There is a story behind most of the “stuff” in the photo, I call it my “comfort stuff”.  Like the red fire helmet on the wall is my dad’s MFD captain helmet form the old days.

He passed it on to my son who is folowing in grandpa’s career footsteps.  I get to have the helmet until Pete gets a place of his own where he can keep it.

Take Care

Well I got a message the other day from Brad Bloom, publisher of Faith and Fitness Magazine. This issue contains an article called A FIREFIGHTER’S STRENGTH FOR SERVICE. He thought some of my readers may enjoy it, and I agree. I especially enjoyed the introduction story and thought I’d share it here.

By Bob Markowski and Ralph Haynes, Introduction by Phil Black
Southern California, October 2007 – Houses were burning all around us. Split-second decisions dictated whose homes would be saved and whose would be lost. It was the type of triage none of us enjoyed. In a strange way, firefighters are often at their very best during these times of oppressive heat, devastation, and danger. We are trained to remain level-headed and situationally aware even in times of extreme emergency.
As we attempted to suppress the fires burning in any one particular house, there came a time when we knew that the house could not be saved. At that moment, we would give each other the sign. The sign meant that we would make one last run through the burning house to collect whatever we thought would be most important to the family that lived there. We would pull family photos off the wall, pick up jewelry boxes, grab important-looking file cabinets, snatch video cameras, photo albums and computers – anything that we thought would be of sentimental value to the residents. We pulled antique cars out of people’s garages and parked them on the front lawn. This all had to be done in a matter of 30 – 45 seconds – seconds before the house went up in a ball of fire.

Those are some of the most worthwhile minutes we spend as firefighters – helping to save something — anything of value to the residents. We witnessed families return to their homes after the fire to find nothing more than a concrete slab. Yet next to the slab on the burned front lawn, they saw a pile of framed photographs, old home movies, mementos, jewelry boxes, or file cabinets – all untouched by fire and smoke. The families would look around and wonder how such a thing happened? How did their most prized and important possessions end up saved from the wreckage? They would look left, and right? Still, they had no idea how it happened. Then they looked up into the sky – and all their questions were answered – for they knew God had a role in this salvation.

Our fire crew would look at each other and not say a word. We just went about our business of cleaning up with a little more appreciation for a job that allows us to serve others in such unique and unconventional ways.– Phil Black, San Diego Fire Department

Oh yeah, and there’s another reason I’ve got some interest in the fire service. My dad spent 30 years with the Minneapolis Fire Department and my son Pete is a firefighter and going to school in Fairbanks Alaska.

It is a day when EPFD staff cook a breakfast where even old retired police chiefs are welcome. Rituals, routines, fellowship and relationships are important parts of living a spiritually fit life. Thanks EPFD for providing me with this spiritual fitness exercise opportunity!

Firefighters Lee and Kim cooking the feast.

Chief Esbensen supervising (but know that I did catch him doing dishes after the meal)

The retired cop’s contribution ( yeah I know I’m perpetuating the stereotype, but I really do like donuts!)

Hey everybody, about 6 months ago I joined the Steese Volunteer Fire Dept. in Fairbanks, Alaska, and am currently a Live-in firefighter/medic for them. Every year, members of the fire service participate in a program called St. Baldricks. Here’s the little thing on what it is:

“It’s that time of year again! The eighth annual St. Baldrick’s Day events are Shaving the Way to Conquer Kids’ Cancer as thousands of brave volunteers shave their heads in solidarity with children who have cancer and typically lose their hair during cancer treatment.

Worldwide, more than 160,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. While advances have saved many children, childhood cancer still claims the lives of more children in the US than any other disease – more than diabetes, asthma, congenital anomalies, cystic fibrosis and AIDS – combined!

Funds raised by the St. Baldrick’s Foundation will be used to fund childhood cancer research – to help speed the day when every child with cancer will be guaranteed a healthy future.

On behalf of all children with cancer, thank you for your support of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.”

So basically what happens is I let my hair grow out until March 16th, and then get it shaved completely, in honor of the brave children who lose their hair as they go through treatment . Forty-six children are diagnosed with cancer every day. Over the last twenty-five years, the incidence of childhood cancer has increased every year. Forty years ago, childhood cancer was almost always fatal. Today, through the advancements in diagnosis and treatment, 77 percent of the children with cancer can now be cured. Despite this remarkable progress in research and treatment, cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease in children.

In the first year as an independent foundation, St. Baldrick’s Foundation raised more than $5.3 million. Last year, they raised $8,334,840 in 271 locations around the globe! It was all made possible by the generous donations of people all around the world.

We hope to obliterate last year’s total, but we will need lots of help. If you would like to make a donation, I have mentioned that I myself have signed up. You can donate to the foundation by visiting my page here:

http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/shavee_info.html?ShaveeID=1586#

I am also a member of the Steese Fire Department team. If you would like to make a donation to my team, please click on this link:

http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/team_info.html?TeamID=139#

No donation is too small, and any donation is greatly appreciated. If money is not something that is feasible for anyone, I completely understand and another way you could help me out immensely would be just to get the word out. Forward this to any coworkers, family, friends, ANYBODY that might be interested in helping out a great cause.

If you have any questions, feel free to drop me a line anytime, you can also call me at 612.554.4495 or 907.457.3710

Thank you so much for any help you can give, no matter the amount. Take care and stay safe,

Pete Carlson