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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 an article or have a suggestion, contact:
Puddin Race,
St. Lucie County
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| Member Section |
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Salutations from Puddin |
 With the appearance of Fire Prevention Week October 5 - 11, I know all of you are extra busy. It would be one thing if this lasted just the week, but we all know October is just the beginning of the "busy season". Over-extending yourself will lead to stress, mistakes and even illness. Take time to take care of yourself and your work will follow. It's always better to do a great job at a few things than to spread yourself so thin that a quality work product is impossible.
On another note, the Lake County conference committee is working diligently to produce a great 2009 conference at an affordable venue. Stay tuned to see what happens.
Article provided by:
Puddin Race, Chair
772-621-3450 |
| Important Notice Regarding Student ID's |
As of January 1st, 2009 the association will no longer accept social security numbers when signing the sign in sheets at our seminars or conferences. You will need to go to the Florida State Fire College Website, get signed in and get your Student ID. This is the only number that will be accepted as of January 1st, 2009.
Article Provided by:
Chuck Akers Executive Director, FFMIA |
| 60th Annual Fire Prevention Conference |
It's that time again! Our annual fire prevention conference is being held in Fort Myers this year. The conference committee has an excellent program put together and will cover the updates to the new Florida Fire Prevention Code which go into effect December 31st, 2008.
Make your reservations now! You don't want to miss it! Go to our website for full and complete information, www.ffmia.org.
Article Provided by:
Chuck Akers
Executive Director, FFMIA | |
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| 60th Annual Fire Prevention Conference Registration and Hotel Deadlines |
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Remember, the registration and hotel deadlines are October 17th, 2008.
WE ONLY NEED YOUR REGISTRATION FORM TO BEAT THE DEADLINE.
Register Now |
| BRING YOUR AUCTION ITEMS: |
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Don't forget to bring your auction items with you to the 60th Annual Fire Prevention Conference. Remember, this is how we raise money to support the Russell M. Reese Sr. Scholarship fund. The Russell M. Reese Sr., Scholarship was established to assist emerging Fire Service professionals Career or Volunteer who want to enhance their quality of education. A portion of the proceeds will be used to award scholarships to Fire Service personnel who are pursuing courses at accredited institutions of higher education.
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NOTICE - NEWSLETTER - NOTICE |
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If you email an article for the newsletter I will REPLY to your email that your article was received. If you do not get such a reply, I probably didn't receive the article. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions, 772-621-3450.
Remember to put "newsletter" or "article" in your subject line to avoid deletion. I do not open anything with "fwd" or just "Re:" in the subject line.
Puddin Race
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| Pride, Professionalism and Passion |
In our profession and day-to-day activities, how many of us truly believe and practice Pride, Professionalism and Passion. How well do we understand these principles? To understand these words, let's examine their definitions.
Pride, as defined in the dictionary, means "a proper sense of personal dignity and worth, that of which one is justly proud, the best or most excellent of anything". However, it also can be defined as "an undue sense of one's superiority; inordinate self-esteem, arrogance and/or conceit". Based on this definition, there appears that there are two directions with which to practice our "pride" in our work. Do we strive to always be the best or most excellent we can be with dignity and worth or do we practice our pride by arrogance and conceit. Based on many years of observations, it appears that there are many of us our there that put our efforts into practicing a proper sense of dignity and worth and strive to produce the best work possible. But there are also many out there who also practice our craft based on superiority, arrogance and/or conceit. I think one of the questions we each have to ask ourselves is which direction are we going or practicing? Are you practicing your pride by trying to work to achieve life safety goals by looking at alternatives that will meet the intent of the code or are you practicing your pride by the notion that, "I don't care what the code says, I'm the AHJ".
Professionalism is defined as the methods, manner or spirit of a profession. Here again, are you making every effort to practice the highest level of professionalism. Are we "educating" the other professionals we deal with on a daily basis, even when it seems like we're talking to a "brick wall". Are you holding yourself accountable for your actions and endeavoring to excel in how you deal with the architects, engineers, etc., by being clear and concise in a plan review or when dealing with a business owner during an inspection? We've all seen the stories that hit the media where an inspector was discovered utilizing government resources to "run personal errands or conduct personal business on company time". When these situations occur, it gives all of us a "black eye" even though the majority of us do practice true professionalism. When we run across the situations where we find inadequate and/or illegal activities where we find an engineer or architect is "selling their seal". There are avenues in the state statues and administrative codes to address these issues, but are we availing ourselves to these remedies for these situations or are we just "letting it slide". The only way that these individuals will cease these practices is if they are held "accountable for their actions". And by being held accountable, they will in turn realize that it's in their best interests to raise their professionalism to the highest level.
Passion is defined as an intense, extreme or overpowering emotion or feeling. It also can be defined as a strong desire for a cause. Are we truly passionate about our craft and profession in trying to minimize the potential loss of life? Are we passionate enough to leave a legacy through education and practice to help those that will follow us to perform their duties in the correct and lawful manner? Are you practicing the attitude that, "I don't care what happens when I'm gone, let someone else worry about it." Practicing that type of an attitude rolls back into a lack of pride and professionalism. We've all come across situations where predecessors "screwed things up" and then when we discover those situations, do you try to correct them to a reasonable level of degree of life safety or you simply throw up your hands and say, well, they messed it up so I'm going to ignore it? Do you follow the advice of now that I know; I have a duty to act or is it a case of "look the other way"?
It's incumbent upon those of us that practice the highest level of pride, professionalism and passion to "help" those that don't, to educate them to "see the light" If we practice "accountability" and hold those that don't practice a high level of pride, professionalism and passion "accountable" for their actions, the end result will be a quality of life safety that will protect and save those that we have been charged with protecting, our citizens?
Article provided by:
H. A. "Pete" Tucker, CFPS
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| Member on the Move |
 Hillsborough County Fire Rescue welcomes Stephen Kendrick as the new Fire Marshal in October. Chief Kendrick started his thirty year career with the city of Sarasota Fire Department, through the consolidation with Sarasota County, until being hired as the Assistant Chief of the Boca Grande Fire Department in October 2005. He holds an associates degree in Fire Science from Manatee Community College. He is a state certified EMT, Fire Instructor I, Fire Inspector I, and Fire Officer I. He was quoted saying, "I am looking forward to a challenging and rewarding position with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue that will make the most of my experience". Fire Chief Bill Nesmith stated, "after an extensive nationwide search he feels Steve Kendrick will provide the leadership and technical skills needed to take the Fire Marshal's office to the next level".
Article Provided by:
Raymond Yeakley, PIO
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue
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| 19th Safe Haven Baby for Broward County |
A newborn girl was given to Fire Rescue personnel at Fire Station #14 this week. This is the second baby left at this station and the 19th surrendered in Broward County since the inception of the "Safe Haven" program. Broward county leads the state in the number of babies saved. This is a direct result of all of us working together to save the lives of the most innocent and helpless among us.
Our mission continues...........Saving one life at a time. Nick E. Silverio, Founder
Article Provided by:
Nick E. Silverio, founder
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| Thank You Southern Manatee |
On behalf of the entire Executive Board, Membership and especially Chuck Akers, we would like to take this opportunity to thank Fire Chief Tom Hennessy, Fire Marshal Foster Gover and the Southern Manatee Fire & Rescue District Fire Commissioners for their donation of a 2000 Ford Expedition.
Wes Hayes and Chuck Akers accepted this generous donation during a recent board meeting held at Southern Manatee's Fire Administration Building in Bradenton.
The association in turn, donated the association current vehicle, a Ford Bronco to the Duette Volunteer Fire Department located in Manatee County. The Fire Commissioners were very appreciative and thanked the association for their generous decision to think of not only donating the Bronco to a volunteer department but to a department within their county.
Article Provided By:
Chuck Akers, Executive Director
FFMIA |
| 63rd Annual Fire Arson Seminar, October 8-10, 2008 |
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Conference Site: Rosen Plaza Hotel, Orlando FL
By: Rob Rush
Florida Chapter, IAAI
Please make arrangements now to attend the 63rd Annual Fire Arson Seminar in Orlando, Florida, October 8-10th. This year's seminar is being held in conjunction with the Florida Chapter, International Association of Arson investigators, the Florida Fire Marshal's and Inspector's Association and the Florida Arson Seminar Group. There will be an investigator and inspector track presented which will provide a course topic, which will appeal to all.
This is a new budget year for most agencies and the most opportune time to sign up and attend this valuable training opportunity. Some of the most renowned names in the fire investigation and inspections industry will be on hand to speak on current technology.
The investigator's track will include: Basic origin and cause determination; Legal issues, including spoliation of evidence, peer review, and expert witness testimony; An NFPA 921 update will be given explaining changes in the newest 2008 edition; Statement analysis, interview and interrogation; The fire investigator's interpretation of smoke reading; Fire investigator health and safety; 2 important case studies performed by agents from ATF (Washington DC Serial Arsonist, Mizpah Hotel Fire). The Washington DC Serial arsonist case study will discuss one of the most prolific serial firesetters in United States history, which spanned several decades. The Mizpah Hotel Fire Case Study includes information on the large dollar loss fire and fire code violations, which were determined during the fire investigation that contributed to the multiple loss of life.
The fire inspectors track will include information on: Understanding the elevator code; Fire stopping through penetrations and joints in fire rated assemblies; SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1NFPA 1, Florida Specific and NFPA 101 Update; What are the rules? The how's, the why's and the wherefore's, F.S.S. 633; FAC 69A; the fire prevention code; and fire alarm system inspections.
Calling the Rosen Plaza Hotel located in the middle of all the action on International Drive can make hotel accommodations. Room rates for the conference are $99 per night. You can reserve the room with a personal credit card and cancel within 5 days before the conference with no penalty. So be sure to make your reservations soon.
The registration cost for the seminar is $245 for the entire seminar or you can attend individual days at $100 per day. For more information or to register for the seminar go to the following web pages:
www.floridarsonseminar.com
www.ffmia.org
www.fliaai.com |
| Jon Pasqualone Gets a New Daddy |
Juanita and I just returned from a very nice wedding ceremony in which Jon walked his mother, Rose down the isle. Jon with tears in his eyes had the honor of giving his mother away to Jon's new "daddy" Bill Sigmund. Jon's father had passed away a number of years ago and Bill's wife passed away about a year or so ago. They seem to be a perfect match that is Rose and Bill not Jon and his new daddy. Congratulations to Bill's new son Jon, you deserve each other.
Article Provided By:
Charles Akers, FFMIA Executive Director
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