Community
She Educates People in a Man’s World
THE TENNESSEE TRIBUNE — Latiaa Sneed seems uniquely qualified for one of her assignments at Fire Hall No. 1. Sneed majored in theater with a minor in psychology at Middle Tennessee State University and so she likes her role as a Dalmatian dedicated to fire safety.
By Clint Confehr
COLUMBIA, TN — Latiaa Sneed seems uniquely qualified for one of her assignments at Fire Hall No. 1.
Sneed majored in theater with a minor in psychology at Middle Tennessee State University and so she likes her role as a Dalmatian dedicated to fire safety.
Technically, she wears a costume manufactured for a safety promotions company that portrays the “Fire Pup” in coloring books. However, most children see the costumed crusader as “Marshall” the fire dog on “Paw Patrol,” a children’s cartoon show that’s not standard fare for adults, unless they’re parents, baby sitters, or close relatives.
Firefighter Sneed, an advanced emergency medical technician who started her EMT training at Columbia State Community College, was recruited by Columbia Fire and Rescue Chief Ty Cobb when he was assistant chief. Cobb is a former Democratic member of the Tennessee House of Representatives.
“I started about a year ago,” Sneed said. As for her special assignment that includes wearing the large costume, she grins; “They make the rookie do it.”
The costume head is heavy. It’s hot all the way down to its oversized red fire boots.
Asked if it’s “a dog’s life” being a rookie, she replied, “Well, I’m over the public education program, so … a lot of the times, I’m ‘Marshall’ (also known as Fire Pup) or I go and talk to the kids, but I like it, so it’s OK.”
She teaches fire safety lessons to fire hall visitors. That includes explanations about electrical fires, responsibilities for babysitters, and calling 911. Her chief wants her to emphasize how to escape from a burning building.
Originally from Murfreesboro, Sneed reflects on her MTSU minor in psychology; perhaps that should have been with a focus on child psychology and not just because she portrays Fire Pup. She has a son.
Sneed is also certified in swift water rescue with training at the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy in Bedford County. It was challenging. She’s overcome a fear of water.
Her story is of a woman succeeding in a man’s world.
Cobb, with Sneed portraying Fire Pup, visit elementary schools, day care centers, appear at festivals, church- and civic club programs and other events where they distribute coloring books, light-weight, red-plastic fire helmets for children and other goodwill tchotchke-like souvenirs.
“Please be safe,” is Sneed’s request to her audience. “Honestly, that’s the biggest thing.”
She wants to educate all age-groups.
“If you have any questions” about fire safety,” she says, “go to your local fire department.
“Make sure you don’t start something in the kitchen and leave the kitchen. Once you start cooking, be sure to finish.”
Last month, Sneed portrayed Fire Pup (recognized as Marshall by children) at a four-year-old boy’s birthday party in Fire Hall No. 1. After Fire Pup left the children to enjoy their Firehouse sandwiches, pizza and Dairy Queen birthday cake, Sneed led a tour of a big red fire engine in the garage, complete with an opportunity to climb across crew cab seating.
The garage was largely empty. Firefighters remained ready to respond to calls announced on a loud speaker from a dispatcher’s microphone.
“The kids had a good time,” Fire Capt. Josh Carter said. “It’s not an imposition on the firefighters,” but it was a special thing.
Columbia fire-rescue “wants to be involved in the community,” Cobb said March 13 after visiting Columbia Central High School with Fire Pup for a special needs students’ basketball game. The birthday party was an event sold during a silent auction during a formal affair in a restored mansion; last year’s venue for the annual James K. Polk Ball which raises operating funds for the only surviving residence of the 11th President of the United States.
Capt. Carter says if parents bring a son and/or daughter to the hall for a visit, they’re welcome, but Fire Pup might not make an appearance because normally firefighters “don’t do birthday parties” in the fire hall, Carter says, citing liability issues.
Fire Pup, Chief Cobb says, “is just one thing we do to be involved in the community and teach safety.”
This article originally appeared in The Tennessee Tribune.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
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Alameda County
DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland
Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.
Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.
City Government
Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall
At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.
Special to The Post
At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.
Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.
Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”
According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.
“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”
When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.
At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”
While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.
On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.
“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.
The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.
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