Archive for February2013
Dreams of Dancing
…The two girls spent the day of the shootings inside classrooms that are located less than 50 miles from Sandy Hook. As I wrestled with my own demons as the events of that day unfolded, running errands, listening to news updates, shaking my head, pounding the steering wheel, ignoring horns as green lights turned red […]
The Station, Ten Years Ago
Ten years ago, The Station Nightclub burned to the ground, killing 100 people and badly injuring hundreds more. The wounds from that night in this community are raw, healing, but raw. Everybody knew somebody who was there, everybody has a story to tell about a friend, loved one or themselves, and how they just got […]
Providence Fire Prevention nearly non-existent
In 1991, when I began my career with the Providence Fire Department, we had a thriving Fire Prevention Division. Plan reviewers, inspectors, consultants, a command structure and a budget. Now, we have empty offices where those people used to be. 100 people died in a nightclub fire in Rhode Island in 2003. Laws were changed, […]
Fire Prevention?
Providence, RI, fire inspections years out of date By ERIKA NIEDOWSKI Associated Press / February 14, 2013 PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Fire records in Providence show that many bars and nightclubs in the city haven’t had required fire inspections in years — and some didn’t have sprinkler systems — despite a nightclub blaze that […]
The Mother (a love story)
She's wandering on Hope Street, a busy street by anybody's standards, no coat, blank expression, forward moving, no side glances, no look both ways, just straight ahead and oblivious. I stopped the truck in the middle of the road. "What's the matter?" I asked. No answer, no sign of acknowledging my presence, no struggle, no […]
Darwin Awards
Variety is the spice of life, and the unknown is a big part of the allure of EMS. Never knowing what you are getting into keeps things fresh, keeps you alert and makes things interesting. You have your "real" calls; diabetics, overdoses, panic attacks, asthmatics and the like, and you have your "unreal" calls, […]
Five Stages
0415 hrs. The tone sounds in the station and the blow lights fill the space with harsh fluorescent light. “Rescue 1, respond to 160 Broad Street at Crossroads for a female with tooth pain.” 1. Denial “Tooth pain? Surely they jest. This must be a mistake. I’ll just lie here, pull the blanket over my […]
Blizzard!
I'll be home for the blizzard, thankfully, stay safe out there those of you working, and those who are not please remember those who are, and their families who may need a helping hand. I spent many a storm helping others and leaving my own family to fend for themselves. Tough bunch that family of […]
Blog Information
Veteran Firefighters
Thank you Ralph! You were one of the guys that "scared the shit out of me," very humbling when I read your comments, thank you!
2019-11-13 16:26:37
Veteran Firefighters
Great piece Mike . I like to think I may be one of those guys. FYI when we came on we had WW2 guys and Korean war guys on. I had the same feelings that you expressed This article hit home Once again.....GREAT JOB!!
2019-11-11 14:27:40
Delivery
Thank you Rick, keep spreading the word, very much appreciated.
2019-10-13 13:55:26
Delivery
Hello Brother, I am a retired full-time Fire Captain Paramedic for over 27 years. I have sought treatment at McLean Hospital in Belmont and the IAFF Center for Excellence ( a 45 day stay) for PTSD job related. I have also written several articles for FireHouse Magazine, Fire Engineering Magazine, The Washington Post and the…
2019-10-08 23:24:07
They didn’t leave, and I haven’t forgotten. And I never will.
Nice writing. As a pdf retired pfd from 1965 having been at the providence college fire myself I am glued to the history channel every sept11..
2019-10-05 01:24:19
Now Available
Signed copies of Rescuing Providence and Rescue 1 Responding, my first two books in one new edition, from Post Hill Press. $16 - plus S&H (approx. $4)
