Catching up …..

I know … I know, I haven’t posted in a while.

Don’t panic, Im fine (or at least hanging on). The simple answer is that it’s been busy, busy around here. It seems I have more to do than I can keep up with. If you add in everything I “want” to do (vs. “have” to do) then I’m overwhelmed.

The good news is that I have some BIG things coming up soon and can’t wait to share them with you. Until then, I’ll share a couple things that have been on my mind and try to catch you up just a little…

flame-fest-2015-bannerAs I type this, I’m also packing to head out to Flame Fest 2015.

I’m excited for a few reasons….

Although Lori, Dan and I have known each other and been friends for a while now; this will be my 1st time attending Flame Fest. I’m even more excited that Donna(my wife) was able to get some time off work and I’ll be attending as a couple!

In addition to meeting all the new “fire couples” for the 1st time, we will also be traveling with some couples that are long time and close friends.

Of course The Fire Critic (Rhett Fleitz) and his lovely wife Becky will be attending for their 2nd year (I hope she brings that pink dress). Andrew Catron (Model City Firefighter) and Lindsey will be attending for their 1st time as will Michael and Amanda Parris from Hillsville, Va!

touch-a-truck-event-300x216It’s kind of a combo trip for me and Rhett as we will be working as well as enjoying the romantic get away with our wives and everything else Flame Fest has to offer.

This year’s event is being held at the beautiful Resort at Glade Springs West Virginia (link) .

Rhett and I will be speaking Friday morning but the bigger news there is that we will be following the keynote …. BOBBY HALTON! (yea FDIC attendees… THAT “Bobby Halton”).

agenda-april-22We (Rhett and I) are also handling the “Touch A Truck” event for attendees.

Touch A Truck allows the Firefighter’s wives (husbands or significant other) to get a hands on glimpse  of what it’s like on the job (they know what it’s like at home).

Participants will wear turnout gear.

They will be able to get on and off the truck. They will stretch line and flow water.

There will be  breaching and breaking stations where they will use hand tools to make their way through fabricated walls. TRUST ME … these folks will have a BLAST while getting a good work out…LOL

The complete agenda can be found in the photo right. If you’ve never heard of Firefighter Wife, Flame Fest or any of the other GREAT things these folks do, you can use the links below to learn more……

Firefighter Wife

Firefighter Wife on Face Book

The Fayetteville fire department responds to a fire at Ponderosa Apartments on Saturday, September 28, 2013. The fire swept through all eight units in the building.

The Fayetteville fire department responds to a fire at Ponderosa Apartments on Saturday, September 28, 2013. The fire swept through all eight units in the building.

Also on my mind is some SAD NEWS out of Fayetteville, NC

I recently got a “heads up” about a recent Fayetteville City Council Budget Workshop .

The Fire Department budget and bringing their members up to “market value” was discussed in this meeting and I listening to the conversation made me SICK!

It reminded me of those Cave Man commercials and left me wondering what rock these folks live under.

Council members (including the Mayor) made comments such as “they only work 10 days a month”.

They talked of how being a firefighter was like “being retired and working part time”!

They said that the members enjoy their time off so much that they engage in other “lucrative” hobbies / jobs.

They as much admitted that their employees are 40% below fair market value but were ok with that! This is an accredited Department with about 330 members!

I’ll post more on this in the next week or so. Until then, check out the video (audio) below @ the 2:43 mark. You can also use the following links for more about Fayetteville.

City of Fayetteville Fire Department

Fayetteville 2014 Annual Report


Gatewood campingSo also on my mind is the fact that The Buckaroo made it to graduate from the 1st Grade!

That means that school is out and we will be back in the saddle together again.

That means hay season is here (although the rain / weather is not being cooperative) and camping.

I’m not sure what all we will get into this summer but I am sure you’ll enjoy keeping up with our adventures.

So let me get out of here and head on down to West Virginia.

I’ll keep ya updated with photos etc on Face Book and get so posts up for ya here next week.

Ironfiremen on Face Book

until I get back … stay SAFE and in House!

Captain Wines