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QueenofHearts
Joined: 22 Oct 2007
Posts: 379
Location: On the Computer
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 Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:42 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Do you know where you live?
Do you know how to get home?
Do you know an alternate route?
Most of the people who have lived in and around the Shippensburg area most of their lives do not know at least two ways to get to their residence or, through Shippensburg for that matter.
This fact is all to clear to the Angels we call the Fire Police.
Fire police are sitting out early on a Saturday morning, blocking traffic because of a massive barn fire just on the outskirts of Shippensburg Boro. Orrstown Road is shut down at Thornwood at one end and Municipal Drive at the other. Silly, silly drives ask bewildered fire police, “Can’t I just go through? I don’t know how else to get to Shippensburg.”
“How long have you lived here?” one will question.
“All of my life. But this is the only way I know how to go.”
No, I am not kidding you and I am not making this up, it happens all the time.
This is typically followed by an argument, albeit brief, because the fire police just do not have the time.
The Shippensburg Fire Police Unit consists of approximately 35 people from the three fire departments in Shippensburg, with West End Fire and Rescue and Vigilant Hose Company making up the majority of the unit. Of those 35, roughly 20 are active.
President Charles Myers explains that the unit has Captain Jay Alleman who is in command of all the fire police. Then there are Lieutenants, from each of the three companies, Donald Holtry from Cumberland Valley Hose, Gerald Holtry of Vigilant Hose Company and Denny Mooney from West End Fire and Rescue. Sergeant Kenneth Neff Sr., Corporals Carl Lynch and Charles Myers round out the upper echelon of the team.
The fire police have been exceptionally busy recently. According to Myers, it has almost become a full-time job. These fearless and courageous people have been out and about on virtually a daily basis. They block traffic when there is a fire, accident, gas leak or spill, a pole down or when crowd control is required.
These are the people you will meet between the fire or accident and the traffic. They are there to protect not only the safety of the equipment, but also the lives of the other first responders. These are the one who are left out on the scene long after the ambulances and fire crews have left.
When fire police instruct somebody not to go down the street, there is a reason why. Don’t question, don’t posture, just do as you are requested.
But wait there is more!
You thought they were all huff and gruff? Not at all!
Only several weeks ago the community saw the softer side of our fine fire police when the Make-a-Wish Foundation had the Fourth Annual Truck Rodeo on June 2nd. Fire police blocked off all intersections in Shippensburg as the 62 “Big Rigs” thundered through town.
The next weekend, June 9th, they were back out, briefly blocking the intersections again for the 228 (Who could count?!) motorcycles roaring down King/Molly Pitcher Hwy, for the Second Annual Friends and Family of Damon Bryant Wish Ride.
It doesn’t stop there. The fire police help out at carnivals, musters, gun draws and various other functions, all without being paid, to better the community we live in.
Learn other ways to get home. When a fire police tells you to stop, there is a reason, don’t argue. When you do encounter a fire police, and you will, thank them for a job well done. |
That was an article I clipped out of the PO a while back.
Yes, Coppy (and everyone else) I am married to a Fire Police and if it weren't for my health I'd be one, too. Our department has one of the best teams in the state, yes, I said the state. Other departments have tried to copy our way of doing things.
Granted, there are some fire police that you really want question why they are there. But these guys must go through a thorough training before being let loose on our streets.
When we live in a volunteer area with not enough PD or PSP to handle certain situations, the Fire Police are called it to handle it. AND, for the most part, THEY DO A DANG GOOD JOB OF IT.
As for the comment about the pagers and cell phones. Since Ship and Chambersburg are so close to the county line, a lot of the guys will carry two pagers, one for one county, the other for the other county as both county have seperate tones. Sometimes one pager might not pick up the call. Cell phones? Duh! If you are in Cumberland County it is practically the only way to communicate. The open sky system is a joke. In Franklin Co, when using the portable radios and one FP is down in a gully, he/she may not be able to pick you up...hence the cell phone. NEXTEL most likely.
I would dare any of you to go through the training and stand out there during a major auto crash, fire, power outage, suicide, telephone down, or even a flooded road and try to tell the other idiots why they cannot go passed you. These guys will do their volunteer job in the rain, sleet, snow, blaring sun, all day and all night long. Sometimes they aren't even allowed to tell you, it depends on the situation. Fire police stay on the scene of accidents and fires long after the fire fighters have gone home to "protect the scene".
Fire Police are sworn officers, they do have the capability of making arrests. Most will never do that. I said most, but don't ever mess with a fire police because they will if they have to. If you pass one of them and are told not to, they will call PSP and you will be charged. It's that simple.
Have I made myself clear, yet?
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Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know 'why' I look this way.
I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved. |
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QueenofHearts
Joined: 22 Oct 2007
Posts: 379
Location: On the Computer
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| Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:49 am Post subject: |
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| .45chel wrote: |
Besides, we can't possibly take Fire Police seriously until they have their own theme song!
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Maybe they don't have their own song, but they do have their own prayer.
Almighty God our savior, whenever I am dispatched to serve my fellow man in times of need, I ask you,
To give me the strength and guidance to be ever alert and to be consistent within the discharge of my duties,
To be ever mindful of the welfare and safety of all I have been sworn to protect and serve,
To be fair and impartial in the treatment of all persons with whom I come in contact,
To be courteous and never be profane in words or deeds while on duty,
To strive to always be proficient with the talents which you have given me, and to always have the willingness to serve.
And, if during my service to others in times of need, it is your will that I lay down my life, bless always, with your love and guidance, my family and those I leave behind.
Amen
_________________
Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know 'why' I look this way.
I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved. |
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.45chel
Joined: 26 Oct 2007
Posts: 3068
Location: Chambersburg
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| Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:59 am Post subject: |
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Aw, Queen you got all serious on me 
Thank you for the info. I do appreciate it.
See, now you've earned your puppy!
(Get a dane and I'll dog sit!)
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Nevermind. |
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Curious
Joined: 14 Nov 2007
Posts: 35
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| Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Well said Queen! |
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.45chel
Joined: 26 Oct 2007
Posts: 3068
Location: Chambersburg
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| Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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Umm, yeah so I was able to post this morning then, this evening, I read all of the comments on Topix, ya know catching up on all the articles and stuff...doesn't seem like much has changed since Haloscan.
Not only is there still name calling, but people say the same things over and over and no one ever listens or hardly even acknowledges the opposing view. I understand the whole "I'm just letting my opinion be known" --Fine then. Post your opinion and go away or read other people's opinions, but posting the same thing repeatedly, occasionally adding a derogatory name for whomsoever disagrees...
It's like being beat in the head with a blunt object (or being trapped in a room of sugar-loaded children) and rather exhausting.
I cannot help, but wonder if this is why society will always be screwed up and politics will always be completely useless.
Maybe the character assassination on the open carry issue has worn me out, but now that I can post on Topix...I don't think I want to.
I'll just stay in the Soapbox where it's nice and safe.
Naturally, I reserve the right to change my mind at any time.
Ya'll take care out there.
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Nevermind. |
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armed_citizen
Joined: 27 Oct 2007
Posts: 233
Location: Chambersburg, PA
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| Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:41 pm Post subject: |
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| .45chel wrote: | | Maybe the character assassination on the open carry issue has worn me out, but now that I can post on Topix...I don't think I want to. |
Trying to be coy....? (character assassination....gun issue) 
I get the definite impression that many of the derogatory name callers (on either side of any issue) would be hard pressed to stand behind their beliefs (or at least professed beliefs based on their comments) if put to a real test. The one thing I like about the forums over Topix is that the identities remain the same. Very few who comment on Topix have registered, and so there's no assurance that two posts by the same name are even the same person.
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Author assumes full responsibility for the content of their posts. Opinions expressed on this website are not necessarily those of the Public Opinion, its editor, publisher, Board or affiliated parties. |
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.45chel
Joined: 26 Oct 2007
Posts: 3068
Location: Chambersburg
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| Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:51 pm Post subject: |
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| armed_citizen wrote: |
Trying to be coy....? (character assassination....gun issue)
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Oh, if only I were that clever. 
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Nevermind. |
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koozie
Joined: 27 Oct 2007
Posts: 124
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| Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 12:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Very good post queen. I was brought up around the fire police, because my father was the captain of the Chambersburg fire police back in the 70's and 80's and I got to see first hand what they had to endure. I would respond with him on many occasion and even ran the base station from our home because back then they didn't have cell phones, only CB's. So, I do have respect for the fire police because I know that they are out there in any kind of weather, sometimes for hours on end and would like to thank your husband for taking part in this organization. |
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