The month of October 2014 will feature two incredibly significant and, hopefully, memorable events for the entire Department. The first of these two occurs on 10 October as the Department will assemble a 'Sea of Blue,' hundreds of firefighters and select apparatus, and march in a parade-like fashion through specific downtown streets toward the Fallen Firefighter Memorial service at Fire Station #1 at 611 Liberty Street. The service takes place at 11 AM with the preamble of the march scheduled to leave the Jacksonville Landing at 10 AM. The next event is a special retirement party for the iconic Medical Director of the Jacksonville Fire/Rescue Department for the past 32 years, Dr. Bob Kiely, which will launch at approximately 7 PM on Thursday, 16 October, in the courtyard of the Jacksonville Landing. Special presentations are on the 'docket' and a huge turnout is expected in order to properly honor one of the most cherished and beloved members to ever serve with, and for, the JFRD.

On Thursday, the 29th of October at approximately 11 AM in the 5400 block of Luella Street, units were dispatched to the report of a residential structure fire that was promptly confirmed by the first arriving with heavy smoke and flames visible. With the typical aggressive interior attack underway, the corresponding primary soon revealed unto that day's 'C'-Shift from Squad 12 an elderly female lying on the floor near the kitchen area, unable to get up. The crew quickly removed the woman from her deadly predicament and the fire was soon brought under control. Before being transported to Memorial Hospital in stable condition, she shared with on scene firefighters how she had been all alone at home cooking oatmeal when suddenly she noticed the fire - and went the wrong way to get out of the house. The Red Cross was subsequently called upon to render assistance for 2 adults and one child.