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STRUCTURE FIRE DESTROYS HOME IN DAYTONA BEACH
SASHA STATON
Daytona Beach, FL - A one-story residential home caught fire in Daytona Beach on the afternoon of March 8th. Daytona Beach firefighters arrived on scene to find a fully-involved structure fire and immediately began attacking the fire.
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April, 2018
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
GEORGIA
FACES OF GEORGIA’S EMERGENCY SERVICES
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PAULDING COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Paulding County EMA Working to Enhance Volunteer CERT Membership
Cobb County, GA - Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services Firefighter Ralph A. Brown II has been named the recipient of the 2018 Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award. The award will be presented on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, during the FDIC International Opening Ceremony in Indianapolis. PROVIDED
Dallas, GA – The Paulding County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is currently recruiting Volunteers for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). CERT Volunteers work together in teams often times assisting with missing persons searches, shelter operations, SkyWarn storm spotter participation, conducting damage assessments following significant weather events and providing logistical support with planned community events such as fireworks displays and parades. The CERT Program is managed by the EMA which provides training and equipment to active members. A CERT Basic Training Course will be offered in May for new members that will include training in the following areas: Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety and Utility Controls, Disaster Medical Opera-
JUMP TO FILE #030718106 tions, Light Search and Rescue Operations, CERT Organization, Disaster Psychology, and Terrorism – Suspicious Activity Reporting. All applicants must be 18 years of age. Anyone that is interested in volunteering with our CERT Program may contact EMA Coordinator Stephen Dooley at 678-383-3421 or E-mail sdooley@paulding.gov with any questions and to be placed on the training list. Applications may be picked up at the Fire Administration Office located at 165 North Johnston Street, Dallas, Georgia Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm, or at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) located at 1389 Industrial Blvd.
North, Dallas, Georgia Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. Please note that the EOC is closed to public between noon and 1pm. Paulding County EMA began utilizing volunteer members with the CERT Program in 2016 and has found the program to be very successful and an enhancement to the Preparedness, Response and Recovery goals of the Agency. FEMA and GEMA provide Homeland Security Grant funding assistance for the establishment and sustainment of the program. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to being ready for emergency situations. CERT emphasizes sound decision making, rescuer safety and doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people. - STEPHEN DOOLEY
MEMORIAL BOARD
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SHANE SHIFFLETT
Macon Firefighters Battle Heavy Fire on Mason Street
Macon, GA - Just after 8:30 A.M. on March 18th, Macon-Bibb Fire was alerted to the 2300 block of Mason Street for a house on fire. The 9-1-1 center received multiple calls reporting the vacant house on fire. Engine 5 responded and reported heavy smoke enroute. Engine 5 was first-in, reporting heavy fire conditions and an exposure on the "Delta" side. Crews dropped 200-feet of pre-connect for an offensive fire attack. Engine Caleb Justice set up the deck gun for a quick knockdown. A second line was dropped as additional apparatus began arriving, and a water source was established by Engine 6. Fire attack was made on the "Charlie" side. The fire was extinguished at 10:17 A.M. An engine remained on scene for fire watch. The fire is under investigation.
SHANE SHIFFLETT
Robins AFB, GA - Firefighters, family and friends recently gathered at Robins Air Force Base Fire & Emergency Services Fire Station 2 and held a memorial service for Fire Lt. Benjamin Rolph. Ben was a Fire Lieutenant at Robins Air Force Base and a business partner at the Growler USA. He was an Iraqi war veteran, proudly serving his country in the United States Air Force for eight years. He was a loving father, son, brother and friend who will be greatly missed by all. His memory will forever be cherished by his children, Makayla Rolph and Malcolm Rolph of Warner Robins. Lt. Rolph died after a motorcycle accident while off duty.
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
April, 2018
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April, 2018
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
GEORGIA
ADVERTISER INDEX
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Municipal Equipment
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Star & Shield Insurance
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Tactical Fire
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CORPORATE INFORMATION
1st Responder News (ISSN 1525-1683) - Vol. 19 No. 4 - South East edition is published monthly, 12 times a year for $36 per year by Belsito Communications, Inc., 1 Ardmore St., New Windsor, NY 12553. Periodicals Postage Paid at Newburgh, NY and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to 1st Responder News, 1 Ardmore St., New Windsor, NY 12553. No financial responsibility is assumed by this newspaper to publish a display, classified, or legal ad or for typographical errors except of reprinting that part of the ad which was omitted or in error. Omissions or erA division of: rors must be brought to the attention of the newspaper during the same month of publication.
DEPUTY CHIEF BOB DUTHOY
Thomas County Fire Rescue Places First of Three Ambulances in Outlying Fire Stations Ochlocknee, GA – Thomas County Fire Rescue began EMS operations for the Northern portion of Thomas County on September 5, 2017. Working in conjunction with Thomas County EMS, an agreement was put in place for Thomas County Fire Rescue to supply the personnel, and for Thomas County EMS to supply the ambulance and equipment. The ALS ambulance is staffed with a Paramedic and an AEMT. Having the ambulance respond from the Fire Station has reduced response times to this area of the county. When a structure fire occurs, the ambulance responds with the fire apparatus. As of the writing of this article, there have been 313 responses from this unit. Pictured are FF/Paramedic Mike Taylor and FF/Paramedic Chris Wynn loading the stretcher into the newly placed ambulance.
WORKING FACES
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Notice: The advertisements, articles, and letters contained in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of 1st Responder Inc. and Belsito Communications, Inc. Advertisements are sold pursuant to the "space available" and corresponding fee schedule. The mere fact that advertisements are contained in this publication does not express nor imply that 1st Responder Inc. and Belsito Communications, Inc. vouches for the credibility of the claims made in the advertisements or the representations expressed or implied in them.
SHANE SHIFFLETT
Robins AFB Fire Captain Leo Garcia rolling hose after morning training.
PAULDING COUNTY FIRE/RESCUE
Arson Deemed Cause of Blaze that Destroyed Multiple Homes in Hiram Hiram, GA - An early morning fire in Hiram destroyed at least four homes, severely damaged two others, and caused heat and smoke damage to at least 14 others on February 18th. There were no fatalities and only one minor injury was reported by a homeowner (ankle). There were no injuries to fire department personnel. PCFD investigators are assisting the GA Fire Marshal's office to determine the cause. Representatives from the Red Cross established a disaster operation at the neighborhood community center. At least three displaced families were taken there. An Investigator in Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens’ Fire Unit determined that the fire originated in the kitchen and dining room area of the home located at 67 Rosemount Court in Hiram. The fire, which was reported to the Paulding Fire Department around 3:25 A.M., destroyed the house of origin as well as four neighboring residences in the Greystone Subdivision. Fourteen additional homes in the subdivision received severe heat damage from the blaze. The Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner's Office, the Paulding County Fire Department and the Hiram Police Department later
JUMP TO FILE #022018107 announced that a suspect has been arrested and charged in connection with the fire. Adrienne Satterly, 41, of 67 Rosemount Court, has been charged with 14 counts of first-degree arson and three counts of aggravated animal cruelty. An investigation by state Arson Investigators and the Hiram Police Department alleges that Satterly started a fire inside her home on Feb. 18, which ultimately spread to 19 separate residences in the Greystone Subdivision. "This suspect committed a heinous act that threatened the lives of her neighbors and our first responders," said Deputy Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Jay Florence. "I commend the efforts of the fire investigators and detectives who worked on this case." The warrants were executed overnight by the Hiram Police Department. Satterly is currently being held in the Paulding County Jail without bond. First-degree arson is a felony with a penalty of one to 20 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $50,000. - STEVE MAPES
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April, 2018
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In memory of those who gave all
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
1st Responder Newspaper honors and remembers emergency responders lost in the line of duty
Minnesota: Jeffrey A. Vollmer, 40 Rank: Captain Incident Date: December 19, 2017 Death Date: December 19, 2017 Fire Department: Mayer Fire and Rescue Department Initial Summary: Captain Jeffrey A. Vollmer passed away at home from an apparent cardiac arrest several hours after participating in non-classroom training of a nonroutine strenuous nature at a local community center.
New Jersey: Craig A. Maull, 71 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: December 19, 2017 Death Date: December 21, 2017 Fire Department: Haddon Fire Company #1 Initial Summary: Firefighter Craig A. Maull responded to a dwelling fire call on 12/19/2017, but his apparatus was recalled while enroute. Upon returning to quarters, Maull mentioned to other members that he wasn't feeling well, but declined medical assistance and later went home. Firefighter Maull missed additional calls later, which was uncommon for him, and members were unable to contact him by phone or email. Family and department members went to his home on 12/21 to check on Firefighter Maull and found him deceased (from a heart attack). *Additional police follow-up shows extensive evidence that Firefighter Maull passed away sometime between the evening of 12/19 and morning of 12/20. New Jersey: Frank Matagrano, 75 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: December 13, 2017 Death Date: December 13, 2017 Fire Department: New Milford Fire Department Initial Summary: Firefighter Frank Matagrano suffered cardiac arrest inside the fire apparatus while it was responding to an emergency call on
12/13/2017. His fellow crew members immediately initiated CPR and utilized an AED to successfully regain his pulse. He was transported to a local hospital, where he remained hospitalized for continued care. Doctors determined that Firefighter Matagrano suffered a stroke which caused his cardiac arrest. He never regained consciousness, and subsequently passed away on 12/23/2017 in the hospital.
Kansas: Jason Garrett, 46 Rank: Firefighter-Paramedic Incident Date: December 26, 2017 Death Date: December 26, 2017 Fire Department: Kansas City Kansas Fire Department Initial Summary: Fellow responders discovered Firefighter-Paramedic Jason Garrett deceased in the firehouse bunkroom when he did not appear for a morning response call. The nature and cause of fatal injury are still to be determined by authorities. Oklahoma: Jeffrey S. White, 53 Rank: Lieutenant Incident Date: December 26, 2017 Death Date: December 26, 2017 Fire Department: Oklahoma City Fire Department Initial Summary: Lieutenant Jeffrey S. White succumbed to complications from a medical condition on December 26th, 2017. Lieutenant White was assigned to Fire Station 36 in southeast Oklahoma City where he was when the episode began. White was transported by ambulance to an area hospital where he later passed away from a nature and cause of fatal injury to be determined.
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GEORGIA
PATCH OF THE MONTH
If you have photos you would like to see in our “Patch of the Month” feature please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
BARROW COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES
Early Morning Fire Destroys Barn in Auburn
EUGENE WEBER JR.
This patch belongs to Claxton Fire Department, located in Evans County, GA.
ON THE LITER SIDE If you have photos you would like to see in our “On The Liter Side” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com
Auburn, GA - Just after midnight on January 29th, communication officers with Barrow County Emergency Services received a 9-1-1 call reporting a structure fire in the 1300 block of Hwy. 124 in Auburn. Crews and apparatus from Stations 4 and 5 responded. Upon arrival, the first responding unit reported a pole barn, approximately 900-square-feet, with heavy fire showing and the tin roof collapsed. A resident on scene reported that a male lived in a small apartment attached to the barn, but they were
Didymus McHugh
Chained in Chamblee! This fire hydrant can be found chained in Chamblee (DeKalb County).
unsure if the man was inside. A quick search was conducted and it was determined that the man was likely not inside the apartment. At that point, the fire was declared a defensive operation, with crews working to contain the fire to keep it from spreading. A live power line was down on the ground and arcing, limiting the area where firefighters could attack the fire. The barn was approximately
How’s Your Rubber Band? Chaplain's Corner
SHANE SHIFFLETT
JUMP TO FILE #013018101
There is a demonstration of resiliency that shows our resiliency, our sense of bouncing back is like a rubber band. After we experience a traumatic event or something stressful, we need to look at if we come back to the same place where we started, like a rubber band that has been stretched. We stretch the rubber band and release it and watch it go back to where it started. The more intense the pressure and/or the longer the pressure, the less were are going to go back to when we began, just like the rubber band. The more and more that we are stretched without our coping skills and self-care skills, we can snap like that rubber band. Our coping to stress starts long before we ever respond to any emergency call. It starts with the relationships that we develop, how well we are trained, what we do to relax and what we do to seek joy. It includes understanding what the signs of stress are. Some people show stress some different ways, but most are the same. Do you
know who you can talk with? A friend, chaplain, crisis team....Who do you have? What do we do when we are in the middle of the crisis? On a scene, we may not have time to remove ourselves from the scene. We can remove ourselves from the scene. We can try tactical breathing exercises, to bring our breathing under control and our pulse. There was an incident that I was about to go in with a partner but I could see that his mind was someplace else. I asked him what was going on. He said that I was the only one that noticed. We had a quick discussion and went on with our assignment. Yes, I could have just gone in with him and not discuss it, but it came to me "Two in, two out" and I wanted to make sure it would be two out. A few minutes to address someone's stress can make a big difference on the overall scene. What about after the scene? Do you exercise when you are stressed? Do you pray, do yoga, go for a bike ride? There are so many things that people do. Jesus after feeding 5,000 people, made the disciples get into a boat and go ahead of him and dismissed the crowds. "After dismissing the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone." Matthew 14:23 See, we may all
2,000-feet off the roadway, down a narrow dirt driveway. Due to the long distance from the nearest hydrant, a decision was made to set up a water shuttle, with one fire engine staying at the fire and a second engine shuttling water back and forth from the nearest hydrant. The barn and its contents were declared a total loss. No injuries to civilians or fire personnel were reported, but the body of a dog was recovered from the debris. - SCOTT DAKIN
need some time alone to do selfcare. I do not think that anyone is immune. Even God rested on the seventh day. If we do not treat our stress and take hold of it, we can have psychological issues, or physical issues, like a heart attack. We need to reduce as much stress that we can. When I was on a Hazmat team, we had physicals annually to make sure that we were in shape. When we went to a scene, we had our vital signs checked before and after entering into the hot zone. When we came out, we had a certain amount of time for our vitals to come within ten percent of our baseline. If we did not stabilize, we got a ride to the hospital, no negotiations. Resiliency may include running, eating healthy, playing with your kids, etc. We all need to take care of the stress and how it affects us. If we do not handle the stress, it will handle us. How do you feel about having a heart attack? Don't want one? Find a constructive way to deal with it. If you do not know how to build resiliency, you can always talk to people trained in crisis intervention. They are trained with a bunch of ideas. Stay safe, Didymus McHugh
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April, 2018
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TENNESSEE
PROVIDED
Academy’s Inaugural Fire Officer IV Class Includes First Female Graduate Nashville, TN – The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) congratulates members of its inaugural Fire Officer IV (FOIV) certification class, the highest level of fire officer training available to Tennessee firefighters. The history-making class at the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy includes Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Kaye Jernigan, whose graduation from the class on Friday, March 2, 2018 makes her the first woman in Tennessee’s history to achieve the FOIV certification. Fourteen Tennessee firefighters have previously reached FOIV certification; however, those certifications were mainly obtained through reciprocity between Tennessee and other states. The graduation of the fire academy’s first FOIV class marks a new level of training and professional development for Tennessee firefighters. “These graduates have shown they have the dedication, commitment, and knowledge necessary to be the great leaders their communities deserve,” said Tennessee Fire Marshal and Department of Commerce & Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “I extend my warmest wishes to all the graduating members of the class, and I commend Assistant Chief Jernigan who is setting a positive example for women in the Tennessee fire service.” Students who pass the FOIV certification tests have the necessary qualifications needed to serve in a fire department’s senior level positions, such as a supervisor or a chief. The FOIV tests are certified by the Tennessee Firefighting Personnel Standards & Education Commission which is accredited by both the International Fire Service
JUMP TO FILE #030918102 Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) and the Pro Board Fire Service Professional Qualifications System (PROBOARD). The accreditation verifies that anyone earning this level of certification has met the required training, education, and skills proficiency that meets National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard 1021, chapter 7 objectives. Jernigan, 52, is a native of Murfreesboro and has served with Murfreesboro Fire Rescue since 1988. She became the first female captain at the department in 1996 and the first female assistant chief in 2011. Jernigan has an Associate's Degree in Fire Science from Volunteer State University and a Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies with a minor in Public Administration from Middle Tennessee State University. The State Fire Marshal’s Office estimates there are currently about 800 female firefighters out of over 22,400 firefighters currently serving in Tennessee. “It is very humbling to be the first female in the state to have obtained FOIV certification,” said Jernigan. “The course, while challenging, was definitely a great learning experience, and I am thankful to have been a part of the pilot class in Tennessee.” For firefighters interested in participating in future FOIV classes, please contact the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy in Bell Buckle at (931) 294-4111 or by email at Tfaca.info@tn.gov. - KEVIN WALTERS
(L to R): Deputy Chief Roger Toombs (MFRD), Fire Chief Rick Parks (EFD), and Eagleville Mayor Travis Brown. MFRD
MFRD Donates 1990 Pierce Fire Apparatus to Eagleville FD Murfreesboro, TN - In January, Murfreesboro Fire Rescue delivered a 1990 Pierce Telesqurt to the Eagleville Fire Department (EFD) at Eagleville City Hall. The unit had been a MFRD standby since 2005 and needed to be removed from the department’s fleet due to service life. Murfreesboro City Council approved the donation to Eagleville on January
JUMP TO FILE #012518104 11th. Eagleville Mayor Travis Brown and Fire Chief Rick Parks were present to accept the unit, which was a “twin” apparatus to the one MFRD donated to EFD in 2014.
“We are happy to be able to provide our friends in the fire service with this piece of equipment,” said MFRD Deputy Chief Roger Toombs. “It has served us well and we are confident it will greatly benefit the EFD and the citizens they protect." - MFRD
PRIZED POSSESSIONS If you have photos you would like to see in our “Prized Possessions” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
We are excited to be debuting our new feature called "Prized Possessions," that will showcase people's FIRE/EMS related possessions and collectibles! We are 'kicking it off' by featuring these flame sneakers worn by 1st Responder News correspondent, Damien Danis. When asked about his infamous sneakers, Damien had this to say: "I wear the sneakers only once a year to the Wildwood Fire Expo. The flames go with my nickname, "Flamien Damien". My friend's brother gave me the nickname years ago and it stuck!!" DAMIEN DANIS
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
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April, 2018
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
TENNESSEE
PATCH OF THE MONTH
If you have photos you would like to see in our “Patch of the Month” feature please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
PROVIDED BY DAVID AUSTIN
This patch belongs to Scotts Hill Fire Department, located in Decatur County, TN.
MFRD
Kathy Ferrell, Executive Director Red Cross, presents the inaugural “Battle of the Badges” blood drive traveling trophy to MFRD Assistant Chief Kaye Jernigan.
TEAMFIRE Wins “Battle of the Badges” Blood Drive Murfreesboro, TN - Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department (#teamfire) wins the traveling trophy for the first annual “Battle of the Badges” blood drive. MFRD competed against Murfreesboro Police Department (#teampolice) in partnership with the American Red Cross to produce exceptional results. According to Zelle Chandler, Market Manager for American Red Cross Blood Services, both depart-
JUMP TO FILE #030718109 ments assisted the local blood donation center in exceeding their daily goals for blood products. The blood only donation goal for the five-day drive was exceeded by 17 percent and the blood products goal (platelets and blood) went 27 percent over goal! A total of 25 people donated for
#teampolice and 35 for #teamfire. Both departments agree that the real “winners” are those who benefit from these blood donations. The Red Cross estimates that each donation can help save up to three lives. If you are interested in donating at the local blood donation center, you can obtain more information online at redcrossblood.org. - MFRD
DJ CORCORAN
Heavy Smoke Billows Through the Roof of Knoxville Home
JIM DAVIS, CITY OF MURFREESBORO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
MPD Officer Sean Martin and MFRD Assistant Chief Kaye Jernigan face off in the “Battle of the Badges” blood drive.
Knoxville, TN - At 9:36 A.M. on February 27th, firefighters were dispatched for the report of a fire at 1936 Fairmont Blvd. after the resident called 9-1-1 to report it. When fire crews arrived, they found heavy dark smoke escaping through the attic vents at the roofline. The occupant, her baby, and pet dog were all out safely. Fire investigators have determined that the fire started in the upstairs bathroom near a ceiling ventilation fan. No injuries were reported.
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
TENNESSEE
Putnam County Rescue Squad EMT Sean Ochsenbein, recipient of the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor.
PROVIDED
Putnam County Rescue Squad Member Receives Medal of Valor from POTUS Washington, DC – On February 20th, at a ceremony held at The White House, President Donald Trump presented Putnam County Rescue Squad member Sean Ochsenbein with the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor, the highest honor of its kind. EMT Sean Ochsenbein received the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor from President Trump for his part in saving a Carter County crash victim from burning wreckage. Ochsenbein, who was returning from a ski trip with his fiancé, along with an off-duty North Carolina sheriff’s lieutenant, came upon the fiery crash in Carter County, TN, in February of 2016, and were able to rescue the 33year-old victim trapped in the wreckage. As the vehicles began to become engulfed in flames, they had to think quickly, and work together, to use a towing strap from Ochsenbein’s vehicle to pull the door free from the vehicle and rescue the victim. Ochsenbein was one of 12 recipients of the Medal of Valor at
JUMP TO FILE #022218120 the ceremony held at The White House. Putnam County Rescue Squad Assistant Chief David Anderson accompanied Ochsenbein at The White House, and was proud to see such a dedicated member receive the highest honor bestowed upon a public safety officer. Ochsenbein has served with the Putnam County Rescue Squad since 2007, and is a respected member of the department. He has served in the first responder program, rope rescue team, swiftwater rescue team, and as a vehicle extrication technician. “We are all so proud of Sean, and happy to see him receive recognition for his actions,” Anderson stated. “Sean is one of the most incredible men you will ever meet, and we all know he didn’t think twice about going to work when he saw the crash.” - BRANDON SMITH
April, 2018
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April, 2018
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HE HE ER ERO ROES RO OES ES INK INK
1st Responder Newspape er features EMERGENCY SERVICES RELA ATED TATTOOS
"I’m Seth Winters, I’m 27-years-old and I’ve been a firefighter for 10 years. I’m with the Fountain Hose Company 1 in Ansonia, CT. I’ve had the tattoo for about 2 years now. It has a lot of meaning to me because I’m a third generation firefighter in my family. The idea for this tattoo came to me when my parent's house unfortunately burned to the ground and my father actually had to fight his own house fire. We all went in after looking for anything salvageable, but unfortunately all our family photos and everything was gone except for a picture of me and my father in a frame with the firefighter prayer. It was a little burnt, but nonetheless it was there, and it inspired me to get this tattoo done."
Would you like your emergency services related tattoo featured here? Contact Lindsey at
Lindsey@1strespondernews.com
D ID YOU K NOW
?
From 1603 until 1867, Japanese firefighters fought fires in a “different” kind of way. They wet themselves with hoses so they would be less flammable (causing their uniforms to weigh up to 75 pounds). They used hooks on poles to try to pull the buildings down and smother the fire. They believed preventing the fire from spreading was more important than saving the burning structure itself. Only five percent of all recorded fires which happened in Japan for centuries resulted in death, seemingly proving their methods.
TENNESSEE
Vanderbilt LifeFlight Member Named Tennessee Paramedic of the Year Gatlinburg, TN - The Tennessee Ambulance Service Association (TASA) has named Vanderbilt LifeFlight’s Tim Bell the Larry Griffin Paramedic of the Year. Bell, a critical care flight paramedic and respiratory ther- JUMP TO FILE# apist, has worked for 022618127 Vanderbilt LifeFlight since 2005. He was one of the first paramedics hired to work in the flight division. Jeanne Yeatman, a Vanderbilt colleague who has served with Bell since he started with LifeFlight, recruited him to join the LifeFlight team. “We are so proud of Tim for this great accomplishment,” said Yeatman, MBA, MOM, RN, CEN, EMT, Associate Nursing Officer, Emergency Services/LifeFlight. “TASA has echoed what we’ve known at Vanderbilt for many years. Tim is a great asset to our team and a leader for all of Tennessee EMS. He’s one of those unique individuals that brings out the best in everyone around him.” Kevin Nooner, MSN, RN, NEBC, EMT-P, director of Air Medical Transport for Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), used to work with Bell in the aircraft. He said he admires Bell not only for his clinical skills, but also for his kind and insightful bedside manner with patients and their families. “I originally met Tim as one of the original paramedics we hired at Vanderbilt LifeFlight. I have worked beside him for several years in many roles including those of caregiver, educator and leader. Tim is an employee who consistently delivers excellence. He challenges those around him, including his leaders, to be better,” Nooner said. “Tim is an excellent clinician, but routinely goes beyond the technical aspect of the job and demonstrates a personal care to his patients. He is known to spend an extra moment making sure patients are comfortable, ensuring families understand the transport progression, and collecting contact information so they remain informed on the care of their family member.” Jeremy J Brywczynski, MD, associate professor of Emergency Medicine at Vanderbilt, Medical Director, Vanderbilt LifeFlight and Associate Medical Director, Nashville Fire Department, echoed Nooner’s comments. “I can honestly say that he is one of the most compassionate people that I have had the honor of knowing. When Tim enters a room, his infectious smile and positive attitude cannot be avoided. He makes all those around him better, happier and more involved in the rapidly changing environment of air medical pre-hospital care. I frequently receive feedback from patients who have been transported or treated by LifeFlight, and I always am filled with pride when there is a mention
Tim Bell, recipient of the Larry Griffin Paramedic of the Year award.
PROVIDED
of Tim Bell.” Bell obtained his paramedic licensure in 1995 and completed critical care paramedic training at the University of Tennessee. He has an additional license as a Certified Respiratory Therapist. He joined Vanderbilt LifeFlight in 2005 where his clinical responsibilities as a critical care flight paramedic include providing advanced critical care, trauma and medical care for patients across the lifespan. His responsibilities include management of intra-aortic balloon pumps and left ventricular assist devices and the clinical management of patients on ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), a machine used to pump and oxygenate a patient's blood outside the body, allowing the heart and lungs to rest. In 2017, he obtained his Air Paramedic 4, a distinction deservingly attributed to paramedics operating at the height of VUMC’s paramedic clinical ladder. As a Cannon County, Tennessee native, he has deep roots and has been actively involved in that community. Throughout Bell’s 27 years as a healthcare provider, he has demonstrated a continued commitment to leadership. Since 1993, he has been a volunteer with the Cannon County Rescue Squad and a board member for the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads Education Committee (1993-present). He has served on the board of the Cannon County Emergency Communications Committee (2004-2009), as well as the Tennessee Department of
Health, Office of Emergency Services (2006-2014). He was Chairman of the Board from 2013-16 of the Cannon County Homeland Security Committee and remains an active member of the Cannon County Fire Board (2015-present). He has been named Cannon County Rescue Squad Member of the Year three times (1995, 1998 and 2012), in addition to receiving the Cannon County Rescue Squad’s John Stiles Award. He was similarly awarded the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squad’s Trainer of the Year in 2008 and 2012. Tim was honored by his peers in 2012 with the Vanderbilt LifeFlight Medical Crew Excellence Award and was part of the Outreach and Education Committee, which was awarded Vanderbilt Medical Center’s Team Award. Bell received his award at the annual Tennessee Ambulance Service Association’s Mid-Winter Conference. Other award winners include: Gwynna Franklin-Jimmy Studdard EMT of the Year, Monroe County EMS; Monroe County EMS–Bob Thomas ALS Service of the Year; William Richard Bailey–Thomas Erwin Lifetime Achievement Award, Lawrence County EMS; Ron Bucheit, M.D.–Dr. C. Robert Clark EMS Medical Director of the Year, Hamilton County EMS; Dan Schaeffer–John Bond EMS Administrator of the Year, Cheatham County EMS; and Andrew Hart–EMS Advocacy Award, Memphis Fire Department. - JERRY JONES
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
PAGE 13
April, 2018
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April, 2018
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
TENNESSEE
Resident Escapes Fast-Moving House Fire in Knoxville Knoxville, TN - At 10:54 P.M. on February 14th, units from the Knoxville Fire Department responded to 2430 Jefferson Ave. for the report of a fire. One resident had exited the smoke-filled home, ran next door JUMP TO FILE# to call 9-1-1, and was 021518102 safely outside when firefighters arrived. Fire had engulfed the rear portion of the home and traveled externally via the eaves into the attic area. The resident insisted to firefighters that her roommate was still inside, so several searches were conducted, but no one was found. Later, the missing roommate returned home to the devastation. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is being investigated. - DJ CORCORAN
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Local Fire Rescue Chief Completes International Professional Designation Process Murfreesboro, TN - Mark Foulks has successfully completed the process that awards the professional designation of “Chief EMS Officer” (CEMSO). The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) met on February 6, 2018 to confer the designation. Foulks becomes one of only 123 CEMSOs worldwide. The Designation program is a voluntary program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate their excellence in seven measured components including experience, education, professional development, professional contributions, association membership, community involvement and technical competence. In addition, all applicants are required to identify a future professional development plan. The CEMSO designation program uses a comprehensive peer review model to evaluate candidates seeking the credential. The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) awards the designation only after an individual successfully meets all of the organization’s stringent criteria.
JUMP TO FILE #030118101 Achieving this designation signifies Foulks’ commitment to his career in the fire and emergency services. This professional designation is valid for three years. Maintaining the designation requires recipients to show continued growth in the areas of professional development, professional contributions, active association membership and community involvement, as well as adhere to a strict code of professional conduct The Commission on Professional Credentialing, an entity of the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc., (CPSE) administers the Designation Program. The CPC consists of individuals from academia, federal and local government, and the fire and emergency medical services profession. To learn more about CPC, visit www.cpse.org. - CPSE
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April, 2018
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April, 2018
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ALABAMA
PATCH OF THE MONTH If you have photos you would like to see in our “Patch of the Month” feature please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
Spring Has Sprung, Fire Up the Grills! FORK & HOSE CO. a Food Blog by A.J. Fusco
If you haven’t done so yet, it’s time to take the covers off the grills!! I use mine all year round, but not nearly as much as when the weather gets warm, especially at the firehouse. Grilling is great because we tend to make our meals a little healthier by using less fat, more vegetables and less processed food. It also results in less dishes, and who doesn’t like that in the firehouse?!? Besides the usual suspects of
hamburgers and steaks, I like to change it up once in a while and one of my favorites is grilled chicken gyros. It is a great way to incorporate healthy, flavorful ingredients into your firehouse cooking. A simple marinade, some fresh toppings and a delicious Tzatziki sauce is all you need for this soon to be firehouse favorite! When it comes to a marinade, they all usually share the same types of ingredients. You need some sort of salt, such as kosher/sea salt, soy sauce, worcestershire, etc., a fat to help carry fat soluble ingredients into the meat, olive oil being the most popular, and finally, an acid to help tenderize the meat. In this case lemon is perfect, but just be careful not to marinate it too long, as the meat
will break down into “mush”, not good. But the star of the show is the Tzatziki sauce, a traditional Greek condiment usually consisting of Greek yogurt, cucumber, lemon and fresh herbs. When it comes to yogurt, a lot of people think the low/no fat versions are healthier, but I disagree. Usually in order to make up for flavor they add extra garbage, such as sugar to make it more palatable. I also feel that when you use full fat products, you tend to use less of it because it is more “filling”. And like they say, fat is flavor! Tzatziki is not just good for gyros, but also great on fish, grain bowls and basically anything grilled. Give this recipe a shot!
TZATZIKI SAUCE Yields 2 ¼ Cups Ingredients:
RAINSVILLE FIRE AND RESCUE
This patch belongs to Rainsville Fire/Rescue Department, located atop of Sand Mountain in Dekalb County, AL. We are a City Fire Department with combination staffing.
2 Cups Plain Greek Yogurt (preferably full fat) 1 Cucumber, halved lengthwise and seeds removed 5 Sprigs of Dill, stemmed and finely chopped 2 Sprigs of Parsley, stemmed and finely chopped 1 Lemon, juice and zest 3 Tbs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil Salt, to taste Chile Flakes, to taste Procedure:
-Grate the cucumber into a colander, let drain and put into a towel and squeeze as much moisture out as you can. Put the cucumber and remaining ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine.
AJ FUSCO
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
April, 2018
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April, 2018
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
FLORIDA
Structure Fire Destroys Home in Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, FL - A onestory residential home caught fire in Daytona Beach on the afternoon of March 8th. Daytona Beach firefighters arrived on scene to find a fully-involved structure fire and immediately began attacking the fire. Daytona Beach FD, along with JUMP TO FILE# Holly Hill FD, 031518102 worked to get the fire under control; however, due to the high winds fueling the flames, the conditions were deemed too unsafe for the firefighters and they were instructed to immediately evacuate the house. Firefighters then switched to a defensive mode and continued to work to extinguish the fire from the exterior of the structure. The State Fire Marshal was requested to respond to determine a cause. The fire caused extensive damage to the house and it is considered a total loss. - SASHA STATON
SASHA STATON
SCENES FROM FIRE RESCUE EAST 2018 Photos by Willie Cirone
April, 2018
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
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FLORIDA
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April, 2018
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
FLORIDA
First Responder Recounts Personal Experience Responding to Tragic School Shooting
DAVID BURNS/@FD4D
Early Morning Blaze Damages Townhomes in Orlando
Orlando, FL - The City of Orlando Fire Department battled a working structure fire in a row of townhomes at 6000 Oakbend Street during the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 7th. Several homes suffered extensive damage. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
DID Y OU K NOW
?
If you experience symptoms of a heart attack, dial 911 first, then chew on an aspirin. Don't swallow it; chew it, and then swallow it with a glass of water. Doing it that way gets the aspirin into your system rapidly. In an impending heart attack, a blood clot is forming in one of your heart's arteries, blocking the blood supply to a part of your heart. Aspirin can help dissolve the clot before there's permanent damage to the heart.
Coral Springs, FL - As with most of these stories, this day started out as any other day would. It was a beautiful sunny South Florida afternoon. The morning leading up to the incident was very uneventful. The Coral Springs-Parkland FD was running a few calls, but the city wasn’t very busy. As our units were at their stations, the silence of the radio broke with the call that no one wants to ever hear. “Station 43 and Assistant Chief-43, copy a shooting, 5901 Pine Island Road, 5-9-01 Pine Island Road, at Stoneman Douglas High School, active shooter, unknown how many people are injured at this time, one caller advising there is a lot of blood”. This transmission, which only lasted a few seconds, would lead to grueling and heartbreaking work that seemed to last for hours. I was in a meeting in our communications center. When I heard the call, I ran downstairs as fast as I could. The whole time I was running, I was hoping that this was some sort of drill. I wondered why anyone would not tell me about this drill and allow me to run down the stairs and possibly hurt myself in the process. As I ran out of the stairwell and past some of our officers, I yelled that there was an active shooter call at Douglas High School. They were getting this information on their radio too, but I think my panicked look may have startled them into a realization that this could be as bad as it sounded. I ran to my truck, passing other members of our fire administration team who were also heading to their vehicles. We raced to the scene as fast as we could. As we drove there, updates kept coming over the radio letting us know that multiple calls were being received into our dispatch center of multiple people shot. The incident was becoming all too real. The information coming over the radio seemed like a ClinCon scenario. I'm normally a very optimistic kind of person, so I was thinking that there is no way this could be real. I saw dozens of Coral Springs Police vehicles running Code 3 towards the area. There was no shortage of help on the way; that I was very certain of. As I arrived on the scene, I saw an engine company and res-
JUMP TO FILE #031418107 cue company in the intersection. As I realized that I was the first chief officer on scene, I established command. I was still getting updates on the shooting and the number of possible patients, but the scene itself was quiet. The lack of people by the school or coming from the school was very odd. I guess I expected there to be a mass exodus and people crowding the street, but that was the opposite of what we encountered. Within seconds, other units and chief officers arrived on the scene. I did what we had done a hundred times before, started formulating an incident command system that could expand to any size necessary into the future of this event. Our EMS Chief was assigned Medical, the Battalion Chief of Training arrived and was assigned to staging, the shift Assistant Chief was designated as the Operations Officer, the shift Battalion Chief was assigned accountability, and anyone extra that came to the command post to assist as needed. The command post was simple. We started with the pull-out command tray of the shift supervisor's vehicle. Accountability began moving passports into the appropriate locations and we started talking about our game plan. The rest of the story now sits under heavy lockdown due to the State Attorney’s Office criminal investigation and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s review of the case upon the request of the Governor. In the near future, we will be able to speak of the specifics of our response, the tactics involved in the extraction of patients, patient care, and the command system. Regardless of what you may hear from the media, this event operated extremely smooth, especially on the Fire/Rescue side. The men and women of the Coral Springs-Parkland FD performed flawlessly that day. The surrounding agencies that came to assist did so with amazing speed and expertise. Every one of the patients that we treated, who did not suffer injuries incompatible with life from the onset, were saved from certain death.
The mental health of our members has been the number one priority of Fire Chief Frank Babinec. He has pulled out all the stops to ensure that none of our members suffer needlessly from the effects of this event. The IAFF sent teams of people from all across the country to assist their members. The City of Coral Springs has opened up amazing resources for all their employees who had any involvement in this incident or its aftermath. The events of February 14, 2018 will forever be in our minds and hearts. This community is the strongest I have ever seen it. We have come together to help each other in ways no one would ever have imagined was in our power to do. Our department, and hundreds of other first responders from South Florida, helped welcome back the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students two weeks after the tragic incident. It was a somber morning, but one of hope. I think us welcoming back the students was good for our souls as well. We need to continue our healing process. It will take a long time, but I know that we will win in the end. The students of Douglas High School have taught us how to be strong. Who would have thought that teenagers could teach that to grown adults? We will be forever grateful to our brothers and sisters in blue who remained vigilant throughout the entire event, making sure that FD personnel were not in harm’s way. We will never forget the 17 innocent lives lost that day. We will always remember the heroes who rushed in to save as many lives as they could. We will remember the adults who used their own bodies as shields to protect the young people who they promised to care for. We will continue to support the brave students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School who saw more evil in five minutes than any of us have seen in a lifetime. This horrific incident has changed us forever. The only way we can make it through this in one piece, is to do it together. We will always be #MSDSTRONG!! - MICHAEL MOSER
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
April, 2018
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FLORIDA
CIRONE PHOTOS
Southern Manatee Catches Mid-Day House Fire
Bradenton, FL - As temperatures climbed to almost recordbreaking heat on February 12th, Southern Manatee Fire & Rescue received a report of a house fire in the quiet gated community of Silver Lake Estates, off Lockwood Ridge Road. Companies enroute reported a heavy black column of smoke. On arrival, the homeowner advised that everyone was out of the house. The fire appeared to be in the attic as heavy smoke pushed from the eaves. A short time later, flames broke through the roof as firefighters pushed their way through the dense smoke and intense heat. Pulling ceilings to get to the well-involved attic, firefighters managed to knock the flames down. The Red Cross was called in for the displaced residents.
SASHA STATON
Brush Fire Causes Vehicle Fire in Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, FL - On March 13th, Daytona Beach firefighters battled a brush fire that quickly ignited a vehicle fire. In addition to structural endangerment due to its proximity to a gas station and hotel, firefighters were able to successfully extinguish a brush fire that spread to a pickup truck and trailer. No one was injured.
SEMA Monroe County EMS Provider of the Year award recipients.
MATTHEW WHITESHIELD
Monroe County EMS Provider of the Year Award Ceremony Marathon, FL – On Friday, February 9, 2018, Southeastern Medical Academy hosted the second annual EMS Provider of the Year event. This year’s event was held at the Key Colony Inn banquet room in Marathon, located in the Florida Keys. Agencies from Ocean Reef all the way south to Key West were in attendance. This year’s award ceremony had eclipsed 2017 by more than double the amount of award recipients. Representatives from Key West, Islamorada, Monroe County, Ocean Reef, Marathon, Mariners Hospital, and Fisherman’s Hospital were in attendance. First to present their awards was Key West Fire Department Chief Davila. Firefighter/Paramedic Brian Rose and Firefighter John Torres were this year’s recipients. With limited resources available following the devastation of Hurricane Irma, FF/PM Rose and Torres played a pivotal role in response to the residents of Key West. Next to receive an award from Key West was Anissa Balbi. In April of 2015, Key West began providing EMS care and transport to the residents and visitors of the island. Anissa was paramount in establishing the department's EMS system. Chief Abel from Islamorada Fire Rescue called up Firefighter/Paramedic Erica Olivera and Hector Jimenez to receive the next acknowledgement. FF/PM Olivera and FF/PM Jimenez were members of the crew that responded to a local establishment for an unresponsive patient. Upon arrival, they found the victim pulseless and apneic, and immediately initiated CPR. ALS interventions were established and counter shocks, along with medications, were administered. The crew was able to regain a pulse prior to arrival at the emergency department. The crew’s quick actions and precise treatment allowed the victim to be discharged from the hospital five weeks later without deficits. Monroe County Fire Department Deputy Chief Hudson was next to present their awards. Firefighter/EMT David Reves was rec-
JUMP TO FILE #022418103 ognized for his humanitarian efforts following Hurricane Irma. FF/EMT Reves organized numerous events to help the victims who were affected by the widespread destruction following the disaster. Next to be acknowledged were Captain Thompson and Lieutenant Reilly, whose actions following Hurricane Irma were essential for communications and Air Rescue response. Deputy Chief Hudson also recognized the actions of Flight Nurse Amie Gomez and ER Nurse Sandy Rodriguez as Nurse of the Year. Both nurses went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the response of all Air Rescue was managed and dispatched appropriately, everything from local Life Flight to military Blackhawks. Ocean Reef Public Safety had four awards to present. Paramedic Kyle Williams was part of a crew that responded to a man having a medical emergency. Upon Paramedic Williams assessment, he recognized that the patient was showing signs of a life-threatening emergency and initiated immediate care. He was unaware at the time that the patient he was treating was a neurosurgeon who later praised Paramedic Williams for his quick action and precise care. Next was EMT Albert Alverez. EMT Alverez has been a positive role model for the members of Ocean Reef Public Safety. He has continually displayed the characteristics that others should want to follow. For his leadership throughout the department he has been awarded EMT of the Year. During Hurricane Irma, the Florida Keys were forced to evacuate, including Fire Rescue. With this mass exodus, where would all these various agencies and first responders go? John Liberger from the Ocean Reef Club opened their doors and provided a safe haven for approximately 120 men and women from Key Largo down to Key West. The Ocean Reef Club was given recognition for their support in a time of need. The final
award from Ocean Reef Public Safety went to Administrator David Ritz for his 25 Years of Service. The final agency to present awards for 2017 was Marathon Fire Rescue. Following Hurricane Irma, there were limited resources available for weeks throughout the Florida Keys. One of these muchneeded resources was that of an Emergency Department. Marathon Fire Rescue, critical care Paramedics and EMTs, transformed Fire Station 14 into a makeshift hospital. In the days and weeks to follow the impact of the storm, these men and women treated over 300 patients, all while still handling the overwhelming number of calls to 9-1-1. FF/PM Denis Timothy, CCP Alex Bobadilla, PM Dan Gonzalez, EMT Pat McCoy, FF/PM Jean Prosper, EMT Ryan Mesh, and FF/PM Chris Santiago were recognized for their dedication and care to the residents of Marathon. Sandra Schwemier, Medical Director, was given the award of EMS Officer of the Year. Sherriff Rick Ramsey was recognized for his continued support of Marathon Fire Rescue and assistance in establishing SWAT Medics to the department. The Upper Keys and Marathon Rotary Clubs were recognized for their unending support of the Keys' residents by providing scholarships. The final awards of the day were given to the Nurse of the Year, Marcel Giguere from Mariners Hospital and Brandi Dillard from Fisherman’s Hospital. This amazing day would not be possible if not for Chief Bill McGrath of North Lauderdale Fire Rescue and Director of Southeastern Medical Academy, along with Dr. Antonio Gandia, Southeastern Medical Academy Medical Director. Two years ago, they organized the Annual Monroe County EMS Provider of the Year Award ceremony to honor the men and women of Monroe County who perform above and beyond the call of duty. With the assistance of Hilary Matas and Joe Forcine, this year’s event was a tremendous success. - MATT WHITESHIELD
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April, 2018
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
PAGE 23
April, 2018
FLORIDA
STEPHEN SABO
Retired Firefighters Hold Annual Chili CookOff Fundraiser Lake Worth, FL - On February 10th, the Retired Firefighters of Palm Beach County held their annual Chili Cook-Off fundraiser. With a total of 35 teams this year, it was one of the biggest held so far. Teams consisted of Fire Rescue stations, both local and from a distance, as well as teams from restaurants and businesses. The monies collected are put back into the community for local charities. All that attended appeared to have a good time and enjoyed eating all the different styles of chili. Pictured is Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Alarm Office, who won Best Fire Department Chili.
OCALA FIRE RESCUE
One Airlifted, Four Transported After I-75 Rollover in Ocala Ocala, FL - Two children and three adults had to be transported to the hospital after the vehicle they were traveling in rolled over multiple times on February 9th. Ocala Fire Rescue was dispatched to a vehicle accident on I75 southbound, near Mile Marker 352, at 2:24 P.M. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a patient on the ground, an SUV showing signs of rollover, bystanders attempting to remove occupants, and a compact vehicle with minor damages.
JUMP TO FILE #021218105 Assuming command, Battalion Chief 22 requested four ambulances and a helicopter to fulfill transport needs. Crews from Rescue 3 worked rapidly to extricate two patients trapped in the SUV and provide care while transport arrived. Despite traffic beginning to congest the area, Engine 3 cleared a landing zone in a matter of minutes. One
patient was immediately loaded and flown to Shands Hospital, while the other four were transported to Ocala Regional Medical Center. A total of five patients, all occupants of the SUV, were transported to the hospital; four of the five as trauma alerts. The occupant of the second vehicle did not report any injuries. - OCALA FIRE RESCUE
BUDDY SHOT
If you have photos you would like to see in our “Buddy Shot� feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
CIRONE PHOTOS
Cedar Hammock Works MVA with Entrapment
Cedar Hammock, FL - State Route 70, one of the busiest roadways in the city, got even busier after a car accident on February 17th at the entrance of Chateau Village. The crash forced a minivan to land on its side, trapping the driver behind the wheel. Firefighters stabilized the vehicle and cut the windshield to remove the driver. Manatee County EMS treated and transported two patients to local hospitals.
CIRONE PHOTOS
DeSoto County Fire Cadets and Advisers at a recent training day at Manatee Fire Academy.
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April, 2018
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
FLORIDA
PL Custom Emergency Vehicles Announces South Florida Emergency Vehicles (SFEV) as New Addition Manasquan, NJ - February 28, 2018 - P.L. Custom Body and Equipment Co., Inc. (PLCB) is pleased to announce the addition of South Florida Emergency Vehicles (SFEV) to its growing family of distributors. SFEV will be providing sales and service to emergency services providers in the State of Florida. In addition to providing sales and service for PL Custom Emergency Vehicles, SFEV will be able to provide remounting and specialty conversions through PLCB as well. “South Florida Emergency Vehicle is pleased to announce that we are the new representatives for PL Custom Emergency Vehicles in the state of Florida.” David Stonitsch of SFEV went on to say that, “PL Custom will provide us a high-quality line of ambulances. They are based in Manasquan, NJ, and have been in business since 1946. We feel that this will be a great addition to our Sutphen line of Fire Apparatus. Since SFEV is a family business, we felt it was important to align
JUMP TO FILE #022818109 ourselves with family owned manufacturers. Sutphen and PL Custom both are family owned manufacturers and do business in a family-oriented atmosphere. Please contact us for your ambulance needs and let us show you the difference in dealing with family.” According to Chad Newsome, National Sales Manager for PLCB, “David Stonitsch and his team at SFEV are a great addition to our growing dealer network. At a time of great turmoil in our industry, PLCB sees great value in partnering with a company that shares its commitment of focusing on the needs of our customers, dealers, and employees. On behalf of all of us here in Manasquan, we wish to express our thanks to South Florida Emergency Vehicles for joining our family!” P.L. Custom Body and Equip-
ment Co., Inc. has been in business since 1946 and owned by the Smock family since 1970. The company employs 175 people at their Manasquan, NJ plant and sells through a network of 18 independent dealers covering 29 states, the District of Columbia, and also distributes their Rescue 1 product in Canada. PL Custom Emergency Vehicle and Rescue 1 are the manufacturing divisions of the corporation and are proud to maintain a strong reputation as a customer focused designer and manufacturer of high quality ambulances and rescue vehicles. PLCB continues to grow at a consistent pace, happy to be able to add partners who share our long term vision for high quality products, outstanding customer service and smart and sustainable growth. We are small by design, family-owned and rich in heritage and tradition.
DRILLS/TRAINING
- PL CUSTOM EMERGENCY VEHICLES
To see your Drills in the newspaper upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com
ALL IN THE FAMILY If you have photos you would like to see in our “All In The Family” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
Cedar Hammock, FL - On February 15th, three generations of firefighters came together at Cedar Hammock Station #1 to wish Captain Stephen LaPlante a happy retirement. (Left to Right): Stephen's father George/retired from Providence, RI, Stephen/Cedar Hammock, Stephen's son Derek/East Manatee, and Stephen's brother Dave/Fort Brutis, VA. CIRONE PHOTOS
WOMEN IN FIREFIGHTING
If you have photos you would like to see in our “Women in Firefighting” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com
CIRONE PHOTOS
Sarasota, FL - Myakka River Forest Fire District recently held its annual Basic Wildland Firefighter class. Four of the days were held at the Sarasota County Emergency Operations Center. The Field day was held at Urfer Family Park in Sarasota. Thirty students from agencies around central Florida attended this intense training. Many of the students will be going on to fight fires out west this summer, while others will take skills back to their agencies for fire suppression and control burns. Pictured is Ranger Robbie Jefferson showing the class pump operations.
PLANTATION FIRE DEPARTMENT
Plantation, FL - Plantation Paramedic Janelle Keyser was recently promoted to the rank of Lieutenant within the Plantation Fire Department. Keyser joined the Department in 2004 as a volunteer firefighter. She transferred to the Rescue Division in 2008 as a Paramedic. Lt. Keyser will supervise a Rescue crew on B shift which includes another paramedic and an EMT/Driver.
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April, 2018
A Call to Save ON THE BOOK SHELF
by John Malecky
lain
A Call to Save The Memoir of A Fire Chap-
By Thomas Harrington Available from: FSP Books & Videos 188 Central Street, Suite #4 Hudson, MA 01749-1330 1-800-522-8528 E-mail: support@fire-policeems.com www.fire-police-ems.com Price: $12.95 This is a soft cover book measuring six-inches by nine-inches and has 72 pages. The author is a semi-retired Roman Catholic priest who serves in Massachusetts. Through the years, he has served in many different cities in the state and he writes about his experiences in those assignments. To read the nine chapters and epilogue was to me like reading about a volunteer firefighter because Father Thomas is well versed in fire terminology and lingo. He details his fires and inci-
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
dents in ways that you feel you are there with him. His field of operation so to speak is not limited to only serving firefighters, but to minister and pray for those unfortunate souls that firefighters encounter and seek his blessing to help set a person or a family at ease after a horrid experience. These incidents could be accidents, drug related calls and other medical calls to which they responded. The reader can very easily get exhausted comprehending his running around at times of his own volition. That also takes into consideration all kinds of weather. A number of the stories are rather sad, while others are heartwarming. One of the incidents included is the Worchester Fire that took six firefighter’s lives. Another is a fire involving a large Catholic church that consumed 30 blocks in Fall River. There is a photo section of four pages of color and black and white pictures of a plane crash, the church fire and a dramatic rescue of an elderly lady from the attic of her dwelling to name a few. This is an inexpensive book that is well worth the while to read and identify with the duties of a chaplain and the good and bad times they have to minister through.
FLORIDA
RN Niccole Keyhani, Clinical Coordinator for Camp Hopetake, with the gang.
CIRONE PHOTOS
Retired Firefighters Help Children’s Burn Camp Tampa, FL - A group of retired firefighters from the Sun City area of Florida recently made a donation to Tampa General Hospital. The donation will go to Camp Hopetake, a special summer camp for children with burns. The week-long camp allows the children to be with other children and adults who also have burns. The experience helps to start their mental healing process. The chil-
JUMP TO FILE #030718102 dren will travel throughout the area, visiting theme parks and water parks at no cost to their families. The Retired Firefighters meet every Tuesday at 10:00 A.M. at the Denny's in Sun City. Firefighters from around the country, as well as Canada, meet to share the Brother-
hood. Founder Tony Wolf of Ohio explains that if there is one thing firefighters miss about the job, it's sitting around the kitchen table, and well, the weekly Tuesday experience is just that. All firefighters are welcome, retired or not. Hope to see you on Tuesday! - WILLIE CIRONE
VEHICLE NEWS
CHRIS DILLEY
On February 27th, Starke Fire Rescue placed into service a 2017 E-One Typhoon as the new Engine 1. The new engine carries 1030-gallons of water and 10-gallons of foam, and is equipped with a 1250GPM Hale pump and a Hale foam system. The water tank has thru the tank ladder and pike pole storage, allowing both to be stored inside the rear roll-up compartment, along with a 200-foot booster line. This engine is configured with a front bumper jump line, 2 midship pre-connect attack lines, and one 2.5-inch rear mount attack line. The extended length cab has seating for five, and internal medical bag storage. A FireComm communication system has been installed in the cab with provisions for the engineer to talk & transmit from the pump panel. LED lighting has been used for all lights on this apparatus, including above and below step lighting for increased firefighter safety. This apparatus is replacing a 2004 E-One Typhoon, which will continue to serve the citizens of Starke as Engine 2.
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FLORIDA
Bat. Chief Randy Jones with "Smokey Junior".
LAKE COUNTY FIRE RESCUE
Battalion Chief in Lake County, Who Made National Headlines Saving a Baby Bear from a Wildfire, Retires Lake County, FL - Lake County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Randy Jones is hanging up his helmet after 30-years of public service. Whether in the forests of northern Idaho, or the tourist mountain towns of Tennessee where deadly wildfires broke out, Chief Jones was there. The veteran firefighter began his career in Lake County in 1984, and has responded to large-scale disasters including Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy. A Structure Protection Specialist for the National Interagency Fire Center’s Southern Area Incident Man-
JUMP TO FILE #020718116 agement Red Team, he was often tapped to fight “apocalyptic” fires. Randy made national news when commanding the Royal Trails Wildfire in east Lake County, where Lake County Fire Rescue and Florida Forest Service firefighters worked together to save seven homes, and "Smokey Junior", a six-pound bear cub who became separated from its mother.
APPARATUS FOR SALE
- ELISHA PAPPACODA
2012 KME Panther Chassis. 22” Raised Roof, Seats 6 Refurbished Walk-In Rescue. Very low miles 3,015. Includes: Hurst 220 Volt Power Unit, Spreader, Cutter, Rams, Combi-Tool, Reels, Hoses, with a 35KW Generator. Asking price: $275,000. Vehicle in very good condition. Please be adviced that the vehicle will not be available for sale until late December 2018 when our new apparatus is delivered. Contact: (732) 406-5630 or email: keasbeybofc4@yahoo.com.
SASHA STATON
Citizen's Academy.
Daytona Beach FD Hosts Citizen's Academy Daytona Beach, FL - On March 15th, the Daytona Beach FD hosted a class full of Daytona Beach residents for a Citizen's Academy. The participants received an in-depth explanation of how DBFD’s fire service works, learning about each aspect of the department. The firefighters were able to showcase their Motor Medics, which is a team of firefighters that
JUMP TO FILE #031518104 use motorcycles to navigate the busy streets of the city during largescale events, such as Bike Week, to reach individuals in need of medical assistance. The participants were also able to watch a demonstration by the
Bob Long
Tech Rescue Team, showing how trained firefighters respond to situations requiring high-rise rescue. The citizens also received training in hands-only CPR, as well as hands-on training in how to properly operate a fire extinguisher using a live fire. - SASHA STATON
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FLORIDA
Fire at Pallet Storage Warehouse in Hialeah Goes to Three Alarms Hialeah, FL - On March 10th, firefighters from City of Hialeah Fire Rescue were dispatched to 5400 NW 37 Ave. for reports of a fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy fire consuming pallets at a storage warehouse. JUMP TO FILE# Mutual Aid was 032118103 called in for MiamiDade Fire Rescue and City of Miami Fire Rescue to respond to the scene. The fire went to three alarms before being brought under control. - CARLOS BARRIENTOS
CITY OF HIALEAH FD
CITY OF HIALEAH FD
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FLORIDA
BSFR TRT32 pause for a picture after Angel's rescue.
MIKE STONE/BSFR
Bath Time Becomes a ‘Ruff’ Time for Schnauzer Broward County, FL "Angel", a 12-year-old Schnauzer, was rescued shortly after 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 3rd, after being trapped by her paw in a bathtub. Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue firefighters were called to the single-family home at 2849 N.W. 14th Court in Unincorporated Fort Lauderdale when the dog's paw became trapped in the tub drain while being bathed by her owner, Maria Fuentes. Fuentes told fire-
JUMP TO FILE #020718127 fighters that she had spent a considerable length of time trying to free the canine herself. She soon realized she couldn't, and was going to need some help. That's when she called 9-1-1. Members of the Broward Sheriff Technical Rescue Team responded and were able to disentangle the dog's paw from the
drain in approximately 20 minutes. Crews utilized a newly purchased piece of equipment called ‘Man in Machine’, to successfully affect the rescue. This specialized piece of equipment and it’s accessories are specifically designed to free small items from small spaces. Angel and her owner were immediately happily reunited after the rescue. - MICHAEL KANE
TAMMY HAGER
Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue Welcomes Nine New Firefighters Cedar Hammock, FL - Nine new firefighters joined Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue and were recognized at February's Commission Meeting. Each new firefighter was administered their oath of office and a family member was proud to pin their new badges on. Congratulations to, (L to R): Drew Dirmeyer, Grady Griffin, Zach Hill, Taylor Clegg, Greg Howell, Devin Melcher, Sean Morrissey, Vincent Scaffedi and Keith Adams.
Visit 1st Responder on the Web at www.1RBN.com
BATTALION CHIEF RAFAEL DEL VALLE
Bike Week MVA with Entrapment in Volusia County Volusia County, FL - A motor vehicle accident on March 12th in the Samsula area of Volusia County involved two cars and six motorcycles, which were unoccupied and in a parking lot at the time of the incident. One patient was entrapped in a vehicle, and three patients were treated and transported to hospitals. Volusia County Fire Rescue responded, along with Volusia County EMS, the Sheriff's Office and the Florida Highway Patrol.
APPARATUS FOR SALE
2005 KME EXCEL MFD Chassis. 10” Raised Roof, Seats 6 1500 GPM Hale Qmax Pump, 750 Gallon Water Tank, 8KW Generator. Stainless Steel Body. Two hard suction hoses. Asking Price: $170,000. 9,058 Miles. Pump tested. 1124 hours. Please be adviced that the vehicle will not be available for sale until late December 2018 when our new apparatus is delivered. Contact: (732) 406-5630 or email: keasbeybofc4@yahoo.com.
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