Here - City of Lakeland

The Lakeland Fire Department
Issue 2, Fall 2013
n
In This Issue
Cover Story
Training
1
3
Ceremonies4
Rescue 6
History
12
Community10
Upcoming
13
Around the St. 14
Awards
Outreach This & That
Celebrate
17
18
19
20
Your comments,
suggestions, and
questions are always
welcome. Please contact
Janel Vasallo with any
story ideas or information
worth sharing.
Meet Primos
The New Rescue Pooch With Some Big Paws To Fill
Lt. Vince Hazelbaker and his four
legged sidekick, Cabella, a staple
of Station 4’s B Shift and an allaround celebrity at the Lakeland Fire
Department, recently welcomed a new
addition to their Urban Search and
Rescue (USAR) operation – Primos.
The young black Labrador retriever
is in the process of learning the
ropes to eventually replace Cabella
in her search and rescue duties
upon her retirement. Lt. Hazelbaker
and Cabella as a team are valuable
assets to the people of Polk County
and its surrounding communities,
being the only Type I FEMA certified
Live Search and Rescue Canine unit
to serve the area. This prestigious
certification offers lifesaving services
to the citizens of Lakeland in the
event of a disaster where people may
become trapped or lost.
Cont. on Page 7
1
Fall 2013
Our Mission
Ensure the health, safety, and well
being of our community through
servant leadership in a positive
organizational culture.
Our Vision
To be the best public safety
organization focused on providing
superior customer service.
Our Values
Leadership, Commitment to
Excellence, Diversity, Integrity,
Social Responsibility, An
Empowered Workforce.
Our Motto
Everyone goes home.
Fire Wire Editorial Staff
Janel Vasallo, Public Education
and Information Officer
All content is written by Janel
Vasallo unless otherwise noted.
Editor’s Note
Your comments, suggestions, and
questions are always welcome.
Phone: (863) 834-8219
Email: [email protected]
Mail: 701 E Main Street, Lakeland,
FL 33801
Website: www.lakelandgov.net/lfd
A Message from the Chief
Season’s Greetings!
The holiday season is upon us. It’s that time of year again when
we can reflect upon how blessed we are and to be thankful for
what we have. This time of year allows us to give special gifts
as well as many opportunities to give
our time and talents to those that are
less fortunate. It also can be a very
stressful time of the year for many
people and that is where we can
make a difference in someone’s life.
As true professionals in providing
help to others in their time of need, it
is a time we can truly show that we
do care. Put on your best face, smile,
be friendly and go the extra mile for
those you come in contact with. Your
connection to the citizens shapes
what they see and think about the Lakeland Fire Department.
We never get a second chance at a first impression. Our
attitude and demeanor sets the tone, so focus on the solution
and not the problem in every situation we face.
Thank you for your faithful service to the citizens of Lakeland
and the part you play in making the Lakeland Fire Department
the best. Remember, as we live out our creed to do our Duty
with Honor, Trust, and Integrity take pride in being part of a
great fire department. It is because of you and your actions that
we are successful.
I wish every Lakeland Fire Department employee a very Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
Gary Ballard
Copyright © 2013 Lakeland
Department. All Rights Reserved.
Fire
Fire Chief
Lakeland Fire Dept.
2
Practice and Preparation:
From the Training Division
Structural Collapse Training at Florida State Fire College
In late September of 2013, Lakeland Fire Department
Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team members
attended a Structural Collapse Technician Course in
Ocala, Florida. This specialized training opportunity gave
LFD’s USAR members an opportunity to learn new life
saving rescue techniques and the ability to train with
fellow firefighters from throughout the state.
The course offered by the state fire college was a unique
experience for those involved. The course was 80 hours
of rigorous training. It involved various methods of
breaching and breaking concrete, usage of various cutting
torches, lifting, and moving significantly large objects
Firefighters that attended were: Lt. Scott Gilbreath, Lt. Heath
Seeber, D/E Dan Varner, D/E Kuikahi Kawailani, FF Jason
utilizing a crane as well as some basic rigging and hand
signals for crane operations, and shoring up of unstable
buildings. These skills are particularly useful in the event that access to a victim or multiple victims is
needed for rescue as a result of a collapsed or significantly compromised building.
“I enjoyed the class, it was challenging and informative. I would encourage more firefighters to take
and obtain this level of training. The learning environment that the state fire college created was
excellent. It was great for team building and morale among
team members.” said Firefighter Jason Diaz. Firefighter
Diaz also added that takeaways from the experience were:
“A Hilti tool or similar replacement should be added to our
equipment it could vastly improve our results in breaching
concrete. Hydraulic tools while useful are very slow and
methodical in breaching. The cutting torches made quick
work of most steel and rebar and are my personal favorite.
The split shore is a more practical method of shoring and
should be utilized as opposed to the solid shore Raker
system, it allows more versatility then the solid shore
system” - Story Contributed by FF Jason Diaz
Ongoing Hydrant Surveys
Annual Hydrant Surveys are under way and will continue
through December. Approximately 3,000 fire hydrants
in Lakeland will be checked, which count towards the
departments ISO rating. The information gathered
about hydrants is communicated to the City of Lakeland
Utilities Division. Hydrant data needs to be entered by
the end of December.
Right: Firefighter Kyle Alford hacks his way through brush to reach a well hidden fire hydrant.
3
Practice and Preparation:
From the Training Division Continued ...
During the first week of October, members of the LFD Urban Search and Rescue team took part in
trench rescue training held in conjunction with cooperation from other city departments. The training
was held in specially dug out trenches behind the Lakeland Center. Additional photos are also
available online at www.lakelandgov.net/lfd.
Up and Coming Training
• The Lieutenant’s assessment written exam is scheduled for
December 2, 2013. The written exam, in addition to 180 degree
surveys will be used to determine who will move on in the
process.
• A Basic Nutrition and Fitness class will be offered by Healthstat to
all LFD personnel December 9-11, 2013 in Station 1 Classroom.
The class will feature certified nutritionist and health professionals.
4
Moving Up and Moving Out
The past few months have seen the retirement of longtime LFD veterans and the up jump of newer
members of the team. Pictures from all of the respective promotion and retirement photos can be found
on the City of Lakeland Y Drive at Fire Rec>Special Events. Here is a quick recap of who has recently
moved through the ranks and others who are off to enjoy some rest and relaxation.
Left: On Thursday, October 17, 2013 in a wellattended retirement ceremony, the Lakeland
Fire Department gave a fond farewell to Driver
Engineer Joel Brown. D/E Brown was joined by
his lovely wife and daughter as well as by many
LFD personnel old and new.
D/E Brown enjoyed a noteworthy 30 year
career with LFD which included a close
call in a 1987 fire that led to a structural
collapse. He was trapped with a fellow
firefighter while fighting the blaze and
fortunately made it through, making him
a highly respected and experienced
member of the department.
He plans to enjoy his well-earned
retirement hunting, fishing, and spending
more time with is family.
Right: On Wednesday, November 13, 2013 Firefighter
Steven Connors was promoted to Driver Engineer.
Speakers at his promotion ceremony noted that his work
ethic and talents will likely lead him to further promotions
during his career with LFD. Steve noted in regards to his
promotion that he will deeply miss his brothers and sisters
on B shift due the move from this new opportunity but looks
forward to the day he can work closely with them again.
5
Moving Up and Moving Out Cont...
Right: In a well attended ceremony held December 4,
2013, Shannon Turbeville was promoted to Fire Inspector.
Shannon served as a firefighter and Driver Engineer prior
to his promotion. It was noted by several speakers at the
ceremony that he
will undoubtedly do
an excellent job as
a result of his keen
eye for details and
organization skills.
Congratulations!
Above: Opting for a low key exit,
Lt. Blake Monroe retired after 32
years of service with LFD. Chief
Ballard presented Lt. Monroe with
a plaque on December 2, 2013
commemorating his many years of
dedicated and invaluable service
to the people of Lakeland.
Copies of all photos
from ceremonies
are available on the
Fire Rec Common
Drive in the Special
Events Folder
Rescue Side of Things
Congratulations go out to the department’s six newly certified paramedics (Stephanie Parente ,
Anthony Woods, Derek McBreyer, Chris Walker, Jonathan Smith, Andrew Vinzant) made possible as
a result of the recently held paramedic orientation provided on site at LFD stations. Instructors for the
orientation were existing LFD paramedics serving as Field Training Officers in addition to Rescue Chief
Shane Reynolds.
Coming Soon
The rescue division is currently in the process of certifying LFD personnel Jason Busby and Chris
Whitney to become American Heart Association faculty members. This is an exciting achievement for
the rescue division because it will be the first time LFD will have on site / on staff trainers capable of
offering CPR, ACLS, and PALS certification and recertification.
January marks the beginning of the recertification cycle. CPR, ACLS, and PALS training will be
offered starting then. Specific schedules for each shift have been provided by Rescue Chief Reynolds.
Everyone needs to be re-certified by December 1, 2014.
6
Cover Story: Meet Primos Continued...
Cabella, a seven year old Labrador retriever, is
nearing the end of her working dog career and is
looking at retiring in the next year or so. As a result a
new pooch has been added to the Hazelbaker brood
to fill in for Cabella and become a certified rescue
dog in his own right. Primos, a year old pup from the
same kennels that produce Cabella has some pretty
big paws to fill.
Early On
Lt. Hazelbaker, a longtime
member of the Lakeland
Fire Department has
served since 1982.
He is well known
to colleagues for
being tireless and
always up for a
good challenge
and it was that
very
same
drive that led
him to seek
out
becoming
a USAR canine
handler.
Lt.
Hazelbaker,
an
avid hunter and all
around sportsman,
named both Cabella
and Primos after two
of his preferred hunting
outfitters. Upon becoming
an empty nester, Lt. Hazelbaker
became interested in becoming a
handler to help his community while providing
an outlet for his free time. The long and arduous road
to “disaster dog handling” as it’s informally known
in the canine handling community began in 2006.
While the concept of having a lifesaving four legged
friend is pretty appealing to most people the reality is
it is a very difficult process requiring hundreds, if not
thousands, of hours of training, extensive resources,
and endless amounts of patience when rearing a dog.
In turn although many may try to start the process of
becoming a certified USAR canine handler very few
make it through to the end. A challenge like that was
appealing to Lt. Hazelbaker and he immersed himself
in the disaster dog community. Through relationships
he built with handlers in Tampa’s emergency
response team (there are three throughout the state,
Miami being home to the two others) Vince began
attending training sessions, working with the team
member’s trained canines and learning the ins
and outs of the process. In 2007, when it became
apparent that this was no passing whim,
Vince acquired Cabella from the
Maranatha Kennels of West
Buxton, Maine. The kennel,
which had provided some
of the dogs that Tampa
Task Force team
members used, was
at the beginning of
its development
as a provider
of
premium
search
dogs
when Cabella
was acquired.
Through
the
hard work of
trainers like Lt.
Hazelbaker and
the
impressive
skills
of
dogs
like Cabella the
Maranatha Kennel is
now the top provider of
search dogs in the nation
and produces a majority of
the working dogs in the field
today. Labrador retrievers are ideal
for the kind of work Cabella and Primos
perform considering the breed was bred as fishing
and hunting companions in Newfoundland, Canada.
They are known for their good behavior, even
temperedness, and hard work ethic making them one
of the most popular breeds in the developed world.
Certification
There are two significant levels of certification in the
canine search and rescue world and Cabella has
achieved both levels, something Primos will be
Cont. on Page 8
7
Cover Story: Meet Primos Continued...
expected to also do when his time
arrives. Cabella’s career began in
2007 when she successfully
completed the Foundational
Skills Assessment (FSA)
and received her first
Type II certification.
The certification, which
required hundreds
of hours of training
that Lt. Hazelbaker
undertook during his
free time, is good for
two years and requires
that the search animal
perform specific standards
under the handlers direct
supervision including assessment
competencies ranging from
obedience, aggression testing, heeling,
bark testing and much more. More details about
the long list of competencies on a Foundational
Skills Assessment (FSA) are available at http://
www.fema.gov/canine-handler-certification.
As a result of Cabella’s growing abilities and
once again leading back to Hazelbaker’ s love
of a good challenge , the team went on to
receive Type I certification in 2009, awarded by
the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA), the most difficult level of certification
for a live search and rescue dog. The FEMA
certification requires the search animal to perform
search and rescue standards outside the direct
supervision and guidance of its handler. The
grueling assessment process looks to see if the
dog can avoid distractions, think for itself, and
repeatedly find its target with a minimal margin for
error. As a result of the difficult standards, it takes
dedicated handlers and bright dogs like Cabella
to achieve this level of certification. The Type I
certification, good for three years, is something
Cabella and Hazelbaker recently renewed in 2012
at national trials offered in Memphis, Tennessee.
This level of certification allows the team to deploy
anywhere in the nation during a time of disaster
and internationally through FEMA sponsored relief
efforts. In 2009, when the earthquakes struck Haiti,
FEMA sponsored Task Force (TF) teams,
of which TF 1 and TF 2 based out
of Miami, were deployed to find
survivors buried under rubble.
In the event a disaster like
that strikes again, Lt.
Hazelbaker and Cabella
are certified and ready to
help as a result of their
Type I certification.
Primos
Primed
Ready
and
Slightly over a year old,
Primos has a reputation for
being one rambunctious puppy.
Described as an energetic handful,
Primos was selected by breeders
at the Maranatha Kennels for possessing
particular characteristics ideal for search and
rescue that others in his litter didn’t. Breeders at
the kennels provided nearly 3 / 4 of Primos’ basic
obedience training before Lt. Hazelbaker made
the long journey up to Maine to claim him. Now the
true work begins with Lt. Hazelbaker dedicating
much of his free time to completing Primos’
training. Vince will need Above: Picture of a typical
search assessment given to
to accustom Primos to
USAR dogs like Cabella.
working conditions and
introduce him to new
environments, large amounts of people so that he
will be comfortable around strangers, and reinforce
search and rescue concepts through regular
training sessions. This includes bringing Primos by
the fire station,
Cont. on Page 9
8
Cover Story: Meet Primos Continued...
of resentment to the new kid in town but she
is reported to have slowly taken a liking to her
new mentee and will likely appreciate the much
deserved rest she will gain in retirement.
Above and Right: Cabella showing off her skills at the
2013 LFD Open House.
his new home away from home. Cabella escorts
Hazelbaker on all of his shifts to the fire station
and due to Primos’ wild nature Hazelbaker jokes
that it’s easy to see in Cabella’s expression that
she looks forward to some alone time away from
Primos when she goes on shift at Station 4.
Most USAR canines are trained using play time
as a form of reward rather than food. Dogs like
Cabella and Primos, which are both play/toy reward
driven dogs, perform the work they do in exchange
for some time to romp with a favorite toy. This toy
drive is important in USAR dogs because food
driven reward could pose some major problems in
a real search and rescue setting where food scents
can create unwanted distractions to other working
dogs at the scene, or food commonly found in a
collapsed building may override a dog’s priority to
find a live victim.
The USAR canine community is a tight knit one
where many handlers train collectively in groups
and help train each other’s dogs. Lt. Hazelbaker,
Cabella, and now Primos, frequently travel to
Tampa and Miami to train with fellow handlers in
their Task Force. Primos, although having a wild
side due to his young age, is already showing
much promise and Lt. Hazelbaker believes he
may be just as good and maybe even better than
Cabella in some competencies - but don’t tell
Cabella that. Naturally, Cabella had a hard time
adjusting to the new addition maybe feeling a bit
The Lakeland Fire Department is grateful to have
committed members like Lt. Hazelbaker that are
driven by the need to help their communities
by any means
necessary. The
long journey that
Lt. Hazelbaker
began several
years ago and is
still on is providing
a tremendous
service to the people
of Polk County, the
State of Florida,
and throughout the
nation by providing the means necessary to find
the lost. Humble and reserved Lt. Hazelbaker is
likely to be embarrassed by the attention deserves
a huge thanks for all of the work, time, and
resources he’s invested to achieve this level of skill
done entirely “so that others may live”, the USAR
team slogan. - End -
Did You Know?
Fun Facts from FEMA About Canine USAR
•
•
•
FEMA US&R canine handlers are comprised of
civilians, firefighters, and police department members. Most of the certified canines are Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, Belgian Malinois,
Border Collies and Golden Retrievers.
Canines with high "toy drive" are used for urban
search and rescue. It is a game of "hide and seek"
for the dog. In training, people run from the dog and
hide with the toy, playing with the dog when found.
By the time the dog is on a real search, he is looking willingly for trapped survivors.
Few search dogs wear "booties" when working on
a rubble pile. Despite the hazards of sharp metal
and broken glass, the dogs often need to perform
what is called a "soft walk" where they splay their
paws for maximum traction. Collars and booties
can actually add to the canine's risk of injury when
searching in tight or obstructed spaces.
9
Doing Good in the Neighborhood
Kiwanis Terrific Kids Luncheon
For the second year, the Lakeland
Fire Department has recognized high
achieving students of Blake Academy
at the Kiwanis of Lakeland Annual “A”
Terrific Kids Luncheon for the school’s
straight A students. To reward these
high achieving students while teaching
them a thing or two about the fire
service the department participates
by putting on a fire “fashion show”.
Chief Ballard, a member of the Kiwanis
for nearly four years, thought up the
idea in 2012 and in its second year
the event continues to be a big hit.
With the help of Station 1’s C Shift,
Chief Ballard presented six different
“looks” that fire fighters don in different
emergency situations. Looks included:
Bunker Gear, Confined Space Dress,
Paramedic Dress, High Angle Dress,
Extrication Dress, and ARFF Dress
modeled by on duty firefighters.
Chief Ballard explained the different
gear and equipment the firefighters
were wearing and the specialized uses
the equipment provides. In addition to
the firefighters strutting their stuff , each
table at the luncheon had a specialized
fire tool at its center as a centerpiece.
Firefighters sat at the tables with the
students during the lunch to interact
and share more information about
the unique tools. The experience was
rather eyeopening to many of the
students and even adults in attendance
who may not have realized how diverse
the emergency situations firefighters
respond to might be or may not have
known about the tremendous amount
of different tools used by firefighters to
save the day. The department plans to
sponsor a presentation next year for the
next batch of scholastic overachievers.
Doing good... Continued on Next Page
10
Doing Good in the Neighborhood Cont.
Fire Safety Education in Surrounding Communities
Driver Engineer Troy Deines, a long time member of the department knows a thing or two about
fire safety. As a way of giving back to the community D/E Deines visited school children in our
department’s neighboring community of Winter Haven on his days off to share fire safety tips and
emphasize the importance of recognizing firefighters in gear to young children at Winter Haven
Christian Academy. The kids said it best, “Thanks Mr. Deines!”
Margaret Orozco Brings Attention to An
Important Cause
In October, Firefighter Orozco was featured
in the City of Lakeland’s Access newsletter
to highlight her work with both the state and
national burn camp for burned children. As a
result of the attention garnered in that story,
FF Orozco has gone on to be featured in The
Ledger’s Monday Profile series, published on
Monday, November 18. Like most firefighters
at the department, Margaret’s humbleness
make the attention a bit uncomfortable but it
was all for a good cause. The profile focused
on Margaret’s work with the camp as a long
time volunteer and her recent trip with her
mentee to the national camp in Washington
D.C. . The story has brought a new found
awareness to the non profit’s powerful work in empowering young victims
of fire and has already received numerous offers from the community
to also serve as volunteers. The full story is available on The Ledger’s
website. (www.theledger.com).
11
A Glimpse at Firefighting History
Every edition, a brief look will be taken at the history of the fire service by highlighting a few fun facts or an interesting story.
How the Horse Flu Caused a Major City to Burn
In October 1872, the year after the great Chicago
fire, an epidemic of epizootic spread from Montreal
and Toronto in Canada to the United States. Within
a day's time, 300 horses were dead in Buffalo. The
disease spread on to Philadelphia, to New York, and
then to Boston. By November fourth all 93 Boston
fire horses were down with it. The heavy steamers,
weighing at least three tons each, had to be pulled
by hand. On November 9th at 7:24 pm. box 52 at
Sumner and Lincoln streets in downtown Boston was
pulled. One fire company's horses had recovered,
and a single steamer was pulled to the fire by its own
horses. Four other companies borrowed horses, but
they weren't strong enough to pull the heavy engines
without resting on the way. The remaining 6 Boston
Above: Boston fire horse collapses from flu on way to
steamers, as well as hose carts and ladder trucks
fire.
were all pulled by hand - a tremendous test of endurance
for the firemen, who finally arrived at the fire exhausted. So much time was lost that the fire soon
spread out of control. Boston Fire Chief Damrell called for help from every city and town within 50
miles. The response was tremendous, with 45 engines, 52 hose wagons, 3 ladder trucks, and 1,689
firemen arriving, most of them on railroad flatcars. However, it was too late to save Boston. The delay
in Boston’s fire engines getting into action doomed the city. The fire raged for 16 hours, destroying
776 buildings, leaving 20,000 persons jobless, 1,000 homeless, $76 million in damage, and thirteen
firemen dead, nine of them from other communities who had come in response to Chief Damrell's call
for assistance. Boston was destroyed because the fire horses were sick. No wonder a Boston district
fire chief renamed the great Boston fire the epizootic fire. - From Fred Conway’s Book Firefighting
Lore.
A Lakeland Connection
Luckily for Lakeland, The Great Epizootic wasn’t
something to worry about considering the city wasn’t
founded until 1885, 13 years after the horse flu
devastated horse stocks in the Americas.
Prior to the Lakeland Fire Department’s official
transition to a career fire department in 1916, a
volunteer fire service served the people of Lakeland.
Although the LFD was always quick to adapt, having
motorized engines as early as its official inception in
1916 onwards, the volunteer force used horse pulled
wagons. The rare photo (left) shows Lakeland’s
early volunteer firefighters including the LFD’s trusty,
Epizootic-free stead, “Morgan”.
Above: Lakeland’s early firefighters pictured with “Morgan” in front of City Hall.
12
Up and Coming
Lakeland Christmas Parade
The LFD will participate in this year’s Christmas Parade,
scheduled for Thursday, December 5th at 7 PM starting
in Downtown Lakeland. Tower Truck 15 will be featured
and all LFD personnel are invited to participate and walk
the parade route in uniform.
LFD Annual Holiday Toy Drive
The LFD will collect new, unwrapped toys from
November 27 through December 11 at all seven of
its stations to benefit children in need. The toys will
be donated to The Lakeland Dreamcenter and the
Children’s Home Society. All personnel are encouraged
to donate and community members will also be invited
to drop off toys at collection boxes located at stations.
Get Ready for Picture Day
Say “Cheese”! In an effort to have formal pictures for
personnel records, a bulked up online presence, and the
possible return of a firefighter yearbook, formal picture
of LFD personnel in A Class uniforms are planned for
late January 2014. More details to follow soon.
13
Around the Station
A place to take a look back at recent happenings around the department.
Bells Across America Ceremony
Station 1 sponsored a remembrance ceremony on October 6,
2013 to honor fallen firefighters. The ceremony featured touching
speeches by Chief Gary Ballard, Lt. Jim Craw, and Lt. Matt
Brown, reflecting on the sacrifices made by fellow firefighters.
Mayor Gow Fields, Commissioner Howard Wiggs, and other
community representatives attended. Full video of the ceremony
is available on the department’s website.
Veteran’s Day Parade
The Lakeland Veteran’s Parade was held on Saturday, November 9, 2013 and leading the
parade line was Engine 41. The parade, which ran from Heroes Park to Munn Park featured area
veterans, local JROTC groups, bands, and fellow emergency responders.
14
Around the Station Cont.
A place to take a look back at recent happenings around the department.
Honor Flight
An honor flight transporting Lakeland area
World War II veteran’s left Lakeland Linder
Regional Airport on November 12, 2013 to
visit the National World War II memorial in
Washington D.C.
Particularly exciting is that two of LFD's very
own and military veterans in their own right,
Lieutenant Harley Wilson and Driver-Engineer
Kelvin Jones served as guardians on the honor
flight. Both who
are involved with
veteran related
events and
organizations,
participated as
a way of giving back. Lt. Wilson served in the United States Navy. D/E
Jones served in the United Stated Air Force and served multiple tours
in the Gulf War.
Upon the flights arrival, the plane was greeted by approximately 4,000 excited and thankful wellwishers as well as LFD’s Tower Truck which honored the veteran’s by hanging the American flag for
their arrival on the tarmac.
Lakeland Leadership
In mid October 2013 Station 1 hosted the City of
Lakeland’s annual “Lakeland Leadership” group made
up of community movers and shakers. The purpose
of the visit was to show the quality of service provided
by the LFD as well as provide a glimpse at how the
fire department protects and serves the citizens of
Lakeland. A sampling of exercises were laid out for
participants to join in on so they could get an idea of
what the job of a firefighter entails. Needless to say the
group left both exhausted but impressed at the caliber of
the LFD’s firefighters.
15
Around the Station Cont.
Station 7 Groundbreaking Ceremony
Lakeland Fire Department conducted the official groundbreaking
ceremony for Fire Station 7 on Monday, November 18th at 1:30
p.m. (3150 Drane Field Road). Fire Station 7 is estimated to be
completed in late 2014. Once the facility is built it will house the
recently purchased Fire Engine 71, the two ARFF units, a heavy
rescue vehicle and nine personnel on a 24-hour rotation. The
construction costs for Station 7 are $3.5 million. The station once
built will be 15,900 sq.ft. and it will house five bays and four fire
fighting vehicles. The station is estimated to be completed in
late 2014 and it is being funded through City of Lakeland Public
Improvement Funds and FDOT Grant funds.
The groundbreaking ceremony also provided a venue for Fire Chief Gary Ballard to announce that the
Lakeland Fire Department has improved its ISO Mitigation Rating (Fire Suppression Rating Score).
More information in regards to the announcement will become available once the executive summary
is provided to the LFD.
Holiday Public Service Announcements
Firefighters know full and well that the holiday season comes
was an increased risk of fire. To bring awareness to common
holiday fire hazards and how to stay safe during the happiest
time of year the LFD produced
a holiday PSA with the
assistance of City of Lakeland
communication team staring
Rookie Firefighters Cortlind
Hendley and Jesse Baldwin.
The PSA will air on Polk County
Public Access channels,
Lakeland TV, Lakelandgov.net television, and will be posted to multiple
websites. It will run through early 2014.
16
Good On You
A quick look at who has recently been recognized for something great!
For the most part, firefighters are
universally loved, but the
Lakeland Fire Department is
particularly appreciated by
the community it serves.
The department’s Public
Education division
receives numerous thank
you’s from Lakeland
citizen’s who are both
grateful and impressed
with the caliber of service
provided by LFD’s firefighters, especially
when they are able to interact with
firefighters in non emergency
situations, learning more
about the many services
the department offers
Lakeland through tours and
community outreach events.
The pictures below are just
some of the many that have
come in over the past few
months.
Above: St. 1, A shift graciously posing
with a hand made thank you card from
St. Paul’s school children who enjoyed
a tour of the station.
Above: A thank you card for LFD
firefighters after a visit to a local
preschool class to remind children to
not fear firefighters in gear.
Above: City employee Christine Camp
sent in a photo of her son Chase after St
2. C shift made his day by showing him
Engine 21 after responding to a call in her
neighborhood.
100% Participation in the National Fire Incident Reporting
(NIFRS) and Florida Fire Incident Reporting (FFIRS) Systems
Kudos to Allison (Ali) Halstead and all firefighters that produce
reports for the department. For the second year in a row, LFD has
been 100% compliant in submitting report data crucial to the State
Fire Marshal’s office. The data collected from fire department’s
throughout the state of Florida provide helpful data trend
information used for fire science and education.
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Good On You Cont.
Fire Maintenance Division Recognized at City
of Lakeland Commission Meeting
Every year the Lakeland Fire Department
provides a formal presentation to the City of
Lakeland Commission to provide the group
of elected officials more insight about the
department and to keep them abreast of any
new developments with in the LFD. On Monday,
October 7, 2013 during Fire Safety Week , Fire
Chief Gary Ballard spoke to the Commissioners about
the significant and vital role the Fire Maintenance
Division plays for the entire department. The
three personnel that make up FSM (pictured
right) were praised for their hard work, skill,
and efficiency. The department headed by Alan
Jarvis, is one lean and mean operation. That
outstanding effort was recognized by the city
commission. Good job and thank you fire safety
maintenance!
Above: Chief Ballard
presenting about the
FM Division to the
City Commission.
Left: Sample Slides
from the presentation.
Outreach and Public Education
Updates and Highlights on all things “Outreach” related
The Importance of Meet and Greets
The Lakeland Fire Department has a very strong and positive presence in the Lakeland community.
Meet and Greets at community functions play a vital role in bolstering the department’s perception
while reminding citizens that its city’s firefighters are truly there when they need them most. Meet and
greets play an important role in fostering positive relationships because in their absence the only time
a community member may ever see a firefighter is during an
emergency and usually tragic time in their lives. This is a great
way to provide opportunities where citizens can interact with
LFD in non emergency settings.
Overtime: December Public Education Opportunity For
Interested Firefighters
Above: Firefighter Steve Brown Providing a
Friendly Firefighter Program at Resurrection
Catholic School.
In the interim, while a new Fire and Life Safety Educator is
vetted and hired, likely in early January 2014, there will be
special overtime opportunities for off duty firefighters who may
be interested in providing Friendly Firefighter programs at
area elementary schools. Dates are still being scheduled, but
once specific days are available the information will be sent to
scheduling lieutenants to schedule interested firefighters.
18
This and That
Highlights from Miscellaneous Events Items Worth Mentioning
Left: Lakeland’s first Half Marathon took place November 9th.
LFD joined forces with LPD, PCFR, and PCSO to set up a unified
command center. The race hosted 900 runners and next years
runners are expected to be double that.
Right: Mayor
Fields presents a
Proclamation of
Fire Safety Week
with help from
Sparky the Fire Dog
at the October 7
City Commission
Meeting.
Left: Photo sent in by Station 1 B Shift of Helicopter Landing
Zone they set up in a local area supermarket parking lot to
transport patients in need after a vehicle accident.
Below: Lollipops featuring fire safety messaging
were sent to stations in anticipation of possible
trick or treaters this Halloween. Here are Station
4 firefighters waiting for candy loving ghouls
October 31.
Above: The LFD website is updated regularly
featuring new stories of events happening
around the department as well as showcasing
pictures, videos, media releases, and more.
You’re encouraged to check it regularly at www.
lakelandgov.net/lfd.
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Fall Through Early Winter Birthdays and Anniversaries
Happy Birthday!
ALAN
JARVIS
10/1
VINCENT
HAZELBAKER 10/27
MATTHEWWARNER10/29
WESLEY
WATSON
10/3
PAMELA
TODD
10/30
PETUR
LEONARD
10/3
JOHNATHAN SMITH
10/13
BRANDON
DOUGHERTY 10/14
JEFFREY
WHARTON
11/3
RICHARDBEST11/8
MARGARET
COLSON
11/14
CHERYLEDWARDS11/5
GLENDAVENABLE11/21
MICHAELGILMAN11/9
JAMES
CRAW
11/17
JONATHAN
BEALE
11/26
KLINTWNUK11/9
MICHAEL
PASSMORE
11/21
JAMES
HEWITT, III
11/30
STEVEN
BROWN
11/22
TODD
BURNEY
11/26
COLLIN
LEIDY
11/27
STUARTCURK12/2
ALFREDBASS12/10
DOUG
RILEY
12/31
JAMES
SPIVEY
12/15
STEPHEN
LAWRENCE
12/19
MICHAELWILLIAMS12/31
JOSHUA
CONCEPCION 12/30
LUISHERN
ANDEZ, JR.
12/15
RICHARDHAWKS12/26
CHRISTOPHER CAUSTIC
12/28
DAMIAN
MOTSINGER 12/15
ANDREWVINZANT12/25
Happy Anniversary with LFD!
GARY
BALLARD
BLAKE
MONROE
RICHARDBEASLEY
GLEN STEFFY
ALAN
JARVIS
MICHAEL DOUGHERTY
DANIEL FAVIERE
SCOTT JOHNSON
SHANNONTURBEVILLE
MICHAEL PASSMORE
JOHN
DRISKELL
CHRISTOPHER FARINA
GLENDA VENABLE
JASON
BUSBY
MARY
BELOVARAC
MATTHEWBURNS
PHILLIPGREEN
ZACHARYDUNCAN
BILLY ADAMS
MICHAEL BROWN
WILLIAM BECTON
PAMELA TODD
JOELCASTELLOW
12/12/1977
11/23/1982
12/8/1986
12/21/1986
12/5/1988
12/10/1990
11/30/1993
12/1/1998
10/4/1999
12/26/2001
11/16/2003
10/18/2004
10/18/2004
10/18/2004
10/18/2004
10/18/2004
10/18/2004
10/18/2004
12/27/2004
12/27/2004
10/28/2007
12/3/2007
11/6/2011
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