NC Fire Chief's Executive Fire Officer Program

Captain Barlow is the fourth from the left on the front row
The NC Association of Fire Chief's offers the

Executive Fire Officer Program

every two years in North Carolina at the Charlotte Fire Academy.
This program is a two week Advanced Leadership course that also offers the participants the opportunity to complete their
Fire Officer III State Certification.

There were 60 participants in the class of 2009.

Captain David Barlow of the Landis Fire Department attended this two week program

October 26 – 30, 2009 -week one
November 30 – December 4, 2009 -week two

Captain Barlow was one of four that completed

the NC Fire Officer III certification during this program.
Click the link to find out more about this program.

EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

FIRE ACADEMY OCFA on FOX Reality

FIRE ACADEMY
Orange County Fire Authority
Click the Photo to go to the Site
This series is brought to you on Fox Reality TV and can be viewed on the Web.

10th Anniversary of the Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse Fire

10 Years ago today tragedy struck the Worcester Fire Department.
The Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse Fire.

Click the Photo for the Anniversary Page

Click the Firefighters Images to go to the Memorial Website

The Worcester 6

Click the Logo for more and to purchase stickers

Chief Billy Goldfeder Seminar December 5th, 2009

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE DETAILS ON THE GASTON COUNTY FIRE WEBSITE

ANNOUNCEMENT FLYER

REGISTRATION FORM FOR THE SEMINAR

OSFM New Training Website

The OSFM has recently launched a new Training Website called

"POCKET TOOLS TRAINING"
Click on the Logo above to go to the Training Website

FIT-5 Commercial Fire Extinguishing Grenade

Click the Image for the Video

Commercial's own fire services group demonstrates the use and effectiveness of the FIT-5 fire interruption technology for local career and volunteer firefighters in this 2 scenario excercise.

CLICK HERE

to learn more about the FIT-5

Campus Sprinkler Demo Gone Bad

Campus Sprinkler Demo Gone Bad

The gear worn by three firefighters caught fire during the public display at Gallaudet University. One of those firefighters, a sergeant with the DC Fire & EMS Department's Engine 6, spent the night in the MedStar Burn Unit of the Washington Hospital Center.
A Plexiglas draft curtain set up to hold in the heat and smoke burned and dripped onto the firefighters sent in to put out the fire in the unsprinklered side of the demonstration.

• There was no backup line
• There was no Safety Officer
• There was No Formal Briefing

Remember, Never Take Any of These Things for Granted - Ever!!

Rapid Intervention Teams and Fire Ground Survival

Greetings Brothers!
Today's Topic is about Rapid Intervention Teams, their Staffing, and Assignments based on the number of personnel on the R.I.T. The term R.I.T. stands for Rapid Intervention Team. In other areas of the country and in other areas of our county there are slightly different names for these teams. The City of Salisbury uses a dual concept of F.A.S.T. Truck and backs it up with the Mutual Aid R.I.T. Team.

This article from www.tinhelmet.com is a great place for us to begin looking at how to operate with 2 person, 3 person, 4 person and with even larger R.I.T. Teams.

Rapid Intervention Teams and Fire Ground Survival

This is just a starting point.

We need to develop a set of SOG's relative to Serving on a RIT Team for other Departments and how we are going to set up our own RIT.

World Trade Center Steel Now Available for Use In Memorials

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is accepting requests from organizations that would like to request a piece of World Trade Center steel. The steel was recovered from the World Trade Center site after September 11, 2001 and secured at JFK Airport by The Port Authority of NY and NJ until now.

The steel MUST be used in a memorial open to the general public such as in parks, fire/EMS/police stations, emergency service training grounds for uniformed personnel or places of public assembly. The steel is not intended for and may not be used in personal collections, sold or used for fundraising. All requests for steel MUST be in writing on official letterhead from an officer of the requesting agency, or a not for profit organization and will be verified.

WORLD TRADE CENTER STEEL FOR MEMORIALS
Click Above for Full Details

LET US REMEMBER THE EVENTS OF 9-11-01 THIS WEEK

THIS WEEK
LET US REMEMBER THE EVENTS OF
9-11-01

AND INSIST THAT OUR COUNTRY BE DETERMINED
NEVER TO HAVE THESE OR SIMILAR EVENTS
OCCUR ON AMERICAN SOIL AGAIN.

TRIBUTES PAGE

Salisbury is planning a Memorial Service

to be held at the Firefighter's Memorial on Friday 9-11-09

S. Main Street will be closed from 8:20 am. - 9:30 a.m.

President George W. Bush designated Sept. 11 of each year as "Patriot Day." Flags are to be flown at half staff; American flags posted at a stationary position are to be draped with a black sash or ribbon.

Two WILDFIRE LODD's - The Station Fire - Angeles Co. CA

Click Image above for Foxnews.com coverage

Click Banner to go toWildfire Today
It is with great sadness we announce the loss of 2 Wildland Firefighters on Saturday afternoon.
LODD Coverage From Wildfire Today 8-30-2009

The Station Fire near Mt. Wilson and Mount Palomar more than quadrupled in size from Sat. Aug. 29 pm - Sunday Aug. 30 to reach a size of 42,500 acres as of Midnight Aug. 31.

Keep Up To Date on all Wildland Fires Nationwide on

InciWeb.org

Updated Constantly

A Bit Of Humor For You Today

A Bit of Humor for you today from the Happy Medic

The Top 10 ways the Fire Department can look busy
when not responding to EMS Calls

These Community Folks can assist the Fire Department with the increasing number of Medical Calls

Phoenix Fire Dept. salutes Flooded Roadway Travelers

When in a MAYDAY use L.U.N.A.R.

Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!

Are you really ready?

When Should You Call a Mayday

Lost
Separated from Crew
Trapped
Disoriented
Disabled due to injury

Do Not Be Afraid To Call a Mayday
You are Not Replaceable!!!

L.U.N.A.R.
Is the Acronym that Stands for...

• L = Location (Floor, and ABCD side)
  
• U = Unit (E-443, Ladder 58)
  
• N = Your Last Name
  
• A = Assignment Given
  
• R = Resources needed for Rescue

After calling your Mayday, activate PASS Device, use Lightbox as a Beacon, and attempt self rescue.

There will be more To Come on this Topic Real Soon.......
Be Safe Out There
Captain 5802

VEHICLE EXTRICATION CHALLENGES AND AWARENESS

Brothers,

I wanted to provide you with a little more information that you can use in your "Mental Toolboxes" regarding the Training Topic from Wednesday night. We face many challenges with Vehicle Extrication, from Multi Layer and Boron Steel construction, multiple Airbags and deployment equipment, and undeployed airbags after a vehicle crash. Even Grandma can cause an airbag to deploy with her purse. Click HERE. When the tones hit the other night I was just about to the Summary on the Power Point and I wanted you to have this information.

So, Here is the Summary of our class on Air Bag Equipped Vehicles from Wednesday Night’s Training.

Emergency Procedures for Airbag-Equipped Vehicles

• Complete airbag “scanning” and initiate electrical system shutdown.
• Check for battery location(s). First place to look is under the hood and then within the trunk, and under the rear seat cushion.
• Have alternative means of accessing the battery: Including through the fender, through the headlight assembly, and through the undercarriage.
• Continue with normal extrication procedures while maintaining awareness and “respect” for loaded airbags. Remember: Do Not stick your head through an open window, and Remember “The 5, 10, 20 Rule”.
• If there is a loaded airbag within a jammed door, it is safer to initiate a “hinge” attack. That is - to begin to work the door open with the Hydraulic Tools from the Hinge side.
• Maintain clearance to metal of the vehicle body when cutting wiring harness in the door. Remember on any Electric Hybrid Vehicle - DO NOT CUT THE WIRING HARNESS. ORANGE WIRES ARE HIGH VOLTAGE and CAN KILL YOU.
• If the Tool or Cutters give great resistance, you might be trying to cut BORON. Many of the new door hinges are being made of this material and it will defeat the Cutters. You can snap the cutting blades. See the Photo above. For more info on Boron hinges and other difficultys to consider check out the links below.
• Place a door with an undeployed airbag in the debris pile airbag side UP! If the airbag deploys at least the door will not become a projectile.

The PowerPoint that I used came from this website:
www.sceneoftheaccident.org
There are a number of Videos and Downloadable PDF Emergency Response Guidelines (ERGS) for download on this website.

Some Great Vehicle Extrication Links

Boron and Ultra-High Strength Steel

Metallurgy 101: A lesson in new vehicle Extrication

Initial Vehicle Assessment

How to Open Jammed Doors – University of Extrication

Trunk Tunneling for Extrication

New Vehicle Technology: Issues for Rescuers
Guide Book 41 Pages

Holmatro Vehicle Extrication Techniques
Guide Book 95 Pages

REMEMBER, PRY BEFORE YOU CUT.
(To locate Gas Cylinders, Fuel Lines, and other Hazards)

5-10-20 RULE
5 Inches from any Side Impact Airbag
10 Inches from Driver Frontal Airbag
20 Inches from Passenger Frontal Airbag
* Side Curtains – 12 Inches from roof *

Let the soul of no man ever say – I WISH I WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAINED!

"BE SAFE OUT THERE"

The Stupidity of Texting While Driving

At Last someone has finally taken a stand against the
Stupidity of TEXTING WHILE DRIVING.

The Gwent, England Police Department has produced a shocking video for young and old alike in an attempt to stop vehicle crashes caused by the driver texting while driving.The BBC has the Intestinal Fortitude to report and present the film here.

"The Stupidity of Texting While Driving"
Be warned: This is Graphic

New Study Shows That Smoke Alarms Do Not Wake Children Up

Check out this Video that Shows how ineffective Smoke Alarms really are with children. The good thing is that new models will be on the market soon that allow parents to record a message that wakes up the child within ~15 seconds.

SMOKE ALARM VIDEO

Confined Space Technician Class

The drop

Air Tender for the SAR Packs

The entrance

Final Exercise Rigged from Tower 1

Entering the confined space

SAR Pack with 10 minute Pony Bottle

Final check and entering

Backup is ready

Preparing to enter

Tripod Vertical work
Lifting a victim from the lower level to the upper while making a 90 turn

16"Pipe into the two layered maze

16" pipe gets really full real quickly

Several turnsand an uphill

Approximately 100' of pipe

Corners require a 90 degree bend and then a full rotation

The corners of the confidence course are difficult

Captain David Barlow took the Confined Space Technician Class with ~30 members of the Mooresville Fire Department during the week of April 6-13.

It was a close and tight experience for all.

High Angle Rescue Level IV Graduate Class

NCDOI High Angle Rescue Level IV Special School

The Level IV Group Photo

The Graduated Class

The Graduated Class with Stone Mountain

Packaging the Patient

Rigging for the Carry out to the trail.

Carry Out

The Victim gets a free ride!

" Bird Dog" Marcus Perkins
now owns a new ANSI Vest made of Flagging Tape.

The Spring High Angle Rescue School Level IV class culminated in a Search for a missing person who had been sighted at the edge of a steeply sloping outcrop of rock in the high country of Stone Mountain State Park in Allegheny County on Sunday. The search team of twenty students assembled in the meadow at the base of the rock and gathered the necessary team equipment to effect the rescue. Led by sucessive Hasty Teams, clues were looked for while traveling on azimuth headings which were of varying lengths. After finding 12 significant clues and searching for several hours, the victim was located at the edge of a steep slope on Wolf Rock well above the meadow by the rescuers. Suffering from a Tib-Fib fracture and Hypothermia, the patient was stabilized, loaded on a SKED stretcher, and a Low Angle Rescue extraction was performed to remove the patient to the trail. The team then completed his rescue by walking him out to the waiting Wilkes County Rescue Squad Ambulance.

Once the written test was administered and graded, the Level IV Students participated in a short Graduation Ceremony and were invited to participate in the GRADUATE MOUNTAIN RESCUE CLASS which will be held April 24-26, 2009 at Pilot Mountain State Park. The Instructors were Richard Caudle, and Terry Foxx. The students were from all over the state of NC representing Fire Departments, Rescue Squads, and EMS, Paid, Combination, and Volunteer. OSFM Staff were also students.
This class completed the four class sequence of the NCDOI OSFM Special School - High Angle Rescue. The NC High Angle Rescue School is a progressive school. The curriculum offers a wide range of "hands-on tasks" and skills with an examination given at the end of each level. The skills that are taught in this school are not limited to a wilderness environment, but can easily be adapted to urban high level rescue situations. A certificate is awarded upon successful completion of all four levels.

The Level I Class covers ROPES AND RIGGING, Use and Care of Rope, Hardware, PPE, Climbing and Rappelling Techniques and Commands, Belaying Techniques, and Vertical Lowers.
Level I and Level IV Classes are offered at Stone Mountain State Park

The Level II Class covers LOW/HIGH ANGLE RESCUE RAISES AND LOWERS
Lashing a Stokes Basket, Anchors/Mechanical Advantage Systems and Braking Systems, Rescue Knot Lowers and Low Slope Evacuation, Horizontal and Vertical Lowers with Attendant and Raises, Distance Rappelling.
Level II and Level III Classes are offered at Pilot Mountain State Park

The Level III Class covers RAPPELLING AND ASCENDING A FIXED LINE and TELPHER SYSTEMS/HIGH LINES
Rappelling and Ascending, Self-rescue, Victim Pick-off, Rescue techniques for Crossing a Horizontal Span.
Level II and Level III Classes are offered at Pilot Mountain State Park

The Level IV Class covers GENERAL SEARCH
Search Methodology, Self survival, Map orientation, Compass use, Tracking, Patient Packaging, Rescue.
Level I and Level IV Classes are offered at Stone Mountain State Park

The class was attended by Captain David Barlow

"REMEMBERING" By Juliana Marie Valenzuela Shinn

Check out this amazing reflection on the events of the Salisbury Millworks Fire by Juliana Marie Valenzuela Shinn. This can be found on her Facebook Page - Titled

"Remembering"

“Remembering”By Juliana Marie Valenzuela Shinn

Morning chores.
Truck check-off.
Sitting.
Typing.
Heather calls to me.
Fear in her voice.
"Who was that?"
Someone called a May Day.
Prayer.
I wasn't scanning, I did not hear.
Portable on FG channel.
Other portable on Fire Dispatch.
Base on EMS Dispatch and scan.
Listening.
Holding hands.
Prayer.
Ears straining.
An open mic.
Breathing.
Slow, steady breathing.
Attempts to raise.
No response.
Then a voice.
Yelling. "Get us out of here, we're burning up! Get us out!"
A call for RIT.
A call for EMS.
Unit enroute to the hospital.
Emergency traffic.
A second ambulance calling.
Have performed a cric.
CPR in progress.
Crying.
Knowledge that one is lost.
Heavy.
Nausea.
Prayer.
A name?
No one knows.
Coyt's voice.
"A very somber response to Rowan Regional carrying one.
"Tears.
A second lost.
Our tones sound.
Out into the rain.
Teardrops diluted by raindrops.
One hand on the wheel.
One hand holding my partners.
A phone call.
A name.
Another call.
Correction.
Two dead.
One badly injured.
We transport.
The scent.
The taste.
Smoke permiates the air.
A haze.
Red eyes.
Empty tissue boxes.
A closed door.
Two stand guard.
A brother is never left alone.
A closed door.
Two stand guard.
A brother is never left alone.
Do I want to see the cric?
We walk in together.
Hands clasped.Silent.
The door closes again.
Two stand guard.
A brother is never left alone.
Chief enroute to make notification.
Pain.
In his eyes.
In his heart.
We stand in a circle.
Prayer.
Love.
Family.
The phone rings.
Voices.
Sympathy.
Prayer.
In a daze.
Auto pilot.
Sleepless.
A heaviness.
An ache.

This is how I remember March 7th, 2008. Small flashes. The following week is harder to recall. Countless hours at the Fire Department. A baby named Victor. Four bottles of tire wet. Black bunting over red lights. So much food. No appetite. The procession taking Justin and Vic to Charlotte. A hero returns to his house. Injured. Alive. Applause. Prayer. The procession bringing them home again. This one much longer, the interstate closed. Crowded square. Flags flying and a firetruck, rescue truck, ambulance, patrol car on every overpass. The funeral. Apparatus farther than the eye can see. Trucks from Los Angeles, Alaska almost every state in the Union. School children with signs line the route. Flowers from Greece. Two geese flying. A lone piper. Amazing grace. The trip to New York. Apparatus on almost every overpass between Salisbury,NC and NY, NY. Spending my day at Millers Ferry FD to run medical calls. Watching them place equipment on their trucks. Hose where a casket lay days before. Remove the black bunting from the lights. Check back in service. Back to business as usual. Business will never be usual. A year later. Arm bands have faded from continual wear. Tattoos in honor. Apparatus and buildings dedicated. Say "The fire" and everyone knows which fire you are referring to. Like JFK or 9-11, where were you? What was your assignment? Your memory of the day? Always remember. Never forget. John 15:13.


Reprinted with Permission from Julie Shinn

REMEMBER THE BROTHERS

MEET YOU AT THE MEMORIAL
3-7-2009

The City of Salisbury and Salisbury Fire Department announce that a Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at the Salisbury-Rowan Fire Fighters’ Memorial, located adjacent to Chestnut Hill Cemetery, 1400 S. Main Street. The community is cordially invited to attend the early morning service which marks the one-year anniversary of the tragic loss of Firefighters Victor Isler and Justin Monroe. Local fire, rescue, emergency, and law enforcement personnel will pay homage to their fallen brothers during the 8:45 am service; service attendees are respectfully requested to gather at the memorial by 8:30 am. A designated area will be provided for wheelchair accessibility at the service.
The service will commence with a welcome message by Salisbury Fire Chief Robert “Bob” Parnell, followed in prayer by Captain Doug Stevens. At precisely 9:06 am, a moment of silence will be observed in respectful tribute to Firefighter Isler and Firefighter Monroe, who paid the ultimate sacrifice through their relentless dedication and commitment to service. Bagpiper Bobby Hunter will offer a piper’s selection, followed by comments from Mayor Susan Kluttz. Following remarks, the Mayor will declare the lowering of the American Flag to half staff. At this time, Captain Mike Spry and Engineer Bobby Burleyson, serving as Honor Guards, will advance and lower the flag, where it will remain at half mast for the remainder of the day.
The ceremony will continue with the reading of the Fireman’s Prayer by Salisbury Fire Marshal Terry Smith. Salisbury Battalion Chief David Morris, Miller’s Ferry Fire Chief Bobby Fox, and Spencer Fire Chief Jay Baker will perform the “Ringing of the Bell” service. The fire bell will chime five times, in three distinct sets, signifying the “last return home”. The “Placement of the Wreaths” will follow with Captain Rick Fleming escorting the Monroe family and Captain Tim Hurlocker escorting the Isler family. The service will conclude with a bagpiper’s rendition of Amazing Grace, closing remarks by Chief Parnell, and the recitation of The Lord’s Prayer by all in attendance.
Mayor Susan Kluttz offers, “On behalf of the Salisbury City Council, I would like to share that Firefighter Victor Isler and Firefighter Justin Monroe are truly heroes. The memory of their sincere dedication, love, and devotion for the City of Salisbury will remain in our hearts forever. As a community, we are eternally saddened by their loss and we uplift their memory each and every day. Thank you to the multitude of citizens, fire departments, emergency service providers, businesses, and government entities that came to our rescue and embraced us during our darkest of hours. Your loyalty, prayers, and support continue to sustain us and provide us with hope for tomorrow.”
Chief Bob Parnell echoes those sentiments with heartfelt emotion. “The events on the morning of March 7, 2008 have forever changed our lives. Our dear brothers, Firefighter Victor Isler and Firefighter Justin Monroe, paid the ultimate sacrifice through their faithful service and loyalty. Their relentless valor offers a mere glimpse to the magnificent men that they truly were. Their memories will remain in our hearts always. All of our firefighters and rescuers throughout Salisbury and Rowan Country are truly heroes. Each one has suffered and continues to deal with this loss in his or her, own way. To each and every individual who has assisted us during our time of need and to those who continue to support us through your kind acts, thoughts, and prayers, we are vastly appreciative and humbled. Your love and compassion are the very strength that allows us to continue each day in the service that our fallen brothers loved so well.”
A private luncheon service will be conducted at 11:30 am at Fire Station #1. The closed service will include the Isler and Monroe Families, Salisbury Firefighters and their families, and local dignitaries. Formalities will include the presentation of the highly-esteemed Order of the Long Leaf Pine and of an American flag to both the families of Victor Isler and Justin Monroe. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is the highest civilian honor to be granted in North Carolina and is among the most prestigious awards presented on behalf of the Governor of North Carolina. In addition, oil portraits by local artist Annette Hall will be unveiled. The portraits will individually feature Isler and Monroe and remain on-site at Salisbury Fire Station #1. Engraved bronze plaques, featuring the names, likeness, and service of the three City of Salisbury Firefighters, who have perished in the line-of-duty, will be unveiled during the ceremony. The memorial plaques will remain permanently located in the front foyer of Station #1. A plaque memorializing Joe Jenkins, a Salisbury firefighter who perished in the line of duty in 1971, will accompany those of his fallen brothers Victor Isler and Justin Monroe.
Citizens are advised that during the Memorial service, a portion of South Main Street will be blocked to traffic beginning at approximately 8 am. The street is scheduled to reopen by approximately 10 am.
The Miller’s Ferry Fire Station, 2650 Long Ferry Road, will host an afternoon dedication service at 2:30 pm. The public ceremony will offer the dedication of a newly-installed, informational sign, located at the front of the fire station. The free-standing (6’x 10’) brick sign offers digital display and will be dedicated in loving memory of Justin E. Monroe. Miller’s Ferry Fire Chief Bobby Fox shares that the project has been funded through donations from throughout the community.

Captain5802

David Barlow