C-shift update

I was so caught up with Opie, I forgot to tell ya about an earlier call the Medic ran with Lucky 13. The call was a medical call, pt nausea and vomiting. The female pt was assessed and while giving her medical history and personal information, she stated that she had received both the Influenza and H1N1 (you know the Have 1 Need 1)shots this season. Well, it was about that time that Mr. "I used to be an EMT in Richmond" busted to the front(knocking Coon down)to advise the pt that these shots "only last 60-90 days". LMAO! Where did Dr. Fleitz come up with this??? He stated he researched it and found it as FACT. We figure he researched it as he did with the cut and paste job he did with or "new hire" list last day. Well, we put the Melrose Misfit's blog research department on it and have came up with the following rebuttle...FACTS...nuttin but em!
Check out sec. 2 paragraph 4 of this link.
or, simply check out this video You have to watch the entire video to get the appropriate answer. So, there you go.. proof again that Rhett is a fraud. A knock off, plagiarizer, copy cat! We just wanted to make sure our readers are up to speed on this issue and not be confused or misled on how long the shot is good for!
I also forgot to mention our 2 visitors of the day. Retired Lt. Mikey Overacker dropped by for a visit and we had a ride along on the Medic. Travis Meadow (Meadow...not Meador) is an EMT student and volunteer with Blue Ridge Vol. Fire and Rescue. Travis was hoping to see a little of what the job is and figured this was a good spot. It was good to see Mikey and as is everyone. Travis was very welcomed and we appreciate his interest in The Melrose Misfits. Here they are...


We also wanted to remind everyone of 2 A-shift retirements tomorrow. FF/Medic hank Pfister is retiring from station #4 while Lt. Leroy Edwards is retiring from Lucky 13. I have had the pleasure of working with both of these men and hold many many fond memories. Good luck and best wishes to you both! Stop by #13 between 14:00-16:00 and by #4 anytime.
Peace out...Capt. and the boys

Time to beef up the ol armor

Well, this is North West but the ol slogan of running out of "the knife and gun club" wont exactly fit anymore. We run our share of shootings and stabbings, everything from 22 cal to AK's and AR's. Hell, they advertise em in stock just up the street (click the pic for a larger view and read the sign).

But today we had a first. A live grenade. WDBJ7 made a brief mention of it on the 6 o'clock news or check out their report of the incident here. Nothing too exciting really, no detonation and best of all, no injuries. The Engine was called to assist PD which ended up being of Cities finest along with the State Police Bomb Squad. Nearby businesses were evacuated and safety zones established. Then, the waiting game. Here's a pic of the scene

It's not often we get the State guys in our neck of the woods (it's usually the feds..ATF or DEA). They did have a cool rig and only needed a 40 acre field to turn it around.

We also called in our little hippie friends from the Green House or Hippie Hotel as we like to call it. Medic #3 came and sat with us for a while just in case.

Then we got to thinking... just in case?? What if this thing really goes off?? What Medic do we have again??? Oh yea, it's #3. Then we got realistic..better call in some professionals.

LOL...just kidding #3, you guys (AND GAL) do a great job. Well after a hour or so of deciding what to do (other than NOT letting the Firemen remove and dispose of it)the bomb guys loaded up the pesky little explosive devise and hauled it off to where ever they haul stuff like that off to. We took up and headed back for lunch and Air conditioning. Oh, I guess I should also mention that we had a mixed bag of members today. Wheezy was off once again getting his EMT-I learn on. Opie is somewhere in Dollywood starring at Dolly's....errrr...ummmmm well he's in Dollywood and Bugg banged out sick. So, that meant we got the "banned blogger" Rhett Fleitz backwards on the Engine until class was over and "quiet as a mouse" McDonald for 24 on the Medic. Here's our 2 fill-ins


We also had a "ride a-long" for a few hours tonight. Add him and Medic Unit 101 and that meant 8 people around the table for dinner. We were thinking about running up the street to steal a church pew (kinda felt like the Waltons) but then we figured out if we stole a pew it would have to come from a church (I don't think #3 has a pew). Now we are "Misfits" and we will pilfer just about anything we need (or want bad enough) but stealing from a church?? Don't worry, we didn't! That ain't how we roll. We made due with some rolly chairs from the office and sat down to a really nice meal.

After dinner and cleaning the kitchen, it was up to our theater room for Popsicles and a movie. "Last House on the Left" is worth the watch...it works out in the end! I'll leave ya with Larry's shirt from shift break. I don't know where he gets em but I love em.

That's it for now, keep em in house and be safe. Capt. Wines

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS..BUSY BUSY BUT IT'S OUR LAST DAY OF THE CYCLE

10 more hours and we're headed for a 4 day break! I can't wait. In typical fashion for this cycle, it's been a hectic day. The morning once again started with physicals at the City's Nurse's Office. Oppie, Bugg and Wheezy all got a stamp (or finger) of approval from Occupational Health. Good thing there's no psychiatric exam. Anyway, Wheezy also got his EMT-I learn on this morning so we had a fill in from #13 (and past member of #9) Todd Reliegh. Thanks for the hard work and tolerating all the switching etc. Todd. Today also marked the first day that we ( C-shift) got to work / run with our new renters, Medic Unit 101. They report for duty @ 09:00 but pick their unit up from over at station #4 ( because we have nowhere to park it). Well, as soon as they picked up the unit, marked in service and on air, guess what... got their 1st run of the day and, THEY THE RUNS KEPT COMING! They didn't make it back to the station until after 14:00. I guess the day's of "gravy" part- time work down at "The Big Show" are over. We did our best to make them welcome and comfortable but they didn't get to stay long...back on the road in less than 10 minutes! Here's a shot of our 2 part timers and their 2 ride along students... that's 9 bodies in the house today.

From left to right is Mark Cromer, Steve Melone, Jessica Creasy and Jose Kaniday. Thanks for knocking a chunk out of Medic 9's run load and for all the hard work guys! The Engine has stayed just as busy with EMS runs as well.. a band-aid here, a band-aid there and always sticky side down...that's just how we roll. We even caught a run with our Hippie buddies from over at station #3 ( or the Hippie Hotel ). The sad thing is that we both had to run all the way over to Stradford Park (station #4's territory) to see one another.

And yes...we beat them in as usual. That's about the most excitement we've had for the day. We've been anxiously awaiting the stroke of the 10 o'clock hour in hopes of catching the season premiere of Rescue Me. Check out the shows Official site here. If you've never watched it, and are interested in the job...it's worth the hour. That said, it's a FULL MOON tonight and that never ends well for the Melrose Misfits. So, we are trying to find someone to TEVO it for us JUST IN CASE!
Everyone be safe tonight and remember... Talk is cheap, it takes money to ride the train! Peace out

Middle day blaghs

Another cold and rainy day. We hope Bugg is enjoying his vacation this cycle with all this nice weather and all. Rumor has it that he worked his 2nd job today (a substitute elementary school teacher) and got to go on a field trip. We hope he stayed in line, didn't touch anything, didn't beat up any kids for their snacks and wore his helmet on the bus. It's been a pretty quiet day for us so far, the Medic only has 6 in the books and the Engine...well don't tell anyone but we're working on a no hitter. Our morning was somewhat brightened a little. Wheezy was at the Regional Training Center getting his learn on again so we had a fill in from station #2 (aka "The Deuce" because 1 is never enough). Lt. Tina Obrien made the trip and even decorated the kitchen with some fresh flowers.It almost had us feeling like we were at that "other" station...you know the "green" one. Flowers, the fragrance of a woman and a pocket book on the doghouse of the engine..UGGGH! Well, Wheezy made it home just in time for lunch and after filling his little tummy, opened the barber shop. Yep, we do it all here at the rock. Our little Tyrone was on the verge of being transferred to the Hippie Hotel. We weren't sure if he was going for the standard hippie look or starting a mullet...(you know all business in the front and a party in the back) but either way, he needed a cut. Well, the flowbee was out of service (a whole other story involving Coon and his grooming obsession) but luckily I had some cow clippers in the truck. Now, don't panic, Wheezy is a professional and we've passed several heads through 9's house of hair. Some turn out better than others.. here's an exampleWe also learned a valuable lesson today about where you park a vehicle around here. I know we're in a budget crunch and everything but maybe, just maybe we should put in for some type of eco-friendly parking shelter like they probably have over at you know where.
Ok, #13 has already had a stabbing and the runs are starting to pick up City wide so we're heading up stairs to try to hide. Back on Sunday, stay in the house, and BE SAFE!

Feels like Monday

Another beautiful day and C-shift is pulling the tour. I feel like I've been here for a week already today. Mondays have a few additional checks etc that need to be performed in the mornings but it's really not that big of a deal. Got all the trucks washed up, hit the grocery store and caught a few runs. Donnie Foutz is our other messenger truck driver (we have 2 who alternate, him and Jimmy "Jimbo" Jennings) and just like Jimbo, Donnie always takes the time to sit down and spread the good word. Jimmy retired from our Department in 2004 and Donnie worked for the Vinton Fire Dept. so both are an excellent fit for the job. Here's a shot from Donnie's visit today.After we all downed 4 or 5 of Wheezy's "gut bomb" hot dogs with chili, we loaded up and headed out for a little training (..YES station #3, we train EVERYDAY). Our training location today has one of those "good news / bad news" stories. The bad news is that it is a closed down retirement home. It didn't have the best reputation, nor was it anywhere near the cleanest place to go BUT, it was the spot I had chosen to put my dad once he retired from the Fire Dept. You see, it is right across the street from a convenience store. Dad could have walked the short distance across the street to buy his supply of Old Milwaukee. The residents also sat on the front porch every day in a very nice glider. By joining them, he would have had a front row seat for watching Engine and Ladder 2 run up and down Williamson Rd. Not to mention also having a nice shady spot for consuming the above mentioned purchase. And, the big bonus was the fact that I had budgeted in to supply him with a full carton of camel cigarettes and 1 brown paper bag per week. You see, dad didn't smoke but, there was one very nice lady who lived there. I figure she was rich because she wore a full length fur coat every day of the year (summer time included). Well, it was rumored that this nice lady traded .... well she traded "stuff" for cigarettes. So you see, dad would have had it made. Close to cold beer, near fire trucks, a working glider / rocking chair in a shaded area and ... the woman in the fur coat for ... well you get the picture. Anyway, they shut it down and now dad just stays on the golf course. The good news to the location is that they shut it down and it is an awesome site for training. We actually used the buildings during the last recruit school. I'm not sure if Lt. Bags or Chief Adkins acquired the location but, we continue to have access to it and it has worked out great. Room for tons of drills...flat roof, peaked roof, searches, single story, 2 story, numerous windows and doors etc. Here's a shot of some vent training.
For all the readers on the job, you may be wondering why an Engine Company has a saw. Well, we do carry a K12 on our War Wagon but we usually keep the abrasive blade on. We encounter a lot of security bars etc in our first due and having the saw with us saves some time vs. waiting on the ladder truck. We changed blades and did some venting just to get some time on the saw and, here in the City, it's not uncommon for an Engine to be assigned "truck work" and vise versa. Anyhow, later on, we caught another "cooker"! I mean it was "that" close to getting away from Wheezy. Had the inferno not been in a 55 gal. drum, I'm scared to think what may have happened.
After extinguishing this inferno, we headed back to the house to begin dinner. Once again, Wheezy pulled though... BBQ chicken, mac salad and baked beans.

What can I say? The boy was raised right and he has a good Captain! Now, if you think the yard bird looks good (and it was) check out what was for desert. Home made banana ice cream! Yep, that's how we roll here at the rock. Nothing like a friendly game of corn hole and some home made ice cream to wind the day down.

There was a little "picking" going on this evening as well. I have always told the boys that "I can tolerate a lot of things BUT, fretting is not one of them". I guess I'll bend that rule a little tonight. "Someone" stopped by for a visit to make sure I seen his new shirt and said he sure hopes it wont make the blog (hint hint). It seems as though there is another station to station friendly rivalry going on.

And to wind things up here, I was issued new gear tonight. YEP, brand new, shinny and clean. I'll add here that all the brothers on the turn out gear committee did a fantastic job of looking out for our safety when specking this gear. Morning Pride won the bid and in my opinion, theres not a better set of gear on the market. JJ Price and Randolph Smiff from down at the "Big Show" handle all the gear for C-shift and they too go above and beyond to take care of the men. Here's the pic, get a good look ...you know what new gear means.

I look like a ROOKIE all clean and pretty. Don't take no wooden nickels, keep em in the house and STAY SAFE tonight. We're back on Wednesday.