A 33-year-old St. Anna firefighter died and four other firefighters were injured in an explosion in a dumpster at Bremer Manufacturing...two pumper trucks sat with spider-webbed windshields and their hoods still covered in shrapnel. 

Full story at the Greenbay Pressgazette.com

The Department of Health Services (DHS) announces today that public health departments and private health care providers have been notified that they may start vaccinating members of the general public. However, DHS has instructed all health care providers to continue efforts to reach out to and vaccinate those in the CDC target groups.

“With more than 1.5 million doses of H1N1 vaccine in the state, we have reached a point where we can begin to offer the vaccine to individuals outside of the target group populations,” said State Health Officer Dr. Seth Foldy. “While this is good news, it should not be interpreted as an indication that those most-at-risk have all been vaccinated. Protecting pregnant women, everyone under the age of 24 and those with underlying health conditions remain our top priority.”

H1N1 activity is expected to continue throughout the influenza season and DHS recommends that all individuals, especially those on the CDC target list, get vaccinated as another wave of H1N1 cases could occur later this season. The H1N1 vaccine is safe and effective and even those who’ve had flu-like symptoms should be vaccinated as there are a variety of respiratory illnesses that circulate during cold and flu season. Children age 10 and under require two doses of the H1N1 vaccine, with an optimal time of four weeks between first and second doses.

For the last several weeks, DHS has been closely monitoring the vaccine supply and distribution at public and private vaccination sites across the state. The decision to expand to the general public has been discussed with the major hospital systems and public health directors.

In addition, DHS will begin distribution of H1N1 vaccine to pharmacies across the state, which will significantly increase the number of vaccination sites available to the general public. Some pharmacies may not be able to vaccinate children, so DHS recommends checking with the pharmacy before bring children to the vaccination site.

People may call 2-1-1 to find out an H1N1 or seasonal influenza vaccine clinic nearest them. A “clinic finder” is also available online at http://pandemic.wisconsin.gov or www.wisconsinfluclinic.info

At the 12.7 Association Meeting, Firefighter David Danks rolled out the new Seating Assignments and Radio Numbers protocol for Engine 1. 

This system will allow each FF on E1 to know his or her function and what equipment they are responsible for during an incident based on seat assignment.

The Power Point Presentation is available here. 

If did not attend the meeting or have questions, please contact your Lt or Firefighter Danks.

Happy thanksgiving to everyone, I hope this email finds you well and with family. Thanks for ALL that you do for BGFD.

Take Care, Chief Linzmeier

EFFECTIVE AT SUNRISE ON MONDAY NOVEMBER 16TH 2009, 
THE GOVERNOR HAS DIRECTED THAT FEDERAL AND STATE FLAGS SHALL BE FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF AT ALL BUILDINGS, GROUNDS, AND MILITARY INSTALLATIONS OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN UNTIL SUNSET ON THAT DATE. AS A MARK OF RESPECT FOR CAPTAIN RUSSELL SEAGER THE UNITED STATES ARMY WHO LOST HIS LIFE AT FORT HOOD ARMY BASE.

EXECUTIVE ORDER # 299
JIM DOYLE Governor

What is swine flu? 
Swine flu, also known as 2009 H1N1 influenza, is a human disease. People get the disease from other people, not from pigs. The disease originally was nicknamed swine flu because the virus that causes the disease came to humans from pigs. The virus contains genes from swine, bird, and human flu viruses. Scientists are still arguing about what the virus should be called, but most people know it as the H1N1 swine flu virus. The swine flu viruses that spread among pigs aren't the same as human flu viruses. Swine flu doesn't often infect people, and the rare human cases that have occurred in the past have mainly affected people who had direct contact with pigs. But the current "swine flu" outbreak is different. It's caused by a new swine flu virus that has changed in ways that allow it to spread from person to person -- and it's happening among people who haven't had any contact with pigs. That makes it a human flu virus. To distinguish it both from flu viruses that infect mainly pigs and from the seasonal influenza A H1N1 viruses that have been in circulation for many years, the CDC calls the virus "2009 H1N1 virus." Many people have at least partial immunity to seasonal H1N1 viruses because they've been infected with or vaccinated against this flu bug. These viruses "drift" genetically, which is why the flu vaccine has to be tweaked from time to time. But the H1N1 swine flu is not the usual "drift variant" of H1N1. It's come to humans from a different line of evolution. That means very few people have any natural immunity to H1N1 swine flu. The normal seasonal flu shot offers no protection against this new virus. Some people who may have had seasonal H1N1 flu before 1957 might have a little bit of protective immunity against the new virus. That's because seasonal H1N1 flu strains that circulated before 1957 (and which were replaced by the 1957 pandemic flu bug) were genetically closer to the 2009 H1N1 swine flu. This protection, if it truly exists, is not complete. While relatively few elderly people have had H1N1 swine flu, many of those who did get the disease became severely ill.

What are swine flu symptoms? 
Symptoms of H1N1 swine flu are like regular flu symptoms and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Many people with swine flu have had diarrhea and vomiting. Nearly everyone with flu has at least two of these symptoms. But these symptoms can also be caused by many other conditions. That means that you and your doctor can't know, just based on your symptoms, if you've got swine flu. Health care professionals may offer a rapid flu test, although a negative result doesn't necessarily mean you don't have the flu. The accuracy of the test depends on the quality of the manufacturer's test, the sample collection method, and how much viral sample a person is shedding at the time of testing. Like seasonal flu, pandemic swine flu can cause neurologic symptoms in children. These events are rare, but, as cases associated with seasonal flu have shown, they can be very severe and often fatal. Symptoms include seizures or changes in mental status (confusion or sudden cognitive or behavioral changes). It's not clear why these symptoms occur, although they may be caused by Reye's syndrome. Reye's syndrome usually occurs in children with a viral illness who have taken aspirin -- something that should always be avoided.

Who is at highest risk from H1N1 swine flu?
 Most U.S. cases of H1N1 swine flu have been in children and young adults. It's not clear why, and it's not clear whether this will change. But certain groups are at particularly high risk of severe disease or bad outcomes if they get the flu:

Pregnant women are six times more likely to have severe flu symptoms.
Young children, especially those under 2 years of age.
People with cardiovascular conditions (except high blood pressure).
People with liver problems " People with kidney problems.
People with blood disorders, including sickle cell disease.
People with neurologic disorders.
People with neuromuscular disorders.
People with metabolic disorders, including diabetes.
People with immune suppression, including HIV and Cancer patients.
 Residents of a nursing home or other chronic-care facility.
Elderly people are at high risk of severe flu disease -- if they get it.

People in these groups should seek medical care as soon as they get flu symptoms.

Above all else, if you just practice proper hygiene etiquette you should be fine. Wash your hands frequently and per station protocol, if you have flu like symptoms stay home. Remember that we clean the station daily and disinfect door knobs and keyboards every night in the evening chores. Any and all questions concerning H1N1 or the flu in general should be directed to the Fire Chief.

As always, Lt. Edge

Blooming Grove, WI  - This video is from a 2007 Hurst Tool training hosted at BGFD. A Firefighter from a participating Department successfully removed the rear door, drivers side. However what safety issue(s) come to mind in this video?

Name as many safety concerns as you think you see to marcusm@bloominggrovefire.com

WHEREAS, on September 26, 2009, Specialist Kevin Graham, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, died while serving his country in Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Kevin Graham provided faithful and honorable service to the people of the State of Wisconsin and the people of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the people of Wisconsin mourn the death of Specialist Kevin Graham; and

WHEREAS, a memorial service will be held for Specialist Kevin Graham on Sunday, October 25, 2009;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM DOYLE, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, by the authority vested in me by Federal and State law, do hereby order that the flag of the United States and the flag of the State of Wisconsin shall be flown at half-staff at all buildings, grounds and military installations of the State of Wisconsin equipped with such flags beginning at sunrise on October 25, 2009, and ending at sunset on that date.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin to be affixed. Done at the Capitol in the City of Madison this twentieth day of October in the year two thousand nine.

JIM DOYLE Governor

By the Governor:

POLKVILLE, N.C. -- A fire engine from Cleveland County struck a utility pole on Jack Moore Mountain Road while en route to a structure fire early Tuesday, Rutherford County Communications confirmed.

Polkville Fire Chief Jerry Silver, of West Stagecoach Trail, was behind the wheel at the time, said Highway Patrol Trooper J.A. Spence.

When reached by phone Wednesday, Silver declined to comment on the incident.

No injuries were reported, Spence said. Silver is charged with failure to stop at a stop sign.

Given the drizzly and foggy conditions, Spence said, Silver's visibility was impaired. Silver braked too late at the Hinton Creek Road intersection and went offroad, he added, striking a utility pole.

Rutherford Communications received report of the wreck at 4:20 a.m.

Spence estimated damages to the truck at around $10,000 with an additional $3,000 of damage done to the pole.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service

SPARTA, Wis. -- Firefighters battling a house fire Monday in Sparta had to dodge errant vehicles, including one piloted by a suspected drunken driver apparently in a hurry for a late-night snack, authorities said...

More on this story here...

A Washington, D.C., firefighter was badly burned last week after a staged fire department demonstration went horribly wrong, MyFOXDC.com reported.

D.C. Fire and EMS Department Chief Dennis Rubin apologized for the incident, in which firefighters set a mock dorm room on fire in what was supposed to be a safety exercise on the campus of Galludet University.

When the firefighters started to put the fire out, a plexiglass curtain went up in flames, melted, and began to drip fire on the men.

According to Firehouse.com, Rubin said the photo-op looked like a "comedy act."

"Some of the failure's on our part — and I'll take full responsibility — had to do with the idea that we wanted to have a demonstration was impactful so that the equipment would work in a reasonable timeframe," Firehouse.com quoted Rubin.

It's time again to mark your calendars for October 3rd, dig through those medicine cabinets and help spread the word!

During the MedDrop in June, more than 1,435 Dane County residents brought 3,222 pounds of unwanted medication, which is about 1,600 pounds more than ever collected in one day.

MedDrop is a free, drive-thru service open to all households that specializes in properly disposing of your unwanted over-the-counter and prescription medications.

MedDrop will accept prescription medicine (pills, liquids and creams), over-the-counter medicine (pills, liquids and creams), medications for pets, vitamins, nebulizer solution, medication samples, IV bags containing antibiotics or pain medication and inhalers. They will not accept needles/sharps, oxygen tanks, nebulizer machines and thermometers. 

More information is available at www.MedDropDane.org 

MedDrop is made possible through the support of: • City of Madison/Dane County Clean Sweep • City of Madison Recycling • Dane County Public Works, Highways and Transportation • Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District • Madison Police

Report of the Week
Are those your boots that I smell burning? 9/17/2009

Recently BGFD Firefighters Danielle Williams and Alex Szewczyk were united in matrimony. Both Danielle and Alex are licensed EMT's and serve on local ambulance services.

We wish them both congratulations, between both their occupations as  Firefighters and EMT's,  we know they'll have a... "warm" and 'healthy" life together... 

As we move closer to the start of a new school year, we are also preparing for the unknowns of another outbreak of the H1N1 virus. Last week and part of this week, I traveled to the northern part of our state to meet with a number of our partners in various health-related areas. Among the many events I took part in was an H1N1 Conference.

While we can hope that this season will be a mild one for the H1N1 virus, hope is not a particularly good strategy. What we can and will do is ensure we are in touch with our local governments on this topic. The H1N1 Conference allowed us an opportunity to do just that as we prepare for what this next flu season will bring us.

We expect there will be resurgence in cases. When it comes back it will have an impact on our schools, businesses, and our community organizations.

At the H1N1 Conference in Wausau, breakout sessions were an opportunity for us to hear back from local public health officials and others in area governments. We heard their ideas about what is most effective at the state level and what is the best local approach. As important as state agencies are, we can’t do it all. It really requires a great partnership between the state, local governments and private business. Now is the time for all of us across Wisconsin to check in to see what we need to do to prepare for a widespread outbreak of the virus. Promoting calm vigilance to the public in the basics, such as hand washing, staying away from others when ill, etc. is always an important part of educational efforts. We also want to make sure from a state level we are doing the best we can to ensure our response is effective. We are using H1N1 as an opportunity to make sure we are all clear on how we are communicating with one another. What information will our partners need? What format do you need with the information we provide? We are encouraging our partners to link to the pandemic.wisconsin.gov site from their sites to ensure we get consistent information out there.

During an H1N1 outbreak, our agency will be called upon to help lead the state's response. We are doing all we can to be prepared, help support our partners, and protect our citizens.

--Karen

Photo: Fire Chief Glenn Linzmeier presents commemorative 20 year service plaques to FF Dave Showers and Assistant Chief Jay Salvo.

Photo right to left: DHS Division of Public Health, Statewide EMS Community Coordinator, Paul Wittkamp and Paramedic Coordinator, Dana Sechler, and other Wisconsin EMS Systems Section staff pose in front of a box manufactured by Braun mounted on a 2009 Ford E-450. This rig was purchased by Dane County as a reserve unit and is used as a backup rig for Dane County EMS units.