June 24 and 25 Phil-The-Boot Totals

$11,278.62

Thanks to everyone who came out to collect for MDA! Thank you to the generous citizens of Winston-Salem who passed through the Stratford/Hanes Mall Bv. intersection in the last two days.

As a reminder, we name our Fill-The-Boot - "Phil-The-Boot" to honor our past local President Phil Reed, who we lost to pancreatic cancer a few years ago. Phil was always a champion for MDA and volunteered at many events in the area, as well as our Local's events.

2010 Annual Local 682 Awards Banquet

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2010

We had 70-80 members and guests out for an outstanding meal at Woodland Hall. There was plenty of time for fellowship and tale-telling.

The following awards were presented:

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Robert R. Ogle Scholarship

Winner- Trent Bottoms

Runners Up- Cameron Chappell, Hannah Cheek, Joseph Duffield, Karl Plath, Katlyn Kennedy

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Retirees

Firefighter Joe Joyce

Captain Jerry Amos

Captain Bruce Topping

Battalion Chief Marlin Parker

Assistant Chief Steve Williams 

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Fire Company Recognition Awards

Engine 14, Platoon 2

Engine 9, Platoon 2

Engine 3, Platoon 2

Truck 3, Platoon 2

Rescue 1, Platoon 3

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President's Award

For Service to the Local in 2009

S. Bryan Knight

The following letter to the editor of the Winston-Salem Journal was written by our member Jerry Amos:

The inspectors' side

This is in response to statements by Bobby Haymore and Harold Day concerning the fire-code violations at their businesses ("Smoldering businesses," Nov. 22). As inspectors, we are all trained and certified on the fire code. But as fire officials, what should we do when we observe violations; ignore them? If Haymore's building was to have a fire and we had ignored violations, he would be screaming about the fire department not advising him of these violations and wanting to know why.

Judge Denise Hartsfield dismissed the case against Haymore for lack of evidence because "she was reluctant to see a successful businessman hassled unnecessarily…" What is hassling about noting safety violations and then following up on those violations to ensure compliance? Haymore had options; he could have reduced his storage to less than 12 feet high.

As an engine-company officer, I take offense with why these gentlemen want the engine companies back to doing inspections. I guess they think we would ignore the fire code or choose not to enforce it.

We don't treat business owners as criminals or as if they're stupid; on the contrary, most responsible business owners I have been in contact with over the last 22 years as an inspector are willing to comply after I explain the violations to them and offer suggestions as to how to correct these violations.

Haymore should also remember, even though he has never had a fire, the chief design engineer of the Titanic thought his ship was unsinkable.

JERRY L. AMOS

CAPTAIN, WINSTON-SALEM FIRE DEPARTMENT

Walkertown

October 13, 2009

The Winston-Salem Professional Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 682 is proud to endorse the following candidates for Winston-Salem City Council:

Southwest Ward- Dan Besse

Northeast Ward- Vivian H. Burke

South Ward- Molly Leight

North Ward- D. D. Adams

The endorsements come as a result of a unanimous vote of the members at our September monthly meeting after a review of responses to our City Council Candidate Questionnaire. These candidates made it clear in their responses that they are dedicated to providing safe and efficient fire-rescue services. At the same time they respect the dedication of our firefighters and believe in fair and equitable treatment of these public servants.

These candidates share the primary concerns of the members of our Association. We look forward to working with them as City Council members.