Check it out. Foam 18, Battalion 12, and other units on scene in Philly.

BURN is an action-packed and inspiring documentary about Detroit, told through the eyes of the men and women of the Detroit Fire Department, who are charged with saving a city that many have written off as dead. It’s a story that resonates in many American cities, as heroic first responders soldier on in the face of severe budget cuts.

I also got to do a ton more traveling this year. Willie Wines Jr. and I are thankful for all of the doors opened to us. The people we got to meet and hang out with in NYC, New Jersey, Cincinnati, Wyoming (city), Loveland, Mason, Johns Creek, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Emmitsburg, Prince George's County, and elsewhere along the way. You guys have been great. Thank you for all you have done to make our trips worth it.

What is also very amusing is that all of these firefighters believe Dave Statter. Dave was never a firefighter. He claims he was, but I assure you he was not. He might have been a member of a department for a couple of hours, but then decided just to report on it. Dave is a reporter...hell, that isn't even true anymore. They fired him. It is unfortunate, and Dave doesn't like to talk about it.

The wait is over! Here is the 2012 list for the Top Ten Female Firefighter Calendars. I do this as a public service of course...you guys can buy me a beer later!

Each year, the Top Ten Firefighter Calendar article grows a little bit more. In 2010, the list was merely female firefighter calendars. In 2011, it included both female and male calendars. Here we are in 2012 and we have split them into two lists of their own. Be sure to share this article with others. Remember...they are for great causes.

I have written about smartphone apps in the past, but FireRescue1 has an article with many more...and plenty of information on them.

We got to hang out in Cincinnati and in Edgewood, Kentucky at the Kenton County Officer Leadership Symposium where I presented, with the Loveland-Symmes Fire EMS, Mason Fire EMS, Chief Billy Goldfeder, Wyoming Fire EMS, Cincinnati Fire Dept., and so many others including an Aussie Kieth Gillespie. Thanks to all for the great time!

It is imperative that our firefighters know and understand who Hal Bruno was and what Hal Bruno stood for. I never met the man, but his legacy will remain as a huge influence on the fire service.

We had a great time and got to show them some of the rich firefighting history here in Roanoke...the same history that too many take for granted and so many have completely forgotten about.