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Sign up for Thursday’s 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb

All of that in the headline can only mean one thing, a trip to the homeland for Dave. Hope you are joining us in Baltimore this year for Firehouse Expo. Below is a list of some of the places where you are likely to see me (it’s also helpful for those who want to avoid me).

NFFF 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb: The climb is on Thursday this year. Make sure you sign up here. Last year you made a big difference by helping to directly fund some important FDNY programs. The video above is from last year’s climb in Baltimore. I will be cheering you on. One of those climbing is my friend Walter Patterson, from Grove City, Pennsylvania. This is Walter’s sixth climb! He will do number seven in Philly in September. Also, while at Firehouse Expo stop by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation booth (2504).

Bad news Dave: On Wednesday morning I will be talking about how to handle the bad news at the Chief’s Leadership Forum. Should be an interesting discussion. Click here for more.

The real newsman is at the MN8-Foxfire booth this year: Make sure you stop by Booth 123 to talk with and see the great products our sponsor Zach Green at MN8-Foxfire has for you. Trust me, it’s good stuff. There you will also meet one of the top fire journalists of our time, Captain Willie Wines Jr. Willie will be signing autographs as he comes off a couple outstanding weeks of both finding and making news. The Huffington Post recently picked up the story that Willie uncovered about the former movie star who is now volunteering at a Roanoke area rescue squad. Also, Willie was in the news at home, not only for his scoop but for getting threatened by a now former Virginia fire chief (this is no joke, click here). This was all over some of Willie’s IronFiremen.com columns. That chief was arrested and then resigned. By the way, the kid with the earpiece who will be running around Booth 123 is the head of Willie’s security detail (read more here … I didn’t even know this guy still had a blog?). If you are trying to hide guys, one bit of advice. Make sure you take off all of Zach’s products first. It will give you away in the dark.

One of our two little guys will not be at Booth 743 this year. We are happy though that the one with the personality in the yellow outfit is staying. A Mike Legeros photo.

We’ve already found replacements for Willie & Rhett at the Geezer booth: Meanhile at Booth #743 with Firegeezer Bill Schumm, life goes on without the joy boys from Roanoke. We are happy that Fireboy, now 17, has found gainful employment through his Uncle Willie. Though we will miss little Rhett, we wasted little time finding his replacement (clearly we are not missing him that much). Joining us is Helge “Call me Hagar” Nordtveit, a fire captain from Cranford, New Jersey. Hagar is helping spread the gospel of my friend Frank Field and Frank’s great fire prevention and safety video for middle schoolers, Fire Is!. Also, once again this year firefighter and author Will Wyatt from Texas will be at the booth. I’ve told you before, make sure you read his book And A Paycheck, Too. It’s quite funny (as is Will in person). When you come by the booth I am going to quiz you on whether you’ve read it (you need to know on what page STATter911.com is mentioned). If you fail, we will expect you to buy the book on the spot. Come buy Booth #743, there is almost always a good conversation going on. And we can talk like adults now that you know who is gone. I will say with the teen not there, the average age will go way up (not to mention the IQ) and it really will be the Geezer booth.

FOOLS Baltimore Brotherhood Bash: Starts at 3:00 on Thursday at Powerplant Live!  Hosted by the Central Maryland and Northern Virginia FOOLS, this event raises money for the Metropolitan Firefighters Burn Fund ! Sign up your team for the Cornhole Tournament that starts at 3! Beer cups for sale $10 at the FOOLS table ay Expo, $15 at the gate! There will be a Dunk Tank, and a Bull Riding Competition!!!! Click here.

Fully Involved Comedy Tour: I am hoping to be able to juggle things so I can see one of the two shows Thursday night with comedian Ralphie May at the Sheraton. The proceeds benefit the NYC Bravest Scholarship Fund, Feal Good Foundation, Terry Farrell Fund and the 9/11 Patch Project Fund. The opening act is escape artist Spencer Horsman. Click here for the details.

Do you want to sell a rig? Click HERE to find out how with SellFireTrucks.com.