Active With Explorer Scouts

     Chris Jones studies firemanship, first aid and fire theory with the Clearwater Fire Department.  He has extinguished fires and plans to attend the Fire Academy following graduation from high school.  

     The young man reports that the local firefighters have been helpful in teaching their craft and he is proud to assist them in his duties an Explorer Scout. 

     The Explorers are a branch of the Boy Scouts of America, usually attended by young men rather than children.  The Explorer posts frequently have a specialty area, such as police, sea, fire or music.

 Guns and Hoses Boxing Death Raises Questions

A charity fight between a fireman and a cop resulted in the death of police officer Barry Scott of Phoenix.  The two men were engaged in an unregulated match to raise money for those injured or fallen in the line of duty.  The exhibition match consisted of three one minute rounds.  The officer was knocked down twice in the event.  Officer Scott was 22 years old. 

     Local prizefighter Jerry Powell says that unregulated boxing is inherently dangerous.  "If a match is regulated, there is a doctor available and a trained referee who would stop a fight before it becomes fatal."  There were regulated events the night of the fatal fight; logistically, regulation would have been possible.  Except for prepared public relations statements, nobody is talking.

     "That's because of liability," said Mr. Powell.  The former Wisconsin boxing champion added, "In an unregulated fight the promoter is gonna have to pay the man's family."

         This Internet photo of the Clearwater Fire Department is not our city firemen.  It is the Clearwater, Minnesota (estb. 1855) Fire Department.  The photo appears ironic, but the background was a controlled fire.  In addition, there are cities named Clearwater in Kansas, Missouri,  Nebraska, South Carolina, Washington State, Idaho, Michigan, British Columbia, Manitoba and Alberta.  It is also the name of Hong Kong's harbor.

Clearwater fire chiefs attend a monday planning meeting

Chief James Greer said "We prepare for emergency service needs.  It's a routine thing that we do.  We always prepare and train to the best of our ability." 

     The chief is aware that firemen Eric Miller, Jim Carino, Shawn Tellone and Rob Ramos of Station House 49 (currently in a seven way tie for first place)  have been nominated for Clearwater's Sexiest Man.  The chief warns that if nominated, he will not accept.  If elected he will not serve.  A couple chiefs missed the photograph.

     (Clearwater's sexiest man was a bass player in a tight race, barely edging out the firemen).

Clearwater Firemen Test Their Hoses Annually

Eric Miller, Jim Carino, Shawn Tellone and Rob Ramos performed hose testing.