All Hands Working Charity - Reversing The Statistics

Teamwork and Brotherhood

jgordon — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 05:26:19 +0000

Join us for the launch of a partnership between two non profits that share a common goal. Help us raise funds to reduce 1st responder injuries and LODD’s. Meet and greet with members of the Philadelphia Flyers, Luke and Brayden Schenn, Philadelphia Flyers Head Trainer, Jimmy McCrossin ATC,CSCS,CES,PES and Philadelphia Flyers and Philadelphia Eagles Physician, Dr. Gary Dorshimer.

Surprise guests, silent auction items, and raffles will be available during the event. Guests will enjoy cocktail hour, followed by dinner. A presentation that features the innovative program and fitness platform created by The First Twenty will be featured.

Request for Articles!

jgordon — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 23:06:16 +0000

The All Hands Working Charity has begun the process of seeking article submissions for our magazine, Beyond the Fire. The content of our magazine is switching to a 1st Responder online/print magazine that will be published quarterly and will be available to be mailed to you as well as printed for every All Hands Working Charity Event. We are looking for articles in the areas of: PTSD, Substance Abuse, Close Calls, How to overcome a bad day at work, fitness routines, recipes, how do you and your coworkers build camaraderie, training, and any other topic that may be of interest to first responders. We are in the process of expanding our charity to focus on all first responders so that we can provide a valuable resource to those in need. Please have patience with us as we update our website and work through the expansion process. Please submit your articles to [email protected]. Thank you and Be Safe!

First Responders Reverse the Statistics!

Brotherhood

jgordon — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 02:07:18 +0000

Let’s face it, the job of a first responder is not easy. You are not likely to find an incentive bonus for making a save and simply reporting to work is just not enough. You are expected to know everything and do it within seconds simply because a life may depend on it. You are told to never stop learning and always be a student of the job. Every year we lose first responders to untimely death, retirement, and in some situations they just walk away. Many of those lost are the leaders that take with them the knowledge that you or I may never have the fortunate ability to learn. Our superior officers have seen more and experienced things that we may never have the opportunity or want to experience. What should never be lost is that when one of our own is struggling and in need of assistance we stand together and fix the problem. The brotherhood has no flaws when it comes to supporting our own. Always remember that you have the ability to pass something on to a brother or sister that may not have your knowledge and experience. Always take the extra step to pay it forward. You may be in a position of need someday and should never be the one who turns your back. Who cares what you think of a brother and sister first responder as a person, does that matter? The only thing that matters is they have your back and you have theirs. If you don’t understand that then it may be time to find a new profession.

Today our brothers from the Keystone Coyotes Hockey Team and the Atlantic City Guns and Hoses Hockey Team stood side by side to help a brother in need. Not because it was required, but because they wanted to. Plain and simple. Get it?

Brotherhood

jgordon — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 03:41:49 +0000

What does the word “Brotherhood” mean to you as a firefighter? Do you think that the term is loosely used and the meaning has lost a bit of the power it once possessed? I joined the fire service as a volunteer in 1996 during a period of time when the department I served was transitioning from a mostly volunteer to mostly career department. Many of the firefighters that I joined ranks with moved on to serve as career members of the department. In the beginning a bond was quickly formed between my new family and I felt like I had known every single member for the entirety of my life. The interesting thing about the fire service is that as you fight fires and experience disasters of varying degrees you become closer and form a bond that cannot be known except to the select few that stand next to you when you are performing acts that most people will never have the ability to fathom. In the volunteer fire service the climate can change quickly as members move on and new members join, but the sanctity of the job remains the same. Career firefighters form a special bond among platoons, battalions, shifts, and countless other descriptive phrases. They experience the same change as members retire, move up the ranks, or transfer. The men and women who you work and sit next to on the rig change, but the simple fact remains that we are “brothers”. The problem comes to the surface when inevitably that one personality exists among the ranks that simply is not liked, or becomes the whipping posts for firehouse jokes. When change does not exist and the same members serve for years the climate remains the same and that person who is not liked has a certain way of fitting in and simply learns to dish it back as hard as it comes in. Let’s face it we just don’t see the same number of working fires, nor do we have the same amount of free time to spend with our fellow firefighters like we did when first joining. Everybody grows up and gets married, or has kids, and the weekly drills, meetings, and training become more of a chore than chance to bond. Member retention and budgetary needs become more important than getting to know each other and truly bond as firefighters. In my opinion the “brotherhood” still exists if you let it, but in many situations hatred and bullying may be starting to overrule. Let’s try to remember what the tradition of this job means and focus on bringing everybody into the fold and welcome them with open arms. That person who you may not like or take the time to understand could very well be the one that saves your life one day. Even worse, that person who is ignored could end up abusing controlled substances or worse committing suicide. Never forget to to give back to the fire service and protect your brothers and sisters. Take the time to ask questions and never leave a man or woman behind. Ignorance and unwillingness are not suitable excuses when you are lowering a casket into the ground simply because nobody thought to ask a few questions. Pass your knowledge on to new recruits and take the time to make them feel welcome into the greatest job on the Earth. Remember what it was like when you joined the fire service and how you had no clue what and where the tools were located on the truck. Remember that first time that heat pushed you to the floor in a dark hallway and that nagging feeling of panic pushed up through your throat telling you to get out. You had a brother next to you that made it possible to get through. Ask questions and get to know your family at the firehouse and let the “Brotherhood” survive!

Ebola and the Firefighter: All Hands Working Announces PPE Grant

jgordon — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 20:23:01 +0000

So you decided to be a firefighter. You went through countless hours of training to be a volunteer or you graduated from an academy to become a career firefighter. You are now Superman and Superwoman and you can defeat any enemy or obstacle that comes your way! You have been trained for countless hours on how to don your departments Class A and Class B Hazmat suits and you are trained as a Hazmat Technician who can enter the hot zone, right? Your department has access to plenty of suits to combat a chemical spill or a biohazard situation like Ebola right? Well let’s face it you are assigned to an engine company, a truck company, or a rescue right? You have received the necessary training to identify a hazard and alert a specialized team to respond right? How long will that specialized team take to arrive? What do you do while you are waiting for the specialized team to arrive? This is not to say that every first responder is not trained to handle situations involving hazardous materials, because we are. But the training stops at identifying and limiting exposure to the public. What about us?

The simple fact is our first responders are not even trained to put on Level A suits unless they are part of a specialized unit. Why? Well the simple fact is the suits are extremely expensive and most departments do not have them in inventory. In order to even put this suit on you must be trained on how to wear it. Why? The suit has limited visibility, its cumbersome, and the very thought of doing work with this suit on causes the wearer anxiety. When you have this suit on and enter a danger zone you cannot simply take the suit off if you become overheated or need a break. You must go through decontamination to even remove the suit. So what is a Level A suit? This suit is a suit that encapsulates the breathing apparatus or SCBA and all voids are sealed and double sealed. This is done to prevent airborne particulates, vapors, and chemicals. A Level B suit is one that is worn with the Breathing Apparatus on the outside of the suit and not worn for airborne or situations that involve vapors.

So what can be done? We exist as a charity to protect our first responders and prevent death/injury, and to reduce or eliminate mental health issues that affect them. We are going to be establishing a fund in which a department can submit for a grant to purchase much needed personal protective equipment, but we need your help! Please donate to All Hands Working and help us take action for our brothers and sisters!

Luke and Brayden Schenn Support Firefighters

jgordon — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 02:10:02 +0000

Luke and Brayden Schenn are a big part of All Hands Working. When you have a conversation with these guys you would have no idea they played a professional sport for a living. Sitting in the locker room having a conversation with them is strikingly similar to sitting on the front bumper of an apparatus. Why are these guys so comfortable supporting firefighters? The answer is actually quite simple, their dad is a firefighter. Jeff Schenn is on the job back in Saskatoon, CA. On Wednesday All Hands Working staff sat with Luke and Brayden to discuss the future of the charity and upcoming events. This conversation may have taken place in an NHL locker room, but the atmosphere was like table top training in the firehouse. We appreciate the fact that Luke and Brayden have committed themselves to All Hands Working and look forward to supporting as many firefighters as possible.

Keystone Coyotes Lose a Tough Game

jgordon — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 01:53:23 +0000

On October 12th the Keystone Coyotes played the Camden County Warriors in a battle of first responders. The game started off with the Warriors winning the battles along the boards as well as leading the shots on net battle. As the game progressed tempers flared a bit and the teams had a brief skirmish in front of the Warriors goal tender. Both teams exchanged heated words and fought hard in puck battles during the entire game, but at the end of the day we are all first responders and share a common bond. The Coyotes appreciated the competition and learned a bit about some potential weaknesses. Hockey is a tough and rough sport, but having the opportunity to bond as a team and face adversity on the ice can be a welcome escape from on the job issues. The Coyotes are willing to play any competitor and will only grow stronger as a team as we move forward. The key to our team is the fact that we are a charity team that raises money to support our brothers and sisters. The final score was Camden County Warriors 5 and Keystone Coyotes 2.

All Hands Working Charity Hockey Tournament

jgordon — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 00:16:17 +0000

The All Hands Working Charity will be hosting a first responder hockey tournament on August 7th, 8th, and 9th of 2015. The hockey tournament will feature teams from across the United States competing against one another to support All Hands Working and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The tournament will take place at Oaks Center Ice, in Oaks, PA and will run during the Keystone Firefighter Conference. Participants in the tournament will have the opportunity to take place in training and tour the conference without conflicting with the hockey schedule. If you would like more information on entering your team in the tournament please fill out the interest form and keep an eye on this site for further details. All Hands Working promotes firefighter health and wellness by hosting events that allow first responders to take part in activities that not only strengthen the bond of brotherhood, but allow for friendly competition.

David Boreanaz Supports All Hands Working

jgordon — Mon, 06 Oct 2014 00:26:19 +0000

Please Join David Boreanaz in his support of first responders through the All Hands Working Charity.

The All Hands Working Charity is holding a fundraiser to support the Philadelphia Fire Department on November 4th, 2014. This event will fund a grant that will provide firefighters with the fitness equipment they need to stay healthy and prevent injury. Line of Duty Deaths are overwhelmingly linked to events that involve firefighters suffering cardiac related incidents. As an organization All Hands Working is fortunate to have the support of professional athletes and celebrities alike. The overall mission remains the same and that is to provide grants and knowledge that will benefit the overall health of the first responder.

The event on November 4th will be held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia and features unique opportunities for fans of hockey to support first responders. Luke and Brayden Schenn of the Philadelphia Flyers have been supporting All Hands Working for a very personal reason. Their father Jeff is a firefighter back home in Canada so the opportunity to support a charity that supports first responders is a natural fit.

Chance to Win Premium Flyers/Devils/Rangers Tickets

jgordon — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 00:01:48 +0000

All Hands Working has announced an opportunity to win premium tickets to a Flyers, Devils, or Rangers game. You choose which game you would like to purchase a raffle ticket for. Raffle winners will receive 2 tickets to the game of their choice, a $50 gift card for food/beverage, and autographed memorabilia. Proceeds from the raffle will support an equipment grant for the Philadelphia Fire Department and the Good Will Fire Company in West Chester, PA. Please help support your first responders. Winners will be drawn at the conclusion of the raffle on 10/27/14 at 8pm