Photographer honoured with the IAFF Media Award

Story contributed by www.dailygleaner.com


A picture of a Fredericton firefighter checking his equipment before heading back to fight a major house fire last year has earned The Daily Gleaner staff photographer Stephen MacGillivray an international award.

The veteran news photographer was honoured Monday night with the International Association of Fire Fighters' media award for best news photo at a newspaper with a circulation of fewer than 100,000 copies.

MacGillivray's photo shows a Fredericton firefighter checking his oxygen regulator while a colleague changes the air bottle strapped to his back. In the background, smoke billowing out of a Springhill Road home is lit up by flames coming out of the roof.

Firefighters had to contend with frigid temperatures as they battled the Boxing Day 2008 blaze that destroyed the home.

Members of IAFF Local 1053, which represents Fredericton's firefighters, submitted MacGillivray's photo for the award.

MacGillivray said having his work recognized in a category that includes his peers from across North America is an honour.

He said he's happy to be able to give newspaper readers a regular glimpse of the dangers firefighters face.

"It's important to show what they do and what they will put on the line to save people and their homes," said MacGillivray, who sometimes shows up on the scene of a fire shortly after the first fire truck.

"I've seen (firefighters) rush into a burning house because a neighbour wasn't sure if anyone was inside," he said.

"I have the highest respect for all of the first responders - firefighters, police officers and paramedics - because of what they do and because of how they do it. We all hope we never have to call on their services, but they are there for us 24 hours a day."

Doug LeBlanc, president of IAFF Local 1053 and president of the Atlantic Provinces Professional Firefighters Association, said members have long recognized MacGillivray's professionalism as he chronicles firefighters' work.

"Steve has always showcased the profession as a very honourable one," LeBlanc said Monday.

"We recognize how professional his photography is; the pictures are incredible."

LeBlanc, who was called to the Boxing Day fire, said it was a particularly tough fire.

"It was cold and damp that night. It took a long time to put the fire out and make sure all the hot spots were extinguished," LeBlanc said.

"The house was totalled, but our crews did a phenomenal job stopping the fire. A lot of personal effects belonging to the residents were salvageable."



Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
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Christmas Safety Messages from Firefighters

Candle Safety

Candles are a traditional and beautiful part of the holiday season. They can also be a source of fire in your home, so be cautious with them. Place candles in non-tip candle holders and ensure they are well away from the Christmas tree and other holiday decorations. Never leave lit candles unattended and ensure that they are out of reach of children. Enjoy the festive season by putting safety first.

Christmas Tree Safety

Most Christmas fires can be prevented. That's just one of the messages Delta Fire & Emergency Services wants you to remember this holiday season. Before buying your Christmas tree, test it for freshness by tapping the base of the tree on the ground. If needles fall or can be pulled off easily the tree is too dry. At home, find a cool spot for your tree, away from heater vents and the fireplace. Keep your tree as fresh as possible by watering it often. This year enjoy a fire safe holiday season!

Smoke Alarms

This Christmas give your family and friends a gift that saves lives...a smoke alarm. Most fatal fires take place at night, while you and your family are asleep - when seconds can make the difference between life and death. If you have one or more working smoke alarms in your home you double your chances of surviving a fire. Smoke alarms are inexpensive and easy to install. Smoke alarms - they're protectors.

Information courtesay of Delta Fire & Emergency Services.

Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
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HUGE Firefighter Gift Sale at FireEmporium.com

It is that time of year again! Don't miss out on a wide selection of Firefighter Gifts just right for gift giving this holiday season!

20 - 40% off apparel for the whole family. All Men's, Ladies, Youth and Kids clothing on sale! Still lots of time for Christmas shipping.

Great stocking stuffer ideas as well! Firefighter keychains, firefighter Christmas ornaments, firefighter mugs and glasses, firefighter knives plus much more....

Visit us online at www.fireemporium.com and shop 24/7 from the comfort of your home or office. You can also call us at toll free 1-866-832-1468.

Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!

Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
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Weymouth Fire Department hands out Firefighter Awards

Story by Karla Kelly, The Digby Courier

Two Weymouth volunteer firefighters and the village commissioner received special recognition at the fire department’s annual Christmas banquet at the Weymouth fire hall Saturday night.

In presenting the awards, fire chief Roy Mullen expressed appreciation for the ongoing support of the volunteer members of the department. “Not every firefighter is able to respond to all the calls the department receives, but there is always more than adequate support for any emergency,” Mullen said. “We have a dedicated group of firefighters and I am appreciative of the support they not only give me as chief but the community they serve as well.”

Weymouth village commissioner Barry Faulkner was recognized for outstanding and continuous support to the Weymouth Fire Department.

Paul Raymond received the Firefighter of the Year award, while the First Responder of the Year award went to Norman Penny.

Need Firefighter Awards for your department? We offer a wide selection of Firefighter Plaques, Firefighter Trophies and other Firefighter Presentation Awards. Visit us at www.fireemporium.com.


Becky Harmata
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"They (Firefighters) Saved My Wife's Life"

A pair of off-duty Kingston firefighters are being credited with saving a woman's life after a car wreck in a northern Ontario snowstorm last weekend.

The man driving the minivan involved in the accident with a loaded tractor-trailer says Craig Rundle and Tim Restoule, who work on the same crew at the Brock Street fire hall, saved his wife's life after the crash near Ignace last Saturday afternoon.

The two firefighters were returning from their annual elk-hunting trip in Alberta when they happened upon an accident between a jackknifed transport truck and a minivan on a desolate stretch of the Trans-Canada near Ignace, Ontario, just minutes after it occurred.

Dunk's wife was trapped in the car with injuries including a large gash on her leg and was going into shock.

Dunk wasn't seriously hurt, but says the two firefighters calmed him down at the scene.

"One of the biggest things they did was stop me from pulling my wife out of the car and making her injuries worse," he said.

The two firefighters carried a first aid kit in their truck-"a little bigger kit than most people would carry" Restoule acknowledged -- and treated Dunk's wife while still trapped in the car, covering her with jackets and blankets to stop her going further into shock and stopping her bleeding.

They did the same to Dunk when they noticed him starting to shake as the adrenaline from the accident wore off.

It took nearly an hour for help to reach the scene, owing to the worsening weather and confusion about where the accident occurred, and the two kept the trapped woman stable.

The firefighters play down their contribution, saying any other first responder would have done the same, and didn't make a big deal out of the incident. It was Dunk who contacted the media to publicly express his thanks.

"These two guys were totally professional and I can't say how grateful I am that they were there, because there's no question in my mind that they saved my wife's life."

Story courtesay of The Kingston Whig Standard. Click here to read the full article.


Becky Harmata
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Waterloo Firefighter Best in the World

He’s the strongest firefighter in the world. He’s Dwayne Drover, a Waterloo firefighter who won the World’s Firefighter Combat Challenge in Las Vegas last weekend.

“I won the world championship,” Drover said Monday. “It is still surreal. I still don’t believe it.”

He beat 100 other teams from around the world and beat the American firefighter who has held the world’s title for the past three years.

“This is the race that is going to go down in the books,” Drover said of beating the previous three-time champion.

“I was considered the underdog going into it and I came out on top,” said the 34-year-old firefighter.

The competition involves a gruelling obstacle course.

Firefighters, dressed in their uniforms, complete with helmets and oxygen tanks, drag about 20 kilograms of hose up more than six flights of stairs.

They haul another 19 kilograms of hose up by rope and then must run down the stairs without missing a step.

They tackle a “forcible entry machine,” where competitors must move a 63-kilogram pressured device 1.5 metre by hitting it with a rubber sledgehammer.

Firefighters drag a 153-kilogram running hose 22.5 metres and then hit a target before navigating a series of pylons.

Then there’s Rescue Randy, the 79-kilogram dummy that competitors drag backward 30 metres.

They must finish in less than two minutes.

Drover did it in one minute, 26 seconds.

“It is what they call the toughest two minutes in sports,” said the five-year firefighter.

And what’s the attraction of putting yourself through this ordeal.

“I just love challenging myself,” Drover said.

He takes the sport so seriously that he trains up to 30 hours a week and works with a personal trainer.

And he plans to defend the title next year.

“Getting there is hard enough, but keeping it is ever harder.”

Article courtesay of The Record.


Becky Harmata
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Presumptive Health Initiative

A presumptive disability law links a particular occupation with a disease or condition that has been shown to be a hazard associated with that occupation. As a result of this linkage, if an individual employed in the occupation covered by the presumption contracts a disease or condition that is specified in the presumptive law, then that disease or condition is presumed to have come from that occupation. In this case, the burden of proof shifts from the employee to the employer to demonstrate that the condition was not in fact associated with the occupation but with another cause.

For fire fighters and emergency medical responders, scientific evidence has demonstrated an increased risk for heart disease, lung disease, cancer, and infectious diseases. At this time, most of the United States and Canadian provinces have some form of presumptive law that applies to fire fighters and emergency response personnel. These laws vary greatly between states and provinces.

The IAFF Division of Occupational Health, Safety & Medicine has developed an information database of the current presumptive disability provisions in the United States and Canada.

Click here to view Presumptive Health Menu from IAFF.org website.

Information linked from IAFF Offical Website.


Becky Harmata
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Climbing the ladder while watching the rear-view mirror

Written by Lou Wilde, Assistant Chief, Kelowna BC

Sometimes, with the busy lives we all lead, we forget where we’ve come from. It happens to all of us to some extent in our personal lives and our careers. I hope as a chief officer I haven’t lost too much perspective about what it’s like in the trenches. I’m sure I could still charge a hand line and set a relief valve correctly but I don’t get out of bed nine times on a night shift anymore. I do my best to keep in touch with those who are still doing the job out there every day and night.

Talking with a fellow chief about this recently, we discussed the newer junior officers (lieutenants and captains). We remarked that every now and then these newly minted officers forget that they used to be grunts doing the dirty jobs, or how when they were firefighters they were the smart alecs who often challenged officers on their decisions. Now, these new officers have no tolerance for the firefighters they used to be – the shoe’s on the other foot. The same goes for training. Before, as firefighters, these guys perhaps thought that repetitive drills on basic skills were pointless but now, as officers, they realize that the onus is on them to keep their people safe.

To read full article, click here.

Article published on Firefightingincanada.com.

Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
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West Kelowna Wildfire T-Shirts

"As a community, you really pulled together. I'm proud to be your mayor," stated West Kelowna Mayor, Doug Findlater. This statement is taken from a speech given at the appreciation night at Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna held to say thank you to fire fighters and all first responders following the wildfires of 2009.

West Kelowna Fire Rescue is selling commemorative t-shirts of the 2009 Wildfires and net proceeds are being donated to the local community food bank.

T-shirts are available through West Kelowna Fire Rescue at 250-769-1640 ext 4 or email Laura.MacLeod@districtofwestkelowna.ca. Men's, Ladies and Youth sizes available for $20.00/each.

Men's navy t-shirt picture shown, ladies available on brown or navy Bella ladies cut shirt and youth is available on red or camoflague t-shirts.


Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
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West Kelowna thanks its heroes

A small but enthusiastic crowd turned up at Royal LePage Place Wednesday to say thank you to fire fighters and first responders following the wildfires of 2009.

Dubbed 'Facing The Fires - A Night To Remember,' the evening gave residents of the community a chance to say thank you after the near devastating Glenrosa, Rose Valley and Terrace Mountain fires.

The kudos went both way.

"As a community, you really pulled together. I'm proud to be your mayor," stated West Kelowna Mayor, Doug Findlater.

"We're a new community," added Findlater, "but we're going places."

Those sentiments were echoed by EOC Deputy Director Jason Johnson, West Kelowna Fire Chief Wayne Schnitzler and others who spoke to the crowd.

"This is a time to reflect, a time to celebrate and a time to thank people who did such a good job this summer," says Findlater.

The mayor, who himself was one of the first to be evacuated when the Glenrosa fire broke out on July 18, says the community was fortunate to have professionals looking after every detail up and down the ranks.

After going through emergency preparedness training in the spring, he says it would have been easy as mayor to get involved in operational issues.

"The mayor, the council and the elected officials have to stay back at the policy level and let the professionals do their job. All of the firefighting was done with such excellence, such professionalism."

Findlater says the one memory he'll take away is the work of those in the air, especially during the early hours of the fire.

"I watched those with my mouth wide open as I looked at those aircraft. The water bomber wobbling as it went over Gorman's mill in 70km winds trying to save that mill. Really gutsy stuff."

Fire Chief Wayne Schnitzler says a celebration such as Wednesday's helps to put closure on a very challenging summer.

"It really challenged us as people, it challenged us a a fire department and at the end of the day, the outcome could have been so much worse," says Schnitzler.

During the entire ordeal, Schnitzler says he really never thought about things emotionally.

"I think it's over the years of experience you get. You go into work mode and you don't have time for emotions. You do your job and make decisions that affect peoples lives and properties."

In all, 11,000 West Kelowna residents were forced out of their homes as a result of both the Glenrosa and Rose Valley fires.

Story by Wayne Moore, Castanet.net.


Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
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King Township wins vehicle safety award

Oct 14, King Township, ONT.

King Fire and Emergency Services has won the 2009 Emergency Vehicle Safe Operation Achievement Award, an international honour presented annually by the volunteer and combination officers section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. The King Township Sentinel reports. READ MORE

Article courtesay of King Township Sentinel at www.kingsentinel.com.

Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
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Sleep Deprivation in Firefighters

The study of sleep deprivation is extremely important in many regards. Humans don't perform at peak levels without adequate sleep. It will affect you not only physically but mentally as well. There are many reasons behind sleep deprivation but the reality is there is a correlation between the amount of sleep one gets and their overall level of performance. Fire fighters are one of the highest at risk careers for sleep deprivation.

There is a great video (choose New Video 2) and report that illustrates the background basics of sleep patterns and the health and performance effects of sleep deprivation. They are a project that was supported by a cooperative agreement between the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFC) and the United States Fire Administration (USFA), with assistance from the faculty of Oregon Health & Science University.

Click here to view The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Fire Fighters and EMS Responders.


Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
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Cooking with bravery

When last we met Winnipeg firefighter Jeff Derraugh, our intrepid local hero had just released his first cook book, Fire Hall Cooking With Jeff the Chef. Now, just over two years have passed and Derraugh has released a second cookbook, Where There's Food There's Firefighters: More Surefire Recipes to Feed Your Crew (Touchwood Editions, $19.95).

This husband and father of five and grandfather of two attributes the popularity of the first book to good old-fashioned-word-of-mouth. Six months after the first printing, a second was ordered.

"I wrote it to have it be conversational, so that the book is kind of "talking to you," says Derraugh, "I think it should read like a conversation, like you're there and you're kibitzing in the kitchen. It seemed to be what people liked about the first book."...[read more]

Source: Winnipeg Free Press (click for full story)

Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
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Firefighter Tribute Commentary

After all the years I’ve been dispensing advice and preaching the gospel according to me, I can’t believe I have never yet expressed appreciation and admiration for firefighters. What an oversight!

Firefighters are unique in our society…the only people whose job it is to go into an inferno, when common sense and every human instinct tells us to get out and stay out. If you come to grief, whether in a traffic or water accident, storm, flood, earthquake…you name it…you are most likely to be saved by a firefighter.

We were sitting at dinner with a firefighter on the weekend when a guest began to choke and collapsed. Immediately, our friend began using the Heimlich maneuver, a technique used to dislodge an object blocking someone's airway. I’m sure you know it works by sending a blast of air upward through the windpipe. But there’s a big difference between training practice and the real thing. It took considerable physical strength, it took considerable emotional strength and it took what seemed like forever! But it saved a person’s life which is why I vowed to take another St. John Ambulance course and went on line to print out a copy of the 4-step Heimlich procedure.

Earlier in the week, this same firefighter went through incredible anguish when two of his closest friends ran into trouble inside the burning Reed’s Restaurant in Meaford. And just the week before, he fought the toughest blaze of his thirty-year career at Chapman’s Ice Cream in Markdale.

Boy, this would not be the job for me! Honestly, until the other night I didn’t understand why a person would risk life and limb going into a building where you can’t see and you can’t breath and the flames lick at you. I told him it doesn’t make any sense to accept the cumulative damage of inhaling smoke and other toxins fighting fire after fire.

No, it’s not for me, but at least I get it now. This man doesn’t see himself as a hero, but there’s no other word for it. They are heroes and this is my salute to firefighters…thank you…because you really do put others first…you care beyond my mere words.

Source: Bayshore Broadcasting News Centre
September 15, 2009
by: Ross Kentner

Becky Harmata
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New Wildland Firefighter Plaque

New Wildland Firefighter Plaque

With all the wildfires currently burning in BC, we thought it fitting to add a Wildland Firefighter Plaque to our line of Firefighter Plaques. To view our full line of Firefighter Plaques click here.


Becky Harmata
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Brampton Firefighters Claim 3 Regional Championships

Brampton firefighters claim three regional championships
By Pam Douglas The Caledon Enterprise

Brampton firefighters claimed three regional championships in the FireFit Challenge at Chinguacousy Park this past weekend, taking every event in which they competed.

The Brampton 1 team won both the relay and team competitions, while the Over 40 team topped its relay event.

Brampton Fire Chief Andy MacDonald, a member of the winning Over 40 team, said the wins set the stage for next year when Brampton will host the big event— the FireFit Canadian Championships.

“It was a tremendous success,” MacDonald said of the regional competition.

This year, the national championships will be held in Gaspe, Quebec, Sept. 3-6.

The sixth annual Blazin’ Summer Weekend FireFit Regional Challenge brought thousands out to the stands to watch, despite a downpour Saturday afternoon.

The Brampton 1 team consisted of Brad Welsh, Steve Keegstra, Drew Heurter, Sean Romanek and Chad Abra.

The Over 40 team included MacDonald and Peter Reid, Mark Evans, Dan Rowland (three former Canadian champions) and Marcel Fournel.

The FireFit Challenge is a race against the clock performed in full firefighting gear. They climb, pull, spray and drag their way to the finish line in team, individual and relay competitions.

The competition simulates firefighting tasks often required during emergency situations, such as running up flights of stairs carrying a hose and dragging a ‘victim’ across the finish line.
Participants run up a five-storey FireFit tower, fully clothed in heavy firefighter gear, breathing apparatus and boots and carrying a 20 kilogram roll of hose, pull a rope attached to another 20 kilogram roll of hose up from the ground and run down again.

Competitors then must move a 65 kilogram weight nearly two metres with a hammer, run a slalom course to pick up a fire hose that weighs 150 kilogram when extended and hit a target with the water stream.

They then pick up a life-sized dummy, the weight of an average man, and drag it a distance of 30 m.


Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
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West Kelowna Fires - Terrace Mountain

Crews confident Terrace fire is out
by Kelly Hayes - Story: 48830
Picture by Stew Alcock on Castanet.net

Crews on the front lines fighting the Terrace Mountain fire are feeling optimistic that the worst is over.

With a drop in the temperature and a rise in humidity, the hundreds of fire fighters are making headway on the 9,000 hectare blaze that broke out nearly a month ago.

As of Wednesday, the fire was 75 per cent contained and crews are feeling upbeat.

"Things are much calmer now. It's way colder than it used to be," says Hugo Bergeron of Quebec.

"Right now we're at the mop up stage and the area above Fintry and La Casa Resort is protected. This area is secure and if anything should happen, we'll wait for it."

BC forest fire fighter, Quinton Barabesh, is confident the Terrace Mountain fire is on its last legs.

"I think we've put it out. I don't think she's going to take another run on us. I would be surprised if it took off on us again."

Only a handful of residents remain on evacuation order.

Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
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Email: info@fireemporium.com

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National Firefighter Health Week Aug 17-21

Whether you are just considering adopting better health habits or already maintain a healthy lifestyle, National Firefighter Health Week, August 17-21, is your opportunity to focus on your total health – heart, mind, and body – so that you can keep it strong all year long for those who depend on you: your family, your department and your community.

Each day during National Firefighter Health Week is dedicated to a different part of an overall healthy lifestyle, tailored specifically for fire and emergency service personnel. To view the topics for the 2009 National Firefighter Health Week and for useful links click here.

Article from EHS Today magazine.

Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
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Gorman Bros. Mill saved from flames in West Kelowna

Gorman Bros. Mill saved from flames
By Don Plant The Daily Courier
Kelowna, BC Canada

Employees, firefighters and Mother Nature have helped defend the Gorman Bros. mill from catastrophe -- so far.
The massive lumber mill, West Kelowna’s largest employer, has been at the epicentre of the Glenrosa fire since it broke out above the site Saturday afternoon. Aside from fire damage to the roof of a finger-jointer and some burned lumber piles, the mill was still intact Sunday afternoon.
"We’ve been very fortunate. A lot of people have been working very hard," said Nick Arkle, the company’s chief forester.
"The damage can be repaired. There might be an impact on production for awhile."
A crew of about 20 employees worked Saturday night and Sunday morning to douse the property and make sure spot fires didn’t break out. Despite their efforts, several piles of 1-by-10- and 1-by-12-inch lumber near the forest edge went up in flames.
Helicopters resumed bucketing water around the mill and a fresh crew of 15 to 20 employees replaced the overnight brigade after daybreak Sunday. Firefighters with the forest service and structural fire departments ensured flames nearby didn’t spread.
The wind was fairly calm in the morning. It blew from the southeast Sunday afternoon, which took the fire away from the mill but uphill toward Gates and McIver roads.
"The fire is fairly stable," Arkle said at 3:30 p.m. from the Gorman Bros. log yard. "All we need is strong winds and it will all blow up again."
The Okanagan has been hit with a fiery cocktail of low humidity, heat and strong winds.

Picture by Stew Alcock from Castanet.net.

Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
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New Artist added to Firefighter Print line

New Firefighter Print Artist added to product line

As we are always searching for new and exciting products to add to our collection we are very excited to introduce an artist whose work is new to us! You can check out her work in our Firefighter Prints section at http://www.fireemporium.com/ and follow the catagory link to Firefighter Prints.

Jodi Monroe has been drawing portraits for over 20 years, but over the past 6 years she has truly found a passion for rendering works celebrating the profession of firefighting. Her goal and passion for each work of art is to make it so incredibly life-like that you can feel the energy of the subject.

She is married to a career firefighter, Jeremiah, and together they have a son and a daughter. Because of her husband, her mother, who repairs turn-out gear for fireman all across the country(www.fixturnout.com) and her Uncle, who was fire chief for many years in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, she has been associated with the profession of firefighting most of her life.

She also makes a donation of 20% from each print that she sells to the Hoosier Burn Camp to help children in Indiana who have been affected by fire.


Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
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'Line of Duty Death' - Firefighters give cancer victim grand sendoff.

Alberta firefighters buried one of their own yesterday while urging the province to add to the list of "presumptive" job-related cancers it recognizes for compensation. That includes esophageal cancer, the disease that killed Capt. Alexander Fred Harris a week ago.

The union has declared Harris's death "a line of duty death" and gave him a grand send off yesterday afternoon as hundreds of firefighters marched through downtown to the First Presbyterian Church to bid farewell to the 53-year-old who died June 20.

A fleet of fire trucks lined 100 Avenue and 105 Street and a large Canadian flag fluttered in the air, hoisted by two fire truck ladders, while a bagpiper played a solemn tune.

Mourners hugged, held hands and looked on with tears in their eyes as a group of eight pallbearers unloaded Harris's casket from a fire truck adorned with a funerary wreath and black drapes.

After the service, a flag-folding ceremony was held. The Maple Leaf and Harris's cap were presented to his wife, Sharon Harris, followed by a Last Bell Ceremony. His body was later interred at Glory Hill Cemetery.

"Capt. Harris was the type of man where within 10 mins of meeting him, you felt like he had been your best friend your whole life," said Greg Holubowich, president of Edmonton Firefighters' Union. "He was a firefighter's firefighter who was always concerned about the people he helped. You always trusted he had your back in a fire."

Holubowich said Harris, a married father of two grown children and a 30-year fire veteran had been preparing for retirement and had even planned to open a business restoring antique cars before he was struck by the illness.
Article from the Edmonton Sun

Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
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Should You Marry a Firefighter?

In my research I came across this great blog article. I don't think it could be said any better. Whether you are not married yet or have been for a long time, you will find yourself smiling and nodding saying, been there, done that!

Becky

Someone found our blog by Googling, “Should I marry a firefighter?” It’s an interesting question, really.
When FireDad and I said our vows, we had already been through the long and involved process of testing and interviewing to be hired by the fire department. We were actually enduring the middle of a hiring freeze as I walked down the aisle toward him on that cold, December day. Prior to all of this, during our dating days (and, really, prior to me), he was a volunteer firefighter (and paid the bills as a Paramedic). I had an inkling of what fire life would be like but… I also had no clue. He was hired by the fire department shortly after our wedding. And during our honeymooning year, I got the baptismal by fire, literally, into the depths of fire life.
And so, I have some advice, of course, having lived this life for five years now.
Don’t marry a firefighter if you are relying on their presence or the stability of their schedule. The pager will go off on Christmas Eve as you are trying to build a bike together. There will be a fully involved structure fire on the morning of your big interview, leaving you scrambling to find child care. They will work on your birthday, their birthday, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and every other holiday imaginable. Not all in the same year (though that list in the previous sentence is true for us this year, sigh) but eventually, all of them. More in some years than in others. On days you have plans to work on the house or get things done, they will be needed at the fire house. On a day that you planned on doing nothing more than relaxing, the sound of fire sirens leaving the station will bring a halt to your attempt at relaxation, nerves ....Read more

Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
Fax: 250-769-3588
Email: info@fireemporium.com
Web: http://www.fireemporium.com/

Firefighter Awards and Plaques - Canada & USA

Giving recognition is a powerful means of rewarding effort, years of dedicated service, saying thank you, building loyalty, or encouraging higher performance.

We all want to feel like a valued part of the organization, that we have done an exceptional job or have achieved success.

At The Fire Emporium we offer you a wide selection of trophies, plaques, presentation axes, prints, bells, watches and statues to fit any budget.

Not sure what to say? If you need some ideas we can also help you with wording of phrases for your engraving message.

Awards Products - trophies, plaques, presentation axes, bells, pike pole, prints, watches & statues.

Becky Harmata

The Fire Emporium

Toll Free: 1-866-832-1468

Fax: 1-250-769-3588

Email: info@fireemporium.com

Web: http://www.fireemporium.com/

Firefighter Gifts & Novelties - Canada & USA

At The Fire Emporium we carry an excellent selection of firefighter branded merchandise which make ideal gifts for Birthdays, Christmas, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Graduation, Retirement, or just because.

We offer convenient 24/7 shopping through our secure online website to fit into your hectic lifestyle.

We carry firefighter merchandise such as signs, sunglasses, garden frogs, Christmas decorations & ornaments, drink ware, pewter key chains & bottle openers, , knives, tin gift sets, watches, prints, and apparel for the whole family!

We also created Firefighter Baby Gift Baskets which make a unique gift for the departments newest recruit!

Visit us online at www.fireemporium.com to view our full catalogue of products!

Becky Harmata

The Fire Emporium

Toll Free: 866-832-1468

Fax: 250-769-3588

Email: info@fireemporium.com

Web: http://www.fireemporium.com/

Fire Department Promotional Items - Canada & USA

We carry a great selection of firefighter merchandise to present to your crew at banquets, as Christmas Gifts and/or for giveaways to your suppliers or throughout your community.

Have your departments’ information/message or logo printed on any of these fine products.

We carry pad folios, belt buckles, travel mugs, magnets, blankets, bags, sports bottles, flashlight sets, tool sets, bar-b-q sets, pocket knives and stainless steel travel gift sets.

Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
Fax: 250-769-3588
Email: info@fireemporium.com
Web: http://www.fireemporium.com/

Firefighter Prints - Canada & USA

Firefighter Prints illustrate the artist’s thoughts and perceptions on paper that capture the attention of the Fire Service everywhere.

Prints by BC Firefighter and artist Greg Martin and fire artist Jodi Monroe make excellent awards or gifts.

Our Firefighter Prints become a conversation piece for your home, office or Firehall.

Becky Harmata

The Fire Emporium

Toll Free: 866-832-1468

Fax: 250-769-3588

Email: info@fireemporium.com

Web: http://www.fireemporium.com/

Firefighter Branded Apparel - Canada & USA

At The Fire Empourium we carry firefighter branded clothing for the entire family.

Infants, kids, men’s and ladies wear by quality brand names such as StormTech, Gildan, King Fashions and Flexfit.

Share the pride you have for your firefighter with others. Great for gifts or just because.

We carry hoodies, men’s t-shirts, ladies t-shirts, youth t-shirts, kids t-shirts, infant t-shirts, baseball hats, toques, track pants, youth sweatshirt, youth sweatpants, lounge pants, infant onsies, infant bibs, infant receiving blankets, fleece jackets, shorts and sleeveless t-shirts.
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Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
Fax: 250-769-3588
Email: info@fireemporium.com
Web: http://www.fireemporium.com/

Fire Prevention Week Products - Fire Fighter Gifts

At Fire Empourium we can customize educational promotional products for Fire & Life Safety programs.

All products can display a fire safety message reminding kids of all ages to stay safe and can be customized with your departments’ information, logo and/or personal safety message.

We carry pens, pencils, ribbons, balloons, stress balls, yo-yo’s, carabineers, Magnets, tattoos, Frisbees, key chains, erasers, rulers, paddle games, & beach balls.

Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
Fax: 250-769-3588
Email: info@fireemporium.com
Web: http://www.fireemporium.com/

LINKS TO SITES OF INTEREST TO THE FIREFIGHTING COMMUNITY

Fire Chief's Association of BC
British Columbia Fire Training Officers Association
Volunteer Firefighters' Association of British Columbia
Justice Institute of BC
Fire Fighting in Canada Magazine
Canadian Firefighter and EMS Quarterly
Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs
Canadian Fire Safety Association
Fire Prevention Canada
Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC)
Fire Research Network
International Association of Firefighters
First Nations' Emergency Services Society of BC
Muscular Dystrophy Canada
Canada911.ca
BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund