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Yes, I know I've been bugging everyone about this, but I promise you won't hear any more about it after this month. The last time I actually called upon the readership was back in 2009, when I asked for help regarding my video entry to Nikon's "A Day Through Your Lens" competition. Remember this old video?

(Still can't embed the damn things. I think I'm just techno-stoopid.)

Earlier this month, my entry essay to Foundry Cycles' Tradesman competition landed me squarely in a field of fifteen finalists, all of whom are scaring up as many votes as they can until the contest ends on April 30th. The top prize (of which five will be awarded) is a brand-spankin' new Foundry Bicycle of your choosing and a one year sponsored rider/athlete contract. It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance for everyone who made the cut, and we need all the help we can get until the end of the month!

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No catches, no strings, no email addresses given, and no firstborn children sworn away. All you have to do is vote on Foundry's website, but you need to log in to Facebook to do it.

The voting link takes you to the page with all fifteen finalists' pictures. Unless you're already logged into Facebook on your computer, you probably won't see little white "vote" buttons beneath our faces. No worries; just click on the little blue "Log In to Facebook" button up near the top of the page, beneath the white text. It will redirect you through Facebook and back to the page with all of us, where you will then be able to vote for whoever you want!

I've made a little infographic explanation below, if anyone needs any help. Click on it to make it larger.

Vote for me, obviously; but if you feel remiss not adding a vote to the other regions after you help me out, consider spending four more clicks of your mouse to vote down the "straight ticket" we've cobbled together (thanks to Patrick Harrington).

I know we'll all appreciate the help! Plus, some of the voting margins for these buddies above are very tight, and I'm sure they're spending many a sleepless night struggling for each and every vote. Help them out!

Many thanks to Pete Sulzer of ELAFFHQ.com and Dave Statter for helping to spread the word. I'll have more to report come April 30th, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

/RL

(Someone needs to make this in a carbon disc wheel.)

More to come later.

/RL

Image © RaisingLadders Photography, 2012. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

Dave Statter was kind enough to let me know about this, and I wanted to spread the word on RL, among other things.

The National Fallen Firefighter's Foundation is hosting a 9-11 Memorial Stairclimb at the Capital Hilton (1919 Connecticut Ave NW) in Washington, D.C. on April 25th. Registration link is here, and the fee is $25. All are welcome to join, firefighters or the general public!

Bring your bunker gear, run it in PT gear, it doesn't matter! The important thing is that all proceeds benefit the FDNY's Counseling Services Unit to help families and colleagues of those lost on September 11th.

It's a great event for a great cause, so come out and have a blast with your friendly Capital firefighters!

Foundry Cycles is a bicycle manufacturing company based out of Bloomington, MN. From the company directly, regarding their recent contest:

"Foundry Cycles is looking for five brand ambassadors, Foundry Tradesmen and women, to ride our bikes and document their experiences. If you're chosen, you'll be given a Foundry bike. In return, you'll spend the year talking to people about your Foundry. Go on rides, take it to races, local events, coffee shops, the grocery store, your local bike shop—everywhere you'd normally take your bike. Answer questions about it. Tell people what you think of it. Let them take it for a spin. Throw on a helmet cam and send us video of your adventures. Write up your experiences. You'll have to earn your keep, but if you work as hard as you play, then you're right for Foundry."

This is my entry—submitted this 30th day of March, 2012. Wish me luck.

 - RL

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Dammit.

I cursed as the tire lever slipped, and I bashed my knuckles against the cassette. Glancing down, I could just barely see the blood beginning to collect by the desolate yellow glow in which I was forced to work.

Looking up and stretching a sore back, I made a personal decree that I would get my next flat tire in front of a brighter sign. The proud, canary-yellow rectangle that proclaimed Morgan’s Fish Fry to be “Black Owned, Family Operated” left something to be desired in the way of illumination.

What the hell am I doing, I thought dejectedly. (I have this thought about once a month, for various reasons.) It’s almost six in the morning, and I’m at a deserted intersection in Southeast D.C. Okay, so there’s that other guy over there, but I’ve picked him up in the ambulance before—I’m pretty sure he’s zonked out on heroin.

I was riding the streets of the city to familiarize myself with alleyways, side streets, major buildings, and unusual addresses; but my morning workout/educational experience was going to be cut short today. As I chuckled to myself about comedian Chris Rock’s routine about what happens on MLK Jr. Avenue in every city, I silently thanked my now-torn inner tube for making it this far. I wasn’t more than a few blocks from the firehouse, and my shift was starting soon. In the pre-dawn darkness, the only sound in Anacostia was the crisp clicking of my cleats as I navigated the neglected sidewalk.

In June of 2008, I moved to Washington after an eager and hurried post-college application to the District of Columbia Fire Department. After a short period of tortuous waiting to “get on the job,” as they say, I entered the fire academy that very December. Today, my length of service with the District government stands at just over three years.

My short career has brought me all over the sixty-nine square miles that encompass our nation’s capitol, working in all four quadrants and damn near every one of the thirty-three firehouses dotting our diamond-shaped city. My original appointment was to a location in Northeast Washington, where I learned about the crowded violence of a Go-Go club and the peaceful slumber of a heroin overdose. The move to the big leagues, however, was my eventual transfer to a firehouse in the Southeast quadrant. In the notoriously violent and fiscally-depressed area east of the Anacostia River, I was taught the finer points of PCP-induced manic ranting (both with and without physical altercations), as well as the strange things one will shout when there’s a knife sticking out of your spine or a bullet in your left ass-cheek. Gunshots, vicious assaults, heart attacks, suicides, “intentional vehicular contact,” you name it—Southeast had it.

And I loved it.

Every shift brings twenty-four straight hours of uncertainty and excitement.  As a firehouse staffed with fourteen bodies, Engine Company 15 and Rescue Squad 3 spend 25% of our waking lives together. While on duty, we train, we cook, we bullshit, we laugh, and we work our asses off. We’re one of the busiest firehouses in the Department, and we’re tasked with knowing this city—our city—like the backs of our well-worn hands.

I’ve been writing about my experiences since I entered the Training Academy years ago. The links provided throughout this essay are to my personal firefighting blog, RaisingLadders. I was selected several ago to be a contributor to FireEMSBlogs.com (a successful industry blog aggregate geared towards the emergency responders of the world), and I have been faithfully writing and recording my experiences ever since. Additionally, I was recently selected as a customer testimonial for RoadID, tying together my experiences as an emergency responder, husband, runner, and cyclist.

As a firefighter and paramedic, I continually serve the citizens in any multitude of emergency situations. The one thing that I will always need to do my job successfully is to have access to the proper tools. We use tools for extinguishment and tools for demolition. We use tools for giving medications and tools for shocking someone’s heart back to life. I agree very strongly with Foundry’s mission that bicycles should be tools, and I’m constantly using and testing everything that is made available to me. Another thing you’ll learn about most firemen: our job isn’t what you’d call lucrative, and so most of us have a part-time job. I pad my income (and feed my addiction) as an employee at the best-reviewed bike shop in our fine city, BicycleSPACE.

For four amazing years, I have lived and worked in one of the greatest cities in the world.  I know this place, in more ways than most citizens or commuters can imagine. I've worked in the firehouses and the bike shops; I’ve been to the large-scale training drills and the group rides; I’ve explored the back alleys and the bike paths. I assure you that this bike will never hang on a wall, unloved and unridden. I appreciate the function, utility, durability, and form of every tool I use in my journey, and I like to push the limits of each and every one. In a city like this, everyone is always looking for the next best thing. Foundry is it—and I want to be the one to tell them all about you.

     —RL

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Risk of Asbestos Exposure among Firefighters

Asbestos exposure may not be the first thing on the mind of a firefighter when he arrives on a scene to find a structure going up in flames. But it's something to think about seriously.

Even though asbestos once was widely coveted as a building material for its heat resistance and fire-retardant qualities, it still breaks down under extremely high temperatures, sending its toxic, microscopic fibers into the air, putting everyone nearby at risk.

Although the use of asbestos has been dramatically reduced in recent decades, any buildings or residences built before 1980 are likely to have components of them that contain asbestos it. And the majority of the fires today in homes and businesses are in the older structures.

There is plenty of well-known danger in this admirable profession, but long-term health risks often are not considered when taking this job. An exposure to asbestos can lead to a number of respiratory illnesses, including lung cancer and rare mesothelioma cancer, which can have a latency period of up to 50 years.

Firefighters can be exposed to asbestos in roofing materials, pipe and duct insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, furnace gaskets and vinyl siding. Where there is smoke in the air, there could be asbestos dust and fibers.

These fibers are the danger. When inhaled, they can be difficult for a human body to get rid of. Instead, the fibers can lodge in the lining of the lungs and sit—for years—and eventually cause scarring or tumors.

This is where the use of proper respiratory equipment becomes vital to a fireman.  Equipment used by firefighters through the 1970s, including fire-resistant coats and helmets, often contained asbestos that was woven into the materials.

It isn't just the fires, either, that present the problem. Older firehouses, where firemen often are based, often contain asbestos, unless an official abatement has been done. In Lackawanna, N.Y., for example, firemen had to be evacuated from Fire House 3 when air samples there revealed dangerous amounts of asbestos in the dust they where they reported each day.

The city of Everett, Wash., settled a million dollar lawsuit with firefighters that stemmed from asbestos exposure during training sessions. As part of the training session, firefighters were working in soon-to-be-demolished buildings.

Because no fire was involved in one particular drill, no respiratory equipment was used, but it later was discovered there was plenty of asbestos in the dust within the building.

Much has been made of the firefighters and other first responders who arrived at the World Trade Center soon after the terrorist attacks on 9/11. In the 10-plus years afterward, firefighters now are discovering long-term, respiratory issues that have stemmed from the toxic dust that covered Manhattan for many days.

Bio: Tim Povtak is a senior writer for the Mesothelioma Center. He is a former award-winning journalist at a metropolitan American newspaper.

According to the website, the functionality of the tool is as follows:

1. 1 1/2" pin lug spanner
2. 2 1/2" pin lug spanner / carabiner attachment
3. oxygen bottle valve wrench
4. "figure-8" section, usable in various rope scenarios
5. hose cradle, usable for 1" to 1 3/4" hose
6. spanner wrench tip
7. gas shut-off wrench
8. carabiner attachment point
9. Storz coupling notch
10. 2", 2 1/2", or 3" hose cradle
11. "RIT FF drag, glass ripper, and mattress hook" (their words, not mine)
12. water shut-off / optional gas shut-off

Our first scenario was the Nance Drill. A firefighter was placed below-grade with an approximately 4'x4' opening above him; a loop of charged hoseline was then inserted into the opening, allowing the "downed" firefighter to stand on the hose and be lifted up by two or more firefighters above him. Pictures do a better job of explaining it than I do, to be honest.

Normally, this difficult aspect of this drill lies in gripping the hoseline effectively while you're trying to lift the firefighter below. The Bowring Tool (utilizing feature #5 above) claims to allow firefighters to easily gain purchase on the hose and bring the downed firefighter up and out of the hole more quickly. We found that it works… sort of. The videos on the website show firefighters demonstrating the tool with a relatively dry hoseline, and it appears to work well. However, we chose to make the situation as close to actual conditions as we could, and soaked the hoseline with water before we attempted the drill; as you'll see in the following videos, the Bowring functioned more as a squeegee than a hose-gripper-thingee, as they claim.

The summary of our findings during the Nance Drill were:

• the hoseline needs to be pretty rigid for the tool to grip effectively. the 1 1/2" hoseline charged to 130 p.s.i. that we started with did not allow the tool's camming action to grip the hose properly—it more bent it than gripped it. Raising the engine pressure to 160 p.s.i. solved the problem.
• the more you can crank back on the tool while pulling, the better; most of the "squeegee" action you see in the videos was due to not bending the Bowring far back enough. It's something that can be learned after you do it a few times, but I wouldn't expect someone who's never used it before to know why this is important.
• a wet hoseline is definitely going to be more slippery than a dry one; unfortunately, your hoselines in these kind of situations will almost always be soaked, and there's no avoiding that. Maybe some knurling or other grippy stuff on the Bowring might help?

Long story short, the tool has its advantages. It's pretty neat that it incorporates multiple different functionalities into something that fits into your coat pocket; however, I'm always wary of the typical downfall of the "all-in-one" tool—it does lots of stuff pretty well, but nothing exceptionally well. The spanner wrenches/valve shut-offs are pretty standard, I wouldn't expect any difficulties there (and the tool appears to be sturdy and well-made). With a bit of practice, one can figure out the correct sequence of pulling/re-setting/pulling that works, but I certainly wouldn't trust someone unfamiliar or unpracticed with the device to use it effectively. Although, practice makes perfect with every tool. I'd be curious to see if it actually rips through drywall and siding as effectively as the testimonials on their website claim; another drill for another day, I suppose.

We did play around to find different uses for it; our most interesting discovery that we could use an uncharged hoseline (say, if we had a hose rack on our shoulder and were still making our way up in a high-rise) hitched through the tool as an effective hauling system for our man in the hole. Quick to set up, and our 1 1/2" hose fit through the largest hole in the Bowline fairly easily without any concern that it would slip or move while in operation. It gave us a large, serviceable hook that we could attach to multiple points on a firefighter in full SCBA.

Some of the Squad guys weren't thrilled about it, but I was fairly impressed. Call me young, or naive, or whatever—but I somewhat liked it. For $125, do you think it's worth it?

Yes, that's right. In D.C., of all places, two engine companies and a truck company extinguished about a half-acre of burning foliage in Southeast Washington earlier this year. Okay, so it wasn't actual wildland firefighting—but it's about as close as we'll get in an urban environment.

There's a big grouping of trees located behind a recreation center that is used more often than not as a dumping ground for stolen automobiles (which then usually end up on fire). Burned out car parts and chunks of rubber are everywhere. When Engine 32 responded for smoke in the area, I'm sure that's what they were expecting; it was surprising, I'm sure, to find out that the woods themselves were on fire this time.

Even just the small amount of shoveling, raking, and cutting that we had to do was pretty exhausting. That wildland stuff is for the birds; tell the guys out west that they can keep it. I'll take hydrants and hoselines over Pulaskis and shovels, thank you.

Firefighters gather on the steps of the American History Museum in DC, to organize their presence at Chief Ellerbe's "State of the Department" address.

Lt. Alvarado rallies the troops before the press conference.

Firefighters traveled from all areas (including outside the DMV)—via many different means of transportation—for the purpose of this demonstration.

Members proudly wore garments with the "DCFD" logo, which have been outlawed by Department order. Uniform regulations have changed five times within the last calendar year.

(I wouldn't want to face this crowd, either.)

Chief of Department Kenneth Ellerbe assumed his stance on the podium with a cool demeanor.

Multiple local news sources were present at the address; Fox5 presented the day's story on the 5 p.m. evening news.

Attempting to make several jokes during his presentation, Chief Ellerbe proffered a casual, carefree demeanor during his presentation.

Several firefighters had their children present in the room; all expressed the silent statement that Ellerbe's policy changes affected not only the firefighters, but their spouses and children as well.

Just prior to the 'question and answer' section, a pre-arranged cue brougt all firefighting members of the Department to attention.

Again on cue, all members performed a crisp about-face, turning their backs on Chief Ellerbe. Members were dismissed via vocal cues immediately thereafter.

Chief Ellerbe had no reaction, instead staring at his notes on the podium until the exodus was completed.

Completing the press conference, Chief Ellerbe presented the remainder of his Q&A to a mostly empty room.

Outside, firefighters gathered to show homemade signs and share their thoughts on the day's events.

District firefighters still staunchly oppose several recent pieces of Department order, including uniform policy regulations and rumors of changes to the shift schedule.

Lt. Alvarado speaks to members of the Washington Times, relating the day's events and the reasoning behind the firefighters' actions.

Firefighters gather to watch the 5 p.m. broadcast of their actions, featured by local news station Fox5.

Sure, we have an ongoing struggle regarding our shift schedule. Our repair shop is "understaffed and overworked," threatening our citizens with the possibility that there may not be enough serviceable apparatus to adequately cover the city's ever-growing number of emergencies. Oh, and morale is circling the bowl, one flush away from joining the cesspool.

But the most important thing we need know is: how were the pancakes?

So here's the obverse and reverse of the card. Upon first inspection, I already have qualms about this piece of self-righteous cardstock (remember, even in bulk quantity: add the cost of the stamp to the cost of printing and cutting thousands of these). Seriously, could we have picked a more efFEMinate stamp? Purple, swirly Foxglove flowers on a cream/off-white background. Interestingly enough, the Latin name for the Foxglove species, digitalis purpurea, is named because of the plant's intensely colored flowers that are able to fit snugly over a finger-shaped object (one of your "digits," as it were)… not unlike a condom.

Additionally, there is a class of medication extracted from the Foxglove plant whose purest form is called digitalis, which is a cardiac drug used to treat various abnormal heart rhythms. I find it just so poetic that the medication (also called digitoxin) can be lethal if the patient is given too much. Toxicity can result in headaches, vomiting, jaundice, blurred vision, delirium, convulsions, and wild hallucinations. Certain species of this very plant are actually so toxic that they've earned the name "Dead Mens' Bells."

Another note: these cards are addressed to the chief himself—as if he'll be reading a Santa-Clause-worthy bag of mail, stuffed to the brim with these cards. Technically, they should be returned to the "Public Information and Community Affairs Office," a branch of FEMS tasked with "disseminating information to the public on Departmental programs and services, conducting community outreach and fire safety education programs and ensuring high quality customer service."

But, given what happened to our Public Information Officer, I guess they're a little short-staffed at the moment. Thanks for stepping up and helping out, Chief! (Table 38's Rooty Tooty Fresh 'N Fruity® is ready for pickup, by the way.)

In an effort to do my part, I would like to suggest a new comment card. Sure, we can keep the old one, since it's geared primarily towards medical calls. However, we are still a functioning fire department with a rich and storied history; I think it only fair in this most progressive day and age that we offer a comment card for our fire suppression services.

Fair citizens, I entreat you to please take a moment and assist us in bettering our Department (click to enlarge it, if you'd like).

Like I said back in March, I'm still a firm believer in "the best camera is the one that's with you." What good is $3,000 worth of camera gear if it's in your closet? It's been a good year, and I've definitely captured some moments. I present to you now my favorite images and photos of 2011 (don't forget about the most recent photo collection I posted just a short while ago!)

Here's to one hell of a 2012.

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I started off the year with some cool research (my welcome-to-2011 post from last year). It was pretty cool to find old maps of what DC looked like back when Engine 15 was founded, and seeing that some street names stuck around from 1898. The full post is available here, if you want more maps.

There were a couple of fires this year, too. This one was right around the corner… gotta love a first-due house fire to kick the year off. (As it turns out, I'm at work as I write this, and one of my good friends found himself up to his ass in this Northeast rowhouse just a few hours ago. Lucky bastard.)

It was a damn shame I was on an ambulance when this one came out around 3am one night. At least I was able to show up, help flake some hose, and snap a few pictures. The guys from Squad 3 told me that they had a good time on this one. Sheesh.

I helped out a few of the guys at the firehouse fix their bikes…

One of the darker moments of last year came when several guys from my house got burned up in one of the bigger fires of the year. Thankfully, they've all recovered wonderfully, and the firefighter who got it the worst is back to full duty.

The Andy Fredericks Training Days in Virginia was truly an eye-opener, and there were some stellar instructors who were gracious enough to pass on their (combined) 100+ years of knowledge about the fire service. So, who's signing up for this year? Registration opens January 8th.

One of the coolest things about working in a firehouse that has some serious history behind it is digging up that history. This commendation was in the back of the storage closet, stacked with a whole host of other similar items. Come to think of it, would our chief even give these out anymore?

One shift was spent at Reagan National Airport with what felt like damn near every company from Virginia and a whole bunch of us from DC. Huge inter-agency Mass-Casualty drill sponsored by the airport? Yup, it was as cool as it sounds. Very neat to see the simulated plane crash and our resulting "response."

"The Marina's on fire! The Marina's on fire!" We lost a lot of good boats that day. I mean, when you fill a vessel up with water, and it's already in the water… hey, can't save 'em all. The fireboat damn near sprayed me right off the deck, too.

I took some time off and went to England. It was a much-needed vacation, so I unfortunately didn't do any exploration of the British fire service (unlike my 2010 trip to Europe, when I spent a good bit of time in an Irish firehouse).

Did I mention that I adopted a dog?

I survived the great earthquake of 2011, too. It locked up the city for damn near a day, too—much to the fire department's chagrin, since communications was overrun with calls and the guys working that day were ridiculously busy resetting fire alarms and investigating possible collapsed structures.

Every so often we have to take a little trip down to the Training Academy while we're on shift. It's good to see that the old wagon we tagged is still alive and kicking… and our class numbers are undisturbed.

I know it's an old photo, but the previous shot made me feel a little nostalgic. The blog officially turned three this year… and it all started with the Academy. (God, remember when I still called it "Recruit Class 994?" Haha, anonymity is overrated.)

My Battalion Chief celebrated his thirtieth (yes, thirtieth) year on the job. Also monumental this year, our wagon driver hit twenty years—and every one of them was at 15 Engine. Here's a bit more about him, and someone else's photos.

I've been experiencing more and more firehouses this year, what with being detailed to EMS units all over the city. Also, trading with people at different houses is interesting, to see a different side of the city than my usual "Southeast experience." Working uptown or over in Georgetown isn't half bad, every once in a while… it's a very welcome respite, in terms of call volume. I even got to work with the Naked Chef on one trade! (Thankfully, there were no repeats of his, *ahem*, transgressions.)

On a more personal note, I got married! Right here in the city, to boot. 2011 was a great year if for no other reason

(We honeymooned in Barcelona. It was awesome.)

Back stateside, Engine 15 responded to assist Santa (and Toys for Tots) with distribution of presents on Christmas Eve.

Unfortunately, a sadder ongoing of 2011 that will certainly continue into 2012 is what I've witnessed first-hand amongst the members. Dissention in the ranks, reduction in morale, and new rumors every day can make work a bit… edgy. Ultimately, however, our dedication to the job and the pride that we hold for our profession cannot be quashed. We may falter, we may stumble—but we will stay strong. Our union (IAFF Local 36) president penned a very poignant opinion piece for the Washington Post two days ago; do us a favor and have a read.

Despite the problems, the arguments, the scare tactics, or the generally uncoordinated efforts of the administration, one thing remains the same—my crew is an amazing group of guys who have my back, just like I have theirs. It's a great feeling, whether we're getting the knock on a fire, running a medical call, or just plain bullshitting around the firehouse. It's one of the main reasons I still love coming to the same job for the past three years, and I hope to feel that way for years to come. We put out some fires, and we saved some lives—here's to a great 2011, and thanks for everything you guys have taught me thusfar.

…oh yeah, and one more thing: SuperSafety Rocco says: "stay safe out there!"

—————

Thanks to my friends and family, everyone at FireEMSBlogs.com along with all of my fellow bloggers, and most importantly: my readers. You've made it the best year yet for RaisingLadders, and it looks like it's only getting better!

/RL