How I See the World.

I had a parent message me to say that her daughters had told her that if there was ever a shooting in our school like there was in Florida, they hoped that they would be near me because they knew I would do everything I could to protect them. At first, I had a great sense of pride and honor that they trusted me so much. Then, reality set in and I had a wave of sadness wash over me that our kids and grandkids were having to even think about such things. I don't want my granddaughters to worry a moment about some nut with a gun coming into their school. Unfortunately, this is the reality of our nation today. It must change.

I am a gun owner. I am not a hunter but I own weapons for two reasons: protection and just because I like shooting them. I consider my weapons as tools. Nothing more and nothing less.

When it comes to the issue of gun violence, as with many issues in our country, the loudest voices are from the looney right-wing gun owners who believe any restrictions on who can own weapons or how they can be...

Tags: gun violence, kevin c shinn

Vaping is promoted as a way to quit smoking but because of its unique design and delivery system it has spawned a new market for entertainment and social purposes. 

Vaping is a health hazard for the known ingredients included in its mix but is increasingly dangerous due to the illegal and unknown materials being used for reasons ranging from getting high to seeing how big a vape cloud one can make to simply wanting different colors of vape clouds.

However, it is not the mix content that is making it so difficult to stop the spread of vaping, it is the developing culture around it that is pushing its growth. 

A couple of years ago, I had a young man going through the probationary period on our fire department with a "Vape for Life" tattoo on his upper arm. As one might imagine, I found the sentiment behind the ink rather odd and questioned the motivation behind such a permanent display of devotion toward the product. His answers about a Vape Brotherhood sent me to Google where I found my own answers to this strange phenomenon. 

For those in society on the fringe of normal social interaction, there has always...

Tags: kevin c shinn, vaping

This is the second rescue of the day for our department.

Following numerous Swift Water calls during flash flooding around Madison County, the Huntsville Fire Department Swift Water Rescue was dispatched to the report of people trapped by rising water with more rain coming. On scene, the team was able to remove three people and their canine from harm's way.

Huntsville firefighters who were part of the operation: Chief Kevin Shinn, Captain Ian Burnett, Captain Corey Burnett, Lieutenant Kristyn Shinn Clark, firefighters Darren Clark, Dean Holowatsch, Lucas Myer, Kevin Patrick and Joseph Bontrager.

We would like thank the valuable contributions of the Forum-Alabam Fire Department, Madison County Sheriff's Office, Madison County EMS and members of the Carroll County Rescue Team.

Tags: huntsville arkansas, huntsville fire department, kevin c shinn

The Huntsville Fire Department Swift Water Rescue Team was paged to an incident Wednesday morning with a mother and small child trapped in their vehicle due to rising flood waters.

HFD personnel made their way to the vehicle and extracted them in the rescue boat.

HFD personnel were: Chief Kevin Shinn, Captain Ian Burnett, Captain Corey Podoll, Lieutenant Kristyn Shinn Clark, firefighters Darren Clark, Justin Tucker, Dean Holowatsch, Lee Grady, Kevin Patrick and Joseph Bontrager.

1st Rescue of the day

Tags: huntsville arkansas, huntsville fire department, kevin c shinn