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the firehouse sceneIs a monthly publication of the
Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District
Station GossipGlad to hear Snoopy’s wife Betty is on the mend after her recent surgery!Heard from Greg in the back seat of 761, “It won’t fi t, It’s too small, I can’t reach it!” He was talking about the seat belt! No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. If you saw a heat wave, would you wave back? You know you are doing something right when a 3-year-old studies your newsletter time and time again, and it has a special place on his dresser. Glad you enjoy it Sam McCormick!Snowfl akes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look what they do when they stick together.
We fi nally got a picture of Firefi ghter Joe Quast’s 1st grandchild. Daisy Jane Price was born on May 3, and we have been after him since to bring in a picture. Well, she was here for the kids Christmas party and we got a very special picture!
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PostageHarlem-Roscoe FirePO Box 450Roscoe, IL 61073
The Firehouse Scene - Page 12www.harlemroscoefi re.com
December 2010 Fire Chief Don Shoevlin Editor Sheryl Drost
Hoser For a Cure. . .
Harlem Roscoe Fire Department had a surprise visitor, Hoser for a Cure. Originating in Clinton, WI from the Clinton Fire Department, Hoser is wandering from fi re department to fi re department to raise money in the fi ght against breast cancer. You can come and visit Hoser here at Station 1 until Tuesday, December 14th and make a donation. (Donations can also be made online at www.the3day.org/got/Meg.) After that, Hoser will be moving on to the next department. Track where Hoser has been and how much money Hoser has raised by visiting: http://www.clintonfi rewisconsin.com and follow the link to Hoser for a Cure.
Station Funnies
The Donovan fl eet has all become reindeers for the season!
Is Your Child Winter Safe?http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/decwintertips.cfm
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has some valuable tips on how to keep your children safe and warm.
What to Wear Dress infants and children warmly for outdoor activities. Several thin layers will keep them dry and warm. The rule of thumb for older babies and young children is to dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions. Blankets, quilts, pillows, sheepskins and other loose bedding may contribute to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and should be kept out of an infant’s sleeping environment. Sleep clothing like one-piece sleepers is preferred.
Winter Health If your child suffers from winter nosebleeds, try using a cold air humidifi er in the child’s room at night. Saline nose drops may help keep tissues moist. If bleeding is severe or recurrent, consult your pediatrician. Many pediatricians feel that bathing two or three times a week is enough for an infant’s fi rst year. More frequent baths may dry out the skin, especially during the winter. Frequent hand washing and teaching your child to sneeze or cough into the bend of her elbow may help reduce the spread of colds and fl u. The sun’s rays can still cause sunburn in the winter, especially when they refl ect off snow. Make sure to cover your child’s exposed skin with sunscreen.Winter is a time when household fi res occur. It is a good time to remember to: Buy and install smoke alarms on every fl oor of your home, Test smoke alarms monthly, practice fi re drills with your children
How To Safely Drive And Survive This Winterhttp://www.caraccidentattorneys.com/resources/auto-accident/auto-accident-causes/winter-weather-accident-injury-claims.htm
The most important, thing to do is get your vehicle serviced and ready for the winter. This includes having your tires and brakes checked and replaced, if necessary. The change in temperature and notorious road conditions can
wreak havoc on your tires. Also, make sure your windshield wiper blades are new and suffi cient to stand up to the freezing rain, slush, ice, snow and copious amounts of salt-fi lled spray coming off of the roads. It is also advisable to have your battery checked, as a sudden drop in temperature will drain you battery of power and could leave you stranded. All of these things are very important, as poor visibility and mechanical failures are some of the leading causes of accidents during the Midwest’s harsh winter.
It is also important to be properly equipped to handle any situation. This includes making sure you have plenty of warm clothing and blankets in your vehicle, including hats and gloves. If you become stranded you may also fi nd a fl ashlight necessary. Make sure your vehicle is equipped with a suffi cient spare tire, working jack and jumper cables. No one wants to change a spare tire without a coat or gloves in -10 degree weather.
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If in a car accident it is important that you seek immediate medical attention. Many times, people in car accidents do not even realize they are injured immediately after the accident, due to adrenaline and nerves. Leave your health and well-being to medical professionals. Even if you don’t fi nd it necessary to go to an emergency room immediately, it is important that you follow up with your primary care physician or other medical professionals. Many times, symptoms may not arise for several days after a car accident.
Don’t Forget Your PetsBrrr … it’s cold outside! You feel it when you walk outdoors and so does your pet. With temperatures dipping below freezing at night and winds blowing, pets are especially vulnerable when it is this cold. Animal lovers from the have the following tips for pet owners on protecting pets during this frigid weather.
Keep cats inside. Cats and kittens can perish in these freezing temperatures.Bang on the hood of your car. Some outdoor cats sleep under the hoods of cars where it is warm. By banging loudly on the car before you start the engine, the cat has time to escape.If it snows or becomes icy, wipe off your dog’s paws, legs and stomach when he comes inside to reduce chances of frostbite. Also, by licking their paws, dogs can ingest de-icing chemicals, salt or poisonous antifreeze.Clean up all antifreeze and engine coolant spills; these fl uids are lethal to dogs and cats.Remember to check your pets’ outdoor water containers frequently and remove any ice.Leave your dog’s coat longer in winter to provide more warmth.Never leave your dog or cat in a car during cold weather.Increase your dog’s food supply if your dog spends a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities.Make sure your pet has a warm place to sleep that is off the fl oor and away from drafts. A cozy bed with a warm blanket would be simply purr-fect.
Providing the special care that pets need during winter weather requires a bit more work. However, taking care of their well-being and health is worth the effort so that your dog’s unconditional companionship and your cat’s comforting purr continue.
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From the Chief’s DeskBy Fire Chief Don Shoevlin
The Roscoe Lions Club held another successful Senior Turkey Dinner. The opportunity to work with them is gratifying. We served 243 dinners that day. Thank you once again to all of the fi re personnel and Lions Club members who participated. We could not have done it without all of your extra volunteer hours & help.
Sheryl has out done herself again with our 2011 calendar. It contains colored photos that show your fi re department at its best in action. To get your copy stop by Station #1, but hurry because they go fast.
The holiday season is upon us; let us remember those safety tips that we tend to take for granted. Our annual “Keep the Wreath Red” campaign has begun with a wreath in front of all three stations. It has been illuminated in red bulbs. If there is a fi re in our district through the holidays, (caused by holiday decorations) a bulb will be changed to white. The Harlem
Roscoe Fire Protection District urges all citizens & businesses to take a moment and check & clean your fi replaces, use caution with candles, watch the wiring for Christmas lights, and be careful with live Christmas trees becoming too dry.
Mother Nature will bring us a dose of snow and ice so don’t forget our winter driving habits. We had our fi rst measurable snow this past weekend and I can happily report that it was an uneventful one.
With that being said, I recall two weeks ago when I was requested to respond to a report of a tornado. I had never experienced something like this before. I have seen it in the media as we all have, but to see the destruction it is capable of fi rst hand, sheds a completely new light on the power it packs. I assisted on Harlem Road with a report of a school bus off the road. Fortunately, all occupants were out of the bus with non-life threatening injuries. You will fi nd pictures on pages 6&7. It is a reminder we cannot fool Mother Nature.
To the communities we are honored and proudly serve, We wish everyone a safe, happy holiday,
And prosperous New Year.
To all the members of the Harlem Roscoe Fire Protection District and their families,
May the Christmas Season fi ll your Home with Joy, Your Heart with Love & Your Life with Laughter.
The gratitude for the commitment all of you Make us second to none.
We are who we are because of ALL of you!!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Check Your Hot Spots!http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/home_fi re_prev/heating/hotspot.shtm
Each year fi re claims the lives of 3,500 Americans, injures 20,000, and causes billions of dollars worth of damage. People living in rural areas are more than twice as likely to die in a fi re than those living in mid-sized cities or suburban areas. The misuse of wood stoves, portable space heaters
and kerosene heaters are especially common risks in rural areas.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) believes rural fi re problems can be reduced by teaching people to recognize the hazards. By following some of the outlined precautionary steps, individuals can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a fi re casualty.
Wood Stoves-Wood stoves cause over 4,000 residential fi res every year. Carefully follow the manufacturer’s installation and maintenance instructions. Look for solid construction, such as plate steel or cast iron metal. Check for cracks and inspect legs, hinges and door seals for smooth joints and seams. Use only seasoned wood for fuel, not green wood, artifi cial logs, or trash. Inspect and clean your pipes and chimneys annually and check monthly for damage or obstructions. Be sure to keep combustible objects at least three feet away from your wood stove.
Electric Space Heaters - Buy only heaters evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Check to make sure it has a thermostat control mechanism, and will switch off automatically if the heater falls over. Heaters are not dryers or tables; don’t dry clothes or store objects on top of your heater. Space heaters need space; keep combustibles at least three feet away from each heater. Always unplug your electric space heater when not in use.
Kerosene Heaters-Buy only heaters evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and check with your local fi re department on the legality of kerosene heater use in your community. Never fi ll your heater with gasoline or camp stove fuel; both fl are-up easily. Only use crystal clear K-1 kerosene. Never overfi ll any portable heater. Use the kerosene heater in a well ventilated room.
Fireplaces-Fireplaces regularly build up creosote in their chimneys. They need to be cleaned out frequently and chimneys should be inspected for obstructions and cracks to prevent deadly chimney and roof fi res. Check to make sure the damper is open before starting any fi re. Never burn trash, paper or green wood in your fi replace. These materials cause heavy creosote buildup and are diffi cult to control. Use a screen heavy enough to stop rolling logs and big enough to cover the entire opening of the fi replace to catch fl ying sparks. Don’t wear loose-fi tting clothes near any open fl ame. Make sure the fi re is completely out before leaving the house or going to bed. Store cooled ashes in a tightly sealed metal container outside the home.
Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fi re. And remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.
The Firehouse Scene - Page 2 The Firehouse Scene - Page 11 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com
Predicting Winter Weather (an infallible guide)Who isn’t wondering: “What will the winter bring?” http://www.naturealmanac.com/archive/predicting_winter/predicting_winter.html
While long-term weather prediction is getting better it’s still only capable of predicting general trends. What everyone wants are accurate and precise predictions about specifi c weather topics, something Science just can’t do. Fortunately a body of knowledge exists,
one our ancestors were intimately acquainted with, that not only gives us all those answers, but promises 100%, sure-thing, falling-off-a-log accuracy.
Predicting SnowfallThere are three infallible methods of predicting snowfall for the coming year so take your pick:
Count the number of foggy mornings in August. This number will be the same as the number of snowfalls for the following winter, or if you’re not a morning person... Count the number of days from the fi rst snowfall until Christmas. This number will also give the correct number of snowfalls to expect, or... Count the number of days from the fi rst snowfall of the season to the preceding New Moon. This, too, will tell you what the coming winter will bring.
A fact well-known to our ancestors but hardly ever taught today is that when snow lies in drifts in the shade and refuses to melt, these drifts become “snow breeders” which attract more snow.
Also, if the sun shines while snow is falling, expect more snow very soon. If your dog howls at the moon it signifi es an early snow. And remember, a white Christmas means a green Easter (and vice versa). This is an excellent way to gauge the length of winter since it gives you an idea of what to expect several months in advance.
Winter SeverityJudging the length and severity of the winter is probably more important than knowing the number of snowfalls. Several fool-proof methods are known and easily observed by the average suburban homeowner:
The length of the cooked goose’s breastbone indicates the length of the ensuing winter, while the color of the breastbone indicates its severity. A plain white breastbone indicates a mild winter. A mottled breastbone indicates a more severe winter, and the more mottled the breastbone the more severe the winter to come. The more moss on the south side of the tree the harder the coming winter. The deeper squirrels bury their nuts the lower the lowest temperature will be for the upcoming winter. Fruit trees blooming twice in one year are a certain sign the winter will be severe, and when rabbits habitually take shelter in brush piles a severe winter is assured.
Short Term Weather ForecastingKeep an eye on your cat. If your cat sits with its back to a heat source you can expect cold weather. By the same token, a cat that sits with its back to the wind also signifi es cold weather soon. If your cat frisks about the house you know a storm is brewing.
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The Moon is also an important short term weather indicator. When you see a ring around the Moon count the number of stars inside and this will tell you the number of days to the next bout of precipitation. If the Moon has two rings encircling it, expect snowfall within 24 hours.
Retired Chief Oscar Presley’s formula is you take the fi rst day it snows that you can track an animal. Add to that the number of days back to the new moon.
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Folklore Winter Weather Forcastinghttp://wilstar.com/skywatch.htm & http://www.wgnsradio.com/local-info/folklore-winter-weather-forecast/, http://ncnatural.com/wildfl wr/fall/folklore.html
When walls in cold weather begin to show dampness, the weather will change.A warm November is the sign of a bad winter.If the fi rst snow falls on unfrozen ground, expect a mild winter. It will be a bad winter if trees keep their leaves until late in the fall. Hornets nest built in the tops of trees point to a mild winter.“Onion skins very thin, mild winter coming in; Onion skins thick and tough Coming winter cold and rough.”The fi rst snow comes six weeks after the last thunderstorm in Sept.Cows and deer stand facing west if bad weather is approaching, east when weather is good.If woolly worms are dark, the coming winter will be severeA coming storm your shooting corns presage, and aches will throb, your hollow tooth will rage. The most likely reason is that with a fall in atmospheric pressure, blood vessels dilate slightly in reaction. This has the effect of aggravating already-irritated nerves near corns, cavities, or arthritic joints. Winter weather will be colder if:
Animals have thicker coats of hair or fur.Squirrels build their nests low in trees and gather nuts early.Ants build their mounds high.Larger numbers of spiders are seen in the fall.A heavy crop of berries are found on holly and dogwood trees.Birds are seen migrating early or huddling on the ground.You hear lots of rolling thunder during late fall.Leaves are shed before their color change is complete.Chimney smoke fl ows toward the ground.The breastbone of a turkey cooked in the fall is purple/dark blue. Thunder in the fall foretells a cold winter.
The trouble with weather forecasting is that it’s right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it.- Patrick Young
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House Catches FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost
Harlem-Roscoe Fire responded to Wild Deer Tr. in Roscoe for a house on fi re on Dec. 4. It seems the residents saw smoke and fi re coming from the outer wall of the basement and called 9-1-1. Firefi ghters quickly had the fi re extinguished and used a positive pressure fan to rid the home of smoke. The fi re started on the exterior wall of the home and burned into the home; the cause of the fi re is undetermined at this time.
Firefi ghters use an axe to chop into the outside wall to get to all the fi re.
Firefi ghter Tom Lake and Josh Hoffl and carry in a positive pressure fan that was used to rid the home of smoke.
Firefi ghter Mark Soppe engineers the attack truck.
The fi rst snow fall of the year was also the day of the fi re.
By the Numbers:http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/home_fi re_prev/holiday-seasonal/winter.shtm
Winter residential building fi res result in an estimated average of 945 deaths, 3,825 injuries, and $1,708,000,000 in property loss each year.
Fires in one and two-family dwellings account for 67 percent of all winter residential building fi res.
Cooking is the leading cause of all winter residential building fi res.
Winter residential building fi res occur mainly in the early evening hours, peaking from 5 to 8 p.m.
Although at its highest in December, residential building fi re incidence is collectively highest in the 3 winter months of January, February, and March.
Train on Fire?Photo by Sheryl Drost
We all saw the smoke coming from the train as we headed to the call, but when units arrived on scene, the smoke was gone. Train offi cials were called to the scene to check the engine out.
Once on scene, fi refi ghters found no smoke coming from the engine.
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The Firehouse Scene - Page 10 The Firehouse Scene - Page 3 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com
Oscar Predicts . . .32 Snows
The Firehouse Scene - Page 4 The Firehouse Scene -Page 9 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com
11/15/10 Gleasman Rd.
11/23/10 Hunter & County Line Rd. 11/28/10 Roscoe Rd.
Accidents Photos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe
12/06/10 Belvidere Rd. 12/07/10 Hunter Rd. & County Line Rd.
12/03/10 Hwy 251 Frontage Rd. & Glen Forest Dr. 12/07/10 Hononegah Rd.
12/04/10 Hononegah Rd.
Lions Club Senior Turkey DinnerPhotos by Sheryl Drost
Harlem-Roscoe once again hosted the dinner and Lt. Virgil Johnson puts the count at 243 seniors served! Chef Donovan once again came through with some delicious turkey. For the rest of us that helped, it was our pleasure! Here are some pictures:
Lighted Christmas ParadesPhotos by Marcia Soppe
Harlem-Roscoe Kids Christmas PartyPhotos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe
Santa arrived in a fi re truck to the delights of the children of Harlem-Roscoe Firefi ghter’s kids during their annual Christmas party on Dec. 4. After a hearty breakfast served by Santa’s fi re elves, the kids enjoyed a magic show, then Santa arrived with a gift for each child. Here are some pictures:
Birthdays
December19th Eric Schweitzer26th Ron Klaman
January 4th Bill Hyde5th Matt Bush17th John Presley25th Jerry Lund26th Reety Radke31st Mark Soppe
Total Calls for 2010
2068
Gone,
But not forgottenSome people come into our lives,
And quickly go.Some stay awhile and leave
Footprints in our hearts.And, we are never, ever the same.
Trustee Bart Munger’s mother, Ruth Ann Munger, passed away Nov. 27.
Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to Bart and his family!
Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe F.P.D.
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 web site after the second Sunday each month.
www.harlemroscoefi re.com
E-mail submissions to: Sheryl @ fi [email protected]
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Congratulations to Firefi ghter Joe Koeninger and his girlfriend Melissa Harding on the birth of their fi rst child. Madilyn Grace was born on November 25. She weighed in at 8 lbs. 4.5 oz. and 21” long. She had a rough start with a couple trips back to the hospital, but she is home now and both mom and baby are doing very well. Congrats again Joe and Melissa, she is adorable!
The Firehouse Scene -Page 8 The Firehouse Scene - Page 5www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com
New Firefi ghters Sworn InPhoto by Sheryl Drost
Harlem-Roscoe Fire Trustee Jerry Ocker gave the oath to eight new fi refi ghters after they completed their 6-month probation as new fi refi ghters. Congratulations to all eight! Pictured above l-r -Trustee Jerry Ocker, Chief Don Shoevlin, fi refi ghter Sean Laurent, Micah Anderson, Eric Wilkins, Danielle Baumgartner, John Bunger, Clay Hendershot, Robert Rosales, Mike Helland, and Lt. Tom Aaker.
What Does Commitment Mean to You?By Sheryl Drost, Editor, Photographer
Commitment; To show loyalty, duty or pledge to something or someone.
To a Harlem-Roscoe Volunteer Firefi ghter, commitment can mean dropping everything to respond to your emergency, be it you just
crashed your car, your mom is having a heart attack during dinner, your son just fell off his bike, or maybe your home is on fi re. It also means helping at tons of community events. My husband Mike has over 25 years in fi re fi ghting, and for the last 20 years, I have committed to documenting and archiving the history of Harlem-Roscoe Fire. In our case, it’s not just commitment; it’s become a way of life.
Children learn by example and personally, I can’t think of a better example to teach your kids than the commitment to helping your neighbors in their time of need. My father owned his own heating and A/C company, and I don’t remember a holiday that he didn’t excuse himself for an hour or two to go get someone heat. It just wasn’t a big deal; it made me proud. I can only hope our family feels the same as we leave them with half-eaten meals or half-opened presents to go fi ght, and in my case document, say a house fi re on Christmas Eve. Commitment to the fi re department was life changing for us; it becomes an addiction and you literally live and breathe it. When Mike was an EMT, we still joke about how he never was able to fi nish cooking a burger on the grill. My kids know wherever I go, my camera and gear go with me.
I know that our volunteer fi refi ghters want to respond to every call, but life is different today, and it kind of gets in the way. In the olden days, the calls were fewer and far between. Today, we can get a dozen calls in a day, and they can come four at a time. Medical calls especially like to come in two or three at a time. Years ago one spouse worked and the other took care of the home and kids. Today both spouses work and child care is shared. We honestly have an Assistant Chief that has been on the department forever, and swears he never changed a diaper on his own kids. So, is our commitment any less today than it was years ago? No, it’s just harder, and fi re departments have had to adjust and be creative, such as to have more personnel on the roster to cover what was covered by less a few years ago.
A journalist recently tried to prove a point in a local paper and made the statement that volunteer fi refi ghters have to come off tractors or from their factory jobs. Was he saying that volunteer’s fi refi ghters weren’t as committed to keeping their fi re district safe? I don’t think he meant that. We can’t say he is wrong, because some volunteer fi refi ghters do; it’s more what he didn’t say. What that journalist didn’t say was that those particular volunteer fi refi ghters aren’t the fi rst crews out of the stations. Harlem-Roscoe Fire, like many other rural fi re departments, has paid or volunteer shift crews ready to respond immediately from their stations. Harlem-Roscoe also has 24-hour ambulance crews ready at our stations as well. The rest of the volunteers drop what they are doing and respond to the station. Oh, and about that farmer that comes off his tractor, we have one. He lives within a mile of the station and can, and has, made the second or third truck out of the station, and has been voted fi refi ghter of the year twice by his fellow fi refi ghters for his commitment and dedication to the fi re department.
Volunteer fi refi ghters come from many walks of life and have many life skills that are highly valued by their volunteer fi re departments. I also feel lucky to live in a community that has businesses that are committed to their community’s well being. They will allow their volunteer fi refi ghter employee to come in late or leave early to help fi ght a fully involved structure fi re, or extricate an injured patient from a mangled car.
As I archive the department’s pictures, it’s bringing back many fond memories. Mike and I talked recently of how things have changed from the older days; how we both seem to be in a transition mode since our mentors started retiring from the fi re department. Those fi refi ghters encouraged Mike to be a good fi refi ghter and fi re investigator and helped keep him safe. I follow in the shoes of a retired Chief that taught me not to miss any opportunity to take a picture, and to document and preserve everything because it was history in the making. I am happy to serve under a new Chief that also feels that way, and to still be able to capture and document the magic of fi refi ghters and EMS in action.
Mike and I both agree it is the motivation and commitment of those fi refi ghters that came before us that inspired us for the last 20+ years. We have also learned that it is time for us to pay it forward; that it may be our commitment that helps motivate the next generation. So, I ask again, what does commitment mean to you?
“Great organizations demand a high level of commitment by the people involved.” Bill Gates
“Stay committed to your decisions, but stay fl exible in your approach.” Tom Robbins
“Commitment unlocks the doors of imagination, allows vision, and gives us the “right stuff” to turn our dreams into reality.” James Womack
“Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” Mario Andretti
“It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through.” Zig Ziglar
Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” Vince Lombardi
Winter JokesQ. What do snowmen eat for breakfast? A. Frosted Flakes.
Q. What do you call an old snowman?A. Water!
Q. What do you get when you cross a snowman and a vampire? A. Frostbite.
Q. What did Frosty call his cow?A. Eskimoo!
Q. Why did a snowman send his father to Siberia? A. Because he wanted frozen pop!
Q. What do you call a penguin in the Sahara desert?A. Lost!
The Firehouse Scene - Page 6 The Firehouse Scene - Page 7
Tornado DamageStory & photos by Sheryl Drost
November 22, a tornado roared through Northern IL and Southern WI. Reports quickly started coming in on all the nearby damage. High tension wires down, a bus accident, and major destruction in Caledonia. Harlem-Roscoe was called to assist North Park Fire at the bus accident on Harlem-Road.
I arrived on Harlem Rd. to where the winds had tossed a bus into a fi eld. A driver and fi ve children were being triaged by paramedics and fi refi ghters from Harlem-Roscoe Fire and North Park Fire. Ambulances from Harlem-Roscoe, Life Line, Mercy, and ATS would transport the victims.
The scene was surreal - you could see the anguish on the emergency responders as they quickly did their jobs. All the victims were transported to local hospitals. It was only after the ambulances left that the reality hit just how lucky the driver and kids were to be alive.
Dr. Jane Billeter had witnessed the tornado as she and her husband North Park Fire Chief Steve Pearson were heading home on Harlem Rd. She told me the tornado came across the corn fi eld taking down one after another of the high tension lines. A County Sheriff’s Offi cer Pat Speers also said that a car on scene had been picked up and place back down further down the road.
I drove through Caledonia a couple weeks later and snapped a couple pictures of the damage there as well.
The Firehouse Scene - Page 6 The Firehouse Scene - Page 7
Tornado DamageStory & photos by Sheryl Drost
November 22, a tornado roared through Northern IL and Southern WI. Reports quickly started coming in on all the nearby damage. High tension wires down, a bus accident, and major destruction in Caledonia. Harlem-Roscoe was called to assist North Park Fire at the bus accident on Harlem-Road.
I arrived on Harlem Rd. to where the winds had tossed a bus into a fi eld. A driver and fi ve children were being triaged by paramedics and fi refi ghters from Harlem-Roscoe Fire and North Park Fire. Ambulances from Harlem-Roscoe, Life Line, Mercy, and ATS would transport the victims.
The scene was surreal - you could see the anguish on the emergency responders as they quickly did their jobs. All the victims were transported to local hospitals. It was only after the ambulances left that the reality hit just how lucky the driver and kids were to be alive.
Dr. Jane Billeter had witnessed the tornado as she and her husband North Park Fire Chief Steve Pearson were heading home on Harlem Rd. She told me the tornado came across the corn fi eld taking down one after another of the high tension lines. A County Sheriff’s Offi cer Pat Speers also said that a car on scene had been picked up and place back down further down the road.
I drove through Caledonia a couple weeks later and snapped a couple pictures of the damage there as well.
Birthdays
December19th Eric Schweitzer26th Ron Klaman
January 4th Bill Hyde5th Matt Bush17th John Presley25th Jerry Lund26th Reety Radke31st Mark Soppe
Total Calls for 2010
2068
Gone,
But not forgottenSome people come into our lives,
And quickly go.Some stay awhile and leave
Footprints in our hearts.And, we are never, ever the same.
Trustee Bart Munger’s mother, Ruth Ann Munger, passed away Nov. 27.
Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to Bart and his family!
Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe F.P.D.
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 web site after the second Sunday each month.
www.harlemroscoefi re.com
E-mail submissions to: Sheryl @ fi [email protected]
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Congratulations to Firefi ghter Joe Koeninger and his girlfriend Melissa Harding on the birth of their fi rst child. Madilyn Grace was born on November 25. She weighed in at 8 lbs. 4.5 oz. and 21” long. She had a rough start with a couple trips back to the hospital, but she is home now and both mom and baby are doing very well. Congrats again Joe and Melissa, she is adorable!
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New Firefi ghters Sworn InPhoto by Sheryl Drost
Harlem-Roscoe Fire Trustee Jerry Ocker gave the oath to eight new fi refi ghters after they completed their 6-month probation as new fi refi ghters. Congratulations to all eight! Pictured above l-r -Trustee Jerry Ocker, Chief Don Shoevlin, fi refi ghter Sean Laurent, Micah Anderson, Eric Wilkins, Danielle Baumgartner, John Bunger, Clay Hendershot, Robert Rosales, Mike Helland, and Lt. Tom Aaker.
What Does Commitment Mean to You?By Sheryl Drost, Editor, Photographer
Commitment; To show loyalty, duty or pledge to something or someone.
To a Harlem-Roscoe Volunteer Firefi ghter, commitment can mean dropping everything to respond to your emergency, be it you just
crashed your car, your mom is having a heart attack during dinner, your son just fell off his bike, or maybe your home is on fi re. It also means helping at tons of community events. My husband Mike has over 25 years in fi re fi ghting, and for the last 20 years, I have committed to documenting and archiving the history of Harlem-Roscoe Fire. In our case, it’s not just commitment; it’s become a way of life.
Children learn by example and personally, I can’t think of a better example to teach your kids than the commitment to helping your neighbors in their time of need. My father owned his own heating and A/C company, and I don’t remember a holiday that he didn’t excuse himself for an hour or two to go get someone heat. It just wasn’t a big deal; it made me proud. I can only hope our family feels the same as we leave them with half-eaten meals or half-opened presents to go fi ght, and in my case document, say a house fi re on Christmas Eve. Commitment to the fi re department was life changing for us; it becomes an addiction and you literally live and breathe it. When Mike was an EMT, we still joke about how he never was able to fi nish cooking a burger on the grill. My kids know wherever I go, my camera and gear go with me.
I know that our volunteer fi refi ghters want to respond to every call, but life is different today, and it kind of gets in the way. In the olden days, the calls were fewer and far between. Today, we can get a dozen calls in a day, and they can come four at a time. Medical calls especially like to come in two or three at a time. Years ago one spouse worked and the other took care of the home and kids. Today both spouses work and child care is shared. We honestly have an Assistant Chief that has been on the department forever, and swears he never changed a diaper on his own kids. So, is our commitment any less today than it was years ago? No, it’s just harder, and fi re departments have had to adjust and be creative, such as to have more personnel on the roster to cover what was covered by less a few years ago.
A journalist recently tried to prove a point in a local paper and made the statement that volunteer fi refi ghters have to come off tractors or from their factory jobs. Was he saying that volunteer’s fi refi ghters weren’t as committed to keeping their fi re district safe? I don’t think he meant that. We can’t say he is wrong, because some volunteer fi refi ghters do; it’s more what he didn’t say. What that journalist didn’t say was that those particular volunteer fi refi ghters aren’t the fi rst crews out of the stations. Harlem-Roscoe Fire, like many other rural fi re departments, has paid or volunteer shift crews ready to respond immediately from their stations. Harlem-Roscoe also has 24-hour ambulance crews ready at our stations as well. The rest of the volunteers drop what they are doing and respond to the station. Oh, and about that farmer that comes off his tractor, we have one. He lives within a mile of the station and can, and has, made the second or third truck out of the station, and has been voted fi refi ghter of the year twice by his fellow fi refi ghters for his commitment and dedication to the fi re department.
Volunteer fi refi ghters come from many walks of life and have many life skills that are highly valued by their volunteer fi re departments. I also feel lucky to live in a community that has businesses that are committed to their community’s well being. They will allow their volunteer fi refi ghter employee to come in late or leave early to help fi ght a fully involved structure fi re, or extricate an injured patient from a mangled car.
As I archive the department’s pictures, it’s bringing back many fond memories. Mike and I talked recently of how things have changed from the older days; how we both seem to be in a transition mode since our mentors started retiring from the fi re department. Those fi refi ghters encouraged Mike to be a good fi refi ghter and fi re investigator and helped keep him safe. I follow in the shoes of a retired Chief that taught me not to miss any opportunity to take a picture, and to document and preserve everything because it was history in the making. I am happy to serve under a new Chief that also feels that way, and to still be able to capture and document the magic of fi refi ghters and EMS in action.
Mike and I both agree it is the motivation and commitment of those fi refi ghters that came before us that inspired us for the last 20+ years. We have also learned that it is time for us to pay it forward; that it may be our commitment that helps motivate the next generation. So, I ask again, what does commitment mean to you?
“Great organizations demand a high level of commitment by the people involved.” Bill Gates
“Stay committed to your decisions, but stay fl exible in your approach.” Tom Robbins
“Commitment unlocks the doors of imagination, allows vision, and gives us the “right stuff” to turn our dreams into reality.” James Womack
“Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” Mario Andretti
“It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through.” Zig Ziglar
Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” Vince Lombardi
Winter JokesQ. What do snowmen eat for breakfast? A. Frosted Flakes.
Q. What do you call an old snowman?A. Water!
Q. What do you get when you cross a snowman and a vampire? A. Frostbite.
Q. What did Frosty call his cow?A. Eskimoo!
Q. Why did a snowman send his father to Siberia? A. Because he wanted frozen pop!
Q. What do you call a penguin in the Sahara desert?A. Lost!
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11/15/10 Gleasman Rd.
11/23/10 Hunter & County Line Rd. 11/28/10 Roscoe Rd.
Accidents Photos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe
12/06/10 Belvidere Rd. 12/07/10 Hunter Rd. & County Line Rd.
12/03/10 Hwy 251 Frontage Rd. & Glen Forest Dr. 12/07/10 Hononegah Rd.
12/04/10 Hononegah Rd.
Lions Club Senior Turkey DinnerPhotos by Sheryl Drost
Harlem-Roscoe once again hosted the dinner and Lt. Virgil Johnson puts the count at 243 seniors served! Chef Donovan once again came through with some delicious turkey. For the rest of us that helped, it was our pleasure! Here are some pictures:
Lighted Christmas ParadesPhotos by Marcia Soppe
Harlem-Roscoe Kids Christmas PartyPhotos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe
Santa arrived in a fi re truck to the delights of the children of Harlem-Roscoe Firefi ghter’s kids during their annual Christmas party on Dec. 4. After a hearty breakfast served by Santa’s fi re elves, the kids enjoyed a magic show, then Santa arrived with a gift for each child. Here are some pictures:
Predicting Winter Weather (an infallible guide)Who isn’t wondering: “What will the winter bring?” http://www.naturealmanac.com/archive/predicting_winter/predicting_winter.html
While long-term weather prediction is getting better it’s still only capable of predicting general trends. What everyone wants are accurate and precise predictions about specifi c weather topics, something Science just can’t do. Fortunately a body of knowledge exists,
one our ancestors were intimately acquainted with, that not only gives us all those answers, but promises 100%, sure-thing, falling-off-a-log accuracy.
Predicting SnowfallThere are three infallible methods of predicting snowfall for the coming year so take your pick:
Count the number of foggy mornings in August. This number will be the same as the number of snowfalls for the following winter, or if you’re not a morning person... Count the number of days from the fi rst snowfall until Christmas. This number will also give the correct number of snowfalls to expect, or... Count the number of days from the fi rst snowfall of the season to the preceding New Moon. This, too, will tell you what the coming winter will bring.
A fact well-known to our ancestors but hardly ever taught today is that when snow lies in drifts in the shade and refuses to melt, these drifts become “snow breeders” which attract more snow.
Also, if the sun shines while snow is falling, expect more snow very soon. If your dog howls at the moon it signifi es an early snow. And remember, a white Christmas means a green Easter (and vice versa). This is an excellent way to gauge the length of winter since it gives you an idea of what to expect several months in advance.
Winter SeverityJudging the length and severity of the winter is probably more important than knowing the number of snowfalls. Several fool-proof methods are known and easily observed by the average suburban homeowner:
The length of the cooked goose’s breastbone indicates the length of the ensuing winter, while the color of the breastbone indicates its severity. A plain white breastbone indicates a mild winter. A mottled breastbone indicates a more severe winter, and the more mottled the breastbone the more severe the winter to come. The more moss on the south side of the tree the harder the coming winter. The deeper squirrels bury their nuts the lower the lowest temperature will be for the upcoming winter. Fruit trees blooming twice in one year are a certain sign the winter will be severe, and when rabbits habitually take shelter in brush piles a severe winter is assured.
Short Term Weather ForecastingKeep an eye on your cat. If your cat sits with its back to a heat source you can expect cold weather. By the same token, a cat that sits with its back to the wind also signifi es cold weather soon. If your cat frisks about the house you know a storm is brewing.
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The Moon is also an important short term weather indicator. When you see a ring around the Moon count the number of stars inside and this will tell you the number of days to the next bout of precipitation. If the Moon has two rings encircling it, expect snowfall within 24 hours.
Retired Chief Oscar Presley’s formula is you take the fi rst day it snows that you can track an animal. Add to that the number of days back to the new moon.
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Folklore Winter Weather Forcastinghttp://wilstar.com/skywatch.htm & http://www.wgnsradio.com/local-info/folklore-winter-weather-forecast/, http://ncnatural.com/wildfl wr/fall/folklore.html
When walls in cold weather begin to show dampness, the weather will change.A warm November is the sign of a bad winter.If the fi rst snow falls on unfrozen ground, expect a mild winter. It will be a bad winter if trees keep their leaves until late in the fall. Hornets nest built in the tops of trees point to a mild winter.“Onion skins very thin, mild winter coming in; Onion skins thick and tough Coming winter cold and rough.”The fi rst snow comes six weeks after the last thunderstorm in Sept.Cows and deer stand facing west if bad weather is approaching, east when weather is good.If woolly worms are dark, the coming winter will be severeA coming storm your shooting corns presage, and aches will throb, your hollow tooth will rage. The most likely reason is that with a fall in atmospheric pressure, blood vessels dilate slightly in reaction. This has the effect of aggravating already-irritated nerves near corns, cavities, or arthritic joints. Winter weather will be colder if:
Animals have thicker coats of hair or fur.Squirrels build their nests low in trees and gather nuts early.Ants build their mounds high.Larger numbers of spiders are seen in the fall.A heavy crop of berries are found on holly and dogwood trees.Birds are seen migrating early or huddling on the ground.You hear lots of rolling thunder during late fall.Leaves are shed before their color change is complete.Chimney smoke fl ows toward the ground.The breastbone of a turkey cooked in the fall is purple/dark blue. Thunder in the fall foretells a cold winter.
The trouble with weather forecasting is that it’s right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it.- Patrick Young
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House Catches FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost
Harlem-Roscoe Fire responded to Wild Deer Tr. in Roscoe for a house on fi re on Dec. 4. It seems the residents saw smoke and fi re coming from the outer wall of the basement and called 9-1-1. Firefi ghters quickly had the fi re extinguished and used a positive pressure fan to rid the home of smoke. The fi re started on the exterior wall of the home and burned into the home; the cause of the fi re is undetermined at this time.
Firefi ghters use an axe to chop into the outside wall to get to all the fi re.
Firefi ghter Tom Lake and Josh Hoffl and carry in a positive pressure fan that was used to rid the home of smoke.
Firefi ghter Mark Soppe engineers the attack truck.
The fi rst snow fall of the year was also the day of the fi re.
By the Numbers:http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/home_fi re_prev/holiday-seasonal/winter.shtm
Winter residential building fi res result in an estimated average of 945 deaths, 3,825 injuries, and $1,708,000,000 in property loss each year.
Fires in one and two-family dwellings account for 67 percent of all winter residential building fi res.
Cooking is the leading cause of all winter residential building fi res.
Winter residential building fi res occur mainly in the early evening hours, peaking from 5 to 8 p.m.
Although at its highest in December, residential building fi re incidence is collectively highest in the 3 winter months of January, February, and March.
Train on Fire?Photo by Sheryl Drost
We all saw the smoke coming from the train as we headed to the call, but when units arrived on scene, the smoke was gone. Train offi cials were called to the scene to check the engine out.
Once on scene, fi refi ghters found no smoke coming from the engine.
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Oscar Predicts . . .32 Snows
Is Your Child Winter Safe?http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/decwintertips.cfm
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has some valuable tips on how to keep your children safe and warm.
What to Wear Dress infants and children warmly for outdoor activities. Several thin layers will keep them dry and warm. The rule of thumb for older babies and young children is to dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions. Blankets, quilts, pillows, sheepskins and other loose bedding may contribute to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and should be kept out of an infant’s sleeping environment. Sleep clothing like one-piece sleepers is preferred.
Winter Health If your child suffers from winter nosebleeds, try using a cold air humidifi er in the child’s room at night. Saline nose drops may help keep tissues moist. If bleeding is severe or recurrent, consult your pediatrician. Many pediatricians feel that bathing two or three times a week is enough for an infant’s fi rst year. More frequent baths may dry out the skin, especially during the winter. Frequent hand washing and teaching your child to sneeze or cough into the bend of her elbow may help reduce the spread of colds and fl u. The sun’s rays can still cause sunburn in the winter, especially when they refl ect off snow. Make sure to cover your child’s exposed skin with sunscreen.Winter is a time when household fi res occur. It is a good time to remember to: Buy and install smoke alarms on every fl oor of your home, Test smoke alarms monthly, practice fi re drills with your children
How To Safely Drive And Survive This Winterhttp://www.caraccidentattorneys.com/resources/auto-accident/auto-accident-causes/winter-weather-accident-injury-claims.htm
The most important, thing to do is get your vehicle serviced and ready for the winter. This includes having your tires and brakes checked and replaced, if necessary. The change in temperature and notorious road conditions can
wreak havoc on your tires. Also, make sure your windshield wiper blades are new and suffi cient to stand up to the freezing rain, slush, ice, snow and copious amounts of salt-fi lled spray coming off of the roads. It is also advisable to have your battery checked, as a sudden drop in temperature will drain you battery of power and could leave you stranded. All of these things are very important, as poor visibility and mechanical failures are some of the leading causes of accidents during the Midwest’s harsh winter.
It is also important to be properly equipped to handle any situation. This includes making sure you have plenty of warm clothing and blankets in your vehicle, including hats and gloves. If you become stranded you may also fi nd a fl ashlight necessary. Make sure your vehicle is equipped with a suffi cient spare tire, working jack and jumper cables. No one wants to change a spare tire without a coat or gloves in -10 degree weather.
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If in a car accident it is important that you seek immediate medical attention. Many times, people in car accidents do not even realize they are injured immediately after the accident, due to adrenaline and nerves. Leave your health and well-being to medical professionals. Even if you don’t fi nd it necessary to go to an emergency room immediately, it is important that you follow up with your primary care physician or other medical professionals. Many times, symptoms may not arise for several days after a car accident.
Don’t Forget Your PetsBrrr … it’s cold outside! You feel it when you walk outdoors and so does your pet. With temperatures dipping below freezing at night and winds blowing, pets are especially vulnerable when it is this cold. Animal lovers from the have the following tips for pet owners on protecting pets during this frigid weather.
Keep cats inside. Cats and kittens can perish in these freezing temperatures.Bang on the hood of your car. Some outdoor cats sleep under the hoods of cars where it is warm. By banging loudly on the car before you start the engine, the cat has time to escape.If it snows or becomes icy, wipe off your dog’s paws, legs and stomach when he comes inside to reduce chances of frostbite. Also, by licking their paws, dogs can ingest de-icing chemicals, salt or poisonous antifreeze.Clean up all antifreeze and engine coolant spills; these fl uids are lethal to dogs and cats.Remember to check your pets’ outdoor water containers frequently and remove any ice.Leave your dog’s coat longer in winter to provide more warmth.Never leave your dog or cat in a car during cold weather.Increase your dog’s food supply if your dog spends a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities.Make sure your pet has a warm place to sleep that is off the fl oor and away from drafts. A cozy bed with a warm blanket would be simply purr-fect.
Providing the special care that pets need during winter weather requires a bit more work. However, taking care of their well-being and health is worth the effort so that your dog’s unconditional companionship and your cat’s comforting purr continue.
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From the Chief’s DeskBy Fire Chief Don Shoevlin
The Roscoe Lions Club held another successful Senior Turkey Dinner. The opportunity to work with them is gratifying. We served 243 dinners that day. Thank you once again to all of the fi re personnel and Lions Club members who participated. We could not have done it without all of your extra volunteer hours & help.
Sheryl has out done herself again with our 2011 calendar. It contains colored photos that show your fi re department at its best in action. To get your copy stop by Station #1, but hurry because they go fast.
The holiday season is upon us; let us remember those safety tips that we tend to take for granted. Our annual “Keep the Wreath Red” campaign has begun with a wreath in front of all three stations. It has been illuminated in red bulbs. If there is a fi re in our district through the holidays, (caused by holiday decorations) a bulb will be changed to white. The Harlem
Roscoe Fire Protection District urges all citizens & businesses to take a moment and check & clean your fi replaces, use caution with candles, watch the wiring for Christmas lights, and be careful with live Christmas trees becoming too dry.
Mother Nature will bring us a dose of snow and ice so don’t forget our winter driving habits. We had our fi rst measurable snow this past weekend and I can happily report that it was an uneventful one.
With that being said, I recall two weeks ago when I was requested to respond to a report of a tornado. I had never experienced something like this before. I have seen it in the media as we all have, but to see the destruction it is capable of fi rst hand, sheds a completely new light on the power it packs. I assisted on Harlem Road with a report of a school bus off the road. Fortunately, all occupants were out of the bus with non-life threatening injuries. You will fi nd pictures on pages 6&7. It is a reminder we cannot fool Mother Nature.
To the communities we are honored and proudly serve, We wish everyone a safe, happy holiday,
And prosperous New Year.
To all the members of the Harlem Roscoe Fire Protection District and their families,
May the Christmas Season fi ll your Home with Joy, Your Heart with Love & Your Life with Laughter.
The gratitude for the commitment all of you Make us second to none.
We are who we are because of ALL of you!!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Check Your Hot Spots!http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/home_fi re_prev/heating/hotspot.shtm
Each year fi re claims the lives of 3,500 Americans, injures 20,000, and causes billions of dollars worth of damage. People living in rural areas are more than twice as likely to die in a fi re than those living in mid-sized cities or suburban areas. The misuse of wood stoves, portable space heaters
and kerosene heaters are especially common risks in rural areas.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) believes rural fi re problems can be reduced by teaching people to recognize the hazards. By following some of the outlined precautionary steps, individuals can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a fi re casualty.
Wood Stoves-Wood stoves cause over 4,000 residential fi res every year. Carefully follow the manufacturer’s installation and maintenance instructions. Look for solid construction, such as plate steel or cast iron metal. Check for cracks and inspect legs, hinges and door seals for smooth joints and seams. Use only seasoned wood for fuel, not green wood, artifi cial logs, or trash. Inspect and clean your pipes and chimneys annually and check monthly for damage or obstructions. Be sure to keep combustible objects at least three feet away from your wood stove.
Electric Space Heaters - Buy only heaters evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Check to make sure it has a thermostat control mechanism, and will switch off automatically if the heater falls over. Heaters are not dryers or tables; don’t dry clothes or store objects on top of your heater. Space heaters need space; keep combustibles at least three feet away from each heater. Always unplug your electric space heater when not in use.
Kerosene Heaters-Buy only heaters evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and check with your local fi re department on the legality of kerosene heater use in your community. Never fi ll your heater with gasoline or camp stove fuel; both fl are-up easily. Only use crystal clear K-1 kerosene. Never overfi ll any portable heater. Use the kerosene heater in a well ventilated room.
Fireplaces-Fireplaces regularly build up creosote in their chimneys. They need to be cleaned out frequently and chimneys should be inspected for obstructions and cracks to prevent deadly chimney and roof fi res. Check to make sure the damper is open before starting any fi re. Never burn trash, paper or green wood in your fi replace. These materials cause heavy creosote buildup and are diffi cult to control. Use a screen heavy enough to stop rolling logs and big enough to cover the entire opening of the fi replace to catch fl ying sparks. Don’t wear loose-fi tting clothes near any open fl ame. Make sure the fi re is completely out before leaving the house or going to bed. Store cooled ashes in a tightly sealed metal container outside the home.
Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fi re. And remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.
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the firehouse sceneIs a monthly publication of the
Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District
Station GossipGlad to hear Snoopy’s wife Betty is on the mend after her recent surgery!Heard from Greg in the back seat of 761, “It won’t fi t, It’s too small, I can’t reach it!” He was talking about the seat belt! No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. If you saw a heat wave, would you wave back? You know you are doing something right when a 3-year-old studies your newsletter time and time again, and it has a special place on his dresser. Glad you enjoy it Sam McCormick!Snowfl akes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look what they do when they stick together.
We fi nally got a picture of Firefi ghter Joe Quast’s 1st grandchild. Daisy Jane Price was born on May 3, and we have been after him since to bring in a picture. Well, she was here for the kids Christmas party and we got a very special picture!
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PostageHarlem-Roscoe FirePO Box 450Roscoe, IL 61073
The Firehouse Scene - Page 12www.harlemroscoefi re.com
December 2010 Fire Chief Don Shoevlin Editor Sheryl Drost
Hoser For a Cure. . .
Harlem Roscoe Fire Department had a surprise visitor, Hoser for a Cure. Originating in Clinton, WI from the Clinton Fire Department, Hoser is wandering from fi re department to fi re department to raise money in the fi ght against breast cancer. You can come and visit Hoser here at Station 1 until Tuesday, December 14th and make a donation. (Donations can also be made online at www.the3day.org/got/Meg.) After that, Hoser will be moving on to the next department. Track where Hoser has been and how much money Hoser has raised by visiting: http://www.clintonfi rewisconsin.com and follow the link to Hoser for a Cure.
Station Funnies
The Donovan fl eet has all become reindeers for the season!
