The weather that we are so famous for in central Virginia, has arrived. Hot, hazy & humid are the three normal H’s, during our summers. With these H’s comes the three important H’s of protecting yourself in and from the heat, hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate! Water is the best hydrating agent, unless you are overcome by the heat, which will then require fluid with electrolytes. Hydration is something that must be done prior to, during, and after an event in the heat. If you are not well hydrated prior to going out into the heat chances are great that you…

I just got home from what I would call “A Boater’s World,” in Southport, N.C. Yesterday morning, I watched about 100 boats of every size headed to the ocean. A bit later, about a dozen kayakers launched into the Cape Fear River from a beach in Southport. I then saw multiple yachts, sailboats, and the occasional pilot boat, going out to meet a ship. All of this reminds me that boats are a huge part of many people’s lives. Boats are great sources of recreation, while some live on their boats. Whatever your boating world looks like, it is important…

Last week was recognized by public safety workers as a safety stand down, focusing on highway safety. Up until recently, I would have said that incidents on America’s roadways present the greatest hazard for all public servants. My concern is that the greatest danger to a police officer here lately is when they put on the uniform. Police officers have become a target and we, the people, must do everything in our power to change that. I have the greatest respect for every man and woman who puts on a uniform, sworn to protect and serve, whatever the costs. Our…

Kitchen fires are the leading cause of residential fires for a reason. When I left the job, 37 percent of all fires were caused by unattended cooking. This was a large statistic in 2010 and I am sure that this number may be even higher now, since the number of fires has increased. The biggest reason for the fire problem in a kitchen is that all that is necessary to have a fire is regularly found in the kitchen. What do I mean by that? To have a fire, you need heat, fuel, oxygen, and the chemical chain reaction that…

Most of you WHO read my column may recall that I have been helping out a veteran friend that attends our church. His health has continued to decline. The ability to assist as a caregiver has become exponentially more difficult. Prior to COVID-19, my role was to assist getting him to and from doctor’s appointments, dressing wounds, providing medical advice, and pulling medicines. I had that down to a science, and then COVID hit. Our first experience was in a same-day surgery center, where I was told that I could not wait in the waiting room but would have to…

As I was sitting here watching the news about the looting and fires in some prominent U.S. cities, a gentleman stated: “There is a fine line between civilization and barbarism.” Very few people know exactly what happened in Minneapolis. The video that we have seen on the news is absolutely sickening, however, we should not allow a trial by video, although I am sure that the video will be used as evidence. Someone standing there, police officer or not, should have done the right thing and stopped what was happening. We trust police officers to protect us, no matter which…

Some that know me will read this and say, a normal day in the life of Pete. COVID-19 has affected people in so many ways. For me, COVID-19 has represented a period of time, March to the present at this point. If I were to write a book, this would be the chapter that most would describe as downright crazy. I would like to think that we are on the downhill portion of this journey. As you think about this moment in time, what will you remember? I sincerely believe that many good things will come from this. There will…

I am reminded regularly that times have changed. I spent many years riding engines, ladder trucks, ambulances, and the TSO vehicle trying to find addresses on the first attempt. During my career, I spent quite a bit of time in Chester, and I knew Chester like the back of my hand. My first assignment as a lieutenant was at No. 2, on Hull Street, next to the old high school. To say that I was lost was an understatement. It’s funny today, I remember more about that district than I would ever think. Getting lost is one thing, but getting…

Last week was Arson Awareness Week. Arson is defined as “the criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property.” It is a problem not only for the fire service, but for a community. Fires caused by an arsonist could cause the death of a firefighter or a civilian. Until the arsonist is caught, the costs for arson has to be absorbed by the particular jurisdiction. Arson takes place for many reasons: A pyromaniac is a person who has “an obsessive desire to set fire to things.”A juvenile fire setter is a child, up to the age of 17, who sets…

I have written to you many times about the absolute necessity of a practiced home escape plan. The plan is supposed to show two ways out of every room, a safe meeting place outside of the home, the ability of every person in the home to self-rescue (get themselves out on their own). If self-rescue is not possible, then working into the plan who and how to get them out. An adequate number of properly placed and properly operating smoke alarms is imperative to early warning of a fire in your home. Less smoke for you to deal with gives…