The Fill Line

February 2012

A column for firehouse reading by Thomas J. Parsons

While out scoot-a-pootin. Rick, did you notice that Sees candy usually comes out only during the holidays?
I hear of a Chili-cook-off and blood drive in Midlothian. A place called Me and my house and various other
businesses will host the event with the funds going to a specific Midlothian Fire Department fund that donates
money to the victims of burnouts. The location is 1000 East Main and will be held February 2, 2013.
Our weekly county paper, the Ellis County Press, did a nice cover photo of the Ellis County Sheriff
dispatchers recently. It reminded me that I had once considered doing a story on the county fire dispatchers. I
think I ended up visiting Jan Wilkinson in Ennis while she was doing a tour, and I did a couple of paragraphs on
dispatchers overall. The Sheriff held a dinner and awards gathering and their awards included that Jana Lutz
answered the most calls, Jeff Shepard was the most valuable day shift dispatcher, while Debra Murray was the
most valuable night shift dispatcher. Kristie Brewer was the most dispatcher of the year. Bottom line is that we
can certainly can take our dispatchers for granted, While my time behind a mike was limited to a municipal
operation, alarm box ticker tapes, and a seven digit emergency number, the uncertainly of each call remains the
same today. I would suggest to the Ellis CO. Firefighters Association that we take time to acknowledge those
dispatchers available to attend the next meeting, and let them share their side of the mike to keep us aware of
their side of things. I am sure it would be beneficial to the novice as well as the seasoned members.
Here is another idea for the Firefighters Association meetings, with the report of a group of voluntary
firefighters being shot at while on fire response, as well as first medical responders having to hold before
entering an uncertain situation, the leaders of the Firefighter Association may want to address these challenges
in a nearer then later quarterly meeting. The sheriff could address issues relating to these items for our
awareness.
City of Ennis Truck Two graced a page in the Jan/Feb 2013 issue of Fire Apparatus Journal. The periodical
also noted that new fire apparatus deliveries have dropped 42% to 3500 vehicles delivered in 2012, from a peak
of 6,000 deliveries in 2008. I thought there was talk of change of the economic direction during a certain
election, but the results shown havent been too promising.
We had a missionary stop by our church and while we talked I asked if he knew any firefighters, while
offering him a couple copies of the Fill Line. While he wasnt associated with firefighters, he did mention that
while by the AG campus near May Pearl he had run out of gas and a fellow stopped by to assist. He
remembered that it was Mike Gibbs, a May Pearl volunteer firefighter. One never knows the lasting impression
we make.
Gary Witherspoon reminds all to be familiar with those EAD devices. He notes to, PLEASE TAKE A FEW
MOMENTS to familiarize your self with this LIFE SAVING concept, now USER FRIENDLY to the general
public, and in most public places/buildings. Congratulations to Tommy Hamlin, who was recently appointed to
the ESD #6 board of directors. Hey how about that new light breakfast style egg that was found at David
Eilands hen house near Bristol. The egg was less than one inch in diameter.
In a recent exchange of ideas that evolved around how things seem to wear out unexpectedly, I remember as a
fire board member that the kitchen chairs needed to be replaced since they wore out under the extreme use
by the firefighters. I related this phenomenon into the conversation with another member of the firefighting
community. He related how he had heard that if you put a firefighter in a sealed room with three bowling balls
that after a while the first bowling ball would be broken, the second pregnant, and the third would turn up
missing. Uh, what was that about chairs? Keep the hoses dry and well see you out while scoot-a-pootin.
Connect with me at phone: 972-878-0562, or e-mail: labwdp@academicplanet.com
Question of the Month: February. It was 1971 when the Argocat made its dbut. The vehicle was equipped
with eight wheels, each independently driven. It was also capable of carrying a crew of six. The vehicle was
designed for what special type of firefighting?
The answer for: January A flying guillotine is a consideration during fire ground operations when ventilation
is being performed. This relates to breaking windows above the ground floor, which creates a flying guillotine
as broken glass flies through the air. Heavy winds can allow heavy shards of glass to travel great distance.

The Firehouse kitchen. The gangs extended breakfast cuisine of several cups of coffee with todays two
plus egg sandwiches had finally been consumed and the days committee work has begun. Curbs and Dink
inventory the pumper with the laptop checklist, while Books and Reach scrub the kitchen and bathroom leaving
Captain Snut to start the draft daily log. The day is down right cold with the latest cold front that has invaded
the area and weather wise Reach has followed the forecast and expects they will be out on more furnace
malfunction type fires due to the nasty weather. Fortunately there is no snow, but a cold rain persists and after a
brief pump test, the Mack is backed into the bay. About this time Books makes the comment about ice being
formed in the bathroom as he heads toward the locker room to obtain a sweatshirt. Captain Snut briefly
mentions the cold, and puts on his sweater and uniform overcoat. By now Curbs takes his place in the cleaned
up bathroom for his morning stop. Within minutes he emerges complaining about the extremely cold seat, and
starts another pot of coffee. Chief Burns is running late and radios for someone to open the overhead door so he
can park within the firehouse, and Dink goes an opens the second bays door. There is a warmed over egg
sandwich pulled from the oven as Curbs pours his cup and then the second cup of coffee for the chief, since the
maker of the pot gets first cup, an old firehouse unwritten rule. Chief Burns notices the wrinkled sandwich and
lashes out, Gal dang it Snut, its cold in here, who left the gal danged overhead up after I parked my car?
While Dink has pulled the overhead back into position it is Reach who has already found the problem when he
goes to the basement area for more scrub soap. Reach announces, The furnace isnt working, and it aint a
pretty sight.
Curbs grunts and suddenly remembers that Stan Mertz has quietly reported the malfunction as the other shift
departed for the day. Lt. Hart was to have called maintenance but was told that they were too busy with other
city building problems, and just never showed up. Stan concludes the crew sat around with heavy coats on all
shift and just complained. Curbs in his wisdom suggest that the winds must have blown the pilot light out. Now
Captain Snut sees this as a temporary problem, and directs Reach to get a lighter and torch the pilot light.
Oh no, Im not going to blow up with that rickety old bomb, Reach says, and retreats to the bathroom. By
now Curbs hears the conversation, and is quickly on the phone to the union reporting the fact the station is in
peril of blowing up with escaping gas by the ancient furnace. The steward informs Curbs that it will be looked
into, but right now suggest putting on a heavier coat and to suck it up, priorities you know, and the phone goes
dead. Books agrees with Curbs and thinks the station should be evacuated, as furthermore hes afraid of creating
an ignition source and informs everyone not to use any light switch, start the pumper, or even move the chiefs
car.
The gang and the little chief exchange glances as Chief Burns lets out a disgusted frosty breath, Well Gal
dang it all! Suddenly, Dink steps forward as he will light the furnace. He will descend into the area where
storage and the infamous furnace lie in wait.
As Dink steps from the hallway with lighter in hand, Chief Burns and the rest of the gang retreat to the engine
room and wait in total silence.

Prayer portion. I dont mind telling you, I can get discouraged easily in the days we face. I seem constantly
embattled with problems with no solutions and really have got to be insecure. But as I look to the Bible for
stability, I find Psalm 54 v 4 as an anchor. But surly God is my helper; the upholder of my life. V 5, He will
repay my enemies for their evil. Going further, v 7 For He has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has
looked in triumph on my enemies. Wow is that powerful?
It seems to me that the things we hold closest are the least dependable, so maybe it is time to reach another
direction. Dear Lord, You are the great I am, always was, is, and will be. You are the stability, and the constant
in the world of constant change and great instability. We ask Your touch in our lives as to direct us to be in Your
will, and protect us from the evil one. Have Your way, the only way! Praise God. We pray for the many request
for His healing touch, and other unknown request. Thank You Lord for what you allow us, let us be good
stewards with the generous amount afforded us. Amen!

*** Say, dont forget to mark the quarterly meeting that will be held in Red Oak on
March 14,2013, and always remember; dont leave the station with out your FILL
LINE!
2