(Source: Nickelodeon Suites Resort)

Nickelodeon Suites Resort in Orlando kicked off its 2nd annual Hero Appreciation program this spring and by November 22, raised $9,277.28 for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. While community heroes enjoyed discounted rates, antique fire truck experiences, bucket brigade games, the Resort pledged two percent of every room night booked through the program to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

“We continue to show our appreciation of community heroes by giving back and are proud to deliver a check of more than $9,000 this year,” said Jim Struna, director of marketing and revenue management for Nickelodeon Suites Resort. “Nick Hotel is all about families and so it is extremely rewarding for us to be able to give back to a family-focused organization like the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.”

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By Lt. Michael Swiman – Wake Forest (NC) Fire Department
For LION Connects

Lt. Michael Swiman of the Wake Forest Fire Department

What are you doing to improve your health and fitness at work? With more departments implementing NFPA standards on health and safety, it is up to you to make sure you stay ahead of the game. Today’s departments offer basic workout equipment and many even require their personnel to do some form of physical training (PT) while on shift. How are you maximizing your workout efforts? We all have a an idea or basic plan of what we want to do when performing PT, but are you stuck in a rut or have you plateau?

First and foremost is proper nutrition. WE ARE WHAT WE EAT! Are you and your crew experts on the local restaurants and can recite the menu from memory, or do you make an effort to cook a healthy meal? I know that the toughest decision made at the station is what the meals for the day are and it gets harder to make those choices when you are in a multi company station. The most basic way to ensure proper nutrition is portion control, staying away from battered and fried foods (which seem to be a staple here in the south) and incorporating fruits and vegetables in your meals and throughout the day. Try to eat 5 small meals instead of 3 big meals. This will make you feel better throughout the day and eliminate the need to gorge out during dinner. Thirsty? We should be drinking anywhere from 3 to 4 liters of water daily and cut down on the sugary drinks.

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As you’re well aware, there’s a tremendous amount of controversy surrounding the construction of a mosque near Ground Zero. The animosity generated by the idea led some extreme groups to host a “Burn the Quran Day” on this past September 11. Firefighters, EMT’s, law enforcement officer and others in the first responder community shouldered a large loss of life when the World Trade Center towers fell, not to mention having to endure the health risks and prolonged hazardous exposure involved in the cleanup that followed.

We found a video interview with Rudina Odeh-Ramadan, a Muslim-American first responder that was on the scene of the 9/11 attacks in New York. Her perspective:

The debate surrounding the Ground Zero mosque continues, with many claiming that its construction stands as an affront to the events of September 11. Odeh-Ramadan challenges those who feel that the Muslims who wish to build the mosque should reconsider the location out of respect and a need for peace by likening the Muslims’ constitutional rights to those of Rosa Parks in the Civil Rights era:

“Why didn’t Rosa Parks just move to the back of the bus? It would have been easier for everyone else. We can’t do that. Muslim Americans are Americans and all are afforded the same civil liberties.”

We’d like to hear your thoughts on the video and the continued debate on the construction of the mosque. For many, it’s not an easy question: Do the constitutional rights of citizens outweigh the collective cultural sensitivity to a tragic event in American history? Where do you draw the line?

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As part of Lion’s Try it Out program, we’ve put our brand new leather firefighting boots on the feet of some of our Lion Connects fans who’ve signed up to try out our latest products.

We’ve asked firefighters to put our new structural firefighting boots to the test while on duty and provide us with honest feedback on how the boots feel and how they are performing in the line of duty.

“Right out of the box, I put them on and fell in love,” said Lt. Michael Swiman of the Wake Forest Fire Department in North Carolina. “I felt like they were made for me.”

A key feature for Lt. Swiman is the Lock-Fit Ankle Support System™ that is unique to Lion Technical Footwear.

“I like the ankle support in the Lion boots the best,” Swiman said. “I shattered my ankle about 12 years ago, and that extra support makes a big difference.”

Working comfort is also a critical factor for another tester, Vinnie Catennaci of the Wyocena Bureau of Fire in Wisconsin.

“These are awesome boots,” said Catennaci. “I have a pair of the Commander zip/lace boots. They are very comfortable and offer great support.”

We’re also looking for some firefighters to try out products from our line of Lion StationWear. Want to be considered? Fill out the Try it Out form, and you may be reading about yourself here soon.

Don’t forget to join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest updates.

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Actually, Vandalia/Butler Twp Ohio is where Lion lives. WKEF-TV Channel 22/WRGT Fox 45 recently covered a week-long feature on our North-Dayton community and the businesses within. Click here to check out the video highlighting Lion and the services we provide.

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Captain Scott L. Sargent of the Los Angeles Police Department wrote about the recent changes in department policy and adjudication procedure on PoliceOne.com:

Use of Force Policy Change — Over the past several years, the LAPD has undertaken the process of evaluating and formally adopting the standards established in Graham v. Connor, 490 US 386 (1989). The new objective reasonableness based policy was approved by the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners in July 2009. That policy revised and streamlined many separate force related policies and has been fully incorporated into the department’s entry level and in-service training, as well as the comprehensive use of force review and adjudication processes.

Elimination of the UOF Continuum — In 2009, the LAPD finalized the incorporation of objective reasonableness and the new UOF Policy into all areas of department operations and training for in-service and the academy. This past continuum based mandate has historically been an ineffective and unreasonable burden on officers, and is contrary to best practices and effective training. Requiring officers to classify or categorize a suspect’s behavior (i.e., aggressive combative) before electing a force option is an unnecessary intervening step and can result in a delayed response or hesitation. The new LAPD UOF Options Chart directly supports best practices in use of force training, ensures effective articulation in arrest reports and mandates the development of critical thinking skills. The new common sense training protocol has been well received because it allows officers to elect any objectively reasonable force option in response to the suspect’s behavior.

You can read about additional changes on the original article.

How do you feel about the LAPD policies? Do you think they’re applicable to smaller departments?

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By Joel Calfee for Lion Connects

A dream of Mike Dubron, a Los Angeles County firefighter and the founder of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), started with coffee talk during a shift change after surviving his own personal battle with cancer. For him, talking to other people, especially those who had been diagnosed with the same kind of cancer he was battling, brought him comfort, strength and hope.

Founded in 2005 by a group of cancer survivors, caregivers, advocates and volunteers, the FCSN was formed as a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit program organization funded by tax-deductible donations. The mission of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network is to provide active and retired fire department members and their families an opportunity to receive assistance when dealing with cancer with the objective of providing timely assistance when diagnosed. The FCSN continues to grow throughout the world promoting firefighters with program awareness, education, information library, mentorship, advocates, comfort and support, special events and a regional coordinator program.

We have mentors from the fire service to share insight into how they dealt with cancer in which you or someone you know have been diagnosed.  Arrangements will be made through the FCSN’s wellness coordinator for various forms of assistance, such as providing a “tool box” of information for those recently diagnosed.

We encourage anyone requesting assistance to become a member prior to FCSN sending out information. There is no membership fee, and it can be easily done on our website. You can also become a friend of the FCSN by joining the network. We are always looking for assistance from volunteers in helping get the message out and supporting the network.

If you need assistance or want to help we may be contacted by internet www.FirefighterCancerSupport.org, by e-mail on the “Contact Us” page or by phone 866-994-FCSN.

We can “Fight Cancer With Fire,” and “Together We Can Make A Difference.” Remember, cancer does not discriminate, so protect yourself, your coworkers and your family.

For more information, please visit us on the web.

Until then, remember to stay low, stay cool and be safe.

(Editor’s note: Joel Calfee is the Health and Safety Chairman of the IAFF Local 341 in Houston, a member of the Houston Fire Department and the Texas Regional Director of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network.)

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Following National Police Week, National EMS Week began May 16 and continues through May 22, with Wednesday, May 19 set aside as Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Day. Get more information along with the weekly planner at their website.

The National EMS Week Memorial Bike Ride began on May 15 and continues through May 22. It’s too late to register for this year’s ride, but visit their site for information regarding next year’s registration.

The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride, Inc. honors Emergency Medical Services personnel by organizing and implementing long distance cycling events that memorialize and celebrate the lives of those who serve everyday, those who have become sick or injured while performing their duties, and those who have died in the line of duty.

This year’s ride features three starting points: Bennington, Vermont, Portland, Maine and Paintsville, Kentucky and one ending point —Washington, DC.

National Emergency Medical Services Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to publicize safety and honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine’s “front line.” Do you feel that EMS responders get the attention they deserve? How do you think departments can better raise awareness of the services EMS personnel offer to their communities?

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No matter the loss, there’s always going to be devastation. The short time period after, which can span months depending on the person grieving, is emotionally intense and painful. PoliceOne reminds us that it’s important to remember that the need to provide support and understanding to those affected can continue years later.

Here are some things to remember as time goes on after the loss of an officer:

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