The Fill Line

November 2014

A column for firehouse reading by Thomas J. Parsons / Connect me at labwdp@academicplanet.com

While out Scoot-a-Pootin. After the pipeline event in Milford, I was surprised of the lack of interest in the
pipeline class in Ennis. Maybe the masses wanted to avoid hearing the repeat of the Danielle Smalley incident
in the Scurry-Rosser community. Too bad as the class has expanded and was an extension of little tid-bits of
information relating to gas and the management of related incidents. Rick, I thought the story was of interest
when a BC dove in the ditch in his white shirt and gold badge (officers turnout gear) and got a real surprise
when the gas ignited. A technician with Atmos Energy was by and gave some real time info on incidents we all
can benefit from. Bottom line, all routine calls are far from routine anymore. Suit up, prepare for the worse, and
look to that Gas Co tech as a most valuable resource.
More than 100 people filled the largest chamber of Howard County's executive office building in Ellicott City
CO to testify on a zoning conditional use request. They turned out to support Scott Shearer's campaign to save
the fire truck collection he stores in two of the white dairy barns on his small farm. Technically hes allowed to
house the dozen trucks he has acquired and restored over the years, and back hoes or trailers wouldn't be a
problem -- the rural plot has no limits on the amount of farming equipment it contains -- but a fire engine like
the 1954 White Elephant, is not typically permitted. In the spring, the county's Department of Planning and
Zoning staff offered another, more creative solution: designating part of Shearer's property as a museum. The
plan approved by the hearing examiner will require Shearer to display his fire trucks to the public once a year.
He's selected Highland Day, a neighborhood celebration that took place on Oct. 4, as the date of his open house.
Residents told the DPZ that he was a good neighbor that they'd like to keep around.
Judi Buchanan invited me to speak about first responders at Sterling house, a retirement home in Ennis. Judis
ministry includes music and her sharing of the Word. The residents were very responsive and asked some
interesting questions about fire and police responsibilities. Visiting these folks can prove to be a great experience.
Most important is to take time to listen as they have much to share.
Thanks to Chief Lawrence Reeves of Alma to let me know that he saw one of my efforts (stories) in Backdraft
Magazine. His involvement with his community is impressive. Ask him sometime about the true meaning of
being a volunteer.
Mile High Hook and Ladder toured historic Denver fire stations 14, and 15 in September. Following the tour
of Station 15, they stopped at Fairmont Cemetery to view the Denver Firefighters Memorial and burial site to
take a moment to pay respects to the members that died in the line of duty while serving the Denver Fire
Department. The tour concluded with lunch at Lowry Town Center, where they ate at Salty Rita's. I wonder if
anyone ordered mercapatans.
The LVFD SOCIAL OUTING (for Past Firefighters, their families, and for anyone who has been associated
with the Lafayette Village (NC) fire department) was at Kickback Jacks again on Thursday, Oct 2. They had a
good turn-out, and Mike Middleton plans to do this every 1st Thursday in April & October of each year.
Ill have a review of the October Ohio trip in next months issue of the Fill Line. Keep the hoses dry, and
well see you out while scoot-a-pootin. Do the important stuff.
The answer for: Oct. Engine Co. 24 was established to combat the threat of fire in the higher elevations north in
the city of Oakland California. The station architect must have had the Hansel and Gretel fairly tale in his mind
during the design.
Question of the month: Nov. The show Emergency Station 51 used the call letters KMG 365, to
acknowledge the dispatcher. In reality what LACFD station actually uses these call letters? Bonus; what
were the call letters used by dispatch (as seemed to only have been heard on early shows of the show
Emergency)?

Remember: Have your alarm room operator turn the clocks back November 2, 2014.
The Firehouse kitchen. The brown out day provision allows the closing an engine or truck for a shift, to save
the city some money. Firehouse #13 is closed today while the members figure out how to spend their day.
Reach bought the next shifts cuisine so he could go with Books and Tamilee to see Pauls Pork Product Place
Market, but decided to work on the soon to be famous document that he has planned for an eternity, or at least
the last little bit since finding Captain Snuts red notebook in the trash. Reach remembers how he had promised

his mother that one day he would write an absolute best seller. He envisions himself on all of the TV networks,
endless book signings across the country, and visiting every firehouse in America, or at least a one of the big
cities and maybe a small town or two. The income of this document will more than enhance his earnings, and he
may have to leave the fire department to achieve the expected schedule of events before him, and even hire an
accountant to manage his income. He would show Books how the rich and famous live, but obviously wouldnt
forget the proper spending techniques he received from his parents. He would buy a used motor home to tour
the country and attend the endless book signings of his best seller. Eat your heart out Books, he thinks.
The red notebook has endless thoughts and scribbles of the golden firehouse days when his captain and then a
now assistant chief were riding the rear step of an open cab rig at the firehouse. Reach has found some old black
and white pictures of the crew tucked in with the paper. They are standing next to the rig in hip boots and their
pressed uniform shirts, dress hat and tie. Each member has a smile, and Reach wishes that the department still
wore real uniform shirts and wore ties, and those dress hats, yes the dress uniform round cover type hats with
the sagged sides like an airline pilot. No ball cap would ever replace a real firefighter uniform cap he thinks. A
firefighter wearing his uniform is the mark of a professional, and should be regarded as reflecting the integrity
and true appearance of a real firefighter. Reachs mind suddenly drifts to Books ripping off his uniform shirt
after shift change and tossing it in his locker.
No one takes pictures of the crew or the engines anymore, and Reach figures hell have to get a camera to
record his history, the today portion of his precious book of the then and now. His old film camera seems to
have become obsolete, and Reach sees more expense in having to buy a digital. Unknown to the gang, Reach
has already used his uniform allowance to purchase a used laptop to record his effort. Tamilee Hahn has helped
him master the machines challenges for the un-technical, and even Danny Morris has offered to help with more
of the happenings of the day, Honest to god, this is no BS, notes the elder training officer.
On the other hand, he hasnt figured out how he will finance this endeavor as he has accumulated three
boxes of pictures of fire fighters, stations, and apparatus to post within the expected two to three thousand or
more pages of this great document. Reach has to reconsider the content after his publisher gives a loose figure
of $5,000 for a mere basic layout, and then so much a page and per picture added. There was the idea for a
major cover illustration with several high-rise on fire and a multitude of apparatus with aerials raised and hose
lines pouring tons of water on the conflagration. Now Reach may have to settle for a single fire extinguisher
standing next to a wall. He also will need a newer picture of himself for the author plate. Should he wear dress
blues, be in his kitchen, or stand by the apparatus? He wants to include some receipts that the gang likes, and
decides he will call the book something really catchy relating to the firehouse kitchen.
Furthermore, Reach remembers copyright rules and how he will have to acknowledge each and every photo,
quote, mere suggestion, and implied thought or be carried over the coals by a team of lawyers assembled by the
publisher, along with every other writer that ever compiled a firefighter book. When he looks at the catalog, he
wonders if it is all worth it. But wiping the sweat from his brow, he keys Stovetop stories of the firehouse into
the laptop.
He has taken the first step.
Prayer portion. While spending time away, one sometimes has the feeling of being displaced from the home
base. However, as things develop at the distant location, things also continue on at home base despite our absence.
Time continues on, at both places, as we adjust accordingly. One day we will be absent from this world, and we
will adjust to our new home. We like to hear of the heaven, but should be aware of the hell, and the path taken to
either location. Are you at that decision point today in your life? Eternity is a long time.
We pray for our emergency service providers, be they here or there protecting this country. We thank You for
Your hand of assurance though tough times, and ask Your touch in the lives of those with their challenges of this
life.. We pray for an expansion of readership of this column that someone may be moved through the prayer
portion to know You as their savior and expand on the Word. We pray especially those unknown for an acceptance
of the Lord in their life. This is a time of Thanksgiving, and we give thanks for His touch.
Thats all for now, meanwhile and well see you out while scoot-a-pootin. Connect with me at phone: 972-8780562, or e-mail me at: labwdp@academicplanet.com

Remember! Dont leave the station with out your FILL LINE!