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Post by chief322 on Sept 23, 2008 5:56:19 GMT -5
I started in the service in 1980. Along with me was David Kerrick. I went to school with and budded around with a guy who ran with dept. 15, Bob Sheets. His twin, Bill was a grade above me and Dave, but was just as enthusiastic about the service. One of my pals that I hung out with was Bobby Lewis. My Chief at the time was Paul Thrasher and he was tight with a guy from Canton, Grant Trick. They (Canton) had this up and coming whippersnapper named Kim Jennings. I used to run mini-hose with Monroeton and can remember many a good contest with the Elmer's of Sayre. This is where I met another up and coming, Robbie Repasky.
Fast Forward 28 years and many of the fire service friendships have developed into life long ones. Dave became a very instrumental chief in Monroeton and we worked many a job as tandem command and operation system. Bob Sheets got me and Dave to join the fledgling NTFR and he later went on to become one of Ulster's bravest. Billy, well what can I say. He has come to lead perhaps the best department in BC. He and I have worked many a job together and I learned from each experience. Nobody has been more dependable to me a CFO than Chief Sheets. The Chief has introduced me to even more contacts that I now consider close friends. Chief Bill "Chili" Roof, Bruce Johnson and Chiefs (Ret) Kevin Barnett and Jim Mechling.
As I moved up the ranks in Monroeton, so did Kim Jennings in Canton. What started out as Paul and Grant, became me and Kim. Perhaps my best friendship came from the rolly poly one in Canton. I have never worked a job with an individual better than I have with Chief Jennings.
Bobby Lewis, well he became and is a lifer at NTVFR. He is working for two of the best guys I know and respect so much, Chief Gary Wilcox and Chief Gerald "Jass" Sheets. Bob slowly but surely is moving up the ranks. I always looked forward to his presence on the fireground because I always knew the job would get done and done right.
From our mini hose days, Robert finally broke into the ranks and has been a fixture in the Sayre Fire Department. He continually keeps his department as the frontrunner in our service in BC. Although Robbie and me do butt heads still to this day (stems from mini-hose), I respect him, his command and his job. Still my bud!
Through these people I have met and have been encouraged and taught by many a good people. I list:
Chief Mike Barry; Athens FD Chief Mike Epler; New Albany FD Chief (Ret.) Steve Bixby; Ulster FD Chief Bob McKee; Ulster FD Chief Roy Vargson; Troy FD Chief Larry Nichols; Smithfield Township FD Chief Pat Wrisley; Smithfield Township FD Chief Scott May; Canton FD Chief (Ret.) Terry Sheets; N. Towanda VFR Chief (Ret.) Joe "soupcan" Shay; N. Towanda VFR Chief (Ret.) T. Arthur Johnson; Towanda Fire Dept Chief (Ret.) Wilmer Martin; Franklin Township FD Captain Gordon Ford; Towanda Fire Dept.
In Monroeton, I was very lucky to have met and been associated with numerous individuals, but none stick out more than Chief Jim House (Ret.) and Chief Don Stranger; retired of Monroeton, but very active as Chief of Department, Franklin Township.
So basically what I am saying to you all is what you develop in your firefighting careers will benefit you in years to come. Treasure these associations.
What about yours?
Tim
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Post by strangeone on Sept 23, 2008 7:07:17 GMT -5
Tim Was Kim rolly polly back then too ? I also have been associated with most of the same crew as you and deem my friendships with all of the people you mentioned as well as many more including Ret.Chief T.Art Johnson of Towanda and Monroetons Frank Emory as being extremly worthy.
Firefighters and firefighting is in the blood of all those mentioned and it will be til the bag pipers call them home,I like ,Tim SALUTE these leaders of our county Departments. Chief Don Stranger
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batt4
Junior Member
There is no skating through your career!
Posts: 23
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Post by batt4 on Sept 25, 2008 11:45:17 GMT -5
Hey Tim, all Chiefs no indians. It's great that you have made many firends in the service as I have. That is the reward for time served not to mention Rank.
I went from Battalion Chief (Retired) down to Indian when I joined up here. Heck I still didn't get my green tag or I.D. yet. The perspective seems a bit strange but none the less still the fire service with a great bunch of dedicated men and women. Looking forward to making many new friendships. I'll bet I still got it with the nozzle, try to keep up kids'.
I do miss the intense disscusions we hade in the fire house kitchens especially H.Q. It seemed as if we could solve the worlds problems there.
One of these days our paths will cross.
The Batt
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Post by 2Truck on Sept 25, 2008 14:35:24 GMT -5
Hey just remember, Tim knows everyone, but no one claims to know Tim. ;D Show me some love brother, and while you are at it see if my axe is sharp. Networking with firefighters and other fire departments is how many of us have come by many friends and opportunities. It is the main reason that I moved from little old Bradford County to the "big city" suburbs of Harrisburg. A few of the other things that I know that networking accomplished were getting HACC to start doing training in the area, and Athens Twp. even bought a rig through some networking. It's scary that you can be 3 hours away from some where and mention a few names (yes even your's Tim) and people know who you are talking about.
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batt4
Junior Member
There is no skating through your career!
Posts: 23
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Post by batt4 on Sept 25, 2008 21:56:02 GMT -5
So Jamie, you moved from Bradford County to the "big city" suburbs. Well I am doing the opposite moving from the "big city" suburbs to Bradford County.
Many have questioned my decision for this move and to this I have replied: Big city's suck, there are tooo many people with tooo many issues. If you like that kind of thing then this is good for you. In my case I've HAD ENOUGH!
Bradford County has taken me back 20 years to a simpler time in my life. A time when friendship had a greater value and the pace of life suites me well.
It's funny with that statement about the grass being greener on the other side but I came from a "big city" environment and there ain't much grass to talk about. The grass down here is usually overgrown, brown, infused with refuse, toxic, mosquito ladened, trampled by unwanted trespassers and generally unpleasant too look at.
The general consensus of my brothers down my way is: Get me out of here!
The Batt
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Post by chief322 on Sept 26, 2008 6:34:30 GMT -5
Look you little peckerhead, I will sharpen your axe when you learn to use one first! How you like shoulder loading an attack line from a pseudo truck? Who ever heard of such a thing, a truckie humping hose! You are dyslexic and got your numbers screwed up my brother. Maybe someday you can be part of the La Casa Grande, but I guess right now an association with me is as close as your rookie ass will get!!!!!!!!!
That being said, Jamie is right. Our associations we make can help us threefold. You would be surprised at how friends of friends of friends help each other through not only our state, but neighboring ones as well. Jamie points out LA's engine going to Athens Township. Monroeton picked up their Pierce Arrow through networking along with 3000' of 5" and tons of needed hose appliances. Not bad for who knows who.
Batt - you are running with Litchfield now aren't you? I heard there is a guy from up there that is interested in becoming a Progress boy. I can give reference should he need it and make some calls on his behalf. Tell Dick Horton I said "Hey".
Tim
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Post by 2Truck on Sept 26, 2008 9:21:46 GMT -5
Hey there is no need for name calling. Maybe we can be "Nobody" some day in the future. One of the big opportunities that I as well as Tim (and I'm sure there are many others) have had has been the ability is to belong to some progressive departments over the years from outside of Bradford County. Through these experiences we have been able to share some of the knowledge that has been acquired through running several hundred plus alarms a year. I feel it is quite rewarding to come home and look over some tactics and concepts that we have been doing for years outside of the area, finally start to be Incorporated into the daily operations of departments throughout the area. Keep traveling places and meeting people. You never know where a friendship may lead you or what it might get you. It's all about the Brotherhood!
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Post by chief322 on Sept 26, 2008 11:02:23 GMT -5
Brother Mechling - I am not name calling here because A) you are a peckerhead. B) You ride a quint not a truck and C) I am already a life "Nobody"; something you probably would dream about being + I am a superior truckie trained by the best 100% volunteer central pa truck company!
As much as I repect what you often say sir James and know whole heartedly that you have my back in any discussion, be it here or the Central Pa site, I think you may be bit off base on your assement of operations up here. I think our county fire leaders have put Bradford again on the forefront. Many of our operations are similar to other counties that run a higher call volume.
Many of our leaders in Bradford County Fire Service, or just individual department have made significant changes to make us a better unit as a whole. In my previous post I listed individuals who have made an effort and noticeable difference to not only their own operation, but to our service here in the county.
Jamie, I am not and will not bash you (other than not being a 32 boy!). Having seen the other side as you have, I am super impressed with the way we are seeing change here in Bradford and firmly believe more is still to come, thanks to the present and future leaders in our areas.
Tim
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Post by PSPFIREMARSHAL on Sept 26, 2008 16:48:58 GMT -5
Tim, Jamie and Batt, I gree that all of you have valid points. I have learned much of my knowledge (which isn't much) not only from Officers but from fellow firefighters. Networking is also very important. I started my "career" in Waverly, NY where I worked with great people such as Jeff Wheeler, Mark Barrett, Dave Cole and Don Howard to name a few. Many of these friendships I still have and use if I ever need anything. Then I ventured into Bradford County where I have also gained many friendships and gained more knowledge moving through the ranks. There is nothing better than knowing you have good people behind you should you have to rely on their help. I think one of the big changes I have seen is the knowledge and tactics gained through training and certification. I have gained an extreme amount of knowledge by training for and completing certifications as well as the past several years working on and completeing my Suppression Instructor rating. I also think that with a change over of younger officers has brought about some positive change. Sometime new blood is needed in the Old Time Fire Service. I have also noticed that many departments have put past issues and problems behind them and once again started working and training together. This again has created well trained personnel who are on the same page when the Crap hits the fan. As a chief officer I can tell you how great it is knowing that the mutual aid coming in dosen' have to be told what to do or how to do it you just stand back and watch them do it. I for one think we once again have some of the best firefighters and departments right here in Bradford County. But more importantly I think the residents of Bradford County can feel safe and confident that if they have a incident happen that they have quality, trained personnel responding and will handle that incident in a confident matter. After all at the end of the day...... ISN'T THAT WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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24wacker1
Full Member
Can't we all just get along?
Posts: 77
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Post by 24wacker1 on Sept 26, 2008 22:10:26 GMT -5
I would like to take a second to chime in here with my 2 cents. I have to agree that we have some of the best departments in the state. Not too shabby for such a "little red neck county". I haven't been around the fire service nearly as long as some of our dinosaurs (Tim, Bob ;D), but I do have to agree with Bob that when you sit back and watch our mutual aid companies working at an incident with our own companies, you can't tell them apart. If it weren't for having different names on the apparatus, you would think that it was one company working that fire. That is the way it should be, and our county has come a long way with that in mind. With that, I have another point. As one of the youngest chief officers (if not THE youngest) in the county, you cannot even imagine the support I have seen and heard from our other county departments. Let me tell you, it makes a chief's job soooo much easier on an incident. Everyone remembers Bob's Honda right? If it weren't for Kim Jennings, Don Howard, Joe Drake, Mike Barry, Bob McKee, Rob Repasky, and countless other"veteran" officers standing behind me, I'm afraid of how the call would have really turned out. And that is the kind of support that an officer needs and expects from his mutual aid departments. So, I guess in conclusion, I would have to say that I was born and raised in Bradford County. I entered the fire and ems service in Bradford County, and with the crew that I've had the pleasure of working with for the past 11 years.......I WOULDN'T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY!!
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