PUBLISHER COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI FIRE and RESCUE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF FIRE CHIEF KENNETH MOORE EDITOR FIREFIGHTER ANTHONY COLOM DESIGN & LAYOUT FIREFIGHTER ANTHONY COLOM PHOTOGRAPHY FIRE & LIFE SAFETY EDUCATOR / PIO CAROLE SUMMERALL ENGINEER WES MIMS FIREFIGHTER ANTHONY COLOM CONTRIBUTING WRITERS CHIEF OF TRAINING DUANE HUGHES FIRE & LIFE SAFETY EDUCATOR / PIO CAROLE SUMMERALL ENGINEER WES MIMS BATTALION CHIEF MARTIN ANDREWS STAFF KENNETH MOORE - FIRE CHIEF MARTIN ANDREWS: A-SHIFT BATTALION CHIEF CHRIS HANSEN: B-SHIFT BATTALION CHIEF MARK WARD: C-SHIFT BATTALION CHIEF NEAL AUSTIN: SPECIAL OPERATIONS CHIEF DUANE HUGHES: CHIEF OF TRAINING TODD WEATHERS: FIRE MARSHAL CAROLE SUMMERALL: FIRE & LIFE SAFETY EDUCATOR / PIO LINDA HANSON: EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE FIRE CHIEF Columbus Fire and Rescue Department 205 7th Street S. Columbus, MS 39701 (662) 329-5121 This publication may not be reproduced in whole nor in part without the written permission of the publisher. Copyright © 2012, Columbus, Mississippi Fire and Rescue Department.
CONTENTS FEATURES DILLON: The New Fire & Rescue Dog.... PAGE 6 TAKING A STAND ON SEATBELT USE: Hugh Lee Newell’s Story.... PAGE 20
EDITORIAL THE CHIEF’S CHAIR: Training, Prevention, and Best Customer Service.... PAGE 8 EDITOR’S NOTE: A New Perception.... PAGE 10
DEPARTMENTS FIRE & LIFE SAFETY SEASONAL FIRES: Cold Weather Increases Indoor Activites and A Need For Heat... PAGE 14 FIRE SAFETY MONTH PHOTOS ..... PAGE 28 THE TRAINING SECTION TRAINING PHOTOS..... PAGE 11 AROUND THE STATION PHOTOS OF STAFF & FIREFIGHTERS.... PAGE 15 & 23
SPECIAL CHILD SAFETY SEATS SAVE LIVES ..... PAGE 9 2011 KIDS FIRE ACADEMY..... PAGE 16 COUNCILMAN MICKENS PARTICIPATES IN PUBLIC AND ELECTED OFFICIALS DAY AT THE MISSISSIPPI FIRE ACADEMY... PAGE 22 SMOKE DIVING: CITY PROPERTY BURNED TO MAKE WAY FOR NEW SPORTS COMPLEX .... 24 COLUMBUS FIREFIGHTERS VISIT MISSISSIPPI’S BURN CAMP ..... PAGE 26 COLUMBUS FIRE & RESCUE’S 2011 CHRISTMAS PARTY ...... PAGE 27 25+ YEARS OF SERVICE: FOUR FIREFIGHTERS RETIRE IN 2011 ..... PAGE 30
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DILLON: THE NEW SEARCH AND RESCUE DOG
BY ENGINEER WES MIMS wesmail1@yahoo.com
As you all know by now, we have a search and rescue dog named Dillon. Dillon is a fouryear-old Golden Retriever. Jason Purgason, a highly regarded working dog trainer with Highland Canine Training in Harmony, North Carolina, trained him for a SAR team in Florida that was manned by volunteer dog handlers. Dillon's original handler could not continue with the team for personal reasons and Dillon ended up back with Jason at the kennel. Because most handlers want to train their dogs as a puppy, Jason kept Dillon at the kennel and used him to help train other dogs and handlers. Dillon was so good at his job that when I was there to train with him, they let out classes to watch him work. Jason felt like Dillon had a lot to offer a SAR team and began a search to find him a home. Dogs of his caliber often sell for as much as five thousand dollars but Dillon was offered for free to a team willing to take an older dog. We were connected with Highland Canine through Kathy Doty who worked with Jason on certifications around the south. Funds for dog food, crates, vet bills, and other pet supplies is provided through Columbus Fire and Rescue's budget.
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Dillon can search using a couple of different methods. He can air scent by sampling the air for a person's scent regardless of how long the person may have been there. He can also ground scent by following a person's track, which can be limited by how old the track may be and the ground conditions. When Dillon searches, he is actually looking for his toy. The only time he is allowed to play is during training when he has located the person who has his toy. When he locates the victim he is trained to bark repeatedly until he is given his toy. I instruct volunteers who hide for his training to hold his toy until I can get to him, and then they can give him his toy and play tug with him. This is his favorite reward so it is important to play with him vigorously if you volunteer to hide. Dillon can perform his search as an area search (overland search) or on a rubble pile simulating tornado or earthquake damage. This training along with agility training on the agility course at station two and general obedience training is performed three or four times a week. As of now Dillon's certification is from Highland Canine and he and I are certified as a team. If we were a volunteer team, we would be required to have a certification to prove that we were capable of performing the job. Since we work for the agency that will deploy us and which also oversees our training, we are not required to have that certification. However, Homeland Security is in the process of outlining a certification that Dillon and I will have to attain in order to work with other agencies.
Around the station, Dillon spends most of his day milling around the day room, going from person to person looking for a pat on the head, or chewing on a rawhide bone. We have been successful in training him to automatically go to his crate when the tone goes off. He is usually in his crate for short periods of time, even though he is trained to stay in his crate for long durations. He spends the night in his crate in the training room. Dillon eats two cups of Purina One in the morning and two cups in the evening. His usual feeding schedule is around six in the morning and around seven in the evening. He cannot have table food because most of it will upset his stomach and in general it's just not good for him. We are also not allowed to play with him in any manner because this would eventually affect his desire to search for someone to play with. Since we have to be ready at all times, Dillon goes with me to work and stays with me at home. When I'm on vacation he will stay at station one. He seems to like home because he has plenty of room to run when we go for walks. It is hard to tell which one he favors most because he loves the all day attention he receives at the station as well. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Dillon and look forward to answering any questions you might have.
THE CHIEF’S CHAIR Photo by Engineer Wes Mims
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TRAINING, PREVENTION, and
BEST
CUSTOMER SERVICE BY FIRE CHIEF KENNETH MOORE kmoore@columbusms.org
Welcome to the new Columbus Fire and Rescue Magazine. Thank you to Firefighter Anthony Colom for all his hard work making this possible, as well as the individuals who took the time to write articles. The personnel of Columbus Fire and Rescue do so much to make this possible.. A special thanks to the citizens of Columbus, and the Mayor and Council for their continued support of all the services we provide. We would like to introduce you to two of the most important and live-saving prevention programs we offer: 1. Smoke Detector program - if you own your home and can't afford one, we will provide you with a smoke detector. If you are elderly and need help installing a smoke detector or changing a battery, the personnel of Columbus Fire and Rescue are there to assist. There is no reason for any home to be without these valuable life-saving tools. 2. Car Seat Installation program - our certified technicians will ensure that your children and grandchildren are properly traveling in secure seats. This magazine is a tribute to all that the personnel of CFR do, and a way to recognize programs, individuals and the department as a whole. Keeping it growing will require the efforts of everyone in the department. Columbus Fire and Rescue Magazine will be distributed throughout the City in an effort to heighten the awareness and educate the public on what the department does and the many services that we provide. I am so excited about the first edition and its possibilities. I hope when you, your family and friends see yourself or someone they know, you take as much pride in it as I do in you. Columbus Fire and Rescue has many things happening that can have a great impact on the future - National Accreditation, a State Rating Bureau site visit, leadership training for all officers, recent promotions and new hiring - just to name a few. There is so much still yet to accomplish, but can never be achieved without the help of so many people. Our Vision: To Be the Best Our Goal: Everyone Goes Home Safe Our Objective: Training, Prevention and Best Customer Service
My closing thought goes to a recent event where I received an honor on behalf of Columbus Fire and Rescue called the Unsung Heroes Award. Fire and Rescue personnel, here and throughout the Country, truly are the unsung heroes of emergency services. In some ways like the Coast Guard, they go about the business of saving lives and property quietly and often behind the scenes. The guest speaker for that Martin Luther King, Jr. Day breakfast left us all so much to think about. He humbled us all by reminding us that no matter how good any of us are, none of us would be anything without those who came before us. So as we move forward to the future together, let's be humble but proud; smile, while being thankful and professional, as we serve. And make the way better for those yet to come. 08
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CHILD SAFETY SEATS SAVE LIVES
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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 7,500 lives have been saved by the proper use of child restraints during the past 20 years. Motor vehicle crashes still remain the number one killer of children ages 4 to 14 in America. Children ages 4 to 8 who use booster seats are 59 percent less likely to be injured in a car crash than children who are restrained only by a seat belt, according to a study by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Only 10 to 20 percent of children ages 4 through 7 who should be using booster seats to protect them are actually in them. This puts children at an unnecessary risk of being injured or killed in crashes because they are simply in the wrong restraint for their size and age. One study showed that children ages 2 to 5 who are moved to seat belts too early have 4 times the risk of a head injury in a crash. Children ages 4 through 7 are generally too small for adult seat belts and need a “boost” to ensure the seat belt will fit securely across their chests and low across the upper thighs —to help prevent internal injuries, neck, head and spinal injuries, and even ejection and death in the event of a crash. If They’re Under 4’9”, They NEED a Booster Seat
As children grow, how they need to be secured in a car, truck, van or SUV changes. For maximum child passenger safety, parents and caregivers simply need to remember and follow these 4 Steps for Kids: 1) For the best possible protection keep infants in the back seat, in rear-facing child safety seats, as long as possible up to the height or weight limit of the particular seat. At a minimum, keep infants rear-facing until a minimum of age 1 and at least 20 pounds; 2) When children outgrow their rear-facing seats (at a minimum age 1 and at least 20 CHECK YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS
pounds) they can ride in forward-facing child safety seats, in the back seat, until they reach the upper weight or height limit of the particular seat (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds); 3) Once children outgrow their forward-facing seat (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds), they should ride in booster seats, in the back seat, until the vehicle seat belts fit properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest (usually at age 8 or when they are 4’9” tall); 4) When children outgrow their booster seats, (usually at age 8 or when they are 4’9” tall) they can use the adult seat belt in the back seat, if it fits properly (lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt across the chest). Some parents or caregivers may regard booster seats as a hassle to use or a pain to convince their children to use. But protecting the ones we love means getting past the temporary complaints and perceived hassles because the lives of children really are at risk. Do it because you love them. Do it because it could save their lives. Make it the law of your car. For more information, contact: Carole Summerall Fire & Life Safety Education Officer Columbus Fire & Rescue (662) 329-5121
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EDITOR’S NOTE
Photo by Engineer Wes Mims
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W E N N O I T P E PERC
BY FIREFIGHTER ANTHONY COLOM columbus39702@yahoo.com
As you flip through the pages of our new Columbus Fire and Rescue Magazine, we hope that each and every one of you will appreciate the work that we’ve put into making this publication one that the city of Columbus and Lowndes County will enjoy, while using it as a guide to better understand fire and life safety. I was given the green light by Chief Moore in the summer of 2011 to go ahead and get the ball rolling with this publication. I’d like to thank Chief Moore for giving me the opportunity to help create this publication, and Mayor Smith and our city councilmen for their support. Chief Moore, Fire and Life Safety Educator/Public Information Officer Carole Summerall, Engineer Wes Mims, Chief of Training Duane Hughes, and Battalion Chief Martin Andrews all contributed a great deal to this issue, and I thank them for their time, help, and support. In creating and distributing our publication, we hope to educate, inform, and entertain our readers. There’s a perception that we firefighters only fight fires. These days we wear many hats and perform many duties: we’re firefighters, haz-mat techs, rope and confined-space rescuers, dive rescuers, car seat installers, overland search rescuers, arson investigators, fire marshals, inspectors, fire-safety educators, and emergency medical technicians. There’s so much about what we do that you, the public, don’t get an opportunity to see. The Columbus Fire and Rescue Magazine will provide you the opportunity to see more of what we actually do. We intend to make our reality your perception. A NEW PERCEPTION ! We thank you for the opportunity to serve you and the community, and we hope that you will continue to support us in all that we do.
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1. Engineer Richard McBride 2. Firefighter Michael Miller & Engineer Eric Grant 3. Firefighter Chase Taylor, retired battalion chief James Earl Cunningham, retired engineer Mert Campbell, & Engineer Alan Walker 4. Captain Jr. Lancaster with firefighter 5. Captain Jim Robbins, Engineer Doug Cox, Firefighter Nathan Knepp, former firefighter Brian Smith, Captain Bobby Barksdale, & Engineer Shannon Murphy 6. Engineer Frederick Hargrove 7. Fire-fighter Will McReynolds, Firefighter Eric Minga, & Engineer Frederick Hargrove 8. Captain Jr. Lancaster 9. Captain Jr. Lancaster with firefighter 10. Engineer Melvin Junkin & retired engineer Mert Campbell with firefighters
11. Retired engineer Mert Campbell & Engineer Melvin Junkin 12. Firefighter Nathan Knepp 13. Chief of Training Duane Hughes 14. Firefighter Shane Darrell, Firefighter Will McReynolds, & Engineer Melvin Junkin 15. Chief of Training Duane Hughes, Engineer Ray Whitson with new firefighter recruits 16. Captain Larry Webber with new firefighter recruits. Photos 1, 5, 6, 7, 12, and 14 by Firefighter Anthony Colom. Photos 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, and 16 by Engineer Wes Mims.
Photo by Engineer Wes Mims
FIRE & LIFE SAFETY
SEASONAL FIRES: Cold Weather Increases Indoor Activities and A Need For Heat BY FIRE and LIFE SAFETY EDUCATOR / PIO CAROLE SUMMERALL csummerall@columbusms.org
As the temperature outside drops, Columbus/Lowndes County families take to the indoors to keep safe and warm. Cold winter weather increases indoor activities and the need for heating; what they may not realize is that turning up the heat can increase the risk of home heating fires. Home fires account for 83 percent of all civilian fire deaths. Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires during the months of December, January and February, and trails only cooking equipment in home fires year-round.
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On average, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) research show that heating equipment is involved in roughly 70,000 reported U.S. home structure fires, with associated loss of more than 600 civilian deaths, almost 1,600 civilian injuries and more than $1 billion in direct property damage. "While these numbers are frightening, nearly all of these fires are preventable," said Carole Summerall, Columbus Fire & Rescue Fire and Life Safety Educator. "We can reduce the number of home heating fires in our community be taking some simple precautions and using heating equipment properly."
and warm this winter. Space heaters need space; keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment. Turn portable heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room. Plug power cord only into outlets with sufficient capacity and never into an extension cord. Inspect for cracked or broken plugs or loose connections. Install smoke alarms and test them at least once a month; they can be purchased for less than $5 at many stores. Always provide adequate ventilation for kerosene heaters. Burning kerosene consumes oxygen, and produces carbon monoxide and other dangerous gases which may cause you to suffocate. Never leave burning candles unattended and do not use an oven to heat your home. Practice home fire safety but most important is to have and maintain working smoke alarms and develop and practice an escape plan that every family knows; they can double your chance of surviving a house fire.
For more information, contact: Carole Summerall NFPA and Columbus Fire & Rescue recom- (662) 329-5121 x 4106 mend some simple home heating safety tips, so csummerall@columbusms.org residents can help keep our community safe
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AROUND THE STATION 2. 3.
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1. Engineer Brad Alexander 2. Captain Mike Chandler 3. New recruit Firefighter Terrance Colister 4. Captain John Fancher 5. Engineer Brooks Pope 6. Engineer Richard McBride 7. Captain Andy Perkins 8. Battalion Chief Martin Andrews 9. Engineer Ron Musgrove 10. Mrs. Linda Hanson Executive Assistant to the Fire Chief 11. Engineer Darren Allbritton 12. Firefighter Damon Estes (All photos taken by Firefighter Anthony Colom except 4 & 8)
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ACADEMY Photos by Fire and Life Safety Educator / PIO Carole Summerall Dramatic lens effect: Firefighter Anthony Colom
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1. Engineer Jeff Edmondson with Academy student 2. Firefighter Michael Miller and Engineer Frederick Hargrove with Academy students 3. Academy students on Graduation Day 4. Councilman Gavin of Ward 6 presenting certificates to Academy students 5. Firefighter Michael Miller, Firefighter Anthony Colom, Firefighter Dale Ballard, and Engineer Jeff Edmondson 6. Engineer Ray Whitson with Academy Student All photos by Fire and Life Safety Educator / PIO Carole Summerall
(left to right) Councilman Bill Gavin - Ward 6, Fire Chief Kenneth Moore, Firefighter Michael Miller, Firefighter Anthony Colom, Firefighter Dale Ballard, Engineer Jeff Edmondson, E-911 Director Sherry Fancher, Lowndes County Emergency Management Director Cindy Lawrence, and 2011 Kids Fire Academy Award Winners.
FEATURE ARTICLE Photo by Engineer Wes Mims
TAKING A STAND ON SEATBELT USE: HUGH LEE NEWELL’S STORY BY CHIEF OF TRAINING DUANE HUGHES dhughes@columbusms.org
Traditionally, leadership in the fire service has been seen reserved for the higher ranks. Rarely have foot soldiers established fire department policy or vision. Some years back, I was presented with the opportunity to change this standard. Simply stated, I challenged firefighters to use seatbelts. Holding the rank of engineer, I was able to persuade many in my department that seat belt use is not optional. With determination and a little courage, I proved that leadership can spring from the lower ranks.
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Some years ago I attended an Interpersonal Dynamics course at the National Fire Academy. Dr. Burt Clark appeared in class and gave a speech concerning seatbelts and their lack of use in the fire service. Although I was not a supporter of seat belt use, the forcefulness of Dr. Clark’s speech struck a chord within me. When I returned to my department, I described the class to my station crew. After detailing the wonderful experience of the preceding two weeks, I mentioned Dr. Clark’s speech. I remember telling the guys how I thought Dr. Clark was fighting a lost cause. “Not a lost cause, a just cause,” responded then Battalion Chief, Truman Oswalt. Chief Oswalt was a long-time member of our department, and was affectionately known as “Hobby” by the guys. Hobby directed me to the hallway of our number one fire station. Arranged along the walls were pictures detailing the exploits of our department. Some of the older pictures dated back to the late 1800’s. Hobby pointed towards an old black and white photo. The framed picture showed a firefighter in an old-style 20
dress uniform. Fastened to the bottom of the frame was a small metal tag which read, “Hugh Lee Newell - Sept. 11, 1931 / Oct. 1, 1972 - Our Friend.” Hobby stared at me and said, “I think you need to hear Hugh Lee’s Story.” Hugh Lee Newell was a driver with the Columbus Fire Department. The apparatus was of the open-cab style, and had no seatbelts. The captain and driver sat up front, while the firefighter stood on the tailboard. In October, 1972, Hugh and his crew were responding to an emergency call. While making their way through traffic, disaster struck. Swerving to avoid another vehicle, the front wheels of their apparatus struck the street curb. The firefighter was thrown from the tailboard, and narrowly missed being run over by the rear wheels. The captain maintained his seat, but Hugh was not as fortunate. Thrown from his position behind the wheel, Hugh landed in the truck’s path. Unable to avoid his own vehicle, he was run over and killed. While devastating, Hugh’s death moved all the firefighters to action. Firefighter safety became the rallying cry for all who experienced the pain of Hugh’s passing. Their impassioned pleas resulted in the retrofit to cabs of all Columbus Fire Department vehicles. This victory fell short of including seatbelts. The battle for seatbelts. The battle for seatbelts continued to rage on until 1984, when the retrofit of seatbelts was approved. Even this victory came with it’s own set of problems. Because of liability issues, the City Garage and other local repair shops refused to install the seatbelts.
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Having come so far, the men refused to surrender the fight. Chief Kenneth Moore, while still the department’s Training Officer, installed the first few seatbelts himself. Wearing full turnouts and seatbelts became standard procedure whenever an apparatus left the station. It was through these actions that the firefighters gave meaning to Hugh’s death. The men of the Columbus Fire Department pledged themselves to safety, and strived to never again lose another friend to a preventable death. After hearing the story of Hugh Lee Newell and the department’s struggle for safety, I felt ashamed. How had attitudes in my department strayed so far from the ideals of 1984? Seatbelt use was no longer a battle cry, just a tired safety message. I believed that the lack of seatbelt usage in my department was an insult to the memory of Hugh Lee Newell. How many times as a firefighter had I refused to buckle up, believing it slowed my response time? How many times as a driver had I pulled away from the station, knowing that my passengers were not secured by seatbelts? I began to demand that passengers on my truck fasten their seatbelts. I was often met with resistance, but after hearing the story of Hugh Lee Newell, most firefighters agreed to fasten their seatbelts. Many other drivers began to take a firm stance on seatbelt use. When confronted with an unbelted captain, Driver Mike Chandler refused to proceed on a call. Later, Mike told me he was prepared to face dire consequences, but that truck wasn’t moving until all seatbelts were fastened.
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Convincing stubborn firefighters to wear seatbelts is no easy task. My arguments for seatbelt use often fell on deaf ears. Many department membes resisted change, and saw the story of Hugh Lee Newell as ancient history. Several firefighters weren’t born until well after Hugh’s death in 1972. These younger firefighters simply couldn’t relate to Hugh’s story. That all changed with a visit from Mrs. Deana Vernon. An opportunity for change came one station maintenance day. I washed the trucks as younger firefighters cleaned the downstair quarters. Mrs. Vernon entered the station with her young daughter following closely. She remarked that the child loved fire trucks, and asked about the possibility of a tour. Presented with an opportunity to leave our chores and entertain the excited child, we happily agreed. After viewing the trucks and turnout gear, the tour proceeded inside the station. “Do you know the man in this picture?” asked Mrs. Vernon, while pointing to Hugh Lee Newell. “Yes ma’am. He was one of our firefighters killed a long time ago,” a young firefighter responded. Mrs. Vernon hugged her daughter and said, “Hugh was my father, and I am so touched that you guys still remember him. I’m glad his death had some meaning. Just knowing all you guys can now wear
seatbelts makes me happy.” With tearfilled eyes, Mrs. Vernon recounted the media coverage of the department’s fight for seatbelts. “It was always front page news. I couldn’t believe it took so long to get the seatbelts,” she said.
What a victory! Mrs. Vernon accomplished in five minutes what I failed to do in weeks of reasoning. She put a face on her family’s tragedy, and ended resistance to seatbelt use for all those young firefighters. Hugh Lee Newell would be honored by a new generation of seatbelt wearing firefighters.
truth. I know that cautionary tales and regulations won’t change years of ingrained behavior. What I can say is that a change was made in my life after hearing the story of Hugh Lee Newell. My seatbelt was fastened every time I climbed into the driver’s seat, and my truck didn’t move until every passenger had his seatbelt secured. I know that with each retelling of the Hugh Lee Newell story, another Columbus firefigter decides to buckle up. Leadership can spring from the lower ranks of the fire service. The fire service regularly displays courage and deter mination when dealing with public emergencies. Do we have the strength to display these same attributes towards our fellow firefighters? Can we love another firefighter enough to say, “Buckle Up?”
I wish I could say that seatbelt usage is 100% in the Columbus Fire Department, but that wouldn’t be the
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SPECIAL
Councilman Mickens Participates in Elected and Public Officials Day at the Mississippi Fire Academy BY BATTALION CHIEF MARTIN ANDREWS mandrews216@yahoo.com
Columbus City Councilman, Joseph Mickens, honored the Columbus Fire and Rescue (CFR) department by attending the most recent Elected and Public Officials’ Day at the Mississippi Fire Academy.. I was also attendance.
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The morning session began at 8:30 a.m. and was conducted in a classroom setting. The Academy Director, Reggie Bell, apprised the class of the Academy’s policies and procedures, as well as a wide range of other services they offer. Additionally, speakers from around the state of Mississippi addressed a variety of topics related to the fire service, including a presentation by the Insurance Commissioner on the subject of the insurance rebate program and other means through which funds are available. After the speakers finished, Councilman Mickens joined the other officials as they participated in a tour of the Academy. He then expressed amazement, as well as interest, in the extensiveness and complexity of the training facility and all that it offers. Lunch was provided by the Academy and was held in the cafeteria. Then, the hands-on session of this tour began. Councilman Mickens impressed everyone with his performance in the emergency driving course. He drove two different fire apparatuses, where the academy had set up obstacle courses for each. I thought to myself, “the next time CFR is short of a driver, we just might need to mandatory the Councilman.” That was just the beginning of what was to follow. Councilman Mickens was now warmed up and was eager to experience more.
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He proceeded to gear up in preparation to enter the
h e a t house, which is a simulation of a burning house. In this simulation, heat and smoke is controlled by Academy staff members. Councilman Mickens extinguished the fire. He proved that he can take the heat—on the Councilman’s bench, as well as in turnouts. The next morning, Councilman Mickens toured Operation Triple Play, which is comprised of many different task force teams from around the state. This event permitted him the opportunity to actually witness the different teams in action. Next, Councilman Mickens participated in a tour of the display of different task forces equipment. Finally, the grand finale : Councilman Mickens toured the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) facility, which is a state-of-the-art building where all state emergency personnel meet and set up the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in the time of an emergency or disaster. I feel confident that this was a
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very rewarding experience for Councilman Mickens. As a matter of fact, a quoted statement follows. “Firefighters are universally loved and respected. In October 2011, I had the opportunity to participate in a workshop at the Mississippi Fire Academy in Jackson, Mississippi, along with Chief Moore and some of the City’s finest servicemen. This experience was both enlightening and gratifying for me— every little boy’s dream of becoming a firefighter. For the first time, I was able to better understand the physical and mental demands of the job. Not only do they put their own lives at risk performing the work that is required, but they are accountable for the lives of others as well. In most cases, firefighters are first responders; therefore, they are responsible for assessing situations, while maintaining composure. I must admit, I was more than a bit apprehensive about entering a burning building, but quickly developed a greater level of respect for the profession. On behalf of the citizens of Ward 2 and the City of Columbus, I salute Chief Moore and his entire crew for the impact they make on our lives daily.” (JOSEPH W. MICKENS, SR.) I’m thankful to Councilman Mickens for agreeing to participate in the Elected and Officials’ Day and for the courage displayed during the event. We appreciate the City’s support, and we invite all City elected officials to consider participating in 2012.
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1. Engineer Brooks Pope & Engineer Shannon Murphy 2. Captain Jim Robbins, Engineer LaMarcus “Billy Bob” Phillips, & Engineer Kirk McKellar 3. Captain Jr. Lancaster & former firefighter Earnest Ross (now with Columbus Air Force Base Fire Dept.) 4. Engineer Shannon Murphy & Engineer Doug Cox 5. Engineer Susan Snapp, Engineer Jeff Edmondson, & Captain Brett Thompson 6. Firefighter Dale Ballard & Captain Larry Webber 7. Battalion Chief Martin Andrews 8. Captain Derrick Parnell, Engineer Josh Westbrook, & Engineer Eric Grant 9. Engineer Frederick Hargrove
FIREFIGHTERS BURN OLD AND ABANDONED PROPERTY TO MAKE WAY FOR NEW SPORTS COMPLEX
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C - Shift battalion chief, Mark Ward
COLUMBUS FIREFIGHTERS VISIT MISSISSIPPI’S BURN CAMP
Firefighter Michael Miller and Engineer Wes Mims instructing burn survivor, Jatavis Banks, on how to read a compass, while Firefighter Chase Taylor instructs her sister, Jalisa (bottom), in the same.
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COLUMBUS FIRE AND RESCUE’S 2011 CHRISTMAS PARTY
1. Engineer Alan Walker & family 2. Retired battalion chief Earl Cunningham, Firefighter Jason Pool, Captain Bobby Barksdale, & retired captain Jim Ragon 3. Captain Tommy Massey & family 4. Captain Todd Graham & family 5. Captain & Mrs. Mike Gibson 6. Captain & Mrs. Andy Grant 7. Engineer Randall Beatty & family 8. Engineer & Mrs. LaMarcus Phillips 9. Firefighter Michael Miller & family ( Photos by Fire and Life Safety Educator / PIO Carole Summerall )
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25+ YEARS OF SERVICE: FOUR FIREFIGHTERS RETIRE IN 2011 CAPTAIN CECIL LOFTON (1979 - 2011), BATTALION CHIEF JAMES EARL CUNNINGHAM (1979 - 2011) BATTALION CHIEF MIKE McREYNOLDS (1981 - 2011), ENGINEER MERT CAMPBELL (1987 - 2011) 1.
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1. Retired captain Cecil Lofton & Firefighter Tyler Lofton 2. Retired battalion chief James Earl Cunningham 3. Retired battalion chief Mike McReynolds & Firefighter Will McReynolds 4. Captain Andy Grant, retired engineer Mert Campbell, & Chief Kenneth Moore 5. Captain Derrick Parnell, Executive Assistant to the Chief Linda Hanson, & Bruce Hanson 6. Captain Bud Egger, Engineer Anthony Smith, retired battalion chief Ricky Graves, & Battalion Chief Chris Hansen 7. Captain John Fancher 8. Engineer Doug Wiggins, Firefighter Kirk Gayle, Captain Andy Grant, & Engineer Kirk McKellar 9. Fire Marshal Todd Weathers, Special Operations Chief Neal Austin, & Battalion Chief Martin Andrews 10. Firefighter & Mrs. T.J. Brand 11. Engineer Kevin Brown, retired captain & Mrs. Cecil Lofton 12. Captain Todd Graham, Captain Mark Connors, & Engineer Lance Godfrey 13. Retired battalion chief Earl Cunningham, retired battalion chief Mike McReynolds, & Battalion Chief Martin Andrews 14. Captain Andy Grant & Chief Kenneth Moore 15. Engineer Shannon Murphy, Engineer Doug Cox, Firefighter Steve Loden, & Captain Brett Thompson 16. Engineer Doug Wiggins & Battalion Chief Mark Ward
TRAINING, PREVENTION, & BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE