Jerry Sander is Back!

Yes, that is Jerrry you've been seeing. He was at the top of the laid-off list. With Jim Eggers' retirement, Jerry is back to work. Congrats Jim on your retirement and best wishes. And welcome back, Jerry.

District 8 is hiring...

Bob Ladd called me tonight to pass on the word that District 8 is hiring. No word yet on laterals. Click on the link above to visit District 8's website. Applications available on-line. Position closes March 18th.

Looking for stories on the good stops? Don't Read the Spokesman-Review. Click to watch REAL video of KXLY story about the 5 fires of the past 3 days.

Heard the call come in for the fire on Ashton - District 8. An engine arrived and then called for Spokane to help and then the Valley. Amazing video and print coverage. But the recent multiple fires in the city were not worth stories in the Spokesman-Review because we do our job and put fires out before they become great videos. All the folks who write editorials in the Spokesman-Review, questioning the worth of a fully-staffed professional fire department, never know what we have done. Unfortunately, now that our staffing is stretched so thin, it's only a matter of time before the Spokesman takes some gruesome pictures and writes some tragic copy. It would be nice to read some pro-active news stories before we get to that point - but I'm not going to hold my breath - unless I really have to.

Dramatic Water Rescue of Dog at Cannon Hill Park!

I was too late on the scene to get any photos, but E-4's crew expertly pulled the dog off the ice and water that is Cannon Hill Pond, this afternoon. Apparently without need of jet boat, ice walker or certification... Bystanders had a canoe.

Family members were reunited with their beloved pet while Spokane's media recorded the event. Water Two was training on the river at the time, so they were unavailable. Oh well, next time!

Huzzah to E-4 and a tip of the Swift Water Rescue Speedo to you...

THE CHECKS ARE IN!

Greg just called (4:40 pm). The long awaited retro checks are in. He's taking them down to Stn 1 right now. There they will be sorted and then delivered to the rest of the stations. So, you can swing by your station this evening to pick it up, if you want. If you're on Relief, your check will be waiting for you at Stn1.

Valley will be hiring...

I don't know it they are accepting lateral entries, or not. Any info out there? Here's what I received today:

Hi Bill,

FYI, Spokane Valley Fire is testing later this year. Application packets are going out now.

http://www.spokanevalleyfire.com

Click on the 'employment opportunity' link. Job description & downloadable application packet are there as well.

Fraternally,
Paul Hammersley
L876

Maple Valley hiring

Received a very informative e-mail this morning from Maple Valley's Local 3062 President - Philip Knowles. It sounds like they have a pretty good department and are working hard to make it even better. And they're hiring. He has also offered to put up any of our firefighters who want to stay overnight. He's adds: "Our guys are up by 6:30 AM (7 AM tie-in).  If any of our union brothers need a cup of coffee or the use of the facilities, they are welcome.  Just have your guys knock on the slider door and let our guys know they are from Spokane." A great letter. If you would like to read the whole thing, I'll forward it to you. Thanks very much Phil for your fraternal solidarity.

Job info follows:

 FIREFIGHTER-Entry Level Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety will hand out applications starting at 8:00 a.m. Feb. 7th, 2005 and will accept a maximum of 250 completed applications until closing at 5:00 p.m. on Feb. 16th, 2005. Applications shall be picked up & returned to 23775 SE 264th St, Maple Valley. A $25. application fee payable in cash, money order or cashier's check is due when the application is picked up. Minimum requirements: 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen or a valid working permit, a high school diploma or GED, valid WSDL, a non-smoker and a current EMT certification

 Web links of interest:

www.maplevalleyfire.org
www.iaff3062.org

This just in...

the city of centralia is testing for fire chief and paramedics, closes on the 18th of this month.

Spokane County Professional Firefighters Forum

You should have got your invitation for this. It's this Saturday at the RIdpath. E-mail me for details.

John

JOB OPENINGS

Sumner is looking for entry level/lateral paramedics and firefighters. Closing date is February 11th.

Applications available between the hours of 9 - Noon at the Sumner Fire Dept. 800 Harrison Street, Sumner.

Plus, don't forget Boise is hiring. Also, be sure to check in with the city to see if Spokane has any openings in other departments. You stay on the laid off list (I believe indefinitely - correct me if I'm wrong) untll you're hired back as a firefighter.

Thanks, John

Three firefighters die amid separate blazes - from this morning's Spokesman-Review...

New York - A fierce fire in a Bronx apartment building trapped six firefighters Sunday and forced them to jump from a fourth-floor window, killing two of them and severely injuring four others. Later, a third firefighter was killed at a Brooklyn blaze.

The Bronx fire started in a third-floor apartment, and the six firefighters were searching for people on the fourth floor, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

The dead were identified as Lt. Curtis Meyran, 46, a 15-year veteran of the fire department, and firefighter John Bellew, 37.

The Brooklyn firefighter, Richard Sclafani, 37, died at a hospital after being injured at a fire in the basement of a building, the mayor said.

A couple of new job openings from Kevin H.

The first:

Hey Kevin,

I have a friend that is FireFighter/Paramedic in Walla Walla. The Chief down there is planning on hiring a few entry level people this year, so my friend suggested taking some of our laid off guys and the Chief told him to find out if there is any interest from us. His name is Brian MacIntyre and his e-mail  is bmci63@yahoo.com.

Thanks,

Kelly Hoyt


The second:

Attention all you FF/PM if you are interested I have a contact name and number for port ludlow.  They wish to do a lateral entry very soon and have extended a hand to us.  They are looking for someone with fire experience though.  So here it is .....

editor's note: This was a posting for openings in Jefferson County. I was asked to remove it by their local president, as the positions have been filled, and now (almost 2 years later) people are still calling in reference to this posting. Thanks to Local 3811 for the original posting and your patience.

Openings in Boise...

We are currently taking applications and supplementals for Paramedics & Firefighter/Paramedics. We project to hire between 6 & 9 on May 1, 2005. I am attaching the job announcement and the website info. If you could pass this on to any of your firefighters that meet the requirements of Paramedic.


Thanks,


Tom Lovell
President, Local #672
Boise, ID


P.S. I was born and raised in Spokane and moved to Boise 14 years ago. It is the best place to live in my opinion. We are continuing to grow even though most departments are laying off. Call if you have any questions: 208-283-2672
 

Here is the website that applicants need to visit for the most current information: www.cityofboise.org  This one you must go to the fire department section.

 

Here is the direct page link:   http://www.cityofboise.org/fire/index.aspx?id=ffparamedic&MID=003Y

From Kevin Haughton regarding the Federal Way job...

Kevin,
Our department web site www.federalwayfire.org will have the application and information on it by Friday the 14th.
Applications are open until Feb 1.
Any laid off IAFF applicants will not have to take the written test and will go directly to the oral board (along with 30 applicants from the Bates written test) Ultimately they will also have to pass the IAFF CPAT physical test.
Bottom line is that they are at least guaranteed an interview.
Have anyone call me too if they have questions
Gordie Olson
President
IAFF Local 2024
Federal Way Firefighters
www.iaff2024.org
253-431-5315

Remember these guys!

On the home page of www.local29.org are links for pictures of our laid-off brothers and information on some work they can do for you or someone you know.

Kevin Haughton has info on another job opening..

Bill
Could you post on the blog that I have information for a job with Federal Way. Similiar to to shoreline or Edmonds hire no test just interview. Have the interested individuals get a hold of me at Statio 1 B shift ASAP

Thanks

Kevin Haughton

Laid off brothers update...

To all of you who have been laid-off, we want you to know that we are all thinking about you and looking forward to the day you return. If you would like to update us on what's going on with you, we would all appreciate it. Please e-mail and it'll get posted here.

Thanks, John

Raffle to benefit wounded CDA police officer...

The Coeur d'Alene Fire Department has planned a fund-raising raffle to benefit the Kralicek family, in addition to the account set up at Wells Fargo Bank.

Some of the raffle items include autographed pictures and posters of John Travolta and Dennis Franz, as well as memorabilia from the Coeur d'Alene Police Department autographed by Franz, including a holster, T-shirt, coffee mug, 8-by-10 photos of Coeur d'Alene's police drug dog "Justice" and photos of the Honor Guard. Numerous other items are still being collected.

The raffle runs through Jan. 28 with the drawing that day at the police department.

Tickets are on sale at the police department and Wells Fargo Bank in Coeur d'Alene. All proceeds raised will go directly to the account in officer Kralicek's name at Wells Fargo Bank.

Raffle information: Firefighter Jake Bieker at 769-2340

Any Spokane Fire member who would like tickets also may contact Vickie (from dispatch) at 509-991-4622 or on D Shift.
THANKS

Scott Firefighter Stair Climb

Bank of America Tower, Seattle
Sunday, March 6th
Info at Local 29 Office

QUARTERMASTER SYSTEM

As many of you already know, the city now has to buy our uniforms. There are still some details to iron out (no pun intended), but your e-board members are skookum to where we stand right now. If you have any questions, ask.