Here’s The Scoop…BLESS THE VFD/AMR….
October 2, 2008 by Barbara
THE LBTS VFD/AMR…..POMPANO BEACH FIRE-EMS….DAY 1….
Heading out to the VFD/AMR…Event of blessing the departments… I saw the 1st Pompano Beach EMS truck exiting the Sea Ranch Shopping Center….they will be the busy ones…along with Pompano Fire…with the large number of calls stemming from the complex…
The turnout at 7 pm was all CIC members…with a couple of families with young children…along with VFD and AMR personnel…a Priest and a Pastor…Commissioner Clottey…Commissioner Dodd and wife….Mayor Minnet …. Commissioner- VFD member Silverstone and Vice Mayor -VFD member McIntee…
First the verification…as promised on the information received and posted about the AutoPulse….it was not quite accurate…we will have the AutoPulse on the new AMR M12 in-town vehicle..but not on the ATVs…and the hypothermic protocol…is in the works…but not yet on the truck…and also it is used elsewhere in Florida….
The verification came from AMR Lieutenant Brooke Liddle…who is in charge…he went on to explain both devices… the training being done with the AutoPulse…and the further training …coordinating the VFD beach patrol and the AMR response with the AutoPulse…which will be taking place a week from Thursday…. It will involve the fastest most efficient way to get to the victims…using the markers on the beach…discussed at the last commission meeting… enabling AMR care at the scene and fast transport to the hospital. Very impressive…
Chief Perkins spoke first welcoming all and filling us in on what to expect…the trucks displayed in front of the station were activated with lights and sirens….followed by the blessings…
Pastor Edward Hernandez…http://www.christcommunityrcapb.org/about%20us.htm spoke of being a Chaplain for the fire department in Boese New Mexico…. a town of 100 families and asked for “protection of these angels of mercy” leading the participants in the Lord’s Prayer...http://www.prayerguide.org.uk/lordsprayer.htm
Followed by an Irish Priest…asking for “God’s blessing the rescue services” …blessing the vehicles ..asking for “divine assistance …human comfort”..and for ” Holy angels to accompany the vehicles”…sprinkling holy water…..
Vice Mayor McIntee took the microphone…and said they had “tears in our eyes…it’s been a long time”…very subdued…and choked up…
Deputy Chief Joe Padden spoke of “the night they were locked out….knowing they would be back….just didn’t think it would take 2 years….he thanked the town for supporting them and looked forward to another 40-50-60-80-100 years”…
McIntee took the microphone again to thank the “unsung Heroes…Birute Clottey and Stuart Dodd…without them they would not be here”… He went on to relay a call that took place in the afternoon…with AMR and the VFD answering it ….at the beach…a person in distress ….the total that arrived on scene…19!….AMR arrived in 2 minutes….
McIntee went on to ask all to look at those in the “white shirts….heroes who have come to train…young firemen…the future… we’ll make you proud….we screw up…come at us….” he ended with thanking the VFD Chiefs and Lieutenants …and announcing hamburgers and hot dogs were cooking on the grill and all were invited to see the equipment….
Final notes…final thoughts..with no residents who supported BSO FF/EMS….coming out this evening….it shows how truly fractured this town remains……with no end in sight….
This writer was happy to have the opportunity to speak with AMR Lieutenant Liddle…and feel he just might be the one person who will bring those skeptical residents around…with his professionalism…and calm demeanor…on the job and at the podium…
Unfortunately…he has been subjected to the “payback” with “warnings” after this writer spoke to him…to watch out…”for the lies”…that I am out to “get them”….but from what I hear…he will be fair and decide for himself….most reassuring and encouraging to hear…
For the record…I am and always have been for the VFD and AMR…just not the Vice Mayor….who many feel was the “catalyst” for the VFD’s untimely demise… the man who wears “two hats”…VFD and Commission………who seems to always be calling the shots…
Right or wrong…the success of the VFD and AMR depends on McIntee and the role he will play….along with how the new VFD/AMR deals with him…while performing their duties….under the watchful eyes of LBTS….
Also missing from the evening…NO NEWS CAMERAS…no CBS4…Channel 7…Channel 10…..who came around big time when the VFD was locked out…the VFD was going to sue and held a press conference on the portico…and even as late as the special meeting held last month…HMMMM…….
more to come….
