tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4896487287390504342024-03-13T17:34:07.207-07:00Report on ConditionsA (in)human look at the Fire Service and what comes afterCapt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.comBlogger778125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-21032164191084193422022-02-16T15:43:00.001-08:002022-02-16T15:43:50.960-08:00A return to the 951<p> I still go back to my hometown, my family is still there and The Saint That I Am Married To has business interests there. When in town, I still photograph my agency (it will always be my agency) in action. We were there a few weeks ago and I happened to catch this one on the day before we returned home to Arizona. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzkWiUESG6BjEYxcMPjOUX6WBK7EKbit3a0ITtsUQShp65ha5bMphYooew7LauY8ADhcL2GgJcvRqyR9aFtLPNf9FwZ_QcyEowMBt6d87VK3ezfFvh6EFQRa4X1c_KhJO1Bf0TLDtlaIfcrWjk1LWYFsz9VSLZzko_XciaF4Qy9pNgjgCGByYaTxKt=s6720" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4480" data-original-width="6720" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzkWiUESG6BjEYxcMPjOUX6WBK7EKbit3a0ITtsUQShp65ha5bMphYooew7LauY8ADhcL2GgJcvRqyR9aFtLPNf9FwZ_QcyEowMBt6d87VK3ezfFvh6EFQRa4X1c_KhJO1Bf0TLDtlaIfcrWjk1LWYFsz9VSLZzko_XciaF4Qy9pNgjgCGByYaTxKt=w370-h247" width="370" /></a></div><p> </p><p>The structure sits on a two-lane divided road that runs through the orange groves. It was occupied at the time, though I am guessing they didn't realize it was burning as they were in the house and the fire appeared to have started in the garage. One of the earliest reports of the fire was made by a P.D. unit who was down the street and saw smoke from a few blocks away. I suspect the fire had a good head start before being reported as the house sits back from the street and is mostly obscured by orange trees.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSWtlZWcPzPTvotdrryuV0tIU5-KeEd0dW2y69eKuIOkcLgSKKd1SJFgfKFfvOTDCuvab8gOtHZ7V-Xyy1x6JhVagXiRGeciBzsZNAj8ngZvUtzbUZcAQclcmCVhOyoBY-R0Rp0sxOR6Rx0rbqSe82OGLSljv5PHCvwIgqiwSOT0zlD6xHA1E_oWDR=s5341" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3815" data-original-width="5341" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSWtlZWcPzPTvotdrryuV0tIU5-KeEd0dW2y69eKuIOkcLgSKKd1SJFgfKFfvOTDCuvab8gOtHZ7V-Xyy1x6JhVagXiRGeciBzsZNAj8ngZvUtzbUZcAQclcmCVhOyoBY-R0Rp0sxOR6Rx0rbqSe82OGLSljv5PHCvwIgqiwSOT0zlD6xHA1E_oWDR=w357-h255" width="357" /></a></div><br /><p>The fuel tank in the car in the above photo had failed a few minutes prior to my arrival, causing some excitement to the residents, the assisting police officers and the first in crew.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8bpsk10fpHRzMUM_kpwwWkcCRb2ZJApQWnYk7vcC0MCBeAmbpc23IlomSjLsmZ-a8rHLl3fjSkwK_NbxmYbDaBZG0Kga9yTojYyumB4dIACznoh_RlvvOWjE42OtzaxrtAvpCkJmycKA6XEMCvmGxq1BWdfaHeLzNEZVBkzrpN9PhzSUOhpo0ZPLV=s5172" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3448" data-original-width="5172" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8bpsk10fpHRzMUM_kpwwWkcCRb2ZJApQWnYk7vcC0MCBeAmbpc23IlomSjLsmZ-a8rHLl3fjSkwK_NbxmYbDaBZG0Kga9yTojYyumB4dIACznoh_RlvvOWjE42OtzaxrtAvpCkJmycKA6XEMCvmGxq1BWdfaHeLzNEZVBkzrpN9PhzSUOhpo0ZPLV=w371-h247" width="371" /></a></div><p></p><p>Several hand lines were pulled, due to the volume of fire and the need to confine the fire to the area of origin. Additional resources were requested do to the fire loading of the garage and the extensive overhaul that would be required.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2_WQ0VvkiMjk0lvGL_u1qvhFauDMyiMvg-2rcfwIzLD4nA63Ucd1mTHDDdzKGzY541Dx0t2n1dRTSXEEriVsw4lI5o9psL-7sESCfe-9Z1QzdPL86exmySVgfx6-KVvg9lpf-Kwr1F1gV5WvF-sXewiCNLOuizRgLhb0f86BpSxhMt77l27rGEWRQ=s4658" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3327" data-original-width="4658" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2_WQ0VvkiMjk0lvGL_u1qvhFauDMyiMvg-2rcfwIzLD4nA63Ucd1mTHDDdzKGzY541Dx0t2n1dRTSXEEriVsw4lI5o9psL-7sESCfe-9Z1QzdPL86exmySVgfx6-KVvg9lpf-Kwr1F1gV5WvF-sXewiCNLOuizRgLhb0f86BpSxhMt77l27rGEWRQ=w378-h272" width="378" /></a></div><br /><p>At some point, it became apparent that the fire had extended into the attic, despite an interior crew pulling ceilings and putting an interior hand line in service.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8nh0BG4NTSrdJUJqrSNvJ8FAiq6X40dcF0vPi5rugmFxW57cYsEC-f--3d4d6jA5YgmwSjOi6mi0rmKjh6Ti26FuCF2J-EB5o6-uitZU2XBIaydU59Il4hXvcS9-3AGf8ACO6IgrMFHAePCXipWpVqXsy0cJ2xfjmxxdUykGjrLeH3P6GGpFby3cW=s6592" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4395" data-original-width="6592" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8nh0BG4NTSrdJUJqrSNvJ8FAiq6X40dcF0vPi5rugmFxW57cYsEC-f--3d4d6jA5YgmwSjOi6mi0rmKjh6Ti26FuCF2J-EB5o6-uitZU2XBIaydU59Il4hXvcS9-3AGf8ACO6IgrMFHAePCXipWpVqXsy0cJ2xfjmxxdUykGjrLeH3P6GGpFby3cW=w386-h256" width="386" /></a></div><br /> Concurrently, the truck company had arrived and was getting to work on
the roof. They provided the necessary openings reducing smoke damage
in the dwelling area of he structure.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqHSrep4EaE4piChL3IH3Wlo7bhw9RffrS0Or3xa-oC10McP1h36Uxs-zUxmKp53yjC-ms2Gond0JmkKKoA8nOUJFzHUbDPpS1ELaODnPrGxY3aemuRGt5leTVWulq0RpScy-wj2ePHCCv8AfubKZy9z-M0nVyyoNGIc0sfZ_BDzofbynau-QcHci-=s6102" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4068" data-original-width="6102" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqHSrep4EaE4piChL3IH3Wlo7bhw9RffrS0Or3xa-oC10McP1h36Uxs-zUxmKp53yjC-ms2Gond0JmkKKoA8nOUJFzHUbDPpS1ELaODnPrGxY3aemuRGt5leTVWulq0RpScy-wj2ePHCCv8AfubKZy9z-M0nVyyoNGIc0sfZ_BDzofbynau-QcHci-=w384-h256" width="384" /></a></div><br /> The results were photographically impressive.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNcJPfNuxNofMUfPkzmGy8cwkJooqDsBm7R20tIOsN-380iUoeaudXI9d0GdPBHRcSU_yXInvTTkRZ-HfO0dDSV_IbmW_ARQu4oDCKtPiRzAwhXSOYak6YSIcju4g6-PUA8-yKbQBKm89xTymy7yM_Yv4d6BtDBNpJIEjz91CKvJMXobOLvqQopkkA=s5885" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5885" data-original-width="4204" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNcJPfNuxNofMUfPkzmGy8cwkJooqDsBm7R20tIOsN-380iUoeaudXI9d0GdPBHRcSU_yXInvTTkRZ-HfO0dDSV_IbmW_ARQu4oDCKtPiRzAwhXSOYak6YSIcju4g6-PUA8-yKbQBKm89xTymy7yM_Yv4d6BtDBNpJIEjz91CKvJMXobOLvqQopkkA=w286-h400" width="286" /></a></div><br /><p>View from the charlie side (rear). This was a very nice house and garage, there was obvious pride of ownership in it's upkeep.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEircG6LGOnnH4tj1WqVZuIc4Nz5chZCBBwjJKk0qzB_eIePjlM7cwELhQ7Tl_F42bzCKB0lfmgUWEF0QdiFmjvCKV_pRNr9W8BqPJjgtWAQvHoP5jRAvzbmZB3Izxedqq44-GJa-uuq3TGRSQt4T3idhz4-pO9qZ9HIZRBgTqi0fOrw5XrmL_2vd4aO=s6168" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6168" data-original-width="4112" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEircG6LGOnnH4tj1WqVZuIc4Nz5chZCBBwjJKk0qzB_eIePjlM7cwELhQ7Tl_F42bzCKB0lfmgUWEF0QdiFmjvCKV_pRNr9W8BqPJjgtWAQvHoP5jRAvzbmZB3Izxedqq44-GJa-uuq3TGRSQt4T3idhz4-pO9qZ9HIZRBgTqi0fOrw5XrmL_2vd4aO=w266-h400" width="266" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2icp4xum_8ium67nzAhrZpW-yhEy5RlSOv_aplMqDqWwmwobtPi8UyOku1B_9FYm5sP3lAHi0WHrvQiZuzPSOorRt-ohoD3GRBJic2J87MHZtd_foak349nJ-U0LLDOJTHv4Io4kvG9ZWJ_xwuCa8vUbAyr-G_yCiQSsM5w05sHfl66Ff3C8HsCy6=s5489" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5489" data-original-width="3921" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2icp4xum_8ium67nzAhrZpW-yhEy5RlSOv_aplMqDqWwmwobtPi8UyOku1B_9FYm5sP3lAHi0WHrvQiZuzPSOorRt-ohoD3GRBJic2J87MHZtd_foak349nJ-U0LLDOJTHv4Io4kvG9ZWJ_xwuCa8vUbAyr-G_yCiQSsM5w05sHfl66Ff3C8HsCy6=w286-h400" width="286" /></a></div><p></p><p>There was a ton of overhaul to do, crews were there for several hours completing the task. I haven't heard if they determined a cause yet, they were working on it when I left. I, and my dogs, were hungry so I took off.</p><p>This, as most destructive fires, was kind of sad to me. I know these people had worked long and hard on this property. As it was kind of near to my home, I saw how much work they put into it. I can only hope that they recover.</p><p>Thanks for reading, </p><p>Schmoe<br /></p><p><br /></p>Capt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-51374656100164109402021-10-24T18:11:00.000-07:002021-10-24T18:11:33.748-07:004.5<p> Four and one half years. To some it is an eternity, to others it is just a bit of time. To old bastards like me, it is a mere flash, almost a blink of an eye.</p><p>It has been around seven years since I've bothered to put any written word on this page. The main reason is that I just don't have the material that I used to have. I am retired and lead a mostly boring life with my wife and my dogs. It is a good life, but it is one that most people either lead themselves, can see in a 50's sit-com or just don't care about. </p><p>I started this blog way back in the day as sort of a therapy to keep certain demons at bay while they were slain, or at least until they were reduced in size as to become insignificant. That purpose has largely been fulfilled, though new demons have appeared. - The new angst is likely the same that most people are facing now in these chaotic times that have been forced upon us.</p><p>Another factor is the instant gratification of other social media platforms, mainly Facebook. Although I believe that it is inherently evil - I, like many, appreciate the immediate feedback as well as the abbreviated method of communication and the ease of information distribution. There is an irony in the belief that Facebook will soon fade into obscurity as it's user base ages and younger people continue to use newer, evolving platforms.</p><p>A lot has transpired over the past four years. We have left SoCal and now live in the mountains of central Arizona. We live in a small town at about the 5000 ' level. We get snow, though not severe. We enjoy four actual seasons, none of which are extreme. Even though we live in town, we share the neighborhood with creatures such as elk, coyotes, raccoon, eagles, javalina, scorpions and tourists. I am pretty sure I saw a mountain lion run between our and our neighbors house a few months ago.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbb_t7wN2f5-iLuyUGO9kffTZmBlWSLl4p2mzgDuGDM4Ss4-jesDbwqenK4yNG4uXJtRheVWwxVfv_GRKu61x_J5AeuU0GXWCHawroThusimPHBGA5Zc9-3pr4bNh-claPb7_9YK80x5E/s2048/2020-05-01+Elk+on+Whiting+%25281+of+10%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbb_t7wN2f5-iLuyUGO9kffTZmBlWSLl4p2mzgDuGDM4Ss4-jesDbwqenK4yNG4uXJtRheVWwxVfv_GRKu61x_J5AeuU0GXWCHawroThusimPHBGA5Zc9-3pr4bNh-claPb7_9YK80x5E/w434-h288/2020-05-01+Elk+on+Whiting+%25281+of+10%2529.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><p></p><p> I have to accompany my dogs outside after dusk and before daylight, as I don't want them to provide nourishment for the neighborhood coyotes. I also hunt scorpions with a blacklight/UV flashlight and a can of hornet spray. Though I haven't found any in the house, I want to keep it that way. I have found several in the garage.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcdJD87GgY_C-vgM9DtTEZnRwCTHqSXQm0uZ_wM8M8yBWFoobSs0avj1Sb1jDkturbYFoTzUo39hgst8KwV85YEPILXX7j-wrJBIIfXWlCCctDd3Tlaf0xzN10E4QNj6WwERnolM4ltU/s2048/2021-10-22+RC4W+Fall+Color+Scorpion+%252812+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcdJD87GgY_C-vgM9DtTEZnRwCTHqSXQm0uZ_wM8M8yBWFoobSs0avj1Sb1jDkturbYFoTzUo39hgst8KwV85YEPILXX7j-wrJBIIfXWlCCctDd3Tlaf0xzN10E4QNj6WwERnolM4ltU/w372-h266/2021-10-22+RC4W+Fall+Color+Scorpion+%252812+of+12%2529.jpg" width="372" /></a></div> I still get to photograph my beloved RFD when I am in town. We manage to make it back once a month or so. I usually catch a fire or two if I am there long enough. Between the transients, tweakers and the economic decline of my hometown, there is often something burning. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJve2I58Or9P2IlHVHnYpO2Kv8sQPtxoJpT6JrBJIuhonhuVVhZh9z0em-hMUa5cAOrYrj9WHUdVgAHKUBD3IqJywOyKMEHciOQUYVJG97xiCzk68waDq1AJ4mxpUt1Xvn3hBlJTIshOE/s2048/2020-06-11+Van+Buren+INC+Structure+Fire+FBPIO+%252814+of+22%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1463" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJve2I58Or9P2IlHVHnYpO2Kv8sQPtxoJpT6JrBJIuhonhuVVhZh9z0em-hMUa5cAOrYrj9WHUdVgAHKUBD3IqJywOyKMEHciOQUYVJG97xiCzk68waDq1AJ4mxpUt1Xvn3hBlJTIshOE/w250-h349/2020-06-11+Van+Buren+INC+Structure+Fire+FBPIO+%252814+of+22%2529.jpg" width="250" /></a></div> Though our hometown is not really a travel destination, it is the only trip I am willing to take currently. The thought of sitting in an airplane, masked-up and all of the associated ugliness has no appeal to me. We still have the place in our hometown, one of my sons and a friends of his stay in part of it, we in another. We share the remainder. It is beneficial for all of us and it nice to have our old place for what time we are there.<p></p><p>I see through the links at the side of the page, that many people who were blogging when I was most active, haven't post for years as well. I hope that they are well and that whatever purpose their efforts we for have been attained. I also hope that if anyone is reading this, they are in a good place as well.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVRc1YH58tt6YrMZtK1INAnD2ekwnKEk2Ngi8Y_wsUlAP2x-hekeTdNzl8xYZV6lz74nOKhsHe9YKbI7AoElKZySyTaUFHjDM3iVomUwnTYrU1DTJrmWwkeytc3NlewjttswuTLp-kYc/s2048/Bob+and+Jeep+RC4W+6-16-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVRc1YH58tt6YrMZtK1INAnD2ekwnKEk2Ngi8Y_wsUlAP2x-hekeTdNzl8xYZV6lz74nOKhsHe9YKbI7AoElKZySyTaUFHjDM3iVomUwnTYrU1DTJrmWwkeytc3NlewjttswuTLp-kYc/s320/Bob+and+Jeep+RC4W+6-16-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Thanks for reading,</p><p>Schmoe<br /></p><p><br /></p>Capt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-18065730406783232982017-04-06T21:25:00.000-07:002017-04-06T21:25:54.428-07:00HorsepowerIt started out as a medical aid request and ended up as a large animal rescue call-out. Except for the plane crash last month, it also ended up being one of the biggest media stories for our agency in the past year. Apparently, animal interest stories "have more legs" than human interest stories.<br />
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It started with a paramedic squad being dispatched for a medical aid request on a major street in town. When they arrived, they found no injured humans, but a horse trapped in a subsurface utility vault containing the pipes that supplied a nearby apartment complex. The vault was located at least partially in the sidewalk and was covered by some sort of boilerplate metal panels. The panels or supporting structure failed under the weight of the horse and it's rider. The rider was not injured in the mishap, but the horse ended up stuck in the vault. He was not happy about it.<br />
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The engine company that shares the station with the squad arrived and requested the Horse - Animal Rescue Team (H.A.R.T.) The HART team is stationed at our USAR station and is staffed by USAR team members with additional, specialized, training. It was at about this time when I decided to respond and take some photos.<br />
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Though not deep, the large piping in the vault kept the horse from gaining foothold. As time passed, he became more agitated. The HART guys decided that the best course of action would be to use a small crane or boom-truck as a high anchor point, then hoist and pivot the horse away from the vault. Once the plan was developed, the appropriate requests were made. There was a 45 minute eta on the crane and about a 30 minute eta on a veterinarian. The vet is needed to sedate the horse, which prevents further injury to it and reduces risk of injury to the rescuers.<br />
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The vet arrived and assessed the horse, the crane was on it's way. The horse appeared to be in significant distress. Every time it began to thrash, it's torso and limbs impacted the piping and other sharp metal objects in the vault. Honestly, it was awful to watch.<br />
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While waiting for the crane, the HART guys were able to remove the boilerplate covers from the vault and place straps around the horse. The vet returned to her truck to get medication and a helmet.<br />
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About this time, the horse decided that it had had enough. Somehow, it was able to gain enough footing to get close to getting out. The added pulling from guys on the straps and the rider on the halter provided enough energy to get the horse out of the vault.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXM7DTbpcXV243ZOGG6xi1xY-x6Fe0E2eOvSBgXBAh4MEa9Qgb1PDP8vk2eNo0y3t_tKZl6YInZkxL6oOA_N_IE4r08azkGxjs_rwawjHv4LwksX6E3yHyKXy3TcaIL3CqxUqPTTW5TM/s1600/2017-04-01+Arlington+Incident+Large+Animal+Rescue+all+%252812+of+25%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXM7DTbpcXV243ZOGG6xi1xY-x6Fe0E2eOvSBgXBAh4MEa9Qgb1PDP8vk2eNo0y3t_tKZl6YInZkxL6oOA_N_IE4r08azkGxjs_rwawjHv4LwksX6E3yHyKXy3TcaIL3CqxUqPTTW5TM/s400/2017-04-01+Arlington+Incident+Large+Animal+Rescue+all+%252812+of+25%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The vet examined the horse and said that it appeared to be in pretty good shape, other than some lacerations that would need suturing.<br />
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I was amazed, I was thinking that things were not going to end well - I wasn't the only one to have that opinion BTW. I am glad that I was wrong in my assessment, everybody left the scene pretty good about the way things ended up.<br />
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The PIO that night said his phone was ringing all night from the media wanting info. I received calls/messages from Fox News and the Associated Press wanting permission to use my photos.<br />
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You just never know what stories "have legs".<br />
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Thanks for reading.Capt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-10044557674388386772017-04-01T22:53:00.000-07:002017-04-01T22:53:11.913-07:00Fun With a New Lens<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_1s">
I am going to Alaska and Canada later on in the year and I wanted to get a long lens to capture images of nature that my existing lens collection cannot. Due to the almost 10% sales tax that is collected in my city, I ordered one from B&H photo in N.Y. City and waited for the U.P.S. guy. A few days later, the lens, a case of toilet paper and some K-Cup coffee show up on the porch.<br />
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Costco.com was having free shipping on the t.p. and the coffee - I can't drive to Costco without spending a ton, so on-line works for us. What a country.<br />
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I hadn't a chance to use the new lens until Fri. evening, after I got off from my part-time retirement gig. As nothing was
burning ( a good thing) I headed out to the airport, Things were being
set up for today's airshow, which presented some photo opportunities not
usually available. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvFpm13vgg4px9P-Wb6zParvZFH5Ud0xRS2bxd-TfUD6fJ-ef6uK4MR_Gp-qx5wIdaQ_ZOSxH-rSwVyA7chSsPXXuQBtkxtyjmvryvDlRyjhLp66kPkAzInEHbzCLzwVIsrHjltuEY3g/s1600/2017-03-31+RAL+Long+Lens+FB+%25285+of+16%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvFpm13vgg4px9P-Wb6zParvZFH5Ud0xRS2bxd-TfUD6fJ-ef6uK4MR_Gp-qx5wIdaQ_ZOSxH-rSwVyA7chSsPXXuQBtkxtyjmvryvDlRyjhLp66kPkAzInEHbzCLzwVIsrHjltuEY3g/s400/2017-03-31+RAL+Long+Lens+FB+%25285+of+16%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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WWII era SNJ Navy version of the AT-6</div>
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Another SNJ retracts the gear after lifting off.</div>
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Flight of three AT-6s/SNJs overhead. 400mm focal length.</div>
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Riverside P.D. Air 1 sneaks away from the P.D. hangar. Taken </div>
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from across the field. This was cropped a little to add zoom.</div>
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Loadmaster on this C-17 shows some</div>
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folks around. I have flown on this same </div>
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aircraft, an experience I will never forget.</div>
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A P-51 flew did a few low passes while I was there.</div>
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I am very happy with the lens, though I need to read the manual and practice with it to improve efficiency. You-tube may help with this as well. I am amazed at the level of sharpness it seems capable of, how fast it can focus I hope it works equally well shooting bears, moose and icebergs.</div>
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Thanks for reading,</div>
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Schmoe</div>
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Capt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-27860848688757090852017-03-12T15:32:00.003-07:002017-03-12T15:32:23.462-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Suburban Craziness</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The information shared below was taken from local media reports and some anecdotal knowledge heard around the time of the incident. The pics are mine, they are the only part of the story that I can vouch for their accuracy. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">This went down a few weeks ago, a couple of miles from my house. It all started around 11 PM, with the cops stopping to check out a car that was parked on the street and occupied by several people. Somehow, it ended up with a dead guy and a house being burned to the ground. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I didn't hear the original call, but apparently, when the cop made contact with the occupants of the car, one guy took off. At some point during the foot chase, the suspect reportedly produced a gun and popped a round or two off at the officer. The cop returned fire and supposedly hit the suspect in the foot.</span></span></div>
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At that point, it apparently became easier to track the suspect, as he left a trail of bloody footprints to the house where he opted to hole up. Once the cops determined where the suspect was, they attempted to contact the occupants of the house, who were reported to be uncooperative. A stand-off ensued. I read somewhere that the occupants of the house eventually came out, leaving the suspect as the only one left inside. </div>
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The suspects girlfriend said that the suspect had called her during the standoff and had admitted to carrying a gun, but denied pulling or shooting it.</div>
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A fire department unit was dispatched to stand-by during the barricade event. An engine was there all night, a BC may have been there as well. There were reports of shots being heard during this time, coming from the house. The cops deployed a robot into the house, it is unknown what it saw. They also deployed some type of projectiles into the house, whether they were a noxious gas or a distraction devices, I do not know. </div>
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I do know that shortly after I got up at around 0645 or so, the house was on fire and a full structure response was requested. I knew the cops were all over the place and that the fire dept. would not be able to get anything done for a while, so I wisely decided to avoid the place. </div>
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After I was made aware that the situation had stabilized somewhat, I drove down and took some pics. These were taken after 0830, the roof had fallen in on most of the house. I was a little surprised at the PPE that the firefighters were wearing, it was yet another thing that I thought I'd never see.</div>
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Ballistic body armor, Kevlar helmets and 1 1/2s. Quite the outfit. I knew the units had upgraded their body armor in response to active shooter events, but I never considered that they might be used during a fire.</div>
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The PD metro unit maintained a good perimeter around the house while I was there. At this point, the FD crews were just containing the fire to the structure of origin. The PD had originally been on these hose lines, but as the risk level appeared to lower, they were taken over by the FD. That the PD was initially on the nozzles caused some heartburn in some of the FD administration. I am sure it will be discussed at a future staff meeting.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciM0cIZ4vMyy_23FzlP8DVZvk4Q-Ro0MSOUav18EzLhXmlbqY4fTjK5LsybyxZLlTSy_Db0AXr5GYmLqrlxV11Ilvhc-58fxtSVpbaVyF4xfVZb32_7wcvRqdmKZ083WexeCijtQibc8/s1600/2017-02-21+Sage+Inc+Structure+Fire+Barricaded+subject+FB2+%25285+of+10%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciM0cIZ4vMyy_23FzlP8DVZvk4Q-Ro0MSOUav18EzLhXmlbqY4fTjK5LsybyxZLlTSy_Db0AXr5GYmLqrlxV11Ilvhc-58fxtSVpbaVyF4xfVZb32_7wcvRqdmKZ083WexeCijtQibc8/s400/2017-02-21+Sage+Inc+Structure+Fire+Barricaded+subject+FB2+%25285+of+10%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Before allowing our crews to make entry and extinguish the fire, the PD along with a rep from the FD checked the perimeter of the house to ensure the suspect was no longer a threat. Once this was determined, the FD was allowed to go to work.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvYWgFBMROQBc01YRYKHHPVKIeDqhmRqCbeR0yxNGpsU83l5bPzkVcxxoft0ZDu3LohmmhhYRPI1Jv82vaIOzqZPRYnwOVVTK74sycLpuK4rxwYdTnoK0XnUdE1YJ-zkrJchdY1aqikk/s1600/2017-2-21+Sage+Inc+Barricaded+subject+structure+fire+all+%252831+of43%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvYWgFBMROQBc01YRYKHHPVKIeDqhmRqCbeR0yxNGpsU83l5bPzkVcxxoft0ZDu3LohmmhhYRPI1Jv82vaIOzqZPRYnwOVVTK74sycLpuK4rxwYdTnoK0XnUdE1YJ-zkrJchdY1aqikk/s400/2017-2-21+Sage+Inc+Barricaded+subject+structure+fire+all+%252831+of43%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Units were there for quite a while, overhauling the fire. The FD investigators worked on cause and origin, the PD homicide detectives did their crime scene processing.</div>
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The suspect was found deceased in the rear of the house. To my knowledge, the cause of death has not been released. The cause of the fire hasn't been released, nor have the results of the initial investigation. By the time all of that becomes public, interest in the incident will have abated and it will likely not make the news.</div>
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As a side-note, I had been in that house several times over the years. My wife's uncle built it and lived in it for around fifty years. His passing and his wife's declining health forced it's sale a few years ago. My wife's aunt has not been told of it's demise. My wife and my brother-in-law were more than a little bummed, as were the cousins who were raised in it.</div>
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Crazy shit in crazy times.</div>
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Thanks for reading,</div>
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Schmoe</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b> </b></span></div>
Capt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-8857873187593443602017-03-06T08:14:00.000-08:002017-03-06T08:14:30.491-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Close to Home</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is rare that I am able to photograph a fire scene while the suppression activity is in it's early phase. So rare, that most of my photos are of the overhaul phase of operations. That's OK, overhaul can be interesting as well, if shot properly. Yesterday, a structure fire broke out pretty close to my house. As a result, I actually arrived before any of the units. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I parked around the corner, as I didn't want to:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">A - park the Schmoemobile in the way of arriving units.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">B - get blocked in by the multitude of apparatus that were soon to be on scene.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I actually took a few actions before I started shooting, so my first shots were taken about the time the first line was pulled off of the rig. Things moved pretty fast from there.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Single story, single family dwelling with the attached garage heavily involved. A good hydrant located directly across the street. E2, E10, T2, T3, S2 and Batt2 are the initial units dispatched. A crusty/rusty retired fire captain/photog arrives first and advises the BC of initial size-up. E12 is requested by the BC as an additional resource. </span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGFZtFoi5SQilS_XcAdKv6Rk7Wngo17FgnxU-FhyphenhyphenvUDu-eHIVaE_y2uqvqpZMAnsBvYt12Vyy6k3kBhNCmjuF-idz9SWh6aNkwu2NtikrCSUG-hlMaZG0EcXH0KckpE2y9QnyA-618NI/s1600/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%25281+of+17%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGFZtFoi5SQilS_XcAdKv6Rk7Wngo17FgnxU-FhyphenhyphenvUDu-eHIVaE_y2uqvqpZMAnsBvYt12Vyy6k3kBhNCmjuF-idz9SWh6aNkwu2NtikrCSUG-hlMaZG0EcXH0KckpE2y9QnyA-618NI/s320/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%25281+of+17%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E2 arrives and begins to deploy lines</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNfifOXg5YDttsawh9jbuDydmmVyLvBwlb548wDiTcrQ5wptgUS0mkGDMSWl_FYPtlp9IUxT7SGrWWJ7RC36VN6iWSkQ6wCctI-bNmJ7QoKq9IGK0iKmCmD-Z5UMp_i8kCdMco2ARsLI/s1600/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%25282+of+17%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNfifOXg5YDttsawh9jbuDydmmVyLvBwlb548wDiTcrQ5wptgUS0mkGDMSWl_FYPtlp9IUxT7SGrWWJ7RC36VN6iWSkQ6wCctI-bNmJ7QoKq9IGK0iKmCmD-Z5UMp_i8kCdMco2ARsLI/s320/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%25282+of+17%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple of cars in the driveway added to the mix</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib21uXHgxf8HjCB-X-l7QnGHUYaTFUHYNvqeXZ7yildkkYbZYgQ12OqP1AfrRVVzlwseXabDNgAhp2zecI1rP6V7Npv0jNUWxbbdGhM113MQkQVgl0KS28WKRlFpDpiO8U6lf3vSu_AnU/s1600/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%25283+of+17%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib21uXHgxf8HjCB-X-l7QnGHUYaTFUHYNvqeXZ7yildkkYbZYgQ12OqP1AfrRVVzlwseXabDNgAhp2zecI1rP6V7Npv0jNUWxbbdGhM113MQkQVgl0KS28WKRlFpDpiO8U6lf3vSu_AnU/s320/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%25283+of+17%2529.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Something you don't see every day.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIUq2pr1h_zz2_6NxxQ-d-2JJk_oD7_wrkNBm6sT67EKT3bdJZBICYg3YGrFSVhGt32GHtebFP7YxgI3-O2w55IMPt3BiHwMI6Ux1M54FcOQDII1fQG5Juw7Oqgnp6ufWEL6t9UhvDHI/s1600/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%25284+of+17%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIUq2pr1h_zz2_6NxxQ-d-2JJk_oD7_wrkNBm6sT67EKT3bdJZBICYg3YGrFSVhGt32GHtebFP7YxgI3-O2w55IMPt3BiHwMI6Ux1M54FcOQDII1fQG5Juw7Oqgnp6ufWEL6t9UhvDHI/s320/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%25284+of+17%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two metro packs on the ground, both off of E2</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqq7egDTxcGLcBzoLLfhbOBEp7Kf1hvGnZG-Vp43LWjhbBphjv14m3hv23IBqyZJklfgGDrPC6cv5fsy-4Ha72NyxK0YgYsMHf6EfROPUXuj5xCglq8_Mff1A_8kij_A7ykoi4_cBlDg/s1600/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%25286+of+17%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqq7egDTxcGLcBzoLLfhbOBEp7Kf1hvGnZG-Vp43LWjhbBphjv14m3hv23IBqyZJklfgGDrPC6cv5fsy-4Ha72NyxK0YgYsMHf6EfROPUXuj5xCglq8_Mff1A_8kij_A7ykoi4_cBlDg/s320/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%25286+of+17%2529.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of the cars were heavily damaged</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueJzqTnn0Ox0mypCtJPqpMiDPePvSoqXS9cKxewX_rznd9Q7DQLkDdt65eGE-mJ_VcAVpIt7uAHWNY3JBVqeO7GWyUHmscoe-z7ygRI5SkjSzFcYaIWhFrwvfZDIV60qCIy0aTEt3Ks4/s1600/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%25288+of+17%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueJzqTnn0Ox0mypCtJPqpMiDPePvSoqXS9cKxewX_rznd9Q7DQLkDdt65eGE-mJ_VcAVpIt7uAHWNY3JBVqeO7GWyUHmscoe-z7ygRI5SkjSzFcYaIWhFrwvfZDIV60qCIy0aTEt3Ks4/s320/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%25288+of+17%2529.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was just as water was being applied.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bFep7Hj9Y1EOB2kmCWrp8hw6oLLNJzkmY-qlVCY8k4nkirk0EPNJj926_UOHJku2AB2kqIxlpGUPEZ_xvHWLqFkNg5sdMclfvfmlsQlC34iN_3AkRXGwfwKknVwhUVxXHt3OPnJ0kBk/s1600/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%25289+of+17%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bFep7Hj9Y1EOB2kmCWrp8hw6oLLNJzkmY-qlVCY8k4nkirk0EPNJj926_UOHJku2AB2kqIxlpGUPEZ_xvHWLqFkNg5sdMclfvfmlsQlC34iN_3AkRXGwfwKknVwhUVxXHt3OPnJ0kBk/s320/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%25289+of+17%2529.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water on, visibility off for me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiC0yAxM9ACXWYG-p_oAz7ZWQJu6cOvZ6QJ7Ra9kscRU0_R0HotEzGAkIzmJpAqVgoR6-LaKWaqiSN0b6x-5A4YCCn2vq95_k-l0gPPd2OqMIv3BdfqPq_eTydQBcaRIN8sPbPjeQiJi4/s1600/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%252810+of+17%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiC0yAxM9ACXWYG-p_oAz7ZWQJu6cOvZ6QJ7Ra9kscRU0_R0HotEzGAkIzmJpAqVgoR6-LaKWaqiSN0b6x-5A4YCCn2vq95_k-l0gPPd2OqMIv3BdfqPq_eTydQBcaRIN8sPbPjeQiJi4/s320/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%252810+of+17%2529.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meanwhile, back at the hydrant.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_A9kZgFWfiLso0umdlIMG_p40tRNe9ZySUZRSWusLAkbG_ZyOs9HXyW58L3yW-S5IWsifXbiM97imlj_jmr-vx8gjUUBOfv5Y212LGWqJ2eypou1AYGVk-OTsHuku9ZTe-kYAFzOsZU/s1600/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%252812+of+17%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_A9kZgFWfiLso0umdlIMG_p40tRNe9ZySUZRSWusLAkbG_ZyOs9HXyW58L3yW-S5IWsifXbiM97imlj_jmr-vx8gjUUBOfv5Y212LGWqJ2eypou1AYGVk-OTsHuku9ZTe-kYAFzOsZU/s320/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%252812+of+17%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Truckies being truckies.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYfiFtSq_1x4bDDhWk5F2N4J6wQuUVYuumf7Jco9_n303sd0Qyc4MNk8FzWFq-CLfiGMucmWLrZ39-tuHrIPg0GKOcX7hIOwSmDznKIqU8-MGBPrkWDpG4rqtCQPgBTIBaRWwVsAHH6Q/s1600/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%252814+of+17%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYfiFtSq_1x4bDDhWk5F2N4J6wQuUVYuumf7Jco9_n303sd0Qyc4MNk8FzWFq-CLfiGMucmWLrZ39-tuHrIPg0GKOcX7hIOwSmDznKIqU8-MGBPrkWDpG4rqtCQPgBTIBaRWwVsAHH6Q/s320/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%252814+of+17%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flames are gone, but the work is not.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIleoKXmBVMrWCBaK3GwTo1CPZDareuJdc6me0R0RD8nnhsVMZtVTxiv82IF9sdHx6N4ulkikVAw6WXyTrJTLBNCpbEf66SWFuz8b01wHx8gPaU4JTId7t0kXBAl7HeP9gmGVlEwQORi8/s1600/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%252815+of+17%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIleoKXmBVMrWCBaK3GwTo1CPZDareuJdc6me0R0RD8nnhsVMZtVTxiv82IF9sdHx6N4ulkikVAw6WXyTrJTLBNCpbEf66SWFuz8b01wHx8gPaU4JTId7t0kXBAl7HeP9gmGVlEwQORi8/s320/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%252815+of+17%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like this shot, good balance of people and apparatus.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmLp3NZmtuJkgqkGuJZUBK4i-W6j1CkgGm-ez4_v2EOgsZLfhIkp0gZ_bM9FRSFaGeXjMM-JiLoHNK5IBwqDnRx4CQYphTvz5wMbYUNqH6JbJXI0WT2uw1xQUDago4B9emAgMfkDtHYo/s1600/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%252817+of+17%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmLp3NZmtuJkgqkGuJZUBK4i-W6j1CkgGm-ez4_v2EOgsZLfhIkp0gZ_bM9FRSFaGeXjMM-JiLoHNK5IBwqDnRx4CQYphTvz5wMbYUNqH6JbJXI0WT2uw1xQUDago4B9emAgMfkDtHYo/s320/2017-03-05+Flax+Inc+Structure+Fire+PIO+%252817+of+17%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The investigators arrive and begin their work.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A family was displaced, at least four people, including at least one child. Though the fire was held mainly to the garage, I'm guessing that some damage occurred to the living space. When the rush of combat is withheld from the equation, fires do suck - especially for the victims.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Thanks for reading,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Schmoe</div>
Capt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-21747267792411288232017-03-02T22:03:00.003-08:002017-03-02T22:03:58.753-08:00<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tragedy in Riverside</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">A twin engine Cessna 310 crashed shortly after take-off from our local airport a few days ago. It </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">struck two houses before coming to rest in a third home. Five people were on board, three were killed and two were critically injured. Miraculously, no one on the ground was hurt, though two houses were destroyed.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">As usual, I got there after the main fire was knocked down. Knockdown was no easy feat, as the plane appeared to be well fueled at the time of the crash. Speaking with friends who were on the first alarm, it was utter chaos when they arrived. Two fully involved homes, huge traffic issues and live rescues presented themselves to the first-in engine. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's plenty of video of it out there, some of it is spectacular. I spent two or three hours there and shot about 200 photos. I kept about 75 or so and submitted them to the department. They selected 15 and posted them on Facebook. The photos below are those. To get the best viewing experience, click on the image to enlarge.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4bmtj1ZpQq0ee-raWx81JWQ9Irty5Admsof4s-j0JcI5JRQIqmP2Az3Hd0xYQjW_iYFCuyo-Jjk-IksneESewtucKSoVM-C10ysspvz0-bYXbh5GRf5TyKsgCPRrcKqg0HAebAZAZ74/s1600/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%25284+of+69%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4bmtj1ZpQq0ee-raWx81JWQ9Irty5Admsof4s-j0JcI5JRQIqmP2Az3Hd0xYQjW_iYFCuyo-Jjk-IksneESewtucKSoVM-C10ysspvz0-bYXbh5GRf5TyKsgCPRrcKqg0HAebAZAZ74/s320/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%25284+of+69%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The IC and the first-in Captain.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmljvvdgXNRrnXa71oqqtW-ZY39CcOiLlSyx_vwyH78EbXNfhK5tGzw-4jIcerozYP3I3CgktNONoA2mKsXYVuUEu-WiFdwZR3xgI0-C8BVGTInKthHdqWzuSGo44qh2aF7zaluWKukVs/s1600/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%25285+of+69%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmljvvdgXNRrnXa71oqqtW-ZY39CcOiLlSyx_vwyH78EbXNfhK5tGzw-4jIcerozYP3I3CgktNONoA2mKsXYVuUEu-WiFdwZR3xgI0-C8BVGTInKthHdqWzuSGo44qh2aF7zaluWKukVs/s320/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%25285+of+69%2529.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Fire Chief, Police Chief, Rep from </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
AMRand one of our BCs having a</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
con-fab. This was a big deal.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTH5YRgBgNoqlCMSa6BKFOaFC27aM5XGB2MJEb5gS5FLq_Qq_mpxh80-HSGtoE7ArdtOHlYdhAh0vLLXxtxLkk8FU7B0HukJ8zd29l4Oc8fZL0aVJdkQMS5KeWHEq6cQRfv5irYVeK6xU/s1600/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%25287+of+69%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTH5YRgBgNoqlCMSa6BKFOaFC27aM5XGB2MJEb5gS5FLq_Qq_mpxh80-HSGtoE7ArdtOHlYdhAh0vLLXxtxLkk8FU7B0HukJ8zd29l4Oc8fZL0aVJdkQMS5KeWHEq6cQRfv5irYVeK6xU/s320/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%25287+of+69%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A couple of guys working on a car that was in one</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of the demolished homes. It, too had a bit of fuel in it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgRaj-8dUwivEDH4gpXi_ydWTTLPBEMWt-cGs5lwrA7Zu_ep6IC5tJRTsG6S8dWYRcWTWb-2c4ZsijJd7E1MmVmW1T9mV4yLTqkBfo_tM5BoHsDlYGgg963L9CY0kf8EJVcTyq1DTAVI/s1600/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%252813+of+69%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgRaj-8dUwivEDH4gpXi_ydWTTLPBEMWt-cGs5lwrA7Zu_ep6IC5tJRTsG6S8dWYRcWTWb-2c4ZsijJd7E1MmVmW1T9mV4yLTqkBfo_tM5BoHsDlYGgg963L9CY0kf8EJVcTyq1DTAVI/s320/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%252813+of+69%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They ended up using a rotary saw to cut away some</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of the steel garage door keeping them from getting</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to the car. Sparks were not an issue, the fuel was </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
already on fire.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2HWSNatMFywVU8ncXSolFMDgzj0wgW8H3fwrjTnCOFzgvNPUvYf2cUMeyg5a8R-j7Nf9KuzwxL5WscTsP0TP_gxkq_bzizdbvDIrImqmA_qHD6gDftayeLfoclBnq66f0MLA680X8-g/s1600/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%252815+of+69%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2HWSNatMFywVU8ncXSolFMDgzj0wgW8H3fwrjTnCOFzgvNPUvYf2cUMeyg5a8R-j7Nf9KuzwxL5WscTsP0TP_gxkq_bzizdbvDIrImqmA_qHD6gDftayeLfoclBnq66f0MLA680X8-g/s320/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%252815+of+69%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
More fun with the car.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsqDuRZpyDnjYIYj4fWtygtyqEcJ-jAh64BErMP4WUjin6mrmyvMix0sGBygfUjmEUiv9rMJjR5z-Be51yx-IX6g1lNbuqUrJRArrM703NfDc2g5Em7FhcQg_zzGRmqPkPk2L2-860V8/s1600/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%252821+of+69%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsqDuRZpyDnjYIYj4fWtygtyqEcJ-jAh64BErMP4WUjin6mrmyvMix0sGBygfUjmEUiv9rMJjR5z-Be51yx-IX6g1lNbuqUrJRArrM703NfDc2g5Em7FhcQg_zzGRmqPkPk2L2-860V8/s320/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%252821+of+69%2529.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A couple of hours in, this guy needed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a quick break. He is a friend of mine</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and is no slacker. I'll bet he had gone </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
through five bottles or so by then.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnT6nYenC3DRC7YxUdvwXT-vh59uYSArtzqU0MLfM1RWXXFEzAYzAtwOehtdcq_TUiSq_imHEZOZNPhblPRiNj6D8yLbEs5Jwg1BYNjDwd0xZ2Wmb4F3zYy6nskG11MXTufdgGdDOq64/s1600/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%252822+of+69%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnT6nYenC3DRC7YxUdvwXT-vh59uYSArtzqU0MLfM1RWXXFEzAYzAtwOehtdcq_TUiSq_imHEZOZNPhblPRiNj6D8yLbEs5Jwg1BYNjDwd0xZ2Wmb4F3zYy6nskG11MXTufdgGdDOq64/s320/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%252822+of+69%2529.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There was bad ugliness in that room.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am grateful I didn't have to see</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPegtvuahAhqyaNds_iXuxeZBubLAXA_uqskMzqzqpCj_PdpDGOu3SP6ib78LCAXIdXHLFG0rHBVFdgTGZGHIkS5KPnRIrxnEMNdRjzY43XBEruzwA8Lii13uMiBXAhAdzltPn7sphIE/s1600/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%252824+of+69%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPegtvuahAhqyaNds_iXuxeZBubLAXA_uqskMzqzqpCj_PdpDGOu3SP6ib78LCAXIdXHLFG0rHBVFdgTGZGHIkS5KPnRIrxnEMNdRjzY43XBEruzwA8Lii13uMiBXAhAdzltPn7sphIE/s320/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%252824+of+69%2529.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He had to see it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomvua-1u8aYagCUAC92-vw8Vkd29kR7o4IJ132fizPEvj478-guBsyqCs1puUTS94pQ80Cn-B4j8lPRA-gteLZUPG6G6XdJ3gXIyFDLMq94yaou-1DLj8xf55Yj9MXPgOlOpLQhyhbFM/s1600/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%252830+of+69%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomvua-1u8aYagCUAC92-vw8Vkd29kR7o4IJ132fizPEvj478-guBsyqCs1puUTS94pQ80Cn-B4j8lPRA-gteLZUPG6G6XdJ3gXIyFDLMq94yaou-1DLj8xf55Yj9MXPgOlOpLQhyhbFM/s320/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%252830+of+69%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Boy, did they go through bottles.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPJk8ktEJknu-S0fgzisMC5jamZoY5LnmxGX7b2oQCUOyFboBStC92wnUiZCbkUN0v7dt3FcDepthWIu1wY1z_DGkA3cC-C4N-kezU7d4KnVENUIuxpY_7eWPKVWQDiAKKs9sf20bXdg/s1600/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%252838+of+69%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPJk8ktEJknu-S0fgzisMC5jamZoY5LnmxGX7b2oQCUOyFboBStC92wnUiZCbkUN0v7dt3FcDepthWIu1wY1z_DGkA3cC-C4N-kezU7d4KnVENUIuxpY_7eWPKVWQDiAKKs9sf20bXdg/s320/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%252838+of+69%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The ICP. The guy in the white hat is the other BC,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My brother without a lid is the IC. The poor bastard</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in the blue shirt is on light duty and is basically</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the BC's errand boy until he heals up.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneoRNSqfW_wzz-VsQRv0Fdr1WaeN3vBwSCp0gyGGSPU3EaCmQKU3UTBRBcBm5q8P3GRfO6UQwhUEM-pjgxBt0ImEUODZPMGHuW8hd5fpVKfkmDtSnBqlmR9iu9WuQMBcqPiEMspFabbE/s1600/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%252843+of+69%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneoRNSqfW_wzz-VsQRv0Fdr1WaeN3vBwSCp0gyGGSPU3EaCmQKU3UTBRBcBm5q8P3GRfO6UQwhUEM-pjgxBt0ImEUODZPMGHuW8hd5fpVKfkmDtSnBqlmR9iu9WuQMBcqPiEMspFabbE/s320/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%252843+of+69%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What goes down, must be loaded</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
up. There was a mile of hose on the</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ground, a lot of it off of E5 - the</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
first-in engine.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WBqpgr2yyMDA-5Iaupvu0xFeZEaajVq7sONGjbsksQFtHP2njKOQKFiCdzNjOUDoJuiK8dF57dvEYJ_B9VEwqm2pqo5RSb0TAMOFIWnI1YEUTu32PJ32jNBq4biEfv9tUJxfIVGmIJo/s1600/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%252851+of+69%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WBqpgr2yyMDA-5Iaupvu0xFeZEaajVq7sONGjbsksQFtHP2njKOQKFiCdzNjOUDoJuiK8dF57dvEYJ_B9VEwqm2pqo5RSb0TAMOFIWnI1YEUTu32PJ32jNBq4biEfv9tUJxfIVGmIJo/s320/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%252851+of+69%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ray-Ray, our lead investigator. I remember when</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
he was new. It makes me feel old.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The huddle. Always a must-shoot for me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Three hours in, eating subs. I think </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
these were the guys who pulled one</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of the victims out of the bedroom.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll say it, heroes in my book.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
God bless these guys. CERT team</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
members who brought out some</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
vittles.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeq_iB53MyE8xZrGK97CEgA4ZL3m_C1NWgx41Ug_g1F2XeMpuDd6znQPXASizQyQ4O05Xokcp6nNGTvTMthBgTJp435SqIAVCSJOOXlIViQR26NDajA8lepCY3V8AsRJd5gWq3_W4FMQ/s1600/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%252862+of+69%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeq_iB53MyE8xZrGK97CEgA4ZL3m_C1NWgx41Ug_g1F2XeMpuDd6znQPXASizQyQ4O05Xokcp6nNGTvTMthBgTJp435SqIAVCSJOOXlIViQR26NDajA8lepCY3V8AsRJd5gWq3_W4FMQ/s320/2017-02-27+Rhonda+Inc+Alert+3+Structure+Fire+%252862+of+69%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Chief's being chiefly.</div>
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Chief's being even more chiefly.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
After a bit, it was determined that</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
any further disruption of the crash </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
would be detrimental to the invest-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
igation, so the hose-lines were pulled </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
out.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The department had units out there for another day at least, along with the media, FAA, NTSB, and several other agencies. I stayed home and mowed my lawn. I was real proud of the actions taken by the "Kinda Big FPD" on this day, they did a great job under trying circumstances.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Thanks for reading,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Schmoe</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div>
Capt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-39569335592636767122016-11-26T15:59:00.002-08:002016-11-26T16:05:45.607-08:00Gettin' It Done in the 951.Batt. 2 units battle a fire in a single family dwelling, Nov. 25, 2016.<br />
<br />
I caught the tail end of this last night. The fire had started in the garage and and burned through into the attic. When I arrived, the garage fire was knocked down and the truckies were making a coordinated attack on the attic with interior crews. While I was a little bummed missing the garage knockdown, I was pretty happy to capture the attic portion of the battle. Luckily, no one was seriously hurt during this incident.<br />
<br />
I know tactics change over time, but I still struggle watching crews attack attic fires from above. It was always pretty much a Bozo No-No to stick a nozzle through a vent hole when I was on the job, now it is in the tool box, in the top tray. That's why old bastards like me retire. Change is tough for us.<br />
<br />
Click on the image to see the big picture!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsOtYHPC5MnpAW_VgqO3W7xyml-VMWoKB15QPxZH6NSyGOgf_lx4yvM3_CaIB4oPJy8WtpoE0y7ATKPIVPX626-VxGohR4sC76OyVwt3EhaOieHxWg4RcoOquJfMTSW7s82BJZgw2di4/s1600/2016-11-25+Wakebridge+Inc+Structure+MedRes+%25289+of+23%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsOtYHPC5MnpAW_VgqO3W7xyml-VMWoKB15QPxZH6NSyGOgf_lx4yvM3_CaIB4oPJy8WtpoE0y7ATKPIVPX626-VxGohR4sC76OyVwt3EhaOieHxWg4RcoOquJfMTSW7s82BJZgw2di4/s320/2016-11-25+Wakebridge+Inc+Structure+MedRes+%25289+of+23%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCfbjOg-sUjAKcDQlDV5DGE7j41KZZEk0GO7M21xXLLW1-qm_D5ydjXoClugK8mIW133lPgJiE37sBzQ3dkrNHfg0JOCElidur9p9FI3jmeRRArNYYs12Nu76YarUdvrHQZSawb7B7Wk/s1600/2016-11-25+Wakebridge+Inc+Structure+MedRes+%252813+of+23%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCfbjOg-sUjAKcDQlDV5DGE7j41KZZEk0GO7M21xXLLW1-qm_D5ydjXoClugK8mIW133lPgJiE37sBzQ3dkrNHfg0JOCElidur9p9FI3jmeRRArNYYs12Nu76YarUdvrHQZSawb7B7Wk/s320/2016-11-25+Wakebridge+Inc+Structure+MedRes+%252813+of+23%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-NKApm0vXHaJSRksXhj-ARmyCvXO9GMc2GoNipbhP9SMpKYjaYYrSXpnU5LgtiJLk7wsCptkfS1NLdEG79XiKHoPOlGLbs6nIFyuDrP3JF8hM8iSZHogbJk2qSqIv2mjOtWzpKTj-gI/s1600/2016-11-25+Wakebridge+Inc+Structure+MedRes+%252821+of+23%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-NKApm0vXHaJSRksXhj-ARmyCvXO9GMc2GoNipbhP9SMpKYjaYYrSXpnU5LgtiJLk7wsCptkfS1NLdEG79XiKHoPOlGLbs6nIFyuDrP3JF8hM8iSZHogbJk2qSqIv2mjOtWzpKTj-gI/s320/2016-11-25+Wakebridge+Inc+Structure+MedRes+%252821+of+23%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It had been a while since I had been out on a fire, it was good to see some of my peeps again. It makes me feel good to see "new guys" wearing red helmets and driving trucks.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading,<br />
<br />
SchmoeCapt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-1623678287947290852016-08-14T10:59:00.001-07:002016-08-14T10:59:56.865-07:00Persiods 2016<br />
<br />
The hype said that the annual Persiod meteor
shower was going to be the best since 2009. As I was truly impressed
with last years show and didn't want to miss out, I packed up the gear
and headed out to Joshua Tree National Park.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCA8_XJTSkp5sVHL09EtdFs98fCd9hIaPVqVmEnl6zYX-UFgL8TZ5FY0aVmAKJf3AtUIpfYg3dS_GL29Q1G8EF23KxeW9LZ7y5q9clMarruFdXSMFlJxaX7u8MjOdZPf0uq1nmBRgv8w/s1600/2016-08-11+Persiods+Joshua+Tree+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCA8_XJTSkp5sVHL09EtdFs98fCd9hIaPVqVmEnl6zYX-UFgL8TZ5FY0aVmAKJf3AtUIpfYg3dS_GL29Q1G8EF23KxeW9LZ7y5q9clMarruFdXSMFlJxaX7u8MjOdZPf0uq1nmBRgv8w/s400/2016-08-11+Persiods+Joshua+Tree+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Photographically, I
was a little disappointed. Out of almost 600 images, I captured 15 with
meteors in them. None had a "fireball" type meteor in them, though some
were a little bigger than others.<br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
Visually, it was absolutely amazing. This years Persiods lived up to
the hype and delivered a spectacular display. The thousands of other
people that had driven into the middle of the desert probably agree.
What a display!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUsQaNVk7AcoxEe3_X0WVzvd9oC0hofu_55iRTWIwG6L3ARM_r17xq5lVeW_DPG5iKgiazKiP1T9ELlUbc6AEtpCOA0uvhg8ffWH0an5RXTraJrdBJtbl5NNqpG4myROC94Srf0BSgcQ/s1600/2016-08-11+Persiods+Joshua+Tree+%25282+of+5%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUsQaNVk7AcoxEe3_X0WVzvd9oC0hofu_55iRTWIwG6L3ARM_r17xq5lVeW_DPG5iKgiazKiP1T9ELlUbc6AEtpCOA0uvhg8ffWH0an5RXTraJrdBJtbl5NNqpG4myROC94Srf0BSgcQ/s400/2016-08-11+Persiods+Joshua+Tree+%25282+of+5%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I was there from about 8:30 Thursday night until
2:30 Friday morning. I slipped into bed about 0430 yesterday and didn't
get much done around here after I got up. Oh well, there is always
tomorrow. It was worth it.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb7BkNYIGd7im90akLgAiS1YCVm0qF-AVHa8J6Y9RZ3GWYphzQdTJ-ox16p2H6S0FC-GXAuw8Ae13JpLbdxn_HjOvsW-_xdhORdu9SicoAtLas3_R-mCosb_GOSesZEPeFA7myb6BrNE/s1600/2016-08-11+Persiods+Joshua+Tree+%25283+of+5%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb7BkNYIGd7im90akLgAiS1YCVm0qF-AVHa8J6Y9RZ3GWYphzQdTJ-ox16p2H6S0FC-GXAuw8Ae13JpLbdxn_HjOvsW-_xdhORdu9SicoAtLas3_R-mCosb_GOSesZEPeFA7myb6BrNE/s400/2016-08-11+Persiods+Joshua+Tree+%25283+of+5%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The Persiods are an annual event, One that I will try not to miss.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1m25yecgC46VRfr0hi8zK9_eEf6WRdLOjdHlewAx9uG8mvkLTqWEXDDQghfQneafp4efextdoBjo7u7S-tWZkoJhxJi-RNsW_JXK03fcZWPqb5IPgUL7cG1N85QQjL9zFI4DtJWNLS7E/s1600/2016-08-11+Persiods+Joshua+Tree+%25281+of+5%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1m25yecgC46VRfr0hi8zK9_eEf6WRdLOjdHlewAx9uG8mvkLTqWEXDDQghfQneafp4efextdoBjo7u7S-tWZkoJhxJi-RNsW_JXK03fcZWPqb5IPgUL7cG1N85QQjL9zFI4DtJWNLS7E/s400/2016-08-11+Persiods+Joshua+Tree+%25281+of+5%2529.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
Thanks for reading,<br />
<br />
Schmoe</div>
Capt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-66870290336980062212016-07-26T22:12:00.000-07:002016-07-26T22:12:51.918-07:00SadnessEasy shifts and quiet nights, Dave. You're awesome buddy!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQO-2jPIskD62mcGjTI-1SaUbjAsLHxzj5XYiqdbQneiduAtzfgBqX10dEv8teeo1Yc322FhNG0mL-a3quiWgxutelG-6YxIQBbEgQ28cGsqLR3uDBYf_7fRgtTTe0E7qJY2XNUKQyPM/s1600/Ch+Campos.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQO-2jPIskD62mcGjTI-1SaUbjAsLHxzj5XYiqdbQneiduAtzfgBqX10dEv8teeo1Yc322FhNG0mL-a3quiWgxutelG-6YxIQBbEgQ28cGsqLR3uDBYf_7fRgtTTe0E7qJY2XNUKQyPM/s1600/Ch+Campos.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Battalion Chief David Campos </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1949-2016</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The older I get, the more often we have to go through this. I worked with Dave at old 6's, he was the engineer, I was the firefighter. We worked for Rick Kosar (he passed 5-6 years ago) and though the house was old, cramped and sort of run-down, we all got on well enough. Part of that was because Dave was a really, nice guy.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was never assigned to work for Dave after he made Captain or Chief, but we did work together on several major incidents. We retired about the same time and though he was a bit older than me, I still can't believe he's gone. He was a true family guy, I know his family must be devastated. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Well, shit. </div>
Capt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-2979696628261439622016-07-25T22:15:00.000-07:002016-07-25T22:15:47.229-07:00Out of Chaos Comes...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Using chaos to capture light, shadows, texture and people. I am so grateful that I am still allowed to photograph these people while they work.<br />
<br />
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These are but a few that I have taken recently. While it has been rather slow in this part of town, what goes around comes around and it will get busy again.<br />
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Till then, thanks for reading,<br />
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SchmoeCapt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-67248875706128603502016-01-12T22:09:00.002-08:002016-01-12T22:09:59.318-08:00Evil is as Evil DoesI was at the drill tower today, stopping by as I had business with the training division. Engine ?? was there, putting the final touches on a boot who takes his six month practical test next shift. As always, I asked the Captain (in private) if the boot was ready. The captain assured me that the boot was indeed ready, and that they were just hitting a few points that could use a tiny bit of polishing.<br />
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The conversation moved to some recent vacancies that had been created, both of which I had not heard of. The first was a guy who I had only met once or twice, one that had come to us from a large department on the east coast. Apparently, after a short time here, he decided west coast all risk firefighting was not what he looking to do. The absurd number of EMS calls we run and the very likely possibility of responding to wildland conflagrations that last for weeks was not something that he cared to deal with. I think that the thought of going through a year of probation probably didn't appeal to him either. This guy's wife is very well employed so he just resigned. Good on him. If you don't like what you are doing, GTFO.<br />
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This gig isn't for everyone. I have more respect for someone who makes the change, than for someone who is miserable and stays. Good luck to him, I hope he does well at whatever he is doing now.<br />
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It was the second departure that I found shocking. The Evil Medic, a guy who had been on my crew for a while, was terminated after a second (or more?) DWI arrest.<br />
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The Evil Medic (rear) during better times.</div>
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The first arrest had occurred while I was still on the job. The department knew and had taken the appropriate action, but he had done a real good job keeping it from the troops and I never knew.<br />
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His most recent arrest in itself was good cause for termination, but what really got him was the policy of the agency that regulates paramedic licensing. They don't mess around. I don't know what their policy actually is, but apparently, two deuces will cause them to revoke your paramedic license. Done, game over. They don't care what the department does, what their policy is or whether an employee deserves another chance. The license is revoked and the person in question can look forward to a career in used car sales.<br />
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In our agency, a person who does not have a medic or emt license is of no value, much as a person who does not have a drivers license. Adios, thanks for coming.<br />
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While I support the hard-line policy, it kinda hurts when it hits this close to home. The evil medic was a solid firefighter, medic and pulled his weight around the station. I liked him. I know he worked hard to get on the job, but now that is irrelevant as it is very doubtful that he will be able to recover from this. As my wife put it "he should have learned from the first incident and changed his ways."<br />
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Obviously his drinking is a problem, I just don't know to what extent. He will need to get that issue squared away before he can begin to recover from losing his career.<br />
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Good luck Evil Medic.<br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
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SchmoeCapt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-53676393299724917002015-12-20T15:28:00.002-08:002015-12-20T15:28:51.410-08:00Firevergnügen or FeuervergugenDriving on the freeway downtown and saw the smoke. I was lucky, as I was able to exit and get to a vantage point and watch the boys from Sta. #1 and #6 go to work. Also lucky, as I was able to get back in the truck and leave as soon as it was out. The freeway was shut down for half an hour or so, I was home editing photos before the last unit cleared.<br />
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I grabbed the wrong camera/lens (70-200) as I exited my truck, so these are all a little tighter than I would have liked. I am thinking of swapping my main lens (24-70 2.8) for a 24-105 f4. The 24-105 F4 is a slightly "slower" lens, but it has image stabilization and it is a zooms in a little closer than the 24-70. I think it would be a little more versatile and as I tend to shake a little bit at times, (especially when I am fired up) the stabilization would be helpful.<br />
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Good work by the Downtown and North End engines for making quick work of this, they have been seeing a bit of flamage the past few weeks. As I live on the other end of town, I have seen little of it.<br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
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Schmoe<br />
Capt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-18100035402062295862015-11-29T10:15:00.001-08:002015-11-29T10:15:45.981-08:00To Prove I am Still AliveStill here, enjoying the world that god has provided us with and still pissed at the absurdly stupid and evil.<br />
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My beloved RFD (Kinda Big Fire Protection District) has been under new leadership for over a year now and the new Chief appears to be working out well. Though we do not always agree on things (nor should we), we seem to have a mutual respect for each other and an ability to discuss matters that we might have a difference of opinion on.<br />
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Though he has no obligation to do so, he still allows me to serve as the department photographer - a role that I enjoy greatly. It allows me to meet the new people that have come on the department since I retired and it allows me to see old friends that I have known for years. It is alarming however, the number of friends that have retired recently, a sure sign that I am getting older. The other alarming thing is that a few "new" folks that came on when I left are starting to promote. I suppose I will be calling some of them "Chief" some day.<br />
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Though The Saint That I Am Married To is still gainfully employed, we are still able to get away now and then. We went to Louisville Ky, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in TN last month and had a great time - though I absolutely hated Pigeon Forge and to a lesser extent, Gatlinburg. The gross commercialization of that area is appalling. I am told it is like Branson on steroids. A good reason to avoid Branson. Every day we were there, we were forced to sit in traffic for hours. Fortunately, the beauty of the park surpassed the ugliness of Pigeon Forge and we enjoyed the trip greatly.<br />
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I wouldn't mind going back to the park someday, maybe in the spring - kind of the off-season. I would probably rent another cabin, though closer to the south end of the park.<br />
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El Cheepo Jeepo is still running strong though it is eleven years old and has 80k on the odometer. A <strike>minor </strike>moderate mishap in Death Valley a couple of years ago forced me to upgrade some additional components to finally get it about where I want it to be. Though a little body work could stand to be done, all of the damaged suspension and undercarriage components have been replaced/upgraded and it still serves me faithfully.<br />
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I hope that this finds all of you well, I know there have been some issues among some of you and I hope that you have been given the strength and other tools to motor past them. I hope it will not be so long between posts this time and yet I want to wish all of you a blessed Christmas season and a happy holiday to my non-christian friends.<br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
<br />
Schmoe<br />
<br />
Capt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-40397350344620669912014-09-17T11:00:00.000-07:002014-09-17T11:01:27.585-07:00It was one of "those" things, a situation that happens every once in a while, kind of a rookie mistake that I still, after 30+ years, make.<br />
<br />
I was leaving Lowes, happy that I was only going to have to go there once for this project, when I looked up and saw a large header off to the south. I figured that it was the hills south of town burning an area that usually provides pretty good photography and is only 15 minutes or so from my home.<br />
<br />
As I had nothing going that couldn't be done the next day, I headed for the hills. When I got closer to the hills, I saw that the fire was probably in the next set of hills, a little farther south. Only another 15 minutes or so farther, what the heck - it's just gas.<br />
<br />
Of course as I got closer, the fire got farther. It ended up being in Lake Elsinore, an area I hardly ever go to to photograph fires. I got through the CHP roadblock and saw that CalFire/Riverside County had things pretty much in hand.<br />
<br />
A traffic accident on the freeway had ignited a brush fire that had spread pretty rapidly. I think it got up to around 25 acres or so before being contained. A lot of exposures had kept the county folks busy. When I got there, the most active area was an equipment/material storage area that had been ignited by the brush fire. A pile of large tractor tires and another large area of plastic drainage pipe was going pretty good and sending a billowing column of black smoke into the air. A great opportunity for me.<br />
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Though no units from my department were there, I got a few decent shots of the county getting it done.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcS9A2Uo3aB-91fP-ZTW_zR-EDXkNEd06PZ9GR2w90QTIXFtSXTYGkyN3BJ_RGvEfyyusEQB5txHCnSKWzmG8myYHQ065VjS9PvDLf8Mr60aEQtNvQE-XyL_V__F9AYJbcCxoeL2M3n3M/s1600/Temescal+INC+RVC+PIO+(1%2Bof%2B5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcS9A2Uo3aB-91fP-ZTW_zR-EDXkNEd06PZ9GR2w90QTIXFtSXTYGkyN3BJ_RGvEfyyusEQB5txHCnSKWzmG8myYHQ065VjS9PvDLf8Mr60aEQtNvQE-XyL_V__F9AYJbcCxoeL2M3n3M/s1600/Temescal+INC+RVC+PIO+(1%2Bof%2B5).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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As all of this stuff was in the middle of the burn, it probably wasn't as critical as controlling the spread of the fire. About the time it became top priority, I was able to get there.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_diHLTLVNxReRRldKopUnTG7-7kbCQlQcAqdDp8DhYFOWOJiS9n-krMSTQyS6oo985WQlUEgSFPibtBc6MigxVuv6VInnAdSYBjapIMKxUihxf2ttuJqn8J1LAdMNsS3t3DFaCgBw0y0/s1600/Temescal+INC+RVC+PIO+(3%2Bof%2B5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_diHLTLVNxReRRldKopUnTG7-7kbCQlQcAqdDp8DhYFOWOJiS9n-krMSTQyS6oo985WQlUEgSFPibtBc6MigxVuv6VInnAdSYBjapIMKxUihxf2ttuJqn8J1LAdMNsS3t3DFaCgBw0y0/s1600/Temescal+INC+RVC+PIO+(3%2Bof%2B5).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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A pretty long lay from a hydrant allowed them to use a master stream, though the piled up material presented a challenge.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOSjAFmwWxIood0rUcTPJiu9qZcGcwhpDiQX90yZ0UzAJ2-DpjMiwIaI_F3yoHlB_sXJN4MslkrZPp_3iAXucCA9WFPndLUAMR0INuI95MDFAcu8cEhw5-6S7RlrN-oqv7shnPU0LLtA/s1600/Temescal+INC+RVC+PIO+(2%2Bof%2B5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOSjAFmwWxIood0rUcTPJiu9qZcGcwhpDiQX90yZ0UzAJ2-DpjMiwIaI_F3yoHlB_sXJN4MslkrZPp_3iAXucCA9WFPndLUAMR0INuI95MDFAcu8cEhw5-6S7RlrN-oqv7shnPU0LLtA/s1600/Temescal+INC+RVC+PIO+(2%2Bof%2B5).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Fortunately, they had the right tools for the job.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0tYC7lrEcrv6x-U03AJHEt93hNFzmmvxQSLxzac5I2D8r7LxlC-Jgy-dcOCPwchoCOeth9csZ5XTufLdzFIddYck6Xso6HdJMcPVrkuHHb3XOuIEnW04AHJenEVB8VWdpi5Zmdi9TEE/s1600/Temescal+INC+RVC+PIO+(4%2Bof%2B5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0tYC7lrEcrv6x-U03AJHEt93hNFzmmvxQSLxzac5I2D8r7LxlC-Jgy-dcOCPwchoCOeth9csZ5XTufLdzFIddYck6Xso6HdJMcPVrkuHHb3XOuIEnW04AHJenEVB8VWdpi5Zmdi9TEE/s1600/Temescal+INC+RVC+PIO+(4%2Bof%2B5).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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CalFire operates a bunch of dozers throughout the state, there are a couple in our county. They are a great tool to have.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH10QwSua4mJ1W9xGzfrZiuuFe6PalVhHfJ_fIzu16kFB9HmFowczaeyAZfeA8Ev3jREIoOyDr4dBcdTjGMdlSSRlqq-Ysg8shi_kWYnJckf1htrve5YKkeRx8x1lXHn_a6zhbbFBSJ9k/s1600/Temescal+INC+RVC+PIO+(1%2Bof%2B1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH10QwSua4mJ1W9xGzfrZiuuFe6PalVhHfJ_fIzu16kFB9HmFowczaeyAZfeA8Ev3jREIoOyDr4dBcdTjGMdlSSRlqq-Ysg8shi_kWYnJckf1htrve5YKkeRx8x1lXHn_a6zhbbFBSJ9k/s1600/Temescal+INC+RVC+PIO+(1%2Bof%2B1).jpg" height="285" width="400" /> </a></div>
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CalFire also operates helicopters, two of which were on this fire. This is my favorite shot of the day, copter 902 dropping on the burning tires. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHJQKD4FSvFBo7Hwj3Li1ZLTsKVI0O6RpiBdOUscqS2hvsE1WVY7g7lClagFBr4EMXhMTuQizAqNetNxglUALCInpp9zhA-eOM0-fiyro4Teek2xbCigak3v50yAmTDj-mw3MzWujcVM/s1600/Temescal+INC+RVC+PIO+(5%2Bof%2B5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHJQKD4FSvFBo7Hwj3Li1ZLTsKVI0O6RpiBdOUscqS2hvsE1WVY7g7lClagFBr4EMXhMTuQizAqNetNxglUALCInpp9zhA-eOM0-fiyro4Teek2xbCigak3v50yAmTDj-mw3MzWujcVM/s1600/Temescal+INC+RVC+PIO+(5%2Bof%2B5).jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
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Despite tools, toys and technology, it's still boots on the ground that eventually finishes off the dragon.<br />
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As the opportunity for dramatic images waned, so did my desire to be there. I was getting tired and thirsty, so I drove the 45 minutes back home. Mop-up on this fire took many hours, I'm guessin' there were units ther till midnight or so. Better them than me - poor bastards.<br />
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Though it was my misjudgement on where this fire actually was that got me there, I'm glad I went. It was worth the drive. <br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
<br />
SchmoeCapt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-64464016395228028562014-09-15T17:15:00.002-07:002014-09-15T17:15:48.876-07:00I have a fascination with aerial firefighting. The combination of my career and one of my longest lasting interests works for me. A few days ago, I went to San Bernardino International Airport and photographed the loading of retardant into several air tankers, which were working the Silverado Fire.<br />
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Two of the tankers were converted DC-10 airliners. Early "Jumbo Jets", the are huge. I had never seen one at SBD, so I though I'd head over and snap a few pics.<br />
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I got lucky, and caught two of them. Tankers 911 and 912.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFR_wm5qf8-2Jj95fkkgAanPKh8ytlAQFfLJXM8YUgYjQae2xTrR4GANOeT4k2JSHCuGzM3p3hJl3uHqWFL0God9-My6dxnbViljQirgX1DiCn1SpKsqSpfwJLkHkGh3VaUQGPAmwkRU/s1600/SBD+9-12-14+FB2+(1%2Bof%2B10).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFR_wm5qf8-2Jj95fkkgAanPKh8ytlAQFfLJXM8YUgYjQae2xTrR4GANOeT4k2JSHCuGzM3p3hJl3uHqWFL0God9-My6dxnbViljQirgX1DiCn1SpKsqSpfwJLkHkGh3VaUQGPAmwkRU/s1600/SBD+9-12-14+FB2+(1%2Bof%2B10).jpg" height="266" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mTOUMPcDOZDS6O95odF2Mlan7jsKMjRKeQ3qbfc-5ytNC6PNpJGoYFpVF7Q_7bQkR1-Mf8QYU11M8ak_eut_4pstlxwK3b4MLRVn5LucVrW3BkdaVWIbRFq4VypD3q28LVcfZRw2k9I/s1600/SBD+9-12-14+FB2+(10%2Bof%2B10).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mTOUMPcDOZDS6O95odF2Mlan7jsKMjRKeQ3qbfc-5ytNC6PNpJGoYFpVF7Q_7bQkR1-Mf8QYU11M8ak_eut_4pstlxwK3b4MLRVn5LucVrW3BkdaVWIbRFq4VypD3q28LVcfZRw2k9I/s1600/SBD+9-12-14+FB2+(10%2Bof%2B10).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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As you can see, pretty impressive. Whats really impressive, is the video below. It was shot a few hours after the above photo, from the Silverado Fire. Watch full screen HD if you can.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="238" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/LPS8Y1GQIAo" width="410"></iframe><br />
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I don't know who shot it, I wish it was me. I'm just guessin' that the design team at McDonnell Douglas, back in the '60s, had no idea their jumbo jet would be doing that for a living. I sure didn't see it coming.<br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
SchmoeCapt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-26563700769853594452014-09-07T18:14:00.001-07:002014-09-07T18:14:13.993-07:00Lord Stanley Visits AgainFor the second time in three years, Lord Stanley's cup has graced the front bumper of one of our engines. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDndNpKzOs5qAQrtHv1teWY-_w5kMAd8x9vyYe62KQHXVVPQE5B_JcRxXWu4t_JqFj5n_IeacXD-gduk0RInlqOs5lXdridXid2s55UIS_g9QuOP9qr8kC8MRShB4366nWLQeY5yJ8-eA/s1600/Lord+Stanley's+cup+on+E14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDndNpKzOs5qAQrtHv1teWY-_w5kMAd8x9vyYe62KQHXVVPQE5B_JcRxXWu4t_JqFj5n_IeacXD-gduk0RInlqOs5lXdridXid2s55UIS_g9QuOP9qr8kC8MRShB4366nWLQeY5yJ8-eA/s1600/Lord+Stanley's%2Bcup%2Bon%2BE14.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
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The cup is here as part of a charity fundraising event, sponsored by one of our local dining/drinking establishments. Although I am not a big hockey fan and even less of a Kings fan, I still find it kind of cool.<br />
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I am going to send this to #1 son, who lives up in the Bay area. He is a big hockey fan, but hates the Kings. As a Ducks fan, he will not appreciate that the cup made it to town on behalf of the Kings.<br />
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I expect some sort of snarky reply. He is, after all, his father's son.<br />
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Thanks for sticking it out,<br />
Schmoe<br />
<br />Capt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-61342312444642229052014-07-14T21:49:00.003-07:002014-07-14T21:49:58.328-07:00Still Kickin'I haven't posted for a while. Actually, I haven't posted for a long while. No excuses, just a lack of inspiration, motivation and creation.<br />
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I appreciate those of you who have asked about my status, I am touched. Life has been pretty good, a couple of trips, many photographs and good times with friends and family have kept me pretty <strike>busy</strike> happy, screwing off has occupied a lot of my time.<br />
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I seem to excel at procrastination, not having firm deadlines seem to agree with my "screw it, I'll get it tomorrow" persona.<br />
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I've actually thought about pulling this down, but remembering how hard I worked to get it started compels me to keep it alive.<br />
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So, if you have room on your RSS feed, keep me on it. You never know when a nugget might show up.<br />
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Thanks for your lyalty,<br />
SchmoeCapt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-48924916500031493632014-02-15T20:18:00.000-08:002014-02-15T20:18:01.980-08:00Funny Plastic Helmets"Ya know Schmoe", a slightly fuzzy <a href="http://www.ironfiremen.com/" target="_blank">Willie Wines</a> said to an even more fuzzy Joseph Schmoe, "there's one thing I have never understood."<br />
<br />
"What's that Willie?"<br />
<br />
"Why is it that you guys in California always wear those funny plastic helmets?"<br />
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I don't remember my answer, but it was probably something about that most of us have never worn anything BUT those funny plastic helmets. The fact is, most of us love our funny plastic helmets and really have no desire to switch to leather. There are departments out here that wear leather, but plastic is the rule rather than the exception.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikAv4DvVyldq-7ZGWDW1tkZGw01JvTG5R4hk9pXGnGBraD1Ul5o8SFZXmeMrQcKe5Vmk10Y94VOb-esZszdu6QmBlzP6D4cI1QZA-tTO0wkxFEPc3g65ZXT5xUdutH9pk4Ku0AqmD_Zs/s1600/Lids-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikAv4DvVyldq-7ZGWDW1tkZGw01JvTG5R4hk9pXGnGBraD1Ul5o8SFZXmeMrQcKe5Vmk10Y94VOb-esZszdu6QmBlzP6D4cI1QZA-tTO0wkxFEPc3g65ZXT5xUdutH9pk4Ku0AqmD_Zs/s1600/Lids-1.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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My first helmet on the left, my last on the right.</div>
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Before any of the leather forever crowd sends me any nasty e-mails, please understand that most of us don't have anything against leather and wouldn't get too awful bent out of shape if our department went to a leather helmet. But, as much as leather is a tradition in many fire departments, plastic (thermo-plastic to be exact) is as much a tradition for us.<br />
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I was very fortunate to meet Ray Russell, the founder of <a href="http://phenixfirehelmets.com/index.html" target="_blank">Phenix Fire Technology,</a> early in my career. We served in the same volunteer fire company, located in Home Gardens CA. Ray was a Volunteer Captain with the County F.D, who oversaw us. He was also our training officer.<br />
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We wore Phenix helmets, marketed as First Due Firefighter Helmets by Western Fire Equipment. As we had an "in" with Ray, many of us had our own. I still have my very first helmet, it sits proudly on my "I Love Me" shelf.<br />
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The On-line edition of our local rag, the Press-Enterprise recently ran a photo essay on Phenix Technology, showcasing some of their products and giving an overview of the company. <a href="http://www.pe.com/photos/photos-news/20140214-riverside-phenix-technology-fired-up-to-expand.ece" target="_blank">IT CAN BE FOUND HERE</a>.<br />
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I was happy to see the article and photos, Ray and his family have worked really hard to develop the company and it's products.<br />
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With the exception of two shifts in February of 1993, from June of 1981 until this very day, Phenix thermo-plastic helmets were the only helmets to grace my head.<br />
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The exception occurred when our sometimes knucklehead equipment manager got into a beef with Phenix and then purchased a few grossly inferior Morning Pride Lite Force IV helmets. As I was getting promoted to captain, I was issued one of the new helmets. I hated it so much, I went to see Ray over at Phenix and purchased a shiny red captains helmet. I wore it for many years nobody noticed but the sometimes knucklehead equipment manager. He may have said something, I may have told him to F*#@ himself. A short time later, the beef was resolved and we began buying Phenix helmets again. The Morning pride helmets, with at least one exception, likely ended up in Mexico.<br />
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Even though I no longer fight fire, the department requires me to wear a lid when photographing emergency scenes. I purchased my last department issued lid when I retired and the chief was kind enough to allow me to still wear it when it is needed. It's kind of ironic, but my very first helmet and my last helmet are both Phenix First-Dues with the number 13 on them. What goes around comes around.<br />
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Good luck to Ray, his family and the rest of the folks over at Phenix. While thermo-plastic may not be considered traditional by many, it is our tradition.<br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
<br />
SchmoeCapt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-70608102615583000452014-02-13T09:32:00.001-08:002014-02-13T09:32:19.965-08:00Oscar's BitchesStarting in the holiday season and ending at the Academy Awards ceremony, The Saint and I try to see all of the movies nominated for best picture. We really don't care who wins the Best Picture Oscar, but it's always fun to discuss the nominees with our friends and be able to say that we saw all of them.<br />
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We don't always make them all. As we start the attempt before the nominees are actually announced, we sometimes see films that we THINK might be nominated. This year, Saving Mr. Banks is an example of that. As the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences expanded the number of nominees a few years back, sometimes we just run out of time and don't get them all in. Last year we missed two.<br />
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Yesterday, after a two film double header, we can say that we saw all of the movies nominated for the 2014 best picture Oscar. We deserve a freaking medal, or at least a free t-shirt or tub of popcorn.<br />
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They were all good movies, but there at least one that didn't deserve a nomination and a couple more that wouldn't have been nominated had the number of nominees been limited to five. There were a couple that we didn't like, despite being brilliant movies. Just because a movie is good, doesn't mean I have to like it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKw34KRVI7AFRYycHexHTfQdKEXluA7VNoVW1_QzMT_k0p7Dj7YuDPex20eEdySFkkmkBDUX9g1bC5wJrJzXFLNG1i2QKNnT_-YLh13oQ4Ge3Vwo8nZ_pa21-GhLVBApx5bc9c5NEBfY/s1600/oscar-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKw34KRVI7AFRYycHexHTfQdKEXluA7VNoVW1_QzMT_k0p7Dj7YuDPex20eEdySFkkmkBDUX9g1bC5wJrJzXFLNG1i2QKNnT_-YLh13oQ4Ge3Vwo8nZ_pa21-GhLVBApx5bc9c5NEBfY/s1600/oscar-1.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Click to enlarge. I have the order in which I think the voting</div>
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should be cast and the actors who I think should win for their</div>
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roles.</div>
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As you can see, I really liked Nebraska. Philomena was a real close second. Both of these films were superbly cast, shot and directed. The writing was excellent as was the editing. I think Bruce Dern's performance put Nebraska just a tad over Philomena.</div>
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As you can also see, I didn't think much of Gravity. To me, the whole film was contrived. Though entertaining, it was not worthy of a Best Picture nomination. Sandra Bullock doesn't deserve a Best Actress nomination either. This movie was more about hype and special effects than it was quality movie production.</div>
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Her was one of those movies that was a brilliant film, I just didn't like it. It was deeply disturbing on many levels. It is a statement on how detached some of us have become and how detached we could become. I might have missed the final message, but I don't think so.</div>
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The Wolf Of Wall Street was a great movie, one about excess. Everything about it is excessive, including it's length. Leonardo Dicaprio deserves the best actor for his role in it, though Matthew McConaughey in Dallas Buyer's Club is only very slightly behind for it.</div>
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The Saint pointed out that of the nine best picture nominees, six were at least partially based on true events. That has to be some kind of record, I just don't feel like doing the research.</div>
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We really aren't Oscarphiles. We don't host Oscar parties, nor have we attended any. We do like movies and we like seeing them on the cheap if we can. We like seeing movies that we wouldn't ordinarily see and occasionally are very pleasantly surprised. Our plan of catching all of the Best Picture nominees before the Oscars allows us to see great movies and provides us with a lot of entertainment - even after the Oscar winners are announced. </div>
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Win Win for us.</div>
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Thanks for reading,</div>
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Schmoe.</div>
Capt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-22763954277663296402014-02-11T12:44:00.000-08:002014-02-11T12:44:01.488-08:00My Town From The UpsideI worked with a guy named Eric. We weren't real close, he worked at the USAR station and I worked up the hill at the healing place. I'd see him once in a while at the USAR building and on fires when the second tuck company made it to my scene. I knew that he liked to surf and that he liked to shoot video with a GoPro camera.<br />
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I had also heard that he had purchased a type of Quad Copter drone, one that can carry a Go Pro camera and shoot video. I didn't realize how cool it was until Saturday, when we ran into each other at a USAR search dog certification test. Frankly, that set up is pretty bad-ass.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3AmKu63JbLwWUaec-XveVlF3OAApDxIO8moqUaAlP0RULGMQ7MNjZoJEc2Y72ehnud4tX_kAvC7SVM0BKmXMJcEb6-Ph9u9TWYCNtBNcJHpvlgur3hkZ6QEUmjvFTR0imc8eHdo69lc/s1600/drone-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3AmKu63JbLwWUaec-XveVlF3OAApDxIO8moqUaAlP0RULGMQ7MNjZoJEc2Y72ehnud4tX_kAvC7SVM0BKmXMJcEb6-Ph9u9TWYCNtBNcJHpvlgur3hkZ6QEUmjvFTR0imc8eHdo69lc/s1600/drone-1.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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I don't know all of the technical details, but I know it has a radio range of a couple of miles and that the video is down linked to a screen on the controller. This enables him to fly it when he cant see it. The drone also remembers where it was launched from and if radio contact is lost, it will return to that point. Like I said, it's pretty bad-ass.<br />
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Eric has been busy with his drone. One of his projects was to shoot some of the landmarks in the downtown area of my city and make a video of it.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="274" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/85946256" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="365"></iframe> <a href="http://vimeo.com/85946256">Upside Downtown Riverside</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/ep5productions">EP5 Productions</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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As I have lived here almost all of my life, I really enjoyed it. There are some views of the new Station #1 as well as Mt. Rubidoux park, the tinderbox that the city launches fireworks off of every Fourth of July. The City manager was so impressed, he wants Eric to make one showing views of all of the neighborhoods in the city. Though that is quite an undertaking, it will be something to see.<br />
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Eric did a great job with this, not only the drone work, but the editing as well. I hope that you like it as much as I did.<br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
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SchmoeCapt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-90921532145170320252014-01-25T12:54:00.001-08:002014-01-25T12:54:36.787-08:00I Think She's Going To Work OutZoie has been here a couple of weeks. It was quickly apparent that she is a very sweet dog who came from a loving home.<br />
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She has been remarkably easy. No accidents, no barking, no destruction of property - no real issues at all. She has evolved into being my dog mainly, though she likes #2 son and The Saint That I Am Married To as well. <br />
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Getting to know the territorial wiener dogs as been her main challenge, they made things a little tough on her but not too bad. They made life tough on me as well, giving me the cold shoulder for the first week or so that Zoie was here. Somehow, they knew that Zoie being here was my doing, not The Saint's.<br />
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Each day got a little better. Though there was only one real kerfuffle, there was plenty of posturing on both sides. Things have reached a point of stability, though I don't think the issue of dominance has really been resolved. I am sure it will be at some point, that's the way dogs roll.<br />
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Meanwhile, we are enjoying new dog. Her old owner has texted me a few times to see how she is doing. I think she is as happy as we are with the ease of the transition. I am sure that Zoie misses her old human. After all, she was with her for over three years. That's her entire childhood in dog years.<br />
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As the transition continues I am quite sure a few items may pop up, but I am equally as sure they will be minor and easily handled. Until then we will just enjoy the ride and enjoy sweet Zoie.<br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
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SchmoeCapt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-73883510745905294172014-01-23T10:05:00.000-08:002014-01-23T10:05:24.783-08:00The Gift That Keeps On GivingThe chief's departure remains a topic that the local paper won't let go of. Yesterday, columnist Dan Bernstein wrote <a href="http://blog.pe.com/government/2014/01/21/riverside-fire-department-work-hard-get-ahead-dont-apply-for-chief/" target="_blank">THIS PIECE</a>, focusing on the circumstances surrounding the appointment of the assistant chief to the interim fire chief's post. It makes the whole series of events seem totally absurd.<br />
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In a nutshell, after the retiring chief's deal fell apart, a long retired assistant chief was contacted to act as interim chief until a permanent chief could be found. He agreed to do it at a significantly lower rate than the retiring chief was going to do it for and thought that it was a done deal.<br />
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A few days later, the long retired assistant received a phone call saying that his services were not required. If there was an explanation given, he didn't share it with me.<br />
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A few days after that, it was announced that the current assistant chief would be interim chief until a nationwide search for a replacement fire chief was conducted and a permanent chief named. It was also announced that the assistant chief had agreed not to apply for the fire chiefs job before being named as interim chief.<br />
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The logic given for the above arrangement, was that the city manager felt an interim chief would have an advantage in the competition for the permanent job and he didn't want give anyone a helping hand.<br />
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I smell bullshit. For a number of reasons that I won't go into here. <br />
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That the assistant chief agreed to it is a little surprising to me. I'm pretty sure that he would like to be the fire chief. I can only figure out two reasons why he would agree to the restriction.<br />
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One is that he feels the retiring chief had so thoroughly poisoned his chances for being appointed chief that he didn't stand a chance anyway - so why not serve as interim and enjoy it for a few months.<br />
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The second possible reason is that this story is going to continue to evolve and any agreement not to apply for the permanent position might be rescinded in the future. Bernstein's article seems to support this theory.<br />
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The big losers in this whole deal have to be the city manager and the assistant city manager who directly oversees the fire department. Each new article reduces their credibility. The department itself is definitely a loser, every few days another negative column or article appears with a negative spin on the agency.<br />
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All because someone with a "hooray for me, **ck you" life philosophy got a little too greedy and brought scrutiny on himself and others.<br />
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Karma can be a bitch. <br />
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Greed - the gift that keeps on giving.<br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
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Schmoe<br />
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<br />Capt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-35343598681602641582014-01-17T22:25:00.001-08:002014-01-17T22:25:48.699-08:00Barking WarsI couldn't help notice the similarity between in the atmosphere of where I was and that of the impound lot counter in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parking_Wars" target="_blank">television show Parking Wars.</a> There was also a similarity to the DMV office. Not a pleasant hybrid if you ask me.<br />
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There were people there trying to get their property back, people trying to resolve minor legal issues, and people trying to comply with laws that seem to get more complicated every year. Each transaction had to be accompanied by paperwork that had to be completed in a certain fashion and by money. Sometimes a lot of money.<br />
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If it sounds like I have an axe to grind, I do. I hate the Animal Control licensing system and I resist complying with most of it's requirements. That I am writing about it can mean only one thing. I got caught.<br />
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My beef with the county animal control system started many years ago. Back then, I was a dutiful dog owner who licensed my dogs, though I never used any of the services that they provided. Then one day my, beloved whippet Boss escaped the Schmoe household.<br />
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After driving the 'hood numerous times and posting flyers, I called the local shelter and inquired if they might have possibly Boss in their possession. They told me that they did not provide that service, that there was no list available to give information over the phone. I then asked if they looked up the owners of licensed internees by getting the numbers off of the tags, cross checking the owners from the paperwork and notifying the owners. <br />
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"Oh no Mr. Schmoe, we don't do that either. You need to come down and walk the kennels to see if we have your dog". Of course I went down there and sadly, I never found Boss Whippet.<br />
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I instantly realized that I was a sucker and resolved to never to
license my dog again.<br />
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I don't know if you've ever walked the row atyour local shelter or not, but I can tell you it is a depressing experience. Most of the animals will be dead within a few days. If you were missing a dog, you had to go down there every day lest your dogs came in and then be disposed of.<br />
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In the following years, licensing requirements in my county were made stricter. The cost of licensing a non-spayed or non-neutered dog rose to $100 per year. Your dog must be micro-chipped before you can license it. Stuff like that.<br />
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I held my ground and though I always had my dogs vaccinated and sterilized, I opted not to give the county my money for the privilege. <br />
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The dog catchers came through the neighborhood a few times. They would pound on the door and if they heard a dog bark, the would leave a pre-citation notice on the door if no one answered. I threw them away. If I was home when they came, I just wouldn't answer the door.<br />
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Then, one fateful day last month, I answered the door without looking to see who was there. It was a county code compliance officer, one that the animal control people sent out to rustle up some money. It's pretty hard to deny being a dog owner when there are two yapping wiener dogs running around your feet.<br />
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The county sends the goon squad out to catch scofflaws like me and this time they succeeded. Fortunately I was able to provide proof of rabies vaccination and of altering so I only had to pay 25 bucks per dog as a late fee and regular licensing fees. As I am now on their radar, I decided to go ahead and register Zoie as well and maybe save myself some future grief.<br />
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I am told that as all licensed dogs have to be chipped, the shelter scans all dogs that they come to possess. Sometimes, I am also told, the dog catcher scans in the field and returns the dog to it's owner without ever taking it to the shelter. I have my doubts.<br />
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Regardless, it appears that my original beef has run out of validity. The tactic of sending people door to door has succeeded in my case, the jangle of dog tags can once again be heard as the canines tear through the house. I have been brought back into line, though not without whining and gnashing of teeth.<br />
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I know animal control provides a valuable service and I know everybody was just doing their job. I just felt that the everyday Schmoe, the one paying the bills, should have been shown some love when it was needed. Just sayin'.<br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
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SchmoeCapt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-49734188022214912622014-01-16T10:30:00.000-08:002014-01-16T10:30:24.305-08:00Winter Madness - Fire above GlendoraI awoke this morning staggered out to the kitchen and fired up the coffee maker. Out of habit, I turned on the TV and switched to the morning news. I was quite surprised to see images of flame, smoke and people fleeing an approaching flame front.<br />
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At first, I thought perhaps it was footage from an earlier incident, but it soon became apparent that there was a growing fire in the foothills above Glendora Ca.<br />
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Daaaamn Gina, It's freaking January!<br />
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I know we're in the middle of a drought and I know the winds are a dry, offshore flow, but still - January!<br />
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As Glendora is very near L.A. and it started just before 0600, there was a LOT of live TV coverage. At least 5 separate helicopters and several ground videographers were covering the fire on 6 TV channels.<br />
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The winds were causing embers to spread the fire, often hundreds of feet or more in front of the body of fire. Palm trees, may of which appeared to be poorly maintained, were igniting a quarter of a mile or more ahead of the fire. Needless to say, the crews were busy.<br />
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I was a little surprised at how fast the fire moved from the foothills into a few remote canyons with homes in them and then spotted into developed neighborhoods.<br />
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The news is reporting three or four homes lost, depending on which channel you are watching. As of 1000 hrs. the latest acreage estimates are in the 1700 range. Again, pretty impressive for January. <br />
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It appears that a lot of resources were pumped into the area and I think that they will get a handle on things today. Part of the fire is in LA county jurisdiction and part in the Angeles National Forest combined. Along with the mutual aid network, there should be sufficient people and equipment to get a handle on it.<br />
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Time will tell on that.<br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
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Schmoe<br />
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<br />Capt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.com0