the firehouse sceneIs a monthly publication of the

Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District

PostageHarlem-Roscoe FirePO Box 450Roscoe, IL 61073

The Firehouse Scene - Page 12www.harlemroscoefi re.com

September 2011 Fire Chief Don Shoevlin Editor Sheryl Drost

Photo by Sheryl Drost

We’ll Never Forget Those That Gave All See pages 6 & 7

Fires x 3See page 3 & 4

Station Gossip By Sheryl Drost

We tease Lt. Mike Huffman all the time about the Rescue Squad, 741, being his truck because he spends so much time with it being the Captain of the Extrication Team as well as an Extrication Instructor. So when our Photographer Marcia Soppe showed up at Monroe Fire School, the comment was made, “Gee Huffy, not only do you bring your Rescue Squad, but you have your own Photographer too?”Live life to the fullest...live to prove everyone wrong!Hope to see everyone at our Memorial Dedication on Sept. 11 at 9:30 am. (before the Fall Festival Parade) at our Fire Station One on Main St. in Roscoe. Refreshments will be served inside the station after the ceremony.The Media Division has been busy lately. The artistic shots of the fi re trucks Marcia and I have been taking now border the large meeting room at Station One; stop in and check them out! I also have updated the pictures in the Lounge at Station One; see if you can see all the fi re monsters! Frames have been installed for the new dress blue picture boards as well at all three station. We are also working on updating pictures at the other two stations.Mark you calendars!

Fire Prevention Week Open HouseSat. Oct. 15, 2011Fire Station #1 @ 10544 Main St. Roscoe11am - 2pm

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Radi, Marcia really was just trying to get a cool shot of the truck. Well, that’s her story, and she’s sticking to it!

Chief ’s Date Night?

Note...this is not a H-R truck!!

From the Chief’s DeskBy Fire Chief Don Shoevlin

This past month we had long-time members of the Harlem Roscoe Fire Department hang up their boots and start enjoying the retirement life they deserve. I personally wish to thank Assistant Chief O’Dell and Captain Sabin for their many years of dedicated service and wish them nothing but good health and happiness that they so much deserve in their retirement. Firefi ghter Jeff Ball also retired from the

department. He is not however going into retirement mode as he is an active father of two wonderful children. He will be spending that time with his children’s activities. Thank you for your many years of volunteerism and service to our communities.

Once again, we participated in the annual MDA fi ll the boot campaign. Thank you to everyone who helped and your generous donations. We were able to present a check to the regional Muscular Dystrophy Association of over $ 4800.00.

Our annual Fire Prevention Open House will be held on Saturday Oct. 15. This year it will be at Station One on Main Street from 11am – 2pm. The offi cers and fi refi ghters are busy planning this event. I know that it will be full of activities for kids as well as adults. You will have the opportunity to see equipment, smoke house demonstrations, talk to the fi refi ghters and tour the station. I also can assure you there will plenty to do for the kids. I believe Sparky will also be there.

Please check out our website www.harlemroscoefi re.com to keep up with the progress of the department and individuals. As always don’t hesitate to contact me or stop by if I can be of any assistance.

I would be remiss if in closing I didn’t refl ect on that tragic day of 9/11. This weekend will mark the 10th anniversary that we lost 343 brothers and sisters in the fi re service to a horrifi c act of terrorism. Let us not forget those in Pennsylvania and the Pentagon as well. It is and was an honor to lead the annual Fall Festival Parade this weekend. Thank you to the Roscoe Lions Club for allowing us that unforgettable moment.

We renew our promise to never forget.

The Firefi ghter’s Prayer

Wherever fl ames may rage Give me strength to save a life whatever be its age

Help me to embrace a little child before it is too lateOr save an older person from the horror of that fate

Enable me to be alert to hear the weakest shoutAnd quickly and effi ciently to put the fi re out

I want to fi ll my calling and to give the best in meTo guard my neighbor and protect his property

And if according to your will I have to lose my lifeBless with your protecting hand my children and my wife

Firefi ghters RetireBy Chief Don Shoevlin and Sheryl Drost

Asst. Chief Ken O’Dell

Assistant Chief O’Dell, like many before him, has decided to enjoy the retirement life after over 40 years with this department. Over the years, he has been a tremendous asset to the department and assisted with the growth, development and success that we have today. A/C O’Dell’s retirement is a loss of knowledge,

experience, and dedication that has spanned many years. I am sure he will be a fi gure that we cannot replace. But A/C O’Dell has assured me that we will still see his smiling face around the station. We wish him good health, happiness, and nothing but enjoyment that he so much deserves after a dedication of volunteerism to his community for that length of time

Fire Prevention Captain Bill Sabin

Captain Sabin joined the dept. on Jan. 13, 1993 and quickly found his calling in the Fire Prevention and Fire Investigation Divisions. New fi re personnel joining the support divisions usually go through a few of the classes that new fi refi ghters take, such as the safety class. Well, Bill even took

the SCBA agility test! Bill’s drive to make our fi re district safe is commendable. Bill received the VFW Firefi ghter of the Year Award as well as a Recognition Award for Achievement in Fire Prevention, Fire Safety, and Life Safety from the Illinois Fire Inspectors Association in 2001 and again in 2005. Bill and his wife Joan have also been a major force with the Family Christmas Drive in the last few years. Bill, Thank You for your 18 years of service and please know our district is safer for it. We will miss you and wish you well!

Firefi ghter Jeff Ball

Firefi ghter Jeff Ball served the department as a Cadet for two years and then joined the department on May 1, 1979. He was one of Ret. Chief Oscar Presley’s original “Boys” and had to live up to the son-in-law title as well. Jeff retired this month and takes with him 32 years of experience fi ghting fi re and

as a senior Apparatus Operator. He also served a nine year stint as a Lt. and was in charge of buildings and grounds. Jeff received the VFW Firefi ghter of the Year Award. Jeff, Thank You for your 32 years of service. We will miss you and we wish you the best!

Birthdays

September1st Stefani Layman3rd Ramona Baldoni-Lake5th Adam Eich12th Bart Munger13th Marty Green Mike Powell Joe Koeninger23rd Debbie Rykowski25th Carmella Young ‘60th’30th Micah Anderson

October2nd Randy Lovelace 5th Eric Wilkins7th Ike Schoonover Brandon Tietz15th Ryan Alms17th David Doyle ‘50th’ Chuck Hansel21st Zak Prielipp22nd Ken Boris26th Tom Aaker29th Sue Null31st Bob Stark

Total Calls for 2011 To date - 1624

Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Prot. Dist.

Editor-in-Chief - Don ShoevlinEditor & Layout - Sheryl Drost

The Firehouse Scene is available at Station One - 10544 Main Street in Roscoe and on the department’s web site after the second Sunday each month. www.harlemroscoefi re.com

E-mail submissions to:Sheryl @ fi refoto4@aol.com

The Firehouse Scene - Page 2 The Firehouse Scene - Page 11 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

Congratulations to Firefi ghter Adam Eich and his wife Anna on the birth of their second child, Addison Ann Eich on August 24. Addison measured in at 7lbs. 12oz. and 20 inches long. Big sister Alexis (3yrs.) just adores her new little sister. Mom and baby are doing great. Congrats again Adam and Anna, she is adorable!

Vehicle Extrication Training, Symposium, & ChallengeEducational Symposium , HOT Evolutions & Challenge

Sept. 30, Oct. 1 & 2, 2011Fire Station #3 13974 Willowbrook Rd. RoscoeFriday night is classroom for participants, but Sat. and Sun. visitors can come watch the scenarios at no cost.

10 - 12 teams will compete in two, twenty minute scenarios, in which mannequins are trapped in vehicles that are damaged and positioned to simulate a motor vehicle accident. In one scenario, teams are allowed to use only hand tools, in the second “Unlimited “ scenario all tools, including hydraulics are used.

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The Firehouse Scene - Page 10 The Firehouse Scene - Page 3 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

Shed FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost

Harlem-Roscoe Firefi ghters responded to a report of a fi re on Aug. 21 just after midnight. When fi refi ghters arrived on Bend River Rd., the resident and neighbors were using their garden hoses on a burning shed in the back yard. The fi re was quickly extinguished. The shed with an attic was destroyed along with all the contents, including a riding lawn mower.

The shed had already collapsed when fi refi ghters arrived.

Lt. Doug Wolfe works a hose line on the fi re.

Firefi ghters Sean Laurent and Marty Green dig for hot spots.

Car FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost

Harlem-Roscoe Firefi ghters responded to a report of a car on fi re in the parking lot of the Heritage Baptist Church on Willowbrook Rd. on Aug.21. The engine compartment of a Grand Prix was fully involved with fi re when fi refi ghters arrived. The quick response of the fi refi ghters and the car’s fi re wall kept the fi re in the engine area. Luckily, most of the owners belongings that were in the passenger compartment were saved.(Front page photo shows Firefi ghters Robert Rosales and Mark Schafman on the hose line.)

The engine compartment was fully engulfed with fi re when fi refi ghters arrived.

Firefi ghters Sean Laurent and Mark Schafman begin their attack on the fi re.

Firefi ghters Mark Schafman, Sean Laurent, and Robert Rosales use tools to pop the hood to get to the rest of the fi re.

Duty, Pride & TraditionBy Lt. Doug Wolfe

Each of the Offi cers were asked to write something for an up-coming newsletter. I was in a panic as were most of us, because we are not writers. I had no idea what to write about. As I was standing in the intersection of Main and Bridge collecting donations for MDA, I got an idea.

I started running fi re calls about the age of seven, with my Dad, Dick Wolfe (West Suburban Fire). All of us kids would wait at the station for the trucks to return, because then we got to do something besides play. We got to roll hose, hang hose, yes in the hose tower, re-rack the hose, and even wash the trucks. We also got to help at the Pancake Breakfasts, and other fundraisers. We all thought we were the big shot kids. It was great!

I never got the chance to try and become a full-time paid fi refi ghter. So, when I was thirty, and I had moved to Roscoe, I fi nally got my chance to do the whole gamut of the fi re service for real, as a volunteer. I signed up with the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Dept. 15 years later, I am now a Lieutenant.

I would have never thought back then that I would ever be where I am now. And now I wouldn’t have it any other way. Yes, sometimes it does seem overwhelming, as this is my part-time job. I am a full- time Machinist to pay the bills. I am very fortunate to be on a dept. that can pay me something for what I would still do for free. The fi re dept. takes more and more of our time these days. Time from my family, and friends, and time from my life as well. I get all the gratitude, and the thanks, but without the support and understating of my family, none of this would be possible.

Any way, as I was standing there collecting donations, I thought, people are donating money to me as a fi refi ghter, for MDA. It could have been any charity, but a lot of people were giving because I was a fi refi ghter, and telling me thanks for what I do. Even though I was at my second job standing in the street collecting donations, I was still extremely proud of who I am, and what I was doing. I was also extremely proud of my fi refi ghter family, and fi refi ghter friends that I have worked with and met over the years. I have never thought that this was my duty. This was a choice that I made, and would do all over again. It is in my blood! I guess I have kept the tradition going in my family, and if the way my kids talk is any indication, maybe someday one of them will want to, and have the same privilege as I have had, to be a fi refi ghter, volunteer or professional.

If you want to be successful, it’s just this simple:

Know what you’re doing. Love what you’re doing.

And believe in what you’re doing. Will Rogers

Monroe Fire School SnapshotsPhotos by Marcia Soppe

Top row l-r, Lt. Mike Huffman and Firefi ghter Radi Huggard help instruct the Extrication Class. Bottom row l-r, Firefi ghter Brandon Tietz also helps instruct the Extrication Class, and Firefi ghter Paul Stanphill attended the class. Lt. Jerry McCormick also instructed the SCBA class at the school.

Water Rescue Training SnapshotPhoto by Jim Johnson

Firefi ghters Paul Stanphill, Shannon Burbach, and Capt. Mike Drost practice pulling a victim from Candlewick Lake during a recent water rescue exercise with the MABAS 8 Water Rescue & Dive Team.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 4 The Firehouse Scene -Page 9 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

Texting while driving on Illinois roads is illegal and deadly

In Illinois, cell phone distractions, including texting, were the primary or secondary cause of more than 500 vehicle crashes in the fi rst half of 2010.Nationally, nearly 5,500 people died in distracted driving-related crashes and nearly 500,000 were injured in 2009.An estimated 28 percent of all traffi c crashes—about 1.6 million per year—are linked to motorists texting or talking on cell phones. (National Safety Council)Distracted driving takes your mind off the road for approximately 4-6 seconds. If driving at 55 m.p.h., that translates to not having your eyes on the road for the distance of one or two football fi elds. (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute) Do Your Part to Help Save Lives

Do Your Part to Help Save LivesPut your cell phone out of sight and out of reach when you get into the car. If you have to text, pull over to a safe location or into an Oasis or rest area.Put the car in park before texting.Display a “Drive Now. Text Later.” window decal and remind yourself and others to stop texting while driving. Visit www.illinoistollway.com to order your free window decal.

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I-90’s Cable Median BarriersBy Sheryl Drost

Ever wonder why the Illinois Tollway placed that cable fencing in the median? The offi cial explanation on the IL Tollway website is, “A cable median barrier is a traffi c device that enhances safety for Tollway customers by absorbing the impact of vehicles crossing into the median and helping to prevent crashes.”

August 26, a driver heading East on I-90 around the 4 mm found out fi rst hand how well they really work. It seems the driver lost control and headed into the median.The cable barrier did it’s job and kept the vehicle from traveling into on-coming traffi c and may just have saved the driver’s life.

Federal Highway Administration research shows that for every one minute a lane is blocked four minutes of congestion results. Additionally, if one lane of a three-lane section is blocked, capacity is reduced by 50 percent.

Alarming Statistics on Texting While DrivingTexting while driving increases the likelihood of a crash by 22 times during the period that a driver is sending a text. (National Highway Traffi c Safety Administration)Drivers who use hand-held devices while driving are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)Between 4,000 and 8,000 distracted-driving-related crashes occur daily in the United States. (National Highway Traffi c Safety Administration)Distracted driving takes your mind off the road for approximately four to six seconds. If driving at 55 m.p.h., that translates to not having your eyes on the road for the length of one or two football fi elds. (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute)Nearly 80 percent of all crashes and 65 percent of near crashes involve some type of distraction. (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute 100-Car Naturalistic Study)The worst offenders are the least-experienced drivers: motorists under 20 years of age. (National Highway Traffi c Safety Administration)

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Barn FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe

Firefi ghters responded to a report of a barn on fi re off Mitchell Rd. First in units found one side of the barn was involved and the fi re had reached the attic area, billowing smoke and fl ames out the eaves of the roof. No one was injured and water was shuttled in. The cause of the fi re is believed to be electrical.

The Firehouse Scene -Page 8 The Firehouse Scene - Page 5 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

08/26/11 I-90 08/29/11 Hwy 251 & Elevator Rd.

08/14/11 I-90 08/25/11 Swanson Rd.

08/09/11 Mutual Aid to Beloit 08/09/11 Belvidere Rd. 08/12/11 Perryville Rd.

Accidents Photos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe

08/17/11 Second St. 08/28/11 I-90

08/26/11 McCurry Rd.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 6 The Firehouse Scene - Page 7

We’ll Never Forget Those Who Gave Their All!By Sheryl Drost

I can still remember what I was doing the day the Space Shuttle blew up, and how I sat mesmerized in front of the TV after the Oklahoma bombing. I honestly believe we all remember where and what we were doing on September 11, 2001. So many people lost their lives that day. Now, 10 years later we still vow to never forget.

Right after the attack on 911, all fi re departments were put on high alert and the fi re stations locked down. No fi re vehicle was to be left unattended or unlocked when outside the fi re station. Several Harlem-Roscoe Firefi ghters and paramedics were willing and ready to take off to help with the rescues. Supplies were checked and readied, but the call for our help never came - they had enough help. We could only follow the rescue on the TV, papers, and the Internet. We found the best thing we could do was to continue to do what we always do, and that is taking care of our fi re district.

I made a collage (pictured left) for the front page of the Oct. 2001 newsletter that shows many of the ways our fi re personnel and our local community showed their support to the fi re service. The fl ags were put at half-mast, all badges were shrouded, and we scrambled to make red, white, & blue ribbons to wear. Firefi ghter Marty Green even placed a set of gear alongside his fl ag in his front yard as a memorial. Singing

God Bless America to open the Roscoe Village Board Meeting and at our Memorial Service a year later helped Firefi ghter/EMT Carrie Hamilton feel like she had done something.

Our community was reaching out too. We were not the only ones that wanted to do something. The fi re station received a steady stream of families and school classes bringing pictures and treats into the fi re station. Residents were stopping our fi re personnel on the streets to thank them for their service. We were getting invitations to services and dinners held by local churches, fi re departments, and community groups. 911 Memorial Stickers soon started to show up on the windows of vehicles.

On the fi rst year anniversary, the department held a very touching memorial service at our Fire Station One; even children from a local preschool watched in silence. Our 2002 parade fl oat was also a memorial to those that had lost their lives as was the fi refi ghters marching in dress blues with one fi refi ghter out front holding a folded American fl ag. Firefi ghters have since participated in the yearly memorial Hononegah High School puts on during one of the Friday night football games as well as other local memorial events.

September 11, 2011, in honor of the 10th Anniversary of 911, Harlem-Roscoe Fire will be having a community dedication to the Firefi ghter Memorial in front of Fire Station One at 9:30 am before the Fall Festival Parade. The community is invited and there will be refreshments inside the station after the ceremony.

We’ll never forget those who gave their all!

The Firehouse Scene - Page 6 The Firehouse Scene - Page 7

We’ll Never Forget Those Who Gave Their All!By Sheryl Drost

I can still remember what I was doing the day the Space Shuttle blew up, and how I sat mesmerized in front of the TV after the Oklahoma bombing. I honestly believe we all remember where and what we were doing on September 11, 2001. So many people lost their lives that day. Now, 10 years later we still vow to never forget.

Right after the attack on 911, all fi re departments were put on high alert and the fi re stations locked down. No fi re vehicle was to be left unattended or unlocked when outside the fi re station. Several Harlem-Roscoe Firefi ghters and paramedics were willing and ready to take off to help with the rescues. Supplies were checked and readied, but the call for our help never came - they had enough help. We could only follow the rescue on the TV, papers, and the Internet. We found the best thing we could do was to continue to do what we always do, and that is taking care of our fi re district.

I made a collage (pictured left) for the front page of the Oct. 2001 newsletter that shows many of the ways our fi re personnel and our local community showed their support to the fi re service. The fl ags were put at half-mast, all badges were shrouded, and we scrambled to make red, white, & blue ribbons to wear. Firefi ghter Marty Green even placed a set of gear alongside his fl ag in his front yard as a memorial. Singing

God Bless America to open the Roscoe Village Board Meeting and at our Memorial Service a year later helped Firefi ghter/EMT Carrie Hamilton feel like she had done something.

Our community was reaching out too. We were not the only ones that wanted to do something. The fi re station received a steady stream of families and school classes bringing pictures and treats into the fi re station. Residents were stopping our fi re personnel on the streets to thank them for their service. We were getting invitations to services and dinners held by local churches, fi re departments, and community groups. 911 Memorial Stickers soon started to show up on the windows of vehicles.

On the fi rst year anniversary, the department held a very touching memorial service at our Fire Station One; even children from a local preschool watched in silence. Our 2002 parade fl oat was also a memorial to those that had lost their lives as was the fi refi ghters marching in dress blues with one fi refi ghter out front holding a folded American fl ag. Firefi ghters have since participated in the yearly memorial Hononegah High School puts on during one of the Friday night football games as well as other local memorial events.

September 11, 2011, in honor of the 10th Anniversary of 911, Harlem-Roscoe Fire will be having a community dedication to the Firefi ghter Memorial in front of Fire Station One at 9:30 am before the Fall Festival Parade. The community is invited and there will be refreshments inside the station after the ceremony.

We’ll never forget those who gave their all!

The Firehouse Scene -Page 8 The Firehouse Scene - Page 5 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

08/26/11 I-90 08/29/11 Hwy 251 & Elevator Rd.

08/14/11 I-90 08/25/11 Swanson Rd.

08/09/11 Mutual Aid to Beloit 08/09/11 Belvidere Rd. 08/12/11 Perryville Rd.

Accidents Photos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe

08/17/11 Second St. 08/28/11 I-90

08/26/11 McCurry Rd.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 4 The Firehouse Scene -Page 9 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

Texting while driving on Illinois roads is illegal and deadly

In Illinois, cell phone distractions, including texting, were the primary or secondary cause of more than 500 vehicle crashes in the fi rst half of 2010.Nationally, nearly 5,500 people died in distracted driving-related crashes and nearly 500,000 were injured in 2009.An estimated 28 percent of all traffi c crashes—about 1.6 million per year—are linked to motorists texting or talking on cell phones. (National Safety Council)Distracted driving takes your mind off the road for approximately 4-6 seconds. If driving at 55 m.p.h., that translates to not having your eyes on the road for the distance of one or two football fi elds. (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute) Do Your Part to Help Save Lives

Do Your Part to Help Save LivesPut your cell phone out of sight and out of reach when you get into the car. If you have to text, pull over to a safe location or into an Oasis or rest area.Put the car in park before texting.Display a “Drive Now. Text Later.” window decal and remind yourself and others to stop texting while driving. Visit www.illinoistollway.com to order your free window decal.

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I-90’s Cable Median BarriersBy Sheryl Drost

Ever wonder why the Illinois Tollway placed that cable fencing in the median? The offi cial explanation on the IL Tollway website is, “A cable median barrier is a traffi c device that enhances safety for Tollway customers by absorbing the impact of vehicles crossing into the median and helping to prevent crashes.”

August 26, a driver heading East on I-90 around the 4 mm found out fi rst hand how well they really work. It seems the driver lost control and headed into the median.The cable barrier did it’s job and kept the vehicle from traveling into on-coming traffi c and may just have saved the driver’s life.

Federal Highway Administration research shows that for every one minute a lane is blocked four minutes of congestion results. Additionally, if one lane of a three-lane section is blocked, capacity is reduced by 50 percent.

Alarming Statistics on Texting While DrivingTexting while driving increases the likelihood of a crash by 22 times during the period that a driver is sending a text. (National Highway Traffi c Safety Administration)Drivers who use hand-held devices while driving are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)Between 4,000 and 8,000 distracted-driving-related crashes occur daily in the United States. (National Highway Traffi c Safety Administration)Distracted driving takes your mind off the road for approximately four to six seconds. If driving at 55 m.p.h., that translates to not having your eyes on the road for the length of one or two football fi elds. (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute)Nearly 80 percent of all crashes and 65 percent of near crashes involve some type of distraction. (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute 100-Car Naturalistic Study)The worst offenders are the least-experienced drivers: motorists under 20 years of age. (National Highway Traffi c Safety Administration)

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Barn FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe

Firefi ghters responded to a report of a barn on fi re off Mitchell Rd. First in units found one side of the barn was involved and the fi re had reached the attic area, billowing smoke and fl ames out the eaves of the roof. No one was injured and water was shuttled in. The cause of the fi re is believed to be electrical.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 10 The Firehouse Scene - Page 3 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

Shed FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost

Harlem-Roscoe Firefi ghters responded to a report of a fi re on Aug. 21 just after midnight. When fi refi ghters arrived on Bend River Rd., the resident and neighbors were using their garden hoses on a burning shed in the back yard. The fi re was quickly extinguished. The shed with an attic was destroyed along with all the contents, including a riding lawn mower.

The shed had already collapsed when fi refi ghters arrived.

Lt. Doug Wolfe works a hose line on the fi re.

Firefi ghters Sean Laurent and Marty Green dig for hot spots.

Car FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost

Harlem-Roscoe Firefi ghters responded to a report of a car on fi re in the parking lot of the Heritage Baptist Church on Willowbrook Rd. on Aug.21. The engine compartment of a Grand Prix was fully involved with fi re when fi refi ghters arrived. The quick response of the fi refi ghters and the car’s fi re wall kept the fi re in the engine area. Luckily, most of the owners belongings that were in the passenger compartment were saved.(Front page photo shows Firefi ghters Robert Rosales and Mark Schafman on the hose line.)

The engine compartment was fully engulfed with fi re when fi refi ghters arrived.

Firefi ghters Sean Laurent and Mark Schafman begin their attack on the fi re.

Firefi ghters Mark Schafman, Sean Laurent, and Robert Rosales use tools to pop the hood to get to the rest of the fi re.

Duty, Pride & TraditionBy Lt. Doug Wolfe

Each of the Offi cers were asked to write something for an up-coming newsletter. I was in a panic as were most of us, because we are not writers. I had no idea what to write about. As I was standing in the intersection of Main and Bridge collecting donations for MDA, I got an idea.

I started running fi re calls about the age of seven, with my Dad, Dick Wolfe (West Suburban Fire). All of us kids would wait at the station for the trucks to return, because then we got to do something besides play. We got to roll hose, hang hose, yes in the hose tower, re-rack the hose, and even wash the trucks. We also got to help at the Pancake Breakfasts, and other fundraisers. We all thought we were the big shot kids. It was great!

I never got the chance to try and become a full-time paid fi refi ghter. So, when I was thirty, and I had moved to Roscoe, I fi nally got my chance to do the whole gamut of the fi re service for real, as a volunteer. I signed up with the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Dept. 15 years later, I am now a Lieutenant.

I would have never thought back then that I would ever be where I am now. And now I wouldn’t have it any other way. Yes, sometimes it does seem overwhelming, as this is my part-time job. I am a full- time Machinist to pay the bills. I am very fortunate to be on a dept. that can pay me something for what I would still do for free. The fi re dept. takes more and more of our time these days. Time from my family, and friends, and time from my life as well. I get all the gratitude, and the thanks, but without the support and understating of my family, none of this would be possible.

Any way, as I was standing there collecting donations, I thought, people are donating money to me as a fi refi ghter, for MDA. It could have been any charity, but a lot of people were giving because I was a fi refi ghter, and telling me thanks for what I do. Even though I was at my second job standing in the street collecting donations, I was still extremely proud of who I am, and what I was doing. I was also extremely proud of my fi refi ghter family, and fi refi ghter friends that I have worked with and met over the years. I have never thought that this was my duty. This was a choice that I made, and would do all over again. It is in my blood! I guess I have kept the tradition going in my family, and if the way my kids talk is any indication, maybe someday one of them will want to, and have the same privilege as I have had, to be a fi refi ghter, volunteer or professional.

If you want to be successful, it’s just this simple:

Know what you’re doing. Love what you’re doing.

And believe in what you’re doing. Will Rogers

Monroe Fire School SnapshotsPhotos by Marcia Soppe

Top row l-r, Lt. Mike Huffman and Firefi ghter Radi Huggard help instruct the Extrication Class. Bottom row l-r, Firefi ghter Brandon Tietz also helps instruct the Extrication Class, and Firefi ghter Paul Stanphill attended the class. Lt. Jerry McCormick also instructed the SCBA class at the school.

Water Rescue Training SnapshotPhoto by Jim Johnson

Firefi ghters Paul Stanphill, Shannon Burbach, and Capt. Mike Drost practice pulling a victim from Candlewick Lake during a recent water rescue exercise with the MABAS 8 Water Rescue & Dive Team.

From the Chief’s DeskBy Fire Chief Don Shoevlin

This past month we had long-time members of the Harlem Roscoe Fire Department hang up their boots and start enjoying the retirement life they deserve. I personally wish to thank Assistant Chief O’Dell and Captain Sabin for their many years of dedicated service and wish them nothing but good health and happiness that they so much deserve in their retirement. Firefi ghter Jeff Ball also retired from the

department. He is not however going into retirement mode as he is an active father of two wonderful children. He will be spending that time with his children’s activities. Thank you for your many years of volunteerism and service to our communities.

Once again, we participated in the annual MDA fi ll the boot campaign. Thank you to everyone who helped and your generous donations. We were able to present a check to the regional Muscular Dystrophy Association of over $ 4800.00.

Our annual Fire Prevention Open House will be held on Saturday Oct. 15. This year it will be at Station One on Main Street from 11am – 2pm. The offi cers and fi refi ghters are busy planning this event. I know that it will be full of activities for kids as well as adults. You will have the opportunity to see equipment, smoke house demonstrations, talk to the fi refi ghters and tour the station. I also can assure you there will plenty to do for the kids. I believe Sparky will also be there.

Please check out our website www.harlemroscoefi re.com to keep up with the progress of the department and individuals. As always don’t hesitate to contact me or stop by if I can be of any assistance.

I would be remiss if in closing I didn’t refl ect on that tragic day of 9/11. This weekend will mark the 10th anniversary that we lost 343 brothers and sisters in the fi re service to a horrifi c act of terrorism. Let us not forget those in Pennsylvania and the Pentagon as well. It is and was an honor to lead the annual Fall Festival Parade this weekend. Thank you to the Roscoe Lions Club for allowing us that unforgettable moment.

We renew our promise to never forget.

The Firefi ghter’s Prayer

Wherever fl ames may rage Give me strength to save a life whatever be its age

Help me to embrace a little child before it is too lateOr save an older person from the horror of that fate

Enable me to be alert to hear the weakest shoutAnd quickly and effi ciently to put the fi re out

I want to fi ll my calling and to give the best in meTo guard my neighbor and protect his property

And if according to your will I have to lose my lifeBless with your protecting hand my children and my wife

Firefi ghters RetireBy Chief Don Shoevlin and Sheryl Drost

Asst. Chief Ken O’Dell

Assistant Chief O’Dell, like many before him, has decided to enjoy the retirement life after over 40 years with this department. Over the years, he has been a tremendous asset to the department and assisted with the growth, development and success that we have today. A/C O’Dell’s retirement is a loss of knowledge,

experience, and dedication that has spanned many years. I am sure he will be a fi gure that we cannot replace. But A/C O’Dell has assured me that we will still see his smiling face around the station. We wish him good health, happiness, and nothing but enjoyment that he so much deserves after a dedication of volunteerism to his community for that length of time

Fire Prevention Captain Bill Sabin

Captain Sabin joined the dept. on Jan. 13, 1993 and quickly found his calling in the Fire Prevention and Fire Investigation Divisions. New fi re personnel joining the support divisions usually go through a few of the classes that new fi refi ghters take, such as the safety class. Well, Bill even took

the SCBA agility test! Bill’s drive to make our fi re district safe is commendable. Bill received the VFW Firefi ghter of the Year Award as well as a Recognition Award for Achievement in Fire Prevention, Fire Safety, and Life Safety from the Illinois Fire Inspectors Association in 2001 and again in 2005. Bill and his wife Joan have also been a major force with the Family Christmas Drive in the last few years. Bill, Thank You for your 18 years of service and please know our district is safer for it. We will miss you and wish you well!

Firefi ghter Jeff Ball

Firefi ghter Jeff Ball served the department as a Cadet for two years and then joined the department on May 1, 1979. He was one of Ret. Chief Oscar Presley’s original “Boys” and had to live up to the son-in-law title as well. Jeff retired this month and takes with him 32 years of experience fi ghting fi re and

as a senior Apparatus Operator. He also served a nine year stint as a Lt. and was in charge of buildings and grounds. Jeff received the VFW Firefi ghter of the Year Award. Jeff, Thank You for your 32 years of service. We will miss you and we wish you the best!

Birthdays

September1st Stefani Layman3rd Ramona Baldoni-Lake5th Adam Eich12th Bart Munger13th Marty Green Mike Powell Joe Koeninger23rd Debbie Rykowski25th Carmella Young ‘60th’30th Micah Anderson

October2nd Randy Lovelace 5th Eric Wilkins7th Ike Schoonover Brandon Tietz15th Ryan Alms17th David Doyle ‘50th’ Chuck Hansel21st Zak Prielipp22nd Ken Boris26th Tom Aaker29th Sue Null31st Bob Stark

Total Calls for 2011 To date - 1624

Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Prot. Dist.

Editor-in-Chief - Don ShoevlinEditor & Layout - Sheryl Drost

The Firehouse Scene is available at Station One - 10544 Main Street in Roscoe and on the department’s web site after the second Sunday each month. www.harlemroscoefi re.com

E-mail submissions to:Sheryl @ fi refoto4@aol.com

The Firehouse Scene - Page 2 The Firehouse Scene - Page 11 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

Congratulations to Firefi ghter Adam Eich and his wife Anna on the birth of their second child, Addison Ann Eich on August 24. Addison measured in at 7lbs. 12oz. and 20 inches long. Big sister Alexis (3yrs.) just adores her new little sister. Mom and baby are doing great. Congrats again Adam and Anna, she is adorable!

Vehicle Extrication Training, Symposium, & ChallengeEducational Symposium , HOT Evolutions & Challenge

Sept. 30, Oct. 1 & 2, 2011Fire Station #3 13974 Willowbrook Rd. RoscoeFriday night is classroom for participants, but Sat. and Sun. visitors can come watch the scenarios at no cost.

10 - 12 teams will compete in two, twenty minute scenarios, in which mannequins are trapped in vehicles that are damaged and positioned to simulate a motor vehicle accident. In one scenario, teams are allowed to use only hand tools, in the second “Unlimited “ scenario all tools, including hydraulics are used.

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the firehouse sceneIs a monthly publication of the

Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District

PostageHarlem-Roscoe FirePO Box 450Roscoe, IL 61073

The Firehouse Scene - Page 12www.harlemroscoefi re.com

September 2011 Fire Chief Don Shoevlin Editor Sheryl Drost

Photo by Sheryl Drost

We’ll Never Forget Those That Gave All See pages 6 & 7

Fires x 3See page 3 & 4

Station Gossip By Sheryl Drost

We tease Lt. Mike Huffman all the time about the Rescue Squad, 741, being his truck because he spends so much time with it being the Captain of the Extrication Team as well as an Extrication Instructor. So when our Photographer Marcia Soppe showed up at Monroe Fire School, the comment was made, “Gee Huffy, not only do you bring your Rescue Squad, but you have your own Photographer too?”Live life to the fullest...live to prove everyone wrong!Hope to see everyone at our Memorial Dedication on Sept. 11 at 9:30 am. (before the Fall Festival Parade) at our Fire Station One on Main St. in Roscoe. Refreshments will be served inside the station after the ceremony.The Media Division has been busy lately. The artistic shots of the fi re trucks Marcia and I have been taking now border the large meeting room at Station One; stop in and check them out! I also have updated the pictures in the Lounge at Station One; see if you can see all the fi re monsters! Frames have been installed for the new dress blue picture boards as well at all three station. We are also working on updating pictures at the other two stations.Mark you calendars!

Fire Prevention Week Open HouseSat. Oct. 15, 2011Fire Station #1 @ 10544 Main St. Roscoe11am - 2pm

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Radi, Marcia really was just trying to get a cool shot of the truck. Well, that’s her story, and she’s sticking to it!

Chief ’s Date Night?

Note...this is not a H-R truck!!