Just pray Warning... Read at your own risk.

The tones drop.  Across the radio comes, "Structure fire...  With exposure problems...  Possible entrapment..."  As we pulled up on the scene I see flames at least 20 feet in the air.  I hear Incident Command warning, "Boys stay away from those lines!  They're popping everywhere."  I can feel the heat from not 1 but 2 houses.  A man helplessly cries as his child is still in the house.  We fight every urge to go in but know there's no hope.  We battle the blaze just as hard as ever.  There really is nothing we can do.  Yes we risk our lives but if we're not alive ourselves then how can we help the entrapped?  So still, we fight and fight knowing the outcome will be grim.
The fire is knocked down...  We begin the overhaul phase.  Starting with the back of the house working forward we check the area for "hotspots."  Then the captain asks me to follow him to help him see because I have a flashlight.  Someone asks if anyone knows where he is?  In the distance I hear, "In the front bedroom."  The captain sifts through the ashes and rubble.  And then I hear those dreaded words...  "Command I've located the victim." 
As I hear these words a million sensations and feelings flood into my heart and body.  A punch in the gut.  I want to vomit.  I want to cry.  I want to be angry.  I want to fall to my knees and sob.  I want to do it all over again.  Hoping for a better outcome.  The scene plays in my head a million times over.  Searching for a spared life. But the outcome is the same every time.  I rest assured that the entire crew did everything they could, but still no peace. 
I called my wife to ask that she have every person she knows to pray.  Pray for the child.  Pray for the family.  Pray for the neighbors and everyone that knew this child.  Pray for the firemen, EMS and police on scene.  That's the only relief I know.  Just pray...

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The Fire and EMS service goes to Hollywood

Ever wondered who walked the fire ground before you? As many of us know the first Volunteer FD was established by good ol' Benjamin Franklin in 1736 in Philladelphia, Pa. Did you also know that there are (or were) many famous people out there fighting the good fight to save life and property? Yep sure are... And some of them may surprise you. Here is a list for ya and what they're famous for.

Dick Hall Baltimore City Fire Baltimore Oriels
Dave Hall Middle River Rescue Baltimore Oriels
David Lee Roth Paramedic NYC Van Halen
Steve Buschemie FDNY Actor
John Miller Baltimore Ciity Fire Baltimore Oriels
Brian William Firefighter from NJ NBC News
Erron Kinney Williamson Co Rescue TN Titans tight end
Kurt Vonnegut Vol. Firefighter NY Author
Phil Fister Charleston FD Tough man

So if you ever get the idea, "Im just a firefighter/EMT" think again! Any of these fine men could be you some day! Keep on fightin' the good fight. You never know what life will bring you!

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Wilderness... The new frontier

As some of you may know i have recently found a new point of egress to vent my Fire and EMS obsession. WILDERNESS! Its coming soon my friends. The state of West Virginia is covered in more than 65% woodland area. There is a strong need to focus our public services in this direction.
Some of these areas of focus are as simple as making the public aware of good ideas in being prepared if they get disoriented. What is safe and what is not? Others areas are to more effectively train our Fire and EMS workers in how to think "Wilderness Style."
How do we prepare ourselves when, we too, could become lost or disoriented in a wilderness environment? What things are good to be packed if we're involved in a technical rescue or partake in a search in which we might have to spend the night in the woods? How do we care for a patient if we're more than an hour away from the ambulance (or any form of civilation).
What was the mindset of the person that is lost or missing? Are they a child? If it is a child is the child autistic? Is there drugs or alcohol to blame? Bodily injury or trauma? Is the person elderly and suffering from dementia? All of these "levels of consciousness" could come into play when determining where or how the person might have traveled.
These are just a few things to think about. When in doubt or even think you're lost just stop. Stay put... Sit for a while. Gather your thoughts. Try to become comfortable. Think clearly and above all else dont panic. Its human nature to panic. This causes your mind to overreact and first impulse will be to "do something". Most of the time this impulse to do something is wrong. Just stay put.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!

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First time out

Ok so for all you out there who dont know me my name is Brandon Holley.  I am a Firefighter and EMT-B in kanawha county  although its tough some times, I love what i do  I am married to a wonderful womam.  Rachel is the love of my life.  We have had our fair share of strife in the past. But really...  who doesnt.
This is my first ever blog.  Sometimes it will be about my crazy wonderful life and sometimes just plain randomness  Stay tuned for what comes next.  Ready or not...

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