let’s get physical€¦ · round a group of paramedics and move in unison while going from victim...
TRANSCRIPT
Chief’s Column
Ever vigilant
Page 2
Skin Health
Nurse Tiffany Kline
Page 3
Memories of a
32-year Career
District Chief
Tom Buckley
Page 4
Ops Update
Chief Nick LoCicero
Page 5
Firefighter Education and
Training
Chief Sue Tamme
Page 6
Fire Marshal’s Update
John Reed
Page 7
Public Service Loan
Forgiveness
Wes Adwell
Page 8
Let’s Get Physical Outdoor Fitness Station ready for use
T ampa Fire Rescue’s Peer Fitness
Team saw one of their ideas
brought to life following a dedica-
tion ceremony of the Outdoor Fitness Sta-
tion at the TFR training grounds August
24. Tampa’s First Responders’ Outdoor
Fitness Station was conceptualized by the
Peer Fitness Team as a functional fitness
model that employs the firefighter’s own
body weight and body mechanics to per-
form exercises outdoors. This program
and equipment reduces the risk of injury,
promotes heat acclimatization, and builds
the strength and endurance needed on the
fireground and the emergency scene. The
fitness station was designed by retired
Captain Tim Hayes, and the firefighters
that built it donated their own time and
expertise. Firefighter and Peer Fitness
Trainer, Stacy Fleming has developed
workout routines incorporating the fitness
station for individuals and groups.
“Firefighting is such a physically de-
manding occupation that also requires a
great deal of endurance,” Fleming said.
“This fitness station is a great tool for us
to use to help train and get that maximum
workout to keep firefighters in great
shape to perform on scene.”
The Peer Fitness Team continues to set
the standard for maintaining firefighter
health and safety. There are already plans
to incorporate the fitness station into re-
cruit training in addition to being utilized
for veteran firefighters. “You don’t need
a fancy gym or weight room to get a good
workout,” Fleming said. “Some quality
time on this station works wonders!”
What’s Inside
3rd Quarter 2017 Volume 4, Issue 3
From left: Retired Captain Tim Hayes, Driver Engineer Eddie Ortiz, Captain Jeremy Finney,
Firefighter Stacy Fleming and Driver Engineer Chris Shipp show off the new Outdoor Fitness
Station at the TFR Training Division August 24. Photo by Jason Penny
July-October 2017 Fully Involved Page 2
I t was a sad day when we learned of
the worst mass shooting in modern
history. What caused a man to take
aim and murder innocent people attending
a music festival that evening in Las Vegas
is still under investigation and may never
be known. But what is known is that first
responders played a key role in reducing
the number of fatalities and injuries that could have been much
worse if not for their diligence and willingness to place them-
selves into harm’s way.
For years it had been standard practice during shooting
scenes for paramedics to wait until a scene was completely
cleared by the police before going in to treat victims. But fol-
lowing events like the massacre at Columbine High School in
1999, experts in law enforcement and the fire service conclud-
ed that many of the victims could have been saved if medics
were able to get to them. In the time it took for police to clear a
scene, some victims bled out or perished in the absence of
medical attention. Since then there has been a shift in how law
enforcement and medical first responders approach mass shoot-
ings. In Nevada, the police and fire departments have been
working since 2010 to come up with best practices for working
together during critical incidents. According to a recent article
in The Washington Post, the Las Vegas first responders had
task forces that included armed police officers who would sur-
round a group of paramedics and move in unison while going
from victim to victim. This allowed the paramedics to treat the
patients while the police officers provided cover.
Tactics like these are similar to how our own Tactical Medi-
cal Response Team (TMRT) are trained to operate during a
critical incident. While our specific tactics may vary based on
each event or materiel requirements, we, like Las Vegas, have
a close relationship with our brothers and sisters in law en-
forcement. Our TMRT works with Tampa Police Department
officers regularly, whether during training or in real scenarios
such as serving warrants. The time our police and firefighters
spend with each other will pay dividends during any critical
incident.
We continue to mourn the losses that occurred during these
tragic events. However, it is our job to be as prepared as possi-
ble and increase the chances of saving lives. It is what we have
committed our professional lives to. I hope no one ever again
has to experience such a horrific event as the one that played
out in Las Vegas, but we can certainly be as prepared as we can
if it does. Stay safe, and be ever vigilant.
Fully Involved
Tampa Fire Rescue Chief: Chief Tom Forward
Public Information Officer: Jason A. Penny
Contributors: Chief Nick LoCicero, Fire Marshal John Reed, Chief Susan Tamme, Chief Todd Alt, Tiffany Kline, District Chief Tom Buckley (ret.),
Capt. Wesley Adwell (ret)
The content of this newsletter is prepared, edited and provided by the Tampa Fire Rescue Public Information Office. Fully Involved is an authorized
publication for members of the Tampa Fire Rescue department and their families. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official view of the City of
Tampa or Tampa Fire Rescue and do not imply endorsement thereof.
From the Chief: Ever vigilant
July-October 2017 Fully Involved Page 3
T ampa Fire Rescue hosted two very special guests
earlier this summer July 7, Dr. Milan Lombardi and
his nurse, Carol. During their visit they performed
skin screenings free of charge for Tampa Fire Rescue per-
sonnel. Dr. Lombardi is a graduate of Cornell University
Medical College and completed a residency in dermatolo-
gy at Washington University. He is currently the owner
and medical practitioner at the Lombardi Institute of Der-
matology in Tampa. His screenings with Tampa Fire Res-
cue were comprehensive, as he scanned for indications of
skin cancer and provided an array of advice on other skin-
related medical concerns, from sunburn to rashes. Fire
Chief Tom Forward met with Dr. Lombardi and expressed
his sincere commitment to the health and safety of fire-
fighters and an interest in prevention and early detection of
skin cancers and skin-related illnesses for all personnel.
Many do not take the time to consider that the skin is the
human body's largest organ. The importance for firefighters
to protect their skin goes largely unrecognized. The skin is
responsible for critical biological functions. It is the key to
providing a barrier to toxins and pathogens and functions in
the regulation of body temperature. Yet we rarely consider
the care and protection of our skin.
Until recently, the focus in the fire service has been on
breaks in the skin, and not the inherent nature of how toxic
material crosses this vital barrier. The introduction of blood
into a wound, or the absorption of toxic byproducts of com-
bustion, can have consequences that can add to the potential
for cancer or other disease. With this understanding, Tampa
Fire Rescue has added visual skin screening to its annual
physicals, is evaluating Nomex hoods and gear that contain
carcinogen barriers, and has initiated the process for all fire
stations to be able to order fire wipes for decontamination of
the face, neck, arms, and hands on the emergency scene.
The Occupational Health Office is enhancing the focus on
skin health through education, screening, barrier protection,
and decontamination. This is a solid start to ensuring a life of
healthy skin. However, there is much that needs to be done
by each individual for the optimization of health and risk
reduction.
Here are some tips for personal skin care:
1. Protect yourself from the sun. One of the most important
ways to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. A
lifetime of sun exposure can cause a multitude of skin prob-
lems as well as increase the risk of skin cancer.
For the most complete sun protection use a broad-
spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sun-
screen generously, and reapply every two hours ,or more of-
ten if you're swimming or perspiring.
Seek shade. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.,
when the sun's rays are strongest.
Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly-
woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed
hats. Also consider laundry additives, which give clothing an
additional layer of ultraviolet protection for a certain number
of washings, or special sun-protective clothing which is spe-
cifically designed to block ultraviolet rays.
2. Treat your skin gently. Daily cleansing and shaving can
take a toll on your skin. To keep it gentle, limit shower time.
Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your
skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm rather
than hot water.
Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps and detergents can strip
oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.
Shave carefully. To protect your skin, apply shaving cream,
lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a
clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not
against it.
Pat dry. After washing or showering, gently pat or blot
your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on
your skin.
Moisturize dry skin. If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer
that fits your skin type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer
that contains SPF. This helps with skin integrity, not just ap-
pearance.
3. Eat a healthful diet. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables,
whole grains and lean proteins. Minimize sugar and pro-
cessed foods.
4. Manage stress. Uncontrolled stress can make your skin
more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin
problems. To encourage healthy skin, and a healthy state of
mind, take steps to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits,
scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you
enjoy. The results might be more dramatic than you expect.
Skin health and disease prevention By Tiffany Kline, R.N., C.O.H.N.
July-October 2017 Fully Involved Page 4
Memories of a 32-year career By Tom Buckley
I begun my service with what was known then as the
Tampa Fire Department on July 15, 1985. Memories
stand out of a hot and humid summer, seasoned firefight-
ers, really old fire trucks from the 60s and 70s (some with
manual transmissions), riding backwards in open cabs, wash-
ing sugar sand from everything, and hanging hose in the hose
tower. Old Station 3 was still open with an engine and till-
ered ladder truck. Station 4 had a Snorkel (a truck company
in today’s terminology), and a hose truck. Old Station 5 was
still open with an engine only, and Old Station 2 was still
open as the Supply Division. Station 13’s rescue, which had
recently been placed into service, was by far the slowest res-
cue in the city; a sweet spot and a respite for weary paramed-
ics looking to slow down a bit. Firefighter starting pay was
$6.31 hourly, $17,062.24 annually. My first paycheck was
for $328.12. After F&P pension contribution and federal
withholding tax, net pay was $270.81— the exact amount of
my truck payment at the time. Top pay for district chiefs was
$27,364.48 in 1985. That’s right, the whole pay scale ranged
from $17,062.24 to $27,364.48. Getting a raise of 31 cents
the next fiscal year. ACLS algorithms resembled a straight
line of progression and not multiple branches. EMS was
more hands on - you actually had to put jell on your paddles,
charge the defibrillator, holler “clear”, and “shock em” your-
self. There were no computers, no cell phones, no 911 sys-
tem. Until 1988 the only number to report emergencies to the
fire department was 223-4211. During fiscal year 1985 the
number of alarms dispatched at TFD was 23,566. Tampa’s
skyline was less than half of what it is now.
Other memories of the job are:
Coming on with Hurricane Elena, on duty at Station 1 Sep-
tember 2, 1985 and going out with Hurricane Irma, on duty
at Station 1 September 10, 2017.
Running my first cardiac arrest as an acting lieutenant on
the rescue with an EMT.
Running a code at TIA Blue Arrival baggage claim with
300-plus on-lookers.
The week-long mulch fire in south Tampa that resembled
working inside of a volcano, as I imagined. All companies
rotated through the scene throughout the week.
During the Ybor City fire, loading all the hose back onto
Engine 12 myself when my crew went down the street to the
post office that became fully involved.
Working for hours at a gasoline tanker fire on Eisenhower
Blvd. and Independence Parkway, then 45 minutes later re-
sponding to a two-alarm warehouse fire in Drew Park, spend-
ing the rest of the night there and being relieved at the scene.
The ethanol train derailment which blocked the entrance to
the Port of Tampa with 14 tank cars derailed 11 of which had
overturned, some actively leaking ethanol.
Observing almost flawless execution of a high-rise re-
sponse to the roof of the Marriott Waterside Hotel which was
lit up like a 27-story candle.
On duty at Station 14 watching the Buccaneers win Super
Bowl XXXVII.
Boot drives for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and
the great boot drive for New York City firefighters following
the attacks on the twin towers on 9/11/2001. The public was
so generous that day that 10 and 20 dollar bills were being
clipped beneath windshield wipers on the engine.
Complete radio silence while on a call late at night know-
ing full well that you are the only Tampa Fire unit out on the
road.
Placing number one on the driver engineer promotional
list.
Placing number four on the fire captain promotional list.
Placing number three on the district chief promotional list.
Being selected and serving at Chief 1 as the shift com-
mander for three years.
Memories, 5
July-October 2017 Fully Involved Page 5
Operations Update: If today be the day... By Chief Nick LoCicero, Assistant Chief– Operations
W hile I had a different article
planned, in light of the
some of the current events
happening locally and abroad I would
be remiss if did not offer my perspec-
tive. It is so very important to prepare,
know, and understand our respective
assignments that will ultimately bring
order to chaos in the hour of need. Our
jobs are not easy, and nobody said it
would be, but proficiency and focus will be a prime com-
modity in responding to escalating and complex events.
While current events are in the forefront of our minds it
should not take a major incident to bring this to mind, hence
the title of the article. “If Today Be the Day”- begs the ques-
tion: are you prepared as best you can be? It is extremely
important for all of us to understand our responsibility to our
individual crew and to the public. We have to understand
what our specific duties and operational task responsibilities
are before an incident takes place. We do this by following
the tenant of the fire service and to know and apply the Inci-
dent Command System (ICS). If the ICS system can be im-
plemented with timely focus it has an enormous impact on
the mitigation process and can quickly bring order to chaos.
Just think about it, within the last 30 days we have sus-
tained a hurricane that impacted our state and community
while responding to several multi-alarm fires. What should
not be lost is that through all of these demanding incidents
we took care of the city without fail, which brings me back to
the title of this article. For company officers, regardless of
the incident type, are you prepared by knowing, and how you
will apply the ICS process? What does your mental Incident
Action Plan (IAP) look like? Quickly identifying your inci-
dent priorities is a big step in the mitigation process. Just like
the recent incident in Las Vegas, and the incidents in Orlan-
do and San Bernardino before, core elements ring true for a
better way forward in the face of those escalating events.
Early establishment of core elements are imperative and in-
clude: establishment of command and early establishment of
branches as required; declaring a mass casualty as well as
clearly identifying a staging area; requesting specialties as
needed; and the establishment of medical branch assignments
such as the Triage Officer, Treatment Officer, and Transpor-
tation Officer.
Vigilance and situational awareness in these days and
times are a must. Know that fire and EMS personnel are inte-
gral to the mitigation response. Everyone needs to be mind-
ful of these mass casualty circumstances before they occur
because if today be the day, you will be the one to bring or-
der to chaos. Please take note of the quote below, I refer-
enced this back in 2015, and it still applies.
“Rise to the level of your training or sink to the level of your
skill”
—Lt. Col Dave Grossman, U.S. Army Special Forces, (Ret.)
Until next time stay safe.
“Officium Paratus”
The privilege and awesome responsibility of being an of-
ficer for half my career, over six years as captain and over
nine years as chief officer. Having served predominately in
District 4, just under 25 years to be exact.
Working with both fathers and sons that served on the job
together, most of whose sons were not even born yet at the
start of my career, and in one case mother and
son.
Having really good working relationships with TPD offic-
ers and command staff on all levels.
The satisfaction of arriving first on scene and getting a
quick knockdown of a fire.
Taking command and running a well-organized fire scene
as safely as possible.
Just generally organizing chaos throughout my career.
Since 1985 our department has taken a quantum leap. It
added a 911 system coupled with computer aided dispatch,
computers, laptops, cell phones, accreditation, outstanding
occupational health services, paramedics everywhere, Quan-
tum everything— Quantum engines, trucks, hazmat and
quint.
Thank you to those that selected me back in 1985 to serve
this city and to work with the great Tampa Fire Rescue team.
I will be forever indebted to those that have worked with me
over 32 years. To my supervisors, both captains and chiefs,
who had my back when entering burning buildings on a hose
line. To all the personnel that rode with me, drove me, and
worked in my district and on my shift, I will be forever grate-
ful for the efforts you gave each and every day. I have dis-
covered this job will make you grow and develop as a per-
son. I certainly am a far better person than I was when I
came on the job back in 1985.
Always remember to stay focused, pay attention to what
you are doing, and pay attention to detail. Go the extra mile
and give really great service to everyone you meet. That’s
what I always aspired to do and I thoroughly enjoyed coming
to work every day. And in the end you will leave this job
with a great sense of personal satisfaction.
MEMORIES, continued
July-October 2017 Fully Involved Page 6
T raining and education are fundamental measures of a
firefighter’s proficiency. Training provides a meas-
ure of a firefighter’s abilities and focuses on job per-
formance requirements (JPR) and prepares a firefighter for
broad situations and emergencies. Education provides a
standard measure of a firefighter’s knowledge and is a struc-
tured preparation for the firefighter with increasing problem-
solving situations which prepares the firefighter toward ad-
vancing leadership responsibilities.
Where to Start?
Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2 (EMT). These are the badges of
your Training/Education when you are hired as a Tampa Fire
Rescue Firefighter.
EMT-P (Paramedic). This is the most important and first
certification that you earn in your career; required within
your first three years.
A college degree means money! The State of Florida has a
Supplemental Compensation Program for firefighters who
earn an associate degree or higher which is related to the
duties of a firefighter or officer. The financial compensation
is awarded quarterly and the amount of money varies with
the level of degree. Over the life of a firefighter’s career this
additional payment can add up.
Then what? What does your learning blueprint look like?
Fire Apparatus Driver and Operator Coursework and Certifi-
cation. These courses enhance firefighter training by provid-
ing the theoretical knowledge needed to understand the prin-
ciples of hydraulics, water flow and fire pump operation:
Fire Service Hydraulics and Fire Apparatus Operations. Per-
sons must pass a State of Florida written exam to be certi-
fied. Tampa Fire Rescue requires the additional course of
Aerial Operations before a firefighter can begin the Driver
Proficiency Booklet.
Fire Officer Coursework and Certification. This is an ad-
vanced training and certification program designed for fire-
fighters having supervisory and management responsibili-
ties. The foundation of this program is based on the National
Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1021 Standard for Fire
Officer Professional Qualifications (2009). There are four
levels of Fire Officer; Fire Officer I, II, III, and IV. Each
level has a task book, which is signed by a supervisor to ver-
ify certain managerial skillsets. The learning is validated
upon passing a written exam for certification through the
State of Florida. This is a voluntary program.
Fire safety Inspector I, II. An individual must successfully
complete a minimum of 200 hours of basic training for In-
spector I which includes Fire Prevention Practices, Private
Fire Protection Systems I, Fire Service Building Construc-
tion, Construction Documents and Plans Review, and Codes
and Standards. Inspector II includes these additional classes:
Origin and Cause, Fire Chemistry, Prevention Systems II,
Public Information Officer. There is a written exam and this
certification requires continuing education for recertification
over a four year period.
Fire Investigator – This training program is designed for cer-
tified firefighters, certified law enforcement officers, law
enforcement crime scene technicians, and certified fire safe-
ty inspectors who have fire investigation responsibilities.
Along with some classes included in the Fire Safety Inspec-
tor certification, there are additional classes of Latent Inves-
tigation, Arson Investigation, Post Blast Investigation and
Legal Issues for Investigators. There is a task book and exam
for validation of learning.
Firefighting is a profession and the public expects quali-
fied, competent, and knowledgeable personnel to respond to
emergencies. Your fellow firefighters expect qualified, com-
petent coworkers to stand beside them. These certification
pathways coupled with hands-on training and experience
confirm that each Tampa Fire Rescue firefighter meets rigor-
ous national standards and is an indisputable mark of one’s
performance as a fire service professional.
If you are interested in growing as professional firefighter,
contact the Training Division to schedule an appointment to
discuss your unique educational blueprint.
From the Training Division Education and Training for the Professional Firefighter By Chief Susan Tamme
July-October 2017 Fully Involved Page 7
T hat time of year will soon again be upon us when
the leaves are supposed to change and the cool
weather comes…but wait, we know we live in Flor-
ida and three more months of summer is a definite. Octo-
ber, however, is just around the corner which means Fire
Prevention Week will soon be here. The dates this year are
October 8-14. The theme is “Every Second Counts, Plan
Two Ways Out!” I know you are busy with many Pub-Ed
events this time of year. The messages we deliver to our
residents are so important and we are very proud of our
Public Education Program. I would like to make sure that
we, as members of Tampa Fire rescue, don’t forget to prac-
tice what we teach in our own homes. Daylight savings will
end on Sunday, November 5. I encourage everyone to
change the batteries in your own smoke alarms. We’ve all
heard the saying “The painters house always needs paint-
ing.” Please make sure to encourage all your family mem-
bers to change their batteries when they change their
clocks.
The 2017 Great America Teach In will occur on Novem-
ber 16th. For years TFR has shown up and shown out for
this annual event which highlights career awareness for the
children of Hillsborough County schools. For several years
we have seen between 8,000 -9,000 kids on this one day,
and November 16 looks to be another opportunity for YOU,
the firefighter, to make children aware of emergency re-
sponders’ responsibilities and routines. In addition to ca-
reer information you have been so good to share the fire
safety and injury prevention messages with the students
while you are transfixing them with your role at TFR. If
you plan to serve in this year please get your requests to
Public Ed by November 1 to assure delivery of supplies to
your location. Please email Patri-
[email protected] with the following information:
Your name and station
Number of students
Grade level you are visiting
Please break down the grades as we try to send age appropri-
ate items.
The Fire Prevention Division remains extremely busy.
Just in the month of August over 300 sets of plans were re-
viewed for construction projects in the City of Tampa and
over 700 inspections were performed on existing structures.
The Investigations Division has also been busy. Two arrests
were made in August for separate incidents involving arson.
Arson investigation continues to remain a vital component
our services.
One of the new voices you may here when contacting Fire
Prevention is Gabrielle Williams. Gabrielle has been with
the Division since April and is often the first contact custom-
ers have with our group. Please welcome Gabrielle if you
haven’t done so already.
Fire Watch events have picked up as football games begin
to resume and the fall schedule for special events continues
to grow. Several of you are trained to work Fire Watch. The
Fire Prevention Division will soon be hosting a Places of
Assembly class. We are working with Chief Tamme to final-
ize the details of the class and hope to have it available in the
next few weeks. This training will be a requirement to re-
ceive approval to work Fire Watch events. We will update
everyone as soon as the class is ready.
I personally want to take the opportunity thank everyone
for the support I have been given as your new fire marshal. It
is an honor to serve with such a great department and I look
forward to working with all of you. I also look forward to
visiting the stations and please don’t hesitate to stop by
CMOB and say hello. I am confident that the Fire Prevention
Division will thrive as we move ahead and I appreciate the
efforts that the prevention staff put forth every day!
Fire Prevention Update: Fire Prevention Week October 8-14 By Fire Marshal John Reed
Mrs. Gabrielle Williams has been with the Fire Prevention
Division since April 2017.
July-October 2017 Fully Involved Page 8
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
T here is a little-known benefit that will soon be
available to public service employees to help
with stu-
dent debt. It’s
called the Public
Service Loan For-
giveness Program.
This program of-
fers complete for-
giveness for your
student loans if
you’re a govern-
ment employee at
the federal, state
and even local
level. That means
that if you have
any sort of job
connected to the
government (at
any level), you
may be eligible for one of the best federal student loan
forgiveness programs on the market. The first for-
giveness of student loan balances under the Public Ser-
vice Loan Forgiveness Program goes into effect for
government employees in October 2017.
The PSLF program is intended to encourage individ-
uals to enter and continue to work full time in public
service jobs, including the military, in lieu of seeking
higher-paying private sector jobs after graduation. Re-
alizing that many of these jobs have lower salaries than
other careers, the PSLF program is designed to help
offset the cost of education and the post-graduation
salaries offered by many public-sector employers.
There are caveats. Only loans received under the
William D. Ford Direct Student Loan Program, also
known as direct loans, are eligible for the PSLF pro-
gram. The bad news is that loans through the Federal
Family Education Loan (FFEL) and Perkins Loan pro-
grams or any other programs (including private student
loans) don’t qualify. However, there is some good
news, the FFEL and/or Perkins loans can be consoli-
dated into a direct student loan to qualify for the pro-
gram. Unfortunately, private loans don’t qualify and
there is no way to convert a private loan into a federal
one.
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program for-
gives the remaining balance on your direct loans after
you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments un-
der a qualifying repayment plan while working full-
time for a qualifying employer (City of Tampa).
Any non-default Direct Loan is eligible for loan for-
giveness including Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct
Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans - for parents
and graduate or professional students, and Direct Con-
solidation Loans.
To apply, after you make your 120th qualifying pay-
ment, you will need to submit the PSLF application for
qualification. The application is under development
and will be available prior to the date when the first
borrowers will be eligible for PSLF Program for-
giveness in October 2017. You must be working for a
qualified public service organization at the time you
submit the application for forgiveness and at the time
the remaining balance on your loan is forgiven.
This is potentially a great opportunity for some to
eventually eliminate their educational debt.
For more information on the program go to https://
studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-
cancellation/public-service
By Capt. Wes Adwell, (ret)
July-October 2017 Fully Involved Page 9
Around the Department
Driver Engineer Scott Jung presents a check for $2,835 to Chief Tom Forward October 10. The money was raised from t-shirt
sales in support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. From left: Capt. Joe Greco, Capt. Steve Suarez, Driver Engineer Scott
Jung, District Chief Ken Huff, and Chief Tom Forward.
Visitors from Southeastern Guide Dogs MacDill Puppy Raiser Group stopped by Station 14 on C-Shift July 26 for puppy
training. The dogs, all less than one year old, were exposed to the sounds of the station including the trucks, sirens and horns.
In all, nine dogs and 12 handlers were treated to a tour of the station and apparatus. This particular group specializes in
training dogs to be paired with military veterans.