Education.......

This article in the StarTribune got me to start looking at other cities fire stations to see how (if at all) they handle public education, training and safety. I know I have not been around long enough to appreciate the efforts made within Eden Prairie but I am told that reduction in fires (residential and commercial) along with false alarms are significantly down over the last few years due to the efforts of the Fire Inspectors.

But there is still a lot of opportunity for education…..or maybe just encouraging people to use some common sense.

This is where I was going to post a video or two from YouTube of stupid things people do with fire…the problem is there way too many to choose from and more importantly, I don’t feel right promoting stupid people and their actions.

Black Hat

Nine Months. Two Classes per Week. Four hours per class. 12 Probies. What seemed to be a lifetime away has come and passed. June 11 each transitioned from our “Probationary” Yellow Helmets to our official “Black” Helmet. No longer do we stand out like a sore thumb (at least in our minds) in a sea of black & red helmets. We’ve all earned the right to transition from Probie to Rookie for the next year….or two.

Graduation Night was an opportunity for our families to sit through a formal quarterly business meeting. I was fortunate enough to have both my kids and wife join me in this celebration. Heidi ‘pinned’ my badge on while my kids joined me for the officially swearing in.

The best part is knowing you (and your family) have made it through this long, year-one commitment. It is definitely one of this significant milestones that define you by a title......Graduate, Husband, Dad and now Fire Fighter.

Relay for Life

Each year I like to participate in a couple of charity based events. Over the years I have run a handful of 5k's for various events, rode a bicycle across Alaska for Aids research, jumped into a frozen lake for the Special Olympics.

This summer I have decided to support the "Relay for Life" which supports the American Cancer Society.

Since joining the EPFD I have come to meet a great group of people that all share a similar passion for community and helping. I have also met a few individuals that have been directly impacted by Cancer and are very passionate about this event and charity.

So, I am joining the EPFD and EP Police department in raising money and participating in the Relay for Life on July 17.

I typically do not like asking friends and family for charitable contributions but I have gotten past this issue and I am starting to realize how generous people can and want to be.

I am asking each person to contribute at least $10 with a goal of rasing $1000 (I have increased my minimum from $110 to $1000)

If you are interestd in supporting me in this cause please click the photo below and contribute....

or paste the following link in your browser:
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY09MW?px=11792594&pg=personal&fr_id=16133&fl=en_US&et=eB4aIDVZAl2iGZ0l9z-nVg..&s_tafId=276222

Live Burn--Training

What a day!
40+ firefighters 10+ training officers, 3 engines, 2 brush trucks, 1 utility and 1 rescue for a live burn training exercise. This training day took a lot of prep work and planning. We converted an older club house (golf) into a training set by building a number (8-9) additional partitioned rooms the week prior.

The Day started with an early morning meeting at Station #1 at (5:30am) then off to the burn site.

8 squads of 5-6 fire fighters were able to rotate through 8 functions providing each group at least one attack. As a group we ended up getting 9 complete 'training' sessions out of the facility before it was time to burn it to the ground....literally.


The training officers did a great job a providing some realistic experience and giving everyone the opportunity to experience heat, smoke, steam, communication, teamwork and a some good flames.

Following the training session we stoked the basement with hay, cut a few ventilation holes in the floor and 'lit er up'. It did not take long for the fire to fully engulf the structure.....giving the firefighters the opportunity to capture a few moments in front of the burn.

After about 4hrs of burn she finally was down to a smoldering pile of ashes, brick and smoke. We spent the next two hours cleaning and washing gear and then ended the day with a meal from Lions Tap! Check the rest of the photo's here.

Small Vehicle Training

This week's training has to go down as one of the best training sessions as a rookie. Before we are allowed to operate any of the departments 'small vehicles' (rescue or utility) we are required to attend two defensive training sessions (one class and one hands on). This week's version was the hands on.

This is likely the only time we'll ever be given the opportunity to drive a vehicle as hard as we did. The opportunity was not as much about being defensive but more about learning the limits of a car and how to manage a situation when things go unexpected. We were given access to a suburban (R41); Pick up truck (U11); some old cop cars and an old ambulance.

Our first obstacle was the serpentine course where you push the vehicle weaving through a line of cones at speeds between 25mp and 40mph.

Second obstacle was the skid pad. An open parking lot with heavy water. We approached the skid pad a 30-35mph and locked the breaks; breaking with a lane shift and circling at the fastest speeds possible.

Third challenge was a back up course learning to weave, and change lanes in reverse.

And final course was the 'decision course'....think about driving straight down the middle of a road with a left and right lane change....except the light to notify which direction is flashed at the second possible. Speeds started a 23mph and went up to 40mph. The difference between 25 and 30mph was incredible.

All in all a great evening. Some good learning's and even better times.