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Greetings everyone, I know I’m speaking on behalf of the whole department when I say it’s good to have our firefighters back from studying!!! Not too much to go over this week, so let’s begin.

Lost loved ones—Unfortunately, lately, we seem to have an increase in the number of our members losing loved ones. Fathers, mothers, grandmothers and grandfathers, aunts and uncles, as well as in-laws. This week, FRCC Michael Bennett lost his 18 y/o son in a MVA which is especially tough. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of our members who are grieving for their own family members.

Engineer positions—Chief Mote and I have agreed on a process to allow Engineers out of Rescue. Look for the detailed email that went out today. Feel free to respond with any questions or concerns.

High Rise Nozzles—are out. Please make sure you become familiar with your new piece of equipment. Chief Blanton sent out a great email detailing the changes and the reasoning. A big thank you again to Capt. Powers and David Johnson for making this happen at no cost to the city.

Budget—is still being worked on. The Mayor has to present to the City Council by July 15^th, so as soon as he puts forth the budget, I promise I will go over it with you all. After he submits, the Council Finance Committee with begin looking at each department budget, then finally the whole council will vote for final approval. I’ll keep you informed as that process moves along.

TIC’s—the new thermal imagers are being held up. Fleet decided to move monies out of their budget and into ours, which means 6 weeks of council meetings to approve the budget transfer. I’m still waiting on Fleet to submit the legislation. Sorry for the delay but this one is out of our hands….literally

District & Battalion Chiefs—some stations have moved to better align responses and work load. This goes into effect 6-28-2014 at 0701 hrs. That’s when Field Staffing will show the changes. Make sure you call the right chief in the morning!

Fire 1—picked up station 19 and 27.
Fire 5—picked up station 26
Fire 7—picked up station 9

New Recruit Document—has been developed by Chief Hooten and is currently being evaluated by the other chiefs for us to send out to all companies. It’s a very detailed list of what is expected from a new recruit assigned to a unit. This should help the officer and the FF along with the task book issued by the Training Academy. Once adopted, we’ll send it out.

Accountability Riding Lists—I haven’t seen any ordered lately which is puzzling because they should be used daily. Make sure you are filling out your riding list and attaching it to the top of your MDT daily. This is very important in the event we have a large collapse or other issue with firefighters missing. If you have run out, please notify your chief and they can get more from John Bracey.

Narcotics Logs—please make sure everyone is maintaining the monthly inspections.

Yarnell 19—one year ago today, 19 firefighters lost their lives battling a brush fire. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those lost.

Let’s see some of the runs we’ve gone on this week:

FD 35/E135 ON SCENE GAS ODOR @ SINGLE FAMILY RESD/REQUESTING STATION 7 RESPOND/ 885 CORSICA LN/END
W3 SNGL FAM RES/FD5/376 KING ST/IC S5 ON B-1/END
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INVOLVING JSO FD2 W 8TH AND LAURA TRAUMA ALERT IS POSSIBLY JSO..
JAX BEACH/GSW/ 1 PT TRAUMA RED/2309 BEACH BLVD/NIPPERS/LIFEFLIGHT ENR/TG B5/END
CONFINED SPACE MUD INCIDENT/1 PT TRAPPED IN MARSH/FD 40/ HECKSCHER AND FT GEORGE/LITTLE TALBOT ISLAND/TG B9/END
No too many pages this week but whole lot of other runs!

Time to give some thanks and recognition…

To Lt. Dean Bunk who was awarded Chief Warrant Officer of the Year by the US Coast Guard. He will be competing against four other award winners (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines) for the top enlisted award in California later next month. Congratulations on a job well done and thank you for your service to our country!

To Curtis Cobb whose son was accepted into West Point this fall. For those who don’t know, you have to be sponsored by a Senator ( Sen. Crenshaw in this case) in order to get in, among a high GPA and other stringent criteria. Huge accomplishment and a true reflection of Curtis and his family. Congratulations!

I would like to thank the crews of Station 29 and R58 who transported my mother-in-law last Sunday. After two days in the hospital, she was released in good spirits. Thank you for taking good care of her!

Successful resuscitation of a 25 y/o male in full cardiac arrest prior to the arrival of rescue.

On 6/23/14, E18, L18, R104, and R7 were dispatched reference "One Unconscious with Ineffective Breathing". Upon station 18’s arrival, they discovered the patient (a 25 y/o male) in an upstairs bedroom unresponsive with agonal respirations. Within a few seconds after the initial patient assessment, the patient stopped breathing and lost pulses. Station 18 immediately moved the patient to the floor and began CPR. When it was determined that the patient was in Ventricular Fibrillation, Station 18’s crew delivered one shock at 120 joules which converted the patient to a perfusing rhythm for two minutes until he went into V-Fib again. A second shock of 150 Joules was delivered and within seconds the patient regained "Return of Spontaneous Circulation" with adequate respirations. Shortly after the second shock, Rescue 7 arrived and assisted Station 18 with the transfer of the highly combative patient to their awaiting stretcher followed by subsequent transport and delivery to UF Health Emergency Department.

If it had not been for the quick actions and professionalism of the officers and crew of Engine and Ladder 18 A-Shift, this patient would almost certainly not have survived long enough to make it to the emergency room. It is these actions that are in keeping with the highest traditions of the fire and EMS service, and the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.---Lt. McKeown

Well done to everyone!!!

If you have a story or person you would like to recognize, please continue to email me the synopsis.

This week’s engineer’s test

Wednesday I did my best to shake everyone’s hand and to give words of encouragement as I remember the anxiety one feels after giving up 60 days of your life for a 3 hour test. Later in the day I took calls from folks thanking me as they were happy about their score. Others were obviously upset as their score wasn’t what they had hoped for. For those who did well I congratulate you! For those who did not score as they had hoped, I hope you know this test does not define you. Your character in the face of adversity does. Most of you will have many more tests to take which means another opportunity.

The word ethos is Greek for character and is used as a term to reference the direction of ones morals or direction in life. Most know Abraham Lincoln as the 16^th President of the United States. What most don’t know is what he had to overcome to get there; He lost eight elections, twice failed in business and suffered a nervous breakdown. The definition of perseverance is often attributed to Lincoln’s life is this "The difference between history’s boldest accomplishments and its most staggering failures is often, simply, the diligent will to persevere". Everyone in that room Wednesday morning has what it takes. You all have passed certifications and licensing tests, passed rigid hiring standards and probationary periods and have been accepted into one of the largest and most progressive fire departments in the country which tells me you can persevere regardless of one test score on one day. We each succeed in different ways in life and the great thing is you get to define what that is…it’s your life. I just want to tell you that I’m proud of all of you that took the time to study and the courage to show up and take the test. Keep your head held up high, regardless of your score, and know another test will be here before you know it and with it, another chance to persevere.

I don’t know about you but this FIFA Soccer World Cup is fascinating. Only in FIFA can you lose and still advance to the finals…which Team America should be happy for! Only in FIFA can one be fined for improper display of your underwear, $125,000 fine, and I thought biting only occurred in boxing! Good thing Mark Wahlberg doesn’t play soccer, or Michael Phelps, or any of the Victoria’s Secret models, or David Beckham…lol.

At any rate, I wish everyone a good weekend, I hope you get some time for yourself and you spend it with family and friends. Sadly, you know where I’ll be….master bathroom purgatory. Shawn Hall was kind enough to let my wife know they broke ground on their new house and will be finished before me….owe you one…J

Well that’s it for this WIR. Please continue to have our members in your thoughts and prayers as many have lost loved-ones or truly having a hard time.

As always, we thank you for what you do, why you do it, and for always showing why you are the best Fire Rescue Department in the Country!

Very Respectfully,

Kurtis R. Wilson

Chief of Operations

Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department