Signals AZ

The Chief’s Desk – September 4th



Article audio is made possible by CAST11 Prescott Podcast Network. A Talking Glass Media production.

It’s Labor Day weekend – the end of summer. I think we can agree, this summer has been a total bust anyway so good riddance! That said, if you go out this weekend, please ensure you designate a driver, or use one of the car services in the area. Wear your seatbelts in whatever you are driving including UTV’s. Even a short trip can turn deadly so be careful.

I am back from vacation and ready to go! Unfortunately, given the current state of things I have very few places to go unless it’s virtual. I’m not sure about you, but I’m ready to move on. That said, we have not allowed grass to grow under our feet. Rather, we have made the conscious choice to continue pushing forward by finding new ways to accomplish our tasks.

Eric and Andrew finished their work on the studio room at 53, and Jonah along with his folks are nearly done with setting up the technical side of things. We should be there in the next week or so to dial in the lights, camera
angles, and sound. The plan is to start slow with shorter Podcasts that will include a review of The Review, as well as a variety of other topics. These may only be 5-10 minutes in length. We will record longer Podcasts with guests as we improve our production abilities, but will want to have four or five of those produced prior to releasing the first one.

As some of you may have heard, the Bureau Chief of EMS for the State Department of Health Services (DHS), Terry Mullins, has submitted his resignation. He has accepted a position in Montana. The state is currently conducting a nationwide search for his replacement. The Bureau did send out an email yesterday reviving the rules update process related to CON’s. We will be involved in that process. Updated rules will not fix some of the core issues within the state regarding EMS. To that end, we are still looking at some legislative remedies.

The NFPA 1403 class in partnership with ISFSI kicks off next Tuesday with a class of 25 students. This may end up being the only class offered in the United States this year. It is an important program for training officers who must adhere to strict guidelines on the training grounds regarding live-fire training.

Our Engineer’s Academy begins on September 14. Again, it is good to see us continue to progress despite COVID. We have been very successful throughout this entire year in providing a safe, in-person training environment. It’s not that we are ignoring COVID, it’s just that we are working within the common-sense guidelines that CAFMA has created. Living in fear is not living, and not training is not an option in our profession. Onward and upward as they say.

The Battalion Chief Academy is a go for 2020 starting in October. It will be hosted at the Tempe Fire Department. Again, all appropriate precautions will be utilized during the program. If you are looking to promote in the next few years as our current Battalion Chief Core retires, I would highly recommend you consider attending the academy.

We interviewed two people for the Training Tech position yesterday. Ivonne Gardea was the successful candidate. Patty will be working with her to finalize paperwork and set a start date. Some of you may be familiar with Ivonne from her work with the Firefighter 1 and 2 program as well as the EMT program through Yavapai College. Others may remember her as their physical therapy tech. We will be interviewing for the two open prevention positions next week Tuesday, Sept 8.

I will be speaking at the Blessing of the Field this Saturday. As you know, the blessing kicks of the opening of the Healing Field in Prescott Valley honoring all of those lost on September 11, 2001. I was told that my words should remind people why we have the Healing Field and what it means. I’ve struggled a bit with my words this year as I believe the Healing Field of 2020 has a much deeper meaning given the current state of things in our country, and quite frankly our state. In my opinion, we need to be reminded of what life and sacrifice truly mean. I believe we need to be reminded of what our flag stands for, what freedom means, and why no one has ever broken our resolve as Americans. What is happening today harkens back to much darker days in world history when fear was used as a weapon to hurt commerce and turn family and friends against one another. It is about time we stand up, pay attention, and take our lives back. To that end, below are the remarks I will share with those who attend Saturday’s event.

Blessing of the Field Ceremony:

Chief Scott Freitag

We are gathered here today to honor the 3000 lives lost on September 11, 2001. We are also here to honor all those who have lost their lives since that day protecting our freedoms. The men and women who serve our nation in our military, our law enforcement officers, and our firefighters. Finally, we are here to remember. We are here to remember how we as the American people turned the fear our enemy tried to instill in us into resolve. How we fought back and did not give in! We are here to remember how we came together as a nation to honor all those we lost that day to include – 343 firefighters, 72 law enforcement officers, and 55 military personnel who gave their lives while selflessly trying to save others – they are represented on this field by 470 pairs of boots. Finally, we are here to honor our flag and our country.

We did not allow the terrorists on 9/11 to win, we did not allow them to divide us as a nation, and we did not allow them to scare us into submission. Never in our history has this country bowed to outside forces who have attacked our way of life trying to use fear as a weapon to divide us. Yet, sadly, today we are allowing inside forces to do just that. Within our own country elected officials, the media, “experts” are all using fear as a weapon and WE are allowing it!!

The people represented by our flag on this field and all those lost fighting for our freedom did not – have not died so we could tear ourselves limb from limb with our own hands. We do not honor their memory by allowing ourselves to be divided nor do we honor them by living in fear. This week, spend some time on this field remembering what their lives meant to their families and to our country. Spend some time on this field remembering what our flag stands for. And, spend some time this week remembering that on September 11, 2001 the sleeping giant awoke and we fought back! It is time for the sleeping giant to awake again – the sleeping giant is us, the silent majority who need to stand up against tyranny, illogical decision making, and those perpetuating fear that is being used to divide us. We, as a country, need to have a frank and honest discussion delving into the root of the problems we face as a nation, NOT an argument over superficial mantras and media headlines meant to insight fear as well as anger! We are not perfect as humans or as a country, but we are proud Americans!

Ladies and Gentlemen, look at this field – look at our flag moving majestically with the wind. Remember what that flag stands for. There is a reason we honor those lost on 9/11 with a flag – it’s a symbol of freedom, of honor, and of our resolve as a nation. Respect those who lost their lives that day whether they were working on the 72nd floor at an accounting firm, or they were the firefighters or law enforcement officers who selflessly entered the towers. There are hero’s whose stories will never be heard – those who tried to shield or guide to safety friends and co-workers. According to John 15:13 “there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Stand up, stand together, and remember that our freedom means something and it is not FREE – we ARE one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Do not forget that today, do not forget that tomorrow, do not forget that ever, and do not kneel in the presence of our flag.

Thank you, and have a wonderful evening………

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