Hard Headed FOOLS

04/28/2025

The Kansas City Fire Department has confirmed the death of a firefighter and paramedic after he was stabbed by a patient early Sunday. According to KCFD, 29-year-old Graham Hoffman died on April 27 from wounds sustained during what started as a routine medical call.

Graham Hoffman, 29, was killed on April 27 while working as a firefighter paramedic in Kansas City, Missouri. (KCFD). Emergency crews were dispatched to North Oak and 152 Highway around 1 a.m. on April 27. While the patient was being transported to Saint Luke’s Hospital, she stabbed Hoffman in the chest. Hoffman’s partner called for additional help from KCFD and the Kansas City Police Department, and the patient was taken into custody. No further information has been released about her identity.

The injured firefighter paramedic was taken to North Kansas City Hospital, where he remained in critical condition for several hours. Later on, Sunday, however, KCFD confirmed that he died of his injuries. “Despite the efforts of first responders and medical teams at North Kansas City Hospital, Firefighter Hoffman succumbed to his injuries. He was 29 and served with the Kansas City Fire Department since 2022,” KCFD stated. Earlier on Sunday, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas released the following statement on X, adding in additional tweets that the suspect has been identified. Mayor Lucas said he expects her to face “serious charges matching the grievous harm she caused to someone working to provide her emergency medical care.”

The City of Kansas City is holding a press conference at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, to address the situation. Mayor Lucas, Fire Chief Ross Grundyson and Interim City Manager Kimiko Gilmore will be speaking.

Take care. Be careful. Pass it on.

01/06/2025

Words of Wisdom from the one and only Bob Franklin Arkansas Firefighter Museum and Fire Education Center
WINTER TIPS FOR PROTECTING YOUR FIRE APPARATUS!
When cold weather comes to our state so does the increase of structure fires! Every year we see an increase of damaged fire apparatus from busted piping or pump housings as well as gauges from responding in the severe cold. Below are some preventive measures to protect your your apparatus from freezing!
1. MASTER PUMP DRAIN free from rust and will drain the pump.
2. PRIMER PUMP works properly and has lubrication if required.
3.Inspect pump gear case for water. Water may freeze and crack
the housing.
4. Open all discharge valve drains to drain water between the ball
valve and the cap.
5. Drain pre-piped deck guns of water from the nozzle to the valve.
This will freeze quick as it is exposed to air when responding.
6. Cross-lay valves should be open and allow to drain for 10
minutes-then close.
7. If hose reels are mounted on top of the apparatus, cover with a
salvage cover to trap heat from exhaust and deflect cold air
when responding.
8 .Know how many RPM it requires to develop pressures as gauges
lines may freeze preventing them from operating.
9. Front mount pumps should be covered to prevent freezing.

In sever cold piping may freeze in runs as short as 3 miles.

Self contain breathing apparatus 9air packs) regulators may freeze closed position when exiting a burning structure! Change air packs in the cab to prevent regulator freezing.

Bob Franklin served 30 years with the Little Rock Fire Department.
He has 51 years in the Arkansas Fire Service and owned the oldest fire pump repair company in Arkansas. He was the first instructor from Arkansas to teach at the Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis Indiana.

10/14/2024

Chief Laws has helped facilitate our Searchable vs Survivable class, and has been willing to help with a couple other classes that we have attempted to put on. Please help if you can or at least share for visibility.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/wcqNijtWGZWVUZV2/?mibextid=oFDknk

07/23/2024

Thanks again to everyone who came out to Fassler Hall Little Rock on Saturday night. We had around 40 in attendance.
Before The Bell is growing and we're glad to be involved in helping this conference grow!

07/20/2024

Come on out! We've got a group in the back!

07/10/2024

Don't forget to come out to Fassler Hall on the 20th too!
https://www.facebook.com/share/35UrAwbdqoXmhoeB/?mibextid=oFDknk

06/28/2024

Attending Before The Bell or even not attending but interested in helping rejuvenate our chapter? Come out, bring the family, and join us on July 20th at 6pm.
Location: Fassler Hall 311 E Capitol Ave, Little Rock, AR 72202

03/22/2024

Stay tuned for registration information. If you're anywhere near central Arkansas, you should come join us!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=296290770149601&id=100093060404206&mibextid=Nif5oz

Before the Bell 2024 has been scheduled for July 20th and 21st, 2024. Here is the first lineup of classes. We are excited to offer some of the same classes as last year plus new ones. This is not everything. Registration will be open soon. All FREE. Some great partnerships are to be announced soon.

03/22/2024

https://facebook.com/events/s/arkansas-fallen-firefighters-m/1044165613540173/

03/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/100064694980786/posts/797414505758375/?mibextid=Nif5oz
Just got my notice in the mail a few days ago. Friendly heads up for our members.

Members- You may have/will receive this invitation to put in for these AD&D benefits.

No, it’s not a scam.

You are more than welcome to take advantage of this. I just wanted to make you aware of a couple things:
- To get on the plan, they require you and your spouse to do a video chat with them.

- After you sign up, they will call you repeatedly, (Sometimes 3 times in a row) until you meet with them or tell them to stop. Even after you tell them to stop, they will still call for a while.

- I have asked them to not repeatedly call our members, and they did not honor my requests.

In summary- it’s a nice little additional benefit, but just wanted you to be aware of what happens if you sign up.

Matt
President, SFF

02/07/2024

We did not reach the enrollment needed to fund the Feb class from One Warrior and are having to cancel.
We do appreciate those who did enroll and apologize for any inconveniences caused. We'll be in contact in the next few days for refund/options.