EMERALD SOCIETY

CHALLENGE COIN'S
Are available by sending a check to Joe Healy with the numbers you choose from the available list of numbers.  A limit of two (2) coins to a member. The price is $20 per coin

Coins were $15 at meetings only

Only up to date Members may apply

The Iowa State Fire Marshal has requested our assistance for the Iowa contingent that brings WWII veterans to Washington DC to see their memorial. I am sure many of you have heard of these "honor flights to DC". This is a special sanctioned Iowa State contingent much larger than most of these flights. In many cases this will be the last time that they will be present to honor their comrades who have paid the ultimate sacrifice before them. These WWII veterans will embark on a long day that begins around 2am and ends with their arrival home after 10 pm the same day.

The flights are scheduled for Tuesday, August 17th, and Thursday, August 19th. 2010.  We have asked that Fairfax County Firefighters provide the requested assistance on the 19th, and for DC Firefighters to cover the 17th. There are 2 flights, each carrying 300 WWII veterans. The first
flight is August 17th and the second August 19th. We unload on the tarmac
and since the plane is a 747 the stairs are equivalent to a 2 story staircase.
Most of the veterans can walk down and up the stairs but there will be some who will be carried in a special "stair chair", similar to those used by firefighters.   We would like to have someone positioned every 3 or 4 steps and also a couple 4 man crews for each stairs to carry when needed. There is
a fore and aft stairs so we would like to have 30 to 40 personnel if possible.
We will also have our other volunteers who will assist the veterans from the stairs to the buses.
 
The plane will arrive at 10am each day and depart at 9pm each day. Our
people can meet in the Cell Phone Waiting Area at Dulles Airport at 9am so they can be escorted on to the tarmac with the buses and other volunteers. We should have the veterans off loaded and on to the buses before 11am. For
the return trip each evening, we arrive back at Dulles around 6:30pm and will start to load onto the plane as soon possible. As soon as they are loaded, the volunteers will be escorted off the tarmac to return home.
 
There is limited parking available in the Cell Phone Waiting Area and we encourage car pooling. There will be placards available upon arrival for free parking as long as they last. Transportation out on to the tarmac will
be on the tour buses which will escorted by Dulles security.

We will be looking toward the police to be able to provide an escort to and from Dulles Airport on both days. Pending the running route, we will see if the Marine Division will be available to provide a display at the bridge
crossing.
If you are interested in helping either during the morning or evening,
or both, please contact DFC Bruce Faust (bruce.faust@dc.gov) and let us know your availability. The uniform for the day is work uniform, with uniform shirt.

If you have any questions,
please contact DFC Bruce Faust at (202) 727-3298, or at bruce.faust@dc.gov.

Bruce D. Faust
Deputy Fire Chief
 Fire Marshal
 Fire Prevention Division
 DC Fire & EMS Department
 (202) 727-3298
 (202) 345-7117

 

Sean Gilligan displays  the prestigious "Guy Moorman Gael of the Year" award he received from the Society for his outstanding work over the years. This award means that you have gone above and beyond in your commitment to the members and their families.

Thanks Sean

(Standing  with Sean is the sloppily dressed , beer drinking MC whose name escapes me at the moment.)

Click here for more pictures

 Emerald Society Softball Team at the MD Tournament