Greeters Chris Dunphy and Allen Malask awaiting the entrants to today’s meeting, and a lively group received their warm welcomes.

 

Invocation: President Tom Kramis asked Chris Dunphy to deliver our invocation.  Chris shared words on international accord and the need for friendship among nations.  He then led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Zoom:  Larry Pulaski worked the computer adroitly in order to keep our Zoom participants dialed in and part of the meeting.  Thanks Larry!

Frank Middleton expressed thanks to Steve Kady, Mark Metevia, Kent Gloor, Dan Rodriguez and Greg Young.  Each of these men have brought new members to our club this year.  Well done!  Let’s all keep our eyes out for opportunities to invite potential members to our meetings and our projects.

 

Bryce Slaby reported that Jack Rife is currently receiving  radiation treatments for prostate cancer, so please keep him in your thoughts

 

Mark Metevia introduced Fire Station 22’s Captain Brian Norton, who in turn introduced fire fighters Kent Herrick (truck driver/engineer), Justin Knudson, Tony Gutierrez and Brian Redicker.  Brian Redicker was in attendance with wife and daughter.

 

Today was our first presentation of the First Responder Appreciation Award.  Mark presented the award to Captain Norton and fire fighter Redicker.

 

Captain Norton shared details of the incident which led to their award-winning rescue.  The station received a call about a cardiac event involving a man on the Highland Canal.  The exact location was unclear, so two members stayed with the rig.  Norton and Redicker walked the canal and found a man on top of bridge in distress, asking for help for his son.  As the approached they realized the boy was down in a culvert and they could only see his hand and mouth.  The fashioned a make-shift harness and Norton lowered Redicker into the culvert and he was able to bring the boy up safely.  They then turned the boy over to the EMS unit for treatment.

Captain Norton the shared some information about Station 22 and took questions.  The station started in 1961, and is one of 39 covering the Denver area.  There are positions available (Dr. Robert Finkelmeier expressed interest!).  New hires go through a four month academy and then are on probation for one year.  In the fire department they are EMTs, not paramedics.  Station 22 works many of their calls in tandem with Denver Health.  73% of the calls they receive are medical in nature vs. a fire related event.  They work shifts of 24 hours on, 48 hours off.  We learned that a fire engine carries water, while a fire truck (which they drove to the American Legion this morning) does not carry water.  Their truck has a 65 gallon gas tank, and get approximately 1 mpg!  The have a policy of not getting below 3/4 tank so they refill every day.  Captain Norton says that the city and county of Denver averages 6 structure fires per day, but most don’t make the news.

 

Phil Perington expressed thanks to Station 22 for hosing down our Christmas trees at the lot, when they were at risk for baking in the sun.

We had a drawing!  A modest $20 was available, and the lucky card was the 7 of spades.

Plastic cups of easy money went to:

Our visitor and award winner Brian Redicker

Larry and Vaughn had their numbers come up a second time, so each had a shot at the pot as well.  But alas, no luck.

Nametag: Phil Perington’s name was on the right wooden nickel, but he came up empty (this time) when he drew a card.  So the pot thickens…

 

Creed:  Mike White did the honors and started us off reciting our creed:  Promise yourself…  

Here is a blast from the past.....and yet we survived.