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

Thought this was Friday...

I was actually sure it was but damn if it hasn't gone like a Monday! Pulled a tour last night for a brother over at Ladder 7 so he could go to the Zac Brown concert. Good tour and thanks to the brothers of B-shift over there for taking care of me...that Burrows is one heck of a cook. Anyway, due to the extra shift, I was a little late getting to #9. I roll in about07:20 to a sight that completely stopped me in my tracks. Everything was backwards.

The War Wagon was parked in the medic bay and the box was sitting in her spot. WTF??? Captain Bedwell met me in the bay shaking his head. When they returned from a 04:00am run, they found the door "ajar". Ajar my butt.....more like BROKE!

Anyway, the men went to work, got the door most of the way up but not enough to put the Engine back to bed. Some quick goat thinking, and the Medic unit was able to fit under the door while the Engine was parked in the other side. Now, some of us remember the Ladder (Ladder 9 ) running out of that side but I don't think I've ever seen the Engine run out from over there. Anyway, it was strange to see. Overhead door made it out quickly and soon had everything back up and operating so we swapped again and at least had the apparatus looking normal. Just when I thought things were coming back to how they should be, I kept noticing some bright red rosy cheeks and an ear to ear grin. I had almost forgotten. "Bedford", "little Brooklyn" Brad Creasy was trading a little time today. Bedford and I worked together when I first made Captain back at the real...errrrr old #3. Those were some GREAT times, went through a lot of doors together and made plenty of bonds and memories along the way. It was good to have him back on the truck with me again and I feel like he enjoyed the day here at #9. Here's his mug shot

Wheezy was off getting his "learn on" at EMT-I class, had to transfer Coon over to "The Deuce" for the remainder of the shift, order supplies, wash out, mow the grass ugggggh! I thought today was FRIDAY! Opie was cooking, we had 9 for lunch and a broken stove. By now, you all should know what this does to our little "ninja cook". Yep, the stress level was through the roof. The result?? Red Bone Brauts ummm ummm (ok I know brauts don't have bones but you get the point). We had 9 because Medic 101 had a student. Ooops, not a student, another nurse ride along. This time, a little different than when the last rode. This time, we had the boss... Candi. I wrote a little about the program in the post when John rode. One of our local hospitals sends new hire nurses out for tours with us so that they can see first hand what happens on the "other side" of the emergency and what it takes to get the patients to them. A really great program and concept. I think it will benefit our medics just as much as the ER personnel by creating a better understanding and communications between the two. Anyway, Candi came out to ride and even stayed the entire shift to evaluate how the program is working. I think she found some areas that are doing well, and a few minor areas that need "tweeking". She seemed very excited and pleased and I'm sure she will work to ensure this program continues, expands and delivers positive results for everyone involved. We also had a new hire ridding 101 today. Cassie was hired part time about 1 month ago and has only worked about 3 or 4 shifts. Today was her first with the C-shift Mis-fits. We didn't catch a run with her but she seems to handle herself well around the house and I'm sure she'll do fine. Here's a pic of Candi and Cassie moving out to the veranda after dinner.

Not much excitement for the gals run wise, that is right up until time for their shift to end. Just before 21:00, a fire alarm went out for another one of our local hospitals. No big deal, we run it ALL THE TIME. The next tone was for 3rd alarm companies! WHAT?? Holy crap talk about your heart in your throat. Straight to a 3rd! Thankfully, the incident was quickly brought back to a 1st alarm assignment and the brothers and sisters on the South side were able to handle.
Just a few more quick notes and I'll quit. A few Sundays ago (Sept. 27th) was "Big Joe" Riley Peters last day on the job. Big Joe was known for many things throughout his career but I think most memorably for his pumping ability (as FF and Lt.) and how he handled the old "Grey Ghost" engines. Any of the brothers who worked with or around Big Joe will tell ya that he could drive the wheels off those old Orens. I'm sure he'll be missed by many and we wish him the best of luck and a happy retirement.. he's EARNED it. Here's a shot of him at his last assignment, Engine 11, B-shift.

That's enough for tonight, everyone stay safe and in the house... Hookie game tomorrow and back on Sunday.
Capt. Wines

We're still here

Sorry about the gap since the last post but things have just been busy the last week. Today is our middle day of the cycle so I guess we missed last day of last cycle and our first day of this one. Anyway, I'll try to do a brief update (yea, I know how long my "briefs" can be). Last day of last cycle the highlight was some training with Ladder 2 and the men from Engine / Medic #7. We had the opportunity to go to our drill tower and use the bucket on L2 as an elevated stand pipe. We also made good of the opportunity and played with our new 1 3/8 tip for the high rise pack. Here's 2 picks. Last Tuesday, our Local hosted a breakfast for our retirees. This was the 3rd such event held for the guys and once again, it was a HUGE SUCCESS. The retirees LOVE it and believe it or not, the younger guys working the event had just as much fun. Being able to put faces with stories and even better, being able to hear some of those stories first hand is priceless. Thanks to all the guys (and Gal) who helped out.. Lt. R. "Bugg" Reid, Ben "Tyrone" Obaugh, Scott "Coon" Boone, Capt. Kenny Furrow, Catpt. Craig Sellers, Lt. Barron "Smurf" Gibson, Rachel "Stormy" Winters, my dad Willie Wines Sr and the brothers from #9 A-shift. Our Union President Rodney Jordan, the Chief, and even the Mayor stopped in to say hello to the men. Rhett Fleitz attend and was able to shoot some great video and Mikey Overacker also attended as both retiree and photographer. Check out their coverage here and here. I'll add a few of our shots as well. Now if you checked out the link to Rhetts site, you got to see the video of retired Captain Pete Price. I hope you took the time to watch it. Sadly, Pete peacefully passed away early Saturday morning (may 16, 2009). I have had the pleasure of spending some quality time with Pete and can't put into words how much I enjoyed just sitting and listening to his stories. He had thousands and loved to share them. I must also add that at the breakfast that morning, Pete not only looked good but also seemed full of energy. He was pretty much the center of attention and told stories all morning long. I hope the younger firemen in attendance know how lucky (blessed) they were to have the chance to hear Pete tell his stories for the last time. We'll miss you "Skipper", rest in peace. Here's a pic of me and Pete at the breakfast. Another quick note here.. I attended Pete's funeral yesterday and I personally want to say THANKS to all the brothers who stood by their rigs and saluted as the procession passed each intersection on the way to Pete's resting placed. Several comments were made by the family and funeral home workers. Very professional and a job well done to the brothers of B-shift! Ok, on to something a little lighter on the heart. We get alot of request for video of Tyrone. Well, it just so happens that he needed a hair cut last cycle. Long story short, Bugg stepped in for Wheezy and the results...well, you be the judge




Our little "poop magnet" Coon is on vacation down in Fla. watching it rain LMAO! I'd hate to see his mini-bar bill. I'm counting the hours to make it through next day and then I get 2 cycles back to back. Well, I say I'm on vacation, the boys say THEY get the vacation. Either way, I'm not gonna be HERE! We ran across and interesting site this evening and the boys have had a ball with it (mostly at my expense). Anyway, I tried direct links and it didn't work so check out the site here and listen to a few of our favorites.. #90, #12 #16 and #25. Nothing else really exciting, a stabbing and gun shot run atop all the others that have rolled in over the past few days. Our brothers over on the South Side went to work this morning catching a job in South East. I did get word that our favorite Buff and County Brother is a proud new father..well, in a way. It seems that Brandon Sheppard punched a hole through the rest of his crew to catch an on scene delivery. Something was mentioned about him screaming that it couldn't be much different than "birthing a calf" and so.. welcome to the world Tarazae "Sheppard" ..LMAO. Just kidding Shep, good job on a successful field delivery. Not much else to report, hope everyone is enjoying the weather. Oh yea, check out this site and vote for Chief Barker's wife and daughters in the look a like contest. First prize is $1,000.00 and I can smell a pool party in the future! Vote here and remember to cast a vote every day. We're back on Friday, until then stay safe and keep em in the house. Capt. Wines
PS. I almost forgot. Our brothers up in Lynchburg are facing a 3% pay cut. Rhett has an article over at Va Fire News here I believe the date for the rally is May 26th. We also have a link to our Lynchburg brothers from station 6 at the top left side of this page. Check em out and make plans to attend the rally. Im on vacation, B-shift is on duty, contact me and maybe we can get a group together and ride down. Peace Out

ONE OF THOSE DAYS FOR C-SHIFT

The good news is that we have seen the sun shine more today than we have all last week. The bad news is that we haven't got to sit and enjoy it much, Sunday or not. It's been one of those days where you just never know what you're gonna have when you get there. For a change, the Engine has been busier than the Medic, and we've run more with our brothers over at Station #4 than our own "road doctors". Thanks for covering our backs guys! There was also a good bit of Department wide news passed on this morning. Rhett recently posted on RoanokeFire.com about a City incentive and 9 possible retirements from our ranks ( read here ). Well, the Rumor has been confirmed and the list posted. It was also passed along that 2 maybe 3 additional names have been added to that list (despite missing the deadline for the incentive...which I believe has already passed). Congratulations to all the members who have earned their way off the job. I guess the biggest news of the list is that our brothers on A-shift will be loosing BOTH Battalions. Chief Trout from the North and Chief Ferris from the South Battalion. I worked with both at one time or another and wish them both the best in their post-department endeavors. I guess the "shocker" of the list comes from right here at Station #9. Our very own B-shift is loosing their tallest member Josh Holms. Josh was hired 12-11-2000 and has served as a Firefighter / Paramedic since. I know Josh will be missed, but I'm also sure he will not be a stranger to our house. Good luck Josh and all the others who are retiring.

I guess I shouldn't have said anything about Josh being tall because some guys here at #9 are sensitive about their height..so, I apologize Josh...you're NOT that tall. With that said, at least I know now that the new set of turnout gear delivered to the station today was not intended for you...

LOL... ok ok I couldn't resist and was only kidding. Oppie's son has out grown his little set of gear and he graciously passed it down to my grandson "The Buckaroo". I posted before about the Buckaroo's first Fire Truck and now he has his first set of gear. He'll only be 1 yr old 4-17-09 but is working (eating) hard to grow into the gear. He has been around the station since the day he came home from the hospital. He LOVES firehouse beans and always cleans his plate...errr high chair.

So that covers the new turnout gear ( Thanks again Opie and Kyler). The calls and station stories today have been gut busting. Tyrone has been his normal self...if you can call ANYTHING about Tyrone "normal". If I could figure out how to sell tickets to watch his antics we would be able to afford some of those fancy appliances like they have up at the "Hippie Hotel"...recliners, dust free rugs, humidifiers, compactors, linen services, vibrating beds etc. Ok, maybe they don't have all of that BUT they DO have a pool. Don't believe me? They even posted it on their site here . Now, they are calling it a "Bio retention pond" but here in North West, that's a pool!

A-shift took a beating last day and it has somewhat carried over to us. Steady runs and work all day. Tyrone, Wheezy and the boys whipped up a great breakfast. The trucks had all the rain / wet road grime washed off and the calls began. A mix of fire and EMS but nothing serious so far. Our War Wagon remains torn apart down at the City Garage so we are riding one of the 1991 Grumans... Reserve 902. Here's a shot of us out with Medic 4 and several of Roanoke's finest.

On another incident, after "waking up" a diabetic with a D50 (glucose) cocktail, we got to referee an argument between the patient and her sister as to what they were going to watch on TV... "Deal or no Deal" or my "Tiger Woo"... yes her Tiger Woo, NOT Woods. Not sure who won, but it was fun to watch and none of us wanted in the middle (shoulda been here Sheppard). Anyway, we are settling in for what we hope is a quiet night. We're hoping to watch "Nitro Circus" @ 22:00 (10pm) on MTV. If you haven't seen it, WATCH IT! Go pee first. Also check out their site here and find the big wheel episode...it's worth the time. That's all for tonight unless something more exciting happens. Everyone stay safe and in house. We go on 4-day tomorrow and back on Friday. Peace out!