The Making of a Documentary

At the Gate...

2011-11-12T10:47:00.003-05:00

Well, folks, it's official. I have secured an editing team. Blackrock Media will be editing the film. The process has been started, we just need to work out some details of time and a central location for editing, but post-production should begin very shortly. As soon as I have a timeline, I will post the information.

Thank you all for your interest, support and encouragement. I am very much looking forward to being able to get the film done and on the air!

Be well and stay safe, everyone.

New Avenues... Update

2011-04-04T06:41:00.002-05:00

Turns out I should have called this guy three years ago. I have some meetings to set up, some planning to do, but the proposal is definitely realistic and doable.

Stay tuned, folks... we're on our way!

New Avenues

2011-03-14T21:03:00.001-05:00

Hey, all -

Meeting with a former colleague tomorrow to see what I can do about getting this thing into post-production. Keep your fingers crossed, folks...

No, I Haven't Disappeared...

2011-01-15T12:59:00.002-05:00

Hello, all -

My apologies for not posting for so long. There have been many, many changes going on that forced me to leave the project on the back burner for a while. I will be contacting my editor and trying to set up some work time with him over the next few weeks to get this thing rolling. Once that's done, I will need to get some studio time to record the voice over. Upon the completion of the recording, we'll sync it up with the film and start hoofing it to the local television stations to get it some airtime.

So, fear not - I haven't abandoned the film. I have come to the conclusion that this thing will debut exactly when it is needed most. Everything happens for a reason, right?

Stay tuned, folks.

Capture Complete!

2010-05-08T14:42:00.002-05:00

Hey, All -

I purchased a nifty little Dazzle video converter and was able to capture that last tape full of footage. So, the really expensive part is done (for less than $100.00).

Now, I will be contacting Jon Schermerhorn to see if we can get together and work on the editing part.

Will keep everyone updated.

By the by... that last tape was the interview that I conducted with the children of Mike & Cindy Day. I hadn't watched it in a very long time and I was reminded what an amazing family they are. Cindy, Mike, Amanda, Brianne and Stephanie, I thank you once more for opening yourselves up and sharing your story with me. I am honored that you allowed me to come into your home and were completely willing to revisit something that was terrifically painful, just to help with the film. I am grateful for that and for your friendship, as well.

Stay tuned, kids... it's coming along.

The Latest...

2010-04-28T10:06:00.003-05:00

Just ordered the converter that I need so I can transfer that last tape. Should have it within a week. Once that's done, will work out a meeting with Jon to get this thing rolling! Then I have to figure out how to get the voiceover recorded. One thing at a time, though.

Stay tuned, kids.

Wow

2010-04-17T21:59:00.002-05:00

I am very happy and relieved to announce that I completed the video capture today. All 22 tapes have now been transferred to the hard drive, so I can begin editing. Now it's just a matter of getting my schedule to mesh with Jon's. Might be tough, but we'll get it done.

I have one tape that was shot on an older camera and I'll need to do some figuring out to get it transferred, but we'll get that done, too.

That just cut $10K from post-production costs, which makes me feel a LOT better about our situation.

During editing, I'll tweak the script and get a final draft of that done. Once we have a rough cut, we can get the voice-over recorded, then back to editing to synch them up.

I refuse to say when I think this will be done. I don't want to jinx myself! LOL

Thanks to all for the unwavering support - and especially to all of the firefighters that endured me hanging around with a video camera and filming their every move. I know it wasn't easy and in some cases it was downright scary, but I hope that when you see the finished product, you'll be as proud as I am.

Be well & stay safe, everyone.

Love,

Erin

There was another one...

2010-04-13T17:32:00.002-05:00

Hey, All -

I've noticed more and more people looking for the documentary made several years ago by Bob Farrell and Capt. Joe Errico of the PFD. It has been posted to You Tube. It is commonly referred to as the "Code Red Video".

Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EeUqTE1E0A

Enjoy!

Coming Along Nicely, Thank You.

2010-04-11T19:23:00.003-05:00

Hi, folks -

I spent most of the day yesterday capturing video. I got about half-way through the eleventh tape of the day and decided to take a break. There are twenty-three tapes total, so I'm more than half done with the capturing.

Amazing.

So, I'll probably work on it from time to time over the next few days and by this time next week, if all goes well, I should have it all captured to the hard drive.

Then...

wait for it...

it's time to call Jon Schermerhorn.

Keep the faith, kids.

Be well & stay safe.

Erin

PROGRESS - It's A Beautiful Thing

2010-04-07T08:54:00.003-05:00

On Saturday, I came home from a very long day and Fran (my best friend and roommate) asked me if I noticed anything missing from the room in which we were sitting. I looked around, tired, sore... didn't notice anything, though.

"The hard drive and the Firewire card?" She smiled.

She spent the day installing them on the computer.

I had other things to do, but on Sunday, I gathered up my camera and my tapes and went into the office. I looked around for the new connections, but had trouble finding them. Fran came in and hooked up the camera. I turned it on... "bing!" the computer located it.

That was when I started crying and hugged Fran so tightly that I nearly crushed her ribcage.

Happy? Ecstatic? Thrilled? Not one of those three words even begins to describe what I felt when that computer recognized the camera. The feeling was quadrupled when I fired up my camera's software and began capturing video.

Since then, I have completed two capturing sessions and am about to embark on a third. I have loved sitting down and watching the footage again - reliving stuff that I had forgotten about and being moved by stories from the firefighters.

So, folks... this process is saving upwards of $10,000.00. This is the time consuming part, but for me it is flying by. I also realized that I had six or seven other tapes in a different location. It's going to be so difficult to cut this stuff down to fit into an hour-long compilation. I am finding such beautiful material - perfect verbal descriptions of an indescribable job.

My thanks again to all those who endured me filming them and hanging out. I have been so blessed to be able to live this experience. My experiences with these amazing men and women is just as indescribable as their job is. I am a very, very lucky woman.

Be well & stay safe all. Keep the faith... we're moving along!! :-)

Federal Hill Gazette

2010-03-09T15:24:00.002-05:00

Deb Cunha is a Cranston local who writes for the Federal Hill Gazette. Her column usually profiles soldiers who are currently serving. I was trying to help her find someone from the Providence Fire Department who is also a service person to spotlight in her column for March. She found out about my documentary and decided to give her column a little twist this month. Please visit:

www.thefederalhillgazette.com

to read the column.

My thanks to Deb for spotlighting the Everyday Heroes of the Providence Fire Department! :-)

Workin' On It

2010-03-04T10:05:00.002-05:00

Hey, Folks -

I'm in the process of acquiring the equipment that I need in order to get the ball rolling. It's taking some time - was originally going to use a laptop to do a good deal of the work, but that fell through. Now in the process of upgrading the desktop PC. It's coming together slowly but surely.

Keep checking back and thanks for your support!

Be well & stay safe.

Erin

Federal Hill Gazette

2010-02-18T11:06:00.002-05:00

Hey, All -

There will be an article about the film in the March issue of the Federal Hill Gazette. Debra Cunha has been writing for them for a couple of years now and took an interest in the project after we met at Borders Bookstore. Originally, we had talked about me helping her to find a soldier to interview for her recurring articles about Rhode Island servicemen and women. I have also submitted four photographs by Fran for the piece. I don't know how many will make it in, but there will be a least one, I'm sure.

As my faithful readers know, I absolutely hate doing interviews about this, because the angle is always the civilian shooting a film... so on and so on... However, as I told Deb, if it piques the interest of one person and makes them look for the film and subsequently watch and learn from it, then that's fine by me.

Deb said that they will also put the article on their website. Once I have the link, I'll post it here.

Working On It...

2010-02-14T20:49:00.002-05:00

Hey, folks...

Getting the cables, cards, programs, etceteras needed to get this show on the road. Hope to be able to begin capturing taped footage to hard drive by the 20th of February. Waiting on a card that I need in order to do that. Will update as needed.

Keep the faith, kids!

Be well & stay safe.

Hope Springs Eternal!

2010-01-21T12:39:00.003-05:00

Hiya, Folks...

I had quite a nice conversation with a high school classmate of mine yesterday and the future is looking brighter. I've done some research today and it seems that the outlook on getting the film to post-production is not as bleak as I had originally thought.

I have some work to do and it will take a few weeks, at least, but at least I can actually get something done. There are some issues to iron out, but the really time consuming work seems to have a solution.

I will update as best I can. Please keep your good and encouraging thoughts and wishes coming... I need all the help I can get! I am re-inspired, though, now that things seem to be headed back toward my original plans for the film. I wanted to keep this a simple, grass-roots, honest project, contributed to by people who have a true caring for the subject matter. That is where we're headed and it is doing my heart good.

Keep the faith, kids.

Be well & stay safe, everyone.

Now...

2010-01-11T17:47:00.003-05:00

Deep, cleansing breath...

The holidays are over! My family and I have had a crazy couple of months - my father was in the hospital for a month, inclusive of Thanksgiving and during his hospital stay, my mother and eldest niece were involved in a motor vehicle accident. All are on the mend now and my focus can shift back to other things. Although I do have a lot on my plate, getting things back in order and getting into post-production with this film are foremost on the list.

I will be spending some time re-writing the script, hopefully meeting with a former classmate of mine regarding editing and working with some others to get this project completed.

I have had multiple requests for DVD copies of the film. I had addressed this somewhere else in the blog, but have no idea how far back it is, so I'll say this here. There is a small group of people with whom I have worked along the way that have been promised a DVD copy of the film upon its completion. Beyond that, DVD availability once the film is aired will be up to the Providence Firefighters. This film will belong to them when it is completed and it will be up to them to decide whether or not they will make it available for purchase and how much it will cost. When I am given that information, I will post it here.

I will do my best to keep you all posted and as always, I thank you so much for your support and encouragement. Now that I have some truly viable prospects, I am hoping to get this thing done. Please do feel free to leave comments, but when you do, please leave your name, as well. (Anonymous comments are a pet peeve of mine!) Thank you!

Keep checking back for updates!

Be well & stay safe, everyone.

Best,

Erin

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

2009-12-25T12:22:00.002-05:00

Hello, all -

Wishing everyone a blessed holiday season and a happy, healthy and safe new year!

Ran in to an old friend at the bookstore the other day and had a quick chat with him. We will be talking over the next couple of weeks to see if he can help me with the editing situation. Don't know much more than that right now, but we'll see how it goes.

Hopefully we'll have a finished film to start the new year!

Keep your fingers crossed, kids.

With much love and appreciation...

Erin

Interest shown

2009-11-07T16:02:00.002-05:00

Hi, all -

So the voiceover artist options are expanding and I just spoke with another person who may be able to help with some post production stuff. The sun seems to be appearing over the horizon again!

Keep your fingers crossed. I will not be able to make announcements until final decisions have been made, but rest assured that it is being worked on.

Thanks again to all who have offered their assistance!

Be well & stay safe out there.

Okay... so...

2009-11-05T12:21:00.002-05:00

I've been given some contacts and am in the process of checking them out. I'm trying to keep our options open. Contrary to popular belief - we are not superheroes! We need to thoroughly check out our avenues of progression before committing to anything or anyone.

So...

I have another prospective option for a voiceover artist and I am really, really praying that it pans out. If so, it would help to bring the whole project back toward my original plans, which would make me feel infinitely better about the situation. I am not going to set my heart on it, but I do have hope.

As you may be able to tell, it's been a bit disappointing lately with all of the insanity going on surrounding the project. We're working on it, though... so have faith, folks. We'll get there.

Thanks, as always for all of the support. I know I've been rather vague in this post, but that is out of necessity at present. Can't get specific about things that are up in the air, right? :-)

Stay tuned, kids.

Just Want to Take a Moment...

2009-10-31T09:30:00.004-05:00

to say thanks to those folks who have approached me in the last two weeks with ideas and assistance. Dorinne Albright, Cindy Day, Dennis Vecchiarino, Kevin Young, John Farrell and to all of the firefighters who have inquired about the status of the project, I greatly appreciate your concern and assistance.

I have yet to meet with anyone about the current situation. Hopefully we'll be able to get that done fairly soon. Ideas are forming, contacts being made and we'll get it all worked out.

Although I am heartily disappointed with the turn of events of late, I have been shown that this work has not been done in vain and in fact, is intriguing people before it is even compiled and edited.

I wish that I had been able to get this done in the manner in which I had planned and with the people that I originally had on board for post production, but for some reason, that is simply not to be. So... as my Grammy always said... "well, Baby, it's time to hitch up yer bootstraps and head on down the road".

Thanks again all and please stay tuned.

Be well & stay safe, everyone.

Quotes Are In...

2009-10-23T07:57:00.003-05:00

Hey, Folks...

Met with the producer last night and got the quotes for getting this thing into post-production. Looks like I'm going to need to do some fundraising, brainstorming and figuring out how to put more hours in the day.

I have to work out the details with Jay and probably others, but there will be more news to come, I'm sure.

I've also been in contact with an old school friend of mine who works in the industry. Hopefully I'll be able to get some ideas from him, too. (Thanks, Jon!)

On the voiceover front... I have a couple of people so far who I think would be great. Probably going to have demos done and see where to go from there.

That's all the news for now, kids. Got lots to do. Will try to keep you all updated along the way.

Thanks again, everyone. You guys rock!

Be well & stay safe.

Erin

2009-10-14T07:53:00.004-05:00

I've been in contact with my good friend, Michael Shipp - better known to his fans as "Big Daddy". I discovered Mike quite by accident several years ago when searching out the music of Billy Bob Thornton. Mike grew up with Billy Bob and they have played music together over the years. In the process, I discovered some incredible music and a phenomenal guy!

Mike has agreed to work with me on the music for the film - as I've mentioned in the past in the newspaper articles about the project. It dawned on me that I had never posted a link to his site. Please do check him out! I'm fond of referring to his music style as "Road House Rock". If you're into The Allman Brothers, Lynrd Skynrd, the Georgia Sattellites -stuff like that, then you'll really enjoy Big Daddy's tunes.

My thanks to Mike and to Fran Paliotta, as well - who will also be allowing me to use one of her music pieces. If you want to hear some samples, check out:

http://www.michaelrshipp.com/

and

http://www.franpaliotta.com/

On Fran's site, click on Galleries, then Project Art and watch the slideshow titled "Mom".

Thanks again for your support, everyone. It's been awesome to discover that I haven't alienated everyone with all of these delays. I greatly appreciate it!

Be well & stay safe.

Erin

Update

2009-10-08T09:47:00.002-05:00

Hey, All -

Met with the editor last night. Actually, he's more along the lines of a producer, but he will do some fact finding and numbers crunching and let us know how he can help. It will probably be a couple of weeks before there's a solid update, but at least there's some hope. At least I got as far as a meeting! Oy... what a haul.

Anyhow, the meeting was promising. Ideas were shared and plans discussed. It was nice to have someone with industry experience tell me that the plans are good and that the footage is awesome. Some of it will need to be cleaned up a little bit, but he was impressed with the use of light and the quality of the footage.

It was a little scary at some points - it is very difficult to be so deeply involved in a project and be willing to trust a total stranger with it's post-production, but I know it must be done. It was also interesting seeing the result of presenting the film and dispelling the idea that it is politically driven. It is understandable that an "outsider" might immediately assume that, given the circumstances of late, but it is nice to know that the piece stands on its own merit.

I will update when I know more. I am a little disappointed over the thought that I may actually need to bite the bullet and spend more to make this film, but if it means that it gets made within the next six months instead of six years, then we'll do what we have to do. I sold Girl Scout Cookies to go to camp... maybe I'll have to sell my Mom's brownies to make this movie! Hey Mom, fire up the oven. Looks like we might have to have a FOBs sale. (Don't ask, folks... just suffice it to say that the firefighters have given the name to the brownies, not me.)

Wow - this is the longest post I've written in a long time.

Okay, Kids - thanks, as always and I'll update as needed.

Be well & stay safe, all. Keep the faith - it'll get done.

With much love and gratitude,

Erin

Light at the end of the tunnel?

2009-10-07T10:58:00.002-05:00

Sorry it's been so long, folks. Things have been stagnant - very difficult finding an editor. However, my project partner and knight-in-shining-armour, Jay Fabrizio, has come to my rescue yet again. He has set up a meeting with an editor! We're meeting tonight. Will update when I know more.

Thanks to all who have been asking, keeping up with me and not losing faith. Your encouragement has been invaluable. I am eternally grateful!

Be well & stay safe, everyone.

Delays... Editors... so on...

2009-08-18T22:06:00.002-05:00

Hey, All -

It dawned on me that I haven't posted anything lately. Not that I have anything to tell, really, but I figured people might want to know that I haven't fallen off the edge of the world.

I have the word out on finding an editor and recently met someone who has more leads that might be able to assist. That's really all I can tell you at this point. I am actively seeking an editor. If anyone has any leads, please feel free to e-mail me or to refer the person to this blog site.

It will happen - and I believe that it will come at the right time. That's what has happened so far. Frustrating? Yes. But I'm trusting in the thought that everything happens for a reason.

Be well & stay safe, all.

It's Okay... Honest

2009-05-08T13:42:00.002-05:00

Yes, I'm still trying to find an editor. I've also found a neglected aspect of the job and have made contact with the appropriate people to rectify that awful oversight. The weather has not cooperated on days that I've been able to shoot outside sequences. I will be tied up on Fridays through the summer (not literally, figuratively). Got two more leads on editors, too... shoulda said that earlier.

Seriously, I'll get this done. I have no idea how... but I'll get it done.

Frazzled? Yes.

Update...

2009-04-13T18:30:00.000-05:00

I've gotten a couple of leads for editors. I'll keep you posted on the progress with that.

I'm working on other aspects of the film in the meantime.

Keep your fingers crossed, kids.

Thank you!

Erin

Editor Needed

2009-03-26T11:35:00.002-05:00

Hello, All -

Okay, I have been unable to contact my editor. I've followed up on a couple of leads thus far and have some feelers out, but I would appreciate any leads that anyone may have for an editor that has editing equipment readily available. I have a hard drive for storage of the footage.

If anyone has any suggestions, please click on my e-mail link at the top left corner of the main blog page and drop me a line. I'll be happy to follow up!

Thank you!

Be well & stay safe, everyone.

Erin

Providence Firefighter Helping Special Olympics

2009-03-01T19:54:00.001-05:00

Hello, All! I received a note from a good friend of mine from the Providence Fire Department, Carl Richards, today. He is trying to raise money to help sponsor Special Olympics. His goal is $500.00. If you'd like to help, you can go to his fundraising website at:

http://www.firstgiving.com/carlrichards

Carl is a 20-year veteran of the PFD and this is just one of the ways that he tries to help others in the community. Your help is greatly appreciated and if you think you may know others who would be willing to help, please pass this e-mail along to them!

Thank you again!

Best,

Erin Blackman

Issues... issues... issues

2009-02-05T20:27:00.003-05:00

It's been a tough start to this year, guys. Between weather causing delays, problems trying to contact my editor and just life issues in general, things have been crazy.

However...

I am working on writing the voiceover script and trying to get footage reviewed so I can mark it for editing. I may need to find another editor - we'll see.

Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement - you have no idea how much it means when there is so much frustration happening!

Be well & stay safe, everyone.

Oy, With the Snow Already!

2009-01-18T11:14:00.002-05:00

Okay, irritated might begin to cover it. I'd really like to see the ground again! Quite obviously, the snow has hampered my ability to be able to finish outside filming. When it isn't snowing on the days where I have available time, it's been 10 degrees outside - which is fine for me, but not for my camera.

I'm going to try to get a hold of my editor and see if we can at least start dumping footage to the hard drive and get some editing done while the weather keeps being uncooperative. I have no idea how that will pan out.

So, Happy New Year, everyone. Please do stay tuned. I know, I keep saying that. Believe me, no one is more anxious about getting this done than I am.

Be well & stay safe, all.

Let's See Who's Paying Attention...

2008-12-21T11:16:00.003-05:00

I'm thinking I may have to ride with the Eights again... there's a new crew member and a new truck.

Whaddaya say, Paul?

:-)

So... snow, snow, snow. Not exactly condusive to shooting outside. Who put in the order for all this junk in the first place?!? Ugh... the only part of living in RI that I despise!

Stay tuned, kids.

Have a happy, healthy & safe holiday season and new year!

No, I Haven't Forgotten....

2008-12-12T12:22:00.002-05:00

Hello, All -

Figured I'd post a note to let you all know that I haven't forgotten the film. These last few weeks have been filled with activity - Thanksgiving, a family wedding, all that happy stuff. Not to mention working through my EIGHTH holiday season at the bookstore. We've been lucky at my store - although business is not quite as great as it's been in the past, we are still pretty much non-stop all day long. That's great, but exhausting.

The weather here this weekend prevents any thoughts of filming outside. The place where I need to shoot my final pieces wouldn't exactly be in great shape. It'd be fine if I owned hip-boots, but since I don't, I'll wait for the ground to be solid again.

Tomorrow I'll be doing some work at the PFD Kids' Christmas Party - nothing to do with the film, but it will be a full day, I'm sure.

I'll post udates when I can. Hope everyone has a happy, healthy and safe holiday season!

Thanksgiving

2008-11-21T09:28:00.003-05:00

Hello, all -

I know I'm a week early, but I don't know that I'll have the chance to post during the coming week. I do work in retail and it's already exhaustingly busy at the bookstore. I just wanted to take a moment to share with my faithful readers the things for which I am thankful.

1. For all of my family and friends and my "fire family", as well as all of our Everyday Heroes who watch out for us each and every day.

2. For the opportunity to make this film and work with so many wonderful people. It is something that I will never forget and will always remember fondly.

3. For the fact that I still have a job in this horrible economy.

4. For the hope of a new team of leaders running our country.

5. Most of all, I am thankful for the fact that my father has been officially declared cancer free. Pop is still sick with COPD, but lung cancer is an absolutely horriffic disease and I am so grateful for the fact that his doctors caught it early and treated him with the most advanced methods available. I know how lucky I am and I treasure every second I have with my father.

I hope that each of you has the time to take a moment and reflect upon the things for which you are thankful. Whether they be small or large, it's a humbling experience to realize just how lucky we are in this life. Even through hard times, most of us are blessed with even the smallest of things to help us get through and become stronger for it.

I am also thankful for all of the support and the friends I've made through my work on this film and through this blog. I greatly appreciate it!

I wish all of you a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving and I ask that if you're going to partake of a turkey dinner - PLEASE do not attempt to deep-fry a frozen turkey!!! It is EXTREMELY hazardous and 99% of the time results in a devastating fire or burn injuries!

Be well & stay safe, everyone.

With much love and appreciation,

Erin

Rain... Rain... Rain...

2008-11-14T09:56:00.003-05:00

So... today and tomorrow are out for filming the opening monologue for the film, which has been re-written. Next weekend's weather looks better, so we'll have to see if that holds true. Once that's done, we can get to post-production and be on our way, folks.

Once I have the cut that I'm happy with, it will be shown to my project partners/producers and as long as all are pleased, we'll start pitching it to stations for airing.

I've had many people ask me if I plan to sell DVD copies of the film, so while I'm thinking of it, I'll address that question here.

Once this film is completed, it is no longer my property. The film will belong to the Providence Firefighters, IAFF Local 799. I explained to them that my job with this will end once it is secured for airing on television. If the Providence Firefighters choose, they will have the freedom to sell DVD copies if they wish to and I will help with any packaging, production, etcetera that they need. This project has never been about making money or making a name for myself. It is about getting their story told - regardless of the work involved in doing so.

So, when it's decided what will be done, I'll post information here.

Thanks again for all of the support and interest in the project. I greatly appreciate it!

Absolutely Fabulous!

2008-11-09T18:24:00.002-05:00

So, I shot the interview with our extra-special guest participant on Friday. It is fantastic... I could not have asked for a better piece.

I am still going to keep the person's identity quiet for the time being. Suffice it to say that the presence of this person in the film will only serve to make it more provocative.

My thanks to the mystery person and those who assisted in getting the interview set up for me. I am absolutely ecstatic!

Be well & stay safe, everyone.

Erin

Extra-Special Guest Interview

2008-10-28T17:08:00.002-05:00

I have finalized plans for the extra-special interview I've been talking about. It will be filmed on November 7th. I am very excited about this... but still, I will not reveal who it is that is joining the list of fine folks who have participated in the interviews for the film. Yeah... I know... I'm a tease. Trust me, it'll be worth it.

I am disappointed that a few people that I wanted to be involved will not be, however, I do understand how weird it is to allow yourself to be filmed. I will still find a way to mention those folks - even if only in the credits. Overall, though, I seem to be gathering great stuff and I'm sure that will continue.

I'll be working on the intro monologue over the next week - a re-write is needed.

My thanks, as always, to all who are keeping track and staying in touch. It's all coming together!

Be well & stay safe, everyone.

Plugging Along....

2008-10-25T10:16:00.004-05:00

Hey, all -

I finished the remainder of my exterior shots of the stations yesterday. I also made arrangements for the extra-special interview that I talked about (I'm still not announcing it!!). That should be happening next Friday.

I'm planning to re-write my intro and hopefully film that within the next two weeks. Talked to my editor last week and I hope to be able to get together with him shortly to begin dumping the footage to the hard drive for editing.

So... it's coming along. I've got offers for assistance in getting the film aired and publicized from several sources. Channels 6, 12 & 36 are the most likely outlets at present. I've also been offered assistance from the RI Film & Television Office, so I'm sure that this thing will get aired without too much of a problem. Also, John Vilella & Walt Buteau would like to do a follow up on "Street Stories" when we're close to the release of the film.

I know it's been a long, long haul and no one wants to see this finished product more than I do. I appreciate everyone's patience, encouragement and interest in the project and I thank those who have stayed in touch and kept me on my toes with it.

Be well & stay safe, everyone and STAY TUNED... I promise... it's going to get finished!

Gettin' There is Half the Fun!

2008-10-17T20:39:00.003-05:00

Well, folks... it's coming along nicely. I now have all of the "company tours" (for lack of a better term) shot. I filmed pieces with the Special Hazards Unit and Ladder 4 earlier this year. Today, I filmed with an Engine and a Rescue Unit.

Lieutenant Russ McDonald took me around Engine 9 on Brook Street this morning and explained the truck and what it is used for. He was awesome - even showing how to properly dress a fire hydrant! Amazing... simply amazing. I am incredibly thankful to him for sharing his 28 years of Engine Company knowledge with me for the film.

Lieutenant "Ranger" Rick Blais was the next up for duty today. He filmed the Rescue Unit segment with me. I have the feeling that's the closest I'll ever get to taking one of Ranger's EMS classes. He, too, did a phenomenal job for me and I could not have written a better segment myself.

I then went to Washington Street to re-shoot DAC Dan Crowley's interview, which went very well. It's always difficult to talk about the loss of DAC Mike Day, but the Chief did very well and I am grateful for his participation in the interviews.

All-in-all, it was a very productive day and I am really thrilled with all of the footage that I shot today. Not too much more to go - hope to be able to get schedules together and have it all shot within the next two weeks or so. As my Dad says... "if the good Lord's willin' and the creek don't rise" - I should be able to make it happen.

My eternal thanks to Russ, Ranger and Chief Crowley. You guys are awesome and I greatly appreciate the hospitality, encouragement, assistance and friendship.

Thank (Insert Diety Here)

2008-10-13T21:23:00.003-05:00

Finally... some progress!

So this Friday, I'll be shooting at Brook Street and Washington Street stations and possibly the DOT. Thanks are due to:

Lieutenant Russ McDonald (Engine walk-around)
Deputy Assistant Chief Daniel J. Crowley (interview re-shoot) and...
Lieutenant "Ranger" Rick Blais (Rescue walk-around) (Cuz Ranger Rocks!)

I also have a little ditty worked out with a surprise guest for the film. I'm keeping that one under wraps, though. It's top secret. I think maybe three people have clearance to know about it - possibly four. Tee hee hee.

I'll keep ya'll posted.

Primal Screaming

2008-10-11T10:27:00.004-05:00

It is a satisfactory form of therapy, albeit loud and obnoxious.

I have not, apparently, mastered the subtle art of persuasion. The firefighter that I met with last week has declined. Which is cool - I understand that people are uncomfortable in front of cameras. I, myself, am not fond of it. I prefer a stage... it's not quite is nerve-wracking for some reason. So....

I have an e-mail out to one person, going to make some more phone calls today. I'll keep ya posted....

Deep breath... and... AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!

Okay, I think that'll do for a minute or two.

UPDATE:

Finally got someone to agree to do an engine walk-around for me. Lt. Russ McDonald of Engine 9 on Brook Street will be shooting that with me next Friday. I also managed to set up an appointment for one of the re-interviews. Got a message waiting for the Rescue segment I need... waiting to hear back on that. It's coming together... hopefully.

The Subtle Art of Persuasion

2008-10-04T10:36:00.002-05:00

Hey, all -

So, I've been working out schedules so I can make appointments. Major changes at home of late have changed the available time that I have, but I'm pretty sure I've got it sorted out now.

I met with a firefighter yesterday (who shall remain namless, at present) regarding the walk-around of an Engine that I need to shoot. I will know more shortly about that. I have some phone calls to make today about three interviews that I need to shoot and I'm hoping to get all of that done within the next two weeks. Barring any major catastrophes, that shouldn't be a problem. Very little else needs to be done after that before I can go to editing - and I'm praying that I can get to that by November 1st. That, as I've said before, will be the fairly easy part.

That's the scoop for now, guys. Thank you for your patience and for your encouragement! It was nice to meet Attleboro FF Pyne recently and to find out that he's a faithful reader here as well as on Michael Morse's blog.

On a side note - if anyone ever needed some proof as to the fact that my tenacity for this sort of thing is genetic, please click on the link below and watch the WPRI "Street Stories" piece from yesterday. Yes, Walt and John have made this a family affair! My Mom - I'm awfully proud of her determination and her will to keep the history of our nation alive. Yes, half of my determination comes from my Dad (I think beating lung cancer twice is evidence of that!), but now you can see Mom at: http://www.wpri.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?vt1=v&clipFormat=flv&clipId1=2988092&at1=News - Special Coverage&h1=Street Stories: Remembering war heroes - Special Coverage&h1=Street Stories: Remembering war heroes

enjoy!

Be well & stay safe, everyone.

Erin

Stuff, Stuff & More Stuff....

2008-09-24T18:53:00.003-05:00

Man, life just throws a monkey-wrench into everything. "Extra" time has been tight of late - but I am determined to get this thing done and get it aired this winter. I know - I keep saying that - but now I'm just getting annoyed!

Going to make some calls this week to set up the rest of the filming I need to do. So, if anyone reading this is one of those people I keep saying "I haven't forgotten you" to, please answer your phones this weekend!

Hopefully I'll have more to tell in my next post. Stay tuned folks - I swear, this film will get made.

Update

2008-08-31T18:08:00.002-05:00

Opted to do some re-writing this weekend. Had some other chores to attend to and needed to be close to home, so sitting here in front of the idiot box and editing my script seemed to be the prudent thing to do.

Keeping an eye on the upcoming weather situation. We'll have to wait and see what next weekend has in store for me, but at least the work is getting done.

Hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend and be well and stay safe out there!

Re-shooting in progress

2008-08-25T17:42:00.002-05:00

Hey, all -

Well, I've recovered almost completely from my little concussive adventure. I re-shot my footage at the Department of Training on Friday (Thank you, Ranger!). I hope to be able to catch some footage of the new recruits working, but I don't know that it will happen.

I'm planning to get some more done this weekend. Things are a little hectic - my home is down one person for the next few weeks. My best friend (and still photographer) Fran is in Philadelphia for three weeks - but I think I should be able to get a couple of hours in here and there.

Thanks to all for your patience and support. I greatly appreciate it.

Now if I can just steer clear of any heavy, falling objects - sinus infections.... you know.

Be well & stay safe, everyone.

Fundraiser for Firefighters' Son

2008-08-04T19:17:00.002-05:00

The PKD Foundation is having a fundraiser for Andrew Doughty, son of Providence Firefighter Paul and South County Firefighter Rebecca.

Andrew has polycystic kidney disease, an incurable illness that will eventually lead to a kidney transplant later in his life. He's a brave little five-year-old boy, I must say!

The fundraiser will be at:
Providence Firefighters' Memorial Hall
92 Printery Street
Providence, RI 02904

on

Sunday, August 17th

Tickets are $25.00 each and includes a meal, free beer and music.

Festivities kick off at 2pm

If there is anyone unable to attend but would like to send a donation, please e-mail me. You can mail it to me and I will hand-deliver it to Paul and Rebecca for you.Thank you in advance for any support you may be able to lend!

Be well & stay safe, all.

Being on the Other Side of Things

2008-07-24T09:41:00.002-05:00

Not fun - I must say. Being the one that the firefighters carefully wrap up and strap into their stair chair is not a pleasant experience, despite the fact that the firefighters themselves are absolutely wonderful.

So there I was on Monday afternoon, sitting on the floor behind the cash registers at the bookstore, pre-counting the special orders in preparation for our inventory. Another employee was ringing up a customer and had to take a security device off of a CD. The key for that is underneath two display shelves behind the registers. As she pulled up to release the CD, she bumped the shelf above, which was overloaded with books - hardcovers, of course. Couldn't have been on the other side with the paperbacks. Anyway... four copies of Janet Evanovich's latest Stephanie Plum novel came flying down off the shelf and I caught them with my head. Yup - that's right - with my head.

Good thing I have a thick Irish skull... or not. You'll understand why when you read on.

So being the thickheaded Irishman that I am, I filled out an accident report and just kept right on counting, despite the fact that I felt like I had a railroad spike driven through my head. Finished my workday and went home, where I spent the evening nursing the phenomenal headache that resulted from my book beating.

The next morning when I got up, I wasn't feeling well, but I wasn't sure if it was a result of my allergies acting up or if it had to do with the beating that I took the day before. I got ready for work, drove in and as I drove along Rte. 295, my left eye started to twitch badly and I started getting shaky all over. I made it to work, parked my car and went inside, hoping that the feeling would pass. By the time I got into the employee break room, I could not stand by myself. My manager called 911 and the great guys of the Cranston Fire Rescue Department came and scooped me up, swiftly delivering me to Kent Hospital's ER.

Yup - ironic, but true. The guys, of course, were great. I tried to stay upbeat with them as they took care of me, because I know the kind of crap they put up with all of the time. It was tough, though, because when your blood pressure's through the roof and it feels like Andre the Giant is squeezing your head between his hamhocks - well, not exactly the easiest time to be jovial.

So, I've decided that I much prefer NOT being the one strapped to the gurney. It really is not a pleasant thing to go through, even when you have the nicest guys around taking care of you. No offense to my newfound rescuers from the Edgewood fire station - none at all. I greatly appreciate their excellent care and made sure I thanked them, too.

Needless to say, I won't be filming this weekend - unless, that is, I'm cleared on Friday to return to work. We'll see what happens.

Oy... I'll tell ya.... never a dull moment at the bookstore. You'd think it'd be a boring place to work!

Non-Filming Type Weekend

2008-07-07T19:52:00.002-05:00

Hey, All -

Didn't get a chance for filming this weekend, but worked out some of the storyboarding in my notes. I'm getting the flow of the film down and figuring out how to get it out of my brain and into some intelligible sequences. The hardest parts - figuring out what footage to use - are pretty much done. I think my only stumbling block there will be with the interviews. They're all so great and I would love to use every single second of each one, but I would have to make the film about three and a half hours long for that. Not an option, sadly. Who knows, though? Maybe I can put together a Special Features DVD and have one section called "Cutting Room Floor" for that stuff.

I've been very surprised in the last couple of weeks by three or four complete strangers who have come into the bookstore where I work and mentioned the film. They apparently saw the re-airing of "Street Stories" on Channel 12. Still, that was a month ago. It does my heart good to know that so many people are looking out for it, though and are interested in seeing the finished product. Thanks again to Walt Buteau and John Villella for that!!

All righty... hoping to get in some shooting time this weekend. We'll see what happens with the weather.

Stay tuned!

Got Some Filming Done

2008-06-23T17:46:00.001-05:00

Hey, Folks - just a quick note to let you know that I got some filming done on Friday; about half of the exterior shots. Hope to get more done this week. If I can keep on track, we'll get this thing done yet!

Thanks again to all for your support and encouragement. It helps more than you know!

This Has Nothing to Do With the Film...

2008-06-17T21:01:00.002-05:00

But my father had the last of his radiation treatments today and all seems to have gone well. Now that we've gotten through all of that mess, I will be able to complete filming. Hope to get some done on Friday this week - it'll depend upon the weather. Outdoor stuff. I'll post updates as I have them.

Another thing that has nothing to do with the film, but more with the friends I've made along the way in my journey through it... I've become good friends with a lovely girl from Baltimore, MD named Tricia Fike. She and her little boy, Liam, are wonderful people Trixie (that's what I call her) and I are both big fans of the '70's TV Show, "Emergency!". Funny how something so trivial brings good friends together. Anyhow, Liam is an aspiring filmmaker, himself. I just had to share a drawing that he made for me of a talking fire hydrant. Enjoy... I know it gave me one heck of a laugh. And thanks, Liam... because I REALLY needed that laugh today!

Fixed? I think?

2008-06-12T21:34:00.003-05:00

I went back to Elwin Electronics yesterday to pick up my camera. Tested it there and it seems to be working properly. Let's hope for the best!

My father began his radiation treatments Tuesday, had the second today and has one more next Tuesday. I will be focusing on him until then. Once that's done, I'll try to get some filming in next weekend and get this show on the road, folks.

Thank you to those who sent e-mails of support about my dad. He seems to be doing quite well thus far - no side effects and such.

Be well & stay safe, everyone. I'll update soon.

That Screaming That You Heard

2008-06-07T10:07:00.002-05:00

just about 4:00 PM EST yesterday was me. Yes, me. Why? Because I finally had the chance to pick up the recommended DVC tapes and really test the camera. Guess what? It's still not working correctly. Yup - that's what I said - still messed up. Mercury must still be in retrograde...

So, into my car I got and off to Warwick I went. I dragged myself through the door of Elwin Electronics (mainly because I was feeling crappy, but partly because I'm tired of this situation!) and walked up to the lovely young customer service agent, Megan, at the front desk. She's a very sweet girl and very well suited for the job (I know - I've been doing the same sort of work for a very, very long time). Anyway, when I told her that it was still not working correctly, HER heart sank. "I'm so sorry," she said, knowing that I'm trying to get a film done. "I'll assign it to him first thing Monday morning and we'll get it straightened out." She did up the paperwork and I signed off on it. She apologized profusely and I told her it was okay, but I know that she saw the major disappointment on my face. "I'll call you as soon as we know something," she said.

Funny, it sort of felt like when you bring somebody to the Emergency Room and the doctor tells you they'll call you when they know something.

So, folks... that's where we stand. Camera's back in the ER and hopefully the CAT Scan will show something and the surgery will be successful.

Camera's All Better

2008-06-05T22:06:00.003-05:00

Got it back... seems to be fine. Just have to pick up some fresh DVC tapes and I'll be on my merry way.

My Dad will be starting his SBR treatments next Tuesday and will finish on Tuesday the 17th. Once we get through that, I'll be good to go.

Be well & stay safe, everyone.

Camera's in the Shop

2008-05-31T12:27:00.003-05:00

Hey there, Faithful Readers... just a note to let everyone know that my little buddy has been left in the hands of the technicians at Elwin Electronics in Warwick. Poor little thing still wasn't feeling well.

Keep your fingers crossed - hopefully it'll be only a week. I do miss it so.

"Street Stories" Special

2008-05-25T18:50:00.002-05:00

Channel 12 will air a half-hour special tomorrow, Memorial Day, that will include the piece that they shot about the documentary. It will air at 5:30 PM and will be available for viewing at wpri.com afterward, from what I'm told.

My thanks to Walt Buteau and John Villella and my congratulations to them, as well, for winning that Emmy!

Good News!

2008-05-24T22:22:00.002-05:00

I got my hands on a backup camera and just in time, too. I got a call from Cindy Day letting me know that all four of her children would be home this weekend. This is a rarity and all four of them wanted to participate in the segment about their dad, Deputy Assistant Chief Michael J. Day, Sr., who died in the line of duty almost two years ago.

Today, I packed up my equipment and headed over to the Day home. Cindy was on the front porch working on her window boxes and brought me inside. I was introduced to Brianne and Amanda, whom I had not yet met. Stephanie and Michael joined us and we sat in their living room to shoot their segment.

I don't want to give away all that they shared here, but I have to say that this family never ceases to amaze me. They have an unbelievable strength and it is even more apparent when the five of them are together - Cindy included. These four amazing young individuals shared some very happy and very painful memories with me today, but they did far more than that; they also shared a wisdom that no one their age should already have knowledge of. From Michael, Jr., 23 years old, straight down through Stephanie, just 16 years old, these kids have a wonderful philosophy on what they have endured and what they have sacrificed. I can't wait to put the segment together and share it with everyone.

I have to admit that I cried with them. I apologized to all of them for it and felt awful that I'd done it until I had a little chat with Mike. He told me that he was actually glad that I had connected with them to that extent. In essence, he told me that it assured him that I would tell their story well because of the connection I'd made with them.

I cannot thank the Day Family enough for their participation and support with the film. I am so proud to have them be a part of this. What's more is that I know that Mike would be proud of them for it, too. He and Cindy have created four truly fantastic individuals and I will share this much... I talked with them about tributes and memorials and how they would like to have their father be remembered and after that, I told them that I thought that there could be no more perfect memorial or tribute to their father than they, themselves are. Most parents beam with pride when they speak of their children... but once you've met the Day kids - it's no wonder why Cindy is filled with pride. It's mutual, though - the kids are just as prideful when they speak of their parents.

So Much for THAT Thought...

2008-05-20T17:34:00.002-05:00

Okay, so I went to my sister's house and looked at her camera. It's not like the one I'm using to shoot the documentary, it's like the one that we used to have. Right then. Home to call JVC...

There is a repair shop in Warwick, RI that I can bring the camera to. I'll try to get it there on Friday. In the meantime, my sinus infection has recurred (which, apparently, is something that happened to a lot of people because of high pollen counts surrounding us of late) and I'm out of work through tomorrow for that. After two days, I've finally gotten the energy (barely) to come in here and sit in front of the idiot box to check my mail & post some updates.

On another front, for those of my readers who have been keeping in touch with me regarding my father's lung cancer recurrence, I have good news. They will be able to treat his cancer and he will start treatment next week. The team is confident that they can knock it out with this new procedure called Stereostatic Body Radiosurgery. I know this has nothing to do with the film, but if you know anyone who has early-stage lung cancer and is seeking treatment, please let them know about this option. It is highly successful and does minimal damage.

Stereotactic Body Radiosurgery Lung Cancer Treatment top
Stereotactic body radiosurgery(SBR) is a novel lung cancer treatment. SBR lung cancer treatment is not surgery at all. SBR lung cancer treatment is an outpatient procedure that requires three visits to the radiation oncology department. SBR is painless and patients can continue their daily activities without difficulty. SBR utilizes multiple tightly conformed radiation beams converging at the lung tumor. A specially designed body frame immobilizes the patient and decreases the movement of the lung tumor due to breathing. With this technology, very little lung receives radiation. The low volume of lung exposed to radiation allows very high doses to be given to the lung tumor leading to cure rates comparable to surgery. Because of the low volume lung exposure SBR has a low risk of long term lung complications in the treatment of lung cancer.SBR is a promising new technology for stage one lung cancer. Lung cancer surgery remains the gold standard. SBR is usually used for patients who could not tolerate lung cancer surgery or would rather not have the lung cancer surgery. To speak with a Dr. Robert Woodburn about SBR lung cancer treatment or request more information call 219-945-1050 or email rwctg@comcast.net.To learn more about Cancer Treatment Group and the technology at Methodist Hospital Cancer Center vist the web site, Cancer Treatment Group

Be well & stay safe, everyone - and thanks so much from myself and my family for your support.

Borrowed Camera... Salvation?

2008-05-17T12:06:00.002-05:00

So, I'll be picking up my sister's video camera today. Hope to get some shooting done next week. Keep your fingers crossed for the project, folks. I'd really like to finish it up and get it aired. I've had tons of people asking and e-mailing and such and I am grateful for all of the attention. Now, though, the pressure's on!

I'll post when I have more. My Dad's going to find out on Monday what they can do about his lung cancer - if anything. I'm glad I've got something else to think about besides that, to be honest.

Be well & stay safe, everyone.

Erin

The Latest

2008-05-11T19:58:00.002-05:00

All righty, folks - now that we've gotten through the MA Firefighters' Calendar shoot, another shoot for my niece's band "Orange Flavored Aspirin" and I've gotten over my sinus and ear infections... (yes, it's been a rough couple of weeks!)...

I'll be borrowing my sister's camera so I can get some stuff done. Hope to have it sometime this week, schedules permitting. I will post again with updates when I have them.

Thanks to all for your faithful interest in the project!

Camera Woes...

2008-04-22T18:07:00.002-05:00

So, Mom to the rescue with two head cleaning tapes for my camera, but sadly, they didn't fix the problem. I'll be looking for an authorized service center to see if I can get the camera cleaned. If not, I'll borrow my sister's camera.

I won't be working on the documentary this week, as I am going to be helping Fran (my best friend and still photographer for the film) with a huge shoot that she's doing. Three guesses... c'mon... give up? She's shooting the Massachusetts Firefighter's Calendar for 2009! YAY Fran!

I'll post again when I've got more news.

Grampa Hexed Me

2008-04-20T19:37:00.003-05:00

Okay, maybe that's not true. I spent several hours on Friday and Saturday shooting exterior shots of all 14 PFD stations, then went to shoot my opening monologue on Saturday afternoon. (Thanks, Michael Morse, for babysitting my camera for a little bit!) Well, that's when I discovered that my camera isn't feeling so well. The sound was all messed up and the pictures were playing back all pixelated. Great...

So...

Now it's a quest for head cleaning tapes in hopes of correcting the problem. Either that or it's my big sister to the rescue with her camera.

Gotta love it. Stay tuned, kids.

Questions Answered

2008-04-04T21:37:00.002-05:00

One of the things that I've repeatedly said in interviews about this film is that I have no current ties to any fire departments, other than the friends I've made along the way. Recently, I've had a lot of people ask me what my affiliations are with fire and police departments. So, in an effort to disclose my ties, these are the people that I'm related to who have been civil or military servants:

1. My Dad: Richard W. Blackman - Alabama National Guard, United States Navy (also trained as a fireman, being that he served on oil tankers), Rhode Island National Guard and Civil Air Patrol, Auxilliary of the United States Air Force.

2. My Grandfathers: Edward A. Conway - United States Army, served in WWI. Providence, RI Fire Department, appointed October, 1931, retired in 1951. Thomas W. Blackman - United States Navy Seabee, served in WWII.

3. Great-Grandfather: John L. Johnson - United States Army, Served in WWI. United States Army Reserve Military Police Officer, stationed at Tennessee Coal & Iron Railroad "village" in Alabama.

4. Great-Uncle: Lewis O'Donnell - Providence Police Officer for approximately three years. Appointed in October, 1931. Quit after breaking his ankle while giving chase to a robbery suspect and finding that no one would help him. Ended up working for Winfield & Sons Funeral Home.

5. Very Distant cousins: Captain Ronald Gilchrist - Providence Fire Department (Retired). Didn't even know him until about five years ago. Jack and Bill O'Donnell - Correctional Officers at the Rhode Island ACI. Joseph O'Donnell - Pawtucket Police Department (Retired). Major Stephen O'Donnell - second in command of the Rhode Island State Police. Never met him. There are others, including a Canadian Mountie, though I have never met them.

So, hopefully this will put to rest those questions. Yes, my family has a rich history of public service - being that we're a bunch of Irishmen, that's no big surprise, really.

My passion for the subject of the job of firefighting comes solely from my own heart. I wanted to be a firefighter and was unable to do so. Now, years later, I find that I am able to help gain some public support for America's Bravest by telling their story and giving some sense of humanity to them. People take firefighters for granted - they aren't people unless you're directly effected by their work.

I can attest personally to the fact that they are human... very human. With very human feelings and very human passion for the work that they do, despite all of the negativity that surrounds them.

So no - I'm not married to a firefighter, not dating one, not related to anyone currently on the job (at least not closely enough to be thought of that way) and I have nothing to gain from this project.

I have gained, though. I've gained an adopted family - and they have been there for me through good times and bad - especially now, as my family learns of the return of my father's lung cancer. They have come out in full force offering their support, love and friendship. For that, I am truly blessed.

Possible Delays

2008-04-01T17:48:00.003-05:00

Hello, All...

First, let me thank everyone for their notes about the Channel 12 piece. I greatly appreciate the continued support and encouragement - it means a great deal to me.

Unfortunately, I may run into some delays with getting the film finished. My father, Rick, had lung cancer just about a year and a half ago. He had a procedure done called a Tumor Ablation at that time and the tumor was thought to be gone as a result. Sadly, we found out yesterday that it is now growing again. We don't know what he is up against with treatment this time, or if he can even have treatments because of his diminished lung capacity. At any rate, this may cause delays in being able to get the film done.

I will try to keep posting to warn of any delays, but I do plan to try to keep busy with this project. It will help in the horrible waiting process when dealing with a family member with cancer.

Thanks again to all for your continued support.

Be well & stay safe, everyone.

Erin

"Street Stories" Piece

2008-03-28T18:34:00.001-05:00

http://www.wpri.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?vt1=v&clipFormat=flv&clipId1=2333822&at1=News&h1=Street Stories: A Day in the Life of a Firefighter

Above is the link to the video from "Street Stories".

"Street Stories"

2008-03-28T18:09:00.002-05:00

Wow - okay. I am very happy about the "Street Stories" segment that was just aired on WPRI Channel 12. I was really happy that they talked about my granddad. I was also happy that they used pieces of me talking about how firefighters never get used to seeing the things they see and some of the video they used was stuff that I didn't even know they were taping. I'm pleased.

I'm sad that they did not use the piece with me talking about DAC Mike Day - which came right after the bit that they used where I was talking about the cancer and heart issues - but that's okay.

I was pleasantly surprised and I thank Walt Buteau and John Villella of WPRI Channel 12 for their support and for making this story feel more about "My Firefighters" than it was about me. I appreciate that more than I can say.

If you missed the piece tonight, it airs again tomorrow morning (Saturday, March 29th) at 7 am. That might be good for some of the firefighters hoping to catch it, but for the rest of us... oy!

You can click on the link above if you are not in the Southern New England Area. Once you get there, click on the "Video" tab at the top of the page and choose "Street Stories". it will bring you to their homepage. I don't know when the piece will be posted for viewing, but check back if you don't see it.

Thanks to everyone for your support!

Channel 12 News... Again...

2008-03-28T09:39:00.003-05:00

Hey, All -

Provided the ridiculous basketball junk gets through eating up the airwaves before 6 pm tonight, the "Street Stories" piece on the film will air on tonight's news broadcast at that time. If it is, once again, preempted by the games, then it will air next Friday, April 4th at 6 PM and again on Saturday, April 5th at 7 am.

Keep your fingers crossed - hopefully I can have a relaxing weekend!

Preempted

2008-03-21T17:47:00.003-05:00

Sorry, everyone. Seems as though Channel 12 bumped us because of the basketball game going into overtime.

I spoke with someone at the station and she said that it will either air next Friday or the one after, depending upon whether the news gets preempted again or not.

So much for being able to relax about this... aaarrrgghhh!!

Thanks to those who tuned in, anyway.

Channel 12 News

2008-03-20T18:17:00.001-05:00

If you saw my post from yesterday, you know what this is about. If not, please read that one first.

The piece will air tomorrow, March 21st at 6 pm on Channel 12. It apparently is re-run on Saturday mornings at 7 am, but who's up then? LOL

Here's a link to their video blog about the piece.

Street Stories Video Blog 3/19

Awkwardly Being Me

2008-03-19T17:30:00.003-05:00

Okay, so if you've been following along on this fantastic journey of mine, you've seen that last year, two newspaper writers contacted me and wrote articles about the project. As I've stated before - this is always awkward for me because in my mind, the story is about the firefighters, not me. However, I do understand that THEIR story is about a woman who has nothing to do with the fire department but is shooting a documentary about it anyway.

This morning, I got up at my usual 6:30 (ish) and went through my usual morning routine. I was nervous - this time would be different. I was getting ready to meet with Walt Buteau of Channel 12 News to shoot a piece for his series, "Street Stories", about the documentary project. The last two instances of publicity for the project involved meeting for coffee and a super-long phone conversation, both of which were followed up by a couple of e-mails for clarification. This time involved ME being in FRONT of the camera. Allow me to digress...

I started my theatrical career when I was a toddler. No, I'm not kidding. My family used to do parties and events as a clown family and I did that with them when I was just a year or two old. My "stage name" then was "Smiley" and I even had my own signature denim hat with yellow daisies sewn onto it. I do remember a couple of events that we did, but I don't remember it well. My first real "stage" performance took place in 1976 at Providence City Hall's Bicentennial event. It wasn't a speaking part, but it was very important. I was dressed as the Statue of Liberty. Mom's Girl Scout troop, of which I was the mascot, put on a mini-cabaret of patriotic songs and at the end of it, the girls formed a "V", then split apart and I came walking out in the middle of all of them. That even made the evening news at the time. I have since done a great many stage plays and have done some film work in the past - I appeared in a cable tv documentary years ago for Girl Scouts and I've also made corporate-type videos. So, needless to say, being in front of a camera doesn't normally faze me - it's not foreign territory for me.

This morning, however, was different. I think I pinpointed the problem - once again, this isn't about ME. This wasn't an acting job - I had to be me. I didn't have the "comfort zone" of playing a character. I wasn't able to hide behind that mask of the theatre. That's kind of scary.

Anyway, the weather this morning was awful - cold, rainy... the type of day that makes you want to crawl back into bed, pull up the covers and hope for the sun tomorrow morning. Walt called me around 8:30 - we were originally planning to shoot the piece in front of the Washington Street Fire Station in Providence. Well, that wasn't such a great idea in the nasty weather conditions. Luckily, I had called my good friend, Lt. Ernie Young, last night and talked with him about the possibility of filming with him and the guys on Engine 8. Ernie, as always, was willing to help out however he could. I suggested this to Walt and he thought it was perfect, so we agreed to meet at the Messer Street Fire Station instead for 9:30.

Excellent. A stay of execution! So I regrouped and geared myself up for then. As per usual... with the unpredictability of the fire service... all was not well.

I had tried to get hold of Ernie and was unable to. That told me that they were catching early morning runs - probably rescue in nature, because when there's a drop of rain falling from the sky, all hell breaks loose on the roads. I got to the station and a short time later, Walt and John, his cameraman, showed up. We agreed to wait for them for a bit. After a few minutes, Walt began to ask me questions about the project - a pre-interview, if you will. He sat in the Eyewitness News truck and I sat in my car on the ramp at the station exchanging questions and answers. Just as I was about to suggest trying to find another venue, Engine 8 returned to quarters. I ran in and talked quickly with Ernie to let him know what was happening, said hello to "my guys" and then introduced Walt and John to them.

The next forty minutes were a bit of a blur. John had me put on a microphone - which automatically made my stomach knot up - and the next thing I knew, I was talking with Walt about the project. I didn't even realize that John was filming part of it as we spoke. Once I was aware of the camera, I just tried to ignore it as best I could and focus on talking with Walt. After talking with me for a bit, they decided that they wanted to get some footage of me filming with Ernie. I took out my camera and started to talk with Ernie, who was explaining the Engine's function and purpose to the fire service. Ernie, being a rather shy type, was a bit nervous about doing this. Initially, he tried to get Todd Jones to do it. I think we all knew that wasn't going to happen - he's even more shy than Ernie is. Ernie did agree to do it and I began to film with him. John followed me around with his camera as I filmed Ernie talking about the Engine.

So, the piece is shot. I don't know yet when it will air, but I'll post the date when I find out. We milled around and talked for a little while afterward and once I left the station it hit me again. This isn't about me - it's about the firefighters. However, as I've said before, it does gain attention for the project and people will be looking for it. Hopefully they will remember and when it's ready to air, they'll watch.

More importantly - they'll learn about the true value of these amazing men and women who have dedicated their lives to the fire service. Hopefully my admiration and respect for them will become contagious. With any luck.

Inspiration

2008-03-16T17:01:00.003-05:00

15 Mar 08

I spent the morning very nervous, praying that this meeting today would not be a cause of upset to this fine family. I got my equipment together and tried to relax a little bit before I got going. I left home and headed over to the Providence College area of town toward the home - my meeting was scheduled for 2 PM and I was running on time. I got to my destination and found a parking space, took a deep breath, grabbed my equipment and headed for the porch. I took a moment before I rang the bell.

The door was answered by a pretty young lady wearing a high school sweatshirt. She looked to be about 16 or so, very polite, inviting me in. Cindy Day, the wife of DAC Michael J. Day, came walking toward me from down the hall. We greeted each other warmly and she said that she had some other visitors there that I may know. She led me to the kitchen, where Chris Janitto was standing with his two girls. Cindy introduced me to her daughter, Stephanie, who had answered the door and let me in. Chris introduced me to his girls, as well. They had stopped by to visit the Days during their travels. We all spent some time visiting for a little while and a short time later, we were joined by Michael, Cindy's son. Once Chris and his girls left, Cindy, Stephanie, Michael and I all sat down and we talked about the project. Cindy and Michael were familiar with the work I've been doing, but Stephanie wasn't. I didn't know how the rest of the family was going to react to what I was trying to do, but I wanted to give them the opportunity to decide whether or not they wanted to participate. Once everything was explained, Cindy and the kids began telling me the story of June 13, 2006.

I cannot fathom what these people went through that night. When Battalion Chief Ken Bock showed up at the house, Brianne, the Day's third child, went to answer the door, as Cindy was in the basement doing laundry. Brianne looked out the window, saw a Chief's vehicle and thought it was her father, Mike. She opened the door and there stood Ken, according to Cindy, white as a ghost, explaining that they had to go with him. Cindy, having been married for 22 years to Mike, knew that this was not good. Their youngest, Stephanie, was babysitting. Michael was at work. Their oldest daughter, Amanda, was away at school in Virginia. Ken told her not to worry about Michael and Stephanie - that he would have them picked up. Police officers were sent to pick them up. Cindy called them and let them know while they were en route to Rhode Island Hospital. Once she had called the kids, Cindy finally asked Ken if he could tell her what was going on. All Ken could say to her was, "he coded." Cindy knew that meant he had had a heart attack, but she wasn't expecting the worst.

They arrived at RI Hospital's ER and were rushing down the hall toward where a large group of chiefs and firefighters had gathered. Then Chief David Costa stopped her in the hall and asked her if she knew that Mike had been pronounced dead. Costa comforted the women for a few moments before escorting them into the room where Mike's body lay. While Cindy and Brianne began their grieving process, Michael was dropped off at the hospital by a Providence Police Officer. He went directly into the room and by his own account, just assumed that his father had a heart attack, but would be okay. He recounted that he didn't notice that the heart monitor, still hooked up to Mike's chest, was not actually on. He stood on one side of the gurney, reached across his father's body and took his mother's hands, telling her it would be okay, that Mike was strong.

"No, Michael," Cindy replied to her son, "it won't be okay. He's already gone."

Michael told me that just as he was about to completely "lose it", someone came in and said that "the other daughter" was there, meaning Stephanie, the youngest. The family rushed out to the hall, not wanting Stephanie to walk in until she had been told that Mike was already gone. They took her into a nearby sitting room and broke the news to her, then returned to the room where Mike was. After a while, Cindy walked out of the room and began seeing people from outside the department - civilians, family friends. She asked one woman how she knew and was told that Mike's name had been announced on the 10 PM news. Her thoughts immediately went to Amanada, who was in Virginia. She and Michael rushed outside to call her, but it was too late. Someone had already called to give their condolences. Cindy was devastated and furious that his name had been released before the family had been notified.

That was only the beginning of what was to come. Chief Costa and union President Paul Doughty worked together with the Day family to prepare a funeral for Mike with full departmental honors. It would be a difficult week for the family, but they had the support of an entire fire department and their blood relatives, as well. Firefighters did all of the work around the house - cooking, mowing the lawn - you name it, it got done. Battalion Chiefs chauffered the family around to get clothing and flowers for the funeral. They were never alone.

What is truly amazing about this family, to me, is the grace with which they dealt with this situation. Cindy was strong, elegant and realized that although she, her own children and their extended family were grieving, so were the firefighters. The people on duty at Washington Street Station that night worked on Mike themselves, trying desperately to save him. She knew that they would be devastated, as well - he was family to them. She told her children to try as hard as they could to be strong, that their fire family would be grieving, too. Stephanie volunteered to read a prayer during the funeral mass and Michael asked to give his father's eulogy. Whenever I mentioned not knowing where they got their strength from, they all had the same answer - Mike (or Dad). Mike was "the rock" of the family - their go-to guy. The children stepped up and did what they had seen their father do so many times before.

The hardest part of the entire thing for them? Again, their answer was the same across the board. Watching the firefighters and seeing the pain on their faces. That feeling of helplessness that they just cannot digest. Cindy added one more item to that - the firefighters' wives. She said that they each had that look of "my God, this could have been my husband". Cindy told me that she told every single one of them to hold on to their men - appreciate them now and do not take them for granted.

Once all of the ceremonies were done and Mike was laid to rest, the family finally set about their own grieving process. They still had all of the support that they needed, though. Ken Bock came to Cindy and asked her about the renovations that Mike had been in the middle of when he passed. He had gotten some of the work done on their home and was preparing to do some more. She explained what was left to do and Ken told her not to worry about it. He showed up that weekend with an army of firefighters. They ripped out walls, painted, built an island in the kitchen, did tile work, redid the basement - everything that Mike had intended to do was done.

There is so much more to this story and after talking with the family - for a full six hours, by the way - I have been moved, humbled and inspired by their strength. This family is truly amazing and I am honored to include their story in this film. Michael and Stephanie each want to film a segment for it - I'll be in touch with them soon for that. I could write for another two hours about all that they shared with me, but a good deal of it will not be shared - it was simply me listening to a family remembering their loved one. It was an afternoon and evening filled with sad and funny and amazing tales of a great man and his incredible family.

I guess the only way I can sum this up is to say that Mike, I'm sure, was very proud of his wife and family and all that they built together. I'm sure that somewhere, he still is proud, too, of all how far they've come since his passing.

My eternal thanks to Cindy, Stephanie and Michael for sharing so much with me - and for their support and encouragement with this project.

Update on the Film

2008-03-09T17:42:00.002-05:00

Hello, all...

For those who have been wondering what the hell happened to the film... I haven't quit with it. Things have been a little hectic with my actual, paying job, which has put a bit of a damper on everything. However... that being said...

I have some outside filming that needs to be done. However, I have not been able to do it because it's either been raining, snowing, or thirteen degrees outside on my days off. Some of the filming also requires another person to work with me operating the camera. I also need to contact three people for filming, which I will be doing this week.

So, fear not - the film will be completed. It's just been tough with scheduling and weather conflicts.

Keep visiting for updates!

Be well & stay safe out there.

Interesting... Very Interesting...

2008-02-24T15:40:00.002-05:00

I've learned my lesson. If I am at an emergency room for some reason, there will be firefighters that I know who will see me there and get a little nervous. For that matter, there will be firefighters who know me and will stop to say hello - even if I don't know them.

On Friday morning, while working at the animal hospital, my best friend (and photographer), Fran, was bitten quite severely by a cat. The bite is at the base of her thumb on her right hand. She was seen at a walk-in, treated (basically) and released to return to work. The doctor at the walk-in faxed a prescription and Fran said she'd pick it up after work. Apparently, no one really understood just how serious this bite was. It is very, very deep and cuts into the muscle of her hand. I picked her up from work, we stopped on the way home and got her medication - doxicycline. When she got home, she took her first dose.

A few hours later, she noticed a red line traveling up her arm. NOT a good sign. The area around the wound was turning a deep red. We talked about it and I was ready to take her to the hospital right then. We finally decided to call over to the JFD and ask if we could bring her to the station to have a paramedic look at it - we were trying to determine if the line was actually an impression on her skin from the sweatshirt that she was wearing or if an infection was brewing. They ended up sending the rescue out to us and the guys said that they thought she could wait until morning, but if it was worse, to go back to the ER. She was actually scheduled to work on Saturday morning and planned on going in. We woke up around the same time - about 5:15 AM and her hand was worse, and so was the line up her arm. We decided to take her over to RIH. We ended up there from about 6 AM until after 2 PM. She was given IV antibiotics.

While we were there, a handsome young guy in a PFD uniform rounded the corner. I didn't recognize him, but he recognized me. He pleasantly stopped, backtracked, waved and gave me a "how are ya?", smiled and walked away. Fran asked me to make a couple of phone calls a few minutes later and I went outside to do it. I walked down toward the Rescue bays and found that the young man was still there - I think he was riding on Rescue 3, but I could be wrong. He saw me and got out of the rig, approaching and introducing himself to me. His name is Matt Tadry - very nice guy. We talked for a few minutes, of course inclusive of why I was there. He wished us well and off he and Captain Raymond went to go back into service for their next call. As I stood there, I realized that my friends, Zach Kenyon and Michael Morse were also scheduled to be working. I figured I'd give them each a buzz and let them know. I didn't get to see Zach, but Michael did end up at RIH - and stopped in quickly to wish Fran well. I caught him for a minute before he left, too.

It's funny - I don't really think about this stuff ahead of time and I guess I didn't really expect it, either. It was nice, though, to know that whether or not I know them, these guys know that they have an automatic friend in me. It made me feel good in the midst of a scary situation.

Sometimes they don't realize that they're helping us - it is just who they are. Hopefully, that will show itself in my film.

It's Official - I'm A Dork.

2008-02-10T18:20:00.000-05:00

10 Feb 08

But as usual, my dorkieness (I know that isn't a word) paid off.

So as I said in my last post about Fire Alarm, I filmed this great segment with Larry Warner explaining the Form Four Console (the box alarm board). Yes, I was all excited about that segment. Then I sat down to review my footage at home.

I'm watching the footage and all of a sudden, just when I'm thinking, "oh, good, Larry's part is coming up...", I see some lovely footage of my own feet walking across the floor at Fire Alarm. Then some great shots of me sitting down in the chair and some fantastic images of the counter beside me.

Yup - that confirmed it - I'm a dork. I THOUGHT that I had hit the record button when Larry was talking about the console, but apparently I didn't depress it completely. Then when I THOUGHT I had shut it off, it was recording. Duh.

So, I get in touch with Larry and we make plans to reshoot that scene. He sent me an e-mail in response thanking me for "pretending" to film him. LOL At any rate, I went back this past Friday and reshot the scene with him. I was introduced to two dispatchers, Ronald Dinocco and Paul Cunha. I took some footage of Ron dispatching a call and of Paul taking a call for help (an auto accident on Brook Street, if I recall... thought the location was interesting). {Yes, that is an inside joke with my Boys at Fire Alarm!} ;-) Apparently, my presence with camera in hand is said to have made a wonderful impression upon certain dispatchers who shall remain nameless. I was once again assured that I could return any time - preferably every day or at least six days a week.

Well, I now have the footage I needed and it's lit much better, as well - and I gained some more live call footage with some more members of Fire Alarm. They really are an awesome group and it's been a pleasure to work with them.

As I was leaving, Capt. Bill Moise was there. He had thought I was going to hang out for the night and shoot some more video. It probably wouldn't have been a bad idea, but I was tired, so I let the boys get back to their work.

I'm beginning to wish I could hang out with these guys all the time! :-)

Woo-Hoo! Fire Alarm's Done!

2008-01-25T21:15:00.001-05:00

25 Jan 08

I did, in fact, make it to Fire Alarm today, which is housed on West Exchange Street - down behind the building that I will ALWAYS call The Civic Center! (I REFUSE to call it by the "new name".) Anyway...

I arrived at 11 am and was brought to see Chief Jim Taylor. He brought me over to the room where the dispatchers are and as we walked in, my friend Kevin Gomes turned around in his chair. With a huge smile on his face, his first words to me were, "did you bring food?"

I knew at that moment that the day would be a fun one!

I was happy to see that Jim and Kevin were not the only two of my friends there today, but Larry Warner was also working. I was introduced to Capt. Bill Moise and Dispatchers Bob Papa, Sr., Mark Kearney (the new guy) and the world-famous John Lanzone. (Okay, maybe not WORLD famous, but famous in MY world.) Let me explain...

I have been listening to the PFD scanner for a few years now and the first time I listened, there was this one guy who cracked me up. He seemed like he was the kind of guy who was really great at his job - very professional - but able to bring a little levity to the situations when needed. To most people - even firefighters on the Providence Fire Department, he's just a voice that directs companies to go to where they're needed. It seems to me, though, that he's more than that to most people on the department.

Back to the filming. I got my camera set up and did some lighting tests. I was concerned about low light levels, but I think I managed to overcome that. A good portion of it can be corrected in post-production, anyway, but any good photographer takes care of it at the time of the shoot (yes, that's Fran talking!). Ya work with what ya got, folks. I finally got everything set up how I wanted it and it started out slow, not a lot going on. That didn't last long, though. The phones started ringing and I started filming. During a quieter moment, Larry Warner (who just made Lieutenant - YAY LARRY!) explained the board that handles all of the box alarms in the City. (Box alarms are master alarms inside commercial buildings and high-rises, as well as the pull-boxes that are on telephone poles that you can pull for emergency situations.) I talked about the job with each of the guys at one point or another, during the in-between-call times.

What was truly amazing, though, was watching John Lanzone. This guy's been on the job for thirty-two years and is masterful at what he does. You can rattle off any random street name in the City of Providence and he can tell you which companies would be dispatched to it, right off the top of his head. I watched as he dispatched calls to various companies and as he finished dispatching on the box alarms (possible fire calls), I noticed that he would start writing down other available trucks. He explained to me that he does that in case there is an actual fire and another alarm needs to be sent out. He's pre-planning, even though the likelihood of an actual fire is fairly small. He does this every time, just in case. Even after all these years on the job, he never EXPECTS that a call will be a false alarm. He anticipates what will be needed and gets it together on a piece of scrap paper, off to the side. It really is amazing to watch.

Once I got into the groove of what I was doing and the phones started going, I was able to follow a full call, from the phone being answered through the dispatching of units to the scene. The call comes in and is answered by a one dispatcher, in this case, Mark. Mark speaks to the person, gets the pertinent information and before he even hangs up with the caller, the "run card" is on the second dispatcher's computer screen. In this case, it was John Lanzone. He finds the available companies and tips the alarms via a switchboard for each station. He then announces the call over the voc-alarm system, which I've talked about before.

"Attention Engine 2 and Rescue 5 a still alarm." He pauses. "That's Engine 2 and Rescue 5, respond to eleven-twelve, that's eleven-hundred and twelve North Main Street at Radiation Oncology for a report of a man having difficulty breathing." He pauses again and repeats the information, adding, "he has just had a radiation treatment and is now having difficulty breathing." Several seconds later, a voice responds to John. "Engine 2, received." John keys the voc alarm. "Rescue 5?" A moment later, they respond. "Rescue 5 received and on the way."

John turns and begins explaining some of the Standard Operating Procedures to me, but his ear is always tuned to the radio. There is also a foot pedal that keys the radio, so even if his hands aren't close to the button, he can still step on the pedal to respond. As he's speaking with me, a call comes back. "Engine 2 on the scene." John immediately steps on the pedal, turns to the microphone and responds. "Engine 2 you're on the scene at 12:42." He turns back to me and picks right back up where he left off. "Engine 2 to Fire Alarm," a voice announces. John's footpedal immediately activated. "Go ahead, Engine 2," John responds. "Be advised, patient is an elderly male. He has had a radiation treatment we're getting further vitals. We have him on O2 now." John wastes no time. "Received, Engine 2. Rescue 5?" They respond. "Rescue 5 received." He returns to explaining the operating procedures to me. A few moments later, his explaination is cut off by Rescue 5. "Rescue 5 on the scene." Again, he steps on the pedal. "Rescue 5 you're on the scene at 12:46."

It's an incredible little dance that these people do. All the while, phones are ringing and other things are going on, which is why there are multiple dispatchers in the room. When everything hits the fan all at once - and believe me, it does - there are enough people there to handle all of the traffic, even if there are multiple companies at multiple locations.

I was told about the night that the Motiva Pier went up in flames, a stormy night that was already crazy. Once that fire started, all hell broke loose and what's worse, the power was knocked out and the computers at Fire Alarm were lost. John Lanzone was working that night and more people were called in to handle the multitudes of calls going on that evening. While Motiva was burning, there were downed power lines, motor vehicle accidents - all kinds of insanity. John was handling a good deal of the traffic from the mobile incident command unit because of the loss of power.

What did I learn today? It takes a whole hell of a lot of work to be a dispatcher for the fire department. They aren't just some schmuck with a radio who calls out a company to respond to a call. You have to be on your toes and ready for anything. It's the heartbeat of the Fire Department... where it all starts and where it all finishes.

"Engine 2 in quarters and off."

"Engine 2, you're in and off at 13:10," Lanzone responds.

"Rescue 5 transporting to Miriam."

"Rescue 5 to Miriam 13:11."

And when Rescue 5 is finished with the run to Miriam, they will let John Lanzone or Larry Warner or Kevin Gomes or Bob Papa or Mark Kearney know that they are available and they or one of the many others at Fire Alarm will respond.

"Rescue 5 available..."

On and on it goes, folks. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. They're always there, waiting to listen to us, waiting to send the firefighters out to help us and manage communications during the runs. It's truly an incredible operation.

My deepest thanks to Battalion Chief Jim Taylor and all at Fire Alarm for letting me hang out with them today. John Lanzone - thanks for giving me a crash-course in dispatching. I am honored to be able to say that you trained me!

Oh, and Kevin... I hope you actually did share that chocolate cream pie I came back with later on.

Stuff

2008-01-22T18:47:00.000-05:00

So, I should be filming at Fire Alarm this Friday - barring any insanity in the meantime. That will put me so much closer to post-production! I still have a little more to do, some dependent upon weather conditions, others dependent upon scheduling, but we're nearly done with the tough stuff.

I realized the other day that I am, in fact, dragging my feet a little bit. I almost don't want it to be finished. But now, it's so close I can taste it and I want to see the film myself. Yes, I know more about what it looks like than anyone else, but I still want to see the actual, finished product. I'll pick up the pace a little bit and hope for the best.

There is one thing that just sparked the proverbial fire under my butt - I read one of the entries on Michael Morse's blog just now. It's called "Comfort One". I've not heard this term before, but apparently it's a protocol that is in place for terminally ill people. It's a sort of DNR sort of thing, the patient wearing a bracelet and calling only for supplemental oxygen and providing of comfort by EMTs in the event that they are transported to the hospital. Michael, as always, pulls you into the story, speaking of the patient having been transported numerous times by him to the hospital during his courageous battle with cancer. At the end of the piece, he reveals that he transported the patient to the hospital - Hasbro Childrens' Hospital - because the patient is only eight years old. Tears rolled down my cheeks - pain in my heart not only for the child who has only had eight years on this earth and God only knows how many of them were good and his family, who must certainly be dealing with unfathomable pain - but also for Michael and the other First Responders who went to that boy's home.

I know so many people out there who think that firefighters "get used to it". If they only knew... if they only knew how many times firefighters have nightmares about things like this. If they only knew about how a firefighter - days, weeks, months even YEARS later can be driving down a street and see, hear or smell something that reminds them of that little one that they carried out of a scene and burst into tears, pain tearing at their heart. They just don't understand that it never goes away... it just gets tucked behind that brick wall, into that storage unit where all those little ones live forever - they never really die. They live with all of the other horrors that these brave men and women face every single day.

Would YOU ever be able to get "USED TO" this?

Bless them all... each and every one.

Clarification...

2008-01-04T13:10:00.000-05:00

As an addendum to the post about Paul Doughty, I want to just take a moment to say that he is not the only firefighter I know that has amazing experience. There are so many others... too many to mention. The point of this post is known to some - others will figure it out.

To the others, the importance of the statement must remain a mystery. It's all part of the plan to make this film work to change the minds of people who are unaware of what firefighters do and who they are.

Okay. 'Nuff said.

Image... It's All About Image....

2008-01-03T21:56:00.000-05:00

He's not only the Union President, he's also a Firefighter.

You know, there is something important that must be remembered in the midst of all of the media madness and political mudslinging. Union President or not, Paul Doughty is - FIRST AND FOREMOST - a firefighter.

If you ever saw this guy's credentials, you'd fall over. His involvement in the job of firefighting goes far beyond the fact that he is a member of the PFD's Special Hazards Unit. Federal Emergency Management, Urban Search And Rescue, Heavy Rescue, Incorporated - the list goes on and on, up to and including being an all-around great guy and a good friend.

He's not impressed by his own career. He'll tell you he's just doing his job - he's just a firefighter and that's all there is to it. He's not in it for the glory; he's not in it to be called a hero; he's not in it to be praised by those he helps.

"Has anyone ever come back to find you just to say thank you for helping them?" I asked the question, paying close attention to his immediate reaction. I think the best description of that reaction would be amusement.

"I'm still waiting," he replied. "But that's not important. We know that we help people. We don't need thanks."

I disagree, but I can see his point. I think they should ALWAYS be thanked for what they do.

Who knows, Paul? Maybe you'll get that "thank you" someday - hopefully the film will inspire someone to seek you out just to say that.

Be well & stay safe, my friend.

She's Not Just My Photographer...

2008-01-03T21:34:00.001-05:00

she's also my best friend of thirty years.

Fran Paliotta and I met at a Girl Scout meeting in 1978. It took a couple of years, but we became best friends. Over the last thirty years, we've gone through some pretty amazing things - good, bad and indifferent - but we were always there for each other through it all. When she went to photography school in Boston two years ago, I supported her endeavor and did all I could to help her to achieve her goals. She completed the program - finishing with honors and as a Recommended Photographer from the New England School of Photography. It was a gruelling program and she paid dearly for her exhaustive work, battling pneumonia just before the start of her final term. I was incredibly proud of her and her achievements and still am. She becomes a better photographer with each image she creates. I was so happy when she had decided to get on this track because I had told her when we were kids that she should get into photography. She always had the eye for it, she just needed the technical training to hone the skills.

When I began work on this project, I talked with her at length about my plans and about how I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, but I knew what I wanted to accomplish. Fran, being Fran, immediately offered to help in any way that she could, whether it be with advice, photographs, music (yes, she's also an accomplished composer and pianist) or just to be there as a support net. Well, I took her up on all of those offers. Her largest contribution, though, has been her photography and it's awesome.

I have dragged this poor kid to bunches of firehouses and had her take images that I'm sure she never would have taken on her own. She's never complained, though - just shot what I needed and donated them without a second thought. You might think it's not such a big deal to take some pictures... but that's not what she does. She talks with me about what I need and then creates the very images that I'd seen in my mind's eye. Her talent for doing that never ceases to amaze me.

Fran has been incredibly generous and I am eternally grateful to her for her support of and participation in my project. See, it helps that she's my best friend because she knows... she sees into my heart and knows that this project means the world to me. It is a labor of love in the utmost sense of the phrase. She knows how important it is and even though she initially had no interest in the subject matter, she has ended up making some great friends, too. She's even donated her time and photographic talents to Local 799, having photographed a Poker Run, the Family Outing and most recently the PFD's picket in East Providence. The firefighters have been great to her and have accepted her into their circle, just as they did with me. THAT makes this all the more wonderful for me because after thirty years, she's more like family to me than anything else.

So, thank you, Frannie - you're the best friend a girl could ever hope to have. I don't know what I would have done without you through any of this.

Here are a few of her images that will be seen in the final film.

Thanks, Eric Norberg & Danny Rinaldi!

2008-01-03T21:02:00.000-05:00

A couple of Eric & Danny's images. Thanks, guys... you rock!

Thanks, Joe Arsenault...

2008-01-03T21:00:00.000-05:00

A couple of the images that you'll see in the final film... Thanks, Joe!

A Plethora of Photographs!

2008-01-03T20:48:00.001-05:00

Ah... the sweet feeling of accomplishment. With each moment of "oh, crap, how am I going to pull THIS one off?" comes the moment of "thank God somebody spent so much time doing this crazy stuff!".

I had posted a note on the Local 799 website forum asking for photo submissions for the documentary. Along comes Joe Arsenault, donating about 15 shots of a truck rollover at the Roger Williams Memorial. Fantastic shots... even shots of the poor schmuck's foot all bent up and stuck under the frame of the truck. No blood, no gore - just great, documentary-style stills of what occurred that day. Beautiful stuff for the Hazards segment. So I went to the Broad Street station and met Joe, had a nice talk with him and that led to him referring me to Lt. Eric Norberg of the West Warwick Fire Department. I was told that Eric had been photographing fireground images since the late '80's and had a ridiculous number of photographs. Hmmm...

So, I contacted Eric and found out that he and Dan Rinaldi of the PFD Hazards Unit had partnered up in taking all of these photographs. The guys generously offered to have me go to the Washington Street Station and review their collection - or at least part of it - then stay for a dinner cooked by the amazing chef himself, Danny. (What a treat THAT was!) So, I went to the station and met with Eric and Dan. They produced four albums chock-full of great images spanning several years up through the mid-nineties. Phenomenal stuff... and then they offered to let me use whatever I wanted to. I thought I was going to pass out. They had no idea how much work they had just eliminated for me! I had visions of sending myself into debt trying to buy images from the Providence Journal Bulletin. Well, that fear has been completely dispelled. For the simple act of giving them each a CD of the images that I scanned, they are donating whatever images I need for the film.

You know, life is tough sometimes and there have been times on this project when I thought that I would tear my hair out with frustration. Delays, scheduling issues, illnesses (on my part - not major, but enough to put me out of commission for a week or two here and there)... on occasion, it was enough to make me say I wanted to abandon the project all together. Then something like this happens... I post a note, someone responds and then they lead me to another who can help in the process. It all seems to come together just when I'm starting to believe that it's falling apart beyond repair.

So... my sincerest thanks to Joe, Eric and Dan for their incredible generosity. Bobby Alvarez has some images, too... I still need to talk with him. It's a beautiful thing, really, when it all seems to fall into place.

Wonderful World of Ladder Companies...

2008-01-03T20:41:00.000-05:00

Lou Sackal - God love him. He walked me around Ladder 4, answering questions, opening compartments, showing me what the Ladder trucks carry and telling me what all of it was for. Then, despite the fact that it was freezing cold outside, he offered to pull the truck out and raise the ladder up so I could get some footage. He's a sweetheart - and a life saver!

Lou and I had never met. Jay Fabrizio, my right-hand man, had spoken with him for me. I needed someone to do just what I described above. Jay had left it up to me to explain the project to Lou, which was cool. It seems to make things easier and make people feel a bit less nervous if they get to know me a little bit first. I know it was a bit of an awkward situation for him and I know that he was a bit nervous, but he did a beautiful job of explaining the purpose of the ladder company and the apparatus and equipment they use.

I am eternally grateful to Lou and Jay - my Ladder Segment is complete, now.

Honest, folks - we're chugging along and getting it done. Now that the holidays have passed, maybe I can get my butt in gear and get this film finished!

Status of the Film

2007-12-02T20:56:00.000-05:00

02 Dec 07

I've had a great many people asking me when the film will be finished. So, here's an update on my progress thus far.

I have approximately 96% of the film shot. I still have to re-shoot one interview, get footage at Fire Alarm, finish up the Ladder segment, work on one segment about DAC Mike Day and some other filler-footage and introduction shooting to do. That, in the grand scheme of things, is only about 4% of the film.

Now, I know that I said the film would be done in the fall... which is almost over. Then I said the film would be done in the Winter, which is fast approaching. At this point in time, I am going to say that my intended time for completion of the project is late February of 2008. The problem is that it is difficult to stay on schedule when trying to work with a great many conflicting schedules. With me working a regular, 40-hour per week job and trying to jam in shooting on Fridays and Saturdays and sometimes after work during the week, it's been insane. However, I somehow managed most of it already and that in and of itself is amazing.

The largest portions of the film - those being the ride-alongs and the interviews - are now all complete (except for the re-shoot, which will take 30 minutes). Once those things are done, I can go to post-production. The good news about post is that I pretty much have the whole thing edited in my head. I've reviewed the footage on numerous occasions and now it's just a matter of cutting it together.

That's where we stand and once again, my eternal thanks to the members of the Providence Fire Department who have given so freely of themselves for this project. It's been an incredible ride. As always, my thanks to the Executive Board of Providence Firefighters' IAFF Local 799 for their unwavering support - you guys are awesome.

Shooting the Stills

2007-12-02T20:43:00.000-05:00

02 Dec 07

Poor Doughty... the things I put that man through! LOL I wouldn't necessarily say that he's camera shy, but I know it's not fun for him to pose for stills. Luckily, he and Fran have become friends and I'm sure that made it a little easier to deal with having to endure still shots.

So I made the guy get into his turnout gear and grab his helmet so we could take still shots of him on the Hazards. I could have gone over to Ladder 6 on Friday night and shot them there, but that just did not seem right to me. The guys who ride the Hazards ARE the Hazards. It would not have been an accurate depiction of him to shoot him at Ladder 6 and when I told that to Paul, he agreed. The Hazards is his home... just like the rest of the firefighters who are assigned to the truck. Most of the people on it have been there for years - because they love it. Okie, Chris Brown... it is WHO they are, not just their assigned truck.

Fran asked me what it was that I had in mind and I explained the shots that I was looking for. Of course, she got them right away (as always). Maybe my opinion is biased, but I'm sure I've got the best damned photographer on the planet for this job! Anyway, when we were through, the rest of the A-Group crew from the Hazards came down to the apparatus floor because they were getting ready for an air bag drill (practicing using special air bags that are used to lift heavy objects that people are pinned under). As we talked a little bit with Paul, he asked Fran if she would take a picture of the group together by the Hazards. Of course she said yes and they all gathered by the chauffer's side. Fran got a great shot of them and showed it to the guys - apparently they liked it very much.

Again, this is where something unexpected happened for me. As I watched these four men standing by the side of the Hazards and posing for Fran, I saw what Paul talked about during his interview. He told me about how the guys that he rides with are his brothers - "minus the blood bond", he told me. "We talk to each other pretty much every day, we live together at the station, we go to social functions, we even fight like brothers." I was able to see the bond between these Brothers and it was a wonderful thing to bear witness to. I'm proud that my best friend and photographer, Fran, was able to capture that moment.

Just another perk to taking on this incredible task of mine... gotta love it.

Finally!!! YAY!!!

2007-12-02T20:34:00.000-05:00

30 Nov 07

I was finally able to shoot interviews with two Providence Firefighters today that I have very much been looking forward to - Paul Doughty and Kenny "Hoppy" Hoskin. Both are dear friends and both are guys whose stories I wanted to capture. I am absolutely elated about finally having the opportunity to shoot their interviews, both of which came out great.

I always enjoy the interview process, even though it can sometimes be emotionally draining. It amazes me every time I sit down and shoot an interview. It rarely goes as I anticipate it will... which is actually a good thing. It is especially interesting for me when I interview a person with whom I have become friendly and have a lot of interaction with. I don't always talk with them about their work, but during the interviews certain questions come up and they always answer - even if it is a touchy subject. It is those times when I usually see a side of my friends that I haven't seen before. So these interviews are always an opportunity for me to learn more about my friends - not just the acquaintances I've made along the way. That's ALWAYS a wonderful thing.

I'll meet with Paul again to take some stills of him - part of the Special Hazards segment filler. It's always difficult to be able to schedule with Paul because he is also the President of Local 799, the Providence Firefighters' Union. His schedule is insane and I have no idea when he finds time to sleep, let alone meet with me.

So, my thanks to Paul and Hoppy... I'm proud to have you both in the film and proud to call you my friends.

Interviews

2007-11-05T18:41:00.000-05:00

I would be remiss at this stage of the game if I did not thank the following people:

BC Dan Crowley
Capt. Ralph "Timebomb" DeAngelis (PFD Ret.)
Capt. Russ McDonald
Capt. Tim McDaniel
Capt. James "Doc" Potenza
Capt. Heidi Rivard
Lt. Tom Kenney
Lt. Michael Morse
Lt. Ernie Young, Jr.
FF Kevin M. Burns
FF Joseph Mellor
FF Joe Moreino
FF Jim "Okie" Okolowitcz
FF Wayne Oliveira
FF Dan Rinaldi

for sharing their stories with me for the documentary. I still have some interviews to shoot, but the footage I currently have is incredible. I know that in a few cases, it was very difficult to talk about the things that they talked about with me and I greatly appreciate each and every person's willingness to revisit things that were incredibly difficult to revisit - especially on camera.

Thanks to all!

I Am Pleased to Announce...

2007-10-22T18:55:00.000-05:00

22 Oct 07

To my faithful readers and supporters:

First, I’d like to take a minute to thank you all for your continued support and encouragement. Your kind words and friendship are appreciated more than I can say.

Now, to my announcement.

I just had a wonderful conversation with Cindy Day, the wife of Deputy Assistant Chief Michael J. Day of the Providence Fire Department, who passed away in the line of duty last June. I will not divulge the specifics of our conversation publicly, but I am proud to announce that I have received permission from Mike’s family to go ahead with my dedication of the film.

So, it is with great pride and honor that I dedicate my film, “Everyday Heroes: A Walk Into the Fire” in loving memory to:

Deputy Assistant Chief Michael J. Day, PFD
1956 – 2006

And

Private Edward A. Conway, PFD
1896 – 1957

I had to share this and I want to make sure that this dedication is not missed in the credits of the film.

My deepest thanks to Cindy and the entire Day family for their kindness and understanding – and for allowing me to honor Mike’s memory, as well as their sacrifice.

Please remember the Day family in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

Adventures With Tower Ladder 1

2007-10-20T17:27:00.000-05:00

18/19 Oct 07

At five yesterday afternoon, I arrived at the Public Safety Complex on Washington Street in downtown Providence to ride with Captain Jeff Varone and the C-Group Crew of Tower Ladder 1. It was a rainy, muggy evening and I had no idea what kind of a night it would turn out to be. I was brought upstairs and led to Captain Varone’s office to wait for him. I brought my Mom’s famous brownies (which she always sends with me on ride-alongs) into the lounge area and went back to Engine 3’s office to thank Joe Plante for escorting me upstairs and to introduce myself properly. Just as I was walking back toward Ladder 1’s office, the captain walked over. We sat in his office for a little bit and discussed the project, as he was not aware of the details beforehand. Once we had all of the particulars out of the way (my usual, “just treat me as one of your firefighters, Sir… if I’m in the way, don’t hesitate to push me aside”), he brought me out to meet the other firefighters on duty.

Serendipitously, Chris Brown (of the Special Hazards Unit) and Pete Grenier (Rescue 4’s officer for last night) were both there. I was happy to meet them because Chris was involved in a high angle rescue at the Providence Performing Arts Center earlier this year and Pete filmed it. I had found Chris’ blog and read through it, then clicked on a link to the video footage of the PPAC incident, watching the full nine-minute video. I had e-mailed Pete earlier this week to ask him if he would be willing to let me use his footage in my project, which he very generously agreed to. I talked with each of them quite a bit and exchanged information with Chris so I can talk with him more about the incident.

It wasn’t very long before the bell tipped and I was on my way with Ladder 1. Captain Varone handed me a turnout coat as we were getting on the truck, headed for Kennedy Plaza for a box alarm coming from one of the bank buildings. I was sitting in the chauffer’s side jump seat with Tim Bock, Jr., a new recruit to the department. I know his father, Tim Sr., quite well, so while we were waiting to see what was going to happen with the box alarm, he and I talked a bit. Tim, Dave Skaggs and I all remained on the truck to wait for further instructions from the Captain.

The next thing I knew, Captain Varone and Al Scott had jumped back into the truck and the lights and sirens were blaring once again. I had apparently missed something! As we sped toward Point Street, I started picking up from the radio communications what was happening. There was a truck on fire near the Providence Piers… a pretty scary place for anything to be bursting into flames. The blaze was less than a half mile from the Motiva Pier, which caught fire earlier this year and took a day or more to get under control. It made national news when it happened. Once I realized what we were responding to, my heart started pounding in my chest. I was a little frightened by the prospect of being in the vicinity of gas and oil storage tanks that could blow up – but I knew that Captain Varone and the crew would keep me safe. Just before we arrived on scene, we heard the call go out over the radio that the fire had been knocked down. It was literally thirty seconds before we arrived on scene, so I was a bit disappointed, but also somewhat relieved. When we pulled up to the scene, Captain Varone called back to me from the front of L-1 asking if I wanted to get some film of the scene. I jumped at the opportunity and when I got out of the truck, I was instantly grateful that the Captain had given me a turnout coat. It was pouring rain… if I hadn’t had that coat, I would have been soaked to the bone. I felt like I had just stepped into a shower stall – the rain pounding against my head and covering my glasses, which I had to allow to slip down the bridge of my nose and look over them so I could see. I somehow managed to keep the rain from destroying my camera and got some footage of the crews checking the tanker truck that had been on fire. It was still smoking when I walked onto the lot where it was parked. Once I had my footage, I immediately went back to L-1 and tried to shake some of the water out of my hair. It was dripping down into my eyes and I was thinking to myself that I should have followed my instincts and worn a baseball cap. We left the piers and returned to Washington Street.

Just as we pulled back into quarters from that run, the bell tipped for Special Hazards. I was listening to the call, still standing on the apparatus floor by Ladder 1. Captain Varone called down to me from the staircase, asking if I wanted to “jump the Hazards” for the call to the Route 6 Interchange, where a car had flipped over onto its roof. Of course, I said yes and before I knew it, I was on the Hazards again with Chris Brown & the crew. Now… the whole way there, the guys were saying things like, “watch, they’ll be out of the car before we even get there” and “we’ll be back eating dinner inside ten minutes”. I kept telling them to quit saying that, because I’d love to have the footage!

As it turned out, when we arrived on the westbound side of the Interchange at Killingly Street, we could see the rollover on the eastbound side of the road. We took the exit and came back around – the Johnston Fire Department was already on scene, so we just scooted on by and headed back to quarters.

Shortly after dinner, the bell tipped again for Engine 3 and us to respond to Hasbro Children’s’ Hospital for a box alarm. As we headed for the scene, I began to smell something odd – like an electrical fire. Problem was, it was coming from INSIDE Ladder 1. Tim and I gave each other a look that was a mix of bewilderment and “holy crap is that our truck?” Suddenly, Al pulled the truck over and we all jumped out. In less than a minute, the toolbox was out and Captain Varone was attempting to fix the vehicle on site. He had radioed Fire Alarm to let them know that we had a problem. We spent several minutes there on the side of the road and when Captain Varone was satisfied that there was no actual fire, he called in to Fire Alarm and put us out of service for repairs. We drove (carefully!) over to Dexter Street where the PFD Repair Shop is located.

We were greeted at the repair shop by a PFD mechanic named Bo, who assessed and repaired the situation while we waited. Captain Varone was concerned that I might be bored and even apologized at one point. I told him that I was glad this had happened – now I had footage of them repairing their own truck while we were en route to an emergency call. People don’t realize that things like that can and do happen! I was completely cool with the situation. It took just over an hour, but Bo had the truck fixed and ready to go. As we were leaving, Bo called out to me from the bay of the repair shop.

“Good night ma’am – have a safe one, and don’t let these guys be too tough on you, now.” He smiled and winked at me.

“Aww, no,” I replied, “they’re always great to me.”

So, off we went – back to quarters. By then it was probably quarter to ten and I had the sinking feeling that it was going to be a quiet night. I was right.

I crashed on a sofa in the lounge and got some sleep – albeit interrupted a couple of times when the bell tipped for the Rescue and the Engine. I finally woke up at five thirty and figured it would be futile to try to sleep any more, so I sat up and grabbed a coffee. By six thirty, everyone in the house was awake and the shift change was beginning. Just around seven, the bell tipped for the Hazards and the call went out for them, Engine 12, Ladder 3 and Air Supply for a reported house fire on Douglas Avenue over near the Chad Brown housing complex. Captain Varone suggested that I could jump on the Hazards, but there really was no time to explain to the newly changed crew what I was doing and why I was doing it. It was bad enough that Engine 12 had just come over the radio and said that the house was involved, calling a “code red” (meaning they arrived to find a working fire). We listened to the radio communications for a while, and then I talked with Captain Varone about some follow up work. I finally said goodbye, thanked everyone at around seven thirty and headed out the door.

I walked to my car and something told me to get some filler footage of the Station before I left, so I put my stuff in my car, grabbed the camera and the tripod and set up across the street to get some shots. Once I got what I needed, I went back to my car and packed up so I could head home. As I was pulling out of the parking lot, I looked to the left of the station and saw a plume of smoke darkening the morning sky.

Much as I hate to admit it, I got a little excited and drove toward where the smoke was, trying to locate the fire. I pulled up in front of a body shop on West Exchange Street, a mere two blocks from the Washington Street Station, to find a tow truck ablaze in the parking lot. I pulled over and dialed 911 from my cell phone to report it. The dispatcher informed me that they were already aware of it and the fire department was on their way. I shut my car off, pulled the camera back out and jumped out of my car, getting footage of the burning truck through the fence surrounding the lot. A few seconds later, I heard Engine 3’s siren and turned when I could hear the truck’s diesel engine roaring down the road. I caught the Engine arriving on scene, the crew cutting the chain that locked the fence surrounding the body shop lot and subsequently knocking down the fire. I kept rolling, catching them folding the hoses back up on the truck, opening and flushing the hydrant nearby and even the owner arriving on scene and the firefighters filling him in on what they had found. Just before I left, I called out to the guys and thanked them, followed by my “have a safe day” as my final comment.

I got into my car and headed home. As I turned onto Broadway, I flipped my cell phone open (I know! I shouldn’t talk and drive…) and dialed the Washington Street firehouse, asking for Captain Varone.

“Erin? Yes, this is Jeff. What’s up?”

“Cap,” I replied, “I just wanted to let you know that all was not lost on my ride along. That vehicle fire that the threes just got called out to? I arrived on scene before them and filmed the whole thing, start to finish!”

“Oh, that’s great!”

We talked a little more and I thanked him again, gave him the “stay safe” and we disconnected. I smiled as I tucked my phone back into my pocket, grateful for the opportunity to have ridden with such a great crew and such a wonderful officer.

As I drove home, it started to hit me that this was probably my last ride along. I still have some more shooting to do – interviews, fire alarm, follow up ladder footage… but this was probably my last night of “jumping the trucks”, as Captain Varone said. My eyes filled up. I guess my time of playing pseudo-firefighter has come to an end. I’ll miss that more than I could ever express in words.

Tired as I was, I still had an interview to shoot. A few hours later, I was driving to South County to interview Lt. Ernie Young, Jr., a very dear friend and the D-Group officer on Engine 8, who has been off injured for a few months now. I talked with him for quite a while, visiting and catching up with each other, then finally shooting a bit with him talking about how he was injured quite badly last summer during a fire.

Now, it’s twenty-five hours since I went to Washington Street and I actually find myself feeling sad. I had spent the day on a real high, talking about how great it was to catch that fire and how weird it was that my gut just kept telling me to hang around. All I can seem to think of now is that my ride alongs are done. It’s a bittersweet moment – I’ve done so much work, ridden with two Engine companies, two Rescue companies, Special Hazards and a Ladder company, but every single second of it has been great for me. Just to have the opportunity to ride on each of the trucks and learn about the importance of each company was wonderful for me. I wish I could keep on riding with these amazing men and women. Time for me to play filmmaker, now.

15 Oct '07 - Riding With Special Hazards... AAAARRRRGGHHHH!!!!

2007-10-16T16:17:00.000-05:00

The AAAARRRGGHHH!!! is not meant for the crew that I rode with last night on the Special Hazards Unit of the Providence Fire Department – not by any means. They are wonderful guys and were very good to me, as always. So were the rest of the folks at Washington Street last night. I enjoy their company and they always treat me like family.

However… when I arrived at the firehouse yesterday afternoon, I was told that I missed not one, but TWO fires – one on Sunday night and one on Monday during the day. “They come in threes”, one of the guys said. This is true… and I prayed a LOT that I would be there for the third.

We got a run around 6:30 pm to go to the Olneyville section of the City for a possible natural gas leak situation. I got some great shots there and the footage shows how multiple companies work together in a situation such as this to make sure that people are safe and the scene is quickly controlled, investigated and the situation corrected. There were several companies involved in the call… Special Hazards, Engine 14, Tower Ladder 1, Ladder 6 and I believe Ladder 2 was also there, but it was tough to see all of the vehicles and stay out of the way at the same time. Once someone from National Grid arrived on scene to locate the gas leak, it was only a matter of ten or fifteen minutes before we were all dismissed and headed back to quarters.

We only got two other calls – one to a possible fire at the Hartford Projects… my heart nearly jumping out of my chest all the way there, only to find that it was nothing; then to a location over near Admiral Street for a “still box alarm” (which means a reported fire) which we got turned back from. That ended up being a police matter, for some reason that I never really ascertained.

So, when morning came and I sat and had a coffee with my friend, Okie, before heading home, we made arrangements for me to go back tonight and film a sort of “tour” of the Special Hazards Unit. When I arrived back at the station this evening, the first thing Okie said was that they had caught a fire during the day and the Hazards was “first in” – meaning the first company to arrive on the scene. He says that never happens. Of course it doesn’t! It would only happen when I’m JUST MISSING IT!

I was convinced, at that point, that my Grampa was looking down on me and chuckling! As if missing the THIRD fire wasn’t bad enough, as I stood talking with Okie while Fran took stills of the Hazards for me, the bell tipped. Of course the bell tipped – because I wasn’t RIDING WITH THEM!!! Another gas leak situation. So, rather than trying to get this all set up again, we waited for the Hazards to return. At one point, Fran and I were the only people left in the station. Every single truck in the house was out. My brain was hurting by that point and frustration was beginning to get to me.

So, the Hazards returned and I filmed my bit with Okie. As I filmed with him and saw all of the equipment that this Heavy Rescue Vehicle carries, I began to see things in a different light. I got the footage I needed and Fran took some more stills for me. We said goodnight to Okie and off we went.

When I got home tonight I visited Michael Morse’s blog and clicked on a link to the blog of another Providence Firefighter, Chris Brown. Chris is also on the Hazards. I read an entry that he wrote about a man who had been electrocuted. That was it… my “different light” had settled in and I was viewing my quiet night with the Hazards as a blessing. It dawned on me, between filming with Okie and reading Chris’s blog that I could easily have seen things last night that I would never, ever be able to handle.

All firefighters see, smell and deal with scenes that would steal an everyday person’s sanity in the blink of an eye. It is difficult to wrap your head around that until you ride on these trucks and talk to these people. I learned something tonight, too. “Special Hazards” is not really an appropriate name for that unit. Yes, the Hazards deals with things like chemical spills, gas leaks, anthrax scares and the like. In all actuality, the Special Hazards Unit is a Heavy Rescue Unit. That means they repel down the sides of Providence’s skyscrapers if a window washer’s platform gets stuck too high up for a ladder truck to reach. If someone is preparing to commit suicide by jumping from a bridge or an overpass in the City, the Hazards gets called. If someone gets fried by a downed high voltage wire, the Hazards goes in with special tools to make sure that the person’s body is safe for firefighters to handle and isn’t surging with electricity.

I’ll admit it… there are some things that I just do not want to see. So thanks, Grampa… for busting my chops and keeping me away from that stuff.

Once again, I have an entirely new understanding of and respect for the members of the Special Hazards Unit… those Heavy Rescue kids are pretty incredible.

2007-09-26T20:28:00.000-05:00

I know this has nothing to do with the documentary, but Michael is a very dear friend and as you've read, I had the honor and privilege of riding with him and Ray Thibault a couple of Saturdays ago.

The photograph to the left was taken by me earlier this year at Chester Barrows Elementary School in Cranston, RI. The man in the foreground is Lt. Michael Morse. The man in the background is his brother, SFC Robert Morse of the RI National Guard's 1207th Transportation Company. A little background on why they were at the school... My Mom, Pat Blackman, is known as "Grandma Muggle" to several classes at three different Cranston elementary schools. She started out about six years ago visiting my niece, Amberlee's class at Chester Barrows to read to the class. The teachers fell in love with her, as did the kids and it turned into what is now known as the "Grandma Muggle Club". The kids have done numerous service projects, including making place cards for the food trays at the Veterans' Hospital, donating to the "Put Your Two-Cents' Worth In" campaign which has raised money for various charity events and they have also adopted RI soldiers serving in Iraq, sending them letters and care packages. Robert Morse was "adopted" by the Grandma Muggle Club. When he came home on an "R & R" leave, he only had two weeks to spend with his wife, kids and family. He took an entire afternoon out of that time and he and Michael visited the kids at Chester Barrows Elementary School. Not only did he do that, but he also schleped home two Muslim prayer rugs that he had made for the kids, which had the logo of the 1207th and the name of the school in English and Arabic, as well as certificates from the commander of the 1207th officially thanking the kids for their support. The kids were fascinated with both Robert and Michael - asking all kinds of questions about Iraq and the fire department. I skulked around the classrooms while Robert talked to the kids and as I was photographing the event, I noticed something. Every time Robert mentioned returning to Iraq, Michael would suddenly look absolutely forlorn. The kids didn't notice - in fact, I'm sure I was the only one who did. I decided to try to capture that image... the love of brothers - never really spoken, but always there.

I caught this image after several tries. It had gotten to the point where Michael was pretty much ignoring the fact that I was shooting at all. Knowing Michael, he probably assumed that I was taking a picture of Robert. But I got the image and I'm so glad that I did, because Robert is home now - safe and home. Thank God for that. I look forward to having a chance someday to take another photograph of them, simply enjoying each other's company and content in the fact that they've each endured so much in their own right, but survived.

I am honored to know such wonderful men... men who lay their lives on the line for the protection of others. Selflessly dedicated, loyal, kindhearted... that is what I see in "The Morse Boys".

See? Everybody Gets Their Fifteen Minutes

2007-09-16T17:42:00.000-05:00

<--- photo taken at Chester Barrows Elementary School - June, 2007 by Erin L. Blackman (Handsome bugger, isn't he?) :-D

It gives me GREAT pleasure to post this piece. The following article appeared in today's Providence Sunday Journal about Lt. Michael Morse and his book, "Rescuing Providence", which I am very much looking forward to reading. I am so excited for Michael and so proud to call him "friend". Congratulations, Michael.

Bob Kerr: The story of the city with feeling

01:00 AM EDT on Sunday, September 16, 2007

I don’t like lying to people who I know will be dead in minutes because it doesn’t seem fair. It’s hypnotic in the back of a rescue when the fight for life is lost and resignation appears in the victims’ faces. I tell them to hang on, to keep fighting, but they know the truth. I can see it in their eyes. I am the last thing they see before leaving this earth forever.
— Lt. Michael Morse in Rescuing Providence

Many of us try to peel back the cover on the city now and then — look into those seldom-seen places where people do crazy, mean, loving, funny, desperate things. But Michael Morse does it again and again and again. There are times when he might want a break from it, maybe a whole hour to put his head back and not deal with all that injury and pain and assorted madness.

But then comes the call: “Rescue 3 and Engine 12, respond to Hawkins and Admiral for a reported shooting.”

And he is off again, into the rescue wagon and off to another human pileup in Providence — and another chance to see the city with a writer’s eyes.

Morse has been an emergency medical technician (EMT) and firefighter in Providence for 16 years. He is one of those people, like most who work at firehouses, who are hooked on the job. Despite the falling-down fatigue that comes with call after call, he would have it no other way.

He has been a writer for a lot of years too. It is tough to say just when that part of him kicked in. He remembers his days at Bishop Hendricken High School, where he did not light up the honor roll. But he got that B in English once. There were some early indications that he could do things with the language.

And he has. He’s written a book, and it’s so damn good that I can’t stand this guy. I mean, just where does he get off climbing out of a rescue wagon and writing with this kind of feeling and pace and vivid recollection?

It’s called Rescuing Providence, and it covers one 34-hour shift around Easter weekend of 2004.

“I was driving to work one day and just decided to write a book about this,” he told me.

He started taking notes. He would finish a call and write down the most memorable details. When he got home, he typed up the notes.

“I would live it, then relive it.”

Sometimes, he says, he would remember something a couple of days later and think, “that was interesting.” And he would write it down.

He has been published before, in Rhode Island Monthly and on the editorial pages of The Providence Journal. He wrote a wonderful piece about the challenges EMTs face when removing drunks from city streets.

When he finished his book, he says, he sat back and waited for the publishers to knock down his door. Instead, they sent rejection slips. Morse’s wife, Cheryl, says there really were enough rejection slips to paper a good part of a room in their house in Warwick.

Then came the day when Morse was mowing the lawn and Cheryl came out to tell him that the call had come from his agent: A publisher had picked up Rescuing Providence.

It will be officially released in a few weeks by Paladin Press. Morse isn’t sure how much promotion he’ll do. This is all very new to him.

But buy this book, and not just because it is drawn from the streets of Providence. Buy it because it gives us all the chance to go to the places and meet the people that we too quickly pass by. Buy it for the opportunity to know the incredible things that happen when a stranger from the Fire Department shows up to sew people up and calm people down and sometimes deal with the mean and dangerous side of the city.

There was the time Morse was called to the scene of a stabbing after a street brawl. As he approached the injured man, he was told by another man, “If he dies, you die.”

“You stupid bastard,” I told him, focused on the patient and annoyed at the interruption. “Your friend is bleeding to death and you have to bust my balls. Get out of the way, or your friend will die on those steps.”

What makes Morse’s book such a pleasure to read is not just the accounts of the rescue calls but the way he blends in the memories of the way the city used to be and his life with Cheryl and their two daughters and the special connection that develops with the people who work alongside him. He tells of going food shopping with his grandmother on Federal Hill. And he tells of dealing with the changes that had to be made when Cheryl discovered she had multiple sclerosis.

Then, late in the book, is the reminder that on any call, an EMT can face the worst kind of human tragedy. Morse was working out of the Branch Avenue station when a fire call came in. A mother had left two babies with a babysitter and gone out for a drink. The babysitter left the babies because she wanted to have some fun and assumed the babies were asleep. Both babies were burned to death.

Morse recalls he was in the station the next day, blaming himself for the disaster and saying, “I’ll never wish for another fire.” Chief Ronny Moura, whom he describes as a “grizzled veteran firefighter and all-around tough guy,” overheard him.
“Kid,” says Moura, “any firefighter worth half a sh— wants fires. Quit crying and get off the cross. We need the wood.”
And so it goes for those who do the work that EMTs and firefighters do. No one on the outside can possibly understand.
But we can read Rescuing Providence and get a rich and varied taste of it.

“I hope people feel what I feel,” says Morse. “I hope they come away with a better understanding of our profession.”

A reader of this truly fine book will surely do that.

bkerr@projo.com

Rescue 1 – Mundane to Amazing

2007-09-15T19:34:00.000-05:00

Saturday, 15 September '07

So, I dragged myself out of bed at quarter to five this morning and got ready to ride along with Lt. Michael Morse and FF Ray Thibault on Rescue 1, which is housed on Allens Avenue. I say I dragged myself out of bed – but that really isn’t true. I was excited to be riding with Michael. We had talked about it several times, then as I stated in my last blog, he was injured, so it had to be postponed. We finally had our day, though – and what a day it was. Got to see a bunch of guys I hadn't seen in a while and others I'd seen only last week, but it was quite nice to see all of them.

I arrived at the station at seven this morning, just about the same time as Michael. It was quiet for the first couple of hours, but as per usual, the boys at the station did their morning cleaning. The weather was gross – rainy and depressing, but I was looking forward to the sun coming out in the afternoon. That was what they were claiming on the news, anyway.

We got a call to assist a young man who was having some sort of blood pressure issue, turned out he hadn’t taken his medication today - a “taxi ride”, essentially, to RI Hospital. Our next call was to the scene of a motor vehicle accident on Elmwood Avenue. One of the parties involved was extremely disoriented and it was thought he might have a head injury. Turned out that the man is a regular customer at Borders, where I work. That was somewhat odd. We brought him to RIH to get checked out because he was exhibiting signs of a TIA. We had a couple of calls for pregnant women with abdominal pains, but no babies born on the rescue today – another call for a woman with low blood sugar.

It was fairly quiet after that, until we got a call to Pine Street for a man with a head injury. When we arrived on scene, Engine 3 was already there. I knew two of the people on the Engine – FF Donna Luce and FF Vinny Clemens; the other two guys were fresh out of the academy. There was a palpable difference with this call. Things happen so fast on these runs that I barely know what’s happening until it’s all over. This time, though, there was an extreme sense of urgency. Turns out the guy that we were picking up had fallen down a narrow, cement staircase in the basement of a house. He was unresponsive, but still breathing. When the team brought him out and placed him onto the gurney, I could see that the guy was completely out of it. His arm was falling off the backboard – they had to keep laying it over his stomach. They got him to the rig, got the gurney in and Michael, Ray, Donna and one of the new guys all got into the back of the rescue. I hopped into the front seat to film through the opening. The scene was incredible to me – no one said much, they just each did their job. Ray got the vitals, Donna set up an IV and Ray started the line, Donna got the guy’s blood sugar level, Michael took down all of the information and tried to get the guy’s friend to give some information. He wasn’t much help, so finally Michael gave the patient’s cell phone to the friend and told him to look for a home number. He apparently found it and called the patient’s wife. I filmed as this was happening and it was truly a remarkable sight. Each firefighter did their job and Michael clearly led the team through the whole run.

That having been said let me digress and tell you a little bit about Michael. He is a very laid-back kind of person and does not consider himself to be a “leader” – and maybe he isn’t, in the traditional “barking orders” sense of the word. He just knows what he’s doing and he is probably one of the best EMTs on the job, so people just naturally look to him for guidance. At least that is what I witnessed today.

Now, back to the patient with the head injury – a forty-seven or forty-eight year old male, pupils dilated, unresponsive and (as Michael said) a “cracked melon”. The team had to take every precaution – apparently, they were made aware of the fact that the patient was intoxicated. They did not know whether he had taken any drugs or had a seizure – no idea what had caused the fall. They tried administering a drug that is used on people who have overdosed on illegal drugs to counteract the overdose. If the man responded to the drug, then they would know that he had overdosed. If not, then it was something far more serious. Unfortunately, the man did not respond to the medication. As a precaution, Michael decided to keep two other firefighters in the back of the Rescue with him. Quite often, when a patient has overdosed or been the victim of a head injury, they can awaken and become extremely violent. In a case such as that, they will have other firefighters remain onboard the rescue. This is another reason why an Engine company is dispatched to all Rescue calls. Ray Thibault and Vinny Clemens stayed in the back of the rig with Michael while we transported the patient to RIH. One of the new guys from Engine 3 drove Rescue 1 and Donna and the other new recruit took Engine 3 to the hospital. The patient was brought to the hospital and the whole time we were en route, the patient’s cell phone was ringing.

All I could think was that his wife must not have answered when the friend called her. She was probably trying to call him back.

After he was brought into the ER at RIH, the crew from Engine 3 headed back to quarters and a while after that, Michael and Ray came back out. Michael was telling me what was happening. In the space of less than twenty minutes, Engine 3 had arrived on scene and begun treatment. Rescue 1 arrived and everyone pitched in to get the guy stabilized and rushed to the ER. The ER immediately brought him to the Trauma Unit and the Trauma Team had him intubated and were evaluating him for further treatment.

We arrived back at the station a short time later and I was actually getting ready to leave when we caught another call. There was a woman suffering from complications of diabetes. She had already lost a couple of toes and would probably lose another. We got her to the ER – it was probably less than an hour since we had picked up the guy on Pine Street and Michael emerged from the ER and told me that he was in surgery. They believed that he had a bleed in his brain.

I witnessed something truly remarkable today – the Providence Fire Department’s amazing teamwork. I feel very privileged to have been party to that sight. I feel badly for the patient and his family and I do hope that he recovers and will be all right. His chances of that are much, much higher because of the speed and precision of the work done by the men and women of the PFD.

As amazing as that was, it was just as amazing to me that Michael really doesn’t realize what he and his Brothers and Sisters really do. I showed him part of the film footage from that run and he was amazed, himself. He sat watching it and saying, “wow” through it. He’s so focused on his own duties and has faith in what his fellow firefighters are doing that he has never had the chance to see just how incredibly impressive it really is.

So I also had the privilege of showing one of my Everyday Heroes just why it is that I call him that. With any luck, the others will also see just how incredible their job really is – and so will my audience when this is all said and done. I got something else out of it, too - again, that sense of having been adopted. "Hey, Erin, can you grab that glucometer for me? Thanks." "Hey, would you mind helping us transfer her to the hospital's gurney?" (That was answered with a, "sorry, Cap, I'm not on the job - I'll get Ray for you.") I even saved a c-collar from blowing away in the wind, hauled a bag back to the Rescue, held doors, closed compartments... stupid, maybe, but it was very telling to me. I'm trusted - and that means more than I could ever express in words. I'm proud - VERY proud - to feel that from these people. So thanks for that, Michael and Ray... you made me feel like one of your own.

Michael got a call back – he will be working tonight, as well as tomorrow’s day shift. Who knows if he’ll see home tomorrow evening? The beat goes on, people… never ending – twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Just when you think it’s gonna be all taxi rides and drunks, someone who truly needs you comes along – and you’re THERE for them; on your game, go team go – Bless them all.

My eternal thanks to all who participated today, especially Michael and Ray for dealing with the third wheel. Hope I stayed out of the way… and maybe showed you just how special you really are.

Everybody Gets Their Fifteen Minutes Of Fame...

2007-08-31T11:03:00.000-05:00

even when it isn't really wanted. Having a background in journalism, albeit an amateur one, I do understand what the "real" story is. For a journalist, the real story here is about a woman who, although she has no ties to any fire department and nothing to gain from her efforts, is taking on the task of shooting a documentary about the job of firefighting... blah, blah, blah.

It's funny - I look at my work the same way that firefighters look at their work - I'm just doing my job. It's nothing spectacular, nothing to make such a big deal about. I just got pissed off that no one really understands what firefighters do and all that their job encompasses. I got mad at people saying stupid crap like, "oh, they have it easy... four days on, four days off, hanging around the station..."

NO!!!! That is NOT what really goes on!!!

There is serious ABUSE of the 911 system in MANY cities and towns. People treat it like a taxi service. "I have a hangnail and it's killing me. Take me to the hospital. Yeah, I know it's three o'clock in the morning, but still..." It's maddening. So, rather than sitting here and just kevetching about it being maddening, I decided to DO something about it.

I'm not impressive because I decided to do this. I'm just a person who understands what firefighters deal with and I think that everyone should understand it and respect it.

So, the fact that Rita Lussier of the Providence Journal and Laurie Johnson of the Warwick Beacon and Johnston Sunrise wanted to write about the project, I thought, "cool - people will know about it and start looking for it on television. The more, the merrier." Then I had the interviews with them and by their questions, it dawned on me that their story was about me, not the project.

Do I refuse? No - because despite the fact that I feel totally weird about having these people ask me so many questions about myself and why I'm doing this, I know that it's still bringing attention to the project itself. If people know, they'll look for it. It's a catch 22, really.

It's bizarre - this is about my Everyday Heroes. It's not about me. It's about getting people to understand and respect firefighters. It's about telling their story and making people realize that it's not just firefighting that they do. The training, the rescue calls, the extracations, the cooking, the cleaning, the having to buy new appliances and mattresses that the Cities don't provide... it's about the mundane stuff and the fact that every single time the bell tips, God only knows what's going to happen. They could get hurt just driving to or from a call. Poorly maintained vehicles could cause accidents. It's about learning to appreciate the fact that we have these people, willing to risk their lives for us at any given moment.

It's about my firefighters, NOT me.

Having said that, I feel these pieces should be added to my blog. After all, it is a chronicle of what's been happening while I'm shooting the film.

Where There’s Fire, There’s a Hard-working Bunch
05/23/2007 - by Rita Lussier

After working all day at Borders bookstore in Garden City, Cranston, Erin Blackman will be up all night riding along on Engine 8 in Providence. There might be an accident or a fire, a domestic dispute or an explosion. Maybe even all of the above. There’s just no way to know.

Several years ago, when firefighters couldn’t agree on a contract with the City of Providence (they still haven’t — the standoff is at day 1,049), Erin was surprised at how many people didn’t really understand the job they do day in and day out. There is a misperception, she says, that firefighters just sit around the station playing cards and watching TV, waiting for the bell to ring.

And then it hit her. She has a digital video camera. She has friends at television stations. “What am I doing just sitting here?”

Well, Erin is no longer just sitting here, there or anywhere. When she’s not working, she’s riding along on fire trucks, spending time in fire stations, interviewing firefighters and putting it all together in a documentary that’s currently titled: Everyday Heroes: A Walk Into the Fire.

She wants to make this point very clear. The film she’s working on is not political in any way. As Erin told me, you understand what she does at the bookstore because you buy books there. You understand what a bank teller does because you go into the bank to cash checks and make deposits. But unless your house goes up in flames, you really don’t have any firsthand knowledge of a firefighter’s job.

Well, if Erin has anything to say about it, you soon will.

At first blush, it’s surprising that a 35-year-old woman who lives in Johnston would want to spend her spare time this way. But truth to tell, if fate hadn’t thrown her a curve ball, Erin might have become a firefighter herself.

From what she tells me, the calling runs in her family. Her grandfather, Edward Conway, was a firefighter in Providence for 30 years until he fell off a fire truck and landed in the middle of Branch Avenue. If Erin hadn’t suffered a bad accident when she was 16 that left her with an injured back, she might have followed his example.

But if there are any lingering regrets about the obstacles life has thrown her way, they’re now gone. The documentary project has given her the chance to not only experience the life she once dreamed about, but also to put her perspective as a lay person to good use. What she sees for the first time through the camera and how she relates that in her film will help those of us who are unfamiliar with the firefighter’s job to view it in a new light.

As often happens when things are meant to be, the pieces fell quickly into place for Erin. The Providence Fire Department granted permission for filming, and she’s received a lot of assistance from Providence firefighter Jay Fabrizio, whom she credits as co-creator. In addition, she’s relying on the talents of Fran Paliotta for still photography, Brian Bucacci for editing and Michael R. Shipp for music, to get the documentary ready to air by next fall.

What has surprised Erin the most about her adventure so far is the “sheer level of exhaustion that occurs from the adrenaline rush you experience when the bell tips. You have to jump and fly – get yourself to the truck as fast as possible and head out to the scene. When you go through that five, six, twelve times in a ten- or twelve-hour period, it takes a toll on your body.”

Although she never expected to gain anything for herself out of doing this, Erin tells me she already has. The way the firefighters have welcomed her into their circle, she says, has given her “an incredible sense of belonging, protection and kinship that I’ve never found with any other group.”

It’s the kind of camaraderie that must come along with a job where at any given moment you might have to take A Walk Into the Fire. I can’t imagine how that feels but, thanks to Erin, next fall I will. We all will.

For the Moment
Rita Lussier

A World in Which Every Workday Risks Life and Limb
By LAURIE JOHNSON

Carol Channing had it all wrong.

Firemen, not diamonds, are a girl’s best friend, according to Erin Blackman of Johnston, who’s currently filming a documentary on firefighters.

“The general public is not aware of all they do,” said Blackman, “so I picked up a video camera to prove it.”

The working title of Blackman’s project is “Everyday Heroes: A Walk Into the Fire.”

She started filming last November and hopes to complete the 60-minute tribute by early this winter. Blackman’s friend, Fran Paliotta of Fran Paliotta Photography in Johnston, is helping in the effort by offering cutting-edge still shots of Blackman’s subjects.

“It’s strictly a labor of love; I’m not getting paid for it,” said Blackman, who at age 36 wistfully recalls her dream of becoming a firefighter. Injuries from a car accident at age 16 forced her to look in other directions. She finds it ironic that her grandfather, Edward Conway, was forced to retire after 20 years on the Providence Fire Department when he fell off the back of a fire truck and injured his back in 1951.

The lion’s share of Blackman’s work to date has been done with the Providence Fire Department. Blackman totes a camera on ride-alongs onboard engines and rescue trucks. She signs a waiver each time, renouncing all rights to sue in case of an injury. The fire and rescue runs Blackman has documented have been fairly routine ones. She plans other ride-alongs including one with a ladder company. There will also be stints at the fire dispatch desk and with fire-prevention officers, who investigate the cause of a blaze.

Blackman said she treasures her time spent with Providence’s Engine Company 8, housed on Messer Street, whose members went out of their way to make her feel like one of them, she says. She learned that when firefighters assess a scene, it goes far beyond the rescue call.

“These firemen really know their neighborhood,” said Blackman enthusiastically.

During her ride-along, the firefighters would point out landmarks around a fire scene plus name the kids watching near the trucks while the firemen worked. There was even an elderly woman who brought the firemen cookies.

Another of Blackman’s experiences came courtesy of the Johnston Fire Department. The controlled burn of a house on
Peck Hill Road earlier this year made for some very fiery scenes for Blackman’s documentary.

Johnston firefighter Paul Brazenor recalls Blackman’s enthusiasm that day.

“She caught a nice little blast of heat when one of the walls of the house came down,” he said.

Blackman filmed as firefighters set up a water curtain to protect nearby houses and woods.

Brazenor, 36, is a school chum of Blackman’s. Both attended the Oliver Hazard Perry Middle School in Johnston. When the opportunity came along, Brazenor, who still lives in Johnston, was only too glad to let Blackman do some filming. He wishes there were more people like Erin who understood the pressures that firefighters face.

“Yes, we do feel unappreciated, especially in light of what town councilors have been saying about us,” said Brazenor, referencing recent news reports about the department’s expensive overtime budget. Johnston firefighters have been working without a contract since 2004.

“Because of overtime, we do have some guys making over a $100,000 a year,” he said. “Sure it’s good money, but people forget we are working [extra] to earn it and that means time away from our families.”

“Just because we have beds at the firehouse doesn’t mean we sleep at night. The calls can and do come anytime,” Brazenor added.

“The sheer exhaustion your body deals with is incredible,” Blackman said with a sigh, talking about one-on-one interviews with individual firefighters – scenes she refers to as intense.

She marvels as subject after subject responds with the perfunctory, “it’s my job,” when asked how they have the courage to enter a burning building.

“I don’t think we are heroes,” said Brazenor stiffly, but then with warm pride noted the accomplishments of his late uncle, Cpt. Robert Tessier, who retired from the Providence Fire Department after a 20-year career.

“You know, it isn’t always fire that turns out to be the most dangerous part of the job,” said Blackman. “There’s stress and exposure to chemicals. On the rescue trucks, there’s the constant worry about needle sticks, airborne diseases and TB.”

That’s why Brazenor, who’s in his 12th year fighting fires in Johnston, calls it a slap in the face for firefighters to have to pay for health insurance.

“The fact is we risk our lives every day on the job,” he said.

Blackman, a longtime firefighting advocate, hopes her work will lead to more respect for firefighters and better working conditions for them so, in her own words, “these insane lack-of-contract issues will stop.” Channel 36 has already offered to work with Blackman to bring her project to fruition.

I HATE It When They Get Hurt...

2007-08-29T18:57:00.000-05:00

Thursday, 23 Aug 2007

I was supposed to be riding with Lt. Michael Morse on Rescue 1 tomorrow night, Friday, 24 August. It was a rather cool week, nasty weather and Friday is supposed to be the first hot day of the week. Surely the night will be chaotic with people trying to salvage their last few days of summer.

But…

One of the most difficult things about having friends who are firefighters is the frequency with which they get injured. It’s horrible when I watch the news sometimes… “Fire in Providence today… two firefighters taken to the hospital with injuries… no word on their condition…” It can be terrifying – especially when I break out the cell phone and start dialing any of the sixty some-odd numbers I’ve stored in there of members of the PFD and no one is answering. It’s bad enough to me to know that any of “My Firefighters” has been hurt, but the fright can turn to panic when I find out that the company involved in the incident is filled with my close personal friends.

On that note… let’s get back to the “but”… My cell phone starts to vibrate, but I’m working at the bookstore and we’ve got a ridiculous line filled with parents and their teenage kids. Ninety percent of those kids are being reprimanded by the parents because they have waited (AGAIN!!!) until the very last second to complete their summer reading. Obviously, I can’t answer my phone. A short time later, I’m able to take my afternoon break – ten minutes without listening to, “when the hell are you going to stop doing this, Little Timmy?” I take my cell phone from my pocket and look at the screen – it was Michael who had called and he’s left me a voice mail message. I dial in to my voice mail and listen.

“Hey, Erin, it’s Michael Morse. I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news – well, not bad news, really, but, well… I hurt my back during my shift today…” I wasn’t quite as panicked as I sometimes feel, because it was Michael, himself, telling me that he got hurt. We’ll have to set up another time for a ride along and he’s telling me that he feels awful about it. About that time I felt I'd rather be listening to Timmy's mom yelling at him for not having read "Of Mice and Men" yet.

I return his call… getting his voice mail. “Michael, it’s Erin. No worries about the ride along – I’m not concerned about the filming. I’m worried about you. I hope that you’re relatively okay. Give me a call and let me know how you’re doing. We’ll set up another time – I still want to film with you. Just please take care of yourself.”

My sister calls me an “empath” – says that I worry too much most of the time. I can’t say that she’s wrong. My best friend has been telling me the same thing for the last twenty-nine years. I just can’t help it, though – it’s who I am and what I am. When I call someone “friend”, I MEAN it. I worry for them, I feel their pain, I keep them in my thoughts and prayers.

My firefighters, though… man, that can be rough. Every time I hear a siren (and yes, I CAN tell the difference between a police siren and a fire siren, though I worry for all of them) I say, “keep them safe”. Even if I’m just rolling down the road and I see a fire engine, “keep them safe”. These people lay their lives on the line every single time they get on the truck and roll to a call. Just look at what happened with Ladder 6! Crazy drivers trying to cut off fire trucks in their little Toyota Corollas. Oy, they drive me nuts.

THIS is the very thing that has compelled me to do this – to take on this massive project that sometimes overwhelms me. It’s WORTH the work… because THEY are worth the work.

Be well & stay safe, everyone. I love you, my friends – and I MEAN that. Oh, and please do get well soon, Michael. Looking forward to rolling with a PFD Legend. :-)

The Interviews – Parts 1 & 2

2007-07-18T17:45:00.000-05:00

Friday, July 13, 2007 and Saturday, July 14, 2007

The Interviews – Parts 1 & 2

Friday morning I began filming interviews for the documentary. Some of the eight people that I filmed are good friends, others I’ve met once or twice, but all of them were fascinating to me, for different reasons. I somehow managed in a single day to span a wide spectrum of people. Some talked of wonderful moments and tragic moments, some got misty-eyed, some made me cry, but mainly it was an incredible study in human behavior. Some people just walk out of the station and leave the emotional baggage there; others take their experiences and integrate them into their everyday lives as lessons learned. There are some who go out and participate in sports to drive out the emotions, some who write it down and others still who simply talk it out with their fellow firefighters and go on from there.

It was amazing to me to learn of just some of the experiences that these people have lived through and they have managed to stay sane and move ahead. They truly are a unique breed of people – despite the fact that each of them is an individual and they are each different from the other, I found that there is a standard… they all love the job. They don’t seem to mind laying their lives on the line for total strangers. In all honesty, they really don’t seem to look at it that way – “I’m just doing my job,” they say.

Well, that may be true, but I’m still of the opinion that firefighters are Everyday Heroes. I don’t mean to offend any of those who took the time to talk with me, because some said that they actually do not like to be called heroes. I simply cannot think of any other way to put it – except maybe…

Everyday Extraordinary People.

Knowing When You've Made Friends

2007-06-15T16:53:00.000-05:00

14 Jun '07 - Providence City Hall

Last night, my best friend and business partner, Fran Paliotta, took part in a Gallery Reception at City Hall in Providence. She was invited to hang two prints in the second floor atrium there by her high school classmate and friend, Rob Buco. This was a very important night for them both and even though Fran viewed it more as helping her friend, I viewed it as a night to get some outside interest going in her work as a photographer.

After almost thirty years of friendship, I'm not afraid to say that I am heartily proud of my best friend - the one friend in my life who has always been there for me through everything - good, bad or indifferent. She worked very hard to get through her photography schooling and even had a brush with death at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital during a bout of pneumonia. I know how hard she worked for this and I know that she deserves to have her work out there, so that Gallery Reception was more important to me than I could possibly put into words.

I let my friends from the PFD know about it and although I knew that many would be there in spirit, I really didn't expect them to be able to show up. Especially considering the frequency of callbacks and such. It's the nature of the job. However...

Five members of the Department visited us and I received notes from many more wishing us well and asking how it went. As busy as these guys are, they took time out to show that they are truly there for not only me, but Fran, as well.

A truly loyal group, to say the least - and it only proves that I've been right all along... I've made some fantastic friends getting into this project.

That, in and of itself, makes the work all worth while.

Filming the Incidentals

2007-06-05T17:12:00.000-05:00

May, 2007

I shot two sessions this month, both at the North Main Street Station with the crews of Ladder 4, Engine 7 and Rescue 5 (mainly with the Ladder and Engine Crews). Now, I probably have the firefighters thinking I'm out of my tree, because I was filming them cleaning the station, shopping for food and cooking dinner. The sad fact is that most people don't realize that firefighters do have to do these things - AT WORK, not just in their own homes.

It baffles me - is it just that I heard the stories from my Mom and have visted the stations? Why do people think that there are janitors (OH! Excuse me... Maintenance Engineers.) at fire stations? Do they think that people come in and clean and that the kitchen is there for show? Do they believe that fire trucks can fit into a car wash bay? I don't understand it, but people don't know that these things go on.

I can understand them not knowing that firefighters have to pitch in for appliances and televisions and such, but they don't know about the other stuff.

Well, they will when the documentary airs, because it's being included. It will be tough to do a voiceover for that part of the film... I'll have to bite my tongue.

So I filmed them washing walls, waxing floors, washing trucks... all that fun stuff. Then I went to the super market with them and filmed them shopping for their lunch. The manager of the store wasn't really thrilled about it, but the guys got him to relax and I got the shots I needed.

I went back on A-Group's first night shift and filmed them making dinner. As usual, the crew was exceptionally hospitable and invited me to join them for dinner. They do spoil me, I must say. :-)

My thanks to Captain Horton, Jay Fabrizio and all at North Main Street on A-Group for their participation!

Engine 8 - Take Two

2007-06-03T20:26:00.002-05:00

Lt. Ernie Young, FF Bobby Alvarez, Erin Blackman, FF Todd Jones, FF Steve Dulong

Friday, April 20, 2007

I’m riding with Engine 8 again tonight. I had talked to Lieutenant Ernie Young and told him that I wanted to get some more footage on an Engine, being that the ride with Engine 3 had not yielded much. I arrive at the shift change and Bobby Alvarez and I have a coffee while we await Ernie’s arrival.

Around six o’clock, Ernie asked if I wanted to check out the scene of a fire that had happened the night before at an abandoned manufacturing facility. We hopped on the truck and headed out. That turned out to be an awesome walk-through. I’d never really been that close to a burned out building before – and it had to be doused again that morning because of hot spots that flared up. When we arrived, the dank smell of burned wood, plastic and God knows what else hung in the air – a wet, smoky smell. I filmed from doorways – it wasn’t really safe to go inside. As I filmed the water dripping down from a staircase, I looked to my right and saw Ernie, Bobby, Todd Jones and Steve Dulong (who had desperately been trying to avoid my lens) standing in a group and discussing what had happened the night before. I turned around and trained the camera on them and that was when it happened – I got my “money shot”. The perfect closing shot for my film. It was a beautifully exciting moment and I could barely contain myself. As they turned around and began walking back toward me, they fanned out into a line – they had no idea that I was filming them. I got a few more good shots, but that was the most fantastic shot I could have gotten.

As we stood and talked a little more about the fire, their radios began blaring.

“Attention Engine Eight and Rescue Four a still alarm,” the dispatcher’s voice proclaimed. We headed back to the truck and off to a scene that the police were already attending.

Despite the fact that I had worn a Providence Fire Department shirt, which was clearly visible, a Providence Police Officer approached me. I explained that I was with Engine Eight, then Ernie walked over and confirmed that for them. I didn’t get much footage there, but once the Rescue had arrived, we got back on the truck and headed back to Messer Street.

It was a bit of a quiet night, oddly enough. I was beginning to think that my luck with getting lots of calls was turning. The bell tipped again around five thirty – turned out someone had pulled a false alarm at a box on Union Avenue. When we arrived there, Bobby got out and reset the alarm, then we headed back to the station.

We got another call shortly thereafter for a child who had had a seizure. We got to the scene and I shot some good footage there. I also managed to notice something that no one else had noticed – the child had a large gash on the back of his head. It wasn’t bleeding – just open. Ernie mentioned it to the Rescue Lieutenant before we left. That was kind of nice – I felt like I’d actually helped a little bit. That one bothered me a little bit – the poor kid seemed like he was having a hard time.

It was quiet until after eight o’clock, when we got a call to go to Cumerford Street with the Providence Police for a domestic dispute. We pulled up to the scene and I got out of the truck with my camera in hand. Just as I was about to pull of the lens cap, I heard a woman going off on a kid who was lying in the gutter. I quickly assessed the situation and decided to stuff the camera into the pocket of the turnout coat that Bobby had lent to me. Yes, I was back in a turnout coat – but I’d learned, Steve didn’t have to catch me that night. Anyway, I stuffed the camera into my pocket and just stood back from the commotion. The police were separating the mother from her son. She was saying that she was sick of him and this girl that he kept saying he was in love with. As it turned out, this kid had gotten into an argument with his mother and ended up putting his fist through the glass window inside the front door of their residence. After much debate and the firefighters and police keeping the two separated, the rescue crew arrived and took the pair off to Hasbro. Well, that was interesting – and would have made great film footage, but no way in hell was I going to let this irate mother see me filming the tirade in progress. So… off we went, back to the station.

Some time later, the bell tipped again – must have been after ten at night. We were dispatched to back up a Rescue for a call of a baby not breathing. We all ran to the truck and headed over to the home, which was nestled in some crazy little back streets that looked out onto Route Ten. My chest was getting tight – this one was scaring me. This baby that we were responding for was apparently only fourteen days old. When we got to the house, the family said that they had gotten him breathing again, which made all of us breathe a little easier (no pun intended). They took the baby to the hospital just to be safe, though and we headed back to the station.

The most wonderful things happened that night, though. Not only did I get my fantastic shot for the closing of the film, but something even more awesome happened. Earlier in the shift – I think it was when we got back from the false alarm on Union Avenue – we got out of the truck and left the garage door open. The five of us – Ernie, Bobby, Steve, Todd and I – stood there for a while talking. We looked out into the approaching dusk at the neighborhood goings on. They told me about the locals – the ones they knew, those who always waved to them or stopped by to say hello every once in a while. Then they told me about Red – she’s an interesting character. I won’t get into that, though. Anyway, it was strange – sort of like an initiation for me. It was as if I was a new member of the crew and they were acclimating me to the neighborhood. I felt like I had somehow been adopted into their family, for lack of a better explanation. I felt like I was one of their own. That was an awesome feeling and it made me proud to know that these men were willing to make me feel at home in their firehouse.

I talked to Ernie Young on the telephone the next day and he told me that he was sorry it had been a slow night. I told him I didn’t care – I had gotten some amazing footage, but more importantly, I felt as though they had made me an honorary “Screaming Eagle”.

When I rode with Rescue Four, Zach and Kevin had made me feel like I was riding with my Big Brothers – like they had brought me to work to show me what they do – which was fabulous. When I rode the first time with Engine Eight, I felt like a filmmaker, but one who was working with friends. The same was true with Engine Three.

When I rode with Engine Eight on April 20th, Ernie, Bobby, Todd and Steve seemed to truly embrace me into a very tight-knit and very personal world. The camaraderie between them was actually visible to me that night – I was able to see that these men had been through some incredible experiences together. They had saved each other’s lives at one point or another, watched each other’s backs, kept each other safe. I could feel that bond between them, and they seemed to extend it to me.

I will never experience anything like this again in my lifetime – I know this. I also know that I am making some truly amazing friends that will be in my life long after this documentary is shot, made and aired.

Friday the Thirteenth... ugh.

2007-06-03T19:45:00.000-05:00

FF Carl Betz, Lt. Kevin Jutras, FF Ron LeFaivre, FF Chris Wagner

Friday, April 13, 2007

Okay, so I decided to run a day shift. Once again, the officer that I was supposed to ride with wasn’t going to be there, but I was riding anyway. I knew two of the other guys on the truck, so that would work fine. I got to Washington Street at seven in the morning – man, did that one hurt. Anyway, I showed up with a ton of brownies from my Mom and after waiting for FF Ronnie LeFaivre (who had worked a call back at another station the night before), I finally decided to go upstairs and find FF John Woodard instead. When I got to the lounge, there were a few guys up there that I knew. They were very happy to see the brownies from Mom, which I found exceedingly cute. We sat around and I caught up with a few friends I hadn’t seen in a while. When Ronnie got there, he introduced me to the third firefighter on their group, Chris Wagner. He and I seemed to get along well – talking about Ireland a great deal. We Irish ones tend to find common ground fairly quickly! Carl Betz also came around and said hello – I’d be riding with him, too.

Being that it was Friday the thirteenth, I knew that it was either going to be a weird, busy day or an absolutely dead day. Sadly, it was the latter of the two. However, after both Carl and Chris had been pulled from our truck to attend HazMat training and we were given a replacement firefighter, the Lieutenant had decided that we should take the truck out and check out the area.

After that, we almost got called out to a scene, but got turned around ten seconds after we pulled out of the station. Carl Betz and Chris Wagner got back from training and rejoined us. I did manage to get some footage of the guys cleaning in the station – John Woodard washing Ladder 1, stuff like that. Later on, we got called to a box alarm down near the North Main Street Station at Citizens Bank. I did get a little bit of footage there – caught Jay Fabrizio there checking out the alarm box in the hallway of the building with Battalion Chief Curt Varone. But otherwise, fairly uneventful. I think we were actually heading back to the station from that call when we got called to a nursing home down near Women & Infants’ Hospital. There was a patient who was bleeding from the shunt in her arm. She had just had dialysis treatment. We got there and after some chaos ensued (I won’t go there…) the rescue picked her up. Carl Betz spent the better part of thirty minutes holding this woman’s arm up in the air and keeping pressure on the shunt to keep her from bleeding out too much.

I ended up leaving around four-thirty, even though the shift ended at five. I had found out that my doctor and very dear family friend, Ernie Zuena, had died unexpectedly and his wake was that night. I did enjoy hanging out with my friends, but a fairly uneventful day, sad to say. At least I didn’t have to wear a turnout coat that day – just a short, black jacket with a PFD patch on the shoulder.

Engine 8 - Take One

2007-06-03T19:44:00.000-05:00

Friday, February 16, 2007

I am supposed to ride with Engine Eight out of Messer Street tonight. We had a storm – the entire state is covered in ice. The road crews did manage to clear the streets during the day and salt them down, so I’m not so concerned about that, but everything else is sheer ice. It’s a bit foreboding, really. It’s freezing cold outside – the temperature went to about twenty-eight degrees during the afternoon, but the later it gets, the faster the temperature is dropping. The news says it will be about thirteen degrees by midnight. This ought to be interesting.

At about three-thirty, I get a phone call from Engine Eight’s Lieutenant, Ernie Young. He says that he can’t go in tonight, but that if I still want to ride, Captain McDaniel okayed me to ride with him and the rest of Ernie’s D-Group Crew – FF Bobby Alvarez, FF Steve Dulong and FF Todd Jones. I decide to go ahead and do it – I need to get this footage shot and get rolling.

I arrive at the station around five-thirty and ring the bell. I am escorted upstairs by one of the guys from Ladder Two, the second unit housed at Messer Street, and brought to Captain McDaniel’s office. As I enter the room, I can see that this man is a seasoned, veteran firefighter. FireMAN, more accurately. He is also an ex-Marine, from what I’m told. He has a gruff appearance at first and I’m already nervous to begin with. I know Ernie well – a good friend – and his absence here is felt in its entirety. I explain my project to the Captain and he lays down his rules. He will let me know if it’s okay to enter a scene. If he tells me to stay on the truck, there’s a reason – do it. If there is a fire, just say clear of the structure that’s burning and if I get cold or feel like I’m in the way, get back on the truck and stay safe. That’s the main concern for him – that I am not in harm’s way and I don’t get left at a scene inadvertently. And don’t miss the truck!!

Bobby Alvarez comes to the Captain’s office, greets me and brings me into the lounge area to meet the rest of the crew. I make sure that everyone knows I’m filming and no one has any issues with that, thank God. Jeff is busy making dinner in the kitchen area and the rest of the guys are going in and out of the lounge. Bobby and I chat while I set up my camera and get the light settings ready. Not long after, the bell tips and we jump and run to the truck. The call was for an elderly person who dropped a pot full of boiling water and her foot was burned. Captain McDaniel leads the crew into the building and while they assess the woman’s condition, he radios Fire Alarm to let them know we’ve arrived on scene. We’re told that the Rescue is en route and will be there shortly. I’m trying to film from the hallway, with residents walking through trying to see what’s happened and not wanting to go into the tiny apartment. It was already jam-packed with four firefighters, the victim and her neighbor. The Rescue crew arrives and brings two more firefighters, along with a gurney, into the mix. I follow as they take the woman out to the rig and get her settled in. When all is said and done, we get back into Engine Eight and head back to Messer Street. When we arrive back at the station, I get out of the truck and Captain McDaniel is looking me over, his brow furrowing in concern.

“That’s not going to work, Kid,” he says to me. “Your jeans are light, but not light enough. That dark coat is going to be a problem. We won’t be able to see you and if the police are on scene, they won’t know you’re with us. Come with me.” He walks me into the gear room. As we walk toward it, I turn and see Bobby, Todd and Steve smiling at me. I’m getting a little concerned. The Captain looks through a row of turnout coats hanging on a bar. “Okay, choose one of these two and lose the coat. Keep the hooded sweatshirt on under this, though. I don’t want you freezing to death out there and it’s gonna get colder before the night is out.” I look at the two coats he’s chosen and take one from a hangar. The damned thing must have weighed fifteen pounds. I try it on over my jacket and sweatshirt, my knees almost buckling underneath me. I walked back out to the apparatus floor where the three others are standing there, arms folded across their chests, grinning and snickering as I try to walk with this extra weight on me.

“Good God,” I say to them, “and this is just the coat? I can’t imagine a full set of turnouts.”

“A little heavy for ya there, Erin?” Bobby smiled at me. “It’s better than that dark jacket. We’ll be able to see you in that.”

“Come over here, Kid,” the Captain says to me. He’s standing at the passenger door of the Engine and is reaching for something by the Captain’s seat. He steps down from the truck with a huge flashlight in his hand. He walks over to me and sticks it into the top pocket of the coat. “Here, keep this in that pocket and if you need it, just hold this button down. That way it’ll just be there for you.”

“Thanks, Cap,” I say, trying to adjust to the extra five pounds he just dumped onto my left shoulder. I see the other guys grinning and walking up the stairs. I put the turnout coat onto the truck so I could just grab it and go, then proceeded to go back to the lounge upstairs.

Just after dinner, the bell tipped again and we answered a call for a young man with AIDS who was apparently suffering from pneumonia, or “High Five”, as the firefighters call it. This one’s a treacherous call – firstly because I made the mistake of putting the turnout coat on and then trying to pull myself up into the Engine. Thank God Steve Dulong was behind me – he caught me and pushed me up into the truck. As he got into the jump seat, I thanked him. (That was when I decided to leave the coat on my seat and wrestle into it as we rode to calls, rather than trying to pull myself up into the truck with it on again. As I learned, once I got used to the weight of it, it became easier to get onto the truck with it on.) We got to the house where the young man was and his Visiting Nurse met us at the door. Navigating that sidewalk and driveway were pretty frightening, the ground was covered in sheer ice. The Captain did keep an eye on me and told me that he’d let me know if it was okay to come in. I let them all go up into the man’s second-floor apartment before I ascended the stairs, my camera rolling. I waited at the landing, just where I would be in the Captain’s line of sight. He waved me in and I proceeded toward the door, not wanting to actually enter the apartment and jam things up. They administered oxygen to him and as I filmed this and listened to the questions they asked him, it reminded me of my friend, Alan, who died at the age of twenty-five due to complications from AIDS. It was breaking my heart, I felt terrible. I discovered that this guy was only forty-one years old. Then I heard the unmistakable bark of a small dog – that Napoleonic, large bark that sounded like a little kid trying to sound like an adult. I thought to myself, “who’s going to take care of that poor little thing?” My mind kept going back to how emaciated Alan had been when he died. He looked like he was ninety years old – his thighs only as big around as my forearms. It was terrible, and this poor bastard was on his way to looking exactly the same as Alan had. I tried to push the thoughts out of my head. I looked out the window in the hall and saw the Rescue Crew coming. I got myself out of the way and once they were inside the apartment, I went back outside. The wind was whipping – a sustained wind of at least twenty miles per hour, with gusts up to forty miles per hour. My lips immediately went numb and I was freezing – at least the parts of me that weren’t covered up by the two hundred pound turnout coat. I stood off to the side of the driveway on a small patch of concrete that was not covered in ice, waiting for them to come outside with the young man. As they appeared in the doorway, I could see that they were having trouble adjusting in the darkness. I switched on the ten pound flashlight and pointed it toward the stairs. One of the guys looked over and smiled, followed by a nod of thanks. I filmed as they brought him to the rig and Captain McDaniel was suddenly at my side. He asked me if I had caught what was going on – he answered a couple of questions for me, then we headed back to quarters.

We had a few other rescue calls, one back to the same building where we’d picked up the woman who had burned her foot. The second call was for a man who was having a bad asthma attack. The guys gave him a breathing treatment and we had to wait for what seemed like forever for Rescue One to make it there from the other side of the City. They really need more rescues, I’ve got to tell you. It was amazing. But, that’s why they dispatch an Engine to every rescue call – we got there a good ten or fifteen minutes before the rescue did and the guys had started treatment and at least made the man feel a little more comfortable. Once the rescue got there and took over, we got back into the truck and headed back home.

Just when I was about to pack myself up and head out, the bell tipped one more time. We got a call for a fire on Cranston Street at Potters Avenue. As we left for the call, I was being told that a young man had been bludgeoned to death at that very corner not three weeks earlier. His friends had set up a memorial for him at the telephone pole on the corner and apparently the rival gang that was responsible for his death had torched the memorial. When we got there, the fire had already burned out almost entirely, only embers glowing at the base of the pole. We got out of the truck and Captain McDaniel was immediately at my side.

“Now, be careful here, Kid,” he said. “There was a murder here, did they tell you?” I nodded. “Well, the gang that killed this kid probably torched his memorial. They could still be hanging around here, so keep your eyes peeled. Stick close and if there’s any sign of trouble, run for the truck.” That was the first time that I really got scared doing this. He was not kidding – not by any stretch of the imagination. I shook it off and filmed Bobby dousing the remainder of the embers with water. “Can you smell the gasoline?” I nodded to the Captain. “That’s why it burned out so fast. They doused it with gasoline and torched it. Once the gas burned off, it went out. Good thing, too.”

I left not too long after we got back from that call. I had gotten pretty scared with that one and it was ridiculously cold out there. Bobby walked me out to the parking lot and unlocked the gate for me. I ran my car for a couple of minutes and said good night to him.

As I drove home, I found myself thinking of that young man with AIDS and missing Alan – and Richard – and even Derek Meader. It was strange… when I told the Captain that I felt bad for the guy, he said, “you can’t let that stuff get to you, Kid. There is a lot of nasty, nasty stuff out there. If you let them all get to you, it’ll send you crazy.” He was right – I tried to let go of it.