Greetings everyone, I hope this email finds you well.  I’m just now beginning to feel human again after struggling with a cold for three weeks.  Not too much to go over this week, so let’s get started.

• New Recruits—started yesterday.  They looked like a strong group and should be a welcomed addition to our department.  As always, please lookout for them as we continue to mitigate structure fires daily.

• Personal Escape Systems TTT—began last week.  The first 100 sets donated by Fire House Subs have been delivered and look for select companies to begin training.  A training SOG will be forthcoming pertaining to the kits.

• New Rescues—have finally been ordered and look for a delivery date sometime in October.  Horton is the builder.  If you are interested in getting one, please email me and let me know.  All things being equal, we will begin replacing the oldest frontline units first.  Two 4x4 units with Dodge Chassis were ordered too.

• Miami Cancer news story—continues to make headlines around the country.  For those that don’t know, 32% of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue has been diagnosed with cancer.  Although we’ve never participated in a cancer survey, the amount of our folks that have diagnosed with cancer is alarming too.  Last week, Action News interviewed a few of us willing to talk about the issue.  I told them the story about Kinko Chemical Company, aka as the Rid-a-Bug fire.  Dozens of JFRD firemen that were hospitalized at that fire (at least 39) developed cancer; many of which have since died because of it.  Federated Chemicals and the 1^st Basso Chemical plant fire was discussed too.  Dozens of names and stories were told as was Andre Hills, a 31 y/o 9-year vet that passed last year.  He worked at E24.  This job is dangerous enough.  Don’t take unnecessary risks during overhaul by not wearing full PPE…no matter how bad that sucks.  And don’t forget to fill out your Rehab forms!!!  The news story will be coming this week on Wednesday or Thursday…I’ll let you know when….

• Food for thought—It seems for the last few years, select folks have targeted the fire service and its members.  Historically we were well received by society as being part of a noble profession.  Somewhere around 2008 though, it seems it became en vogue to constantly hammer us and it hasn’t gone away.  And it’s not just a local issue.  Whatever the reason, I remember Vietnam vets and how they were treated when they returned home.  Instead of heroes, they were treated just the opposite, like criminals.  Is that how you feel sometimes?  As a matter of fact, after the first Gulf War, a nation went out of its way to make sure the wrongs of that generation were not repeated.  Today, the military and all our vets are looked up to and respected for their sacrifices, and rightfully so.  My point is this…one day the rhetoric will end and it’s important not to let it jade you or the profession.  We all continue to sacrifice for this community and risk our lives for people we don’t know.  Getting burned looking for trapped victims at a fire is a common place in our department.  I know, headquarters is full of them on a weekly basis.  Even though the Vietnam era treatment of our soldiers was sad, it didn’t stop people from joining our military;  They too had a higher calling…a call to duty to serve and protect our country.  All of you are no different.  You each raised your hand and gave an oath to protect and serve.  Keep your head up because what you do matters and one day, when that blog writer or whoever, is in the back of a rescue clinging to life, they will realize the importance of what we do.  In the meantime, be proud of what you do and who you are.

• May LODD for JFRD:

• Arthur W. Hutt:  May 1, 1968  Arthur W. Hutt, a 15-year-old junior fireman with the Mandarin Volunteer Fire Department, was killed when he and a large sign he was holding down were blown off the back of a Mandarin Volunteer Fire Department truck on State Road 13. Firemen were taking the 4-by-6-foot sign advertising the department's annual fund-raising barbecue to the intersection of State Road 13 and Beauclerc Road.

I can’t pull up all the pages this week as my laptop is slow updating my inbox…so apologize for that one.

• W3 SINGLE FAMILY RESD STRUCTURE FIRE/FD 20/2128 W NATHAN DR/TG B1
• 2128 W NATHAN DR STRUCTURE FIRE UPDATE/FF WITH BILATERAL BURNS TO WRIST IS BEING TRANSPORTED TO MEMORIAL HOSP BY R28- STABLE CONDITION/ CIVILIAN ALSO BEING TRANSPORTED TO MEMORIAL HOSP BY 20
• W3 RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE FIRE/FD 09/802 W 21ST ST/TG B1
• And a few thousand other runs!

Well that’s it for this abbreviated WIR. There hasn’t been too much going on to speak about, probably because of all the promotional tests.  As budget begins to take shape, I will keep you informed of what is going on.   Hang in there, for the engineers, you’re half way there!!! 

Be proud to be a member of the JFRD and know we can only get better and move this department forward with you.  I hope the Sea of Blue is still in the back of your mind and I hope you have been ordering your dress uniform!

As always, we thank you for what you do, why you do it, and for always showing why you are the Best Fire Rescue Department in the Country!

Very Respectfully,

Kurtis R. Wilson

Chief of Operations

Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department