THE CHIPS ARE FALLING

NOTE TO FIRST IN READERS

Call Philadelphia City Council and demand an end to fire station brownouts.

As you all know it’s been a difficult month or so (to say the least) since we lost Danny and Bob. The emotional toll it has taken on the Neary and Sweeny families, our collective Fire Department family, my brother (& sister) firefighters and paramedics, me personally, as well as my family has been enormous. Even though this tragedy is gradually receding from the headlines, it continues to be an everyday reality for those of us close to it. Add to that an administration that continues to play politics with the lives and safety of our members and the citizens of this city at every turn and you have a department left crushed and bewildered. I have finally begun to feel the effects both physically and mentally. It’s not fair to those who read First In  for me to keep writing when my head’s not in it.

While attending to the needs of the Neary family during their time of unimaginable sorrow, I experienced some serious family and personal issues of my own, not the least of which was my father’s (successful) cancer surgery. All this stress has combined to knock me down, but I am by no means out. I just need to take some time to decompress. My family comes first in my life, so that’s where I am starting. Work is second and I will get back there when I am ready. As for the blog, it has always been an outlet, a way for me to vent on some of the things that tend to build up inside. However, for the time being I am putting it on the back burner. It’s not that I don’t feel like writing; I do. But right now I don’t need the self-induced stress of writing posts for public consumption. There is so much going on around me it’s hard to keep events straight.

So I’m taking a break from First In. Rest assured it won’t be permanent. I have started work on my master’s degree and until I get into the swing of things, that will be my focus outside the family and work. It will leave precious little time for blogging. But these things have a way of working out. Hopefully in a short time I’ll be back at it. In the meantime my good buddy Wyatt will throw up an occasional post (as will I). It just won’t be a regular occurrence. I’ll let you know when I feel like I can get back at it. Until then, keep checking in. Of course, if something big hits the department or nationally I’ll make the effort. Thanks for your patience and continued support for First In. It’s much appreciated.

Captain America

ROCK A ROLLA TUESDAY: MOTORHEAD

Ace of Spades, with awesome Mad Max footage to boot!

MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY

 

Have a great week!

COWARD IN CHIEF

President Obama doesn’t even have the courage to “come out” and endorse gay marriage even though he clearly supports it. The guy simply doesn’t have the courage of his convictions. The fact is that he talks out of both sides of his mouth on this (and most other sensitive issues). Here he sounds like he supports marriage as defined as the union between a man and a woman just like THE PEOPLE OF NORTH CAROLINA.

Yet as the controversy builds we are fed a line that his position is “evolving”. Really? He’s a grown man. What is it about this issue that needs to evolve for him? For the record, just because you support the traditional definition of marriage (between a man and a woman) doesn’t mean you have any animosity towards those in the gay community. Straight couples have every right to stand up for their beliefs like everyone else.

THEY HAVE CHER, WE HAVE BILL WHITTLE

After that libtard Cher’s anti Romney rant on Twitter I thought this was a reasonable response. Agree?

ROUND AND ROUND

The Nutter administrations public safety policies – up in smoke.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter and US senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) today were calling on Congress to fund programs that allow local fire departments to train and hire firefighters. Speaking at a news conference at 30th Street Station, Casey called for the reauthorization of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (“SAFER”) grant. “We want to make sure that we have as many firefighters on the job, able to fight fires, as possible,” he said today.

NATIONAL HISTORY DAY 2012

This weekend the girl and two of her classmates competed in the National History Day competition. Having won first and second place in Philadelphia, they moved on to the state level competition. This year the event was held at Cumberland Valley High School located in Mechanicsburg Pa. CVHS is an amazing facility that more closely resembles a college campus than a local high school. It has every resource any kid would need to successfully pursue their education. The girl and one classmate competed in the individual documentary category. The other young man submitted an essay.

Friday they had their initial presentation and interviews. After their documentary there is a Q & A session. Then you wait to see if you will move on to final judging. We were ecstatic to learn both Liz and Thomas made the final state-wide cut for their documentaries. Only the top six documentaries move on to final judging. This was an incredible achievement for two kids from one class to place in the top six statewide and a first for their school. No one from her middle school has ever made it out of the first round.

LIVING FLAME 2012

Today I had the honor of escorting Lt. Neary’s wife to the living flame memorial ceremony here in Philadelphia. Since the tragic fire, I have been assigned to the Neary family as liaison. My duties have not allowed me to post regularly. It’s been an emotional roller-coaster and today was typical. Profound sadness at the loss so many people have endured in the name of public safety tempered by the sense of family that helps us get through these unbearable times. More later.

* The fire death counter has been updated to include Lt. Neary & FF. Sweeny.

PHILADELPHIA: A CITY WITH ITS FISCAL PRIORITIES IN ORDER

City Commissioners asked City Council Monday for more money to give a raise to poll workers and to pay for an education campaign about the new voter ID law. The office’s budget request for fiscal year 2013 includes a $1.5 million increase over its current $8.9 million. Since 1999, poll workers have been paid $75 to $100 for a long day’s work, Stephanie Singer, chairwoman of the Office of the City Commissioners told Council during a budget hearing. Singer proposed increasing pay to $152 based on a prevailing hourly wage of $10.88 for 14 hours, which would cost the city $1 million.