All fired up: Mississippi firefighters cook and reclaim history.After witnessing the courageous efforts of the New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of Fire Department on September 11, 2001, Americans have become more aware of what firefighters have always done for our communities. But the job of a fireman is not a constant battle with flames. In fact, Michael Bullock Michael Chad Bullock is an accomplished kickboxer who developed a record of 43-2. Living in Martensville, Saskatchewan, Canada. Bullock has remained retired but is still teaching students. , a firefighter emergency medical technician e·mer·gen·cy medical technician n. Abbr. EMT A person trained and certified to appraise and initiate the administration of emergency care for victims of trauma or acute illness before or during transportation of victims to a health care (EMT See Efficient markets theory. ) with the Ridgeland Fire Department, estimated that around 80 percent of his station's calls are medical- and rescue-related. Firefighters are essential to our communities, and Bullock's Ridgeland station, for example, responds to about six to eight calls a day, 2,500 a year. Much of their other time is spent on group training, physical exercises, and station and fire truck maintenance. But, as firemen work in shifts, they spend a great deal of time at their stations, and in their free time, some of the Mississippi firefighters have developed other talents as well. Almost every station has a designated cook--some have several--who keeps everyone well-fed. Lt. Jeff Pugh of the Flowood Fire Department cooks for his central station shift almost every night, and his Cornish game hen casserole is always a favorite, served with Capt. Johnnie Roland's family-recipe biscuits and peach cobbler. Of course, the men are always near the phone, and Jeff says they've left many suppers on the table in the line of duty In the Line of Duty may refer to:
lecture, speech rebuke, reprehension, reprimand, reproof, reproval - an act or expression of criticism and censure; "he had to him at the station and enjoying Jeff's cooking one evening, I discovered that the captain remembered making a call to my own home, very soon after we had moved, because of a small fire in our kitchen. The Vicksburg Fire Department The Vicksburg Fire Department is the fire department serving Vicksburg, Mississippi. The first fire company in Vicksburg was organized in April 1837, with a second, rival company organized two weeks later. Others followed, manned by volunteers. also has several men who love to cook, Vernon Wolfe and Wade Thomas Wade Thomas (1805 – 18 September 1875) was an English poet and dramatist. Thomas was born at Woodbridge, Suffolk. He early went to London, where he began to publish verse of considerable merit under the inspiration of Byron, Keats and especially Shelley. make special cornbreads, as well as dishes like chicken enchiladas and roast. In Vicksburg, most of the firefighters even spend their off time with coworkers, hunting, fishing, and taking vacations. Ridgeland Fire Station 2 is the home of several firemen with unique hobbies. Parked behind the station is the large red portable cooker of Lt. Johnny McKinnon Johnny McKinnon (born July 15 1902 in Guysborough, Nova Scotia - died February 21969) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 6 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Philadelphia Quakers. , also known as Fireman John, who has won many accolades for his cooking, including two first-place awards at Memphis in May Memphis in May is a month long festival held in Memphis, Tennessee. The festival itself is split into four main events: The Beale Street Music Festival, the kick-off event which showcases a mix of local and national music acts, International Week and a top prize al Ham Albert W. Ham (1925–2001) was an American composer and jingle writer. He was notable as the composer of the Move Closer to Your World music package used on WPVI-TV's Action News broadcasts in Philadelphia. Jam in Philadelphia. Fireman John even bottles and sells his famous barbecue seasoning. For competitions, Fireman John works on a team with fellow firefighters, family members, and friends Joey Daniels, Yancey Jayroe, Mike Douglas
Mike Douglas, born Michael Delaney Dowd, Jr. (August 11 1925 – August 11 2006), was an American entertainer. , and Steve Douglas. Chris Hayley, chef at the Parker House, has also given McKinnon cooking tips, he said, and the Parker House has sponsored his cooking at some of the events. Michael Bullock also cooks dishes such as Chicken and Sausage Alfredo and Powdered Sugar Rib-Eye Steak for the firemen on his shift at this station. Inside the Ridgeland Station 2 garage is a 1928 Boyer Special called "Deuce Eight" that firemen Mark Hardy Mark Hardy refers to:
However, this truck was very nearly lost before these three firemen began their restoration project. When the fire department stopped using the truck in 1975, it was left uncovered for about 15 years. It was eventually moved to a partial covering, where it remained until 1999. It is almost impossible to believe the truck's transformation from the earliest photographs that show the extent of the neglect: the back of the truck filled with debris, wood almost entirely rotted, and most of the metal hardware missing, taken as souvenirs. Almost every piece of the truck has an interesting history, documented by Hardy. The original headlights were changed at some point when the truck was in Gretna, but one of the Gretna fireman told Hardy that he had saved the headlights when the station was being cleaned out. A 1927 fire truck in the New Orleans New Orleans (ôr`lēənz –lənz, ôrlēnz`), city (2006 pop. 187,525), coextensive with Orleans parish, SE La., between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, 107 mi (172 km) by water from the river mouth; founded Fire Museum had needed some headlights, so these were put on display. Hardy checked with the museum and eventually traded another set of headlights for Deuce Eight's originals. They were in very good condition and were reattached to the truck after bong bong 1 n. A deep ringing sound, as of a bell. v. bonged, bong·ing, bongs v.tr. To cause to sound with a deep ringing noise. v.intr. away for more than 40 years. One of the obstacles the firemen dealt with was the project's financing, which was taken over by the city only fairly recently. In the beginning, the men spent their own money and raised money any way they could, from having garage sales to taking the engine to the fair to placing a handpainted sign outside the station asking for donations. Fireman John even cooked his pork roast to raise money. Finally, after the team drove the engine down to City Hall, city officials agreed to finance the rest of the $30,000 project. The final touches are being added to Deuce Eight, and eventually, it will be moved to a museum in the soon-to-be-built Station 4 on Highland Colony Parkway. For generations to come, this fire engine will continue to serve as an important piece of history and a reminder of what can be accomplished with the dedication of a few hardworking men. Firefighters provide our communities with so many valuable services, even beyond their specific duties. The camaraderie ca·ma·ra·der·ie n. Goodwill and lighthearted rapport between or among friends; comradeship. [French, from camarade, comrade, from Old French, roommate; see comrade. of these people who work and live together, as well as their many talents and interests, enrich our state just as their vital services of putting out fires and going on rescue missions do. Enjoy these Southern firehouse recipes shared by Mississippi firemen: CORNISH HEN AND RICE CASSEROLE 2 Cornish game hens 1 1/2 teaspoons Mrs. Dash's Table Blend 1 1/2 teaspoons Lawry's poultry seasoning 1/2 teaspoon Tony Chachere's Creole seasoning 2 dashes soy sauce 1 1/2 cups rice, uncooked 1 can cream of mushroom soup Place Cornish hens in a saucepan, and add enough water to cover. Add seasonings and soy sauce, and bring to a boil. Boil hens for about 1 1/2 hours or until meat comes off bone. Remove from pan, and set aside to cool. Add 1 1/2 cups additional water to pan, then add rice. Once rice comes to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until all the water is gone (about 20 minutes). Debone hens, place the meat in a bowl, and set aside. When rice is almost done, stir in meat and soup. Continue to simmer until soup is cooked into rice. Remove from heat. Let stand about 2 minutes before serving. Note: Seasonings may be adjusted to taste. Lt. Jeff Pugh Flowood Fire Department BUTTERMILK BISCUITS 1 cup self-rising flour (or a little more if necessary) 1 1/2 cups buttermilk 1/3 cup vegetable shortening Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine flour, buttermilk, and shortening. Dough will be sticky. Knead dough, and pat out biscuits to desired size. Place in a greased hot iron skillet. Coat top of biscuits with shortening. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Capt. Johnnie Roland Flowood Fire Department PEACH COBBLER 1 stick butter 2 (29-ounce) cans sliced peaches, drained 1 1/3 cups self-rising flour 1 1/3 cups sugar 1 1/3 cups milk Preheat pre·heat tr.v. pre·heat·ed, pre·heat·ing, pre·heats To heat (an oven, for example) beforehand. pre·heat  er n. oven to 375 degrees. Melt butter in a 9 x 13-inch Pyrex
dish. Spread drained peaches over butter. Combine flour, sugar, and
milk, and pour over peaches. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
Capt. Johnnie Roland Flowood Fire Department CHICKEN AND SAUSAGE ALFREDO 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken tenders, cooked and cubed 1 pound Country Pleasing sausage 1 medium onion, chopped 1 medium bell pepper, chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 jar Alfredo sauce 1 package angel-hair pasta, cooked Saute chicken and sausage with onion and bell pepper in oil in a large frying pan until chicken is cooked through and onion is golden brown. Place ingredients in a saucepan, and add Alfredo sauce. Cover, and simmer on low for 15-20 minutes. Serve over pasta. Note: Also good with shrimp. Michael Bullock, Firefighter EMT Ridgeland Fire Department Michael Bullock, Firefighter EMT Ridgeland Fire Department POWDERED SUGAR RIB-EYE STEAKS Rib-eye steaks Lawry's seasoned salt Black pepper Garlic powder Powdered sugar Worcestershire sauce Soy sauce Sprinkle steaks with seasoned salt Noun 1. seasoned salt - combination of salt and vegetable extracts and spices and monosodium glutamate flavorer, flavoring, flavourer, flavouring, seasoning, seasoner - something added to food primarily for the savor it imparts , pepper, and garlic powder to taste; rub into the meat on both sides. Cover the surface of the steak with powdered sugar, and rub into the meat on both sides. Marinate mar·i·nate v. mar·i·nat·ed, mar·i·nat·ing, mar·i·nates v.tr. To soak (meat, for example) in a marinade. v.intr. To become marinated. for 2-3 hours in a mixture of worcestershire sauce and soy sauce. Cook on a grill to desired doneness. Do not pierce or the juices and seasonings will escape. Michael Bullock, Firefighter EMT Ridgeland Fire Department FIREMAN JOHN'S AWARDWINNING BEEF TENDERLOIN 1 whole beef tenderloin, trimmed 1 cup worcestershire sauce 1/2 cup soy sauce 1 tablespoon black pepper 1 tablespoon Lawry's seasoned salt 1 tablespoon lemon pepper 1 tablespoon garlic salt Handful brown sugar Marinate tenderloin for 2-3 hours in a marinade made by mixing remaining ingredients. Cook on grill over direct heat for 20 minutes, turning every 5 minutes. Cut into steaks, and return to grill; cook to desire doneness. Lt. Johnny McKinnon Ridgeland Fire Department FIREMAN JOHN'S GRILLED REDFISH Juice of 1 lemon Juice of 1 lime 3 tablespoons worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 to 2 tablespoons Lawry's seasoned salt 4 (8-ounce) redfish fillets Mix together first 5 ingredients, then brush over fish. Cook on grill or bake in oven at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Check doneness with a fork. Lt. Johnny McKinnon Ridgeland Fire Department CORNBREAD SURPRISE 1 pound ground beef 1 medium onion, diced 1 medium green bell pepper, diced 2 cans tomato paste 2 cups self-rising cornmeal 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 eggs 1 to 2 cups milk 1 pound black-eyed peas, cooked Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a saucepan, brown ground beef; drain, and return to pan. Add onion, bell pepper, and tomato paste. Simmer until tender; set aside. In a large bowl, combine cornmeal corn·meal also corn meal n. Meal made from corn, used in a wide variety of foods. Also called Indian meal. Noun 1. , flour, eggs, and milk. In a greased 9 x 13-inch pan, layer peas, beef mixture, and cornmeal mixture. Bake for 35 minutes of until golden brown. Vernon R. Wolfe, St., Firefighter EMT Vicksburg Fire Department CHICKEN ENCHILADAS 1 tablespoon cooking oil 1 package com tortillas 1 can chili 1 whole chicken 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 jar pimentos, drained and chopped 1 medium onion, diced 1 can com, drained 1 can chipotle peppers, drained Salt and pepper to taste 2 cups Mexican mix cheese, finely grated 1 can enchilada sauce 1 jar black olives, diced 1 (8-ounce) container sour cream Coat a skillet with a thin layer of oil, and cook tortillas just long enough to soften, being careful not to tear them. Pat with paper towel to soak up excess oil, and set aside. Heat chili (language) CHILI - D.L. Abt. A language for systems programming, based on ALGOL 60 with extensions for structures and type declarations. ["CHILI, An Algorithmic Language for Systems Programming", CHI-1014, Chi Corp, Sep 1975] , and set aside. Boil chicken until tender. When chicken is cool, debone de·bone tr.v. de·boned, de·bon·ing, de·bones To remove the bones from: debone a chicken breast. Verb 1. and break into bite-sized pieces. Place chicken pieces in a mixing bowl, and add cream of mushroom soup, pimentos, onion, corn, chipotle chi·pot·le n. A ripe jalapeño pepper that has been dried and smoked for use in cooking. [American Spanish, from Nahuatl xipotli.] Noun 1. peppers, salt and pepper
cheese - a solid food prepared from the pressed curd of milk . Mix thoroughly. To assemble: Dip tortillas one at a time into warmed chili. Spoon chicken mixture into the center of the chili-tortilla, and roll up. Place rolled tortillas side by side in a greased 9 x 13-inch pan. Pour enchilada sauce over tortillas, and sprinkle with cheese and black olives Noun 1. black olive - olives picked ripe and cured in brine then dried or pickled or preserved canned or in oil ripe olive olive - one-seeded fruit of the European olive tree usually pickled and used as a relish . Bake at 425 degrees for almost 30 minutes. Top with a dab of sour cream. Vernon R. Wolfe, Sr., Firefighter EMT Vicksburg Fire Department BROCCOLI AND CHEESE CORNBREAD 1 box Jiffy cornbread mix 1 egg 1 (8-ounce) container sour cream 1 Vidalia onion, finely chopped (optional) 1 package frozen chopped broccoli, cooked 1 (12-ounce) package mild cheddar cheese, grated Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine cornbread mix, egg, and sour cream. Saute onion, and add to cornbread mixture. Prepare broccoli broccoli (brŏk`əlē) [Ital.,=sprouts], variety of cabbage grown for the edible immature flower panicles. It is the same variety (Brassica oleracea botrytis) as the cauliflower and is similarly cultivated. according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. directions, and drain well. Add cheese to broccoli, and stir until melted. Add broccoli-cheese mixture to cornbread mixture. Pour into a greased baking pan, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. Note: Delicious with lasagna or spaghetti. Wade Thomas, Firefighter EMT Vicksburg Fire Department FIREFIGHTER FOCUS IN THE DELTA Learn about the history of fighting fires in Greenville at the city's Old Firehouse Museum, located in the Old Firefighter Number One at 230 Main St. The building was constructed in 1923 and served as an active fire station from 1933 to 1969; the museum opened in 1994. The Old Firehouse Museum is open by appointment. For details, call 662/378-1554. Note: To purchase Fireman John's 8.4-ounce Baebecue Seasoning, call 601/853-1587 or see www.firemanjohn.com |
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