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| From the Editor's Desk... |
We're happy you are enjoying the newsletter. We send out reminders for articles on the AList, but you are welcome to send one at any time during the month. Please put NEWSLETTER ARTICLE in the subject line to avoid deletion. If you would like to send and article or have a suggestion, contact:
Puddin Race,
St. Lucie County
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| Member Section |
Members... join our Members only section. Click Here
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| Greetings from Jon |
 Greetings:
I will be brief this month. Not for the lack of activities, but because I am late getting this article out. I realize that being brief is uncharacteristic of me, but this month my focus is at home. You see, our son Joshua is getting married on July 5, 2008 and as you might imagine, Amy and I have been performing quite a juggling act with work and planning a rehearsal dinner across the state (in Sarasota) on the 4th of July.
Enough about me though. June 30 marks the last day of employment for my boss who is retiring after 28 years. Through a number of events acknowledging his achievements and accolades he maintained his focus on the people of the organization that made his successes possible. Much the same as this organization, it is the people who make a difference. Thanks to all of you who make us what we are today.
In parting, July brings a changing of the guard at the Florida Fire Chief's Association. I would like to publicly thank President Barry Baker for his leadership and support in moving forward with the progress of our relations and please join me in welcoming incoming President Nat Ippolito. Chief Ippolito will have our full support as we continue to work for improving Florida's fire and emergency services and for the good of all residents, workers and visitors in this great State.
Until next month, stay safe!
Sincerely yours in a fire safe State of Florida,
Jon W. Pasqualone, President
Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association
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Salutations from Puddin |
Wow! That's all I can say about the FAFLSE Conference. The committee did an outstanding job! Chuck and Juanita, as always, did a great job. Our conference experiences are always made better due to their efforts. Their hard work is appreciated so much!
Mr. Ross was recognized with the "Lifetime Achievement" award which isn't given every year - just when we have someone extra special to award it to. He and his family were delightful. We could never thank them enough for all they have done and continue to do for our organization.
Our 2009 cruise destination was announced. We're going to Mexico! I want to encourage all of you to join the fun. We usually gather about twenty or so people and have a blast!
See details later in this newsletter and soon on the website.
Stepping into the chair position will be challenging. Vicky Yeakley did an outstanding job for four years and those shoes seem hard to follow, but with the help of all of you, we'll get the job done. Thank you, Vicky, for your dedication and willingness to serve FAFLSE.
On a personal note, St. Lucie County Fire District's Public Education Division is moving over to headquarters in another part of our county. Mail for Rick Matherly and Puddin Race should go to 5160 NW Milner Drive, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34983. Our phone numbers and email will remain the same.
Puddin Race, FAFLSE Chair
puddin@slcfd.org
772-621-3450
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| 100th Baby Saved |
I am overjoyed as I report to you that the 100th baby was saved at a Fire Station on the west coast of Florida in June. 100 lives now saved, who will grow up to be all they can be, maybe: the next President or Supreme Court Justice or discovering a cure for one of the many diseases affecting society or just as important, a wonderful mom or dad to their child. The baby's name is Nicholas.
I can remember when we first began this mission to save little lives, some people would ask - "How many babies have been saved" - I would reply at the time - "two little ones, or three etc", as our Public Awareness efforts grew throughout the State - But I would always end that conversation with "If we only saved one life all of our efforts would be worthwhile and they certainly have."
There is a lot of pain out in the world, as we all know. We are never, ever judgmental. Sometimes, someone will say judgmentally "I really don't understand how a mother could give her child up". Our response is "you never walked in her shoes". We believe it takes enormous compassion and a great deal of courage to seek help with the "Safe haven" option vs. the tragic alternative of abandonment. REMEMBER - A newborn left in safety at "Safe haven" was not abandoned.
Our recent efforts to successfully advocate the passage of the Safe Haven Bill extending the surrender period from 3 to 7 days will allow a mother more time to make a constructive and life affirming decision for the infant and themselves.
This program is not the final answer to the societal problems contributing to the cause of infant abandonment or reasons why a mother feels she cannot keep her child but it is a compassionate approach to saving the lives of innocent and helpless babies. It is a positive outcome for all involved:
- A child's life is saved
- A mother or father is saved from a lifetime of guilt, anguish and criminal prosecution and the hopes and dreams of a loving family waiting to adopt are fulfilled.
The "Safe Haven for Newborns" has assisted many girls/women in crisis in Florida. Some of the ways:
· Assisting mothers with the entire process of relinquishing their newborns to a "Safe Haven".
· Getting counseling for a 14 year old pregnant girl who was calling with her mother on the line.
· Assisting a 32 year old pregnant woman living in her car for three (3) weeks, who was shunned by her family.
· Assisting a 19 year old mother of a 5 month old baby who was kicked out of the house by her parents.
· Helping a 17 year old High School Student who was hiding her pregnancy.
So many times, once assistance is provided, a pregnant girl/mother chooses to keep her child. She was all alone, just reaching out for help and we were there for her.
Our mission Continues: Saving one life at a time.
Nick E. Silverio, Founder
Please visit www.asafehavenfornewborns.com to learn more.
REMEMBER:
A newborn left under the "Safe Haven" program, either by the Letter of the Law or Spirit of the Law was not abandoned.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
We receive so many requests to adopt a "Safe Haven" baby. Realistically, it is virtually impossible to ask for and expect to adopt one of these children. The adoption process is regulated by the State of Florida and is the same process for all children that are placed with adoption agencies. To learn more about Adoption and/or to find an agency or agencies in your area contact:
For Florida: 1-800-96ADOPT
For the other 49 states and Puerto Rico: 1-888-200-4005, www.adoptuskids.org
Gloria M. Silverio Foundation 501(c)3 - " A Safe Haven for Newborns"
6801 NW 77th Ave. Suite 404
Miami, FL 33166
Phone:(305) 882 1304 ext:103
Website: www.asafehavenfornewborns.com
Email: safehaven@asafehavenfornewborns.com |
| Propane Take Safety Alert |
Methamphetamine cooks are buying propane tanks from the exchanges at Wal-Mart, Kroger, SAMS Club, BJ's and emptying them of the propane gas. Then they fill the propane tanks with anhydrous ammonia, which they now have a recipe to cook the Methamphetamine. After they are finished with the propane tanks, they return them to the store. The stores refill the tanks with propane gas, unknowing to them the improper substance that was inserted in the tanks and sell them to their consumers. Anhydrous ammonia is very corrosive and weakens the structure of the tank. It can be very dangerous when mixed with propane gas and hooked up to a grill, recreation vehicle,
etc. Explosive events and severe injuries have happened.
You should inspect the propane tank for any blue or greenish residue around the valve areas. If there are evidences of these substances, do not purchase the propane tank and advise the vendor of your findings.
The information was researched, and you should check out the following website for more details. They also have pictures for you to view.
http://www.npga.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=529
Thanks and be Safe!
Article Respectfully Submitted by:
Lieutenant Mark Wilson 377 12/C
Field Training Officer - 3
1850 S.W Walton Rd.
772-621-3512 Station
772-337-5729 Fax
mwilson@slcfd.0rg
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| Hoarding Containers of Gasoline Reported to be On the Rise |
With the rising cost of gasoline, some homeowners have taken to hoarding containers of the flammable liquid. Recently in Massachusetts, the fire department responded to an apartment fire and found 45 gallons of gasoline stored in a closet. The invisible vapors provided a rich source of ignition for the nearby air conditioning unit.
Gasoline's invisible vapors travel quickly and can be ignited by a single spark from turning on a light switch, pilot lights on appliances, or any electrical contact switch (such as the air conditioning switch). In particular, never store gasoline anywhere near any appliance that is gas powered (water heater, stoves, etc.). When gasoline vapors ignite, the result is a flash fire.
Never use glass or thin plastic bottles or jugs for gasoline or any other flammable liquid. In most states, it is illegal to store gasoline in an unapproved container. Be smart; don't hoard gasoline because of soaring gas prices. If you do, the price you may pay could be substantially more than you'd pay at the pump.
Lt. Joel S. Granata
Deputy Fire Marshal
400 Martin Luther King St. So.
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: (727) 893-7709
Cell: (727) 831-1370
Fax: (727) 892-5011
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| July 2009 Cruise Announced - Make Your Reservations Today! |
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Make your reservations today and take advantage of this spectacular cruise experience.
Florida Association of Fire and Life Safety Educators
2009 Cruise to Mexico
Members, friends and families, bring your passports and join us for a 5-day cruise guaranteed to be fun and more fun!
We'll be cruising aboard Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas
Itinerary:
Depart Ft. Lauderdale, Saturday, June 27, 5:00 PM
(Boarding can be done any time between noon and 5PM)
Day at Sea
Grand Cayman, June 29 (7:30 AM - 4 PM)
Cozumel, June 30 (10:00 AM - 7 PM)
Day at Sea
Return to Ft. Lauderdale, July 2
Rates (Per person, including tips, port charges, fuel surcharge and taxes) There are no surprises. We have everything included in the price.
Personal excursions are, of course, "on your own."
Inside Cabin: $850.37
Outside Cabin (window): $990.37
Balcony: $1,240.37
Deposit of $200 per person needs to be made by July 27, 2008
Call travel agent, Del Trudel @ World Travel 772-461-1234
2403 S. U. S. Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34950 |
| Chaplain's Corner |
Greetings to Everyone,
First , allow me to congratulate the newly elected FAFLSE officers for 2008-2009. May God Bless all your labors for this organization.
Secondly, I wish to thank those who have responded, from last month's newsletter, concerning our FFMIA Chaplain Corps. I'm excited to have 2 new positions filled, bringing the total, so far, to seven. There is one member of the group from whom I need help! You called me last November and I wrote your information down on a sheet of paper. We packed boxes that week to move from there to our present business location. While unpacking, I never found that sheet of paper. Please, drop me a line, or give me another call. I have looked everywhere it should be, and everywhere it should not be.
Finally, at our FFMIA conference coming up in November, I will submit to the B.O.D., as agreed upon at our last conference, an updated roster of the corps along with suggestions and plans of this group's objectives. Whether or not it is your choice to belong we would love to have any ideas you would like for us to accomplish in serving FFMIA. Please contact me quickly with those ideas and suggestions.
Again, thank you, for who see the need to create such a group state wide. Hopefully, we will never be called upon, but reality tells us differently.
Always in my Prayers,
Woody
In His Service, and yours,
Chaplain Woody Bollinger
Panama City Fire Department
600 East Business Hwy 98
Panama City, Florida 32401
Office: 850-872-3053
Cell: 850-541-2415
Florida Fire Marshals & Inspectors Association Chaplain
Bay Emergency Chaplain Corps Founder
W Florida Wilderness Institute Fire Brigade - Development/Placement Program Asst Chief
For our God is a consuming fire. Heb 12:29
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| Injury Prevention Award Criteria Announced |
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The Office of Injury Prevention is posting the criteria below for award winning purposes. If anyone in your department or communtiy has demonstrated great strides in the area of injury preventio, nominate them for this prestigeous award. What a great chance for recognition!
INJURY PREVENTION AWARD DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 1, 2008
· The Office of Injury Prevention (OIP), in conjunction with the Florida Injury Prevention Advisory Council (FIPAC), annually recognizes an influential individual who has demonstrated commitment to injury prevention. The 2008 Injury Prevention Award Nomination Application is available at the OIP website and the deadline for nominations is September 1, 2008.
· To nominate someone for the award or to learn about past recipients click on: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/injury/#Award.
· For more information, please contact Freida Travis at (850) 245-4144, ext. 2736 or freida_travis@doh.state.fl.us.
Freida B. Travis
Department of Health
Division of Health Access and Tobacco
Office of Injury Prevention
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C15
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1738
(850) 245-4144 (ext.2736)
(850) 414-6470 (fax)
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| Florida Arson Seminar Scheduled - Save the Dates |
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Mark your calendars for October 8th - October 10th, 2008 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel. The Florida Arson Group along with the Florida Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators and the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association join forces to conduct this years Florida Arson Seminar. The three groups have teamed up to put on a fantastic seminar filled with a variety of topics for Investigators and Inspectors. MARK THOSE CALENDARS!
Article Provided by:
Chuck Akers
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| FAFLSE Conference |
The 20th Annual Florida Association of Fire & Life Safety Educator's Conference was held in Broward County the week of June 16-19th and was a great success! This annual conference was attended by more than 70 people and provided both Educators and Inspectors with new and informative material by industry experts as well as current fire code updates. Topics included specialty smoke alarms for deaf & hearing impaired individuals, as well as an interactive fire safety trailer presentation/demonstration which was added to this year's agenda to demonstrate and compare multiple types of trailers and equipment offered by each. Additional sessions included Inspector information pertaining to fire protection for storage as well as issues relating to inspections of assisted living facilities.
New members of the Board were voted on to carry out the next term of office. The newly assumed positions include: Puddin Race, Chair; Elizabeth Monforti, Vice-Chair; David Collado, Public Relations; Leslie Adent, Secretary and Vicky Yeakley, Immediate Past Chair. The current Task Force Chair Committee includes: Chuck Akers, Membership; Carmella Bolliinger, Policy; Jeanine Mayo, Research and Andrea Santa, Training. Thank you to those who stepped up into these positions for the better of the organization!
The 2007 "Educator of the Year" award went to Lt. Trisha Dunkleman of Delray Beach Fire Rescue. This prestigious award is presented to those who exemplify outstanding qualities and establish innovative ideas to further the goals & objectives of the Florida Association of Fire & Life Safety Educators (FAFLSE), as well as to their own organizations. This award is a testament to the hard work and outreach Lt. Dunkleman has provided within her community. Congratulations and great job Lt. Dunkleman!
A special thank you Chuck & Juanita Akers as well as to Deputy Chief Charlie Raiken, Batallion Chief Charlene Smith and the members of Broward County Fire Marshal's Bureau for their efforts in hosting this year's conference.
Article Provided By:
Andrea Santa
Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue
(561) 799-4322
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| The Life You Save Could Be Your Own |
 In the past 30 years, more than 100,000 people, including many firefighters have been killed by fires in unsprinklered homes. IT'S TIME to end this needless loss of life.
In September 2008, a national hearing will take place in Minneapolis, MN to decide whether building codes should require ALL new homes to have fire sprinklers. For the code to change, we need your help.
Here's what you can do:
2. Become one of your department's designated International Code Council voting representatives.
3. Attend the hearing in Minnesota to cast your vote for residential sprinklers.
The hearing will be held on September 20-22 in Minneapolis. Get this meeting on your schedule and into your budget NOW! Travel assistance funding will be available to those who would otherwise not be able to attend.
Want to know more?
Contact the IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition at (202)470-6447
Email: admin@IRCFireSprinkler.org
This is the most important building code vote to impact firefighter and community safety in decades. Be a part of it!
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