There were some very tired ffs out this morning. That first training class came awfully early. Reviews of the classes were good; some ffs found them packed with new and extremely useful information. Others felt it validated the knowledge they had acquired before so it’s a win win all around.
walking the floor
With tired feet, the ffs met at the MSA showcase cocktail party, a much sought after invite to have. Hundreds of firefighters came to eat, drink and check out the newest MSA equipment. 
Kevin (Strathmore) spoke too soon when he shared with the group that the sausages being served were ‘really big’. Think before you speak Kevin, think before you speak!
Kevin (Strathmore) spoke too soon when he shared with the group that the sausages being served were ‘really big’. Think before you speak Kevin, think before you speak!
Kieran Sparks from MSA chatting with the group
Chad showing off Mac's cool tie which he believed was a chick magnet
The new SCBA was being drooled over by all the firefighters. Tammy was doing her best to try to get a free helmet but to no avail. It was nice to see many of our ffs share with MSA how grateful they are for MSA’s support the past few years, and how the relationship will be missed.
We at The Fire Within realize how much of an impact MSA has had on our ffs when they're all together and sharing their stories. We also met some ffs from Gatineau, Quebec who we gave some calendars to and they expressed great interest in our organization in order to improve morale with their departments. Very cool, or should I say ‘ooh la la, merci’.
We at The Fire Within realize how much of an impact MSA has had on our ffs when they're all together and sharing their stories. We also met some ffs from Gatineau, Quebec who we gave some calendars to and they expressed great interest in our organization in order to improve morale with their departments. Very cool, or should I say ‘ooh la la, merci’.
Brady (Red Deer County) once again proved there are no boundaries (Kodak moment of his ‘nether region’). When Les was asked what he learned today he said ‘never to share a room with Brady’. Brady would say the same about Les. At least they have something in common!
I (Adele) was the target for the evening with the old ‘sticker on the back’ joke. Ha ha ha, verrrry funny Joshua, Steve and Ron (Morinville). And I thought when someone took a picture they were checking out my backside. Guess I have to let some of the hot air our of my head!
Rodney from High Level said he’s really regretting telling us that he coaches figure skating in his town (his daughters love it). He said he entered his team into the synchronized skating competition and they came in 2nd…….out of 2 teams. We’re hoping Rodney will teach us some moves on the dance floor. I personally would really love to see our ffs doing some synchronized high kicks.
Adele's new fashion accessories =>Danny and Norm from Ten Mile said that they were amazed at the course and what they learned. They are looking forward to getting back to their department and sharing the new information with their colleagues.
Ed and Tammy at the big show =>
<=Brady and Brad at the MSA party
By the way Danny, you are exceptionally well prepared for this trip with your binder of information. Remind me to have you plan the trip next year!
With all good intentions, many of us got ready to go out and meet fellow ffs. However, with the pouring rain that was coming down, the long line ups at any establishment, and our weary feet, we ended up hanging out in our suite, eating licorice and making fun of Doug (Priddis) trying desperately to get Jodi or I (or anyone for that matter) to massage his shoulders.
Day 6 we’re hitting the trade show. Check it out.
Total Fire Group booth
1 comment:
When our Department discussed selling the Firewithin Calendars I didn't know what I was getting into. Our hall had some idea but not what benefits there was for us as firefighters.
My name is Danny Keeler and I am a first year firefighter. I was coerced into joining the 10 Mile Lake Volunteer Fire Department in July 2007 when I went by to fill my Scuba Tank. Our hall is made up of 22 members and we are 10 miles North of Quesnel, B.C. We are in a smaller community with a 13 km radius that we serve. Our team pulled together and got out selling the Firewithin Calendars at Safeway, liquor store, Wallmart and we were even "Hereos in the Sky" on top of the Canadian Tire roof for 36 hours. We raised $9,000 for our hall and with that made a donation to the Muscular Distrophy and a prize draw to encourage people to buy the calendars.
With our sales we qualified for the trip of a Lifetime with Chad Sartison's "Fire Within Group" to the Fire Departments Instructors Conference (FDIC). Names were drawn from a hat and I was one of the lucky ones along with our Chief Norm Livingstone.
Our trip details are on the blog so I won't get into that to much other than to say I loved all the bridges in Pittsburg and the MSA (Mine Safety Apparatus) tours were absolutely fantastic. MSA treated us like kings and showed their Corporate offices, Labortory for testing equipment and the manufacturing of the SCBA's Their staff explained the complete process of making their products and showed us at the various stages of their construction. Something that makes a guy appreciate what we have.
Firewithin organized tours, meals, accomodations and oh yes even aspirin for our headaches not that firefighters drink?
From Pittsburg by the party bus to Dayton, Ohio was a real experience as I see Adel made comment in the blog. I must say I enjoyed the pole dances by a few but much perferred Jodi's and Adel's over the guys BUT then who wouldn't.
In Dayton, Ohio staff from Total Fire Group (TFG) met up with us and took us out for a real home town meal and yes more drinks. TFG made us feel apart of them and certainly were in no hurry to rush us off. The tour of their factory was just what the Doctor ordered. From a brief introduction by their staff, the Vice President, Canadian Operations and the 2 owners Mary Grillot and her husband we saw testing laboratories and were sent home with samples. We saw the wharehouse of threads and materials to the production of Bunker Gear. The cutting tables automatically figured out the best cuts to utilize the material and then the assembly line of stitching the gear together. Chad Sartisons gear was their partially done which was great that they took the time to show us things like that.
TFG were so friendly and glad to see us Barry Borkowski, the Vice President of Cdn Ops even rode the bus with us from Dayton to Indianapolis, Indiana. As a Rookie firefighter I was overwhelmed with both MSA and TFG and thankful to TheFireWithin Group. In Indianapolis found us included in the biggest most impressive trade show and training for fire fighters in the world. The opening cerimonies were awesome on their own. There was a survivor from the USS Indianapolis sunk in shark infested waters during World War II, a pipe band, the Governor of Indiana, the Mayor, Fire fighters and exhibitors from as far away as Australia, Korea, Finland, Germany and me from Canada. What a show of gear, Apparatus of every shape and size, demonstrations of fire fighting and and and .... even playboy Bunnies. Oops did I say that in my outside voice?
The FireWithIn group started by Chad Sartison showed their true colors in firefighter support and I'm sure if there's something anyone of us needs and we call him, Jodi or Adel they WILL help.
My sincere and heartfelt thanks goes out to Firewithin for just being there and including me in a trip of a life time. Chad even went so far as to bring 2 great guys Darrel and Charles for capturing what we saw and what we did on video and photograph's which I'm looking forward to seeing the edits before they are released to the public (pay attention Guys).
In closing I would like to say if you and your Department get a chance to get involved with the FireWithIn Calendar sales you just might be sitting here and experiencing a trip of a life time.
Thanks FireWithin
Danny, Keeler, Rookie from the Cariboo.
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