Tag Archives: Roanoke Fire/EMS

I expect them to learn something everyday. They may graduate in two weeks but they should never stop learning. I hope they never loose that hunger to learn or the excitement for the job that I seen yesterday.

As far as I can tell, there were 2 fatalities, two transported and several others injured. The incident shut down both lanes (directions of travel) of a major highway through the city.

I once had a Chief of Department tell me that the pilot of a 747 Jetliner never had to load the luggage to become a good pilot.

I often hear people on the job talk about the mythical "Brotherhood" and how it either doesn't exist or is fading. I couldn't disagree more.

Just because I'm a little more visible and posting on a more regular basis doesn't mean I'm "past" or "over" anything. I NEVER will be. There's a hole in my heart that will never be filled.

It's up to them to EARN that position ... nobody will "give" it to them. It takes dedication and heart and we can't teach either of them! Good luck to Recruit Class #16.

“It’s good emotionally for us to be out there and get a sense of normalcy,” said Williams. “We’re still here. We’re still doing what we’re doing and we will get past this terrible devastation.”

I spent my younger years in the Department assigned to a Ladder ..... it was good, honest work. I've learned a lot since then. Truck work made me a good fireman. I'd like to think I'm older and wiser now but some will argue that.

I've learned so much about emotional / mental health and wellness since Jack's suicide. I've learned first hand what PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is and how it affects us. I've learned about grief and it's various stages. I've learned that although their are many similarities in how it affects us all, it's also (and often) very much so different for those of us "on the job" (Fire, Rescue and Police).

Brothers and Sisters I'm telling you NOW ..... we DO have somewhere to go ... somewhere to turn to ... someone who'll listen. I'm going to start talking about it a lot. I'm going to because I want YOU to know that they are there. THEY .... someone who UNDERSTANDS, and they are there for US!