The Chief stopped by today!

KaBoom!

Morale.

BULL!

WOW! What a pile of manure.

Look at that guy spreading all that manure.



Yea, our new Battalion stopped by for a BRIEF visit today an gave me the official word that we've been hearing for the past few days anyway. We've mentioned in recent post that some moves may be coming. Well they came! B-shift got their news yesterday and we got ours today. I assume A-shift will get theirs tomorrow. Big shake ups across the Department and especially here at #9 and #5. I wont use the names of the brothers or sisters involved, but I will tell ya that a lot of the moves leave you wondering. As for here, they've split the C-shift Misfits in half. Coon, Opie and myself will be packing our bags Monday and reporting to the Hippie Hotel on the 16th. My birthday of all days! Yea....I'm ECSTATIC! I really don't know what to say just yet. I know what I want to say but don't want to tarnish or take away from the purpose of this blog. Our intent here has been to stay away from the political and personal opinions and show a glimpse of life inside our firehouse. That said, the firehouse IS OUR LIFE. This is not a 9 to 5 job. We're here 24hrs at a time. This station is our home and the men here are family. This profession forms a special bond between its members unlike any other... our lives depend on it. Our profession was built on Honor, Pride and Tradition and it's difficult to see some of that fading. The moves hurt. We've built a great company here at 9C (and I know we're not the only one in the city). We've worked hard and sacrificed to get to this point. The boys especially. OUTSTANDING work from each of em! To have that all taken away for no given reason....Grrrrrrrrr OK, OK, I'd better stop here. I know I'm not the only disgruntled member tonight and I also know that some are happy (a select few WAY more happier than others) but I also know that each of us will report to duty our next day and do the job we love to do. Me, I'm going into the construction business. I'm gonna build a FIREHOUSE over on Williamson Road!
OK, off the rant.... we had another visitor today. This one was MUCH cooler than the first. A brother from the Conway SC Fire Department stopped by. Jason Perzan says he has been following the blog for some time now. He has family here in Roanoke and is down for a visit. He said he wanted to drop by and meet the guys to see if we were really like portrayed on the blog or if it was all a rouse. LMAO he had to pick a C-shift day...He knew each member by name right away...well all except for Tyrone and he didn't recognize him without his swim suit on. He knew past stories and mentioned several pics and videos. A very nice visit. He got the tour and a t-shirt. I hope he enjoyed it as much as he seemed to. Thanks again for stopping in Jason, come on back anytime. Here's a shot of me and Jason

And hey, it's no wonder he found us...we're leading the polls for the 2009 Fire/EMS Blog of the Year over on Firecritic. If you haven't yet, take the time to check it out. All of the candidates are GREAT reads. Oh yea...while your there VOTE.
We got an update from our newest dad Richard "lips" Lipes. Here it is in his own words.." Thank you for the well wishes, the baby was a bit early, he weighs 2lbs 9oz and is doing well in the NICU. Mom is doing well also. Thank you for your continued support and prayers. R. Lipes"
We also want to pass along the passing of Captain Loren Thompson's father. Loren is assigned to station #2C. The viewing was tonight from 19:00-20:30. The brothers / sisters from the Deuce were able to make the trip. The funeral is tomorrow @ 14:00 at Arritt Funeral Home in Covington, Va. Keep Loren and the Thomson family in your thoughts and prayers.
Enough...Captain Wines

LOOKING TOWARDS 2010

What a year! Kind of an emotional roller coaster for the Melrose Misfits and our Department as a whole. A-shift has worked their last day of 2009 so I guess C-shift will try a "best of" or "highlight" post next day (Thursday) to kind of sum up the year. Yep, not only did the C-shift Misfits get to work Christmas Eve, we also have the honor of pulling New Year's Eve as well. Oh well, someone has to do it and we'll do our best to get a worthy post up. I mentioned an emotional roller coaster and by now, you should all know that we laid to rest one of our most respected members yesterday...Retired Battalion Chief Billy Obenchain. Rhett and Mikey Overacker have some great photo coverage of the funeral here and here. I must admit that once again I was humbled by the turn out (local news coverage here). The "Sea of Blue" behind the hearse would make any brother swell with pride. As with Brother Chris Brown's funeral, members from all around the Valley attended the service while our brothers and sisters from Roanoke County and Salem helped to fill our rigs and stations. I did not get nor compile the list of those brothers and sisters this time, but without naming each of you, please accept our sincere appreciation and THANKS! Our Honor Guard....WOW! What an awesome display of respect for a fallen brother! Just look at some of those pictures linked above. What's not so obvious was the weather and well... it sucked. Freezing cold with high wind. FREEZING COLD! Those guys never swayed at either service (Church or graveside). At the Church, somehow or another our very own Lt. Bugg and Lt. Songer (Station #10-C) had the honor of being posted by our fallen Chief's casket during the service (as they did at Capt. Brown's service). Another solid 45+ minutes on "guard" without a flinch. To each of our Honor Guard members, at both of the viewings, during the Church Service and at the Graveside Ceremony, WELL DONE LADS! You made us all proud. The stories have been told at every station today. Everything from the wooden spoon beatings to kitchen table wash downs and spiced up cigars. It was even said that he's most likely somewhere in heaven conducting a hose line drill, teaching strategy and tactics or testing a new nozzle. Fitting I'd say. Gone but never forgotten, REST IN PEACE CHIEF BILLY.
Ok, like so many other times this year, and like Billy would have expected, we got back on the trucks today. Another cold and windy day and busy on top of that. It seems as though the day has been all about vehicle accidents and car fires. On the North side, we had one rolling under a car port. A quick response and knock down by "Smoke and More, Running 4" (with our crippled War Wagon on their tail) kept it from extending into the structure. Responding companies were E4, E9, E5, L13, M4, B2 and RS1. Working fire was signaled due to the volume of fire and it's location of being under the carport, but additional companies were turned around. A good job by all members on scene. Lt. George Perdue of Lucky Ladder 13 was able to overcome the obstacle of Officers strewn in the front yard to force entry and conduct a search with negative results. Companies were up and back in service quickly with only minor injuries to an ankle and some Captain pride :-) Here are some pics

Yea, our ole War Wagon blew a radiator hose while en route but still managed to make it in, and YES....this time WE laid the line (lol).
Think I'll wrap it up here for tonight. I'll close with saying thanks for all the thoughts and prayers sent to the Obenchain family and our Department. I'd ask that you continue to keep the Obenchains and Brown families on your mind and near your heart as they continue to deal with these losses. I'd also mention a brother from the opposite side of the Country (and his Department as well) who seems to be struggling through a loss of their own. Follow Captain Schmoe's blog here ANYTHING you need Capt. we're a phone call or key stroke away.
Captain Wines

Retired Chief Obenchain

It's with a heavy heart that we report to you that Retired Chief Obenchain (and past Melrose Misfit)is returning home from the cancer center this afternoon with Hospice. Chief has fought a long and difficult battle with friends and family by his side. Keep the Obenchain family in your thoughts and prayers as they (and we) work through this difficult time. He is surrounded by family and friends who wish to express their gratitude for all the support they have received. Here is a past photo of Chief Billy.

These photos were taken by Holly Lipes and are the only documented photos that we have of an entire Battalion being photographed at once in Roanoke City. More images can be seen here.

Rhett also has a post concerning Chief Obenchain here.

**(additional note) **I didn't mention earlier that some off duty members were planning / scheduling to take Chief Obenchain to Duke in the morning. In the planning process, we were looking for somewhere for our members to eat, rest etc. Rhett worked his computer magic and found a station close by the hospital. I contacted Captain Towner from Durham Station #2 and that was all we needed. The Captain and his men are Members of the IAFF Local 668 and offered any and everything . Regretfully, we wont have the chance to accept their generous and brotherly offer. I hope we never have to but know if the tables are ever turned, the brothers and sisters of L1132 will be at the ready. Thanks again to Captain Towner and the members of Durham Station #2. Check out Durham Fire Dept. and Station #2 here or on Facebook here.

-Captain Wines

Last day of the cycle for C-shift, Meet Our Members part 4

Been a good day tater. Good but COLD! Actually got a little snow yesterday. Some areas got a little more than others but nothing major anywhere. We had about 2-3 inches in Catawba which was the Buckaroo's first. He LOVED it. Got to throw his first snowball and make his first snowman. I just gotta show ya the pics...


Routine calls thus far today (which is always good). I'm riding the Battalion again but hanging out here with the boys. Football and Wheezy's 3 day old "Gut Buster" chili atop nachos, with salsa, cheese etc. get out the baby wipes...this is gonna hurt!

We haven't just been watching the Redskins CHOKE... we've also been getting ready to play ourselves. The 1st official practice for the Roanoke Rampage is tomorrow. Check out that link to our site and come on out tomorrow at 18:00 and watch us get started. Hey, we also still need sponsors. Read about the league on our site... it's all for CHARITY. For as little as $250 you can become a sponsor. Contact us here or through the links on the rampage site.
The boys have been teasing me about it pretty hard today and I'm glad they're getting so much enjoyment out of this. I can't wait to get my "I told you so" in... remember boys, it's all on the big wheel :-) I think one thing that has em so tickled is the fact that I've worn my cleats all day today. I mean come on... I haven't had these things on since high school and that was..... well, that was a while ago (gotta get em broke back in). They act like they've never seen a pair of high top shoes. Wait till I break out the game shoes.. high top PUMAs with bright orange strings..oh yea!


I know they love me and are just worried I'll get injured. They keep saying something about me being so small etc. and I keep telling em that size doesn't matter. As long as I have on these shoes, the other team will never catch me. If they want to tackle me, they'll have to do it in the huddle! LMAO
Ok, on to part 4 of Meet Our Members. Meet Firefighter / Medic Scott Boone..aka Coon.

Coon was hired 8-27-2001 and assigned to old station #3. He had the good fortune of working with the likes of then Captain King, Chris Brown, Justin "57" Hines, Adam Fleming and more. No wonder he has such a good work ethic. Not long into his career, he was reassigned to station #9. Here, he is the Senior Fireman on C-shift. He has actually been at this house longer than any other member of C-shift including me. Don't believe it?? Check out this photo of when he came

I mentioned him being the Senior Fireman but he's also the one who gets away with everything. It's usually Coon who comes up with all the fretting ideas. He comes up and plans the shananagans then tricks another member into pulling it off. He's always standing in the back laughing his tail off and never getting implicated....but the ol Capt knows...GUILTY! That in part is how he got his nick name. He's sneaky. The other reason the name Coon fit was his life style at the time. You see, Coon was a "lady's man" and he was courting this one special gal. Late nights...LATE LATE nights until he finally caught her. He'd come dragging in the house for a tour smelling like Brute... by Fabersha, shoes on the wrong feet and dark circles under his eyes. Looked like a coon and it rhymed with Boone. Coon! That special gal is now his wife Sherry. Here's a few pics of the Lady's man and one of him proposing.... ahhhhhhhhh ain't that romantic (or gay lol).


They currently live on Lot 5 in a Botetourt County trailer park until they can finish building their dream home. They've purchased the lot and demolished an old existing house that was there. I assisted with the demo pictured below

While all the boys chiped in to help him find a temporary home until the new house can be built. Check out what we found for him in an older post here. You can also check out his Picture Book page to see the pics of him burning the pile of rubble from the demo job. WOW...I mentioned when you met Wheezy that he was 1/2 of the Misfit's Championship Corn Hole Team, well Coon is the other half.


A true champion but one who loves to pose... it's all about the BLING

he's also our little net worker. He's always on the phone and orginizing some sort of company gathering...


He's sitting high on the Lt. list thus far and is scheduled for his practicle portion of the test tomorrow. Proficient with all aspects of the job, I'm sure he'll do well. I'd hate to loose him but look forward to seeing him test out well and receive the nod for promotion to Lieutenant....GOOD LUCK Coon! Here are a few more pics...





So there he is... our little "poop magnet". Lt. Bugg is up next, we'll be back on Friday...until then stay safe, in the house and don't take no wooden nickels. Captain Wines

Busy day for the Southies and "Meet Our Members" part 3

Another cold day here in "the Noke" and the forecast is for the temp to continue dropping with a chance of snow tomorrow. Guess it's time to double up on the long johns and break out the ol snow shoes burrrrrrr. Anyhow, our brothers and sisters over on the South side have had a busy day, 2 working fires already. I don't think Chief King actually marked the 1st incident a "working fire" but a malfunctioning furnace had smoke banked to the floors. The Southies did a great job of figuring it out, finding / stopping the source and ventilating. I snapped a pic thinking it would be documentation of newly promoted Battalion Chief King's first job as Battalion.

Again, he never really marked this one a worker but did catch one later in the day that I didn't respond to therefor, I have no pictures of that incident. Regardless, today is the day he caught his 1st as Battalion. The address was 4706 Grandin Road. A-shift posted about our 2 latest promotions here as did the Hippie Hotel here. One of the neat things about both Chiefs is their ties to Station #9. When I was hired (and assigned here) Chief King was the Lt. of E9. Terry spent many years here and maintained the reputation of being one of the best pump operators in the department. Chief Firebaugh also spent several years here as the Captain on B-shift until they opened the Hippie Hotel and moved him out there. Again, we want to extend our congratulations to both Chiefs.
Ok, the day has been fairly busy here on the North Battalion as well. A HTR (Heavy Tactical Rescue)drill at a local steel mill, the normal runs and some EVOC training thrown in to boot. Our Department's promotional testing resumes next week and part of the practical testing for Lt. includes driving through the EVOC course. I'm not 100% sure but I believe a lot of cones are gonna die. WOW! A tight course this year. Good luck to all candidates (as with Chief Kings 1st working fire, we'll have the promotion list up before little Hedi Fleitz gets his paws on it). So here's a pic of practicing the "offset alley".

I also got another good pic today. Demolition of a favorite old nursing home here in the City is underway and darn near complete. Southern Manor has been reduced to a pile of rubble. When in operation, it was a regular stop for both medical events and fire alarms. After being shut down / closed the owner graciously allowed us to use it for training. The last regional Recruit School put in many hours and received some fantastic training at this site. After graduation, I would often take the boys back over for company level training. Check out some older posts for a few examples here and here. It was also a place where the Melrose Misfits made history. Opie has the distinct honor of being the last person transported out of Southern Manor due to a training incident we first told you about here. So here she is.. GONE

Ok, on to part 3 of "Meet our Members". Meet Travis Meador....aka "Wheezy".

Wheezy was hired 01-06-2003. His first assignment was to Station 2 on C-shift with the likes of Oscar Smith, Lewy Kennette, John Debose and Chief Obenchain. Wonder where he learned to fret?? He became a Misfit in Feb. of 2007 and earned his nickname the very first day. You see, he reported for duty to tell me he had a Dr. appointment. During his annual physical, our new City Nurse (at the time) had administered his breathing test despite the fact that he had a terrible head and chest cold. After failing (Duh) sent sent him to a specialist thinking he may have had a "touch" of the asthma. So he returned from his appointment just in time to go training with us up at Melrose Towers. Humped 9 flights in full PPE and carrying our high rise packs. That day, I was at the front of the crew but never had to turn around to assure Travis was with us.... I could hear him breathing by the time we hit the 2nd floor landing. Yep..you guessed it, he was wheezing LMAO thus..WHEEZY. Wheezy lives in Salem and is married to Misty who has to have a great sense of humor. Aint she purdy?


I say she has to have a great sense of humor because Wheezy is such a practical joker and fretter..





LMAO are those saddle pics gay or what? Like all the Misfits, Wheezy too is all business when the tones go out. The "bull" of the company, I can always count on Wheezy to get the job done. Here he is "doing it".



He is currently waiting to test for his ALS certification (EMT-I) which when successfully done will result in him getting to shave my mustache ... he has a little mustache envy you know(don't worry, we'll post the shaving party here and may even sell tickets for the event..no big deal, it'll grow back in a day lol). He's also one half of our Championship Corn Hole Team here on C-shift. But, like everyone, he has good and bad days. Here's a few more pics to finish up




So there you have it....WHEEZY. Next up is Coon. I'm on the Battalion again tonight so I may be able to grab a few pics. We'll update if possible / needed. Were back on Sunday, have a great weekend. Until then stay safe and in the house, not "beat it geeks"! Capt. Wines

Picking up the pace

It's the first day back for the C-shift Misfits and it's been a long one. Heck, it's been a long week. I don't know why, but business has definitely picked up lately here in "the Noke". Our house alone has seen 5 jobs in the last 7 days. I'm not sure about the other shifts (I don't get the City text messages) but on C-shift, the Southies have had a few others that we don't run. Caught a notable one this afternoon though. Companies were sent to our local Pet Smart for a report of a fire inside, near the rear of the building. Some companies were at the far end of their district and that led to The 12th Street Express making it in first with us right behind them. Engine 5 had smoke showing on arrival and reported heavy smoke from the interior. A cool note here is that a past Misfit was on scene and helping to evacuate the building. Mark Brown (from E5) said he was met at the door by none other than former #9 member Josh Holmes (you may also remember Josh from our dish washer chronicles). Josh had removed some animals, assisted occupants and reported to Brown the location of the fire. Brown said you could tell that Josh had been working and even wanted to go back in with them. Just like old times huh Josh?
We caught a hydrant, supported the sprinkler system and forced entry from the rear. Things got pretty busy for a minute or two. Coon is off at hunt camp and tricked an A-shift Misfit into trading some time, so Big Jerry "Beans" Franks is riding backwards for us today. I was scheduled off for vacation but Opie has been crying about not having enough time off to hunt ever since his neighbor killed the "big one" out from under him, so I gave him the day. I have to admit that with Beans being from the house, it has been just like having one of my boys with me. He makes a good fit and worked his butt off today. Above, I mentioned forcing entry and I know what some of you will say ... "that's truck work". Well, I think I've mentioned it in a much earlier post, but we carry a K12 on the War Wagon. We have alot of security bars etc in our 1st due plus, we often pull the saw for car fires (to cut and raise the hood). Anyhow, the saw came in very handy again today with no ladder truck in the rear. Battalion 1 (Chief Beckner) was chomping at the bit while we cut the roll up door and then made entry with us establishing "Interior Operations". A decent smoke condition inside while the sprinkler system kept the fire in check. Still, a LOT of work. Pet Smart is located in a 26,040 sq. foot building with an estimated value near $4 million. A lot of smoke, and a LOT LOT LOT of water. Everyone there did a bang up job. Engine 5, the "Hippies" from up at the "Green House" Engine and Medic(less Winters who missed yet another one), The Big Show's Engine 1, The "Deuce" (Ladder 2), Lucky Ladder 13, Medic 101, Ladder 7, Engine 1, Battalions 1 and 2, RS1, the service truck and Fire Marshall. All total, about 32 personnel. Here's a few pics..


Here's one of me and Beans catching a breather and the War Wagon doing her thing (sure is good to have the ole Gal back)


Another interesting story about the fire involved 2 women whom I thought were medic or nursing students. These 2 Young ladies were working their tails off helping anyway they could. One even changed my bottle. Well, apparently they were not students. Bugg got the shot and the 411. He was so impressed with their hustle, he stopped and asked their story. He didn't get their names but they are actually applicants for our Department. They have participated in our recent hiring process and wanted to come out for a ride-a-long to see what it is like here and how we operate. I believe they rode in with Battalion 1. Anyway, Bugg said they did a great job and we wanted to say good luck in the hiring process and THANKS for the effort and help today. Here's their pic.

I'm gonna wrap it up here. It's late, we're sitting on 5 or 6 including the fire and a "code blue". Business is picking up at the "club" across the street so it looks like we ain't getting much rest tonight. I will add that as far as I'm aware of, all of the animals at Pet Smart survived. Pretty amazing for the amount of smoke. We will also have an update to this post in the next day or so because we have a video of another Roanoke Fire Department invention.... a very VERY high tech squeegee... you're gonna LOVE it. Stay safe and in the house.. Captain Wines