Here's a wish for a Happy New Year to all, hoping that 2007 will be a safe and prosperous year for our citizens. As usual the new year will kick off with the grand activities of Fire-Rescue East, scheduled this month from Jan. 25 through Saturday, Jan. 27. An interesting opportunity for public safety professionals from throughout the state to network, attend seminars and training sessions as well as speak with manufacturers and vendors involved with some of the finest merchandise in the field of emergency response. Demonstrations and competitions add yet another exciting dimension to the overall proceedings, with the resulting outcome nothing short of a fun and informative time for all involved.

Congratulations go to our own Dr. Robert Kiely, Medical Director for the Jacksonville Fire/Rescue Department for over 25 years, who received a commission as a Lieutenant-Colonel with the United States Army Reserve in a ceremony held at Headquarters Wednesday, January 31st. Dr. Kiely will be assigned to the 3rd Medical Command in Atlanta, GA, and is expected to deploy to Iraq within the next few months. Our best wishes and godspeed to a truly great man and good friend to many of us.