Good afternoon to everyone, I hope you are having a good week or at least looking forward to a good weekend! Not too much to go over this week but let’s hit the important stuff.
· New Recruits—1st assignments will be on today’s bulletin. 30 more are being hired potentially in January and hopefully an additional 67 the following month. This means engines and ladders will have multiple personnel assigned. It’s a forgone conclusion, you will be getting a recruit if not on this bulletin. They will be receiving 8 weeks of additional training starting next week. Please welcome them to your crews when they begin showing up tomorrow.
· So does that mean more leave spots?---Unfortunately no, not this class. 5% still puts us at 18.13 spots per day. We will round up to 19. Next two classes should impact the leave cap.
· What to do about illegal burning?---JSO was recently called for a NTA (notice to appear) to a person burning yard trash. If you feel the person will not put out the fire, contact Prevention and they will have Code Enforcement come write the citation. JSO will no longer write NTA’s. But they will respond if you need them for safety.
· Outstanding Reports—you have done an Outstanding Job!!!! Thank you…
· Suppression Vacancies---for the people who are leaving to go to new Station 62, I will advertise their positions in about a week. Just FYI.
Time to recognize some of our hard working folks…
· To Chief Wyse and Lt. Treglio who valiantly tried to resuscitate Dr. Chester Aikens, a true leader in our community. For those who didn’t see the news, Chief Wyse and Lt. Treglio witnessed the cardiac arrest as Dr. Aikens was leaving City Hall yesterday. They immediately performed CPR and got an AED on the patient. Although the outcome wasn’t what we hope for, the effort of our crews, those two and Engine 1 & Rescue 27, certainly gave him a fighting chance.
· To Capt. John Long and his K-9 Wall-E---Only 31 FEMA Type 1 Cadaver dogs are certified in the United States, Wall-E is now one. Very cool and congratulations to Capt. Long and our four-legged team member!!! The mission of the cadaver K-9, in short, is to bring closure to lost loved ones. Wall-E is the reason for many souls found when humans couldn’t do it alone. Your mission is a noble one and many untold families thank you for what you do.
· To everyone at the structure fire at 1900 Corporate Square Blvd. Well done by all!
Time to keep some folks in your prayers.
· Capt. Trace Barrow L34 who recently lost his father. Please see the email from FRCC for viewing information. I’m sorry for your loss.
· Lt. Paul Masci E150 whose daughter was hit by a car on Wednesday. She is still in the ICU at UF Health. Please contact Chief Rounds or Capt. Smith if you can help with LOA’s.
· To our other members who are struggling during this time of year. Please keep a watch out for one another.
That’s it for this WIR as not too many things are going on. This morning I got a front row seat and watched our amazing fire men and women battle a commercial structure fire. To say I’m proud to be a member of the JFRD is one thing. To say I’m proud of the skill, dedication, and determination of all of you is an understatement. It’s the reason why I end each week by say thank you for what you do, why you do it, and for always being the Best Fire Department in the Country!
Please continue to be safe out there as our fires and runs are not slowing down.
Try to spend some time for yourself this weekend and go Noles! ….yes, I just said that. Take Phenergan for nausea.
Very respectfully and very proud,
Kurtis R. Wilson
Chief of Operations