"News" in the world of Public Safety...
If you have any "news" to add email dennis@offdutynetwork.com
December 2007
December 28
Tom Sines (Marietta Fire) is the proud papa of a baby boy born 1915 hrs, approx 7 lbs 4 oz and 20 inches long. His name is Zachary. Mom and Dad are doing well at Kennestone.
December 27
Bob Foran (Cobb Fire Department) is recovering well from his motorcycle accident and is scheduled to be released from the hospital January 5th. If you haven't read his website lately click on the link below.
www.bobforan.com/December 27
FF Tony Smith (Cobb County Fire Dept) died due to Kidney Failure yesterday evening. Please keep Tony’s family in your thoughts and prayers, during this holiday season.
December 13
It is with deepest regret to announce FF/EMT Jim Hambrick (Forest Park Fire Department) succumbed to a long battle with cancer. He is survived by wife-Mandy and two small girls Abby and Chloe. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.
December 8
Andrew Whetstine, the son of Gwinnett County
Firefighter John Whetstine, was born on August 19, 2005 with a mutated
chromosome called Mowat-Wilson Syndrome. Andrew will have a life time of
problems with every day functions that we take for granted such as talking and
walking.
Andrew has spent a lot of time in the hospital, he was hospitalized for the
first twenty five days of his life, and then subsequently for complications and
infections due to his numerous birth defects.
Currently Andrew has an average of ten appointments per week.
The medical bills are already in the millions, and although insurance covers
some of them; there are a great-deal of expenses that the family must incur. It
is very hard for them emotionally and financially. Andrew's father works seven
days a week and his Mom is unable to work because she must care for him.
Please help the Hold the Rope Foundation to help support this community member
who needs our support. All funds raised during this process are being donated to
the care of Andrew and to help his family!
http://12days12ways
The Whetstine's, got their van in June of 2000. It was new and they got it on a lease. They liked it a lot, so in July of 2004, they refinanced it for another 5 years. That October, Kim had a high impact wreck to the front end. She was at fault and it did 11,000 worth of damage. The front in has not been the same. They can not get the alignment right and so it wears tires real bad. A few months later, the transmission went out and Insurance would not pay because they said that the accident could not have damaged the transmission. I know that the transmission cooler was destroyed in the wreck. They still have a hard time getting it to go into park. The driver's seat frame is bent and they said that they have done that best they can on it. This causes pain in the arms and back of whoever is driving van, which is mostly Kim. The seat belt sensors are not working at all and there are a few dash lights that are out. The worst thing is that they still owe $8,000 on it. It is not very handicap friendly for when Andrew gets a little bit older. The van also has approximately 140,000 miles.
December 7
From Kevin Lewis (Cobb Fire) concerning Jared Carson (Cobb Fire)
Please pass on to the members of the MFD and the ODN the immense gratitude from the members of the CCFD and the Carson Family and to all that attended the Manly Night Out and contributed in any way to this effort. We ended up raising right at $15,000 that night. To us this was an astronomical number which well surpassed what we had predicted. Every bit of this money has been disbursed as of 12/4. This would not have been possible without the support from our Fire Service Family, members of several police agencies, and numerous others with no affiliation to public safety at all. As I write this they are on the beach in Maui, HI having no doubt an awesome time.
Again thanks to you and everyone!!
PS For anyone that still needs a T-Shirt. They are still available.