Theft Happens: Tips To Prevent Property Loss & Travel Safely

I was recently on a flight from Richmond to Denver on a major airline. The flight stopped at Charlotte for 90 minutes then continued on to Denver. I always carried my snowboarding jacket with me while travelling instead of packing it in the bags, just in case my bags were lost or delayed. I had even selected this flight so my bags couldn’t be lost switching to a connector flight. Read more

Health & Safety: Simple Things You Can Do To Prevent Water Damage

As my former wife screamed from the house for me to “get in here now.” I thought there must be a fire in the house, and I ran from the back yard. My dog was running along beside me enjoying the sprint as I looked for smoke. Read more

Tips For Helping Rescue Crews Reach You Faster In Emergencies

One of my last memorable calls as a fire captain and paramedic occurred last spring, and it turned out to be a career highlight! Our company was dispatched to a home a few miles away for an “impending birth.” As we approached the scene I was reviewing in my mind some of my training on labor and delivery. After all, this would be a first for me in my 32 years on the job.

The young mother was close to delivering her second child, she had no prenatal care, and when asked which hospital she wanted to be transported to, she picked the one furthest away. I asked if the closest hospital would be okay, and she insisted on her first choice, which was a good twenty-minute transport. Read more

Holiday Cooking: Safety Tips For Frying The Big Bird

You know the drill: Real men cook with fire. So he goes out and buys a turkey fryer, $30 worth of peanut oil, and lights the gas burner. The boys hang out waiting for the oil to heat up enough to drop the bird in for a 20 minute cookoff. Real men don’t read directions! Read more

Help A Neighbor Out This December: Adopt A Fire Station

December is a festive time of the year we all look forward to with much anticipation, but this year will be a little different. The economy and rise in unemployment makes this month especially challenging for many of our family, friends and neighbors. Could you imagine losing your belongings to a house or apartment fire? Read more

Fire Safety Tips For November

As the weather gets a little cooler it reminds me of some of the fires I’ve responded to as a firefighter. Each is unique but some have common causes, and I’d like to share a couple stories. Read more

Tips For Fire Prevention Month

October is Fire Prevention Month. You might have heard about it, read about it, or seen an advertisement on TV, but what does Fire Prevention Month mean to you? You could ask your kids, and most of them have learned a few things in school that need to be part of your home safety plan. Take some time to talk to your kids about fire safety this month! Read more