A re-"C"ap

The last few weeks have seemed like a blur. Instead of updating the blog during each shift, I told myself I would try to get to it the day after. That approach has failed as well so here is a brief recap of the last couple of cycles and I apologize for the long delay.
Last day of last cycle we had a structure fire in Garden City E11 pulled up and found heavy fire on side C and heavy smoke on Side A. E6, L1, M6 were on initial dispatch with E8, E1, Co 61 and M1 were the working fire crews. I was unable to get any fire shots but here are a few after the fact.

Chief Beckner and Lt. Randy Smith

E6 crew

The picture with Company was difficult to see but has been sent off to get some work done on it thanks to a friend of a friend.

Earlier in the evening we had the pleasure of being a part of the annual Fire Awareness Art contest. This included getting the station ready and setting up tables and making it look festive. Despite what Joe says, he really does like having his picture taken. Hunt checks Joe's reflexes and Joe didn't flinch

Before our guests arrived, we grabbed a quick dinner and were surprised how well JJ cleans up. JJ has been on 40 hours assisting with the interview process.

Chief and Lil chief showed up and despite what Chief Tartaglia will tell us, the puppet's name is not Sully.

Two buds Randy and Joe were ready to do their part and represent the city in their pretty blue shirts.

The award banquet started with introductions of the winners and their art teachers.

Here are just a few of the Art winners pictures.

Art show winners gathered at the front for a standing ovation.

Serving line for art dinner

The winners cake was almost too pretty to cut.

After dinner several of the families wanted tours of the station and the trucks. Joe can teach FF 5 when he gives a tour of the engine and the certificate will be delivered to each when they pick up their art. JK Joe!

Earlier in the day we had a call for smoke inside Fishburne mansion. Lt Conners and Ladder 1 services were requested inside.

A light fixture was the culprit and units cleared shortly.

Tim Parry visited the station today.

Last cycle we did some Pump training over at the civic center with Eng 4.

The wall gang PJ, Randy and Hunt soaking up some rays and telling stories.

If any one has every been down town you may have seen our friend "Coolio" He is the master of bizarre wardrobes and he changes at least three time a day. If you see him give him a wave and wait for the return sign. Look closely he is showing you a cross.

I was a little freaked when he first gave the sign.

Company 1 was sent down to the "old house" Historic #1 preparing for some elected officials to use the station for it press event. JJ cleaning Station 1's brass.

Hunt flexes Franklin County muscle!

After cleaning Station 1 the crew headed downtown to get some some stuff from the market.

Conners seems satified after lunch.

Cluster meeting was held at number 6

Ladder 1 at cluster after a "cut job' on 220
Becky and Conners

Randy and a "5 dollar cup cake" what is it about Randy and his love for sugar snacks???

Station 2 responded Spring Hollow for a working fire. All of the crews that responded will tell you that the smoke could be seen from whereever they were at when they were dispatched. Upon arrival, the companies found a shed in the back of the house.

E2 crew made a quick attack and knocked it down.

Breck the comedian as always or maybe he just does that when the camera comes out.

Hunt winds it up wearing some football gear he took from a 10 year.

Chief Beckner and Hunt discuss the finer "one liners" from Joe Dirt

Chief Beckner and IMS class held at the Big Show.

Fix it man Randy after flipping out of this chair once too often.

stressed out Adam

Bright Randy

Halloween visitor visits Daddy

"Ghost Rider"

C Shift Thanks You

We would like to thank everyone for their tremendous support over the last week during the illness and loss of our great friend and Captain. The following people were instrumental in helping Chris and honoring his memory:
-RMH ER staff including the CT and MRI staff
-RMH NTICU
-Roanoke Fire EMS Admin. staff
-Captain Wines and LT. Fleitz for writing an detailed recap of Captain Brown's career
-Oakeys Funeral home
-Jordan Framing (for framing all of the collages seen at the funeral home)
-First Baptist Church
-All the Roanoke Fire EMS personel who cleaned Station 1 from top to bottom inside and out, including all of the trucks
-All of the off duty Firefighters from Roanoke County and Salem who staffed Roanoke city stations to allow City personel to attend the funeral. Station 9's blog has a complete list.
-All of the Roanoke City Police Officers who manned every intersection along the route.
-the Honor Guard
-Lynchburg bagpipes
-Roanoke City Dispatch
-Chung Price and his catering team
-Zac Beckner for his video presentation
-the personel who cleaned up after the reception
And lastly, the three who were there for the family's every need, and who will be mad for our mentioning their names, Jamie Brads, Toby Bedwell and JJ Price
We sincerely hope we haven't neglected to thank anyone.

We wanted to say thanks again to everyone involved
Station 1 C shift AKA "Brown's Hounds"

In Memory of Captain Chris Brown

We have lost a true hero,

The BigShow and the entire Roanoke Fire/EMS deparment mourns the death of Christopher W. Brown

Click on this link for a look at Captain Brown's career Local 1132 .

If you ever worked for, or with, Captain Brown you would be able to tell a story about how fair he was to everyone, or how he took the time to teach you something or learn with you to make you both better firefighters, leaders or people. Captain Brown took time with each one of his firefighters or officers getting to know them as employees and human beings. The short time he was on this earth, he made a huge impact. Captain Brown did not ask his men to do something that he would not do and that was When you tried to get the broom, mop, flash light or tool away from him you were going to get a battle. He thrived on making this department the elite and it was contagious if you worked for him.

Your spot may be filled but you will never be replaced!

1965 -2009

Prayers for Captain Brown

Captain C.W. Brown was admitted to RMH on Wednesday. Since then he has had multiple tests and a surgery involving a mass found on the left frontal lobe of his brain. We are asking for everyone's prayers during this trying time. Pray for his family.



Our appreciation to Station 2 and 5 today they came downtown and provided lunch and dinner for the family and crew while we spent the day at the hospital supporting Captain Browns immediate family.

***not pictured above but currently station at Number 1 Alex Hunt and Lynwood English***

"C" we are still here

It has been a while again since our last post and I hear it every day between running calls, training, evaluations, hydrants and everyday operations, we have been busy at the Big Show. I did manage to take a few pictures.
We had a structure fire on Riverland with 2 patients transported to RMH. This picture was taken well after the fire was extinguished and we were able to bring two of the firefighters back to the scene after they were recruited to drive medic units to the ER.

Recently we had the Beckner family join us for a weekend breakfast. As always, it was good to see Chief Beckner's "MaMa", his sister and brother in law as well as Zack and Kara. We had EMS competencies this month which was hands-on skill based. Scenarios were given for first arriving BLS Engine to start treatment and then turnover to Medic units. Joe had airway Look, Listen and Feel with Miss Brock showing him where to start (Joe I am kidding)

As you can see Randy was wanting to get his hands-on since he was done setting the cones up in the street. I was actually surprised Randy got that close as he was convinced the mannequin was going to vomit.

Young Compton was back for half a day to assist Randy and Adam. It looks like Randy was still having some trouble with the hands on.

Randy turned out to be very useful in the hare traction scenario showing Compton what he would do if they were together on a Medic unit together. Don't worry too much Josh, Randy will get you all the equipment you need. You may have to yell and be ready to catch but he will get it to you.

Here Adam show Melissa a technique on using a cravat when you don't have a ankle hitch. I think Adam likes tying people up anyway??

As class was concluded Miss Brock ended with a video that "captured" Randy and Joe's undivided attention.

I want to apologize to all the readers of this blog for the large gaps between posts and hope to have smaller gaps in the future but no promises. A lot of things have been happening in the last month and I was not able to be there for it all. Until next time . . .

Long time No "C"

It has been a long time since our last post and I want to apologize. We have been extremely busy at the Big Show and unable to keep up the blog. Here is a recap of the last couple of cycles.

As you see we keep our trucks clean despite Lt Joe getting upset having to wash the Engine twice. Ask him next time why get gets so mad??

We had a couple Fire in the last couple weeks. The last was over on Templeton only picture taken was during overhaul when Adam had to remove a throw rug from a K-saw that grabbed it when cutting through a floor joist.

This is a snap shop that I copied from a video taken from a person living near the fire on Elm Ave. I was off and missed the chance to take part in fighting this one but from I hear and the video shows C-shift made a quick knock down. The fire is still under investigation. We have a couple new guys at the Big Show so we wanted to do some extrication training. We met with Engine 5 on 11th St. which had arranged a couple cars from Garcia's to practice on. Ist scenario had a car on its roof.

Lynwood learning the use of the Rescue jacks.

Lynwood being showed purchase points when vehicles are overturned.
Lt Hodgen using the cutters.
Brady in action
Lynwood using the spreaders to gain access to pt. compartment
Lynwood working with the spreaders.

Lt. Conners showing a technique for the spreaders.As many know there is a Swine flu story on the news every day. Here is Randy being prepared for Swine flu calls when he was transferred to station 6.
The Big Show chef's have the difficult time of knowing how many to cook for daily, one day there may be 8 and the next there may be 18. Getting our "grub on"
Several times the Big Show is visited or their presence requested. This day the engine was invited to a community picnic in Highland park.
We constantly challenge ourselves with coming up with new strategies and practicing old ones. Today we were given the scenario of getting water to the simulated 5th floor of a structure using our ladder as the means of getting water to that floor. Ladder 1 has a pre made section of 2.5" hose to a gated wye that we connect to the ladder tip.
Preparing the tip to be used as a elevated water way



Setting the Ladder preparing for Ladder OPS.

Climbing the Ladder
Advancing the 2.5" from the ladder into the structure.
Final result water flowing.

Chief Beckner discussing various techniques when advancing hose inside a structure using the Ladder as the waterway.

Next scenario was removing a fallen firefighter from the 4th floor using the stokes basket and Ladder.

Loading the victim onto the Ladder to be taken to the ground

Bringing the victim back down Ladder
Final scenario of the day was vertical ventilation of the structure.

Rigging the Ladder tip for raising tools.

Taking crews to the roof.
After crews get to the roof they may need extra equipment.
Lifting the K-saw

I want to say I am sorry again about the large gap between posts a lot of things have been happening and I wanted everyone to know we are still around. We stay busy between training and running calls and the blog suffered but I will try to do better in the future. Take care, Be safe, and go home the next morning.

Too drunk for jail ?

Today is the middle day for C-shift here at the self proclaimed "Big Show" (so some think) and I forgot to mention that we have a few officers off this cycle JJ took off with the family to Key West while Randy and his family went to Ocracoke, Conners is planning a quick trip down to meet up with Randy for a quick vacation. Courtney and JJ swapped vacations so he is filling JJ's shoes (and says his toes are sore) This put us short on officers but not to worry. Everyone here is capable of stepping up and filling spots Becky is driving Ladder 1
and Adam is Tilling today
Ladder 1 was keeping the road pretty hot this am running some EMS calls with 8 and 6 while Medic 1 was running into SE. It seems as soon as M6 gets a call we would get one forcing 8 to back us up. The cycle continued into the afternoon.
The last day Becky helped cook their was a rumor going around that she was getting moved.
I don't know if she had heard another rumor but Becky did her part of riding the ladder and helped Chef Decker with lunch and dinner.


The ladder did some tiller training to improve comfort levels on all those who do not want to be named. He is doing better and should be ready after a couple more laps around civic center. Young Compton got a break and got off the medic unit and hopped over to the engine to drive. Medic 1 was gone until bedtime and the volunteers put a truck in service. Medic trucks be prepared the City jail is beginning to refuse intoxicated people too drunk to stay their and wants them taken to the ER but the ER has no room. Good documentation, a call to RS1, and let the ER doctor know what the jail nurse says exactly. Needless to say our last pt spent less time in the ER than she did in the medic unit and back to jail she went. Until Thursday Be safe Roanoke!