THE FIREHOUSE SCENE is a publication of the

Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District

The Firehouse Scene - Page 12www.harlemroscoefire.com

April 2015 Chief Don Shoevlin Editor Sheryl Drost

House FirePages 6 & 7

Photo by Sheryl Drost

Then & Now By Sheryl DrostTo celebrate our 75th year, every month in 2015 we will be recreating an old photo to show Then & Now.

Legendary Coon & Ham Dinner VS. 2015 Spring Dinner

March 21 was this years date and people came from far and wide for the Annual Spring Dinner Fundraiser. The department is also celebrating their 75th Anniversary, so every diner received a commemorative mug. For 30+ years the Spring Dinner served Coon and Ham and is usually the first memory recalled by people that lived in the district at the time. Below left are pictures from a Coon and Ham Dinner in the 1980s and on the right is from the 2015 Spring Dinner. Visit our Facebook page for more pictures from this years’ dinner.

From the Chief’s DeskBy Fire Chief Don Shoevlin

As I write this article, I can’t help but keep my anxiety in check. The excitement and anticipation of our fourth grandchild (second grand daughter) keeps me on my toes for that call that we are on our way to the hospital. And I am only the grandpa.

I can’t forget to say Happy Anniversary. On April 4th it was the 75th anniversary of the Harlem Roscoe Fire Protection District. I have

stated numerous times, and believe, we as a district are rich in tradition and history. I am attentive to continuing to build upon the foundation built over those years by all who were members. They are the ones who built the foundation that we continue to build upon.

Thank you to everyone that came to the dinner. It started with us getting five calls as we began serving dinner. All stepped up including the trustees who began serving. Thank you for your patience during this time. Congratulations to our raffle drawing winners. The firefighters did an outstanding job as we have come to expect. This group of men and women always seem to rise to the task given them with a complete and successful outcome. I look forward to seeing many of you in the upcoming months of activities.

Spring appears to be making its presence. This will have many of us out in the yards to begin cleaning from the winter season. Please remember there are burning ordinances in place from the boards of the County and Villages. If you are unsure of the ordinance, you can call our business phone line (623-7867) and we will assist you based upon where you live. When burning please be cautious and also courteous of your neighbors.

This month we look forward to the graduation of our 2015 recruit class. They all have been hard at it in class and are scheduled to graduate on April 21st. They will bolster our roster of dedicated and committed firefighters that serve the district. I look forward to their contributions and participation in providing service to our communities.

As we come to the end of our fiscal year I look back on our accomplishments as well as look forward to what needs we continue to have to continue providing excellent service. This past year we applied for some grants to assist us in our projects or equipment needs. We received a couple of small grants which the proceeds will be used to purchase personnel protective equipment along with some air monitoring devices. As the needs for our services continue to grow, I assure you we will continue our proactive approach to services and our outlook for the future. We remain watchful to the new developments in our district, which is very active with new growth and opportunities. We will continue to apply for grants to assist us in any way.

Your continuous and generous support is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call me, this is your fire department. Don’t forget to keep up on the progress of your fire department by visiting our website (which we are in the process of updating) www.harlemroscoefire.com, and we can also be found on Facebook, so go ahead and friend us.

Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District #175 Years Old

In 1940, Elmer Porter, Harry Hardy, and John P. Brown worked on a project requested by the RIA to form a fire district. A petition with 108 signatures put it to referendum and a special election was held on March 30, 1940. The voters of Roscoe Township and the northern half of Harlem Township cast 181 votes, 167 voters approved while 14 opposed. On April 4, 1940 the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District #1 was documented.

The district will be celebrating their 75th Anniversary throughout 2015. They also have for sale a 75th Anniversary T-shirt as well as the 104 page hard cover 75th Anniversary History Book at Fire Station One located in Roscoe at 10544 Main St.

Birthday!

April3rd Nate Sarver8th Ron Canode10th Colleen Bloyer19th Jerry Caskey22nd Brett Parrish 24th Paul Stanphill25th Ryan Sarver29th Snoopy

May11th Marcia Soppe13th Josh Hoffland Zach Barton16th Chuck Schoonover20th John Bunger23rd Rob Lukowski31st Jordan Stark

Total Calls for The Year 2015

617

Firehouse Scene The Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Prot. Dist.

Editor-in-Chief - Don ShoevlinEditor & Layout - Sheryl Drost

The Firehouse Scene is available at Station One - 10544 Main Street in Roscoe and on the department’s website after the second Sunday each month:www.harlemroscoefire.com

E-mail submissions to Sheryl:hrfdsdrost@gmail.com

The Firehouse Scene - Page 2 The Firehouse Scene - Page 11 www.harlemroscoefire.comwww.harlemroscoefire.com

RORO EXPO SNAPSHOTS Photos by Everett Peterson

Congratulations to Lt. Justin Mayton and his girlfriend, Hannah Middleton, on the birth of their son Rylen. He was born March 27 at 12:53a.m. and measured in at 5 pounds 9 ounces. Justin is a hands-on dad and his daughter Lily (5) definitley loves her new little brother. Congrats again Justin and Hannah, he is adorable!

75th Anniversary T-shirts $15

Adult size black may be purchased at the station One.

Black, white, or gray adult and child sizes may be purchased online at hrfd.EmbroidThis.com

75th AnniversaryHistory Book$54

This limited edition 104 page, table-top history book tells the history through the memories and stories of those that lived it. It can be purchased at Station One.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 10 The Firehouse Scene - Page 3 www.harlemroscoefire.comwww.harlemroscoefire.com

Field Fires Everywhere!Firefighters went from shoveling snow to chasing field fires this month within a couple of days time.

Please follow the burning ordinances for your area. If you are unsure, call 815-623-7867 before burning.

Here are some photos of out of control burns off Brentwood Rd., Rockton Rd., Manchester Rd., Knights Armor Ln., Shappert Dr., Katie Ct, and N. Second St.:

Heartsaver® CPR/AED COURSE

WHERE: STATION 3

13974 WILLOWBROOK ROAD ROSCOE, IL 61073

WHEN: EVERY 2nd WEDNESDAY OF

THE MONTH — 6:00 p.m. Or

EVERY 4th SATURDAY OF THE MONTH — 8:00 a.m.

Class size is limited. Advance registration is required

FREE COURSE TO AGES 15+ (MUST RESIDE WITHIN DISTRICT)

PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE HEARTSAVER® CPR/AED

CERTIFICATION (AFTER SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION)

DONATIONS ARE APPRECIATED!

CALL 815-623-7867 TO REGISTER!

Chaplains Corner By Chaplain Everett Peterson

How to help Children Grieve What can I say other then there are many ways in which families, friends and professionals in the field of bereavement can be supportive of those who are grieving. But how do we help our Children Grieve.

Explaining Death in a Child’s TermsBe honest with kids and encourage questions. This can be hard because you may not have all of the answers. But it’s important to create an atmosphere of comfort and openness, and send the message that there’s no one right or wrong way to feel. You might also share any spiritual beliefs you have about death.

A child’s capacity to understand death — and your approach to discussing it — will vary according to the child’s age. Each child is unique, but here are some rough guidelines to keep in mind.

Until kids are about 5 or 6 years old, their view of the world is very literal. So explain the death in basic and concrete terms. If the loved one was ill or elderly, for example, you might explain that the person’s body wasn’t working anymore and the doctors couldn’t fix it. If someone dies suddenly, like in an accident, you might explain what happened — that because of this very sad event, the person’s body stopped working. You may have to explain that “dying” or “dead” means that the body stopped working.

Kids this young often have a hard time understanding that all people and living things eventually die, and that its final and they won’t come back. So even after you’ve explained this, kids may continue to ask where the loved one is or when the person is returning. As frustrating as this can be, continue to calmly reiterate that the person has died and can’t come back.

Avoid using euphemisms, such as telling kids that the loved one “went away” or “went to sleep” or even that your family “lost” the person. Because young kids think so literally, such phrases might inadvertently make them afraid to go to sleep or fearful whenever someone goes away.

Also remember that kids’ questions may sound much deeper than they actually are. For example, a 5-year-old who asks where someone who died is now probably isn’t asking whether there’s an afterlife. Rather, kids might be satisfied hearing that someone who died is now in the cemetery. This may also be a time to share your beliefs about an afterlife or heaven if that is part of your belief system.

Kids from the ages of about 6 to 10 start to grasp the finality of death, even if they don’t understand that it will happen to every living thing one day. A 9-year-old might think, for example, that by behaving or making a wish, grandma won’t die. Often, kids this age personify death and think of it as the “boogeyman” or a ghost or a skeleton. They deal best with death when given accurate, simple, clear, and honest explanations about what happened.

As kids mature into teens, they start to understand that every human being eventually dies, regardless of grades, behavior, wishes, or anything they try to do.

As your teen’s understanding about death evolves, questions may naturally come up about mortality and vulnerability. For example, if your 16-year-old’s friend dies in a car accident, your teen might be reluctant to get behind the wheel or even ride in a car for awhile. The best way to respond is to empathize about how frightening and sad this accident was. It’s also a good time to remind your teen about ways to stay safe and healthy, like never getting in a car with a driver who has been drinking and always wearing a seatbelt.

Teens also tend to search more for meaning in the death of someone close to them. A teen who asks why someone had to die probably isn’t looking for literal answers, but starting to explore the idea of the meaning of life. Teens also tend to experience some guilt,

particularly if one of their peers died. Whatever your teen is experiencing, the best thing you can do is to encourage the expression and sharing of grief.

And if you need help, many resources — from books to counselors to community organizations — can provide guidance. Your efforts will go a long way in helping your child get through this difficult time — and through the inevitable losses and tough times that come later in life.

So remember these tips to help your children through the grieving process:

• Teach that death is part of life. Parents often avoid talking about death in an effort to protect children from unpleasantness. Instead, look for teachable moments. Wilting flowers, changing seasons or the death of a family pet provides an opportunity to show death as a part of life. Visit elderly friends or relatives to show children that aging is normal. Children will accept and confront death if adults allow it.

• Be honest. Present the information in a straightforward manner with age-appropriate information by explaining, “Granddad died last night.” Avoid saying, “He went to sleep” or “He’s gone away.” These terms leave children wondering if they will die when they go to sleep or if the person is coming back.

• Don’t delay telling about a death. Delaying can do more harm than good. If you wait, someone else may tell your child or he will overhear it in conversation. Learning the news from you is less frightening.

• Answer questions. Some children are satisfied with the facts. Others will ask a multitude of questions. Allow questions and answer them, even admitting when you don’t have the answer.

• Recognize fears. Death can be a scary concept for children. If your child expresses fear about seeing the body or going to the funeral, don’t force the issue. Comfort and reassure your child following a death of somebody he knows.

• Let them see you grieve. Children need to know that grieving is acceptable. Allow children to see you cry. Emotional pain is part of losing a loved one.

• Cherish the memories. Continue to talk about the loved one who died. Look through photo albums, talk about funny things the deceased said or reminisce about pleasant experiences.

Children take their cues from us and model their reactions accordingly. Show them that death and grief are parts of life. If you have questions please give one of the Chaplains a call, God Bless.

great amounts of heat compared with the ambient temperature of other objects in the room. This difference in temperatures is what forms the picture. As the fire grows, heat and fire gases rise to the ceiling and mushroom out. Some of that heat radiates to other objects in the room. Previously, we stated that not all objects will absorb heat energy at the same rate. Therefore, even as the fire grows, the differences in temperature are maintained. The thermal imaging device would show differences in the temperature, giving the firefighter a visual image. This would remain true until the room reaches flashover, at which time the thermal imaging device would show great amounts of heat for the entire room. The ability to more accurately predict flashover is one of the major advantages of the thermal imaging device.

Until now, the fire service has relied on lights (which had little effect) and ventilation for visibility inside burning structures. Now, we have thermal imaging. All too often, the fire service looks for a new tool or technique to solve all of its problems. Thermal imaging is not a tool designed to replace good fireground tactics such as ventilation and hose lines or to reduce staffing. Firefighters using thermal imaging devices should still carry hand lights, use hose lines, and follow safe operating practices. Thermal imaging is a tool designed to increase the effectiveness of our present operational methods.

BUGLE ALARMMonthly article submitted by a H-R Fire Officer.

By Capt. Mike Huffman

Overhauling on a Fire SceneReasons a firefighter will overhaul a fire scene:1. To find hidden fire.2. To uncover the source.3. To cut off extension.4. To find hidden voids for fire travel.5. To discover and evaluate structural damage.6. To reduce property damage.7. To confirm that utilities are off.8. To prevent a rekindle.9. To assure occupants that the fire is out.10. To save property by taking a second look.

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The Firehouse Scene -Page 8 The Firehouse Scene - Page 5

Accidents Photos by Chief Shoevlin, Sheryl Drost, and Everett Peterson

03/11/15 Hunter Rd. and Crockett Rd.

03/22/15 Nine vehicle pile-up on the icy Roscoe Road Bridge. Only one driver was transported to the hospital.

03/20/15 N. Alpine Rd. 03/26/15 Hwy 251 and Bridge St.

04/02/15 Prairie Hill Rd. and White School Rd. 04/05/15 Prairie Hill Rd. and White School Rd.

Chiefs’ Whistlemonthly article submitted by one of HRFD Chiefs.

By Deputy Chief John Bergeron

THERMAL IMAGING FOR THE FIRE SERVICE THE BASICS OF THERMAL IMAGING

The American fire service has seen numerous changes over the years, especially those that have occurred through the late 1970s and the 1980s. Yet, the one factor that hinders fireground operations in all aspects is visibility. Firefighters must enter a structure with a lack of visibility caused by the smoke created by fire. Not being able to see slows down the primary search, hinders advancing hoselines, makes ventilation more difficult, and hides failing structural supports. The lack of visibility causes firefighters to become disoriented and lost within structures and affects their ability to quickly exit a structure when conditions deteriorate.

During the early `70s, the report America Burning brought forth the fire problems facing our nation. One key item addressed in the report was research and development. Even into the `80s, we did not have the ability to see effectively in a burning structure although we had the technology to put a man on the moon.

THERMAL IMAGINGThat since has changed with the technology of thermal imaging, which gives the firefighter the ability to see through smoke. Thermal imaging is rapidly becoming one of the fastest growing tools in the fire service. Little has been written on thermal imaging for firefighter use; it was mentioned in a few books such as the Fire Officer`s Handbook of Tactics by John Norman (Fire Engineering Books, 1991), a captain in the City of New York (NY) Fire Department (FDNY), and in the National Fire Protection Association`s (NFPA) Principles of Fire Protection Chemistry, second edition, by Raymond Friedman. These works explain what thermal imaging is, how to use it effectively on the fireground and as a tactical tool in other emergency incidents, and the limitations of such systems.

Thermal imaging has been available to the fire service for several years, but it has not seen widespread use within the service. The first fire department to use thermal imaging was FDNY. Now, the popularity of thermal imaging is increasing as technology has made the units smaller and more economically feasible. Presently, several units are being sold on the market, and their popularity is increasing.

As previously stated, smoke hinders visibility on the fireground. The most powerful lights will not effectively penetrate smoke.

SMOKESmoke is made up of two main components: fire gases/aerosols produced by the fuel`s chemical breakdown, which make smoke toxic, and carbonaceous particles, or soot, which obscure light in smoke-filled environments, thus affecting vision. The degree

to which vision will be obscured by the particles is affected by the amount of soot produced by the fire and the size of the soot particles. The amount of soot produced is determined by the type of fuel (products such as methanol burn very clean with little smoke, whereas products such as diesel fuel give off large amounts of dense, black smoke), the heat of combustion, and the amount of oxygen present. A simple example of this can be demonstrated using a common hydrocarbon (acetylene) and a common oxidizer (oxygen). When acetylene is burning without added oxygen (above that of normal atmospheric oxygen--20.8 percent), the soot produced is visible. However, once pure oxygen is added, the soot is no longer visible--the combustion is now complete enough so that less soot is produced. Many of the products (such as plastics) used in the interior of structures today tend to give off great amounts of dense, black smoke. Modern structures are much more insulated than they were 20 years ago, thus holding smoke in long and compounding the problems for today`s firefighter.

When light is shone into a dark room, the light waves travel until they strike an object they cannot pass--a wall, for example. This same principle applies when light is shone into a smoke-filled environment; the particles in the smoke act as the wall. The light striking the particles cannot penetrate or pass, so the light wave “bounces” off. Fire scientists tell us that the particles vary in size from 0.1 to one micrometer. This is very close to the wavelength of visible light that would be shone from a flashlight and explains why light smoke conditions may allow some light to pass through, leaving vision blurry. Heavy smoke conditions will cause all of the light to be scattered or blocked. The light waves simply cannot penetrate the particles in the smoke. This is the reason there has never been a truly effective light for firefighting. These conditions lead to the stories we all have heard or told about zero visibility.

HEAT AND HEAT TRANSFERWhile light waves do not penetrate smoke, heat does. We can attest to this fact because we can feel it. If a firefighter could see this heat in a visual picture, he/she could “see through the smoke.” This is where thermal imaging comes in. To understand how we can “see through smoke,” we must understand heat and heat transfer, since it is actually heat that we will be “seeing.”

Heat is a form of energy. It is present in all chemical reactions, including fire. The unique thing about heat, which can now be helpful to the firefighter, is that it does not stay in one place. According to the laws of heat flow, we know that heat travels from warm to cold objects and that it moves in a fire building by conduction, convection, and radiation. The movement of this heat is what allows the fire to spread. We also know that not all objects absorb or give off heat at the same rate. This may be due to their chemical makeup, the size of the object, or a combination of both.

THERMAL IMAGINGThermal imaging is the translation of that heat energy into a visual image. Since not all objects have the same temperature (a measure of their heat energy) and thermal imaging is a visual image of a material`s heat energy, it is conceivable that we can form a picture of an environment simply by looking at the differences in temperature in a given area. This is what thermal imaging does and how it can benefit the firefighter. When a room is on fire, the fire is giving off

The Firehouse Scene - Page 6 The Firehouse Scene - Page 7 www.harlemroscoefire.comwww.harlemroscoefire.com

House FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe

At approximately 2:55am on March 27, Harlem Roscoe Firefighters responded to a structure fire on Twin Deer Rd. in Roscoe.

Chief Don Shoevlin reports, “Upon arrival of first unit, fire was found through the roof in the rear of a single family home. The fire was knocked down quickly by fire crews. The home sustained extensive smoke damage. The fire appears accidental in nature and possibly started on the exterior of the home in the area of a gas grill. The home was occupied at the time of the fire with the occupants being outside upon arrival of firefighters. Excellent job of locating, containing and extinguishing the fire by our personnel. There were no injuries to any firefighters and the residents were checked out by our Paramedics.”

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House FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe

At approximately 2:55am on March 27, Harlem Roscoe Firefighters responded to a structure fire on Twin Deer Rd. in Roscoe.

Chief Don Shoevlin reports, “Upon arrival of first unit, fire was found through the roof in the rear of a single family home. The fire was knocked down quickly by fire crews. The home sustained extensive smoke damage. The fire appears accidental in nature and possibly started on the exterior of the home in the area of a gas grill. The home was occupied at the time of the fire with the occupants being outside upon arrival of firefighters. Excellent job of locating, containing and extinguishing the fire by our personnel. There were no injuries to any firefighters and the residents were checked out by our Paramedics.”

The Firehouse Scene -Page 8 The Firehouse Scene - Page 5

Accidents Photos by Chief Shoevlin, Sheryl Drost, and Everett Peterson

03/11/15 Hunter Rd. and Crockett Rd.

03/22/15 Nine vehicle pile-up on the icy Roscoe Road Bridge. Only one driver was transported to the hospital.

03/20/15 N. Alpine Rd. 03/26/15 Hwy 251 and Bridge St.

04/02/15 Prairie Hill Rd. and White School Rd. 04/05/15 Prairie Hill Rd. and White School Rd.

Chiefs’ Whistlemonthly article submitted by one of HRFD Chiefs.

By Deputy Chief John Bergeron

THERMAL IMAGING FOR THE FIRE SERVICE THE BASICS OF THERMAL IMAGING

The American fire service has seen numerous changes over the years, especially those that have occurred through the late 1970s and the 1980s. Yet, the one factor that hinders fireground operations in all aspects is visibility. Firefighters must enter a structure with a lack of visibility caused by the smoke created by fire. Not being able to see slows down the primary search, hinders advancing hoselines, makes ventilation more difficult, and hides failing structural supports. The lack of visibility causes firefighters to become disoriented and lost within structures and affects their ability to quickly exit a structure when conditions deteriorate.

During the early `70s, the report America Burning brought forth the fire problems facing our nation. One key item addressed in the report was research and development. Even into the `80s, we did not have the ability to see effectively in a burning structure although we had the technology to put a man on the moon.

THERMAL IMAGINGThat since has changed with the technology of thermal imaging, which gives the firefighter the ability to see through smoke. Thermal imaging is rapidly becoming one of the fastest growing tools in the fire service. Little has been written on thermal imaging for firefighter use; it was mentioned in a few books such as the Fire Officer`s Handbook of Tactics by John Norman (Fire Engineering Books, 1991), a captain in the City of New York (NY) Fire Department (FDNY), and in the National Fire Protection Association`s (NFPA) Principles of Fire Protection Chemistry, second edition, by Raymond Friedman. These works explain what thermal imaging is, how to use it effectively on the fireground and as a tactical tool in other emergency incidents, and the limitations of such systems.

Thermal imaging has been available to the fire service for several years, but it has not seen widespread use within the service. The first fire department to use thermal imaging was FDNY. Now, the popularity of thermal imaging is increasing as technology has made the units smaller and more economically feasible. Presently, several units are being sold on the market, and their popularity is increasing.

As previously stated, smoke hinders visibility on the fireground. The most powerful lights will not effectively penetrate smoke.

SMOKESmoke is made up of two main components: fire gases/aerosols produced by the fuel`s chemical breakdown, which make smoke toxic, and carbonaceous particles, or soot, which obscure light in smoke-filled environments, thus affecting vision. The degree

to which vision will be obscured by the particles is affected by the amount of soot produced by the fire and the size of the soot particles. The amount of soot produced is determined by the type of fuel (products such as methanol burn very clean with little smoke, whereas products such as diesel fuel give off large amounts of dense, black smoke), the heat of combustion, and the amount of oxygen present. A simple example of this can be demonstrated using a common hydrocarbon (acetylene) and a common oxidizer (oxygen). When acetylene is burning without added oxygen (above that of normal atmospheric oxygen--20.8 percent), the soot produced is visible. However, once pure oxygen is added, the soot is no longer visible--the combustion is now complete enough so that less soot is produced. Many of the products (such as plastics) used in the interior of structures today tend to give off great amounts of dense, black smoke. Modern structures are much more insulated than they were 20 years ago, thus holding smoke in long and compounding the problems for today`s firefighter.

When light is shone into a dark room, the light waves travel until they strike an object they cannot pass--a wall, for example. This same principle applies when light is shone into a smoke-filled environment; the particles in the smoke act as the wall. The light striking the particles cannot penetrate or pass, so the light wave “bounces” off. Fire scientists tell us that the particles vary in size from 0.1 to one micrometer. This is very close to the wavelength of visible light that would be shone from a flashlight and explains why light smoke conditions may allow some light to pass through, leaving vision blurry. Heavy smoke conditions will cause all of the light to be scattered or blocked. The light waves simply cannot penetrate the particles in the smoke. This is the reason there has never been a truly effective light for firefighting. These conditions lead to the stories we all have heard or told about zero visibility.

HEAT AND HEAT TRANSFERWhile light waves do not penetrate smoke, heat does. We can attest to this fact because we can feel it. If a firefighter could see this heat in a visual picture, he/she could “see through the smoke.” This is where thermal imaging comes in. To understand how we can “see through smoke,” we must understand heat and heat transfer, since it is actually heat that we will be “seeing.”

Heat is a form of energy. It is present in all chemical reactions, including fire. The unique thing about heat, which can now be helpful to the firefighter, is that it does not stay in one place. According to the laws of heat flow, we know that heat travels from warm to cold objects and that it moves in a fire building by conduction, convection, and radiation. The movement of this heat is what allows the fire to spread. We also know that not all objects absorb or give off heat at the same rate. This may be due to their chemical makeup, the size of the object, or a combination of both.

THERMAL IMAGINGThermal imaging is the translation of that heat energy into a visual image. Since not all objects have the same temperature (a measure of their heat energy) and thermal imaging is a visual image of a material`s heat energy, it is conceivable that we can form a picture of an environment simply by looking at the differences in temperature in a given area. This is what thermal imaging does and how it can benefit the firefighter. When a room is on fire, the fire is giving off

Chaplains Corner By Chaplain Everett Peterson

How to help Children Grieve What can I say other then there are many ways in which families, friends and professionals in the field of bereavement can be supportive of those who are grieving. But how do we help our Children Grieve.

Explaining Death in a Child’s TermsBe honest with kids and encourage questions. This can be hard because you may not have all of the answers. But it’s important to create an atmosphere of comfort and openness, and send the message that there’s no one right or wrong way to feel. You might also share any spiritual beliefs you have about death.

A child’s capacity to understand death — and your approach to discussing it — will vary according to the child’s age. Each child is unique, but here are some rough guidelines to keep in mind.

Until kids are about 5 or 6 years old, their view of the world is very literal. So explain the death in basic and concrete terms. If the loved one was ill or elderly, for example, you might explain that the person’s body wasn’t working anymore and the doctors couldn’t fix it. If someone dies suddenly, like in an accident, you might explain what happened — that because of this very sad event, the person’s body stopped working. You may have to explain that “dying” or “dead” means that the body stopped working.

Kids this young often have a hard time understanding that all people and living things eventually die, and that its final and they won’t come back. So even after you’ve explained this, kids may continue to ask where the loved one is or when the person is returning. As frustrating as this can be, continue to calmly reiterate that the person has died and can’t come back.

Avoid using euphemisms, such as telling kids that the loved one “went away” or “went to sleep” or even that your family “lost” the person. Because young kids think so literally, such phrases might inadvertently make them afraid to go to sleep or fearful whenever someone goes away.

Also remember that kids’ questions may sound much deeper than they actually are. For example, a 5-year-old who asks where someone who died is now probably isn’t asking whether there’s an afterlife. Rather, kids might be satisfied hearing that someone who died is now in the cemetery. This may also be a time to share your beliefs about an afterlife or heaven if that is part of your belief system.

Kids from the ages of about 6 to 10 start to grasp the finality of death, even if they don’t understand that it will happen to every living thing one day. A 9-year-old might think, for example, that by behaving or making a wish, grandma won’t die. Often, kids this age personify death and think of it as the “boogeyman” or a ghost or a skeleton. They deal best with death when given accurate, simple, clear, and honest explanations about what happened.

As kids mature into teens, they start to understand that every human being eventually dies, regardless of grades, behavior, wishes, or anything they try to do.

As your teen’s understanding about death evolves, questions may naturally come up about mortality and vulnerability. For example, if your 16-year-old’s friend dies in a car accident, your teen might be reluctant to get behind the wheel or even ride in a car for awhile. The best way to respond is to empathize about how frightening and sad this accident was. It’s also a good time to remind your teen about ways to stay safe and healthy, like never getting in a car with a driver who has been drinking and always wearing a seatbelt.

Teens also tend to search more for meaning in the death of someone close to them. A teen who asks why someone had to die probably isn’t looking for literal answers, but starting to explore the idea of the meaning of life. Teens also tend to experience some guilt,

particularly if one of their peers died. Whatever your teen is experiencing, the best thing you can do is to encourage the expression and sharing of grief.

And if you need help, many resources — from books to counselors to community organizations — can provide guidance. Your efforts will go a long way in helping your child get through this difficult time — and through the inevitable losses and tough times that come later in life.

So remember these tips to help your children through the grieving process:

• Teach that death is part of life. Parents often avoid talking about death in an effort to protect children from unpleasantness. Instead, look for teachable moments. Wilting flowers, changing seasons or the death of a family pet provides an opportunity to show death as a part of life. Visit elderly friends or relatives to show children that aging is normal. Children will accept and confront death if adults allow it.

• Be honest. Present the information in a straightforward manner with age-appropriate information by explaining, “Granddad died last night.” Avoid saying, “He went to sleep” or “He’s gone away.” These terms leave children wondering if they will die when they go to sleep or if the person is coming back.

• Don’t delay telling about a death. Delaying can do more harm than good. If you wait, someone else may tell your child or he will overhear it in conversation. Learning the news from you is less frightening.

• Answer questions. Some children are satisfied with the facts. Others will ask a multitude of questions. Allow questions and answer them, even admitting when you don’t have the answer.

• Recognize fears. Death can be a scary concept for children. If your child expresses fear about seeing the body or going to the funeral, don’t force the issue. Comfort and reassure your child following a death of somebody he knows.

• Let them see you grieve. Children need to know that grieving is acceptable. Allow children to see you cry. Emotional pain is part of losing a loved one.

• Cherish the memories. Continue to talk about the loved one who died. Look through photo albums, talk about funny things the deceased said or reminisce about pleasant experiences.

Children take their cues from us and model their reactions accordingly. Show them that death and grief are parts of life. If you have questions please give one of the Chaplains a call, God Bless.

great amounts of heat compared with the ambient temperature of other objects in the room. This difference in temperatures is what forms the picture. As the fire grows, heat and fire gases rise to the ceiling and mushroom out. Some of that heat radiates to other objects in the room. Previously, we stated that not all objects will absorb heat energy at the same rate. Therefore, even as the fire grows, the differences in temperature are maintained. The thermal imaging device would show differences in the temperature, giving the firefighter a visual image. This would remain true until the room reaches flashover, at which time the thermal imaging device would show great amounts of heat for the entire room. The ability to more accurately predict flashover is one of the major advantages of the thermal imaging device.

Until now, the fire service has relied on lights (which had little effect) and ventilation for visibility inside burning structures. Now, we have thermal imaging. All too often, the fire service looks for a new tool or technique to solve all of its problems. Thermal imaging is not a tool designed to replace good fireground tactics such as ventilation and hose lines or to reduce staffing. Firefighters using thermal imaging devices should still carry hand lights, use hose lines, and follow safe operating practices. Thermal imaging is a tool designed to increase the effectiveness of our present operational methods.

BUGLE ALARMMonthly article submitted by a H-R Fire Officer.

By Capt. Mike Huffman

Overhauling on a Fire SceneReasons a firefighter will overhaul a fire scene:1. To find hidden fire.2. To uncover the source.3. To cut off extension.4. To find hidden voids for fire travel.5. To discover and evaluate structural damage.6. To reduce property damage.7. To confirm that utilities are off.8. To prevent a rekindle.9. To assure occupants that the fire is out.10. To save property by taking a second look.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 4 The Firehouse Scene -Page 9 www.harlemroscoefire.comwww.harlemroscoefire.com

The Firehouse Scene - Page 10 The Firehouse Scene - Page 3 www.harlemroscoefire.comwww.harlemroscoefire.com

Field Fires Everywhere!Firefighters went from shoveling snow to chasing field fires this month within a couple of days time.

Please follow the burning ordinances for your area. If you are unsure, call 815-623-7867 before burning.

Here are some photos of out of control burns off Brentwood Rd., Rockton Rd., Manchester Rd., Knights Armor Ln., Shappert Dr., Katie Ct, and N. Second St.:

Heartsaver® CPR/AED COURSE

WHERE: STATION 3

13974 WILLOWBROOK ROAD ROSCOE, IL 61073

WHEN: EVERY 2nd WEDNESDAY OF

THE MONTH — 6:00 p.m. Or

EVERY 4th SATURDAY OF THE MONTH — 8:00 a.m.

Class size is limited. Advance registration is required

FREE COURSE TO AGES 15+ (MUST RESIDE WITHIN DISTRICT)

PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE HEARTSAVER® CPR/AED

CERTIFICATION (AFTER SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION)

DONATIONS ARE APPRECIATED!

CALL 815-623-7867 TO REGISTER!

From the Chief’s DeskBy Fire Chief Don Shoevlin

As I write this article, I can’t help but keep my anxiety in check. The excitement and anticipation of our fourth grandchild (second grand daughter) keeps me on my toes for that call that we are on our way to the hospital. And I am only the grandpa.

I can’t forget to say Happy Anniversary. On April 4th it was the 75th anniversary of the Harlem Roscoe Fire Protection District. I have

stated numerous times, and believe, we as a district are rich in tradition and history. I am attentive to continuing to build upon the foundation built over those years by all who were members. They are the ones who built the foundation that we continue to build upon.

Thank you to everyone that came to the dinner. It started with us getting five calls as we began serving dinner. All stepped up including the trustees who began serving. Thank you for your patience during this time. Congratulations to our raffle drawing winners. The firefighters did an outstanding job as we have come to expect. This group of men and women always seem to rise to the task given them with a complete and successful outcome. I look forward to seeing many of you in the upcoming months of activities.

Spring appears to be making its presence. This will have many of us out in the yards to begin cleaning from the winter season. Please remember there are burning ordinances in place from the boards of the County and Villages. If you are unsure of the ordinance, you can call our business phone line (623-7867) and we will assist you based upon where you live. When burning please be cautious and also courteous of your neighbors.

This month we look forward to the graduation of our 2015 recruit class. They all have been hard at it in class and are scheduled to graduate on April 21st. They will bolster our roster of dedicated and committed firefighters that serve the district. I look forward to their contributions and participation in providing service to our communities.

As we come to the end of our fiscal year I look back on our accomplishments as well as look forward to what needs we continue to have to continue providing excellent service. This past year we applied for some grants to assist us in our projects or equipment needs. We received a couple of small grants which the proceeds will be used to purchase personnel protective equipment along with some air monitoring devices. As the needs for our services continue to grow, I assure you we will continue our proactive approach to services and our outlook for the future. We remain watchful to the new developments in our district, which is very active with new growth and opportunities. We will continue to apply for grants to assist us in any way.

Your continuous and generous support is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call me, this is your fire department. Don’t forget to keep up on the progress of your fire department by visiting our website (which we are in the process of updating) www.harlemroscoefire.com, and we can also be found on Facebook, so go ahead and friend us.

Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District #175 Years Old

In 1940, Elmer Porter, Harry Hardy, and John P. Brown worked on a project requested by the RIA to form a fire district. A petition with 108 signatures put it to referendum and a special election was held on March 30, 1940. The voters of Roscoe Township and the northern half of Harlem Township cast 181 votes, 167 voters approved while 14 opposed. On April 4, 1940 the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District #1 was documented.

The district will be celebrating their 75th Anniversary throughout 2015. They also have for sale a 75th Anniversary T-shirt as well as the 104 page hard cover 75th Anniversary History Book at Fire Station One located in Roscoe at 10544 Main St.

Birthday!

April3rd Nate Sarver8th Ron Canode10th Colleen Bloyer19th Jerry Caskey22nd Brett Parrish 24th Paul Stanphill25th Ryan Sarver29th Snoopy

May11th Marcia Soppe13th Josh Hoffland Zach Barton16th Chuck Schoonover20th John Bunger23rd Rob Lukowski31st Jordan Stark

Total Calls for The Year 2015

617

Firehouse Scene The Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Prot. Dist.

Editor-in-Chief - Don ShoevlinEditor & Layout - Sheryl Drost

The Firehouse Scene is available at Station One - 10544 Main Street in Roscoe and on the department’s website after the second Sunday each month:www.harlemroscoefire.com

E-mail submissions to Sheryl:hrfdsdrost@gmail.com

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RORO EXPO SNAPSHOTS Photos by Everett Peterson

Congratulations to Lt. Justin Mayton and his girlfriend, Hannah Middleton, on the birth of their son Rylen. He was born March 27 at 12:53a.m. and measured in at 5 pounds 9 ounces. Justin is a hands-on dad and his daughter Lily (5) definitley loves her new little brother. Congrats again Justin and Hannah, he is adorable!

75th Anniversary T-shirts $15

Adult size black may be purchased at the station One.

Black, white, or gray adult and child sizes may be purchased online at hrfd.EmbroidThis.com

75th AnniversaryHistory Book$54

This limited edition 104 page, table-top history book tells the history through the memories and stories of those that lived it. It can be purchased at Station One.

THE FIREHOUSE SCENE is a publication of the

Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District

The Firehouse Scene - Page 12www.harlemroscoefire.com

April 2015 Chief Don Shoevlin Editor Sheryl Drost

House FirePages 6 & 7

Photo by Sheryl Drost

Then & Now By Sheryl DrostTo celebrate our 75th year, every month in 2015 we will be recreating an old photo to show Then & Now.

Legendary Coon & Ham Dinner VS. 2015 Spring Dinner

March 21 was this years date and people came from far and wide for the Annual Spring Dinner Fundraiser. The department is also celebrating their 75th Anniversary, so every diner received a commemorative mug. For 30+ years the Spring Dinner served Coon and Ham and is usually the first memory recalled by people that lived in the district at the time. Below left are pictures from a Coon and Ham Dinner in the 1980s and on the right is from the 2015 Spring Dinner. Visit our Facebook page for more pictures from this years’ dinner.