Latest Update On George

I copied this from the Fire website regarding George.

Update - George Copeland - Wheeling About

August 7th, 2007 :

I went to see George the other day. George was nowhere to be found. I called him later that evening and George said he was outside riding around on his new motorized chair. He is moving his right arm enough to operate the joy stick on the chair. The staff has been working with him in therapy from 8:30-4:30 each day. He still has tingling in his legs and is encouraged by that. He feels he has some new freedom with his chair and every opportunity he has he leaves the hospital to enjoy the sun. There is a maze of sidewalks around the property and he uses every part of it. George has a good positive attitude. He says wherever the road goes for him he will still not loose hope. He always has visitors from the guys at the firehall and he thanks them. The staff all love him and speak highly of George. What's not to like. He has always been a charmer. George always enjoys his visitors. He does get tired after his therapy during the weekdays. He enjoys his Saturdays and Sundays as there is no therapy on those days.

Update on Firefighter, George Copland - Windsor Fire & Rescue

Update as of the 24th of May from Rick Marr

I saw George today, May 23, 2007. George was very happy. He found out the other day he was moving to Detroit for physiotherapy. George stated he is moving Thursday, May 24, 2007. He is going to DMC Rehabilitating Institute of Michigan. It is located at 261 Mack Boulevard, Detroit Michigan 48201.

Website www.RIMrehab.org

When George gets settled in I will find out the exact mailing address for his room and a phone number.

Stay tuned and be excited for George. I know he is excited. They are going to work on him 4 hours a day. Right now he was only able to get physiotherapy for 1 hour per day. This is a changing time for George and he needs a lot of support.

I am sure George is having mixed emotions about leaving because he made a lot of friends at Hotel Dieu and will never forget them. He knows he has to move on now and focus on getting better.

We are with you George.

Richard Marr"

'I feel wonderful'

I received this from Dispatch this morning. You can read the entire Windsor Star column by clicking on the link below.

'I feel wonderful':

"'I feel wonderful'
Injured firefighter George Copeland makes first public appearance since accident
Sonja Puzic, Windsor Star
Published: Saturday, May 12, 2007

'How are you doing dispatch?'

The familiar voice of injured firefighter George Copeland, speaking on a two-way radio from his hospital bed, boomed across Windsor Fire and Rescue airwaves about three weeks ago, bringing his colleagues to their feet.

That emotional greeting was more than just a boost for the fire department. It was a prelude to a major milestone in Copeland's slow but determined recovery."

Latest Update On George

May 07, 2007:

I visited George on Monday, May 7, 2007. George was in a wheel chair. He said it felt good to have normal clothes on. George does not need the Tracheotomy. They removed it and stated it feels much better without it. He is exercising his right arm to make it stronger. He will be moving from ICU to a normal room shortly. He is trying to go for treatment in Detroit at a place on John R and Mac rd. He says hi to everyone. His biggest challenge right now is to get going on therapy in Detroit.

Richard Marr

George Copeland Fundraiser

I apologize for the formatting for the addresses and phone numbers below but no matter what I attempt to do they don't want to cooperate.

GEORGE COPELAND FUNDRAISER

Hosted by Windsor West Indian Association

SAT. MAY 12^TH 2007

At: THE CARIBBEAN CENTRE

2410 CENTRAL AVE, WINDSOR ON.

519 945 0213 www.caribbeanassoc.com

COCKTAILS @ 6PM DINNER @ 7PM

DJ – W D PRODUCTION

ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY AT:

Copeland's Martial Arts Carol Browne Windsor Fire and Rescue Station #1
519-973-1578 519-739-0657 519-258-7291
2557 Dougall Ave Unit 5 815 Goyeau Street
www.copelandsmartialarts.com wagbro@hotmail.com wfppa@cogeco.ca

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!

Update On George April 16th

April 16, 2007:

I saw George on Friday night. He wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. There is some good news, George is able to rotate his right forearm back and forth and has some tingling in his feet. George is working hard and is keeping a positive attitude.

On Wednesday, April 18, 2007 there is a “Firefighters for George” Pasta Dinner Fundraiser at the Caboto Club starting at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the reception desk at Headquarters, 815 Goyeau St. Tickets are $15.00 and children 5 years and under are free. There is a silent auction from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Richard Marr

Fund Raiser Basketball Challenge

The 1st Annual "Hoop City / Firefighters Basketball Challenge" fund-raising basketball game is scheduled for Saturday, May 26th at St. Clair College, with proceeds going to the George Copeland Family Trust Fund. There will be 4 teams playing...Windsor Fire & Rescue, St. Clair Alumni, and 2 teams from Hoop City.

The first game begins at 3:00 pm, second game at 4:00 pm, and the final game at 5:00 pm.

The "Hope and Support" orange wristbands and "Support our Firefighters" ribbon magnets will be on sale at this event as well.

Please come out and support this fund-raising event for George !

Update On George

This is an update as of April 5 from Richard Marr:

April 05, 2007:

I saw George Tuesday afternoon. He was tired at the time and needed a nap. He had just finished physiotherapy. Good news, George is still able to breathe on his own. There is still no definitive date as to when George will be moved; the doctors are monitoring his progress. He really likes company, even to just sit with him and watch a movie. I brought him a bag of get well cards that was given to me from all the people thinking of him and he really enjoyed seeing them.

Richard Marr

Update On Our Firefighters

I received this update from Rich Marr recently.

I spoke to Bill Hopkins, Randy Decocco and Jamie Waffle. They stated they are doing well. They started their Physio and are working hard on that. Randy was given good news about his neck injury. The Doctor stated the injury was like a bad whip lash and there was no damage to the vertebrae.

Randy is seeing the doctor shortly about an operation on his shoulder. Other than that he said he was feeling fine. Jamie is sore but doing fine. He wants to get back to work but knows he has to finish his physio.

Richard Marr

Fund Raiser Magnets Available

MAGNETS AVAILABLE

$4.00 EACH

CAN BE PURCHASED AT

Fire Department Headquarters

Joe Cash Stores

Copeland Karate

All proceeds to George Copeland family Trust Fund

A Retirees Story About George Copeland's Driving Skills

I received an email from Pat Cushing regarding the story below.

While responding to an alarm at the legion on wyandote.....George was driving the aerial out of 4 station......as usual the trucks were backed up for blocks along wyandotte just leaving openings for the side streets.....2 young girls mistook a don't go handsign from a trucker and pulled out right in front of George ....his lightening response swerved the truck just catching their front end and spinning them out of harms way while george hit 2 parked cars and only property damage was the result..........had not George been so alert that arial would have run right over the little compact those 2 sisters were driving and im sure would have killed them both...btw Jim Crowley was the officer on that aerial.

Wrist Bracelet Fund Raiser

Hope and Support

For Injured Firefighter

George Copeland #89

Bracelets $3.00 Each

Proceeds Donated To The George Copeland Family Trust Fund

The wrist bands are available at the following locations:

All Windsor Fire Stations

• Station #1 - 815 Goyeau
• Station #2 - 2296 Richmond
• Station #3 - 2750 Ouellette
• Station #4 - 2600 College
• Station #5 - 1905 Cabana W.
• Station #6 - 5650 Tecumseh Rd. E.
• Station #7 - 254 Lauzon Rd.
• Station #8 - 3200 County Rd. 42
  

5 Motor City Community Credit Unions

• 6701 Tecumseh Rd. E.
• 1375 Walker Road
• 895 Erie St. E.
• 189 City Hall Square
• 1405 Tecumseh Rd. W.
  

Hook & Ladder Club - 3690 Seminole St.

The Latest News About George

This is the latest report regarding George from Richard Marr. Hopefully we can soon receive a report about Bill, Jamie and Randy's progress as well.

I visited George last night (March 29th). He was feeling pretty good. There were a few firefighters with me that had George laughing so hard, there were tears in his eyes. George still has the tracheotomy, but he is breathing on his own. Thanks to the firefighters and the Hook and Ladder, George has all kinds of movies to watch on his portable DVD player . The nurses are working him on his physio every day. George's family are seeing him every day. He likes having company and always lights up when he sees his friends from the fire department.

Keep him in your prayers.

Richard Marr

A-Channel | NEWS | Speed Was a Major Factor in Fire Truck Crash

A-Channel | NEWS | Speed Was a Major Factor in Fire Truck Crash:

"Speed was a major factor in the crash of a Windsor fire truck near the Ambassador Bridge entrance on March 2nd.

The accident left 4 firefighters injured, including the driver of the truck who remains in serious condition.

The firefighters from Station 4 had been responding to a medical emergency.

Through careful calculations, video from a city traffic camera, and an eye witness report, Windsor Police were able to piece together what caused a fire truck to spin out of control and hit a post.

Results of the investigations show the truck was going about 77 kilometers per hour, then slowed to take the curve of the road. That's when everything went wrong.

Police say neither the driver, George Copeland nor Captain Bill Hopkins were wearing their seatbelt.

Windsor Chief of Police, Glenn Standard says no charges will be laid.

The ministry of labour is also investigating.

Police will work closely with the Ministry of Labour to provide any information it needs. "

Update on Firefighters

This is a report from Rick Marr..

As you know, last week George was on a ventilator. I went to see George on Tuesday morning March 20, 2007. The nurse was with George in the downstairs lobby for a while, allowing him to meet visitors. George was going to be off the ventilator for 20 hours that day so they could see if he was able to handle it. I returned to visit on Wednesday night. George stated he only has to have the ventilator when he is sleeping at this time. That is good news. George is leaping over difficult hurdles every day. In the three weeks since the accident, George has had some set backs but he fights them with his positive attitude. The nurses are always there for him. I commend them for their compassion and professionalism. Thank you, nursing staff in the ICU, for helping our friend.

Jamie Waffle is starting physio on Friday. Jamie stated he does have some pain with his headaches and backaches but considers them minor compared to George's injuries. He wants to concentrate on keeping George in a positive focus. Jamie says he hurts as all of us hurt about George but he asks that we all keep positive thoughts for him.

Bill Hopkins stated he is doing 'okay'. He is hurting in muscles he never knew he had! He was up and walking the other day at the river. Bill starts physio next Monday. As Bill was still hurting, of course, he was still able to verbally abuse me.

Richard Marr

Update On George

I read this in the Windsor Star this morning. You can go to their site and read the article by clicking on the link below.

Firefighter battles paralysis:

"Firefighter battles paralysis
George Copeland can't move his limbs following fire truck crash
By Dalson Chen, Windsor Star
Published: Monday, March 19, 2007


Injured Windsor firefighter George Copeland still can’t lift his limbs and has fluid in his lungs, but his family’s faith in his recovery is steadfast.

“George is going to regain full movement of his arms and legs, given the proper treatment and the time span.

“We know this is going to happen,” said Conroy Copeland, older brother of the 46-year-old veteran firefighter.

Asked if George suffers from paralysis, Conroy said: “People want to know these things, but no one knows what those terms mean.”

Speaking from Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital, Conroy said George’s motions are limited to shrugging his shoulders and moving his chest.

George Copeland has been in hospital since he suffered spinal damage in a fire truck crash on March 2."

Conroy said George’s breathing has recently been compromised by pneumonia, and he uses a ventilator periodically.

“His condition has changed a little bit, but it has not deteriorated,” Conroy said.

A no-visitors rule for Copeland is in place at the hospital. In an update on the Windsor Fire and Rescue website, deputy fire chief Tim Berthiaume wrote that nurses have indicated Copeland needs to focus his energy on recovery.

Berthiaume said that Copeland is undergoing intensive physiotherapy, and he will eventually be transferred to a facility in either London or Toronto for more therapy.

Latest Update On Injured Firefighter

I grabbed this update from

http://www.firemanagement.net/windsorfirefighters/

George’s biggest challenge right now is fluid on his lungs. Yesterday, March 15, 2007 George was able to sit in a chair and breath without the assistance of the ventilator for approximately two hours. George continues to suffer a loss of voluntary muscle control from the neck down. His prognosis is still uncertain and it is our hope that with time to heal and intensive physiotherapy George will begin the road to recovery. Once George is breathing on his own he will be transferred to either London or Toronto for therapy.

He was in good spirits yesterday and always has a smile on his face. The nurses indicated they are working him very hard during the day so they need to continue the no visitors rule so that George can focus his energy on recovery. George told the nurses that their physio sessions are tougher than his recruit class! You’ve gotta love those nurses.

George’s brothers provide him with constant support, humour and a positive environment in which to heal. George's faith and his optimistic outlook on life is the best medicine at this time. Even with all that has happened, he is still smiling.

To all his friends, please keep him in your prayers and have patience. Let the healing process do its work, physically and emotionally.

Pasta Dinner Fundraiser

PASTA DINNER FUNDRAISER

For Injured Fire Fighter

George Copeland

AT CABOTO CLUB ON APRIL 18, 2007

TECUMSEH ROAD EAST AT PARENT AVE.

CASH BAR

SILENT AUCTION

DOOR PRIZES

ENTERTAINMENT UNTIL 10 P.M.

DINNER 5-8 P.M. • SILENT AUCTION CLOSES AT 8 P.M.

TICKETS $15.00 / KIDS 5 & UNDER FREE – AVAILABLE AT:

815 GOYEAU – FIRE HEADQUARTERS

MOTOR CITY CREDIT UNION

Updates On Our Firefighters???

Have you ever noticed with most news stories that when the smoke clears and things get a little back to normal how the top story gets shuffled down the "column of importance" a little? I noticed that when three of our guys returned home and George was stable but critical that the urgency of the moment seemed to be placed on the back burner if you will. I, along with a lot of other folks, were not being kept up to date as to how the guys at home were doing.
I inquired about this lately and was glad to hear that fire inspector, Richard Marr and a member of George's family have agreed to give us a weekly report possibly every Friday to keep us all more informed about George and his progress. Additionally, hopefully we will be informed more about the other three guys who were injured also. Stay tuned.

Injured Firefighter Update

Special request to all who read this blog:

Would you please take the time to pray for our seriously injured firefighters, their families, friends and fellow firefighters.

Thanks

George is still recuperating in the hospital, still tired and still has an "attitude" which is a good thing if you know George at all.... George just never had the wherewithal to give up on anything. Keep your prayers and thoughts coming as George continues to get well. Also, keep the other firefighters in your thoughts and prayers as well; just because they went home doesn't mean they're completely healed and we should stop praying and thinking of them. Thanks.