Hampton Fire Local 2450 Request for Help

One of our members, Medic/Fire Fighter Kate Messier recently experienced a difficult tragedy in her family.  She is a single mother of three teenage daughters, 23, 20 and 18.  The youngest, Caitlin, had a diving accident Sunday evening.  She fractured C-5 and C-6, leaving her paralyzed from the shoulders down but has some feeling and movement in her fingers and lower arms.  She underwent surgery today to repair the fracture and salvage any hope of her walking again.  The initial prognosis was 3% and there hasn’t been any defined change.

She graduated from high school less than one week earlier and was to begin the Tidewater Regional Fire Academy in July.  Kate, who rode in on the call and rendered care to her daughter, has not left her side since the incident occurred.  The Fire Chief has been very supportive of her situation and absence and we have all begun collecting funds for Kate and Caitlin to assist with a very long recovery and several thousand dollars in hospital and physician bills.

All we are asking is that the VPFF put the word out to other locals in hopes they will offer prayer and support in whichever manner they see fit.  An account has been set up at a SunTrust branch and donations can be made in the name of “Katherine Messier” if anyone wishes to donate monetarily.  Caitlin is currently in the ICU at Riverside Regional and will be for at least another week.  Local 2450 would appreciate any dispersion of our message to our other brothers and sisters in the state,  Thanks you.

Fraternally,
Jason Monk
VP – Local 2450

Company Patches Needed!

If you, and the brothers at the station, can help out with sending one of your company/department patches to a little boy who loves the fire service and everything WE stand for, please read the article from a brother Fools members below:

A Call to The Brotherhood

By: Scott Hardin hardin.ds@hotmail.com Captain Charlotte Fire Department, NC

While walking the exhibit halls during FDIC in Indianapolis, on Friday April 11, I ran upon a traffic jam. Not that this would not be uncommon, due to 30,000 Brothers and Sisters attending this years conference. As I made my way, trying to get around the gathering of people, I noticed a child that had a severe handicap and some health issues who was wheelchair bound, stopped in the middle of our path. He was the reason for the holdup. So like any other person in that group, I was curious if the child was ok or needed some type of assistance. After a quick survey, the child seemed to be doing fine; the Brothers and Sisters were just talking with the youngster.  You see this little guy has had a rough life in the few short years that he has been graced to be on God’s green Earth. As I got a little closer, I noticed several Fire Department patches were attached to the front of his wheelchair; a couple more were on a small desk top. I asked the lady (his nurse) who was standing by his side if they collected patches and she replied “Yes, he loves firefighters and fire service memorabilia”. So I asked if he comes from a family of firefighters. To my surprise the answer was no. You see, some Brothers and Sisters from where this little guy lives took the time, effort, and money to send him down to FDIC from South Bend, IN, just so he could be with the greatest bunch of people in the world. His mother made her way over to me and said they’d like to cover his room with FD patches and memorabilia one day.

So I ask of you to take 5 minutes out of your busy day, grab an envelope, and your local department patch. Put the patch inside with a little note for this little guy and send it off to him and his family.

 

Please send them to:

James Sipocz
26700 Darden Rd
South Bend IN, 46628

 

Fools International Pipes & Drums Website Announced!

The Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society’s Pipes & Drums have launched their website for all to see.  Go to http://foolsinternational.com/pipe_Drum/ to see what they are all about.  The Fools International Pipes & Drums are made up of brother and sister Fools members from chapters all over the country.  They have played together at numerous Fools and Fire Service functions for the past few years and have finally made it official.  Visit thier site to learn more. 

Membership Cards

Ok…as of just a few days ago, the International has finally been able to update every chapter’s membership into a new computer database.  Today, I received a complete list of those names from our chapter that are actually on file as members of Fools International.  There are almost 30 names that need to be updated (sent in) to Ellen in order to make our chapter’s roster up to date.  I will be sending those in with the appropriate dues amount so all of our members will be on file.  I know I have asked this before so bear with me for the last time (hopefully).  If you did not receive your Fools International Membership Card, please leave a comment below with your first and last name and that you NEED a card still.  Please do not comment if you DO NOT NEED a card.  Any questions should be forwarded to me via email.  This will still take a little time to sort out and get everyone’s name to the International.

-Keith

2008 Membership Dues

It’s that time of the year again.  Although a little late, membership dues will be due by May 1, 2008.  We have had a lot going on recently with the preparing for, and the cancelling our Spring Training event, and with the organizing of our Kick-Ash-Bash on April 12th.  For those who wish to remain active members, you must pay your dues by May 1st via PayPal by following this link, or the link on the website.  Dues are still $20 for the year.  If you do not pay by May 1st, your membership may be revoked and you will have to re-apply.  If you cannot pay via PayPal, please contact a member of the EBoard as soon as possible.

Brotherhood Bash on Saturday April 12th

We will be hosting a Brotherhood Bash for all area firefighters, Fools members, Emerald Society members, wives, girlfriends, husbands, better-halves, etc…The bash will be held at Mackey’s American Pub located at 9412 Main Street in downtown Manassas, starting at 7 pm and ending when they kick us out.  This is a chance for anyone who is not a current Fools member to become one by filling out an application that night.  The beer is on us too!  We will have beer, food, music, brotherhood, stories, and a short presentation on what the Fools are all about.    So stop on by and share in the festivities, and don’t forget to bring your lids for some pictures.  If you are going, please leave a comment below.  Stay safe, see ya there.

Engine & Truck Company Operations Class CANCELLED

 It is with regret that I must inform all of you that the Spring Training Weekend, Engine & Truck Company Operations, has to be cancelled at this time.  There was an issue with asbestos being found in numerous buildings at the training complex.  Although the buildings and area that we were going to use were not effected by this directly, the facility manager has decided to cancel all events at the site until further notice.  A company has been called in to inspect the site and give a final report to the facility manager, our chapter, and the area departments who train there.  Any and all registration fees that have already been payed to our chapter via PayPal will be reimbursed within the next 72 hours.  Please keep an eye on your emails/accounts that you used to make the PayPal payments and please contact me as soon as your money has been returned.  Again, I would like to apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and I hope all of you will consider training with us in the future.  We will be trying to acquire an alternate training site in the near future, and hold this class soon.  Please continue to check our website for events and upcoming training classes.  Please feel free to post below, or contact me via email.  Thanks and stay safe.

-Keith Bresnahan, Chapter President

Engine & Truck Company Operations Class ***CANCELLED***

It’s that time again…to hold another great weekend training class…on Saturday and Sunday, April 12th and 13th we will be hosting an Engine & Truck Company Operations Class at our usual training site on the grounds of the old Lorton prison complex…for those who attended our RIT weekend last October know how good the training is going to be…the cost for Fools members is $20 for either day (either class) and $40 for the weekend…if you can only make one of the days, you can choose which class (Engine or Truck Ops) you would like to attend…go to the site and register now!  Tony Carroll has challenged all of our members:  If you cannot (or for some odd reason don’t want to) attend the training weekend, donate the amount of the class to the DC burn foundation…any questions about the classes, please contact Keith…SEE YOU ALL THERE!!!!

New EBoard Officers Elected

Congrats to those members elected to fill the few vacancies on our EBoard.  The following chapter officers were voted in during the February 7th meeting at Mackey’s Pub:  President Keith Bresnahan, Vice President Kevin Franzello, Secretary/Treasurer Bob Pope Jr., and 1st Trustee Tony Carroll.  Jon Stern is still the 2nd Trustee.  Good luck to those new to the EBoard.  You’ll need it.

Next Monthly Meeting To Include Some Training

We will be conducting a little Hands On Training during our next monthly meeting to be held on Thursday February 7th, 2008 at Mackey’s Pub in Manassas.  This will be an ongoing thing at each of our meetings from now on.  This meeting’s training topic will be announced here soon.  Show up for some brotherhood and a little knowledge.  What training topics would you like to see during our upcoming meetings?  Leave a post with your recommendation.  Tshirts will be available too.  SEE YOU ALL THERE!