Here’s To 2021 & Lets Go 2022!

From all of us here at The Firehouse Tribune, we would like to wish you all a very healthy and happy new year.

Thank you for all of your support and we will continue to keep the love and passion of fire service going! 

As we look back on 2021 and venture into 2022, we had many great memories of the year. We started off by welcoming our newest contributor Assistant Chief Tom Marchiano to the team and followed up with guest opportunities with a few podcasts - FIRExTalk & The 5-Alarm Task Force.

Earlier this year, we took part in a fundraising webinar hosted by The 5-Alarm Task Force and Insight Training discussing the many roles on the fire ground and how they play a role in a MAYDAY incident. This brought us connections throughout the fire service and opened us up to where we are today. 

We’ve reached the continent of Africa and worked with the Africa Fire Mission in training firefighters all across the continent of Africa from various countries on many aspects of the job. We hope to continue our work with them in the future and hopefully branch out to other parts of the world as well. 

Late this year, we released our live webinar series “The Firehouse Tribune Kitchen Table Web Series” and launched our first episode with Lt. Nick Baskerville discussing mentorship in the fire service. 

Our second episode will be Tuesday January 25, 2022 at 7p with Asst. Chief Tom Marchiano who will be discussing “Six Tips to Guide New Fire Officers”. To register click the link below. This is 100% FREE to register and participate! Registration is limited to 100 participants. 

Our founder Nick Higgins ended this year by releasing his first book “The 5-Tool Firefighter”. Available both on Amazon and the Firehouse Tribune. 

Looking forward to a blessed and healthy 2022 and let us not forget those that did not make it to 2022. May we always remember and honor these individuals through our commitment to the job and continuing to stay on the path of success, humility and leaving this gift we have each day better than we found it. 

Here’s to all of you and your families and here’s a toast saying goodbye to 2021 and let’s get it on 2022! Cheers! 🥃

Until next time; work hard, stay safe & live inspired.

20 Years Remembered

Twenty years ago our lives changed forever. In minutes, millions of American’s and others around the world witnessed the horrific attacks on the World Trade Center Towers in Lower Manhattan, the attack on the Pentagon in Virginia and the crash of United Flight 93 in PA.

At 08:46AM to 10:28AM, the world witnessed tragedy, sadness, fear and angry. The one thing we never lost was hope. As families of thousands would never be the same again from those losing mothers, fathers, son & daughters to wives, husbands, brothers & sisters, we never lost hope. Hope gave us a sense of comfort that we can get through this better and stronger than before. Hope that would unite us and bring us together like never before. Hard to think this all happened 2 decades ago. On a day as similar as today. Blue skies with cool temperature in the NY/NJ area indicating fall is right around the corner.

A lot has happened over these last 20 years, good and bad but one thing remained…hope. Our hope for today is different. Our hope today is to pray we never lose sight of those who perished on that fateful morning and those affected in the days, months and years after. Our hope is we keep honoring and remembering these men and women from all walks of life, race, religion and creed by continuing to keep their memories alive for generations years to come.

As first responders, it is our duty to honor and remember the firefighters, police, EMTs, paramedics and all those men & women who sacrificed their lives that day and those that lost their lives thereafter. Honor these men and women through actions not solely our words. Words come and go but action adds meaning. Honor them through dedication to our job. Continue to train hard, treat each other with respect and never lose sight of why we do what we do each and every time the bell goes off and each and every time we put on the uniform and walk out that door.

When we answer the alarm, we do it for those who came before us and for those who will be following in our footsteps.

On this 20th anniversary of September 11th, remember why you do what you do and dedicate ways to make yourself better than yesterday. If not for anything else but do it for those who gave their lives for it.

Until next time; work hard, stay safe & live inspired.

Our Message to COVID-19

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way--in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." This is the first chapter of the book, "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens written in 1859.

If you didn't know where this excerpt came from, one might think it was about what is going on in the world today with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic that has taking over many part of this world. First responders, nurses, doctors and many others all over the world are coming face to face with this virus that has stricken thousands of people.

During this time, it has become the new normal however, it will not become our normal forever. We have all seen the news clips, read the articles and listened to many government leaders advise on how to stay safe during this time. Our message from The Firehouse Tribune to everyone during this time is this...

We are GRATEFUL for all of you out there doing everything you can to keep yourselves, your families and others safe during this time as we are all battling in this fight. We are all in this fight TOGETHER and we will WIN.  

To end this, please remember to ALWAYS work hard, stay safe & live inspired.

 -FHTribune Staff

A New Decade

As we enter a new year, a new decade, we want to say thank you to all of our friends, followers and partners we’ve had throughout our journey and those we gained this year. Each and every one of you has helped us become better at what we do and helped us provide meaningful content to the fire service.

The next year will be a great year for us as well add more speaking engagements to our list and look forward to spreading our message to more people and more departments.

Without any of you, we couldn’t do what we do. When we started this, we didn’t expect the type of support and response we’ve received and we are wholeheartedly grateful for that.

From all of us here at The Firehouse Tribune, have a happy, healthy and safe New Year.

Until next time; work hard, stay safe & live inspired.

-FHTribune Staff

Thank You for a Great 2018!

As 2018 comes to an end and we begin a new chapter in 2019, we would like to thank each and every one of our friends and supporters for all of the support and love they’ve shown us this year. It has been a great year as we’ve met with many new people and will continue to work along side them as we continue on our journey. 

We now embark on a new year. With a new year comes new challenges, new friends and new ways to keep our mission going. To all of those supporting us and following us, keep growing each and every day and continue to serve your community with honor, respect and humility. Remember those who have gone before us not just through words but through action. Challenge yourselves to achieve more and in that will come great success. 

Lastly, always remember to work hard, stay safe & live inspired.

From all of us here at The Firehouse Tribune, have a Happy, Healthy & Safe New Year. 

 - FHTribune Staff

Our Christmas Message

As we gather around the table with family and friends this holiday season, let us all remember those who are unable to be home for the holidays. Let us also remember to keep focusing on our goals, to keep training hard and keep staying true to our mission. It’s easy to stray from it all during the holidays but it’s also a time to keep the motivation going as you’re all surrounded by family and friends. 

From all of us here at The Firehouse Tribune, Nick H, Sean, Nick B, Dave & Nick W, have a very Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! See you all in 2019.  

Until Next Time; Work Hard, Stay Safe & Live Inspired. 

- FHTribune Staff

A Day of Remembrance 17 Years After

September 11, 2001. There are no words needed to describe this day. A day of remembrance. A day of sorrow. A day of honor. Millions of people went to bed the evening of Sept 10th not knowing what tomorrow had in store. They woke up and said goodbye to their families not knowing this may be their last or not knowing this would be the day they stood up to help a neighbor in need. The events of Sept 11th brought people together, regardless of race, religion or of any personal and political belief. It's a day that mankind stepped up and helped a friend, a colleague, a stranger in need because that day told them it was their calling to do so.

Three hundred and forty three firefighters died that day and many more after, doing what they always do - their job. They answered the call the same way they answered the ones before, feet in their boots one foot at a time and geared up on their rigs to help the common man in their time of need. 17 years later we remember and honor those brave men and women who came from all walks of life to help those in their time of need. Thousands of these men and women perished that day but their memory, their legacy and their bravery live on.

Remember all those who stood up that day and honor their memory and legacy not only in words but in action. Take this time to make yourself better than you were yesterday. Become stronger, smarter and learn to forgive. The life we have is short, make it count and make it all you got.

May all the souls of those lost and those who live on each day from the tragic events of 9/11/2001 never be forgotten and may they always be honored and always be remembered.

Until next time; work hard, stay safe & live inspired.

- Firehouse Tribune Staff

International Firefighters Day & the Feast of St. Florian

Today, May 4 is known as International Firefighters’ Day. It is a day to show support for all firefighters worldwide and take the time to remember those who lost their lives or injured while in the line of duty. 

According to the website firefightersday.org you can show support by wearing and displaying red and blue ribbons pinned together; red symbolizing fire and blue for water. These colors are know to represent emergency services internationally. Today we also honor EMTs. 

Today is also the feast day of the patron saint for firefighters, St. Florian. Here is a brief history on St. Florian:

Florian was born in the ancient Roman city of Aelium Cetiumin around 250 AD, which is now present-day Sankt Polten, Austria. He joined the Roman Army and advanced the ranks to commander of the Imperial Army in the Roman province of Noricum. One of his many duties was being responsible for organizing fire brigades. Florian organized and trained this elite group of soldiers in their sole duty of fighting fires.

During the time of the Diocletianic Persecution of Christians, Rome received reports that Florian was not enforcing the persecutionof Christians in his territory and thus was sentenced to death by fire.. While standing on the funeral pyre, Florian is said to have challenged the Roman soldiers to light the fire by saying “if you do, I will climb to heaven on the flames”. Apprehensive to his words, instead of burning Florian, they drowned him. His body was later retrieved by Christians and buried at an Augustinian monastery near Lorch.

Saint Florian was adopted as patron saint of Poland after Pope Lucius III consented to the request of King Casimir to send relics of Florian to that country. Soon after, a person was saved from a fire by invoking Saint Florian’s name. Since then, Florian has been invoked against fire and has generally been regarded in most countries as the patron saint of the fire service.

About the Author

 NICHOLAS J. HIGGINS is a firefighter with 15 years in the fire service all within departments in Piscataway, NJ. Nick has held the ranks of Lieutenant and Captain as well as being a township elected District Fire Commissioner for 1 term (3 years) in Piscataway, NJ. He is also a NJ State certified level 2 fire instructor. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Kean University working in Corporate Taxation and is the founder/contributor of the Firehouse Tribune website

Remembering the Sandy Hook Tragedy and Thoughts on where we are at Four Years Later

Four years ago, on December 14, 2012 tragedy struck our country, we lost 20 children and 8 adults.Twenty innocent children and seven adults who were going about their day at their elementary school in the small town of Newtown Connecticut. They werekilled by of a psychotic and ruthless murderer.

I remember where I was, what I was doing that day and will always remember hearing the news and live radio audio as to what happened a short 40-minute drive from my college campus. I was a junior in college and assigned to work for the ambulance service of a neighboring town. I had been offered to work that day but had turned it down due to finals being that week and I desperately needed to study. Unfortunately, that day, my colleagues who worked the same BLS service that I did, had to respond to the shooting and help. I couldn’t feel anything but guilt that a new guy had to take that shift on one of his first days working for our company.

The valiant response that day by the school staff and first responders, some of whom I have worked with was honorable and courageous. They saved as many lives as they could. However, the lives of 27 people were lost. Those 27 people will always be remembered for good people that they were, we continue to pray for their families and friends. We also continue to keep our colleagues that were there that tragicday in our thoughts and prayers.

About the Author

 NICHOLAS WITCZAK is the 2nd Assistant Chief of Brookside Engine Co. 1 and volunteer EMT for the Mendham Township First Aid Squad. Additionally he serves as the Mendham Borough OEM Coordinator. Nick has served in a multitude of departments and positions over the last 8 years including Past Captain of Morristown Ambulance Squad, volunteer firefighter/EMT in combination fire departments including the Wallingford and Allingtown Connecticut fire departments. He has wealth of experience working and volunteering in emergency medical services including municipal, commercial, fire based EMS and 911 fire dispatching. He currently holds a B.S. in Fire Administration from the University of New Haven. Nick works full time in the fire protection industry specializing in safety, sales and project management. He works part time as the NJ Client Development Coordinator for Emergency Resource Management.

A Moment In Time: Remembering Hinal Patel

To quote one of my all-time favorite musicals, RENT, "525,600 minutes - how do you measure, measure a year?" It is absolutely mind blowing that it has been a year since we lost Hinal. 12 months of laughs, 52 weeks of friendship, 365 days of moments, 525,600 minutes of love.

It is still all very surreal to me and I think this is how life is for most of us now. Over the last year we have all experienced highs and lows, good and bad, failures and triumphs, and countless moments that we have shared and countless moments we have kept to ourselves. One thing that is absolutely evident is that we have all missed sharing this crazy ride we call life with Hinal. Even as I sit here and write this I can think of 1,000 different things that I wish I could have shared with her or wish she was a part of this past year. 

As life goes on, we often let little things drift out of our minds. We often take things for granted and that is when we start to miss the little moments in each day. Little moments like just seeing Hinal smile, seeing how passionate she was about the work she did, how a room would light up when she walked in, or her beautiful personality. 

Not a single day has gone by where I haven’t thought of Hinal. Through every single moment, memory, experience and adventure I knew that Hinal was still with us. Her spirit lives on in every single person who was fortunate enough to cross paths with her. The world and our lives are definitely dimmer with her gone; however, the passion she had for life should fuel us all to grow and be the absolute best we can be. 

For every moment we experience I know that she is here watching over us and sharing in our triumphs, standing by us in our failures, and laughing with us (or at us sometimes) every step of the way. 

To answer the question of how do you measure a year, it’s not where you have been, not what has happened, not holidays, birthdays, parties or even in time. The answer is simple: LOVE. Do not let one single moment go by without acknowledging its importance. Do not let one single person who means anything to you go without telling them how you feel because anything can happen. The only time guaranteed is right now so make it count.

To Hinal: I am still in complete disbelief. I look at your pictures and get emotional and then I think of the good times and how I never could resist your beautiful smile. I love you, I miss you, please continue to watch over me as I know you have done for the past year.

Love you forever and always,

Sean

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 Photo collage showing some memories of Hinal. Notice her beautiful smile in every one of her pictures.

The vehicle stickers that were designed and printed for members of the North Stelton Volunteer Fire Company, where Hinal was a dedicated member, and family.

A Thin White Line ribbon that I have pinned to my backpack, my lunch box, my work ID, and hanging in my car to always keep Hinal with me and to always keep her spirit and memory alive.

Friendship, From the Radio to the Street

For many of us in the emergency services fields, we get an opportunity to know our dispatchers. Our dispatchers or 911 operators are the lifeline on the other side of the radio. This lifeline, watches our “6” when we are alone, keeps the callers calm and directs us with precision to where help is needed.

I was fortunate to have worked on the other side of the mic from fellow contributor and dispatcher Sean Walsh. It was Sean who helped me get my start at The Firehouse Tribune. Over the past few years I developed a strong bond with Sean and the members of the night shift at Morris County Communications Center. It was truly helpful to know that Sean would always be on the same wavelength as me. 

Many a time Sean could figure out what I was about to say before I said it over the air to him.  He was able to do this just by picking up our tendencies in field communications over the years.  Sean was there to help me run the largest attended county parade in the course of 10+ years. It was his help during the night shift when things got busy that ensured the quick responses of ambulances. That day, in the course of 14 hours, we had 44+ emergency medical services calls.

Sean, operator 180, was there when I became a new company officer in the fire department. Even at 2am, he was able to go above and beyond for us. He was able to get call back numbers, do phone patches, cover the radio, and manage to calm residents down who were thousands of miles away and inform them that the fire department was at their house and needed access.

As Captain of a very busy local ambulance squad, I regularly volunteered on our Saturday night shift. It was considered to be one of the busiest days of the week for the squad due to the many bars and restaurants in town. Sean was on the dispatch desk for many of those Saturday nights. Sean was always ready to help us at 2am when the bars would close and the call volume would spike within a 20 to 30 minute period. He was truly always on his “A” game helping us manage the influx of calls.

It’s a great feeling when you know you’re on the same wave length as your dispatcher and you can relate to one another. I have been fortunate over the past few years to have worked the radio with fellow contributor Sean Walsh. We will certainly miss him as he chases new endeavors, guiding the world’s air travel. We thank him for his service.  To operator 180, thank you for your service, best of luck my friend, we will miss you.

About the Author

NICHOLAS WITCZAK is the lieutenant of Brookside Engine Co. 1 and volunteer EMT for the Mendham Township First Aid Squad. Additionally he serves as the Mendham Borough OEM Coordinator. Nick has served in a multitude of departments and positions over the last 8 years including Past Captain of Morristown Ambulance Squad, volunteer firefighter/EMT in combination fire departments including the Wallingford and Allingtown Connecticut fire departments. He has wealth of experience working and volunteering in emergency medical services including municipal, commercial, fire based EMS and 911 fire dispatching. He currently holds a B.S. in Fire Administration from the University of New Haven. Nick works full time in the fire protection industry specializing in safety, sales and project management. He works part time as the NJ Client Development Coordinator for Emergency Resource Management.

The Final Shift

After many thousands of emergency and non-emergency calls for service answered and 4 and a half years on the desk (8 years total with non-public safety dispatching) I am hanging up my headset tonight. I cannot even begin to describe what I am feeling right now. I knew this would be an interesting job and experience; I could never have imagined how absolutely correct I would be. It has been a whirlwind from crazy October Snow Storms that cancel Halloween, to a tragic Plane Crash, to dealing with Super-Storm Sandy, to all the other everyday craziness; I could not have asked to spend the time with a better group of people who are the epitome of professionals.

 From birthdays to Christmas and funerals to weddings I have experienced it all from behind the desk. There have been amazing times and bad times and through it all we have grown together as a family. It is fitting that this week is National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week. Not only do I get to express my deepest gratitude to everyone for the work that we do every day but everyone in the country also gets a glimpse into our world. This job is certainly not for everyone, but those who can do it have a passion like I have never seen before. I wish that everyone was able to experience this job just to have a better understanding of what we as Dispatchers go through on a daily basis, our normal day is usually the public’s worst day. We live with that even on our days off. I will never forget what I have learned doing this job, and never forget the people that I have interacted with.

Tonight, on my last night, I am so touched by all of the outpouring of support and well wishes. From my coworkers throwing me a party with some of the most delicious food I have ever had (Thanks Guys!!) to the endless e-mails, text messages, Facebook posts/messages, phone calls, and over the radio messages. I am simply blown away and this just solidifies what I have known all along, I have the best second family anywhere.

I have met some the most dedicated, professional and wonderful people from both sides of the radio while working. I am so eternally grateful to each and every one of them for making my time so amazing. I want to thank them all for everything and I look forward to the next chapter of my life as well as all of theirs.

This is not the end for me by a long shot. I am moving over from public safety dispatching to hopefully a just as prosperous career as an Air Traffic Controller. For the next 17 weeks I will be in training classes at the FAA academy in Oklahoma City. I look forward to this amazing opportunity and know that my experiences with this career will carry over into my new career.

 With that being said, I say thank you again. I look forward to keeping in touch with everyone.

Sean Walsh

Operator 180, Signing Off

Production Company Hoping to Launch Brand New Fire Service Drama Series

Recently, we became friends with Steve Greene, owner of a company called Dalmatian Productions, Inc. who has been working on a project they have been developing in hopes of getting it picked up by TV networks, productions companies and now, Amazon Studios. Before we talk about their project, I want to share with all of you the story of The Dalmatian Productions, Inc.

About Dalmatian Productions, Inc.

Dalmatian Productions, Inc., was originally formed in the mid-1990’s by Steve Greene and Richard Bay who met in 1977 while becoming members of a combo fire department in Greensboro, NC. As time went on, Rich moved to Washington D.C. and became a Metro Police Officer and Steve moved to Syracuse, NY and also joined the combo fire department while in Syracuse.  

As life would have it Steve relocated to Florida in 1990 and settled with his family. A few years later, Rich came down to Florida as well to work for the Lake Worth Police Department. The two families spent lots of time together and during their times together they would talk about TV programs and at the time the “reality” TV shows such as, “COPS”, “Rescue 9-11” and “On Scene: Emergency Response,” were becoming big hits with viewers, yet none involved their mutual passion, the fire service. As they talked about it, they felt a show about the volunteer fire service should work well and at the time there were over one million firefighters of all types in the U.S. with the majority being volunteer or on-call. It was at this time that Steve and Rich were joined by their two additional partners, Tom Mitten of Wilmington DE, who also was a firefighter and PIO for his department and Jesse Escochea, a former first responder and video producer from Los. Angeles.

Their first show came out in 2000, “America’s Heroes: The Men & Women of Fire/Rescue.® Unfortunately it only sold overseas in Europe and Asia. After years of developing the ideas for a number of shows that all involved the fire-rescue service and tons of experimenting, “Cause & Origin©” was born. Although this was not to be a reality show but a limited series one-hour television drama.

The Series: “Cause & Origin – CSI in the Fire Service”

In the summer of 2015, Dalmatian Productions brought the script for this show to the Philadelphia Office of TV and Film and the Philadelphia Fire Department and both parties are very interested in working with them on this project.

“Cause & Origin” follows Tim Fitzpatrick a 3rd generation Philadelphia firefighter transferred to the Arson Investigation Unit after being seriously burned in a fire that killed his lifelong friend. Tim's reluctance to accept the transfer is pitted against his desire to know more about the fire that killed his firefighter father some 20 years before. Along his journey, Tim encounters an arsonist with a history deeply intertwined with his life and family.

The entire script and plot has been submitted to Amazon Studios in hopes of getting picked up for filming and production and here’s how all of you can help support fellow firefighters get their story out to the world in just 5 easy steps:

1.    Go to http://studios.amazon.com

2.    If you have any kind of Amazon account, sign in. If not, you can register right from this page, for free. (An amazon account is only required to leave comments and rate the item).

3.    Click on the magnifying glass in the top right corner, which opens the search box, and type, “Cause & Origin.” It will appear as “Cause & Origin” – Steven’s Project. Select it!

4.    This will take you to our profile page when you can read about the show and our company. If you scroll down, you will see, “PDF.” This allows the visitor to either download our PDF script or read it online.

5.    Once you’ve finished looking around, please leave comments and rate the show from 1 – to – 5 stars.

About the Author

The Firehouse Tribune Staff

The Forgotten First Responder

As I sit here at work, behind the radio with an unusual amount of moody/attitude filled units working, I am inspired to write something on the unseen people of Emergency Services. The calm voices in the night have many different names. Radio Operator, Dispatcher, Public Safety Telecommunicator, Call Taker, or whatever your local agencies uses. In reality, they are people doing a job that is definitely not for everyone. They are the first, First Responders who are always heard but most of the time never seen.

For starters, let me tell you about myself. My name is Sean, I have been in EMS for about 9 years working as an EMT, and rising to the rank of Lieutenant and eventually Captain. I have worked both as a Paid EMT as well as a Volunteer EMT. I have also worked Security for a major Theme park in New Jersey where I began my dispatching Career. I have been dispatching for a total of 8 years, 4 years with my current County based Center in New Jersey. In my current position, I am tasked with my primary job of answering calls for service, and dispatching units to those calls as well as many other tasks such as training new employees, assisting with updating training tools, and running the shift operations when necessary. I am a dispatcher, a leader, a trainer, a friend, and a resource.

How many of you have ever thought about the voice on the other end of your radio or pager? You all know the voices, you all hear them, but how many of you have actually taken the time to get to know the person behind the voice? As someone who works behind the radio, I can tell you that getting to know the people you are talking to makes a huge difference. Even more so than knowing your dispatchers, has anyone taken the time to get to know the job? Most people think all we do is answer a phone and push a few buttons. I am here to say that couldn't be further from the truth. 

Imagine sitting by yourself looking at a multitude of computer screens (anywhere from 2 to 4 to 6 to my 8) having to answer anywhere from 1 to 10 radio channels, 5 administrative phone calls, 1 to 2 emergency 9-1-1 calls, simultaneously gathering information, entering it into the computer, dispatching police, fire, EMS and making notification to Medics.  Now, imagine doing this for 8, 10, 12 or 16 hours a day. Sometimes with no break, eating at your desk taking bites between radio traffic or phone calls. Clearly this job is not easy, and not for all.
 Try being on the phone with a frantic mother who lost their child at a park, or talking to a child who can’t wake up their father who just fell on the ground. Imagine trying to give CPR instructions over the phone to a hysterical caller who is trying to save their loved ones life. Try feeling completely helpless as you are miles away from the person in distress and they are turning to you for help. This is just a few of the things that dispatchers have to deal with every day, every shift, every time they answer the phone.

Now imagine you out on the road dealing with your call. We know what you are doing, we understand that you are working and need whatever resources you are requesting. We hear you, we are working diligently to fulfill your request. You may very well not be the only radio channel we are working with, we may be on 3 or 4 different phone calls, so please give us a break. Give us a chance to answer you, give us more than 30 seconds before you start getting frustrated with us and start with the calling every 10 seconds and the attitude in the voice. Depending on the center, there may only be 1 person responsible for doing everything and during a major incident they are getting bombarded with information, requests and trying to make the notifications required. Please give them time to do their job. Remember they are working toward the same goal that you are, helping the public that need it.

In short, before you start bad mouthing, trash talking, or giving attitude to your dispatchers please take a minute to think about what they might be dealing with, who else they might be talking to, how many phones are ringing in the background. They might be dealing with 10 other situations on top of yours.

It is not always possible for us to get out the door to see you all, however I can almost guarantee you that it would be really nice if you all took the time to get to know us. Come see us, call up after a big call and see how we are doing, for those able, stop in and say hi, coffee and food are always a way to our hearts. We have to remember, no matter what is going on we are all part of the same team and are all working toward the same goal.

About the Author

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SEAN WALSH is an EMT with North Stelton Fire Company EMS Division in Piscataway NJ for the last 9 years. He is also a Public Safety Telecommunicator with a county based agency in NJ for the last 4 years. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness at Thomas Edison State College (NJ) in 2013.

Where were you on that September day?

Every generation has a day that they will never forget. For some, it’s December 7th, 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor. For others, it’s November 22, 1963, the assignation of President John F. Kennedy. For us, it’s September 11, 2001. A day that started out like no other. People off to work, to school or doing their usual daily morning routine as if the day would be like all the rest. Except on this day it wasn’t. 

The nation was attacked and forever changed. Thousands of families were affected that day and each in their own way. This was a day everyone put aside their differences and came together for a common good. The good and prosperity of a nation. Race, ethnicity, religion, color, orientation; none of that mattered that day. The only thing that did was helping each other survive so they could go home and see their families one more time. Hundreds made that ultimate sacrifice that day trying to help those who needed help the most. 

On this anniversary of the September 11th attacks may we always remember and never forget the brave men and women of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, United 93, the 343 New York City Firefighters, the 23 officers of the NYPD, the 37 of the PAPD and the 8 EMTs of private agencies who sacrificed their lives to save countless people so they can return home to their families. Their sacrifices that day can never be repaid, only honored. Instead of a day mourning, this is a day of remembrance. Let us remember these modern day heroes and honor the decisions they made that day because without them, how would our lives be today? May they rest in peace. 

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”  - John 15:12-13

About the Author

NICHOLAS J. HIGGINS is a firefighter with 14 years of service all within departments in Piscataway, NJ. Nick has held the ranks of Lieutenant and Captain as well as being a township elected District Fire Commissioner for 1 term (3 years) in Piscataway, NJ. He is also a NJ State certified level 2 fire instructor. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Kean University working in Corporate Taxation and is the founder/contributor of the Firehouse Tribune website.

Gone Too Soon

Working in the fire service has never been as easy task for the ones directly involved as well as our family and friends who watch us do this selfless job each day. We take our work with pride and honor and spend numerous hours and days away from family and friends for the sake of helping others in their time of need. At this time we here at the Firehouse Tribune would like to take the time to honor and remember EMT Hinal Patel. 

From all of us here at the Firehouse Tribune we would like send our thoughts, prayers, gratitude and respect to EMT Hinal Patel of Spotswood EMS and with the North Stelton Vol. Fire Company as an EMT, who was killed in the Line of Duty on Saturday, July 25th while responding to a motor vehicle accident in East Brunswick, NJ. May we remember EMT Patel, the Patel family, her EMS partner and all those affected by this tragic loss. 

Although we all are shook by this loss and feel the pain and anguish that is has caused, we should all remember the countless lives EMT Patel has helped throughout her time as an EMT and celebrate the life she lived and the lives she has affect during her time here with us. May we never forget them and may she rest in peace. 

In a statement released by the North Stelton Volunteer Fire Company, Hinal Patel had served since April of 2012, and “Hinal was a very smart, dedicated member of our family and she will be greatly missed. She had many close friends at North Stelton. The members of the North Stelton Volunteer Fire Company are devastated by her loss and extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and coworkers.”

As her friend and leader, the North Stelton EMS Captain said “On Saturday morning (July 25th) our lives changed forever. We all lost an amazing, bright, beautiful, fantastic and energetic young lady who was surely going to change the world even more than she already had. She will be missed greatly by everyone who knew her, worked with her, and loved her.”
Funeral Services took place Monday July 27th brining in hundreds upon hundreds of family, friends, and first responders from around the state and neighboring states. The United States Honor Flag made its way to New Jersey from Texas to honor her, and The Governor of New Jersey has ordered that all flags be placed at half-staff on Friday July 31st in honor and remembrance of Hinal. 

The EMS Captain said “In tragic times like this, it is nice to know that our brotherhood will always be there to help us through. The amazing outpouring of support from so many people has been incredibly overwhelming and we at North Stelton appreciate it more than anyone will ever know. Hinal was an amazing person who deserved every single minute of what we gave her and then some.”

Until next time; work hard, stay safe and live inspired.  

About the Author

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NICHOLAS J. HIGGINS is a firefighter with 14 years of service all within departments in Piscataway, NJ. Nick has held the ranks of Lieutenant and Captain as well as being a township elected District Fire Commissioner for 1 term (3 years) in Piscataway, NJ. He is also a NJ State certified level 2 fire instructor. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Kean University working in Corporate Taxation and is the founder/contributor of the Firehouse Tribune website.