2/28/01 Extrication Training Photos
We did some extrication training on a tow job Tuesday. My boss is a real whip cracker and had us cutting up cars first
thing in the morning. LOL, it was a beautiful day to be outside and the brushup does everyone good. I created a gallery
for the 7 photos from the training to the
Extrication Training
photo gallery.
2/27/01 Attention WFD Members and Retirees
I was contacted by Jeff Poole in reference to getting the word out to WFD retirees. There will be a meeting of concerned
Waterbury Fire Department Retirees on Tuesday March 5, 2002, from 7-9PM at the Quality Inn, 88 Union Street, Waterbury.
The subject of the meeting will be the City's change of benefits to retirees. An attorney will be present at the meeting to
discuss legal representation and possible legal solutions. Interested members should be prepared to pay dues to join a
cause of action that would benefit only those joining the action.
2/26/02 Line of Duty Death - Cullman, AL
Our condolences to the Nichols family and the Loretto, Alabama Volunteer Fire Department. FireFighter Robert Nichols, 39,
a veteran of the Loretto Volunteer Fire Department, died Wednesday, February 13, 2002. Robert was working traffic control
at the scene of a water-main break when he collapsed from an apparent heart attack. He later died at Woodland Medical
Center.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
Robert Nichols Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
2/25/02 Armpatch Gallery Updates
I have been very busy the last couple of days working on bumper stickers and helmet stickers for the website. I did,
however, find time to edit and add 22 more armpatches while I was adding new fire department websites to the
Fire Dept Websites
page. The new ones can be found in the last pages of the
Armpatch
photo gallery.
2/22/02 Photo Gallery Updates
Fernando Martinez of Florida sent me a photo of a breathtaking snow sculpture. I wonder where it was made. I have added
the photo to the
9-11 Memorial Snow Sculptures
photo gallery.
I also added a new helmet shield from Howard Osorio, of WFD Truck 1, to the
Helmet Shield
photo gallery and 10 new armpatches to the
Armpatch
photo gallery.
2/21/02 Line of Duty Death - Newaygo, MI
Our condolences to the Ebel family and the Newaygo, Michigan Fire Department. Chief Ray Ebel, 62, a
35 year veteran of the Newaygo Fire Department, died Monday, February 18, 2002. Ray responded as mutual aid to a
structure fire with Fremont Fire Department. He collapsed at the scene and was rushed to Gerber Memorial Hospital in
Fremont where he later died.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
Ray Ebel Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
2/20/02 FDNY Lieutenant Jim Coyne Tribute Song
I was contacted by Nancy Coyne, wife of Lieutenant Jim Coyne of the FDNY. Her husband has written a song to honor those
firefighters who have given their lives in the discharge of their duties. Proceeds from the sale of the CD will benefit the FDNY-
UFA Widows and Orphans Fund. There is a $10 donation for the CD. Mail orders can be sent with check or money order,
please place group orders if possible, to: E289/TL138, Attn: Lt. Coyne, 97-28 43rd Avenue, Corona, NY 11368. They can also
be contacted via email at
firefightersong@yahoo.com.
There will also be a fundraiser with a live performance of Jim's song along with music by the FDNY and NYPD Pipe and Drums
at Jackie O'Reilly's Bar and Grill on Sunday, March 10, 2002. Please visit their website for more details
here.
2/18/02 New York City Firefighting: 1901-2001
Steven Sher has a book being released next month called New York City Firefighting: 1901-2001. The book is softcover with
144 pages featuring 220 photos. About 40% are historical photos, 40% are Steven's photos from 1960 to 2001, and about
20% are Steven's photos of the September 11th aftermath. His previous work, Fire! with Jimmy Breslin, published in 1978,
recently sold on an eBay auction for over $200. The book can be purchased
here
and can be ordered before it's release March 1, 2002.
2/17/02 Photo Gallery Updates
I finally got around to uploading the new 31 armpatches and those bring the total to over 900 patches in the
Armpatch Gallery.
I also added 2 more apparatus photos that Tom Rige sent me to add to the
Tom Rige
photo gallery.
2/16/02 Line of Duty Death - Napanoch, NY
Our condolences to the Walter family and the Napanoch, New York Volunteer Fire Department. FireFighter Rex Walter, 69, a
43 year veteran of the Napanoch Volunteer Fire Department, died Sunday, February 10, 2002. Rex had arrived at his fire
station to respond to a chimney fire, while putting on his turnout gear, he collapsed and died from an apparent heart attack.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
Rex Walter Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
2/15/02 FDNY Commemorative Video by Alan Simmons
Alan Simmons of
FireStormVideo.com
has released a FDNY Commemorative Video. The 14 minute tribute salutes the spirit of firefighters
everywhere who stand ready with the kind of courage shown by the brave men of the FDNY who died within one
hour at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The powerful impact of this new video lies not in images
of the attack only, but in the dedication it shows of the men and women who serve as firefighters across America
from day to day. All proceeds go towards the UFA Widows & Children's Fund. Get yours for $14.95
here.
2/14/02 GroundZeroSpirit.org Poster
The Record of Bergen County and the 3 firefighters in the infamous flag raising photo are selling posters to raise money for
the North Jersey Media Group Disaster Relief Fund. It the only place you can get the poster of the photo authorized by the
copyright holder. For more information visit
www.groundzerospirit.org.
To order your poster online from the Email Shopping Network, click
here.
2/13/02 Line of Duty Death - Dallas, TX
Our condolences to the Davis family and the Dallas, Texas Fire Department. FireFighter Vincent Davis, 42, a 10 year veteran
of the Dallas Fire Department died Monday, February 11, 2002. Vincent died from injuries sustained when a wall collapsed on
him and another firefighter at a two story 6 alarm apartment blaze. Both firefighters were rushed to Methodist Medical
Center where Vincent died later that evening. The second firefighter was treated and released.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
Vincent Davis Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
2/12/02 SpiderWebArt.com 911Tribute Art 2 For 1 Sale
My friends at SpiderWebArt.com are having a 2 for 1 sale till February 28, 2002. There are three posters from prints by Greg
and Tim Hildebrandt that benefit the Widows and Childrens Fund that are eligible for the 2 for 1 sale. 'The Day the Angels Cried'
is pictured here. The other two prints are 'The Last Full Measure of Devotion' and 'New York's Finest'. Spend over $100 and get
FREE shipping also. When ordering, you must mention or type in 'Email Special Offer'. SpiderWebArt.com can be contacted at
(973) 770-8189 or online at
www.spiderwebart.com.
I have both of the firefighter prints and highly recommend you acquire yourself one.
2/12/02 FireFightingLinks.com 'Code Red Website Award'
Gene Koepke from
www.flashvideolimited.com
awarded FireFightingLinks.com their 'Code Red Web Award' in appreciation of excellence in presenting fire service information
across the world. Check out the new
Website Awards
page.
2/11/02 Line of Duty Death - Detroit, MI
Our condolences to the Olander family and the Detroit, Michigan Fire Department. FireFighter Steven Olander, 39, a 13 year
veteran of the Detroit Fire Department, died Thursday, February 7, 2002, of an aneurysm. Steven was injured last month
at a structure fire while raising a ground ladder. Someone fell on him, injuring his head and back. Still, he continued working.
It wasn't until later that he realized he was injured and was placed on medical leave.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
Steven Olander Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
2/8/02 Harley-Davidson - Only Heroes Need Apply
I was contacted by Bob LaRoche of Yankee Harley-Davidson in Bristol, CT. He wants me to get the word out to the
local fire departments about the 2002 H-D Firefighter Special Edition. Unlike just about any other model H-D motorcycle,
the new 2002 H-D Firefighter Special Edition motorcycle carries with it one unique characteristic that has nothing to do
with the bike - the requirement that only those able to submit an official firefighter identification card can order the bike.
Only Heroes Need Apply. Bob LaRoche can be contacted at (860) 583-8484 or
yankeeharley@aol.com.
There are 3 models available: Classic, Ultra Classic, and Road King. You can see photos and get more details at
www.harley-davidson.com.
2/7/02 Armpatch Gallery Updates
Tom Rige emailed me 6 more armpatch photos. I added another 42 armpatches to that, mostly FDNY companies that I have
gathered, and added them all to the
Armpatch
photo gallery.
The IAFF emblem pictured here can be purchased as a sticker from the
Dade City PFFA Local 3446.
2/6/02 Faces of the Brave Poster
Artist Randy Soard of Las Vegas has created an amazing photo mosaic poster to honor and raise money for the fallen rescue
workers of New York City. He is awaiting approval from the victims' families and the newspaper who owns the flag raising
photo. You can reserve your own copy today, I already did, by clicking
here.
2/4/02 Line of Duty Death - Lewes, DE
Our condolences to the Rickards family and the Lewes, Delaware Volunteer Fire Department. Department President Louis
Rickards, 55, a 39 year veteran of the Lewes Volunteer Fire Department, died Sunday, February 3, 2002. Louis and his wife
were driving through Maryland to the Delmarva Volunteer Fireman's Association Executive Meeting in Virginia, when their
vehicle was struck in the driver's side by another vehicle at an intersection. Although wearing a seatbelt, Rickards was
ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife Naomi was transported to a hospital in Salisbury,
Maryland, treated and was released in the afternoon.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
Louis Rickards Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
2/2/02 Line of Duty Death - Lumberton, NC
Our condolences to the Brooks family and the Lumberton, North Carolina Fire Department. FireFighter Thomas Brooks, 48,
an eighteen year veteran of the Lumberton Fire Department, died Thursday, January 31, 2002. Thomas had participated in
strenuous physical training and 3 calls during his shift. The following morning his crew members were unable to wake him,
he died in his sleep.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
Thomas Brooks Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
2/1/02 Photo Gallery Updates
Tom Rige emailed me 3 more armpatch photos to add to the
Armpatch
photo gallery.
Jerry Buner emailed me 3 more photos to add to his
Jerry Buner
photo gallery.
