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August 2006
11 August 2006, Friday.
This has not been easy. We've been rummaging around out back for several weeks and have finally found the Department's Chain Of Command -- the real one. It's about 10 feet long, rated for 12,000 pounds and could be piled into a pickup truck at the drop of a hat. BMVFD Chain Of Command
10 August 2006, Thursday.
Updated: We are mindful of the changing needs of our community. By way of encouraging interest and support for your community's volunteer fire department, we've been working on a Survey. Please join in. The survey will likely change from time to time, as will the unique rewards to pique your desire to participate.
Note that the Survey has been added to the category links at the top of this page.
08 August 2006, Tuesday.
We've added the Department's logo to every page. At least we think we have. The sidebar column images are now click-able, resulting in a detailed page with a large photo.
We have listed the links at the top of this page in alphabetical order. The Chain of Command page actually has a personnel listing.
What else? Oh - - we haven't received any hate-email, so development of this site must be progressing without irritating anyone.
04 August 2006, Friday.
Okay we're going to give this a try -- we now have all sorts of good photos for this website. It looks like over 100. We've been directed to post some and see how it goes.
We are going to ask for help by way of text to go with the photos. You, and by you we mean the department members, know what the photos are about. Please take pity on the baffled "webmaster" and lend a hand. The alternative is for me to simply make up the text as I go and we all know what that can lead to.
But how to pass along the text? That's a very good question. Please reference the photo and use: thomas@tacticalfire.com
If you know of specific photos that you would like posted or have photos, please send them along via the above email address.
01 August 2006, Monday.
All of the links at the top of this page are now active. The email addresses on the Contact Us page have not yet been set up. We'll get there. Suggestions for sidebar (to the left) categories and content would be appreciated.
Not to worry, we are planning to incorporate the Department's logo shortly.
Recent Photos Of Fires & Activities
Majerus Fire
19 July 2006, Wednesday
Aerial drop. Photo (cropped) via Jeff Gates.
South Of Reedpoint
19 July 2006, Thursday
A night-time shot. Photo (cropped) via Jeff Gates.
Majerus_Fatting
20 July 2006, Thursday
An aerial drop. Photo via Justin Russel.
Majerus_Fatting
20 July 2006, Thursday
The Department is taking a break of some sort. Photo (cropped) via Justin Russell.
Klein
09 June 2004, Saturday
Ablaze.
Klein
09 June 2004, Saturday
First Aid (cropped).
Government Grant Supplies BMVFD With High-Tech Fireboat
30 July 2006, Sunday
It's official. It's 105 feet OAL and is capable of pumping 38,000 GPM. What more could you want? How about a wharf? Are you curious about the monitors? Here's a link to give you an idea of the monitor specs.
Close-up Of A Helicopter Water Bucket 
17 July 2006, Monday
Here's an unusual sight. As I type this, I realize that I do not know the rated capacity of the bucket. I'll find out and include it here. The bucket is the same size as the one in the June 26th image a ways down on this page.
Update:
Jeff Gates informs us that this a Bambi bucket and that it would hold 150 to 200 gallons. Here's more information
Close-up Of A Helicopter Rotor
17 July 2006, Monday
While between assignments, a helicopter came in for re-fueling and I took photos. I thought that this would be a bit more interesting than the typical photo of a helicopter. I'm still trying to get to the bottom of the saw-tooth edges in this type of image.
During initial attack, it can be very hard to stop and take pictures. Sure, one can carry a little camera with a hopelessly wide lens. But to get those close shots, one has to lug a good camera around, with a long lens, along with one's fire fighting gear. That's cumbersome and all the airborne particulate is hard on a good camera and worse on a good telephoto-zoom lens.