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Signed on July 20 at 3:29 PM
Name :	Mike Coffey
Rank / Title :	Chief
Website :	http://tarrytownfd.org
Location :	Tarrytown, NY
Comments :	Aerial Ops course was phenominal. It was absolutely worth every penny. It was so good we signed him up for EVOC on the spot. Lt. WIlbur brings a lot of experience and mixes it in with quick wit and down to earth chatter that makes learning easy

Signed on June 01 at 10:41 PM
Name :	Tommy
Rank / Title :	Capt. Ladder 32
Website :	http://www.kleinfiredept.com
Location :	Klein, Texas
Comments :	Michael, I would like to thank you on behalf of my crew on Ladder 32. We attended your class the last weekend of May and had a great time. We all learned that these trucks can be used for so much more than just a last resort raise and spray. The class room was just as fun and informative as the hands on. I now feel that the ladder company’s in my department have an advantage over other departments in the area. I personally will hold my head a little higher knowing that. Thanks again for taking the time away from your family to teach this class. T. CollumsCapt. Ladder 32Klein FDKlein, Texas

Signed on May 15 at 1:17 PM
Name :	John Greco
Rank / Title :	Chief
Website :	http://village of athens.org
Location :	Athens, NY
Comments :	Mike,Just wanted to drop you a line and say THANKS for the awesome class that you presented to us, the guys are still all talking about it. This being our first aerial device we were completly in the dark on operations, placement and safety when using this device. We have since put many of the techniques we learned in the class in real time. Once again I want to say THANKS and we look forward to seeing you next year at our annual installation banquet. John Greco

Signed on April 11 at 8:26 AM
Name :	Rick Lasky
Rank / Title :	Fire Chief
Website :
Location :	Lewisville, TX
Comments :	Hi Mike,Thanks so much for your email brother. You have know idea just how much I appreciate it.I am truly blessed with the group I have here. They\’re always trying to do their best. Your class was awesome and the troops are not only still talking about it, they\’re utilizing what you taught them.Thanks again brother for all that you do and I\’ll see ya soon!Be safe,Rick...with Pride, Honor and Integrity.9-11-01 NEVER FORGET \"FDNY 343\"Never Forgetting Means Never Forgetting

Signed on March 31 at 10:29 PM
Name :	Armando de Albuquerque
Rank / Title :
Website :	http://
Location :	Santo André – São Paulo – Brazil
Comments :	Dear Michael,Thank you for the kind message. I’m surprised to be the first Brazilian signing in your powerful website. Even been a retired firefighter, I’m always “traveling” in the Internet, and frequently I find interesting sites, like yours. You know, all that FD stuff remains in our blood forever. Nowadays, I’m collecting data in order to prepare a presentation about the mistakes FDs do when purchasing their vehicles. The EVR archives will be very helpful. In Brazil, this area (how to write specifications for fire trucks) is poorly developed and the FDs usually follow manufacturers’ indications which are, also, poor. I’d like to share messages with you from time to time. Maybe, we should find some synergy to work together in this part of the world. Have you been in Brazil? Again, thank you, and if you need anything from Brazil, please let me know.. Best regards,ArmandoArmando de AlbuquerqueRua Tunísia, 30Santo André – São Paulo – Brazil

Signed on March 28 at 9:20 PM
Name :	Doug Perro
Rank / Title :
Website :	http://
Location :	Franklin, MA
Comments :	Hi Mike, Thanks again for the great class. This should be part of every academy recruit training program. Hopefully we can get you back for some more classes. Thanks again.

Signed on March 11 at 8:33 PM
Name :	Brian Freed
Rank / Title :
Website :	http://
Location :	Lewisville, TX
Comments :	Mike, just wanted to thank you again, for the GREAT Aerial Ops class you presented to our Department. I have burned all the pictures from the class on Saturday to a CD, and enclosed them in the mail along with your sunglasses and zip drive. Thanks again, Brian Brian FreedDivision Chief / Training & SafetyLewisville Fire DepartmentOffice # 972-219-3594Fax # 972-219-3704

Signed on March 11 at 8:31 PM
Name :	Armand Guzzi
Rank / Title :
Website :	http://
Location :
Comments :	Thank you Mike. You are a brilliant educator and writer and because of you I have become a better chauffeur! God Bless you and your family this Christmas. Armand Guzzi

Signed on March 11 at 8:30 PM
Name :	John Hauth
Rank / Title :
Website :	http://
Location :	Lancaster, WI
Comments :	Dear Michael Wilbur,I have read with interest you article “The Killing Fields” and the reader responses in the November issue of Firehouse.I have been a volunteer firefighter for over 19 years in a city/rural department that serves 4,000 in the city and another 2,000 in the rural area. Our district covers about 40 square miles with many family farms. Years ago it wasn’t uncommon to respond to 1 or 2 barn fires per year, mostly dairy barns full of small hay bales. As you stated they are very hard to put out. On the other hand we have been able to rescue livestock trapped inside, save nearby buildings and silos or preserve enough of the structure so a cause of the fire could be determined. Large volumes of water are needed for these operations. Prior to the mid1980’s mutual aid was not used a lot and often times local ready mix concrete trucks were utilized to haul water from town. This was probably the safest means to haul water at the time because the trucks weren’t built for speed and the people driving them drove them everyday. Times have certainly changed.The same day I read the reader response our department was called to provide tankers for a barn fire about 8-9 miles away, only a couple loads were delivered by our trucks as no other structures were in danger. At the same time on the other end of the county another barn fire was reported, in all 14 tankers were operating at the same in our county. I don’t know if after the first trucks arrived that it was necessary to run with lights or not. It is common for our department to turn off the lights and sirens as soon as a good water supply is established and run at posted speeds. I agree that many times tankers are running full tilt when there is nothing to gain by it. My opinion is that some drivers are going to get excited no matter what they are operating no matter where they live and be a danger on the road. I can’t agree with a blanket policy saying no red lights or sirens on tankers. A barn, machine shed etc. in the rural areas is no different than a business on main street, the owners expect us to make every reasonable attempt to save their property and lively hood, in the rural areas this means getting adequate water to the scene as quickly as possible. As you know in rural volunteer departments response to the station and then out to the fire scene are putting you behind right from the start. Safe and efficient responses are important. I too wonder now why we exempted firefighters from having a CDL or drug testing. I am a public works employee subject to these requirements even though I drive a fire truck more often than the public works trucks requiring a CDL. In Wisconsin persons driving a fire apparatus are held to the same guidelines as anyone else who has a CDL and can only technically drive the vehicle to and from an emergency call. Not to the gas station or around the block, only to and from emergencies. We are fortunate that many of our members hold a CDL for their regular jobs and we may be looking at ways to encourage more people to get them. We have a 3,000 gallon tanker/pumper with a 7 speed manual transmission, the only one left in the fleet and it will be around for some time yet, it is surprising how well most everyone handles this truck. Maybe it is because we spend more time teaching them how to drive it and to respect the size of the truck instead of telling them to put it in drive and go. We also get our new drivers/operators to attend formal training through the local vocational school. Very seldom is a firefighter allowed to operate a fire apparatus without this training unless they operate similar size vehicles for a living.As for vehicle inspections; last year we decided that all of our vehicles would have a DOT inspection performed by a local repair shop that provides this service. A copy of the inspection is kept in each vehicle. This also gives us an idea if there are any other problems with the vehicle that only a qualified mechanic might notice. It is to risky to have members perform maintenance anymore and this allows us to devote more time to training instead.Thank you for your articles and concern for the safety of firefighters and everyone on the road.Sincerely,John HauthCaptainLancaster, Wi Volunteer Fire Dept.

Signed on March 11 at 6:54 PM
Name :	Jim Kalin
Rank / Title :
Website :	http://
Location :
Comments :	Just finished listening to my first podcast. The subject was the weight of the apparatus plus some other issues. EXCELLENT !! As a 30 year member of a volunteer department and chief driver of the ladder tower I am always seeking information about my truck. This podcast was most informative ! Mike Wilbur and Tom Shand did a great job ! Jim Kalin Phenix H & L Co. #1Greenport Fire Dept.Greenport, LI, NY

Signed on March 11 at 6:54 PM
Name :	Frank R
Rank / Title :
Website :	http://
Location :
Comments :	I want to say thank you for answering my question regarding choosing between a Cummins engine and a Caterpillar engine. By discussing this on your format it eased my worries about purchasing the Cat. I have heard good things about both engines and there is a qualified service center not to far from our station. We have always ran with the Detroits since getting diesels in our apparatus in the \’70s. Having been around a while I sometimes get set in my ways. Hey, why change if it always worked. I am beginning to one of those individuals who I hated when I was young. Thanks again, great job,Frank R

Signed on March 11 at 6:53 PM
Name :
Rank / Title :
Website :	http://
Location :
Comments :	Tom and Wilbur,Thanks for the great information. I look forward to listening to you guys discuss all of the current safety issues as well as the apparatus issues faced by todays fire service. It seems almost impossible to keep up with all of the changes happening, but by listening to your podcasts I can catch up on many of the concerns of the fire service concerning fire apparatus.

Signed on March 11 at 6:53 PM
Name :	Rich
Rank / Title :
Website :	http://
Location :
Comments :	Mike just wanted to let you know that our Ladder training is paying big dividends. It is so great to see it working. If you have time go to Oxford Fire .com and look at the job we had at 19 S. 4th St. This is located just behind the station on a one way (south) street with parking on the west side. At approx. 2:30AM we were dispatched for a dwelling - standard boro box brings our three engines our truck plus EMS along with 2 additional engines and 1 truck on automatic mutial aid. As Sam responded dispatch advised working fire and alerted medics for smoke inhalation. Sam arrived with fire blowing out 2nd floor windows on A&B sides of an occupied duplex. Myself and another driver arrive at station at about the same time to most calls and since he is 15 years younger we switch back and forth on driving. Bad luck for me as it was his turn to drive the ladder and me the engine ( 2nd due). We talked as the crews were arriving and his comment to me was - I guess I better back in - and I knew right where that came from. He did a great job getting into position and getting his crew to the roof for ventilation. We were lucky only three civilians with minor smoke inhalation - not one of our better neighborhoods. Stay Safe Rich.

Signed on March 11 at 6:32 PM
Name :	Bill Adams
Rank / Title :	Past Chief
Website :	http://
Location :
Comments :	I have a comment on Michael Wilbur\’s excellent article - \"Random Thoughts on Apparatus Safety\" in the February 2008 issue. The proposed changes to NFPA 1901 only make reference to not wearing fire helmets inside enclosed seating areas. It does not require helmet storage in the cab within arm\’s reach of the firefighter. Mandating safe storage for equipment, whether it be personal or firematic, should be the concern of the NFPA. Dictating operational requirements such as determining where a helmet is stored is not. Bill Adams, Past ChiefEast Rochester, NY Vol. FD

Signed on March 11 at 6:30 PM
Name :	Butch Van Deursen
Rank / Title :
Website :	http://
Location :
Comments :	Mike, It was great to have you back in Franklin Township last night. I enjoyed your class as usual. I was particularly happy that the EMS people (East Millstone First Aid Squad) was able to attend. The First Aid Squad does not get funded like the Fire Departments do within the Fire Districts and funding is tight. They can\’t send members out of state for training like the Fire Districts. I would have preferred to stay longer and talk more with you but since retiring from the Phone Company I have started a \"Gift Basket Business\" and this is our busy time packaging wine baskets for the local liquor stores for Christmas. My partner and I worked till 01:00AM to prepare for tomorrows deliveries. One of the Fire Commissioners from neighboring Hillsborough was asking me for info regarding your classes so I will give him your phone number and Email address. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year until we get together again! Butch Van Deursen East Franklin/Middlebush Fire

Signed on October 23 at 1:55 PM
Name :	Lt. Dan LaVache
Rank / Title :	Training Officer
Website :	http://
Location :	Watertown, MA
Comments :	We\\\’ve had Mike out twice in the last year for training. Once for emergency vehicle operations and the other for aerial placement. He definitely has what it takes to get the message through. Not all instructors can convey the importance of the \\\"routine\\\" stuff like Mike can. No matter how much you think you know, he\\\’ll enlighten you and your members.Be safe Mike. Thanks again,Lt Dan

Signed on August 04 at 4:57 PM
Name :	Bill Wilson
Rank / Title :	Capt.
Website :	http://
Location :
Comments :	Thank you Mike for the classes you have brought to us in the HIGH desert of California.Bill Wilson

Signed on December 03 at 6:58 PM
Name :	Michael DiFronzo
Rank / Title :	2nd Lt.
Website :	http://washingvolfire.com
Location :	Washington ct
Comments :	We had Mike come in a teach us EVOC class, And all of us in our dept. are all changing our ways. We have come to realize that we are here to save people not kill them. On behalf of the Washington Fire Department and myself thank you for opening our eyes.

Signed on June 27 at 9:40 AM
Name :	Jack Casner
Rank / Title :	Chief of Department
Website :	http://www.cheshirefd.org
Location :	Cheshire, Connecticut
Comments :	We have had Mike Wilbur come out and deliver his EVOC class and a couple of ladder ops. classes. His instructing methodology and candidness are a refreshing and welcomed change from the textbook style of today.Mike is a true professional with a passion for the fire service volunteer or career he is determined to deliver his message of safe apparatus operation. Thanks Mike, keep up the good work, be safe.

Signed on May 17 at 10:59 AM
Name :	Gregory Carter
Rank / Title :	Fire Chief
Website :	http://www.needhamfiredept.org
Location :	Montgomery Co. Texas
Comments :	To have an expert such as Mike Wilbur take the time to come to our department and share his knowledge is truly priceless. Seldom have I witnessed a classroom full of firefighters be so intensely focused on a speaker. Mike took the time to make certain that he was getting his message across, treated everyone from rookie to Chief as a brother in the fire service, spoke clearly and concise, and related his lifetime experieces in a way that made us feel like we knew him forever. I srtongly recommend to every Chief in this country to let Mike Wilbur come and speak on ladder company tactics. It is worth it!

Signed on October 06 at 10:53 AM
Name :	Karen Gibbins & Crew
Rank / Title :	Firefighters
Website :	http://
Location :	Greenfield, New York
Comments :	We recently completed your CEVOC at Montour Falls Fire Academy. It was great. You and F.J Spinelli opened our eyes to many issues. We have since returned to our respected companies and passed along important issues that need to be addressed within our fire department. Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts and wisdom with us.

Signed on September 21 at 6:26 PM
Name :	Richard Bunce
Rank / Title :	Firefighter/EMT-B/Engineer
Website :	http://
Location :	Kokomo, Indiana
Comments :	I observed your live video on apparatus crashes. It was very good. I am a volunteer for Taylor Township Fire/Rescue. I just had a Captain who wrecked our Engine/Rescue. It was posted on firehouse.com by kokomo tribune. I was curious if there might be some information in regards to drivers training for our department? If you have any info, please email me. Thank You!

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