A multitude of EMS units responded to accident reports from as far away as Rockbridge County.

As fate would have it the monotony of yesterdays shift, as predicted, would come to an end. Shortly after the daylight crews would mark out of service, Botetourt County decided to have it's first major weather event of 2012. Due to the drastic changes in elevation in northern parts of the county, it has come to my attention that the weather in those areas can change drastically without notice and leave the southern half of the county untouched. It is an anomaly that took years for my to fully understand. Temperatures were predicted to drop into the teens last night, with wind chills being significantly lower. However, unknown to the crews on duty last night was the amount of snow and ice that would accumulate on major highways throughout. At approximately 1945 hours, crews were alerted for an accident with entrapment in the 18000 block of Botetourt Rd.(Rt. 220). Units from Glen Wilton were OS within minutes and advised that large portions of the roadway there were covered with ice and snow hindering responses from outside agencies. As reports of injuries were being given, second and third accidents were occurring in the same vicinity with multiple injuries noted. M754 checked out sometime during the radio chatter and headed that way requesting mutual aid units from Alleghany County to respond for assistance. After an approximately 25 minute response time, crews were able to mark the incidents under control and transport necessary patients to medical facilities. While A Shift was tied up on incidents on 220, crews from Stations 3, 2, and 4 were responding to a multitude of accidents along the northern I-81 corridor. All together, units turned in with some 10 to 15 runs last night. M754 and the power shift turned in with 4. This morning when I awoke from my slumber, I walked outside to find the weather had not changed much. Hopefully today will prove to be not quite as dramatic as last night for the crews of B-Shift(we could only hope.)Until next time.

New Addition!

Thanks to our brother Curry from LFD Station 1, we here at The Palace have been able to endure hours of enjoyment from our new and improved ping pong table and paddles. (http://lfd1.blogspot.com/). Thanks Curry! As fate would have it, I have only been beaten once, by a C Shifter none the less. However, I am working to dramatically improve my game in order to rule once again. Naturally we will only be using the table during scheduled down time and of course holidays(per captain Rob and the farmer). None the less A Shift will strive to continually dominate, with the exception of Webb, who needs considerable work, however, under the strict coaching of myself, he could be the best. Even Daniel "Joe Radio" Murray got in on the action! And did surprisingly well I might add. Ron "The Mobile Pharmacy" Kovar made a valiant effort at the title, however like most others, failed miserably. Being as today is a holiday for men of The Palace, Captain Rob has only appeared once from his dungeon office for a delicious meal consisting of steak-ums and tater-tots prepared by Murray(pictured below.) More than likely the only work he will be doing all cycle. Neither the medic truck nor the wagon has turned a wheel so far, so lets all keep our fingers crossed that a box is in store for the near future. A Shift out.

The New Year Is Upon Us

As we wound down 2011 on A Shift, I found myself looking back at a multitude of drastic changes that have taken place in our station since 2010. New faces, new apparatus, and new attitudes. It seems as though the fire service is as ever changing as our very own personalities. I personally have come to learn not to expect too much from your job. However, at the same time expect everything from life. This philosophy has led me to a much happier and well rounded work environment over the past year. With the addition of six new members to our house, one could expect the personality conflicts to rise dramatically. With that being said, I am glad that our house(all shifts included), seems to have broken that mold and adapted fairly well throughout the year. Throughout shift squabbles and apparatus melt downs, we have become a close family of brothers. Don't get me wrong, I myself was apprehensive at first, however have grown quite fond of our arrangement and our new daily routines. It's a good thing. This year also marked the decade anniversary of the greatest single lose of life in the fire service since its creation. 9/11. In honor of those who passed, some of the brothers completed the annual 9/11 stair climb in Richmond while holding cards that displayed the member of the FDNY, as well as his personal information, that they were climbing for that day. We joke around the house that they made us all look bad, however I think there was a general mindset of jealousy that we all could not attend. I myself was unable to participate this year due to work conflicts, though I think we all chose to remember those lost in our own personal way. It was an emotional day, marking ten years since the incident, though it feels like just yesterday that those events unfolded on televisions across America. As I was taking my gear off the rig this morning, I passed by Jeff's locker and noticed his card he carried hanging proudly next to his name plate. I silently reflected for a brief time those events and those we chose to remember as we continue to do this job proudly every day. I am hoping that 2012 brings us as much excitement as 11. I'm sure some decent jobs are in store for us, and I can only hope that every single one falls on an A Shift day...naturally. Sorry guys. Being as though Webb was off for the shift, Sir Douglas Fresh(Station 2 medic) and I rang in the new year returning from an MVC w/o PI. Exciting I know. We finished off the shift with a whopping four runs. Our fearless leader, Lieutenant Farley turned in with a significantly higher number. Apparently south county parties a lot harder than the rest of the world. Tomorrow marks the second day of our cycle. I hope to bring you some more updated information and pics as the work week continues. Stay safe and Happy New Year!

Meet and greet.

Just so we all start off on the same page, I will bring you up to speed on the latest happenings around The Palace as well as introduce you to some of our "finest" cohorts. Pictured here are Jeff and Jake. Also known as the "Friday crew," they will more than likely be appearing often in these writings. This photo was taken recently after they both were manly enough to complete the annual 9/11 stair climb in Richmond. Congrats to both of them, thanks for making us all look bad. Joking aside they did a great job there. Directly below those two bozos, is the power shift(A) after a long night of exhausting box alarms, or maybe just one and a hand full of medical locals, like I said it was a long night. Pictured are myself(far left), Lieu. Farley(center), and Webb(far right).

Just The Beginning...

Here we go folks. Today marks a milestone in history. An event so great, so unparallelled, so ambitious, that it will be remembered for years to come. Engraved in the stone that is the fire service. Talked about in barber shops across the valley. Yes ladies and gentlemen. This is "The Palace." A view into the life that is Station 4. Through the eyes of A-Shift, we will take you on an unadulterated ride through our lives at work and bring you all the excitement via this website. I feel privileged to offer you all such an experience. So sit back and grab a cold beverage. Prepare yourself for the amazement you are about to behold, and continue to check up on us as there will be much happening in the next few weeks. Stay low my friends.