IAFF Local 21

What's New at IAFF Local 21

Updated On: May 08, 2008 (13:57:00)
IAFF Local 21 regrets to announce the passing of Clarence "Sam" Kowalski on May 6, 2008. Clarence started with the Saint Paul Fire Department on February 1st, 1945 and retired from the Police and Fire Alarm Bureau in 1975.

Funeral leaving from MUELLER-BIES FUNERAL HOME-ROSEVILLE, 2130 N. Dale St. @ County Rd. B on Saturday, May 10 at 9:30 AM. Mass of Christian Burial at THE CHURCH OF ST. AGNES, 548 Lafond Ave., St. Paul at 10 AM. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Visitation from 4-8 PM, Friday at the funeral home. Prayer service at 7 PM, Fri. MUELLER-BIES 651-487-2550

National Bone Marrow Registry

Updated On: May 03, 2008 (10:05:00)
In 1986 I was a member of the National Bone Marrow Registry and a year later I was asked to be a donor. 20 years later, the 13 year old girl with leukemia that received my marrow is still alive and cancer free. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life, and I highly recommend your participation. Their are others on the fire department who have been donors and they will tell you the same. On April 12th of this year, the Airport Fire Department was sponsoring a drive to sign up for the registry and I was asked to speak to their members about being a donor. To keep the ball rolling, St. Paul Fire is hosting their own drive on May 14th, 15th, and 16th at a site yet to be determined. PLEASE read the information that follows as well as what's posted on your station's bulletin board and consider becoming a member. If you have any questions, feel free to call me at station 14 (C-shift), or at home at 651/489-3204.   Bob Kippels

    The National Marrow Donor Program was established in 1986. Its primary goal is to identify unrelated donors for patients in need of a blood stem cell transplant but who have no family member who is a suitable tissue match. The NMDP works with hospitals that treat patients with life-threatening blood diseases that can be treated with a transplant. When a volunteer registers as a potential donor, his/her tissue type is listed on the donor file and is compared with the tissue type of patients in need of treatment. If a volunteer is identified as a potential donor for a patient, additional testing is required to determine if the donor's and patient's tissue types are closely enough matched for a transplant. If a volunteer donor is determined to be the best available match for a patient, he/she may be asked to donate blood stem cells.

    Blood stem cells grow into mature blood cells and can be collected from either the bone marrow or the blood stream. The chance that you will be selected to donate blood stem cells depends on your tissue type. Since the beginning of the NMDP, about one potential donor in 200 listed on the donor file has donated. It is important for you to know that if you are selected as a donor, blood stem cell donation may require 30 to 40 hours of your time. But also consider that you may be saving someone's life!

    Volunteers must be between the ages of 18 - 60. If you want to be a potential donor, you will be asked to answer a series of questions regarding your health. These questions are similar to the questions asked of blood donors. They are designed to protect you, as well as to ensure that it would be safe to use your blood stem cells for transplant. After answering the health questions, signing the consent form, and providing your personal contact information, your eligibility will be determined. If you are still suitable, you will be asked to give a collection of cheek cells from inside your mouth using a cotton-tipped swab. If you decide to join the Registry, your tissue type will be included on the list of potential donors. Your are free to withdraw at any time. If you withdraw, your tissue type will no longer be available for searching patients, and if you have a sample stored, it will be destroyed. If you are identified as a potential tissue match for a patient, additional testing may be needed. If you agree to donate, you will be given a physical exam to discover if donating would pose any special risks to you or the patient. At each step in the process, you will be given more information and the opportunity to continue or to stop.

    You will not be charged for any expenses resulting from further testing to identify you as the best available donor or for the collection of your blood stem cells. Your personal identifying information will not be disclosed for any purposes other than those identified in the consent form without your further consent. If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, you must unfortunately be disqualified from the Program.
    1. Have you ever been diagnosed with HIV or have you tested positive for HIV, the AIDS virus?
    2. Have you ever been diagnosed with hepatitis B or C?
    3. Have you ever had a bleeding problem or other clotting factor deficiency or have you required human-derived clotting factor concentrates?
    4. In the past 5 years have you used a needle, even once, to take any illegal or non-prescribed drugs?
    5. In the past 5 years have you taken money or drugs in exchange for sex?
    6. In the past 5 years have you had sex, even once, with another male? (Male Only)
(if you have been deferred from giving blood, that does not necessarily defer you from this program. If you are interested and have questions, please ask!)

Passing Of Retired Firefighter/Dispatcher Dick Seorum

Updated On: Apr 28, 2008 (14:20:00)

Retired Firefighter / Dispatcher Richard (Dick) Seorum passed away on April 22, 2008. Dick started with the Fire Department on April 3rd, 1972 and retired on May 4th, 1993.

Memorial Service Tuesday, April 29th at 3PM with Visitation at 2PM at WULFF FUNERAL HOME, 1485 White Bear Avenue Saint Paul. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. WULFF 651-776-1555

Channel 11 Rescue Video

Updated On: Apr 24, 2008 (09:36:00)

KARE 11 Video interviewing Firefighter Shawn Conway of Rescue Squad 3 after fire companies rescued a victim at a fire on Aurora Avenue.

School Bus & Tanker Collide

Updated On: Apr 22, 2008 (23:00:00)

A bus driver suffered minor injuries Tuesday morning after a school bus and a tanker truck collided on St. Paul's east side.

The accident happened just after 8 a.m. near Metropolitan State University on E. 7th St. and Mounds Blvd.

There were about ten children on the bus from Crosswinds Arts and Science School at the time of the crash. No children were injured.

Witnesses said that the tanker truck was waiting to take a left turn at the intersection and the bus was coming up 7th St. and somehow they hit each other.

The driver suffered minor injuries. The bus apparently hit a sculpture, stopping it from plowing into the school.

"That tanker could've ruptured and there could've been gasoline going down 7 th St., that would've been a problem in itself," said Greg Barkley, of the St. Paul Fire Department. "This is really kind of amazing that nothing worse happened."

For video of the story visit: KSTP CHANNEL 5
Source: http://www.kstp.com

Fire Fighters Make Rescue At Structure Fire

Updated On: Apr 20, 2008 (18:30:00)
A 24-year-old St. Paul man jumped from a second-story window Sunday to escape an early morning fire that displaced 14 residents of a duplex according to Fire Department spokesman Steve Zaccard. The man suffered cuts and an injured ankle and was transported to Regions Hospital.

A 30-year-old man was also rescued by firefighters from the first level of the duplex on the 700 block of Aurora Avenue. Firefighters administered CPR to the man, who was unconscious from smoke inhalation, and transported him to Regions Hospital. Zaccard said the man is expected to survive. "Our firefighters did a wonderful job getting him out," he said.

The blaze was reported as a porch fire about 2:58AM. It quickly engulfed the front porch and spread up the front of the house, Zaccard said. The home sustained about $80,000 in damages and is uninhabitable.

One firefighter sustained an injury to her shoulder and was treated and released from Regions Hospital.

St. Paul Fire Golf League Starts April 23rd

Updated On: Apr 18, 2008 (19:46:00)
Saint Paul Fires annual golf league at Oak Glen Golf Course is starting on Wednesday April 23rd. Tee times are open for St. Paul Fire from 8:00 to 9:30 AM. This is an open recreational league for active and retired members of Firefighters Local 21 and the Saint Paul Fire Department.

Come with your own foursome or come by yourself and join a group when you get there. This years fees will be posted soon. Any questions contact: Tom Murakami @ Station 23-A

MDA Black And Blue Ball

Updated On: Apr 17, 2008 (12:31:00)
10 free tickets, first come first serve, FOR L-21 MEMBERS, to attend the MDA BLACK and BLUE BALL! Includes Dinner, Music by GB Leighton, silent auction & fun! All for MDA!

When: Saturday, April 19th 2008, starts at 5:30PM.
Where: Rivercentre, 175 West Kellogg BLVD, St. Paul

Dress code: leather and denim

All the tickets for MDA's Black and Blue Ball have been distributed!

2 Alarm Fire on University Avenue

Updated On: Apr 05, 2008 (10:54:00)
A fire broke at the old M & L Motor Supply building in St. Paul Friday night.

The flames were spotted at the building located on the 1400 block of University Avenue West shortly before 9 p.m.

Crews were ordered to leave the inside of the builidng a half hour later as it became too dangerous to fight from inside, according to officials. Firefighters remained on the scene until about 1:30 a.m. battling the blaze.

It took 55 firefighters from 12 fire companies to put-out the two alarm fire.

St. Paul Fire Chief Tim Butler told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the building was reportedly vacant and under reconstruction.

No one was hurt. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

City Unveils New Website

Updated On: Apr 04, 2008 (13:23:00)

The City of Saint Paul has unveiled a new web site.

Take a look at the: CITY
Take a look at the: FIRE DEPARTMENT