Ellis CO FF

Special Event

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:57:22 GMT

Chief Rick McElhaney would like to invite all fellow firefighters to the ground breaking ceremony for Palmer's new fire station. This event will be held on Monday July 28th at 7 PM in Palmer.

For more information you can contact Chief McElhaney at ( work number) 972-1234 ext 2224.

Ellis Co Burn Ban

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:53:35 GMT

As of July 14, 2008 the Ellis Co Commissioners have instituted a county wide Burn Ban.

The ban will remain in effect for 90 days unless changed by the county commissioners.

Area Fund Raisers

Sat, 24 May 2008 19:37:46 GMT

Central High Bardwell

Saturday Aug 23rd

KC hall

$6 adults and $4 kids

Ira Bradford and Bustin Loose

Telico VFD Barn Dance

Saturday September 27,2008

Telico Fire Station

Co EMS concerns

Fri, 09 May 2008 21:47:52 GMT

According to news published in the June 26th edition of the Ennis journal ( page 8, 3rd column) The county commissioner's court voted to allow Judge Adams and Commissioner Sims to negotitate with the two EMS services that expressed interest in offering services to the county. The qualifications have been established, now it is time to determine if one can provide the desired services.

Both Mr. Sims and Mr. Robinson expressed concern about areas of the county being underserved and would like to see at east 2 additional units added to supplement the 5 1/2 that are already in the county to service, Ennis, Waxahachie and Red Oak.

Charles Walker- Telico VFD has volunteered to be the county firefighter’s association spokesperson on this issue. Please forward all your concerns to his attention.

Charles can be contacted by email at Charles@colmetsb.com

Contact information for all the County Commissioner is located farther down this page.

Proposed Ellis CO Radio SOP Part 1

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 15:33:54 GMT

Ellis County Fire Department Communications

All Fire Department VHF radios should include the following channels as a minimum:

Ellis County VHF Primary Repeater Channel

Texas Fire 1 154.280

Texas Fire 2 154.265

Texas Fire 3 154.295

Other recommended VHF Channels for Interoperability are:

Texas Law 1: analog wideband VHF coordination channel for mobile-to-mobile use by

emergency personnel on a scene or incident

Texas Law 2: analog wideband VHF calling channel for mobile-to-base use by transient or en-route emergency personnel

Texas Law 3: National analog wideband VHF channel for coordination of law

enforcement activities

Texas Medical 1, analog wideband VHF frequency primarily for use by EMS agency

personnel on incidents

Texas Air 2, analog wideband VHF frequency for air-to-ground use with state or federal aircraft only at direction of Incident Commander on incidents.

VHF 150 MHz Wideband Interoperability Channels

(Mobile and Portable Configuration)

*Texas Air 1 is reserved and not available for use in this plan

This channel plan establishes specific labels for VHF wideband channels to assure consistent use throughout the state. These labels are listed below and all participating agencies should use these labels if possible. Alphanumeric radio displays should be consistent with the examples listed below depending on each radio’s capability. Any reference to previous identifiers (for example “Intercity”) should be removed from the radio display.

3-Digit – TL1 / TF1 / TM1 / TA2

6-Digit – TEX L1 / TEX F1 / TEX M1 / TEX A2

8-Digit – TEX LAW1 / TEXFIRE1 / TEX MED1 / TEX AIR2

10-Digit – TEXAS LAW1 / TEXAS FIRE1 / TEXAS MED1 / TEXAS AIR2

Receive Transmit Label Use

154.950 154.950 Texas Law 1 Calling channel, on-site, mobile to mobile

155.370 154.950 Texas Law 2 Calling channel, to contact base stations

155.475 155.475 Texas Law 3 On-scene tactical - command channel

154.280 154.280 Texas Fire 1 On-scene tactical - command channel

154.265 154.265 Texas Fire 2 On-scene tactical - command channel

154.295 154.295 Texas Fire 3 On-scene tactical - command channel

155.340 155.340 Texas Med 1 On-scene tactical - command channel

151.385 151.385 Texas Air 2 Air-to-Ground communications with state

and federal aircraft ONLY

Calls for Service (Pageouts)

1. Fire/EMS Departments dispatched via Ellis County will be dispatched on the

Ellis County Primary Channel and simulcast on the TX fire 2 channel.

2. Departments will use the Ellis County Primary Channel for communications with

dispatch.

3. Fire/EMS departments may NOT “self-dispatch” to calls. If a Fire/EMS department

receives an emergency call via any method besides dispatch, the department should

obtain the name of the caller, phone number, address of incident, nature of incident,

and time incident occurred. The Fire/EMS department should then advise the caller

that help is on the way, but to hang up and dial 911. The department should then

advise dispatch of the situation and respond to the emergency if it is within their

coverage area/district. If the department receives a “walk-in” patient at their facility,

the same information should be obtained, and the department must still notify

dispatch so they can officially page the call. This procedure must be followed in

order for case/incident numbers to be assigned.

4. When dispatch sends East Texas EMS any emergency call, they should page the

corresponding Fire Department as well. The first arriving EMS or Fire unit may

determine Fire Department response is not needed and advise dispatch to disregard

that unit.

Ellis CO Proposed Radio SOP Part 2

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 15:31:43 GMT

Terminology

Per NIMS requirements, the use of "10 CODES" is NOT permitted on Ellis County Frequencies.

All departments should use plain language when communicating with dispatch. The following are acceptable/recommended radio terms:

TERM

MEANING

COMMAND

REPEAT YOUR MESSAGE

LOUD & CLEAR

STAND BY

RECEIVED

NEGETATIVE

OUT OF SERVICE

FILL-IN

AVAILABLE

STAGED AT ____________

PUBLIC SERVICE ___________

AT # _______________________

ENROUTE TO: “NAME”

“WORKING FIRE”

“BENCH MARKS”

“EVACUATE BUILDING”

Terminating Incident/Terminating

Command

ALL CLEAR

AVAILABLE

BRUSH

CLEAR TEXT

CODE 1

CODE 3

CODE BLUE

COLD ZONE

COMMAND POST (CP)

COMMANDER (BY FUNCTION)

COMPLETE-PRIMARY –SEARCH

COMPLETE-SECONDARY- SEARCH

DISPATCH

DISREGARD

D.O.S.

EMERGENCY TRAFFIC

ENGINE

ESTIMATED TIME OF

ARRIVAL (ETA)

HAZARDOUS LOCATION

HAZARD ZONE

HAZ-MAT

HOT ZONE

INCIDENT COMMANDER(IC)

LAY A LINE

J.P.

MEDIC (MICU)

MEDICAL CONTROL

MUTUAL AID

MVA

OFFENSE TO DEFENSE

ON SCENE

(OUT-OF-SERVICE) RESOURCES

PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY

REPORT (PAR)

QUICK ATTACK

QUINT OR LADDER

REDUCE CODE AND

CONTINUE

RECUE

REHABILITATION ( REHAB)

RIT TEAM

SAFETY OFFICER

SECTOR

SIZE UP

SPECIALITY TEAM

STAGING

STAGING AREA

UNAVAILABLE

UNDER CONTROL

VENTILATE

WARM ZONE

EXAMPLES OF TERMINOLOGY USE

ENROUTE - This term denotes that a piece of apparatus is going to a certain location on a Fire or Med response.

Ex: Engine 1 ENROUTE to 1615 Cherry Ave.

Ex: Brush 1 ENROUTE 200 S. Parks

ON SCENE - Term used to check out on the location of an incident or hospital. This is a part of our standard checkout sequence. (Address, hydrant, location)

On Scene sequence goes like this:

Apparatus I.D. (apparatus then number, Ex. Engine 1)

On Scene

Address

Description

Conditions

Action taking if applicable

Ex: Engine 1 - On Scene - 105 Spinner - One-story brick - Nothing showing (fire call)

Ex: Squad 1 - On Scene - 103 Hwy 342 - We have two cars involved with moderate damage (traffic accident).

Proposed Ellis Co Radio SOP part3

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 21:02:10 GMT

Ellis County Fire Department Communications ( Pages 7-10)

AVAILABLE - Term used to clear apparatus from an incident.

AVAILABLE sequence:

Apparatus I.D.

AVAILABLE

From what location

Ex: Engine 1- AVAILABLE - from 200 Ovilla Rd.

EMERGENCY TRAFFIC - whoever broadcasts this message, owns the air.

Emergency Traffic sequence:

I.D. (Apparatus, Command, Person)

Emergency traffic

State message

ALL UNITS HOLD MESSAGES FOR EMERGENCY BROADCAST

ALL CLEAR - Term used at the end of the primary search. All clear is broadcast to all units. Primary search determines that there are no victims and a safe attack can be made.

Ex: Interior to Command - All clear on primary search

Ex: Command to all units: All clear on primary search

ICS setup dictates that LOCATION is COMMAND.

Ex: Bluebird COMMAND

Always set up command and terminate command. Command is passed face-to-face in most instances.

OUT OF SERVICE - This term denotes when a piece of apparatus goes out of service for a reason.

Out of Service sequence goes like this:

Apparatus I.D.

Out of service

Reason - mechanical, manpower, water

EX: Engine 1 – OUT OF SERVICE – for manpower

Radio Usage

1. All units must remember to pause before speaking after keying the radio mic before speaking. Failure to do so will cause the first part of the radio message to be lost.

2. Units should begin radio traffic by stating their unit number, followed by the unit

number of the unit they are trying to contact, followed by the radio traffic. For

example, "Engine 1 to Engine 2, how do you read this unit?"

3. All units should also be familiar with the military style calling protocol, which begins

with the unit number you are calling, followed by your own unit number. For

example, “7102 this is 7101” or “Command from Operations”. During major events

where state or federal coordination takes place, this will most likely be the calling

format utilized.

4. All units should use a normal voice level, speed, and tone when communicating on

the radio.

5. Responding units should check "Enroute" with Ellis County by clearly stating

their unit numbers (ex. "Engine 1 Enroute").

6. If a unit has important radio traffic for dispatch, they should confirm that dispatch

received the information, by either waiting for dispatch to acknowledge receipt of the

message, or calling again on the radio to confirm dispatch receipt of the message.

Never assume something was heard if you do not receive confirmation.

7. All units should listen carefully during emergencies to avoid interrupting other units

with radio traffic. For example, if a unit is contacting dispatch, another unit should

not interrupt with radio traffic unless it is an emergency. Common rules of person to

person conversational etiquette should apply on the radio as well.

8. All units must exercise courtesy, politeness and professionalism at all times when

communicating on the radio systems.

9. All units should only use the minimum amount of radio traffic that is necessary to

convey the message. Some pieces of radio traffic may be unnecessary and will only

congest the system. The radio user should decide if the traffic is relevant before

saying it on the radio. Many times, other units can wait for a unit to get on scene and

give a size-up before congesting the system by asking multiple questions.

10. Severe Weather Notification - For severe weather notifications, all tones shall be activated and the pertinent information announced.

Ex:

Dispatch: (all tones)

"Attention all departments, the National Weather Service has advised that a

tornado warning is in effect for this area until 2300 hours tonight, 2215."

11. Routine announcements will be made every Tuesday at 1800 hours (except when incidents are in progress). Announcements may be made after incident(s) are clear up until 2100 hours. After that time, routine announcements will not be permitted. The announcements will be broadcasted only once. Notification for evening announcements must be made before 1745 hours on the day of requested broadcast. Requests for announcements made after 1745 will be allowed only under extenuating circumstances.

NOTE: Routine announcements should remain as brief as possible.

12. Emergency announcements can be made at any time. An emergency announcement is considered to be a weather related, emergency page of personnel, or the like.

13. Special announcements (apparatus in/out of service, time sensitive announcements) can be made at any time.

Scene Size-Ups

1. The first arriving unit on the scene of an emergency should give a scene size-up to

dispatch as soon as possible.

2. All MVA’s should have a size up conducted to inform incoming units of what to expect or disregard their response. An MVA size-up should include number of vehicles involved, number of patients, patient contact, severity of patients (stable, unstable), and additional resources needed.

3. A Fire scene size-up should include severity of incident, and additional resources needed.

4. Operations and scene communications should be moved to a “scene” channel as soon as possible. All operations traffic should be conducted on a fire ground channel.

Operations/scene traffic should not occur on primary dispatch channels. The Incident

Commander should handle communications with dispatch. Likewise, units on scene

should direct any messages for dispatch through the Incident Commander. Dispatch may

request that communications move to a fire ground channel, or the IC may inform dispatch that all units will be moving to a fireground channel. "Command" is the only individual who will Communicate with Dispatch during an emergency incident (other than responding units checking in route and on scene).

Disregarding Units

1. Once a Fire/EMS Department is dispatched to an emergency, the department will not be considered disregarded until a unit from the Fire/EMS Department arrives on scene and advises the department may disregard. However, if a law enforcement officer determines the scene to be unsafe, is detaining subjects, or placing them in custody, Fire/EMS must stage at a safe distance, until the scene is secure, if that officer deems it necessary.

2. Any unit requesting that other units disregard should make that request to dispatch. In

turn, dispatch will actually disregard the responding units.

Radio Unit Numbers

All Fire/EMS Departments who operate regularly on a communications system owned and maintained by the county will use radio unit numbers assigned by the county. All requests for radio unit numbers, by a department, will be made to Ellis County. Each

department will be assigned a “bank” of numbers from which they will assign individual member unit numbers as they see fit. Departments should keep the county informed of current individual radio unit number assignments. Individual unit numbers consist of four digits. The first two digits indicate the department, and the last two numbers indicate the individual department unit.

For example,

xxxxxxxx

Recommended Apparatus Unit Numbers

Apparatus numbers begin with a prefix and end with a number. The number designates the particular department and the number of the apparatus. For example, Engine xx01 indicates an Engine for xxxx department. Engine xx02 would designate a second engine for xxxx department.

Medic - Prefix for Ambulances

Engine - Prefix for Fire Engines

Tanker - Prefix for Tankers

Brush - Prefix for Brush Trucks

Squad - Prefix for First Response Vehicles

Rescue - Prefix for Rescue Vehicles

Emergency Traffic

A. Departments operating emergency vehicle traffic within Ellis County should

develop a standard operating guideline for the department, which regulates the

operation of emergency vehicles by its members. Emphasis should be placed on safe

driving practices while operating an emergency vehicle.

B. Department units operating emergency traffic within Ellis County must adhere

to state laws regulating emergency vehicles.

Standard Operating Guidelines/Procedures

Departments should prepare and adopt a procedures manual for providing services so as to ensure that the Department operates and provides such services safely and in compliance with all applicable laws.

Incident Management System

A. Departments should develop and maintain an incident management system. The system should include a written standard operating procedure for the management of emergency incidents. The system should require operations to be conducted in a manner that recognizes hazards and prevents accidents and injuries.

B. Departments should require all personnel to be trained in and to use the incident

management system.

C. The incident management system should be compliant with the National Incident

Management System (NIMS). the FEMA website at http://www.fema.gov/nims/index.shtm .

Radio problems

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:21:49 GMT

Jimmy Roy has asked that any dept having problems with their radio transmissions to the Sheriff office please notify Capt. John Knight so they can be documented and resolved.

Please call then follow up with written communication such as an email.

If the Sheriff's office does not know of the problem, it can not be fixed.

Grant Opportunities

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 00:12:10 GMT

Grant opportunities and assistances- www.chiefgrants.com

TX Commission on Fire Protection- www.tcfp.state.tx.us Paperwork in on web for spring cycle. Due 3/27/08

NIMS ICS classes

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 21:53:53 GMT

NIMS ICS 300

August 16 Denison (90-821-3818) Grayson Co ( Part 1 1st 10 hrs)

August 19-20 Lake Worth (817-237-7461) Tarrant Co.

September 15-18 Bridgeport (940-683-3445) Wise Co

** See TEEX schedule for contact information**

NIMS ICS 400

August 2-3 Trinidad (903-447-1760) Henderson Co

August 9-10 Cobert- Oak Valley ( 214-818-2011) Navarro Co

August 21-22 Lake Worth (817-237-7461) Tarrant Co.

upcoming meetings & Training

Mon, 14 May 2007 02:36:32 GMT

CPR class

Eastern Ellis CO

Thursday August 21 6:30 PM- 10 PM

Ennis Station #2

Instructor Brian Emlet Ennis FF/Medic

Note this will be the monthly training for August.

We had to reschedule the July class

Ellis Co FF Association

3rd Quarter Meeting

Thursday August 14,2008

7 PM

Location-   Salvation Army

                   620 Farley Street

                   Waxahachie

SFFMA North Texas District meeting

Saturday September 20th 5-9 PM

Avalon Host

Fill line -July 2008

Sat, 30 Dec 2006 18:14:05 GMT

The Fill Line July 2008

An informal column by Thomas J. Parsons to connect the Ellis County Texas Fire & Rescue community

******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Support your Ellis County Firefighter’s Association. Officers for 2008 are; President; Chrissy Rogalski, 1st. Vice-president; Charley McElhaney, and 2^nd. Vice-President Van Fowler. The Secretary/Treasurer is Jan Wilkinson. Check out; The Ellis County Firefighter web page containing the latest in Ellis County emergency service subjects, photos, fund raisers, schools, and numerous other items and its located on the web at; http://spaces.msn.com/members/eecff..

While out Scoot-a-pootin. I procured a jacket for fire department purposes but had to cover the front with something as it had a non-fire logo on the left front about badge level. I put a Central High VFD patch over the logo, and the fit was perfect. I thought maybe it might have been a bad idea until I noticed some jackets with the same concept. At the license bureau, the officer that issued my new driver license had a patch on the front of his jacket, and I also saw a picture from another fire service organization with their shoulder patch put on the front left of their jackets. Anyone else have some observations? Maybe the cost of metal badges has gone the route of gas prices and another idea was needed.

When you buy eggs in their carton, do you open the cover to make sure any eggs are not broken or missing? It’s kind of like starting the shift, or randomly checking the trucks at the VFD. Think about it. Speaking of the VFD, that new Garrett Rural fire station is a nice house. I was in the area and not too far out of route when I found it the other day. There is even a hose drying area next to the station and a service line to replenish the water tanks after a call. Two apparatus occupied the station and while I didn’t go inside, things look as if there is a transition to occupy, with lots of potential within. Will the station on Country Club remain occupied?

A nasty storm came through the area and I was able to see the city of Waxahachie in full bloom on a response to a residential alarm near our facility on Ovilla Rd. I mean two engines, a truck and anything else I may have missed. They must have done a good stop as one of the engines returned shortly after arrival. Those Q’s are real music to any (real) firefighter’s ears. Any multi equipment response can get your attention; you know that certain something that never gets out of any real firefighter’s blood.

Like the Association’s web page, The Fill Line has an audience of it’s own as I send a personal hard copy to a couple connections. I want to say that I appreciated the input from the Vass North Carolina fire and rescue crew at the “big house” located in that town. I also want to say that that the gang at Circle V fire and rescue get to look the Fill Line as well. Keep Moore County safe guys and gals, and thanks for spreading the word, Tony Trolio! By the way Tony, when did S. Pines get that 105’ aerial, and is Miller’s still open for breakfast?

I had an express driver for Old Dominion Truck Line stop by the gate and asked if I was still writing “that fire column”, and did I have any copies with me. Of course I did and he got three months worth for a firefighter neighbor of his who volunteers with the Crandall VFD, and who is aspiring to become a paid member some place. I hope he enjoys the effort.

Midlothian will restore its 1918 American LaFrance fire pumper and it will be placed at the renovated “old fire station” down town. This is a restoration and preservation project that will hold the moment for the community. This will be worth looking into along the way. If any of the MFD members can contribute any more poop on this, let me know. I know the Midlothian department sure had their hands full with that restaurant fire in town a few days back. I have heard several say that was the best Italian food place in the area.

Word on the street is that the space program has fixed the broken toilet in space. Now with several rocket scientists out of work, our County Commissioners have decided to hire some of them as consultants for the ever-present radio challenge in Ellis County. Can progress be far behind (space toilet, behind, no pun intended)? The idea may seem “far our” when one considers the progress in this venture during the past seven years that I have been associated with the area fire departments. I wonder if this idea will actually “stink” in the long run? Stay tuned space cadets! (More poot next page).

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The Poot Continues. With all of the hits on the county web page, I often wonder who reads all of the fire service happenings. I know I have an interest in many fire department and city hall type web pages, newsletters etc. I have actually found some interesting reading, however, I have also seen pages with absolutely nothing.

Let Association President Rogalski (Chrissy) know how we appreciate the web page and her continued efforts to prepare the Ellis County firefighter’s web page each month with those up-grades posted as needed.

During the month of June, I went to Spokane Washington. The residence where I stayed was across from one of the city stations, and I will give a report on that next month, but did want to include a radio report from the city of Spokane Valley. I received a copy of the SVFD quarterly report and the subject of radios was the main topic. The existing radio system has some specific shortcomings that are to be addressed to assure reliable service. They include; a certain lack of radio coverage, lack of radio frequencies, lack of interoperability among emergency response agencies, lack of data integration, and finally, aged equipment and compatibility with new technology. The synopsis was to replace the radio system with a multi-phase process with an estimated cost of $40M. The cost estimate includes the following: design and engineering of the new radio system, radio tower sites, repeaters, an initial purchase of public safety mobile and portable radios, operating cost (maintenance, system software, /hardware support agreement and installation). Maybe we should take notes. Finally, the Fill Line gives a hearty congratulation to Wes Curry on his latest advancement in the business world. No, I don’t have a clue what he does either, but Amy D. mentioned it to me the other day. Amy has done well too it seems with her promotion to manager in her office. Good going you two! Did someone say the August Assn. meeting would be held at the Salvation Army building, 620 Farley Street in Waxahachie? I think that was Jimmy Roy, who also notes with the magic words “we will eat at 7 PM”. Bring your fire apparatus to share and show if fuel allows. Well, I couldn’t find a place to put your name Rick, so this will have to do. Thanks for the kind comments on the Fill Line, and in the meanwhile I’ll see you out while scoot-a-pootin!

The firehouse kitchen. Dink was getting a little jealous of Reach since Reach had really done well in the position of station cook, so he figured that he would invite Chief Burns over for some desert one night. About dark thirty the red chief car backed into the open bay. Curbs had just put on another pot of coffee when Dink spooned the moist brownie mix into a pan and he set the oven on the temperature recommended on the box. Reach had just come in the kitchen and reminds Dink that the oven is what he called a “hot oven” and how things will get done sooner than what the box says, so he should be careful. Captain Snut calls for Reach to come to the engine bay, and Curbs comes along to be nosey. Chief Burns has salvaged some groceries from a contact’s store downtown and wants to donate them to Reach for future meals. Suddenly Reach can smell the brownies and hollers up to the kitchen for Dink to take them out of the oven. “If ya can smell ‘em, they are done”, yells Reach. “Yea, well da box says thirty minutes, and they are getting cooked for thirty minutes!” returns Dink. A few minutes later the smoke alarm begins to sound as Books bolts from the bathroom with his latest reading in tight grip. “Captain Snut, Captain Snut, Dinks set the kitchen on fire again” as he runs through the smoke. Reach grabs the CO-2 off the engine and the group stops at the entrance to the kitchen. The smoke banks down to the floor, but there is no fire. Amidst the smoke is Dink standing with his burnt brownies. Chief Burns offers to go to the bodega next door to spring for something to go with the coffee, as the gang opens up the windows to vent the station. Captain Snut quietly tells Books how thankful he was that the batteries in the smoke detector were working.

Texas Forestry. Milford fire chief Mark Jackson and student Scott Kelly were recognized by the TFS lately. The AG mechanics developed and produced a unique shelving system inside one of the all risk response trailers owned by the state. Good going Milford! As always there are grants available for gear, apparatus and other stuff for the Texas VFDs. For additional information call our; Jason Keiningham, Regional Fire Coordinator, Texas Forest Service 915 W. McGregor, McGregor, Texas 76657, Office 254-840-9086, Cell/979-218-3108, Fax/254-840-2275.

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Question of the Month: July. What is a run out?

Answer for: June. On or about August 14, 1965, a race riot incinerated the Watts community of Los Angeles California. At 13:30 both sides of 103rd Street in the business district of Watts were so destroyed by fire a newscaster called it Charcoal Alley. More than 260 buildings were firebombed and burnt to the point where there was more fire than the LAFD could safely handle.

Just when you thought it was safe to come out and play. I found the following story in some of my archives, and it makes you think of big brother and typical ignorant government intervention. I think the story ran about five years ago.

Dixmont Maine (population 1,007) An early barn fire was reported at the Dunivan family farm. Family, friends, and four trucks from the Dixmont VFD combined their efforts to save half a barn, and 94 of 100 calves and cows. However a representative from the Maine Bureau of Labor Standards told the fire fighters that the fire might have been extinguished, but not correctly. It seems the DVFD didn’t wear the proper turnout gear and SCBA as required by state regulations. The department was fined $1,000. There were additional orders for training records to be produced or the VFD could face additional fines. The village saw the orders as unwarranted interference from an over zealous state bureaucracy and appealed. Particularly grating was the implicit message that Dunivan (who is also the fire chief) should not have tackled his barn fire without first going to the Dixmont firehouse to get his protective gear. Selectman Olson noted that it just wouldn’t make sense for Dunivan to drive four miles to get gear and let his cattle and barn burn. Selectman Olson furthered that the volunteers are not employees and they provide a free service. “It is like biting the hand that feeds you, and frankly it is none of their (the state’s) damn business”. Despite the reduction of the fine to $100, Dixmont VFD will use money from a $1,300 legal fund (raised at a benefit supper for the VFD by the community) to appeal the case. Selectman Olson said that it may be cheaper to pay the fine, however somewhere in this life you have got to take a stand, and for us, this is it. This is a condensed version of a true story. It is stories like this that make me think of donation funded community fire departments prevalent in our area, and their efforts to serve their response areas. What do you think about this story?

Prayer Portion. We offer prayer for the Edwards family of Bristol after their loss. We also pray for any special needs around our own communities, as well close to our own families. We thank You Lord for Your touch in all of these situations. We pray for Your touch in matters of our emergency operations as it relates to our local departments and government servants. We pray for Your wisdom and direction in the results, and that which will that will glorify Your name. We pray for your protection over the members of the fire/rescue departments and our ambulance personnel working on the emergency scenes, training, and daily activity. We also pray for Your protection over our families in their absence. We Look to Philippians 4:19 for strength. “And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. We praise Your Holy name, Amen.

The Fill Line is an informal effort to connect the members of the fire and rescue community of Ellis County, Texas. Send your department’s news to me: Thomas J. Parsons at the following, labwdp@academicplanet.com or call: 972-878-0562.

Don’t leave the station with out your FILL LINE!

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