A Day at SAFD

First of all, it's never good when 4 firemen have the cab up on their fire truck, in the middle of town, looking aimlessly at the engine. Luckily we had Junior Fire Dept. Mechanic Lance Carney come fix it for us. While all this was going on the Recruit Firefighters were learning emergency vehicle driving and engine and truck company operations. Instructors Hill, Philpott and Carney taught the classes today.

Softball Player

This is what happens when you play softball too hard. You end up in the hospital. At least she was safe when she slid into home.

Matt's Cool Motor Scooter

Live on the Levee

We spent a nice evening on the levee in Charleston listening to my friend Matt and the Grass Stains. Matt opened the concert with a couple of solos and then he had some other friends and his cousin Jeff come and sing with him. Jeff and Matt sang a song called "The Shankill Butchers". Google that and check out the story. After Matt and friends the Grass Stains played. They sounded great, as always! Credit for the photo of just the mandolin being played goes to our friend Susan Carter, very cool.

Rope Rescue Training

Thursday and Friday the recruit firefighters were trained in rope rescue. The course was taught by Chief Rodney Winter of the Charleston Fire Dept. The recruits practiced low and high angle rescue techniques, rigging, hauling and lowering systems and pt. packaging. Rope rescue classes always seem to be a favorite among firefighters.

Auto Extrication Training

Today the recruit firefighters had a basic auto extrication class. The class was taught by Paul Neidbalski of the Charleston Fire Department. The recruits learned the basic operation of hydraulic tools "jaws of life", pneumatic tools and hand tools that are used in vehicle extrication. They also learned several stabilization techniques that are used before going to work on the vehicle.

Mayday Training

Today the recruit firefighters participated in a National Fire Academy course entitled "Calling the Mayday". This course is designed to train firefighters, new and veteran, how and when to call a mayday. Some instances where maydays should be called include; when a firefighter becomes lost, trapped, falls through a floor or runs low on air and can't make it out before the air supply is gone. The firefighters used the Mayday Training Trailer designed and built by the training committee of the St. Albans Fire Dept. The trailer has confined space areas, entanglement and entrapment areas and a floor collapse simulator. All the recruits did very well in the training trailer, a couple even got a cool injury to show off for the next couple of days.

Kevin and Karla

My friend Kevin and his fiance Karla were married today in a very nice ceremony at the First Baptist Church in Kenova.

SAFD Recruit training

Today Firefighter/Instructor Hill and Captain Philpott lead the recruits in ladder and ventilation training.

Nice Afternoon at Coonskin

Saint Albans Firefighters Meet President Clinton

Today ended the first week of training for the 4 probationary firefighters. It also brought a once-in-a-lifetime event to me, 4 other firefighters and 2 Kanawha County Paramedics. We were assigned to go to McKinley Middle School to stand by while President Clinton spoke to a crowd of Hillary Clinton supporters. While we were there one of President Clinton's staff asked if we were going to be close by when the President came out. He said the President would like to shake our hands and have his photo taken with us. We gladly agreed. It's not the best photo in the world, but it's still a picture with a President of the United States!

Fire Extinguisher Training

Firefighter/Instructor James Hill leads the probationary firefighters through fire extinguisher training.

New Saint Albans Firefighters

Today was the second day of training for the 4 new probationary firefighters. They started the day with some PT and station maintenance, then on to the classroom and field for some equipment familiarization. The firefighters are taking the WV firefighter level 1 course this week. Training officers Dan Taaffe and Jim Hill were the lead instructors for the day.

Saint Albans Swears In Four New Firefighters

Tonight, on Cinco de Mayo, the City of Saint Albans swore in four new probationary firefighters. The firefighters were introduced to the City Council by Chief Parsons and a prayer of protection was offered over them by Chaplain Mike Jarrett. Mayor Dick Callaway presided over the swearing in ceremony. The new firefighters are Brent Kessler, Jeff Davidson, Mike Lively and Brandon Price. The families of the new firefighters were also recognized by council. Today they began a five week training program before they are assigned to a shift on the department. I was also recognized for my promotion from Lieutenant to Captain in a "pinning'' ceremony. My wife and daughter had the honors of replacing my Lieutenants insignia and badge with a Captains.

Bible Center School

Bible Center Christian School held it's annual walkathon and field day today at their South Ridge Campus. We couldn't have had better weather. It was perfect!!

Kanawha State Forest 2

A few more from KSF. Went and checked on a patch of Pink Lady's Slippers. No luck yet. Probably sometime next week.