Gary R. Ryman's Blog, page 8
November 13, 2013
Fire Engineering Radio Appearance
Had a great time talking with Chief Dennis Rubin the other night about training and other fire service issues as well as "Fire Men: Stories From Three Generations of a Firefighting Family." Click the link below to listen to the show.
Fire Engineering Radio Appearance
Fire Engineering Radio Appearance
November 5, 2013
October 27, 2013
Upcoming Radio Show
Hosted by Chief Dennis Rubin......
"Please join me for the next "Contemporary Issues in the Fire - Rescue Service on Fire Engineering Blog Radio. We "Go Live" on Monday, November 11, 2013 at 7:30 pm (Eastern Time Zone). The topic for my November 11th Fire Engineering Blog Radio Show will be "Tips, Tricks & Pitfalls of Fire-Rescue Service Training & Education".
We have an amazing cast of presenters for the show on the 11th. Appearing live and in person will be Chief Paul Norwood (CT), Chief Jon Riffe (MD), Chief Gary Ryman (PA) & Lieutenant Frank Ricci (CT). I will be personally honored to be your host and moderator. Has my Mother always told me, I am the man with the "Face for Radio". Please call-in and let's chat about training issues.
So, please tune-in and listen to the best in the business talk about all aspects of training presentations to include textbook development, DVD programing and much more! Be there or Be Square - See you on the Radio my friends. Until next time please be safe out there!"
Fire Engineering Talk Radio
"Please join me for the next "Contemporary Issues in the Fire - Rescue Service on Fire Engineering Blog Radio. We "Go Live" on Monday, November 11, 2013 at 7:30 pm (Eastern Time Zone). The topic for my November 11th Fire Engineering Blog Radio Show will be "Tips, Tricks & Pitfalls of Fire-Rescue Service Training & Education".
We have an amazing cast of presenters for the show on the 11th. Appearing live and in person will be Chief Paul Norwood (CT), Chief Jon Riffe (MD), Chief Gary Ryman (PA) & Lieutenant Frank Ricci (CT). I will be personally honored to be your host and moderator. Has my Mother always told me, I am the man with the "Face for Radio". Please call-in and let's chat about training issues.
So, please tune-in and listen to the best in the business talk about all aspects of training presentations to include textbook development, DVD programing and much more! Be there or Be Square - See you on the Radio my friends. Until next time please be safe out there!"
Fire Engineering Talk Radio
Upcoming Radio Show
Hosted by Chief Dennis Rubin......
"Please join me for the next "Contemporary Issues in the Fire - Rescue Service on Fire Engineering Blog Radio. We "Go Live" on Monday, November 11, 2013 at 7:30 pm (Eastern Time Zone). The topic for my November 11th Fire Engineering Blog Radio Show will be "Tips, Tricks & Pitfalls of Fire-Rescue Service Training & Education".
We have an amazing cast of presenters for the show on the 11th. Appearing live and in person will be Chief Paul Norwood (CT), Chief Jon Riffe (MD), Chief Gary Ryman (PA) & Lieutenant Frank Ricci (CT). I will be personally honored to be your host and moderator. Has my Mother always told me, I am the man with the "Face for Radio". Please call-in and let's chat about training issues.
So, please tune-in and listen to the best in the business talk about all aspects of training presentations to include textbook development, DVD programing and much more! Be there or Be Square - See you on the Radio my friends. Until next time please be safe out there!"
Fire Engineering Talk Radio
"Please join me for the next "Contemporary Issues in the Fire - Rescue Service on Fire Engineering Blog Radio. We "Go Live" on Monday, November 11, 2013 at 7:30 pm (Eastern Time Zone). The topic for my November 11th Fire Engineering Blog Radio Show will be "Tips, Tricks & Pitfalls of Fire-Rescue Service Training & Education".
We have an amazing cast of presenters for the show on the 11th. Appearing live and in person will be Chief Paul Norwood (CT), Chief Jon Riffe (MD), Chief Gary Ryman (PA) & Lieutenant Frank Ricci (CT). I will be personally honored to be your host and moderator. Has my Mother always told me, I am the man with the "Face for Radio". Please call-in and let's chat about training issues.
So, please tune-in and listen to the best in the business talk about all aspects of training presentations to include textbook development, DVD programing and much more! Be there or Be Square - See you on the Radio my friends. Until next time please be safe out there!"
Fire Engineering Talk Radio
October 6, 2013
Memorial Weekend
A brick with the names of the three generations will be placed in the Memorial Walk of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. Giving "Generation 1" the certificate
Memorial Weekend
A brick with the names of the three generations will be placed in the Memorial Walk of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. Giving "Generation 1" the certificate
September 28, 2013
The Original Denis Leary
Today
we think of Johnny and Roy as an ancient historical portrayal of firefighters;
their all-American wholesomeness overtaken by more complex characters and
stories in Backdraft, Ladder 49, Rescue Me, and now Chicago
Fire. All of these, and the original
“Emergency” are but
Johnny-come-lately’s (pun intended) to the original and main theatrical
firefighter of American History.
Fireman Mose Humphreys was played by
actor Frank Chanfrau in thousands of performances on stages throughout the
country in the 1840s and 1850s. Although
nine scripts were written, only one survives.
He became an urban folk hero; the personification of New York firemen
and to some degree, all volunteers of the day.
Mose was a cigar smoking, heavy drinking,
hard fighting, baby rescuing, rowdy fireman who stood for good against con-men,
crooks, and politicians. Think Denis
Leary before there was Denis Leary. The
working class of the day related to the character and stories as he protected
the community, rescued “damsels,” and fought the politicians. The middle class viewed him differently as a
symbol of societal unrest.
The performances in the 1800s resulted
in something more than just entertainment.
They provided fuel for debates on fire department reform, particularly
in cities which experienced firefighter violence. While many historians today agree that the
early stories of firemen fighting each other on scenes were overblown and not
as widespread as legend has it, the instances which did occur were likely
magnified by the fictional portrayal.
Mose became a caricature, and as he grew in popularity, so did the
inaccurate perceptions that all firefighters were involved in violent behavior.
In today’s world with the pervasive presence
of social media, you tube, and myriad other forms of entertainment, this past
history is interesting in showing that public perception being shaped by art is
not new. There was no actual Mose, but
his character was based—with obvious fictional liberties—on the characteristics
observed in firemen of the day. That a
fictional character influenced public debate and change in the fire services of
the day should be instructional to us.
Who is more real; Tommy Gavin or Johnny and Roy?
we think of Johnny and Roy as an ancient historical portrayal of firefighters;
their all-American wholesomeness overtaken by more complex characters and
stories in Backdraft, Ladder 49, Rescue Me, and now Chicago
Fire. All of these, and the original
“Emergency” are but
Johnny-come-lately’s (pun intended) to the original and main theatrical
firefighter of American History.
Fireman Mose Humphreys was played by
actor Frank Chanfrau in thousands of performances on stages throughout the
country in the 1840s and 1850s. Although
nine scripts were written, only one survives.
He became an urban folk hero; the personification of New York firemen
and to some degree, all volunteers of the day.
Mose was a cigar smoking, heavy drinking,
hard fighting, baby rescuing, rowdy fireman who stood for good against con-men,
crooks, and politicians. Think Denis
Leary before there was Denis Leary. The
working class of the day related to the character and stories as he protected
the community, rescued “damsels,” and fought the politicians. The middle class viewed him differently as a
symbol of societal unrest.
The performances in the 1800s resulted
in something more than just entertainment.
They provided fuel for debates on fire department reform, particularly
in cities which experienced firefighter violence. While many historians today agree that the
early stories of firemen fighting each other on scenes were overblown and not
as widespread as legend has it, the instances which did occur were likely
magnified by the fictional portrayal.
Mose became a caricature, and as he grew in popularity, so did the
inaccurate perceptions that all firefighters were involved in violent behavior.
In today’s world with the pervasive presence
of social media, you tube, and myriad other forms of entertainment, this past
history is interesting in showing that public perception being shaped by art is
not new. There was no actual Mose, but
his character was based—with obvious fictional liberties—on the characteristics
observed in firemen of the day. That a
fictional character influenced public debate and change in the fire services of
the day should be instructional to us.
Who is more real; Tommy Gavin or Johnny and Roy?
September 15, 2013
Are We Better Off?
Not
long ago, I had one of those “solve the world’s problems” conversations with a
close friend of mine. We do this from
time to time and although we accomplish absolutely nothing, changing not a
thing, we both feel better at the conclusion.
Part of this particular chat covered a topic not new to us and one we’ve
“solved” before. The operative question
was “have the technological ‘improvements’ to fire apparatus actually resulted
in being able to better extinguish fires?”
Our
short answer to this burning question was “no.”
There is no question that today’s apparatus with the enclosed cab is far
safer and has gone some distance in reducing injuries and fatalities from the
days of open jump seats and riding the back step (getting dressed on the back
step wasn’t just crazy—it was stupid).
That, however, was not what we were talking about. It was more fundamental concept; that of
putting wet stuff on red stuff.
My
friend and I both started with engines without crosslays; back when all
pre-connects came off the back (one thing from the old days that seems to
slowly be regaining some favor). The
pump had two gauges. If two lines of
different lengths or sizes were in operation, the pump operator established his
pressure (yes it was always a him back then—no editorial comment intended) and
gated the other line down by experience and feel. Not the most accurate method, but it worked
well for generations. What the pump
panel didn’t look like was the cock pit of the space shuttle, which some of today’s
bear a striking resemblance to.
Individual
gauges? Love them. But flow meters, electronic valves, etc.
simply add more things to break. I won’t
even begin to talk about adding CAFS to the equation; a subject for another
day. Not needing a ladder to get up to
the deck gun was arguably an advantage of old versus new; and reaching hose
lines and ground ladders without having to climb another one.
Pumps
ran, lines and ladders were pulled, and fires went out in the old days. Simple has some attractive benefits. It breaks less often, is easier to maintain
and, arguably, to teach. I’m not
advocating a return to the open cab ’68 of yesteryear, but ask yourself
honestly if the fires are going out better, quicker, or easier with the
increased complexity of modern engines and if you’re honest, the truth is
obvious.
long ago, I had one of those “solve the world’s problems” conversations with a
close friend of mine. We do this from
time to time and although we accomplish absolutely nothing, changing not a
thing, we both feel better at the conclusion.
Part of this particular chat covered a topic not new to us and one we’ve
“solved” before. The operative question
was “have the technological ‘improvements’ to fire apparatus actually resulted
in being able to better extinguish fires?”
Our
short answer to this burning question was “no.”
There is no question that today’s apparatus with the enclosed cab is far
safer and has gone some distance in reducing injuries and fatalities from the
days of open jump seats and riding the back step (getting dressed on the back
step wasn’t just crazy—it was stupid).
That, however, was not what we were talking about. It was more fundamental concept; that of
putting wet stuff on red stuff.
My
friend and I both started with engines without crosslays; back when all
pre-connects came off the back (one thing from the old days that seems to
slowly be regaining some favor). The
pump had two gauges. If two lines of
different lengths or sizes were in operation, the pump operator established his
pressure (yes it was always a him back then—no editorial comment intended) and
gated the other line down by experience and feel. Not the most accurate method, but it worked
well for generations. What the pump
panel didn’t look like was the cock pit of the space shuttle, which some of today’s
bear a striking resemblance to.
Individual
gauges? Love them. But flow meters, electronic valves, etc.
simply add more things to break. I won’t
even begin to talk about adding CAFS to the equation; a subject for another
day. Not needing a ladder to get up to
the deck gun was arguably an advantage of old versus new; and reaching hose
lines and ground ladders without having to climb another one.
Pumps
ran, lines and ladders were pulled, and fires went out in the old days. Simple has some attractive benefits. It breaks less often, is easier to maintain
and, arguably, to teach. I’m not
advocating a return to the open cab ’68 of yesteryear, but ask yourself
honestly if the fires are going out better, quicker, or easier with the
increased complexity of modern engines and if you’re honest, the truth is
obvious.
August 31, 2013
Book Signing, September 6th and 7th
Getting ready to sign at the Northeast Pennsylvania Volunteer Fireman's Federation Convention at the Browndale Fire Company next weekend.
August 16, 2013
More you might be a Redneck Firefighter if….
The soda machine in the station is actually loaded
with Genesee, Iron City or insert low end beer here.
Four guys get off a piece of apparatus and three of
them are related (whether they know it or not).
The portables still have extendable antennas.
The “donations” from filling pools with the tanker
are a major source of department income.
The Memorial Day Chicken Barbeque at the station is
the social event of the year.
A call comes in at 7:00 AM on the first day of deer
season and the only one who moves are the deer.
One of the first line pieces still has coats, boots,
and helmets hanging from a rack on the side.
The port-a-pond doubles as the town swimming pool on
hot summer days.
with Genesee, Iron City or insert low end beer here.
Four guys get off a piece of apparatus and three of
them are related (whether they know it or not).
The portables still have extendable antennas.
The “donations” from filling pools with the tanker
are a major source of department income.
The Memorial Day Chicken Barbeque at the station is
the social event of the year.
A call comes in at 7:00 AM on the first day of deer
season and the only one who moves are the deer.
One of the first line pieces still has coats, boots,
and helmets hanging from a rack on the side.
The port-a-pond doubles as the town swimming pool on
hot summer days.
Gary R. Ryman's Blog
- Gary R. Ryman's profile
- 3 followers
Gary R. Ryman isn't a Goodreads Author
(yet),
but they
do have a blog,
so here are some recent posts imported from
their feed.
