Wednesday, January 30, 2008

F/S: Virgin America Credit JFK To LAX OR SFO

I currently have an unused credit on Virgin America in the amount of $360.00

Virgin America is a very stylish new carrier that flies from JFK to Los Angeles International Or San Francisco International. If you're looking to take a buffing trip to either of these cool buffing cities, this is a GREAT deal! I was planning on a trip this February to LA but can't go due to financial reasons.

Check out the airline here: http://www.virginamerica.com

Make me an offer: EMAIL x635@EMTBravo.com

NOTE: You will have to provide me with your name and address, and flights for me to book the travel, since the credit is currently in my name. I accept payment only via PayPal (you can pay via Credit or Debit card, E-Check, or Paypal through that method)

Monday, January 28, 2008

One Year

Today marks one year since I was seriously injured while at work on Hartsdale Fire District property.

I'm very lucky to say that I've recovered from my injuries, and have been cleared by both my personal doctors as well as my department's doctors to return to work full duty as a Firefighter.

It's been quite a year, and I give special thanks to my wife Kristen for getting me through it. She is my rock. This year has also given me the oppurtunities to see many people's true colors, and I really pity those people who've intentionally have tried and tried to kick me while I was down. But my spirit remains as strong as ever, and those people remain as miserable and pathetic as ever.

I am still as proud as ever to be a Firefighter with the Hartsdale Fire District, my dream job that I waited numerous years for. I've been employed there for over two years now. I can't wait until I get the letter telling me to return to work, something I have been waiting for for over 6 months. I love my job, and I love serving my community, and hopefully I'll be back soon behind the wheel of TL-15!!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Breaking Bad

Last night, Kris and I caught the premiere episode of "Breaking Bad", a new drama series on AMC. Yes, AMC, AKA American Movie Classics. This show has nothing to do with American movie classics, so I don't know why it's on AMC, but I digress.

The series centers around a character named Walter White (Bryan Cranston, the dad from ("Malcolm in the Middle"). He is a high school chemistry teacher who lives in Albequque, New Mexico. He has a handicapped son, a pregnat wife, and works on the side at a car wash.

During the first episode, he is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Worried about supporting his family, he teams up with a former student and steals supplies from the High School chemistry lab to make "perfect" crystal meth.

I don't want to spoil the episode, so I wont give away too much. I highly recommend checking this show out.....it's something fresh and new amongst the midst of the writers strike, and it will leave you wanting more.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

"Firefighters 'feel the heat' in new training facility

From LoHud.com

"Firefighters 'feel the heat' in new training facility
Richard Liebson • The Journal News • January 17, 2008

VALHALLA - Firefighters are only as good as their training and for local
departments, the training just got a little better.Westchester County yesterday
unveiled its new live burn room, which allows first responders to practice under
the most realistic conditions possible. The $22,000 burn room, where fires
fueled by hay and wood are set for training exercises, is on the fourth floor of
the Department of Emergency Service's six-story training tower."You don't have
to go far to see that our downtowns are growing and that high-rise buildings are
going up," County Executive Andrew Spano said during a training demonstration
involving the Fairview, Hartsdale, New Rochelle and White Plains fire
departments. "Firefighting in these buildings is very different than what we're
used to, and it's critical that we provide firefighters with the best training
possible for the new challenges they face



Yet another training oppurtunity I missed out on, as I am still unable to return to work despite being cleared by doctors months ago. Another story for another day, just makes me frusterated to keep missing great training oppurtunities. I can't wait to train in this new simulator, though. It would have been great if it were there during probie school. This is definetly a great asset, especially with buildings getting taller and taller. It also test's firefighter's ability to fight fire on a different level (excuse the pun) and their endurance to set up and fight the fire.


Hartsdale Fire Chief Walter Schoonmaker agreed, saying the drill demonstrates
"how well the different fire departments can work together. The burn room is
great because it creates a more realistic training atmosphere. With a real fire
going in there, the guys feel the kind of heat they'll face doing an interior
attack."

Departments do work well together, it doesn't take a burn room to demonstrate that. Guys who are at the level to use this simulator understand the heat they'll face, I feel this simulator is more geared towards the logistics of fighting a high-rise fire, rather then to have the "feel the heat". I feel that some of the Chiefs who are involved with this drill should be learning and training on ICS as it relates to high rise fires, as well as other logistical concerns. Not only is this an oppurtunity for firefighters, but for leaders as well to see how they deploy and sharpen their leadership skills.

FULL STORY: http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...369/1018/news02

Monday, January 14, 2008

Snow: What A Rip Off!

So yesterday, weather forecasters and everyone else were in a frenzy over "the first big snowstorm of 2008.

As I went to bed around 10PM last night, it was raining pretty hard. I was expecting, and excited, to wake up and see snow on the ground and the flakes still falling.

What do I wake up to? Another boring January day, no snow, not even on the ground, courtesy of global warming.

Seasons-what seasons? Seems like each year that line gets more and more vague.

Friday, January 11, 2008

A Manitex Based Heavy Rescue?

Now here's an impressive vehicle that I'm suprised hasn't made it's way onto the USAR circuit yet. This vehicle seems very versatile, and with some compartmentation (including modular units), this could make a great support vehicle for a USAR team.

I wonder if the Manitex folks could partner with a fire apparatus firm to market this as a USAR unit?

2007 Sterling Acterra Mercedes Diesel/Manitex 38124 SHL
Photo by me