I received communication from Joe this morning in which he stated: "Quite a restless night last night and I will be taking a break today and be trying to sleep most of the day. Hopefully I will be able to visit in a couple of days."
I can tell you Joe is most appreciative of all the visits, calls and cards. Lets respect his wishes over the weekend and let him catch up. I can not imagine the true pain he must be in and I am certain he is being very cautious with the pain meds so the discomfort has probably caught up to him.
I will communicate to you all in the near future at Joe's request.
I received this note from Joe Cascio and he wanted me to pass it along to you.
My heart is filled with admiration and true respect for my fire family. This goes out not only to my brothers and sisters of Local 413, but to all the Rockford Fire Department employees, administration, recruits, family members of our own, friends and confidants. Without the quick and professional response of our trained personnel on scene, I could have received a very different outlook at life today. I will name a few heroes that helped me after my accident, but this does not even begin to start a list that would be as long as Ron Hill's career. If any one comes on scene to see Jody Bausic, Erica Nunez, Ron Schwartz, Chad Moe and Recruit Clapsaddle, pat them on the back and shake their hand. They were stupendous and caring in my treatment. I have many personnel phone calls I will be making the next few days to thank so many of you who provided Fire Watch, cooked, supplied emotional support for my lovely wife Paula and my children. I am a 51 year old male who many think of as strong and a jokster, but today I write to you with emotion and humbleness. This was and will be a life changing experience that will forever live with me. I will never be able to repay everyone who played a role in my treatment, transport, support, good will and continued healing process. But be rest assured, I will make it my life duty to thank you all in my daily life role. God Bless all of you.
Seeing the picutures of our members in the newspaper this last Sunday has caused the leadership to ask many questions.
Who took the pictures?
Why did they take the pictures?
Who directed them to take the pictures?
Are releases needed for our personal images to be utilized?
Does this have anything to do with the last rounds of the City photographing our members?
It is my understanding as told to me by two Rockford Register Star reporters that photographers were following the fire department as part of an ongoing assignment.
We are not so concerned that we are once again being followed around and photographed as we provide protection and care to the citizens of Rockford as we are concerned about the rights of the citizens.
Please make every attempt to identify if photographs are being taken and then take every step possible to adhere to HIPPA regulations and take all reasonable actions to protect the rights of any of our patients.
Thank you for the caring, compasionate and professional manner in which you conduct yourself as we serve the community.
By all reports Brother Cascio did well in surgery.
He will be spending a few days in ICU as he recovers after surgery.
His second night in the hospital was a bit rough. We have decided to create a fire watch which will equate to one firefighter being at the hospital 24 / 7 for at a minimum the next three to five days.
I have asked Will Pederson as Honor Guard commander to take the first shift which will be a bit extended, tonight midnight until 6 am.
It is understood that there will not be anything for us to do. But speaking from first hand experience, knowing someone is there makes family rest a little better in these trying times.
Please call me and tell me when you can Fire Watch for Joe and I will get the schedule going.
It can be for as long as you can help out. No set schedule.
Firefighters Local 413 welcomes the 16 new Rockford Fire Department recruits:
Ryan Baney, Timothy Brown, Jacob Clapsaddle, Matt Cordonnier, Gregory Donnelli, Stephen Franco, Jason Kelly, Travis Lingel, Trevor O'Keefe, Marcus Owens, Matthew Renfro, Adam Rhia, Travis Thompson, Jonathon Vance, Justin Windham and Matthew Zubrick.
Fire Watch
