The Fill Line

November

2012
A column for firehouse reading by Thomas J. Parsons

While out scoot-a-pootin. The next Ellis County Firefighters Association meeting will be held in MayPearl
on November 8, 2012 at seven PM, mark your calendar today! I am planning a clean out of those e-mail
addresses that appear to be invalid. If you receive the Fill Line through my sending let me know that your
address is current ASAP. Meanwhile, the Fill Line is graciously displayed on the Ellis County Firefighter web
page if you dont want it delivered to your personal computer.
Michael Loper of ETMC sent the following information. ETMC has created a mobile app to provide tools to
help consumers manage their healthcare, while also promoting the services of their organization. The app is free
and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store by searching for "ETMC". While the ETMC app is currently
available only for Apple devices (such as the iPhone, iPad and IPod), an Android version is being developed and
should be available in December. The mobile app provides information for busy East Texans on-the-go, along
with services to assist people manage aspects of their healthcare: Some examples include; search for physicians
on staff at any ETMC hospital by name, city or specialty, search for ETMC facility locations by service or city,
create maps to help you navigate to physicians and ETMC locations, designate messages and contacts to be sent
quickly during emergency situations, and access life-saving emergency care information. You can watch ETMC
videos and read the latest news about our health system, and create a handy and helpful medication list that
travels with you (a new feature). For more information contact ETMC.
I visited the main fire station while in Mentor Ohio. Fire Chief Richard Harvey and Battalion Chief Robert
Searles were reviewing plans for a response if there is a report of a school shooting. (The town of Chardon is a
mere ten miles away, thus the past incident of that community situation is fresh in the minds of responders). Our
conversation varied to reflected memory of our fire service careers from fire explorers to current statuses. It was
a fun visit, but I had to depart to allow them to return to business. A later stop in Kirtland Ohio allowed for a
quick tour of their station #2. Crews were on fire prevention week activities while the duty officer opened the
door for this visiting fireman. Dark rainy days prevented any outside apparatus shots during this short visit,
though I found their (KFD) old Dodge power wagon inside, hope the picture comes out, Rick.
Ennis Fire department received a grand prize from Wilson Electronics after Ennis Firefighter Ken Isom
(Volunteer Division) submitted a 200-word essay on the needs of their organization. This stuff was related to
radio communications and I know Ken or Fire Chief Jeff Aycock can give you the skinny on the particulars. You
never know if you dont submit things, so always try. (It only took three years to receive our grant at Central
High. Be patient, as good things come in time).
If anyone took the first tour of Chicago Fire on NBC sure got either a replay of the movie Back draft, or an
installment of Dallas. Maybe I live a dull life, but those characters sure had their share of problems, but then
it is television and that equals lots of drama anyway you look at it. I never did see the engine of the house as the
drama centered on the truck and squad members personalities. Oh the house ambulance was represented as
well with the female side of the house. The second show seemed to flow, with even more drama. As a member
of the firefighting fraternity, it is still a do watch at our house, what can I say?
The 27th annual Ovilla heritage day had the OFD headquarters station renamed the Donnie Pickard fire
station. Among those at the event were Mayor Tom Leverentz and Karen Pickard. What a tribute!
Are you in the pink? Those pink Tees are still available at the Waxahachie and Ennis fire stations (among
other departments I am sure). I picked up one at the Ennis fire station during a visit.
I wonder if the new Big Tex will have sprinklers, as his old plumbing fell victim to age and ash.
Finally, best wishes to Waxahachie Fire Chief David Hudgins as he retires from the WFD. I know he is on the
right track, so full throttle to him, and may each turn have a high ball in the distance. Say, I wonder if he caught
the Union Pacific steam train with all the passenger cars when it rolled through town the October 18?
Meanwhile, keep the hoses dry and well see you out while scoot-a-pootin. To connect with me, phone: 972878-0562, or e-mail: labwdp@academicplanet.com Id love to hear from you!

Question of the Month: November, In 1961 President Kennedy announced a goal to land men on the moon
and return them safely to earth by the end of the decade. In what year was the fire department established for the
Kennedy Space Center and who was its first fire chief?
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The answer for: October. In 1967 a publication discussing the the chain of survival was published by
cardiologist Frank Pantridge. The intent was research on taking the benefits of advanced care to the streets to
care for victims of heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest with suitable medical resources, (updated ambulances,
trained personnel etc.). Prior to this standard, care was taking the victim to the hospital by a poorly equipped
ambulance looking vehicle or a station wagon car in a big hurry. (We used to call it pack up and peel out).
The Firehouse kitchen. Since Books took a day off from duty and won a fire engine, Dink figures he can win
something as well, and after a conversation with Lt. Hart at shift change, they decide to take in a local
motorcycles open house event. Dink has missed his vintage bike since it was stolen on his big ride to the state
line. Dinks mother drops him off at the curb of the show room, and goes on to a historical commission meeting.
Soon, Lt. Hart arrives on his immaculate cycle and both firefighters look at the festivities. There is a prize
wheel, lunch, cold drinks, and snacks as well as a grand prize to be given away at this great event. There are
free demo rides on the newest motorbikes and even a free leather jacket and helmet that will be given away to
any new buyer of their great cycle line with the right credit report. Lt. Hart thinks that he sees Chief Burns in
the distance, as he contemplates the latest promotion that will be filled within the next month. He quietly
wanders away from a wide-eyed Dink. Soon Dink finds the food table and is holding a hot dog and soft drink
when one of the sales people come up to tell Dink about the super lightning bike that is said to be a best seller.
She is an attractive girl with pink hair, numerous tattoos, and a tight tee shirt and short shorts. Dink drops his
soft drink.
As they proceed to the new lighting line, she points to a lime green cycle, and Dink thinks of engine 13, and
thinks how it would be an asset to be part of the firehouse 13 team with the similar color of the fire engine, and
is soon poised ready for his free ride. The motorcycle comes to life and Dink is instructed to take a short ride
around the block. However, at the end of the second turn there has been a water main break and traffic is
diverted to a freeway on ramp. The next exit is five miles away, and at the exits stop sign Dink is completely
lost. After two hours, Dink is still riding along with the wind in his hair oblivious to time and location when he
hears a siren behind him.
The pretty sales girl became alarmed when Dink didnt return, and has called the cops. Within an hour of the
report police have found the stolen motorcycle and its unscrupulous rider. Dink is immediately taken into
custody and the motorcycle impounded. At the police station, Dink lawyers up thinking he can impress the
officers after thinking of an episode of a recent police action show. Unimpressed, the sergeant tells him he has
to make at least one phone call (supposedly to his lawyer) but Dink calls firehouse 13 instead. Curbs answers
the phone, and after hearing the problem, tells Dink he would call the union and get Dink representation, then
passes the phone to Captain Snut. Captain Snut figures this is a problem for human relations, but after hanging
up the phone, engine 13 is toned out to be first due at a reported all hands at an old warehouse. Engine 13 is on
the street in less than a minute, as both phone calls are quickly forgotten.
Some time later, there has been another shift change at the police precinct, and Dink has been put in a cell, his
paperwork stuck in a folder along with the days offences. The original police day shift has been long gone
when a very large nasty looking fellow with a heavy smell of the lack of hygiene and alcohol is ushered into the
cell with Dink who asks Whadda ya in for bubbasay your kind ofcute.
The engine has several lines off, hooked into a hydrant, and looks to be committed for the rest of the night.
About two hours after midnight the roof finally caves in and a shower of sparks saunter into the early morning
sky. As they stand along the pump panel, Curbs asks the very soot covered Captain Snut about Dink.

Prayer portion. A recent news article told of charisma and how the political runners want to posses this
attribute. The dictionary defines charisma as, a special quality of leadership that captures and inspires
unswerving allegiance and devotion. However there are some false prophets, like the ones who truly believe
their own personally conjured up vision can be charismatic. The only weapon against false prophet is hardunvarnished truth. Charisma in a biblical sense implies divine grace. During these political times, the real truth
is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is a time for truth, not word games. We ask prayer for this country as
we enter the political arena. Praise the mighty name of Jesus!

Remember; dont leave the station with out your FILL LINE!
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