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Last On: 6:05AM, 9 Oct 08
Mike W. 60
Park Forest, Illinois, United States

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Mike W. commented on the video Mary did you know? video Oct 9
Mike W. and sg410 are now friendsOct 9
Mike W. sg410
sg410 left a comment for Mike W. Oct 8
Mike W. left a comment for sg410 Oct 8

Profile Information

Hometown:
Chicago, Illinois
I Live: (City, State)
Beecher, Illinois
Years in Fire/EMS:
35 years
Why I Joined the Fire/EMS:
It may sound corny, but I joined to help others when they need it most. The son of a Chicago cop, I was always taught not to judge others and to do what I could to make the lives of others better whenever I could.
Relationship Status:
Married
Primary Fire/EMS Department:
Park Forest Fire Department
Department Type:
Combination Fire Rescue Department
Rank/Role There:
Fire / Arson Investigator, Captain, Firefighter / Paramedic (or Other ALS)
Years With This Department/Agency
35 years
Dept. Web Site:
http://www.vopf.com
Other Past or Current Departments:
Fire and Police Commissioner for 12 years in my previous hometown from 1992 to 2004. The position was volunteer and dealt with entrance and promotional testing and disciplinary action of police officers.
My Training:
AAS, FO II, Paramedic, FF III, Certified Fire Investigator, Fire Apparatus Engineer, Fire Inspector II, Vertical Rescue, Confned Space Rescue, Hazmat Ops and much more.
About Me:
Entered fire service as a volunteer in 1973, Paramedic in 1975, Career FF in 1977, Fire Inspector in 1978, Fire Prevention Coordinator - 1981, Shift Commander - 1991.

Currently, I am a Captain, Paramedic, Fire Prevention Co-ordinator and Public Educator. My station responds to over 3,200 calls each year.
Side Jobs or Other Organizations:
Adjunct faculty at Prairie State College. I teach Fire Prevention Principles and Building Construction fior the Fire Service. I also teach in the FFII Academy.
Top Issues Facing Responders:
The hazards of new building construction methods.
The increasing call volume experienced by many departments.
The lack of adequate staffing levels necessary to safely meet the demands of the public.
I Love Being in Fire/EMS Because:
The dedication and selflessness of all public servants
“I have no ambition in this world but one, and that is to be a firefighter The position may, in the eyes of some, appear to be a lowly one; but we who know the work which the firefighter has to do believe that his is a noble calling. There is an adage which says that, "Nothing can be destroyed except by fire." We strive to preserve from destruction the wealth of the world which is the product of the industry of men, necessary for the comfort of both the rich and the poor. We are defenders from fires of the art which has beautified the world, the product of the genius of men and the means of refinement of mankind. (But, above all; our proudest endeavor is to save lives of men-the work of God Himself. Under the impulse of such thoughts, the nobility of the occupation thrills us and stimulates us to deeds of daring, even at the supreme sacrifice. Such considerations may not strike the average mind, but they are sufficient to fill to the limit our ambition in life and to make us serve the general purpose of human society.”


-- Chief Edward F. Croker FDNY circa 1910

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At 8:57am on October 8th, 2008, sg410 said…
Hey thanks for the reply Mike. She manages to get through every day...some days are better than others though. Thanks for the prayers. Talk to you again. Take care and stay safe.
At 7:59am on October 7th, 2008, sg410 said…
Hi Mike. Just wanted to drop in and say hello. Take care.

Shawn
At 7:09pm on June 2nd, 2008, Mike W. said…
Actually, I have been in fire prevention for 30 years. I am just doing it full time now. I worked 56 hours for 30 years and anywhere from 12 to 24 additional hours a week working in fire prevention. I am just not working shifts any more. I miss it a little....but, I don't mind not getting up 2 to 3 times a night. I turn sixty on Monday.

Sorry about the knee. It seems I know more guys going out with either bad backs or bad knees. We have had three pension out with bad knees in just the past couple of years. be careful my friend.

We are getting into RISK WATCH soon. I am teaching 170 teachers in three sessions next week. I thought few would be interested and still can't believe the response. How is fire prevention out in CA. You guys using NFPA 1 and 5000?

Well, got to go. Take care of that knee and we'll talk again soon.

Mike
At 4:28am on June 2nd, 2008, Michael Schlags said…
Hey Mike, Let me know if I can be of any assistance with any of the prevention / code enforcement stuff. Just read some older blogs stuff and found out that your new to the bureau.
At 4:14am on June 2nd, 2008, Michael Schlags said…
Hey Mike, Yea, it's good to know on my side of the states that I'm not the only old guy out there. Gray is OK! I'm hoping to get to 30 total years and then pull the plug. I have 26 in with my current department and close to six years between two other departments. I'm trying to buy back the time. I turn 55 in January and if I could afford to buy the time, can retire.

I've heard both sides, one saying pull the plug, your too old and the other saying blow them off, things are going just fine. Of course, this thought was before I blew my right knee out a month ago... Still waiting to see if I need surgery. So... to be continued... Stay safe.
At 11:23am on April 26th, 2008, David Ebel said…
Greetings Mike,

Good to know you. Hope to see you on our site sometime.

Chaplain David
At 1:47pm on April 12th, 2008, Adam Clines said…
Hope all is well with ya. Stay safe out there. Adam
At 5:43pm on March 19th, 2008, Paul said…
Hey Bro,
Hope you don't mind this message, but I'm trying to make a Chicago connection for a business opportunity that is going through the FDNY. More and more members are signing up daily. Its only in three states presently but will eventually be in all fifty. It has to do with the deregulation of gas and electricity. If you know anyone who's looking to make a second income, please let me know. Thanks and stay safe!
At 10:08am on March 5th, 2008, Edward Snyder said…
Not to bad in Jersey, at leaste the South part. I am at the bottom of the state, its been cool but not much snow...
At 4:30pm on March 1st, 2008, SMOKEnPipesJim said…
Mike, Being a bit of a history Buff, I wonder If you know much about "Americus 6" which was "reorganized"as Americus 6and also refered to as BIG 6 in 1848 after being Previously reorganized post Revolutionary period and historically went back before that..Having a Philly style double decker hand tub was the reason for "BIgsix" the rig weighed in at 4200 lbs so imagine the manpower required to get her moving,Americus had vast rivalries with Hudson #1 but worse with engine 8 and 41 who had such bad nature they were relocated north and eventually disbanded in 1836 for fights with 21,23, 36.. In 1855 Americus ran over two of its members in frontof Lord and taylors while racing to a fire on Grand street oneofthe two spent8months recoveringasthe rig passed over his chest...

William Tweed in his efforttobe elected Mayor hadjoined several political Companies and succeeded in 1850 as a member of Americus 6, Tweed started the "Americus Club" a pre Tammany Hall effort, Tweed was the one who had 6's Tiger within a Scottish clan style belt, later ArtistCartoonist Thomas Nastused the tiger to represent Tammanyhall and all its political negatives and to urn the public against Tweed... The Engine's house was located on a corner of The Columbia university Property that was orginally Kings college,until Januray 1854 when the company was moved to a brownstone Located On HenryStreet near Govenuer street. This house wasbeautiful and considered the best furnished house in the entire city... Taken from "As You Pass By" published in 1952 By the Home Insurance Company of New York The insurance Company at the time had the largest collection of NYC Firefighting memrobilia of the volunteer era :)

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