The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts The Stovebolt Volunteer Fire Department SVFD Elections ... ?

I think if we're going to have a virtual VFD, then we obviously need to have officers. Not being a fire fighter myself, I don't really know how most VFDs are organized, but I assume they have a Chief, a Deputy Chief and a 1st Engineer. What other officers should we have on the slate?

My proposal is that to be eligible for office in the SVFD, you have to be a member. Membership requirements are that you have to own a Firebolt AND it has to be in our Gallery (;) ) OR you have to actually be a fire fighter (professional, volunteer or retired).

Term of office would be for one year, with the option that we extend to two years if the members so desire by a majority vote.

Once I have a logo for the SVFD, we will have shirts, etc designed and available in the Hoo Ya store.

Discussion?? As the current Acting Chief, I am not eligible for election or nomination

John

John
That's not fair to remove yourself from the fun and excitment of being the Grand PooBaa/Dictator of red metal things on wheels that stop fires . Who else is better qualifyed to be railroaded into the Honored position than you ? ED H

Lots of guys, including *you,* are! That honor should be reserved for somebody who actually knows something about fire trucks and fire fighting. And that ain't me. Besides, as Acting Chief, I set the rules -- and the rule is that acting chiefs are not eligible for elections until the next election AFTER their term has ended by an election process.

The other rule that applies here is that if no suitable nominations are put forth, the acting chief can call the process "forfeit" and appoint a Chief. And guess who gets to make the decision as to whether or not the nominations are suitable?? Yep, the acting Chief. See how this works??

Besides, I'm Grand Poo Bah of enough stuff around here already. (Although, I kinda like the "Dictator" part ...)

In the words of Billy Sherman, "If drafted, I will not run; if nominated, I will not accept; if elected, I will not serve."


John

Oh, and here is another rule or two:

If the acting chief appoints a new Chief, that chief will serve in the same status and term as a regularly elected chief. An appointed Chief can then appoint his own Deputy and 1st Engineer. All members are eligible for those offices ... except former acting chiefs.

Cool, huh?


John

Hummm - me thinks you got the Dictator part down good (lol) or is that just Delegating responsibility. Whew - it's nice to know that we need someone who knows something about being a firefighting dude - that leaves me at the bottom of the list . All I know how to do is ( in those most famous of Monty Python statements ) " Run Away - Run Away !" . ED H

I do not have experience at firefighting either. Do they have the position 'Grunt'?? I may be qualified!
Larry

Sorry but I do not want to ever be elected to anything ever again in my entire life...

I see no need for virtual officers as we should operate just like the rest of the Stovebolt web site does. IMO: We ask questions, get answers, sort out facts from opinions and apply the information to our personal truck or trucks. Sometimes we use refence books, manuals and pictures to address our needs but most of all we seem to enjoy each others company.

You're no fun!

Sorry just being honest. IMO: firemen are all business...

Oh good god... Nice try -- I've seen "Emergency!" I know what a bunch of jokesters you all are!


John

No doubt, fire fighting is serious business. Way too many gets dead in the line of duty. Paid or volunteer, my hat is off to each of them!
I come to this website to find information and have fun. I think most of the fires the SVFD will put out will be done with Rolaids and are the result of something ingested the nite before. Hot wings, chili and for the ones that do it firewater. We really ought to at least have a Chief. Someone to be in charge of being in charge!
Larry

John,

You're reminding me of how, after six long years, I still find myself as "Secretary" of our local, antique fire engine organization!!!

In fact, last month, after goofing up the date on a meeting notice, I tried desperately to resign in shame.


THEY WOULDN'T LET ME!!!


As for the seriousness of fire-fighting, I know plenty of fire fighters well enough to know that, yes, when the bell rings, they're all business. But boy, in between calls, the "firehouse antics" never stop!

You don't often see a fire fighter without a sense of humor!

-Michael

Is it possible to have fire Districts within the system so that it would be possible to have a local "muster" (get together for those of you that are smart enough NOT to run into a burning building) to show off all the old girls

Also Ya'll do not know how much I have learned off the site so far thanks for that since I also have a toystore of my own close by Ferrara Fireturck Inc.

Happy new year

Dennis, Let me check with the Districting Committee... They said "Sure." Local musters are not only authorized, but encouraged. Mike B and I do it all the time. We even let the non-GM appartus park next to us.

Oh, and by the way, the Slating came back with a recommended slate...

Chief -- Jock
Asst Chief -- Ed (Oz Tin Man)
1st Engineer -- Mikestem
and a new office...

Social Director (Fire House Fun Meister) -- VaFiretruck.

Shall I assume this slate is accepted and voted in by universal acclaim?

....


Great. Thanks. And welcome to our new officers!


John
(First Former Acting Chief)

Hummm this kind of reminds me of when I was in the service . "We need volunteers - YOU - YOU and YOU " . As the [censored]. to the SVFD's Great and Powerful fire Chief Jock - I expect all members to Enjoy and Promote the SVFD and fire safety whenever possible ! Lets all have a Fun time ! Congrats to my fellow "elected" officers . [censored].Chief of the SVFD - ED H

And now we see why no one chimed in on the topic...

I didn't just volunteer to dig a virtual latrine - did I?

SVFD is democratic just like Glorious Union of Soviet Republics is democratic, Da?

Now be good apparatchiks and run along -- go do jobs, da?
Da.

La Strovia, comrades!

John

I learned in the military many years ago to "never volunteer for anything." If they want you, they will pick you and make you do it...

Been thar and have dun that ( to many times ) . Only volunteered one time and was not chosen but they liked to chose me at any other time . ED H

Wow . . . I've never been first at anything! This is GREAT!

Now . . . what's a first engineer do?

-Michael

Mike - After reading all your fire truck / engine info that you have been so kind to put on the site - Our Grand PooBah John sure did make the best choice for the SVFD's First Engineer ! ED H - the lackluster ( but strange ) [censored]. Chief

Wow! Another great Honor has been bestowed on me! Firstly Asst. Firechief of the O.V.F.D. now this!

You do realise this has put extra pressure on me to actually get a firetruck! (Mrs Jock is not amused!)

Here am I, a humble lad from the sleepy village of Dundonald,catapulted to the heady heights of Fire Chief of the S.V.F.D. and in such a short space of time!

Ed must've put in a good report on me!

There are many men in the S.V.F.D. more deserving of this title,

I am indeed humbled.

Thank you....

Seriously though. This has 'fired me up'(pun intended) to learn a lot more about these fine machines.(and hopefully one day to own one)

Jock

Jock,

There's a sign at the clubhouse for our antique fire engine club:

Gateway Fire Historical Society
"Home of the Eccentrics"

That pretty much says it all.

By-the-way, I'd give my big toe for a fire engine that was lettered for someplace like "DunDonald". But only if the siren sounded in Brogue.

My online dictionary lists Dundonald as home to the "End of the Line Motorcycle Club". I may have to appropriate that for my fire engines!!!

As C.O.D, (Chief of Department), I guess you'll be changing the S.V.F.D. dress uniform to include an Irish Kilt? Or perhaps a fishing sweater with our logo woven in? Oh, the possibilities . . .



Michael

Hi Mike, Dundonald (Scotland) is often confused with Dundonald Ireland.

I had a new cell phone sent to Ireland by mistake,the courier phoned me to ask for directions to my house,and I had to explain to him about the 2 hr ferry crossing and 1 hour drive to get to mine! (he wasn't amused!)

I'm afraid the kilt would need to be tartan,and the siren would have to play Scotland the Brave!

We would need to watch out for flying sparks with the kilt though! They might singe your sporran!

Some of the F.D's in the states have some fine Pipe bands.
As you say the possibilities are endless.
My wife's even got tartan gumboots!

And aren't all 'bolters a little eccentric?

Jock

Howdy to the Great and Powerful Fire Chief and Congratulations on your appointment ! While I like the idea of a tartan the last time I saw the Pricing on just the fabric for one could fund the cost of lot of truck parts or even get a Big Bolt depending on the pattern . And to have a whole kit made up .... ? Is there a pattern that would work for us poor stovebolt firemen ? I've got the pipes part covered . A friend of mines son is learning to play the pipes and he isn't half bad but I'll have to get him music for your tune " Stovebolt Firefighters the Somewhat Brave " - well kind of - hummm - may be only if ... - Run away Run away ? Well as the Chief it's up to you to set the SVFD standards for dress and musical accumpaniment - now do we really want to see our knobby scraggly ugly knees ? Your " I've got your back " SVFD [censored]. Chief - ED H

wasnt he ace's right hand man in the movie casino


he's the one that tells the second engineer what to do



what is the date so that i can plan to attend this years main event

Mike -- The Stovebolt Homecoming and SVFD Muster (at the SVFD Firehouse 1) will most likely be in April again this year. Hopefully, you'll be able to make it down.

BTW, check your mailbox in a couple of days. My granddaughter sent you something.

John

Well,

I'll wear the departmental kilt, but not without something underneath! In the words of a fine gentleman on the Isle of Skye, "The Midges can be terrible"! Guess I'll have to research my family tartan. (That sounds bad . . . )

Well, this is shaping up to be the finest "almost-Scottish" fire department West of Edinburgh! I'm expecting Shortbread at all of our musters, followed by a good game of hooligan football.

Speaking of which, the popular "Halligan" tool - a hard metal pry bar with a pick at one end used by firefighters for forcible entry - is now usually sold as a "Hooligan Bar". When carried nested with an Axe, the pair are referred to as a "firefighter's irons".

And you thought this would be off-topic, didn't you?!

-Michael

Michael, I might have to use one of these "Hooligan Bars" to pry open the Jockbolter coffers and join you guys.
I was in Skye 2 years ago and the 'fine gent' was right.

I was making a pilgrimage to Dunvegan Castle with my wife who was/is a McLeod and saw a bus load of Italian tourists (obviously ill prepared for the "wee terrors") they lasted about 10 mins before beating a retreat to the bus! Midges really can spoil your day!

I'll bring the Shortbread....and wearing a kilt (the correct way) can be quite liberating (unless there's midges about!)


Sorry folks this is going way off topic!

Jock

On our VFD here we have a Chief, Asst. Chief, Lt., Training Officer, and a 3 member board of trustees.

In fact we had to run the old Louisville Pumper out to make room for a new truck we received.

I guess it takes a strange person to go running into a burning building, when others are running and screaming passing you by on their way out.

As a volunteer FF/ EMT myself All I'm going to say is we work hard and play hard. LOL

As for the officers, On my Dept, we have a Cheif, 1st Asst. Cheif, Then its our training officer (2nd Asst. Cheif) Then We have Our truck captian hose captian and rescue captian. We have also have A safety officer, and a PR guy.
Not sure how serious you all were but I figured I'd throw my 2 cents in.



Sorry didn't look at the dates on this when it was started. Haven't been on here for a couple months.

Thanks for your input guys . This being a new dept. we are sill in the "what do I do as the ... of this group ?" . Your somewhat clueless [censored].Fire Chief of the SVFD . Maybe we will have enough of us Firebolters at the 5th Annual Stovebolt Reunion in KC this year to hammer out some more details . ED H

Well if it's like our dept all u have to do is give orders.
Or just find a rookie to do it.... Lol

You will need a safety officer and a fire marshall, not that I am volunteering