Emergency Communications

I always worried that what she had to hear me say and do would affect her. That it would affect how she handled the incident and that, in turn; would affect the other companies / members. It never did. Like Cindy, Sarah was a good dispatcher.

"Kevin O'Toole and Ethan Sorrell were trapped in a house fire on February 24th, 2012 in Prince Georges County Maryland. They were both riding Truck Company 9 of the Bladensburg Volunteer Fire Department responding to a reported house fire in the first due response area of a closed firehouse. After making entry, conditions rapidly deteriorated causing Kevin and Ethan to be trapped and severely injured.

I also hope the first responders are not lost or forgotten in the media's search for "who" and "why".

My "black cloud" followed me the entire cycle, Friday was no better than Monday or Wednesday.

I was first in with the Chief's buggy to find smoke showing from the attic (sides Delta and Bravo) of a single story, wood framed, family dwelling. I gave the size up, marked it a working fire and established Command.

Unlike when the Derecho hit, we were not caught off guard. We were kept informed, given up to date projections / information and provided the necessary resources.

When our eyes met, he had a calm look on his face. He smiled at me and winked as if to say he was secure in knowing that I was in command. I don't think he had a clue how lost I was at the time or how bad our situation was but just that simple nod and wink brought me back to reality.

The bus involved was not equipped with seat belts or safety restraints. Of the 39 students aboard, 13 were transported to local hospitals with what has been described as minor injuries. The call to 911 actually came from one of the on board students as the driver worked to remove others from the overturned vehicle.

We all need a room full of firefighter wives, girlfriends etc like " Suki " to fill council chambers etc every time they talk about, debate and consider budget cuts to Public Safety. And don't think for a minute that your Department budget or your pension is safe. Right now, my pension is under attack. It's been coming for some time now but it's just here recently that the majority of our members have "seen the light"