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 Habitat for Humanity Team Build Day - A Soggy Success- Story and photos by Jack Norris.
Posted on
October 7th
, 2008
Menacing, gray skies poured down rain upon the slippery, trussed rib-cage
skeleton of what would soon be a roof over a Habitat for Humanity home under
construction in Jupiter. Donny Kula, the construction supervisor for the Palm
Beach County Chapter of the international organization asked our group,
"Who's not afraid of heights or water?"
A few minutes later half of us were on the roof and the rest were on the
ground feeding up plywood cut to the measurements being yelled across the
site like open bidding at a farm auction, while that slow, constant rain
saturated everything and everybody. It stayed like that much of the day
except for when we ate lunch - we hid out in a partially finished house two
doors down where the carpenters were installing the trim work.
The parcel we were working on is called Kennedy Estates and is located in
the Jupiter area just off I-95 and Indiantown road. There will eventually
be 27 homes on the site. The land was donated by Palm Beach County Commissioners
who are supporters of Habitat's mission to create safe, decent, and
affordable housing.
The group of us from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and Palm Beach County
Planning and Zoning worked together to help wipe out sub standard housing
in our community while participating in a team build. What I like most about
team builds is that we leave our positions and titles at our jobs and come
together on the work site as a team. We're all equals working together for
a common goal. In our group there were also two father and son teams that
took advantage of not only an opportunity to share camaraderie amongst the
larger group but to also share some one-on-one time.
I have worked on several Habitat projects both here in our community and
abroad. What I found most remarkable about this particular experience was
the fact that no matter how miserable the weather got or how wet, dirty
and cold we were, none of us wanted to stop until the entire roof was
covered. Not only am I proud to have worked alongside these selfless individuals
while volunteering at Habitat, I'm also glad to call them my co-workers;
I think they all exemplify the commitment and dedication it takes to be
an employee of Palm Beach County.
Participating in the team build from PBZ were: Richard Gathright, Grahm
Christie and Whitey Kovalainen. Members of the group form Fire Rescue were:
Randy Sheppard, James St. Pierre, Brian St. Pierre, Rick Gass, Chris Gass,
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Burroughs, Larry Doelling and recent retiree Terry Croke.
To form a team of your own, contact the Habitat office at 433-3351. They
have several houses under construction that could use your team's help.
 Fire in Old Sugar Mill Dormitory- Story and photos by EMS Captain Cameron Bucek.
Posted on
October 7th
, 2008
Units from PBCFR were dispatched to an early evening fire at an old sugar
mill dormitory building. Initial units had a 15 minute response due to location
of the mill, E73 arrived to find a 2 story dormitory building with heavy
smoke from the street side. Additional units on the call were; E73B, R73,
R73B, DC7, EMS7, T72, T21, E74, LA24, Q47, and INV2. Crews deployed a quick
fire attack from the unburned side with aggressive ventilation by second
in units. A water supply was established from the tender. DC7 established
command, EMS7 safety. E74 RITQ47 went to the roof to check for fire
extension. Rescues conducted primary and secondary searches. The fire was
knocked down within 20 minutes and extension was minimal. No injuries were
reported. The fire is under investigation.
 PBCFR Basketball Team Wins Gold- Story and photos by Capt. Craig Prusansky.
Posted on
October 7th
, 2008
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue's basketball team competed in the National Fire
Fighter Games in Palm Beach Gardens on Sept. 23 and 24. The team went undefeated,
beating the likes of former champs Miami-Dade, Orlando and City of Miami-twice
to bring home the first gold medal in PBCFR basketball. The team consists of
Coach Bryan Lancey and Players Lee Bronco, John Mends, Chad Snyder, Joe Bostic,
Victor Van Eman, Robert Hugus, Pierre Simbert, Lamar McThay, Casey Maher and
Matt Ritter.
 Tractor-Trailer Rollover- Story and photos by Capt. Craig Prusansky.
Posted on
October 6th
, 2008
On Monday, October 6, 2008, crews from Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Stations
73 and 74 responded to a tractor-trailer rollover inside of the Okeelanta
Sugar Mill. Crews arrived to find a tractor-trailer dump truck on its side
inside of a raw sugar storage facility. The driver of the truck was trapped
inside of the truck.
It took the crews approximately 30 minutes to extricate the driver from the
cab of the truck. He was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
The cause of the rollover is under investigation by the local law enforcement agencies.
Units on scene: E74 R74 E73 DC7 BC7 EMS7
 Mutual Aid Motorcycle Crash on US 27- Story by Capt. Craig Prusansky, photos by Batt. Chief Michael Arena and Capt. Craig Prusansky
.
Posted on
October 6th
, 2008
On Friday, October 3, 2008, at approximately 11:18 am units from Palm Beach County
Fire-Rescue Stations 73 and 74 and Broward Sheriff Fire-Rescue Station 106 and
Battalion 55 responded to a crash involving several motorcycles on US Highway 27,
6 miles north of the Broward County Line.
Units arrived to find several motorcycles involved in a crash with 3 patients.
Bystanders had started CPR on one of the patients with the other two sustaining
less severe injuries. Two patients were airlifted to local trauma centers, one
by Palm Beach County TraumaHawk 1 and the other by Broward Sheriff Air 85. The
third patient was transported to a local hospital by Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue.
Since this call happened so close to the County line, both Palm Beach County and
Broward County Fire agencies responded. A radio patch was set up between the two
dispatch centers, allowing for common communications between all units. Palm
Beach County Sheriff Office deputies also provided assistance.
Units on scene:
Palm Beach County: Engine 74, Rescue 74, Rescue 73, District 7, Battalion 7, EMS 7, TraumaHawk 1
Broward County: Engine 106, Rescue 106, Battalion 55, Air 85.
The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
 Walk of Honor Brick Installation- Story and photos by Division Chief Vick Sheppard and Lt. Doug McGlynn.
Posted on
October 1st
, 2008
On September 25th, members from Project Pride installed the engraved bricks in the
Walk of Honor. On the same day, the 6,000 pound solid granite Fallen Firefighter
monument was moved from the current Headquarters location to its new home at the
Fallen Firefighter Memorial Park at the new Chief Herman W. Brice Fire Rescue
Complex.
Bricks for the Phase II of the Walk of Honor can now be purchased. Please visit the
Project Pride, Walk of Honor page for more information or to download the order
form. To order bricks for this Walk of Honor, please
use this form.
 Station 55 Reads for the Record- Story by Battalion Chief Joaquin Hernandez and photos by Lt. Pamplona.
Posted on
October 2nd
, 2008
On October 2nd, units from station 55 paid a visit to their neighboring St.
Jude Catholic school to read the Corduroy story book to the kindergarten and
first grade classes. The children really enjoyed the crews' presence in the
school and had a great time as the story was read to them. In the end it was
difficult to tell who had a better time, the kids or the crews.
 Car vs. Tree- Story and photos by Rescue Lt. Kevin Hannah.
Posted on
October 1st
, 2008
On Tuesday, September 30, 2008, at approximately 3:50 pm, units from Palm Beach County
Fire-Rescue Station 20 responded to a single vehicle vs tree crash in front of the
Wellington Golf and Country Club on Aero Club Drive. Units arrived to find a
heavily damaged SUV with the driver already outside of the vehicle. The force of
the impact peeled away the passenger side of the SUV and separated the roof.
Fortunately, the driver was wearing her seatbelt and sustained only minor injuries.
She was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Units on scene: E20 and R20.
 Station 36 2009 Calendar Event at Slainte's- Story by Lt. Doelling and photos by Jack Norris.
Posted on
September 29th
, 2008
If you weren't at Slainte's in Boynton Beach on Monday evening the 22nd of
September, you missed a terrific event. Station 36's First Annual Calendar Event
was a huge success! The place was packed to the hilt and everyone had a great
time! The Union Local 2928 IAFF Fire Engine was parked out front along with
DO Majhess's Engine. Entertainment began with Keith our favorite guitarist and
went down hill from there. The PBCFR Pipe and Drums kicked off the festivities
with a few tunes. Celebrity Judges were Carlye from Wellington ER, Leta Murray
from Bethesda's Newborn Nursery and Michelle from SUNNY 104.3 morning radio.
As the night unfolded, Calendar hopefuls strutted their stuff for the judges in
the most tasteful manner possible. Entrants included Station 24's Macho Libre
Wrestlers, Do You Think My Tractor's Sexy - Dave Sears, FF Dangle - Marcus Johnston
and Brave Heart - Pipe and Drums, to name a few.
The calendar will go on sale in October for $20. Proceeds will benefit the
Benevolent Fund. Thanks to everyone who participated!
 Vice Presidential Visit- Story and photos by Rescue Lt. Duane Hodges.
Posted on
September 23rd
, 2008
On Thursday, September 18th, crews from Battalions 1, 3, and 9 participated in a special
detail for the Vice President's visit to Palm Beach County. Vice President Cheney arrived
on Air Force Two midafternoon for a fund raising event to be held in Jupiter that evening.
Units from stations 35, 34, 19 and 14 were placed on stand-by for the event. Participating
in the motorcade were personnel from Special operations and Station 23.
 Retired Lt. Joe Bartlett Lives on as Legend- Photos provided by Capt. Don Delucia.
Posted on
September 18th
, 2008
On a recent visit to the State Fire College to see my son in action at training drills,
who do I run into but none other than THE Joe Bartlett. Joe was actually working with a
team of USAR instructors who were training a group of military officers from the country
of India. An excellent prop is set up for collapse training with the ability for inserting
vehicles under concrete slabs. The next thing I knew, I was handed a pair of gloves and
a helmet and went "down under" to take photos. Joe gave me a quick tour of the Fire College
campus and pointed out numerous training areas and props he contributed to. He sends his
regard to all and definitely misses being on shift.
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