All Blog Posts (3,119)

Today Ladder co. 72 had a good MVC with entrapment on S.R. 9 in Clearview.



Units Units responded to the report of an MVC with unknown injuries. Upon arrival, M71 had two vehicles high speed blocking with 2 red patients entrapped. L72 was added to the response.







Upon arrival we were assigned to the silver Ford Focus, and Engine co. 13 was assigned the red PT Cruiser for…

At around 02:30 on the morning of September 11th(343), Snohomish County toned out a Residential Fire for District #7 in the Maltby area on 83rd Avenue.

Engine co. 73 was the first to arrive and reported a 25' x 50' detached shop facility that was fully involved. They stretched a 2.5" and started flowing with the residential exposure adjacent to…

So I'm sittin' here cogitatin' on things, ....in particular the fact that tomorrow is once again 9-11. In our town, like many towns I imagine, we'll be having a memorial in the morning, I moment of silence, reading the names, the bells, a piper. The crowd gets smaller every year. People drive by the firehouse where it is being held and don't even notice, let alone slow down to pay respects. For many people, 9-11 has been reduced to a memory of cable T.V.…

As for many of us this time of year always makes us stop and say a prayer for the Firefighters, Police Officers, Port Authority Officers and Public Safety Officials who perished on 9-11-01. Today, I was going through my computer looking at all of the images from that day of darkness and I stopped again to say another prayer. For me, I did not know any of the…

As I was writing the "You Know What Really Grinds My Gears" Post, I was reminded of the things that really keep me coming back for more. Some are obvious, of course, but others more ethereal. Now that's a big word for a fireman...but don't worry, I looked it up. So, here are a few of the "Little Things" that keep me into the job...again, you can agree, disagree, laugh, or add to it....

1) A working fire.

2) A cigar back at the station after a working fire (don't…

I'm sure that a few of you are fans of the TV Show "Family Guy." In one episode, Peter gets a job on the local newscast as a commentator. His spot was called "Ya' know what grinds my gears?" Of course, Peter's perspective on life is a little slanted, and wackiness ensued. I've decided to add this to my blog post as a "ya know what grinds me gears related to the fire service?" You can agree, disagree, laugh, or agree to disagree. I'll add more as I think of them.

Things that really…

Another working fire in the Fernwood section of Snohomish County for "C" shift today.

At 11:05 pst, Snohomish County F.D. #7 was dispatched to a residential fire in the Fernwood area of Fire District #7 just blocks from Station 72's quarters. Ladder co. 72 arrived to find a large 2 story single family, charged with heavy smoke and flames out the C side kitchen window on the first floor. Ladder co. 72, led by Lt. Fisher, forced the front door…

As part of a large fundraising effort for Evans Center Firefighter Dennis Allen, a benefit scheduled for September 6, 2008 will feature a live auction of firefighter art and memorabilia. The benefit will run from 2-8pm and the live auction will kick off at 5pm.



Former Chief Allen received a double lung transplant on July 2, 2008 after suffering from the deadly disease: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis for more than two years. He…

This article is one in a series of toolkits focusing on recruitment, retention, fire service marketing and leadership. It first appeared in the August-2008 edition of FASNY's "The Volunteer Firefighter" Magazine…

”Where’s The Brotherhood”

Most of us have seen the…

I wrote this in the "Who Are Your Mentors?" Post earlier today. A brother in a small town and difficult situation needed some help and this is what I came up with then and there. The beauty of this site is that we can reach out to each other and make a difference. Back when I was in his shoes, I didn't have this resource. What a difference it would have made! So here's what I wrote to him. I posted it here because just maybe there is someone else out there in the same boat, looking for a…

At 10:45, Snohomish County F.D. # 7 was dispatched to the report of a residential fire in Ladder 72's first due. I was the Acting Lt. that day, and reported a thermal column 2 miles out. Ladder 72 arrived and reported a 2 story split level residential fully involved on the "A" side and heavy fire blowing out of every window on the 2nd floor of the "C" side.

Battalion 71 arrived and established Command. Engine co. 71 arrived (in an antique pumper!) and stretched a…