News
Roanoke firefighter retires to Iraq
There’s an unmistakable difference between putting out blazes in the United States and putting them out in war zones. The most common causes of fires in Roanoke: smoking or cooking. The most common causes of fires in a military base: blasts from a mortar shell or a rocket.
And yet at the recent going-away cookout for Chuck Mills, a retired Roanoke firefighter who plans to spend the next 12 months in Iraq, there was no talk about that. It was all about the 72 he scored in his round of golf that morning, the 1968 Camaro he had recently restored, and his youngest son’s recent high school graduation.
“That’s what I’ll miss the most … my family,” Mills said. “I’ve never been away from them this long. I’ve never been gone for more than a week at a time.”
Read the Entire Story: Roanoke firefighter retires to Iraq - Roanoke.com.
Prayers NeededCaptain Clayton Martin’s son was involved in a motor vehicle accident last night on the parkway. He is listed in Critical Condition at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Visitors are NOT allowed to see him at this time. In lieu of going to see him please take a minute to offer a prayer for a speedy recovery.
God Bless
Sneak Preview of Ladder 7Dan Spearin forwarded me this photo one of his coworkers took last week of the new ladder 7. The truck should be in service soon. I must say that that truck looks pretty damn good.
Ladder 13 is reportedly ready to begin once the funds are allocated. The truck will be basically the same as Ladder 7 but have a 105′ ladder on top and be a little longer.
FireCritic.com - The Fire Critic - An Unadulterated View of the Fire Service.
There is a new blog on the horizon. The Fire Critic is kinda like Firefighter Hourly meets FireGeezer…some angst, some knowhow, some interesting stuff, and a little bit of the rest.
Check it out. It has been a while since I have had a link dump or highlighted other blogs but this one is promising. Check it out here or link on the image above.
RetirementsI have been busy recently, but that is no excuse for not getting the news up here. I expect a longer post in the next couple days with photos and all. Let me know if I missed any…
Kenny Walker (14B) retired yesterday with 20 years in the FD and 8 more elsewhere in the City.
Brad Underwood (ARFFB) retired yesterday with 27 years on the job.
Chuck Mills retired about a month ago and I only found out last week. He had 18 years in the FD. Chuck is pursuing work in the Middle East. He will be working in Iraq as a firefighter.
I will have more information in the near future when I have time.
Good luck guys!
New Delivery - Roanoke County Wagon 1 : VAFireNews.comRoanoke County has purchased a Pierce Quantum. The rig will be stationed at their new Station 1 when it opens later this year.
See more photos here: New Delivery - Roanoke County Wagon 1 : VAFireNews.com - Virginia’s Premiere website for Fire, Firefighting, Rescue, and Hazmat News.
Roanoke Firefighters are headed to PulaskiRoanoke Firefighters will be heading to Pulaski tomorrow as honorguard for Firefighter Jeff Reed’s Funeral. Word is the Lynchburg Pipes and Drums will be joining them to pay their respects to our fallen brother.
I will be traveling to Pulaski for the events as well, although not as part of the honorguard. If anyone is in need of a ride let me know and we can carpool.
Increased Money for Public Safety…I couldn’t help but notice about a minute into the video below the mention of increased money for public safety. I fail to see how that is an accomplishment of anyone’s. I find it hard for anyone to claim that accomplishment due to the fact that our budget has been cut year after year after year. We have lost many positions, seen others moved, and witnessed the administration side of the Fire/EMS Department get bloated, yet it has all been done while the budget gets cut.
And then there is the audacity for the Roanoke School Administrators to give themselves a raise after teachers lost their jobs. Watch below. If these people can’t see what is wrong with their actions they have no business running the school system!!! Only one was given a 4% raise which is according to a WSLS reporter to be approximate to the Cost of Living raise. If 4% is the cost of living raise then I have only had one cost of living raise in 10 years, all the others didn’t measure up! Some of those school administrators got up to 32%. Ha ha ha. I bet they are laughing all the way to the bank. Aren’t we a bunch of suckers!
Roanoke City Manager Darlene Burcham Set to RetireDarlene Burcham will be retiring on March 1, 2010. She has been with the City since 1999. I cannot help but wonder if the recent article by “The Roanoker” Mag got the gears moving on the latest developments.
Check out the links below to read the news surrounding her departure.
Updated: City Manager, Darlene Burcham, to retire March 1
A look back at Darlene Burcham as Roanoke’s City Manager
Roanoke City Council prioritizes capital improvement projects
UPDATED: Roanoke City Manager Darlene Burcham retiring in 2010
Arrangements for Peter L. PricePeter L. Price
Peter L. Price, 85, of Stewartsville, passed away suddenly on Saturday morning, May 16, 2009. He served in the United States Navy during World War II and retired as a Captain from the Roanoke City Fire Department with 35 years service. He was a long-time active member of Belmont Presbyterian Church, where he and his wife were married 61 years ago. He was preceded in death by his parents, Will and Bettie Price; one sister, Estelle; two brothers, John and Clay; and a son, Kenneth. Surviving are his wife, Bea Pasley Price; his children, David (Carol) of Conyers, Ga., Charles (Susan) of Greenville, N.C.; one daughter, LouAnn (David) Swisher of Martinsville, Va.; three grandchildren, Beth (Steve) Carter of Covington, Ga., Greg (Veronica) Price of Winterville, N.C. and Landon Price of Nags Head, N.C.; one great-grandson, Kyle Carter of Covington, Ga.; and dearest friends, Jimmy and Gloria Jennings of Roanoke and Fred and Jean Swisher of Vinton. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at Belmont Presbyterian Church with Pastor Emily Hoyer officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Burial Park. Visitation will be held at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel on Monday May 18, 2009 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Flowers will be appreciated or donations may be made in his name to Belmont Presbyterian Church, 1005 Ninth Street, SE, Roanoke, Va., 24013 or to the National D-Day Memorial, P.O. Box 77, Bedford, Va., 24523. Arrangements by Oakey’s Vinton Chapel, 540-982-2221.
