SMOKE SIGNALS 4-14 - Hampton.gov

Smoke SignalsSmoke SignalsSmoke Signals A Publicaon of Hampton Division of Fire & Rescue

APRIL 2014

“““Citizens First Because We Care”Citizens First Because We Care”Citizens First Because We Care”

The calendar indicates spring is here, but the weather has not go�en the message. In a conscious effort to improve communica�ons,

both Deputy Chiefs and I are blocking off our schedules every Friday to conduct sta�on visits. To be honest, this is a breath of fresh air―ge#ng out of the office and back into the field interac�ng with all of the men and women who make up our great organiza�on. We’ve had some real-ly good conversa�ons and discussions related to sta�on improvements, rumor control, fiscal constraints, current and future ini�a�ves, and a lot of other topics. It takes me back to my sta�on days si#ng around the kitchen table talking about "fire department stuff." I know from a senior staff perspec�ve it has improved communica�ons, allowing us the opportunity to hear the needs of the personnel and sta�ons. If we don't know, we cannot fix it. One example would be sta�on furniture. Alt-hough we cannot wave a magic wand and replace the fur-niture in all of the sta�ons at once, we are making im-provements with limited funds. We have recently pur-chased new dining room chairs for all of the sta�ons (except Bethel Sta�on), and the kitchen area at the Train-ing Center. AC Brylewski and his staff have also been able to acquire replacement furniture for three fire sta�ons in FY14. This furniture should be delivered within the near future to Northampton, Briarfield, and Coliseum Central Sta�ons, and we will con�nue our efforts to ou8it addi-�onal sta�ons during the next budget year. The Strategic Planning Commi�ee has done a phenomenal job dra;ing a new Strategic Plan to guide us over the next three years. The final plan should be completed within the next 30 days, and represents the involvement of a diverse group of Division members. I look forward to signing the final document, which will require the implementa�on of several new commi�ees and many opportuni�es for every-one to get involved in "your department." Another group that has been very hard at work is the Awards Commi�ee. This commi�ee has put much �me and effort into revising the "Awards Program" to ensure those deserving individuals are properly recognized for their achievements and/or accomplishments. As a reminder, the

From the Fire Chief Award Ceremony will be held during the first or second week of June. The Commi�ee is scheduled to meet again near the end of this month, and that informa�on should be announced shortly a;er. While we con�nue to face another tough budget year, I applaud the efforts of the Community Risk Reduc�on Branch and EMS Branch in their efforts to improve our rev-enue collec�ons through fire inspec�on fees and permits and EMS transports. On another note, Assistant Chief Hanger is in the final stage of renewing the MED3000 con-tract, which will include the replacement of Panasonic Toughbooks MDTs on 14 transport units. These are just a few of the happenings going on in the Di-vision. There are a lot of other good things happening and all you have to do is look! I ask each of you to con�nue to review the staff minute notes, which will soon be in video format on Target Solu�ons, and talk with your Ba�alion Chief if further explana�on is required on a par�cular top-ic. Don’t forget everyone is invited to a�end the “Bringing Fire Dynamics Research to the Fireground Seminar” which will be held at the Hampton Roads Conven�on Center on May 6 & 7, 2014. Three sessions will be offered over the two day period and space is s�ll available, so sign up to-day. In closing, I want to thank each of you for all you do each and every day “to provide excellent service which exceeds customer expecta�ons.” Thanks again for all you do, and STAY SAFE!

IN THIS ISSUE

THE POWER AT YOUR FINGERTIPS │ CHF vs. COPD│ CAMP FURY FOR GIRLS

│ WHERE ARE THEY NOW? │ RED KNIGHTS CONFERENCE │ PRACTICE MAKES

PERFECT │ STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART │ DR. SEUSS LITERACY PROJECT

│ OVER A CENTURY OF SERVICE │ VALOR QUILT PRESENTATION │ VIRGINIA

FIRE & RESCUE CONFERENCE │ EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT │ VEHICLE ARSON―A

COMBUSTIBLE CRIME│ WHO’S YOUR BENEFICIARY?│ EMS-THE YEAR IN NUM-

BERS│ BIRTHDAYS

Fire Chief David E. Layman

The Power at Your Fingertips

With today’s technology, the world is literally at

your finger�ps. In a ma�er of seconds you can go

around the world with not so much as the click of

a mouse! Harness that power by pu#ng technol-

ogy to use in the best possible way.

Check the Division’s website on a regular basis.

Use it as a tool. Know what’s there and share it

with those whom you come into contact with on

a daily basis.

Though not every topic is covered, our website

contains valuable informa�on for you, and the

ci�zen alike. Did you know that our site,

www.hampton.gov/fire, provides links for infor-

ma�on on how to obtain a fire incident or ambu-

lance report, a form to request a public educa�on

or other type of presenta�on, detailed infor-

ma�on about our employment and volunteer op-

portuni�es, and more. Under the Preven�on area

of the site, there is even a link to a referral form

for the Juvenile Firese�ers Program. And, since

Division personnel no longer install child safety

seats, contact informa�on for the representa�ve in Hampton’s Health Department is provided under our FAQ

(frequently asked ques�ons) sec�on. Our staff contact informa�on is also available. If we are offering classes to the

general public, such as the Ci�zens Fire Academy, or Camp Fury, links for registra�on and addi�onal informa�on will

be available. The site also provides an avenue for ci�zens to provide input based on their contact with Division person-

nel. Suggest that they use it. Ci�zen input, whether posi�ve or nega�ve allows us to know what things we excel in,

and what areas require addi�onal a�en�on. Ci�zen input can drive us to enhance service delivery, helping us to be

the best we can be, and to truly, put our “ci�zens first.” So, encourage it. Our site is a powerful resource―recommend

it, and reduce the number of calls for informa�on that is readily available at your finger�ps.

Just off of the city’s main site at www.hampton.gov/employees, the latest informa�on on city news and events is

available. This page also contains a host of useful quick reference links to informa�on such as Microso; Office Train-

ing, Hampton Employees Credit Union, Netmail, iPay, and the Virginia Re�rement System. Why not bookmark the

page on your smart phone, tablet, or other personal electronic device to use ‘the power at your

finger�ps’ on a regular basis. Chances are that In the �me it takes to make a call and be connect-

ed with appropriate personnel, you could have resolved the issue on your own, allowing adminis-

tra�ve personnel to focus on more pressing ma�ers.

Below is also a list of frequently requested direct dial numbers, please make a note, or for ul�-

mate ease of use, save them to your contact list.

CHIEF TOPPING 727-6444 SHEILA WARD 728-2031 CHRIS GALLAGHER 727-6420

KERRI BARGER 727-6433 FINANCE 727-6230 HUMAN RES. 727-6407

CHF vs. COPD

Y ou are dispatched to a call involving an older

person with shortness of breath. You arrive to

find a 62 year old male in moderate respiratory

distress. He has a history of lung and heart problems.

Your exam reveals labored breathing with Sats of 88% on

room air. The lungs sound "junky," with perhaps some

elements of rales and wheezing. So what do you do

now?

Differen�a�ng between Conges�ve Heart Failure (CHF)

and Chronic Obstruc�ve Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in

the field can be a challenging task. But it is an important

differen�a�on, since the treatment of these two condi-

�ons is markedly different. Lasix or albuterol? Nitro or

Solumedrol?

I wanted to give you some �ps and tricks so that we can

arrive at the right diagnosis and ensure the right treat-

ment of the pa�ent.

Pa�ents with Chronic Obstruc�ve Pulmonary Disease

have difficulty exhaling all of the air in the lungs due to

lung damage (most com-

monly, but not always, due

to smoking). Air becomes

trapped in the lungs, limits

the amount of new air that

can be inhaled, and causes

shortness of breath. Con-

ges�ve Heart Failure is due

to a weakening of the

heart's ability to pump

blood, which ul�mately

results in fluid collec�ng in the lungs. This can be caused

by prior MI, hypertension, cardiomyopathy (problems

with the heart muscle itself), valve issues, and other dis-

ease processes.

The classic lung sounds of CHF are called rales―caused

by the passage of air through fluid-filled alveoli. Typically

these will be worse at the bases of the lungs when listen-

ing with the pa�ent si#ng up (because the fluid will tend

to pool in the bo�om of the lungs as a result of gravity).

COPD pa�ents typically will wheeze. Wheezing is an ex-

piratory sound caused by air being forced through nar-

rowed bronchi. However, breath sounds in and of them-

selves cannot reliably differen�ate the two condi�ons.

CHF pa�ents can wheeze. Pneumonia and pulmonary

fibrosis can produce rales. Some�mes pa�ents are moving so

li�le air that it is hard to hear anything at all. So while breath

sounds can be helpful, we can't ‘bet the farm’ on our pulmonary

assessment.

What other data will

help lead us to the right

diagnosis? Past history is

extremely helpful since

both of these disease

processes tend to recur

and exacerbate from

�me to �me. Home

medica�ons will also

help. Someone on mul�-

ple inhalers, steroids and a nebulizer machine almost certainly

has COPD. A pa�ent with a medicine box full of Lasix and nitrites

and digoxin likely suffers with chronic CHF.

Other assessment findings can help as well. A pa�ent with CHF

will o;en have JVD (disten�on of the neck veins) and pedal ede-

ma. The blood pressure is o;en quite high. They may complain

of orthopnea (SOB worsening with lying flat).

Weight gain may happen due to reten�on of fluid.

COPD pa�ents o;en are thin, have li�le edema,

and may have pursed-lip breathing. These pa�ents

may experience weight loss due to the increased

work of breathing. The expiratory phase of the

reparatory cycle may be prolonged, and they can

have an increased chest diameter. Both diseases

can cause cough. COPD pa�ents will o;en cough

up purulent (green or yellow) sputum, while CHF

pa�ents classically produce pink, frothy sputum.

Just to make things even harder, some pa�ents have both COPD

and CHF. How do you tell which process is the cause of their

symptoms today? That is really tough. If it is unclear which treat-

ment strategy to use on a par�cular pa�ent, I would advise ei-

ther contac�ng medical control, or star�ng treatment for both

en��es.

Yes, differen�a�ng CHF and COPD in the field can be challeng-

ing. They both present with similar complaints, and have many

of the same assessment findings. But, with a good history, a

thorough whole-body assessment, and evalua�on of the pa-

�ent's past history and home medica�on, we can make sure to

get the right treatment to our pa�ent.

This month’s guest article is from Dr. Christopher L. Baker, MD - Operational Medical Director for the City of Hampton

Emergency Medical Services.

The Girl Scout Council of the Colonial Coast, in partnership with Hampton Division of Fire & Rescue, will host Camp Fury this summer from

July 20 through July 25, 2014. Changes to this year’s program include making it a resident camp. Girls will spend the week at Camp Skimino, a 90 acre wooded area near

Williamsburg, Virginia. Each day for the dura�on of the camp, they will travel to Hampton Fire & Rescue for class. Regis-tra�on for the camp, open to girls in grades 6 through 12, is $375. Financial assistance is available.

The goal of the camp is to build teamwork, self-confidence, and respect while learning about the fire department. Girls will have the opportunity to experience firefigh�ng and emergency opera�ons techniques, and connect with women currently in the profession. Par�cipants will earn the Girl Scout Safety Award. The enthusias�c response to Camp Fury in Tucson, AZ, where it was started, led to the crea�on of Camp Fury in Yuma

with over a dozen girls in a�endance. Lieutenant Deneé Nichols and Medic Firefighter Jami Salvio introduced the pro-gram here in Hampton and have worked to coordinate it with the local Girl Scout Council. Camp registra�on and addi�onal informa�on is available online at www.gsccc.org; follow the eBiz link, and then the Ac�vi�es like to Camp Skimino Resident Camp - Week 5. If you have ques�ons, contact Medic Firefighter Jami Salvio [email protected], or 757.547.4405.

Camp Fury for Girls

Where Are They Now?

Former Medic Firefighter Charles Edward Hodges, known simply as “Eddie” to

friends and acquaintances alike, re�red from the Division in 1996, a;er having

served for a total of 22 years. These days, he can be found in Greeneville, TN, a

li�le be�er than 25 miles outside of Johnson City, where he grew up. He s�ll has

family in Johnson City and has plans to relocate there in the coming months.

Like so many others, Eddie came to the Hampton Roads Region by way of the

military. He was sta�oned at Langley Air Force Base. Following his separa�on

from the military, he joined Hampton Fire & Rescue.

From 2004 to 2007, he worked as a pharmacy technician there in Tennessee. He

has remained ac�ve in veteran’s causes, loves riding his motorcycle, and is a

member of Rolling Thunder’s Tennessee Chapter 4. While many members of

Rolling Thunder are veterans and ride motorcycles, neither is a requirement for

membership. Rolling Thunder is a non-profit organiza�on with over 90 chartered

chapters united in the cause to bring full accountability for

the Prisoners of War-Missing In Ac�on (POW/MIA) of all wars.

Eddie also enjoys a good homebrewed beer and has become somewhat of an

aficionado, brewing his own on occasion too.

This feature, “Where Are They Now?” was suggested by one of our retirees. It allows current and former members to

keep in touch even though they are miles apart and will appear from time to time in Smoke Signals. Looking great Eddie,

thanks for agreeing to be the guinea pig.

Ret’d. Medic Firefighter “Eddie” Hodges

The Red Knights Motorcycle Club, Virginia Chapter 6, will host the 10th Annual Dixie Conference on May 16-18

at the Virginia Beach Resort & Conference Center in Virginia Beach. Club membership is composed of ac�ve

and re�red firefighters dedicated to promo�ng motorcycle safety and the community of firefighters. This

Southern Region event will host chapters from Florida, to Delaware, and Louisiana. This year’s proceeds from

the Rally will be used to support Edmarc Hospice for Children. Part of Edmarc’s primary mission is to reduce

the disabling effects of pediatric illness, loss, and bereavement on families right here in Hampton Roads.

‘Practice Makes Perfect’

Personnel discuss and prac�ce vehicle stabiliza�on and ex-trica�on techniques at a local salvage yard in February. Prac�ce sessions such as these allow valuable opportuni�es

for crews to work together as a team and to get familiar with the tools of the trade. Firefigh�ng is definitely no ‘fair weather’ profession―on the day I visited the site it was snowing heavily at �mes and temperatures hovered near freezing.

Photos continued next page

‘Practice Makes Perfect’

Photos: Lynn Cherry-Miller

The training was led by Lt. Ray Garris, who

heads the Division’s Technical Rescue Team.


M/FF Thomas Rielly

Straight From the Heart

Mr. Richard Durham who works for a pain�ng contractor out of the Pungo area of Virginia Beach, was working at a

home on Dunham Massie Drive just off of Fox Hill Road in the Elizabeth Lakes sec�on of the city on March 17. Normally

work keeps him on the Southside, but on this day, they had a job in Hampton. He ignored the nagging chest pains that

began around 8 that morning and had to

take mul�ple rest breaks before coworkers

called 911 to have medics respond. He was

having a heart a�ack!

First on the scene was, Lt. Billy Payne, of

the Hampton Police Division; also a Volun-

teer EMT with our Buckroe Rescue Squad.

He had already begun CPR by the �me

medics arrived, and later the engine. Fol-

lowing admission he spent a couple of

days in the ICU before being moved to a

regular pa�ent room and ul�mately being

released from Sentara Careplex.

On this day, he returned to Hampton for a

doctor appointment, but almost as im-

portant to him, to thank the personnel re-

sponsible for saving his life―sincere, and

straight from the heart. He was very anx-

ious to meet and thank them; not that he credits them alone, he is a man of faith and says that it was part of God’s plan

that he is s�ll here. Yet, he knows that a ’thank you’ can go along way, and he was happy to stop by and spend some

�me with crewmembers. Mr. Durham first sent an email to the Chief expressing his thanks and apprecia�on, along with

the request to meet those responsible for his pre-

hospital care. With a li�le bit of digging, we were

able to honor his request. Volunteer EMT John

Whitenton of Buckroe Squad and Firefighter Mark

Jackson, Jr. of the Willow Oaks Sta�on were on the

medic that day, and Ac�ng Officer Michael Proctor,

Medic Firefighters Georgi Dimitrov and Ma�hew

Payne were on the engine. Mr. Durham, who’d

been a smoker for 30 years, says he’s had no crav-

ing for a cigare�e since. He knows that not every-

one gets to walk away from a heart a�ack.

Mr. Durham and fire personnel exchanged email

addresses so that he can keep in touch on occasion

to let them know of his progress. So far, results

have been good and he is looking forward to receiv-

ing a clean bill of health, thanks in large part to the

excellent pre-hospital care he received from Hamp-

ton Fire & Rescue.

Mr. Richard Durham visits with personnel at Willow Oaks Sta�on on Thursday, April 3, 2014. From le; to right: M/FF Ma�hew Payne, Mr. Durham, and Vol. EMT John Whitenton pose for a photo.

HPD Officer/Vol. EMT Billy Payne, M/FF Georgi Dimitrov, Mr. Durham,

and FF Mark Jackson, Jr. at Sentara Careplex.

Photo: M/FF Michael Proctor

Photo: Lynn Cherry-Miller

Dr. Seuss Literacy Project


Northampton Sta�on 6-C crew par�ci-

pated in Reading Fest, a Read Across

America event at Forrest Elementary

School, at the invita�on of Ms. Sybil

Gordon, Family Resource Center Spe-

cialist. The Family Engagement pro-

gram at Forrest Elementary School

works to prepare and support our stu-

dents, and their families, in academic

and social success by connec�ng

home, school and community.

Read Across America is a na�onal

reading celebra�on that takes place

annually on Dr. Seuss’s birthday.

During the week, educators are en-

couraged to plan special events such

as this one that bring members of the

community together with children and

books to share their love of reading.

The program is in its 17th year.

Above from le; to right are Medic

Firefighters Chad Bartlome and Chris-

topher Skutans, Firefighter Michael

Schmidt, Lieutenant Jeffrey Davis, and

Medic Firefighter Bryan Sears.

Le;: Medic Firefighter Bartlome enter-

tains ques�ons from students a;er his

reading of Pete the Cat.


April 2014 marks the 130th anniversary of the Hampton Volunteer Fire Company, the organiza�on to which the Division owes its roots. Pictured at the right in this 1909 photo are members of the West End Hose Company, they were organized in the west end of Hampton and accepted into full membership of the Department. William Daougherty served as the Company’s first Fire Chief beginning in 1884, the year it was established. The first fire piece of fire apparatus, a hand pump, was also purchased that year and is currently on display at the Hampton History Museum. Keith Selby is Hampton Com-pany’s current Fire Chief.

Over a Century of Service

Quilt of Valor Presentation

On March 1, 2014 Medic-Firefighter Joshua Beavers was awarded a quilt of valor, by Mr. and Mrs. Les Page, to com-

memorate his 12 years of service as a Cavalry Scout in the United States Army. Mrs. Elaine Page is the Region 9, Virginia coordinator for the Quilts of Valor Founda�on (QOVF). She explained that the

Quilts of Valor are s�tched with love, prayers and healing thoughts by women and men all over the country. Combat

troops who have been wounded or touched by war are awarded this tangible token of apprecia�on that unequivocally

says, “Thank you for your service, sacrifice, and valor.” These

war�me quilts are a tangible reminder of America’s apprecia-

�on and gra�tude. Since 2003, the QOVF has become a na-

�onal grassroots community service effort, connec�ng the

home-front with our wounded combat warriors and veter-

ans. As of March 1, 2014, there have been over 97,000 quilts

awarded to service members/veterans. Blue Star mom Catherine Roberts, began the Quilts of Valor

Founda�on (QOVF) from her sewing room in Seaford, Dela-

ware. Her son Nathanael’s year-long deployment to Iraq pro-

vided the ini�al inspira�on, and her desire to see that return-

ing warriors were welcomed home with the love and gra�-

tude they deserved, provided the rest. Joshua served a total of 39 months in combat in Kosovo, Iraq,

and Afghanistan during his enlistment. Cavalry Scouts locate,

iden�fy, and provide surveillance of enemy posi�ons. Medic

Firefighter Beavers began his career with the Hampton Division of Fire Rescue in August 2011, and currently serves as a

Paramedic at the Coliseum Central Sta�on on B-shi;. Josh was nominated for the quilt by his wife Melisa, The on-duty presenta�on ceremony was a�ended by family mem-

bers and crew. If you would like to nominate a deserving veteran, the organiza�on can be contacted at www.QOVF.org.

Submitted by: Lt. Joseph Brown

The Virginia Fire Chiefs Associa�on board members pictured above were sworn in during the opening session of this year’s Virginia Fire Rescue Conference held in February in Virginia Beach, VA. Fire Chief Dave Hoback of Roanoke County Fire-EMS is the VFCA president (back

row fourth from le;. Among the board members are Fire Chief David Lay-man, who is first vice presi-dent, and Lieutenant Char-lie Kempton, who is Presi-dent of the Company Offic-ers Sec�on.

The Conference was for-merly, the Mid-Atlan�c Expo & Symposium. Along with the name change, the new logo above was creat-ed.

Photo: Susan Rueger

Employee Spotlight

Edward VanEs, Sr. is an

18-year veteran of the

Division. He sums up his

life pretty quickly; single,

father of three.

Born in Okinawa, Japan,

he moved to the Hampton Roads

area around age 3 with his mom, dad,

and 3 siblings; 2 brothers and one sister, as a

result of the military.

As a kid, he wanted to play football. When

that didn’t work out, he decided he would ei-

ther become a Marine or work for Newport

News Shipyard. The Shipyard called first and

Eddie attended its Apprentice School and was

working as a Journeyman Shipfitter when he got laid

off. A brief stint at Food Lion was his next stop before

joining the Division. He came to the Division at the

urging of then Firefighter Tony Brylewski who was

volunteering with Buckroe Company and seemed to

enjoy the work.

Eddie is definitely laid back and easy going. At this

point in his career, he doesn’t sweat the small stuff,

or maybe any stuff at all. He turns 50 this month and

thinks more about retirement and spending time

with his grandkids now. He loves helping his kids out,

two of whom are Division members; son Eddie Jr.,

and daughter Erica. Personally, they are his proudest

accomplishment and he hopes they will continue to

do well in the Division. He says that Erica is good fit

for the Division; and the fact that his son chose this

profession seemed to make him especially proud.

They all seem to have much more in common now,

partly because they’re all doing the same thing―they

understand what’s involved in his day’s work. He says

they have a better knack for things and don’t have to

work quite as hard at it as he did to get to the same

point, whether it is inadvertently because of his being

in the fire service for so long, or whether it is just the

way they’re wired.

Eddie enjoys reading books, not SOPs or textbooks.

Textbooks are not his strong suit. Perhaps that’s why

becoming a medic was tough for him, and therefore,

his proudest accomplishment professionally. He says

firefighting came more naturally.

As for the challenges of the fire service, he sees technol-

ogy as one that will always keep us behind the eight ball

so to speak. Not that we are doing a good job at keeping

pace, but that it will always be a moving target. And,

considering where we started and where we are now, not

just with computers, but looking at the newer types of

construction that burn faster and release more danger-

ous fumes. Things are built better, but fires in that better

construction may be more difficult to fight.

In Eddie’s 18 years here, he’s been to almost every sta-

tion at least for a little while. He says he’s never worked

anywhere he didn’t like, though initially each time he

didn’t want to make the change. Even with the changes

in Chiefs that he’s experienced, he says, it’s still a great

job and he has no complaints; they’ve all worked to do

what’s best for the Division. And, so does Eddie―he’s

encouraged quite a few candidates to apply over the

years.

Eddie’s mom and sister call Georgia home now, but his

brothers are here and he still enjoys the area. He can eas-

ily see himself building a home in the area in his retire-

ment and sharing it with longtime girlfriend, M/FF Kate

Messier. He’s a bit of an ‘earth soul’ and also imagines

growing veggies in his own garden, maybe even raising

some chickens, and doing a little hunting. He used to be

an avid surfer too, but these days is resigned to his Ford

truck and an occasional motorcycle ride.

Lynn Cherry-Miller

Fire Chief’s Office

Vehicle Arson―A Combustible Crime

Who’s Your Beneficiary?

In short, a beneficiary is eligible to receive benefits from a trust, will, or life insurance policy upon your death. They are

either named specifically in these documents or they have met the s�pula�ons that make them eligible for whatever

distribu�on is specified.

If you’ve been a city employee for any appreciable amount of �me, you may not remember who you selected as a ben-

eficiary for your insurance; and if you chose a different beneficiary for each insurance or account, it might be even

harder to keep up with. Your life insurance, Virginia Re�rement System (VRS) Account, and your deferred compensa-

�on account, if you have that op�on, all require you to choose beneficiaries.

If you’ve had a change in marital status, did you remember to change the beneficiary, if needed, on each account. And,

if you’ve named mul�ple beneficiaries whom you wish to protect in the event that your death would create an undue

hardship, have their circumstances changed? Do you need to think about re-ordering those beneficiaries? Ul�mately,

the selec�on of a beneficiary is a very personal decision, o;en based on several factors, but it is also one with far

reaching consequences. If you need to make a beneficiary change, or just want to verify who you selected as benefi-

ciaries, Kristen May in the Finance Department can assist. She can be reached at 727-6613.

From 2008-2010, 14 percent of all

fires were vehicle fires. Of these

fires, 7 percent were inten�onally

set. Na�onal Arson Awareness

Week is May 4-10, 2014 with the

theme above which focuses on ve-

hicle arson. The goal of Arson

Awareness Week is to raise aware-

ness of arson and provide individu-

als with strategies to combat ar-

son in their community.

Se#ng unwanted vehicles on fire

for insurance payouts ranks among

the most common automobile in-

surance crimes year a;er year. Ex-

pensive, gas-guzzling SUVs are es-

pecially popular vehicles to try and unload. Typically, the drivers have fallen on hard �mes. They view insurance arson

as the �cket to escaping high monthly payments and gas prices that they can’t afford.

In addi�on to the higher insurance premiums passed on to innocent customers, the responding firefighters are exposed

to increased dangers from the deadly mixture of fuel and fire. Last year Hampton fire inves�gators responded to 6 ve-

hicle arsons or suspected vehicle arsons.

Tips to protect your vehicle from arson include: parking in well-lit areas, using secured parking lots if you must park for

extended periods, never leave valuables in view, close and lock all doors, windows, and trunk or tailgate, remove key

from igni�on, use an�-the; devices, and report all abandoned vehicles to police.

Source: U.S. Fire Administration

April BirthdaysApril BirthdaysApril BirthdaysApril Birthdays

SMOKE SIGNALS IS PUBLISHED

February • April • June • August • October • December

DEADLINES

The 15th of January March May July September and

November

Submit Information, Suggestions, Questions to:

Lynn, [email protected] LCM 10/31/12

May BirthdaysMay BirthdaysMay BirthdaysMay Birthdays

NICELY, JEREMY A.

DEMPSEY, KEVIN O.

GRAHAM, JASON D.

HARDIN, TY C.

LUCAS, THOMAS J.

THORNBURG, KAREN F.

VEACH, TRAVIS M.

MARSHALL, CHRISTOPHER B.

BELL, JEFFREY S.

VAN ES, JR, EDWARD A.

BANTON, CHRISTOPHER T.

PEREIRA, JEFFREY W.

JOHNSON, KEVIN L.

SEELY, JASON R.

BARILLA, MICHAEL J.

PRICE,R ANDALL S.

BURCH, PATRICK B.

DOGGETTE, SCOTT M.

KING, BRAD M.

LOPEZ, ROBERT

MORELOS, JOSEPH N.

PETERS, DAVID A.

SALVIO, JAMI S.

KOVACH, BRIAN R.

ROGERS, WESLEY A.

CROCKETT, EMMETT C.

SEYLLER, STEPHEN A.

TOPPING, JR, JOHN D.

WALLACE, JAMES B.

FARINHOLT, JR, ROBERT C.

SIBERT, AMANDA D.

EARHART, BRIAN A.

VAN ES, EDWARD A.

CARPENTER, JOSHUA B.

ORTHMAN, WILLIAM S.

LOWE, CHRISTOPHER D.

BARGER, KERRI D.

BIRDSONG, MICHAEL M.

DAVIS, DOUGLAS L.

DAVIS, ROBIN L.

HUDSON, WILLIAM A.

PERSONS, CHRISTOPHER L.

KNICK, ERIC B.

MICHAUD, DANIEL K.

ALLEN, BRYAN M.

FLORA, WALTER S.

JOHNSON, JR, ALPHONSO

REAVIS, CHARLES C.

SHEPHERD, BRANDON M.

CRAWFORD, JASON R.

DEON, MICHAEL D.

MERCER, CHEERIE E.

DOUGHERTY, BRAD J.

JOHNSON, VERONICA D.

SMITH, ANTHONY R.

BROWN, JOSEPH E.

MERIAN, NATHANIEL A.

MESSIER, KATHERINE M.

SMOKE SIGNALS 4-14 - Hampton.gov

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