DATE	SUBJECT          (Previous Archive: Jan-Apr'04) Return to FamilySaid Archives
12/30	Hi everyone!! Hope everyone had a great Christmas!! Also have a safe and wonderful New Year!! FireWife
12/25	ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø --=MERRY=--=CHRISTMAS=--=MERRY=--=CHRISTMAS=--=MERRY=--=CHRISTMAS=--=MERRY=- ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø From the Abs at wildlandfire.com
12/15	Readers, check out our 2005 Wildland Fire Calendar. It's sweet. Ab.
12/15	Looking for wildland fire artists: I've tried searching several artist sites to find people that specialize in wildland fire prints. Do you know of any sites and/or artist names? Thanks km We have several among the Familysaid group. Ab.
11/22	For the last week I have been researching brain cancer treatments and FDA clinical trials. What I've found is some info that is very hopeful for many who are battling cancer. There's an alternative to surgery, radiation and chemotherapy that bears looking into. The treatment, the infusion of antineoplaston, is in Phase II Clinical Trials (100-300 people) right now for many kinds of cancer. It has legally been given to patients in Texas with some success for more than a decade. Actually, it's had dramatically marked success for those whose cancer responds to it. (At Phase III Trials, the treatment will be given to 1,000-3,000 people, the FDA will rule on the results, and oncologists will be able to prescribe it.) A little background: It is thought that 50% of all malignant tumors have a mutated tumor suppressor gene. If the tumor suppressor peptide (P53, product of the tumor suppressor gene) is not produced, cells divide unchecked, the tumor grows. Oncogenes, another class of cancer causal factors, also stimulate tumor production, again via peptides. In addition to these two groups of cancer causal factors, other genes can mutate resulting in unchecked cell growth, so there is no "one size fits all" treatment for cancer. However, the tumor suppressor gene and oncogenes are some of the big players causing the unchecked growth called cancer. (Some cancers can also be caused by mutations in genes that regulate growth factors, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, DNA repair, carcinogen metabolism and immune response.) The clinical trials going on now at the Burzinski Medical Clinic involve administering antineoplaston to patients for whom no other treatments have worked. (Anti-neoplaston means "against neoplasm" or "against cancer".) The patient is infused (every 4 hours) with a combination of non-toxic, naturally occurring peptides, amino acid derivatives, and organic acids that fight cancer with few side effects -- besides sleep deprivation and multiple trips to the bathroom to pee, which go on for months... While the exact mechanism is not known, the peptide ingredients (short chain of amino acids) may allow the tumor suppressor gene to heal itself, thereby suppressing the tumor. Other peptide ingredients can stop oncogenes, thereby putting the brakes on cancer cell growth. Here are some things to read from people who have had success with the treatment and have survived; some had the most deadly brain cancer and have survived 10 to 12 years so far. Some had breast cancer of different types. Remarkable stories..... Paul's story, he had a deadly cancer in his brain stem: www.cancerguide.org/pleverett_story.html Survivors of other cancers using Burzinsky's method: www.burzynskipatientgroup.org/stories.html Link to the Burzinski medical group. Start with "what is cancer" and browse.  www.cancermed.com/patient_information.php?table=patient_info&page=8 While the antineoplaston treatment is not yet available to the general public, small amounts of the ingredients are available in tablet form for those with cancer in remission. Others take them as an anti-aging "supplement". Mellie
10/23	Poet; I feel your pain, Poet…I got to go to my first day of junior high with hair in the process of growing out…if you ever get feeling ugly, have Ab drop me a line and I’ll send you pictures. You’re almost certainly gorgeous by comparison! I’m convinced that those transitional haircuts ruined my social life until college. I haven’t cut my hair in any drastic way since…my chief keeps threatening to chop my braid off on the fireground. FireWife; I’m really enjoying that image…I was cleaning house this weekend and not watching the animals, and my cats got my boyfriend cornered. Very Mr. Mom…he insists they gang up on him. My answer is that between the three of them they weigh less than ten pounds, so why’s he worried? Nerd on the Fireline
10/23	Hi All... Life here is quiet. My ff is ready to be Mr Mom... Have any of you seen the new Lonestar video, MR MOM... well it is perfect. My husband and another guy he works with are both going to be doing it this winter for a short time at least, and they both agree with the video!! Their boss is hoping to find work for both of them though so that they won't be laid off. I am looking for a job. I have applied for 3 but have heard nothing. Poet... Glad to hear you are doing better!! FireWife
10/22	Hi Nerd, Sure has been quiet on the board all season. I have been checking every few days, but no one seems to be about. My FF is home, and now itching to go Ice Trucking in Canada! A brief update on me... I have returned to work, and doing fine. slowly building back up to 40 hrs, and impatiently waiting for my hair to grow longer. ( it is about 1/2 inch right now ) Otherwise things are doing fine around here. Any other updates? Poet
10/20	I assume from the resounding silence in the forum that everybody’s home safe for the season? Nerd on the Fireline
9/21	Taz girl- Do you have any contacts with the situation in Florida? My parents have properties in Pensecola FL that we know were damaged. My father suddenly passed away right before Ivan hit and I'm trying to help her navigate through both our family situation and the real estate issues. Thanks for any help. Victoria S. out in CA Ab please pass on my e-mail thanks... Will do. I think she and her hotshot are traveling from what she said in one of her last posts. Sorry for your loss of your dad, Victoria. Ab.
9/19	Here’s a picture of Gavin, I meant to include it yesterday, but ran out of time. Jess Some have expressed an interest in chat tonight. There's a site for family members. After you arrive in chat, click the family chat room option. If you end up chatting with the firefighters, please let them know you're family members so they can include you appropriately. Ab.
9/16	Man oh man- I knew that I would be busy and tired after Gavin was born, but I didn’t think I would be this tired. It seems he like he feeds constantly, at first I would keep track of his schedule, but I just don’t care any more, I know he’s getting plenty to eat and that’s the important part. He won’t sleep in his crib either, the second he hits the mattress, its all over, so he’s started sleeping with us unfortunately. I am so glad that my dad is here to help out right now, I would be feeling incredibly overwhelmed without him. My HS left for a couple of days right after he got here, but is home again now, he’ll probably get called out again as soon as my dad leaves. It sounds like everyone else is keeping busy these days as well. It seems like the season is really winding down every where else, though I haven’t looked at the sit report in a while. The sad part is that I know no matter what is happening elsewhere, its not nearing the end for us here. Well, the peaceful stirring just turned into cries of hunger, so I gotta go. I might try to tune into the chat room on Sunday, we’ll see though. Hey Ab, could I get FireWife’s email? Jess
9/15	Hello All! Just thought I would drop a note to let you know I was still out here. It has been an interesting summer for me, but I am doing fine. My man is out and about working, but keeping in touch. ( thank goodness for cell phones ) I have been reading he posts, and checking in on Sunday evenings to the chat room(s). Is anyone interested in going in there and chatting on that day? 10-10:30 Central time I usually check in. Keep in touch, OK? If anyone would like my home e-mail, just ask AB's to forward a note to me. Poet
9/13	Hi everyone! I've missed you all, sorry I've been out of touch for so long. Summer was hectic and school is tough this semester. I am hoping that I can check in soon and catch up on everything that is going on around family said. My FF did not venture out west this year, but he really wishes he did. He just finished more helicopter training this weekend, he seems to think it is just the best. As for me, everything is about the same. Just more and more school work. Graduation seems so far out of my reach! Talk to you all soon, Tonya
9/13	Well, leave it to me to find an excuse to get out of town. I bailed on Florida for now, and I'm in Alaska!! Just couldn't hold out any longer. Two months is long enough to go w/o seeing your SO. The hurricane was looking like it was coming right over Sarasota as of Friday so my SO got me a ticket to AK (we found a really good deal) and I left the next morning. Of course, now the hurricane is headed more towards the panhandle, so my excuse isn't as justified. But don't get me wrong, I'm not wishing that thing on anyone just so it will ease my decision to leave town. It was quite the long trip. An hour car ride to catch the Greyhound in Tampa, 2 hrs from there to Orlando, taxi to the airport, 4 hr wait for flight to Chicago, 4 hr layover there, and 6 hr flight to Anchorage. Yeeessssh!!! It took forever. But it was all worth it. Fire Wife, my HS has been on the Taylor Complex for quite a while now, Porcupine and then Gardiner. I actually had to send him off again this morning for his LAST tour, just doing rehab work. I'm really bummed he has one more, since it really screws up timing for our plans, but there's no sense in dwelling on that, as you said. I think they will end up bailing early anyway b/c the weather is supposed to be horrendous and he said they won't stay if that is the case. I'm driving to meet him tomorrow night. They are in a hotel and only on twelves so I can see him at night. It's kind of intimidating being around that many HS's....but I'll get over it. ;) I think I forgot to tell you guys that Texas Rollergirls, five of us, were on Good Morning America a few weeks ago. I'll be really embarrassed if I already did, but I don't think I did. It was pretty exciting for us. We had an article in the NY Times and CBS called us right after that. Big things are happening for flat track roller derby and it's really exciting. Can't wait to meet the Denver girls when I move there. I'm sooooo sad to be missing the last two finals games of my season, but there was just no way around it. It is my last season w/ them, so that's why it was so important. Sorry I can't give you the blow by blow Ab. I will relay what I hear from my brother though, who is there. You guys take care and hope you are managing to get some rest, Jess. Taz Girl
9/11	Hi Everyone!!!    Taz... my FF got home last night from his second tour in Alaska. He didn't stay the whole two this time though because the weather and they got the fire contained around the town so they sent all resources home!!  Like you said what can we do... nothing, but the money is good....   HAHA   If you don't mind me asking... where is your HS at?? maybe they were in the same area??  I hope the hurricane misses you!!  If not, hold on and tell us all about it after it is gone!!    FireWife Not later, as it hits. Taz Girl, We want a blow by blow description with 150 mile winds pushing you almost horizontal and yer laptop about to fly off to become part of the windborne debris. I bet if you wear yer roller derby costume and skates we can catch you on CNN. They're always looking for a good human interest story! Those stations also seem to put their  reporters in harm's way so the reporters become the story. Or do ya think the reporters put themselves in a place where a big piece of drywall or a ceramic dog dish can bean them? In all seriousness, BE SAFE, Taz Girl. Ab.
9/9	Congratulations Jess!! What an exciting, and tiring, time for you. I don't have any little ones yet so I wouldn't really know, can only imagine. I am still hanging on down here in Florida. I thought things were nuts down here last week w/ Frances and now it looks as if things might get even nuttier. It is just unbelievable, all this hurricane business. I was out doing inspections last week, a couple of hours away from home, and went to get gas...and there was none. After passing quite a few empty stations, I found one w/ a line, but gas nonetheless. I filled up and promptly headed home. I was going to spend the night to do more inspections the next day, but decided to head home. There was just hordes and hordes of people heading north evacuating. I'm really concerned, as is everyone here, about what is going to happen now w/ Ivan. There are still people w/o power from Charley, many more w/o from Frances, gas supplies still trying to replenish and now this, a category five. We are in Sarasota on west coast and it looks to be headed this way. But a lot can change between now and then, so we are crossing our fingers it misses. These poor people down here cannot sustain another. It's looking like we will be down here for quite a few months. My HS started his R&R today, thank heavens. I've talked to him for all of ten minutes in two weeks. Today was the day I was to find out if this was his last, or one more tour. Well, the nasty word came back and they are going out for one more, even though it is all rehab work and it is 25 degrees where he is. A huge disappointment b/c the days are really creeping by right here at the end. But what can ya do right? And it's more money. I'm doubting they will stay the entire tour since the weather is supposed to get really nasty, ice, rain and snow. So maybe I only have a week or so left to my "sentence" as I like to call it. Then I will fly up to Anchorage and we will drive down to Salt Lake, and fly to FL from there. Home stretch....finally. It's been long enough. Won't be able to start things in Colorado until late fall. Is it still pretty cold there Nerd? How are ya Robbie? Good to hear from you. Hello to everyone, Sammi, Mellie, FireWife, Dawn, Poet, Heligroupie wherever you are, Fire Chica (ditto). Hope everyone is doing great. Keep those posts coming. I check in daily. Just haven't been posting all that much. Taz Girl
9/7	Congrats, Jess! And Good luck on your recovery. Nerd on the Fireline
9/6	Jess.... Hi... I just reread your post and just wanted to let you know you can email (get my address from abs) me if you just need to talk when your husband goes back to work. I can totally understand what you are going through. I had kidney surgery when my first was 4 weeks old. I mean, here it is hard enough to get settled with this new little person but then to add the pain from the surgery on to it also!! And we were just getting the BF thing down when I had to have that done so that was even harder. But after I was off the drugs and able to feed her again, it was nice to get into a grove. I don't remember you saying if this was your first?? I have recently had number 3.  Anyway... WELCOME GAVIN to the fire family!!  FireWife
9/5	Jess... CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I hope all is well there with you and your new family! Please send in a pic when you get one. FireWife
9/3	hello all, thanks for the shouts out. well, our little guy came last thursday, august 26. we call him gavin instead of baby now, he was nine pounds and i opted to go with the c-section. the procedure was easy, but the recovery sucks, its hard to take of a newborn and recover from major surgery at the same time. he's kind of a grump, and he hasn't taken well to breast feeding either, so it has been a long week, but we are slowly getting into a good routine. hubby is home with me for another week, we were able to take of advantage of this slow trend, so it all worked out well. I'm really glad my dad will be coming out, i have a feeling he'll be busy right away because things are starting to pick up a here, we've had quite a few red flag days in the last week. i just wanted to let you all know what was up, i should try to get some other things done while i can. i'll try to write again soon. jess Congratulations!!! The Abs.
8/30	From what I hear from my sister the HS, it's a slow year. Can make for some cranky firefighters. How's it coming on the baby carriage bumper buggies scene? Jess, anyone give you the pulaski baby present yet? Have you received a big "THANK YOU FIREFIGHTERS" sign for the wall yet? Robbie <tongue in cheek>
8/30	Sammi... It sounds like our house on the fire scene.... My husband has been home from Alaska for one week and is leaving again to go back... We have nothing here because of the rains.... I guess they can have him for a couple more weeks as long as I get the nice checks!!  *smiles* But like you said it will be back just not tomorrow...   I hope everyone else is doing good and keeping safe!!    Jess/....  How ya feeling anything happening on your front with that baby??  Keep us posted!!   FireWife
8/30	Hi firewife,, jess, nerd and everyone else. well, right now our fire season is at a screeching halt. we had some hellious rain storms come through and just squished everything out. now the problems of course move to protecting the hills from slides and flooding. a couple of my guys have gone back to the firesafe project. not their favorite but it buys boot oil. husband is back to structure and mostly ems stuff since everyone seems to be trying to kill themselves having fun on the lakes and the highways. we have had a record of car accident fatalities here this summer. so he had much rather be out on a mountain somewhere. it will warm up and come at us again the season is far from over but right now everyone is on hold. everyone stay safe and don't go far from the list,,, sammi
8/20	Hi Everyone!! I haven't been around much this summer but I do try to read the posts every so often to keep up to date!! With 3 kids running the house, I don't have much time for anything. Taz... It sounds like this fall will be wonderful for you !! I am looking forward to our first winter in our new town also ! I am hoping for lots of snow so we can go skiing. That is saying I won't be pregnant again !! The last two winters we have said we would go skiing and low and behold there is another little one on the way. So I am keeping my fingers and legs (hahaha) crossed!! Well my FF is in AK right now and is coming up on his 2 weeks so he will be home the beginning of next week. YEAH!! His girls are getting restless for some daddy time! Not that the baby has any clue that he is gone. I have some things planned for his arrival... We are meeting him at the airport and taking him to Lewis and Clark caverns to spend the night in a cabin. We are also going to take the tour of the cavern itself. I also have a sitter lined up for our first outing in over 2 years alone!! WOOHOO.... I am wondering if he will let me cut up his meat at dinner. HAHA Jess... I can sympathize with you and your hormones... My latest addition is only 10 weeks old. All three of our daughters have made their entrance in the beginning of fire season and then daddy has been gone for the first 2 months of life basically. I hope he gets to be there for the birth. Is this your first?? Sammi.... I hope everything is good there with you, and your group!! Well I am off to take care of the baby and check on the rest of the little ones. Have a good evening!! FireWife
8/19	Hi gang. I haven't been very good about keeping in touch lately. But I have been dropping in pretty regularly. Jess, I wanted to thank you for all of your information about Colorado. I sent a post that got lost, thanking you...so I just wanted to make sure I communicated my gratitude. You can spend hours on the net doing research, but it is never the kind of information that someone can just tell you about a place and the feel for it. We are looking for somewhere laid back and fairly cheap. A friend suggested Nederland too, but I don't know much about it. Anyway, many thanks again. Your info helped a lot. Good luck with that not-so-micro FF of yours that is on the way! I have had a big change of plans. My brother and I are in Florida now, handling property insurance claims stemming from Hurricane Charley. I haven't seen the damage myself yet, since we haven't been here long. My brother is out in Punta Gorda today and he said it looks like a bomb hit. Mobile homes just completely leveled. I have been calling our insureds and many of them have lost everything, with no place to stay, no water, electricity, etc. It's completely nuts. There is a major shorting of housing around here as well, with all of the displaced victims, as well as all of the workers and volunteers needing places to stay also. We are having a tough time finding something for the few months that we will be here, with dog no less. At first we were thinking we would be here a month or so, but as much work as there is, we could be here three or more. It was very short notice to leave for such a long time. I was sad to leave all of my roller derby girls, especially since I will be missing our two week road trip to visit other leagues and probably can't play in my last two games, the semi-finals and championship games. Doh!! But hey, I can't complain because I am much better off than the folks down here. And as much as they have been through, they have been as nice as can be and patient over the phone. A lot of them are snowbirds that are up north right now, and coming down to survey the damage to their winter homes. My brother just told me that he heard the people in Punta Gorda might be out of power for another SIX weeks!! Let's all pray that that will not be the case. Ice and water are precious commodities down here. And MAN is it hot!! It is the hottest 90 I have ever experienced, and I'm from Texas. The humidity is stifling and I worry about all those elderly people and how they are getting along. And people with children. It was pretty funny when my SO called and I told him I was in FL. I hadn't talked to him in a few days, so he had no idea. He was pretty happy about the news though, because we will have much more money to start off with in Colorado and because that means he will be down here when season is over. He has never been to Florida and I think would rather come here than Austin. Maybe he will get a taste of summer down here, since he never gets one. I don't know how we'll get him down here. We were driving down from AK to TX...but AK to FL sounds plain crazy!! He is still in AK and almost due for his R & R. This has been such a weird season. He seems pretty sure they will going back out on another tour their next week, which means it will be almost mid Sept. when that ends.. which leaves me to wonder if they will be coming down to Lower 48 at all that late in the season. Guess that depends on what is going on down here. Is there much demand right now for HS crews? I mean, are they in short supply at all or dying for work? It will be weird if he doesn't come down here, b/c that might mean his season is done early. Early?! Yeah, who am I kidding, that's way too good to be true!! That's what's up with me. Hope everyone is having a good summer. It's almost over!! I can't wait for fall myself, for obvious reasons Everyone take care. And I'm going ahead and including some FF related Hurricane Charley info, if you feel like donating: Suncoast Firefighters and Paramedics Local 2546 and Sarasota Firefighters Benevolent Fund for firefighters and paramedics. Tax-deductible. Send to Firefighter Relief Fund - Hurricane Charley, Account No. 73478-173 at Sarasota Firefighters Benevolent Fund, PO BOx 147, Sarasota, FL 34236; or Suncoast Firefighters and Paramedics Local 2546, 740 Commerce Dr., Suite 1, Venice, FL 34292. For information, call 941-485-5193. (This is all straight from local paper) Taz Girl
8/17	Yes Nerd, my little firefighter is due to arrive in about 3 weeks. I am fat and raging with hormones, which leads to extreme moodiness, to put it nicely, and it is hotter than hell here. He can wiggle his way out any time as far as I’m concerned. He’s big though, over seven pounds already and if I carry to term he could be 10 lbs and the Dr. will recommend a c-section. She says when they’re that big sometimes they just plain won’t fit or it can cause nerve damage in the spine and shoulders, so I am inclined to go with this recommendation, better safe than sorry. We’re still trying to figure out how to make sure hubby will be home for the big day, I would be mighty unhappy if he missed it, mostly because my alternate birth coach is my mother-in-law, coppice? This will only pose a problem if he’s early, and I’m trying not to get my hopes up too much for that. I keep busy with my nesting instinct, getting the baby’s room ready and my Dad is also coming out shortly after, so I’m preparing for his arrival getting our guest room ready. I’m almost as excited to see him as I am the baby. Jess
8/17	Jess and Sammi; I guess the very best thing we can all do is lead by example, as Sammi is obviously doing, and as Jess’ father did. My SO and I are currently spending every spare moment clearing a defensible space around our place (which as far as we can tell hasn’t been touched since 1966). We actually made almost two cords of firewood OUT OF THE BACK YARD. We’re also delivering little ‘treat loads’ of oak (for barbeque) and cedar (for nice evenings by the fire) to people we like. Of course, the enthusiasm got a little out of control, and I have no idea what happened to that power pole, but you can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs, right? All I have to say is that I wasn’t the one with the chainsaw right then. You know, I’ve seen a really great poster (yellowed and tacked to a firehouse wall) showing the effects of fire suppression on a fire-adapted ecosystem, between 1905 and 1989. it showed a healthy pondo stand, which was then cut and regrew without fire…the change is truly dramatic. Has anybody else seen it? Does anybody know where I could get a copy? Nerd on the Fireline (p.s. Jess, aren’t you expecting a new micro-firefighter any time now? How’s that going?)
8/16	Nerd- Sorry- I get a little fired up sometimes, plus I’m pretty bored out here in the desert all by my lonesome, so I have a lot of time and energy to put forth on my opinions. I have been especially frustrated lately because my Dad lives in beautiful log home he just finished building 2 years ago. It is built on 40 acres which is quite secluded with the exception of a select group land owners that have all been there since this chunk of land was divided and sold in the 70’s. I hold this place very dear to me; I spent most of my childhood there and consider it my true home. 4 years ago after a 10k acre fire came uncomfortably close to us, a small chunk of nat’l forest that runs through the main road was declared a high risk fire area. A thinning project was done by a contracted logger who did an excellent job with low impact machinery. Now my Dad is trying to get all of the land owners along the road to thin their property with grant money from the state to create a large fuel break. Not only would we all be protecting our land, but a huge amount of nat’l forest that surrounds this area of private. Most have agreed, it is a great offer, the state pays for everything and does all the work, but a few still refuse because they don’t like the way a thinned forest looks. This mentality just really fires me up, mostly because it affects me personally, but also because it is just the way people are in Colorado, every body wants to save the trees. My first fire was next to a close friend’s property down the road and I was on the Mt. Zirkel complex near Steamboat Spgs, CO in 2002 where I spent six summers backpacking as a teen, and I am very thankful to be able to protect places that hold sentimental value to me, so I suppose my karma is intact too. At any rate, just get rid of the signs, I think we all know they are thankful. It’s pretty obvious to me, I mean, who is not going to be thankful that some one saved their home? Most of them probably end up as trash on the side of the road any ways. Jess
8/11	Living in the woods is a pleasure and a considerable blessing for many families. We have lived in the mountains of the Northwest for many many years. All our kids were free to ride horses, motorcycles or just go for hikes. They were free spirits who were taught many life skills and lots of rules. One of the most important was "if you kill it you eat it"!!!! That saved a lot of little birdies from BB Guns. Even tho we did lose a couple of windshields. One son even came in and asked me how to cook glass......One year my turkey died by ricochet, at least that is what I was told. So that kid (man) is still proud owner of a cap with turkey feathers and the wishbone in the band. We have 10 acres, down from 40 and we are very responsible land owners. But I will admit we do get behind sometimes in clearing the slash etc, because my work force is out saving the next guy who is a dummy and does not even try to be fire safe. My land gets its "haircut" after everyone comes in from the fires usually Nov and by then it is snowing but they spend about two weeks, making mom safe. So they are pretty fast and the competition is enormous. You put a jumper, a couple of hotshots, a medic and two Engine bosses plus their kids and we have a wild time with everyone killing themselves to outdo the next guy or gal. Everyone welcome to join this year, I have lots of bug kills standing. I do have a large green barrier and I keep it watered very well. We also have a tin roof even though the house is log. One thing I want to do is install sprinklers on the roofs. My brother did that in Arizona last year and was glad he did this year when a few weeks ago the fire was on the Tonto Forest. We did have a Fire Safe crew come out two years ago to do their thing so our neighbors could see what a good job they do and no charge to them. That worked real well and most of the people around us signed up and are glad they did. Some of my family have gone out for several years now and burned the slash from Fire Safe for the elderly or handicapped. We really do try to set a good example especially since our road is named Firefighter Lane. There are always going to be idiots. One of our daughters went to a MVA and the dud she took care of was drunk and killed three people. After he was in the ambulance I was told later she verbally really let him have it because he was so plastered and claiming it was the other cars fault. I think she had had many back to back calls that day and was just full of the crap....another daughter is a medic and she was on scene of a drunk driver, a woman, and the DOA was a six yr old......when this POOR Victim (the drunk) started cussing and trying to spit, she hit our daughter with a closed fist in the face, and hit the medics before they could get her secured (duct tape) I heard a rumor that the vicious woman was politely subdued by a well planted securing processing on the face. Of course there were no witnesses and none of the officers on scene were aware of what happened. These emergency crews who go out for a bizillion reasons every day and night are just people. They get tired. they get grippy and disgusted and then they go back to the barn and yak a while and then go again. This is very difficult work and they all do it for different reasons. I have no idea why and I am mother and wife to a herd of them. My grip is.....WHY DOES THE PUBLIC NOT GET WISE and do what they can to protect themselves and their families? For Heavens sake, clean up the ladder fuels, clean up under the eaves and gutters. Move that ten cord wood pile away from the house and DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE or toss cigarette butts out the car window. Sammi
8/11	Jess- Dahling, I work for a mining company…can you imagine some of the public meetings I’ve sat through? I’ve literally been called the Antichrist to my face…by a guy whose wife I helped cut out of a wrecked car, and whose niece I helped find one dark late night up in the forest. I’ve been called worse names by a gal I rigged the rope-and stretcher rig for when she ran her car off a 75 ft cliff. What I’ve learned is that people have a tremendous capability for selective memory, selective hearing, and self-reinforcing delusions of moral superiority. My community almost burned in ’97, and here a mere seven years later, with 75-80% beetle kill encroaching, they’re fighting thinning tooth and nail, and we can’t fire department donations for anything. After every high-profile incident, we get signs, we get a plaque from local government, they cut our funding a little bit more, business owners decide that they shouldn’t contribute to us because we handled the last one fine, right? People aren’t normally the most grateful of creatures, and they’ve got short memories. If you start taking it personally, you’re asking for burnout. That’s why I try to ignore the signs, ignore the grocery-store thank-yous (after an appropriate ‘your welcome’). I’m not in this for the dubious ‘glory’, the cool sweatshirts, or the exercise. The fact that the gal I mentioned above was alive to swear at me is the satisfaction I want. Made it pretty easy to just smile in her face, which really made her mad. I’m pretty sure she didn’t recognize me…but one “Are you an angel?” probably cancels out one “You bleepity-bleeping-bleep”, so I figure my karma’s intact. Nerd on the Fireline
8/10	Ok- get ready, because here I go. Whenever I see these signs I roll my eyes and think to myself, oh yeah, now they’re all buddy-buddy. My experience has always been that the vast majority of people want nothing to do with the FS and other agencies until their back yard is on fire. These are the people who won’t give you the time of day when approached with fire prevention projects near their homes like thinning, prescribed fire and logging contracts. They don’t want you to cut down the trees b/c they think 6 ft stump spacing is the way a forest should look, and some of them even think that these trees have feelings. They don’t want any prescribed burning b/c they don’t want to be inconvenienced with a little smoke for a few days here and there and they think this also ruins the landscape. They are anti-logging b/c groups like the Sierra Club have brainwashed them into thinking loggers are the anti-Christ. They don’t realize that the forest they live in is dangerously full of fuel, that a good under story burn with some pockets of mortality and little smoke is far more pleasant than a nuked landscape and the thick smoke that will accompany it and that logging isn’t all that bad. These are the people who hold town meetings in their little mountain communities with the soul purpose of complaining about the FS, although I must admit I can’t blame them too much on that one, I know how they do things. Some of these people won’t even accept grants offered to them by the state to create defensible space and thin their own property, a lot of them don’t even know what defensible space is. Their children should be scared, because if they don’t have the common sense to realize that the tree growing through their deck and the wood pile conveniently piled underneath it might not be a good idea, do they realize they should have their children inoculated against such diseases as measles and polio? Oh, and by the way, I have seen many a tree burn and cut down hundreds more, and I have never heard them scream before. Now, I know there are some responsible people out there that take the proper precautions and have the right attitude about fire, that the threat of fire is a fact of life when living in forested areas and it is a natural part of the ecosystem they have chosen to build their home in. I didn’t mind saving these people’s home’s, I was happy to do it, but the amount of resources wasted on people who don’t care enough to protect their own homes disgust me. It may be different in other places, but where I come from these level headed people are few and far between. So, my sentiments on these signs are that they should read, thank you for saving my home despite my ignorance and irresponsibility. Jess
8/10	Sammi. I love the signs...even the ones blocking out the scenery and messing with my mind. (old song) Oliver
8/10	You have got to be kidding....thank you signs are not a good thing. Let me tell you my guys and gals come home EVERY year with at least a couple of those signs in photographs to put in the scrapbooks. Hogwash....I think I have told this before but I am VERY old right now and forget a lot. Couple of years ago one of our guys had to make a hurried trip home via airline....he was in his nomex, packs a plenty and enough red gear to flag in anything. He did wash his face and hands but was obviously right off the fireline. When the plane doors shut and the captain did his welcome thing....he said..."and we want to thank our personal FF in row-- for all the hard work and effort HE and others are doing"....the whole plane stood up and applauded. Joe was so proud and embarrassed. He still gets ribbed about that when all the guys are here together. Yea... they are tired and exhausted as they demob but get real. They need to know the community they fought for appreciates them and sends them off with a smile......sammi
8/9	Oliver; I hear ya, friend…I think your logic may have been a little obscure for the net. Tongue-in-cheek is hard to get across without the benefit of facial expression and intonation. As far as wives (or soon-to-be-ex wives) who spend to OT before the FF gets home…I’ve seen that many times, and it’s a hard, nasty situation. A buddy of mine is still re-building his credit ‘cuz he came home from the Airforce to find himself unexpectedly in deep debt. There’re some soul-sucking women out there, and that’s something that I made a promise to myself and to my current, past, and hypothetical boyfriends never to be. To lift an expression from Dan Savage, an on-line advice columnist, it’s all about the three G’s…ya gotta be good, giving, and game. Especially to make a relationship with a FF… Nerd on the Fireline (good luck, Oliver)
8/9	Mellie...Nerd Not saying people should bag the signage. It was, as Nerd questioned, in tongue- in -cheek pro- sign. Meant as a small tribute to both the fire fighters and communities. I've seen the signs on many fires and they always amaze and humble me. They are a nice thing to see when coming off shift. I, like Nerd, have felt a little embarrassed at times with the attention at the country store or community meetings during the fire. The driving force for these people to go out of their way to paint signs or to get over their embarrassment to approach a fire fighter is a pleasure to see. This world has turned too negative in my opinion and it's good to see the positive display of these signs. The emotional issues the story attempted to showcase was not to say that all fire fighters tear up with feelings as they read the signs but that there is a certain amount of thought given to the tour of duty just completed and of family and friends now that the assignment is over. Speaking for myself I've nearly been brought to tears thinking about my family as I passed these signs...missing my son's first birthday...my daughters third. My soon to be ex-wife spending my OT money before I could get home. Thank you fire fighters ...I appreciate your comments. Oliver
8/9	Re the sign thing: So you're saying that those who'd like to share their feeling of thanks should just bag it? Dream on, Dude. Mellie
8/9	KJC (Oliver Moore); I’m confused…is this anti-sign, or tongue-in-cheek pro-sign? Honestly, I don’t happen to care about the signage. It can be kind of nice to see that after all that hard, dirty, thankless work, but at the same time I find them kind of embarrassing. I definitely get embarrassed by people walking up to me in the grocery store or on the street because I’ve got a fire shirt on. Definitely not something to get teary over, and I’ve never felt that I’m repressing my emotions on the fireline…generally the opposite. I can be more expressive on the fireline than I can in most places. And I generally come off the line too tired to cry, especially over a sign. Nerd on the Fireline (who may be missing the point)
8/8	Just a little something for the Families Ab... Mop-up -Article 6... Thank you Fire fighters If there is one thing I would change about interface fires it would be to ban all thank you fire fighters signs. Why? It's simply a safety precaution. Visibility while driving is important. Signs plastered all over the darn place interfere with good visibility. Magically these signs start appearing towards the end of the fire assignment. They are in the yards of saved homes, on power poles and at the local markets. Fire fighters drive by and read the signs...Thank you fire fighters...God bless you fire fighters... They can tell some of the signs are the work of children frightened by the fire and needing a way to express themselves. Others are hastily drawn on cardboard by homeowners after hearing the team is going into heavy demob. 14 days ago most of the community wouldn't have understood demob, incident management teams, or that the Incident Commander is not equal in rank with the Grand Poo-Pah of the local Moose Lodge. Now, at the end of the fire, most are bilingual and speak the fire language fluently. Again let me restate my opposition to these signs. A person leaving the fire area, base camp or the adopted community doesn't need to be reminded of what they are leaving behind. They know. They leave behind the friendships made with other fire fighters, homeowners and community leaders, the spit in the dust meetings with forest industry, dozer operators and company foresters. They leave behind a calling card of their best efforts. Now as they drive away from the people and the community their only mission is to get home safely. This is when they notice the signs. By the time the last sign is passed I imagine their chests hurt from holding in emotions that by all outward appearances laid dormant these past several weeks. Not a tear was shed during the turmoil of evacuation. Not a tear was shed for those that returned only to find ashes and rubble where their home once stood. Not because fire fighters are unfeeling, but they were too busy concentrating on the mission, trying to get control of the fire and rendering aid where necessary. But now you have the time... And I know your chest swells, not necessarily with pride but with a swelling of those dormant emotions you wouldn't let yourself feel the past 14 days. Your thoughts turn to family and friends as your eyes blur and you can barely read the next thank you sign with out wiping the back of your hand across your eyes. Now I think you can understand what the visibility problem is. Those wonderful darn signs...with their simple messages...Thank you ... God bless you...We love you. Even the strong and brave are sometimes reduced to tears. It takes time on the line to fully understand and appreciate what these messages mean to those that commit their collective efforts to battle wildfires across this great nation. Thank you firefighters...God bless you...we love you. Oliver Moore... Family, be proud of your sons and daughters and husbands and wives...be safe and Thank you. Copyright held by Oliver Moore Inc. KJC
8/7	Jess, Thanks they do have a couple of stickers I can use. I know several fire fighters that scrapbook and they have a hard time finding what they need. I am always on the look out for something to use. Thanks again. KB
8/7	KB- Try firecache.com, it’s a wildland gear company in CO, I remember seeing some stickers in the catalogue, some of them are just helmet stickers, but it would be a good place to look. Jess The Supply Cache (firecache.com) is one of our long time supporters. Ab.
8/7	Hey everyone, Been lurking for a long time. Hope everyone is fine. Does anyone out there know where I can get wildland fire stickers or diecuts. I scrapbook and want to do fire pictures but have been unable to find anything. Have found lots of structure fire. Maybe I will have to design my own if I can't find anything. Hope all your ff are busy and doing well. Thanks KB
8/4	Hey Taz Girl, I grew up in CO and I think it's the best place on earth, but my opinion is a little biased as it's the only place I've ever known. I spent most of my life in Fort Collins, 60 mi north of Denver, and it is a great place to live. It's not too big, it has a small town atmosphere, and CO State is there, so there's an exciting night life, if you're in to that. There's a great little community near Horsetooth Reservoir, only about 10 or 15 minutes from town, it's like living in the hills with Horsetooth Mtn Park and Lory State Park to the West and the res to the east, there's usually something available there, to rent or own. If you want to get even further away, Red Feather is a nice mtn town surrounded by nat'l forest. There is a lot of great recreation within an hour of town, Horsetooth area, Poudre Cyn- beautiful!, Red Feather Lakes, Estes Park and Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park and 1.2 million acres of nat'l forest. As far as Denver is concerned, I'm not really the best person to ask. Most people in CO are not city people, and Denver is a city, so the only people who tend to like it are the one's who live there, but I can tell you a little bit about some areas. Wheat Ridge is still suburbia, north central Denver, I wouldn't recommend it. Morrison/Golden area isn't bad, it's a little yuppiesh, but it is not far from Boulder, which is a VERY liberal place to live, a lot of people find it too extreme for their taste, in short, it's full of hippies. The Evergreen and Conifer area is mixed, there are a lot of rich people with big houses pretending to be nice mountain folk, but belong in the city. It is pretty to expensive to live there, but there are smaller towns in the area which aren't bad, I have some family that lives in Indian Hills, just north of the I-70 corridor, I don't know the cost of living there, but it is a very nice place to live. You might check out the Lyons/Nederland area, neither town is very big and it's definitely mtn living, but it is only 45 minutes or so from Denver. It's just west of Longmont on the map. There are a lot of great mountain communities in the foothills of the Front Range from CO Springs to Ft Collins, you just have to know where to look, but honestly, I think the farther you get away from Denver, the better. Unfortunately, growth, mostly from CA, has caused real estate prices to sky rocket in the last 10-15 years, especially on the Front Range and foothills. I don't know what your SO is doing now, but it sounds like he's looking into a structure dept. with some good urban interface? Competition is very stiff for structure jobs out there b/c, like you said, fire is very seasonal there. West Metro is the dept for the foothills of Denver and I've heard to application process is long and hard. Structure and wildland tend to be separate entities and both tend to leave each other alone. Anyways, I hope this helps, let me know if you want to know about any other areas. Jess
8/3	what's up all, sorry i have not been around much this season. i've been keeping myself very busy. i've been keeping up on reading all the posts, though. i will be flying out to SLC to drive back east with my FF hubby this friday. he starts back up in school on the 16th. we have not seen eachother for two months and a week. i can't wait to drive across country with him and have him home again!! yea! hey taz, have you thought about fort collins? colorado state university is there. if you wanted to live away from the city, you could go 45 mins north towards wyoming to red feather lakes (livermore). i lived there for about 9 months about 7 years ago and i loved it. the population was only about 400 back then, but i'm sure it's a lot more now. hey nerd, i want to be where you are! sounds nice. hope all of your FF's are safe and well. catskilldog
8/2	(Laughing) Hey, Taz, don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it…I’ve always made friends faster in the boondocks than the city. I never really pictured myself as the homesteader type, but I’m really enjoying it. I’m splitting wood, building furniture, sewing various things, REALLY enjoying the animals. A good dog is such great company that being sixteen miles from nowhere hardly even occurs to me. I don’t know the Denver area real well, but I know some folks in Evergreen, and I was looking at going to school in Golden; Golden’s real pretty, but it was a little too snobby/subdivision ridden for my taste. Evergreen’s pretty nice, but it’s kind of enclosed-feeling, as I remember it; it’s one of those towns tucked so tight into the little mountain pass there’s not much to see. Nice place, though. Good people. Arvada never impressed me either. It’s really pretty much Kansas. If your FF is looking at Paramedic school, Denver is a great place for it; Denver EMS has a great reputation, especially for some really cutting edge stuff. Going back to school…yeah…I’m coming up on a year past when I’d planned on heading back in. But shoot, people keep paying me to do a job I enjoy, so what the heck. You’re right about the Southwest being slow this season…like I said before it’s actually been cold in my part of the world. Like I said, the old timers are predicting one doozy of a winter, and the frost kill will make the beetle kill worse. There’s this lingering conviction that we’ve dodged the bullet the last two seasons…I hope next season isn’t the season when we get what’s coming (knock on wood). But winter is coming faster than next fire season, so right now the worry is firewood…got almost a cord cut, split, and stacked between two families on Saturday, with about half a cord left to buck and split. Next week we’re set to do another three loads…pinon’s a great burning wood, but man is it a pain to split. I will say hi to the lizard, but he’s been joined by a dog and three cats, which is interesting to say the least. Nothing like watching a hundred and seventy pounds of dog get his *ss kicked by six pounds of cat. Much better than TV. Nerd on the Fireline
7/30	That's a mighty nice offer Nerd. But being that I'm not as qualified for the country, or at least work in the country, as you are...I need to be fairly close to Denver for jobs and school. My SO is going to school for his EMT-Basic and then on to Paramedic school and the latest plan for me is to teach. I'm not sure if that will happen in the fall of '05 or the New Year. We'll just have to see on that one. At some point, I guess I should get my tail back in school. The other big attraction to Denver is the new roller derby there. Woo-hoo!! That is such an easy and fun way to meet new people and living in a new place where you no almost no one, that can be invaluable. I am such a social person I can start to freak out if I feel too isolated or just socially deprived. I need friends to go do stuff with. Not that you can't do that in the sticks. I think it ju st takes longer to get a base of friends. But then again, what the heck do I know? I just have a fear of it in a way but maybe I really would like it after all. I just want to have my cake and eat it too...to be near the mountains with some space, but close enough to the city so I can escape when I need to. I'm still trying to figure it out. Which reminds me...does anyone on here know anything about west Denver? Some good places to live? I have been looking at Wheat Ridge, Evergreen, Conifer areas. Or Morrison. Arvada looks like just another big suburb. But any input on these towns would be really helpful. I would like to live in a rustic little place 20 min. or so outside of Denver and have some room so my dog can really run around.  More and more rain on the Boundary fire and boy is he ready to get out of there. He said they would be....oh shoots, can't remember the term. Lurking? Something like that. Not staging. But on the line anyway trying to look busy or stay dry or whatever. Sure seems like the west is getting a slow start. Am I right? This time last year it was burning up. What's the buzz down there about fire season? I guess the NW is really the hot area right now. I'm always up for a good road trip anyway Nerd. I could always drive down. Say hello to that lizard for me. Your pet woman, not your boyfriend!! ;) Taz
7/30	Taz; How ‘bout I trade you…we haven’t had any fire season worth the name in my neck of the woods. My yellows and greens are sitting there looking all lonely and eerily clean. I’d love the help with firewood…how ‘bout you and your FF look at someplace in south-central CO (Manassa is really pretty…) where you’re close enough to come down and help out next year? Nerd on the Fireline
7/30	Hey gang, Is anyone besides myself desperate for fire season to be over??? Geez, c'mon already!! Fire season for me and my SO starts in late April and goes until early October and in that time I see him about 9 days...well, that's a projection for this year. Last year it was two. I am starting to come unraveled and wondering how I'm going to make it through the next two months b/c they are going to drag by. Things could be much worse I suppose and I shouldn't be so impatient, I know. But this is the venue to vent these things freely right? So here I sit and type my frustrations to all your compassionate ears...  I am so anxious b/c we are moving to Colorado in the fall and starting a life together on even ground, new place, new friends, new life, etc. Pretty exciting stuff right? So there you have it, my excuse for being so on edge and anxious. Plus I am not currently working, I'm couch surfing at my brother's, and money is tight...which all translates into a lot of extra time, with little extra money, and a tiny space to spend it all in. You feelin' me yet? ;) I am road tripping to AZ and CO in late August and will go visit the Grand Canyon for the first time. So I'm pretty pumped about that. It will be a two week trip with my roller derby girlfriends to go visit the other leagues in AZ and CO. We just had a bout on Sunday and I have been hurting ever since. This is my third and probably final season. I don't think my body can take much more. My HS is on Boundary fire. He's only been there a few days but is already itching to leave b/c it is done (lots of rain) and there is only mop-up to be done. You know how the HS's attitude is when it comes to all that. Looks like they've already sent most of the Lower 48 crews back down south. I will be happy when he is sent down as well, more cell phone coverage and talk time, and a visit to see him on R&R. As it goes lately, I have had to call him from Mexico, which you can imagine we didn't talk long, and the five minutes we get at the end of the day now that he's on Boundary.. and that's after the 45 min. line. The thing about missing someone that frustrates me so, is the absolute lack of anything to do about it, to relieve the symptoms. Yeah, I know...pictures, letters, phone calls, etc. But that just isn't the same right? Anyway... I go see lots of movies. Nerd, sure wish I could come help with firewood. I can't wait to be back around the mountains again. Going to AK was just a tease. I'm hoping we can find a house in CO that is in the mtns and maybe even some space for my dog w/ boundless energy. It will have to be rustic to fit our budget, but that's okay. I'm ready to get out of the city. Remind me that I said that later on, when I miss all its amenities. I have blathered long enough. Hello to everyone. Sammi, hope you are still on the road to recovery. How is the baby Fire wife? Hi Dawn. How are you feeling Poet? And hello to Fire Chica, Heligroupie and FireMomma wherever you all may be. Let me know when we are setting up a chat night. Taz Girl
7/29	Hey everybody; It’s been unseasonably cold in Northern New Mexico; I wore my jacket to work this morning. We’re getting three families together this weekend to start in on the firewood…four chainsaws, four trucks, two bow saws, three people to stack, and five or six kids to bundle kindling. We’re hoping to get at least six cords in this weekend, which might be ambitious, but as cold as it’s been it sounds like a real good idea. The old timers are predicting a doozy of a winter; we’ve got rodents all over the place, and the bears are coming down out of the high country already. Thinking about that, and my two-and-a-half miles of dirt driveway, reminded me of some of you ladies who are out in the wilderness as well, or have done their time. When I come in Monday with wood-stacking blisters on my hands, remind me it’s worth it, okay?  Nerd on the Fireline (feeling philosophical)
7/29	Hi Everyone!! I have been gone for the past to weeks and I am glad to be back on. I can't believe the amount of new people coming in this season it is great!! I am excited to get talking.  Dawn... welcome back... it has been a long time since we have spoken. Did you guys end up having fun last year at Disneyland?? I don't think we have talked since then because I can't find your new address. Please send it to me!! How are the kids?? How is fire season going for you guys??  My husband is still around. He was up to go to Alaska but they are pulling the engines back home this weekend. So who knows where he will go now!!  Heligroupie... How is life for you?? Call me and lets do dinner or something!!!  Jess... I feel for you being pg in the summer!! I just had my third in June and both of my other ones were summer babies also!! And I can sympathize with you having a baby and being alone in fire season. Feel free to email me... Well the baby calls!!  FireWife
7/29	Hey fire wives, Thanks for the responses, the computer has been screwy, so I had to wait until he could come home and fix it. He did his fourteen, so I actually got him all to myself for two whole days!! He’s still around, for now, I get excited just having him home for dinner. I’m still just trying to deal with this heat. My doctor told me yesterday that the baby might be as big as nine pounds when he’s born!! I think he’s going to be just like his Dad, tough and hornoree. Hey Ab, did you get my email address? I wasn’t sure if it went through. Jess Sure did, let me know folks if you want to email Jess and I'll pass it on. Ab.
7/26	For those wondering what the "town" of Chicken Alaska looks like -- the Chicken Fire -- here's a pic sent in by the Original RR. Ab. Chicken Alaska
7/24	Soon to be Fire Mom: Has your son had the CDF Basic 67 hour Fire Fighter training class? If he has, he might want to make sure that the hiring coordinators in those Units that he has applied for are aware of it. The certificate is a major selling point for late in the season hiring, Ditto EMS and Haz Mat Operational. CDF FFI is a great job and a good stepping stone for those interested in municipal Fire Fighting, but if things don't sound promising, take a look at the USFS jobs. The experience will be outstanding and the diversification of background is a strong selling point for all the agencies. cdfbc
7/23	if anyone's loved one doesn't bring home pictures of the town of Chicken and they really want one, friends just returned home from AK with pictures... there appears to be maybe 4-6 commercial buildings in Chicken. never been to Chicken, but can attest to the fact that in many areas there are no paved roads, including AK state highways (permafrost). your kids will return home to relate true accounts of their experiences and many embellished tall tales; enjoy! northzone
7/23	Info on CDF hiring on theysaid. Ab.
7/22	Hey clevelandgf!!! Welcome. My hubby is also on the Crown fire and had been on the  Santa Clarita fire. Funniest thing he is also from the Cleveland. He's  on the hotshots. Where is your bf stationed?? I am working my last  day on the Cleveland tomorrow!! I work on the Palomar District. Anyhow, welcome to the site. AB can give you my email and maybe  we can get together, since our boys are on fires!!! Hope to at least email ya!!! FSWYF
7/22	Isn't someone's mom participating here? CDF budget may not be settled for some time... Ab. Hey Ab. Just a note to put on They said--I believe that this is how its done. We are a bit short on the Willamette National Forest--McKenzie River Ranger District in Oregon. We may have a few openings on our 20 person crew. It would be for student hire only and the person must already be red carded--we can pack test and refresh if needed. Again it must be only students because there would be no time to go through other hiring sources now. We would start them at any time and work them through September and possibly October if funding provides. I am not sure how you do this with contacts, but I can be reached at bradoen@yahoo.com, bjoen@fs.fed.us, (541) 822 7248. Thanks, Brad
7/22	hi everyone, My ffbf told me about this site and it looks great. he's a ff on the Cleveland NF and is currently on the crown fire. this is the third in a row, started out on the Lake Hughes, then to the Santa Clarita, and now the Crown. I thought it was great that there is a forum like this for all of us and look forward to some great gabbing!! thanks clevelandgf
7/22	Just got off the phone with my son who is firefighting for the first time and was sent to Alaska last Wed. Thursday they took them to the Eagle complex from Fairbanks, a 12 hour drive, a good chunk of the roads were gravel. It was too smokey for them to fly the crews in. I'm not sure, but they may not have made it there until Friday the 16. He called about three Thursday afternoon to let me know where he was headed. His cell phone actually worked in Fairbanks! After arriving in Eagle they were sent to the Chicken fire for two days of initial attack. He said the smoke is so thick you can't see the mountains. Then his crew was split up and five of them were dropped off in the woods for a while, but they got run out by the fire at some point......not sure when. They lived on MRE's while they were fighting the Chicken fire. He arrived in Eagle tonight, said he is so glad to see people, (the village is about 150 people and four pay phones) and to get his first shower since leaving Idaho 07/14/04, and for real food. (Although he said the MRE's aren't bad!) In his words, he said it is just crazy up there. The smoke is still real thick. He didn't notice the little earthquake at Eagle last weekend. He said the tundra is nice to sleep on because it is squishy. It is also hard on your ankles because it squishes so much while your trucking across it. Then you dig down a foot and half and you hit ice!!!! JaNet J, I have used the Alaska BLM sights referred to you. Look on the Eagle Complex map, enlarge it, and you will find the Chicken fire below it. It has been included in the reports the last four days. This link http://fire.ak.blm.gov/aicc/sitrptmain.pdf takes you to a lengthy report of individual fires, the Chicken fire is usually the second to the last page. Keep exploring the Alaska sights, there is allot of information out there. It helped me to know what he was talking about when he called, and got excited about that. He also thought his crew would probably be out for 21 days, then come back to Oregon. SM
7/22	JaNet "J", in response to your inquiry about the Chicken Fire: there are several websites available for general updates (listed on the links button). For AK information, I prefer the AK GACC links for specifics, also AK DNR website. Be sure to read the 7/21 postings on They Said, and don't overlook the news media and Google search options. The Abs have done an incredible job expanding Wildlandfire to accommodate viewers needs - kudos! Best wishes for a safe fire season all. northzone5
7/21	Some of the kinds of resources we're trying to save on the Chicken Complex are cultural sites; historic cabins, dredge, and mining artifacts; active mining operations; cabins on South Fork of Fortymile River and numerous recreational sites. There wasn't much fire activity today. One of those hurry up and wait in the smoke days. Cooler with high RHs. At least it didn't rain like Monday night. Helluva way to fight a fire, but some good burn mosaic patterns. Your husband is probably out of communication range. You probably won't hear from him for at least another week. Gotta go. Hi Ab. Spruce
7/21	Taz Girl should ask her boyfriend about his AK experiences last year. SR has a good list of what to expect on theysaid. Robbie, the lurker
7/21	Oh boy, I know something to contribute. Here's a list of the hot shot crews on the Alaska fires: http://fire.ak.blm.gov/docs/misc/type1crewlist.asp I look here for maps, second from bottom. http://fire.ak.blm.gov/docs/maps/maps.asp My brother showed me this site and theysaid and the family site before he left. Billie Good brother. JaNet "J"... More info on theysaid. Ab.
7/21	Hi Jess, I live in Palmdale, more like Littlerock, lol. I've been a FS Firewife for over 12 years now. I have been up all night watching the Crown fire, I can see it from my backyard (yes we are safe), my hubby is on it, he works off the frontside of the ANF. I'll have AB give you my Email and we'll get together, or at least yak on the phone! firecookie Hey AB, you can send her my email address! Thanks Jess, please email me. I don't have your addy. Once I have it I can forward firecookie's email on and you'll have her contact. Firecookie, if you see any AT or helo work on the Crown, take some pics and send 'em in. Well, hopefully you aren't close enough to get good shots! Get yer Batman to do it! Ab.
7/21	To JaNet"J" and Others, Yes, let's share whatever we have about our FF'ers in Alaska! Yesterday 5 Hotshot crews from the Southwest Area were flown to Fairbanks to add to whatever lower 48 crews are already there. My son called last evening to report on their briefing - how very different fighting fire in Alaska is!!! I'll write when I hear anything specific about any of the fires. COG
7/20	Hi. I'm new in this site and am not sure how it works. I've been searching trying to find information about the Chicken Fire in Alaska. Can you help me? I can't find anything on it, as to how things are basically and if anyone else has family members on it. My husband has been on it for just over a week and have heard from him once. Can you help me? I am using my husbands email address. You can reply back to this address. Sincerely, JaNet "J" Welcome to familysaid, Janet. Perhaps someone can help. Take a look via these links for a starter. Ab. US Fires, 2004
7/20	Hey Jess- We used to live in Palmdale, but a few years ago my husband got on with the Antelope Valley college crew, and now we are No. CA.( His mis-life crisis!) I Do NOT miss the heat! It is really hot up here, but not for nearly as long. When my husband first started FF'ing, he used to provide station coverage at Texas Canyon. I drove out there many night becasue he wanted something from home....like homemade cookies! Good luck with your pregnancy and the heat, I remember the electric bills well! Dawn
7/19	Jess -- ( or any other firewives) I'd love to chat sometime in our WLF Family Chatroom. I am usually online around 8pm-10pm (PST). Take care of yourself Jess!!!! My hubby is now doing nightshifts (which I hate) on the Foothill fire in Santa Clarita. May God bless all your firefighters and keep them all safe (day or night shifts). Much Love from a Fireman's Wife FSWYF
7/19	Hey there, I’m a fire wife, although I used to be a FF myself until I got pregnant in January. My husband spends a lot of time on They Said and introduced it to me, but I never even noticed there was a place for families, we use a link directly to They Said on our favorites list. We both worked for USFS in Fort Collins, CO, which is how we met. I grew up there and will always think of it as home, but my husband grew up in East LA and has been eager to come back to his home. He worked in fire out here for many years and asked for a transfer to the Texas Canyon Hotshots in SoCal. We now have a home in Lancaster, it’s cheaper in the desert because no one else wants to live here. Anyways, I don’t work, I guess its fire or nothing for me, there’s a kind of passion for it that only a FF can understand, I’m sure some you have noticed this insanity among your own loved ones. My hubby hasn’t been gone too much so far, but the season is really starting to pick up here, so I’m sure I won’t be seeing him so much from now on. He was on the Pines fire last week and went to the Foothill fire today. We’ve only been here for a few months, and I don’t know anyone here, except for my mother-in-law, but she doesn’t count. I spend most of my time within the confines of my home where I can enjoy my air conditioner, I am at 8 months right now and can’t tolerate this heat, and with my puppy Trigger. So I’d love to hear from anyone that will not chew up my dirty socks, especially in SoCal J Oh yeah, hey FSWYF, we should chat some time, let me know when. Jess
7/18	Thought I should drop a note and say hi, too. It is nice to see all of you coming back. Missed you Taz, Firewife. Hi to Ember and Catskilldog, Nerd, Sammi, all the rest. I have been watching the fires blow up all over. Sounds like season has finally taken off big time. Guess it is time for some more poetry, eh? Oh, Artista asked me if I would put some of my poetry on cardstock or framed for sale. Is anyone interested in me doing this? I would be donating part of any sale to the FF fund. I have never done this type of thing before, so any suggestions would be welcome. Also, any specific poems you want me to do, let me know. I'll be checking in more often now that folks are back. Thanks for the good work Ab's! We could not do this without you! Poet
7/17	Hey there Fire Families!! I am new to Family Said, but my husband lives "practically" on They Said. Anyways, I'm looking to meet / email a new firewife friend. I am also a fireman's daughter, sister, niece and well let's just say "it's a family tradition"!!!! Currently hubby is on the PINE fire on the Angeles. I hate spending our dayoff alone. Oh well.........that's the life of a fireman's wife! Can't wait to post more and maybe chat some day!!! God Bless!! FSWYF
7/15	Oh Taz I am so sorry, I left your name off my little list. So I will go eat worms after I feed the animals. You know we can't do this without you. WOW seems like we all came rolling in about the same time, wonder if that is because most of the guys went out about the same time? To all the new people don't be shy, and if we seem to leave you out of conversations we apologize but some of us have been here since the beginning of family Said and so we probably do sound a little cliquish (sp) anyway...we will learn all the new names soon and then watch out anything can happen. Not that we are opinionated, or anything like that. I don't see my response to the newbie mom posted about the personal gear pack list. We could put one together in about five seconds but if you go to the archives some where in there are some really good lists of items they will need. I remember my voyage to Wal-Mart with list in hand. I was there about 3 hours and was almost in tears because I was soooooo tired and was so afraid I was going to send my baby boy out without EVERYTHING he needed. Now, most of you know my whole family are FF. Couple of daughters and four sons right now plus their dad so I've been doing this a LOOOONG time, but to send my baby out was way too traumatic for me. Even after all the years of helping put packs together, I bought enough stuff to outfit a herd of Hotshots. Most important things are sunflower seeds and SOCKS, very expensive socks.......... And again this year everyone came here to do their packs and get all the gear out of the fifth wheel . It serves as FF storage.......so we had a cookout and they celebrated real hard. Now everyone is out to their respective stations etc so It's just me and the animals and my computer. Ab: where can they find the lists easily. sammi There's one list on the FAQ page, link in the header buttons. Ab.
7/14	We have an announcement, ta-da: Bear has created a new chat room for familysaid. Now when you'd like to set a night to chat, you can gather without all the firefighters horning in. Let me know when and I'll post an announcement. Or just show up. Ab.
7/14	Hello everyone, Glad to see you all again. I have not read through the recent posts, except too see that Congrats are in order for FireWife. :) My FF husband is off and running again, looks like we will not see him for many, many weeks. But you all know how that is. Looking forward to chatting with all of you again. Dawn
7/14	Hey Everybody! Looks like things are coming together again for the season, nice to see folks rolling back in. Hiya Taz! Hey, FireWife! Season’s been real slow here so far (probably a good thing). I’m in the process of moving in with my SO, so I sympathize Taz, and I guess Sammi’s sons are now safe (I can say that ‘cuz FireChica’s not around, I think she’s still on the hunt). Between the two of us we’ve got three cats, a very large dog, and a lizard, so it should be interesting. Moving to a beautiful little house about two miles off the paved road, nobody but us on fifteen thousand acres and the nearest neighbors two and half miles away. So why am I all nervous? Chica’s kept me from bolting for Mexico about three times. I’m pretty sure what I’m most scared of is my own domestic tendencies…firefighters aren’t supposed to mop, dammit! Nerd on the Fireline
7/14	Hi Ab, I know some of the regulars like some of the derby stuff and I didn't know if it would've been appropriate to put it on Family Said...so I thought I would just send this to you and you can pass it on to them if you want. We have an Associated Press article that just came out across the country that I thought they might like to read: http://abcnews.go.com/wire/Living/ap20040712_1172.html And then here is a link for an article that was on MSN a couple of months back: http://slate.msn.com/?querytext="roller+derby"&id=3944&action=fulltext If anyone enjoys the pictures, there are a ton on our website, www.txrollergirls.com and you can go to the scrapbook from there. I play for the Hell Marys and they have a team link with your photos. I am Mean Streak and my brother is our mascot, Jason Priestly. That's about it. This is in no fire-way related obviously, just fun stuff. So if you don't have the time to pass this on, I completely understand. Hope you are doing well, Taz Girl We're doing well, but I'm not quite sure where the mailing list went, so I'll just post this. Ab.
7/14	Taz... WELCOME BACK!!! I am so glad everyone is slowly coming back. And you can talk about your man all you want!! That is all we can do in the summer since they aren't around so much!! I am glad roller derby is going good again this year. We will have to have some pics again! Sounds like you had fun in AK. My husband has a guy off his hand crew there also. Oh and I am so jealous of you and your family!! CABO.... oh man it sounds wonderful!! All I get to do is go to CA... to the heat and all that fun stuff!! Soon to Be... you are welcome back even if he doesn't get hired... it can prepare you for next year... but tell him good luck with the job hunt!! FireWife
7/14	Hi gang!! How is everyone? Wow, it is so good to be back. I have checked in here and there but not all that often. And then a few weeks ago I was all pumped to send in a note and my e-mail was inaccessible. Anyway, the roller derby queen is back. And thanks Sammi for makin' me feel so wanted and all. ;) Things are good. Roller derby season has been in full effect since February, but we will be getting a month off in August. We're kickin' butt all over the place. And, AND, I just got back from Alaska!!! Woo-hoo! For those of you that don't know what all my fuss is about, that's where my SO is from and where he currently is. Man, AK is blowin' up right now! Even still, I got to spend SIX days with him and it was absolutely wonderful. Also got to spend a lot of quality time with his mom and see a wee bit of AK...I'd never been before. The day my HS was supposed to get in, his flight was put off until the next day b/c the smoke was so bad. So he and a buddy hitchiked to get back by that night, about 400 miles!! How sweet is that? He got in that night after all and I was impressed and moved by his determination to come see. We are planning to move to Colorado together in the fall. Who the heck knows how long this season will last. Seems like everyone is gearing up for it to be a nasty one. I imagine he will be up in AK quite a bit longer than usual before coming down to the Lower 48 since it is just raging up there right now and doesn't look like letting up any time soon. I'm hoping I will get to see him on an R & R somewhere in August. The yucky part is that there are no phones on the fires up there and no cell coverage. So that part is hard...having absolutely NO communication. We went 10 days w/ no communication the last round and it will probably be 14 or 15 this time. But before you all start to feel bad for me ;), I am leaving for Cabo San Lucas this Saturday for a week with my family. I won't be suffering too much. I will have to buy some phone card so that I can reach him on his days off from there. I am going to try to teach in Colorado on one of the alternative track programs and my SO is looking at various options. His latest idea is paramedic school to become a paramedic with a FF dept., which is really ideal for him since I don't think he would be able to make the adjustment of not working in a non-crew type environment. The camaraderie is one of the most important aspects for him, team work and all that. So we'll see what happens right? it will be nice to start off somewhere new together so that things are more even, than instead of it being my turf and my friends like it was when he was here last winter. And sitting around for six months and not working won't happen again. I'm sure some of you can identify with living with that. ;) So all is well and I'm so glad to see all the posts from everyone. Glad to hear that you ladies are recovering and in better health I hope. Count me in for the rest of the season. I'm back with the family. And it's good to be back. Taz Girl ***Gee, can you tell I miss my FF? Sorry, that is why I talk about him so much. It's all you can do right? Thanks for listening anyway.
7/13	Thanks for all the good info on what my son might need as a new CDF firefighter. As the passing of the Calif. State budget gets pushed further and further into the summer it seems the chances of him getting hired are less and less. He has a good chance at a type 1 handcrew at Butte CDF if they even decide to hire. I heard on the news tonight the budget might not be passed until August. I hope he gets hired, then I'll be spending lots of time on this great site! :-) Soon to be a Fire Mom?!
7/12	Fire Mom, Your son will be provided all safety gear needed, wildland and structure as well as web gear when he signs up at his headquarters, he does not need to purchase any nomex or leather gloves. He will need to purchase navy blue uniform t-shirts and working blues, He should have enough undies and socks to last 10 days or so. I would suggest he have 4 pair of work pants and at least 3 uniform shirts (some units require employees to be in the full uniform at all times around the station) as each fire season passes he will accumulate more uniform items, I would not advise spending a lot of money right away on work clothes as these are expensive! He needs to have all of his clothing items with him when he reports for duty, CDF should have given him a new employee packet outlining what he should have and where to purchase his blues and t-shirts. He needs an out of county bag, I suggest contacting www.hawkpacks.com in Clovis for a good selection of bags for firefighters. I hope this in some way helps, other CDF folks will no doubt have other advice for you. Where is your son going to be working? I hope he has a long and happy career with us, I've enjoyed CDF and think he will too! Bob K. Captain
7/12	Soon to be fire Mom; If you really want to demonstrate to your soon to be firefighter that you love him, may I recommend SmartWool expedition weight wool socks. They’re pricey, but very, very worth it. As far as being a nervous wreck, you should have seen my mom when she finally figured out that her baby fighting fires meant actually going near forest fires! That was not a fun conversation. Love him, support him, and trust his common sense and training. Sammi et al; I’m around, working crazy hard and haven’t seen much in the way of fire yet this season…I’m not really complaining (well, yeah, I am). Working on turning a house that’s been a department of fish and game bachelor pad for forty years into something a bit more presentable and being Mom to three cats (brand new) and a dog (very confused). So I’ve got no shortage of projects, and my boyfriend has been laughing at me because I’m always doing something…sewing or stopping the bleeding on the dog’s nose (he just doesn’t understand that the kittens really don’t want to be his friends). Nerd on the Fireline
7/12	Soon to Be a Fire Mom..... My husband is reading your post also and the one thing he said to have your son do before he gets a job, is to wear his whites so they get broken in before he needs them. Otherwise he might be hurting. But that is the only tip he can give because he has never worked for CDF and has no idea what they require. If they do the pack test he can start walking with a weighted pack on and practicing times on that. Please ket us know if he gets it and feel free to come back and chat here with us. This is my 6th season as a FF wife and I know a lot of the people on this site are wonderful and we will all try to help you. And if we don't know we will point you in the right direction!! catskilldog... glad you got a vacation but sorry you didn't get to see your husband. FireWife
7/12	soon 2 b fire mom Don't worry about safety gear CDF will provide that. The duty T-shirts can be purchased by going to the following link...http://www.distinctiverecognition.com/CDF/ Also... buy your son a phone card so that when he is some where that cell phones don't work he can call you and say he is safe and that he loves ya... badbrad
7/12	My son is (hopefully) going to be hired by a CDF crew once the State budget is passed. (If fire season isn't already over) He wants to be all ready to go when the time comes. He has a good pair of Whites and is running and working out almost daily. What else is he going to need? White Tees? CDF Tees? Leather gloves? does he buy the Nomex now or wait until he is at the Station? What else? HELP! He is calm and waiting patiently, but I'm a nervous wreck. Soon to Be a Fire Mom
7/11	hi all, well, i have not seen my husband since june 1. i flew out to see him, but he got called out 2 days before i got there and came back a day after i left. :( fortunately, i was able to spend a really great long weekend with some family. i miss my FF hubby a lot. there is not much going on out there in the way of fires, so we've been talking over the phone a billion times a day. i am trying to keep myself busy and i am starting my first guitar lesson this coming tuesday, and i am really looking forward to it. i've had a guitar since i was 8 years old, but i've just never been disciplined enough to follow thru with learning to play. i am a self taught piano player, and i have always, strangely, been intimidated by the guitar. i have some songs i have in mind that i want to learn, so maybe this time i will finally be able to bring my guitar to the campfire in good company and share some music. i think being away from my FF hubby might inspire me to write something of my own, too. catskilldog
7/10	Hi Family Said! I'm ember. I have to thank my ex-ff with all of my heart for reminding me what a pyro I am. Looking for Wildland fires on the web I stumbled across this site and fell in love, now no one can make me leave! But that isn't why I'm writing. I chat with the guys and gals from They Said almost every night. They are great for keeping up to date with all of the latest fire info. Like who and what is where and if they don't know the answer, they know where to find it. I wanted to stop by and invite y'all to stop in and say hi on chat! We would love to hear from you, and we talk about anything and everything! So don't be shy! I look forward to chatting with y'all! ember
7/9	Thank you Sammi, the Payson/Willow Fire pictures are terrific. I've saved them on my computer for my son to see when he returns at the end of the season. He keeps a pretty detailed journal of his life as a hot shot (and also for the other half of the year when he wears a suit and tie for a completely different type of employment - I often wonder which career will finally win out)!  COG
7/9	Sammi... I have been around lurking!! Nobody has been around this year yet so I have just been checking in. I am ready for this season of talk to start also!! My husband has only been out camping on projects not on fires yet. I know he is ready though for them to start!! My little PYRO!!  My kids and I will be gone for a little while visiting some family so I might not be on anytime in the next weeks... I will try to come around to say hello. I hope everyone else is doing good and gearing up for fire season!!  FireWife
7/9	If anyone has family on the Arizona fires the Payson Roundup newspaper link on They said has some good pictures and close-ups of FF on the fires....and the newspaper story about the cigarette tossing FF well, ya it was stupid///but there by the Grace of God go I, or something of that nature. I don't smoke so I wouldn't toss cigs but who knows, you get in a hurry and your mind is going a bizillion miles an hour and bingo,,,,,STUPID. But not on purpose, thoughtless, braindead yea. I really hope they cut her some slack, it will never happen again, not to her. Lesson learned, and thank the fire Gods it was not a disaster. Sammi
7/8	Hi everybody....I'm sure with the fires starting there are lots of people looking at these pages. If you are new to the fire scene, whether, mom, wife, dad, girlfriend, boyfriend whatever. Welcome. Those of us who have been in the fire arena for a while will gladly answer any questions. We love to give advice and support. If you are not hearing from your significant other, we have lots of ideas and helpful hints and send great e-mail hugs. We talk about anything here, family, food, hotshots, engines, structure, babies, 2 yr olds that miss their dads. We have moms that are anxious about their FF going out the first time. Heck we even talk about what kind of boots to get and how to reach them in emergencies etc. We help each other keep up with where the FF are. That's a biggy. So join in, no statement or question is considered not important, believe me, some of us have been doing this a bizzion years and we still ask crazy questions. So introduce yourself, join in. Time to get the list moving gals and guys . Dawn, Poet, Firewife, FF MOM, Nerd, catskilldog, Robbi, Shari....wake up....we need to get moving here. Our FF are out or leaving and we need to get the list moving for the new people.....so do we need an update from the oldies about how their winter went. We know a few were doing medical things but what about everyone else?????? Where is our roller derby queen? start talking,,,,I'm getting lonesome here all by myself. Sammi
7/1	Hey All.... I am around!! I keep checking in whenever I get a chance to get on. We are now in our new home and loving it. I really like the town!! People here are sooo nice. When I had the baby people at the hospital kept giving me their home numbers to call them if I had any problems or questions. Being from a huge town that is all new to me. I think people are crazy for encouraging someone they don't know to call them at home if they need something. Anyway the baby is doing great!! She was born on June 14th and is so tiny!! She was the smallest of all my kids. But she is wonderful. We have started the being alone already. My husband is camping out on a project so I have been alone this week. We are doing good so far!! And only two days left!! Well I am glad to hear that Mellie and Sammi are both doing good. I am ready for our chats, if we do them again!! Hope all is well on the fire front for everyone!! Talk to you later!! FireWife
6/30	Welcome COG.....I hear the Willow is giving them a big run.....sounds like they will be there awhile unless the rains come in. My brother has packed up a few things just in case and they are putting sprinklers on the roof. Sounds like the people in Payson are a wee bit nervous. They almost took a hit last year when the big one was east of them so I may be having company sooner than expected. Hope everyone comes on back to Family Said as the FF's ship out. Up here in the northwest my husband and son have been to two drownings and a bunch of little fires caused by lightening so they are busy but still home. Both our daughters are staying on their home turf, so my map keeping is shrinking considerably this year. Great news Mellie. I am also doing really well, back to work full time. Keep up the support everyone, and FF stay safe. Sammi
6/29	52 List (cross posted from theysaid) Hey folks - check out the list. For such a good cause, this page ought to be flooded. Remember, with over 25,000 of us alive and kicking during the summer months of battle, it's these members of the 52 club who are going to help YOU when and if something goes wrong. Let's grow this list. With only 192 people, WE CAN DO MUCH BETTER. Please Help. Friend of the 52's Everyone, We do need to work on Wildland Firefighter Foundation donations. Think of it this way... So far this program has netted $ 9,932 (today there are 191 members at $52 apiece). I know some have sent in more, but let's figure the "income" this way, using the "power of one" numbers... OK how about "expenses"? When someone dies or is injured, how much money does the most rapid Wildland Firefighter Foundation response require? Well, I have heard that family members are often flown to the site, and motel, car rental, etc may be arranged. There's also $$ (often $2,500) for family members' immediate expenses to tide them over until insurance payments kick in... with injuries, some funds may be needed to fly the injured firefighter home on a plane with medical capabilities... Statues are another large expense and 14 just went out to the families of the Storm King fallen. So our 52 Club with less than $10,000 so far, at most will help 3 or 4 wildland firefighters this year (or just about cover the statues that were shipped out). Unfortunately if history is our guide, it's not enough. We need to do better. Ideally, we need to do well enough that our director Vicki doesn't dip into her own bank account when the money runs out toward the middle or end of the season (as she's done since 1994 following Storm King!). Ideally, we need to get a cushion so that support for firefighter families is paid out of the fund's interest, not the principal. The Foundation needs to be self-sustaining. I hope that as you receive your first checks this fire season you remember to send some in our Foundation's direction. The Family you help is your own. Our Foundation is a funnel of our support! Those of you who have been helped, please speak up. I have heard several say that to offer thanks or otherwise publicly endorse the Foundation would possibly be viewed as a conflict of interest by their (federal) employer. I say BS to that! As public citizens you can honestly say you were helped if you were. First Amendment rights! Let's get real here! We need to do better. Please tell your stories! We want to hear them. Tell your friends and family members. Say your thanks here or on the Foundation website. If anyone wants some editorial help, get in touch. The Abs will help you write your story. We're pleased to see that the number of Organizations that have 75-100% of employees enrolled is growing. 52 Gold Club Firefighters, please suggest to your employers to encourage their employees to join... $52 a year out of the thousands earned is bootlace and incidentals money. Employers, we challenge you to donate some more on top of that. You make lots of money on the back of fire suppression. Please support the fire family. To those who do already, many thanks!!! Let's make this 52 Club work for ALL our sakes. Ab.
6/29	Hello Sammi and Others, This is my year to join in with you all. Regarding the fire near Payson, I heard from my son this morning. He's a hot shot crew member on this fire - WILLOW. His crew worked through the night near a river, hoping the fire wouldn't jump it. This is a bad fire with potential to grow and reach timber and then .... As I hear more, I'll share. COG
6/29	Hi Sammi, I'm doing most excellently! Physical Therapy wipes me out- not while I'm there, seems like a piece-o-cake, but always requires a 2-3 hr nap that afternoon. But the therapists are very pleased with my progress. I feel quite well. Mellie
6/28	Hey Mellie, how ya doing? And Poet, hang in there. I don't think we have anyone in the family out on any thing big as of yet. My husband has been busy jumping around from multiple baby sparkers due to several days of lightening in the area. They have had a couple that the DoL got involved in but so far all is relatively quiet. We do have family in Payson Ariz that have ashes being dumped on their home so they are getting a bit nervous. I don't know the name of the fire yet. I only have one pile red stuff by the front door this year so that is a good sign I might have less mess to contend with. And as usual I am always surprised that no matter how much we clean and wash and wipe down before winter storage that little smokey smell still whiffs around. I think the answer to the "why they start looking out the windows and walking the floor" is that little odor. Sort of like a little whiff of a favorite perfume. Poor guys (and gals) they are just at natures mercy. And if we could harness all that before the call energy imagine how many "honey do's" we could get done. Pray it is a safe summer. And anyone just visiting the site jump right in.....we were all newcomers at some point. Sammi
6/22	Hey Poet… Glad to hear you’re around. It’s pretty uneventful up in my neck of the woods. Working too hard on the day job and not hard enough on fire. It’s busting out on the other side of the range, but we haven’t really had the action on my side yet. Any day now, though…it’s dry as a bone. Otherwise, life continues. Not much to report, aside fromt eh misbehaviors of two growing kittens. I’ve conditioned them to come running when I say ‘Gremlins!’ which really freaks people out. Nerd on the Fireline
6/18	Hello All! I keep checking and no one had posted for a bit, so I thought I would break the silence and check in myself. (HINT: It would be nice if everyone send in an update so we all could see how each of us are doing. ) My FF has been dropping in as often as possible to be with me. Both he and my family have been taking good care of me. I have reached the half way point in my "treatment," and should be on the road to recovery hopefully by Laborday. Whoo hooo! My youngest graduated this past week, so another milestone in my life. Now it is all talks of what to get for the dorm, what clothes to buy/pack and how to do for furnishings. <G> Her older sister has been very patient answering all those "What do I need/do at college questions?" LOL As for fire, not much fire action up here in the Midwest. Lots of rain and even some flooding. Wish I could send some of it down where it is really needed. Take care of yourselves everyone, and I will continue to check daily to see what everyone else is up to. Toodles! Poet
6/4	hi everyone, well, my FF hubby has been gone for 3 1/2 weeks now. fortunately, i spent over a week with him when i flew out to spend time with him before going to moab, utah, to be in one of my closest friends' wedding. what an awsome time we had! we rode mountain bikes on the slick rock trail, too. i've never done anything like that before and i can't wait to do it again. i told my husband that i would be high from the trip for a few weeks! i couldn't believe how many people came from far away for this wedding. some of the bride's family is from england and their coming to the wedding was their first trip to the states! and what a place to start! i just love hiking, biking, camping, just plain hanging out in utah. there's not much going on in the way of fire for my FF. i wonder how the season is going to be. i don't know if i'll see him until he comes home in august. i found some really good airfare, but i have no idea when to go. i got lucky last year and he was off for a few days when i flew out. well, it's ok. i have tons of organizing and fixing up around the house to do. i am going to learn how to garden. i've always had a black thumb, but i'd really like to turn it green. i'm going to start in a small area in the front of the house. oh, and tomorrow, i get to mow the lawn (there's a lot of it and it's a jungle right now). i've only used a manual mower. yeah, that was back in the late 70's when i was a young kid. pretty funny, huh. this should be interesting. i am looking forward to a new familysaid season. i hope you and all of your FF's are doing well......... catskilldog
6/4	Well like I said we discuss everything here. Patty Duke, the actress, lives close to us and last year she was grooming her horse and it spooked and she ended up with a very severe concussion and was very lucky to have survived. I also work with a gal that has a 7 yr old son and she was also grooming and Todd, the 7 yr old, was in the corral with mom and horse and all of a sudden the horse kicked..... Todd was flying across the corral hit the fence. Massive liver injuries, was air lifted out to the trauma center and she is so blessed he is going to be ok, but still has residual stuff to cope with. Actually my husbanded was a responder on this call and he really thought the child would not make it to the hospital. Horses are animals and I love mine a lot but I am not gonna take ANY chances with any animal. Brings to mind the white tiger incident in Vegas.....who was to blame there? sammi who needs to get some work done
6/2	Yo, Tonya… Your FF’s right. I broke and trained horses for eight years. I loved them and still do; I’m helping a neighbor with a new green broke colt whenever I can (Houdini…beautiful pale palomino stud colt, probably going to be about 16 hh). Fire looks more dangerous; big flame fronts are dramatic, and there’s something about fire that just kicks in the adrenaline. And yeah, fire is dangerous; but we’ve been trained to the gills in fire safety. We have PPE and fire shelters and escape routes and safety zones and look outs. We have fire weather and terrain analysis to try to make fire predictable. Horses on the other hand. First, there isn’t the same kind of safety awareness around horses that there is around fire. Do you wear a helmet? All the time? When you’re grooming? How about when you’re turning a horse out? Leading him down a barn aisle? We love horses, so we don’t want to believe that they’d hurt us. A good friend of mine was in a coma for two months after her quiet, well-mannered school master gelding crushed her against the wall of a grooming bay when he got stung by a bee. Another friend was trailriding on a loose rein with her helmet strap loose and her horse spooked. Somehow in spite of the loose strap her helmet stayed on, and it saved her life; the helmet was cracked in half on a rock when she hit the ground. I’ve come off horses many more times than I can count; I’ve got a goofy wrist thanks to a fall, and a rib that keeps coming out of its socket from being crushed up against an arena rail. Of all my fire buddies, we’ve got stories of close calls and running for safety zones, the oldsters have bad knees and creaky backs, but I’ve never heard of the injuries we thought were just kind of normal around horses. Fire is scarier because it’s impersonal; it’s a force of nature. It’s hard to think of horses as dangerous because we love them and we have this idea that they love us, and maybe they do, but they still startle, and they have the sheer mass and speed to hurt as badly by accident. I’ve never seen good statistics on horse-related injuries, on or off the track, but I know from my own experience that both horses and fire can and will kill you if you get careless. Obviously, I still do both. Anyway, I’m glad to hear you’re doing well and having fun. Nerd on the Fireline
6/1	Hello to all! I know I've been away for a while, just wanted to check in. Things are going well in VA. We've had lots of rain so my FF isn't smelling like smoke. School is out, however work has taken its place. I'm now working 2 jobs. I got a job at a farm where I am breaking race horses. It is kind of exciting. My FF says that it is just as dangerous as fire, he'll never make me believe that. Anyhow, we've got a beach trip planned, it'll be right after my 21st birthday. It should be so much fun! He put me ahead of the fires! YIPPEE! I'm glad to hear that everyone is doing so well. Ab, will you send me the info on KH and the fire art. Thanks! Tonya I don't have info on KH any more, Maybe they could write in again. hmmmm... Ab.
5/25	Hi everyone, Sammi here.....I have been conversing with Mellie and she gave me permission to report"""""" she is home doing wonderfully. She said she is walking 1.5 miles and out and about. Napping of course. She appreciates the hugs and good wishes. And remember the Wildland FF Foundation. Look on their website at the info on the $52 program. I think this fundraiser is a keeper. For any new people, mom's, wives, dads, significant others Welcome, no limits to the types of conversations that will get going here pretty soon. We always have a few who stay thru winter but when the fires bust out we will be very busy. Support here is awesome for those of us waiting at home,,, everyone have a very safe weekend,.....sammi
5/25	Hey! Everybody send some hugs (donations in lieu of flowers) to Mellie.  For those who haven’t been keeping up with TheySaid, Mellie just got  out of surgery and wants donations to the Wildland Firefighter