THE FIREHOUSE SCENEis a publication of the

Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District

The Firehouse Scene - Page 12www.harlemroscoefire.com

September 2018 Fire Chief Don Shoevlin Editor Sheryl Drost

Commercial FirePage 3

Training Pages 4-7

CRUNCH TIME Vehicle Extrication Training, Symposium, & Challenge

September 28th – 30th 2018 Course Description: This three day event is geared toward NEW rescue personnel interested in obtaining vehicle extrication training. This event will consist of a classroom session on Friday evening, practical skills workshop on Saturday in vehicle extrication using hand tools and hydraulics. This class will consist of scenario based evolutions. Sunday will consist of a sanctioned extrication challenge using hand and hydraulic tools. Teams will consist of a minimum of 5 personnel to a maximum of 6. One captain and four or five squad members will be allowed to participate.

Highlights: Friday: Classroom session 1800 to 2100 hrs @ St #3 “Incident Command” At Motor Vehicle Accidents Saturday HOT @ Erickson’s Auto & Salvage Yard Hand Tool Pit Scenario Based Training Evolution- with Hydraulics Heavy Lifting bag Workshop Sunday: Vehicle Extrication Challenge @ HRFD #3 COST: $200 per team Sat. - HOT – Extrication Training @ Erickson Auto 4917 Prairie Hill Rd. Roscoe.IL Sun - Extrication challenge @ HRFPD Station #3 13974 Willowbrook Rd. Roscoe

Contact: Capt. Mike Huffman hrfdmhuffman@gmail.com Cell – 815-988-7020

From The Chief’s DeskBy Chief Don Shoevlin

School is back in session and summer has officially come to an end, they say. The spring monsoons this past weekend seem to have subsided, albeit they say more is on the way. We were fortunate as we did not see an increase of calls due to the severe weather so far. The days of sunshine are shrinking. As it does, please be careful and attentive to those walking and riding bikes.

I mentioned this in my July article, but it needs repeating; a challenge we face on a daily basis. In an emergency, we depend on house numbers to find YOU as quickly as possible. Finding your home - especially at night - can be challenging if address numbers are unreadable, hidden, un-lit or have missing numbers. This may delay us from getting to you as quickly as possible. Please help us find you!

This past month the firefighters responded to 260 calls. Our average response time from us receiving the call was 2.1 minutes and our average arrival on scene time was 6.3 minutes. I am very proud of our personnel for these accomplishments.

Congratulation to our newest members Kyle Swanson and Jacob Ghinazzi who were sworn in as probationary firefighters on Aug. 28th. They are becoming members of an elite group of individuals dedicated to excellence, integrity, and caring. We also have two recruits and four candidates working towards probationary status. Are you an individual that likes to help others? No experience is necessary other than respect, commitment, and a desire to learn. Department trainings are on Tuesday nights and you are expected to attend and participate. We are always looking for self-motivated individuals who like to help others while helping themselves. Stop by Station #1 in Roscoe to learn of the opportunities available to give back to your community along with personal growth.

The month of September will wrap up with our annual “Crunch Time Symposium”. This full 2-day event is dedicated to education on vehicle extrication. Participation from fire departments will begin with hands-on training and finish up with a “friendly” competition by the second days end. You are invited to come join us at Station # 3 (Willowbrook

Road) on Sunday 9/30 and watch the firefighters use the Jaws of Life and other equipment needed to finish up a great weekend and month full of events! Captain Huffman and crew are hard at it to bring another successful program to our area.

Our Annual Fire Prevention Open House will be held on Saturday Oct. 13 from 11:00-2:00. This year it will be at Station #1 on Main Street in Roscoe. You will have the opportunity to see equipment, smoke house demonstrations, kids activities, and tour the station.

In closing I ask if on 9/11 we all take a moment to reflect on that tragic day of 9/11/01. To remember those that paid the sacrifice and to the families that live on with that emptiness. It will always be a day I will never forget and the impact it made on my life both personally and professionally. A date that we lost 343 brothers and sisters in the fire service to a horrific act of terrorism.

We greatly appreciate your continuous support and feedback. If you have any questions about anything regarding your fire department, please don’t hesitate to call me or stop by. Don’t forget to friend us and follow us on Facebook plus visit us on our website. www.harlemroscoefire.com

Chief Shoevlin

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The Firehouse Scene The Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Prot. Dist. #1

Editor-in-Chief - Don ShoevlinEditor & Layout - Sheryl Drost

The Firehouse Scene is available at Station One - 10544 Main Street in Roscoe and on the department’s website after the second Sunday each month: You can now sign up on the home page of our website to receive the newsletter by email.

www.harlemroscoefire.comE-mail submissions to Sheryl: hrfdsdrost@gmail.com

Birthdays!September 2018

1st Stefani Layman5th Adam Eich12th Bart Munger Kyle Alms13th Marty Green Joe Koeninger Michael Prosser26th Austin Schwarzbach26th Paul Meyers

October 2018

2nd Jason Street3rd Steve Rosander7th Brandon Tietz25th Jim Purpura26th Tom Aaker29th Sue Null

Practical helpYour help with daily tasks and chores is often valuable for a friend with cancer. Be creative with the help you offer. Remember that your friend’s needs may change, so be flexible in shifting your plans as needed. Let them know that you are available if an unexpected need comes up.

If receiving practical help is difficult for your friend, you can gently remind them that you do not expect them to return the favor and you do it because you care. While not being pushy, try to suggest specific tasks. Asking “how can I help?” can be broad and overwhelming for your friend. Here are some suggestions to get you started:• Shop for groceries and pick up prescriptions.• Help with chores around the house.• Cook dinner and drop it off at your friend’s house. Ask about

dietary restrictions beforehand.• Schedule a night of takeout food and movies together.• Baby-sit children, take them to and from school and activities,

or arrange for play dates.• Organize a phone chain and/or support team to check on your

friend regularly.• Drive your friend to an appointment or a support group meeting.

Offer to take notes during an appointment or provide company during a treatment.

• Go for a walk together• Think about the little things your friend enjoys and makes life

“normal” for them. Offer to help make these activities easier.• Offer to make any difficult phone calls. Or, gather information

about different resources they may need.• Find small ways to support your friend if he or she decides to

participate in a fundraiser or outing.

Forming support teamsOrganizing a support team is a great way to help a friend living with cancer. Some online communities offer tools to coordinate tasks among friends and caregivers. Shareable online calendars help you organize activities among your group of friends and

family. Or, you can always make a paper calendar and write in the various activities and commitments by hand. Make sure your friend has access to the calendar so he or she knows what to expect and when.

Gift ideasThere may be times when you want to give your friend a gift. As with any gift, keep in mind the interests and hobbies of your friend. A close friend may be able to give something really silly or unusual. A neighbor or work colleague may want to stick with something more traditional. Keep gifts fun, interesting, serious, or light, depending on what your friend needs the most at that moment.

Some ideas include:• Magazines, audio books, novels, books of short stories or poetry,

or gift cards to purchase reading material• CDs or gift cards for downloadable music• DVDs of movies, TV shows, or documentaries• Pictures of friends and family• Accessories (earrings, bracelets, scarves, ties, hats), makeup, or

beauty items• Crossword or Sudoku puzzles• Note cards or a journal• A video message from family and friends• Gift certificates for massage, spa services, restaurants, or

museum/art gallery passes• Gift cards to grocery stores• A housecleaning service• Portable hobby supply kits (scrapbooking, drawing, needlepoint• Pajamas or robe• Balloons• Flowers or plants

OPEN HOUSEFire Prevention Week

• Sat.Oct.13th• 11am-2pm• FireStation#1• 10544MainSt.Roscoe

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Chaplains CornerBy Chaplain Everett Peterson

How to Support a Friend Who Has Cancer

I ran across some information on this topic the other day while doing some research. As I found that some of my friends and family don’t know what to say to me or what to do around me, I believe they think I may break.

If one of your friends has cancer, you may be wondering the best way to support him or her. Even though you want to help, it can be hard to know what to say or do.

I feel it is important to remember that there are no real set of rules and every friendship is different. Be sure to think about your unique friendship and let that guide you as you try to support your friend. Keep it simple. Remember that often the little things mean the most.

Friendship makes a differenceContinuing friendships and regular activities after a cancer diagnosis is a great way to further the healing process. Don’t forget that friends also need encouragement and support after cancer treatment has finished. After treatment, your friend will be trying to find his or her “new normal” in this next phase of life. Friendships are an important part of that. With these practical suggestions in mind, your friendship can make a lasting difference to a person living with cancer.

Take some time to prepare yourself before going to see your friend.• Understand your own feelings beforehand. Learning that a

friend has cancer can be difficult news to hear. Take time to acknowledge and cope with your own emotions about the diagnosis before you see him or her. This way, you can keep the focus on your friend.

• Learn about the diagnosis. Your friend may not want to talk about the details for many reasons. It can be physically and emotionally tiring to repeat the same information to different people. If possible, the person’s spouse or a mutual friend may be able to give you the basics.

• Think about it from your friend’s perspective. Remember a time when you were scared or felt sick. Think about what it felt like. What did you want to talk about? How did you want to be treated? You may also want to prepare yourself for changes in your friend’s appearance. Fatigue, weight changes, and hair loss are common side effects of cancer and many treatments. Start your visit by saying “It’s good to see you” instead of commenting on any physical changes.

Helpful tips when supporting a friendAlthough each person with cancer is different, here are some general suggestions for showing support:• Ask permission. Before visiting, giving advice, and asking

questions, ask if it is welcome. Be sure to make it clear that saying no is perfectly okay.

• Make plans. Don’t be afraid to make plans for the future. This gives your friend something to look forward to, especially with the sometimes long and drawn out cancer treatment.

• Be flexible. Make flexible plans that are easy to change in case something comes up or your friend needs to cancel or reschedule.

• Laugh together. Be humorous and fun when appropriate and when needed. A light conversation or a funny story can make a friend’s day.

• Allow for sadness. Do not ignore uncomfortable topics or feelings.

• Check in. Make time for a check-in phone call. Let your friend know when you will be calling. Also, let your friend know that it is okay not to answer the phone.

• Offer to help. Many people find it hard to ask for help. However, your friend will likely appreciate the offer. You can offer to help with specific tasks, such as taking care of children, taking care of a pet, or preparing a meal. However, if your friend declines an offer, don’t take it personally.

• Follow through. If you commit to help, it is important that you follow through on your promise.

• Treat them the same. Try not to let your friend’s condition get in the way of your friendship. As much as possible, treat him or her the same way you always have.

• Talk about topics other than cancer. Ask about interests, hobbies, and other topics not related to cancer. People going through treatment sometimes need a break from talking about the disease.

• Read his or her blog, web page, or group emails. Oftentimes, people living with cancer blog about their experience to share with friends and family. Or, a family member will post updates to a personal web page or send a group email. Stay current with these updates so that your friend doesn’t have to repeat experiences or information multiple times. These updates are also a great way to start a conversation.

What to say don’t be afraid to talk with your friend. It is better to say, “I don’t know what to say” than to stop calling or visiting out of fear.

Here are some options to help show your care and support:• I’m sorry this has happened to you.• If you ever feel like talking, I’m here to listen.• What are you thinking of doing, and how can I help?• I care about you.• I’m thinking about you.

Here are examples of phrases that are unhelpful:• I know just how you feel.• I know just what you should do.• I’m sure you’ll be fine.• Don’t worry.• How long do you have?

Remember, you can communicate with someone in many different ways, depending on how he or she prefers to communicate. If you don’t see your friend regularly, a simple phone call, text message, or video call shows that you care. Let your friend know it’s okay if he or she doesn’t reply.

Commercial Fire By Chief ShoevlinPhotos by Carol Donovan

Harlem-Roscoe Firefighters were dispatched for a structure fire on North Second St. on Aug. 19. Upon arrival, light smoke was observed coming from the north wall. An excellent job was done by the first arriving engine crew with locating the fire and extinguishing it, thus keeping it from doing major damage. Cause of the fire appears to be electrical.

Bugle AlarmBy Lt. Patrick Trollop

The Volunteer Firefighter

Volunteerism has long been recognized as a cherished component of being an American. Many important functions throughout our society depend on citizens to perform vital tasks, and millions of people nationwide give their time to serve the public. Some of those people deliver food to the elderly, work in soup kitchens, work at the local library, and help raise monies for causes that they believe in. Throughout America, volunteer firefighters are widely recognized as some of the most skilled, dedicated, self-sacrificing and enthusiastic to serve.

Some individuals initially join for the excitement and adventure. And most never forget the first time they rode in the big red truck with lights flashing and the sirens screaming, especially to their first fire. The adrenaline rush that happens when facing danger and fighting fire can be irresistible. For many individuals the adrenaline rush transforms into a satisfaction of “service for others”. Others join because they are seeking a challenge or simply because they recognize the need and want to serve their communities in which they live and work. For many, it is “in the blood” and it is not uncommon to find two or three generations serving on the same department at the same time.

Most volunteer fire departments are continually seeking new members. Recruiting and retention of volunteers have become more difficult throughout the past few years. There are many reasons behind this, one of them being the fact that the fire service is demanding. There are many educational requirements that one must meet to be a firefighter. Education in the fire service is an ongoing process. This can continue throughout one’s whole career in the service, depending on the individuals’ level of commitment. Another reason is that the first few years of being a volunteer is time consuming. After every fire and every training session there is equipment to be washed and maintained, as well as checked to make sure that it is proper working condition for the next emergency that we will be called for. Because it is not if we get called for an emergency, it is when we get called.

According to a 2015 study by the National Fire Protection Agency 70% of all firefighters throughout the U.S. are volunteers. With that being said, to maintain a supply of new members, many departments offer a Cadet Program or an Explorer Post. We here at Harlem-Roscoe offer the Cadet Program. The Cadet Program will give these young men and women the opportunity to learn new and valuable skills, lets them experience the values of civic pride and accomplishment. It also introduces them to the history and traditions of the fire service. Throughout the Cadet Program, the members will learn valuable life lessons such as teamwork, leadership, and accountability.

If you are interested in joining either the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District as a member or as a Cadet, we are always looking for energetic and motivated volunteers to join our team. The department has proudly served the citizens of the district since 1940. We have grown over the past 78 years to become the second busiest fire department in the county. We respond to over 3,000 fire and emergency medical related calls annually.

The department is trained in and responds to an array of calls including fire alarms, cardiac arrests, auto accidents, hazardous material releases, structural fires, vehicles fires and technical rescue emergencies. Whether you are interested in applying for membership or just curious, we invite you to drop by one of our three stations for a tour of the building and equipment and for a chance to meet some of our members. We look forward to meeting you!

New ParamedicPhoto by proud dad, Firefighter Gus Larson

“After 12 months of classroom work, and many hours of clinical time in the hospital, Taylor Larson has successfully completed and graduated from Paramedic Class. Congratulations Taylor on your accomplishment. We look forward to all you will do to help others in their time of need. Excellent job!” Chief Shoevlin

L-r Chief Don Shoevlin and Taylor Larson

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Training Minutes 3rd QuarterBy Battalion Chief Tom Aaker

Well the “unofficial” summer is all but gone at this point. Kids are back in school and the weather is starting to change as well. Labor day has passed and soon we will start to see colder temperatures. All I can say about my summer is that it was too short and a lot of the things I wanted to get done, are well, still being “worked on”. We had a lot of training that we completed this year and I am happy to say our summer schedule was a success.

R.I.T. Drills R.I.T. short for Rapid Intervention team, or the firefighters that are on scene to save the other firefighters if they get in trouble. I was reviewing from the end of the 2nd Quarter and forgot to mention our R.I.T. drills completed in the middle of that Quarter. We utilized a donated house that I mentioned in previous newsletters and completed about six weeks of drills and training on that subject.

Pump Operator JPR’sSummer months, or closer to the nicer part of the year, we have put together some JPR’s or Job Performance Requirements to test and train our pump operators on their skills. Every year we review and test in skills from daily apparatus inspections and maintenance to pumping the apparatus with hose lines deployed and different scenario based training. Our pump operators are tested and coached on their abilities and we utilize the information to help build training plans and to help us determine what we need to focus our training on. We will then observe the pump operators during our Multi Company Operations training and help them to become better pump operators.

Quint JPR’sIn the last part of the summer we have also completed our Quint Job Performance Requirements. This focuses mainly on the ladder operations of the Quint. Which is an Apparatus used for its water and also its attached 75’ aerial device. We focus again on maintenance and daily inspections of not only the vehicle but the ladder itself. We also focus on emergency procedures for the vehicle in case systems fail during a call.

Recruits We were able to swear in two new recruits to probationary firefighters. They completed their recruit training which was close to 100 hours between reading and scenario based goals. We currently have 6 more recruits in the program and continue to welcomes new candidates to our system. If you want to support your community through the Fire Service, please come down and fill out an application or go to Harlemroscoefire.com and fill out an application or come down to one of the Stations.

Throughout the summerWe were able to obtain some time at the Roscoe Middle School after school for the past few weeks. During that time we completed Rope Assisted Searches. This technique is utilized for large area searches such as schools, churches, office complexes, basically any large area where there may be victims during the course of a fire. Large areas are hard to find and completing the same large area repeatedly (our fire stations) tends to create complacency and redundancy. In addition, it is better when given the opportunity to practice in the real world in that environment. If you’re reading this and have space available and are willing to let us use the facilities please don’t hesitate to contact us. We can discuss if it is a right fit for our training objectives. We also spent a number of weeks working with our new ropes systems. There have often been scenarios on calls where someone needs medical assistance and getting them out of the area they are in is potentially going to create more injuries to our patient or the responders. Areas for example like the railroad trail turned bike bath that runs through the area. We purchased some rope systems to make the extrication from those areas quicker and safer. We utilized the Roscoe Middle School grounds for this training as well and were able to have a relatively “safe” environment to practice our skills. We are appreciative of the support we receive from our school district to help us improve our skills so we are more prepared during emergency calls in our area. As always we appreciate those who support our efforts when training whether they give us fields to burn, houses to practice in, or just time on property that is unique to our training requirements or desired training.

CadetsStarting the fall of 2017 we began to invite High School students from our area schools to participate in our new Cadet program. These are students that have an interest in the Fire or Emergency Services.

Cadet UpdateCadet Program Instructor Aaron Miller

This year we started our first Cadet program for High School student interested in serving in the fire service. We started off with five students and all five successfully completed various objective from hose advancement to vehicle extrication.

We believe that school needs to come first, so the cadets needed to maintain a C average and two letters of recommendations from the school.

Now that the five cadets have completed the objectives they continue to participate in departmental training, PR events, and respond to calls as support to the firefighters.

We will be having an orientation on Oct. 2nd to start our second Cadet Program. The program is for high schoolers who are interested in the fire service.

Here’s what a couple of our current cadets have to say:

Lucas Burbach - “I enjoy the Cadet program because it’s an opportunity to learn a new career. If you had/have an interest in this job, then doing this cadet program will be a big help for you in the future. I also enjoy this program because I not only learn more things about the department itself, but how the fire service works.”

John Hawkins - “What I enjoy most about the HRFD Cadet Program, is how the curriculum pushes you mentally and physically, gets you out of your comfort zone, and paints a vivid image of what it is like to be a firefighter. During training nights everyone on the department is willing to help us be the best we can be. This program is preparing me for my future career as a firefighter/EMT.”

New FirefightersPhotos by Marcia Soppe

Chief Don Shoevlin would like to congratulate our two newest members, Kyle Swanson and Jacob Ghinazzi after their swear-in ceremony on Aug. 28. “I look forward to them having a long active membership with us and the positive contributions they will make in the service provided by Harlem Roscoe Fire. I have the utmost confidence in them both that they will carry forward the pride, tradition and professionalism that we are known for.”

HRFD Trustee Bart Munger gives the Firefighter Oath to new Firefighters Kyle Swanson and Jacob Ghinazzi.

Above left, Kyle is pinned by his wife and right, Jacob is pinned by Battalion Chief Aaker.

L-r to right, Trustee John Donahue, Battalion Chief Aaker, Kyle and Jacob, Deputy Chief Bergeron, Trustee Bart Munger and Trustee Al Bach.

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Accidents Photos by HRFD Photographers and Duty Officers

08/10/18 Rockton Rd. and 251 exit ramp 08/16/18 Hwy 251 and Forest Hills Rd.

08/17/18 Hwy 251 and Bridge St.

08/18/18 Rural Edge Dr. and Gray Eagle Rd. 08/23/18 McCurry Rd.

08/26/18 I-90 09/03/18 Hwy 251 and Prairie Rose Dr.

L-r Cadet John Hawkins, Cadet Lucas Burbach, Cadet Instructor Aaron Miller and Cadet Loren Hamilton.

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TRAINING night Photo aLBUM Photos by Marcia Soppe

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TRAINING night Photo aLBUM Photos by Marcia Soppe

Cadet UpdateCadet Program Instructor Aaron Miller

This year we started our first Cadet program for High School student interested in serving in the fire service. We started off with five students and all five successfully completed various objective from hose advancement to vehicle extrication.

We believe that school needs to come first, so the cadets needed to maintain a C average and two letters of recommendations from the school.

Now that the five cadets have completed the objectives they continue to participate in departmental training, PR events, and respond to calls as support to the firefighters.

We will be having an orientation on Oct. 2nd to start our second Cadet Program. The program is for high schoolers who are interested in the fire service.

Here’s what a couple of our current cadets have to say:

Lucas Burbach - “I enjoy the Cadet program because it’s an opportunity to learn a new career. If you had/have an interest in this job, then doing this cadet program will be a big help for you in the future. I also enjoy this program because I not only learn more things about the department itself, but how the fire service works.”

John Hawkins - “What I enjoy most about the HRFD Cadet Program, is how the curriculum pushes you mentally and physically, gets you out of your comfort zone, and paints a vivid image of what it is like to be a firefighter. During training nights everyone on the department is willing to help us be the best we can be. This program is preparing me for my future career as a firefighter/EMT.”

New FirefightersPhotos by Marcia Soppe

Chief Don Shoevlin would like to congratulate our two newest members, Kyle Swanson and Jacob Ghinazzi after their swear-in ceremony on Aug. 28. “I look forward to them having a long active membership with us and the positive contributions they will make in the service provided by Harlem Roscoe Fire. I have the utmost confidence in them both that they will carry forward the pride, tradition and professionalism that we are known for.”

HRFD Trustee Bart Munger gives the Firefighter Oath to new Firefighters Kyle Swanson and Jacob Ghinazzi.

Above left, Kyle is pinned by his wife and right, Jacob is pinned by Battalion Chief Aaker.

L-r to right, Trustee John Donahue, Battalion Chief Aaker, Kyle and Jacob, Deputy Chief Bergeron, Trustee Bart Munger and Trustee Al Bach.

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Accidents Photos by HRFD Photographers and Duty Officers

08/10/18 Rockton Rd. and 251 exit ramp 08/16/18 Hwy 251 and Forest Hills Rd.

08/17/18 Hwy 251 and Bridge St.

08/18/18 Rural Edge Dr. and Gray Eagle Rd. 08/23/18 McCurry Rd.

08/26/18 I-90 09/03/18 Hwy 251 and Prairie Rose Dr.

L-r Cadet John Hawkins, Cadet Lucas Burbach, Cadet Instructor Aaron Miller and Cadet Loren Hamilton.

Bugle AlarmBy Lt. Patrick Trollop

The Volunteer Firefighter

Volunteerism has long been recognized as a cherished component of being an American. Many important functions throughout our society depend on citizens to perform vital tasks, and millions of people nationwide give their time to serve the public. Some of those people deliver food to the elderly, work in soup kitchens, work at the local library, and help raise monies for causes that they believe in. Throughout America, volunteer firefighters are widely recognized as some of the most skilled, dedicated, self-sacrificing and enthusiastic to serve.

Some individuals initially join for the excitement and adventure. And most never forget the first time they rode in the big red truck with lights flashing and the sirens screaming, especially to their first fire. The adrenaline rush that happens when facing danger and fighting fire can be irresistible. For many individuals the adrenaline rush transforms into a satisfaction of “service for others”. Others join because they are seeking a challenge or simply because they recognize the need and want to serve their communities in which they live and work. For many, it is “in the blood” and it is not uncommon to find two or three generations serving on the same department at the same time.

Most volunteer fire departments are continually seeking new members. Recruiting and retention of volunteers have become more difficult throughout the past few years. There are many reasons behind this, one of them being the fact that the fire service is demanding. There are many educational requirements that one must meet to be a firefighter. Education in the fire service is an ongoing process. This can continue throughout one’s whole career in the service, depending on the individuals’ level of commitment. Another reason is that the first few years of being a volunteer is time consuming. After every fire and every training session there is equipment to be washed and maintained, as well as checked to make sure that it is proper working condition for the next emergency that we will be called for. Because it is not if we get called for an emergency, it is when we get called.

According to a 2015 study by the National Fire Protection Agency 70% of all firefighters throughout the U.S. are volunteers. With that being said, to maintain a supply of new members, many departments offer a Cadet Program or an Explorer Post. We here at Harlem-Roscoe offer the Cadet Program. The Cadet Program will give these young men and women the opportunity to learn new and valuable skills, lets them experience the values of civic pride and accomplishment. It also introduces them to the history and traditions of the fire service. Throughout the Cadet Program, the members will learn valuable life lessons such as teamwork, leadership, and accountability.

If you are interested in joining either the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District as a member or as a Cadet, we are always looking for energetic and motivated volunteers to join our team. The department has proudly served the citizens of the district since 1940. We have grown over the past 78 years to become the second busiest fire department in the county. We respond to over 3,000 fire and emergency medical related calls annually.

The department is trained in and responds to an array of calls including fire alarms, cardiac arrests, auto accidents, hazardous material releases, structural fires, vehicles fires and technical rescue emergencies. Whether you are interested in applying for membership or just curious, we invite you to drop by one of our three stations for a tour of the building and equipment and for a chance to meet some of our members. We look forward to meeting you!

New ParamedicPhoto by proud dad, Firefighter Gus Larson

“After 12 months of classroom work, and many hours of clinical time in the hospital, Taylor Larson has successfully completed and graduated from Paramedic Class. Congratulations Taylor on your accomplishment. We look forward to all you will do to help others in their time of need. Excellent job!” Chief Shoevlin

L-r Chief Don Shoevlin and Taylor Larson

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Training Minutes 3rd QuarterBy Battalion Chief Tom Aaker

Well the “unofficial” summer is all but gone at this point. Kids are back in school and the weather is starting to change as well. Labor day has passed and soon we will start to see colder temperatures. All I can say about my summer is that it was too short and a lot of the things I wanted to get done, are well, still being “worked on”. We had a lot of training that we completed this year and I am happy to say our summer schedule was a success.

R.I.T. Drills R.I.T. short for Rapid Intervention team, or the firefighters that are on scene to save the other firefighters if they get in trouble. I was reviewing from the end of the 2nd Quarter and forgot to mention our R.I.T. drills completed in the middle of that Quarter. We utilized a donated house that I mentioned in previous newsletters and completed about six weeks of drills and training on that subject.

Pump Operator JPR’sSummer months, or closer to the nicer part of the year, we have put together some JPR’s or Job Performance Requirements to test and train our pump operators on their skills. Every year we review and test in skills from daily apparatus inspections and maintenance to pumping the apparatus with hose lines deployed and different scenario based training. Our pump operators are tested and coached on their abilities and we utilize the information to help build training plans and to help us determine what we need to focus our training on. We will then observe the pump operators during our Multi Company Operations training and help them to become better pump operators.

Quint JPR’sIn the last part of the summer we have also completed our Quint Job Performance Requirements. This focuses mainly on the ladder operations of the Quint. Which is an Apparatus used for its water and also its attached 75’ aerial device. We focus again on maintenance and daily inspections of not only the vehicle but the ladder itself. We also focus on emergency procedures for the vehicle in case systems fail during a call.

Recruits We were able to swear in two new recruits to probationary firefighters. They completed their recruit training which was close to 100 hours between reading and scenario based goals. We currently have 6 more recruits in the program and continue to welcomes new candidates to our system. If you want to support your community through the Fire Service, please come down and fill out an application or go to Harlemroscoefire.com and fill out an application or come down to one of the Stations.

Throughout the summerWe were able to obtain some time at the Roscoe Middle School after school for the past few weeks. During that time we completed Rope Assisted Searches. This technique is utilized for large area searches such as schools, churches, office complexes, basically any large area where there may be victims during the course of a fire. Large areas are hard to find and completing the same large area repeatedly (our fire stations) tends to create complacency and redundancy. In addition, it is better when given the opportunity to practice in the real world in that environment. If you’re reading this and have space available and are willing to let us use the facilities please don’t hesitate to contact us. We can discuss if it is a right fit for our training objectives. We also spent a number of weeks working with our new ropes systems. There have often been scenarios on calls where someone needs medical assistance and getting them out of the area they are in is potentially going to create more injuries to our patient or the responders. Areas for example like the railroad trail turned bike bath that runs through the area. We purchased some rope systems to make the extrication from those areas quicker and safer. We utilized the Roscoe Middle School grounds for this training as well and were able to have a relatively “safe” environment to practice our skills. We are appreciative of the support we receive from our school district to help us improve our skills so we are more prepared during emergency calls in our area. As always we appreciate those who support our efforts when training whether they give us fields to burn, houses to practice in, or just time on property that is unique to our training requirements or desired training.

CadetsStarting the fall of 2017 we began to invite High School students from our area schools to participate in our new Cadet program. These are students that have an interest in the Fire or Emergency Services.

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Chaplains CornerBy Chaplain Everett Peterson

How to Support a Friend Who Has Cancer

I ran across some information on this topic the other day while doing some research. As I found that some of my friends and family don’t know what to say to me or what to do around me, I believe they think I may break.

If one of your friends has cancer, you may be wondering the best way to support him or her. Even though you want to help, it can be hard to know what to say or do.

I feel it is important to remember that there are no real set of rules and every friendship is different. Be sure to think about your unique friendship and let that guide you as you try to support your friend. Keep it simple. Remember that often the little things mean the most.

Friendship makes a differenceContinuing friendships and regular activities after a cancer diagnosis is a great way to further the healing process. Don’t forget that friends also need encouragement and support after cancer treatment has finished. After treatment, your friend will be trying to find his or her “new normal” in this next phase of life. Friendships are an important part of that. With these practical suggestions in mind, your friendship can make a lasting difference to a person living with cancer.

Take some time to prepare yourself before going to see your friend.• Understand your own feelings beforehand. Learning that a

friend has cancer can be difficult news to hear. Take time to acknowledge and cope with your own emotions about the diagnosis before you see him or her. This way, you can keep the focus on your friend.

• Learn about the diagnosis. Your friend may not want to talk about the details for many reasons. It can be physically and emotionally tiring to repeat the same information to different people. If possible, the person’s spouse or a mutual friend may be able to give you the basics.

• Think about it from your friend’s perspective. Remember a time when you were scared or felt sick. Think about what it felt like. What did you want to talk about? How did you want to be treated? You may also want to prepare yourself for changes in your friend’s appearance. Fatigue, weight changes, and hair loss are common side effects of cancer and many treatments. Start your visit by saying “It’s good to see you” instead of commenting on any physical changes.

Helpful tips when supporting a friendAlthough each person with cancer is different, here are some general suggestions for showing support:• Ask permission. Before visiting, giving advice, and asking

questions, ask if it is welcome. Be sure to make it clear that saying no is perfectly okay.

• Make plans. Don’t be afraid to make plans for the future. This gives your friend something to look forward to, especially with the sometimes long and drawn out cancer treatment.

• Be flexible. Make flexible plans that are easy to change in case something comes up or your friend needs to cancel or reschedule.

• Laugh together. Be humorous and fun when appropriate and when needed. A light conversation or a funny story can make a friend’s day.

• Allow for sadness. Do not ignore uncomfortable topics or feelings.

• Check in. Make time for a check-in phone call. Let your friend know when you will be calling. Also, let your friend know that it is okay not to answer the phone.

• Offer to help. Many people find it hard to ask for help. However, your friend will likely appreciate the offer. You can offer to help with specific tasks, such as taking care of children, taking care of a pet, or preparing a meal. However, if your friend declines an offer, don’t take it personally.

• Follow through. If you commit to help, it is important that you follow through on your promise.

• Treat them the same. Try not to let your friend’s condition get in the way of your friendship. As much as possible, treat him or her the same way you always have.

• Talk about topics other than cancer. Ask about interests, hobbies, and other topics not related to cancer. People going through treatment sometimes need a break from talking about the disease.

• Read his or her blog, web page, or group emails. Oftentimes, people living with cancer blog about their experience to share with friends and family. Or, a family member will post updates to a personal web page or send a group email. Stay current with these updates so that your friend doesn’t have to repeat experiences or information multiple times. These updates are also a great way to start a conversation.

What to say don’t be afraid to talk with your friend. It is better to say, “I don’t know what to say” than to stop calling or visiting out of fear.

Here are some options to help show your care and support:• I’m sorry this has happened to you.• If you ever feel like talking, I’m here to listen.• What are you thinking of doing, and how can I help?• I care about you.• I’m thinking about you.

Here are examples of phrases that are unhelpful:• I know just how you feel.• I know just what you should do.• I’m sure you’ll be fine.• Don’t worry.• How long do you have?

Remember, you can communicate with someone in many different ways, depending on how he or she prefers to communicate. If you don’t see your friend regularly, a simple phone call, text message, or video call shows that you care. Let your friend know it’s okay if he or she doesn’t reply.

Commercial Fire By Chief ShoevlinPhotos by Carol Donovan

Harlem-Roscoe Firefighters were dispatched for a structure fire on North Second St. on Aug. 19. Upon arrival, light smoke was observed coming from the north wall. An excellent job was done by the first arriving engine crew with locating the fire and extinguishing it, thus keeping it from doing major damage. Cause of the fire appears to be electrical.

From The Chief’s DeskBy Chief Don Shoevlin

School is back in session and summer has officially come to an end, they say. The spring monsoons this past weekend seem to have subsided, albeit they say more is on the way. We were fortunate as we did not see an increase of calls due to the severe weather so far. The days of sunshine are shrinking. As it does, please be careful and attentive to those walking and riding bikes.

I mentioned this in my July article, but it needs repeating; a challenge we face on a daily basis. In an emergency, we depend on house numbers to find YOU as quickly as possible. Finding your home - especially at night - can be challenging if address numbers are unreadable, hidden, un-lit or have missing numbers. This may delay us from getting to you as quickly as possible. Please help us find you!

This past month the firefighters responded to 260 calls. Our average response time from us receiving the call was 2.1 minutes and our average arrival on scene time was 6.3 minutes. I am very proud of our personnel for these accomplishments.

Congratulation to our newest members Kyle Swanson and Jacob Ghinazzi who were sworn in as probationary firefighters on Aug. 28th. They are becoming members of an elite group of individuals dedicated to excellence, integrity, and caring. We also have two recruits and four candidates working towards probationary status. Are you an individual that likes to help others? No experience is necessary other than respect, commitment, and a desire to learn. Department trainings are on Tuesday nights and you are expected to attend and participate. We are always looking for self-motivated individuals who like to help others while helping themselves. Stop by Station #1 in Roscoe to learn of the opportunities available to give back to your community along with personal growth.

The month of September will wrap up with our annual “Crunch Time Symposium”. This full 2-day event is dedicated to education on vehicle extrication. Participation from fire departments will begin with hands-on training and finish up with a “friendly” competition by the second days end. You are invited to come join us at Station # 3 (Willowbrook

Road) on Sunday 9/30 and watch the firefighters use the Jaws of Life and other equipment needed to finish up a great weekend and month full of events! Captain Huffman and crew are hard at it to bring another successful program to our area.

Our Annual Fire Prevention Open House will be held on Saturday Oct. 13 from 11:00-2:00. This year it will be at Station #1 on Main Street in Roscoe. You will have the opportunity to see equipment, smoke house demonstrations, kids activities, and tour the station.

In closing I ask if on 9/11 we all take a moment to reflect on that tragic day of 9/11/01. To remember those that paid the sacrifice and to the families that live on with that emptiness. It will always be a day I will never forget and the impact it made on my life both personally and professionally. A date that we lost 343 brothers and sisters in the fire service to a horrific act of terrorism.

We greatly appreciate your continuous support and feedback. If you have any questions about anything regarding your fire department, please don’t hesitate to call me or stop by. Don’t forget to friend us and follow us on Facebook plus visit us on our website. www.harlemroscoefire.com

Chief Shoevlin

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The Firehouse Scene The Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Prot. Dist. #1

Editor-in-Chief - Don ShoevlinEditor & Layout - Sheryl Drost

The Firehouse Scene is available at Station One - 10544 Main Street in Roscoe and on the department’s website after the second Sunday each month: You can now sign up on the home page of our website to receive the newsletter by email.

www.harlemroscoefire.comE-mail submissions to Sheryl: hrfdsdrost@gmail.com

Birthdays!September 2018

1st Stefani Layman5th Adam Eich12th Bart Munger Kyle Alms13th Marty Green Joe Koeninger Michael Prosser26th Austin Schwarzbach26th Paul Meyers

October 2018

2nd Jason Street3rd Steve Rosander7th Brandon Tietz25th Jim Purpura26th Tom Aaker29th Sue Null

Practical helpYour help with daily tasks and chores is often valuable for a friend with cancer. Be creative with the help you offer. Remember that your friend’s needs may change, so be flexible in shifting your plans as needed. Let them know that you are available if an unexpected need comes up.

If receiving practical help is difficult for your friend, you can gently remind them that you do not expect them to return the favor and you do it because you care. While not being pushy, try to suggest specific tasks. Asking “how can I help?” can be broad and overwhelming for your friend. Here are some suggestions to get you started:• Shop for groceries and pick up prescriptions.• Help with chores around the house.• Cook dinner and drop it off at your friend’s house. Ask about

dietary restrictions beforehand.• Schedule a night of takeout food and movies together.• Baby-sit children, take them to and from school and activities,

or arrange for play dates.• Organize a phone chain and/or support team to check on your

friend regularly.• Drive your friend to an appointment or a support group meeting.

Offer to take notes during an appointment or provide company during a treatment.

• Go for a walk together• Think about the little things your friend enjoys and makes life

“normal” for them. Offer to help make these activities easier.• Offer to make any difficult phone calls. Or, gather information

about different resources they may need.• Find small ways to support your friend if he or she decides to

participate in a fundraiser or outing.

Forming support teamsOrganizing a support team is a great way to help a friend living with cancer. Some online communities offer tools to coordinate tasks among friends and caregivers. Shareable online calendars help you organize activities among your group of friends and

family. Or, you can always make a paper calendar and write in the various activities and commitments by hand. Make sure your friend has access to the calendar so he or she knows what to expect and when.

Gift ideasThere may be times when you want to give your friend a gift. As with any gift, keep in mind the interests and hobbies of your friend. A close friend may be able to give something really silly or unusual. A neighbor or work colleague may want to stick with something more traditional. Keep gifts fun, interesting, serious, or light, depending on what your friend needs the most at that moment.

Some ideas include:• Magazines, audio books, novels, books of short stories or poetry,

or gift cards to purchase reading material• CDs or gift cards for downloadable music• DVDs of movies, TV shows, or documentaries• Pictures of friends and family• Accessories (earrings, bracelets, scarves, ties, hats), makeup, or

beauty items• Crossword or Sudoku puzzles• Note cards or a journal• A video message from family and friends• Gift certificates for massage, spa services, restaurants, or

museum/art gallery passes• Gift cards to grocery stores• A housecleaning service• Portable hobby supply kits (scrapbooking, drawing, needlepoint• Pajamas or robe• Balloons• Flowers or plants

OPEN HOUSEFire Prevention Week

• Sat.Oct.13th• 11am-2pm• FireStation#1• 10544MainSt.Roscoe

THE FIREHOUSE SCENEis a publication of the

Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District

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September 2018 Fire Chief Don Shoevlin Editor Sheryl Drost

Commercial FirePage 3

Training Pages 4-7

CRUNCH TIME Vehicle Extrication Training, Symposium, & Challenge

September 28th – 30th 2018 Course Description: This three day event is geared toward NEW rescue personnel interested in obtaining vehicle extrication training. This event will consist of a classroom session on Friday evening, practical skills workshop on Saturday in vehicle extrication using hand tools and hydraulics. This class will consist of scenario based evolutions. Sunday will consist of a sanctioned extrication challenge using hand and hydraulic tools. Teams will consist of a minimum of 5 personnel to a maximum of 6. One captain and four or five squad members will be allowed to participate.

Highlights: Friday: Classroom session 1800 to 2100 hrs @ St #3 “Incident Command” At Motor Vehicle Accidents Saturday HOT @ Erickson’s Auto & Salvage Yard Hand Tool Pit Scenario Based Training Evolution- with Hydraulics Heavy Lifting bag Workshop Sunday: Vehicle Extrication Challenge @ HRFD #3 COST: $200 per team Sat. - HOT – Extrication Training @ Erickson Auto 4917 Prairie Hill Rd. Roscoe.IL Sun - Extrication challenge @ HRFPD Station #3 13974 Willowbrook Rd. Roscoe

Contact: Capt. Mike Huffman hrfdmhuffman@gmail.com Cell – 815-988-7020