Friday, December 28, 2012

Waxing Poetic

Poetry is normally not my thing. It is not that I do not like it. I've just never been very good at writing it. Every now and again though, I'll have a nugget or two that will escape the gray matter rattling around in my skull (see post entitled, A Couple of Poems).

Yesterday was one of those rare moments. I was having lunch with Kristin at The Bakery in Farmville, VA when I snapped the photo below.

A Table For None

While thinking of a title for the photo, a thought came to me of someone walking into restaurant and asking for "a table for none" and then walking out. It was at that moment that the poem came to me...

A table for none
No reservation needed
The time has come to be gone
The traveler's call must be heeded

Experience sustains me
Knowledge quenches my thirst
I await the next sight I'll see
But I must arrive there first


That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Friday, October 26, 2012

6 Years On The Job

Today marks 6 years since I completed rookie school with the Sumter Fire Department and embarked on one of the greatest ventures of my life. On October 26, 2006 I received my certificate of completion for rookie school and raised my right hand to be sworn into the fire service. I look back, and it is hard to believe that it has been that long. It seems like it was just yesterday. Like the military, it did not take very long for me to figure out that it was indeed a calling for me, and now that I've been doing it for this long I cannot imagine myself not doing it. Lord knows it was very frustrating for the last 6 months to be off the job while recovering from shoulder surgery.
Me learning how to put up ladders.

A big part of my love for this job comes from the Brotherhood that exists within the fire service. No matter where I go in this country, wherever I find a firehouse it feels like home. Check out my post, Virginia Visit Recap from earlier this year for an example of what this Brotherhood means. My two Brothers from Roanoke that are mentioned in the post, Rhett Fleitz and Willie Wines, Jr have written extensively on the Brotherhood and I definitely recommend checking out their sites. The fire service practically became my second family overnight. From my brothers at Station 13 in Sumter, SC, to my new family in Odenton, it continues to be that way. In fact, I find no more fitting way to celebrate my 7 years of service, than to be on shift tonight with my crew at the Two-Eight.

I absolutely love doing this job, and feel fortunate to be able to. While the adrenaline rush is still there somewhat, this job for me is about helping the public and being there for the guy or girl next to me. Lord-willing, I hope to continue doing this for a long time, whether I stay a volunteer or get paid for it after the Air Force. It has been a great 6 years and I look forward to what the next 6 years will bring.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Me after completing the final certification burn for the basic firefighter course.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

On The Path To Home Ownership

The words in the title of this post are ones that I always hoped to use together one day, but was never quite sure if I actually would. As of today though, we officially started down that path with our offer on a house being accepted. As I'm sure anyone who has ever purchased a house probably knows, this is a huge milestone in the my life and the life of my family.

In reality, the process actually began about a month ago or so. We were informed by our landlord that he would need his house back by 1 November. We briefly toyed with the idea of looking for another rental, but quickly abandoned that for several reasons:

1. We plan on finishing out the last 6 1/2 years of my Air Force career here (there's a good chance we can do that in this day and age). We might as well put down some roots for awhile.

2. If we're going to shell out big money, we should be putting it towards our well-being and not someone else's.

3. The third, and definitely one of the most important factors behind it was a recent ruling by Maryland's highest court listing pit bulls as inherently dangerous and putting greater liability upon landlords. I love my Layla, and I'll be damned if I'm giving her up.

Purchasing a home, allows us to take care of all three factors. There's still some things to be done before it is actually ours, but at least we're moving in that direction. I couldn't be happier!

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Perfect Placement


Perfect Placement, originally uploaded by T-3 Photography.

Never before had I seen a sign so appropriately placed.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

A Couple of Poems

This post is my effort to start updating my blog regularly again. After January, I haven't been the greatest about posting. My aim is to turn that around.

With that in mind, I've actually written a couple of small poems lately. I present them here for your reading pleasure.


Half & Half

Half light
Half dark
Half crazy
Half sane
Mind racing
Ever chasing
That elusive dream

To be who I could
To be what I was
Senses collide
As emotion departs
I am at once here
Then altogether gone

Conforming Individually

All for one
And one for all
All the same
A part of the game

Marching to the beat
Of their own drum
While subconsciously submitting
To the collective’s chosen path

The reach for individuality
Becomes the new conformity
All look the same
In the quest to be different


That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Monday, July 23, 2012

They Climbed...We Climb

The title comes from an interview with an unknown firefighter that participated in the 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb at the Firehouse Expo in Baltimore this past Thursday. It sums up well why those of us who participate climb: to remember our fallen Brothers from the New York City Fire Department and symbolically complete the climb up the stairs of the World Trade Center that they could not.

This is the third such stair climb that I have participated in, but it was every bit as meaningful as the other two. As I have in the past, I once again climbed in honor of Firefighter Thomas Sabella from Ladder 13. As FF Sabella was the uncle of my best friend Jason, I climb to help keep his memory alive. While I never had the honor to meet him, through Jason I definitely have come to know the husband, father, brother and firefighter that he was. I do this to help to keep the memory of all our FDNY Brothers alive. It is just something that I feel I have to do. We get to go home after our climb. They never got that chance.



It is certainly not an easy venture. Particularly for those of us that choose to climb in full protective gear, it get’s hot and tiresome real quick. Even with ventilation fans blowing air into the stairwells it gets really hot as you get near the top. With all of that said, it is child’s play compared to the hell our FDNY Brothers had to endure as they made their ascent. As in past stair climbs, there are certain times where the urge to quit becomes strong. Whenever these urges come though, I remind myself at Thomas Sabella never quit so neither can I. I had to complete that climb for him and his Brothers.

Special for me this year also was being able to climb with brothers and sisters from the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company. We were able to field a whole team of 7 from the company and I was extremely proud to climb with such a great group of people. I’d like to think that we all became a little closer in the stairwell that day.



This was my third climb, but certainly not my last. As long as my body lets me, I will continue to climb for Jason’s uncle at least once a year. I will do my small part to ensure his memory never fades.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Double Anniversary Weekend

This weekend marks two very important milestones in my life. The first comes tomorrow when I will officially reach 13 years of service in the United States Air Force. It seems like just yesterday I was stepping off the plane in San Antonio for basic training and now here I am, rapidly becoming one of those crusty guys I used to joke about when I was an Airman. Indeed, the last few years have left my very frustrated and burnt out with the Air Force. Yet, I cannot help still being proud of these last 13 years. 13 years is a long damn time to be doing one thing. There are times I still have a sense of wonderment that I've been doing it this long. Tomorrow also means that I've got 7 years left until I'm retirement eligible. While the Air Force has been good to me, I'm starting to concentrate more now on getting my ducks in a row for what I'm going to do post-Air Force. This doesn't mean I'm giving up with the Air Force and won't bust my behind as I always have. It just means I'm done doing it for my career. My only hope now is to set as many Airmen and junior NCOs on the right path as possible so that they can do my job long after my crusty self is gone. Still...13 is my lucky number, so who knows. Maybe this year will be better than the last few. We shall see.

Even more important than my Air Force anniversary date however, is Sunday. This will mark 6 years of marriage to Kristin (the story of how we met can be found here). Just like my years of service in the Air Force, I look back and can't helping wondering where time has gone. I guess the saying is true that time flies when you're having fun. That's not to say that our marriage has always been a bed of roses. Honestly though, who's ever is 100%? I don't think I've met a couple yet who has. It is certainly true though that I grow more fond of her with every day, week, month and year. When you first meet someone and fall in love with them, you think that is the ultimate level of relationship. As the years go on though you learn that you can indeed grow even closer. I was definitely blessed that Kristin came my way. Her more laid back demeanor has always been the perfect compliment to my...well...less than laid back demeanor. Every day is a new adventure and I could never imagine (not that I would honestly try) life being any other way. There are so many things to do and adventures to have with her and I can't wait to do it all.

I love you Kristin. I look forward to many more years with you!

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Virginia Visit Recap

Last week, I had the chance to spend some time in rural Keysville, Virginia by myself. While I definitely missed my wife and daughter, it was good to be out on my own for a little while. This is particularly true since I had been laid up in the house most of the two weeks before due to my surgery. My main reason for heading down there was to visit with my mom. While her and my stepfather have been married for the past 26 years, his declining mental state has left only a shell of a marriage for the last 8 years or so. My mom has tried a million different ways to deal with and accomodate him, but a person can only take so much. To that end he moved out a few weeks back. Now, there are still some bumps in the road ahead as they move from separation to divorce, but I have to say that I have not seen my mom as happy as she was that week in a very long time. She had so much energy and was constantly smiling. It was great to spend a lot of time talking with her and catching up. Something that we have not been able to do without distraction in a long time. We hung out, we listened to music and enjoyed many meals together. It was a lot of fun and I'm glad to see my mom happy again after so long.

My Life Giver
Normally having to do the convincing, mom actually asked me to take pictures of her after her haircut.

While I was staying in Virginia, I received an e-mail from some great flickr friends, Todd and Bill stating that they were traveling to Florida for the funeral of Bill's dad and were wondering if they could stop in on me and the family in Maryland. Before I even had a chance to respond back and tell them I was in VA, my mom said, "Tell them they can come stay here." I'm so very glad that she did. I've known Todd and Bill through flickr since 2007, but we had never met in person before. When they arrived at my mom's one evening, I have to say that we all sat around and talked as if we had known each other all our lives. We talked about photos, music and the pending trip of my family up to Rochester to visit the pair at their home. I'm really looking forward to them meeting Kristin and Katrina as well as seeing them both again.

Dear Friends
Todd giving some attention to my mom's pit bull Shiloh, while Bill talks with my mom.

Tommy
A shot that Todd took of me the morning that he and Bill left to finish their journey to Florida.

Another big highlight of my trip was heading west to Roanoke for the day to hang out with Roanoke firefighters, Lieutenant Rhett Flietz and Captain Willie Wines, Jr. Rhett runs the sites VA Fire News and The Fire Critic, while Willie runs the site, Wooden Ladders and Iron Firemen. I've followed Rhett and Willie's sites for a few years now starting out with VA Fire News back around 2007. I had the chance to meet them in person during the 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb at the Firehouse Expo this past June in Baltimore. Later on September 11th, I had the chance to actually climb with them at the Greenbelt, MD event. Since I began following their blogs, Rhett and Willie have been a big source of inspiration when it comes to being the sort of firefighter I want to be. Not that they are the be-all or end-all in firefighting, but when it comes to tradition and the true meaning of Brotherhood, I feel that they really get it.

Anyway, these two guys both had a lot going on. Rhett had just got back from Aruba and Willie as always had farm stuff to take care of. On top of everything, both of them were gearing up to head to the Fire Department Instructor's Conference in Indianapolis, IN. Despite that they had all of this going on, they both took the time to show me around Roanoke Fire-EMS stations both old and new. We even made a trip to the Virginia Museum of Transportation where I had not been since I was 17. Later that evening, Rhett grilled some steaks for us back at his house and the three of us stayed up until the wee hours talking about anything and everything. It was truly an awesome day.


Willie wearing Rhett's old leather helmet while Rhett wears my Irish flat cap.


A shot of the Roanoke Fallen Firefighter Memorial in front of the Virginia Museum of Transportation.


Willie's office at Roanoke Fire-EMS Station 13.

Last, but not least, I did find the time to do a little exploring around my home turf. In all the years since my parents moved us to Virginia, I've been to the tiny town of Victoria many times. I had always known it was a railroad town, but didn't realize just how much of a railroad town until last week. While exploring the park where the Virginian Railway mainline used to run, I discovered a restored Virginian gondola sitting in the middle of a field. As I got closer to photograph it, I realized that what I though was a field was actually the old foundation for the roundhouse that used to reside there, and that the gondola was sitting on the concrete pad that used to be one of the engine bays. The foundation of the turntable is still there as well. It turns out that town was actually created by the railroad to house offices and housing for the families of railroad employees. Unfortunately, when the Norfolk & Western acquired the Virginian, the mainline through Victoria was considered to be redundant and ultimately it was abandoned. This definitely froze Victoria in time.

Virginian
A restored gondola sits on the site of the former Virginian roundhouse in Victoria, VA.

All in all it was a great trip back to my home state. Until next time...

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Inside Looking Out

Via Flickr:
Longing to be outside with my camera and frustrated that I cannot be for now.

As some of you may or may not know, I had surgery on my right shoulder last Monday. I've been having problems with it ever since I dislocated the thing back in 2010.

The surgery was definitely a necessity and I'll be glad for the chance to have my arm back to normal. In the meantime however, it is oftentimes frustrating that I'm limited right now in what I can do. Picture taking is one of those ventures I'm definitely limited in at the moment. Again, I know this had to be done and for the most part, I've been in good spirits. I sometimes get a little down about it, but that is to be expected I guess.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Friday, March 30, 2012

School Is In Session

I used to hate school. I realize hate is a very strong word, but it used to aptly describe my feelings about anything academic. My mom will certainly back me up on just how much I disliked school growing up. Even having been home-schooled from sixth grade through high school (with plenty of flex time to work and travel), I still could not stand school. When I graduated in 1998, I told myself I was done with school forever. I had no desire to go to college. Zero, zip, nadda. Before I go any further I do want to make one thing clear. I had never been opposed to learning. I have always loved learning. In fact, I would say that I have always been a sponge for knowledge. I just always hated learning under the formal setup that came with schooling. There too often appeared to be a lot of repetition that served no other purpose than to burn me out while not providing any real educational benefit. Of course, it certainly does not help that I had a slew of less than stellar teachers during my elementary school years that simply dismissed my learning style and labeled me a "problem child". Not wanting a repeat of teachers like that was definitely a driving factor in my staying away from higher education after high school. Instead, it was off to the work force for me.

When I joined the Air Force in 1999, I became enrolled in an Associate Degree program through the Community College of the Air Force. This wasn't something I necessarily would have chosen to do. When an enlisted Airman completes technical training, they are automatically enrolled in a program that was inline with their career field. In most career fields, technical training provided for half of the required credits towards the degree. Since I maintained communications equipment, I was enrolled in the Electronic Systems Technology program. Even though this sounded somewhat interesting to me, it had never been more than something to do to fill a block. If I ever wanted a chance of making Senior Master Sergeant (E-8), I was going to have to have that A.S. So early on I took a few CLEP tests to complete my general education requirements. I had no desire to sit in a classroom and I certainly was not looking to learn anything new. I simply wanted to knock out the requirements and get the degree. After those initial CLEPs in my first two years of service, I stopped working on it and didn't give it much though.

Fast forward to 2009. When I started getting ready to test for Master Sergeant, I realized that I had better finish out my associates if I ever wanted a chance of making the next rank after that (no longer a goal anymore). I had two more course requirements I needed, math and speech. I can't tell you how many times I wish I had taken the speech CLEP back in 2002 after I had graduated Airman Leadership School. With the requirement to do several speeches during that course, I would have been primed and ready to knock out that CLEP. Alas, schooling was not in the forefront of my mind at the time. So I decided to tackle math first. Math had always been my worst subject. If my hate for schooling as a whole was strong, then my hatred for math was even stronger. I took two math CLEPs that year and failed them both. After failing the second CLEP, it became inevitable that I was going to have to take a class if I wanted to fulfill this degree requirement.

Towards the end of 2009, I took a yearlong deployment to try and get a new assignment. After a few months of being in the desert, I decided that I might as well make the most of the time I had and try to better myself a little. With that in mind I signed up to take a math class. That class right there was the turning point in my attitude about education. My professor was this little, old Bulgarian lady. She was bright, eccentric and funny. Most of all, she was able to break down math in such a way that it finally clicked for the first time with me. After 8 weeks in her class, two things happened; 1. For the first time in my life I actually enjoyed math somewhat; 2. I wanted more schooling and the opportunities that would open up as a result of education.

Skipping ahead to the present, I have since completed my A.S. in Electronic Systems Technology. As I type this up, I have just completed two courses this week that puts me a little more than half way to my Bachelor of Science in Fire Science Management. I'm currently maintaining a 3.9 GPA and I'm on tap to finish my degree in 2015. Now I'm not typing all this to try and boast. After reading how I used to feel about schooling however, you can see that I'm justifiably proud of how far I've come. For the first time in my life, I am enjoying my education. Now I'm slowing down a little for this next semester and only taking one class while my shoulder heals. Come next semester though, I'll be back up to two classes. So what's to come? Working on schooling has helped me to formulate new goals. As soon as I complete my undergraduate degree, I plan on steaming ahead right into a Master of Arts in Emergency Management. This will open up many more avenues of employment post-Air Force and will also allow me to fulfill another dream, to teach college-level fire classes.

I'll close here by saying that I'm proof that it is certainly never to late to go back to school. I sometimes look back and wonder why I had not begun this earlier. I like to think it happened when it was supposed to. Here's to getting an education and making your dreams become reality.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Getting Rebuilt

So as many of you may already now, I'm having surgery on Monday. They will be doing laparoscopic surgery on my right shoulder to A. see if they can find out what is wrong with it, and B. to fix anything wrong that they might find. All of this stems from when I was deployed back in 2010. Doing something extremely stupid while trying to move furniture by myself caused me to dislocate my shoulder. I had it popped back into place by a chiropractor after getting back to the states later that year, but it has given me continued problems ever since. I actually allowed myself to come off of profile during the Spring of last year and just barely made my minimum pushups. That was a little too close for comfort. After that I decided that I better get it checked out again. While some might seek to get out of PT stuff, I just want to have full use of my shoulder again. I want to be able to exercise, pick up my daughter and perform my duties as a firefighter without the constant nagging pain I currently get if I work my shoulder beyond a minimum amount of movement. I realize that there is no guarantee, but I'm hoping and praying that this will help set me on the path to that.

While I'm not particularly looking forward to the pain I'll be in immediately following the surgery, or the fact that I'll be in a sling for at least a week, I'm looking forward to 30 days of free leave from work. As I'm able to move away from the sling, I'm hoping to get out and use my camera some. It would certainly be a much needed boost as I've gone through slumps this past month. I'm also really looking forward to spending lots of extra time with my family. It will be nice to maybe take a day trip here or there with them to DC or Baltimore and not have to deal with the throngs of weekend tourists. Then too there is the time out of work. I could make a whole separate post about that, but I will simply way that after 13 years in and 5 years wearing the rank of Technical Sergeant, I am quite disappointed at how exponentially my level of responsibility has dropped here in my new assignment. As an E-6 I'm currently doing the work of an E-3 or E-4 as my primary duties. Years of busting my tail only to be given what is essentially an entry-level job. It is quite disheartening to say the least. I know I won't have to do it forever, but it looks like I'm stuck with it 'til at least February. So needless to say, 30 days away from that mess is quite welcome, whatever the circumstances.

Here's to an upcoming week filled with heavy drugs and lots of sleep!

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Firefighter Warshaw


Firefighter Warshaw, originally uploaded by T-3 Photography.

Via Flickr:
While I have portraits of me in fire gear, they are from my previous department in South Carolina. With that in mind, I figured it was time for a portrait with my new company.

Here I am posing next to Engine 282.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Saint Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick's day will be upon us this coming weekend. Anyone who's known me long enough, knows that this day is deeply important to me. For those who don't yet know me, you will soon find out. Now for many people here in the United States, March 17th is just an ordinary day. For others it is an excuse to get ridiculously drunk from copious amounts of green colored beer. For others like myself, it is a chance to celebrate our ancestors and our heritage. Don't get me wrong, I will certainly be imbibing a few thought-enhancing beverages on the 17th, but the day holds a little more meaning for me than that.

Now I am indeed a mixed-breed as my online moniker implies. From what I've been able to figure out over the years however, Irish is the dominant feature of my ethnic makeup. Even if it had not been the biggest piece of the pie, it was certainly the most celebrated in my family. This is particularly true for the men on my father's side of the family. We've always taken our Irish heritage very seriously. So much so that my grandfather, Thomas Treacy Warshaw Sr. was once elected Irishman of the Year by the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick of the Jersey Shore.

Since the passing of my grandfather in 1995 and the passing of my father, Thomas Treacy Warshaw Jr. in 2008, the holiday has taken on new meaning as a time to celebrate and toast our ancestors. Indeed there will be a shot of Jamesons for both my father and grandfather this coming Saturday as I remember the influence they had, and continue to have on my life. I always think about them, but on Saint Patrick's Day they are always at the forefront of my thoughts.

Back in 2007, my wife and I were able to experience Saint Patrick's Day in Ireland during our belated honeymoon. There we were able to see a very different type of celebration than that experienced in the United States. While there are indeed parades and alcohol to be had, the holiday is very much a religious one. Indeed the day was born out of the celebration of Patrick for his bringing of Christianity to pagan Ireland. I've been interested to find out recently that English-born Patrick's initial stay in Ireland as a kidnapped slave was thought to be in or around County Mayo where it is believed that my ancestors hail from.

While I do not go overboard in dressing up for Saint Patrick's day, I always ensure I am wearing at least a little green. This year, I have chosen to show my support for both the Irish and firefighting. In many areas of the United States, these two subjects are very much intertwined. With that in mind I'll be sporting a Dublin Fire Brigade shirt this year.


I wish everyone a safe and happy Saint Patrick's Day, a celebration for those who are Irish and those who wish they were.

Tá mé Thomas Treacy Warshaw III. Tá mé mac na hÉireann go deo. Sin mo scéal agus tá mé ag cloí leis.

Monday, February 27, 2012

On Down The Line


On Down The Line, originally uploaded by T-3 Photography.

Looking westbound down Virginia Route 40 from my parents' house in Keysville.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

My Little Sweetheart Turns Four

I just realized in beginning this post, that it has been a couple of weeks or so since I last wrote something down here. The past two weeks have been crazy to say the least, but I'm finally adjusted (I think) to my new schedule and I should hopefully start posting again somewhat regularly. This is not what I'm here to post about though this evening. Tomorrow, my daughter Katrina turns 4 years old. Four! Has four years really come and gone that quickly? Family and friends with kids of their own always told me just how fast time flies when you're raising a child, but I never could have imagined it would have gone this fast. I can remember when she couldn't even talk, let along opine for hours on any subject like she does now. I remember how small she was. Indeed it seemed as though my thumb was as big as her whole hand when she was born. It all just seems like it was yesterday...

No matter how many years separate me from the event, I will never forget it. My good friend Jason and I were heading out for a cigarette break at work (I'm so glad I've since kicked that habit) when the phone in my office rang. Normally I would have just let my voicemail pick it up, but since I was only halfway down the hall I decided to pick it up. Much to my surprise, it was Kristin sounding a bit excited.

"I think my water broke", she said.
"You think, or you know?" I replied.

Mind you that this was the 21st of February and Katrina was not due until the end of March. After confirming with Kristin that her water had indeed broken, I let my boss know I was leaving and rushed out of work in a hysterical fit. Now let me say that once I got Kristin in my truck I drove us very calmly to her doctor's office. The drive from work to pick her up however, was an entirely different matter. I was half tempted to throw my lights and siren on while I sped home (at well above the posted speed limit), but thankfully for me there wasn't a lot traffic to tempt me into getting myself into trouble. Needless to say, the doctor confirmed that Kristin's water had broke and the Katrina would be with us soon. I drove Kristin over to the hospital where we would wait most of the day for our little one's arrival. After roughly 12 hours, Katrina began her final descent into this world. After only about 45 minutes, Katrina just made it into Friday, February 22nd at a few minutes past midnight and changed my world forever.

2008 was a fairly rough year for me. In the span of two weeks around the end of February/beginning of March I lost my father and then we had to move after the house we were renting (and trying to buy) was foreclosed upon. I was at a fairly low point and wasn't quite sure how I would hold it together. In spite of all this chaos, here was this little angel from heaven. This completely helpless bundle of beautiful. She needed me to hold it together. Her mommy needed me to hold it together. I said it back then and I stick to my feelings now that it was Katrina that helped keep me from completely losing it. With all that was going on, I had to stay focused for her.

In the years since, I've always enjoyed watching with quiet amazement as she grows and learns new things. It is amazing to watch the transformation from a small baby who could only cry to a girl who can articulate so well. One thing that has remained constant though is the constant inquisitive manner with which she approaches any situation. She's constantly observing what is going on around her and soaking it all in. I remember how much I missed her when I went on my year-long deployment to the desert. Her hug when I got off that plane for the last time was worth more to me than any gift or item in the world.

I'm so proud to be your Daddy, Katrina. I love you more than I could ever tell you (although I will certainly try). Happy Birthday sweetheart! Daddy loves you.

Daddy's Little Girl

So Precious

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

The Eyes Have It

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Back To School

After taking off from school for the month of January, I am back in full swing with two classes. I'm currently taking Fire Prevention and Fire Protection Systems. Both classes are going towards my Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Science Management. With the completion of these two classes in the next 8 weeks, I will be a little over halfway to completing this degree. As it stands, I'm still on target to finish all requirements in 2015.

Some might ask why I would get such a degree. I certainly do not need a degree to be a firefighter. The reasons I'm pursuing this degree are threefold. The first is that I need to ensure employment opportunities in something fire or emergency related should I be unable to get a job as a career firefighter post-Air Force. The second reason is that should I end up as a fire officer one day (or even if I stay a line firefighter), the knowledge gained from pursuing this degree will certainly compliment experience learned in the field. Last, but certainly not least is that this degree will be the springboard to a Master of Arts (or Science depending on the school) in Emergency Management. Besides opening up even more employment opportunities, the Master's degree will allow me to teach college level fire classes. The latter is definitely a dream of mine. This is the current plan right now. I'm basically trying to open up as many possibilities for post-Air Force employment in the emergency services as I can. Here's to keeping my nose to the grindstone. I'm proof that it is definitely never too late to work on your education.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Moving Forward

As we move out of January, things are finally moving at work. After 10 disheartening months of playing errand boy for my squadron, the last of my security requirements was completed today. What does this mean? It means that I am finally assigned to the section I am supposed to be in.

Granted it will be another few months of training before I'm doing my actual job, but at least now I can begin the process of training for it. It's not a job I'm particularly thrilled about doing, but I'll take actually being gainfully employed over the bullshit that came with hanging around the squadron headquarters for almost a year.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Location:Gambrills, MD

Sunday, January 29, 2012

New Engine For Odenton VFC

To say that there are differences between the fire company I am with now and the department I left behind in South Carolina would be an understatement. Not that one is better or worse than the other, just different. While both departments perform the same functions, there are differences in tactics, equipment and training, etc. Among other differences, the company I'm with now seems to be more steeped in tradition than the department I left. I found out just how much yesterday when I was photographing the housing and dedication ceremony for my company's newest piece of apparatus, Engine 282. During my 4 1/2 years with Sumter Fire Department, my station put two new pieces of apparatus into service. There was no pomp, no ceremony. We simply transferred equipment from the old rig to the new one and pressed on. Yesterday was quite different from that. Following tradition, an elaborate ceremony was held in dedicating the new engine and putting it into service.

Engine 282 before the ceremony begins.


Chief of the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company, Ray Hodgson makes his remarks.


President of the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company, Jim Allen makes his remarks.


A very surprised Bob Rose making his remarks after it was revealed that the new engine was dedicated in his name. Bob was chosen for the new engine owing to his many years of service to both the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company as well as the Anne Arundel County Fire Department.




The chaplain from the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Company christens the engine.


Engine 282 rolls out of the bay before being pushed back three times to signify the holy trinity.


The members of the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company pushing the engine back into the bay for the third and final time.


Chief of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department, John Ray contacts dispatch to have the engine officially placed in service and available.


Engine 282. A 2012 Pierce Arrow XT. The engine has a 1500 gpm pump and a 500 gallon tank.


Engine 282 replaces Engine 283, a 1988 Seagrave.


The ceremony was a great experience and I was proud to be a part of it. I look forward to partaking in many other traditions with this company in the years to come.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

American Hydrant

While visiting my parents in the Southside region of Virginia I spent an hour in the town of Crewe taking pictures of whatever. One thing that I always loved about Crewe was the many colorfully painted fire hydrants that pepper the town. Here are a couple examples that I photographed.

American Hydrant

Dalmation

I'll tell you one thing, I would not soon forget where these hydrants were at if I was a firefighter in that town. More pics from this week's trip coming this weekend.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Firefighter POV Response - We Can Do Better

The news today reads of 19 year old firefighter from Pennsylvania who died yesterday while responding to an emergency call in his POV (personally owned vehicle). Firefighter Brandon Little, of the United Hook and Ladder in New Oxford, PA died when his POV left the roadway and struck a house. The article linked here stated that Firefighter Little was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle.

First let me say that my heart goes out to the family of Firefighter Little. My heart also goes out to his fire department family. This is a big loss for both of them. While I'm saddened for the loss of life, I also find myself a little angered. My anger stems from the fact that this incident could easily have been prevented. This is not the first time that the life of a volunteer firefighter has been claimed during a POV response.

Before I go any further, let me first state what this blog post is not. This post is not meant as an attack on the person or character of Firefighter Little. I use his story because it brings back to the forefront the cause that led to his tragic departure from this earth. This post is also not a call to end POV responses in the volunteer side of firefighting. Far from it. Getting my start in a department that serviced a fairly rural county in South Carolina, I know first hand that if you don't allow POV responses in many areas you could quickly find yourself dangerously short of manpower. Some will argue that you can use volunteer staffing at a station, but for many areas (for a myriad of reasons) it is just not possible. That being said, like anything that carries inherent risks, we can mitigate those risks through education, training, mentoring and leadership.

One of my biggest issues with this incident, and those like it is that I'm quite positive that this was not the first time Firefighter Little responded in such a manner. Some would say I'm assuming. I like to think that I'm making an educated guess. I make my educated guess based on my experience. While I'm fairly new to the fire service with only 5 years under my belt, I have nearly 13 years in the United States Air Force. All but 4 of those years have been spent as a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) responsible for the health, safety, mentoring and overall well-being of my subordinates and Airmen in general. When dealing with subordinate issues, I've learned that often what I thought was an isolated act was actually a habit that had been developed over time. Another item that really irks me is that this firefighter was not wearing his seatbelt. As much as we respond to vehicle wrecks where lives are lost owing to a lack of seatbelt use, you would think that we would make it our top priority to wear our seatbelts. In this day and age it should be a no-brainer. When things like this happen, I look to the leadership of the departments. Not to point fingers and lay blame. I look to leadership of volunteer fire departments to take responsibility for doing all they can to prevent these from happening.

I like to use my former department in South Carolina as a good example. The Sumter Fire Department is a combined department with 5 career stations in the City of Sumter and 15 volunteer stations in Sumter County. Most of the volunteer stations were in very rural areas. POV response was a vital necessity. To that end, the volunteer side of the department took the safety during such responses with absolutely seriousness. The department had very little tolerance for those who liked to drive like bats out of hell in their POVs. If someone was found to be driving in such a manner (besides observation by department personnel, residents of the county were always keen to report such driving) they were given one warning. The second offense could lead to a write-up or even a temporary suspension. If it happened again after that it pretty much meant adios muchachos.

Station officers in that department made it a personal responsibility to mentor younger firefighters on their response habits and further set the example in their own driving habits. In the almost 5 years I was with the department I don't think I can recall of a single POV accident while responding. I think that is a testament to the efforts that the department took in training and developing its volunteers. Outside of the Sumter County though I had observed many departments that did not take that responsibility quite so seriously and it's only through luck or the grace of God that no one was seriously hurt or killed.

Now I'm a realist. Can we eliminate these types of accidents 100%? We cannot. It is like DUIs in the military. As much as we preach about not driving under the influence, at any given point someone can make the wrong decision that leads to a DUI. Despite our best efforts, people are still going to make their own decisions at the end of the day. We must do all that we can as leaders though to help our firefighters make the right decisions. I say we because you don't need rank or position to be a leader. You can lead simply by setting a positive example for others to follow.

So what can be done? I offer up the following few suggestions for the leadership of volunteer fire departments.

1. Have established guidelines for POV response and make sure that ALL personnel are aware of it. Make it part of new firefighter orientation and provide period refresher training for all personnel

2. Hold violators accountable and make it understood that failure to comply is unacceptable.

3. Set the example! This sounds like it should be a no-brainer yet often leaders or senior members are the worst violators. I lose credibility if I tell someone to do something that I myself am not doing.

4. Probably one of the most important things you can do in my opinion is pay attention to what your people are doing. Know your people and their habits. Real leadership is not a fire and forget mission. It is a constant and continuous process. Leaders of all levels need to be on the lookout for potential issues and work to mitigate them before they turn into something serious. This can be done by keeping up with what your people are doing and mentoring them, providing positive reinforcement for things done well and providing that correction when things aren't up to par.

This is by no means a complete list, but they are certainly some ways that we can work to prevent these things from happening.

The bottom line for me folks: Whether career or volunteer, this is a dangerous job we do. We as firefighters though do not need to make it more dangerous than it already is. Leaders, take care of your people. Firefighters, take care of each other. Let's all arrive alive and all make it back home. Take care and stay safe.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.


Wednesday, January 18, 2012

On The Downward Slope

In a few short months, I'll reach 13 years in the United States Air Force. That leaves me with 7 years left until retirement...or as I've recently started counting, 14 PT (physical training) tests left until retirement. As the Grateful Dead opined in their song Truckin', "...what a long, strange trip it's been." That is certainly an apt description of my career thus far. As much as I love the Air Force though, I find part of myself ready for the next 7 years to come and go rather quickly. As much as I told myself I wouldn't do it, I've become "that guy" who is really only serving now to get to retirement.

I still love the Air Force overall and I still have a desire to serve my country. The problem is that now those two are not strong enough to cause me to deal with the constant stream of ridiculousness seems to happen every day. In the last 13 years, I've watch the Air Force become a very different force from the one I entered back on 28 April 1999. Some changes have been for the good, while many others have not been so good. Before I go any further, let me first make a disclaimer. I am in no way stating that the United States Air Force is crumbling or that it will soon be unable to accomplish it's mission. That won't happen because of the tenacity of the rank and file who refuse to fail despite the steady ridiculousness that flows from the top down.

The Air Force loves to preach about dealing with change. There is a whole block devoted to change management at the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy as well as a chapter in our Promotion Development Guide (AF info study guide for promotion). They say you need to be flexible in dealing with change. Many units, like the one I left in SC like to use the faux-Latin motto "Semper Gumbi" or "Always Flexible". I like to think that I'm actually pretty good dealing with change. If anything, the Air Force helped me be better with change than I was as a civilian. When you change assignments as much as I did my first 5 years in, you get used to a certain measure of change. While I'm flexible to change though, I've lost my willingness to be flexible to every change that comes down the pike. There are upsides and downsides to being the "new kid" among the branches. The Army, Navy and Marine Corps are steeped in hundreds of years of history and traditions. This can make it difficult to make changes, even if sorely needed. At the same time though, weighing changes against the tradition tends to prevent every little pea-brained idea from becoming reality (Ask any Soldier, Sailor or Marine though and they'll tell you it still happens occasionally). That fact that we're new means we're often not as resistent to change, but it often means we change things too often before we can really build any traditions. Many of us in the Air Force like to joke that our one true tradition IS change.

The last 10 months of occupying space without a real job has given me lots of time to reflect. I thought that a change of assignment after 7 years in the same place might give me a better feeling about things, but my current unit of assignment shows me that the problems I was dealing with are Air Force wide. While the Air Force is still good place to be for some, it's rapidly losing that status for me. I've heard since day one of joining that you get out of the Air Force what you put into it. Indeed, I used to preach that to my subordinates for years. I've found though that after busting my ass for the last decade (as I have since day one of my AF career), the measure of return has been nowhere near what I have put into it.

I was shown a clear example of that recently when my current unit was preparing for an inspection that occurred back in October. Prior to my stepping up to take the reigns of preparations, nothing had been really been done. Essentially, if I had not stepped up my unit would have been up the proverbial creek without a paddle. So put in a lot of time and deal with a lot of BS from all levels in the wing to prepare my unit and when showtime comes, we rock the inspection. Imagine my annoyance when I watch all these people getting kudos and letters of appreciation and I didn't get so much as a pat on the back for all my efforts. Understand that I don't do things with the intent of seeking praise, but watching others get lauded for your efforts is quite disheartening.

I will always be grateful for the opportunities that the Air Force has provided me, but when the next 7 years is up I'll be ready to pull chocks and go for the final time.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.



Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Back On The Job

19 March 2011. That was the last date I ran a fire call with the Sumter Fire Department in rural Sumter County, South Carolina. Roughly a week and a few days later, I was packed up and leaving South Carolina for the final time to begin my new assignment with the Air Force in central Maryland. About 307 days later (this Friday) I should finally be running calls again, this time with the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company.

I'm so ready. In firefighting, I have found a true calling and I have truly missed it. Staying back at the station while watching others go on calls has been frustrating to say the least. From being able to serve others to the camaraderie that is found in few places outside of military service, this is where I'm meant to be. I'm glad I finally have a chance to get back into it. I'm ready to learn new things and sharpen those skills that have been going dull over the last 10 months.

Look out folks. Firefighter Warshaw is back on the job!



Just like it is time to dust off my firefighting skills, it is also time to dust off this blog for the new year. Look for more posts in the near future.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.