Wednesday, February 29, 2012

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS: THANK YOU

(UPDATE: added this am: 2/29/12 below "how local fire co. reports details of the call/response)
VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS respond rapidly to our neighbors home 2/29/12
NO ONE HOME!

At 9pm I hear local sirens go off followed by 2 or 3 other department dispatches.

For those from other countries; here in eastern USA, I live in the country (not city). There are volunteer fire departments, 2 or more for each township. The local dept. is dispatched. A decision is made if the fire requires additional back-up by local departments


Tonight the fire next door: All firefighters worked fluidly, meticulously gaining control of the fire-
                                                                            within what seemed to be a 3/4 hour period; one and 1/2 hours? The passing of time; how difficult to count time during tragedy.

   Organized. Calmly and expediently everyone appeared to know their task. Without hesitation, men high up on a roof, chainsaw into the attic several places. Not one person is idle; there is no chaos. Fortunately no one was home. We have to wait a day or so to find out what caused the fire. Thankful it was contained and did not catch trees and spread to our home.

I have included photos that captured the reflection off the Firefighter's suits. Look how many there are just outside the home (3 photo from top). Of course these are very large homes, unlike mine (smiles), so had it spread the fire would have been humongous!

There are a dozen or more men inside the house while others break windows for access...what a mess is left!

DID YOU KNOW? = have all your fire alarms connected as ''one'' so that if one goes off ALL GO OFF. 

Possible Fire at our House: We could have perished. Our alarm went off in the basement one night.
I ''happened'' to have gotten up to get something down stairs which I never NEVER do!! I heard a funny noise emanating from the basement; opening the door to the basement I could clearly hear the fire alarm and could smell smoke. Our heater was about to catch on fire! Since that time I have had all our fire alarms connected as one.

Know your house; can you hear from anywhere in your home all alarms, particularly if you are asleep?   ****Have an escape ladder and a plan for each person on ''how to escape." and where you will meet after exiting the house! Be sure everyone agrees to never go back to the house NO MATTER WHAT unless cleared by the fire department. NOTE: if you use batteries check them every 6 months/1 year depending on what you are using.

THANK YOU TO ALL FIREFIGHTERS; YOUR HARD WORK AND FAITHFULNESS TO YOUR COMMUNITY/NEIGHBORHOOD IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!
please be careful: I have worked on a Burn Unit directly with the victims and their families; BE SAFE.
                              -------------------------------------UPDATE--------------------------------------------

By Glen Moore Fire Company
February 29, 2012
 
At 9:03pm on Tuesday, Stations 48, 49, 69, and 47 were dispatched on Pennswood Drive for a House Fire. Chief 48 arrived on location to find heavy fire on the second floor with extension into the 3rd floor. Engine 48-1 arrived just behind the Chief and proceeded to deploy a 1 3/4 line to the second floor to attack the fire.

Engine 48-5 arrived next to establish water supply operations. Chief 48 established Pennswood Command with Deputy 48 handling Operations and Asst 49A taking Safety. Engine 49 provided a second line into service and went to the 3rd floor to check for extension and provide additional fire suppression to the 3rd floor.

Ladder 69 handled the roof operations and Station 47 handled the RIT team assignment and laddering the to the 2nd floor.

A tanker task force was called due to being in a non-hydrant area bringing tankers and equipment from Stations 73, 33, 34, and Air Light 46, in addition to a Medic 93. The fire was brought under control in less than an hour. Crews worked for over 3 hours with the extensive salvage and overhaul operations.

Special thanks to Atglen and Sadsburyville Fire Companies for providing stand by coverage.
Units:Engine 48-1, Engine 48-5, Engine 49, Rescue 48, Squad 48, Utility 49, Tac 48, Traffic 49, Command 48
Mutual Aid:Stations 69, 47, 73, 33, 34, Air 46, 89, Medic 93, Fire Marshals, PSP
________________________________________________________

Friday, February 24, 2012

COMING SPRING


 The weather has been so unusual this year; this week warm and breezy. Weeding has begun already (?) as some unknown ''thing'' has spread over many many gardens! This is not an easy ''just pull and go'' type of weed; on knees, dig across and under, work it, work it, pull, sift...eventually ''voila!" one weed has bit the dust.  

OH..., a rolling sea of weeds!
       Jump aboard this sea of green,
              and cast away me? but A SHIP I  need!
                      To farther shore MANY days from now, 
                              ANYONE interested?  Please come aboard!      -suzie

Come ''true spring'' there won't be time to weed; preparation for a wedding, recovery from a swimming pool blown down. Yes. Searing winds brought more trees down and, 20,000 gallons of pool water gushed toward the house leaving laden birdseed bins and an asundry other items strewn throughout the lawn. Sarah's boyfriend calls our woods, Chernobyl. Sadly, he is correct; the beauty of the woods is gone. Repetitive unusual storms of 2 years gone by.

Today: walking up the lane a breath of spring tried pouring in...why then such melancholy spirit within..., no laughter-
                                   "YET MY SOUL SEES BEAUTY IN LITTLE THINGS:

                                                     THANK YOU LORD, THESE GIFTS 
                                                                        OF SPRING."

COMING SPRING

Those nodding heads,              
ephemerals,
in white's and pink's,
some green's.
Those winter winds,
emoting me
to thoughts of
coming spring.                               

Does spring bring forth the hope of life,
a salve for broken dreams?
If so, rush past you winter winds,
pour hard gushing tears of rain.
March out to greet those nodding heads
in Hope,             an unfettered, flowing, spring.                -suzie

           


    

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

VALENTINE?

Does anyone remember the valentine's that you punched out in the late 50's to early 60"s?
They came in a folder like book and then you could also embellish them by punching
out a little heart and inserting it in a slot on the valentine you were giving to that special
person?             I remember doing it in 5th grade………and received one too! I think my mom
threw them out; I wish I still had it.
I would love to see one of those booklet-like things again; maybe google it? i think
I 'll look the next time I am out antiquing...

                                           HAPPY VALENTINES DAY  <3

I SEE THE MOON
      AND THE MOON SEES ME
            GOD BLESS THE MOON 
                   AND GOD BLESS THEE                 Happy Birthday to my Dad  Feb.14th, 1923
                                                                            

Monday, February 13, 2012

Ode to Jonathan, my boy, Yet A Man!


A solitary statue
sitting here on this shelf,
preparing my day,
a cleaning elf!

Keurig coffee sits beside me,
off to my left; 
and you were just here
with coffee and off
to the right!


Yet now you are off 
living where you should be
up and out, on your business
my Jing Jing is ''there."





How strong, A tall tower!
as he stood in that line,
My child of great character:
Integrity! is his line.

Two months! memories linger-
I'll cherish that time,
But a boy must move onward
and complete his own rhyme.



Oh wow and amazing
that you can do this,
take off and pursue,                      
a business like this!

My head shakes how awesome,
you persist and move on,
Not one of us here would,...
could pursue such a task!

A task?... humor tickles,
my mind surprisingly,
Isn't that what you're after;
Clearcut?! Yes indeed!

Jonathan, I love you,
to be a fly on the wall,
and watch you achieve this,
Man,....I'm just in awe.           with love, mother

ps: PopPop would be so very very proud of you; you stand like him Jonathan; so strong, mind and body, his spirit, his entrepreneurship...… and you have his nose!!!