RIP Ralph

We lost Ralph this past weekend, a shock due to the unexpectedness. I have to believe he's in a better place now, and will be playing golf every day while waiting for the New York Giants to take the field this fall.

I'm guessing there might be an ambulance up there, hopefully orange and white in color. It probably doesn't get much use, but that will be fine with Ralph; he spent more than his share of time running calls in one on this earth.

If there is an orange and white camper, as we used to call it, up there, he's staffing it with John, who we lost a few years back. Ralph and John were the Mutt and Jeff of ambulance officer's who could finish each others sentences and were inseparable.

Ralph's wonderful wife Pat asked for the picture of the three of us for his wake. She said it meant so much that it was in the book. It means a lot to me that she would think so but feels so very strange to look at it now as the last man standing.

RIP Ralph, you will be missed.

Why?

Why?—a simple question firefighters should be asking more.

Why don’t we have more cost effective access to technology? From the time the first firefighter entered a burning building, visibility—seeing through smoke—has been an issue. Bulky hand held infrared cameras became the so-called solution. Heavy, costly, and typically limited in quantity, they gave one or two guys the clear knowledge of what’s around them while everyone else continues to do it the old fashioned way—blind. Why doesn’t every SCBA face piece have a head’s up display with an infrared picture?

We’ve known for around two hundred years that sprinklers are our best friend in controlling fires and yet they aren’t required in new construction in some states. One state—Pennsylvania—actually repealed their mandatory sprinkler law after a rabid lobbying campaign by the building construction boys. Why?

We continue to open roofs manually that we’ve reached with aerial ladders or platforms. How come there isn’t an automated device attached to the end of the stick that can quickly and safely open the roof, controlled by an operator on the ground or ladder. Why?

How come we train our people in artificial environments that bear about as much relation to real burning buildings as Congress does to a deliberative body? Ooops, I forgot. We used to train in real environments but can’t anymore. Nevermind.

Finally, do you, like me, wonder why the simple practice of painting a piece of equipment, that is used in hundreds of industries, the color red and putting the word “fire” in it’s name automatically increases the price three fold. Why?

Technology, a wonderful thing?

Technology can be a wonderful thing—sometimes. Twice in the last month, I’ve been able to watch video of fire ground operations, and see my son go in the door—exciting and heartwarming stuff—at least to me.

“Michelle, come see this, it’s great.” She stared silently at the computer screen, hearing the sirens from incoming apparatus, the breaking of glass in the building, the thump of ladders hitting the exterior walls. Music to my ears. Her face had a pinched look, lips drawn together.

“There’s Mike,” I pointed to a firefighter going in the doorway of the burning building. There was a narrowing of her eyes.

“Are you trying to make my acid reflux act up on purpose?” she asked.

“Why, this is just good solid work here—nothing out of the ordinary or exceptionally dangerous.”

I don’t want to know if that’s what he’s doing all the time, and I definitely don’t want to see. Look, there’s fire up there over his head where he just went in,” she said.

“That’s fine,” I said, “they’re getting it from the inside.”

“Thanks, I’ve seen enough. I don’t want to know.”

I remember my Mom used to enjoy seeing an occasional fire, until I joined. Then her reaction became similar to Michelle’s. I guess it’s a good thing YouTube didn’t exist when I was coming up……

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5tfIAx1rRo&feature=view_all&list=PL83AB0D629298E195&index=0

A Few Blurbs For "Fire Men: Stories From Three Generations of a Firefighting Family."

Just a few blurbs for the book..... From the first page, Ryman hits the nail on the head. He provides a riveting look at the fire service as whole and the evolution of the business over the last two decades. Every fire fighter should read this. Old ones to reminisce, young ones to appreciate where we came from.

Fred Bales, CFPS
Pennsylvania State Fire Instructor Past Chief, Greenfield Fire Company

This guy caught a lot of fire. "Fire Men" is a must-read around the firehouse or your house. Gary Ryman is a master storeyteller.

Tiger Schmittendorf Chief Storyteller-Runtothecurb.com

I absolutely loved this book! It's full of adventure and suspense and family and friends and wrapping it all up with a great big bow is the complete dedication these firefighters have. They truly are a breed apart and this book gives us a look into their extordinary lives. What a teriffic read!

Hildy Morgan Executive Director, Wyoming County Cultural Center at the Dietrich Theater

Release Date

Well, I've signed the contract and we're getting closer. I've been quite negligent regarding posting here, but do have good news. My book, now titled Fire Men: Stories From Three Generations of a Firefighting Family will be released on May 1st by Tribute books. The last many months have been filled with editing and the selection of pictures. Now, everything on my end is done. April will be a long month of waiting.........

Querying Update

Late May and early June were disappointing. Many queries sent, with few responses, and fewer requests for submission. One request for a "full" manuscript, which I am still waiting to hear on. The last few weeks, however, activity seems to have picked up. More requests for partial submissions and one request for a book proposal (subsequently turned down, though with nice comments). Yesterday, an agent responded to a query within five minutes, requesting a full manuscript. I am more excited about the overall uptick in requests rather than any individual one. Afterall, you gotta keep bait in the water to catch fish.

New Article in Connections Magazine

My article on Scuba Diving in northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA as it is known locally) is in the July issue of Connections Magazine. If diving is something you've ever thought about, take a look......
http://www.connections-magazine.com/Issue_PDFs/july10/CMJuly10-DiveIn.pdf