By Diane Feldman, Managing Editor
Sumo wrestling for a good cause
From Aaron Feldman (the yenta’s “honorary” brother), battalion chief, Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services: A rather unusual event took place at the Headquarters of Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services (British Columbia, Canada) on December 5.
凯伦·钱伯斯办公室做事e staff, put together a Sumo Wrestling competition to raise money for the Union Gospel Mission in Vancouver. She acquired the Sumo wrestling suits, headgear, and regulation mat. The apparatus were moved out of the bays and the event took place during lunch hour on the apparatus floor.
A host of members, ranging from firefighters to deputy chiefs (including civilian staff), signed up to get in the suits and wrestle. All the competitors had unique names
(and bios). Some of the pairs announced were Dr. No vs. Junk Food Junkie, Mrs. Jiggles vs. The Crusher, Spirit Man (the department chaplain) vs. Notorious Natalie, and The Enforcer vs. The X-Communicator, to name a few. The names were very apropos to the individuals.
Admission was by donation. Hot dogs, chips, soft drinks, and donuts were for sale. All the proceeds went to the Mission, and the funds provided warm meals to 100 needy people. The department hopes to make this an annual event.
Blood, blood everywhere!
From Lieutenant Michael Ciampo, FDNY: “We responded to an auto accident involving a single car. As I approached the scene, I called for the EMS bag because the patient was bleeding heavily from the face and upper torso. We immediately cut open his shirt to find the severe wound that was causing so much bleeding. As we cut his T-shirt off, the chauffeur turned on the large spotlights for better visibility. Much to our surprise, the victim was just covered in paint–RED paint. He was a painter, and his car was full of painting supplies. Ah, the importance of size-up!”
Size-up counts!
A fire department in New Jersey received a call for a possible fire on the second floor of an occupied multiple dwelling. The first-due engine company pulled up. The officer radioed Headquarters that he saw fire on the second floor and that they were stretching a line to the building. Around 30 seconds later, in a much quieter, lower tone of voice, he radioed the incoming chief, “Forget the last radio transmission.”
There was some sort of ceremony going on in the “fire” apartment. The family had put one of those fake waving flames (that you can purchase at a party store) by the window for effect.
The officer of the engine company took ribbing for weeks. He offered a class to neighboring departments on the importance of proper size-up.
Was that quick enough for you?
The first-due chief was around the corner from a commercial establishment, about a block away, when the alarm came in for a response to the facility. The chief arrived in around 18 seconds, as the office workers were evacuating the building.
One woman flirted and smiled at him. The chief walked up to her and said, “How’s that for a response time?”
She replied, “For what you people get paid, you SHOULD get here fast!”
The chief of the all-volunteer department thought of his meager clothing allowance and his volunteer status and just shook his head.
Know before you go
Members of Miami-Dade (FL) Fire Rescue were called to an explosion and fire in a one-story residence. They saw heavy fire on arrival and could see there had been an explosion. Glass and window frames were out in the street, and there were spot fires all over the front yard caused by partially burned videotapes that had been thrown by the explosion.
The engine company could not get in the front door-and they were a well-trained, experienced company. They went in through a window and were shocked to discover that it wasn’t a body that was blocking their access through the front door.
显然房主是社区”vert.” He had thousands of X-rated videos. He stacked them all over the living room, soaked them with gasoline, went into the bedroom, ignited them using a fuse, and then committed suicide.
The reason the engine could not get in the front door was that there was a huge pile of flaming black “goo” from the burning video cases and film that had been saturated with gasoline.
Diane Feldman is a 13-year veteran of188金宝搏是正规吗; she has spent the past 12 years as managing editor. She has a B.A. in English/communications. Previously she was an editor at the American Management Association in New York City.
If you have a tidbit for the Fire Yenta, e-mail dianef@pennwell.com.
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