Arnoldsville New Mission statement

Our old mission statement : To protect lives and property.
A good statement, but I dont feel it was enough. A good mission statement states what we will do and how the mission is to be accomplished. So after some serious thinking and erasing, I have come up with the following. Please let me know what you think..

Our Mission: Is to strive to make Arnoldsville a safe place to work, live and be educated in by reducing human suffering caused by fires, sudden illnesses, accidents, hazardous material releases or by man made or natural disasters.
To achieve this, our department will:
• Provide training for Department members to become increasingly knowledgeable and proficient in the areas of public education, fire prevention, fire suppression, emergency medical services, rescue and other related activities.
• Provide its members with the necessary equipment and supplies to safely perform their duties. • Develop and provide educational programs to educate our customers as to the extent of the fire, rescue and medical services provided by this department; promote the deterrence of fire through proactive measures vs. reactive service and to encourage fire safe and fire smart activities.
• Maintain and decrease response time of fire protection, rescue and emergency medical services that the customers have come to expect.

Accident on 78

Tonight we responded to an accident with injuries to highway 78 between Yancey Road and Arnoldsville Road. The Cause of the accident was due to a tree down in the roadway just around the tight corner, making it very difficult to see. The tree, approximately 2-3 foot in diameter, layed down on the road just as a motorcycle was approaching. The status of the driver as of now is unknown, however EMS and First responders were on scene immediately giving care and transporting the driver. We assisted the Sheriffs Office with traffic control, and then later cleaned the streets to allow them to re-open.

On this note, please, I cannot stress enough, slow down when you see flashing emergency lights. Yes something is going on, WOW the lights are pretty, But what most people do not seem to realize is that someones mother or father maybe working on the same road. We do not have flashing lights on our gear. We do have reflective striping on us, but you are not looking for those, the bright flashing thingys are hypnotic. Remember, someone drove that bright attention grabber to the scene, others are riding on it. They are probably not sitting inside it where they are safe. They are on the roads, working to save lives and property. Please, show some respect and slow down to a crawl when approaching the scene, no-one will get upset with you for taking your time, in fact we all appreciate it. What we are doing is dangerous enough, please dont add to our danger with your high dollar emergency services pinball machine. Please help us in making sure ALL of us come home safe.

Thank you all,
Emergency Services

Famous words why!!!

"I have no ambition in this world but one, and that is to be a fireman. The position may, in the eyes of some, appear to be a lowly one; but we who know the work which a fireman has to do, believe that his is a noble calling... But, above all, our proudest endeavor is to save lives... Under the impulse of such thoughts, the nobility of the occupation thrills us and stimulates us to deeds of daring, even of supreme sacrifice."


Edward F. Croker Chief of Department FDNY 1899-1911

MOD I Training

We have started our own MOD I training, second class will be tonight with a full day of training on Sunday as well. If you, or your department has any members that are looking into the class, feel free to leave me an email, I will get back to you as soon as possible. There is still plenty of time to get into this class, since we have done but 2 hours of basic training, starting with history of Firefighting.

Joint training with Wolfskin and Arnoldsville

Last night marked the first training of the year with Wolfskin and Arnoldsville VFD's since the arrival of the new truck.

We all did fantastic. We learned multiple ways to hook up "THE BEAST", Wolfskins tanker/tender, which ever you should call it, to the newley named "HAMSPTER", Arnoldsville's new engine. We were able to flow a lot of water with very little to no efforts what-so-ever.

The night started with us walking through the truck with Wolfskins members, a great bunch of guys dedicated to do the right thing, so that they could become familiar with entry and exit points (known as intakes and discharges). We showed them just how easy we spec'd the truck out for ease of use. After the short, but much needed walkthrough, I took a few of their operatrs over the pump panel, and showed them how to operate the pump, and how almost idiot proof we made it. Excuse the term, but its fitting. We then layed out an 1 3/4 line and a three inch defense line, chared them, and let everyone play with the hoses, while showing that the pump will not change when more lines are opened.

After the demonstration, we headed over to "THE BEAST" and as easy as our truck was to operate, theirs was even easier. One button presets, all digital readout, and discharges all over in many sizes. WOW, Very impressive. Then came the connection of the two trucks. Less than 30 seconds, we were connected and taking in water. about a 1 minute later, our truck was refilled, with plenty of water on board their truck to refill our truck one and a half more times if needed.

With all this in mind, what this means to the residence to Arnoldsville and Wolfskin, With just our engine and their tanker/tender/big water carrier, will will be able to bring 3,500 gallons of water when needed, and thats not including our second piece of equipment, the forestry knocker (900 gallons), Wolfskins Forestry knocker (which I believe is also 900 gallons), and old MARGARITAVILLE, and if I am not mistaken is an additional 1200 gallons. We may not have a water supply in the area, but to make up for it, we have the equipment necessary to provide a very strong and ever growing initial attack on just about anything.

From Arnoldsville Fire Department to the members of Wolfskin, Thank you very much for the opportunity to get out and meet your guys, train with you, and share thoughts and feelings. We look forward to training with you again in the near future. Your hospitality was sensational. We greatly appreciate it.

AVFD

Vehicle Accident

During the Oglethorpe County Fire Association meeting on Tuesday, Rescue was called out for a single vehicle accident with entrapment. Myself and two other firefighters from Arnoldsville, were sitting at the meeting, and left to go to this rescue (the three of us are also on the County Rescue) We were directly across the street from the Rescue building already, so we headed out, grabbed R1, and made our way into Maxeys. Upon us arriving, we were instructed to get the power supply, the cutters and the spreaders. I grabbed the spreaders, and was connected with in just seconds. We were told to pop the door, and less than 2 minutes later, POP, the door was open and EMS had gained the access that was needed for them. Everyone worked very well together, got the job completed, and was sent home. Thank you Oglethorpe County EMS, Maxeys Fire Department, and Oglethorpe County Sheriffs Office. Everything went very smooth.