"News" in the world of Public Safety...

 

If you have any  "news" to add email dennis@offdutynetwork.com

 

January 2007

 

January 23

Today is the two month mark since our brother Steven Solomon sustained fatal injuries while serving the City of Atlanta. For two months we have grieved and tried to learn from this tragedy. We have learned a lot. Not only in how we fight fire, but in how we respond when a brother goes down. Our organization, Firefighters Emerald Society of Metropolitan Atlanta (FESMA), even in it's current weakened state, was able to stand tall and do the work that we set out to do back in 1999. We raised an incredible amount of money to support the Solomon family. We had no idea that we could do this, but we did.  Today, it was my great pleasure to turn the money that we raised - every single penny of it - over to the Solomon family. We made a grieving widow smile and be able to face the future with just a little more confidence. I pledged to be there for her when she needs us.  The account has been closed. Any future donations will be handled on a case-by-case basis.  Our organization is important! I ask you to stand with us and not let this noble society fail. We need your help to keep this organization strong. Please help us to be there when the next brother goes down.  Please come to the next FESMA meeting on February 15th and become an active member. We need YOU!

Keith Schumacher
President Emeritus
Firefighters Emerald Society of Metropolitan Atlanta

 

January 20

Information on "Dru-appalooza"

 

January 19

Ed Bayley, retired Marietta Firefighter Engineer, is in Emory Hospital after cancer surgery. Ed's surgery was the 18th, with an expected 24 hours in ICU. He should be an inpatient for about 10 days. Since I am not a "family member" an update has not been able to be obtained at this time.  I'll pass on something as soon as I can get the information. Ed's in room E 528. Phone number for the hospital is 404-712-2000. Make sure you spell BAYLEY, or they will tell you he is not there. Ed's a pretty tough old bird, but keep him in your prayers please.

 

January 11

Hello everyone.  This is to give you a rundown of the events for the fundraiser for Andrew West.  So far things are rolling along, but I will need lots of help to pull this off.  This is going to be HUGE We are having "DRU-APPALOOZA" on Feb. 10th.

I have gotten permission to use Cowboys Concert Hall as the venue.  We are in the process of finding entertainment right now.  We will be having a motorcycle show, a classic car show and an apparatus show in the parking lot that day.  Things will get started with a ride/parade that morning.  All motorcycles and classic cars are welcome to do the ride with a $20 entry fee.  I am hoping to have a couple of fire apparatus and other public safety vehicles leading the way.  This will allow Dru to ride with us in the fire truck.  The ride will start at Hobgood park and go out Kellogg Creek Rd, out New Hope Rd, through Red Top Mountain park, then down 41 to Cowboys.  We are going to have several activities for the kids including the inflatable slides, jumping inflatable's, and possibly a rock climbing wall.  There will be a Casino group inside the club with their tables set up for everyone to play.  We will be auctioning off items throughout the day.  We are also planning a reverse raffle.  I have gotten 2 Harley-Davidson motorcycles to raffle off.  We are going to limit the number of tickets to 1000.  The tickets will be sold for $100.  With that $100 you get a t-shirt, lunch, and a chance to win a scooter.  2 winners out of a thousand isn't bad!!!!!!!!!!
We have gotten food donations and will be grilling on site.  Those folks that participate in the ride will get a t-shirt and lunch.

Things we need...

people to sell tickets
people to help at the beginning of the ride
people to set up the club and the parking lot at Cowboys
a large grill to do the cooking and COOKS
a generator or two
donations for the auction (autographed stuff, motorcycle parts and
accessories, etc.)
people to take care of the t-shirts
people to collect the donations
Basically, I need people to volunteer to help that day!!!!!!!
food donations
drink donations (water, coke, Pepsi, tea, etc)
members of the Iron Pigs, Red Knights, HOG members or any other motorcycle
group to contact me!!!!!!
members of any car clubs to contact me
Help from S.O. to lead the ride/parade and block traffic for the riders...
the fire safety house
the swat team and K9 units
any apparatus available

We are also attempting to establish the Cherokee Firefighters' Fund.  This fund will be similar to the Gold Shield Society. It will be available in situations like this.  Our firefighters will be able to apply during times of hardship and this fund will be there to help take care of initial costs, like mortgages, car payments, etc.  25% of the total earnings of this fundraiser will go into the new fund.  This fund will not take the place of future fund raisers, but will give us a reserve for any initial costs.  We are also trying to get the fund set up so all firefighters can donate to it monthly.  The idea of donating time into a "BANK" has also been kicked around.

For those of you that don't think you can afford to buy a raffle ticket, there are lots of firefighters out there that are willing to shave their heads for a small donation.  THAT'S RIGHT, BROTHERS AND SISTERS!!!!  'TIS THE SEASON TO BE...  LESS HAIRY!!!!

With that being said, we need clippers and razors for the event.  The last event brought more than  $27,000 just by shaving heads alone.  We shaved over a hundred firefighters that day, so we need lots of clippers and razors.

I could go on with this for ever.  It is going to be a large event.  I am open to ALL suggestions and I definitely need help.  We have several people working on this right now, but there are plenty of things to do. 

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE ------- SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH

DRU NEEDS US.  LET'S NOT LET HIM DOWN.

Please contact email - sgibbs@cherokeega.com or call my cell 404-557-7196.

Thanks for your time,

Sgt. Shannon Gibbs
Station 7 B shift

 

January 2

Shane West (Medcon here at Cherokee, medic, maybe supervisor, over at metro in Cobb county) has three kids- 11yo girl, 8yo boy, 6yo boy. They were out shopping a few days ago when his youngest said he had a bad headache, so they headed home. The kid vomited, then felt much better. The next day the same thing happened- bad headache then vomiting and relief. Shane took him into Scottish rite last night, where they discovered a golf-ball sized tumor on his brain stem with an artery attached to it. It is preventing the drainage of CSF and causing neuro problems. They wanted to do surgery tomorrow (with in 48 hours of discovery!) but have now discovered with that artery, as well as the buildup of CSF that they need to put in something (not a shunt- but similar function) to help drain the fluid. Surgery is now scheduled for this coming Friday- and the top Pedi neuron docs have given him a 60% chance of even surviving the surgery. They will test it for cancer once they get it out- if they can get it all out. They are very concerned with the artery on it, and Shane's grandpa died about 5-6 years ago of brain cancer.  Shane works two full time jobs to make ends meet as a single dad, and this happening just days after Christmas makes it that much more bitter. Please pass along to pray for Andrew West- he is down at Scottish Rite.