Saturday, August 28, 2010

Reminder -- Fly the American Flag on 9/11

THE PROGRAM:
On Saturday, September 11th, 2010, an American flag should be
displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United
States . Every individual should make it their duty to display an
American flag on this ninth anniversary of one our country's worst
tragedies. We do this honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11, their
families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and
those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our
cherished freedoms.
In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed
in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood
shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but
disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it
shouldn't take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our
American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail
over terrorism of all kinds.
Action Plan:
So, here's what we need you to do ...
Take a moment to think back to how you felt on 9/11 and let those sentiments guide you.
Fly an American flag of any size on 9/11. Honestly, Americans
should fly the flag year-round, but if you don't, then at least make it
a priority on this day.
Thank you for your participation.
God Bless You and God Bless America !!!

Included some useful link for you:

Flag Rules and Regulations

USFlag.org: A website dedicated to the Flag of the United States ...
History of American Flag | USA Flag Site

Friday, August 27, 2010

USFA and IAFF Develop Best Practices for Emergency Vehicle and Roadway Operations Safety

The United States Fire Administration (USFA), in partnership with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), announces the release of Best Practices for Emergency Vehicle and Roadway Operations Safety which highlights the results of a U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice (NIJ) supported initiative to enhance emergency vehicle and roadway operations safety for firefighters and law enforcement officers.            

“With vehicle crashes and emergency responders being struck on the roadway being a major cause of on-duty fatalities, it is important for all first responders to avail themselves of these programs to reduce this tragic cause of death,” said Acting U.S. Fire Administrator Glenn A. Gaines.  “We are grateful for the U.S. Department of Justice’s support of this emergency vehicle and roadway safety initiative which benefits the fire service and law enforcement alike.”

“The number of law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in vehicle crashes and as the result of being struck by vehicles as they work at the roadside is disturbing and unacceptable,” said IAFF General President Harold A. Schaitberger.  “The purpose of this program is to provide information to all emergency responders that will make their jobs safer.”         

The goal of this project is to provide a basic guide for all law enforcement officers and firefighters to improve their level of safety at work.  The document discusses training, policy development, education, and technology to enhance emergency vehicle and roadway safety operations.            

Best Practices for Emergency Vehicle and Roadway Operations Safety is available on the IAFF’s website.    
http://www.iaff.org/hs/EVSP/home.html

Best Practices for Emergency Vehicle and Roadway Operations Safety in the Emergency Services
http://www.iaff.org/hs/EVSP/Best%20Practices.pdf

Instructor Guide
http://www.iaff.org/hs/EVSP/2010%20Instructor%20Guide.pdf

Participant Guide
http://www.iaff.org/hs/EVSP/2010%20Participant%20Guide.pdf

Power Point Presentation
http://www.iaff.org/hs/EVSP/IAFF%20Emergency%20Vehicle%20and%20Roadway%20Scene%20Safety%20Course%20PowerPoint.ppt

Power Point Presentation in PDF
http://www.iaff.org/hs/EVSP/PowerPoint%20Presentation%20in%20PDF.pdf

Power Point Handouts in PDF
http://www.iaff.org/hs/EVSP/PowerPoint%20Handouts%20in%20PDF.pdf

Further information on USFA’s emergency vehicle and roadway operations safety projects may be found on the USFA’s website.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Uncle Jay Explains: August. 23, 2010

UncleJayExplains | August 22, 2010

Protestors chanting on both sides at the Ground Zero mosque have truly turned it into Hollered Ground. This issue is so complicated, it can't even be explained in 140 characters! Thank goodness we have Uncle Jay!

UncleJayExplains | August 22, 2010

Protestors chanting on both sides at the Ground Zero mosque have truly turned it into Hollered Ground. This issue is so complicated, it can't even be explained in 140 characters! Thank goodness we have Uncle Jay!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Latest Reports and resources from the USFA

Fatal Fires in Residential Buildings

Aug 19: An estimated 1,800 fatal residential building fires occur annually in the United States, resulting in an average of 2,635 deaths, 725 injuries, and $196 million in property loss.

Vacant Residential Building Fires

Aug 19: This report presents fire-related findings associated with the recent increase in the number of vacant residential buildings.

National Public Service Announcement Urges Motorists to "Slow Down and Move Over"

Aug. 18: Produced by the Delaware City (DE) Fire Company and Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association (CVVFA), this public service announcement educates the public about dangers associated with passing emergency responders working on the roadways by urging motorists to "slow down and move over."

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Pink Fire Engine

Guardians of the Ribbon

Worth while event taking place. Have not had the opportunity to see this in person.

Pink Fire Truck Tours, visit pinkfiretrucks.org.

The Pink Fire Trucks are making a pit stop in Eden Prairie next week and the Eden Prairie Fire Department is throwing a party!
Stop by to enjoy fun for the whole family and help defeat cancer.
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Tuesday, Aug. 24  4-9 p.m.
Purgatory Creek Park,  13001 Technology Drive
The evening will feature kids activities, live music, a silent auction, cancer survival stories and much more!
Click here to learn more.

The event includes:

  • Squirt House
  • Silent Auction
  • Inflatable's
  • Kids Activities
  • Bean Bag Toss
  • Live Music
  • Survival Stories

Plus, dine at participating South West Station restaurants and a portion of your purchase will help fight cancer!

All proceeds from the event benefit the American Cancer Society.

Parking is limited. Please consider car pooling and look for event parking signs in the area.

To learn more about the Pink Fire Truck Tours, visit pinkfiretrucks.org.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

They still haunt us

Ed Mezvinsky, who was the Congressman from Iowa's first district.  Seemed like a pretty nice guy, but when he ditched his wife for a New York reporter, the Iowa voters ditched him. My most vivid memory is that he sat on the House
Judiciary Committee that was deciding the fate of President Nixon.
Anyway, years later, "Fast Eddie" got caught with his hand in the till.
He cheated investors out of more than $10 million dollars.  He went to
prison for several years.  His son married Chelsea Clinton.

Links Below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Mezvinsky

  • Edward Mezvinsky served as a congressman from the first district in Iowa from 1973 to 1979. In 2003, he was convicted of fraud for allegedly scamming over ...
    Images for ed mezvinsky
  • Ed Mezvinsky, Father of Marc Mezvinsky, Pioneered Nigerian Money
  • Wednesday, August 18, 2010

    Interesting Email

    Got this as an email, do not know the source but interesting thoughts here, take it as it is! Did find some links to it where it has been posted.

    An American Citizen's Response to Obama | Gather Apr 20, 2010 
    AN AMERICAN CITIZEN'S RESPONSE! | The American Jingoist 
    Triangle » An American Citizen's Response

    Barack OBAMA,
    During his Cairo speech,  said:  
    "I know, too, that Islam has always been a part
    Of  America 's history."

    AN AMERICAN
    CITIZEN'S RESPONSE:

    Dear Mr.
    Obama:

    Were those
    Muslims that were in America when the Pilgrims
    First landed?  Funny, I thought they were
    Native American Indians.

    Were those
    Muslims that celebrated the first Thanksgiving
    Day?  Sorry again, those were Pilgrims and
    Native American Indians.

    Can you
    Show me one Muslim signature on the United
    States Constitution?

    Declaration
    Of Independence ?

    Bill of
    Rights?

    Didn't
    Think so.

    Did
    Muslims fight for this country's freedom from
    England ?  No.

    Did
    Muslims fight during the Civil War to free the
    Slaves in America ?  No, they did
    Not.  In fact, Muslims to this day are
    Still the largest traffickers in human
    Slavery.  Your own half brother, a devout
    Muslim, still advocates slavery himself, even
    Though Muslims of Arabic descent refer to black
    Muslims as "pug nosed slaves."  Says a lot
    Of what the Muslim world really thinks of your
    family's "rich Islamic heritage," doesn't it Mr.
    Obama?

    Where were
    Muslims during the Civil Rights era of this
    Country?  Not present.

    There are
    No pictures or media accounts of Muslims walking
    Side by side with Martin Luther King, Jr. Or
    Helping to advance the cause of Civil
    Rights.

    Where were
    Muslims during this country's Woman's Suffrage
    Era?  Again, not present.  In fact,
    Devout Muslims demand that women are subservient
    To men in the Islamic culture.  So much so,
    That often they are beaten for not wearing the
    'hajib' or for talking to a man who is not a
    Direct family member or their husband. 
    Yep, the Muslims are all for women's rights,
    Aren't they?

    Where were
    Muslims during World War II?  They were
    Aligned with Adolf Hitler.  The Muslim
    Grand mufti himself met with Adolf Hitler,
    Reviewed the troops and accepted support from
    The Nazi's in killing Jews.

    Finally,
    Mr. Obama, where were Muslims on Sept. 11th,
    2001?  If they weren't flying planes into
    The World Trade Center , the Pentagon or a field
    In Pennsylvania killing nearly 3,000 people on
    Our own soil, they were rejoicing in the Middle
    East .  No one can dispute the pictures
    Shown from all parts of the Muslim world
    Celebrating on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and other
    Cable news networks that day.  Strangely,
    The very "moderate" Muslims who's asses you bent
    Over backwards to kiss in Cairo , Egypt on June
    4th were stone cold silent post 9-11.  To
    Many Americans, their silence has meant approval
    For the acts of that day.

    And THAT, Mr.
    Obama, is the "rich heritage" Muslims have here
    In America

    Oh, I'm sorry, I
    Forgot to mention the Barbary Pirates. 
    They were Muslim.

    And now we can
    Add November 5, 2009 - the slaughter of American
    Soldiers at Fort Hood by a Muslim major who is a
    Doctor and a psychiatrist who was supposed to be
    Counseling soldiers returning from battle in
    Iraq and Afghanistan

    That, Mr. Obama
    Is the "Muslim heritage" in America
    .

    EVERY AMERICAN
    MUST READ THIS !!

    Be Sure to
    SEND IT to All .   Even Print it out and
    Send by Snail Mail !!

    Muslim
    Heritage, my ass.

    Monday, August 16, 2010

    Uncle Jay Explains: August 16, 2010

    Steven Slater's job has exited down the chute, Ground Zero Mosque is experiencing heavy turbulence, Levi Johnston's flight has been canceled again, and Congress' ethics are not in the full upright position. Uncle Jay explains!

    Friday, August 13, 2010

    Really, you have got to be kidding me

    All FF’s should be disgusted at this, don’t you think. Goes to show where his heart is.  Their religion is not the same as what we were founded on.
    Full article at: Yahoo News
    WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama on Friday forcefully endorsed allowing a mosque near ground zero, saying the country's founding principles demanded no less.
    "As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country," Obama said, weighing in for the first time on a controversy that has given New York City and the nation.

    Thursday, August 12, 2010

    NDPCI WEB SITE - NOW IS FREE

    I wanted to share some great news with the Homeland Security Community!  Beginning on July 6th, the National Domestic Preparedness Coalition (NDPCI) is modifying our membership structure.  Emergency responders* from both the public and private sector will no longer be required to pay a membership fee.  Emergency responders can now join the National Domestic Preparedness Coalition at NO COST.
    The National Domestic Preparedness Coalition is a non-profit, 501 C (3) charitable organization, whose members consist of emergency responders who share the responsibility of Homeland Security.  The Coalition was created by emergency responders for emergency responders and strives to enhance communication and teamwork between all emergency response disciplines and to provide a collective voice for members to articulate their vital perspectives toward securing our nation.  Please visit our website www.ndpci.us to learn more about the Coalition. 
    The National Domestic Preparedness Coalition offers several Exclusive Member Only Benefits which include:
    • Secure Access Member Only Web-site
    • Member Only Resource Pages
    • Member Only Document Repository
    • Member Only Job Opportunities and resources
    • Unprecedented networking capabilities with emergency responders from multiple response disciplines including Federal, State, Local, Tribal and the Private Sector
    • Monthly Newsletter
    • Discounts for Enterprise and Hertz Rental Car
    • Columbia Southern University offers an exclusive 10% discount on all degree programs and waives all application fees for Coalition Members. 
    • Waldorf College offers an exclusive 10% discount on all degree programs and waives all application fees for Coalition Members. 
    • Congressional monitoring and updates
    • Advocacy regarding emergency responder related Homeland Security issues
    • Members-only discounted rates on professional development
    • Notifications regarding NO COST training opportunities
    • Technical assistance in the area of Threat, Risk, and Vulnerability Assessment - resource tools for many emergency response programs
    • Online Training Courses are Coming Soon!

    Join the Coalition Now at No Cost: https://www.ndpci.us/applications/application.php
    National Domestic Preparedness Coalition members are made up of Emergency Responders who include but are not limited to: Law Enforcement Personnel, Corrections Personnel, Court Security Personnel, Fire Fighters, HAZMAT Personnel, Military Personnel, Health and Medical Personnel, including Doctors, Nurses and Emergency Medical Technicians, Rescue Personnel, Emergency Managers and Emergency Management Personnel, Corporate Security, Private Security, and Security Consultants.

    Wednesday, August 11, 2010

    Another way to raise $ for your Department

    Ely-area volunteer firefighters take it off for calendar

    It started — as most such things do — as a joke. Sure, the men and women of the Eagles Nest Volunteer Fire Department near Ely would be willing to bare (mostly) all for a fundraising pinup calendar. Sure they would.
    http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/174669/
    The department has already sold out its first printing of calendars and is working on the second batch, Barb Burns said. And they are kicking around ideas for the next calendar, Humay said.

    Tuesday, August 10, 2010

    Acute cyanide poisoning

    Training for first responders on antidote for acute cyanide poisoning from fire smoke
    http://www.news-medical.net/news/20100706/Training-for-first-responders-on-antidote-for-acute-cyanide-poisoning-from-fire-smoke.aspx
    Training program includes appropriate air management practice for firefighters, the correction of myths and misunderstandings about fire smoke, and instruction about new antidotal treatment therapies for smoke inhalation victims.
    Since January 1, 2010 the CPTC has tracked 1,100 civilians treated for smoke inhalation, 413 smoke inhalation deaths, and 125 firefighters who were transported for smoke inhalation treatment. Contrary to popular belief, whether a civilian or a firefighter, smoke inhalation isn't a minor injury - it's deadly.
    Annually thousands of civilians die from smoke inhalation because they don't wear air masks to prevent smoke exposure from a fire they never thought would strike. On the other hand, firefighters are exposed to smoke by profession - not accidentally. According to Kevin Reilly, president of the CPTC and Ridgewood NJ firefighter: "Firefighters have self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to prevent smoke inhalation, but many firefighters don't use air when they should, and are therefore exposed to what we call, The Toxic Twins, CO and HCN, which work synergistically to kill."
    Acute and chronic smoke exposure caused by firefighters not wearing and using air is more than likely the cause of heart attacks, diseases and illnesses which now plague the profession. In a message to fire service leaders Capt. Mike Gagliano, Seattle Fire Department, said, "I can think of no greater hypocrisy than fire service leaders berating politicians for not caring about firefighters until one of us dies, while exhibiting the exact same behavior when they look the other way and ignore shoddy air management practices in the hope that nothing goes wrong inside the fire. Hope is not a plan. Air management is."
    Fire smoke myths and misunderstandings will also be corrected. "I recently heard a firefighter state that smoke color is indicative of the presence of hydrogen cyanide," said Rob Schnepp, Chief of Special Operations for the Alamenda County (CA) Fire Department. "That is absolutely not true. HCN and CO are colorless gases. The last thing we need in the fire service is misinformation. Determining whether HCN is or is not present on the fireground cannot be based on the color of smoke. This training program guarantees firefighters will receive accurate research and information from qualified and respected HCN and fire industry experts," said Schnepp.
    First responders will also learn about the Cyanokit or Hydroxocobalamin, an effective and safe antidote for acute cyanide poisoning from fire smoke. In fact, it has saved the lives of several firefighters and civilians in the last two years. "Clearly, this will be the most comprehensive live saving and behavior changing HCN training program that exists. In addition, as more first responders learn how to treat smoke inhalation with the Cyanokit, we anticipate a reduction in the number of civilian smoke inhalation deaths," said Shawn Longerich, executive director. The program will officially launch at FDIC in March, 2011.

    Notice of LODD’s from USFA

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Chicago, IL

    Christopher Wheatley of the Chicago Fire Department in Chicago, IL has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2010-08-09

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Little Rock, AR

    Christopher W. Adams of the Arkansas Forestry Commission in Little Rock, AR has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2010-08-02

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Burlington, VT

    Steven N. Costello of the Burlington Fire Department in Burlington, VT has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2010-07-23 00:00:00.0.

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Rocky Mount, VA

    Posey Dillon of the Rocky Mount Fire Department #1 in Rocky Mount, VA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2010-07-26 00:00:00.0.

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Rocky Mount, VA

    William Daniel "Danny" Altice of the Rocky Mount Fire Department #1 in Rocky Mount, VA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2010-07-26

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Otis, MA

    David Sullivan of the Otis Fire Department in Otis, MA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2010-07-24

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Bridgeport, CT

    Michel Baik of the Bridgeport Fire Department in Bridgeport, CT has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2010-07-24

     

    Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Bridgeport, CT

    Steven Velasquez of the Bridgeport Fire Department in Bridgeport, CT has died as the result of an on-duty

    Uncle Jay Explains August 8, 2010

    Sometimes the news will occasionally ... hope you can handle this ... get things wrong. How is this possible from such dedicated professionals? Uncle Jay explains how the news screws up now and then ... "now" meaning today and "then" meaning every day before now.

    Monday, August 2, 2010

    Uncle Jay Explains: August 2, 2010

    Let's hope the troop withdrawals from Iraq go more smoothly than the ones at American Idol. Let's hope Chelsea's marriage lasts longer than this year's campaign promises. Let's hope the Chevy Volt sells better than, um, every other GM car. Uncle Jay explains!