Chula Vista

 

Overnight trip to the Dells was fun.  Well, except that the Packer's lost.  And then, a few people got sick...self induced.  For once it's not me.  Oh plus when I walked outside this morning to get the XK, got slapped in the face by the winter weather.  Damn, was only 12 degrees out.  24 hours earlier was much differet.  Like 40 degrees warmer much different. 

Not gonna lie.  That sucked.

Byrge

Another One

Yep.  But not what your thinking.  Sorry.  Just ordered another bike.  No, not one with an engine, unless you count my legs, but that's not saying much.  Should be here in a couple weeks.  Coming up from Texas.  Called Fireman's Texas Cruzer.  The plan for this one, my Ray's bike.  Along with some urban commuter shit.  Can't wait.  Like all things, need to make a couple changes on it.  Here's the list.

• Schwalbe Table Top tires
• CrankBrothers Mallet pedals
• Brooks B17 in Mandarin Orange saddle
• Giro Reverb helmet

Was quite undecided as for the color with eight different ones to choose from.  Sticking with black all around with white decals.  Keeping traditional colors here, just adding a little flair with a different seat.

Byrge

Wheel Time

Quite surprised when I walked into 23's on January 3rd.  Offered to drive either the engine or the truck.  Wanted more wheel time, so I choose the engine. 

Fire tones off early in the day to a chimney fire at a residence around the corner from my home.  Nothing major, as we got picked up shortly after we got on scene.  Took a few more runs the rest of the day.  That was until around 11pm.  Fire tones for a structure fire at El Rey on 51st and Oklahoma.  As we approached that intersection, the whole parking lot was filled with smoke.  23's was the second in engine so I supplied 33's from a hydrant across Oklahoma.  Didn't really care that I cut off access to Oklahoma.  They needed water.  Was good to act again and actually do some work with the engine. 

After returning, got the rig squared away and ready for the next one.  Was shortly after 1am when a squad run came in.  Nothing major.  Just someone experiencing chest pain after getting pulled over by the police.  Yeah, sure.  Took two more squad runs after 6am.

It's been a good stretch since Christmas Eve.

Byrge

2013 - Year of the Snake

Hmm...

Review of two zero one two.

This one may be reviewed, redone and revisited by me as I recall of last years events. 

Many heartaches among families and friends.  Parents struggling with their children having surgeries to others that have lost loved ones.  While never easy, no matter what the struggle, it's always the transition that's the hardest to overcome.  Time mends many wounds, but those wounds leave scars to remind us of what was done.

As for my own, only one episode for one of my children, a reprieve from years past.  And a simple surgery for her as well.  The other one has come into his own the second half of the year.  Now both are very entertaining.  Frustrating sometimes, but the laughs outweigh the hollers.

My wife had a wonderful year.  Did her first half-marathon.  In just nine seconds over two hours.  Plus lost over 50 pounds.  What a woman!

As for me...pretty much a slug.  Didn't do much.  Didn't go anywhere fun.  Except the occasional trip down to Chicago.  Once with the family, another just the boys and one more with only the wife and I.  Some good times for sure.

As for work, moved from Engine 31 to Truck 14.  Had a few good fires too.  Working holidays were pretty good for me.  Well, only two of them were.  Easter was acting HEO and got my first roof with Truck 14.  And then Christmas Eve, had a first in with Engine 17 where I pulled a guy out of a burning apartment.  Both were pretty awesome.  Was mentioned that the Christmas Eve fire might be the last time I'm ever on the pipe.  Hope not.  And oh yeah, as it sits now I'm three out to get promoted to HEO.

Like mentioned before, I'll probably revisit this post to add some other info.

Happy New Year

Byrge

Tragedy

Unbelievable.  Too many times within the past few years of shots fired on school grounds.  And this time is the worst.  All small, innocent children gone way before their time.  As a parent, I've had different feelings regarding this.  From sick to pissed off to confused, and in the end, just a loss for words.

Byrge

Thanks

Another Thanksgiving has past.  Families gathered, football was watched and turkey was eaten.  I am thankful for all.  For my two kids, how I could not imagine my life without them.  For my friends.  Even though months go by between gatherings, it's always like we were just together having that cold one last week.  And for the things that seem to go unmentioned on many occasions.  A roof over my head, the security of the best job in the world, and the love of a wonderful wife.  For all the things I am thankful for, these few things are just the tip of the iceberg.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Byrge

Milwaukee Bicycle Co.

After two months of deliberating with myself, I took the family into Ben's Cycle and ordered a new mountain bike.  A Milwaukee Bicycle Company 29er.  Should be a couple of weeks before she comes in, but extremely excited.  Went with a full rigid 29er with a 1x9 drive train.  Matching color on the frame and fork.  Cream City is what they call it. Can't wait to get back on the trails.  Day one complete...a few cravings but managed my time.  Just kept up with some busy work.

Five are hired off the list.  Still waiting to see what happens regarding the budget.  Hoping to get made before the headaches start.  Technically, I'm two out, but another HEO hung it up last week so just wait and see.

Intended parts list for the MBC 29er

• Sun Ringle Black Flag Comp wheelset
• Maxxis Ardent, Beaver or Ikon tires
• CrankBrothers Candy 3 pedals
• CrankBrothers Cobalt 2 stem & handlebar
• Brooks B17 Standard saddle & grips

Byrge

Big Green Egg Pizza

Second time using the Big Green Egg a huge success, at least in my taste buds.  Friday night made beer-can chicken, which was very tender and delicious.  Then, continued the Saturday tradition of having pizza.  Usually we order out, but now, with the Egg up and running, homemade pizza with all the fixins!

Kept the Egg right around 400.  Made two pizzas, the first one I prebaked the crust, then added the toppings (typical firehouse way) and the second, all together at once.  Quite surprisingly, the prebaked crust one wasn't nearly as good as the other.  Yet both very tasty.  Yum yum.

Byrge

Memories



A year ago, we returned from New York with a new perspective on that city.  From the rebuilding of the World Trade Center, to Ellis Island and to all the memorials that were being dedicated to the lives lost in 2001.  Simply put, I was in awe of the Big Apple.

But, for someone from the Midwest that has never been there, that city is alive.  Nothing like I've ever seen before.  Amazed by the constant buzz everywhere we went.  Was an inspiring journey for my wife and I.  Plus, I can't wait to go back.

Alicia Keys "New York"

Every time I hear this song, I feel encouraged. For what reason, I don't know. Perhaps just to be a better all around person. To appreciate life a little more. Look at the bigger picture.  Sounds odd, I know, but hey, I'm a little odd.

Byrge

Nice Surprise



Planned on being at 23's.  At least that's how the day started off  It wasn't even 0800 and I was at 31's, driving.  A little mix up of sorts regarding staffing, but in the end, I felt I was the beneficiary.  Good deal.

Took only five runs though.  A few typical ones, and one that started out as respiratory distress that turned for the worse in front of us to a PNB.  Not good.

It's now Labor Day and the Commission meets this Thursday.  Waiting to see who, if any, gets promoted here shortly.  With the possibility of company closures, I'm having a hard time trying to figure out when my title will get changed from firefighter to heavy equipment operator.

Byrge

22 Minutes

Two alarm fire on north 60th street yesterday.  Just finishing up dinner, Truck 14 gets "move up" to Engine 39.  We didn't even get out of the barn and Operations up there called for a "one and one" meaning an additional engine and truck.  You'll only need one guess to figure out what truck was going.

It took twenty-two minutes to get just north of Good Hope on 60th.  We staged with 36s for a while then returned home.

Was a pleasant end to a forty-eight.

Byrge

7th & Harrison

With a bunch of full belly's, the guys were looking to put up their feet for a few minutes before we headed out to collect for the MDA.  But shortly after lunch, report of a structure fire came in on 7th and Harrison.  Heading northbound on 6th St, one couldn't help but notice the haze a few blocks up. 

"Sweet!"

Arrived on scene, put up a couple egress ladders then headed in for some overhaul.  First thing the boss noticed was the amount of "fast-movers" crawling around.  Damn little bastards.  Anyway, fire was contained on the second floor with 31's and 7's handling it.  After 31's crew ran out of air, we took over.  Found some hot spots and doused the hell out of the second floor.  Picked up shortly after that and headed home.  Cleaned up and went out to fill the boot.

Was one of those days that just flew by.

Byrge

Two Sided Forty Eight

What's funny is that the Air and Water Show has been planned for many weeks, probably months now.  So when I walked into three's, one I was surprised that I didn't receive a call to go somewhere else and two, they told me that I probably won't be staying. 

"We need our divers today," I was told.  Really?  You didn't realize that, say yesterday, knowing that the show was in town?  Anyway, I was re-routed to 24's which was a pretty sweet gig for the first half of my 48.

Took fourteen runs.  A few fire calls but nothing to speak of.  Then, was I turned in for the night, at least I tried to, it went downhill from there.  Didn't get much shut eye until 4am.  Slept hard though til 0700.

Finished out the second half of my 48 driving seven's.  Took only three runs.  Was a good day to catch up on some things.  Like putting the feet up.  Only downside is that two out of house HEO's were over at 23's driving my rigs, and caught a first in fire near 14th and Hayes.

Bastards.

Byrge

Oak Creek on the Map

Deadly shooting in a Sikh Temple on Howell Ave in Oak Creek.  Seven dead, three wounded.

Just a few weeks after a twenty-four year old shot and killed 12 and wounded 58 in a theater outside of Denver, Colorado.

Unbelieveable.

Byrge

Wake Up Call

Happened again.  After some tough work followed by some even more strenuous work, I was sitting at the peak of a two and a story feeling a little woozy.  Not the best place to be.  If I went down, I was going down...hard.

Fire tones came in around 2330.  T2 second truck in.  We assisted in venting windows on all floors, assisted making sure the guys had enough hose line, secured utilities before grabbing a 35ft and 20ft to head to the roof.  Climbing up the 35ft, the damn ladder kept sliding to my right.  Man, I thought I was going down.  A little pucker factor.  Once up top, I was pleased that the saw started easily on the roof, only to make some awkward cuts down by the gutter line.  Stripped part of the roof then had to move one of the ladders.  I was spent.  Couldn't catch my breath and just felt like I had nothing left in the tank. 

I guess that's why they say "keep hydrated" most of the time.

Byrge

HEO Results

You like shootin' dice?  Well I do.  Lucky Number 7.

Fire and Police Commision meeting this past Thursday at the Historical Museum.  With the wife getting home close to six, I thought it would be too late to go.  She suggested that I still went.  Glad I did.  After some formalities, the HEO list was approved.  Posted, I began at the bottom looking for my name.  I was getting a little worried once I did not see it by ten.  Then...BAM!!!  #7.  Hell yeah.

Byrge

Greaters

3 Alarm fire at the Sydney Hih building early morning of Aug 24th

Been quite a few greaters the past month or so.  And most of them on the red shift.  Most recently was the car shop but there was also Maynard Steel, the yard up in flames and the grocery store at 12th and Vliet. Damn I'm missing all the work.  Soon.

Byrge

Fire + Computers = Not Good

Small little fire where all of our tech support is at.  That caused major disruptions.  For instance, the dispatch system and internet both went down.  Somewhat important.  Yeah, so then I had to monitor the radio throughout the night.  Wasn't too bad, but was the first half of a 48.  The next day was a cheif's retirement party starting around mid day.  After a few nice speeches from the brass and the retiree, off he went.  Many rigs lined up for the walk through.  So I felt kind of lucky.  It was nice to be assigned at headquarters to see a man I very much respected, spend his last few days in the firehouse.  May have some pictures...TBD

Byrge

FOOLS Again

Good topic this month.  Gas meters.  Never really had a formal training session on any of our meters.  And now, with the BC's having new ones, it was nice to get some hands on training with them.  Plus, just some of the facts that go along with them.  For instance, our old ones took 90 seconds to get an accurate sample reading.  The new ones, 3-10 seconds.  For us firefighters, that's a plus.  And probably why things did not turn into the worse case scenario a few weeks back here for a couple Milwaukee firefighters.

Byrge

Waiting Game

Everyone keeps asking...Any results yet?  You hear anything?

No, I haven't and won't til late July or early August.

I really am hoping to be number 20 on the list.  Anything better would be great, but anything below that, I'll be disappointed.  Then again, I have to make the list.

Drove 23's again the other day.  Only four runs.  Seems odd that if and when I get promoted that I'll be driving everyday.  Right now, I'm driving only because of an injury to normally assigned HEO.

Byrge