Events

*** Important Information ***

SURPRISE PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION

A Chapter of the Northwest Valley Firefighters, Local 4361

All firefighter applicants who receive notice of a second interview are invited to attend a meet and greet with the members and Union Officers for Local 4361. 

 Thursday, September 7^th, 2006

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Surprise Library

Large Conference Room

This is an opportunity to meet officers and members from the Surprise Chapter of the Northwest Valley Firefighters Association, Local 4361.   You must RSVP by email to attend, please send your response to:

juliemoore@surprisefirefighters.org

Check Surprisefirefighters.org website for future meetings.

Firefighter of the Year !

Firefighter Randy Frassetto was selected as Fire Fighter of the Year for 2004.  Congratulations Randy.  Randy is assigned to Ladder Company 302 - B Shift.

New Members

This past Thursday Cary, Chopper, Pickett and myself attended Union Day at
the Academy for our 06-1 class recruits.  Billy Shields spoke on the history of
our union and explained the importance of political involvement.  He talked
about retaining the benefits and standards that our past union officers worked
so hard for us to have today.  Congratulations to our newest firefighters:
       Steve Spirlong
       Kevin Johnston
       Doug Richards
These 3 will graduate today and begin their 40 hr City orientation on Monday.
 

This past Wednesday evening was family night for our newest recruits that
will begin class 06-2 at the Academy on Monday.  Chief White spoke to their
families about our Department and the Academy.  Scott Smith and I spoke to the
recruits about expectations and representing our Dept. and Local at the Academy.
The six recruits are:
       Michael Bennie
       Jason Leboeuf
       Melissa Palguta
       Tyler Peterson
       Jim Smaltz
       Steven James

We will vote our 3 newest members into the Local at our Chapter meetings this
week.  Please plan on attending. 

New Trustee

Cary Christensen has been appointed to complete the term for our Surprise
Chapter Trustee vacancy.  Cary has helped out in the past with union events,
collecting data, and understands the responsibilities and commitments of being a
union officer.  He is currently on E304 C-shift.  His position will be up for
election August 2006.

Thank you to everyone who expressed an interest in filling this position. We
have many events coming up this Spring.  If you would like to get involved or
help out, please call.

Water Safety Walk 2005

Members met to distribute water safety materials in the Kingswood Park neighborhood.  This is the oldest neighborhood in the city, and many of the pools were added before the safety regulations were in effect.  By passing the word to these residents, Surprise FireFighters hope to prevent a drowning.  Remember, two seconds, is too long.

.

 

---

 

 

New Life Saving Equipment

SURPRISE, Ariz. (August 17, 2006) Humans aren't the only lives firefighters are called upon to save, and now the Surprise Fire Department can use the latest in animal-friendly oxygen masks to revive family pets injured in fires.

The "Surgi-vet" Animal Oxygen Mask kit provides three sizes of muzzle masks to help firefighters administer oxygen and help animals overcome by smoke to breathe again.

"We love to save lives. It hurts to lose an animal. Our troops are very glad to have these," says Surprise Fire Chief Michael White. "This system will make a difference in the outcome of many of our fire calls that end up involving animals."

The plastic masks are shaped to fit the muzzles of a variety of animals, and feature a rubber ring for a more snug fit. They can be attached to oxygen bottles (called passive assistance) or to a flexible air bag that is hand pumped by rescue personnel, moving air in and out of the lungs (active assistance). Prior to having this equipment, firefighters would improvise with equipment made to assist humans, even resorting to performing mouth-to-snout resuscitative measures.

The death of a family pet adds more pain to an already traumatic situation, firefighters say. "It very much like the death of family member," says Surprise Assistant Fire chief Kevin Pool. Even when a fire has a "good" result with no injuries and limited damage, the death of a beloved pet can trigger deep grief.

The masks were acquired from H.E.L.P Animals, Inc of Orange City, Florida.