Highway named for Air force Firefighter.

Michigan senate approves bill honoring Sen. Tom Casperson, Ben Lauren, and Don Riling

Senate Bill 921 now goes to the governor for signing.

LANSING, Mich. (WLUC) - The Senate on Friday finalized a bill sponsored by Sen. Ed McBroom that would rename the bridge on U.S. 2 that crosses the Escanaba River as the Senator Tom Casperson Memorial Bridge.

“Tom Casperson meant so much to so many people in the U.P. His passion for people and our way of life was amazing. His legislative accomplishments are literally unparalleled by any U.P. legislator and likely never will be surpassed,” said McBroom, R-Waucedah Township. “This memorial bridge offers a lasting tribute to him for all to see. It is special to him in many ways: Wells Township and Escanaba, his home communities; the route to the paper mill he drove for 30 years; a river he helped restore from a dangerous, 120+ year-old bridge; and a new bridge for which he helped secure the construction.”

The bill would also rename a portion of M-35 in Forsyth Township as the Ben Lauren and Don Riling Memorial Highway.

Forsyth Township Fire Department Capt. Benjamin Lauren, 23, of Gwinn, died in the line of duty while fighting a structure fire on March 13.

Don Riling was a professional firefighter with the U.S. Air Force and volunteer firefighter with the Forsyth Township Fire Department who died while fighting a house fire in the township on March 19, 1988.

“Ben Lauren and Don Riling were fearless public servants who lost their lives while helping to save others,” McBroom said. “Designating the Ben Lauren and Don Riling Memorial Highway along M-35 will help honor their sacrifice and ensure future generations are reminded of their selfless bravery. I thank everyone from Forsyth Township for their encouragement in getting this bill passed and I am hopeful it will become law soon.”

Senate Bill 921 now goes to the governor for signing.

https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2020/12/18/michigan-senate-approves-bill-honoring-sen-tom-casperson-ben-lauren-and-don-riling/

DOD Fire Store

Four Firefighters get Lifesaving Award

Story by Keith Hayes December 18, 2020 at 01:49PM Captain/Paramedic Robert Manz, Firefighter/Paramedic Kori Wymore, Firefighter Jason Shipe, and Firefighter Michael Hearons, were presented with the Department of Defense Lifesaving Award in a ceremony in front of Fire Station 401 aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California, December 4.

Staff Sgt. Cedric Murphy, 86th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Emergency Services Stays Strongman Ready

Photo By Airman 1st Class Manuel Zamora | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cedric Murphy, 86th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Emergency Services Crew Chief, performs a cross carry at Kokkola, Finland, Sept. 27, 2020. Murphy explains this was the last event that consisted of a big toss over bar, and an airplane tire pull. (Courtesy photo)

GERMANY

12.18.2020

Story by Airman 1st Class Manuel Zamora 

86th Airlift Wing/Public Affairs  

Part of mission readiness in the Air Force is staying fit, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this Air Force firefighter, not only is he trying to stay fit, he’s trying to stay competitively strong.

Staff Sgt. Cedric Murphy, 86th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Emergency Services crew chief, has been doing Strongman competitions for four years and recently placed 10th in his weight class for the Strongman Championship League in Finland.

“For me it shows what kind of mindset you have,” Murphy said. “You have to go above and beyond given the certain situation.”

Murphy explained how his personal goals and work-life are on the same path.

“The luxury of Strongman training carries over, especially for firefighting, given the fact that you have to carry bodies or hoses,” Murphy said. “Those things can be difficult and taxing.”

A Strongman competition normally consists of five events that require unconventional styles of lifting. This may include boulders, known as atlas stones, that can weigh up to 350 pounds and the vehicle pulls for 100 feet.

“Not everybody has to be lifting 700 pounds or anything like that, but in daily life, to have that mobility and stamina is good,” Murphy said. “It can be anything from putting groceries up to moving boxes, or just moving in general.”

Murphy’s dedication shows, as he has purchased equipment similar to what is used in competition for personal use, whether he is at home or in the fire station.

Murphy hopes that doing these competitions may bring more exposure to the activity and spark enough interest to make it an official sport for the military. There are already people from other military branches interested and it’s not uncommon to see other service members participating.

“Hopefully one day hosting a legit Strongman competition on base will lead to people having more interest to go to the gym, lift more weights and utilize these fantastic facilities the military offers,” Murphy said.

Kadomatsu/Wreath Exchange on CFAS

 

SASEBO, NAGASAKI, JAPAN

12.18.2020

Photo by Seaman Jasmine Ikusebiala 

Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo  

SASEBO, Japan (Dec. 18, 2020) – Sailors assigned to Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo conduct morning colors onboard CFAS Dec. 18, 2020. Morning and evening colors onboard CFAS are conducted daily by active duty watchstanders and Japanese employees from the security and fire departments. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jasmine Ikusebiala)

Class Alpha Fire DC Drill aboard McCain

 

PHILIPPINE SEA
12.12.2020
Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Markus Castaneda 
Destroyer Squadron 15  
 
Seaman Wayne Reid, from Miami, climbs up a ladder well to combat a simulated fire during a damage control training team drill aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56). McCain is assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda)

Lt. j.g. Sam Hooper, from Andrews, Texas, establishes communication with the central control station from a repair locker during a damage control training team drill aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56). McCain is assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda)

Lt. j.g. Nathaniel Rennard, from Asheville, N.C., waves a ‘Class Alpha’ fire flag to simulate a fire in the boatswain’s locker during a damage control training team drill aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56). McCain is assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda)