Lost another coworker the other day.

[fudgie]

 Great guy. Knew him since I was a kid. Watched him grow from a basic to a paramedic at work. Lot of fun runs with him. He quit EMS to be a cop. Still held his paramedic cert tho. I found it funny when he decided to be a cop. He doesn't have the cop attitude. He was always kind, gentle, and soft spoken. I never seen him mad. He always worked nights and preferred the bad areas of town. We'd set and talk about guns and gun laws on our down time.

Not sure what the hell is going on. This will be my 5th coworker funeral in 2015. Well 1 of them was a local FF that I liked really well. We are use to burying a medic/ yr but this is to much. Hope 2016 is better for our dept.

http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Todd-Hammel&lc=6865&pid=176928099&mid=6719002

[Alpha Dog]

Sorry for the loss Fudgie.  What a shame, only 38.  Were all 5 of your co workers in this age bracket.  If so something weird is happening.  Huntington is not that big.  This defies actuary tables.
Chuck

[fudgie]

Sorry for the loss Fudgie.  What a shame, only 38.  Were all 5 of your co workers in this age bracket.  If so something weird is happening.  Huntington is not that big.  This defies actuary tables.
Chuck

48-massive stroke
42-cancer
68-cancer
42-mva
38-heart

Friends we buryed in the past 18 yrs have all been suicides in the 30-40 range.  ???

[3fan4life]

Sorry for the loss Fudgie.  What a shame, only 38.  Were all 5 of your co workers in this age bracket.  If so something weird is happening.  Huntington is not that big.  This defies actuary tables.
Chuck

48-massive stroke
42-cancer
68-cancer
42-mva
38-heart

Friends we buryed in the past 18 yrs have all been suicides in the 30-40 range.  ???

Damn Fudgie you guys are rough on EMS workers up there.

In 20 years of working for a department of about 300, I've been to 6 funerals for coworkers.

4 were due to cancer.

1 was a stroke.

1 was suicide. 


It's always tough to lose a co-worker even more so when you're part of a brotherhood.

You and his family will be in our prayers.

[Black Dog]

That sux Brian...  Remember the good times.

Stay strong.

Black Dog

[cookiedough]

So sad to her of your buddies passing on.

I also don't know what is going on either around me.  It seems like 2015 is the year for horrible deaths and major illnesses that could be leading to death. 

My 2 closest co-workers are fine, but one has her husband age 48 was near death had a stroke and over 90% blockage still to his brain seeing several neurosurgeons to see if brain surgery is best thing to do and still has blurred vision.  The other lady had her dad pass away in his 60's and her mom soon after almost died had to go to ER and get angioplasty done (bad heart or vessels to heart) and her close Aunt will be passing soon terminal cancer. 

My wife just found out today her long time office worker we both know, her husband we also both know, having a heart transplant over 10 years ago, just today went into ER not breathing and may not make it in his late 60's while the other lady she likes at work has her husband loosing TONS of weight very odd and complete kidney failure and now think he has terminal cancer. 

When it rains, it pours.   

take care all in 2016 and get in some riding since ya never know when the time comes.   

[solo1]

Really sorry to hear that, Brian.  38 is much too young.

I'm used to seeing friends pass, Most are my age or less.

[wiggydotcom]

Sorry to hear about this latest news, Brian. From reading his obit, it seems he was an outstanding person and volunteer in the community. I agree you've seen more than your share of co-workers/friends pass too soon.

I pray that 2016 is a brighter year for you!

[firea100]

Went to three firefghter's funerals in my career (2 cancer, 1 fire related) It's a tuff thing to have to go through. My thoughts and prayers are with you brother.

Larry Gill
Clinton Township Michigan, Dept. of Fire-Rescue-EMS
IAFF Local 1381
Retired
Firefighter-EMT

[old2soon]

Brian-I agree with Wayne.  MUCH too young. As an ex volunteer Fire Fighter/EMS I sort of understand the cancer at an early age with the "STUFF" we breath-even with the Scott Air Pak. Wife wouldn't even allow my turnout gear in the house. Take care Fudgie.

[Popeye]

Fudgie,

Sorry for your loss.  He was way to young.

I have been to 3 funerals for my Rolling Thunder buddies this year.

1 heart attack (50) , 1 ALS  (68), and 1 stroke (68).  The guy that had the stroke
was with me when I crashed in 2010.  Road to Ohio for his funeral.

Hope 2016 is a better year for you.

Popeye

[Hooter]

Brian-I agree with Wayne.  MUCH too young. As an ex volunteer Fire Fighter/EMS I sort of understand the cancer at an early age with the "STUFF" we breath-even with the Scott Air Pak. Wife wouldn't even allow my turnout gear in the house. Take care Fudgie.

SORRY FUDGIE! We don't wear SCBA enough and still to this day I have to remind my guys to use it. I was just a guilty when I was a young pup fire fighter and I'm paying for it today. The ol "leather lung" attitude still exist especially in mop up. For those of us in or have been in the fire service we know mop up is a bad gig! I have skin cancer on my face that I continually deal with and the dermatologist figures it was from fighting fire / continued exposure to house fire smoke along with other things, who knows? I also have Sarcoidosis which they figure came from some type of exposure while fighting fire? That crap is nasty in itself.

Cancer and heart disease are real prevalent in the fire service. Cancer from exposure over the years takes it's toll at an early age for some. Again, we have the PPE but it's a battle to keep the my guys protected all the time. Heart, well that can come from a multitude of problems. Heredity, over weight, eating habits on and on.

Anyone in the command part of the fire service is usually on blood pressure meds. Anyone of them I have talked to over the years take the little white pill, I do. I never had high blood pressure until I became chief 20 years ago. That is a whole other problem. At the time I was a Sgt in LE and a Chief in the fire service, both. My blood pressure would run 175 180 over 92 - 95. Oh ya, I was a time bomb but I caught it in time and hopefully avoided doing some real damage. The most prevalent being a stroke or heart attack.

I'm sure this is disputable but from my observation and IMHO, LE, Firefighting, and EMS are three of the  roughest jobs to be had. They take their toll on your body and especially your mind at a young age. For you guys here,  TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES!

[fudgie]

Brian-I agree with Wayne.  MUCH too young. As an ex volunteer Fire Fighter/EMS I sort of understand the cancer at an early age with the "STUFF" we breath-even with the Scott Air Pak. Wife wouldn't even allow my turnout gear in the house. Take care Fudgie.

SORRY FUDGIE! We don't wear SCBA enough and still to this day I have to remind my guys to use it. I was just a guilty when I was a young pup fire fighter and I'm paying for it today. The ol "leather lung" attitude still exist especially in mop up. For those of us in or have been in the fire service we know mop up is a bad gig! I have skin cancer on my face that I continually deal with and the dermatologist figures it was from fighting fire / continued exposure to house fire smoke along with other things, who knows? I also have Sarcoidosis which they figure came from some type of exposure while fighting fire? That crap is nasty in itself.

Cancer and heart disease are real prevalent in the fire service. Cancer from exposure over the years takes it's toll at an early age for some. Again, we have the PPE but it's a battle to keep the my guys protected all the time. Heart, well that can come from a multitude of problems. Heredity, over weight, eating habits on and on.

Anyone in the command part of the fire service is usually on blood pressure meds. Anyone of them I have talked to over the years take the little white pill, I do. I never had high blood pressure until I became chief 20 years ago. That is a whole other problem. At the time I was a Sgt in LE and a Chief in the fire service, both. My blood pressure would run 175 180 over 92 - 95. Oh ya, I was a time bomb but I caught it in time and hopefully avoided doing some real damage. The most prevalent being a stroke or heart attack.

I'm sure this is disputable but from my observation and IMHO, LE, Firefighting, and EMS are three of the  roughest jobs to be had. They take their toll on your body and especially your mind at a young age. For you guys here,  TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES!

After setting thru a lot of cyanide poisoning inservices i been wearing the SCBA more then I used to.

[Dave Ritsema]

Sorry Bro.  

When I think of how many times I (we) have not used our SCBA's over the years and all the crap we have ingested  Sometimes it's almost like I am just waiting for the C diagnosis. Since I don't smoke it won't be difficult to figure out how it happened.

[old2soon]

Sorry Bro.  

When I think of how many times I (we) have not used our SCBA's over the years and all the crap we have ingested  Sometimes it's almost like I am just waiting for the C diagnosis. Since I don't smoke it won't be difficult to figure out how it happened.

      NOT tryin to make light here. One house fire in particular stands out. Knocked the fire down took off the Scott to do overhaul and we still had a lot of smoke. The stuff coming outa my nose was very dark and I lit a smoke!  Have to admit at that time the Marlboro smelled and tasted better than the smoke coming off the remains. Thinkn these days couldn't even stand to tote around the turn out gear much less the Scott and a 1 inch red line. Or the Scott and turnout gear and a pike pole. Gittin older and next to no stamina. See the lights and hear the sirens and I only THINK I'm ready to go. To all our L E Os and First Responders-Please be CAREFUL out there.

[Dave Ritsema]

Sorry Bro.  

When I think of how many times I (we) have not used our SCBA's over the years and all the crap we have ingested  Sometimes it's almost like I am just waiting for the C diagnosis. Since I don't smoke it won't be difficult to figure out how it happened.

      NOT tryin to make light here. One house fire in particular stands out. Knocked the fire down took off the Scott to do overhaul and we still had a lot of smoke. The stuff coming outa my nose was very dark and I lit a smoke!  Have to admit at that time the Marlboro smelled and tasted better than the smoke coming off the remains. Thinkn these days couldn't even stand to tote around the turn out gear much less the Scott and a 1 inch red line. Or the Scott and turnout gear and a pike pole. Gittin older and next to no stamina. See the lights and hear the sirens and I only THINK I'm ready to go. To all our L E Os and First Responders-Please be CAREFUL out there.

I can't begin to count the amount of times that as we started to do overhaul (sans SCBA's) that most guys had a smoke as we did it. In fact I can remember coming out of a structure with all of us hacking and spitting out black crap and then the first things guys would do was light up a smoke and go ahhhhhhhh.

[Hooter]

Sorry Bro.  

When I think of how many times I (we) have not used our SCBA's over the years and all the crap we have ingested  Sometimes it's almost like I am just waiting for the C diagnosis. Since I don't smoke it won't be difficult to figure out how it happened.

      NOT tryin to make light here. One house fire in particular stands out. Knocked the fire down took off the Scott to do overhaul and we still had a lot of smoke. The stuff coming outa my nose was very dark and I lit a smoke!  Have to admit at that time the Marlboro smelled and tasted better than the smoke coming off the remains. Thinkn these days couldn't even stand to tote around the turn out gear much less the Scott and a 1 inch red line. Or the Scott and turnout gear and a pike pole. Gittin older and next to no stamina. See the lights and hear the sirens and I only THINK I'm ready to go. To all our L E Os and First Responders-Please be CAREFUL out there.

You guys know as well as I do that the crap that came out of your body after a structure fire for 2 days was really good for you, NOT. Salvage and overhaul was the worst but WE ALL did it (some still do it) without SCBA. Like I said, I pay now for my stupid years ago. Why was it that after going interior on initial attack and doing mop up that we came out of all that nasty crap and sat down for a minute and smoked a cigarette? I smoked then and did the same thing. The thing I remember most was the smoldering polyester smell. Thinking about it turns my stomach.