NEW HIRES
Dillon was responsible for finding the victims of the recent Louisville, MS tornado, as well as having been deployed to clear areas in Ashland and Vicksburg tornadoes. fter a decade of sniffing out the answers, Dillon, our search-and-rescue dog past away Sunday, December 3, 2017. Dillon and his handler, Captain Wes Mims, worked to track down missing persons. Search-and-rescue dogs find their subjects and return to their handler, taking them to what they find. Dillon, 11, at the time of his death, was certified Air Scent Recovery Type 1, and trained by acclaimed trainer Jason Purgason in Harmony, North Carolina. Dillon is also certified in disaster search and rescue, which is tested on a rubble pile for buried victims. Captain Mims said that when training a search-and-rescue dog, the commands are more complex than those you would teach to your typical pet. "For a pet, you want your dog to be wellmannered, well-socialized: the basic commands like sit down and come. For a search dog, you want those same things, but what you're teaching them is a complex series of steps," Captain Mims said.
Captain Mims said that rescue dogs are also trained to ignore distractions like other animals while searching for their subject. "They have to stay focused on their job," he said. Dillon was responsible for finding the victims of the recent Louisville, MS tornado, as well as having been deployed to clear areas in Ashland and Vicksburg tornadoes. Dillon has also been deployed on countless search areas for missing persons. "It's important to realize a K9's value can be as much about clearing an area that a search team can't due to harsh terrain or limited resources, as it is about locating a victim," said Captain Mims. "Retirement is really difficult for a dog that has worked their entire life. They have the drive to do the job and they don't want to quit," he said. Perhaps Dillon's greatest contribution to the department as our first K9 has been the knowledge gained towards how to implement K9s and handlers in daily and search operations. These lessons will be passed on to future handlers to make K9 assets even more valuable to the community we serve. After ten years with the department. Dillon will surely be missed at Columbus Fire and Rescue.
Thanks for the power. Signed, Well-Oiled Machine In being an accredited department, there are those of us in the department tasked with managing and monitoring certain goals. Each person is responsible for four quarterly reports and one annual program report; with these reports, one way of measuring the effectiveness of our programs and performance outcome in the community, is through surveys. I manage two goals: Community Engagement and Service Delivery. Here is what you had to say about your fire and rescue department and its services via Survey Monkey:
In looking back on an old February 23, 2017 edition of one of our local newspapers, the writer stated that our city department most resembles a well-oiled machine. This reminds me of one of my former notes from Volume 3 Number 1 (2014). In that issue, I also compared our department to a well-oiled machine, and if routinely oiled, the gears will continue to turn. As long the gears continue to turn, the machine keeps moving. Our training and education is the oil that keeps the firefighters (the gears) moving. If our department is the machine, then the citizens of Columbus, Mayor Smith, and the city council are the fuel and electricity supplying the power enabling the machine to continue to function. You may not realize what community support and feedback means to our department and others, but without your support, it makes what we do a lot more difficult.
“CFR is awesome and they are always here for us when we need them !” “I have participated in many opportunities to assist our fire department in emergency housing and services for victims of fire. Every fire department employee is always willing to go beyond to help families who were going through life-changing event of fires. I appreciate the dedicated work from ALL EMPLOYEES working within our outstanding fire department. It takes a dedicated team to make our department the best. Thank you !” “I appreciate the caring and professional attitude which is always exhibited by members of our Fire and Rescue Department. Every person seems to be well-educated and willing to help at all times.” “Excellent resource for our schools. Always so helpful.” Thanks for the power, Columbus. Sincerely yours, Well-Oiled Machine.
Columbus Fire and Rescue is honored to have received this grant. There is no limit to the ways in which this grant will improve the services we provide. charitable organizations and other worthy efforts in the 4-County service area. The money Columbus Fire and Rescue received will be used to purchase self-contained breathing apparatus mask. These masks will allow more responders to enter hazardous conditions, while attempting victim rescues and suppressing structure fires. Protecting life and property while providing superior customer service" is the motto of every first responder. Faced with life altering emergencies, these men and women give selflessly in an effort to provide a positive outcome for the citizens they serve. In many instances, these responders witness the loss of homes and property. At worst times, they see the passing of lives and the suffering of survivors. Having served in the fire service over twenty years has given me a unique perspective on these encounters. More to the point, I truly understand the concept of grati tude. Columbus Fire and Rescue recently applied and was awarded a $2,247.00 grant by the 4-County Foundation Award. The 4-County Electric Power Association receives on average $5 from each of their utility customers. This money is used to fund
Columbus Fire and Rescue is honored to have received this grant. There is no limit to the ways in which this grant will improve the services we provide. It is amazing how this gift has been received. We know our expression of gratefulness will set the stage for more such gifts. And it is with this and other gifts that we continue to provide for the citizens we serve. Take it from me; nothing is more attractive and uplifting than a person who expresses gratitude.
by Anthony Colom
16 l Columbus Fire and Rescue Magazine l
(662) 329-5121
Engineer Michael Miller 2017 Firefighter of The Year Award
Christmas Party Photos: Anthony Colom
Around The Station Photos: Public Relations and Education Officer Anthony Colom
HEALTHY
T A F 5 FOODS products, and some packaged foods. Check food labels to see how much fat, and what type, you're getting. Limit saturated fats and avoid trans fats.
Nuts From hazelnuts to pecans, all nuts are good for your heart. Walnuts, especially, deliver heart-healthy fats. But don't overdo it. Just because the fats are healthy doesn't mean you can eat as much as you want. A serving is 1 ounce. That's about 14 walnut halves, 24 almonds, 35 peanuts, 18 cashews, or 15 pecan halves.
Seeds Little pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds pack a big punch. They have "good" fats that can lower cholesterol. In general, fats that come from plants are healthier than those from animal products. "Bad" fats are in foods like fatty cuts of meat, full-fat dairy 30 l Columbus Fire and Rescue Magazine l
Olive Oil Whether you're cooking or dressing your salad, try olive oil. It's high in good fat. Remember, though: It's always smart to watch how much fat - even good fat - you eat. So cook with less oil than a recipe calls for. Or use an olive oil spray. In baking, you can use applesauce for half the oil to cut back on some fat and shave calories.
Fish Naturally fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, lake trout, sardines, and albacore tuna are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. These are "good" fats that help keep your heart healthy. They may also help keep your brain sharp, especially as you get older. The American Heart Association suggests eating two servings of fatty fish a week. A serving is 3 ounces about the size of a deck of cards. Try it baked, grilled, or poached.
Beans Whether they're kidney, Great Northern, navy, or soybeans, adding beans to your diet can be good for you mentally and physically. Beans have omega 3s, which may help with mood.
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