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:

Load Previous Comments

Tim Kelahan

Tari doing well - went back to work today
Not all gone though - think we will be dealing with this for a long term -

Oct 13, 2008
Tim Kelahan

We missed you there. Next time right - got your request in already I hope!
I'll figure out a way to get you guys down here .
We are headed to S.C . to the beach this July - can you get away?

Oct 13, 2008
Todd McKee

Please allow me to invite you to the group called Unique HazMat Incidents. I will be presenting this at 2009 FDIC and would love to hear some of your thoughts. We are currently talking about some real interesting issues.
Todd McKee

Oct 23, 2008
Chad Berg

Hows it hanging Cap? Staying warm up there?

Oct 24, 2008
Tim Kelahan

Brother - hows it going - sure wish some of you were closer to us down here be good to see you every once in a while.

Oct 30, 2008
Chad Berg

Great pics Cap,

Yeah, you were playing Truckie, but at the same time, that seems to be a hoseline in dem dare hands.

Nov 6, 2008
Chad Berg

Great pics Ben. Do we get a story with this job?

Nov 6, 2008
Brent Kaiser

Hey Prez, enjoy the pictures from the convention. One of these days I will sit down and put them all on a disk.

Nov 7, 2008
Brent Kaiser

Already did. The one looking up the stick is award worthy. Wish I would have been working that night, I sure miss the jobs.

Nov 7, 2008
Brandon Roark

lol.. yeah I know, I had to goto the MFD website just to spell it.

here is the link to the 3rd annual "Mishawaw...waka Leadership Symposium" http://www.michianafools.com/Documents/MLS%202008.pdf

Nov 11, 2008
Michael Haefner

Cap, this web site is awesome. Thank you so much for inviting me. So far, Ive spent most of my time on the simulations. TONS of good information.

Nov 13, 2008
Chris Wood

Hey Brother,
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. The department is a dream come true. Its not perfect, but it fits me and I got lucky falling into the right Dept. I will be up to the AK soon. If you and any of the boys want to come down for a serious celebration, the date is May 15th. The Probie Party. Probation here is pretty crazy and the guys on the job know its a little over the top. So the party is a hey good job getting through all that type of thing. Take care

Nov 16, 2008
Brandon Roark

I just learned about Chief Rounds passing... My prayers to my brothers and sisters at UFD. When the arrangements are made please pass them my way.
If there is anything I can do, don't hesitate to let me know.

Nov 22, 2008
Michael Haefner

Thanks for being here cap.

Nov 22, 2008
Kimberlee Jones

Ben, I am grateful that your team is holding fast; it is a reflection of a strong team and healthy leadership. I am sorry that UFD has to go through this at all. The endless phone calls can sure wear you out (I experienced that after the fire--thank God the Red Cross fielded most of them for me); it will be a mixed blessing when the calls taper down a bit. You and UFD have every right to "lose it" and I suspect that you will know when the time is right, and the environment is safe, to do so. Just know that your community cares for you and the Department; you are not alone in your grief.

Nov 25, 2008
Ben Marler

Ben, you and the boys are a testament to your Chief's legacy. It's not often you hear words spoken like that. I'm sure he's resting easy knowing y'all are TCB. Take care and God bless you all. The MidTenn FOOLS are keeping you in our prayers. RFB-KTF

Nov 26, 2008
Chad Berg

You will make him proud Ben. We are very pround of you guys down here brother.

Nov 28, 2008
Rob Fisher

Hey brother...how are you and the boys doing up there? I just went back to re-read your last post. WOW!!! I was blown away at the responses. You - and the Chief for that matter - have touched many in our profession.

Let us know if we can do anything. Hope your Thanksgiving was spent with family and was enjoyable.

Robbie

Nov 29, 2008
Cody Grella

Cap:
Thank you for making such a wonderful send-off for Chief...
It was perfect, and I know he is very proud to have such remarkable brothers.
Be safe
-C.S.

Dec 1, 2008
Josh Materi

How are you Brother? Stay safe and warm!

Dec 7, 2008
SHANE SMITH

Good to hear from you, well I was born and raised in L.A. I guess I viewed the info page as that,......worked there a few years and moved to Idaho worked there for 8 years and now my roots are deep in the Puget Sound area, Oh and by the way I left all jobs on my own :):) Stay safe, Stay warm and thanks for the great words.

Hope to see you soon

Shane

Dec 8, 2008
Michael Haefner

Cap,
You must have been excited about the chimney fire tone out last B-shift. Its nice to see you at the deuce again. hahaha
Mike

Dec 11, 2008
Michael Haefner

Are you trying to say something about my old department? Thats not nice. hahaha

Dec 12, 2008
Michael Haefner

suprizingly, even will all the snow and traffic, we havent had any major incidents. Just a few small ones here and there.

Dec 13, 2008
Jason Franklin

Merry Christmas my friend!
Unfortunately things have gotten worse! Our Deputy Chief has been on Admin leave for the last 3 months, and there is no communication and direction from the top. I fear that we haven’t seen the worst of it yet! Besides that, I am well and looking forward to celebrating the holidays with my family.

I hope all is well with you and yours. As for Bruno, I was able to see him at a conference in CA over a year ago. I think I caught him off guard at that moment. I just needed to snap a pic with a fire service legend.
Be safe,
Jason

Dec 15, 2008
Chad Berg

Good luck on the B.C. test brother. Yeah, you said it, what a line up!

It's a "win, win, win!" situation for the Chief, huh?

Dec 19, 2008
Doug Price

Goodluck on your exam Brother. Hope everything goes good for ya.

KTF!!

Dec 20, 2008
Nathan Young

Merry Christmas Ben, Letting you know that we are think'n about you guys. Hope things are going well. Much love brother.

Dec 25, 2008
Michael Haefner

Merry christmas cap'n.

Dec 25, 2008
Doug Price

Happy Belated New Year Capt. Hope all is well with you and the gang at UFD!!

KTF!!!

Jan 3, 2009
Doug Price

Yes Sir I understand. You take care of the back an the boys will be fine they have a good leader and teacher. Therma- care patch and 800mg of advil should do the trick.

KTF!

Jan 4, 2009
Ben Simonds

Hey brother,
just got back from my girls place in Brea,CA go Orange County. I heard that mister coon is the new BC. You have a great thing going in fairbanks and the toughest job i know. You are always welcome down on the peninsula. and by the way it is only 4 degrees currently. and yes that is above zero no minus sign. Been meaning to call and see how you are doing. I talk to buist pretty consistantly and he tells me how you are doing to the best of his knowlege.

Ben

Jan 9, 2009
Chad Berg

slam!

Jan 11, 2009
Brandon Roark

Hey capt! rough weekend here in the bend. 5 fires within 24 hrs. had reports of trapped person...quick search by an aggressive engine company yielded a rescue, medics were able to get a pulse but later the victim died in the ED.

SO, for the important stuff... any word on the Batt. Chief position? and would it be possible to get a few extra Chief Rounds decals? (training helmet, and one for my helmet at my part-time dept),

let me know how things are going!

Jan 11, 2009
Michael Haefner

Cap, Is it to late to get into the RIT class? Im having some paperwork issues that arnt allowing me to register for class and i need at least 6 credits of class that start late. Please let me know ASAP. thanks,
Mike

Jan 22, 2009
Tim Kelahan

OK - hows life going - I'm done being beat down and bummed out - time to take things by the balls and get them straightened around.
Water class this summer - might have to comne up just top get you all out of the house and back to having fun- Think happy thoughts - Tim

Feb 20, 2009
Brandon Roark

Brother Fleagle, could you an berg take a look at http://community.fireengineering.com/xn/detail/1219672:Topic:125613 and offer your two cents worth??

Also I need some Good ol', "sitting in the back office with a cup o'joe, Capn' Fleagle" advice. But I will shoot you an email bout' that;)

Mar 2, 2009
Brandon Roark

no worries cap...ill be in touch sooner than later.

Mar 10, 2009
Eric DePoto

Brother Fleagle how are you? I hope that the snow and cold are not too bad this time of year. I am glad you contacted me, I have been trying to contact you and the number I called you on obviously is wrong. You can reach me at either president@FOOLSInternational.com or edepoto@yahoo.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Mar 18, 2009
Brandon Roark

Captain, i dont know if you got my email, I tried sending from my phone (haven't master that dang thing yet), but we have a ocean view room (romantic, eh?) 2 queen beds and a cot. Its also going to be around 30 dollars cheaper a night then what i previously told you. If you have any questions let me know.

Mar 25, 2009
Brandon Roark

REally?? Thats freeaking awesome! If you get to see meade again tell he to give me a call! Glad the guys are growing out of thier "Cop" phase, and getting back to what they were born to do;)

Mar 26, 2009
Christopher Naum, SFPE

Will drop you an email reply this evening or Friday...
Chris

Mar 26, 2009
Jodie Denike

Always nice to be welcomed into something new and exciting. I’m glad my enthusiasm is conagious and that I can make you feel like a probie again…even if it is just metaphorically, haha. As for it being questionable practice hanging out with wee Leprechauns…I’m willing to take my chances on that one :)

Mar 31, 2009
Jodie Denike

I plan on getting as much from Tim as I possibly can. He has been a great resource and mentor thus far, and I look forward to learning from him...glad to get some positive reinforcement tho...I wasn't too sure about him (haha, just kidding, I knew from day one)

Apr 1, 2009
Brandon Roark

sweet!!! i am sure that you will take the opportunity to set him down and get him started on the fire engineering communities??? Pass on my congratulations and give him my love!

Apr 7, 2009
Chad Berg

I love the pic Ben and I'm saving it for sure. Thank you Faith.

Apr 14, 2009
Ben Marler

Looks like I won't be joining ya'll to eat any lobstah, this year. The economic "downturn" is killing any extra jack I had lying around. Have fun and drink one...or three for me. FTM-PTB

May 4, 2009
Ben Fleagle

In Boston, leaving for Maine on the DownEaster or Down Eastah' Farthest North Fools on the ground in New England!!!!

Jun 24, 2009
Eric DePoto

Hey brother to yourself and the other brothers, Happy 4th....God Bless this America.

Jul 4, 2009
Larry Glover

Thanks Brother. I sent you my email and home address.

Jul 8, 2009