Greetings everyone, I hope this email finds you well. This isn’t just another week as we recognize the 13th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks which is now recognized as Patriot Day. A lot to go over this week, so let’s get started…
- Patriot Day —13 years ago our profession was thrust into the fight against terrorism when the US was attacked by Al-Qaeda. First responders all across America began receiving millions of dollars in equipment and training to combat and prepare for terrorist attacks. Once an afterthought for most departments, CBRNE events have become a new reality for fire rescue and the cities we protect. I know in my heart, the reason we are able to move the mission forward at home is because our men and women in uniform are taking the fight to them overseas. Many of you are current and past active duty and reserves. The sacrifices you make on our behalf, those of us who have never served, will truly never understand. As members of our community thank our department for protecting them, I would like to take the time to thank each and every one of you for what you do.
- I want to say thanks to everyone who participated in Thursday’s events around the city. If I begin to name you individually, I’ll inevitably leave someone off….but you know who you are….thank you!
- Attached are pictures from the Hero run in Jacksonville Beach.
Approximately 30 of you showed up to support and run for the cause.
Very cool..!!!
- Huge promotion / transfer bulletin today —First let me congratulate all the new Lieutenants and one captain today! Well done. Also, I want to thank all the provisional folks who helped fill in spots during the vacancies. You stepped up and helped more than you know. On another note, only Suppression is reverting engineers today because I need the spots to place the provisional engineers reverting. Rescues will revert with the engineer’s list.
- New Recruits —last night 39 of our newest probationary firefighters graduated the Training Academy and will join Operations this weekend. Please continue to look out for our new folks and guide them through a successful probationary period. To assist the firefighters, company officers, and chiefs, a new shift by shift outline of what’s expected is being launched with this group. If you are currently on probation, match your learning progress to the new outline. If you find areas you are deficient in, please enlist the help of your officer to bring you up to speed. This is a great step forward in standardizing our process for our new members. I truly wish I had something like this to gauge my learning my first year on the job. As always, the looks and smiling faces last night gives me comfort knowing we graduated another outstanding recruit class.
- Sea of Blue —is literally 30 days away. Attached is the flyer going out to surrounding businesses downtown and the media. Also attached is explicit instructions on where to park your personal vehicle, fire dept. vehicle, parade route, etc…
- Bail-out training —is now at 567 kits issued! Today the media came out and participated in the training. For those who didn’t know, the Firehouse Public Safety Foundation donated 100 kits we were short which amounted to close to $30,000. A huge thank you to them for their continuing support of the JFRD!
- Here’s the only up as of writing…thanks to all who helped and participated today.
