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Christmas with Children from the Jack Nicklaus Children's Hospital: Story and photos by Captain Don Delucia. Posted on December 29^th , 2006

A group of Palm Beach County Fire Rescue personnel along with some civilian volunteers (including a Santa Clause look-alike) brought dozens of Christmas gifts to the Jack Nicklaus Children's Hospital at St. Mary's Hospital in West Palm Beach on Friday December 22. Many of the children, ranging in age from 3 months to 17 years, were bedridden with serious medical conditionss including cancer. Fire Rescue was able to bring Christmas to them and brighten up their lives with donated toys that covered all age groups. It was a touching moment to see adult parents crying when Santa began handing out presents. This project celebrated it's third consecutive year in conjunction with the FOOLS organization (Fraternal Order of Leatherheads) an organization of firefighters dedicated to charitable projects.
ST73 Cutter Training: Story and Photos by District Chief Curtis Rice. Posted on December 27^th , 2006

Due to the extensive use of guardrails and the amount of large transport type vehicles in Battalion 7, Station 73, C-shift took the opportunity to test out the new Tornado Blade on the K-12 saw. E73 and E73B's crews were able to use the DOT yard in Belle Glade to practice with and test the different circular saw blades that are available to us.

The composite Combo blade does a good job on both guardrails and concrete. The Tornado Blade performed equally well. As we all know the Composite blade gets smaller each time you use it. The Tornado Blade with it's diamond cutting tip does not. After only a few cuts the composite blade, required much more work to cut the guardrail. Because the Tornado doesn't loose any of its size it made short work of the rails. The same problem came when cutting concrete. Based on these observations, it was decided that the Tornado Blade would be kept on the K-12 as the primary blade.
Firefighters Provide Memorable Christmas: By Lt. Cameron Bucek. Posted on December 27^th , 2006

The crews from Station 35 ran on a family who lost their father last month before Christmas. The family depended on the fathers income. To ensure a memorable Christmas the crews came together and solicited monies from station members to present the family with gifts and gift certificates from Publix. Since the mother now assumed a full time job working seven days a week (including Christmas) their Holiday was delayed. On 12/26/2006 the family was presented with two brand new Huffy bicycles, a Sony PlayStation 2, and one hundred eighty five dollars in gift cards. Attached is a picture of the gift presentation. Pictured is the family along with , FF Patterson, FF Poalillo, FF Reid, DO Clough, Lt. Bucek, and Capt. Cinilia.
Traffic Accident on Christmas Eve: By District Chief Curtis Rice. Posted on December 26^th , 2006

On Christmas Eve day, Station 74 C-Shift, responded to an traffic accident on US HWY 27, 3 miles north of the Broward County Line. The car went head-on into the guardrail that separates US27 from the canal on the east side after crossing the median. Multiple airbags deployed. Upon arrival (22 mile response) bystanders had both occupants out of the car. Initially PBCFR secured the scene while AMR personnel accessed the patients. The occupants were treated and transported via Trauma Hawk to the trauma center.
Going the Extra Mile: A Kid's Sanctuary for Christmas: Posted on December 22^nd , 2006

The Customer Service Team would like to take the time to recognize crews from Station 28 for their support given to the Kid Sanctuary, a local foster home in their zone. Personnel from station 28 including members of the customer service commitee have really taken it upon themselves to give unconditionally, time and time again. If you have not read the previous postings, the Kid Sanctuary is a place that takes in children, no questions asked. They emotionally and physically support these children until they can locate another home for them. The ages of the children range from newborns to young teenagers, some with special needs. Batallion Chief Nigel Baker, District Chief Howes, Rescue Captain John Vanek, Lt. Springthorpe, Driver Operator Karl Largen, P/M Bertleson, and a member of the Customer Service Team brought gifts to the children to be open Christmas morning. They also spent time there visiting with the children and giving them some well needed attention. The volunteers there take very good care of the children and lessen the impact of there individual situations. The volunteers are very grateful for Station 28's support and can not thank them enough. Keep up the good work!
Bus Accident: Story by Battalion Chief Jim St. Pierre. Posted on December 21^st , 2006

Bus accident today. Bus almost went into canal with 40 middle school kids. Driver was cut off by a van. Front of the bus was touching the water. All kid exited bus safety, 1 ALS, 1 BLS both minor. Lucky Lucky Lucky
New ARFF Truck: Story by Airport Battalion Chief David Horowitz. Posted on December 21^st , 2006

The crews at Station 81 would like to welcome the newest addition to our fleet. The vehicle is an E-One 8x8, with a snozzle. The vehicle carries 3000 gallons of water, 400 gallons of foam and 500 lbs of purple-k extinguishing agent. The vehicle is equipped with 200' of 1 3/4 hand line on each side, and a dual agent line on the right side of the vehicle, and a piercing nozzle on the snozzle. This piercing nozzle flows agent at a rate of 250 gpm of water/foam. The snozzle also has a Williams hydro-chem nozzle that discharges purple-k agent, water/foam discharge at 1000 gpm in high flow and 500 gpm on low flow from the. The unit is equipped with a bumper turret that flows 300 gpm. The vehicle also has a FLIR camera attached to the boom for viewing hot spots on aircraft, and a back-up camera as well as a color camera to record what is encountered on an incident when the emergency lights are turned on. The vehicle has many other features and will be placed into service after training that is provided by the E-One corporation as well as in house training. This vehicle was part of a long process put together by the Station 81 Spec Committee members and facilitated by Chief Michael Arena and Chief David Horowitz. The end product speaks for itself.
Water Supply Evolution Training: Story by Airport Battalion Chief David Horowitz. Posted on December 19^th , 2006

C-Shift: Sta 33 and 81 training in a water supply evolution utilizing Dragon 1 at the airport.
Going the Extra Mile: Sean Fine and Paul Slonaker: Story by Lt. Douglas McGlynn. Posted on December 19^th , 2006

The Customer Service Team would like to recognize and reward the efforts of FF/PM Sean Fine and FF/PM Paul Slonaker for their outstanding performance that clearly went above and beyond the normal scope of their duties. Apparently the two were paired up on a special duty detail at the Sound Advice Ampitheatre when a distressed concert attendee was brought to their attention. No medical need was warranted however, the female had been left stranded at the event after a quarrel with her boyfriend. She had moved to Gainesville from out of state against her mother's wishes and had no way of getting home nor was she familiar with the area. The two assisted her in getting in touch with the child's mother back home in Vermont and they were instrumental in getting her to the airport safely so that Mom could fly her back home. Paul and Sean introduced themselves as PBCFR Firefighter/Paramedics over the phone to the parents which represented a sense of reassurance and safety for them as you can only imagine a mother's fear of what could have happened had they not been there for the family. Because of the late hour of the night the flights scheduled were for the next morning so instead of dropping her off their they checked her into The Airport Hilton accross the street and paid for the room out of their own pocket. Before calling it a night, one final phone call was placed to Mom from the lobby assuring her that the hotel manager was informed about the situation and that her daughter was resting safely in room number such and such. Now of course we're not in the hospitality business by any means, but take a moment and recognize the lengths that these two had undertaken and how the spirit of a FF's heart will never be forgotten for one Vermont family who will be together for the holidays thanks to the generousity of PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE's Sean Fine and Paul Slonaker.

Thanks guys for empowering yourselves to get the job done no matter who's job it is!
Fire Investigators Earn International Certification: By Tom Fucci. Posted on December 12^th , 2006

Four members of the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Investigations Division earned the prestigious International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) honor. The four members consisted of Captain Rob Rush, Investigator David Toohey, Investigator John Farill and Investigator Tom Fucci. Currently, there are less than 900 CFI's worldwide and about 20 in the State of Florida. The process for obtaining this designation took over a year. The IAAI requires that CFI candidates spend more than 4 years in a full time capacity investigating fire scenes. In addition, the candidate must document training, experience, knowledge in the subject matter of fire investigation. Also, the candidate must either testify in 3 trials as an expert witness or attend an Expert Witness Courtroom Testimony course. After submission of the application, candidates are evaluated on their training, experience and knowledge by a panel of experts. The candidate is then allowed to sit for a timed, closed-book 105-question exam, where study materials come from at least 9 different sources.

"This honor justifies the hard work, dedication, and professionalism the unit strives for with each fire scene," says Captain Rob Rush.

Investigator John Farill summed it up "the search for truth does not end with the fire scene, we are truth seekers and not case makers."

Through the ashes.comes the truth.
ST73 RO 827 & 827A 12 06: Story and photos by District Chief Curtis Rice. Posted on December 12^th , 2006

Shortly after change of shift, Station 73A was dispatched on a sig4 rollover involving a large truck with PBSO advising possible entrapment at the intersection of 827 and 827A. DC7 & E73 arrived to find a Dump truck on its side. The truck had too much speed while trying to make a sharp turn. The driver was outside the vehicle, fortunately with only minor injuries.

One week prior at the same location an SUV had also missed the turn, crashing into the guard rail. That event required extrication of the front seat passenger.

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