The Fill Line

September 2014

A column for firehouse reading by Thomas J. Parsons / Connect at labwdp@academicplanet.com

While out Scoot-a-Pootin near and far. I read that Lancaster Fire Chief Richard Dick Knopf passed away
August 9. He will be missed. Dick was one of the six original full time firefighters hired in Mentor OH in 1967.
Word is that there are fuel tank problems with some 2000-2011 Ford F-series brush and ambulances. With the
idle time between calls, then going full blast to calls apparently dislodges the liner in their fuel tanks. There
have been some local reports of this situation.
I scoot-a-pooted near, for the NCTTRAC zone IV meeting held in Ennis. I appreciate the invite by Tom
Pritchett (who is emphatic to tell others not to leave their station without their Fill Line) as the information was
most important and aimed at local rescue personnel. Wade Gillen, the new Assistant Administrative Chief of the
Corsicana Fire Department also attended. Tom, I did receive the certificate.
ETMCs Robert Scott gave a relaxed but most informative overview of changes in protocol that is forth
coming. His ease with the medical terms and product information was impressive. Jason Gonzales, an ETMC
training officer assisted in the illustration of new devices that included; EZ-10, iGel airway, Flowsake CPAP,
Cat tourniquet, and an X collar. ETMC is focused on providing an EMT course for Ellis County and they
need to know of your intended participation. Jennifer Gardner, an informatics manager was also present, and
gave an informative overview of NCTTRAC and their interaction with 19 counties. I called her the Data Diva
as she is on target with their array of avenues of information as she gave a concise overview of their daily
operation. A case study for Grapevine Fire/Rescue, Baylor Grapevine, and NCTTRAC to optimize real time
CAD and ePCR data with EMS REG*E was made available to examine. Jennifer, Jason, and Robert have a
refreshing approach to share their information and they made the whole evening enjoyable and informative.
I also met up with Benny Trojack and Erick Ludwig from Telico VFD, and appreciated their input on the Fill
Line. Its always good to hear from other east side departments and hear their challenges. I was happy to learn that
Chief Van Fowler is around; I know I have missed him on several occasions, and have dropped off a Mack pack
for him at the station.
Took a ride toward Midlothian and found Red Oak and Midlothian training with their new aerials. I did have the
camera and took some snaps. Both aerials looked real good, but I kept out of the way of training ops, and will
have to take a closer look at the rigs later. Also, I was through Grand Prairie and see they have a new station under
construction just a block west of their current #1 house, (built in 1950). Talk about contrast, the new one seems
huge. Stay tuned, Oh, and Rick, I used your suggestion this month.
I read where the Lemay Fire Protection Districts (MO), Neil Svetanics formerly the St. Louis fire chief, stepped
down from his post last month after more than 11 years as the district's fire boss. His official retirement date
was July 6, but he was off-duty until then due to accrued vacation. Svetanics hired by the St. Louis Fire Dept in
1962 after serving in the Marines, and retired in 1999 after 37 years of service, the last 13 as chief. He returned to
the profession in 2002 when Lemay FPD hired him. If you were around in the 80s, he initiated the quint concept
in St. Louis to streamline services, yet maintain a high service standard for the community. Svetanics was named
Fire Chief of the Year, by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and by Fire Chief Magazine in 1998. I was
impressionable and admired his management style. He said, Im the boss, taking responsibility and making
things happen. He also drove a black sedan. The only other chief that liked a black chief car that I knew of was
Cleveland OHs late chief James E. Granger. But thats another story. Oh, by the
way
Neil Sventanics is 74 years old.
Ken
Isom sent a positive report on Ellis CO radio communications continued
improvements. Through the transition, let him know of any problems along the
way.
Welcome Ennis TX Chief Jeff Aycock to the Fill Line family. Out our way, check
out
Ennis Fires newest Truck 2, the only aerial in eastern Ellis County.
Meanwhile, keep the hoses dry, and well see you out while scoot-a-pootin. Do
the
important stuff.
Neil
Sventanics 1988
The
answer for: August. Upon finding their radio is unable to connect with Rampart
Hospital, Johnny Gage with Emergencys Rescue #51, uses a landline to call Nurse McCall. The phone number
was 555-4647.

Question of the month: September. He was called a torchbearer, a chosen member of a fire company who
would carry an ornate lamp. Who performed this honored post, and what was their qualification?

The Firehouse kitchen. The brown out day provision allows the closing an engine or truck for a shift, to save
the city some money. Firehouse #13 is closed today.
Curbs is in his cluttered living room, a hoarders delight, somewhat lost without being the center of attention,
or so he thinks while at the firehouse. He is the know it all of the crew, just ask him any topic, and he will
dazzle you with his brilliance. However today he just sits, flipping channels with his TV remote, a device that
Curbs values, allowing him to retain his stationary position. His favorite woodworking show has just gone off,
and he is looking for something to enlighten his day, perhaps Loser Talk, or some other drama will fulfill his
morning. He has consumed a pot of coffee, and half a bag of old donuts. The donuts were left at the firehouse
by the B crew and were destined for the trash, but Curbs saw their value and brought them home. They were
dry like a rock, but to have to get up to use the microwave to soften them requires energy. So the donuts are
dunked in his coffee in an attempt to soften them, why should he get up? Curbs is still wearing his uniform shirt
from shift, why dirty one of his personal shirts he thinks. The hardened crust of spaghetti drippings grace the
strained buttons at his baby bump.
He has been passed over the four three promotions, and resents people like Lt. Hart, the pin-up boy of the upcoming leaders of tomorrow. If Curbs was in charge those two jerks Books and Reach would spend more time
cleaning the station instead of always joking around talking about some imaginary fire department someplace.
They are all trucks to me, thinks Curbs. Curbs was the real fire department or so he thought. When he makes
captain, hell transfer the duo out, get some raw recruits to mold, and will push Dink into being his driver and,
and, and then he would get another cat for their mascot, (as he quietly wonders if Spot will ever return).
Curbs digs his butt, then scratches his nose, his pale long dirty fingernails keep him from helping to prepare
meals at the firehouse. The crust around his lips mix with his reeking breath and of a general lack of hygiene to
offend anyone that falls within his precious personal space which can cause them to gag and quickly back up.
His hacking brings up phlegm, which he deposits in a near-by waste bin. He was an avid smoker for years, but
got a scare when one of his sacred talk shows told of throat cancer, and Curbs stopped cold turkey. The joke at
the firehouse was he was always balanced with a cigarette in one hand and a coffee cup in the other, and has
been off balance ever since. The B crew says when he worked overtime; he sipped his coffee to prolong from
having to work, but claims he still sucks after setting down his habit. They thought it might even be a good
knick name. The firehouse can be tough with their critics.
He is an advocate for the union, despite the fact he is often hung up on by the chief steward who tires of his
constant whining. Stan Mertz replaced Curbs as the shop steward when Curbs pushed the politically correct
envelope too far irritating Chief Burns and embarrassing the union. Even the union has a standard.
So now the coffee pot is empty, and he will walk through his weed ridden yard to his dirty workshop stopping
long enough to scratch his butt and think of the effort required to complete work on that bookcase he has
promised for completion for over a year. The light switch reveals the bulb is blown and that will require a return
to the house.
Looking for a fresh bulb, he pushes some boxes out of the way, then remembers the empty coffee pot and
decides to start another one. He shoos some flies off an open container of dry cookies, grabs a few, and returns
to his very worn lounge chair near the TV. The workshop project will have to wait.
Sitting down, he retains his remote assuring himself that at least here, he is in control.
Prayer portion. I have my down times, but found it a privilege not only to talk with, but also get uplifted
through a conversation with Ken Isom at an Ennis fire station while out scoot-a-pootin. We were in the engine
bay, a place where ideas are exchanged and new direction is found. Ken is educational with his knowledge, but
inspirational in his approach to others. I know his secrets, (how). Its good to network with others through
difficult times, but the right people are often put in our path for a reason. If we allow Him to guide us along
the path of life, we can experience the right stuff. Putting Jesus Christ first in your day and depending on Him is
the baseline that we need to operate by. The rest is just the good stuff we encounter. Lord we thank you for
being with our emergency responders as they encounter their day, and guiding them to a positive result to
glorify You. Network and recharge this Sunday, or any day with other real good folk.
Thats all for now, meanwhile and well see you out while scoot-a-pootin. Connect with me Thomas J.
Parsons at phone: 972-878-0562, or e-mail me at: labwdp@academicplanet.com

** Remember! Dont leave the station with out your FILL LINE!