If the rumor mill was not anonymous, it would be dead. That is a fact. Besides the occasional person getting on there using there real name to defend themselves, everyone is anonymous.

But what purpose does the rumor mill serve. Well it is a place where firefighters can vent. Sure some of it gets personal, but who cares. You think that stuff isn’t said in the firehouse. The rumor mill is the common firefighters way of pointing out flaws in the system, as well as busting balls which is part of the job.

The interesting thing is this. I have now posted almost 650 posts on this blog. Do you know what most of the firemen remember? About 5 posts. The ones where I have shared my opinion as it differed from the majority or was opposing Roanoke Fire-EMS Administration. Nevermind the hard work and dedication I have put into getting Roanoke Fire-EMS on the map. Never mind the posts that have evoked the reminders of pride, brotherhood, and honor. Nevermind the recruiting tool that this site has grown into. Nevermind all of that. When I share my differing opinion, even when it is shared by most Roanoke Firefighters, there are always those coworkers of mine who love to gasp and comment on how stupid it was to say those things.

Realize for a minute that when I stand up for something, which isn’t too often, I do it properly. I am not rude, ignorant, or irreverent. I state the facts. This is what is referred to as being professional. Some of those who might have a brown nose might call it having balls. Be it that I am standing for something, speaking up for something, or just doing the right thing I am doing it.

What about my viewpoint? Some have said that I am a strict Union Man. Well would you want anything else as your Secretary/Treasurer? I wouldn’t.

Why is everything about the Roanoke Fire Fighters Association and not the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department? Well I am not involved in RFEMS activities too much. I serve on a couple of committees and do little things here and there, but I am not a golden child. I figure this has a lot to do with the fact that I am on the ARFF crew right now. Who knows.

It has been interesting serving as the Secretary/Treasurer though. I get to learn a lot very quickly. It is amazing how firefighters up to Battalion Chiefs ask me what we (the Union) are going to do about certain issues. Some of the issues should be solved on the company level between Captains and Battalions Chiefs. Others would be solved if the Captains stood up as a group and demanded a solution. But everything isn’t always so cut and dry.

The Roanoke Firefighters morale has been crippled in the past several years. Maybe if we had been able to sit at the table of the 5 and 10 year planning sessions we might have come out unscathed. Maybe we would have had a chance.

Case and point: Several years ago, during the drought, the Chief said we couldn’t wash our vehicles anymore. I do not think there was a firefighter in Roanoke who did not agree with this. The region was in a serious drought, we were doing our part. The problem is that the ban on washing our vehicles was never lifted. Why you might ask? Well that is a good question. I am wondering the same thing myself. Just that little thing, to wash our vehicles on duty would do so much for this department.

Sometimes you just have to take a step back and take a look around. Otherwise the rumor mill runs rampant.

Go ahead 1…2…3… GASP.

I will add that the Roanoke Firefighters put in a lot of hard work in the hottest months of the year to get those hydrants completed. Each of the hydrants had to be flow tested, to check the water flow capabilities, painted silver, the bonnets had to be color coded for the proper water flow, and then a tag had to be attached. Each hydrant in the City had this completed. Bolts were loosened on some hydrants that were 100 years old. Those bolts probably hadn’t been touched since they were put in service.

The last of the hydrants are being completed in the following weeks.

Thanks for the hat tip Joe.

I do not think there are too many firefighters in the City who would disagree that there is retaliation in our work place. I am not saying it happens every day, but it happens. Most of the firefighters are not willing to stand up for even the smallest things because of the fear of retaliation.

Is this unique to Roanoke? No I do not believe so. I think this sort of thing happens in a lot of fire departments. That doesn’t make it right.

The morale of the department continues to plummet. I cannot say when it started its downward spiral, but it continues. The issues like overtime, FLSA, retaliation, mandatory holdover, non-reimbursed required off-duty training, and pay have taken there toll on Roanoke’s Bravest. While we have made small victories on some of these issues like getting overtime pay back we still have a long way to go. Unfortunately some of these issues are knowingly being done wrong by the City and it takes a veteran like Mike Banks to make a stand. Everyone else is running scared looking for someone else to be the poster child, and I don’t blame them.

Here is another blogs take on the situation.

A view of the article is below, click for the rest of the article.

Roanoke firefighter files grievance against city over job transfer – Roanoke.com:

Roanoke firefighter files grievance against city over job transfer
Michael Banks says he was transferred in retaliation over his controversial Web site.

By Mike Allen
981-3236

A career Roanoke firefighter has filed a grievance against the city, saying he was transferred from his old job as retaliation for his refusal to take down a controversial Internet site.

Roanoke Fire-EMS Capt. Michael Banks hosts www.roanokerumormill.com, a Web site where some Roanoke firefighters anonymously air their complaints about management. People post on the site “because they’re afraid to say something personally,” Banks said. “It’s just an outlet for people.”

City officials assert that Banks’ transfer had nothing to do with the Web site. “Absolutely not,” said acting Fire-EMS Chief David Hoback.

On June 2, Banks was reassigned from the airport fire station, where he had served for more than seven years, to the station on Riverland Road. Banks, 54, has worked for Roanoke Fire-EMS for more than 30 years, attaining the rank of captain in 1992.(Read the rest of the article)

But that is just the explanation of where I was riding and when. The interesting part is coming up.

Last day on the engine we ran a code (cardiac arrest) and unfortunately the patient did not have a positive outcome. This being the first code I had run in about a year. That was one of two or three calls we ran. I hadn’t even been in the hospital in probably over a year.

Then today on the medic unit we had another code. But this one did have a positive outcome and when we left the hospital the patient was on the way to the cath lab.

It is always fun getting some time on the engine, or medic truck for that matter. Of course most of my coworkers reading this out there probably think I must be crazy to say that I enjoyed the medic truck. I actually took a patient in the back. It was a BLS call so I said what the hell. The last time I took a patient in the back of an ambulance was years ago. It is hard to keep your skills up. You would think I would check myself for a pulse most days I am on ARFF. Ha.

Now that I have been re acquainted with the EMS side of things, I sure could go for a fire. The last fire I was in was an apartment fire at Ferncliff Apartments. That was over two years ago. Throw me a freakin bone.

I guess the good news is that I will be paroled soon when my two years is up on the ARFF crew. Yeah I know wish in one hand…but I am optimistic.

The IAFF has been in talks with other Fire Unions about a Global Alliance. I don’t think there will be any mergers or take-overs, rather a United Nations for the Fire Service. The other Unions in the talks are the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Association (NZPFA), and the United Firefighters Union of Australia (UFUA).

Are there other Unions of the sort out there? If you know, let me know.

It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Lieutenant Bernard E. Emerson, Jr. of IAFF Local 995 – Richmond, Virginia. Brother Emerson, 44, died on Thursday, July 27, 2006 of cancer. The visitation will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2006 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Sunday, July 30, 2006 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee Davis Road, Mechanicsville, Virginia 23111, (804) 746-8665. The funeral will be held on Monday, July 31, 2006 at 12 noon at the First English Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1603 Monument Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23220.

I signed up for the IAFF LODD email list (you have to have an IAFF number to sign up for it) at the beginning of this year. It has amazed me at how many firefighters die of cancer. The thing is that the LODD list is only the ones that are considered a “Line of Duty Death”. I hear of many others through Firehouse.com, and individual websites.

In researching the history of the Roanoke Firefighters, I can tell you that Roanoke has lost its fair share of firefighters to cancer. Luckily for the firefighters of today we have Presumptive Laws for Cancer, Lung Disease, Heart Disease, and Infectious Diseases due to our increased chances of suffering from these ailments. Unfortunately for us, and everyone else, there isn’t a cure for Cancer.

By Chase N. Sargent

Company Officer Development: Kitty Litter

What happens when the kittens escape their box

“Morale is one of the most elusive concepts a leader has to deal with, and it is one that can easily lead a leader astray. It is usually mixed up with the debate as to the better way to run a company … as a ‘taut ship’ or as a ‘happy ship.’ My experience and observation tell me that a taut ship, with high standards, fairly administered, is always the happiest.”
— Louis B. Lundborg

“A commander must train his subordinate commanders, and his own staff, to work on a set of verbal orders. Those who cannot be trusted to act on clear and concise verbal orders, but want everything in writing, are useless.”
— Viscount Montgomery of Alamein

The story you are about to read describes an incident in which company officers from my department failed to “keep the kittens in the box.” What does that mean? Keeping the kittens in the box takes many forms. First, it’s about making sure people understand what’s acceptable and what isn’t acceptable as a supervisor. Second, it’s about understanding, and maybe even agreeing with someone’s position, but being wise enough in the ways and protocols of the organization to stop your subordinates from hurting themselves. Finally, it’s about using a mistake as a learning tool. The company officers involved in this story failed to do these things, and as a result, cost one firefighter his acting assignment, created discontent among members of the organization, raised questions without answers and created a gap between the ranks. There are lots of lessons to learn here, so pay attention, young Jedi.

First, let me acknowledge that I don’t know every detail of the event, because it involved a personnel issue that occurred just as I was retiring. But in talking to many of the parties involved, I’ve pieced together enough information to determine that company officers failed to keep the kittens in the box on more than one occasion — and the cascading effects ultimately cost someone their job. (Note: I’ve changed the names of those involved to protect both the innocent and the guilty.)

GOING AWOL
Our story begins with the annual EMT recertification process. As the department had done for almost 18 years, it issued notices through the chain of command and directly to individual firefighters about the required EMT two-day refresher course. As fate would have it, five of our intrepid members did not show up for the training. In essence, they were not at their assigned work location when they were supposed to be, and were, for all intents and purposes, absent without leave (AWOL). One of the requirements of the job: Show up at the right place, at the right time, in the right uniform. It’s really not that hard. (Read the rest of the article)

The website claims that there are only about 30 questions which might be asked several different ways. Basically you have to dissect the question down to the main point and view what exactly they are asking you. Otherwise you might get trapped by answering the question wrong.

You can view the website here. I think it is worth your time whether you are an aspiring firefighter or a firefighter seeking promotion.

The explosion and fire occurred at the Virginia Distillery Recovery Center according to WSLS. They have a short article online as well. The fire was knocked down quickly and the Haz Mat crews are working on it now.

The Roanoke Times: Weather Journal:

It was probably a wet microburst that caused high winds in downtown Roanoke that caused extensive roof damage to the Virginia Museum of Transportation, meteorologist Jan Jackson at the National Weather Service in Blacksburg said.

Observing from the Roanoke Times pedestrian bridge over Second Street, I would estimate the winds as gusting to as high as 65 mph, not an uncommonly high speed in a microburst. The bridge was shaking in the wind. There was also some small hail. (Read More)

Powered Parachutes -

You could start here, for general information and probably the second best domain name. The best domain name for this topic being poweredparachute.com (no link to save you time) is not online, apparently someone is missing out on a very marketable domain name. Buckeye Aviation is a decent site and I believe that is where Jerry and John bought there chutes. Of course you can always rely on the good ole Wikipedia for online information. The wikipedia has plenty of information on Powered Parachutes aka paraplane:

On 1 October 1964, Jalbert applied for patent for his new “Multi-Cell Wing” named “Parafoil“, which was a new parachute design. His ideas finally were registered as US-patent 3,285,546 on 11.15.1966. However a first motorized version by Nicolaides had already flown in 1964.

Finally in March 1981, the P-1 was created by Steve Snyder, Adrian Vandenberg and Daniel Thompson. The flight lasted 25-30 seconds and the paraglider suffered from torque problems. It took 2 years for them to fix these problems, and in 1983 they formed the ParaPlane corporation to produce first commercial paragliders.

In 2004 Don Shaw mounted a standard motor scooter with a parafoil and propeller. The combination can both fly and continue to drive on the road as a ground vehicle. A conversion kit is now commercially available.

This is where it gets interesting though. Some of you might not realize the Jerry Franks started a blog. Jerry’s blog Tree Top Flyers of VA has been online for several months now. I have offered him some assistance in his design, and will be helping him soon. But hey, everyone has to start somewhere. I remember when I began this blog I didn’t have a clue.

Jerry has incorporated pictures of his new baby. Congratulations to you and your wife on your new arrival.

“Jerry, you sure this thing can handle me?”
“Well John, there is only one sure way to find out!”

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue – Blog:

Rescue 37, Engine 37 respond on a 29 Delta – 4, vehicle versus house and light pole, person trapped. As I made my way into the truck, I had a bad feeling about this one for some reason, and as we turned East into Coral Way from SW 137 avenue, I confirmed my feelings as I could see from the cab of my Quantum engine a mangled sports car that had absorbed most of the impact from the light pole through the passenger door where a 17 Y/O boy sat badly trapped. After conducting my size-up, taking command, and requesting additional required units including TRT, I assigned R37 as medical group, and my three firefighters to set up the jaws and pull and charge the 100’ bumper jumpline. (Read More)

Investigation continues on CO leak cause – Roanoke.com:

Roanoke College President Sabine O’Hara, in her first appearance since Friday’s carbon monoxide leak in a campus dormitory, said at a news conference today that she flew back from an out-of-town trip “because I needed to be here.”

O’Hara had been in Minnesota for her son’s wedding rehearsal dinner. But, addressing the media at the Henry H. Fowler Alumni building, she said she flew back Friday night after the incident “because this is my family too.”

O’Hara said there has been an outpouring of support, understanding, prayers and concerns. She said the city of Salem’s emergency services, fire and police departments “worked really well. You don’t ask for a situation like this but we know our emergency procedures work.”(Read More)

Judy Norris woke up about 6 a.m. Friday in a dorm room at Roanoke College’s Yonce Hall.

Norris, 68, had arrived the day before to attend a three-day Lutheran Power in the Spirit conference on campus. But that morning, Norris couldn’t walk. She barely managed to crawl into the bathroom.

When Norris got out of the bathroom, she tried to rouse her roommate, but got no response.

“That’s when I figured something was wrong,” Norris said.

On Friday, an apparent buildup of carbon monoxide in a campus dormitory — a collection of stately row houses known as Sections — sickened dozens of adults attending the Lutheran conference and teens participating in a six-week college prep program called Upward Bound. Officials say the leak of the odorless and colorless gas may have been caused by failure of the gas hot water system. (Read More)

I have not heard about the incident from the standpoint of the Salem Fire Department. If I get details, I will add them in. I do know that in order to transport 111 victims to the hospital you need a lot of ambulances making several trips. If you have anything to add please send it in.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I have been working on the IAFF Local Listing at the Local 1132 site. This is a list of all of the IAFF locals which have websites, although I am taking it one step farther. I am adding every IAFF local to it. Did I mention there are over 4500 of them? Needless to say this will take a little while to finish.

As I continue learning web design and html etc., I completed another site recently. It is my Father’s new business he has begun. The site can be seen Here. Let me know what you think.

Speaking of new websites. I am thinking about re-designing the Local 1132 site, if you have any ideas let me know. I will probably be working on this in September actually. The book deadline is September 1st.