MONTANA FIRE CHIEF DIES FOLLOWING CRASH

The Secret List www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

We regret to pass on to you that Fort Shaw Fire Chief Dave Anderson has died in the Line of Duty from injuries he sustained in a crash near Vaughn in July.
Chief Anderson was in the intensive care unit at Benefis hospital in Great Falls after being injured in that crash between those two Fort Shaw fire trucks on July 22.
The Chief was later transferred to a Billings rehabilitation facility that specializes in traumatic brain injury, and then transferred to Peace Hospice in Great Falls several days ago-but succumbed to his injuries this morning.

The apparatus collided while responding to a grass fire near Vaughn; one was a brush truck and the driver of that vehicle was not injured. The other was a water tanker driven by Chief Anderson; the truck tipped on its side and the Chief had to be extricated from the wreck and was then taken to Benefis hospital by ambulance.

 

==MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS:

There is a lot being talked about (and being done) these days related to the mental health and wellness of firefighters and EMT's. Like you, I have read a lot about it - and because each person is different - I try to understand it from my perspective-while remembering that it (issues, problems, life etc) is different for everyone. In other words, what may be sad to you may not be a big deal to me-or what some may find funny, I might not-in other words, we all see (and absorb) stuff differently. So, when someone says "it was a bad call" - while I may have blown it off in the past, I don't do that anymore-I try to pay a bit more attention.

I try to size up and keep sizing up those I work with-and listen for a MAYDAY that may not be audible.

 

PLEASE DO ME A FAVOR...take a minute to read this account from WillieW:

http://www.ironfiremen.com/2014/08/15/searching/ 

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES RELATED TO FF MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS:

-FF PERSONAL SURVIVAL:

-NFFF:

-SAFEcallNOW:

-FF HEALTH ALLIANCE:

 

==SERVICES FOR BROTHER STEVE SKIPTON:

As you now now, Stephen Edward Skipton, Sr., 41, of Goose Creek, passed away peacefully with family by his side on August 23, 2014. Steve was born May 24, 1973 and dedicated his life to his family and the fire service for 25 years. He started his life in the fire service as a teenager as a junior member of the Brooklawn FD outside of his home town. He served as a Firefighter in Bellmawr NJ, later moving through the ranks to Chief of Department of Bellmawr Park in his 20's. Steve worked as an EMT for University EMS in Newark NJ, and the city of Camden for 17 years. During his time there, he responded to the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001 to aid in rescue efforts. 

In 2010, he pursued his dream of working as a career Firefighter and moved to the City of Goose Creek, South Carolina, where he served faithfully. 

HERE ARE MEMORIAL DETAILS:

http://www.sconfire.com/ 

RELATED "STEVE SKIPTON-YOU LIVE & LEARN"

http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2014/08/steve-skipton.html 

 

==KENTUCKY FIRE CAPTAIN REMAINS IN CRITICAL CONDITION

The good news is that 2 of the injured Camprbellsville firefighters have resumed their posts and another has been upgraded to stable condition. 
Captain Steve Marrs and Firefighter Alex Johnson are back on duty following last Thursday's "Ice Bucket Challenge" accident at Campbellsville University.

Simon Quinn has been upgraded from serious to stable condition at University of Louisville Hospital. Unfortunately, Fire Captain Tony Grider, remains in critical condition after numerous surgeries so far.

Quinn and Grider were in the bucket portion of a tower ladder that was spraying water on the university's marching band as part of an ALS fundraising event. KTIYP's.

MORE DETAILS: 

http://www.supportingheroes.org/ 

 

==ARE YOU A COLLEGE STUDENT/FIREFIGHTER or EMT? 

YOU SAY YOU HAVE NO $$?
QUIT WHINING:

FREE MONEY FOR FIREFIGHTING STUDENTS: YVORRA
Its time for the annual Deputy Chief Jim Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation (YLD) scholarship announcement and application...but you actually have to apply to be considered.

The late Jim Yvorra was a Deputy Chief with the Berwyn Heights (Prince Georges County, Maryland) CFD and a nationally recognized author and editor in the fields of fire, hazardous materials, and EMS. Jimmy died in the line of duty when he was accidentally struck and killed in the Line of Duty by a car while at a crash scene on Interstate 95 near Washington, D.C., in January 1988. However, both his legacy and his impact continue to this day.


In this era of ever increasing college costs and student loan debt, there are still a large number of emergency responders who do not take advantage of scholarship opportunities such as the YLD Foundation. 

 

Thanks to our sponsors, donors, and our hard working "volunteer" Board and Committee members, we have given away $130,000 in scholarships since Jimmy's passing. Any active duty career, volunteer or military member of fire, rescue, HazMat, or emergency medical services can apply. Also, funding isn't limited to higher education; if you have a special project (e.g., fire prevention, leadership, community outreach) that can make a difference in your community, then consider submitting an application.


More details are available on the web site at:

 

www.yld.org

 

Check it out. Lot's of good stuff on there about what their 60+ past award winners think about leadership.

Take Care. Be Careful. Pass It On.

BillyG

The Secret List 8/25/2014-2000 Hours