The Fill Line

April 2013

A column for firehouse reading by Thomas J. Parsons

While out scoot-a-pootin. A roof replacement for the building was under way at the Central High Rurals
Oak Grove Rd fire station. The building seems to have problems with leakage, but most noticeable when it
rains. Appreciation goes to Ben Sylvester and Greg Settles for correcting the hole when approaching the
entrance to the stations driveway. It is not known if that car has ever been found however. Oh and the hood
ornament with the 80th year age is the Mack bulldog. Ask Van Fowler about Mack trucks! By the way Rick, that
Dodge squad on the back of the Mar/Apr FAJ 2013 was also featured on page 366 of the 2008 Visiting Fireman,
which I discovered during an intense committee sit down session.
County Meeting. I was able to attend the quarterly Ellis County Firefighter Association meeting in Red
Oak, held at one of the best-kept secret locations in Ellis County, the Red Oak city hall. I met ETMCs Greg
LaMay who is the their education coordinator. Greg spoke later in the meeting and has hopes for increased
training, not only at spring and fall classes but has opened the door for in-service training with ETMC crews at
your firehouse, and with your schedule. There is nothing like training with the folks you will work with on an
incident. I must note that Alex, (I didnt get his last name) is a new ETMC member in our area. I met him while
working an incident on Ensign Rd. Welcome both to Ellis County when you see them.
Red Oak Fire Chief Eric Thompson (and chair) for the newly formed Ellis County Fire Chiefs Association
spoke on that groups aspirations. The intent is to bring unity to the county, through proactive training, enhanced
mutual aid practices, updated EMS awareness, and organization and structure. I guess it took this step for
motivation as I sure heard lots of the same ideas expressed by the late Donnie Pickard heard in many past
meetings. I wish he were here to see some of the ideals being placed into action. The next ECFCA meeting will
be April 16, location TBA. Press on chief officers!
Did you know a $5.00 portion is part of the cost of tickets in a moving violation that goes to help the
uninsured with air evacuations? In other cost of items, the fire marshal office will be giving citations for
illegal burns. This will get the fire departments out of law enforcement, and it is hoped that word of mouth and
a few lighter wallets will prevent future activity as well as the waste of fuel in the county fire apparatus.
If you hear the tones, and no message, this is the latest in improving communication from the dispatch office.
This will allow each department to ensure their receivers are in order. Times so far have been between 7:30 and
8:00 PM. No reply is required although if you dont hear it.well, just ask your chief officer.
Welcome Charles Walker of Telico VFD as the new association president, and Chrissy Rogalski as the groups
new secretary and treasurer. Thanks Chrissy for the gift from London England. I hope the LFB will enjoy the
Fill Line as they review your effort with the county firefighter web page. Tim Birdwell reminded me of his
being a charter Fill Line reader and retaining each copy. Thanks for the support Tim, that comment sure made
me feel good as this week I really needed it. The next ECFFA meeting is slated for May 9, at Ennis, location
TBA.
PDF format. Ennis Volunteer and all around knowledgeable sort Ken Isom said that not everyone could get
the Fill Line in its current format. He suggested a PDF format, and I hope that a PDF will be available for this
issue. Thanks Ken, and lets see where this goes. I am all for it! (Does anyone ever check the web page?)
Elsewhere. Waxahachie Fire Chief Boyd is looking to have four additional Lieutenants on the roster soon.
The intents are to staff the ladder truck, as well as promote inspections, safety, officer development, and reduce
the overtime budget. And, have you ever heard of the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation? They recently
have awarded Carrollton Fire with cutoff valves, eight nozzles, and other unnamed fire hose accessories.
Heard in passing, Marlin Firearms is closing its doors! This news should be relayed to all gun owners and
sports men and women. So, who is buying companies that manufacture guns? The last several years a company
called The Freedom Group has been buying up gun and ammunition manufacturers. Do some research and see
who is really who in the big picture.
Well, looks like I am out of space here, meanwhile keep the hoses dry and well see you out while scoot-apootin. Connect with me at phone: 972-878-0562, or e-mail: labwdp@academicplanet.com with your news!
No, Im not done; keep reading for the question of the month, the firehouse kitchen, and the prayer portion.
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Question of the Month: April: These three pumpers were identical and designed for narrow roadways and
congestion. Built in 1963, each pumper had a 500 GPM rear mounted pump, 250 gallon water tank, 15 lengths
each of 2.5 and 1.5 hose, two 10 sections of four inch suction hose, nozzles, an assortment of support
equipment. Each rig also had a bumper mounted bell. Their service lasted only two years and then their owner
disposed them. Who built these blue and red apparatus and where were they assigned?
The answer for: March. The terms rack, tower, ram, and mechanical are widely used in fire service jargon.
The fire department item is used with three of those terms is hose, as in hose rack, hose tower, and mechanical
hose drying appliance.

The Firehouse kitchen. (Hopefully the last entry of the furnace escapade). There is a blue haze between the
corner of the bodega and the firehouse, which reveals that a power line transformer has blown. The bodega
manager runs to the firehouse to report what he thought was a drive-by shooting and figures immediate police
intervention will be needed. He is beating on the overhead door, however with gas on their minds, the big boom
has put Reach, Chief Burns, and Captain Snut firmly under the garaged fire engine. About this time, Dink and
Curbs stroll down the steps from the hallway. Got er lit Cap, trumps Curbs, Say, what was that big boom all
about? Dink follows with, Uh, it was me holding the lighter, in an attempt to get some sort of recognition.
Meanwhile the cautious threesome mentions something about a dropped chiefs pen and it rolling under the fire
engine. Dink snickers, How many firemen does it take to retrieve a pen from under a fire engine? but no one
adds to the comment.
Books opens the walk through and hears enough of the bodega mangers broken English to get the idea and
assures him it was really nothing, for him to always know highly trained professionals are as close as the
property line and finally for him to get a grip.
With no power and no generator in the vintage firehouse, the dispatched fire alarm has gone unnoticed.
Suddenly, engine eight and the truck approach the corner and stop in front of the firehouse #13. The Loo from
engine eight approaches the firehouse. The gang stare at the Loo completely oblivious to the big picture as he
asks why engine one-three is still behind closed doors, and why is Chief Burns car parked inside the firehouse?
Quickly thinking and realizing what has happened, (thats why he is the chief) Chief Burns screams, Gal dang
it all, this is what you call a strategic placement of fire apparatus in a by god dangerous situation, in other
words, keeping your equipment out of a bad way! Uh, say no more, and the red faced Loo returns to his
apparatus signaling the truck to take up as Captain Snut will call for utility to come and repair the transformer.
Books offers to walk with the manager back to the bodega, as Chief Burns calls for him to get some of those
little chocolate cakes. Curbs takes the hint and will start a pot of coffee.
Dink will now officially be the furnace sheriff, and hopefully will keep the lighter close-by in case the pilot
light goes out again.

Prayer portion. How many times have we listened to someone wiser than us and then did not act as advised?
At an emergency scene, accountability comes to mind. How many times have we thought later, I wish I had
done that?
Matthew 7 v 24 Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who
built his house on rock. If you noticed in there are the words acts on them. Words without action, well you
get the idea. We can hear His word, but unless we act, we waste our time and fool no one. This is a time when
lots of people are telling us things, but most of the words are void in meaning. His words are full, and give us
the direction required for eternal living. Do you know this Jesus? Do you know His word? We can hear His
word from the pulpit, or read His word in the bible. The idea is apply the word in our daily walk. Praise God!
We pray for our emergency service community and their efforts as they respond to the incidents of the day.
We pray for the families that wait for the responder to return home, safely. We pray that those providers for the
service to act with wisdom in equipment procurement and their implementation of directives for the members.
Thank you Lord for your intervention. Be with us at all times, in Jesus name. Amen.
Again, connect with me at phone: 972-878-0562, or e-mail: labwdp@academicplanet.com, Remember;

dont leave the station with out your FILL LINE!

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