I got some catching up to do!

Well, I am very sorry that I have not posted in a while, I need to stay on top of it better than I do. As all of you know, 9/11 was a few weeks ago and for me, I spent the day in personal reflection of that day and did my own honoring of those that were lost. There were several good Blog posts out there and my favorite one was Captain Wines' post on his blog. So I will give a shout out to him, You do a great job on that blog Capt and I always enjoy reading it. If you have not checked out his blog then checked it out here: http://http://woodenladdersandironfiremen.blogspot.com/. I did ride-out on the 18th. I rode with Ladder 3 and the day started as usual with the truck and equipment check offs. We did our station chores and then ate a big breakfast. It was a real slow day, with no calls. So we spent all day watching College Football and eating game day food. The FF/Medic on shift and myself went outside and threw the football around and kicked a kickball. The day ended, it was a boring day since we had no calls but that is part of it. I am gonna end it here and go eat dinner, I promise that the next post will be more exciting than this one.

Beau Doss

Ride out on Ladder 3 Saturday

Last week I had an Explorer class and we went over Ladders, It was a very good refresher and I also learned a few new things. The following Saturday, I rode on Ladder 3, this shift was very fun to me and was also very meaningful. It was very meaningful because for the first time, I went into work by myself. I usually ride with my dad and my mom picks me up because I don't have my own vehicle; but today my dad was off and I woke up early and drove into work. Doing this, made me fill like an actual firefighter going into work, it was an awesome feeling and I hope I get to feel the real thing one day!! The day started off with the regular truck/equipment check offs. I put my gear on the truck and then went on and looked through all the compartments(like I always do) just to make sure nothing is missing/anything that might have been added. Then I checked the radios and the Thermal Imaging Camera; then FF Dodd, who was driving for my dad, pulled the Ladder out and we set her up and tested the pump. After all that we had a quick breakfast and then proceeded to wash the trucks. We then did the daily station cleaning. Around that time Station 6 was dispatched to a Fire Alarm and Rescue 3 responded and we moved up for staging. The companies arrived on scene and declared an accidental activation. We stopped for fuel and got a quick lunch to go at Krystal. Later on that day, Station 3 was dispatched to a Fire Alarm at Grace Lutheran Church right down the street from the firehouse; Dispatched advised that the activation was coming from the sanctuary. We arrived on scene to find nothing showing and the Lt and other crew members went inside to find them about to have a concert in there and artificial smoke set off the alarm. Command was terminated and all units went back into service. Units responding we R3,L3,T6. Later on we went to the store and got stuff to make breakfast burritos and they were good. After dinner when the kitchen was clean FF Dodd and I went out and trained over the Hydrant Assist Valve and the High Rise Packs on Ladder 3 and what we would have to grab in a fire in a high rise. It was very good and informative training. That concluded my shift and I packed up and went home. Sorry no pictures this time!

Stay safe,
Beau Doss

MDA Fill The Boot!

I do apologize for not posting in a while, as I am now behind on it. I had a ride out a few weeks ago and it was probably my last ride out before school started officially. Like always, I was on Ladder 3. The day started off like normal with truck and equipment check offs; followed by breakfast and then regular station cleaning. We didn't run any calls during my time on the truck so it will be a short post. The day was pretty boring up until we went to do Fill The Boot. Fill The Boot is for MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association), to help Jerry's kids. Fire Departments across the nation participate in it. We worked the 1 to 5 shift at the local Walmart. IT WAS HOT!!

LOL! It was a lot of fun and was a very good public relations event. We ended up raising a lot of money. Afterwards the rest of my time at the 3 House was spent relaxing in the air conditioning and eating dinner. I did not take any pictures of the event but I still have some from last year. Also included is a picture of Ladder 3 sitting ready to go in the bay.

-Beau Doss

Oh how I love the old stories!!!

Sitting around the dinner table tonight with my dad and grandparents. The 2 generations of firefighters and me, hopefully the third generation! Well us three got to talking about Fire Service stuff and they were talking about different guys they remember. My grandfather then got to telling his old stories from when he was a TRUE smoke eater in Roanoke,VA during the late '60s-early '70s, I think. I love these stories because they are filled with humor and seriousness. I also just love hearing about how they used to do stuff with Alarm Boxes, Dispatch, Engine and Ladder Companies, Poles, and etc. It is always very interesting and you never want it to end. Every time I hear those stories, it makes me want to be a Fireman more and more and to keep on holding out the family tradition! I thought I would share this with all of you while it was on my mind.

COMING SOON: I am going to post along post on my dreams and plans of becoming a Fireman and about one thing that is holding me back from getting what I have always dreamed about!!

You go, We go.
Beau Doss

2 more LODDs.. :(

I apologize that this is late and I should have posted it sooner. I will not always post on line of duty deaths but this one defiantly hit at home a lot in a way. 2 Volunteers died while responding to a Structure Fire the other day in Rocky Mount, VA. Their engine swerved to miss a vehicle and hit an SUV and flipped a few times. One of the guys died on scene and the other DOA at the hospital. I'm not gonna mention names on this one. Neither one was wearing seat belts. This one really hit at home with me because Rocky Mount is close to where my dad grew up and we are always going up there and still have a lot of family up there. Remember to always were your seat belt! Seat belts save lives!!!!!

Signal 5-5-5-5 has been transmitted.

2 Bridgeport,CT Firefighters died in the line of duty yesterday

Final Alarm Bell sounded for Lt.Steven Velazquez and FF Micheal Baik yesterday. They were found on the top story of a 3 story frame structure by a R.I.T team after they sent out many mayday calls. Velazquez and Baik were the furthest into the house, performing search and rescue and ventilating. When a Bridgeport Chief got on scene, he reported heavy smoke coming from the 2nd and 3rd stories. The men were pronounced dead at the hospital. They did the jobs well and both loved the job and now they have been called home. Say a prayer for these men, their families and the Bridgeport Fire Dept. today.

Signal 5-5-5-5 has been transmitted.

Beau Doss

Hey Everyone!!!!

Well, my latest ride out was on the 29th of June 2010, I rode with Ladder 3 A-shift (as usual) :). It was a fun and exciting shift so it's gonna be a long post so just sit back and enjoy the read. The shift started out at 0600 hours with the daily truck and equipentment check offs. With everyone having their gear on their truck, Rescue and Ladder 3 were ready to roll for the day! Station 6 had a civilian walk in their station and report an MVA not to far away, Rescue 3 responded along with Engine 6. Turns out they got themselves a nice door pop and freed the patient and got her sent off to the hospital for futher evaluation and treatment. While the Rescue was on that run, us Ladder guys began the daily Station chores and cleaning, we then proceeded to washing/cleaning all the windows in the station and then we began to wash the bay door windows. While in the middle of washing the bay door windows, Station 3 was dispatched to a Medical Call for a patient being nausea. Ladder 3 responded since Rescue 3 was still clearing up that MVC. We arrived to find a woman in her office complaining of being dizzy and the room spinning; FF Naylor and Engineer Doss then began to access her and take her vitals and ask her the basic accessment questions. R3 then arrived and the information that was already contained was passed over to FF/Medic Schatz. The Medic Unit arrived and the woman was packeged up and taken to the hospital for futher evaluation. The crewsof the 3 House then returned to quarters and we finished the window washing and ate breakfast and then washed both rigs. Shortly after, we were dispatched to a Fire Alarm but were canceled before leaving quarters. The Ladder guys wnet to the store to pick up what was needed for the day's meals. Later on, we watched amovie but I fell asleep and slept through the whole thing. Lmao. After my nap, Lt.Smith and I had an intense and long workout. I was on the aliptical machine when we were dispatched to a Structure Fire with Brentwoood Fire Dept. at Backyard Burgers on Galleria Blvd. and Moores Lane. Ladder 3 and Rescue 3 arrived to find smoke showing from the bravo side of the structure with smoke coming out from underneath the building. FF/Medic Schatz proceeded to cut a hole in the side of the structure with the K-12 to gain access to the fire from where the smoke was coming out. Ladder 3's crew went interior with other companies and gained access to the fire that was behind the grill by pulling instulation and drywall t find the fire. A line was pulled off L3 and the fire was knocked down. Equipment was put packed and hose was drained and repacked and companies went back into service. Units responding were R3,L3,E6,T6,R4,BC-1,Safety Officer, BFD E3 and BFD BC. We appriciate Brentwood's response and assist to when we need it and we are always willing to return the favor to them when they need us. Below is pictures of the fire and a video of our response. I aplogize for the video being really shaky. On our way back from thefire, we were dipatched to a MVC with Injuries. Rescue 3 beat us to the scene and advised that it was only one patient with back and neck pain and that they could handle it along with EMS. Below is a video of that response. We then returned and had a delicious meal like always and my shift was over shortly after that. It another great shift and an outstanding job of the crews of the 3 House, the FFD and Brentwood Fire Dept. I will be back on Ladder 3 on Thursday and have an Explorer Class Thursday night, I will post again as soon as possible!

KMG 365,
Beau Doss