BFD1054

A shot of the Ferry Landing at Orcas Island as we leave for our next destination. The next set of shots are of the City of Anacortes Fire Department. Anacortes is the City where you would catch the Ferry to Orcas Island.

Ok, ok....just a few non-fire pic's for Joe's viewing pleasure lol. One of the coolest brew-pub's we've ever been to (and we've been to a few lol).

A small fire station on Orcas Island. Town of Friday Harbor Fire Department. Friday Harbor is part of the San Juan Islands. Town of Friday Harbor EMS Station. A new, larger facility is being built just up the road. Orcas Island's old Fire Station #4 Orcas Island's new Fire Station #4. This Station is being built on the same lot as the old station. They were putting finishing touches on this station while we were there, but will be in-service shortly. This was an 18-wheeler that was online for the Ferry in Friday Harbor. Im not sure what it was all about and unfortunately, i could not locate the driver to ask.

Seth, Portland is definately a cool City. The people of Portland can be ecentric and they love that about their City. But it is a fun City with plenty to do. As for Cannon Beach; unfortunately it was only a stopping point for us. In the future, i would love to stay there for a few days. My wifes boss is a very well-versed traveler and she is the one who suggested and planned our itinerary. Im glad she did because we had a blast. This is painted on a building in Portland...pretty much sum's up how they feel about their City. This is near "Voodoo Donuts," a must-visit place while in Portland. They make all sorts of donuts, many of which are vulger and/or obscene lol. We waited in line for 30 minutes or so, but well worth it. Seth, this picture is for you: Powell's Books in Portland Just a cool sign in Portland. These next two shots are of the rock that Seth mentioned in Cannon Beach, Oregon. If i had to guess, id say this is where the last scene of the Goonies was filmed. Ahh, just one picture of one of my favorite destinations on our Portland trip: the Rouge Ales Public House. Ok, ok, i will now try and get back to Fire related pictures.

LOL too funny Dan! Im a product of the 80's and a huge Goonies fan, so i had to stop once i knew it was filmed there. I have more to come, imcluding some more non-buff shots. But im exhausted and awaiting the OT call, so off to bed i go for now.

This is a picture of a fire station in Astoria, Oregon. This was taken from our car and unfortunatley, there was nobody there, so i didnt stop. The only reason i included this shot is because Astoria was the town where "The Goonies" was based/filmed. I looked for Chunk and the gang, but no luck lol. This next set is of the Orcas Island Fire Department. Again, Orcas Island is psrt of the San Juan Islands off of the Washington coast. This is a full service Fire/Rescue/EMS agency, which is combination department. Im not sure of the exact numbers, but they do have several career FFs, as well as EMTs and Paramedics. There are many times when a patient has to be Airlifted off the Island and an OIFR Medic will ride on the Helo. The on-duty Medic told me of one instance where she was on one call for 24 hours. It was a trauma patient who had to be airlifted off the Isalnd, but they were grouned due to weather. Along with the flight crew, she had to continue patient care the entire time until they could safely land at the trauma center. Orcas Island Fire Rescue has several stations throughout the Island. They are unique in that they are on an Island and there is really no mutual-aid. If mutual-aid was needed, it would have to come from the mainland and be ferried in. Again, the members of this Department were very welcoming. The on-duty Career Capt. was all about emergency services and was great to talk to him. He was also all about the Brotherhood and gave me 3 patches, including a 9/11 memorial patch to add to my collection. Here are the pictures of some of their apparatus. They had received the 2 B.R.A.T.s within the past few months and they love them. Shortly after they took delivery, a member was out training on one of them and came accross a car fire. They were actually able to knock-down the fire using its bumper mounted touret.

These first two shots are of a small VFD we happened to pass outside of Mount Hood, Oregon. This next set of pictures is of the Cannon Beach, Oregon, Fire department. They are somewhat of a combination department with very minimal career staffing. This is due to the influx of tourists during the summer months. On the day i stopped, i met with the career FF/EMT who happened to be on duty. The on-duty FF was a great guy and welcomed me into his firehouse to take pictures and BS. Before i left he said, "hold on, let me give ya something." With that, he produced one of their FD tee-shirts, which was an awesome gesture.

Thanks JBE, much appreciated. I have a bunch more to add, but our friends just showed up for a hurricane party lol.

These shots are of Multnomah Falls in Oregon. These shots are of Mount Hood, Oregon and yes, that is snow. Kind of crazy to throw a snowaball at my wife in late July when it was 80 degrees! This is a shot of the Lodge at Mount Hood. The outside of this Lodge was used in the filming of the horror movie "The Shining."

Dan, good eye bro. Yes, this Firehouse was beautiful, very well maintained. The guys there were some of the nicest, easy going guys. They were soo friendly and accomodating.

These photos i took while on the way to Mount Hood, Oregon. Sorry, nobody was at these firehouses for me to get apparatus pictures.

Bare with me as it takes me a little while to upload my pics. Also, i apologize for the quality of the pics, as some of the rigs were not readily accesible.

While out and about exploring Portland, we happened upon Portland FD's HQ. The Heavy Rescue is stationed there and its crew was starting to think we were following them lol. Heres a shot of their Station patch. Here is their Dive Truck, which will be replaced shortly.

Link to LoHud/Journal News article: http://www.lohud.com/article/20110818/NEWS02/108180402/Passersby-pull-mom-baby-from-burning-car?odyssey=mod_sectionstories Kudos to the two passersby, job well done! I hope that they are recognized for their fearless acts. Its nice to see that there are still some caring people in this world. Hope for a speedy recovery for mom and baby.

Ron, great shots, thank you for sharing! I actually went by the Groton Sub Base this weekend. I took my wife to Rhode Island for our anniversary over the weekend. Ive always been curious about this base, so thanks for the pics.

R.I.P. Lieutenant

Great point mbendel! It seems shes not the only one with an agenda these days. Everyone has become very quick to b***h about the salaries of LEO's, firefighters and even DPW employees. The NY State Police was one of the lowest paying LE agencies for YEARS, but they still held their members to high standards. Its only now that the salaries of the NYSP have started to come up that it is news worthy. To the NYSP members on here...congrats, its about time. Thank you for your service and for keeping us safe.

Gotta agree with Dan..very nice looking truck (im a big fan of the Tahoes). Its somewhat simple, yet very classy with the goldleaf. Side question to NHFD...Chief, i havent been in "your neck of the woods" in awhile now. How old is your firehouse? I know i have never seen it, but looks real nice and relatively new.

I recently vacationed in the Pacific Northwest and visited some Firehouses. While in Portland, Oregon, i stopped at their HQ and talked with some of their guys for a bit. They have a group participating in the games and they were totally phyched for it. They were going to stay somewhere in Brooklyn. Unfortunately i will be away that weekend or i would love to help. Best of luck.

Chief, were any of them members of "The Jersey Shore" crew?

Minerva, AFD just swore in 15 recruits. I do know that they have FF/Medics, so i would bet having your Paramdeic cert would be a plus. Link to your news now video/article: http://capitalregion.ynn.com/content/552543/fire-department-recruits-sworn-in/

va...thanks for the info, didnt realize no seasonal this year. Nice sign that theyre hiring a full-time FF though. Wow, pretty impressive salary. Kind of pissed i let my EMT cert go and never went through the DOD courses. Best of luck to those that apply.

M....I believe they still do during the summer. I believe they are hired as part of a brush crew. I know the seasonal employment may help lead to a full time position. Its actually a pretty good oportunity for someone looking to get on the job. One of my friends from High School was a seasonal FF and finally got hired on full time. He's now a station commander at a Fire Department in Italy through the Government. We (Vails Gate) held a Battalion-4 FAST drill a few months back and West Point was there. One of the guys there was preparing to go to Italy as well to work over there as a FF. Really neat opportunity. Anyone know what the starting and top salaries are for a WP Firefighter?

Link to PoJo article: http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20110806/NEWS12/110806009/Suffolk-police-sergeant-killed-off-duty-wreck?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p R.I.P. Det/Sgt Reecks. Thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and SCPD family