Calvin Mendel, Senior Captain

Retired

Station 68 Member for 11 Years

Entrance Date:
March 9, 1968

Station Assignment:
Fire Staion 8: (Firefighter) June 1968 - February 1973
Fire Station 61: (Engineer/Operator) February 1973 - November 1973
Fire Station 17: (Engineer/Operator) Admin transfer to Ladder Co. 17 November 1973 - February 1976
Fire Station 11: (Captain) February 1976 - November 1976
Adimn transfer to Engine Co. 17 November 1976 - February 1980
Houston Fire Museum: (Sr. Captain)
asked by Fire Chief Rogers to remodel Old 7's into the current museum February 1980 - June 1983
Fire Station 67: (Sr.Captain) Admin transfer June 1983 - November 1988
Fire Station 68: (Sr. Captain) Trqnsfer to the busiest Ladder Co. in the City of Houston. November 1988 - June 1993
Jahnke Training Facility: (Sr.Captain)
Asked to teach tactics to the cadets and develop a tactics class for the seasoned firefighters
June 1993 - Novemeber 1995
Fire Station 68: Admin transfer back the 68's November 1995 - February 14, 2001
SAFETY2:
After Kim and Lewis died I vowed to prevent another LODD on my watch
RETIRED:
November 17, 2003

Certifications:
U.S. Army National Guard Helicopter Crew Chief (1967-1973)
Member - Texas Museum Association
Texas Arson Association
Texas Certified Fire Instructor
Nationally Certified Safety Officer
Saving Your Own Trainer’s Association
Texas Comission on Fire Protection Field Proctor
Hazwoper Trained
C.P.R. Certified

Awards:
UNIT VALOR AWARD:
for developing and leading a 10-member team for the fire tactics class which is still being used at JTF

Dennies Holder Medal:
Awarded for his contributions in the remodeling of Old Station #7 for the Fire Museum. He is a trustee on the museum's board. Senior Captain Mendel is also responsible for training countless HFD Cadets, veteran firefighters and volunteer firefighters on the use of Thermal Imaging Cameras. He was instrumental in the design and development of the firefighters Gauntlet Glove and the design and contruction of the Val Jahnke Training Academy's Flashover Chamber.

Committees/Affiliations:
Initiated the fire tactics classes which were offered to volunteer and paid fire departments, as well as chemical plant workers, hospital staff, and shipboard personnel.
Lead the testing and wrote the criteria for the Thermal Imaging Cameras .
Worked with Scott Aviation to make a national training video for the TIC.
Designed the course and wrote the criteria for the only heat stress test in the world formulated solely for firefighters.
Currently publishing the data for this test to be used nationally as the only job-related recruiting test for firefighter applicants, as well as possibly using this test as a yearly physical fitness program for seasoned veterans.
Instrumental in the design and production of the Bell-cuff gloves now being used.
Instrumental in the design of the voicemitters currently being used on facemasks.
Designed the course and evaluation forms currently used for Houston Fire Department gear evaluations.
Designed and constructed both flashover chambers at the Jahnke Training Facility.
Currently working with PIO in the new Citizen’s Fire Academy.
Co-writer of the current fireground accountability guideline

Career Goals:
My goal, throughout my career has been to make the job easier and safer for the "front-line troops". I have always loved these firefighters and will always love them. I am EXTREMELY PROUD!! to have been allowed to stand beside them in the field and to be counted as one of them in the stations!

Be Safe
Stay Aggressive