congratulations to Megan and Justin on the birth of their daughter, Lily, as well as to Amber and Aaron on the birth of their daughter, Aubrey.
You will be receiving in the mail information regarding the annual Harlem-Roscoe Firefi ghters Association Spring Dinner. It will be held on Saturday April 10 this year. We will be serving dinner from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. We hope you will be able to join us. We greatly appreciate your generous support. It is always a pleasure to meet and talk to everyone on that evening.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me. Don’t forget to keep up on the progress of your fi re department by visiting our website, www.harlemroscoefi re.com
In AppreciationIn appreciation of your continued support of the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District.
Chief Don Shoevlin presented Walmart Assistant manager Jerry with an appreciation plaque.
Chief Don Shoevlin presents The Whiffl etree owner Doris and son PJ with an appreciation plaque.
Don’t forget to change the batteries in your smoke and CO detectors when you set your clocks ahead one hour!
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Birthdays
March4th John Donovan6th Christi Wilson ‘40th’ Steve Shoevlin7th Bryson Knox ‘21st’16th Aaron Miller Adam Cox ‘21st’21st Mike Morrison22nd Jay Alms 23rd Radi Huggard29th Sheryl Drost
April1st Jeff Ball10th Colleen Bloyer12th Ami Sommerfi eld17th K.D. Bodwell21st Jim Burdick24th Paul Stanphill29th Snoopy
April Breakfast List
Doug Wolfe, Joe KoeningerChristi Wilson, Rob LukowskiRyan Alms, Shannon Burbach
& Erik Hansen
Total Calls for 2010
355
The Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe F.P.D.
Editor-in-Chief - Chief Don ShoevlinEditor - Sheryl Drost
The Firehouse Scene is available at Station One - 10544 Main Street in Roscoe and on the department’s web site after the second Sunday each month.
www.harlemroscoefi re.comE-mail submissions to: sdrost@harlemroscoefi re.com
John predicts...
36 Snowfalls
8 left as of March 10
Happy Birthday Sparky!
Sparky gets so many questions from kids asking when his birthday is. Drum roll please...on March 18, he is turning 59. For his birthday, Sparky would like everyone to practice their home fi re escape plan. If you don’t have one, now is a perfect time to make one.
March is also all about learning how to keep safe from poison. Take some time and make sure you, and your home, are safe from poisons.
Children are at signifi cantly greater risk from poisoning death and exposure than adults because they are smaller, have faster metabolic rates, and are less able to physically handle toxic chemicals. Also, their curiosity and desire to put everything in their mouths increases their poisoning risk.
The end of winter is in sight and spring is on its way. Kids can’t wait to dust off those bikes and start riding. Please remember to have them wear a helmet!
March 14, 2010
Congratulations to HRFD Firefighter Aaron Miller and his wife Amber on the birth of their daughter on March 7. Aubrey Olivia measured in at 7lbs 10oz and 19.5 in
long. Mom and baby are doing great. Mommy reports Aubrey already has the infamous Miller hair-do. Big brother Austin just loves his new little sister and Aubrey is also granddaughter to Firefighter Randy Lovelace. Congrats again Aaron and Amber, she is adorable!
History of the Leather HelmetTaken from www.oceancityfools.com
Jacobus Turck of New York City is credited with inventing the fi rst fi re cap around 1740. It was round with a high crown and narrow rim and was made of leather. Improvements on his design were made by Mathew DuBois, who sewed iron wire in to the edge of the brim to give the helmet shape and strength, and provide resistance to heat, moisture, and warping.
The leather helmet as it is known today came from a very modest and non-fi re related beginning. Although the year the traditional fi re helmet was invented is mired in speculation and debate, it is generally agreed upon as sometime between 1821 and 1836. The gentleman credited with its founding was named Henry T. Gratacap.
Gratacap was a volunteer fi reman in New York City, but made his living as a luggage maker. He had made quite a name for himself because of his innovative luggage specifi cally designed for ocean transit. It was made of leather that was specially treated, which offered unparalleled durability and withstood wetness without rotting. These qualities were very desirable in a fi re helmet as well and Gratacap designed the fi rst “eight comb” (a design composed of eight segments) fi re helmet. It was named the “New Yorker” and originally adopted by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) in the late 1800s.
The New Yorker helmet has remained virtually unchanged through approximately 168 years of faithful and steadfast service. The New Yorker helmet retains the same look and quality that generations after generations of fi refi ghters have relied upon. They are made of stout tanned Western cowhide, a quarter of an inch thick, reinforced with leather strips which rise like Gothic arches inside the crown. The long duckbill, or beaver tail, which sticks out at the rear, is to keep water from running down fi remen’s necks. Originally, these helmets were sometimes worn backwards so the beaver tail would protect its wearer from the intense heat of fi refi ghting. Additionally, some tillermen (a name for the driver of the rear section of a tractor drawn aerial truck) would also wear them backwards to protect their faces from rain and snow.
During this time, two brothers named Cairns were operating a metal badge button and insignia business in New York City. The Cairns Brothers are credited with the idea of mounting an identifi cation badge to the front of Gratacap’s helmets; today these are known as front pieces.
The two companies operated cooperatively until Gratacap’s retirement sometime in the 1850s, when the Cairns & Brother legacy was born; Cairns & Brother has pioneered
fi refi ghter helmet technology ever since. Cairns & Brother’s commitment to protecting lives is evident in their “systems,” where engineered components synergistically work together for unparalleled protection in harsh environments. The original OSHA compliant leather helmet, it is individually hand shaped, hand trimmed, and hand stitched to meet the strenuous demands of today’s most dangerous profession – fi refi ghting.
The Leatherhead is a term used for a fi refi ghter who uses the leather helmet for protection from the hazards we face everyday on the streets. The Leather Helmet is an international sign of a Firefi ghter, a symbol that is signifi cant in not only tradition from the early years of fi refi ghting, but one of bravery, integrity, honor and pride.
Although not a required component of the helmet, those who truly live the tradition wear a brass eagle adornment that graces the top of the
helmet and secures its front piece. In our simple, childish way, we always believed that the eagle adorning our helmet meant something special, maybe the spirit of American enterprise, or onward to victory. We were wrong. The eagle, it seems, just happened, and has no particular signifi cance at all. Long, long ago, around 1825 to be exact, an unknown sculptor did a commemorative fi gure for the grave of a volunteer fi reman. You can see it in Trinity Churchyard today; it shows the hero issuing from the fl ames, his trumpet in one hand, a sleeping babe in the other, and on his helmet, an eagle.
Firefi ghters were not wearing eagles at the time; it was a fl ight of pure fancy on the sculptor’s part. But as soon as the fi remen saw it, they thought it was a splendid idea and it was widely adopted. It has remained on fi remen’s helmets ever since, in spite of the fact that it has proved, frequently and conclusively, to be a dangerous and expensive ornament indeed. It sticks up in the air. It catches its beak in window sashes, on telephone wires. It is always getting dented, bent and knocked off. Every so often, some realist points out how much safer and cheaper it would be to do away with the eagle, but we who live the tradition always refuse.
March SuperstitionsSource - World Book Millennium 2000
There are many superstitions about March. We often hear that “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.” This means that the fi rst day of March is often stormy, and the last day is mild and warm. Another saying is, “April borrowed from March three days, and they were ill.” This refers to the fi rst three days of April, which are generally rough and blustery like March. A third saying calls the fi rst three days of March “blind days” because they are “unlucky.” If rain falls on these days, farmers supposedly will have poor harvests.
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Congratulations to HRFD Firefighter Megan Alms and her boyfriend NPFD Firefighter Justin Mayton on the birth of their daughter on March 3. Lily Alexa measured in at 7lbs. and 21 inches long. Lily is also the first grandchild of Captain Jay Alms, and niece to firefighter Ryan Alms and Photographer Charlotte Alms. Mom and baby are doing great. Aunt Charlotte
says she is still waiting to see her eyes because she is always sleeping! Congrats again Megan and Justin, she is adorable!
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EMS Corner
StressBy Lt. Ramona Baldoni-Lake
Stress. An outside force that puts pressure or strain on a person. I have yet to meet someone who hasn’t experienced it on some level at some point in time. When stress comes in mini micro bursts, it seems easier to handle. But when it is of the continual, multiple angle of attack, rapid-fi re type, stress can take its toll on a body.
For me, when I think of stress, I think of work related issues as the primary cause of stress. This may not be true for everyone, but there are many people who do work in high stress jobs. Following along with that thought, in an article I read posted on Jan. 27th 2009 on CareerBuilder.com stated, “According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, occupational stress originates from a variety of issues, including: long hours with few or no breaks, employees unable to participate in the decision-making process, job insecurity and large amounts of impending change and physical danger”
In today’s work climate, each of these items listed are defi nitely possible. The article went on to list eight high stress jobs and placed fi refi ghters at the number fi ve spot. When we are on call, either at the station or responding from home, we have to be prepared to respond at a moments notice. We could be called for a minor accident, a medical emergency, a fi re, or simply a public assist. What ever the tone rings out for, we need to be ready. It is like sitting on the edge of a diving board waiting to be told to jump and that is a source of stress.
Stress is unavoidable but is not always bad and in excess it can be managed properly so as to escape the ill effects of it.
So wait… stress can be good? Yes! Stress in those mini bursts mentioned earlier can actually give you a “mini buzz”. When the brain senses stress it jumps into action sending out adrenaline, I call it the Calvary, which gets the heart pumping, etc. We jump into action and rise to the situation. You see the challenge and successfully complete it. You now have a sense of control and accomplishment.
Lets say that we are conquering all of these mini bursts well, but they begin to come so rapidly you get over whelmed. What then? My answer would be the watermelon theory. Let me explain. Imagine you are sitting outside on a beautiful summer day just enjoying the moment when some one suddenly puts a very large, whole watermelon down
in front of you and instructs you to eat it. Not just a slice of watermelon, but the entire watermelon all in one sitting. Now that’s a huge task if you look at the whole thing. But take a slice off and eat it, and then another one, and then another one. You will eventually eat the entire watermelon one slice at a time. A huge task completed in smaller, more manageable bites.
There are many ways to handle stress. Start by eating right and exercising. Set realistic goals for yourself and prioritize them taking care of the most necessary ones fi rst. Don’t forget to slow down and make time for yourself and remember that no one is perfect, even you and that is okay. Be fl exible and positive pushing away anger and negativity, these things can cause stress that brings you down.
Remember the old saying, “Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses”? It’s good advice, and spring is on its way with roses waiting for you.
American Red Cross MonthEach year, the president of the United States proclaims March “Red Cross Month”
How did this tradition come about?
Since Clara Barton created the American Red Cross in 1881, it was largely dependent for publicity and funds on the spontaneous support of people who learned of catastrophic events and the Red Cross response to them. News of an event broke. The American Red Cross rushed to the scene with help. People around the country came forth with outpourings of volunteer assistance and donations of funds and supplies.
In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared the month of March 1943 as“Red Cross Month.” The Red Cross set a goal of $125 million, the largest amount ever requested in one campaign by any American organization. Again, the response was overwhelming. It took less than six weeks to reach the target. By June 1943, donations totaled nearly $146 million. Roosevelt called it “the greatest single crusade of mercy in all of history.”
This Red Cross Month, we are focusing on thanking our supporters and urging people in America to continue to get involved with their Red Cross; Down the street, across the country and around the world.
Volunteer Firefi ghters Held to Same Training, Work StandardsBy retired FF Jim Johnson
To the public: Do you have any idea what is expected of a volunteer fi refi ghter?
As a volunteer we are not paid; we are called out all hours of the day and night, in all kinds of weather, and still have to get up the next morning and go to our regular jobs.
How many of you are still up at 2 a.m. in below-freezing weather, rolling up fi re hose and reloading the truck so we can respond to the next call? When was the last time you spent the weekend testing and repairing fi re equipment?
How many of you spent your vacation at the state fi re academy?
It often appears to the public that the volunteer fi re department is having diffi culty; sometimes we do. But most of the time what we are doing is for a good reason.
A lot of our neighbors do not know that volunteer fi refi ghters receive regular weekly training that is mandated by the State and National Fire Academy.
Fire departments follow the guidelines established by the National Fire Protection Association.
This would be to complete the recruit level of fi refi ghter; many volunteers go on to train countless hours in the area of technical rescue. And some become certifi ed fi re service instructors; these are the fi refi ghters who spend a lot of time providing the needed training, so others are trained to a high standard.
We train using the same material and standards as a fully paid, career fi refi ghter.
How many of you would be willing to attempt a rescue inside a burning house where the temperature is above 450 degrees? We train to these high standards because the job requires it.
It is always easy to criticize others when you do not understand the circumstances or don’t have all the facts. The fi re department does not start fi res, but it is expected to put them out, even when the fi re has been burning for some time. A fi re that has suffi cient fuel and oxygen will double in size about every three minutes.
Do you know how often the fi re truck and fi refi ghters are delayed in getting to the fi re scene because motorists won’t yield to them? These volunteer fi refi ghters have to come from their homes or from their regular jobs to the fi re station and then respond with the fi re trucks or ambulance. Most fi re departments in this area respond to medical emergencies and vehicular accidents; these departments are trained in all aspects of emergency medical services.
Do you know that not all fi res can be extinguished with the resources at hand? It does not matter how big your fi re truck is or how many fi refi ghters you have unless you have suffi cient water at the scene of the fi re. Trucks and fi refi ghters do not put the fi re out; water does. The fi refi ghters use the trucks to effectively position the water to extinguish the fi re.
When the fi re department arrives on the scene of a well-involved structure fi re and it does not attempt to fi ght the fi re from the inside, it is not because members don’t want to get their trucks and equipment dirty or because the pumps are broken. It is because of their training; they know that nothing inside can be salvaged and the risk of a fi refi ghter being killed or injured is too great.
If you think your volunteer fi re department is not doing something correctly, talk to a fi refi ghter. Get the facts from someone in the know. Most fi re departments are thankful for your interest.
But what is really needed is your help. Pitch in and help the fi re service do a better job. And the next time you pass fi refi ghters who have been up half the night with their hair frozen to their helmet, offer them a cup of coffee, a smile and a thank-you for a job well done.
Why is The Dalmation the Firehouse Dog?
How did the Dalmatian become the number one fi re fi ghting mascot in the United States and England? Well, the Dalmatian has a strong muscular body and is able to run great distances without tiring.
During the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries most people traveled by horse or by carriage. The Dalmatians became a society dog, and trained to run alongside women’s carriages. They became known as Coach dogs or Ladies dogs. In fact, the term “coaching” refers to how the Dalmatian will take up position just off the side and toward the rear of a horse and run with them.
Through the years, Dalmatians worked closely with horses and their owners, sometimes even sleeping with the horses at night to protect them against theft.
It is during the era of horse drawn fi re apparatus that the Dalmatian became forever tied with the fi re service. Firehouse horses were required to spend many hours at a time at a fi re scene or inside the fi rehouse waiting for a call. The Dalmatians became the horses pets, and helped to keep them calm. The Dalmatian also became a guard dog, insuring that nothing was stolen from the apparatus during fi re calls.
Today, in many large cities, the Dalmatian guards the fi re truck while at the scene of fi res and rescues, and has even been known to rescue trapped fi refi ghters and victims. Overall, the Dalmatian is a brave and valiant dog. These traits make it an excellent mascot for the fi re service.
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Firefi ghter Training By Firefi ghter/EMT Randy Lovelace
The Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District believes strongly in the concept that educated fi refi ghters are better able to perform all the functions associated with fi re ground operations and tasking. To that end, the district often pays the costs associated with educational opportunities for fi refi ghters in good standing with the department.
I recently attended my fi rst seminar related to fi refi ghting, a seminar titled “Fireground Tactics (Private Dwelling Fires /Commercial Fires)”, which was held at the Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville. The instructor for this seminar was John Norman, a retired Deputy Assistant Chief for Special Operations for the FDNY.
As a presenter, Chief (ret.) Norman was phenomenal, engaging all audience members, setting up scenarios, and helping us to understand how our minds work when questioned about tactics we would employ for a scenario. Throughout the process, we were taught to consider the fi refi ghter service’s primary mission – protect life! At each decision point, we were forced to consider the risks, and whether we were still on track for our primary mission. We were taught that there is no perfect answer in a book, that every situation has its own set of conditions. There are good starting points, based upon prior experiences, but the perfect answer is usually perfect for just a single scenario. Change any of a myriad of conditions, and that perfect answer may no longer fi t the situation.
This article is not aimed at sharing in a few paragraphs what we took eight hours to cover, but rather to point out that we can greatly enhance the ability of our department to respond to situations by simply attending training when its offered. If each member participates in external training opportunities, and then returns to share what was learned with the rest of the department, we all benefi t, we all grow in our abilities.
Throughout the year, fi refi ghters will spend vacation days or weekends attending fi re/EMS related seminars. Although those are benefi cial to any one person, the benefi t is greatest when the “students” returns to share with the department during our weekly scheduled training sessions. At that point, the students becomes the “teachers”, and the rest of the department then becomes better equipped to complete their missions, at zero cost to the district.
As each of you attends training opportunities such as these, I would ask you to consider the following:
Take notes, lots of notes.Don’t just hear a speaker, listen to the message, completely understand the important topics, and identify the concepts that you hadn’t previously understood.Upon returning, document what you learned, what you found hard to understand, what seemed “new” or “innovative”.Share that document with our instructors, and see if we (the department) can build a class to be presented to all members based upon your learning experience.
If we follow this process each time we attend outside training, the department will have a wealth of information to work with, and with your help, will be able to present it to the rest of the members. None of us has the time to attend every training opportunity, and the department could never justify the cost of sending everyone to every session. But, if we come back to help teach what we learned in our classes, the district maximizes the value of the money that was spent, and we all grow together.
Remember, even when you’re out of the district, learning something you didn’t yet know, you’re still a valuable member of this department. Make that value count!
EMS Rules
Skin signs tell all.Sick people don’t bitch.Air goes in and out, blood goes round and round, any variation on this is a bad thing.All bleeding stops....eventually.If the child is quiet, be scared.Always follow the rules, but be wise enough to forget them sometimes.If someone dies by chemical hazards, electrical shocks or other on-scene dangers it should be the patient, not you.There will be problems.You can’t cure stupid.If it’s wet and sticky and not yours, LEAVE IT ALONE!EMS is extended periods of intense boredom, interrupted by occasional moments of sheer terror.Every Emergency has three phases: PANIC, FEAR, AND REMORSETurret mounted machine guns usually work better than lights and sirens.Paramedics save lives; But it’s EMT skills that save Paramedics.The fi nal rule is.....It’s not your emergency, calm down.
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Why Did I Join the Fire Department?By Firefi ghter/ Paramedic Mike Powell
My dad was a volunteer fi refi ghter when I was young and I always admired and respected him for it. I had a lot of friends, family and acquaintances ask me that question. I don’t think those of us who have committed ourselves to helping our community know exactly why. It is a feeling you can’t describe or put words to when you know that you have made a real difference in someone’s life.
All I really knew about the volunteer fi re service was what I heard on my dad’s radio and scanner when I would listen after he raced off down the street and the siren would sound. There were no pagers then and often the siren on top of the fi re station would be the means of alerting the fi remen while they were doing yard work or washing the car outdoors.
I never thought much about it until one day I met Snoopy, our dispatcher. I was working my job as an appliance repair technician. As I often did in that job, I started a conversation with him while I worked. He began telling me about his role as dispatcher for Harlem-Roscoe and began to describe what a great organization it was, and how every day it was getting busier and growing. He told me how the department was the cutting edge of EMS.
When I left Snoopy’s house that day, I had to drive right by the fi re department and decided that I would stop in and ask what I needed to do to join. I fi lled out an application and asked some questions. I was told a few things about Harlem Roscoe from the Chief as well as the responsibilities I would be taking on. It just happened to be a Tuesday, so I was invited to drop by that evening for the department training. I was able to watch fi refi ghters do ventilation practice as well as breaching some exterior walls for egress. The fi rst thing that really impressed me was watching all of the fi refi ghters work together. They all seemed to really enjoy the training.
I showed up for recruit training and so began my love for the fi re service. I have watched many classes go through since then. The numbers are about the same and it becomes obvious after people go through the training that many realize that it is not easy. Others enjoy the work to no end and fi nd they could never see themselves taking any other role in the community.
The question of ‘why’ was revisited when I decided that I wanted to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and take care of the sick and injured. There are multiple reasons for my interest. The fi rst being that, one of the fi rst obvious observation a new recruit will make, is the fact that we receive a lot of medical calls. Some join to become fi remen and it takes a lot of time and
energy to go through recruit class. I was really interested in EMS as well. There were a few things that made my desire to become an EMT stronger:
Four of us were at the station early for our Tuesday night training. The pagers went off for a man having a seizure. The three other
fi refi ghters were EMTs and I was asked to go with. On the way to the scene we were advised it was a ‘code blue’. I watched in awe, slowly realizing what was going on and with prompting, I did what I could to help. I went to the hospital doing chest compressions while the others worked the protocols for cardiac arrest. I was really moved by the way the crew worked in unison to try to save that man’s life.
The next event that gave me the passion for EMS was a much more positive experience. I was at the station on a Saturday morning taking a CPR class. The instructor had just fi nished their discussion on healthy eating and exercise. The tones went off and the call was one of the worst you could hear. The weather was pretty cold so it sounded unbelievable, but there was a child found in a swimming pool.
Later in the week, I was doing my appliance repair job and was sent to a home in Rockford. The woman who lived there told me that they were staying in the house because they had a fi re in their own home. She told me about her son who had been rescued by Rockford fi remen after being trapped in the basement of their home. She said that she and her husband had been traveling back and forth to a burn unit to visit their son. All the while there was a little boy running around giggling and playing. She told me while they were at the hospital with the son who was injured in the house fi re, another son was staying with grandparents. He was found in their swimming pool unconscious. I asked a few questions and found that it was the same child from the day of the CPR class. I asked how he was doing and the lady said, “See for yourself.” It was the little boy who was running and playing while we talked. He had returned to a normal life after being resuscitated by our Paramedics!
That experience led me to realize what an impact our job can have on people’s lives. Who knows what that little boy will become as he gets older, but the really important thing is he will be alive to fi nd out.
I remember the critical calls I have done that have given people a chance to lead their lives and spend time with their loved ones. The importance of this is reinforced to all of us who lose a loved on and no longer have time to spend with them. Those of you that are in EMS, keep the passion for your jobs. For those that are not, I encourage you to learn as much as you can. It is a feeling like no other to help those who really need us!
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02/22/10 Elevator Road and Second Street
02/27/10 Belvidere Road - Fatal
02/27/10 Lovesee Road
Accidents Photos by Sheryl Drost, Charlotte Alms, and Marcia Soppe
03/07/10 West Lane at Perryville Road
03/08/10 Swanson Road just West of I-90 overpass
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02/22/10 Elevator Road and Second Street
02/27/10 Belvidere Road - Fatal
02/27/10 Lovesee Road
Accidents Photos by Sheryl Drost, Charlotte Alms, and Marcia Soppe
03/07/10 West Lane at Perryville Road
03/08/10 Swanson Road just West of I-90 overpass
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Firefi ghter Training By Firefi ghter/EMT Randy Lovelace
The Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District believes strongly in the concept that educated fi refi ghters are better able to perform all the functions associated with fi re ground operations and tasking. To that end, the district often pays the costs associated with educational opportunities for fi refi ghters in good standing with the department.
I recently attended my fi rst seminar related to fi refi ghting, a seminar titled “Fireground Tactics (Private Dwelling Fires /Commercial Fires)”, which was held at the Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville. The instructor for this seminar was John Norman, a retired Deputy Assistant Chief for Special Operations for the FDNY.
As a presenter, Chief (ret.) Norman was phenomenal, engaging all audience members, setting up scenarios, and helping us to understand how our minds work when questioned about tactics we would employ for a scenario. Throughout the process, we were taught to consider the fi refi ghter service’s primary mission – protect life! At each decision point, we were forced to consider the risks, and whether we were still on track for our primary mission. We were taught that there is no perfect answer in a book, that every situation has its own set of conditions. There are good starting points, based upon prior experiences, but the perfect answer is usually perfect for just a single scenario. Change any of a myriad of conditions, and that perfect answer may no longer fi t the situation.
This article is not aimed at sharing in a few paragraphs what we took eight hours to cover, but rather to point out that we can greatly enhance the ability of our department to respond to situations by simply attending training when its offered. If each member participates in external training opportunities, and then returns to share what was learned with the rest of the department, we all benefi t, we all grow in our abilities.
Throughout the year, fi refi ghters will spend vacation days or weekends attending fi re/EMS related seminars. Although those are benefi cial to any one person, the benefi t is greatest when the “students” returns to share with the department during our weekly scheduled training sessions. At that point, the students becomes the “teachers”, and the rest of the department then becomes better equipped to complete their missions, at zero cost to the district.
As each of you attends training opportunities such as these, I would ask you to consider the following:
Take notes, lots of notes.Don’t just hear a speaker, listen to the message, completely understand the important topics, and identify the concepts that you hadn’t previously understood.Upon returning, document what you learned, what you found hard to understand, what seemed “new” or “innovative”.Share that document with our instructors, and see if we (the department) can build a class to be presented to all members based upon your learning experience.
If we follow this process each time we attend outside training, the department will have a wealth of information to work with, and with your help, will be able to present it to the rest of the members. None of us has the time to attend every training opportunity, and the department could never justify the cost of sending everyone to every session. But, if we come back to help teach what we learned in our classes, the district maximizes the value of the money that was spent, and we all grow together.
Remember, even when you’re out of the district, learning something you didn’t yet know, you’re still a valuable member of this department. Make that value count!
EMS Rules
Skin signs tell all.Sick people don’t bitch.Air goes in and out, blood goes round and round, any variation on this is a bad thing.All bleeding stops....eventually.If the child is quiet, be scared.Always follow the rules, but be wise enough to forget them sometimes.If someone dies by chemical hazards, electrical shocks or other on-scene dangers it should be the patient, not you.There will be problems.You can’t cure stupid.If it’s wet and sticky and not yours, LEAVE IT ALONE!EMS is extended periods of intense boredom, interrupted by occasional moments of sheer terror.Every Emergency has three phases: PANIC, FEAR, AND REMORSETurret mounted machine guns usually work better than lights and sirens.Paramedics save lives; But it’s EMT skills that save Paramedics.The fi nal rule is.....It’s not your emergency, calm down.
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Why Did I Join the Fire Department?By Firefi ghter/ Paramedic Mike Powell
My dad was a volunteer fi refi ghter when I was young and I always admired and respected him for it. I had a lot of friends, family and acquaintances ask me that question. I don’t think those of us who have committed ourselves to helping our community know exactly why. It is a feeling you can’t describe or put words to when you know that you have made a real difference in someone’s life.
All I really knew about the volunteer fi re service was what I heard on my dad’s radio and scanner when I would listen after he raced off down the street and the siren would sound. There were no pagers then and often the siren on top of the fi re station would be the means of alerting the fi remen while they were doing yard work or washing the car outdoors.
I never thought much about it until one day I met Snoopy, our dispatcher. I was working my job as an appliance repair technician. As I often did in that job, I started a conversation with him while I worked. He began telling me about his role as dispatcher for Harlem-Roscoe and began to describe what a great organization it was, and how every day it was getting busier and growing. He told me how the department was the cutting edge of EMS.
When I left Snoopy’s house that day, I had to drive right by the fi re department and decided that I would stop in and ask what I needed to do to join. I fi lled out an application and asked some questions. I was told a few things about Harlem Roscoe from the Chief as well as the responsibilities I would be taking on. It just happened to be a Tuesday, so I was invited to drop by that evening for the department training. I was able to watch fi refi ghters do ventilation practice as well as breaching some exterior walls for egress. The fi rst thing that really impressed me was watching all of the fi refi ghters work together. They all seemed to really enjoy the training.
I showed up for recruit training and so began my love for the fi re service. I have watched many classes go through since then. The numbers are about the same and it becomes obvious after people go through the training that many realize that it is not easy. Others enjoy the work to no end and fi nd they could never see themselves taking any other role in the community.
The question of ‘why’ was revisited when I decided that I wanted to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and take care of the sick and injured. There are multiple reasons for my interest. The fi rst being that, one of the fi rst obvious observation a new recruit will make, is the fact that we receive a lot of medical calls. Some join to become fi remen and it takes a lot of time and
energy to go through recruit class. I was really interested in EMS as well. There were a few things that made my desire to become an EMT stronger:
Four of us were at the station early for our Tuesday night training. The pagers went off for a man having a seizure. The three other
fi refi ghters were EMTs and I was asked to go with. On the way to the scene we were advised it was a ‘code blue’. I watched in awe, slowly realizing what was going on and with prompting, I did what I could to help. I went to the hospital doing chest compressions while the others worked the protocols for cardiac arrest. I was really moved by the way the crew worked in unison to try to save that man’s life.
The next event that gave me the passion for EMS was a much more positive experience. I was at the station on a Saturday morning taking a CPR class. The instructor had just fi nished their discussion on healthy eating and exercise. The tones went off and the call was one of the worst you could hear. The weather was pretty cold so it sounded unbelievable, but there was a child found in a swimming pool.
Later in the week, I was doing my appliance repair job and was sent to a home in Rockford. The woman who lived there told me that they were staying in the house because they had a fi re in their own home. She told me about her son who had been rescued by Rockford fi remen after being trapped in the basement of their home. She said that she and her husband had been traveling back and forth to a burn unit to visit their son. All the while there was a little boy running around giggling and playing. She told me while they were at the hospital with the son who was injured in the house fi re, another son was staying with grandparents. He was found in their swimming pool unconscious. I asked a few questions and found that it was the same child from the day of the CPR class. I asked how he was doing and the lady said, “See for yourself.” It was the little boy who was running and playing while we talked. He had returned to a normal life after being resuscitated by our Paramedics!
That experience led me to realize what an impact our job can have on people’s lives. Who knows what that little boy will become as he gets older, but the really important thing is he will be alive to fi nd out.
I remember the critical calls I have done that have given people a chance to lead their lives and spend time with their loved ones. The importance of this is reinforced to all of us who lose a loved on and no longer have time to spend with them. Those of you that are in EMS, keep the passion for your jobs. For those that are not, I encourage you to learn as much as you can. It is a feeling like no other to help those who really need us!
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EMS Corner
StressBy Lt. Ramona Baldoni-Lake
Stress. An outside force that puts pressure or strain on a person. I have yet to meet someone who hasn’t experienced it on some level at some point in time. When stress comes in mini micro bursts, it seems easier to handle. But when it is of the continual, multiple angle of attack, rapid-fi re type, stress can take its toll on a body.
For me, when I think of stress, I think of work related issues as the primary cause of stress. This may not be true for everyone, but there are many people who do work in high stress jobs. Following along with that thought, in an article I read posted on Jan. 27th 2009 on CareerBuilder.com stated, “According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, occupational stress originates from a variety of issues, including: long hours with few or no breaks, employees unable to participate in the decision-making process, job insecurity and large amounts of impending change and physical danger”
In today’s work climate, each of these items listed are defi nitely possible. The article went on to list eight high stress jobs and placed fi refi ghters at the number fi ve spot. When we are on call, either at the station or responding from home, we have to be prepared to respond at a moments notice. We could be called for a minor accident, a medical emergency, a fi re, or simply a public assist. What ever the tone rings out for, we need to be ready. It is like sitting on the edge of a diving board waiting to be told to jump and that is a source of stress.
Stress is unavoidable but is not always bad and in excess it can be managed properly so as to escape the ill effects of it.
So wait… stress can be good? Yes! Stress in those mini bursts mentioned earlier can actually give you a “mini buzz”. When the brain senses stress it jumps into action sending out adrenaline, I call it the Calvary, which gets the heart pumping, etc. We jump into action and rise to the situation. You see the challenge and successfully complete it. You now have a sense of control and accomplishment.
Lets say that we are conquering all of these mini bursts well, but they begin to come so rapidly you get over whelmed. What then? My answer would be the watermelon theory. Let me explain. Imagine you are sitting outside on a beautiful summer day just enjoying the moment when some one suddenly puts a very large, whole watermelon down
in front of you and instructs you to eat it. Not just a slice of watermelon, but the entire watermelon all in one sitting. Now that’s a huge task if you look at the whole thing. But take a slice off and eat it, and then another one, and then another one. You will eventually eat the entire watermelon one slice at a time. A huge task completed in smaller, more manageable bites.
There are many ways to handle stress. Start by eating right and exercising. Set realistic goals for yourself and prioritize them taking care of the most necessary ones fi rst. Don’t forget to slow down and make time for yourself and remember that no one is perfect, even you and that is okay. Be fl exible and positive pushing away anger and negativity, these things can cause stress that brings you down.
Remember the old saying, “Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses”? It’s good advice, and spring is on its way with roses waiting for you.
American Red Cross MonthEach year, the president of the United States proclaims March “Red Cross Month”
How did this tradition come about?
Since Clara Barton created the American Red Cross in 1881, it was largely dependent for publicity and funds on the spontaneous support of people who learned of catastrophic events and the Red Cross response to them. News of an event broke. The American Red Cross rushed to the scene with help. People around the country came forth with outpourings of volunteer assistance and donations of funds and supplies.
In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared the month of March 1943 as“Red Cross Month.” The Red Cross set a goal of $125 million, the largest amount ever requested in one campaign by any American organization. Again, the response was overwhelming. It took less than six weeks to reach the target. By June 1943, donations totaled nearly $146 million. Roosevelt called it “the greatest single crusade of mercy in all of history.”
This Red Cross Month, we are focusing on thanking our supporters and urging people in America to continue to get involved with their Red Cross; Down the street, across the country and around the world.
Volunteer Firefi ghters Held to Same Training, Work StandardsBy retired FF Jim Johnson
To the public: Do you have any idea what is expected of a volunteer fi refi ghter?
As a volunteer we are not paid; we are called out all hours of the day and night, in all kinds of weather, and still have to get up the next morning and go to our regular jobs.
How many of you are still up at 2 a.m. in below-freezing weather, rolling up fi re hose and reloading the truck so we can respond to the next call? When was the last time you spent the weekend testing and repairing fi re equipment?
How many of you spent your vacation at the state fi re academy?
It often appears to the public that the volunteer fi re department is having diffi culty; sometimes we do. But most of the time what we are doing is for a good reason.
A lot of our neighbors do not know that volunteer fi refi ghters receive regular weekly training that is mandated by the State and National Fire Academy.
Fire departments follow the guidelines established by the National Fire Protection Association.
This would be to complete the recruit level of fi refi ghter; many volunteers go on to train countless hours in the area of technical rescue. And some become certifi ed fi re service instructors; these are the fi refi ghters who spend a lot of time providing the needed training, so others are trained to a high standard.
We train using the same material and standards as a fully paid, career fi refi ghter.
How many of you would be willing to attempt a rescue inside a burning house where the temperature is above 450 degrees? We train to these high standards because the job requires it.
It is always easy to criticize others when you do not understand the circumstances or don’t have all the facts. The fi re department does not start fi res, but it is expected to put them out, even when the fi re has been burning for some time. A fi re that has suffi cient fuel and oxygen will double in size about every three minutes.
Do you know how often the fi re truck and fi refi ghters are delayed in getting to the fi re scene because motorists won’t yield to them? These volunteer fi refi ghters have to come from their homes or from their regular jobs to the fi re station and then respond with the fi re trucks or ambulance. Most fi re departments in this area respond to medical emergencies and vehicular accidents; these departments are trained in all aspects of emergency medical services.
Do you know that not all fi res can be extinguished with the resources at hand? It does not matter how big your fi re truck is or how many fi refi ghters you have unless you have suffi cient water at the scene of the fi re. Trucks and fi refi ghters do not put the fi re out; water does. The fi refi ghters use the trucks to effectively position the water to extinguish the fi re.
When the fi re department arrives on the scene of a well-involved structure fi re and it does not attempt to fi ght the fi re from the inside, it is not because members don’t want to get their trucks and equipment dirty or because the pumps are broken. It is because of their training; they know that nothing inside can be salvaged and the risk of a fi refi ghter being killed or injured is too great.
If you think your volunteer fi re department is not doing something correctly, talk to a fi refi ghter. Get the facts from someone in the know. Most fi re departments are thankful for your interest.
But what is really needed is your help. Pitch in and help the fi re service do a better job. And the next time you pass fi refi ghters who have been up half the night with their hair frozen to their helmet, offer them a cup of coffee, a smile and a thank-you for a job well done.
Why is The Dalmation the Firehouse Dog?
How did the Dalmatian become the number one fi re fi ghting mascot in the United States and England? Well, the Dalmatian has a strong muscular body and is able to run great distances without tiring.
During the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries most people traveled by horse or by carriage. The Dalmatians became a society dog, and trained to run alongside women’s carriages. They became known as Coach dogs or Ladies dogs. In fact, the term “coaching” refers to how the Dalmatian will take up position just off the side and toward the rear of a horse and run with them.
Through the years, Dalmatians worked closely with horses and their owners, sometimes even sleeping with the horses at night to protect them against theft.
It is during the era of horse drawn fi re apparatus that the Dalmatian became forever tied with the fi re service. Firehouse horses were required to spend many hours at a time at a fi re scene or inside the fi rehouse waiting for a call. The Dalmatians became the horses pets, and helped to keep them calm. The Dalmatian also became a guard dog, insuring that nothing was stolen from the apparatus during fi re calls.
Today, in many large cities, the Dalmatian guards the fi re truck while at the scene of fi res and rescues, and has even been known to rescue trapped fi refi ghters and victims. Overall, the Dalmatian is a brave and valiant dog. These traits make it an excellent mascot for the fi re service.
Congratulations to HRFD Firefighter Aaron Miller and his wife Amber on the birth of their daughter on March 7. Aubrey Olivia measured in at 7lbs 10oz and 19.5 in
long. Mom and baby are doing great. Mommy reports Aubrey already has the infamous Miller hair-do. Big brother Austin just loves his new little sister and Aubrey is also granddaughter to Firefighter Randy Lovelace. Congrats again Aaron and Amber, she is adorable!
History of the Leather HelmetTaken from www.oceancityfools.com
Jacobus Turck of New York City is credited with inventing the fi rst fi re cap around 1740. It was round with a high crown and narrow rim and was made of leather. Improvements on his design were made by Mathew DuBois, who sewed iron wire in to the edge of the brim to give the helmet shape and strength, and provide resistance to heat, moisture, and warping.
The leather helmet as it is known today came from a very modest and non-fi re related beginning. Although the year the traditional fi re helmet was invented is mired in speculation and debate, it is generally agreed upon as sometime between 1821 and 1836. The gentleman credited with its founding was named Henry T. Gratacap.
Gratacap was a volunteer fi reman in New York City, but made his living as a luggage maker. He had made quite a name for himself because of his innovative luggage specifi cally designed for ocean transit. It was made of leather that was specially treated, which offered unparalleled durability and withstood wetness without rotting. These qualities were very desirable in a fi re helmet as well and Gratacap designed the fi rst “eight comb” (a design composed of eight segments) fi re helmet. It was named the “New Yorker” and originally adopted by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) in the late 1800s.
The New Yorker helmet has remained virtually unchanged through approximately 168 years of faithful and steadfast service. The New Yorker helmet retains the same look and quality that generations after generations of fi refi ghters have relied upon. They are made of stout tanned Western cowhide, a quarter of an inch thick, reinforced with leather strips which rise like Gothic arches inside the crown. The long duckbill, or beaver tail, which sticks out at the rear, is to keep water from running down fi remen’s necks. Originally, these helmets were sometimes worn backwards so the beaver tail would protect its wearer from the intense heat of fi refi ghting. Additionally, some tillermen (a name for the driver of the rear section of a tractor drawn aerial truck) would also wear them backwards to protect their faces from rain and snow.
During this time, two brothers named Cairns were operating a metal badge button and insignia business in New York City. The Cairns Brothers are credited with the idea of mounting an identifi cation badge to the front of Gratacap’s helmets; today these are known as front pieces.
The two companies operated cooperatively until Gratacap’s retirement sometime in the 1850s, when the Cairns & Brother legacy was born; Cairns & Brother has pioneered
fi refi ghter helmet technology ever since. Cairns & Brother’s commitment to protecting lives is evident in their “systems,” where engineered components synergistically work together for unparalleled protection in harsh environments. The original OSHA compliant leather helmet, it is individually hand shaped, hand trimmed, and hand stitched to meet the strenuous demands of today’s most dangerous profession – fi refi ghting.
The Leatherhead is a term used for a fi refi ghter who uses the leather helmet for protection from the hazards we face everyday on the streets. The Leather Helmet is an international sign of a Firefi ghter, a symbol that is signifi cant in not only tradition from the early years of fi refi ghting, but one of bravery, integrity, honor and pride.
Although not a required component of the helmet, those who truly live the tradition wear a brass eagle adornment that graces the top of the
helmet and secures its front piece. In our simple, childish way, we always believed that the eagle adorning our helmet meant something special, maybe the spirit of American enterprise, or onward to victory. We were wrong. The eagle, it seems, just happened, and has no particular signifi cance at all. Long, long ago, around 1825 to be exact, an unknown sculptor did a commemorative fi gure for the grave of a volunteer fi reman. You can see it in Trinity Churchyard today; it shows the hero issuing from the fl ames, his trumpet in one hand, a sleeping babe in the other, and on his helmet, an eagle.
Firefi ghters were not wearing eagles at the time; it was a fl ight of pure fancy on the sculptor’s part. But as soon as the fi remen saw it, they thought it was a splendid idea and it was widely adopted. It has remained on fi remen’s helmets ever since, in spite of the fact that it has proved, frequently and conclusively, to be a dangerous and expensive ornament indeed. It sticks up in the air. It catches its beak in window sashes, on telephone wires. It is always getting dented, bent and knocked off. Every so often, some realist points out how much safer and cheaper it would be to do away with the eagle, but we who live the tradition always refuse.
March SuperstitionsSource - World Book Millennium 2000
There are many superstitions about March. We often hear that “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.” This means that the fi rst day of March is often stormy, and the last day is mild and warm. Another saying is, “April borrowed from March three days, and they were ill.” This refers to the fi rst three days of April, which are generally rough and blustery like March. A third saying calls the fi rst three days of March “blind days” because they are “unlucky.” If rain falls on these days, farmers supposedly will have poor harvests.
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Congratulations to HRFD Firefighter Megan Alms and her boyfriend NPFD Firefighter Justin Mayton on the birth of their daughter on March 3. Lily Alexa measured in at 7lbs. and 21 inches long. Lily is also the first grandchild of Captain Jay Alms, and niece to firefighter Ryan Alms and Photographer Charlotte Alms. Mom and baby are doing great. Aunt Charlotte
says she is still waiting to see her eyes because she is always sleeping! Congrats again Megan and Justin, she is adorable!
Happy Birthday!
March 16th Adam Cox - ‘21st’
March 7thBryson Knox - ‘21st’
Gone,But not forgotten
Some people come into our lives,and quickly go.
Some stay awhile and leavefootprints in our hearts.
And, we are never, ever the same.
Former Fire Chief Jack Brown passed away March 10. A tentative date of May 22 has been set by his family for a memorial. Trustee Jerry Ocker’s mom passed away this month.
Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to both families.
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From the Chief’s DeskBy Fire Chief Don Shoevlin
Did you remember to spring ahead? On March 14 we push our clocks ahead. (Spring forward) Don’t forget to replace your batteries in your smoke detectors and CO alarms as well.
March is the month to think green. The media states it is the start of meteorology spring and we must
not forget St. Patty’s day. Everyone wears green that day.
With spring as we all know comes the ever-loving season of road construction. It is time to repair all the problems created by old man winter and road salt. We must remain patient and smile as our frustration builds from delays.
We should be receiving our new ambulance within the next month or so. We will post pictures as soon as we receive it.
The new recruit class is well under way. The instructors are dug in and putting all the soon-to-be “probies” through the ringers of the job. They are scheduled to graduate on April 17. It takes a dedicated group to accomplish this and they are commended for all their time.
Our personnel continue to be busy. They not only respond to needs for our assistance but many are attending classes as well. We have two new family members with a third due this week. Congratulations to Megan and Justin on the birth of their daughter, Lily, as well as to Amber and Aaron on the birth of their daughter, Aubrey.
You will be receiving in the mail information regarding the annual Harlem-Roscoe Firefi ghters Association Spring Dinner. It will be held on Saturday April 10 this year. We will be serving dinner from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. We hope you will be able to join us. We greatly appreciate your generous support. It is always a pleasure to meet and talk to everyone on that evening.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me. Don’t forget to keep up on the progress of your fi re department by visiting our website, www.harlemroscoefi re.com
In AppreciationIn appreciation of your continued support of the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District.
Chief Don Shoevlin presented Walmart Assistant manager Jerry with an appreciation plaque.
Chief Don Shoevlin presents The Whiffl etree owner Doris and son PJ with an appreciation plaque.
Don’t forget to change the batteries in your smoke and CO detectors when you set your clocks ahead one hour!
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Birthdays
March4th John Donovan6th Christi Wilson ‘40th’ Steve Shoevlin7th Bryson Knox ‘21st’16th Aaron Miller Adam Cox ‘21st’21st Mike Morrison22nd Jay Alms 23rd Radi Huggard29th Sheryl Drost
April1st Jeff Ball10th Colleen Bloyer12th Ami Sommerfi eld17th K.D. Bodwell21st Jim Burdick24th Paul Stanphill29th Snoopy
April Breakfast List
Doug Wolfe, Joe KoeningerChristi Wilson, Rob LukowskiRyan Alms, Shannon Burbach
& Erik Hansen
Total Calls for 2010
355
The Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe F.P.D.
Editor-in-Chief - Chief Don ShoevlinEditor - Sheryl Drost
The Firehouse Scene is available at Station One - 10544 Main Street in Roscoe and on the department’s web site after the second Sunday each month.
www.harlemroscoefi re.comE-mail submissions to: sdrost@harlemroscoefi re.com
John predicts...
36 Snowfalls
8 left as of March 10
Happy Birthday Sparky!
Sparky gets so many questions from kids asking when his birthday is. Drum roll please...on March 18, he is turning 59. For his birthday, Sparky would like everyone to practice their home fi re escape plan. If you don’t have one, now is a perfect time to make one.
March is also all about learning how to keep safe from poison. Take some time and make sure you, and your home, are safe from poisons.
Children are at signifi cantly greater risk from poisoning death and exposure than adults because they are smaller, have faster metabolic rates, and are less able to physically handle toxic chemicals. Also, their curiosity and desire to put everything in their mouths increases their poisoning risk.
The end of winter is in sight and spring is on its way. Kids can’t wait to dust off those bikes and start riding. Please remember to have them wear a helmet!
March 14, 2010
the firehouse sceneIs a monthly publication of the
Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District
Station GossipStill looking for old pictures of the fi re department. Drop by Station One @10544 Main St. in Roscoe or call 815-623-7867 and we will be happy to pick them up. We will scan them and return them promptly.Hey Bryson, if we ask your girlfriend who Radi is, will she now know?Marcia says that now that Sheryl’s back from vacation, she can sleep with both eyes shut. Gina, Gina, Gina . . .Our six future paramedics are getting intense now that they are in thick of their training.Hey Doug, is it short weather yet?Hey Matt, we want to know if your tool is still stuck in the ice?Neil is recovering from surgery this month, that is if he will only follow doctor’s orders!
Oh, where to put that third patient?
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Funny Insurance StatementsThese reports were submitted when policy-holders were asked for a brief statement describing their particular accident.
The other car collided with mine without giving warning of its intention. The guy was all over the place. I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him.I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law and headed over the embankment.I was driving my car out of the driveway in the usual manner, when it was struck by the other car in the same place it had been struck several times before.I was on my way to the doctor’s with rear-end trouble when my universal joint gave way, causing me to have an accident.As I approached the intersection, a stop sign suddenly appeared in a place where no stop sign had ever appeared before. I was unable to stop in time to avoid the accident.The telephone pole was approaching fast. I was attempting to swerve out of its path when it struck my front end.To avoid hitting the bumper of the car in front, I struck the pedestrian. My car was legally parked as it backed into the other vehicle.An invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my vehicle and vanished. When I saw I could not avoid a collision, I stepped on the gas and crashed into the other car.The pedestrian had no idea which direction to go, so I ran him over. Coming home, I drove into the wrong house and collided with a tree I don’t have.The indirect cause of this accident was a little guy in a small car with a big mouth.
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PostageHarlem-Roscoe FirePO Box 450Roscoe, IL 61073
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March 2010 Fire Chief Don Shoevlin Editor Sheryl Drost
Photo by Sheryl Drost
