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....

Coming Soon.... Barrigada Fire Station Extrication Training

Firefighter II Dave Flores has submitted a post to me about Fire Captain Ed D. Chaco's Barrigada Fire Station crew conducting vehicle extrication training. It includes hands on training slicing and dicing a car up. Firefighters love to destroy stuff.....in training that is.

Once the photos are resubmitted to me, I will post their training event. It is some good stuff.

If any of you out there want me to post your crew, just submit your event to me with the pictures in JPEG format and it will be done. Not everyone really knows what firefighters do when not on actual emergency calls.

Until next time....

Acting Fire Chief Mike Aguon on K57 Radio with Patty Arroyo

Acting Fire Chief Mike Aguon, along with PIO Fire Captain Andy Arceo, were on the K57 Radio Talk Show hosted by Patty Arroyo. A lot of the Fire Departments key issues were talked about.

Acting Fire Chief Mike Aguon

You can listen to their interview on-line.

Here is the web link:  http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13088:acting-fire-chief-mike-aguon-and-fire-captain-andy-arceo-with-patti-arroyo&catid=52:k57-interviews&Itemid=151

Until next time....

Day of the Plane Pull for the American Cancer Society

Team GFD and friends participated in the American Cancer Society's annual plane pull event and what a great event it was.

The theme for this year's event was, "Towing the Line to Save Lives". This is an annual American Cancer Society fundraiser. The entry fees alone this year brought in over $20,000. There was food, various displays and info booths set up inside the huge VQ-1 aircraft hanger along the flight line on Tiyan. The event was well attended. I would estimate the crowds to be in excess of 2000 people.

In the plane pull competition itself, more than 40 teams went head to head for the best time. The competition was ferocious. Everyone gave it their all.

Here are a few pictures that I took:

    Another team is pulling a 737.

Part of Team GFD at the staging area.

                                                                                                        Team GFD receiving their briefing.

Capt. Soriano, team coordinator, laying down the strategy. 

                                                                              Team GFD and friends ready for the big pull

                                                                                                                                                         Team Picture for Team GFD. 

                         The start of the Big Pull.

Everybody giving their all.

                                                                                                                                               Pulling so hard a teammates hair (red tee) is

                                                                                                                                               blowing backwards.

           The pull is over and the team is exhausted.

 

                                                                              It's time to party now boys. Great job!!!

Though Team GFD did not win the event, we won in our hearts as all teams did. We contributed towards winning the fight against cancer. It was a great time for a great cause.

More pictures are available to view at this web link: https://picasaweb.google.com/rueben.olivas/ACSPlanePull9Apr2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCLrtmvmQ8fiBcw&feat=directlink

Until next time....

Update on Fire Truck and Ambulance Procurement

Just a quick update on the procurement of the firetrucks and ambulances.

I checked with the Special Projects Section of GFD, who oversee and/or observe the procurements and this is what I was told. There is no current procurement in the process for ambulances. No funding has been identified. Specifications have been drawn up though and they are trying to identify a funding source .

Regarding the current firetruck procurement, according to Captain Ron Chiguina, the 5 firetrucks have now gone down to 4 total firetrucks. I am awaiting information as to why the amount was lessened. The current status of the procurement process is that the package is still at GSA awaiting word when the pre-bid conference will take place.

By my estimation, if we can get an award for the trucks in the next 1 1/2 months, the build time usually is about 220 to 260 days. Then the pre-delivery inspection will take place and then the shipping if all goes well with the inspection. Delivery usually takes about 20-30 days. So all in all we are looking at anywhere between 270-335 days before we see the trucks on Guam. Then they have to go through the on-island service by the vendor, inspection and registration by DPW, and the final turnover to GFD. That' another 2-4 weeks. Of course all this timeline is from my experience having been involved in a number of firetruck procurements in the past. This does not take into consideration of a protest by any of the bidders. That would change everything and throw the entire time elements off by an unknown amount of days or months. That has happened in the past also.

No matter how we look at it, we will be fortunate to see those firetrucks in service within the year.

The ambulances are another matter. Nothing, nada, ni hafafa......

Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Until next time....