Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Fire Station 410 update from 4th Battalion Rep Colin Flanigan
With the volunteers turning Fire Station 410 over to Fairfax County, the
contract for the walkway from the living areas to the apparatus tent could
proceed forward. Construction has already started and it should be completed
soon.
Station Captain Ramiro Galvez has passed on the following information from
AFC Burke:
. The construction of the walkway at the station should commence the
week of January 17th
. The sump pumps for the bay should be installed soon to prevent any
flooding of our old bay.
. There is no money at this time for tent for T410
. There will be a tent for T410 once we move to the new location and
all fire station 410 units will be housed at the new "temporary" location.
. A move to a temporary location for construction would cost an
estimated $500,000 and there is no money for that project right now.
. If money is found for a move to a temporary location, the move may
come as early as in the fall 2011 (6 months is what he said) or as late as
2012. Chief Burke explained that the money for the move / reconstruction of
the firehouse would come in the way of a public service referendum which
will be sent for vote on the fall of 2012.
. Chief Burke asked about the female facilities and I told him that
the female facilities are in order and as good as they were before the
collapse. I also told him that Safety Chief Gray walked through the
facilities so any inquires may also be sent to him.
The leadership of Local 2068 continues to meet with the station captain and
senior staff to make this transition as smooth as possible and to assist in
any way.
contract for the walkway from the living areas to the apparatus tent could
proceed forward. Construction has already started and it should be completed
soon.
Station Captain Ramiro Galvez has passed on the following information from
AFC Burke:
. The construction of the walkway at the station should commence the
week of January 17th
. The sump pumps for the bay should be installed soon to prevent any
flooding of our old bay.
. There is no money at this time for tent for T410
. There will be a tent for T410 once we move to the new location and
all fire station 410 units will be housed at the new "temporary" location.
. A move to a temporary location for construction would cost an
estimated $500,000 and there is no money for that project right now.
. If money is found for a move to a temporary location, the move may
come as early as in the fall 2011 (6 months is what he said) or as late as
2012. Chief Burke explained that the money for the move / reconstruction of
the firehouse would come in the way of a public service referendum which
will be sent for vote on the fall of 2012.
. Chief Burke asked about the female facilities and I told him that
the female facilities are in order and as good as they were before the
collapse. I also told him that Safety Chief Gray walked through the
facilities so any inquires may also be sent to him.
The leadership of Local 2068 continues to meet with the station captain and
senior staff to make this transition as smooth as possible and to assist in
any way.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Be A Fireman Again
This article was submitted by a reader for posting - thanks!
Brother Big Eye
---------------
What is the difference between a SOP and one of the many manuals driving this department? There is a simple explanation. One can be held accountable for a SOP, written up for the slightest infraction. On the other hand, a manual is a guideline. Manuals are designed to get everyone on the same page so to speak, and a SOP has you by the throat.
An officer can arrive on a house fire, cause multimillion dollars worth of damage by wrong tactics, excess water damage, excess overhaul, not getting to the seat of the fire and/or prematurely setting up the artificial rain makers all while following the manuals. However, forgetting to do a simple EMS Fire RMS report by SOP and you get to read about it. The point is there is NO balance.
This is extreme, but this is where we are at.
What is your legend? I want to be known as an aggressive fireman, the officer everyone likes to work for and not afraid to go to battle with. We face the elements, deal with the cards handed to us on every call, and cope with extraordinary circumstances. Unfortunately some of the details may get missed. We may not always be in the right uniform, but extra clothing during frigid days helps us deal with the elements. We may not have the right tool for the job, but we’ll use what we have to the best of our ability to accomplish the task.
We need to keep our focus on priorities and remember that we are fireman.
Be a fireman again.
Brother Big Eye
---------------
What is the difference between a SOP and one of the many manuals driving this department? There is a simple explanation. One can be held accountable for a SOP, written up for the slightest infraction. On the other hand, a manual is a guideline. Manuals are designed to get everyone on the same page so to speak, and a SOP has you by the throat.
An officer can arrive on a house fire, cause multimillion dollars worth of damage by wrong tactics, excess water damage, excess overhaul, not getting to the seat of the fire and/or prematurely setting up the artificial rain makers all while following the manuals. However, forgetting to do a simple EMS Fire RMS report by SOP and you get to read about it. The point is there is NO balance.
This is extreme, but this is where we are at.
What is your legend? I want to be known as an aggressive fireman, the officer everyone likes to work for and not afraid to go to battle with. We face the elements, deal with the cards handed to us on every call, and cope with extraordinary circumstances. Unfortunately some of the details may get missed. We may not always be in the right uniform, but extra clothing during frigid days helps us deal with the elements. We may not have the right tool for the job, but we’ll use what we have to the best of our ability to accomplish the task.
We need to keep our focus on priorities and remember that we are fireman.
Be a fireman again.
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