Thoughts From the Tailboard
Here it is, September already, our brains are trying to change from the hot summer days to cooler fall days. In Rapid City this summer has been one of the hottest on record and as I write this, we are over five ½ inches short of our normal rainfall. My yard shows a lack of moisture, and my water bill does too. The National Weather Service has just released the info that July was the hottest month ever in the lower 48 states. I sure know it was a long hot July. I’m not going to use the “s” word at this point for that other type of moisture.
In last month’s article I said at our monthly Saturday morning training one of our new members asked me how he could become a better firefighter? How could he contribute more to the department? He’s completed Firefighter I and II, Wildland basic, etc. What made me think was how do I answer him? What do I say to this very motivated firefighter who has their feet on the ground? We met and talked. I’m sure every one of you will have your own ideas and thoughts, here is what I said. Of course, take all the training you can. There is no such thing as worthless or bad training. Maybe the trainer wasn’t particularly good, but hopefully the subject matter is. Learn all you can about each truck. Learn how to start, run, draft, get the most out of each truck and pump. Play mind games when you go by a reasonable structure in your area. If that garage were on fire, what would you do? How would you attack the fire? Around the fire hall, are the trucks plugged in? Are the water coolers emptied after that last fire? These aren’t big things, just simple items that help you become more valuable to your department.
The South Dakota Firefighters Association Fall Conference is October 2, 3 and 4. Instructors are lined up and ready, registration open and all the useful info is on the webpage. Remember it will be at the Pete Lien Public Shooting Range, ten miles north of Exit 61 on I-90. Last month I said there was a little gravel, now it has been black topped all the way. No gravel, so feel free to bring your motorcycle, your spouse’s new car or whatever. It’s good oil as our department was just on a grass fire past the shooting range a couple of weeks ago.
Also, the SD FireFighters Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service will be on Sunday September 27 at 1 p.m. CDT at the Capital Lake in Pierre. Come and pay your respects to those fellow South Dakota Firefighters who have died in the line of duty. We always say we will not forget them, we will keep them in our hearts. This is the time that you can take a couple of hours out and keep your promise to those firefighters. We will be adding Nick Van Dam’s name to the memorial.
As I finish this month’s mindless wandering, the Sturgis Rally is winding down, the temperatures are winding down, the amount of sunshine is winding down, and my ambition is winding down. Do you suppose there is some connection?
Take care, be safe.
Denny Gorton