Everybody Loves Sparky the Fire Dog!

Just as much as kids love firefighters, every kid (well, almost every kid) loves Sparky.

Recently I had the chance to catch some Run-to-the-Curb type kids interacting with their favorite Fire Dog, learning all about fire prevention and safety and making new friends. Thanks to Sparky, I’m sure these kids will be running to the curb to watch the fire trucks go by, just as soon as they’re old enough.

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I opened up Internet Explorer where my home page is literally my home page: www.tigerschmittendorf.com and I clicked on the FireEMS Blogs icon in the upper left hand corner to see what my fellow bloggers were up to tonight.

I was drawn to a blog from the “Raising Ladders” site that caught my eye, titled: “Finally, a first due job… and a pretty good one, at that.” I didn’t think much of the title when I first read it until I got into the rest of the story. It was the author’s first real working fire in his career.

His story, along with my story telling experiences earlier in the evening, got me to thinking: “I remember my first time…”

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There’s a lot of talk these days about what we’re missing in the fire service. And with all this discussion of leadership, of mentorship, sharing, caring and passing down values, traditions and the rich heritage of firefighters, Ithought it appropriate to revisit a very personal blog I wrote two years ago today, January 22, 2010.

When we talk about people who have influenced our careers and our lives, many people often refer to that person as someone who they didn’t realize had made such an impact on them until they were no longer in our lives. My friend Bob Newell was one of those people.

I guess I had taken Bob for granted. I had underestimated how much of an influence he had been on me, how much he was someone who’s friendship I cherished. His death, and these realizations really took me by surprise.

Although Bob has been gone for two years now, his memory and his legacy certainly live on. His name is prominently displayed on our Wall of Honor in the Erie County Fire Academy where I work. His biography is printed in the book that sits on the podium next to the Wall, describing his contributions to the fire service. We still use many of the programs and lesson plans that Bob created.

His photo is mixed amongst collages of classes and characters that hang on our academy walls. I still get a pit in my stomach when I watch our Firefighter 1 Boot Camp video in which he is interviewed, talking about the importance of training our replacements.

But those are just the visual reminders. I can’t speak to hardly a single leader in our county’s fire service without seeing a Newell influence in the way they talk about training, their attitude towards safety or just their love for this job.

Following is the eulogy I had the honor of delivering at his funeral which was held in his second home: the Hamburg Fire Station. As hard as it is to think about Bob without missing him, revisiting these memories has the same effect on me that Newell always had. It makes me smile.

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What about Bob?

By: Tiger Schmittendorf
January 27, 2008

Good morning.

Since last Tuesday night – the night that tore us apart inside – and the same night that brought us all together; we have mourned the loss of Robert E. Newell.

As I was leaving the funeral home last night, I told Bev that: “Tomorrow, we’ll celebrate.”

Tomorrow is here. So, today we CELEBRATE the life of Bob Newell. It starts NOW!

To say Bob had a certain way about him – is like saying water is “helpful” in putting out fires. He was a real character.

You never had to wonder how Bob felt about a person or a subject. Did you?

His honesty was at times cutting – surpassed only by his caring for others. You always knew where Bob stood on a matter. And for that, I loved him.

In fact, Bob was a lot like the drink he enjoyed most: fine scotch. He was smooth, colorful and 100 proof.

Bob Newell loved to teach and students loved to be taught by him, young and old, experienced and green. I don’t know of many of our fire service leaders who never took a class from Bob Newell sometime in their career. His reach crossed county and state lines, career and volunteer.

Bob was most in his element when in the classroom or on the training ground. He exuded pride in training his replacements and took great satisfaction in teaching new recruits.

And he didn’t just teach them how to be firefighters; he taught them how to be great firefighters.

In addition to all of their requisite skills, Bob taught them discipline and teamwork. He taught them to respect their officers, their peers and themselves. He taught them that the road to leadership begins by being good followers.

Bob put them back in line when they stepped out, and he was never shy about offering a verbal kick in the pants where appropriate.

I remember him “booting” a new recruit from our second Firefighter 1 Boot Camp. He told him to pick up his “stuff” and promptly escorted him out the door.

But, Bob knew how to impart grace too.

He followed the recruit outside and coached the young man on the importance of authority and respect in the fire service.

After a time long enough to scare the crap out of the other students, Bob then allowed him to return and apologize to the class – and that new recruit is now a good fireman.

Bob taught many valuable lessons that way.

Bob was also adept at applying a gentle nudge just at the right time to boost his students’ confidence when they doubted their capabilities.

He wasn’t just a great teacher; he was a great listener too. Several of Bob’s students have since shared stories of how Instructor Newell listened to their troubles and then talked them down “off the ledge” of quitting a class or even the fire service.

He was a good judge of character and could tell pretty quickly if you were a good investment. If he saw the smallest glimmer of hope for your success, he invested everything he had in helping you reach your goals.

He never, ever, allowed anyone to fail themselves.

He taught his students about life in general, life as a firefighter and the importance of loving this job and all that it has to offer, good and bad.

Bob was a rare breed. He was both old school and cutting edge at the same time.

At age 63, and just a few years into his retirement, Bob was not one to slow down or cut back. He was always the one pushing us, always exploring new innovations and embracing new technologies and techniques.

He… was on top of his game.

His dedication to his family and the fire service were unmatched and his legacy will live on for years to come.

Bob Newell was a good firefighter, a great instructor, a class act and a generous friend.

And if you knew Newell like I knew Newell… I know you’ll agree.

Lastly I’d like to address Bob’s two families. For those of you who have been around the fire service, you know that being a firefighter is like leading a double life. There’s the life with your real family, and then there’s the life with us, your other family.

While Bob was integral to both of his families, I envied him for achieving success at balancing the two, always keeping his first family first:
Bev, Rob, Jay and John.

But we also know that Bob immersed himself in his second family, this great fire department, for almost 40 years.

Bob Newell was not only in the Hamburg Volunteer Fire Department – but  the Hamburg Volunteer Fire Department was in him too.

You don’t have to look far around this fire station to see Bob Newell’s thumbprint. He left a lasting impression on physical things like the training room and the maze – and on the faces of the people who share his love for this fire department.

I know how proud he was of Hamburg because he spoke of your successes often. Bob was always testing people to be their best – as he knew we were capable of.

And he sure put his fellow firefighters to the test this week with implementing the very firefighter funeral program that he had fostered. 

You have stepped up to the challenge and done an outstanding job, each and every one of you, together as a team, just the way Bob taught you.

I know he is beaming with Hamburg pride as you honor him today.

Bev, thank you for keeping Bob grounded and balanced by frequently dragging him away on vacation – while we were dragging him in a million other directions.

While there was never any doubt whether Bob had his priorities straight, you made sure he took time out of his so-called retirement to be with his other loves: you, the boys, their girls, and your grandchildren.

He was never shy about talking about his pride in – and love for – each of you, and how much he enjoyed every moment he spent with you.

Anyone who knows anything about firefighters knows that it’s not us who are making the sacrifices. Missed meals, birthdays and other important family functions are just more opportunities for us to do what we love.

The people making the real sacrifices are the people who love us – the ones who are left behind when the siren sounds.

Bev and boys, I know you made some real sacrifices with Bob’s dedication to serving his fire department and his community; but please know that it was not in vain.

He did more for the Village of Hamburg Fire Department and our fire service – than we will possibly ever realize.

Thank you for sharing him with us. Thank you for the gift that was Bob.

Bob liked quotes from famous firefighters, never taking into account that he was a famous firefighter himself.

I selected this quote from Edward F. Crocker, Fire Chief of the Fire Department of New York from 1899 to 1911; that I think speaks of who Robert E. Newell was:

I have no ambition in this world but one,
and that is to be a fireman.

The position may, in the eyes of some,
appear to be a lowly one,
but those who know the work
which a fireman has to do
believe his is a noble calling.

Our proudest moment is to save… lives.

Under the impulse of such thoughts
the nobility of the occupation thrills us
and stimulates us to do deeds of daring,
even of supreme sacrifice.

I said earlier that the celebration of Bob Newell starts right now. So, in that vain I hope to leave you with a smile, a snicker and as Bob would have it –a smart-ass remark.

Bob and I had pet names for each other. I called him “Newelldorf” because I felt bad that he didn’t have as many letters in his last name as I did.

He routinely called me “wise guy” or “smart ass” – and used them interchangeably.

Our secretary Debbie just told me Friday that he would ask for “Tigger” whenever he called the office. I didn’t know that. Trust me, I’ve been called worse.

As many of you know, I talked to Bob just a few hours before he passed away. We exchanged the usual “mutual harassment” and made lunch plans.

He ended the conversation by saying, “OK Wise Guy, I’ll see you on Friday.”

I said, “You’re buying and I’m eating,” which was how all of our lunches went.

This brief contact left me with a smile.

Later that evening, I experienced the privilege of being with his family and his fire service family as we started the mourning and remembrance process – the way Bob would expect us to: together.

 This week’s events made me remember something that Bob had told me before he retired in 2000.

He heeded me a warning. 

He said: “Schmittendorf… when I retire, I’m going to be the biggest pain in your ass… and the best friend you’ll ever want.”

Newell… truer words were never spoken.

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St. Paul MN Fire Chief Tim Butler is blogging about his fire academy experiences

I don’t remember how and when I stumbled across this particular blog, but it’s a good one.

St. Paul, Minnesota Fire Chief Tim Butler has written a blog about his experiences with the fire department since being appointed to the position two years ago. What’s so unique about this chief’s blog is that it details his adventures in participating in the latest recruit academy executed by the fire department.

The chief indicated early on after his appointment that he fully intended to experience everything his firefighters have experienced. In that vain, he prepared himself for and is actively engaged in the academy.

I was very impressed with his attitude as he wrote “We (sic) must share a common bond – a common culture – and a shared base of experience and perspective. We all must be confident in each member’s ability to operate safely and effectively on an incident scene or when representing our department to the public.”

Not only is he hanging it out on the line for all of his firefighters to see if he’s got the right stuff to be considered one of their own, but he’s exposing his fire academy laundry for the public to see through his blog. Both take a lot of guts for a 50-year old fire chief and I give him a lot of credit.

It’s good reading and contains fire service and life lessons for all of us. Check out “On Scene with Car 1.” See for yourself.

Start by reading the intro to the academy:

http://saintpaulfirechief.blogspot.com/2009/11/fire-chief-to-attend-academy-with-new.html

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What kid doesn't want to be a firefighter?

I was a Run-to-the-Curb type kid. What’s your story?

I’ve created a page at RuntotheCurb.com that will feature future firefighters  — what I call ”Run to the Curb” Kids.

This week’s RttC Kids include 2-1/2 year old Collin Manning, son of Williamsville Firefighter Chris Manning as well as a photo of my daughter Kathleen and her friend taken about 15 years ago (don’t tell her I posted this.)

Visit RuntotheCurb.com to meet this week’s future firefighters and tell us your story.

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I stumbled across this post from FireCritic (Fire-EMS Blog Network) and was dumbstruck. I haven’t thought of John Jordan in a long, long time.

In May of 1994, as Managing Editor of The Fire Fighter Newspaper and as a guest of VFIS, I and three other local firefighters (Dave Sherman, Jim Guy and Ric Dimpfl) traveled to Washington DC to attend the National Fire & Emergency Services Congressional Caucus Dinner coordinated by the Congressional Fire Services Institute.

Several hours before the dinner started and before I ever met him, John Jordan taught me a very valuable lesson: Don’t judge a book by its cover.

We were at breakfast at the Washington Hilton and this mountain of a man sat at a table across from us. With his scruffy beard and dressed in a flannel shirt and suspenders, I quipped:  “Now, there’s a volunteer firefighter if I’ve ever seen one.” Little did I know that I would be eating those words for dinner later that evening.

We spent the day visiting Washington landmarks and made our way back to the hotel. Passing through the heavy security, we were seated with a good vantage point near the center of the room full of probably 500 people or more. We enjoyed a nice meal and conversation and waited for the program to start.

After some introductions and opening remarks, Congressmen Steny Hoyer and Curt Weldon described the work of a volunteer firefighter from Bristol, Rhode Island who had been supporting firefighters in war-torn Bosnia. Following a detailed description of his work, the much-lauded firefighter stepped to the podium.

It was John Jordan, the mountain of a man with the scruffy beard, dressed in a flannel shirt and suspenders, that we had sat across from at breakfast. Boy, was I embarassed. Open mouth — insert foot.

He told of firefighters, many of them volunteers, fighting fires in raincoats and sneakers — while being shot at. Could you imagine? Fighting the fires was the least dangerous part of their job. Just trying to stay alive was the most challenging part. Despite the constant threat of Serbian gun and mortar fire, they perservered and did their jobs.

It turns out that the only thing bigger than John Jordan’s shoulders was his heart. We listened to their stories, embraced their mission and joined the relief effort and gained new friends in doing so. As a result of our exposure to this problem half-a-world away, we started a local relief effort for “Firefighters Under Fire.” We didn’t know much about the conflict or the politics of it all, nor did we care. It was just about helping fellow firefighters. It was just about the brotherhood.

I’m proud to say that our county’s firefighters (Erie County NY) sent more gear and equipment than any other county in the US at the time.  We were recognized in the Congressional Record by then-Congressman Jack Quinn as a result of our efforts.

Returning to the dinner the following year, we had the pleasure of hearing and meeting the Chief of the Sarajevo Fire Brigade that John had worked with. A few months later, we received word that, like many of his firefighters, the chief had been assasinated. We stayed in touch with John and his group for a few years after that but eventually lost touch.

I’ve often thought about what their situation is like now. I haven’t kept up on events in that part of the world nor the path of  John Jordan. Regardless, he remains a hero to me today.

My personal thanks to FireCritic for reminding me of one of the most rewarding missions I’ve ever had the honor to be involved in.

Here’s the direct link to the YouTube video in case, like me, you can’t watch from the FireCritic site:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhCCheLSz5M

To learn more about John Jordan and his incredible story, click here.

PS – I have some old news articles and background info about this whole experience. I’ll dig it up and add it here.

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Getzville Firefighter Ryan Russell with two very appreciative fans

You’ve read my previous references to “Run to the Curb” type kids in “Fortune Tellers” and in my other writings. Now I’ve created a whole new web site just for telling my stories and to give you a place to share your stories too.

Run to the Curb.com is a work-in-progress blog I just created and a possible online book project too. There I’ll share my experiences, my stories and my thoughts on our need to be better story tellers. 

And, I want to hear your stories too. You can share your childhood experiences and your connections to the fire service and in doing so, share the brotherhood, history and traditions of the fire service with fellow firefighters — and those who wish they were.

Check back often as more stories are added and we build this legacy document together.

Run to the curb. Tell your story. Tell your fortune. We can’t wait to hear it.

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Their goal is to motivate their residents to “Start Your Next Adventure” at Doyle 1 Fire/Rescue/EMS. Armed with posters, billboards and other marketing materials, Doyle 1 is promoting the many flexible volunteering opportunities they offer.

The outdoor advertising campaign kicked off in late November and continues through mid-December. The billboard is located at 2060 William Street near the City of Buffalo line.

The theme, billboard and other collateral materials were designed by Tiger Schmittendorf as a service of the Erie County Department of Emergency Services and paid for by a SAFER grant from the US Department of Homeland Security.

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