Coach's Page

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, and the Pittsburgh Police Department, have asked Steeler Fans to wear memorial shirts to Sundays nationally televised game against the San Diego Chargers. Three months ago tomorrow, three Pittsburgh Police Officers were gunned down in Line of Duty. See http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/sports/21182832/detail.html.

I mean no disrespect towards the fallen officers, or the Pittsburgh Police Department. But why this Sunday? Why pick a day, which justs happens to… Continue

When are we going to get serious about firefighter safety, education, and accident prevention?

I find it both ironic and sad that so few of our departments have a recognized safety program. Business and private industry have their own safety programs. Programs that are designed to both investigate, and prevent, employee accident and illness. Does your department have such a program?

Some questions, just to prompt some thought.

Does your fire department have a Safety Officer? Does your departm… Continue

It just doesn't seem to stop. Too many news articles, stories, video links, etc of LODD notices and accidents/injuries involving public safety personnel.

Personally, I have not been on my own soapbox of late. Excuses are a dime a dozen, but life happens. Business obligations, personal responsibilities, and the fact that the day only has 24 hours in it limits what can be accomplished.

I don't know if it has been a single incident, or a culmination of numerous incidents of late. But I'm getting… Continue

2,966 victims [2,998 as of Spring 2009]

All but 13 people died on that day. The remaining 13 later died of their wounds. One person has died since the attacks, of lung cancer. It is suspected to have been caused by all the debris from the Twin Towers.

There were 266 people on the four planes:
• American Airlines Flight 11 (crashed into the WTC): 92 (including five terrorists)
• United Airlines Flight 175 (crashed into the WTC): 65 (including five terrorists)
• American Airlines Flight 77 (cras… Continue

Good afternoon:

We as members of the Public Safety community are very mindful of the customs and traditions of our various services. Many of the traditions within the fire department have been handed down for, well, since 1736. 1736 was the year that Ben Franklin started the first fire department in Philadelphia.

When we learn of a Line of Duty Death, we are quick to show our compassion, our grief, and our support of a fallen brother or sister. While we strive to follow the customs of our vari… Continue