Blogger Blog

Join the fire fighters, police and emergency service workers as the Tour of Duty run makes its way across America.
Each Dawn of the 31 day journey will be dedicated to the individuals who where taken in their Tour of Duty.

Help the Tour Of Duty

2010-09-03

Text FIRE to 35000 to donate $10

Blog Entries

2010-09-01

To keep up-to-date with all the action from the road, please visit the
Tour Of Duty - Run Across America Facebook
site and become a friend.

Media Coverage from Lewisville (Dallas)

2010-08-24

YOUTUBE

A Firefighter's Dream

2010-08-22

Listen to the Tour Of Duty poem ' A Firefighter's Dream by Rupert McCall

Firefighter of the Day: Kevin O'Connor

2010-08-19

Firefighter of the Day: Kevin O'Connor

FDNY Engine 37 Harlem
Status: Single (twin brother)
Nickname: Broseph

Broseph's Inspiration: the remembrance of 9/11 and how fire fighters from all over are getting together to contribute their time and feelings in the run across America so that 9/11 is still in our memories.

"That day... I remember kids had to leave school earlier because their parents worked in the city.

...I always wanted to be a part of NYC and be a part of FDNY so once 911 hit, it made me want to become a fireman that much more. What those guys did that day I knew I could not do any thing better with my self and make myself more proud and my family too.

What firefighters do every day helping people and doing the right thing so that when that happened (9/11) I knew my goal was to become a FDNY fire fighter."

We all agree Kevin O'Connor is a great asset to the 'Tour of Duty - Run Across America' team.

Help ignite Kevin's inspiration and get him to New York City
Sponsor a firefighter for as little as $1 donation.

The heat is on... and things turned... pink!

2010-08-19

Day 6 began with the blue team running the "graveyard" shift - midnight to 6am.

Spirits soared when Captain Hawk and his crew from Station 35 Phoenix Police Department extended a police escort with some joining in the run with the firefighters during the night. A cooked breakfast followed at the station and in a word was ...amazing!

The heat continued to test the firefighters limits in the desert today with temperatures consistently around 105F.

The red team took on the "hot" shift from midday to 6pm and that is when the day turned ...shades of pink and red!!!

The red team are known to "enjoy themselves" with their relaxed can-do-attitude... not reserved for the light hearted.

So it was no surprise to see the red team have fun beyond most people's expectations in the desert today....including the police escorts who were more than happy to go along with the fun.

Our first showing was Mr Russell "Foxxy" Fox wearing a Melbourne Devils outfit accompanied by teammate Ryan Green.
Foxy
Next was Greg "The Rabbi" Matusoff & Mike "T-bird" Tagell who took it to a higher level than our first showing on catwalk "Highway 87"...wearing a pink tutu, pink feather boa and pink hard hat with the name emblazened "Demolition Devo"
Greg
.... and definitely a winning combination which won the police vote!

The day was complete when all firefighters arrived at Payson Fire Department, Arizona for a well earned rest after two hard days slogging it in the desert!

Phoenix Fire Department Dispatch Radio Call

2010-08-18

Listen to the Phoenix FD Dispatch radio message sent out this morning.
CLIUCK HERE FOR AUDIO

The Mohave desert turns on the heat...all the way to Phoenix, Arizona

2010-08-17

Day 5: The Mohave Desert turns on the heat!

Well the photo says it all.

New York Fire Department Firefighter, Brian O'Grady, or "BOG" as he is affectionately known seen above "warming up" for the changeover to the "hot shift" 12noon - 6pm.

The key for the firefighters running in the gruelling temperatures of 110F / 43C is hydrating big time with water, water, water and stretching before each of their 1 mile stints.

Into day 5 of the 31 day epic 7,500km journey to New York City; the teams are now working together and stepping up.

Roadside Cookout ... just like Mamma makes it!

2010-08-17

Day 5: Mohave Desert, Arizona

As the saying goes "you're a sight for sore eyes" and so it was when the fire fighters came across the roadside "cookout" prepared by volunteer cooks who joined us on the Tour of Duty - Run Across America

Let me introduce two amazing volunteer "COOKS": Grant "Roy" Rogers, Las Vegas Metro Police Department & Dallin van bus Kirk, Las Vegas 2010 High school graduate & current "Explorer" internship.

There is nothing like a home cooked meal to boost your energy reserves for running across the Arizona desert in 110F / 45C heat.

Everyone enjoyed the spaghetti bolognese and salad dinner...or should I say devoured!

Welcome onboard fellas!

Day in the Mohave Desert, Arizona

2010-08-17

James

Day 4: Tour of Duty - Run Across America

Each day (of the 31 day - 7,500km epic journey) begins with honouring sixteen (16) of the 411 fire fighters - first responders whose lives were tragically taken in the September 11 terrorist attacks on the world trade centre.

The Mohave Desert tested the 36 fire fighters who ran their hearts out in temperatures soaring 110F.

The fire fighters are a tough bunch but nothing touched their hearts more than a "roadside cookout" of spaghetti bolognese & salad.
James+spag+man
NYFD James Dowdell (pictured above) thought it was "totally sick!"

Two young local Las Vegas men have volunteered their services as "cooks" joining the Tour of Duty - Run Across America. Yee-Ha!

Las Vegas Hospitality... second to none!

2010-08-17

Day 3: Tour of Duty Across America

Never a better way to recover from 24hrs running in 100F plus heat, than a hearty home made cooked meal made with LOVE by the local community church. A FEAST fit for a king, or should I say feast for 36 fire fighters, headed by Chief Josie was enjoyed at North Las Vegas Fire Station 53.

Thank you to Graeme Fay, Deputy Consul-General, Australian Consulate for hosting the pre-show cocktail party at the Aria Gold Lounge & "Chainsaws" wife for organising the Cirque de Soleil ELVIS Show tickets.

Again...another amazing experience! Las Vegas definitely lived up to it's reputation.

Las Vegas...experience of a lifetime!

2010-08-16

Day Two: Tour of Duty - Run Across America

The Australian & American fire fighters entered into the "desert" on day two of the 7,500km journey from Los Angeles to New York City where temperatures soared to 107F / 43C.

The hospitality of the Las Vegas Metro Police Department was unbelievable providing a police escort into the city of Las Vegas.

At 11.50pm the Metro Police again escorted the fire fighters as they departed from the "Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas Nevada" meeting point running the 8-mile / 14km famous Las Vegas strip. The public came out in the thousands cheering them on all the way.

Once reaching the Fremont Casino the fire fighters were given a suprise gift: A montage collation of each of their profile and team pictures played with the theme song from "Rocky"... (check out the video below).

... a Las Vegas experience of a life time ending at 2.30am!

Las Vegas Strip Experience of a lifetime!

2010-08-16

Jerry Lewis WOW's us all!!!

2010-08-16

Day Two: Tour of Duty - Run Across America

Tour of Duty - USA Ambassador, Jerry Lewis welcomed the fire fighter runners into Las Vegas in true style normally accustomed for famous people. Jerry happily posed for photos, joked with everyone and made us all feel right at home in Las Vegas.

Live GPS Tracking now available

2010-08-16

GPS TRACKING

Tour Of Duty gets huge US media attention

2010-08-13

A moments silence to remember those who lost their lives on 911

Location:E Main St,Barstow,United States

The Tour Of Duty has started

2010-08-13

After years of planning, at 0846 this morning, the Tour Of Duty left Santa Monica Pier on the epic journey across the USA. Hundreds of well wishes, firefighters, police, media and officials met and joined in as the team paid their respects to 16 of those that tragically lost their lives on 911. The runners are currently half way out of Los Angeles with full police escorts, dozens of fire trucks and hundreds of firefighters joining the crowds of well wishes along the route.

Location:Huntington Dr,Alhambra,United States