The B-Shift was dispatched to Meadow Lane for a structure fire.
See story on page 11
Lexington firefighters hold a wildfire from taking out a home.
See story on page 12
Acar goes off the road and into a river necessitating an extrication.
See story on page 16
After 13 weeks of training the recruits are qualified 400-hour firefighters.
See story on page 22
Ravaged by the floods earlier this year Neon gets an apparatus donation from Lexington.
See story on page 23
Lexington firefighters hosted the fourth Brenda Cowan Fire Camp.
See story on page 24
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The year 2022 brought reality to many firefighters with the Line of Duty Deaths of many of our colleagues. Cancer took many of our heroes from their families and co-workers in 2022. To all responders, there are measures that we can take to keep ourselves and our families safe from cancer. You have heard me talk about the things we can do to protect ourselves from this insidious disease. In 2023, please take the advice from the people who are working hard to convince all responders that wearing clean protective gear and SCBAis a good start to keeping yourself safe. The IAFF states that firefighter occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths in the fire service. At the 2022 IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial, almost 75 percent of the names added to the wall (348 out of 469) were members who had died from occupational cancer. Visit IAFF.org to learn about cancer among firefighters. January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness month. Take some time in 2023 to learn what you can do to be “safer” from this disease. Thank you to the IAFF for making firefighters aware of cancer and what you can do to stay safe and lessen your chances of getting cancer.
For over 30 years, I was an Industrial Arts/Technology teacher. I taught middle school
kids to use tools and machinery which, today, is considered dangerous. Sadly, many of the projects we did are no longer performed in schools. Industry and the fire service is now feeling the effects of not training kids to safely use machinery. The fire service is also noticing that many probationary firefighters are uncomfortable with using cutting tools. Thank you to our chiefs, officers and training committees for teaching our members how to use machinery and tools safely.
I also would like to thank our chiefs, company officers and senior members for setting up an intense program that teaches all members, new and old, to work safely as they battle the flames that greet them at a working fire. It is evident that all departments are doing a great job teaching our firefighters to operate safely. Many of my neighboring departments battled fatal fires in 2022. It was a tough year for many of you. Thank you to the chiefs that set up counseling sessions with the firefighters who experienced death on the fire ground. Thank you to the responders that took the opportunity to be part of these classes. Your professionalism came through by your presence at these sessions.
In 2023, give thought to what you can do to be a better firefighter. Your community needs
you, 24/7! Stay active, train and share your knowledge and experiences with your new members.
As a firefighter dealing with cancer, I appreciated the comradeship that I received in 2022. I am hoping that in 2023 I will be able to get back to what I love to do; that is to assist in training firefighters. In the meantime, have a safe and wonderful News Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Stay strong in 2023! - Dennis
The Henderson Fire Department responded to the Tru Vine Inn on Highway 41 north near the Twin Bridges forthe report of fire coming out of a room. Crews arrived to find a working fire. All occupants made it safely out of the building. Operations went defensive and the building partially collapsed.
Madisionville Fire Department B-Shift was dispatched to a structure fire on Meadow Lane. Crews arrived on scene within minutes and were able to quickly extinguish the fire without incident and bring the situation undercontrol. The structure was not occupied at the time of the fire. - Photos courtesy of Madisonville FD
The Lexington Fire Department was assigned to assist Estill County Fire fora wildfire in an area where the fire had jumped the fire line and was endangering a home. Crews cut new fire lines to contain the fire and were able to save the house. Crews also responded to calls of breaches in the containment line and built new fire lines where needed. Oureight-person crew operated long hours, mostly without sleep. Please keep all the crews working to extinguish wildfires in yourthoughts.
- Photos courtesy of Lexington FD
It was a busy day at Fairview VolunteerFire Department recently. Crews were requested formutual aid by Pembroke to a field fire on Rosetown Road. Brush Truck 580 and Engine 550 were canceled upon arrival by Pembroke Incident Command as they had the fire out. They were requested by Oak Grove Fire Department formutual aid to a field fire on CarterRoad. Both units responded with eight personnel and assisted Oak Grove, Pembroke and Herndon with a fire in the woodline adjacent to the road.
- Photos courtesy of Fairview VFD
Pembroke fire crews (Assistant Chief Bobby Hogge and Mini Pumper1752 with Captain Stealy) responded to a single-car MVA. The driverwas unable to exit the vehicle and had to be extracted from the passengerside. - Photos courtesy of Pembroke FD
Please join us in congratulating our27 newest Rope Rescue Technicians! This group of firefighters recently completed the demanding four-day course, which featured a wide range of rope rescue skills designed to mimic real world applications around the city. Aspecial thanks to the Special Operations Instructors forenduring the cold temperatures, and volunteering theirtime, in orderto certify this class. We appreciate everyone’s investment to this department and to ourcommunity.
Zoneton training recently honed forcible entry skills. This is difficult work to make precise hits with impact tools.
- Photos courtesy of Zoneton Fire Protection District
Congratulations to the 26 recruits who recently completed the very first Kentucky Fire Academy. These recruits spent 13 weeks training and will exit the academy as fully certified 400-hourfirefighters in the state of Kentucky. Kudos to each of them fortheirhard work and theiraccomplishments! The Fire Commission would like to thank the recruits’departments, recruits’families, academy staff, Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center, instructors, graduation speakers, and everyone who has supported and assisted with the development and execution of this pilot class. They say it takes a village, and we can fully attest that it does.
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Submitted by Ericka Cole, Kentucky Fire CommissionThe Lexington Fire Department (LFD) donated a 2005 Ford Explorer to the Neon Volunteer Fire Department (NVFD) following the devastating floods in Eastern Kentucky earlier this year. The historic flooding, which wreaked havoc on 13 counties and claimed more than 40 lives, also left the NVFD short seven fire apparatus, which put a significant strain on its response efforts. The Kentucky League of Cities recognized their need, and Member Relations Manager Terri Johnson sent an email to other departments requesting vehicles to fill the voids. In her email, Johnson wrote, “So many needs are being met, but there are many more down the road. Thank you for your commitment to each other.”
“We’re thankful for the opportunity to help fellow Kentuckians,” Mayor Linda Gorton
said. “We sent our firefighters and public works teams to flooded counties in Eastern Kentucky. This is another opportunity to give back.”
The LFD had recently replaced several support vehicles and was preparing the older units for surplus when the request was made. It was determined that one of those SUVs was still in good condition, and plans were immediately started to donate the SUVto Neon. “Our mission as firefighters is to help people, and in this instance, we are able to help those who help others, which is very rewarding,” said Fire Chief Jason Wells. “Neon faces years of rebuilding and untold challenges. We are happy to help in this small way.”
Carter Bevins has served as the Neon Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief for the
past 45 years. Chief Bevins recalled the horror of the first day, stating it was the worst flood they had ever experienced. “We have made a lot of progress, but there is still a lot of work to be done,” Bevins said. “We are grateful for the SUVdonation and will put it to immediate use.” Bevins advised that the department’s biggest need at this point is a fire engine, as they lost two of theirs in the flood.
Neon sits approximately three hours southeast of Lexington near the Kentucky/Virginia border. NVFD has 39 firefighters, serves a population of 10,000, and averages 3,500 runs per year, providing both fire and EMS service. The Explorer will serve as their new Incident Command vehicle, as their previous command vehicle was a total loss.
- Photos courtesy of Lexington FD
Lexington firefighters hosted the fourth annual Brenda Cowan Fire Camp recently. The camp was open to girls and women, ages 16 to 25, and focused on firefighting, EMS and rescue skills. Twenty-five females signed up to participate in the camp, designed to introduce them to a hands-on experience with the fire service, emphasizing sisterhood and empowerment. Among otheractivities, campers were given the opportunity to advance hoselines, climb ladders, rappel, and learn CPR and bleeding control basics.
Lieutenant Brenda Cowan, Lexington’s first black female firefighter, was killed in the line of duty in 2004.
- Photo courtesy of Lexington FD
Madisonville Fire Department will host an event to commemorate the retirement of MajorBrandon Tow on January 19, 2023, at Station 1. The agency invited Brandon’s family and friends, and MFD retirees to join in honoring MajorTow forhis years of service to the City of Madisonville.
- Photo courtesy of Madisonville FD
After hearing the recent retirement announcement of Chief Ron Siarnicki as executive director of the National Fallen Firefigh ters Foundation (NFFF), one fire chief said, “Chief Ron Siarnicki has demonstrated the highest degree of dedication and professionalism and leaves a phenomenal legacy with the work he and his team ha ve done for the NFFF.” Many individuals who consider Chief Siarnicki to be the strongest advocate for firefighter safety and health expressed similar sentiments.
As announced in November, Chief Siarnicki will serve as executive director until a new executive director is appointed in early 2023, following a national search conducted by the NFFF Board of Directors. He will remain a full-time employee of the NFFF until December 2023 and then serve as a consultant to the new executive director as needed.
Chief Siarnicki was hired as the NFFF executive director in July 2001 after retiring as chief of the Prince George’s County Fire Department (MD). Throughout the past 21 years, Chief Siarnicki has dedicated himself to honoring American firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty, supporting their families, and working to reduce preventable firefighter death and injury.
The criteria for inclusion at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial have expanded during Chief Siarnicki’s tenure as executive director. However, one thing has remained constant. Chief Siarnicki personally reviews the details of every firefighter’s death before confir-
mation of inclusion. This equates to more than 2,600 firefighter fatality reports Chief Siarnicki has reviewed since July 2001. While others in the fire service also review firefighter fatalities, Chi ef Siarnicki is in the unique position of also getting to know those firefighters posthumously through conversations with their family members.
Shortly after becoming executive director, Chief Siarnicki discussed with other fire service leaders the importance of addressing firefighter safety proactively rather than reactively. This forethought led to the expansion of the NFFF’s mission in 2004 to include working to reduce preventable firefighter fatalities and injuries. It also was the catalyst for the historic 2004 Firefighter Life Safety Summit, commonly called the “Tampa Summit.” This summit resulted in two of Chief Siarnicki’s many lasting legacies: the Everyone Goes Home Program and the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives.
Chief Siarnicki has witnessed firsthand the impact of line-of-duty deaths on family members, firefighters, and entire communities. His actions over the past two decades demonstrate his commitment to the families of fallen firefighters — and to preventing the addition of more names to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. Find out more about Chief Siarnicki by watching his videos on NFFF’s Legacies in Leadership profiles, including how he became NFFF’s executive director two months before September 11 here: www.legaciesinleadership.com/author/rsiarnicki.
We want to congratulate the 28 lieutenants who completed the Company Officer Academy and celebrated theirgraduation. The lieutenants from classes 2022-8 and 2022-9 spent two weeks attending job performance and leadership training on fulfilling theirroles and responsibilities as newly promoted company officers. Congratulations, Lieutenants, on a job well done!
- Photo courtesy of Lexington FD
Madisonville Fire Department hosted HCCHS Senior Noah Schindlerfor“Focus on the Future Day.” Noah spent time shadowing Rescue-1 crew where he was given station tours and learned more about a careerin the fire industry.
- Photos courtesy of Madisonville FD
The Lexington Fraternal Orderof Firefighters kicked off its 92nd annual Toy Program with MayorGorton presenting the first toy, a Lego Fire Station, to Fire Chief Jason Wells. This year’s program aims to serve more than 2,000 children in Fayette County. However, this would not be possible without the generosity of individuals, churches, the community, civic groups, and local businesses who support ourprogram and help make Christmas a little brighterforthese families. The community brought new and unwrapped toys orbicycles to any Lexington fire station for donation, orby shopping the Amazon Wish List by scanning the QR code and having them shipped directly to the North Pole.
- Photos courtesy of Lexington FD
