Eric Hankins

48, Male

Yuba City, CA

United States

Profile Information:

Lives in:: Yuba City, CA
Department:: Yuba City Fire Department / FOOLS International
Title/rank:: Captain / Executive Vice President
Years of public service:: 18
Agency structure:: Paid fire department
Top issues in your department:: Budget Cuts
Growth
Training
Professional Qualifications:: California State Fire Officer
Haz-Mat Specialist
Swift Water Rescue Technician
California State Instructor I
Topics you provide training for:: Thermal Imaging
Engine and Truck Co. Ops
Pump Operations
Rapid Intervention
Ladders
Areas of expertise:: Brotherhood
Bio:: I started in the fire service as a volunteer cadet with a small fire protection district at the age of 15. Since then I have become a Fire Captain with the Yuba City Fire Department. I am currently assigned to Engine Co. 3 in the Southside of Yuba City. I have been with Yuba City for 9 years and am on several of the specailized teams. I am a proud member of the NorCal chapter of the FOOLS International and try to pass on as much information and knowledge as possible. I feel that all members of the fire service should maintain this tradition of passing on the knowledge that has been given to us from members of past generations.
I have also been appointed as the Executive Vice President of the FOOLS International.
We must continue to train ourselves and our troops as much as possible.

Everyday is a Training Day!!!

FTM-PTB-RFB-EGH-KTF-DTRT
DUTY PRIDE TRADITION
"Long Live the FOOLS"
Web site:: http://www.norcalfools.com

Comment Wall:

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Chad Berg

Hankins,

Text me your mailing address so I can send you the paperwork for the camera shipment if you want it. Thanks again for coming........I knew you wouldn't miss it for a second, but I only wish I had a little more time with ya brother. We were both pretty busy, huh?
Just think, '09 is only 11 months away!

Jul 17, 2008
Mike Stallings

Eric,

Email me your address as well at Gettheroof@aol.com. Had a great time in Seattle....talk to you soon....

Be safe.

Your Brother in Fire,
Mike Stallings

Jul 17, 2008
Chad Berg

Hey, what's up Brother? I see you are logged on.

Tomorrow, we will be headed over the Olympic Penninsula for Andy Palmers Memorial Service. Is that fire out yet?

How is everything in Yuba City.

Check out some updating I did to my page and added a blog.

Aug 3, 2008
Ben Fleagle

Hey Brother:

I'd love to write more for the site. I'm particularly fascinated by the leadership issues we face on the floor, dealing with a different generation of young people. Should I keep sending?

Ben

Aug 17, 2008
Ben Fleagle

You never know, man. I write from the gut, so sometimes those comments come out without much forethought, kinda like the "baby" comment at the Convention. Geez, that split me up!

Aug 17, 2008
Chad Berg

Normally I don't like to share, but lately we could afford to send some "work" out, and still have our share. It has been a great year. EMS calls are down, and Fires are way up.
The only good side to a Recession and depressed economy I guess.

Aug 27, 2008
PJ Johnson

Hey Bro,

I will be teaching VES down there with Olde Mike Clarke, Old Gallagher and Paddy Nichols. Should be a blast. I guess Stack and a few others are coming out and Bart is showing up too.
See you there, let me know you travel plans too.

Sep 6, 2008
Chad Berg

E,

I hate to tell you, but we had another job on the morning of 9/11, and we just wrapped up with a heavy auto extrication a few hours ago. A few good pics on my blog page.

I sound like an idiot!

Sep 13, 2008
Ron Smith (a.k.a. G-Ron)

Still scary Bro..... Just under water!!

How's everything out west?
I heard you are going East soon? I just got back from Tulsa..... good times, good fires.

I want to talk to you sometime...... call me!

Stay Low,
G

Sep 18, 2008
Austin Lindsey

Hey Cap

What's going on. Finally got a fire two shifts ago. 6 months with out one was getting kind of ridiculous. Had 2 rooms in the lower floor of a split level fully developed. I was assigned ventilation and secondary egress. How's every thing in NORCAL.

Austin

Sep 28, 2008
Adam Bean

Hey Eric,

You'll definatly see me in June. I just got back from a convention planning meeting as a matter of fact. It should be a great time. Hope things are going good out in Cali.

FTM/PTB
Adam

Nov 4, 2008
Andrew Brassard

Hey Eric,

Great photos on your page, I love the cage over the doors. How does the cage move up and down? Is it locked in or can it move? That is great any more info would be much appreciated.

Thanks Bro and Stay Safe,
Andrew

Nov 24, 2008
Andrew Brassard

WOW!! That door is nice. I would definitely say that that cage would weigh enough to kill someone if it fell on them, vise grips would not be the ticket here. What are you thinking as a plan of attack for this? Attack one side with the saw and pull it out? Could the winch be operated by fire crews? Is there any additional ways in? Love to hear your thoughts brother.

Nov 24, 2008
Ben Fleagle

Thanks Brother. I'll pass on your message to all.

Ben

Nov 25, 2008
Andrew Brassard

Ya I agree that probably the best way in is to cut a "door" in the bars. Ideally I think that removal would be best, but in this case (due to the weight) it is not a viable option.

Andrew

Nov 26, 2008
Art Zern

Eric,

Just read your comments on Tradition & FOOOLS and on EE's photo on Chief Laskey's page. I commented on the FOOLS blog yesterday and two of the men at our last Southside FOOLS meeting (as always) were EE and MAC. As usual, these "traditional" firefighters had a great deal to add to our discussions. You are right about them... It has been my pleasure to learn from and teach with them. We are indeed lucky to have these FOOLS.

Great to "meet" you
Duty Pride Tradition

Art

Dec 1, 2008
Chad Berg

I'm stalking you!

Dec 1, 2008
Chad Berg

That sounds like some sound byte from the movie "Dodge Ball"?

Things are going good, we have a new proby in the house today, today is his first shift, and it's pretty fun to see him all starry eyed, and just happy to be here! He's cooking in the kitchen as we speak.
How's it hanging in Yuba City?

Dec 1, 2008
Chad Berg

Word!

I haven't been lazy about adding good calls to the blog, the problem is, is that we haven't had any in a while, of coure I also take off alot of time during the fall.
Have fun at the movies big brother!

Dec 1, 2008
Art Zern

Eric,

We have a great FOOLS chapter with many outstanding contributers to the service. I will be in INDY for FDIC. Let's keep in touch, I'll buy the first.

Art

Dec 1, 2008
Sven Schievink

Hey Eric, So when are we gonna trade shirts from the "Shark Pit" and your "Shark Tank " ?
As of January 1 , I am back at the Pit from the Maruaders....Sven

Dec 3, 2008
Josh Materi

Love ya Brother!

Dec 5, 2008
Jim Mason

Eric
Thanks for joining CSF (Common Sense Firefighting ). I know that you've already added to some of the discussion, that's great. You can see that it is a fire ground decision making page on the site. How many members do you get on the first due alarm?
Jim Mason
Chgo FD

Dec 5, 2008
Chad Berg

Boom!

Jan 11, 2009
Billy lewis

Great job Eric!! I'm proud to have known you all these years. Strong work fellow!!

Jan 13, 2009
Chad Berg

Nice work on your "double" grab brother. You save the lives of two little kids brother, way to go!
Very courageous my friend. I look forward to hearing the whole story.

Jan 15, 2009
SHANE SMITH

Hey Brother,

I just heard the news and read the article......WELL DONE !!!! Thats gotta feel good !!

Jan 15, 2009
Scott Kleinschmidt

Very Nice and Great Job on the grabs
You make all the brothers proud

Jan 16, 2009
Adam Bean

Heard the news about your grab bro. great job. Cant wait to have you on the East Coast again in June should be a great time.

Jan 16, 2009
Ben Fleagle

Nice job. Glad to hear you are up and running ok. Sippy said you were going for a cigar, you must have come out alright. Proud to call you my brother.

Jan 16, 2009
Gino Bellizzi

Great job Brother, FOOLS like you make me wake up every morning all jacked up.

Jan 20, 2009
Dave Gallagher

hey, thanks on the photo... I really liked your stories in the paper... makes ya proud... well, it looks like it may be you and me here in a few weeks....
Be safe Brother...

Jan 27, 2009
Ron Smith (a.k.a. G-Ron)

I will be at FDIC...... have not missed one since it has been in Indy.

Look forward to seeing you there Brother.

Feb 6, 2009
Billy lewis

you get your room situation figured out yet?

Feb 10, 2009
Billy lewis

Great time in SD brother. It was a real honor for me to be around you guys this past weekend. Learned a lot and as always, have already pasted on all the info I learned to the crew.
Thanks again Brother

Feb 20, 2009
Rick Lasky

Sorry for the late reply, it's been crazy busy. Thanks for for kind words brother. I really appreciate it!!

Be safe!

Feb 22, 2009
Adam Bean

Hey Eric,
I know I"m probably a little late on this one but I just got the Morning Pride stack of literature with you and Bart "chilling out" in the rehab chairs. Nice pic brother, hope alls well in Cali. See you soon.

AJB

Mar 20, 2009
JJ Blaker

Hello Eric, I wish I could have gotten to FDIC for the Brotherhood Bash but money is tight right now I hope for next year. Maybe you could send me somethings to help get a chapter stated in Adrian MI.

FTM-PTB, LEATHER FOREVER

Apr 25, 2009
JJ Blaker

Hi Eric
I'm a member, and I've been talking with Ben but just thought you might have something else being the V.P. . I have about 6 or 7 guys that are interested but it is hard to get the career guys and the paid on call guys schedules to meet up.

May 1, 2009
Austin Lindsey

hey cap long time no talk. hope all is well there in norcal.

May 15, 2009
Todd McKee

Dear Friend,

Please allow me to invite you to the group called HazMat Placards to Success. This group will allow firefighters to discuss a step by step process for a Hazardous Materials response. From the firefighter to the hazmat technician. The first step has been posted in the group, with many more steps to come.

Thank you!
Todd McKee

May 23, 2009
Billy Goldfeder

It was an absolute pleasure-just wish I could have stayed longer! Take care, seeya soon, Billy G
ps-NO TRIMMING (at least not our mustaches)

Jul 2, 2009
Ben Fleagle

I'm not trimming!!! (my moustache) Hey brother, just decided to drop in and say "Hey". I like this format much better than that other one, nobody understands firemen on the other one and they keep asking irritating questions.

Aug 16, 2009
Ben Fleagle

Good to hear from you boss, I look forward to moving the "issue" forward. We've been working on things at our end up here and are a little more prepared for the conversation when we are able to get everone together. Talk with you soon. RFB!!!!!

Aug 26, 2009
Mark Wadsworth

Eric.

You don't know me but I was wondering if Newquist still worked for you guys? If so...say hello from me. We went to Butte Fire Academy together and I have not seen him since. Thanks. Enjoy your posts by the way.

Mark

Sep 28, 2009
Mark Wadsworth

Eric,

Thanks for passing on the message and his contact information.

Mark

Oct 25, 2009
Jeff Bergstrom

Hello brother hope all is well and have a happy thanksgiving to you and family
FOOLS question can I join the FOOLS international even if I am not a member of a charter don't believe there is one that close that I can join unless I am allowed

Stay safe
Jeff Bergstrom
Brewster NY fire department

Nov 26, 2009
Ryan Royal

Eric,
I was curious if you were out at the Wichita HOT 2009. I may have met you out there in the elevator class, but wasnt sure. I was one of the "Colorado guys" that made it out there. I didnt realize you were from California?

Feb 20, 2010
Tony Tricarico

Hey Eric;
Retirement is good. So far this year I have been in Costa Rica, Arkansas, Penn., Maryland and Va. Mostly doing training but some vaca too! I do not have any plans on going to Ca. in the near future, but if you put together a class I will gladly come!
Hope all is well. I noticed something about the Downey award, what gives?
Tony

Mar 12, 2010
Tony Tricarico

Also, saw my mug on the front page of what?

Tony

Mar 12, 2010