BBQ at Leon Guerrero Beach, Inarajan, Guam

Firefighters love to get together. I don't care where they are or where they live. Firefighters just love to get together. It's just like that. Of course when it comes to having a BBQ, I think we are all game. But my crew and their families did just that on this beautiful and sunny June 5th at the Leon Guerrero Beach in gorgeous Inarajan, Guam.

The Leon Guererreo beach is one of the more beautifully maintained beaches in this particular area of Inarajan, known for the many privately owned beaches where many BBQs and family get-togethers are held every weekend.

We were fortunate to have such beautiful weather with a slight breeze that keep everything pretty cool. The temp was still in the 80s, which is the norm here on Guam, but the breeze acted like a giant air con.

Here are a few pictures of the days activities:

 The slabs are cooking now over Cherry and Hickory woods.

 Grillmasters taking a break.

 Head Grillmaster Pete, the ole Devil Dog himself.

Our Chamorro (local) food Chef Jeff and son Vincent. Our two carabaos (bulls).

 Spraying down with a little apple juice.

 You go Devil Dog Pete!!!

Warming up the ribs and grilling the hot dogs and burgers. 

Devil Dog is joined by "Tiny" Tainatongo.  He and family are the fishermen in this group.

 This fish is called "Guile". Another name is Rudderfish.

Turning over by hand. The strips of coconut branch sticks are placed on the grill so that the fish does not stick to it. Works out great every time.

These guile may look menacing but they actually eat seaweed and the like.

Tiny with the catch. His wife speared these particular fish. All in the family.

This is what it is all about. Great tasting BBQ, hot pepper, ice cold drinks and great company!!!!

And the menu was.....

Tamales Giso...

 These tamales are great. One side is spicy and the other is not. Great flavor all around!!

 BBQ'd Spare Ribs...

 Buffalo wings...

 Fresh reef fish (Guile)...

 Kadon Pika Mannok (Hot and spicy chicken adobo using stewing chicken)...

 Pickled papaya with hot pepper...

 and hamburgers and hot dogs...

Leon Guerrero Beach, Inarajan, Guam...

 Eating area, includes restrooms and covered sink areas...

 BBQ area under the trees...

Time for smores....

The day ends in another beautiful night.

I want to thank the Leon Guerrero family of Inarajan for allowing us to use their family beach. It was just another day of fun in the sun. Folks, it just doesn't get any better than this. We are already planning the next outing.

You can view the entire picture album on Picasa online here:

https://picasaweb.google.com/rueben.olivas/BeachBBQLeonGuerreroBeach5June2011?feat=directlink

Until next time....

Oh, I almost forgot, did I mention Brian Meno was there....?

Until next time.....really!!!

Tribute to Memorial Day

"Freedom is not Free". Those words are bigger than life. 

There are many of us who have served our country in one manner or another. We have all sacrificed and we have all known the costs associated with someone who has paid the "Ultimate Price". 

This is a special tribute to all those on this Memorial Day, letting them know that we remember them and they will never be forgotten.

Here are some photos from Guam's War in the Pacific National Historic Park, Asan Beach Annex.

The Cost for Freedon is High!!!

God bless our servicemen and women, past, present and future. They are the protectors of our FREEDOMS.

Until next time....

May 30, 2011

Hey the trash was emptied at the stations!!!

Empty Dumpsters. This is something we haven't seen for a couple of months. But here is the proof. The dumpsters have been emptied at the stations. This is one fantastic sight. Not to mention we no longer have to endure the stench.

Whomever was responsible for this, you have our deepest thanks and gratitude.

Two days after my blog post citing the deplorable conditions of our overflowing dumpsters, they were emptied. I think this is just a coincidence.

Regardless of how or why, the job was done and that's what counts.

Again thanks to whomever you are. Finally someone had the firefighters in mind.

Until next time....

Hey the trash is building up at the stations!!!!

Our trash dumpsters are on overflow at the fire stations!!!!

I am sure that all the fire stations are having the same problem. But why is this happening? Why are we being subjected to living in such filth? These dumpsters are attracting every rat, cat, dog in the neighborhood. The stench is horrific. It's totally unsanitary.

I guess because our Fire Administrators are not living in these conditions it doesn't matter to them. This has been ongoing for months now and still no daylight.

What are they doing about it if they are doing anything at all. I guess it really doesn't matter because all that really matters is the end result. The trash is either picked up or is isn't.

We are even having to haul the trash to the dump ourselves using our own personal vehicles and paying the tipping fee.

Oh well, someone's got to do the job. And it's usually the firefighters in the field.

Here are photos of what we have to live with....

If you noticed our personal trailer is full of trash and we were only able to empty the dumpster enough so that it will close.

At least now we won't be picking up the trash from the ground every morning for a couple more days.

Until next time....

Bill 147 Public Safety Physical Fitness Standards Public Hearing

The Legislature's Committee on Public Safety, Law Enforcement, and Judiciary will conduct a public hearing at 9 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Legislature's public hearing room.

There are many bills on the agenda, but one that pertains to the Guam Fire Department as well as to all the other public safety entities, is bill 147. This bill would establish physical fitness standards and policies for public safety and law enforcement uniformed personnel.

All concerned personnel are encouraged to attend and offer oral and/or written testimony. I present the bill in it's entirety below. You can also view the bill online at the following link: http://202.128.64.29/Bills_Introduced_31st/Bill%20No.%20B147-31%20(COR).pdf

You can click on each page to enlarge it.

I hope that this information is of interest to you.

Until next time....

Blog Web URL Address Changed

Hey, I just wanted to let everyone know that this blog site URL address has changed from http://guambiker.blogspot.com/ to "http://whatsupgfd.blogspot.com".

As I mentioned before, I feel that the new name is more appropriate and to the point.  So if you can no longer find me at the old address, you know why.

Until next time....

What's Up GFD??? Blog Name to Change

Hey, I just wanted to let everyone know that this blog site URL address will be changing from http://guambiker.blogspot.com/ to "http://whatsupgfd.blogspot.com".

I feel that the new name is more appropriate and to the point. I will make the change in about one week. So if you can no longer find the What's Up GFD??? blog using the old URL of "Guambiker" then try out "WhatsUpGFD???".

Until then, I will continue to post using the guambiker address.

So....

Until next time....

Extrication Training the Station 3 Way

Firefighters are always hungry for training. You call them to task and they will perform. Fire Captain Ed Chaco and his crew at Station #3 in Barrigada are always practicing "what they preach" so to speak.

Here is a great training regime utilizing the Hurst hydraulic extrication equipment, "Jaws of Life". As the old saying goes, practice how you play.

The following story and pictures is provided by Fire Fighter II Dave F. Flores:

Extrication Training: Hydraulic Tools
By: Fire Fighter II D.F. Flores

Lead Instructor: Fire Lieutenant D.G. Aguon

In Attendance: Fire Captain E.D. Chaco,Fire Lieutenant A.P. Concepcion, Fire Lieutenant A.J. Cruz, Fire Lieutenant J.C. Carbullido, Fire Lieutenant M.D.U. Blas, Fire Lieutenant J.K.L. Cruz, Fire Fighter II N.D.Cruz, Fire Fighter II D.F. Flores, Fire Fighter II K.T. San Nicolas, Fire Fighter I I.L. Rosario, Fire Fighter I J.M. Sablan and Fire Fighter I D.S. Torres.

Location: Station 3, Barrigada.

Fire Lieutenant Dean G. Aguon illustrating the basics.

On Tuesday, 22 March 2011, the Station 3 crew conducted extrication training with the use of hydraulic tools and instructional DVD’s provided by the Guam Fire Department Training Bureau.

In the classroom environment we were able to review the Basic skills and new technology in extrication practices, taking into considerations different scenarios on how to overcome seen and unseen obstacles that may arise at a scene. We reviewed the many hand tools and pneumatics and how to properly utilize them in an emergency situation to get the maximum effect with lesser effort to achieve our goals at an emergency response.

We were also able to view different extrication principals such as having a rescue response plan which is always able to change and to have flexibility which is always depending on the scene size up, knowing what resources are available and any limitations if any which may become an obstacle while trying to obtain our ultimate goal of saving lives and protecting property.

We also were brought into light about the new vehicle designs, air bag placements, many created to protect the occupants, yet in a rescue mission it can become very dangerous to the rescue team and those around the hot zone. Especially where large vehicles are involved such as a tractor trailer that is carrying a load on a flatbed, a school bus with children on-board, simply a vehicle with a high center of gravity that can become unstable during a rescue. Most of all patient considerations with mechanism of injury added into the equation.

Since I have been in the department, extrication equipment use has been only utilized by our Rescue Units. Only in the past few years have they been implemented in a few of our Fire apparatus units.

Lt. Aguon explaining the various parts of the cutter.

After the class we tackled the equipment familiarization in our apparatus bay and in the parking lot. Operating, handling of the equipment seems to be easy on video, but until you get your hands on it, feeling the weight and finding a way to work with it to your advantage without harming yourself and damaging the equipment is a task in itself. To work around obstacles, debris, cribbing and most of all other emergency personnel around the scene.

Overall, the training was a success from the classroom to the field. Just like anything, if you don’t practice and train on something, then how efficient will you be in the field on a emergency response when someone’s life is on the line. In our job it’s team work that will get you through, knowing and trusting the men and women you may work with can mean seconds in obtaining the main objective…SAVING LIVES.

Lead Instructor Fire Lt. D.G. “Damn Good” Aguon pointing out where the best placement for cutting, as well some of the safety factors that must be considered when in operation.

Fire Fighters D.S. “Baby-Boy” Torres and I.L. “Spitonit” Rosario looking over the hydraulic pump prior to operations.

Field Training:

Fire Fighter J.M. “Choke-U” Sablan utilizing the hydraulic shears to cut away the top rail to facilitate the modified dash roll.

Fire Capt. E.D.”The Hammer” Chaco severs the top rail with ease.

Fire Lt. A.J. “Prensa” Cruz, FF II N.D. “Stormin Norman” Cruz, FF I J.M. “Choke-U” Sablan and FFII K.T. “Big Boy” San Nicolas taking turns changing the arms of the spreader.

Fire Lt. J.K.L. “Superman” Cruz and FFII D.F. “SuperSonic” Flores await instructions from the Officer-In-Charge prior to executing training evolution 2.

FF II D.F. “SuperSonic” Flores and FF I I.L. “Spitonit” Rosario cut the “A” Post to facilitate the roof removal with the hydraulic shears, while Fire Lt. J.K.L. “Superman” Cruz controls and monitors the hydraulic line in the background.

ALS personnel Fire Lt. J.C. “Come Closer” Carbullido and Fire Lt. M.D.U. “The Monster” Blas in the background providing tactical information for patient consideration during an extrication.

And that's how it's done at Station #3 according to Firefighter II Dave Flores.

I would like to thank Fire Captain Ed Chaco and his crew for participating in this very valuable training and Fire Lieutenant Dean Aguon for taking the lead and instructing the men in this training evolution.

Lt. Aguon tells me that he will be going around to the various stations and conducting this same training while he is on duty. Of course he will need to be temporarily reassigned for the day in order to accomplish this task.

We have got to improvise in these days of fiscal restraint.

Job well done!!

It's all good!!!!

Until next time....