9-11
· This week we recognized and remembered all who lost their lives on 9-11, 2001.
Whether you’re part of the Fire Service or not, everyone remembers where they
were that day and what they were doing. How many of us still get teary when
watching a documentary or story about 9-11? There’s no doubt it changed America
and the world too, but how it did it change you personally? Some of you actually
responded the scene on behalf of the JFRD and some have been returning ever
since. I remember seeing Ground Zero for the first time two years after it
happened, and it has had a lasting impression on the sacrifice of those who lost
their lives on that hallowed ground.
· How did the JFRD remember this year? The City had their and our event at the
Fire Museum this year. With the exception of the wonderful group that put it on,
I can tell you there were more firefighters, police officers, and military than
civilians present. At first I was a little upset with the turnout and then I
realized that maybe, here in Jacksonville, this more of our day of remembering,
and I’m fine with that.
· What did we miss? An all-stations tone alert for a moment of silence starting
when the South Tower fell at 0959 hrs on Wednesday. That was my fault and there
is no excuse. Won’t happen again…I’m truly sorry for that.
Company Officer’s Meeting
· This week we had the second quarterly meetings where we address all company
officers and chiefs for a three hour session. The intent is to inform them so
they can in turn inform you of current issues or concerns, or just some plain
basic information maybe we never thought about. Addressed during the meetings
were upcoming land-based shipboard firefighter training of which many of you
will be participating in in the upcoming weeks. How Q & I works for run reports
and complaints, some interesting numbers and how they relate to the JFRD, and
finally where the Director see’s us going and how we can all get there together.
I will send out the PowerPoint’s on Tuesday as we still have one class to go.
· Out of that company officers meeting I had an epiphany on how we as the Fire
Service have been going about fighting fires for the last thirty years. Next
week I will begin meeting with the Battalion chiefs to implement and solve some
long overdue issues concerning overhaul and rehab. It would be nice if JFRD took
the lead on solving these problems we (the Fire Service) face nationally, and I
can assure you we will. As we begin to shape up the second half of JFRD’s
response to a fire, I will be sending out more details to keep you in the loop.
As always, I will welcome suggestions or solutions you may have. I will tell
you, what I have in mind, will challenge the way you look at fires and how we as
a Fire Department manages them.
Time to acknowledge the hard work of some of our best this week.
· First is Dr. Percy Golden. If you have ever organized a party or put on an
event, you know the headaches that go with it. Now imagine organizing all the
companies and agencies for the 9-11 ceremony. For those that missed this year’s
event at the Museum, it was really spectacular. Lined up were the USAR teams,
Hazmat teams, engines, rescues, the 70 foot boat, Rehab 37, Life Flight, JSO’s
Swat Team, K-9 handlers, and too many others to lists. That was handled and
managed by him. A huge debt of gratitude from all of us.
· Capt. Ernie Glover at E37. First, he didn’t ask for the Rehab at 37, but he
has certainly taken the lead on trying to make it right for you in the field. As
a former Safety Officer, he realizes the importance and significance of properly
rehabbing our folks. It’s amazing how hearing stories about the Spearing Street
fire will lead you down a new path. First, Capt. Langley E2, was so covered in
soot from saving the occupant from the fire (we’ll talk more on that in a
minute), Capt. Glover used a Rae Meter to see if his bunker gear was
off-gassing. The surprising answer was yes. Both VOC’s (that’s the bad stuff)
and CO. So he got Capt. Langley to remove his gear (which is another issue we
need to address for rehab). That got me thinking, how many times have we put
wet, dirty, nasty gear back on after the fire? Is it on our next run (ever been
on back to back W3’s?) Two runs from now? Is that hurting us? You see how my
mind thinks. We’re going to fix that one way or another.
· Next I would like to recognize the valiant efforts of everyone who was
involved in the Spearing Street fire last Sunday morning, specifically the crew
of Station 2 C shift. Engine 2 was on scene in less than 5 minutes and found
heavy fire involvement and a panicked man out front screaming a man was still in
there! Without the protection of a hand line or the safety of another
firefighter, Capt. Bill Langley entered the rear of the structure and searched
alone for the man. If you have ever tried to pull someone out of a fire, you
know the difficulty of trying it alone, much less in a house that’s becoming
fully involved and completely pitch black. Once found, he brought the disable
man outside to a waiting Rescue 2 and Lt. Latorrence Norris where he and his
crew began life saving measures. To their credit he survived another three days.
We don’t know what it meant to his family to spend those last few days with him,
but if it weren’t for you, they wouldn’t have had the chance. Excellent job.
· To each of you, who day in and day out, make a difference to someone’s lives
here in Jacksonville. Keep up the good work and know that it doesn’t go
unnoticed.
Well that’s it for the Saturday version of our Week in Review, and I apologize
if there are any spelling errors as I had no one to proof read.
I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing weekend, and you take some time to spend
for yourselves.
As always, we thank you for what you do, why you do it, and for once again,
being the best Fire Department in the country.
Very respectfully,
Kurtis R. Wilson
Chief of Operations
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department