RescueKujo

Here is an essay written after the announcement of Esteban's death by a Medic for AMR, who is an instructor for the Medic and EMT programs where I assist: Here is an essay written by Devin Price. It is full of great insight. Thanks Devin. My condolences to Estebans Family. Today at 9:35pm This morning when I arrived at work I was greeted with the question “did you hear about the EMT???” and soon found out the meaning be...hind the question. One of the people I was with wondered if they knew who it was and it got me to thinking and I felt compelled to write this brief essay. Like everyone, I was curious and afraid that it might be someone I know but before learning his name, I came to the realization that it didn’t matter whether I knew Esteban or not…..as corny as it sounds, at the end of the day, we are brought together for a common goal of helping strangers when they need us the most. That makes us a family. Like any family ours is diverse in its make-up and challenged with the quirks, idiosyncrasies and hiccups that come with any large family. We get along most of the time, we argue once in a while, we’re there for one-another and sometimes we disappoint each-other. We laugh together and we laugh at ourselves; we share common interests yet are fiercely independent in our approach but we’ve always got each-others back. We are all leaders yet cherish our profession because of the teams with whom we work. We are a family. Common interests bring us together. We love the thrill of the sirens and relish those rare moments when we save a life. Sometimes the challenges of our job can seem overwhelming but we look no further than our partners and coworkers to know that we’re not alone. Ours is a job where cleaning poop off a gurney seems like a natural segue to eating a beef & bean burrito and hospitals are chosen based on the treats that await. Sometimes those treats come in packages and sometimes they are wearing scrubs. We are a family. We are always together. We eat together. We work together. We live together. And sometimes we die together. In the past week two of our colleagues have died. One unexpectedly and today, one tragically. We feel their loss and their absence will be felt. In times of joy and now in a time of sadness we must once again be together. It is a time for reflection, for tears, for what-if’s and asking the question “why?”. We are a family. No, I didn’t know Esteban, but it doesn’t matter, he was a member of my family…… of our family. We will all feel his loss and what he represented. His death will bring us together for a day of memory and reflection. Old friends will see each-other and new friends will be made. We’ll shake hands and share hugs. Tears will be spilled, laughter heard, stories told and then sadly we’ll all go our own way. Such is the nature of life in a family. Cherish the moment for today we are all one big family.

Date: 04-01-2010 Time: 07:00 PDT Location: N/B 163 at Robinson Departments: San Diego FD, CHP Description: An EMT for San Diego Medical Services Enterprise (A Joint SDFD/Rural Metro Enterprise) was killed this morning while at an accident scene. Initial reports are he was struck while setting out flares. More to follow as more info in released. Links:10 News Story Writer: RescueKujo

SFD-first off please accept my condolences on the loss of your Brother. May he Rest in Peace. as for the money aspect, it's already hit here on the West Coast. Anti public safety letters to the editors and columns written in the paper decry the salaries and pensions of anyone in public safety as the cause for economic turmoil cities and states are in out here. While I understand their angst, as their taxes may be raised and as they have trouble making their own ends meet, their ignorance is saddening. To complain of the inconvience due to either a Public Safety Officer or Military funeral makes my heart sink, as it tells me the respect the general population has for those that protect them is quickly eroding.

unfortunately, this is the group that stood outside Dodger Stadium last September during the Memorial Service for Capt Hall and Firefighter Quinones. They target the very people who protect their First Amendment rights...

Jimmy-HM129 is I believe a 2008 (new while at the 2009 Firehouse World)...love the diversity of rig colors back there. I know I say it often, but I need to get back there for a photo trip...

From Firehouse.com Personal note: This is making the email rounds from a Firefighter assigned to the Medic Squad on this response. I've attached a photo that was taken at the scene. You can see the Batt Chief sitting on the guard rail. Also, (and I forget what code states this) CHP is the highest authority of any incident on the freeway.

FYI-CHP Officer in this incident was beaten unconscious over the weekend in a bar in Bakersfield... Firefighter Nation Story

ALF was not at Firehouse World this past week. Crimson, Rosenbauer, Pierce, Seagrave (1 rig), Sutphen (2 demo aerials), E-One and a few ambulance manufacturers...I'll have my photos to share probably by Tuesday...

On February 28, 2010, at about 3:20 AM, Sheriff’s Deputy Collier was driving westbound on State Route 52 with Sheriff’s Dispatcher Ryan Debillis riding along. Deputy Collier reported he saw a wrong way driver headed towards him in the westbound lanes of Highway 52 while he was driving westbound on Highway 52. A few minutes later the Highway Patrol relayed a report of a patrol car driving off the freeway. Deputies from the Santee Station responded and searched the area but were initially unable to locate him so they broadcast 11-99 (Officer Down). Deputy Collier radioed dispatch using his handheld radio while Dispatcher Ryan Debillis used his cell phone to notify the Communications Center they had crashed in a ravine and needed help. Santee Deputies located the patrol car and reported it was on fire near a bridge on State Route 52 between Mast Blvd. and Santo Rd. in Santee. Deputy Collier and Dispatcher Debillis both were responsive but had apparently suffered significant injuries. Paramedics took Dispatcher Debillis to UCSD Hospital where he is responsive and in stable condition. An Air Ambulance took Deputy Collier to Sharp Memorial Hospital where Doctors continued CPR and other Advanced Life Saving Measures. At about 5:30 AM, Deputy Collier succumbed to his injuries. Deputy Collier was assigned to the Marshall's Office for a few years before moving to the Sheriff's Office during the merger in 2000. Deputy Collier’s last assignment was at the Santee Sheriff’s Station. The California Highway Patrol is invesitgating the accident and should be contacted for any questions related to the accident.

Thanks...I forgot that...

all he needed was the Ryder truck and it's off to OKC...

As a former Military EOD Tech, there's more than a few stories. I was getting ready to do the walk for a suspicious device in our base ops building, dearmer in hand when I was told to come back to the squad. When I got there I was told a Security Policeman had opened the bag. When I asked him about it he stated "well, my dog didn't alert on it"... Later while at that base, I was sent with another Tech for a reported practice bomb. 33 pounder with a smoke charge in it. We got onscene and the deputy stated "I tried to pull it out of the ground". The thing was 75% covered by clay, basically just able to see the lug nuts and tail. There's reports all the time of people clearing out their parents home after they've passed and found grenades or other military ordnance that the father saved as a souvenir thinking it was inert (a dummy in other words) and taking it to the local police or fire station so it can be taken care of, and to everyone's surprise except either the bomb squad or EOD team it was actually a live round...

and a few more from the Laughlin area. If you're not familiar, Laughlin and Bullhead City are on opposite sides of the Colorado River, with the state line running down the middle of the river... Fort Mohave Mesa, a department south of Bullhead City, was covering from Laughlin's main station... and a couple more photos of Bullhead City FD Engines...

the next morning, an elderly driver drove his car through the front door of the Edgewater casino across the street from mine. I was able to get some rig photos, and a couple of long distance shots as casino security was limiting access (especially if they saw a camera)...

When we got to our hotel/casino in Laughlin, as I was going back to the car after registering I heard sirens. Clark County Engine 76 and Rescue 76 (non-transport ambulance) and AMR pulled in...

When we left Vegas to head to Laughlin we got stuck in traffic due to a collision. Henderson FD was nice enough to drive past on their way...

He threw a blood clot/embolis that passed through his heart and settled into his lung. That's when he started coughing up blood. With his smoking, sleep deprevation and not eating right I'm surprised he lasted this much longer...

Date: 02-03-10 Time: 09:30 a.m. PST Location: Edgewater Casino Casino Dr Laughlin Departments: Clark County FD, Bullhead City FD, Las Vegas Metro PD, Nevada Highway Patrol, AMR Description: A car whose driver evidently had a medical emergency went through the front door of the Edgewater Casino this morning and killed 2 patrons and injured approximately 10, including the driver. Per reports the car took out 3-4 banks of slot machines. Links:Channel 13 story Writer: RescueKujo

Date: 01-22-10 Time: 11:15 AM PST Location: Los Angeles River Indutrial Eastside Departments: LAFD, LAPD Description: On Friday, January 22, 2010 at 11:19 AM, 7 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Heavy Rescue, 2 Helicopters, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 2 Swift Water Rescue Teams under the direction of Assistant Chief Terry Manning responded to a River Rescue at 385 Los Angeles River in the Industrial Eastside area. When 9-1-1 callers reported a dog in distress within the Los Angeles River and the possibility of someone jumping into the waters to rescue it, sixty LAFD firefighters from across a broad expanse sprang quickly into action on the ground and in the air. Firefighter/Dispatchers queried callers to determine that this 3 year-old German shepherd mix was trapped in frigid fast-moving water and the LAFD wanted the rescue to take place from trained professionals rather than well intentioned individuals that can all-too-easily become victims. Due to recent severe weather, local flood control channels remain swelled with storm-water, causing the Los Angeles Fire Department to remain in a "River Rescue" preparedness status. Members were strategically pre-deployed to a helipad at Piper Tech, where historically many rescues have taken place, providing a short distance to the LA River. At 1119 hours they were dispatched along with ground swift water rescuers to join the Vernon Fire Department in this recovery. Due to the fast moving water and the steep embankment, the dog was unable to climb out. Once the canine moved from the side of channel to the center, swift water rescue teams were at a disadvantage to reach him, thus the decision was made by Commanders to deploy firefighters from a helicopter in a hoist operation. Firefighter Joe St Georges was lowered into the rapids and quickly made his way to the dog and despite being continually bit, held on to the frightened pooch as they were lifted to safety. Links: LAFD Blog Writer: RescueKujo

Gee, thanks Joe..thought we are friends... as for that event that some may call a game I will tell you Charger fans here are stunned and pissed at the same time. We can not for the life of us understand the play calling and decision making of the coaching staff, especially Norv Turner as the Head Coach and play caller. Good luck at Indy, hope the Jets win because I will not root for any team with a Manning at QB...

More times than not it is the reporting party...I have my EMTs and Medics call on the radio and state notify CHP of an accident northbound I(insert number)...no indication of center divide or right shoulder/lane, number of vehicles or any other info I know their dispatcher is going to ask...also they'll tell me "we need PD/Sheriff" and go off the air... when PD/Sheriff dispatch gives a call to fire dispatch on a request from one of their officers, almost every time they almost no info as to what we're sending on... I won't even get into call taking from the public...

here in the West a tanker is an aircraft which drops retardant, a tender is a truck that hauls water...

While I'm not familiar with the Capabilities of Stewart AFB, I would guess that they would drive to Dover AFB as that is the closest heavy lift base for the USAF...

Members of the USAF 1st Special Operations Wing out of Hurlburt Field in Florida were among the first Military members in country for Tactical Air Control of the airport... Here's a list of the different USAR teams United States USAR Teams CA TF5 is Orange County Fire Authority, CA TF7 is from the Sacramento Fire Department

Actually, USAR Teams while they have over 100 plus members, they only deploy about 72 members at a time...Fairfax Va (VA-TF1), LACoFD (CA-TF2) and Florida TF1 and TF2 all deployed at this time with more probably to follow once recon and assessment is done by the initial teams...