Flash Point
CARROLL COUNTY FIRE RESCUE
Volume 1, Issue 11
Dispatch Run Total
And Percentages
October 2014:
 Beginning Case # 6249
 Ending Case #7053
 Total Case #’s 805
 Roughly 72% of all
calls were EMS
 Roughly 8% of all calls
were Service Calls
 Roughly 4% of all calls
were fire related
 About 3% of all calls
were False Alarm
Inside this issue:
Out of the Blue
Polishing the Badge
2
Fully Involved
Training Report
3 Alarm Kitchen
3
Breast Cancer
Awareness Shirts,
Firefighter II
4
Tanner EAP
Chaplain’s Corner
Birthdays
5
Run Reports
Fire & Life Safety
Years of Service
6
Thanksgiving
Safety,
Spec Committee
7
GPSTC Classes
Training Committee
8
November 2014
Every day we take advantage of the little things including our security and freedom. Our
security and freedom are being secured every day by the men and women of our United
States Military, just the same as it has for over 200 years. Every November 11th we honor
our Veterans who agreed to defend our freedom regardless of the cost. These men and
women deserve our utmost appreciation for the sacrifices they and their families have made.
It is because of them that, “the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave o'er the land of the
free and the home of the brave!” Every day of the year, not just on November 11th, when
you see a veteran or active member of our military shake their hand and tell them thank you
for their service and sacrifices. Carroll County Fire Rescue has many U.S. Military Veterans
that work among us, join me in showing them our appreciation this Veteran’s Day.
Fire Chief Scott Blue – Air Force
Battalion Captain Myron Miller – Navy
Lieutenant Richard Gardner – Air Force
Firefighter Chaplain Steven Stapleton – Army
Firefighter Rusty Lambert – Air Force
Firefighter David Adams – Army
Firefighter Matt Adair – Army
Firefighter Scott Beutjer – Marines
Firefighter Kevin Crawley – Marines
Firefighter Lee Marcello – Air Force
Firefighter Neil Ward – Army
Firefighter Dustin Patterson - Navy
Firefighter Cruz Lake – Army National Guard
Firefighter Randy Ginn – Air Force and Army
Flash Point
Page 2
OUT OF THE BLUE
Carroll County Fire
Rescue Fire Chief
Scott Blue
I would like to begin this month’s article by praising the efforts of Carroll County
firefighters during October. You provided some outstanding fire safety programs to our
schools, which are already being applauded by both the students and the educators. In
addition, last month we were able to raise $800 for the Tanner Foundation through the
sale of our breast cancer awareness shirts. The firefighters of Carroll County have
continued to raise the bar, by providing not only outstanding fire protection, but are
truly adding to the “serving” portion of our job through service to our citizens. For all of
your efforts I want to say thank you!
November brings with it Thanksgiving, and we all have many things in which to be
thankful. I could probably fill the whole newsletter if I were to expand on everything I am thankful for
in the past year. First off, I am thankful to be able to serve a God that understands that I am not perfect,
and accepts me despite my shortcomings. I often reflect how we as mortals are quick to point out the
faults in others, yet are often blind to our own disabilities. I challenge you to find ways to become more
accepting of others, and to look at the situation through their eyes prior to making judgment.
Secondly, I am thankful for my family. Without the support of my family I would never be where I
am today. The fire service takes its toll on a firefighter’s family life! In order for a firefighter to maintain
enthusiasm for his profession it requires the support and understanding of his family. It is especially
important during this time of the year. As holidays approach, there are often family gatherings or events
which we cannot make due to our work schedules. This can cause even more strain on relationships
with our families. It takes a special commitment by family members to stay by our sides and support us
in the job we all love. Please be sure to tell your family that you are appreciative of their continued
support.
In addition to our blood family we all have our other families which are important. The fire service to
me has always been an extension of my family. I consider each and every one of you as brothers in our
profession. I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to be associated with the men and women who
call themselves “firefighters.”
I am sure that each of you can find many things in which you are thankful. Many times we get caught
up in things of the world that upset us (and are often out of our control). I challenge each of you to
spend some time and reflect on the positive things that are happening in your life and be thankful for
them. In addition, make a point to tell those around you “thank you” for the things they are doing each
day.
Stay safe and God bless,
Scott W. Blue
Polishing the Badge
There were no specific incidents reported to me of Polishing the Badge during October. However it is apparent
that many hours was spent in fire safety education training by many members of the department. For fear of
accidently leaving someone off the list who participated, I am not going to attempt to list every name. You and
your coworkers know who participated more importantly those who were the recipients of your training know you
took the time to teach them something which hopefully they can take with them the rest of their lives. If you in any
way planned, scheduled, conducted, built props, or were a member of our department who participated in any
way for fire prevention month, you are the recipient of this month’s “Polishing the Badge” award!
Please keep in mind, e-mail incidents to me of polishing the badge.
Deputy Chief Benefield
Volume 1, Issue 11
Page 3
The end of the year holidays are upon us. This is the time of year that many people look forward to when
families come together for food, fellowship, and football. The fire department family is no different in many
aspects. We come together for food and fellowship as well but we also come together to train and save lives
and property. Our department has made some giant leaps forward and doing so has brought us all closer
together. The strength of our Brotherhood is growing with every shift. Morale is higher than it has been in
many years and camaraderie is not just a word we can now spell correctly but a representation of
Carroll County Fire Rescue.
With the holidays quickly approaching this is the time of year to make the public aware of cooking dangers
and the dangers of heating homes with fireplaces and wood burning stoves. It doesn’t matter how often we
educate the public on the dangers of frying a frozen turkey in the turkey fryer in the living room while
watching football, there will always be someone that does it anyway. Regardless, every year we still need to
relay the message because the message will eventually get through and word will spread that using a turkey
fryer indoors is a bad idea. Once the cold weather sets in it’s too late to clean the chimney of last year’s soot
and creosote buildup. Once the fire is extinguished on the chimney fire, take time to educate. Educating the
public is a never ending task and the fire service gladly accepts it.
During this holiday season take a moment to remember those that aren’t as fortunate. Take a moment to be
thankful for those serving our country so that we may have our food, fellowship, and football. Take a
moment to be thankful for our safe and healthy families. Stay focused, have your brother’s back, lift each
other up, and Stay Safe Brothers.
Lieutenant David Harmon
Training Report
October being “Fire Safety month” traditionally involves most everyone in the department in some way conducting Fire Safety
Education to the general public. Whether it be planning, preparing, scheduling or actually conducting the programs, your efforts
will pay dividends in lives saved in our community. Programs were conducted for libraries, senior groups, and of course in our
public and private schools. This year we were able to partner with the local fire safety coalition for programs targeted to
elementary school groups. The programs were very well received by the schools and we anticipate the demand for this type
training to be greater in the future. A very special THANK YOU to anyone involved in any way. The giving of your talents to
educate any person regardless of age is, in my opinion what our jobs are really all about, after all the worst fire is the one we
could have prevented; education is the key.
Deputy Chief Bud Benefield
Two Timing Pasta
DIRECTIONS:
INGREDIENTS:
1 box penne pasta
1 (15 oz.) jar Alfredo sauce
1 (24 oz.) jar Marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Cook pasta according to directions and drain. Mix the sauces in a
large bowl. Add the mozzarella and stir to combine. The toss in
the penne and toss to coat. Pour pasta into 9x13 baking dish and
cook on 350 for 20-25 mins. Remove from oven and sprinkle with
shredded parmesan cheese and bake for another 5 mins.
Page 4
Flash Point
Breast Cancer Awareness T-shirts A Success In Its First Year
October was Breast Cancer Awareness month and Carroll County Fire Rescue helped in the fight locally by
designing a breast cancer t-shirt and selling them with proceeds going to Tanner Medical Foundation’s
Mammogram Assistance Fund. We sold 279 CCFR breast cancer t-shirts to Carroll County employees and
to the general public with roughly $800 being donated. This money will help local women afford the cost
of mammograms. Getting a high-quality screening mammogram and having a clinical breast exam on a
regular basis are the most effective ways to detect breast cancer early. Early detection of breast cancer with
screening mammography means that treatment can be started earlier in the course of the disease, possibly
before it has spread. Results from randomized clinical trials and other studies show that screening
mammography can help reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer among women ages 40 to 74,
especially for those over age 50. Thank you to everyone who participated in this great cause. Thank you to
Deputy Chief Tad Richardson and Lieutenant David Harmon for spear heading this project. Their hard
work and determination help make this project a success in its first year. Also, a huge thank you to
Betty Boatright and her staff at Stitches Galore and More for all their help in making a superior product
with such a quick turnaround.
Firefighter II Testing
NPQ Firefighter II testing is scheduled for Thursday, November 20th, 2014 In order to challenge
NPQ testing on this date, the departmental Firefighter II taskbook along with the state and departmental requirements must be completed. Since Firefighter II is a self- paced program verification of
all training requirements is required prior to being approved to test. This includes the following;
Completion of the study guide questions (Must be completed and turned in to me at headquarters
by Nov. 10th, 2014 in order to be graded and returned for study purposes)
Verification of training requirements, meeting with me to insure all requirements have been met and
listing on the prerequisite form.
Completed GFSTC Firefighter taskbook including all dates and signatures.
Personnel who are unable to complete the above listed items to prior to the week of testing will be
scheduled for another FF test site at a later date after the requirements have been met.
If you need assistance please contact me at headquarters during normal business hours I will be glad
to assist in any way I can. As always if you should have questions feel free to contact me.
Deputy Chief Bud Benefield
Birthdays:
Volume 1, Issue 11
Page 5
November
Tanner EAP
FF Michael J Willingham - 11/7
Tanner EAP is not just for counseling after stressful incidents. It is an assistance program that is
Lt Eric Parr - 11/7
designed to help in identifying & resolving issues that affect the workplace. Health & wellness, stress
Lt Chad Morris - 11/11
Lt Michael Hopson - 11/15
management, alcohol or drug problems, depression, grief & bereavement, martial separation or divorce,
finance & budgeting and legal concerns are just a few issues that EAP personnel can assist you with.
Whatever you share with EAP is strictly confidential and
Deputy Chief Tad Richardson- 11/20
will not be transmitted to anyone without your written consent.
Batt Capt Jerry Eason - 11/28
No one has to know that you are seeing a counselor; you can
FF Thomas Howes - 11/29
FF Brandon Puccio - 11/29
If anyone was left out, contact me
and they will be included next
month.
contact EAP directly to set up an appointment. This service is
Free to you and your dependent family members through a contract between Carroll County and Tanner Health System. Set up an appointment today by calling 770-834-8327.
Chaplain’s Corner
Goats and Sheep
Do you know the difference?
The Bible describes the truly saved ones as sheep. But it also speaks of goats among the
sheep. The difference between the two is tremendous. Have you considered how you fit into
one of these categories, sheep or goat?
(1) Goats eat trash.
(2) Goats are arrogant.
(3) Goats are aggressive against others.
(4) Goats jump the fence regularly.
(5) Goats are usually in a bad mood.
The core message of the Parable of the Sheep and Goats is that God’s people will love
others. Good works will result from our relationship to the Shepherd. Followers of Christ
will treat others with kindness, serving them as if they were serving Christ Himself. The
unregenerate live in the opposite manner. While “goats” can indeed perform acts of kindness
and charity, their hearts are not right with God, and their actions are not for the right purpose –
to honor and worship God.
Submit your
Ideas
Got something you want to see in
the next issue of “Flash Point”?
Submit stories, photos,
ideas, or questions to
Lieutenant David Harmon at
[email protected]
Matthew 25: 31-34
31 When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his
glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people
one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep
on his right and the goats on his left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, Come,
you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since
the creation of the world.
Love you all! May God bless you and your family. As we start the holiday season, remember
to take time with your family and friends. We only get one shot at this life; take advantage of it.
Love and live like it is your last day.
Chaplain Stapleton
Carroll County Fire Rescue
Chaplain Program
Steven R. Stapleton
Waston Rigsby
Jason Westbrook
Stations 1,6,7,14
Stations 4,5,8,12
Stations 2,3,9,15,16
770-853-4375
770-854-6001
404-975-7140
Volume 1, Issue 11
Carroll County
Fire Rescue
Page 6
Fire House Run Report October 2014
Fires (building, woods, etc.)
22
EMS & Rescue
382
Hazardous Conditions
14
Service Calls
42
Canceled/No Incident Found
38
False Alarms, etc.
16
Severe Weather
501 Old Newnan
Road Carrollton, GA
30117
7
Phone: 770-830-5880
Fax: 770-830-5984
Fire House Run Report Per Station October 2014
Station 1
18
Station 5
36
Station 9
108
Station 2
50
Station 6
57
Station 12
11
Station 3
61
Station 7
16
Station 14
10
Station 4
21
Station 8
30
Station 15
33
Station 16
55
Serving Today For
a Safer Tomorrow
These numbers will not be accurate if reports aren’t entered into Firehouse or are entered incorrectly.
Georgia Public Fire and Life Safety Educator Level I with
Day Care Provider Training
In conjunction with the Georgia Fire Academy we will be offering the class Georgia
Public Fire and Life Safety Educator Level I with Day Care Provider. This is the 40
hour course taught by GPSTC staff off campus here in our department. There are NO
prerequisites for this class and the class is open to all personnel. The newly scheduled
dates for the training are; Monday, December 1st, 2014 thru Friday, December 5th,
2014 beginning at 0800 hrs. each day. We will announce the class location as soon as
we are able to confirm the classroom space. Since we are limited in the number of
personnel we can send, preregistration and a completed student authorization along
with a training request is required in order to attend. If you should have questions do
not hesitate to contact Deputy Chief Bud Benefield.
Years of Service
Lieutenant Micheal Hopson - 22 yrs
Lieutenant Richard Gardner - 19 yrs
Firefighter Wesley Cook - 14 yrs
Firefighter Josh Davison - 7 yrs
Firefighter Matthew Adair - 9 yrs
Firefighter Dennis Albright - 9 yrs
Lieutenant T. J. Ward - 6 yrs
Firefighter Brian Golden - 2 yrs
Firefighter Daniel Sewell - 2 yrs
Fire Service Facts
Respectable







U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire
Incident Reporting System and NFPA’s
annual fire department experience survey.
Honorable
Honest
Admirable
Decorous
Noble
Distinguished
Creditable
Volume 1, Issue 11
Page 7
Future Firefighter
Congratulations to Firefighter Nic Turner and his wife Lauren on the birth of their son, Luca Carlo Turner.
Luca Carlo was named after his grandfather who was retired Special Forces and a retired Firefighter. The
future firefighter came into the world on November 1st, weighing in at 6 pounds 7 ounces and 20 inches
long. Mom and baby boy are doing great.
Fleet Spec Committee
On November 5th Carroll County Fire Rescue placed an order for two new Engines and two new Brush
Trucks. The Spec Committee received quotes from several different manufacturers with Sutphen winning
the bid for the Engines and Fouts Brothers winning the bid for the Brush Trucks. This will be the first new
Engines and Brush Trucks purchased by our department in many years. Thank you to our Spec
Committee and to our Chiefs for your commitment to this much needed project. The Spec Committee
members are:
Division Chief Kelly Jacobs
Firefighter/Mechanic Mike Tucker
Lieutenant Nick Harmon
Lieutenant Clay Kierbow
Lieutenant Eric Parr
Firefighter Scott McCormick
Firefighter Darren Edwards
Firefighter Aaron Polk
Volume 1, Issue 11
Page 8
GPSTC TRAINING COURSES
Course Name
Course Number Start Date End Date
Location
Online/ classroom
Time
NIMS IS300
FFAF14467
11/7/14 11/8/14
ELLIJAY, GA
Classroom
8:00am
NIMS IS400
FFAF14424
11/7/14 11/8/14
ELLIJAY, GA
Classroom
8:00am
PIPLINE EMERGENCIES
FFAA14428 11/12/14 11/13/14
GPSTC
Classroom
8:00am
COMMAND & GENERAL STAFF
FFAF14333 11/17/14 11/21/14
WAYCROSS, GA
Classroom
8:00am
FFAF14531 11/17/14 11/21/14 BRYANT COUNTY, GA
Classroom
8:00am
BASIC VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER
CERTIFICATION
FFAB14423
12/1/14 12/12/14
GPSTC
Classroom
8:00am
COMMAND OPS OF PIPELINE
EMERGENCIES
FFAA14504
12/3/14 12/3/14
SANDY SPRING, GA
Classroom
8:00am
PRACTICAL FIRE GROUND
HYDRAULICS
FFAA14480
12/4/14 12/5/14
GPSTC
Classroom
8:00am
STRUCTURAL FIRE CONTROL
INSTRUCTOR
FFAA14486
12/8/14 12/10/14
GPSTC
Classroom
8:00am
BASIC FIREFIGHTER CERTIFICATION
FFAB15011
1/8/14
GPSTC
Classroom
8:00am
TEACHING METHODS OF FIRE & LIFE
SAFETY
2/27/14
Training Committee
The Driver/Engineer task book has been completed and is ready for release. The Career Professional development chart is in
the process of being formatted into a spread sheet type document it should be ready for review by the training committee in
the near future. Both documents will be incorporated into our SOG’s and will provide guidance for departmental personnel
in their professional career paths whether it is volunteer or career. As always if you have suggestions, ideas or simply need
information contact any member of the training committee for your input. Currently those members are;
Deputy Chief Bud Benefield
Deputy Chief Tad Richardson
Lt. Michael Hopson - A-Shift officer
Lt. - B Shift - Open
Capt. Jon Miller – C - Shift officer
Firefighter – A shift - Open
Scott McCormick – Firefighter – B shift
Bo Jackson – Firefighter - C shift
Volunteer Firefighter – Open
Michael Tucker – Firefighter/ Vehicle Maintenance
We currently have openings on the training committee. If you are interested in serving on the training committee please
let your Battalion Captain know you would like to serve. They can in turn notify me and I can add you to the e-mail
notification listing.
CCFR window decals are available for purchase for $2.50
To purchase a decal or have questions contact
Firefighter Jordan Phillips
Cell: (678)590-7486 Email: [email protected]