Ben Fleagle

Male

Fairbanks, Alaska

United States

Profile Information:

Lives in:: Fairbanks, Alaska
Department:: University Fire Department
Title/rank:: Captain
Years of public service:: 24
Agency structure:: Paid fire department
Top issues in your department:: Finding ways to overcome manpower issues, ever increasing costs and time shortages and still provide the 22,000 people in our service area and on the campus with excellent service.
Professional Qualifications:: AAS degree in Municipal Fire Control.
Alaska State and IFSAC FFI, II, Driver/Oper.,Officer I, Instr. I, and RIT Tech., Swiftwater Tech I and II, Ice Rescue, Low to High Angle Rope and Confined Space Technician.
Calif. State FF I and Heavy Rescue I.
I have been teaching in the public and private sector since 1997.
Topics you provide training for:: Taught technical rescue with Tim Kelahan's Rescue Co., formerly of Fairbanks Alaska, from 1997 to 2002, teaching Swiftwater, Ice Rescue, Confined Space and Rope Rescue.
Currently Adjunct teacher for Community Technical College of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Am currently teaching or have taught Building Construction for Fire Protection, Advanced Rescue Practices.

I offer lectures on company leadership and devotion to the profession.

Lead instructor for a class developed from the Alaska State RIT guidelines and the R.I.C.O. concept. Focus goes beyond the basics of RIT technician and into officer performance, company teamwork and skills for needed for reaching and extricating downed firefighters. Throughout the class firefighters are pushed to their limits as they work in company sized teams to achieve a rescue or complete survival objectives.
Areas of expertise:: A student of the art of firefighting, leadership and brotherhood. Join me on my blog at www.leatherhead109.com or find my writing through FireEMSblogs.com

DrillMaster for the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Comm. Technical College FF I Academy, with 12 years of experience in taking folks off the street and developing recruits.
Bio:: Joined the fire service in 1990 in Southern California hired as a Paid Call Firefighter in Orange County Fire Authority (then Orange County Fire). Entered career service in 1994 through the Federal Fire Service, re-entering the municipal sector in 2001 as a Captain at the University Fire Dept. Have spent the past twelve years teaching technical rescue, building construction, leadership and rapid intervention.

Awards:
Recieved the Fairbanks Lions Club Community Service Award,
Alaska Interior Fire Chiefs Company Officer of the Year, Alaska Interior Fire Chiefs Instructor of the Year, 2013 F.O.O.L. of the Year for the Fraternal Order of Leatherhead Society.

Founding President of the Farthest North F.O.O.L.S., a Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society and the 2007 recipients of the John Mickel Award for Brotherhood. In February of 2015 I was appointed Secretary for the F.O.O.L.S. International E-Board.
Web site:: http://www.leatherhead109.com

Comment Wall:

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Forrest Kuiper

Brother.....Chambers showed me this site this morning. It's great. I can quit wastin time on myspace now....Can you tell me what a "facebook hug is" :) :)

May 2, 2008
Jeremy Stocker

I know a little to get information out there. Are you coming down in Jan. I will have to get in touch with you and see what we can do to help you out. jstocker@getchellfire.com or jeremy.stocker@gmail.com

May 3, 2008
Jeremy Stocker

I do our website, for the puget sound fools.

May 4, 2008
Jeremy Stocker

As fo rthe web site for getchell, I used to do the web site, but we now have a new guy doing it. But I did the PSFOOLS Site

May 4, 2008
Chad Berg

Captain Fleagle,

I love that!

When can I get copies of the pics that Dane took?
This Communities gig is pretty cool, and is kind of addictive.

May 4, 2008
Chad Berg

Sounds good brother. Tell Tideman, way to be the cool cucumber!
I wish I was there.

May 6, 2008
Chad Berg

Excellent! Thanks Brother, and of course you are welcome. Thank You!

May 8, 2008
Chad Berg

Ladder co. 72 made a "grab" the other day just after midnight on Saturday night. We had a reported person trapped. We arrived first, forced the front door to have fire in the stairwell going up and the stairwell going down. It was consumed in fire, as we ran up the stairs. Visibility was about 12" and we started an "oriented search". I found him within 2 minutes..combative for a few seconds then uncounscious. I met up with my irons truckman and he grabbed the legs with me on the torso. I radiod command (who just arrived) that L72 had a victim and we were coming out the front door. We had to go back through the stairwell with fire and then got him out to the lawn. He regained consc. within a bit, and was swearing, smoking cigarrettes and scratching his #^*$ within a 1/2 hour.
Everyone on the scene felt pretty damn good about how it all went down. I was acting Lt. that night (Fisher was in Hawaii), Ekse was the D/O, and my Truckman has only been off probation for 5 months.

TRAINING! TRAINING! TRAINING! TRAINING! TRAINING! TRAINING! TRAINING! TRAINING!

Jun 5, 2008
Rob Fisher

Hey brother...are you excited for the convention? It's only a few weeks away.

See ya soon!

Jun 23, 2008
Ellen Brown

Hi Ben,

Unfortunately, D*** and I won't be able to make it to Seattle for the Convention. We were going to drive out (I hate airplanes), and with fuel prices the way they are it's just going to make it way too expensive. I truly wanted to finally meet you too; we're real disappointed that we won't be there.

Jun 25, 2008
Ben Marler

Hey Ben. Good to meet you. Thanks for your reply. Sorry to say I can't make it to the convention this year. Sounds like a good one (watch out for team pissbrick). Yall have fun and drink one for me. I just noticed you're from Alaska. Man, I bet that creates some unique problems for fighting fire. Take care and stay low. Ben. FTM-PTB

Jun 29, 2008
Ben Marler

Hey, Ben. I just read about your department using college students. I went to Auburn University and went through a similar program. About 85% of the dept. is in school at AU. It does present problems, turnover especially. I know what your talking about. Take care. TN Ben

Jul 2, 2008
Chad Berg

Fair enough!

No, the carts are two wheel drive, you will have to adjust without having a "MOOSE RACK" mounted on the front hood!
The weather has been 80-90 for the last 4-5 days. We placed the weather order back in November!

Jul 3, 2008
Brandon Roark

hey capn',
sorry for the drunk dialing during Lancione's wedding, we were hoping to get some probie to answer the phone, but it is obivious that you are still faster than the youngest new punk kids in the firehouse. I hope, at the very least, some pushups were in order:) I have to admit though your voice is more sobering than 30 cups of java.

I had a good time though. Got to meet one of your former men, Josh. Good kid. Speaks highly of you.

So we had a good time, its amazing to see Lancione so....fatherly. something that is still hard to imagine.

Swan took over 1200 photos and she will post them when she gets them all sorted and photoshopped... I will pass the link on to you when they are up.

we have got to get together SOON!!

Jul 3, 2008
Chris Wood

Thanks for the heads up on the page! Like I said, it was great seeing you and the boys. When I get trough this year I will get back in the mix with the FOOLS. Im looking forward to getting in with a new group of brothers, but I will never forget where I started though. I will see ya soon. Keep doing what you have always done. You have a knack for seeing something in young brothers, and getting them going in the right direction. It’s a big part of why I am not just in the fire service, but a believer in and a servant to the fire service.

Jul 14, 2008
Rob Fisher

Brother,

Thank you so much! And, you're right...I didn't have a clue it was coming. Why would I?

I am proud, and humbled at the same time, to have been given this award. I don't feel that I am worthy of it, though. However, I will do my best to show everyone, and especially those who submitted my name, how serious I am about training and training others. I hope to meet the expectations of this award and too honor Dana Hannon. See one...do one...teach one!

Thanks again for a great week. Tell the other brothers from Alaska that we enjoyed their company as well.

Jul 14, 2008
Eric Hankins

Ben,

It was great to see you in Seattle as well. I wish we would have had more time to talk too!

It was a pretty busy week for me with the new position.

I look forward to talking and working with you in the future. You guys do a great job up there and it shows.

Keep fighting the good fight!

Be Safe and Have Fun!!!

EGH

Jul 15, 2008
Todd McKee

Cap!
I would love to have you a part of the group called HazMat News & Training. Take a look and feel free to join. Todd McKee

Jul 15, 2008
Andy "Sippy" Biron

Brother,
The pleasure was all mine! The Brotherhood is alive and well. Keep in touch with anything you need from FOOLS International or anything that you need.

Your Lid......
Your Badge....
Your Life.........

Jul 16, 2008
Josh Materi

Thanks. Good seeing you Brother. Let me know if you or your Mom and Dad need anything. I can run up to their place faster than you can.

FTM-PTB

Jul 17, 2008
Ellen Brown

So......you had a great time in Seattle, didn't you?

Jul 19, 2008
Ben Simonds

Thanks for the words brother. I wrote that back in may and
really needed to take a short break. Luckily there havent been any code reds since then. I will never let me self get burned out to the point where the teaching suffers. I would rather not do it if it is not quality instruction. I hope things are well in Fairbanks. Got home caught a job right in town. Been busy ran 55 calls in the last 5 shifts so thats nice,

Jul 21, 2008
Chad Berg

You are truly are the best Ben!

Jul 22, 2008
Ben Simonds

Aw yes the NY hook big fan finally got the guys to buy into them a few months ago and now they are in love. Also got one of those dragon slayers. Mean looking fellow for sure. Great on sheet rock. Been working on our own "FOOLS trailer. Heard you guys were going to try and do something also? is that true?

Jul 22, 2008
Chad Berg

Captain Fleagle,

I must let you know that the modern legendary, Gino Bellizzi, is now a member of the Fire Engineering Training Community. You may have to get on his page and bust his chops.
I'm not sure if you got to meet him at the Convention in Seattle. He was up at the Academy on training day, but was in and out the others due to family commitments.
I love this guy, and he is probably one of the most knowledgeable, squared away, attitude appropriate, committed, loyal, American volunteer Fireman that have yet to know. You want to talk about energy.....Italiano Missimo Gino!
Get on and bust his chops brother!

Jul 31, 2008
Gino Bellizzi

Hey Captian,

Thanks for leaving me some words, this site is going to be very helpful to me. Im very lucking to have Captain Berg as my training officer, he keeps me lined out with all the best training ops.

Thanks Gino
Engine co. 94

Aug 3, 2008
Chad Berg

check out my new blog, I'll post some good runs and training on it as they come.

Aug 3, 2008
Jason Franklin

Thank you Sir, it was just what I needed! I left a reply on your blog.

Keep Safe,
Jason

Aug 4, 2008
Jason Franklin

I noticed you started in Orange County. I was first introduced ro the fire service in OC with the ROP program. I lived in Corona at the time, graduating from Norco in 97.

Aug 4, 2008
Todd McKee

Great can't wait to see what you have to say in the Hazmat group called HazMat News and training Todd McKee

Aug 5, 2008
Austin Lindsey

I'm doing good a little rough right now at my firehouse I ruffled some feathers apparently but trying to push through it. I heard your going to be at the FOOLS campout if so I'll see you there.

Aug 6, 2008
Austin Lindsey

I'm just an idiot I realized that it is Brent Keiser coming. I saw Farthest North FOOLS and immediatly thought of you. sorry bro. wish you were coming.

Aug 6, 2008
Austin Lindsey

Hey brother sorry I didn't call. I'll try here in the next couple days. I have been really busy. I went as a cover company yesterday for Chief Packer's dept so they could go to the funeral and I had a class on wednesday I was teaching. It's been hectic. hope all is going good

Aug 8, 2008
Chad Berg

Nice work brother!

You guys pulled one out? Give me the details.

Aug 9, 2008
Austin Lindsey

OK OK you win. I'm jealous of your fire. What does it look like again. I think it's orangish and it flickers right. it's been so long since i have had hose or a tool in my hand at a fire it's not even funny. Damn D/O position. pumping sucks after 10 minutes of being on scene. Sorry I haven't called cap still really busy. I'll try here in the next few days.

Aug 14, 2008
Eric Hankins

Ben,
Yes please do... We welcome your input. If it gets too bad, we'll let you know!!! Just kidding Brother.

Aug 17, 2008
Brandon Roark

So i had an epiphany tonight and it came at the most unopportune time, on our third fire of the day. The epiphany is this, it really is a bad idea to, in the middle of a right handed search, sneeze in your mask. Because it will unseat the nose cup and then deposite mucus all up the inside of face piece. Smoke conditions are one thing, snot conditions are a whole other ballgame!

I am good though, we have been staying really busy for about the past 5 rounds. economy goes down fire volume goes up. I guess its the silver lining around a dark cloud.

I got to see josh novinska up in milwaukee last week. I just keep crossing paths with the brother. Good guy, i like his attitude.

So how are things up north? whats new? You got any more trips planned to the outside anytime soon?

I will get that shield off to you this weekend.

Aug 21, 2008
Ben Marler

Hey, Brother. I got to thinking about your last message you left me about how things are up your way. A buddy of mine just made Training Chief in Auburn,AL. They have a student program very similiar to yours and he may be able to provide some insight into some of the same problems they have run into over the years, or someone to bounce some ideas off of. Its been over 10 years since I've worked there, so........I may be a little rusty with the program. He'd be your best bet. Let me know if you want his info. Take care. FTM-PTB. FarSouth Ben.

Aug 24, 2008
Josh Materi

Hows your Dad doing? Hope he is recovering well and back working on his pianos again. Let me know if they need anything.

Materi

Aug 25, 2008
Kevin Schroeder

Ben,

I have too many questions regarding the layout of your rescue scenario, the force vectors for the operation, trouble picturing the anchor plate, etc. to comment intelligently about the specifics. But, we have done similiar preplaced anchor points in some of our industrial settings. We have used purchased and certified anchor points and then have them installed according to the manufacturers instructions to ensure their safety ratings. You can buy certified anchors from most industrial suppliers in many different weight ratings. If you are having anchors made, make sure they are designed by an engineer, built by certified welders, and installed as designed. Usually the engineering company that designed it can provide you with the documentation on its weight rating. Another consideration based off of your location in Alaska is the maintenance of the anchor points. They will have to maintained to prevent rust, degradation of the concrete where the bolts are installed, etc. Weather does a number on steel and concrete in harsh environments. Sorry I am not more help. Best of luck and stay safe!!

Aug 29, 2008
Julie Simmons

I hope to see the column published elsewhere. It's really good.

Sep 11, 2008
Doug Price

Thankx Ben, I will take all the learning i can get from u guys. I have learned alot since being here just by reading all the different things on here. Thanks for sharing ur knowledge for people new to trainig like me to find and learn.
doug

Sep 12, 2008
Chad Berg

Hello.....Hello...............It looks like the Captain is up surfing, huh?

What's up brother?

Sep 13, 2008
Rob Fisher

I have humbled you? Are you kidding me?

9-11 "Greater Love Hath No Man" is one of the greatest pieces I've read in a long while. Your ability to describe the feeling inside you is remarkable. That piece humbled me.

I think the recruits really felt what you were trying to explain. And, I really think they know exactly how serious some of us take this profession...no question.

It's good to hear from you brother. Hope all is well up there in the tundra. Can't wait to meet up again with you.

RF

Sep 14, 2008
Jeremy Stocker

Class is going good, it hard, but very rewarding. I was class leader for a week, there is a different person each week. THIS IS THE BEST PROFESSION EVER. Stay warm.

Sep 15, 2008
Tom Bouthillet

Thanks for the comment! I see you are from Fairbanks. I taught a 3-day cardiac workshop at the Tanana Valley Campus last December (for Guardian Flight) and met some really nice people. I've been to AK twice and both times I was struck by how friendly everyone was. Stay safe!

Sep 22, 2008
Casey Johnson

Hey Capt.,

Good to hear from you. Were down in Juneau..you gonna make it at all?

Sep 25, 2008
Chris Wood

Still a probie. Feb 20th is the due date. Its a long, long year.

Sep 25, 2008
Tim Kelahan

Brother Ben -
Good to see all your boys in Juneau.
Glad we had the chance to talk the other day.
Met Bobby in juneau also good contact there.
Still contemplating the whole conversation about getting out - we'll have to see what happens.
Long live the F.O.O.L.S.
Tim

Oct 3, 2008
Casey Johnson

It was good to see all the Brothers from your neck of the woods last week in Juneau, too bad you couldn't make it. Consider Anchorage Next Year? AFD is hosting the conference.

Were trying to get our FOOLS chapter set up and I'll probaly be giving you a call for some much needed advice.

Oct 3, 2008