The Station Commander at Kgetlengrivier Fire & Emergency Service, Pieter Becker, passed away on 8 June 2010. Mr. Becker was not only our commander but also a friend and to many of us a father figure. He will be missed by all who had the privileged of working with him. Myself learned so much from him I [...] [...more]
The Station Commander at Kgetlengrivier Fire & Emergency Service, Pieter Becker, passed away on 8 June 2010. Mr. Becker was not only our commander but also a friend and to many of us a father figure. He will be missed by all who had the privileged of working with him. Myself learned so much from him I will never forget what he taught me. Our prayers and thoughts will be with his family for ever. RIP sir till we meet again
It’s been a long time since I posted anything. Will try my best to finish of some real interesting topics soon. Due to the thousands of spam messages that came through I was forced to block this blog. Please do register and post commends as you like.
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It’s been a long time since I posted anything. Will try my best to finish of some real interesting topics soon. Due to the thousands of spam messages that came through I was forced to block this blog. Please do register and post commends as you like.
It is with great sadness that I’m writing this post. One of our fire fighters David Teme at Kgetlengrivier Fire Dept. past away on Saturday the 30th January 2010. He was off duty when traveling in his vehicle when a donkey step in front of his vehicle. We surely will mis him. Our thoughts and [...] [...more]
It is with great sadness that I’m writing this post. One of our fire fighters David Teme at Kgetlengrivier Fire Dept. past away on Saturday the 30th January 2010. He was off duty when traveling in his vehicle when a donkey step in front of his vehicle. We surely will mis him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones. RIP David “Skilpad”
The Maltese cross is known around the world as a symbol of the fire service. It is often seen painted on fire trucks, on the clothing of firefighters, depicted on firefighters badges, and is quite often the chosen design of firefighter tattoos. So where did the Maltese cross come from, and how did it get [...] [...more]
The Maltese cross is known around the world as a symbol of the fire service. It is often seen painted on fire trucks, on the clothing of firefighters, depicted on firefighters badges, and is quite often the chosen design of firefighter tattoos. So where did the Maltese cross come from, and how did it get to be known as a symbol of the fire service? The Badge of a Fire Fighter is the Maltese Cross. The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection and a badge of honor. Its story is hundreds of years old.
When a courageous band of crusaders known as Knights of St. John fought the Saracens for possessi on of the holy land, they encountered a new weapon unknown to European warriors. It was a simple, but horrible device of war. It wrought excruciating pain and agonizing death upon the brave fighters for the cross. The Saracens weapon was fire. As the crusaders advanced on the walls of the city, they were struck by glass bombs containing naphtha. When they became saturated with the highly flammable liquid, the Saracens hurled a flaming torch into their midst. Hundreds of the knights were burned alive; others risked their lives to save their brothers-in-arms from dying painful, fiery deaths.
Thus, these men became our first Fire Fighters and the first of a long list of courageous Fire Fighters. Their heroic efforts were recognized by fellow crusaders who awarded each hero a badge of honor-a cross similar to the one fire fighters wear today. Since the Knights of St. John lived for close to four centuries on a little island in the Mediterranean Sea named Malta, the cross came to be known as the Maltese Cross.The Maltese Cross is your symbol of protection. It means that the Fire Fighter who wears this cross is willing to lay down his life for you just as the crusaders sacrificed their lives for their fellow man so many years ago. The Maltese Cross is a Fire Fighter’s badge of honor, signifying that he works in courage…a ladder rung away from death.
The Dalmatian is believed to have its origin in a coastal province of the Austrian Empire called Dalmatia, known today as Croatia, around 1300 A.D. It was from this area that the breed received its [...] [...more]
The Dalmatian is believed to have its origin in a coastal province of the Austrian Empire called Dalmatia, known today as Croatia, around 1300 A.D. It was from this area that the breed received its name. The Dalmatian’s spotted legacy is recorded in ancient Italian and Egyptian art. It was in the ancient Egyptian art that the spotted dog was depicted accompanying chariots.
Dalmatians were imported into England in the 18th century, where they became very well liked and known. Through the years the Dalmatian has served many duties. They have been used as draft, shepherd, and hunting dogs by farmers and in wartime as sentinel and attack dogs. However, the most popular use was as a coach dog. The aristocratic lords of England naturally adopted their distinctive and dignified appearance. Many coaches had one or more Dalmatians in attendance. The dogs would ride next to the coachman or trot under the front or rear axle or between the horses. Their natural stamina, speed and agility made them ideal companion to the horses and coach. Their protective instincts were a great asset to the coach’s occupants, especially while traveling in the less desirable areas of the country.
During the period of horse drawn fire apparatus the Dalmatian’s duties and loyalty insured them a place in the fire service history. The Dalmatian served multiple rolls in the fire service. At the station they would root out the rats, protect the men, horses and equipment from vandals, vagrants and thieves, and be a loyal companion to men and horse. On fire calls they would run with the horse teams to ward off people and dogs from their path. Once on the scene the Dalmatians role was that of guard dog and would keep the horses calm and ward off any unwanted dogs and insure that nothing was stolen from the apparatus.
Today the Dalmatian is considered the firefighters’ companion and the traditional mascot of the fire service. Dalmatians can be found in firehouses around the world, continuing to serve as a guard dog and companion to the firefighters and equipment that adopted them centuries before. Their aristocratic good looks, low maintenance, high energy, unrelenting loyalty and bravery suite them well for the fire service. Dalmatians can still be seen riding fire apparatus as they respond to fire calls.
A firemen’s pole or sliding pole is a wooden pole or a metal tube or pipe installed between floors in fire stations, which was invented in the 1870s by Chicago, Illinois resident David Kenyon, although it is often incorrectly credited to the Boston Fire Department.
Overview
Firefighters usually remain above the ground floor of fire stations until [...] [...more]
A firemen’s pole or sliding pole is a wooden pole or a metal tube or pipe installed between floors in fire stations, which was invented in the 1870s by Chicago, Illinois resident David Kenyon, although it is often incorrectly credited to the Boston Fire Department.
Overview
Firefighters usually remain above the ground floor of fire stations until they receive a call for help, after which they have to move down as quickly as possible. Until 1878, spiral staircases or sliding chutes were common, but not particularly fast. The firemen’s pole allows firefighters to move down much more quickly than before, although it is not suitable for climbing up. The pole is attached to the ground floor, goes through a hole in the ceiling, and is attached as well to the ceiling of the floor above. In order to use a pole, a firefighter must put his/her arms around the pole, step into the hole, and use his/her legs to control the speed of the descent, somewhat similar to the technique used for abseiling.
History of the invention
David Kenyon of Chicago’s Engine Company No. 21 worked in a three-story fire station; the ground floor containing the firefighting equipment, the floor above being the floor for recreation and sleeping, and the top floor being the hayloft which was used to store the winter supply of hay. During transport, the hay was secured to a wagon using a wooden binding pole, which was stored in the hayloft when not in use. Firefighter George Reid slid down the pole to respond to a call for help once, which inspired Captain David Kenyon to create a permanent pole.
In 1878 he convinced the Chief of Department to make the necessary hole in the building and install the pole, after agreeing to pay for any necessary maintenance. The Company crafted a pole out of a Georgia pine beam by shaving and sanding it into a 3″ diameter pole which they gave several coats of varnish and a coat of paraffin.
After being the target of many jokes, people realised Company 21 was usually the first company to arrive when called, especially at night, and the Chief of Department ordered the poles to be installed in all Chicago fire stations. In 1880 the first brass pole was installed in the Boston Fire Department, and the poles become standard equipment all over the United States.
Fire houses were equipped with the brass pole and spiral staircases so the horses would not try to climb the stairs into the living quarters. Spiral staricases were difficult to descend and relatively slow when moving many men down to the wagons. The slide pole was a much more efficient way to move them quickly downstairs. Tradition, which the fire service thrives upon, is why there are still some in existence.
Safety issues
There are a few safety issues: losing grip on a pole can mean falling down from a large height; the firefighter may hit an object such as a door extending from the truck; poor speed control can result in injured or even broken legs upon impact with the ground; and burns can occur due to friction against the pole.
The National Fire Protection Association has called for the removal of all poles from fire stations, due to hazards, and in many cases fire stations now have only one floor, so no pole is even needed. Poles are now relatively scarce in the United States. If I’m not mistaken I’m sure that there is quit a few fire departments in South Africa that still have fireman’s poles. What is a fire station anyway without one?
I’m amazed of how many fire fighters don’t know the history and traditions of the Fire Service, that includes myself. SAESI celebrates their 50th birthday this year and they gave each member a book of the history [...] [...more]
I’m amazed of how many fire fighters don’t know the history and traditions of the Fire Service, that includes myself. SAESI celebrates their 50th birthday this year and they gave each member a book of the history of the Fire Service.
Bagpipe Traditions
Though South Africa didn’t adopt the bagpipe tradition, I was always wondering why the Americans use them at fire department and the police department funerals.
The tradition of bagpipes played at fire departments funerals in the United States goes back over 150 years. When the Irish and Scots immigrated to the US, they brought many of their traditions with them. One of these were the bagpipes, often played at Celtic weddings, funerals and cellis (dances). It wasn’t until the great potato famine and massive Irish immigration to the East Coast of the US that the tradition of the bagpipes took hold in the fire departments. Factories and shops had signs reading “NINA” No Irish Need Apply. The only jobs they could get were the ones no one else wanted - jobs that were dirty, dangerous or both - firefighters and police officers.
The Irish firefighters’ funerals werelike all Irish funerals where the bagpipes were played. Those who have been to funerals when bagpipes play, know how haunting and mournfull the sound of the pipes can be. Before long, families of non-Irish fire fighters began asking pipers to play for these fallen heroes.
Today, the tradition is universal and not just for the Irish or Scots. The pipes have come to be a distinguishing feature of a fallen hero’s funeral.
Source: SAESI
Why are fire engines red?
Most of us would thought that it is because of the colour red represents danger. The most widely accepted reason for this, dates back to the 1800s, a time when there was strong competion between the fire brigades of neighbouring cities and towns. The fire fighters of each brigade took great pride in their pump. Each brigade wanted their rig stand out by the cleanest, having the most brass, or being a regal colour. Because red was the most expensive colour, that’s what colour most crews chose to paint the pump.
Other sources cite the tradition of painting fire engines red going back to the early 1920s. Henry Ford said that that his cars can be any colour aslong as it is black The problem of this is was that all the vehicles on the road was black. The fire departments began to paint their vehicles red in a effort to stand out.
SAESI (South African Emergency Services Institute) are celebrating their 50th birthday. Congratulations SAESI, keep up the good work for the next 50 years.
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SAESI (South African Emergency Services Institute) are celebrating their 50th birthday. Congratulations SAESI, keep up the good work for the next 50 years.
Many people just refuse to wear a safety belt, with the excuse of safety belts killed people. This is a lot of crap!!!!!! Most of the people who said that are smokers, smoking will also [...] [...more]
Many people just refuse to wear a safety belt, with the excuse of safety belts killed people. This is a lot of crap!!!!!! Most of the people who said that are smokers, smoking will also kill you but you still smokes. In our job we saw many people who were killed because they didn’t had their safety belts on, many were saved because of it. SO PLEASE USE YOUR SAFETY BELT, that is why it is installed in you vehicle.
The problem of this is was that all the vehicles on the road was black. The fire departments began to paint their vehicles red in a effort to stand out.