Remember the Charleston 9
Please keep them in your hearts and minds. Remember their families and think of them, not just on the 18th, but everyday. “This is no time for boasts or glowing prophecies, but there is this—a year ago our position looked forlorn, and well nigh desperate, to all eyes but our own. Today we may say aloud before an awe-struck world, 'We are still masters of our fate. We still are captain of our souls.'” WS Churchill
The Fires By Joe Flood – A Review
In “The Fires” author Joe Flood looks at the War Years in the Bronx,a period of time when the FDNY literally fought fires in building after building, non-stop, as the Bronx burned. Flood takes a different look than any previous author for he makes the argument that a think tank, a computer program and some ambitious politicians were responsible for the fires. This counters the commonly held belief that arson was the main problem. Flood writes in an easy to read manner, mixing in stories of units responding to fires with a determined look into the RAND Corporation. He guides the reader through the difficult maze of political and sociological connections, presenting a compelling read that is educational and thought provoking. For those who know the War Years or have an interest in the destruction of a borough this is a must read. Joe Flood is an author who you hope will cover another issue we have taken for granted over the years. We have given away one copy of The Fires and will give another away Monday to first person to follow us on Twitter after midnight.
Firefighter Sarah Cox Cancer Fund
The New England FOOLS are showing why firefighting brings out the best. A fellow FOOLS member, Sarah Fox of the Portsmouth Fire Department is bravely battling cancer. A fund has been set up and the FOOLS are raffling off a Cairns New Yorker helmet. The ticket price is $10.00 Please consider buying tickets. We all can join together to help Sarah fight this and we will see it through alongside her. For more information visit the website here. Also information available here
Firefighters Turning to Social Media
Far more than at any other time firefighters are getting their messages out via Twitter and Facebook. A casual glance will reveal fire departments, PIO's and firefighters using Twitter and Facebook to discuss issues not found elsewhere, even in blogs. Traditional static websites are using Twitter to drive traffic and Facebook is ever more an influence each passing day. The question isn't who is on twitter or Facebook but who isn't and why aren't they? Posts of substantial length are often overlooked in mainstream blogs and though firefighters will often read an article they are also becoming consumers of the 140 character information delivery. The challenge is to fit information into that short space but content providers are successful at it. Feeds are also drastically changing how fire and EMS view information. One can use twitter or facebook to see information and then read the feed from the site without ever browsing over to a blog or static site. Most blogs provide feeds as a matter of course. This development alarms some bloggers because they fear a plunge in traffic. The fear is somewhat misplaced because people who read some blogs will visit no matter what but others will choose to avoid browsing through pages when they can have it delivered to their laptop or mobile phone.
Atlanta Fire Department Needs Stability
The last thing the Atlanta Fire Department expected to have to deal with was the return of a former chief. With an inside veteran of more than 30 years available, in Chief Willis, the Mayor is actually considering bringing in former chief Kelvin Cochran. Chief Willis would be the first woman to head the department and would offer stability, something Atlanta hasn't had since the arrival of an outside chief who then left for DC, Dennis Rubin. Mayor Kasim Reed wants to continue the cities history of diversity yet would ignore the best hire, and the chance to give a longtime veteran a chance to lead the department. Willis has held positions as Deputy Chief of Operations, Battalion Chief-Suppression, Chief of Training, Fire Lieutenant, Fire Apparatus Operator and firefighter. She received her Bachelor of Science summa cum laude in Fire Science Administration from Brenau College School of Professional Studies.
Firefighter News Update Thursday
Firefighters in Sacramento are rallying around Mayor Kevin Johnson’s plan to turn the city into a strong Mayor form of government. Two people perished in the crash of a Helicopter near Dallas. A house fire. Inside an FDNY House: