43-6-1 In Service

Our new Quint finally went in service- while it has run a few calls inculding 2 working which turned out to be not working fires. The pump cherry is still intact.
43-1-2 finally got to pump at a working car fire.

Do you pull a line at MVA's with Entrapment??

I started a discussion on my message board in regards to this topic. What does your department do on these type of calls?? Do you pull a line, bring an extinguisher or what??
Also what type of PPE do you wear for these types of call??
Feel Free to chime in.

http://43firefighter.proboards98.com/index.cgi?board=safety&action=display&thread=1152923870&page=1#1152923870

This is Interesting

I am sure there is more to this story then what we are being told.

comment on my message board at http://43firefighter.proboards98.com/index.cgi
From The Morning Call
July 11, 2006
2 Bethlehem Twp. firefighters call suspensions unfair
Pair sprayed fire chief as he sat on tavern balcony.
By Pamela Lehman Of The Morning Call
Two Bethlehem Township firefighters suspended for six months for spraying their fire chief with a blast of water while he sat with friends at a tavern say their punishment is too harsh.

The firefighters said even though they apologized for what they called a practical joke, Fire Chief Dave Stapinski's wounded pride over being doused month ago at the Keystone Pub played a role in their disciplinary action.

''Every fire department in the county thinks it's a huge joke that we got suspended for getting our chief wet,'' said Michael August, 22, of Bethlehem Township, one of the suspended firefighters.

August and Cole Breidinger, 19, said their suspensions and that of three other firefighters at Bethlehem Township Volunteer Fire Company mean the department will struggle to find the manpower to answer critical fire calls.

But Stapinski said the suspensions will not jeopardize the safety of residents and the details of the firefighters' suspension are an internal matter that will remain private.

''They made a poor judgment call and now they're paying for it,'' he said. ''They got their punishment and should just admit they did something stupid, learn a lesson and move on.''

Each Monday night, the fire company has a drill night when volunteers practice techniques and help train new members, August said. On June 12, August said, he and the group of firefighters went to the drill, along with Stapinski.

Around 11 p.m., they learned Stapinski planned to go to the pub to sit on the outdoor balcony with a group of friends, August said.

While the chief was there, the firefighters decided to play a prank on him, according to Breidinger, of Bethlehem.

The group, armed with extinguishers that shoot water, arrived at the bar in the fire company's utility truck. They spotted Stapinski, sprayed him and drove back to the station.

Stapinski said not only was he doused, but other patrons on the balcony got wet as well.

''When someone has to get up from eating dinner to run away from a wall of water shooting at them, that's not funny in my book,'' he said.

Later that night, Stapinski told the men to go home and not return until the department's three-member disciplinary board heard about the matter.

August, who has served with the department since 2001, said he was shocked by Stapinski's reaction. He said most firefighters think of themselves as an extended family and just like siblings, they often play practical jokes on each other.

A few days later, each firefighter was called before the disciplinary board. Both August and Breidinger said they apologized to Stapinski and the board.

Stapinski said he sits on one of the slots on the disciplinary board, but asked fire company President Martin Comer Jr. to take his place in the hearing. The other board members are Donald Lasso and Donald Norder. None could be reached for comment.

The next day, the firefighters were told they would be suspended for six months, and August, a lieutenant, said he was also stripped of his title.

The men violated at least three disciplinary codes, including conduct unbecoming of a member, conduct unbecoming of an officer and misuse of equipment, according to Rick Hasonich, Bethlehem Township deputy fire chief and public relations director.

The firefighters appealed their suspensions before a board of directors, but the suspensions were upheld, Hasonich said.

August said the punishment was particularly harsh when compared to another recent suspension of a firefighter, whom August declined to name. Stapinski verified another firefighter was suspended for seven days after he used an air compressor to shoot hypodermic needles into the walls and ceiling at the fire station.

''Now, that's something that would put people's safety at risk,'' August said. ''But he only gets a week off?''

Breidinger, who began volunteering with the department in March, said he's not sure if he'll be able to return since he was a probationary member.

''This is a company that has about 10 active guys showing up to a call and now five are gone,'' he said. ''How are they going to continue to have enough guys showing up at fires?''

Stapinski said since the men were suspended, the department has made each call for service. On average, about 10 firefighters respond to most calls and he said that number hasn't changed. Other volunteers have stepped forward to fill the vacant slots.

''No one will be in harm's way, because we have enough volunteers to make the calls,'' he said.

He said while all volunteer fire companies struggle to find enough volunteers, he's confident the department will continue to recruit new people.

Both August and Breidinger said they plan to return to the department in December.

August, whose parents were both volunteer firefighters for Steel City, said firefighting is in his blood.

''When you do this your whole life, it's something you don't want to stop,'' he said.

pamela.lehman@mcall.com

610-861-3636
Copyright © 2006, The Morning Call

Whats Going on???

Things have been a little slow around here lately- well we have had a bunch of calls but nothing really serious...which is a good thing. Lots of smells and bells. Since the ban on posting photos has arrived I have not posted as much as I would like to.
I am changing things a little bit on the message board to allow everyone to view most of the content but you will have to register to post a comment- this will stop the spammers. Let me know what you think.

Mourned Monroe disaster director 'impossible to replace'

Mourned Monroe disaster director 'impossible to replace'

Eric Mark and Catherine Rodriguez
Pocono Record Writers
July 06, 2006


Praise poured in Wednesday for Harry Robidoux, Monroe County's emergency services director, who died suddenly of a heart attack while driving on Route 534 in Polk Township Tuesday afternoon.

He was 61.

"In his death, we have found that he was a greater man than any of us knew. It will be impossible to replace him," said Monroe County Fire Association Chaplains Robert and Ruth Vaughan.

The "impossible to replace" sentiment was echoed by dozens of people who shared their memories of Robidoux on Wednesday. Some struggled through tears to express their respect for Robidoux and his tireless efforts to help those in need.

Robidoux, who headed the Monroe County Office of Emergency Services since 1992, was driving west on Route 534 near Kresgeville at about 4 p.m. Tuesday when his Ford Ranger ran off the road into a drainage ditch near the Lower Middle Creek Road intersection, according to state police at Lehighton.

Robidoux was flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:12 p.m. The Lehigh County Coroner's Office ruled that Robidoux died from a heart attack of natural causes.

Robidoux, whose life seemed defined by disaster response, also chaired the eight-county Northeast PA Counter-Terrorism Task Force and served with the Tunkhannock Township Volunteer Fire Co.

Robidoux was a constant presence at the scene of fires, floods, blizzards and other disasters throughout the county, including last week's devastating flood, when Robidoux worked nearly round-the-clock.

The news of Robidoux's death hit his many friends and colleagues especially hard because it was so unexpected. Those who worked side-by-side with Robidoux during the response to the recent flood say he seemed his usual self: healthy and fit, though very busy.

Donna Asure, Monroe County commissioner, said Robidoux sounded fine when she talked to him about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.

"He said he was going to take the day and try to relax," she said.

"He seemed to be pretty much himself," said state Rep. John Siptroth, D-189, who spent much of Sunday with Robidoux touring hard-hit areas near the Delaware River. "He may have been fatigued from this latest ordeal."

Robidoux's fellow firefighters seemed especially affected by his sudden death.

"We're going to miss him a lot," said Tunkhannock Fire Department Chief Roger Smith, his voice breaking as he recalled his longtime friend and colleague.

"He was active on lots of committees and was a real help to all of us," Smith said. "No matter what it was, Harry was there, to help and to teach. He shared his knowledge and experience with all of us."

Smith said that he and his officers will do "something special" this week in memory of Robidoux.

Bernie Harrison, chief of the Coolbaugh Township Fire Department, said that Robidoux's death is a "catastrophe."

"No one can say anything bad about him at all," Harrison said. "He loved his job and he loved people. He was very intelligent and shared his knowledge with everyone. ... He was special."

Stroud Township Fire Chief Dave Smalley said that Robidoux "dedicated his life to his work and was always looking out for the people of Monroe County."

Siptroth said he knew Robidoux for many years, since long before Robidoux started to work for Monroe County. Both men are veteran firefighters.

"We had a lot of interaction," Siptroth said. "He certainly told you like it was. He was down to earth and very knowledgeable. He made sure everyone's safety was paramount. ... His knowledge is going to be missed."

Bruce Henry, operations officer at the county safety center and Robidoux's longtime friend and deputy, said he has gotten calls from emergency service directors across Pennsylvania offering to help out and even come to Monroe County if needed.

"Harry expected a lot out of everyone, but it is the best place I ever worked," Henry said. "Harry was great to work with."

"Harry Robidoux's shoes are going to be hard to fill," said Monroe County Commissioner Robert Nothstein. "Obviously we have to go on, and we have good personnel."

"He really cared about emergency services and homeland security," said Commissioner Suzanne McCool. "He developed a lot of expertise in those areas and was well respected around the state."

Robidoux lived in Tunkhannock Township near Blakeslee with two cats.

He was born in 1945 and grew up in Reading. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1965 to 1969, during the Vietnam War.

He worked as a professional with the Boy Scouts of America for 18 years in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. e had also served as a patrol supervisor for Fernwood Public Safety Department for five years.

He was president of the Keystone Emergency Management Association, the professional organization for emergency managers in Pennsylvania.

Pocono Record Writer David Pierce contributed to this report.