FRN Volume 2, Issue 21

Bonham, Texas USA     Volume 2, Issue 20                              December 27, 1997 A Note from the Editor… I sure hope this latest issue finds all in good health and good spirits. I would like to begin by apologizing for not getting this issue to you sooner. I am not going to say it’s because of the Holiday’s either! As most of you already know, I took over as Webmaster a short 3 weeks ago. Since then, I have created a new web site (using the format from the original site) at http://home.texoma.net/~firereport. This site is to serve as a ‘mirror’ site. No matter which site you have bookmarked, the content will be the same.
We have added to the links in the Friends of FRN page, and have also added the Bio with my photo on the Editor page. If you haven’t already done so, please take a moment to stop in and sign our Guest Book, and/or get signed up for the e-mail version! Best Wishes to you and yours for a Happy, Healthy, Safe and Prosperous New Year!! MUTUAL AID IN CYBERSPACE! By: Jerry Smith, General Manager INTER CONSULTING SYSTEMS Home of the Internet: "Emergency Grapevine" http://www.wionline.com/ics/emerforum.htm Welcome to another "Mutual Aid in Cyberspace." I trust this last year was a productive year for you, and with the new year just around the corner, it’s now time to close the door on 1997. If you’re like so many, you’re beginning to focus on a personal list of resolutions for 1998. Yes, that wacky list of resolutions to remind us about the things we think we should be doing. A list of well meaning wishes that usually end up just being a wish list, and that’s the end of that. If you’re in good health, and you’re reading this article, you had an okay year. And God willing; you’re on your way to another full year of challenge and adventure.   I sincerely wish you and yours a very prosperous and successful new year. Before we bid fond farewell to ‘97, let us not forget about those brave and courageous Firefighters who this last year, answered their last alarm on the battlefields of fire-rescue disaster.   Yes, it’s a very dangerous and risky profession, please, be careful out there.
Have you heard about what’s happening on January 17, 1998?    If not, listen up as the rest of this article will enlighten you about an exciting day that is sure to go down in Internet history for the worldwide emergency services community. This special day is designated "A Day In The Life of The World’s Bravest." If you want information about the WBD project, drop by the Emergency Grapevine. for a detailed briefing. If you’re not registered on the Grapevine, follow the directions and join over 1,400 registered members at this writing, December 26, 1997.
Here is the Mission Statement for the World’s Bravest Day (WBD) project as described by Lou Angeli, IC for the event. "The common goal that we are all working to achieve is to use new technology, like the internet, to share information among one another, as well as the civilian sector. This event is staged by a consortium of emergency communications groups, with no political affiliation or hidden agenda.
Using the multi-media format of the Internet, Radio and Television, we plan to present an information forum of unprecedented scope. For the first time ever, a Chief Fire Officer in Australia, can receive instant feedback on his most recent incident by a forum made up of his peers from departments and agencies throughout the planet. Respond to an auto accident on the famed Autobahn, as German rescue personnel remove and treat trapped victims. Imagine being able to reach out and feel the heat of an apartment fire in Rome, as the World’s first firefighters, the Vigili del Fuoco respond through the same streets that their counterparts traveled 20 centuries ago.
On January 17, 1998, we will have ‘our’ chance to share, worldwide, our thoughts and new technologies with those who share in this occupation. It’s an opportunity to become more educated in specialized areas of the emergency services, and listen to the civilian population voice their concerns, and hopefully a give us a pat on the back for a job well done. Historically, we are blazing new ground through our desire to improve our abilities, strengthen our weaknesses, and place the antagonist, whether it’s the red devil or devil weed, in fear of extinction. No longer can we stand silent! The time has come for us to join together to improve the services we provide, and make the world realize that we are a force to be reckoned with.
Please join us on January 17th, and share your wisdom, training and expertise with other emergency professionals from around the World. This is a chance for your personnel to receive the acknowledgment that they deserve and educate a public that demands to know more. Become a part of this unique, unprecedented forum that is history in the making.
When the final decision was made to launch this project the question was, "How do we coordinate everyone’s effort?" We’ve designed a new format for multi-media, one with few working examples. Do we try using Hollywood’s formula? Or do we try sports television? Hell no, Let’s use Incident Command, an organizational format that we all understand. Thanks to Jerry Smith for drafting the ICS that will be used for the next several weeks. Who knows, if it works, Jerry may be making the lecture circuit among TV stations instead of Fire Stations. These are the current assignments and contributors as of December 23, 1997: Please Note: All of these positions and assignments are to fall under Incident Command during the next few days. Please check the Grapevine for detailed assignments. WEBMASTERS: Wayne Jasper—Worldwide and Canada, Paolo Onesti—Southern Europe, Bill Aninowsky—New York City, North Jersey, Mark Howe— Pennsylvania, South Jersey, Delaware Dave Iannone—Maryland, DC, Virginia, Patrick Irvin and Dave Radomski—NC, SC, GA, AL, MS, FL, -- Brian Hare—Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and Sue Hunter—Upper Midwest Thanks to those of you who’ve volunteered. To provide complete coverage we need to staff Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Denver, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. Here’s an early glimpse at our January 17, 1998 schedule...
"Save Our Engine Company!" Sallie Clark, Colorado Springs, CO—"The Volunteer Dilemma" Jerry Smith, The Grapevine—"America Burning, 25 Years Later" Ken Farmer N.C. Department of Community Colleges—"Emergency Medical Dispatch" Randall Larson, Editor of 9-1-1 Magazine / San Jose, CA -- "America’s Black Firefighters History & Tradition" Chuck Milligan / Durham, NC—TBA - Wolfgang Floitgraf, Boston Metro and Europe—TBA - District Chief Bob Winston, Boston Metro -- "Technology And It’s Impact" Jim Cottrell, Raleigh, North Carolina—"The Future Of North America’s Firefighters" TBA—"A Model For Fire Prevention" Amy Steelman, Cobb County (GA) Fire Department—"Surviving Flashover" Roland Lindqvist, Swedish Fire & Rescue Training Academy, Stockholm—"Rapid Extrication" Bob Williams, PowerHawk / New Jersey—"The Real ER Live" Bruce Goldfarb (with photographer Isaac Menashe) Univ. of Maryland Shock Trauma Center— "Getting Ready For The Big One" Community Emergency Response Team (Treasure Island, FL) Lisa—Kathy Willis needs an assignment!
PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAYS: (many more to be scheduled) Ventura County, CA - Ken Koller -- "Volunteer" - Chuck Mankin—"Devils Night" - Mike Schroeder—"Accident With Injuries" - David J. Reimer—"ER Live" - Isaac Menashe. VIDEO ESSAYS (to be announced.)
Many thanks to everyone who has volunteered already, and there are dozens more joining the ranks each day. January 17, 1998 will be a day to remember. To help out in this unique project, visit the Emergency Grapevine and register at <http://www.wionline.com/ics/emerforum.htm> thanks again and STAY SAFE! ... Lou Angeli and Amy Steelman, of Flirting With Disaster, at <http://www.firetv.com>" That’s it for now, see you in 1998, happy holidays, and please be careful...
About the Writer. Jerry Smith is a retired L. A. City Fire Captain and California State OES Fire-Rescue Assistant Chief who retired in 1987. After 36 years, he continues to keep very active in fire-rescue service affairs with his Inter Consulting Systems firm. He also writes for the USA 9-1-1 Magazine and the American Fire Journal. If you wish, you can contact Jerry by e-mail at <jerryfire@earthlink.net Jerry stays busy managing the Internet Emergency Grapevine message forum for over 1,400 members. Drop by <http://www.wionline.com/ics/emerforum.htm and register yourself, it’s free.