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Seniors pitch in to help
By Steven Mihailovich | steven.mihailovich@tlnews.net
Escondido Fire Capt. Chip Cheney chats with volunteers Tom Leonard and Bob Schulken as they restock the Incident Support Unit van. The van provides material support for firefighters at the scene of a fire.
Senior volunteer orientation
WHO Escondido Fire Department
WHERE Fire Station No. 5, 2319 Felicita Road, Escondido
Leonard and Schulken are two of the 15-member Senior Volunteer Program, established by the Escondido Fire Department one year ago.
Leonard begins listing some of the dignitaries he’s met as a senior volunteer, including former football pro Jerry Robinson, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and President George Bush.
“The president has a firm handshake,” Schulken said.
“It’s what he does for a living,” Cheney replies.
The levity masks the importance of the senior volunteers. The group, whose members range in age from 56 to 81, logged 5,300 hours with the department during 2007.
What do they do? Volunteers are dispatched to fires to bring equipment such as generators, external lights and fresh air canisters, as well as chairs, drinks for rehydration, fans, ice towels and other items to assist firefighters, Leonard said.
When there isn’t a fire or emergency, the volunteers run errands, Leonard said. They include delivering mail between stations, picking up emergency equipment that’s been left at hospitals, testing and replacing smoke detectors for homeowners and giving engine drivers rides to and from the maintenance and repair shop in Ontario.
“For the fire department, even without volunteers, we get the job done,” Cheney said. “But having the ability to get volunteers to do the day-to-day responsibilities frees up firefighters for suppression work. Before these guys, it was catch as catch can. Now we have them at every incident. It’s just a godsend.”
Perhaps most pleasing to the city and its taxpayers is that the service is almost cost-free. The annual budget for the program is $5,000, most of which pays for volunteers’ uniforms, Cheney said.

todayslocalnews.com

In front of a vocal crowd of 13,831, Melbourne skipped away to an early lead and was never genuinely threatened, running in five tries to two.
Winger Anthony Quinn grabbed a hat-trick of tries, including two in the final 15 minutes to stave off any thoughts Brisbane fans had of a late fightback after David Stagg had scored midway through the second half to get the Broncos back within two converted tries.
However, fullback Billy Slater was the standout player for his team, setting up Quinn for the first try and proving a constant threat, whether carrying the ball back or simply trailing his big forwards around the ruck.
After the match Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said a Test jumper would be a fitting reward for Slater’s early season form.
"As I have said before, I wouldn’t swap Billy for any fullback in the competition. And that is not to denigrate any of the other fullbacks. There are a lot of great fullbacks," Bellamy said.
"It’s great he’s being mentioned but then you’d be surprised if he wasn’t with the way he is playing."
Captain Cameron Smith was also impressive, although there were few bad performances from the home side. Melbourne’s display was a stark reminder to Wayne Bennett’s young team and the rest of the competition that despite consecutive losses to the Sharks and Roosters it was not ready to give up its status as the game’s benchmark.
Unfortunately much of the talk in the wash-up is certain to focus on the tackle by Blair in the 53rd minute. He was consequently placed on report by referee Jared Maxwell.
A week of headlines and controversy about the new tactic being used by Melbourne players seemingly had little effect on Blair, who locked and twisted Ennis’s arm awkwardly. He is facing a stint on the sidelines.

theaustralian.news.com.au

THE real Robinson Crusoe will be brought to life on board HMS Gannet at the Historic Dockyard, Chatham, over the half term holiday.
Story sessions on the Victorian sloop will tell the tale of Alexander Selkirk, the castaway on whom the Robinson Crusoe legend was based.
It’s one of a range of activities for children, including a family fun trail, colouring, and a brass rubbing trail.
Visitors can also join a ropery tour, learning how traditional rope is made and how it was used by Nelson’s navy.
The activities take place every day until Sunday, February 24, and are included in the normal admission price.

kentonline.co.uk