Firefighter Sam

I recently received an email asking if I would mention a particular product on Sam's blog. Requests of this nature are quite common, not because this blog is anything special, but because people with new products or services often conduct a search and contact anyone who runs a related blog and might be willing to advertise for them. This email was different because it was regarding a product that interested me greatly, Real Heroes: Firefighter for the Nintendo Wii.

I had learned of the game last year and have been anticipating its release. Sam loves video games, but many of the offerings are either too violent for him to play or too "babyish" to hold his attention for very long. I think this one will be right up his alley though.

Designed by Epicenter Studios the game emphasizes non-violent, environmental puzzles and challenges that mirror the on-the-fly choices firefighters face every day. It is targeted at pre-teens but looks like it would be a blast for anyone. Epicenter is a small game studio that wanted to create a fun, but non-violent, action-packed game suitable for everyone. They are also donating a portion of all sales to The Firefighter Cancer Support Network. The game releases August 4th. You can see more videos on their Facebook page.

I was recently contacted by Community Safety Net, an organization that helps to provide departments with safety books and DVDs free of charge. They had come across Sam's blog and asked if they could use some of his photos in a fire safety banner. The banner will be used by the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service as part of their elementary school fire safety campaign. I think that it turned out great. Looks like a lucky member of one of our favorite departments made it into the banner as well. Sorry Adam.

The Morrisville FD provided some unique July Fourth fun this year for the community. They held a wet down ceremony for their new Pumper 3, a 2009 Pierce Contender 1500/1000/40. The whole event was organized quite well and was very kid friendly. After a brief ceremony, the wet down began. Tons of water rained down on the the pumper, and the kids had a blast while they got soaked. Once everything was sufficiently wet, everyone has a chance to dry the truck and then it was pushed into bay by many eager volunteers and placed into immediate service.

Click HERE or on the image below to see all of my photos from the day. Also, HERE are Lee Wilson's great shots of the event as well as detailed views of the new pumper.

Updated - Looks like Sam made it into one of the images posted in July 5th's edition of The Raleigh News and Observer.

Sam and I got to check out one of Raleigh's oldest stations this past Saturday when RFD's Station Six celebrated its 60th anniversary. I was sans camera, but Lee Wilson was there to take up my slack. Check out the rest of his photos HERE.

Saturday brought one of Sam's favorite days, the Falls FD Public Safety day. This was our second time going to this event, and as usual, we had a blast. We saw lots of friends and Sam got to partake in all of the usual fun kid activities. Photos HERE.

Okay. So the posts have been few and far between lately. Sorry, but there's just not been a lot going on recently. Never fear, things should be ramping up soon. In the meantime, and on the cusp of Sam's fifth birthday, here is a never before seen video exclusive. This was taken two years ago when Sam first starting going goofy over firefighting. His first set of bunker gear had just come in the mail that day, as well as a long length of hose and a nozzle. Check out the mouth on this kids towards the end. Doesn't he know that a firefighter is always supposed to be nice to his sisters?

Trying to make the best of a cold rainy day, Sam and I drove down to the Airborne and Special Operations Museum located in Fayetteville. Sam loves military related stuff, and so does Dad, so we had a blast. The museum is top notch with lots of guns, gear, and military vehicles. We stopped by the gift shop on our way out and picked up a new toy assault rifle to replace a recently broken one. Then we went to General Jackson's Military Surplus to get Sam a set of BDUs. He thinks he's the real deal now. PHOTOS courtesy of my cell phone (Once again forgot to bring my camera).

Just a silly shot taken with my new phone. Not bad for a cell phone camera.

Today, Sam's preschool class visited Cary Fire Station 5 to learn about fire safety. First, the kids got to watch a safety video featuring Michael Winslow of Police Academy & Geico fame (When I think fire safety he's the first person I think of, don't you?) Then there was a Q&A session with FF Jones. Next it was off to the Aqua Velva/ sweat sock infused sleeping quarters to see where the firefighters bunk for the night. Finally it was out to the bay to play on the fire trucks and ambulance. Everyone was surprisingly well behaved and seem to have a lot of fun. Thanks to the guys and gals from B shift! Click HERE for the pictures. P.S. - sorry, the pictures are not very good. I need a decent flash.

Today we headed out to Three Sisters Road near Knightdale to watch the Wendell Fire Department conduct a training exercise. Sam spent a lot of time pretending to be a firefighting/soldier/spy dude. When the flames kicked into high gear, he switched over to full firefighter mode. Click HERE or on the photo below for the pictures.

A big day today for the Samster. He finally mastered the two-wheeled monster.

Here are some great photos, from Lee, of an apartment complex fire on Tall Timber Drive in Raleigh. The fire occurred early on the morning of 2/13.