Golden Gate Bridge. It just turned 70 years old a few years ago. Probably one of the most recognized landmarks on Hwy 101 maybe even the world. It actually is the number one place to jump from in the world, in case you didn't know. Yes one person every 2 weeks take the plunge.Over 1500 so far. Of these only 26 people lived so about 2%. One fellow in 1979 jumped off, swam to shore, then drove himself to hospital. Actually during construction they had a net to catch workers that fell. Nineteen workers were saved by the net and were entered into the "halfway to hell club" Unfortunately 11 missed the net altogether.
We will be cycling over this bridge with members of the San Francisco Police Department. They serve the City of 1.2 million people. It will be an honor to ride with their members. We will be posting all the pictures here on the blog and hopefully have a media event in the city to mark our arrival. Looking forward to seeing City of Vancouver's old Fireboat that San Francisco bought after it was sold by the city, for smaller faster response boats. It served the Firefighters well for pumping during the last earthquake.
A Firefighters nightmare, oil rig fires on the ocean. Red Adair was known to be the top oil rig firefighter in the world before his death in 2004. After he returned from duty as a bomb disposal expert in WW2, he started fighting oil rig fires. He fought oil rig fires in Kuwait when they were set on fire by retreating forces. He was 75 at the time!First step on land based rig fires is to discharge a high explosive devise to consume the atmospheric oxygen and snuff the flame at the wellhead .Then crews would have to get in close enough to cap the source in the center of the rig. This is a very dangerous step as any spark reignites the leak and explosions or re ignitions occur. The heat and pressure of the uncontrolled release of oil is like a volcano. There is really no way to extinguish these volumes of burning oil with water as you see in this picture.
This fire after killing 11 workers, burned for 36 hours. The rig finally sank still pumping out oil, it was never extinguished until then. The oil leak now is said to be the size of the Exxon Valdez disaster. Another need for specialty crews like Red Adair for drill rigs and Urban Rescue teams for earthquakes to respond and help in incidents of this magnitude, and to minimize loss of life and the environmental the impact.
You may see Firefighters occasionally at the malls holding out a boot. This is an annual fundraising drive for muscular dystrophy. Last year we raised over $35,000 in Burnaby alone on one weekend. Most BC Fire Departments are involved in many aspects of local, regional and even international fundraising efforts. The Cops have the annual Cops for Cancer cycle now each year they do a great job raising funds on their ride. Last year in BC they raised 3.1 Million for children with cancer
Firefighters are involved in , 24 hour relay, muscular dystrophy,, the burn fund (the calendar proceeds go to the burn fund) bright lights in Stanley Park Christmas train (average of $300,000 per year in firefighters donations) plus many more. As you may have read below on urban rescue articles many emergency service personnel are also involved in world relief efforts, from keeping the peace, to recovering trapped earthquake victims. We all do this because we joined our occupations to help people and enjoy doing it. But we sometimes count on your support and generosity could not achieve this. Thank you for your support and donations in our efforts.
Training rides with 20 kg worth of gear are good leg workouts. In Europe I had 30 kg worth of gear but have cut it down for this ride as many more hills, and winds will be encountered. The predominant winds bow north to south so that should help but the hills never change. At least after climbing a hill theres usually a rewarding downhill after. Headwinds are usually relentless. Mr Harper was nice enough to send a letter of support. That goes a long way in fundraising and verification of the ride. I also promised to help the Pancreatic Society in Los Angeles that contacted me.They are in dire need of funds. Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, maybe some research funding can help with this. Still hope to hear from some readers on suggestions of fundraisers, drivers I need for sections in a support RV I may have a sponsorship for, that have friends along the pacific coast we could maybe camp in their backyard , grandmothers that cook a great stew ,suggestions etc.
Thank you all for your support and reading my blog. I hope It will start to get really interesting from here on.
This pictures needs no words.
Mark, fellow Firefighter from our Department his rescue dog in Haiti.. His dog can detect by smell trapped survivors. The dog can determine even if the person is alive or dead. Then delicate sound sensors determine the exact location. A webcam is then dropped in a drilled hole to view the location before extraction. Very dangerous and difficult work with risk of collapse with further aftershocks. He just returned home safely. He told me it was absolute devastation.
Fundraising for equipment is an ongoing expense for this team. Any ideas for fundraising are appreciated.
Brother Firefighter Mark Pullen and the Urban rescue team just returned from Haiti after working some 24 hour shifts.
They extricated many trapped people with their dog teams. They have been on several disasters including New Orleans recently and commented this was the worst they had ever seen.
Brother Firefighter Mark Pullen from our Department headed to Haiti with his dog and Urban Rescue team to search for survivors. This is very dangerous as the enter rubble that is unstable. Not only that the country is unstable as well.
Lets all think of him on this disaster relief
effort.
Currently the cycle route is 2000 miles. Through Washington State, Oregon Coast, California Coast. On to Mexico. Events in San Francisco and Los Angeles to be held to raise funds with fellow firefighters. Depart in August 2010.
Looking for volunteers to help with events in Vancouver. Please email for details .
Since my ride last year through Europe I wanted to update you on another exciting event as a result.
When in Budapest I met with the General of the Hungarian Fire Department, The Canadian Chamber President, and the Budapest Mayor at a fundraising event I had arranged. I explained how we use fitness in Canada (runs, cycles, walks) to raise funds and how Firefighters assist many times in these events helping to bring out many people. They really liked the idea we worked on it, and below is a result .
There were 4000 people and they raised $40000. The most exciting part is they also wore T-Shirts with Canadian Flags on them. I will send you pictures in the next email. Your donations helped make this happen. For a recent Eastern Bloc Country this is a BIG step. We can all be proud of this as it will be a yearly event in Budapest.
Thank You,
Rudy Pospisil
Hi Rudy,
I’m happy to say that the event was a great success. We don’t know how much money was raised just yet, or exactly how many people attended (still counting), but we think we may have hit somewhere close to 4000. I can only estimate unofficially that the turnout and sponsorship will translate to somewhere around CDN $40,000 raised!
In such difficult financial times, that’s great news! I’ll send some pictures when I get them. The National Disaster Management Office and the Fire Fighters Association both sponsored the event. We had the fire department band march into the ceremonies and a couple of the “big chiefs” showed up to lend their support. The fire fighters put up the registration tents and brought a couple of their fire trucks too.
We had a committed team of volunteers that demonstrated what a little effort can really accomplish.
Perhaps we could somehow figure out a way to get you to come to next year’s event? It would be great if we could somehow continue working together on this great cause and to continue to have a strong linkage to Canada too.
Warmest regards,
I have always thought one day of doing a trans global ride. But never had 18 months holidays!
I didnt know there were rules.
They are listed below:
Route Criteria
1 - Start and finish points must be the same location.
2 - The route must pass through two approximate antipodal points.
3 - The minimum distance ridden should be 28,970 km and the total distance traveled by the bicycle and rider should exceed an Equator’s length, I.e. more than 40,075 km.
4 - Cross the equator a minimum of two times.
5 - Cross all longitudes.
6 - The journey should be continuous and in one direction.
7 - Any considerable distance traveled opposite to the direction of the attempt must be discounted from any calculations of the overall distance traveled.
8 - A detailed photographic record of landmarks, boundary signs, etc., en route should be kept.
My
My goal with this segment to triple my Canadian donations.
The ride will also be Three Countries. Canada to Mexico via the west coast. Still three countries but longer and more hills than Europe. Most people speak English though is the positive part. More road travel is the negative part.
When you look at it on a map though it looks like its downhill from Vancouver to Mexico!
At this point Im looking for anyone with contacts or connections like Schwarzennegers email ?Or very famous celebrities that would help out with sponsorship and promotions.Dont most of us have a lot of friends like that. Celebrities in LA or San Francisco with large pools and hot tubs that would love to help out on their spare time? Or anyone else that would like to assist in any way in promoting fundraising etc. rudypospisil75@hotmail.com
Stay tuned.
Elizabeth Island is in Budapest, Hungary. It is an island in the middle of the Danube river. Its about about 6 km to walk around the island. It is where everyone goes especially on a Sunday to walk , jog, get some exericise. A the tiny one lane track that goes around the island is the only developed part. It is also the location for the annual Terry Fox Run and Run For Hope. They get around 10,000 people.
So can you imagine the Sun Run one a one lane track. It fills Burrard St. Even on a Sunday in Budapest runners can not do a proper run because a single lane does not work. The area beside the track is gravel and relatively suitable for walkers but it does not serve the purpose as our seawall does.
Since the Hungarian people seem to have taken a liking to the idea of fundraising. Liked my idea of riding the bike for their charity. I have been asked to help them raise funds to build a proper jogging/ walking/cycling shared track around the Island.
I am very happy to help but it wont be an easy task. First their civic government operates a little different, I would say stricter than ours.They were ruled by Communism not long ago. You dont just say " Hey we are going to raise money and build a great track the people of Hungary can use" Its a little more complicated than that. Plus I am here ,the track and Island and all the contacts are there.
How will I do it. Stay tuned.