Oak Ridge Today

Relics of a Firefighter: Retired volunteer fireman, avid collector to lead educational event Saturday

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Relics of a Firefighter

Tom Scott, a retired volunteer fireman and avid collector, will be the guest speaker at an educational event on Saturday titled “Relics of a Firefighter.” It starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 24, at Through the Looking Glass Antiques in Jackson Square.

Scott was a volunteer firefighter in Newport, Rhode Island; Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Aiken, South Carolina.

He has been a member of the Oliver Springs Fire Department since 1974.

In 1992, he became the volunteer photographer for the Oak Ridge Fire Department. [Read more…]

Letter: What is a volunteer firefighter?

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To the Editor:

Question: What is a volunteer firefighter?

Answer: A volunteer firefighter is no different then those who get paid to do this job. In fact, when you think about those who work in the paid fire services, they too are technically a “volunteer” because nobody held a gun to their head and told them they have to do that job.

Every firefighter must remember that the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards do not differentiate between paid firefighters and volunteer firefighters in relation to who has to comply with what standards. Every firefighter is expected to do the job safely, quickly, and efficiently so that lives can be saved, property can be salvaged, and our communities are protected. [Read more…]

Spotlight: Oak Ridge firefighter completes grueling smoke diver class

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Steve London

Steve London

Part of being a successful firefighter is the ability to control fear—and rely on skills that must be constantly renewed and sharpened.

An Oak Ridge firefighter recently completed one of the most grueling courses designed to teach survival techniques, and he will be training other Oak Ridge firefighters soon.

Thirty-nine firefighters from several departments qualified to begin this punishing six-day course, but only 12 of those finished the class. The Georgia Smoke Diver course, conducted by the Georgia Fire Academy and the Georgia Smoke Diver Association, is a six-day, 60-hour program designed for experienced firefighters who want realistic training in skills including firefighter rescue, thermal imaging, teamwork, discipline, and situational awareness.

One of the 12 firefighters who finished the class was Steve London of the Oak Ridge Fire Department. London holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee in environmental studies, and he is a firefighter/paramedic for the City of Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

ORFD recognizes 2013 firefighter, officer of year

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Jeff Hackney Firefighter of the Year

Firefighter of the Year Jeff Hackney with his father (Submitted photos)

Oak Ridge Fire Department employees have picked the outstanding firefighter and officer of 2013, Fire Chief Darryl Kerley announced this week. The awards were presented earlier this month at a reception for the employees and their families.

Firefighter of the Year

Jeff Hackney was named the 2013 Firefighter of the Year, a press release said. Hackney is a firefighter and engineer on A-shift, and he was recognized for his significant contributions to the remodeling and repairs to Fire Station No. 1 and No. 2 and his work on the training props and burn buildings at Fire Station No. 3.

Hackney also served as acting captain for several months during the past application process and is in the process of obtaining his fire officer certification.

“Congratulations to Jeff Hackney for outstanding service in 2013,” the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release. [Read more…]