THE FIREHOUSE SCENEIs a monthly publication of the

Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District

Station Gossip by Sheryl Drost

Battalion Chief Tom Aaker was a little startled to find a family of racoons holed up in the burn tower. That’s ok Tom, tough guy firefighter Patrick Trollop came to the rescue and removed the mother and her babies out to the back lot line!

Oh the joys of sharing an office with BC Aaker and BC Alms. Never a dull moment! They are just like brothers. FYI, the zip line is open on Tuesday. Oh, and some Alm’s words of wisdom - Jay says his dad always told him, “Always ride in the back of the plane; they never back into mountains.

Remember, more photos of some of our calls may be seen on our website, www.harlemroscoefire.com.

The Word of the Month “Reflection”

The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.” Thomas Paine

“A battle lost or won is easily described, understood, and appreciated, but the moral growth of a great nation requires reflection, as well as observation, to appreciate it.” Frederick Douglas

“Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.” Peter Drucker

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Construction Corner Photos by Sheryl Drost

Each month we will try to update you on the procress of the construction at Fire Station #1.

A ground breaking ceremony was held on June 27. L-r Captain Ryan Alms, Lt. Radi Huggard, Chaplain Paul Meyers, Trustees John Donahue, Al Bach and Bart Munger, Fire Chief Don Shoevlin, Village of Roscoe President Dave Krienke, Deputy Chief John Bergeron and Battalion Chief Jay Alms.

Cement footings for the south addition are in.

The inside of the building has been stripped.

Concrete work on the new NFPA required gear room is also in process on the west end of the truck bay.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 12www.harlemroscoefire.com

July 2013 Fire Chief Don Shoevlin Editor Sheryl Drost

Chaplain Cole Memorial Page 2

House Fire Pages 6-7

Photo by Sheryl Drost

Out in the Community . . . Photos by Marcia Soppe and Amber Miller

Firefighters were out in the community several times this month from 4th of July Parades to the NorthPointe Safety Fair.

BirthdaysJuly6th Mike Helland7th Mike Drost ‘60th’9th Greg Wernick Ken Krause16th John Morgan18th Bill Null21st Tim BergeronAugust7th Tom Lake9th Jeff Morris11th Rico VanderHeyden ‘40th’ 14th Tim Schrader15th John Barth ‘25th’26th Bob Clark27th Al Bach Mike Sherbon ‘50th’28th Keith Lincoln

Total Calls for 2013 1361

Rico VanderheydenAugust 11 - ‘40th’

Firehouse Scene The Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Prot. Dist.

Editor-in-Chief - Don ShoevlinEditor & Layout - Sheryl Drost

The Firehouse Scene is available at Station One - 10544 Main Street in Roscoe and on the department’s website after the second Sunday each month @www.harlemroscoefire.comE-mail submissions to Sheryl:hrfdsdrost@gmail.com

From the Chief’s DeskBy Fire Chief Don Shoevlin

What a busy month this past one has been and there is no slowing down for the upcoming months. This last month we ran 191 calls. There was a variety of medical, auto accidents, fires and hazardous material calls. You will see throughout the newsletter how busy the firefighters have been.

Our construction project is in full swing. If you drive by the headquarters station on Main Street, the building has taken on a new look; nothing like the rendition though. As they say, give it time. The trades are working hard and feverously to stay on the time table, if not to be ahead of it. It is a surreal feeling to see this project begin and we all anxiously wait for the completion. We are still responding out of that station and the firefighters are doing a great job dealing with the disruption and displacement.

The past week we took delivery of our new ambulance. It is an AEV ambulance on a Chevrolet 4500 chassis. This ambulance will replace one of the older ambulances in our fleet. It will be stocked with all state-of-the-art equipment to allow our paramedics and EMT’s to do their job. We are looking to have it in service by this week after it is inspected by the state. Our next public event will be National Night Out 2013. We will be at two locations. The Village of Roscoe, which will be at Life Church and the Village of Machesney Park, which will be at 251 & 173. It is on August 6th from 5:00 PM til 8:00 PM. This is a joint venture with fire and law enforcement. There will be displays and activities for kids along with informational handouts. I hope you will be able to stop by one if not both locations to visit with us.

This past month we were saddened, but honored, to share in the celebration of life of retired fire Chaplain Jim Cole. Chaplain Cole was an intricate part in the development and growth of the Chaplain program at Harlem Roscoe Fire Department. He also worked with and touched the hearts and lives of many in our area as well as fire department members. I thank his wife Betty and the Cole family for giving us the opportunity to gain Pastor Cole’s insight, knowledge and giving of his time to the department and community. It was a privilege to be a part of his celebration.

As I close, I am going to ask for your help. The dog days of summer are upon us. With that comes the uncertainty of dry and hot weather. As we have heard of wild land fires in so many parts of the country, and the tragic loss of fellow firefighters in Arizona, I ask and urge all residents to be especially mindful and take extra precautions during this time. Remember if it is dry, don’t burn and if it is hot, hydrate yourself. Also don’t forget about pets and check on our neighbors if they require.

We greatly appreciate your continuous support. If you have any questions about anything regarding your fire department, please don’t hesitate to call me or stop by. During construction my office has been relocated to Station #3 which is on Willowbrook Road. Don’t forget to friend us on Facebook and visit us on our website. www.harlemroscoefire.com

Memorial for Ret. Chaplain Jim ColePhotos by Sheryl Drost

Harlem-Roscoe Firefighters participated in the memorial service for retired HRFD Chaplain Jim Cole on June 29. Here are some photos from the ceremony:

HRFD Firefighters perform a walkthrough and salute.

Chief Don Shoevlin and Chaplain Bob Clark salute Jim’s widow Betty after presenting her with a rose and Jim’s badge.

Left, Firefighter Chad Miller stands guard. Right, Chaplain Everett Peterson rings the final 555 Alarm.

Firefighters stand at attention and salute as the family and friends leave.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 2 The Firehouse Scene - Page 11 www.harlemroscoefire.comwww.harlemroscoefire.com

EMS CornerBy BC Jay AlmsParamedic, EMS Coordinator

How to rescue a drowning victim using a reaching assist or a shepherd’s crookBy Mary Donahue - donahuemary@fhda.eduhttp://faculty.deanza.edu/donahuemary/Howtorescueadrowningvictimusingareachingassistorashepherd%27scrook

The safest way to swim is with a lifeguard on duty, but many people swim at hotels, apartment complexes or private homes without guards, so they should know a little about basic rescues.

This is not complete instruction in rescuing drowning victims, but is a supplement to a lesson I give my classes on how almost anyone can possibly save someone in trouble in the water, without entering the water, using just their hand or equipment commonly found at swimming pools.

First you need to realize that people who are drowning can’t yell for help. Someone who got a cramp in their leg might be able to call out for help, but someone actually drowning can’t yell or even talk.

Let’s use the example of someone who can’t swim who is pushed into the pool by a friend playing with them who does not know that they are a non-swimmer. They could end up only a foot from the side of the pool, but they will not be able to reach or get to the side. They will be upright in the water, pressing down hard with both arms to try to get their head up out of the water to get a breath. They will come up and go under as they instinctively push with their arms. Their head may be tilted back and they may not see you. They may not hear you trying to yell at them.

People can struggle like this and stay at the surface for only 20 to 60 seconds, so anyone who wants to help them needs to move quickly. A potential rescuer must understand that only trained lifeguards should try to swim out to a drowning victim, and even trained guards are often at risk when they do so.

If you wanted to help someone struggling as described, you should first start yelling for help (even a lifeguard will notify others when she/he does a rescue). If someone near the pool edge has a cramp, and is not struggling, you can talk to them or gesture to them that you are trying to help them.

If a victim is close enough, a reaching assist can be used to help the person out of the water.

If the person in trouble in the water is very close to the side, lie down on the deck or pier surface, spread your legs out wide for stability, and reach for them. Yell to them to “grab my wrist” as you try to grab their wrist or upper arm and then carefully pull them in. Keep your body low and lean back to avoid being pulled into the water. By grabbing wrists you get better hold on each other. Reaching for hand/fingers is not as secure.

If the person in trouble is too far from the side to reach easily while lying down, you can use a shepherd’s crook to extend your

reach. Most pools should have one on the wall or at a lifeguard stand. This long aluminum or fiberglass pole has a curved hook on the end that you can put where a person in trouble can grab it or can wrap around a victim to save them. Again, you should yell for help. Warn others on the deck to stay clear from the back end of the crook, and be careful as you use it that you don’t poke anyone behind you.

Stand away from the edge and brace your legs so that you won’t fall in the pool if the victim grabs the crook hard. Then dip the crook down in the water and place the curve where the victim can reach it. The shepherd’s crook is very flexible and can feel awkward the first time you use it, move carefully. You might even gently try to get the victim to notice it by pushing the crook at their waist, but certainly move carefully and slowly enough that you do not hit them in the face. Be prepared for a sharp tug on the crook when

they find it. BUT do not completely rely on them being able to grab the crook.

If they cannot grab the crook, or do not see or feel it, which frequently happens, dip the crook deeper in the water and swing it around behind the victim to pull them in. You should place the curve of the crook around the back of their chest below the armpits. Do not put it up at the neck! You won’t be able to see

exactly where the crook goes, and its okay to rescue them by the waist or even the buttocks if it works.

Slowly and carefully pull them to the side. If you pull too quickly you might jerk the crook from their hands or hurt them. If they were struggling and you had to wrap the hook around them, don’t pull so fast or hard that you slam them into the side of the pool. If you had to wrap the hook around them, they might not notice that they are being rescued, so when you get them near the side, push the crook away from them, lie down and do a reaching assist as described above.

After such a rescue of a struggling victim, the victim should see their doctor or go to an emergency room immediately, as there is a serious probability that they may have breathed in water, which can be life threatening.

If there is no shepherd’s crook, you might use other reaching equipment, such as poles, oars, paddles, tree branches, shirts, belts or towels. You take more risk if you try this next reaching assist, but if no equipment is available and the victim is too far away to reach by lying down on the pool deck, you could hold onto something secure in the water with one hand and extend your arm or leg to them. Do not let go of the secure object or swim out into the water. Pull the victim to safety.

Do not attempt any rescue skill that you do not feel confident using. In my classes we practice these skills. People reading this might want to practice as well, before they need to use the skill.

From now on, when you go to a hotel, apartment or other new-to-you pool, look for the shepherd’s crook first thing when you get there.

There are other ways to do such a rescue and your local Red Cross can recommend a complete water safety or lifeguard training class.

Car FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost

Firefighters make a quick knock down on a car fire in the parking lot of Life Church on the corner of Elevator Rd. and Willowbrook Rd. on June 25. Seems the driver said she thought she had put out smoke coming from her dash with her coffee before she went into the church

The convertible was fully involved with fire when units arrived.

Firefighters Justin Mayton and Reety Radke quickly had the fire under control.

Trash Can Fire Photos by Sheryl Drost

Hazardous Material LeakPhotos by Sheryl Drost

Firefighters responded to Loves Truck Stop on June 19 for a possible hazardous material leaking from a semi trailer. Firefighters were able to identify the hazard to be a corrosive liquid. SERT Chief Dennis Lolli and a clean-up crew were also dispatched to the scene.

Firefighters Mike Helland, Justin Mayton and Reety Radke used oil dry to make a dam to contain the corrosive liquid.

Lt Ramona Baldoni-Lake and Lt. Steve Shoevlin entered the trailer and identified the container that was leaking.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 10 The Firehouse Scene - Page 3 www.harlemroscoefire.comwww.harlemroscoefire.com

Oily rags discarded in a trash bin spontaneously ignited and caused a fire in a garage on Glen Echo Way on July 2. Damage was limited to the can and burned area on the garage wall.

“. . . almost anyone can possibly save someone in trouble in the water, without entering the water, using just their hand or equipment commonly found at swimming pools. . .

Live Training BurnPhotos by Marcia Soppe

The new firefighters sworn in last month trained in an abandoned burned-out home on Queen Oaks before the home was burned to the ground in a live burn training on June 18. Several evolutions of search and rescue, ventilation and hose skills were performed during the training.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 4 The Firehouse Scene -Page 9 www.harlemroscoefire.comwww.harlemroscoefire.com www.harlemroscoefire.comwww.harlemroscoefire.com

06/28/13 Rockton Rd. & Pleasant Valley Rd.

06/13/13 Hwy 251 & Prairie Rose Dr. 06/21/13 Hwy 251 & Forest Hills Rd.

06/10/13 Old River Rd.

Accidents Photos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe

06/20/13 Willowbrook Rd. & Rockton Rd.

07/06/13 Hwy 173 & Forest Hills Rd.

The Firehouse Scene -Page 8 The Firehouse Scene - Page 5 www.harlemroscoefire.comwww.harlemroscoefire.com www.harlemroscoefire.comwww.harlemroscoefire.com

Rescued Men Return to Give Thanks Photos by Sheryl Drost

Four men and their families drove to Roscoe from St. Louis to meet the people that they call heroes. South Beloit Police Officer D.J. Johnson was the first emergency responder on scene to the accident and arranged the meeting on July 9 at Station #3.

April 13th should have seen the four co-workers and friends, Steve Danager, Jeremy Mueller and brothers, Anthony and Matthew Filor arriving home after a couple weeks of working on a cell tower in Appleton, WI. They didn’t make it much past the IL/WI state line though when the trailer they were pulling behind their pickup started to fish tail. The truck and large trailer now rolled into the ditch and into the I-90 construction area where piles of road debris were kept. When the truck stopped it was now wedged into the ground with the trailer upside down.

A couple stopped to help and called 911. Emergency vehicles from Harlem-Roscoe and South Beloit Fire quickly arrived, but it would be almost two hours before the last man was extricated from the mangled truck with responders working in mud and leaking diesel fuel. West bound I-90 was shut down and Lifeline, React and UW Med Flight landed their helicopters to transport three of the men. The fourth was transported by ambulance.

The men updated the responders on their serious injuries that ranged from broken and shattered bones to head and neck injuries. Even the toughest firefighters had tears in their eyes when the men told them how grateful they and their families were. Then it was time for hugs, reminiscing and of course a group picture. It was great to see that even after going through such severe injuries, the four men have kept their sense of humor.

Here’s some photos from the get-together:

07/02/13 Hwy 251 & Prairie Hill Rd. 07/09/13 10631 Main St.

07/08/13 Hwy 251 & Bridge St.

07/03/13 Belvidere Rd. & Atwood Rd.

07/08/13 Hononegah Rd. & Baneberry Dr.

House FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost, Marcia Soppe & Jim Johnson

Billowing black smoke could be seen for miles as firefighters responded to a fully involved garage fire on Cooper Hawk Circle in Machesney

Park. When units arrived they found the garage and the roof of the home involved with fire.

With the use of the deck gun on Engine 702 and an aggressive attack from the firefighters with hose lines, the fire was under control and much of the bottom floors only received smoke and water damage; the homeowners were able to retrieve many personal items such as laptop, keys, money, etc.

A big thank you to the Winnebago County Sheriff Deputies as well as neighbors that tried to block the continual flow of onlookers in cars so the fire trucks could get in. The fire started in the garage in a plastic trash can where smoldering coals from a smoker had been discarded.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 6 The Firehouse Scene - Page 7

House FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost, Marcia Soppe & Jim Johnson

Billowing black smoke could be seen for miles as firefighters responded to a fully involved garage fire on Cooper Hawk Circle in Machesney

Park. When units arrived they found the garage and the roof of the home involved with fire.

With the use of the deck gun on Engine 702 and an aggressive attack from the firefighters with hose lines, the fire was under control and much of the bottom floors only received smoke and water damage; the homeowners were able to retrieve many personal items such as laptop, keys, money, etc.

A big thank you to the Winnebago County Sheriff Deputies as well as neighbors that tried to block the continual flow of onlookers in cars so the fire trucks could get in. The fire started in the garage in a plastic trash can where smoldering coals from a smoker had been discarded.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 6 The Firehouse Scene - Page 7

The Firehouse Scene -Page 8 The Firehouse Scene - Page 5 www.harlemroscoefire.comwww.harlemroscoefire.com www.harlemroscoefire.comwww.harlemroscoefire.com

Rescued Men Return to Give Thanks Photos by Sheryl Drost

Four men and their families drove to Roscoe from St. Louis to meet the people that they call heroes. South Beloit Police Officer D.J. Johnson was the first emergency responder on scene to the accident and arranged the meeting on July 9 at Station #3.

April 13th should have seen the four co-workers and friends, Steve Danager, Jeremy Mueller and brothers, Anthony and Matthew Filor arriving home after a couple weeks of working on a cell tower in Appleton, WI. They didn’t make it much past the IL/WI state line though when the trailer they were pulling behind their pickup started to fish tail. The truck and large trailer now rolled into the ditch and into the I-90 construction area where piles of road debris were kept. When the truck stopped it was now wedged into the ground with the trailer upside down.

A couple stopped to help and called 911. Emergency vehicles from Harlem-Roscoe and South Beloit Fire quickly arrived, but it would be almost two hours before the last man was extricated from the mangled truck with responders working in mud and leaking diesel fuel. West bound I-90 was shut down and Lifeline, React and UW Med Flight landed their helicopters to transport three of the men. The fourth was transported by ambulance.

The men updated the responders on their serious injuries that ranged from broken and shattered bones to head and neck injuries. Even the toughest firefighters had tears in their eyes when the men told them how grateful they and their families were. Then it was time for hugs, reminiscing and of course a group picture. It was great to see that even after going through such severe injuries, the four men have kept their sense of humor.

Here’s some photos from the get-together:

07/02/13 Hwy 251 & Prairie Hill Rd. 07/09/13 10631 Main St.

07/08/13 Hwy 251 & Bridge St.

07/03/13 Belvidere Rd. & Atwood Rd.

07/08/13 Hononegah Rd. & Baneberry Dr.

Live Training BurnPhotos by Marcia Soppe

The new firefighters sworn in last month trained in an abandoned burned-out home on Queen Oaks before the home was burned to the ground in a live burn training on June 18. Several evolutions of search and rescue, ventilation and hose skills were performed during the training.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 4 The Firehouse Scene -Page 9 www.harlemroscoefire.comwww.harlemroscoefire.com www.harlemroscoefire.comwww.harlemroscoefire.com

06/28/13 Rockton Rd. & Pleasant Valley Rd.

06/13/13 Hwy 251 & Prairie Rose Dr. 06/21/13 Hwy 251 & Forest Hills Rd.

06/10/13 Old River Rd.

Accidents Photos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe

06/20/13 Willowbrook Rd. & Rockton Rd.

07/06/13 Hwy 173 & Forest Hills Rd.

EMS CornerBy BC Jay AlmsParamedic, EMS Coordinator

How to rescue a drowning victim using a reaching assist or a shepherd’s crookBy Mary Donahue - donahuemary@fhda.eduhttp://faculty.deanza.edu/donahuemary/Howtorescueadrowningvictimusingareachingassistorashepherd%27scrook

The safest way to swim is with a lifeguard on duty, but many people swim at hotels, apartment complexes or private homes without guards, so they should know a little about basic rescues.

This is not complete instruction in rescuing drowning victims, but is a supplement to a lesson I give my classes on how almost anyone can possibly save someone in trouble in the water, without entering the water, using just their hand or equipment commonly found at swimming pools.

First you need to realize that people who are drowning can’t yell for help. Someone who got a cramp in their leg might be able to call out for help, but someone actually drowning can’t yell or even talk.

Let’s use the example of someone who can’t swim who is pushed into the pool by a friend playing with them who does not know that they are a non-swimmer. They could end up only a foot from the side of the pool, but they will not be able to reach or get to the side. They will be upright in the water, pressing down hard with both arms to try to get their head up out of the water to get a breath. They will come up and go under as they instinctively push with their arms. Their head may be tilted back and they may not see you. They may not hear you trying to yell at them.

People can struggle like this and stay at the surface for only 20 to 60 seconds, so anyone who wants to help them needs to move quickly. A potential rescuer must understand that only trained lifeguards should try to swim out to a drowning victim, and even trained guards are often at risk when they do so.

If you wanted to help someone struggling as described, you should first start yelling for help (even a lifeguard will notify others when she/he does a rescue). If someone near the pool edge has a cramp, and is not struggling, you can talk to them or gesture to them that you are trying to help them.

If a victim is close enough, a reaching assist can be used to help the person out of the water.

If the person in trouble in the water is very close to the side, lie down on the deck or pier surface, spread your legs out wide for stability, and reach for them. Yell to them to “grab my wrist” as you try to grab their wrist or upper arm and then carefully pull them in. Keep your body low and lean back to avoid being pulled into the water. By grabbing wrists you get better hold on each other. Reaching for hand/fingers is not as secure.

If the person in trouble is too far from the side to reach easily while lying down, you can use a shepherd’s crook to extend your

reach. Most pools should have one on the wall or at a lifeguard stand. This long aluminum or fiberglass pole has a curved hook on the end that you can put where a person in trouble can grab it or can wrap around a victim to save them. Again, you should yell for help. Warn others on the deck to stay clear from the back end of the crook, and be careful as you use it that you don’t poke anyone behind you.

Stand away from the edge and brace your legs so that you won’t fall in the pool if the victim grabs the crook hard. Then dip the crook down in the water and place the curve where the victim can reach it. The shepherd’s crook is very flexible and can feel awkward the first time you use it, move carefully. You might even gently try to get the victim to notice it by pushing the crook at their waist, but certainly move carefully and slowly enough that you do not hit them in the face. Be prepared for a sharp tug on the crook when

they find it. BUT do not completely rely on them being able to grab the crook.

If they cannot grab the crook, or do not see or feel it, which frequently happens, dip the crook deeper in the water and swing it around behind the victim to pull them in. You should place the curve of the crook around the back of their chest below the armpits. Do not put it up at the neck! You won’t be able to see

exactly where the crook goes, and its okay to rescue them by the waist or even the buttocks if it works.

Slowly and carefully pull them to the side. If you pull too quickly you might jerk the crook from their hands or hurt them. If they were struggling and you had to wrap the hook around them, don’t pull so fast or hard that you slam them into the side of the pool. If you had to wrap the hook around them, they might not notice that they are being rescued, so when you get them near the side, push the crook away from them, lie down and do a reaching assist as described above.

After such a rescue of a struggling victim, the victim should see their doctor or go to an emergency room immediately, as there is a serious probability that they may have breathed in water, which can be life threatening.

If there is no shepherd’s crook, you might use other reaching equipment, such as poles, oars, paddles, tree branches, shirts, belts or towels. You take more risk if you try this next reaching assist, but if no equipment is available and the victim is too far away to reach by lying down on the pool deck, you could hold onto something secure in the water with one hand and extend your arm or leg to them. Do not let go of the secure object or swim out into the water. Pull the victim to safety.

Do not attempt any rescue skill that you do not feel confident using. In my classes we practice these skills. People reading this might want to practice as well, before they need to use the skill.

From now on, when you go to a hotel, apartment or other new-to-you pool, look for the shepherd’s crook first thing when you get there.

There are other ways to do such a rescue and your local Red Cross can recommend a complete water safety or lifeguard training class.

Car FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost

Firefighters make a quick knock down on a car fire in the parking lot of Life Church on the corner of Elevator Rd. and Willowbrook Rd. on June 25. Seems the driver said she thought she had put out smoke coming from her dash with her coffee before she went into the church

The convertible was fully involved with fire when units arrived.

Firefighters Justin Mayton and Reety Radke quickly had the fire under control.

Trash Can Fire Photos by Sheryl Drost

Hazardous Material LeakPhotos by Sheryl Drost

Firefighters responded to Loves Truck Stop on June 19 for a possible hazardous material leaking from a semi trailer. Firefighters were able to identify the hazard to be a corrosive liquid. SERT Chief Dennis Lolli and a clean-up crew were also dispatched to the scene.

Firefighters Mike Helland, Justin Mayton and Reety Radke used oil dry to make a dam to contain the corrosive liquid.

Lt Ramona Baldoni-Lake and Lt. Steve Shoevlin entered the trailer and identified the container that was leaking.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 10 The Firehouse Scene - Page 3 www.harlemroscoefire.comwww.harlemroscoefire.com

Oily rags discarded in a trash bin spontaneously ignited and caused a fire in a garage on Glen Echo Way on July 2. Damage was limited to the can and burned area on the garage wall.

“. . . almost anyone can possibly save someone in trouble in the water, without entering the water, using just their hand or equipment commonly found at swimming pools. . .

Out in the Community . . . Photos by Marcia Soppe and Amber Miller

Firefighters were out in the community several times this month from 4th of July Parades to the NorthPointe Safety Fair.

BirthdaysJuly6th Mike Helland7th Mike Drost ‘60th’9th Greg Wernick Ken Krause16th John Morgan18th Bill Null21st Tim BergeronAugust7th Tom Lake9th Jeff Morris11th Rico VanderHeyden ‘40th’ 14th Tim Schrader15th John Barth ‘25th’26th Bob Clark27th Al Bach Mike Sherbon ‘50th’28th Keith Lincoln

Total Calls for 2013 1361

Rico VanderheydenAugust 11 - ‘40th’

Firehouse Scene The Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Prot. Dist.

Editor-in-Chief - Don ShoevlinEditor & Layout - Sheryl Drost

The Firehouse Scene is available at Station One - 10544 Main Street in Roscoe and on the department’s website after the second Sunday each month @www.harlemroscoefire.comE-mail submissions to Sheryl:hrfdsdrost@gmail.com

From the Chief’s DeskBy Fire Chief Don Shoevlin

What a busy month this past one has been and there is no slowing down for the upcoming months. This last month we ran 191 calls. There was a variety of medical, auto accidents, fires and hazardous material calls. You will see throughout the newsletter how busy the firefighters have been.

Our construction project is in full swing. If you drive by the headquarters station on Main Street, the building has taken on a new look; nothing like the rendition though. As they say, give it time. The trades are working hard and feverously to stay on the time table, if not to be ahead of it. It is a surreal feeling to see this project begin and we all anxiously wait for the completion. We are still responding out of that station and the firefighters are doing a great job dealing with the disruption and displacement.

The past week we took delivery of our new ambulance. It is an AEV ambulance on a Chevrolet 4500 chassis. This ambulance will replace one of the older ambulances in our fleet. It will be stocked with all state-of-the-art equipment to allow our paramedics and EMT’s to do their job. We are looking to have it in service by this week after it is inspected by the state. Our next public event will be National Night Out 2013. We will be at two locations. The Village of Roscoe, which will be at Life Church and the Village of Machesney Park, which will be at 251 & 173. It is on August 6th from 5:00 PM til 8:00 PM. This is a joint venture with fire and law enforcement. There will be displays and activities for kids along with informational handouts. I hope you will be able to stop by one if not both locations to visit with us.

This past month we were saddened, but honored, to share in the celebration of life of retired fire Chaplain Jim Cole. Chaplain Cole was an intricate part in the development and growth of the Chaplain program at Harlem Roscoe Fire Department. He also worked with and touched the hearts and lives of many in our area as well as fire department members. I thank his wife Betty and the Cole family for giving us the opportunity to gain Pastor Cole’s insight, knowledge and giving of his time to the department and community. It was a privilege to be a part of his celebration.

As I close, I am going to ask for your help. The dog days of summer are upon us. With that comes the uncertainty of dry and hot weather. As we have heard of wild land fires in so many parts of the country, and the tragic loss of fellow firefighters in Arizona, I ask and urge all residents to be especially mindful and take extra precautions during this time. Remember if it is dry, don’t burn and if it is hot, hydrate yourself. Also don’t forget about pets and check on our neighbors if they require.

We greatly appreciate your continuous support. If you have any questions about anything regarding your fire department, please don’t hesitate to call me or stop by. During construction my office has been relocated to Station #3 which is on Willowbrook Road. Don’t forget to friend us on Facebook and visit us on our website. www.harlemroscoefire.com

Memorial for Ret. Chaplain Jim ColePhotos by Sheryl Drost

Harlem-Roscoe Firefighters participated in the memorial service for retired HRFD Chaplain Jim Cole on June 29. Here are some photos from the ceremony:

HRFD Firefighters perform a walkthrough and salute.

Chief Don Shoevlin and Chaplain Bob Clark salute Jim’s widow Betty after presenting her with a rose and Jim’s badge.

Left, Firefighter Chad Miller stands guard. Right, Chaplain Everett Peterson rings the final 555 Alarm.

Firefighters stand at attention and salute as the family and friends leave.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 2 The Firehouse Scene - Page 11 www.harlemroscoefire.comwww.harlemroscoefire.com

THE FIREHOUSE SCENEIs a monthly publication of the

Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District

Station Gossip by Sheryl Drost

Battalion Chief Tom Aaker was a little startled to find a family of racoons holed up in the burn tower. That’s ok Tom, tough guy firefighter Patrick Trollop came to the rescue and removed the mother and her babies out to the back lot line!

Oh the joys of sharing an office with BC Aaker and BC Alms. Never a dull moment! They are just like brothers. FYI, the zip line is open on Tuesday. Oh, and some Alm’s words of wisdom - Jay says his dad always told him, “Always ride in the back of the plane; they never back into mountains.

Remember, more photos of some of our calls may be seen on our website, www.harlemroscoefire.com.

The Word of the Month “Reflection”

The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.” Thomas Paine

“A battle lost or won is easily described, understood, and appreciated, but the moral growth of a great nation requires reflection, as well as observation, to appreciate it.” Frederick Douglas

“Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.” Peter Drucker

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Construction Corner Photos by Sheryl Drost

Each month we will try to update you on the process of the construction at Fire Station #1.

A ground breaking ceremony was held on June 27. L-r Captain Ryan Alms, Lt. Radi Huggard, Chaplain Paul Meyers, Trustees John Donahue, Al Bach and Bart Munger, Fire Chief Don Shoevlin, Village of Roscoe President Dave Krienke, Deputy Chief John Bergeron and Battalion Chief Jay Alms.

Cement footings for the south addition are in.

The inside of the building has been stripped.

Concrete work on the new NFPA required gear room is also in process on the west end of the truck bay.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 12www.harlemroscoefire.com

July 2013 Fire Chief Don Shoevlin Editor Sheryl Drost

Chaplain Cole Memorial Page 2

House Fire Pages 6-7

Photo by Sheryl Drost