A Great Day For The Costa Mesa Fire Department!

GREAT WAY TO START A DAY!
This morning I attended an event that was a terrific way to begin the day and end the week.  The Costa Mesa Fire Department held a ceremony in City Council Chambers to officially pin the badges on four new members of the command staff and it was a glorious event.

GOOD TURNOUT
More than 100 residents, friends, family members, retirees, city staff members and visiting members of other public safety organizations all gathered to see four very deserving men receive their badges.

THE COLORS AND THE TRUMPETEER
Battalion Chief Kevin Diamond led things off by introducing recently-retired Deputy Fire Chief (and man of many hats) Fred Seguin, then introduced the Costa Mesa Honor Guard, who presented the colors.  Following the Pledge of Allegiance new badge recipient, now-Captain Fred McDowell joined them and played the national anthem on his trumpet - a VERY special moment.

DIVINE GUIDANCE
Pastors Mike Decker and Ric Olsen provided a double-barrelled invocation.

THE CHIEF AND THE VIDEO
Chief Dan Stefano introduced the individual recipients, then introduced a very special video presentation about the Costa Mesa Fire Department.

Then, one-by-one, the recipients were introduced by a Battalion Chief.

CAPTAIN TAYLOR VOSS
Battalion Chief Bill Kershaw introduced Captain Taylor Voss, providing a brief biographical summary before his wife affixed his badge to his chest.  Voss then spoke a few brief words of gratitude to those who helped him get this far.

CAPTAIN STEVEN AIREY
Next up was new Captain Steven Airey, introduced by Chief Diamond.  He had his badge affixed by his wife and also spoke a few words.

CAPTAIN FRED MCDOWELL
Next was Captain Fred McDowell, introduced by Battalion Chief Tim Vasin.  His wife affixed his pin and Fred also spoke briefly.

DIVISION CHIEF JASON PYLE
Finally, last but certainly not least, was new Division Chief Jason Pyle.  Chief Stefano made this presentation personally Pyle's wife affixed his badge spoke a few words.

THE SWEARING-IN
Stefano was about to release the crowd for photos when he was reminded that the most important part was yet to come - the actual swearing-in of these new members of the command staff.  So, City Clerk Brenda Green stepped up and issued the oath of office to the four men and the ceremony was complete.  All that was left was photos and congratulations all around.

BOY, ARE WE LUCKY!
We are indeed lucky to have such high-quality men from which to choose for important command positions in the Costa Mesa Fire Department.  Stefano made that point very clear, and expressed deep gratitude to the City Council members present - Mayor Steve Mensinger and councilwomen Sandra Genis and Katrina Foley, and to his boss, Chief Executive Officer Tom Hatch and his staff.

9-11 RESCUE TRUCK
Another high point was the presence of the traveling 9-11 Rescue truck, which tours the country for special events like this one.  It was in the parking lot and available for tours.

KUDOS TO ALL
Congratulation to each of these four outstanding leaders for this most recent step for them, and to their families for the sacrifices they make, too.  Kudos to Chief Stefano for his leadership and thanks to all who participated in putting this wonderful event together, especially Brenda Emerick, the CMFD's version of the Energizer Bunny.  And thanks to all who attended...

Kudos To CMTV And A Video Fireworks Reminder

KICK BACK AND WATCH
Its "Video Time" here at A Bubbling Cauldron.  Time to remind you of some events and issues using video tools.

MORE RECOGNITION FOR CMTV
First off, the City of Costa Mesa announced recently, HERE, that Costa Mesa Television (CMTV) has, once again, been the recipient of some significant awards for the work that Dane Bora and Brad Long have done recently.

MORE THAN JUST MEETINGS...
In addition to regularly producing video records of important city meetings - City Council, Planning and Parks and Recreation Meetings - live and on streaming video, they also produce the Costa Mesa Minute and taped versions of Study Sessions and other special meetings and events where live television is not possible, like the Snoopy House celebration and many youth sports events.

MANY MORE COMING UP THIS YEAR
This year, for example, I expect they will provide a video record of Candidate Forums as we enter the run-up to the November elections.  And, they also do public interest/public service videos, too.

A HOME TOWN FAVORITE
One of my favorites of their recent productions is the lip-dub version of "Costa Mesa My Sweet Home" by local song writer/singer Dan Krikorian.  Look for familiar faces as you sing along...

 

MORE FUN STUFF
And, click HERE for their most recent Community Report, twenty-nine minutes of information and fun.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM BOTH

Kudos to Dane and Brad for their continuing excellence and for enhancing the ability for us to stay informed on important community events.

*****

PUBLIC SAFETY REMINDER
Before we leave the video kudos, here's another bit of their handiwork.  Brenda Emrick and Kelly Vucinc provide us with some handy tips to remember this Independence Day holiday.  Ladies...